Trump sued for blocking users on Twitter

The Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University warned President Trump to stop blocking Twitter users. The freedom of speech organization sent the president a letter last month arguing that when Twitter is used by a President, it operates as a “designated public forum” like a city council or school board meeting. When blocking users for mocking or critical tweets, it argues, the president is violating their First Amendment rights. While the letter did not explicitly promise legal action, the implication was clear. Now, the same institute has filed suit, asserting that President Trump and “his communications team are violating the First Amendment by blocking individuals from the @realDonaldTrump Twitter account because they criticized the president or his policies.”

The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of New York on the behalf of seven individual Twitter users who have been blocked by the president or his team, affirms that the block impedes the individuals from reading, responding to or participating in discussions around the president’s tweets. The lawsuit asks the court to declare the blocks unconstitutional and to order the White House to restore access to the people named in it. In addition to arguing that the account is a “public forum,” the suit also claims that the individuals have a right to @readDonaldTrump for redress of grievances.

In addition, the blocks prevent everyone else from hearing dissenting voices. “The White House is transforming a public forum into an echo chamber,” said Knight Institute attorney Katie Fallow in a statement. “Its actions violate the rights of the people who’ve been blocked and the rights of those who haven’t been blocked but who now participate in a forum that’s being sanitized of dissent.”

Source: Knight INstitute

Microsoft wants to close the rural broadband gap by 2022

It’s well known that the US has a pretty extreme broadband internet access gap. Around 34 million Americans don’t have it, including 39 percent of rural citizens and today, Microsoft’s president Brad Smith announced how his company plans to close that gap.

Microsoft is calling for an elimination of the rural broadband gap by 2022 and has laid out a few strategies meant to achieve that goal. Over the next five years, Microsoft will invest with telecommunications companies to bring broadband access to two million rural Americans and it will use its recouped investments to invest in additional coverage-expanding projects. It will also invest in training to make sure people in areas with new access have the skills to utilize the technology. And in order to get other groups to do their part to spread broadband access, Microsoft will provide free access to dozens of patents and source code that will help with the development of technology that can expand broadband access and it will also license its own technology. As of now, Microsoft says its Rural Airband Initiative already has plans for 12 projects in 12 states that should get going within a year.

The company also calls on the public sector to play its part, which includes airwave space being made available by the FCC and federal and state funds directed specifically towards closing the broadband gap. Microsoft also says that better data collection on the state of rural broadband coverage would help companies and governments target shortcomings.

To keep costs down, Microsoft has proposed a mixed technologies approach to spreading broadband that includes wireless, fiber and satellite delivery systems. It says with this plan and relying on satellite coverage for low density populations, costs can be up to 80 percent less than using fiber cables alone and 50 percent less than wireless approaches like 4G.

It’s an ambitious plan and one that will require other groups, both private and public, to jump in as well. The FCC has been slowly working on its Connect America Fund aimed at boosting rural internet connectivity. Earlier this year, it approved $170 million to be used to expand broadband access in underserved areas of New York and AT&T recently began fulfilling its Connect America Fund promise to expand internet access. Last month, President Trump announced that his upcoming infrastructure plan will include stipulations that address the rural broadband gap.

Bringing broadband to 23.4 million Americans in five years is a lofty but necessary goal. As Smith said in a statement, “[Broadband connectivity] has become a critical connection to a better education and living. New cloud services are making broadband a necessity to start and grow a small business and take advantage of advances in agriculture, telemedicine and education. In short, broadband has become a vital part of 21st century infrastructure.”

Source: Microsoft (1), (2), (3)

Android stops glitchy apps by detecting your panicky presses

If you can’t dismiss an app by pressing the “back” button, it may just be a glitch or crappy app, but it could also be something much worse. That’s why Google has quietly slipped in a new Android feature called “panic detection” that can preemptively close an app if you stab at the back button multiple times. So far the feature, spotted by XDA Developers, has appeared in some, but not all devices with Android 7.1 Nougat.

Google hasn’t said anything about the feature– XDA just happened to discover the code in a recent build of Android 7.1. Essentially, it listens for back button presses, and if enough of them happen (four to be exact) in rapid succession (with less than a third of a second delay) then Android will override the app and bring back the home screen. This could apply to apps that just freeze, but also to rogue software that tries to intercept any and all actions, like malware or adware.

It’s a smart idea, because what’s the first thing you do when you can’t make an app go away? Frantically pressing the back key is probably the first thing, so that will kill the app and allow you to uninstall or disable it until you figure out the problem.

You’ll have to enable the feature to get it to work, apparently. Google seems to be rolling it out on a limited basis, and may in fact just be testing it, so it may be some time before it ends up on your device.

Source: XDA Developers

Microsoft officially ends support for Windows Phone

It’s official: for all intents and purposes, the Windows Phone era is over. Microsoft has ended support for Windows Phone 8.1 just over 3 years after its April 2014 debut. From now on, your WP8.1-toting device won’t get software updates or technical help. This doesn’t mark the end of Microsoft’s mobile ambitions (Windows 10 Mobile is still hanging around), but it does finish a long, sad story in the company’s history that reflects the tech giant’s shifting priorities.

Windows Phone 7 was launched in 2010 as Microsoft’s formal response to the iPhone and Android. This was the release that was going to prove Microsoft could make a truly consumer-focused mobile platform instead of catering primarily to the business crowd. The tile-based home screen and other interface elements were breaths of fresh air, but the so-so device lineup (HTC Surround anyone?) and lack of feature parity (it launched without copy-and-paste text) set the tone. It was always a bit lackluster compared to what Apple and Google were doing, even if there were occasional bright spots.

Case in point: Windows Phone 8. It was a huge upgrade, but no Windows Phone 7 device could run it. Millions of users were faced with the prospect of having to upgrade their handset early to stay current, erasing a lot of Microsoft’s hard-earned good will. Windows Phone 8.1 finally provided a truly complete answer to Android and iOS, but it was still a little bit behind and never got the sustained big-name app support that Microsoft had tried so hard to cultivate. And we can’t forget the ill-fated partnership between Microsoft and Nokia, including the eventual purchase of Nokia’s hardware business. It was supposed to be a match made in heaven (Microsoft got a huge, reliable partner while Nokia got a modern OS), but it mostly led to a lopsided Windows Phone market where third parties always played second fiddle to the latest Lumia.

That Microsoft ditched Windows Phone entirely in favor of Windows 10 Mobile says a lot. Just as Microsoft shifted from a dependence on Windows sales to a focus on apps and services, the pocket-sized Windows is no longer intended as an iPhone-beater — it’s more an extension of the desktop PC experience. Even then, it’s fading away as Microsoft cuts its former Nokia staff and has been winding down its mobile plans. Windows Phone produced many fond memories, particularly stand-out devices like the Lumia 1020, but it largely represents a missed opportunity to adapt to an industry where phones, not PCs, are the center of the computing universe.

Via: The Verge

Source: Microsoft

Soylent sits alongside Slurpees at some 7-Elevens in LA

Good news if you’re all about nutrition, but not a fan of actually eating while on the go: Soylent is now available at select 7-Eleven stores. The meal replacement substance was only sold on Amazon and the company’s own website prior to this, and CEO Rob Rhinehart told The Verge that soon enough the 7-Eleven deal will go wider than the 18 stores in Los Angeles. Now that no one is getting sick off of algae powder (a previous ingredient) the company stands to make some pretty big inroads with the mass market.

Source: The Verge

Kevin Hart’s comedy streaming service launches August 3rd

Last year, Lionsgate announced it would be launching a comedy streaming service helmed by Kevin Hart and today it gets a launch date. Laugh Out Loud will be available August 3rd with a slew of comedy shows lined up to air.

Among the programming are a handful of scripted shows including Campus Law, where three recent college grads become security guards at their alma mater, and Dead House, a sitcom about a human that joins a reality show alongside four zombies. Other shows include a Jo Koy-hosted series that highlights viral pranks called Inglorious Pranksters and Black Geo, a sketch comedy series that satirically investigates the origins of black culture.

Additionally, all of the Def Comedy Jam seasons will be available on the app as well as standup sets from the comedy festival Just for Laughs. The streaming service will feature content created by YouTube star GloZell, Vine stars King Bach and DC Young Fly, Emmanuel Hudson and MADtv performer Anjelah Johnson. And of course, Kevin Hart will have his own show — a hidden camera series called Kevin Hart: Lyft Legend where he gets into shenanigans as an elderly Lyft driver named Donald Mac. You can watch a clip of Hart’s first episode below.

The Laugh Out Loud app will be available on iOS and Android for free on August 3rd. For $3 per month, users can get ad-free viewing and access to every episode of currently airing seasons.

Source: Deadline

Duolingo’s ‘Game of Thrones’ language course is almost ready

If you’ve been clamoring to learn the languages of Game of Thrones, you might just get your wish. Duolingo’s High Valyrian to English program is nearly out of its Phase 1 testing.

User Dedalvs has been in charge of developing the language learning program, which will teach users the language of Daenerys Targaryen. They’ve been updating interested users on development progress for the last eight months. Yesterday, according to Reddit, an update was posted that says, “Valyrio Māzis,” which translates to “Valyrian is coming.” While the update seems to have disappeared from Duolingo’s site, the project’s estimated completion date is July 13th 16th.

Language app Duolingo has three phases for testing new languages and new language combinations on its site. You can see everything the service is working on in its Incubator. Phase 1 consists of limited testing by volunteers, Phase 2 is a public beta and Phase 3 courses have been finalized and released as finished products.

Edit: Duolingo reached out to let us know that the High Valyrian course is set to be released on Thursday, July 13.

Via: The Verge

Source: Duolingo

‘Awaken’ takes time-lapse filmmaking to new heights

If you’re a fan of wordless cinematic meditations on modern society, like Samsara and Baraka, Tom Lowe’s Awaken should be on your radar. Filmed over the course of five years in more than 30 countries, it’s a documentary that explores humanity’s connection with technology and nature with some gorgeous imagery. It’s also a showpiece for new time-lapse cinematography innovations by Lowe, including gimble technology that allowed him to shoot astrophotography scenes from a moving helicopter. The trailer alone shows off some astounding imagery, including a starry scene from the Sierra Nevada at dusk and a camera zooming above Dubai’s skyline.

Lowe is well known for his 2012 short film Timescapes, which also broke new ground for time-lapse filmmaking. He’s also done cinematography work for the renowned director Terrence Malick, who also serves as a producer for Awaken. To help create the imagery for the film, Lowe’s company Dreamcore worked together with Dubai Film to produce new types of camera equipment, and he also collaborated with Shotover to help build the F1 camera gimble. Awaken doesn’t have a release date yet, but Lowe plans to master the film with Dolby Vision HDR, as well as a Dolby Atmos sound mix. If anything, it’s sure to be a trippy experience in one of Dolby’s cinemas.

Hulu is now the only place to watch ‘Bob’s Burgers’

Hulu has been quietly racking up the wins lately with a string of new additions to its line-up. The on-demand streaming service — backed by Disney, 20th Century Fox, NBCUniversal and Time Warner — has found genuine success with original programming like The Handmaid’s Tale and Harlots. It has also continued to add older hits like The Golden Girls, CSI and Seinfeld while beefing up its live TV offerings, which include all four major broadcast channels and a host of cable networks. Now, Hulu has added exclusive access to 20th Century Fox animated properties, with entire runs of Bob’s Burgers, The Cleveland Show, American Dad! and Futurama airing only on Hulu.

While Hulu already had full seasons of Bob’s Burgers, American Dad and The Cleveland Show on Hulu, this new deal with Fox completes the library of those series, according to a Hulu spokesperson. Hulu becomes the exclusive streaming home to Bob’s Burgers with the new deal. The spokesperson also said that Hulu will add the full library of Futurama in a few weeks.

This is a big win for Hulu, as Bob’s Burgers, American Dad and Futurama all just left Netflix. Animation fans should be extremely happy with the additions: Previously, the only way to (officially) get full episodes of Futurama, for example, was on Comedy Central, which only has five episodes on offer. These new shows join other popular animated series on Hulu, including South Park, Rick and Morty, The Boondocks, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Robot Chicken, Adventure Time, Squid Bellies and Venture Bros. Hulu also has some episodes — if not the full run — of Family Guy, Archer and The Simpsons.

Source: Hulu

The Wirecutter’s best Amazon Prime Day Deals: PM Edition

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.

You may have already seen Engadget posting reviews from our friends at The Wirecutter, as well as their weekly deals. Today, we’ll also be publishing some of the best deals they’ve found on Prime Day.

Topo by Ergodriven

Street price: $120; MSRP: $200; Deal price: $100

Standing desks can set you back a fair bit of money, but at least you can save $20 on this standing desk mat. This is the first notable discount we’ve seen on our pick.

The Topo by Ergodriven is our pick for the best standing desk mat. Kevin Purdy wrote, “The Topo gives your feet varied terrain, encouraging movement and making standing less tedious. It’s also the easiest mat to move when you’re switching positions.”

Moto G Plus (5th Gen) 32GB Android Phone

Street price: $185; MSRP: $230; Deal price: $155

This is the first sale we’ve ever seen on this model, dropping $30 off of a phone we already consider a huge value. If you want to spend a little more, the 64GB is on sale for $179.99.

The Moto G Plus (5th Gen) 32GB Android Phone is our pick for the best budget Android phone. Ryan Whitwam wrote, “For the fifth year in a row, the best cheap Android phone comes from the Moto G line. For just $230, the Moto G5 Plus offers a 5.2-inch 1920×1080 LCD screen, 2 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a fast, accurate fingerprint sensor. The Moto G5 Plus is faster than most other budget phones thanks to its Snapdragon 625 processor, as well as Motorola’s solid software optimization”

Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II

Street price: $180; MSRP: $200; Deal price: $130

Here’s the first big discount we’ve seen on this Bluetooth speaker. Some Bose products tend to be stubborn about dropping, sometimes taking a couple years before seeing a decent sale, and this is one of them.

The Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II is our better sound pick in our best portable Bluetooth speaker guide. Brent Butterworth wrote, “If you want better sound quality and louder volume, or if you also want an excellent speakerphone for making calls, the Bose SoundLink Mini Bluetooth Speaker II is worth the cost. It’s shocking to hear how much better the SoundLink Mini II comes across than most competitors, with clearer voices and a fuller sound closer to what you might expect from a decent small stereo system.”

Kano Computer Kit

Street price: $145; MSRP: $150; Deal price: $95

This deal beats the best price we’ve seen on this kit by over $20. We’ve seen sales roughly every two months drop this down to $120, but nothing below that.

The Kano Computer Kit is a build-your-own computer kit we like in our guide on learning toys and STEM toys we love. Courtney Schley writes, “We recommended the Kano Computer Kit in our 2015 holiday gift guide as a great gift for “a curious kid of any age who has mastered Lincoln Logs, Erector sets, and LEGOs but isn’t quite up for soldering (or old enough for an electrical engineering degree program).” The kit, which is accessible for kids as young as six, has you assemble a small, portable computer using a Raspberry Pi 3 processor with 1 GB RAM, a wireless keyboard and touchpad, a speaker, and cables. We know that’s lot of money for what is effectively a $35 Raspberry Pi 3 processor, speakers and wireless keyboard, but you’re paying for the convenience of a “kit” that a kid can access and the accompanying apps, which get updated/enhanced over time.”

Puro BT2200 Headphones

Street price: $100; MSRP: $110; Deal price: $80

This is the best price we’ve seen on these headphones. We’ve only seen one previous sale, so getting a $20 discount makes today a great day to grab these.

The Puro BT2200 Headphones are our pick for the kids headphones. The WC staff wrote, “All of our kid panelists loved the fit, sound, and Bluetooth capabilities. Parents will love that our testing found the BT2200’s volume limiting to be in safer ranges.”

YI 4K Action Video Camera

Street price: $200; MSRP: $250; Deal price: $160

This is the first great sale we’re seeing on this affordable 4K action cam alternative. You’ll have to get to the final step of checkout to see the $40 discount.

The Yi 4K is our budget pick in our action camera guide. Ben Keough wrote, “This Chinese newcomer delivers 90 percent of the Hero5 Black’s functionality at around half the price, for those on a budget who don’t need waterproofing.”

Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus (3-Cup)

Street price: $32; MSRP: $35; Deal price: $26

Here’s the best price we’ve seen on this handy tool for the kitchen. Since it’s already affordable, they rarely offer any discounts.

The Cuisinart Mini Prep Plus (3-Cup) is our mini pick in our food processor guide. SH staff wrote, “It’s a great option for people who can’t or don’t want to invest in a $200 machine. You couldn’t make bread dough or shredded salads in it, but you could grind or chop small batches of herbs or nuts and do other tasks that would be more tedious by hand.”

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.