UK children’s charity says ‘Pokemon Go’ needs more safety features
Pokémon Go’s biggest strength is that it’s tied to the real world. Players are encouraged to explore their surroundings in order to capture new Pokémon and build out their Pokédex. But unlike the fantasy worlds of Kanto and Johto, planet Earth can be a dangerous place, especially for younger players. In the week since its launch, users have been encouraged to visit some inadvisable places, like a Hells Angels clubhouse. Crooks have also used the lure feature, which attracts Pokemon, to pull in players and rob them for real. They’re rare, but nevertheless alarming cases.
The NSPCC, a charity campaigning for child protection in the UK, has written to the app’s developer, Niantic, asking for a safety overhaul. Peter Wanless, chief executive for the NSPCC, says the app “appears susceptible to being hijacked by users who wish to harm other players.” He points to a number of high-profile news reports, including one that suggests Pokémon Go players have been led to a sex shop in Plymouth, England.
Technically, the app isn’t available in the UK, although countless players have side-stepped the problem by changing their app store location or downloading an Android APK. Before it officially crosses the pond, Wanless says Niantic should be looking at the game and changing how it plays.
“Given Pokémon’s already massive popularity with children, the NSPCC is concerned that basic safety standards appear to have been overlooked. I urge you to urgently reassess your app and its security and safety features. We all have a responsibility to ensure that children are protected and as creators of a game with substantive reach, you have a weighty responsibility to protect your young users.”
Specifically, the NSPCC wants “security and reporting functions” inside the app. It stops short of explaining just how these would operate — but it’s safe to assume that users, parents included, would be able to flag specific areas that they deem inappropriate. Niantic would then review them and, if it agreed with the report, delist the location or tag it as dangerous.
“All too often we see examples of companies simply not doing enough to protect children – their safety is an afterthought,” he presses. “This cannot go on – children live in a digital age, it is a standard feature of their lives. Therefore, their welfare must be a standard consideration when developing products that companies know children will use.”
The NSPCC says it would be happy to work with Niantic and The Pokémon Company before the app is released in the UK. We’ve asked both companies to comment on the letter and will publish their responses.
The Google Play Store family plan is reportedly ready to launch
Late last year, Google took its first step towards letting users share their purchased media with family members. The initial foray was a family plan for Google Play Music, which let multiple family members stream music for $14.99 a month. But now, it seems that Google is going to let users share movies, TV shows, book and apps as well. According to Gizmodo, Google’s family plan will let you share all media purchased from the Play Store with five other family members, though purchased music isn’t part of the deal. The family “manager” will be able to control what other members can access and what they won’t be able to see.
It’s worth noting that while Gizmodo says this feature is live today, we haven’t actually found it available on any of the Google accounts we’ve tried. Of course, the company often rolls out features slowly so we’ll have to see when the switch is flipped for everyone. But it’s not a big surprise that this feature is about to go live — it’s been rumored for several months now.
Regardless of exactly when it launches, this will put the Google Play Store more on par with Apple’s App Store, which introduced family sharing a few years ago. iOS users can currently share apps, movies, TV shows, books — and purchased music, the one big difference between Apple and Google’s implementation.
Source: Gizmodo
BitTorrent News starts broadcasting live on July 18th
Fresh off the launch of BitTorrent Now, the former peer-to-peer filesharing company is ready to go live with BitTorrent News, its own in-house live-streaming TV news network starting on July 18th. Armed with a couple of decorated journalists and an award-winning former CNN producer, the channel’s coverage will start with the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.
When BTN, as they’re calling it, goes live on the 18th, viewers will be able to tune in via the BitTorrent Live app available for Apple TV and macOS. (Other platforms are reportedly coming soon.) The new network expects to have about 10–12 hours of live coverage during the conventions, with commentary and additional on-the-ground reporting from that aforementioned news team. After the conventions, BTN will continue to cover the election and general news as well as some action and alternative sports segments highlighting progressive athletes that don’t get the mainstream spotlight.
“We are marrying the Internet’s principles of open access to information with society’s need for unfettered – and unfiltered – access to news,” BitTorrent co-CEO Jeremy Johnson said in a statement. “Not to be too grandiose, but I’m really excited about our News initiative. I think what we’re doing is important for the world.”
Pokemon Go’s mental health benefits are real
Dr. John Grohol is an expert in technology’s impact on human behavior and mental health, and for the past 20 years he’s studied how people operate online. He’s the founder of mental health network Psych Central, and he knows all about the latest tools aimed at helping people deal with anxiety, depression and a host of other issues.
And Dr. Grohol has never seen anything like Pokemon Go.
“In terms of the phenomena of people expressing the benefits of playing the game to their real-world mental health status, I think that’s very unique and it’s the first time I’ve ever seen anything like that,” he says.
#PokemonGO has honestly helped so much with my depression and anxiety I’m actually talking to people and being active I love this so much
— JENNY DEATH (@cybergoth1997) July 11, 2016
Srsly though, I haven’t felt this comfortable leaving the house in years. #PokemonGO is helping with my anxiety & depression & it’s amazing.
— Neil (d’class) Tyson (@TheBabyWitch) July 11, 2016
Twitter is flooded with stories about Pokemon Go’s impact on players’ anxiety and depression, with thousands of people lauding the game for getting them out of the house and making it easier to interact with friends and strangers alike. These simple acts are crucial milestones for anyone struggling with depression, Dr. Grohol says.
“The challenge has always been, if you’re depressed, your motivation level is nonexistent,” he explains. “So, you want to go out and get some fresh air, or even take a shower, and it can be a very difficult thing to even comprehend, much less do. I think the impact of something like this, this game, can really be beneficial.”
#PokemonGO has changed me so much for the better in only a week. Dealing with BPD, depression& anxiety it has helped me get out of the house
— Lara (@38Violetqueen) July 11, 2016
Real talk – as someone with anxiety/depression, the fact that I’ve spent most of this weekend outside with friends is unreal. #PokemonGo
— HiRez David (@uglycatlady) July 10, 2016
This isn’t hippie nonsense: Research demonstrating the positive effects of exercise on people’s moods goes back at least 20 years, Dr. Grohol says.
“The research is really, really clear on this, that the more you exercise, the more it would help decrease feelings of depression,” he says. “It actually works as an anti-depressant and it has a really, pretty strong effect. It’s probably one of the most beneficial things a person with depression can do, especially if they’re not accessing other types of treatments, such as psychotherapy or medication.”
Plus, walking around isn’t good only for mental issues — it can also help people lose weight, stay in shape and build overall healthier bodies. In this case, what’s good for the body is also good for the mind.
Yooo I lost 7 pounds playing #PokemonGO!!! Plus it’s helping me with my anxiety a little bit which is awesome af ☺️☺️☺️ #gottacatchemall
— ¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@Queen_Bologna) July 12, 2016
Roughly 43.8 million adults in the United States experience mental illness every year, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. That’s one in five adults. The video game community is a magnet for people living with untreated anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses, says suicide prevention organization Take This. The industry itself is volatile, and it attracts particularly creative and highly educated people — factors that can contribute to a perfect storm of untreated mental illnesses.
Russ Pitts, co-founder of Take This, says that hundreds of clinicians and advisers have told him the same thing over the years: Generally, the more educated or technically sophisticated a person is, the less likely he or she is to seek help for mental issues.
“The sense is that because it’s a mental issue and they’re highly skilled in mental areas, they can think their way out of it,” Pitts says. “And a lot of people try that, and it doesn’t work.”
Here’s where Pokemon Go can help. It isn’t presented as a tool to help treat anxiety or depression; instead, it’s a game that happens to cultivate healthy behaviors.
Pokemon Go has got me up and moving and meeting new people.
Thank you, Nintendo/Niantic, for giving me a great anti-depression tool. ❤
— Josh the Seal (@ManectricMan) July 12, 2016
“It helps a person not even think of it as helping their mood because it’s not targeted toward their mood. It’s a game,” Dr. Grohol says. “Because of the way that they’ve created the gaming dynamics, they’ve actually created a very strong reinforcement for people to go out and become more active.”
But, for all of its achievements, Pokemon Go has limits. It may be a wonderful motivator for players to leave their houses, get some light exercise and meet new people, but it isn’t a substitute for professional treatment, Dr. Grohol says.
“I wouldn’t recommend people look at this sort of game or any video game as an opportunity to treat a serious mood disorder, such as chronic depression, solely with a video game,” he says. “I think it’s a great adjunct to other kinds of treatment, such as psychotherapy and medication, but it should not be the sole treatment that person is using to try and help their depressed mood.”
Whether/not #PokemonGO ends up being the cure 4everything from depression 2 obesity, fact remains it’s getting me out the house &off Twitter
— L.D. Lapinski (@ldlapinski) July 12, 2016
#PokemonGo has already been a better treatment for my depression than anything my doctor prescribed or therapist recommended
— Jesseanne Pope (@gleefullyhello) July 11, 2016
Pokemon Go can be an introduction to self-care, but it’s not a cure. It’s not even fool-proof as a video game — server outages have plagued Pokemon Go since its launch in early July, and the game doesn’t extend to some remote regions across the country. If someone is using Pokemon Go as a healthy-habit motivator and the game simply doesn’t load one day, that can be a crushing blow. Similarly, someone who already feels isolated won’t receive help from seeing their Pokemon trainer surrounded by miles of nothing, not even a stray Rattata.
just trying to play #PokemonGo but I live to far away from the road to find ANYTHING…
Depression hit hard tonight pic.twitter.com/5Zyy0JHppp— ramona flowers (@OJMPlemons) July 8, 2016
Pokemon Go is not a panacea for anxiety or depression in general, but for a lot of people it’s a stepping stone toward healthier habits and positive self-care. It isn’t perfect, but there’s no perfect solution for anxiety, depression or any other mental illness. Players who have benefited from playing Pokemon Go can use this opportunity to take their treatment to the next level, Dr. Grohol says.
“If this is what it takes to help you get a treatment or consider a treatment, by all means, this can be an excellent first step,” he says. “But it shouldn’t be a last step.”
I’ve made so many new friends with #PokemonGO, it’s helped my social anxiety, and I’m actually getting out. This is more than just a game.
— Brandon Evans (@Brandon21Evans) July 11, 2016
More Photos Show Off Alleged Lightning EarPods for iPhone 7 [Update: Fake]
A series of photos have been posted on Chinese microblogging service Weibo, and later shared by French website NWE, that provide a closer look at what appear to be Lightning-equipped EarPods. However, it cannot be fully distinguished if these are official Apple headphones or simply Chinese counterfeits.
Apple is expected to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 7 series, and multiple rumors have suggested that Apple will release EarPods with a Lightning connector in turn. The headphones, beyond having no 3.5mm headphone jack, look nearly identical to current EarPods.
One discernible difference is the larger plastic housing around the Lightning connector compared to the 3.5mm headphone jack on current EarPods. However, the switch to Lightning likely means EarPods will be equipped with a DAC, or digital-to-audio converter, and it needs to be built in somewhere.
While these photos could easily be fake, the switch to Lightning-equipped EarPods makes sense given rumors about the headphone jack’s impending demise. Apple may also release a dongle for connecting wired headphones with standard 3.5mm jacks, while wireless Bluetooth headphones will continue to be supported.
Apple’s exact reasons behind its supposed plans to remove the 3.5mm headphone jack are unknown, but rumors suggest that iPhones could have wireless charging by 2017. The iPhone 7 is also expected to be up to 1mm thinner and have increased waterproofing compared to the iPhone 6s.
While the Lightning connector is expected to become an all-in-one port for audio output, charging, and accessories, only a handful of Lightning-equipped headphones are available today, including Philips’ Fidelio M2L and Fidelio NC1L models.
Last month, Apple supplier Cirrus Logic introduced a new MFi Headset Development Kit, a reference platform that is designed to help “Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod” accessory makers quickly develop Lightning-based headphones. The development kit is available through Apple’s MFi Program for registered licensees.
Those interested in learning more about Lightning-equipped headphones can watch our video: Lightning Headphones: Are They Better or Just an Inconvenience? We also shared a video showing what an aftermarket 3.5mm-to-Lightning adapter looks like as they began to reach the market in recent months.
Update: NWE editor Steve Hemmerstoffer has updated his article to confirm that these are not official EarPods.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
Tags: Lightning, EarPods
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Facebook Messenger Adds Support for New Peek and Pop 3D Touch Gestures
Facebook Messenger today was updated to version 79.0, bringing with it the debut of new Peek and Pop gestures within the messaging client. On the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, users will now be able to try out the pressure sensitive abilities of 3D Touch to more easily navigate through the app.
Within each conversation thread, 3D Touch allows for quick previews of any links or contacts posted within a message.
The company also noted that throughout the app, Peek and Pop will be available to “preview contacts, conversations, photos, videos, stickers, links and locations.”
Facebook Messenger previously added 3D Touch support on its app icon with a few Quick Actions that present options to jump into recent chats, start a new message, or generate your personal messenger code to add a friend on the service.
Anyone who wants to check out the new 3D Touch features of Facebook Messenger can download the app for free from the App Store. [Direct Link]
Tags: Facebook, Facebook Messenger
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Latest Pokémon Go update lets trainers catch ’em all on the Android Nougat preview
Those who have been enjoying the Android Nougat preview have felt left out in the Pokémon Go launch aftermath. This is due to the super-popular title failing to work as intended on the beta program. Thankfully, an update has now been released to address this issue. You’ll no longer have to downgrade your smartphone to Android 6.x to head out the front door and catch ’em all.
This latest release bumped Pokémon Go up to version 0.29.2, and while it now enables die hard fans to try out the beta of Google’s next OS update, we’d recommend caution since it’s a preview and things can go wrong elsewhere. Only just getting started with Pokémon Go on Nougat? Check out our in-depth guides to the world of little monsters on your phone.
- Pokémon Go: Learn the basics
Pokémon Go
- Join our Pokémon Go forums!
- How to deal with GPS errors in-game
- Which team should you choose?
- How to play without killing your battery
- The Ultimate Pokémon Go Game Guide!
You can now pre-order the ZTE Axon 7 in the U.S. for $399
The ZTE Axon 7 is now available for pre-order in the U.S., with deliveries going out from July 27. The phone retails for $399, and is available from Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, Newegg, and on ZTE’s website.
Designed in collaboration with BMW’s Designworks studio, the Axon 7 is one of the first handsets to support Google’s Daydream VR platform. While there is a variant of the Axon 7 with 6GB of RAM, that particular model is limited to China, with global markets receiving the variant with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage.
The Axon 7 offers a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, 2.15GHz Snapdragon 820 SoC, microSD card slot, 20MP camera, 8MP front shooter, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, LTE (1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/20/25/26/29/30/41), dual-SIM slots, USB-C, and a 3250mAh battery. On the software side of things, the phone runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow layered with ZTE’s own customizations. There’s also a fingerprint sensor at the back, and you get stereo speakers at the front.
With a $399 price tag, the phone competes directly with the OnePlus 3, which is a very capable performer. The Axon 7 offers a denser QHD display and a higher-resolution 20MP camera (compared to 16MP on the OnePlus 3), and for the price, it is looking like a decent proposition if you want to invest in a phone that’s ready for VR.
See at Amazon
MORE: ZTE Axon 7 hands-on
Pokémon Go and two Marines aid police in catching an attempted murder suspect
Two Marines, Javier Soch and Seth Ortega, have aided police in apprehending a suspected murder suspect thanks to playing Pokémon Go. But just how has a mobile game aided in this arrest, you ask? According to Marines, Soch’s instance of Pokémon Go froze up and they both happened to noticed a man carrying what appeared to be a red plastic rose towards a woman and three children.
The party quickly made an escape from the suspect and contacted the authorities while Soch and Ortega kept vision on the man. They confirmed he also approached another woman and two children who were also playing Pokémon Go. Ortega explained the situation to ABC7:
“We see the gentleman go approach them again, at this point, me and my roommate start walking across the street and the gentleman actually walks up and touches one of the children, one of the boys, his toe, and starts walking his way up to the knee. At this point I’m running across the street and a gentleman who was walking down the street does the same thing.”
The suspect was arrested on the spot for child annoyance, but it was later revealed he also had an outstanding warrant for attempted murder in Sonoma, California. Haven’t heard about the Pokémon Go craze yet? We’ve got a number of resources that will quickly bring you up to speed.
Pokémon Go
- Join our Pokémon Go forums!
- How to deal with GPS errors in-game
- Which team should you choose?
- How to play without killing your battery
- The Ultimate Pokémon Go Game Guide!
Pokémon Go will soon get sponsored PokéStops
Pokémon Go players may soon find supply runs to local PokéStops sponsored by real-world companies. Developer Niantic will be bringing sponsored PokéStops to the game at some point down the road, a new way for the game to make money outside of the in-game items it already sells.
From The New York Times:
Like the most successful mobile games, while Pokémon Go is free to play, it gives players opportunities to buy virtual items for a few dollars to speed up their progress. The game’s real-world nature also gives Niantic another intriguing moneymaking possibility, by charging fast-food restaurants, coffee shops and other retail establishments to become sponsored locations where people are motivated to go to pick up virtual loot.
Niantic has cut deals like that for Ingress, and Mr. Hanke said the company would announce sponsored locations for Pokémon Go in the future.
Given how well Pokémon Go has done in its first week, it’s likely that a number of companies will sign up to have their retail locations turned into PokéStops, hoping to get a piece of that success.
Pokémon Go
- Join our Pokémon Go forums!
- How to deal with GPS errors in-game
- Which team should you choose?
- How to play without killing your battery
- The Ultimate Pokémon Go Game Guide!
