Google will release monthly report cards for self-driving cars

Google wants the public and its shareholders to continue supporting “moonshot” projects by being transparent about them. One such example is releasing a monthly report card for their self-driving cars. The May 2015 release covers 12 accidents that the fleet has been involved in in the past six years. The latest crash took place last week when an autonomous prototype Lexus SUV was rear-ended at around 1mph by another car. No injuries were reported from both sides though and the self-driving car wasn’t at fault. Actually, only one out of the 12 accidents were caused by the driver operating the Google car and he was doing it manually as well as it drove back into another vehicle.

This report will also show how Google can expound more on self-driving technology, such as how the system can identify a passing emergency vehicle at a junction and will remain at a halt even though their lane is the one in favor to move.

Source: Google Monthly Reports | Via: SlashGear

Amazon Echo can now read you audiobooks

Looking to indulge your inner child with a bedtime story, Amazon updated its Echo speaker to add support for Audible files. The voice-guided speaker can now read to you the title of your choice when you ask it. It can even pick up where it left off with Whispersync for Voice, which is perfect not just when you’re calling it a night but even when you’re puttering around the house doing chores.

Source: Amazon | Via: Engadget

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup 5/31-6/6

NVIDIA to help create games for all Android devices with AndroidWorks

BlackBerry settles case with iPhone keyboard maker Typo

Microsoft entices more Android tablet makers to pre-load Office, Skype and OneDrive Apps

Windows 10 is coming on July 29, are you ready?

The Apple Beat: Gearing up for WWDC 2015

Microsoft Cloud touches down in Canada, services to be delivered from Toronto and Quebec City

Thermador showcases virtual reality cooking demos at Canadian Furniture Show

TELUS extends appointment service to the entire country

Apple TV revealed as central control hub for HomeKit accessories

Skype update fixes app-crashing messaging bug

Apple Watch gets to-do and list app with latest Fantastical update

ARTIC's 5-in-1 smart USB charger is designed for gadget freaks

Pre ordered Pebble Time smartwatches begin arriving

Review: ASUS ZenFone 2

Tumblr takes on Reddit’s AMA with Answer Time Q&A

Chrome on Android lets you search more info on any word with Tap to Search

SoundCloud signs royalty agreement with Merlin to gain access to 20,000 indie labels

SwiftKey adds a slew of new emojis for iOS

Third-party keyboard SwiftKey is making it easier to communicate via emojis with its latest update. Version 1.3.3 adds support for iOS 8.3 emojis. You can change the skin tone of the human emojis, and add new flag and family emojis. You can also choose to display the emoji or globe key to the left of the space bar.

Aside from that, the app is also getting general performance boost and will reportedly reduce the number of crashes.

Source: 9to5Mac | Download: Apple App Store (Free)