Bitcoin Cash surpassed Ethereum as world’s second most popular cryptocurrency

In the world of cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin is king, followed by Ethereum and other such digital assets. However, last night we saw Bitcoin’s splinter currency, Bitcoin Cash, briefly overtake Ethereum to become the world’s second most valuable cryptocurrency.

Early Sunday morning, Bitcoin Cash skyrocketed in value to $2,500 a coin surpassing Ethereum in terms of market capitalization.

Bitcoin Cash, which broke away from the more popular Bitcoin earlier this year, was rising in price until about 2:00 a.m. ET. After that point, its value fell by about $1,000. By about 11:35 a.m, the coin had increased in value to $1,525 a share, but had still fallen below Ethereum’s market capitalization. It should be noted that Bitcoin Cash is still more expensive than Ethereum in terms of individual coins, with the former costing $1,449, compared to the latter’s $311.

Regardless, it was still an impressive rally for a coin that normally goes for about $300-500. Ethereum’s founder Vitalik Buterin took to Twitter to congratulate Bitcoin Cash on the recent surge.

Congrats on this. Seriously. @rogerkver @JihanWu @deadalnix pic.twitter.com/UXYdEcRn4y

— Vitalik Buterin (@VitalikButerin) November 12, 2017

Bitcoin Cash’s surge appears to have cost a slight downturn in the value of its sibling cryptocurrency. On Wednesday, Bitcoin was valued at a high of $7,128, but on Sunday, it fell to $5,512. As of the time of this reporting, Bitcoin is valued at $5,987.

Bitcoin Cash broke away from Bitcoin in August of this year as a means of making cryptocurrencies more accessible to the average consumer. Since then, Bitcoin has continued to lead the way in terms of price and market capitalization, but some experts believe Bitcoin Cash’s rise will continue.

“There were lots of Bitcoin Cash whales who were in early on Bitcoin who were waiting to see what would happen with 2x,” Kyle Samani, of MultiCoin Capital told Forbes. “… They’re dumping BTC for BCH … I know many Bitcoin OGs who have dumped $10m+ of BTC for BCH … Turns out there were a lot more BCH ideologues than we all thought.”

Despite their increased popularity  in society, cryptocurrencies are still a bit of a mystery to many people. If you’re interested in learning more about Bitcoin or cryptocurrencies in general, we can help you out.

Upgrade your TV’s built-in speakers with this $80 AmazonBasics sound bar

A perfectly viable upgrade for your TV’s speakers.

This AmazonBasics sound bar with a built-in subwoofer is down to $79.99. This is the lowest price ever compared to a regular street price around $95. It has never even dropped below $95 before.

Sound bars are a great way to step up the audio of any monitor that uses built-in speakers. Obviously, this isn’t going to be the same as a huge home audio system like Sonos, but if you’re trying to watch a movie with tiny speakers and no boom, you’re selling yourself short. Upgrade with a sound bar like this at the very least.

Features include:

• 31.5-inch sound bar with built-in subwoofer enhances home-audio systems (not compatible with universal or TV remotes)
• Bluetooth technology v2.1 + EDR with A2DP & AVRCP for seamless streaming from various devices
• Full-range stereo speakers; up to 92 dB (2.1 channels)
• 4-piece 2-inch round frame; mid- to high-range drivers; 4-by-2.7-inch sub-range driver; 2-piece passive radiator
• 3 sound modes: Standard, News, and Movie; remote control and wall-mount hardware included; measures 31.5 by 3.2 by 3.5 inches (W x H x D)

If you’re a cord-cutter, you can really give your TV an upgrade with this OTA antenna, too. It has a 35-mile range for just $20, and paired with this sound bar maybe you’ll actually start using your TV for more than just a living room decoration piece.

See at Amazon

Samsung’s Black Friday deals include $100 off Chromebooks and more

Samsung’s Black Friday deals may have you making a few purchases!

There’s really no better time than right now to start preparing for Black Friday. Nearly all of the big ads that we’ve been anticipating have hit already, and now we are continuing to see smaller ones hit.

• Samsung 2017 Black Friday Ad Scan

Prices that are shown in the ad will take effect on November 19, so be sure to check the ad out now so you can be prepared for when the discounts kick off.

Samsung will be offering a bunch of deals on its hardware from mobile phones to Chromebooks, TVs and more. Some of best deals include $70 off the Gear S3 Frontier, $100 off the Samsung Chromebook Pro, and $50 off the Gear IconX (2018). There are some other deals you may be interested in as well, so be sure to check out the whole ad above.

Check out the Thrifter Black Friday Hub

Russian Twitter accounts tried to influence the UK’s EU departure

Russia’s attempt to influence Western politics through Twitter certainly wasn’t limited to the 2016 American elections. Wired and New Knowledge have combed through the Russia-linked accounts provided to US politicians, and it identified at least 29 bogus users that backed the UK’s European Union exit (aka Brexit). The accounts used Brexit-related hashtags, stirred Islamophobic sentiment and used racist anti-refugee language. These accounts weren’t ignored, either. Combined, they had 268,643 followers and got some posts shared hundreds of times.

The tweets directly tied to Brexit were posted just after the vote in June 2016, but they’re characterized as a “snapshot” that doesn’t necessarily reflect the entire situation. Some of the ostensibly American accounts were unusually obsessed with Europe beforehand, however, and frequently posted similar anti-immigration and anti-Islam messages in response to terrorist attacks. A previous BuzzFeed study had identified 13,000 Twitter bots that supported leaving the EU, but it’s not clear how many of those were tied to Russia.

The discovery isn’t entirely shocking: if Russia was using Twitter bots to skew American sentiment, it wouldn’t take much effort to do the same for Britons. Still, findings like this could be crucial to an official investigation into Russia’s influence over Brexit. They also underscore how easy it can be to mount a modern propaganda campaign — you can target audiences around the world with minimal effort.

Source: Wired

Sierra Nevada spacecraft completes first test flight in 4 years

If Sierra Nevada is going to fulfill supply missions for the International Space Station and the UN, it’ll have to prove that its Dream Chaser spacecraft is ready to fly… and it just took a big step in that direction. The company has revealed that Dream Chaser completed a glide test flight on November 11th, launching from a helicopter and landing at California’s Edwards Air Force Base. Notably, it’s this vehicle’s first flight in 4 years, and its first successful landing demonstration — when this ship last flew in 2013, stuck landing gear forced a rough touchdown.

Dream Chaser was carrying the same space-grade avionics that it’ll use for ISS missions, Sierra Nevada said. More information about the flight should follow on November 13th.

The successful flight isn’t as dramatic as a full-fledged mission launching atop a rocket (those aren’t expected to start until 2019), but it’s a crucial milestone all the same. It proves that, on a basic level, Dream Chaser can live up to its role as a reusable cargo ship. And while it won’t be the only vehicle that can return safely to Earth, it’ll be particularly important for science. Unlike a capsule that might land in a remote area, Dream Chaser can quickly return experiments to waiting researchers.

SNC is proud to announce the Dream Chaser® spacecraft had a successful free-flight test today @EdwardsAFB, with support of @NASAArmstrong. The Dream Chaser had a beautiful flight and landing! pic.twitter.com/lAn0n7FPsg

— Sierra Nevada Corp (@SierraNevCorp) November 12, 2017

Via: Spaceflight Now

Source: Sierra Nevada (Twitter)

Blizzard’s animated short films could lead to a full-length ‘Overwatch’ movie

The robotic heroes of Blizzard Entertainment’s futuristic online shooter may soon be the stars of an Overwatch movie, thanks to the success of the popular animated short films. The game itself doesn’t offer much in the way of storytelling or character exposition, so Blizzard has filled in some of the gaps with a series of origin stories detailing the various heroes’ rise to power.

The production and direction of the Overwatch animated shorts has always been top-notch, and the gorgeous animation rivals that of Pixar. Eight shorts have been released so far, and they are truly a labor of love for the studio. Some of the clips even played in theaters across the country as part of the game’s launch events.

“The animated shorts are probably the thing that we have the most fun making,” director Jeff Kaplan told Polygon earlier this year. “We really love working with our animation group and digging out the stories not tied to any constraints of gameplay — we can tell any stories we want.” You can check out more behind-the-scenes info in a short “making of” documentary about the Rise and Shine episode.

There’s no doubt the studio has the talent and expertise for a full-length animated film, something fans have been clamoring for since the first cinematic trailer was released. Now, a representative from Blizzard has confirmed that they’re fully in support of the idea too.

“We would like that very much,” Tim Kilpin of Activision said to MCVUK in a recent interview. “These franchises exist across multiple platforms, so it’s not just the game as a driver, but it’s linear content [movies and TV] as a way to expand the audience.”

With more than 35 million players, an Overwatch movie would certainly have worldwide appeal, considering the popularity of the game in huge markets like China. Hit video games rarely translate into box-office success, however, as Blizzard’s own venture with their live-action Warcraft movie illustrated.

In the more immediate future, Activision is currently exploring the possibilities for a Call of Duty film. “Anytime you take a franchise as storied as this, with this kind of legacy, and expand it into a new form factor you have to be really careful,” Kilpin cautioned. “So frankly, if the script and the story isn’t right, we won’t do it.”

While a full-length movie may be years away, several more origin features are planned to round out the second season of the animated shorts. With more than 20 appealing characters to draw from, it’s a sure bet they won’t run out of story ideas any time soon.

Chromebook Holiday Gift Guide

Chromebooks make great gifts! Here are the best choices for everyone on your list..

The holidays are on us once again. For many of us, the spirit of giving is a chance to make someone’s Christmas or Hanukkah a little more special by finding just the right gift. Good thing there is something that’s easy to find, won’t hurt your wallet and is something that anyone would love — a new Chromebook!

They come in plenty of sizes, styles and capabilities, so you’ll be able to pick the perfect model no matter who you’re buying for. And what you’re giving — the full internet experience with the Chrome browser, thousands of apps and extensions that go with it and a secure system that is quick and almost maintenance free. Of course, you also get Google Play and over 1,000,000 Android applications on select models.

Since different people have different needs, let our expertise help you pick the right Chromebook to make the perfect gift.

The best Chromebook for your parents (or grandparents)

The Samsung Chromebook Plus is the best Chromebook you can buy right now (under $1000), and it’s also the best Chromebook for your parents or grandparents.

Even the older members of our families are pretty tech-savvy now and a solid Chromebook with a great display is going to be appreciated by everyone. Perfect for just about anything, the Chromebook Plus makes for a great way to do the boring things like paying the bills or the fun things like checking out family photos or keeping in touch through Facebook or a Hangouts video call. It’s also the perfect computer to take on a trip or just to sit in the living room and watch a movie or do a little shopping.

Designed for use with Google Play and Android apps, your parents will be able to do anything they need with the Chromebook Plus.

See at Amazon

The best Chromebook for your sibling or special someone

2017 brought a lot of Chromebooks and just about every price point, but the Acer Chromebook R13 is still one of the best, especially for someone who will be using it both at home and out of the house.

At 13 inches, it has enough real estate to make for a “comfortable” experience, has plenty of power to do just about anything and folds over to become a large-screen tablet complete with a multi-touch interface. This meshes perfectly with Android apps from Google Play, which the R13 supports.

It’s also built well and the aluminum body is tough enough to hold up in a laptop bag or the table at Starbucks. Top things off with excellent battery life and the Acer Chromebook R13 is the best Chromebook you can buy for someone finishing up school or moving into the workforce.

See at Amazon

The best Chromebook for the little ones

Tough as nails with great battery life is the perfect way to describe the Acer Chromebook Spin 11. Built with the education market in mind, the Spin 11 is MIL-SPEC rated so it can handle a full glass of water being dumped directly onto the keyboard, and also includes a Wacom EMR stylus for drawing, annotating and note-taking. The Spin 11 will survive the crazy things a youngster will undoubtedly do to it and provide years of entertainment and learning fun.

Designed for use with Google Play and Android apps, the little ones in your life will love using the Acer Chromebook Spin 11.

See at Amazon

The creme-de-la-creme

If you know anyone who could benefit from having the very best Chromebook money can buy, you’ll want to give them a Pixelbook.

The Pixelbook is Google vision of the future of portable computing, equally at home being an ultra-portable laptop or a slim and light tablet, complete with Google Play support for Android apps. With one of the best high-resolution multi-touch displays in the industry and a wonderful keyboard and trackpad, the Pixelbook is perfect for anyone who will by using it for work or school full-time. All-day battery life and the muscle to do anything today as well as in the future, the Pixelbook is worth its high price for the right person.

All Chromebooks are capable and great for work or school, but anyone spending all day every day using one will love the Pixelbook.

See at Best Buy

Update November 2017: We updated things to help you make the right pick this holiday season.

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Google Play is coming to Chromebooks
• Acer Chromebook 14 review
• Join our Chromebook forums

After Math: Well that’s helpful

While social media continues to be humanity’s greatest and most toxic of dumpster fires, the tech industry did manage to do some good this week. Researchers discovered that molten quarks can produce eight times the energy as the hydrogen bomb, Ford began testing exosuits for its assembly line workers, and Google floated its Project Loon as a way to get Puerto Rico back online. Numbers, because how else will you know how good of a Samaritan you are?

138 MeV: That’s how much energy a pair of quarks would theoretically give off if smashed together hard enough. That’s eight times the amount of energy you get when smashing hydrogen atoms. And, since it should only take 130 MeV to successfully smoosh them, researchers believe they may have discovered the world’s next clean energy source. Assuming, of course, that doing so doesn’t first rip open a breach in the space-time continuum.

10 feet per second: That’s how fast NASA’s Active Response Gravity Offload System (ARGOS) can accelerate a 300 pound load, including astronauts training for off-world expeditions.

100 miles: That’s how far Daimler’s new all-electric school bus can travel before needing a recharge. Eat your heart out Miss Frizzle.

1 million: That’s how many times Ford’s automotive assembly workers have to lift their hands above their heads every year. To combat the recurring stress and shoulder injuries that often come along with such activities, the car company has begun testing out non-powered assistive exosuits to shift the load from man to machine.

100,000: That’s how many Puerto Ricans could have their internet connections restored once Google fills the skies above the island nation with its Project Loon Wi-Fi balloons.

1 hour: That’s how long Las Vegas’ new autonomous shuttle bus managed to be on the road before getting into its first fender bender. Hopefully they’ll work out the bug by the time CES rolls around in January.

50: That’s how many characters Twitter users can now leverage for their cleverest of account names, never mind the fact that you can’t read the entire thing from the timeline.

The best probe thermometer

By Michael Sullivan

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter’s independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.

After spending 12 hours testing probe thermometers and speaking with experts—including cookbook authors, chefs, butchers, and a New York City Department of Health employee—we think most cooks just need a regular meat thermometer. But if you’re set on getting a probe thermometer to measure the temperature of food while it cooks, we recommend the ThermoWorks Dot. In our tests, the Dot was the fastest and most accurate at reading temperatures. Its simple design and straightforward controls made it easier to use than the competition.

Probe thermometers versus instant-read thermometers

Our top pick for probe thermometer, the ThermoWorks Dot (left), and our upgrade pick for instant-read thermometer, the ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4 (right). Photo: Michael Hession

Everyone should have a meat thermometer in their kitchen to ensure they’re consuming food cooked to safe internal temperatures. The more common kind is an instant-read thermometer, which you can stick directly into food for a few seconds to check the temperature. A probe thermometer is intended to remain in the meat while it cooks. A heat-safe cable attaches the probe to a digital unit outside the oven that displays the temperature reading.

Most of the pros we spoke to recommended getting an instant-read thermometer over a probe thermometer, because they’re faster at reading temperatures and longer-lasting. But there are some advantages to using a probe thermometer; namely, that you get an alert as soon as a set temperature is reached, without your having to open the oven door.

How we picked and tested

After testing 11 probe thermometers for this guide, we think the ThermoWorks Dot (center) is the best for most people. Photo: Caroline Enos

For this guide, we looked at three types of probe thermometers:

• Basic thermometers with a single probe
• Dual-channel thermometers with two probes
• Remote thermometers that display readings on wireless receivers or smartphone apps

After testing, we’ve concluded that remote thermometers are a convenience item most people can live without. We also don’t think most people need dual-channel models, which are meant to simultaneously measure the ambient air temperature and the meat. The experts we spoke with agreed that the extra measurements weren’t that useful for most people.

We considered probe thermometers with temperature ranges between -58 degrees and 572 degrees Fahrenheit, with probe cables heat-resistant up to 712 °F. Ideally, you want the cable to withstand temperatures up to 700 ºF for safe use on a grill. The length of the cable and the probe itself are also both important factors.

To test the accuracy of the thermometers, we put their probes in a ceramic mug filled with ice water (32 °F), in a pot of boiling water (212 °F), and in a stockpot of 130 °F water maintained by a sous vide circulator. We timed how long it took to reach a steady temperature, and how accurate that temperature was. To get a feel for their real-world usability, we also tested the most promising models in a screaming-hot, 650 °F to 700 °F grill, and while oven-baking pieces of chicken.

Our pick: ThermoWorks Dot

Our pick for the best probe thermometer is the ThermoWorks Dot. Photo: Caroline Enos

We recommend the affordably priced ThermoWorks Dot probe thermometer for its impressive accuracy and ability to read temperatures quickly. Compared with the others we tested, it was the easiest thermometer to use, thanks to its simple, intuitive design and large digital display. The Dot’s wide temperature range makes it ideal for both oven and grill use. The probe is long enough for even the thickest roasts, and it has a conveniently lengthy 48-inch cable.

In our tests, the Dot was the fastest thermometer to read temperatures accurately, typically in less than 9 seconds. Its thermistor sensor has an impressive temperature range of -58 °F to 572 °F (and a cable that can withstand 700 °F for short periods of time). The Dot was one of only three models that were accurate to the degree in a stockpot of 130 °F water.

Also great: ThermoWorks ChefAlarm and Smoke

For probe thermometers with more features, we suggest getting ThermoWorks’s Smoke (left) or ChefAlarm (right). Photo: Caroline Enos

If you want more features, such as a backlit screen and volume adjustment, we recommend two other models by ThermoWorks, the ChefAlarm and the Smoke. They both have longer probes than our main pick, and the same impressive temperature range.

In our tests, the ChefAlarm took a couple of seconds longer than the Dot to read temperatures, but it was just as accurate. The timer on this model is a nice addition, as are the backlit screen and volume control. The ChefAlarm also allows you to set the minimum and maximum temperatures, which have corresponding alarms. Our testers also liked that the ChefAlarm thermometer comes with a case. However, in spite of the ChefAlarm’s various benefits, we think most people will be fine with our pick.

Like the ChefAlarm, the Smoke has a backlit screen and volume control. But in contrast with our other picks, the Smoke can operate via a wireless receiver and has two channels to accommodate multiple probes: one probe to take the internal temperature of the meat, and an air probe for measuring the ambient temperature of the oven, grill, or smoker. The Smoke also allows you to set the minimum and maximum temperatures for each probe, which sound corresponding alarms. We don’t think you need these features, but if you really want them, the Smoke was the best model we tested that offers them.

This guide may have been updated by Wirecutter. To see the current recommendation, please go here.

Note from Wirecutter: When readers choose to buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn affiliate commissions that support our work.

Several iPhone X Owners Experiencing ‘Crackling’ or ‘Buzzing’ Sounds From Earpiece Speaker

A limited but increasing number of iPhone X owners claim to be experiencing so-called “crackling” or “buzzing” sounds emanating from the device’s front-facing earpiece speaker at high or max volumes.

Over two dozen users have said they are affected in a MacRumors discussion topic about the matter, while similar reports have surfaced on Twitter and Reddit since the iPhone X launched just over a week ago.

On affected devices, the crackling sounds occur with any kind of audio playback, including phone calls, music, videos with sound, alarms, and ringtones. The issue doesn’t appear to be limited to any specific iPhone X configuration or iOS version.

“Love the phone but I was wondering if anyone has had any issues with the speakers slightly sounding a little crackling whenever max volume,” said one MacRumors forum member with the alias ShadowYYZ. “Noticeable on certain songs and even my ring tone which was bought from the iTunes Store.”

For those unaware, the iPhone X’s earpiece doubles as a speaker that combines with the traditional speaker at the bottom of the device to deliver stereo sound. Both the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 series also have stereo speakers.

MacRumors hasn’t been able to reproduce the issues described. Apple didn’t immediately respond to our request for comment on the matter.

While the sounds could be the result of distortion, especially since they occur at higher volumes only, several users are convinced that there could be a bigger software or hardware issue affecting the earpiece.

“I listen to a lot of music on the speakers of the iPhone X and I noticed the slight crackle right away,” replied another MacRumors forum member who goes by the username Benz63amg. “Since so many of us seem to experience this crackle then my assumption is that it’s software related rather than hardware.”

A few months ago, several iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus owners experienced a similar “static noise” issue with the earpiece during phone calls. Apple acknowledged the issue and fixed it in iOS 11.0.2.

Since the crackling sounds on iPhone X don’t appear to be limited to phone calls, it’s unclear if the issues are related.

Apple has been replacing affected iPhone X units free of charge, according to customers who contacted the company. Apple also appears to be collecting diagnostic information so that its engineers can investigate the matter, as it routinely does with any potential software or hardware issues.

Like the green lines affecting some iPhone X displays, this is an isolated issue affecting a very low percentage of the millions of devices being manufactured. The majority of iPhone X owners do not appear to be affected.

If you experience this problem, we recommend booking a Genius Bar appointment with the Apple Support app or contacting Apple via phone, email, online chat, or Twitter to have your iPhone X replaced. Apple is known for providing good customer service, and it is often genuinely helpful in these situations.

Related Roundup: iPhone XBuyer’s Guide: iPhone X (Buy Now)
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