Technology
Google has to face a class action lawsuit over Chrome’s data collection
![Google has to face a class action lawsuit over Chrome’s data collection Google has to face a class action lawsuit over Chrome’s data collection](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/x5Kjldm33pWUvSnCDkhivQ6wt3Q=/0x0:3000x2000/1200x628/filters:focal(1500x1000:1501x1001)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24924651/236780_Google_AntiTrust_Trial_Custom_Art_CVirginia__0001_3.png)
Google will have to face a class action lawsuit that accuses it of collecting users’ data through Chrome without their consent. In a decision on Tuesday, a federal appeals court reversed a December 2022 ruling that dismissed the case, saying the lower court should’ve reviewed Google’s disclosures and determined “whether a reasonable user reading them would think that he or she was consenting to the data collection.”
The class action lawsuit, first filed in 2020, alleged that Google collected data from Chrome users — regardless of whether they enabled Chrome sync. This feature saves bookmarks, passwords, open tabs, and other data to your Google account, giving you easy access to this information when signed into Chrome on multiple devices.
The plaintiffs claimed Chrome “intentionally and unlawfully” sent Google browsing history, IP addresses, persistent cookie identifiers, and unique browser identifiers without their explicit permission. At the time, Google argued users consented to this by accepting the company’s privacy policy. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers agreed, stating in her order granting dismissal that “Google adequately disclosed, and plaintiffs consented to, the collection of the at-issue data.”
However, Judge Milan D. Smith Jr. writes in today’s decision that Judge Gonzalez Rogers didn’t take into account whether users actually understood this agreement. “Google had a general privacy disclosure yet promoted Chrome by suggesting that certain information would not be sent to Google unless a user turned on sync,” Smith writes. The case will be returned to the lower courts for reconsideration.
“We disagree with this ruling and are confident the facts of the case are on our side. Chrome Sync helps people use Chrome seamlessly across their different devices and has clear privacy controls,” Google spokesperson José Castañeda says in a statement to The Verge. And while Google will soon no longer require users to enable Chrome sync to access saved information, Castañeda says, “This announcement is not related to the litigation.”
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Technology
Gemini in Gmail can now help polish up your drafts
![Gemini in Gmail can now help polish up your drafts Gemini in Gmail can now help polish up your drafts](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/IHQKX7x3dQikQ9C9AZ0SGMuo5K4=/0x0:2040x1334/1200x628/filters:focal(1020x667:1021x668)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25290333/STK255_Google_Gemini_C.jpg)
Google is upgrading its Gemini writing tools in Gmail to help you polish drafts that you’ve already written. Now, among other Gemini-powered “Help me write” options like Formalize and Elaborate, you can tap “Polish” to refine your emails, Google says in a blog post. The company has also added shortcuts that appear in the body of your emails on Android and iOS, making it more obvious that there are AI writing tools to use.
The tools are available to people who pay for Google One AI Premium accounts or who have paid for Google’s Gemini add-on for Workspace. If that’s you, when you open an empty draft, you’ll see a “Help me write” shortcut appear that you can tap to have Gemini draft text for you. Once you have 12 or more words in a draft — AI-written or not — you should see a new “Refine my draft” shortcut, shown in gray letters below the words.
Swipe your thumb across the text, and you’ll be given the choice to Polish, Formalize, Elaborate, or Shorten, or to have Gemini just write a whole new draft for you. (And if the “Refine my draft” shortcut doesn’t appear, tapping the pencil icon does the same thing.)
Technology
Remember that robot dog? It's back with a 'wheely' cool upgrade
![Remember that robot dog? It's back with a 'wheely' cool upgrade Remember that robot dog? It's back with a 'wheely' cool upgrade](https://static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/3-Remember-that-robot-dog_-Its-back-with-a-‘wheely-cool-upgrade.jpg)
Last year, Unitree Robotics captured headlines with its remarkable Go2 robot dog, wowing us with its circus tricks and GPT chat capabilities. Now, the company is back with a new twist: meet the Go2-W, an all-terrain upgrade that adds wheels to its robotic quadruped.
This innovative design not only enhances mobility but also opens up a world of possibilities for navigating diverse environments. Get ready to explore how this wheeled wonder is set to redefine the future of robotics.
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Go2-W (Unitree) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Why wheels?
While robot quadrupeds like the Go2 are fast, agile and useful, moving on all fours isn’t always the most practical. In some situations, rolling can be more efficient. This is where the Go2-W comes in.
The Go2-W features motorized wheels with 7-inch pneumatic tires, enabling it to glide over flat surfaces and adjust angles for minor bumps while still retaining the ability to tackle more challenging terrain when needed, such as climbing stairs or tackling obstacles.
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![Remember that robot dog? It's back with a ‘wheely' cool upgrade](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/2-Remember-that-robot-dog_-Its-back-with-a-‘wheely-cool-upgrade.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Go2-W (Unitree) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Performance and capabilities of the Go2-W
The Go2-W retains many of the advanced features of the original Go2. It includes super-wide-angle Lidar and wide-angle vision cameras in its sensor suite, and it is powered by octa-core processing brains. The robot also supports Wi-Fi, 4G and Bluetooth connectivity. The 15,000-mAh battery provides up to four hours of operation per charge and supports fast charging for minimal downtime.
![Remember that robot dog? It's back with a ‘wheely' cool upgrade](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/3-Remember-that-robot-dog_-Its-back-with-a-‘wheely-cool-upgrade.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Go2-W (Unitree) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Enhanced mobility and versatility of the Go2-W
Replacing the pads at the end of each jointed leg with motorized wheels, the Go2-W can easily transition between rolling and walking. This flexibility allows it to handle various terrains and perform acrobatic maneuvers like balancing on its front legs.
The robot can carry a payload of around 6.6 pounds, stands at 27.6 inches tall and weighs approximately 40 pounds. It also features front lighting for nighttime operations and a voice function, likely powered by the same natural-language GPT engine as the non-wheeled model.
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![Remember that robot dog? It's back with a ‘wheely' cool upgrade](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/4-Remember-that-robot-dog_-Its-back-with-a-‘wheely-cool-upgrade.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Go2-W (Unitree) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
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Comparison with other models
The Go2-W’s top speed is listed as 5.6 mph, similar to the base Go2 model. However, the wheeled variant appears faster in head-to-head sprints. Both models share the same advanced sensor suite and processing capabilities, but the Go2-W’s wheels provide added versatility for different environments.
![Remember that robot dog? It's back with a ‘wheely' cool upgrade](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/08/1200/675/5-Remember-that-robot-dog_-Its-back-with-a-‘wheely-cool-upgrade.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Go2-W (Unitree) (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)
Real-life applications of the Go2-W
Unitree Robotics envisions the Go2-W as a versatile robot designed to tackle a wide range of applications. With its ability to switch between rolling and walking modes, the Go2-W is particularly suited for environments that require adaptability and efficiency.
The company highlights its potential use in inspection and security tasks, where the robot’s advanced 4D L1 Lidar recognition system and wide-angle vision cameras enable it to navigate autonomously and perform maneuvers, such as climbing obstacles and rolling on smooth surfaces.
Additionally, its robust design, powered by a 15,000 mAh battery providing up to four hours of operation, makes it ideal for extended assignments in varied industrial settings.
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Kurt’s key takeaways
Unitree’s Go2-W represents a significant advancement in robotic mobility, combining the agility of a quadruped with the efficiency of wheels. This hybrid approach allows the robot to adapt to various terrains and tasks, making it a versatile tool for many applications. While pricing and availability details are yet to be announced, the Go2-W is poised to make a substantial impact in the field of robotics.
What are your biggest concerns about the increasing presence of robots like the Go2-W in our daily lives? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.
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Technology
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024: all the news, trailers, and announcements
![Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024: all the news, trailers, and announcements Gamescom Opening Night Live 2024: all the news, trailers, and announcements](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/8dXIwqd0TlG_C_-e67rt4RlLGFk=/0x0:6720x4480/1200x628/filters:focal(3360x2240:3361x2241)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25575888/1617083612.jpg)
Here come the Pokémon microSD cards.
SanDisk is launching new Pokémon-branded microSD cards at Gamescom today. Designed for the Nintendo Switch, there are three options available for purchase: a 1TB Snorlax microSD card for $129.99, a 512GB Gengar one for $54.99, or the smallest 256GB Pikachu model for $32.99. These new Pokémon microSD cards support up to 100MB/s read speeds and up to 90MB/s write speeds and are available through Western Digital’s online store.
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