Ann Smajstrla

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Stories By Ann Smajstrla

  • Google Meet gets Q&A and poll features for paid customers

    Starting October 8th, the video chat service is adding Q&A and polls features for paid enterprise customers, according to a post on the G Suite Updates blog. Q&A allows those hosting or moderating a chat to allow participants to submit questions.

    By Ann Smajstrla October 2nd, 2020 Read More
  • Microsoft announces new keyboard, mouse and other accessories

    As people around the world are settling into new work- or study-from-home routines, Microsoft is rolling out new products it says will upgrade your home office space. The tech giant has announced accessories to accompany its new Surface products, including a compact keyboard and mouse. Microsoft describes the new Designer Compact Keyboard as "slim, narrow and elegant."

    By Ann Smajstrla October 1st, 2020 Read More
  • Peter Parker has been recast in ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man: Remastered’

    Developer Insomniac Games says the forthcoming Marvel's Spider-Man: Remastered for the PS5 will be different from the 2018 original in multiple ways. While we could have predicted changes like a higher frame rate and the addition of new spider suits, one change seems out of left field: Peter Parker's face. Peter Parker has been recast, and his face has been redesigned to reflect the new actor.

    By Ann Smajstrla September 30th, 2020 Read More
  • Huami Amazfit Band 5 is a multi-feature fitness watch for only $45

    Huami has announced the newest addition to its lineup of Amazfit smartwatch fitness trackers, which are generally less expensive than popular counterparts from Garmin and Fitbit. The Amazfit Band 5 has typical fitness tracker features, such as a pedometer and heart-rate monitor, plus more advanced offerings like a blood oxygen saturation monitor and Amazon Alexa functions, all for $45. The watch's BioTracker 2 heart rate monitor audits your resting heart rate and heart rate zones, and will alert you when your heart rate gets too high, according to a statement from Huami.

    By Ann Smajstrla September 21st, 2020 Read More
  • Spotify belatedly adds notifications for new podcast episodes

    Spotify has rolled out mobile push notifications for new podcast episodes starting today, the streaming app announced in a statement. It's a relatively small development, but one that indicates Spotify is continuing to strengthen its podcast offerings — although it's also playing catch-up to apps that have long had this feature. To take advantage of the feature, go to a podcast's show page on Spotify and click "follow."

    By Ann Smajstrla September 17th, 2020 Read More
  • Alexa users can share their Routines with others

    Have you crafted a useful Alexa Routine that helps you get out of bed, remember to finish certain tasks or have a more effective workout? Amazon has made both sharing and discovering Routines easier with shareable URL links for customers in the US, the company announced today. You can share a Routine you've created by accessing the Alexa app, selecting the Routine you want to share, then choosing whether you want the routine sent via text, email or social media.

    By Ann Smajstrla September 17th, 2020 Read More
  • ‘The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners’ is coming to the Oculus Quest

    VR game The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners is officially coming to Oculus Quest October 13th, Skydance Interactive developers announced Wednesday during Facebook Connect. The game was one of several announced today alongside the brand-new Oculus Quest 2 hardware. The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners takes place in a walker-infested New Orleans, where you must fight your way through the streets and negotiate with warring factions.

    By Ann Smajstrla September 17th, 2020 Read More
  • Researchers capture the world's first 3,200-megapixel digital photo

    Stanford researchers have taken 3,200-megapixel photos, the largest-ever, using sensors that will be part of the world's largest digital camera, according to a SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory blog post. The camera will be installed in the university's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) telescope in Chile, which will study dark energy, dark matter and create the "largest astronomical movie of all time." You can also see small, dim objects other cameras can't capture -- the resolution is so high that you could see a golf ball from 15 miles away, and the sensors can spot objects 100 million times dimmer than visible with the naked eye.

    By Ann Smajstrla September 8th, 2020 Read More
  • Riot Games adds to its world of virtual influencers who promote 'League of Legends'

    "Seraphine" first appeared on social media in late June, posting selfies to Instagram and tweeting about her desire to "share music and hopefully connect with people." For another, she's dropped League of Legends easter eggs in her posts that have sparked rumors about her association with it. Now, Riot Games has confirmed that she's a "virtual influencer," not unlike the other virtual bands created by the company: True Damage and K/DA.

    By Ann Smajstrla September 4th, 2020 Read More
  • GIF search, voice typing and more are coming to Windows 10

    Windows 10 is getting an integrated GIF search, improvements to voice typing and other new features, Microsoft Senior Program Manager Brandon LeBlanc wrote in a Windows blog post. The overall goal of the new features, LeBlanc said, is to improve the system's ability to help you communicate via voice and text on your devices. To better enable you to react with the perfect laughing, crying or eye roll GIF, Windows 10 will allow you to quickly input animated GIFs by typing WIN + [.] and WIN + [;].

    By Ann Smajstrla September 3rd, 2020 Read More
  • California's new emissions rules target diesel trucks and cargo ships

    California air quality officials have passed two new measures aimed at reducing pollution from diesel trucks and ships. One rule introduces new emissions standards for heavy-duty diesel trucks, while the other requires more ships docked at ports to either plug into electric power or use other technology to reduce harmful emissions. The "Heavy-Duty Low NOx Omnibus Regulation" requires truck manufacturers to comply with tougher emissions standards, revamp engine testing procedures, and further extend engine warranties to ensure emissions are reduced, according to a statement from the California Air Resources Board.

    By Ann Smajstrla August 28th, 2020 Read More
  • Google reportedly allowed ads that spread mail-in voting misinformation

    Google is allowing ads that show misleading information regarding voting by mail, The Washington Post reported. Now, some are questioning the ad policies and whether Google is prepared to respond to election-related misinformation. In Texas, for example, there are not distinct processes for absentee voting and voting by mail.

    By Ann Smajstrla August 28th, 2020 Read More
  • Steam lets you choose words to filter from chat

    Steam now lets you make a custom list of words you want filtered from your chat experience, Steam owner Valve has announced. The Steam Text & Chat Filtering feature already removes commonly used strong profanity and slurs, but now you can add specific words that you want to be replaced with symbols across Steam chat and supporting games. The feature is available through the Steam Labs beta program, but may be universal in the near future.

    By Ann Smajstrla August 27th, 2020 Read More
  • The Level Touch is a smart lock in disguise

    For those who want to live a key-free life without having an obvious smart lock on your door, Level Home might have the product for you. Level Touch, the company's latest product, is a smart lock designed to look like a key lock. Billed as an "invisible smart lock," Level Lock was designed with discretion in mind, according to a statement from Level Home.

    By Ann Smajstrla August 25th, 2020 Read More