Apple, Google partner to develop tech that assists with COVID-19 contact tracing

How Apple and Google plan to use tech to assist with contact tracing (Apple and Google)

Contact tracing is an essential tool to help contain the spread of COVID-19. But that doesn't mean it wouldn't need some technological help. Google and Apple are working together to allow the use of Bluetooth technology to help governments and health agencies reduce the spread of the virus while having "user privacy and security central to the design."

To help with contact tracing, the tech giants are launching solutions that include application programming interfaces (APIs) and operating system-level tech. The companies will implement these solutions in two steps. 

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Google expands Duplex AI assistant support to Canada, two other countries

Without fanfare, Google updates the support page for Duplex to signal limited capacity availability in Canada, Australia, and the UK. Duplex is a human-like, artificial intelligence-powered chat agent that lets users schedule appointments and gather information over the phone. The support page now shows the phone numbers of the three additional countries that Duplex will use to call businesses in each country. Previously, it only showed numbers for the US and New Zealand.

In early March, Google CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the company is using Duplex to confirm closures and adjusted hours to make sure Google Search and Google Maps show accurate information. With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting business hours of a lot of businesses, it seems apt for Google to expand its reach now. 

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Steve Carell's 'Space Force' comedy to premiere on Netflix on May 29

Space Force (Credit: Netflix)

Maybe you've missed The Office and that little The Office reunion with Steve Carell on John Kransinki's YouTube show, Some Good News, wasn't enough for you. Then you will appreciate this update. Carell stars and co-created with The Office's Greg Daniels a new Netflix show called Space Force. It's a parody of the real-life Space Force military branch created by US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence. Netflix treated us to some stills from the show dropping on May 29. It stars some heavyweights of the comedy world, including Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy O. Yang, Ben Schwartz, Diana Silvers, and John Malkovich.

Logitech to report exploitative webcam resellers who are price gouging

Webcams are in high demand and in short reply. If you don't already own a standalone webcam, chances are you are not going to be able to find one selling at a reasonable price. The coronavirus pandemic has locked down various countries and businesses and workers have taken to online conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Hangouts to stay connected and productive.

Logitech, who makes a range of HD webcams is putting its foot down and reporting resellers that are taking advantage of this shortage. “With a dramatic shift in remote work, distance learning and telemedicine over the past few weeks, many Logitech products are in high demand across the globe,” A Logitech spokesperson told The Verge by email. Still, Logitech can only control official sales channels, people are selling these webcams on services like Craigslist and adding a $60 to $70 premium on top. Have you had issues finding a webcam, let us know in the comments below.