Tag Archives: google

There’s still time to prevent biased AI from taking over the world

Artificial intelligence is ubiquitous. Mobile maps route us through traffic, algorithms can now pilot automobiles, virtual assistants help us smoothly toggle between work and life, and smart code is adept at surfacing our next our new favorite song. But AI could prove dangerous, too. Tesla CEO Elon Musk once warned that biased, unmonitored and unregulated …

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Get a refurbished Apple HomePod for $194

As a general rule, Apple products and “Cheapskate” don’t belong in the same sentence. But obviously zillions of people love Apple gear, price be damned. Read more: Will HomeKit and HomePod get any attention at WWDC? I like Apple gear, too, but damned if I’m going to pay full retail for it. That’s why I always advise people to choose refurbished …

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US reportedly accuses Huawei of lying about Chinese ties

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has accused Huawei of lying about its government ties, while China has asked the US government to cease its “wrong actions” if trade talks are to continue, CNBC is reporting. Last week, the US blacklisted networking gear from Huawei, and President Donald Trump signed an executive order essentially banning the Chinese tech giant following national security …

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Move over Google: LG brings Alexa to 2019 LG ThinQ AI TVs

Have a new LG but prefer Alexa to Google Assistant? You now have a choice.  LG announced Thursday that it has begun rolling out Amazon’s digital assistant to its 2019 line of ThinQ AI televisions. Those in North America will get the update this month, the company says, with European and Asia users getting it in “the weeks to come.”  …

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Alphabet’s Toronto smart campus could open around late 2023

Google’s parent company Alphabet will reportedly open its first smart city buildings in Toronto as early as 2023. Google will eventually move into the Canadian smart campus, the report said. Dan Doctoroff, founder and CEO of Alphabet subsidiary Sidewalk Labs — which focuses on innovation in urban environments — told the Collision Conference in Canada of the timeline for the project, …

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Motorola is profitable after years of struggles, says Lenovo

Motorola is… back?  As the rest of the smartphone industry grapples with declining sales, in its fourth-quarter earnings Lenovo revealed that its mobile business group — which houses Motorola — had a profitable year and its second straight profitable quarter.  While still nowhere near as strong as the company’s PC business, Lenovo says the mobile unit was “profitable starting from …

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These JBL wireless headphones double as a heart

It’s pretty widely accepted that keeping tabs on your heart is a smart move, whether it’s to keep you “in the zone” for maximum exercise benefits or make sure your resting heart rate isn’t too high or low. Lots of smartwatches and fitness bands can do this, of course, but did you know there are earphones with this capability as …

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Google boosts Assistant, search and Maps to help you order food

Hungry? Google wants to help.  In a series of updates Thursday, the search giant is adding features to Google Assistant, Maps and its classic search to help you get your next meal.  Partnering with delivery services including DoorDash, Postmates, Delivery.com, Slice and ChowNow, Google is enabling users in the US to order directly from search, Maps or Assistant as opposed to …

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Google Pay, Assistant will help you ride the New York subway system

When New York’s Metropolitan Transit Authority begins rolling out its new, tap-and-go replacement for the subway’s MetroCard system next week, Google will be going along for the ride. In a blog post Thursday, Google said the OMNY payment system will be compatible with Google Pay for paying fares using supported phones and Google Assistant for real-time transit directions. The support launches May 31, when the …

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Chip designer Arm ditches Huawei because of Trump ban

Chip designer Arm has become the latest company to cut ties with Huawei to comply with a Trump administration ban.  But Arm will keep supporting older products, and previously signed licenses likely make it possible for Huawei to build its own Arm-based chips for years to come. The Chinese company likely won’t see a huge impact unless the ban lasts …

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