theverge--2020-01-24--YouTube signs exclusive streaming deal for Activision e-sports like Call of Duty and Overwatch

Video game publisher Activision Blizzard has entered into a multiyear partnership with Google that will see the search giant ’ s cloud platform power all of Activision Blizzard ’ s game hosting and other technical needs .
But more importantly , as part of the deal , YouTube will become the exclusive streaming partner for all of the game publisher ’ s big e-sports titles , including the upcoming season of the Overwatch League and the Call of Duty League , which kicks off today in Minneapolis , Minnesota .
The deal is a huge win for YouTube , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leader Twitch , despite YouTube being the largest video site in the world and the second most-visited website on the planet behind only its parent company ’ s search engine .
Twitch was the exclusive streaming partner for Activision Blizzard ’ s first two seasons of the Overwatch League , and Twitch has long been the go-to destination for live gaming entertainment .
YouTube is using exclusivity deals to better compete with Twitch That looks like it ’ s beginning to change , in part due to competing platforms ’ willingness to spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talent and ink exclusivity deals like this one .
Since its launch in 2015 , YouTube Gaming failed to flourish as its own distinct section of the broader YouTube ecosystem , and earlier this year , the company even shuttered the standalone YouTube Gaming app because its existence caused “ confusion ” among viewers .
In its place is a game-focused hub on YouTube for finding popular live streams and videos .
Yet the failure of YouTube Gaming as a standalone platform hasn ’ t stopped the video site from continuing to try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
YouTube has signed streaming exclusivity deals with top creators like Jack “ CouRage ” Dunlop and Lachlan Power in recent months , and the platform continues to be the prime destination for prerecorded footage .
Even though many streamers still remain on Twitch or , like Fortnite star Tyler “ Ninja ” Blevins , have moved over to Microsoft ’ s competing Mixer , YouTube is still where all of these creators post highlight videos , vlogs , and other content that lives on after it ’ s streamed live .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another chapter in the ongoing streaming wars saga playing out between online video platforms , streaming services , traditional cable and network companies , and content creators .
In this particular scenario , it ’ s Amazon-owned Twitch competing against Google-owned YouTube , and Facebook is also trying to build out its own live-streaming platform to capitalize on the popularity of gaming content .
But it seems like it ’ s only a matter of time before other big streaming wars players , be it Disney or HBO or Netflix , try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaming spaces , too .
“ With more than 200 million gamers a day watching more than 50 billion hours of gaming content per year , YouTube provides gamers and their passionate fans with the most popular video gaming platform in the world , ” Ryan Wyatt , YouTube ’ s head of gaming , said in a statement .
“ Both the Overwatch League and Call of Duty League are the quintessential examples of world class esports content .
As a former Call of Duty esports commentator myself , I couldn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to choose YouTube as its exclusive home for the digital live streaming of both leagues .
This partnership further demonstrates our dedication to having a world class live streaming product for gaming .
”

Video game publisher Activision Blizzard has entered into a multiyear partnership with Google that will see the search giant’s cloud platform power all of Activision Blizzard’s game hosting and other technical needs. But more importantly, as part of the deal, YouTube will become the exclusive streaming partner for all of the game publisher’s big e-sports titles, including the upcoming season of the Overwatch League and the Call of Duty League, which kicks off today in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The deal is a huge win for YouTube, which has struggled to compete with game streaming leader Twitch, despite YouTube being the largest video site in the world and the second most-visited website on the planet behind only its parent company’s search engine. Twitch was the exclusive streaming partner for Activision Blizzard’s first two seasons of the Overwatch League, and Twitch has long been the go-to destination for live gaming entertainment.
YouTube is using exclusivity deals to better compete with Twitch
That looks like it’s beginning to change, in part due to competing platforms’ willingness to spend large amounts of money to lock down talent and ink exclusivity deals like this one. Since its launch in 2015, YouTube Gaming failed to flourish as its own distinct section of the broader YouTube ecosystem, and earlier this year, the company even shuttered the standalone YouTube Gaming app because its existence caused “confusion” among viewers. In its place is a game-focused hub on YouTube for finding popular live streams and videos.
Yet the failure of YouTube Gaming as a standalone platform hasn’t stopped the video site from continuing to try to capture more of the live-streaming market. YouTube has signed streaming exclusivity deals with top creators like Jack “CouRage” Dunlop and Lachlan Power in recent months, and the platform continues to be the prime destination for prerecorded footage. Even though many streamers still remain on Twitch or, like Fortnite star Tyler “Ninja” Blevins, have moved over to Microsoft’s competing Mixer, YouTube is still where all of these creators post highlight videos, vlogs, and other content that lives on after it’s streamed live.
In that context, this Activision deal is another chapter in the ongoing streaming wars saga playing out between online video platforms, streaming services, traditional cable and network companies, and content creators. In this particular scenario, it’s Amazon-owned Twitch competing against Google-owned YouTube, and Facebook is also trying to build out its own live-streaming platform to capitalize on the popularity of gaming content. But it seems like it’s only a matter of time before other big streaming wars players, be it Disney or HBO or Netflix, try to get more involved in the live-streaming and gaming spaces, too.
“With more than 200 million gamers a day watching more than 50 billion hours of gaming content per year, YouTube provides gamers and their passionate fans with the most popular video gaming platform in the world,” Ryan Wyatt, YouTube’s head of gaming, said in a statement.


theverge--2020-01-24--How to download apps for your Fitbit

How to download apps for your Fitbit

So you ’ re the owner of a brand-new Fitbit Versa or Ionic smartwatch .
Congratulations !
If you ’ ve never used a smartwatch before , you may be ( understandably ) overwhelmed .
If you swipe left from the home screen , you ’ ll see that there are dozens of different things to click on : Spotify , Wallet , Weather , and more .
But those apps are only a fraction of what Fitbit has to offer .
There are hundreds of third-party apps available for your smartwatch , which you can use to really make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , can download any number of apps tailored to their workout needs : Strava for runners , MySwimPro for swimmers , Mindbody for yoga , or FitStar for personal training .
Meanwhile , smart home enthusiasts can load Alexa , Nest , and IFTTT ; shoppers can compile their store membership cards ; and travelers can set up Uber , Find My Car , and more .
A couple of things to note before we get into the process of downloading apps to your Fitbit .
First , Fitbit apps aren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and iOS apps are .
For example , they usually can ’ t access Wi-Fi .
Instead , they communicate via Bluetooth with a proxy version of the app on your phone .
( Some apps , such as Starbucks and Uber , will require you to create an account and log in on your phone before you can use them on your watch . )
As a result , Fitbit apps can ’ t update if your phone isn ’ t nearby , and their interfaces are fairly bare-bones .
They can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but don ’ t expect a full-featured experience .
Second , you can ’ t download apps onto your Fitbit directly .
Instead , you download them through the Fitbit app on your phone .
This may seem like a hassle at first , but it ’ s easy once you ’ ve gotten the hang of it .
The first thing you ’ ll need to do is download the Fitbit app to your phone and pair it to your smartwatch .
To do that : • Download the Fitbit app from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Store , or Microsoft Store .
You ’ ll be prompted to create a Fitbit account .
• In the Fitbit app , tap your profile icon in the top left corner , and select “ Set Up a Device.
” Follow the prompts from there ; you should be paired in just a few minutes .
How to add apps to your Fitbit Once your device is paired to your phone , you ’ re ready to download apps .
To do that : • Tap your profile icon in the top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your device .
• Hit “ Apps ” > “ All Apps.
” This will put you in Fitbit ’ s app store where you can browse the offerings .
• To install an app , tap its icon , and hit “ Install.
” You may need to agree to some permissions to proceed .
( Quick caveat here : when Google purchased Fitbit last November , many users were spooked about the company ’ s potential uses of their personal health metrics .
Google stated that it would not sell Fitbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google ads .
However , if you ’ re concerned about privacy , it is worth reading through and considering the permissions each app is asking you for before you download . )
• Once your phone confirms that the app has downloaded , swipe all the way to the left from your smartwatch ’ s home screen .
You should see that the new app has appeared .
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships .
These do not influence editorial content , though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate @ @ @ @ @ @ @

So you’re the owner of a brand-new Fitbit Versa or Ionic smartwatch. Congratulations!
If you’ve never used a smartwatch before, you may be (understandably) overwhelmed. If you swipe left from the home screen, you’ll see that there are dozens of different things to click on: Spotify, Wallet, Weather, and more.
But those apps are only a fraction of what Fitbit has to offer. There are hundreds of third-party apps available for your smartwatch, which you can use to really make it your own. Fitness enthusiasts, for example, can download any number of apps tailored to their workout needs: Strava for runners, MySwimPro for swimmers, Mindbody for yoga, or FitStar for personal training. Meanwhile, smart home enthusiasts can load Alexa, Nest, and IFTTT; shoppers can compile their store membership cards; and travelers can set up Uber, Find My Car, and more.
Fitbit’s store has hundreds of apps
A couple of things to note before we get into the process of downloading apps to your Fitbit.
First, Fitbit apps aren’t as fully fledged as Android and iOS apps are. For example, they usually can’t access Wi-Fi. Instead, they communicate via Bluetooth with a proxy version of the app on your phone. (Some apps, such as Starbucks and Uber, will require you to create an account and log in on your phone before you can use them on your watch.)
As a result, Fitbit apps can’t update if your phone isn’t nearby, and their interfaces are fairly bare-bones. They can still be very functional and handy, but don’t expect a full-featured experience.
Second, you can’t download apps onto your Fitbit directly. Instead, you download them through the Fitbit app on your phone. This may seem like a hassle at first, but it’s easy once you’ve gotten the hang of it.
The first thing you’ll need to do is download the Fitbit app to your phone and pair it to your smartwatch. To do that:
Download the Fitbit app from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Microsoft Store. You’ll be prompted to create a Fitbit account.
In the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon in the top left corner, and select “Set Up a Device.” Follow the prompts from there; you should be paired in just a few minutes.
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How to add apps to your Fitbit
Once your device is paired to your phone, you’re ready to download apps. To do that:
Tap your profile icon in the top left corner of the app. Select your device.
Hit “Apps” > “All Apps.” This will put you in Fitbit’s app store where you can browse the offerings.
To install an app, tap its icon, and hit “Install.” You may need to agree to some permissions to proceed. (Quick caveat here: when Google purchased Fitbit last November, many users were spooked about the company’s potential uses of their personal health metrics. Google stated that it would not sell Fitbit customer data or use it to inform Google ads. However, if you’re concerned about privacy, it is worth reading through and considering the permissions each app is asking you for before you download.)
Once your phone confirms that the app has downloaded, swipe all the way to the left from your smartwatch’s home screen. You should see that the new app has appeared.
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theverge--2020-01-24--Pentagram designed a smart speaker that’s like HitClips for kids

The Yoto Player , a connected speaker for kids , has more in common with old-school cassette players than smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home devices .
It deliberately doesn ’ t have a microphone , camera , or a screen — it ’ s really just designed to play audio , but through NFC-enabled physical cards .
Inspired by Montessori teachings that emphasize tactile learning and encourage kids to have a level of independence , the cards are loaded with songs , audiobooks , and podcasts to let kids choose what they want to listen to .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wanted to minimize screen time for their kids — compare to Bluetooth speakers that need to be paired with a phone — and after a successful Kickstarter run with its first version , Yoto partnered with Pentagram , ( the renowned design studio behind everything from Yahoo ’ s redesign to microprocessors ) for a second run .
The physical cards slot into the top of the speaker like the nostalgic HitClips of yore , which encased bite-sized clips of music in tiny plastic squares .
Parents can connect the speaker to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own content onto blank cards , or purchase cards that connect to Yoto ’ s library of music , activities , sound effects , and audiobooks from partners like Random House and the Roald Dahl collection .
The speaker requires Wi-Fi , and the NFC cards contain links to content stored on Yoto ’ s servers , so the speaker is actually downloading content when they ’ re inserted into the Yoto Player .
Blank cards can be customized with your own MP3s , purchased audiobooks , or anything you upload to Yoto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free daily content , but Yoto is also selling an annual subscription service that delivers new audio cards to your house four times a year , which costs $ 94 .
That seems like a lot to pay compared to the catalogs of audiobooks and music readily available on the Kindle library or streaming services , but parents are paying for the peace of mind knowing that their kids won ’ t be listened to , or subjected to an overwhelming selection of potentially child-unfriendly content .
“ As physical objects , [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in control of content , but also support learning and play , and for very young children also promote fine motor control development , ” Pentagram ’ s Jon Marshall told Fast Company .
The Yoto ’ s design is meant to be simple enough for kids to use , but sleek and modern in a way adults can appreciate .
The only controls on the speaker are the two red knobs , and the soft edges of the blocky design let kids tip the speaker to turn it on and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows a friendly face or basic drawings .
It can also be used as a regular Bluetooth speaker .
The speaker can charge wirelessly on top of a magnetic dock that comes included , and a built-in battery means kids can take the speaker with them wherever they go .
It only lasts for about three hours of continuous play , which isn ’ t a lot for a wireless speaker , but Yoto says this will be improved through software updates .
The Yoto Player costs $ 107 , and will begin @ @ @ @

The Yoto Player, a connected speaker for kids, has more in common with old-school cassette players than smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home devices. It deliberately doesn’t have a microphone, camera, or a screen — it’s really just designed to play audio, but through NFC-enabled physical cards. Inspired by Montessori teachings that emphasize tactile learning and encourage kids to have a level of independence, the cards are loaded with songs, audiobooks, and podcasts to let kids choose what they want to listen to. It was created by two parents who wanted to minimize screen time for their kids — compare to Bluetooth speakers that need to be paired with a phone — and after a successful Kickstarter run with its first version, Yoto partnered with Pentagram, (the renowned design studio behind everything from Yahoo’s redesign to microprocessors) for a second run.
The physical cards slot into the top of the speaker like the nostalgic HitClips of yore, which encased bite-sized clips of music in tiny plastic squares. Parents can connect the speaker to a companion app to “upload” their own content onto blank cards, or purchase cards that connect to Yoto’s library of music, activities, sound effects, and audiobooks from partners like Random House and the Roald Dahl collection. The speaker requires Wi-Fi, and the NFC cards contain links to content stored on Yoto’s servers, so the speaker is actually downloading content when they’re inserted into the Yoto Player. Blank cards can be customized with your own MP3s, purchased audiobooks, or anything you upload to Yoto’s server. There’s free daily content, but Yoto is also selling an annual subscription service that delivers new audio cards to your house four times a year, which costs $94. That seems like a lot to pay compared to the catalogs of audiobooks and music readily available on the Kindle library or streaming services, but parents are paying for the peace of mind knowing that their kids won’t be listened to, or subjected to an overwhelming selection of potentially child-unfriendly content.
“As physical objects, [the cards] not only allow children to be in control of content, but also support learning and play, and for very young children also promote fine motor control development,” Pentagram’s Jon Marshall told Fast Company.
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The Yoto’s design is meant to be simple enough for kids to use, but sleek and modern in a way adults can appreciate. The only controls on the speaker are the two red knobs, and the soft edges of the blocky design let kids tip the speaker to turn it on and off. The soft-lit pixel display occasionally shows a friendly face or basic drawings. It can also be used as a regular Bluetooth speaker.


theverge--2020-01-24--How to pick the right Fitbit for you

How to pick the right Fitbit for you

Fitbit is probably one of the best-known brands of smartwatches / fitness trackers next to the Apple Watch , and its range of wearables offers something for every kind of health enthusiast .
If you want to get started with a fitness band that won ’ t over-extend your budget , Fitbit has a large selection that ’ s especially well-suited for those who are new to wearables .
In fact , Fitbit offers a variety of fitness bands in various form factors : there ’ s the Versa 2 , Versa Lite , Ionic , Charge 3 ( and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , Inspire , Inspire HR , and Ace 2 , which are all designed for different lifestyles and age groups .
So depending on whether you ’ re looking to start walking a little more each day or diligently track your workout progress over time , here ’ s what to consider when choosing the right Fitbit for you .
If you want a feature-packed Fitbit Although the Ionic is technically the most premium product that Fitbit offers , the Versa 2 is just a better and more well-rounded device for most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ screen has rounded corners that fit and look better on most wrists . )
The device comes with on-screen guided workouts , week-long battery life , Fitbit Pay , blood oxygen tracking , swim-proofing , quick replies for incoming text messages , and sleep tracking .
The Versa 2 , which retails for a little under $ 200 , also features an OLED screen ( compared to the Ionic ’ s LCD screen ) , making the display that much more vivid , bright , and clear .
If you value all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no reason to spring for the Ionic unless you absolutely require built-in GPS so you can run or bike outside without a phone .
You can also opt to wait and see what the upcoming Ionic 2 will offer , though I don ’ t necessarily recommend it since Fitbit still hasn ’ t released concrete timing on its release .
( Fitbit ’ s CEO has teased the Ionic 2 for over a year , and we still haven ’ t heard much about it . )
If you want the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Special Edition is probably the best middle-of-the-road Fitbit since the device is the only Fitbit tracker that also gets advanced features designed for a smartwatch .
That means you ’ ll also get Fitbit Pay , quick replies , always-on heart rate tracking , sleep tracking , and swim-proofing for $ 170 .
( But since the Charge 3 SE has been around for a while , you ’ ll likely be able to snag it for around $ 150 , give or take , pretty easily these days . )
If you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ / fitness band This is the best Fitbit that doesn ’ t look quite like a Fitbit .
Multiple band options , including a mesh metal one , turn it into more of a fashion bracelet than workout wear .
It ’ s also likely to fit better on a smaller person ’ s wrist , considering the slimmer profile .
For $ 100 , you get a fitness band that has a built-in heart rate monitor , a five-day battery life , and swim-proofing for underwater exercises or excursions at the pool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a great tracker for both beginners and those who want a little more from their wearable without other features that might seem superfluous , such as Fitbit Pay or internal music storage .
If you want a Fitbit that ages with you Fitbit designed the Ace 2 for kids , with custom software that features cartoon faces to encourage younger wearers to get moving periodically .
The Ace 2 is essentially the Inspire with a modded interface , and it can be updated to become the Inspire when kids have grown out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ real ” tracker .
You simply update the software and find a new band to fit around the center module .
The tracker lacks features like quick replies and heart rate monitoring , but that ’ s to be expected considering you can find it for around $ 50 to $ 70 — half the price of Fitbit devices that do offer those features .
Still , it is a solid Fitbit on a budget .
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships .
These do not influence editorial content , though Vox Media @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affiliate links .
For more information , see

Fitbit is probably one of the best-known brands of smartwatches / fitness trackers next to the Apple Watch, and its range of wearables offers something for every kind of health enthusiast. If you want to get started with a fitness band that won’t over-extend your budget, Fitbit has a large selection that’s especially well-suited for those who are new to wearables.
In fact, Fitbit offers a variety of fitness bands in various form factors: there’s the Versa 2, Versa Lite, Ionic, Charge 3 (and a special edition version with Fitbit Pay), Inspire, Inspire HR, and Ace 2, which are all designed for different lifestyles and age groups. So depending on whether you’re looking to start walking a little more each day or diligently track your workout progress over time, here’s what to consider when choosing the right Fitbit for you.
If you want a feature-packed Fitbit
Fitbit Versa 2
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Although the Ionic is technically the most premium product that Fitbit offers, the Versa 2 is just a better and more well-rounded device for most people. (Quite literally: the screen has rounded corners that fit and look better on most wrists.) The device comes with on-screen guided workouts, week-long battery life, Fitbit Pay, blood oxygen tracking, swim-proofing, quick replies for incoming text messages, and sleep tracking. The Versa 2, which retails for a little under $200, also features an OLED screen (compared to the Ionic’s LCD screen), making the display that much more vivid, bright, and clear.
If you value all of these features, there’s really no reason to spring for the Ionic unless you absolutely require built-in GPS so you can run or bike outside without a phone. You can also opt to wait and see what the upcoming Ionic 2 will offer, though I don’t necessarily recommend it since Fitbit still hasn’t released concrete timing on its release. (Fitbit’s CEO has teased the Ionic 2 for over a year, and we still haven’t heard much about it.)
Fitbit Versa 2 / Available for $199.95 Order on Amazon
If you want the best bang for your buck
Fitbit Charge 3 Special Edition
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
The Charge 3 Special Edition is probably the best middle-of-the-road Fitbit since the device is the only Fitbit tracker that also gets advanced features designed for a smartwatch. That means you’ll also get Fitbit Pay, quick replies, always-on heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, and swim-proofing for $170. (But since the Charge 3 SE has been around for a while, you’ll likely be able to snag it for around $150, give or take, pretty easily these days.)
Fitbit Charge 3 Special Edition / Available for $215.52 Order on Amazon
If you hate the look of a traditional smartwatch / fitness band
Fitbit Inspire HR
Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
This is the best Fitbit that doesn’t look quite like a Fitbit. Multiple band options, including a mesh metal one, turn it into more of a fashion bracelet than workout wear. It’s also likely to fit better on a smaller person’s wrist, considering the slimmer profile.
For $100, you get a fitness band that has a built-in heart rate monitor, a five-day battery life, and swim-proofing for underwater exercises or excursions at the pool / beach. The Fitbit Inspire HR is a great tracker for both beginners and those who want a little more from their wearable without other features that might seem superfluous, such as Fitbit Pay or internal music storage.
Fitbit Inspire HR / Available for $94.78 Order from Amazon
If you want a Fitbit that ages with you
Fitbit Ace 2 / Inspire
Photo by Natt Garun / The Verge
Fitbit designed the Ace 2 for kids, with custom software that features cartoon faces to encourage younger wearers to get moving periodically. The Ace 2 is essentially the Inspire with a modded interface, and it can be updated to become the Inspire when kids have grown out of the cartoon characters and want a “real” tracker. You simply update the software and find a new band to fit around the center module.
The tracker lacks features like quick replies and heart rate monitoring, but that’s to be expected considering you can find it for around $50 to $70 — half the price of Fitbit devices that do offer those features. Still, it is a solid Fitbit on a budget.
Fitbit Ace 2 / Available for $68 Order from Amazon


theverge--2020-01-24--Google is backtracking on its controversial desktop search results redesign

Google is backtracking on a controversial search engine redesign , announcing today that it will experiment with some elements of the new look in response to user feedback .
Google made one of the biggest changes to how it displays search results in the company ’ s history earlier this month , with the changes taking effect over the course of the last week .
It involved a visual overhaul that makes it more difficult to differentiate between advertising and organic search results with the removal of color overlays and the introduction of small branded iconography , known on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
The company ’ s stated intention was to align desktop search results with the way they ’ re presented on mobile , but it became clear this also had the effect of making it harder to distinguish between paid results and non-paid ones .
The only difference between an ad and an organic result in the new design is the small lettering or icon next to a link , meaning ads and organic results now look more similar than ever before .
And critics have been noticing .
Now , Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with both the existence of favicons next to search results and their placement on the web version of its search engine .
The experiments will take place “ over the coming weeks.
” “ Last week we updated the look of Search on desktop to mirror what ’ s been on mobile for months .
We ’ ve heard your feedback about the update .
We always want to make Search better , so we ’ re going to experiment with new placements for favicons , ” writes Danny Sullivan , Google ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ posted to Twitter .
“ Our experimenting will begin today .
Over the coming weeks , while we test , some might not see favicons while some might see them in different placements as we look to bring a modern look to desktop.
” Google also released a more formal statement as to why it made the initial changes and making a commitment to “ iterate on the design over time ” : We ’ re dedicated to improving the desktop experience for Search , and as part of our efforts around this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , mirroring the design that we ’ ve had for many months on mobile .
The design has been well received by users on mobile screens , as it helps people more quickly see where information is coming from and they can see a prominent bolded ad label at the top .
Web publishers have also told us they like having their brand iconography on the search results page .
While early tests for desktop were positive , we are always incorporating feedback from our users .
We are experimenting with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and will continue to iterate on the design over time .
As of shortly after 2PM ET on Friday , Google has already started experimenting with favicon removal .
Update January 24th , 2:18PM ET : Clarified that Google has already begun its experiments with favicon removal for some users .

Google is backtracking on a controversial search engine redesign, announcing today that it will experiment with some elements of the new look in response to user feedback.
Google made one of the biggest changes to how it displays search results in the company’s history earlier this month, with the changes taking effect over the course of the last week. It involved a visual overhaul that makes it more difficult to differentiate between advertising and organic search results with the removal of color overlays and the introduction of small branded iconography, known on the web as favicons, next to non-ad results.
The company’s stated intention was to align desktop search results with the way they’re presented on mobile, but it became clear this also had the effect of making it harder to distinguish between paid results and non-paid ones. The only difference between an ad and an organic result in the new design is the small lettering or icon next to a link, meaning ads and organic results now look more similar than ever before. And critics have been noticing.
Now, Google says it’s going to experiment with both the existence of favicons next to search results and their placement on the web version of its search engine. The experiments will take place “over the coming weeks.”
“Last week we updated the look of Search on desktop to mirror what’s been on mobile for months. We’ve heard your feedback about the update. We always want to make Search better, so we’re going to experiment with new placements for favicons,” writes Danny Sullivan, Google’s search liaison, in a statement posted to Twitter. “Our experimenting will begin today. Over the coming weeks, while we test, some might not see favicons while some might see them in different placements as we look to bring a modern look to desktop.”
Google also released a more formal statement as to why it made the initial changes and making a commitment to “iterate on the design over time”:
We’re dedicated to improving the desktop experience for Search, and as part of our efforts around this we rolled out a new design last week, mirroring the design that we’ve had for many months on mobile. The design has been well received by users on mobile screens, as it helps people more quickly see where information is coming from and they can see a prominent bolded ad label at the top. Web publishers have also told us they like having their brand iconography on the search results page. While early tests for desktop were positive, we are always incorporating feedback from our users. We are experimenting with a change to the current desktop favicons, and will continue to iterate on the design over time.
As of shortly after 2PM ET on Friday, Google has already started experimenting with favicon removal.
Screenshots by Sean Hollister / The Verge


theverge--2020-01-24--Jeff Bezos’ girlfriend shared compromising texts with her brother, who sold them, WSJ reports

New York prosecutors have evidence suggesting that Jeff Bezos ’ girlfriend , Lauren Sanchez , shared compromising texts about her affair with Bezos to her brother , Michael Sanchez , The Wall Street Journal reports .
Michael then reportedly sold those photos to the National Enquirer , which then published a story about Lauren and Bezos ’ affair last January .
The WSJ says its reporters have seen the texts themselves .
Bezos ’ affair returned to the limelight this week when The Guardian reported that it was “ highly probable ” that Saudi Arabia hacked Jeff Bezos ’ phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theory , Bezos ’ phone was compromised when he received a WhatsApp message with a malicious video file from the crown prince of Saudi Arabia , Mohammed bin Salman ( MBS ) .
After Bezos apparently tapped on the video , an awful lot of data “ were exfiltrated from Bezos ’ s phone within hours , ” The Guardian reported , based on an account from an anonymous source .
This theory was supported by a report about the hack published by security forensics firm FTI Consulting that was obtained by Vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bezos suggested he had knowledge of the affair That report also included an apparent screenshot of a misogynistic meme sent by MBS to Bezos in November 2018 with a picture of a woman who looks similar to Lauren Sanchez , and the report suggests that the image means MBS may have had knowledge of the affair before it was public in early 2019 .
Both the Guardian ’ s story and FTI ’ s report would seem to back up the original accusations of Bezos ’ security consultant Gavin De Becker , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beast that not only claimed Saudi Arabia had hacked the Amazon founder ’ s phone , but strongly suggested there might be a link to the Enquirer ’ s story .
However , some security professionals felt that FTI ’ s report didn ’ t prove that Saudi Arabia hacked Bezos ’ phone .
It ’ s primarily based on coincidences , not evidence that Bezos ’ data flowed back to Saudi Arabia .
And although Bezos also hinted in an earlier Medium article that there is a connection between Saudi Arabia and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t appear that either Bezos or his security consultant have evidence linking anything from the apparent hack by Saudi Arabia to the National Enquirer ’ s story about Bezos ’ affair .
Since the story first came to light , American Media , owner of the National Enquirer , has maintained that it received information about the affair from Michael Sanchez , not from Saudi Arabia , and reiterated that position in a statement published yesterday in The New York Times .
It seems likely that Michael Sanchez is the primary source for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s also possible that Saudi Arabia may have hacked Bezos ’ phone , though that ’ s not a certainty .
Both might be true .
Right now , though , there isn ’ t hard evidence that Saudi Arabia was a source for the National Enquirer ’ s story about the affair .

New York prosecutors have evidence suggesting that Jeff Bezos’ girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, shared compromising texts about her affair with Bezos to her brother, Michael Sanchez, The Wall Street Journal reports. Michael then reportedly sold those photos to the National Enquirer, which then published a story about Lauren and Bezos’ affair last January. The WSJ says its reporters have seen the texts themselves.
Bezos’ affair returned to the limelight this week when The Guardian reported that it was “highly probable” that Saudi Arabia hacked Jeff Bezos’ phone in May 2018. According to this theory, Bezos’ phone was compromised when he received a WhatsApp message with a malicious video file from the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
After Bezos apparently tapped on the video, an awful lot of data “were exfiltrated from Bezos’s phone within hours,” The Guardian reported, based on an account from an anonymous source. This theory was supported by a report about the hack published by security forensics firm FTI Consulting that was obtained by Vice.
A meme that MBS sent to Bezos suggested he had knowledge of the affair
That report also included an apparent screenshot of a misogynistic meme sent by MBS to Bezos in November 2018 with a picture of a woman who looks similar to Lauren Sanchez, and the report suggests that the image means MBS may have had knowledge of the affair before it was public in early 2019.
Both the Guardian’s story and FTI’s report would seem to back up the original accusations of Bezos’ security consultant Gavin De Becker, who initially published a story in The Daily Beast that not only claimed Saudi Arabia had hacked the Amazon founder’s phone, but strongly suggested there might be a link to the Enquirer’s story.
However, some security professionals felt that FTI’s report didn’t prove that Saudi Arabia hacked Bezos’ phone. It’s primarily based on coincidences, not evidence that Bezos’ data flowed back to Saudi Arabia. And although Bezos also hinted in an earlier Medium article that there is a connection between Saudi Arabia and the National Enquirer, it doesn’t appear that either Bezos or his security consultant have evidence linking anything from the apparent hack by Saudi Arabia to the National Enquirer’s story about Bezos’ affair.
Since the story first came to light, American Media, owner of the National Enquirer, has maintained that it received information about the affair from Michael Sanchez, not from Saudi Arabia, and reiterated that position in a statement published yesterday in The New York Times.


theverge--2020-01-24--Vine successor Byte is available now on iOS and Android

Dom Hofmann , the co-creator of Vine who has been quietly working on a successor to the short-form video platform , says the new app , called Byte , is available now on iOS and Android .
The app has been available in beta form for quite some time , but its launch late on Friday afternoon came as a complete surprise .
Hofmann has been developing Byte on and off for years , after he quit Vine just after its acquisition by Twitter .
Last we heard from him in an official capacity about the app ’ s launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ updates in the app ’ s rather active online forum ) was in November 2018 , when Hofmann said it would be arriving in the spring of the following year .
This was after Hofmann had postponed work on the Vine successor , which he initially named V2 before officially rebranding the project as Byte , in May 2018 .
The name itself is not to be confused with Beijing-based Bytedance , the Chinese maker of TikTok .
TikTok is now Byte ’ s biggest competition , as the app has fast-become one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created and has largely taken up the short-form video mantle from Vine after Instagram and Snapchat matured into less teen-oriented and more ad-friendly platforms .
In fact , Hofmann came up with the Byte name back in 2015 , when he was designing his next app .
It was a short-lived creative app with a social component similar in ways to the original Vine that , in a wild twist , let you create custom soundtracks to play over images and GIFs , much like how TikTok would later use licensed music and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to viral stardom .
Hofmann simply resurfaced the Byte branding as the official product name for V2 when he decided he would in fact follow through and release it .
Hofmann did miss that 2019 deadline .
But Byte is out now and longtime fans of Vine , which Twitter unceremoniously shut down just four years after acquiring it , will probably be happy just to have anything that resembles the defunct platform ’ s short-lived but profoundly impactful creative spirit .
We ’ ll have to see whether TikTok users give Byte @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can live up to the hype of carrying the Vine flame forward .
In an interview with TechCrunch , Hofmann says Byte will introduce a revenue-sharing mechanism to help creators get paid for their work when the app does eventually introduce advertising .
“ We ’ re looking at all of those , but we ’ ll be starting with a revenue share + supplementing with our own funds .
We ’ ll have more details about exactly how the pilot program will work soon , ” Hofmann says .
And in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter account , the company says “ compensation creators is one important way we can support ” both creativity and community .
Update January 24th , 8:15PM ET : Added additional details regarding the history of Byte and Hofmann ’ s prior work , as well as a quote from Hofmann on Byte ’ s revenue sharing .

Dom Hofmann, the co-creator of Vine who has been quietly working on a successor to the short-form video platform, says the new app, called Byte, is available now on iOS and Android. The app has been available in beta form for quite some time, but its launch late on Friday afternoon came as a complete surprise.
Hofmann has been developing Byte on and off for years, after he quit Vine just after its acquisition by Twitter. Last we heard from him in an official capacity about the app’s launch (he’s been regularly dropping updates in the app’s rather active online forum) was in November 2018, when Hofmann said it would be arriving in the spring of the following year.
This was after Hofmann had postponed work on the Vine successor, which he initially named V2 before officially rebranding the project as Byte, in May 2018. The name itself is not to be confused with Beijing-based Bytedance, the Chinese maker of TikTok. TikTok is now Byte’s biggest competition, as the app has fast-become one of the most explosively popular platforms ever created and has largely taken up the short-form video mantle from Vine after Instagram and Snapchat matured into less teen-oriented and more ad-friendly platforms.
In fact, Hofmann came up with the Byte name back in 2015, when he was designing his next app. It was a short-lived creative app with a social component similar in ways to the original Vine that, in a wild twist, let you create custom soundtracks to play over images and GIFs, much like how TikTok would later use licensed music and a lip syncing theme to propel itself to viral stardom. Hofmann simply resurfaced the Byte branding as the official product name for V2 when he decided he would in fact follow through and release it.
Hofmann did miss that 2019 deadline. But Byte is out now and longtime fans of Vine, which Twitter unceremoniously shut down just four years after acquiring it, will probably be happy just to have anything that resembles the defunct platform’s short-lived but profoundly impactful creative spirit. We’ll have to see whether TikTok users give Byte a chance, and if the app can live up to the hype of carrying the Vine flame forward.
In an interview with TechCrunch, Hofmann says Byte will introduce a revenue-sharing mechanism to help creators get paid for their work when the app does eventually introduce advertising. “We’re looking at all of those, but we’ll be starting with a revenue share + supplementing with our own funds. We’ll have more details about exactly how the pilot program will work soon,” Hofmann says. And in a series of tweets from the official Byte Twitter account, the company says “compensation creators is one important way we can support” both creativity and community.


theverge--2020-01-25--This week’s best deals include Eero’s mesh Wi-Fi kit, the Google Pixel 4, and more

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Good Deals stamp of approval , so if you 're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , Target , and more , this is the place to be .
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These do not influence editorial content , though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links .
For more information , see our ethics policy .
The weekend is a good time to catch up on everything , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the week .
Below , you ’ ll find a mix of new sales we think are worth pointing out and a few ongoing offers that have already been featured in our coverage .
Eero ’ s three-pack of mesh Wi-Fi routers ( pictured above ) was a popular product during Black Friday and Cyber Monday , mostly because it was selling for the low price of $ 159 ( $ 90 off its retail price ) .
We haven ’ t seen it go that low since , but it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 174.99 at Best Buy right now in case you ’ re still looking for a mesh Wi-Fi solution to blanket your abode with reliable wireless coverage .
Google Nest Mini smart speakers usually cost $ 49.99 ( you can commonly find them for less ) , but Daily Steals is offering Verge readers a special deal for a limited time on a two-pack of new Nest Mini speakers .
After you ’ ve added them to your cart , enter the code VERGENEST at checkout to get two for $ 56.99 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ three for the price of two ” deal on Blu-ray movies and video games for the past few days , and it still seems to be running .
Newly released movies are eligible , including The Farewell , Joker , Us , Once Upon a Time in Hollywood , Ad Astra , It Chapter Two , and Gemini Man .
Studio Ghibli classics like Spirited Away , Princess Mononoke , and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind are part of this offer as well .
If you ’ re after games , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good , though games like Death Stranding , Star Wars Jedi : Fallen Order ( PS4 , Xbox One ) , Dragon Quest Builders 2 ( PS4 ) , and Monster Hunter World : Iceborne Master Edition ( PS4 , Xbox One ) are up for grabs .
Beats Solo Pro on-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation are $ 249.99 at Best Buy through Monday , January 27th .
These usually run for $ 299.99 , and according to our review , they ’ re the best Beats headphones yet .
Best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ variations .
Moment , the maker of phone cases , mobile lenses that can attach to them , and other products , is hosting a winter clearance sale .
The company says you can save up to 60 percent on select products , photography lessons , and more .
The Half-Life franchise is free to play on Steam for the next two months .
As Valve nears the release of its anticipated Half-Life : Alyx VR title in March , the company has made it easier than ever for those who haven ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and expansions to do so .
Once you ’ re logged in to your Steam account , visit this page to start downloading them on the house .
Google ’ s 2019 flagship phones , the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL , are each $ 100 off at Best Buy and include a free $ 200 gift card with purchase .
This deal works only for the 64GB black models , which cost $ 699.99 and $ 799.99 , respectively , during this sale period .
Make sure to click “ Activate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the product page ; otherwise , Best Buy assumes you will want to tie it to a carrier plan .

The weekend is a good time to catch up on everything, including deals that you might have missed throughout the week. Below, you’ll find a mix of new sales we think are worth pointing out and a few ongoing offers that have already been featured in our coverage.
Eero’s three-pack of mesh Wi-Fi routers (pictured above) was a popular product during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, mostly because it was selling for the low price of $159 ($90 off its retail price). We haven’t seen it go that low since, but it’s selling for $174 at Amazon and $174.99 at Best Buy right now in case you’re still looking for a mesh Wi-Fi solution to blanket your abode with reliable wireless coverage.
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Google Nest Mini smart speakers usually cost $49.99 (you can commonly find them for less), but Daily Steals is offering Verge readers a special deal for a limited time on a two-pack of new Nest Mini speakers. After you’ve added them to your cart, enter the code VERGENEST at checkout to get two for $56.99.
Photo by Francois Duhamel / Twentieth Century Fox
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Beats Solo Pro on-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation are $249.99 at Best Buy through Monday, January 27th. These usually run for $299.99, and according to our review, they’re the best Beats headphones yet. Best Buy is offering them in several color variations.
Moment, the maker of phone cases, mobile lenses that can attach to them, and other products, is hosting a winter clearance sale. The company says you can save up to 60 percent on select products, photography lessons, and more.
The Half-Life franchise is free to play on Steam for the next two months. As Valve nears the release of its anticipated Half-Life: Alyx VR title in March, the company has made it easier than ever for those who haven’t yet played all of the games and expansions to do so. Once you’re logged in to your Steam account, visit this page to start downloading them on the house.
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Google’s 2019 flagship phones, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, are each $100 off at Best Buy and include a free $200 gift card with purchase. This deal works only for the 64GB black models, which cost $699.99 and $799.99, respectively, during this sale period. Make sure to click “Activate Later” beneath the price listed on the product page; otherwise, Best Buy assumes you will want to tie it to a carrier plan.


theverge--2020-01-25--9 new trailers you should watch this week

I feel like war movies all too often take the form of action films focused on big , broad , and misguided emotions like glory .
So it was a wonderful surprise watching Jojo Rabbit , one of the first World War II movies I ’ ve seen in some time that actually has something meaningful to say .
The film does a brilliant job of satirizing the harmful ways people are divided by language and fear .
It focuses on a young boy in 1940s Germany who subscribes to Nazi ideology to fit in .
It mostly leads to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realize that everything he ’ s been told is wrong .
Some of the most revealing moments are big and obvious , like another child being surprised to see that everything he ’ d learned about Jews was a lie .
But the best moments are the quiet ones , when the adults nod along , knowing the lies retold by children are outlandish , but declining to say so .
Now as much as ever , it feels like an important issue to explore .
Check out nine trailers from this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Star Wars release is a new season of The Clone Wars , a much-loved animated series that hasn ’ t had new episodes since 2014 .
Disney is billing this as the show ’ s final season , so this isn ’ t exactly a way to keep Disney+ filled with new Star Wars content .
But the rest of the show is available to stream , too , which should mean there ’ s plenty for people who haven ’ t seen the series yet .
The new season debuts February 21st @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether Miss Americana is a very good documentary or not — it has intimate access to Taylor Swift , a behind-the-scenes look at the making of her latest album , and promises to explore much of the drama that surrounds her : people are going to watch it one way or another .
Netflix picked up the film before it could hit Sundance , and it ’ ll head to the streaming service January 31st .
Jon Stewart is back with his second film since leaving The Daily Show .
Irresistible looks like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of political nonsense he used to skewer : Democrats desperate to connect , Republicans constantly lying , and pundits going overboard on all of it .
The film stars Steve Carell , so it should be fun to see what the two of them make together .
It comes out May 29th .
Let ’ s just start by acknowledging that Horse Girl is a good title , and that having Alison Brie star is a good decision .
From there , I have no idea , and I ’ ll just say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — not exactly a must see , but very much an Okay sure , I ’ d like to know what ’ s going on now that this is autoplaying .
It has Brie starring as a lonely woman who seemingly starts to lose it , or be abducted , or probably turn into a horse or something .
The film comes out February 7th .
From the name of this movie and still on this trailer , you could easily assume that this is a rom-com about some dapper musician in London @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thriller that has Blake Lively stepping into a Bond-like role after being swept up into some conspiracy .
It comes out January 31st .
After the international success of Ash Is Purest White , one of director Jia Zhangke ’ s earlier films is getting a US release .
His 2010 film I Wish I Knew is a gorgeously shot documentary about China ’ s modern history , as seen through the last century in Shanghai .
It starts to hit US theaters this weekend , starting in New York .
Apple TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at LGBTQ representation on TV .
The eight-hour series includes interviews with Ellen DeGeneres , Anderson Cooper , Rachel Maddow , and quite a few other famous faces , as well as narration by Margaret Cho , Neil Patrick Harris , Lena Waithe , and more .
It comes out February 14th .
The Last Thing He Wanted Mudbound director Dee Rees returns with a film about a journalist who somehow gets tied up in an illegal arms trading scheme .
The movie stars Anne Hathaway and Ben Affleck and looks like it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes out February 21st .
Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots star in this strange sci-fi movie about a couple who become trapped in a neighborhood of identical homes and are forced to raise some kind of freaky clone baby .
It seems fun , and I ’ m assuming there ’ ll be some cutting criticism of suburbia in here .
There doesn ’ t appear to be a release date just yet .
( As a side note : At one point , this trailer flashes a huge Rotten Tomatoes logo advertising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a great score , I still find loudly advertising a B+ to be kind of hilarious .
The rating is now at 87 percent . )

I feel like war movies all too often take the form of action films focused on big, broad, and misguided emotions like glory. So it was a wonderful surprise watching Jojo Rabbit, one of the first World War II movies I’ve seen in some time that actually has something meaningful to say.
The film does a brilliant job of satirizing the harmful ways people are divided by language and fear. It focuses on a young boy in 1940s Germany who subscribes to Nazi ideology to fit in. It mostly leads to sadness and embarrassment as he begins to realize that everything he’s been told is wrong.
Some of the most revealing moments are big and obvious, like another child being surprised to see that everything he’d learned about Jews was a lie. But the best moments are the quiet ones, when the adults nod along, knowing the lies retold by children are outlandish, but declining to say so. Now as much as ever, it feels like an important issue to explore.
Check out nine trailers from this week below.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Disney+’s next big Star Wars release is a new season of The Clone Wars, a much-loved animated series that hasn’t had new episodes since 2014. Disney is billing this as the show’s final season, so this isn’t exactly a way to keep Disney+ filled with new Star Wars content. But the rest of the show is available to stream, too, which should mean there’s plenty for people who haven’t seen the series yet. The new season debuts February 21st.
Miss Americana
It doesn’t really matter whether Miss Americana is a very good documentary or not — it has intimate access to Taylor Swift, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of her latest album, and promises to explore much of the drama that surrounds her: people are going to watch it one way or another. Netflix picked up the film before it could hit Sundance, and it’ll head to the streaming service January 31st.
Irresistible
Jon Stewart is back with his second film since leaving The Daily Show. Irresistible looks like a fictionalized spin on the exact type of political nonsense he used to skewer: Democrats desperate to connect, Republicans constantly lying, and pundits going overboard on all of it. The film stars Steve Carell, so it should be fun to see what the two of them make together. It comes out May 29th.
Horse Girl
Let’s just start by acknowledging that Horse Girl is a good title, and that having Alison Brie star is a good decision. From there, I have no idea, and I’ll just say this truly feels like a Netflix movie — not exactly a must see, but very much an Okay sure, I’d like to know what’s going on now that this is autoplaying. It has Brie starring as a lonely woman who seemingly starts to lose it, or be abducted, or probably turn into a horse or something. The film comes out February 7th.
The Rhythm Section
From the name of this movie and still on this trailer, you could easily assume that this is a rom-com about some dapper musician in London. It’s actually a revenge thriller that has Blake Lively stepping into a Bond-like role after being swept up into some conspiracy. It comes out January 31st.
I Wish I Knew
After the international success of Ash Is Purest White, one of director Jia Zhangke’s earlier films is getting a US release. His 2010 film I Wish I Knew is a gorgeously shot documentary about China’s modern history, as seen through the last century in Shanghai. It starts to hit US theaters this weekend, starting in New York.
Visible: Out on Television
Apple TV Plus has a documentary coming up looking at LGBTQ representation on TV. The eight-hour series includes interviews with Ellen DeGeneres, Anderson Cooper, Rachel Maddow, and quite a few other famous faces, as well as narration by Margaret Cho, Neil Patrick Harris, Lena Waithe, and more. It comes out February 14th.
The Last Thing He Wanted
Mudbound director Dee Rees returns with a film about a journalist who somehow gets tied up in an illegal arms trading scheme. The movie stars Anne Hathaway and Ben Affleck and looks like it twists into a socio-political thriller. It comes out February 21st.
Vivarium


theverge--2020-01-26--The unofficial Apple Archive is on death’s door once more

I hope you got your fill of the unofficial Apple Archive last week , because that expansive collection of over 15,000 classic Apple advertisements , internal training videos , and other eye-opening odds and ends from the Cupertino computer company ’ s history has now been ripped apart — late Friday , curator Sam Henri Gold received a veritable deluge of DMCA takedown notices originating from Apple ’ s lawyers , letting him know the vast majority of the videos he ’ d uploaded to Vimeo had been removed from the internet .
“ Do you know what it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your wrist in like 2 minutes ?
Your wrist sorta goes numb from the vibrations , ” Gold tells The Verge .
Gold tweeted that there were still 264 videos remaining as of January 25th , and you can still find lots of vintage Apple print ads at his website as well .
But every single video we pointed out as being particularly entertaining has been taken down .
The takedowns shouldn ’ t really surprise anyone , since 1 ) these videos do presumably all belong to Apple , not Gold , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protect their intellectual property , and 3 ) because Gold and Apple have seemingly been playing a game of whack-a-mole for a while now .
We wrote about a previous iteration of Gold ’ s archive last year , when he ’ d migrated it to a Google Drive folder , but it dates back further than that — nearly three years ago , when Gold was a 15-year old , he tried to host it on YouTube , and helped turn it into a torrent after that .
Gold told us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communication from Apple or its lawyers yet , but he seems to be looking into his legal options anyhow : And he ’ s still adding more content , too .
“ A bunch of both past and present Apple employees have shown overwhelming interest and support for what I ’ m doing , ” Gold tells us , adding that he ’ d like to work with Apple and its marketing team to create an official version of the archive , if they ’ d give him the chance .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past , but public company history preservation is invaluable for their devoted consumer base and researchers alike , ” he says .

I hope you got your fill of the unofficial Apple Archive last week, because that expansive collection of over 15,000 classic Apple advertisements, internal training videos, and other eye-opening odds and ends from the Cupertino computer company’s history has now been ripped apart — late Friday, curator Sam Henri Gold received a veritable deluge of DMCA takedown notices originating from Apple’s lawyers, letting him know the vast majority of the videos he’d uploaded to Vimeo had been removed from the internet.
“Do you know what it’s like getting 700 email notifications on your wrist in like 2 minutes? Your wrist sorta goes numb from the vibrations,” Gold tells The Verge.
Gold tweeted that there were still 264 videos remaining as of January 25th, and you can still find lots of vintage Apple print ads at his website as well. But every single video we pointed out as being particularly entertaining has been taken down.
The takedowns shouldn’t really surprise anyone, since 1) these videos do presumably all belong to Apple, not Gold, 2) companies generally have a duty to protect their intellectual property, and 3) because Gold and Apple have seemingly been playing a game of whack-a-mole for a while now.
We wrote about a previous iteration of Gold’s archive last year, when he’d migrated it to a Google Drive folder, but it dates back further than that — nearly three years ago, when Gold was a 15-year old, he tried to host it on YouTube, and helped turn it into a torrent after that.
Gold told us he hasn’t received any direct communication from Apple or its lawyers yet, but he seems to be looking into his legal options anyhow:
And he’s still adding more content, too.
“A bunch of both past and present Apple employees have shown overwhelming interest and support for what I’m doing,” Gold tells us, adding that he’d like to work with Apple and its marketing team to create an official version of the archive, if they’d give him the chance.


theverge--2020-01-26--Motorola on the Razr’s folding screen: ‘bumps and lumps are normal’

Today ’ s the day that the Motorola Razr is available for pre-sale for $ 1499 , exclusively on Verizon .
Motorola originally said that it should begin shipping on February 6th , but it looks like it ’ s already backed up to the 14th on Verizon .
Alongside the pre-order launch , Motorola has posted a series of videos on its YouTube channel that are somewhere between brief ads and how-tos for the folding phone .
And as you might have guessed from the headline , “ Caring for razr ” caught our eye .
In it , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you need to know if you have a phone with a plastic folding screen .
We thought we knew most of them already based on our experience with the Galaxy Fold , but Motorola ’ s video has one more thing to think about : “ Screen is made to bend ; bumps and lumps are normal.
” With the Galaxy Fold , “ bumps and lumps ” ended up being the first harbingers of a catastrophic screen failure on our review unit .
Apparently that ’ s not going to be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lots of ways to build a hinge for a folding plastic screen , and Motorola apparently opted for a design that allows for a little more flex than the original Fold design did .
It ’ s also able to close completely flat .
Because of that plastic material , the screen is likely to have some kind of crease — though we weren ’ t really able to see much of one in our original hands-on .
We ’ ll obviously need to review the phone in full before we can say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crease , bumps , or lumps .
As with the Galaxy Fold , there are some Gremlins-esque rules to worry about : don ’ t get it too wet and if you do , dry it off quickly with a soft towel ; keep it away from sharp objects ; and close it before you put it in your pocket .
That last rule , “ close phone before putting in pocket or purse , ” is a clear sign that the company knows the screen is fragile .
It also explicitly warns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As with the Galaxy Fold , it seems likely that the adhesive on most screen protectors would be damaging to the screen .
At the launch , Motorola executives were incredibly confident about the screen ’ s durability for users .
One executive specifically said “ We ’ re not going to go out there and say , ‘ consumers should be cautious of how they use the phone.
’ ” Instead , it looks like a little caution is warranted .
Notably , the Razr is set to become available right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Galaxy Unpacked event on February 11th .
It ’ s widely rumored to be released the Galaxy Z Flip , a direct competitor to the Razr .
A more recent rumor hinted that the Z Flip may have an “ ultra thin ” glass display .
The other videos that Motorola has posted so far are more straight-forward overviews of the phone , though one seems to indicate that users will need to go to a Verizon carrier store in order to activate the eSIM .
There are a few other videos on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interest is the big pile of camera features Motorola is building into the Razr , including a Cinemagraph mode that looks pretty fun :

In it, Motorola runs through the basics of what you need to know if you have a phone with a plastic folding screen. We thought we knew most of them already based on our experience with the Galaxy Fold, but Motorola’s video has one more thing to think about: “Screen is made to bend; bumps and lumps are normal.”
With the Galaxy Fold, “bumps and lumps” ended up being the first harbingers of a catastrophic screen failure on our review unit. Apparently that’s not going to be the case with the Razr. There are lots of ways to build a hinge for a folding plastic screen, and Motorola apparently opted for a design that allows for a little more flex than the original Fold design did. It’s also able to close completely flat.
Because of that plastic material, the screen is likely to have some kind of crease — though we weren’t really able to see much of one in our original hands-on. We’ll obviously need to review the phone in full before we can say ourselves whether the screen has a notable crease, bumps, or lumps.
As with the Galaxy Fold, there are some Gremlins-esque rules to worry about: don’t get it too wet and if you do, dry it off quickly with a soft towel; keep it away from sharp objects; and close it before you put it in your pocket.
That last rule, “close phone before putting in pocket or purse,” is a clear sign that the company knows the screen is fragile. It also explicitly warns users to not use a screen protector. As with the Galaxy Fold, it seems likely that the adhesive on most screen protectors would be damaging to the screen.
At the launch, Motorola executives were incredibly confident about the screen’s durability for users. One executive specifically said “We’re not going to go out there and say, ‘consumers should be cautious of how they use the phone.’” Instead, it looks like a little caution is warranted.
Notably, the Razr is set to become available right around the time of Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event on February 11th. It’s widely rumored to be released the Galaxy Z Flip, a direct competitor to the Razr. A more recent rumor hinted that the Z Flip may have an “ultra thin” glass display.
The other videos that Motorola has posted so far are more straight-forward overviews of the phone, though one seems to indicate that users will need to go to a Verizon carrier store in order to activate the eSIM.


theverge--2020-01-26--Spree review: in search of an audience

Spree review: in search of an audience

Welcome to Cheat Sheet , our breakdown-style reviews of festival films , VR previews , and other special event releases .
This review comes from the 2020 Sundance Film Festival .
When a real-life killer finds fame on a forum or a social network — a trend that ’ s become depressingly frequent in recent years — there are two common conclusions .
The first is that social media is some kind of new , unprecedented evil , as if the Zodiac killer never crafted an elaborate brand strategy through local newspapers , or TV news never helped turn mass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that modern web platforms simply produce their own distinct kinds of nightmares , ones that twist their wholesome promises of openness and trust .
Spree , a horror-comedy directed by Eugene Kotlyarenko , captures the latter with remarkable style .
It uses an experimental blend of naturalistic filmmaking and footage from phone apps , following a man who wants desperately and pathetically to be noticed — even if that involves a mass murder campaign with a viral hashtag .
Spree ’ s plot is basically a Black Mirror episode , and its aesthetic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ film ” style of movies like Searching and Unfriended .
Most action is shot diegetically through GoPro and phone cameras , including a lot of Periscope-esque vertical video overlaid with audience reactions .
Tonally , it ’ s a sometimes queasy mix of satire and slasher film , carried by an over-the-top performance from Stranger Things star Joe Keery .
The plot isn ’ t based on true events , but it ’ s tied fairly realistically into the world of tech and social media , fictionalizing some controversies and referencing an actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
A failed pseudo-Uber driver and internet content creator ( Keery ) decides to “ go viral ” by embarking on a livestreamed murder spree called # TheLesson .
This is unbearably and intentionally cringeworthy .
Kurt ( who introduces himself as “ KurtsWorld96 ” ) is a social media strategy guide made flesh .
He ’ s a self-described content creator who produces hours of bad electronic music and introspective videos that nobody watches .
His idea of a conversation-starter is “ how did you grow your following ?
” , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a manic grin .
As a driver for the ride-hailing app Spree , he obsessively asks riders to tag him on Instagram and swears that he always follows back .
# TheLesson , an elaborate scheme to kill Spree users , is Kurt ’ s final attempt to grow his audience .
But a depressingly mediocre streamer who murders people ... is still just a depressingly mediocre streamer .
So to his horror , nobody really cares or even believes the deaths are real .
As Kurt goes to greater and greater lengths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a successful social media star named Jessie Adams ( Sasheer Zamata ) , who has started to have her own misgivings about being famous online .
What ’ s it really about ?
Spree is a savage dissection of digital social climbing .
Kurt is at the bottom of the ladder , obviously .
But as the film expands its focus to Jessie , we see the same dynamics play out at other levels of internet stardom .
Characters engage with each other by carefully identifying their relative status , then trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biggest star in the room — conveyed through some effective editing tricks , like scenes playing out across footage from several people ’ s phones at once .
This behavior looks a lot like old-fashioned power jockeying .
But Spree emphasizes the specific pressure of social media ’ s instant feedback loop and hyper-quantification .
Comments from fans pop up at the bottom of the screen , sometimes mocking the characters and sometimes egging them on .
Instead of subjectively judging somebody ’ s influence , people rely on the merciless metrics of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts forward a bleakly amoral vision of the internet economy .
Kurt ’ s politics are all monetization strategies — he ’ ll call out a white supremacist on his live murder stream because platforms don ’ t like racism , and he despises homeless people because they aren ’ t online enough .
His hashtag , # TheLesson , evokes an aggrieved alt-right troll or an overzealous social justice crusade .
But it ’ s actually a literal guide for getting famous , including an instructional video for a deadly craft project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black woman whose comedy calls out racism and misogyny .
But in Spree , she ’ s stuck playing the same game as Kurt — any genuine idealism is quickly captured , repackaged , and posted online .
The real-world internet culture wars still exist here , but they ’ re just opposing corners of one big content farm .
Keery pulls off the trick of being creepy , sad , and fun to watch even as he ’ s descending deeper and deeper into monstrosity .
And the film leans hard into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which saves it from seeming like technophobic scaremongering or a “ kids these days ” moral panic .
If you ’ re the kind of person who can laugh at slapstick murder vignettes , a lot of Spree works very well .
On the other hand , those vignettes eventually start feeling repetitive .
Spree stalls out in the middle with some scenes that are fun on their own , but don ’ t add enough to the film ’ s central joke that social media fans are shallow and think everything is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are usually as unpleasantly self-obsessed as he is , so with the exception of Jessie , it ’ s hard to get invested in their fates .
And when Spree fully commits to the idea that Kurt ’ s murders are a microcosm of ... *film gesticulates wildly at social media* , it doesn ’ t have enough time to make its case .
How can I actually watch it ?

Welcome to Cheat Sheet, our breakdown-style reviews of festival films, VR previews, and other special event releases. This review comes from the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
When a real-life killer finds fame on a forum or a social network — a trend that’s become depressingly frequent in recent years — there are two common conclusions. The first is that social media is some kind of new, unprecedented evil, as if the Zodiac killer never crafted an elaborate brand strategy through local newspapers, or TV news never helped turn mass shooters into celebrities. The second is that modern web platforms simply produce their own distinct kinds of nightmares, ones that twist their wholesome promises of openness and trust.
Spree, a horror-comedy directed by Eugene Kotlyarenko, captures the latter with remarkable style. It uses an experimental blend of naturalistic filmmaking and footage from phone apps, following a man who wants desperately and pathetically to be noticed — even if that involves a mass murder campaign with a viral hashtag.
What’s the genre?
Spree’s plot is basically a Black Mirror episode, and its aesthetic blends found-footage techniques with the “screen film” style of movies like Searching and Unfriended. Most action is shot diegetically through GoPro and phone cameras, including a lot of Periscope-esque vertical video overlaid with audience reactions.
Tonally, it’s a sometimes queasy mix of satire and slasher film, carried by an over-the-top performance from Stranger Things star Joe Keery. The plot isn’t based on true events, but it’s tied fairly realistically into the world of tech and social media, fictionalizing some controversies and referencing an actual mass murder by an Uber driver in 2016.
What’s it about?
A failed pseudo-Uber driver and internet content creator (Keery) decides to “go viral” by embarking on a livestreamed murder spree called #TheLesson. This is unbearably and intentionally cringeworthy.
Kurt (who introduces himself as “KurtsWorld96”) is a social media strategy guide made flesh. He’s a self-described content creator who produces hours of bad electronic music and introspective videos that nobody watches. His idea of a conversation-starter is “how did you grow your following?”, and his face is set permanently in a manic grin. As a driver for the ride-hailing app Spree, he obsessively asks riders to tag him on Instagram and swears that he always follows back.
#TheLesson, an elaborate scheme to kill Spree users, is Kurt’s final attempt to grow his audience. But a depressingly mediocre streamer who murders people... is still just a depressingly mediocre streamer. So to his horror, nobody really cares or even believes the deaths are real. As Kurt goes to greater and greater lengths to impress viewers, he becomes fixated on a successful social media star named Jessie Adams (Sasheer Zamata), who has started to have her own misgivings about being famous online.
What’s it really about?
Spree is a savage dissection of digital social climbing. Kurt is at the bottom of the ladder, obviously. But as the film expands its focus to Jessie, we see the same dynamics play out at other levels of internet stardom. Characters engage with each other by carefully identifying their relative status, then trying to film or be filmed by the biggest star in the room — conveyed through some effective editing tricks, like scenes playing out across footage from several people’s phones at once.
This behavior looks a lot like old-fashioned power jockeying. But Spree emphasizes the specific pressure of social media’s instant feedback loop and hyper-quantification. Comments from fans pop up at the bottom of the screen, sometimes mocking the characters and sometimes egging them on. Instead of subjectively judging somebody’s influence, people rely on the merciless metrics of views and follower counts.
Spree also puts forward a bleakly amoral vision of the internet economy. Kurt’s politics are all monetization strategies — he’ll call out a white supremacist on his live murder stream because platforms don’t like racism, and he despises homeless people because they aren’t online enough. His hashtag, #TheLesson, evokes an aggrieved alt-right troll or an overzealous social justice crusade. But it’s actually a literal guide for getting famous, including an instructional video for a deadly craft project.
Jessie, meanwhile, is a black woman whose comedy calls out racism and misogyny. But in Spree, she’s stuck playing the same game as Kurt — any genuine idealism is quickly captured, repackaged, and posted online. The real-world internet culture wars still exist here, but they’re just opposing corners of one big content farm.
Is it good?
Keery pulls off the trick of being creepy, sad, and fun to watch even as he’s descending deeper and deeper into monstrosity. And the film leans hard into dark comedy rather than outright horror, which saves it from seeming like technophobic scaremongering or a “kids these days” moral panic. If you’re the kind of person who can laugh at slapstick murder vignettes, a lot of Spree works very well.
On the other hand, those vignettes eventually start feeling repetitive. Spree stalls out in the middle with some scenes that are fun on their own, but don’t add enough to the film’s central joke that social media fans are shallow and think everything is a prank. Kurt’s victims are usually as unpleasantly self-obsessed as he is, so with the exception of Jessie, it’s hard to get invested in their fates. And when Spree fully commits to the idea that Kurt’s murders are a microcosm of... *film gesticulates wildly at social media*, it doesn’t have enough time to make its case.
How can I actually watch it?


theverge--2020-01-27--Microsoft is helping Google improve Chrome’s tab management

Microsoft launched its new Edge Chromium-powered browser earlier this month on both macOS and Windows .
The launch marked just over a year after the company announce its plans to work more closely with the Chromium project and Google engineers .
The Verge got an exclusive look at Microsoft ’ s surprise decision to work with Google last year , and now we ’ re starting to see just how closely Microsoft and Google are collaborating with the introduction of Edge ’ s multi-tab management feature in Chromium .
“ If you ’ re still interested in upstreaming this from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take it , ” reads a note from Google software engineer Leonard Grey in a recent Chromium Gerrit source code management thread .
“ Sounds great !
I ’ ll take ownership of this issue then , ” responds Justin Gallagher , a software engineer at Microsoft .
Spotted by a Reddit poster , the discussion is around being able to move multiple tabs to another window .
It ’ s a feature that already exists in Edge , and now Microsoft is helping bring it directly to Chromium and Chrome .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Microsoft committed code to make the change in Chromium , adding support for moving multiple tabs to a new window from the tab context menu .
It ’ s the first clear user-facing change that we ’ ve seen Microsoft make to Chromium , and the company has made more than 1,000 commits over the previous year .
We ’ re waiting to see the change appear in daily Canary builds of Chrome , but Microsoft is also committing changes to the Chromium project to improve accessibility , performance , and compatibility for @ @ @ @ @

Microsoft launched its new Edge Chromium-powered browser earlier this month on both macOS and Windows. The launch marked just over a year after the company announce its plans to work more closely with the Chromium project and Google engineers. The Verge got an exclusive look at Microsoft’s surprise decision to work with Google last year, and now we’re starting to see just how closely Microsoft and Google are collaborating with the introduction of Edge’s multi-tab management feature in Chromium.
“If you’re still interested in upstreaming this from Edge, we’d be happy to take it,” reads a note from Google software engineer Leonard Grey in a recent Chromium Gerrit source code management thread. “Sounds great! I’ll take ownership of this issue then,” responds Justin Gallagher, a software engineer at Microsoft. Spotted by a Reddit poster, the discussion is around being able to move multiple tabs to another window. It’s a feature that already exists in Edge, and now Microsoft is helping bring it directly to Chromium and Chrome.
Just two weeks after that exchange, Microsoft committed code to make the change in Chromium, adding support for moving multiple tabs to a new window from the tab context menu. It’s the first clear user-facing change that we’ve seen Microsoft make to Chromium, and the company has made more than 1,000 commits over the previous year.


theverge--2020-01-27--The UK won’t implement EU’s controversial copyright directive after Brexit

The UK government won ’ t adopt the EU ’ s controversial copyright directive after it leaves the bloc on January 31st , though politicians say they still support the legislation ’ s “ overall aims.
” The copyright directive was criticized by free speech advocates , who said it would stifle expression online through the so-called “ upload filter ” and “ link tax.
” The upload filter requires some sites to scan uploaded content to see if it breaches copyright , while the link tax allows newspapers and publishers to charge aggregators that link to their content .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ A , the UK ’ s Minister for Universities , Science , Research and Innovation , Chris Skidmore , said the United Kingdom simply doesn ’ t have time to implement the copyright directive before leaving the European Union .
“ [ T ] he United Kingdom will not be required to implement the Directive , and the Government has no plans to do so , ” said Skidmore .
“ Any future changes to the UK copyright framework will be considered as part of the usual domestic policy process.
” That doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t implement similar laws later , though .
During a recent debate on the music industry , the government ’ s Minister for Sport , Media & Creative Industries , Nigel Adams , indicated that copyright holders like music labels ( who support the directive as it gives them more power over tech giants ) could sway policy in future .
“ We support the overall aims of the Copyright Directive.
” “ We support the overall aims of the Copyright Directive , ” said Adams , reports the Music Producers Guild .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ do everything possible to protect our brilliant creators , as well as the consumers and the rights of users who consume music.
” The copyright directive came into force last year , but EU member states still have until June 2021 to pass relevant laws in their own nations .
After a long and controversial passage through the EU ’ s legislative bodies , the directive was tweaked in an attempt to reassure critics .
Exemptions were added to the upload filter for content uploaded for “ quotation , criticism , review , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a response to critics who dubbed the law a “ meme ban ” ) , and the filter was also restricted to for-profit organizations , meaning sites like Wikipedia won ’ t be affected .
Opponents , including big tech companies like Google and Facebook , maintain that the concessions are not enough , and that the directive will ultimately harm internet users as it ’ s implemented country-by-country in the EU .
The UK , though , won ’ t be one of them .

The UK government won’t adopt the EU’s controversial copyright directive after it leaves the bloc on January 31st, though politicians say they still support the legislation’s “overall aims.”
The copyright directive was criticized by free speech advocates, who said it would stifle expression online through the so-called “upload filter” and “link tax.” The upload filter requires some sites to scan uploaded content to see if it breaches copyright, while the link tax allows newspapers and publishers to charge aggregators that link to their content.
While answering a written parliamentary Q&A, the UK’s Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation, Chris Skidmore, said the United Kingdom simply doesn’t have time to implement the copyright directive before leaving the European Union.
“[T]he United Kingdom will not be required to implement the Directive, and the Government has no plans to do so,” said Skidmore. “Any future changes to the UK copyright framework will be considered as part of the usual domestic policy process.”
That doesn’t mean the UK won’t implement similar laws later, though. During a recent debate on the music industry, the government’s Minister for Sport, Media & Creative Industries, Nigel Adams, indicated that copyright holders like music labels (who support the directive as it gives them more power over tech giants) could sway policy in future.
“We support the overall aims of the Copyright Directive.”
“We support the overall aims of the Copyright Directive,” said Adams, reports the Music Producers Guild. ‘It’s absolutely imperative we do everything possible to protect our brilliant creators, as well as the consumers and the rights of users who consume music.”
The copyright directive came into force last year, but EU member states still have until June 2021 to pass relevant laws in their own nations.
After a long and controversial passage through the EU’s legislative bodies, the directive was tweaked in an attempt to reassure critics. Exemptions were added to the upload filter for content uploaded for “quotation, criticism, review, caricature, parody and pastiche” (a response to critics who dubbed the law a “meme ban”), and the filter was also restricted to for-profit organizations, meaning sites like Wikipedia won’t be affected.


theverge--2020-01-27--Apple imagines iMac built into curved sheet of glass

Apple applied for a patent for an ambitious design for a new all-in-one computer which integrates both its keyboard and screen into a single curved sheet of glass .
The patent application , which was first spotted by Patently Apple , and which was filed in May last year , describes how the iMac-like computer ’ s “ input area ” and “ display area ” could be built into a single continuous surface , while a support structure behind the display could then contain the computer ’ s processing unit , as well as providing space for all the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s a pretty striking design for a couple of reasons .
For one thing , the amount of curved glass involved is far more than Apple has ever used in one of its products before .
It ’ s also interesting to see that the company is thinking about taking the iMac ’ s all-in-one design even further , by integrating not just the computer and display together , but also a keyboard and touchpad as well ( although the application also describes how the keyboard could be detached during use ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Apple outlines some pretty ambitious concepts for how it would like the new iMac design to work .
Most interesting is an idea for how you could dock a MacBook into the device .
The laptop would theoretically output its screen to the iMac ’ s display , while its keyboard would pass through a hole in the middle of the machine to let you use it as normal .
At another point , the application suggests that its single sheet of glass could fold down its middle to allow you to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Given how radical the design is , we ’ d be very surprised if this patent application for an “ Electronic Device with Glass Housing Member ” made it to market in its current form .
However , given the iMac ’ s design has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade coupled with new advances in glass fabrication , it ’ s not surprising to learn that some designers within Apple are considering a shake-up .

Apple applied for a patent for an ambitious design for a new all-in-one computer which integrates both its keyboard and screen into a single curved sheet of glass. The patent application, which was first spotted by Patently Apple, and which was filed in May last year, describes how the iMac-like computer’s “input area” and “display area” could be built into a single continuous surface, while a support structure behind the display could then contain the computer’s processing unit, as well as providing space for all the machine’s ports.
It’s a pretty striking design for a couple of reasons. For one thing, the amount of curved glass involved is far more than Apple has ever used in one of its products before. It’s also interesting to see that the company is thinking about taking the iMac’s all-in-one design even further, by integrating not just the computer and display together, but also a keyboard and touchpad as well (although the application also describes how the keyboard could be detached during use).
A support structure behind the display could contain the processing unit for the machine. Image: Apple / USPTO
The patent application even suggests the design could allow a MacBook to be docked into the display. Image: Apple / USPTO One diagram shows how the iMac could fold down to be more easily stored. Image: Apple / USPTO
Beyond the application’s core claims, Apple outlines some pretty ambitious concepts for how it would like the new iMac design to work. Most interesting is an idea for how you could dock a MacBook into the device. The laptop would theoretically output its screen to the iMac’s display, while its keyboard would pass through a hole in the middle of the machine to let you use it as normal. At another point, the application suggests that its single sheet of glass could fold down its middle to allow you to pack it away when not in use.


theverge--2020-01-27--Microsoft forced to create a free Windows 7 update just days after updates ended

Microsoft released its final public security updates for Windows 7 earlier this month , ending support for the operating system after more than 10 years .
While the final updates looked pretty routine , Microsoft has now revealed that one is causing wallpaper issues for some Windows 7 users .
“ After installing KB4534310 , your desktop wallpaper might display as black when set to Stretch , ” admits Microsoft .
It seems to only be affecting stretched wallpapers , and fit , fill , tile , or center options are still working for Windows 7 users .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Microsoft was supposed to stop supporting Windows 7 .
It also left Microsoft with the dilemma of introducing an obvious bug that customers would then have to pay to get fixed .
While Microsoft initially said it was working on a Windows 7 fix that would only be available “ for organizations who have purchased Windows 7 Extended Security Updates ( ESU ) , ” the software giant changed its mind overnight and now says the fix will be available to everyone running Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ extend its Windows 7 support to fix a bug it has introduced .
It ’ s unusual for Microsoft to issue public patches and updates to operating systems that are marked as out of support , as customers typically have to purchase ESUs .
These are either $ 25 or $ 50 per machine for businesses still running Windows 7 , and have led to the German government paying around $ 887,000 for its PCs .
However , Microsoft has issued public patches for Windows XP in the past , to help prevent @ @ @

Microsoft released its final public security updates for Windows 7 earlier this month, ending support for the operating system after more than 10 years. While the final updates looked pretty routine, Microsoft has now revealed that one is causing wallpaper issues for some Windows 7 users. “After installing KB4534310, your desktop wallpaper might display as black when set to Stretch,” admits Microsoft. It seems to only be affecting stretched wallpapers, and fit, fill, tile, or center options are still working for Windows 7 users.
It’s an embarrassing bug, introduced just as Microsoft was supposed to stop supporting Windows 7. It also left Microsoft with the dilemma of introducing an obvious bug that customers would then have to pay to get fixed.
While Microsoft initially said it was working on a Windows 7 fix that would only be available “for organizations who have purchased Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU),” the software giant changed its mind overnight and now says the fix will be available to everyone running Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. Bizarrely, this means Microsoft has to extend its Windows 7 support to fix a bug it has introduced.
Related Microsoft bids farewell to Windows 7 and the millions of PCs that still run it


theverge--2020-01-27--Sandy Hook truther arrested for doxxing grieving dad

A man who spread conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook shooting and allegedly harassed victims ’ families was arrested Monday morning in Florida .
The hoaxer , Wolfgang Halbig , was charged with “ unlawful possession of personal identification of another person ” and released after paying a $ 5,000 bond .
The arrest was first reported in The New York Times .
Halbig is alleged to have repeatedly emailed the social security number , birth date , and other personal information from the father of one of the shooting victims to a number of recipients , according to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , reportedly now lives in hiding in part because of Halbig .
He recently filed a complaint against Halbig , according to the report .
“ For five years , he has used my most personal and private details to incentivize and enable other hoaxers and conspiracy theorists to hunt , abuse and terrorize myself and my family , ” Pozner said in a statement to the Times .
Victims ’ families have been taking hoaxers and harassers to court Starting in 2014 , Halbig was referenced and interviewed multiple times by Infowars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that killed 26 people .
The Times says that he has taunted the families of victims when they have challenged him , at times releasing their personal information and claiming their children are still alive .
Florida has a law that makes it illegal to knowingly possess another person ’ s social security number , credit card number , medical records , and several other sensitive identifiers without authorization .
Whether shooting victims ’ families can get relief from the hoaxes and harassment others have put them through has been an ongoing question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Infowars founder Alex Jones was ordered to pay $ 100,000 in legal fees as part of a defamation lawsuit filed by parents of one of the children who was killed in the shooting .
The FBI has also filed charges against another individual for allegedly harassing the friends and family of victims of the Parkland shooting .

A man who spread conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook shooting and allegedly harassed victims’ families was arrested Monday morning in Florida. The hoaxer, Wolfgang Halbig, was charged with “unlawful possession of personal identification of another person” and released after paying a $5,000 bond. The arrest was first reported in The New York Times.
Halbig is alleged to have repeatedly emailed the social security number, birth date, and other personal information from the father of one of the shooting victims to a number of recipients, according to the Times. The father, Leonard Pozner, reportedly now lives in hiding in part because of Halbig. He recently filed a complaint against Halbig, according to the report.
“For five years, he has used my most personal and private details to incentivize and enable other hoaxers and conspiracy theorists to hunt, abuse and terrorize myself and my family,” Pozner said in a statement to the Times.
Victims’ families have been taking hoaxers and harassers to court
Starting in 2014, Halbig was referenced and interviewed multiple times by Infowars, spreading conspiracies about the 2012 shooting that killed 26 people. The Times says that he has taunted the families of victims when they have challenged him, at times releasing their personal information and claiming their children are still alive.
Florida has a law that makes it illegal to knowingly possess another person’s social security number, credit card number, medical records, and several other sensitive identifiers without authorization.