Russia’s space agency preps for its first manned moon landing

NASA, the US government and American space corporations aren’t the only ones with their eyes on the moon. Russia’s Space Agency (Roscosmos) has begun planning for its first manned lunar landing, starting with a recruitment drive for potential cosmonauts. The agency is looking for six to eight trainees with a background in engineering or aviation, or those who already have experience working in the space industry. All interested candidates will go through several stages of psychological, physical and medical tests during the selection process. The chosen eight will have to undergo some intense training until four remain. Those who get the job will pilot Russia’s next-gen reusable manned spacecraft Federatsiya.

Since flying to space is pretty demanding not just mentally, but also physically, Roscosmos is looking for people with a high standard of fitness. Applicants must be 35-years-old and below, with a minimum height of 4’11” to a maximum of 6’2″ and who don’t weigh over 199 pounds. Sergei Krikalyov, the agency’s executive director of manned programs said “There will be no discrimination based on skin colour or gender.”Russia’s first manned moon landing isn’t scheduled until 2031, but the agency is launching a manned test flight in 2023 from its new spaceport.

Source: Tass, Roscosmos, The Guardian

YouTube boosts the quality of online VR video

When you stream VR video online, you usually have to sacrifice visual quality. There’s a lot more data, so something has to give. However, that isn’t stopping Google’s YouTube and Daydream groups from improving what you see. They’re introducing a new projection technique, the equi-angular cubemap (EAC), that promises to increase the practical level of detail for 360-degree footage. Where conventional methods produce pictures that are only sharp in certain areas, EAC is extremely consistent — it distributes an equal number of pixels across all angle changes. It may not be as theoretically sharp in certain areas, but there are no glaring weak points.

Google wants to help others improve VR projections, too. To that end, it’s proposing a Projection Independent Mesh standard that would simply tell a video player how to project the raw VR info. The approach would use extremely small amounts of data (just 4KB for EAC), so it wouldn’t require gobs of bandwidth or new hardware. You can find a draft version of the standard on GitHub.

At the moment, you’ll have to use an Android device to watch videos that use EAC. Desktop and iOS viewing is coming later, Google says. And unless it’s a specially optimized video, you probably won’t see it — YouTube still ingests clips based on a conventional projection format. This upgrade is more about the long-term future of VR rather than an immediate upgrade.

Source: YouTube, Google

Russian spies indicted in massive Yahoo account breach

When Yahoo claimed that state-sponsored hackers were behind the 2014 breach that exposed 500 million accounts, it may have been understating the significance of what happened. The Justice Department is reportedly indicting four Russians over the intrusion, two of which (Dmitry Dokuchaev and Igor Sushchin) work for the country’s FSB intelligence agency — yes, the US believes two spies were directly involved. This represents the first time that the US has directly charged Russian officials with cybercrimes, rather than targeting professional crooks.

The other two accused are ‘ordinary’ hackers who were reportedly hired by Russia to help out. One, Alexsey Belan, was arrested by Russia in December for allegedly passing info to the CIA. The other, Karim Baratov, was arrested in Canada on March 14th. Baratov may be the only one to face trial over these particular claims — there’s no extradition treaty with Russia, after all, and it’s doubtful the country would willingly hand over FSB agents even if there was. The US has historically relied on sanctions and travel limitations as punishment for Russian cybercriminals.

The charges are believed to include economic espionage, trade secret theft, wire fraud and generic hacking charges, reflecting a US belief that this was part of a spying campaign targeting activists, journalists and officials. If so, the indictments are likely to exacerbate the already high tensions between the US and Russia. American agencies are already pointing the finger at Russia over claims that it tried to influence the election through hacks — now, they’d be accusing it of perpetrating one of the largest breaches in recent memory with particularly sinister motives.

Source: Washington Post, AP

Facebook Begins Worldwide Rollout of its Main Snapchat Clone ‘Facebook Stories’

The deluge of stories revolving around Facebook copying Snapchat might hit a zenith today as the social media company begins to launch “Facebook Stories” worldwide, this time in the main Facebook app for iOS devices (via TechCrunch). Previously, Facebook created a facsimile of Snapchat’s day-long, vanishing post idea in Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, which gained 100 million users following the Snapchat-like update last year.

The idea is identical in Facebook Stories, where users will now be able to post a photo or video through a new UI at the top of the Facebook mobile app. Their friends can see the post over the next 24 hours and reply to it within Facebook Messenger. Continuing the trend, last week that app launched “Messenger Day” for users to create the exact same disappearing posts, but centered on creating plans with friends. Facebook originally tested out Facebook Stories in Ireland.

The Facebook Stories update isn’t yet available to all users, but begins its worldwide rollout today.

Tag: Facebook
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Apple May Announce 9.7-Inch ‘iPad Pro 2’ as Early as Next Week

Earlier this week, a well-known research firm that requested confidentiality told us that, based on their own sources, it expects Apple to announce new products later this month, most likely during the week of March 20. The research firm did not say which products it expects, or the manner in which they will be announced.

Following our report, some Japanese analysts have predicted that a second-generation 9.7-inch iPad Pro will be announced next week, according to Japanese blog Mac Otakara. The analysts are reportedly basing this prediction on supply chain information and the lack of a scheduled Apple event next week.

Given that Apple usually invites the media to a launch event at least 10 days beforehand, and if the information we were provided about Apple announcing new products as early as next week is accurate, it is possible the so-called “iPad Pro 2” could be announced via press release rather than at a launch event.

A press release could be an appropriate manner for Apple to announce a new 9.7-inch iPad Pro, given that rumors suggest it will be an iterative upgrade. One of the only rumored additions to the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is quad microphones, while Mac Otakara suggests it could have a faster Apple A10X chip.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects Apple to launch a low-cost 9.7-inch iPad Pro this year, likely with its current Apple A9X chip. He did not mention an entirely new 9.7-inch model. If the 9.7-inch iPad Pro is essentially only getting a price cut, then a press release as early as next week would be fitting.

Apple similarly issued a press release when it dropped the price of the fourth-generation iPad to $399 in March 2014. Apple’s current low-cost 9.7-inch model, the iPad Air 2, starts at $399, while the 9.7-inch iPad Pro starts at $599.

Beyond the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, Apple is rumored to launch an all-new 10.5-inch iPad Pro with slimmer bezels and an updated 12.9-inch iPad Pro in the near future. A few reports claim a new 7.9-inch iPad Pro could also be released, but some analysts disagree and do not expect the iPad mini 4 to be updated.

The 10.5-inch iPad Pro is expected to have slimmer bezels, and there is a slim chance it will have no Home button, allowing it to have the same overall footprint as the 9.7-inch iPad Pro. This design could foreshadow the rumored 5.8-inch iPhone. The tablet is also rumored to have a higher-resolution display and quad microphones.

The updated 12.9-inch iPad Pro is said to feature a 12-megapixel rear camera and True Tone display like the current 9.7-inch model, using advanced four-channel ambient light sensors to automatically adapt the color and intensity of the display to match the light in the surrounding environment.

While it is becoming clear that new iPads are on the horizon, Apple’s exact launch plans remain convoluted.

If Apple still plans to host an event later this month as one increasingly unlikely rumor said, it would most likely fall between Monday, March 27 and Friday, March 31, given the 10-plus-day buffer for inviting the media.

At this event, the rumor said Apple will unveil its new iPad Pro lineup, a larger iPhone SE model with 128GB storage, and new Apple Watch bands. The report also claimed Apple will add a red color option for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, which could be part of its charitable (PRODUCT)RED campaign.

Of course, the event could be later. Taiwanese website DigiTimes claims Apple is planning to unveil the 10.5-inch iPad Pro at an early April event to “mark the inauguration of Apple’s new headquarters in California,” but it is unlikely that the supply chain sources cited would know this specific information.

It is also unclear if Steve Jobs Theater would be ready for an April event, as Apple indicated it opens “later this year” while employees start moving to the new campus next month. The latest drone footage by Duncan Sinfield shows that the theater is still under construction and surrounded by mounds of dirt.

Steve Jobs Theater is shown around the 1:45 mark
Apple could hold an event elsewhere, or even wait until WWDC 2017 in June. Or, just like a low-cost 9.7-inch iPad Pro, a red iPhone 7, 128GB iPhone SE, and new Apple Watch bands could certainly be announced by press release or an update to Apple’s website in the meantime.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Tag: macotakara.jp
Buyer’s Guide: 12.9″ iPad Pro (Caution)
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Best Android phones: These are the Androids you’re looking for

Android now makes up a huge proportion of the smartphone market. Unlike Apple where you have the choice of a smaller or larger iPhone, in Android you have some serious decisions to make when it comes to buying a new phone. Android celebrates variety and you have phones at all prices, with a wide range of specifications and functions, meaning the buying a new Android phone is something of a challenge.

Here we’re only interested in Android phones, pure, unadulterated Android hardware. We’ve phones at all prices, sizes and specification, but broken down to reflect the experience of owning and living with that Android device, so you can select the best one, based on extensive reviews we’ve conducted.

The Android market is constantly changing, so we’ll update this list with the best phones we review and as we roll into 2017, there are many devices that a just about to launch.

These are the best Android phones you can buy today.

In brief, here are the best Android phones that we’re going to be talking about:

• Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
• Google Pixel XL
• OnePlus 3T
• Google Pixel
• Samsung Galaxy S7
• HTC 10
• Huawei P9
• Honor 8
• Samsung Galaxy A5
• Moto G4
• Huawei Mate 9

Our top recommendation

Here’s our recommendation for the best Android phone on the market:

Pocket-lint

1. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge

Buy for £486 from Amazon UK, $591 from Amazon US

The phone that everyone has been talking about is the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. This handset brings wonderful dual edge design in a range of colours and a staggering Quad HD AMOLED display, which is one of the nicest displays you’ll find on any phone. It’s compact, the battery lasts and the camera gives you excellent results time and again. The S7 edge is also water resistant and offers contactless charging: about the only feature it misses out on is USB Type-C.

Samsung’s phone has a thorough reworking of Android, but it’s considered. Although this is very much a Samsung feeling and about as far removed from the Google experience as you can get, it’s very well polished and stuffed full of enhancements that make it a pleasure to use day in, day out. About the only shortcoming is that sometimes you might find the very edges of the display don’t respond quite as well as the flat section.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge is soon to be replaced by the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, but that means that prices will likely keep falling – and this is still an accomplished phone that looks great and is lovely to use.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S7 edge review

Best of the rest…

The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge isn’t for everyone though, although it is our top recommendation. There are plenty of other great Android phones on the market to consider whatever your budget. They have ranging pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages.

Here are the best alternatives:

Pocket-lint

2. Google Pixel XL

Buy the Pixel XL for £896 from Amazon UK, $928 from Amazon US

Google comes out all guns blazing with two new phones, the Pixel and the larger Pixel XL. It’s the larger phone that has the great appeal with a 5.5-inch Quad HD display and greater battery life than the smaller model. The Pixel XL has been in demand, offering a pure Android experience uncluttered with changes and additions. About the only drawback is the lack of a microSD card slot.

Pure Android means you’re first in line for updates and the chance to run Android as it was intended. But that’s not the big draw. For many, it’s the camera experience. Without too much song and dance, and sidestepping the gimmicks, the Pixel XL has a fast shooting camera that delivers excellent results.

The design might not be for some with that divided back and it’s also expensive: as we said previously, Google has struggled to have enough stock to meet demand, so you might struggle to get your hands on one.

Read the full review: Google Pixel XL review

Pocket-lint

3. OnePlus 3T

Buy from Amazon UK, $433 from Amazon US

For many, the OnePlus 3T is the best Android phone of the year. This is a device that offers many premium features, like a metal body, the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chipset and a fantastic camera experience, but at a fraction of the price of the big name rivals from Samsung and Google.

The OnePlus 3T offers a fairly clean Android experience, but offers additional customisation through the Oxygen OS. In recent times, OnePlus has been fast to update too, meaning you have the latest from Android to make things just that little sweeter.

But there’s no avoiding the price. Even in this guise, an update over the original OnePlus 3, the slight increase in price still gives you a much better deal than many of the big names. Some might criticise the full HD display as being sub-premium, but the draw of Dash Charge will make up for it.

Read the full review: OnePlus 3T review

Pocket-lint

4. Google Pixel

Buy the Google Pixel for £699 from Amazon UK, $705 from Amazon US

The smaller of the Pixel pair, there’s a lot going for this 5-inch handset. Top of the list for many will be the uncluttered Android experience, free from additions or tinkering, just as Google intended. Then there’s the great camera, that like the Pixel XL, just gives you great results.

The smaller handset takes a bit of hit when it comes to the battery, but this is still a keen performer. It has the added advantage of being cheaper than the XL, but you drop to a 5-inch Full HD display, making this a phone that looks rather expensive.

However, like other phones at the top of this list there’s plenty of power on offer, making this a great Android workhorse.

Read the full review: Google Pixel review

Pocket-lint

5. Samsung Galaxy S7

Buy for £419 from Amazon UK, $509 from Amazon US

Often overlooked, the regular flat Samsung Galaxy S7 offers a more compact 5.1-inch display, but sticks to the high specs of the S7 edge. It loses out slightly on design, so it lacks the glamour of the bigger model. There’s also rumours that this flatter design will be dropped when the Galaxy S8 is launched – so this could be the last Galaxy S of this style.

Like the S7 edge, you get Android Nougat (recently updated) but it’s totally owned by the Samsung TouchWiz makeover it gets. Samsung knows what it’s doing better than most, however, and of all the smartphone skins on Android, Samsung’s is now one of the slickest and most useful.

Aside from all those things, the Samsung Galaxy S7 has plummeted in price and it’s still a great smartphone, making it a tempting prospect, despite its age.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S7 review

Pocket-lint

6. HTC 10

Buy for £492 from Amazon UK, $527 from Amazon US

HTC 10 has a lot going for it, the serious solid metal body being top of the list. This is a phone that offers top spec with a 5.2-inch Quad HD display, wonderful sound quality and battery life that’s surprisingly good. It now sits on Android Nougat with HTC Sense providing some light customisation, but closer to Android than its ever been before.

The camera is perhaps a notch down from the best, struggling at times to compete and there’s a general feeling that HTC isn’t as exciting as it once used to be. It was fast to update to Nougat, however and has also been one of the first phones to get the Google Assistant update.

The HTC 10 is a great phone and the price is falling, but we’re expecting great things from HTC’s next phone Ocean, that’s due to be announced soon, which might leave the HTC 10 feeling a little dated.

Read the full review: HTC 10 review

Pocket-lint

7. Huawei P9

Buy the Huawei P9 for £400 from Amazon UK, $451 from Amazon US

Huawei’s coming of age moment appears to be on us, with the P9 being its most accomplished device to date – and a best-selling star of 2016. The P9 does what many phone-makers are avoiding these days: puts a manageable, palm-sized phone in your hand. With a 5.2-inch display and ultra-slim build, it’s not an unwieldy handset, which is a huge part of its appeal.

Flip the phone over and you’ll see a pair of cameras on the rear. These aren’t just any old optics: Leica has paired up with Huawei to deliver an interesting colour and monochrome sensor arrangement, plus all the bells and whistles post-production options you could want.

There’s ample power and reasonable battery life, but the P9 isn’t as accomplished as some of the other phones on this list given its software, which is Huawei’s EMUI (over the top of Android). This is a substantial re-skinning of Android, adding a lot of changes to the UI. This adds plenty of features, but it also changes a lot of things that arguably don’t necessarily need changing. It’ll update soon to EMUI 5.0, which will see some improvements.

However, its successor, the P10, has already been unveiled – so you might want to hold fire and check out the newer, more colourful handset. Or its P10 Plus larger-scale option for just €50 more.

Read the full review: Huawei P9 review

Pocket-lint

8. Samsung Galaxy A5

Buy the Galaxy A5 for £338 on Amazon UK, $349 on Amazon US

The Galaxy A5 is a solid, elegant smartphone coming in at comfortably under £400. It’s easily one of the most complete mid-rangers Samsung has ever made and offers an experience close to that offered by the more high end Galaxy S series phones. It competes directly with the likes of the Honor 8, but bringing you added Samsung gloss.

Its AMOLED display is bright and punchy, the design looks and feels great and the Exynos 7880 processor is more than powerful enough to get you through any of your daily tasks. In short, it’s a Galaxy for people who don’t want to spend the money on a Galaxy S7, but don’t want to compromise.

The biggest drawback might be the dominance of the OnePlus 3T at these more affordable prices. Only about £40 more expensive, the OnePlus is more powerful, but the Galaxy A5 sells itself on delivering a Samsung experience, with the added benefit of a microSD card slot.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy A5

Pocket-lint

9. Honor 8

Buy for £369 from Amazon UK, $299.99 from Amazon US

For a mid-level device, the Honor 8 lays down some solid specifications given its £370 price. But what will really hook you in from the off is its design: that glossy, ultra-shiny rear catches the light like nothing else on the market (well, except for the HTC U – but that came later).

As a day-to-day phone, the design and ability of this mid-ranger are considerable. It’s an upgrade that really sets itself apart from its predecessor and shows you needn’t spend a small fortune for a decent handset.

There are some slight downers, though: the battery life could be better, the processor performance lags a little at times and it doesn’t offer the perfect graphics for gaming.

That said, there is plenty of merit in the Honor 8. If its design is a bit too sheeny-shiny for you then there are similar-priced competitors, such as the OnePlus 3T (£400) which may appeal yet more.

Read the full review: Honor 8 review

Pocket-lint

10. Motorola Moto G4

Buy for £149 from Amazon UK, $199.99 from Amazon US

Motorola’s Moto G4 is the fourth generation of the popular Moto G and it’s bigger and bolder than the original. A 5.5-inch display is seen this time round, and it’s a little more expensive too, starting at £169, but you still get a lot of bang for your buck.

The Moto G4 might not be as fast as the flagships on this list, but its octa-core processor and graphics are capable of handling most tasks and battery life is good. The Moto G4 is the king of the budget handsets and although there is the option of the G4 Plus with its improved camera and fingerprint sensor, the Moto G4 is a phone that shouldn’t be ignored.

But before you set your sights on this phone, the replacement has been announced, the Moto G5. Hitting shelves in March 2017, it’s a little more expensive, but brings some enhancements.

Read the full review: Motorola Moto G4 review 

Pocket-lint

11. Huawei Mate 9

Buy for £597 from Amazon UK, $719 from Amazon US

Where the P9 goes small, the Mate 9 goes all-out large. With a 5.9-inch design (marginally smaller than the 6-inch design of its predecessor), the Mate 9 is one big-in-the-hand Full HD handset. Shame there’s not more resolution at this scale, but the metal build quality fits just what we’ve come to expect from Huawei.

Similar to the P9 there’s dual camera technology (although this isn’t the Leica version) and a slightly updated EMUI software, which works effectively enough but will grate on some. What the Mate 9 does better than its Huawei cousins is stack in the power: it was the first phone to bear the Kirin 960 octa-core chipset, coupled with more-than-capable graphics processing. We’ve never had an issue with the way it handles.

That big size also means a capacious battery. If two-day life is what you’re after then, well, look no further: the Mate 9 is designed to last day in, day out without giving you the battery fear before the end of a working day. That makes it worth its €699 asking price, which while not cheap is less than many of its big-screen rivals.

Read the full review: Huawei Mate 9 review

Hugh Hefner docuseries bares all on Amazon Prime next month

An Amazon series detailing the life and impact of Hugh Hefner is heading to the service on April 7th. Announced last year, American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story is a new docuseries that will combine dramatic re-enactments of Hefner’s life with rare unseen footage uncovered from his personal archive. Featuring interviews with celebrities like Gene Simmons and Jesse Jackson, the series promises to give audiences an unprecedented look into the rise of the Playboy empire.

As well as the expected mansion shenanigans, the show also aims to delve into the social impact of the iconic brand – emphasizing Hefner’s often forgotten commitment to social justice and gay rights.

For those who want a taste of the show without committing to Amazon Prime, its first episode will also be free to watch on Playboy.com from April 7th to 13th.

Playboy has recently struggled to come to terms with its place in the digital age. After briefly dropping full frontal nudity from its iconic magazine last year, Hugh’s son Cooper recently announced that the brand’s trademark provocative shoots will now be making a return. With the double whammy of a high-profile TV show and a new-look magazine on the cards, the iconic brand is once again attempting to cement its place in a post-internet world.

Source: Amazon

ICYMI: Submersible sticky situations and elongating elastomer electrodes

Today on In Case You Missed It: Researchers from Purdue University and the Office of Naval Research teamed up to develop a new kind of glue that even works underwater. The synthetic compound is derived from proteins used by muscles to keep themselves attached to rocks. The man-made adhesive is 17 times stronger than its source material and could one day hold US Navy ships together.

We also take a look at a stretchable electrode developed at Stanford University. Leveraging the same kind of molecule that commercial kitchens use to thicken soups, the Stanford researchers were able to develop an electrical conductor that can be easily deformed while actually conducting better as it is stretched. And finally, this is what happens when you hook a watermelon up to a car battery.

As always, please share any interesting tech or science videos you find by using the #ICYMI hashtag on Twitter for @mskerryd.

Three finds more customers affected by 2016 data breach

Three today revealed that a customer data breach it caught wind of last November was more extensive than first thought. Using stolen employee logins, ne’er-do-wells gained access to a database used to manage handset upgrades, comprising customer details such as names, addresses, dates of birth, mobile numbers and information about mobile contracts (but no financial data). Initially, just over 130,000 subscribers were said to be affected, but upon further investigation, another 76,373 accounts have now been added to that total. No fraudulent activity has been spotted, but all newly identified customers have been contacted today, Three says.

The Three data breach is particularly interesting in that the provider became aware something was amiss only after hundreds of high-value handsets were stolen. Some Three stores were burgled, and other smartphones were ordered as upgrades by the wrongdoers and intercepted as the made their way to customer addresses. Three suspects have been arrested, but so far there have been no related convictions. Law enforcement investigations and a probe by the Information Commissioner’s Office are ongoing.

Via: ISPreview

Source: Three

Uber drivers no longer need other mapping apps

Few of us think about the driver experience when we hail an Uber. We open the app, summon a car and then clamber into the backseat, peering at our phones or talking to friends until we arrive at our destination. But for a trip to work seamlessly, it’s important that your chauffeur knows exactly where you are and where you’re going. With this in mind, the company has set out on a major revamp of its driver app, improving navigation on iOS and, for the first time, offering turn-by-turn directions in Android.

Yes, you read that correctly. Until now, drivers have had to juggle multiple apps if they use an Android phone. It’s a clunky experience, bouncing between Uber and their preferred mapping service, like Google Maps, whenever someone new requests a ride. The experience on iOS isn’t much better, with “fundamental navigation features” missing from the app. For the last “several months,” the team has been working on something better. At a cursory glance, it looks like any other mapping app, with a colorful line to indicate the best route and a large arrow up top to explain the next turn.

But Uber says there’s more going on. After all, its drivers work differently to the common road user. They’re picking people up along the way, and need to know what side of the road they’ll be stood on. For UberPool, that involves multiple stops on an oftentimes convoluted route. In the case of UberEats, they need to know the best places to park near your chosen restaurant and home. To help, Uber built a “route preview” system that focuses on the most important parts of each trip. During a pickup, for instance, it zooms in and shows where the passenger should be stood, as well as the next turn, or at least the direction they should be headed off in.

There’s also lane guidance, real-time traffic updates and a dark theme for night-time shifts. These features are basic, however Uber has stressed this is only the first version. Over time, the team hopes to refine it further, reacting to driver behavior and the complexities of different cities. The key difference now is that the software is in Uber’s hands — it’s no longer relying on Google or Apple to patch in their most requested features.

The redesigned apps use a blend of in-house and third-party provided data. Uber has its own fleet of street-mapping cars, but these are meant predominantly to help its self-driving vehicles. The biggest supplier is TomTom, which first partnered with Uber in November 2015. Uber’s in-app navigation won’t be the only option — drivers can still use Google Maps or Waze if they wish — but, unsurprisingly, the company recommends switching. Uber says a small number of iOS users should already have the new experience. It will be rolled out slowly, alongside the new Android version, “over the next several months,” an Uber spokesperson said.

The new driver app follows a tumultuous few months for Uber. In February, CEO Travis Kalanick was caught on camera arguing with a driver over fare prices (he later apologised, and is now looking for a COO to keep his aggressive leadership style in check). A month earlier, swathes of users deleted the app (the movement was shared with the #deleteuber hashtag) after it turned off surge pricing at JFK Airport, undermining a taxi strike designed to exert pressure on Donald Trump’s travel ban. The company is also under fire for reports of sexual harassment, and is fending off a lawsuit filed by Alphabet’s Waymo team. Through it all, however, Uber trudges on.