Posts Tagged: from
France bans TikTok (and Candy Crush) from government phones
It's no shock to see another country banning TikTok from government phones, but France is taking the restrictions a step further. Le Mondereports the French government is banning "recreational" apps like TikTok, Twitter, Netflix and even Candy Crush from public servants' devices. The apps represent cybersecurity risks that could jeopardize data for both the employees and the administration, according to the office of public service minister Stanislas Guerini.
The government hasn't provided an exact list of banned apps. However, Guerini said certain there could be some exceptions for the sake of necessary communication. This won't prevent a social media team from posting content, in other words. The ban takes effect immediately, but the penalties for defying the rule can be decided at the "managerial level," Guerini's office says. The approach doesn't affect personal devices.
The clampdown comes after the US federal government, dozens of states, Canada, the European Commission and the UK have banned TikTok on their workers' devices. In those cases, the rationale has been similar: officials are worried the Chinese government could collect data about important individuals, spread propaganda and compel ByteDance (TikTok's parent company) to hand over sensitive information.
TikTok has repeatedly denied collaborating with the Chinese government. In testimony before a House committee yesterday, CEO Shou Chew said ByteDance was "not an agent of China" and that American user data wouldn't be accessible to staff in other countries by the time a migration project wraps up later this year.
The French policy, however, isn't aimed at any one country or app category. Instead, it represents a general concern that entertainment apps may put government data at unnecessary risk. That's not so hot for employees hoping to watch Netflix during lunch, but it may reassure politicians worried employees might inadvertently expose info through their social media accounts.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/france-bans-tiktok-and-candy-crush-from-government-phones-170434409.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
T-Mobile customers can snag a free Season Pass to MLB TV worth $150 from March 28th
Having already given its customers an MLS Season Pass worth $ 99 back in February, T-Mobile is following up with a free Season Pass to MLB TV in case you had spare time left to watch yet another favorite sporting pastime. This latest reward is also courtesy of the T-Mobile Tuesday program which you’ll need to […]
Come comment on this article: T-Mobile customers can snag a free Season Pass to MLB TV worth $ 150 from March 28th
Verizon subscribers can grab a year of Netflix Premium for free* and other perks from March 12
Verizon subscribers can look forward to the return of a year’s subscription to Netflix Premium as part of the carrier’s +play service from March 12 worth ($ 240). The +play product has also seen the addition of a further 10 partners offering anything from streaming services to meal deliveries. Naturally, there is a catch to the […]
Come comment on this article: Verizon subscribers can grab a year of Netflix Premium for free* and other perks from March 12
US airports now have software to prevent aircraft from landing on taxiways by mistake
Pilots have to worry about more than just mid-flight crashes and bad weather — they also risk a collision if they land on the taxiway instead of the runway. Thankfully, they have now have a digital safeguard. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) tellsAxios that 43 major US airports are now using ASDE-X Taxiway Arrival Prediction (ATAP), a software platform that warns air traffic controllers if an aircraft is lining up to land on a taxiway by mistake. An aviator shouldn't endanger lives on the ground simply because they're inexperienced or fatigued.
The system relies on standard radar along with other sensors. It also works regardless of aircraft size — it can flag small turboprops and large airliners. ATAP first saw use at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in 2018, and the FAA says it finished software upgrades at compatible airports last September. Some of the airports using the tech include Boston Logan, Chicago O'Hare and New York's JFK.
This is more than just a theoretical exercise. The FAA notes ATAP has caught over 50 potential taxiway landings since 2018, and there have been eight alerts so far in 2023. While accidental landings are far less common than crashes (and thus far less deadly), the software may still be helpful even if it prevents chaos from an aircraft disrupting the queue.
ATAP's rise comes as aircraft and airports increasingly rely on digital safety systems. Airbus, for instance, recently began testing a pilot assist that can automatically divert flights in emergencies, aid with taxiing and even land if the pilots are incapacitated. Full autonomy is still distant, but there may soon be many safeguards against everything from simple errors to an unconscious crew.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/us-airports-now-have-software-to-prevent-aircraft-from-landing-on-taxiways-by-mistake-173646341.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics
The 5 biggest announcements we expect from Google I/O 2023
Google I/O 2023 is confirmed for May 10 this year and should be chock-full of news. But what announcements are we looking forward to the most?
Digital Trends
The best Samsung Galaxy S23 deals from every carrier
These are the best deals on the Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+ and S23 Ultra from all major carriers. Here’s your complete guide on how to get the phone for cheap.
Digital Trends
Twitter is making millions of dollars from previously banned accounts, report says
Twitter is making millions of dollars from just a handful of some of its most infamous users, according to a new report. New research from the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) estimates that Twitter “will generate up to $ 19 million a year in advertising revenue” from just 10 accounts that were once banned from the platform.
The report looked at the current engagement with 10 accounts that were previously banned for “ for “publishing hateful content and dangerous conspiracies.” The accounts were reinstated after Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter. The group includes a number of high-profile accounts associated with extremism and conspiracy theories, including those belonging to influencer Andrew Tate, Daily Stormer founder Andrew Anglin, prominent antivaxxer Robert Malone and the Gateway Pundit.
In order to estimate their reach and engagement, CCDH analyzed nearly 10,000 tweets from these accounts during a 47-day period in December and January. According to their analysis, “on an average day, tweets from the ten accounts received a combined total of 54 million impressions,” they write. “Projecting this average across 365 days, the accounts can be expected to reach nearly 20 billion impressions over the course of a year.”
In order to determine how much ad revenue those impressions might generate for Twitter, CCDH says it created three new Twitter accounts that followed only the 10 users named in the report. The authors found that ads appeared about once every 6.7 tweets. Then, using data from analytics firm Brandwatch, which estimates that “Twitter ads cost an average of $ 6.46 per 1,000 impressions,” CCDH came up with “a total figure of up to $ 19 million in estimated annual ad revenues across the accounts.”
While the estimates aren’t a precise accounting of how much Twitter might be making from these users, it demonstrates how valuable a small number of highly polarizing accounts can be for the platform. It also underscores how much more Twitter stands to gain by bringing back even more controversial users.
All of the accounts named in the report were once permanently banned from twitter, but were reinstated after Musk said he would offer “general amnesty” to users who hadn’t broken the law. Twitter also recently announced plans to allow even more previously banned users to appeal their suspensions.
At the same time, Twitter’s advertising business has taken a major hit since Musk’s takeover. A number of high profile advertisers have pulled back from the platform, and revenue is down as much as 40 percent, according to reporting fromPlatformer.
The report also points out several instances when ads from prominent advertisers appeared adjacent to offensive and inflammatory posts from these users. For example, a Prime Video ad directly underneath a tweet from Andrew Anglin that states “the only career a woman is actually capable of on merit is prostitution.” The report also highlights an ad from the NFL, which appeared directly underneath a tweet misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines.
“This work confirms that Twitter has been displaying ads next to every one of the toxic accounts we have investigated, despite the fact that the individuals behind them are known to promote hateful views and falsehoods,” CCDH writes.
Spotify’s ‘Exclude from your Taste Profile’ keeps Elmo out of your daily mixes
Spotify is launching a new feature today called Exclude from your Taste Profile. As its name suggests, it lets you choose playlists — perhaps those played by a child or other family member — that you don’t want affecting your personalized recommendations.
The company says the feature “reduces the impact” the playlists have on your recommended content. So if your child loves jamming out to “Elmo’s Favorite Elmo Songs!” ad nauseam, the new feature should help you avoid hearing similar children’s tunes in your Daily Mix playlists and other algorithmically generated content. (Although we wouldn’t fault you for putting on “Brushy Brush!” while cleaning those pearly whites.)
Exclude from your Taste Profile only works with playlists — not albums or individual songs. Spotify says liked songs within those playlists will still affect your recommendations, so it may be wise to ask family members to ease up on the heart button. The changes will apply retroactively, excluding past and future listens of the unwanted playlists from your recommendations.
Spotify is rolling out the feature “starting today,” suggesting you may not see it immediately. The feature will work on iOS, Android, desktop and the web. Once available, you can exclude music by selecting a playlist, tapping the three-dot menu near the top and selecting “Exclude from your Taste Profile.” In addition, the company says you can turn the feature off at any time using the same process.
Senator asks Apple and Google to ban TikTok from their app stores
TikTok is facing yet another call from a prominent lawmaker for the app’s ban, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet, a Democrat who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee, sent a letter to Apple and Google urging the companies to ban TikTok from their respective app stores.
In the letter, Bennet says that “TikTok, in its current form, [is] an unacceptable threat to the national security of the United States.” The letter, addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, repeats many of the same points that have been raised by other lawmakers seeking to ban the app.
Specifically, Bennet raises the possibility that TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, could be compelled to “use its influence to advance Chinese government interests,” via TikTok. “Like most social media platforms, TikTok collects vast and sophisticated data from its users, including faceprints and voiceprints,” Bennet writes. “Unlike most social media platforms, TikTok poses a unique concern because Chinese law obligates ByteDance, its Beijing-based parent company, to ‘support, assist, and cooperate with state intelligence work.’”
TikTok has long denied that such scenarios could play out, and has attempted to downplay its ties to China. In a statement to CNN the company said Bennet’s letter “relies almost exclusively on misleading reporting about TikTok, the data we collect, and our data security controls.”
Apple and Google didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
While it seems unlikely either company would take such a drastic step based on a letter from one senator, it highlights the mounting pressure and scrutiny on TkTok. The company has spent the last two years negotiating with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) in order to secure its ability to continue to operate in the US. But that process is reportedly stalled, and the company has been waging a new charm offensive in an attempt to win over critics.
TikTok has also been sharing more details around its partnership with Oracle to safeguard US user data and comply with US regulators’ concerns. But lawmakers seem to be in no rush to let TikTok off the hook. The app has already been banned from federal devices, and numerous state governments have passed bans of their own. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew is scheduled to testify at his first Congressional hearing next month,
Federal prosecutors ask court to bar Sam Bankman-Fried from using Signal
US prosecutors have asked a federal court to tighten Sam Bankman-Fried’s bail conditions to prevent the disgraced entrepreneur from contacting his former colleagues. According to court documents seen by The New York Times, lawyers from the Department of Justice allege Bankman-Fried tried messaging the general counsel of FTX’s US arm over Signal and email earlier this month. The communication was “suggestive of an effort to influence Witness-1’s potential testimony,” the filing states.
“I would really love to reconnect and see if there’s a way for us to have a constructive relationship, use each other as resources when possible, or at least vet things with each other,” says one message Bankman-Fried sent, according to the Justice Department. The DOJ has asked the judge overseeing Bankman-Fried’s criminal case to bar him from contacting current and former FTX employees, as well as using Signal or any other encrypted or ephemeral messaging app. Following the request, SBF’s legal team accused federal prosecutors of trying to paint their client in the “worst possible light.” They claim Bankman-Fried tried contacting the general counsel of FTX US and CEO John Ray to offer “assistance,” not to interfere with his criminal case. His lawyers also claim a Signal ban isn’t necessary since Bankman-Fried is not using the app’s auto-delete feature.
Prosecutors allege SBF’s use of Signal is consistent with “a history” of using the app to hide his dealings at FTX. Prior to FTX’s implosion in November, Bankman-Fried and former Alameda Research CEO Caroline Ellison were reportedly part of a secret “Wirefraud” group chat on Signal. During his tenure at the exchange, SBF also allegedly directed employees to enable Signal’s disappearing messages feature.
Google AI can create music in any genre from a text description
Never mind ChatGPT — music might be the next big frontier for AI content generation. Google recently published research on MusicLM, a system that creates music in any genre with a text description. This isn't the first AI music generator. As TechCrunchnotes, projects like Google's AudioML and OpenAI's Jukebox have tackled the subject. However, MusicLM's model and vast training database (280,000 hours of music) help it produce music with surprising variety and depth. You might just like the output.
The AI can not only combine genres and instruments, but write tracks using abstract concepts that are normally difficult for computers to grasp. If you want a hybrid of dance music and reggaeton with a "spacey, otherworldly" tune that evokes a "sense of wonder and awe," MusicLM can make it happen. The technology can even craft melodies based on humming, whistling or the description of a painting. A story mode can stitch several descriptions together to produce a DJ set or soundtrack.
MusicLM has its problems, as with many AI generators. Some compositions sound strange, and vocals tend to be incomprehensible. And while the performances themselves are better than you'd expect, they can be repetitive in ways human works might not. Don't expect an EDM-style drop or the verse-chorus-verse pattern of a typical song.
Just don't plan on using the tech any time soon. As with other Google AI generators, the researchers aren't releasing MusicLM to the public over copyright concerns. Roughly one percent of the music produced at the time of publication was copied directly from the training songs. While questions regarding licensing for AI music haven't been settled, a 2021 whitepaper from Eric Sunray (now working for the Music Publishers Association) suggested that there's enough "coherent" traces of the original sounds that AI music can violate reproduction rights. You may have to get clearances to release AI-created songs, much like musicians who rely on samples.
AI already has a place in music. Artists like Holly Herndon and Arca have used algorithms to produce albums and museum soundtracks. However, those are either collaborative (as with Herndon) or intentionally unpredictable (like Arca's). MusicLM may not be ready for prime time, but it hints at a future where AI could play a larger role in the studio.
Jail threats stop AI ‘robot lawyer’ from making its debut in court
Joshua Browder, the CEO of New York startup DoNotPay, recently announced that his company's AI will represent a defendant fighting a traffic ticket in the courtroom on February 22nd. "[H]istory will be made," Browder wrote in his tweet. "DoNotPay A.I will whisper in someone's ear exactly what to say. We will release the results and share more after it happens," he added. We may never know how the "robot lawyer" will fare in court, though, because a few days later, Browder announced that DoNotPay is postponing its court case after he received threats of jail time from state bar prosecutors if he goes through with his plan.
The CEO told NPR that multiple state bar associations had threatened his company, and one even said he could be imprisoned for six months. He told the media organization: "Even if it wouldn't happen, the threat of criminal charges was enough to give it up. The letters have become so frequent that we thought it was just a distraction and that we should move on." While the State Bar of California refused to talk about DoNoPay's situation, it told NPR that it has a duty to investigate potential instances of unauthorized law practice.
Browder originally created DoNoPay as a free AI-powered chatbot that can help you draft letters and fill out forms for various legal matters. The company's "robot lawyer" is powered by several AI text generators, including ChatGPT and DaVinci, re-trained to know the law. A defendant using the technology in court would have worn smart glasses to record the court proceedings, as well as a headset that would give the AI a way to tell them what to say.
As CBS News said in a previous report, though, the tech isn't legal in most courtrooms. Also, in some states, all parties must consent to being recorded. That's why of the 300 cases DoNotPay looked at, only two were viable candidates. In the end, Browder decided to put off the company's court ambitions and to focus on using AI to help people with issues related to consumer rights, specifically lowering medical bills, cancelling subscriptions and disputing credit reports, among others.
NPR said, however, that the CEO is still hoping that artificial intelligence could eventually help people in the courtroom. "The truth is, most people can't afford lawyers. This could've shifted the balance and allowed people to use tools like ChatGPT in the courtroom that maybe could've helped them win cases," he told the organization.
Specifically, lowering medical bills, cancelling subscriptions, disputing credit reports, among other things, with A.l. I think it's very important for companies to stay focused. Unlike courtroom drama, these types of cases can be handled online, are simple and are underserved.
— Joshua Browder (@jbrowder1) January 25, 2023
Strap a Fitbit to your wrist on the cheap with these deals — from $80
Grab the chance to buy a Fitbit wearable device with a discount as certain models such as the Fitbit Charge 5 and Fitbit Sense 2 have had their prices slashed.
Digital Trends
Google decouples some Android accessibility features from OS updates
Google has broken out some Android accessibility features into a separate app. Switch Access has graduated from the Android Accessibility Suite and it's now available through the Play Store. Offering Switch Access features via a separate app could allow Google to roll out more frequent updates instead of having to do so at the OS level.
The move could also let Google offer Switch Access features on older devices too. The app is available on 2017's Android 8 (aka Android Oreo) and later.
Switch Access enables users to operate their phone or tablet using means other than the touchscreen, as Android Police notes. They can use the front-facing camera to control the phone with face gestures or external devices such as a keyboard or buttons connected via USB or Bluetooth. The on-board volume buttons can be used to control other aspects of your phone too.
Users can set up one or more switches (i.e. the front-facing camera and/or other devices) through the app. They'll be able to define how the app scans their screen for actions they're able to carry out. The app can move between all items one at a time, scan a single row at a time or select a location on the screen using moving lines.
Switch Access can also assign groups of actions to different switches. Press the corresponding switch for the color around the action you want to access, then keep narrowing things down until you get to the correct element. As 9To5 Google points out, once you select an item, several interaction options will be available, such as select, scroll, copy and paste. A menu at the top of the screen provides access to system-wide settings, notifications, the home screen and a way to record shortcuts for frequent and more complex actions.
To get started with Switch Access, go to the titular menu in the device's accessibility settings. The Switch Access app is free to download from the Play Store too.
The Morning After: Microsoft’s VALL-E AI can replicate a voice from a three-second sample
Microsoft’s latest research in text-to-speech AI centers on a new AI model, VALL-E. While there are already multiple services that can create copies of your voice, they usually demand substantial input. Microsoft claims its model can simulate someone’s voice from just a three-second audio sample. The speech can match both the timbre and emotional tone of the speaker – even the acoustics of a room. It could one day be used for customized or high-end text-to-speech applications, but like deepfakes, there are risks of misuse.
Researchers trained VALL-E on 60,000 hours of English language speech from 7,000-plus speakers in Meta’s Libri-Light audio library. The results aren’t perfect: Some are tinny machine-like samples, while others are surprisingly realistic.
Microsoft isn’t making the code open source, possibly due to the inherent risks. In the paper, the company said: “Since VALL-E could synthesize speech that maintains speaker identity, it may carry potential risks in misuse of the model, such as spoofing voice identification or impersonating.”
We’ve all seen the 1992 movie Sneakers, right? Right?!
– Mat Smith
The biggest stories you might have missed
-
Samsung’s first Unpacked event of 2023 takes place February 1st
-
Hyundai managed to put its ‘crab-walking’ e-Corner technology into an Ioniq EV
-
What an ‘oddball’ star in the Cygnus cluster can teach us about how masers are made
-
DJI’s lightweight RS 3 Mini camera stabilizer is designed to be used with one hand
-
‘TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge’ hits iOS and Android as a Netflix mobile exclusive
Amazon expands Prime shipping to more shopping sites
But you’ll need a Prime subscription.
Amazon is expanding Prime to cover more of the web. The company says it’s making Buy with Prime “widely available” to eligible third-party sites in the US on January 31st. More shops can offer free shipping, streamlined checkout and simplified returns to Prime members. The theoretical advantages are clear: You get products with less hassle, while stores are more likely to turn visitors into paying customers. Amazon, meanwhile, is hoping to boost interest in Prime subscriptions. The catch, of course, is you have to pay for that pesky Prime sub.
NASA funds ideas and prototypes for future space exploration
Including a Titan seaplane and faster deep space travel.
NASA is handing out $ 175,000 initial study grants to 14 new projects potentially useful for missions in and beyond the solar system. TitanAir might be the most unusual one: a seaplane from Planet Enterprises’ Quinn Morley that could fly through the nitrogen-and-methane atmosphere of Saturn’s biggest moon, Titan, and sail its oceans.
MIT’s Mary Knapp has proposed a deep space observatory that would use a swarm of thousands of tiny satellites to detect low-frequency radio emissions from the early universe, and UCLA’s Artur Davoyan’s idea could speed up exploration at the outer edges of space. His design would propel spacecraft with a “pellet-beam” of microscopic particles traveling at very high speed (over 74 miles per second) using laser blasts.
The first-ever UK space flight fails to reach orbit
Virgin Orbit said the rocket suffered an anomaly that prevented it from reaching its destination.
Meanwhile, the UK’s first efforts at space flight have ended in failure. Virgin Orbit’s historic Start Me Up mission launched from Spaceport Cornwall on January 9th as planned, but it failed to reach orbit. Apparently, the company tweeted, because of “an anomaly.” The mission carried payload satellites from seven commercial and government customers. They include a joint UK–US project called CIRCE (Coordinated Ionospheric Reconstruction CubeSat Experiment) and two CubeSats for the UK’s Ministry of Defense. As noted by Ars Technica, this failure could have a huge impact on the company, which is struggling to launch enough missions to break even.
Apple may use in-house wireless chips in iPhones by 2025
Broadcom and Qualcomm may get the boot very soon.
Bloomberg sources claim Apple is not only prepping its first cellular modem (now slated for late 2024 or early 2025) but also a combination of Bluetooth and WiFi chips to replace the Broadcom chip currently handling those duties in iPhones. While the exact reasoning for the transition wasn’t mentioned, it’s no secret Apple started designing its own silicon across multiple products.
Getting more IAP payment requests from your Family Group on the Play Store? This is why.
If there’s one thing we do not need it’s being nagged to fork out extra dough to pay for some digital item that offers a similar investment value to a chocolate frying pan. While parents already have the ability to approve or decline purchases made via the family payment method in the Play Store, Google […]
Come comment on this article: Getting more IAP payment requests from your Family Group on the Play Store? This is why.
Twitter appears to be blocking Google Voice numbers from SMS authentication
Twitter appears to have cut off Google Voice numbers from two-factor authentication (2FA). Although it's hardly the first company to block virtual phone numbers from SMS authentication, the change could be connected to CEO Elon Musk’s aggressive moves to snuff out bot accounts from the platform.
The new behavior, reported by 9to5Google, appears to block users from using a Google Voice number to authenticate their accounts. (I tried it today, and it rejected my Google Voice number.) Further, users previously authenticated with Google Voice could find themselves locked out of their accounts. Engadget reached out to Google to confirm, and we’ll update the story if we hear back. Twitter no longer has a PR department.
Since buying Twitter and taking over as CEO (a title he now says he’ll abandon once he finds a successor), Musk has been vocal about vanquishing bots from the platform. Earlier this month, Platformerreported the company blocked traffic from 30 mobile carriers worldwide — including networks in Russia, Indonesia, India and Malaysia. The move cut off access for thousands of accounts, including legitimate ones using those wireless carriers for 2FA. Musk accused the carriers of initiating the bogus texts to inflate what Twitter owed them contractually for SMS.
That report didn’t mention Google Voice, but anyone with a Gmail account can set up a free Google Voice number, making it an easy authentication tool for bots, scammers and spammers. Although it’s tempting to lump this move together with Musk’s seemingly erratic overhauls since taking over, it’s standard practice for apps ranging from financial institutions to dating apps to bar virtual numbers from 2FA.
If you set up your Twitter account with Google Voice authentication, you should be able to change the number without contacting support. You can go to Twitter Settings > Security and Account Access > Security > Two-Factor Authentication to remove that number and add your primary carrier line.
‘Judas’ is the first project from BioShock creator Ken Levine’s Ghost Story Games
Ghost Story Games has revealed its first title nearly six years after BioShock creator Ken Levine founded the studio. A trailer for Judas debuted at The Game Awards and while it's not an actual BioShock game, it draws from that series' art style. It's also a first-person shooter in which it looks like you can wield elemental powers.
You play as the titular Judas, a "mysterious and troubled" character who is stuck on a starship that's falling apart. According to a description on the game's Steam page, "your only hope for survival is to make or break alliances with your worst enemies."
Bloomberg reported earlier this year that the game had been stuck in development hell for several years amid multiple reboots and Levine changing the direction of the project multiple times. But Levine suggested back in 2015 that his next game would be a sci-fi first-person shooter, and Judas at least fits that bill. There's no release window as yet.
Meanwhile, there is a BioShock game in development at a separate Take-Two studio. But this is not that. Judas is definitely not a BioShock game.
Check out these Black Friday deals from Cricket Wireless and its brand-new tablet add-on
Cricket Wireless is here with a bunch of handy Black Friday deals and a new tablet plan that lets you connect up to four tablets to selected unlimited plans for an additional $ 15 monthly. The carrier’s Black Friday deals include free phones when activating a $ 60 unlimited plan, with options for both Android and iOS […]
Come comment on this article: Check out these Black Friday deals from Cricket Wireless and its brand-new tablet add-on
The Realme 10 is official with a 90Hz AMOLED display, 50MP main camera, and audio jack from $229
Realme is a brand that has been pretty quiet over the past few months but now we have news that it’s launched a new budget-minded handset. Called the Realme 10, the new phone is powered by the Helio G99 chipset, a 90Hz AMOLED display, and 33W fast charging, all for $ 229. Besides being powered by […]
Come comment on this article: The Realme 10 is official with a 90Hz AMOLED display, 50MP main camera, and audio jack from $ 229
[Promoted] Bluetti’s AC500 Home Backup System goes on sale from November 25th
Having crowdfunded $ 11 million for its Indiegogo campaign, Bluetti’s AC500 Home Backup will hit the shelves on the brand’s online store and on Amazon on November 25. The AC500 Home Backup System lets you run your home’s appliances during power outages and can help you save on your electricity bills by storing energy in the […]
Come comment on this article: [Promoted] Bluetti’s AC500 Home Backup System goes on sale from November 25th
How to remove watch links from the strap on your new watch
If your new smartwatch has a metal link strap, you most likely need to remove watch links from it so it fits. It’s easy with the right tools and our guide.
Digital Trends
Best Prime Day Deals: Top picks from the October Prime Day sale
Prime Day deals are officially returning in October and here’s what to expect for the year’s second-biggest sales event.
Mobile | Digital Trends
Google’s Pixel Watch is finally here and ready to pre-order from $349
A lot of words have been written about the Pixel Watch over the years, most of which concerned rumors and the subsequent non-appearance of Google’s own smartwatch during launch events. Finally, in the year 2022, Google has finally launched the Pixel Watch which is powered by a four-year old chipset and features a somewhat dated […]
Come comment on this article: Google’s Pixel Watch is finally here and ready to pre-order from $ 349
What to expect from Google’s October 6 event: Pixel 7, Pixel Watch, and more
Google is holding a big fall event next week, and it’s expected to be bigger than usual, with the next-generation Pixel 7 lineup and Google’s first Pixel Watch.
Android | Digital Trends
How to transfer your SIM from an Android phone to an iPhone 14
Apple’s move to eSIM on the iPhone 14 isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Here’s how to get your SIM transferred over if you’re coming from an Android phone.
Android | Digital Trends
[Promoted] How to Recover Deleted Files from Android without Root
Did you know that there are over 5 billion smartphone users worldwide, out of which 75% are Android users? That makes a whopping 3.75 billion users! With Android dominating the smartphone market worldwide, it is common for users to face data loss issues, whether accidental, due to a bug, or problems with the memory card. Regardless […]
Come comment on this article: [Promoted] How to Recover Deleted Files from Android without Root
‘Allo’ beckons to Google Duo from the graveyard as Google Meet gets ready to take its place
In this latest example of Google’s complicated rebranding fetish, the Duo app is set to be incorporated into the Google Meet app, with notifications of “Duo is getting even better” being sent out. This rebranding means that Duo will get all of Google Meet’s features before the two apps become one app which will be […]
Come comment on this article: ‘Allo’ beckons to Google Duo from the graveyard as Google Meet gets ready to take its place
The ASUS Zenfone 9 is official – a compact smartphone with flagship credentials from $699/€800
There aren’t many options in the compact flagship segment but the newly announced Zenfone 9 from Asus is certainly one to consider with its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, up to 16GB RAM, a 120Hz AMOLED display, and a 50MP main camera which has gimbal stabilization and OIS. All this for a price tag starting […]
Come comment on this article: The ASUS Zenfone 9 is official – a compact smartphone with flagship credentials from $ 699/€800
The Pixel 6a is available at AT&T from as little as $2 monthly
Time for some more Pixel 6a news and this time it’s AT&T which is offering well-qualified customers both new and existing the chance to get Google’s latest A-series smartphone for as little as $ 2 monthly starting July 28th. We’ve got more details for you after the break. It’s a limited time deal, where you’ll need […]
Come comment on this article: The Pixel 6a is available at AT&T from as little as $ 2 monthly
Snag free Pixel Buds A-Series Earbuds when you pre-order the Pixel 6a from the Google Store or Amazon
Last year’s Pixel 5a was something of a snoozefest when it came to its design but this year Google has aligned its new affordable handset’s design with that of the premium Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. With pre-orders for the Pixel 6a live with a reasonable price tag of $ 449/£399, it would seem that Google […]
Come comment on this article: Snag free Pixel Buds A-Series Earbuds when you pre-order the Pixel 6a from the Google Store or Amazon
Here’s what a photo from a 200MP smartphone camera looks like
The Motorola X30 Pro (aka. the Edge 30 Ultra) boasts an impressive camera, but now that we’ve seen a sample image taken by it, it’s looking better and better.
Mobile | Digital Trends
Verizon’s affordable new Welcome Unlimited plan offers unlimited 5G from $30 monthly
With gas and other bills getting more expensive, Verizon’s new Welcome Unlimited plan could offer you a way of both saving and making some cash. The new plan offers unlimited 5G data, text, and calls with prices starting from $ 30 plus a $ 240 e-gift card from Verizon when you switch to the plan using your […]
Come comment on this article: Verizon’s affordable new Welcome Unlimited plan offers unlimited 5G from $ 30 monthly
The best fitness trackers from Fitbit, Apple, and more in 2022
Looking for your first fitness tracker or an upgrade to the one you’re wearing? Here are our picks for the best fitness trackers that are available right now.
Wearables | Digital Trends
Switching from iOS to an Android phone just got way more convenient
Google’s handy Switch to Android app finally works with other Android phones other than Pixels.
Android | Digital Trends
Amazon’s new pitch: let Alexa speak as your relatives from beyond the grave
At Amazon’s Re:Mars conference, Alexa’s senior vice-president Rohit Prasad exhibited a startling new voice assistant capability: the supposed ability to mimic voices. So far, there's no timeline whatsoever as to when or if this feature will be released to the public.
Stranger still, Amazon framed this copycatting ability as a way to commemorate lost loved ones. It played a demonstration video in which Alexa read to a child in the voice of his recently deceased grandmother. Prasad stressed that the company was seeking ways to make AI as personal as possible. “While AI can’t eliminate that pain of loss, he said, "it can definitely make the memories last.” An Amazon spokesperson told Engadget that the new skill can create a synthetic voiceprint after being trained on as little as a minute of audio of the individual it's supposed to be replicating.
Security experts have long held concerns that deep fake audio tools, which use text-to-speech technology to create synthetic voices, would pave the way for a flood of new scams. Voice cloning software has enabled a number of crimes, such as a 2020 incident in the United Arab Emirates where fraudsters fooled a bank manager into transferring $ 35 million after they impersonated a company director. But deep fake audio crimes are still relatively unusual, and the tools available to scammers are, for now, relatively primitive.
[Deal] Save up to $55 on these Wear OS-powered smartwatches from Mobvoi
There’s still time to grab a neat present for your Dad this Father’s Day with Mobvoi discounting a pair of its Wear OS-powered TicWatch smartwatches by 18-20% which translates into savings of $ 55 and $ 40, depending on the model you choose. The top of the line TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS can be had for […]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Save up to $ 55 on these Wear OS-powered smartwatches from Mobvoi
The first 100 units of Nothing’s Phone (1) will go on auction on StockX from June 21st
Besides showing off its fancy rear panel with glowing lights to a private audience during Art Basel in Switzerland, Nothing also announced when the Phone (1) will first be available to purchase, at least the first one hundred units anyway. First, we have a video showing off the flashing lights on the phone’s rear panel […]
Come comment on this article: The first 100 units of Nothing’s Phone (1) will go on auction on StockX from June 21st
You can finally move your WhatsApp chats from Android to iOS
After years of patiently waiting, WhatsApp users finally have the tools to help users move their chats from Android to iOS.
Android | Digital Trends
Your Verizon bill will be more expensive from June 16th onwards
Verizon must have heard you saying that you had way too much disposable cash the other day (well someone must have said it) and has responded by announcing that it’s going to increase your bill starting from June 16th onwards. Why? Well, it’s because the carrier is following the trend or its execs can’t afford […]
Come comment on this article: Your Verizon bill will be more expensive from June 16th onwards
‘Zenless Zone Zero’ is a new action RPG from the studio behind ‘Genshin Impact’
Genshin Impact developer Hoyoverse is working on a new project. On Friday, the studio shared the first trailer for Zenless Zone Zero, an action RPG set in a modern urban setting. Reminiscent of titles like The World Ends With You and Scarlett Nexus, the game pits players against Ethereal, monstrous creatures borne from another dimension. In a nod to Neon Genesis Evangelion, the action takes place in New Eridu, one of the few cities to survive the devastation wrought by the Ethereal.
As a “Proxy,” you’ll need to organize a disparate party of characters to battle the monsters. Hoyoverse hasn’t explicitly said how it plans to monetize Zenless Zone Zero, but it sounds like the game will employ a similar system to the one found in Genshin Impact. In other words, expect to use real-world money to improve your chances at obtaining some of the game’s most powerful party members. Zenless Zone Zero does not have a release date yet, but you can sign up to take part in the game’s closed iOS and PC beta by visiting its official website.
Leaked images reveal Motorola’s 3rd-gen Razr design takes inspiration from the Galaxy Z Flip
As most other brands have either already announced or are rumored to be planning the release of foldable smartphones, Motorola is lining up the third generation of its Razr foldable which apparently goes under the codename ‘Maven’. The new clamshell from Motorola will feature flagship specifications and is reportedly scheduled for a ‘summer release’. According […]
Come comment on this article: Leaked images reveal Motorola’s 3rd-gen Razr design takes inspiration from the Galaxy Z Flip
WhatsApp is adding the option to hide your ‘Last Seen’ status from specific contacts
This week, WhatsApp began rolling out emoji reactions. And it looks like the company could soon implement another overdue feature. With the latest beta release of its iOS app, WhatsApp has added an option that allows users to limit specific individuals from seeing their “Last Scene” status, according to WABetaInfo.
If you’re not familiar with that part of WhatsApp, it’s the feature that indicates when someone last checked the app, and it’s a way to find out if a contact may have potentially seen your message even if they have read receipts turned off. For a while now, WhatsApp has allowed you to limit who sees your status to only your contacts. You can also disable the feature altogether, but you haven’t had the ability to prevent specific individuals from seeing that information.
However, WhatsApp iOS beta version 22.9.0.70 adds a new “My Contacts Except…” option under the Last Seen section of the app’s privacy settings. According to WABetaInfo, adding an individual to that list also prevents you from seeing their status. The outlet says WhatsApp is also implementing more granular privacy controls for both profile photos and about sections. With the feature now in beta testing on both Android and iOS, it likely won’t be long until it’s officially available in WhatsApp.
How to download movies and shows from Amazon Prime Video
Amazon allows users to download select movies and shows, assuming you live in certain territories. Here’s how to get started, regardless of what device you use.
Mobile | Digital Trends
Twitter’s Unmentioning experiment will let you remove yourself from unwanted conversations
So, you made the mistake of posting a tweet and now your Twitter handle is being quoted with every reply and quote, even though the conversation has changed topic entirely. Until now you’ve had no recourse other than sucking it up and ignoring the tens or hundreds of notifications or perhaps taking the nuclear option […]
Come comment on this article: Twitter’s Unmentioning experiment will let you remove yourself from unwanted conversations
Plex’s new global search will let you find and save content from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney, and more to a single Watchlist
Subscribing to multiple streaming services means dealing with multiple watchlists and searching them individually to find that movie you want to watch but Plex may well have the answer to this particular problem. Plex has added a brand new feature called ‘Discover’ that will let you search your favorite streaming services such as Disney+, HBO […]
Come comment on this article: Plex’s new global search will let you find and save content from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney, and more to a single Watchlist
T-Mobile, Sprint, and Metro customers can snag a free season of MLB TV for Mobile from April 5th
We all know that there’s no such thing as a free lunch but when you are already paying for a service it’s always good to get an extra benefit for no extra charge. As they’ve done for a number of years now, T-Mobile is giving its customers free access to MLB TV for Mobile for […]
Come comment on this article: T-Mobile, Sprint, and Metro customers can snag a free season of MLB TV for Mobile from April 5th