theverge--2020-01-30--Here’s what you need to watch the Super Bowl in 4K HDR

Updated 9:35PM ET , January 30th : Just a few hours after we published this guide , Roku notified its users that it is pulling all seven of its Fox apps from its platform , and this includes Fox Sports .
This means that your Roku device will be in the dark on gameday , unless you subscribe to fuboTV , Hulu with Live TV , or Sling TV to tune in ( all of which offer a free trial ) .
Roku told The Verge that the reason for the channel removal is due to a carriage dispute between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reached in time for the Super Bowl on Sunday , which would reinstate the channels .
But if not , at least Fox Sports won ’ t have to update its Super Bowl LIV page again — Roku ’ s name has been wiped clean from it already .
The original post follows below : Super Bowl LIV is coming up this Sunday , February 2nd on Fox , between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs .
As if that matchup wasn ’ t reason enough to watch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ broadcast in 4K HDR .
If you want to watch it in 4K HDR , we ’ re going to tell you how .
But bear with us — this is more confusing to walk through than it should be .
It goes without saying that you ’ ll need a 4K HDR TV to view the game at the highest fidelity .
You ’ ll also need a fast internet connection that supports at least 25MB/s download speeds .
Last , you ’ ll need a streaming device that can support 4K @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will do .
Amazon ’ s Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube are confirmed to get the 4K HDR ( HDR10 , specifically ) feed via Fox Sports ’ app .
At the time of publishing , Fox Sports ’ website says the Roku Premiere , Roku Premiere+ , Roku Streaming Stick+ , Roku Ultra , and all 4K HDR TVs with Roku ’ s operating system built-in will get it , too .
However , a Fox Sports spokesperson tells The Verge that those Roku devices aren ’ t yet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you have a Roku device , or you were planning to buy one for the game , the lack of assurance that you ’ ll get 4K HDR is worrying , though the broadcaster is pushing for them to work by kickoff time .
Roku ’ s 4K HDR devices may get the 4K HDR stream , but a Fox Sports spokesperson says it doesn ’ t yet function properly The Apple TV 4K will get a 4K stream via the Fox Sports app , though due to some platform issues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you own the Nvidia Shield TV or Google Chromecast Ultra , you will presumably get the 1080p stream through Fox Sports ’ app , though these devices aren ’ t listed on its site as being supported at all .
But there ’ s another route to take to get a 4K stream .
Live TV streaming service fuboTV claims it will offer Fox ’ s 4K feed of the Super Bowl to a large range of devices , including those listed above , and it offers a free seven-day trial .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ format , and to have that come through , you ’ ll need a few things : a TV that supports HLG HDR ( most new Samsung , LG , Sony , Vizio , and TCL Smart TV models support it , and fuboTV ’ s app is available on some of them ) , and an HLG-ready box to get HDR colors .
Amazon ’ s Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube are the easiest , and most affordable , option .
If you ’ re missing any of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ display SDR colors .
And should there be any complications ( it can happen ! )
with fuboTV ’ s handling of the 4K feed , you ’ ll probably be stuck with the same 1080p feed you ’ d get through the Fox Sports app .
As of right now , there are no options to watch the Super Bowl in 4K HDR if you have a Roku device , though it ’ s possible that a deal will be inked just before the game is aired .
We ’ ll update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ listing of the available Amazon devices follows , along with a few TV recommendations to suit different needs and budgets .
If you already own a 4K HDR TV Got a TV and looking for deals on an Amazon Fire TV device ?
All of Amazon ’ s options that support 4K HDR are currently discounted , and if you ’ re a Prime member , you can get them delivered before the game .
If you ’ re buying on a real last-minute basis , you ’ ll likely find them at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the price might not match .
For just a few hundred dollars , you can find an affordable TV with the software necessary to watch the 4K HDR stream , like the Fire TV Edition televisions that essentially have Amazon ’ s 4K set-top box inside of them .
And if you have the money to spend , there are plenty of more expensive models that warrant their costs , like QLED and OLED televisions .
Starting with the most value-packed TV for this particular occasion , Toshiba ’ s 55-inch 4K HDR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs $ 329.99 ( usually $ 449.99 ) at Best Buy , and comes with a free third-gen Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker .
With this model , you won ’ t need to buy a Fire TV streaming device as well , as it already has one built in .
The same model costs $ 379.99 at Amazon .
For the 65-inch version of this model , you ’ ll pay $ 429.99 at Best Buy .
TCL ’ s 6-series TV with Roku software built in has been easy to recommend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Welch called the 2018 version the best 4K HDR television available for less than $ 1,000 .
The 2019 version starts at $ 549.99 ( the 55-inch version ) and appears to be even better , with slimmer bezels and quantum dot technology to improve the color accuracy and contrast , making the LED panel look more like an OLED .
If you want the 65-inch TV , it ’ ll cost you $ 699 at Amazon .
While there are plenty of other TVs to recommend around the $ 600- $ 1000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beyond that — but for good reason .
LG ’ s B9 OLED 4K HDR television can be recommended for its picture quality and design .
Compared to LED and LCD panels , OLED is unmatched when it comes to contrast and color accuracy .
This model also supports Apple HomeKit and AirPlay 2 , as well as Nvidia G-Sync , with variable refresh rates up to 120Hz .
If you want to invest in a TV that you ’ ll probably get a lot of enjoyment out of , LG ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , the 55-inch LG B9 is $ 1,296.99 at B & H Photo and Amazon , and $ 1,299.99 at Best Buy .
The 65-inch version is $ 1,796.99 at B & H Photo and Amazon , and $ 1,799.99 at Best Buy .
Both prices match the lowest that we ’ ve seen so far .
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships .
These do not influence editorial content , though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links .
For more information , see

Super Bowl LIV is coming up this Sunday, February 2nd on Fox, between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. As if that matchup wasn’t reason enough to watch, this year’s Super Bowl will broadcast in 4K HDR. If you want to watch it in 4K HDR, we’re going to tell you how. But bear with us — this is more confusing to walk through than it should be.
It goes without saying that you’ll need a 4K HDR TV to view the game at the highest fidelity. You’ll also need a fast internet connection that supports at least 25MB/s download speeds. Last, you’ll need a streaming device that can support 4K HDR — but not just any one will do.
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube are confirmed to get the 4K HDR (HDR10, specifically) feed via Fox Sports’ app. At the time of publishing, Fox Sports’ website says the Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+, Roku Streaming Stick+, Roku Ultra, and all 4K HDR TVs with Roku’s operating system built-in will get it, too. However, a Fox Sports spokesperson told The Verge that those Roku devices aren’t yet working with the high fidelity stream. If you have a Roku device, or you were planning to buy one for the game, the lack of assurance that you’ll get 4K HDR is worrying, though the broadcaster is pushing for them to work by kickoff time.
And while you may have heard (including in an earlier version of this post) that Roku would be removing the Fox apps you’ll need to stream the Super Bowl, you should know that’s no longer the case — the companies reached an agreement late Friday to get things working.
Roku’s 4K HDR devices may get the 4K HDR stream, but a Fox Sports spokesperson says it doesn’t yet function properly
The Apple TV 4K will get a 4K stream via the Fox Sports app, though due to some platform issues, it will not be in HDR. If you own the Nvidia Shield TV or Google Chromecast Ultra, you will presumably get the 1080p stream through Fox Sports’ app, though these devices aren’t listed on its site as being supported at all.
Related The NFL in 4K HDR gets off to a rocky start on Fox Sports
But there’s another route to take to get a 4K stream. Live TV streaming service fuboTV claims it will offer Fox’s 4K feed of the Super Bowl to a large range of devices, including those listed above, and it offers a free seven-day trial. It will broadcast in the HLG HDR format, and to have that come through, you’ll need a few things: a TV that supports HLG HDR (most new Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and TCL Smart TV models support it, and fuboTV’s app is available on some of them), and an HLG-ready box to get HDR colors. Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube are the easiest, and most affordable, option.
If you’re missing any of those ingredients, your device will likely just display SDR colors. And should there be any complications (it can happen!) with fuboTV’s handling of the 4K feed, you’ll probably be stuck with the same 1080p feed you’d get through the Fox Sports app.
Get a fuboTV trial / fuboTV will host a 4K stream of the Super Bowl for a wide range of devices, and it offers a free seven-day trial Sign up
As of right now, there are no options to watch the Super Bowl in 4K HDR if you have a Roku device, though it’s possible that a deal will be inked just before the game is aired. We’ll update this article if anything changes.
Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A listing of the available Amazon devices follows, along with a few TV recommendations to suit different needs and budgets.
If you already own a 4K HDR TV
Got a TV and looking for deals on an Amazon Fire TV device? All of Amazon’s options that support 4K HDR are currently discounted, and if you’re a Prime member, you can get them delivered before the game. If you’re buying on a real last-minute basis, you’ll likely find them at your local Whole Foods Market, though the price might not match.
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote / Available at Amazon for around $15 less than usual $49.99 $34.99
Amazon Fire TV Cube with Alexa Voice Remote / Get this $20 discount at Amazon. This model doubles as an Echo speaker, and you’ll also get an ethernet adapter in the box, in case you’d prefer to use a faster wired connection. $119.99 $99.99
A few quick TV recommendations
For just a few hundred dollars, you can find an affordable TV with the software necessary to watch the 4K HDR stream, like the Fire TV Edition televisions that essentially have Amazon’s 4K set-top box inside of them. And if you have the money to spend, there are plenty of more expensive models that warrant their costs, like QLED and OLED televisions.
Starting with the most value-packed TV for this particular occasion, Toshiba’s 55-inch 4K HDR Fire TV Edition television with Dolby Vision costs $329.99 (usually $449.99) at Best Buy, and comes with a free third-gen Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker. With this model, you won’t need to buy a Fire TV streaming device as well, as it already has one built in. The same model costs $379.99 at Amazon. For the 65-inch version of this model, you’ll pay $429.99 at Best Buy.
Image: TCL
TCL’s 6-series TV with Roku software built in has been easy to recommend in the past. My colleague Chris Welch called the 2018 version the best 4K HDR television available for less than $1,000. The 2019 version starts at $549.99 (the 55-inch version) and appears to be even better, with slimmer bezels and quantum dot technology to improve the color accuracy and contrast, making the LED panel look more like an OLED. If you want the 65-inch TV, it’ll cost you $699 at Amazon.
While there are plenty of other TVs to recommend around the $600-$1000 price range, our next one goes beyond that — but for good reason. LG’s B9 OLED 4K HDR television can be recommended for its picture quality and design. Compared to LED and LCD panels, OLED is unmatched when it comes to contrast and color accuracy. This model also supports Apple HomeKit and AirPlay 2, as well as Nvidia G-Sync, with variable refresh rates up to 120Hz.
If you want to invest in a TV that you’ll probably get a lot of enjoyment out of, LG’s OLEDs are worth looking into. Right now, the 55-inch LG B9 is $1,296.99 at B&H Photo and Amazon, and $1,299.99 at Best Buy. The 65-inch version is $1,796.99 at B&H Photo and Amazon, and $1,799.99 at Best Buy. Both prices match the lowest that we’ve seen so far.
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence editorial content, though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links. For more information, see our ethics policy .


theverge--2020-02-03--Google will pick your best photos and print them with new trial service

A new subscription service from Google Photos will print and mail you a selection of your photos each month , 9to5Google reports .
The service ’ s $ 7.99 monthly fee gets you 10 automatically-selected 4 x 6-inch prints , which are picked from the photos you ’ ve taken over the last 30 days .
Google is currently trialing the service in the US , and you can sign up from a promotional banner that ’ s appearing for some Google Photos users .
Google has been offering physical photo prints for a little while now , but the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will pick which of your photos get printed , rather than relying on you placing individual orders .
9to5Google reports that you have the option of prioritizing photos with “ people and pets , ” “ landscapes , ” or “ a little bit of everything.
” You also have the option of editing your selection before they ’ re printed each month .
There are three options for which photos get selected This curation comes at a cost .
At this price the photos work out at $ 0.79 per print , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ price of $ 0.25 Google charges for photos printed using its Walmart or CVS partnerships .
However , the subscription service is definitely less effort than picking individual photos to print yourself .
Physical photos are one of those things that it ’ s easy to miss out on entirely if you take most of your photos on a smartphone or digital camera and forget to ever get them printed .
Personally , the struggle for me is remembering to take photos in the first place , but knowing that I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of each month could be exactly the kind of incentive I need to get snapping .

A new subscription service from Google Photos will print and mail you a selection of your photos each month, 9to5Google reports. The service’s $7.99 monthly fee gets you 10 automatically-selected 4 x 6-inch prints, which are picked from the photos you’ve taken over the last 30 days. Google is currently trialing the service in the US, and you can sign up from a promotional banner that’s appearing for some Google Photos users.
Google has been offering physical photo prints for a little while now, but the interesting thing here is that its algorithms will pick which of your photos get printed, rather than relying on you placing individual orders. 9to5Google reports that you have the option of prioritizing photos with “people and pets,” “landscapes,” or “a little bit of everything.” You also have the option of editing your selection before they’re printed each month.
There are three options for which photos get selected
This curation comes at a cost. At this price the photos work out at $0.79 per print, which is more than double the starting price of $0.25 Google charges for photos printed using its Walmart or CVS partnerships. However, the subscription service is definitely less effort than picking individual photos to print yourself.


theverge--2020-02-03--Scale of Airbnb’s scam problem detailed in new Vice report

A new report from Vice has highlighted the range of different scams that unscrupulous Airbnb hosts have been pulling on their unsuspecting guests .
From tricking guests into switching to dirty and rundown properties at the last minute , to threatening them if they don ’ t leave glowing 5-star reviews , the report ’ s findings suggest that Airbnb has been open to abuse for far too long , and that its promised reforms can ’ t come soon enough .
Vice ’ s report is well worth reading in its entirety , but there are a couple of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the publication received that are worth highlighting .
One user from Montreal described how they were asked to pay for their stay outside of the main Airbnb app , only to turn up and discover a filthy property that was infested with silverfish .
Then , when the guest tried to cancel through Airbnb , the host “ went off ” at them , and tried to belittle them : “ I decided to cancel through Airbnb and tell them about what had happened .
He went off at me , berated me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me I was acting in my own self interest and basically belittled me .
I ended up having to pay the full first month even though I stayed a night… His listing is still up and a review posted after my stay also mentions the silverfish.
” Other Airbnb guests complained about being hit with excessive repair costs for minor damages like coffee stains .
In one instance , a host tried to claim that their guest had lost their apartment key , and attempted to charge them thousands of dollars to replace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has “ checks and balances ” in place to protect against abuses like this , and in the case of the alleged missing key the guest managed to get the fine wiped from their account .
In total , Vice says it received almost a thousand emails detailing bad Airbnb experiences .
One of the more interesting elements of the report is how similar many of the scams are , as hosts exploit loopholes in Airbnb ’ s processes to avoid scrutiny .
Some hosts will try to claim that a property is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” which means that they can avoid any cancellation penalty .
Others try to run out the time that a user has to leave a review so that their bad behavior never gets revealed publicly .
After Vice ’ s initial report on a nationwide Airbnb scam in October last year , the platform promised to verify all of its listings by the end of 2020 .
Although this verification process stops short of sending an inspector to every single property , the platform plans to start asking guests more questions about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an attempt to “ triangulate information ” and reveal abuses .
Airbnb adds that it will also use algorithms to screen listings to try and identify problems .
More details about the verification program are promised in the coming months .

A new report from Vice has highlighted the range of different scams that unscrupulous Airbnb hosts have been pulling on their unsuspecting guests. From tricking guests into switching to dirty and rundown properties at the last minute, to threatening them if they don’t leave glowing 5-star reviews, the report’s findings suggest that Airbnb has been open to abuse for far too long, and that its promised reforms can’t come soon enough.
Vice’s report is well worth reading in its entirety, but there are a couple of stories in among the hundreds of emails the publication received that are worth highlighting. One user from Montreal described how they were asked to pay for their stay outside of the main Airbnb app, only to turn up and discover a filthy property that was infested with silverfish. Then, when the guest tried to cancel through Airbnb, the host “went off” at them, and tried to belittle them:
“I decided to cancel through Airbnb and tell them about what had happened. He went off at me, berated me for not handing it privately, told me I was acting in my own self interest and basically belittled me. I ended up having to pay the full first month even though I stayed a night… His listing is still up and a review posted after my stay also mentions the silverfish.”
Other Airbnb guests complained about being hit with excessive repair costs for minor damages like coffee stains. In one instance, a host tried to claim that their guest had lost their apartment key, and attempted to charge them thousands of dollars to replace it. Airbnb told Vice that it has “checks and balances” in place to protect against abuses like this, and in the case of the alleged missing key the guest managed to get the fine wiped from their account.
In total, Vice says it received almost a thousand emails detailing bad Airbnb experiences. One of the more interesting elements of the report is how similar many of the scams are, as hosts exploit loopholes in Airbnb’s processes to avoid scrutiny. Some hosts will try to claim that a property is unavailable due to an “unavoidable circumstance,” which means that they can avoid any cancellation penalty. Others try to run out the time that a user has to leave a review so that their bad behavior never gets revealed publicly.


theverge--2020-02-03--Microsoft cancels Surface Hub 2X launch, promises ‘major’ software update instead

Microsoft is no longer planning to release its special Surface Hub 2X processor upgrade cartridge this year .
The software giant was planning to allow Surface Hub 2S owners to upgrade to this cartridge , improving the processor and GPU inside .
It was also part of how Microsoft would enable tiling and rotation support on the Surface Hub 2 , a big feature the company originally unveiled last year .
In a leaked webinar to Surface Hub 2 sellers , Microsoft says it ’ s still committed to developing tiling and rotation but it ’ s not clear when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might not require an upgrade for Surface Hub 2S customers , or they might not require a paid compute cartridge swap , ” says a Microsoft spokesperson in the webinar .
“ We don ’ t have plans to release a compute cartridge in 2020 , because the best way to release those capabilities — tiling and rotation — may not require us to take that path.
” Instead , Microsoft is now planning to release a “ major software update ” for Surface Hub and Surface Hub 2 customers and its larger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the first 2020 release of Windows 10 , and include more IT-friendly integration , deployment , and manageability features .
Microsoft is releasing this update free of charge for all Surface Hub v1 and Surface Hub 2S devices , whereas the 2X processor cartridge upgrade would have only been available for Surface Hub 2S devices .
While this update will be based on the latest Windows 10 release , it will not be based on the company ’ s modern Windows Core OS platform that will power Windows 10X devices like the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2X ) was supposed to update the Surface Hub 2S to this more modern OS , but it ’ s not entirely clear whether that will ever arrive now .
Microsoft ’ s plans to turn the Surface Hub 2S display into a monitor for other devices to connect to is still planned for 2020 , though .
We reached out to Microsoft for clarification around its Surface Hub 2X plans , but the company would only confirm its plans for a software update this year .
“ We have an ongoing dialogue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to align the roadmap to best meet their needs , ” says a Microsoft spokesperson in a statement to The Verge .
“ The top two priorities for Hub in 2020 are deploying the 85 ” device and rolling out an OS update that includes many top features customers have been requesting since Surface Hub 2S launched , including improving IT integration , deployment and management capabilities at no cost for all version 1 Hubs and Hub 2S devices .
We ’ ll have more to share in the coming months .
@

Microsoft is no longer planning to release its special Surface Hub 2X processor upgrade cartridge this year. The software giant was planning to allow Surface Hub 2S owners to upgrade to this cartridge, improving the processor and GPU inside. It was also part of how Microsoft would enable tiling and rotation support on the Surface Hub 2, a big feature the company originally unveiled last year.
In a leaked webinar to Surface Hub 2 sellers, Microsoft says it’s still committed to developing tiling and rotation but it’s not clear when these features will arrive. “They might not require an upgrade for Surface Hub 2S customers, or they might not require a paid compute cartridge swap,” says a Microsoft spokesperson in the webinar. “We don’t have plans to release a compute cartridge in 2020, because the best way to release those capabilities — tiling and rotation — may not require us to take that path.”
Instead, Microsoft is now planning to release a “major software update” for Surface Hub and Surface Hub 2 customers and its larger 85-inch device. It will be based on the first 2020 release of Windows 10, and include more IT-friendly integration, deployment, and manageability features. Microsoft is releasing this update free of charge for all Surface Hub v1 and Surface Hub 2S devices, whereas the 2X processor cartridge upgrade would have only been available for Surface Hub 2S devices.
While this update will be based on the latest Windows 10 release, it will not be based on the company’s modern Windows Core OS platform that will power Windows 10X devices like the Surface Neo. The compute cartridge (2X) was supposed to update the Surface Hub 2S to this more modern OS, but it’s not entirely clear whether that will ever arrive now. Microsoft’s plans to turn the Surface Hub 2S display into a monitor for other devices to connect to is still planned for 2020, though.


theverge--2020-02-03--Apple now offers iPhone repairs in the comfort of your home

Apple has started offering a new repair service where one of its authorized service providers will come to your home or office to repair your device .
The service , which was first spotted by MacRumors , can be accessed through Apple ’ s support site , where under certain circumstances you ’ ll now see an onsite repair option in addition to the existing instore and mail-in services .
“ In select locations , onsite service may be available , ” Apple ’ s support page reads .
The repairs are being offered via Go Tech Services , whose @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Service Provider .
At present , the company ’ s website says its repair services can only be booked via Apple ’ s support site .
The onsite repair service seems to be limited at the moment .
MacRumors notes that it is currently available in six cities across the US ; San Francisco , Los Angeles , New York , Chicago , Houston , and Dallas .
It also only seems to cover certain kinds of repairs .
When browsing through Apple ’ s support site , we found the repair option @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it did not seem to be available for other devices like iMacs , or for other kinds of iPhone repairs like battery replacements .
Apple also notes than an “ onsite visit fee ” may be charged in addition to the regular repair cost .
We ’ ve contacted Apple to ask for more details on the service .
This isn ’ t the first time Apple has offered onsite repairs , but AppleCare for Enterprise is only available for organizations with devices numbering in the thousands .
The limited number of repair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t be for everyone , but it ’ s nice to have the option when you need it .

Apple has started offering a new repair service where one of its authorized service providers will come to your home or office to repair your device. The service, which was first spotted by MacRumors, can be accessed through Apple’s support site, where under certain circumstances you’ll now see an onsite repair option in addition to the existing instore and mail-in services. “In select locations, onsite service may be available,” Apple’s support page reads.
The repairs are being offered via Go Tech Services, whose website lists it as an Apple Authorized Service Provider. At present, the company’s website says its repair services can only be booked via Apple’s support site.
The onsite repair option is accessed under the “Schedule a Repair” button. Screenshot by Jon Porter / The Verge
The onsite repair service seems to be limited at the moment. MacRumors notes that it is currently available in six cities across the US; San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Houston, and Dallas. It also only seems to cover certain kinds of repairs. When browsing through Apple’s support site, we found the repair option listed for iPhone screen repairs, but it did not seem to be available for other devices like iMacs, or for other kinds of iPhone repairs like battery replacements. Apple also notes than an “onsite visit fee” may be charged in addition to the regular repair cost. We’ve contacted Apple to ask for more details on the service.


theverge--2020-02-02--TikTok has its Super Bowl moment in more ways than one

It ’ s best to think of the Super Bowl as the Content Bowl ; brands try to outdo each other with celebrity power , attempts at creating viral moments , and trailers for the biggest movies .
This year , that included TikTok .
TikTok aired a 30-second Super Bowl commercial during the game , leaning into the realness of its creator base .
The tagline at the end of the video suggests TikTok is “ real athletes , real fans , and real videos.
” The spot celebrated the short videos people take of going a “ little @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quirky things friends do when they hang out , giving a glimpse into the social media platform that is quickly dominating the world .
If that wasn ’ t enough to sell just how much cache TikTok has amassed in just over a year , one of the app ’ s biggest creators — Charli D ’ Amelio — starred alongside mainstream celebrities and reality stars in a separate big Super Bowl commercial for Sabra Hummus .
Some people , like Justin Bieber , are also hoping that people will use commercial breaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ TikTok for their own advertising campaigns of sorts .
Bieber alerted fans on Instagram that during commercial breaks after a team calls a time out , “ TikTok stars will create content to go along with ‘ Yummy , ’ ” the singer ’ s most recent single .
Some TikTok stars participating in the campaign include David Dobrik , Zach King , Greg Auerbach , and Brittany Broski .
Songs going viral on TikTok have led to massive success for musicians .
Most notably , Lil Nas X ’ s “ Old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success after becoming a popular TikTok song and dance .
TikTok stars will create content to go along with ‘ Yummy ’ TikTok is doing more for other massive corporate brands during the Super Bowl , though .
The social media platform teamed up with companies like Mountain Dew , Hyundai , and Chipotle in the week leading up to the big game to provide even more advertising opportunities , according to AdAge .
Mountain Dew created a specific effect that TikTok users can incorporate into their videos .
Hyundai , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on TikTok , produced a series of videos for the platform that stars Saturday Night Live ’ s Rachel Dratch performing the same role she does in Hyundai ’ s Super Bowl commercial .
TikTok has close to 1.5 billion users in total , with a large majority of those being newcomers to the app in 2019 alone .
The app , which is facing criticism from members of the Senate over its Chinese parent company , ByteDance , is only continuing to grow .
Having a presence at the Super Bowl has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success — and if that ’ s still true , TikTok is officially one of the big dogs .

It’s best to think of the Super Bowl as the Content Bowl; brands try to outdo each other with celebrity power, attempts at creating viral moments, and trailers for the biggest movies. This year, that included TikTok.
TikTok aired a 30-second Super Bowl commercial during the game, leaning into the realness of its creator base. The tagline at the end of the video suggests TikTok is “real athletes, real fans, and real videos.” The spot celebrated the short videos people take of going a “little extra during a touchdown” or the quirky things friends do when they hang out, giving a glimpse into the social media platform that is quickly dominating the world. If that wasn’t enough to sell just how much cache TikTok has amassed in just over a year, one of the app’s biggest creators — Charli D’Amelio — starred alongside mainstream celebrities and reality stars in a separate big Super Bowl commercial for Sabra Hummus.
Some people, like Justin Bieber, are also hoping that people will use commercial breaks during the Super Bowl to tune into TikTok for their own advertising campaigns of sorts. Bieber alerted fans on Instagram that during commercial breaks after a team calls a time out, “TikTok stars will create content to go along with ‘Yummy,’” to promote both Chipotle and the singer’s most recent single. Some TikTok stars participating in the campaign include David Dobrik, Zach King, Greg Auerbach, and Brittany Broski. Songs going viral on TikTok have led to massive success for musicians. Most notably, Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” partially found its viral success after becoming a popular TikTok song and dance.
TikTok stars will create content to go along with ‘Yummy’
TikTok is doing more for other massive corporate brands during the Super Bowl, though. The social media platform teamed up with companies like Mountain Dew, Hyundai, and Chipotle in the week leading up to the big game to provide even more advertising opportunities, according to AdAge. Mountain Dew created a specific effect that TikTok users can incorporate into their videos. Hyundai, which is reportedly running the first paid ad campaign on TikTok, produced a series of videos for the platform that stars Saturday Night Live’s Rachel Dratch performing the same role she does in Hyundai’s Super Bowl commercial.


theverge--2020-02-02--Marvel gives first looks at Falcon and Winter Soldier, Loki, and WandaVision Disney+ series during S

Marvel gives first looks at Falcon and Winter Soldier, Loki, and WandaVision Disney+ series during Super Bowl

Marvel Studios used its big Super Bowl advertising spot to quickly tease three upcoming Disney+ series : Falcon and Winter Soldier , Loki , and WandaVision .
There wasn ’ t much footage from any of the series , but there was enough glimpses to tease fans .
The Falcon and the Winter Solider saw Anthony Mackie ’ s Sam “ Falcon ” Wilson pick up Captain America ’ s shield and maneuver around with it .
The series picks up where that arc ended , as Steve Rogers ’ best friends try to navigate a world he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back Mackie ’ s Wilson and Sebastian Stan ’ s Bucky “ Winter Solider ” Barnes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
Avengers : Endgame ended with Steve Rogers handing over his Captain America shield to Sam .
The teaser also showed a glimpse of Zemo ’ s return , the villain made famous in Captain America : Civil War .
WandaVision ’ s footage showed off scenes of Elizabeth Olsen ’ s Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany ’ s Vision interacting with each other in a house .
The show was previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convention as a surreal sitcom-like take on their relationship .
Loki had the least amount of footage , but showed actor Tom Hiddleston back in the role .
The Falcon and the Winter Solider is one of two big Marvel series hitting Disney+ this year .
The company previously announced that WandaVision would receive a 2020 release date , moving up from its original 2021 window .
Both WandaVision and Falcon and the Winter Solider will tie into the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
Much like what The Mandalorian was to Lucasfilm , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Winter Solider as Marvel ’ s first big Disney+ series .
Since Disney has launched Disney+ , big changes behind-the-scenes have shed light on how important the integration between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the TV shows will be going forward .
Kevin Feige , the visionary behind the MCU , now oversees all of Marvel Entertainment .
Prior to the Disney+ launch , Jeph Loeb oversaw the various Marvel shows on various Disney networks , and streaming services like Hulu and Netflix .
That changed late last year .
Now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and on the TV side .
The Falcon and the Winter Solider will be joined by the aforementioned WandaVision this year , followed by Loki , Hawkeye , She-Hulk , Ms. Marvel , and Moonknight in the coming years .

Marvel Studios used its big Super Bowl advertising spot to quickly tease three upcoming Disney+ series: Falcon and Winter Soldier, Loki, and WandaVision.
There wasn’t much footage from any of the series, but there was enough glimpses to tease fans. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier saw Anthony Mackie’s Sam “Falcon” Wilson pick up Captain America’s shield and maneuver around with it. The series picks up where that arc ended, as Steve Rogers’ best friends try to navigate a world he’s no longer in. The show brings back Mackie’s Wilson and Sebastian Stan’s Bucky “Winter Soldier” Barnes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Avengers: Endgame ended with Steve Rogers handing over his Captain America shield to Sam. The teaser also showed a glimpse of Zemo’s return, the villain made famous in Captain America: Civil War.
WandaVision’s footage showed off scenes of Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff and Paul Bettany’s Vision interacting with each other in a house. The show was previously teased at Disney’s biennial D23 convention as a surreal sitcom-like take on their relationship. Loki had the least amount of footage, but showed actor Tom Hiddleston back in the role.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is one of two big Marvel series hitting Disney+ this year. The company previously announced that WandaVision would receive a 2020 release date, moving up from its original 2021 window. Both WandaVision and Falcon and the Winter Soldier will tie into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Much like what The Mandalorian was to Lucasfilm, all eyes will be on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier as Marvel’s first big Disney+ series. Since Disney has launched Disney+, big changes behind-the-scenes have shed light on how important the integration between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the TV shows will be going forward. Kevin Feige, the visionary behind the MCU, now oversees all of Marvel Entertainment. Prior to the Disney+ launch, Jeph Loeb oversaw the various Marvel shows on various Disney networks, and streaming services like Hulu and Netflix. That changed late last year.
Now, Feige oversees everything Marvel, both cinematically and on the TV side. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier will be joined by the aforementioned WandaVision this year, followed by Loki, Hawkeye, She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel, and Moonknight in the coming years.
Disney+ / $6.99 per month or $69.99 if you pay annually Subscribe


theverge--2020-02-02--Super Bowl 2020: How to watch the big game online

The San Francisco 49ers will take on the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL championship , Demi Lovato will sing the anthem , Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will co-host the halftime show , and companies will air their best ads of the year .
You can catch all the action for free — if you know where to look .
Where is the Super Bowl being played ?
Super Bowl 2020 will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens , Florida , the home turf of the Miami Dolphins .
What time will the Super Bowl start ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ / 3:30PM PT and kickoff will happen soon afterward .
That ’ s 11:30PM in the UK and 10:30AM on February 3rd in Sydney .
If you just can ’ t wait until then , you can tune into the Fox NFL Kickoff show as early as 2PM ET .
What network is the Super Bowl on ?
The “ official ” way to watch the Super Bowl changes each year .
Last year , CBS scored the rights ; this year , it ’ s Fox .
Here ’ s how to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have any sort of smart TV or streaming stick , the easiest way to watch the Super Bowl is to download the Fox Sports , Fox Now , or the NFL app .
You can log in with your TV provider or create a free profile , but you ’ ll also be able to stream it without having to sign in .
All three apps are available on most streaming platforms , including Xbox One , Fire TV , Android TV , Apple TV , Samsung TVs , Roku , and Google @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only option that allows you to watch the game in 4K HDR .
To do this , you ’ ll need a reasonably fast internet connection ( Fox recommends 25Mbps or higher ) and a device that can accommodate 4K resolution .
Those include higher-end Roku devices ( Roku Premiere / Premiere Plus , Roku Ultra , Roku Streaming Stick Plus , and 4K Roku TVs ) , Amazon ’ s Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube , and Amazon Fire TVs with 4K resolution .
You can also use an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only display a standard 4K stream — no HDR .
You can also watch the Super Bowl through any streaming service that has Fox bundled in — and if you ’ re a first-time user , you can take advantage of the free trials .
These services include : It ’ s important to note that not every region has access to Fox through these services , so you ’ ll want to check what ’ s available before you sign up .
On your phone or tablet If you want to watch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can stream it for free using : • The Fox Sports app for iOS and Android • The Fox Now app for iOS and Android • The Fox Deportes app for iOS and Android ( Spanish broadcast ) • The Yahoo Sports app for iOS and Android • The NFL app for iOS and Android • The app of a streaming service that includes Fox ( listed above ) Note that per Fox , you need to be using an iPhone or iPad that ’ s running iOS 11 or above , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5.1 or above .
You can stream Super Bowl 2020 for free at Foxsports.com or you can stream to your desktop through the services listed above , depending on your region .
If you use an old-school television service , you don ’ t need to bother with any of this — just find your local Fox channel .
International NFL fans , fear not : you can also watch the Super Bowl .
The easiest way to tune into the US broadcast from any country is to use a VPN that routes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , you should be able to access the online streams mentioned above .
We recommend ExpressVPN , which makes it easy to switch locations and serves 94 countries — including China ( for now ) .
You can get it for $ 12.95 per month or $ 99.95 per year .
NordVPN is a more affordable option , marked at $ 107.55 for three years or $ 11.95 per month .
Many countries have regional broadcasts as well .
You can see a full list on the NFL website — scroll all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Show All Countries.
” Some options include : • UK : You can catch the Super Bowl on BBC , where it will air without commercials .
UK viewers can also tune into the BBC stream on BBC iPlayer ; non-UK viewers can watch it at TVPlayer.com .
Sky Sports will also air the match — you can watch on Skysports.com or the Sky Go app ( if you ’ re a Sky TV customer ) .
• Canada : CTV / TSN will broadcast Super Bowl 2020 .
You can catch @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Go app available on Android TV , Apple TV , Xbox One , Samsung Smart TVs , and Amazon Fire TV .
It will also air on DAZN , and French speakers can catch it on RDS .
• Australia : Australian Super Bowl broadcasts will air on ESPN and Channel Seven .
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships .
These do not influence editorial content , though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links .
For more information , see

Super Bowl 2020 is happening on February 2nd.
The San Francisco 49ers will take on the Kansas City Chiefs for the NFL championship, Demi Lovato will sing the anthem, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira will co-host the halftime show, and companies will air their best ads of the year.
You can catch all the action for free — if you know where to look.
Where is the Super Bowl being played?
Super Bowl 2020 will take place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, the home turf of the Miami Dolphins.
What time will the Super Bowl start?
The broadcast will begin at 6:30PM ET / 3:30PM PT and kickoff will happen soon afterward. That’s 11:30PM in the UK and 10:30AM on February 3rd in Sydney.
If you just can’t wait until then, you can tune into the Fox NFL Kickoff show as early as 2PM ET.
What network is the Super Bowl on?
The “official” way to watch the Super Bowl changes each year. Last year, CBS scored the rights; this year, it’s Fox.
Here’s how to watch the Super Bowl:
On your smart TV
If you have any sort of smart TV or streaming stick, the easiest way to watch the Super Bowl is to download the Fox Sports, Fox Now, or the NFL app. You can log in with your TV provider or create a free profile, but you’ll also be able to stream it without having to sign in. All three apps are available on most streaming platforms, including Xbox One, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Samsung TVs, Roku, and Google Chromecast.
Note: Streaming is the only option that allows you to watch the game in 4K HDR. To do this, you’ll need a reasonably fast internet connection (Fox recommends 25Mbps or higher) and a device that can accommodate 4K resolution. Those include higher-end Roku devices (Roku Premiere / Premiere Plus, Roku Ultra, Roku Streaming Stick Plus, and 4K Roku TVs), Amazon’s Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Cube, and Amazon Fire TVs with 4K resolution. You can also use an Apple TV 4K, but that will only display a standard 4K stream — no HDR.
You can also watch the Super Bowl through any streaming service that has Fox bundled in — and if you’re a first-time user, you can take advantage of the free trials. These services include:
It’s important to note that not every region has access to Fox through these services, so you’ll want to check what’s available before you sign up.
On your phone or tablet
If you want to watch the game on the go, you can stream it for free using:
The Fox Sports app for iOS and Android
The Fox Now app for iOS and Android
The Fox Deportes app for iOS and Android (Spanish broadcast)
The Yahoo Sports app for iOS and Android
The NFL app for iOS and Android
The app of a streaming service that includes Fox (listed above)
Foxsports.com in a web browser
Note that per Fox, you need to be using an iPhone or iPad that’s running iOS 11 or above, or an Android phone or tablet running Android 5.1 or above.
On your computer
You can stream Super Bowl 2020 for free at Foxsports.com or you can stream to your desktop through the services listed above, depending on your region.
Over cable / satellite / antenna
If you use an old-school television service, you don’t need to bother with any of this — just find your local Fox channel.
International options
International NFL fans, fear not: you can also watch the Super Bowl.
The easiest way to tune into the US broadcast from any country is to use a VPN that routes you to a US server. From there, you should be able to access the online streams mentioned above.
We recommend ExpressVPN, which makes it easy to switch locations and serves 94 countries — including China (for now). You can get it for $12.95 per month or $99.95 per year. NordVPN is a more affordable option, marked at $107.55 for three years or $11.95 per month.
Many countries have regional broadcasts as well. You can see a full list on the NFL website — scroll all the way to the bottom and click “Show All Countries.” Some options include:
UK: You can catch the Super Bowl on BBC, where it will air without commercials. UK viewers can also tune into the BBC stream on BBC iPlayer; non-UK viewers can watch it at TVPlayer.com. Sky Sports will also air the match — you can watch on Skysports.com or the Sky Go app (if you’re a Sky TV customer).
You can catch the Super Bowl on BBC, where it will air without commercials. UK viewers can also tune into the BBC stream on BBC iPlayer; non-UK viewers can watch it at TVPlayer.com. Sky Sports will also air the match — you can watch on Skysports.com or the Sky Go app (if you’re a Sky TV customer). Canada: CTV / TSN will broadcast Super Bowl 2020. You can catch it on TV or in the CTV Go app available on Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox One, Samsung Smart TVs, and Amazon Fire TV. It will also air on DAZN, and French speakers can catch it on RDS.
CTV / TSN will broadcast Super Bowl 2020. You can catch it on TV or in the CTV Go app available on Android TV, Apple TV, Xbox One, Samsung Smart TVs, and Amazon Fire TV. It will also air on DAZN, and French speakers can catch it on RDS. Australia: Australian Super Bowl broadcasts will air on ESPN and Channel Seven.


theverge--2020-02-02--The Pedestrian is so much more than its great aesthetic

It can be difficult to find time to finish a video game , especially if you only have a few hours a week to play .
In our biweekly column Short Play we suggest video games that can be started and finished in a weekend .
Logic puzzle games tend to fall into one of two groups .
Sometimes they ’ re like sudoku , where once you learn the basics of how to solve the puzzle you can just repeat that ad infinitum .
Or they can be like the Professor Layton games , where each puzzle is discrete @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solve it .
In either case , it ’ s often hard to tell if you ’ re actually getting better at the puzzles as you play through them .
There is often little sense of progress .
But that ’ s not the case with The Pedestrian .
The Pedestrian is a puzzle platforming game in which you control the iconographic representation of a person , like what you might see used to gender a bathroom sign .
That character is then used to navigate puzzles made up of signs in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are a lot of layers to the game which are hard to convey in words , or even screenshots .
These layers also all interconnect in surprising ways as you progress through the game .
In order to explain the game , it seems best to describe each layer .
The first layer is the puzzle platforming where you control the person icon , allowing you to move around the levels inside the signs .
You ’ ll jump on things , pick up items , push blocks , etc .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be doing most often when playing , and is the foundation from which the other layers extrapolate .
The second layer is how the signs connect to each other .
Each one has a door or ladder that allows you to access a door or ladder in another sign .
Sometimes those connections already exist , but most of the time you ’ ll be switching into a mode that lets you not only make these connections between signs ( connecting up ladders with down ladders , or left doors with right doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the signs around as they need to be oriented correctly for those connections to open .
For example , if you have sign A that has a door on the right and there is sign B with a door on the left , you can connect those doors together .
But if sign B is to the left of A , the door won ’ t open until you move B far enough to the right for the doors to open .
Effectively , it ’ s about maintaining consistency in direction ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the right , you should be entering into a sign to the right of where you were or vice versa .
As the game progresses , you ’ ll be introduced to a third layer , where it turns out that platforming across signs in a city isn ’ t just an interesting aesthetic choice .
Eventually , it becomes important to pay attention to how the signs not only orient with each other , but also with the world around them .
For instance , there is an electrical circuit mechanic where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain places in order for electricity to get from one place to another .
This will then help power some device in the city or possibly in one of the signs that ’ ll allow you to progress .
( There is also a fourth layer , but it relates to how you solve the final few puzzles of the game , so I don ’ t want to say more than that . )
This obviously took a bit to explain in text , but it ’ s much easier to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a new mechanic , or new rule in how these layers work or interconnect , while other times it subverts your assumption about how a rule or mechanic worked .
To give away one of these as an example : when you first learn about orienting the signs to navigate between them , you can get in the habit of figuring out how you move through the puzzle by laying it all out so that you can just move through the whole puzzle in one go .
Eventually , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can ’ t , since they require you to be repositioning the signs frequently while you progress .
As it turns out , you don ’ t have to have every connection always open in order to solve the puzzle .
It ’ s this aspect that makes The Pedestrian great .
It treats almost every puzzle not just as something to be solved , but a way to teach you to be better at play and understand the game .
It provides this sense of improvement and progress that isn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the game .
Instead , it feels as though you spent a few hours exercising your brain as if you had taken it to the gym .
The Pedestrian was created by Skookum Arts .
You can get it for $ 19.99 on Steam ( Windows , macOS , and Linux . )
It takes about three or four hours to finish .

It can be difficult to find time to finish a video game, especially if you only have a few hours a week to play. In our biweekly column Short Play we suggest video games that can be started and finished in a weekend.
Logic puzzle games tend to fall into one of two groups. Sometimes they’re like sudoku, where once you learn the basics of how to solve the puzzle you can just repeat that ad infinitum. Or they can be like the Professor Layton games, where each puzzle is discrete and requires you to relearn everything to solve it. In either case, it’s often hard to tell if you’re actually getting better at the puzzles as you play through them. There is often little sense of progress. But that’s not the case with The Pedestrian.
The Pedestrian is a puzzle platforming game in which you control the iconographic representation of a person, like what you might see used to gender a bathroom sign. That character is then used to navigate puzzles made up of signs in and around a virtual city. However, there are a lot of layers to the game which are hard to convey in words, or even screenshots. These layers also all interconnect in surprising ways as you progress through the game.
In order to explain the game, it seems best to describe each layer. The first layer is the puzzle platforming where you control the person icon, allowing you to move around the levels inside the signs. You’ll jump on things, pick up items, push blocks, etc. It’s what you are going to be doing most often when playing, and is the foundation from which the other layers extrapolate.
The second layer is how the signs connect to each other. Each one has a door or ladder that allows you to access a door or ladder in another sign. Sometimes those connections already exist, but most of the time you’ll be switching into a mode that lets you not only make these connections between signs (connecting up ladders with down ladders, or left doors with right doors), but also let you move the signs around as they need to be oriented correctly for those connections to open.
Image: Skookum Arts
For example, if you have sign A that has a door on the right and there is sign B with a door on the left, you can connect those doors together. But if sign B is to the left of A, the door won’t open until you move B far enough to the right for the doors to open. Effectively, it’s about maintaining consistency in direction; if you move through a door to the right, you should be entering into a sign to the right of where you were or vice versa.
As the game progresses, you’ll be introduced to a third layer, where it turns out that platforming across signs in a city isn’t just an interesting aesthetic choice. Eventually, it becomes important to pay attention to how the signs not only orient with each other, but also with the world around them. For instance, there is an electrical circuit mechanic where specific signs need to be put into certain places in order for electricity to get from one place to another. This will then help power some device in the city or possibly in one of the signs that’ll allow you to progress. (There is also a fourth layer, but it relates to how you solve the final few puzzles of the game, so I don’t want to say more than that.)
This obviously took a bit to explain in text, but it’s much easier to understand when you’re playing. Sometimes it’s a new mechanic, or new rule in how these layers work or interconnect, while other times it subverts your assumption about how a rule or mechanic worked. To give away one of these as an example: when you first learn about orienting the signs to navigate between them, you can get in the habit of figuring out how you move through the puzzle by laying it all out so that you can just move through the whole puzzle in one go. Eventually, you’ll start running into puzzles where you can’t, since they require you to be repositioning the signs frequently while you progress. As it turns out, you don’t have to have every connection always open in order to solve the puzzle.
It’s this aspect that makes The Pedestrian great. It treats almost every puzzle not just as something to be solved, but a way to teach you to be better at play and understand the game. It provides this sense of improvement and progress that isn’t just tied to where you are in the game. Instead, it feels as though you spent a few hours exercising your brain as if you had taken it to the gym.


theverge--2020-02-02--The 7 best turntables

The 7 best turntables

The world of record players and vinyl can be intimidating to the uninitiated because the gear that playing records requires ( preamps , amps , receivers ) can make it seem like an expensive , overly complicated hobby .
But that ’ s not true , according to the experts we spoke with — including DJs , record store owners , and general vinyl geeks — all of whom assured us that you don ’ t need more than a turntable and a pair of powered speakers , or speakers with a built-in amplifier , to get started ( Audioengine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on this list , are a good brand to start with , according to DJ Prestige of Flea Market Funk ) .
When we chatted with the experts on the best turntables for people new to the world of playing records , each had their own favorites , but they all advised avoiding one very popular , all-in-one record player that comes in a suitcase .
“ Whatever you do , don ’ t get a Crosley , ” said Prestige , who claims that if you ’ re serious about your new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with better sound quality ( and with needles that won ’ t “ eventually ruin your records ” ) .
The turntables below are best suited for those new to playing vinyl , but they aren ’ t necessarily “ entry level ” because even the least expensive of the lot contains quality parts and will last for some time with regular care .
Most models on this list contain a built-in preamp , since our experts say that such turntables are the easiest and most straightforward to use .
“ See how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see yourself wanting something better , you can upgrade slowly down the line , ” explains Mike Davis , owner of New York City ’ s Academy Records .
The best overall turntable The Audio-Technica LP 120X is modeled — not so subtly — after what is probably the most iconic turntable of all time , the discontinued Technics 1200 .
It actually replaces our experts ’ beloved LP 120 ( although discontinued , the 120 is still in stock here ) , which Mark Steinberg , the chief technologist and turntable specialist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , says he ’ ll recommend to any customer — but he especially suggests it to those newer to vinyl who want something a little nicer to play their records on .
This record player ’ s key feature is the magnet-powered “ direct drive , ” which is usually only found in professional-grade turntables or other , more expensive units .
Unlike turntables with a “ belt drive ” ( a motor powered by replaceable belts that wear down with use and may need to be swapped depending on the type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive will rarely , if ever , need service , explains Prestige .
He says it can handle records of all sizes without any fiddling under the hood .
“ If I were starting over right now , I ’ d probably get this ” due to the quality you get for the price , says the DJ of 20 years .
Although Davis has never used the 120 or the 120X , he says , “ I bought a 120 for my nephew and he loves it .
And he bought one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too.
” For Steinberg , Prestige , and Davis , this record player checks other appealing boxes , too .
Its maker , Audio-Technica , has a great reputation in the industry ; it has a built-in preamp , so the only other thing you need to use it is a powered speaker ; and it features a USB output that allows you to connect it to your computer in case you want to archive your vinyl .
And now it ’ s even better .
According to Steinberg , the 120X “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it needs less energy and gets up to speed faster.
” Audio-Technica does a great job of listening to customer feedback , Steinberg says , and the 120X reflects that , with its lower profile , stronger preamp , and a power supply that ’ s built into the charging cord instead of the turntable itself .
And it ’ s $ 50 cheaper .
Steinberg says this lower-priced Audio Technica model , which features a belt drive , is a perennial bestseller at B & H and the first one he shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece for most people .
It will get the job done really , really well , ” he says , adding that he thinks of it as “ an entry-level serious turntable .
It ’ s not a toy .
It ’ s not going to damage your records.
” The $ 99 model also has a built-in preamp , and for incrementally higher prices , you can get a USB-equipped model for archiving and recording or even one with Bluetooth capability ( which you should be able to connect to a standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
Prestige , who recently tried the LP 60 for the first time , agrees this is a good option for anyone who can ’ t spring for the LP 120 .
It “ sounded great , ” he told us of his first spin with the LP 60 .
But unlike the LP 120 and most of the other record players on this list , the LP 60 does not feature a replaceable cartridge ( the part of the turntable that holds the needle ) , which means you won ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you get more serious about your hobby down the line .
Steinberg notes that this is “ fully automatic , ” meaning the push of a button moves the tone arm in place to start the record , and that the arm lifts off on its own at the end .
This feature , he explains , could be great if you ’ re new to vinyl and want to make things a little easier , but purists will likely prefer the feel and ritual of manual operation .
For another less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ music journalist Jessica Lipsky suggests this Sony belt-drive turntable , which she says she received ten years ago and still uses .
Like the LP 60 above , it comes in a Bluetooth-equipped model for a higher price , but Lipsky told us she prefers the standard , lower-tech version .
“ I ’ ve stuck with this because it ’ s simple , ” she says .
She ’ s a fan of the handy dust cover , and she likes that it will be easy to plug into any system she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommends it , saying it ’ s one of his favorites for the price because Sony is a trustworthy brand and this model is so straightforward .
Like the LP 60 , it ’ s also fully automatic , but unlike that model , this one comes with a USB output at no extra cost .
If you ’ re looking for something a little sleeker , this minimalist Music Hall turntable comes recommended by both Davis and Steinberg .
The brand ’ s roots are in the audiophile-grade market , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is very well regarded .
“ This would be a great place to start if you ’ re looking for something more serious , ” Steinberg says , noting that a lot of people love Music Hall for its more “ stripped down ” and “ bare bones ” approach .
This is powered by a belt drive , includes a built-in preamp , and can play 78s , while most belt-driven turntables ( including all the others on this list ) can only handle 33s and 45s .
“ For a better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” explains Steinberg .
Steinberg also recommends this Audio-Technica model as a more stylish version of the brand ’ s LP 60 or LP 120 .
While it does have a cover , it ’ s less technical-looking than its sister turntables , but still includes a built-in preamp .
The LP3 , however , does not feature USB or Bluetooth connectivity .
Pro-Ject “ pretty much only makes turntables , ” says Steinberg , who notes that many of its models are priced “ in the thousands , ” making something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who wants to dip their toes into the higher-end market .
Davis and Prestige agree that Pro-Ject turntables are known for their minimalist build , streamlined look , and high-quality materials like a cartridge made by Ortofon , a company that Steinberg says “ has a long history ” of producing audiophile-approved components .
Listeners who are more particular about their sound systems may prefer it to others on this list because it does not come with a preamp built in , giving them more flexibility when it comes to the sound system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does this have USB or Bluetooth , which vinyl purists may also appreciate .
As all of our experts noted , the discontinued Technics 1200 is something of an icon in the turntable world .
“ The 1200 was the standard when it came out in the ‘ 70s , and it ’ s been the standard ever since , ” says Davis .
Prestige is a longtime fan , too .
“ I ’ ve been DJ-ing for 20 years and all I ’ ve had are Technics , ” he says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the author of Dust and Grooves : Adventures in Record Collecting — agrees , calling the Technics 1200 a “ workhorse.
” After it was discontinued , there was a big outcry in the record-collecting community , according to Paz , who says the above model — which is only available for preorder right now — is Technics ’ answer .
It features slightly updated parts than those in the original 1200 , but not too many changes , according to our experts ( none of whom have tried it out due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Because of that — and the turntable ’ s hefty price tag — it landed lower on our list .
But we felt it still merited inclusion as each of our experts specifically mentioned it .
Like other high-end turntables , this one doesn ’ t have a built-in preamp .
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships .
These do not influence editorial content , though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links .
For more information , see

The world of record players and vinyl can be intimidating to the uninitiated because the gear that playing records requires (preamps, amps, receivers) can make it seem like an expensive, overly complicated hobby. But that’s not true, according to the experts we spoke with — including DJs, record store owners, and general vinyl geeks — all of whom assured us that you don’t need more than a turntable and a pair of powered speakers, or speakers with a built-in amplifier, to get started (Audioengine powered speakers, like the A2+ model on this list, are a good brand to start with, according to DJ Prestige of Flea Market Funk).
When we chatted with the experts on the best turntables for people new to the world of playing records, each had their own favorites, but they all advised avoiding one very popular, all-in-one record player that comes in a suitcase. “Whatever you do, don’t get a Crosley,” said Prestige, who claims that if you’re serious about your new hobby, you should look for machines with better sound quality (and with needles that won’t “eventually ruin your records”). The turntables below are best suited for those new to playing vinyl, but they aren’t necessarily “entry level” because even the least expensive of the lot contains quality parts and will last for some time with regular care. Most models on this list contain a built-in preamp, since our experts say that such turntables are the easiest and most straightforward to use. “See how that works, and then if you see yourself wanting something better, you can upgrade slowly down the line,” explains Mike Davis, owner of New York City’s Academy Records.
The best overall turntable
Audio-Technica AT-LP120X USB Direct Drive Professional USB Turntable
The Audio-Technica LP 120X is modeled — not so subtly — after what is probably the most iconic turntable of all time, the discontinued Technics 1200. It actually replaces our experts’ beloved LP 120 (although discontinued, the 120 is still in stock here), which Mark Steinberg, the chief technologist and turntable specialist at B&H Photo and Video, says he’ll recommend to any customer — but he especially suggests it to those newer to vinyl who want something a little nicer to play their records on.
This record player’s key feature is the magnet-powered “direct drive,” which is usually only found in professional-grade turntables or other, more expensive units. Unlike turntables with a “belt drive” (a motor powered by replaceable belts that wear down with use and may need to be swapped depending on the type of record you play), a direct drive will rarely, if ever, need service, explains Prestige. He says it can handle records of all sizes without any fiddling under the hood. “If I were starting over right now, I’d probably get this” due to the quality you get for the price, says the DJ of 20 years. Although Davis has never used the 120 or the 120X, he says, “I bought a 120 for my nephew and he loves it. And he bought one for his friend, who loves it too.”
For Steinberg, Prestige, and Davis, this record player checks other appealing boxes, too. Its maker, Audio-Technica, has a great reputation in the industry; it has a built-in preamp, so the only other thing you need to use it is a powered speaker; and it features a USB output that allows you to connect it to your computer in case you want to archive your vinyl.
And now it’s even better. According to Steinberg, the 120X “has a more efficient motor, so it needs less energy and gets up to speed faster.” Audio-Technica does a great job of listening to customer feedback, Steinberg says, and the 120X reflects that, with its lower profile, stronger preamp, and a power supply that’s built into the charging cord instead of the turntable itself. And it’s $50 cheaper.
Audio-Technica AT-LP120X-USB Direct Drive Professional USB Turntable / The best overall turntable $249 on Amazon
Best less expensive turntables
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable
Steinberg says this lower-priced Audio Technica model, which features a belt drive, is a perennial bestseller at B&H and the first one he shows people. “This is the bread-and-butter piece for most people. It will get the job done really, really well,” he says, adding that he thinks of it as “an entry-level serious turntable. It’s not a toy. It’s not going to damage your records.” The $99 model also has a built-in preamp, and for incrementally higher prices, you can get a USB-equipped model for archiving and recording or even one with Bluetooth capability (which you should be able to connect to a standard Bluetooth speaker for wireless, vinyl-powered sound).
Prestige, who recently tried the LP 60 for the first time, agrees this is a good option for anyone who can’t spring for the LP 120. It “sounded great,” he told us of his first spin with the LP 60. But unlike the LP 120 and most of the other record players on this list, the LP 60 does not feature a replaceable cartridge (the part of the turntable that holds the needle), which means you won’t be able to upgrade that part if you get more serious about your hobby down the line. Steinberg notes that this is “fully automatic,” meaning the push of a button moves the tone arm in place to start the record, and that the arm lifts off on its own at the end. This feature, he explains, could be great if you’re new to vinyl and want to make things a little easier, but purists will likely prefer the feel and ritual of manual operation.
Audio-Technica AT-LP60X Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable / Best less expensive turntables $99 on Amazon
Sony PS-LX300USB Fully Automatic USB Stereo Turntable
For another less expensive option for starter record collectors, music journalist Jessica Lipsky suggests this Sony belt-drive turntable, which she says she received ten years ago and still uses. Like the LP 60 above, it comes in a Bluetooth-equipped model for a higher price, but Lipsky told us she prefers the standard, lower-tech version. “I’ve stuck with this because it’s simple,” she says. She’s a fan of the handy dust cover, and she likes that it will be easy to plug into any system she wants in the future. Steinberg also recommends it, saying it’s one of his favorites for the price because Sony is a trustworthy brand and this model is so straightforward. Like the LP 60, it’s also fully automatic, but unlike that model, this one comes with a USB output at no extra cost.
Sony PS-LX300USB Fully Automatic USB Stereo Turntable / Best less expensive turntables $128 on Amazon
Best-looking turntables
Music Hall MMF-1.3 Stereo Turntable
If you’re looking for something a little sleeker, this minimalist Music Hall turntable comes recommended by both Davis and Steinberg. The brand’s roots are in the audiophile-grade market, according to Davis, who says this entry-level model is very well regarded. “This would be a great place to start if you’re looking for something more serious,” Steinberg says, noting that a lot of people love Music Hall for its more “stripped down” and “bare bones” approach. This is powered by a belt drive, includes a built-in preamp, and can play 78s, while most belt-driven turntables (including all the others on this list) can only handle 33s and 45s. “For a better turntable, that’s a rarity,” explains Steinberg.
Music Hall MMF-1.3 Stereo Turntable / Best-looking turntables $299 on Amazon
Music Hall MMF-1.3 Stereo Turntable / Best-looking turntables $299 on B&H
Audio-Technica AT-LP3 Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable
Steinberg also recommends this Audio-Technica model as a more stylish version of the brand’s LP 60 or LP 120. While it does have a cover, it’s less technical-looking than its sister turntables, but still includes a built-in preamp. The LP3, however, does not feature USB or Bluetooth connectivity.
Audio-Technica AT-LP3 Fully Automatic Belt-Drive Stereo Turntable / Best-looking turntables $249 on Amazon
Best turntable without preamp
Pro-Ject Audio Systems Essential III Turntable
Pro-Ject “pretty much only makes turntables,” says Steinberg, who notes that many of its models are priced “in the thousands,” making something like this a great choice for someone who wants to dip their toes into the higher-end market. Davis and Prestige agree that Pro-Ject turntables are known for their minimalist build, streamlined look, and high-quality materials like a cartridge made by Ortofon, a company that Steinberg says “has a long history” of producing audiophile-approved components. Listeners who are more particular about their sound systems may prefer it to others on this list because it does not come with a preamp built in, giving them more flexibility when it comes to the sound system they connect to this turntable. Nor does this have USB or Bluetooth, which vinyl purists may also appreciate.
Pro-Ject Audio Systems Essential III Turntable / Best turntable without preamp $299 on Amazon
Pro-Ject Audio Systems Essential III Turntable / Best turntable without preamp $299 on B&H
Best turntable worth investing in
Technics SL-1200MK7 Direct Drive Turntable System
As all of our experts noted, the discontinued Technics 1200 is something of an icon in the turntable world. “The 1200 was the standard when it came out in the ‘70s, and it’s been the standard ever since,” says Davis. Prestige is a longtime fan, too. “I’ve been DJ-ing for 20 years and all I’ve had are Technics,” he says. Eilon Paz — a photographer and the author of Dust and Grooves: Adventures in Record Collecting — agrees, calling the Technics 1200 a “workhorse.” After it was discontinued, there was a big outcry in the record-collecting community, according to Paz, who says the above model — which is only available for preorder right now — is Technics’ answer. It features slightly updated parts than those in the original 1200, but not too many changes, according to our experts (none of whom have tried it out due to its limited availability before officially debuting). Because of that — and the turntable’s hefty price tag — it landed lower on our list. But we felt it still merited inclusion as each of our experts specifically mentioned it. Like other high-end turntables, this one doesn’t have a built-in preamp.
Technics SL-1200MK7 Direct Drive Turntable System / Best turntable worth investing in $999.99 on B&H


theverge--2020-02-02--Alleged leaked video shows off Samsung’s folding Galaxy Z Flip

Samsung ’ s next folding phone is likely to be announced this month , and what appears to be the first hands-on video with the device has just appeared online .
Leaker Ben Geskin has posted a short clip purportedly showing the phone , said to be called the Galaxy Z Flip , in action on Twitter .
It ’ s not clear where the video originated from .
The footage doesn ’ t show a great deal more than what we ’ ve already seen in leaked photos and renders — we still can ’ t tell whether the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ ultra-thin glass ” from Samsung , for example .
But if you ’ ve been wondering how the Z Flip might work out in practice , it may well be of interest .
The phone does look like it might be quite a bit easier to slip into a pocket or handbag than pretty much anything else out there — except maybe Motorola ’ s similar upcoming Razr .
We ’ re expecting the Galaxy Z Flip to be officially revealed at Samsung ’ s Unpacked event on February 11th in San @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch , however , should be the much-leaked Galaxy S20 flagship smartphone .

Samsung’s next folding phone is likely to be announced this month, and what appears to be the first hands-on video with the device has just appeared online. Leaker Ben Geskin has posted a short clip purportedly showing the phone, said to be called the Galaxy Z Flip , in action on Twitter . It’s not clear where the video originated from.
The footage doesn’t show a great deal more than what we’ve already seen in leaked photos and renders — we still can’t tell whether the phone is using a new form of “ultra-thin glass” from Samsung, for example. But if you’ve been wondering how the Z Flip might work out in practice, it may well be of interest. The phone does look like it might be quite a bit easier to slip into a pocket or handbag than pretty much anything else out there — except maybe Motorola’s similar upcoming Razr.


theverge--2020-02-03--Cards Against Humanity rescues ClickHole from its private equity owners

Cards Against Humanity has purchased parody website ClickHole from digital media company G/O Media in an all-cash deal with and will make it a majority-employee-owned company , BuzzFeed News reported today .
Cards Against Humanity is allowing ClickHole to operate as an independent organization and giving it financial support , which essentially means that the makers of one of the funniest card games out there have bought a website that specializes in regularly mocking the clickbait-iest things on the internet .
Oh , and Cards Against Humanity is basically giving ClickHole free reign to write whatever they want .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is joining Cards Against Humanity , but the The Onion isn ’ t “ We just want to give [ ClickHole ] a chance to do their thing , ” Cards Against Humanity co-creator Max Temkin told BuzzFeed News .
“ Our goal is to take some of the pressure off of them so they can shake some of these managerial shakes ups they ’ ve had and just focus on making amazing comedy , ” Temkin told BuzzFeed News .
The purchase means that ClickHole should be free from the shackles of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by mismanagement that the entire staff of sports website Deadspin quit at the end of October of last year .
ClickHole was originally part of comedy publication The Onion , which was bought by Univision in 2016 and later sold ( along with other sites like Jezebel and Deadspin ) to a private equity firm under the brand G/O Media .
The Onion will remain with G/O Media , BuzzFeed News reports .
Earlier this month , the union representing editorial workers of G/O Media delivered a vote of no-confidence in the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and has asked the company ’ s owners , private equity firm Great Hill Partners , to remove him .
Cards Against Humanity , which launched in 2012 thanks to a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign , has evolved into a proper business , and that success has allowed the company formed by Temkin and his collaborators to pull off all sorts of stunts that often toy with the absurdities of capitalism .
The latest is apparently on the level of buying an entire media brand .
Last November , the company had its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see who could write the funniest jokes and threatened to fire all of the humans if the internet voted for the AI , for example .
( The humans won . )
The company also once purchased an entire island in Maine that it dubbed Hawaii 2 .

Cards Against Humanity has purchased parody website ClickHole from digital media company G/O Media in an all-cash deal with and will make it a majority-employee-owned company, BuzzFeed News reported today.
Cards Against Humanity is allowing ClickHole to operate as an independent organization and giving it financial support, which essentially means that the makers of one of the funniest card games out there have bought a website that specializes in regularly mocking the clickbait-iest things on the internet. Oh, and Cards Against Humanity is basically giving ClickHole free reign to write whatever they want. It’s the perfect match.
ClickHole is joining Cards Against Humanity, but the The Onion isn’t
“We just want to give [ClickHole] a chance to do their thing,” Cards Against Humanity co-creator Max Temkin told BuzzFeed News. “Our goal is to take some of the pressure off of them so they can shake some of these managerial shakes ups they’ve had and just focus on making amazing comedy,” Temkin told BuzzFeed News.
The purchase means that ClickHole should be free from the shackles of G/O Media, a company so plagued by mismanagement that the entire staff of sports website Deadspin quit at the end of October of last year. ClickHole was originally part of comedy publication The Onion, which was bought by Univision in 2016 and later sold (along with other sites like Jezebel and Deadspin) to a private equity firm under the brand G/O Media. The Onion will remain with G/O Media, BuzzFeed News reports.
Earlier this month, the union representing editorial workers of G/O Media delivered a vote of no-confidence in the company’s CEO, Jim Spenfeller, and has asked the company’s owners, private equity firm Great Hill Partners, to remove him.
Cards Against Humanity, which launched in 2012 thanks to a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign, has evolved into a proper business, and that success has allowed the company formed by Temkin and his collaborators to pull off all sorts of stunts that often toy with the absurdities of capitalism. The latest is apparently on the level of buying an entire media brand.


theverge--2020-02-03--Mobile app errors could delay Iowa Caucus results

Monday ’ s Iowa Caucus results could be delayed after precinct chairs reported trouble accessing a new mobile app used for reporting their final results , according to Bloomberg .
There are nearly 1,700 caucus sites , and the chairs of each precinct are able to use a brand new mobile app this year to record the night ’ s final results .
But caucus leaders said Monday they were struggling to download and sign in to the new app only hours ahead of the event .
The final results could be “ delayed by a few hours , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect the outcome of the caucus or the reporting of results .
At the end of the event , some caucus volunteers who opted to use the app could be forced to read their results over the phone to state party leaders which is a more time-consuming process .
The results could be delayed by a few hours The Iowa Democratic Party reiterated to Bloomberg that any issues with the new app shouldn ’ t affect the outcome of the caucus or the reporting of results .
Iowa Caucus leaders have relied on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the app causing problems is new and completely optional , according to a statement from Mandy McClure , the spokeswoman for the Iowa Democratic party .
It tabulates results throughout each phase of the caucus ensuring more accurate reporting from volunteers .
The New York Times reported that the app had been “ tested and verified ” by the Department of Homeland Security and cybersecurity experts before it launched this year .
“ We knew that technology gave us some opportunities in this process , but with those opportunities came different challenges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party , told the New York Times late last month .
The 2020 Iowa Caucus is also the first time caucus-goers will be provided “ paper ballots ” or cards for recording their preferred candidate .
The cards will be handed in at the end of the night , according to Recode .

Monday’s Iowa caucus results could be delayed after precinct chairs reported trouble accessing a new mobile app used for reporting their final results, according to Bloomberg.
There are nearly 1,700 caucus sites, and the chairs of each precinct are able to use a brand new mobile app this year to record the night’s final results. But caucus leaders said Monday they were struggling to download and sign in to the new app only hours ahead of the event.
The final results could be “delayed by a few hours,” Bloomberg reported, but shouldn’t affect the outcome of the caucus or the reporting of results. At the end of the event, some caucus volunteers who opted to use the app could be forced to read their results over the phone to state party leaders which is a more time-consuming process.
The results could be delayed by a few hours
The Iowa Democratic Party reiterated to Bloomberg that any issues with the new app shouldn’t affect the outcome of the caucus or the reporting of results.
Iowa caucus leaders have relied on mobile apps to record results before. But the app causing problems is new and completely optional, according to a statement from Mandy McClure, the spokeswoman for the Iowa Democratic party. It tabulates results throughout each phase of the caucus ensuring more accurate reporting from volunteers.
The New York Times reported that the app had been “tested and verified” by the Department of Homeland Security and cybersecurity experts before it launched this year. “We knew that technology gave us some opportunities in this process, but with those opportunities came different challenges,” said Troy Price, the chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party, told the New York Times late last month.


theverge--2020-02-03--TikTok is testing profile redesigns that make it look like Instagram

TikTok is testing a user profile redesign that ’ s remarkably similar to Instagram .
The new profile shifts avatars and follow count to the left , and places more emphasis on user bios .
The redesign was first spotted by New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz .
A TikTok spokesperson confirmed the company was testing a redesign to The Verge : ” We ’ re always looking for ways to improve the user experience on TikTok .
We are currently testing profile designs and functionality to ultimately give users more ways to personalize and engage with their profiles.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a playbook for social networks .
They ’ re constantly “ borrowing ” ideas and features from their competitors .
Instagram itself is no stranger to copying ; Instagram Stories famously took Snapchat ’ s entire model of ephemeral content .
TikTok hit 1.5 billion downloads in November and was the third most-downloaded non-gaming app in 2019 — beating out Facebook and Instagram , which were in fourth and fifth place , respectively .
The fast-growing app is clearly on Facebook ’ s radar ; Facebook owns Instagram , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil called Reels .
Reels , in turn , copies TikTok ’ s best features like speed adjustment and the ability to borrow audio from other videos .
If TikTok does end up rolling out the Instagram-like profile design to all its users , it could be the start of all social networks feeling exactly the same — especially if Instagram decides to copy the best parts of TikTok , too .

TikTok is testing a user profile redesign that’s remarkably similar to Instagram. The new profile shifts avatars and follow count to the left, and places more emphasis on user bios. The redesign was first spotted by New York Times reporter Taylor Lorenz.
A TikTok spokesperson confirmed the company was testing a redesign to The Verge: ”We’re always looking for ways to improve the user experience on TikTok. We are currently testing profile designs and functionality to ultimately give users more ways to personalize and engage with their profiles.”
TikTok copying Instagram’s UI is part of a playbook for social networks. They’re constantly “borrowing” ideas and features from their competitors. Instagram itself is no stranger to copying; Instagram Stories famously took Snapchat’s entire model of ephemeral content.
TikTok hit 1.5 billion downloads in November and was the third most-downloaded non-gaming app in 2019 — beating out Facebook and Instagram, which were in fourth and fifth place, respectively. The fast-growing app is clearly on Facebook’s radar; Facebook owns Instagram, which is currently testing a video editing tool in Brazil called Reels. Reels, in turn, copies TikTok’s best features like speed adjustment and the ability to borrow audio from other videos.


theverge--2020-02-03--Harvard cancels digital security talk led by spyware-linked lecturer

Harvard ’ s Shorenstein Center has called off an online harassment training for journalists after it was linked to a prominent spyware vendor .
The event had been pitched as a way for female reporters to learn about contemporary cybersecurity threats , led by Juliette Kayyem and Nancy Gibbs , both prominent figures in the digital rights community on staff at Harvard ’ s Kennedy School of Government .
But Sunday night , journalists who had signed up for the training got an abrupt and unexpected message .
“ Thank you for your interest in the planned February 6th webinar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unfortunately , this event has been canceled.
” The email didn ’ t give details on why the event had been canceled , but it had to do with an unexpected item on Kayyem ’ s resumé .
She had served as a consultant for NSO Group , a prominent spyware vendor that has been linked to several hacks against journalists in countries like Saudi Arabia , Kazakhstan , and Bahrain .
Most recently , NSO has drawn headlines for a report that linked the company ’ s Pegasus spyware to a 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which ultimately resulted in the release of his personal photos and texts .
( NSO has denied any involvement in the hack . )
According to the report , the hack was carried out by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman , who was seeking to influence The Washington Post ’ s coverage of his kingdom in advance of the killing of a Post columnist .
The reaction from the digital rights community was harsh and immediate .
“ Am I reading this wrong or is this Reporter Security Webinar a Harvard training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a senior advisor at NSO Group ?
” one observer tweeted .
“ I wonder if this will include how to avoid getting hacked by Pegasus ?
” another asked .
Kayyem says she decided to leave the program herself , coming to the conclusion that the controversy had become a distraction .
“ I decided , alone , not to go forward with the program here because I wanted it to be about the participants and not about me , ” she told The Verge .
In the same statement , Kayyem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused on human rights .
“ I worked last year with NSO Group as one of several advisors on the implementation of their effort to align their governance framework with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights , ” Kayyem said .
“ It was always a limited project and my role ended in 2019 .
I strongly support the commitment of company ’ s to align with those principles.
” Still , the incident is a sign of the growing toxicity of freelance spyware vendors like NSO and Hacking Team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a contract basis .
One of the most prominent such vendors , NSO has been linked to attacks around the world , including Mexican journalists targeted by cartels and a New York Times reporter investigating Saudi Arabia .
NSO is also currently being sued by WhatsApp for failing to disclose vulnerabilities in the company ’ s software .
Reached for comment , NSO confirmed the timeline .
“ Juliette played an important role advising NSO on its governance framework , ” a company representative said , “ and we ’ re grateful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time as Senior Advisor , which came to a conclusion in 2019 .
”

Harvard’s Shorenstein Center has called off an online harassment training for journalists after it was linked to a prominent spyware vendor. The event had been pitched as a way for female reporters to learn about contemporary cybersecurity threats, led by Juliette Kayyem and Nancy Gibbs, both prominent figures in the digital rights community on staff at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
But Sunday night, journalists who had signed up for the training got an abrupt and unexpected message. “Thank you for your interest in the planned February 6th webinar,” the message read. “Unfortunately, this event has been canceled.”
The email didn’t give details on why the event had been canceled, but it had to do with an unexpected item on Kayyem’s resumé. She had served as a consultant for NSO Group, a prominent spyware vendor that has been linked to several hacks against journalists in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, and Bahrain.
Most recently, NSO has drawn headlines for a report that linked the company’s Pegasus spyware to a 2018 hack on Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, which ultimately resulted in the release of his personal photos and texts. (NSO has denied any involvement in the hack.) According to the report, the hack was carried out by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, who was seeking to influence The Washington Post’s coverage of his kingdom in advance of the killing of a Post columnist.
The reaction from the digital rights community was harsh and immediate. “Am I reading this wrong or is this Reporter Security Webinar a Harvard training on digital security for journalists from... a senior advisor at NSO Group?” one observer tweeted.
“I wonder if this will include how to avoid getting hacked by Pegasus?” another asked.
Kayyem says she decided to leave the program herself, coming to the conclusion that the controversy had become a distraction. “I decided, alone, not to go forward with the program here because I wanted it to be about the participants and not about me,” she told The Verge.
In the same statement, Kayyem described her work with NSO as primarily focused on human rights. “I worked last year with NSO Group as one of several advisors on the implementation of their effort to align their governance framework with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” Kayyem said. “It was always a limited project and my role ended in 2019. I strongly support the commitment of company’s to align with those principles.”
Still, the incident is a sign of the growing toxicity of freelance spyware vendors like NSO and Hacking Team, which offer surveillance tools to governments on a contract basis. One of the most prominent such vendors, NSO has been linked to attacks around the world, including Mexican journalists targeted by cartels and a New York Times reporter investigating Saudi Arabia. NSO is also currently being sued by WhatsApp for failing to disclose vulnerabilities in the company’s software.