It's Friday, December 09, 2016.

Hey, good morning! It's Friday!

Friday is here, and we’ve learned that Magic Leap’s wondrous demo video last year was all technical magic, scientists discovered a dinosaur tail with feathers, and explain why Pebble fans might not be happy with the company’s new owners.

Always read the fine print

Surprise: That first Magic Leap demo video was all special effects

For the last couple of years, Magic Leap has been promising a groundbreaking augmented reality experience. Despite hiring hundreds of employees and snagging big-name financial backers (like Google) it hasn’t actually shown off the technology publicly, leaving all of us to wonder what’s going on. The Information reports that the company has had trouble implementing some of its patented fiber-optic technology, and may be preparing a wearable headset that’s closer to what we’ve seen from Microsoft’s HoloLens than the WETA-created demo video it posted last year.

1921 - 2016

John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, dies at 95

On Thursday John Glenn died at the age of 95 in Columbus, Ohio. One of NASA’s original seven Mercury astronauts, Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth, a combat pilot in World War II and the Korean War and a four-term US Senator. 36 years after his first first spaceflight, he became the oldest person to visit space at 77, flying a nine-day mission on the Discovery shuttle in 1998.

Yeah, like Jurassic Park

First dinosaur tail found encased in amber

A piece of amber found in Myanmar has provided scientists with their first well-preserved sample of a dinosaur’s tail, complete with feathers. Likely from a Cretaceous-era coelurosaur, it’s providing new information not only on dinosaurs, but also on how feathers have evolved.

Need some gift ideas? These 8 top-selling tech deals are back at Black Friday pricing.

Google’s Assistant is getting out there

Google opens up its Assistant actions to third party developers

Spotify shortcuts, WhatsApp replies and more could be coming soon to Google’s AI helper. Actions on Google was briefly described at the company's October event, and is a little bit like IFTTT, making programmable ‘recipes’ for Google’s Assistant to follow. Now the developer platform is live, and third parties will eventually be able to create at least two types of Actions -- Direct and Conversation. For now, only Conversation Actions are available, where "users won't need to enable a skill or install an app, they can just ask to talk to your action," Self-explanatory, then.

Cortana also getting the smarts

Windows 10 preview puts Cortana in control of your music

Cortana is the star of a big new Windows 10 Insider Preview build. Microsoft says that voice control of your PC was one its "top requests," so the latest update now lets you shutdown, restart, lock or sleep your system using the voice assistant. You can also use natural language to play music on two apps, as well as control volume and navigate tracks.

Putting brakes on new Pebble hardware

Fitbit's Pebble acquisition risks alienating loyal users

Yesterday, Pebble announced that it's getting acquired by Fitbit. It sounds like a smart combination, with Pebble struggling to gain mainstream market share in the tough wearables industry. However, it appears that the deal doesn't include the startup’s hardware. And the only assets carrying over are key talent, software and intellectual property, Fitbit risks not only disappointing the thousands of loyal fans that believed in Pebble despite the odds.

But wait, there's more...

1. Killing children in 'What Remains of Edith Finch'

2. Microsoft's Cortana gets a simpler look on iOS and Android

3. Twitch gamers will stream from the White House next week

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It's Thursday, December 08, 2016.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Last night, Nintendo showed off the Switch and its debut mobile Super Mario game, Microsoft laid down some big plans for 2017 and 10,000 Sprint stores are turning into PokéStops.

Nintendo successfully built a “Mario” title that makes perfect sense on a phone

Preview: “Super Mario Run”

We’ve played Nintendo’s first real smartphone game (and so can you -- starting today a demo is available at your local Apple Store) and can confirm: it’s just as much fun as everyone hoped it would be. We’ve played Nintendo’s first real smartphone game (and so can you -- starting today a demo is available at your local Apple Store) and can confirm: it’s just as much fun as everyone hoped it would be. “Super Mario Run” integrates the character’s traditional gameplay into an auto-runner format, as players tap the screen to make him jump, hover or wall-jump through the levels. Once that’s mastered, the Toad Rally multiplayer system adds a surprising level of depth. Interested? The $9.99 game arrives on iOS December 15th (Android next year), and as Reggie Fils-Aime explains, it’s just the beginning.

It’s going to be an interesting year

Microsoft’s big plans for VR, AR and Windows 10 on ARM

Microsoft’s plans for 2017 are coming into focus, and they’re going to involve using the words “mixed reality” repeatedly. First, it’s released recommended PC specs for using those $300 Windows VR headsets on the way from Dell, HP and Lenovo. There’s also a Project Evo in the works with Intel to deliver systems ready for 4K gaming, Windows Hello and smooth mixed-reality experiences like HoloLens.

Finally, it’s readying a version of Windows 10 that runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon mobile CPUs. Don’t think of this as another stripped-down Windows RT effort however -- it’s a full OS, capable of running both legacy x86 Windows programs and newer universal apps. The first PCs using it could be on their way as soon as next year.

Finally, a reason to go to a phone store.

Sprint stores are turning into PokéStops and Gyms

10,000 locations are being added to the US’ Pokemon Go world -- and they’re all Sprint stores. It’s the country’s first sponsored location deal, and it’s unlikely to be the last. Don’t forget: new Pokemon are coming.

At just $20, the Loot Crate Mystery Box makes a great gift for the geek on your list—Grab yours today.

Now we just need a device with it built-in

Bluetooth 5 is faster, longer-ranged and (almost) here

Bluetooth version 5’s specifications have been cemented, clearing the way for device makers to use it in everything from phones and wearables to smart home equipment. It’s a huge upgrade to the version before it, and should ensure future Bluetooth headphones don’t choke on signal fumes. Useful at a time when all the headphone jacks are disappearing from our phones.

Like iMessages but with no obligatory iPhone

T-Mobile Digits brings calls and texts to all your devices

The Uncarrier’s new Digits program lets you add multiple numbers to your phone, and then use them across all your devices. Those who join the trial will need to have at least Android 5.0 or iOS 9 installed on their phones, and/or Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome on their Macs or PCs, but then your texts and calls will work across all said compatible devices.

It’s selling faster than the PS3 did.

Sony has sold 50 millions PS4s and PS4 Pros

Console gaming continues to power on. Combining PS4, PS4 Pro and the new slim version console sales, Sony has sold 50 million consoles in just over three years. In comparison, it took the company over four years to hit the same milestone with the PS3.