theverge--2020-04-23--More than 12 million people attended Travis Scott’s Fortnite concert

Travis Scott ’ s first virtual performance wasn ’ t just spectacular — it also broke a record .
This @ @ @ @ @ that the concert , which took place inside of Fortnite , saw 12.3 million concurrent @ @ @ @ @ says this is “ an all-time record ” for the battle royale game .
The @ @ @ @ @ year ’ s Marshmello concert , which topped 10.7 million virtual attendees .
While that @ @ @ @ @ , many more people saw the concert outside of the game as well , thanks @ @ @ @ @ platforms like Twitch and YouTube .
And the total viewership will only grow over the @ @ @ @ @ who missed tonight ’ s show , there ’ s good news , as Scott @ @ @ @ @ mini world tour of sorts , with a handful of dates through the rest of @ @ @ @ @ how-to guide to find out how and when to catch the later performances .

Travis Scott’s first virtual performance wasn’t just spectacular — it also broke a record. This evening developer Epic Games revealed that the concert, which took place inside of Fortnite, saw 12.3 million concurrent players participate. The developer says this is “an all-time record” for the battle royale game. The previous record holder was last year’s Marshmello concert , which topped 10.7 million virtual attendees.
While that’s a big number, many more people saw the concert outside of the game as well, thanks to streamers broadcasting it on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. And the total viewership will only grow over the coming days. For those who missed tonight’s show, there’s good news, as Scott’s performance is a mini world tour of sorts, with a handful of dates through the rest of the week. Check our how-to guide to find out how and when to catch the later performances.


theverge--2020-04-24--Uber faces criticism for stopping food deliveries to low-income neighborhood in San Francisco

Uber has informed residents of San Francisco ’ s Treasure Island neighborhood it will no longer make Uber Eats deliveries to the area because of new city regulations temporarily capping delivery commissions .
Uber says the regulations limit the company ’ s “ ability to cover operational costs.
” But San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney has criticized Uber for its approach , saying it ’ s cutting off service to a low-income neighborhood in retaliation for the city ’ s policy , according to the San Francisco Chronicle .
“ This is DESPICABLE , outrageous behavior from @ UberEats , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of tweets .
“ The caps on commissions are to protect small businesses and ensure they can survive during a GLOBAL PANDEMIC .
Uber responds by cutting off access to essential goods from low income communities of color like Treasure Island , ” he continued .
You can read Uber ’ s message to the neighborhood as well as part of Haney ’ s response in the tweets embedded below : San Francisco mayor London Breed issued the order to cap the commissions food delivery companies can charge restaurants at 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic .
The cap means that Uber might not make as much money off Uber Eats deliveries as it typically would , as its commission fees can be as high as 30 percent .
“ We are working to comply with the San Francisco order in a way that minimizes disruption to the safe and reliable services that our users deserve , ” Uber said in a statement to The Verge .
“ Unfortunately , though , the restrictions imposed by this order forced us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operational costs .
We remain hopeful that the temporary changes that companies were forced to make won ’ t further hurt those that we ’ re trying to help the most during this time : customers , small businesses and delivery people.
” Uber Eats first came to Treasure Island on April 3rd , according to the San Francisco Chronicle , meaning the meal-delivery service was only available in the neighborhood for about three weeks before it pulled out .
Uber has a history of pushing back against or even outright deceiving local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do business .
Uber has also encouraged citizens to voice their support to lawmakers about laws that would favor the company .

Uber has informed residents of San Francisco’s Treasure Island neighborhood it will no longer make Uber Eats deliveries to the area because of new city regulations temporarily capping delivery commissions.
Uber says the regulations limit the company’s “ability to cover operational costs.” But San Francisco Supervisor Matt Haney has criticized Uber for its approach, saying it’s cutting off service to a low-income neighborhood in retaliation for the city’s policy, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
“This is DESPICABLE, outrageous behavior from @UberEats,” Haney said in the first of a series of tweets. “The caps on commissions are to protect small businesses and ensure they can survive during a GLOBAL PANDEMIC. Uber responds by cutting off access to essential goods from low income communities of color like Treasure Island,” he continued.
You can read Uber’s message to the neighborhood as well as part of Haney’s response in the tweets embedded below:
San Francisco mayor London Breed issued the order to cap the commissions food delivery companies can charge restaurants at 15 percent on April 10th, in an effort to help small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cap means that Uber might not make as much money off Uber Eats deliveries as it typically would, as its commission fees can be as high as 30 percent.
“We are working to comply with the San Francisco order in a way that minimizes disruption to the safe and reliable services that our users deserve,” Uber said in a statement to The Verge. “Unfortunately, though, the restrictions imposed by this order forced us to update our service area to reduce operational costs. We remain hopeful that the temporary changes that companies were forced to make won’t further hurt those that we’re trying to help the most during this time: customers, small businesses and delivery people.”
Uber Eats first came to Treasure Island on April 3rd, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, meaning the meal-delivery service was only available in the neighborhood for about three weeks before it pulled out.


theverge--2020-04-24--Amazon to impose new unpaid leave restrictions for warehouse workers starting May 1st

Amazon is changing its unpaid leave policies starting next month , according to a report from Bloomberg .
On May 1st , hourly employees — a vast majority of which are among the company ’ s 250,000 or so warehouse workers who can not work from home — must request an unpaid leave of absence to continue staying home if they do not want to work out of fear for their safety during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Throughout the coronavirus crisis , Amazon ’ s hourly workers in its fulfillment centers and warehouses have been able to stay home without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those who were reporting to work and became sick , or who came into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus , Amazon has been offering two weeks of paid time off .
“ If any team members are unable or unwilling to work a scheduled shift , they can use unlimited unpaid time off through the month of April without penalty , and we are supportive if someone chooses to stay home , ” reads Amazon ’ s original March blog post outlining its worker safety measures .
Amazon says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-risk individuals will be eligible for leave Amazon now says employees must start reporting to work or request leave , and the requirements for leave include having an existing health condition or living with someone who does , the logic being such individuals are high-risk for complications due to COVID-10 .
Everyone else will need to report to work , according to Bloomberg .
It is unclear if workers who are not eligible for such leave but who choose to not show up for work anyway will be subject to termination .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both part-time and full-time workers , Bloomberg reports .
Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
The company also said back in March it would be increasing its hourly wages by $ 2 per hour for workers in Canada , the UK , the US , and various parts of Europe .
That bumped pay for hourly employees from the minimum of $ 15 an hour the company set back in October 2018 up to $ 17 .
Earlier today , Amazon announced an extension on that temporary pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ May 16th .
The company says the cost of its pay increases is estimated to be $ 700 million .
“ We ’ ve extended the increased hourly pay outlined below through May 16 .
We are also extending double overtime pay in the U.S. and Canada .
These extensions increase our total investment in pay during COVID-19 to nearly $ 700 million for our hourly employees and partners , ” reads an update to Amazon ’ s blog post on worker safety measures it published today .
“ In addition , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options , including expanding the policy to cover COVID-19 circumstances , such as high-risk individuals or school closures , ” the update goes on to say .
“ We continue to see heavy demand during this difficult time and the team is doing incredible work for our customers and the community .
”

Amazon is changing its unpaid leave policies starting next month, according to a report from Bloomberg. On May 1st, hourly employees — a vast majority of which are among the company’s 250,000 or so warehouse workers who cannot work from home — must request an unpaid leave of absence to continue staying home if they do not want to work out of fear for their safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout the coronavirus crisis, Amazon’s hourly workers in its fulfillment centers and warehouses have been able to stay home without pay and retain their jobs. For those who were reporting to work and became sick, or who came into contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, Amazon has been offering two weeks of paid time off.
“If any team members are unable or unwilling to work a scheduled shift, they can use unlimited unpaid time off through the month of April without penalty, and we are supportive if someone chooses to stay home,” reads Amazon’s original March blog post outlining its worker safety measures.
Amazon says people who live with or are themselves high-risk individuals will be eligible for leave
Amazon now says employees must start reporting to work or request leave, and the requirements for leave include having an existing health condition or living with someone who does, the logic being such individuals are high-risk for complications due to COVID-19. Everyone else will need to report to work, according to Bloomberg.
It is unclear if workers who are not eligible for such leave but who choose to not show up for work anyway will be subject to termination. The policy will, however, apply to both part-time and full-time workers, Bloomberg reports. Amazon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The company also said back in March it would be increasing its hourly wages by $2 per hour for workers in Canada, the UK, the US, and various parts of Europe. That bumped pay for hourly employees from the minimum of $15 an hour the company set back in October 2018 up to $17. Earlier today, Amazon announced an extension on that temporary pay increase from the end of April to May 16th. The company says the cost of its pay increases is estimated to be $700 million.
“We’ve extended the increased hourly pay outlined below through May 16. We are also extending double overtime pay in the U.S. and Canada. These extensions increase our total investment in pay during COVID-19 to nearly $700 million for our hourly employees and partners,” reads an update to Amazon’s blog post on worker safety measures it published today.


theverge--2020-04-24--Sony delays Spider-Man films, forcing Marvel to move Doctor Strange and Thor sequels again

Like almost every other studio , Sony is moving around its film schedule because of the novel coronavirus .
That means its two biggest Spider-Man movies will be delayed .
The sequel to Spider-Man : Into the Spider-Verse , and the third installment in the Spider-Man : Homecoming trilogy ( created in partnership with Marvel Studios ) will each receive months-long delays .
Spider-Man : Into the Spider-Verse ’ s sequel will now be released on October 7th , 2022 instead of April 8th , 2022 .
And the final movie in the Homecoming trilogy will open on November 5th @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2021 .
Sony ’ s other Spider-Man Universe movie , Venom : Let There Be Carnage , will now open on June 25th , 2021 instead of October this year .
In order to accommodate the move , Disney ’ s Marvel studios is delaying two of its other films — Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor : Love and Thunder .
Doctor Strange ’ s sequel , which was moved to November 5th , 2021 just a couple of weeks ago , will now open on March 25th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is shifting from its recently moved February 18th , 2022 spot up one week to February 11th , 2022 .
This mark ’ s the first big order change in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when it comes to movie release dates , as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was supposed to open before the third live-action Spider-Man movie .
But everything is now up in the air !
One positive effect of this shift is that Sony ’ s long gestating Uncharted live-action movie with Tom Holland ( who also plays @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early now .
Uncharted moves from October 8th , 2021 up to July 16th , 2021 — taking the original spot of the third Spider-Man : Homecoming movie .
Other Sony movies , including Fatherhood , The Nightingale , Hotel Transylvania 4 , Man From Toronto , all received new dates as part of the slate shift , too .

Like almost every other studio, Sony is moving around its film schedule because of the novel coronavirus. That means its two biggest Spider-Man movies will be delayed.
The sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, and the third installment in the Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy (created in partnership with Marvel Studios) will each receive months-long delays. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’s sequel will now be released on October 7th, 2022 instead of April 8th, 2022. And the final movie in the Homecoming trilogy will open on November 5th, 2021 instead of July 16th, 2021. Sony’s other Spider-Man Universe movie, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, will now open on June 25th, 2021 instead of October this year.
In order to accommodate the move, Disney’s Marvel studios is delaying two of its other films — Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder. Doctor Strange’s sequel, which was moved to November 5th, 2021 just a couple of weeks ago, will now open on March 25th, 2022. Thor: Love and Thunder is shifting from its recently moved February 18th, 2022 spot up one week to February 11th, 2022.
This mark’s the first big order change in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when it comes to movie release dates, as Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was supposed to open before the third live-action Spider-Man movie.


theverge--2020-04-24--OnePlus lays off employees in Europe less than two weeks after OnePlus 8 launch

OnePlus launched its latest flagship phones , the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro , less than two weeks ago , but the Chinese phone maker is now laying off employees in regional offices throughout Europe , according to a report from Engadget .
It does not appear that the layoffs are coronavirus-related ; rather , OnePlus appears to be dramatically downsizing offices in UK , France and Germany , with reductions in headcount as high as 80 percent for some offices .
In some offices , there are just three employees , the report says .
It does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Engadget reports that offices in Denmark , Finland , and the Netherlands were not affected , as OnePlus sees those areas as more promising growth markets .
As such , Helsinki is now going to be the new European HQ for OnePlus , the report states , with the prior operation being based mostly in London .
This may have been a long time coming ; new OnePlus 8 models in the UK can only be bought from one carrier , the international provider Three ( although unlocked models bough from the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EE and O2 ) .
OnePlus does not appear to have strategic relationships with other carriers that operate in the UK for the OnePlus 8 line or upcoming models .
“ Europe is a very important market for us and has been since the beginning of OnePlus , ” a company spokesperson told Engadget .
“ We ’ re doing some strategic restructuring in Europe , and in fact are even hiring in the region .
”

OnePlus launched its latest flagship phones, the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro, less than two weeks ago, but the Chinese phone maker is now laying off employees in regional offices throughout Europe, as first reported by Engadget.
The layoffs do not appear to be coronavirus-related, and in a blog post Saturday, Tuomas Lampen, head of strategy for OnePlus Europe said 20 employees in three offices were affected. “We have decided to make some changes to the current organizational structure within Europe to better streamline our operations while continuing to meet the needs of our growing community,” according to the post. That strategy includes hiring in the Nordic and Benelux regions, and making “organizational changes” in Germany, France, and the UK.
Helsinki is now going to be the new European HQ for OnePlus, according to Engadget, with the prior operation being based mostly in London.
This may have been a long time coming; new OnePlus 8 models in the UK can only be bought from one carrier, the international provider Three (although unlocked models bough from the company itself will still work on carriers like EE and O2). OnePlus does not appear to have strategic relationships with other carriers that operate in the UK for the OnePlus 8 line or upcoming models.


theverge--2020-04-24--One of the Apple Watch’s original designers tweeted a behind-the-scenes look at its development

The original Apple Watch was released five years ago today — April 24th , 2015 — and Imran Chaudhri , a designer who worked on the team for the first Apple Watch , shared some fascinating behind-the-scenes info about the product ’ s development in a tweetstorm today .
Check out Chaudhri ’ s reproduction of the original sketch of the Apple Watch ’ s home screen , for example — it looks as if the concept for the “ honeycomb ” array of apps was part of the design of the device even in its earliest planning stages .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” name for Digital Touch , described in the second tweet below , is quite clever , especially because you have to do an E.T.-like finger point on your Apple Watch ’ s display to use the feature .
Chaudhri also shared that the first Apple Watch prototype was built using a sixth-generation iPod nano attached to a watchband .
If you don ’ t remember , that iPod nano was the small , square one .
It was also a device that The Verge ’ s editor-in-chief Nilay Patel actually reviewed as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shared a photo of one of the butterflies used for the Motion watchface , and that he created the Solar watchface in part to help Muslims observing Ramadan know the position of the Sun at a glance .
Since its release , the Apple Watch has become a huge hit for Apple — it now sells more watches than the entire Swiss watch industry .
Apple has also added a lot more health-focused features , given the device a full redesign with 2018 ’ s Apple Watch Series 4 , and last year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can always see the time .
But if you ’ re feeling nostalgic for the days of the original Apple Watch , consider reading Nilay ’ s review of the device or watching his video review , which I ’ ve included below .

The original Apple Watch was released five years ago today — April 24th, 2015 — and Imran Chaudhri, a designer who worked on the team for the first Apple Watch, shared some fascinating behind-the-scenes info about the product’s development in a tweetstorm today.
Check out Chaudhri’s reproduction of the original sketch of the Apple Watch’s home screen, for example — it looks as if the concept for the “honeycomb” array of apps was part of the design of the device even in its earliest planning stages. And I think the early “E.T.” name for Digital Touch, described in the second tweet below, is quite clever, especially because you have to do an E.T.-like finger point on your Apple Watch’s display to use the feature.
Chaudhri also shared that the first Apple Watch prototype was built using a sixth-generation iPod nano attached to a watchband. If you don’t remember, that iPod nano was the small, square one. It was also a device that The Verge’s editor-in-chief Nilay Patel actually reviewed as a watch for Engadget.
Chaudhri also shared a photo of one of the butterflies used for the Motion watchface, and that he created the Solar watchface in part to help Muslims observing Ramadan know the position of the Sun at a glance.
Since its release, the Apple Watch has become a huge hit for Apple — it now sells more watches than the entire Swiss watch industry. Apple has also added a lot more health-focused features, given the device a full redesign with 2018’s Apple Watch Series 4, and last year, finally added an always-on display so you can always see the time.


theverge--2020-04-24--John Legere abruptly resigns from T-Mobile board of directors ‘to pursue other options’

John Legere has formally cut ties with T-Mobile US , the company he led as CEO for over seven years .
After steering T-Mobile through a dramatic turnaround that culminated in its successful merger with former rival Sprint , Legere stepped down and Mike Sievert was appointed T-Mobile ’ s new chief executive earlier this month .
At that time , Legere had said he would remain on T-Mobile ’ s board of directors until June 4th .
But that ’ s not the case anymore .
In an 8K filing with the SEC today , T-Mobile revealed that Legere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pursue other options.
” “ Mr .
Legere noted that he was not resigning because of any disagreement with management or the board on any matter , ” T-Mobile said in its note , which also contained a quote from Legere addressed to the company and its employees : In his notice to the company , Mr. Legere stated “ It has been a privilege and honor to have led T-Mobile as CEO for the past seven and a half years and served on the Board of Directors .
And although I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few weeks earlier than planned , be assured that I remain T-Mobile ’ s # 1 fan !
” Whatever Legere has planned next , apparently it couldn ’ t wait another month and change .
During his time as T-Mobile CEO , Legere stood out from other executives for his outspoken personality and brazen , often vulgar trash talk directed at competitors like Verizon and AT & T .
He branded T-Mobile as the “ uncarrier ” and led the company through a transformation that involved moving away from two-year contracts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practices that had become status quo for the mobile industry .
Many of those changes were later adopted by T-Mobile ’ s rivals .
Legere has offered few clues about where he ’ s headed , though he did refute reports in November that he ’ d been in discussions to join WeWork .
Since stepping down as T-Mobile CEO , Legere has continued engaging with his large social media following — he ’ s got over 6.5 million Twitter followers — via Periscope and other platforms .
Earlier on Friday , Legere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ T CEO Randall Stephenson after the company announced that he ’ ll be succeeded by John Stankey in July .
It ’ s definitely something of a new era for leadership at the big wireless providers .
Let the speculation about Legere ’ s next destination begin .

John Legere has formally cut ties with T-Mobile US, the company he led as CEO for over seven years. After steering T-Mobile through a dramatic turnaround that culminated in its successful merger with former rival Sprint, Legere stepped down and Mike Sievert was appointed T-Mobile’s new chief executive earlier this month. At that time, Legere had said he would remain on T-Mobile’s board of directors until June 4th.
But that’s not the case anymore. In an 8K filing with the SEC today, T-Mobile revealed that Legere is leaving the board “effective immediately to pursue other options.”
“Mr. Legere noted that he was not resigning because of any disagreement with management or the board on any matter,” T-Mobile said in its note, which also contained a quote from Legere addressed to the company and its employees:
In his notice to the company, Mr. Legere stated “It has been a privilege and honor to have led T-Mobile as CEO for the past seven and a half years and served on the Board of Directors. And although I will be leaving the Board just a few weeks earlier than planned, be assured that I remain T-Mobile’s #1 fan!”
Whatever Legere has planned next, apparently it couldn’t wait another month and change. During his time as T-Mobile CEO, Legere stood out from other executives for his outspoken personality and brazen, often vulgar trash talk directed at competitors like Verizon and AT&T. He branded T-Mobile as the “uncarrier” and led the company through a transformation that involved moving away from two-year contracts, subsidized phone pricing, and other business practices that had become status quo for the mobile industry. Many of those changes were later adopted by T-Mobile’s rivals.
Legere has offered few clues about where he’s headed, though he did refute reports in November that he’d been in discussions to join WeWork. Since stepping down as T-Mobile CEO, Legere has continued engaging with his large social media following — he’s got over 6.5 million Twitter followers — via Periscope and other platforms.
Earlier on Friday, Legere offered kind sentiments to outgoing AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson after the company announced that he’ll be succeeded by John Stankey in July. It’s definitely something of a new era for leadership at the big wireless providers.


theverge--2020-04-24--Go read this story on how COVID-19 took over cruise ships

Many industries have been negatively impacted by the novel coronavirus , including the cruise industry , with cruise ships deemed some of the most dangerous places due to the limited airflow and confined spaces .
With no global organization or agency keeping track of cases from cruise ships , the Miami Herald , a Florida-based newspaper , decided to track outbreaks on oceangoing cruise ships .
As of April 23rd , the Miami Herald found at least 3,582 people during or directly after a cruise have tested positive for COVID-19 , with “ at least 65 people ” dead as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found were linked to at least 54 oceangoing cruise ships — roughly one-fifth of the global ocean cruise fleet .
However , that number could still grow , with the outlet pledging to continue tracking and providing weekly updates until the pandemic ends .
Some of the infected passengers were sent straight from the cruise ships to hospitals , but many returned to their homes — some of them traveling back home through commercial flights , potentially spreading the virus even further .
Adding to the issue was the fact that many crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to the virus ; at one point , 15 cruise ships were rotating around PortMiami , leaving them as “ sitting ducks for outbreaks , ” Miami Herald reports .
Miami Herald reporters collected data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , foreign health departments , news reports , as well as interviews from passengers and crew aboard those ships .
The outlet reached out to four of the world ’ s most significant cruise lines , though only Carnival and MSC Cruises provided data .
You can read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full here .

Many industries have been negatively impacted by the novel coronavirus, including the cruise industry, with cruise ships deemed some of the most dangerous places due to the limited airflow and confined spaces. With no global organization or agency keeping track of cases from cruise ships, the Miami Herald, a Florida-based newspaper, decided to track outbreaks on oceangoing cruise ships.
As of April 23rd, the Miami Herald found at least 3,582 people during or directly after a cruise have tested positive for COVID-19, with “at least 65 people” dead as a result. The COVID-19 cases they found were linked to at least 54 oceangoing cruise ships — roughly one-fifth of the global ocean cruise fleet. However, that number could still grow, with the outlet pledging to continue tracking and providing weekly updates until the pandemic ends.
Some of the infected passengers were sent straight from the cruise ships to hospitals, but many returned to their homes — some of them traveling back home through commercial flights, potentially spreading the virus even further. Adding to the issue was the fact that many crew members were unable to leave their ships due to the virus; at one point, 15 cruise ships were rotating around PortMiami, leaving them as “sitting ducks for outbreaks,” Miami Herald reports.
Miami Herald reporters collected data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, foreign health departments, news reports, as well as interviews from passengers and crew aboard those ships. The outlet reached out to four of the world’s most significant cruise lines, though only Carnival and MSC Cruises provided data.


theverge--2020-04-24--Amazon extends hourly wage increase for warehouse workers through May 16th

Amazon is extending its increase in the hourly pay rate of warehouse workers through May 16th , according to a report from CNBC .
The company originally announced in March that , as part of its hiring increase to contend with the huge surge in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic , it would raise warehouse worker pay by $ 2 an hour .
The pay increase was temporary , slated to end by May 1st .
Now , Amazon is extending the pay bump to help incentivize workers to continue staffing its warehouses and its grocery and package delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heavy demand during this difficult time and the team is doing incredible work for our customers and the community , ” an Amazon spokesperson tells CNBC .
According to the report , Amazon is currently employing more than 250,000 fulfillment center workers across 110 facilities in the US alone .
Despite these added benefits , Amazon has faced fierce criticism for its handling of health and safety issues during COVID-19 .
Employees have complained of warehouses remaining open despite workers testing positive for the virus , and Amazon has also been accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have come into contact with co-workers who later test positive .
A warehouse worker strike in New York City last month drew national headlines after Amazon fired one of its organizers , claiming he was violating self-isolation guidelines .
Leaked documents later revealed Amazon executives ’ plans to smear the organizer , Chris Smalls , to discredit the growing labor movement within the company .
Earlier this month , the first Amazon warehouse worker died of COVID-19 , and since the Smalls incident , Amazon has fired both corporate employees and other warehouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees affected say is retaliation for speaking out about the company ’ s handling of safety issues during the pandemic .
The National Labor Relations Board is now looking into whether Amazon is violating its employees ’ rights .
And today , Amazon tech workers are calling in sick to protest the company ’ s actions .
“ We support every employee ’ s right to criticize their employer ’ s working conditions , but that does not come with blanket immunity against any and all internal policies .
We terminated these employees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Amazon spokesperson tells The Verge with regard to its termination of corporate employees .
In relation to warehouse workers it has fired , the company also says the rights it affords to employee to protest “ do not provide blanket immunity against bad actions , particularly those that endanger the health , well-being or safety of their colleagues .
”

Amazon is extending its increase in the hourly pay rate of warehouse workers through May 16th, according to a report from CNBC. The company originally announced in March that, as part of its hiring increase to contend with the huge surge in demand due to the coronavirus pandemic, it would raise warehouse worker pay by $2 an hour.
The pay increase was temporary, slated to end by May 1st. Now, Amazon is extending the pay bump to help incentivize workers to continue staffing its warehouses and its grocery and package delivery platforms.
“We continue to see heavy demand during this difficult time and the team is doing incredible work for our customers and the community,” an Amazon spokesperson tells CNBC. According to the report, Amazon is currently employing more than 250,000 fulfillment center workers across 110 facilities in the US alone.
Despite these added benefits, Amazon has faced fierce criticism for its handling of health and safety issues during COVID-19. Employees have complained of warehouses remaining open despite workers testing positive for the virus, and Amazon has also been accused of failing to notify employees when they may have come into contact with co-workers who later test positive.
A warehouse worker strike in New York City last month drew national headlines after Amazon fired one of its organizers, claiming he was violating self-isolation guidelines. Leaked documents later revealed Amazon executives’ plans to smear the organizer, Chris Smalls, to discredit the growing labor movement within the company.
Earlier this month, the first Amazon warehouse worker died of COVID-19, and since the Smalls incident, Amazon has fired both corporate employees and other warehouse workers, in what activists and the employees affected say is retaliation for speaking out about the company’s handling of safety issues during the pandemic. The National Labor Relations Board is now looking into whether Amazon is violating its employees’ rights. And today, Amazon tech workers are calling in sick to protest the company’s actions.
“We support every employee’s right to criticize their employer’s working conditions, but that does not come with blanket immunity against any and all internal policies. We terminated these employees for repeatedly violating internal policies,” an Amazon spokesperson tells The Verge with regard to its termination of corporate employees. In relation to warehouse workers it has fired, the company also says the rights it affords to employee to protest “do not provide blanket immunity against bad actions, particularly those that endanger the health, well-being or safety of their colleagues.”


theverge--2020-04-24--Mark Zuckerberg on how video chat needs to evolve for the pandemic

In March , as COVID-19 spread around the world , I argued that tech companies would need to get creative to help us maintain our social ties through the weeks and months of physical distancing to follow .
Sure , we ’ ve got phone calls and Zoom , but neither were built for a world in which we would need them to host virtually all of our work , school , and play .
It seemed clear that some new tools would be needed — and , as of today , we have some .
Facebook today rolled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what the company calls “ virtual presence ” — and what you and I would more often call video chat .
The products encompass Facebook , Messenger , WhatsApp , and Instagram , and fall into three categories .
The first is plain-vanilla video chat , like the kind you find in WhatsApp , where the number of people you can have in an encrypted call has been raised from four to eight .
The second is in broadcasts , such as on Facebook Live , where you ’ ll once again be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your stream from their own account , and on Instagram Live , which is becoming available on the desktop for the first time .
The third is called Messenger Rooms , and it represents Facebook ’ s entry into a space pioneered by Houseparty and now also occupied by Zoom .
I wrote about all this in today at The Verge : Of everything announced today , Messenger Rooms promises to be the most significant .
The feature , which Facebook says will be available in the United States sometime in the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 people to join a call .
The room ’ s creator can decide whether it ’ s open to all or lock it to prevent uninvited guests from joining .
You ’ ll be able to start a room from Messenger and Facebook to start .
Later , rooms will come to Instagram Direct , WhatsApp , and Portal .
Guests can join a room regardless of whether they have a Facebook account .
While in a room , you can play with Facebook ’ s augmented reality filters or swap out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some backgrounds offer 360-degree views of exotic locales , the company said .
And a new slate of AR filters will help brighten up dark rooms or touch up users ’ appearances .
On Thursday afternoon , I hopped onto a short video call with Mark Zuckerberg to discuss the news .
Highlights from our discussion follow .
The transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length .
Mark Zuckerberg : The basic idea there is it will do the basic use case of helping you create a link and share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But it ’ s also very focused on discoverability .
For social use cases ... you ’ ll plan out a dinner party or happy hour or something like that .
But some of the time you just want to say , “ hey , I ’ m sitting on my couch , I want my friends to stop by , ” without having to plan it out or invite the exact eight friends you want to come by .
So just being able to open up a room and say “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my friends stopping by ” — or this group or community on Facebook — I ’ m going to put [ the link ] in here , and open up a room , and people are interested in this thing and [ they ] stop by .
Just in building this product , it ’ s enabled a lot of really awesome , serendipitous connections .
So I ’ m very excited to get that out there .
I ’ ve heard that you have been spending a lot of your work time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that right ?
Yeah , I ’ m focused on this .
The three big areas that I ’ m very focused on right now are basically the products that are helping people stay connected better .
I ’ m very focused on remote presence : being able to feel like you ’ re with a person even when you can ’ t physically be there .
And then the small business work and the acute health response .
So , that ’ s been all my time .
We ’ ve started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and the idea that constant connection over video chat can be exhausting or overwhelming .
What ’ s your view on how good these tools are ?
Can they get really good with existing technology , or are we going to need a virtual reality headset ?
I think that there ’ s a bunch of different dynamics that are at play .
Part of it is just the basic quality .
And this is why I thought it ’ d be useful for you to do this call on Messenger Desktop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need the latency to be low ; if the latency is too high , then basically it doesn ’ t feel like a real interaction .
And it subtly exerts this psychological tax .
But I think our services clear that bar ; I think a lot of other ones do at this point .
So I think that that can be surmountable .
Clearly , there are a bunch of things that are kind of weird about just staring at a video screen .
I did a management team meeting in VR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home .
And even though VR is earlier in its development , and video presence is more mature , there ’ s something about the feeling of space .
Like , we ’ re standing in a circle in a room , and I had a sense of like where Stan [ Chudnovsky , head of Messenger ] was standing , and the audio was coming from that direction .
So there was something that felt a lot more real about that in a way .
I do think that there are things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Video presence is not the end of the line .
But I think some of this also is just about the social dynamics .
I get a headache when I sit in the office — or when I used to sit in the office , I guess , before all of this — scheduled minute to minute throughout the day , because I didn ’ t have time to take a break or think .
I think that some people are having that reaction now , where you ’ re just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s not because you ’ re on a videoconference all day long , it ’ s because you ’ re in meetings all day long , back to back .
So I think a lot of this is more about the social dynamics than it is just about the technology .
How does Rooms attempt solve that ?
Part of what I think is unique here is that this isn ’ t just , let ’ s set up a meeting , and then everyone join the meeting at this time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be a little repetitive about like , “ alright I ’ m doing all my work over videoconference ” — at the end of the day , do I want to go do another ?
Do I want to go to another scheduled event ?
But part of what I ’ ve found really serendipitous and fun about this is that it ’ s not a schedule .
On the weekend , I ’ ll be playing guitar on my couch and create a room , and it ’ s like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and hang out ?
” And it ’ s just a completely different kind of interaction than anything that any of our technology is enabling us to have today that I ’ ve really appreciated so far .
You know , it ’ s a bunch of people who maybe I would have run into at a social event or around the office , who I wouldn ’ t necessarily call directly , but I ’ m very happy when they stop into my room to hang out .
Or if I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that they have a room , I ’ ll just drop in quickly .
So it ’ s fun , and it ’ s enabling a new kind of interaction , and I think people will enjoy it .
I realize it ’ s quite early into this , but people are beginning to discuss whether what we ’ re seeing right now with video chat is a temporary shift or a more permanent one .
I can imagine a world where the minute I can have most of my interactions in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be doing that .
This is obviously a big investment for you , which suggests to me that you think that maybe at least some of these are more permanent shifts .
How are you thinking about it ?
I think both are right .
We ’ re up to 700 million daily calls across WhatsApp and Messenger .
And that ’ s up some amount , but it was a huge number before , too .
I ’ m sure there ’ s some kind of temporary peak now , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a while .
When you have 700 million people a day doing something — and have been even before this started for some period — that ’ s not just a temporary thing .
The trend was already going in that direction .
And I think that this period will accelerate that permanently by a few years .
But clearly we ’ re in a fairly extreme period right now .

In March, as COVID-19 spread around the world, I argued that tech companies would need to get creative to help us maintain our social ties through the weeks and months of physical distancing to follow. Sure, we’ve got phone calls and Zoom, but neither were built for a world in which we would need them to host virtually all of our work, school, and play. It seemed clear that some new tools would be needed — and, as of today, we have some.
Facebook today rolled out a new suite of products dedicated to what the company calls “virtual presence” — and what you and I would more often call video chat. The products encompass Facebook, Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram, and fall into three categories. The first is plain-vanilla video chat, like the kind you find in WhatsApp, where the number of people you can have in an encrypted call has been raised from four to eight. The second is in broadcasts, such as on Facebook Live, where you’ll once again be able to bring a second person into your stream from their own account, and on Instagram Live, which is becoming available on the desktop for the first time.
The third is called Messenger Rooms, and it represents Facebook’s entry into a space pioneered by Houseparty and now also occupied by Zoom. I wrote about all this in today at The Verge:
Of everything announced today, Messenger Rooms promises to be the most significant. The feature, which Facebook says will be available in the United States sometime in the next few weeks, will allow up to 50 people to join a call. The room’s creator can decide whether it’s open to all or lock it to prevent uninvited guests from joining. You’ll be able to start a room from Messenger and Facebook to start. Later, rooms will come to Instagram Direct, WhatsApp, and Portal. Guests can join a room regardless of whether they have a Facebook account. While in a room, you can play with Facebook’s augmented reality filters or swap out your real-life background for a virtual one. Some backgrounds offer 360-degree views of exotic locales, the company said. And a new slate of AR filters will help brighten up dark rooms or touch up users’ appearances.
On Thursday afternoon, I hopped onto a short video call with Mark Zuckerberg to discuss the news. Highlights from our discussion follow. The transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Casey Newton: What’s the idea behind Messenger Rooms?
Mark Zuckerberg: The basic idea there is it will do the basic use case of helping you create a link and share it around through all your social channels. But it’s also very focused on discoverability. For social use cases ... you’ll plan out a dinner party or happy hour or something like that. But some of the time you just want to say, “hey, I’m sitting on my couch, I want my friends to stop by,” without having to plan it out or invite the exact eight friends you want to come by. So just being able to open up a room and say “hey, I’m cool with my friends stopping by” — or this group or community on Facebook — I’m going to put [the link] in here, and open up a room, and people are interested in this thing and [they] stop by. Just in building this product, it’s enabled a lot of really awesome, serendipitous connections. So I’m very excited to get that out there.
I’ve heard that you have been spending a lot of your work time lately on these video products. Is that right?
Yeah, I’m focused on this. The three big areas that I’m very focused on right now are basically the products that are helping people stay connected better. I’m very focused on remote presence: being able to feel like you’re with a person even when you can’t physically be there. And then the small business work and the acute health response. So, that’s been all my time.
We’ve started to see stories about “Zoom fatigue” and the idea that constant connection over video chat can be exhausting or overwhelming. What’s your view on how good these tools are? Can they get really good with existing technology, or are we going to need a virtual reality headset?
I think that there’s a bunch of different dynamics that are at play. Part of it is just the basic quality. And this is why I thought it’d be useful for you to do this call on Messenger Desktop — it works pretty well. You need the latency to be low; if the latency is too high, then basically it doesn’t feel like a real interaction. And it subtly exerts this psychological tax. But I think our services clear that bar; I think a lot of other ones do at this point. So I think that that can be surmountable.
Clearly, there are a bunch of things that are kind of weird about just staring at a video screen. I did a management team meeting in VR earlier, when everyone was working from home. And even though VR is earlier in its development, and video presence is more mature, there’s something about the feeling of space. Like, we’re standing in a circle in a room, and I had a sense of like where Stan [Chudnovsky, head of Messenger] was standing, and the audio was coming from that direction. So there was something that felt a lot more real about that in a way. I do think that there are things that we’ll get to over time. Video presence is not the end of the line.
But I think some of this also is just about the social dynamics. I get a headache when I sit in the office — or when I used to sit in the office, I guess, before all of this — scheduled minute to minute throughout the day, because I didn’t have time to take a break or think. I think that some people are having that reaction now, where you’re just on videoconferences all day long. But that’s not because you’re on a videoconference all day long, it’s because you’re in meetings all day long, back to back. So I think a lot of this is more about the social dynamics than it is just about the technology.
How does Rooms attempt solve that?
Part of what I think is unique here is that this isn’t just, let’s set up a meeting, and then everyone join the meeting at this time. I think there is something that could be a little repetitive about like, “alright I’m doing all my work over videoconference” — at the end of the day, do I want to go do another? Do I want to go to another scheduled event?
But part of what I’ve found really serendipitous and fun about this is that it’s not a schedule. On the weekend, I’ll be playing guitar on my couch and create a room, and it’s like, “alright who wants to come by and hang out?” And it’s just a completely different kind of interaction than anything that any of our technology is enabling us to have today that I’ve really appreciated so far. You know, it’s a bunch of people who maybe I would have run into at a social event or around the office, who I wouldn’t necessarily call directly, but I’m very happy when they stop into my room to hang out. Or if I’m browsing the Facebook app and I see that they have a room, I’ll just drop in quickly. So it’s fun, and it’s enabling a new kind of interaction, and I think people will enjoy it.
I realize it’s quite early into this, but people are beginning to discuss whether what we’re seeing right now with video chat is a temporary shift or a more permanent one. I can imagine a world where the minute I can have most of my interactions in person again, I’m going to be doing that. This is obviously a big investment for you, which suggests to me that you think that maybe at least some of these are more permanent shifts. How are you thinking about it?
I think both are right. We’re up to 700 million daily calls across WhatsApp and Messenger. And that’s up some amount, but it was a huge number before, too. I’m sure there’s some kind of temporary peak now, but the trend has been going this direction for a while.
When you have 700 million people a day doing something — and have been even before this started for some period — that’s not just a temporary thing. The trend was already going in that direction. And I think that this period will accelerate that permanently by a few years. But clearly we’re in a fairly extreme period right now.


theverge--2020-04-24--Messenger Rooms are Facebook’s answer to Zoom and Houseparty for the pandemic

Facebook is rolling out a suite of new products to expand its capabilities in video chat .
The company today announced Messenger Rooms , a tool for starting virtual hangouts with up to 50 people and allowing friends to drop in on you whenever they like .
It ’ s also doubling the capacity of video calls on WhatsApp from four people to eight , adding video calls to Facebook Dating , and adding new live-streaming features to both Facebook and Instagram .
CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the features in a live stream today .
In an interview with The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ features were built in line with the company ’ s shift toward creating more private messaging tools .
“ Video presence isn ’ t a new area for us , ” he said .
“ But it ’ s an area that we want to go deeper in , and it fits the overall theme , which is that we ’ re shifting more resources in the company to focus on private communication and private social platforms , rather than just the traditional broader ones .
So this is a good mix : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Instagram that are helping people find smaller groups of people to then go have more intimate connections with , and be able to have private sessions with.
” The moves come as the global pandemic has forced hundreds of millions of people to stay indoors and rely on digital tools for nearly all of their work , school , and play .
More than 700 million people are now making calls on Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp every day .
But competitors are also surging .
Zoom , which began life as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from 10 million users in December to more than 300 million today .
Houseparty , an app for virtual hangouts with friends that Facebook had previously cloned before abandoning the project last year , now routinely hovers at the top of app store download charts .
It gained 50 million users over the past month .
The rapid growth of alternative social products has always been cause for concern at the famously paranoid Facebook , which devotes significant resources to monitoring emerging social products and then acquiring the companies behind them or copying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic , it ’ s already clear that consumer behavior is changing to cope with it — and that Facebook ’ s existing product lineup has not met demand .
Of everything announced today , Messenger Rooms promises to be the most significant .
The feature , which Facebook says will be available in the company ’ s products globally sometime in the next few weeks , will allow up to 50 people to join a call .
The room ’ s creator can decide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or lock it to prevent uninvited guests from joining .
You ’ ll be able to start a room from Messenger and Facebook to start .
Later , rooms will come to Instagram Direct , WhatsApp , and Portal .
Guests can join a room regardless of whether they have a Facebook account .
While in a room , you can play with Facebook ’ s augmented reality filters or swap out your real-life background for a virtual one .
Some backgrounds offer 360-degree views of exotic locales , the company said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will help brighten up dark rooms or touch up users ’ appearances .
Room calls are not end-to-end encrypted , but Facebook says it does not view or listen to calls .
The creator of a room can remove participants at any time , and rooms where illicit behavior is taking place can be reported to Facebook .
( WhatsApp video calls are end-to-end encrypted , offering an extra layer of protection to users . )
Zoom saw a surge in malicious behavior as it became the world ’ s default meeting app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pornographic “ Zoombombings ” roiling meetings all over the world .
Zuckerberg said Messenger Rooms were designed with strong privacy controls , and that the feature ’ s reliance on connections with your real-life friends and family make it less likely that it will be used to harass people .
For groups where people don ’ t know each other as well , moderators will be able to kick people out of rooms .
“ A lot of the time that I ’ ve spent on this over the last few weeks as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and getting ready to ship has been on privacy , security , integrity reviews , and how do we make sure that a lot of the use cases that that have been problematic around Zoom are not going to be things that are replicated here , ” he said .
Facebook Live will add back a feature called Live With that enables users to invite another person to stream with them .
The donate button will become available on live streams , allowing users to raise money directly from their broadcasts in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will begin allowing users to post live streams to IGTV as well as to Instagram stories after they finish a stream , and Instagram Live broadcasts will become available on the desktop for the first time .
Users with Facebook ’ s Portal display will also get the ability to go live to pages and groups , the company said .
Portal users can already go live from their own profiles .
But live-streaming also has a dark side , and Facebook faced criticism after introducing live-streaming when it was used to broadcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.5 million copies of the Christchurch terror attack in the days after the video , which was broadcast live on Facebook .
Rooms will be available in Messenger today in nearly all countries where Facebook is available , the company said .
It will become available inside the Facebook app in a handful of unspecified countries today and roll out globally within coming weeks .
Read more from our interview with Zuckerberg , including his thoughts on Zoom fatigue and holding management meetings in virtual reality .

Facebook is rolling out a suite of new products to expand its capabilities in video chat. The company today announced Messenger Rooms, a tool for starting virtual hangouts with up to 50 people and allowing friends to drop in on you whenever they like. It’s also doubling the capacity of video calls on WhatsApp from four people to eight, adding video calls to Facebook Dating, and adding new live-streaming features to both Facebook and Instagram.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced the features in a live stream today. In an interview with The Verge, Zuckerberg said the new video features were built in line with the company’s shift toward creating more private messaging tools.
“Video presence isn’t a new area for us,” he said. “But it’s an area that we want to go deeper in, and it fits the overall theme, which is that we’re shifting more resources in the company to focus on private communication and private social platforms, rather than just the traditional broader ones. So this is a good mix: we’re building tools into Facebook and Instagram that are helping people find smaller groups of people to then go have more intimate connections with, and be able to have private sessions with.”
The moves come as the global pandemic has forced hundreds of millions of people to stay indoors and rely on digital tools for nearly all of their work, school, and play. More than 700 million people are now making calls on Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp every day.
But competitors are also surging. Zoom, which began life as a simple tool for business videoconferencing, rocketed from 10 million users in December to more than 300 million today. Houseparty, an app for virtual hangouts with friends that Facebook had previously cloned before abandoning the project last year, now routinely hovers at the top of app store download charts. It gained 50 million users over the past month.
The rapid growth of alternative social products has always been cause for concern at the famously paranoid Facebook, which devotes significant resources to monitoring emerging social products and then acquiring the companies behind them or copying their features. While we are still in the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s already clear that consumer behavior is changing to cope with it — and that Facebook’s existing product lineup has not met demand.
Of everything announced today, Messenger Rooms promises to be the most significant. The feature, which Facebook says will be available in the company’s products globally sometime in the next few weeks, will allow up to 50 people to join a call. The room’s creator can decide whether it’s open to all or lock it to prevent uninvited guests from joining. You’ll be able to start a room from Messenger and Facebook to start. Later, rooms will come to Instagram Direct, WhatsApp, and Portal. Guests can join a room regardless of whether they have a Facebook account.
While in a room, you can play with Facebook’s augmented reality filters or swap out your real-life background for a virtual one. Some backgrounds offer 360-degree views of exotic locales, the company said. And a new slate of AR filters will help brighten up dark rooms or touch up users’ appearances.
Room calls are not end-to-end encrypted, but Facebook says it does not view or listen to calls. The creator of a room can remove participants at any time, and rooms where illicit behavior is taking place can be reported to Facebook. (WhatsApp video calls are end-to-end encrypted, offering an extra layer of protection to users.)
Zoom saw a surge in malicious behavior as it became the world’s default meeting app, with racist, bigoted, and pornographic “Zoombombings” roiling meetings all over the world. Zuckerberg said Messenger Rooms were designed with strong privacy controls, and that the feature’s reliance on connections with your real-life friends and family make it less likely that it will be used to harass people. For groups where people don’t know each other as well, moderators will be able to kick people out of rooms.
“A lot of the time that I’ve spent on this over the last few weeks as we’ve been building this out and getting ready to ship has been on privacy, security, integrity reviews, and how do we make sure that a lot of the use cases that that have been problematic around Zoom are not going to be things that are replicated here,” he said.
Facebook Live will add back a feature called Live With that enables users to invite another person to stream with them. The donate button will become available on live streams, allowing users to raise money directly from their broadcasts in the countries where fundraisers are available.
Instagram will begin allowing users to post live streams to IGTV as well as to Instagram stories after they finish a stream, and Instagram Live broadcasts will become available on the desktop for the first time.
Users with Facebook’s Portal display will also get the ability to go live to pages and groups, the company said. Portal users can already go live from their own profiles.
But live-streaming also has a dark side, and Facebook faced criticism after introducing live-streaming when it was used to broadcast acts of violence. The company removed 1.5 million copies of the Christchurch terror attack in the days after the video, which was broadcast live on Facebook.


theverge--2020-04-25--Coursera to give unemployed workers free access to 3,800 online courses

Online learning platform Coursera will make 3,800 of its courses available for free to people unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic , Gizmodo reported .
The Coursera Workforce Recovery Initiative is part of its Coursera for Government training program for government employees .
The goal of the initiative is to help workers develop skills to become re-employed , according to a Coursera blog post .
You can ’ t apply as an individual for the free courses ; government agencies that serve unemployed workers have to apply for access .
“ Coursera for Government is designed for government agencies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities , ” according to the Coursera website .
About 26 million people in the US have filed for unemployment in the past five weeks amid stay-at-home orders .
The courses include company-specific training programs from Coursera partners like Google and IBM , as well as courses in the areas of cloud computing , emerging technologies , machine learning , big data , and other business-specific training .
“ Coursera , along with its community of partners , is ready to serve the millions of workers who have lost their jobs and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a slow economy , ” Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda told Forbes .
State agencies in Arizona , Illinois , and Oklahoma , will be the first in the US to make the courses available .
The governments of Colombia , Costa Rica , Greece , Malaysia , Panama , Ukraine , and Uzbekistan also are participating , according to the company .
Coursera expects to add more government agencies to the program in the coming weeks .

Online learning platform Coursera will make 3,800 of its courses available for free to people unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gizmodo reported. The Coursera Workforce Recovery Initiative is part of its Coursera for Government training program for government employees.
The goal of the initiative is to help workers develop skills to become re-employed, according to a Coursera blog post. You can’t apply as an individual for the free courses; government agencies that serve unemployed workers have to apply for access.
“Coursera for Government is designed for government agencies to provide reskilling and upskilling programs for entire communities,” according to the Coursera website.
About 26 million people in the US have filed for unemployment in the past five weeks amid stay-at-home orders.
The courses include company-specific training programs from Coursera partners like Google and IBM, as well as courses in the areas of cloud computing, emerging technologies, machine learning, big data, and other business-specific training.
“Coursera, along with its community of partners, is ready to serve the millions of workers who have lost their jobs and are going to have a hard time returning in a slow economy,” Coursera CEO Jeff Maggioncalda told Forbes.


theverge--2020-04-25--Dyson says the UK doesn’t need the ventilator it developed to treat COVID-19 patients

After spending about $ 25 million on the project , British technology company Dyson says the UK government doesn ’ t need the ventilator it developed to help treat COVID-19 patients , Reuters reported .
The company , best known for its vacuum cleaners , said last month it had an order from the UK government for 10,000 of the breathing machines and developed one it called the CoVent .
Dyson was awaiting regulatory approval for the design of the CoVent , reportedly built in 10 days using the company ’ s existing motor technology .
The bed-mounted , portable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power if necessary .
Ventilators are needed to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients , many of whom suffer from severe respiratory symptoms .
Other companies— including GM , Ford , and Tesla—shifted to developing ventilators over the past several weeks as demand for the devices increased .
James Dyson , the company founder , said he did not regret the time and resources put into the ventilator effort .
“ Mercifully they are not required , ” he said in a statement adding , “ I have some hope that our ventilator may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but that requires further time and investigation .
”

After spending about $25 million on the project, British technology company Dyson says the UK government doesn’t need the ventilator it developed to help treat COVID-19 patients, Reuters reported. The company, best known for its vacuum cleaners, said last month it had an order from the UK government for 10,000 of the breathing machines and developed one it called the CoVent.
Dyson was awaiting regulatory approval for the design of the CoVent, reportedly built in 10 days using the company’s existing motor technology. The bed-mounted, portable ventilator is able to run on battery power if necessary.
Ventilators are needed to treat critically ill COVID-19 patients, many of whom suffer from severe respiratory symptoms. Other companies— including GM, Ford, and Tesla—shifted to developing ventilators over the past several weeks as demand for the devices increased.


theverge--2020-04-25--China reportedly orders TikTok owner ByteDance to remove Feishu workplace app

The Chinese government has ordered ByteDance to take down its Feishu workplace messaging tool from app stores in China for a month because it let users access posts from Facebook and Twitter , which are banned in the country , Bloomberg reported .
ByteDance , which also operates the social media app TikTok , developed Feishu as an internal app , then marketed it for business use in 2019 .
An international version of the app , called Lark , launched in April 2019 and is still operating in markets like Japan and Singapore .
Feishu has become popular in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continue working from home .
Bloomberg describes the app as a combination of Slack , Skype , and Google Docs .
In China , Feishu competes with Alibaba ’ s DingTalk and Tencent ’ s WeChat .
Last month , the much larger WeChat started blocking links from Feishu .
Feishu parent company ByteDance faced heavy scrutiny last year for its relationship with China ; it denied allegations in a that TikTok was censoring pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong , and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States ( CFIUS ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ December , the US army barred soldiers from using TikTok , calling the app a cyber threat .

The Chinese government has ordered ByteDance to take down its Feishu workplace messaging tool from app stores in China for a month because it let users access posts from Facebook and Twitter, which are banned in the country, Bloomberg reported. ByteDance, which also operates the social media app TikTok, developed Feishu as an internal app, then marketed it for business use in 2019. An international version of the app, called Lark, launched in April 2019 and is still operating in markets like Japan and Singapore.


theverge--2020-04-25--Play Mackerelmedia Fish, a strangely adorable ode to dying websites

Have you installed the latest version of Mackerelmedia Fish ?
No , not Macromedia Flash .
Mackerelmedia Fish .
The piscine rich media plugin , created by experimental game designer Nathalie Lawhead , used in projects like the hacking tool Haxatron 2000 .
A relic of an era where social media hadn ’ t eaten the internet , amateurish weirdness was the norm , and visiting a website might involve clicking through an endless series of arcane installation screens .
The website is still online , but if you click the wrong link , you may be eaten by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Tetrageddon Games and Everything Is Going To Be OK , explains a little more about Mackerelmedia Fish on her blog .
It ’ s a short and surreal game about digital archaeology , loss , and that feeling of searching through a once-lively destination that ’ s slowly falling apart .
The page is a pure dose of nostalgia , but the kind that ’ s melancholy rather than comforting — like visiting your old hometown and finding all its store windows boarded up .
Rather than purely simulating software in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mackerelmedia Fish is framed by fourth-wall-breaking prose and a story that blends a “ real ” desktop with adventure game conventions .
You will play part of the game in a page directory and befriend a link-eating rodent .
“ The point really is about exploring a short story that ’ s about the loss of digital history , ” writes Lawhead .
You can have fun just clicking around the website , but as Lawhead notes , there are some clear mechanical goals — and it ’ s worth actually pushing forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer may just end up with a new friend .

Have you installed the latest version of Mackerelmedia Fish? No, not Macromedia Flash. Mackerelmedia Fish. The piscine rich media plugin, created by experimental game designer Nathalie Lawhead, used in projects like the hacking tool Haxatron 2000. A relic of an era where social media hadn’t eaten the internet, amateurish weirdness was the norm, and visiting a website might involve clicking through an endless series of arcane installation screens. The website is still online, but if you click the wrong link, you may be eaten by a grue.
Lawhead, known for projects like Tetrageddon Games and Everything Is Going To Be OK, explains a little more about Mackerelmedia Fish on her blog. It’s a short and surreal game about digital archaeology, loss, and that feeling of searching through a once-lively destination that’s slowly falling apart. The page is a pure dose of nostalgia, but the kind that’s melancholy rather than comforting — like visiting your old hometown and finding all its store windows boarded up.
Rather than purely simulating software in the vein of old-internet game Hypnospace Outlaw, Mackerelmedia Fish is framed by fourth-wall-breaking prose and a story that blends a “real” desktop with adventure game conventions. You will play part of the game in a page directory and befriend a link-eating rodent. “The point really is about exploring a short story that’s about the loss of digital history,” writes Lawhead.


theverge--2020-04-25--This weekend, save on Google Nest’s Hello video doorbell and the 15-inch MacBook Pro

Only the best deals on Verge-approved gadgets get the Verge Deals stamp of approval , so if you 're looking for a deal on your next gadget or gift from major retailers like Amazon , Walmart , Best Buy , Target , and more , this is the place to be .
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We ’ ve pulled together a few exclusive deals this weekend for readers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Google Nest Hello wired video doorbell is down to $ 170 at Daily Steals .
Currently , Google sells this home security device for $ 199 , so you ’ re getting a solid $ 30 discount on a brand-new model .
If you want to fit your home with one of these , first make sure you have existing wiring to hook up to this doorbell .
Next , visit Daily Steals , add one to your cart , then enter the code VERGEHELLO to see your price drop .
This video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ though Google Nest is still updating it with new functionality .
In late 2019 , it gained the ability to send you a special notification when it detects packages dropped off at the door .
You can easily incorporate the Nest Hello with other Nest cameras and smart home products .
Next up , Wellbots is offering Verge readers an extra $ 15 off the already best-ever price on Shark ’ s IQ self-emptying robot vacuum and trash bin .
This vacuum can deposit its trash into the included base , and Shark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to empty that for around a month .
Normally $ 600 , you can get it right now for $ 434 with the offer code VERGESHARK .
Just enter the code at checkout to see your price drop .
You ’ ll get free shipping with purchase , and there ’ s no tax if you live outside of New York .
Best Buy has slashed the cost of Apple ’ s 2019 15-inch MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar .
It usually costs $ 2,400 , but it ’ s $ 600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ model has a 9th Gen six-core Intel Core i7 processor , 16GB of RAM , the AMD Radeon Pro 555X graphics chip , and 256GB of SSD storage .
For those who don ’ t know , Apple ’ s new 16-inch MacBook Pro replaced the 15.4-inch form factor , so this and other similarly sized models are discontinued .
The latest models have a vastly improved keyboard , improved thermals , more storage , and better speakers , among other things .
But , if you ’ re trying to save some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option compared to the $ 2,399 base price for Apple ’ s latest version .
The iPhone SE 2 has released , and it costs $ 399 for the base model with 64GB of storage .
Of course , that ’ s the cost for the phone if you purchase it unlocked .
You can stand to save a good bit of cash ( at least , in the long run ) if you want to upgrade or add a line through your carrier .
I ’ ve highlighted the best promotions through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Visible , and everywhere else you can buy the unlocked version of the phone right here .
Cyberpunk 2077 , the next big game from CD Projekt Red , doesn ’ t release until September , but you can save $ 10 off the usual $ 60 price if you preorder early .
Amazon is offering this 17 percent discount on the game for every platform it will be available on ( aside from Stadia ) , including PC , Xbox One , and PS4 .
We ’ re still a long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but if you were planning on picking it up anyway , now seems like a good time to do that .

We’ve pulled together a few exclusive deals this weekend for readers of The Verge. First, the Google Nest Hello wired video doorbell is down to $170 at Daily Steals. Currently, Google sells this home security device for $199, so you’re getting a solid $30 discount on a brand-new model. If you want to fit your home with one of these, first make sure you have existing wiring to hook up to this doorbell. Next, visit Daily Steals, add one to your cart, then enter the code VERGEHELLO to see your price drop.
This video doorbell has been available since 2017, though Google Nest is still updating it with new functionality. In late 2019, it gained the ability to send you a special notification when it detects packages dropped off at the door. You can easily incorporate the Nest Hello with other Nest cameras and smart home products.
Google Nest Hello video doorbell / Was $199, now 15% off with the offer code VERGEHELLO $170 at Daily Steals
Next up, Wellbots is offering Verge readers an extra $15 off the already best-ever price on Shark’s IQ self-emptying robot vacuum and trash bin. This vacuum can deposit its trash into the included base, and Shark claims that you shouldn’t have to empty that for around a month. Normally $600, you can get it right now for $434 with the offer code VERGESHARK. Just enter the code at checkout to see your price drop. You’ll get free shipping with purchase, and there’s no tax if you live outside of New York.
Shark IQ self-emptying robot vacuum / Was $599, now 28% off with offer code VERGESHARK $434 at Wellbots
Photo by Vjeran Pavic / The Verge
Best Buy has slashed the cost of Apple’s 2019 15-inch MacBook Pro with a Touch Bar. It usually costs $2,400, but it’s $600 off today at $1,800. This model has a 9th Gen six-core Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, the AMD Radeon Pro 555X graphics chip, and 256GB of SSD storage.
For those who don’t know, Apple’s new 16-inch MacBook Pro replaced the 15.4-inch form factor, so this and other similarly sized models are discontinued. The latest models have a vastly improved keyboard, improved thermals, more storage, and better speakers, among other things. But, if you’re trying to save some money, this is still a great option compared to the $2,399 base price for Apple’s latest version.
15-inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar / Was $2,400, now 25% off $1,800 at Best Buy
The iPhone SE 2 has released, and it costs $399 for the base model with 64GB of storage. Of course, that’s the cost for the phone if you purchase it unlocked. You can stand to save a good bit of cash (at least, in the long run) if you want to upgrade or add a line through your carrier. I’ve highlighted the best promotions through carriers like AT&T, Cricket, Visible, and everywhere else you can buy the unlocked version of the phone right here.
Cyberpunk 2077, the next big game from CD Projekt Red, doesn’t release until September, but you can save $10 off the usual $60 price if you preorder early. Amazon is offering this 17 percent discount on the game for every platform it will be available on (aside from Stadia), including PC, Xbox One, and PS4. We’re still a long while away from the release date, but if you were planning on picking it up anyway, now seems like a good time to do that.
Cyberpunk 2077 preorders / Was $60, now 17% off $50 at Amazon


theverge--2020-04-25--Amazon restricted from selling non-essential items in France after it loses court appeal

Amazon has lost its appeal of a French court ruling that requires the company to temporarily stop delivering nonessential items in France or face hefty fines , the New York Times reported .
The Versailles Court of Appeals upheld a lower-court ruling that led the e-commerce company to close six of its fulfillment centers in France and put workers on paid furlough .
Amazon had said the definition of what goods it could ship was not clear and rather than risk being fined , opted to temporarily close the fulfillment centers .
Under the French court ruling , Amazon can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies , hygiene products , and food items in the country during the coronavirus pandemic .
It must conduct a risk assessment of its warehouses with labor unions .
The unions took Amazon to court for what they considered a failure by the company to protect warehouse employees from exposure to the coronavirus .
The company tweeted in response to the ruling , “ We have heard the outcome of our appeal and remain puzzled by the decision .
We are currently assessing the implications for our sites as well as for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Versailles Court of Appeals said if Amazon violates the ruling the company would be fined €100,000 ( about $ 108,000 ) for each delivery that does not meet its conditions .
The court will revisit the company ’ s progress next month .

Amazon has lost its appeal of a French court ruling that requires the company to temporarily stop delivering nonessential items in France or face hefty fines, the New York Times reported.
The Versailles Court of Appeals upheld a lower-court ruling that led the e-commerce company to close six of its fulfillment centers in France and put workers on paid furlough. Amazon had said the definition of what goods it could ship was not clear and rather than risk being fined, opted to temporarily close the fulfillment centers.
Under the French court ruling, Amazon can only deliver items directly related to medical supplies, hygiene products, and food items in the country during the coronavirus pandemic. It must conduct a risk assessment of its warehouses with labor unions. The unions took Amazon to court for what they considered a failure by the company to protect warehouse employees from exposure to the coronavirus.
The company tweeted in response to the ruling, “We have heard the outcome of our appeal and remain puzzled by the decision. We are currently assessing the implications for our sites as well as for our employees and customers in France.”


theverge--2020-04-25--9 new trailers you should watch this week

With Parasite still on my mind , I decided to go back and rewatch Snowpiercer the other week since both Bong Joon-ho movies deal with such similar themes around class .
Snowpiercer , obviously , does it in a much more action-packed way , but the big picture is very much the same : an upper class surviving off of a lower class , who slowly fight their way up .
The most fun thing about Snowpiercer is something I actually wish it did more of : building such brilliant , strange , self-contained worlds within each car .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vibrant and full .
You really get an understanding of who lives in each car and the culture they ’ ve created for it .
But as the movie goes on , it rushes through so many of them , and I wish there was more time to linger .
What I think really holds Snowpiercer back , though , is the lack of a main character .
Sure , we have Chris Evans leading us through the film ... but who is he ?
What does he want ?
Why should we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than being a leader — at least until near the end of the film , when he ’ s given a lengthy monologue about his past that , in a worse movie , would be famous for how laughably bad it is .
The character works well enough to get us to the front of the train , but not enough to connect us to the film ’ s message in the way that the family members in Parasite do .
Check out nine trailers from this week below .
TNT has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its TV adaptation of Snowpiercer .
It looks good !
It seems like the show is sticking very close to the film adaptation so far , though , and I ’ d really like to see what else it has to offer .
It premieres May 17th .
( P.S .
I swear I ’ d planned to write about the film before I saw this ! )
Netflix has a new limited series coming up that fictionalizes the early days of Hollywood .
It ’ s from Ryan Murphy , which means @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , beautiful people , and lots of style .
The show seems to pay particular attention to LGBTQ actors and people of color , which could let it tell a more interesting story than the many other films and shows that have mined this era of moviemaking .
It comes out May 1st .
With roughly a month to go before the service launches , AT & T is starting to give us a first look at HBO Max ’ s debut series .
It ’ s going to be interesting to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fare .
From this first look , it seems like Love Life — which stars Anna Kendrick and is executive produced by Paul Feig — shares HBO ’ s typical high production quality , but it comes with maybe a little more wide audience appeal than , say , Girls or Euphoria .
The show debuts May 27th , alongside HBO Max .
For comparison , here ’ s what a real HBO series looks like .
I May Destroy You is a new series created by and starring Michaela Coel about a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sexual assault .
It looks stylized and personal in a way that Love Life just does not .
It debuts some time in June .
Netflix has a new feature from Black Panther co-writer Joe Robert Cole .
The film looks beautifully shot and has appearances from Jeffrey Wright and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II .
It comes out May 1st .
I don ’ t usually post stand-up trailers , but this is a big one : Netflix has Jerry Seinfeld ’ s first stand-up special in 22 years .
How ’ d Netflix @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it probably has something to do with Netflix buying the rights to Seinfeld next year .
The special comes out May 5th .
AMC has a new miniseries coming up about a scheme to cheat Who Wants To Be A Millionaire ?
and win the top prize .
The series stars Matthew Macfadyen and is based on real events in 2001 that led to a conviction .
The series debuts May 31st .
Hulu has a new look at The Great out this week .
It basically looks like “ The Favourite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very ready for that .
It debuts May 15th .
We Are Little Zombies

With Parasite still on my mind, I decided to go back and rewatch Snowpiercer the other week since both Bong Joon-ho movies deal with such similar themes around class. Snowpiercer, obviously, does it in a much more action-packed way, but the big picture is very much the same: an upper class surviving off of a lower class, who slowly fight their way up.
The most fun thing about Snowpiercer is something I actually wish it did more of: building such brilliant, strange, self-contained worlds within each car. The ones that Bong focuses on feel so vibrant and full. You really get an understanding of who lives in each car and the culture they’ve created for it. But as the movie goes on, it rushes through so many of them, and I wish there was more time to linger.
What I think really holds Snowpiercer back, though, is the lack of a main character. Sure, we have Chris Evans leading us through the film... but who is he? What does he want? Why should we care? He has no traits other than being a leader — at least until near the end of the film, when he’s given a lengthy monologue about his past that, in a worse movie, would be famous for how laughably bad it is. The character works well enough to get us to the front of the train, but not enough to connect us to the film’s message in the way that the family members in Parasite do.
Check out nine trailers from this week below.
Snowpiercer
TNT has been very slowly putting out new looks at its TV adaptation of Snowpiercer. It looks good! It seems like the show is sticking very close to the film adaptation so far, though, and I’d really like to see what else it has to offer. It premieres May 17th. (P.S. I swear I’d planned to write about the film before I saw this!)
Hollywood
Netflix has a new limited series coming up that fictionalizes the early days of Hollywood. It’s from Ryan Murphy, which means it’s filled with bright colors, beautiful people, and lots of style. The show seems to pay particular attention to LGBTQ actors and people of color, which could let it tell a more interesting story than the many other films and shows that have mined this era of moviemaking. It comes out May 1st.
Love Life
With roughly a month to go before the service launches, AT&T is starting to give us a first look at HBO Max’s debut series. It’s going to be interesting to see how they compare to the typical HBO fare. From this first look, it seems like Love Life — which stars Anna Kendrick and is executive produced by Paul Feig — shares HBO’s typical high production quality, but it comes with maybe a little more wide audience appeal than, say, Girls or Euphoria. The show debuts May 27th, alongside HBO Max.
I May Destroy You
For comparison, here’s what a real HBO series looks like. I May Destroy You is a new series created by and starring Michaela Coel about a celebrated writer dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault. It looks stylized and personal in a way that Love Life just does not. It debuts some time in June.
All Day and A Night
Netflix has a new feature from Black Panther co-writer Joe Robert Cole. The film looks beautifully shot and has appearances from Jeffrey Wright and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. It comes out May 1st.
Jerry Seinfeld: 23 Hours to Kill
I don’t usually post stand-up trailers, but this is a big one: Netflix has Jerry Seinfeld’s first stand-up special in 22 years. How’d Netflix nab it? My guess is that it probably has something to do with Netflix buying the rights to Seinfeld next year. The special comes out May 5th.
Quiz
AMC has a new miniseries coming up about a scheme to cheat Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? and win the top prize. The series stars Matthew Macfadyen and is based on real events in 2001 that led to a conviction. The series debuts May 31st.
The Great
Hulu has a new look at The Great out this week. It basically looks like “The Favourite the TV show,” and I am very ready for that. It debuts May 15th.
We Are Little Zombies


theverge--2020-04-26--Australia’s COVIDSafe contact tracing app already has more than a million downloads

Australia launched a coronavirus contact tracing app on Sunday , drawing over a million downloads within a just few hours , the BBC reported .
COVIDSafe lets devices conduct a “ digital handshake ” when they come within 5 feet of each other , notifying users if they ’ ve come into contact for longer than 15 minutes with an infected person .
Australia ’ s voluntary app is based on Singapore ’ s TraceTogether software , and uses Bluetooth and stored contact data , Reuters reported .
The government says the app doesn ’ t collect location data and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their data shared .
The Australian government says only health authorities would have access to the data stored on its app , and it would not be legally possible for other authorities to access the data .
Apple and Google earlier this month announced a framework to develop decentralized contact tracing apps .
Information would be anonymized and the companies have pledged to disable the service once the outbreak of the virus has been contained .
No countries have signed on to using this specific framework yet .
Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be personally liable for data collected as part of the project .
Germany said Sunday it was changing direction with the development of its contact tracing app , which will now use a decentralized architecture that is more in line with the approach Apple and Google are taking , Reuters reported .

Australia launched a coronavirus contact tracing app on Sunday, drawing over a million downloads within a just few hours, the BBC reported. COVIDSafe lets devices conduct a “digital handshake” when they come within 5 feet of each other, notifying users if they’ve come into contact for longer than 15 minutes with an infected person.
Australia’s voluntary app is based on Singapore’s TraceTogether software, and uses Bluetooth and stored contact data, Reuters reported. The government says the app doesn’t collect location data and an infected person must consent to having their data shared.
The Australian government says only health authorities would have access to the data stored on its app, and it would not be legally possible for other authorities to access the data.
Apple and Google earlier this month announced a framework to develop decentralized contact tracing apps. Information would be anonymized and the companies have pledged to disable the service once the outbreak of the virus has been contained. No countries have signed on to using this specific framework yet. Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri pushed for the companies’ CEOs to be personally liable for data collected as part of the project.


theverge--2020-04-26--The coronavirus pandemic is getting the ‘total attention’ of the Gates Foundation

Microsoft founder Bill Gates expects his foundation to work “ almost entirely ” on the coronavirus pandemic in the near future , the Financial Times reported .
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has a $ 40 billion endowment , and has worked on HIV and malaria and polio eradication .
But Gates said the foundation has shifted much of that focus to work on the coronavirus .
“ This has the foundation ’ s total attention , ” Gates told the FT. “ Even our non-health related work , like higher education and K-12 [ schools ] , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you facilitate online learning.
” A Gates Foundation spokesperson said in a statement emailed to The Verge that the foundation “ remains committed to its core areas of focus including reducing infectious disease , eliminating extreme poverty , and improving US public education.
” “ The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all areas of our work and the ripple effects will be felt for years to come , ” according to the statement from the foundation .
“ While we ’ ve announced $ 250 million in funding to date and a commitment to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , we are increasingly focusing the expertise of our staff and leveraging our partnerships toward the urgent efforts needed to end this pandemic .
These are unprecedented times , but our belief that all lives have equal value and our commitment to addressing inequities across all of our work remains more critical than ever.
” The Gates Foundation already has pledged a total of $ 250 million “ to support development of diagnostics , therapeutics , and vaccines ; help strengthen African and South Asian health systems ; and help mitigate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The foundation is working with the World Health Organization and other health organizations around the world .
“ This emergency has distracted a lot of critical work in many , many areas , ” Gates said in the FT interview .
“ Fewer people able to show up for routine immunization or supply chains for immunization not working well , that ’ s hundreds of thousands of deaths right there .
If we can ’ t keep getting malaria treatments out effectively , that ’ s a huge rebound in malaria.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s plan to suspend funding for the WHO .
He said he believes the Trump administration will ultimately decide that WHO “ probably should get more money , not less money.
” In 2015 , Gates warned during a TED Talk that the world was not ready for a global pandemic .
Gates stepped down as Microsoft CEO in 2000 , and left his full-time role at Microsoft in 2008 to focus on the foundation work .
Oddly , during the pandemic Gates has become the top target of coronavirus misinformation @

Microsoft founder Bill Gates expects his foundation to work “almost entirely” on the coronavirus pandemic in the near future, the Financial Times reported. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has a $40 billion endowment, and has worked on HIV and malaria and polio eradication. But Gates said the foundation has shifted much of that focus to work on the coronavirus.
“This has the foundation’s total attention,” Gates told the FT. “Even our non-health related work, like higher education and K-12 [schools], is completely switched around to look at how you facilitate online learning.” A Gates Foundation spokesperson said in a statement emailed to The Verge that the foundation “remains committed to its core areas of focus including reducing infectious disease, eliminating extreme poverty, and improving US public education.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all areas of our work and the ripple effects will be felt for years to come,” according to the statement from the foundation. “While we’ve announced $250 million in funding to date and a commitment to leverage our Strategic Investment Fund toward the pandemic, we are increasingly focusing the expertise of our staff and leveraging our partnerships toward the urgent efforts needed to end this pandemic. These are unprecedented times, but our belief that all lives have equal value and our commitment to addressing inequities across all of our work remains more critical than ever.”
The Gates Foundation already has pledged a total of $250 million “to support development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines; help strengthen African and South Asian health systems; and help mitigate the social and economic impacts of the virus.” The foundation is working with the World Health Organization and other health organizations around the world.
“This emergency has distracted a lot of critical work in many, many areas,” Gates said in the FT interview. “Fewer people able to show up for routine immunization or supply chains for immunization not working well, that’s hundreds of thousands of deaths right there. If we can’t keep getting malaria treatments out effectively, that’s a huge rebound in malaria.”
Earlier this month, Gates criticized President Trump’s plan to suspend funding for the WHO.
He said he believes the Trump administration will ultimately decide that WHO “probably should get more money, not less money.”
In 2015, Gates warned during a TED Talk that the world was not ready for a global pandemic.
Gates stepped down as Microsoft CEO in 2000, and left his full-time role at Microsoft in 2008 to focus on the foundation work. Oddly, during the pandemic Gates has become the top target of coronavirus misinformation.