Android Wear 2.0 release - your Apple Watch rival just added a seriously cool new feature

After keeping expectant smartwatch owners waiting for months, Google has finally rolled out its new Android Wear 2.0 update.

The sizeable patch, which is far more than a mere lick of paint, brings a number of major new features to the Google-friendly line of Apple Watch rivalling wearables.

Chief among these is the smartwatch- friendly take on the new Google Assistant, a voice-activated digital assistant much like Siri or Amazon's Alexa.

Originally introduced on the brilliant Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, Google Assistant can be summonsed on the watches by holding the power button and saying "OK, Google."

Once activated, it can be used to reply to messages, make searches, set reminders and even ask for directions.

Use talk not tech to tame your children's online habits

The complaints have got louder over the past few months as I have tried to manage how much time two of them (my teenage children) spend online and to restrict what they see. A patchwork of different technologies help me do this. It includes rules on the router to limit net time apps on tablets to watch content software on PCs to spot malware and filter searches. It works, after a fashion, but I know it has holes and that is why I also use a lot of sneakernet. This involves me walking around the house, kicking my kids off the game console, tablet, phone or TV (delete as appropriate) they are using when they should be doing homework, cleaning out the rabbit or getting ready for school.

A former Nasa manufacture has been appointed by taxi-hailing company Uber to simply help its study in to traveling cars.

Mark Moore is joining Uber's Elevate division as its director of engineering for aviation.Uber's interest in flying cars was outlined in a White Paper in October, which discussed vertical take-off and landing on-demand (VTOL) aviation.It welcomed Mr Moore's appointment, adding its wider role was as a catalyst to the "growing VTOL ecosystem".Uber is already investing in self-driving cars, with partnerships with Volvo and Daimler.

The US Defence Secretary James Mattis has said any use of nuclear weapons by North Korea would be met with an "effective and overwhelming" response.

Mr Mattis is in South Korea, where he has been assuring Seoul it has America's continuing support.He also reconfirmed plans to deploy a US missile defence system in South Korea later this year.North Korea's repeated missile and nuclear tests and aggressive statements continue to alarm and anger the region.The US has a considerable military presence in South Korea and Japan, as part of a post-war defence deal. There are just under 28,500 US troops in the country, for which Seoul pays about $900m (£710m) annually.President Donald Trump has previously said he wants both South Korea and Japan to pay more towards maintaining that presence.        

 

The US Defence Secretary James Mattis has said any use of nuclear weapons by North Korea would be met with an "effective and overwhelming" response.

Mr Mattis is in South Korea, where he has been assuring Seoul it has America's continuing support.He also reconfirmed plans to deploy a US missile defence system in South Korea later this year.North Korea's repeated missile and nuclear tests and aggressive statements continue to alarm and anger the region.The US has a considerable military presence in South Korea and Japan, as part of a post-war defence deal. There are just under 28,500 US troops in the country, for which Seoul pays about $900m (£710m) annually.President Donald Trump has previously said he wants both South Korea and Japan to pay more towards maintaining that presence.        

 

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has hit back at Twitter users who threatened to burn her books following her criticism of President Trump.

Rowling's recent Twitter feed has been filled with her retweets criticising the president's recent travel ban.Some followers have taken umbrage with her stance, with several saying they have burned her books or plan to do so, and one suggesting she "should stay out of politics"

Harry Potter author JK Rowling has hit back at Twitter users who threatened to burn her books following her criticism of President Trump.

Rowling's recent Twitter feed has been filled with her retweets criticising the president's recent travel ban.Some followers have taken umbrage with her stance, with several saying they have burned her books or plan to do so, and one suggesting she "should stay out of politics"