theverge--2020-04-15--What ‘Payment Status Not Available’ on the IRS coronavirus aid site means

The United States Internal Revenue Service launched a website for tracking coronavirus stimulus checks today , but some users are getting told their payment status is “ not available , ” and even after an official explanation was posted online , they have basically no way of knowing what ’ s wrong .
The new IRS “ Get My Payment ” portal is supposed to help people find out if they ’ re eligible for one of the $ 1,200 relief checks that are being sent to many Americans , and then let them enter bank account information for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment has been processed .
The idea is to speed the release of money that many citizens desperately need .
But the system has shown many people the confounding error message of “ Payment Status Not Available , ” since it launched , leading the phrase to trend on Twitter and show up in a slew of messages on Reddit .
The only explanation for the error on the page says “ according to information that we have on file , we can not determine your eligibility for a payment at this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long FAQ that has the relevant information about midway down the page .
According to that IRS FAQ , here ’ s when you might see the “ payment status unavailable ” message : • If you are not eligible for a payment • If you are required to file a tax return and have not filed in tax year 2018 or 2019 • If you recently filed your return or provided information through Non-Filers : Enter Your Payment Info on IRS.gov • If you are a SSA or RRB Form 1099 recipient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a lot of different reasons .
Making it worse , “ payment status unavailable ” also appears if you simply enter a made-up social security number , birth date , and address combination , so it appears to be generic catch-all error for the system , instead of a useful or actionable error message .
The IRS asserted this afternoon that its website is “ operating smoothly and effectively , ” saying that 6.2 million taxpayers have received their status .
But that ’ s an incredibly frustrating design choice .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re even supposed to get a check , let alone whether it ’ s being held up by their tax filing or benefits status .
( In case it ’ s not clear , “ we don ’ t know if you ’ re eligible for money ” can literally mean “ we know you ’ re not eligible for money ” here . )
Some Reddit posters speculate that the response is a glitch or a sign that the site is over capacity .
The agency is trying to avoid overloading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting room ” landing page , but it hasn ’ t ruled out the prospect of people seeing the “ payment status unavailable ” message in error .
To make things worse , entering information too many times can get you locked out of the system for 24 hours .
We left a phone message with the IRS media hotline , hoping to get more information .
But people looking for their payments don ’ t even have that recourse , because the FAQ repeats several times that you shouldn ’ t contact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built an understandably simple system during a crisis , and some Verge staffers have been able to access their status just fine , although at least one has gotten the “ not available ” message .
But while the world is full of nerve-wracking uncertainties , at least give us the solace of a well-composed error page .

The United States Internal Revenue Service launched a website for tracking coronavirus stimulus checks today, but some users are getting told their payment status is “not available,” and even after an official explanation was posted online, they have basically no way of knowing what’s wrong.
The new IRS “Get My Payment” portal is supposed to help people find out if they’re eligible for one of the $1,200 relief checks that are being sent to many Americans, and then let them enter bank account information for a direct deposit or tell them that the payment has been processed. The idea is to speed the release of money that many citizens desperately need. But the system has shown many people the confounding error message of “Payment Status Not Available,” since it launched, leading the phrase to trend on Twitter and show up in a slew of messages on Reddit.
The only explanation for the error on the page says “according to information that we have on file, we cannot determine your eligibility for a payment at this time,” with a link to a long FAQ that has the relevant information about midway down the page.
According to that IRS FAQ, here’s when you might see the “payment status unavailable” message:
If you are not eligible for a payment
If you are required to file a tax return and have not filed in tax year 2018 or 2019
If you recently filed your return or provided information through Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info on IRS.gov
If you are a SSA or RRB Form 1099 recipient, SSI or VA benefit recipient
That.. is a lot of different reasons. Making it worse, “payment status unavailable” also appears if you simply enter a made-up social security number, birth date, and address combination, so it appears to be generic catch-all error for the system, instead of a useful or actionable error message.
The IRS asserted this afternoon that its website is “operating smoothly and effectively,” saying that 6.2 million taxpayers have received their status. But that’s an incredibly frustrating design choice. The vague feedback leaves people guessing if they’re even supposed to get a check, let alone whether it’s being held up by their tax filing or benefits status. (In case it’s not clear, “we don’t know if you’re eligible for money” can literally mean “we know you’re not eligible for money” here.)
Some Reddit posters speculate that the response is a glitch or a sign that the site is over capacity. The agency is trying to avoid overloading by sending some people to a “waiting room” landing page, but it hasn’t ruled out the prospect of people seeing the “payment status unavailable” message in error. To make things worse, entering information too many times can get you locked out of the system for 24 hours.
We left a phone message with the IRS media hotline, hoping to get more information. But people looking for their payments don’t even have that recourse, because the FAQ repeats several times that you shouldn’t contact the agency directly.


theverge--2020-04-15--Google is slowing down hiring through 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic

Google says it will slow hiring for the remainder of 2020 and adjust its investments in areas like data centers and marketing amid the COVID-19 pandemic , according to an email from CEO Sundar Pichai sent to Google employees that was obtained by Bloomberg .
Google confirmed the authenticity of the email to The Verge .
“ We ’ ll be slowing down the pace of hiring , while maintaining momentum in a small number of strategic areas , and onboarding the many people who ’ ve been hired but haven ’ t started yet , ” Google said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We believe now is the time to significantly slow down the pace of hiring ” “ We believe now is the time to significantly slow down the pace of hiring , while maintaining momentum in a small number of strategic areas where users and businesses rely on Google for ongoing support , and where our growth is critical to their success , ” Pichai said in the memo .
“ By dialing back our plans in other areas , we can ensure Google emerges from this year at a more appropriate size and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means we need to carefully prioritize hiring employees who will address our greatest user and business needs.
” Google hired 20,000 employees in 2019 and “ had been targeting a similar number for 2020 , ” Pichai said in the memo .
Google is also “ recalibrating the focus and pace of our investments in areas like data centers and machines , and non business essential marketing and travel , ” Pichai added .
The company is making the decisions in light of the continued economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech company to reduce hiring because of the pandemic — Microsoft is “ temporarily pausing recruitment ” for some roles , according to Business Insider .

Google says it will slow hiring for the remainder of 2020 and adjust its investments in areas like data centers and marketing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to an email from CEO Sundar Pichai sent to Google employees that was obtained by Bloomberg. Google confirmed the authenticity of the email to The Verge.
“We’ll be slowing down the pace of hiring, while maintaining momentum in a small number of strategic areas, and onboarding the many people who’ve been hired but haven’t started yet,” Google said in a statement to The Verge.
“We believe now is the time to significantly slow down the pace of hiring”
“We believe now is the time to significantly slow down the pace of hiring, while maintaining momentum in a small number of strategic areas where users and businesses rely on Google for ongoing support, and where our growth is critical to their success,” Pichai said in the memo. “By dialing back our plans in other areas, we can ensure Google emerges from this year at a more appropriate size and scale than we would otherwise. That means we need to carefully prioritize hiring employees who will address our greatest user and business needs.”
Google hired 20,000 employees in 2019 and “had been targeting a similar number for 2020,” Pichai said in the memo. Google is also “recalibrating the focus and pace of our investments in areas like data centers and machines, and non business essential marketing and travel,” Pichai added.


theverge--2020-04-15--Apple now sells AirPods Pro tip replacements on its website

Apple ’ s AirPods Pro came with a set of replacements for the newly removable ear tips that come in @ @ @ @ @ But in the event you lost those replacements , and perhaps have lost or damaged @ @ @ @ @ can now buy the silicone tips for Apple ’ s wireless earbuds from its online @ @ @ @ @ .
Prior to this , AirPods Pro owners had to contact Apple Support directly to @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t buy various sizes in one bundle .
Rather , Apple is selling @ @ @ @ @ the three sizes ( small , medium , or large ) , under the assumption @ @ @ @ @ tips fit you best .
Each set costs $ 7.99 .

Apple’s AirPods Pro came with a set of replacements for the newly removable ear tips that come in one three different sizes. But in the event you lost those replacements, and perhaps have lost or damaged the current pair, you can now buy the silicone tips for Apple’s wireless earbuds from its online store ( via 9to5Mac ).
Prior to this, AirPods Pro owners had to contact Apple Support directly to ask for replacements. You can’t buy various sizes in one bundle. Rather, Apple is selling two pairs of each of the three sizes (small, medium, or large), under the assumption that you already know which tips fit you best. Each set costs $7.99.


theverge--2020-04-15--Russia conducts another test of its missile system to take out satellites

Today , Russia conducted another test of its missile system designed to destroy a satellite in orbit around Earth , according to US Space Command .
It is believed to be the 10th test of this anti-satellite , or ASAT , technology , but it ’ s unclear if the missile actually destroyed anything in space .
Regardless of its target , US Space Command is openly condemning the demonstration .
“ Russia ’ s [ anti-satellite ] test provides yet another example that the threats to US and allied space systems are real , serious , and growing , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ USSPACECOM and the US Space Force chief of space operations , said in a statement .
“ The United States is ready and committed to deterring aggression and defending the Nation , our allies and U.S. interests from hostile acts in space.
” Russia has been periodically testing out this ASAT system , known as Nudol , since 2014 , with the last test occurring on November 15th , 2019 , according to analysis from the nonprofit Secure World Foundation .
The Nudol system consists of a mobile land vehicle with a ballistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launching from various locations on Earth .
“ This is about the 10th attempt to test the system as far as we can tell.
” It ’ s unclear if Russia was actually aiming for a target today .
If the country was targeting one of its own satellites , an old Russian spacecraft called Cosmos 1356 may have been in the right position , according to analysis from Michael Thompson , a graduate teaching assistant at Purdue University specializing in satellites and astrodynamics .
However , he noted that the satellite is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data from the company LeoLabs .
If a target was hit today , it may be a few hours before any debris is catalogued by orbital tracking systems .
But US Space Command tells The Verge it is “ currently not tracking any debris.
” Russia has yet to actually hit a moving target around Earth with Nudol .
“ This is about the 10th attempt to test the system as far as we can tell , and so far , none of them appear to have been attempts to actually destroy something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program planning for the Secure World Foundation , tells The Verge .
Typically these tests go unreported when they first occur , but today , the US military is acknowledging one of these tests on the day it was performed .
Conducting an ASAT test is a show of strength for a country , indicating to foreign adversaries that the nation has the capability to destroy enemy satellites .
As a result , they are often condemned by rival governments .
“ This test is further proof of Russia ’ s hypocritical advocacy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting their counterspace weapons programs , ” Gen. Raymond said in a statement .
“ Space is critical to all nations and our way of life .
The demands on space systems continue in this time of crisis where global logistics , transportation and communication are key to defeating the COVID-19 pandemic.
” ASAT tests are also widely condemned by many in the space community , as these demonstrations typically create hundreds to thousands of pieces of debris that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , in orbit .
Because these tests are high speed and high impact , the resulting debris can spread far and wide .
Those pieces then pose a threat to other functioning spacecraft .
A fast-moving piece of junk can render an operational satellite inoperable if they hit head on .
ASAT tests are also widely condemned by many in the space community Last year , India drew ire from the aerospace community when it conducted an ASAT test , successfully destroying one of its own satellites in orbit .
The test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 400 pieces of space junk at the time of its launch in March .
India tried to appease the space community when it conducted the test by targeting a satellite that was in a relatively low orbit .
They hoped that the pieces of debris would get dragged down to Earth quickly .
But more than four months after Mission Shakti , dozens of pieces of debris still remained in space .
Along with India , China and the United States have also successfully demonstrated their own ASAT technology .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weather satellites with a ground-based missile .
The event created more than 3,000 pieces of debris , some of which lasted for years in space .
In 2008 , the US military shot a missile at a decaying satellite from the National Reconnaissance Office , in a test known as Operation Burnt Frost .
The US justified the demonstration , arguing that the satellite had toxic hydrazine fuel on board that could have become hazardous if parts of the satellite landed .
Russia ’ s latest Nudol test comes just a few months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its satellites to spy on a US satellite in orbit .
The US Space Command claims that all of this behavior is contradictory to how countries should utilize the space environment .
“ It is a shared interest and responsibility of all spacefaring nations to create safe , stable and operationally sustainable conditions for space activities , including commercial , civil and national security activities , ” Gen. Raymond said in a statement .

Today, Russia conducted another test of its missile system designed to destroy a satellite in orbit around Earth, according to US Space Command. It is believed to be the 10th test of this anti-satellite, or ASAT, technology, but it’s unclear if the missile actually destroyed anything in space.
Regardless of its target, US Space Command is openly condemning the demonstration. “Russia’s [anti-satellite] test provides yet another example that the threats to US and allied space systems are real, serious, and growing,” Gen. John Raymond, commander of USSPACECOM and the US Space Force chief of space operations, said in a statement. “The United States is ready and committed to deterring aggression and defending the Nation, our allies and U.S. interests from hostile acts in space.”
Russia has been periodically testing out this ASAT system, known as Nudol, since 2014, with the last test occurring on November 15th, 2019, according to analysis from the nonprofit Secure World Foundation. The Nudol system consists of a mobile land vehicle with a ballistic missile attached capable of driving around and launching from various locations on Earth.
“This is about the 10th attempt to test the system as far as we can tell.”
It’s unclear if Russia was actually aiming for a target today. If the country was targeting one of its own satellites, an old Russian spacecraft called Cosmos 1356 may have been in the right position, according to analysis from Michael Thompson, a graduate teaching assistant at Purdue University specializing in satellites and astrodynamics. However, he noted that the satellite is still up there, according to tracking data from the company LeoLabs. If a target was hit today, it may be a few hours before any debris is catalogued by orbital tracking systems. But US Space Command tells The Verge it is “currently not tracking any debris.”
Russia has yet to actually hit a moving target around Earth with Nudol. “This is about the 10th attempt to test the system as far as we can tell, and so far, none of them appear to have been attempts to actually destroy something,” Brian Weeden, director of program planning for the Secure World Foundation, tells The Verge. Typically these tests go unreported when they first occur, but today, the US military is acknowledging one of these tests on the day it was performed.
Conducting an ASAT test is a show of strength for a country, indicating to foreign adversaries that the nation has the capability to destroy enemy satellites. As a result, they are often condemned by rival governments. “This test is further proof of Russia’s hypocritical advocacy of outer space arms control proposals designed to restrict the capabilities of the United States while clearly having no intention of halting their counterspace weapons programs,” Gen. Raymond said in a statement. “Space is critical to all nations and our way of life. The demands on space systems continue in this time of crisis where global logistics, transportation and communication are key to defeating the COVID-19 pandemic.”
ASAT tests are also widely condemned by many in the space community, as these demonstrations typically create hundreds to thousands of pieces of debris that can last for months, and even years, in orbit. Because these tests are high speed and high impact, the resulting debris can spread far and wide. Those pieces then pose a threat to other functioning spacecraft. A fast-moving piece of junk can render an operational satellite inoperable if they hit head on.
ASAT tests are also widely condemned by many in the space community
Last year, India drew ire from the aerospace community when it conducted an ASAT test, successfully destroying one of its own satellites in orbit. The test, called Mission Shakti, created a more than 400 pieces of space junk at the time of its launch in March. India tried to appease the space community when it conducted the test by targeting a satellite that was in a relatively low orbit. They hoped that the pieces of debris would get dragged down to Earth quickly. But more than four months after Mission Shakti, dozens of pieces of debris still remained in space.
Along with India, China and the United States have also successfully demonstrated their own ASAT technology. In 2007, China destroyed one of its weather satellites with a ground-based missile. The event created more than 3,000 pieces of debris, some of which lasted for years in space. In 2008, the US military shot a missile at a decaying satellite from the National Reconnaissance Office, in a test known as Operation Burnt Frost. The US justified the demonstration, arguing that the satellite had toxic hydrazine fuel on board that could have become hazardous if parts of the satellite landed.


theverge--2020-04-15--Former Tesla employees brought stolen documents to self-driving startup Zoox

Self-driving startup Zoox has admitted that four of its employees took confidential documents from their previous employer Tesla , according to a statement issued after the company settled a lawsuit this week over the matter .
“ Zoox acknowledges that certain of its new hires from Tesla were in possession of Tesla documents pertaining to shipping , receiving , and warehouse procedures when they joined Zoox ’ s logistics team , ” the startup said in a statement to Reuters .
Zoox says it will pay Tesla an undisclosed amount of money and will perform an audit to “ ensure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are using Tesla confidential information.
” Zoox says it “ regrets the actions of those employees , ” and says it will also “ conduct enhanced confidentiality training to ensure that all Zoox employees are aware of and respect their confidentiality obligations.
” Tesla said it was a “ blatant and intentional ” act Founded in 2014 , Zoox ’ s plan has been to build self-driving vehicles from the ground up that were more purpose-built and far more maneuverable than traditional vehicles retrofitted with autonomous tech .
Its tech has been praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 500 million in July 2018 on the way to a $ 3 billion valuation .
But just one month later , its board of directors pushed out co-founder and CEO Tim Kentley-Klay .
( He was replaced with Intel ’ s former chief of strategy , Aicha Evans , who is still Zoox ’ s CEO . )
The settlement now comes as Zoox has laid off around 100 full-time employees , as well as contract workers , amid the COVID-19 pandemic .
The lawsuit was filed against Zoox and four Zoox @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whom had previously worked at Tesla .
The Silicon Valley automaker claimed that those employees brought “ proprietary information and trade secrets ” about Tesla ’ s manufacturing operation to Zoox , which allegedly helped the startup “ leapfrog past years of work needed to develop and run its own warehousing , logistics , and inventory control operations.
” Tesla said those employees “ absconded with select proprietary Tesla documents ” on their way to Zoox , in what the company called a “ blatant and intentional ” act .
Specifically , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to the company ’ s “ WARP ” system , which is a proprietary logistics software platform Tesla developed to oversee the manufacturing , warehousing , inventory , distribution , and transportation of its products .
Tesla says it learned of the theft thanks , in part , to a mistake email Tesla described what sounded like fairly incriminating evidence of the theft in its lawsuit .
It said that Scott Turner , who was previously a manager at one of Tesla ’ s distribution centers before joining Zoox , had emailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the physical layouts of certain Tesla warehouses ” to his personal email address with the words “ you sly dog you ... ” along with other documents that contained information about the company ’ s receiving and inventory procedures .
After Turner joined Zoox , Tesla alleged that he gave the startup “ names of at least four other Tesla employees ” with “ insights about their pay structure at Tesla.
” Christian Dement , a warehouse supervisor that Turner hired away from Tesla , allegedly emailed four confidential documents from his company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject “ Good Stuff.
” Tesla said it learned about the alleged theft after the third employee , Sydney Cooper , supposedly admitted to sending documents to Turner , and after the fourth , Craig Emigh , mistakenly sent an email to Cooper ’ s old Tesla address with a modified version of a proprietary Tesla document attached .
Neither Zoox nor the four employees ever officially disputed Tesla ’ s claims in court .
But the evidence itself never surfaced before this week ’ s settlement .

Self-driving startup Zoox has admitted that four of its employees took confidential documents from their previous employer Tesla, according to a statement issued after the company settled a lawsuit this week over the matter.
“Zoox acknowledges that certain of its new hires from Tesla were in possession of Tesla documents pertaining to shipping, receiving, and warehouse procedures when they joined Zoox’s logistics team,” the startup said in a statement to Reuters. Zoox says it will pay Tesla an undisclosed amount of money and will perform an audit to “ensure that no Zoox employees have retained or are using Tesla confidential information.”
Zoox says it “regrets the actions of those employees,” and says it will also “conduct enhanced confidentiality training to ensure that all Zoox employees are aware of and respect their confidentiality obligations.”
Tesla said it was a “blatant and intentional” act
The lawsuit was filed against Zoox and four Zoox employees in March 2019, all of whom had previously worked at Tesla. The Silicon Valley automaker claimed that those employees brought “proprietary information and trade secrets” about Tesla’s manufacturing operation to Zoox, which allegedly helped the startup “leapfrog past years of work needed to develop and run its own warehousing, logistics, and inventory control operations.”
Tesla said those employees “absconded with select proprietary Tesla documents” on their way to Zoox, in what the company called a “blatant and intentional” act. Specifically, the employees were accused of stealing confidential information related to the company’s “WARP” system, which is a proprietary logistics software platform Tesla developed to oversee the manufacturing, warehousing, inventory, distribution, and transportation of its products.
Tesla says it learned of the theft thanks, in part, to a mistake email
Tesla described what sounded like fairly incriminating evidence of the theft in its lawsuit. It said that Scott Turner, who was previously a manager at one of Tesla’s distribution centers before joining Zoox, had emailed “internal schematics and line drawings of the physical layouts of certain Tesla warehouses” to his personal email address with the words “you sly dog you...” along with other documents that contained information about the company’s receiving and inventory procedures.
After Turner joined Zoox, Tesla alleged that he gave the startup “names of at least four other Tesla employees” with “insights about their pay structure at Tesla.” Christian Dement, a warehouse supervisor that Turner hired away from Tesla, allegedly emailed four confidential documents from his company account to his personal address with the subject “Good Stuff.”
Tesla said it learned about the alleged theft after the third employee, Sydney Cooper, supposedly admitted to sending documents to Turner, and after the fourth, Craig Emigh, mistakenly sent an email to Cooper’s old Tesla address with a modified version of a proprietary Tesla document attached.


theverge--2020-04-15--Apple’s new iPhone SE doesn’t come with custom U1 locator chip

Apple ’ s new iPhone SE 2 combines some of the best components of the premium iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro with the design of the iPhone 8 , all for under $ 400 .
But one key component missing , as pointed out by MacRumors this afternoon , is Apple ’ s custom U1 ultra wideband chip , a lesser-known piece of hardware that was first introduced into the iPhone line last September .
The tech specs page for the device is posted on Apple ’ s website , and it leaves off the U1 chip under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chip effectively acts as a localized GPS that can operate with more precision , less power , and without needing to bounce signals off cell towers and satellites .
Apple refers to it as “ GPS at the scale of the living room , ” and it ’ s the technology underpinning software features like the new version of AirDrop that lets you point an iPhone 11 at someone to transfer a file wirelessly .
The U1 chip is believed to power the upcoming AirTags and CarKey feature It is also likely the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gadget , which has been rumored for quite a while and now on track to launch some time later this year , Bloomberg reports .
AirTags are apparently going to work similarly to Tile squares , in that you ’ ll be able to use them in conjunction with a compatible iOS device to locate items like your wallet or keys by relying on low-energy , short-range radio technology that is similar in design to Bluetooth .
So presumably , the new iPhone SE won ’ t be able to support that device @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely scenario that AirTags ( the confirmed name after a recent accidental Apple leak ) do rely on the U1 chip .
It also presumably won ’ t work with Apple ’ s new rumored CarKey feature , or the above mentioned directional version of AirDrop .
But the revamped iPhone SE does have a lot of other useful , up-to-date components , MacRumors points out .
That includes 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 like the iPhone 11 line , Bluetooth 5.0 , NFC , and what ’ s known as Express Cards support .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ paying for certain eligible public transit systems without you having to open an app or even wake the screen and authenticate with FaceID or TouchID .
For the latest iPhone models and the new SE , this even works when the phone is out of battery for up to five hours after the charge symbol pops up .
( The specification for that is “ Express Cards with power reserve ” in the tech spec sheet . )

Apple’s new iPhone SE 2 combines some of the best components of the premium iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro with the design of the iPhone 8, all for under $400. But one key component missing, as pointed out by MacRumors this afternoon, is Apple’s custom U1 ultra wideband chip, a lesser-known piece of hardware that was first introduced into the iPhone line last September. The tech specs page for the device is posted on Apple’s website, and it leaves off the U1 chip under the cellular and wireless section.
The U1 chip effectively acts as a localized GPS that can operate with more precision, less power, and without needing to bounce signals off cell towers and satellites. Apple refers to it as “GPS at the scale of the living room,” and it’s the technology underpinning software features like the new version of AirDrop that lets you point an iPhone 11 at someone to transfer a file wirelessly.
The U1 chip is believed to power the upcoming AirTags and CarKey feature
It is also likely the key component behind the upcoming Tile-like AirTags gadget, which has been rumored for quite a while and now on track to launch some time later this year, Bloomberg reports. AirTags are apparently going to work similarly to Tile squares, in that you’ll be able to use them in conjunction with a compatible iOS device to locate items like your wallet or keys by relying on low-energy, short-range radio technology that is similar in design to Bluetooth.
So presumably, the new iPhone SE won’t be able to support that device when it does launch, in the likely scenario that AirTags (the confirmed name after a recent accidental Apple leak) do rely on the U1 chip. It also presumably won’t work with Apple’s new rumored CarKey feature, or the above mentioned directional version of AirDrop.


theverge--2020-04-15--Apple is donating Product Red proceeds to COVID-19 response efforts

Apple will donate a portion of sales from Product Red products to a COVID-19 relief fund , the company announced today .
Product Red donations normally go toward fighting HIV/AIDS , but the organization has started directing money toward COVID-19 responses in light of the pandemic .
Now through September 30th , the tech giant will distribute some of the proceeds from the sale of Product Red gadgets and accessories to the Global Fund ’ s COVID-19 Response .
This includes Apple accessories , like Apple Watch bands or iPhone cases , and iPhones , including the Product Red color @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which is slated to launch on April 24th .
Apple said this new program will “ provide critical support in health systems ” Product Red is an ongoing partnership between Red and major companies , like Apple , Nike , and Starbucks , to raise funds , spread awareness , and eradicate HIV/AIDS in African countries .
However , amid the COVID-19 pandemic , Apple said this new program will “ provide critical support in health systems ” that are impacted by the novel coronavirus .
In 2018 , Apple said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Red and that it was the organization ’ s largest corporate donor .
Apple does not say how much money it redirects from each sale to the charity .
Apple has taken several actions to help address the pandemic , including partnering with Google to develop a contact tracking system for iOS and Android devices , which will share data through Bluetooth .

Apple will donate a portion of sales from Product Red products to a COVID-19 relief fund, the company announced today. Product Red donations normally go toward fighting HIV/AIDS, but the organization has started directing money toward COVID-19 responses in light of the pandemic.
Now through September 30th, the tech giant will distribute some of the proceeds from the sale of Product Red gadgets and accessories to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response. This includes Apple accessories, like Apple Watch bands or iPhone cases, and iPhones, including the Product Red color variant of the recently announced iPhone SE, which is slated to launch on April 24th.
Apple said this new program will “provide critical support in health systems”
Product Red is an ongoing partnership between Red and major companies, like Apple, Nike, and Starbucks, to raise funds, spread awareness, and eradicate HIV/AIDS in African countries. However, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Apple said this new program will “provide critical support in health systems” that are impacted by the novel coronavirus.
In 2018, Apple said it had raised $200 million for Product Red and that it was the organization’s largest corporate donor. Apple does not say how much money it redirects from each sale to the charity.


theverge--2020-04-15--Joe Biden still has to fight for the climate vote

After endorsements from Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) , Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) , and President Barack Obama , Joe Biden is now presumptive Democratic nominee — and the main alternative to a president who questions the science of climate change .
But for many environmental groups , he ’ s still a hard candidate to fight for .
“ For many environmental groups , he ’ s still a hard candidate to fight for.
” “ We have plans to mobilize against Trump , ” Tamara Toles O ’ Laughlin , North America director for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lighthearted chuckle when asked if her group planned to bring out voters for Joe Biden .
“ So I think that amounts to mobilizing our base of supporters and climate voters for whoever the general candidate is .
That person is Joe Biden at this moment.
” 350 Action had previously endorsed Sanders and Warren , and it ’ s one of the environmental groups that holds sway among young , progressive voters .
For it and similar organizations , a much tougher stance on fossil fuels from Biden could be the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for “ anyone but Trump , ” and a campaign that excites climate-concerned voters — particularly when it comes to youth .
“ Our goal is to turn out our generation to defeat Donald Trump , and as it stands right now it ’ s going to be significantly harder for us to do that .
Unless Joe Biden really shows young people that he ’ s ready to fight for us , then our job is going to get harder , ” says Stephen O ’ Hanlon , a spokesperson for Sunrise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previously endorsed Sanders .
It ’ s an influential group that has pushed for the Green New Deal and helped candidates like Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) win over young voters .
“ Unless Joe Biden really shows young people that he ’ s ready to fight for us , then our job is going to get harder.
” Climate change emerged as a leading issue during primary races , consistently coming out as the topic Democrats cared about most after health care in places like Iowa and Nevada .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ change had climbed into the top five when it came to the single most important issue registered voters considered when voting for a candidate , according to a January survey from Yale and George Mason University .
It was the top issue for liberal Democrats .
Among Republican voters , some of whom the Biden camp will likely need to steal away from Donald Trump in order to secure a win , climate change still isn ’ t polling well .
But there is a generational divide among younger and older Republicans on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans are more likely than their older counterparts to say that they ’ re worried about climate change , Yale research found .
“ Young Republicans are much more convinced that climate change is real , that this is human caused , and are worried about it .
They want action , ” Anthony Leiserowitz , director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication , told The Verge in February .
Millennial Republicans are more likely than their older counterparts to say that they ’ re worried about climate change Some of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Movement , Greenpeace , Friends of the Earth , and 350 Action , have already laid out what they want to see from Biden — and they haven ’ t been very impressed to date .
Hearkening back to the Obama-era , as Biden has done time and again on the campaign trail , may not mean much to voters who were kids when Obama championed liberal ideas .
Biden has campaigned on the promise of a sort of “ return to normal ” — an undoing of Trump ’ s reversal of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections .
“ We ’ ve already lost so much time , ” says Nicole Ghio , a program manager for the nonprofit Friends of the Earth .
“ We need a leader who ’ s willing to not just go back to where we were and try to undo Trump ’ s rollbacks , we need a leader who ’ s willing to be ambitious and make up time.
” Pretty much all of the Democratic primary candidates embraced similar science-backed climate goals of virtually eliminating fossil fuel emissions by 2050 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ budget , Biden ’ s climate plan calls for one-tenth of the investment in climate that Sanders ’ plan did .
Sanders ’ plan raised eyebrows for its $ 16 trillion price tag , but its embrace of a comprehensive Green New Deal won over environmental advocates .
Sunrise Movement and 350 Action tell The Verge they ’ re now looking for at least a $ 10 trillion climate commitment from Biden .
Biden ’ s climate plan calls for one-tenth of the investment in climate that Sanders ’ did Sanders will work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ force , Sanders announced this week after bowing out of the presidential race and endorsing his former opponent .
That move — along with the creation of similar task forces focused on issues including criminal justice reform and immigration — looks like a bid to bring Sanders ’ more progressive voters into Biden ’ s camp .
“ [ Biden ] needs a plan to stop digging oil , gas , and coal out of the ground , ” Ryan Schleeter , a spokesperson for Greenpeace , tells The Verge .
Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new permits for oil and gas on federal lands , which Schleeter says needs to be explicitly extended to coal as well .
And unlike Sanders ’ plan , Biden hasn ’ t gone so far as to call for an end to all existing operations pumping fossil fuels out of federal lands .
Biden just hasn ’ t distanced himself enough from fossil fuel interests in the eyes of the environmental groups The Verge spoke with .
“ He signed a ‘ no fossil fuel funding ’ pledge during the primary but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , ” Sunrise Movement ’ s O ’ Hanlon said .
Biden was called out during a primary debate in September for planning to attend a fundraiser hosted by the co-founder of a natural gas company .
After the criticism , he attended the fundraiser anyway .
And after consistent pressure from environmentalists to end fracking for oil and natural gas , Biden has only gone so far as to say he would stop giving permits for new fracking operations on federal lands .
“ [ Biden ] needs a plan to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coal out of the ground.
” Biden started off with a D- rating from Greenpeace when it debuted its environmental scorecard for presidential candidates last May .
He rose to a B grade after he released a more detailed climate plan the following week .
That showed that “ Pressure will get to [ Biden ] , ” Schleeter says .
“ And his campaign has got to be aware of the fact that young voters particularly rallied around Sanders .
Young voters care about climate change .
It ’ s an issue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and he needs to back that up with the policy specifics.
” On 350 Action ’ s scorecard for presidential candidates , Biden ’ s row is filled with question marks about his support for a Green New Deal , keeping fossil fuels in the ground and holding fossil fuel companies accountable for climate change .
“ It ’ s difficult for us to translate to our base that we can be wholeheartedly supportive of someone who isn ’ t moving in the direction of the future , ” 350 Action ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it comes to the question marks on her organization ’ s scorecard , she says , “ I think we ’ re holding space for all of the people who are waiting to find out , are you going to be our climate president ?
”

After endorsements from Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and President Barack Obama, Joe Biden is now presumptive Democratic nominee — and the main alternative to a president who questions the science of climate change. But for many environmental groups, he’s still a hard candidate to fight for.
“For many environmental groups, he’s still a hard candidate to fight for.”
“We have plans to mobilize against Trump,” Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, North America director for the environmental group 350 Action, said with a lighthearted chuckle when asked if her group planned to bring out voters for Joe Biden. “So I think that amounts to mobilizing our base of supporters and climate voters for whoever the general candidate is. That person is Joe Biden at this moment.”
350 Action had previously endorsed Sanders and Warren, and it’s one of the environmental groups that holds sway among young, progressive voters. For it and similar organizations, a much tougher stance on fossil fuels from Biden could be the difference between a lackluster Democratic voter turnout for “anyone but Trump,” and a campaign that excites climate-concerned voters — particularly when it comes to youth.
“Our goal is to turn out our generation to defeat Donald Trump, and as it stands right now it’s going to be significantly harder for us to do that. Unless Joe Biden really shows young people that he’s ready to fight for us, then our job is going to get harder,” says Stephen O’Hanlon, a spokesperson for Sunrise Movement, a youth-led environmental organization that previously endorsed Sanders. It’s an influential group that has pushed for the Green New Deal and helped candidates like Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) win over young voters.
“Unless Joe Biden really shows young people that he’s ready to fight for us, then our job is going to get harder.”
Climate change emerged as a leading issue during primary races, consistently coming out as the topic Democrats cared about most after health care in places like Iowa and Nevada. By November of last year, climate change had climbed into the top five when it came to the single most important issue registered voters considered when voting for a candidate, according to a January survey from Yale and George Mason University. It was the top issue for liberal Democrats.
Among Republican voters, some of whom the Biden camp will likely need to steal away from Donald Trump in order to secure a win, climate change still isn’t polling well. But there is a generational divide among younger and older Republicans on the topic of climate change. Millennial Republicans are more likely than their older counterparts to say that they’re worried about climate change, Yale research found. “Young Republicans are much more convinced that climate change is real, that this is human caused, and are worried about it. They want action,” Anthony Leiserowitz, director of the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, told The Verge in February.
Millennial Republicans are more likely than their older counterparts to say that they’re worried about climate change
Some of the big green groups, including Sunrise Movement, Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, and 350 Action, have already laid out what they want to see from Biden — and they haven’t been very impressed to date. Hearkening back to the Obama-era, as Biden has done time and again on the campaign trail, may not mean much to voters who were kids when Obama championed liberal ideas. Biden has campaigned on the promise of a sort of “return to normal” — an undoing of Trump’s reversal of Obama-era policy, which included many environmental protections.
“We’ve already lost so much time,” says Nicole Ghio, a program manager for the nonprofit Friends of the Earth. “We need a leader who’s willing to not just go back to where we were and try to undo Trump’s rollbacks, we need a leader who’s willing to be ambitious and make up time.”
Pretty much all of the Democratic primary candidates embraced similar science-backed climate goals of virtually eliminating fossil fuel emissions by 2050. But with a $1.7 trillion proposed budget, Biden’s climate plan calls for one-tenth of the investment in climate that Sanders’ plan did. Sanders’ plan raised eyebrows for its $16 trillion price tag, but its embrace of a comprehensive Green New Deal won over environmental advocates. Sunrise Movement and 350 Action tell The Verge they’re now looking for at least a $10 trillion climate commitment from Biden.
Biden’s climate plan calls for one-tenth of the investment in climate that Sanders’ did
Sanders will work with Biden on a climate change task force, Sanders announced this week after bowing out of the presidential race and endorsing his former opponent. That move — along with the creation of similar task forces focused on issues including criminal justice reform and immigration — looks like a bid to bring Sanders’ more progressive voters into Biden’s camp.
“[Biden] needs a plan to stop digging oil, gas, and coal out of the ground,” Ryan Schleeter, a spokesperson for Greenpeace, tells The Verge. Biden’s plan calls for an end to new permits for oil and gas on federal lands, which Schleeter says needs to be explicitly extended to coal as well. And unlike Sanders’ plan, Biden hasn’t gone so far as to call for an end to all existing operations pumping fossil fuels out of federal lands.
Biden just hasn’t distanced himself enough from fossil fuel interests in the eyes of the environmental groups The Verge spoke with. “He signed a ‘no fossil fuel funding’ pledge during the primary but then sort of skirted the edges of it,” Sunrise Movement’s O’Hanlon said. Biden was called out during a primary debate in September for planning to attend a fundraiser hosted by the co-founder of a natural gas company. After the criticism, he attended the fundraiser anyway. And after consistent pressure from environmentalists to end fracking for oil and natural gas, Biden has only gone so far as to say he would stop giving permits for new fracking operations on federal lands.
“[Biden] needs a plan to stop digging oil, gas, and coal out of the ground.”
Biden started off with a D- rating from Greenpeace when it debuted its environmental scorecard for presidential candidates last May. He rose to a B grade after he released a more detailed climate plan the following week. That showed that “Pressure will get to [Biden],” Schleeter says. “And his campaign has got to be aware of the fact that young voters particularly rallied around Sanders. Young voters care about climate change. It’s an issue that he needs to remain vocal on, and he needs to back that up with the policy specifics.”
On 350 Action’s scorecard for presidential candidates, Biden’s row is filled with question marks about his support for a Green New Deal, keeping fossil fuels in the ground and holding fossil fuel companies accountable for climate change.


theverge--2020-04-15--Even ‘small’ phones are big now

Even ‘small’ phones are big now

It ’ s been a bad year for small phone lovers .
It ’ s no secret that the average size of new smartphones has increased dramatically over the past few years .
But this year it feels like the idea of a small phone you ’ d actually want to use as a primary device ( read : not whatever that Palm phone was trying to be a couple years back ) is truly dead and gone .
Earlier today , Apple announced the second-generation iPhone SE , which is basically an iPhone 8 with the processor of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first iPhone SE , which Apple released in 2016 and stopped selling some time in 2018 .
The new SE shares the original ’ s attractive price point and fingerprint-scanning home button , but it ’ s a significantly larger device .
It has a 4.7-inch display compared to the original ’ s four-inch screen and the entire phone is almost 30 percent bigger .
Sure , the new SE is smaller than the rest of Apple ’ s current lineup and is smaller than basically any Android phone you can buy now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for something truly small , along the lines of the original , it ’ s not what you ’ ve been waiting for .
This trend is also reflected in Samsung ’ s recent Galaxy S20 lineup .
The smallest model available has a 6.2-inch screen and is undeniably a Big Phone .
The step-up S20 Plus and S20 Ultra go out of their way to push the boundaries of how big a phone can be .
A year ago , Samsung released the 5.8-inch S10E alongside its bigger phones , but this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Perhaps the worst offender of calling a big phone small is OnePlus .
This week , the company had the gall to introduce its new OnePlus 8 as having a “ compact ” design , despite the fact that it has a 6.55-inch screen and is bigger than most other phones on the market right now .
The OnePlus 8 may be slightly smaller than the even-larger OnePlus 8 Pro , but it ’ s laughable to think that a phone that measures over six inches tall and almost three inches wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re a fan of bigger phones and all of the benefits they bring , such as more immersive screens , bigger batteries , and more wireless radios , you may think the idea of a small phone is quaint in the middle of 2020 .
After all , your phone is likely to be your most-used computer and the most important gadget in your life .
But if you ’ re someone who has trouble using today ’ s phones in one hand , or keeping them in the pocket of your favorite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ iPhone SE 2 is still a big phone , regardless of the fact that Apple referred to it as having a “ small 4.7-inch design ” in the hype video introducing the product .
Today ’ s phone makers are basically saying , “ suck it up and deal with a big phone that may not fit your needs.
” It ’ s easy to see why Apple went with the larger design for the new model : the company claims this size is the most popular iPhone ever released , and on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easier to fit components into a larger frame than a smaller one .
Plus , Apple has years of experience with this basic form factor , going all the way back to the iPhone 6 .
In fact , if you cast your memory back to that time , you might recall that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were worldwide blockbusters because Apple was finally meeting demand for big phones .
What was big in 2014 is now small in 2020 .
We can talk about those industry trends for days , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those that just want a smaller phone .
Rumors have it that Apple is planning to release a multitude of new iPhone models later this year , including one with a 5.4-inch , edge-to-edge screen ( read : without the chunky bezels found on the SE 2 ) that should be smaller than the 5.8-inch iPhone 11 Pro is now .
But it ’ s unlikely that new model , should it be released , will reach the compact dimensions of the original SE , and small-phone wanters will likely be left @ @ @ @ @ @

It’s been a bad year for small phone lovers. It’s no secret that the average size of new smartphones has increased dramatically over the past few years. But this year it feels like the idea of a small phone you’d actually want to use as a primary device (read: not whatever that Palm phone was trying to be a couple years back) is truly dead and gone.
Earlier today, Apple announced the second-generation iPhone SE, which is basically an iPhone 8 with the processor of the iPhone 11. It officially replaces the first iPhone SE, which Apple released in 2016 and stopped selling some time in 2018. The new SE shares the original’s attractive price point and fingerprint-scanning home button, but it’s a significantly larger device. It has a 4.7-inch display compared to the original’s four-inch screen and the entire phone is almost 30 percent bigger.
Sure, the new SE is smaller than the rest of Apple’s current lineup and is smaller than basically any Android phone you can buy now. But if you were holding out for something truly small, along the lines of the original, it’s not what you’ve been waiting for.
The original iPhone SE is dwarfed by Apple’s current models. Image: Dan Seifert / The Verge
This trend is also reflected in Samsung’s recent Galaxy S20 lineup. The smallest model available has a 6.2-inch screen and is undeniably a Big Phone. The step-up S20 Plus and S20 Ultra go out of their way to push the boundaries of how big a phone can be. A year ago, Samsung released the 5.8-inch S10E alongside its bigger phones, but this year there’s no such option.
Perhaps the worst offender of calling a big phone small is OnePlus. This week, the company had the gall to introduce its new OnePlus 8 as having a “compact” design, despite the fact that it has a 6.55-inch screen and is bigger than most other phones on the market right now. The OnePlus 8 may be slightly smaller than the even-larger OnePlus 8 Pro, but it’s laughable to think that a phone that measures over six inches tall and almost three inches wide is “compact.”
If you’re a fan of bigger phones and all of the benefits they bring, such as more immersive screens, bigger batteries, and more wireless radios, you may think the idea of a small phone is quaint in the middle of 2020. After all, your phone is likely to be your most-used computer and the most important gadget in your life.
But if you’re someone who has trouble using today’s phones in one hand, or keeping them in the pocket of your favorite jeans, you know that the 4.7-inch iPhone SE 2 is still a big phone, regardless of the fact that Apple referred to it as having a “small 4.7-inch design” in the hype video introducing the product. Today’s phone makers are basically saying, “suck it up and deal with a big phone that may not fit your needs.”
It’s easy to see why Apple went with the larger design for the new model: the company claims this size is the most popular iPhone ever released, and on a technical level, it’s easier to fit components into a larger frame than a smaller one.
Plus, Apple has years of experience with this basic form factor, going all the way back to the iPhone 6. In fact, if you cast your memory back to that time, you might recall that the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus were worldwide blockbusters because Apple was finally meeting demand for big phones. What was big in 2014 is now small in 2020.
We can talk about those industry trends for days, but all that would be little consolation to those that just want a smaller phone.


theverge--2020-04-15--Charter customers who pay for HBO will get HBO Max free when it launches next month

Customers who currently subscribe to HBO through Charter , including those who pay for Charter ’ s Silver and Gold video packages , will get access to WarnerMedia ’ s new HBO Max streaming service when it launches next month .
All of Charter ’ s current HBO subscribers will automatically get access to HBO Max for no additional charge , “ and with no action required other than signing into the HBO Max app , ” according to a press release issued by WarnerMedia today .
Other Charter customers will also be able to purchase HBO Max directly from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like how current HBO subscribers have access to HBO Go , Max is an upgrade for those already with HBO .
“ This new premium streaming experience will be a welcome addition to Spectrum subscribers ; we will offer HBO Max on a multitude of platforms for purchase by our video , broadband and mobile customers alike , ” said Tom Montemagno , Charter ’ s executive vice president of programming acquisition .
Back in October when AT & T and WarnerMedia executives spoke about the direct-to-consumer streaming platform , they stressed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure HBO Max is available to as many customers as possible .
Charter is one of the United States ’ second biggest cable provider , alongside AT & T and Comcast — which launched the first wave of its own streaming service , Peacock , today .
AT & T will use its own network to try to migrate people over to the app , too .
Existing HBO subscribers on AT & T ( approximately 10 million ) and HBO Now direct billing subscribers will get HBO Max for free .
Customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s premium video , mobile , and broadband packages will be offered bundles at launch with HBO Max at no additional cost .
AT & T also worked out a deal with YouTube to ensure that HBO Max will be offered via YouTube TV .
AT & T estimates that HBO Max will have 50 million subscribers in the United States by 2024 .
Being able to give Max to as many paying subscribers as possible is crucial , especially when the cost of Max is considered .
HBO Max is one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ market , coming in at $ 14.99 a month .
That ’ s the same price as what customers pay for the network via their cable packages , as well as the price of HBO ’ s current standalone streaming app , HBO Now .
HBO Max will combine all of HBO ’ s offerings with a slew of original titles ( although some , like the Friends reunion special , are facing delays following production issues caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic ) , Warner Bros. movies , and more .
HBO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No official date has been announced at this time .

Customers who currently subscribe to HBO through Charter, including those who pay for Charter’s Silver and Gold video packages, will get access to WarnerMedia’s new HBO Max streaming service when it launches next month.
All of Charter’s current HBO subscribers will automatically get access to HBO Max for no additional charge, “and with no action required other than signing into the HBO Max app,” according to a press release issued by WarnerMedia today. Other Charter customers will also be able to purchase HBO Max directly from the cable and internet provider. Much like how current HBO subscribers have access to HBO Go, Max is an upgrade for those already with HBO.
“This new premium streaming experience will be a welcome addition to Spectrum subscribers; we will offer HBO Max on a multitude of platforms for purchase by our video, broadband and mobile customers alike,” said Tom Montemagno, Charter’s executive vice president of programming acquisition.
Back in October when AT&T and WarnerMedia executives spoke about the direct-to-consumer streaming platform, they stressed the importance of partnering with different carriers to ensure HBO Max is available to as many customers as possible. Charter is one of the United States’ second biggest cable provider, alongside AT&T and Comcast — which launched the first wave of its own streaming service, Peacock, today.
AT&T will use its own network to try to migrate people over to the app, too. Existing HBO subscribers on AT&T (approximately 10 million) and HBO Now direct billing subscribers will get HBO Max for free. Customers who subscribe to AT&T’s premium video, mobile, and broadband packages will be offered bundles at launch with HBO Max at no additional cost. AT&T also worked out a deal with YouTube to ensure that HBO Max will be offered via YouTube TV. AT&T estimates that HBO Max will have 50 million subscribers in the United States by 2024.
Being able to give Max to as many paying subscribers as possible is crucial, especially when the cost of Max is considered. HBO Max is one of the most expensive streaming services on the market, coming in at $14.99 a month. That’s the same price as what customers pay for the network via their cable packages, as well as the price of HBO’s current standalone streaming app, HBO Now. HBO Max will combine all of HBO’s offerings with a slew of original titles (although some, like the Friends reunion special, are facing delays following production issues caused by the novel coronavirus pandemic), Warner Bros. movies, and more.


theverge--2020-04-16--TikTok now lets parents set restrictions on their kids’ accounts

TikTok is amping up its parental controls today with a feature that lets parents remotely set restrictions on their kids ’ accounts .
The new feature , called Family Pairing , allows parents to link their kids ’ accounts to their own , where they ’ ll be able to disable direct messages , turn on restricted content mode , and set screen time limits .
The update is a big step forward from where TikTok was a year ago .
In February 2019 , the company paid $ 5.7 million to the Federal Trade Commission over alleged violations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in part for allowing users under 13 years old to sign up without parental consent .
TikTok has since made changes to comply with the law , and it ’ s added features like screen time limits to give users and parents more control over the app , which is incredibly popular with teens .
TikTok began rolling out these same features , under the name “ Family Safety Mode , ” in Europe earlier this year .
Direct messages are being disabled for users under 16 Today ’ s update makes those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Once two accounts are linked , parents can control a kid ’ s settings from their own phone .
Previously , they ’ d have to set these restrictions within the app on their kid ’ s device .
TikTok offered passcodes so that some settings couldn ’ t be turned off without consent , but it was clearly a less convenient solution and didn ’ t put the controls directly in parents ’ hands .
Parents will still have to get their kids to agree to have their accounts linked under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , parents need to scan a QR code inside the digital wellbeing section of their kid ’ s account .
Kids will be able to disable the feature at any time , though there are some roadblocks : parents will receive a notification , and they ’ ll have a chance to re-link the account in case it was disconnected by accident .
Along with the new features , TikTok is also making another change today : it ’ s disabling direct messages for all users under 16 .
BuzzFeed News reported last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ predators messaging younger users .

TikTok is amping up its parental controls today with a feature that lets parents remotely set restrictions on their kids’ accounts. The new feature, called Family Pairing, allows parents to link their kids’ accounts to their own, where they’ll be able to disable direct messages, turn on restricted content mode, and set screen time limits.
The update is a big step forward from where TikTok was a year ago. In February 2019, the company paid $5.7 million to the Federal Trade Commission over alleged violations of a children’s privacy law, in part for allowing users under 13 years old to sign up without parental consent. TikTok has since made changes to comply with the law, and it’s added features like screen time limits to give users and parents more control over the app, which is incredibly popular with teens. TikTok began rolling out these same features, under the name “Family Safety Mode,” in Europe earlier this year.
Direct messages are being disabled for users under 16
Today’s update makes those limits a lot easier to set. Once two accounts are linked, parents can control a kid’s settings from their own phone. Previously, they’d have to set these restrictions within the app on their kid’s device. TikTok offered passcodes so that some settings couldn’t be turned off without consent, but it was clearly a less convenient solution and didn’t put the controls directly in parents’ hands.
Parents will still have to get their kids to agree to have their accounts linked under the new system. To set it up, parents need to scan a QR code inside the digital wellbeing section of their kid’s account. Kids will be able to disable the feature at any time, though there are some roadblocks: parents will receive a notification, and they’ll have a chance to re-link the account in case it was disconnected by accident.


theverge--2020-04-16--Can the Nintendo Switch run Crysis? We’re about to find out

A new leak has revealed that Crysis Remastered is coming to the Nintendo Switch .
If you ’ ve ever asked the question “ can the Nintendo Switch run Crysis ?
” then it looks like we ’ re about to find out .
Twitter user Iashman spotted a website for Crysis Remastered , which has now been removed , and it included some brief details about the upcoming game : Artwork for the game has also leaked , further confirming the open world sci-fi first-person shooter is coming to the Nintendo Switch .
Crytek has not officially announced the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an announcement is imminent .
The ray tracing mention could mean we see this appear for the next-gen PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles , too .
The page also includes some text that suggests Crytek is still working on its teaser site .
It reads “ please , use this one : Crytek ’ s ground-breaking , critically acclaimed first person shooter is back !
Crysis Remastered is coming to PC , PlayStation 4 , Xbox One , and Nintendo Switch — the game ’ s debut on a Nintendo platform.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more information on Crysis Remastered , and we ’ ll update you accordingly .

If you’ve ever asked the question “can the Nintendo Switch run Crysis?” then it looks like we’re about to find out.
Crysis Remastered, an updated version of the first-person shooter from developer Crytek, is coming not only to PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, but also the Nintendo Switch. Crytek confirmed the news in a blog post published Thursday following a leak. The remaster is scheduled to launch this summer.
“We are excited to be working on the Crysis franchise again, and to bring all the Crysis fans a remaster worthy of their passion for the game,” said Crytek CEO Avni Yerli. “It’s an exciting opportunity to be able to bring Crysis back to PCs and current consoles — even Nintendo Switch! — so that a whole new generation of players can experience the thrill of a battle in the Nanosuit.”
Earlier today, Twitter user Iashman spotted a website for Crysis Remastered, which has now been removed, and it included some brief details about the upcoming game:
“Crysis Remastered brings new graphic features, high-quality textures, and the CRYENGINE’s native hardware- and API-agnostic ray tracing solution for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and – for the very first time – Nintendo Switch.”
Artwork for the game has also leaked, further confirming the open world sci-fi first-person shooter is coming to the Nintendo Switch. Now that Crytek has made it official, we know a bit more about what the developer is aiming for with its remaster.
“Crysis Remastered will focus on the original game’s single-player campaigns and is slated to contain high-quality textures and improved art assets, an HD texture pack, temporal anti-aliasing, SSDO, SVOGI, state-of-the-art depth fields, new light settings, motion blur, and parallax occlusion mapping, particle effects will also be added where applicable,” reads the blog post. “Further additions such as volumetric fog and shafts of light, software-based ray tracing, and screen space reflections provide the game with a major visual upgrade.”


theverge--2020-04-16--Apple’s over-ear headphones reportedly have swappable ear pads and headbands

Apple ’ s unannounced high-end over-ear headphones will reportedly come with interchangeable parts .
Bloomberg reports that Apple is developing new high-end headphones that include swappable ear pads and headbands that magnetically attach .
The modular design , similar to some other high-end headphone brands , is reportedly designed for owners to switch out parts during exercise sessions .
That sounds a lot like what Apple currently offers with its Watch , where owners can swap out bands to a more sport-like version when they ’ re exercising .
The headphones are also said to include Siri support for voice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built-in touch controls .
Apple currently sells over-ear headphones made by its Beats sub-brand Apple ’ s new high-end headphones will likely go head-to-head with similar premium over-ear headphones like Sony ’ s 1000XM3 , Bose ’ s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 , or Sennheiser ’ s third-gen Momentum Wireless headphones .
If Apple ’ s competitor headphones are priced the same , then they ’ ll be around $ 350-400 .
Bloomberg says Apple is planning to unveil the headphones later this year , but the ongoing coronavirus pandemic could complicate launch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these new headphones for two years .
Reports have previously surfaced that Apple is working on its own Apple-branded over-ear headphones instead of the Beats-branded ones that the company currently sells .

Apple’s unannounced high-end over-ear headphones will reportedly come with interchangeable parts. Bloomberg reports that Apple is developing new high-end headphones that include swappable ear pads and headbands that magnetically attach. The modular design, similar to some other high-end headphone brands, is reportedly designed for owners to switch out parts during exercise sessions.
That sounds a lot like what Apple currently offers with its Watch, where owners can swap out bands to a more sport-like version when they’re exercising. The headphones are also said to include Siri support for voice control, noise cancellation, and some built-in touch controls.
Apple currently sells over-ear headphones made by its Beats sub-brand
Apple’s new high-end headphones will likely go head-to-head with similar premium over-ear headphones like Sony’s 1000XM3, Bose’s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, or Sennheiser’s third-gen Momentum Wireless headphones. If Apple’s competitor headphones are priced the same, then they’ll be around $350-400.


theverge--2020-04-16--The new iPhone SE is a shockingly good value

Yesterday , Apple announced the new $ 399 iPhone SE .
The TL ; DR appears to be really simple : the iPhone 8 ’ s body , the iPhone 11 ’ s processor , and the iPhone XR ’ s camera system with a few new capabilities .
I ’ ll obviously wait to review this phone to tell you if it ’ s any good , but assuming Apple lives up to its usual standards I can tell you something right away : At $ 399 , the second-generation iPhone SE is a shockingly good value .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SE ’ s value proposition is simply that it has the A13 Bionic processor , which is bar-none the fastest processor you can get on any smartphone at any price , full stop .
You could spend $ 1,449 on a fully maxed-out iPhone 11 Pro Max and it wouldn ’ t be faster than the iPhone SE .
You could spend $ 1599.99 on a maxed-out Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and it would be theoretically slower ( with the exception of 5G downloads ) .
This isn ’ t just a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a matter of the longevity of the phone itself .
More than any other phone company , Apple supports its phones for a very long time .
Since this iPhone SE has the most modern processor available , it ’ s quite likely that it will receive software updates for many years to come .
Hell , Apple even did the right thing with storage : offering a humane 64GB at the base level and making the 128GB model only $ 50 more .
Over the course of 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you could get in a long series of relatively inexpensive Android phones .
That ’ s still true today , but those phones will receive three years of updates from Google at most .
And as my colleague Chris Welch will argue later today , the iPhone SE sets a bar that the upcoming Google Pixel 4A will have an incredibly difficult time clearing .
Again , we ’ ll need to review the new iPhone SE and the Pixel 4A to know whether one of them has an advantage with any particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So no final judgements here .
But I just need to point out that for most of 2018 and 2019 , every Android maker has had a bit of a green field to play in : phones that cost less than $ 500 .
Google , Asus , Samsung , and many others did good work in that green field , but now there ’ s real competition from Apple .
On Tuesday in this newsletter , I had half a thought about these low-cost phones .
Forgive me for quoting myself : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 11 or 11 Pro on most of those metrics ?
Nope .
But when I wrote that I hadn ’ t imagined that Apple would use its newest chip .
The inclusion of the A13 Bionic means the SE will match the most luxurious phone on speed and on longevity .
I know I ’ ve now brought up software updates twice now , but it ’ s super important .
$ 399 spent on this iPhone SE means it ’ s less likely you ’ ll be forced to spend another $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There are several things to be bummed about with the iPhone SE 2 — starting with the fact that Apple calls it the “ second-generation iPhone SE , ” which is a bad name .
Eventually we ’ ll settle on what to call it , but until then prepare for iPhone SE , second-generation iPhone SE , iPhone SE 2 , iPhone SE ( 2020 ) , the new iPhone SE , and probably something I can ’ t imagine right now .
Ugh .
It doesn ’ t matter that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the parts are good I kid , that ’ s not really a real problem .
Neither is the claim that this is just a “ parts bin ” phone .
Yes , Apple is using a lot of parts that have been bouncing around its product lines for years .
But , and I want you to really feel this : who cares ?
It doesn ’ t matter how old the parts are if they ’ re good .
No , there are real issues we know about already just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this form factor — the same as the iPhone 6 — isn ’ t especially inspiring .
I hate the size of the bezels .
It seems like a petty complaint , but reducing them really does change your experience .
You get more screen in a smaller body .
Plus , it ’ s something most Android phones accomplished by putting a fingerprint sensor on the back or under the screen .
Speaking of size , this iPhone SE is larger than the last iPhone SE , which means that even ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Dan Seifert observed yesterday .
Finding a truly good , truly small smartphone is nigh impossible right now .
Yes , it ’ s okay to be a little bummed about the missing headphone jack And though I know many people will tell me to just get over it already , the fact that this low-cost iPhone lacks a traditional headphone jack is a bit of a bummer .
Other low-cost Android phones explicitly include them .
Bluetooth headphones aren ’ t just another thing to charge , they ’ re another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could break .
Apple has a reputation for overcharging for hardware .
It ’ s become a point of contention in the flamewars between Apple , Windows , and Android stans .
My take is that sometimes Apple is guilty and sometimes it ’ s not .
The new MacBook Air is a great value .
Selling Mac Pro wheels for $ 699 and literal metal posts for $ 299 is so incredibly hilarious that even pointing out that it ’ s become self-parody feels so obvious it ’ s embarrassing .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( or whatever we decide to call it ) is not just a good value for Apple .
It ’ s one of the very best values I ’ ve seen in the smartphone market in years .
In theory , at least : now we just have to test it and see if it lives up to its spec sheet .
┏ Apple ’ s second-gen iPhone SE is here : all the news and details .
Here ’ s a story stream of all of our iPhone SE 2 coverage .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ camera setup is going to lean on Apple ’ s software .
Jon Porter on how Apple ’ s advances in image processing are going to be vital to this phone ’ s success .
┏ Apple ’ s new iPhone SE doesn ’ t come with custom U1 locator chip .
It ’ s not in the new iPad Pro with LiDAR either , where you would think it would make sense as the iPad Pro is practically designed for AR and AR development .
I don ’ t know what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or AirTags ) , but increasingly it feels like something is weird about the whole thing .
┏ Apple ’ s new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro goes up for preorder , ships next week .
Here ’ s something unexpected !
Long ago I promised to share my thoughts on the trackpad support in iPadOS but haven ’ t really finished that thought yet .
When I review this , I will .
More from The Verge ┏ Dell ’ s new XPS 13 is everything a Windows laptop should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be a contender for best Windows laptop of 2020 , if not best laptop full stop : ┏ The TurboGrafx-16 Mini is a great plug-and-play console that doubles as a history lesson .
Andrew Webster reviews : ┏ Google and Apple ’ s COVID-19 tracking system can ’ t save lives all on its own .
Nicole Wetsman on what the rollout of this system should actually look like .
It ’ s clearly built to be part of a larger system of testing and communal action .
If the latter doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be of use ( and could actually be a detriment ) .
As ever , we need more testing , more PPE , and consistent guidance from political leaders .
All three are in short supply .
┏ How GM and Ford switched out pickup trucks for breathing machines .
Sean O ’ Kane explains how ventilators are much more complicated than you might realize .
┏ Russia conducts another test of its missile system to take out satellites .
Loren Grush explains many of the reasons why these tests are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Payment Status Not Available ’ on the IRS coronavirus aid site means .
Bad error messages are terrible in the best situations .
Here , it ’ s awful , and Adi Robertson tells us exactly why this dark pattern is a huge problem .
┏ How a new book about Instagram changes our understanding of the founders ’ departure .
Casey Newton has a review and some insight on Sarah Frier ’ s new book : No Filter : The Inside Story of Instagram .
I ’ ve fallen out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from home so much , but I am excited enough about this book that I think it ’ ll push me back into it again .
┏ Ecobee ’ s new security camera doubles as an Alexa speaker .
Dan Seifert looks at Ecobee ’ s new product line , which you can turn into an inexpensive home security system .

Yesterday, Apple announced the new $399 iPhone SE. The TL;DR appears to be really simple: the iPhone 8’s body, the iPhone 11’s processor, and the iPhone XR’s camera system with a few new capabilities. I’ll obviously wait to review this phone to tell you if it’s any good, but assuming Apple lives up to its usual standards I can tell you something right away:
At $399, the second-generation iPhone SE is a shockingly good value.
The most important thing to know about the SE’s value proposition is simply that it has the A13 Bionic processor, which is bar-none the fastest processor you can get on any smartphone at any price, full stop. You could spend $1,449 on a fully maxed-out iPhone 11 Pro Max and it wouldn’t be faster than the iPhone SE. You could spend $1599.99 on a maxed-out Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and it would be theoretically slower (with the exception of 5G downloads).
This isn’t just a matter of processor megahertz per buck, it’s a matter of the longevity of the phone itself. More than any other phone company, Apple supports its phones for a very long time. Since this iPhone SE has the most modern processor available, it’s quite likely that it will receive software updates for many years to come.
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Hell, Apple even did the right thing with storage: offering a humane 64GB at the base level and making the 128GB model only $50 more.
Over the course of 2019, we marveled at the level of quality you could get in a long series of relatively inexpensive Android phones. That’s still true today, but those phones will receive three years of updates from Google at most. And as my colleague Chris Welch will argue later today, the iPhone SE sets a bar that the upcoming Google Pixel 4A will have an incredibly difficult time clearing.
Again, we’ll need to review the new iPhone SE and the Pixel 4A to know whether one of them has an advantage with any particular feature (like the camera). So no final judgements here. But I just need to point out that for most of 2018 and 2019, every Android maker has had a bit of a green field to play in: phones that cost less than $500.
Google, Asus, Samsung, and many others did good work in that green field, but now there’s real competition from Apple.
On Tuesday in this newsletter, I had half a thought about these low-cost phones. Forgive me for quoting myself:
Increasingly, I find that “flagship” phones are mainly about luxuries instead of tangible benefits to most people. Those luxuries include screen quality, 5G, wireless charging, face unlock, speed, overall build quality, camera quality, and a smattering of other things.
Will the iPhone SE match the iPhone 11 or 11 Pro on most of those metrics? Nope. But when I wrote that I hadn’t imagined that Apple would use its newest chip. The inclusion of the A13 Bionic means the SE will match the most luxurious phone on speed and on longevity.
I know I’ve now brought up software updates twice now, but it’s super important. $399 spent on this iPhone SE means it’s less likely you’ll be forced to spend another $399 next year or the year after.
There are several things to be bummed about with the iPhone SE 2 — starting with the fact that Apple calls it the “second-generation iPhone SE,” which is a bad name. Eventually we’ll settle on what to call it, but until then prepare for iPhone SE, second-generation iPhone SE, iPhone SE 2, iPhone SE (2020), the new iPhone SE, and probably something I can’t imagine right now. Ugh.
It doesn’t matter that it’s a parts bin phone if the parts are good
I kid, that’s not really a real problem. Neither is the claim that this is just a “parts bin” phone. Yes, Apple is using a lot of parts that have been bouncing around its product lines for years. But, and I want you to really feel this: who cares? It doesn’t matter how old the parts are if they’re good.
No, there are real issues we know about already just from the basics. For example, this form factor — the same as the iPhone 6 — isn’t especially inspiring. I hate the size of the bezels. It seems like a petty complaint, but reducing them really does change your experience. You get more screen in a smaller body. Plus, it’s something most Android phones accomplished by putting a fingerprint sensor on the back or under the screen.
Speaking of size, this iPhone SE is larger than the last iPhone SE, which means that even ‘small’ phones are big now, as Dan Seifert observed yesterday. Finding a truly good, truly small smartphone is nigh impossible right now.
Yes, it’s okay to be a little bummed about the missing headphone jack
And though I know many people will tell me to just get over it already, the fact that this low-cost iPhone lacks a traditional headphone jack is a bit of a bummer. Other low-cost Android phones explicitly include them. Bluetooth headphones aren’t just another thing to charge, they’re another thing to buy and another thing that could break.
Apple has a reputation for overcharging for hardware. It’s become a point of contention in the flamewars between Apple, Windows, and Android stans. My take is that sometimes Apple is guilty and sometimes it’s not. The new MacBook Air is a great value. Selling Mac Pro wheels for $699 and literal metal posts for $299 is so incredibly hilarious that even pointing out that it’s become self-parody feels so obvious it’s embarrassing.
On that spectrum, the new iPhone SE (or whatever we decide to call it) is not just a good value for Apple. It’s one of the very best values I’ve seen in the smartphone market in years. In theory, at least: now we just have to test it and see if it lives up to its spec sheet.
More from Apple’s announcements
┏ Apple’s second-gen iPhone SE is here: all the news and details. Here’s a story stream of all of our iPhone SE 2 coverage.
┏ The iPhone SE 2’s camera setup is going to lean on Apple’s software. Jon Porter on how Apple’s advances in image processing are going to be vital to this phone’s success.
┏ Apple’s new iPhone SE doesn’t come with custom U1 locator chip. It’s not in the new iPad Pro with LiDAR either, where you would think it would make sense as the iPad Pro is practically designed for AR and AR development. I don’t know what’s up with the U1 chip (or AirTags), but increasingly it feels like something is weird about the whole thing.
┏ Apple’s new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro goes up for preorder, ships next week. Here’s something unexpected! Long ago I promised to share my thoughts on the trackpad support in iPadOS but haven’t really finished that thought yet. When I review this, I will.
More from The Verge
┏ Dell’s new XPS 13 is everything a Windows laptop should be. Monica Chin on what is going to be a contender for best Windows laptop of 2020, if not best laptop full stop:
The XPS 13 speaks for itself. This isn’t a laptop that’s trying to push boundaries or rewrite the rules; it’s just giving users what they want. I would take a better webcam, I would take better cooling, I would take a USB-A, and I would take a slightly more color-accurate screen. But none of those are glaring flaws because they aren’t big impediments to the user experience. And in the areas that matter most — build, display, keyboard, touchpad, battery life, performance — the XPS 13 doesn’t just check all the boxes. It blows the boxes off the page.
The TurboGrafx-16 Mini fills a different niche. For many people, it won’t be a chance to revisit classic games from their youth, but instead an opportunity to discover a period of retro gaming they likely missed the first time.
┏ Google and Apple’s COVID-19 tracking system can’t save lives all on its own. Nicole Wetsman on what the rollout of this system should actually look like. It’s clearly built to be part of a larger system of testing and communal action. If the latter doesn’t come, the former won’t be of use (and could actually be a detriment). As ever, we need more testing, more PPE, and consistent guidance from political leaders. All three are in short supply.
┏ How GM and Ford switched out pickup trucks for breathing machines. Sean O’Kane explains how ventilators are much more complicated than you might realize.
Automakers are well-suited for these partnerships for a few reasons, according to Adrian Price, the global vehicle engineering director at Ford who’s overseeing the company’s ventilator effort. Not only do these companies already work with components that are similar to the ones found in ventilators, but cars are highly complex products that require a unique amount of knowledge, planning, coordination, and logistics to build.
┏ Russia conducts another test of its missile system to take out satellites. Loren Grush explains many of the reasons why these tests are not a good idea.
ASAT tests are also widely condemned by many in the space community, as these demonstrations typically create hundreds to thousands of pieces of debris that can last for months, and even years, in orbit. Because these tests are high speed and high impact, the resulting debris can spread far and wide. Those pieces then pose a threat to other functioning spacecraft. A fast-moving piece of junk can render an operational satellite inoperable if they hit head on.
┏ What ‘Payment Status Not Available’ on the IRS coronavirus aid site means. Bad error messages are terrible in the best situations. Here, it’s awful, and Adi Robertson tells us exactly why this dark pattern is a huge problem.
┏ How a new book about Instagram changes our understanding of the founders’ departure. Casey Newton has a review and some insight on Sarah Frier’s new book: No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram. I’ve fallen out of my reading habit since I started working from home so much, but I am excited enough about this book that I think it’ll push me back into it again.
┏ Ecobee’s new security camera doubles as an Alexa speaker. Dan Seifert looks at Ecobee’s new product line, which you can turn into an inexpensive home security system.