Google Pixel 4a’s update kills its battery life on purpose

Google’s Pixel 4a has long been considered a great smartphone for those on a budget, but it just received a software update that calls that into question. The update lowers the reported battery life. This isn’t a side-effect of some new software. This is the actual intent of the refresh. Wait, what? Google says the Read more about Google Pixel 4a’s update kills its battery life on purpose[…]

Brelyon’s immersive display is a monitor that is much bigger on the inside than the outside

Billed as the world’s first commercial multi-focal monitor, the Ultra Reality Extend merges the ease-of-use and simplicity of a traditional desktop display with the kind of spatial depth you can normally only get from VR headset. Granted, the max simulated depth the Extend delivers is only 2.5 meters, which isn’t nearly as far as you’d Read more about Brelyon’s immersive display is a monitor that is much bigger on the inside than the outside[…]

Japan’s wooden satellite leaves International Space Station • The Register

LignoSat was sent to the ISS in November 2024 on a mission to demonstrate that wood could be a viable material from which to build spacecraft. The goal of the satellite includes studying how the selected wood reacts when exposed to the environment of space and its resistance to cosmic radiation. Researchers will also monitor Read more about Japan’s wooden satellite leaves International Space Station • The Register[…]

Telegram hands over data on 2253 users last year (up from 108 in 2023) to US law enforcement alone after arrest of boss

Telegram reveals that the communications platform has fulfilled 900 U.S. government requests, sharing the phone number or IP address information of 2,253 users with law enforcement. This number is a steep increase from previous years, with most requests processed after the platform’s policy shift on sharing user data, announced in September 2024. While Telegram has long Read more about Telegram hands over data on 2253 users last year (up from 108 in 2023) to US law enforcement alone after arrest of boss[…]

Google goes to court for collecting data on users who opted out… again…

A federal judge this week rejected Google’s motion to throw out a class-action lawsuit alleging that it invaded the privacy of users who opted out of functionality that records a users’ web and app activities. A jury trial is scheduled for August 2025 in US District Court in San Francisco. The lawsuit concerns Google’s Web Read more about Google goes to court for collecting data on users who opted out… again…[…]