TECH

As pet owners, the thought of losing a furry friend is heart-wrenching. But what if technology could help locate lost pets faster than ever before?

Tiffani Gay is only 16 years old, but she is one to watch.

News 6 will soon unveil its new app!

Download the free Pinpoint Hurricane App to keep up with the tropics.

What is catfishing and what are the best ways to prevent it?

A sizable number of the most common passwords contained nouns and many included proper nouns like names of people (Nicole, Matthew) and intellectual properties (Pokémon, Star Wars), as well as regular nouns (princess, monkey, baseball).

More than 87 billion spam texts were sent to U.S. phone users in 2021, according to RoboKiller.

Orlando-area swimmers are no strangers to hearing about sharks in the water.

The U.S. Government wants Google and Apple to remove TikTok from their app stores.

Attorneys for the state and online-industry groups plan to go to the U.S. Supreme Court in a battle about a 2021 Florida law that would crack down on social-media giants such as Facebook and Twitter, according to new court filings.

Fawaz and Yang tested videoconferencing applications on major operating systems such as iOS, Android, Windows and Mac, to see if the microphones were still accessed by the apps while muted.

Dispatchers in Volusia County can now see an emergency in real time using a video 911 system the sheriff’s office unveiled this week.

While many are turning to cellphones because they are cheaper and can be used anywhere, there still is some value to having a landline.

With Earth Day 2021 rapidly approaching, Google Earth has released a feature that might really open some eyes when it comes to how certain parts of the globe have changed in recent decades.

UCF goes high-tech.

The future is here.

There are countless apps that help us do all kinds of things in our daily lives, but there’s a relatively new app that is actually helping people who are visually impaired with what some people don't have to think twice about.

Here's the best way to say "in the know" in Central Florida.

Spring breakers may catch a glimpse of a beach robot trudging through the sand of Brevard County's coastline this month.

Whether it’s people retiring earlier than expected or changing careers, it’s left a plethora of jobs available for employers to fill.

Toyota says it is suspending production at all 28 lines of its 14 plants in Japan because of a “system malfunction” that a domestic supplier suspects is a cyberattack.

The billionaire who flew on his own SpaceX flight last year is headed back up, aiming for an even higher orbit and the chance to take part in a spacewalk.

It seems as though Wordle has swept the internet: Everywhere you turn, you see people posting that little box grid, showing off their final score, and what it took to get there.

Learn all about News 6+.

Few airlines in Central Florida saw disruptions to flights Wednesday after AT&T and Verizon said they would postpone 5G mobile phone service near some airports, including Orlando International Airport.

Hackers have temporarily shut down dozens of Ukrainian government websites, causing no major damage but adding to simmering tensions while Russia amasses troops on the Ukrainian border.

The FAA is restricting 5G at 50 American airports.

A new app may help authorities bust retail theft crime rings.

NextGen TV, the latest digital television technology, makes for a great holiday gift.

Stay up to speed with the weather in Central Florida.

With the holiday season officially here, many people are likely looking ahead to Black Friday, and anticipating all the deals and promotions we’ll be seeing next week.

If you're planning to buy a tech gadget as a holiday gift this year, you might want to purchase it right now.

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen is warning that the virtual reality world at the heart of the social media giant’s growth strategy will be addictive and rob people of personal information while giving the company another monopoly online.

Congress has created a new requirement for automakers: Find a high-tech way to keep drunken people from driving cars.

If you're an Apple user, you now can keep verifiable COVID-19 vaccine and test information on your device.

Donald Trump’s social media company will get tens of millions of special bonus shares in a new publicly traded entity if it performs well.

Some investors aren’t waiting to see if former President Donald Trump’s plans for a media company to challenge the likes of Facebook, Twitter and even Disney can actually become reality _ they’re all in.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. says it plans to build a computer chip factory in Japan.

U.S. safety investigators want to know why Tesla didn’t file recall documents when it updated Autopilot software to better identify parked emergency vehicles, escalating a simmering clash between the automaker and regulators.

Disney to begin Disney Genie service across Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort on Oct. 19

Facebook blamed a error during routine maintenance for causing a massive global outage that took down its services for hours.

While accusing the giant social network of pursuing profits over safety, a former Facebook data scientist told Congress she believes stricter government oversight could alleviate the dangers the company poses, from harming children to inciting political violence to fueling misinformation.

Facebook and its Instagram and WhatsApp platforms are back online after a massive global outage plunged the services and the businesses and people who rely on them into chaos for hours.

Apple is reportedly working on software that could screen for signs of depression and other mental health conditions.

Cutting-edge DNA technology will be used to analyze the remains of more than 1,100 victims of the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center that have yet to be identified.

Manual contained touching note for original owner.

Can you imagine what life would be like without the World Wide Web?

SeaWorld Orlando has debuted an all-new look to its mobile app.

An unopened copy of Nintendo’s Super Mario 64 has sold at auction for $1.56 million.

Microsoft says if you own a PC that runs windows, you need to update it immediately.

Happy Independence Day! Arguably the best day for fireworks is here.

Have you heard of NEXTGEN TV? If not, then buckle up, because you’re about to learn a thing or two.

What is NextGenTV? We explain.

Facebook is launching podcasts and live audio streams in the U.S. to compete with emerging rivals.

Customers and employees of several Carnival Corp. cruise lines might have had personal information stolen.

The world’s largest meat processing company says it paid the equivalent of $11 million to hackers who broke into its computer system.

Apple is already looking toward its next update.

Rebekah Jones, a former Florida Department of Health data analyst, has been permanently suspended from Twitter.

Amazon launches its new Sidewalk program, but critics worry it could put your privacy at risk.

Dozens of websites briefly went offline around the globe Tuesday, including CNN, The New York Times and Britain’s government home page, after an outage at the cloud service Fastly.

UF Health says it has taken major precautions to thwart a cyberattack.

This hurricane season, a new drone could have the opportunity to propel hurricane research into the future.

If someone told you you could earn money playing video games but you had to play for 21 hours and you could only pick one friend to help you do it, who would it be?

If you post a photo to social media and you don’t know how many people liked it, did you really post it.

Google Maps won’t necessarily default to get you to your destination the fastest way possible anymore. The company says instead the navigation algorithm will soon automatically select the most fuel-efficient route. [TRENDING: COVID after the vaccine | Bugsy, the French bulldog, stolen at gunpoint | SpaceX Starship explodes again]It will consider things like inclines and congestion to help you reduce your environmental impact. AdBut don’t worry about things taking too long. Google says it will only steer drivers to the greenest option when the estimated time of arrival is similar to other routes.

What happens with those cookies and how it gives you a better experienceYou’re probably wondering, why do we do this? As we said above, when you agree to share cookies, you’re allowing that website to remember you so that it can match your preferences more quickly and appropriately. Cookies and adsCookies also help websites remember your preferences for ads. AdDo you ever go to websites that don’t ask you if you’re OK with sharing cookies? However, websites you trust, such as ClickOrlando.com, are conservative about how your cookies are used.

I can’t sing, I’m not a great guitar player, I do have guitars, I’m not amazing in that way,” the VEVA Sound president said. “And the whole back end of of the music industry is something I didn’t know about, and something I went to school for. What’s that?’”Now Fairchild, who grew up near Lakeland, is the president of music technology company VEVA Sound. AdThe Nashville music executive said there are plenty of careers in the music industry that don’t involve having a musical ability you typically think of in your favorite artists, including songwriting and sound engineering. There is always room to carve a path in the music industry for any up and coming professionals.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida lawmakers are getting ready to descend on Tallahassee to debate policy, pass new laws and put together a state budget. Perhaps the biggest hurdle lawmakers will face during the 60-day legislative session is the record $96.6 billion budget put forth by Gov. News 6 political expert Dr. Jim Clark joined anchor Justin Warmoth on “The Weekly on ClickOrlando.com” to break down what to expect over the next two months. State Rep. Anna Eskamani, (D) District 47, also appeared on the program to explain what her legislative priorities are this year and whether she’s considering a run for governor in 2022. Florida’s legislative session kicks off Tuesday, March 2.

Ron DeSantis provided new details Monday on legislation filed in the Florida House of Representatives aimed at Big Tech companies, such as Google, Facebook and Twitter. The bill is called the Florida Information Protection Act, or House Bill 969. Ad“Big Tech platforms have created a surveillance economy, which enriches those platforms by free-riding on consumer data,” DeSantis said. At the time, he also decried tech companies for “neutering” political candidates’ access to voters, saying that tech companies were only “de-platforming” Republican politicians. “Well, they operate in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said.

ALPINE, Texas – A West Texas judge has a word of caution to those attending court hearings via Zoom: Always check for filters before logging on. I'm not a cat,” Presidio County Attorney Rod Ponton said. “I can see that,” replied Ferguson, whose district covers five counties in West Texas, including the town of Marfa from which Ponton was calling. The short video clip, which was shared online by Ferguson, ends with others coaching the attorney on how to remove the cat filter. Now I’m famous for appearing in court as a cat,” he told The Associated Press.

Ron DeSantis and other politicians announce they want to take on social media companies like Facebook and Twitter. pic.twitter.com/KUfFQUZgNx — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 3, 2021Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson said it is evident social media platforms are censoring conservatives. “No one should be excluded, but let’s be clear they are targeting conservatives.”DeSantis is proposing legislation that would, in part, fine social media companies $100k per day if they de-platform a political candidate during an election. Ad“The claim of anti-conservative animus on the part of social media companies is itself a form of disinformation: A falsehood with no reliable evidence to support it,” researchers wrote in the report. If Florida eventually passes legislation trying to regulate big tech companies, the state should be prepared for legal challenges, Kramer said.

We’re asking about your happiness, by the way, because a class at Yale University called “The Science of Well-Being” is now being offered online -- for free! The class is based off a course called “Psychology and the Good Life,” which became the most popular class ever taught in Yale University’s 317-year history, earning national and international media attention, according to Business Insider. Psychology professor Laurie Santos introduced the in-person version of the class at Yale, and she also teaches the online course. We wanted to check out the sign-up process, and see if it really was as easy as Business Insider made it sound. A lot of the reading is complementary, Business Insider pointed out.

Though stripped of his Twitter account for inciting rebellion, President Donald Trump does have alternative options of much smaller reach. Amazon kicked Parler off its web-hosting service, and the social media app promptly sued to get back online, telling a federal judge that the tech giant had breached its contract and abused its market power. It was a roller coaster of activity for Parler, a 2-year-old magnet for the far right that welcomed a surge of new users. 1 free app on iPhones late last week after Facebook, Twitter and other mainstream social media platforms silenced President Donald Trump’s accounts over comments that seemed to incite Wednesday’s violent insurrection. Organizers of pro-Trump forces are already regrouping in other forums, such as the conservative-friendly social media site Gab, as new actions are planned ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, hundreds of thousands of dollars has been spent by Central Florida government agencies to install ultraviolet light systems inside their heating and air conditioning systems. Diagram shows how researchers say UV light kills the DNA inside the coronavirus. Berland said his researchers have shown when UV light is exposed to the coronavirus on surfaces, it can kill its DNA, preventing it from reproducing. News 6 found at least three public agencies approving funds for UV light installation in their HVAC systems. “Marion County was ahead of the curve in implementing UV-C air purification technology at every air handling system in the county,” said county spokesman Alex AuBuchon.

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. – The Ormond Beach Police Department is combating identity theft one swipe at a time. The red light on the device alerts that the card was read twice, indicating there is a skimmer. The “Skim Reaper” did not detect any skimmers this time, but police said fraudulent activity is one of their most prevalent crimes, with 217 cases reported so far this year. So, with that, we can do what we can with the physical capture which is the use of the Skim Reaper which we purchased recently,” said Sgt. News 6 introduced the “Skim Reaper” when it was just a prototype in 2018.

News 6 tested two of the most downloaded apps that promise to help consumers find the best deals, ShopSavvy and BuyVia Scanner. Using the ShopSavvy app on a smartphone, we scanned the product’s bar code, or UPC symbol, and the app scanned prices at other stores online. ShopSavvy's price scanning app showed the price of a Baby Yoda toy at several retailers. “These apps can be really useful,” said Chris Minnick, who teaches app development at the University of Central Florida. News 6 scanned an InstaPot at one local retailer, and the ShopSavvy app showed it was $119.99 at Target.

That's the possibility presented by “sound beaming,” a new futuristic audio technology from Noveto Systems, an Israeli company. On Friday it will debut a desktop device that beams sound directly to a listener without the need for headphones. The lack of headphones means it's possible to hear other sounds in the room clearly. “You know, I was trying to think how we compare sound beaming with any other inventions in history. What’s that?’ I think sound beaming is something that is as disruptive as that.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Even George Jetson would do a doubletake at this new concept coming to Orlando: a fleet of electric jet aircraft to take people on regional journeys around Florida. While Lilium, the Munich-based company behind the technology, doesn’t call these flying wonders taxis it’s not a stretch of the imagination. The Lilium jet is under certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency and the FAA. The network will transport travelers from Orlando to Tampa in under 1 hour on a single charge, according to the company. See a complete test flight of the Lilium Jet below.

TAVARES, Fla. – Voters in Lake County ran into problems Tuesday morning shortly after polls opened in Florida on Election Day. “We identified a computer problem in some precincts that incorrectly identified some voters were not registered in that precinct,” said Alan Hays, Lake County supervisor of elections. “The problem was isolated immediately, and corrective action was initiated. The solution is being deployed and everything will be fine very shortly.”Hays said he appreciated the voters' patience as his agency worked to correct the issue, which was resolved before 8:30 a.m.For more election updates in Florida, click here.

Other major tech companies including Apple, Amazon and Facebook are under investigation at both the Justice Department and the Federal Trade Commission. “Google is the gateway to the internet and a search advertising behemoth," U.S. Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen told reporters. Google vowed to defend itself and responded immediately via tweet: “Today’s lawsuit by the Department of Justice is deeply flawed. Most of Google's services are offered for free in exchange for personal information that helps it sell its ads. The Justice Department sought support for its suit from states across the country that share concerns about Google’s conduct.

Apple is expected to introduce a new line of iPhones on Tuesday, after weeks of delays due to the pandemic. Multiple reports indicate Apple will unveil four new iPhones ranging in sizes up to 6.7 inches, which would be its largest screen yet. The invitation to the virtual event uses the phrase “Hi, speed” which hints that the new models take advantage of emerging 5G wireless networks. The launch could mean that Apple is joining the 5G revolution in a big way, although the high-speed networks are still being installed nationwide. It’s estimated that 350 million of the 950 million iPhones in service worldwide could be due for an upgrade.

Now fans of Harry Potter can enjoy an incredible new LEGO Harry Potter set that brings the Wizarding World’s Diagon Alley to your home. Harry Potter Diagon Alley LEGO set (LEGO)The more than 5,000 piece set features the iconic hidden wizard street with stores like Ollivander’s wand shop, Flourish & Blotts bookstore and the colorful Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes joke shop. Diagon Alley is the biggest set I’ve designed to-date and I am really proud of how it has come together" said Marcos Bessa, LEGO Harry Potter design lead. Marcos Bessa, LEGO Harry Potter design lead (LEGO)“On the inside of the model there is so much to discover. True Harry Potter fans can also check out the Hogwarts Castle, astronomy tower, or Hedwig owl sets.

As if there aren’t enough reasons to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, simply watching your TV is another great way to pay tribute.

MIAMI – Carnival Corp. says it was the victim of a ransomware attack that likely got some personal information about the cruise company's guests and employees. Carnival operates Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and other lines, but the company didn't say in the filing which cruise line was affected. The SEC filing also didn't say how many people's personal information may have been accessed, and spokesman Roger Frizzell said in an email that the company wasn't releasing any information other than what was in the securities filing. Carnival says it has launched an investigation into the ransomware attack and notified law enforcement. The Miami-based company also has reinforced the security of its information systems, Carnival said.

LEGO Super MarioThe world of Super Mario is coming to life all thanks to LEGO. We love how creative Nintendo and LEGO fans are, and cant wait for them to unleash their imaginations in how they interact with Super Mario in the real world, said Jonathan Bennink, Digital Design Lead on LEGO Super Mario. Sixteen LEGO Super Mario sets have been introduced and the set also includes an app that will help support the experience. LEGO Ideas Grand Piano SetThe grand piano set is the latest product part of the LEGO Ideas collection. LEGO said the 3,662-piece LEGO Ideas Grand Piano is made to take center stage as a spectacular display model for any room.

A California-based company has unveiled an electric supercar. Hyperion's XP1 is powered by compressed hydrogen and will be able to go 1,000 miles on a single tank. The company said the car has much longer range than a battery-powered electric car because compressed hydrogen has more power per liter than a battery. And the all-wheel-drive car can also go from zero to 60 mph in a little over two seconds. The first production cars are expected to be delivered to customers by the end of next year.

But experts said they appear intended to bar TikTok and WeChat from the app stores run by Apple and Google when the orders take effect in 45 days. TikTok maintains that it does not share user data with the Chinese government nor censor content at its request. Within China, WeChat is censored and expected to adhere to content restrictions set by authorities. More actions against Chinese technology companies may be coming from the U.S. and other countries, analysts say. The Chinese foreign ministry accused Washington of “political manipulation" but did not indicate how Beijing might respond.

If you're holding out to get your hands on the latest iPhone, you're going to have to wait a little longer. Last year, new iPhones started selling in late September, but the tech giant announced this week the latest iPhones will be shipped slightly later than usual this year. Meanwhile, the company announced blockbuster third-quarter earnings amid the pandemic. Apple posted revenue of nearly $60 billion in the three months ending in June. Thats a 12% increase from the same period last year, and a record June quarter for the company.

Apple employees shouldnt have any problems getting tested for coronavirus. Apple also reportedly began offering nasal swab tests to employees returning to its headquarters in Cupertino, California, in May. As coronavirus cases spike in several states, many Apple offices and retail stores remain closed. For stores allowing people inside, temperature checks are required for employees and customers. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6s coronavirus newsletter and go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.

Plan a little watch party for your son or daughter to enjoy the Facebook graduation. Facebook is celebrating the class of 2020 with a whole week of graduation features, and a commencement program. Highlights and more will be posted to the @instagram account on Instagram, and on contributors’ social media accounts.”Grads are encouraged to host their own virtual graduation ceremony and party via Facebook, with special features including a virtual graduation hub, custom filters, family and friends celebrations enabled by Messenger Rooms, and more. JoAnn Fabric has a whole webpage on how you can make a graduation cap embellishment out of paper flowers. This is a birthday party and not a graduation, but you’ll see the general idea!

It's called SOS Emergency mode. Here’s how to add them as your emergency contact in your iPhone:Open the Health app and tap the Medical ID tab. Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services. On an iPhone 7 or earlier:Quickly press the side or top button five times to make the Emergency SOS slider appear. Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services.

Anyone else finding themselves spending more time than usual on social media, considering the coronavirus pandemic? But like most things, Facebook is whatever you want to make it. You don’t have to give up on social media in general, or even Facebook in particular. The social media giants say they’re working hard behind the scenes to remove bot accounts and build a better platform. In the meantime, here are some simple yet effective things you can do to make your own Facebook interactions less contentious and more civil.

Internet and cellphone service providers are providing benefits and relief options to their customers in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Verizon will waive late fees and will not terminate service. AT&T will not terminate the service of any wireless, home phone or broadband customers because of their inability to pay their bill. The company will also be expanding it’s low cost home broadband service. Spectrum: Spectrum will be offering free access to its broadband and WiFi for new K-12 and college student households for 60 days.

It's a phenomenon that's been linked to a dragon, a black squirrel and Tiangiou, the magical dog of heaven.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat … it can be tough to keep all the social media channels straight.

Several apps are available from News 6, offering users news, weather, traffic information and more while they're on the go.

In honor of National Data Privacy Day, we compiled a helpful list of things you can do to protect your online data. Back up ALL of your data on a hard driveHaving software that backs up your data in general is a good thing to do, but it can be very important in keeping your data safe, too. There is a thing called Ransomware where hackers can hold your data hostage for a ransom. Keep your bluetooth on your phone turned offAccording to Norton, hackers can enter your phone through undetected Bluetooth pairing. It's recommended to keep Bluetooth turned off when you're not using it just so the data on your phone is less vulnerable.

Introducing the digital license plate that has so many functions, it might be overwhelming at first. So what are the benefits to having a digital license plate, aka the Rplate, as opposed to a traditional plate? Your new tags automatically populate on the digital screen, so you have nothing to do but drive. Or maybe you want to show off your college pride on your license plate, or even your favorite NFL team? Washington will conduct a digital license plate study soon.

Have you thought about your reputation today? … Your online reputation, that is?

DETROIT – A very convincing scam that uses Google Docs is making its way around. It's almost impossible to tell that it's not real since it uses a google.com URL and even encryption. Google confirmed the phishing scam on Wednesday, saying:We are investigating a phishing email that appears as Google Docs. “The fake page is actually hosted on Google’s servers and is served over SSL, making the page even more convincing,” Symantec security expert Nick Johnston explained in a blog post. Don't re-login to Google.