theverge--2020-08-18--How the forced sale of TikTok could splinter the internet

The Interface is a daily column and newsletter about the intersection of social media and democracy .
Subscribe here .
Well , you know how it is .
Head out the door for a long-planned vacation , pray nothing major erupts before you get back , and before you can so much as pack a suitcase the president announces that ByteDance must sell TikTok — or else TikTok will be banned in the United States .
The timing was abrupt .
The authoritarian cast of President Trump ’ s remarks on the subject was disturbing .
And yet , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s trajectory this year , nothing that has happened over the past two weeks can truly be said to be surprising .
I wrote this here on January 7th : And then , sure enough , on Friday evening Trump — citing the results of a review by the Council on Foreign Investment in the United States , or CFIUS — ordered ByteDance to divest itself of TikTok and any data it had gathered on Americans .
This was the second time Trump had ordered a sale of the app in as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company 45 days , and it was revealed that Microsoft is the most likely prospective buyer . )
Here ’ s Nicole Sperling in the New York Times : How do we feel about this ?
As a rule of thumb , I only trust people ’ s opinions on TikTok if they are mixed .
Alex Stamos made a nice Venn diagram last month that captured some of the ambiguities involved here .
On one hand , with 100 million Americans using the app regularly , TikTok represents a vibrant hub of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s political , and much that isn ’ t — and to kill it off would represent a dire suppression of speech .
That Trump ’ s decision appears to have been influenced by a recent stunt in which TikTok users registered en masse for one of his rallies and then no-showed only underscores the dangers of having national tech policy set by a thin-skinned strongman .
At the same time , as I ’ ve written here , TikTok ’ s biggest problems are largely outside its control .
Despite a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its algorithms for inspection , ByteDance suffers from the strong ( and , I believe , justified ) belief that the company could not withstand any serious effort from the Chinese government to obtain and misuse American user data — or use it as a channel to manipulate our public discourse .
Imagine the 2016 election , except Facebook was incorporated in Moscow — this is the basic fear that has driven much of the discussion around TikTok ’ s future — and I can ’ t say that it feels particularly unjustified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a rigorous investigation , and possibly Congressional hearings , followed by a public report and set of recommendations for how to proceed .
But Trump chooses to rule by chaos , crisis , and whim , and so now we have these artificial deadlines .
Microsoft has utterly abased itself in its public actions to date , bizarrely promising to make a contribution to the US Treasury in order to secure the deal .
( No less than Bill Gates has called the prospective TikTok acquisition “ a poisoned chalice.
” ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TikTok disappearing entirely — putting thousands of employees out of work , roiling its nascent community of influencers , and making the world of consumer social apps even less competitive than it already is .
It ’ s for that reason that some tech reporters have mused that Facebook must be loving TikTok ’ s struggles .
But as I first reported last month , Mark Zuckerberg has told employees that a TikTok ban would represent a terrible precedent .
Zuckerberg echoed those comments in an internal meeting last week , Ryan Mac @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Facebook was founded , the idea of a truly global social network has seemed obvious — inevitable , even .
China ’ s decision to ban American social networks clouded that vision , though , and in the years since the splintering of the internet has only accelerated .
Now a single social network , TikTok , may find itself splintered into different companies all around the world .
And given the high level of government outrage at Facebook and other tech platforms , it seems unlikely that TikTok would be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every big tech company , and it ’ s not clear what will save them .
Today in news that could affect public perception of the big tech platforms .
Trending up : Facebook launched a voting information hub that will centralize election resources for US users .
The goal is counter the platform ’ s ongoing misinformation epidemic .
( Taylor Hatmaker / TechCrunch ) Trending up : YouTube updated its policies on deceptive videos to ban videos containing information that was obtained through hacking and could meddle with elections or censuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details about a candidate .
It ’ s worth saying that this is a more forward-thinking policy than a lot of mainstream news organizations have !
( Richard Nieva / CNET ) Trending down : Black employees at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative ( CZI ) are speaking out about the organization ’ s blind spots in regards to race and racial justice .
Some say Mark Zuckerberg ’ s philanthropic efforts are stymied by the same desire to appear unbiased that critics of Facebook claim is causing real-world harm to Black communities .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) Trending down : Google ’ s advertising platform algorithm is blocking articles about racism .
The company does not allow advertising on content that disparages people on the basis of race , gender , or sexual orientation — but the system doesn ’ t always take context into consideration .
( Aaron Mak / Slate ) Trending down : Pinterest employees staged a virtual walkout on Friday to protest discrimination at the company .
The news follows allegations by three former employees about race and gender inequity .
( Zoe Schiffer / @ @ @ @ @ @ @ algorithm “ actively promotes ” Holocaust denial content , according to an investigation by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue ( ISD ) .
The UK-based group found that typing “ holocaust ” in the Facebook search bar brought up suggestions for denialist pages , which in turn recommended links to publishers which sell denial literature .
This story got a good bit of attention even though Facebook ’ s decision to allow Holocaust denial on the platform is more than a decade old .
Here ’ s The Guardian ’ s Mark Townsend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news about Kamala Harris highlights how Trump and his campaign are eager to use misinformation to try to win in November .
Some media outlets , including the zombie remnants of what used to be Newsweek , have shown that they ’ re willing to participate .
Here ’ s Rebecca Heilweil at Recode : With Marjorie Taylor Greene ’ s primary victory in Georgia , QAnon has officially gone mainstream .
An internal Facebook investigation also found millions of members across thousands of QAnon groups and pages .
( Charlie Warzel / @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emerged in recent months as a centralized hub for conspiracy and alternative health communities .
Users who started off in wellness communities and religious groups on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram were introduced to extremist groups like QAnon during the pandemic , and helped fuel the anti-mask phenomenon .
( Ben Collins / NBC ) Facebook announced a new policy to crack down on political content disguised as local news , but it ’ s not as strict as it appears .
The rule won ’ t touch sites funded by political actors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Rob Pegoraro / Forbes ) After Facebook determined that T. Raja Singh , a prominent Indian politician , had violated the company ’ s hate-speech rules and should be banned from the platform , he remained active on both Facebook and Instagram .
The company ’ s top public-policy executive in the country opposed the ban , saying it would damage the company ’ s business prospects in the country .
( Newley Purnell and Jeff Horwitz / The Wall Street Journal ) Tech platforms should commit to protecting democracy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own values , argues this opinion writer .
The right to vote is no less fundamental a right than free expression .
Platforms should embrace them both .
( Eileen Donahoe / The Hill ) Here ’ s what Big Tech is doing to counter election misinformation on their platforms .
They ’ re going all in on civic engagement efforts ahead of November ’ s election .
( Sara Fischer and Ashley Gold / Axios ) Joe Biden outspent President Trump on Facebook ads last week , for the first time since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate , an announcement that could drive fundraising .
( Salvador Rodriguez / CNBC ) Congress still has questions for the Big Tech CEOs in the wake of the antitrust hearing .
Among them : Rep. Jamie Raskin ( D-MD ) asked Facebook whether the company has made any “ concessions ” to political organizations “ to address perceived political or ideological bias.
” ( Cristiano Lima / Politico ) Canada ’ s antitrust watchdog launched an investigation into Amazon , to see whether @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies .
The bureau is examining whether sellers can operate a successful business on the marketplace without using Amazon ’ s fulfillment or advertising services .
( Annie Palmer / CNBC ) Germany ’ s anti-trust authority has launched an investigation into Amazon ’ s relationship with third-party selling .
It ’ s looking at how the company influences how sellers set prices on the platform .
( Reuters ) Google gave detailed personal information about far-right users to law enforcement agencies working on counter terrorism , according to leaked documents .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ban the users they reported .
Some still have accounts on YouTube and Gmail .
( Jason Wilson / The Guardian ) Google removed 197 links that previously came up as search results related to a German princess ’ s rant about killing Muslims .
Her family used Europe ’ s right to be forgotten law to try and make the content disappear .
( Jordan Wildon / Vice ) The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism , established in 2017 by Facebook , Microsoft , Twitter , and YouTube , has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the future of free speech.
” Today it ’ s making some of the most consequential decisions in online speech governance without the scrutiny of the public .
( Chloe Hadavas / Slate ) Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) signed a contract with the facial recognition company Clearview AI for “ mission support.
” In May , Clearview said it would stop selling its app to private companies .
( Kim Lyons / The Verge ) The Secret Service bought location data from a service called Locate X .
The service @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymously using data harvested by popular apps installed on peoples ’ phones .
( Joseph Cox / Vice ) The man who helped rally India against Facebook now says the country has gone too far in the direction of digital nationalism .
He ’ s calling for India and other democratic governments around the world to work together to build a better internet , rather than building walls around their own national versions of it .
( Will Oremus / OneZero ) ⭐ TikTok is partnering with the music distribution company UnitedMasters to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the app to streaming services like Apple Music , Spotify and YouTube .
It may be the most significant transaction to date for Kevin Mayer , TikTok ’ s new CEO .
The New York Times reports : Facebook is testing short-form videos in the Facebook app in India , its biggest market by users .
The “ Short Videos ” feature has a dedicated section within the news feed .
( Manish Singh / TechCrunch ) Telegram launched one-on-one video calls on both its Android and iOS apps .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for face-to-face communication.
” ( Kim Lyons / The Verge ) The Army and Navy have both resumed streaming on Twitch in an effort to recruit Gen Z .
The groups were criticized for banning users who asked about war crimes , a move that was categorized by some as violating users ’ First Amendment rights .
( Shannon Liao / CNN ) Pinterest appointed Andrea Wishom , President of real estate company Skywalker Holdings , to its board of directors .
The appointment makes her Pinterest ’ s first Black board member @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Megan Rose Dickey / TechCrunch ) Google is lobbying Australian consumers against a proposed regulation that would make it pay media outlets for news content .
A pop-up on the Google homepage reads “ the way Aussies use Google is at risk ” and “ their search experience will be hurt by new regulation.
” Just their opinion !
( Jon Porter / The Verge ) Here ’ s how social media platforms manipulate you into giving away more of your data .
The tactics known as “ dark patterns ” persist even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ users increased control over their information .
( Arielle Pardes / Wired ) Send us tips , comments , questions , and what you did on your summer vacation : casey @ theverge.com and zoe @ theverge.com .

Well, you know how it is. Head out the door for a long-planned vacation, pray nothing major erupts before you get back, and before you can so much as pack a suitcase the president announces that ByteDance must sell TikTok — or else TikTok will be banned in the United States.
The timing was abrupt. The authoritarian cast of President Trump’s remarks on the subject was disturbing. And yet, for those of us who have followed TikTok’s trajectory this year, nothing that has happened over the past two weeks can truly be said to be surprising. I wrote this here on January 7th:
I imagine that most within ByteDance would still rather avoid any of these scenarios, and just keep running TikTok as it is. And yet — how likely does it seem to you that ByteDance will ultimately have that option? The company hasn’t caught a break on the regulatory front in recent memory. The trade war with China shows no signs of ending — or even de-escalating — this year. It no longer seems unlikely to me that TikTok could be reborn as an American citizen. And it might happen sooner than we all expect.
And then, sure enough, on Friday evening Trump — citing the results of a review by the Council on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS — ordered ByteDance to divest itself of TikTok and any data it had gathered on Americans. This was the second time Trump had ordered a sale of the app in as many weeks; he previously gave the company 45 days, and it was revealed that Microsoft is the most likely prospective buyer.) Here’s Nicole Sperling in the New York Times:
President Trump doubled down late Friday on his previous actions against TikTok by formally giving ByteDance, the Chinese owner of the popular video-sharing app, 90 days to divest from its American assets and any data that TikTok had gathered in the United States. “There is credible evidence that leads me to believe that ByteDance,” which merged TikTok with the American lip-sync app Musical.ly in 2018, “might take action that threatens to impair the national security of the United States,” Mr. Trump wrote in an executive order issued at 7:45 p.m.
How do we feel about this? As a rule of thumb, I only trust people’s opinions on TikTok if they are mixed. Alex Stamos made a nice Venn diagram last month that captured some of the ambiguities involved here. On one hand, with 100 million Americans using the app regularly, TikTok represents a vibrant hub of all kinds of speech — some that’s political, and much that isn’t — and to kill it off would represent a dire suppression of speech. That Trump’s decision appears to have been influenced by a recent stunt in which TikTok users registered en masse for one of his rallies and then no-showed only underscores the dangers of having national tech policy set by a thin-skinned strongman.
At the same time, as I’ve written here, TikTok’s biggest problems are largely outside its control. Despite a recent and noble offer to open up its algorithms for inspection, ByteDance suffers from the strong (and, I believe, justified) belief that the company could not withstand any serious effort from the Chinese government to obtain and misuse American user data — or use it as a channel to manipulate our public discourse. Imagine the 2016 election, except Facebook was incorporated in Moscow — this is the basic fear that has driven much of the discussion around TikTok’s future — and I can’t say that it feels particularly unjustified.
The best outcome here would have been a rigorous investigation, and possibly Congressional hearings, followed by a public report and set of recommendations for how to proceed. But Trump chooses to rule by chaos, crisis, and whim, and so now we have these artificial deadlines. Microsoft has utterly abased itself in its public actions to date, bizarrely promising to make a contribution to the US Treasury in order to secure the deal. (No less than Bill Gates has called the prospective TikTok acquisition “a poisoned chalice.”) But the outcome also seems preferable to TikTok disappearing entirely — putting thousands of employees out of work, roiling its nascent community of influencers, and making the world of consumer social apps even less competitive than it already is.
It’s for that reason that some tech reporters have mused that Facebook must be loving TikTok’s struggles. But as I first reported last month, Mark Zuckerberg has told employees that a TikTok ban would represent a terrible precedent. Zuckerberg echoed those comments in an internal meeting last week, Ryan Mac and Craig Silverman reported at BuzzFeed:
“I just think it’s a really bad long-term precedent, and that it needs to be handled with the utmost care and gravity whatever the solution is,” Zuckerberg said. “I am really worried…it could very well have long-term consequences in other countries around the world.”
When Facebook was founded, the idea of a truly global social network has seemed obvious — inevitable, even. China’s decision to ban American social networks clouded that vision, though, and in the years since the splintering of the internet has only accelerated. Now a single social network, TikTok, may find itself splintered into different companies all around the world. And given the high level of government outrage at Facebook and other tech platforms, it seems unlikely that TikTok would be the last. The splinternet is coming for every big tech company, and it’s not clear what will save them.
The Ratio
Today in news that could affect public perception of the big tech platforms.
🔼 Trending up: Facebook launched a voting information hub that will centralize election resources for US users. The goal is counter the platform’s ongoing misinformation epidemic. (Taylor Hatmaker / TechCrunch)
🔼 Trending up: YouTube updated its policies on deceptive videos to ban videos containing information that was obtained through hacking and could meddle with elections or censuses. This includes hacked campaign emails with details about a candidate. It’s worth saying that this is a more forward-thinking policy than a lot of mainstream news organizations have! (Richard Nieva / CNET)
🔽 Trending down: Black employees at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) are speaking out about the organization’s blind spots in regards to race and racial justice. Some say Mark Zuckerberg’s philanthropic efforts are stymied by the same desire to appear unbiased that critics of Facebook claim is causing real-world harm to Black communities. (Nitasha Tiku / The Washington Post)
🔽 Trending down: Google’s advertising platform algorithm is blocking articles about racism. The company does not allow advertising on content that disparages people on the basis of race, gender, or sexual orientation — but the system doesn’t always take context into consideration. (Aaron Mak / Slate)
🔽 Trending down: Pinterest employees staged a virtual walkout on Friday to protest discrimination at the company. The news follows allegations by three former employees about race and gender inequity. (Zoe Schiffer / The Verge)
Governing
⭐ Facebook’s algorithm “actively promotes” Holocaust denial content, according to an investigation by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). The UK-based group found that typing “holocaust” in the Facebook search bar brought up suggestions for denialist pages, which in turn recommended links to publishers which sell denial literature. This story got a good bit of attention even though Facebook’s decision to allow Holocaust denial on the platform is more than a decade old. Here’s The Guardian’s Mark Townsend:
The ISD also discovered at least 36 Facebook groups with a combined 366,068 followers which are specifically dedicated to Holocaust denial or which host such content. Researchers found that when they followed public Facebook pages containing Holocaust denial content, Facebook recommended further similar content. Jacob Davey, ISD’s senior research manager, said: “Facebook’s decision to allow Holocaust denial content to remain on its platform is framed under the guise of protecting legitimate historical debate, but this misses the reason why people engage in Holocaust denial in the first place.
⭐ The renewed onslaught of fake news about Kamala Harris highlights how Trump and his campaign are eager to use misinformation to try to win in November. Some media outlets, including the zombie remnants of what used to be Newsweek, have shown that they’re willing to participate. Here’s Rebecca Heilweil at Recode:
There has been a significant spike in misinformation about Harris in the few days since she was made the VP candidate. According to research from the media intelligence firm Zignal Labs, there have been more than 150,000 instances of people sharing, discussing, or promoting misinformation online related to Harris in the past week. Meanwhile, the progressive research group Media Matters found that right-leaning Facebook pages they analyzed posted about Harris twice as much as left-leaning groups in the past week, and the right-leaning posts saw 50 percent more engagement than those on more liberal pages.
With Marjorie Taylor Greene’s primary victory in Georgia, QAnon has officially gone mainstream. An internal Facebook investigation also found millions of members across thousands of QAnon groups and pages. (Charlie Warzel / The New York Times)
QAnon has emerged in recent months as a centralized hub for conspiracy and alternative health communities. Users who started off in wellness communities and religious groups on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were introduced to extremist groups like QAnon during the pandemic, and helped fuel the anti-mask phenomenon. (Ben Collins / NBC)
Facebook announced a new policy to crack down on political content disguised as local news, but it’s not as strict as it appears. The rule won’t touch sites funded by political actors, only those they own or lead. (Rob Pegoraro / Forbes)
After Facebook determined that T. Raja Singh, a prominent Indian politician, had violated the company’s hate-speech rules and should be banned from the platform, he remained active on both Facebook and Instagram. The company’s top public-policy executive in the country opposed the ban, saying it would damage the company’s business prospects in the country. (Newley Purnell and Jeff Horwitz / The Wall Street Journal)
Tech platforms should commit to protecting democracy and democratic participation as an expression of their own values, argues this opinion writer. The right to vote is no less fundamental a right than free expression. Platforms should embrace them both. (Eileen Donahoe / The Hill)
Here’s what Big Tech is doing to counter election misinformation on their platforms. They’re going all in on civic engagement efforts ahead of November’s election. (Sara Fischer and Ashley Gold / Axios)
Joe Biden outspent President Trump on Facebook ads last week, for the first time since June 6th. The news follows Biden’s selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate, an announcement that could drive fundraising. (Salvador Rodriguez / CNBC)
Congress still has questions for the Big Tech CEOs in the wake of the antitrust hearing. Among them: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) asked Facebook whether the company has made any “concessions” to political organizations “to address perceived political or ideological bias.” (Cristiano Lima / Politico)
Canada’s antitrust watchdog launched an investigation into Amazon, to see whether its behavior has hurt consumers and smaller companies. The bureau is examining whether sellers can operate a successful business on the marketplace without using Amazon’s fulfillment or advertising services. (Annie Palmer / CNBC)
Germany’s anti-trust authority has launched an investigation into Amazon’s relationship with third-party selling. It’s looking at how the company influences how sellers set prices on the platform. (Reuters)
Google gave detailed personal information about far-right users to law enforcement agencies working on counter terrorism, according to leaked documents. In some cases, Google didn’t ban the users they reported. Some still have accounts on YouTube and Gmail. (Jason Wilson / The Guardian)
Google removed 197 links that previously came up as search results related to a German princess’s rant about killing Muslims. Her family used Europe’s right to be forgotten law to try and make the content disappear. (Jordan Wildon / Vice)
The Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, established in 2017 by Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter, and YouTube, has been called “the most underrated project in the future of free speech.” Today it’s making some of the most consequential decisions in online speech governance without the scrutiny of the public. (Chloe Hadavas / Slate)
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) signed a contract with the facial recognition company Clearview AI for “mission support.” In May, Clearview said it would stop selling its app to private companies. (Kim Lyons / The Verge)
The Secret Service bought location data from a service called Locate X. The service, from Babel Street, tracks devices anonymously using data harvested by popular apps installed on peoples’ phones. (Joseph Cox / Vice)
The man who helped rally India against Facebook now says the country has gone too far in the direction of digital nationalism. He’s calling for India and other democratic governments around the world to work together to build a better internet, rather than building walls around their own national versions of it. (Will Oremus / OneZero)
Industry
⭐ TikTok is partnering with the music distribution company UnitedMasters to allow artists to share their songs directly from the app to streaming services like Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube. It may be the most significant transaction to date for Kevin Mayer, TikTok’s new CEO. The New York Times reports:
Despite the uncertainty of TikTok’s fate in the U.S., the UnitedMasters deal shows that the company is not standing still, even if the benefits of the new partnership will probably accrue to a new owner. It’s an effort to deepen relationships with influential artists who use the app. TikTok’s young and engaged audience has helped songs go viral, jump-starting the careers of musicians like Lil Nas X and BMW Kenny. Trying to keep these creators engaged with the app is particularly important as TikTok faces competition from deep-pocketed rivals like Facebook’s Instagram, which recently launched a TikTok clone called Reels.
Facebook is testing short-form videos in the Facebook app in India, its biggest market by users. The “Short Videos” feature has a dedicated section within the news feed. (Manish Singh / TechCrunch)
Telegram launched one-on-one video calls on both its Android and iOS apps. The company said 2020 had “highlighted the need for face-to-face communication.” (Kim Lyons / The Verge)
The Army and Navy have both resumed streaming on Twitch in an effort to recruit Gen Z. The groups were criticized for banning users who asked about war crimes, a move that was categorized by some as violating users’ First Amendment rights. (Shannon Liao / CNN)
Pinterest appointed Andrea Wishom, President of real estate company Skywalker Holdings, to its board of directors. The appointment makes her Pinterest’s first Black board member and third female board member. (Megan Rose Dickey / TechCrunch)
Google is lobbying Australian consumers against a proposed regulation that would make it pay media outlets for news content. A pop-up on the Google homepage reads “the way Aussies use Google is at risk” and “their search experience will be hurt by new regulation.” Just their opinion! (Jon Porter / The Verge)
Here’s how social media platforms manipulate you into giving away more of your data. The tactics known as “dark patterns” persist even as companies say they’re giving users increased control over their information. (Arielle Pardes / Wired)
And finally...
Talk to us


theverge--2020-08-18--NYPD used facial recognition to track down Black Lives Matter activist

The New York City Police Department used facial recognition software to track down a Black Lives Matter activist accused of assault after allegedly shouting into a police officer ’ s ear with a bullhorn .
The mayor ’ s office says it will “ reassess ” standards for using facial recognition after criticism that the case shows the technology being used indiscriminately .
On August 7th , the police department sent dozens of officers , including some in riot gear , to the home of 28-year-old activist Derrick Ingram .
A stand-off followed , live-streamed by Ingram on Instagram , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ produce a search warrant .
They refused to do so .
After protestors supporting Ingram flocked to the street , the NYPD stood down and Ingram turned himself into the police the next day .
Dozens of police officers were sent to arrest Ingram earlier this month The NYPD has been criticized for the disproportionate show of force in pursuing Ingram , and now also for its use of facial recognition software to track him down .
Video of the August 7th standoff captured by FreedomNewsTV shows officers outside Ingram ’ s home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Section Informational Lead Report , ” which includes what appears to be a photo of Ingram taken from his Instagram .
The NYPD confirmed to Gothamist that it used facial recognition during the investigation .
“ The NYPD uses facial recognition as a limited investigative tool , comparing a still image from a surveillance video to a pool of lawfully possessed arrest photos , ” said a spokesperson .
But it ’ s unclear if the photo of Ingram taken from social media was part of this search .
If so it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s own policies , as it ’ s neither a still image from a surveillance video nor an arrest photo .
In response to the report , NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio told Gothamist that his office would reexamine the standards for police use of facial recognition .
“ We have to be very careful and very limited with our use of anything involving facial recognition , ” said de Blasio .
“ Those standards need to be reassessed .
It ’ s something I will do with my team and with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facial recognition software to identify suspects since 2011 , with official statistics stating that the department processed 9,850 requests using the software in 2019 leading to 2,510 “ possible matches.
” However , official figures may be misleading .
A BuzzFeed report from February found that the NYPD had run more than 11,000 facial recognition searches using technology from controversial firm Clearview AI , despite denying having any official contract with the company .
Mayor de Blasio said this week that the NYPD is “ sparing ” in its use of facial recognition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ undermine or affect public expression or public protest.
” In Ingram ’ s case , the activist is accused of yelling into an officer ’ s ear with a bullhorn during a protest in June , which the NYPD says caused “ pain and protracted impairment of hearing.
” Manhattan State Senator Brad Hoylman , who has proposed legislation to ban the use of facial recognition by NYPD , said the case was “ further proof that allowing [ the police ] to set their own policy results in no meaningful protections @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gothamist that activists were being “ specifically targeted with this technology because of what we ’ re protesting and because we ’ re trying to deconstruct a system that they ’ re a part of.
” He added : “ It ’ s a waste of taxpayer money and dollars that could be reallocated to people struggling throughout this city .
”

The New York City Police Department used facial recognition software to track down a Black Lives Matter activist accused of assault after allegedly shouting into a police officer’s ear with a bullhorn. The mayor’s office says it will “reassess” standards for using facial recognition after criticism that the case shows the technology being used indiscriminately.
On August 7th, the police department sent dozens of officers, including some in riot gear, to the home of 28-year-old activist Derrick Ingram. A stand-off followed, live-streamed by Ingram on Instagram, during which he repeatedly asked officers to produce a search warrant. They refused to do so. After protestors supporting Ingram flocked to the street, the NYPD stood down and Ingram turned himself into the police the next day.
Dozens of police officers were sent to arrest Ingram earlier this month
The NYPD has been criticized for the disproportionate show of force in pursuing Ingram, and now also for its use of facial recognition software to track him down. Video of the August 7th standoff captured by FreedomNewsTV shows officers outside Ingram’s home examining a document titled “Facial Identification Section Informational Lead Report,” which includes what appears to be a photo of Ingram taken from his Instagram.
The NYPD confirmed to Gothamist that it used facial recognition during the investigation. “The NYPD uses facial recognition as a limited investigative tool, comparing a still image from a surveillance video to a pool of lawfully possessed arrest photos,” said a spokesperson. But it’s unclear if the photo of Ingram taken from social media was part of this search. If so it would constitute a breach of the NYPD’s own policies, as it’s neither a still image from a surveillance video nor an arrest photo.
Video from the August 7th stand-off shows police with a facial recognition “lead report.” Image: FreedomNewsTV
In response to the report, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio told Gothamist that his office would reexamine the standards for police use of facial recognition. “We have to be very careful and very limited with our use of anything involving facial recognition,” said de Blasio. “Those standards need to be reassessed. It’s something I will do with my team and with the NYPD.”
The NYPD has been using facial recognition software to identify suspects since 2011, with official statistics stating that the department processed 9,850 requests using the software in 2019 leading to 2,510 “possible matches.” However, official figures may be misleading. A BuzzFeed report from February found that the NYPD had run more than 11,000 facial recognition searches using technology from controversial firm Clearview AI, despite denying having any official contract with the company.
Mayor de Blasio said this week that the NYPD is “sparing” in its use of facial recognition, and never uses the technology to “undermine or affect public expression or public protest.” In Ingram’s case, the activist is accused of yelling into an officer’s ear with a bullhorn during a protest in June, which the NYPD says caused “pain and protracted impairment of hearing.”
Manhattan State Senator Brad Hoylman, who has proposed legislation to ban the use of facial recognition by NYPD, said the case was “further proof that allowing [the police] to set their own policy results in no meaningful protections for New Yorkers.”


theverge--2020-08-18--Here are the Samsung devices getting three generations of Android updates

Samsung has confirmed exactly which of its devices will be receiving “ three generations ” of Android updates , after announcing the initiative at its Note 20 launch event earlier this month .
As expected , the list includes flagship phones going back to last year ’ s Galaxy S10 , but there are also a couple of new inclusions from Samsung ’ s foldable and tablet ranges .
In the past , Samsung generally promised two years of updates , but now its phones could be supported for as many as three , depending upon how the company defines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says its Galaxy S20 phones will receive “ three OS upgrades starting with Android 11 , ” meaning that unless Android ’ s naming or release schedule changes the phones should go on to receive Android 12 in 2021 , and Android 13 in 2022 .
Extending support for Android updates is important for owners who are keeping their devices longer .
Here ’ s Samsung ’ s full list of three-generation devices , which includes its flagship S and Note-series phones , foldables , Galaxy Tab tablets , and mid-range Galaxy A-series @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Galaxy S series : Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G , S20 Ultra , S20+ 5G , S20+ , S20 5G , S20 in addition to S10 5G , S10+ , S10 , S10e , S10 Lite and upcoming S series devices Beyond these phones , Samsung says it ’ s “ committed to providing the latest Android OS upgrades until the hardware specifications allow.
” It also cautions that upgrade availability may vary by market .
It ’ s worth noting , however , that even if a phone is guaranteed to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t say anything about how quickly it will receive them after their official release .
Samsung says that the Galaxy S20 lineup will be the first Galaxy devices to be updated to Android 11 “ later this year.
” Delayed OS updates aren ’ t a problem that ’ s exclusive to Samsung , however , and in general the situation is improving across the Android ecosystem .

Samsung has confirmed exactly which of its devices will be receiving “three generations” of Android updates, after announcing the initiative at its Note 20 launch event earlier this month. As expected, the list includes flagship phones going back to last year’s Galaxy S10, but there are also a couple of new inclusions from Samsung’s foldable and tablet ranges.
In the past, Samsung generally promised two years of updates, but now its phones could be supported for as many as three, depending upon how the company defines “generations.” For example, Samsung says its Galaxy S20 phones will receive “three OS upgrades starting with Android 11,” meaning that unless Android’s naming or release schedule changes the phones should go on to receive Android 12 in 2021, and Android 13 in 2022. Extending support for Android updates is important for owners who are keeping their devices longer.
Here’s Samsung’s full list of three-generation devices, which includes its flagship S and Note-series phones, foldables, Galaxy Tab tablets, and mid-range Galaxy A-series phones that far outsell its flagships:
Galaxy S series: Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, S20 Ultra, S20+ 5G, S20+, S20 5G, S20 in addition to S10 5G, S10+, S10, S10e, S10 Lite and upcoming S series devices
Galaxy Note series: Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, Note20 Ultra, Note20 5G, Note20, Note10+ 5G, Note10+, Note10 5G, Note10, Note10 Lite and upcoming Note series devices
Galaxy Foldable devices: Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Z Fold2, Z Flip 5G, Z Flip, Fold 5G, Fold and upcoming Z series devices
Galaxy A series: Galaxy A71 5G, A71, A51 5G, A51, A90 5G and select upcoming A series devices
Tablets: Galaxy Tab S7+ 5G, Tab S7+, Tab S7 5G3, Tab S7, Tab S6 5G4, Tab S6, Tab S6 Lite and upcoming Tab S series devices
Beyond these phones, Samsung says it’s “committed to providing the latest Android OS upgrades until the hardware specifications allow.” It also cautions that upgrade availability may vary by market.


theverge--2020-08-18--Go read how the US government built a top-secret iPod right under Steve Jobs’ nose

For a period of time starting in 2005 , Apple allowed two US government contractors to work in its offices to develop a custom version of the iPod — but exactly what that iPod would do was a mystery , and remains so today , as shared in this fascinating story by former iPod engineer David Shayer that you should go read .
The story starts off like a novel : It was a gray day in late 2005 .
I was sitting at my desk , writing code for the next year ’ s iPod .
Without knocking , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s boss—abruptly entered and closed the door behind him .
He cut to the chase .
“ I have a special assignment for you .
Your boss doesn ’ t know about it .
You ’ ll help two engineers from the US Department of Energy build a special iPod .
Report only to me.
” That first paragraph sets the tone for the whole story , which has an abundance of cool details that only add to Apple ’ s legendary mythos of secrecy .
For example : Only four people at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Me , the director of iPod Software , the vice president of the iPod Division , and the senior vice president of Hardware .
None of us still work at Apple .
There was no paper trail .
All communication was in person .
As for what the engineers were actually working on , here ’ s how Shayer describes it : They wanted to add some custom hardware to an iPod and record data from this custom hardware to the iPod ’ s disk in a way that couldn ’ t be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look and work like a normal iPod .
Shayer says he didn ’ t know what that custom iPod would be used for .
But he guessed that they were “ building something like a stealth Geiger counter , ” which could have theoretically allowed people to record radioactivity levels while appearing to use a normal-looking iPod .
It all sounded like something out of a spy movie , but former iPod chief Tony Fadell says it ’ s all real .
He should know : Fadell was vice president of iPod @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a few minutes to read Shayer ’ s whole story on TidBITS .

For a period of time starting in 2005, Apple allowed two US government contractors to work in its offices to develop a custom version of the iPod — but exactly what that iPod would do was a mystery, and remains so today, as shared in this fascinating story by former iPod engineer David Shayer that you should go read.
The story starts off like a novel:
It was a gray day in late 2005. I was sitting at my desk, writing code for the next year’s iPod. Without knocking, the director of iPod Software—my boss’s boss—abruptly entered and closed the door behind him. He cut to the chase. “I have a special assignment for you. Your boss doesn’t know about it. You’ll help two engineers from the US Department of Energy build a special iPod. Report only to me.”
That first paragraph sets the tone for the whole story, which has an abundance of cool details that only add to Apple’s legendary mythos of secrecy. For example:
Only four people at Apple knew about this secret project. Me, the director of iPod Software, the vice president of the iPod Division, and the senior vice president of Hardware. None of us still work at Apple. There was no paper trail. All communication was in person.
As for what the engineers were actually working on, here’s how Shayer describes it:
They wanted to add some custom hardware to an iPod and record data from this custom hardware to the iPod’s disk in a way that couldn’t be easily detected. But it still had to look and work like a normal iPod.
Shayer says he didn’t know what that custom iPod would be used for. But he guessed that they were “building something like a stealth Geiger counter,” which could have theoretically allowed people to record radioactivity levels while appearing to use a normal-looking iPod.
It all sounded like something out of a spy movie, but former iPod chief Tony Fadell says it’s all real. He should know: Fadell was vice president of iPod at the time.


theverge--2020-08-18--Instagram launches QR codes globally, letting people open a profile from any camera app

Instagram is bringing QR codes to the app .
Users can now generate QR codes that ’ ll be scannable from any supporting , third-party camera apps .
It first launched the product in Japan last year .
The idea is that businesses can print their QR code and have customers scan it to open their Instagram account easily .
From there , people can see store hours , buy items , or just follow the account .
To generate your QR code , go to the settings menu on your profile and tap QR code .
You might still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ ll become QR code .
You can then save or share the image .
Instagram previously deployed a similar system called Nametags , which were internal QR-like codes that could only be scanned from the Instagram camera .
It ’ s now deprecating the feature entirely .
Multiple other apps employ their own QR-like system , including Twitter , Facebook , Snapchat , and Spotify .
( Only Twitter supports actual QR codes . )
But with the pandemic , it ’ s unsurprising to see Instagram embrace the more open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ QR codes out instead of their physical menus , and other businesses request that people scan a QR code to load their website .
While Nametags might have worked for this purpose , QR codes make it easier for people to scan and make them less reliant on taking out the Instagram camera to access information .

Instagram is bringing QR codes to the app. Users can now generate QR codes that’ll be scannable from any supporting, third-party camera apps. It first launched the product in Japan last year. The idea is that businesses can print their QR code and have customers scan it to open their Instagram account easily. From there, people can see store hours, buy items, or just follow the account.
To generate your QR code, go to the settings menu on your profile and tap QR code. You might still see Nametag there, but eventually, it’ll become QR code. You can then save or share the image. Instagram previously deployed a similar system called Nametags, which were internal QR-like codes that could only be scanned from the Instagram camera. It’s now deprecating the feature entirely.


theverge--2020-08-18--Donald Trump wants to blame Amazon for his post office woes

US President Donald Trump , belatedly realizing that the US Postal Service is far more popular than he will ever be , has been publicly distancing himself from his administration ’ s efforts to cut costs at the post office .
Today , he told Twitter that actually , it was all Amazon ’ s fault : This is well-trod ground for the president , who appears to be frightened by Jeff Bezos .
In 2018 , President Trump apparently wanted to double the amount that Amazon paid in shipping .
He ’ s also called the post office Amazon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today ’ s tweet is odd , and may be a tacit admission that the Trump Administration went too far in starving the USPS , which is a broadly popular institution that many Americans rely on for prescription drugs , benefit checks , and to keep their small businesses afloat .
Previously , Trump seemed to support the aggressive cost-cutting measures at the USPS that were blamed for slowing the mail .
Those service reductions , removal of mail sorting machines , and slashed overtime hours for mail carriers were met with sustained @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All this would have made it much harder for people to vote by mail during a pandemic ; the USPS warned 46 states and Washington , DC that mail-in ballot deliveries might be delayed so long that they wouldn ’ t be counted .
Outrage followed .
( Earlier today , Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the postal service would pause implementation of his cost-cutting measures . )
President Trump said that he is deliberately underfunding the postal service in order to make it more difficult to vote by mail , in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( Interestingly , he and his wife Melania have requested mail-in ballots . )
Yesterday , Trump appeared to change his tune , tweeting “ SAVE THE POST OFFICE.
” Today , he is attempting to blame Jeff Bezos ’ flagship company for his own unpopular plan to starve the post office .
On Friday , DeJoy will testify before the Senate .

US President Donald Trump, belatedly realizing that the US Postal Service is far more popular than he will ever be, has been publicly distancing himself from his administration’s efforts to cut costs at the post office. Today, he told Twitter that actually, it was all Amazon’s fault:
But today’s tweet is odd, and may be a tacit admission that the Trump Administration went too far in starving the USPS, which is a broadly popular institution that many Americans rely on for prescription drugs, benefit checks, and to keep their small businesses afloat.
Previously, Trump seemed to support the aggressive cost-cutting measures at the USPS that were blamed for slowing the mail. Those service reductions, removal of mail sorting machines, and slashed overtime hours for mail carriers were met with sustained criticism over the last several weeks. All this would have made it much harder for people to vote by mail during a pandemic; the USPS warned 46 states and Washington, DC that mail-in ballot deliveries might be delayed so long that they wouldn’t be counted. Outrage followed. (Earlier today, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said the postal service would pause implementation of his cost-cutting measures.)


theverge--2020-08-18--Netflix is testing a ‘Shuffle’ button, because you’re tired of picking what to watch

Does your Netflix home screen — you know , the one with your user profiles — now have a “ Shuffle Play ” button ?
That ’ s because Netflix is actually planning to bring a shuffle feature to its collection of streaming movies and TV shows , letting you avoid yet another argument with your spouse/housemate/partner/etc about what you ’ ll be watching this evening .
The company tells us it ’ s actually been running this test since July .
The company is already testing a few potential ways the feature might look , including the “ Play @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexander snapped a quick picture of below .
But it sounds like it ’ s not just an experiment : “ The hope is to absolutely productize something , ” a spokesperson told Variety .
The company tells us it ’ s only available so far on “ TV devices.
” I didn ’ t see it on my Roku .
When Julia gave the “ Play Something ” button a spin , it fired up an episode of Netflix ’ s Umbrella Academy with the explanation “ because you watched Spider-Man.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and — depending on which Spider-Man we ’ re talking about , Julia ?
— fairly well received , so I guess that makes perfect sense . )
TechCrunch seems to have spotted the test first ; as it points out , Netflix previously tested a feature that ’ d show you a random episode of a specific TV series .
This sounds far more useful .
“ We run these tests in different countries and for different periods of time - and only make them broadly available if people find them useful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Does your Netflix home screen — you know, the one with your user profiles — now have a “Shuffle Play” button?
That’s because Netflix is actually planning to bring a shuffle feature to its collection of streaming movies and TV shows, letting you avoid yet another argument with your spouse/housemate/partner/etc about what you’ll be watching this evening. The company tells us it’s actually been running this test since July.
The company is already testing a few potential ways the feature might look, including the “Play Something” variant that my colleague Julia Alexander snapped a quick picture of below. But it sounds like it’s not just an experiment: “The hope is to absolutely productize something,” a spokesperson told Variety. The company tells us it’s only available so far on “TV devices.” I didn’t see it on my Roku.
When Julia gave the “Play Something” button a spin, it fired up an episode of Netflix’s Umbrella Academy with the explanation “because you watched Spider-Man.” (Both are about comic book superheroes and — depending on which Spider-Man we’re talking about, Julia? — fairly well received, so I guess that makes perfect sense.)
TechCrunch seems to have spotted the test first; as it points out, Netflix previously tested a feature that’d show you a random episode of a specific TV series. This sounds far more useful.
“We run these tests in different countries and for different periods of time - and only make them broadly available if people find them useful,” a Netflix rep tells us.


theverge--2020-08-18--Apple removes thousands of games from the Chinese App Store, alarming observers

As tensions rise between the US and China , Apple ’ s Chinese operations — which include millions of Apple customers and much of the company ’ s manufacturing operation — could be at risk .
A new report in The Information argues that China may already be closing the loopholes exploited by Apple in previous years , starting with the recent removal of thousands of apps from the Chinese App Store .
That could potentially spell trouble for the company ’ s future in the country .
Apple pulled more than 47,000 apps from the Chinese App Store earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AppInChina .
That move wasn ’ t unexpected , as Apple recently enacted a policy change to eliminate a loophole that previously allowed paid games and games with in-app purchases to be sold even though they were still awaiting approval from Chinese regulators .
That wasn ’ t the first time Apple had been strong-armed into making significant changes to its services in China , either .
For example , Chinese regulators forced Apple to shut down the iBookstore and iTunes Movies in China in April 2016 , just six months after Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Apple ’ s entire App Store operation in China also depends on a loophole of its own , the report claims .
Foreign app stores in China are usually required to be joint ventures with a Chinese partner that ’ s a majority owner and operator , according to the report , but Apple operates the App Store on its own .
Apple has also apparently avoided sharing the source code for iOS with China so far , having negotiated an exemption with the Chinese government to not have to do so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taken significant actions against Chinese tech companies , making it harder for some to do business in the US .
President Trump issued executive orders earlier this month that would ban TikTok and WeChat , owned by Chinese tech giants ByteDance and Tencent , in the US .
The Trump administration has also tightened restrictions on Chinese phone maker Huawei .

As tensions rise between the US and China, Apple’s Chinese operations — which include millions of Apple customers and much of the company’s manufacturing operation — could be at risk. A new report in The Information argues that China may already be closing the loopholes exploited by Apple in previous years, starting with the recent removal of thousands of apps from the Chinese App Store. That could potentially spell trouble for the company’s future in the country.
Apple pulled more than 47,000 apps from the Chinese App Store earlier this month, as first reported by AppInChina. That move wasn’t unexpected, as Apple recently enacted a policy change to eliminate a loophole that previously allowed paid games and games with in-app purchases to be sold even though they were still awaiting approval from Chinese regulators.
That wasn’t the first time Apple had been strong-armed into making significant changes to its services in China, either. For example, Chinese regulators forced Apple to shut down the iBookstore and iTunes Movies in China in April 2016, just six months after Apple launched those stores in the country.
But Apple’s entire App Store operation in China also depends on a loophole of its own, the report claims. Foreign app stores in China are usually required to be joint ventures with a Chinese partner that’s a majority owner and operator, according to the report, but Apple operates the App Store on its own. Apple has also apparently avoided sharing the source code for iOS with China so far, having negotiated an exemption with the Chinese government to not have to do so.


theverge--2020-08-18--Google Meet now lets you cast your videoconferences to the TV screen

Does the idea of having your work meetings on the biggest screen in your house seem appealing ?
Google Meet is adding Chromecast support to let you do exactly that .
You can now cast your meeting to the company ’ s Chromecast streaming sticks , Android TV , and smart displays .
“ Earlier this year , we launched Google Meet on Nest Hub Max , and it just felt right to expand Meet to even more screens in your home , ” Google ’ s Grace Yang wrote on the Chromecast support forum .
“ We recognize that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we wanted to support this new learning environment for teachers and students , ” Yang said .
“ Meet on Chromecast will let you host or join meetings giving you the opportunity to connect with classmates , collaborate on projects , and even attend lectures.
” When casting a Meet to your TV , your own audio and video feed will still be coming from your computer — so it might get a little awkward if you don ’ t occasionally glance at the camera to avoid looking distracted .
Supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both the current and second-gen Chromecasts .
Google notes that “ performance may vary ” across Android TV and Cast-enabled displays .
So if a meeting is critical , maybe stick to your laptop .
To cast your Google Meet to the TV , open the meeting in Chrome and you should see a “ cast this meeting ” option , which is accessible both before and during a meeting .

Does the idea of having your work meetings on the biggest screen in your house seem appealing? Google Meet is adding Chromecast support to let you do exactly that. You can now cast your meeting to the company’s Chromecast streaming sticks, Android TV, and smart displays. “Earlier this year, we launched Google Meet on Nest Hub Max, and it just felt right to expand Meet to even more screens in your home,” Google’s Grace Yang wrote on the Chromecast support forum.
“We recognize that many schools are moving to distance/remote learning, and we wanted to support this new learning environment for teachers and students,” Yang said. “Meet on Chromecast will let you host or join meetings giving you the opportunity to connect with classmates, collaborate on projects, and even attend lectures.”
When casting a Meet to your TV, your own audio and video feed will still be coming from your computer — so it might get a little awkward if you don’t occasionally glance at the camera to avoid looking distracted.
Supported Chromecast models include the Chromecast Ultra and both the current and second-gen Chromecasts. Google notes that “performance may vary” across Android TV and Cast-enabled displays. So if a meeting is critical, maybe stick to your laptop.


theverge--2020-08-18--Deathloop and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe are the latest games to get delayed to 2021

Two games more games originally set to release later this year have been pushed back to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Both Deathloop and The Stanley Parable : Ultra Deluxe are now slated to launch sometime next year as the coronavirus continues to disrupt the development of both titles .
Both Arkane Studios , and Crows Crows Crows addressed their respective communities in separate update posts shared on Twitter , commenting that due to multiple development challenges — including COVID-related impacts — both games would have to be delayed to a new 2021 release window to ensure they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Deathloop is a new intellectual property by Arkane ’ s Lyon studio , the developer of Dishonored series and the 2017 version of Prey .
Players control either Colt or Julianna ; two assassins stuck in a time loop in a mysterious island called Black Reef .
During Sony ’ s PS5 event , it was revealed by Geoff Keighley that Deathloop would be a timed PlayStation exclusive .
Deathloop and The Stanley Parable : Ultra Deluxe are not the only games to be delayed from a late 2020 launch to 2021 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an expanded version of The Stanley Parable , which was previously available on PC .
The Ultra Deluxe edition will mark the first time the game has been released on home consoles , and include content not found in its previous versions , like new endings .
( There are currently nineteen different endings available in the original , each hilariously wild in its own way . )
Deathloop and The Stanley Parable : Ultra Deluxe aren ’ t the only games to be delayed from a late 2020 launch to 2021 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of launching Halo Infinite alongside the Xbox Series X in November , the game would launch sometime in 2021 .
Bungie ’ s next big expansion for Destiny 2 was pushed back to November , and the PS4-exclusive The Last of Us Part II was also delayed due to the virus earlier this year before eventually releasing on June 19th .

Two games more games originally set to release later this year have been pushed back to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both Deathloop and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe are now slated to launch sometime next year as the coronavirus continues to disrupt the development of both titles.
Both Arkane Studios, and Crows Crows Crows addressed their respective communities in separate update posts shared on Twitter, commenting that due to multiple development challenges — including COVID-related impacts — both games would have to be delayed to a new 2021 release window to ensure they have enough time to develop the games.
Deathloop is a new intellectual property by Arkane’s Lyon studio, the developer of Dishonored series and the 2017 version of Prey. Players control either Colt or Julianna; two assassins stuck in a time loop in a mysterious island called Black Reef. During Sony’s PS5 event, it was revealed by Geoff Keighley that Deathloop would be a timed PlayStation exclusive.
Deathloop and The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe are not the only games to be delayed from a late 2020 launch to 2021
The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is an expanded version of The Stanley Parable, which was previously available on PC. The Ultra Deluxe edition will mark the first time the game has been released on home consoles, and include content not found in its previous versions, like new endings. (There are currently nineteen different endings available in the original, each hilariously wild in its own way.)


theverge--2020-08-18--Canoo is the latest electric vehicle company to use a ‘reverse merger’ to go public

EV startup Canoo is going public at a valuation of $ 2.4 billion in an effort to raise enough money to help bring its first vehicle , a VW microbus-style van that was first revealed last year , to market .
The company announced Tuesday that it was merging with Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp IV , a so-called “ blank check ” special purpose acquisition company .
As a result , Canoo will become a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ under the new ticker “ CNOO.
” It ’ s the same type of “ reverse merger ” move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this year to go public and that EV startup Fisker is currently trying to execute .
Canoo is also the latest company to cash in on a sudden funding frenzy in the electric vehicle startup space , which has seen fresh money go to Karma Automotive , China ’ s Li Auto and XPeng , and others .
Canoo is unique insofar as it plans to offer its EV on a subscription-only basis when it goes into production in 2021 , and it wants to make other vehicle “ cabins ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” platform ( the full package of the battery pack , electric motors , and other electronics that make the vehicle move ) .
Originally called Evelozcity , Canoo was founded in late 2017 by Stefan Krause and Ulrich Kranz after they split off from struggling EV startup Faraday Future .
They had been hired earlier that year as part of an attempt to save the startup from financial collapse , but ultimately , they left after clashing with Faraday Future founder Jia Yueting .
Krause , a former chief financial officer at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down as chairman of Canoo in June after shifting away from the CEO role last year .
Krause left his post as CEO just a few months before he and Canoo were sued by his wife for discrimination , harassment , breach of contract , and wrongful termination .
The lawsuit is currently being settled , according to Canoo .

EV startup Canoo is going public at a valuation of $2.4 billion in an effort to raise enough money to help bring its first vehicle, a VW microbus-style van that was first revealed last year, to market.
The company announced Tuesday that it was merging with Hennessy Capital Acquisition Corp IV, a so-called “blank check” special purpose acquisition company. As a result, Canoo will become a publicly traded company listed on NASDAQ under the new ticker “CNOO.”
Another SPAC
Canoo is unique insofar as it plans to offer its EV on a subscription-only basis when it goes into production in 2021, and it wants to make other vehicle “cabins” that will use the same underlying “skateboard” platform (the full package of the battery pack, electric motors, and other electronics that make the vehicle move).
Originally called Evelozcity, Canoo was founded in late 2017 by Stefan Krause and Ulrich Kranz after they split off from struggling EV startup Faraday Future. They had been hired earlier that year as part of an attempt to save the startup from financial collapse, but ultimately, they left after clashing with Faraday Future founder Jia Yueting.


theverge--2020-08-18--Go read this oral history of The Simpsons’ iconic ‘Steamed Hams’ sketch

In 1996 , a 2.5-minute short sandwiched between a bunch of other shorts premiered in an episode of The Simpsons .
No one thought much of it at the time , but over the last couple decades , “ Chalmers vs. Skinner ” — rebranded to “ Steamed Hams ” — would go on to become one of the most iconic Simpsons moments .
A new oral history of the short published on Mel Magazine by Brian VanHooker dives into how it came to be , featuring interviews with then-showrunners Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein .
The oral history does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ short came to be where it is now , an incredibly popular meme that got its start in a Facebook group before moving to YouTube and other social media platforms .
It ’ s a rise that surprised Oakley considering that during the initial table read , the sketch didn ’ t garner much laughs .
“ After it broadcasted , we never really heard anything about it for years afterwards , ” Oakley told Mel .
“ ‘ Steamed Hams ’ didn ’ t even become a thing until 2016 , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from people asking for steamed hams.
” The latter half of the history is a beautiful example of just how quickly something can spread online if there ’ s enough ignition .
From a popular Facebook group to a BuzzFeed story in 2016 to endless new versions of “ Steamed Hams ” popping up , once it became a phenomenon , it never really stopped .
“ I ’ m delighted that people actually did think the sketch was funny , because it took me approximately 20 years to find out that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I ’ m even more delighted that people find it so user-friendly because I love all these remixes .
It ’ s hard to get into the specific weirdness of its success , but I think that part of the reason it ’ s successful is because it pushes that nostalgia buzzer for Simpsons fans.
” The full piece is available at Mel , and it comes with a beautifully curated selection of “ Steamed Hams ” memes to enjoy .

In 1996, a 2.5-minute short sandwiched between a bunch of other shorts premiered in an episode of The Simpsons. No one thought much of it at the time, but over the last couple decades, “Chalmers vs. Skinner” — rebranded to “Steamed Hams” — would go on to become one of the most iconic Simpsons moments.
A new oral history of the short published on Mel Magazine by Brian VanHooker dives into how it came to be, featuring interviews with then-showrunners Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein. The oral history does a wonderful job of tracing how this short came to be where it is now, an incredibly popular meme that got its start in a Facebook group before moving to YouTube and other social media platforms. It’s a rise that surprised Oakley considering that during the initial table read, the sketch didn’t garner much laughs.
“After it broadcasted, we never really heard anything about it for years afterwards,” Oakley told Mel. “‘Steamed Hams’ didn’t even become a thing until 2016, when some Australian grocery store kept getting calls from people asking for steamed hams.”
The latter half of the history is a beautiful example of just how quickly something can spread online if there’s enough ignition. From a popular Facebook group to a BuzzFeed story in 2016 to endless new versions of “Steamed Hams” popping up, once it became a phenomenon, it never really stopped.
“I’m delighted that people actually did think the sketch was funny, because it took me approximately 20 years to find out that people liked it,” Oakley said. “I’m even more delighted that people find it so user-friendly because I love all these remixes. It’s hard to get into the specific weirdness of its success, but I think that part of the reason it’s successful is because it pushes that nostalgia buzzer for Simpsons fans.”


theverge--2020-08-18--How to preorder the Samsung Galaxy Note 20

Samsung announced its new Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra phones at its Unpacked 2020 online event .
At this point , The Verge ’ s Dieter Bohn has now published his full review of the larger Note 20 Ultra .
You can read that here or watch the video component of the review above .
I ’ m just here to tell you where you can preorder them .
Oh , and if you ’ re curious about when you can preorder the new Galaxy Z Fold 2 , that ’ s coming on September 1st .
Both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , August 21st , and preorders will no longer be accepted starting Thursday , August 20th .
If you were thinking about getting one , make sure you take the opportunity to place an order in advance so you can get the complimentary goodies .
Below , you ’ ll find all of the carrier stores and retailers that will be accepting preorders , along with their pricing .
First , here ’ s what you ’ ll get in terms of free incentives along with your preorder .
All the free stuff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you preorder either the Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra before August 20th , you ’ ll get some free goodies with your purchase .
Buying the $ 1,000 Note 20 will earn you a $ 100 Samsung credit that can be redeemed on its site or through the Shop Samsung app , and it can go toward “ curated bundles and select products like Samsung TVs , Galaxy Buds Live , tablets and more.
” The $ 1,300 Note 20 Ultra comes with a $ 150 credit .
To redeem either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide your proof of purchase through the Shop Samsung app .
( Note : you ’ ll be eligible for this credit regardless of where you choose to buy a Note 20-series device . )
One of those curated bundles , in case you were curious , is an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Bundle that includes the PowerA MOGA XP5-X Plus Bluetooth gaming controller and a three-month subscription to Game Pass Ultimate .
The fine print mentions that the Game Pass Ultimate subscription will work only if you ’ re a new subscriber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lastly , if you placed a reservation for your Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra preorder ahead of the Unpacked event on August 5th , you ’ ll get an additional $ 50 credit that can be used on the products mentioned above .
Samsung is selling one configuration of the Note 20 in the US .
It has 128GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM .
There ’ s no microSD support on this model .
This size of the Note 20 has a 6.7-inch FHD+ screen with a hole-punch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 865 Plus processor .
The Note 20 and the Note 20 Ultra model below are 5G-ready , with support for mmWave and sub-6Ghz coverage .
• Verizon is offering the Note 20 on preorder , and the pricing with a 24-month installment plan is $ 41.66 per month .
It will be available in three colors : “ mystic bronze , ” “ mystic gray , ” and “ mystic green.
” If you buy a Note 20 , you can get another Note 20 for “ as low as free ” if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan , or half off with any other Unlimited plan .
Lastly , you can get up to $ 500 worth of trade-in credit toward the phone if you ’ re upgrading and on an Unlimited plan .
• AT & T accept preorders , and it will sell the Note 20 starting August 21st in-store and online .
It ’ s carrying all five colors : black , white , green , gray , and bronze .
New and current AT & T customers can get a Note 20 for free ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paid back over a 30-month period ) when they trade in a phone in good condition worth at least $ 60 in credit and buy the Note 20 on a 30-month installment plan with AT & T ’ s unlimited plan , which will cost $ 33.34 per month .
• T-Mobile is accepting preorders on August 7th , a day after they open everywhere else .
The Note 20 will cost $ 41.67 per month with its 24-month installment plan .
If you buy a Note 20 , you can get another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in billing credits over a 24-month period ) if you add a line to your account .
Additionally , you can get up to $ 500 off if you trade in a qualifying phone .
• Xfinity Mobile offer preorders for the Note 20 .
It ’ s offering the Note 20 in bronze , gray , or green colors .
The carrier hasn ’ t yet shared installment plan pricing , but until September 15th , customers can get $ 400 off the Galaxy Note 20 when they buy it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their number .
Existing customers will receive a $ 400 Visa prepaid card in lieu of the device discount when they upgrade an existing line with a Note 20 .
This larger model with a 6.9-inch QHD+ OLED screen and a 120Hz refresh rate comes in two configurations in the US .
Each is built with 12GB of RAM , but you can choose between a 128GB model or one with 512GB of storage .
This model has microSD support .
• Verizon offers the Note 20 Ultra on preorder , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 54.16 per month .
It will be available in three colors : “ mystic bronze , ” “ mystic gray , ” and “ mystic green.
” As mentioned earlier , buying a Note 20 Ultra can get another Note 20 for “ as low as free ” if you get it with a premium Unlimited plan , or half off with any other Unlimited plan .
Lastly , you can get up to $ 500 worth of trade-in credit toward the phone if you ’ re upgrading and on an Unlimited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preorders , and it will sell the Note 20 Ultra starting August 21st in-store and online .
It ’ s carrying all five colors : black , white , green , gray , and bronze .
New and current AT & T customers can get a Note 20 for free ( after $ 1,000 in billing credits are paid back to you over a 30-month period ) when they trade in a phone in good condition worth at least $ 60 in credit and buy the Note 20 Ultra on a 30-month installment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlimited plan , which will cost $ 43.34 per month for the 128GB version or $ 48.34 per month for the upgraded 512GB model .
• T-Mobile is accepting preorders on August 7th , a day after they open everywhere else .
The Note 20 Ultra with 128GB of storage will cost $ 54.17 per month with its 24-month installment plan .
The 512GB option requires $ 149.99 down and costs $ 54.17 per month .
If you buy a Note 20 Ultra , you can get a Note 20 for free ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ credits over a 24-month period ) if you add a line to your account .
Additionally , you can get up to $ 500 off if you trade in a qualifying phone .
• Xfinity Mobile is taking preorders for the Note 20 Ultra .
It ’ s offering the Note 20 in bronze , black , or white colors .
The carrier hasn ’ t yet shared installment plan pricing , but until September 15th , customers can get $ 400 off the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra when they buy it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their number .
Existing customers will receive a $ 400 Visa prepaid card in lieu of the device discount when they upgrade an existing line with a Note 20 Ultra .

Samsung announced its new Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra phones at its Unpacked 2020 online event in early August 2020. At this point, The Verge’s Dieter Bohn has now published his full review of the larger Note 20 Ultra. You can read that here or watch the video component of the review above. I’m just here to tell you where to buy them. Oh, and if you’re curious about when you can preorder the new Galaxy Z Fold 2, that’s coming on September 1st.
Both Note 20 phones have already released, and if you placed a preorder, you can go ahead and redeem free goodies with your purchase. Buying the $1,000 Note 20 earned you a $100 Samsung credit that can be redeemed on its site or through the Shop Samsung app, and it can go toward “curated bundles and select products like Samsung TVs, Galaxy Buds Live, tablets and more.”
The $1,300 Note 20 Ultra comes with a $150 credit. To redeem either credit, you’ll need to provide your proof of purchase through the Shop Samsung app. (Note: you’ll be eligible for this credit regardless of where you choose to buy a Note 20-series device.)
One of those curated bundles, in case you were curious, is an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Bundle that includes the PowerA MOGA XP5-X Plus Bluetooth gaming controller and a three-month subscription to Game Pass Ultimate. The fine print mentions that the Game Pass Ultimate subscription will work only if you’re a new subscriber, though, not a current one.
Related Microsoft and Samsung have a special partnership for Xbox Game Pass on Android
Lastly, if you placed a reservation for your Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra preorder ahead of the Unpacked event on August 5th, you’ll get an additional $50 credit that can be used on the products mentioned above.
Below, you’ll find all of the carrier stores and retailers that are selling these two phones.
Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge
Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Samsung is selling one configuration of the Note 20 in the US. It has 128GB of internal storage and 8GB of RAM. There’s no microSD support on this model. This size of the Note 20 has a 6.7-inch FHD+ screen with a hole-punch camera and is powered by the Snapdragon 865 Plus processor. The Note 20 and the Note 20 Ultra model below are 5G-ready, with support for mmWave and sub-6GHz coverage.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 / Costs $1,000 unlocked. Available in mystic bronze, gray, or green. Buy at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 / Costs $1,000, but you can save up to $700 when you activate and trade in a device. Buy at Best Buy
Verizon is offering the Note 20 with a 24-month installment plan for $41.66 per month. It’s available in three colors: “mystic bronze,” “mystic gray,” and “mystic green.” If you buy a Note 20, you can get another Note 20 for “as low as free” if you get it with a premium Unlimited plan, or you can get half off with any other Unlimited plan. Lastly, you can get up to $500 worth of trade-in credit toward the phone if you’re upgrading and on an Unlimited plan.
is offering the Note 20 with a 24-month installment plan for $41.66 per month. It’s available in three colors: “mystic bronze,” “mystic gray,” and “mystic green.” If you buy a Note 20, you can get another Note 20 for “as low as free” if you get it with a premium Unlimited plan, or you can get half off with any other Unlimited plan. Lastly, you can get up to $500 worth of trade-in credit toward the phone if you’re upgrading and on an Unlimited plan. AT&T is selling the Note 20 in-store and online. It’s carrying all five colors: black, white, green, gray, and bronze. New and current AT&T customers can get a Note 20 for free (after $1,000 in billing credits are paid back over a 30-month period) when they trade in a phone in good condition worth at least $60 in credit and buy the Note 20 on a 30-month installment plan with AT&T’s unlimited plan, which will cost $33.34 per month.
is selling the Note 20 in-store and online. It’s carrying all five colors: black, white, green, gray, and bronze. New and current AT&T customers can get a Note 20 for free (after $1,000 in billing credits are paid back over a 30-month period) when they trade in a phone in good condition worth at least $60 in credit and buy the Note 20 on a 30-month installment plan with AT&T’s unlimited plan, which will cost $33.34 per month. At T-Mobile , the Note 20 costs $41.67 per month with its 24-month installment plan. If you buy a Note 20, you can get another one free (after getting $1,000 back in billing credits over a 24-month period) if you add a line to your account. Additionally, you can get up to $500 off if you trade in a qualifying phone.
, the Note 20 costs $41.67 per month with its 24-month installment plan. If you buy a Note 20, you can get another one free (after getting $1,000 back in billing credits over a 24-month period) if you add a line to your account. Additionally, you can get up to $500 off if you trade in a qualifying phone. Xfinity Mobile is offering the Note 20 in the bronze, gray, or green colors. Until September 15th, customers can get $400 off the Galaxy Note 20 when they buy it, activate a new line, and transfer their number. Existing customers will receive a $400 Visa prepaid card in lieu of the device discount when they upgrade an existing line with a Note 20.
Photo by Becca Farsace / The Verge
This larger model with a 6.9-inch QHD+ OLED screen and a 120Hz refresh rate comes in two configurations in the US. Each is built with 12GB of RAM, but you can choose between a 128GB model or one with 512GB of storage. This model has microSD support.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra / Costs $1,300 unlocked. Available in mystic bronze, black, or white. Buy at Samsung
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra / Costs $1,300, but you can save up to $700 when you activate and trade in a device. Buy at Best Buy


theverge--2020-08-19--It’s time to watch all the Ip Man movies

You know what ’ s better than streaming a good martial arts movie over the weekend ?
Streaming six good martial arts movies over the weekend .
There are few pleasures quite like killing an entire day watching dudes get wrecked with expert choreography and just enough emotional motivation , things the Ip Man movies are excellent at .
Better yet ?
You can stream them all on Netflix right now .
The Ip Man movies are a quadrilogy of martial arts movies from Hong Kong director Wilson Yip starring Donnie Yen as the eponymous Ip Man .
They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movies about a real , extraordinary person doing a bunch of things he never did ( and a few things that he did do ) .
They rock , probably because they ’ re extremely fast and loose with history .
At first , it doesn ’ t seem like something that would make for a franchise .
The first Ip Man film is a sweeping-yet-succinct epic that achieves everything it sets out to do .
It sets up the flourishing martial arts schools in the Chinese city of Foshan in the 1930s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plain sight .
He ’ s cultured and wealthy , and having no need for income , doesn ’ t feel he has to open a school .
Instead , he prefers privately perfecting his then-obscure and ridiculed Wing Chun style of fighting and passing time with his family .
He ’ s quiet about his skill , but to those who are persistent , he will oblige the occasional duel .
Across an hour and 45 minutes , Ip Man then swiftly spans a decade of history .
The Second Sino-Japanese War @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 1937 ; Ip Man loses everything and is forced into hard labor ; the oppression of the occupiers causes lawlessness to abound .
Beset on all sides , Ip Man eventually inspires his fellow people by both training them in Wing Chun to fight off bandits and also by participating in bouts hosted by General Miura ( Hiroyuki Ikeuchi ) .
Eventually , he challenges Miura himself , inspiring a revolt that allows Ip Man to escape with his family and start over in Hong Kong .
Ip Man is popcorn cinema @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well-choreographed fights and historical drama .
But the reason it works so well all comes back to Donnie Yen .
Yen ’ s performance portrays Ip Man as part Mr. Rogers and part Captain America , a friendly neighbor who can wreck your shit but is only really moved to if there ’ s a bully who needs to be checked .
But once he does ?
Watching the man move is incredible — due in no small part to the work of acclaimed choreographer Sammo Hung , who worked on the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow are a testament to Donnie Yen ’ s performance .
They ’ re even less interested in biography than the original ; mostly , they are plots constructed to give Ip Man another reason to fight .
But rather than making them feel repetitive — and they are obviously formulaic — they become comforting in their rhythms .
Taken together , they say more than any one film does on its own .
While the movies are all named after a single man , the stories are always about a community .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ film , Ip Man films always begin with the burgeoning threat of a colonizing force .
In the second film , a British boxer asserts his superiority by killing a Chinese man in the ring , insisting it was the victim ’ s fault , and challenging others to take him on and prove him wrong .
The third film ’ s plot is incited by an American real estate developer ( played by Mike Tyson ) with designs to buy the land a school sits on .
The fourth takes place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the racism faced by the residents of Chinatown .
In the middle of all these conflicts , Ip Man is an anchor : always righteous , always the best fighter , always kind .
In fights , he is a marvel , taking his opponents apart with blindingly fast blows but also grace .
He rarely draws blood or leaves enemies crippled , where the villains are comparatively violent .
The most effective threats to Ip Man are from men who practice fierce , brutal styles .
Colonizers and cowards draw blood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must prove a point .
The movies are , effectively , propaganda , much like American action movies are .
The Ip Man movies are political in the way Disney sports romps like Remember the Titans are political , flattening the real lives and beliefs of its subjects in favor of gentle nationalism and invoking blunt period racism against them .
Like Steve Rogers , Ip is a man that seems unstuck in time , an idealized version of a bygone era that is called upon to confront the evils of the modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to focus on the inequalities of that lost age , but to focus instead on this superhero that represents it .
And just like in a superhero movie , it ’ s appealing to see complex evils reduced to bad men who we can beat , if we are patient and diligent and stubborn enough to get up again every time we ’ re knocked on our ass .
A fascinating wrinkle to Ip Man ’ s success is the way that it effectively turned Ip Man the person into a popular character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the wake of Donnie Yen and Wilson Yip ’ s blockbuster .
There ’ s acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai ’ s The Grandmaster , a lyrical , gorgeous film that uses Ip Man ’ s life to mourn the end of an era .
Another film , The Legend Is Born — Ip Man is another studio ’ s attempt to stake out a corner of the Ip Man mythos by an action-packed rendition on Ip ’ s early days .
Master Z : Ip Man Legacy is a direct spinoff from Ip @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cheung Tin-Chi , who challenged Ip for the title of Wing Chun grandmaster .
( Of these , The Grandmaster and Master Z are also on Netflix and well worth watching . )
One of the central tensions of the Ip Man series is the desire Ip has to being a devoted family man and also a martial arts master .
Usually , an external force compels him to reassert himself as a capable martial artist , and the dream of his return to full-time domesticity is deferred .
The best example of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he is challenged for the title of Wing Chun grandmaster by the upstart Cheung Tin-Chi ( Zhang Jin ) .
Instead of responding , he chooses to stay home and dance with his ailing wife , forfeiting his title .
It ’ s this , and not the stunning fight scenes , that makes the Ip Man movies such endearing viewing : there ’ s a whole world out there demanding your time , your attention , your skill .
Taking that world on can be rewarding and gratifying and hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s also heroic to stay home and dance for as long as you can .

You know what’s better than streaming a good martial arts movie over the weekend? Streaming six good martial arts movies over the weekend. There are few pleasures quite like killing an entire day watching dudes get wrecked with expert choreography and just enough emotional motivation, things the Ip Man movies are excellent at. Better yet? You can stream them all on Netflix right now.
The Ip Man movies are a quadrilogy of martial arts movies from Hong Kong director Wilson Yip starring Donnie Yen as the eponymous Ip Man. They are, essentially, historical fiction: superhero movies about a real, extraordinary person doing a bunch of things he never did (and a few things that he did do). They rock, probably because they’re extremely fast and loose with history.
At first, it doesn’t seem like something that would make for a franchise. The first Ip Man film is a sweeping-yet-succinct epic that achieves everything it sets out to do. It sets up the flourishing martial arts schools in the Chinese city of Foshan in the 1930s, where Ip Man mostly hides in plain sight. He’s cultured and wealthy, and having no need for income, doesn’t feel he has to open a school. Instead, he prefers privately perfecting his then-obscure and ridiculed Wing Chun style of fighting and passing time with his family. He’s quiet about his skill, but to those who are persistent, he will oblige the occasional duel.
Popcorn cinema at its finest
Across an hour and 45 minutes, Ip Man then swiftly spans a decade of history. The Second Sino-Japanese War begins and the Japanese army invades Foshan in 1937; Ip Man loses everything and is forced into hard labor; the oppression of the occupiers causes lawlessness to abound. Beset on all sides, Ip Man eventually inspires his fellow people by both training them in Wing Chun to fight off bandits and also by participating in bouts hosted by General Miura (Hiroyuki Ikeuchi). Eventually, he challenges Miura himself, inspiring a revolt that allows Ip Man to escape with his family and start over in Hong Kong.
Ip Man is popcorn cinema at its finest, full of rousing well-choreographed fights and historical drama. But the reason it works so well all comes back to Donnie Yen. Yen’s performance portrays Ip Man as part Mr. Rogers and part Captain America, a friendly neighbor who can wreck your shit but is only really moved to if there’s a bully who needs to be checked. But once he does? Watching the man move is incredible — due in no small part to the work of acclaimed choreographer Sammo Hung, who worked on the first two films.
The three sequels that follow are a testament to Donnie Yen’s performance. They’re even less interested in biography than the original; mostly, they are plots constructed to give Ip Man another reason to fight. But rather than making them feel repetitive — and they are obviously formulaic — they become comforting in their rhythms. Taken together, they say more than any one film does on its own.
Colonizers and cowards draw blood, not Chinese masters
While the movies are all named after a single man, the stories are always about a community. Following the blueprint established in the first film, Ip Man films always begin with the burgeoning threat of a colonizing force. In the second film, a British boxer asserts his superiority by killing a Chinese man in the ring, insisting it was the victim’s fault, and challenging others to take him on and prove him wrong. The third film’s plot is incited by an American real estate developer (played by Mike Tyson) with designs to buy the land a school sits on. The fourth takes place in San Francisco, as Ip becomes acquainted with the racism faced by the residents of Chinatown.
In the middle of all these conflicts, Ip Man is an anchor: always righteous, always the best fighter, always kind. In fights, he is a marvel, taking his opponents apart with blindingly fast blows but also grace. He rarely draws blood or leaves enemies crippled, where the villains are comparatively violent. The most effective threats to Ip Man are from men who practice fierce, brutal styles. Colonizers and cowards draw blood, not Chinese masters, unless they must prove a point. The movies are, effectively, propaganda, much like American action movies are.
The Ip Man movies are political in the way Disney sports romps like Remember the Titans are political, flattening the real lives and beliefs of its subjects in favor of gentle nationalism and invoking blunt period racism against them. Like Steve Rogers, Ip is a man that seems unstuck in time, an idealized version of a bygone era that is called upon to confront the evils of the modern age. We’re not meant to focus on the inequalities of that lost age, but to focus instead on this superhero that represents it. And just like in a superhero movie, it’s appealing to see complex evils reduced to bad men who we can beat, if we are patient and diligent and stubborn enough to get up again every time we’re knocked on our ass.
A fascinating wrinkle to Ip Man’s success is the way that it effectively turned Ip Man the person into a popular character, as many other films followed in the wake of Donnie Yen and Wilson Yip’s blockbuster. There’s acclaimed director Wong Kar-wai’s The Grandmaster, a lyrical, gorgeous film that uses Ip Man’s life to mourn the end of an era. Another film, The Legend Is Born — Ip Man is another studio’s attempt to stake out a corner of the Ip Man mythos by an action-packed rendition on Ip’s early days. Master Z: Ip Man Legacy is a direct spinoff from Ip Man 3, a crime story about Cheung Tin-Chi, who challenged Ip for the title of Wing Chun grandmaster. (Of these, The Grandmaster and Master Z are also on Netflix and well worth watching.)


theverge--2020-08-19--A new 5G BlackBerry phone with Android and a physical keyboard will arrive in 2021

The once-respected BlackBerry brand has been licensed yet again by a company hoping to use a familiar name to make a dent in the competitive Android phone market .
This time , it ’ s a new Texas startup named OnwardMobility that ’ s taking the reins , promising to release a 5G BlackBerry device with Android and a physical QWERTY keyboard in 2021 .
Little else is known about the device , including screen size or internal specs , but OnwardMobility told The Register it would come with a completely new keyboard design that will “ reflect the brand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ input experience.
” Which , yeah , sure !
I love to reflect brand values .
Do it all the time .
The handset will be marketed to enterprise customers It seems OnwardMobility will be angling the device to enterprise customers , emphasizing the phone ’ s ability to get work done on the go ( surely less of a draw in a pandemic ? )
and its security features .
This all makes sense , considering these were the attributes that attracted so many customers to BlackBerry devices in the past .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ t be flagship standard , but probably a healthy midrange .
As OnwardMobility CEO Peter Franklin told The Register : “ Top of mind for us is not just making the most secure and productive device , but also being an everyday device .
That means things like a top-notch camera , and the other specs you ’ d expect from your day-to-day phone .
Simultaneously , we know that we must be competitive , and so is our pricing.
” It ’ s worth remembering just how weird BlackBerry ’ s journey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ devices were monarchs of the mobile world in the late aughts , but then Android and iOS took off and sales took a nosedive .
There was a reboot of sorts from 2013 onward , when a number of devices running BlackBerry 10 were released ( including the fantastically square-shaped BlackBerry Passport ) .
Then , in 2015 , the company finally switched to Android with the BlackBerry Priv and its slide-out keyboard .
In 2016 , it stopped making its own phones altogether and licensed the brand to Chinese manufacturer TCL .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as of August 31st this year , which apparently cleared the way for OnwardMobility to move in .
( A side note : Indian telecoms firm Optiemus Infracom has also made its own BlackBerry-branded Android devices , but they are only available in the Indian market . )
That makes this either the fourth or fifth iteration of BlackBerry devices , depending on how you like to count them .
And call us silly , stupid , or just plain morbid , but we ’ re still very curious to see exactly what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phone will be manufactured by FIH Mobile , a subsidiary of manufacturing giant Foxconn .
It ’ ll be available in North America and Europe “ in the first half of 2021 .
”

The once-respected BlackBerry brand has been licensed yet again by a company hoping to use a familiar name to make a dent in the competitive Android phone market. This time, it’s a new Texas startup named OnwardMobility that’s taking the reins, promising to release a 5G BlackBerry device with Android and a physical QWERTY keyboard in 2021.
Little else is known about the device, including screen size or internal specs, but OnwardMobility told The Register it would come with a completely new keyboard design that will “reflect the brand values from a keyboard typing experience and input experience.” Which, yeah, sure! I love to reflect brand values. Do it all the time.
The handset will be marketed to enterprise customers
It seems OnwardMobility will be angling the device to enterprise customers, emphasizing the phone’s ability to get work done on the go (surely less of a draw in a pandemic?) and its security features. This all makes sense, considering these were the attributes that attracted so many customers to BlackBerry devices in the past.
It also seems the device won’t be flagship standard, but probably a healthy midrange. As OnwardMobility CEO Peter Franklin told The Register: “Top of mind for us is not just making the most secure and productive device, but also being an everyday device. That means things like a top-notch camera, and the other specs you’d expect from your day-to-day phone. Simultaneously, we know that we must be competitive, and so is our pricing.”
In fairness, “be invincible” is a good strapline for an apparently unkillable brand like BlackBerry. Image: OnwardMobility
It’s worth remembering just how weird BlackBerry’s journey has been as a brand. BlackBerry devices were monarchs of the mobile world in the late aughts, but then Android and iOS took off and sales took a nosedive.
That makes this either the fourth or fifth iteration of BlackBerry devices, depending on how you like to count them. And call us silly, stupid, or just plain morbid, but we’re still very curious to see exactly what OnwardMobility comes up with.