theverge--2020-07-09--TikTok’s success has made it a big target for regulators

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A recurring theme of this newsletter is that I write about TikTok , make some dark prediction about its future , and then turn out to be totally wrong .
In that spirit , I thought today we could look at the particularly newsy week the ByteDance-owned video app has had , and then contribute some additional speculation that I will later have to disown or apologize for .
Yesterday we talked about the audio-only social network Clubhouse , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after failing to take action or even make a public comment after users began to experience harassment within the app .
Clubhouse took the same approach to trust and safety issues as most embryonic American social networks : do the bare minimum , and address any issues only after some portion of your user base identifies a crisis .
TikTok , on the other hand , took the opposite approach : censor almost everything , and allow new types of content only after angry public pressure campaigns .
This dynamic was captured beautifully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street Journal that charts the company ’ s ever-evolving content policies , which have grudgingly adjusted over the past several months to welcome such previously verboten content as political protests , MAGA hats , “ more than two inches of cleavage , ” and ... tattoos ?
Here are Georgia Wells , Shan Li , Liza Lin and Erich Schwartzel : Finally , people with larger butterfly tattoos on TikTok can participate in the Dogecoin challenge .
Of course , it ’ s easy to laugh at some of the puritanical content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have since been walked back enforced oppressive beauty standards , reflected class bias , restricted political speech , or otherwise made the app hostile to various groups .
And yet when critics complain that tech executives “ don ’ t care ” about all the terrible content posted on their networks — well , this is what caring looks like !
Because it was required to by the authoritarian Chinese government , TikTok took content moderation deadly seriously .
The result was a stack of policies that are largely offensive to mainstream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether you can take moderation seriously from the start , the way TikTok has , while still allowing a range of expression that doesn ’ t penalize people for having tattoos .
I think you can — I ’ ve been hearing more lately about some new social products that are trying — but I ’ m not sure a single company has gotten the balance right so far .
To its credit , TikTok has owned up to its overly draconian approach to the problem .
“ In its early days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the sake of trying to keep the platform as positive as possible , ” Eric Han , the app ’ s US head of safety , told the Journal .
“ That was unequivocally the wrong approach.
” For future startups , though , I ’ d argue it was a useful effort .
American startups have had very few role models for businesses that made trust and safety a foundational pillar of their companies , because Section 230 means they don ’ t have to .
But the protections afforded by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and questions of content moderation could be on the verge of becoming existential .
For future startups that want to take a more measured approach , TikTok ’ s frantic tattoo takedowns will make for a useful case study .
TikTok has other problems , though .
For example , the Secretary of State says the United States might ban it : The Trump administration is “ looking at ” a lot of things , and many previous insane-sounding proposals have come and gone without ever being enacted .
Others , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ took a few tries — but eventually became law .
The trade war with China is very much real , though , and has already led to the Trump administration banning government use of Huawei and ZTE telecommunications equipment , for fear of espionage .
Banning a social network owned by a Chinese company would be an unprecedented step for the United States , but not an unimaginable one .
And , given that China bans American social networks from operating there , the move would have a certain turnabout-is-fair-play element to it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to promote the idea that the app is firewalled off from ByteDance proper and will not share user data with the Chinese government .
( The company says it never has and never will , though security experts remain skeptical ByteDance could resist a serious challenge from the Chinese Communist Party . )
TikTok is registered in the Cayman Islands , for example .
And after Hong Kong passed a new national security law giving vast new surveillance powers to the Chinese Communist Party , TikTok led all social networks in pulling the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regulatory pressure is piling up anyway .
The Federal Trade Commission is reportedly investigating whether the company violated a 2019 consent decree meant to protect children ’ s privacy .
And threats of a US ban , along with a Facebook-centered advertiser boycott in July that led some companies to pause advertising on all social platforms , has contributed to a rocky launch of the company ’ s new self-serve ad platform .
Meanwhile , India actually did ban the app , along with 58 others , on charges that they “ engaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ integrity of India.
” ( It came amid a border skirmish with China in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed . )
In April , 30 percent of TikTok downloads came from India , according to Sensor Tower , and so the blow to ByteDance landed particularly hard .
Facebook , never one to waste a crisis , released its TikTok clone Reels in the company this week .
On one hand , TikTok ’ s cultural dominance is still ascendant .
Kids are spending 80 minutes a day using the app , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemingly being taken over by “ collab houses.
” And ByteDance has proven to be surprisingly nimble in navigating the regulatory challenges it has faced so far .
But it ’ s now clear that the company ’ s success has also made it a target .
On one side there is an erratic , xenophobic American administration that relishes punitive bans ; on the other is a brutal authoritarian regime .
TikTok has been adept at navigating between those two superpowers to date — but I can ’ t be alone in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Today in news that could affect public perception of the big tech platforms .
Trending down : Digital ad platforms run by Google , Amazon , and other tech companies will funnel at least $ 25 million into websites spreading misinformation about Covid-19 this year .
A research group called the Global Disinformation Index published a study this week that include these findings .
( Maya Tribbitt / Bloomberg ) ⭐ Facebook hasn ’ t done enough to fight discrimination on its platform , according to a tough new independent audit of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company also made some decisions that were “ significant setbacks for civil rights , ” the report finds .
Here ’ s Mike Isaac from the New York Times : Jim Steyer , the lawyer who who helped set up the ad boycott against Facebook , says the company could easily do a better job of cleaning up hate speech on the platform .
“ Don ’ t tell me they can ’ t figure that out , ” he said .
“ They ’ re a trillion-dollar company .
If they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clean up that platform.
” ( Facebook ’ s market cap is $ 693 billion , not a trillion . )
( Andrew Anthony / The Guardian ) Should climate groups join the Facebook ad boycott ?
Some already have — including several chapters of Greenpeace International — but others see using the platform as a necessary evil of advocacy .
( Emily Atkin / Heated ) The Facebook Oversight Board announced it won ’ t be operational until “ late fall ” .
That sure sounds like it will be after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board said it would start reviewing cases “ in the coming months.
” ( Sam Shead / CNBC ) Many government agencies , including the Department of Defense , have secured deals with Google , Amazon , and Microsoft , according to new research from the technology accountability nonprofit Tech Inquiry .
That ’ s despite mounting employee protests of some of the deals .
Many of the contracts are routed through subcontractors , making them difficult to find .
( April Glaser / NBC ) The CEOs of Amazon , Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before a US House of Representatives panel on July 27th .
In a statement , the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee said the hearing is part of its probe into the companies .
Can ’ t wait !
( Reuters ) Section 230 is considered a foundational law of Silicon Valley , which is probably why it ’ s currently under attack from politicians who take issue with companies like Facebook and Twitter .
This piece goes deep on the intricacies of the law , and the arguments against it .
( Anna Wiener @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s seeking to curb Section 230 protections , the EARN IT Act , can not be fixed through amendments , this piece argues .
If passed , even in an amended form , the bill would still pose a serious threat to online freedoms , especially freedom of speech .
( Riana Pfefferkorn / The Center for Internet and Society ) Conservative sites like Newsmax and Washington Examiner have published Middle East hot takes from “ experts ” who are actually fake personas pushing propaganda .
A network of at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 90 opinion pieces in 46 different publications .
( Adam Rawnsley / Daily Beast ) The Seattle City Council voted to approve a tax on the highest salaries at companies in the city with annual payroll expenses of $ 7 million or higher .
The tax will initially fund coronavirus relief and eventually go toward affordable housing and homelessness .
( Monica Nickelsburg / GeekWire ) Most virus-tracing apps used by governments lack adequate security and “ are easy for hackers ” to attack , according to a recent software analysis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Natasha Singer / The New York Times ) ⭐ Twitter seems to be working on a subscription platform for its social networking service .
A new job listing reveals that Twitter has a new internal team , codenamed “ Gryphon , ” that is “ building a subscription platform.
” Here ’ s Tom Warren at The Verge : Nearly 70,000 startup employees have lost their jobs since March .
Companies in the transportation and travel sectors were among the hardest hit .
( Angus Loten / The Wall Street Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its pinned comment feature , which it first began testing in May .
The feature lets any user pin three comments on a post to the top of a thread , to give them more control over the tone .
( Nick Statt / The Verge ) Tinder introduced its video call feature today .
Face to Face , as the company calls it , is rolling out as a test in 13 countries , including in the US in Virginia , Illinois , Georgia , and Colorado , as well as in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Ashley Carman / The Verge ) Here ’ s how Facebook ’ s org chart is changing with the return of Chris Cox .
Four of Zuckerberg ’ s recent direct reports — the heads of Instagram , Facebook , Messenger and WhatsApp — now report to Cox .
( Alex Heath / The Information ) Inside “ aesthetic TikTok , ” the part of the app where people put together what are essentially slideshows of Pinterest boards devoted to a certain feeling or mood .
( Rebecca Jennings / Vox ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the biggest names in streaming , is heading to YouTube .
The move comes after the surprise closure of Microsoft ’ s Mixer , though it ’ s not clear whether a long-term deal has yet been struck .
( Andrew Webster / The Verge ) Stuff to occupy you online during the quarantine .
Check out 33 powerful Black Lives Matter murals .
A beautiful feature from Amelia Holowaty Krales and Vjeran Pavic .
Turn off the most annoying Signal notification .
Never again get a push when a new contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hoppus play “ Dammit ” on The Last Of Us : Part II ’ s in-game guitar .
He forgets the lyrics to his own song , but other than that it ’ s pretty fun .
Send us tips , comments , questions , and the TikToks you will miss the most : casey @ theverge.com and zoe @ theverge.com .

I.
A recurring theme of this newsletter is that I write about TikTok, make some dark prediction about its future, and then turn out to be totally wrong. In that spirit, I thought today we could look at the particularly newsy week the ByteDance-owned video app has had, and then contribute some additional speculation that I will later have to disown or apologize for.
Yesterday we talked about the audio-only social network Clubhouse, which found itself at the center of controversy after failing to take action or even make a public comment after users began to experience harassment within the app. Clubhouse took the same approach to trust and safety issues as most embryonic American social networks: do the bare minimum, and address any issues only after some portion of your user base identifies a crisis.
TikTok, on the other hand, took the opposite approach: censor almost everything, and allow new types of content only after angry public pressure campaigns. This dynamic was captured beautifully on Wednesday in a story in the Wall Street Journal that charts the company’s ever-evolving content policies, which have grudgingly adjusted over the past several months to welcome such previously verboten content as political protests, MAGA hats, “more than two inches of cleavage,” and ... tattoos? Here are Georgia Wells, Shan Li , Liza Lin and Erich Schwartzel:
As TikTok has slowly rolled back certain restrictions, former moderators said they have been able to allow some curse words and, depending on the country, shirtless men, tattoos and alcohol. They said that although tattoos remained taboo in China, moderators in the U.S. could allow small ones, such as little butterflies. In November, Dwayne Johnson, the actor and former wrestler known as The Rock, posted his first video to the app. In January, Tommy Lee, the drummer for the band Motley Crue, joined TikTok. Both have large tattoos.
Finally, people with larger butterfly tattoos on TikTok can participate in the Dogecoin challenge.
Of course, it’s easy to laugh at some of the puritanical content guidelines TikTok has established. And others that have since been walked back enforced oppressive beauty standards, reflected class bias, restricted political speech, or otherwise made the app hostile to various groups.
And yet when critics complain that tech executives “don’t care” about all the terrible content posted on their networks — well, this is what caring looks like! Because it was required to by the authoritarian Chinese government, TikTok took content moderation deadly seriously. The result was a stack of policies that are largely offensive to mainstream American sensibilities.
One question here is whether you can take moderation seriously from the start, the way TikTok has, while still allowing a range of expression that doesn’t penalize people for having tattoos. I think you can — I’ve been hearing more lately about some new social products that are trying — but I’m not sure a single company has gotten the balance right so far.
To its credit, TikTok has owned up to its overly draconian approach to the problem. “In its early days, TikTok took very blunt strategies, all in the sake of trying to keep the platform as positive as possible,” Eric Han, the app’s US head of safety, told the Journal. “That was unequivocally the wrong approach.”
For future startups, though, I’d argue it was a useful effort. American startups have had very few role models for businesses that made trust and safety a foundational pillar of their companies, because Section 230 means they don’t have to. But the protections afforded by Section 230 appear to be eroding, and questions of content moderation could be on the verge of becoming existential. For future startups that want to take a more measured approach, TikTok’s frantic tattoo takedowns will make for a useful case study.
II.
TikTok has other problems, though.
For example, the Secretary of State says the United States might ban it:
When asked in a Fox News interview if the U.S. should be looking at banning TikTok and other Chinese social media apps, Pompeo said: “We are taking this very seriously. We are certainly looking at it.” “We have worked on this very issue for a long time,” he said.
The Trump administration is “looking at” a lot of things, and many previous insane-sounding proposals have come and gone without ever being enacted. Others, such as President Trump’s Muslim ban, took a few tries — but eventually became law.
The trade war with China is very much real, though, and has already led to the Trump administration banning government use of Huawei and ZTE telecommunications equipment, for fear of espionage. Banning a social network owned by a Chinese company would be an unprecedented step for the United States, but not an unimaginable one. And, given that China bans American social networks from operating there, the move would have a certain turnabout-is-fair-play element to it.
TikTok has made several moves designed to promote the idea that the app is firewalled off from ByteDance proper and will not share user data with the Chinese government. (The company says it never has and never will, though security experts remain skeptical ByteDance could resist a serious challenge from the Chinese Communist Party.) TikTok is registered in the Cayman Islands, for example. And after Hong Kong passed a new national security law giving vast new surveillance powers to the Chinese Communist Party, TikTok led all social networks in pulling the app from Hong Kong.
But the regulatory pressure is piling up anyway. The Federal Trade Commission is reportedly investigating whether the company violated a 2019 consent decree meant to protect children’s privacy. And threats of a US ban, along with a Facebook-centered advertiser boycott in July that led some companies to pause advertising on all social platforms, has contributed to a rocky launch of the company’s new self-serve ad platform.
Meanwhile, India actually did ban the app, along with 58 others, on charges that they “engaged in activities ... prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India.” (It came amid a border skirmish with China in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed.) In April, 30 percent of TikTok downloads came from India, according to Sensor Tower, and so the blow to ByteDance landed particularly hard. Facebook, never one to waste a crisis, released its TikTok clone Reels in the company this week.
On one hand, TikTok’s cultural dominance is still ascendant. Kids are spending 80 minutes a day using the app, and entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles are seemingly being taken over by “collab houses.” And ByteDance has proven to be surprisingly nimble in navigating the regulatory challenges it has faced so far.
But it’s now clear that the company’s success has also made it a target. On one side there is an erratic, xenophobic American administration that relishes punitive bans; on the other is a brutal authoritarian regime. TikTok has been adept at navigating between those two superpowers to date — but I can’t be alone in wondering whether that can last forever.
The Ratio
Today in news that could affect public perception of the big tech platforms.
🔽 Trending down: Digital ad platforms run by Google, Amazon, and other tech companies will funnel at least $25 million into websites spreading misinformation about Covid-19 this year. A research group called the Global Disinformation Index published a study this week that include these findings. (Maya Tribbitt / Bloomberg)
Governing
⭐ Facebook hasn’t done enough to fight discrimination on its platform, according to a tough new independent audit of the company’s policies and practices. The company also made some decisions that were “significant setbacks for civil rights,” the report finds. Here’s Mike Isaac from the New York Times:
In a 100-page prepublication report, which was obtained by The New York Times, the social network was repeatedly faulted for not having the infrastructure for handling civil rights and for prioritizing free expression on its platform over nondiscrimination. In some decisions, Facebook did not seek civil rights expertise, the auditors said, potentially setting a “terrible” precedent that could affect the November general election and other speech issues. “Many in the civil rights community have become disheartened, frustrated and angry after years of engagement where they implored the company to do more to advance equality and fight discrimination, while also safeguarding free expression,” wrote the auditors, Laura W. Murphy and Megan Cacace, who are civil rights experts and lawyers. They said they had “vigorously advocated for more and would have liked to see the company go further to address civil rights concerns in a host of areas.”
Jim Steyer, the lawyer who who helped set up the ad boycott against Facebook, says the company could easily do a better job of cleaning up hate speech on the platform. “Don’t tell me they can’t figure that out,” he said. “They’re a trillion-dollar company. If they really wanted to, they could completely clean up that platform.” (Facebook’s market cap is $693 billion, not a trillion.) (Andrew Anthony / The Guardian)
Should climate groups join the Facebook ad boycott? Some already have — including several chapters of Greenpeace International — but others see using the platform as a necessary evil of advocacy. (Emily Atkin / Heated)
The Facebook Oversight Board announced it won’t be operational until “late fall”. That sure sounds like it will be after the US presidential election. In May, the board said it would start reviewing cases “in the coming months.” (Sam Shead / CNBC)
Many government agencies, including the Department of Defense, have secured deals with Google, Amazon, and Microsoft, according to new research from the technology accountability nonprofit Tech Inquiry. That’s despite mounting employee protests of some of the deals. Many of the contracts are routed through subcontractors, making them difficult to find. (April Glaser / NBC)
The CEOs of Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook will appear before a US House of Representatives panel on July 27th. In a statement, the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee said the hearing is part of its probe into the companies. Can’t wait! (Reuters)
Section 230 is considered a foundational law of Silicon Valley, which is probably why it’s currently under attack from politicians who take issue with companies like Facebook and Twitter. This piece goes deep on the intricacies of the law, and the arguments against it. (Anna Wiener / The New Yorker)
One bill that’s seeking to curb Section 230 protections, the EARN IT Act, cannot be fixed through amendments, this piece argues. If passed, even in an amended form, the bill would still pose a serious threat to online freedoms, especially freedom of speech. (Riana Pfefferkorn / The Center for Internet and Society)
Conservative sites like Newsmax and Washington Examiner have published Middle East hot takes from “experts” who are actually fake personas pushing propaganda. A network of at least 19 of these personas have appeared in more than 90 opinion pieces in 46 different publications. (Adam Rawnsley / Daily Beast)
The Seattle City Council voted to approve a tax on the highest salaries at companies in the city with annual payroll expenses of $7 million or higher. The tax will initially fund coronavirus relief and eventually go toward affordable housing and homelessness. (Monica Nickelsburg / GeekWire)
Industry
⭐ Twitter seems to be working on a subscription platform for its social networking service. A new job listing reveals that Twitter has a new internal team, codenamed “Gryphon,” that is “building a subscription platform.” Here’s Tom Warren at The Verge:
The job posting notes potential Twitter subscriptions would be “a first” for the company, but it’s not clear exactly how Twitter plans to implement a subscription service. Twitter generates the vast majority of its revenue through ad sales and data licensing currently, and a subscription service could potentially provide exclusive content in return for a monthly fee. Twitter has previously investigated offering subscriptions as a paid service for power users. The company ran a survey a few years ago to assess whether Twitter users would pay for new analytics, breaking news alerts, or information about what an account’s followers are tweeting about.
Nearly 70,000 startup employees have lost their jobs since March. Companies in the transportation and travel sectors were among the hardest hit. (Angus Loten / The Wall Street Journal)
Instagram started the official rollout of its pinned comment feature, which it first began testing in May. The feature lets any user pin three comments on a post to the top of a thread, to give them more control over the tone. (Nick Statt / The Verge)
Tinder introduced its video call feature today. Face to Face, as the company calls it, is rolling out as a test in 13 countries, including in the US in Virginia, Illinois, Georgia, and Colorado, as well as in Australia, Brazil, and France. (Ashley Carman / The Verge)
Here’s how Facebook’s org chart is changing with the return of Chris Cox. Four of Zuckerberg’s recent direct reports — the heads of Instagram, Facebook, Messenger and WhatsApp — now report to Cox. (Alex Heath / The Information)
Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, one of the biggest names in streaming, is heading to YouTube. The move comes after the surprise closure of Microsoft’s Mixer, though it’s not clear whether a long-term deal has yet been struck. (Andrew Webster / The Verge)
Things to do
Stuff to occupy you online during the quarantine.
Check out 33 powerful Black Lives Matter murals. A beautiful feature from Amelia Holowaty Krales and Vjeran Pavic.
Turn off the most annoying Signal notification. Never again get a push when a new contact joins.
Watch Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus play “Dammit” on The Last Of Us: Part II’s in-game guitar. He forgets the lyrics to his own song, but other than that it’s pretty fun.
Those good tweets
Talk to us


theverge--2020-07-09--Apple’s iPhone repair program for independent stores expands to Europe and Canada

Apple ’ s Independent Repair Provider Program , which allows businesses to purchase genuine Apple parts to perform iPhone repairs without having to become a full-fledged Apple Authorized Service Provide ( AASP ) , is expanding to Canada and 32 countries across Europe , the company has announced .
The program launched in the US last year , and Apple says that 140 businesses with a total of 700 locations have signed up since .
The program is important because it gives independent shops access to certified Apple parts at the same cost as AASPs , without having to agree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to iFixit .
Genuine parts ensure “ safety and quality ” according to Apple , but in some cases its products aren ’ t shy about warning users when non-genuine models are used for repairs .
The program also gives shops access to resources such as Apple ’ s library of training courses and repair manuals .
140 businesses have signed up to the program in the US Joining the program is free , but Apple says that businesses need to have an Apple-certified technician to perform the repairs .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ available here , which include requiring that they have a commercial walk-in location , and must agree to keep Apple ’ s tools , training , service guides , and diagnostics confidential .
Although they ’ re less strict than its AASP agreements , the requirements of the Independent Repair Provide Program have faced their share of criticism .
A report from Vice criticized the contract that Apple asks shops to sign , and a source quoted by iFixit raised other concerns about the program , including the fact that it restricts who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as its independent repair program , Apple also says it ’ s continuing to expand its Authorized Service Providers program .
There are currently 5,000 AASPs worldwide , according to Apple , and last year it tripled the number of locations available in the US compared to three years ago when Best Buy joined the program .

Apple’s Independent Repair Provider Program, which allows businesses to purchase genuine Apple parts to perform iPhone repairs without having to become a full-fledged Apple Authorized Service Provide (AASP), is expanding to Canada and 32 countries across Europe, the company has announced. The program launched in the US last year, and Apple says that 140 businesses with a total of 700 locations have signed up since.
The program is important because it gives independent shops access to certified Apple parts at the same cost as AASPs, without having to agree to that program’s stricter requirements, according to iFixit. Genuine parts ensure “safety and quality” according to Apple, but in some cases its products aren’t shy about warning users when non-genuine models are used for repairs. The program also gives shops access to resources such as Apple’s library of training courses and repair manuals.
140 businesses have signed up to the program in the US
Joining the program is free, but Apple says that businesses need to have an Apple-certified technician to perform the repairs. A full list of requirements for businesses is available here, which include requiring that they have a commercial walk-in location, and must agree to keep Apple’s tools, training, service guides, and diagnostics confidential.
Although they’re less strict than its AASP agreements, the requirements of the Independent Repair Provide Program have faced their share of criticism. A report from Vice criticized the contract that Apple asks shops to sign, and a source quoted by iFixit raised other concerns about the program, including the fact that it restricts who businesses can purchase from.


theverge--2020-07-09--Fujifilm’s macOS webcam tool is out now

Fujifilm’s macOS webcam tool is out now

Fujifilm has released its software that lets you use X-series mirrorless cameras as a webcam for your Mac .
The @ @ @ @ @ initially released for Windows computers in May ; Fujifilm later said a Mac version would @ @ @ @ @ X Webcam works with the X-T200 , X-A7 , X-H1 , X-Pro2 , X-Pro3 , @ @ @ @ @ the X-T4 X-series APS-C mirrorless models , as well as all three GFX medium format @ @ @ @ @ Mac users is that Fujifilm only lists it as working with Zoom , Teams , @ @ @ @ @ Chrome or Microsoft ’ s new Chromium-based version of Edge , so you might not @ @ @ @ @ with Safari .
The software is available to download for free from Fujifilm ’ s @ @ @ @

Fujifilm has released its software that lets you use X-series mirrorless cameras as a webcam for your Mac. The Fujifilm X Webcam tool was initially released for Windows computers in May; Fujifilm later said a Mac version would follow in mid-July.
Fujifilm X Webcam works with the X-T200, X-A7, X-H1, X-Pro2, X-Pro3, X-T2, X-T3, and the X-T4 X-series APS-C mirrorless models, as well as all three GFX medium format cameras. One note for Mac users is that Fujifilm only lists it as working with Zoom, Teams, Skype, and Meet through Chrome or Microsoft’s new Chromium-based version of Edge, so you might not be able to use it with Safari.


theverge--2020-07-09--Google confirms new Nest smart speaker with official photo and video

Google has responded to the inadvertent reveal of a new Nest smart speaker through regulatory filings by , well , @ @ @ @ @ company just sent The Verge an official photo of the device , referring to it @ @ @ @ @ Nest team is working on from home.
” The speaker looks somewhere between the pillowy @ @ @ @ @ Google Home Max , with a similar ability to stand vertically .
The picture shows @ @ @ @ @ fabric , while the photos from the filing depicted a more neutral grey design .
@ @ @ @ @ teaser video that shows the speaker being used in the background , including a pink-ish @ @ @ @ @ s hardware products are notorious for leaking early , so as with the Pixel 4 @ @ @ @ @ to see the company get ahead of that reality .
No word on when this @ @ @ @ @ revealed in full or released , though .

Google has responded to the inadvertent reveal of a new Nest smart speaker through regulatory filings by, well, confirming its existence. The company just sent The Verge an official photo of the device, referring to it only as “what the Nest team is working on from home.”
The speaker looks somewhere between the pillowy Nest Mini and the larger Google Home Max, with a similar ability to stand vertically. The picture shows it wrapped in a blue fabric, while the photos from the filing depicted a more neutral grey design.
Google also shared a brief teaser video that shows the speaker being used in the background, including a pink-ish color variant.


theverge--2020-07-09--Dell XPS 15 gets new ‘frost’ white color option coming later this summer

Dell is adding a new color option to its popular XPS 15 laptop for the first time ever , and it ’ s a huge visual upgrade to the usual silver aluminum and black carbon fiber of the standard model .
Dell is calling the color option frost , and it comes with a ” frost machined aluminum with arctic white woven glass palm rest , ” the company says ( via CNET ) .
The frost version will run you an additional $ 50 when it becomes available later this summer .
The XPS 15 , the larger version @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it onto our list of best laptops , and our laptop reviewer Monica Chin , who reviewed the most recent iteration just last month , said the device ’ s 16:10 aspect ratio and upgraded bezel-free chassis design make it a solid choice for a large-screened daily driver .
It ’ s not quite as good as the XPS 13 , which is our top choice this year as the best laptop you can buy for most people , but the 15.6-inch model is still a solid option if you ’ re okay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heat , and battery life departments .

Dell is adding a new color option to its popular XPS 15 laptop for the first time ever, and it’s a huge visual upgrade to the usual silver aluminum and black carbon fiber of the standard model. Dell is calling the color option frost, and it comes with a ”frost machined aluminum with arctic white woven glass palm rest,” the company says ( via CNET ). The frost version will run you an additional $50 when it becomes available later this summer.
The XPS 15, the larger version of the excellent XPS 13, made it onto our list of best laptops, and our laptop reviewer Monica Chin, who reviewed the most recent iteration just last month, said the device’s 16:10 aspect ratio and upgraded bezel-free chassis design make it a solid choice for a large-screened daily driver. It’s not quite as good as the XPS 13, which is our top choice this year as the best laptop you can buy for most people, but the 15.6-inch model is still a solid option if you’re okay with its shortcomings in the noise, heat, and battery life departments.


theverge--2020-07-09--Fisker and Karma raise millions of dollars following wave of Tesla optimism

Fisker Inc. and Karma Automotive , two electric vehicle startups with a long shared history , each announced this week that they ’ ve raised millions of dollars .
Fisker has taken in $ 50 million of fresh capital from “ hedge fund king ” Louis Bacon and Karma Automotive has raised $ 100 million from undisclosed “ outside investors.
” The money comes at a time when there appears to be renewed interest in funding money-hungry electric vehicle startups , thanks in large part to Tesla ’ s skyrocketing stock price and the early success of hydrogen trucking company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fisker Inc. wants to take the same shortcut to being public that Nikola used In fact , Fisker Inc. is considering following in Nikola ’ s footsteps and becoming a publicly-traded company via a reverse merger , a person familiar with the deal tells The Verge .
The startup is in talks with Apollo Global Management to merge with the private equity firm ’ s publicly-listed “ blank check ” company , known as Spartan Energy Acquisition Corp. Spartan was set up in 2018 as a way for Apollo to field an investment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has until August 14th to acquire a company or else it will be dissolved , with investors and shareholders getting their money back .
( The people running Spartan are trying to extend this date until February 2021 , according to a recent filing . )
News of the talks between Fisker Inc. and Apollo Global Management was first reported by Reuters .
“ Special acquisition companies ” like Spartan have become increasingly popular in the last year or so , especially after a number of high-profile companies ran into trouble while taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Uber and Lyft went public last year , the share price of each immediately fell , and both companies ’ stocks are still trading below the original price .
WeWork , meanwhile , totally imploded as a result of the scrutiny of the so-called “ roadshow ” series of meetings that banks set up with investors before taking a company public .
By merging with Spartan , Fisker Inc. could sidestep some of those issues and more quickly access the public markets to raise some of the massive amount of cash required @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meantime , it has $ 50 million of new money coming in from Louis Bacon ’ s investment firm , Moore Strategic Ventures , LLC .
That ’ s more than triple the amount of money Fisker Inc. had previously raised from the venture arm of construction company Caterpillar and the family behind oil drilling company Schlumberger .
Fisker Inc. only just unveiled its electric vehicle , the Ocean , in January at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show .
The SUV is supposed to get around 300 miles of range on a full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a performance beast like a Tesla .
Instead , Fisker Inc. founder Henrik Fisker has said the Ocean will be all about environmental sustainability .
Henrik Fisker started Fisker Inc. a few years ago , and originally planned to make an electric luxury car before shelving that plan in favor of the Ocean .
The company is separate from Fisker Automotive , which he founded way back in 2007 , and became known for the Fisker Karma hybrid sports car .
Problems with the battery system and a fight with the Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fisker Automotive , which went bankrupt in 2013 .
Many of the assets from Fisker Automotive were bought out of the bankruptcy process by a Chinese company called Wanxiang , which revived the Karma project ( without Henrik Fisker ’ s involvement ) under a new brand : Karma Automotive .
That startup has , in the years since , sold a Karma-based hybrid sports car known as the Revero .
Karma Automotive has shared ambitions to build all-electric vehicles as well as sell the underlying technology , but has struggled mightily over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off hundreds of employees .
Now , though , the company says it has raised $ 100 million and is seeking to raise $ 300 million more .
Karma Automotive didn ’ t disclose who the new investors are , but Bloomberg reports that Wanxiang is looking to sell stakes to US-based private equity firms .
This would help reduce the Chinese ownership to below 50 percent in order to make selling to government fleets more politically palatable .
Not all EV startups are thriving While the enthusiasm around Tesla and Nikola may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fisker Inc. and Karma Automotive , plenty of other EV startups with a presence in the US are still struggling .
Chinese EV startup Byton , which has a North American headquarters in Silicon Valley , recently announced it is halting all global operations for six months because of money trouble .
Los Angeles-based Faraday Future is still in limbo , though its founder just wrapped up his personal bankruptcy case , and the startup says it will now be able to entertain investors who may have been skittish .
Seres , née @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the map after making a modest splash in Silicon Valley a few years ago .
A few lucky ones , like Rivian , Lucid Motors , and Nio were able to nail down big financing rounds before the pandemic .
Though in the case of Lucid Motors , the startup had to give up majority control to Saudi Arabia .
And in exchange for its own sort of bailout , Nio had to turn to state-owned entities in China .

The money comes at a time when there appears to be renewed interest in funding money-hungry electric vehicle startups, thanks in large part to Tesla’s skyrocketing stock price and the early success of hydrogen trucking company Nikola’s recent public listing.
Fisker Inc. wants to take the same shortcut to being public that Nikola used
In fact, Fisker Inc. is considering following in Nikola’s footsteps and becoming a publicly-traded company via a reverse merger, a person familiar with the deal tells The Verge. The startup is in talks with Apollo Global Management to merge with the private equity firm’s publicly-listed “blank check” company, known as Spartan Energy Acquisition Corp. Spartan was set up in 2018 as a way for Apollo to field an investment in the energy industry, and only has until August 14th to acquire a company or else it will be dissolved, with investors and shareholders getting their money back. (The people running Spartan are trying to extend this date until February 2021, according to a recent filing.) News of the talks between Fisker Inc. and Apollo Global Management was first reported by Reuters.
“Special acquisition companies” like Spartan have become increasingly popular in the last year or so, especially after a number of high-profile companies ran into trouble while taking the traditional route to becoming publicly-traded. After Uber and Lyft went public last year, the share price of each immediately fell, and both companies’ stocks are still trading below the original price. WeWork, meanwhile, totally imploded as a result of the scrutiny of the so-called “roadshow” series of meetings that banks set up with investors before taking a company public. By merging with Spartan, Fisker Inc. could sidestep some of those issues and more quickly access the public markets to raise some of the massive amount of cash required to make a car.
In the meantime, it has $50 million of new money coming in from Louis Bacon’s investment firm, Moore Strategic Ventures, LLC. That’s more than triple the amount of money Fisker Inc. had previously raised from the venture arm of construction company Caterpillar and the family behind oil drilling company Schlumberger.
Fisker Inc. only just unveiled its electric vehicle, the Ocean, in January at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show. The SUV is supposed to get around 300 miles of range on a full charge. But it won’t be a performance beast like a Tesla. Instead, Fisker Inc. founder Henrik Fisker has said the Ocean will be all about environmental sustainability.
Henrik Fisker started Fisker Inc. a few years ago, and originally planned to make an electric luxury car before shelving that plan in favor of the Ocean. The company is separate from Fisker Automotive, which he founded way back in 2007, and became known for the Fisker Karma hybrid sports car. Problems with the battery system and a fight with the Department of Energy over a loan ultimately doomed Fisker Automotive, which went bankrupt in 2013.
Many of the assets from Fisker Automotive were bought out of the bankruptcy process by a Chinese company called Wanxiang, which revived the Karma project (without Henrik Fisker’s involvement) under a new brand: Karma Automotive. That startup has, in the years since, sold a Karma-based hybrid sports car known as the Revero. Karma Automotive has shared ambitions to build all-electric vehicles as well as sell the underlying technology, but has struggled mightily over the last year or so, laying off hundreds of employees.
Now, though, the company says it has raised $100 million and is seeking to raise $300 million more. Karma Automotive didn’t disclose who the new investors are, but Bloomberg reports that Wanxiang is looking to sell stakes to US-based private equity firms. This would help reduce the Chinese ownership to below 50 percent in order to make selling to government fleets more politically palatable.
Not all EV startups are thriving
While the enthusiasm around Tesla and Nikola may have helped knock some money loose for Fisker Inc. and Karma Automotive, plenty of other EV startups with a presence in the US are still struggling. Chinese EV startup Byton, which has a North American headquarters in Silicon Valley, recently announced it is halting all global operations for six months because of money trouble. Los Angeles-based Faraday Future is still in limbo, though its founder just wrapped up his personal bankruptcy case, and the startup says it will now be able to entertain investors who may have been skittish. Seres, née SF Motors, has all but fallen off the map after making a modest splash in Silicon Valley a few years ago.


theverge--2020-07-09--NASA is updating its guidelines on how to prevent contamination of the Solar System

After years of debate , NASA plans to update its guidelines for how much biological contamination of other worlds will be allowed while the agency explores the Solar System .
The new rules would relax some of the agency ’ s requirements for how to explore the Moon and Mars — two high-profile destinations where NASA hopes to send astronauts in the coming years .
For decades , NASA has followed fairly strict rules about how much biological contamination is considered acceptable whenever the agency sends probes — or people — to other planets .
It ’ s a concept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has a legal basis in a treaty signed more than 50 years ago .
Called the Outer Space Treaty , it challenges nations to explore other worlds “ so as to avoid their harmful contamination ” and to not bring back any alien microbes from other worlds that could cause harm to Earth .
A big goal of planetary protection has been to keep us from tracking microbes all over the Solar System A big goal of planetary protection has been to keep us from tracking microbes all over the Solar System .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ come across some kind of life form on another world , we would know with certainty that it actually came from that world and that we didn ’ t put it there on accident .
Planetary protection is also focused on keeping humans safe , too .
If a country does find life , we want to make sure it ’ s not going to wipe us out if they bring it back to our planet .
Adhering to planetary protection has always been a bit of a trade-off , since practically everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of microbe on it .
Depending on where they ’ re headed in the Solar System , spacecraft often undergo really strict cleaning procedures in an attempt to get rid of these tiny organisms .
For some , that means getting baked at high temperatures to kill off microbes and to make the vehicles as immaculate as possible .
But now , NASA is particularly focused on sending humans into deep space once again .
And whenever people go into space , we carry tons of bacteria with us , no matter how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such a high priority , NASA now wants to rethink some of the more strict requirements for the Moon and Mars — otherwise human exploration would be too tough to pull off .
Today , NASA released two new “ interim directives ” that lay out potential changes to the guidelines for exploring the Moon and Mars .
It follows years of urging from the space community to update these rules .
“ We need to relook at these policies.
” “ We need to relook at these policies because we can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the principle that we ’ re living by is that we can ’ t have any microbial substances with us , ” NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said during a webinar announcing the new proposed changes .
“ Because that ’ s just not possible.
” The first directive revolves around reclassifying parts of the Moon so that there are less restrictions for sending spacecraft and people there .
Under current planetary protection rules , the Moon is considered a Category II celestial body , which means there is a “ rare chance that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future missions.
” The Moon received this designation after scientists discovered that there was potentially a lot of water ice lurking on the lunar surface .
And whenever there ’ s water somewhere in the Solar System , scientists are always cautious about the possibility of it sustaining some kind of life .
The new interim directive would reclassify the Moon as mostly a Category I body , which doesn ’ t require any planetary protection requirements because there ’ s no expectation of finding life .
But , NASA would still consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where water ice is thought to exist — as Category II locations .
“ We need to make sure that when we go to the Moon , we ’ re protecting those very important scientific sites where there is a risk of ... harmfully contaminating the Moon from a biological perspective , ” Bridenstine said .
“ we just have to be really careful to inventory all of the biology that we may be taking with us.
” Such places would include the lunar south pole , which is believed to host quite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ craters that are permanently in shadow .
“ Under Category II , you can go there , but we just have to be really careful to inventory all of the biology that we may be taking with us , ” said Bridenstine .
The second directive would update the Mars rules so that human missions will be allowed in the future .
Right now , Mars is a fairly restricted planet .
It ’ s a Category IV body for landers , which means there ’ s a big interest in finding life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , parts of the planet — where there might be liquid water — are even more restricted , requiring more intensive guidelines .
NASA is not recommending to change the designations of Mars .
But the interim directive does call for the agency to come up with new guidelines , based on what we continue to learn about Mars from upcoming missions like the Perseverance rover launching this summer .
“ The challenge with Mars is that we simply don ’ t yet have enough information to know where it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t go and where we can go but we need to be more careful than other places , ” said Bridenstine .
He added : “ We will continue to refine , make adjustments , and then , as much as possible , open it up to where there ’ s more access for more people ; I should say , more missions.
” These new interim directives are meant to be malleable , according to Bridenstine .
“ These are not policy directives ; they ’ re not set in stone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policies are the latest in a number of changes and new guidelines that NASA is creating as it strives to go back to the Moon through its Artemis program .
In May , NASA announced the creation of the Artemis Accords , a set of international standards for exploring the Moon that it hopes other countries will follow .
“ As the community of nations goes forward to the Moon and on to Mars , we need to make sure that the United States of America , through NASA and its policy directives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s really what we ’ re trying to achieve here , ” Bridenstine said .

After years of debate, NASA plans to update its guidelines for how much biological contamination of other worlds will be allowed while the agency explores the Solar System. The new rules would relax some of the agency’s requirements for how to explore the Moon and Mars — two high-profile destinations where NASA hopes to send astronauts in the coming years.
For decades, NASA has followed fairly strict rules about how much biological contamination is considered acceptable whenever the agency sends probes — or people — to other planets. It’s a concept known as planetary protection, and it has a legal basis in a treaty signed more than 50 years ago. Called the Outer Space Treaty, it challenges nations to explore other worlds “so as to avoid their harmful contamination” and to not bring back any alien microbes from other worlds that could cause harm to Earth.
A big goal of planetary protection has been to keep us from tracking microbes all over the Solar System
A big goal of planetary protection has been to keep us from tracking microbes all over the Solar System. That way, if we were to come across some kind of life form on another world, we would know with certainty that it actually came from that world and that we didn’t put it there on accident. Planetary protection is also focused on keeping humans safe, too. If a country does find life, we want to make sure it’s not going to wipe us out if they bring it back to our planet.
Adhering to planetary protection has always been a bit of a trade-off, since practically everything we send into space has some kind of microbe on it. Depending on where they’re headed in the Solar System, spacecraft often undergo really strict cleaning procedures in an attempt to get rid of these tiny organisms. For some, that means getting baked at high temperatures to kill off microbes and to make the vehicles as immaculate as possible.
But now, NASA is particularly focused on sending humans into deep space once again. And whenever people go into space, we carry tons of bacteria with us, no matter how much we clean. With human exploration such a high priority, NASA now wants to rethink some of the more strict requirements for the Moon and Mars — otherwise human exploration would be too tough to pull off. Today, NASA released two new “interim directives” that lay out potential changes to the guidelines for exploring the Moon and Mars. It follows years of urging from the space community to update these rules.
“We need to relook at these policies.”
“We need to relook at these policies because we can’t go to Mars with humans if the principle that we’re living by is that we can’t have any microbial substances with us,” NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said during a webinar announcing the new proposed changes. “Because that’s just not possible.”
The first directive revolves around reclassifying parts of the Moon so that there are less restrictions for sending spacecraft and people there. Under current planetary protection rules, the Moon is considered a Category II celestial body, which means there is a “rare chance that contamination carried by a spacecraft could jeopardize future missions.” The Moon received this designation after scientists discovered that there was potentially a lot of water ice lurking on the lunar surface. And whenever there’s water somewhere in the Solar System, scientists are always cautious about the possibility of it sustaining some kind of life.
The new interim directive would reclassify the Moon as mostly a Category I body, which doesn’t require any planetary protection requirements because there’s no expectation of finding life. But, NASA would still consider parts of the Moon — notably craters where water ice is thought to exist — as Category II locations. “We need to make sure that when we go to the Moon, we’re protecting those very important scientific sites where there is a risk of... harmfully contaminating the Moon from a biological perspective,” Bridenstine said.
“we just have to be really careful to inventory all of the biology that we may be taking with us.”
Such places would include the lunar south pole, which is believed to host quite a bit of water ice in its craters that are permanently in shadow. “Under Category II, you can go there, but we just have to be really careful to inventory all of the biology that we may be taking with us,” said Bridenstine.
The second directive would update the Mars rules so that human missions will be allowed in the future. Right now, Mars is a fairly restricted planet. It’s a Category IV body for landers, which means there’s a big interest in finding life there and a significant risk of contamination. Meanwhile, parts of the planet — where there might be liquid water — are even more restricted, requiring more intensive guidelines. NASA is not recommending to change the designations of Mars. But the interim directive does call for the agency to come up with new guidelines, based on what we continue to learn about Mars from upcoming missions like the Perseverance rover launching this summer. “The challenge with Mars is that we simply don’t yet have enough information to know where it is we can go and where we shouldn’t go and where we can go but we need to be more careful than other places,” said Bridenstine. He added: “We will continue to refine, make adjustments, and then, as much as possible, open it up to where there’s more access for more people; I should say, more missions.”
These new interim directives are meant to be malleable, according to Bridenstine. “These are not policy directives; they’re not set in stone,” he said.


theverge--2020-07-09--Android 10 had the fastest adoption rate of any version of Android yet

Google has long struggled with getting device manufacturers to update older devices to the latest version of Android , but the company announced today that it ’ s starting to see some success , with Android 10 seeing the fastest adoption rates of any version of Android .
According to Google , Android 10 was installed on 100 million devices five months after its launch in September 2019 — 28 percent faster than it took the company to reach a similar milestone for Android Pie .
Google credits the faster adoption rate to improvements the company has been making over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Project Treble and Android 10 ’ s Project Mainline , which makes it easier for hardware companies to create new updates .
But while those numbers are impressive , Google ’ s post is notably missing some crucial information , like what percentage of Android devices are running Android 10 — a number that ’ s sure to be lower than Google would like .
In fact , Google has effectively stopped publishing the breakdown percentage of which Android devices are running which version of Android entirely , following a similar announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9 Pie adoption rates .
( At the time , Android Pie had been installed on 22.6 percent of Android devices ahead of the release of Android 10 . )
Those numbers also pale in comparison to Apple , which currently has 81 percent of all iOS devices on the latest iOS 13 , an advantage helped by Apple ’ s nearly total control over hardware and software , along with the drastically fewer devices that Apple needs to support compared to the myriad number of Android phones .
Still , Google ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ ll manage to continue the trend with Android 11 when it launches later this year .

Google has long struggled with getting device manufacturers to update older devices to the latest version of Android, but the company announced today that it’s starting to see some success, with Android 10 seeing the fastest adoption rates of any version of Android.
According to Google, Android 10 was installed on 100 million devices five months after its launch in September 2019 — 28 percent faster than it took the company to reach a similar milestone for Android Pie. Google credits the faster adoption rate to improvements the company has been making over the years, like Android Oreo’s Project Treble and Android 10’s Project Mainline, which makes it easier for hardware companies to create new updates.
But while those numbers are impressive, Google’s post is notably missing some crucial information, like what percentage of Android devices are running Android 10 — a number that’s sure to be lower than Google would like. In fact, Google has effectively stopped publishing the breakdown percentage of which Android devices are running which version of Android entirely, following a similar announcement last August that looked back at Android 9 Pie adoption rates. (At the time, Android Pie had been installed on 22.6 percent of Android devices ahead of the release of Android 10.)
Those numbers also pale in comparison to Apple, which currently has 81 percent of all iOS devices on the latest iOS 13, an advantage helped by Apple’s nearly total control over hardware and software, along with the drastically fewer devices that Apple needs to support compared to the myriad number of Android phones.


theverge--2020-07-09--San Diego Comic-Con goes digital, but heavy hitters from Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. may be abse

San Diego Comic-Con goes digital, but heavy hitters from Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. may be absent

Tens of thousands of people won ’ t be descending upon San Diego this summer for the annual Comic-Con International gathering , but the festival is still going ahead as a virtual event with a lineup that includes some heavy hitters .
It ’ s a good year for streamers .
Amazon , FX , HBO , Hulu , and ViacomCBS are just some of the networks and studios that have announced they ’ ll have a presence during the convention .
For San Diego Comic-Con ’ s first virtual conference , that means panels will stream online for anyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this scenario : seeing panels isn ’ t restricted to people with Comic-Con passes that are prepared to wait for hours in the sun to get into Hall H. Each network and studio is bringing along some of their biggest titles , including three Star Trek titles , His Dark Materials and Lovecraft Country from HBO , Archer and What We Do in the Shadows from FX , and The Boys and Upload from Amazon .
Other studios are likely to join , but haven ’ t announced their plans yet .
Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ViacomCBS are just some of the networks and studios participating What ’ s less clear is whether two of San Diego Comic-Con ’ s biggest attendees will participate this year : Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. films .
Deadline reported on Wednesday that Marvel Studios will be “ sitting on the sidelines this year , ” although some Marvel productions will appear .
Disney Plus will have a presence at the convention , the company previously announced .
Marvel 616 , a documentary series that “ explores how Marvel ’ s rich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exist within the ‘ world outside your window , ’ ” according to Disney , will have a special panel .
Based on what Deadline is reporting and Disney ’ s own list of Disney Plus panels , don ’ t expect anything from Loki , WandaVision , and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier .
Could Disney host its own Studios event , one that could include Marvel , Pixar , Star Wars , its live-action division and animated ?
I mean , sure , in the sense that anything is possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this being a thing it ’ s working toward .
What seems more likely is that Disney , which has had several films face major delays because of COVID-19 , will wait until next year for a physical San Diego Comic-Con and its own biennial D23 convention scheduled for next year .
DC , on the other hand , is hosting its own major convention .
FanDome kicks off on August 22nd for 24 hours and will feature a number of big announcements and trailer drops that usually accompany the brand ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
WarnerMedia ’ s note of what ’ s coming to Comic-Con mentions HBO , HBO Max , and TBS , but neither Warner Bros. nor DC Comics is mentioned .
That means it ’ s unclear if movies like Dune will get time , but it seems unlikely .
The Verge has reached out for more information .
“ Warner Bros. and DC have been — and will continue to be — longtime partners and supporters of San Diego Comic-Con , ” a spokesperson for DC and Warner Bros. said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are excited to participate in this year ’ s Comic-Con @ Home with 23 virtual panels across Warner Bros. Television , Home Entertainment , Kids , Young Adults and DC publishing.
” DC Comics and WarnerMedia are bringing a ton of people involved in some of its most anticipated projects for interviews and discussions , including Aquaman , The Batman , Batwoman , Black Adam , Black Lightning , DC Super Hero Girls , Legends of Tomorrow , Stargirl , Doom Patrol , The Flash , Harley Quinn , the Snyder Cut of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Shazam !
, The Suicide Squad , Supergirl , Superman & Lois , Teen Titans Go !
, Titans , Watchmen , Young Justice : Outsider , and Wonder Woman 1984 .
So what does a virtual Comic-Con look like ?
Well , there are still panels that people can watch .
They ’ ll play on YouTube , so all you need to do is click on the link from San Diego Comic-Con ’ s website where the schedule is posted .
A full schedule and announced panels is available on the @ @

Tens of thousands of people won’t be descending upon San Diego this summer for the annual Comic-Con International gathering, but the festival is still going ahead as a virtual event with a lineup that includes some heavy hitters.
It’s a good year for streamers. Amazon, FX, HBO, Hulu, and ViacomCBS are just some of the networks and studios that have announced they’ll have a presence during the convention. For San Diego Comic-Con’s first virtual conference, that means panels will stream online for anyone to watch. The obvious pro in this scenario: seeing panels isn’t restricted to people with Comic-Con passes that are prepared to wait for hours in the sun to get into Hall H.
Each network and studio is bringing along some of their biggest titles, including three Star Trek titles, His Dark Materials and Lovecraft Country from HBO, Archer and What We Do in the Shadows from FX, and The Boys and Upload from Amazon. Other studios are likely to join, but haven’t announced their plans yet.
Amazon, FX, HBO, Hulu, and ViacomCBS are just some of the networks and studios participating
What’s less clear is whether two of San Diego Comic-Con’s biggest attendees will participate this year: Marvel Studios and Warner Bros. films. Deadline reported on Wednesday that Marvel Studios will be “sitting on the sidelines this year,” although some Marvel productions will appear.
Disney Plus will have a presence at the convention, the company previously announced. Marvel 616, a documentary series that “explores how Marvel’s rich legacy of stories, characters and creators exist within the ‘world outside your window,’” according to Disney, will have a special panel. Based on what Deadline is reporting and Disney’s own list of Disney Plus panels, don’t expect anything from Loki, WandaVision, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
Could Disney host its own Studios event, one that could include Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, its live-action division and animated? I mean, sure, in the sense that anything is possible, but Disney hasn’t hinted at this being a thing it’s working toward. What seems more likely is that Disney, which has had several films face major delays because of COVID-19, will wait until next year for a physical San Diego Comic-Con and its own biennial D23 convention scheduled for next year.
DC, on the other hand, is hosting its own major convention. FanDome kicks off on August 22nd for 24 hours and will feature a number of big announcements and trailer drops that usually accompany the brand’s appearance in Hall H at Comic-Con. WarnerMedia’s note of what’s coming to Comic-Con mentions HBO, HBO Max, and TBS, but neither Warner Bros. nor DC Comics is mentioned. That means it’s unclear if movies like Dune will get time, but it seems unlikely. The Verge has reached out for more information.
“Warner Bros. and DC have been — and will continue to be — longtime partners and supporters of San Diego Comic-Con,” a spokesperson for DC and Warner Bros. said in a statement to The Wrap. “We are excited to participate in this year’s Comic-Con@Home with 23 virtual panels across Warner Bros. Television, Home Entertainment, Kids, Young Adults and DC publishing.”
DC Comics and WarnerMedia are bringing a ton of people involved in some of its most anticipated projects for interviews and discussions, including Aquaman, The Batman, Batwoman, Black Adam, Black Lightning, DC Super Hero Girls, Legends of Tomorrow, Stargirl, Doom Patrol, The Flash, Harley Quinn, the Snyder Cut of Justice League, Lucifer, Pennyworth, Shazam!, The Suicide Squad, Supergirl, Superman & Lois, Teen Titans Go!, Titans, Watchmen, Young Justice: Outsider, and Wonder Woman 1984.
So what does a virtual Comic-Con look like? Well, there are still panels that people can watch. They’ll play on YouTube, so all you need to do is click on the link from San Diego Comic-Con’s website where the schedule is posted. A full schedule and announced panels is available on the site.


theverge--2020-07-09--Amazon’s Alexa app will soon let you speak commands without pressing the blue button

Amazon is making a small tweak to the Alexa companion app on iOS and Android ; in a few days you ’ ll no longer need to tap the blue Alexa button on your screen to say a voice command , TechCrunch reports .
Unfortunately , the new “ hands-free ” mode apparently only works if you launch the app and continuously keep it open on your phone .
For me , it won ’ t be very useful until I can use Alexa on my iPhone without unlocking and launching it first .
If you really want a phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your phone ’ s voice assistant , Amazon sells a bunch of co-branded “ Alexa-Built In ” smartphones where it partners with Android manufacturers like OnePlus , Motorola and Sony to let you wake Alexa with just your voice .
If you ’ re like me and don ’ t want to ditch your iPhone , you can trick Siri to launch the Alexa app : first say “ Hey Siri , open the Alexa app , ” unlock your iPhone , and then you should be able to ask Alexa to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to touch your iPhone if you ’ ve got Face ID ; just give it a quick glance to unlock .
You can also try Damian Mehers ’ Voice in a Can app , which lets you to launch the app by saying “ Alexa , ” but you will need to create a Siri Shortcut .
Hands-free voice commands provide convenience to consumers who multitask or have their hands full in addition giving to people with mobility or motor impairments a more accessible way to use their devices .
On Windows computers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ; Amazon ’ s Music App also has had a hands-free mode since 2017 , allowing you to ask Alexa to play music using only your voice .
Update July 9th , 4:10PM ET : This story has been updated to include third-party app Voice in a Can .

Amazon is making a small tweak to the Alexa companion app on iOS and Android; in a few days you’ll no longer need to tap the blue Alexa button on your screen to say a voice command, TechCrunch reports. Unfortunately, the new “hands-free” mode apparently only works if you launch the app and continuously keep it open on your phone. For me, it won’t be very useful until I can use Alexa on my iPhone without unlocking and launching it first.
If you really want a phone that allows you to use Alexa as your phone’s voice assistant, Amazon sells a bunch of co-branded “Alexa-Built In” smartphones where it partners with Android manufacturers like OnePlus, Motorola and Sony to let you wake Alexa with just your voice. If you’re like me and don’t want to ditch your iPhone, you can trick Siri to launch the Alexa app: first say “Hey Siri, open the Alexa app,” unlock your iPhone, and then you should be able to ask Alexa to do things. You won’t have to touch your iPhone if you’ve got Face ID; just give it a quick glance to unlock. You can also try Damian Mehers’ Voice in a Can app, which lets you to launch the app by saying “Alexa,” but you will need to create a Siri Shortcut.
Hands-free voice commands provide convenience to consumers who multitask or have their hands full in addition giving to people with mobility or motor impairments a more accessible way to use their devices. On Windows computers, Alexa has been hands-free since last year; Amazon’s Music App also has had a hands-free mode since 2017, allowing you to ask Alexa to play music using only your voice.


theverge--2020-07-09--TikTok’s likes briefly broke down at the worst possible time

For a few hours on Thursday afternoon , videos that appeared on TikTok user pages , following feeds , and the For You Page all displayed broken Like totals for some users across the globe .
TikTok showed that these videos had zero likes .
“ Earlier today , some of our users experienced app issues around notifications , the display of likes and view counts , and trouble loading videos on some pages of the app , ” TikTok said in a statement to The Verge .
“ The issues appear to have been caused by higher traffic than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ causing temporary service disruptions .
We ’ ve resolved the problem and are investigating the cause , and will share updates as they become available.
” But the brief outage came at the worst possible time , as many TikTok users concluded that the glitch was the result of a countrywide ban on the app , which had been threatened by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this week .
In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday , Pompeo said that the government was “ looking into ” banning the app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seriously .
We are certainly looking at it , ” Pompeo said Monday .
“ With respect to Chinese apps on peoples ’ cellphones , the United States will get this one right too.
” Over the last year , US lawmakers and government officials have grown increasingly concerned over the app ’ s handling of user data and its relationship with the Chinese government .
But a “ ban ” would be difficult to achieve in the US , and the White House has yet to act on its statements .
Updated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new statement from TikTok .

For a few hours on Thursday afternoon, videos that appeared on TikTok user pages, following feeds, and the For You Page all displayed broken Like totals for some users across the globe. TikTok showed that these videos had zero likes.
“Earlier today, some of our users experienced app issues around notifications, the display of likes and view counts, and trouble loading videos on some pages of the app,” TikTok said in a statement to The Verge. “The issues appear to have been caused by higher traffic than normal on our servers in Virginia, causing temporary service disruptions. We’ve resolved the problem and are investigating the cause, and will share updates as they become available.”
But the brief outage came at the worst possible time, as many TikTok users concluded that the glitch was the result of a countrywide ban on the app, which had been threatened by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo earlier this week. In an interview with Fox News on Tuesday, Pompeo said that the government was “looking into” banning the app.
“We are taking this very seriously. We are certainly looking at it,” Pompeo said Monday. “With respect to Chinese apps on peoples’ cellphones, the United States will get this one right too.”
Over the last year, US lawmakers and government officials have grown increasingly concerned over the app’s handling of user data and its relationship with the Chinese government. But a “ban” would be difficult to achieve in the US, and the White House has yet to act on its statements.


theverge--2020-07-09--Superhot creators are giving away millions of free copies of Mind Control Delete expansion

The team behind time-bending first-person shooter Superhot has a pretty good proposition : buy or have bought the first game and you get the follow-up for free .
Called Superhot : Mind Control Delete , the standalone expansion has been in early access on Steam since 2017 .
But it ’ s releasing in full on July 16th , and developer Superhot Team wants to reward buyers of the original with a free copy .
That means as many as 2 million people are eligible to receive the expansion without paying for it , the studio says .
All you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or have already purchased the game , on one of the supported major platforms and the expansion will be automatically added to your library .
It ’ s important to note that this is for the non-VR version of the game , as the VR version for Oculus Rift and other platforms is a separate title .
Right now , Superhot is 60 percent off on the Microsoft Store , Steam , and Xbox .
Normally , the game costs $ 24.99 , and it ’ s still up for full price on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Switch is not among the supported platforms for the promotion . )
Anyone who pays for the game through Steam , PlayStation , Xbox , Epic Games Store , Origin , or GOG will be eligible for the free copy of the expansion .
But the deal applies only to people who have bought the game and not those who received it for free through a bundle , sale , or other promotion like PlayStation Plus or Xbox ’ s Games With Gold .
Those who received the game for free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giveaway do get a steep discount , the studio says .
Here ’ s a handy FAQ breaking down the requirements and how you ’ ll be able to claim the free copy ( in most cases , Superhot Team says it will just be added to your library ) .
For those unaware , Mind Control Delete is more of the same zany , slow-motion combat and puzzle-solving that made the first Superhot one of the most creative shooters of the past decade .
But the expansion throws in a rogue-lite twist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as a number of new enemy types , weapons , and other additions .

The team behind time-bending first-person shooter Superhot has a pretty good proposition: buy or have bought the first game and you get the follow-up for free. Called Superhot: Mind Control Delete, the standalone expansion has been in early access on Steam since 2017. But it’s releasing in full on July 16th, and developer Superhot Team wants to reward buyers of the original with a free copy. That means as many as 2 million people are eligible to receive the expansion without paying for it, the studio says.
All you need to do is purchase Superhot, or have already purchased the game, on one of the supported major platforms and the expansion will be automatically added to your library. It’s important to note that this is for the non-VR version of the game, as the VR version for Oculus Rift and other platforms is a separate title. Right now, Superhot is 60 percent off on the Microsoft Store, Steam, and Xbox. Normally, the game costs $24.99, and it’s still up for full price on the PlayStation Store and on Nintendo Switch. (Switch is not among the supported platforms for the promotion.)
Anyone who pays for the game through Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, Epic Games Store, Origin, or GOG will be eligible for the free copy of the expansion. But the deal applies only to people who have bought the game and not those who received it for free through a bundle, sale, or other promotion like PlayStation Plus or Xbox’s Games With Gold. Those who received the game for free as part of the Epic winter holiday giveaway do get a steep discount, the studio says. Here’s a handy FAQ breaking down the requirements and how you’ll be able to claim the free copy (in most cases, Superhot Team says it will just be added to your library).


theverge--2020-07-10--Lenovo’s Flex 5G proves it’s too early to buy a 5G laptop

Lenovo ’ s Flex 5G has a lot to live up to as the world ’ s first 5G-enabled Windows 10 2-in-1 laptop .
Not just that , it also needs to convince people that putting ARM-based processors in a Windows laptop is a perk , not a liability that spells incompatibility doom for those who rely on a lot of apps .
No pressure .
First , let ’ s start with 5G .
This is technically the world ’ s best 5G-ready laptop — only because there are currently no alternatives .
As you ’ d expect and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , its support for Verizon ’ s ultra-wideband ( UWB ) mmWave 5G network means that under ideal conditions , downloads and uploads absolutely fly .
But it ’ s only as good as Verizon ’ s network currently allows , and given that its low-band sub-6GHz spectrum ( which this laptop also supports ) won ’ t come until later in 2020 , it takes some serious effort to find a fast connection .
Eventually , the interplay of mmWave and sub-6GHz spectrum means the fast connection will find you , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find it yourself .
If you have to travel far out of your way just to take advantage of this laptop ’ s defining feature , I ’ d suggest skipping this laptop altogether for now .
Using this machine in range of Verizon ’ s 5G nodes in Brooklyn , at best , serves up connection speeds that are about twice as fast as what I get on my PC plugged in via Ethernet at home .
On average , I got around 500Mbps download speeds and 50Mbps upload ( note @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LTE network ) .
I never hit gigabit speeds like my colleague Chris Welch did in a previous Verizon 5G test using phones , but the performance was far better than I ’ ve ever experienced on LTE .
In an area where I was getting 335Mbps download and 61Mbps upload , it took the laptop about 15 seconds to download a 355MB video from Google Drive and about one minute to upload it .
Hitting those fast speeds was great , but finding the sweet spot was like finding an invisible needle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Verizon ’ s unclear 5G coverage map .
I traveled to five different spots said to have 5G , and I found that having 5G signal and losing it can come down to walking 20 feet or turning a street corner .
Just like that , close to half-gigabit download speeds go down to 170Mbps .
That ’ s still very fast , but it illustrates how touchy mmWave is and why it ’ s not worth relying on fully right now regardless of the device you ’ re using as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the laptop failed to pick up on the 5G signal entirely , though it ’ s tough to know whether I should blame the laptop , or perhaps it just wasn ’ t working in the area for whatever reason .
I don ’ t have a 5G phone , so I couldn ’ t test it on a second device .
I ’ m lucky to have several nearby locations in my area where Verizon has UWB nodes because this isn ’ t representative of every city in the US .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , delicate range , I wouldn ’ t call the process of finding a 5G hotspot even in a well-served area convenient at all — especially during a pandemic .
All said , being able to use 5G on a laptop is an impressive feat , and it ’ s something that I find far more useful to have in this form factor than in a smartphone .
The Flex 5G ’ s 2-in-1 design adds more use cases with its tent mode , allowing you to post up and stream a movie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can also twist the screen around to use it as a tablet .
Plus , Windows 10 , even in the limited ARM-based version available here , grants me more flexibility for work in terms of application support and multitasking than a phone can .
Though , with the good comes a disproportionately high heaping of disappointment here if you ’ re hoping this is a no-compromises laptop .
The Flex 5G ’ s ARM processor is more powerful than I expected it to be , but it presents some serious limitations in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Windows 10 .
Ultimately , this laptop suffers a similar fate of the Surface Pro X , another machine built with an ARM processor .
I was met with several incompatibility errors when trying to install a few apps that I ’ d rather not live without , like Affinity Photo or Xbox Game Pass .
As my colleague Dieter Bohn pointed out in his review of the Surface Pro X , the Microsoft Store didn ’ t help filter out which apps were or were not compatible with ARM — and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You might be able to get some apps working through the built-in emulation settings available in Windows 10 Pro , but even those can ’ t fix the big issue that 64-bit x86 apps still can not run here , and Microsoft does nothing to make the journey easier — even if it ends at a dead end .
I went on a downloading spree to see what kinds of things would work , and it was predictably hit-or-miss .
The .exe file for Slack that automatically downloads from its site wouldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the right kind of processor , though the version on the Microsoft Store worked fine .
Also , don ’ t count on it to run Photoshop , let alone even download it .
Adobe claimed that support is coming to Creative Cloud apps on ARM processors , but that still isn ’ t here .
This is far from a gaming laptop , but I was surprised that games like Undertale , BioShock , and Dead Cells ran , and did so at a playable frame rate at the screen ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all other games I tried , including Persona 4 Golden , Abzû , and Hades , show an error on Steam that I need a processor capable of running 64-bit x86 apps .
Get used to seeing that .
On the bright side , Microsoft ’ s Edge browser built on Chromium runs very well .
The most recent batch of updates have granted it native support for ARM processors , and I found it to be much faster at loading pages and general navigation than Google Chrome .
It seems to drain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s more , Edge ’ s Progressive Web Apps are a clever way to get around some , but not all , of those app incompatibilities .
For example , Spotify ’ s web player runs smoother than trying to use the app that ’ s available on the Microsoft Store .
Installing it as a web app makes it feel like a dedicated app , so that worked well in some limited cases .
One of the big advantages of ARM compared to an Intel or AMD CPU is the efficiency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battery life .
Lenovo claims 24 hours of battery life with the Snapdragon 8cx with 5G , though you ’ ll experience less when you ’ re tethered to 5G service .
To give an idea of its longevity , I brought the Flex 5G around to connect to various 5G spots in my neighborhood , where I uploaded and downloaded a 350MB video several times .
I then stopped to have a Google Meet video call , type this review , and talk over Slack for 30 minutes .
Now , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over LTE , it ’ s down to 84 percent .
I think this laptop can easily make it through a demanding day of work or two , plus after-work activities , even if you ’ re relying on its cellular connection the entire time .
Unlike the Surface Pro X and the Galaxy Book S , another ARM-based Windows 10 laptop , the Flex 5G isn ’ t fitted with what I consider to be flagship-quality hardware .
This laptop was originally called the Yoga 5G when it debuted at CES 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a slightly different name now , this machine is cut from a familiar cloth .
The design would be fine in a traditional $ 700 2-in-1 laptop , but its generic , plasticky build doesn ’ t make its $ 1,399.99 price feel justified .
Though , that doesn ’ t mean there aren ’ t a few niceties .
I love the keyboard and the grippy , matte-textured chassis that make it easy to carry around with confidence that I won ’ t drop it .
The 14-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s hard to read in direct sunlight , which doesn ’ t bode well when it comes to hunting for 5G service outdoors , but it ’ s crisp , bright , and has generously wide viewing angles when used indoors .
There will be better 5G laptops in the future , but like the state of 5G in general , we ’ re not there yet .
And it ’ s not clear when more options that support 5G will arrive , be cheaper , easier to find , or more convenient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lenovo ’ s Flex 5G is an incredibly safe bet as a first-generation device .
Compared to what the first round of 5G-enabled phones looked like , there ’ s not much about the design that sets it apart from other laptops .
And until support for ARM processors improves drastically , the fast but fleeting 5G service that ’ s available currently through Verizon isn ’ t appealing enough to make this investment — or the monthly cost for Verizon ’ s 5G — worthwhile .

Lenovo’s Flex 5G has a lot to live up to as the world’s first 5G-enabled Windows 10 2-in-1 laptop. Not just that, it also needs to convince people that putting ARM-based processors in a Windows laptop is a perk, not a liability that spells incompatibility doom for those who rely on a lot of apps. No pressure.
First, let’s start with 5G. This is technically the world’s best 5G-ready laptop — only because there are currently no alternatives. As you’d expect and hope for given its $1,399 price, its support for Verizon’s ultra-wideband (UWB) mmWave 5G network means that under ideal conditions, downloads and uploads absolutely fly. But it’s only as good as Verizon’s network currently allows, and given that its low-band sub-6GHz spectrum (which this laptop also supports) won’t come until later in 2020, it takes some serious effort to find a fast connection.
Eventually, the interplay of mmWave and sub-6GHz spectrum means the fast connection will find you, but until then, you’ll have to find it yourself. If you have to travel far out of your way just to take advantage of this laptop’s defining feature, I’d suggest skipping this laptop altogether for now.
6 Verge Score Lenovo Flex 5G $ 1399.99 The Good 5G modem allows for fast connection speeds, with support for sub-6GHz when it comes
Well-built hardware with a great keyboard
Phenomenal battery life The Bad The price to get 5G is very steep, despite 5G signal being very hard to find
The laptop itself feels like it should cost far less than $1,000
App makers still haven’t leapt to ARM processors, leading to incompatibility issues aplenty $1500 at Lenovo$1400 at Verizon How we rate and review products
Using this machine in range of Verizon’s 5G nodes in Brooklyn, at best, serves up connection speeds that are about twice as fast as what I get on my PC plugged in via Ethernet at home. On average, I got around 500Mbps download speeds and 50Mbps upload (note: Verizon still pushes uploads through its LTE network). I never hit gigabit speeds like my colleague Chris Welch did in a previous Verizon 5G test using phones, but the performance was far better than I’ve ever experienced on LTE. In an area where I was getting 335Mbps download and 61Mbps upload, it took the laptop about 15 seconds to download a 355MB video from Google Drive and about one minute to upload it.
This is where you’ll see whether you have 5G UWB service, or not. It doesn’t allow you to toggle between 5G and LTE. The Flex 5G comes in an iron grey color, and the chassis is covered in a grippy coating.
Hitting those fast speeds was great, but finding the sweet spot was like finding an invisible needle in a broadly defined haystack, thanks to Verizon’s unclear 5G coverage map. I traveled to five different spots said to have 5G, and I found that having 5G signal and losing it can come down to walking 20 feet or turning a street corner. Just like that, close to half-gigabit download speeds go down to 170Mbps. That’s still very fast, but it illustrates how touchy mmWave is and why it’s not worth relying on fully right now regardless of the device you’re using as a vehicle to access it. Sometimes, the laptop failed to pick up on the 5G signal entirely, though it’s tough to know whether I should blame the laptop, or perhaps it just wasn’t working in the area for whatever reason. I don’t have a 5G phone, so I couldn’t test it on a second device.
I’m lucky to have several nearby locations in my area where Verizon has UWB nodes because this isn’t representative of every city in the US. Though, since mmWave has such a short, delicate range, I wouldn’t call the process of finding a 5G hotspot even in a well-served area convenient at all — especially during a pandemic.
This laptop has a 720p camera with IR for logging in via Windows Hello. The port selection is sparse, with the audio jack and two USB-C ports comprising all of what it has to offer.
All said, being able to use 5G on a laptop is an impressive feat, and it’s something that I find far more useful to have in this form factor than in a smartphone. The Flex 5G’s 2-in-1 design adds more use cases with its tent mode, allowing you to post up and stream a movie over 5G if you want. You can also twist the screen around to use it as a tablet. Plus, Windows 10, even in the limited ARM-based version available here, grants me more flexibility for work in terms of application support and multitasking than a phone can.
Lenovo Flex 5G specs 2.84GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx
Integrated Qualcomm Adreno 680 graphics
8GB of LPDDR4X RAM at 1,866MHz (soldered)
256GB of UFS 3.0 storage
14-inch IPS display, 1920 x 1080, 16:9
Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports (Power Delivery, DisplayPort), audio jack, SIM card slot
Power button, airplane mode toggle switch
12.71 x 8.54 x 0.58 inches, 2.9 pounds
45W charger
60Wh battery
HD webcam with IR for Windows Hello
Fingerprint sensor
Backlit keyboard
Precision touchpad
Connectivity: LTE, mmWave, sub-6GHz
Wi-Fi: 802.11ac
Bluetooth 5.0
Though, with the good comes a disproportionately high heaping of disappointment here if you’re hoping this is a no-compromises laptop. The Flex 5G’s ARM processor is more powerful than I expected it to be, but it presents some serious limitations in terms of apps you can run in Windows 10. Ultimately, this laptop suffers a similar fate of the Surface Pro X, another machine built with an ARM processor.
I was met with several incompatibility errors when trying to install a few apps that I’d rather not live without, like Affinity Photo or Xbox Game Pass. You might be able to get some apps working through the built-in emulation settings available in Windows 10 Pro, but even those can’t fix the big issue that 64-bit x86 apps still cannot run here. This is disappointing, though I’m pleased with the progress Microsoft has made to find ARM-compatible apps in its Microsoft Store. My colleague Dieter Bohn encountered incompatible apps that he purchased through the store in his review the Surface Pro X, though it seems much harder to make that mistake now because, according to Microsoft, the store automatically filters the store to show compatible apps. As such, I couldn’t spot any apps within view that didn’t work on the Flex 5G, though there might be outliers if you’re looking for a specific app or game.
I went on a downloading spree to see what kinds of things would work, and it was predictably hit-or-miss. The .exe file for Slack that automatically downloads from its site wouldn’t install since I didn’t have the right kind of processor, though the version on the Microsoft Store worked fine. Also, don’t count on it to run Photoshop, let alone even download it. Adobe claimed that support is coming to Creative Cloud apps on ARM processors, but that still isn’t here.
The keyboard is one of the highlights here. Its layout is comfortable, the keys have the right amount of resistance, and it’s backlit. Lenovo fit in a fingerprint sensor, which you can use to log into the laptop if you’d rather not utilize Windows Hello with the webcam.
This is far from a gaming laptop, but I was surprised that games like Undertale, BioShock, and Dead Cells ran, and did so at a playable frame rate at the screen’s full 1080p resolution. Though, all other games I tried, including Persona 4 Golden, Abzû, and Hades, show an error on Steam that I need a processor capable of running 64-bit x86 apps. Get used to seeing that.
On the bright side, Microsoft’s Edge browser built on Chromium runs very well. The most recent batch of updates have granted it native support for ARM processors, and I found it to be much faster at loading pages and general navigation than Google Chrome. It seems to drain the battery slower, too. What’s more, Edge’s Progressive Web Apps are a clever way to get around some, but not all, of those app incompatibilities. For example, Spotify’s web player runs smoother than trying to use the app that’s available on the Microsoft Store. Installing it as a web app makes it feel like a dedicated app, so that worked well in some limited cases.
AGREE TO CONTINUE: Lenovo Flex 5G Every smart device now requires you to agree to a series of terms and conditions before you can use it — contracts that no one actually reads. It’s impossible for us to read and analyze every single one of these agreements. But we started counting exactly how many times you have to hit “agree” to use devices when we review them since these are agreements most people don’t read and definitely can’t negotiate. To use the Flex 5G, you have to agree to: Windows 10 License Agreement
Lenovo software privacy statement
Microsoft account The following agreements are optional: Windows Hello PIN or fingerprint
Connecting to Wi-Fi
Activity history
Sync an Android phone
OneDrive backup
Microsoft 365
Set up Cortana
Privacy settings, including online speech recognition, find my device, inking and typing, advertising ID, location, diagnostic data, and tailored experiences
Save your email address on your device
Add the device to your Lenovo ID for support, updates, and more Final tally: three mandatory agreements and 16 optional ones
One of the big advantages of ARM compared to an Intel or AMD CPU is the efficiency and its impact on stretching out the battery life. Lenovo claims 24 hours of battery life with the Snapdragon 8cx with 5G, though you’ll experience less when you’re tethered to 5G service. To give an idea of its longevity, I brought the Flex 5G around to connect to various 5G spots in my neighborhood, where I uploaded and downloaded a 350MB video several times. I then stopped to have a Google Meet video call, type this review, and talk over Slack for 30 minutes. Now, after another 90 minutes of using it at home over LTE, it’s down to 84 percent. By the end of this long day of putting it through the paces, I was only able to bring it down to 69 percent.
This kind of intense, multi-hour adventure with the Flex 5G proves how reliable and efficient its battery and fanless chipset are. No matter what your use cases are, I think this laptop can easily make it through a demanding day of work or two, plus after-work activities, even if you’re relying on its cellular connection the entire time.
The Flex 5G charges with its included 45W USB-C power brick. It charges quickly, though you won’t have to charge it often thanks to its great battery life.
Unlike the Surface Pro X and the Galaxy Book S, another ARM-based Windows 10 laptop, the Flex 5G isn’t fitted with what I consider to be flagship-quality hardware. This laptop was originally called the Yoga 5G when it debuted at CES 2020, and despite it ending up with a slightly different name now, this machine is cut from a familiar cloth. The design would be fine in a traditional $700 2-in-1 laptop, but its generic, plasticky build doesn’t make its $1,399.99 price feel justified. Though, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few niceties. I love the keyboard and the grippy, matte-textured chassis that make it easy to carry around with confidence that I won’t drop it. The 14-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen is also a high point. It’s hard to read in direct sunlight, which doesn’t bode well when it comes to hunting for 5G service outdoors, but it’s crisp, bright, and has generously wide viewing angles when used indoors.
There will be better 5G laptops in the future, but like the state of 5G in general, we’re not there yet. And it’s not clear when more options that support 5G will arrive, be cheaper, easier to find, or more convenient to use. For right now, Lenovo’s Flex 5G is an incredibly safe bet as a first-generation device. Compared to what the first round of 5G-enabled phones looked like, there’s not much about the design that sets it apart from other laptops. And until support for ARM processors improves drastically, the fast but fleeting 5G service that’s available currently through Verizon isn’t appealing enough to make this investment — or the monthly cost for Verizon’s 5G — worthwhile.
Photography by Cameron Faulkner / The Verge
Update: Added more battery life impressions.