Google admits error over hidden microphone
Google has acknowledged that it made an error in not disclosing that one of its home alarm products contained a microphone.Product specifications for the Nest Guard, available since 2017, had made no mention of the listening device. But earlier this month, the firm said a software update would make Nest Guard voice-controlled.On Twitter, concerned Nest […]
Facebook security app used to 'spy' on competitors
A report by a Commons committee has detailed Facebook’s use of an application to “spy” on users. The cross-party group said that Facebook used its Onavo virtual private network (VPN) app to gather information on competitors. The MPs claim Facebook “intentionally and knowingly violated both data privacy and anti-competition laws”. The report, which is more […]
The US cannot crush us, says Huawei founder
The founder of Huawei has said there is “no way the US can crush” the company, in an exclusive interview with the BBC. Ren Zhengfei described the arrest of his daughter Meng Wanzhou, the company’s chief financial officer, as politically motivated. The US is pursuing criminal charges against Huawei and Ms Meng, including money laundering, […]
Australian couple harvest human-sized cabbage
An Australian couple said it took about nine months of careful maintenance to grow a huge cabbage nearly the size of an adult person. Rosemary Norwood and Sean Cadman, who operate Forest Walks Lodge, an eco-tourism guesthouse in Jackeys Marsh, Tasmania, said they started growing the cabbage in April and carefully kept it safe from […]
Saudi Arabia signs $20bn in deals with Pakistan
Saudi Arabia has pledged investment deals worth $20bn (£15.5bn) with Pakistan which is seeking to bolster its fragile economy.The deals include funding for an $8bn oil refinery in the city of Gwadar. It comes as part of a high-profile Asian tour by the kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Pakistan is suffering a financial crisis. […]
Australian Politicians hit with cyber attacks
Australian PM Scott Morrison says the country’s major political parties and parliament were hit by a “malicious intrusion” on their computer networks. The activity was carried out by a “sophisticated state actor”, he said. But he added there was “no evidence of any electoral interference”. The nation will hold an election within months. Mr Morrison’s […]
Firefox for iOS gets persistent private browsing tabs
Firefox for iOS is getting an update today that brings a new layout for its menu and settings, as well as new organization settings in the New Tabs features to iPhone and iPad users. But more importantly, it is also introducing persistent Private Browsing tabs that allow you to keep private browsing tabs alive across […]
Apple to investigate Saudi app
A Saudi Arabian app that can be used to track women and prevent them from travelling will be investigated by Apple, its chief executive has said. In an interview with NPR, Tim Cook said he wasn’t aware of the Absher app but would look into it. The app, which offers access to government services, has […]
New conveyor belt mattress to keep bed hoggers in their own lane – Ford
Ford made a conveyor belt mattress to keep bed hoggers in their own lane. This is going to save so many marriages. Move over, sex buttons, it turns out that the company most likely to improve couples’ relationships and save marriages is actually…Ford? The company has been known to develop conceptual prototypes that utilize its […]
Apple just made it easier to find and manage subscriptions in iOS
In an update today, iOS users will receive an overdue solution for managing and viewing their subscriptions from within the App Store. Previously, if you wanted to look up subscriptions tied to your Apple or iTunes account, you’d have to access the App Store > View Apple ID > then scroll all the way to […]
Russia considers 'unplugging' from internet
Russia is considering whether to disconnect from the global internet briefly, as part of a test of its cyber-defences. The test will mean data passing between Russian citizens and organisations stays inside the nation rather than being routed internationally. A draft law mandating technical changes needed to operate independently was introduced to its parliament last […]
Instagram is now testing a web version of Direct messages
Insta-chat addicts, rejoice. You could soon be trading memes and emojis from your computer. Instagram is internally testing a web version of Instagram Direct messaging that lets people chat without the app. If, or more likely, when this rolls out publicly, users on a desktop or laptop PC or Mac, a non-Android or iPhone or […]
Champions League: PSG defeat Manchester United, Roma win
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first defeat as Manchester United manager was a case of reality finally kicking in among all the fantasy – and the outcome of years of mismanagement at Old Trafford. Solksjaer’s impact as interim boss has been so great that there was a real air of expectation in the stadium before Tuesday’s Champions […]
Mosquitoes 'put off biting' by human diet drugs
Scientists say they may have found a way to reduce the appetite of blood-hungry mosquitoes, by giving them human diet drugs.This left them feeling full and bloated and put them off biting, US researchers said. They said the technique could be used to prevent illnesses such as Zika, yellow fever and malaria.But their research is […]
