engadget-rss

LinkedIn is facing a €310 million ($334 million) fine in the EU after the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) determined it had improperly conducted behavioral analyses of its members’ personal data for targeted advertising. This decision argues that LinkedIn violated the GDPR by not obtaining proper consent, demonstrating legitimate interest or showing a contractual necessity to process the data it and third-parties collected. 
The DPC also reprimanded LinkedIn and handed down an order for it to collect all data in a compliant manner. “The lawfulness of processing is a fundamental aspect of data protection law and the processing of personal data without an appropriate legal basis is a clear and serious violation of a data subjects’ fundamental right to data protection,” DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle stated. 
The decision stems from a 2018 complaint by the French non-profit organisation, La Quadrature Du Net, and an initial inquiry examining whether LinkedIn processed the personal data of its users lawfully, fairly and transparently. The matter was originally raised with the French Data Protection Authority and then transferred to the DPC as LinkedIn’s European base is Ireland. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/eu-fines-linkedin-334-million-for-violating-the-gdpr-123053773.html?src=rss

LinkedIn is facing a €310 million ($334 million) fine in the EU after the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) determined it had improperly conducted behavioral analyses of its members’ personal data for targeted advertising. This decision argues that LinkedIn violated the GDPR by not obtaining proper consent, demonstrating legitimate interest or showing a contractual necessity to process the data it and third-parties collected. 

The DPC also reprimanded LinkedIn and handed down an order for it to collect all data in a compliant manner. “The lawfulness of processing is a fundamental aspect of data protection law and the processing of personal data without an appropriate legal basis is a clear and serious violation of a data subjects’ fundamental right to data protection,” DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle stated. 

The decision stems from a 2018 complaint by the French non-profit organisation, La Quadrature Du Net, and an initial inquiry examining whether LinkedIn processed the personal data of its users lawfully, fairly and transparently. The matter was originally raised with the French Data Protection Authority and then transferred to the DPC as LinkedIn’s European base is Ireland. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/eu-fines-linkedin-334-million-for-violating-the-gdpr-123053773.html?src=rss

Read More 

The James Webb Space Telescope is making it possible to detect more celestial objects we previously wouldn’t be able to, including ones that can further our knowledge on how our universe began. A team of astronomers, for instance, detected a “rich population of brown dwarf candidates” outside our own galaxy for the first time. The image above was captured using the telescope’s Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) instrument. 
We already know of the roughly 3,000 brown dwarfs inside the Milky Way, but Webb made it possible to find candidates 200,000 light years away from our planet. “Only with the incredible sensitivity and spatial resolution in the correct wavelength regime is it possible to detect these objects at such great distances,” said Peter Zeidler, the team leader from AURA/STScI for the European Space Agency. “This has never been possible before and also will remain impossible from the ground for the foreseeable future.”
Brown dwarfs are neither planets nor stars. They’re free-floating objects around 13 to 75 times larger than Jupiter, and they aren’t gravitationally bound to a star like exoplanets are. Yes, they’re bigger than the biggest gas giants, but they’re also not big enough to produce massive amounts of light, which is why they’re sometimes called “failed stars.” According to the scientists in this study, their observations support the theory that brown dwarfs form like stars do, they merely “don’t accrete enough mass to become a fully fledged star.” As NASA notes, scientists think it’s possible that a “great deal” of the universe’s mass comes in the form of brown dwarfs. Seeing as they’re mostly dark and can barely generate any light, they could help answer the “missing mass” problem that astronomers are still trying to solve. 
The team found the new brown dwarf candidates in a star cluster called NGC 602 near the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud dwarf galaxy. They explained that older Hubble observations showed that the cluster contains very young low mass stars, but Webb made it possible to look at them more closely. Based on what they’ve seen, the cluster exists in an environment comparable to the early universe, which means studying the brown dwarfs could provide more clues on how stars and planets formed billions of years ago.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-webb-telescope-detects-the-first-potential-brown-dwarfs-outside-our-galaxy-120007295.html?src=rss

The James Webb Space Telescope is making it possible to detect more celestial objects we previously wouldn’t be able to, including ones that can further our knowledge on how our universe began. A team of astronomers, for instance, detected a “rich population of brown dwarf candidates” outside our own galaxy for the first time. The image above was captured using the telescope’s Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam) instrument. 

We already know of the roughly 3,000 brown dwarfs inside the Milky Way, but Webb made it possible to find candidates 200,000 light years away from our planet. “Only with the incredible sensitivity and spatial resolution in the correct wavelength regime is it possible to detect these objects at such great distances,” said Peter Zeidler, the team leader from AURA/STScI for the European Space Agency. “This has never been possible before and also will remain impossible from the ground for the foreseeable future.”

Brown dwarfs are neither planets nor stars. They’re free-floating objects around 13 to 75 times larger than Jupiter, and they aren’t gravitationally bound to a star like exoplanets are. Yes, they’re bigger than the biggest gas giants, but they’re also not big enough to produce massive amounts of light, which is why they’re sometimes called “failed stars.” According to the scientists in this study, their observations support the theory that brown dwarfs form like stars do, they merely “don’t accrete enough mass to become a fully fledged star.” As NASA notes, scientists think it’s possible that a “great deal” of the universe’s mass comes in the form of brown dwarfs. Seeing as they’re mostly dark and can barely generate any light, they could help answer the “missing mass” problem that astronomers are still trying to solve. 

The team found the new brown dwarf candidates in a star cluster called NGC 602 near the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud dwarf galaxy. They explained that older Hubble observations showed that the cluster contains very young low mass stars, but Webb made it possible to look at them more closely. Based on what they’ve seen, the cluster exists in an environment comparable to the early universe, which means studying the brown dwarfs could provide more clues on how stars and planets formed billions of years ago.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/nasas-webb-telescope-detects-the-first-potential-brown-dwarfs-outside-our-galaxy-120007295.html?src=rss

Read More 

Isn’t it fun when a relatively minor skirmish over money boils over to threaten (checks notes) the whole Android ecosystem? That’s what’s happening now chip firm Arm has moved to cancel the architecture license allowing Qualcomm to build its chips.
Essentially, back in 2021, Qualcomm bought an AI chip company, Nuvia, which was also an Arm licensee. Qualcomm has used Nuvia’s technology inside its AI PC chips, but Arm feels Qualcomm never sought its blessing to transfer those licenses.
In response, Arm sued Qualcomm in 2022 to try to get what it was owed, with the battle due to go to trial this December. But unless someone backs down in the interim, Qualcomm might not be able to make the chips — the basis for its multi-billion dollar business.
I wouldn’t worry too much, given how high the stakes are for both companies in this situation. It’s likely someone will cut a hefty check days before the license is withdrawn, and everyone can go back to gently tolerating each other.
— Dan Cooper
Get this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

News in Brief

Amazon’s God of War series hires Ronald D. Moore as showrunnerSuddenly, there’s a reason to watch Amazon’s God of War series.
Roblox to launch new child safety protocols next monthFrom the “Wait, they weren’t doing this already?” file.
The best iPad for 2024: How to pick the best Apple tablet for youWe help you navigate the clutter.
Adobe Fresco’s previously paywalled features are now freeAdobe is learning you can’t compete with free.
The FCC will review the broadband industry’s lousy customer supportTime to make it easier to cancel your broadband.

Intelsat’s Boeing-made satellite explodes and breaks up in orbit
Boeing-made, you say?
Intelsat
A Boeing-made communications satellite has exploded, breaking up while in geostationary orbit around Earth. The US Space Force believes the Intelsat hardware has broken into 20 pieces, while Roscosmos says it is tracking 80 fragments. There is no danger to life on Earth, but the debris may pose a risk to other satellites in orbit — as well as Boeing’s reputation.
Continue Reading.
Severance season two teaser trailer shows the world’s worst return-to-office policy in action
Lumon strikes back.
Apple
I’ll be honest, I found Severance to be the most stressful TV show of 2022, to the point where I had heart palpitations for most of the season finale. Now, after nearly three years in production, the second season will debut on Apple TV+ on January 17, 2025. I’m still not sure if my body can manage a second go, but those with stronger constitutions should make preparations.
Continue Reading.
Tesla says it will begin launching new and more affordable EVs next year
Ah yes, a promise from Elon Musk.
Tesla
Tesla has claimed it’s working on a series of more affordable EVs, with production due to begin in the first half of 2025. Of course, like any pledge coming out of an Elon Musk-owned company, we must take that with a pinch of salt. Although if you want a cheap Tesla, the used market has been pretty bountiful for a while now.
Continue Reading.
TSMC has reportedly cut off a company that sent its chips to Huawei
An update on the AI chip drama.

Huawei is believed to have used a new TSMC-made chip in its hardware despite the number of sanctions designed to stop that happening. Now, TSMC has revealed it has halted shipments to a client that may have quietly been handing its supply over to the Chinese technology giant. If true, it makes you wonder how long Huawei expected to do this before someone noticed.
Continue Reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-arm-doubles-down-in-its-qualcomm-fight-111513704.html?src=rss

Isn’t it fun when a relatively minor skirmish over money boils over to threaten (checks notes) the whole Android ecosystem? That’s what’s happening now chip firm Arm has moved to cancel the architecture license allowing Qualcomm to build its chips.

Essentially, back in 2021, Qualcomm bought an AI chip company, Nuvia, which was also an Arm licensee. Qualcomm has used Nuvia’s technology inside its AI PC chips, but Arm feels Qualcomm never sought its blessing to transfer those licenses.

In response, Arm sued Qualcomm in 2022 to try to get what it was owed, with the battle due to go to trial this December. But unless someone backs down in the interim, Qualcomm might not be able to make the chips — the basis for its multi-billion dollar business.

I wouldn’t worry too much, given how high the stakes are for both companies in this situation. It’s likely someone will cut a hefty check days before the license is withdrawn, and everyone can go back to gently tolerating each other.

— Dan Cooper

Get this delivered daily direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here!

News in Brief

Amazon’s God of War series hires Ronald D. Moore as showrunner
Suddenly, there’s a reason to watch Amazon’s God of War series.

Roblox to launch new child safety protocols next month
From the “Wait, they weren’t doing this already?” file.

The best iPad for 2024: How to pick the best Apple tablet for you
We help you navigate the clutter.

Adobe Fresco’s previously paywalled features are now free
Adobe is learning you can’t compete with free.

The FCC will review the broadband industry’s lousy customer support
Time to make it easier to cancel your broadband.

Intelsat’s Boeing-made satellite explodes and breaks up in orbit

Boeing-made, you say?

A Boeing-made communications satellite has exploded, breaking up while in geostationary orbit around Earth. The US Space Force believes the Intelsat hardware has broken into 20 pieces, while Roscosmos says it is tracking 80 fragments. There is no danger to life on Earth, but the debris may pose a risk to other satellites in orbit — as well as Boeing’s reputation.

Continue Reading.

Severance season two teaser trailer shows the world’s worst return-to-office policy in action

Lumon strikes back.

I’ll be honest, I found Severance to be the most stressful TV show of 2022, to the point where I had heart palpitations for most of the season finale. Now, after nearly three years in production, the second season will debut on Apple TV+ on January 17, 2025. I’m still not sure if my body can manage a second go, but those with stronger constitutions should make preparations.

Continue Reading.

Tesla says it will begin launching new and more affordable EVs next year

Ah yes, a promise from Elon Musk.

Tesla has claimed it’s working on a series of more affordable EVs, with production due to begin in the first half of 2025. Of course, like any pledge coming out of an Elon Musk-owned company, we must take that with a pinch of salt. Although if you want a cheap Tesla, the used market has been pretty bountiful for a while now.

Continue Reading.

TSMC has reportedly cut off a company that sent its chips to Huawei

An update on the AI chip drama.

Huawei is believed to have used a new TSMC-made chip in its hardware despite the number of sanctions designed to stop that happening. Now, TSMC has revealed it has halted shipments to a client that may have quietly been handing its supply over to the Chinese technology giant. If true, it makes you wonder how long Huawei expected to do this before someone noticed.

Continue Reading.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-arm-doubles-down-in-its-qualcomm-fight-111513704.html?src=rss

Read More 

The popcorn bucket wars just became literal with Cinemark’s latest entry for Gladiator II. The theater chain’s new entry is not only shaped like the Roman colosseum, it plays a cutesy augmented reality gladiator battle when you point your smartphone at QR code on the bottom (AR-ENA, get it?). The butter on the popcorn is Cinemark’s tagline, claiming “you can eat war.” 
In fact, all of the ad copy is brilliantly cheesy: “Every kernel of strength, every ounce of honor, is for the glory of Rome. As you preside over this gladiator arena, you can… eat war. Finish the popcorn and unleash the battle within. You will be entertained.” Being intoned in the Honest Trailer style takes it up an extra notch.
Finish the popcorn, scan the code, and let the games begin. Experience your own augmented reality gladiator battle with the Gladiator II Popcorn AR-ENA bucket. Get yours @Cinemark opening weekend and get tickets today.🎟️: https://t.co/9cVeY9EICC pic.twitter.com/8J06RkyCIp— Cinemark Theatres (@Cinemark) October 22, 2024

It’s the latest popcorn bucket movie merch, following high-profile entries from Dune and Deadpool. We’ve also seen entries for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and others that didn’t quite capture the same zeitgeist.
Sure, you might need to wipe off some popcorn grease to read the Cinemark bucket’s QR code, and the AR animation of two fighting gladiators is reminiscent of a PlayStation 2 render. Still, neither the Dune nor Wolverine buckets boast any interactive features, so the Gladiator II bucket has them beat there — and it’s a smart way to rope in the tech press. 
Cinemark’s vessel is also plausibly shaped like a popcorn bucket with its colosseum form. The same can’t be said for Dune’s sandworm-shaped bucket or Deadpool’s Wolverine head bucket (Dune director Denis Villeneuve called the latter “horrific” and he’s right). If you’re looking to expand your collection, the Gladiator II popcorn bucket will arrive “soon” and the movie itself hits theaters on November 22.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/cinemarks-gladiator-ii-ar-enabled-popcorn-bucket-claims-you-can-eat-war-093045963.html?src=rss

The popcorn bucket wars just became literal with Cinemark’s latest entry for Gladiator II. The theater chain’s new entry is not only shaped like the Roman colosseum, it plays a cutesy augmented reality gladiator battle when you point your smartphone at QR code on the bottom (AR-ENA, get it?). The butter on the popcorn is Cinemark’s tagline, claiming “you can eat war.” 

In fact, all of the ad copy is brilliantly cheesy: “Every kernel of strength, every ounce of honor, is for the glory of Rome. As you preside over this gladiator arena, you can… eat war. Finish the popcorn and unleash the battle within. You will be entertained.” Being intoned in the Honest Trailer style takes it up an extra notch.

It’s the latest popcorn bucket movie merch, following high-profile entries from Dune and Deadpool. We’ve also seen entries for Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and others that didn’t quite capture the same zeitgeist.

Sure, you might need to wipe off some popcorn grease to read the Cinemark bucket’s QR code, and the AR animation of two fighting gladiators is reminiscent of a PlayStation 2 render. Still, neither the Dune nor Wolverine buckets boast any interactive features, so the Gladiator II bucket has them beat there — and it’s a smart way to rope in the tech press. 

Cinemark’s vessel is also plausibly shaped like a popcorn bucket with its colosseum form. The same can’t be said for Dune‘s sandworm-shaped bucket or Deadpool’s Wolverine head bucket (Dune director Denis Villeneuve called the latter “horrific” and he’s right). If you’re looking to expand your collection, the Gladiator II popcorn bucket will arrive “soon” and the movie itself hits theaters on November 22.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/cinemarks-gladiator-ii-ar-enabled-popcorn-bucket-claims-you-can-eat-war-093045963.html?src=rss

Read More 

Roblox has adopted several new policies designed to give parents control over how their children use the sprawling online game platform. Bloomberg reported that the company has created a new type of parental account so that a guardian can oversee their kids’ online activities and friends. Roblox is also now requiring parent permission for users under age 13 to access certain features. Users age 9 and younger will also need permission in order to access game modes with moderate violence or crude humor. The publication said these changes are slated to go into effect next month.
Concerns about safety for young players have been a recurring issue for Roblox. The platform faced a lawsuit claiming exploitation of a minor in 2022. Sony was reluctant to host the game on its hardware over questions of whether Roblox exposed children to inappropriate sexual content, and the same justification led to a ban in Turkey earlier this year. Hindenburg Research recently released an exposé about predatory behavior as well as misleading financial activity at Roblox (although that source has a shaky reputation of its own). An investigation by Bloomberg Businessweek found that at least two dozen people have been arrested by US law enforcement since 2018 for abusing or abducting child victims they met on Roblox.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-to-launch-new-child-safety-protocols-next-month-225552516.html?src=rss

Roblox has adopted several new policies designed to give parents control over how their children use the sprawling online game platform. Bloomberg reported that the company has created a new type of parental account so that a guardian can oversee their kids’ online activities and friends. Roblox is also now requiring parent permission for users under age 13 to access certain features. Users age 9 and younger will also need permission in order to access game modes with moderate violence or crude humor. The publication said these changes are slated to go into effect next month.

Concerns about safety for young players have been a recurring issue for Roblox. The platform faced a lawsuit claiming exploitation of a minor in 2022. Sony was reluctant to host the game on its hardware over questions of whether Roblox exposed children to inappropriate sexual content, and the same justification led to a ban in Turkey earlier this year. Hindenburg Research recently released an exposé about predatory behavior as well as misleading financial activity at Roblox (although that source has a shaky reputation of its own). An investigation by Bloomberg Businessweek found that at least two dozen people have been arrested by US law enforcement since 2018 for abusing or abducting child victims they met on Roblox.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-to-launch-new-child-safety-protocols-next-month-225552516.html?src=rss

Read More 

One of Tesla’s biggest downsides has always been the upfront cost of its electric vehicles versus gas models. The cheapest car it currently sells is $42,490 before subsidies, and the average Kelley Blue Book starting price of its 2024 models is just over $63,000.
Tesla wrote in its third-quarter disclosure report that it’s making “preparations” to offer new vehicles with “more affordable models.” The EV maker’s cost of goods sold per vehicle also came down to “its lowest level ever” at $35,1000.
“Plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025,” the report reads. “These vehicles will utilize aspects of the next generation platform as well as aspects of our current platforms and will be able to be produced on the same manufacturing lines as our current vehicle line-up.”
Tesla also says it plans to “begin launching” its cheaper EV models “in the first half of 2025.” That wording is still fairly loose, so there’s no guarantee that a new model will ship the same year.
The other surprise in Tesla’s report came from the numbers. It turns out that despite setbacks like the Cybertruck’s fifth recall and a federal investigation into its EVs’ Full Self-Driving feature, Tesla had a fairly robust third quarter. The carmaker’s net income rose by 8 percent to $2.51 billion and sales rose by 2 percent year-over-year. The news also ends its four-quarter streak of missed earnings targets.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-says-it-will-begin-launching-new-and-more-affordable-evs-next-year-215038050.html?src=rss

One of Tesla’s biggest downsides has always been the upfront cost of its electric vehicles versus gas models. The cheapest car it currently sells is $42,490 before subsidies, and the average Kelley Blue Book starting price of its 2024 models is just over $63,000.

Tesla wrote in its third-quarter disclosure report that it’s making “preparations” to offer new vehicles with “more affordable models.” The EV maker’s cost of goods sold per vehicle also came down to “its lowest level ever” at $35,1000.

“Plans for new vehicles, including more affordable models, remain on track for start of production in the first half of 2025,” the report reads. “These vehicles will utilize aspects of the next generation platform as well as aspects of our current platforms and will be able to be produced on the same manufacturing lines as our current vehicle line-up.”

Tesla also says it plans to “begin launching” its cheaper EV models “in the first half of 2025.” That wording is still fairly loose, so there’s no guarantee that a new model will ship the same year.

The other surprise in Tesla’s report came from the numbers. It turns out that despite setbacks like the Cybertruck’s fifth recall and a federal investigation into its EVs’ Full Self-Driving feature, Tesla had a fairly robust third quarter. The carmaker’s net income rose by 8 percent to $2.51 billion and sales rose by 2 percent year-over-year. The news also ends its four-quarter streak of missed earnings targets.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/tesla-says-it-will-begin-launching-new-and-more-affordable-evs-next-year-215038050.html?src=rss

Read More 

For Minecraft players, virtual and mixed reality will soon go the way of a hissing creeper. Developer Mojang announced last month that March 2025 would be the last update for the game on PlayStation VR. Yesterday’s patch notes for the Bedrock edition of the game use similar language, stating that “Our ability to support VR/MR devices has come to an end, and will no longer be supported in updates after March of 2025.”
All is not lost for the block builders who have been enjoying Minecraft in virtual reality. After the final March 2025 update, the patch notes clarify that “you can keep building in your worlds, and your Marketplace purchases (including Minecoins) will continue to be available on a non-VR/MR graphics device such as a computer monitor.” It’s a sad development for a game that was such a good match for the VR experience. And with the huge sales figures Minecraft continues to put up year after year, it’s also a bit discouraging for the broader virtual reality and mixed reality ecosystem to lose such an iconic title.
There is a silver lining for the Minecraft community, however. After a very long wait, the game finally has a native edition available for the PlayStation 5. Sony’s latest console generation has been relegated to using the PS4 version until now, but going forward the game will have 4K resolution and 60 fps even at a longer draw distance. If you’re a PS5 owner who already has the PS4 version of Minecraft, you can claim the new update for free in the PlayStation Store. And with the Bundles of Bravery update rolling out yesterday, it’s a promising time to start a new blocky adventure.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/minecraft-is-ending-all-virtual-reality-support-next-spring-212953347.html?src=rss

For Minecraft players, virtual and mixed reality will soon go the way of a hissing creeper. Developer Mojang announced last month that March 2025 would be the last update for the game on PlayStation VR. Yesterday’s patch notes for the Bedrock edition of the game use similar language, stating that “Our ability to support VR/MR devices has come to an end, and will no longer be supported in updates after March of 2025.”

All is not lost for the block builders who have been enjoying Minecraft in virtual reality. After the final March 2025 update, the patch notes clarify that “you can keep building in your worlds, and your Marketplace purchases (including Minecoins) will continue to be available on a non-VR/MR graphics device such as a computer monitor.” It’s a sad development for a game that was such a good match for the VR experience. And with the huge sales figures Minecraft continues to put up year after year, it’s also a bit discouraging for the broader virtual reality and mixed reality ecosystem to lose such an iconic title.

There is a silver lining for the Minecraft community, however. After a very long wait, the game finally has a native edition available for the PlayStation 5. Sony’s latest console generation has been relegated to using the PS4 version until now, but going forward the game will have 4K resolution and 60 fps even at a longer draw distance. If you’re a PS5 owner who already has the PS4 version of Minecraft, you can claim the new update for free in the PlayStation Store. And with the Bundles of Bravery update rolling out yesterday, it’s a promising time to start a new blocky adventure.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/minecraft-is-ending-all-virtual-reality-support-next-spring-212953347.html?src=rss

Read More 

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Warcraft gaming universe but there’s not going to be a BlizzCon gathering to celebrate it. So Blizzard is doing the next-best thing by holding a live streaming event.
Blizzard announced that its special Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct stream will start at 1PM ET on Wednesday, November 13. The broadcast will run on Blizzard’s official streaming channels for Twitch, YouTube and TikTok.
There aren’t many details available about what Warcraft fans can expect to see during the livestream except for a special concert celebrating World of Warcraft’s 20th anniversary. Following the stream, Blizzard will broadcast a live concert called World of Warcraft: 20 Years of Music from Switzerland. The 21st Century Orchestra and the choirs Tales of Fantasy, Ardito and the Madrijazz Gospel will perform selected songs from the MMORPG’s iconic soundtrack.
Activision Blizzard announced back in April that it wouldn’t be holding a BlizzCon gathering this year despite WoW’s momentous milestone. Maybe that’s because things have been a little rocky for the game company in the past few years. Microsoft included Activision Blizzard in its round of 1,900 layoffs alongside ZeniMax at the beginning of the year, and in the months after the studio formed the largest wall-to-wall union in the industry.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/blizzard-announces-warcraft-30th-anniversary-stream-next-month-210021972.html?src=rss

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Warcraft gaming universe but there’s not going to be a BlizzCon gathering to celebrate it. So Blizzard is doing the next-best thing by holding a live streaming event.

Blizzard announced that its special Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct stream will start at 1PM ET on Wednesday, November 13. The broadcast will run on Blizzard’s official streaming channels for Twitch, YouTube and TikTok.

There aren’t many details available about what Warcraft fans can expect to see during the livestream except for a special concert celebrating World of Warcraft’s 20th anniversary. Following the stream, Blizzard will broadcast a live concert called World of Warcraft: 20 Years of Music from Switzerland. The 21st Century Orchestra and the choirs Tales of Fantasy, Ardito and the Madrijazz Gospel will perform selected songs from the MMORPG’s iconic soundtrack.

Activision Blizzard announced back in April that it wouldn’t be holding a BlizzCon gathering this year despite WoW’s momentous milestone. Maybe that’s because things have been a little rocky for the game company in the past few years. Microsoft included Activision Blizzard in its round of 1,900 layoffs alongside ZeniMax at the beginning of the year, and in the months after the studio formed the largest wall-to-wall union in the industry.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/blizzard-announces-warcraft-30th-anniversary-stream-next-month-210021972.html?src=rss

Read More 

The FCC has fixed its watchful eye on the often lousy customer service we get from telecom providers. The agency said on Wednesday it’s opening a formal proceeding to review the customer support from cable, broadband, satellite TV and home voice service providers.
The review will cover customers’ friction points when contacting telecom industry providers. These include hard-to-cancel subscriptions, getting stuck in “doom loops” when trying to reach a human, sneaky automatic renewals and shoddy accessibility options for folks with disabilities.
“We can and should expect consistent, transparent, and helpful customer service from the communications companies that provide so many services that are so vital in our day-to-day lives,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote in a press release announcing the inquiry. “No one should get stuck in a doom loop trying to cancel a subscription or just get a human being to help resolve their service problems.”
The FCC wants to simplify customer cancelation options, requiring providers to offer more choices and transparent disclosures at the point of sale and on bills. In addition, it hopes to mandate explicit customer consent before automatically renewing services and helping customers get easier access to live reps without bouncing through endless phone trees. It also aims to improve the accessibility of customer service resources for people with disabilities.
Other finer points on the agenda include extending current regulations for cable operator installation, outage and service call rules to include satellite TV, voice and broadband services. Finally, it wants “current cable operator customer service requirements to reflect marketplace and technology changes.”
The Commission adopted the Notice of Inquiry with a 3-2 vote “with the majority highlighting the importance of customer support.” For starters, the FCC will build a public record of where these customer service points stand today and what specific regulations it could adopt to make things smoother for families and businesses.
The inquiry is part of a larger effort to crack down on everyday headaches that waste time and money. Earlier this month, the FCC launched an inquiry into the broadband industry’s nonsensical, profit-grabbing data caps. This summer, Verizon paid a $1 million fine to settle an investigation into a 2022 outage that prevented hundreds of emergency calls from going through. Meanwhile, the FTC recently ratified its “click-to-cancel” rule, making ending subscriptions easier.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-fcc-will-review-the-broadband-industrys-lousy-customer-support-204329886.html?src=rss

The FCC has fixed its watchful eye on the often lousy customer service we get from telecom providers. The agency said on Wednesday it’s opening a formal proceeding to review the customer support from cable, broadband, satellite TV and home voice service providers.

The review will cover customers’ friction points when contacting telecom industry providers. These include hard-to-cancel subscriptions, getting stuck in “doom loops” when trying to reach a human, sneaky automatic renewals and shoddy accessibility options for folks with disabilities.

“We can and should expect consistent, transparent, and helpful customer service from the communications companies that provide so many services that are so vital in our day-to-day lives,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel wrote in a press release announcing the inquiry. “No one should get stuck in a doom loop trying to cancel a subscription or just get a human being to help resolve their service problems.”

The FCC wants to simplify customer cancelation options, requiring providers to offer more choices and transparent disclosures at the point of sale and on bills. In addition, it hopes to mandate explicit customer consent before automatically renewing services and helping customers get easier access to live reps without bouncing through endless phone trees. It also aims to improve the accessibility of customer service resources for people with disabilities.

Other finer points on the agenda include extending current regulations for cable operator installation, outage and service call rules to include satellite TV, voice and broadband services. Finally, it wants “current cable operator customer service requirements to reflect marketplace and technology changes.”

The Commission adopted the Notice of Inquiry with a 3-2 vote “with the majority highlighting the importance of customer support.” For starters, the FCC will build a public record of where these customer service points stand today and what specific regulations it could adopt to make things smoother for families and businesses.

The inquiry is part of a larger effort to crack down on everyday headaches that waste time and money. Earlier this month, the FCC launched an inquiry into the broadband industry’s nonsensical, profit-grabbing data caps. This summer, Verizon paid a $1 million fine to settle an investigation into a 2022 outage that prevented hundreds of emergency calls from going through. Meanwhile, the FTC recently ratified its “click-to-cancel” rule, making ending subscriptions easier.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-fcc-will-review-the-broadband-industrys-lousy-customer-support-204329886.html?src=rss

Read More 

Amazon has a great deal running now on the M2 MacBook Air, where you can get the slimline laptop for just $700. The main deal price is $849, which is nice at 15 percent off the regular cost. But you can also apply a coupon to the space gray model for an additional discount, bringing the price down even further. For now, you can also nab the silver and starlight colors for $700 without adding in a coupon.  

This is the 2022 model of the MacBook Air, and it’s some of the best we’ve seen out of Apple laptops. The M2 chip is a big factor in what takes this laptop from a lightweight to a powerhouse. By using Apple’s own silicon, the computer reaches pretty high standards in performance, with 10 GPU cores and a 35 percent boost to the speeds of the previous M1 chip. It’s also got a gorgeous Liquid Retina display. The model currently on sale has 8GB RAM and 256GB of solid state drive storage. And once Apple Intelligence starts rolling out next week, the M2 Air is prepared to handle the extra workload of those AI-driven tasks.
The Air is also Engadget’s pick for your best budget Apple laptop. In other words, this is a good deal on the model that’s already a good deal. It’s very possible that Amazon’s supply will be snapped up quickly, so if this catches your eye, we suggest you act fast. 
Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-m2-macbook-air-drops-to-a-new-low-of-700-195147706.html?src=rss

Amazon has a great deal running now on the M2 MacBook Air, where you can get the slimline laptop for just $700. The main deal price is $849, which is nice at 15 percent off the regular cost. But you can also apply a coupon to the space gray model for an additional discount, bringing the price down even further. For now, you can also nab the silver and starlight colors for $700 without adding in a coupon.  

This is the 2022 model of the MacBook Air, and it’s some of the best we’ve seen out of Apple laptops. The M2 chip is a big factor in what takes this laptop from a lightweight to a powerhouse. By using Apple’s own silicon, the computer reaches pretty high standards in performance, with 10 GPU cores and a 35 percent boost to the speeds of the previous M1 chip. It’s also got a gorgeous Liquid Retina display. The model currently on sale has 8GB RAM and 256GB of solid state drive storage. And once Apple Intelligence starts rolling out next week, the M2 Air is prepared to handle the extra workload of those AI-driven tasks.

The Air is also Engadget’s pick for your best budget Apple laptop. In other words, this is a good deal on the model that’s already a good deal. It’s very possible that Amazon’s supply will be snapped up quickly, so if this catches your eye, we suggest you act fast. 

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter and subscribe to the Engadget Deals newsletter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-m2-macbook-air-drops-to-a-new-low-of-700-195147706.html?src=rss

Read More