Twitter improves password-reset options, cracks down on suspicious logins
Almost a year after rolling out two-factor authentication for verifying your logins, Twitter is announcing another welcome security update. This time, it’s an improved password-reset process and a smarter system for identifying suspicious logins. The new password-reset process is especially useful; now, when you forget your login and need to create a new one, you can specify which phone number or email address where Twitter should send your reset information. If you don’t have access to the number or email on file, the social network will give you the option to enter new ones. This feature is especially helpful for those traveling abroad, who may not have access to their usual gadgets. It will definitely come in handy for anyone who hasn’t updated their email on Twitter, too.
Hopefully, you won’t need to take much advantage of the second half of the site’s security update. Twitter will now analyze information such as location, device and login history to help identify suspicious logins. So even when someone knows your password, if they’re signing in from an unfamiliar computer, their attempt would likely be flagged. If Twitter deems a login suspicious, the social network will ask a question about your account (something only you would know, in theory) and send you an email notifying you of “unusual activity.”
Filed under: Internet
Source: Twitter Blog
CNN turns Google Glass owners into citizen journalists
Sometimes breaking news happens right before your eyes while you’re out and about. If you happen to be wearing Google Glass when those events take place, CNN now has a way for you to share photos and videos of the action directly from the headset. The news outfit announced the addition to its iReport citizen journalism effort earlier this week, and it’s claiming to be “the first major news network” to allow contributing via the wearable. If you’re interested in joining up, you’ll have to authorize CNN to send notifications to Glass and link up an iReport profile in the settings. When you’ve completed those steps, the appropriate avenue for beaming captured media to the newsroom will appear as a sharing option for photos and videos. Folks have already opted in, as the first mobile coverage (relating to gas prices in Miami) can be seen here.
[Photo credit: Angel Navarrete/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Filed under: Wearables
Via: The Next Web
Source: CNN
Viber looks to challenge Skype with backing from Japanese internet giant
Let’s face it: The tech industry is starting to get used to big-name companies acquiring young, relatively successful startups. To wit, such was the case for Viber, a Tel Aviv-based service that lets you use an app to communicate through phone calls and instant messages. Viber’s acquisition by Rakuten, a Japanese e-commerce and internet giant, came after the platform welcomed more than 300 million users worldwide since 2010, making it one of the most popular applications across iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry. That growth, along with its flourishing appeal, have made Viber a real threat to services like Skype — though, on the messaging front, it is still trying to catch up to WhatsApp, which is at 500 million active users and counting. But despite all of this, Viber still wants to keep growing, and it plans to use Rakuten’s resources to help it get to where it wants to be.
“We continue to have fun, develop our product and introduce new and exciting updates.”
Viber’s CEO Talmon Marco told me that life at his company hasn’t changed since joining the Rakuten family: “We operate the same way [we] did before. This means we continue to have fun, develop our product and introduce new and exciting updates.” And keeping the Viber apps full of useful features is something that’s very important to Marco, which is why they’re constantly being updated on every platform. For its part, Rakuten isn’t new to the acquisition game: Back in 2012, the company completed its purchase of Kobo’s e-reading business. In a recent interview with Re/code, Hiroshi Mikitani, Rakuten’s co-founder and CEO, said spending $900 million on Viber was a “no-brainer,” citing the popularity of similar services as the driving force behind the acquisition.
To outsiders, it wasn’t easy to pinpoint why Rakuten would want to own Viber. However, Marco thinks this is a perfect match. “We believe mobile messaging apps like Viber are rapidly becoming the communication method of choice for most people. Both Rakuten and Viber felt user experience on many of Rakuten’s services could become better once you let people communicate with them via Viber,” Marco said. But as to which Rakuten services he’s referring to, he didn’t specify. Still, even with any future integration with products from its parent company, Viber will “continue to operate independently [from] Rakuten, but with extensive cooperation.”
“Tapping into Rakuten’s resources and know-how should help us accelerate our growth in the US and elsewhere.”
Marco also told Engadget that one of the main goals for Viber going forward is to keep expanding in the US. As popular as the app is outside of the States, Viber said the US remains its biggest market. With Rakuten on its side, Marco said Viber will have to make the most of the opportunity. “Tapping into Rakuten’s resources and know-how should help us accelerate our growth in the US and elsewhere,” he added. And if Rakuten hadn’t come into the picture, the additional resources could have come from elsewhere; Marco said that there was interest from other companies, but didn’t share the names of any of them.
Of course, as has happened on numerous occasions with these types of services, not everything has gone smoothly for Viber. In 2013, the service caught a lot of heat for an exploit that allowed hackers to bypass the Android lockscreen, and while Viber was quick to react, users weren’t too happy that this happened in the first place. But Marco told me user privacy and security are his company’s number one priority. “After all, we ourselves use the product constantly and care about our own privacy. Viber has never experienced a breach of user data or our production system,” he said. “Multiple third-party tests have demonstrated our top-notch attention to security and we continue to work hard [for] things to stay this way.”
Marco feels that combining Viber’s solid calling and messaging features with the ability to keep your data secure is a recipe for success. Ultimately, as he’s told us in the past, the goal is to bring the best talking and chatting experience to you, regardless of which operating system you are using. But will this be enough for you to pick it over a big player like Skype? Well, that call is for you to make.
[Image credits: Flickr, Sam Azgor; Getty Images]
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile
Foursquare goes Oprah: You’re a mayor and you’re a mayor
When Foursquare announced plans to split check-ins off into their own app last week, it didn’t reveal too many details on how the finer points — like Mayorships — would factor in. Well, starting today, those virtual offices are safe until Swarm launches next week. Once the new arm of the location-based outfit rolls out, it will handle those accolades in addition to insights (five weeks in a row at breweries, for example) and allow you to afix stickers to notable check-ins. In what Foursquare is calling Mayorships 2.0, you compete only with your friends to hold office at your favorite coffee shop — not the fella that sits in the corner all day, every day. Of course, this means that venues can have multiple Mayors, which means you’re likely to see fewer faux political-based discounts. Bummer.
Don’t worry, badges will remain in the regular Foursquare app too. They’ll be used to reward explorers for discovering new places and offering insight. You know, now that the namesake option is going to be focused on local search and reviews. The direct Yelp competitor isn’t due to launch until later this summer, so once users leave the for hive, there’s a chance they won’t look back.
Source: Foursquare
Engadget Daily: a guide to Japanese toilets, Apple eyes Beats for $3.2 billion and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
What does hip-hop’s ‘first billionaire’ have that Apple wants?
Nothing’s official yet, but according to the Financial Times and a (since pulled) video of Dr. Dre himself, Apple intends to buy Beats for quite a bit of greenback. Hmm, what could the maker of iTunes want with another music app?
A Westerner’s guide to Japanese toilets
Popping a squat on your first “fancy” toilet can be a scary experience. Lucky for you, we put together a guide to help you navigate the buttons, symbols and seemingly uninterpretable stick figures on Japan’s finest and most expensive potties.
Netflix begins raising prices, but current users get a two-year freeze
We knew it was coming, but the Netflix price hike is now official. New users will pay one dollar more a month while existing customers will enjoy a two-year grace period before receiving the same treatment. Yay?
Smartphones for hire: Which personal assistant is right for you?
Android, WP and iOS: each has its strengths and weaknesses, but which one packs the most capable personal assistant? Read on as our own Brad Molen dissects all the features of Google Now, Siri and Cortana.
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Filed under: Misc
Supposed Moto E image makes an appearance on Facebook
Lets keep the momentum going with Motorola this fantabulous Friday. One device that we are all expecting Motorola to show off on May 13th is the Moto E. Talks around town place it as a more affordable option to the current Moto G and be mostly targeting emerging markets. The apparent image was posted on the Motorola Facebook page out of Mexico, so it would seem that the Moto E will end up down south.
The Moto E is the white device sitting on the right and to the left we see the Moto G. It would appear that the Moto E is forgoing a front facing camera, at least in this particular leaked image. The overall device size is a little smaller as well. Which lines up with the leaked specs that we saw a while back pointing to a 4.3-inch device.
All should be revealed in just a few short days. Hopefully we get to have a look at the Moto X+1 and the Moto G Cinema during that same event.
What are your thoughts on the Motorola Moto E so far from the rumored specs and now supposed image of the device?
Source: Androidpolice
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CHIL Slap Stylus review w/ Mother’s Day Coupon
A while back, we took a look a few products from CHIL, including their Nexus 7 (2012) Notchbook Review/Nexus 7 (2013) Notchbook Giveaway and the amazing CHIL PowerShare Reactor review. Today, just in time for Mother’s Day, we’re introducing you to the Slap Stylus.
The Slap Stylus is like any other slap band bracelet but with a stylus! Those of us with gigantic phones, or those with larger fingers may need something to make smartphones all the easier. The stylus opens up and stays straight and strong for use on any touchscreen smartphone, tablet, etc.
This may even be the perfect gift for Moms, Dads, Grandmothers, Grandfathers, etc. who could use a handy stylus that’s hard to loose when it’s right on your wrist when not in use. The slapping motion is gentle but firm and doesn’t hurt.
We loved trying the Slap Stylus out. It’s fun to use and neat to see in use. It comes in a variety of colors, along with extra stylus tips to protect from the possibility of damage. Available in Small and Large in over five colors.
Just in time for Mother’s Day! Use coupon code “CHILMom” for 25% Off and Free Shipping at the CHIL Store.
Follow the CHIL Brand on Twitter at @GoChil for new cool products.
The post CHIL Slap Stylus review w/ Mother’s Day Coupon appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Image of Moto E leaks in Facebook post
It seems Motorola is getting ready to announce the successor of Moto X at the conference they are holding on May 13th, and it will be known as the Moto E. Motorola is planning to launch this new affordable smartphone in developing markets, and somebody was nice enough to put a picture of the Moto E right along with Moto X on Facebook, and then removing it afterward. But folks over at Android Police got their hands on the picture, have a look:
Well, it is similar to the Moto X in design, but who doesn’t like change, right? Motorola is planning to target the low-end market instead of launching high-end smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One. Do you think Moto E will make a decent affordable smartphone?
Source: AndroidPolice
The post Image of Moto E leaks in Facebook post appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Chrome Apps Gaining OS X Finder Integration to Open Mac Files by Default [Mac Blog]
Google has launched a new feature for its experimental Chrome Canary browser for Mac, enabling a beta function that allows users to open local Mac files using Chrome apps in Finder. Using the feature, Chrome apps can be associated with OS X files, bringing Google one step closer to replacing desktop functionality with its browser.
For example, the Chrome Text app can be used to open any Mac text file, as seen in the screenshot below. The Text app shows up as an option right alongside native options like TextEdit.
It is now possible to get OS integration of file associations for Chrome Apps in Chrome Canary for Mac.
All you need is to enable the experimental chrome://flags/#enable-apps-file-associations flag and restart your browser.
Enabling this flag in Canary Chrome will let users choose installed Chrome apps as an option when opening an associated file, with the apps behaving as native Mac apps. As noted by Gigaom, the process functions through app manifests, which allow developers to specify which apps are compatible with different file types via file handlers.
While the feature is currently limited to Chrome Canary for testing purposes, many Canary functions eventually make it to Google’s stable Chrome browser. There is no word, however, on when the new feature might make it out of testing as there are still several bugs to work out.
Apple Playing ‘Catch Up’ With Beats Acquisition as Music Labels Push for Subscription Services
Over the course of the last several years, streaming music services like Spotify, Rdio, Pandora, and Beats Music have been growing in popularity, usurping traditional music downloads as consumers’ listening method of choice. Despite the shift in user preference, Apple has been slow to adapt, attempting to stick to its download model even as its iTunes music sales have declined.
According to a new report from The Wall Street Journal music labels had been urging Apple to get into the subscription music business long before the company decided to enter negotiations to purchase Beats Electronics, and with it, the Beats Music streaming service.
Record executives have been “lobbying Apple for months” to design a subscription streaming service that would introduce the streaming music business model to a wider array of consumers, but Apple has been reluctant to create such a service, instead focusing on download-centric ideas such as exclusive iTunes album releases.
Back in December, Beyoncé launched an iTunes exclusive album and Apple hoped to negotiate with record labels to secure additional exclusive releases to boost iTunes music sales. Record labels didn’t believe that strategy would do enough to bolster flagging sales, and instead presented Apple with ideas like prompting users to subscribe to a music service over purchasing a music album.
Apple, on the other hand, had pitched more download-centric ideas in recent months, according to people familiar with the matter. One such suggestion was that record companies release all new albums exclusively on iTunes in album-only format for a window of time to drive album sales, before releasing the singles separately and making them available on streaming services. But labels countered that such a strategy–employed successfully by Beyoncé last year–wouldn’t work across the board.
Declining music sales have become a significant issue for Apple, to the point where the company has been forced to consider an entire overhaul of iTunes, introducing not only a streaming music service, but also an Android version of the iTunes store. Music downloads declined approximately 13.3 percent in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.
Apple did launch iTunes Radio back in September of 2013, providing a station-based streaming music service similar to Pandora, but this was seen as a “baby step” aimed at bolstering sales of Apple devices rather than a dedicated entry into the streaming music market.
With the purchase of Beats Music, Apple is potentially signaling its readiness to adapt to the music industry’s shift towards streaming services and its readiness to bring music streaming to the mainstream. While Spotify and other streaming services are relatively small, Apple’s massive iTunes customer base gives it the potential to introduce streaming music to a huge number of users.
Toward that end, Jon Maples argues that an acquisition of Beats would give Apple an easy entry into the true subscription music streaming market without necessarily diluting iTunes.
While music purchases may be falling, it’s still a big business for Apple. So instead of creating another option in iTunes that would potentially cannibalize download sales, why not just buy a service and keep it separate? Streaming blows up: Apple wins. Streaming doesn’t pan out, well, they still have the iTunes store chugging along.
With Apple having 800 million iTunes accounts to leverage, most with credit cards on file, the company can streamline and promote the Beats experience while still leaving its iTunes download service intact. And as Maples notes, Beats’ headphone business is currently highly profitable, which means Apple’s $3.2 billion purchase of Beats (Apple’s largest acquisition ever by far) could pay for itself in a relatively short period of time and actually provide Apple with a low-cost entry into subscription music services on the side.
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