CATEGORIES

41 MILLION JOBS LOST; HOMEBOUND GEAR UP TO GET OUT, WAY OUT

The outbreak of the coronavirus has dealt a shock to the global economy with unprecedented speed. Following are developments related to the national and global response, the workplace, and the spread of the virus.

IN PANDEMIC, USING DRONES TO DROP MEDICAL SUPPLIES FROM SKY

With a loud whir and a whoosh, a fixed-wing drone slingshots out of a medical warehouse, zips through hazy skies at 80 mph, pops open a belly hatch, and drops a box of medical supplies. Slowed by a little parachute, the box drifts downward and lands with a plop, less than 8 minutes after launch.

BRANSON'S VIRGIN ORBIT FAILS ON FIRST ROCKET LAUNCH ATTEMPT

Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit failed Monday in its first test launch of a new rocket carried aloft by a Boeing 747 and released over the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Southern California.

ORDERS FOR US BIG-TICKET FACTORY GOODS DROP 17.2% IN APRIL

U.S. orders for big-ticket factory goods plunged for the second straight month in April as the coronavirus pandemic hammered the economy.

PANDEMIC A BOON FOR THE BICYCLE AS THOUSANDS SNAP THEM UP

Joel Johnson hadn’t owned a bicycle since he was 15, but the pandemic changed all that.

PATRONS UNDER PLASTIC: RESTAURANTS GET CREATIVE IN VIRUS ERA

Dining at a table where each person is enclosed by a clear plastic shield might look and sound futuristic, but it could be one way for some restaurants to reopen. It also might help out if your companion orders escargots, heavy on the garlic.

VANISHING JOBS FOR YOUNG COULD CREATE ‘LOCK-DOWN GENERATION'

Bashar Ali Naim used to work in a perfume and accessories store in Baghdad, earning $480 per week on average. About three months ago, the coronavirus outbreak swept into Iraq, and the 28-year-old father of two has been out of work ever since.

WORRY, HASTE, RETAIL THERAPY: WHAT HAVE WE BOUGHT AND WHY?

Between technical glitches and food worries, retail therapy, and sheer amnesia, something has happened to shopping during the pandemic that can be summed up thusly: rubber chickens.

JUDGE STRIKES DOWN US ENERGY LEASING RULES IN BIRD HABITAT

A U.S. judge has dealt another blow to the Trump administration’s efforts to increase domestic oil and gas output from public lands, saying officials failed to protect habitat for a declining bird species when it issued energy leases on hundreds of square miles.

WALT DISNEY WORLD PRESENTING PLANS FOR REOPENING PARKS

Walt Disney World is presenting its plans for reopening after being shuttered along with Florida’s other theme parks since mid-March because of the new coronavirus.

FIRST COMMERCIAL SPACE TAXI A PIT STOP ON MUSK'S MARS QUEST

It all started with the dream of growing a rose on Mars.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE UP SLIGHTLY BUT REMAINS NEAR 6-YEAR LOW

U.S. consumer confidence inched up this month, showing signs of stabilizing, but remained near a six-year low in the face of the widespread business shutdowns that have sent the economy into recession.

TECH GIANTS ARE EMBRACING REMOTE WORK

For a preview of the future of office work, watch how the biggest tech companies are preparing for a post-pandemic world.

WADA LOOKS TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO CATCH DOPERS

With sports around the world shut down by the coronavirus pandemic, the World Anti-Doping Agency is looking to artificial intelligence as a new way to detect athletes who cheat.

KIRK 2.0: CAPT. PIKE OF NEW ‘STAR TREK' A WELCOME NEW ICON

In the beginning, in the “Star Trek” universe, there was only Captain Kirk. At least to the general public.

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC CLAIMS ANOTHER VICTIM: ROBOCALLS

Have you been missing something amid the lockdowns and stay-at-home orders? No, not human contact. Not even toilet paper.

Arcade: THE BEST GAMES THAT YOU NEED TO PLAY

It’s been eight months since the launch of Apple Arcade, the company’s gaming subscription service, and though its initial reception was mixed, there’s no denying that the Cupertino firm has reinvented the way we play games on our iPhones, Macs, and Apple TVs.

AMERICANS FINDING WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE WHILE KEEPING DISTANCE

Vicki L. Friedman always wanted to play golf with her adult sons but until this spring couldn’t find time to learn the game and practice.

APP LIFE

THIS MONTH’S MOST INTERESTING iPHONE & iPAD APPS

CRAVE

THE GEAR WE’RE LUSTING AFTER

HOME LIFE

BETTER LIVING THROUGH SMARTER TECHNOLOGY

Intego Mac Premium Bundle X9

Premium malware protection designed for your Mac

iPad Pro (2020)

Now with some smart upgrades

TwelveSouth AirSnap Pro

Elegant AirPods Pro case

MacBook Air (13–inch, Early 2020)

The best Mac for almost everyone is back!

Return of the iPhone SE

The budget iPhone is back!

PhoneSoap HomeSoap

The germ killer for most of your electronics

Philips 243B1 LCD Monitor

Affordable and versatile 24–inch display with USB–C

Q&A: SAFETY A BIG CONCERN AS WORKERS RETURN TO THEIR JOBS

With more businesses across the country easing back to life, the new challenge will be how to keep workers safe during the pandemic.

POMP AND MASKS: GRADUATIONS DRAW THOUSANDS DESPITE PANDEMIC

High schools nationwide have canceled or postponed traditional graduation ceremonies to avoid worsening the spread of the new coronavirus, but some plunged ahead with fullfledged springtime commencement exercises as usual, with tweaks to account for health concerns.