YouTube pulls hundreds of videos over essay cheating ads

YouTube doesn’t have it easy managing the ads it automatically inserts itself, but it’s another challenge entirely to manage the ads baked into the videos themselves. The online video giant has pulled over 1,400 videos after a BBC investigation found more than 250 channels had mid-video ads for EduBirdie, a Ukraine-based essay cheating service. YouTube had given some of these channels until May 4th to edit the ads out of their videos, but not all of them made it before the cutoff point.

It’s not certain if YouTube will let users re-upload videos without the ads. The promos aren’t strictly illegal, but they do violate YouTube’s ad policies.

Not surprisingly, those affected are upset. In some cases, they’ve lost months’ worth of video in a heartbeat. They’ve also complained that YouTube didn’t do enough to communicate its policies on ads like these, although that argument only hold so much water given that EduBirdie was clearly intended for cheating.

YouTube has promised changes: it’ll be “working with creators going forward” to help them understand that these ads aren’t acceptable. It still faces an uphill battle, though. It’s not easy to detect baked-in ads like this, as they often vary significantly from video to video — unlike music, YouTube can’t just scan for familiar cues. Moreover, many video creators don’t fully understand policies even when content is potentially illegal. It could be a long, long while before unscrupulous ads become a rarity.

Source: BBC (1), (2)

Ben Heck’s mini pinball game: Analysis and programming

Ben is moving walls around, but don’t expect him to quit his day job to become an architect just yet. After a few tests on the pieces for the modular miniature pinball kit, it has been decided that the angles need to change for the pinball run. That means a redesign is in store. Meanwhile, Felix has received the final design of the printed circuit board from OSHPark, and based on some initial tests it appears to be a-okay! What do you think of the build so far? Let the team know over on the element14 Community.

Facebook’s friend suggestions helped connect extremists

When you think of internet giants fighting terrorism online, there’s a good chance you think of them banning accounts and deleting posts. However, their friend suggestions may prove to be just as problematic. Researchers have shared a report to the Telegraph revealing that Facebook’s “suggested friends” feature has been connecting Islamic extremists on a routine basis. While some instances are almost expected (contacting one extremist brings up connections to others), some of the suggestions surface purely by accident: reading an article about an extremist uprising in the Philippines led to recommendations for “dozens” of local extremists.

And in at least one case, the suggestions helped recruiting efforts. An Indonesian ISIS backer sent a friend request to a non-religious New Yorker in March 2017, leading the man to support the group in the space of six months.

Facebook has been taking action, but the report noted that less than half the accounts had vanished in a six-month period. The company would also remove posts identified as terrorist content, but didn’t always ban the user in question. One terrorism suspect in the UK managed to get his account reinstated nine times despite posting propaganda videos.

A company spokesman stressed that their current approach “is working,” with 99 percent of Al Qaeda- and ISIS-oriented content removed automatically. At the same time, it acknowledged that there’s “no easy technical fix” and that it would “continue to invest” in both human reviewers and tech to catch extremist material.

The situation should improve, then, but this illustrates one of the central problems with curbing extremism online: the same features that help you stay in touch can inadvertently fuel terrorists by linking them to similarly vicious people. It also illustrates how far internet behemoths like Facebook have to go in fighting terrorism. Although there have certainly been improvements, there are still areas where extremists can spread their message.

Source: Telegraph

Here’s our take on the best Galaxy S7 Edge screen protectors

Jessica Lee Star/Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge may be two generations old, but it’s still a capable beast that’s worth your time. So regardless of whether you’ve got an S7 Edge you’re happy to hold on to, or you’ve just spotted a bargain, you probably want your S7 Edge to last you a good while — and a big part of a device’s longevity is having capable protection.

We’ve already highlighted a whole bunch of great Galaxy S7 Edge cases that will keep your phone well protected, but what about the screen? A curved 5.5 inches of display is a lot, and no one wants to be viewing their Twitter feed through a spiderweb of cracked, scratched, or dirty glass. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best Galaxy S7 Edge screen protectors that you can buy to keep your phone looking as pristine as the day you bought it.

Otterbox Alpha Glass ($12)

Otterbox is the brand you turn to for amazing protection, and that reputation applies just as well to Otterbox’s collection of screen protectors. The Otterbox Alpha Glass is a tempered glass screen protector, so you can trust it to take more major blows than a film protector, while it’s also been treated to ensure it doesn’t shatter should the worst happen, keeping its shape and preventing glass shards from injuring users. It’s easy to apply to the screen, retains the AMOLED display’s clarity, and curves around the S7 Edge’s signature curved edge.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Spigen Curved Crystal HD ($25)

Looking for something a little less heavy-duty than a tempered glass screen protector? Spigen is another well known name with a great reputation, and its Curved Crystal screen protectors are a great addition to Spigen’s range. They’re made from PET film, and come with everything you need to attach them quickly and easily — Spigen even has a guide video to help. The protector fully covers the front and sides of your phone, including the capacitive buttons, and comes with no reduction of clarity or touchscreen sensitivity. Film won’t take a blow quite like tempered glass will, but it will protect against greasy fingerprints, minor scratches, and keep dirt from coming into contact with your screen. Best of all — it’s a twin pack.

Buy one now from:

Spigen Amazon

Ringke Invisible Defender ($12)

Do you want even more coverage? You can’t handle more coverage! Just kidding, you can totally get it from Ringke’s Invisible Defender. Made from PET, like the Spigen film protector, this Ringke protector comes with two additional wings on either side that wrap around your phone, keeping dust and dirt from getting underneath the protector. Since it’s so thin, it works well with any protective case you might be using, and helps create a fully sealed-in feeling. It’s made from non-yellowing material to thwart that older screen protector look, and it even comes in a twin pack, just in case you need a replacement.

Buy one now from:

Ringke Amazon

InvisibleShield Glass Curve ($55)

Another great name with a solid reputation, InvisibleShield is primarily known for the quality of its display protection — and the Glass Curve is perhaps the best example of why that is. It’s made from 9H-hardness-tempered glass with a multi-layer construction, making it supremely tough and resistant to damage, it’s gently curved to match your phone’s edge, and the top quality glass ensures the display’s clarity shines through. It’s smudge-resistant, and comes with a finish that’s smooth to the touch — and the tabbed application means you can see exactly where you’re applying your protection. It’s expensive, but it’s also covered by a lifetime guarantee.

Buy one now from:

InvisibleShield Amazon

Skinomi Techskin Full Coverage Protector ($13)

Still not enough coverage for you? Check out this protector from Skinomi that covers the entire S7 Edge, front-to-back and edge-to-edge. According to Skinomi, the Techskin protector is made from a special film used to protect luxury cars, military aircraft, and even space shuttles. Suddenly spreading it across your entire phone makes sense. It won’t provide much protection against larger bumps and drops, but it will provide good all-around scratch protection, as well as keeping those unsightly fingerprints away from your phone’s glossy body. It’s pretty much invisible once applied, and has an anti-yellowing layer to prevent unsightly aging.

Buy one now from:

Skinomi Amazon

Zizo Tempered Glass Screen Protector ($14)

Want the protection of glass, but don’t want the hassle or the high price tags of some? Zizo’s tempered glass screen protector comes with the 9H hardness you expect from a glass screen protector, doesn’t impair screen clarity, and doesn’t cut down on the responsiveness of the touchscreen. It comes with an easy-install tray for super-easy and fast installation, it’s colored to match your S7 Edge, and since this is glass, it should protect your display for a long time. Those are a lot of features for a very reasonable price.

Buy one now from:

Zizo Wireless Amazon

Top Trade US Tempered Glass Privacy Protector ($8)

Sick of feeling like people are looking at your screen from the corner of their eyes? Need to protect your privacy while you’re out and about? Check out this privacy-focused screen protector that places a filter over your display that means it can’t be seen from angles of over 90 degrees. It does dim the screen a little, but if you need to keep your bank details or clandestine meetings secret, then that’s a small price to pay. It’s made from film, and resists scratches and grease well, and the special design means it matches the look of your phone perfectly.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Editors’ Recommendations

• Avoid screen damage with the most Note-worthy Note 8 screen protectors
• Guard your Galaxy with the best Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus screen protectors
• Cover up with the best iPhone 8 Plus screen protectors
• Don’t live on the edge, get one of the best Galaxy S7 Edge cases
• Keep your new phone safe: Here are the best iPhone 8 screen protectors

Apple’s iOS 13 could feature a revamped Files app and better multitasking

iOS 12 may not be out yet, but that isn’t stopping Apple from beginning work on its 2019 operating system, likely to be called iOS 13. We’ve already started hearing some rumors about the new operating system, including some of the awesome new features that it’ll have on offer.

According to a Tweet from Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman, the 2019 operating system will bring a number of helpful new features to the iPad version of iOS 13. These include the likes of side-by-side split view — which you can currently find on MacOS — as well as a revamped Files app. There are even improvements to how the Apple Pencil works.

The news makes some sense. Gurman previously reported that Apple was holding off on some new features in iOS 12 so that it could focus on operating system stability, and pushing those features to iOS 13, which is currently code-named Yukon. These could be some of the features that Gurman was referring to.

Somewhat. iOS 13 “Yukon” will have a big iPad-focused feature upgrade as well, including an updated Files app. some other things in the works are tabs in apps like in MacOS, same app side by side, Apple Pencil stuff. The home screen redesign is iPad focused.

— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) May 4, 2018

It’s possible that there’s another feature that Apple could introduce in iOS 13: cross-platform apps. Apple has been rumored to be working on introducing a way for iOS and Mac apps to work on other devices for some time now, and latest rumors suggest that the feature has been pushed a little later than expected.

It also makes sense that Apple would want to revamp the Files app. The company introduced the Files app in iOS 11, and updating it two versions later should come as no surprise.

iOS 12 is set to be a pretty significant update even without the major features being pushed to iOS 13. The new operating system will reportedly feature things like new Anomoji, FaceTime support for Animoji, new parental controls, a Digital Health tool that will help parents monitor how much their kids are using their devices, and more.

iOS 12 will be unveiled at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference on June 4, alongside updates to its other operating systems — including macOS 10.14, tvOS 12, and watchOS 5. Of course, iOS 12 won’t be available to consumers until later in the year, when it’s pushed alongside Apple’s new range of iPhones.

We’ll update this story as we hear more about iOS 13.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Android vs. iOS: Which smartphone platform is the best?
• iOS 11 is now running on 65 percent of iPhones and iPads
• Common iOS 11 problems and advice on how to handle them
• Android P: Our complete guide
• Tim Cook doesn’t believe customers want MacOS and iOS combined

LG G7 ThinQ vs. iPhone X: Which phone comes out on top?

After months of rumors and speculation, the LG G7 ThinQ is finally here. As LG’s newest flagship, it has a lot of competition in the premium smartphone market. While the LG G7 ThinQ will undoubtedly be compared to other Android smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, we decided to mix things up a bit: We’re pitting the LG G7 ThinQ against Apple’s top-of-the-line iPhone X to see which flagship comes out on top.

Specs

LG G7 ThinQ
iPhone X

Size
153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9mm (6.03 x 2.83 x 0.31 inches)
143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm (5.65 x 2.79 x 0.30 inches)

Weight
162 grams (5.71 ounces)
174 grams (6.14 ounces)

Screen Size
6.1-inch IPS LCD
5.8-inch Super Retina AMOLED display

Screen Resolution
3,120 x 1,440 pixels (564 ppi)
2,436 x 1,125 pixels (458 ppi)

Operating System
Android 8.0 Oreo
iOS 11

Storage Space
64GB, 128GB
64GB, 256GB

MicroSD Card Slot
Yes — up to 2TB
No

Tap To Pay Services
Android Pay
Apple Pay

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
A11 Bionic

RAM
4GB, 6GB
3GB

Camera
Dual sensor 16MP & 16MP rear, 8MP front
Dual 12MP rear, 7MP FaceTime HD front

Video
Up to 4K at 30 fps
2160p at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps

Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0

Ports
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-Type C
Lightning

Fingerprint sensor
Yes
No – Face ID

Water resistance
IP68
IP67

Battery
3,000mAh
2,716mAh

App Marketplace
Google Play Store
Apple App Store

Network support
T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, AT&T
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Sprint

Colors
Platinum Gray, Aurora Black, Moroccan Blue, Raspberry Rose (varies by market)
Space Gray, Silver

Price
Coming soon
$1,000

Buy From

Verizon, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, Sprint

AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Apple

Review Score
Hands-on 
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Genevieve Poblano/Digital Trends

In terms of performance, there is a lot to love about the LG G7 ThinQ. The LG flagship features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor and an impressive 4GB or 6GB of RAM depending on the model you pick. But how does that stack up against last year’s iPhone X? Not as good as you may think.

While the LG G7 ThinQ features a top of the line processor for 2018, it’s no match for Apple’s own proprietary A11 Bionic chipset. In addition to the A11 Bionic outperforming the Snapdragon 845 in most benchmarks, it also offers smoother performance in real-world situations.

So with both a 4GB and 6GB RAM option for the LG G7 ThinQ you could assume it would definitely trounce the iPhone X, however that doesn’t seem to be the case. Although the iPhone X only ships with 3GB of RAM, iOS 11 operates more efficiently than its Android competitor, making this comparison a wash.

Finally, in terms of battery life and charging, things are neck-and-neck. While the LG G7 ThinQ ships with a 3,000mAh battery compared to the iPhone X’s 2,716mAh battery, it also has a slightly larger display at 6.1 inches versus 5.8 inches. As for charging, both phones offer a fast charging option, as well as wireless charging.

Overall, both phones do a respectable job in terms in this category. However, Apple’s A11 Bionic processor gives the iPhone X the win.

Winner: iPhone X

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

From the front, you may have a little bit of difficulty seeing the differences between the LG G7 ThinQ and the iPhone X. Both are mostly display with a small top notch (though this can be turned off on the LG G7 ThinQ). The bezels are absolutely tiny on both phones and there’s not a fingerprint sensor or home button to be found.

Flip the phones over, however, and the differences become apparent. The LG G7 ThinQ features a centered camera array and fingerprint sensor while the back of the iPhone is much more minimalist, featuring only dual camera lenses nestled on the left side of the phone. While aesthetics are largely subjective, we believe the iPhone X is a more attractive phone overall. It also has a little more heft compared to the LG G7 ThinQ, making it feel like a more premium product.

From a durability standpoint, these phones are pretty similar. Both feature a body that is mainly comprised of strengthened glass (Gorilla Glass 5). Both are also resistant to dust and water, however, the LG G7 ThinQ features an IP68 rating while the iPhone X comes in at IP67; while the difference is minor, the LG G7 ThinQ is likely to fare better if dropped in deep water.

While this category is a close call, we’re giving it to the iPhone X. In terms of design, the iPhone X simply looks more polished than the LG G7 ThinQ and its additional heft makes it a little more balanced providing an overall better feel in hand. Though LG G7 ThinQ may be slightly more durable, the difference wasn’t enough to sway this category in LG’s favor.

Winner: iPhone X

Display

The LG G7 ThinQ packs a massive 6.1-inch IPS LCD display with a 3,120 x 1,440-pixel resolution. The iPhone X, on the other hand, has a slightly smaller 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,436 x 1,125 pixels. Looking at the specs, you will also see the LG G7 ThinQ has a sharper display than its iPhone foe, coming in at 564 pixels per inch versus 468 pixels per inch.

While most of the display specs seem to be in the LG G7 ThinQ’s favor, there’s one major issue: The display technology on the LG G7 ThinQ is inferior to the iPhone X. Even though LG is one of the brightest displays ever made, coming in at 1,000 nits, it just can’t match the AMOLED screen you will find on the iPhone X and other flagships. When comparing AMOLED and LCD displays side by side, the difference is obvious: The AMOLED display consistently provides more vibrant colors and deeper blacks that just can’t be reproduced on an LCD screen.

Not surprisingly, the AMOLED display on the iPhone X makes it the clear winner for this category.

Winner: iPhone X

Camera

While LG’s G-series phones have always featured perfectly respectable cameras, the smartphone manufacturer went all out with the LG G7 ThinQ. In addition to updating the hardware on the G7 ThinQ, LG incorporated artificial intelligence into this year’s update in hopes of helping people get the perfect shot in any condition.

On the back of the G7 ThinQ, you will find a dual camera array with 16-megapixel lenses. The primary lens features an f/1.6 aperture that should work well in low light. Like the G-series phones, the secondary lens on the LG G7 ThinQ is a wide-angle lens with a 107-degree viewing angle and f/1.9 aperture. Flip the LG G7 ThinQ over and you will find an 8-megapixel wide angle lens with an 80-degree viewing angle and an f/1.9 aperture.

In addition to the hardware, the LG G7 ThinQ packs in some new software features. For starters, LG added a suite of A.I. features called AI CAM that was first seen on the LG V30S ThinQ in February. AI CAM identifies individuals and objects and selects one of 19 different shooting modes. There’s also a portrait mode for both cameras on the G7 ThinQ.

As for the iPhone X, you will find a dual camera setup on the back with 12-megapixel lenses. Like the LG G7 ThinQ, you will find one wide-angle lens with an f/1.8 aperture, and a secondary telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. You will also find dual image stabilization and optical zoom.

We’re giving this round to the iPhone X. Although the iPhone X lacks the A.I. camera features found on the LG G7 ThinQ, it doesn’t seem to need it: Photos on the iPhone X had more vivid colors, better depth, and finer detail than what we saw on the LG G7 ThinQ.

Winner: iPhone X

Software and updates

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Both the LG G7 ThinQ and iPhone X run the latest versions of their respective operating systems, and while Android and iOS offer different overall user experiences, the features on both are largely similar at this point. So basically, we’re judging this category on software upgrades.

First off, we would be remiss if we didn’t tell you LG can be a little slow to update its phones. LG just started rolling out the Android Oreo updates for the G6 last month, nearly eight months after it was announced. Since Apple, on the other hand, creates both the hardware and software for its phones it doesn’t need to work with carriers to push updates, meaning it can quickly push updates to everyone using iOS.

With that said, LG recently opened a software update center and committed to providing more frequent, and meaningful, updates for its devices in the future. In short, LG claims it wants to provide updates to its phones that will actually make them better over time.

For this category, we’re reluctantly calling it a tie. While Apple has an excellent track record of providing frequent updates to its phones, LG’s track record is a little more checkered. However, we do believe LG’s vision of providing updates that will continually improve its devices sounds like an excellent strategy for consumers.

Winner: Tie

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

In terms of special features, the LG G7 Thin Q comes in strong. It is the first phone we have seen to feature a boombox mode, creating immersive sound with actual bass. It also features a dual camera setup with a 107-degree wide-angle lens. Finally, it’s the first smartphone to feature DTS:X audio via earphones.

On the iPhone X, you will find a few awesome special features as well. Perhaps its most popular feature is the TrueDepth camera that powers FaceID. It’s also the tech behind Apple’s Animojis.

Overall, LG takes the special features category by a long shot. From its impressive audio technologies to the wide-angle lens we’ve come to love on the G-series phones, the LG G7 ThinQ simply offers a wider variety of special features compared to the iPhone X.

Winner: LG G7 ThinQ

Price

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

When comparing prices between the LG G7 ThinQ, we’re anticipating a pretty drastic difference between the two. While pricing for the LG G7 ThinQ has yet to be announced, we’re pretty confident it will be at least a few hundred dollars less than the iPhone X, which starts at $1,000.

Overall winner: iPhone X

Let’s be honest, both the LG G7 ThinQ and iPhone X are excellent smartphones. Both should be able to accomplish the most demanding smartphone tasks with relative ease. But when we put the two phones side by side, the iPhone X comes out as the clear winner.

With a speedier processor, better display, and guaranteed software updates for at least several years, the iPhone X is an incredibly hard phone to beat. If you’re planted firmly in Google’s ecosystem, however, the LG G7 ThinQ is an excellent option.

Editors’ Recommendations

• LG G7 ThinQ vs. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Clash for the heavyweight title
• LG G7 ThinQ vs. LG G6: Out with the old, in with the new
• LG G7 ThinQ vs. LG V30: Which LG flagship phone is best for you?
• The LG G7 ThinQ: Here’s everything you need to know
• Here’s how you can buy the new LG G7 ThinQ smartphone

Ticketmaster hopes to speed up event access by scanning your face

Ticketmaster envisions a future wherein you no longer need either a physical or a digital ticket to get into a venue. Its parent company Live Nation, has announced that the ticket sales giant has teamed up with and invested in a face recognition company called Blink Identity. In its first quarter financial report (PDF), Live Nation has explained that Blink has “cutting-edge facial recognition technology, enabling you to associate your digital ticket with your image, then just walk into the show.”

According to Blink’s website, its system can register an image of your face as soon as you walk past a sensor. Blink’s technology can then match it against a large database in half a second — in a blink, so to speak. It’s also apparently powerful enough that you don’t even have to slow down for its system to recognize you: Just walk normally, and if the technology gets a match, it’ll automatically open doors or turnstiles to let you in.

While some might find value in a ticketing system that relies on facial recognition, others are understandably concerned about its implications. Facial recognition is far from perfect and still has issues recognizing PoCs, which could lead to some event attendees not being able to enter venues they were supposed to have instant access to.

Further, if Ticketmaster collects data on facial recognition, then that’s one more potential source for the government’s surveillance efforts. It doesn’t help that Blink spent a decade developing and deploying large scale biometric identification systems for the Department of Defense. Finally, if hackers breach the company’s system, then they could get away with its customers’ face and details, maybe even including the payment method they used to purchase tickets.

Facial recognition is a growing technology, though, and we’ll probably have to get used to the idea of non-tech companies like Live Nation and Delta moving into the space. We’ll just have to wait and see how things work out from a privacy perspective.

Via: Gizmodo

Source: Live Nation (PDF)

Elon Musk’s next project might be… a candy company?

No, Elon Musk isn’t done envisioning strange new ventures just yet. Hot on the heels of his cyborg dragon, a comedy project and the Boring Company’s flamethrower, the serial entrepreneur has declared that he’s starting a candy company. We’ve asked for confirmation, but Musk was quick to follow up with word that he was “super super serious.” Given that he announced the Boring Company in a Twitter thread about sluggish traffic, you shouldn’t be surprised if there’s a Musk-made confectionery in the near future.

Provided this isn’t just a lark, the main question is… why? And will any of Musk’s more grandiose projects play a role? We wouldn’t be surprised if the company delivered treats to stores with Tesla Semi trucks, but much of anything else remains a mystery. Just don’t expect SpaceX to send candy to Mars colonists… we think.

I’m starting a candy company & it’s going to be amazing

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 5, 2018

Source: Elon Musk (Twitter 1), (2)

Facebook’s ‘Sauron alert’ protects staff against privacy breaches

The news that Facebook fired an engineer who abused his power to stalk women has raised a question: can the social network raise alarm bells if one of its workers accesses private data? The answer appears to be yes — though you’ll currently have to work at Facebook to get a warning. The Wall Street Journal has learned that Facebook has a “Sauron alert” (yes, like Lord of the Rings’ oppressive eye) that notifies employees when other staffers access their personal profiles. Everyday users only get notices of unusual login behavior, which could prove worrying if there is a case of abuse. However, Facebook may have a solution in the long run.

A spokesperson told the WSJ that Facebook has talked about offering “something similar” to Sauron for everyone, not just its own workers. The challenge is considering the implications, the company said. It doesn’t want to alert “bad actors” or spark “real world harm,” such as retaliation from an abusive partner.

The company’s internal policies are already designed to curb at least some abuse. Only a handful of employees have access to data without triggering the usual login alert, and those people are “closely monitored,” the WSJ’s sources said. When they use their powers to access other accounts, they’re required to provide a valid reason for looking at a profile (managers inspect those reasons later) and ideally get permission in writing. If a worker ever gets one of those alerts, they can track down the reasoning in a bug report or talk to Facebook’s security team. “Multiple” workers have been fired over the years as a result.

There were already clues this system existed. Paavo Siljamäki, part of the trance trio Above & Beyond, noted in 2015 that Facebook didn’t need his login details after he gave them permission to access his account. This appears to be the first time outsiders have learned the extent of Facebook’s access and its ability to fight abuse, however. And the stalking incident exacerbates things — there’s a clear gap between safeguards for Facebook staff and everyday users, and there are instances where users could benefit from that added protection.

Via: Gizmodo

Source: Wall Street Journal

Chrome’s search bar may soon display pictures for your browsing pleasure

Credit: Francois BeaufortThe search bar is getting a big upgrade in Chrome. After revealing a visual makeover for Chrome’s user interface, Google is now turning its attention to the search bar to make it even more useful and descriptive when you search.

When you type your search in the omnibox (or the unified address and search bar), you’ll not only see auto-suggestions for potential results based on what you’re typing, but you’ll also find relevant images and text next to these results.

The new feature isn’t out for everyone just yet. Google is currently testing out this option for the Canary channel of Chrome.

“The Chrome team is experimenting with showing images and descriptive text about suggested entries in the address bar in Canary channel,” Chromium evangelist Francois Beaufort wrote in a Google+ post. If you want to test out the feature today, you can enable the experimental flag at chrome://flags/#omnibox-rich-entity-suggestions and then restart Chrome.

If all goes well during testing, the feature will likely enter the Dev and Beta channels before being released into the Stable channel to the public. It’s still unclear when the feature can be expected to be available for the Stable channel, 9to5 Google noted.

In a screenshot posted by Beaufort, typing in “blink-1” shows a few auto-suggestions for the band Blink-182 right below the omnibox. These auto-suggestions also feature images of the band and popular songs recorded by Blink-182 alongside album art.

Google has been working on updating a number of its popular web-based products head of its I/O developer conference this month. A recently published Material Design document revealed that the company is planning on some user interface updates to the look of Chrome, replacing its more angular tabs with a more bulbous look. The new Material Design Refresh interface also featured larger elements, leading some to speculate that Google is updating the UI to optimize it for touch, a move that makes sense given that Chrome OS now runs on some newer tablets and Chrome convertibles.

Additionally, Google also refreshed Gmail, giving it more features to make it more attractive to businesses and security-focused users.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Not happy with Pinterest search results? Refine it with text and photo queries
• Piracy causes Google to yank Kodi from its autocomplete list in search results
• Google launches its lightweight search app, Google Go, in South Africa
• Google Images altered to calm legal grumblings made by Getty Images
• Google Chrome Canary update adds new quick-access emoji menu