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Boston Dynamics’ acquisition will help its robots see in 3D

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Kinema is a Menlo Park-based company that uses deep learning to give robotic arms the 3D vision they need to locate and move boxes. It can recognize different products and handle boxes of different sizes, even if they’re not perfectly level. With this purchase, Boston Dynamics now has the software it needs to make its bots practical outside of the lab, meaning we could see them in the warehouse before too long. First, it will integrate Pick into Handle, the robot we saw autonomously moving boxes in a warehouse last week.

The tool is agnostic, though, so we could see it in Boston Dynamic’s other robots. And while the company perfects Handle, it will sell the technology, as the Boston Dynamics Pick System, to third parties immediately. There’s no word on when the company will start selling Handle to manufacturers, but this acquisition should bring that date much closer.

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Open Curbs database could make it easier to catch an Uber

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The initial data will include info from Coord’s own Surveyor augmented reality app, with initial city data for Denver, Los Angeles, Milan, Paris, San Francisco and Santa Monica. The company plans to support other forms of curb data in the future, however. If it takes off, it could quickly become a one-stop shop for anyone who needs to know about curbs when designing a product or the city itself. That could be particularly important for self-driving taxis, which wouldn’t have the luxury of a human driver to find a good pickup place.

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Oscars limits for streaming movies may violate antitrust law

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An Academy spokesperson confirmed to Variety that it had received the DOJ notice and had “responded accordingly,” although it didn’t specify what its answer was. Its Board of Governors will hold their yearly rule meeting on April 23rd.

Studios have sometimes accused online services of ‘cheating’ the Oscars system with short theatrical release windows, secret viewer data and simultaneous worldwide launches that hurt foreign distributors. Rule changes could force movies to stay theater-only for longer or else force companies to disclose their audience numbers. Streaming services would either have to embrace conventional movie distribution or forego the Oscars altogether.

Netflix and other streaming proponents have argued that it’s vital to give online video equal consideration. It makes movies accessible to people who couldn’t otherwise go, and enables both indie filmmakers as well as anyone whose project might have trouble surviving in a blockbuster-obsessed theatrical landscape. There’s a self-serving goal of increasing viewership, of course, but there’s also a concern that Hollywood is trying to protect the past instead of embracing the future.

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Lego’s Spike Prime kits give kids the confidence to code

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Instead of pointing students toward more complex projects, Spike Prime is about basic knowledge and practicality. As Esben Stærk Jørgensen, the president of Lego Education, said during a press event in New York today, Spike Prime is not about learning to code so much as it is coding to learn.

Along those lines, the 33 initial projects that kids can undertake focus on more practical concerns. Sure, there’s a robot that break dances, but the point is to get you up and going with your own crazy moves in response as part of a general wellness program, like the Apple Watch’s insistence on standing up. There’s even an entire section called “Life Hacks” which features projects like a robot that responds to the weather in a given location, displaying a frown and flipping up an umbrella face when it’s raining. If it’s sunny, the robot can put on a pair of little sunglasses instead.

Lego Spike Prime

Lego Spike Prime has a software and hardware component; while the teachers go through lesson plans provided by the Lego Education site, kids get the kits and the coding software on a computer or tablet. Inside each kit is a “Hub” to control your creations. The ports are clearly labeled and the whole thing charges via USB.

Then there are the pieces: over 500 in the initial set. It’s a mix of standard Lego blocks and Technic components, with 11 new elements specifically designed and manufactured for Spike Prime to connect the two systems, which aren’t normally compatible. There aren’t a lot of wires or servos: It’s really about building something with pieces students might already be familiar with and they can bring in more pieces to add to their creations as their skills develop.

Lego Spike Prime

The user interface reminds me a lot of other kid’s coding software, breaking down different functions into color-coded blocks that can be clicked and dragged according to order of operations and which part they’re meant to control. Other systems have tried this UI before to varying degrees of success, some keeping the raw code there on the screen even as it’s bound up in a candy-colored wrapper.

The software here doesn’t pull a bait and switch on kids either. Each block is still written in relatively plain language, with fields that kids can easily customize. It’s so easy to tweak that the first project out of the box can literally be done in a minute or two: The control block has a grid of LEDs on it that can be programmed to display simple pictures or alphanumeric characters, so kids are asked to create an emoji face on it. Instead of, say, specifying grid coordinates for each light, the kids can draw what face they want to see on the programming block itself, choose how long they want it to display and they’re done. Fast results like this are good for building a kid’s confidence Indeed, all of the projects are meant to be finished in one 45-minute class period.

Lego Spike Prime

The entire system is based on the Scratch graphical programming language, so kids won’t be asked to learn specific code. Even the weather lookup is pre-programmed into the Spike Prime app, pulling its data automatically from a Norwegian website. All the children have to do is manually type in what location they want to get the weather from. The entire system is about teaching concepts and problem solving that can be used in every aspect of kids’ daily lives.

There’s even an entire “inventors” category dedicated to teaching problem solving that specifically asks kids to build projects that are broken, so they can then troubleshoot what’s wrong with the initial design and fix it. Some people ( myself included) learn better by reverse engineering something, and here it’s been turned into a formal part of the curriculum.

Lego Spike Prime

Let’s not forget that Prime is an educational and not a consumer product, so a lot of its processes are geared toward teachers dealing with an entire classroom of kids. The robot designs are meant to be built in sections so multiple kids can construct it at the same time, which also teaches skills like delegation and collaboration. There’s no login or account system to keep it privacy compliant, so teachers will need to check in with each kid in person during class. Spike Prime also fills in the gap between Lego Education’s WeDo line and the more generally known Mindstorms. Now there’s an education product for every group from preschool to college, but Spike Prime might be the most important one in the line since it’s aimed at tweens, the age most kids lose interest in STEM.

Each $330 kit can accommodate a team of four students, which actually makes it more affordable than Mindstorms or WeDo, which only serve two kids at a time — outfitting a full class of 30 teens with Mindstorms can cost a school almost $7,000, while Spike Prime slips in below $2,000. It’s available for pre-order right now via the Lego Education website, set to ship before school starts in the fall.

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2020 Ford Escape debuts with a complete redesign and a PHEV variant

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Ford left no stone unturned in redesigning the new Escape. It rides on the company’s new global platform that debuted on the redesigned Euro 2019 Ford Focus (one of those cars we’ll no longer get). This will be the first vehicle sold stateside using the new underpinnings. It sheds more than 200 pounds of weight, and Ford is coming out swinging, with four flavors of Escape. Those include a base 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, a hybrid model, and most intriguing, an Escape plug-in hybrid. We asked about the possibility of an ST variant down the line, but mum is the word for now. We’d still bet an irresponsible amount of money that an ST will eventually join the Edge ST and Explorer ST models.

The big news for today though, is that Ford is bringing back electrification to the Escape after having it in the nameplate’s first generation but dropping it on the previous generation. Both the Escape Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid are paired with a refreshed 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that runs on the Atkinson cycle. Ford doesn’t have any official EPA numbers on the electric range of the Escape Plug-In, but the “target” is officially 30-plus miles.

The PHEV uses a 14.4 kWh battery pack that tucks under the rear seats. The floor is a tad higher on Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models, but Ford was able to package it neatly so that you don’t end up losing much usable space. The Hybrid powertrain produces 198 horsepower and 153 pound-feet of torque, while the Plug-In Hybrid ramps that up to a system-combined 209 horsepower with the same 153 pound-feet. Ford says the battery will reach a full charge on a Level 2 charger in about 3.5 hours. One feature you won’t be able to opt for on the Plug-In is all-wheel drive, which is available on the regular Hybrid and every other version of Escape.

Unlike some plug-ins that force you to use the EV power immediately, Ford has four modes you can select from. “Auto EV” lets the car decide. “EV Now” forces the powertrain to exclusively use electric power. “EV Later” switches it to full gas power motoring, and then “EV Charge” allows you to charge the battery while driving. Ford wouldn’t give us any answers for how this affects efficiency or how many electric miles you can actually build up, as the results vary too widely depending on the type of driving.

2020 Ford Escape

Ford updated both of its gas-only EcoBoost engine options for the Escape, too. The three-cylinder features cylinder deactivation, funnily enough, which allows the engine to shut down one of the cylinders when it isn’t necessary. Ford claims a 6 percent boost in efficiency from this technology. If you want a quicker Escape, then the 2.0-liter turbo is the answer. This engine makes more power than the 2019 model does, rated at 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque when run on premium fuel for 2020. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which Ford says is similar to the one found in the Edge. EPA fuel economy figures aren’t yet available. Towing is rated for a maximum of 3,500 pounds for the 2.0-liter EcoBoost, 2,000 pounds with the 1.5-liter and 1,500 pounds for both hybridized versions.

The new Escape is taking on entirely new styling for 2020. It’s lower, wider and longer — these elements contribute to what Ford says is a much more dynamic driving experience. We imagine the funky grille will be a point of contention, but the rest of the crossover is pretty slick and curvy. When the active shutters are in their closed position it looks a lot like an EV from the front, since it’s so smooth and simple. Ford was grasping for straws with this next comparison: “The lower front end borrows from Ford GT.” We asked where? And apparently, the silver bar running along the lowest point is meant to look like the same piece on the GT. Not really, but nice try.

Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid models don’t do a whole lot to differentiate themselves except for badging and wheels. They don’t scream “Green!” in any discernible way, and that’s probably for the best.

2020 Ford Escape

If you’ve seen the interior of a Euro-spec 2019 Focus, then you’ve seen the interior design on the 2020 Escape. It looks about a million times better than the current Escape, but we still wouldn’t call it luxurious. Visibility is enhanced with a lower beltline, and Ford did a lot to increase space. The marquee feature is a sliding and reclining second row that lets you choose between max legroom or max cargo room. This sliding second row is fully functional (moves fore and aft 6 inches total) in every engine configuration, even with the batteries sitting underneath. We sat in the backseat, and there truly is an impressive amount of space back there for folks when the bench is pushed all the way back.

A bunch of interior storage compartments were freed up by moving to the rotary gear shifter. Near it is a new mode selector button that allows you to toggle between normal, eco, sport, slippery, and snow/sand configurations, just like the new Explorer. It also borrows the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster from the Explorer that will be available optionally. A re-skinned Sync 3 infotainment system will play on the 8-inch infotainment screen for SE models and up, so it will have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Ford also plans to offer its first HUD in the Escape on the Titanium trim.

The Ford Co-Pilot 360 suite of safety features is made standard for every trim level. This includes some features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist, but leaves out adaptive cruise control and actual lane-centering. Those are available as extra-cost options.

Ford says the new Escape will be available in S, SE, SE Sport, SEL and Titanium trim levels this fall. Every configuration except for the Plug-In Hybrid will be available initially, with that one following in spring 2020.

This article originally appeared on Autoblog, the complete authority for news, reviews and car-buying research.

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Microsoft closes its e-book store

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Microsoft didn’t publicly explain the move (we’ve asked for comment). However, ZDNet heard that the company pulled books from its store in a bid to “streamline” its focus, much in the same way that it backed out of digital music. The Microsoft Store is mainly alluring for its apps these days, and dropping books would reflect that priority.

There’s also a technical reality that may have prompted the change. Microsoft has touted the current version of Edge as ideal for reading, but it won’t have as much of an advantage on that front when it switches to Chromium. Simply put, there might not be much incentive to compete when Microsoft is facing off against e-book giants like Amazon and doesn’t have a way to stand out.

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YouTube execs reportedly shrugged off warnings about toxic videos

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“Scores” of YouTube and Google employees noted their concerns about the “mass of false, incendiary and toxic content” over the last few years. Many suggested changes to YouTube executives or tracked the prevalence and popularity of toxic videos to show senior management the extent of the problem. However, the word reportedly came from on high to stay the course in the hopes of avoiding a dip in engagement metrics.

YouTube employees have wrestled with executives’ approach to the platform’s problems. Five senior staff members who left the company over the last couple of years claimed YouTube’s long-standing “inability to tame extreme, disturbing videos” was why they departed.

Still, outlandish content can draw attention, potentially leading to significant advertising revenue. Parent company Alphabet typically doesn’t disclose YouTube revenue numbers in earnings reports, though the video-sharing platform is estimated to pull in north of $16 billion per year.

A spokeswoman refuted some of the report’s claims, including that CEO Susan Wojcicki “is inattentive to these issues and that the company prioritizes engagement above all else,” according to Bloomberg.

The service has been focused on finding solutions for some of its “toughest content challenges” over the last two years, a spokesperson told Engadget in a statement. Those measures include “updating our recommendations system to prevent the spread of harmful misinformation, improving the news experience on YouTube, bringing the number of people focused on content issues across Google to 10,000, investing in machine learning to be able to more quickly find and remove violative content, and reviewing and updating our policies.”

Yet several years before YouTube pledged to stop recommending conspiracy videos, a privacy engineer suggested that videos skirting the edges of the site’s content policies shouldn’t be included in recommendations. His proposal was rejected at the time, according to the report, though YouTube eventually adopted the idea this January. YouTube has added other measures to combat false content, including information panels on video pages and search results that offer truthful information on sensitive or controversial topics.

Meanwhile, Motherboard reports white nationalist and neo-Nazi propaganda videos are freely available on YouTube. The publication shared some examples with the service, which removed advertising from them, added content warnings and made sure they didn’t appear in recommendations. But the videos are still on YouTube, and you can view them via search results.

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Apple Clips adds support for custom soundtracks

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To being with, there’s a camcorder filter (complete with tape-style distortions) to give videos a ’90s flair. Eight new posters include both a blue camcorder recording screen as well as “colorful vintage designs,” while 8-bit and 3D stickers can give videos a classic gaming vibe. Should you not feel quite so sentimental for the past, there are still three new Live Titles.

There are other functional improvements to boot. You can share Clips projects through AirDrop or email, save them to Files, or use extensions to send them straight to third-party cloud services. You can duplicate and rename projects. And if you’re a student, ClassKit hooks let you send videos to teachers through the Schoolwork app. Although you’re probably not going to rush to get the new version, it might be worthwhile if you were previously put off by canned soundtracks or a lack of creative choices.

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Walmart to offer online grocery shopping with Google Assistant

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Walmart shoppers will soon be able to add items to their shopping carts by saying “Hey Google, talk to Walmart.” The feature will be cross-platform, meaning customers can shop from any device that has the Google Assistant feature, ranging from smart speakers and displays to their Android watch or iPhone. Google Home will keep track of your preferred brands at Walmart, saving shoppers some time. While Walmart offered same-day and next-day shipping with Google Express, it’s unclear what shipping options Walmart will offer with the new venture.

Walmart, which still maintains its status as the world’s largest retailer in 2019, has aimed to claim some of the e-commerce territory already in Amazon and Alexa‘s firm grip. Amazon has struggled to maintain its lead in online grocery ordering as companies like Walmart, Peapod and Instacart have stepped up their game. While 74 percent of consumers named Amazon as their primary destination for online shopping in 2017, that share dropped to 38 percent in 2018, according to data from the Institute of Grocery Distribution. Walmart expanded its online grocery delivery to 100 different cities in 2018, just as Whole Foods and Amazon partnered to offer 2-hour delivery in select cities. Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart, partnered with Instacart earlier this month to bring same-day delivery to select markets.

Shopping on Amazon coupled with the convenience of a voice assistant like Alexa is a unique perk that, up until this point, the big box retailers couldn’t replicate. Still, Walmart and Google have a lot of ground to tread if it wants to compete with Alexa. Amazon controls 70 percent of the smart speakers installed as of December 2018, compared to Google’s 24 percent, according to Consumer Intelligence Partners. But with the new Google and Walmart partnership, customers who prefer the Walmart brand over Amazon’s grocery offerings may choose to spring for a Google Home assistant.

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Verizon has a phone plan for kids, complete with parental controls

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There are some definite caveats. While you’re not about to run into overage fees thanks to an on-by-default Safety Mode (which allows unlimited low-speed data once the 5GB runs out), your child will be stuck with 480p video streaming. Other perks like tethered data aren’t included, either. On top of this, you can’t get away with a low-cost subscription for yourself — at least one line has to use an Unlimited plan.

The big question, of course, revolves around whether or not it’s worthwhile if you’re a concerned parent. That’s not so clear cut. Carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint drop the per-line price to as little as $30 for four people, all the while preserving unlimited on-device data. You could use the savings to get third-party parental control software that isn’t tied to a specific network. Just Kids makes the most sense if you expect to stick with Verizon and prefer the simplicity of a bundled parental control subscription. Otherwise, it might be best to shop around.

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