Technology News Era

YouTube this week revealed new tools that allow users to more easily raise money for charities. It’ll also help by paying the fees for donations up to a point. The primary tool, which I expect will be the most frequently used by followers, is Super Chats for Good. It takes YouTube‘s Super Chat donation service — in which users can pay to get their comments displayed more prominently in chat — and routs all funds made through it over a period of time directly to the charity of the YouTuber’s choice. Other tools include Fundraisers, which embeds a donation button and… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: YouTube from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2NbQlqY

Google has quietly been providing select advertisers a “stockpile” of offline credit card transaction data. After a four year negotiation, Google and Mastercard reached a deal that would pay the latter millions in exchange for coughing up data on its card holders, according to a Bloomberg report. Google then packaged the data into a new tool, called Store Sales Measurement, that allowed its customers to track whether online ads turned into real world retail sales. Neither company informed its users of the arrangement. For Mastercard, that means the bulk of its two billion customers have no knowledge of the behind-the-scenes… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PT9hcr

Bugatti makes some of the fastest and most expensive cars in the world. You know what’s no as fast but probably as expensive? Building a full-size Buggati Chiron out of Lego pieces. That’s just exactly what Lego did, and it’s pretty amazing. It required over a million Lego Technic pieces, including 2,304 tiny motors. The top speed is only 18mph, but the fact that it moves it all – it weight 3,306 pounds, and again, is made out of Lego – still boggles my mind. It even has a working speedometer, lights and rear spoiler. That said, it’s not all… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2oqODnj

You created a super cool startup. You got a little seed money from your 3rd cousin twice removed. Now what? Coming up with an idea for a startup is a great beginning. Building a minimum viable product (MVP) is a wonderful next step. But how do you actually make people aware of your startup so you can attract paying customers? Afterall, getting into the startup world can be very lucrative. Valuations and fundraising are growing. But only if you don’t get users and customers, you won’t be quitting your day job anytime soon. Here are five genius ways to fix… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2wx6uxt

It was just a few years ago that Bluetooth headphones were utterly unacceptable among audiophiles, but now even classic hi-fi companies are making ‘truly wireless’ earbuds. Right after Audio Technica unveiled its first pair, Sennheiser is jumping into the fray as well. The company announced the Momentum True Wireless earbuds at IFA. The Momentum family is aimed at the tech enthusiast, and the $300 price tag should tell you Sennheiser means business. For your money you’re getting a pair of Bluetooth 5.0 earbuds with 4 hours of battery life, with an additional two charges in the carrying case for a… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PpYHbY

This week, Chinese president Xi Jinping and the Ministry of Education announced they’d be making it even harder for video games to get to the Chinese market — and the cause is the increase in Chinese children who need glasses. The Ministry has since released a comprehensive plan to tackle childhood myopia. Most of the stuff it mentions is innocuously helpful, such as using PSAs and improving the education of optometrists. But in its call to action for the rest of the government, it slipped in a message to the State Press and Publication Administration to regulate the number of online… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2NBKhVk

Amazon’s Alexa is a bit like the consumer tech version of herpes (but in a good way). Like any highly contageous condition, it’s spreading rapidly, finding new devices to infect. Anker, for example, has managed to shoehorn Amazon’s AI voice assistant into a USB car charger and a Bluetooth speaker. Not to be outdone is Chinese tech megabrand Huawei, which today announced its latest Alexa-powered smart speaker, the AI Cube, at Berlin’s IFA 2018 tech trade show. The AI Cube is a really bloody weird one. Firstly, because it’s not shaped like a cube. Yes, you read that right. Like… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Huawei from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2LLgiIZ

Find your niche, develop your story and soon, you could also join the ranks of superstar  multimedia influencers. You can learn how in the Branding You: How to Build Your Multimedia Internet Empire course...and all it costs is $10. from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2LJlZXR

Good news for fans of wireless audio gear: Qualcomm has unveiled its new aptX Adaptive codec, which promises support for high-quality audio content, as well as improved performance over Bluetooth. It essentially combines the strengths of its previously released codecs, which means that it can deliver 24-bit audio (as opposed to 16-bit, like the original aptX and Low Latency codecs), and also reduces delays in transmission so your audio and video is perfectly in sync. In addition, it can also adjust performance on-the-fly for the best possible experience depending on things like external interference with the RF signal between your… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2LJJNe1

Line is growing its presence in the cryptocurrency universe in a big way. A month after launching its own cryptocurrency exchange desk BITBOX, the Tokyo-based messaging titan has now launched its own cryptocurrency called ‘LINK’ alongside a blockchain network called ‘LINK Chain’. In an announcement made on its website, Line says there will be no initial coin offering (ICO) for the LINK tokens, which will be available only as rewards for using decentralized applications (dApps) within the Line ecosystem. The LINK token will become available on BITBOX exchange desk in September. A total of one billion LINK tokens will be… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PTPEkA

Welcome to our new column, in which YouTuber NimbleThor brings you a short list of the best new mobile games for your Android device, released over the past week. Whether you’re into casual time wasters or hardcore shooters, you’ll find something in here to exercise your thumbs with. We all know the feeling… you’re on your usual commute home from work, looking forward to zoning out or getting in some quality time with your phone, when suddenly, the smelly person sitting two seats away starts up a conversation. What do you do? Our suggestion is avoiding eye contact while booting up any of these… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Android from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2MIYK5P

If you’re a PC gamer looking for something to play this weekend, might I suggest Relic’s 2011 masterpiece, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine? It’s a fast-paced third-person adventure, with a delightful mix of shooting and melee combat. And although it’s been a few years since its release, I believe the game has aged well, and its graphics won’t have you cringe at the sight of its levels and characters. As a fan of third-person action titles, I’m happy to report that is easily one of the most fun and satisfying games in the genre. You’ll take on the role of Captain… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PlNuc9

Content marketing has become one of the core activities for nearly every modern company. From blog posts and tweets to YouTube videos and infographics, brands are investing a lot of time and resources into creating engaging content. The biggest challenge for many marketing teams is coming up with a continual stream of fresh ideas and topics that will resonate with their intended audience. We posed the below question to members of Young Entrepreneur Council: What’s one unique way you encourage your content marketing team to find inspiration for fresh ideas? Their best answers are below: 1. Find ways to connect evergreen… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2N09SdN

Xiaomi is the latest Chinese hardware brand to jump on the sliding camera bandwagon, as a Weibo post from the company’s president Lin Bin indicates. Bin posted a render of what will almost certainly be the Mi Mix 3, the latest in the company’s line of bezel-less devices. While the previous two models housed their selfie cameras on the chin below the screen, this one appears to hide the snapper behind the display in a sliding panel. Vivo was the first to launch a sliding camera phone with an aim to kill off screen bezels: its powerful Nex handset, unveiled… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Xiaomi from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PkecBW

Valve has released a free version of its immensely popular FPS game, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). The Free Edition lets you play against bots offline, and also allows you to tune into major-league multiplayer matches in spectator mode, through GOTV. That should help new players get in some practice before they shell out real money to get into the game. Plus, this edition has arrived just in time to allow fans of competitive CS:GO to catch the FACEIT London Major tournament, which will take place on September 5 and see 24 top international teams face off against each other over… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2LJ7Ytc

Apple‘s newest acquisition leaves little doubt that long-rumored augmented reality glasses are on the horizon. Details are hazy, but here’s what we know. Apple, yesterday, confirmed it had acquired Akonia Holographics. Akonia is a Colorado-based company perhaps best known for its portfolio of patents. One of these patents, for holographic storage technology, is licensed to Nintendo and a handful of others. Interesting. On the surface, it wouldn’t appear that Apple has a lot of interest in holographic storage, at least not as a primary focus for the deal. It’s Akonia’s 200 other patents that Apple appears most interested in, including… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Apple from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2wvbz9n

Twitter announced it was making a change to its policy on political ad tweets, and in doing so it’s fixed on of the biggest problems with those promoted tweets — namely, that the information about them wasn’t easily accessible. The policy applies to ads that “advocate for legislative issues of national importance,” such as gun control, climate change, abortion, immigration, national security, and the like. Now those ads will be marked with a label such as this: See that blue hyperlink that says “Learn More”? That right there fixes a heretofore unaddressed problem with political ads on the site. When… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Twitter from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2N500iN

Using voice assistants in a multilingual home is an exercise in frustration, as they can usually only be set to one language at a time. That’s a particular inconvenience if someone in your family isn’t fully fluent in the language of choice. An update to GoogleAssistant will now remove that hassle, if your languages are supported. You’ll be able to set Google Assistant to a pair of languages, with no need to manually switch between them. Just speak in the language you prefer. Take my own case. I bought a pair of Google Home Minis for my parents last Christmas,… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2N1oIR3

Two weeks before their expected announcement, we just got our first good look at some of Apple’s new devices courtesy of 9to5Mac. Say hello the iPhone XS and Apple Watch Series 4. The iPhone XS leak appears to be an official render of the upcoming 5.8 and 6.5-inch flagship models, but the image doesn’t reveal anything we didn’t expect. That said, it does seem to confirm two different sizes of the device, and that they’ll come in a gold trim. The bezels also look a tiny bit smaller than on the current 5.8-inch model, but it’s hard to tell without a… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Apple Watch , iPhone , Apple from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2LCBmkU

In two tweets early Tuesday morning, President Trump reignited the debate about censorship on America’s most popular tech platforms. Citing dubious research, he claimed that Google was censoring search results in an effort to smear the Trump administration. He said: Pegging tech platforms as liberal conduits isn’t new. Accusing them of silencing conservative voices isn’t either. Google, for its part, denies any culpability. A spokesperson told The Washington Post: When users type queries into the Google Search bar, our goal is to make sure they receive the most relevant answers in a matter of seconds. Search is not used to… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2LHC68i

It’s official: After another year’s worth of rumors and speculation, Apple will reveal its next batch of iPhones on September 12 at 10AM PDT. The reveal will happen at the Steve Jobs Theater within Apple’s circular headquarters, which is probably what the big bronze circle on the invite is all about. That said, that’s also where last year’s iPhone X was revealed, so we’re not sure why Apple is emphasizing the new campus on the logo this time around; perhaps there will be some news surrounding Apple Park this time. Based on current rumors, we’re expecting three iPhones: an update… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Apple from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2wzo6b1

Electronic Arts and DICE today announced they would be delaying the release of their biggest game of the year, Battlefield V. Those of us spoiled gamers who might have lost it in the crowded fall season will now have the game near the Thanksgiving holiday. Oskar Gabrielson, general manager at DICE, announced the main reason they’re pushing the game back is because, following feedback from alpha players and Gamescom attendees, they intend to make “meaningful improvements to the core gameplay experience.” The beta is still set to go live next week, but the game‘s actual release has been moved to November 20.… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PgiQ3U

Honor today lifted the lid on its upcoming flagship phone at Berlin’s IFA 2018 tech trade show, the Honor Magic 2. Honor Magic 2 😱🤔🤫 pic.twitter.com/qv06xiK9bR — Clinton Jeff (@clintonjeff) August 30, 2018 The Honor Magic 2 is somewhat of a departure from Honor’s typical fare, which usually floats within the low-to-upper-mid ranges of the smartphone market. It’s decidedly high-end, with specs and design innovations to match. For starters, it boasts a completely notchless full-view screen, with an almost 100 percent screen-to-body ratio. This is accomplished by putting the front-facing camera and speakers on a pannel that slides up during… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2C2xw4X

TCL Communications, the Chinese company that licensed the BlackBerry name in 2016 (and has been killing it ever since) today announced the BlackBerry Key2 LE. The BlackBerry Key2 LE is a reworking of the phone released by TCL earlier this year, in order to bring it to a more palatable mid-range price point, and honestly, there aren’t too many surprises here. As is the case with virtually every single phone release nowadays, the pertinent details leaked out long before its release. It keeps the same (and incredible) physical keyboard found on the Key2 LE, which boasts delightfully clickable keys that… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2N5uL7a

New Yorkers using apps including Snapchat, Citi Bike, or The Weather Channel will have noticed that this morning New York had been renamed “Jewtropolis” on both Android and iOS devices. When users zoom in on Snap Maps, it shows that Snap Map has marked Manhattan’s East Village with anti-Semitic language. The change to New York’s name appeared to be visible at 5:00am ET and by around 9:00am, the maps were in the process of being fixed. Those that spotted the offensive hack have posted screenshots on social media with multiple users expressing their disgust over the ‘racist’ change. Whatever mapping service… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Snapchat from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2N4yd23

Honor today announced the availability and pricing of its gaming-focused Honor Play device. The handset, which promises improved performance for gaming and VR applications, will be available online at Honor’s online store for €329. The first markets to get the Honor Play are Western Europe, CEE and Nordic countries, the Middle East, Russia, India, and the Asia Pacific region. Unveiling of the new Honor Play#CrazyFast #CrazySmart Learn more: https://t.co/eaT79mh0Zn https://t.co/7LPibKlT6e — Honor Smartphone (@Honorglobal) August 30, 2018 To bring the Honor Play to life, the manufacturer has developed a technology called “GPU Turbo,” which promises superior graphics performance while remaining… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PnbkED

Spicing up flat, uninspired presentations with lively graphics, charts and other visual data is where Visme comes in. Right now, you can lock in a year of their standard plan service at a 65 percent savings, just $49 from TNW Deals. from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2LG2K1w

Most tech-savvy people have something made by Anker in their homes. The ubiquitous Chinese company offers a range of dirt-cheap electronics, from cables and chargers, to bluetooth speakers and even robot vacuum cleaners. Today, at Berlin’s massive IFA 2018 tech trade show, the company lifted the curtain on a few new additions to its line-up. Eufy RoboVac 30C Anker’s sub-brand, Eufy, is all about the home. Search Amazon for it, and you’ll stumble across a range of Alexa-enabled light bulbs, smart body scales, and robot vacuums. At IFA 2018, the company announced the launch of the Eufy RoboVac 30C. This… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2omrfr3

The world’s biggest Bitcoin mining pool is now set on dominating Ethereum. BTC.com, a subsidiary of cryptocurrency mining hardware giant Bitmain, has today released a new client specifically built to mine the Ethereum blockchain. BTC.com currently accounts for roughly 16 percent of the computing power driving Bitcoin (hash rate). Similarly, it makes up around 14 percent of the Bitcoin Cash network. But, it seems that Bitmain is simply not content to dominate those two: Ethereum is next. “We expect mining operations to grow to 12 [percent] of ETH total hashrate in the next 12 months.”  says Zhuang Zhong, Director of BTC.com’s mining pool.… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PlbAnr

Google “best noise-cancelling headphones,” and you’ll see almost certainly see Sony’s 1000X series among the top recommendations. My boss liked the WH-1000MX2 so much he may or may not have stole them from Sony. Now in its third iteration, the WH-1000XM3 – Sony really needs a better naming scheme – brings significant improvements to both sound and comfort at a $349 price point. Oh, and it finally ditched Micro USB for USB-C. You can thank a a new “HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1” for the audio improvements. Sony says it’s four four times more powerful than its predecesssor, which allows it… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2LGDp7s

The Google Play store has a nifty – and seemingly new – feature that should make it a whole lot easier to stream your favorite movie or TV show: its search now lets you look up content right in the store, and displays services that host it. To use it, simply fire up the Play store on your Android device, and punch in the name of any TV series or movie, and it’ll list streaming apps that have what you’re looking for. Naturally, if it’s available on Google’s own video platform to buy or rent, those listings will show up… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google Play , Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2Nu0HPB

Google is set to roll out a much-needed update to Wear OS that will revamp the interface so it’ll be easier to use smartwatches running the platform. The biggest change is in notifications, which presents information in a way that’s easier to parse, with colors to distinguish between things like the name of the contact who sent you a message, and the contents of the message itself. You’ll also be able to bring up an option to respond with Smart Replies, with just a tap. A downward swipe brings you back to the screen you were on.   Next, Google… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2olwDux

Last year, Apple announced a jump in its sequential issues of smartphones, with the iPhone X. Despite not adding anything revolutionary to the standard iPhone template (aside from extra battery life, higher resolution, and other standard upgrades), the cost jumped several hundred dollars, with even basic models costing $999 and up. At the time, pundits seemed divided about what this meant for the future of Apple, and of smartphones in general. Would this scare away new tech enthusiasts, forcing them to flock to lower-cost alternatives? Or would this be yet another massive hit, possibly influencing a new generation of $1,000… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2BZAlnj

Messaging service Telegram has updated its privacy policy to include a clause which states that it may hand over users’ IP address and phone number if it receives a court order that indicates those people are terror suspects. The company added that this hasn’t ever happened yet, and that if it does, it’ll disclose it in a semiannual transparency report. With that, Telegram believes it’s now in compliance with the European Union’s GDPR guidelines. But what does this spell for users? Founder Pavel Durov noted that this will only make the service less hospitable to terrorists, who may seek to… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2NBlBg0

Although it’s been making wireless headphones for a while, Audio-Technica has only just debuted its first pair of truly wireless earphones – thereby raising my hopes for high-fidelity audio in an ultra-portable form factor. The new CKR7TW buds come with “specially tuned 11 mm drivers feature a diamond-like carbon coated diaphragm,” and promise reduced distortion and unwanted resonances, as well as improved high-frequency response. They support Bluetooth 5.0, run for six hours on a single charge, and fit into a case that can juice them up for an additional nine hours. You can also answer calls thanks to an integrated… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2POB25O

A seller on eBay claims to be offering a piece of Apple history — a functional iPhone prototype circa 2006. Over 100 bids have been logged on the listing, and the price is now reaching into the high five figures. The seller, one “321dady,” calls the device the “rarest of them all.” The etching on the back proclaims it to be Version 1.1.1, and according to 321dady, it was made in 2006 in Cupertino. It has a different battery and hardware than the release version, and is slightly heavier at 144 grams. Pictures of the phone in the listing show it… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: iPhone , eBay from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2wp0nvd

Security cameras managed to catch a glimpse of a Tesla Model S doing its best impression of the General Lee from Dukes of Hazard. Google it, Generation Z. After speeding over railroad tracks in Barrie, Ontario, Canada yesterday, the car lost control after landing and crashed into the parking lot of a nearby elementary school. The driver, a 46-year-old male, and his passenger were treated for minor injuries after landing. The driver was charged with dangerous driving. Multiple angles show the car traveling at an unsafe speed and ramping a set of railroad tracks. Investigators said the car went airborne,… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Tesla from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PP3SCX

We are living in a digital age of instant gratification. Thirty million songs can be accessed with a swipe of our smartphone on the Spotify app. Meanwhile, Netflix will ensure you can binge through an entire season of a TV series rather than wait for next week’s episode. If there is an item you want in a hurry, in some cases, Amazon will get it to you within two hours! According to recent research, Generation Z currently spends 10.6 hours engaging with online content every day. I have started to notice as I type this that I am increasingly feeling… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2C0qI7S

In the past few years, wireless speakers have gotten good. Like, really good. But the number of options still pale in comparison to the wealth of traditional speakers on the market, especially for those seeking audiophile-quality sound. For these folks, Sonos has had its Connect:Amp, which could power passive speakers through regular speaker wire. Today, the company is announcing the simply named Sonos Amp, which is both more powerful and more versatile than its predecessor. Where the Connect:Amp could handle two speakers at 55 Watts each, the new model can handle four at 125W each. Better yet, you can actually… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2C060VQ

The first Monster Hunter game for the Switch has finally arrived. Generations Ultimate may not be quite as beginner-friendly as World, but if you’re already a fan of the series, you’ll find it’s a glossy port of the classic formula. Monster Hunter, as a series, is best described as a dramatization of what would have happened if humans had existed on Earth at roughly the same time as all the ancient, prehistoric beasts did. You, as a Hunter, are tasked with stalking, killing, and carving up the massive beasts from the world around you, after which you can turn their body parts into armor… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PMg4Vf

When I reviewed the Xbox One X last year I lamented one detail in particular: it only came in boring black color, as opposed to the nifty contrasting white-on-black of the One S. Well, today Microsoft has answered my wishes, offering the Xbox One X and the luxuriously expensive Elite Controller in clean shades of white. Ooooh:   Ahhhh: How a.e.s.t.h.e.t.i.c. The Xbox One X – dubbed Robot White – will only be available as part of a Fallout 76 Bundle. You’ll be able to play a Beta of Fallout 76, and the bundle includes a matching white (non-Elite) controller. It’ll be… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Xbox , Xbox One from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2orrmlv

A tweet from Bitcoin’s self-proclaimed creator Craig Wright has got the entire cryptocurrency community turning to calculators. Wright took to Twitter to posit that cryptocurrency mining pools that can’t mine blocks of 32MB – which even a 56K modem could handle – “deserve to be bankrupt.” If a pool cannot mine a minor 32mb block (that a 56k modem could handle) and tries to hobble scaling to subsidise their failure, they deserve to be bankrupt. This is capitalism. Scaling is happening in #BCH Miners will just move pools, life goes on. pic.twitter.com/MY51GksjxI — Dr Craig S Wright (@ProfFaustus) August 28, 2018… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PdU5p9

The days of the pump and dump ICO may be numbered: the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) is on the warpath, taking action against potentially dodgy cryptocurrency schemes. In an announcement made yesterday, NASAA revealed it has opened over 200 cases investigating possibly illegitimate, illegal, and fraudulent ICOs and cryptocurrency related businesses since its launch in May 2018. All under the codename “Operation Cryptosweep.” NASAA is a collective task force made up of representatives from the US, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Its aim is to uncover illegitimate cryptocurrency scams, and protect potential unwitting investors.… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2olatbQ

Adobe CC is a behemoth — and so is this training, featuring 11 courses that center around deep understanding of Adobe’s crown jewel apps. Over 70 hours of hardcore instruction, the package of courses from SkillSuccess, taught by proven industry experts with serious credentials, build your skills from the ground up. from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2wqRykh

Air quality in cities didn’t used to bother me – I could cycle behind a diesel bus smoking a cigarette and feel fine. But, age has changed me. These days, my wheezing lungs seem to notice variance in air more. So, when I found out about the Foobot – an internet-connected air monitor for your home – I was hyped to get my hands on one. Basically, it’s a plastic tube: You plug the Foobot in, sync with your phone, connect it to your WiFi network, and then leave it for five days to calibrate to the atmosphere in the… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2MZyFyl

It seems that China’s crackdown on cryptocurrencies doesn’t extend to the infamous dark web. A hacker is selling the personal data of over 130 million individuals for 8 BTC ($56,776 at press time) on a Chinese dark web forum, technology publication Bleeping Computer reports. The individuals implicated in the hack are all clients of Huazhu Hotels Group, one of China’s largest hospitality chains, which manages over 3,800 hotels across 382 cities in China. According to the local media that spotted the dark web advertisement, the hacker is selling more than 240 million records belonging to 130 million clients that includes phone numbers, email addresses,… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Bitcoin from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2wqZRvM

Polk Audio has made a name for itself with solid budget- and mid-range audio equipment, and over the past year, it’s been dipping its toes into the smart speaker segment. Its latest connected offering is the Polk Assist, a $200 speaker that’s basically a Google Home on steroids – at least on the audio front. Given that the Home now costs just $100 (down from its original price of $130), the Assist is twice as expensive as Google’s own offering. I put the Assist through its paces over the past few weeks to see if it delivers twice the aural… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2wsYn4d

Eight out of the top 10 universities that offer blockchain courses are based in the US, according to a new report compiled by popular cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase. The research has more broadly uncovered that 42 percent of the world’s top universities offer at least one academically endorsed course. Leading the way is Stanford which offers 10 blockchain-based courses. Cornell University, and the University of Pennsylvania take up second and third place by offering nine and six blockchain courses, respectively. There are only two universities in the top ten that aren’t based in the US. The National University of Singapore placed… This story continues at The Next Web from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2ogVcbY

Hey, Google. Can you understand my accent? Of course. You have an incredibly pleasing dialect. So began my Saturday morning discussion with my Google Home Mini. And while I was happy to receive a compliment about my speech, that wasn’t my motivation for asking the question. Our human-to-robot chat was triggered by recent news reports claiming that voice assistants are likely to “stamp out”, “kill off” and make us “lose” our regional accents, described by some as “under threat”. Another apocalyptic story about language and another call for linguists to do some myth-busting, then. These scaremongering headlines relate to the… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Google from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2PhQVRi

A Facebook ad promoting the contraceptive smartphone app as a “highly accurate” method of birth control has been found to be misleading by the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after figures revealed it is less effective then suggested. Natural Cycles claimed it “provided a clinically tested alternative to other birth control methods,” but this was found to be exaggerated after the ASA received multiple complaints, according to the BBC. The ad that ran for four-weeks during 2017 stated “Natural Cycles is a highly accurate, certified, contraceptive app that adapts to every woman’s unique menstrual cycle. Sign up to get to know your body… This story continues at The Next Web Or just read more coverage about: Facebook from The Next Web https://ift.tt/2LzYuk7