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  • Microsoft’s Cloud Gaming Service Coming to Xbox Consoles

    Microsoft’s Cloud Gaming Service Coming to Xbox Consoles

    Microsoft is expanding its Xbox Cloud Gaming service, bringing it to Xbox consoles during the holiday season.

    Xbox Cloud Gaming brings over 100 high-quality games to devices via the cloud. The service is already available on mobile devices, in web browsers and on Windows PCs. Now Microsoft is bringing the service to its namesake: the actual Xbox console.

    “Today during today’s Gamescom 2021 Xbox stream we revealed we’re bringing cloud gaming to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One this holiday, enabling Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members to play 100+ games right from the cloud and discover new games with the click of a button,” writes Jake Rosenberg, Senior Program Manager at Xbox. “It’s a way for console gamers to play some of their favorite games as quickly as possible, jump into games with friends more easily, and try out Xbox Game Pass titles before installing them.”

    The announcement is a big win for Xbox customers, and the gaming market in general.

    https://youtu.be/BomfVh2PSkM
  • Saygus CEO Charged With Fraud Over Vaporware Phones

    Saygus CEO Charged With Fraud Over Vaporware Phones

    Be careful what you promise — that’s the lesson Chad Leon Sayers is learning after being charged for fraud over vaporware smartphones.

    Sayers pitched the Saygus V2 as “a revolutionary new smart phone” to investors, ultimately convincing them to invest roughly $10 million. The investors were “promised imminent billion-dollar success.”

    Unfortunately for investors, the Saygus V2 was vaporware and never saw the light of day. Instead, Sayers used the money for personal expenses, as well as used money from new investors to pay old investors.

    The US Attorney’s Office, District of Utah, has now filed fraud charges against Sayers. Moral of the story: If you take millions of investors’ dollars, you better deliver what’s promised.

  • T-Mobile Users File Class Action Lawsuits Over Data Breach

    T-Mobile Users File Class Action Lawsuits Over Data Breach

    T-Mobile’s issues are going from bad to worse, as customers have filed two class action lawsuits over the company’s data breach.

    T-Mobile acknowledged it was the victim of a data breach, impacting tens of millions of users. The hacker responsible has been trying to sell the data, including very sensitive data, online.

    According to Business Insider, T-Mobile’s customers have filed two class action lawsuits. One claims a violation of California’s Consumer Privacy Act, while the other claims a violation of the Washington State Consumer Protection Act.

    The lawsuit show the high stakes for companies responsible for consumer data.

  • Clubhouse Removed Personal Information to Protect Afghans

    Clubhouse Removed Personal Information to Protect Afghans

    Clubhouse is the latest social media platform to take steps to protect Afghans in the wake of the Taliban’s takeover.

    The Taliban surprised the world with the speed with which they retook the country, forcing the Afghan president to flee and solidifying their control. For many Afghans, especially ones that supposed US operations or embraced Western values, the resurgence of the Taliban has put them in grave danger.

    According to The Verge, Clubhouse has taken measures to protect its Afghans users, including resetting their bios, resetting their photos and making their accounts harder to find via search. The company said users’ followers were not affected, and users can reverse the changes if they desire.

    Clubhouse’s actions are a welcome effort for many Afghans as they try to survive a difficult transition.

  • Samsung Pay Now Supports Digital COVID Vaccine Card

    Samsung Pay Now Supports Digital COVID Vaccine Card

    Samsung has announced Samsung Pay now supports SMART Health Cards, including digital COVID-19 vaccine cards.

    Governments and organizations around the world are working to develop vaccine passports and digital vaccine cards. With the Delta variant surging around the world, many companies are requiring vaccines, and some jurisdictions are requiring them for travel.

    Samsung is working with the Commons Project Foundation to bring SMART Health Cards, and COVID-19 vaccination status, to Samsung Pay.

    “Samsung Pay simplifies transactions for millions of mobile device users. As more and more consumers use their Samsung devices as a digital wallet it is a natural extension to make Covid-19 vaccination records more easily accessible,” said Rob White, Sr. Director of Product for Samsung Pay, Samsung Electronics America. “We are proud to partner with The Commons Project Foundation on this important initiative and to help make life easier.” 

    “CommonHealth’s collaboration with Samsung marks another important milestone as the availability and acceptance of SMART Health Cards as the standard for digital vaccination records continues to expand,” said JP Pollak, cofounder and chief architect of The Commons Project. “As a leading mobile device manufacturer and digital wallet, Samsung offers a secure and easily accessible place for consumers to store this vital health information. The Commons Project is committed to the continued expansion of our network of partners, empowering users with their own health data to use in enhanced and secure ways.”

  • Google Pixel 5 and 4a 5G Discontinued After Pixel 5a Release

    Google Pixel 5 and 4a 5G Discontinued After Pixel 5a Release

    Google released the Pixel 5a to high praise, and has discontinued the 5 and 4a 5G in the wake of the 5a’s release.

    The Pixel 5a debuted with a lower price tag, while at the same sporting a larger battery, screen and waterproof design. The new phone has even been labeled “the best smartphone under $500.”

    Its launch, however, comes at the expense of both the Pixel 5 and the Pixel 4a 5G, according to Digital Trends.

    “With our current forecasts, we expect Google Store in the U.S. to sell out of Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 in the coming weeks following the launch of Pixel 5a (5G). The Pixel 5a (5G) is a great option for customers and delivers valuable hardware upgrades compared to the Pixel 4a (5G), all at a lower price point,” a Google spokesperson told Digital Trends.

    While the new model features a number of improvements, it’s limited to the US and Japanese markets, unlike the discontinued models.

  • Google’s Pixel 6 Won’t Include a Charging Brick

    Google’s Pixel 6 Won’t Include a Charging Brick

    Google is on the verge of releasing the Pixel 6, but reports indicate the phone will not ship with a charging brick.

    The Pixel 6 is Google’s highly anticipated next version of its flagship line of smartphones. Following the lead of Apple and Samsung, Google appears poised to sell the phone without the customary charging brick, according to The Verge.

    While some users may be put off by not having a charging brick included, Google’s decision is not all that surprising. Device manufacturers are looking for ways to reduce costs, as well as cut down on electronic waste. In the meantime, after years of smartphones and tablets saturating the market, most users have more charging bricks than they can use.

    Either way, Google won’t be the last company to take this route.

  • DirecTV Rebrands Streaming Services As DirecTV Stream

    DirecTV Rebrands Streaming Services As DirecTV Stream

    Following DirecTV being spun off as an independent company, it is rebranding the streaming services it inherited from AT&T.

    AT&T, in cooperation with TPG Capital, spun off DirecTV in early August following years of losses and shrinking subscriber base. The new DirecTV is determined to regain its standing in the TV market.

    “This is a watershed moment for DIRECTV as we return to a singular focus on providing a stellar video experience,” said Bill Morrow, CEO, DIRECTV. “Building on our recent momentum, we are well-positioned to bring unparalleled choice and value to all of our customers under one iconic brand, whether they beam it or stream it.”

    As part of the deal, DirecTV inherited AT&T TV and the obsolete AT&T TV Now. The company is rebranding all its streaming efforts — minus HBO Max, which AT&T retained — under the DirecTV Stream name.

    For those who stream it, the newly branded DIRECTV STREAM will become the single brand for video streaming services previously launched by AT&T, excluding HBO Max. The transition will happen later this month, and service will continue to be available with no term commitment or hidden fees. To enjoy the best of live TV and on-demand, customers can either bring their own streaming device, or use DIRECTV’s exclusive streaming device.² Those with DIRECTV’s streaming device can build a complete, integrated and customized entertainment experience with the ability to watch and pause live TV on up to 20 devices in their home. It also allows consumers to get all their favorite entertainment in one place with easy access to apps like HBO Max, Netflix, Prime Video and more.

    It will be interesting to see if DirecTV can regain ground it lost under AT&T.

  • Dogecoin Makes Up 62% of Robinhood’s Crypto Revenue

    Dogecoin Makes Up 62% of Robinhood’s Crypto Revenue

    Continuing its transformation into a serious cryptocurrency, Dogecoin now accounts for 62% of Robinhood’s crypto revenue.

    Robinhood issued its first quarterly report since going public, and the report shows the increased importance of crypto trading to the firm. According to CNBC, 52% of Robinhood’s transaction-based revenue came from crypto, reaching some $233 million. In comparison, crypto only accounted for $5 million in the year-ago quarter.

    The report also shows the increased importance of Dogecoin. Two months ago, Dogecoin made up 34% of the company’s crypto revenue. The company’s quarterly report, however, revealed that Dogecoin now makes up 62%.

    Given that Dogecoin began as a meme and a joke, Robinhood’s report is another indication of just how important the crypto has become.

  • Samsung Will Remove Ads From Its Stock Apps

    Samsung Will Remove Ads From Its Stock Apps

    Samsung has finally decided to stop putting ads in its stock Android apps…something it should never have been doing in the first place.

    Samsung is one of the biggest Android smartphone makers and is considered a high-end smartphone manufacturer that competes head-to-head with the likes of Apple. Despite that, and despite prices upwards of $1,000, Samsung seemed to think it was a good idea to include ads that were, as The Verge described, the“kind of ad that’s normally at the bottom of a crappy, overloaded website.”

    It’s truly amazing that a company charging a premium for its devices would think bombarding its users with ads is an acceptable business model. Fortunately, Samsung has seen the light and informed The Verge it plans to stop.

    “Samsung has made a decision to cease the advertisement on proprietary apps including Samsung Weather, Samsung Pay, and Samsung Theme,” the company said in a statement to The Verge. “The update will be ready by later this year.”

    “Our priority is to deliver innovative mobile experiences for our consumers based on their needs and wants,” the company continued. “We value feedback from our users and continue our commitment to provide them with the best possible experience from our Galaxy products and services.”