theverge--2020-02-20--From The Strategist: the 14 best laptop cases and bags

Whether you have a top-of-the-line laptop tricked out for gaming or video editing , or a cheap , bare-bones machine for basic word processing and internet surfing , the last thing you want is to drop or spill something on your computer and end up spending hours — and lots of cash — at the Genius Bar .
A sturdy case or sleeve goes a long way to keep your laptop safe from accidental damage .
To find out which cases are best for different types of users , we asked some stylish people in tech as well as three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dangers of not using a case .
A hard-shell case , which attaches to your laptop , protects against dents and scratches without any added bulk .
It can work on its own for daily use , or serve as an added layer of protection if you ’ re carrying your laptop in another bag ( like one of the backpacks or messenger bags below ) .
Benson Chou , founder of Work Hard Anywhere , a community and app for freelancers , likes that he can customize these basic HDE cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mood strikes .
“ I think this solution not only helps with protecting the laptop , but also gives me the flexibility to change my mind often.
” Chou adds that the very affordable hard-plastic case is “ keeping my laptop scratch free.
” Photographer Joe St. Pierre also uses a hard-shell case to protect his laptop , opting for this textured , polycarbonate one from Incase .
“ It ’ s sleek , minimal , and durable , ” he says .
“ As a photographer [ who ] uses [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the size of the case makes for easy transportation and keeps the laptop cool.
” Most laptop users who aren ’ t taking their computers into extreme conditions can get away with using a laptop sleeve .
“ Sleeves are great when you don ’ t need maximum protection , but simply an insulation against bumps and scrapes within a larger bag , ” says Matt Ham of LaptopMD and Computer Repair Doctor .
“ They ’ re light , not bulky , and they come in plenty of sizes to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Brooklyn Tech Guy , likes Incase sleeves , and this one is a favorite of Justin Tse , a content creator who co-curates the workspace Instagram account iSetups and whose tech-review YouTube channel has 485,000 subscribers .
Tse likes that the case is made with foam that “ serves like a bumper around the edges of the computer , ” and that it ’ s thin , good for travel , and can withstand being dropped .
Lopez recommends that people look for “ cases made specifically for their make or model @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fit is essential .
He says Mosiso cases work well for Macs as they come in very specific sizes ( like 13.3 inches and 15.6 inches ) that line up with Apple ’ s laptop measurements .
This case also includes an extra pouch for storing a charger .
Although Tse says this sleeve ( from teen-favorite backpack-maker Herschel Supply Co. ) offers “ nothing crazy in terms of features , ” it ’ s one of his top picks for day-to-day protection since it ’ s got plenty of padding and lasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little more unique , Muchaneta Kapfunde , who blogs about the intersection of tech and design at FashNerd , recommends this sleeve , which is actually made from recycled fire hoses .
Kapfunde likes that the British company that makes it , Elvis & Kresse , is “ sustainable , ethical , and transparent , ” and says the durable cases ( they ’ re lined with reclaimed parachute silk ) are worth the price .
For situations where you ’ ll need extra protection — like putting your laptop in a checked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in transport — Ham says “ you want a hard-shell bag or at least a bag with stiff corners .
The hard shell will better insulate the laptop from rougher conditions.
” Tse likes Thule ’ s rugged and dependable cases for “ heavy-duty ” protection .
This one has a rigid exterior for insulating your computer from outside impact and a soft , padded interior to prevent the case from scratching or denting your laptop .
Ham suggests this durable case with multiple inner pockets “ to protect against jostling , banging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also adds that an extra layer of padding ( like clothing in a suitcase ) “ would help with sharp impacts.
” One of the most common causes of broken laptops is water damage .
“ Laptop cases are usually thrown in backpacks and will easily get wet from drinks , ” says Joe Silverman , founder and CEO of New York Computer Help .
“ Being waterproof will protect against damaging liquid spills.
” He recommends the AquaQuest Storm case because it ’ s completely waterproof and also padded for extra protection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ laptops are “ the ‘ hub ’ of their portable office — their book bag.
” So many often look for laptop-friendly ( aka protective ) bags with lots of pockets for computer accessories , books , pens , notebooks , and whatever else they ’ ll need throughout the day .
This Manhattan Portage bag , his pick for college students , features a number of compartments , including four pockets underneath the front flap for items that need to be accessed easily , and a padded laptop sleeve .
Former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been happily using this messenger bag since 2015 .
With nine compartments , including a “ zippered , padded , waterproof ” laptop pocket , it has space for everything from his wallet and sunglasses to a water bottle and earbuds .
Pogue also appreciates that the bag is “ more handsome and briefcase-y than a typical messenger bag.
” If you prefer using a backpack to tote your laptop from class to class ( or between home and the office ) , Silverman says to look for one that “ is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ books , and charges phones on the fly.
” He says this Kopack backpack — which we ’ ve singled out before as one of the best-reviewed laptop backpacks on Amazon — does all of these things and more .
A detachable USB port keeps your phone charged all day , and a lockable zipper on the hidden laptop compartment helps prevent theft .
Sean Kelly , a lead product designer for stylish desk accessory brand Grovemade , likes this Topo Designs bag , especially for keeping his laptop and tablet from banging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bag ] has a padded back pocket for the laptop , which I can access from its own opening on the outside of the pack , and there is an interior pocket that fits my iPad and keeps it well protected without needing a case , ” he says .
“ In fact the pack has so many wonderfully placed compartments that I can keep all my gear separated so it is organized [ and ] easy to find.
” Students and office workers who commute by bike need a laptop backpack that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as well as potholes or other bumps in the road .
Silverman says this Thule backpack is “ the most solid I ’ ve seen to guard against liquid and bumps.
” It also has reflective details for safe riding at night , and a special pocket for a bicycle U-lock .
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These do not influence editorial content , though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links .
For more information , see

Whether you have a top-of-the-line laptop tricked out for gaming or video editing, or a cheap, bare-bones machine for basic word processing and internet surfing, the last thing you want is to drop or spill something on your computer and end up spending hours — and lots of cash — at the Genius Bar. A sturdy case or sleeve goes a long way to keep your laptop safe from accidental damage. To find out which cases are best for different types of users, we asked some stylish people in tech as well as three computer-repair experts who know all too well the dangers of not using a case.
Best hard-shell cases
HDE clear MacBook Pro 13-inch case
A hard-shell case, which attaches to your laptop, protects against dents and scratches without any added bulk. It can work on its own for daily use, or serve as an added layer of protection if you’re carrying your laptop in another bag (like one of the backpacks or messenger bags below). Benson Chou, founder of Work Hard Anywhere, a community and app for freelancers, likes that he can customize these basic HDE cases with stickers, changing them up as the mood strikes. “I think this solution not only helps with protecting the laptop, but also gives me the flexibility to change my mind often.” Chou adds that the very affordable hard-plastic case is “keeping my laptop scratch free.”
HDE clear MacBook Pro 13-inch case / Best hard-shell cases $11 on Amazon
Incase Hardshell Case for MacBook Air 13” with Retina Display
Photographer Joe St. Pierre also uses a hard-shell case to protect his laptop, opting for this textured, polycarbonate one from Incase. “It’s sleek, minimal, and durable,” he says. “As a photographer [who] uses [my] laptop frequently on the job, the size of the case makes for easy transportation and keeps the laptop cool.”
Incase Hardshell Case for MacBook Air 13” with Retina Display / Best hard-shell cases $42 on Amazon
Best laptop sleeves
Incase Icon Sleeve for MacBook Pro 13
Most laptop users who aren’t taking their computers into extreme conditions can get away with using a laptop sleeve. “Sleeves are great when you don’t need maximum protection, but simply an insulation against bumps and scrapes within a larger bag,” says Matt Ham of LaptopMD and Computer Repair Doctor. “They’re light, not bulky, and they come in plenty of sizes to be formfitting.” Peter Lopez, also known as Brooklyn Tech Guy, likes Incase sleeves, and this one is a favorite of Justin Tse, a content creator who co-curates the workspace Instagram account iSetups and whose tech-review YouTube channel has 485,000 subscribers. Tse likes that the case is made with foam that “serves like a bumper around the edges of the computer,” and that it’s thin, good for travel, and can withstand being dropped.
Incase Icon Sleeve for MacBook Pro 13 / Best laptop sleeves $70 on Best Buy
Mosiso Water Repellent Lycra Sleeve Bag
Lopez recommends that people look for “cases made specifically for their make or model laptop,” especially since a snug fit is essential. He says Mosiso cases work well for Macs as they come in very specific sizes (like 13.3 inches and 15.6 inches) that line up with Apple’s laptop measurements. This case also includes an extra pouch for storing a charger.
Mosiso Water Repellent Lycra Sleeve Bag / Best laptop sleeves $14 on Amazon
Herschel Supply Co. Anchor 13-inch MacBook Sleeve
Although Tse says this sleeve (from teen-favorite backpack-maker Herschel Supply Co.) offers “nothing crazy in terms of features,” it’s one of his top picks for day-to-day protection since it’s got plenty of padding and lasts a long time.
Herschel Supply Co. Anchor 13-inch MacBook Sleeve / Best laptop sleeves $40 on Nordstrom
Elvis & Kresse Folio & Laptop Case
For something a little more unique, Muchaneta Kapfunde, who blogs about the intersection of tech and design at FashNerd, recommends this sleeve, which is actually made from recycled fire hoses. Kapfunde likes that the British company that makes it, Elvis & Kresse, is “sustainable, ethical, and transparent,” and says the durable cases (they’re lined with reclaimed parachute silk) are worth the price.
Elvis & Kresse Folio & Laptop Case / Best laptop sleeves $104 on Elvis & Kresse
Best extra-tough laptop cases
Thule Gauntlet 3.0 15” MacBook Pro Retina Sleeve
For situations where you’ll need extra protection — like putting your laptop in a checked suitcase that’ll likely get jostled in transport — Ham says “you want a hard-shell bag or at least a bag with stiff corners. The hard shell will better insulate the laptop from rougher conditions.” Tse likes Thule’s rugged and dependable cases for “heavy-duty” protection. This one has a rigid exterior for insulating your computer from outside impact and a soft, padded interior to prevent the case from scratching or denting your laptop.
Thule Gauntlet 3.0 15” MacBook Pro Retina Sleeve / Best extra-tough laptop cases $60 on Amazon
Nacuwa Protective Laptop Case Computer Sleeve
Ham suggests this durable case with multiple inner pockets “to protect against jostling, banging around, and shaking,” but also adds that an extra layer of padding (like clothing in a suitcase) “would help with sharp impacts.”
Nacuwa Protective Laptop Case Computer Sleeve / Best extra-tough laptop cases $29 on Amazon
Best waterproof laptop case
AquaQuest Storm Waterproof Laptop Sleeve
One of the most common causes of broken laptops is water damage. “Laptop cases are usually thrown in backpacks and will easily get wet from drinks,” says Joe Silverman, founder and CEO of New York Computer Help. “Being waterproof will protect against damaging liquid spills.” He recommends the AquaQuest Storm case because it’s completely waterproof and also padded for extra protection.
AquaQuest Storm Waterproof Laptop Sleeve / Best waterproof laptop case $35 on Amazon
Best laptop messenger bags
Manhattan Portage 13-inch Deluxe Computer Bag
As Lopez points out, students’ laptops are “the ‘hub’ of their portable office — their book bag.” So many often look for laptop-friendly (aka protective) bags with lots of pockets for computer accessories, books, pens, notebooks, and whatever else they’ll need throughout the day. This Manhattan Portage bag, his pick for college students, features a number of compartments, including four pockets underneath the front flap for items that need to be accessed easily, and a padded laptop sleeve.
Manhattan Portage 13-inch Deluxe Computer Bag / Best laptop messenger bags $89 on Macy’s
Timbuk2 The Closer
Former tech columnist and Strategist contributor David Pogue has been happily using this messenger bag since 2015. With nine compartments, including a “zippered, padded, waterproof” laptop pocket, it has space for everything from his wallet and sunglasses to a water bottle and earbuds. Pogue also appreciates that the bag is “more handsome and briefcase-y than a typical messenger bag.”
Timbuk2 The Closer / Best laptop messenger bags $159 on Amazon
Best laptop backpacks
Kopack Slim Business Laptop Backpack
If you prefer using a backpack to tote your laptop from class to class (or between home and the office), Silverman says to look for one that “is waterproof, padded, has compartments for books, and charges phones on the fly.” He says this Kopack backpack — which we’ve singled out before as one of the best-reviewed laptop backpacks on Amazon — does all of these things and more. A detachable USB port keeps your phone charged all day, and a lockable zipper on the hidden laptop compartment helps prevent theft.
Kopack Slim Business Laptop Backpack / Best laptop backpack $33 on Amazon
Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L
Sean Kelly, a lead product designer for stylish desk accessory brand Grovemade, likes this Topo Designs bag, especially for keeping his laptop and tablet from banging against each other. “[The bag] has a padded back pocket for the laptop, which I can access from its own opening on the outside of the pack, and there is an interior pocket that fits my iPad and keeps it well protected without needing a case,” he says. “In fact the pack has so many wonderfully placed compartments that I can keep all my gear separated so it is organized [and] easy to find.”
Topo Designs Travel Bag 30L / Best laptop backpack $189 on Zappos
Thule Pack ‘n Pedal Commuter Backpack
Students and office workers who commute by bike need a laptop backpack that’ll stand up to the elements, as well as potholes or other bumps in the road. Silverman says this Thule backpack is “the most solid I’ve seen to guard against liquid and bumps.” It also has reflective details for safe riding at night, and a special pocket for a bicycle U-lock.
Thule Pack ‘n Pedal Commuter Backpack / Best laptop backpack $160 on Backcountry


theverge--2020-02-20--Animal Crossing: New Horizons: hands-on with Nintendo’s adorable Switch life sim

From the beginning , Animal Crossing : New Horizons feels different .
Historically , Nintendo ’ s life-sim series almost always starts the same : plunking your human character down into a quaint town populated by animals .
New Horizons , instead , begins with an information desk .
Your character is peppered with questions by adorable raccoons Timmy and Tommy Nook , asking you all kinds of questions about something called a “ Nook Getaway Package.
” You ’ ll be asked where you live , whether you want to visit the northern or southern hemisphere , and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disguised character creator ) .
You even get to pick from a series of four randomly generated island layouts .
Just two minutes in , the game already feels much more involved than its predecessors .
New Horizons isn ’ t just the series ’ s long-awaited debut on the Switch ; it ’ s also what looks like the biggest departure for Animal Crossing to date .
By shifting the setting to a near-deserted island , the developers at Nintendo have found a premise that lets them play with a well-worn formula @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a chance to check this out for myself earlier this week when I played the first 45 minutes or so of New Horizons .
And while that ’ s not nearly enough time to judge a game of this scope , the latest Animal Crossing is at least off to a promising start .
Following your conversation with the Nook kids , you ’ re flown to an island that will be your new home .
The first thing you ’ ll probably notice — especially if you ’ ve spent lots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the franchise — is just how good New Horizons looks .
It ’ s still unmistakably Animal Crossing , with cute , squat characters and a grid-based layout .
But everything is much more detailed .
My island was covered with a fine layer of sparkly white snow , but you could still see the colorful wildflowers poking through and the bright pop of ripe peaches on the trees .
I especially loved the more vibrant water , which adds to the game ’ s natural charm .
The core of the game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a house , you ’ re given a tent , and you can set it up wherever you want .
Initially , the island is pretty sparse ; there are only two other residents alongside the Nook family that runs the joint .
Nintendo says that new features — including facilities like a museum and tailor as well as additional characters — will slowly unlock as you play .
But early on , your island home is quaint and quiet .
At first , there aren ’ t even any bridges or stairs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A few gameplay changes are noticeable right away .
Chief among them is the new crafting feature , which , while simple , seems like a natural fit for the new island setting .
Essentially , you can collect and buy crafting recipes , which you can then take to a workbench to create new things — provided you have the necessary materials .
I spent about five minutes gathering branches strewn across the island and immediately managed to make myself a cheap fishing rod and bug-catching net , essentials for any would-be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there will be different tiers for each of the tools — mine were labeled “ flimsy , ” meaning they ’ ll break relatively easily — and you ’ ll also be able to buy them as well as craft them .
The other big change is a structural one .
After your first night ’ s sleep on the island , Tom Nook will come to you with the dreaded bill — that extremely large sum of money he forgot to tell you about before you agreed to set up on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have to pay the loan with cash .
Instead , there ’ s a new feature called “ Nook Miles , ” which takes the form of an app on your smartphone .
( In fact , most of the game ’ s menu features are cleverly disguised as apps , including the map and crafting recipes . )
Essentially , it ’ s a goal-based system that lets you earn miles by doing everyday Animal Crossing stuff .
Things like catching fish , chatting with neighbors , and pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will go toward paying off your initial loan , as well as unlock new clothes and items .
It ’ s a way of adding some goals to the otherwise open-ended New Horizons gameplay , but without forcing them on you since they ’ re optional .
However , it appears that the miles may only apply to the initial loan , and you ’ ll need actual money to eventually upgrade your house .
• You can use your bug net for catching snowflakes as well as critters • The game ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the mobile game Pocket Camp and pop-up whenever you catch a bug or fish , are back in full force • You have much more control over the layout of the island .
Not only can you pick the map at the outset , but you can also tell the other residents where to set up camp if you want to .
Of course , it ’ s impossible to get a full sense of the game in such a short span .
Animal Crossing is an experience that only really reveals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; it runs in real time , making it best-enjoyed by playing a little bit each day .
That seems particularly true for New Horizons .
Many of the game ’ s features — including facilities like the museum or tailor , the option to build a real house , and the ability to change the island through construction — aren ’ t available initially and will likely take some time to unlock .
That said , while New Horizons doesn ’ t give you all of the new stuff right away , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how different it is .
Yes , this is still a game about a quiet afternoon chasing butterflies , gathering fruit , or decorating a house .
But it ’ s also one that looks to be more involved than any iteration of the franchise to date — and that will likely continue the deeper you dig in .
launch on March 20th on the Nintendo Switch .

From the beginning, Animal Crossing: New Horizons feels different. Historically, Nintendo’s life-sim series almost always starts the same: plunking your human character down into a quaint town populated by animals. New Horizons, instead, begins with an information desk. Your character is peppered with questions by adorable raccoons Timmy and Tommy Nook, asking you all kinds of questions about something called a “Nook Getaway Package.” You’ll be asked where you live, whether you want to visit the northern or southern hemisphere, and to present your passport photo (a cleverly disguised character creator). You even get to pick from a series of four randomly generated island layouts. Just two minutes in, the game already feels much more involved than its predecessors.
New Horizons isn’t just the series’s long-awaited debut on the Switch; it’s also what looks like the biggest departure for Animal Crossing to date. By shifting the setting to a near-deserted island, the developers at Nintendo have found a premise that lets them play with a well-worn formula while still keeping what works. I had a chance to check this out for myself earlier this week when I played the first 45 minutes or so of New Horizons. And while that’s not nearly enough time to judge a game of this scope, the latest Animal Crossing is at least off to a promising start.
Following your conversation with the Nook kids, you’re flown to an island that will be your new home. The first thing you’ll probably notice — especially if you’ve spent lots of time with the portable iterations of the franchise — is just how good New Horizons looks. It’s still unmistakably Animal Crossing, with cute, squat characters and a grid-based layout. But everything is much more detailed. My island was covered with a fine layer of sparkly white snow, but you could still see the colorful wildflowers poking through and the bright pop of ripe peaches on the trees. I especially loved the more vibrant water, which adds to the game’s natural charm.
The core of the game remains mostly the same. Instead of a house, you’re given a tent, and you can set it up wherever you want. Initially, the island is pretty sparse; there are only two other residents alongside the Nook family that runs the joint. Nintendo says that new features — including facilities like a museum and tailor as well as additional characters — will slowly unlock as you play. But early on, your island home is quaint and quiet. At first, there aren’t even any bridges or stairs to cross rivers or climb cliffs.
A few gameplay changes are noticeable right away. Chief among them is the new crafting feature, which, while simple, seems like a natural fit for the new island setting. Essentially, you can collect and buy crafting recipes, which you can then take to a workbench to create new things — provided you have the necessary materials. I spent about five minutes gathering branches strewn across the island and immediately managed to make myself a cheap fishing rod and bug-catching net, essentials for any would-be Animal Crossing explorer. Nintendo says that there will be different tiers for each of the tools — mine were labeled “flimsy,” meaning they’ll break relatively easily — and you’ll also be able to buy them as well as craft them.
The other big change is a structural one. After your first night’s sleep on the island, Tom Nook will come to you with the dreaded bill — that extremely large sum of money he forgot to tell you about before you agreed to set up on the island. Only this time, you don’t have to pay the loan with cash. Instead, there’s a new feature called “Nook Miles,” which takes the form of an app on your smartphone. (In fact, most of the game’s menu features are cleverly disguised as apps, including the map and crafting recipes.)
Essentially, it’s a goal-based system that lets you earn miles by doing everyday Animal Crossing stuff. Things like catching fish, chatting with neighbors, and pretty much anything else will earn miles that will go toward paying off your initial loan, as well as unlock new clothes and items. It’s a way of adding some goals to the otherwise open-ended New Horizons gameplay, but without forcing them on you since they’re optional. However, it appears that the miles may only apply to the initial loan, and you’ll need actual money to eventually upgrade your house.
A few other smaller details I noticed:
You can use your bug net for catching snowflakes as well as critters
The game’s terrible puns, which were absent from the mobile game Pocket Camp and pop-up whenever you catch a bug or fish, are back in full force
You have much more control over the layout of the island. Not only can you pick the map at the outset, but you can also tell the other residents where to set up camp if you want to.
Wasp stings still hurt
Of course, it’s impossible to get a full sense of the game in such a short span. Animal Crossing is an experience that only really reveals itself after weeks and months of playing; it runs in real time, making it best-enjoyed by playing a little bit each day. That seems particularly true for New Horizons. Many of the game’s features — including facilities like the museum or tailor, the option to build a real house, and the ability to change the island through construction — aren’t available initially and will likely take some time to unlock.
That said, while New Horizons doesn’t give you all of the new stuff right away, it’s not afraid to show how different it is. Yes, this is still a game about a quiet afternoon chasing butterflies, gathering fruit, or decorating a house. But it’s also one that looks to be more involved than any iteration of the franchise to date — and that will likely continue the deeper you dig in.


theverge--2020-02-20--11 things we learned about Animal Crossing: New Horizons from today’s Nintendo Direct

The vibe around Animal Crossing : New Horizons is a lot less secretive now .
This morning , Nintendo showed off a lengthy presentation that provided plenty of details about the latest title in its adorable life sim series , which is making its debut on the Switch on March 20th .
That includes everything from the structure of the game to the multiplayer aspect and your new virtual smartphone .
There was a lot packed into the 25-minute-long presentation .
But if you weren ’ t able to catch the whole thing , here are the highlights .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Animal Crossing series isn ’ t exactly known for its bustling metropolises , but the island in New Horizons will be quiet even by Animal Crossing standards — at least initially .
When you first boot up the game , you and two other residents will set up camp on a previously deserted island .
Aside from nature and your tents , the only other facilities initially will be the airport where you can access multiplayer features , and Tom Nook ’ s facility where you buy and sell items , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that doesn ’ t mean it will stay that way for long .
Nintendo says that new residents will eventually join and , more importantly , you ’ ll slowly unlock major facilities as well .
That includes series mainstays like the museum , general store , tailer , and more .
Similarly , you ’ ll also get access to a proper house after paying off your loan .
It ’ s not clear how or when these will eventually unlock , but it sounds like New Horizons will be a very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the main menu in New Horizons takes the form of a smartphone , or NookPhone as it ’ s called in the game .
The phone is naturally full of apps , each one corresponding to a specific aspect of the game .
There ’ s an app for the in-game map , for instance , and another that collects all of your crafting recipes .
( It ’ s not clear how you get such good reception on an island in the middle of nowhere . )
Most notably is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the next major feature ...
Without trying to sound too crass , Animal Crossing has always been about money to some degree .
You move into a town , and you ’ re then immediately saddled with debt that you have to work to pay off .
( Of course , there ’ s no interest , so you ’ re free to not pay it at all if you want . )
New Horizons goes in a slightly different direction , one that changes the structure of the game .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of quests .
When you do things like catch a certain number of fish or collect a specific amount of twigs , you ’ ll earn miles that go toward paying off your travel package .
From what Nintendo has shown , it looks like the goals will all be tied to things you do in the game anyway , making it a fairly natural progression system .
However , it ’ s not clear if these miles can also be used to pay off future house upgrades , though you can also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlock new gear .
Yes , Isabelle is in the game — eventually .
The adorable Shih Tzu has become a mascot for the series , and she ’ ll be part of New Horizons when players eventually unlock the resident services office .
Other notable characters will also be making an appearance .
Gulliver , for instance , will wash up on shore at some point .
And traveling merchants like Kicks will visit from time to time .
There are different multiplayer options One of the most unclear aspects of New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nintendo provided a bit more detail in that regard .
For local play , up to eight people can have characters on the same Switch .
They ’ ll all have to live on the same island — each player will get their own tent / house — and you can have one character per user account .
There ’ s also a four-player “ party ” mode where four players can run around at the same time .
When it comes to online play , you ’ ll be able to visit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A new “ party play ” feature lets up to four players visit the same space online .
But there are some restrictions .
You ’ ll need an island code to visit other players , and to prevent griefing , axes and shovels are banned so that you can ’ t chop down every single tree on someone else ’ s island .
( These restrictions are lifted if you and the other person are considered “ best friends , ” though it ’ s not clear right now how that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to actually talk to friends , you ’ ll need to do so via a separate smartphone app .
The Nintendo Switch Online mobile app is being updated to support New Horizons , and it ’ s required for both voice and text chat in the game .
The app will also let you scan QR codes to import pattern designs from past Animal Crossing games .
The update is expected later in March after New Horizons launches .
There are no cloud saves Much like other big Nintendo franchises like Pokémon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t support cloud saves via the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service .
The reasoning isn ’ t clear , though Nintendo does say that it ’ s planning some kind of recovery service for those who lose their game file due to lost or damaged consoles .
You can shape the island itself New Horizons will give you more control over nature than any of its predecessors .
Not only can you pull weeds and chop down trees , you ’ ll also be able to demolish cliffs , create pathways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and bridges .
Like most other features , this won ’ t be available right away , but it looks like it will give creative players plenty more options for customizing their island .
There will be connections to Pocket Camp For those who have stuck with the mobile iteration of the series , Pocket Camp , Nintendo says there will be some connection with the new game in the form of exclusive items .
It ’ s not clear what those items will be , but it ’ s a nice bonus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t mention anything about paid DLC or expansions , but the developer did say that there will be multiple free updates coming in the future .
These will primarily revolve around seasonal events , and you won ’ t have to wait long for them : Nintendo says that the first free update will be out on launch day , priming the game for an event later in April .
During one sequence , Nintendo showed how different your island can look at night .
This included a glimpse at what looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ wisp ” — but it was an all too brief encounter .
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These do not influence editorial content , though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links .
For more information , see

The vibe around Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a lot less secretive now. This morning, Nintendo showed off a lengthy presentation that provided plenty of details about the latest title in its adorable life sim series, which is making its debut on the Switch on March 20th. That includes everything from the structure of the game to the multiplayer aspect and your new virtual smartphone. There was a lot packed into the 25-minute-long presentation. But if you weren’t able to catch the whole thing, here are the highlights.
The island is fairly empty in the beginning
The Animal Crossing series isn’t exactly known for its bustling metropolises, but the island in New Horizons will be quiet even by Animal Crossing standards — at least initially. When you first boot up the game, you and two other residents will set up camp on a previously deserted island. Aside from nature and your tents, the only other facilities initially will be the airport where you can access multiplayer features, and Tom Nook’s facility where you buy and sell items, as well as craft new ones.
But that doesn’t mean it will stay that way for long. Nintendo says that new residents will eventually join and, more importantly, you’ll slowly unlock major facilities as well. That includes series mainstays like the museum, general store, tailer, and more. Similarly, you’ll also get access to a proper house after paying off your loan. It’s not clear how or when these will eventually unlock, but it sounds like New Horizons will be a very slow burn.
You’ll have a smartphone full of apps
Like many modern games, the main menu in New Horizons takes the form of a smartphone, or NookPhone as it’s called in the game. The phone is naturally full of apps, each one corresponding to a specific aspect of the game. There’s an app for the in-game map, for instance, and another that collects all of your crafting recipes. (It’s not clear how you get such good reception on an island in the middle of nowhere.) Most notably is an app called Nook Miles, which ties into the next major feature...
There’s a new progression system
Without trying to sound too crass, Animal Crossing has always been about money to some degree. You move into a town, and you’re then immediately saddled with debt that you have to work to pay off. (Of course, there’s no interest, so you’re free to not pay it at all if you want.) New Horizons goes in a slightly different direction, one that changes the structure of the game.
The Nook Miles app is essentially a collection of quests. When you do things like catch a certain number of fish or collect a specific amount of twigs, you’ll earn miles that go toward paying off your travel package. From what Nintendo has shown, it looks like the goals will all be tied to things you do in the game anyway, making it a fairly natural progression system. However, it’s not clear if these miles can also be used to pay off future house upgrades, though you can also use them to visit mystery islands and unlock new gear.
Familiar characters are back
Yes, Isabelle is in the game — eventually. The adorable Shih Tzu has become a mascot for the series, and she’ll be part of New Horizons when players eventually unlock the resident services office. Other notable characters will also be making an appearance. Gulliver, for instance, will wash up on shore at some point. And traveling merchants like Kicks will visit from time to time.
There are different multiplayer options
One of the most unclear aspects of New Horizons was its multiplayer options, and Nintendo provided a bit more detail in that regard. For local play, up to eight people can have characters on the same Switch. They’ll all have to live on the same island — each player will get their own tent / house — and you can have one character per user account. There’s also a four-player “party” mode where four players can run around at the same time.
When it comes to online play, you’ll be able to visit friends and have them visit your island. A new “party play” feature lets up to four players visit the same space online. But there are some restrictions. You’ll need an island code to visit other players, and to prevent griefing, axes and shovels are banned so that you can’t chop down every single tree on someone else’s island. (These restrictions are lifted if you and the other person are considered “best friends,” though it’s not clear right now how that distinction is made.)
Voice and text chat require a separate app
If you want to actually talk to friends, you’ll need to do so via a separate smartphone app. The Nintendo Switch Online mobile app is being updated to support New Horizons, and it’s required for both voice and text chat in the game. The app will also let you scan QR codes to import pattern designs from past Animal Crossing games. The update is expected later in March after New Horizons launches.
There are no cloud saves
Much like other big Nintendo franchises like Pokémon and Splatoon, the new Animal Crossing won’t support cloud saves via the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. The reasoning isn’t clear, though Nintendo does say that it’s planning some kind of recovery service for those who lose their game file due to lost or damaged consoles.
You can shape the island itself
New Horizons will give you more control over nature than any of its predecessors. Not only can you pull weeds and chop down trees, you’ll also be able to demolish cliffs, create pathways across rivers, and even build stairs and bridges. Like most other features, this won’t be available right away, but it looks like it will give creative players plenty more options for customizing their island.
There will be connections to Pocket Camp
For those who have stuck with the mobile iteration of the series, Pocket Camp, Nintendo says there will be some connection with the new game in the form of exclusive items. It’s not clear what those items will be, but it’s a nice bonus for Pocket Camp players.
Expect plenty of free updates
Nintendo didn’t mention anything about paid DLC or expansions, but the developer did say that there will be multiple free updates coming in the future. These will primarily revolve around seasonal events, and you won’t have to wait long for them: Nintendo says that the first free update will be out on launch day, priming the game for an event later in April.
There are... ghosts?
During one sequence, Nintendo showed how different your island can look at night. This included a glimpse at what looked to be a ghost — called a “wisp” — but it was an all too brief encounter.


theverge--2020-02-20--3Doodler’s newest toy lets kids make 3D objects with molds

3Doodler , the company behind the 3D-printing pen that lets users draw 3D structures in midair , is introducing a new toy for preschoolers and kindergartners .
Called 3D Build and Play , the device looks a lot like a glue gun with a crank , letting kids fill molds with plastic filaments that can be assembled into figurines .
At $ 29.99 , it ’ s one of the most affordable 3D-printing products around and is also safe for kids as young as four years old .
Since first launching on Kickstarter in 2013 , 3Doodler has introduced updated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more professional model that can use wood , copper , and bronze filaments .
The 3D Build and Play is a dramatically different version that ’ s specifically made for young kids , guiding them on the characters they can make through the included plastic molds .
The set also comes with a storybook about those characters , and pop-up backgrounds for the kids ’ creations to live in .
3D Build and Play is available for preorder now and will be available from retailers like Amazon by the middle of this @ @

3Doodler, the company behind the 3D-printing pen that lets users draw 3D structures in midair, is introducing a new toy for preschoolers and kindergartners. Called 3D Build and Play, the device looks a lot like a glue gun with a crank, letting kids fill molds with plastic filaments that can be assembled into figurines. At $29.99, it’s one of the most affordable 3D-printing products around and is also safe for kids as young as four years old.
Since first launching on Kickstarter in 2013, 3Doodler has introduced updated iterations of its 3D pen, including a more professional model that can use wood, copper, and bronze filaments. The 3D Build and Play is a dramatically different version that’s specifically made for young kids, guiding them on the characters they can make through the included plastic molds. The set also comes with a storybook about those characters, and pop-up backgrounds for the kids’ creations to live in.
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theverge--2020-02-20--How to find great Instagram accounts to follow

The thing that makes Instagram so engaging is the constant flow of photos — of your cousin ’ s chihuahua or the purple mountain majesties — that show up on your timeline whenever you open the app .
But how do you find all of that great content in the first place ?
There are several easy ways .
When you start your account , Instagram encourages you to connect with people you already know .
For example , if you set up Instagram using your Facebook login , the app automatically suggests Facebook friends for you to follow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can upload your phone contacts to Instagram .
From the main screen of the app , click on the profile button in the lower-right corner , then the three-bar button in the upper-right corner .
From the menu that pops up , choose “ Discover People.
” When you allow Instagram to access your contacts , the app finds anyone on your list who has an Instagram account .
Simply go through the suggestions and hit “ Follow ” for anyone whose updates you ’ d like to see .
If you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their avatar to look over their photos first .
As you follow and interact with more people , this feature will suggest other accounts that you might like ( for instance , people who are friends of your friends ) .
The Explore feature is a screen of images and videos that Instagram chooses based on factors such as overall popularity , your own location , and things you ’ ve previously liked .
If you ’ re looking for accounts to follow and would rather not give Instagram access to your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s easy to do .
From the home screen of the Instagram app , click on the magnifying glass icon on the bottom row .
From there , you can find plenty of new accounts to follow .
If you tap on the search bar at the top of the Explore page , you can either type in specific accounts to follow or look through the three tabs that appear under the search bar for more ideas .
The person icon suggests accounts you might like , including celebrities such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to your location , like nearby news outlets or concert venues .
The hashtag ( # ) icon allows you to search for topics you want to see .
Many Instagram users include hashtags in their posts to make them easier to find ( for example , by tagging a picture of their Saturday-morning waffles and eggs with # brunch ) .
You can search for and follow hashtags just like accounts .
When you search , Instagram suggests related hashtags to help you find even more of what you ’ re looking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ birdwatcher from Texas searches for # birdsoftexas , more than 16,000 posts appear .
But the suggested hashtags have even more reach , including # best_birds_of_ig ( 862,000 ) and # birdphotography ( 3.9 million ) .
Often , a couple of simple searches will lead you to the best hashtags to follow for your interests .
Finally , the map pin icon allows you to search by location , which is enabled by Instagram ’ s GPS tagging feature .
The default is for posts close to your current location , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find landmarks , vacation spots , or even favorite restaurants or state parks .
Keep finding great new Instagram accounts and hashtags As you use the app , your favorite accounts will likely attract interesting comments from other users and include lots of relevant hashtags you might want to follow .
Keep browsing , and you ’ re sure to find plenty of fresh content for your Instagram timeline .
Vox Media has affiliate partnerships .
These do not influence editorial content , though Vox Media may earn commissions for products purchased via @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see

The thing that makes Instagram so engaging is the constant flow of photos — of your cousin’s chihuahua or the purple mountain majesties — that show up on your timeline whenever you open the app.
But how do you find all of that great content in the first place? There are several easy ways.
Getting started: find your Instagram friends
When you start your account, Instagram encourages you to connect with people you already know. For example, if you set up Instagram using your Facebook login, the app automatically suggests Facebook friends for you to follow.
At any time, however, you can upload your phone contacts to Instagram. From the main screen of the app, click on the profile button in the lower-right corner, then the three-bar button in the upper-right corner. From the menu that pops up, choose “Discover People.”
When you allow Instagram to access your contacts, the app finds anyone on your list who has an Instagram account. Simply go through the suggestions and hit “Follow” for anyone whose updates you’d like to see. If you’re not sure about someone, click on their avatar to look over their photos first.
As you follow and interact with more people, this feature will suggest other accounts that you might like (for instance, people who are friends of your friends).
Using the Instagram Explore feature
The Explore feature is a screen of images and videos that Instagram chooses based on factors such as overall popularity, your own location, and things you’ve previously liked. If you’re looking for accounts to follow and would rather not give Instagram access to your contacts, this is a good alternative.
It’s easy to do. From the home screen of the Instagram app, click on the magnifying glass icon on the bottom row. From there, you can find plenty of new accounts to follow.
If you tap on the search bar at the top of the Explore page, you can either type in specific accounts to follow or look through the three tabs that appear under the search bar for more ideas.
The person icon suggests accounts you might like, including celebrities such as LeBron James, or things relevant to your location, like nearby news outlets or concert venues.
The hashtag (#) icon allows you to search for topics you want to see. Many Instagram users include hashtags in their posts to make them easier to find (for example, by tagging a picture of their Saturday-morning waffles and eggs with #brunch).
You can search for and follow hashtags just like accounts. When you search, Instagram suggests related hashtags to help you find even more of what you’re looking for. For example, if a birdwatcher from Texas searches for #birdsoftexas, more than 16,000 posts appear. But the suggested hashtags have even more reach, including #best_birds_of_ig (862,000) and #birdphotography (3.9 million). Often, a couple of simple searches will lead you to the best hashtags to follow for your interests.
Finally, the map pin icon allows you to search by location, which is enabled by Instagram’s GPS tagging feature. The default is for posts close to your current location, but you can also enter search terms to find landmarks, vacation spots, or even favorite restaurants or state parks.
Keep finding great new Instagram accounts and hashtags
As you use the app, your favorite accounts will likely attract interesting comments from other users and include lots of relevant hashtags you might want to follow. Keep browsing, and you’re sure to find plenty of fresh content for your Instagram timeline.


theverge--2020-02-20--Fortnite: Chapter 2’s new season is all about secret agents and well-muscled cats

Fortnite ’ s latest season is shaken , not stirred .
After months of waiting , the second season of Fortnite : Chapter 2 is finally here , and it introduces a secret agent theme to the battle royale game .
That includes new “ top-secret hideouts ” scattered across the island , more stealth gameplay features like “ decoy grenades ” and secret passages , as well as the usual assortment of new characters and skins to unlock if you purchase this season ’ s battle pass .
The battle pass skins include the likes of Peely the banana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ named Meowscles who can make his pecks dance , and a man with golden hands .
Deadpool is also the latest licensed superhero to join Fortnite ’ s cast , though it ’ s not clear yet how you unlock him .
There are some interesting new twists when it comes to character customization .
Season 2 introduces two factions — Ghost and Shadow — and you can unlock a variant version for each of the new characters by completing missions .
However , you can only unlock the variant from one faction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So you really have to think hard if you want a white or black muscle cat .
Similarly , there ’ s a new character called Maya , and you can customize 10 different aspects of her appearance , including clothing , hairstyle , and even tattoos and face paint .
It ’ s a big shift for Fortnite , which historically has only featured premade character skins .
Epic also says there will be new limited time modes based on the theme , which will include things like infiltrating bases and taking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Epic Games also provided some details on changes coming to the “ team rumble ” mode in season 2 , which includes welcome additions like better-quality weapons and unlimited glider redeployment .
The new season also means more content and options for creative mode .
Chapter 2 debuted back in October , after a dramatic — and record-breaking — black hole event that saw the game go offline for several days .
It represented a huge shift for Fortnite , introducing a brand-new island at the expense of the original and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new island has been home to a Halloween event , a guest appearance from Star Wars director J.J. Abrams , Rickrolls , and new cosmetics based on popular streamers like Tyler “ Ninja ” Blevins .

Fortnite’s latest season is shaken, not stirred. After months of waiting, the second season of Fortnite: Chapter 2 is finally here, and it introduces a secret agent theme to the battle royale game. That includes new “top-secret hideouts” scattered across the island, more stealth gameplay features like “decoy grenades” and secret passages, as well as the usual assortment of new characters and skins to unlock if you purchase this season’s battle pass.
The battle pass skins include the likes of Peely the banana in a tuxedo, a cat henchmen named Meowscles who can make his pecks dance, and a man with golden hands. Deadpool is also the latest licensed superhero to join Fortnite’s cast, though it’s not clear yet how you unlock him.
There are some interesting new twists when it comes to character customization. Season 2 introduces two factions — Ghost and Shadow — and you can unlock a variant version for each of the new characters by completing missions. However, you can only unlock the variant from one faction, and your choice is permanent. So you really have to think hard if you want a white or black muscle cat. Similarly, there’s a new character called Maya, and you can customize 10 different aspects of her appearance, including clothing, hairstyle, and even tattoos and face paint. It’s a big shift for Fortnite, which historically has only featured premade character skins.


theverge--2020-02-20--Bloomberg debate video would violate Twitter’s deepfake policy, but not Facebook’s

As platforms prepare for the upcoming 2020 election season , Twitter and Facebook are divided on whether a video posted by the Mike Bloomberg presidential campaign would violate their policies on manipulated media .
On Thursday , Bloomberg ’ s 2020 presidential campaign posted a video to Twitter that was edited to make it appear as though there was a long , embarrassing silence from Bloomberg ’ s Democratic opponents after he mentioned that he was the only candidate to have ever started a business during Wednesday night ’ s debate .
Candidates like Sens .
Bernie Sanders ( I-VT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and former South Bend , Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg are shown searching for the words to respond to Bloomberg ’ s challenge .
Twitter told The Verge that the video would likely be labeled as manipulated media under the platform ’ s new deepfakes policy that officially goes into place on March 5th .
However , Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone confirmed on Twitter that the same video would not violate the platform ’ s deepfakes rules if it were posted to Facebook or Instagram .
Facebook ’ s policy “ does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ satire , or video that has been edited solely to omit or change the order of words ” likely not affecting videos like Bloomberg ’ s .
A video must also be created with an artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithm to trigger a removal .
It ’ s not clear as of publication if Facebook would label the video as containing false information like it did for a viral video featuring House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last year .
Bloomberg spokesperson Galia Slayen told The Verge the edits made were so flagrant as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s tongue in cheek , ” Slayen said .
“ There were obviously no crickets on the debate stage.
” The edited Bloomberg clip is an early real-world example of how Twitter will classify “ manipulated media ” under its new policy .
Earlier this month , a video posted to President Donald Trump ’ s feed was deceptively edited to depict House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripping up the president ’ s State of the Union speech to spite veterans and a single mother .
Twitter declined to confirm whether that video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manipulation to users .
At the time , Facebook and YouTube said the video did not violate their platforms ’ policies .
This also isn ’ t the first time the Bloomberg campaign has challenged social media platforms .
Last week , Facebook announced that it would allow influencers and popular meme pages to post sponsored content for politicians after Bloomberg launched a meme campaign on Instagram .
So long as the influencer uses the platform ’ s branded content tool and discloses that the post is an ad , it is allowed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject to being cataloged in Facebook ’ s political ads library .

As platforms prepare for the upcoming 2020 election season, Twitter and Facebook are divided on whether a video posted by the Mike Bloomberg presidential campaign would violate their policies on manipulated media.
On Thursday, Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential campaign posted a video to Twitter that was edited to make it appear as though there was a long, embarrassing silence from Bloomberg’s Democratic opponents after he mentioned that he was the only candidate to have ever started a business during Wednesday night’s debate. Candidates like Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and former South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg are shown searching for the words to respond to Bloomberg’s challenge.
Twitter told The Verge that the video would likely be labeled as manipulated media under the platform’s new deepfakes policy that officially goes into place on March 5th.
However, Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone confirmed on Twitter that the same video would not violate the platform’s deepfakes rules if it were posted to Facebook or Instagram. Facebook’s policy “does not extend to content that is parody or satire, or video that has been edited solely to omit or change the order of words” likely not affecting videos like Bloomberg’s. A video must also be created with an artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithm to trigger a removal.
A Facebook spokesperson told The Verge that the Bloomberg video would not be labelled as misinformation either.
Bloomberg spokesperson Galia Slayen told The Verge the edits made were so flagrant as to not be deceptive. “It’s tongue in cheek,” Slayen said. “There were obviously no crickets on the debate stage.”
The edited Bloomberg clip is an early real-world example of how Twitter will classify “manipulated media” under its new policy. Earlier this month, a video posted to President Donald Trump’s feed was deceptively edited to depict House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripping up the president’s State of the Union speech to spite veterans and a single mother. Twitter declined to confirm whether that video would receive the same disclosure noting the manipulation to users. At the time, Facebook and YouTube said the video did not violate their platforms’ policies.
This also isn’t the first time the Bloomberg campaign has challenged social media platforms. Last week, Facebook announced that it would allow influencers and popular meme pages to post sponsored content for politicians after Bloomberg launched a meme campaign on Instagram. So long as the influencer uses the platform’s branded content tool and discloses that the post is an ad, it is allowed to run and won’t be subject to being cataloged in Facebook’s political ads library.


theverge--2020-02-20--Twitch is making it easier to understand League of Legends matches

Twitch debuted a new extension for the League of Legends community this week , allowing viewers to keep track of streamers by displaying details on their overall performance in matches and how they use their favorite champions .
League of Legends is famously complicated to watch ( and play ) , and this tool could help to make the gameplay clearer to new audiences .
If a League of Legends streamer installs the tracker , it will give viewers an interactive panel displaying the match ’ s scoreboard , the in-game artifacts they equip for their champions , and gameplay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assists the streamer , their teammates , and members of the opposing team had during the match .
In addition , the new extension also includes a match history , allowing viewers to see what order the streamer brought items in during the match .
The inclusion of a real-time stats tracker has been highly requested by fans of League of Legends .
Riot Games ’ free-to-play MOBA is one of the most viewed games on Twitch , with a concurrent daily player count estimated at 8 million .
This new Twitch extension @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up to date with League of Legends ’ streamers , but it could potentially provide indirect ways to help viewers get better at playing the game .

Twitch debuted a new extension for the League of Legends community this week, allowing viewers to keep track of streamers by displaying details on their overall performance in matches and how they use their favorite champions. League of Legends is famously complicated to watch (and play), and this tool could help to make the gameplay clearer to new audiences.
If a League of Legends streamer installs the tracker, it will give viewers an interactive panel displaying the match’s scoreboard, the in-game artifacts they equip for their champions, and gameplay statistics such as how many kills or assists the streamer, their teammates, and members of the opposing team had during the match. In addition, the new extension also includes a match history, allowing viewers to see what order the streamer brought items in during the match.


theverge--2020-02-20--Russia is meddling in 2020 campaign to help Trump, intelligence officials say

Russia is already interfering in the 2020 campaign to help President Donald Trump toward reelection , according to a briefing given to the bipartisan House Intelligence Committee last week .
The briefing , as reported in paired articles from The Washington Post and The New York Times , suggests many of the same tactics used in 2016 could be employed in the months to come , including troll campaigns and targeted hacking attempts .
The day after the briefing was given , President Trump abruptly replaced his acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire , in what the Post describes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Post is less clear on the contents of the briefing , but the Times reports from five different sources that the briefing primarily concerned active Russian threats to election security .
President Trump abruptly replaced his acting DNI after the briefing Neither article describes any specific intelligence from the briefing , but there have already been some public signs of Russia-linked election meddling .
In February , Facebook took down dozens of accounts believed to be engaged in propaganda campaigns , including many the company attributed to Russia .
In January @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma was also attributed to Russia in a possible replay of the 2016 DNC server hack , although the evidence for the attribution is tenuous .
In 2016 , Russian election meddling efforts ranged from Facebook troll accounts — operated by the notorious Internet Research Agency — to a sophisticated and targeted effort to steal and disseminate emails from the Democratic National Committee .
That hacking effort had a significant impact on national opinions in the run-up to the election .
President Trump has consistently questioned whether Russia was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ own intelligence services .
Earlier this week , WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange claimed a Trump surrogate had offered him a pardon in exchange for evidence that would cast doubt on Russian involvement in the hack .

Russia is already interfering in the 2020 campaign to help President Donald Trump toward reelection, according to a briefing given to the bipartisan House Intelligence Committee last week. The briefing, as reported in paired articles from The Washington Post and The New York Times, suggests many of the same tactics used in 2016 could be employed in the months to come, including troll campaigns and targeted hacking attempts.
The day after the briefing was given, President Trump abruptly replaced his acting Director of National Intelligence Joseph Maguire, in what the Post describes as a direct response to the briefing. The Post is less clear on the contents of the briefing, but the Times reports from five different sources that the briefing primarily concerned active Russian threats to election security.
President Trump abruptly replaced his acting DNI after the briefing
Neither article describes any specific intelligence from the briefing, but there have already been some public signs of Russia-linked election meddling. In February, Facebook took down dozens of accounts believed to be engaged in propaganda campaigns, including many the company attributed to Russia. In January, a phishing attack on the Biden-linked Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma was also attributed to Russia in a possible replay of the 2016 DNC server hack, although the evidence for the attribution is tenuous.
In 2016, Russian election meddling efforts ranged from Facebook troll accounts — operated by the notorious Internet Research Agency — to a sophisticated and targeted effort to steal and disseminate emails from the Democratic National Committee. That hacking effort had a significant impact on national opinions in the run-up to the election.


theverge--2020-02-20--Twitter’s upcoming manipulated media policy may include labels for ‘harmfully misleading’ tweets

A leaked Twitter demo showed that the platform is considering labeling tweets from politicians and other public figures if the tweets have lies or misinformation in them , NBC News reports .
“ Harmfully misleading ” tweets would have red or orange labels applied , and include corrected information from fact-checkers , journalists , and other users in “ one possible iteration ” of a Wikipedia-like anti-misinformation effort Twitter plans to unveil March 5th , according to NBC News .
The project is in the very early stages at Twitter , but a Twitter spokesperson says in an email to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ design mockup for one option that would involve community feedback .
Misinformation is a critical issue and we will be testing many different ways to address it.
” The leaked demo showed a tweet from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy ( R-CA ) that had incorrect information about whistleblowers and one from Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) that had an incorrect figure about background checks on gun sales , NBC News reports , as well as a tweet with false information about the coronavirus .
It ’ s not clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which tweets would be flagged with the new labels .
One version of the leaked demo — which the company stressed to NBC News was just one of several possibilities — would allow Twitter users / moderators to earn points or “ community badges ” if they “ contribute in good faith and act like a good leader.
” How it would choose which users get to be moderators and what kind of authority moderators would have is unclear , but “ the more points you earn , the more your vote counts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Community ” members would be asked to rate a tweet as “ likely ” or “ unlikely ” to be “ harmfully misleading ” ; to predict how many other community members would give the same answer using a sliding scale of 1 to 100 ; and to elaborate on why they believe the tweet should be flagged .
Earlier this month , Twitter announced the March 5th rollout of its new “ manipulated media ” policy which will include a ban on fabricated photos , videos , and media on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and may pose safety risks .
Media that has been deceptively edited or otherwise altered in a way that changes its meaning would be labeled as fake , the company said .
Twitter has put other tools into place in an attempt to help users discern what information on its platform is inaccurate .
In May , it announced a tool that could tamp down anti-vaccination information by redirecting users to vaccines.org , a site run by the Health and Human Services Department .
And last week , Twitter announced it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prohibits users from sharing “ false or misleading information about how to participate in an election or other civic event ” by redirecting users to Census.gov when they search for certain keywords associated with the 2020 US census .

A leaked Twitter demo showed that the platform is considering labeling tweets from politicians and other public figures if the tweets have lies or misinformation in them, NBC News reports. “Harmfully misleading” tweets would have red or orange labels applied, and include corrected information from fact-checkers, journalists, and other users in “one possible iteration” of a Wikipedia-like anti-misinformation effort Twitter plans to unveil March 5th, according to NBC News.
The project is in the very early stages at Twitter, but a Twitter spokesperson says in an email to The Verge that the labeling system is a “design mockup for one option that would involve community feedback. Misinformation is a critical issue and we will be testing many different ways to address it.”
The leaked demo showed a tweet from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) that had incorrect information about whistleblowers and one from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) that had an incorrect figure about background checks on gun sales, NBC News reports, as well as a tweet with false information about the coronavirus. It’s not clear, however, how Twitter would determine which tweets would be flagged with the new labels.
Image: Twitter via NBC News
One version of the leaked demo — which the company stressed to NBC News was just one of several possibilities — would allow Twitter users / moderators to earn points or “community badges” if they “contribute in good faith and act like a good leader.” How it would choose which users get to be moderators and what kind of authority moderators would have is unclear, but “the more points you earn, the more your vote counts,” according to the demo. “Community” members would be asked to rate a tweet as “likely” or “unlikely” to be “harmfully misleading”; to predict how many other community members would give the same answer using a sliding scale of 1 to 100; and to elaborate on why they believe the tweet should be flagged.
Earlier this month, Twitter announced the March 5th rollout of its new “manipulated media” policy which will include a ban on fabricated photos, videos, and media on the platform that is “deceptively shared,” and may pose safety risks. Media that has been deceptively edited or otherwise altered in a way that changes its meaning would be labeled as fake, the company said.


theverge--2020-02-20--This is how Microsoft designed its new colorful Windows 10 icons

Microsoft has started rolling out new colorful app icons in Windows 10 today that overhaul the look and feel of the operating system .
Changes to many of the built-in Windows 10 app icons have started rolling out today , but more are coming in the months ahead .
It ’ s part of what the company describes as a “ multi-year effort across Microsoft ’ s design teams to redesign our icons.
” Windows has always suffered from a variety of different icons that are sometimes decades old , and Microsoft originally embarked on an effort to try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when it first debuted nearly five years ago .
Microsoft picked monochrome icons that were simplified but were designed for colorful Live Tiles that never really caught on with app developers and Windows 10 users .
“ Flat , monochrome icons look great in context of colorful tiles , but as more icon styles enter the ecosystem , this approach needs to evolve , ” reveals Christina Koehn , a design leader for Windows and Devices at Microsoft .
“ When icons in the taskbar and Start menu are different styles , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find applications .
We needed to incorporate more visual cues into the icon design language using our modernized Fluent Design Language.
” Microsoft has now evolved its icons to better reflect its cross-platform approach , while sticking to the familiarity of what Windows users are used to .
“ Leveraging the Fluent Design System , we introduced depth and color to our iconography , ” explains Koehn .
“ These additional cues are subtle , but they make a world of difference when scanning an interface.
” This splash of color should make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the taskbar or Start menu , and Microsoft is planning to use similar icons with its design language across its apps for Windows , iOS , Android , and macOS .
The new colorful icons are designed to feel familiar and look similar , all while “ honoring ” the legacy of the Windows operating system in an attempt to evolve it .
Microsoft ’ s design teams “ explored a myriad of design directions for the calculator icon , ” according to Koehn , all the way from its monochrome version to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the OS .
It ’ s interesting to witness Microsoft ’ s experiments with trying to evolve something as simple as a calculator icon and also the company ’ s evolution of the Windows Mail icon over the past nearly 20 years .
“ You ’ ll start to see some the new icons today and even more in the coming months , ” reveals Koehn .
“ Redesigning these icons signals our commitment to the evolution of the Windows OS , honoring its legacy while redefining the archetype in which it lives.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get these new icons right , and they ’ re part of a much broader effort to leverage the company ’ s Fluent Design system across multiple apps and services .
Designers are now working closely together to create hardware and software that has a common design system across all of Microsoft ’ s products .
The software maker also previously overhauled its Office icons and design and is trying to encourage others to use its Fluent Design system for a variety of mobile apps .
Microsoft ’ s updated Edge browser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even Office itself has a more modern logo .

Microsoft has started rolling out new colorful app icons in Windows 10 today that overhaul the look and feel of the operating system. Changes to many of the built-in Windows 10 app icons have started rolling out today, but more are coming in the months ahead. It’s part of what the company describes as a “multi-year effort across Microsoft’s design teams to redesign our icons.”
Windows has always suffered from a variety of different icons that are sometimes decades old, and Microsoft originally embarked on an effort to try to simplify some of these in Windows 10 when it first debuted nearly five years ago. Microsoft picked monochrome icons that were simplified but were designed for colorful Live Tiles that never really caught on with app developers and Windows 10 users.
The evolution of the new calculator icon.
“Flat, monochrome icons look great in context of colorful tiles, but as more icon styles enter the ecosystem, this approach needs to evolve,” reveals Christina Koehn, a design leader for Windows and Devices at Microsoft. “When icons in the taskbar and Start menu are different styles, it creates more cognitive load to scan and find applications. We needed to incorporate more visual cues into the icon design language using our modernized Fluent Design Language.”
Microsoft has now evolved its icons to better reflect its cross-platform approach, while sticking to the familiarity of what Windows users are used to. “Leveraging the Fluent Design System, we introduced depth and color to our iconography,” explains Koehn. “These additional cues are subtle, but they make a world of difference when scanning an interface.” This splash of color should make it easier to scan for apps on the taskbar or Start menu, and Microsoft is planning to use similar icons with its design language across its apps for Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS.
Windows 10’s new icons in the taskbar.
The new colorful icons are designed to feel familiar and look similar, all while “honoring” the legacy of the Windows operating system in an attempt to evolve it. Microsoft’s design teams “explored a myriad of design directions for the calculator icon,” according to Koehn, all the way from its monochrome version to the Fluent version that now exists in the OS. It’s interesting to witness Microsoft’s experiments with trying to evolve something as simple as a calculator icon and also the company’s evolution of the Windows Mail icon over the past nearly 20 years.
“You’ll start to see some the new icons today and even more in the coming months,” reveals Koehn. “Redesigning these icons signals our commitment to the evolution of the Windows OS, honoring its legacy while redefining the archetype in which it lives.”
How the Windows Mail icon has changed over the years.


theverge--2020-02-20--YouTube receives FTC complaint over videos of journalist’s death

Nearly five years ago , reporter Alison Parker was murdered live on television .
That video was clipped , published , and seen all across the internet over the years , including thousands of times on YouTube alone .
On Thursday , Alison ’ s father Andy Parker filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission against Google , YouTube ’ s owner , alleging that the company ’ s handling of the content deceives consumers .
Since Alison ’ s death , conspiracy theorists have reposted the video across the platform , presenting outlandish theories that have garnered hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been edited in numerous ways—in almost every case to increase their shock value , ” Parker ’ s complaint says .
“ Moreover , the users who perpetuate this type of entertainment continue to harass Mr. Parker by discounting his suffering as fake.
” YouTube ’ s own community guidelines prohibit the proliferation of graphic images depicting violence or death , but many of the videos outlined in Parker ’ s complaint remain live on the platform .
“ We rigorously enforce these policies using a combination of machine learning technology and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years , we ’ ve removed thousands of copies of this video for violating our policies , ” a YouTube spokesperson told The Verge .
“ We will continue to stay vigilant and improve our policy enforcement.
” In order to moderate its platform , YouTube requires users to flag content , record time stamps , and describe the violence within the offending videos .
In the complaint , Parker describes how his friends and family are forced to relive one of the worst days of their lives over and over again by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so YouTube will remove them .
“ Mr .
Parker and his family have had only one tool available to defend themselves from such traumatic vitriol and the nightmare of seeing their daughter ’ s death : watch these videos one-by-one in order to report them , ” the complaint says .
In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012 , conspiracy outlets like InfoWars argued for years that the murders were fake .
It wasn ’ t until last June that Google announced it would ban Sandy Hook conspiracy videos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ banned Sandy Hook videos , it also banned white supremacists and Nazis — another big problem for the platform .

Nearly five years ago, reporter Alison Parker was murdered live on television. That video was clipped, published, and seen all across the internet over the years, including thousands of times on YouTube alone.
On Thursday, Alison’s father Andy Parker filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission against Google, YouTube’s owner, alleging that the company’s handling of the content deceives consumers. Since Alison’s death, conspiracy theorists have reposted the video across the platform, presenting outlandish theories that have garnered hundreds of views online.
“These videos have been edited in numerous ways—in almost every case to increase their shock value,” Parker’s complaint says. “Moreover, the users who perpetuate this type of entertainment continue to harass Mr. Parker by discounting his suffering as fake.”
YouTube’s own community guidelines prohibit the proliferation of graphic images depicting violence or death, but many of the videos outlined in Parker’s complaint remain live on the platform.
“We rigorously enforce these policies using a combination of machine learning technology and human review and over the last few years, we’ve removed thousands of copies of this video for violating our policies,” a YouTube spokesperson told The Verge. “We will continue to stay vigilant and improve our policy enforcement.”
In order to moderate its platform, YouTube requires users to flag content, record time stamps, and describe the violence within the offending videos. In the complaint, Parker describes how his friends and family are forced to relive one of the worst days of their lives over and over again by searching for and flagging these videos individually so YouTube will remove them.
“Mr. Parker and his family have had only one tool available to defend themselves from such traumatic vitriol and the nightmare of seeing their daughter’s death: watch these videos one-by-one in order to report them,” the complaint says.


theverge--2020-02-20--This disturbingly realistic deepfake puts Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk in a Star Trek episode

A new deepfake puts Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Tesla CEO Elon Musk in the pilot episode of the original Star Trek , “ The Cage ” — and I kind of love it .
In this particular AI-powered face swap , Bezos plays a Talosian alien with a huge bald head , while Musk plays Captain Christopher Pike ( who is the captain of the USS Enterprise before James T. Kirk ) .
Here ’ s a very short version of what ’ s going on in this scene , if you ’ re wondering : in this episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enslave him and use him to breed humans that will be used to rebuild a destroyed society .
Pike tries to escape throughout the episode , and eventually , the Talosians decide that humans ’ resistance to captivity won ’ t make them a good fit for that plan .
The conversation is kind of hard to follow , and that ’ s probably because the clips from the episode are stitched together to make it seem like it ’ s only the Talosian alien and Captain Pike having a conversation .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of other characters who are critical to the conversation that this deepfake doesn ’ t show .
But even though the scene is confusing , I think the deepfake is scarily impressive , particularly the unsettling-looking Bezos as a Talosian alien .
It “ marks ” the second Star Trek cameo for the Amazon CEO : he appeared in 2016 ’ s Star Trek Beyond , also as a big-headed alien .

A new deepfake puts Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and Tesla CEO Elon Musk in the pilot episode of the original Star Trek, “The Cage” — and I kind of love it. In this particular AI-powered face swap, Bezos plays a Talosian alien with a huge bald head, while Musk plays Captain Christopher Pike (who is the captain of the USS Enterprise before James T. Kirk).
Here’s a very short version of what’s going on in this scene, if you’re wondering: in this episode, the Talosian aliens capture Pike to enslave him and use him to breed humans that will be used to rebuild a destroyed society. Pike tries to escape throughout the episode, and eventually, the Talosians decide that humans’ resistance to captivity won’t make them a good fit for that plan.
The conversation is kind of hard to follow, and that’s probably because the clips from the episode are stitched together to make it seem like it’s only the Talosian alien and Captain Pike having a conversation. In the actual episode, there are a number of other characters who are critical to the conversation that this deepfake doesn’t show.


theverge--2020-02-20--Eli Roth is directing a film adaptation of Borderlands

Director Eli Roth has signed onto a film adaptation of Gearbox ’ s Borderlands games , joining Chernobyl writer Craig Mazin and producers Avi and Ari Arad .
Roth offered little detail about the project , which has been in the works since 2015 .
He celebrated the news by tweeting a picture of his face cropped onto one of Borderlands ’ shirtless and heavily muscled “ psycho ” bandits .
In a press release quoted by Deadline , Roth said he looks forward to “ bringing [ his ] own energy , ideas , and vision to the wild @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the game.
” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Nathan Kahane elaborated that “ with Eli ’ s vision and Craig ’ s screenplay , we believe we have cracked the code on bringing the anarchic world of Borderlands to the big screen in a big way that will be a fresh , compelling and cinematic event for moviegoers and fans of the game.
” Gearbox founder Randy Pitchford is also an executive producer on the film , and Roth calls him and others at Gearbox “ incredibly supportive of my ideas.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Borderlands the film will be recognizably directed by Roth — known for ultra-violent horror like Hostel or The Green Inferno and his role in Quentin Tarantino ’ s Inglourious Basterds — but also tonally consistent with Borderlands , a gory yet colorful and ridiculous shooter series .
Borderlands is set in an apocalyptic world ruled by ruthless corporations and Mad Max cosplayers .
Beyond that , a film adaptation could be about almost anything .
I ’ m a fan of the series , but barely remember the original game ’ s plot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some kind of alien treasure trove called a Vault , people want to kill you , and the rest is mostly a blur .
The smaller quests and later games are memorably weird , though , and the creators have a knack for designing vivid characters .
While the main trilogy is nonstop shootouts and looting , a point-and-click adventure game proved you can explore other aspects of the world — or maybe Roth just actually wants to maul some vault hunters with a buzz axe .

Director Eli Roth has signed onto a film adaptation of Gearbox’s Borderlands games, joining Chernobyl writer Craig Mazin and producers Avi and Ari Arad. Roth offered little detail about the project, which has been in the works since 2015. He celebrated the news by tweeting a picture of his face cropped onto one of Borderlands’ shirtless and heavily muscled “psycho” bandits.
In a press release quoted by Deadline, Roth said he looks forward to “bringing [his] own energy, ideas, and vision to the wild, fun, and endlessly creative world of the game.” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president Nathan Kahane elaborated that “with Eli’s vision and Craig’s screenplay, we believe we have cracked the code on bringing the anarchic world of Borderlands to the big screen in a big way that will be a fresh, compelling and cinematic event for moviegoers and fans of the game.” Gearbox founder Randy Pitchford is also an executive producer on the film, and Roth calls him and others at Gearbox “incredibly supportive of my ideas.”
The quotes seem aimed at promising that Borderlands the film will be recognizably directed by Roth — known for ultra-violent horror like Hostel or The Green Inferno and his role in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds — but also tonally consistent with Borderlands, a gory yet colorful and ridiculous shooter series.


theverge--2020-02-20--Facebook will now pay you for your voice recordings

Facebook will offer to pay some users for voice recordings that will be used to help improve its speech recognition technology , the company announced Thursday .
The move comes after Facebook — as well as Amazon , Apple , Google , and Microsoft — was caught listening to and transcribing voice recordings to improve speech recognition systems without informing customers it was doing so .
Facebook will let you make voice recordings as part of a new program called “ Pronunciations ” in its Viewpoints market research app .
If you qualify to be part of the program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to record the phrase “ Hey Portal ” followed by the first name of a friend from your friends list .
You ’ ll be able to do this with the names of up to 10 friends , and you have to record each statement twice .
You can earn up to $ 5 for making voice recordings Facebook won ’ t be paying much for your recordings , though .
If you complete one set of recordings , you get 200 points in the Viewpoints app — and you can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you earn at least 1,000 points .
That only translates to a $ 5 reward via PayPal .
However , Facebook says users may be offered the opportunity to make up to five sets of recordings , so there is the potential to meet that 1,000-point goal and get paid .
Facebook says the voice recordings users provide will not be connected to their Facebook profile and that the company doesn ’ t share Viewpoints activity on Facebook or other Facebook-owned services without permission .
The Pronunciations program will be available to US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have more than 75 Facebook friends .
Facebook says it will be rolling the program out slowly , so it won ’ t be available to all users right away .
If it ’ s made available to you , you won ’ t need to update the Viewpoints app to see it pop up , the company says .

Facebook will offer to pay some users for voice recordings that will be used to help improve its speech recognition technology, the company announced Thursday. The move comes after Facebook — as well as Amazon, Apple, Google, and Microsoft — was caught listening to and transcribing voice recordings to improve speech recognition systems without informing customers it was doing so.
Facebook will let you make voice recordings as part of a new program called “Pronunciations” in its Viewpoints market research app. If you qualify to be part of the program, Facebook says you’ll be able to record the phrase “Hey Portal” followed by the first name of a friend from your friends list. You’ll be able to do this with the names of up to 10 friends, and you have to record each statement twice.
You can earn up to $5 for making voice recordings
Facebook won’t be paying much for your recordings, though. If you complete one set of recordings, you get 200 points in the Viewpoints app — and you can’t cash out in the Viewpoints app until you earn at least 1,000 points. That only translates to a $5 reward via PayPal. However, Facebook says users may be offered the opportunity to make up to five sets of recordings, so there is the potential to meet that 1,000-point goal and get paid.
Facebook says the voice recordings users provide will not be connected to their Facebook profile and that the company doesn’t share Viewpoints activity on Facebook or other Facebook-owned services without permission.


theverge--2020-02-20--Google bans hundreds of Android apps from the Play Store for obnoxious ads

Google has removed almost 600 “ disruptive ” Android apps from the Play Store and banned their developers in its latest effort to rein in mobile ad fraud , the company announced on Thursday .
Google ’ s policy does not allow ads that display when an app is not in use or that trick users to click on ads by mistake .
The company says it defines disruptive ads as “ ads that are displayed to users in unexpected ways , including impairing or interfering with the usability of device functions , ” like a full-screen ad that pops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using navigation apps , according to Per Bjorke , Google ’ s senior product manager for ad traffic quality who wrote the company blog post .
“ Malicious developers continue to become more savvy ... ” Bjorke also notes that the company had developed a “ machine-learning based approach ” to help it better detect out-of-context ads in apps , which led to today ’ s sweeping bans .
“ Malicious developers continue to become more savvy in deploying and masking disruptive ads , but we ’ ve developed new technologies of our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Bjorke writes .
Most of the apps found in violation were made by developers based in China , India , and Singapore , and a majority were aimed at English-speaking users , BuzzFeed News reports .
Repeat offender Cheetah Mobile , a publicly traded company based in China , had more than 40 of its apps yanked from the Play Store in this latest wave of bans , according to BuzzFeed News .
Bjorke told BuzzFeed News that it appeared the offending developers had used similar techniques to evade detection , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a coordinated effort .
Google will offer refunds to brands whose ads may have been affected by the disruptive pop-ups , he added .
It ’ s not the first time Google has taken this kind of action against developers , although today ’ s action appeared to be its biggest sweep of ad fraud offenders to date .
In July , Google banned Chinese developer CooTek for using an adware plug-in that sent users aggressive ads even when an app was not in use .

Google has removed almost 600 “disruptive” Android apps from the Play Store and banned their developers in its latest effort to rein in mobile ad fraud, the company announced on Thursday. Google’s policy does not allow ads that display when an app is not in use or that trick users to click on ads by mistake.
The company says it defines disruptive ads as “ads that are displayed to users in unexpected ways, including impairing or interfering with the usability of device functions,” like a full-screen ad that pops up during a phone call or when using navigation apps, according to Per Bjorke, Google’s senior product manager for ad traffic quality who wrote the company blog post.
“Malicious developers continue to become more savvy...”
Bjorke also notes that the company had developed a “machine-learning based approach” to help it better detect out-of-context ads in apps, which led to today’s sweeping bans. “Malicious developers continue to become more savvy in deploying and masking disruptive ads, but we’ve developed new technologies of our own to protect against this behavior,” Bjorke writes.
Most of the apps found in violation were made by developers based in China, India, and Singapore, and a majority were aimed at English-speaking users, BuzzFeed News reports. Repeat offender Cheetah Mobile, a publicly traded company based in China, had more than 40 of its apps yanked from the Play Store in this latest wave of bans, according to BuzzFeed News.
Bjorke told BuzzFeed News that it appeared the offending developers had used similar techniques to evade detection, but he did not know if it was a coordinated effort. Google will offer refunds to brands whose ads may have been affected by the disruptive pop-ups, he added.