Tuesday 9 October 2018

The Morning After: Goodbye Google+ (and get ready for Pixel 3)

Engadget Email Newsletter

It's Tuesday, October 09, 2018.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Who’s ready to meet the Pixel 3 (again)? Google’s big hardware event is scheduled for today at 11 AM ET, and we’ll be ready to show you everything we’ve already seen plus any surprises that are left in store. Until then, take a look back at the curious chain of events that killed Google+ and let Facebook explain why it wants to put a camera in your house.

(View in browser.)

Remember Google+?

Google exposed data for hundreds of thousands of users

Google exposed private data from hundreds of thousands of Google+ users and then chose not to inform those affected. The Wall Street Journal reports that close sources claim the decision to keep the exposure under wraps was made among fears of regulatory scrutiny.

Google said in a blog post that nearly 500,000 users may have been impacted but because the company keeps the log data from this specific API for only two weeks at a time, it can't fully confirm who was truly impacted and who was not. The company noted that information like Google+ posts, messages and G Suite content weren't included in the exposure.

Goodbye Google+

Google is shutting down Google+ following massive data exposure

Following a massive data breach, Google announced it’s shutting down Google+ for consumers. The company finally admitted that Google+ never received the broad adoption or engagement it had hoped for -- according to a blog post, 90 percent of Google+ user sessions last less than five seconds. In light of these newly revealed security concerns, the company has opted to put it out of its misery over the next ten months rather than try to make the social network more secure.

The clampdown continues.

Google limits third-party access to Gmail and other account data

In addition to shuttering Google+, the company is gradually rolling out a change to its developer tools that will give users much more control over their account-data privacy permissions. Much like permissions in recent Android versions, you'll get permission requests one at a time for various services. You could grant access to Drive, for instance, but turn down Gmail or Calendar permissions.

While Google didn't say as much, the clampdown appears to be a reaction to word that its previous policies, which lacked clarity for users, let third-party apps scan Gmail inboxes. This change should make it clear what apps really want. Google is also using the fine-grained control as a way to promote better explanations to users.

And who doesn’t trust Facebook?

Facebook's Portal smart displays aim to fix video chat

The company is unveiling two smart displays, the Portal ($199) and Portal+ ($349), which are focused on video chatting. They have AI-powered cameras to track you as you move around the room, large screens to easily see who you're talking to, an array of four microphones (plus more AI smarts) to capture everything you're saying and decent speakers, so the conversation is always clear.

Facebook says it's building Portal with security in mind: Your video chats are encrypted, and the company doesn't keep any records of your calls. The AI-powered camera and voice features all run locally, so they're not relying on Facebook's servers, and it doesn't use any facial recognition technology. You can hit a button to disable the Portal's camera and microphone, and there's also a bundled camera cover for assured privacy. You can also set up a passcode, so your kids and guests won't be making random calls to all of your Facebook friends.

Don’t panic.

Hubble Space Telescope is in trouble after gyroscope failure

The NASA Hubble Twitter account announced that, on Friday, the Hubble Space Telescope went into safe mode after a gyroscope, used to point and stabilize the observatory, failed. While Hubble has six gyroscopes it uses to point itself and keep itself steady for observations, it can operate without one of them. The problem is Hubble has only been operating with three of its gyroscopes up to now, the minimum needed for optimal functioning. And now it's down to two.

The Vault goes online-only.

'Fallout 76' preview: This isn't 'Fallout 5'

Fallout 76 is a new way to play around in Bethesda's post-apocalyptic universe and that'll take some getting used to for longtime series fans. However, for anyone who's played Fallout New Vegas five times over or re-started Fallout 4 a dozen times, Fallout 76 represents a new, innovative way to exist in that universe, in perpetuity.

Help is on the way.

Microsoft promises to recover files deleted by Windows 10 update bug

According to Dona Sarkar, who runs the Windows Insider Program, users affected by Windows 10’s October Update need to stop using their machine and contact Microsoft directly. The company was forced to halt the rollout of its latest upgrade when users started complaining that their documents, music and images were disappearing. In a tweet, Sarkar said that technical-support teams "have the tools to get you back to a good state."

But wait, there's more...

1. Major UN report says climate change is worse than first thought

2. Microsoft plans 2019 beta for its 'Project Xcloud' game streaming service

3. Amazon Echo Show (2018) review: Bigger and better in almost every way

4. What's on TV: 'Call of Duty: Black Ops 4,' 'Titans' and 'Charmed'

5. Vortx review: The most fun you can have with a desktop heater

6. Google speakers don't stand out, and that's a good thing

7. The Pixel 3's most important feature needs to be reliability

8. Intel's 9th-generation Core processors reach up to 5GHz

9. Chrome 70's security change will break hundreds of sites

10. Apple's iOS 12.0.1 update fixes iPhone XS charging and WiFi problems

The Morning After is a new daily newsletter from Engadget designed to help you fight off FOMO. Who knows what you'll miss if you don't subscribe.

Craving even more? Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Have a suggestion on how we can improve The Morning After? Send us a note.

Our mailing address is:
AOL
770 Broadway #4
New York, NY 10003

You are receiving this email because you opted in at engadget.com.

Not interested anymore? Unsubscribe from this newsletter.

Monday 8 October 2018

Editor's Pick: How to Position Your Brand for Holiday Success on Amazon

How to Position Your Brand for Holiday Success on Amazon

Josh Neblett Oct 8, 2018 9:40 AM PT
	The holiday season presents a significant opportunity for sellers to capture unprecedented sales on Amazon. Cyber Week alone, the seven-day period beginning the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving and running through Cyber Monday, is expected to account for 40 percent of all e-commerce sales during the holidays. The bulk of those holiday sales are likely to occur in one place: Amazon.com. [More...]

More Picks:

PC Innovation Is Back
There were two interesting product launches last week. HP delivered what is pretty much a clean slate rethinking of the 2-in-1 PC with the HP Folio, and Microsoft unveiled a refresh of its Surface Line. Both firms made a big deal of the fact that their products were much better than their Apple counterparts -- but Apple has been treating PCs like a drunk uncle for some time now. [More...]

The CRM Oligopoly
As markets mature, they trend toward oligopoly or even outright monopoly. There isn't much difference, because an oligopoly has several members instead of just one. Examples include electric power generation, an oligopoly made up of vertically integrated monopolies in most areas, and the airline industry -- an oligopoly made up of many airlines that may have monopolies in regional hubs. [More...]

5 Strategies for Collecting, Creating and Circulating Customer Testimonials
Most of us understand how overwhelming it can be moving to a new city. Surrounded by a host of options for dining, shopping, daycare, leisure time, auto mechanics and everything else under the sun, making an educated decision on where to go involves some groundwork. So what is there to do? Many of us will turn to a new coworker or neighbor for recommendations. [More...]

6 Surefire Ways Etailers Can Boost Customer Loyalty
Given today's data and technological advancements, coupled with an abundance of choices for consumers, the importance of loyalty has never been greater. The marketing landscape has shifted as power has moved from sellers to buyers, and businesses have realized a heightened need for customer loyalty. Market fragmentation has dramatically increased competition, magnifying the need for loyalty. [More...]

Follow Us

This Editor's Pick alert is a premium service provided to ECT News Network newsletter subscribers. If you wish to make changes to your subscription settings, please click to manage your account.

Copyright 2018 ECT News Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
ECT News Network, Inc. 16133 Ventura Blvd., Suite 700, Encino, CA 91436

E-Commerce Minute

E-Commerce Minute: Monday -- October 8, 2018

The E-Commerce Times -- E-Business Means Business
http://www.ecommercetimes.com
Part of the ECT News Network

Headline Scan
How to Position Your Brand for Holiday Success on Amazon
How I Grew My E-Commerce Business From 0-$100K in Less Than 4 Months
6 Surefire Ways Etailers Can Boost Customer Loyalty

Message From Our Sponsor
Attention Content Marketers
Publish Your: Blog | Videos | Webinars | Events
Content Marketing on ALL EC is an affordable and effective way to
enhance your inbound marketing efforts, drive traffic to your website
and attract more prospective customers. Sign up for Free and
Save 25 percent on publishing plans by using this link:
https://www.ectnews.com/adsys/link/?crid=10063/ALL_EC_SAVE25

Today's Story Highlights

How to Position Your Brand for Holiday Success on Amazon

The holiday season presents a significant opportunity for sellers to
capture unprecedented sales on Amazon. Cyber Week alone, the seven-day
period beginning the Tuesday prior to Thanksgiving and running through
Cyber Monday, is expected to account for 40 percent of all e-commerce
sales during the holidays. The bulk of those holiday sales are likely to
occur in one place: Amazon.com.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85608.html

How I Grew My E-Commerce Business From 0-$100K in Less Than 4 Months

Over the past 10 years, I've been a part of at least that many startups.
The tools of the trade have changed rapidly, but the core elements of
successful entrepreneurship remain relatively unchanged. When I first
started out, "social media marketing" was a brand new concept. Now
entrepreneurs have a slew of tools to amplify their brand and grow their
e-commerce revenue.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85606.html

6 Surefire Ways Etailers Can Boost Customer Loyalty

Given today's data and technological advancements, coupled with an
abundance of choices for consumers, the importance of loyalty has never
been greater. The marketing landscape has shifted as power has moved
from sellers to buyers, and businesses have realized a heightened need
for customer loyalty. Market fragmentation has dramatically increased
competition, magnifying the need for loyalty.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/85602.html

News Alerts From ECT News Network
Get the day's top business and technology news delivered
to your inbox as stories break. Sign up today -- it's free!
http://www.ectnews.com/adsys/link/?crid=2202/News_Alerts

INSTA-LEADS From ECT News Network
Access 30 million B2B purchasing decision makers. Learn more:
http://www.ectnews.com/adsys/link/?crid=8734/INSTA-LEADS

How to Advertise in This Newsletter
To advertise in this newsletter or elsewhere on ECT News Network,
please call our sales department toll-free at (877) 328-5500, or view
our online media kit at
http://www.ectnews.com/advertising/

Subscribing and Unsubscribing
You are receiving this newsletter in response to your request on
the E-Commerce Times Web site for our daily newsletter. If you wish
to make changes to your newsletter subscription, or if you wish to
receive other free newsletters from the ECT News Network, please click
here: Newsletter Management Wizard

If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you wish to subscribe to
this FREE newsletter, please use our newsletter sign-up wizard:
http://www.ectnews.com/perl/newsletter_registration.pl/

Feedback
We welcome your feedback. Contact us online at
http://www.ectnews.com/perl/contact_form.pl?to=editorial

Follow Us

Tech News Flash

Tech News Flash: Monday -- October 8, 2018

TechNewsWorld -- All Tech - All The Time
http://www.TechNewsWorld.com
Part of the ECT News Network

Headline Scan
PC Innovation Is Back
Data Breach Lawsuits: A Growing Risk for E-Commerce
7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Netflix
Antergos Softens Arch Learning Curve
How to Prevent the Internet From Ruining Your Company's Reputation
Software Security Best Practices Are Changing, Finds New Report
How AI Could Fix What Seems Unfixable

Message From Our Sponsor
Attention Content Marketers
Publish Your: Blog | Videos | Webinars | Events
Content Marketing on ALL EC is an affordable and effective way to
enhance your inbound marketing efforts, drive traffic to your website
and attract more prospective customers. Sign up for Free and
Save 25 percent on publishing plans by using this link:
https://www.ectnews.com/adsys/link/?crid=10063/ALL_EC_SAVE25

Today's Story Highlights

PC Innovation Is Back

There were two interesting product launches last week. HP delivered what
is pretty much a clean slate rethinking of the 2-in-1 PC with the HP
Folio, and Microsoft unveiled a refresh of its Surface Line. Both firms
made a big deal of the fact that their products were much better than
their Apple counterparts -- but Apple has been treating PCs like a drunk
uncle for some time now.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85605.html

Data Breach Lawsuits: A Growing Risk for E-Commerce

The expanding world of Internet commerce likely will generate a
corresponding expansion of data breaches, resulting in more e-commerce
businesses becoming the targets of consumer class action lawsuits.
Breach litigation has become more prevalent as a result of a perceptible
legal trend favoring consumers. Courts have tended to allow lawsuits
based on a lower threshold for establishing injury.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85607.html

7 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Netflix

We've all been there: scrolling through a seemingly never-ending
carousel of shows and movies available on Netflix, trying to find the
one thing we might want to sit down and enjoy. Except we often end up
spending more time looking for something to kick back and view than
actually watching the thing itself. But fear not! You too can optimize
your Netflix viewing experience.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85601.html

Antergos Softens Arch Learning Curve

Antergos 8.9 is one of the better Arch Linux options. It is a powerful
and modern computing platform, elegantly designed. It gives power users
almost all they could desire. Arch distros are not for Linux newcomers
-- but for seasoned Linux users who are new to Arch, Antergos has much
to offer. One of the biggest challenges in getting started with any Arch
distro is surviving the installation.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85588.html

How to Prevent the Internet From Ruining Your Company's Reputation

When it comes to business, you're only as good as your reputation.
Indeed, your reputation is your brand. It is the substance your logo
represents; it is the glue in customer brand loyalty. In a word,
reputation is everything. Yet it's not entirely under your control. That
doesn't mean you are helpless as a victim of false accusations, ratings,
or wrongful attacks on your company's character, however.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85598.html

Software Security Best Practices Are Changing, Finds New Report

Independent software vendors, along with Internet of Things and cloud
vendors, are involved in a market transformation that is making them
look more alike. The similarities are evident in the way they approach
software security initiatives, according to a report from Synopsys.
Synopsys has released its ninth annual Building Security in Maturity
Model, or BSIMM9.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85597.html

How AI Could Fix What Seems Unfixable

I watched last week's Senate Judiciary Committee hearings, and I was
struck by the fact that they seemed to be more about the Democrats
fighting with Republicans to see which party could corrupt the Supreme
Court more effectively than they were about senators doing their jobs.
What bothers me most about that is if you corrupt the highest court in
the land you effectively destroy the country.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/85593.html

News Alerts From ECT News Network
Get the day's top business and technology news delivered
to your inbox as stories break. Sign up today -- it's free!
http://www.ectnews.com/adsys/link/?crid=2202/News_Alerts

INSTA-LEADS From ECT News Network
Access 30 million B2B purchasing decision makers. Learn more:
http://www.ectnews.com/adsys/link/?crid=8734/INSTA-LEADS

How to Advertise in This Newsletter
To advertise in this newsletter or elsewhere on ECT News Network,
please call our sales department toll-free at (877) 328-5500, or view
our online media kit at
http://www.ectnews.com/advertising/

Subscribing and Unsubscribing
You are receiving the Tech News Flash in response to your request
on the TechNewsWorld Web site for our daily newsletter. If you wish
to make changes to your newsletter subscription, or if you wish to
receive other free newsletters from the ECT News Network, please click
here: Newsletter Management Wizard

If this e-mail was forwarded to you and you wish to subscribe to
this FREE newsletter, please use our newsletter sign-up wizard:
http://www.ectnews.com/perl/newsletter_registration.pl/

Feedback
We welcome your feedback. Contact us online at
http://www.ectnews.com/perl/contact_form.pl?to=editorial

Follow Us