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  • TikTok Introducing Three Minute Videos

    TikTok Introducing Three Minute Videos

    TikTok is introducing longer videos, up to three minutes, giving users even more opportunity to express themselves.

    TikTok is one of the fastest growing social media platforms, and has redefined social media with its short videos. While 60 seconds allows creators to do quite a bit, the company is now looking to expand the length of the videos even more, up to three minutes long, giving content creators even more freedom.

    Some users may have already noticed three-minute videos. The company says it has letting some creators around the world experiment with the new feature in advance of a full release.

    Three minute videos will be rolling out in the coming weeks to all users.

    With all the ways our community has redefined expression in under 60 seconds, we’re excited to see how people continue to entertain and inspire with a few more seconds – and a world of creative possibilities.

  • Google Bringing HTTPS-Only Mode to Chrome

    Google Bringing HTTPS-Only Mode to Chrome

    Google appears to be working on an HTTPS-Only Mode for Chrome, a move that will significantly improve the browser’s security.

    HTTPS is the secure version of Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). When a website’s address begins with “https”, the communication between web browser and website is secure. While many websites automatically use HTTPS, some still do not, representing a potential security risk if any sensitive information is sent or received from it.

    Google is now working on an HTTPS-Only Mode for Chrome that would automatically upgrade any insecure website connections to secure ones, at least where possible. The move follows similar ones by Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge.

    According to The Record, Google is working on the feature in Chrome Canary 93. It’s unclear, however, if the finished version will be ready in time for the official release of Chrome 93, or if HTTPS-Only Mode will debut later.

    As the maker of the most popular web browser (by far), it’s disappointing Google is so late to the party with such an important feature. Nonetheless, at least it is joining the party.

  • Apple Extends Trade-In Program to Include LG Smartphones

    Apple Extends Trade-In Program to Include LG Smartphones

    Apple is expanding its trade-in program to include four LG smartphones at a time when the latter is shutting down its smartphone business.

    LG announced in April it would shut down its smartphone business by July 31. Once one of the leading smartphone manufacturers, the company fell behind Apple, Samsung, Huawei and others. LG explored a number of options before finally settling on shutting the division down.

    First spotted by AppleInsider, Apple has added four additional LG smartphones to the trade-in program.

    • LG V60 ThinQ 5G, up to $180
    • LG V50 ThinQ 5G, up to $125
    • LG V40 ThinQ, up to $65
    • LG G8 ThinQ, up to $70

    Apple is clearly looking to capitalize on LG’s exit from the smartphone business. The trade-in deals may help the company pick up some LG customers.

  • HBO Max Rolls Out in 39 Additional Territories

    HBO Max Rolls Out in 39 Additional Territories

    HBO Max is expanding beyond the US, rolling out in 39 territories in Latin America and the Caribbean.

    HBO Max is AT&T’s streaming service, and has operated exclusively in the US. As more and more customers cut the cord, the streaming service has been a bright spot for AT&T, especially as DirecTV shed subscribers by the millions prior to AT&T spinning it off.

    As the company doubles down on HBO Max, global expansion is a priority, making today’s announcement an important step in that direction.

    “Over our first year since launch, fans in the U.S. have chosen HBO Max as one of their favorite streaming platforms. With today’s launch, we are introducing our global platform and providing a brand new user experience to millions of fans across Latin America and the Caribbean. There couldn’t be a better place to begin our global journey, as WarnerMedia has been a favorite and trusted source for compelling and entertaining content for the whole family,” said Johannes Larcher, Head of HBO Max International.

    HBO Max has committed to producing 100 local originals in Latin America, in addition to providing access to fan-favorite sports and programming.

    “The big day has finally arrived, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. HBO Max launches in our region with an unprecedented offer rewarding our first wave of subscribers and sure to delight our fans by making our collection of movies and TV series more accessible and more affordable than ever before. This past year with its unprecedented health and economic crises has been challenging for our fans from Tijuana to Tierra del Fuego, and so we are thrilled to bring some joy and inspiration to the entire community through this exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime launch offer,” stated Luis Durán, General Manager of HBO Max for Latin America.

  • Microsoft Brings Xbox Cloud Gaming to iOS

    Microsoft Brings Xbox Cloud Gaming to iOS

    Microsoft has brought its much-anticipated Xbox Cloud Gaming service to Apple’s iPhone and iPad.

    Microsoft has been expanding its Xbox gaming platform beyond its namesake console. As part of that endeavor, Microsoft has been working to bring its Xbox Cloud Gaming service to market, as that will enable the widest adoption.

    After a beta in April, for both iOS and Windows 10 PCs, Microsoft has announced the service is now out of beta and available to all Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members.

    Best of all, the company says the experience will be seamless across all devices.

    Cloud gaming provides seamless play across your devices. When you’re streaming games on a PC or mobile device, your game is playing from Xbox hardware in a Microsoft datacenter. This means you can jump into a game, connect with your friends, and play through the Xbox network just as you’ve always done. That’s right, your game saves are just the same wherever and whenever you play, so you can pick right back up from where you left off. 

    Microsoft’s announcement is good news for gamers, and should be a big win for the company.

  • Twitter Down for Some Users, Ad-Blocking Blamed

    Twitter Down for Some Users, Ad-Blocking Blamed

    Twitter appears to be down for some users in France, with at least some blaming ad-blocking software.

    Twitter users started reporting an outage on Downdetector Sunday, primarily when accessing Twitter via a desktop web browser. Phone and tablet apps appeared to work just fine.

    Interestingly, according to some users, turning off ad-blocking software in their web browser fixed the problem. So far, Twitter has not issued a statement or acknowledgement.

    It remains to be seen if the issue was the result of an error, or if Twitter is beginning to target ad-blocking software.

  • Mozilla Launches Rally, a Privacy-First Data Sharing Platform

    Mozilla Launches Rally, a Privacy-First Data Sharing Platform

    Mozilla has launched Rally, a privacy-first data sharing platform, to tackle the growing challenges related to privacy and user data.

    Mozilla has a long history of championing privacy. It’s web browser, Firefox, is one of the most privacy-focused, secure browsers available. The company also offers a VPN service that has garnered positive reviews for its approach to privacy and security.

    The company is adding Rally to its portfolio of software and services in an effort to help people take back control over their own data.

    Your data is valuable. But for too long, online services have pilfered, swapped, and exploited your data without your awareness. Privacy violations and filter bubbles are all consequences of a surveillance data economy. But what if, instead of companies taking your data without giving you a say, you could select who gets access to your data and put it to work for public good?

    Rather than advertisers benefiting from user data, Rally will give users the option to donate their data to help crowdfund research projects.

    Computer scientists, social scientists and other researchers will be able to launch groundbreaking studies about the web and invite you to participate. A core focus of the initiative is enabling unprecedented studies that hold major online services accountable.

    Mozilla is working with Professor Jonathan Mayer’s research group at Princeton University to help launch the Rally research initiative.

    “Online services constantly experiment on users, to maximize engagement and profit,” says Mayer. “But for too long, academic researchers have been stymied when trying to experiment on online services. Rally flips the script and enables a new ecosystem of technology policy research.”

    Rally sounds like an interesting concept and will hopefully help more users take control over their data.

  • TikTok in the Crosshairs of Dutch Consumer Group Over Data Harvesting

    TikTok in the Crosshairs of Dutch Consumer Group Over Data Harvesting

    TikTok is once again in hot water for its data practices, as a Dutch consumer group is launching a $1.8 billion claim against the company.

    TikTok is no stranger to controversy regarding its privacy and data practices. The company has faced accusations of exploiting child privacy, discrimination, lawsuits, bans — from corporations and the military — and criticism for being “fundamentally parasitic.”

    The Consumentenbond, along with the foundation Take Back Your Privacy, is bringing the claim against TikTok, according to ABC News.

    “The conduct of TikTok is pure exploitation,” Consumentenbond director Sandra Molenaar said in a statement. “The company earns hundreds of millions per year on the backs of children. And that while privacy law prescribes that children should receive additional protection.”

    TikTok has received a reprieve in the US, as the Biden administration has halted the previous administration’s attempts to ban TikTok. The company has drawn increased scrutiny from the EU, however, and this latest claim could have major repercussions.

  • Latest Google App Crashing on Android Devices

    Latest Google App Crashing on Android Devices

    The Google app appears to be crashing on multiple devices following the latest update, impacting Google Pixel, Samsung and Motorola phones.

    The latest version of the Google app for Android is 12.23.16.23. Unfortunately, some users started experiencing problems immediately after updating, according to 9to5Google. In addition, the Podcasts and Lens apps are also crashing post-update.

    It seems that updating to the 12.24 beta of the Google app resolves the issue. While beta software should usually not be run on a production device, in this case, it may be the best option for users looking to restore stability and functionality.

    Users experiencing the problem can get the beta here, or via the Play Store listing.

  • Drones May Soon Track You Using Your Screams

    Drones May Soon Track You Using Your Screams

    Scientists may be on the verge of a major breakthrough in search and rescue (SAR), training drones to track people using their screams.

    In life and death situations, such as when a natural disaster strikes, finding survivors is a race against the clock. To make matters worse, rescuers often have to proceed carefully and slowly to avoid making matters worse. For example, if people are trapped in the rubble following an earthquake, rescuers must move slowly and methodically to avoid causing any additional cave-ins.

    Scientists may have found a solution, training drones to zero in on the sound of a person screaming and track the screams back to their source, according to The Washington Post.

    Engineers at Germany’s Fraunhofer FKIE institute have already built a working prototype, and the initial results are promising.

    “[Drones] can cover a larger area in a shorter period of time than rescuers or trained dogs on the ground,” Macarena Varela, one of the lead engineers, said. “If there’s a collapsed building, it can alert and assist rescuers. It can go places they can’t fly to or get to themselves.”

    While the concept is absolutely brilliant, and the engineers are to be applauded for what they’re trying to accomplish, I for one can’t help but imagine bloodthirsty drones hunting down humans screaming and running for their lives, Skynet-style. Especially in view of recent reportswhere a military drone hunted humans down without authorization, I can’t help but wonder how long it will be until human scream-tracking is turned into a nightmarish Terminator scenario.