Places and Things

In 2018, tech needed government more than ever. We were surrounded by problems that the industry couldn’t solve on its own, whether it was Russian trolls, growing monopoly fears, or the ever-escalating pace of cybersecurity failures. from https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/31/18161810/2018-tech-recap-us-government-congress-conservative-bias-climate-change-ice-trade-war https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62756134/acastro_181106_1777_flag_0003.0.jpg

The internet has lost one of its early architects. Larry Roberts, best known as the program manager for ARPAnet (the internet's precursor), died on December 26th at the age of 81. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/30/arpanet-creator-larry-roberts-dies/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D960%252C597%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C995%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2018-12%252Fc65ebe90-0c6c-11e9-8be7-bda737a486b7%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3Db561dbc679b65ab3ad36a266ec024ec672d3190a&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=14dce49d2eaea39148025ec7f4bd345d4ecf75c4

It's not just dating and health apps that might be violating your privacy when they send data to Facebook. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/30/more-popular-apps-are-sending-data-to-facebook-without-asking/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D4000%252C2670%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1068%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2018-12%252F22998460-033f-11e9-9fff-e5da1278d4bf%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D3d6f9e7db3a95e937c4dad90452f81ba3b0f2cc4&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=b2e328efb96c6b04a411b4f1fa88974f62b24a2b

Security at Times Square tends to be extra-tight on New Year's Eve, but it's now poised to have some robotic support. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/30/nypd-new-years-eve-drone-at-times-square/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D5184%252C3455%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1067%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2018-12%252Ffe6fd0d0-0b54-11e9-8ab3-d80bc707cf1a%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3Dfdd994cd523cb876e3f30cef60c77af634a2751f&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=e42ac4314f98b9050dc78f91545d9d5f2695a79d

Even schoolkids can't escape China's increasing obsession with surveillance. Over 10 schools in the country's southwestern Guizhou province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have made students wear "intelligent uniforms" from Guanyu Technology in the name of improving attendance and safety. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/29/china-smart-school-uniforms/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D1600%252C1067%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1067%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2018-12%252F22e84630-0aca-11e9-bcfb-3aff4f858da8%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D8e04cdf4347914d8a3cbcd456552a67db9a38805&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=fa8e1933dbe6a8cfa0deb3f80898bff0979d15a0

As 2018 slips in 2019, take a look back at the best, cutest and shiniest tech developments of the year. I’ve included links to the products I’ve liked most. As always, these have been independently chosen and there are no affiliate links in any of them. from https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2018/12/29/gadgets-of-the-year-the-16-best-of-2018-from-apple-to-sonos-bose-to-sony-iphone-xr-bose-sleepbuds-apple-watch-4/ http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

From long lines to no lines, people aren't buying into expensive X-series iPhones, consumers tell USA TODAY's Jefferson Graham. USA TODAY Apple has for years been a premium brand that rarely, if ever discounted products. Period.   from https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2018/12/29/did-apple-retail-prices-get-too-high-2018-consumers-say-way-yes/2432445002/ https://www.gannett-cdn.com/uxstatic/usatoday/usat-web-static-4130.0/images/sprites/icon_close.png

Everyone hates spam texts, but only some Android users are reporting they’re seeing alerts about a new spam protection feature from Google in their Messages app. According to Android Police, the update seems to be a limited rollout as it isn’t live on every single device yet. from https://gizmodo.com/google-is-reportedly-rolling-out-a-feature-to-fight-spa-1831368624 https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--q9yDdWDU--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/rr3zxhhqosgveflna9ju.jpg

In between bouts of binge watching, keep a close eye on any emails you get that claim to be from Netflix. The Federal Trade Commission issued a warning today about fake messages claiming to be from the streamer that are really just trying to snag your login info or distribute malware. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/26/netflix-phishing-ftc/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fresize%3D2000%252C2000%252Cshrink%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2018-12%252Fa81c48b0-098f-11e9-ba2d-8ae906b1cca6%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D1b251552d72ee86077a9b6c6a699d80eea026216&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=f80a6bd87080db20df006b8d7e5e306a95bb91e6

Let's not kid ourselves, you've tried to use Snapchat's lenses on your dog before. Even if you've managed to make it work, Snapchat hasn't technically dog-friendly at the time. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/24/snapchat-dog-lenses/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D5000%252C3338%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1068%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2018-12%252F1776db40-049e-11e9-b97b-c1a008fa2022%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D9a68328a1b87b2134e45a47bf83e4485d9d65658&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=e7c5f162f4924b37e02ad6d788c198076c66f9a7

from https://gamerant.com/destiny-2-core-gear-farm-dawning/ http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Back at the start of 2018, Bugatti revealed that it was working on the first 3D-printed brake caliper. Now that the year is winding to a close, it's finally ready to show the caliper in action. Bugatti has posted a video (below) of a test that simulated braking at speeds as high as 249MPH. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/24/bugatti-tests-3d-printed-titanium-brake-caliper/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D1600%252C1067%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1067%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2018-12%252F07b67fb0-0711-11e9-bfc5-972d2b3e183f%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D53782c87f0788e4a0d00016aafde582865e8ab8a&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=2749836d13877673bee42c989632a0ac53bfc4f0

Just in time for the holidays, Samsung has begun releasing its Android Pie update for the Galaxy S9. SamMobile was first to notice the German release, while other users on Twitter and Reddit have seen the update become available in the Netherlands and Slovakia as well. from https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/12/24/18154754/samsung-galaxy-s9-android-pie-release-date-europe-one-ui https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62733006/akrales_180305_2350_0210.0.jpg

Since December 16, within one week, the Ethereum price surged from $83 to $138, by just over 66 percent. Throughout the past week, Ethereum (ETH) has seen a record-high number of shorts on major cryptocurrency trading platforms in the likes of BitMEX and Bitfinex. from https://www.ccn.com/what-triggered-ethereum-to-rise-66-within-1-week-factors-and-trends/ https://248qms3nhmvl15d4ne1i4pxl-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/download-13-1.png

Apple has added John Giannandrea to its executive team, less than a year after he left Google to join its rival. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/21/google-former-ai-chief-apple-vp/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D3500%252C2193%252C0%252C89%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1003%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2018-12%252Fe0bea380-050b-11e9-a6eb-f59279e0c39a%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3Db1b88ccdb5da56e927cd4d258fdb672b891445bb&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=2e25c6f56d2348bd5c39d60cdad65a4ab6dd86f6

Continuing its holiday present tradition, this year Google Fi is offering a free physical photo album to every one of its subscribers. You can get the gift by playing a short Google Chrome-themed game, after which you’ll be prompted to sign into your Fi account and claim your free store credit. from https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/20/18149906/google-fi-holiday-gift-2018-free-google-photos-album https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62714648/photo_book_banner_2018_2.0.jpg

Alongside the slew of improvements and new features, the also ships with an improved version of Task Manager, which adds two additional columns to the "Processes" tab that you can use to analyze the power usage for apps and services running on your device. from https://www.windowscentral.com/how-view-power-usage-apps-task-manager-windows-10 https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2018/12/taskmanager-add-power-usage-columns.jpg?itok=DSR2Obr1

Charter Spectrum support for the new zero sign-on feature for Apple TV is now live. The feature, announced earlier this year, automatically signs into apps that require a cable subscription when the device connected to internet service from the same provider. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/19/apple-tvs-zero-sign-on-is-live-for-charter-spectrum/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D5760%252C3840%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1067%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2018-12%252F4d0e2500-03b4-11e9-bbba-f87616d676f9%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3Da568f7af66bc63597bd275b5aadcc8512d50b6c2&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=1e7c3d92e92438edb6c1dc686e190ec852fe8866

It’s no secret that Apple’s 2018 iPhone lineup didn’t bring a whole lot to the table in terms of software. from https://bgr.com/2018/12/19/iphone-vs-android-speed-test-xs-max-oneplus-6t/ http://img.youtube.com/vi/yqPXmwUiWWc/0.jpg

The Senate prepared Wednesday to pass a short-term spending bill that would keep the government open through the New Year but deny President Trump the money he wanted for his border wall — a stark retreat for Republicans in their final days in control of Congress. from https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-signals-it-might-accept-a-short-term-spending-bill-to-avert-shutdown/2018/12/19/63148a02-0395-11e9-9122-82e98f91ee6f_story.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/resizer/_1yi4eoXFzA3E992nb7-QLVBHZE=/1484x0/arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/6BCYKFQDBEI6TFMMBJQBEJX7NM.jpg

Despite the ongoing financial troubles plaguing the company and fraud investigations abound, the production arm of MoviePass has signed up Bruce Willis for a three-film run, according to Deadline. The first film of the agreement is called Trauma Center and will start shooting February 2019 in Miami. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/19/moviepass-films-signs-bruce-willis-for-three-movies/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fresize%3D2000%252C2000%252Cshrink%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2018-12%252F15cb98f0-03b1-11e9-b75f-e795331783d5%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D6ff8b188b9396c59ad86f1c2d4545321b8225365&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=74fc8b315b47acb24ad1f8ecff691d1e5a09a012

via Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/BrlDFJSgETsbw-uOhAshhzqE265lhDmOgb-oL40/

It was a rough year to be a customer of Marriott, Facebook, Reddit, Google+, Quora, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Orbitz, Ticketfly, Under Armour, OnePlus or any of the other numerous companies which were revealed this year to have cumulatively lost hundreds of millions of users' personal details from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/19/consumer-privacy-year-in-review-loser/ https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2018-12/69a5a1f0-02cb-11e9-95f9-0860260a9966

Whether you're someone who's tired of the Facebook drama on your feed, someone who is 100 percent not down with the recent news of Facebook sharing data all willy-nilly with Microsoft, Amazon and Netflix, or someone who just genuinely wants off of all social media for a while (we don't blame you at from https://www.windowscentral.com/how-delete-your-facebook-account https://www.imore.com/sites/imore.com/files/styles/xlarge/public/field/image/2017/02/giphy_4.gif?itok=SNc4sX-e

If you’ve ever needed to quickly remove the background of an image you know it can be tedious, even with access to software like Photoshop. Well, Remove.bg is a single-purpose website that uses AI to do the hard work for you. from https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/19/18148020/remove-bg-ai-background-foreground-without-photoshop https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62706609/Screen_Shot_2018_12_19_at_10.53.24_AM.0.png

Microsoft has resolved a number of blocking bugs that prevented some Windows 10 users from installing the latest October 2018 Update. The software giant originally re-released this update last month, following some file deletion issues after its original release in October. from https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/18/18146134/microsoft-windows-10-october-2018-update-available-all-pcs-download https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62699447/mswindows1_2040.0.0.jpg

If you've been waiting to listen to Apple Music on your Alexa-enabled smart speakers, it's your lucky day. The skill for Apple Music is live and available via the Alexa app for Android and iPhone. from https://www.cnet.com/news/apple-music-now-works-on-amazon-alexa-smart-speakers/ https://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/img/5QyI4_H23sowakGsrap_NxGS0u4=/970x0/2018/10/05/5b1ef3d4-090a-4be3-8678-f9b01711263a/second-gen-amazon-echo-show-product-photos-1.jpg

"Alexa, I'm leaving." "OK -- I'll be on guard." That's the gist of Alexa Guard, a new feature from Amazon that lets your Echo devices keep an ear out for trouble when you're away from home. from https://www.cnet.com/news/alexa-guard-goes-live-lets-your-echo-listen-for-trouble-amazon-home-security/ https://cnet4.cbsistatic.com/img/4RNoeWu3ryztXmJNPTVq0w07V7o=/970x0/2018/12/17/2386d381-8dda-42e4-9b1a-666c82dc253a/alexa-guard-notifications.jpg

Two Movies Anywhere tidbits for you today, including its addition to Comcast's Xfinity and support for 4K streaming in the Android app. Subscribers with Xfinity On Demand or the Xfinity Stream app will now be able to take advantage of the huge catalog of blockbuster films. from https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/12/18/movies-anywhere-comes-to-comcast-xfinity-and-now-supports-4k-on-android-apk-download/ http://img.youtube.com/vi/GJO53bICWZA/0.jpg

The Federal Commission on School Safety, formed in the wake of the massacre at a high school in Parkland, Florida, is recommending that Obama-era policies aimed at limiting racial disparities in school discipline be rescinded as a part of a comprehensive school safety report, the White House said on from https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-administration-eyes-rolling-back-obama-era-school-discipline-policies-n949276 https://media2.s-nbcnews.com/j/newscms/2018_51/2484606/180702-betsy-devos-whit-house-cabinet-njs-1553_99a325ef5315e3e2165f805dd41ce40a.fit-760w.jpg

Microsoft has been sneaking some holiday gifts into its email newsletters recently. Reddit posters noticed that if you click the red trees in a holiday promotional email from Microsoft then you’ll be sent to a separate site that provides a free $10 gift card. from https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/18/18146092/microsoft-gift-cards-holiday-emails-newsletter https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62699265/microsoft1_2040.0.0.jpg

SUBSCRIBE for more BBC highlights: https://bit.ly/2IXqEInWATCH full programmes on BBC iPlayer https://bbc.in/2J18jYJBBC One’s star-studded new adaptation of Watership Down uses Richard Adams’ bestselling novel as its source to bring an innovative interpretation to the much loved classic.Adapted from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3gQ117IKkM http://img.youtube.com/vi/w3gQ117IKkM/maxresdefault.jpg

If you live in one of a dozen US cities, you can tap into AT&T's 5G network this week.The carrier, locked in a race with Verizon and other network operators to move to the next-gen wireless technology as fast as possible, is turning on its network on Tuesday. from https://www.cnet.com/news/at-ts-5g-network-is-live-if-you-live-in-the-right-city/ https://cnet2.cbsistatic.com/img/7MTyvpXVKitX8Zw1fmAB1cQzVXg=/970x0/2018/10/26/f1e411db-f2fa-4d5e-949c-dd5f7a47db5a/20180910-at-t-cto-andre-feutsch.jpg

Essentials Week spotlights unexpected items that make our daily lives just a little bit better. from https://mashable.com/article/apple-tv-4k-essential-apple-product/ https://i.amz.mshcdn.com/zKNc3EhShjVDM5J50HBitWvrW90=/950x534/filters:quality(90)/https%3A%2F%2Fblueprint-api-production.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fcard%2Fimage%2F906373%2Ff88eb31a-bdbb-421c-9e22-256299a97078.png

Apple's latest smartwatch, the Series 4, can do more than just put notifications on your wrist. It's capable of making calls, calling for help if you fall, or run a single-lead EKG to let you know if something is amiss with your heart. from https://www.cnet.com/how-to/things-you-need-to-know-about-your-new-apple-watch/ http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Apple today has uploaded a handful of new Apple Watch videos to its YouTube channel. The new videos cover a range of topics, including how to stream Apple Music on Apple Watch, how to use the Walkie-Talkie functionality, and more. In total, Apple has shared six Apple Watch videos today. from https://9to5mac.com/2018/12/17/apple-watch-how-to-videos-walkie-talkie/ https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2018/12/walkie-talkie-video.jpg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600

Ahead of the domestic debut of Aquaman this weekend, Warner Brothers has released a promotional video feature B-roll footage and behind-the-scenes clips of the upcoming movie. The footage — which can be seen above — largely focuses on the film's protagonist Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa). from https://comicbook.com/dc/2018/12/18/aquaman-b-roll-footage/ http://img.youtube.com/vi/xQ0vP2YK59c/0.jpg

The practice of mindfulness is everywhere. Business leaders, professional athletes, mental health professionals, and, of course, your neighbor down the street are all discussing how being mindful can improve our mental state and general well-being. from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mindfulness-the-science-behind-the-practice/ https://static.scientificamerican.com/sciam/cache/file/D839A42A-2CB3-405F-BEF190D21575ADE1_source.jpg?w=590&h=800&FE01D47F-2117-4D48-8952C73F1FCD25F4

It's no secret that Epic has patterned many of Fortnite's dance emotes on real-world moves, but that's increasingly landing the game studio in hot water. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/17/alfonso-ribiero-lawsuit-over-fortnite-carlton-dance/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D2321%252C1546%252C0%252C485%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1066%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2018-12%252F39699ea0-023b-11e9-b73f-bf28ce4e989c%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D330a80e5b41ed310c717fbfcdf91d0c1f8c2b812&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=032e0884c0a9d233d89b866d5e566e4119772b9a

Less than two weeks after the last significant iOS 12 update — one which brought a wide variety of new features and changes to the platform — Apple has returned with a smaller (but no less necessary) update. On Monday, Apple shared iOS 12.1. from https://bgr.com/2018/12/17/ios-12-1-2-download-release-iphone-ipad/ http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

In addition to catching up on Stranger Things and kicking ex-roommates off your account, you now have something else to worry about if you're a Netflix user. As WYFF 4 reports, there's a phishing scam circulating through email that targets subscribers to the streaming service. from http://mentalfloss.com/article/567886/new-netflix-phishing-scam-going-around http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Americans have reached consensus on the need to act in response to climate change with one conspicuous exception: Republicans. from https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/17/americans-want-action-on-climate-change-republicans-are-the-exception-poll.html https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/img/editorial/2017/01/27/104245133-GettyImages-144078373.530x298.jpg?v=1545064229

Last year, Netflix and The Jim Henson Company announced that a series based on Jim Henson's 1982 film The Dark Crystal was in the works, and now Netflix has revealed the series' impressive voice cast. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/17/netflix-dark-crystal-prequel-casts-mark-hamill-natalie-dormer/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fresize%3D2000%252C2000%252Cshrink%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2018-12%252F412c4b00-0228-11e9-ae7b-58cc3963f6fa%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D7f920c14be7f72e8ab79375dce3fbb09a0ffe4c6&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=bee669c82949f8b5e5875eef72650829696c4c46

We've had the winners. Now that this dumpster fire of a year is finally coming to a close, it's time to look back on the disasters (real, political and humanitarian) we've survived and heave a sigh of relief. We made it, guys. But not everything came out unscathed at the end of 2018. from https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/17/worst-gadgets-of-2018/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?resize=2000%2C2000%2Cshrink&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2018-11%2F752811a0-ed10-11e8-bff7-f6240d846585&client=a1acac3e1b3290917d92&signature=b40c78d313f76397bbf745dc1b3cfddf32b89a1d

Google is planning to roll out a new feature for Google Assistant that will give users a better idea of whether their flight might be delayed, which is a nice thing to know during the holidays. from https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/17/18144550/google-assistant-flight-delay-notification https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62693791/acastro_180510_1777_google_assistant_0002.0.jpg

From high-tech tablets to powerful new cameras, it’s never been a better time to be a gadget fan. Here are some of our favorite gizmos of the year, including a gaming controller for disabled players and a hair styler that promises to do less damage to your do. from http://time.com/5475419/best-gadgets-2018/ http://time.com/images/newsletter-time.png

Android users are being warned about Google Play Store apps downloaded millions of times that are loaded with malicious software. There are over two billion active devices running Android each and every month around the world. from https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/1059171/Android-warning-Google-Play-Store-apps-malware-battery-draining http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

WASHINGTON (AP) — Investigations now entangle Donald Trump’s White House, campaign, transition, inauguration, charity and business. For Trump, the political, the personal and the deeply personal are all under examination. from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/personal-and-political-investigations-mount-for-trump_us_5c165956e4b009b8aea836d0 http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Welcome to Good Deals, a Verge-approved roundup of the best tech deals, in partnership with Vox Media's commerce team. Google just launched an aggressive deal that might be all many people need to outfit their house or apartment with Google Assistant this holiday season. from https://www.theverge.com/good-deals/2018/12/14/18141502/google-home-hub-home-mini-bundle-sale-discount https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62684484/googledeak.0.jpg

The incident raises questions about the Border Patrol's emergency procedures and the Trump administration's policy of delaying immigrants at legal ports of entry. WASHINGTON — A seven-year-old Guatemalan girl who died in the custody of U.S. from https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/seven-year-old-girl-who-died-border-did-not-receive-n948071 https://media1.s-nbcnews.com/j/newscms/2018_50/2683791/181214-border-mexic-migrants-baja-california-cs-1252p_361966e8cd2c8b763567067b0a5cd564.fit-760w.jpg