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Weird Wide Web: Google robots, a Santa tracker and a blood-related app

All of your essential tech and social media news for the week in one byte-sized portion.

WELCOME TO THE Weird Wide Web – where we take a look at the week’s best offerings in tech and social media news.

Google robot news of the week

Those terrifying running robots are back in the Weird Wide Web this week because Google has purchased the company which makes them. Boston Dynamics has worked for clients like the US Pentagon on military contracts, so what is Google planning…?

(Video: BostonDynamics/YouTube)

Annoying new Facebook feature of the week

Facebook started trialling auto-play video advertisements this week, a move that is not likely to go down well with users. The first ads are for the new film ‘Divergeant’. Have they popped up on your feed yet?

Blood related app of the week

Engineers from Cornell University have designed a smartphone attachment linked to an app which allows users to monitor their own blood cholesterol levels with, Mashable reports. The downside is you will need to draw your own blood for testing…

image

Christmas app of the week

Google’s Santa Tracker app will put you right in the festive spirit if you’re not already there. Available on Android phones and also on your browser it features fun mini-games each day and, most importantly, a countdown time so you know how long it’ll be before the big man sets off from the North Pole to start delivering presents:

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(Image: Google Santa Tracker)

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Michelle Hennessy
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