Articles by Athena Chan
Apple Facing Lawsuit For 'Unlawful' Siri Recordings
Apple is facing a class-action lawsuit due to last month's revelation about Apple contractors listening to Siri recorings. The lawsuit claims Apple violated the privacy of consumers, including minors.
Unresolved WhatsApp Vulnerability Lets Hackers Alter Messages
Researchers showed how a WhatsApp flaw makes it easy for hackers to alter messages. Evidently, this was an issue that had been raised in 2018 but was still left unresolved.
Google Maps Launches AR Navigation For Android And iPhones
Android and iPhone users can now use the new Live View feature on Google Maps. With the AR technology, users can see the arrows and directions in real world views.
New Study Wants To Find Whether iPhone And Apple Watch Data Can Detect Early Signs Of Dementia
Researchers are studying whether Apple Watch and iPhone data can help determine the first signs of dementia. The findings are to be discussed at a conference in Alaska.
Microsoft Contractor Reveals They Listen To Some Cortana Commands And Skype Calls
Microsoft is the latest company revealed to use human contractors to listen to users' personal conversations. While it is stated that the company may analyze recordings, it does not explicitly say that humans will be involved.
Users Can Now Choose How Fast They Want Alexa To Speak
Amazon Alexa now has seven speech speeds to choose from. Apart from Alexa's usual speaking rate, there are now also four faster speech rates, and two slower ones.
Facebook Planning To Put Its Name On WhatsApp, Instagram
Is Facebook planning to rebrand some of the popular apps that it owns? The social media company is reportedly planning to add 'from Facebook' to the services' names.
Google Assistant Can Now Read And Reply To Messages From More Messaging Apps
Google Assistant will now be able to read and reply to messages from more messaging apps. It now supports reading messages from apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram.
Apple And Google To Stop Listening To Siri And OK Google Recordings Amid Backlash
Apple and Google are under fire after recent revelations regarding human reviews of Siri and OK Google recordings. Now, both companies have temporarily hit the brakes on the controversial practice.
AirDrop And Wi-Fi Password Sharing Feature Can Leak iPhone Cellphone Numbers
Is it possible for information to leak from Apple's AirDrop feature? A new security report shows how easy it would be to recover cellphone numbers from the feature's broadcasted information.
World's First AI-Powered Bar Uses Facial Recognition To Serve Customers In Proper Order
Ever had someone at the bar cut in front of you after you've waited for your turn in the queue? A London bar's AI facial recognition may be the solution to the problem.
Google's New Emergency Feature Can Call For Help When You Can't Talk
Google's new emergency feaure will let users contact emergency services even when they can't talk, one way or another. The feature will be available in the United States in the coming months.
Pokémon GO Worldwide Downloads Surpass 1 Billion
Three years after it was first released, 'Pokémon GO' has surpassed 1 billion downloads. If all the users were to form a country, it would be the third most populated, following India and China.
Netflix Tracking Some Android Users' Physical Activity
Is Netflix really tracking some of its Android users' physical activities? Evidently, the company is doing this is so they can 'improve video playback quality.'
Facebook Working On Brain-Computer Tech That Can Decode Speech And Hearing From Brain Activity
How close are we to technologies that would let us type written speech just by thinking them? Facebook is evidently working on technology that could make this a reality.
Whistleblower Says Apple Contractors Regularly Hear Private Siri Recordings
Is the information gathered from Siri recordings really private? According to a whistleblower, Apple contractors regularly listen to private Siri recordings, including intimate moments and private medical information.
Tesla Launches Chess For In-Car Arcade
Looking for another fun way to play with your Tesla? The company is rolling out chess for the Tesla Arcade today, adding to the growing list of games for the in-car infotainment.
Google Giving Away 100,000 Home Minis To People With Paralysis
To celebrate the Americans with Disabilities Act, Google is partnering with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for a very special project. They will be giving away 100,000 Google Home Minis for people living with paralysis.
High-Tech Cars Too Distracting For Older People: AAA Report
Are newer cars with modern technology too high tech for some drivers? A new report finds that these features are too demanding and confusing for older drivers.
Pixel 3a Helped Double Google's Second Quarter Phone Sales
Google's parent, Alphabet, earned $38.9 billion in the second quarter of 2019. According to Google's CEO, the Pixel 3a's boost in sales drove the company's overall phone sales in the quarter.
Researchers Discover Glowing Click Beetle In China, A First In Asia
Researchers discovered the first bioluminescent click beetle species in Asia in the subtropical forests of southwest China. Analysis shows that it is only distantly related to other bioluminescent click beetles, suggesting there are more to be discovered in Asia.
House Of Representatives Cracking Down On Robocalls
There were 48 billion robocalls made in 2018 alone, a 50 percent increase from the previous years. It is such a nuisance to millions of people that the House of Representatives is now cracking down on robocalls.
Samsung To Relaunch Improved Galaxy Fold In September
Nearly 70 days after it was supposed to be launched, Samsung is announcing the relaunch of the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Although it is only in select countries, the relaunch is expected to happen in September.
LOOK: Robotic Arm Named After Luke Skywalker Lets Users 'Feel'
Prosthetic limbs can help amputees move around, but it does not give them the sensations that human limbs do. Now, engineers at the University of Utah created a robotic arm that allows amputees to 'feel.'
Just 10 Minutes With Pets Can Significantly Relieve Stress, Study Finds
Do pets really contribute to people's mental health and well-being? Researchers of a new study find that just 10 minutes with pets can significantly reduce stress.
Salmonella Outbreak In 27 States Linked To Pig Ear Dog Treats
Twenty seven states are now affected by a salmonella outbreak linked to pig ear dog treats. No deaths have been reported but 20 people have been hospitalized.
Heat Wave Health Risk: How To Avoid, Spot, And Treat Heatstroke And Heat Exhaustion
Record-breaking temperatures this weekend could put many at risk of heatstroke and heat exhaustion. How can one avoid them, and what should be done if someone is spotted with signs of these heat-related conditions?
EPA Not Banning Pesticide Linked To Health Problems In Children
The EPA has refused to ban chlorpyrifos, a pesticide that has been linked to health problems in children. According to the agency, there is no sufficient evidence of its dangers to warrant the ban.
FDA Warns Of Undeclared Ingredient In 'Big Penis' Supplement
The U.S. FDA is warning of a male sexual stimulant that was discovered to contain undeclared Viagra. It could pose health risks for those who are taking other prescription drugs.
Heat Wave Building As Record-Breaking Temperatures Hit US
Record temperatures are hitting parts of the United States, building up to a potentially deadly heat wave. The dangerously hot weather is expected even at nighttime.
