This amazing video shows driverless cars being tested back in 1971
Although the likes of Tesla’s Autopilot have brought self-driving cars to the roads, they still require active driver supervision and it will likely be a while before full autonomy arrives, although we are getting ever close.
The idea of self-driving vehicles isn’t new, however. Indeed, early prototypes were being tested way back in the last century.
DuckDuckGo quietly begins removing pirate sites from its search results [Updated]
For years now, Google has been down-ranking -- or even removing entirely -- pirate sites from its search results. Privacy-focused search alternative DuckDuckGo has resisted taking similar action, making it a good choice for anyone seeking out such services.
Back in 2018, in a bid to avoid potential copyright liability, it did remove access to around 2,000 'bangs' -- shortcuts that let you run a search directly on a particular website -- for copyright infringing sites like The Pirate Bay and 1337x, but this didn’t affect the results in the search engine itself. It seems that has now changed.
'Kyiv Calling': Ukrainian punk band turns to The Clash and YouTube to help its country
For the past month, I have been updating a story on the Russia-Ukraine war from a tech perspective, covering the many online entities being blocked by Russia and the ways groups like Anonymous have been feverishly working to cause Putin, his government, and the Russian military as many headaches as it can. I've even looked at the ways that have sprung up to track things like weapons and Oligarch private jets. Those updates are officially over now, as the number passed twenty, and the page became too much to reasonably expect a person to scroll.
The end of the daily updates does not, unfortunately, mean an end to war and the deaths and displacements it is causing. So, we'll continue to bring you the important news as it happens.
YouTube's TikTok rival is more popular than you might think
TikTok’s massive success caught the major social networks napping. While they might not have anticipated the meteoric rise of the platform, they weren’t slow in rushing to produce their own takes on the popular short-form, video-sharing app.
While rivals Byte, Triller, and Clash all have their fans, it’s Instagram’s Reels, and YouTube’s Shorts that have the best chance of dethroning TikTok. You might scoff at the idea of that happening, but YouTube has just announced the all-time views for Shorts so far, and they are massive.
Google defeats Mickey Mouse as Disney-owned channels return to YouTube TV
As we recently told you, Google and Disney had a dispute that lead to many channels being removed from YouTube TV. Essential television offerings like ABC, FX, Disney, ESPN, Freeform, and more were abruptly pulled from the service.
This hit me hard as a YouTube TV subscriber, as it meant I could no-longer watch Jeopardy (which airs on ABC) in the evenings -- something I truly look forward to. Not to mention, my family loves watching Christmas movies and shows on Freeform.
YouTube TV slashes subscription price as dispute leads to the loss of numerous Disney channels
Subscribers to YouTube TV have lost access to a number of Disney-owned channels including ABC News, FX, ESPN, the Disney Channel and National Geographic. The channels have been dropped after contract negotiations between YouTube and Disney broke down.
But while subscribers will no doubt be mourning the loss of nearly 20 channels, there is a silver lining to the bad news. YouTube has cut the price of a YouTube TV subscription until such a time as the Disney channels are available once again.
YouTube TV gets Hallmark Channel
For some people, Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. For others, the holiday is more about Santa Claus, family, and exchanging gifts. Over on the Hallmark Channel, however, Christmas is largely about romance!
If you aren't familiar, Hallmark Channel is known for its cheesy, family-friendly, romantic Christmas movies. If you are a single man, you may not be familiar with this TV channel, but trust me fellow guys -- women love it. And now, just in time for the holidays, Hallmark Channel finally comes to YouTube TV.
YouTube is finally coming down hard on antivaxxer videos
As is the case with just about any big news story, particularly one relating to health, the coronavirus pandemic has led to a serious problem with misinformation. And as governments around the world try to encourage citizens to get vaccinations, so the antivaxxer movement has been trying to control the narrative surrounding the global crisis.
Conspiracy theories abound, and antivaxxers have had a field day casting doubt on the efficacy, purpose and safety of COVID-19 vaccines. Social media platforms have been fighting to ensure that incorrect or misleading information about vaccinations are either kept offline, or flagged up with warnings, and now YouTube has finally followed suit, implementing new rules that equate to a complete ban on antivax videos.
YouTube TV could lose NBC programming
YouTube TV is one of the best internet-based television providers, as it offers many channels at a reasonable (albeit ever-increasing) price. Not to mention, it comes with unlimited DVR storage, so you can record as many things as you'd like. Best of all, it can be used on many platforms, such as Android, iOS, and the web -- you can watch YouTube TV pretty much everywhere.
Unfortunately, YouTube TV suffers from some of the same issues that plague traditional cable television providers. For instance, from time time, TV providers and channel-owners run into tough negotiations that sometimes spill out publicly.
¡Celebrar! YouTube TV gets Univision
The United States doesn't have an official language, and that's totally cool. It highlights our diversity, which is one of our biggest strengths. While English is currently the predominant language, it may not always be that way. Who knows, one day Spanish may be the most popular language in the USA. After all, we already have many wonderful Americans that speak it.
For those that speak Spanish, there are several TV channels that offer programming in that language. One of the most popular such channels is Univision, and today, it is finally coming to YouTube TV! In addition, the TV service is gaining access to UniMás and Galavisión -- two Spanish-language channels owned by Univision. Best of all, this isn't just quality live programming, but access to video on demand too. YouTube TV subscribers even get access to content in the Univision app.
Everything you need to know about Windows 11 in under 3 minutes
If you didn’t watch today's full Windows 11 reveal -- because you didn’t have the time, opportunity or inclination -- then you can catch up on what’s new here.
Of course, as they say, a picture paints a thousand words, and a video is even better when it comes to conveying information.
Watch Google's 2021 virtual I/O keynote live here
Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, Google cancelled its I/O developer conference last year, but it returns as a virtual event for 2021 and you can watch it right here today.
We’re expecting Google to show off Android 12, the next update for its mobile operating system, as well as cover other Google services, like Google Assistant and its range of Home/Nest smart devices.
This is how the Apple iPad could take on Windows 10 PCs
Apple has been positioning the iPad more and more like a credible laptop alternative over the past few years, especially with the introduction of the new iPad Pro.
Two years ago the tech giant made the decision to create a dedicated iPad version of iOS which it called, inevitably, iPadOS, introducing more features for the larger, more capable device, such as better multitasking and enhanced app switching. iPadOS 15 is due later this year but for now we know very little about the new features it will offer.
Netflix's 'The Trial of the Chicago 7' is free to watch on YouTube for 48 hours
Written and directed by Academy Award-Winner Aaron Sorkin -- whose writing credits also include The West Wing, A Few Good Men, The Newsroom, and Steve Jobs -- The Trial of the Chicago 7 tells the story of the unfair trial that followed an uprising at the Democratic Party Convention in Chicago in 1968.
The film was released last year on Netflix and stars the likes of Eddie Redmayne, Sacha Baron Cohen, Mark Rylance, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Michael Keaton. It’s definitely worth a watch, and the good news is if you haven’t already seen it, and aren’t a Netflix subscriber, you can watch it for free on Netflix’s YouTube channel from Friday. Although you will need to be quick as it will only be available for 48 hours.
Windows XP 2021 is everything Windows 10 should be
Later this year, Microsoft is expected to refresh the look of Windows 10 and native apps, introducing a number of long-overdue visual improvements, including rounded corners and new colors. For many people, the changes likely won’t go far enough, but it’s too early to pass judgment just yet.
When Windows XP first arrived back in 2001 it really shook things up with its revolutionary design and playful color scheme. If you were wondering how it might look if it was released today, we have the answer.
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