With technology now touching nearly every aspect of consumers’ lives, the Federal Trade Commission wants to put more focus on privacy, big data and “smart” everything. To ensure it’s capable of protecting consumers from these rapidly evolving innovations, the agency announced the creation of the Office of Technology Research. [More]
technology
Because Technology Isn’t Going Away, FTC Creates Division Dedicated To Internet Of Things
By 3.23.15
Legislation Would Limit How Education Companies Use Students’ Online Data
By 3.23.15
With the use of technology now tightly tied to education, consumer advocates and parent groups have increasingly voiced concern about how student data is used. New legislation aims to alleviate worries over the exploitation of students’ personal information by placing restrictions on how that data can be used by third-party technology companies. [More]
Tesla CEO Says Summer Software Update Could Make The Model S Self-Driving
By 3.20.15
Could Tesla’s zero-emission Model S soon require zero-effort from drivers when it comes to traveling down the highway? That’s the plan, according to CEO Elon Musk. [More]
Apple Reportedly Planning To Launch Streaming TV Service This Fall
By 3.17.15
Coming off an announcement last week that it would carry thes oon to launch HBO Now streaming service, Apple reportedly has imminent plans to offer online access to live TV and on-demand content. [More]
Google’s First Branded Retail Store Opens In London
By 3.11.15
Move over Apple and Microsoft, there’s another tech company taking its products to the retail floor with its own branded store: Google. [More]
Dole Introduces The Wearable Banana, Giving Tokyo Marathon Runners Their Heart Rate And A Snack
By 2.20.15
There’s no denying that wearable technology is popular with consumers; from the Fitbit to the highly anticipated Apple Watch. But there’s a new wearable that not only provides users with information about their health, but also with a snack. [More]
Google Receives Patent For Wearable “Odor Removal Device”
By 2.18.15
When you think of companies that specialize in deodorant, names like Old Spice, Suave, Axe, Dove and maybe Febreze spring to mind. But according to recently awarded patents, there’s a surprise player with a nose for the odor-removing business: Google. [More]
Mattel Unveils Hello Barbie, A Doll That Can Hold A Conversation
By 2.17.15
Barbie may not be able to code without the help of a few of her closest male friends, but soon she’ll be one of the most technologically advanced toys. Mattel announced this week that it has developed a connected version of the iconic doll that can hold conversations during playtime. [More]
Tesla Working On A Lithium-Ion Battery To Power Homes, Businesses
By 2.12.15
Pricey electric-car manufacturer Tesla plans to use its technology to revamp the way we power our homes. [More]
Employees: Internet Is Vital To Our Work, We Promise We Don’t Just Watch Cat Videos
By 12.30.14
Some employees might freely admit that at one point or another they’ve been sucked into the unending vortex that is the Internet; whether it be cute cat videos, hilarious memes, in-depth investigative pieces or stalking your former significant others on Facebook. But a new report from Pew Research Center finds that most employees only use the power of the Internet for good, productive things while at work. [More]
Target App Now Tells You If Items Are Available In-Store And Where To Find Them
By 11.18.14
Have you ever made a shopping list, driven to the store and then realized they were out of certain items? Apparently, Target has an answer to that frustrating experience in the form of an app update that can tell consumers what’s in stock and where to find those items inside the store. [More]
United Airlines Now Allowing Frequent-Fliers To Use Miles For Food, Other Purchases At Newark Airport
By 11.17.14
If you find yourself short on cash, but flush with United Airlines frequent-flier miles at Newark Liberty International Airport, you don’t have to forego that bottle of water after all. The airline now lets travelers use their precious miles for purchases such as food, drink and other items in the airport’s soon-to-be revamped Terminal C. [More]
Kids Trying An Old Camera React Predictably, Yet Adorably Confounded
By 11.10.14
In the newest installment of Kids React, where kids do what the title suggests and interact with technology of yore in a predictably adorable yet totally understandable way to outdated gadgets, we get to see what the children of today think of taking pictures with a camera that uses actual film… and ohmygosh, you can’t even see the photo after you take it! Oh, the humanity, life was so cruel then, etc. [More]
New Crash Test Dummies Will Gain A Few Pounds To Better Reflect Fatalities Of Obese Drivers
By 10.31.14
We’ve all seen the dummies used in tests to determine if vehicles are safe before hitting the streets. Remember that picture, because the dummies are getting a makeover to better represent Americans’ growing waistlines. [More]
FTC: Tech Support Representatives Pretended To Be From Microsoft, Facebook, Scammed $2.5M From Consumers
By 10.24.14
It makes sense that consumers with a lack of computer knowledge would seek services and assistance from well-known tech companies like Microsoft and Facebook. So it should come as little surprise that a shady company would use this information to dupe consumers out of millions by pretending to be from the popular tech firms selling support services and software. [More]
Radar From The Future Can Catch Drivers Texting Behind The Wheel
By 9.18.14
Law enforcement officials may soon be getting a high-tech helping hand in their fight against distracted driving. A Virginia company is reportedly working on a radar gun that detects, not speeding, but text messaging. [More]
The End Is Nigh For Room Keys At Hilton-Operated Hotels
By 7.28.14
Arriving at the door of your hotel room after a long day of traveling only to find that the key doesn’t work can be a frustrating experience. But that could be a situation of the past for guests at Hilton Hotels now that the company plans to rollout an initiative that would do away with flimsy, magnetic strip keys. [More]
Humorist David Sedaris Acquires A Fitbit, Then A Debilitating Fitbit Addiction
By 6.24.14
Sometimes new technology and an addictive personality don’t really mix. At least when humorist David Sedaris acquired a Fitbit Flex wristband, the end result was that he spent hours walking back roads in the English countryside, racking up tens of thousands of steps. [More]
