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

Google's unreleased Pixel Slate 2-in-1 marks its return to tablets

Almost every product expected from Google's upcoming fall event has been leaked in detail. One interesting item is its new Chromebook tablet. Codenamed 'Nocturne' this black tablet marks Google's return to the form factor after abandoning it years ago with the Pixel C.

This time around their tablet will reportedly run Chrome OS but will also possibly be able to run Windows 10 apps. There's a lot of synergy emerging between Microsoft's Windows 10 and Android lately that anything is possible. A somewhat affordable Chrome-powered tablet that can shapeshift into a Windows 10 machine (when paired with a keyboard case) could be a killer education product. We don't have to wait long as Google will unveil all its goodies tomorrow.

iOS 12.1 update to bring more than 70 new emoji

Seeing how emoji have become a norm in communication today, Apple is adding up to 70 new emoji for iPhone users on iOS 12.1.

More than 70 new emoji will be coming soon to iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac, including new characters with red hair, gray hair and curly hair, a new emoji for bald people, more emotive smiley faces and additional emoji representing animals, sports and food. The new emoji are available in today’s developer and public beta previews of iOS 12.1, and will be available in upcoming software updates for iOS, macOS and watchOS. 

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