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Jon Fingas
- Engadget
China is blocking Wikipedia in every language
China has blocked Wikipedia to varying degrees over the years, but now that censorship appears to be farther-reaching. A recent Open Observatory of Network Interference report has shown that China started blocking Wikipedia in all languages sometime in April, not just the Chinese-language version as
- Engadget
Here's how Samsung may fix the Galaxy Fold's design flaws
When Samsung said it was delaying the release of the Galaxy Fold to fix its design issues, it didn't really say how it would address the flaws. You might have a clearer idea after today, though. Yonhap News claims Samsung will tuck the protective display layer into the body, preventing users from
- Engadget
Trump declares 'national emergency' to make way for Huawei ban (updated)
The US government now has some pretext for outright bans on doing business with Chinese telecom firms like Huawei and ZTE . President Trump has signed an executive order declaring a national emergency banning sales and use of telecom equipment that poses "unacceptable" risks to national security
- Engadget
San Francisco bans city use of facial recognition
San Francisco is following through on talk of banning facial recognition tech . The city's Board of Supervisors has voted 8-1 in favor of a bill, the Stop Secret Surveillance Ordinance, that bans city government (including police) from using facial recognition technology. It also demands a public
- Engadget
Old versions of Windows get a new patch to stop WannaCry-style attacks
Microsoft is trying to head off another WannaCry-style malware outbreak before it starts. The software giant has released fixes for a Remote Desktop Services (aka Terminal Services) vulnerability that could allow "wormable" malware that spreads from computer to computer without requiring any
- Engadget
'Red Dead Online' is growing faster than 'GTA Online'
Now that Red Dead Online has had several months to build an audience, how is it faring? Quite well, apparently. During an earnings call, Take-Two chief Strauss Zelnick stated that the Red Dead Redemption 2 multiplayer component was "performing better" than GTA Online was at a similarly early
- Engadget
Trump administration proposes another $1.6 billion for Moon efforts
The Trump administration isn't convinced the $10.7 billion set aside for space exploration in the proposed 2020 budget is enough to help put astronauts on the Moon by 2024 . The President has submitted an amendment to the fiscal 2020 budget that would add another $1.6 billion. NASA Administrator
- Engadget
Lenovo's new ThinkBook laptop line is built for slimness and security
It's not often that Lenovo starts a brand new laptop range, and this one may be worth a look if you're getting one with work in mind. The PC maker has introduced the ThinkBook series, which promises "business-grade" features and security in a fairly sleek package. Both the ThinkBook
- Engadget
Elon Musk shows SpaceX's first internet satellites ready for launch
This might be your best chance to get a peek at SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites before they're hurtled into orbit. Elon Musk has posted a photo (below) of the first 60 production satellites packed into the fairing of a Falcon 9 rocket ahead of their launch this coming week. As you can tell
- Engadget
Hugo Barra is no longer in charge of Facebook VR
Facebook's executive shuffle in its VR team continues. The company's vice president of VR, Hugo Barra, is stepping down from the role to take a new position "building a global AR/VR partner ecosystem" within the company. Erick Tseng, Facebook's current product management director
- Engadget
Intel will ramp up 10nm CPU production in June, 7nm in 2021
Intel is nearly ready to ship 10-nanometer processors in large volumes -- no, for real this time. After years of delays , the semiconductor giant has announced that its 10nm mobile Ice Lake processors will start shipping in June. It's not certain just when you'll see the first laptops based on
- Engadget
VW starts taking deposits for its ID.3 electric hatchback
VW is finally ready to take €1,000 deposits for the production version of its I.D. electric hatchback in 29 European countries. Now called the ID.3, the finished car (which won't come with the colorful camouflage above) is initially available in a loaded, limited-edition "1st" model
- Engadget
Amazon's latest Blink security camera lasts two years on AA batteries
It's now clear what the Blink team has been up to since Amazon acquired it in 2017 -- namely, a much-improved version of their core security camera. The newly-unveiled Blink XT2 looks similar on the outside, but packs several upgrades that include a dramatic improvement to battery life. The outdoor-capable
- Engadget
The end of Works With Nest could be trouble for smart homes
Google's integration of the Nest brand may have some downsides for smart home enthusiasts. The company has revealed that it's phasing out its Works With Nest program in the summer in favor of a Works With Google Assistant framework. The new program will allow data sharing between connected devices
- Engadget
Google Assistant can tell apps to order food or track your run
Google Assistant's Actions are about to become decidedly more useful in daily life. Google has expanded App Actions' reach to offer shortcuts for health, finance, food and ridesharing. You could tell your fitness app to start tracking a run, pay a friend for last night's dinner or order your
- Engadget
Google unveils the lower-cost Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL
Google's worst-kept secret in a long time is now official : meet the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL . As expected, both phones are mid-tier devices aimed at people who want the Pixel line's photographic chops (not to mention a 'pure' take on Android) without the flashier hardware of the high-end
- Engadget
How to watch Google's opening I/O 2019 keynote at 1PM ET
This year's Google I/O keynote promises to be a special one . For the first time in a long while, Google has confirmed there will be new hardware -- new Pixel phones are virtually certain, while a Nest smart display could also be in the cards. And that's not including the usual news about AI,
- Engadget
Android Auto redesign helps you focus on the road
As helpful as Android Auto is, it's hard to deny that it feels a bit dated when you can still see some of its 2014 roots . Thankfully, it's about to get a serious makeover. Google has unveiled a new Android Auto interface that's designed to keep more of your attention on the road and, ultimately
- Engadget
UN study says humans are damaging nature at 'unprecedented' rate
You probably weren't expecting a feel-good nature report from the UN after its alarming findings on climate change , and you won't get one. The organization's Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has published a summary of an upcoming study
- Engadget
Israel is the first to respond to a cyberattack with immediate force
It's no longer novel for militaries to respond to cyberattacks with physical force (the US used a drone strike in 2015), but now they're being treated with the same urgency as real-world bullets and missiles. Israel Defense Forces have launched an airstrike on a Gaza Strip building believed to
- Engadget
US Air Force successfully shoots down multiple missiles with a laser
The US Air Force just edged closer to its goal of outfitting aircraft with laser weapons . Testers at the White Sands Missile Range have successfully shot down multiple air-launched missiles using the Self-Protect High Energy Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD), proving that it can hold up under intense situations
- Engadget
iOS 12.3 code hints at support for more forms of mass transit
Apple's plans to expand support for mass transit now appear likely to hinge around its next big iOS 12 update. Tap Down Under has found code within iOS 12.3 that hints at support for EMV payment cards (think credit cards like AmEx, Mastercard and Visa) within Apple Pay Express Transit, letting you
- Engadget
One of the most popular areas in 'Fortnite' is no more
As much as Epic might like to mess with Fortnite 's environment , Tilted Towers has remained sacrosanct. It's not hard to see why -- it's widely considered the most popular drop spot in the game, and it's where you go if you're determined to score good loot quickly (or are just itching
- Engadget
Tesla warns employees against leaking info
Tesla has a rough history with leakers , and it's apparently eager to remind employees of that fact. CNBC said it had obtained an email from Tesla's security team (yes, the irony is thick) warning staff against leaking sensitive information. The message asserted that outsiders were "targeting
- Engadget
Facebook and Instagram ban Alex Jones and other far-right extremists
Facebook is continuing with its stricter responses to hate and violence . Both Facebook and Instagram have banned several predominantly far-right personalities and groups, including Infowars , its creator Alex Jones, Louis Farrakhan, Laura Loomer, Paul Nehlen, Paul Joseph Watson and Milo Yiannopoulos
