theverge--2020-08-28--Apple blocks Facebook update that called out App Store ‘tax’

Apple blocked Facebook from informing users that Apple would collect 30 percent of in-app purchases made through a planned new feature , Facebook tells Reuters .
Apple said the update violated an App Store rule that doesn ’ t let developers show “ irrelevant ” information to users .
The feature lets Facebook users buy tickets for online events directly through the app .
Apple ’ s rules say that purchases of digital content have to use the App Store ’ s payments system , giving Apple 30 percent of the total .
Facebook says it asked Apple to waive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ revenue could go to event organizers , but Apple refused .
The feature is now available , but without the message about Apple ’ s 30-percent cut .
Earlier this month , Facebook released an image showing what the message would look like in the app .
The planned message on Android was expected to read “ Facebook doesn ’ t take a fee from this purchase.
” According to Reuters , that message doesn ’ t show up in the version of the app downloaded through Google Play , either .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the option to help people understand where money they intend for small businesses actually goes , ” Facebook said in a statement to Reuters .
“ Unfortunately Apple rejected our transparency notice around their 30-percent tax but we are still working to make that information available inside the app experience.
” It ’ s unclear how exactly Facebook could go about doing that , and it ’ s not surprising that Apple blocked the notice .
Apple has been strict on apps that try to explain App Store policies — apps like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for example , aren ’ t allowed to mention that users could pay on the web without Apple taking a cut , much less provide a link to do so .
What does seem clear is that by conducting this business in public , previewing a feature that was unlikely to get approved in its intended state , Facebook is attempting to drive further conversation around Apple ’ s App Store policies , which have never been more controversial .
In recent months , developers from email client Hey to Fortnite creators Epic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of complaints , mostly involving Apple ’ s insistence on controlling in-app purchases .

Apple blocked Facebook from informing users that Apple would collect 30 percent of in-app purchases made through a planned new feature, Facebook tells Reuters. Apple said the update violated an App Store rule that doesn’t let developers show “irrelevant” information to users.
The feature lets Facebook users buy tickets for online events directly through the app. Apple’s rules say that purchases of digital content have to use the App Store’s payments system, giving Apple 30 percent of the total. Facebook says it asked Apple to waive this fee so that all of the revenue could go to event organizers, but Apple refused. The feature is now available, but without the message about Apple’s 30-percent cut.
Earlier this month, Facebook released an image showing what the message would look like in the app.
The planned message on Android was expected to read “Facebook doesn’t take a fee from this purchase.” According to Reuters, that message doesn’t show up in the version of the app downloaded through Google Play, either.
“Now more than ever, we should have the option to help people understand where money they intend for small businesses actually goes,” Facebook said in a statement to Reuters. “Unfortunately Apple rejected our transparency notice around their 30-percent tax but we are still working to make that information available inside the app experience.”
It’s unclear how exactly Facebook could go about doing that, and it’s not surprising that Apple blocked the notice. Apple has been strict on apps that try to explain App Store policies — apps like Netflix, Kindle, and Spotify, for example, aren’t allowed to mention that users could pay on the web without Apple taking a cut, much less provide a link to do so.


theverge--2020-08-28--Elon Musk trots out pigs in demo of Neuralink brain implants

Elon Musk ’ s brain-machine interface company Neuralink showcased a pig outfitted with the company ’ s device , at an event livestreamed on YouTube .
One pig , Gertrude , had a device recording signals from an area of the brain linked to her snout .
She ’ d had the implant for two months at the time of the demonstration .
As Gertrude ’ s snout touched things , an array of dots and a series of noises indicated when more neurons were firing .
Pigs have large parts of their brains that are devoted to the snout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design of the Neuralink device has changed since it was unveiled last year , rendering the device itself hard to see on Gertrude .
It is now coin-shaped , and meant to sit flush with the skull , rather than having a small module resting near the ear .
It ’ s “ like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires , ” Musk said .
The device can pair with a smartphone app over Bluetooth Low Energy , he said .
As with last year ’ s event , Musk said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to recruit more people to join the team .
( Neuralink presently employs about 100 people , Musk said .
Eventually he hopes to employ more than 10,000 . )
Merging human brains with AI is why Musk wants to create the devices .
The device hasn ’ t yet been tested in humans yet , though the US Food and Drug Administration has designated it a breakthrough device , a program that would allow them to get feedback from the agency throughout the development process , Musk said in the presentation .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ — they ’ ve been around and implanted in people since 2006 .
The company ’ s main contribution to the technology is Neuralink ’ s thin , flexible wires , which are covered in electrodes to pick up brain activity .
The threads have more electrodes than other systems — which means more information — and they may not cause as much damage as stiff needles .
However , foreign objects in the brain degrade over time , and smaller ones break down faster .
One member of the team at tonight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main challenges for Neuralink was making sure the device could last for decades in a corrosive environment like the brain .
The other distinction is Musk ’ s ambition .
He said at tonight ’ s event that the device could help solve any number of neurological problems , from memory loss to strokes to addiction , or monitor a users ’ s health and warn them if they ’ re having a heart attack .
At last year ’ s event , he said that Neuralink could make the implant process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Lasik eye surgery ; tonight , he said it could be done without general anesthesia in under an hour .
The first clinical trials will be in a small number of patients with severe spinal cord injuries The first clinical trials will be in a small number of patients with severe spinal cord injuries , to make sure it works and is safe .
Last year , Musk said he hoped to start clinical trials in people in 2020 .
Long term , Musk said they will be able to restore full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ injuries using a second implant on the spine .
But the most important thing the device might be able to do , Musk said , would be to let people achieve what he calls “ AI symbiosis , ” which allows the human brain to merge with an artificial intelligence .
“ Such that the future of the world is controlled by the combined will of the people of Earth — I think that that ’ s obviously gon na be the future that we want , ” he said tonight .
Right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the surface of the brain — it doesn ’ t tunnel into deeper regions .
Many important functions , such as movement , vision and hearing , happen on the brain ’ s surface .
Musk said the company is looking to recruit robotics , electrical and software engineers to work on the device and refine the surgical procedure for the implementation .
There ’ s been a lot of turnover at the company since it launched in 2017 , and only two members of the founding team still work at Neuralink .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ company was chaotic , and that researchers were under intense pressure to rush through projects .
Scientists were sometimes given weeks to complete projects that should take months , for example .
“ They are building a medical device and a surgical approach to implant that medical device , and they ’ re approaching it with the use of a tech company — move fast and break things , ” one employee said .
Musk said the device would be “ quite expensive ” when it first launches , but that he wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few thousand dollars .
“ I think it should be possible to get it similar to Lasik , ” he said .

Elon Musk’s brain-machine interface company Neuralink showcased a pig outfitted with the company’s device, at an event livestreamed on YouTube. One pig, Gertrude, had a device recording signals from an area of the brain linked to her snout. She’d had the implant for two months at the time of the demonstration.
As Gertrude’s snout touched things, an array of dots and a series of noises indicated when more neurons were firing. Pigs have large parts of their brains that are devoted to the snout, a sensitive sensing instrument.
“Like a Fitbit in your skull.”
The design of the Neuralink device has changed since it was unveiled last year, rendering the device itself hard to see on Gertrude. It is now coin-shaped, and meant to sit flush with the skull, rather than having a small module resting near the ear. It’s “like a Fitbit in your skull with tiny wires,” Musk said. The device can pair with a smartphone app over Bluetooth Low Energy, he said.
As with last year’s event, Musk said the primary purpose of the demonstration was to recruit more people to join the team. (Neuralink presently employs about 100 people, Musk said. Eventually he hopes to employ more than 10,000.) Merging human brains with AI is why Musk wants to create the devices. The device hasn’t been tested in humans yet, though the US Food and Drug Administration has designated it a breakthrough device, a program that would allow them to get feedback from the agency throughout the development process, Musk said in the presentation.
Screenshot from the Neuralink presentation
Neuralink didn’t invent brain-machine interfaces — they’ve been around and implanted in people since 2006. The company’s main contribution to the technology is Neuralink’s thin, flexible wires, which are covered in electrodes to pick up brain activity.
The threads have more electrodes than other systems — which means more information — and they may not cause as much damage as stiff needles. However, foreign objects in the brain degrade over time, and smaller ones break down faster. One member of the team at tonight’s demonstration said that one of the main challenges for Neuralink was making sure the device could last for decades in a corrosive environment like the brain.
The other distinction is Musk’s ambition. He said at tonight’s event that the device could help solve any number of neurological problems, from memory loss to strokes to addiction, or monitor a users’s health and warn them if they’re having a heart attack. At last year’s event, he said that Neuralink could make the implant process for the device as simple and safe as Lasik eye surgery; tonight, he said it could be done without general anesthesia in under an hour.
The first clinical trials will be in a small number of patients with severe spinal cord injuries
The first clinical trials will be in a small number of patients with severe spinal cord injuries, to make sure it works and is safe. Last year, Musk said he hoped to start clinical trials in people in 2020. Long term, Musk said they will be able to restore full motion in people with those types of injuries using a second implant on the spine.
But the most important thing the device might be able to do, Musk said, would be to let people achieve what he calls “AI symbiosis,” which allows the human brain to merge with an artificial intelligence. “Such that the future of the world is controlled by the combined will of the people of Earth — I think that that’s obviously gonna be the future that we want,” he said tonight.
Right now, the device is restricted to the surface of the brain — it doesn’t tunnel into deeper regions. Many important functions, such as movement, vision and hearing, happen on the brain’s surface.
Musk said the company is looking to recruit robotics, electrical and software engineers to work on the device and refine the surgical procedure for the implementation. There’s been a lot of turnover at the company since it launched in 2017, and only two members of the founding team still work at Neuralink.
Former employees told Stat News that the company was chaotic, and that researchers were under intense pressure to rush through projects. Scientists were sometimes given weeks to complete projects that should take months, for example. “They are building a medical device and a surgical approach to implant that medical device, and they’re approaching it with the use of a tech company — move fast and break things,” one employee said.
Musk said the device would be “quite expensive” when it first launches, but that he wants to get the price down to a few thousand dollars. “I think it should be possible to get it similar to Lasik,” he said.


theverge--2020-08-28--A new $20 billion bid for TikTok could see it purchased by rival Triller (and a giant investment fir

A new $20 billion bid for TikTok could see it purchased by rival Triller (and a giant investment firm)

Bloomberg is reporting that TikTok-rival Triller and Centricus ( a London-based global investment firm ) are the latest suitors looking to buy TikTok ’ s US business with a $ 20 billion bid , joining Oracle and a recently combined Microsoft / Walmart effort to acquire the popular short-form video application .
Following Bloomberg ’ s report , things have gotten a little weird .
A spokesperson for TikTok told Reuters it has not received an offer , or ever been contacted about a potential bid .
They downplayed the idea to Bloomberg , too , replying “ What ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal “ preposterous.
” And yet , Triller went on the record to confirm a bid to The Verge , claiming that it made the bid directly to TikTok owner ByteDance and not to TikTok itself .
Here ’ s a cheeky statement from Triller executive chairman Bobby Sarnevesht : We submitted an offer directly to the chairman of bytedance through Centricus and have confirmation it was received .
We didn ’ t make an offer to TikTok , they aren ’ t involved in this at all , We made an offer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chairman only .
Either people multiple layers down aren ’ t aware of what is happening on the highest level or they may have their own agendas and aren ’ t happy about our offer coming in .
We ’ ve reached out to ByteDance to try to confirm the bid and are waiting for a reply .
TikTok hasn ’ t commented on the Triller statement yet , but confirmed to The Verge that it had not received a bid itself .
Centricus didn ’ t immediately respond to our request @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comment to Bloomberg earlier .
As originally described by Bloomberg ’ s source , a Triller/Centricus offer would see Centricus pay TikTok parent company ByteDance $ 10 billion in cash upfront , and another $ 10 billion in shared profit for ownership over TikTok ’ s assets in the US , Australia , New Zealand , and India .
Triller — which already operates a similar service to TikTok , and presumably would help Centricus actually run a social video application after the purchase — would have a minority stake in the venture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the air ever since President Donald Trump issued an executive order demanding that its parent company ByteDance either sell or spin off the US portions of the company , citing national security concerns from the China-based company .
( President Trump is apparently a bigger fan of Triller , with Trump opening an account on the service earlier in August . )
In the weeks since , multiple companies have expressed an interest in purchasing TikTok ’ s assets , with Microsoft as an early frontrunner , followed by enterprise software @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still in active negotiations with ByteDance .
Microsoft has since announced an unexpected partnership with Walmart to purchase TikTok ’ s assets .
Twitter and Netflix have also reportedly had discussions over a potential purchase , although it ’ s not clear whether either of them are still in contention , while Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai has confirmed that his company isn ’ t in the running .
Update , 7:42 PM ET : Added Reuters report that suggests this bid has not been made .
Update : 8:10 PM ET @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state of confirmation as to whether Triller did or did not issue a bid .

Bloomberg is reporting that TikTok-rival Triller and Centricus (a London-based global investment firm) are the latest suitors looking to buy TikTok’s US business with a $20 billion bid, joining Oracle and a recently combined Microsoft / Walmart effort to acquire the popular short-form video application.
Following Bloomberg’s report, things have gotten a little weird. A spokesperson for TikTok told Reuters it has not received an offer, or ever been contacted about a potential bid. They downplayed the idea to Bloomberg, too, replying “What’s Triller?” and calling a deal “preposterous.”
And yet, Triller went on the record to confirm a bid to The Verge, claiming that it made the bid directly to TikTok owner ByteDance and not to TikTok itself. Here’s a cheeky statement from Triller executive chairman Bobby Sarnevesht:
We submitted an offer directly to the chairman of bytedance through Centricus and have confirmation it was received. We didn’t make an offer to TikTok, they aren’t involved in this at all, We made an offer to Bytedance and are dealing directly with the chairman only. Either people multiple layers down aren’t aware of what is happening on the highest level or they may have their own agendas and aren’t happy about our offer coming in.
And yet a Bytedance spokesperson, too, tells us the company is “unaware of any interest.”
TikTok hasn’t commented on the Triller statement yet, but confirmed to The Verge that it had not received a bid itself. Centricus didn’t immediately respond to our request for comment, but it declined to comment to Bloomberg earlier.
As originally described by Bloomberg’s source, a Triller/Centricus offer would see Centricus pay TikTok parent company ByteDance $10 billion in cash upfront, and another $10 billion in shared profit for ownership over TikTok’s assets in the US, Australia, New Zealand, and India. Triller — which already operates a similar service to TikTok, and presumably would help Centricus actually run a social video application after the purchase — would have a minority stake in the venture.
TikTok’s fate has been up in the air ever since President Donald Trump issued an executive order demanding that its parent company ByteDance either sell or spin off the US portions of the company, citing national security concerns from the China-based company. (President Trump is apparently a bigger fan of Triller, with Trump opening an account on the service earlier in August.)
In the weeks since, multiple companies have expressed an interest in purchasing TikTok’s assets, with Microsoft as an early frontrunner, followed by enterprise software giant Oracle, both of which are still in active negotiations with ByteDance. Microsoft has since announced an unexpected partnership with Walmart to purchase TikTok’s assets. Twitter and Netflix have also reportedly had discussions over a potential purchase, although it’s not clear whether either of them are still in contention, while Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai has confirmed that his company isn’t in the running.
Update, 7:42 PM ET: Added Reuters report that suggests this bid has not been made.
Update: 8:10 PM ET: Updated with the current, messy state of confirmation as to whether Triller did or did not issue a bid.


theverge--2020-08-28--Post Malone is now a co-owner of Texas’ biggest esports teams

Post Malone is the latest celebrity to jump into the world of competitive gaming .
Today , Envy Gaming announced that the pop star had joined as a co-owner , acquiring “ an undisclosed equity stake ” in the company .
Envy operates teams in multiple games , and it owns the Dallas Empire of the Call of Duty League and Overwatch League team Dallas Fuel , which hosted OWL ’ s first home game in 2019 .
“ I grew up in Texas and I ’ ve been gaming my whole life , so this just really felt right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ I have always wanted to be a part of bringing gaming into the professional sports world so to be involved with what Envy is doing in my hometown feels like such a perfect fit.
” He joins a growing list of big stars investing in esports .
That includes Offset ( Faze Clan ) , Drake ( 100 Thieves ) , and The Weeknd ( Overactive Media ) .
Just this week , NBA star Ben Simmons became the latest investor in Faze Clan .
This isn ’ t Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , either , as he also serves as an ambassador for peripheral-maker HyperX and occasionally streams games like Warzone and PUBG .
As Twitch streamers and YouTubers become stars in their own right , this kind of collaboration has only become more common .
“ It ’ s about entertainment , ” Offset told The Verge , when explaining the connection between hip-hop and gaming .
“ The actual players , they ’ re like rock stars .
They ’ ve got great followings , they influence kids , and that ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organic .
These guys are cool.
” Envy is one of the biggest names in esports and has been around since 2007 .
This weekend marks a big moment for the organization : the Dallas Empire are in the final four of the Call of Duty League , with a shot at winning the championship — and a literal throne — on the line .

Post Malone is the latest celebrity to jump into the world of competitive gaming. Today, Envy Gaming announced that the pop star had joined as a co-owner, acquiring “an undisclosed equity stake” in the company. Envy operates teams in multiple games, and it owns the Dallas Empire of the Call of Duty League and Overwatch League team Dallas Fuel, which hosted OWL’s first home game in 2019.
“I grew up in Texas and I’ve been gaming my whole life, so this just really felt right,” Post Malone said in a statement. “I have always wanted to be a part of bringing gaming into the professional sports world so to be involved with what Envy is doing in my hometown feels like such a perfect fit.”
He joins a growing list of big stars investing in esports. That includes Offset (Faze Clan), Drake (100 Thieves), and The Weeknd (Overactive Media). Just this week, NBA star Ben Simmons became the latest investor in Faze Clan. This isn’t Post Malone’s first foray into gaming, either, as he also serves as an ambassador for peripheral-maker HyperX and occasionally streams games like Warzone and PUBG. As Twitch streamers and YouTubers become stars in their own right, this kind of collaboration has only become more common.
“It’s about entertainment,” Offset told The Verge, when explaining the connection between hip-hop and gaming. “The actual players, they’re like rock stars. They’ve got great followings, they influence kids, and that’s what I do. It was just organic. These guys are cool.”


theverge--2020-08-28--Hope you didn’t delete Fortnite or Infinity Blade because Apple just terminated Epic’s dev account

Apple has officially terminated the Epic Games account on the App Store on Friday , following its Fortnite dispute and ongoing legal battle with the game studio over in-app payments in the battle royale game , the company confirms to The Verge .
That means the app is no longer available on the iPhone or iPad whatsoever , even if you ’ ve once downloaded it once before — and other Epic games like Infinity Blade are also no longer re-downloadable .
We are disappointed that we have had to terminate the Epic Games account on the App Store .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epic Games for many years on their launches and releases .
The court recommended that Epic comply with the App Store guidelines while their case moves forward , guidelines they ’ ve followed for the past decade until they created this situation .
Epic has refused .
Instead they repeatedly submit Fortnite updates designed to violate the guidelines of the App Store .
This is not fair to all other developers on the App Store and is putting customers in the middle of their fight .
We hope that we can work together @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that is not possible today .
The decision to terminate Epic ’ s account was planned for Friday , although there was a dispute over whether Apple would be allowed to do so until a judge on Monday denied Epic ’ s motion for a temporary restraining order with regard to Fortnite ’ s removal from the App Store .
( The judge granted Epic ’ s temporary restraining order with regard to Unreal Engine , and Apple tells The Verge that it has not terminated the other developer account . )
Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to submit apps or updates using its Epic Games developer account , but users who ’ ve previously downloaded Fortnite on iOS and Mac can keep playing it .
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney is taking issue with the wording of Apple ’ s statement , and reveals that Epic did try to submit a new build of Fortnite to the App Store : Earlier today , Apple promoted Fortnite competitor PUBG Mobile in the App Store , although Sweeney did the same on Twitter in a jab back at the iPhone maker .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Epic games , including its trilogy of Infinity Blade apps , were still able to be downloaded on iOS if you or someone else on a Family Sharing account had installed them once before .
Although Epic removed Infinity Blade and its sequels from the App Store and Apple forcibly removed Fortnite , the games remained findable in the purchased tab of an iCloud account , where they could be reinstalled .
That is no longer the case .
Selecting Fortnite from your purchased tab now returns a message reading , “ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same is true of other Epic apps , with the exception of Houseparty , the video chat app and social network it acquired last year that still operates as its own entity with a separate Apple developer account .
Apple ’ s action also removes the ability for Fortnite players to make any in-app purchases using Apple ’ s payment system , Apple says .

Apple has officially terminated the Epic Games account on the App Store on Friday, following its Fortnite dispute and ongoing legal battle with the game studio over in-app payments in the battle royale game, the company confirms to The Verge. That means the app is no longer available on the iPhone or iPad whatsoever, even if you’ve once downloaded it once before — and other Epic games like Infinity Blade are also no longer re-downloadable.
Here’s Apple’s statement:
We are disappointed that we have had to terminate the Epic Games account on the App Store. We have worked with the team at Epic Games for many years on their launches and releases. The court recommended that Epic comply with the App Store guidelines while their case moves forward, guidelines they’ve followed for the past decade until they created this situation. Epic has refused. Instead they repeatedly submit Fortnite updates designed to violate the guidelines of the App Store. This is not fair to all other developers on the App Store and is putting customers in the middle of their fight. We hope that we can work together again in the future, but unfortunately that is not possible today.
The decision to terminate Epic’s account was planned for Friday, although there was a dispute over whether Apple would be allowed to do so until a judge on Monday denied Epic’s motion for a temporary restraining order with regard to Fortnite’s removal from the App Store. (The judge granted Epic’s temporary restraining order with regard to Unreal Engine, and Apple tells The Verge that it has not terminated the other developer account.)
Apple says Epic will no longer be able to submit apps or updates using its Epic Games developer account, but users who’ve previously downloaded Fortnite on iOS and Mac can keep playing it.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney is taking issue with the wording of Apple’s statement, and reveals that Epic did try to submit a new build of Fortnite to the App Store:
Earlier today, Apple promoted Fortnite competitor PUBG Mobile in the App Store, although Sweeney did the same on Twitter in a jab back at the iPhone maker.
Prior to today, Fortnite and other Epic games, including its trilogy of Infinity Blade apps, were still able to be downloaded on iOS if you or someone else on a Family Sharing account had installed them once before. Although Epic removed Infinity Blade and its sequels from the App Store and Apple forcibly removed Fortnite, the games remained findable in the purchased tab of an iCloud account, where they could be reinstalled.
Screenshot by Chris Welch / The Verge
That is no longer the case. Selecting Fortnite from your purchased tab now returns a message reading, “This item is no longer available.” The same is true of other Epic apps, with the exception of Houseparty, the video chat app and social network it acquired last year that still operates as its own entity with a separate Apple developer account. Apple’s action also removes the ability for Fortnite players to make any in-app purchases using Apple’s payment system, Apple says.


theverge--2020-08-28--Mark Zuckerberg says Kenosha Guard rulings were ‘an operational mistake’

In a companywide meeting on Thursday , Mark Zuckerberg addressed the recent shooting in Kenosha , Wisconsin , both in a seven-minute public address and in a heated series of questions from employees that was subsequently reported by Buzzfeed News .
Protests in Kenosha erupted into violence on Tuesday night , as two people were killed by a bystander later identified as Illinois resident Kyle Rittenhouse .
Rittenhouse has been charged with two murders in connection with the event , as well as reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a firearm .
In the wake of the shooting , Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups to organize on the platform , including a group called the Kenosha Guard , which had solicited armed attendees for an event on the night of the protest .
Several Facebook users reported the event as likely to result in violence in the hours before the shooting , only to be told by Facebook moderators that the group and event were not violating Facebook policy .
In his speech to employees , Zuckerberg confirmed that “ a bunch of people ” had reported the Kenosha Guard page as potentially inciting violence in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Facebook had made a mistake in keeping the page live .
“ It was largely an operational mistake , ” Zuckerberg said .
“ It ’ s because the team that enforces our policy against dangerous organizations is a specialized team that is trained to look for symbolism and innuendo ... and understand the details of how certain militias and conspiracy networks operate .
The contractors and reviewers who the initial complaints were funneled to didn ’ t pick this up .
On second review , doing it more sensitively , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this violated the policies and we took it down.
” Crucially , that second review appears to have taken place after the shooting , at which point the violent potential of the event listing had been made tragically clear .
The Kenosha Guard page and event was removed the following morning .
“ At what point do we take responsibility for enabling hate filled bile to spread across our services ?
” Zuckerberg emphasized that Rittenhouse had not signed up for the Kenosha Guard event , and Facebook ’ s investigation has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the group .
Facebook has classified the event as a mass shooting and is continuing to actively moderate related content .
“ We have our teams out there proactively looking for content and taking down content that praises the shooting , ” Zuckerberg continued .
“ We ’ re going to continue to enforce our policies and continue evolving the policies.
” Some Facebook employees weren ’ t happy with that answer , according to Buzzfeed News reporting .
“ At what point do we take responsibility for enabling hate filled bile @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one employee commented on the video feed .
“ Anti-semitism , conspiracy , and white supremacy reeks across our services.
” Others worried that the company ’ s pattern of reactive moderation made it difficult to prevent tragedies before they occur .
“ We need to get better at avoiding mistakes and being more proactive , ” said another comment obtained by Buzzfeed News .
“ Feels like we ’ re caught in a cycle of responding to damage after it ’ s already been done rather than constructing mechanisms to nip these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It ’ s not clear how effective Facebook has been at taking down content that praises the shooter , even after designating the attack as a mass shooting .
A Guardian report on Thursday found widespread memes praising Rittenhouse and applauding the killing of the protesters .
The report identified hundreds of posts and memes containing the phrase “ Free Kyle ” or “ Free Kyle Rittenhouse ” as of Thursday morning .
A report from Site Intelligence also identified growing support for Rittenhouse among neo-Nazi groups .
The meeting was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also extended to recent concerns over the iOS App Store .
Zuckerberg reportedly said Apple was charging “ monopoly rents ” by collecting its 30 percent commission on in-app purchases , a criticism that has been levied by Epic Games as part of an ongoing antitrust lawsuit .
The Facebook CEO also said he believed there was “ a significant risk of civil unrest ” after the November election .

In a companywide meeting on Thursday, Mark Zuckerberg addressed the recent shooting in Kenosha, Wisconsin, both in a seven-minute public address and in a heated series of questions from employees that was subsequently reported by Buzzfeed News.
Protests in Kenosha erupted into violence on Tuesday night, as two people were killed by a bystander later identified as Illinois resident Kyle Rittenhouse. Rittenhouse has been charged with two murders in connection with the event, as well as reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a firearm.
In the wake of the shooting, Facebook has been criticized for allowing self-proclaimed militia groups to organize on the platform, including a group called the Kenosha Guard, which had solicited armed attendees for an event on the night of the protest. Several Facebook users reported the event as likely to result in violence in the hours before the shooting, only to be told by Facebook moderators that the group and event were not violating Facebook policy.
In his speech to employees, Zuckerberg confirmed that “a bunch of people” had reported the Kenosha Guard page as potentially inciting violence in advance of the shooting, and he said Facebook had made a mistake in keeping the page live.
“It was largely an operational mistake,” Zuckerberg said. “It’s because the team that enforces our policy against dangerous organizations is a specialized team that is trained to look for symbolism and innuendo ... and understand the details of how certain militias and conspiracy networks operate. The contractors and reviewers who the initial complaints were funneled to didn’t pick this up. On second review, doing it more sensitively, the team responsible for dangerous organizations recognized that this violated the policies and we took it down.”
Crucially, that second review appears to have taken place after the shooting, at which point the violent potential of the event listing had been made tragically clear. The Kenosha Guard page and event was removed the following morning.
“At what point do we take responsibility for enabling hate filled bile to spread across our services?”
Zuckerberg emphasized that Rittenhouse had not signed up for the Kenosha Guard event, and Facebook’s investigation has not uncovered any evidence that he was connected to the group. Facebook has classified the event as a mass shooting and is continuing to actively moderate related content.
“We have our teams out there proactively looking for content and taking down content that praises the shooting,” Zuckerberg continued. “We’re going to continue to enforce our policies and continue evolving the policies.”
Some Facebook employees weren’t happy with that answer, according to Buzzfeed News reporting. “At what point do we take responsibility for enabling hate filled bile to spread across our services?” one employee commented on the video feed. “Anti-semitism, conspiracy, and white supremacy reeks across our services.”
Others worried that the company’s pattern of reactive moderation made it difficult to prevent tragedies before they occur. “We need to get better at avoiding mistakes and being more proactive,” said another comment obtained by Buzzfeed News. “Feels like we’re caught in a cycle of responding to damage after it’s already been done rather than constructing mechanisms to nip these issues before they result in real harm.”
It’s not clear how effective Facebook has been at taking down content that praises the shooter, even after designating the attack as a mass shooting. A Guardian report on Thursday found widespread memes praising Rittenhouse and applauding the killing of the protesters. The report identified hundreds of posts and memes containing the phrase “Free Kyle” or “Free Kyle Rittenhouse” as of Thursday morning. A report from Site Intelligence also identified growing support for Rittenhouse among neo-Nazi groups.
The meeting was not entirely focused on the Kenosha shooting but also extended to recent concerns over the iOS App Store. Zuckerberg reportedly said Apple was charging “monopoly rents” by collecting its 30 percent commission on in-app purchases, a criticism that has been levied by Epic Games as part of an ongoing antitrust lawsuit.


theverge--2020-08-28--How to watch Elon Musk’s Neuralink demo at 6PM ET / 3PM PT

Amid the search for a COVID-19 vaccine and launch of a new Mars rover , there is yet another technological @ @ @ @ @ at least , according to Elon Musk .
Today at 6PM ET , his company @ @ @ @ @ be one of the first “ ultra-high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces to connect humans and computers.
@ @ @ @ @ looking to connect to the human brain using flexible electrodes thinner than a human hair @ @ @ @ @ willing to show us a working model .
Interested ?
If so , you can @ @ @ @ @ judge for yourself .
When is the Neuralink demo ?
Where can I find the @ @ @ @ @ will be shown here on Neuralink ’ s YouTube channel .
What am I going @ @ @ @ @ is as good as ours .

Amid the search for a COVID-19 vaccine and launch of a new Mars rover, there is yet another technological breakthrough on its way — at least, according to Elon Musk. Today at 6PM ET, his company Neuralink will demonstrate what may be one of the first “ultra-high bandwidth brain-machine interfaces to connect humans and computers.”
Apparently, Neuralink is looking to connect to the human brain using flexible electrodes thinner than a human hair. And it is now willing to show us a working model.
Interested? If so, you can watch the demo today and judge for yourself.
When is the Neuralink demo?
Today, Friday, August 28th, 2020, at 6PM ET (3PM PT).
Where can I find the demo?
The live stream will be shown here on Neuralink’s YouTube channel.
What am I going to see?


theverge--2020-08-28--New Google Assistant feature makes it easier to donate directly to important causes

Google Assistant is getting a new feature that makes it easier to donate money to important humanitarian and nonprofit organizations , starting with the Center for Policing Equity , an organization that works to promote police transparency and accountability .
The news was announced today to coincide with the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington .
The new donation shortcut can only be accessed on mobile phones for now , either by saying “ Hey Google , donate to racial justice , ” to Assistant ( either directly on Android or through the app on iOS ) or by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s daily Snapshot view .
Google says it won ’ t be taking a cut from donations made through Assistant , with 100 percent of all donations passed directly along to the Center for Policing Equity .
The company also plans to expand the Google Assistant donation feature to support “ other humanitarian organizations and nonprofits ” in the coming weeks , although Google has yet to say which organizations it has chosen .
While the addition of a donation feature is certainly an admirable one , it ’ s important to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include any other monetary commitments on Google ’ s end to donate to fight racial inequality beyond the $ 175 million that the company had already promised in June .

Google Assistant is getting a new feature that makes it easier to donate money to important humanitarian and nonprofit organizations, starting with the Center for Policing Equity, an organization that works to promote police transparency and accountability.
The news was announced today to coincide with the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington. The new donation shortcut can only be accessed on mobile phones for now, either by saying “Hey Google, donate to racial justice,” to Assistant (either directly on Android or through the app on iOS) or by using a dedicated card in Google Assistant’s daily Snapshot view.
Google says it won’t be taking a cut from donations made through Assistant, with 100 percent of all donations passed directly along to the Center for Policing Equity. The company also plans to expand the Google Assistant donation feature to support “other humanitarian organizations and nonprofits” in the coming weeks, although Google has yet to say which organizations it has chosen.


theverge--2020-08-28--A former SpaceX intern is suing the company, claiming retaliation after reporting sexual harassment

A former intern at SpaceX is suing the aerospace company , claiming that SpaceX retaliated against her after she reported experiencing sexual harassment and gender discrimination while on the job , according to a new lawsuit .
The suit alleges that the former intern was not extended a full-time job opportunity when she brought up inappropriate comments and actions made by her then manager .
The plaintiff , Julia CrowleyFarenga , worked as a summer intern for SpaceX in 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , according to a lawsuit filed August 21st with Los Angeles County Superior Court and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the company , she worked in the propulsion division under the same manager each summer , the suit says .
During her last summer at the company , CrowleyFarenga went to human resources about the manager , complaining that his behavior made her uncomfortable .
For instance , he would allegedly spend much longer meeting with her in one-on-one meetings — between an hour and a half and two hours — while he ’ d only meet with the other male interns for 30 minutes at a time .
The manager also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout these meetings , the suit claims .
She claims he told her she “ talks to men too much ” The suit alleges that the manager would also make numerous remarks about the men CrowleyFarenga spoke to .
She claims he told her she “ talks to men too much ” and that he told her , “ Be careful who you are seen talking to , people may get the wrong impression about why you are here , ” after he saw her talking to a man he didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manager allegedly told CrowleyFarenga that he ’ d rather be with her at “ Harry Potter World.
” He also reportedly told her , “ You are unique , I could spend the rest of my life trying to figure you out , ” according to the suit .
CrowleyFarenga says she went to HR about the behavior and later met with the vice president of propulsion , Will Heltsley .
He offered to transfer CrowleyFarenga to another division , which she accepted .
After the HR meeting , CrowleyFarenga received a negative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive reviews , the lawsuit claims .
She had also received verbal indications that her work was fine , according to the suit .
Once CrowleyFarenga ’ s internship was up , SpaceX did not extend an offer for her to return to the company .
Later , CrowleyFarenga applied for a full-time position after she graduated and was told there was “ no indication ” she wouldn ’ t get the job .
But she ultimately didn ’ t get the position , and the suit claims that she learned later that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hired.
” The lawsuit argues that CrowleyFarenga “ suffered and continues to suffer damages in terms of lost wages , lost bonuses , lost benefits , and other pecuniary loss according to proof.
” It claims that she “ also suffered and will continue to suffer physical and emotional injuries , including nervousness , humiliation , depression , anguish , embarrassment , fright , shock , pain , discomfort , fatigue , and anxiety.
” SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication .

A former intern at SpaceX is suing the aerospace company, claiming that SpaceX retaliated against her after she reported experiencing sexual harassment and gender discrimination while on the job, according to a new lawsuit. The suit alleges that the former intern was not extended a full-time job opportunity when she brought up inappropriate comments and actions made by her then manager.
The plaintiff, Julia CrowleyFarenga, worked as a summer intern for SpaceX in 2015, 2016, and 2017, according to a lawsuit filed August 21st with Los Angeles County Superior Court and first reported by Business Insider. While at the company, she worked in the propulsion division under the same manager each summer, the suit says.
During her last summer at the company, CrowleyFarenga went to human resources about the manager, complaining that his behavior made her uncomfortable. For instance, he would allegedly spend much longer meeting with her in one-on-one meetings — between an hour and a half and two hours — while he’d only meet with the other male interns for 30 minutes at a time. The manager also would talk about topics unrelated to work throughout these meetings, the suit claims.
She claims he told her she “talks to men too much”
The suit alleges that the manager would also make numerous remarks about the men CrowleyFarenga spoke to. She claims he told her she “talks to men too much” and that he told her, “Be careful who you are seen talking to, people may get the wrong impression about why you are here,” after he saw her talking to a man he didn’t recognize. During one meeting, the manager allegedly told CrowleyFarenga that he’d rather be with her at “Harry Potter World.” He also reportedly told her, “You are unique, I could spend the rest of my life trying to figure you out,” according to the suit.
CrowleyFarenga says she went to HR about the behavior and later met with the vice president of propulsion, Will Heltsley. He offered to transfer CrowleyFarenga to another division, which she accepted. After the HR meeting, CrowleyFarenga received a negative performance review, after receiving five previous positive reviews, the lawsuit claims. She had also received verbal indications that her work was fine, according to the suit. Once CrowleyFarenga’s internship was up, SpaceX did not extend an offer for her to return to the company.
Later, CrowleyFarenga applied for a full-time position after she graduated and was told there was “no indication” she wouldn’t get the job. But she ultimately didn’t get the position, and the suit claims that she learned later that “Heltsley had stopped her from being hired.”


theverge--2020-08-28--The best streaming device to buy right now

Buying a capable streaming player for your TV is easier and cheaper in 2020 than it ’ s ever been .
So long as you ’ re willing to spend at least $ 50 , you can buy something that ’ ll deliver 4K resolution and HDR color from apps like Netflix , Amazon Prime Video , and Disney+ .
With universal search that spans all of the big services , streaming players make it easy to find something to watch when you finally make it to the couch after a long day .
If you ’ ve got a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you might not see the need for a set-top box or streaming stick ; it ’ s probably already got many of your essential apps preloaded and ready to go .
If you ’ re satisfied with what ’ s there , no one ’ s forcing you to buy an extra gadget .
But app selection can differ between TV brands , so if you want everything under the sun , a streaming player is a great way to fill in those gaps .
Another advantage is speed : if you find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use , a speedy Roku or Fire TV might help alleviate that frustration .
And sometimes companies will end development of an app for older TVs , but you can bet that updates will continue long into the future for the streaming box equivalent .
The best streaming video players in 2020 The best streaming media player for most people Roku is the best streaming player for people who want a no-nonsense device with a simple interface and far-reaching universal search across many different entertainment services .
Roku ’ s keep-it-simple home screen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customizable and lets you put the streaming apps you use most right at the top for quick access .
Thanks to the bundled long-range wireless receiver , the Streaming Stick Plus has better Wi-Fi performance than the majority of Roku ’ s lineup , which can prove useful if your TV and router are far apart .
It also comes with a voice remote , whereas the Premiere only includes Roku ’ s basic remote without voice search .
( If you want the better remote and the Premiere box , Walmart exclusively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your TV is mounted to the wall , the Streaming Stick Plus ’ more discreet design will be the better option .
But otherwise , the Stick Plus and Premiere are basically identical : they both give you 4K HDR picture , are snappy and responsive to use , and have what feels like an endless catalog of apps to pick from .
Though it has shied away from a big redesign of its basic app icon grid , Roku also keeps improving upon its software : the ad-supported Roku Channel offers free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s now a dedicated kids section for surfacing family-friendly content .
Roku ’ s home screen also has a “ featured free ” section that highlights content from multiple apps that can be watched without any subscription .
The Roku devices lack support for Dolby Vision , but general HDR support means you still get the vivid colors and bright explosions that help movies and shows pop off the screen .
And since there are so many existing Roku customers out there , companies often prioritize the platform when launching new streaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ones .
Then there are the small touches , like a universal search that prioritizes saving you money ( by ranking free-to-stream results higher ) and the ability to privately listen to TV audio using Roku ’ s smartphone app .
These things , combined with the intuitive software experience , help keep the company ’ s gadgets at the top of our recommended list .
However , it ’ s worth nothing that Roku ’ s platform is currently missing HBO Max , as the company has been unable to reach an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
( You can still watch HBO , thankfully . )
Both Roku and Amazon have increasingly been getting into these spats with content owners .
The best streaming media player for people who want the premium experience The Apple TV 4K checks off all of the key boxes — 4K , HDR , Dolby Vision , HDR10 , and Dolby Atmos audio — and doesn ’ t have any obvious holes in its selection of third-party apps .
Its user experience feels more modern than Roku ’ s and is no less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Apple ecosystem , it offers benefits like AirPlay and free 4K upgrades for movies you ’ ve purchased from Apple in the past .
Plus , there are no ugly ads on the home screen .
It now also features Apple Arcade , letting you pick up where you left off with the same games you ’ re playing on your iPhone or iPad .
Despite being over two years old , the Apple TV 4K remains lightning-quick in day-to-day use .
However , this far into its life cycle , the Apple @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hard to swallow .
It costs considerably more than a Roku or Fire TV , but purely from an entertainment standpoint , Apple ’ s streamer doesn ’ t do much to justify the $ 100 premium .
If you ’ re a privacy-minded person , it ’ s worth knowing that Apple is less invasive about tracking your streaming habits compared to some of its competitors .
Roku and Amazon , in particular , both extensively track what you ’ re watching and how you interact with their products .
With the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you ’ ll finally be able to watch YouTube at 4K resolution on the Apple TV 4K .
Previously , YouTube had maxed out at 1080p , but Apple finally relented and will begin supporting Google ’ s preferred VP9 codec this year .
It ’ s good to see that what had been a significant downside for the device is being resolved .
But you ’ re still stuck with the Siri remote , which remains a source of frustration for some Apple TV owners and is in need of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you don ’ t already have a smart speaker The 2019 Amazon Fire TV Cube ( now with Dolby Vision ) is a convenient hybrid device that ’ s one part Alexa smart speaker , one part streaming player .
It ’ s capable of hands-free voice commands , letting you jump right into your favorite shows without picking up the remote .
It ’ s also able to control your TV , soundbar , and even some cable boxes with those same voice controls .
If you don ’ t need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexa speaker , the Fire TV Stick 4K is a solid alternative to Roku ’ s players .
As you ’ d expect , Amazon puts a big emphasis on content that ’ s included free with a Prime subscription .
But the app selection is more or less at par with Roku and Apple — again , minus HBO Max at the moment — and the Fire TV 4K supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos audio for a relatively low price .
Whether you want to stream the latest games through GeForce @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emulators and ROMs , the Nvidia Shield TV has you covered .
With its interesting tube-shaped design , this Android TV-based device is also a good pick for home theater enthusiasts thanks to an impressive 4K upscaling feature that can make your movies and shows look sharper and more detailed .
Both the Shield TV and the more expensive Shield TV Pro ( which has more memory and USB connectivity ) are blazing fast and a pleasure to use even if you don ’ t intend to use every feature on offer .

Looking for a new TV gadget to stream all of your favorite entertainment? The selection has never been better, and the prices are only growing more affordable. Our top overall pick, the Apple TV 4K, now comes at a lower price. And you can spend as little as $50 on a quality streaming stick from Amazon or Roku that’s fully capable of delivering crisp 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR, and immersive Dolby Atmos surround sound.
Pretty much any 4K TV you buy today will come with a batch of built-in streaming apps. But they won’t always have everything. So a dedicated streaming device is the best way to guarantee you’ll be able to watch that show or movie everyone’s been talking about. And they might be more pleasant to use and have a better interface than your TV’s own software.
Each of the picks below has its own strengths, whether it’s a snazzier interface, better voice controls, or a more comprehensive universal search for digging through all of your services.
The best overall streaming player
The latest Apple TV 4K offers improved performance and support for HDR 10 Plus, but the most important thing is that it’s now offered at a lower $129 starting price. That’s still more expensive than streaming sticks from competitors, but Apple’s device provides the best overall streaming experience — without ads littered across its software like Roku, Amazon, and Google.
The Apple TV 4K’s interface remains simple and easy to use. The device supports Dolby Vision and Atmos across a wide variety of services, has all of the important streaming apps checked off, and also gives you add-ons like Apple Arcade and Apple Fitness Plus (if you pay for them) that you won’t find on other streaming devices.
Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Apps often work smoother on Apple TV and are generally better about taking advantage of everything the box can do. Another benefit of the Apple TV is privacy. Apple itself isn’t obsessed with tracking your viewing data in the same way as companies that offer bargain bin devices. I generally think consumers aren’t particularly averse to sharing their streaming habits, but Apple’s privacy practices might matter to you.
Even with AirPlay now on other platforms, the Apple TV still wins out for people deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem. You can use HomePods as speakers or connect up to two sets of AirPods for private listening with audio sharing. The Apple TV still makes it easy to tap into content on a Mac in your home, and services like Apple Music and iCloud Photo Library are right there in easy reach on the TV screen.
For home theater enthusiasts, we recommend buying the step-up Apple TV 4K with ethernet and more storage. Aside from gaining wired connectivity, you also get full support for Thread and will be future proofed for upcoming Matter-compatible smart home products. Those perks will easily be worth $20 for some.
A great streaming device for less money
The features and fantastic price of the Chromecast with Google TV make it the best streaming stick for most people. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Google has done the best job figuring out what the home screen on a streaming stick should look like. That’s really the long and short of why the Chromecast with Google TV (4K) has taken the crown of best streaming player. With its new Google TV software, the company has taken a content-first approach that feels more focused and refined than what Amazon and Apple have managed in their own attempts to aggregate popular shows and movies.
On a Roku or Fire TV, my instinct is always to head right for the app where I want to watch something. But with the Chromecast, I’m equally happy browsing through Google’s rows of recommendations. The Google TV software clearly shows where content is coming from (you can pick which streaming apps get prioritized in these recs) and it also provides helpful information like Rotten Tomatoes ratings at the surface level when you’re hunting for that night’s entertainment.
In terms of app selection, Google’s got all of the main players covered. Like like previous Chromecasts, you can still cast content to the TV from your phone or laptop, and Google Assistant voice searches consistently work well and showcase Google’s accurate voice recognition.
Everything about Google TV feels tasteful, from the fonts to the way the background color subtly shifts to match the artwork of whatever content is highlighted. And the universal Watchlist, which lets you create a list of stuff you’re interested in from various streaming services, is super convenient; you can even add to it from the web or your phone.
But not everything about the Chromecast with Google TV is perfect. The software can feel slow and gets bogged down more often than I’d like, and it can be buggy at times. And the universal Watchlist has limited appeal since some services like Netflix don’t allow their content to be included. Again, that’s something Google has no control over, but it does lessen the feature’s usefulness.
The streaming stick that’s easiest to use
Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K improves on the Streaming Stick Plus by adding Dolby Vision. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
It’s hard to really complain about a Roku. The company’s streaming devices are about as simple and straightforward as they come. All of your apps are laid out in a big grid and easily accessible. Roku has tried to touch up and modernize the home screen a bit with new sections like “Featured Free” to highlight content you can stream without any subscriptions, and in recent years the company has also added support for Apple’s AirPlay 2 and, if you have a smart speaker, compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Roku has pretty much all of the entertainment you could want, but has a history of getting into spats with streaming services. For example, it’s possible that YouTube will be dropped from the platform in early December as Google and Roku remain unable to reach a new deal.
Roku’s neutral universal search remains one of the best aspects of the platform, ranking your existing subscriptions and free-to-stream options over purchases and rentals. And the company’s Roku Channel has grown into a legitimate streaming app of its own, offering a mix of ad-sponsored movies, TV shows, and live news for those days when you’re burned out on combing through Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
The Streaming Stick 4K, introduced in 2021, is now the best overall pick among Roku’s hardware when you weigh price and performance. It takes everything that was great about the popular Streaming Stick Plus and beefs up performance a bit, adds support for Dolby Vision HDR, and comes with the latest Roku voice remote.
If there’s one area where Roku falls flat, it’s probably voice search. Your voice queries for specific shows or movies should work well enough, but Roku lags Amazon and Google when it comes to natural language interactions. (And forget about using your voice to control smart home gadgets or look up entertainment-related facts.)
The best streamers for voice commands
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is among the first streaming gadgets to support Wi-Fi 6. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K Max is yet another excellent pick in that $50-ish range of streaming gadgets. The upgraded hardware offers speedier navigation, adds support for Wi-Fi 6, and maintains the vast selection of entertainment as Amazon’s other streamers. And if you’re familiar with the company’s Alexa voice assistant, you’ll feel right at home.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max’s software is similar to the Chromecast in that the home screen takes a content-forward approach instead of just throwing a grid of apps at you. Amazon tends to showcase (and advertise) its own Prime Video content more prominently than shows and movies from other services, which can get annoying at times.
Alexa voice commands with the remote work very reliably, whether you’re saying “open Netflix” or asking to dim the smart lights in your living room. And those voice capabilities can be deeper-reaching than competitors; you can say “turn to ESPN on Sling TV” and it’ll pull off that request without missing a beat.
The Fire TV Cube offers hands-free voice controls that no competitor can match, but it’s pricey. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
There’s also the Fire TV Cube to consider. It’s essentially a hybrid streaming device and smart speaker that offers the advantages of both — and the fastest performance of any Fire TV product. Rather than make you press and hold a button to speak to Alexa like with the Stick 4K Max, the Cube takes a hands-free approach and has beam-forming mics that respond to “Alexa” prompts from across the room just like an Echo speaker would.
The Fire TV Cube also now features an HDMI input, letting you run a cable box, Blu-ray player, or other content source through it. When you do so, Alexa’s responses will be shown as a visual overlay atop whatever you’re watching, which makes the experience that much nicer. Plus, you can just leave everything set to the same HDMI input for simplicity.
When it comes to their streaming capabilities, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Fire TV Cube are on equal footing, but it’s the hands-free voice element that really sets the Cube apart from the pack.
The best streaming player for gaming
Nvidia’s Shield TV is a powerful Android TV streaming box that’s popular with home theater enthusiasts. Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
Home theater enthusiasts, gamers, and people who like to tinker with their streaming devices have loyally stuck with Nvidia’s Shield TV and Shield TV Pro for a reason. They can serve as excellent players like any of our other picks, but you can also go more advanced and use them for cloud gaming or set up a Plex media library (in the case of the Pro). GeForce Now and Steam Link probably do more to sell gamers on the Shield lineup versus something like Apple Arcade on the Apple TV.
The Nvidia Shield runs Android TV and hasn’t been upgraded to the same Google TV experience as what’s on the Chromecast, but it’s got a similar interface. Nvidia’s AI-powered upscaling can eke out some extra detail from the shows and movies you stream, and I’d rate the included remote control (with backlit buttons, even) as the most ergonomic of them all.


theverge--2020-08-28--Los Angeles city attorney charges popular TikTok creators for partying

Los Angeles city attorney Mike Feuer has charged four people , including TikTok creators Bryce Hall and Blake Gray , for allegedly throwing a series of parties in the Hollywood Hills area in violation of public health restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 .
“ We allege that these hosts have been incredibly irresponsible with a highly infection disease spreading , ” Feuer said during a press conference .
He announced that Hall and Gray were being charged with violating the Safer LA health order and the city ’ s party house ordinance .
“ These parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clubs.
” The charges follow complaints from neighbors and mayors about the supposedly raucous parties .
Hall and Gray are two of TikTok ’ s most popular creators , with 13.2 million and 5.9 million followers respectively .
Feuer alleges that on August 8th , LAPD officers came to Hall and Gray ’ s home in response to a complaint call from the Hollywood Hills .
Officers issued a warning on the scene , telling Hall and Gray that parties are prohibited .
The officers issued a citation under LA ’ s party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great behavior and best practices rather than brazenly violating the law.
” Then , on August 14th , officers returned to the residence after a call of alleged gun shots came in , Feuer said .
Officers said they found “ several hundred guests celebrating Mr. Hall ’ s 21st birthday.
” No evidence of a gun was found , but Hall and Gray received a final warning of non-compliance .
The Verge has reached out to Hall and Gray ’ s reps for comment .
Both Hall and Gray can face fines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year in jail .
Two other home owners , Jianwei Bai and David Marvisi , were also charged with allegedly violating party restrictions .
Guests who attended these massive parties aren ’ t currently facing any charges or fines , but that could change in the future , Feuer said .
“ I want to make a clear point about the allegations against these two party house hosts : if you have a combined 19 million followers on TikTok , and in the middle of a public health crisis , you should modeling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ brazenly violating the law and posting videos about it as we allege happened here , ” Feuer said .
Both the mayors of Los Angeles and Calabasas , a wealthy residential area where YouTube personality Jake Paul lives and threw a large party of his own , have condemned the gatherings .
On August 19th , LA mayor Eric Garcetti had the city to shut off power at Hall and Gray ’ s home .
“ Parties like these can quickly and easily spread the virus and put our communities at risk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was unclear if “ there have been any cases linked to these parties , ” but added that because of the virus ’ incubation period , “ this might be around the time when individuals could become symptomatic if they were exposed to the disease.
” Close to 5.8 million cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the United States , and around 180,000 people have been left dead .
The virus , which mainly affects the respiratory system , spreads through close contact between people .
COVID-19 is frequently spreading among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asymptomatically and not know they ’ ve contracted it .
The Center for Disease Control strongly recommends avoiding large gatherings because of the high risk of transmission .
“ Parties like these can quickly and easily spread the virus and put our communities at risk.
” “ The consequences of these large parties ripple throughout our entire community because the virus can quickly and easily spread , ” a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Department of Public Health previously told The Verge .
“ We must all do our part to slow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may continue on our recovery journey.
” Despite the pressure put on from various government officials , including California Governor Gavin Newsom who banned large gatherings in March , influencers have continued to throw parties .
One of the more notorious events occurred during Hall ’ s 21st birthday party , where hundreds of guests reportedly showed up .
Videos showed people inside the house drinking and hanging out in close contact with one another .
People within the creator community have called out the actions of influencers who continue to party .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and Philip DeFranco are among the more popular personalities speaking up and against the flagrant disrespect for new rules and guidelines meant to curb the spread of coronavirus .
One YouTube creator , Davonna Finley , previously told The Verge they ’ re trying to do their part to name-and-shame influencers into stopping , but it ’ s not easy .
“ The creators getting away with this are the biggest , ” Finley said .
“ They ’ re dragons ; but there aren ’ t too many dragon slayers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to say something about what they ’ re doing.
” Now , with the new charges , it ’ s clear that Feuer and the city of Los Angeles will do whatever it takes to make the parties stop .

Los Angeles city attorney Mike Feuer has charged four people, including TikTok creators Bryce Hall and Blake Gray, for allegedly throwing a series of parties in the Hollywood Hills area in violation of public health restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“We allege that these hosts have been incredibly irresponsible with a highly infection disease spreading,” Feuer said during a press conference. He announced that Hall and Gray were being charged with violating the Safer LA health order and the city’s party house ordinance. “These parties can be really out of control night clubs.”
The charges follow complaints from neighbors and mayors about the supposedly raucous parties. Hall and Gray are two of TikTok’s most popular creators, with 13.2 million and 5.9 million followers respectively.
Feuer alleges that on August 8th, LAPD officers came to Hall and Gray’s home in response to a complaint call from the Hollywood Hills. Officers issued a warning on the scene, telling Hall and Gray that parties are prohibited. The officers issued a citation under LA’s party house restrictions.
“You should modeling great behavior and best practices rather than brazenly violating the law.”
Then, on August 14th, officers returned to the residence after a call of alleged gun shots came in, Feuer said. Officers said they found “several hundred guests celebrating Mr. Hall’s 21st birthday.” No evidence of a gun was found, but Hall and Gray received a final warning of non-compliance. The Verge has reached out to Hall and Gray’s reps for comment.
Both Hall and Gray can face fines up to $2,000 dollars and one year in jail. Two other home owners, Jianwei Bai and David Marvisi, were also charged with allegedly violating party restrictions. Guests who attended these massive parties aren’t currently facing any charges or fines, but that could change in the future, Feuer said.
“I want to make a clear point about the allegations against these two party house hosts: if you have a combined 19 million followers on TikTok, and in the middle of a public health crisis, you should modeling great behavior and best practices rather than brazenly violating the law and posting videos about it as we allege happened here,” Feuer said.
Both the mayors of Los Angeles and Calabasas, a wealthy residential area where YouTube personality Jake Paul lives and threw a large party of his own, have condemned the gatherings. On August 19th, LA mayor Eric Garcetti had the city to shut off power at Hall and Gray’s home.
“Parties like these can quickly and easily spread the virus and put our communities at risk,” Garcetti tweeted.
Feuer told media it was unclear if “there have been any cases linked to these parties,” but added that because of the virus’ incubation period, “this might be around the time when individuals could become symptomatic if they were exposed to the disease.”
Close to 5.8 million cases of COVID-19 have been recorded in the United States, and around 180,000 people have been left dead. The virus, which mainly affects the respiratory system, spreads through close contact between people. COVID-19 is frequently spreading among younger people who may carry the virus asymptomatically and not know they’ve contracted it. The Center for Disease Control strongly recommends avoiding large gatherings because of the high risk of transmission.
“Parties like these can quickly and easily spread the virus and put our communities at risk.”
“The consequences of these large parties ripple throughout our entire community because the virus can quickly and easily spread,” a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Department of Public Health previously told The Verge. “We must all do our part to slow the spread of this virus so that we may continue on our recovery journey.”
Despite the pressure put on from various government officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom who banned large gatherings in March, influencers have continued to throw parties. One of the more notorious events occurred during Hall’s 21st birthday party, where hundreds of guests reportedly showed up. Videos showed people inside the house drinking and hanging out in close contact with one another.
People within the creator community have called out the actions of influencers who continue to party. Tyler Oakley, Ethan and Hila Klein, and Philip DeFranco are among the more popular personalities speaking up and against the flagrant disrespect for new rules and guidelines meant to curb the spread of coronavirus. One YouTube creator, Davonna Finley, previously told The Verge they’re trying to do their part to name-and-shame influencers into stopping, but it’s not easy.
“The creators getting away with this are the biggest,” Finley said. “They’re dragons; but there aren’t too many dragon slayers. There’s nobody of their size willing to say something about what they’re doing.”


theverge--2020-08-29--T-Mobile is offering a free iPhone 11 Pro to new and existing subscribers

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval , so if you 're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , Target , and more , this is the place to be .
At T-Mobile , you can get a free iPhone 11 Pro if you meet all of the carrier ’ s qualifications .
First off , you have to switch from another carrier and trade in your old device , or if you ’ re an existing customer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line to your plan .
For either one , you ’ ll pay for the phone up front , then T-Mobile will pay you back in billing credits each month over a 24-month period .
It ’ s worth noting that Apple is likely a month out from announcing the rumored iPhone 12 , and with any new iPhone release , there are usually a bunch of carrier incentives .
Still , it ’ s a free iPhone now , if you want it and meet the criteria .
Control Ultimate Edition just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a yearlong exclusive stint on the Epic Games Store .
Green Man Gaming is selling the game for just $ 27 ( usually $ 40 ) , and I can ’ t recommend this game enough if you like action games .
Should that sell out , Humble is selling it for $ 32 , which is also a good deal .
In other PC gaming news , Humble has a bunch of games for sale as part of its “ End of Summer Sale 2020.
” It broke up the games by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my favorite themes to peruse is the “ Destress & Disconnect ” collection .
It ’ s full of titles that can take your mind off things , like Abzû , The Witness , The Sims 4 , Night In The Woods , and more .
Additionally , many games from Sega are steeply discounted , including all of the Yakuza titles for PC , and other cult classics like Vanquish , Bayonetta , and Jet Grind Radio .
Razer is bundling its Kraken X wired gaming headset with the Ornata V2 full-sized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the items usually cost together .
Instead of costing $ 150 , they ’ re $ 100 .
If you ’ re looking for a few solid additions to your PC setup , these should fit the bill .

At T-Mobile, you can get a free iPhone 11 Pro if you meet all of the carrier’s qualifications. First off, you have to switch from another carrier and trade in your old device, or if you’re an existing customer, you can get one by adding a line to your plan. For either one, you’ll pay for the phone up front, then T-Mobile will pay you back in billing credits each month over a 24-month period.
It’s worth noting that Apple is likely a month out from announcing the rumored iPhone 12, and with any new iPhone release, there are usually a bunch of carrier incentives. Still, it’s a free iPhone now, if you want it and meet the criteria.
Get a free iPhone 11 or iPhone 11 Pro at T-Mobile / You’re eligible if you switch from a carrier and trade your old phone in or if you’re an existing customer who adds a voice line to their plan. Visit T-Mobile
Control Ultimate Edition just launched this week on Steam, following a yearlong exclusive stint on the Epic Games Store. Green Man Gaming is selling the game for just $27 (usually $40), and I can’t recommend this game enough if you like action games. Should that sell out, Humble is selling it for $32, which is also a good deal.
Control Ultimate Edition (Steam) / Was $40, now 32% off $27 at Green Man Gaming
In other PC gaming news, Humble has a bunch of games for sale as part of its “End of Summer Sale 2020.” It broke up the games by publisher and theme, and one of my favorite themes to peruse is the “Destress & Disconnect” collection. It’s full of titles that can take your mind off things, like Abzû, The Witness, The Sims 4, Night In The Woods, and more.
Additionally, many games from Sega are steeply discounted, including all of the Yakuza titles for PC, and other cult classics like Vanquish, Bayonetta, and Jet Grind Radio.
The Razer Ornata V2 Razer
Razer is bundling its Kraken X wired gaming headset with the Ornata V2 full-sized, wired mechanical keyboard for less than the items usually cost together. Instead of costing $150, they’re $100. If you’re looking for a few solid additions to your PC setup, these should fit the bill.


theverge--2020-08-29--ULA aborts launch of classified spy satellite at just 3 seconds to liftoff

Update August 29th , 8:15AM ET : At just 3 seconds to liftoff , the Delta IV Heavy aborted the launch , just after the engines initially ignited and then shut off quickly .
ULA says “ an unexpected condition ” prompted the abort .
ULA ’ s CEO , Tory Bruno , noted the vehicle is in good shape , but the company will take at least a week to review all the data and try again .
Original Story : In the very early morning hours on Saturday , the United Launch Alliance is set to launch its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Florida , lofting a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office .
The mission could be the first of three back-to-back launches out of the Cape , too , with SpaceX set to launch two missions shortly afterward .
Such a cluster of missions is a rare event for the Florida spaceport .
“ It could be a historic event for us this week — lots of things going on , ” Brig .
Gen. Douglas Schiess , commander , of the 45th Space Wing that oversees launches out of the Cape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The rocket going up on ULA ’ s mission is the Delta IV Heavy , a giant vehicle that consists of three rocket cores strapped together to provide extra thrust .
It ’ s one of the most powerful rockets in the world , though shy of the power packed into SpaceX ’ s Falcon Heavy .
ULA doesn ’ t fly the Delta IV Heavy very often , as it ’ s an expensive vehicle to make , but the company uses the rocket for large , heavy satellites in need of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocket ’ s payload is NROL-44 , and like all NRO missions , its purpose is cloaked in secrecy .
The office simply notes that “ NROL-44 supports NRO ’ s overall national security mission to provide intelligence data to the United States ’ senior policymakers , the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense.
” ULA has already launched 29 missions for the NRO , many of which have required the Delta IV Heavy .
“ It could be a historic event for us this week.
” Once the Delta IV Heavy launches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The company is slated to launch a satellite for Argentina ’ s space agency , sending the payload into an orbit over the poles .
It ’ ll mark the first time in more than 50 years that a rocket launches into this kind of polar orbit from the Florida coast .
After that flight , SpaceX will then launch its next batch of internet-beaming Starlink satellites .
Originally , SpaceX had hoped to launch these two missions on consecutive days following ULA ’ s mission , which would have meant three launches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
However , ULA was forced to delay its original launch attempt on Thursday due to an issue with a heater on the launchpad , causing SpaceX to reschedule its missions for different days .
Despite the delays , the 45th Space Wing will still have plenty of work to do in a short period .
Three separate teams have been assembled to handle each launch — that way , there ’ s no overlap between the groups .
The setup was designed as a precaution , to prevent unneeded exposure during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been taking extra precautions to oversee launches since March .
“ We take temperatures as we go into our operations centers ; we wear face coverings ; we have hand sanitizer sizer ; we make sure that we ’ re washing our hands on a regular basis , ” Schiess said .
The Delta IV Heavy is scheduled to lift off on Saturday at 2:04AM ET out of ULA ’ s launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station .
So far , weather is looking good , with an 80 percent chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the 45th Space Wing .
ULA ’ s webcast will begin at 1:52AM ET , for anyone who is still awake and hoping to catch an early morning launch .
Update August 27th , 2:30PM ET : ULA delayed the launch early Thursday morning due to a heater having issues on the launchpad .
The company will try to launch again on Saturday morning , August 29th .
This story was updated to reflect the changes .

Update October 1st, 7AM ET: Yet again, ULA stopped the launch mere seconds before takeoff, after a sensor reported a faulty reading. The main combustion chambers in the engines did not ignite, and CEO Tory Bruno says the rocket and the payload are “safe and unharmed.”
Original story: After many weeks of delays due to faulty equipment and bad weather, the United Launch Alliance is set to launch its most powerful rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, lofting a classified spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. The mission is finally ready to fly a full month after the rocket’s first launch attempt, which was aborted just three seconds before liftoff.
The rocket going up on ULA’s mission is the Delta IV Heavy, a giant vehicle that consists of three rocket cores strapped together to provide extra thrust. It’s one of the most powerful rockets in the world, though it falls short of the power packed into SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy. ULA doesn’t fly the Delta IV Heavy very often, as it’s an expensive vehicle to make, but the company uses the rocket for large, heavy satellites headed to super-high orbits.
The rocket’s payload is NROL-44, and like all NRO missions, its purpose is cloaked in secrecy. The office simply notes that “NROL-44 supports NRO’s overall national security mission to provide intelligence data to the United States’ senior policymakers, the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense.” ULA has already launched 29 missions for the NRO, many of which have required the Delta IV Heavy.
ULA was all set to launch NROL-44 in the wee hours of the morning on August 29th. ULA counted all the way down to just seconds before liftoff, with the Delta IV Heavy’s main engines briefly igniting. But the engines quickly shut off and the rocket remained fixed on the launchpad. ULA later learned a piece of ground equipment had failed, prompting the abort. It took the company a few weeks to replace the faulty equipment.
Further problems with equipment on the launchpad pushed back the launch time again, but ULA is hoping to get off the ground this week. Unfortunately the weather has not been agreeable, with bad conditions delaying attempts on Monday and Tuesday. But at last, there’s a 70 percent chance that the weather will cooperate for launch tonight — so perhaps today is the day.
The Delta IV Heavy is scheduled to lift off on Tuesday at 11:54PM ET from ULA’s launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. ULA’s launch blog will begin at 3:15PM ET, and its webcast will begin at 11:34PM ET, for anyone who is still awake and hoping to catch a midnight launch.