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4 of the best electric massagers for soothing aches and pains

June 23, 2020Tim Dempsey

4 of the best electric massagers for soothing aches and pains

We know that you’re tense at the moment. We’re tense too. Everyone is tense, OK?

We could all benefit from a professional massage, preferably somewhere picturesque by someone who really knows what they’re doing. Probably with lots of candles, some atmospheric music, and maybe a few essentials oils in the air.

All of that sounds absolutely amazing, but it’s just not something you can expect to receive on a regular basis. If you want regular release from tension, you are better off considering an electric massager. These devices can help to reduce pain and tightness, increase mobility, and aid in the recovery from injuries. Read more…

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IMAGE: John Lewis

BEST FOR RECOVERY

Theragun PRO

One of the most powerful percussive therapy devices with the features to help you recover.

£549 from John Lewis

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR THE WHOLE BODY

HoMedics ShiatsuMax 2.0

A premium device offering 14 massage programs to perfect your home treatment.

£299.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR HEAT

RENPHO Shiatsu

This device provides four powerful deep-kneading massage nodes and a reinforced heating function.

£59.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR CUSTOMISING

MARNUR Shiatsu

This massager offers eight rotation knots with optional heating and three adjustable intensities.

£51.99 from Amazon

Cameo now lets you pay to Zoom with celebrities, including Tony Hawk, Lance Bass, and Sean Astin

June 16, 2020Tim Dempsey

Cameo now lets you pay to Zoom with celebrities, including Tony Hawk, Lance Bass, and Sean Astin

Cameo introduced a new feature on Sunday — Zoom calls. The celebrity shoutout service will now let you book a 10-minute live video interview with various big names, so you can directly ask Sinbad about the Shazaam movie you’re positive exists. It’s like a pop culture convention’s meet and greet, only without the germs.

So far, Cameo lists dozens of personalities as available for a live chat, including beloved actor Sean Astin, iconic skateboarder Tony Hawk, N*SYNC alumni Lance Bass, comedian Gilbert Gottfried, and original Green Power Ranger Jason David Frank. Scott Patterson, aka Luke from Gilmore Girls, is also available, so you can ask Stars Hollow’s grumpy coffee dealer how much caffeine the show’s cast actually consumed. Read more…

More about Celebrities, Zoom, Cameo, Meet And Greet, and Tech

5 of the best rowing machines for working out at home

June 12, 2020Tim Dempsey

5 of the best rowing machines for working out at home

Whether you’re looking to add a piece of equipment to your home gym or are in search of a single machine that will provide a full-body workout without taking up too much space, a rowing machine is a solid choice.

Rowing has long been favoured by people looking for a full-body workout that’s cardio-heavy yet low impact. This means that you’re not putting large amounts of stress on your joints, giving you less of a chance of sustaining an injury. This makes rowing a safe and effective workout for people of all ages, sizes, and abilities.

More about Tech, Fitness, Rowing, Shopping Uk, and Uk Deals

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR STORAGE

JLL R200

This compact and foldable rowing machine can be stored away once you’re done with your workout.

£229.98 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR DURABILITY

XS Sports R310

This foldable rowing machine features a powder coated frame designed to withstand the test of time.

£269.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR CONNECTIVITY

Fitness Reality 1000 Plus

Track your workouts with Bluetooth technology and the fitness app.

£399 from Amazon

IMAGE: John Lewis

BEST FOR COMFORT

NordicTrack RX800

This model is built for comfort, with an ergonomically designed oversized seat and soft touch handle.

£499 from John Lewis

IMAGE: John Lewis

BEST FOR STYLE

WaterRower Original

This machine harnesses the power of water to bring you a more organic rowing experience.

£999 from John Lewis

6 of the best keyboards for working from home

June 11, 2020Tim Dempsey

6 of the best keyboards for working from home

The reality of working from home is different for everyone, and depends on lots of factors.

For some people, the transition to working from home is totally straightforward. These people will probably have their home office set up with things that make for a comfortable and efficient working day. They’ll have desk chairs, monitors, and printers. Basically, all the things that you take for granted in the office.

It isn’t so easy for everyone, and some people will be struggling to adapt to this new professional landscape. These people are probably missing all the little things they loved in the office, like the coffee machine and the air conditioning. To these people, we recommend investing in your WFH setup. Read more…

More about Tech, Keyboards, Consumer Tech, Shopping Uk, and Uk Deals

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR APPLE

Apple Magic

This sleek and stylish keyboard is ready-made for Apple enthusiasts.

£149 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR DESIGN

Arteck 2.4G

This durable keyboard has a heavy duty feeling and low-profile keys.

£59.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR STORAGE

Microsoft Universal

Thin, lightweight, and foldable keyboard easily fits into a purse, bag, or pocket.

£94.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR GAMING

Razer Huntsman Elite

This keyboard uses advanced technology for unmatched speed, stability, and accuracy.

£199.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR COMFORT

Corsair K55 RGB

Provides top levels of comfort for long working and gaming sessions.

£54.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR PORTABILITY

Logitech Keys-To-Go

Work anywhere and on any device with this lightweight and adaptable keyboard.

£54.99 from Amazon

6 of the best exercise bikes for keeping fit at home

June 4, 2020Tim Dempsey

6 of the best exercise bikes for keeping fit at home

Working out and staying fit is difficult at the best of times, even with constant access to the gym and other health and fitness facilities. Nowadays, we’re all having to get a lot more creative when it comes to exercise, so things are even tougher.

There are obviously a few tried and tested methods of keeping fit that don’t involve loads of equipment, like walking or running, but this sort of activity can become a little boring if it’s all you’re doing. Even the most dedicated of athletes need to switch things up from time to time.

An effective workout schedule relies on variety, and fortunately there are plenty of products that can provide this. You can now purchase pretty much everything you find in your local gym, with everything from dumbbells to treadmills up for grabs online. There really aren’t any excuses anymore, unfortunately or fortunately, depending on your outlook. Read more…

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IMAGE: Argos

BEST FOR FEATURES

Reebok GB40s Exercise Bike

This bike’s comprehensive set of features is easy to control and keeps you motivated at every workout.

£299.99 from Argos

IMAGE: Argos

BEST FOR STORAGE

Roger Black Folding Exercise Bike

This bike is great if you want to exercise at home but don’t have much storage space.

£99.99 from Argos

IMAGE: Argos

BEST FOR PORTABILITY

Opti Aerobic Exercise Bike

This bike also comes with transportation wheels so you can switch up your workout location.

£179.99 from Argos

IMAGE: John Lewis

BEST FOR COMFORT

NordicTrack GX4.4 Pro Exercise Bike

The adjustable cushion seat and oversize handlebars make sure you’re comfortable when working out.

£499 from John Lewis

IMAGE: Peloton

BEST FOR CLASSES

Peloton Bike

The Peloton bike lets you feel the energy of instructor-led studio rides at home.

£1,990 from Peloton

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR BEGINNERS

JLL JF100 Exercise Bike

This exercise bike is affordable, compact, and smooth to pedal.

£125.99 from Amazon

Mark Zuckerberg ‘expressed concerns’ in Trump phone call, so that should fix everything

June 1, 2020Tim Dempsey

Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly suggested to President Donald Trump, in a roundabout fashion, that perhaps the poster-in-chief could tone it down a little. For him? Pretty please?

Axios reports that two sources familiar with a phone call Trump made to the Facebook CEO on Friday said that Zuckerberg did not make any specific requests of the president, but conveyed “concerns” about his “tone and rhetoric,” expressed disagreement with recent sentiments, and told the president that his choice of words “put Facebook in a difficult position.”

The latter is likely a reference to the fact that Facebook has faced increased pressure to moderate the president’s statements on the platform, which regularly contain outright lies, misinformation, and inflammatory rhetoric. Read more…

More about Mark Zuckerberg, Black Lives Matter, Donald Trump, Facebook Election, and Tech

7 of the best Squarespace templates for your blog

May 29, 2020Tim Dempsey

7 of the best Squarespace templates for your blog

There’s a good reason why Squarespace is an incredibly popular web building and hosting service: it allows people to build beautiful websites relatively easily and affordably, thanks largely to its drag-and-drop page builders and templates.

While Squarespace might offer less flexibility for experienced coders than other website builders like WordPress, it is user friendly, even if you have zero coding experience. That’s largely because it offers around 100 different and customisable templates. These templates act as “rough draft” designs for you to build the website you want, determining how your site looks and how it works. Read more…

More about Tech, Blogging, Culture, Shopping Uk, and Uk Deals

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR FEATURES

Tudor

With a modern, asymmetrical design, this template is a great all-around choice for bloggers.

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR FLEXIBILITY

Five

With a clean and fresh feel, this template is great if you want flexibility and multiple sidebars.

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR TRAVEL BLOGGERS

Native

With easy social media integration and location display, this clean, scrolling page template is a natural choice for travel bloggers.

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR PHOTO-HEAVY BLOGS

Haute

If your blog includes lots of stunning photography, this mosaic-style template is a great way to display it.

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR FOOD BLOGS

Stanton

With a big banner image, text on the homepage, and recent posts featured below, this template is a solid choice for food bloggers.

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR FASHION BLOGS

Rally

With a long, scrolling homepage, this template allows you to weave blog posts with banner photographs to create a visually-appealing website.

IMAGE: Mashable

BEST FOR MULTIPLE CONTRIBUTORS

Skye

Not only is this a clean and streamlined magazine-style template, but it’s also great if you have multiple writers contributing to the blog.

Twitter’s Jack Dorsey fact checks Trump, subtweets Mark Zuckerberg, ahead of social media executive order

May 28, 2020Tim Dempsey

Twitter's Jack Dorsey fact checks Trump, subtweets Mark Zuckerberg, ahead of social media executive order

President Donald Trump will reveal an executive order designed to “regulate” social media on Thursday, after Twitter applied its fact-check label to two Trump tweets containing false claims about mail-in ballots.

The executive tantrum, and a Fox News appearance by senior White House advisor Kellyanne Conway where she goaded viewers to harass Twitter’s head of site integrity Yoel Roth, spurred a stern response from Twitter cofounder and CEO Jack Dorsey.

“Fact check: there is someone ultimately accountable for our actions as a company, and that’s me,” Dorsey tweeted. “Please leave our employees out of this. We’ll continue to point out incorrect or disputed information about elections globally.” Read more…

More about Mark Zuckerberg, Jack Dorsey, Trump Tweets, Election Misinformation, and Tech

Contact-tracing app caught sharing location data with Foursquare

May 21, 2020Tim Dempsey

Contact-tracing app caught sharing location data with Foursquare

Contact-tracing apps are problematic, and that’s before they violate their own privacy policies.

The Care19 app, developed for the North Dakota Department of Health by developer ProudCrowd, was intended to assist health officials in their battle against coronavirus by logging users’ location data. In the process, according to a report released Thursday, it also sent users’ location data to Foursquare.

The findings, published by the makers of the privacy-focused app Jumbo, highlight the risks inherent in contact-tracing apps. When you have software designed to log your location, or your interactions with other people, and then share that data, you run the risk of said data ending up in unintended hands. Read more…

More about Apps, Privacy, Coronavirus, Contact Tracing, and Tech

Gamers report unauthorized access to their Nintendo accounts

April 20, 2020Tim Dempsey

Gamers report unauthorized access to their Nintendo accounts

It looks as though Nintendo has a security breach on its hands as an increasing number of gamers are reporting unauthorized access to their Nintendo accounts.

As Eurogamer reports, the problem was first brought to our attention by Twitter user Pixelpar, who runs the Nintendo news and reviews website LootPots. He claims his PC is “clean” and his password “unique,” but over the course of Saturday night his Nintendo account was accessed “numerous times” by an unauthorized third-party.

Other users have reported similar unauthorized access, but it gets worse if you have a PayPal account linked as it’s being used to purchase items, for example, several users have seen Fortnite VBuck currency purchased without their knowledge. So far, Nintendo hasn’t publicly acknowledged there is a security fault. Read more…

More about Nintendo, Fortnite, Security Breach, Tech, and Gaming

Wait, Burning Man is going online-only? What does that even look like?

April 14, 2020Tim Dempsey

Wait, Burning Man is going online-only? What does that even look like?

You could have been forgiven for missing the announcement that actual physical Burning Man has been canceled for this year, if not next. Firstly, the nonprofit Burning Man organization, known affectionately to insiders as the Borg, posted it after 5 p.m. PT Friday. That, even in the COVID-19 era, is the traditional time to push out news when you don’t want much media attention.

But secondly, you may have missed its cancellation because the Borg is being careful not to use the C-word. The announcement was neutrally titled “The Burning Man Multiverse in 2020.” Even as it offers refunds to early ticket buyers, considers layoffs and other belt-tightening measures, and can’t even commit to a physical event in 2021, the Borg is making lemonade by focusing on an online-only version of Black Rock City this coming August. Read more…

More about Burning Man, Tech, Web Culture, and Live Events

How Easter and Passover are going digital during the coronavirus outbreak

April 10, 2020Tim Dempsey

How Easter and Passover are going digital during the coronavirus outbreak

While many are modifying their family rituals for the springtime holidays Easter and Passover as the coronavirus pandemic spreads, it’s even more imperative this year that big religious institutions overhaul tradition.

From communal Jewish Passover seders (that’s the ceremonial meal to kick off the eight-day holiday) to Good Friday mass to Easter Sunday activities, coronavirus fears and social distancing requirements mean any large celebration better happen online.

Churches, synagogues, and religious groups are getting creative. Especially since the pressure to maintain social distance is on, most notably after coronavirus infections were traced back to religious gatherings in South Korea and in Sacramento County in California. Read more…

More about Easter, Passover, Coronavirus, Tech, and Web Culture

Quibi’s tech lives up to the hype. The shows? That’s up to you.

April 6, 2020Tim Dempsey

Quibi's tech lives up to the hype. The shows? That's up to you.

If you have an unquenchable thirst for streamed content and a few bucks to spare each month, Quibi would like a moment of your time.

An actual moment, in this case. The short-form video app is launching Monday in the U.S. and Canada after months of attention-grabbing headlines involving its star-studded original shows. Don’t get it twisted, though — this isn’t just a Netflix competitor. The Quibi app is mobile-only, so you won’t be watching any of these shows on your TV.

If you think that seems like unfortunate timing given everything happening in the world right now, you could be right. A mobile-only streaming service may not be able to fully shine during a lockdown when hardly anyone one is particularly, well, mobile. The good news is Quibi does everything it sets out to do. Read more…

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Zoom improves security with automatic password protection and waiting rooms

April 4, 2020Tim Dempsey

Zoom improves security with automatic password protection and waiting rooms

After facing heavy criticism for the way it handles privacy and security, the video conferencing service Zoom is making a few very necessary updates.

Beginning April 5, all meetings going forward will have automatically enabled password protection and waiting rooms. The password protection makes it so you need a password to enter a meeting even if you already have the meeting ID, although those who enter a meeting via a link will not need to enter the password. The waiting room allows the hosts to selectively admit people who are waiting to enter a meeting, so if they see a name they don’t recognize, they can choose not to let them have access. Read more…

More about Privacy, Zoom, Passwords, Tech, and Cybersecurity

Apple TV+ joins Netflix in reducing European streaming quality

March 21, 2020Tim Dempsey

Apple TV+ joins Netflix in reducing European streaming quality

Europeans quarantined at home will be riding out the coronavirus pandemic in low-res.

Apple TV+ has joined the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming giants this week in downgrading streaming video quality across the continent in an apparent effort to reduce strain on the internet.

We reached out to Apple, which confirmed the move, in an attempt to determine when the decision was made, how long it will last, which specific countries or regions are affected, and how degraded the streaming quality is. The company did not respond to any of our specific questions.

9to5Mac reported that European customers are seeing resolutions “as low as 670 pixels tall” — a far cry from the service’s oft-touted 4K. Mashable is unable to independently confirm 9to5Mac’s reporting, however, there are Twitter accounts echoing the low-resolution claims. Read more…

More about Apple, Streaming, Appletv, Coronavirus, and Tech

It’s not just you: A Facebook glitch marked authentic coronavirus news as spam

March 18, 2020Tim Dempsey

Social platforms and big tech companies have stepped up amid the coronavirus pandemic, moving aggressively to try and combat misinformation and put expert, reliable sources front and center for users. And people have been using Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and various other platforms to share community information, offer help, and shame their peers and parents into social distancing.

But over the past day or so, there was an unexplained spike in removals and flagging of posts relating to the coronavirus and the illness it causes, COVID-19. Users on Facebook and Twitter reported that innocuous, informative, or authentic news posts about the outbreak were being flagged as spam or removed. Read more…

More about Facebook, Misinformation, Coronavirus, Tech, and Health

Apple punishes facial recognition company Clearview AI for ignoring developer rules

February 28, 2020Tim Dempsey

Apple punishes facial recognition company Clearview AI for ignoring developer rules

Clearview AI’s week keeps getting worse.

Apple has suspended the controversial facial recognition company’s iOS developer account following a report from Buzzfeed News that Clearview AI was in violation of Apple’s Enterprise Developer Program rules.

As a result, Apple has disabled Clearview AI’s iOS app, giving the company 14 days to respond to Apple’s claim.

Specifically, Apple’s rules state that companies “may not use, distribute or otherwise make Your Internal Use Applications available to any third parties in any way.”

Buzzfeed’s report found that Clearview AI was doing exactly that by “encouraging” its clients to download the iOS app in violation of that rule. Read more…

More about Apple, Ios, Facial Recognition, Clearview Ai, and Tech

The best headphones for Samsung loyalists in the UK

February 27, 2020Tim Dempsey

The best headphones for Samsung loyalists in the UK

Your Samsung smartphone might offer plenty of great features, but the headphones that came with it probably aren’t that great. You are better off upgrading and buying separate earphones or headphones that offer a far superior listening experience.

Before you jump in and invest in a fancy new set, it’s worth having a think about how you intend on using your headphones. Are you planning on commuting with them regularly? Do you travel frequently? Do you love using Samsung’s voice assistant? It’s important to pick a pair that works for you.

Are Beats headphones compatible with Samsung?

Apple bought headphone manufacturer Beats back in 2014 so it you might think that you can’t use Beats headphones with your Samsung smartphone. This is not the case. You can definitely still use your Beats headphones with a Samsung smartphone, although you’ll miss out on things like Quick Glance to see your battery life. Read more…

More about Samsung, Mashable Shopping, Consumer Tech, Uk Deals, and Tech

IMAGE: Samsung

BEST FOR SIMPLICITY

Samsung Galaxy Buds

Great all-around headphones, especially if you don’t want to spend a while tweaking.

Colours: Black, White, and Yellow
Battery life: 6 hours (doubled when using carrying case)

£139 from Samsung

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR TRAVEL

Sony WH-1000XM3

These super smart noise-cancelling headphones can detect ambient noise around you and adjust as needed.

Colours: Black and Silver
Battery life: 30 hours (with active noise-cancellation on)

£330 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR SOUND QUALITY

Bose QuietComfort 35

Besides offering a balanced audio experience, these have three levels of noise cancellation so you can block out the world.

Colours: Black, Silver, and Rose Gold
Battery life: Up to 20 hours wireless and 40 hours wired

£260 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR VOICE SUPPORT

Beats Solo3

You’ll get a bit of everything: fast battery charging, a stylish look, and useful features.

Colours: Black, Red, Club Navy, Club Red, Club White, Club Yellow, Rose Gold, Satin Gold, and Satin Silver
Battery life: 40 hours

£179.95 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR OLDER SAMSUNG SMARTPHONES

1MORE Triple Driver

If you’re into wires, you won’t find better sound quality for this price.

Colours: Silver and Gold
Battery life: N/A

£67.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR RUNNING

Creative Outlier Gold

Great for active people thanks to sweatproofing capabilities and an impressive 14-hour battery life.

Colours: Gold
Battery life: 14 hours

£94.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR WORKOUTS

Samsung Flex

Thanks to a magnetic design, these earphones easily snap and fold together to store well.

Colours: Black
Battery life: 8 hours

£62 from Amazon

Jack Dorsey tweeted a real bummer of a WikiHow on Valentine’s Day

February 15, 2020Tim Dempsey

It’s Valentine’s Day and Jack Dorsey is tweeting about wine.

Or, more precisely, he tweeted a screenshot of a WikiHow article telling people how to properly hold a wine glass. Whatever you do, insists the article with an accompanying picture of a solitary hand holding a glass of wine, “Never hold the bowl.” It’s real depressing shit.

The Twitter CEO shared the image late Friday afternoon after, we’re assuming, his date told him to stop being such a pretentious jerk and just enjoy the nice bottle of Priorat for crying out loud.

pic.twitter.com/mI4TEOzHqy

— jack 🌍🌏🌎 (@jack) February 15, 2020 Read more…

More about Twitter, Jack Dorsey, Wine, Tech, and Big Tech Companies

Motorola puts out a foldable Razr test video in response to durability concerns

February 8, 2020Tim Dempsey

Motorola puts out a foldable Razr test video in response to durability concerns

After Motorola’s reborn Razr seemed to fail a recent durability test, the company fired back with a response and a test of its own.

The Razr broke after only 27,000 folds from FoldBot, a tool developed to literally fold and unfold devices to test its durability. CNET planned to put the device through 100,000 folds, a goal well below the Samsung Galaxy’s record of 120,000 folds. The site tested it during what was supposed to be a 12-hour livestream, but it was cut short when the Razr’s hinge got stuck and the FoldBot was unable to continue … folding.

Motorola responded with a statement and the below video, which shows its own folding machine fully opening and closing the phone. The FoldBot only partially closes the phone before opening it again. Read more…

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Co-Star accuses Google of ‘anti-astrology prejudice’ after Play Store pulls horoscope app

February 6, 2020Tim Dempsey

Co-Star, the “hyper-personalized” AI astrology app notorious (and beloved) for its ego-bruising push notifications, has gone supernova on Google over its sudden removal from the Play Store.

Just two weeks after the app became available to Android users, it reportedly disappeared from the Play Store on Wednesday evening. A few hours later, the app’s official Instagram account posted a furious note on Stories (and reposted on Twitter) in its trademark monochrome, with the header “Don’t Be Evil: Google hates astrology”.

pic.twitter.com/SrCSANxU6S

— Co – Star (@costarastrology) February 6, 2020 Read more…

More about Android, Co Star, Tech, Big Tech Companies, and Web Culture

Vine cofounder finally releases his next viral video app: Byte

January 25, 2020Tim Dempsey

If you’re still mourning the loss of Vine, you now have a new video app to fill the void and, no, I’m not talking about TikTok.

That’s because Vine cofounder Dom Hofmann is finally launching byte, the video app that’s meant to be a successor to the video app that was mercilessly killed by Twitter in 2016. Hofmann has been teasing the app, which he has described as a “follow-up” to Vine, since 2017, though the self-funded project has run into delays.

“Today we’re bringing back 6-second looping videos and a new community for people who love them,” the company wrote on Twitter. “It’s called byte and it’s both familiar and new. We hope it’ll resonate with people who feel something’s been missing.” Read more…

More about Tech, Twitter, Vine, Byte, and Tech

Talk to the hand? Amazon reportedly wants you to pay with it.

January 18, 2020Tim Dempsey

Talk to the hand? Amazon reportedly wants you to pay with it.

Apple and Google make it easy to leave your wallet be when it’s time to pay at the register, but now there are murmurs about factoring out your smartphone as well.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon shops and other merchants could offer a hand-based payment system. Your credit card or account info would be linked to your palms, so when checking out you’d just put out your hand. Scan it and you’re set.

The terminals could be used at any store, not just Amazon-owned ones. Early talks with financial institutions suggest the powers-that-be are mulling connecting customer payment info to the hand-readers. Read more…

More about Amazon, Payments, Biometric, Tech, and Big Tech Companies

Google will ‘phase out’ cookies in Chrome — just not anytime soon

January 15, 2020Tim Dempsey

Google will 'phase out' cookies in Chrome — just not anytime soon

Google says it will “phase out” one of the main tools that allows companies to track you across the web.

The company plans to eliminate support for third-party cookies in Chrome over the next two years. Google’s announcement, which comes well after Chrome’s main competitors have made similar updates, could be a major win for privacy advocates who have long decried the use of cookies for enabling companies to surreptitiously track users’ browsing habits.

But, as we’ve previously noted, Google’s attempts to limit cookies could also give the company a major leg up on advertising competitors, as it would reduce third-parties’ ability to keep tabs on users. Read more…

More about Tech, Google, Privacy, Chrome, and Tech

Have a Tesla over-the-air update disaster? Try these reboots.

December 27, 2019Tim Dempsey

Have a Tesla over-the-air update disaster? Try these reboots.

Christmas came early for Tesla owners with a “holiday” update that added new features and tools to the software system controlling the electric vehicles.

But with new features like more voice commands, TRAX music-making, Twitch video streaming, Camp Mode, and new games like Stardew Valley and backgammon comes the inevitable errant Tesla whose computer just won’t update.

Tesla with its screen-based driving system is known for its quick and painless over-the-air updates. It’s similar to downloading and installing a new operating system on a smartphone. While connected to your WiFi, the car downloads and updates to a new version in about 30 minutes, bringing a slew of new features and changes to the driving experience. But sometimes things get sticky. Read more…

More about Tesla, Tech, and Transportation

Tesla code points to Ludicrous Mode, better battery in Model 3

December 21, 2019Tim Dempsey

Tesla code points to Ludicrous Mode, better battery in Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 might be getting a couple of improvements according to some lines of code found by notoriously eagle-eyed Twitter user Green.

In looking at Tesla’s software, Green found a couple of notable changes coming to the Model 3, including an inclusion of the company’s Ludicrous Mode and an option for a 100kWh battery, which is a nice upgrade from the car’s current 75kWh battery.

Of course, it’s important to note that Tesla is no stranger to changing plans for its vehicles and that sometimes even the things it promises don’t quite line up to reality (*cough* cybertruck windows).

Along with these finds, Green pointed out some other changes in the software that could point toward new options for Model 3 buyers. There could be new tire pressure sensors, new rim options, new options for glass roofs, and improved airflow. Read more…

More about Tesla, Tech, Big Tech Companies, and Transportation

This new EV has a ‘California mode,’ and it’s as chill as it sounds

December 20, 2019Tim Dempsey

This new EV has a 'California mode,' and it's as chill as it sounds

The rest of the country is going to snicker, but Fisker’s upcoming all-electric SUV, called Ocean, unveiled a feature this week to honor the car’s West Coast roots and SoCal vibes.

With one button Ocean drivers can open nine windows and openings throughout the car including a back hatch and sun roof. Let the ocean air flow in and breathe in and out. If that isn’t California dreaming we don’t know what is. The feature is called, of course, California mode. Iconic car designer Henrik Fisker is based in the Los Angeles area.

Reservations-holders for the Fisker Ocean are privy to an exclusive video demonstrating how it works, but it’s only on the Fisker app. We were told we could see the video next week after future-owners got a chance first. Reservations require a $250 deposit. The eco-friendly vehicle built with recycled materials and solar panels on the roof is supposed to start production in 2021 and arrive by 2022. Read more…

More about California, Electric Vehicles, Fisker, Fisker Ocean, and Tech

Hackers are getting really good at hacking Ring cameras and the results are terrifying

December 14, 2019Tim Dempsey

Hackers are getting really good at hacking Ring cameras and the results are terrifying

In case you needed another reminder of the potentially terrifying downside of having a Wi-Fi-connected security camera in your home, consider this: it’s surprisingly easy for hackers to gain access to them.

Hackers have created software that essentially streamlines the process, and are selling and sharing it on internet forums, Motherboard reported. The exploit is possible not because of any one vulnerability in Ring’s software, but rather how it takes advantage of insecure passwords in order to get into the accounts in question.

This is much more than a theoretical vulnerability. There have been reports all around the country of people encountering strangers on the other end of their in-home security camera. Read more…

More about Tech, Amazon, Cybersecurity, Ring, and Tech

Hackers are getting really good at hacking Ring cameras and the results are terrifying

December 14, 2019Tim Dempsey

Hackers are getting really good at hacking Ring cameras and the results are terrifying

This is much more than a theoretical vulnerability. There have been reports all around the country of people encountering strangers on the other end of their in-home security camera. Read more…

More about Tech, Amazon, Cybersecurity, Ring, and Tech

Why use words when you can just DM friends colorful rectangles?

December 13, 2019Tim Dempsey

Why use words when you can just DM friends colorful rectangles?

Words, man. Amirite? They’re so limiting — with their defined meanings and their need for correct spelling. And don’t even get me started on grammar.

If you, too, are sick of words, ooh buddy do we have an app for you. Meet Color Chat: an app which lets you DM with your friends by sending colored rectangles of various sizes and hues back and forth.

It might not be super efficient at getting a message across, but it’s perhaps more fun — and definitely prettier — than just shooting the regular shit.

The future of social is:
– the color chat app where you can chat with colored rectangles only. no text no emoji no video. just colored rectangles pic.twitter.com/KSzyZaOEzd

— freia lobo (@freialobo) December 13, 2019 Read more…

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People don’t like working at Facebook as much as they used to

December 11, 2019Tim Dempsey

Facebook’s status as one of the most desirable employers is waning. That’s according to Glassdoor’s latest rankings of the best companies to work for, based on anonymous employee reviews.

Glassdoor released its annual “Best Places to Work” list for 2020, which compiles employees’ anonymous ratings and reviews on Glassdoor, though the actual rankings are determined by the company’s “proprietary awards algorithm.”

This year, Facebook’s position on the list of the top 100 organizations dropped to No. 23, down from No. 7 in 2019 and No. 1 in 2018. That’s a new low for the company, which has consistently ranked near the top of Glassdoor’s list. The first year the social network made the cut, in 2011, it nabbed the top spot. Since then, Facebook has ranked in the top ten every year, except for 2015, when it hit No. 13. Read more…

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People don’t like working at Facebook as much as they used to

December 11, 2019Tim Dempsey

Facebook’s status as one of the most desirable employers is waning. That’s according to Glassdoor’s latest rankings of the best companies to work for, based on anonymous employee reviews.

More about Tech, Facebook, Glassdoor, Big Tech Companies, and Tech

Take a look at the first all-electric Ford Mustang Mach-E. (It’s an SUV.)

November 18, 2019Tim Dempsey

Last week Ford thought it played it coy only revealing the name of its first all-electric vehicle (the Ford Mustang Mach-E), but after some simple poking around the Ford website, images, video, specs, and prices of the upcoming vehicles were leaked ahead of Sunday’s big reveal in Los Angeles.

But the leaks, still posted on a Mach-E online forum, were accurate: Ford’s first EV does indeed look like a puffed up, oddly compact SUV version of its Mustang muscle car glory of the 1960s. The car is no longer two-door, but it’s still got the pony emblazoned on the front. Its Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition is the most reminiscent of the sporty Mustang of the past, with its zero-to-60 mph in mid-3 seconds and 459 horsepower abilities. Read more…

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The new Microsoft Edge browser logo sure does look familiar

November 2, 2019Tim Dempsey

To be fair, you shouldn’t eat the logo either.

Microsoft’s Edge browser is freshening things up with a new look, and it’s a swirling blue-and-green design that to many calls to mind another thing that’s gone out of style: Tide pods.

Discovered by The Verge, Tom Warren writes that the “Edge icon was revealed in an elaborate Easter Egg hunt where Microsoft employees posted cryptic clues to a series of puzzles and images.”

The final clue led to the new Microsoft Edge logo. This was a really fun hunt, and only made possible by everyone working together over on Discord, Reddit, and Twitter. Thanks for all the fun! https://t.co/lPB6fJOPqa pic.twitter.com/hDmOcQu22a

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) November 2, 2019 Read more…

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Tesla owners immediately tested the new Smart Summon in parking lots

September 28, 2019Tim Dempsey

Tesla released its latest software update, V10, on Thursday, and amongst the new games, streaming services (Spotify at last!), and Joe Mode, came an autonomous driving update.

Customers who have a Full Self-Driving capable car or Enhanced Autopilot package already had a Summon feature through the Tesla mobile app. Now they have Smart Summon. And everyone is trying it out.

Smart Summon goes beyond its predecessor’s simple ability to remotely move the car forward and backward while outside the vehicle. Now you can set the car to navigate a parking lot and come to you — but only if the car is within your line of sight. Read more…

More about Tesla, Elon Musk, Summon, Autonomous Vehicles, and Tech

One day left to get featured at TechCrunch Disrupt Berlin’s Startup Battlefield

September 27, 2019Tim Dempsey

Founders. The clock is ticking. Applications for Startup Battlefield at Disrupt Berlin 2019 are closing in just about 24 hours.

On December 11-12, TechCrunch will feature the top early-stage startups from around the world in the most renowned on-stage pitch competition in the world – Startup Battlefield. Companies are battling for $50,000 in equity-free prize money, the infamous Disrupt Cup and the attention of press and investors from around the world.

You’ll join the leave of highly successful Startup Battlefield Alumni, including N26, JukeDeck, Dropbox, GetAround, Mint.com, and more. All together, the 857 companies that have launched with Startup Battlefield have raised over $8.9 billion in funding, with 113 successful exits (IPOs and acquisitions).

It’s simply. Startups from any part of the world and any industry can apply. Companies must be early stage, pre-major publicity and have a minimally viable product to demo live on stage. TechCrunch editors review the applications and select the top 3-5% of companies that apply – more competitive than college!

After being selected, founders will go through a mini-accelerator with the Startup Battlefield team, where we will train you on your pitch, go-to-market strategy, on stage talent and set you up for the biggest, most public launch on the largest tech stage in the world. Teams pitch for 6 minutes including a live demo, followed by a 6 min Q&A with our esteemed judges – VCs, angels and heads of major companies.

If you make it to the final round, you simply pitch on stage again with the same pitch in front of a brand new set of judges. These judges debate and decide the final winner of the competition and the startup that gets to bring home $50,000 and the Disrupt Cup.

Participating in Startup Battlefield gets you a whole suite of perks. We’re talking free exhibition space in Startup Alley for both days of Disrupt, invitations to private events, backstage access, CrunchMatch — our free business-matching platform — free subscriptions to Extra Crunch and a ticket to all future TechCrunch events. That’s some major value right there.

There’s nothing to lose, and everything to gain. Stop procrastinating apply to Startup Battlefield today. We want to see you in Berlin!

Viewers still using TiVo will soon see ads before their recordings

September 21, 2019Tim Dempsey

The digital TV recording company TiVo is back in the spotlight with some upcoming changes and new products.

TiVo had its heyday back in the early 2000s before DVR and streaming were everywhere, but it still has a few million subscribers. Those viewers will soon be subjected to ads playing before their TV recordings.

It’s a bit ironic for the company that gained popularity for letting you scrub through ads during TV shows and programs. On its website, TiVo still lists this as a benefit: “[We] give you the power to skip ads.”

According to an industry news outlet, the ads will go out to all users with the latest software version known as TiVo Experience 4, but will be skippable. That’s a relief. But users aren’t too happy. On a TiVo online forum one user wrote, “If they start doing this to me I’m out. No way they’re forcing me to watch ads on a device I paid almost $1,000 for with lifetime service.” Read more…

More about Tivo, Dvr, Tech, Consumer Tech, and Streaming Services

YouTube walks back changes to verification policy after outcry

September 20, 2019Tim Dempsey

YouTube’s CEO is once again apologizing to the service’s top users following a massive backlash over changes to its verification policy.

One day after announcing that it was ditching the checkmarks and notifying many users that they were no longer eligible for verification, the company is walking back those changes.

“We completely missed the mark,” the company said in an updated blog post published Friday.

“Channels that already have the verification badge will now keep it and don’t have to appeal. Just like in the past, all channels that have over 100,000 subscribers will still be eligible to apply. We’ll reopen the application process by the end of October.” Read more…

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Inside the new Apple Fifth Avenue: It’s more than just a redesign

September 20, 2019Tim Dempsey

To most everybody, Apple’s iconic Fifth Avenue store is just a store — a physical retail space to sell shiny new iPhones, iPads, MacBooks and more.

Its grand reopening on Sept. 20 — timed with the launch of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro — at 8 a.m. ET is nothing to get excited about.

It’s a store, not a revolutionary new Apple product that changes the world. It exists to take your dollars in exchange for products.

But Apple Fifth Avenue is more than just a store to me.

The massive aluminum-covered lair became a haven for creativity, due in part to the many people who listened to music on iPods, edited video with iMovie on an iMac, or made music in GarageBand with no intention of buying anything. Read more…

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MoviePass is dead (for real this time)

September 13, 2019Tim Dempsey

MoviePass, the once uber-popular movie subscription service, is shutting down. For real.

In a press release published on Friday and first noticed by CNBC, Helios and Matheson Analytics — MoviePass’ parent company — announced the shutdown of the service. Subscriptions will cease to work on Saturday.

“MoviePass notified its subscribers that it would be interrupting the MoviePass service for all its subscribers effective September 14, 2019, because its efforts to recapitalize MoviePass have not been successful to date,” says the statement. “The Company is unable to predict if or when the MoviePass service will continue.” Read more…

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How Facebook will pick the news you see in its app

September 11, 2019Tim Dempsey

Facebook is really hoping it will all go better this time around.

The company that keeps insisting it’s not in the media business intends to launch a news tab in the coming months, and appears keen on staving off another Trending topics-style fiasco. Part of this effort, it would seem, involves establishing editorial guidelines — enforced by actual humans — for the articles populating its upcoming section.

In other words, employees of Mark “I consider us to be a technology company” Zuckerberg’s Facebook will be to some extent curating what news people read on the site. And, with the depressing fact that, as of last year, approximately 43 percent of Americans get their news on Facebook, we’re talking about a lot of people. Read more…

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New Alexa smart speaker skill plays music for your dog

August 26, 2019Tim Dempsey

“Who let the dogs out? Woof! Woof!”

That’s one of the songs (along with any other remixes of the Baha Men’s 2000 hit) we’d include on the new Alexa smart speaker skill for your dog. Puppy Jams! is an iHeartRadio music skill that plays songs for your dog even if you’re not around.

Monday is International Dog Day. Let your dog rock out in honor of the very official holiday by turning on the Alexa skill.

For any Amazon device connected to the digital assistant Alexa, you can say, “Alexa, open Puppy Jams!” Then you tell the AI how your dog is feeling: stressed, lonely, or happy. Based on the mood you indicated, the device will select an iHeartRadio playlist made for canines. Read more…

More about Music, Dogs, Amazon Alexa, Playlist, and Tech

Pastors are getting in on Ring’s ever-growing surveillance state

August 22, 2019Tim Dempsey

God is always watching — and soon, thanks to Amazon, a bunch of church pastors may join in on the fun.

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Seattle tech giant has partnered with a host of religious leaders to equip Baltimore residents with Ring surveillance cameras. Amazon reportedly helped the group of pastors secure $15,000 to acquire the Amazon-owned cameras that have gained notoriety as a privacy-violating, police-fueled creep show.

Notably, these cameras will not be deployed at physical places of worship — often a sad necessity in an age of rising anti-semitism and white nationalist violence — but rather employed to bust people in the community. Read more…

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6 of the best light masks for acne, according to reviews

August 20, 2019Tim Dempsey

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, adult acne is on the rise, affecting up to 15 percent of women. (As if adulting wasn’t already stressful enough!)

Though topical creams may get the job done for some, there’s a new kind of acne treatment that’s becoming increasingly popular: acne light therapy. Basically, this high-tech solution aims to kill the bacteria that causes acne and prolongs the vicious breakout cycle. It also targets age spots, acne scars, discoloration, and other blemishes. Light treatments work by shining different types of LED light (either red or blue light) onto your skin at a close distance. The red light treatment takes aim at inflammation while the blue light treatment targets the acne-causing bacteria at the source. Read more…

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IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR MORE THAN JUST ACNE

Lacomri 7 Color LED Light Therapy Acne Mask

Designed to treat acne, reduce wrinkles, remove rashes, and more, this is one of the more comprehensive light therapy masks out there.

Power: Standard wall plug-in

$124 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT MASK

Hangsun Light Therapy Acne Treatment LED Mask

It can be reused for over a month before it needs a new charge and reviewers found it to be surprisingly comfortable.

Power: USB or portable battery power bank

$33.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR ACNE SCARS

NEWKEY LED Face Light Therapy Mask

A professional-style treatment that targets multiple issues, including those dreaded acne scars.

Power: USB charging

$118.89 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR SEVERE ADULT ACNE

IlluMask

Also targets wrinkles and other aging properties in addition to acne.

Power: Requires 4 AA batteries

$23 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR NECK BREAKOUTS

Project E Beauty LED Photon Therapy Treatment Mask

A cordless design means you won’t be tethered to one spot during your treatments.

Power: Wireless, uses 110V-220V to charge

$199.99 from Amazon

IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR CUSTOMIZATION

Dermashine Pro 7 Color LED Face Mask

Since it comes with a wide range of treatment options, you can really get your money’s worth.

Power: USB charging

$149.99 from Amazon

Don’t make calls with Siri or Google or you could get scammed

August 17, 2019Tim Dempsey

If you’ve ever used Siri or Google to call a business, you could be in danger of falling victim to a new scam.

Phone calls made with voice assistants could open people up to scammers, who have found a clever new way to exploit our growing dependence on Siri and Google. That’s according to the Better Business Bureau, which issued a warning about the scheme.

Here’s how it goes down, according to the BBB: you need to call a business, like an airline, but you don’t know what number to call. So you do what many of us do and ask Google or Siri to “call [business name]” for you you.

But instead of calling your bank or your airline, the assistant calls a scammer impersonating someone from the company, who will try to trick you into sending them money. Read more…

More about Tech, Siri, Google Assistant, Tech, and Consumer Tech

Despite embracing the government, DEF CON maintains its mischievous hacker roots

August 15, 2019Tim Dempsey

Raucous applause filled the the large convention room inside Las Vegas’s Paris casino: the government had arrived.

Seated behind a table at the annual DEF CON conference in Las Vegas was Congressman Ted Lieu, and, joined by Rep. James Langevin of Rhode Island, he had come to ask a large crowd of hackers and security professionals for help. The once famously Fed-averse crowd was loving it.

But don’t get it twisted — DEF CON hadn’t gone soft. The mischievous and lawless side of this assemblage of the hacker community was out in full effect – assuming, that is, you knew where to look. Read more…

Inviting the Man to your party

More about Hackers, Def Con, Tech, and Cybersecurity

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