Google announced yesterday that it would offer its new TensorFlow machine-learning system to outside programmers as open-source code. According to Google, TensorFlow is up to five times faster at training machine-learning models and more flexible than the company’s earlier offering. “Its previous system, DistBelief, developed in 2011, was tailored for building neural networks, the building blocks of deep learning, and for use on Google’s own network of data centers,” explains The New York Times. Google claims that the new TensorFlow software, a more general tool, will have the ability to run on an individual smartphone or across an array of data center computers.

Facebook will soon incorporate its facial recognition tech, currently used to help users tag their friends in photos, into its popular messaging app, Messenger. The goal is to prompt users to increase sharing via Messenger, especially within groups. Messenger “will now look at your photos, identify who is in them, and encourage you to share those photos with those friends,” notes Re/code. “Facebook is building lots of artificial intelligence, and it’s starting to get more aggressive about integrating that technology into actual consumer products.” The facial recognition tech has already been folded into its photo storage app, Moments, and the company is also testing a virtual assistant.

University of Cambridge scientists have developed a new lithium-air (Li-air) battery design that could be the first practical alternative to the lithium-ion battery common in CE devices. The scientists discovered a workaround to the limitations of earlier iterations by engineering a lithium iodide and water-based electrolyte that is light and porous. The result is a design that “is 90 percent more efficient than conventional Li-ion batteries and capable of over 2,000 recharge cycles (compared to Li-ion’s several hundred),” reports Digital Trends. However, the new battery requires pure oxygen, and has a risk of exploding while charging. Still, the team remains confident, and consumer Li-air batteries could be a decade away (it took 20 years to triple the capacity of Lithium-ion batteries).

Facebook, Google and numerous startups are among those actively researching new possibilities with artificial intelligence technology. Japanese automaker Toyota is joining the crusade with a five-year, $1 billion R&D effort. The planned Silicon Valley facility will become one of the largest research labs in the area. Toyota Research Institute will initially open a lab next to Stanford and an additional facility near MIT in Cambridge. Toyota’s plans represent a shift in tech research — a return to a focus on science and engineering rather than a push for tech that would become a specific product or service. Continue reading Toyota Invests $1 Billion in Planned Return to Traditional R&D

The U.S. Attorney for Northern California has indicted James Craig, a 62-year-old Scottish trader, for using two fraudulent Twitter accounts to illegally manipulate the stock market. Craig reportedly created the accounts pretending to represent research firms, tweeted false information about publicly traded stocks, and then purchased shares when the prices dropped. While he may not have seen a big payoff (the SEC complaint notes that he waited too long to trade the stocks), “prosecutors allege that Craig’s false tweet-storms caused $1.6 million in losses to shareholders,” explains Ars Technica. Craig is not in custody, as his whereabouts are currently unknown.

Rufus Labs has developed an Android OS wearable tablet with a 3.2-inch touchscreen that wraps around the wrist like a smartwatch. The water-resistant Rufus Cuff, which connects to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and supports Android and iOS apps, launched on Indiegogo as a “revolutionary new take on wrist real estate.” It features a TI Cortex A9 processor and up to 64GB storage. According to Tech Times, “the Cuff is more of a wrist communicator than a smartwatch or smartband, and its highlighted voice and video call feature makes sure to differentiate its designation.” The Rufus Cuff is available for pre-order, $249 before December 1.

The easy-to-use Luma Wi-Fi router will be available in packages of three so that users can set up a “surround Wi-Fi” network to increase coverage around the house and eliminate connectivity dead spots. “Luma also has ‘enterprise-grade’ security and parental controls with device-level customization,” reports Engadget. “All of that is controlled by a smartphone app that helps you quickly block unwanted users, connect devices without a password or set website ratings for your children.” The product will ship in early 2016. The current price is $249 for a three-pack, expected to increase to $499 after the next 30 days.

Hardware startup Eero aims to combat unreliable Wi-Fi signals in the home by introducing devices to be used in packs that will blanket a house with a smooth signal. Consumers will have the option of purchasing a single Eero device or a three-pack. The company says the latter will cover the average home with its “mesh networking” approach. “But this purportedly flawless Wi-Fi won’t come cheap,” notes Business Insider. “The retail price (on Amazon) will be $199 for a single unit and $499 for three.” Eero is backed by $40 million in investment, and reportedly has more than $1 million in pre-orders. The mid-2015 release date has been delayed to February 2016.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the social platform now generates 8 billion average daily video views from its 500 million users, an increase from 4 billion daily views in April. “Some might contend that this stat isn’t totally accurate since Facebook counts just 3 seconds of watching as a ‘view,’” notes TechCrunch. “But the 100 percent growth in seven months shows that even when controlling for this limitation of the metric, users are still voraciously consuming videos.” Facebook is looking to leverage the shift in television advertising dollars — and its new Suggested Video interface, which recommends clips based on personal data, could give it an edge in discovery over YouTube.

Sony’s Internet TV service, PlayStation Vue — which now offers more channels than Sling TV — has announced a new content deal that will bring ABC, ABC Family, the Disney Channel and all ESPN-related channels to the service. In addition, ABC affiliates will be able to opt-in to the service with live linear programming. “Suddenly, Vue is looking like a real cable replacement,” suggests The Verge. “A wide selection of on-demand content from Disney and ESPN networks will be added to Vue, and subscribers will be able to ‘catch up’ by watching shows they’ve missed within the past three days — without having to rely on Vue’s cloud-based DVR.”

Pandora Media and Sony/ATV announced a multiyear licensing deal yesterday that brings the companies together to provide better rates for artists while allowing Pandora to “benefit from greater rate certainty” that could also help “add new flexibility to the company’s product offering over time.” The direct licensing deal arrives as the music industry prepares for potential changes regarding federal regulation of songwriting rights. Sony/ATV is the world’s biggest music publisher with songwriting rights to thousands of artists, including the Beatles and Taylor Swift. Continue reading Pandora and Sony/ATV No Longer Opponents in Streaming Wars

Verizon has signed a deal with the NBA designed to generate more interest in its go90 mobile video service among younger consumers. As part of the content and marketing partnership, “go90 will feature NBA videos such as daily highlights, original content and access to live out-of-market games through NBA League Pass,” reports The Wall Street Journal. The NBA and Verizon are also planning to collaborate on original exclusive series for the millennial-focused go90. “The platform already features short-form content from partners including the National Football League, Comedy Central and Machinima and has signed a major advertiser commitment with Publicis Groupe.”

Cloud storage company Dropbox made announcements during yesterday’s Dropbox Open conference in San Francisco meant to attract more business customers. The company introduced Dropbox Enterprise, a new tier for its business offering intended for larger companies that require more advanced functionality. Dropbox also announced that it has reached a new milestone: 400 million users and 150,000 business customers. And to continue growing its business side, the company has formed new partnerships with Synnex, Ingram Micro and HP Enterprise. Continue reading Dropbox Unveils Advanced Tools, Seeks Enterprise Customers

Microsoft announced that “Halo 5: Guardians” has generated more than $400 million worldwide, making it the biggest launch in the franchise’s history and the fastest-selling exclusive Xbox One release. “The newly released sci-fi shooter pulled in more than $400 million worldwide between game and hardware-bundled sales,” reports Variety, noting that the new release “also brought the lifetime earning for the series, which spans all the way back to ‘Halo: Combat Evolved’ for the original Xbox in Nov. 2001, to over $5 billion.” In its first week of availability, “Halo 5” was Xbox One’s most-played game, racking up more than 21 million hours of game play.

Amazon, considered by many to be responsible for the demise of some brick-and-mortar bookstores, has opened its first physical storefront. Amazon Books plans to use online customer reviews and digital data to help plan inventory decisions and provide titles that will match the prices of books available via Amazon.com. “To those bookstore owners and authors who blame Amazon for the demise of the neighborhood bookstore, though, the move is an ironic twist considering the company’s history as chief instigator of the digitization of reading and book selling,” suggests Re/code.