Facebook might soon help you manage the overly chatty people in your social stream. The Meta brand is testing News Feed controls that let you raise or lower the volume of content you see from friends, groups, Pages and relevant topics. If a relative posts far too often while a favorite group hardly shows up at all, you can balance their appearances in your preferences.

Already available controls for favorites, reconnecting, snoozing and unfollowing should also be easier to find. Facebook's test is initially available to only a "small percentage" of users, but it should expand over the weeks ahead. The company is giving advertisers options to exclude their ads from broad topics like "News and Politics," "Crime and Tragedy" and "Debated Social Issues."

The timing is appropriate, although it might not satisfy critics. Whistleblower Frances Haugen and supporting politicians have blasted Facebook's algorithimic feeds for promoting engagement over healthy social media habits. Likewise, Meta just recently limited ad targeting for sensitive topics across its products. These latest moves put some of the power back in the hands of users and marketers, but don't offer as much control as some would like. 

Apple may be sharpening the focus of its long-in-development electric car. Bloombergsources claim Apple is now shifting its attention to a fully self-driving car, not just a more conventional vehicle with semi-autonomous features. New project leader Kevin Lynch wants the very first model to drive itself, the insiders said.

The company is reportedly speeding up its plans to match. Where Apple had recently targeted a launch in five to seven years, the sources said it was now aiming for 2025, or just four years. The plan is believed to be "fluid," however, and revolves around Apple completing its full autonomous system on time.

Apple declined to comment. The new priority could help a project that has seen its share of setbacks, including departing executives and skittish partners. The company could match or beat incumbent car manufacturers planning to offer full or near-full autonomy around the same time, such as VW. However, full self-driving has many challenges, including difficult-to-predict traffic and weather problems like snow. It wouldn't be surprising if Apple had to delay the car, or at least ask drivers to take over in certain conditions.

Google's second-generation Pixel Stand wasn't even an option by the time the Pixel 6 shipped, but it's here now... well, almost. The company has begun taking pre-orders for the new wireless charging dock for $79. It won't ship until mid-December, so you might want to order quickly if it's a gift for the Android enthusiast in your life.

The new Pixel Stand is more monolithic than its predecessor, but also more powerful. It can charge the Pixel 6 Pro at up to 23W (21W for the regular Pixel 6) and has a fan to keep everything cool. And while it will charge many Qi-compatible devices at up to 15W, Google phone owners receive some extra perks. You can use the Pixel 3 and newer models as makeshift Google Assistant smart speakers, display personal data like calendars while unlocked or simply turn your phone into a photo frame.

The catch, as you might gather, is that you don't strictly need the Pixel Stand if you want an upright wireless charging dock. Alternatives from Anker, Belkin and others often provide a still-speedy 15W charge for significantly less, albeit without the Pixel-specific features. Google's charger is mainly best if you either want those extras or insist on the fastest charging possible.

Microsoft's latest Edge update might make all the difference if you routinely struggle with laptop battery life. The company has introduced a desktop version of Edge with an efficiency mode that "significantly" lowers CPU and memory use, potentially extending your battery life at the expense of raw performance. The feature should kick in when your battery is lo, although there's also a settings toggle when you'd like to take control.

You should also have an easier time updating your passwords, whether in response to a breach or just for caution's sake. The passwords section in Edge's settings now lets you easily update passwords for sites with a "change" button. The convenience only works for some sites right now, but Microsoft promised compatibility with more sites in the "coming months." 

Edge will also add a few shopping features that might help you make smarter choices. An upcoming price alert will let you know if a must-have item is more affordable, while price comparison and history tools are coming to Android users later in November. UK shoppers using Bing can also tap Good On You's rating system to buy fashion based on social responsibility and sustainability scores.

Battery-saving features aren't new. Google gave Chrome some longevity-focused improvements last year, for instance. Efficiency mode might give Microsoft a way to stand out, though, and it might be vital if you'd rather not switch browsers (or limit the sites you visit) just to keep using your system for a little while longer.

Ford thinks it has a solution to ongoing car chip shortages: make a deal with one of the world's largest chipmakers. CNBCreports the badge has unveiled a "strategic collaboration" with GlobalFoundries that will boost chip manufacturing and development in the US to improve supply for Ford and other domestic car producers. The non-binding arrangement will have GlobalFoundries look into solutions for components ranging from advanced driver assistance through to EV battery management.

The exact terms aren't clear. However, Ford stressed the team-up "does not involve" any joint ownership stakes.

Any results might not come for a while. It takes time just to repurpose factories and ramp up production, let alone to build any new facilities. Regardless, both sides have a strong incentive to work together. Ford has already slashed production and delayed car orders to accommodate chip shortages, for instance. IWhatever costs it pays could be worthwhile if they help the company meet demand.

GlobalFoundries, meanwhile, could use this to land more business from automakers and ride a surge in car demand. It could also help the semiconductor firm diversify its production away from chips for more traditional computing hardware. This deal might last a while, then, if just because it's mutually beneficial.

SpaceX's hopes for a timely Starship orbital flight haven't gone according to plan, to put it mildly, but there might be hope on the horizon. According to TechCrunch, Elon Musk told a joint meeting of space research boards that his company is aiming for the first Starship orbital flight in January 2022. The chief executive was quick to admit there was a "lot of risk" and that SpaceX might not succeed, but he figured the team would at least make "a lot of progress."

There could be around a dozen further launches in 2022, Musk added. The timing also hinges on an FAA environmental impact review of SpaceX's Boca Chica launch facility. The agency intends to finish its review before the end of 2021, but a delay might push back upcoming Starship launches.

Whenever Starship reaches orbit, the vehicle might become economical relatively soon afterward. Musk reckoned SpaceX could start selling Starship launches for less than Falcon 9 in roughly two years. That, in turn, could win valuable business and help SpaceX build more Starships for space tourism and journeys to Mars. Musk told meeting members Earth might need about 1,000 launch systems for truly interplanetary life, and he intended to produce Starships relatively quickly.

Hyundai's LA Auto Show concepts include more than just a lounge on wheels. As Autoblognotes, the company's Kia badge has unveiled the Concept EV9 as a peek at the possible "next model" in its electric vehicle lineup. The angular design language is a centerpiece, but the real highlight may be technology that, in some cases, eclipses the EV6. For one, the cockpit is dominated by a single 27-inch display that covers both driver and passenger needs — it's not as huge as the Hyperscreen in the Mercedes EQS, but it's more expansive than the EV6's dual 12-inch panels.

You can also expect solid performance with up to 300 miles of range and 350kW charging that brings the Concept EV9 from a 10 percent charge to 80 percent in 30 minutes. The Concept EV9 won't outlast a Tesla Model Y, then, but it might deliver shorter pit stops.

Kia

There are some obvious concept car touches. Apart from the yoke-like wheel, the EV9 can turn into a social hub when it's stationary. A Pause mode turns the second row into a table and swings the front row to face the back, while Enjoy Mode pivots the third row and opens the tailgate for parties and marvelling at nature. You can also expect the obligatory eco-friendly materials like recycled fishnets (flooring), reused plastic bottles (seats) and a vegan leather interior.

Kia hasn't said how closely this might resemble a production EV9, although we wouldn't be surprised if the company cuts the rotating seats, yoke and giant 22-inch wheels (among other frills) for any real-world model. The biggest question may be price. Kia sold its First Edition EV6 for $58,500, but that was a limited, maxed-out version. We'd expect Kia to offer more aggressive prices if there is a shipping EV9, although the road-ready machine could easily cost more than the Niro EV.

Hyundai is joining the ranks of automakers envisioning self-driving cars as living rooms. The brand has revealed its previously-teased "Seven" concept EV, and it's built for an era when you might only occasionally take the helm. The SUV centers on a lounge-like interior where the driver's control stick retracts in autonomous mode, letting them and their passengers socialize thanks to two swivelling chairs and an L-shaped chaise. There's even a mini fridge, shoe refreshers and a panoramic screen that offers entertainment or ambiance.

The Seven's designers also took greater advantage of the liberties an electric vehicle offers. In addition to using the flat floor for a lounge, Hyundai pushed the wheelbase to a lengthy 10.5 feet without increasing the overall size. You'll also find a low leading hood edge and a "streamlined" roof. EVs live or die on aerodynamics, and the company promised an aerodynamically "pure" body despite the SUV profile.

This is also clearly a pandemic-era concept. The airflow system borrows from airliners with horizontal and vertical modes that reduce cross-contamination and otherwise protect hygiene. You'll find UVC lights that sterilize the environment once passengers leave, including storage.

And yes, this is actually a moving car. Hyundai is hoping for a range over 300 miles, and offers 350kW charging that brings the Seven from a 10 percent charge to 80 percent in roughly 20 minutes.

Hyundai makes it very clear this is a concept you won't buy. It does serve as a preview of a future electric SUV, though, so you can expect a more conservative take that joins the Ioniq 5 in the company's expanding EV lineup. Consider the Seven a preview of both short- and long-term goals.

You no longer have to live in the US to try Spotify's paid podcast subscriptions. Spotify and Anchor are rolling out Podcast Subscriptions to 33 new markets over the next week. A total of 29 markets have access as of today (November 17th), including the UK, Australia and Hong Kong. Listeners in Austria, Canada, France and Germany will have to wait until November 22nd.

The system remains the same. Podcasters can charge extra to unlock special or ad-free episodes, offer early access and otherwise offer perks to listeners willing to pay. Producers keep all the revenue aside from basic transaction fees until 2023, with Spotify taking a five percent cut afterward.

This was arguably overdue. Apple added paid subscriptions to its Podcasts app in May, and made them available in 170 countries and regions. Spotify was effectively handing customers to Apple in those areas where it didn't have a paid option. While it's not yet clear that these paid memberships represent a large revenue stream, Spotify might not have wanted to take any chances.

Spotify's growing podcast ambitions now include a pact with a big studio before it truly gets started. The streaming music service has struck a multi-year deal that gives it "first look" access to podcasts from J.J. Abrams' new Bad Robot Audio unit. The move lets Spotify snap up exclusives from Bad Robot's planned mix of fiction and non-fiction shows.

Bad Robot Audio hasn't yet detailed its releases, but it will have an experienced leader. Christina Choi will helm the new outfit after directing content partnerships at Audible, and before that a creative development executive at Spotify. She played an important role in Spotify's early podcast efforts, and is unsurprisingly eager to collaborate with her former employer in her field of expertise.

The move could be a coup for Spotify if Bad Robot's podcast group fares as well as its better-known video team. Spotify has numerous major exclusives from narrowly-focused partners like WWE, the Obamas and Dax Shepard, but alliances with general studios on this level are decidedly less common. This arrangement might produce top shows in a wider variety of genres, and could include some well-known voices in the bargain.

For Bad Robot, this is part of a broader expansion into the digital realm. J.J. Abrams' company has been shifting toward streaming shows, and last year branched out to gaming with Bad Robot Games. There's a clear effort to create a media empire that reaches well beyond conventional video, and podcasts represent a significant next step.