Snap is recalling all of its Pixy drones due to safety concerns with the battery. The batteries have a tendency to swell, heat up, and occasionally catch fire. The recall includes about 71,000 batteries, and Snap will refund anyone who purchased a Pixy drone or additional batteries. Customers can apply for a refund on Snap’s recall page.
In other consumer tech news, Amazon’s acquisition of iRobot, the company that makes Roomba robot vacuums, has been halted. The $1.7 billion deal was called off in part because it would likely have been challenged by antitrust regulators. iRobot has also announced layoffs of over a third of its staff.
Google is utilizing AI to make Maps more useful for various purposes. The company has been adding features like showing the busiest times at popular places, the availability of parking spaces, and even the ability to track the spread of the flu. Google is also working on a feature that will provide detailed directions within buildings, helping users navigate complex spaces like airports and malls.
Overall, these developments in the consumer tech industry highlight the challenges and risks that companies face when introducing new hardware products or pursuing acquisitions. Safety concerns and regulatory issues can have significant implications for both consumers and businesses, leading to recalls, cancellations, and layoffs. However, companies like Google continue to innovate and leverage AI to enhance the usefulness of their products and services.
