Google Search and Newsstand now has real-time NBA and NHL updates

Google is making it easier for you to keep up with your favorite NBA and NHL teams with the latest update to its Google Play Newsstand and Google Search apps. From Newsstand, you’ll be able to see dedicated NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs sections. There you’ll get play-by-play information as well as other local and national news about the sports. Now if you don’t want to use Newsstand, you can simply go to Google Search. The updates will be displayed in Google’s “Knowledge Panels” so you can check everything there.

Source: Android Authority

Apple expected to launch three iPhone models this fall

Apple is expected to launch three new models of iPhone this fall. A marquee release given this is the 10th anniversary of the iPhone, has Apple doubling down on its offerings. The small but enduring iPhone SE was given more storage a few weeks ago, they added a red iPhone into the colour mix and for next-ge devices, are expected to release two iPhone 7s models (possibly 4.7-inch and a 5.5-inch model) and a more exclusive anniversary edution iPhone with an OLED display which fits the screen resolution of a larger iPhone Plus in a smaller iPhone body.

Other expectations are the integration of a possible glass-based Touch ID button that replaces the Home button and a horizontal camera array which is designed for AR (Augmented Reality), and Apple is considering various materials and treatments ranging from a curved glass design that is reminiscent of the original iPhone as well as aluminium and stainless steel reinforced frames. 

There's a lot at stake for Apple in this particular launch since the iPhone's general look has remained unchanged for three generations. While the company has improved performance, battery life, added water resistance and still has arguably the best cameras on smartphones, most of the changes have been around the addition of new colours. 

Source: Bloomberg

The Handmaid's Tale coming to Canada on May 1 via iTunes

Canadians now have an option to stream the first season of The Handmaid's Tale which is based on author Margaret Atwood's award winning novel. 

The Handmaid’s Tale is the story of life in the dystopia of Gilead, a totalitarian society in what was formerly part of the United States. Facing environmental disasters and a plunging birthrate, Gilead is ruled by a twisted fundamentalism regime that treats women as property of the state. As one of the few remaining fertile women, “Offred," is a Handmaid in the Commander’s household, one of the caste of women forced into sexual servitude as a last desperate attempt to repopulate a devastated world.

Coming on May 1, the pre-order the Season Pass on iTunes to The Handmaid’s Tale here and watch the double-episode premiere on May 1. View the entire The Handmaid’s Tale iTunes collection, including versions in iBooks, Movies right here.

Source: Apple

Uber loses VP of Global Vehicle Programs

One more Uber executive has left the company. This time its Sherif Marakby, Uber’s vice president of Global Vehicle Programs, who helped launched the company’s self-driving program in Pittsburgh. It isn’t clear why Marakby left Uber but according to Automotive News, it isn’t related to the lawsuit the company has with Waymo. It can’t be said if it’s related to sexual harassment allegations either. Marakby joined Uber back in April after working for Ford for 25 years.

“Sherif’s deep experience and knowledge of the automotive industry have helped us tremendously in working to make self-driving cars a reality,” an Uber spokesperson told TechCrunch in a statement. Marakby joins at least five other execs who’ve left the company in the past few months, including its head of comms, president, head of AI Labs, SVP of engineering, and VP of growth.