Congress vs. Big Tech: Breaking Up Is Hard (and Stupid) to Do
When the problem is an abuse of excessive power, the one remedy that can work is to mitigate that power with more powerful oversight. Complaints are routed to that entity, who then aggregates them and decides on a response based on the nature of the complaint.
The true lasting impact of the technological advances of the Second World War are seen in the ability to take commercial jets around the world, the ever-bigger cruise ships, and the massive skyscrapers seen in cities all over the globe.
New Security Hole Puts Windows and Linux Users at Risk
If you are a Windows or Linux user, brace yourself for a long siege of vulnerability nightmares. The fix will be long and treacherous and could brick your computers.
Amazon's Alexa mobile app has a new look. The company has introduced an updated version of the app that aims to give users a more personalized experience and moves all third-party "skill" suggestions off the main screen.
Garmin Confirms Services Upended by Ransomware Attack
Garmin last week confirmed that many of its online services have been disrupted by a cyberattack on its systems that occurred on July 23. Services disrupted by the attack, which encrypted data on the systems, included website functions, customer support, customer facing applications, and company communications.
Our infrastructure wasn't set up to suddenly shift massive amounts of traffic from companies to homes. Exacerbating this are cable networks with shared capacity.
Counterfeit hardware, especially in corporate settings, is a recurring problem that often goes unnoticed. Having such gear online poses serious financial, operational, and security risks.
The University of Cincinnati online program is ranked 10th in the country by U.S. News & World Report (2020). Enjoy the flexibility of a schedule built for working professionals. Learn from educators with decades of experience in the field of IT.
Women in Tech: 20 Trailblazers Share Their Journeys
Successful women in the tech trenches share their insights and tackle subjects ranging from how to search out a strong mentor to how to be one -- from how to advance in a large company to how to start your own firm.
This book is an excellent guide for students considering STEM courses, graduates pondering job choices, and career changers at any stage in life. It's also a useful tool for school and career counselors, recruiters, and HR pros eager to diversify their workplaces.
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Marking the first US splashdown in 45 years, SpaceX's Crew Dragon astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley successfully landed in the Atlantic Ocean at 2:48 PM ET. This was the first crewed orbital flight using a private spacecraft to land back on Earth, as well as the first crewed spaceflight from the US since NASA retired the Space Shuttle in 2011.
This is the last Crew Dragon test flight so, once SpaceX receives NASA certification, future flights will be regular missions carrying astronauts to the ISS. For NASA itself, it's a major step forward for a Commercial Crew Program with lower costs.
For SpaceX, it's keeping a step ahead of private spaceflight competitors, like Boeing, and I creep closer to setting up a savings account to one day book a flight into space.
— Mat
TikTok owner reportedly agrees to sell US stake to avoid ban
But Microsoft has apparently 'paused' its approach.
TikTok
It's been a chaotic weekend for TikTok's Chinese owner, ByteDance. President Trump said he would ban TikTok outright over its Chinese links and rejected talk of allowing a sell-off. (Not that the leader of the US has bigger issues to contend with at this very moment in time.)
A Reuters report claims that ByteDance agreed to sell its stake in the social network's US operations to avert the possible ban. The agreement would have Microsoft protect American user data, according to the report, but Microsoft wouldn't necessarily own TikTok.
On Saturday, Microsoft told several news outlets it had "paused" talks with TikTok following Trump's suggestion he would ban the app, then we heard the tech companies were reportedly hoping to finish a deal by Monday. Microsoft followed up later, claiming it's aiming to close the TikTok deal by September 15th. Whew. Continue reading.
Chromebook users get three free months of Stadia Pro
Try cloud gaming on a system practically made for it.
Engadget
Google has introduced a new perk for Chromebook owners with a gaming itch to scratch: a free three-month trial of Stadia Pro. You'll need a system released June 2017 or later, and you'll still have to buy games not included with membership, but this could be just the ticket if you want to see how Destiny 2 or PUBG plays on your Chrome OS portable. Pro, of course, offers a shifting line-up of free games to play. Last month, this included Crayta and West of Loathing, but Triple-A games have also been included since Stadia's launch. August's bundle includes Metro 2033. Continue reading.
The best weather app, Dark Sky, shuts down on Android
It's now owned by Apple.
Apple has shut down Dark Sky on Android and Wear OS, as promised, leaving users without the app's highly localized weather. Apple had initially planned to shutter these versions on July 1st, following its acquisition of Dark Sky in March, but offered a month-long extension right as service was due to end.
Your Dark Sky subscription should already be canceled if you were paying $3 per year. The developers promised a "full refund" to members. Continue reading.
The first US COVID-19 exposure notification apps could arrive within 'weeks'
To help fight the spread of COVID-19, Apple and Google quickly developed exposure notification technology for Android and iOS that relied on Bluetooth technology in mobile phones. They initially released their platforms in May (via an update for iOS and Play Store services on Android), but so far, in the US, apps based on the technology have not rolled out widely. According to a Google blog post, apps based on their exposure notification systems have launched in 16 countries and regions, with Canada joining that count on Friday.
For the US, Google says that 20 states and territories covering about 45 percent of the US population are "exploring apps" based on the systems, and the first ones should launch "in the coming weeks." Continue reading.
This week on the show, Devindra and Cherlynn chat about Facebook, Apple, Google and Amazon's long-awaited antitrust hearing. Are they too big to compete fairly? Or is the tech industry being overly criticized? (It's most likely the former.) Also, we dive into Garmin's lackluster response to its widespread system outage, Quibi's surprising Emmy noms, and Tenet's international opening.
Friday started with rumors that the Trump administration may try to force a sale of TikTok, and that Microsoft could be on deck as a buyer. On Friday night, however, the president told reporters he plans to ban the app somehow -- and it could happen later today. Continue reading.
Here are all the best deals from the week that you can still snag today, and follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for more updates. Continue reading.
We could see COVID-19 exposure notification apps in the US soon
On Friday, Canada released an app based on Google and Apple tech.
Google
According to a Google blog post, apps based on exposure notification systems it built along with Apple have launched in 16 countries and regions. Canada's COVID Alert app (iOS, Android) launched on Friday and is currently enabled in the province of Ontario.
We haven't seen this type of digital contact tracing tech enabled in the US yet, but that may change soon. According to Google, 20 states and territories covering about 45 percent of the population are "exploring apps" based on the systems, and the first ones should launch "in the coming weeks." Continue reading.
Huawei's had it rough in 2020 — and 2019, for that matter. But somehow, well thanks to sales in China, it's shipped more phones than anyone else. More than Apple, more than Samsung. That's in the face of US bans, its own conservative sales estimates and the whole lack-of-Android-on-its-flagship-smartphone… thing.
Engadget
Huawei's sales declined by only five percent to 55.8 million units, compared to a huge 30 percent drop for Samusung, down to 53.7 million smartphones shipped. While smartphone sales dropped significantly in the US and elsewhere due to the coronavirus, sales in China suffered far less, and 70 percent of Huawei's sales are now in its home country. It helps that devices like the P40 Pro are incredible phones if you ignore the whole Android / lack of Google element.
Huawei's time in the top spot may be short: Samsung, naturally, thinks sales will rebound in the next quarter.
— Mat
Apple confirms its new iPhones will be delayed by a 'few weeks'
The company's CFO was very candid about the delay on a conference call.
Engadget
New iPhones appear in September, typically weeks after a splashy press conference at Apple HQ. Not so, this year. During the company's post-earnings conference call, the company's Chief Financial Officer, Luca Maestri, confirmed that Apple's new iPhones would be arriving later than usual, something Qualcomm had hinted at earlier this week.
"As you know, last year, we started selling new iPhones in late September," Maestri said. "This year, we project supply to be available a few weeks later." In these times of COVID-19-related delays, a few weeks really isn't too bad. Unless things change — it is 2020. Continue reading.
Google posts its own Pixel 4a 'leak'
Expect to see it revealed on August 3rd.
Google
We've seen hints and renders of Google's next budget phone floating around for months, and now Google is getting into the conversation. Headers on its social media pages and a dedicated website introduce some placeholder text, and if you manipulate the colors to match Google's logo, the page reveals a launch date for its "Just What You've Been Waiting for Phone." Continue reading.
The launch was successful, with the team announcing it received telemetry from the spacecraft and sent commands back to it. A few issues did arise during launch, but they have been dealt with. According to Deputy Project Manager Matt Wallace, "With the understanding of the causes of these issues, we are conducting the operations necessary to move the spacecraft back out of safe mode and into normal cruise mode." Continue reading.
After Starship test fire, Elon Musk expects 150-meter hop 'soon'
Stay tuned.
Elon Musk / SpaceX
Elon Musk's hopes for SpaceX's Starship reaching orbit before this spring didn't quite pan out, but a recent test firing has the SpaceX CEO expecting to see the company's new vehicle take flight shortly. On Thursday, he tweeted that its new SN5 build completed a full duration static fire and said a 150-meter test hop will happen "soon." Continue reading.
Motorola Edge review
A great value option, but only for now.
Engadget
Chris Velazco already reviewed Motorola's new flagship, the Edge+, and now it's ready to release a stripped down version. The base Edge is still 5G ready — unless you want mmWave support — and features a similar curved 6.7-inch Endless Edge display. However, instead of being a $1,000 Verizon exclusive, it's a cheaper option for unlocked use on pretty much any network.
To get the price down, it uses a less-powerful Snapdragon 765G CPU, has a smaller 4,500mAh battery, halves the RAM to 6GB and loses wireless charging. Even with those compromises and a finicky in-screen fingerprint sensor, Chris calls this device a "no brainer" — as long as you can get it for the temporary launch price of $500. At its $700 MSRP, similar midrange 5G phones, including the Galaxy A71 5G, OnePlus Nord and LG Velvet, start to look like better options. Continue reading.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 leak shows improved hinge design
A punch-hole replaces the camera notch on the inner display.
MySmartPrice
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Z Fold2 has leaked in full, with what appears to be a more robust-looking hinge. The renders, found by MySmartPrice, show that the Z Fold2 has completely lost the original Fold's cutout selfie camera notch on the interior screen — it's now replaced by a hole-punch.
The most important changes we could spot are on the hinge, though. The original Galaxy Fold had some janky seals to close off gaps, but dust and other particles still got in. The Fold2's sides appear to enclose the hinge structure more completely. The inside corners are also square instead of rounded, so there's no longer a small gap at the top and bottom when it's opened. Continue reading.
