Amazon says it has ‘tens of millions’ of paying Music Unlimited users

As Spotify goes pubic, it’s only natural that competing services might want to tout their own success stories in the streaming business. According to Billboard, Amazon Music reports “tens of millions” of paid customers and that Amazon Music Unlimited subscriptions have more than doubled in the past half year. That puts them in range of Apple Music and Spotify, with 36 million and 70 million reported subscribers, respectively.

This kind of growth is likely due to the growing number of folks who are Amazon Prime members, Amazon Music’s Steve Boom told BIllboard, and the popularity of the company’s integration with Echo and other smart speakers. Boom also said that most of its new paid Unlimited subscribers are coming from the increasingly ubiquitous home devices, and that includes older listeners and country-music fans, both of whom haven’t adopted streaming as quickly as other groups. It’s easier, said Boom, for people to use their voice to listen to music, and Amazon has several tiers to encourage people to sign up, from Prime Music to Amazon Music Unlimited. The former is free for Amazon Prime members while the latter is discounted for them, as well. There are also family and student plans, and even a single-Echo plan for $4 a month.

“We have a lot of evidence that the customers that we’re bringing into our ecosystem are either new to streaming in the first place, or new to premium streaming,” Boom told Billboard. “It’s still day one when it comes to what it means to control a music service and have access to a massive catalog and everything you want to do and control it only with your voice.”

Source: Billboard

Facebook has removed hundreds more Russian troll accounts

Throughout investigations into Russia-backed efforts to sow political discord in the US during the last presidential election, US officials have said that the Internet Research Agency (IRA) played a major role. Last month, the US Department of the Treasury instituted sanctions on the IRA and 13 individuals who are believed to have assisted the Russian group in some way. In February, a federal jury indicted 13 Russian nationals connected with the IRA on various charges related to alleged efforts to interfere with the US election. Facebook has been working to remove all IRA-produced content from its platform and today it took down 70 Facebook accounts, 65 Instagram accounts and 138 Facebook Pages all believed to be controlled by the group.

Of those accounts and Pages, Facebook says around 95 percent were written in Russian and were targeted towards Russian-speaking individuals in countries like Russia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. “The IRA has repeatedly used complex networks of inauthentic accounts to deceive and manipulate people who use Facebook, including before, during and after the 2016 US presidential elections,” Facebook said today. “It’s why we don’t want them on Facebook. We removed this latest set of Pages and accounts solely because they were controlled by the IRA — not based on the content.”

In a post today, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said that some of the accounts belonged to Russian news organizations that Facebook believes are controlled by the IRA. Around one million people followed at least one of the now removed Facebook accounts while approximately 493,000 followed at least one of the Instagram accounts.

Last year, Facebook began letting its users know if they followed Pages created by the IRA. Twitter and Tumblr have also been letting users know if they interacted with any IRA content. Facebook says it will soon update its Help Center tool so users can see if they liked or followed any of the newly removed Pages.

Images: Facebook

Source: Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg

Protect your new phone with one of best Huawei P20 cases

There are plenty of reasons to pick the Huawei P20 as your next phone, but the 5.8-inch screen and gorgeous glass back need to be taken care of or you’re going to end up with scrapes, scratches, or even cracks. The smart play is to invest in one of the best Huawei P20 cases and we’re here to help you choose the right one for you. Picking a case is always a balancing act as you weigh protection against style and try to find something that ticks all your boxes. Let’s get started.

Tech21 Pure Clear Case ($40)

If you want to be able to see the beautiful finish on your Huawei P20, but you need drop protection that you can really trust, then this case could be the one. There’s a crystal clear back with a shock absorbing frame that takes the sting out of any impact and enhances your grip at the same time. This case has been rigorously tested and offers protection from falls of up to 10 feet. All the cutouts you need for the camera and ports are there, and the button covers are well-defined.

Buy one now from:

Tech21

Spigen Liquid Crystal Case ($12)

Here’s another clear case designed to allow your Huawei P20’s style to shine through. It’s slim and fairly minimal, though there is a Spigen logo etched into the side. There are slim button covers and accurate cutouts for everything you need access to. Spigen does include air pockets in the corners to try and reduce the risk of drop damage, but this isn’t as protective as something like the Tech21 case we just looked at.

Buy one now from:

Amazon Spigen

Huawei Smart View Flip Case ($24)

This official case from Huawei features a synthetic leather cover with a translucent portion that shows the time, date, incoming calls and messages, and charging status. It’s a stylish way to protect your Huawei P20 from every angle. The shell itself is pretty minimal, offering easy access to all of your phone’s functions. As you’d expect from a case made by Huawei, the fit is perfect. You can pick up this case in blue, pink, or black.

Buy one now from:

Mobile Fun

Kugi TPU Case ($9)

This soft TPU case has a few things going for it, not least the low price. The sides are ridged for extra grip, the cutouts are accurate, and the button covers work well. The flexible TPU should guard your P20 against minor drops and bumps, though this case isn’t going to deliver strong drop protection. It comes in red, gray, black, or navy with a patch on the back that sports a leather-look finish. There’s also a lanyard hole in case you like to attach your phone to a wrist strap.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Olixar ArmourDillo Case ($12)

It’s not much of a looker, but this chunky case combines a flexible inner layer of TPU with a hard outer shell to give you decent drop protection. There’s extra reinforcement in the corners where you need it most and an extended rim around the screen and camera lens to keep them safe from harm. The textured back and sides enhance grip and there’s also a handy pop-out kickstand on the back to make it easy to prop your P20 in landscape view.

Buy one now from:

Mobile Fun

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No more security updates for Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge

Giuliano Correia/Digital Trends

It seems that the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge have finally reached the end of their long lives, since Samsung has removed both of these devices from its list of models to receive regular security updates.

The removal of security updates signals that the end has now come for the devices, and that no future updates are planned for either of them. Since the S6 and S6 Edge are both now three years old, having been revealed in the first ever Samsung Unpacked event, it’s not unreasonable for Samsung to cut both of these old flagships off after three years of security and major OS updates.

An earlier report stated that the S6 Edge+ and the S6 Active had also been removed from the list, but that article has been amended to correct that Samsung then re-added both the S6 Edge+ and S6 Active, presumably because both of those devices are still just under three years old — the S6 Edge+ having been revealed at the same August 2015 event as the Note 5, and the S6 Active in June 2015. It’s fair to assume that support for both of these devices will expire later this year, to match the older models in the S6 range. It’s also unclear how this relates to a proposed update to Android 8.0 Oreo for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge — according to previous reports, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge would receive the update. However, with this news that seems unlikely. We have reached out to Samsung for comment.

The Samsung Galaxy S6 was revealed in March 2015, and released in April of that same year. The Galaxy S6 signaled something of a change in Android flagship phones, heralding the beginning of a more premium approach, with more premium materials. The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge were the first phones in the Galaxy S range to embrace a metal-and-glass design, with Gorilla Glass 4 on both the front and the back of the devices. The S6 Edge was also the first S-range phone to come with curved edges on the screen, a trend that continued with the S7 Edge, and eventually resulted in the Galaxy S8 and S9 phones that ditched a flat screen design entirely. While technology moved on and left the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge behind, it’s clear that they started some fine traditions and will be fondly remembered by many.

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New sensor system detects gunshots, can automatically lock down a school

An electrical engineer in Richland, Washington’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has designed a system that can help keep schools safe from gun violence. Jim Skorpik, who has previously developed sensors meant to detect a missile’s readiness for combat, has now applied his expertise to keeping children safe. His sensor technology has now been licensed by EAGL Technology out of Albuquerque, which has installed and tested the new sensors at Hermosa Elementary School in Artesia, New Mexico.

When paired with a security system, Skorpik’s sensor is able to alert authorities, turn a camera to the scene where shots were heard, set off the alarm, and lock doors. Although the gunshot detectors themselves are about the size of a pack of gum, their diminutive size does not detract from their potentially life-saving abilities.

As Scott Simer, the facilities manager for the Artesia school district, told NPR, the wireless, battery-powered sensors are capable of differentiating between gunshots and other loud noises — say, a dropped textbook or even a firecracker. And this isn’t just theoretical — Simer has put the sensors to the test. “We set off some M-80 firecrackers in the school,” he said. “[The sensors] didn’t pick ’em up.”

“It’s sad that we’re in a society where we have to have stuff like this,” he added. “And that we are testing stuff like this in a school. But the reality is, it happens.”

It’s been a reality for Skorpik for the last few years. The technologist was inspired to create the sensors after three of his grandchildren experienced a gun lockdown of their own. “The youngest one, she was like in kindergarten, and she came home pretty emotional,” Skorpik told NPR. “She was in the gym and the teacher was covering the kids with gym mats.”

But hopefully, with this new technology, Skorpik can help alleviate some of these fears. The good thing about the system is that it is fully automatic. There’s no need for human intervention in order to activate the alarms or send the school into lockdown. That means that teachers and other personnel can focus on moving kids to safe areas, rather than trying to call 911 and attempting to secure their rooms and the building. And because the sensors are small, they don’t draw unnecessary attention from children.

EAGL says that it has seen an increase in inquiries about the system since February’s Parkland tragedy, and as for Artesia Public Schools, the district has plans to add the detectors in six more schools before classes begin in the fall of 2018.

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Grindr admits to sharing user data — including HIV status — with third parties

Just last week, Grindr was being lauded for its proactive stance on HIV prevention, as the popular gay dating app began urging its millions of users to frequently undergo testing. As the New York Times noted, a number of HIV experts “greeted the announcement enthusiastically,” applauding the service’s decision to send a notification every three to six months to men who opted into the service, as well as a nearby clinic. But now, the applause has been silenced, as the app has come under fire for sharing users’ HIV status with third parties.

As originally reported by BuzzFeed News, the dating app “has been providing its users’ HIV status to … Apptimize and Localytics, which help optimize apps.” And not only has Grindr been sharing HIV status, but also its members’ “last tested date,” GPS data, phone ID, and email — that means that Grindr is sharing enough information for folks to effectively tie together a person’s identity and whether or not he has HIV.

As per Antoine Pultier, a researcher at the Norwegian nonprofit SINTEF, which originally discovered the alarming data-sharing system, “The HIV status is linked to all the other information. That’s the main issue. I think this is the incompetence of some developers that just send everything, including HIV status.”

Grindr has since acknowledged that it was indeed sharing this information, but in a response on its Tumblr page, pointed out, “It’s important to remember that Grindr is a public forum. We give users the option to post information about themselves including HIV status and last test date, and we make it clear in our privacy policy that if you choose to include this information in your profile, the information will also become public.” The app also noted that it has “never, nor will … ever sell personally identifiable user information – especially information regarding HIV status or last test date – to third parties or advertisers.” Of course, just because Grindr isn’t selling this information doesn’t mean it’s not being accessed.

All the same, the dating platform added that its vendors “are under strict contractual terms that provide for the highest level of confidentiality, data security, and user privacy,” which means that user data is carefully encrypted before being sent out. But this news may cause Grindr users to think twice about what they’re posting on their profiles.

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Chrome’s built-in scanning tool is now causing a privacy uproar

A recent tweet from Kelly Shortridge at cybersecurity startup SecurityScorecard recently stirred the privacy hornet’s nest regarding Google’s Chrome browser. She’s referring to Chrome Cleanup, a component in the browser dating back to 2014 designed to scan and remove malware and bloatware that could compromise Chrome’s performance. But given the recent Facebook scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, privacy advocates are now on red alert. 

In its early days, Google’s Software Removal Tool was a downloadable component to remove junk software that could cause issues with Chrome, such as the Ask Toolbar. It’s still available as a download now dubbed as the Chrome Cleanup Tool, but the company decided to overhaul this tool and inject it directly into the browser itself in October 2017, renaming it to Chrome Cleanup. 

“Sometimes when you download software or other content, it might bundle unwanted software as part of the installation process without you knowing,” the company said at the time. “That’s why on Chrome for Windows, the Chrome Cleanup feature alerts people when it detects unwanted software and offers a quick way to remove the software and return Chrome to its default settings.” 

Chrome Cleanup is based on detection technology provided by IT security company ESET combined with Google’s sandbox technology designed for Chrome. It’s not meant to replace your current anti-virus program, but merely detects and removes software that violates Google’s unwanted software policy. That policy applies to software deemed deceptive, piggybacks on the installation of another program, affects the user’s system in “unexpected ways,” and so on. 

The built-in version of Chrome Cleanup resides under Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up > Clean up computer. Click on the arrow, and a new screen appears with a tool for scanning and removing harmful software. Chrome supposedly does this automatically, but you can manually scan for harmful software for better peace of mind. You can also opt out of Google’s reporting component if you feel that the company is just a little too creepy with this PC-scanning tool. 

The problem with Chrome Cleanup is that users have no way of turning it off. One Chrome user points out a solid complaint: The browser should not have the ability to scan the PC without explicit user consent. Windows 10 users can turn off Windows Defender. Why not Chrome Cleanup? Even more, why is it scanning the Documents folder? 

Google’s Justin Schuh spoke out against the recent privacy concerns over Chrome Cleanup, stating that it isn’t a system-wide scan or filter. It runs for up to 15 minutes in the background once a week using normal user privileges to scan browser hijacking points that could redirect the browser elsewhere. 

“The Chrome Cleanup Tool is not a general purpose AV,” he says. “The CCT’s sole purpose is to detect and remove unwanted software manipulating Chrome. The engine is a heavily sandboxed subset of ESET. Every cleanup action requires an explicit user approval.”

He said the team is currently investigating more options to opt-out of Chrome Cleanup, but “that balances against the potential for abuse.” 

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Chrome’s built-in scanning tool is now causing a privacy uproar

A recent tweet from Kelly Shortridge at cybersecurity startup SecurityScorecard recently stirred the privacy hornet’s nest regarding Google’s Chrome browser. She’s referring to Chrome Cleanup, a component in the browser dating back to 2014 designed to scan and remove malware and bloatware that could compromise Chrome’s performance. But given the recent Facebook scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, privacy advocates are now on red alert. 

In its early days, Google’s Software Removal Tool was a downloadable component to remove junk software that could cause issues with Chrome, such as the Ask Toolbar. It’s still available as a download now dubbed as the Chrome Cleanup Tool, but the company decided to overhaul this tool and inject it directly into the browser itself in October 2017, renaming it to Chrome Cleanup. 

“Sometimes when you download software or other content, it might bundle unwanted software as part of the installation process without you knowing,” the company said at the time. “That’s why on Chrome for Windows, the Chrome Cleanup feature alerts people when it detects unwanted software and offers a quick way to remove the software and return Chrome to its default settings.” 

Chrome Cleanup is based on detection technology provided by IT security company ESET combined with Google’s sandbox technology designed for Chrome. It’s not meant to replace your current anti-virus program, but merely detects and removes software that violates Google’s unwanted software policy. That policy applies to software deemed deceptive, piggybacks on the installation of another program, affects the user’s system in “unexpected ways,” and so on. 

The built-in version of Chrome Cleanup resides under Settings > Advanced > Reset and clean up > Clean up computer. Click on the arrow, and a new screen appears with a tool for scanning and removing harmful software. Chrome supposedly does this automatically, but you can manually scan for harmful software for better peace of mind. You can also opt out of Google’s reporting component if you feel that the company is just a little too creepy with this PC-scanning tool. 

The problem with Chrome Cleanup is that users have no way of turning it off. One Chrome user points out a solid complaint: The browser should not have the ability to scan the PC without explicit user consent. Windows 10 users can turn off Windows Defender. Why not Chrome Cleanup? Even more, why is it scanning the Documents folder? 

Google’s Justin Schuh spoke out against the recent privacy concerns over Chrome Cleanup, stating that it isn’t a system-wide scan or filter. It runs for up to 15 minutes in the background once a week using normal user privileges to scan browser hijacking points that could redirect the browser elsewhere. 

“The Chrome Cleanup Tool is not a general purpose AV,” he says. “The CCT’s sole purpose is to detect and remove unwanted software manipulating Chrome. The engine is a heavily sandboxed subset of ESET. Every cleanup action requires an explicit user approval.”

He said the team is currently investigating more options to opt-out of Chrome Cleanup, but “that balances against the potential for abuse.” 

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Google’s new search feature makes picking the perfect movie simple

Over the past few years, programs like MoviePass have revived the once dying movie-going experience.  While films like Black Panther are guaranteed to draw huge crowds, even smaller movies are gaining larger in-theater audiences. In fact, in 2016 more than two-thirds of all Americans went to the movies at least once.

Since the majority of people use the internet to search for movie times and reviews online, Google decided to make the entire process more streamlined when you search through Google on a mobile browser or use the Google app on Android devices. Starting Tuesday, April 3, users can have access to a bevy of information about movies playing in their local theaters.

Google now provides you with a listing of movies by showtime at theaters in your area. Once you find a title that piques your interest, simply tap on it to learn more. Google will provide a synopsis of the film, review scores from IMDb, Metacritic, and Rotten Tomatoes, as well as showtimes for other local theaters. Once you have found the movie of your choice, simply tap on the showtime to purchase your tickets.

The feature is the latest in a series of updates for the tech giant that’s focused on entertainment. Last week, the company announced an update to its Google Play Movies and TV app for Android that allows users to quickly determine where a certain show or movie is streaming. The feature, similar to Apple’s TV app, aggregates information from most of the major streaming services (excluding Netflix) so you don’t need to hunt through a dozen different apps to binge watch your favorite series.

Right now, the feature is only available in the United States and India, although we expect to see it roll out to other regions eventually. To use the feature, simply search for a movie via a mobile browser or in the Google app for Android.  If you’re using an iPhone, you either need to search through your browser or wait a bit longer: Google says it will roll out the feature for the Google app on iOS in the near future.

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Send text messages from anywhere with the Somewear Global Hotspot

A new device that recently launched on Kickstarter promises to make it much easier to stay in contact with friends and family no matter where they are on the planet. The Somewear Global Hotspot offers a host of features and functionality that could make it a popular travel companion for backpackers, explorers, and adventure athletes who routinely find themselves in places where cell service is at a premium.

Designed by a company called Somewear Labs, the Global Hotspot weighs just three ounces and was built to connect with iOS and Android phones via Bluetooth. The gadget features not only onboard GPS tracking capabilities, but can also connect to the Iridium satellite network to facilitate communications. This gives users the ability to send and receive text messages and emails via a Somewear app, turning an iPhone or Android device into a satellite communicator with similar functionality as a Spot or inReach Explorer.

In addition to allowing others to track the Global Hotspot’s location at all times, the device also has the ability to send an SOS message should the user run into trouble. The Hotspot’s satellite connection gives it the ability to also receive local weather reports and emergency alerts while providing location sharing and downloadable maps too. This allows a smartphone to have a high degree of functionality even while traveling off the grid and without a cell phone network.

Somewear built the Global Hotspot to survive in the outdoors. The company says that it meets the MIL-STD-810 standard for shock protection and that it is IPX7 waterproof, meaning it can be immersed in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes and still continue to function. It can also withstand temperatures ranging from negative-4 to 140-degrees Fahrenheit, too.

Because it uses the Iridium satellite network, Somewear said that the device should have 100 percent coverage no matter where you go. That means you can continue to send messages not only at the North and South Pole, but pretty much anywhere else you can get a clear, unfettered view of the sky. Data plans start at $15 per month and go as high as $50 depending on the amount of messages that can be sent. The company claims that the Global Hotspot provides enough battery life to send or receive up to 1,000 messages before needing a recharge.

At the moment, Somewear is a little more than halfway to its $50,000 crowdfunding goal. If successful, the Hotspot should begin shipping in July for $450. Early bird supports can reserve one for  $299 as part of the Kickstarter campaign, but it pays to be aware of the risks involved when doing so. Those who do back the project will also receive two free months of service as well.

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