More images of the upcoming Google Pixel 3 leak hours before launch event

Google Pixel 3 image by Evan Blass

While Google has been planning a fall launch event in New York City to show off, among other products, the new and improved (now with trendy notch) Pixel 3 flagships, we're seeing more renders of the devices and even a hint of a new "Pink Sand" variant.

The latest leaks were courtesy of Evan Blass who also unloaded an image of the Pixel Slate, the 2-in-1 Chromebook tablet that can presumably run Windows 10, complete with its keyboard accessory.  Anyone interested in the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL now has a good idea of what the device is all about (hint: mostly camera upgrades). The larger Pixel 3 has been captured and unboxed in YouTube videos and already has a full review from unwire.uk out weeks before its intended launch.

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Apple issues fix for iPhone XS charging and WiFi issues

With every new product release, there is always the possibility of bugs and issues creeping in past the final release stage. In the case of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, some units have been hit with charging issues as well as a bug where iPhones would rejoin the slower 2.4 GHz version of a WiFi hotspot rather than the quicker, more modern 5 GHz channel.

The iOS 12.0.1 update released by Apple recently is now making its way to devices via Software Update and fixes these issues and should be installed by owners of these new phones.

Security exploit that exposed user's data was kept secret by Google

A bit of a shocker on a slow-news Monday and the eve of a major product announcement from Google has placed the search and advertising giant on the defensive. Google apparently exposed the information of hundreds of thousands of users of its Google + social network.

Google says that name, email address, occupation, gender, and age data of users were exposed even if these were set by users to be private, not public. The flaw, which Google says was not exploited by hackers, was open from 2015 to 2018. Granted, Google + is considered as a failed challenger to Facebook and Twitter, it lost steam rather quickly even as the majority of users continued to have accounts.

Exploits like these happen commonly, but companies are usually quick to disclose and reach out to customers so that they can take precautions, change their passwords or log off the serivces. It took a Wall Street Journal report for Google to respond. It appears the company was worried that disclosing the exploit would impact its reputation. Hiding the truth will likely hurt the company's reputation even more.

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The electric Vespa of your dreams will soon be available for US $7000

Iconic scooter maker Piaggio has been profiting off nostalgia for decades with the perennially hip and practical Vespa scooters. The company is now looking forward to the future by offering a product many have been asking for, an electric Vespa.

Vespa Electrica is coming this winter to Europe for €6,390 and will feature a range of 62 miles (99.8 kilometers) on a four hour full-charge. The company says the included battery pack should last around 10 years. While there is no shortage of electric scooters in the market today, purists will no doubt wait and see what this Vespa has to offer.

Source: The Verge