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Drone wars: Google, Facebook focus on flying

Google buys Titan Aerospace with a mission to become an Internet provider in the sky, smart contact lenses could be the next step for Google Glass, and leaked photos offer clues about an Amazon smartphone.

Bridget Carey Principal Video Producer
Bridget Carey is an award-winning reporter who helps you level-up your life -- while having a good time geeking out. Her exclusive CNET videos get you behind the scenes as she covers new trends, experiences and quirky gadgets. Her weekly video show, "One More Thing," explores what's new in the world of Apple and what's to come. She started as a reporter at The Miami Herald with syndicated newspaper columns for product reviews and social media advice. Now she's a mom who also stays on top of toy industry trends and robots. (Kids love robots.)
Expertise Consumer technology, Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, social media, mobile, robots, future tech, immersive technology, toys, culture Credentials
  • Bridget has spent over 18 years as a consumer tech reporter, hosting daily tech news shows and writing syndicated newspaper columns. She's often a guest on national radio and television stations, including ABC, CBS, CNBC and NBC.
Bridget Carey

CNET Update wants a smart eye:

Watch this: Drone wars: Google, Facebook focus on flying

In this episode of Update, you'll understand why the next tech battle is heading to the sky. Google and Facebook are working on bringing Internet access to areas of the world that are not online. Google's purchase of Titan Aerospace could aid in that mission. With solar-powered aircraft joining Project Loon, Google becomes a floating Internet provider. Facebook was also interested in buying Titan, but instead the social network spent $20 million to buy a similar company, Ascenta.

As for the future of gadgets, Google Glass may evolve into smart contact lenses. Google submitted a patent for a contact lens with a micro camera and sensors. It wouldn't be the first smart contact out there. Google also has been testing contacts to help diabetics by measuring the glucose levels in tears. And the military is looking into dual-focus contacts that let you clearly see objects near and far at the same time, without messing up your vision.

And today's video ends with a look at leaked photos of Amazon's smartphone, published by BGR. Five camera sensors? Sexy.

CNET Update delivers the tech news you need in under three minutes. Watch Bridget Carey every afternoon for a breakdown of the big stories, hot devices, new apps, and what's ahead. Subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

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