Tech
Fitbit’s ventilator gets emergency FDA approval
Published on 06/04/2020 @ 1 PM EST
Fitbit has officially unveiled the Fitbit Flow, a new ventilator with FDA approval for use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ventilator has been granted emergency use authorization by the FDA, meaning it can only be used to treat people during the current health crisis. Fitbit tells The Verge that it hopes to sell the Flow for around $5,000, significantly less than traditional ventilators.
CES will go ahead as an in-person event next year
Published on 06/04/2020 @ 1 PM EST
As reported by Engadget, the CTA notes that "the meetings world is developing and implementing best practices, and we will assess and evaluate the latest solutions in the coming months." It doesn't have concrete plans to take temperature readings at entry points just yet, but it'll "evaluate solutions for contactless thermal scans."
Google’s latest Pixel features include a ‘safety check’
Published on 06/03/2020 @ 5 AM EST
The Personal Safety app on Pixel 4 will now be available on all Pixel devices, and car crash detection is also coming to Pixel 3. (Car crash detection is not available in all languages or countries. As announced on the update, "We’re introducing new safety features, too, like safety check, which schedules a check-in from the app at a later time. For example, if you’re about to go on a run or hike alone, safety check will make sure you made it back safely. If you don’t respond to the scheduled check-in, the app will alert your emergency contacts. In the event that you need immediate help or are in a dangerous situation, emergency sharing notifies all of your emergency contacts and shares your real-time location through Google Maps so they can send help or find you."
Waymo’s self-driving vans will resume operations in the Bay Area streets on June 8th
Published on 06/01/2020 @ 4 AM EST
A spokesperson has confirmed a report in The Verge that Waymo’s autonomous minivans will return to San Francisco Bay Area streets on June 8th. The company isn’t carrying passengers, however. It will instead carry out “charitable delivery support to community partners,” according to the spokesperson.
Zoom is launching a stronger encryption for paying customers
Published on 05/30/2020 @ 4 PM EST
As reported by Reuters, Zoom plans to roll out this stronger encryption only to users who pay for Zoom, not those who use the free tier of the service.
Spotify drops the 10,000-song cap on libraries
Published on 05/26/2020 @ 2 PM EST
Finally, Spotify is dropping the 10,000-song limit on My Library, so you’ll be able to save as many tracks and albums as you like for easier access to them. You won’t need to remove any tunes to make space for new ones anymore.
