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It took MapQuest until 2026 to add public transit directions
MapQuest has introduced public transport directions in its iOS and Android apps, with web access planned soon. The long-awaited feature follows a surge in interest after MapQuest declined to adopt the proposed renaming of Lake Ontario, prompting many users to revisit the service. The tool initially covers nearly 2,000 cities across 70 countries, offering door-to-door…
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It’s sinister that Meta’s Muse AI mascot is so cute
The article argues that Meta’s cute Muse AI mascots could make the company’s expansive AI ambitions feel less intrusive and more appealing. The writer initially avoided Muse, but after seeing her personalised mascot, Blorbo, as an adorable cat-shaped piece of bread, she found herself sharing more health information to improve its recommendations. This emotional response,…
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Researchers uncover privacy risks in long-standing file notification systems
Researchers at Graz University of Technology have identified long-standing weaknesses in file-notification systems used by Android, Linux, macOS and Windows. Although these systems do not expose file contents, their event data can reveal what users are doing, enabling attacks such as keystroke inference, website fingerprinting and credential theft. The affected systems include Linux inotify, Android…
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The Pixel Watch 5’s blood pressure and insulin resistance trends are rolling out this week
Google is rolling out its Health Guardian health tracking features for Pixel smartwatches this week, expanding the device’s health monitoring capabilities beyond what was available at launch. This rollout marks the completion of promised functionality that should enhance the appeal of Pixel Watch models already rated highly by reviewers. The Google Health app will begin…
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Copper upgrades Charlie induction stove with faster heating and wider compatibility
Copper has upgraded its premium Charlie induction range with more powerful cooking performance and broader electrical compatibility. The changes make the stove faster and easier to install, strengthening its appeal as a high-end alternative to gas cooking, although the substantial price increase may limit its audience. The new model has a 3,000-watt broiler, 3kW induction…
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Zafer Dogan jailed over AI sexualised images and covert photography
Zafer Dogan, 32, has been jailed for two years and four months after admitting offences involving thousands of images of women and children, including using AI to create sexualised images of two girls. Police criticised the repeated decisions to grant him bail, allowing him to return to a flat overlooking a playground despite concerns about…
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Norfolk housing approved despite ecological outcry; markets tumble on inflation fears
Government clears way for 16,000 new homes in protected wetlands amid environmental concerns. Global bond markets rocked by inflation fears and strong US economy.
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ElevenLabs reportedly reaches $22bn valuation as voice AI revenue grows
ElevenLabs, which develops AI voice technology for customer service and creative applications, is reportedly valued at $22 billion by its investors after only four years. CEO Mati Staniszewski said the company is generating $600 million in annual recurring revenue, while acknowledging that AI firms increasingly compete with the customers and partners using their technology. More…
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Cold can helps iPhone 18 Pro sustain faster benchmark performance
Software developer Matt Birchler found that chilling an iPhone 18 Pro with a cold drink improved its sustained benchmark performance by reducing heat and thermal throttling. The experiment highlights the challenge of managing heat in powerful, passively cooled smartphones, despite Apple giving the 18 Pro a vapor chamber with three times the surface area of…
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Ubuntu moves to weekly kernel updates amid vulnerability backlog
Canonical has accelerated Ubuntu kernel releases from a four-week regular and two-week security cycle to weekly releases in response to an explosion in reported vulnerabilities. The acceleration is driven by AI-assisted bug discovery tools and the Linux kernel community’s decision in 2024 to assign CVE identifiers to thousands of kernel flaws, creating a significant backlog…