theverge--2020-08-02--SpaceX’s Crew Dragon successfully returns NASA astronauts back to Earth

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley safely returned to Earth inside SpaceX ’ s Crew Dragon capsule this afternoon , bringing their historic two-month mission at the International Space Station to an end .
The spacecraft carrying the two astronauts splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola , Florida at 2:48PM ET , where recovery boats were waiting nearby to receive the crew .
With this landing , the Crew Dragon has now successfully completed its first-ever passenger flight to orbit .
The mission began on May 30th , when Behnken and Hurley both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Florida and then docked with the space station a day later .
Called Demon-2 or DM-2 , the mission was meant to prove out all of the Crew Dragon ’ s biggest capabilities — by safely transporting people to space and getting them to the ISS .
Now SpaceX has proved that the capsule can safely bring people home , too .
the Crew Dragon has now successfully completed its first ever passenger flight to orbit The mission isn ’ t quite over yet , as SpaceX recovery boats filled with teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crew Dragon out of the water .
Then Behnken and Hurley can exit the capsule and breathe fresh air again .
But the riskiest part of the landing is complete , and that ultimately paves the way for Crew Dragon to start regularly carrying astronauts to space in the future .
SpaceX developed the Crew Dragon as part of NASA ’ s Commercial Crew Program , an initiative that tasked private companies with creating commercial vehicles to ferry the agency ’ s astronauts to orbit .
Behnken and Hurley ’ s flight was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of that program , and now , SpaceX is already preparing to fly the Crew Dragon again with people — once in September and again in spring of 2021 .
As SpaceX takes up the mantle of launching astronauts , NASA is now entering a new era of human spaceflight , one where private companies are the ones regularly flying people to low Earth orbit .
For nearly all of NASA ’ s history , the space agency had always been the one in charge of developing the spacecraft that took NASA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Commercial Crew Program , Behnken and Hurley ’ s flight marked the first time people had ever launched to orbit on a privately developed spacecraft .
Their flight also effectively returned NASA ’ s human spaceflight program back to the United States .
Ever since the final flight of the Space Shuttle in 2011 , NASA has had to rely on Russia ’ s Soyuz rocket to get the agency ’ s astronauts to the space station .
It was the only option that NASA had , and it was a costly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ran NASA roughly $ 80 million .
Now , NASA can launch its astronauts on the Crew Dragon , which takes off from Florida and costs about $ 55 million per seat .
To commemorate the return of US human spaceflight to American soil , Behnken and Hurley have brought back with them a very special piece of cargo from the ISS : a small American flag .
The flag has been on the space station for the last nine years , left there by the last Space Shuttle crew in 2011 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crew commanded that the flag could be retrieved only by the next crew of astronauts who launched from the US , sparking perhaps the most epic game of Capture the Flag — with respect to time and distance .
The flag has traveled more than 27 million miles during its time in orbit , according to NASA .
But now it ’ s back on Earth , along with Behnken and Hurley , who undocked from the space station with the flag yesterday evening .
The two then spent 18 hours in orbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the space station .
Just before 2PM ET , the Crew Dragon ’ s thrusters ignited , taking the capsule out of orbit and setting it on course for Earth .
The capsule then plunged through Earth ’ s atmosphere , experiencing intense heating that reached up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit .
After reaching a certain altitude , the Crew Dragon deployed a series of parachutes to help slow its fall and touch down gently in the ocean .
Their landing marked the first time since the Apollo program that NASA astronauts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from space .
It ’ s also the first spacecraft landing to take place in the Gulf of Mexico .
NASA and SpaceX would have preferred for the astronauts to touch down on the east side of Florida near Cape Canaveral , but Tropical Storm Isaias forced the Crew Dragon to land near Pensacola — one of seven potential landing sites for the capsule around Florida .
“ Just like on an airliner , there are bags , if you need them.
” Landing in water is not necessarily the nicest experience , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a little nauseating after performing an intense plunge through Earth ’ s atmosphere .
Plus , most astronauts have to adjust to Earth ’ s gravity after being in space for a long period of time , where their bodily fluids have shifted around and their sense of balance has been thrown out of whack .
Fortunately , there is appropriate “ hardware ” on Crew Dragon in case Behnken and Hurley get sick .
“ Just like on an airliner , there are bags , if you need them , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a press conference .
“ And we ’ ll have those handy ; we ’ ll probably have some towels handy as well .
And , you know , if that needs to happen , it certainly wouldn ’ t be the first time that that ’ s happened in a space vehicle.
” NASA expects it to take an hour after splashdown for Behnken and Hurley to be out of Crew Dragon and on the deck of SpaceX ’ s main recovery vessel .
They ’ ll be greeted by NASA personnel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ medical professionals , who will assess the crew and make sure they ’ re okay .
Once given the all clear , the astronauts will then take a helicopter from a helipad on the boat to Pensacola .
There , they ’ ll board a Gulfstream jet that will take them back to Houston , where their families will be waiting for them .
Behnken and Hurley each have a son , and the two boys recorded a wake-up message for the astronauts this morning , telling their dads how eager they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are also eager to see their boys .
“ I think for me , and probably for Doug as well , I think we ’ re really excited to see our families , ” Behnken said prior to his return .
“ My son is 6 years old and I can tell from the videos that I get and talking to him on the phone that he ’ s changed a lot even in the just couple months that we ’ ve been up here.
” Once Behnken and Hurley are out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be checked out on the boat and then returned to one of SpaceX ’ s facilities in Florida .
That ’ s where it will undergo refurbishment , so that it can fly again on its next mission : SpaceX ’ s third crewed flight of the Crew Dragon in spring of 2021 .
That flight will carry a crew of four astronauts to the space station , including Behnken ’ s wife , NASA astronaut Megan McArthur .
McArthur flew to space once before on the Space Shuttle to help repair the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be flying on an entirely new vehicle and living on the space station for the first time .
“ Of course I ’ ll have a lot of tips for her , ” Behnken said .
“ A lot of them will be about how life on space station goes .
I think that ’ s been the thing that ’ s been more unique , rather than the capsule itself .
I think that ’ s probably where I ’ ll have the most to share with her , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Dragon .
”

NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley safely returned to Earth inside SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule this afternoon, bringing their historic two-month mission at the International Space Station to an end. The spacecraft carrying the two astronauts splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Pensacola, Florida at 2:48PM ET, where recovery boats were waiting nearby to receive the crew.
With this landing, the Crew Dragon has now successfully completed its first-ever passenger flight to orbit. The mission began on May 30th, when Behnken and Hurley both launched inside the capsule from Cape Canaveral, Florida and then docked with the space station a day later. Called Demon-2 or DM-2, the mission was meant to prove out all of the Crew Dragon’s biggest capabilities — by safely transporting people to space and getting them to the ISS. Now SpaceX has proved that the capsule can safely bring people home, too.
the Crew Dragon has now successfully completed its first ever passenger flight to orbit
The mission isn’t quite over yet, as SpaceX recovery boats filled with teams of people are working to hoist the Crew Dragon out of the water. Then Behnken and Hurley can exit the capsule and breathe fresh air again. But the riskiest part of the landing is complete, and that ultimately paves the way for Crew Dragon to start regularly carrying astronauts to space in the future. SpaceX developed the Crew Dragon as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, an initiative that tasked private companies with creating commercial vehicles to ferry the agency’s astronauts to orbit. Behnken and Hurley’s flight was the final test for the capsule as part of that program, and now, SpaceX is already preparing to fly the Crew Dragon again with people — once in September and again in spring of 2021.
As SpaceX takes up the mantle of launching astronauts, NASA is now entering a new era of human spaceflight, one where private companies are the ones regularly flying people to low Earth orbit. For nearly all of NASA’s history, the space agency had always been the one in charge of developing the spacecraft that took NASA astronauts to space. But thanks to the Commercial Crew Program, Behnken and Hurley’s flight marked the first time people had ever launched to orbit on a privately developed spacecraft.
returning NASA’s human spaceflight program back to the United States
Their flight also effectively returned NASA’s human spaceflight program back to the United States. Ever since the final flight of the Space Shuttle in 2011, NASA has had to rely on Russia’s Soyuz rocket to get the agency’s astronauts to the space station. It was the only option that NASA had, and it was a costly one. Each seat on the Soyuz ran NASA roughly $80 million. Now, NASA can launch its astronauts on the Crew Dragon, which takes off from Florida and costs about $55 million per seat.
To commemorate the return of US human spaceflight to American soil, Behnken and Hurley have brought back with them a very special piece of cargo from the ISS: a small American flag. The flag has been on the space station for the last nine years, left there by the last Space Shuttle crew in 2011, which actually included Hurley. The Shuttle crew commanded that the flag could be retrieved only by the next crew of astronauts who launched from the US, sparking perhaps the most epic game of Capture the Flag — with respect to time and distance. The flag has traveled more than 27 million miles during its time in orbit, according to NASA.
Doug Hurley holding the American flag the crew returned home Image: NASA
But now it’s back on Earth, along with Behnken and Hurley, who undocked from the space station with the flag yesterday evening. The two then spent 18 hours in orbit inside the Crew Dragon, slowly distancing from the space station. Just before 2PM ET, the Crew Dragon’s thrusters ignited, taking the capsule out of orbit and setting it on course for Earth. The capsule then plunged through Earth’s atmosphere, experiencing intense heating that reached up to 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. After reaching a certain altitude, the Crew Dragon deployed a series of parachutes to help slow its fall and touch down gently in the ocean.
Their landing marked the first time since the Apollo program that NASA astronauts splashed down in the ocean when returning from space. It’s also the first spacecraft landing to take place in the Gulf of Mexico. NASA and SpaceX would have preferred for the astronauts to touch down on the east side of Florida near Cape Canaveral, but Tropical Storm Isaias forced the Crew Dragon to land near Pensacola — one of seven potential landing sites for the capsule around Florida.
“Just like on an airliner, there are bags, if you need them.”
Landing in water is not necessarily the nicest experience, as the motion of the waves can be a little nauseating after performing an intense plunge through Earth’s atmosphere. Plus, most astronauts have to adjust to Earth’s gravity after being in space for a long period of time, where their bodily fluids have shifted around and their sense of balance has been thrown out of whack. Fortunately, there is appropriate “hardware” on Crew Dragon in case Behnken and Hurley get sick. “Just like on an airliner, there are bags, if you need them,” Hurley said ahead of the landing during a press conference. “And we’ll have those handy; we’ll probably have some towels handy as well. And, you know, if that needs to happen, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time that that’s happened in a space vehicle.”
The view from SpaceX’s main recovery boat ahead of landing (NASA/Bill Ingalls)
NASA expects it to take an hour after splashdown for Behnken and Hurley to be out of Crew Dragon and on the deck of SpaceX’s main recovery vessel. They’ll be greeted by NASA personnel, doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, who will assess the crew and make sure they’re okay. Once given the all clear, the astronauts will then take a helicopter from a helipad on the boat to Pensacola. There, they’ll board a Gulfstream jet that will take them back to Houston, where their families will be waiting for them. Behnken and Hurley each have a son, and the two boys recorded a wake-up message for the astronauts this morning, telling their dads how eager they are to see them. And the astronauts are also eager to see their boys.
“I think for me, and probably for Doug as well, I think we’re really excited to see our families,” Behnken said prior to his return. “My son is 6 years old and I can tell from the videos that I get and talking to him on the phone that he’s changed a lot even in the just couple months that we’ve been up here.”
Once Behnken and Hurley are out of the Crew Dragon, the capsule will be checked out on the boat and then returned to one of SpaceX’s facilities in Florida. That’s where it will undergo refurbishment, so that it can fly again on its next mission: SpaceX’s third crewed flight of the Crew Dragon in spring of 2021. That flight will carry a crew of four astronauts to the space station, including Behnken’s wife, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur. McArthur flew to space once before on the Space Shuttle to help repair the Hubble Space Telescope. Now she’ll be flying on an entirely new vehicle and living on the space station for the first time.


theverge--2020-08-02--Hey murder hornet how’s it going

Hey murder hornet how’s it going

Hello it is I , your intrepid murder hornet correspondent .
What ’ s a murder hornet , you ask ?
I wish I did not know .
But as I wrote back in May , the Asian giant hornet ( its official name ) can grow up to two inches long , rips the heads off of honeybees , and has a stinger that can jam right through standard beekeeping suits .
Oh and they can fly up to 20 miles per hour and their stings can kill you .
Nature is the best .
Guess what , though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department of Agriculture say they ’ ve trapped a murder hornet in the state for the first time ( as opposed to finding one in the wild ) .
The hornet was discovered in a trap near Birch Bay in Whatcom County on July 14th and positively identified July 29th .
The WSDA says his means their traps work ( yay ) , but also that a new colony of the hornets has formed ( boo ) since the initial sightings in the US back in December .
Not only are they mean-looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered an invasive pest , and scientists really want to prevent the hornets from establishing a presence in the US , because of the threat they pose to the delicate honeybee population .
Sven Spichiger , managing entomologist at the WSDA says they ’ re still working to determine whether the one they caught is a worker or a queen , since it ’ s kind of in-between in terms of size .
He ’ s leaning toward it being a worker .
Here ’ s the side-by-side ( sorry ) : Spichiger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ ll be able to live-trap some hornets as well , and possibly tag them for tracking .
“ It ’ s a little sketchy when you ’ re donning the almost inch thick hornet suit , and it ’ s July out , and of course you ’ re a little nervous , ” he said during a press call .
Because the number of Asian giant hornets increases as a colony develops , the WSDA says residents are most likely to see one in August and September .
But !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the WSDA news release : Man that whole paragraph is like a pitch for a new CSI : Murder Hornet show ( cc Quibi , Netflix , Peacock , etc . )
which I would TOTALLY watch although I might fast-forward through some parts .
The WSDA says it has hundreds of traps to try to catch more of the hornets , and members of the public have thousands of home-made traps as well which Spichiger says is helpful : “ We ’ re hoping this is the only one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a lot of traps out , and that should help us make sure that we cover the area and take care of any problems.
” The WSDA says people can build and set their own traps for the hornets , and report sightings on its website .
Obviously you ’ ll do that after you stop screaming , and really , try to avoid contact with them , their stings really , really hurt .
Take a photo if you see one .
But leave the handling to the professionals .

Hello it is I, your intrepid murder hornet correspondent. What’s a murder hornet, you ask? I wish I did not know. But as I wrote back in May, the Asian giant hornet (its official name) can grow up to two inches long, rips the heads off of honeybees, and has a stinger that can jam right through standard beekeeping suits. Oh and they can fly up to 20 miles per hour and their stings can kill you. Nature is the best.
Guess what, though: the heroes at the Washington State Department of Agriculture say they’ve trapped a murder hornet in the state for the first time (as opposed to finding one in the wild). The hornet was discovered in a trap near Birch Bay in Whatcom County on July 14th and positively identified July 29th.
The WSDA says his means their traps work (yay), but also that a new colony of the hornets has formed (boo) since the initial sightings in the US back in December. Not only are they mean-looking and vicious, Asian giant hornets are considered an invasive pest, and scientists really want to prevent the hornets from establishing a presence in the US, because of the threat they pose to the delicate honeybee population.
Sven Spichiger, managing entomologist at the WSDA says they’re still working to determine whether the one they caught is a worker or a queen, since it’s kind of in-between in terms of size. He’s leaning toward it being a worker. Here’s the side-by-side (sorry):
Washington State Department of Agriculture
Spichiger says they’re also optimistic that they’ll be able to live-trap some hornets as well, and possibly tag them for tracking. “It’s a little sketchy when you’re donning the almost inch thick hornet suit, and it’s July out, and of course you’re a little nervous,” he said during a press call.
Heroes, seriously.
Because the number of Asian giant hornets increases as a colony develops, the WSDA says residents are most likely to see one in August and September. But! The entomologists are not screwing around here. According to the WSDA news release:
WSDA’s next steps are to search for nests using infrared cameras and place additional traps in order to catch live Asian giant hornet specimens. WSDA Pest Program staff will deploy special traps intended to trap hornets but keep them alive. If they catch live hornets, the department will attempt to tag and track them back to their colony. Once located, the agency will eradicate the colony.
Man that whole paragraph is like a pitch for a new CSI: Murder Hornet show (cc Quibi, Netflix, Peacock, etc.) which I would TOTALLY watch although I might fast-forward through some parts. The WSDA says it has hundreds of traps to try to catch more of the hornets, and members of the public have thousands of home-made traps as well which Spichiger says is helpful: “We’re hoping this is the only one we find for the year, but we have a lot of traps out, and that should help us make sure that we cover the area and take care of any problems.”


theverge--2020-08-02--League of Legends world championship will be held in Shanghai starting in September

Even though many esports tournaments this year have been postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic , Riot Games announced that it will hold the League of Legends World Championship 2020 in Shanghai from September 25th to October 31st .
The finals will be held in Pudong Soccer Stadium .
The company says by hosting the event at one site rather than several different sites , they ’ ll be able to more closely control the show environment .
At present the plans call for early stages of the tournament to have no in-person audiences .
The company says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” to decide whether to allow an in-person audience for the finals .
If so , details about tickets and any safety measures that need to be applied will be available later this summer .
“ We continue to use the guidance from various health organizations and local and national authorities to prioritize safety for our players , fans , and everyone involved with bringing Worlds 2020 to life , ” Riot said in a statement .
Other sports leagues have restarted with a slew of protective measures in place , with players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virtual audiences , and the NHL starting its playoff season with fan noises piped in .
Players are tested for the virus regularly and restricted to “ bubbles ” with travel limited .
But the attempts to contain the virus from spreading have had mixed success ; at least 29 MLB players and staff have already tested positive for COVID-19 , and several games have been canceled , according to ESPN .
Riot did not detail what precautions it would take to protect players at League of Legends World Championship 2020 , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bubble .
In February , the Chinese League of Legends Pro League suspended in-person play amid the coronavirus outbreak , and shifted to an online format .
Tournaments and events across Overwatch , League of Legends , PUBG , Dota 2 , Counter-Strike , the fighting game community , and many more were postponed or canceled outright in the spring as the coronavirus spread across the globe .

Even though many esports tournaments this year have been postponed or canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Riot Games announced that it will hold the League of Legends World Championship 2020 in Shanghai from September 25th to October 31st. The finals will be held in Pudong Soccer Stadium. The company says by hosting the event at one site rather than several different sites, they’ll be able to more closely control the show environment.
At present the plans call for early stages of the tournament to have no in-person audiences. The company says it will rely on “local guidelines” to decide whether to allow an in-person audience for the finals. If so, details about tickets and any safety measures that need to be applied will be available later this summer.
“We continue to use the guidance from various health organizations and local and national authorities to prioritize safety for our players, fans, and everyone involved with bringing Worlds 2020 to life,” Riot said in a statement.
Other sports leagues have restarted with a slew of protective measures in place, with players in the NBA and MLB playing before virtual audiences, and the NHL starting its playoff season with fan noises piped in. Players are tested for the virus regularly and restricted to “bubbles” with travel limited. But the attempts to contain the virus from spreading have had mixed success; at least 29 MLB players and staff have already tested positive for COVID-19, and several games have been canceled, according to ESPN.
Riot did not detail what precautions it would take to protect players at League of Legends World Championship 2020, or whether they’d be confined to a bubble. In February, the Chinese League of Legends Pro League suspended in-person play amid the coronavirus outbreak, and shifted to an online format.


theverge--2020-08-03--Virgin Galactic releases renders of proposed supersonic jet that can reach Mach 3

This morning , Richard Branson ’ s space tourism venture Virgin Galactic unveiled the design of its proposed supersonic jet .
The company claims the final version of the vehicle could carry between nine and 19 passengers and reach Mach 3 , or three times faster than the speed of sound .
Virgin Galactic ’ s primary focus is its space tourism business , which strives to send paying customers to the edge of space and back on the company ’ s spaceplane .
But for years , Virgin Galactic has also signaled its interest in leveraging its space technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The concept entails using suborbital rockets to get people from one point on Earth to the other in much less time than a typical airplane .
Lately , Virgin Galactic has started eyeing supersonic jets instead of suborbital rockets in order to get travelers where they want to go as quickly as possible .
In May , the company announced that it was getting some help from NASA in order to develop the company ’ s supersonic jets .
NASA has decades of experience with supersonic vehicle technology , and the agency is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-Mach jet called X-59 QueSST .
Thanks to NASA , Virgin Galactic says its supersonic jet design passed a mission concept review , which means the “ design concept can meet the high-level requirements and objectives of the mission.
” Along with unveiling new renders of the supersonic jet design , Virgin Galactic is announcing yet another partnership , this time with Rolls-Royce , to develop the propulsion needed for the aircraft .
The two companies have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding ( MOU ) for the endeavor .
Virgin Galactic outlined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that it will travel at 60,000 feet and that it will “ help lead the way toward use of state-of-the-art sustainable aviation fuel.
” However , many questions remain regarding how long it will take to develop the aircraft and how much everything will cost .
With room for only a dozen or so passengers , it seems unlikely that ticket prices will be reasonable for the average person .
Virgin Galactic ’ s ticket prices for its tourist spaceplane run $ 250,000 , for instance .
The company says the supersonic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as Business and First Class seats , which indicates there may be an expensive price tag .
Today ’ s announcement comes ahead of Virgin Galactic ’ s quarterly earnings call , scheduled for later today after the markets close .

This morning, Richard Branson’s space tourism venture Virgin Galactic unveiled the design of its proposed supersonic jet. The company claims the final version of the vehicle could carry between nine and 19 passengers and reach Mach 3, or three times faster than the speed of sound.
Virgin Galactic’s primary focus is its space tourism business, which strives to send paying customers to the edge of space and back on the company’s spaceplane. But for years, Virgin Galactic has also signaled its interest in leveraging its space technology to develop high-speed, point-to-point travel. The concept entails using suborbital rockets to get people from one point on Earth to the other in much less time than a typical airplane.
Virgin Galactic says its supersonic jet design passed a mission concept review
Lately, Virgin Galactic has started eyeing supersonic jets instead of suborbital rockets in order to get travelers where they want to go as quickly as possible. In May, the company announced that it was getting some help from NASA in order to develop the company’s supersonic jets. NASA has decades of experience with supersonic vehicle technology, and the agency is currently working on a “silent” high-Mach jet called X-59 QueSST. Thanks to NASA, Virgin Galactic says its supersonic jet design passed a mission concept review, which means the “design concept can meet the high-level requirements and objectives of the mission.”
An artistic rendering of Virgin Galactic’s proposed supersonic jet. Image: Virgin Galactic
Along with unveiling new renders of the supersonic jet design, Virgin Galactic is announcing yet another partnership, this time with Rolls-Royce, to develop the propulsion needed for the aircraft. The two companies have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the endeavor.
Virgin Galactic outlined a few details for the vehicle, noting that it will travel at 60,000 feet and that it will “help lead the way toward use of state-of-the-art sustainable aviation fuel.” However, many questions remain regarding how long it will take to develop the aircraft and how much everything will cost. With room for only a dozen or so passengers, it seems unlikely that ticket prices will be reasonable for the average person. Virgin Galactic’s ticket prices for its tourist spaceplane run $250,000, for instance. The company says the supersonic jet can accommodate custom cabin layouts as well as Business and First Class seats, which indicates there may be an expensive price tag.
Today’s announcement comes ahead of Virgin Galactic’s quarterly earnings, which reported another major net loss for the company. Virgin Galactic netted a loss of $63 million this quarter, slightly more than its net loss of $60 million from the previous quarter. However, the company says it is on track to start commercial spaceflight early next year, after doing two more powered test flights with its spaceplane. Then, in the first quarter of 2021, Virgin Galactic plans to fly Branson to space, kicking off commercial operations.


theverge--2020-08-03--Why Microsoft wants TikTok

Why Microsoft wants TikTok

At first glance , a Microsoft acquisition of TikTok seems a little unusual .
Microsoft has spent years walking back consumer plays like the Groove Music service , the Kinect Xbox accessory , its Microsoft Band fitness device , Windows Phone , and more recently the Mixer streaming service .
Microsoft has been favoring its enterprise software and services , and even Cortana has transitioned to be productivity-focused .
How does a service that caters to dancing teenagers fit with Microsoft ’ s buttoned-up business demographic ?
If you dig a little deeper into Microsoft ’ s future ambitions , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s operations in the US , Canada , Australia , and New Zealand could benefit many of Microsoft ’ s existing businesses while also setting the company up as a real competitor to YouTube and Facebook .
The key part of any TikTok deal will be the data and users Microsoft gains access to .
This is the driving force behind concerns from the Trump administration over TikTok ’ s potential ties to the Chinese government and how that data might be misused .
Microsoft acknowledges the data ’ s importance in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that “ Microsoft would ensure that all private data of TikTok ’ s American users is transferred to and remains in the United States.
” This data could be used by Microsoft in a variety of ways .
The software giant has long used Xbox Live to fuel parts of Microsoft Research for future software and hardware projects , and the usage data helps game developers and Microsoft better understand how people use their Xbox .
Understanding how people interacted with and used the Kinect accessory for the Xbox ultimately helped Microsoft @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TikTok could help correct a Microsoft blindspot and even influence how other software and services are developed inside the company .
Microsoft has all the data it needs on business usage of software , but it hasn ’ t been successful with pure consumer services in recent years , which has left the company with a gap of insight into consumer behaviors .
That ’ s particularly relevant when you consider that a large number of young Americans are growing up in an environment dominated by Android , iOS , and Chromebooks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email usage and document sharing through Google Docs , it ’ s possible to grow up in the US without needing any Microsoft software or services .
Microsoft missed the mobile revolution and has been playing catch-up ever since , but it doesn ’ t want to miss an entire generation of future workers .
TikTok gives Microsoft a direct line to millions of youngsters using the app to watch videos and even those who use it to create content .
Microsoft has tried desperately to adapt its Windows operating system to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but TikTok offers an easy way for millions to create videos from their phones instead .
Microsoft could take advantage of that direct access to TikTok users with ads for Surface , Xbox , and other products , or even as another base for its game-streaming ambitions .
Google is planning to leverage YouTube to integrate its Stadia streaming service , and TikTok would give Microsoft a response with xCloud game streaming .
Microsoft had been planning to use Mixer for Xbox game streaming , but the service never gained enough traction , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal with Facebook for xCloud integration instead .
It ’ s not hard to imagine watching a Call of Duty video on TikTok and then being able to click and instantly play the game as it streams to your phone via Microsoft ’ s xCloud service .
Microsoft also has broad ambitions for artificial intelligence that go beyond just the workplace .
While its initial foray into AI-powered chatbots for consumers didn ’ t go to plan , Microsoft does need a consumer testing ground for its AI work that goes beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facial recognition with the app ’ s popular filters and in the recommendation engine that drives the For You feed .
TikTok ’ s AI feed dictates exactly what you see in the app , and the algorithm improves the more people use TikTok .
TikTok has also been venturing into augmented reality , with both filters and ads that utilize AR .
Microsoft ’ s AR ambitions have been largely limited to its HoloLens hardware , Windows Mixed Reality headsets , and some experiments on mobile with Minecraft .
TikTok would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ AR for Microsoft .
Microsoft doesn ’ t offer any clues as to how its acquisition could directly affect TikTok features , apart from noting it “ would build on the experience TikTok users currently love.
” Exactly how Microsoft could operate TikTok in the US , Canada , Australia , and New Zealand is unclear .
This leaves large swathes of the world , particularly across Asia and Europe , with a version of TikTok that will potentially have different features to Microsoft ’ s version .
How Microsoft operates TikTok in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to its future success if the company is able to acquire operational control .
One of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella ’ s first big acquisitions was Minecraft maker Mojang .
It has been a huge success , particularly as Minecraft has continued to grow and Microsoft has largely left the Mojang studio to continue to develop the game independently .
Equally , Nadella ’ s acquisition of LinkedIn for $ 26.2 billion has also been a success story for Microsoft .
The company has been operating LinkedIn separately , with some clever integration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Microsoft has access to a giant enterprise social network to fend off competition from Google and Facebook in the workplace , and the company continues to dominate with Office as a result .
Even GitHub appears to be a successful acquisition for Microsoft .
The software maker has also been operating this business separately , but again , it ’ s a key point of data for Microsoft to understand how developers are responding to the world ’ s app needs .
If Microsoft ’ s TikTok deal is successful , then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also be run separately .
Microsoft ’ s messy acquisitions of Skype and Nokia ’ s phone business have been lessons in how not to aggressively integrate businesses .
Microsoft is also new to the world of content moderation and the associated headaches that brings , so it ’ s unlikely Microsoft will attempt to deeply integrate TikTok or re-brand it in any way .
Acquiring TikTok in English-speaking countries also helps avoid some of the moderation complexity faced by Facebook and Twitter .
Oddly , Microsoft doesn ’ t list TikTok ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquisition .
( The UK , US , New Zealand , Australia , and Canada are also intelligence sharing partners under the Five Eyes alliance . )
Running TikTok separately could allow Microsoft to leverage its all-important data and integration points but also position TikTok as the YouTube and Facebook rival Microsoft has always wanted .
Microsoft teamed up with News Corporation and NBC Universal back in 2006 to launch its Soapbox on MSN Video service .
It failed to compete with YouTube and was shut down a few years later , leaving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way it shares its own videos .
Microsoft also experimented with its own social network , Socl , back in 2012 before shutting down the service five years later .
Microsoft always understood the potential for Facebook ’ s growth , after initially investing $ 240 million in Facebook back in 2007 .
TikTok is rapidly turning into the next big consumer social media space , acting as a direct competitor to Snapchat , Instagram , and Facebook , both in terms of scale and the features involved in sharing and commenting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say exactly how Microsoft ’ s potential TikTok takeover will progress .
It ’ s an unusual deal for the company , particularly with the US government ’ s ongoing threats .
Microsoft doesn ’ t typically confirm it ’ s in acquisition talks before deals are made , and the company ’ s odd blog post specifically thanks President Trump for his personal involvement .
The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft ’ s blog post may have been prompted specifically by allies of the president pressuring the company to acknowledge the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex deal , and Microsoft is trapped in it .
Owning the network could benefit the company , but if it happens , it would also benefit President Trump , who could claim to have unwound one of China ’ s stickiest footholds in the US tech ecosystem .
And he wouldn ’ t be shy about highlighting his involvement .
There will likely be more twists and turns in the TikTok talks in the coming weeks , but now that Microsoft has committed to finishing these discussions no later than September 15th @ @ @ @ @ @

If you dig a little deeper into Microsoft’s future ambitions, though, a move to acquire TikTok’s operations in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand could benefit many of Microsoft’s existing businesses while also setting the company up as a real competitor to YouTube and Facebook.
TikTok on an iPhone.
Data, data, and more data
The key part of any TikTok deal will be the data and users Microsoft gains access to. This is the driving force behind concerns from the Trump administration over TikTok’s potential ties to the Chinese government and how that data might be misused. Microsoft acknowledges the data’s importance in its blog post confirming acquisition talks, noting that “Microsoft would ensure that all private data of TikTok’s American users is transferred to and remains in the United States.”
This data could be used by Microsoft in a variety of ways. The software giant has long used Xbox Live to fuel parts of Microsoft Research for future software and hardware projects, and the usage data helps game developers and Microsoft better understand how people use their Xbox. Understanding how people interacted with and used the Kinect accessory for the Xbox ultimately helped Microsoft develop and improve HoloLens, too.
TikTok could help correct a Microsoft blindspot and even influence how other software and services are developed inside the company. Microsoft has all the data it needs on business usage of software, but it hasn’t been successful with pure consumer services in recent years, which has left the company with a gap of insight into consumer behaviors.
That’s particularly relevant when you consider that a large number of young Americans are growing up in an environment dominated by Android, iOS, and Chromebooks in classrooms. With Gmail also dominating consumer email usage and document sharing through Google Docs, it’s possible to grow up in the US without needing any Microsoft software or services. Microsoft missed the mobile revolution and has been playing catch-up ever since, but it doesn’t want to miss an entire generation of future workers.
TikTok gives Microsoft a direct line to millions of youngsters using the app to watch videos and even those who use it to create content. Microsoft has tried desperately to adapt its Windows operating system to be more consumer-friendly with video creation apps, but TikTok offers an easy way for millions to create videos from their phones instead.
Microsoft’s Surface Pro X. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge
Microsoft could take advantage of that direct access to TikTok users with ads for Surface, Xbox, and other products, or even as another base for its game-streaming ambitions. Google is planning to leverage YouTube to integrate its Stadia streaming service, and TikTok would give Microsoft a response with xCloud game streaming. Microsoft had been planning to use Mixer for Xbox game streaming, but the service never gained enough traction, and the company was forced to strike a deal with Facebook for xCloud integration instead. It’s not hard to imagine watching a Call of Duty video on TikTok and then being able to click and instantly play the game as it streams to your phone via Microsoft’s xCloud service.
Microsoft also has broad ambitions for artificial intelligence that go beyond just the workplace. While its initial foray into AI-powered chatbots for consumers didn’t go to plan, Microsoft does need a consumer testing ground for its AI work that goes beyond Office. TikTok already utilizes AI for facial recognition with the app’s popular filters and in the recommendation engine that drives the For You feed. TikTok’s AI feed dictates exactly what you see in the app, and the algorithm improves the more people use TikTok.
TikTok has also been venturing into augmented reality, with both filters and ads that utilize AR. Microsoft’s AR ambitions have been largely limited to its HoloLens hardware, Windows Mixed Reality headsets, and some experiments on mobile with Minecraft. TikTok would be another gateway into the mobile world of AR for Microsoft.
A complicated acquisition
Microsoft doesn’t offer any clues as to how its acquisition could directly affect TikTok features, apart from noting it “would build on the experience TikTok users currently love.” Exactly how Microsoft could operate TikTok in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand is unclear. This leaves large swathes of the world, particularly across Asia and Europe, with a version of TikTok that will potentially have different features to Microsoft’s version.
How Microsoft operates TikTok in the US and beyond will be key to its future success if the company is able to acquire operational control. One of Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s first big acquisitions was Minecraft maker Mojang. It has been a huge success, particularly as Minecraft has continued to grow and Microsoft has largely left the Mojang studio to continue to develop the game independently.
Equally, Nadella’s acquisition of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion has also been a success story for Microsoft. The company has been operating LinkedIn separately, with some clever integration points with Office where it makes sense. Microsoft has access to a giant enterprise social network to fend off competition from Google and Facebook in the workplace, and the company continues to dominate with Office as a result.
Even GitHub appears to be a successful acquisition for Microsoft. The software maker has also been operating this business separately, but again, it’s a key point of data for Microsoft to understand how developers are responding to the world’s app needs.
If Microsoft’s TikTok deal is successful, then it’s likely the company will also be run separately. Microsoft’s messy acquisitions of Skype and Nokia’s phone business have been lessons in how not to aggressively integrate businesses. Microsoft is also new to the world of content moderation and the associated headaches that brings, so it’s unlikely Microsoft will attempt to deeply integrate TikTok or re-brand it in any way. Acquiring TikTok in English-speaking countries also helps avoid some of the moderation complexity faced by Facebook and Twitter. Oddly, Microsoft doesn’t list TikTok’s UK operation as a target for acquisition. (The UK, US, New Zealand, Australia, and Canada are also intelligence sharing partners under the Five Eyes alliance.)
Running TikTok separately could allow Microsoft to leverage its all-important data and integration points but also position TikTok as the YouTube and Facebook rival Microsoft has always wanted. Microsoft teamed up with News Corporation and NBC Universal back in 2006 to launch its Soapbox on MSN Video service. It failed to compete with YouTube and was shut down a few years later, leaving Microsoft to adopt YouTube as the primary way it shares its own videos.
Microsoft also experimented with its own social network, Socl, back in 2012 before shutting down the service five years later. Microsoft always understood the potential for Facebook’s growth, after initially investing $240 million in Facebook back in 2007. TikTok is rapidly turning into the next big consumer social media space, acting as a direct competitor to Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, both in terms of scale and the features involved in sharing and commenting on videos.
It’s difficult to say exactly how Microsoft’s potential TikTok takeover will progress. It’s an unusual deal for the company, particularly with the US government’s ongoing threats. Microsoft doesn’t typically confirm it’s in acquisition talks before deals are made, and the company’s odd blog post specifically thanks President Trump for his personal involvement. The Wall Street Journal reports that Microsoft’s blog post may have been prompted specifically by allies of the president pressuring the company to acknowledge the deal publicly.
It’s a complex deal, and Microsoft is trapped in it. Owning the network could benefit the company, but if it happens, it would also benefit President Trump, who could claim to have unwound one of China’s stickiest footholds in the US tech ecosystem. And he wouldn’t be shy about highlighting his involvement.


theverge--2020-08-03--Google invests in ADT, will integrate its Nest devices into smart home business

Google has invested $ 450 million for a 6.6 percent stake in security company ADT , the companies announced today .
The deal , which is expected to close in the third quarter of this year , will see ADT ’ s technicians selling and installing Google ’ s Nest smart home devices , such as cameras and smart displays , as early as this year .
Homes and small businesses are said to be the two target markets .
Eventually , however , Google says its Nest devices will become the “ cornerstone ” of ADT ’ s smart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that its technology will mean fewer false alarms , better event detection , and more helpful notifications for ADT ’ s customers .
Google says that ADT customers will also get access to Nest Aware , its subscription service that offers intelligent alerts and 30 days of event history recording .
Google ’ s tech to become the “ cornerstone ” of ADT ’ s smart home products Google has offered smart home security products under its Nest brand for a number of years .
In 2017 , it announced the $ 499 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included a central hub device and sensors to detect when doors or windows open .
( It would later drop the price to $ 399 less than a year later . )
Investing in ADT , one of the biggest security companies in the US , will give Google a more significant presence in the smart home security market .
ADT says it has over 6 million customers in the US who could soon be introduced to Google ’ s devices .
ADT has been involved in the smart home security market for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teamed up with Samsung to offer a SmartThings-powered home security system , and earlier this year , it launched a range of security cameras under its Blue by ADT brand .
When asked about its existing smart home lineup , a spokesperson from ADT said that the company plans to continue selling its Blue by ADT devices as a stand-alone system , and will continue to provide the same 24/7 professional monitoring .
“ We will continue to iterate on our existing platforms as it relates to interoperability with Google devices , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wide range of smart home tech under the Nest brand , including video doorbells , smart displays , smoke alarms , security cameras , and thermostats .
Update August 3rd , 9:03AM ET : Updated with ADT ’ s confirmation that it will continue to sell its existing smart home products .

Google has invested $450 million for a 6.6 percent stake in security company ADT, the companies announced today. The deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter of this year, will see ADT’s technicians selling and installing Google’s Nest smart home devices, such as cameras and smart displays, as early as this year. Homes and small businesses are said to be the two target markets.
Eventually, however, Google says its Nest devices will become the “cornerstone” of ADT’s smart home offering. The search giant says that its technology will mean fewer false alarms, better event detection, and more helpful notifications for ADT’s customers. Google says that ADT customers will also get access to Nest Aware, its subscription service that offers intelligent alerts and 30 days of event history recording.
Google’s tech to become the “cornerstone” of ADT’s smart home products
Google has offered smart home security products under its Nest brand for a number of years. In 2017, it announced the $499 Nest Secure, a modular system that included a central hub device and sensors to detect when doors or windows open. (It would later drop the price to $399 less than a year later.) Investing in ADT, one of the biggest security companies in the US, will give Google a more significant presence in the smart home security market. ADT says it has over 6 million customers in the US who could soon be introduced to Google’s devices.
ADT has been involved in the smart home security market for years. Back in 2017, it teamed up with Samsung to offer a SmartThings-powered home security system, and earlier this year, it launched a range of security cameras under its Blue by ADT brand. When asked about its existing smart home lineup, a spokesperson from ADT said that the company plans to continue selling its Blue by ADT devices as a stand-alone system, and will continue to provide the same 24/7 professional monitoring. “We will continue to iterate on our existing platforms as it relates to interoperability with Google devices,” the spokesperson said.
Google currently sells a wide range of smart home tech under the Nest brand, including video doorbells, smart displays, smoke alarms, security cameras, and thermostats.


theverge--2020-08-03--PlayStation 5 will support PS4 controllers, but only for playing PS4 games

Sony is confirming today that its existing PS4 controller will not work with PS5 games .
“ We believe that PS5 games should take advantage of the new capabilities and features we ’ re bringing to the platform , including the features of DualSense wireless controller , ” says Sony in a statement confirming the company ’ s plans .
Sony says that existing DualShock 4 controllers and officially licensed third-party PS4 controllers “ will work with supported PS4 games.
” Sony doesn ’ t list its supported games , but the company does confirm that officially licensed racing wheels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will work with PS5 games and supported PS4 games .
Sony ’ s existing PS Move Motion Controllers and the PlayStation VR Aim Controller will also work with supported PS VR games on the PS5 .
This move does mean that PS5 owners will need to buy additional controllers to play PS5 games , much like how PS3 controllers didn ’ t work on the PS4 .
While Microsoft ’ s Xbox 360 controllers didn ’ t work on the Xbox One , the company has committed to supporting Xbox One controllers on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Microsoft has made only minor changes to its Xbox Series X controller , allowing the company more freedom for existing hardware to work with future games .
Sony , on the other hand , has designed its PS5 DualSense controller around adaptive triggers , an integrated microphone , and new haptic feedback technology .
Even the PS5 game that ’ s bundled with the console , Astro ’ s Playroom , looks like a showcase for DualSense ’ s new features .

Sony is confirming today that its existing PS4 controller will not work with PS5 games. “We believe that PS5 games should take advantage of the new capabilities and features we’re bringing to the platform, including the features of DualSense wireless controller,” says Sony in a statement confirming the company’s plans.
Sony says that existing DualShock 4 controllers and officially licensed third-party PS4 controllers “will work with supported PS4 games.” Sony doesn’t list its supported games, but the company does confirm that officially licensed racing wheels, arcade sticks, and flight sticks will work with PS5 games and supported PS4 games. Sony’s existing PS Move Motion Controllers and the PlayStation VR Aim Controller will also work with supported PS VR games on the PS5.
This move does mean that PS5 owners will need to buy additional controllers to play PS5 games, much like how PS3 controllers didn’t work on the PS4. While Microsoft’s Xbox 360 controllers didn’t work on the Xbox One, the company has committed to supporting Xbox One controllers on the upcoming Xbox Series X console.


theverge--2020-08-03--Some Photoshop users can try Adobe’s anti-misinformation system later this year

Adobe has released more details on its Content Authenticity Initiative , a system for permanently attaching sources and details to an image .
The project is meant to mitigate two problems : artists losing credit for work and newsworthy images being manipulated or taken out of context .
It ’ s set for a limited debut on Adobe ’ s Photoshop software and Behance social network by the end of 2020 , and Adobe hopes for wider adoption soon after .
Adobe pitched the CAI last year as a general anti-misinformation and pro-attribution tool , but many details remained in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ makes its scope clearer .
The CAI is primarily a more persistent , verifiable type of image metadata .
It ’ s similar to the standard EXIF tags that show the location or date of a photograph , but with cryptographic signatures that let you verify the tags haven ’ t been changed or falsely applied to a manipulated photo .
Adobe wants web users to go “ a layer deeper ” People can still download and edit the image , take a screenshot of it , or interact the way they would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will show that the image was manipulated , however .
Adobe is basically encouraging adding valuable context and viewing any untagged photos with suspicion , rather than trying to literally stop plagiarism or fakery .
“ There will always be bad actors , ” says Adobe community products VP Will Allen .
“ What we want to do is provide consumers a way to go a layer deeper — to actually see what happened to that asset , who it came from , where it came from , and what happened to it.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adobe will need lots of hardware and software support for the system to work effectively .
CAI-enabled cameras ( including both basic smartphones and high-end professional cameras ) would need to securely add tags for dates , locations , and other details .
Photo editing tools would record how an image has been altered — showing that a journalist adjusted the light balance but didn ’ t erase or add any details .
And social networks or other sites would need to display the information and explain why users should care about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York Times Company as partners , and the CAI specifications will be freely available under an open source license .
Allen says Adobe has also talked to other social networking companies .
“ We ’ re having really active conversations across the board with lots of different companies , ” he says , including “ everyone you would imagine ” in the world of social networking .
Convincing sites to get on board may be the biggest challenge The white paper adds more detail about how different kinds of creators would use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ primarily about proving a picture ’ s provenance .
They would want a CAI-enabled camera to provide the initial metadata , a Photoshop record for edits , and certificates identifying the source .
A digital artist might only want to attach their name and a link to a website with more details , which would also be provided via CAI .
Adobe has also worked with human rights organization Witness.org to make the tool work for non-journalists documenting human rights abuses .
This includes adding options that preserve important factual data ( like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storing personally identifying information .
You can already find systems that cover some of CAI ’ s features .
The Guardian Project and Witness.org , for instance , maintain an app called ProofMode that adds cryptographically signed metadata for anonymous citizen journalists .
But Adobe is trying to create a unified system that it can convince mainstream sites to integrate .
Getting web users to check and trust metadata appears to be one of Adobe ’ s key challenges .
In addition to nailing down some raw technical specifics , like the method @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company and its partners are testing how to provide relevant data without overloading users .
“ It ’ s up to the different publishers and platforms to decide what that experience is , and that ’ s something we ’ re really diving into with a lot of our partners , ” says Allen .
A CAI prototype will initially launch on Adobe-owned products : a “ subset ” of Photoshop users will be able to tag their photos and add those photos to Behance , and a verification site will let @ @ @ @ @ @ @ metadata .
There ’ s no firm timeline for adding it to Twitter or rolling it out across third-party apps , but Allen says Adobe is “ pushing aggressively ” for a launch .

Adobe has released more details on its Content Authenticity Initiative, a system for permanently attaching sources and details to an image. The project is meant to mitigate two problems: artists losing credit for work and newsworthy images being manipulated or taken out of context. It’s set for a limited debut on Adobe’s Photoshop software and Behance social network by the end of 2020, and Adobe hopes for wider adoption soon after.
Adobe pitched the CAI last year as a general anti-misinformation and pro-attribution tool, but many details remained in flux. A newly released white paper makes its scope clearer. The CAI is primarily a more persistent, verifiable type of image metadata. It’s similar to the standard EXIF tags that show the location or date of a photograph, but with cryptographic signatures that let you verify the tags haven’t been changed or falsely applied to a manipulated photo.
Adobe wants web users to go “a layer deeper”
People can still download and edit the image, take a screenshot of it, or interact the way they would any picture. Any CAI metadata tags will show that the image was manipulated, however. Adobe is basically encouraging adding valuable context and viewing any untagged photos with suspicion, rather than trying to literally stop plagiarism or fakery. “There will always be bad actors,” says Adobe community products VP Will Allen. “What we want to do is provide consumers a way to go a layer deeper — to actually see what happened to that asset, who it came from, where it came from, and what happened to it.”
The white paper makes clear that Adobe will need lots of hardware and software support for the system to work effectively. CAI-enabled cameras (including both basic smartphones and high-end professional cameras) would need to securely add tags for dates, locations, and other details. Photo editing tools would record how an image has been altered — showing that a journalist adjusted the light balance but didn’t erase or add any details. And social networks or other sites would need to display the information and explain why users should care about it.
Adobe originally announced Twitter and The New York Times Company as partners, and the CAI specifications will be freely available under an open source license. Allen says Adobe has also talked to other social networking companies. “We’re having really active conversations across the board with lots of different companies,” he says, including “everyone you would imagine” in the world of social networking.
Convincing sites to get on board may be the biggest challenge
The white paper adds more detail about how different kinds of creators would use the tools. A photojournalist might care primarily about proving a picture’s provenance. They would want a CAI-enabled camera to provide the initial metadata, a Photoshop record for edits, and certificates identifying the source. A digital artist might only want to attach their name and a link to a website with more details, which would also be provided via CAI.
Adobe has also worked with human rights organization Witness.org to make the tool work for non-journalists documenting human rights abuses. This includes adding options that preserve important factual data (like locations and any manipulation history) without storing personally identifying information.
You can already find systems that cover some of CAI’s features. The Guardian Project and Witness.org, for instance, maintain an app called ProofMode that adds cryptographically signed metadata for anonymous citizen journalists. But Adobe is trying to create a unified system that it can convince mainstream sites to integrate.
Getting web users to check and trust metadata appears to be one of Adobe’s key challenges. In addition to nailing down some raw technical specifics, like the method for issuing and storing trusted certificates, the company and its partners are testing how to provide relevant data without overloading users. “It’s up to the different publishers and platforms to decide what that experience is, and that’s something we’re really diving into with a lot of our partners,” says Allen.


theverge--2020-08-03--July was a big month for VR games

July was a big month for VR games

2020 has seen renewed interest in VR , and it ’ s not just because of the pandemic .
There have been tentpole releases like Half-Life : Alyx , and the Oculus Quest continues to grow in popularity with a rumored new version on the horizon .
July in particular had a lot of new games and releases .
We can ’ t cover every new VR game as they comes out , but I thought it might be helpful to take a step back every now and then to give an update on what ’ s been going on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know if there ’ s anything in particular you ’ d like us to cover or focus on !
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY ’ S : HELP WANTED The VR version of Five Nights at Freddy ’ s , the hugely popular indie horror series , came to the Oculus Quest in July and immediately became the fastest-selling game on the platform .
“ Five Nights at Freddy ’ s VR : Help Wanted has done amazingly well , ” Steel Wool Studios CEO Andrew Dayton told UploadVR .
“ We can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free to share that we broke Oculus Quest ’ s one-day sales record as well as its one-week sales record.
” I can ’ t claim to be a big fan of the series , but I checked out the Quest version of Help Wanted and it ’ s really well done .
The core mechanics of switching between security cameras to track murderous animatronics while managing your use of other protective items is a great fit for VR and the Quest — it feels more natural and yet more nerve-wracking to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The game isn ’ t visually stunning , but it looks suitably dark and spooky on the Quest ’ s OLED screen .
I will just warn you that this is definitely not for anyone who isn ’ t down with jump scares .
Onward , a realistic military first-person shooter , was released on the Oculus Quest last week .
The game is a PC VR staple , having first come out in Early Access in 2006 , soon after the original Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets kicked off the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ VR experiences go , it ’ s pretty intense .
The emphasis is on realism , and you move around with an analog stick rather than the teleportation systems that many first-person VR games use to maximize comfort .
Onward also emphasizes tactics and communication for its multiplayer battles ; the developer Downpour Interactive describes it as “ the most realistic combat experience available in gaming today.
” Onward ’ s Quest version has not come without controversy In other words , it ’ s not the sort of thing I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which tends to be at its best with abstract , casual experiences .
But the Quest version of Onward actually works great .
The graphics are seriously cut down — it basically looks like a very high-res PS2 game , with objects often popping into view at close range — but the controls work well and the Quest ’ s wireless nature is a good fit for Onward ’ s realistic movement .
This is a game where you ’ ll often find yourself ducking into cover or inching around a corner , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases the immersion despite the graphical shortcomings .
Onward ’ s Quest version has not come without controversy , however .
Seemingly in order to accommodate cross-play between platforms , Downpour has issued an update to the PC version that comes with a significant technical hit .
The graphical quality has been reduced pretty heavily , and Steam reviewers are not happy .
The developer apologized on Reddit and pledged to improve the PC version in future updates .
It ’ s understandable that Downpour would want to maximize its player base when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but making the existing version worse for all players without warning was probably not the best way to go about it .
The move does , however , serve as a strong indication that VR developers are likely to continue to prioritize the Quest over advanced tethered PC experiences .
One of the most anticipated PlayStation VR games finally came out in July after multiple delays .
IP licenses don ’ t come much bigger than Iron Man VR , but due to awkward controls and interminable load times , the final product @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Chaim Gartenberg feeling much like a superhero .
…While the pieces are all good , the issues with Iron Man VR arrive when they come together in the game , which just isn ’ t deep enough to support a full-blown title .
In practice , Iron Man VR is very repetitive .
There ’ s only a handful of enemy types , whose tactics never really change .
One drone will batter players with laser blasts , another will attempt to ram you , while a third has to be dodged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enemy is effectively designed to be countered by a specific weapon in your arsenal ( you shoot the shooting drone , you punch the ramming drone , you ground-pound the tank ) , and the only variety really comes in how many the game throws at you at once .
The result is that each of the 12 levels ( which are broken up into 15- to 30-minute chunks , well-suited for VR ) more or less breaks down in a cycle of “ defeat these identical waves of enemies using identical weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expository speech happens .
In Death : Unchained is the Oculus Quest version of In Death , which came out for PC and PSVR in 2018 .
It ’ s a first-person action game that centers around bows and arrows , with a roguelike-style structure and procedurally generated stages .
Its best clever twist is that you use your bow for movement as well as combat by firing “ teleportation arrows ” to get around .
Unchained is a really good adaptation .
It ’ s one of the better looking games on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and its controls adapt to inside-out tracking about as well as could have been expected .
Bows can be tricky for this kind of hardware , since you often have to move the controller in your string hand out of the headset cameras ’ field of view , but I didn ’ t find the controls to be a problem unless I went out of my way to break them .
In Death is a challenging game , not least because it gives your bow arm ’ s deltoid muscle a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the Quest , letting you dip in and make a little progress with minimal fuss .
Pistol Whip was one of the best VR games of last year , and it ’ s finally available on PSVR , bringing the neon-soaked Superhot-meets-Beat Saber-meets-John Wick action to a wider audience .
I haven ’ t been able to check out this version just yet , but it should be a decent fit for the limited PSVR hardware — movement is handled automatically , and you ’ re mostly just shooting and dodging bullets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Media Molecule ’ s ambitious game-creation tool Dreams was recently released .
It ’ s early days , but I ’ m excited to see what comes out of it — as an easier way to get experimental VR ideas out into the world , it has tons of potential .

2020 has seen renewed interest in VR, and it’s not just because of the pandemic. There have been tentpole releases like Half-Life: Alyx, and the Oculus Quest continues to grow in popularity with a rumored new version on the horizon. July in particular had a lot of new games and releases.
We can’t cover every new VR game as they comes out, but I thought it might be helpful to take a step back every now and then to give an update on what’s been going on. And please, do let me know if there’s anything in particular you’d like us to cover or focus on!
FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDY’S: HELP WANTED
The VR version of Five Nights at Freddy’s, the hugely popular indie horror series, came to the Oculus Quest in July and immediately became the fastest-selling game on the platform. “Five Nights at Freddy’s VR: Help Wanted has done amazingly well,” Steel Wool Studios CEO Andrew Dayton told UploadVR. “We can’t speak specific numbers but we are free to share that we broke Oculus Quest’s one-day sales record as well as its one-week sales record.”
I can’t claim to be a big fan of the series, but I checked out the Quest version of Help Wanted and it’s really well done. The core mechanics of switching between security cameras to track murderous animatronics while managing your use of other protective items is a great fit for VR and the Quest — it feels more natural and yet more nerve-wracking to be interacting with these environments at 1:1 scale. The game isn’t visually stunning, but it looks suitably dark and spooky on the Quest’s OLED screen.
I will just warn you that this is definitely not for anyone who isn’t down with jump scares.
ONWARD
Onward, a realistic military first-person shooter, was released on the Oculus Quest last week. The game is a PC VR staple, having first come out in Early Access in 2016, soon after the original Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets kicked off the first round of VR hype.
As VR experiences go, it’s pretty intense. The emphasis is on realism, and you move around with an analog stick rather than the teleportation systems that many first-person VR games use to maximize comfort. Onward also emphasizes tactics and communication for its multiplayer battles; the developer Downpour Interactive describes it as “the most realistic combat experience available in gaming today.”
Onward’s Quest version has not come without controversy
In other words, it’s not the sort of thing I’d normally associate with the low-powered Quest, which tends to be at its best with abstract, casual experiences. But the Quest version of Onward actually works great. The graphics are seriously cut down — it basically looks like a very high-res PS2 game, with objects often popping into view at close range — but the controls work well and the Quest’s wireless nature is a good fit for Onward’s realistic movement. This is a game where you’ll often find yourself ducking into cover or inching around a corner, and not having to worry about wires increases the immersion despite the graphical shortcomings.
Onward’s Quest version has not come without controversy, however. Seemingly in order to accommodate cross-play between platforms, Downpour has issued an update to the PC version that comes with a significant technical hit. The graphical quality has been reduced pretty heavily, and Steam reviewers are not happy. The developer apologized on Reddit and pledged to improve the PC version in future updates.
It’s understandable that Downpour would want to maximize its player base when launching on a popular new platform, but making the existing version worse for all players without warning was probably not the best way to go about it. The move does, however, serve as a strong indication that VR developers are likely to continue to prioritize the Quest over advanced tethered PC experiences.
IRON MAN VR
One of the most anticipated PlayStation VR games finally came out in July after multiple delays. IP licenses don’t come much bigger than Iron Man VR, but due to awkward controls and interminable load times, the final product didn’t leave The Verge’s Chaim Gartenberg feeling much like a superhero.
Here’s his review:
…While the pieces are all good, the issues with Iron Man VR arrive when they come together in the game, which just isn’t deep enough to support a full-blown title. In practice, Iron Man VR is very repetitive. There’s only a handful of enemy types, whose tactics never really change. One drone will batter players with laser blasts, another will attempt to ram you, while a third has to be dodged before its shield is down. Each enemy is effectively designed to be countered by a specific weapon in your arsenal (you shoot the shooting drone, you punch the ramming drone, you ground-pound the tank), and the only variety really comes in how many the game throws at you at once. The result is that each of the 12 levels (which are broken up into 15- to 30-minute chunks, well-suited for VR) more or less breaks down in a cycle of “defeat these identical waves of enemies using identical weapons in identical locations” until the next expository speech happens.
IN DEATH: UNCHAINED
In Death: Unchained is the Oculus Quest version of In Death, which came out for PC and PSVR in 2018. It’s a first-person action game that centers around bows and arrows, with a roguelike-style structure and procedurally generated stages. Its best clever twist is that you use your bow for movement as well as combat by firing “teleportation arrows” to get around.
Unchained is a really good adaptation. It’s one of the better looking games on the Quest, despite somewhat cut-back visuals, and its controls adapt to inside-out tracking about as well as could have been expected. Bows can be tricky for this kind of hardware, since you often have to move the controller in your string hand out of the headset cameras’ field of view, but I didn’t find the controls to be a problem unless I went out of my way to break them.
In Death is a challenging game, not least because it gives your bow arm’s deltoid muscle a serious workout. But Unchained works very well on the Quest, letting you dip in and make a little progress with minimal fuss.
PISTOL WHIP
Pistol Whip was one of the best VR games of last year, and it’s finally available on PSVR, bringing the neon-soaked Superhot-meets-Beat Saber-meets-John Wick action to a wider audience. I haven’t been able to check out this version just yet, but it should be a decent fit for the limited PSVR hardware — movement is handled automatically, and you’re mostly just shooting and dodging bullets.
DREAMS


theverge--2020-08-03--Go read this investigation into the troubled past of alleged Twitter hacker

On Friday Graham Ivan Clark was charged along with two others for the most serious hack in Twitter ’ s history , where numerous high-profile accounts including those of Elon Musk , Barack Obama , and Bill Gates were taken over to promote a bitcoin scam .
In a new investigation , The New York Times has delved into Clark ’ s history , which reportedly escalated from small Minecraft scams into a hack so big that some have dubbed it a global security crisis .
Here ’ s how it all began , as described by the NYT : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ games and interact in the same online forums as Mr. Clark .
But what emerges in interviews with more than a dozen people who know him , along with legal documents , online forensic work and social media archives , is a picture of a youth who had a strained relationship with his family and who spent much of his life online becoming skilled at convincing people to give him money , photos and information .
In 2016 , one Minecraft player says Clark offered to sell him a digital cape for $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another occasion he reportedly offered to sell his Minecraft username , “ Open , ” before blocking the player that sent him $ 100 for it .
But soon , The New York Times reports that Clark moved on from Minecraft into the world of SIM-swapping and cryptocurrencies .
He ’ s thought to have joined , and been subsequently banned from OGUsers , a forum that ’ s become infamous for its marketplace where users can buy and sell high-value social media handles .
Prior to the Twitter hack , Clark ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said to have taken place in 2019 , when a username reportedly associated with Clark was linked to the theft of 164 Bitcoins ( worth around $ 856,000 at the time ) from a Silicon Valley investor .
100 Bitcoins were later seized from Clark by the Secret Service .
One of his friends , James Xio , told the NYT that the incident had shaken Clark .
If Florida prosecutors are to be believed , however , Clark ’ s attempt to go straight didn ’ t last long .
The 17-year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adult ( the state attorney has said he ’ s “ not an ordinary 17-year old ” ) with 30 felonies .
The New York Times ’ report is a fascinating look at a teenager on the slippery slope of internet mischief , and it ’ s well worth a read in its entirety .

Here’s how it all began, as described by the NYT:
Millions of teenagers play the same video games and interact in the same online forums as Mr. Clark. But what emerges in interviews with more than a dozen people who know him, along with legal documents, online forensic work and social media archives, is a picture of a youth who had a strained relationship with his family and who spent much of his life online becoming skilled at convincing people to give him money, photos and information.
In 2016, one Minecraft player says Clark offered to sell him a digital cape for $50 which he never delivered. On another occasion he reportedly offered to sell his Minecraft username, “Open,” before blocking the player that sent him $100 for it. But soon, The New York Times reports that Clark moved on from Minecraft into the world of SIM-swapping and cryptocurrencies. He’s thought to have joined, and been subsequently banned from OGUsers, a forum that’s become infamous for its marketplace where users can buy and sell high-value social media handles.
Prior to the Twitter hack, Clark’s most serious run-in with authorities is said to have taken place in 2019, when a username reportedly associated with Clark was linked to the theft of 164 Bitcoins (worth around $856,000 at the time) from a Silicon Valley investor. 100 Bitcoins were later seized from Clark by the Secret Service. One of his friends, James Xio, told the NYT that the incident had shaken Clark.
Mr. Xio, who became close friends with Mr. Clark, said the April run-in with the Secret Service shook Mr. Clark. “He knew he was given a second chance,” Mr. Xio said. “And he wanted to work on being as legit as possible.”
If Florida prosecutors are to be believed, however, Clark’s attempt to go straight didn’t last long. The 17-year old is now being charged as an adult (the state attorney has said he’s “not an ordinary 17-year old”) with 30 felonies.


theverge--2020-08-03--Zelda recipe appears in serious novel by serious author after rushed Google search

If you were writing a book and needed to find out how red clothes dye is traditionally made , you ’ d probably start with a simple Google search .
At least , that ’ s what John Boyne , the author behind The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas says he “ must have ” done when it emerged that several fantasy ingredients from The Legend of Zelda have appeared in his most recent book , A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom .
The problem , as journalist Dana Schwartz notes , is that rather than listing a real-world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ ingredients red dye clothes ” links to a guide from Polygon on how to dye clothes in the video game The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild .
It ’ s not an uncommon mistake for Google ’ s algorithms to make , but in this case the mistake seems to have made its way all the way into a published book by a respected author .
Yep , that ’ s a passage where a character uses ingredients including keese wing , Octorok Eyeball , red lizalfos tail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ red clothes dye in the era of fifth-century ruler Attila the Hun .
Oops .
Author John Boyne has taken news of the mistake in good humor .
“ Someone remind me to add Zelda to the acknowledgements page when the paperback of Traveller is published ... oh lord… ” the author tweeted on Sunday .
Although this is the kind of mistake that could be corrected in a future print-run ( or even sooner , in the case of the eBook version ) , the author has said he plans to “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that be a lesson to all authors .
Polygon is a great source for video game guides .
But maybe don ’ t rely on it when you ’ re researching your next book set in the real-world .

If you were writing a book and needed to find out how red clothes dye is traditionally made, you’d probably start with a simple Google search. At least, that’s what John Boyne, the author behind The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas says he “must have” done when it emerged that several fantasy ingredients from The Legend of Zelda have appeared in his most recent book, A Traveler at the Gates of Wisdom.
Yep, that’s a passage where a character uses ingredients including keese wing, Octorok Eyeball, red lizalfos tail, and four Hylian shrooms to make red clothes dye in the era of fifth-century ruler Attila the Hun. Oops.
Author John Boyne has taken news of the mistake in good humor. “Someone remind me to add Zelda to the acknowledgements page when the paperback of Traveller is published... oh lord…” the author tweeted on Sunday. Although this is the kind of mistake that could be corrected in a future print-run (or even sooner, in the case of the eBook version), the author has said he plans to “leave it as it is.”


theverge--2020-08-03--FAA shares new steps for Boeing to return 737 Max to the skies

The Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) has released a “ preliminary summary ” of its 18-month review of the Boeing 737 Max program , and with it , has detailed the remaining steps the company will likely need to take in order to allow the plane back into the air .
Among the changes the agency is asking for is new software for the plane ’ s flight control computer and displays , a revised manual and enhanced training for flight crew , and new maintenance procedures .
A few key issues remain unfinished , though , like finalizing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FAA laid out the changes both in the 96-page summary and in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on Monday .
The public will have 45 days to comment on the latter before the agency officially requires Boeing to make the changes .
It won ’ t be until after that , at the earliest , that the FAA would re-certify the 737 Max , meaning the plane is still likely months away from being put back into service .
The 737 Max has been grounded worldwide since March 2019 , after it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ killed 346 people .
One of the particular issues that doomed both flights was a piece of software known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System , or MCAS , that was designed to stop the plane from stalling in very specific takeoff situations .
Using information from sensors on the outside of the plane , MCAS was able to pitch the nose of the plane down if it believed it was angled too high .
A major problem with MCAS was that , in a bid to skirt the lengthy and costly process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of software , Boeing simply hid it from them and from the FAA .
Another was that MCAS only pulled data from one external sensor , meaning it could be led astray if that sensor was damaged .
All of this led to the pilots on both fatal flights scrambling to try and fix a problem they didn ’ t understand in their final moments .
The FAA says its review has involved “ 40 engineers , inspectors , pilots , and technical support staff , ” and more than 60,000 hours of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evaluation of pertinent documents.
” The FAA says it analyzed more than 4,000 hours of Boeing ’ s flight and simulator tests , and did 50 hours of its own testing .
The agency and the company recently completed three days of real-world flight tests in the Seattle , Washington area .

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a “preliminary summary” of its 18-month review of the Boeing 737 Max program, and with it, has detailed the remaining steps the company will likely need to take in order to allow the plane back into the air. Among the changes the agency is asking for is new software for the plane’s flight control computer and displays, a revised manual and enhanced training for flight crew, and new maintenance procedures. A few key issues remain unfinished, though, like finalizing a new pilot training process.
The FAA laid out the changes both in the 96-page summary and in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published on Monday. The public will have 45 days to comment on the latter before the agency officially requires Boeing to make the changes. It won’t be until after that, at the earliest, that the FAA would re-certify the 737 Max, meaning the plane is still likely months away from being put back into service.
The 737 Max has been grounded worldwide since March 2019, after it was involved in two fatal crashes that killed 346 people. One of the particular issues that doomed both flights was a piece of software known as the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, that was designed to stop the plane from stalling in very specific takeoff situations. Using information from sensors on the outside of the plane, MCAS was able to pitch the nose of the plane down if it believed it was angled too high.
A major problem with MCAS was that, in a bid to skirt the lengthy and costly process of retraining pilots on this new piece of software, Boeing simply hid it from them and from the FAA. Another was that MCAS only pulled data from one external sensor, meaning it could be led astray if that sensor was damaged. All of this led to the pilots on both fatal flights scrambling to try and fix a problem they didn’t understand in their final moments.


theverge--2020-08-03--Ubisoft reportedly fires one of its most influential execs following allegations of sexual harassmen

Ubisoft reportedly fires one of its most influential execs following allegations of sexual harassment

One of Ubisoft ’ s most influential executives has been fired after an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against him , reports Business Insider .
Ubisoft confirmed to The Verge that the executive , Tommy François , departed the company , but declined to comment on the nature of his departure .
François was formerly Ubisoft ’ s vice president of editorial and creative services , a role that gave him oversight over the development of many of the studio ’ s largest franchises .
A separate Business Insider report detailed some of François actions , which included @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , massaging people without asking , and , on one occasion , telling his colleagues he had spent the previous evening masturbating .
Ubisoft had previously said on July 6th that François had been placed on disciplinary leave while it investigated the allegations .
François ’ departure comes amid a significant reckoning at Ubisoft , which has recently come under heavy scrutiny for its workplace culture .
Assassin ’ s Creed Valhalla creative director Ashraf Ismail stepped down and took a leave of absence on June 24th following allegations of sexual misconduct with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vice president Maxime Béland were shared on social media and in a Kotaku report , Ubisoft said on July 6th that Béland had resigned .
Following Béland , a series of other executive departures followed : Chief Creative Officer Serge Hascoët resigned ; HR chief Cécile Cornet stepped down ; and Yannis Mallat , managing director of Ubisoft ’ s Canadian studios , stepped down as well and left the company following “ a rigorous review , ” Ubisoft announced on July 11th .
( Business Insider reports that Cornet is still at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot promised sweeping internal changes aimed at addressing the culture issues in an email to staff on July 2nd , including appointing a head of workplace culture and setting up an “ online confidential alert platform.
” Ubisoft said it would tie employee bonuses to creating “ their ability to create a positive and inclusive workplace environment ” in its earnings call on July 22nd .

One of Ubisoft’s most influential executives has been fired after an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment made against him, reports Business Insider. Ubisoft confirmed to The Verge that the executive, Tommy François, departed the company, but declined to comment on the nature of his departure.
François was formerly Ubisoft’s vice president of editorial and creative services, a role that gave him oversight over the development of many of the studio’s largest franchises. A separate Business Insider report detailed some of François actions, which included commenting on how his female colleagues looked, massaging people without asking, and, on one occasion, telling his colleagues he had spent the previous evening masturbating. Ubisoft had previously said on July 6th that François had been placed on disciplinary leave while it investigated the allegations.
François’ departure comes amid a significant reckoning at Ubisoft
François’ departure comes amid a significant reckoning at Ubisoft, which has recently come under heavy scrutiny for its workplace culture. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla creative director Ashraf Ismail stepped down and took a leave of absence on June 24th following allegations of sexual misconduct with fans. And after assault allegations against vice president Maxime Béland were shared on social media and in a Kotaku report, Ubisoft said on July 6th that Béland had resigned.
Following Béland, a series of other executive departures followed: Chief Creative Officer Serge Hascoët resigned; HR chief Cécile Cornet stepped down; and Yannis Mallat, managing director of Ubisoft’s Canadian studios, stepped down as well and left the company following “a rigorous review,” Ubisoft announced on July 11th. (Business Insider reports that Cornet is still at Ubisoft but is in a different role.)


theverge--2020-08-03--President Trump withdraws FCC renomination after 5G controversy

President Trump has withdrawn the nomination of FCC Commissioner Michael O ’ Rielly , a six-year FCC veteran who was expected by many to be renewed for a third term , as first reported by Reuters .
The withdrawal comes less than a week after Sen. Jim Inhofe ( R-OK ) placed a hold on the nomination over concerns about O ’ Rielly ’ s position on a recently approved terrestrial 5G network .
The conflict centers over a controversial 5G network recently approved by the commission .
The proposed network would operate on the L-band spectrum traditionally utilized by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Networks as a low-power terrestrial system .
In its proposal , Ligado pledged to report its base stations and operating parameters to avoid any interference with existing L-band users , but critics of the order have remained concerned that the network may interfere with GPS systems .
Sen. Inhofe is one of those critics , saying , “ This isn ’ t just about our military , but all users of GPS are united in opposition.
” As a result , Inhofe sought to block O ’ Rielly ’ s nomination “ until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to overturn the current Ligado Order.
” O ’ Rielly had also expressed public skepticism over President Trump ’ s recent executive order , which would task the FCC with oversight over Section 230 and social media moderation more broadly .
“ As a conservative , I ’ m troubled voices are stifled by liberal tech leaders , ” he wrote on Twitter .
“ At same time , I ’ m extremely dedicated to First Amendment which governs much here.
” More recently , he expressed doubts over the FCC ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intended .
“ I have deep reservations they provided any intentional authority for this matter , ” he said in a C-SPAN interview in June .
The order has moved forward regardless , with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ( NTIA ) petitioning for rule-making last week and the FCC opening for public comment on the order earlier today .
O ’ Rielly ’ s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment .

President Trump has withdrawn the nomination of FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly, a six-year FCC veteran who was expected by many to be renewed for a third term, as first reported by Reuters. The withdrawal comes less than a week after Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) placed a hold on the nomination over concerns about O’Rielly’s position on a recently approved terrestrial 5G network.
The conflict centers over a controversial 5G network recently approved by the commission. The proposed network would operate on the L-band spectrum traditionally utilized by radar and GPS, operated by Ligado Networks as a low-power terrestrial system. In its proposal, Ligado pledged to report its base stations and operating parameters to avoid any interference with existing L-band users, but critics of the order have remained concerned that the network may interfere with GPS systems.
Sen. Inhofe is one of those critics, saying, “This isn’t just about our military, but all users of GPS are united in opposition.” As a result, Inhofe sought to block O’Rielly’s nomination “until he publically states that he will vote to overturn the current Ligado Order.”
O’Rielly had also expressed public skepticism over President Trump’s recent executive order, which would task the FCC with oversight over Section 230 and social media moderation more broadly. “As a conservative, I’m troubled voices are stifled by liberal tech leaders,” he wrote on Twitter. “At same time, I’m extremely dedicated to First Amendment which governs much here.”
More recently, he expressed doubts over the FCC’s authority to execute the order as Trump intended. “I have deep reservations they provided any intentional authority for this matter,” he said in a C-SPAN interview in June. The order has moved forward regardless, with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) petitioning for rule-making last week and the FCC opening for public comment on the order earlier today.


theverge--2020-08-03--Twitter faces $250 million FTC fine for misusing emails and phone numbers

Twitter said that the Federal Trade Commission may soon fine it up to $ 250 million for improper use of users ’ phone numbers and email addresses .
The potential fines would come for violations of Twitter ’ s 2011 agreement with the FTC to no longer mislead consumers about how it protects their personal information .
Between 2013 and 2019 , Twitter used phone numbers and email addresses provided “ for safety and security purposes ” to help target ads .
Twitter disclosed the practice back in October , saying that it was done “ inadvertently ” and called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidently believes that Twitter misled consumers by not disclosing that their data may have been used in this way .
Twitter says that the commission sent a draft complaint on July 28th describing alleged violations of the 2011 agreement .
Twitter estimates that it could be fined anywhere from $ 150 million to $ 250 million , and it ’ s setting aside $ 150 million in expectation of a fine .
“ The matter remains unresolved , and there can be no assurance as to the timing or the terms of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its 10-Q filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission .
A spokesperson for Twitter says the company “ included an estimated range for settlement ” in the 10-Q filed today because the complaint was received after its quarterly results were filed on July 23rd .
The Verge has reached out to the FTC for comment .

Twitter said that the Federal Trade Commission may soon fine it up to $250 million for improper use of users’ phone numbers and email addresses. The potential fines would come for violations of Twitter’s 2011 agreement with the FTC to no longer mislead consumers about how it protects their personal information.
Between 2013 and 2019, Twitter used phone numbers and email addresses provided “for safety and security purposes” to help target ads. Twitter disclosed the practice back in October, saying that it was done “inadvertently” and called it “an error.” The FTC evidently believes that Twitter misled consumers by not disclosing that their data may have been used in this way.
Twitter says that the commission sent a draft complaint on July 28th describing alleged violations of the 2011 agreement. Twitter estimates that it could be fined anywhere from $150 million to $250 million, and it’s setting aside $150 million in expectation of a fine. “The matter remains unresolved, and there can be no assurance as to the timing or the terms of any final outcome,” Twitter writes in its 10-Q filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
A spokesperson for Twitter says the company “included an estimated range for settlement” in the 10-Q filed today because the complaint was received after its quarterly results were filed on July 23rd. A spokesperson for the FTC confirmed that the agency has an “open investigation of Twitter.”