France bans smartphones in schools

Under a new legislation, French students will be prohibited from using smartphones and tablets while at school. The law, which was originally parceled in President Emmanuel Macron's election campaign, was elevated to a matter of public heal…

Google is reportedly working on a censored search engine for China

China's relationship with Google is fractious at best, but it's no secret that the search giant wants to make inroads in what is a largely untapped market. However, its latest alleged plan could send tech's political sphere into a tailspin.…

The Morning After: Tesla party mode activate

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous. August has arrived, and MoviePass is still hanging on -- but things will have to change for it to have a chance at survival. Meanwhile, Sony and Apple had much better news to report, and we're ready wi…

Maccast 2018.07.31

Download today’s show here! MC20180731.mp3 [42.5 01:20:42 64kbps] A podcast about all things Macintosh. For Mac geeks, by Mac geeks. Episode 666. Apple’s Q3 2018 results. Triple iPhone Update imminent. Siri performs well in AI testing. MacBook Pro T…

LG's newest AI research lab will open in Toronto

LG is investing in another North American facility to ensure that it can compete with its staunchest rivals when it comes to artificial intelligence. The Korean conglomerate has announced that it's opening an AI research lab in Toronto, Can…

Windows 'Your Phone' app gives you access to Android files on a PC

If you have an Android device and happen to be a Windows Insider in the Fast ring, as well, you're among the first people who can take Microsoft's "Your Phone" app for a spin. Microsoft has started testing the experimental application, whic…

Huawei supplants Apple as the second largest smartphone seller

While Huawei was already a smartphone giant, analyst numbers released today show that in the last quarter it sold more smartphones than any company in the world other than Samsung. IDC and Strategy Analytics found that smartphone sales slow…

Facebook's Cambridge Analytica woes continue with UK lawsuits

Facebook's Cambridge Analytica troubles are far from over and a new class action lawsuit over the scandal might be on the way. Wired reports today that a group of UK residents has sent the company a letter before claim, in which they highli…

Neato robot vacuum can map multiple floors of your home

Robot vacuums can frequently map a floor of your home to clean without much fuss. But if you aren't living in an apartment or bungalow, you probably have multiple floors -- where's the robovac for that? Neato thinks it can oblige. It's r…

Tesla 'party and camper mode' turns EVs into tailgating machines

Teslas are nothing if not giant batteries on wheels, so it would only make sense if you could use the battery for something other than getting from A to B, wouldn't it? You will soon. Elon Musk has teased the future addition of a "party &…

Leak provides early details for Trump's proposed Space Force

Congress is still a long way off from greenlighting Trump's proposed Space Force, but that isn't stopping the Pentagon from outlining plans for the new military branch. Defense One has obtained a leaked draft proposal that reveals some of …

Seattle judge blocks release of designs for 3D-printed guns

Today U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik granted a temporary restraining order sought by eight state attorneys general to block the sale of designs for 3D-printed guns. Based on a settlement between Defense Distributed and the US Department …

Apple Pay comes to 7-Eleven and CVS later in 2018

Apple Pay is making its way to two of its fiercest opponents. As part of Apple's financial results call, Tim Cook revealed that both 7-Eleven and CVS would introduce support for the tap-to-pay service (and, by extension, equivalents like Go…

Facebook could take on Musical.ly with singing-focused Talent Show

If you've been pining for a new way to show off your singing chops, you're in luck. Facebook is apparently developing a new show that will have users record their performances and send them in as an audition. According to researcher Jane Ma…

23andMe, Ancestry and others agree to genetic privacy guidelines

A number of genetic testing companies, including 23andMe and Ancestry, have signed onto a set of guidelines that aim to address consumer privacy concerns, the Washington Post reports. The privacy best practices, drafted alongside the Future…

Turing's newest phone is even more ridiculous than its last

Turing may have gone bankrupt without shipping a single unit of its much-hyped smartphone, but that isn't stopping it from promising another handset. The company has unveiled the HubblePhone (yes, named after the space telescope), and it's…

iPhones and Apple services fueled the company's biggest Q3 ever

The dead of summer doesn't usually make for the most interesting financial statements, but Apple sure has reason to celebrate. Over the last three months, the company has raked a total of $53.3 billion in pure revenue, making this the most …

At Panorama, art exists for the sake of the ’gram

Three years ago, when Panorama debuted in New York, it featured a tech-infused art exhibit area in addition to its musical lineup. I wondered: Who would go to a music festival to check out VR art or light installations? The obvious answer i…

Our first look at Sony's Bravia Master Series 4K TVs

With its latest premium TVs, the Bravia Master Series, Sony has one goal: To bring home the experience of watching a professional-grade studio monitor. The OLED A9F and the LED-based Z9F sets are Sony's most advanced yet, thanks to the comp…

Netflix's Calibrated Mode promises perfect images on Sony's new TVs

Waymo test will provide rides to and from public transportation

Waymo announced today that it's partnering with the Phoenix area's regional public transportation authority, Valley Metro, in order to explore whether self-driving vehicles are an effective way to get people to and from public transportatio…