Local ISP claims Comcast sabotaged it into shutting down

Comcast, everyone’s favorite internet service provider, is embroiled in a lawsuit for allegedly destroying a local business. According to the complaint, as the telecom giant encroached on the turf of a small ISP in Texas, Comcast cut the business’s cables in the process of setting up its own, which the local internet company claims was no accident. The subsequent service interruption caused customers to jump ship to Comcast and ran the local ISP out of business, and its owners are suing for damages.

The complaint presents a straightforward narrative: In 2013, Comcast tried to buy the local ISP, Telecom Cable LLC, which refused what it claimed to be an undervalued offer. In 2015, Comcast decided to expand into the area and employed two contracting companies to install cable. While Telecom alleges that it clearly marked its pipe with spraypaint (signifying “actively used” wires) and aboveground flags, as well as sending a map of its infrastructure to the contractor teams, but the workers cut the small ISP’s lines anyway. Then, while Telecom’s owner Anthony Luna was trying (and failing) to get a hold of Comcast, the workers cut three more lines.

“But whether it was intentional, negligent or grossly negligent, they put Telecom out of business and turned Luna’s life upside-down,” Luna’s attorney Michael Yanochik told Courthouse News.

Luna is seeking to recover the cost of his business, which he estimates at $1.8 million in value, plus damages. When reached by email for comment, Comcast stated: “We disagree with Telecom’s claim and will vigorously defend ourselves.”

Via: Ars Technica

Source: Courthouse News

The Wirecutter’s best deals: Get a $100 credit with an Oculus Rift + Touch bundle

This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer’s guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter’s independently chosen editorial picks, they may earn affiliate commissions that support their work. Read their continuously updated list of deals here.

Logitech Harmony 650

Street price: $55; MSRP: $80; Deal price: $40

This is a very nice discount on this universal remote. At $40 (silver color only), it now matches the lowest price we’ve seen at any point in the past few years. While this model has been on the market for a couple years, it hasn’t seen significant or consistent price drops, so it’s still a tremendous value at this price if you have components that accept an infrared signal. Shipping is free.

The Logitech Harmony 650 is our pick for the best universal remote. Darryl Wilkinson and Grant Clauser write, “The Harmony 650 remains the best universal remote for the typical AV system of a TV, receiver, cable DVR, and Blu-ray player. It’s cable of controlling up to eight components, which leaves plenty of room for a few extra gadgets as long as they’re controlled via infrared (IR) signals; most gear is.”

Wilkinson and Clauser continue, “Two of the key features that put the Harmony 650 above the competitors are an easy-to-read, backlit, color display and a built-in Remote Assistant function for troubleshooting. The display tells you what activity mode you’re in (such as Watch TV, Watch Blu-ray, and Listen to CD) and also displays icons for your favorite channels, so you don’t have to remember the channel number every time you want to watch SyFy. The Remote Assistant feature is like a built-in help desk. If the remote fails to perform a task you expect it to (such as turn up the TV’s volume), you can follow the Remote Assistant’s guided suggestions to quickly resolve the problem. Usually that’s a matter of answering yes or no to questions about which components are correctly powered up.”

Eagle Creek Specter Packing Cubes

Street price: $38; MSRP: $40; Deal price: $28

This is the lowest price we’ve seen on these packing cubes. We’ve only seen them go below $30 twice in the past, so this is a great price to pick them up. The few times we’ve seen deals near this price point in the past have been very short-lived, so it’s unlikely that this deal will be around for long. Luckily this deal is available in a much more reasonable and less fluorescent color than last time.

The Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Cube Set is the lighter packing cubes pick in our guide to the best gear for travel. Wirecutter Staff writes, “If you value lightness over the ability to easily access your contents, Eagle Creek’s Specter packing cubes ($40 for three) are about 40 percent lighter than similarly sized competitors (62.1 grams for a medium cube, compared to 106.6 grams for non-Specter Eagle Creek medium cube). You can still use them to organize your garments, and they stack like cubes, but you still need to take everything out if you want to access what’s at the bottom of the cube.”

Oculus Rift + Touch Bundle + $100 Oculus store credit

Street price: $600; MSRP: $600; Deal price: $600

Here’s a great deal on our top pick for VR headset. This is the first deal we’ve featured since the Oculus Rift + Touch had a $200 drop in price down to $600. While the price of the bundle itself hasn’t dropped yet, it’s currently available with a very nice deal that gets you 6 free games and a $100 in Oculus store credit. You’ll receive the promotional code via email within two days of your order.

The Oculus Rift headset is our top pick in our guide to the best VR headsets for PC and PS4. Signe Brewster writes, “The Oculus Rift + Touch strikes a compromise between the PSVR and the Vive with a high-end VR experience that doesn’t require much fuss. It’s clear Oculus put a lot of thought into building a headset that will appeal to gaming veterans and newcomers alike with a comfy fit, quick startup process, and wide range of content. If you get the Rift, you should also spend the extra $100 for the Touch controllers, which greatly increase your immersion and completely change the way you can use the Rift. We tested the Rift with the Touch controllers and don’t recommend it without them.”

Brewster elaborates, “It was the lightest and most comfortable of the bunch (so you can wear it for longer), had the most well-balanced and capable controllers, and was the easiest to set up. The Rift has only three cords, and its on-ear headphones require zero thought compared with the earbuds bundled with other kits. Additionally, Oculus currently has the widest selection of SteamVR compatible content. In short, it’s the most complete package you can get right now.”

Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 22-Inch Express Spinner Suiter

Street price: $250; MSRP: $580; Deal price: $185

While we recently featured a deal on this carry-on luggage, it went out of stock quickly. Luckily it’s back, below our previous deal price and over $50 below the street price. We have seen it for less than $180 before, but those deals usually only last a few hours. This is still a great price to pick up the Magna 2 and a great opportunity to pick it up if you missed the deal last week.

The Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 22-Inch Luggage is our top pick in our guide for the best carry-on luggage. Kit Dillon and Brent Rose write, “The Magna 2 is better balanced and less prone to tipping, and it has a sleeker, higher-end aesthetic. A new built-in garment folder with a removable folding board (similar to the one in our Briggs & Riley upgrade pick) increases the bag’s overall packing flexibility but doesn’t protect a suit from creases quite as well as the removable garment bag in the old version. But if your main priority is keeping your dress clothes in great shape, we have a pick for that below.”

Because great deals don’t just happen on Thursdays, sign up for our daily deals email and we’ll send you the best deals we find every weekday. Also, deals change all the time, and some of these may have expired. To see an updated list of current deals, please go to The Wirecutter.com.

YouTube’s ‘VR180’ format works on screens and in headsets

At today’s Vidcon event, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki rolled out a new format for videos called VR180. Intended to split the difference between 360/VR formats and standard videos, it lets creators shoot videos that are immersive when viewed in a virtual reality headset, but still have a normal perspective — with slight stretching and flattening — for anyone watching on their 2D computer screen or phone. The Daydream team is apparently working with Lenovo, LG, and YI Technology to build new cameras that will record in the format, which creators will be able to edit using tools like Adobe Premiere.

Interested parties can sign up for more information here, and YouTube says that eligible creators can sign up for a loaner VR180 camera at YouTube Space.

Source: YouTube Blog, VR180

Apple Pay Coming to Quiznos, Smashburger, and Other Restaurants With Integrated Loyalty Program

Punchh today announced that Quiznos, Smashburger, MOD Pizza, and select other restaurant brands in the United States will soon accept Apple Pay integrated with its cloud-based loyalty program for customers.

At participating restaurants, Apple Pay users will supposedly receive a push notification at checkout prompting them to add the restaurant’s loyalty program to Apple’s Wallet app. Once added, customers will automatically begin earning points and receiving specialized offers, which can be redeemed during future visits.

A spokesperson for Punchh said existing members of a restaurant’s loyalty program can add it to their Apple Wallet as an NFC pass.

When a customer taps on the push notification, she will be presented with a form with pre-populated enrollment data, and can immediately enroll, according to Punchh. The customer can also opt-in to automatically select the “card” next time, and receive the pass in the Wallet app on iPhone.

Punchh’s clients include more than 85 restaurant chains, such as Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, El Pollo Loco, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Pieology, Quiznos, and Smashburger, but it doesn’t appear that Apple Pay support will be rolling out to every chain.

Punchh said Apple Pay eliminates the need to download a participating restaurant’s loyalty app to start earning rewards or points. Restaurants will supposedly still be able to track items that customers purchase, however, including how much they paid, but no payment or personal information will be collected.

Related Roundup: Apple Pay
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Apple Watch’s Toy Story Face Goes Live in watchOS 4 Beta 2 With Numerous Characters and Animations

During Apple’s WWDC keynote this year the company debuted new features coming in watchOS 4, some of which include fresh watch faces for Apple Watch. Following in the footsteps of the animated Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse faces, watchOS 4 is gaining new Disney characters for Apple Watch wearers in the form of Jessie, Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and more from Toy Story.

The Toy Story characters weren’t available in the first developer beta of watchOS 4, but with yesterday’s launch of beta 2 for the Apple Watch software all of the characters have appeared as watch face options. These include multiple poses and animations of Jessie, Bullseye, Buzz, Woody, Hamm, Rex, and the Pizza Planet aliens.

While the watch faces are animated when the Apple Watch is raised, similar to Mickey and Minnie, as of now they don’t speak when tapped upon. Two complications are available for the Toy Story watch face, one above the time in the top right hand corner, and another at the very bottom of the face. The color for these complications changes automatically to match the character on screen and can’t be customized.

In the Watch app on iPhone users can choose from Buzz Lightyear, Woody, or Jessie, and after that the Apple Watch will depict a new animation for that character every time the user raises their wrist. For anyone who wants to completely randomize which character and animation they’ll get when they check their Apple Watch, a “Toy Box” option is also accessible. Specific faces for any other character — like Rex or Hamm — are not available as of watchOS 4 beta 2, and the only way to see these characters is by choosing Toy Box.

Check out the MacRumors watchOS 4 roundup for more information on what’s coming to Apple Watch when the software launches to the public later in the fall.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch Series 2, watchOS 3, watchOS 4
Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
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Upcoming Apple Store in Chicago Features MacBook Roof Design

Apple is building a new flagship retail location in Chicago, which features glass walls and a thin, carbon fiber roof. Photos of the store’s roof were shared today by Chicago news site DNAinfo, and as it turns out, Apple has added a white Apple logo that wasn’t in the original plans, making the top of the structure look a lot like an Apple notebook.

The roof is made from a material that resembles the silver aluminum of the MacBook and MacBook Pro, with rounded edges and the same rectangular shape. When complete, it will sit atop all-glass walls, making for a unique floating MacBook-style design that’s not quite like any other Apple Store.

The new store, which is located near the historic Michigan Avenue Bridge alongside the Chicago River, has been designed by longtime Apple partner Foster+Partners in homage of Chicago architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie Style homes.

Image via DNAinfo
Based on plans from 2015, the building spans 20,000 square feet and replaces a vacant food court. It features two floors, with a flight of stairs that go from street level to a walkway next to the north bank of the river.

There is no word yet on when the new store will be opening, but construction is nearing completion.
Discuss this article in our forums

iMac Pro May Feature Intel’s Server-Grade ‘Purley’ Processors, ARM Coprocessor

Apple earlier this month unveiled the iMac Pro, a workstation-class desktop computer with up to an 18-core Intel Xeon processor, top-of-the-line Radeon Pro Vega graphics, up to 4TB of SSD storage, and up to 128GB of ECC RAM.

Apple didn’t specify exactly which processors will be included in the iMac Pro, but if the blog Pike’s Universum is to be believed, it could be powered by Intel’s next-generation server-grade Skylake-EX and Skylake-EP processors, which are based on a platform codenamed “Purley.”

The blog, which appears to be sourcing its information from firmware files in the macOS High Sierra developer beta, said the iMac Pro will use Intel’s new server-class LGA3647 socket, not its high-end, desktop-class LGA2066 socket.

If the information is accurate, it suggests the iMac Pro could have truly server-grade Xeon processors, rather than using Intel’s recently announced Core-X series of Skylake and Kaby Lake chips that still use the LGA2066 socket.

The blog added that the new iMac Pro appears to be coming with a Secure Enclave, suggesting it will have an ARM coprocessor like the MacBook Pro with Touch Bar for added security. It would also open the door to Touch ID on the iMac Pro, but Apple made no mention of the feature when introducing the computer.

Signs point to iMac Pro being the first desktop Mac with a Touch Bar-style ARM coprocessor https://t.co/i8oxM8ln8m

— Steve T-S (@stroughtonsmith) June 22, 2017

Pike’s Universum revealed some of the iMac Pro’s tech specs in April, two months prior to it being announced, including that it would have Xeon processors, ECC RAM, faster SSD storage, AMD graphics options, and Thunderbolt 3 ports, but some of the specific details proved to be inaccurate.

Apple said the iMac Pro will be available to order in December, starting at $4,999 in the United States.

Related Roundup: iMac Pro
Tag: Intel
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Monument Valley: A short but sweet masterpiece (Review)

Every now and then, a developer comes out with a game so good that it gains critical acclaim by the industry and shapes it moving forward. Remember Flappy Bird? It wasn’t a complicated game at all (from a technical point of view) but it gained so much traction in the industry that even the developer could not handle it and pulled it from the stores.

The same can be said about Monument Valley, by ustwo games, a puzzle game that combines so many good elements on different levels that you are left wondering why does the developer is asking just $3.99 for it. It is easily the best puzzle game in the Play Store, and probably one of the best mobile games ever created. Seriously, I am not exaggerating.

Developer: ustwo games

Price: $3.99

Setup

You can see the philosophy of this game right from the beginning. You don’t get a conventional tutorial or anything. You get thrown right into this world and, after a couple of minutes, you will get the hang of the controls. If you tap somewhere and Ida is able to move there, then she will. There are also several elements that you can interact with, but I will not spoil the fun for you.

After finishing this very easy introductory level, which is actually Stage 1, you will get to the game itself, and then the fun starts for real.

Overview

The game will take you to the stage selection, which features a very nice spinning portal with the ten available levels. Yes, there are only ten levels in the game, but more on that later. Even the stage selection screen is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen, if not precisely functional.

Entering a level is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. Although every level has (obviously) the same art direction and chill vibe attached to it, they’re very different from each other. Each one has its own unique setting and mood. From dark, eerie environments to gleeful, yellow tinted backgrounds, there’s no level that feels the same to another.

This game can turn from colorful to eerie in no time.

These levels are called monuments, and it’s all part of a background story. The fact that the game actually has a story, something that is so rarely seen these days on mobile games (and even on some console games), is worthy to mention (if a bit sad, since it says a lot about the current state of mobile game development).

Don’t expect something ground-breaking, though. There’s only so much you can tell in a couple of hours with very few interaction between characters. However, it is still nice to have a story to follow through, and not just wander aimlessly without any explanation of what is going on and what are we doing here.

The stage selection screen is very innovative.

Along the way, said characters will help you understand what is going on. However, most of the time you’re going to be cracking down these puzzles and just being in awe about even the smallest aspects have been thought of and executed in an admirable way.

Your mission is always to reach a goal at the top of these monuments. When this happens, Ida places a geometric object on top of it and clears the stage. Monument Valley is not like common games in this day and age, in which you earn coins, orbs, gems, or similar, in order to buy in-game stuff and move forward, so you won’t actually win any kind of in-game currency.

Rather, the developer is focused on giving you the best possible experience. If I had to choose my favorite part of this game, then it would be this lack of “pay-to-win” strategies that has plagued the store these days.

General Impressions

As you go through each stage, they get bigger and more complicated, with Ida “learning” new stuff (such as walking sideways) and new ways of interacting with the environment. Elements such as the crow people are introduced in later levels to spice things up.

At first, the puzzles are easy, but, as you progress through the game, you have to think more deeply about your next move. There’s no timer, score, or anything related to competition. This game is meant to be as relaxing as possible while providing a decent challenge, and that goal is fulfilled in a superb manner.

Stages are easy at first but they get very complex later on.

Part of the challenge comes from the fact that you have to play around with the positioning of the world elements and your character in order to progress. Once you figure out things, you will see how clever puzzles are, and it is rewarding to figure out what it is needed to do in order to progress.

The only bad thing that could be said about this game is how short it is. Sure, it is a great experience that feels very polished, and probably generating these ten levels took an insane amount of time, but, when finishing the game, you still have this “I want more” feeling. It’s a shame that the game is not longer but probably the game developer had to choose between shipping it in its current state or spending more money and time developing it, and thus increase the asking price.

Graphics and Sound

This screenshot speaks for itself. Simply awesome.

In case you haven’t noticed yet, graphics are by far the most impressive aspect of this game.They are not flashy or cutting-edge, but they way they have been done is what makes this game special and unique. As previously said, each level has its own unique character and setting.

Animations are extremely fluid and meticulous, while Ida’s movements are limited but fluid. Notable is the attention to detail by the developer, which can be easily seen thanks to the intricacies of each stage. This game is proof that you don’t need Need for Speed or Modern Combat graphics to create a visually appealing game.

Sure, those games look outstanding and it is sometimes even hard to believe that they’re being rendered by a mobile phone, but Monument Valley manages to look absolutely superb with its charming approach to graphic design.

Regarding sound, it tries to maintain the same tone set by the graphics and gameplay. Soothing music and simple sound effects are all you will hear in Monument Valley, and they do a superb job in not disrupting what is achieved by the other elements of the game.

Conclusion

Sometimes, a game comes that completely changes the gaming landscape. Super Mario 64, Pokemon Red & Blue, Metal Gear Solid, GTA: San Andreas, and Minecraft come to my mind as revolutionary games on consoles, while Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, Pokémon Go, and Temple Run could be equivalent in terms of impact on the industry. I can confidently say that Monument Valley can be added to this list, thanks to its relaxing vibe, massive attention to detail and satisfying puzzles. While short, this game is easily one of the best games ever released for a mobile device, and one that every person even remotely interested in gaming should experience.

Download and install Monument Valley from the Google Play Store.

Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money, and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

Art Genius

Art Genius transforms your photos into cool works of art. Just press a button and watch Art Genius draw on your screen as it turns your images into stunning art.

Available on:

iOS

Cartoonatic 2

Use this app to turn your videos into hilarious cartoons with music and special effects.

Available on:

iOS

Note-ify

This app is a simple and convenient note-taking tool. Organize your notes, ideas, shopping lists, tasks, and different reference information. It features a user-friendly and customizable interface.

Available on:

iOS

Yoga

This app comes with HD videos of yoga poses developed and demonstrated by qualified yoga instructors. Search poses based on type, focus, and ability.

Available on:

iOS

Pocket Yoga

With Pocket Yoga, you can practice at a pace that’s right for you in the comfort of your own home. Simply roll out your mat, place your device in front, and Pocket Yoga will guide you through an entire session.

Available on:

iOS

TextGrabber

This app easily and quickly scans, translates, and saves your chosen text or QR codes from virtually any printed material.

Available on:

iOS

Facebook wants to make it harder for people to copy your profile picture

Why it matters to you

Having your profile picture stolen can be an alarming experience and Facebook wants to cut down on it.

In our digital day and age, there are more ways than one to steal an identity. But one of the more jarring instances may just be finding a copycat Facebook profile, complete with your profile picture. While Facebook is all about you making friends, it does not want you to sacrifice your privacy in the process. Now, the social media giant is helping you fight back, and has unveiled a new feature that promises to give users “more control over who can download and share their profile pictures.”

The announcement comes just a few days after the company announced new ways to fight terrorist content online as well. Currently being piloted in India, the new tools were developed in partnership with Indian safety organizations, including Centre for Social Research, Learning Links Foundation, Breakthrough India, and Youth Ki Awaaz. The goal, Facebook said, is to give individuals a greater degree of control over their online experience and furthermore, keep them safe.

“Profile pictures are an important part of building community on Facebook because they help people find friends and create meaningful connections,” wrote Aarati Soman, a product manager at Facebook. “But not everyone feels safe adding a profile picture. In our research with people and safety organizations in India, we’ve heard that some women choose not to share profile pictures that include their faces anywhere on the internet because they’re concerned about what may happen to their photos.”

So to keep them safe, Facebook is rolling out a new profile picture guard. If you opt into this feature, other users will not be able to download, share, or send your default photo in a message on Facebook. Furthermore, people you are not Facebook friends with won’t be able to tag anyone, including themselves, in your profile picture. Facebook is also going to try to prevent others from screenshotting your profile picture, a feature currently available only on Android devices. And finally, Facebook will display a blue border and shield around your profile picture to show that it is protected.

“Based on preliminary tests, we’ve learned that when someone adds an extra design layer to their profile picture, other people are at least 75 percent less likely to copy that picture,” Soman said. So if you’re looking for ways to keep yourself safe on social media, you may want to start with your profile picture.