Apple Seeds Fifth Beta of tvOS 11.3 to Developers

Apple today seeded the fifth beta of an upcoming tvOS 11.3 update to developers for testing purposes, one week after seeding the fourth beta and three weeks after releasing the tvOS 11.2.6 update.

Designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models, the tvOS 11.3 developer beta can be downloaded onto the Apple TV via a profile that’s installed using Xcode and Apple Configurator.

Early tvOS 11.3 updates introduced support for AirPlay 2, allowing the Apple TV to be added to the Home app as part of a HomeKit setup and enabling multiple Apple TVs in separate rooms to play the same song, but that functionality was removed in tvOS 11.3 beta 3.

It is not yet clear if Apple plans to re-add AirPlay 2 features ahead of the release of tvOS 11.3, but it’s a possibility because there are still several betas to go.

Other new features in tvOS 11.3 include enhancements to Match Content support, automatic frame rate switching on the fourth-generation Apple TV (a feature that was added to Apple TV 4K in a past tvOS update), and automatic mode switching for AirPlay video sessions.

Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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iTunes Chief Eddy Cue: ‘We’re All In’ on Original Content

Apple iTunes music chief Eddy Cue is at the SXSW conference today, where he sat down for an interview with CNN’s Dylan Byers to discuss media, entertainment, and why curation matters.

The major announcement of the event was Apple’s pending acquisition of magazine subscription service Texture, which will be integrated into Apple News, but Cue also shared some insight into Apple’s original content plans, and much of what he said has been shared on Twitter.

Image via @JohanTrouve
According to Cue, Apple News is a unique service because it isn’t focused on advertising, so it’s not solely providing the news you want to read – it’s also sharing news “you should be reading.” Cue says Apple can do that because advertising isn’t the focus. “We’re not trying to get you to read so we can serve you more ads,” he said. “We want to give you a bit of serendipity to see all of what’s out there,” he added.

On the topic of Apple’s content plans, Cue said the company is “all in.” “We’re completely all in,” he said. Apple isn’t going to buy a company like Netflix or Disney, though, because the focus is not quantity, it’s quality. “You need to have a great story,” he said, while also teasing technology that will be a “surprise” to users.

Apple searched for the right people to run an original content team for two years before finding former Sony executives Zack Van Amburg and Jamie Erlicht. Cue says Apple was after someone who “really knew the business but was also willing to think about it differently.” Since hiring Van Amburg and Erlicht last year, Apple has inked deals for more than 10 TV shows, many with high-profile actors, producers, and directors.

“We’re making big investments,” said Cue. “Money isn’t an issue.” Apple’s original content team has grown to about 40 people over the course of the last year.

When asked about sports, Cue said that Apple wants to “augment the experience” rather than own sports content, doing things like sending out notifications when a game stats to enhance the viewing experience. “We think there’s a huge opportunity,” he said, referring to making sports watching a more interactive experience.

Cue also shared new details on Apple Music. The subscription service has grown to 38 million subscribers, with more than 8 million people using the trial service.

Cue commented on the HomePod, which went on sale in February. He said Apple is happy with the initial sales of the device, which is the “best musicologist there is.” Cue said Apple is “very proud” of the device.

Echoing statements Apple CEO Tim Cook has made several times over the course of the past year, Cue said Apple is “very, very optimistic” that AR is going to be huge. It’s going to be a mainstream product that everyone uses every day.

He declined to give specifics on the topic of AR hardware outside of the iPhone, though, citing a desire to continue working at Apple. “I’ve worked for Apple for almost 30 years and hope to work for Apple for another 20 years, so I’m not going to answer questions on future products,” he said.

Related Roundup: Apple TVTags: Eddy Cue, Apple MusicBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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Apple Maps Now Displays Nearby Bike-Sharing Stations in 175 Cities

Apple Maps recently inked a deal with Ito World, which adds bike-sharing data to Apple Maps in more than 175 cities across 36 countries, reports TechCrunch.

The feature went live this morning, and Apple Maps users can now type “bike sharing” or a specific service name like GoBike into the search bar to get results for nearby bike sharing options.

Apple previously had some available bike-sharing data in a few cities in Apple Maps, but with the Ito World partnership, it’s more widely available. Ito World has signed deals with dozens of companies to license bike sharing data.

Bike sharing information is somewhat limited at the current time, as all Apple Maps lists is the location of the bike sharing stop rather than information on available bikes or empty docks for dropping off a bike.

According to TechCrunch, Apple Maps supports a wide range of services like Citi Bike in New York City, Ford GoBike in San Francisco, Biketown in Portland, Santander Cycles in London, Bicing in Barcelona, BIXI in Montreal, and more.

Tag: Apple Maps
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Apple Updates Made For iPhone Licensing Program With USB-C Ports, Lightning to 3.5mm Output Cable

Apple recently updated its Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod (MFi) licensing program to include specifications for USB-C ports and a Lightning to 3.5mm output cable (via 9to5Mac).

With the new specifications, accessory makers will be able to include USB-C ports on MFi-certified charging accessories designed for the iOS and Mac, with those accessories able to use the USB-C cables that ship with new Macs.

Third-party MFi accessories that include Lightning ports are able to offer passthrough charging, but Apple’s new specifications do not allow the USB-C port built into an accessory to be used for passthrough charging or syncing of an iOS device.

Apple’s documentation suggests speakers and battery packs could benefit from the use of a USB-C port for charging purposes.

As for the Lightning to 3.5mm stereo output plug, it is designed to let users connect to a 3.5mm input using a Lightning port on an iOS device, something that was previously only possible with adapters.

Apple also recently revamped its Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod logos, introducing support for the San Francisco font and replacing device icons with standard Apple logos.

Tags: USB-C, MFi Program
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Apple Orders New ‘Central Park’ Animated Comedy From ‘Bob’s Burgers’ Creator

Apple has picked up its first animated TV series, a new show called “Central Park” developed by Loren Bouchard, well-known for popular cartoon “Bob’s Burgers.”

According to Variety, the animated series is a “musical comedy” written by Bouchard, Josh Gad, and Nora Smith. It’s said to tell the story of how a family of caretakers who live in Central Park in New York City end up saving the park and the world.

Apple has ordered 26 episodes of the show in total, split into two 13-episode seasons. “Central Park” is produced by 20th Century Fox and stars Josh Gad, Leslie Odom Jr., Titus Burgess, Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci, Daveed Diggs, and Kathryn Hahn.

This marks the 12th known television show that Apple has invested in so far.

Other TV shows Apple is working on include an untitled morning show drama starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon, an “Amazing Stories” reboot from Steven Spielberg, an untitled space drama from Battlestar Galactica creator Ronald D. Moore, a series written by “La La Land” creator Damien Chazelle, a Kristen Wiig comedy series, See, an epic world-building drama, Home, a docuseries focusing on incredible homes, “Little America,” an anthology series from “The Big Sick” creators Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, Swagger, a drama based on the early life and career of NBA star Kevin Durant, and a psychological thriller produced by M. Night Shyamalan.

Additional detail on all of Apple’s TV projects can be found in the original content section of our Apple TV roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple TVTag: Apple’s Hollywood ambitionsBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Buy Now)
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Spring cleaning for your PC: How to tame the tangle of wires under your desk

Technology companies often advertise their gadgets and gizmos as devices that will simplify your life, but they sometimes cause their own problems. This is particularly true of the PC, which can still be a mess of cords, hardware, and peripherals that can eat up your space. Here’s how to cut through the clutter like a samurai, and restore order to a messy office.

Cord routing and cutting

Even a basic home PC usually introduces five or more cords to keep track of, and often necessary extras like speakers and a printe, add to the mess as well. This looks bad, and can make connecting hardware more difficult, as you must first weave you way through a mess of cables to find an open port.

Cords don’t have to run wild and untamed, however. Simple and inexpensive tools like a label maker, Velcro ties and cable raceways can help you organize them. While they won’t go away, they will be contained, making them far less likely to cause trouble.

Routing and bundling cables can be useful, but it doesn’t always help – or help enough to satisfy your tastes. Those who truly despise wires may want to get rid of them entirely, and there’s numerous ways to do so.

Let’s start with your keyboard and mouse. Switching from wired to wireless will knock out two cables that are likely to get in your way, and it’s not expensive to do so. Logitech sells wireless bundles with a keyboard and mouse for less than $20. Enthusiasts who love mechanical keyboards have fewer options, but there are a few available.

The next step is to replace your printer with a wireless model. Most printers now have Wi-Fi connectivity, with even the best printers under $100 including it. Going wireless with your printer cuts an extra cord, and makes your printer easily available to multiple PCs and smart devices.

Do you have an array of external hard drives tangling you up in their cables? Don’t worry – they also can go wireless. Many modern Wi-Fi routers have a USB port that can be used to connect an external drive, which automatically turns it into a wireless network drive. Alternatively, you could grab a Wi-Fi hard drive with a built-in battery, though you’ll have to frequently plug it in to recharge.

Still feeling cord-crazy? Go wireless with your monitor. Intel’s Wi-Di tech is available on laptops and desktops and can be used in lieu of HDMI. You’ll first need to check your system’s compatibility before buying buy an adapter like Microsoft’s Wireless Display Adapter.

Hubs and docks, oh my

Wireless is great for reducing clutter but, as you may have already noticed, it can be an expensive choice if you try to replace everything. Thankfully, there’s another way – the humble, but effective, USB hub.

USB hubs can be great for charging multiple portable devices, and they can also be used to expand the number of ports available on a PC and help organize systems with lots of USB-compatible clutter. Simply sit the hub somewhere on (or under) your desk, and then connect devices to it rather than your computer. This reduces the length of cord runs, and concentrates them, which makes organization less daunting.

Hubs have become especially important with the advent of USB Type-C, and though the reversible standard is versatile, it doesn’t cater to many Type-A legacy devices. Hubs can give you that functionality while decluttering your desk.

The downside to this approach is a potential loss of performance. If you have multiple hard drives connected to a hub, and they’re used simultaneously, their speed may be reduced. Still, as long as you get yourself a hub that supports the latest high-speed USB standards, you shouldn’t notice too much of a drop-off.

Laptop owners should consider a dock if one is available for your particular model. A dock can improve organization by providing a permanent base to which other peripherals are connected. While cords will still exist, they’ll be easier to manage because you’ll no longer have to unplug them each time you remove the laptop from your desk. Docks also often face their ports toward the rear, rather than the right or left, which provides a more direct route to the edge of your desk.

Change your monitor’s stand

Chances are good that your monitor has a simple, static stand. Perhaps it tilts – perhaps not. Whatever the case, your monitor likely takes up desktop space that could be used for other tasks.

That doesn’t have to be the case. Most monitors come with a VESA mount, and a set of four screw holes arranged in a box formation on the rear. This can be used to attach your monitor to any VESA monitor mount, including those that are highly adjustable.

Picking up such a stand will let you move the monitor out of the way when you don’t need it, freeing up the space for paperwork, reading, or whatever else you might want to use your desk for. Choosing an adjustable stand can also have ergonomic benefits, as you’ll be able to move your monitor to the exact position where you find it most comfortable to use.

Switch to a smaller desktop

A desktop computer can be a source of clutter by itself. A standard mid-tower is generally eight inches wide, and fourteen to eighteen inches long, which is a sizable footprint. The system can be placed beneath a desk, but this common solution increases the length and complexity of cord runs.

Zotac

Switching to a smaller desktop can be helpful, because it can be placed where its name suggests (on top of your desk), making organization easier. It doesn’t even necessarily mean sacrificing power either, as there are many microcomputing systems produced now that pack in high-end processors and even powerful graphics cards and chips too.

Zotac’s latest range of ZBox PCs are tiny and yet fit both an Intel Core i7 CPU and an Nvidia GTX 1080 graphics chip. There’s also purpose-built Intel NUC (next unit computing) systems, which are some of the smallest complete PCs around. They, too, come in a variety of guises, including powerful gaming systems. For more mainstream functionality, a simple Chromebox may be enough.

If you want to go super-trim though, there are always stick PCs. No bigger than a chunky USB-drive, these plug and go systems offer decent performance in a package that would have been thought impossible just a few years ago.

Many small computers are Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) compatible, which means that they can be attached to a monitor with a VESA mount, hiding them from view completely. This makes cable routing easier. Choosing this option will make the use of a VESA monitor stand impossible, however, so you’ll have to decide between them. We generally recommend the monitor stand, due to its ergonomic benefits, but mounting a small PC to your monitor can make sense if you find your current stand comfortable.

Conclusion

As you can see, the options you have for tidying up your computer space go well beyond organizing cables. Going wireless can eliminate almost every cord beyond those that provide power, and choosing a different monitor stand or a smaller PC will increase the desk space you have available for other tasks. Eliminating wires can become an expensive endeavor, but it may be necessary if cord creep has made your desktop useless for anything besides computing.

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Check out our favorite Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus accessories

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you’re like us, your smartphone is probably one of your most prized, and most used, pieces of tech. While you’ll definitely want to get a case and maybe a screen protector for your new Samsung Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9 Plus, you may want to check out some cool alternative accessories as well. We’ve rounded up some of the best Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus accessories, from earbuds to Samsung’s new Dex Pad, to show you the possibilities.

Gear VR Headset and Controller ($100)

If you’re not interested in investing a small fortune in the Oculus Rift, Samsung’s Gear VR headset is a good place to try out a light virtual reality experience. While we’ve not seen a 2018 update for the Gear VR just yet, last year’s model will work just fine with the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus.  Although you can use your eyes to navigate, the included controller tends to make things a lot easier. Right now there are well over 600 different apps, games, and experiences to immerse you into an all-new VR world.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Samsung

Samsung Wireless Charger Convertible ($90)

While the Samsung Wireless Charger is definitely one of the more expensive wireless charging pads on the market, it’s a good bet because it’s optimized to charge your Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus quickly. The faux leather pad comes in several colors and is a nice alternative to the cookie cutter chargers you typically see. In addition to the traditional charging pad design, the Samsung Wireless Charger can also be positioned at a 65-degree angle, making it easy to use your phone while it’s on the pad. If Samsung’s wireless charging pad isn’t your cup of tea, check out one of the other great wireless chargers that provide many of the same features.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Samsung

Belkin Pocket Power 15K Power Bank ($50)

While there are plenty of battery packs to choose from for your Samsung Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus, we chose Belkin’s Pocket Power 15K Power Bank for its quick-charging capabilities, hefty 15,000mAh battery, and small form factor. At $50, it’s definitely not the cheapest option available, but Belkin’s quality and excellent warranty make it a great option.

Amazon Belkin

Belkin USB-C Car Charger + Cable ($45)

We also went with Belkin for all your Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus car-charging needs. At $45, the Belkin USB-C Car Charger is pricey, however it offers up to 27W of charging power, ensuring you can use it for both your new Galaxy S9 as well as tablets and computers that charge via USB-C. A USB-C to USB-C cable is also included with Belkin’s car charger, which is a nice touch.

Buy one now from:

Belkin

Samsung Gear 360 ($170)

Les Shu/Digital Trends

If you want to collect 360 degree photo or video for Facebook or other social media, the Gear 360 is an inexpensive option to get your foot in the door. With the Gear 360, it’s easy to capture 4K 360-degree videos and photos with your Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus. While the Gear 360 does all the heavy lifting in terms of photos, it connects to an app on your phone, allowing you to review your content and upload it to whatever platform you fancy. There’s even a live-stream option if you want to share those special moments as they happen. The Gear 360’s tiny size makes it easy to stash in your pocket or bag for everyday use. And fear not, the MicroSD card slot accepts cards up to 256GB in size, making it easy to capture plenty of footage.

Buy one now from:

Samsung

Samsung Dex Pad ($99)

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

While we definitely liked the Dex Station, first introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S8, the smartphone manufacturer managed to improve on a few niggling features to introduce this year’s Dex Pad. The Dex Station allows you to use your Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus as a makeshift computer when attached to an external monitor. Unlike its predecessor, the Dex Pad lets you access the headphone jack and you can even use your Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus screen as a mouse or keyboard.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Samsung Gear S3 ($294)

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you’re looking for an excellent smartwatch to pair with your Samsung Galaxy S9, why not give the Samsung Gear S3 a shot? The Gear 3 offers a stylish design with a clever rotating bezel making it simple to use on the go. Instead of Android Wear, you’ll find Samsung’s proprietary Tizen OS on board, which is fast and accessible, but lacking the same number of apps found on Android Wear or Watch OS. It also offers more than a day of battery life, is water resistant, and its standard-size 22mm bands are easy to switch out.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Samsung EVO Plus 128 GB MicroSDXC Card ($50)

It was a bit of a disappointment to see storage remain at 64GB on the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus. While many smartphones are offering 128GB or 256GB options, Samsung is stubbornly sticking with a single 64GB option. However, if you’re willing to give up your secondary SIM slot, you can easily add up to 400GB of external storage with a MicroSD card. Try Samsung’s Evo Plus MicroSD card if you want to add 128GB of storage to your new Galaxy S9 within seconds. While you can surely find cheaper MicroSD cards, Samsung’s Evo Plus line offers high performance for 4K video recording and is extremely reliable.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Samsung

Google Pixel Buds ($159)

Sure the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus come with a pretty sweet pair of AKG tuned earbuds, but what if you’re looking for something wireless? Google’s Pixel Buds are an excellent option and provide great sound, good battery life, as well as most of the interactive features available when paired with the Pixel 2. While Samsung makes a similar wireless earbud, we definitely prefer Pixel Buds.

Buy one now from:

Google

Samsung USB-C to HDMI Adapter ($32)

If you want to stream 4K videos from your Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus on your big TV with ease, you’ll need to invest in Samsung’s USB-C to HDMI adapter. At $32, we definitely feel it’s a little pricey, but it’s one of your best options for a seamless 4K experience. Simply stick the USB-C end into your phone and attach an HDMI cable into the other end to connect with your TV, projector, or monitor. While you may be tempted to use a wireless solution, this adapter is a great option to carry along for trips or just when you’re looking for an absolutely lag-free experience.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Mobile Fun

Anker Bluetooth Selfie Stick ($16)

While Samsung absolutely blew us away with its best-in-class camera sensors on the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, it won’t be able to make your arms longer for the perfect selfie or usie. If you’re looking to capture absolutely awesome shots with the front-facing camera, might we suggest Anker’s selfie stick? You can quickly connect the Anker Bluetooth Selfie Stick to your Galaxy S9 using, what else, Bluetooth. Unlike some selife sticks, Anker’s option is sturdy and extends to an impressive 32 inches in length. There’s a Micro USB charging cable included though you’ll rarely need it since the Anker Bluetooth Selfie Stick gets about 20 hours of use from a single charge.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

iOttie Car Mount Holder ($25)

While there are thousands of smartphone mounting options available, we prefer the iOttie Car Mount Holder. It has a strong, sticky, gel suction cup that will attach to your dashboard or windshield without causing any damage or discoloration. It’s easy to tell when your Galaxy S9 is in the perfect place with the iOttie car mount as you’ll feel it snap into place. Once you’re ready to remove your phone, simply tap the quick release button. Since the iOttie Car Mount Holder has a telescopic arm and swivels to 225 degrees, you’ll never have a problem finding the perfect placement for every driver.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

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• Here’s how to buy the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus
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• Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus review

‘The Sims Mobile’ puts a fun, millennial spin on a popular classic

App Attack is a weekly series where we search the App Store and Google Play Store for the best apps of the week. Check out App Attack every Sunday for the latest.

Ever wish you could dig up some of those old PC games you spent hours playing as a kid? This week, we have an app that will bring back the nostalgia and doesn’t require firing up that old desktop.

The Sims Mobile — available on iOS and Android — is a portable take on the classic game, but with more of a millennial spin to it. For starters, the characters are far more customizable than in the past, with tons of different style options and distinguishing features. They still speak their familiar gibberish, but their thought bubbles now include emojis, which make it a bit easier to follow along.

In the beginning, I started with one Sim and a “fixer-upper” home that I could add to little by little as I earned more rewards by completing different tasks. After choosing how I wanted my Sim to look and setting up my home with some furniture, I was prompted to then land a job —  as a barista at a local coffee shop.

This time around, you can also choose different traits you want your Sim to have. This includes generous, ambitious, flirty, lucky, and more. As you progress through “life” in the game, your Sim will be able to earn more traits along the way. The same type of customization applies to friendships you make. When my Sim made a new friend, I was able to choose the type of friendship they would have and what they would bond over. For example, one friendship my Sim had was centered around their love for music — known as “Soundtrack of Soul.”

While I haven’t actually played the Sims since I was in elementary school, I realized playing it as an adult who was now controlling another adult felt weird. When you’re a kid, it’s easy to enjoy a game that doesn’t mirror your reality — such as finding a job, earning enough money to support your lifestyle, socializing even though you’re extremely exhausted, and well, you get the point. Rather than playing haphazardly, I was suddenly thinking far more into the decisions I made for my Sim than ever before.

Regardless, The Sims Mobile is still as enjoyable and addicting as all of the versions that came before it. While it felt a bit weird to use a touch-screen instead of a mouse to click around for each action, the game still mimics the same controls. You’re able to tap on each Sim to pull up specific actions, and you’re also able to move around furniture and choose different colors as you normally would.

As far as plot, there’s no new point to the game — you’re still there to simply help your Sim truly flourish. But with different actions on your To Do List that refresh each day, it definitely kept me coming back to play more. As you cross each one off the list, you’re granted with more rewards that range from currency like Simoleons to SimCash. The game is free to play, but if you do start to get impatient there’s in-app purchases to get you further along.

In addition to your To Do List, your Sim has Quests it can complete as well. Some of the Quests include attending an event, adding a new piece of furniture to your home, or even switching up your appearance. By completing these, you’ll be able to earn more Sim money in order to purchase specific items.

Since the game is meant specifically for mobile, this does mean that you have the luxury of playing whenever and wherever. So if your Sim starts an event like a work shift or a birthday party, it’ll let you know that they can continue on their own and you can take a break for a bit — trust me, you might need it. Otherwise, you can make the break go by quicker by completing different actions and earning more rewards.

As I continued to advance through the levels, I eventually got to add a roommate to the roster. With your second Sim, you basically go through the exact same motions — find a job, settle in, make friends, and attend events. Before you know it, you’ll be juggling the lives of two different Sims, which can be a bit overwhelming at first but it also means the opportunity to earn double the rewards.

When it comes to graphics, The Sims Mobile still stays true to its quirky style but with a brighter and more refreshing upgrade. Even though the new version isn’t groundbreaking, it has the right amount of new customization features to make it exciting enough that you won’t feel like you’re playing mindlessly or endlessly. Coupled with the fact that it’s now available conveniently on your smartphone, you’ll find yourself checking more on your Sims than you do your social media feeds.

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FBI arrests CEO of Phantom Secure for allegedly aiding organized crime

The FBI has arrested Vincent Ramos, the CEO of Phantom Secure, an established maker of custom smartphones. Ramos allegedly aided criminal organizations by providing devices that were modified to hide their illegal activities, Motherboard reported.

According to a complaint filed in Southern District of California, Ramos stands accused of conspiracy to conduct enterprise affairs, conspiracy to distribute narcotics, and aiding and abetting. Most importantly, the complaint alleges that Ramos and Phantom Secure’s products were not simply used by criminals, in the way a criminal might use a Samsung device or secure messaging service, but were specifically made to help criminal organizations carry out illegal acts.

According to the complaint, Phantom Secure modifies Blackberry phones by removing the web browser, GPS, and standard messaging services. The company then installs Pretty Good Privacy software in order to facilitate the sending of secure messages. The messages are then routed through overseas services. The complaint specifically mentions Hong Kong and Panama as two countries which are “believed by PHANTOM SECURE to be uncooperative with law enforcement.”

The complaint, which was written by FBI  Special Agent Nicholas Cheviron, says that Phantom Secure’s devices have been used by various criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa cartel. The “upper echelons members” of international criminal organizations have also made use of the hardware. Cheviron estimates that about 20,000 Phantom Secure devices are currently in use around the world. Another source familiar with the industry told Motherboard that Phantom’s hardware has been sold to numerous criminal organizations such as the Hell’s Angels, and were particular popular in Latin America.

During a sting operation, the Canadian Royal Mounted Police purchased a number of Phantom phones and were told by the company’s representatives that the devices were safe to use for drug trafficking. In fact, Ramos allegedly said that they made the phones specifically with drug traffickers in mind. They also claimed that a co-conspirator that had been arrested requested that Phantom remotely wipe his device.

In addition to the evidence gathered by the Mounties’ sting operation, authorities did have one cooperating witness in the form of a former Sinaloa drug trafficker. The unnamed witness stated that he used a Phantom device while working to transport five kilograms of cocaine.

As of the time of this writing, neither the FBI nor Ramos’s attorney have commented on the case.

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Googling your fave musician will soon surface personal posts in search results

Google

If you want to know something about your favorite music artist, chances are you do what most people do and tap your inquiry into Google.

Helping to bring musicians closer to their fans, the web giant is now allowing artists to post their own responses that appear alongside regular search results.

Similar to Twitter, there will be a blue verification checkmark beside the tweet-like posts so you can be confident it’s coming directly from the artist you’re searching for.

Those already signed up include Lorde, Steve Aoki, Sia, Son Little, Sofi Tukker, Shakira, and Kygo, with the web giant inviting musicians around the world to sign up to the free service so they can more easily reach out to their fans via Google Search.

“When you look up one of these musicians, you’ll find updates from them in their Search results,” Google’s Lauren Clark explains in a blog post outlining the feature. “There, you can find images, videos, GIFs, and text posted directly by the artist you’re searching for.”

The posts appear toward the top of the search results and are easy to spot inside the Knowledge Panel — the snippet of information dedicated to a celebrity or business in Google search results. If the artist has posted multiple times, the most recent message appears on the far left of your smartphone display, and scrolling left will bring older messages onto the screen.

A search for Son Little, for example, surfaces responses from the artist via the new feature that include the message: “Hey all, I’ve been enjoying a little break from touring but it’ll soon be time to hit the road once again. Starting …” To read on, you simply tap the card where the message appears and you’ll be taken to the rest of the message, which includes information on tour dates. You can also see when the content was posted, and there are share buttons too, in case you want to spread the word.

“This feature is live for all musicians who show up on Google worldwide, so put on your headphones and search away,” Clark writes. But if the new cards fail to appear then it simply means the artist you’re looking for hasn’t signed up yet, in which case you’ll have to make do with the regular results until they do so.

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