Thursday 29 August 2019

E-Commerce Minute

E-Commerce Minute: Thursday -- August 29, 2019

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

Headline Scan
Apple Says Sorry for Listening In on Siri Talks
Storm Erupts Over Google's Advice Against Blocking Cookies
Powerful Enterprise-Class Chromebooks May Make Windows Exit Possible
Putting CX at the Center of Testing Strategies
Cloud Users: Read the Click Agreement Terms

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Today's Story Highlights

Apple Says Sorry for Listening In on Siri Talks

Apple has suspended audits of consumer interactions with Siri, and
undertaken a review of practices and policies related to the voice
assistant. Before suspending grading, the process involved reviewing a
small sample of audio and computer-generated transcripts from Siri
requests -- less than 0.2 percent -- to measure how well Siri responded.
The goal was to improve the assistant's reliability.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86216.html

Storm Erupts Over Google's Advice Against Blocking Cookies

Google's recent announcement of Privacy Sandbox -- an initiative to
develop a set of open standards geared toward fundamental enhancements
of privacy on the Web -- has stirred up a controversy. Blocking cookies
is not a good idea for a number of reasons, and standardization of such
efforts is needed, argued Justin Schuh, director, Chrome Engineering.
Google invited the Web community to comment.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86214.html

Powerful Enterprise-Class Chromebooks May Make Windows Exit Possible

A new collaboration between Dell Technologies and Google has produced
the world's first enterprise-class Chromebook. The companies have
announced their partnership to bring new capabilities and services to
Dell's Unified Workspace strategy. Google launched its Chrome Enterprise
capabilities in 2017 to give enterprises critical features like advanced
security protections and fleet management.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86209.html

Putting CX at the Center of Testing Strategies

From e-commerce to banking applications to healthcare systems -- and
everything in between -- if it's digital, users expect it to work at
every interaction, and on every possible platform and operating system.
However, despite the need to provide a digital experience that delights,
Gartner research suggests that only 18 percent of companies are
delivering their desired customer experience.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86212.html

Cloud Users: Read the Click Agreement Terms

There is no data showing how many people actually read through click
agreements, terms of service and privacy policies -- collectively
"online terms" -- before clicking the alluring "accept" button. However,
there's research that indicates fewer than 1 percent of people report
taking the time to review online terms. Most folks consider online terms
an annoying speed bump and frankly don't care.
http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/86207.html

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Apple will stop listening in on Siri recordings

Engadget Email Newsletter

It's Thursday, August 29, 2019.

Hey, good morning! You look fabulous.

Apple’s privacy update for Siri leads this morning’s news roundup, while Epic Games walked back one of its Fortnite tweaks after just one day. Plus, we’ve got a few new cameras to discuss, a super-sensitive robot made to handle jellyfish and some advice on how to get Disney+ cheap.

(View in browser.)

By default, Apple ‘will no longer retain audio recordings of Siri interactions.’

Apple fires contractors hired to listen to Siri recordings, switches to opt-in transcripts

In the wake of revelations that Apple has people listening in to some Siri requests, Apple has fired more than 300 contractors in Cork, Ireland. As The Guardian reports, those contractors were hired as part of a "grading" program that reviewed audio recorded by Siri.

Beginning this fall, Apple will once again review Siri recordings, but it won't retain audio recordings of Siri interactions. Instead, it will use computer-generated transcripts to help Siri improve. Users will be able to decide whether or not to share their data with Apple, and they'll be able to opt out at any time. In a statement, Apple said "we realize we haven’t been fully living up to our high ideals, and for that we apologize."

A small construction delay had major impact.

Epic reverts 'Fortnite' turbo building changes after players push back

Stop us if you've heard this one before: Epic made a change to its hit battle royal shooter that was supposed to make the game more even and has now changed it back after a near-revolt by the Fortnite community.

Grabs focus in 0.2 seconds.

Sony's A6600 APS-C flagship is a shooting speed demon

Sony has finally revealed the much-anticipated 24.2-megapixel Alpha A6600, its new flagship APS-C mirrorless camera and follow up to the popular A6500. The new model is all about speed and video performance, packing Sony's latest sensor, 4K video capability, a larger battery and AI-powered Z-Bionz image-processing tech. The A6600 will arrive in the US in November for $1,400, or $1,800 with an 18-135mm kit lens.

Get a five-year PureVPN subscription for just $70 today

All you need now is a Tesla.

Tesla's car insurance is now available in California

After rollouts in Asia and Australia, the EV maker has introduced its simply titled Tesla Insurance in California. Drivers can theoretically lower rates on their cars by as much as 20 to 30 percent compared to conventional insurers since "Tesla knows its vehicles best." There are no surprise fees, and you can cancel or modify your policy at any point.

Don’t squeeze.

Harvard's noodly robot fingers are great at grabbing jellyfish

Researchers created a robotic hand with a squishy grabber and a gentle grip that uses "fettuccini-like silicone fingers" to catch and release fragile gelatinous jellyfish. According to the team, they exert less than one-tenth of the pressure that a human eyelid exerts on the eye -- key when you’re handling animals that are 95 percent water.

Hands-on with the cutesy handheld.

Playdate's tiny console with a crank is big on charm

This weekend, at PAX West, Panic will be showing off the Playdate to the public for the very first time. Nicole Lee visited the company’s offices for an early look, and despite some early skepticism found "a smile spread across my face the more I played around with it."

But wait, there's more...

1. HoloLens 2 will go on sale in September

2. 'Pokémon Masters' is out for Android and iOS

3. Panasonic's S1H is the pinnacle of mirrorless video, for a $4,000 price

4. DARPA is seeking giant abandoned tunnels for... reasons

5. Get Disney+ for $4 per month, if you buy three years upfront

6. T-Mobile will let you test drive its network for 30 days with a free hotspot

7. Fitbit Versa 2 hands-on: Alexa makes a good smartwatch better

8. Disney's retro 'Aladdin' and 'Lion King' games reach modern systems this fall

9. LG's smart fridge also makes crystal-clear ice for cocktails

10. Back to School 2019: The best laptops for students

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Wednesday 28 August 2019

Editor's Pick: Storm Erupts Over Google's Advice Against Blocking Cookies

Storm Erupts Over Google's Advice Against Blocking Cookies

Richard Adhikari
Aug 28, 2019 10:57 AM PT

Google's recent announcement of Privacy Sandbox -- an initiative to develop a set of open standards geared toward fundamental enhancements of privacy on the Web -- has stirred up a controversy. Blocking cookies is not a good idea for a number of reasons, and standardization of such efforts is needed, argued Justin Schuh, director, Chrome Engineering. Google invited the Web community to comment. [More...]

More Picks:

Instagram May Roll Out App for 'Real Friends' Sharing
A new application may be in the works that allows Instagram users to share real-time information with their closest friends. Called "Threads," the app allows users to set up automatic sharing with their closest Instagram buddies of such information as location, movement and battery life, as well as text, video and photo messages generated using Instagram's tools. [More...]

Report: Chinese Hackers Eye US Cancer Research
Hackers affiliated with the Chinese government have been making a concerted effort to steal medical research, particularly cancer research, from U.S. institutions. The step-up in medical research theft by Chinese APT hacker groups appears to be linked to China's growing concern over cancer mortality rates and increasing healthcare costs. Cancer in the leading cause of death in China. [More...]

Powerful Enterprise-Class Chromebooks May Make Windows Exit Possible
A new collaboration between Dell Technologies and Google has produced the world's first enterprise-class Chromebook. The companies have announced their partnership to bring new capabilities and services to Dell's Unified Workspace strategy. Google launched its Chrome Enterprise capabilities in 2017 to give enterprises critical features like advanced security protections and fleet management. [More...]