The teensy device can clip on anything and will buzz you when someone calls, texts, or emails. Read more…
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Finally, a smartphone wearable that won’t annoy you — Future Blink
FDA bans Juul’s most popular pod flavor but leaves a loophole
High schoolers around the country just cried out in unified despair: Their precious mint pods are not long for this world.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday issued new guidelines meant to curb the youth vaping epidemic that, among other actions, will officially halt the sale of mint Juul pods. The rules, which go into effect in 30 days time, focus on cartridge-based e-cigarettes and follow Juul’s voluntary move to cease mint pod sales late last year.
A voluntary halt in sales, however, is a far cry from an FDA crackdown. The new enforcement priorities make it official: Mint-flavored pods are now history. Read more…
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It sure looks like Amazon is retaliating against employee activists now, too
“Just following policy” has to be the weakest of all weak sauce defenses. But sure enough, that’s what Amazon is claiming following the news that it’s disciplining employees who have organized for climate change activism within the company.
A new report from the Washington Post exposes how the company’s HR department has warned employees that they could face termination if they speak to the press about Amazon’s impact on climate change without seeking proper public relations approval.
The employees are members of a coalition called Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, which also released details of the alleged retaliation on Twitter. Read more…
More about Amazon, Activism, Tech, Climate Environment, and Big Tech Companies
If you want to drink more water, get a water bottle with a handle
“Drink more water” is a nice New Year’s resolution. It’s simple, it’s free, and it’s pretty much guaranteed to make you feel better. But if reaching constantly for your reusable water bottle — and it should be a reusable water bottle — isn’t already habit, you might want to buy a bottle that’s super easy to tote around. Like, literally tote. You should buy a water bottle with a handle or loop.
The big issue with drinking more water (for me, anyway) is remembering to do it. I like drinking water: It tastes like nothing, makes my mouth feel good, gives me the impression that my skin is in better condition than it actually is, and allows me to talk about hydration an amount that’s annoying to others and perfect to me. Unfortunately, I am also fundamentally lazy. In order to drink enough to experience these benefits, water must be immediately accessible to me at all times. Read more…
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2020 laws that give us hope for the year ahead
Bye forever, 2019. The start of our latest decade has already ushered in a slate of new laws that give us hope for rectifying some of the general chaos that was the 2010s. Of course, plenty remains unfixed. In Tennessee, for example, a new law makes it easier for people to get a concealed carry permit.
As we forge ahead, though, here’s a recap of some of the new laws that are already brightening our new year.
First, there’s a big win for the non-binary community: As of Jan. 1, residents of New Hampshire can now mark their sex on their driver’s licenses as X, instead of M (Male) or F (female), if they identify outside of the gender binary. Read more…
More about Social Good, 2010s, Laws, New Year, and 2020
Former Google exec says he was pushed out for highlighting human rights abuses
To kick off the new year, a former Google executive is sharing details about how he was allegedly pushed out of the company for attempting to center human rights principles within the search engine giant.
Ross LaJeunesse just penned a detailed blog post running through his decade-plus at the company. In 2010, as head of public policy for Asia Pacific, LaJeunesse executed the company’s “landmark decision” to stop censoring search results in China.
At the time, Google had been running a search product in the country while trying to maintain its “Don’t be evil” mantra. However, the situation in China became volatile after a hacking attempt on Google’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, and an increase in censorship demand. So, the company decided it would stop cooperating with Chinese government. Read more…
More about Google, China, Human Rights, Search Engine, and Tech
‘Which is the best seat’ meme lets you go to bat for your favorite seat
Here’s the latest from bored holiday Twitter: A tweet about the “best seat” on the New York City subway (if such a seat exists) now has people debating the best place to sit in all sorts of settings.
On Tuesday, @gplatinum tweeted a photo of a D train, which has configurations of three aisle-facing seats for every two front-facing seats, and asked his followers to reply with which one they thought was the best.
All my New Yorkers, which is the best seat? pic.twitter.com/PeAQ7UEdC9
— gabe 🦦 (@gplatinum_) January 1, 2020
Answers varied. Some people chose seat No. 1 because of its proximity to the door, while others went with 5 for the possible extra space. (Counterpoint, though: You might have to get up to let No. 4 out.) Read more…
More about Twitter, Memes, Social Media, Culture, and Web Culture
This no-lid, foldable cup could help reduce plastic waste levels — Future Blink
Just fold over each of Unocup’s flaps and insert the tab, and you can start your day with more coffee and less plastic. Read more…
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Get started on your workout resolutions with a Fitbit on sale
TL;DR: Get the motivation you’ve been looking for with a Fitbit for up to $60 off.
It’s January, which means the gyms are packed with people who swear they’re gonna keep up a workout routine for the entire year.
If you’re one of those people, stay in the game longer than most with a little extra motivation from a Fitbit.
Tracking activities like steps, distance, calories burned, and floors climbed will push you to keep going. Whether you enjoy swimming or running, these watches are made to be there through it all, giving you real-time stat updates on your progress.
There’s even a watch that offers personalized training with on-screen guidance if you find that you work better with a partner of some kind. Read more…
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Food and fuel run low as thousands flee Australia’s devastating fires
The crisis in Australia is worsening as unprecedented bushfires cut thousands of people off from food, water, and fuel. It’s a new year, but not a happy one.
Massive queues have formed outside supermarkets along New South Wales’ south coast, hundreds of people lining up for three hours in the summer heat to purchase much needed supplies. Shelves are emptying quickly as panicked crowds buy up food and water, with stores struggling to restock.
“We’re working hard to keep stores on the South Coast replenished with key essentials for the local community,” Australian supermarket chain Woolworths wrote via Twitter on Tuesday morning local time. “All stores are currently open for trading with only our Bermagui store set to close at midday due to the planned evacuation of the town.” Read more…
More about Australia, Victoria, Bushfires, New South Wales, and Evacuations