The Future of Tech, News and making sense of it all!

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

TPS Consulting Daily


TECHNOLOGY AND MORE!



Smart goats, seizing the moment, take over town under coronavirus lockdown

11KMashable / 20h
Read more... More about Wales , Goats , Coronavirus , Culture , and Health

Maybe we shouldn’t use Zoom after all

Google Zoom Facebook7KTechCrunch / 11h
Now that we’re all stuck at home thanks to the coronavirus pandemic , video calls have gone from a novelty to a necessity. Zoom, the popular videoconferencing service, seems to be doing better than most and has quickly become one of, if not the most, popular option going. But should it be? Zoom’s recent popularity has also shone a spotlight on the company’s security protections and privacy promis

Best home printer in Australia 2020: top versatile printers for use at home

Canon April 2020 Apple1KTechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1d
As many of us get used to working from home for the foreseeable future, it's more important than ever to have one of the best home printers in your house. Just like in the office, you need a printer in your household that can handle printing without a snag. After all, your time at home is now just as important as your time at work ever was, especially given the current situation and compulsory wo


How to watch Joe Wicks' PE lesson right now

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8min
It's day two of week two of Joe Wicks' PE workout, and millions of people are that much fitter and happier thanks to a morning routine of exercise with a bouncy, chirpy chap. Joe Wicks, AKA The Body Coach, has been increasing rapidly in popularity, and if you've heard of anyone doing 'that PE workout' in the morning, this is the one they mean. While it was originally dubbed as 'just for kids' dur

Volvo's app-based Valet maintenance service launches across the US

29Engadget / 29min
Volvo has officially rolled out its pickup and delivery service for vehicles needing maintenance across the US. The automaker first introduced the service called Volvo Valet back in 2018 when it debuted a pilot program in California. It was the result of its Luxe acquisition in 2017, when it snapped up the premium app-based valet service's technology and engineers. Now that Valet is available thr

Grab hires Peter Oey as its chief financial officer

40TechCrunch / 37min
Grab announced today that it has hired Peter Oey as its new chief financial officer. Prior to joining Grab, Oey was the chief financial officer at LegalZoom, an online legal services company based near Los Angeles. Before that, he served the same role at Mylife.com, an online platform that aggregates information about people based on public records. Oey also held financial leadership positions at

How small businesses can navigate remote working

32TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 50min
Remote working has become the norm for businesses of all sizes during these trying times. Over the past few weeks we’ve seen an unprecedented rise in remote workers never seen in the business world before. Even organisations who have been shy to remote working are now adapting their strategies to enable employees, if able, to log on from home on a greater scale. Working from home isn’t a new conc

How robots have joined the battle against coronavirus

68BBC News - Technology / 52min
From taking temperatures remotely to helping with hand washing, robots are helping with healthcare.
YESTERDAY

Africa Roundup: Africa’s tech ecosystem responds to COVID-19

100+TechCrunch / 1h
In March, the virus gripping the world — COVID-19 — started to spread in Africa. In short order, actors across the continent’s tech ecosystem began to step up to stem the spread. Early in March Africa’s coronavirus cases by country were in the single digits, but by mid-month those numbers had spiked leading the World Health Organization to sound an alarm. “About 10 days ago we had 5 countries aff

Here’s why the Houseparty hacking rumors are probably just a smear campaign

Epic Games Houseparty36TechRadar - All the latest technology ne.../ 1h
Now is a pretty strange and desolate time, where people have been ordered to stay indoors for the foreseeable future to safeguard themselves as well as the society. Regardless of what the memes may suggest, the inherent human urge to socialize has slowly started to get to us, putting video calling services on a pedestal like never before. While there has never been a shortage of these application

'Stay the f**k at home': Samuel L. Jackson reads you a sweary, poetic social distancing PSA

400+Mashable / 2h
Almost a decade ago, Samuel L. Jackson's reading of bedtime poem "Go the Fuck to Sleep" captivated the internet. Now the actor has returned to spoken word, presenting author Adam Mansbach's timely new adaptation of the classic: "Stay the Fuck at Home." "The 'rona is spreading, this shit is no joke — it's no time to work or roam," read Jackson, delivering the important PSA on a video call with Jim

Investors tell Indian startups to ‘prepare for the worst’ as Covid-19 uncertainty continues

100+TechCrunch / 2h
Just three months after capping what was the best year for Indian startups, having raised a record $14.5 billion in 2019 , they are beginning to struggle to raise new capital as prominent investors urge them to “prepare for the worst”, cut spending and warn that it could be challenging to secure additional money for the next few months. In an open letter to startup founders in India, ten global a

'Fortnite' gets a bullet-stopping 'Kingsman' umbrella

67Engadget / 2h
Epic's current Fortnite season is focused on secret agents , and that now includes direct references to movies -- if not the ones you're likely to think of first. An update to the battle royale shooter has introduced a Kingsman umbrella that, like the one in the Brits-save-the-world film series, deflects bullets when you open it toward your foe. You can't use it indefinitely (that would be wildly

Stephen Colbert would like someone to TP his house for April Fools' Day

96Mashable / 2h
April Fools' Day is looming, but nobody is in the mood for jokes. Tolerance for tomfoolery is at an all-time low, as the coronavirus pandemic has people hoarding toilet paper and staying confined to their homes. "At this point the only April Fools' joke I want is someone TP-ing my house, preferably in two-ply, quilted," quipped Late Show host Stephen Colbert, recording the show from his home. "I

Sophie Turner and Conan talk getting drunk at home for coronavirus

44Mashable / 3h
Like many of us, Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner is holed up at home due to the coronavirus pandemic . However, judging by Conan's video call with her on Tuesday, it seems social distancing suits the Queen in the North just fine. "I see how people are finding it difficult, but I don't understand how people are really struggling to practice social distancing," confessed Turner. "I'm like, all

Ah, Looks Like It's Already That Time of Year When Marriott Gets Hacked Again

Marriott Two Breach100+Gizmodo / 3h
It’s been a bad month for hotel chain Marriott International. Last week, it furloughed tens of thousands of workers as travel plummeted in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, and its stock price has plummeted over 50 percent from the start of the year. On Tuesday, it also disclosed that it was hacked, again , with the… Read more...

FCC makes STIR/SHAKEN authentication mandatory to fight robocalls

FCC Robocall June 2021SlashGear / 3h
We live in very uncertain times and while it sounds revolting, there are always those who will take advantage of that fear and uncertainty to make a quick profit. Fraudulent calls, especially the automated ones called “robocalls”, have always been a menace, especially in the US, costing Americans billions per year on both wasted time as well as fraudulent transactions. … Continue reading

'Apex Legends' tournaments get a new online-only schedule

78Engadget / 3h
Respawn and EA's dreams of establishing Apex Legends as an esports staple aren't going according to plan. The Apex Legends Global Series team is moving its events online "for the time being" due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and that means both more remote events overall as well as greater reward for those who participate. There are now three more Online Tournaments (#4, #5 and #6) due to start on Ap

Huawei P40 Pro includes US-made components based on a teardown

SlashGear / 4h
Ever since the US government put Huawei on its entity list, the Chinese tech giant has been singing two tunes. On the one hand, it complains about the unfair treatment and baseless accusations, bemoaning how the US is trying to force it into submission. On the other hand, it also warns how it can be independent, which would eventually spell … Continue reading

Tales From the Loop's Showrunner on How Sci-Fi Can Bring Us Comfort in Uncertain Times

98Gizmodo / 4h
Amazon’s new series Tales From the Loop was a unique creative challenge. Instead of adapting a book like Game of Thrones or His Dark Materials , showrunner Nathaniel Halpern was making a series out of paintings. Specifically, the Tales From the Loop artbook from Simon Stålenhag. Luckily for Halpern, he was “uniquely… Read more...

Coronavirus: Zoom under increased scrutiny as popularity soars

Google Zoom Facebook1KBBC News - Technology / 4h
The New York attorney general has written to the videoconferencing company about its security measures.

The cheapest active VR headset could be the perfect remote working tool

64TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
It’s been three years since Royole, a little known Chinese company, wowed crowds in Las Vegas with its groundbreaking all-in-one virtual reality (VR) headset, the Royole Moon. The device has some great features that could make it the perfect tool for remote working, and it's currently on clearance sale for just over USD 390 at AliExpress (roughly GBP 315/AUD 640). Two advanced AMOLED displays com

iPhone with Touch ID, Express Transit support seen in iOS 13.4.5 beta

Apple iPhone 9 AprilSlashGear / 5h
The next affordable iPhone was curiously absent from Apple’s latest big announcement and it was probably for the best. The new iPad Pro would have easily hogged the spotlight, pushing the iPhone SE 2 or iPhone 9, whatever its name will be, into the background. Its time will surely come and it could actually be around the corner. And if … Continue reading

Larry David's annoyed social distancing PSA is the most Larry David thing ever

1KMashable / 5h
POV: Larry David yells at you for being an idiot who goes outside and possibly spreads coronavirus to old people like him, but not necessarily specifically him, because he wants nothing to do with you. California is at the top of the social distancing PSA game, from former governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's mini horse to this crotchety gem from the Curb Your Enthusiasm icon, via current governor Ga

What's on TV this week: 'The Matrix,' 'Sonic' and 'Star Wars'

56Engadget / 5h
This week March finally comes to an end and with the arrival of April, Netflix is adding some new licensed content to its catalog. Not that I don’t like the originals — as long as they keep making more Ozark , I’ll keep subscribing — but this week, being able to binge through The Matrix movies, all six seasons of Community and then watching Mortal Kombat a few dozen times will be nice. The Matrix

The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Put the Comics Industry Between a Rock and a Hard Place

500+Gizmodo / 5h
More and more comic book stores across the United States are having to close their doors because of the ongoing covid-19 outbreak —whether that’s due to state restrictions or an actual lack of new product . One of the biggest questions looming has been what, if any, steps publishers and distributors like Diamond might… Read more...

Get fit in isolation with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 and save AU$150

48TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Fitness is being promoted everywhere from social media to news articles, and for good reason – exercise promotes healthy habits and is extremely beneficial for your mental health. If you’re wanting to jump on the bandwagon (or have already), you can track all those calories you’ve burnt with the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 and save a cool AU$150 all in one go! The Galaxy Watch Active 2 is the l

FBI Issues Warning, NY Attorney General Makes Inquiry After Wave of Zoom Hijackings

Google Zoom Facebook1KGizmodo / 5h
The FBI has issued a warning about video messaging service Zoom , and New York Attorney General’s office has made an inquiry into its cybersecurity practices, after a string of disturbing incidents involving takeovers of teleconferences. Read more...

Snapchat’s new lenses use AR to encourage social distancing

100+Engadget / 5h
Snapchat's latest set of lenses come with a timely reminder of the importance of social distancing. The app introduced two new lenses, created in collaboration with the World Health Organization, that use augmented reality to serve users with tips on how to stay healthy. One, labeled "My Social Distance," encourages users to "practice social distancing" and creates an AR circle on the ground to h

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered out now on PS4

44TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Yesterday, we reported on a leak which stated that a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 remaster was on the eve of release , and that has now been proven entirely accurate, with the game now officially available to download from the PlayStation Network. While the game is only available on PS4 for the time being, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered will also arrive on PC and Xbox One on

Apple buys Dark Sky weather app and shuts down the Android version

Apple Dark Sky Android56TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Dark Sky for iOS is one of the most popular weather apps available, and Apple has clearly taken notice, because now the tech giant has officially acquired the “hyperlocal” weather app. Compared with other contenders in the same category, Dark Sky is noted for having more granular detail on the weather at a user’s actual location, offering “down-to-the-minute forecasts” via a pleasing user interfa

Huawei P40 Pro DxOMark score is no surprise but pointless for many

Huawei P40 Google USSlashGear / 5h
Every year, Huawei takes the top spot on DxOMark’s list for the best smartphone when it comes to camera performance. Unlike before, it doesn’t get to hold that spot very long when other new phones arrive, especially now that OPPO and Xiaomi have risen to the top. That back and forth between Huawei and other phone makers have happened again … Continue reading

Marriott data breach exposes 5 million guests' information. Again.

Marriott Two Breach200+Mashable / 6h
Marriott International has announced a massive data breach that exposed approximately 5.2 million hotel guests' information. No, not that breach . It's a new one this time. "At the end of February 2020, we identified that an unexpected amount of guest information may have been accessed using the login credentials of two employees at a franchise property," the international hotel chain wrote on Tu

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered out now on PS4

SlashGear / 6h
It didn’t take long for rumors to turn into reality. On the heels of whispers about Modern Warfare 2 Remastered finally coming to light, Sony has finally announced not only its existence but also its immediate availability. In time for the stretch of days you’ll be stuck at home, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered, as it is … Continue reading

Jalopnik Elon Musk Has Played An Extremely Dangerous Game | Jezebel Meghan and Harry Are Stuck in a Risky Mid-Pandemic ...

32Lifehacker / 6h
Jalopnik Elon Musk Has Played An Extremely Dangerous Game | Jezebel Meghan and Harry Are Stuck in a Risky Mid-Pandemic Rebrand | The Root Introverts Hate This Shit Too, Y'all | The A.V. Club Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler is getting an SVU spin-off | Read more...

Atari's latest attempt at milking nostalgia is a 'Pong' RPG

Atari Pong Quest RPG100+Engadget / 6h
Atari is trying themed hotels , retro consoles and other efforts to reel in nostalgic gamers, but its latest may be its oddest yet: turn Pong into a one-of-a-kind role-playing game. It's developing a Pong Quest game that has you guiding a heroic paddle through dungeons based on (what else?) Atari games like Asteroids and Centipede in a campaign to save Pong World. You'll fight in "RPG-esque" batt

OnePlus 8 specs confirmed by OnePlus itself

OnePlus 8 RAM 7 UFSSlashGear / 6h
We’re leaving March behind but, unfortunately, some things won’t be staying behind as much as we want them to. We still need to look forward, especially for companies that have yet to launch their 2020 highlight. Yes, we’re talking about OnePlus who, for better or worse, decided to let others get the stage first. In two weeks, though, it will … Continue reading

'Beauty and the Beast' parody stresses the importance of social distancing

100+Mashable / 7h
Belle's introduction in Beauty and the Beast now has a pandemic twist in a parody version that emphasizes just how fast the coronavirus can spread if people don't take precautions. Much like the original, Belle starts off her day by greeting her fellow villagers also living dull, provincial lives. But in this version, Belle isn't the protagonist. Instead, she's the one who won't wash her hands, i

FDA approves two-minute novel coronavirus antibody testing kit

200+SlashGear / 7h
The Food and Drug Administration has approved a coronavirus testing kit from Bodysphere, one that can detect antibodies related to the virus in only two minutes. The test will be deployed in states around the country, enabling healthcare facilities to test for signs that the patient had contracted the virus at some point. The testing kit is only intended for … Continue reading

Delayed 'Resident Evil: Resistance' beta goes live on PC and PS4

100+Engadget / 7h
After technical issues forced Capcom to delay the Resident Evil: Resistance beta on PC and PlayStation 4, it's now available on those platforms in addition to Xbox One. You'll need to install an update to try it on PS4 and Steam. The Resident Evil Resistance Open Beta is now live again on PS4 and Steam! Please make sure you grab the latest update if you still have problems connecting to a match!

Forget Zoom: Use these private video-chatting tools, instead

Google Zoom Facebook One100+Mashable / 7h
Zoom is so last week — which, in the time of coronavirus, might as well be last year. The videoconference tool that's captured the nation's attention as it socially distances and shelters in place has won legions of converts for its easy-to-use interface and fun backgrounds . It also happens to be a privacy nightmare . Thankfully, there are other options that cybersecurity and privacy experts say

Meet the New Suunto 7: Blurring the Lines Between Fashion, Function, and Fitness

Gizmodo / 8h
If you’re Jeff Bezos, you have the cash to buy yourself eleventy billion watches that serve a myriad of purposes in your life. But since most of us aren’t Bezos and are lucky to snag one fancy GPS watch for the rest of our days, let’s talk about the Suunto 7 , the newest addition to the Finnish brand’s lineup. Read more...

Vericool raises $19.1 million for its plant-based packaging replacement for plastic coolers

100+TechCrunch / 8h
Vericool , a Livermore, Calif.-based startup that’s replacing plastic coolers and packaging with plant-based products, has raised $19.1 million in a new round of financing. The company’s stated goal is to replace traditional packaging materials like polystyrene with plant-based insulating packaging materials. Its technology uses 100% recycled paper fibers and other plant-based materials, accordin

United COVID-19 Positive Manager Blasts Executives Pressuring Workers To Come To The Office

24View from the Wing / 8h
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading ...

Vacation rental guests and hosts are all feeling the cancellation crunch

The Points Guy / 8h
Kathy Forest owns two Airbnbs in Arlington, Virginia. As the novel coronavirus swept across the globe, she saw virtually all of her reservations for April and May canceled. She had been booked solid for cherry blossom season. On March 13, just days after the World Health Organization (WHO) deemed the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic, Forest received a communication from Airbnb saying it was

Facebook expands 'community help' hub for people in quarantine

Facebook Community Help100+Engadget / 8h
As Facebook sees "unprecedented" demand for its services, the company is now encouraging its users to help out their neighbors. The social network is expanding its "community help" feature to reach people affected by the coronavirus pandemic. With the update , Facebook users can post offers to help with things like transportation, groceries, baby supplies and volunteer work. Likewise, those seeki

Comedy TV show Community will soon expand from Hulu to Netflix

SlashGear / 8h
Comedy series Community from Dan Harmon will be available to stream in its entirety on Netflix, it has been announced. All six seasons of the hit show will be available on the platform starting tomorrow, April 1, and no that’s not an April Fools’ joke. The new arrival on Netflix is good news for people to subscribe to the service, … Continue reading

Vivarium’s claustrophobic horror hits a little too close to home right now

58Ars Technica / 8h
Vivarium Enlarge / Imogen Poots and Jesse Eisenberg star in Vivarium . (credit: Vertigo Releasing ) A house-hunting excursion turns into a nightmarish scenario for a young couple in Vivarium , a science fiction horror film directed by Lorcan Finnegan. The film has its strengths, but at a time when half the world is hunkered down in quarantine in the midst of a global pandemic, the claustrophobica

This Chrome extension can help protect you from the worst online threats

67TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8h
Check Point has launched a new extension for Google Chrome called ZoneAlarm Web Secure Free that provides users with free protection against phishing attacks, malicious downloads and dangerous websites. The new solution is an advanced Google Chrome extension that can help keep users safe online from multiple threats while they search and browse the web. When a user adds the ZoneAlarm Web Secure F

Coronavirus: Racist 'zoombombing' at virtual synagogue

Google Zoom Facebook300+BBC News - Technology / 8h
Hackers hijacking Zoom meetings to shout abuse is on the rise as more people talk virtually.

Here’s why you need both a personal and business Marriott Bonvoy credit card

The Points Guy / 8h
Many Marriott cardholders woke up today to an awesome surprise in the form of 30 bonus elite night credits sitting in their account. One of the best perks of the Marriott Bonvoy family of credit cards is the complimentary 15 elite night credits you receive each year from any Marriott card. Historically, this perk has been limited to one set of credits per Bonvoy account no matter how many credit

Moment Springtime Sale: Our Favorite Deals on Lenses and Gear

100+Wired / 8h
You can score some great cases, bags, and other mobile gear today, at a discount.

Quarantine streaming is changing the definition of 'primetime' TV

58Mashable / 9h
People are streaming a lot of movies and TV shows while staying home during the coronavirus pandemic . In fact, because so much television is being watched during unconventional daytime hours — and streaming services offer viewers the ability to watch whenever they want — traditional “primetime” TV viewing is being completely altered. A new study by streaming analytics company Conviva found that

Ubisoft makes some games free starting with Rayman Legends

Ubisoft Rayman Legends24SlashGear / 9h
Ubisoft has announced that it is making some of its games free-to-play, helping entertain people who are currently staying home in quarantine. The new initiative will involve free games, trials, and more over the duration of a month with Rayman Legends headlining the new offerings. The game is now free to download and play until April 3, and it’ll soon … Continue reading

Apple buys weather app Dark Sky

Apple Dark Sky Android400+BBC News - Technology / 9h
The iPhone maker will shut down the Android and Wear OS versions of the app in July.

NBA 2K tournament starts Friday with Kevin Durant, Trae Young and more

200+Engadget / 9h
Confirming yesterday's leak , the NBA announced an esports tournament that will kick off this Friday , with games broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 . The NBA 2K Players Tournament will pit 16 current NBA players against one another, with finals scheduled to take place April 11th and air on ESPN. The winner will select a charity beneficiary to receive $100,000 in support of coronavirus relief efforts. P

LOL: Air North Now Delivers Airplane Food!

100+One Mile at a Time / 9h
If you’ve been at home for weeks and can’t wait to travel, there’s probably one thing you miss more than anything — airplane food. What’s not to love about eating a reheated dinner at 35,000 feet? Well, Yukon’s Air North recognizes what we’re all going through, and has the solution. A couple of weeks ago the airline made headlines for claiming they have a “healthy balance sheet” and will make it

Xerox drops $34B HP takeover bid amid COVID-19 uncertainty

Xerox Hostile Bid HP100+TechCrunch / 9h
Xerox announced today that it would be dropping its hostile takeover bid of HP . The drama began last fall with a flurry of increasingly angry letters between the two companies, and confrontational actions from Xerox, including an attempt to take over the HP board that had rejected its takeover overtures. All that came crashing to the ground today when Xerox officially announced it was backing do

Jalopnik Elon Musk Has Played An Extremely Dangerous Game | Jezebel Meghan and Harry Are Stuck in a Risky Mid-Pandemic ...

32Gizmodo / 9h
Jalopnik Elon Musk Has Played An Extremely Dangerous Game | Jezebel Meghan and Harry Are Stuck in a Risky Mid-Pandemic Rebrand | The Root Introverts Hate This Shit Too, Y'all | The A.V. Club Christopher Meloni's Elliot Stabler is getting an SVU spin-off | Read more...

What does a pandemic say about the tech we’ve built?

200+TechCrunch / 9h
There’s a joke* being reshared on chat apps that takes the form of a multiple-choice question — asking who’s the leading force in workplace digital transformation? The red-lined punchline is not the CEO or CTO, but: C) COVID-19. There’s likely more than a grain of truth underpinning the quip. The novel coronavirus is pushing a lot of metaphorical buttons right now. “Pause” buttons for people and

FCC Will Enforce Robocall Crackdown by June 2021

FCC Robocall June 202155Gizmodo / 9h
The Federal Communications Commission has announced it’s approved new rules that will require carriers by June of next year to implement protocols to protect consumers against scammers and spoof callers attempting to mask their unfamiliar numbers. Read more...

Save 40% on Peak Design's awesome camera bags and backpacks

52TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
San Francisco-based company Peak Design began life on Kickstarter, and quickly gained a massive fan following. And no wonder: it has some beautifully designed bags that can be customized to suit any purpose, and the company’s clips and straps go a long way in making that happen. Every aspect of Peak Design bags are well thought-out – construction, material, functionality and usability. The bags a

Meet the New Suunto 7: Blurring the Lines Between Fashion, Function, and Fitness

Lifehacker / 9h
If you’re Jeff Bezos, you have the cash to buy yourself eleventy billion watches that serve a myriad of purposes in your life. But since most of us aren’t Bezos and are lucky to snag one fancy GPS watch for the rest of our days, let’s talk about the Suunto 7 , the newest addition to the Finnish brand’s lineup. Read more...

SiriusXM Premier is now free, but only until May 15

SlashGear / 10h
SiriusXM, the company best known for its satellite radio service, is the latest to offer extended free access to its product for people stuck home in quarantine. The company has made its streaming service available for free until May 15; during this time, new users can access the platform and stream music, as well as the company’s talk shows and … Continue reading

Huawei open-sources TensorFlow competitor MindSpore

Huawei P40 Google US200+TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Huawei has announced that its framework for AI app development MindSpore is now open source and available on GiHub and Gitee. The lightweight suite is similar to Google's TensorFlow and Facebook's PyTorch as it lowers the barrier to entry for developers looking to add AI to their apps. Chief scientist at Huawei MindSpore and an IEEE Fellow, Professor Chen Li explained how MindSpore can scale acro

These Weather Apps Are Great Alternatives to the Apple-Owned Dark Sky

100+Lifehacker / 10h
Dark Sky just announced it has been acquired by Apple, and with the sale come a few big problems for fans of the hyper-local weather app. First of all, the Android app is going away altogether—for obvious reasons. You can continue to use it until July 1, and subscribers will be refunded any money they’ve spent on a… Read more...

An Anti-Gay Charity Is Running a Coronavirus Tent Hospital in Central Park

76Gizmodo / 10h
A charity group is stepping in to help New York City, facing the worst outbreak of covid-19 in the country, by building an emergency field hospital in the middle of Central Park to handle overflow patients. But the group and its founder’s history of anti-gay sentiment is making people question whether it can truly… Read more...

The entire Overwatch League regular season will be online-only

100+Engadget / 10h
The Overwatch League has canceled all of its live events for the remainder of the 2020 regular season due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Matches will take place in an entirely online format until August at the very least. After two seasons of OWL matches taking place almost exclusively at a studio in Los Angeles, Blizzard took the league on the road this year. Teams were to play matches at live homes

You Can Still Play *Pokémon Go* Even When You Can’t … Go

Niantic Pokémon Go200+Wired / 10h
Niantic is adjusting its game—built around leaving the house and meeting up with others—to fit the era of coronavirus-induced social distancing.

Marriott says 5.2 million guest records were stolen in another data breach

Marriott Two Breach500+TechCrunch / 10h
Marriott has confirmed a second data breach in three years — this time involving the personal information on 5.2 million guests. The hotel giant said Tuesday it discovered in late February the breach of an unspecified property system at a franchise hotel. The hackers obtained the login details of two employees, a hotel statement said, and broke in weeks earlier during mid-January. Marriott said i

A new iPhone in April? Features and details to expect from Apple

Apple iPhone 9 AprilSlashGear / 10h
The iPhone 9, or iPhone SE 2, or just “new iPhone” could be launched (or just announced) by Apple as early as April 15. That’s a Friday, a day over 2 weeks into April. Clues have been stacking up – here’s what we’re expecting will be making its way to stores by around April 22nd. The next iPhone, a device … Continue reading

Authors fume as online library “lends” unlimited free books

100+Ars Technica / 10h
Enlarge / Sign in front of Middle Country public Library in Centereach, New York, on March 26, 2020. (credit: Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty Images ) For almost a decade, the Internet Archive, an online library best known for its Internet Wayback Machine, has let users "borrow" scanned digital copies of books held in its warehouse. Until recently, users could only check out as many copies

Elizabeth Warren And Bernie Sanders Demand Airline Ticket Refunds

100+View from the Wing / 10h
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren and several Senate colleagues including Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, and 6 others, announced a letter to the CEOs of major U.S. airlines demanding “every company to issue full cash refunds to all customers who cancel their flights during the COVID-19 crisis.” They don't just want refunds for passengers whose flights are cancelled, they want refunds for everyo

What to Watch Tonight, March 31, 2020

71Lifehacker / 10h
Ready to settle in for another night at home? Read more...

FDA introduces a new program to expedite deployment of potential coronavirus treatments

100+TechCrunch / 10h
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a new program today that’s designed to foster close collaboration between public and private organizations in order to “bring coronavirus treatments to market as fast as possible,” according to U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Alex Azar in a press release . The program, dubbed the “Coronavirus Treatment Acceleration Program

Twitch's Mod View puts all of its moderation tools in one place

100+Engadget / 10h
Behind every successful Twitch channel , there's at least one person who's there to moderate chat. The best mods create a safe space where everyone in a community can express themselves. It's not an easy job, but in an attempt to make it a bit more manageable, Twitch is introducing a new channel mode interface called Mod View. The company describes Mod View as a "customizable home" for all the to

10 Genre Road Trip Movies to Satisfy Your Need to Get Out

57Gizmodo / 10h
Practicing social distancing means doing everything you can to minimize the need to physically leave your house so as to avoid exposure to/ transmission of the novel coronavirus . Being cooped up, though, can lead one to feeling the need to wander out into the open world. The problem is, that’s not in the public’s best… Read more...

‘Hope You’re Well’: Emailing Through a Time of Pandemic

200+Wired / 10h
“Think twice before you hit Send” has long been solid advice. Now, we need thoughtful emails more than ever.

Jedi Academy dev promises to fix mistake that let PC gamers slaughter console players

84Ars Technica / 10h
Enlarge / A single-player screenshot from the Switch version of Jedi Academy . (credit: Nintendo ) Just last week, the LucasArts-era PC cult classic Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy was ported to PlayStation 4 and Switch. Apart from some iffy menus, it's largely a decent port with a good control scheme, high-resolution graphics, decent framerates, and all the content present. It even has multi

Save $140 on Sonos' Super Capable, Great-Sounding Playbase

21Gizmodo / 10h
Sonos Playbase (White Only) | $560 | Amazon Read more...

Roku OS 9.3 revealed with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant support

Roku 9.3 Spanish GoogleSlashGear / 11h
Popular home entertainment company Roku has announced its latest Roku OS update, bringing the software to version 9.3. With this, users get access to new and enhanced features, the most notable being ‘Works with’ support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. As well, Roku has updated its ‘Roku Voice’ feature with better control for users, plus performance has been improved … Continue reading

Christopher Meloni to return as Elliot Stabler in 'Law & Order: SVU' spin-off

2KMashable / 11h
Read more... More about Law And Order , Dick Wolf , Elliot Stabler , Chris Meloni , and Law And Order Svu

Florida’s Ancient Calusa Kingdom Was Powered by Ingenious Fish Corrals

100+Gizmodo / 11h
Despite having no agriculture, the Calusa managed to dominate southwest Florida for centuries. New research suggests this inventive Native American civilization built “watercourts” to capture and store live fish, resulting in a bountiful surplus of food that facilitated sociopolitical complexity and ambitious… Read more...

Why You Should Order Your Pizza 'Uncut'

500+Lifehacker / 11h
Since dining out (my favorite hobby) isn’t an option right now, ordering delivery has become something of an event, especially ordering pizza. And, since there’s not much else going on, there’s a lot riding on those pizzas, happiness-wise. This is why I’m ordering my pizzas un-sliced . Read more...

OpenWRT code-execution bug puts millions of devices at risk

100+Ars Technica / 11h
Enlarge (credit: OpenWRT ) For almost three years, OpenWRT—the open source operating system that powers home routers and other types of embedded systems—has been vulnerable to remote code-execution attacks because updates were delivered over an unencrypted channel and digital signature verifications are easy to bypass, a researcher said. OpenWRT has a loyal base of users who use the freely availa

Stocks post worst quarter since 2008 financial crisis

200+TechCrunch / 11h
The first quarter of 2020 ended with a whimper — with the Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting their worst quarter in decades — as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause uncertainty and volatility across all major stock market indices. At the beginning of the quarter, we were still basking in a decade-long bull market. The global pandemic, and the economic havoc it caused, p

COVID-19 could’ve ended Pokemon GO; Instead, it’s exploding

SlashGear / 11h
At the dawn of pandemic here in the year 2020, Niantic enacted changes to their GPS-centric games, starting with Pokemon GO. COVID-19 quarantine could have ended the reign of the most popular location-based game in the world – but instead, Niantic turned a nightmare into an opportunity. They’re still working with augmented reality, and they still encourage you to get … Continue reading

Here's a Rare Chance to Save Big On Peak Design's Insanely Great Lineup

Lifehacker / 11h
Up to 40% Off Sitewide Sale | Peak Design Read more...

You Can Get 3 Months of Skillshare Premium For Free Right Now

300+Lifehacker / 11h
If you’re hoping to use your physical-distancing time to pick up a new skill, Skillshare is offering a free three-month Premium account on its service to help you make it happen. Read more...

Zoom’s privacy problems are growing as platform explodes in popularity

Google Zoom Facebook1KArs Technica / 11h
Enlarge / Zoom's San Jose, Calif., headquarters looks like a lovely place to be socially distanced from. (credit: Smith Collection | Gado | Getty Images ) We have several more weeks, if not several more months, to go in this sudden era of Everything from Home. Work from home, school from home, funerals from home, church from home, happy hour from home—you name it, and we as a society are trying a

Terrifying Things Happen When an AI Generates Fake Faces Synced to Music

500+Gizmodo / 11h
We’re still trying to figure out the best applications for neural networks, machine learning, and all the recent advancements in artificial intelligence. Amongst all the practical research being conducted, there’s also lots of frivolous experimentation being done with results that walk the line between fascinating and… Read more...

Ubisoft offers free games to encourage you to stay at home

500+Engadget / 11h
Ubisoft thinks it has a simple way to encourage people to stay at home and wait out the COVID-19 pandemic: shower them with games. It's running a month-long campaign that will give away free games, trials, discounts and other offers to give you something to do while you're cooped up. It's starting things off by offering the PC version of Rayman Legends for free on Uplay from now through April 3rd

OrbitFab secures National Science Foundation funding to propel its satellite refueling tech to space

200+TechCrunch / 11h
On-orbit satellite refueling technology is closer than ever to a practical reality, which could help immensely with the cost and sustainability of orbital businesses. Startup OrbitFab, a 2019 TechCrunch Battlefield finalist , is one of the companies working to make orbital refueling a reality, and it just secured a new contract from the National Science Foundation’s early-stage deep tech R&D init

The retired American Airlines 767s are being turned into cargo planes

200+The Points Guy / 11h
The Boeing 767s that American Airlines is retiring early because of the coronavirus pandemic won’t be grounded for long. They’re getting a new lease on life as all-cargo jets. The first is on its way to Israel today to be converted from passenger to freighter. Flight-tracking site Flightradar24 showed on Tuesday that the 767 bearing the registration N394AN was in flight to Tel Aviv from a storage

Star Trek: Picard's Best Callbacks to The Next Generation

42Gizmodo / 11h
For better or worse , Star Trek: Picard leaned heavily into the nostalgia of its returning hero. Over the course of its recently concluded first season, this didn’t just mean bringing back familiar faces , it meant many sweet callbacks to the beloved Next Generation for fans to spot over its 10-episode run. Read more...

Remastered 'Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2' is available now on PS4

500+Engadget / 11h
As expected , Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered is now available on PlayStation 4. If you own a Sony console, you can download the game today for $20 . PC and Xbox One owners can pre-order the remaster today but will have to wait until April 30th before they're able to start working their way through Modern Warfare 2 's single-player campaign. According to its PlayStation Store l

FCC mandates strict caller ID authentication to beat back robocalls

FCC June 2021 TP500+TechCrunch / 11h
The FCC unanimously passed a new set of rules today that will require wireless carriers to implement a tech framework to combat robocalls. Called STIR/SHAKEN, and dithered over for years by the carriers, the protocol will be required to be put in place by summer of 2021. Robocalls have grown from vexation to serious problem as predictable “claim your free vacation” scams gave way to “here’s how t

Coronavirus: 3D-printer owners rally to create NHS face masks

8KBBC News - Technology / 11h
More than 1,000 people volunteer to help make face shields for front-line workers.

Marriott reveals another security breach: 5.2 million guests exposed

Marriott Two BreachSlashGear / 12h
A Marriott International franchise property may have been the source of a data leak that compromised information on up to 5.2 million hotel guests, the company announced on Tuesday. The breach involved the login credentials belonging to two employees; the incident happened in mid-January and was discovered by Marriott in late February 2020. The intruder’s access has since been disabled. … Continu

New Rapid Coronavirus Tests Could Scale Up U.S. Testing

100+Gizmodo / 12h
Scientists across the U.S. are developing new tests meant to detect whether someone is infected by the novel coronavirus in much less time than conventional tests now available—from five hours to as short as five minutes. But these newer tests still present familiar challenges, namely whether they’ll be accurate or… Read more...

Comcast waiving data caps hasn’t hurt its network—why not make it permanent?

400+Ars Technica / 12h
Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson / Getty Images ) Back in the before times, when a larger percentage of the human race roamed the Earth, i.e. , several weeks ago, Comcast customers had to deal with something called a "data cap." Cable users who consumed more than a terabyte of Comcast-branded Internet data in a single month had to pay an extra $10 for each additional, precious block of 50GB, or $50

Manage Your Coronavirus Cleaning Urges With This Organizational App

100+Lifehacker / 12h
As cities across the U.S. began to issue “safer at home” orders, I felt like the only person I knew who didn’t have an ambitious project or three to tackle during the coronavirus . Read more...

Vive Cosmos Elite headset is getting a standalone release

SlashGear / 12h
The Vive Cosmos Elite is HTC’s latest and greatest VR headset, but it’s only available in a bundle with two Vive Base Stations and two Vive Controllers. At $900, that bundle costs a significant amount of money, and it more or less becomes cost-prohibitive for current Vive owners who might only want to upgrade their headsets. Good news: the Vive … Continue reading

The coronavirus test isn't as scary as it looks

Americans Health CDC300+Mashable / 12h
Read more... More about Science , Health , Coronavirus , Science , and Health

Marriott Got Hacked. Yes, Again

Marriott Two Breach300+Wired / 12h
The hotel chain has suffered its second major breach in 16 months. Here's how to find out if you're affected.

You Aren’t Going to Figure Out the ‘Ideal’ Time to Grocery Shop Right Now

500+Lifehacker / 12h
If you spend any amount of time on Twitter, you’ve probably seen tweets imploring everyone to hold off on grocery shopping until April 3rd or later. The reasoning is simple: Government benefits are deposited on the first of the month, and with grocery stores experiencing extremely high volume due to the coronavirus… Read more...

Apple acquires Dark Sky weather app, and that’s bad news for Android users

400+Ars Technica / 12h
An example of Dark Sky's maps from the desktop Web version. [credit: Dark Sky ] Popular weather app and data-collection service Dark Sky has been acquired by Apple for an undisclosed sum, a blog post from the Dark Sky team announced. The post claims that Dark Sky will now “reach far more people, with far more impact, than we ever could alone.” The iOS app will not see any changes “at this time,”

Study: Future astronauts could use their own urine to help build moon bases

3D Today Moon Switch300+Ars Technica / 12h
Enlarge / Future moon bases could be built with 3D printers that mix materials such as Moon regolith, water, and astronauts’ urine. (credit: ESA/Foster and Partners ) Early last year, NASA announced an ambitious plan to return American astronauts to the Moon and establish a permanent base there, with an eye toward eventually placing astronauts on Mars. The Artemis Moon Program has its share of cr

You don’t have to feel bad about grocery shopping online during the coronavirus outbreak

200+Mashable / 12h
If ordering delivery is potentially safer than risking it at the grocery store as COVID-19 (the official name for the disease caused by the new coronavirus) continues to spread globally, why does it feel almost wrong to sit in the comfort of your home and click on a screen so everything you want can be delivered to your front door? Online delivery for groceries, cat food, art supplies, shoes, clo

WireGuard VPN added to Linux 5.6

40TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
Linux users now have another choice when it comes to protecting themselves online as WireGuard VPN has been added to the Linux kernel in version 5.6. Up until now, the fast and flexible VPN , which was designed specifically for Linux implementations, was only available as a third-party addition. However, WireGuard VPN is now available by default with release of Linux 5.6 . In an announcement , pr

Save $60 on Master & Dynamic’s much-improved true wireless earbuds

88Engadget / 12h
Master & Dynamic's improved true wireless MW07 Plus earbuds are on sale for $240 via Best Buy today. That's a $60 savings off one of the company's newest models. It's a deal of the day, so this price won't last for long. If you're in the market for true wireless earbuds, you may want to take a look before the discount disappears. Buy Master & Dynamic MW07 Plus on Best Buy - $240 With the MW07 Plu

No proof of a Houseparty breach, but its privacy policy is still gatecrashing your data

Epic Games Houseparty200+TechCrunch / 12h
Houseparty has been a smashing success with people staying home during the coronavirus pandemic who still want to connect with friends. The group video chat app, interspersed with games and other bells and whistles, raises it above the more mundane Zooms and Hangouts (fun only in their names, otherwise pretty serious tools used by companies, schools and others who just need to work) when it comes

How We're Coping With the Pandemic

100+Lifehacker / 12h
Everyone at Lifehacker—along with the rest of the world—is now hunkered down at home, trying to make sense of this new (temporary) normal. So this week each of us recorded audio from our lives to provide a glimpse of what we’re up to. From learning how to work from home with the kids around to cobbling together a… Read more...

Legoland New York delays grand opening date to 2021

28The Points Guy / 12h
Once upon a time, before COVID-19 , many families living in the NYC area were counting down the weeks until a new option for family fun opened within an easy driving distance. Legoland New York was set to open in Goshen, New York — just 60 miles northwest of New York City in the Hudson Valley, on July 4, 2020. However, the opening has now been pushed back pretty significantly into 2021. For more

Apple Buys Dark Sky, Kills Android App and API

Apple Dark Sky Android1KGizmodo / 12h
Android users have many reasons to hate on Apple, but the company just gave them one more: It’s taking away the popular weather app Dark Sky. Dark Sky announced in a blog today that it was joining Apple, and as a result, it’s ending API access in 2022 and killing off the Android app. Read more...

Apple’s new MacBook Air and Mac Mini are already discounted

28Ars Technica / 12h
Enlarge (credit: Ars Technica) Today's Dealmaster is headlined by a couple of early deals on the entry-level models of Apple's latest MacBook Air and Mac Mini. The former is down to $950 at Amazon , a $50 discount, while the latter is down to $699 at B&H , a $100 discount. These offers are fairly modest, but they're still noteworthy considering Apple only launched the new computers a couple weeks

How coronavirus changed my mind on meditation

81Mashable / 12h
March Mindfulness is Mashable's series that examines the intersection of meditation practice and technology. Because even in the time of coronavirus, March doesn't have to be madness. I went to my first guided meditation class two years ago, at a studio in New York City called Inscape. I was there covering a smartwatch launch; the meditation part of the event wasn't mandatory. I could have opted

Pick Up A Truly Wireless Pair of ANC Earbuds For Less Than $100, Right Now

20Lifehacker / 12h
Aukey Key Series Active Noise Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds | $98 | Amazon | Use the promo code T18NC30OFF Read more...

The Bizarre Hellscape of Coronavirus Stock Art

39Gizmodo / 12h
Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, a growing portfolio of dystopian artworks has engulfed the popular photo marketplace Getty Images. Read more...

Pick Up A Truly Wireless Pair of ANC Earbuds For Less Than $100, Right Now

20Gizmodo / 12h
Aukey Key Series Active Noise Cancelling True Wireless Earbuds | $98 | Amazon | Use the promo code T18NC30OFF Read more...

Pick Up Gooloo's 4000A Peak SuperSafe Car Jump Starter for $84 Right Now

20Gizmodo / 12h
GOOLOO 4000A Peak SuperSafe Car Jump Starter | $84 | Amazon | Promo code CR7OCIC2 Read more...

Niantic buys a 3D mapping startup to enable 'planet-scale' AR

Apple Niantic AR 6D.ai200+Engadget / 12h
As much as Niantic might be focused on making its location-based games more playable at home , it's also thinking about its future. The developer has bought 3D mapping startup 6D.ai to help it develop "planet-scale" augmented reality. The relative newcomer's work on 3D environment reconstruction and persistent AR objects promises more sophisticated experiences than you're used to in the past. Nia

FAA Proposes New Rules To Allow Supersonic Flights, Fly To London in 3 Hours and Tokyo in 5

43View from the Wing / 12h
The FAA took a new step to change the rules around supersonic travel. That should remove a huge hurdle to flying to London in 3 hours and to Tokyo in 5 hours. Continue reading ...

How to Turn on Stack Overflow's New Dark Mode Setting

61Lifehacker / 12h
Stack Overflow, the famous “I’ll go there and figure out how to code something if I have no idea how to write it myself” message board beloved by developers worldwide, has finally unleashed its most-requested feature: dark mode . Read more...

NASA’s Mars Helicopter gets one last spin before launch

NASA Mars the Red PlanetSlashGear / 12h
Last week at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA wrapped up what it says was ‘important testing’ involving the small helicopter that will be shipped with its Perseverance Mars rover next year. This was the last time the helicopter’s rotor blades will spin until the vehicle arrives on the Martian surface, where NASA hopes to operate the first-ever aircraft … Continue reading

Endless is a simple, fun music collaboration app

100+Engadget / 12h
Thanks to social distancing measures, online collaboration is more prominent than ever. But that doesn't just go for work -- it's part of having fun, too. When it comes to remotely making music with friends, there's typically a high barrier to entry. Not everyone is familiar with the workflows of digital audio workstations like Ableton Live or Apple's Logic Pro X . That's where Endless comes in.

Facebook launches a global version of its Community Help feature in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Facebook Community Help200+TechCrunch / 12h
Facebook first launched its Community Help feature in 2017 , to give users a way to offer assistance, search for help and receive help in the wake of a crisis. The feature has since been used to connect Facebook users after man-made, accidental and natural disasters, like terrorist attacks or weather events, for example. Today, Facebook is expanding Community Help as part of its COVID-19 efforts.

How enterprise VR can empower a remote working world

80TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
With an ever-growing gig economy and pressure to achieve carbon neutrality, businesses have had to adapt remote working arrangements to keep pace with behavioural change in the workplace. The latest IWG Global Workspace Survey reveals that 73% of people in the UK consider flexible working to be t

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