Top RSS feeds from the world of technology:
TechCrunch
- Zoom admits some calls were routed through China by mistake - Hours after security researchers at Citizen Lab reported that some Zoom calls were routed through China, the video conferencing platform has offered an apology and a partial explanation. To recap, Zoom has faced a barrage of headlines this week over
- Before suing NSO Group, Facebook allegedly sought their software to better spy on users - Facebook's WhatsApp is in the midst of a lawsuit against Israeli mobile surveillance outfit NSO Group. But before complaining about the company's methods, Facebook seems to have wanted to use them for its own purposes, according to testimony from NS
- As tech layoffs surge, some support emerges for those without a job - The massive surge of COVID-19-related layoffs has put tech in a unique position. While the startup world is facing layoffs itself, it is also trying to help get people back to work. Back at the end of 2019, the SoftBank-backed belt-tightening period
- Zelos is like a cross-game battle pass, rewarding you for completing challenges in games you already play - People seem to love the concept of the battle pass. Largely popularized by Fortnite, battle passes reward players for playing well, and playing often. The better you do, the more XP you earn; the more XP you earn, the more stuff (new looks for your
- ZmURL customizes Zoom link previews with images & event sites - Sick of sharing those generic Zoom video call invites that all look the same? Wish your Zoom link preview’s headline and image actually described your meeting? Want to protect your Zoom calls from trolls by making attendees RSVP to get your li
PC World
- How to use your Android phone as a webcam for video conferencing and virtual meetings -
If you’re sick of peeling the tape off your laptop's camera every time you need to call into a virtual meeting, look no further than the Android phone lying on your desk. That’s right, you can use your Androi
- These 17 movies will be available online early to help ease your coronavirus anxiety - The Call of the Wild, Onward, Bad Boys for Life, and more are available to rent or buy from streaming services way ahead of schedule.
- The best alternatives to Amazon for buying tech right now -
While Amazon has traditionally been a one-stop shop for tech gear, its mid-April delays are making other retailers viable options for getting what you want with a shorter lead time. Online stores like Newegg and
- Skype Meet Now is Microsoft's effort to make Skype calls as easy as possible -
With millions of people currently connecting via online video and chat, Skype is promoting Skype Meet Now, a free, simple way of connecting via Skype without a subscription or even a download.
Announced Fri
- The Full Nerd ep. 133: Intel's Comet Lake H and Nvidia's RTX Super GPUs blitz gaming laptops -
In this episode of The Full Nerd, Gordon Ung, Brad Chacos,
- The three challenges keeping cars from being fully autonomous - Technical, regulatory, and business obstacles are still in the way of safe, useful, and affordable self-driving vehicles.
- Ready for 6G? How AI will shape the network of the future - With 5G networks rolling out around the world, engineers are turning their attention to the next incarnation.
- Landowners are earning millions for carbon cuts that may not occur - A new analysis finds California’s cap-and-trade program may vastly overestimate emissions reductions.
- Facebook’s ad-serving algorithm discriminates by gender and race - Even if an advertiser is well-intentioned, the algorithm still prefers certain groups of people over others.
- China’s Huawei has big ambitions to weaken the US grip on AI leadership - In spite of tensions with the US and its allies, Huawei is rapidly building a suite of AI offerings unmatched by any other company on the planet.
IGN
- Star Wars: Mark Hamill Shares Heartfelt Letter to Fans - Mark Hamill shares a touching letter where he thanks Star Wars fans for their "enthusiasm and dedication to George's galaxy far away."
- Ant-Man 3 Reportedly Hires Rick and Morty Writer - Rick and Morty's Jeff Loveness has reportedly been tapped to pen the script to the third Ant-Man film.
- IGN to Launch Summer of Gaming Event in June - IGN will be bringing the biggest news, previews, and developer interviews in a brand new, global, online event this June.
- Artemis Fowl Headed Straight to Disney Plus - As Disney shifts its movie calendar around, one big 2020 release is now headed straight to streaming.
- Black Widow's New Date Shifts Several MCU Phase 4 Releases - Mulan moves to July 2020, Artemis Fowl goes to Disney+. New Mutants remains undated.
Ars Technica
- Bugs that let sites hijack Mac and iPhone cameras fetch $75k bounty - Here's how one researcher bypassed stringent restrictions Apple puts on webcam access.
- FCC: TracFone made up “fictitious” customers to defraud low-income program - FCC proposes $6M fine, says TracFone “fabricate[d] enrollment data” to get cash.
- Security tips every teacher and professor needs to know about Zoom, right now - With Zoom-bombing a cultural phenomenon, here's how to protect your meetings.
- T-Mobile, Sprint took a risk by finishing merger without Calif. approval - California agency says merger must stop—carriers say the state has no authority.
- Wi-Fi 6E becomes official—the FCC will vote on rules this month - The new spectrum will make extremely low-latency, high-throughput Wi-Fi possible.
Wired
- A Hacker Found a Way to Take Over Any Apple Webcam - They've been patched, but the Safari vulnerabilities would have given an alarming amount of access.
- 'The Last of Us Part II' Is Being Delayed Indefinitely - The game's release is being postponed due to logistical concerns caused by the spread of the coronavirus.
- The CDC Now Recommends Americans Wear Face Masks - Staying home is still the best way to protect yourself from the coronavirus. But the CDC now says that masks are effective as an additional measure.
- Trials of Plasma From Recovered Covid-19 Patients Have Begun - US Food and Drug Administration officials approved nationwide tests of two treatments, both derived from the blood of people who have survived the disease.
- Google Reveals Location Data to Help the Coronavirus Response - The search giant is disclosing trends in visits to broad categories of places, as a tool for public health officials.
The New York Times Technology News
- ‘Zoombombing’ Becomes a Dangerous Organized Effort - Zoom, the videoconferencing app, has become a target for harassment and abuse coordinated in private off-platform chats.
- Flight of the Influencers - Doctors warn that sharing decisions to leave metropolitan areas for smaller towns on social media might encourage followers to disregard public health guidelines.
- It’s Bedlam in the Mask Market, as Profiteers Out-Hustle Good Samaritans - Hospitals, governments, do-gooders and hucksters are all competing. Scams and prices are soaring.
- How to Thrive in Online Life - A video game pro tells us to embrace the mess of our pandemic lives.
- How Tech’s Lobbyists Are Using the Pandemic to Make Gains - Silicon Valley hasn’t suffered from the same financial devastation as other industries. Tech companies still have an agenda to push.
CNET Technology News
- CDC says we all should wear face coverings to avoid spreading coronavirus - CNET - But medical-grade N95 masks, which are in short supply, should be reserved for health workers. And don't stop social distancing or hand washing.
- All the live stream concerts you can watch during the coronavirus shutdown (April 3) - CNET - Stream concerts of your favorite bands and musicians like Diplo, Brad Paisley, Miley Cyrus, Jim James, Melissa Etheridge, Chick Correa and more. #couchtour
- Coronavirus cancellations and delays: Democratic convention, Wimbledon, more - CNET - Movies, music fests, tech conferences, political rallies and sports events have all been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Best headphones for working at home in 2020 - CNET - Looking for a great pair of headphones to use while working from home? These are CNET's current top picks.
- WWE WrestleMania 2020: How to watch on WWE Network, start times, two day card and more - CNET - WrestleMania is a two-night event this year, taking place on Saturday and Sunday.