Business, Financial & Legal News - Page 90

All the latest Business, Financial & Legal news as it relates to tech, gaming, and science - Page 90.

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Disney+ benefits greatly from COVID-19, now boasts 54.5 million users

Anthony Garreffa | May 6, 2020 11:22 PM CDT

Disney+ might have only launched in November 2019, but it is quickly becoming a streaming service juggernaut -- and a rival to the unstoppable Netflix.

Disney+ benefits greatly from COVID-19, now boasts 54.5 million users

In its recent earnings report Disney announced that Disney+ had 54.5 million subscribers, with over 20 million of those added in the last couple of months -- right as people are forced to stay at home over coronavirus lockdowns and quarantines.

Disney+ is so successful it has passed its own Hulu service, and is now the streaming industry's second largest service. Netflix has a huge 183 million subscribers, but if Disney+ was at 25-30 million just a few months ago and is now passed 50 million. We could be looking at a gigantic fight in the streaming market -- which will be known as the Streaming Wars -- going into 2021 and beyond.

Continue reading: Disney+ benefits greatly from COVID-19, now boasts 54.5 million users (full post)

New And Improved Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Generation ships in June

Shane McGlaun | May 6, 2020 4:04 PM CDT

Ring today announced that it has improved its original Ring Video Doorbell with a new version. The name is the Video Doorbell 2nd Generation and sells for $99.99. Ring says that the new doorbell has 1080p HD video along with better image quality in day and night modes.

New And Improved Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Generation ships in June

Another key feature for the second generation of the Ring Video Doorbell is updated motion zones. Ring says the new doorbell adds significantly to home security capabilities and brings the updates for the same price as the first generation device. The second generation also has enhanced audio quality.

The updated video doorbell will continue to take snapshots at intervals throughout the day. That feature is meant to allow users to review a timeline of what happened in front of the doorbell between recorded events. Adjustable motion zones now include an additional near zone that allows users to receive alerts they care about the most.

Continue reading: New And Improved Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Generation ships in June (full post)

Tinder plans to add video chatting to its popular app

Shane McGlaun | May 6, 2020 3:02 PM CDT

Tinder has announced that it will make an update to its very popular dating app to help people connect during the coronavirus pandemic around the world. The update will add a video chat feature that opens the door for video dating. The video chat feature was confirmed by the Match Group, which is the parent company to Tinder.

Tinder plans to add video chatting to its popular app

The company said in its Q1 earnings statement, "As daters demonstrated strong willingness to video-date, our product and engineering teams around the world mobilized quickly to deploy one-to-one video chat capabilities on many of our platforms."

Also noted in the earnings report is that Tinder will launch a one-to-one live video service in late Q2 2020. That's not very far away, so those wanting to do some video chatting on the dating app will be able to very soon. Research the company performed for the earnings report also showed that many people using its dating services plan to continue virtual dating in the future.

Continue reading: Tinder plans to add video chatting to its popular app (full post)

Apple and Google won't allow location tracking for coronavirus apps

Shane McGlaun | May 6, 2020 2:09 PM CDT

Apple and Google are working on a contact tracing system to help people know if they've been near anyone who has been diagnosed with coronavirus/COVID-19. The duo has announced that they will not allow location tracking in the new app. Combined, Apple and Google's operating system's power 99% of all smartphones. The duo surprised many when they announced that they would work together to create a system to notify people who have been near others that have tested positive for COVID-19.

Apple and Google won't allow location tracking for coronavirus apps

Apple and Google have said of their app that the contact tracing technology would only be made available to public health authorities and that Bluetooth will be used to carry out the contact tracing. Both Apple and Google say that they will not allow GPS location data to be stored to protect citizen privacy and to avoid profiling.

The companies issued a joint statement that said the Bluetooth identifiers they are using rotate every 10 to 20 minutes to help prevent tracking. Companies also say that users would have to enable the technology specifically and that it could be turned off by the user at any time. One potential issue is that for users with devices who don't want to be tracked, yet may be infected, can turn off Bluetooth. Those who have low battery power resulting in Bluetooth being turned off automatically could result in some potentially infectious encounters not being tracked.

Continue reading: Apple and Google won't allow location tracking for coronavirus apps (full post)

Zoom update allows personal meeting IDs to be disabled

Shane McGlaun | May 6, 2020 12:05 PM CDT

Zoom has grown significantly during the coronavirus pandemic around the world. Large numbers of users have turned to Zoom and similar services to conduct business and go to school. One of the challenges that Zoom has had is keeping users safe from harassment from so-called Zoom-bombing. Zoom-bombing occurs when someone joins a meeting who isn't supposed to be there and disrupts the meeting for the actual attendees.

Zoom update allows personal meeting IDs to be disabled

Zoom says that it recently gave users more control over the use of personal meeting IDs (PMIs) within their organization. The latest release allows Zoom account owners and administrators to disable the use of a PMI for scheduling or starting an instant meeting. The PMI is always accessible using the same ID or meeting link, allowing anyone to join unless the meeting is properly secured.

Disabling the use of PMIs reduces the risk of unauthorized users gaining access to the meeting and doesn't leave the security of the PMI up to individual users. Zoom says the option to disable PMIs can be locked at the account or group level. Zoom warns that when PMIs are turned off, existing PMIs and personal links will become invalid and can't be used to host a meeting.

Continue reading: Zoom update allows personal meeting IDs to be disabled (full post)

Apple WWDC20 will be virtual and completely free

Shane McGlaun | May 6, 2020 9:54 AM CDT

Apple has announced that it will host its annual Worldwide Developers Conference virtually kicking off on June 22. The virtual conference will be held in the Apple Developer app and on the Apple Developer website. While some may be disappointed that the conference is going to be virtual this year, the good news is it's also free for all developers.

Apple WWDC20 will be virtual and completely free

While announcing the free virtual conference, Apple has also confirmed the Swift Student Challenge, which is an opportunity for student developers to create their own Swift playground. Apple says that WWDC20 will be an opportunity for millions of "creative and innovative developers around the world" to learn more about the future of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

Apple Senior Vice President of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller says that WWDC20 will be the biggest event yet and that more details about the virtual conference will be provided as we get closer to the event. Apple says that Swift Playgrounds is a revolutionary app for iPad and Mac that makes learning the Swift programming language interactive. Apple is asking student developers from around the world to submit their Swift Student Challenge by creating an interactive scene in a Swift playground that can be experienced within three minutes.

Continue reading: Apple WWDC20 will be virtual and completely free (full post)

Nest account users are now required to use two-factor authentication

Shane McGlaun | May 5, 2020 4:01 PM CDT

Google announced earlier this year that once spring came around, it would require all Nest account users who weren't enrolled in two-factor authentication or had not migrated to a Google account to take an extra step to verify their identity via email. Nest is trying to take steps to make its network more secure and safer for users. Any nefarious user who gained access to a Nest account could have access to video feeds directly from within the owner's home from cameras and other security products.

Nest account users are now required to use two-factor authentication

Google has announced on the official Nest Help page that beginning this month, Nest will be adding a new account security feature. With the new feature in effect, when a new login is initiated, users will receive an email from accounts@nest.com that contains a six-digit verification code. That six-digit verification code must be entered to log into an account successfully.

Google says that the code verifies that it is the account owner attempting to access the account, and there will be no logins without that code. Adding the new feature helps to keep users' accounts safe from hackers, even if the hackers have the username and password. Nest says there are additional security steps that users can take advantage of to make their accounts safer.

Continue reading: Nest account users are now required to use two-factor authentication (full post)

Microsoft says over 4 trillion minutes are spent on Windows 10 monthly

Shane McGlaun | May 5, 2020 3:03 PM CDT

Microsoft has published a blog post that talks about some details of the Windows 10 operating system. One of the more interesting factoids Microsoft is offering up is that customers are using Windows PCs to stay productive, connected, and learned during the coronavirus pandemic around the world significantly more than before the pandemic. The software giant says that over 4 trillion minutes are being spent on Windows 10 devices each month.

Microsoft says over 4 trillion minutes are spent on Windows 10 monthly

Four trillion minutes is a 75% increase year-over-year. Microsoft also talked about what it's doing to help Windows 10 users in the future. One of the most significant changes to Windows 10 will be the May 2020 update that will land as a free upgrade this month. Microsoft's May 2020 update will make things easier and faster for customers. It will bring more streamlined Bluetooth pairing, among other things. The update will also bring improved tablet experience for two-in-one laptop users when the keyboard is detached.

Microsoft says that this holiday and in the holiday season of 2021, it intends to accelerate innovation in Windows 10 to ensure that Windows devices are the best way to work, learn, and play. The software giant is shifting priorities for Windows, saying that the world is a different place than it was last October when it announced its vision for dual-screen Windows devices. Originally Windows 10X was meant for dual-screen devices, which have now been delayed.

Continue reading: Microsoft says over 4 trillion minutes are spent on Windows 10 monthly (full post)

Valve announces the end of SteamVR support for macOS

Shane McGlaun | May 4, 2020 3:01 PM CDT

When it comes to gaming, there aren't nearly as many options out there for Mac users as there are for Windows users. One of the bright spots for Mac gaming has been Steam, with some of the games offered there supporting Mac operating systems. Mac users who want to enjoy VR games had SteamVR to take advantage of, but that is changing.

Valve announces the end of SteamVR support for macOS

Valve recently posted a very terse announcement on the Steam Community forums that SteamVR has ended macOS support. The announcement says that support has ended for Mac computers to allow the team to focus on Windows and Linux development. SteamVR is recommending that macOS users continue to opt into the SteamVR macOS branches for access to legacy builds.

Users can opt into a branch by right-clicking on SteamVR in Steam and selecting properties, Betas. This means that Mac users will continue to be able to use VR, but no new features will be coming. The change also means the potential for future security or compatibility issues to surface.

Continue reading: Valve announces the end of SteamVR support for macOS (full post)

Microsoft Teams is being targeted by phishing attacks

Shane McGlaun | May 4, 2020 9:59 AM CDT

There are many online chat and video chat services that are being used increasingly during the coronavirus pandemic around the world. One of those is Microsoft Teams, and with the significantly increased use of Teams also comes cybercriminals looking to take advantage of those using the service. A security research firm called Abnormal Security has announced that cybercriminals are using new phishing campaigns targeted at Teams users that are attempting to steal Microsoft account credentials.

Microsoft Teams is being targeted by phishing attacks

Abnormal Security says that it has discovered a series of convincing emails that are designed to spoof notification messages from Microsoft Teams. One of the campaigns the security researchers talk about is a phishing email that includes a link to a document on a domain used by a legitimate email marketing company for hosting content for marketing campaigns. The document that is linked to is an image that prompts users to sign into their Microsoft Teams account.

Anyone clicking on the image is taken to is a malicious page impersonating the Microsoft Office logon page with the intent of capturing the user credentials. Another campaign the security researchers found redirects the user to a page hosted on YouTube. That page is redirected two more times until reaching a fake Microsoft page that is attempting to steal login credentials.

Continue reading: Microsoft Teams is being targeted by phishing attacks (full post)