Technology news

Five major oil companies got their wish when a federal judge ruled to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the cities of San Francisco and Oakland. The cities sued Big Oil for the damage wrought by global warming and sea level rise.
In his order to dismiss the case, Judge William Alsup, who was presiding over the lawsuit, agreed that burning fossil fuels has contributed to global warming and sea level rise. But, in his opinion, lawsuits aren’t the best solution for this planetary problem. &ldqu

A hot air balloon crashed into live power lines before landing in a lake during a balloon festival in Howell, Michigan, on Sunday.
Footage of the crash shows the balloon suddenly start to lose elevation and head straight for a set of power lines. The pilot turned the balloon's flame on full blast, which heats the air and should cause the balloon to rise, but it was too late.
SEE ALSO: Singer brings a balloon on stage, but it doesn't go as plannedThe basket and balloon make contact with the power

This is Ode To..., a weekly column where we share the stuff we're really into in hopes that you'll be really into it, too.
Perhaps you didn't know you could browse Instagram on your desktop. That's okay! There's still time for you to experience the 'gram in its purest, holiest form.
Let's get the bad stuff out of the way. Not every Instagram feature is available on desktop. For one thing, you can't actually post photos, nor can you read or send DMs.
SEE ALSO: Instagram now lets you mute accounts

In 2014, Adult Swim published an “infomercial” called Too Many Cooks that became an instant viral hit. The darkly funny, surreal comedy parodied the corny ensemble-oriented title themes of the 1970s and ‘80s sitcoms before spiraling into a bizarre slasher film that defied explanation. Now, creator Casper Kelly is back with another parody — but this time, it’s aimed at the culture of games and people who stream them.Final Deployment 4: Queen Battle Walkthrough start

A federal judge just tossed out a lawsuit brought against the world's largest oil companies for selling fuels they knew would boost sea levels and disrupt the global climate.
This decision, on its surface, is a victory for big oil. But the fight against these huge companies and their roles in stoking climate change is far from over.
The suit thrown out on Monday — which was filed by San Francisco and Oakland — won't doom similar lawsuits by New York, Colorado and six others in Califo

We're living in a world in which your kitchen and everyday home appliances can connect to the internet. Which means probably the WiFi devices that provide that access should be using a security protocol that’s less than 14 years old. You think? 
Lucky for all of us, they will be soon.
Starting today, that new WiFi security protocol is here. 
SEE ALSO: Secure any WiFi connection with this portable VPN device
The Wi-Fi Alliance, a non-profit group that certifies WiFi products to en

Microsoft says its facial recognition tools are getting better at identifying people with darker skin tones than before, according to a company blog post today. The error rates have been reduced by as much as 20 times for men and women with darker skin and by nine times for all women.
The company says it’s been training its AI tools with larger and more diverse datasets, which has led to the progress. “If we are training machine learning systems to mimic decisions made in a biased s

LG V35 ThinQ
$899.99View Product
The Good
Fast performance • Ultra-thin design that's comfortable to hold
The Bad
Photo quality doesn't impress and often has exaggerated color • AI features are limited and not exclusive to the device
The Bottom Line
The LG V35 ThinQ has a sleek design paired with some fast-performing software. However, it falls short with an exaggerated camera and lackluster AI features.Mashable Score3.5Cool Factor3.0Learning Curve4.0Performance4.0Bang for the Buck3.0

The public beta of Apple macOS Mojave is here, and as a person who struggles with a messy desktop, there's one feature I can't wait for: Stacks.
Yes, the simple desktop-cleaning solution that got a quick demo on stage is the feature that I've been thinking about since the keynote. 
SEE ALSO: How to install the macOS Mojave public beta
Apple describes Stacks as "a really neat way to manage files," and it is. To fully see the advantages of Stacks and what it aims to change, though, it's impor

Telecom giant Charter says it’s now offering its gigabit internet service in more than half of the 50 million homes and businesses it provides cable to in the US, via Ars Technica. The company provided the new milestone last week when it said it added 4 million new homes across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Florida. The total number of households who subscribe to Charter service that now have access to its gigabit internet service is 27 mill

The battery of a Tesla Model S reignited twice in the aftermath of a fiery crash that killed two teens and injured one other in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to a report released on Tuesday by federal investigators. It is another instance of a Tesla vehicle’s battery catching fire in the hours or days after a deadly crash.The Model S was traveling at 116 mph when it crashed into a wall surrounding a residence on the evening of May 8th, the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) said i

Faraday Future has revealed the source of a mysterious financing round that saved the company from running out of cash at the end of 2017. Evergrande Health, a subsidiary of the Chinese conglomerate and real estate giant Evergrande Group, is now the largest shareholder of Faraday Future after acquiring a 45 percent stake in the automotive company for a total of $2 billion.But as the company takes renewed aim at its goal of starting production on the FF91, an ultra-fast, ultra-luxurious electric

Cryptocurrency scammers of the world, rejoice! Facebook's got your back. 
The social media company revealed in a new set of guidelines that it's partially reversing its ban on cryptocurrency advertisements, reopening the door for all kinds of sketchy shilling on the 2 billion-plus person platform.  
SEE ALSO: Desperate Coinbase customers turn to SEC with allegations of fraud
This is a change from just last January, when the company declared that it would no longer allow the advertiseme

FM radio has somehow thrived in the age of streaming services, and it will now be easier for some Samsung phone owners to access. Unlocked versions of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus are getting support for FM radio reception in their latest update. Now, you can listen to FM radio on the devices as long as you have wired headphones plugged in, as spotted by a Reddit user yesterday.
Samsung teamed up with broadcaster-backed app NextRadio back in January to bring FM radio support to its phones

So you want a drone. But don't want to drop half a paycheck on something you don't know how to operate yet. You're in luck: We've curated the best bang-for-your-buck drones for newbies. 
eBay is a drone lover's paradise. With top-rated sellers and the eBay Money Back Guarantee, it's simpler than ever to score your new favorite tech toy. Simply click on the shopping tags in the shoppable images below to bring one of these babies in for a landing (on your doorstep).
UDI Peregrine U28W WiFi FP

If you’re still using the earbuds that came with your phone, it’s time to treat yourself to an upgrade. We’re bringing you a curated list of headphones that’ll give you cleaner sound quality and advanced functionality — all for less than last night’s delivery bill. 
Click on the shopping tags in the shoppable images below to buy matching and similar items on eBay, quickly and easily. Plus, enjoy instant gratification when you choose to Buy It Now from top

Looking for a better way to listen to your favorite music, podcasts, or audiobooks on your next big adventure? Treat yourself to a portable speaker, already.
Not sure where to start? We’ve teamed up with eBay to bring you a list of brand new, affordable speakers that will stream the soundtrack of your life from the couch, to the trail, to the after party. 
eBay gives you access to millions of brand new, Buy It Now items from top-rated sellers, with the eBay Money Back Guarantee for wo

Airbnb is trying out a new business arrangement in Paris to bypass stringent French renting regulations. The company is now partnering with international real estate company Century 21 to effectively cut a deal at the signing of a new lease stating that a Parisian renter may sublet their apartment on Airbnb, so long as the landlord and Century 21 get a cut of 23 percent and 7 percent, respectively.“The goal is to make it easier to sublet so hosts can welcome guests up to 120 days per year

The internet, as a whole, likes to rank things. (We certainly do.) But no ranking ever feels 100 percent perfect, mostly because they don't exactly leave room for nuance. Stupid nuance!
That's part of the logic behind the ranking meme, which is making the rounds on Twitter this week. How can one rank all the Lorde songs when they are all so different?
SEE ALSO: Why is SpongeBob so damn meme-able?
One fundamental truth emerges, though. It may be too hard to rank all the Lorde songs, but there's s

Uber faced a major setback last year when London's transportation agency pulled the ride-hailing app's license. More than half a year later, Uber admitted in court to safety problems with its program, offered up changes, and has now been granted a license to resume operations.
Last September, Transport for London cited public safety and security concerns with Uber and didn't renew Uber's license in the city. Uber appealed the decision that affected the estimated 3.6 million Uber riders in the bu

The internet’s obsession with ponytailed pop sensation Ariana Grande has spawned a surprisingly resonant concept: “big dick energy.” Once you’ve read the words, they stick with you, almost demanding to be spoken out loud. Although having a large penis has long been a symbol of traditional cis masculinity and power, big dick energy both references and transcends that idea — it’s not about having a penis at all.
Rihanna? Big dick energy. Cardi B? Big dick energ

Russian pop singer Emin Agalarov just dropped a Trump-heavy music video for his song "Got Me Good." It wouldn't be particularly notable if not for the fact that he played a pivotal role in one of the Trump campaign's most infamous moments. 
The singer, who goes by just his first name, fills the video with scandalous Trump nods. There's even a reference to the 2013 Miss Universe pageant complete with a hotel room party. (Pee tape, anyone?)
In between a lot of briefcase handing-off, there's a

Peru’s Thunder Predator Dota 2 team has been ignominiously dismissed from the qualifiers for Valve’s The International 8 tournament later this summer, which is likely to accrue a total prize pool well in excess of $20 million. At issue has been the use of a programmable mouse by the team’s “carry” player, Atun, which the qualifier organizers have deemed to have given him an unfair advantage. You might recall that Razer likes to jokingly promote its gaming gear with

Google is updating its VR art tool Tilt Brush today, adding a beginner mode for novices, a feature that locks objects in place so you can edit around them, and others.
Google acquired the VR studio that made Tilt Brush in 2015 and has since released new features like a multiplayer mode and a Unity integration that lets you animate drawings.
In its latest update, Google has added 12 new brushes with different textures, volumes, and more sound effects. It has also added a beginner and advanced mo

You can finally get a taste of macOS 10.14 Mojave. 
While Apple won’t officially release the next generation of macOS until the fall, that doesn’t mean you have to wait to give it a go. Mojave packs a punch with features like Dark Mode, a redesigned Mac App Store, and under the hood improvements.
SEE ALSO: Apple's Mac App Store gets a complete makeover
Apple’s public beta program has been around since 2015 and offers the chance for consumers to try out the latest and great

Google Maps is getting an update today that’ll make it easier to find recommendations for restaurants and other places to visit. On iOS and Android, you’ll now see a redesigned version of the Explore tab that appears at the bottom of the app when you open it up. The new screen starts off with big buttons that let you dive into categories you might want to know more about — coffee shops, sports bars, live music venues — and continues with lists of popular restaurants, upc

Life is Strange is the last game I expected to benefit from an expanded universe. The original release was a short, episodic series that followed the life of Max Caufield as she dealt with typical teen drama as well as the sudden realization that she could control time. It was an interactive mashup of Twin Peaks and Veronica Mars, and it was unlike anything I’d ever played before. It also ended on a very specific and powerful note, which made it a great standalone story.
Last year, publis

Google Assistant on certain Google Home devices (Android 6.0 Marshmallow and up) can now speak and understand Spanish.
The update comes on the heels of Google Home's product launch in Spain last week and coincides with its rollout in Mexico today. The inclusion of Spanish more than doubles the previous consumer market for Google Home devices, since it is the second most commonly spoken language in the world after Chinese (which the device still cannot speak or understand).
SEE ALSO: Cortana's bi

Apple has opened up a public beta for macOS Mojave, the next version of its desktop OS. Anyone with a supported Mac (and that’s most of them made from 2012 onward) can install and start to try out the new OS today. Its new features include a dark mode, a redesigned app store, four new ports of iOS apps, a new option for cleaning up your desktop, and a new view in Finder, among a many others.
Be warned that, since this is a beta, not everything is working yet and you’re definitely go

This was supposed to be a “bye” year for Apple, one where the software teams would concentrate on stability and speed, with less pressure to make big moves or introduce new features.
While that may be true to some extent for iOS 12, it looks like the macOS team didn't get the memo. After checking out the beta of macOS 10.14 Mojave, it definitely feels like big changes are coming to the Mac. Some, like Dark Mode, are mostly cosmetic. But others, like the first generation of iOS-based

Keeping track of the mechanical health of millions of pieces of equipment is a big job for the Army. To help with this data-intensive work, it’s recruiting an AI assistant. Machine learning software developed by Chicago firm Uptake Technologies will be used to predict when vehicles will need repair, flagging problems to army mechanics before they become disastrous.The pilot scheme will cover a few dozen armored infantry transports (Bradley M2A3s) deployed in active service. Sensors inside

Google Assistant has supported Spanish commands since last November. But as I found out when I gave my parents a Google Home Mini for Christmas, that functionality only applied to smartphones. Woops. Six months later, my parents will finally be able to use their Christmas gift. Google announced Spanish support is rolling out to the Google Home family starting today, thereby redeeming me within my own family. To set it up, open the Google Home app, tap the menu button, select preferences, and ch

Back at its F8 developers conference, Facebook announced a whole suite of new Instagram features that may have a big impact on just how social the photo-sharing app lets you be. Now, starting today and on the heels of the company’s IGTV launch, those features are all arriving on iOS and Android. That includes Instagram’s new video chatting feature, its custom AR filters designed by third parties like celebrities and influencers, and the new Explore tab redesign.
Video chatting can b

Just in case you needed another excuse to spend more time in Instagram, you can now add the photo-sharing service to the list of apps that support group video calls. 
Instagram is rolling out its group video chat features starting today, along with a redesigned Explore tab and new augmented reality features for Stories. 
SEE ALSO: Snapchat could soon get its own version of Instagram's Boomerang
First teased last month during Facebook's F8 conference, video chat is part of Instagram Dir

At long last, Twitter is good — and it's all thanks to puppies.
On Monday, Twitter user @BlairBraverman, a dogsled racer and co-creator of BraverMountain Mushing, posted a massive thread of puppy photos and videos, and WE WERE NOT PREPARED.
SEE ALSO: Give this dog a Dundie for recreating the entire opening intro of 'The Office'
Braverman kicked off the thread by sharing a stunning photo of a lil pup with the definition of Puppy Dog Eyes, explaining to followers, "As you know, we have a lot

Nintendo finally joined its niche Labo side project with its main library today by adding support for it in a major Switch game. The details: The new upgrade lets you use the Labo Motorbike controller with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch. Specifically, you can now ride the Toy-Con, the RC car from the Labo Variety Pack, in the game. You use the Labo the same way you’d use an arcade controller — twist the throttle, lean the handle to turn. Nintendo’s also holding a Labo

A massive Wu-Tang Clan fan found himself on television this week and did what he had to do: He dropped as many references from the rappers as he possibly could, all while keeping a straight face.
Dylan Alcott, who moonlights as a Paralympic gold medalist when he's not a radio presenter on Triple J, accepted a challenge from a listener who asked him to drop Wu-Tang lyrics throughout his appearance on Australia's ABC show Q&A.
SEE ALSO: Eminem's ASL interpreter stole the show at Firefly
The pa

LOL remember when we all thought Facebook's 2012 acquisition of Instagram for $1 billion was bananas? LMAO! Now Instagram is worth $100 billion! Ha ha ha!!
An analyst published the estimate for Bloomberg Intelligence on Monday. That's a...wait for it...100-fold return on Facebook's investment in the little photo sharing app with the square pics and some color filters. Turns out you can put a (very high) price on being cool.
SEE ALSO: Instagram is proof shameless copying pays off
Here's some more

Computex, we need to talk. You’re Asia’s largest IT trade show and have existed for over 30 years. In other words, you’re a dignified statesperson in the tech world. People pay attention to what you do and the way you run your conference affects the rest of the tech industry. So, answer us this: Why do your exhibitors’ stands overflow with barely dressed women? We expected to visit Computex Taipei to be filled with innovative products, groundbreaking startups, and l

There are not that many ways to make jokes on Twitter. Most jokes follow some kind of viral template — which is (one of) the reasons the platform often feels like a cursed echo chamber.
And, of course, some formats are better than others. Even the good ones — which should have finite shelf lives — tend to overstay their welcome. (Remember the biggest crossover event in history?)
SEE ALSO: Wholesome memes aren't just cute, they're subversive as h*ck
That is why, despite our trep

Apple has started to manufacture iPhone 6S units in India in an effort to lower costs for the phone. The 6S joins the iPhone SE, which Apple began manufacturing in the country last year, according to The Economic Times.Import costs saw a 15 to 20 percent increase due to tariffs from India’s government back in February. By building the devices in India, Apple hopes to be able to defray some of those costs to better compete in the Indian market.
According to The Economic Times, it’ll