Social Media
The FTC has reportedly opened an investigation into Amazon’s MGM acquisition
According to The Information, the Federal Trade Commission has begun a probe into Amazon’s acquisition of MGM. The study is described as an “in-depth investigation into the deal” by The Information, implying that it will take months to complete. The inquiry also implies that the acquisition will be investigated by a new FTC commission led […]
Elon Musk calls Apple’s App Store fees a ‘de facto global tax on the Internet’
On Twitter, Elon Musk has had a busy Friday. Musk has tweeted his support for Epic Games’ fight against Apple over App Store standards, after categorically denying that he has ever spoken to Apple CEO Tim Cook in response to a bizarre report suggesting he demanded to take over as the company’s CEO as part […]
After accusations, Twitter will pay hackers to find biases in its automatic image crops
Twitter is sponsoring a competition in the hopes of finding biases in its image cropping algorithm, and the best teams will receive cash rewards (via Engadget). Twitter hopes that by allowing teams access to its code and image cropping model, they will be able to identify ways in which the algorithm could be problematic (for […]
Facebook brings cloud gaming to Apple devices with a web app
Starting today, Facebook’s embryonic cloud gaming service will be available on iPhones and iPads via a web app that users can add to their home screens like a native app. You may play simple web games like Solitaire and match threes, as well as stream more graphically heavy titles like racing games, on the site. […]
WhatsApp reportedly developing iOS to Android transfer option for chat history
According to WABetaInfo and 9to5Google, WhatsApp is working on a means for users to transfer their chat histories from iOS to Android. The functionality could address one of the most vexing issues with Facebook’s messaging service: the fact that you can’t transfer a backup of your messages between iPhone and Android, only between phones running […]
Amazon fined record $887 million over EU privacy violations
Now that Amazon’s Q2 earnings are in, the company has filed a 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that includes further information, such as this eye-popping statement regarding a fine issued by Luxembourg’s National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) (via Bloomberg). The Luxembourg National Commission for Data Protection (the “CNPD”) issued an order […]
Google remembers Voice exists, adds new missed call and caller ID features
On Wednesday, Google announced the addition of new caller ID, missed call, and SMS message features to Google Voice. The apparently small update is notable since Google Voice has been pushed on the back burner while the company concentrates on other messaging snafus. You may now understand why you might have missed a call (for […]
Google is kicking ‘sugar dating’ apps out of the Play Store
As part of a series of policy changes for the platform, Google has announced that “sugar dating” apps will no longer be allowed on the Android Play Store as of September 1st. Android Police was the first to notice the change, which specifically restricts apps linked to “paid sexual interactions.” According to Google, other changes […]
Amazon gives Alexa a new iOS widget and the ability to assign reminders
The Alexa app for iOS has been upgraded to allow you to access the voice assistant directly from your home screen via a new widget. Through a new “assign reminders” skill, anyone can utilize the assistant to remind certain members of your home to complete duties. The new Ask Alexa widget isn’t so much Alexa […]
Joe Biden wants states to pay people $100 to get vaccinated
According to the Treasury Department, the Joe Biden administration wants states and local governments to provide $100 to “every newly vaccinated American.” It’s the latest official push to boost immunization rates as the extremely contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to spread across the country. States could fund the payments with money from the American […]