Posts Tagged: service

Mint Mobile free trial: Get a week of free cellular service

The Mint Mobile free trial allows you to test drive its wireless network absolutely free. Find out more here.
Digital Trends

UK government wants to use AI to cut civil service jobs

The two primary fears around AI are that the information these systems produce is gibberish, and that it’ll unjustly take jobs away from people who won’t make such sloppy mistakes. But the UK’s current government is actively promoting the use of AI to do the work normally done by civil servants, including drafting responses to parliamentary inquiries, the Financial Times reports.

UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden is set to unveil a “red box” tool that can allegedly absorb and summarize information from reputable sources, like the parliamentary record. A separate instrument is also being trialed that should work similarly but with individual responses to public consultations. While it’s unclear how quickly the AI tool can perform this work, Dowden claims it takes three months with 25 civil servants. However, the drafts would allegedly always be double-checked by a human and include sourcing. 

The Telegraph quoted Dowden arguing that implementing AI technology is critical to cutting civil service jobs — something he wants to do. “It really is the only way, I think, if we want to get on a sustainable path to headcount reduction. Remember how much the size of the Civil Service has grown as a result of the pandemic and, and EU exit preparedness. We need to really embrace this stuff to drive the numbers down.” Dowden’s statement aligns with hopes from his boss, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to use technology to increase government productivity — shockingly, neither person has offered to save money by giving AI their job. 

Dowden does show some restraint against having AI do everything. In a pre-speech briefing, he noted that the government wouldn’t use AI for any “novel or contentious or highly politically sensitive areas.” At the same time, the Cabinet Office’s AI division is set to grow from 30 to 70 employees and to get a new budget of £110 million ($ 139.1 million), up from £5 million ($ 6.3 million).

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/uk-government-wants-to-use-ai-to-cut-civil-service-jobs-140031159.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

The best VPN service for 2024

Virtual private networks (VPNs) promise the potential to stream any content, from anywhere. They unlock content from abroad across nearly any streaming platform you use regularly, which can come in handy if you’re into some obscure BBC exclusive not available in the United States. But that’s actually just one small perk of VPN services. VPNs provide a private traffic tunnel to keep your internet service provider out of your business, and provide an extra layer of security to protect your browsing habits. We tested nine of today’s most popular VPNs to help you find the best option for your needs.

What is a VPN?

VPNs, or virtual private networks, mask your IP address and the identity of your computer or mobile device on the network and creating an encrypted “tunnel” that prevents your internet service provider (ISP) from accessing data about your browsing history. VPNs are not a one-size-fits-all security solution, though.

Instead, they’re just one part of keeping your data private and secure. Roya Ensafi, assistant professor of computer science and engineering at the University of Michigan, told Engadget that VPNs don’t protect against common threats like phishing attacks, nor do they protect your data from being stolen. Much of the data or information is stored with the VPN provider instead of your ISP, which means that using a poorly designed or unprotected network can still undermine your security. But they do come in handy for online privacy when you’re connecting to an untrusted network somewhere public because they tunnel and encrypt your traffic to the next hop.

That means sweeping claims that seem promising, like military-grade encryption or total digital invisibility, may not be totally accurate. Instead, Yael Grauer, program manager of Consumer Reports’ online security guide, recommends looking for security features like open-source software with reproducible builds, up-to-date support for industry-standard protocols like WireGuard (CR’s preferred protocol) or IPsec, and the ability to defend against attack vectors like brute force.

Understand your VPN needs

Before considering a VPN, make sure your online security is up to date in other ways. That means complex passwords, multi-factor authentication methods and locking down your data sharing preferences. Even then, you probably don’t need to be using a VPN all the time.

“If you’re just worried about somebody sitting there passively and looking at your data then a VPN is great,” Jed Crandall, an associate professor at Arizona State University, told Engadget.

If you use public WiFi networks a lot, like while working at a coffee shop, then VPN usage can help give you private internet access. They’re also helpful for hiding information from other people on your ISP if you don’t want members of your household to know what you’re up to online.

Geoblocking has also become a popular use case as it helps you reach services in other parts of the world. For example, you can access shows that are only available on streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime, in other countries, or play online games with people located all over the globe.

Are VPNs worth it?

Whether or not VPNs are worth it depends how often you could use it for the above use cases. If you travel a lot and rely on public WiFi or hotspots, are looking to browse outside of your home country or want to keep your traffic hidden from your ISP, then investing in a VPN will be useful. But, keep in mind that even the best VPN services often slow down your internet connection speed, so they may not be ideal all the time.

In today’s world, we recommend not relying on a VPN connection as your main cybersecurity tool. VPN use can provide a false sense of security, leaving you vulnerable to attack. Plus, if you choose just any VPN, it may not be as secure as just relying on your ISP. That’s because the VPN could be based in a country with weaker data privacy regulation, obligated to hand information over to law enforcement or linked to weak user data protection policies.

For VPN users working in professions like activism or journalism that want to really strengthen their internet security, options like the Tor browser may be a worthwhile alternative, according to Crandall. Tor is free, and while it’s less user-friendly, it’s built for anonymity and privacy.

How we tested

To test the security specs of different VPNs and name our top picks, we relied on pre-existing academic work through Consumer Reports, VPNalyzer and other sources. We referenced privacy policies, transparency reports and security audits made available to the public. We also considered past security incidents like data breaches.

We looked at price, usage limits, effects on internet speed, possible use cases, ease of use, general functionality and additional “extra” VPN features like multihop. The VPNs were tested across iOS, Android and Mac devices so we could see the state of the mobile apps across various platforms (Windows devices are also supported in most cases). We used the “quick connect” feature on the VPN apps to connect to the “fastest” provider available when testing internet speed, access to IP address data and DNS and WebRTC leaks or when a fault in the encrypted tunnel reveals requests to an ISP.

Otherwise, we conducted a test of geoblocking content by accessing Canada-exclusive Netflix releases, a streaming test by watching a news livestream on YouTube via a Hong Kong-based VPN and a gaming test by playing on servers in the United Kingdom. By performing these tests at the same time, it also allowed us to test claims about simultaneous device use. Here are the VPN services we tested:

Read more: The best password managers for 2023

Other VPN services our experts tested

NordVPN

NordVPN didn’t quite make the cut because it’s overhyped, and underwhelming. As I’ve written in our full review of NordVPN, the pricing, up to $ 14.49 for a “complete” subscription, seemed high compared to other services, and its free or lower cost plans just didn’t have the same wide variety of features as its competitors. 

TunnelBear

Despite the cute graphics and user friendliness, TunnelBear wasn’t a top choice. It failed numerous basic security tests from Consumer Reports, and had limited availability across platforms like Linux. It did, however, get a major security boost in July when it updated to support WireGuard protocol across more of its platforms.

Bitdefender VPN

Bitdefender doesn’t offer support for devices like routers, which limits its cross-platform accessibility. It also lacked a transparency report or third-party audit to confirm security specs.

Atlas VPN

Atlas ranked lower on our speed tests compared to the other VPNs tested, with a notably slower difference on web browsing and streaming tests. It was a good option otherwise, but could easily cause headaches for those chasing high speed connections. Security-wise, an Atlas VPN vulnerability leaked Linux users’ real IP addresses.

FAQs

What are some things VPNs are used for?

VPNs are traditionally used to protect your internet traffic. If you’re connected to an untrusted network like public WiFi in a cafe, using a VPN hides what you do from the internet service provider. Then, the owner of the WiFi or hackers trying to get into the system can’t see the identity of your computer or your browsing history.

A common non-textbook use case for VPNs has been accessing geographically restricted content. VPNs can mask your location, so even if you’re based in the United States, they can make it appear as if you’re browsing abroad and unblock access. This is especially useful for streaming content that’s often limited to certain countries, like if you want to watch Canadian Netflix from the US.

What information does a VPN hide?

A VPN doesn’t hide all of your data. It only hides information like your IP address, location and browser history. A common misconception is that VPNs can make you totally invisible online. But keep in mind that the VPN provider often still has access to all of this information, so it doesn’t grant you total anonymity. You’re also still vulnerable to phishing attacks, hacking and other cyberthreats that you should be mindful of by implementing strong passwords and multi-factor authentication.

Are VPNs safe?

Generally, yes. VPNs are a safe and reliable way to encrypt and protect your internet data. But like most online services, the safety specifics vary from provider to provider. You can use resources like third-party audits, Consumer Reports reviews, transparency reports and privacy policies to understand the specifics of your chosen provider.

What about Google’s One VPN?

As of early 2023, Google One subscriptions include access to the company’s VPN. It works similarly to other VPNs on our list, hiding your online activity from network operators. Google One subscribers can access the VPN in 22 countries on Android, iOS, Windows and Mac devices, and they can share VPN access with up to five people who are on their One plans. We have not fully tested the Google One VPN yet, but we will add it to this list if we feel it is.

Update November 10, 2023: This story was updated after publishing to remove mention of PPTP, a protocol that Consumer Reports’ Yael Grauer notes “has serious security flaws.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-vpn-130004396.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Tidal vs. Spotify: Which music streaming service has the features you need?

Spotify may be king of the streaming music world, but when it comes to audio quality, Tidal offers some big competition. Join us as we compare both platforms.
Digital Trends

Uber could launch a service similar to TaskRabbit

In the future, when you need someone’s help to get a task done, you might find yourself launching the Uber app on your phone. According to Bloomberg, the company is exploring the possibility of offering a new TaskRabbit-like service. Developer Steve Moser found code hidden within Uber’s iPhone app for an offering that’s reportedly codenamed “Chore.” Based on its current iteration, Chore will let you hire “taskers” and will let you specify in the app what you need help with, how long you think it would take and what time you want the tasker to arrive. 

Of course, you’ll be able to input the address of where you want the person to go before you submit your request. Uber will then compute a payment that’s commensurate with the time required to finish the task, but you will have to pay for a minimum of one hour no matter what it is. Bloomberg says the code Moser unearthed didn’t have hints on what types of help you can ask from providers, but the potential service’s rival TaskRabbit has a wide range of categories to choose from. These include cleaning, furniture assembly, electrical help, plumbing, TV mounting, packing and moving, snow removal, computer assistance, pet sitting and even senior care. 

Like any other unconfirmed feature still in development, though, Chore may not even make it to public release. If it does, it’ll be a huge new undertaking for Uber, which is known for its ride-hailing and restaurant delivery services. Over the past months, Uber rolled out Carshare, which lets users borrow cars from private owner, to more locations as part of its efforts to become a zero-emission platform by 2040. It also started testing a toll-free number — 1-833-USE-UBER (1-833-873-8237) — that you can call to schedule an immediate or a future ride.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/uber-could-launch-a-service-similar-to-taskrabbit-133017852.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Google’s Nest Aware subscription service gets a $20 price hike

Google Nest device owners will have to pay at least $ 20 more if they want access to their security cameras’ and doorbells’ more sophisticated features and lengthier footage history. As reported by 9to5Google, the tech giant has sent out notices to subscribers in the US, telling them that the standard Nest Aware subscription now costs $ 8 per month or $ 80 a year, up from $ 6 a month or $ 60 when paid in an annual basis. 

The company started offering whole-home Nest Aware subscription plans that cover all a user’s devices back in 2019. Before that, they’ve had to add a subscription for each of their cameras. The plan gives users access to intelligent motion detection, which can differentiate between several types of activities, dog barking alerts and person speaking alerts. It also gives them access to 30 days of video history with recorded events. Without a subscription, users can only access up to three hours of recording saved on their device. 

The subscription service has a higher tier called Nest Aware Plus, which now costs $ 15 per month or $ 150 a year. That’s up $ 3 a month from $ 12 and up $ 30 a year from $ 120. In addition to all the features offered by the basic plan, the Plus tier also includes access to 10 days of continuous video history and 60 days of video history with recoded events. 

In a page explaining the price hikes, Google said “subscription prices can change to keep up with market shifts, which can include inflation and local tax updates.” The new prices already apply to new subscribers, while old members can expect to pay more on the next bill they receive on or after November 6. Google also reportedly said in its letter that it will notify members outside the US 30 days ahead of any price increase, which means that the price hike could make its way to other territories.  

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-nest-aware-subscription-service-gets-a-20-price-hike-130018980.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Apple’s free My Photo Stream service will shut down on July 26th

Apple plans to shut down its My Photo Stream service on July 26th, 2023, the company announced on Friday. The free service has been available since the release of iCloud in 2011. You can use My Photo Stream to upload the last 30 days of images and videos – up to a limit of 1,000 – from your Apple devices to iCloud. My Photo Stream predates iCloud Photos and gave Apple users a way to access their images and video clips on more than one device. Notably, content uploaded to iCloud through My Photo Stream do not count against your iCloud storage cap, though they’re not saved at full resolution.

In a support document spotted by MacRumors, Apple says My Photo Stream will stop automatically uploading photos to the company’s servers on June 26th, 2023. At that point, your photos and videos will remain on iCloud for 30 days until the official shutdown on July 26th. Since every image and video uploaded to iCloud through My Photo Stream is stored in its original format and resolution on at least one of your Apple devices, you won’t lose any cherished memories as part of the shutdown process. That said, if you want to have access to a specific image on a particular device, Apple recommends you save it to that device’s Photo Library before July 26th.

On iPhone and iPad, you can save an image from your My Photo Stream by opening the Photos app, navigating to the My Photo Stream album, selecting the photo you want to save and then tapping the Share button to save it to your Library. Apple ends the support document by noting, “iCloud Photos is the best way to keep the photos and videos you take up to date across all your devices and safely stored in iCloud.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apples-free-my-photo-stream-service-will-shut-down-on-july-26th-211650923.html?src=rss
Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Apple Music vs. Spotify: Which music streaming service is the best?

Spotify has long been the champ of music streaming, but Apple Music is hot on its heels. Who’s winning the battle between these two music streaming services?
Digital Trends

Meta Verified is a paid verification service for Facebook and Instagram

The rumors were true: Facebook parent company Meta is preparing to launch a Twitter Blue-like subscription called Meta Verified. On Sunday morning, Mark Zuckerberg took to his newly launched broadcast channel to share the news. He said the subscription service would give users a blue badge, additional impersonation protection and direct access to customer support. "This feature is about increasing authenticity and security across our services," Zuckerberg said, adding Meta would test the subscription first in Australia and New Zealand before rolling it out to other countries. Meta Verified will cost $ 15 USD per month when users subscribe through the company's apps on iOS and Android. On the web, where app store commissions don't apply, the service will cost $ 12 USD per month. The subscription will cover both Instagram and Facebook accounts. 

Users will need need to meet certain eligibility requirements before they can sign up for Meta Verified. Specifically, the company told Engadget the subscription will only be available to users 18 years or older. Meta will also require that potential subscribers share a government-issued ID that matches the profile name and photo on their Facebook or Instagram account. Once you're verified, you can't change your profile name, username, date of birth or photo without going through the verification process again. Accounts that were verified before today's announcement due to their notability will remain verified.

Alongside perks like a blue badge and increased visibility in search, Meta will provide Verified subscribers with 100 free stars, a digital currency they can use to tip creators on Facebook. The subscription also comes with access to exclusive stickers for use in Stories and Reels. Rumors that Meta was preparing to trial a paid verification service started to swirl at the beginning of February when reverse engineer Alessandro Paluzzi discovered code referencing "paid blue badge" and "identity verification." On early Sunday morning, social media consultant and former Next Web reporter Matt Navarra found that Meta had published an Instagram support page detailing the subscription, only to later take it down before Zuckerberg's Instagram post.    

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Apple’s pay later service approval might depend on your purchase history

Apple will rely on your previous purchases and spending habits to decide how much it will lend you for its upcoming "buy now, pay later" service, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apparently, the tech giant intends to evaluate your eligibility based on your purchases at its retail stores, your App Store transactions and even the peer-to-peer transfers you've made using Apple Cash. 

Whether or not you've applied for an Apple Card in the past will also reportedly factor into the amount the company will lend you, along with your spending habits using any other card linked to your Apple Pay. The company will take which Apple devices you own into account, as well, Bloomberg says. Apple Financing, the subsidiary the company established last year, is expected to be in charge of conducting customer background checks and loan approvals. 

The tech giant first announced the "buy now, pay later" functionality for Apple Pay at its WWDC event in June 2022 with the intention of launching it later that year. While Apple didn't explain why it didn't arrive with iOS 16 like it originally intended, Gurman said at the time that the delays were caused by "fairly significant technical and engineering challenges in rolling out the service." To test the feature, Apple reportedly gave its retail employees access to it for their own purchases. In Gurman's latest report, he says testers have been seeing loan approvals for as much as $ 1,000. 

When it first announced the pay later offering, Apple said it will give you a way to split the cost of purchases into four equal installments that you can pay over six weeks. That's a short amount of time, but you at least won't incur any additional interest or fees. The company reportedly plans to offer another option later on that would let you pay for larger purchases over several months, though that one will charge you interest on top of the base amount. 

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Google Fiber launches 5Gbps service for $125 per month

Google Fiber is launching the 5Gbps internet plan it began testing in October. The service will initially cover four cities, but Google says the $ 125-per-month service will expand to other areas later this year.

The new plan is available today in Kansas City,West Des Moines and Fiber’s Utah cities. It has symmetrical upload and download rates, an upgraded 10 Gig Fiber Jack (the small box housing the fiber cable’s entrance into your home), professional installation, a WiFi 6 router and up to two mesh network extenders.

Although 5Gbps speeds could be overkill for most households, they could come in handy for creative professionals, gamers or others who need minimal latency or transfer large files frequently. For example, a 150GB Microsoft Flight Simulator download that takes 11 minutes at 2Gbps would only take about three minutes at 6Gbps (under ideal conditions, anyway).

The upgraded speeds are part of Google’s rejuvenated focus on Fiber. The company also recently announced its first network expansion in years. But, perhaps more crucially, it reestablishes Fiber as an industry disrupter pushing competitors to upgrade speeds and lower prices (maybe) on existing plans. Comcast already offers 6Gbps service in some areas, but it costs a whopping $ 300 and doesn’t include symmetrical uploads.

Google also reiterated that Fiber’s 8Gbps option, also announced late last year, is still “coming soon.” That service will also include symmetrical uploads and downloads.

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Mint Mobile Free Trial: Get a week of free cellular service

The Mint Mobile free trial allows you to test drive its wireless network absolutely free. Find out more here.
Digital Trends

Hey Google, let us keep using Stadia controllers after you shut the service down

By now you’ve probably heard that Google is winding down its Stadia game streaming service. We’re not going to rub salt in the wound, but since everyone’s getting full refunds for all of their Stadia purchases and hardware, no one’s coming out of this situation any worse for wear. Right? But what about all those […]

Come comment on this article: Hey Google, let us keep using Stadia controllers after you shut the service down

Visit TalkAndroid

TalkAndroid

Comcast debuts 2Gbps internet service in four states

After nearly two years of testing, Comcast is one step closer to offering multi-gig symmetrical speeds over cable. This week, the company began a new deployment that will allow more than 50 million US households to access its new 2Gbps service by the end of 2025. In a press release spotted by The Verge, Comcast said it would offer multi-gig internet packages in 34 cities across the country before the end of the year, with initial rollouts already underway in Augusta, Colorado Springs, Panama City Beach and Philadelphia.

Even if you don’t sign up for the new Gigabit 2x service, you’ll see an improvement in upload speeds. For instance, in Colorado Springs, Comcast says some tiers offer upload speeds up to 10 times faster than previously possible. The Gigabit 2x plan will initially limit customers to uploading files at 200Mbps. However, starting in 2023, multi-gig symmetrical speeds will be possible, thanks to a technology called DOCSIS 4.0.

Comcast has been transitioning to the standard for the past few years. Once that work is complete, it will have the network in place to offer 10Gbps download speeds and 6Gbps upload speeds on the same connection. In turn, that would allow it to provide symmetrical speeds across many of its cable packages. That’s an area where cable has historically lagged compared to fiber optic internet. 

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Ubisoft’s Rocksmith+ guitar learning service arrives on PC next week

Ubisoft’s Rocksmith+ subscription service will arrive on September 6th, the publisher announced today. Following a nearly year-long delay, the guitar learning platform will be available on PC exclusively through the Ubisoft Store. With 5,000 songs available at lunch, including tunes from Alicia Keys, The Clash and Santana, Ubisoft claims Rocksmith+ will feature the “largest catalog of official songs ever offered in a music learning service.” Additionally, the company has pledged to add “millions” of more tracks in the future.

If you played a previous Rocksmith release or participated in the closed beta, you can take advantage of loyalty pricing. Subscribe for three months upfront and you’ll receive one month free. You can also prepay for a year of service and Ubisoft will give you an additional three months for free. One-, three- and 12-month subscriptions are priced at $ 15, $ 40 and $ 100 per respective billing period.

You will need a way to connect your electric, acoustic or bass guitar to your computer. Your first option is to download the Rocksmith Plus Connect app on an iOS or Android device. It will use your phone’s built-in microphone to detect your playing. Alternatively, you can use Ubisoft’s Rocksmith Real Tone Cable to connect your instrument. The advantage offered by the latter option is that you can add effects to your playing. Ubisoft notes it’s also possible to use a third-party audio interface, but not every single one will work and the company won’t offer you technical support in that case.

Notably, Ubisoft makes no mention of the previously announced PlayStation and Xbox versions of Rocksmith+. It does note, however, that the mobile release will arrive this fall.

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Internet backbone provider Cogent cuts off service to Russia

Cogent Communications, an internet backbone provider that carries approximately 25 percent of all global web traffic, has begun cutting ties with Russian businesses in response to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. The company told The Washington Post it was doing so to prevent the Kremlin from using its network to carry out cyberattacks and spread misinformation about the ongoing conflict.

“Our goal is not to hurt anyone. It’s just to not empower the Russian government to have another tool in their war chest,” Cogent CEO Dave Schaeffer told the outlet, adding “it was a tough decision.” In a statement to ZDNet, the company said it was also complying with European Union sanctions against Russia Today and Sputnik. “Cogent is not otherwise restricting or blocking traffic originating from or destined for Russia. Cogent continues to provide services to Ukraine,” the company added.

The move is expected to disrupt and slow down internet connectivity. Some of Cogent’s Russian clients include state-owned telecom operator Rostelecom, one of the country’s largest internet providers, and wireless carriers Megafon and Veon. Cogent said it was working with some of those companies to provide them extensions.

Some experts worry the move will also prevent Russians from accessing information that doesn’t come from the Kremlin. “I would like to convey to people all over the world that if you turn off the Internet in Russia, then this means cutting off 140 million people from at least some truthful information,” Mikhail Klimarev, the executive director of Russia’s Internet Protection Society, told The Washington Post. “As long as the Internet exists, people can find out the truth. There will be no Internet — all people in Russia will only listen to propaganda.”

To that point, Russians already can’t access Facebook and Twitter after the country’s government moved to restrict those platforms. They may soon lose access to Wikipedia as well.

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

What is Kindle Unlimited? Amazon’s book-borrowing service explained

A Kindle Unlimited subscription grants you access to over 1 million e-books, audiobooks, and magazines. We look at how it works, and whether it’s worth it.
Android | Digital Trends

Instagram is testing in-app notifications for service outages

One week after a massive Facebook outage that took all of the social network’s apps offline for more than six hours, Instagram says it’s testing notifications that will alert users to “temporary issues” like outages or other technical issues.

The new alerts would appear in users’ Activity Feed, alongside other in-app notifications. The messages could be used to let users know about specific issues, like Story uploads not working, or a more widespread problem, like the two outages last week. Importantly, Instagram says it doesn’t plan to alert users to every issue, but ones that may be a source of widespread confusion.

“We won’t send a notification every single time there is an outage, but when we see that people are confused and looking for answers, we’ll determine if something like this could help make things clearer,” Instagram wrote in a blog post. The company added that it’s testing the feature in the US “for the next few months.”

Three phones with the Instagram app's
Instagram

Separately, Instagram also showed off a new “account status” section of its app, which is meant to alert users to “what's going on with your account” more generally. Instagram says it’s starting with notifications about posts that are removed and when an account “is at risk of being disabled” due to rule violations.

According to Instagram, the feature is meant to make it easier for users to understand why a post may have been removed, and whether or not they may be in danger of losing an account altogether. While the app has notified users in the past when a post is labeled or removed, the company hasn’t always done a good job letting people know which policy they violated. The Oversight Board has repeatedly told Facebook it needs to do a better job at explaining rules to users, and account status could help them do just that.

Account status could also help the app address a more Instagram-specific issue: concerns over “shadowbanning.” Instagram says that “in the coming months” it plans to update account status to let people know “how their content is being distributed and recommended across different parts of Instagram.” 

Engadget is a web magazine with obsessive daily coverage of everything new in gadgets and consumer electronics

Amazon’s Luna cloud gaming service gets limited Android rollout

When Amazon launched early access for Luna, it left Android users out in the cold and made the cloud gaming service available on Fire TV, PC, Mac and iOS devices. Now, the e-commerce giant has edited Luna’s compatible devices and browsers list to rev…
Engadget

San Francisco and Alameda drop Verily’s COVID-19 testing service

California’s San Francisco and Alameda (home to Oakland) counties are no longer using Verily’s COVID-19 testing system, according to Kaiser Health News. Verily, an Alphabet-owned health-focused company, signed contracts collectively worth $ 55 million…
Engadget

Amazon Luna is the latest cloud gaming service to launch

We’ve seen how Google, Microsoft, and Nvidia have launched cloud gaming services in the past 18 months with the company from Redmond seemingly having the leg up on its rivals with the recent launch of its Xbox Cloud Gaming service, or xCloud as it was known during its beta program. Well, another tech giant is […]

Come comment on this article: Amazon Luna is the latest cloud gaming service to launch

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

These are all the gaming titles available on Microsoft’s xCloud gaming service

Microsoft’s Project xCloud is official with a rebranding to Xbox Cloud Gaming which sounds just a tad on the clunky side. That is not something that can be said for the product’s launch line-up of gaming titles nor the sheer value for money that the Xbox Cloud Gaming (xCloud) service offers in conjunction with the […]

Come comment on this article: These are all the gaming titles available on Microsoft’s xCloud gaming service

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Microsoft confirm Game Streaming service xCloud launch for September 2020

Microsoft have officially announced the xCloud launch. The Google Stadia rival game streaming service goes live in September. As part of a big update on the future of gaming, Microsoft gave further details on the Xbox Series X and xCloud. In September, the xCloud service will go live for current Game Pass Ultimate subscribers ($ 15 […]

Come comment on this article: Microsoft confirm Game Streaming service xCloud launch for September 2020

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Is Amazon TV the next live TV streaming service to get into a crowded market?

Live TV streaming services are a dangerous game to play. We’ve seen big names fold out of the market, like Sony’s PlayStation Vue, despite offering a great service. We’ve also seen reliable services consistently increase pricing, like from Sling TV and even YouTube TV, all thanks to thorny deals with the actual content providers. It […]

Come comment on this article: Is Amazon TV the next live TV streaming service to get into a crowded market?

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

ViacomCBS is working on yet another streaming service

After Disney+, HBO Max and Peacock, were you hoping to see another major media company launch a streaming TV service? Because according to CNBC, that's what you're about to get. Apparently ViacomCBS isn't satisfied with only offering things like CBS…
Engadget RSS Feed

IMDb’s free streaming service will have every episode of ‘Lost’

IMDb thinks it has a way to keep you coming back to its free streaming video service: offer a bunch of the TV shows from your younger days. IMDb TV has secured the rights to stream over 20 Disney-owned series, including Lost, Desperate Housewives, M…
Engadget RSS Feed

Secure email service ProtonMail rolls out their new ProtonCalendar beta

If you’re invested into digital security, you might be familiar with ProtonMail. It’s a service that aims to make your email much more private by utilizing end-to-end encryption and keeps advertisers and the like from snooping in, and now they’re bringing that privacy focus into a calendar app. Appropriately titled ProtonCalendar, the service is the […]

Come comment on this article: Secure email service ProtonMail rolls out their new ProtonCalendar beta

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Plex launches a free streaming service for movies and TV

Cord cutters rejoice – Plex has followed through on a September announcement that it would offer a free streaming service by the end of 2019. After initially teaming up with Warner Bros., thousands of ad-supported movies and TV shows are now available on the Plex app. Specifically, you can stream “free movies, TV shows, extreme […]

Come comment on this article: Plex launches a free streaming service for movies and TV

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Comcast revives ‘E.T.’ to hawk cable and internet service

Tech companies often like to mine nostalgia for a few quick bucks, but Comcast is probably pushing that emotional exploitation a little too far. The telecom has posted a short film that reunites E.T.'s namesake alien with human pal Elliott to pitch…
Engadget RSS Feed

There’s now a Harry Potter subscription service

Everything is a subscription service nowadays, so frankly it's a surprise it's taken so long for the Harry Potter franchise to get in on the action, but that it has, in the form of Wizarding World Gold. The 12-month sub includes a whole bunch of magi…
Engadget RSS Feed

US carriers move forward with ZenKey, a new service that replaces your passwords with your phone

If the thought of your cellular carrier managing your passwords makes you nervous, well, we don’t blame you. The idea originally came from Project Verify, but it’s been rebranded and now seems to be moving forward. We’ll be honest, the idea behind ZenKey, this new service, isn’t terrible; it’s the idea that four of the […]

Come comment on this article: US carriers move forward with ZenKey, a new service that replaces your passwords with your phone

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Nike rolls out a subscription service for kids’ sneakers

Whether for streaming, productivity software, health-tracking apps, clothing or deliveries, companies are increasingly adopting a subscription model to keep customers hooked and bring in revenue. The latest to join the fray is Nike, which on Monday u…
Engadget RSS Feed

Google’s going to give Apple Arcade some competition with Google Play Pass, a subscription service for games

Subscription game services are all the rage lately. The concept goes all the way back to Gamefly with physical discs, but it’s changed more recently to accommodate digital delivery. PlayStation Now was the first major entry into the space, but was plagued with connection issues since many users didn’t have internet fast enough to handle […]

Come comment on this article: Google’s going to give Apple Arcade some competition with Google Play Pass, a subscription service for games

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Disney pulls the plug on FX Networks’ standalone streaming service

There's bound to be a lot of changes, both big and small, at 21st Century Fox now that Disney's acquisition of the media giant is completed. One of those is the shutdown of FX Networks' Plus subscription service, which it launched with Comcast back i…
Engadget RSS Feed

Square Enix is considering a subscription service for all its games

Square Enix knows you want access to all its games in digital form, especially older ones for early consoles it has yet to re-release. Well, you'll be happy to hear that the developer is doing something about it. Company President and CEO Yosuke Mats…
Engadget RSS Feed

Ford is taking its GoRide patient transport service nationwide

Ford has slowly but surely been expanding GoRide's reach ever since it launched the non-emergency medical transportation service. Now, the automaker has revealed its plans to deploy the system to 40 cities nationwide over the next four years after a…
Engadget RSS Feed

UK investigates Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony over game service practices

Do you feel that game console giants hold you over a barrel by making you subscribe to a service to play online? You might have an ally in your corner. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority is investigating Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony to see…
Engadget RSS Feed

NBCUniversal to launch ad-supported TV streaming service in 2020

NBCUniversal isn't going to twiddle its thumbs while competitors like CBS dive deeper into streaming video. The broadcaster has unveiled plans for an ad-supported streaming service that will launch sometime in early 2020. It'll be 'free' if you wat…
Engadget RSS Feed

IMDb launches ad-supported free streaming service ‘Freedive’ in USA

IMDb has today announced a new, free and ad-supported streaming service called ‘Freedive’, though it has a rather small offering and is US-only for now. This move adds to Amazon’s growing digital ecosystem and gives Amazon a serious competitor to the new Roku channel, which also features a ton of free, ad-supported content. Since Netflix incepted the […]

Come comment on this article: IMDb launches ad-supported free streaming service ‘Freedive’ in USA

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

US Secret Service is probing how crooks use smart credit cards for fraud

Credit card thieves have been taking advantage of smart card technologies to avoid getting caught, according to Krebs on Security. The US Secret Service offices in New York and St. Louis have apparently been working on a criminal investigation involv…
Engadget RSS Feed

California issues its first approval for an autonomous ride service

Which company did you think would be most likely to offer an autonomous ride service in California? A heavyweight like Waymo or Uber? No — it's an up-and-comer. The state's Public Utilities Commission has revealed that self-driving car startup Zo…
Engadget RSS Feed

Allo, goodbye; Google’s newest messaging service will be discontinued soon

Google Allo was pretty bad. It launched with a serious lack of features and was an answer to a problem that no one really had. It also perfectly exemplified Google’s ridiculously confusing messaging app strategy, so it’s only fitting that it’ll go out with a whimper from Google’s congested portfolio. Google will be dropping Allo […]

Come comment on this article: Allo, goodbye; Google’s newest messaging service will be discontinued soon

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Get new manga when Japan does with Shonen Jump’s subscription service

Shonen Jump, one of the most beloved and longest-running manga magazines on Earth is once again reinventing itself. First printed in 1968, the publication has hosted its American localization as an online magazine since 2012 and, come December 17th,…
Engadget RSS Feed

Waymo may launch its self-driving car service in early December

It's been a long time in coming, but Waymo finally appears to be on the cusp of launching a commercial self-driving car service. Bloomberg sources claim that the Alphabet-owned brand will launch its autonomous transport option in the Phoenix suburbs…
Engadget RSS Feed

Disney’s streaming service is called Disney+ and set to launch late 2019

Disney has a ton of TV shows and movies available via a variety of streaming services and networks that often involves paying for multiple subscriptions, but the entire catalog of content isn’t possible to view from a single source. This could soon change, though, with news of a new streaming service called Disney+ run by […]

Come comment on this article: Disney’s streaming service is called Disney+ and set to launch late 2019

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

MoviePass rolling out changes to service, plans IMAX, 3D movie access by Labor Day

Over the last week MoviePass started rolling out an unwelcome change to its service – surge pricing for popular titles at popular times. Called Peak Pricing, MoviePass will tack on an extra $ 2 – $ 6 surcharge for moviegoers who insist on seeing the titles during these especially popular times. The move is part of an […]

Come comment on this article: MoviePass rolling out changes to service, plans IMAX, 3D movie access by Labor Day

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

Spectrum Mobile wireless service now offered by Charter

Increasingly we are seeing companies attempting to become both the source and the delivery platform for the consumption of entertainment, in particular sources that would have traditionally been considered part of cable television packages. This move is accelerating as the providers of services, notably subscription services like cable and satellite TV, fight off the cord-cutters […]

Come comment on this article: Spectrum Mobile wireless service now offered by Charter

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

AT&T debuts their skinny Watch TV service to fend off Sling TV

When AT&T launched DirecTV Now it turned into one of the most compelling options for OTT streaming, if you wanted a ton of channels like a traditional cable package. It’s hard to argue with the massive lineup on DirecTV Now, but that means that its base package starts at just $ 35 per month, barring any discounts.  So […]

Come comment on this article: AT&T debuts their skinny Watch TV service to fend off Sling TV

Visit TalkAndroid


TalkAndroid

YouTube Music, a new music streaming service, is coming soon

From Beyonce’s livestream at Coachella to landmark videos like “Despacito,” “New Rules” and “This Is America,” more than 1 billion music fans come to YouTube each month to be part of music culture and discover new music. It’s also where over 2 million artists come to share their voices and art with the world. YouTube is where artists and fans connect: creating and discovering a world of music.

But YouTube was made for video, not just music. On Tuesday, May 22, we’ll be changing that by introducing YouTube Music, a new music streaming service made for music with the magic of YouTube: making the world of music easier to explore and more personalized than ever. The days of jumping back and forth between multiple music apps and YouTube are over. Whether you want to listen, watch or discover, it’s all here. YouTube Music is a new music streaming service made for music: official songs, albums, thousands of playlists and artist radio plus YouTube’s tremendous catalog of remixes, live performances, covers and music videos that you can’t find anywhere else – all simply organized and personalized. For the first time, all the ways music moves you can be found in one place.

So what is YouTube Music exactly?

A new music streaming service from YouTube

  • A reimagined mobile app and brand new desktop player that are designed for music.
  • YouTube Music has thousands of playlists, the official versions of millions of songs, albums, artist radio and more, in addition to all the music videos people expect from YouTube.

Find more of the music you’re looking for

  • Remixes, covers, live versions as well as deep cuts you can’t find anywhere else – from the biggest artists in the world to freshest voices breaking through.
  • New and iconic videos from “God’s Plan” and “Havana” to “Thriller,” “Sledgehammer,” and more.
  • YouTube Music search works even if fans don’t know exactly what they’re looking for … we’ll find it if they describe it (try “that hipster song with the whistling”) or give us some lyrics (try “I make money moves”).

Effortlessly discover new music

  • YouTube Music’s personalized home screen dynamically adapts to provide recommendations based on people’s listening history, where they are and what they’re doing. At the airport? We’ll recommend something relaxing before the flight. Entering the gym? We’ll suggest some beats to get the heart-rate going.
  • Thousands of playlists built to help you discover new music. That means no matter what kind of music you like, where you are, what you’re doing, or what mood you’re in, you can easily find the right playlist for that moment.

While fans can enjoy the new ad-supported version of YouTube Music for free, we’re also launching YouTube Music Premium, a paid membership that gives you background listening, downloads and an ad-free experience for $ 9.99 a month. If you are a subscriber to Google Play Music, good news, you get a YouTube Music Premium membership as part of your subscription each month. And if you use Google Play Music, nothing will change — you’ll still be able to access all of your purchased music, uploads and playlists in Google Play Music just like always.

To extend the features of YouTube Music Premium beyond the music app, we’re soon introducing YouTube Premium, the new name for our YouTube Red subscription service. YouTube Premium includes ad-free, background and offline across all of YouTube, as well as access to all YouTube Originals including Cobra Kai, Step Up: High Water and Youth & Consequences. YouTube Premium will continue to provide an ad-free experience, background play, and downloads across the millions of videos on YouTube. But because it includes our brand new YouTube Music service, the price will be $ 11.99 for all new members. If you’re already a YouTube Red (soon to be YouTube Premium) member, don’t worry you’ll still enjoy your current price.

Starting Tuesday, we’re rolling out the new YouTube Music experience in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and South Korea*. It will expand more broadly in the coming weeks. We’ll also soon be launching in Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. If you want to know when the new YouTube Music is available in your country, head to music.youtube.com/coming-soon and let us know you’re interested.

Elias Roman, Product Manager – YouTube Music, recently listened to In Due Time by Outkast

*South Korea will only offer the YouTube Premium membership, not YouTube Music Premium.


YouTube Blog

China’s ride-hailing service Didi Chuxing recruits drivers in Mexico

In December, Reuters reported that China's Didi Chuxing ride-hailing company would be expanding its business into Mexico, taking on rival Uber, which has the largest foothold in the country. Now, Reuters reports that the company is actively recruitin…
Engadget RSS Feed