Apple iPhone risk from powerful motorbike vibrations

IPhone owners should beware picking up bad vibrations from powerful motorbikes, as they may damage camera systems, Apple has said. The technology giant published a warning iPhones should not be attached to powerful bikes, in a support document spotted by MacRumors. Engine vibrations can harm phones’ optical-image stabilisation or closed-loop autofocus systems, it says. Owners […]

Apple dealt major blow in Epic Games trial

Apple has been dealt a major blow in its ongoing trial against Fortnite-maker Epic Games. A court in Oakland, California, has ruled that Apple cannot stop app developers directing users to third-party payment options. Apple had argued that all apps should use Apple’s own in-app payment options. In a high profile trial, Epic Games had […]

‘Anti-radiation’ phone stickers still sold on Amazon

Stickers that claim to protect users against electromagnetic fields (EMF) from phones remain for sale on Amazon. The listings remain eight months after scientists told the BBC the smartDOT stickers had “no effect”. This week the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) also criticised the claims on the makers’ website. The firm has told the BBC it […]

Starmer should be inspired by Biden over workers’ rights – TUC leader

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer should take inspiration from US President Joe Biden in promoting workers’ rights, the head of the UK’s unions has argued. TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said better pay and conditions must become “absolutely central” to the party’s pitch to voters. She praised Mr Biden for making the “dignity of work” […]

Tripwire boss steps down over support for Texas abortion law

The president of game-studio Tripwire Interactive has stepped down after tweeting support for a controversial new abortion law in Texas. The Texas law bans abortions from as early as six weeks into pregnancy. John Gibson tweeted he was “proud” of the legal outcome and was a “a pro-life game developer”. Some of the studio’s partners […]

TikTok overtakes YouTube for average watch time in US and UK

App users in the UK and US are spending more time on TikTok than on YouTube, a new report suggests. Data from app monitoring firm App Annie indicates that average time per user spent on the apps is higher for TikTok, indicating high levels of engagement. App Annie characterised TikTok as having “upended the streaming […]

Apple delays plan to scan iPhones for child abuse

Apple has delayed plans to roll out detection technology which would have scanned US users’ iPhones in search of child sexual abuse material. It follows widespread criticism from privacy groups and others, worried that the on-device tracking set a dangerous precedent. Apple said that it had listened to the negative feedback and was reconsidering. There […]

Investigation into hacked “map” of UK gun owners

Authorities are investigating after a map claiming to show the addresses of thousands of firearms owners in the UK was published online. Gun-selling site Guntrader announced a data breach affecting more than 100,000 customers in July. This week, reports emerged that an animal rights activist blog had published the information. The group had formatted the […]

Tokyo 2020: Toyota restarts driverless vehicles after accident

Toyota is resuming operations of its autonomous vehicles at the Paralympic Games village in Tokyo following an accident. Services of the e-Palette pods were halted after a vehicle hit a visually impaired athlete last week. The athlete was not seriously injured, but he had to pull out of an event because of cuts and bruises. […]