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Google offers employees free electric scooters to get them back to the office

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Google offers employees free electric scooters to get them back to the office

Google is making ready to convey its staff again to the workplace this week, and as an added bonus, it’ll offer them free electrical scooters to assist ease the transition.

The tech big is teaming up with e-scooter maker Unagi to launch a brand new program known as “Trip Scoot,” through which most of Google’s US-based employees can get reimbursed for the complete price of a month-to-month subscription to Unagi’s trendy Mannequin One scooter. The Mannequin One, which retails for $990, is a light-weight dual-motor scooter with a high velocity of 20mph and a variety of 15.5 miles.

Unagi founder and CEO David Hyman mentioned the thought was to assist Google staff get to work — and even simply to the closest bus cease. (Google famously gives free shuttle bus service to its staff in Silicon Valley.)

“They know there’s apprehension amongst staff,” Hyman mentioned. “Folks obtained actually accustomed to working from dwelling. And so they’re simply making an attempt to do every thing they’ll to enhance the expertise of coming again.” (A spokesperson for Google didn’t reply to a request for remark.)

Two years after the pandemic upended work patterns, employers are doubling down on workplace actual property, bringing them into battle with a workforce that has grown accustomed to working at dwelling. Google spent billions on increasing its footprint over the course of the pandemic, an indication that it’s bullish about staff finally returning to work. And simply in case it runs into any friction, Google has proven a willingness to spend cash on perks to entice employees again.

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Google has landed on free scooters as one doable incentive and has discovered a keen associate in Unagi. Along with elevating over $10 million in enterprise capital funding final 12 months, the Oakland-based firm additionally launched a subscription as a substitute for possession. For $49 a month, prospects in choose cities can get one in all Unagi’s Mannequin One delivered to their entrance door. There’s additionally a $50 sign-up charge, however upkeep and insurance coverage from scooter theft or injury are included within the month-to-month charge.

Unagi received’t simply be handing out free scooters to each Google worker, although. Unagi plans on establishing cubicles at numerous Google workplaces to enroll staff for a month-to-month scooter subscription on the discounted charge of $44.10 per 30 days, plus the $50 enrollment charge — the entire of which might be totally reimbursable by Google. Scooter subscriptions may even be added as a transportation choice to Google’s inside worker portal. And Google and Unagi will host demo days for workers to check out the Mannequin One at numerous workplace places.

Workers should additionally use the scooter for at the very least 9 commutes per 30 days to get totally reimbursed for his or her month-to-month subscription. (Google plans on utilizing the honour system and received’t be monitoring staff’ scooter utilization.) Along with Google’s foremost headquarters in Mountain View, different eligible places embrace Seattle, Kirkland, Irvine, Sunnyvale, Playa Vista, Austin, and New York Metropolis.

Hyman mentioned that Unagi has made offers with different massive employers, together with Salesforce, so as to add electrical scooters as a doable transportation perk for workers, both as a reimbursement or at a reduced charge. He’s additionally working with plenty of motels and residences to position Unagi’s scooters within the foyer for purchasers.

“What we hope is different firms comply with swimsuit,” Hyman mentioned. “We expect it’s a fantastic workplace perk.”

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Silo season 2 hits Apple TV Plus this November

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Silo season 2 hits Apple TV Plus this November

The end of the world just got a little closer. Apple confirmed that the much-anticipated second season of its postapocalyptic series Silo will start streaming on November 15th.

Based on the trilogy of novels by Hugh Howey, Silo is set in the distant future and follows the remains of humanity, who live in giant underground bunkers — the titular silos — to avoid the deadly world outside. The season 1 finale ended with a big twist that made it clear there’s a lot more going on than the show initially lets on. It also only covers part of the first book, so it’ll be interesting to see how much of the story the new season covers. Silo’s second season will see returning cast members like Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Robbins, and Common.

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How to connect your AirPods to your PC and Android devices

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How to connect your AirPods to your PC and Android devices

Just because Apple’s AirPods are designed for other Apple devices doesn’t mean they will only work on Apple devices. 

That’s right, you can use your AirPods on your PC or Android-running mobile device. It isn’t as simple as setting up AirPods with an iPhone or Mac, but it’s also not too complicated. 

Follow these steps to connect your AirPods to a Windows PC or Android.

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AirPods and an Android  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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How to connect AirPods to a PC

  • Insert the AirPods into their charging case, ensuring they’re at least partially charged.
  • Open the top of your AirPod charging case, but do not remove the AirPods from the case yet.
  • Tap and hold the circular button on the rear side of the AirPod charging case for a couple of seconds until the light inside the case blinks white.

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airpods connect 2

The circular button on the back of the AirPod case  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Now, open your PC’s Bluetooth settings by clicking the Bluetooth icon in the system tray (bottom right of the taskbar) or by searching for “Bluetooth” in your taskbar and selecting Bluetooth and other device settings.
  • Click “Add Bluetooth or other devices” at the top of the settings screen.
  • On the “Add a device” page, click the top option for Bluetooth.
airpods connect 3

Bluetooth and device settings on a PC  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Click the AirPods option from the list of all Bluetooth discoverable devices.
  • Wait around 30 seconds, and you should see a connection confirmation screen once your AirPods and PC are paired and connected.

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Troubleshooting a failed connection

When you take your AirPods out of their charging case, they should automatically connect to your PC. If your AirPods are having trouble connecting to your PC, don’t panic. Close your AirPods case and your PC’s Bluetooth settings and simply repeat the pairing process outlined above. Your AirPods should automatically connect to your PC after a few seconds every time you remove them from the charging case. If, for any reason, they don’t, follow these steps:

  • Open your PC’s Bluetooth settings by clicking on the Bluetooth icon in the bottom-right system tray of your taskbar. Alternatively, you can search for “Bluetooth” in your taskbar and select “Bluetooth and other device settings” when it appears.
  • Scroll down to the Audio section under your Bluetooth list and click on the AirPods listing.
  • This should reestablish the Bluetooth connection between your PC and AirPods.

Remember that Siri is Apple-only, so you won’t be able to use the voice assistant while your AirPods are connected to your PC.

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Pair AirPods with your Android phone

Connecting AirPods to an Android device is similar to connecting to a PC. Before doing anything, you’ll want to ensure that your AirPods are charged and housed in their case.

  • Swipe down from the top of the screen on your Android device
  • Touch and hold the Bluetooth icon
  • Turn on Bluetooth
  • Tap Pair new device
airpods connect 4

AirPods and an Android  (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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  • Open the lid of your AirPod case, but don’t remove the AirPods from the case.
  • On your AirPod case, press and hold the button on the rear of the case until the case flashes a white light.
  • Your AirPods should show up in your Bluetooth devices list.

If you can’t find your AirPods in your Android Bluetooth devices list, check for them under “Available Devices” in your Bluetooth settings. You can also refresh the Bluetooth list by clicking More and then “Refresh.”

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Kurt’s key takeaways

And there you have it. Now, you can easily connect your AirPods to your Windows PC or Android device. Remember, if your AirPods don’t appear in your PC or Android’s Bluetooth device list, simply restart the Bluetooth pairing process. Also, note that Apple-specific features like Siri won’t be available with your AirPods if you use them from a PC or Android device.

What other Apple accessories or devices would you like to see become more compatible with non-Apple platforms and why? 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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Marvel is bringing the Russo Bros. back to direct the next two Avengers films

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Marvel is bringing the Russo Bros. back to direct the next two Avengers films

During Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, the studio announced that the Russo brothers have signed on to direct Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars — the former of which will see Robert Downey Jr, return to the MCU as Doctor Doom. Doomsday is due out in May 2026, while Secret Wars will follow in May 2027.

Doctor Doom showing up just as the Fantastic Four are about to arrive makes it seem like Marvel’s been cooking up a plan to send its beleaguered Multiverse Saga off with a bang — one that’s probably going to be orchestrated by a guy who looks just like Iron Man.

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