Should the government keep an eye on your driving habits? It’s starting in Europe, and it might be headed our way soon.
Prefer two wheels to four?
Nah, I don’t mean a Harley. We’re talking to you, Vespa and Lime scooter folks.
Fiat is banking on you — and Gen Zers looking for a new ride — with its new Topolino. The tiny electric vehicle is 8.3 feet long and reaches just 28 mph. Check out the unveiling vid.
Fiat = Fix it again, Tony!
Because it’s so tiny and technically a quadricycle (like a bicycle, but with four wheels!), people as young as 14 can drive it in Italy. Cars in Europe are typically much smaller than the big honkers (see what I did there?) we drive in the U.S.
Here are the numbers: The average car in the U.S. is 14.7 feet long. The Ford F-150 is almost 21 feet. The Toyota Tundra and Dodge Ram 1500 aren’t far behind.
The price of the Fiat Topolino is $10,700. That’s bank! Speaking of … my aunt just got a cool senior citizen scooter. In Walmart, she can do 30 aisles per hour!
20 happiest places to travel … based on selfies
We all get a limited number of vacation days each year, so when we travel, we’re all trying to get the most joy for our buck.
Researchers used AI analysis of facial expressions in 63,000 Instagram photos taken at tourist destinations worldwide, showing that not all vacations are created equal — and some places are more grin-inducing than others.
🧹 This doesn’t suck: Roborock’s new Qrevo Curv is the closest thing to a vacuum that can handle stairs. Its industry-first auto-lift chassis can raise itself a little over an inch and a half. It’s not climbing steps yet, but it can get over fluffy rugs and bumps. Just one small hiccup — it’s priced around $1,660 in Europe. U.S. prices are still TBD.
Scam alert: How to spot fake Ukrainian aid sites before you donate
Scammers have no shame in exploiting devastating events, natural disasters or human tragedies. Whether it’s the global pandemic or tornados ravaging the Midwest, scammers are always on the lookout for unsuspecting targets.
Ukraine Invasion: What it means for you and your family if Russia retaliates against the US
Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, launching a coordinated attack by land, sea and air. Joseph Borrel, the EU foreign affairs chief, put it simply: “These are among the darkest hours of Europe since the Second World War.” Countries globally are condemning Russia, weighing in with sanctions to protest, and America’s voice is one of the loudest.
I like big bots and I cannot lie: This is strange. The first-ever “Miss AI” beauty pageant unveiled its 10 finalists from a pool of 1,500 AI-generated models. Judges (both human and droid) choose contenders like Morocco’s Kenza Layli and Europe’s Anne Kerdi. There’s $20,000 on the line. Click here to see who else is in the running. I’m surprised by how normal the women look.
23andMe caught in a lie: 23andMe made billions promising disease prevention based on genetic testing from a saliva swab. Really, all we got was that your family came from Eastern Europe or wherever. In 2023, the company reported a $522 million loss. What goes around comes around.
A photographer snapped a pic of an incredibly rare blue rock-thrush bird in Oregon. These little guys, native to Europe and Asia, have never been recorded in North America. The birding community is chirping, with experts collaborating to verify it all. How’d the bird get here? Theories range from strong winds to hitching a ride on a ship. Isn’t that amazing?!
Too touchy: 97% of new cars come with touchscreens, which is handy … but distracting. AAA says messing with these screens takes your eyes off the road for 40 seconds. Starting in 2026, cars in Europe will need old-school buttons and levers instead of touchscreens to earn the highest safety ratings. Look for a similar move here in the States, too.
10 things (aside from gas) that will get more expensive during the Russian-Ukrainian war
Millions worldwide looked on in horror as Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, the most significant attack in Europe since World War II. The invasion has continued to grow, and there is no clear answer on how long the war will continue. Tap or click here to secure your tech and prepare for cyberattacks.
No time for an overseas trip? Take one of these virtual tours instead
As many are beginning to rediscover the excitement of the world around them again, there are many opportunities to travel. The pandemic put a damper on vacations and business trips for over a year, leaving many people stuck at home. Tap or click here to track the COVID Delta variant in the U.S.
The reason Amazon wants you to shop less (yes, really)
Of all the essential businesses still open during COVID-19, Amazon is the reigning king. With so many people indoors nowadays to protect themselves, online shopping has become the preferred option for stocking up on supplies. It makes sense when you consider how easily the novel coronavirus can spread.
This is why YouTube's video quality just got worse and how to fix it
Updated 03/24/2020 – YouTube announced that starting this week it will reduce the quality of video playback on its site for everyone around the globe for one month. This is an effort to ease the stress on internet networks due to the massive number of people online during the coronavirus pandemic. You can still watch videos in HD but you have to change the setting manually. We’ll tell you how to adjust this setting in the next section.