Best Amazon deals for July 31: Save on laptops from HP and ASUS, Chromebooks from Samsung and Acer, plus save 20% on AmazonBasics products

Get ready to go back to school, or go on one last adventure before the summer is over. But whatever you do, check out today's amazing deals on Amazon first.

SEE ALSO: If you hurry, you can get 3 months of Kindle Unlimited for 99 cents on Amazon and finally bang out your summer reading list

The retail giant has deals on laptops, such as the HP Omen and the HP Envy, which are going for $699.99 and $569.99, respectively. Chromebooks are also on sale, including the Samsung Chromebook 3, which is going for the low price of $139.99, and the Acer Chromebook 11, which is now on sale for $159.99. USB hubs are also on sale from Lenovo and Sabrent, as well. Read more...

More about Samsung, Hp, Chromebooks, Amazonbasics, and Mashable Shopping

https://ift.tt/2vlyouP from Tech https://ift.tt/2LRIlun
via IFTTT

Google Maps on iOS can now 'match' you with restaurants

Figuring out where to eat has never been easier. 

Google Maps on iOS has been updated Tuesday with a feature that shows you how well you "match" with a restaurant. 

SEE ALSO: Apple Store app for iOS gets voice search

Once you've updated Google Maps on iOS to the latest version, the feature will automatically show as a "match" percentage on restaurants you find on Google Maps.

Google says the score is calculated "based on your unique preferences." When the feature was first announced, in May, Google gave a bit more thorough explanation. 

"We use machine learning to generate this number, based on a few factors: what we know about a business, the food and drink preferences you’ve selected in Google Maps, places you’ve been to, and whether you’ve rated a restaurant or added it to a list. Your matches change as your own tastes and preferences evolve over time—it’s like your own expert sidekick, helping you quickly assess your options and confidently make a decision," the company said at the time.  Read more...

More about Google, Google Maps, Restaurants, Tech, and Artificial Intelligence

https://ift.tt/2KbLwZ6 from Tech https://ift.tt/2LKOloP
via IFTTT

Facebook faces lawsuit over Brexit adverts

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from Technology Intelligence https://ift.tt/2LMtEJ7
via IFTTT

Facebook, Twitter and Google face tech tax to fund fake news crackdown

https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from Technology Intelligence https://ift.tt/2mMRsyg
via IFTTT

Amazon predictably cancels Echo Spot orders after they were listed for free

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Or a free Echo Spot.

Amazon has cancelled the orders of customers after the white version of the smart speaker was temporarily listed on its website for zero dollars, down from the regular price of $129.

SEE ALSO: Someone taught Amazon's Alexa sign language

As TechCrunch notes, the black version of the device was listed for $99, a deal comparative to its usual asking price. But of course, you can't beat a free Echo Spot.

"in stock august 24" lol pic.twitter.com/QSCQI7XJir

— Wario64 (@Wario64) July 30, 2018

Predictably, the free Echo Spot sold out quickly, leaving those who had "bought" one to hope that Amazon didn't pick up on the error. Read more...

More about Tech, Amazon, Echo, Echo Spot, and Tech

https://ift.tt/2LRDhWM from Tech https://ift.tt/2vkL8SG
via IFTTT

Uber's self-driving truck program is done

Uber's self-driving truck program feels like it just took off, but after a court trial and several major leadership changes, it's been a long road to a dead-end announced Monday. 

Back in 2016, Uber acquired Otto — former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski's self-driving truck startup — and Uber's self-driving truck program was born. Then Levandowski was sued for taking trade secrets from Google and bringing them to Uber in the acquisition. That was mainly about the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) laser and sensor technology that uses light to help the autonomous vehicles "see" the road and world around them.  Read more...

More about Uber, Otto, Self Driving Truck, Anthony Levandowski, and Tech

https://ift.tt/2AqgJYV from Tech https://ift.tt/2LPx2Tl
via IFTTT

WhatsApp has finally encrypted group video calling for everyone

WhatsApp is rolling out a new feature that brings its features up to par with other major messaging apps: group video calls.

The app is now starting to add group video calling to its iOS and Android app, the company announced Monday.

SEE ALSO: Another effort in the fight against fake news: WhatsApp tries to stop messages from going viral

WhatsApp has supported video calling since 2016, but calls were, until now, limited to two participants. With the latest change, the app is upping its support to four total participants.

That's a fairly modest increase, particularly compared to other services. Facebook Messenger supports group video calls of up to 50, while Snapchat supports 16 participants. Apple's FaceTime will work with up to 32 people when iOS 12 launches later this year. Read more...

More about Tech, Apps And Software, Whatsapp, Social Media Companies, and Tech

https://ift.tt/2NWJcHr from Tech https://ift.tt/2NU7zWw
via IFTTT