If it seems like there’s been a lot of news around high-tech trucks lately, well, there’s a good reason, and we have even more for you today. After both Uber and Tesla announced their techno-trucks were on already on duty – even if just in limited capacities – tech giant Alphabet/Google has now jumped into the fray as well, with their own self-driving trucks. That’s right, the search giant’s Waymo division is ready to roll out some big rigs.
And while the Waymo semis aren’t electrically powered like the sleek Tesla trucks, they are self-driving like the Uber machines – and eventually the Tesla trucks, which have that AutoPilot tech built in, of course. However, Waymo says the trucks will have humans keeping the driver’s seat warm at least, as they ferry shipments of technical parts to Google data centers near the Atlanta area. Waymo’s convoy of self-driving semis is set to hit the highway next week.
There’s a Battle Royale brewing in your phone
Popular game Fortnite: Battle Royal has been confined to consoles and PCs since forever, but good news: A version for mobile devices is on the way. That’s the word from Fortnite creator Epic Games, which broke the news late last night by saying a port of the game will be available for iOS devices at first, with Android fans getting their own version a short time later.
There’s a special event from Epic planned for next week that will include more details, but for now we know you’ll need at least the tiny iPhone SE or bigger 6S to get started, and it’ll need to be rocking iOS 11 in order to make the grade to play. Best of all, you’ll be able to take on other players cross-platform, which will include the PS4, PC gamers, Mac folks and in time, Android OS users. Got an Xbox One? Well, for you, it’s… complicated.
Good news Star Wars fans: Super Star Wars fanboy (and sometimes Iron Man movie director) Jon Favreau is going to head up a new live-action Star Wars series for Disney’s upcoming streaming service. And really, could there be anyone more fit for that job? Favreau is truly a long-time resident of the far away galaxy, having voiced characters for the Clone Wars animated series and with his current involvement in the upcoming Solo movie.
Disney didn’t say what the series will be called or when exactly it’s going to debut – the streaming service isn’t even up and running yet – but senior Jedi Kathleen Kennedy says they’re excited at the prospects. Favreau helmed both the first and second Iron Man movies, and also worked as an executive producer on the Avengers films, so we’re pretty sure he has what it takes to make a Star Wars series successful.
He also put together the hit live-action version of Jungle Book, and is currently doing the same for The Lion King, due out next year. Think he’ll write himself into a few scenes of the Star Wars series? We’d bet on it. We’ll keep you updated as we know more about the series.
We’ve got more news on our Facebook page and YouTube channel, and be sure to tune in to this week’s DT podcasts: Trends with Benefits (general tech shenanigans) on Thursdays, and Between the Streams (movie and TV topics) every Friday.
We shouldn’t fall into the easy trap of passing the new MagSafe for iPhone technology off as merely a branding exercise dripping in nostalgia to titillate long-term Mac fans. There are two reasons why. First, it may become one of the most interesting and innovative “Made for iPhone” official accessory ranges we’ve seen since the beginning of the program itself.
Second, we should also remember it’s the latest weapon in Apple’s ecosystem arsenal, designed specifically to keep you buying the iPhone for years to come, possibly including one of the most controversial rumored iPhones on the horizon.
What is MagSafe for iPhone?
What does MagSafe do? It’s a new way for chargers and accessories to attach and talk to your iPhone. The simplest accessory is Apple's own MagSafe Wireless Charger, a $39 charging plate that looks a bit like a thinner, oversized Apple Watch charging plinth. It uses magnets to clamp itself tightly against the back of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models, securely keeping it in place for accurate charger positioning.
On this Digital Trends Live, Greg Nibler hosts a look at the top trending tech stories of the day, including the continuing battle between developers and app stores, Amazon’s palm payment method, the first foldable PC, NASA's Crew Dragon Capsule launch, and more.
On this Digital Trends Live, host Greg Nibler discusses the top tech stories of the day, including TikTok's latest win, Roku’s new product, Prime Day dates, food service robots, and more.
Javier Botero