Saturday, August 7, 2021

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Facebook restores policy it 'lost' three years ago

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 02:50 PM PDT

Last month, Facebook's Oversight Board chastised the company for losing an important policy for three years. At the center of the ruling was an Instagram post about Abdullah Öcalan, which encouraged people to talk about his political imprisonment. Öcalan is one of the founding members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party. The PKK is a Kurdish militia Facebook classifies as a "dangerous organization."

The company had initially removed the post because of a rule that prohibits Facebook users from expressing support for groups and individuals that fall under that category. At the same time, Facebook also had "internal guidance" in place — which came out in part around discussions the company had about Öcalan's imprisonment — that carved out an exception to that policy to allow people to discuss "conditions of confinement for individuals designated as dangerous." However, Facebook did not apply that rule to Öcalan's case due to an oversight that occurred when it moved to a new review system in 2018.

In examining what happened, the Oversight Board issued 12 recommendations to Facebook, which the company responded to today. To start, it will "immediately" re-implement the misplaced policy at the center of the case. Facebook says it has begun training its content reviewers on implementing the rule and expects the guidance to be fully in place within the next two weeks. 

By the end of the year, it also plans to clarify the Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy. Out of the 12 recommendations put forward by the Oversight Board, Facebook plans to fully or partially implement most of them. However, one it's not sure on would involve the company sharing more comprehensive information on its enforcement of those policies. The company says it's still examining the feasibility of creating a system that provides a country-by-country breakdown of enforcement and error data. It says it will share an update on that work in one of its upcoming quarterly updates.

WhatsApp head says Apple's child safety update is a 'surveillance system'

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 01:19 PM PDT

One day after Apple confirmed plans for new software that will allow it to detect images of child abuse on users' iCloud photos, Facebook's head of WhatsApp says he is "concerned" by the plans.

In a thread on Twitter, Will Cathcart called it an "Apple built and operated surveillance system that could very easily be used to scan private content for anything they or a government decides it wants to control." He also raised questions about how such a system may be exploited in China or other countries, or abused by spyware companies.

A spokesperson for Apple disputed Cathcart's characterization of the software, noting that users can choose to disable iCloud Photos. Apple has also said that the system is only trained on a database of "known" images provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other organizations, and that it wouldn't be possible to make it work in a regionally-specific way since it's baked into iOS.

It's not surprising that Facebook would take issue with Apple's plans. Apple has spent years bashing Facebook over its record on privacy, even as the social network has embraced end-to-end encryption. More recently, the companies have clashed over privacy updates that have hindered Facebook's ability to track its users, an update the company has said will hurt its advertising revenue.

Razer's Project Hazel face mask has a new name and beta test you can sign up for

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 01:12 PM PDT

Razer's Project Hazel is one step closer to becoming a product you can buy. On Friday, the company announced a final name for the face mask. It's now known as Razer Zephyr, and you can sign up to test the device ahead of its planned release date later this year.

Even among Razer products, Zephyr has had a highly visible development cycle. The company first announced Project Hazel at CES 2021, promising a high-tech face mask with built-in RGB lighting and an active air filtration system Razer claimed was as effective as an N95 mask. In March, Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan revealed the accessory-maker was moving forward with plans to manufacture the mask, noting that he believed there would still be a market for Project Hazel even as countries started to vaccinate their people against COVID-19.

Since we first saw the mask at CES 2021, Razer has added internal lighting and a silicon face seal. The company also says the latest iteration of Zephyr is 99 percent effective at filtering out bacteria. The only detail Razer has yet to reveal is how much the mask will cost.

Spotify's iOS app won't get AirPlay 2 support anytime soon

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 11:46 AM PDT

Spotify has shelved plans to add AirPlay 2 support to its iOS app for the time being. "We've discussed this Idea internally and while we are working on supporting AirPlay2 in a proper way, we have decided to close it for now," a Spotify representative wrote on the community forums, as reported by MacRumors.

The company has pinned the blame on audio driver compatibility issues. Because of those, "this seems like a bigger project that we won't be able to complete in the foreseeable future."

Apple rolled out AirPlay 2 three years ago as part of iOS 11.4. The company also enabled support for third-party music services on HomePod and HomePod mini last year. In 2019, Spotify filed a complaint with the European Commission that accused Apple of locking it and other companies Apple competes with out of the likes of Siri, HomePod, and Apple Watch. Spotify still doesn't offer native support for HomePod speakers, though you can play music from the app through Siri and download Spotify tracks on Apple Watch.

You can still connect Spotify to speakers and smart TVs over AirPlay or Spotify Connect. Spotify users won't officially be able to harness AirPlay 2 capabilities like reduced latency, multi-room audio and Siri control anytime soon. However, because AirPlay is fully integrated with iOS, it should still work with any audio app as long as you use the OS-level playback controls, rather than the Spotify app.

The FCC releases its first mobile broadband map

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 11:21 AM PDT

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has released its first-ever mobile broadband coverage map. The tool allows you to compare the LTE and voice coverage areas of the country's four largest carriers, showing where you can expect to see wireless download and upload speeds of at least 5 Mbps and 1 Mbps, respectively.

The data you see on the map is accurate as of May 15th, 2021, and you can use the tool to compare what coverage looks like in your area away from the often misleading and confusing maps offered by AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon (Engadget's parent company). The tool is the result of last year's Broadband DATA Act, which requires the FCC to collect and release robust data comparing different wired, fixed-wireless, satellite and mobile broadband service providers. To compile the map, the FCC collected standardized propagation information from the carriers. It also asked the public to help.

"This map provides a preview of how the mobile data the FCC will collect under the standards set by the Broadband DATA Act will look when mapped," the agency said. "Never before have maps been created using these new, standardized mobile data specifications, which will improve the uniformity and consistency of broadband availability data collected by the FCC."

The map isn't perfect. For example, you can't see the extent of each carrier's current 5G buildouts. But it's hard to overstate just how much of an improvement this new tool is over what the FCC offered previously. To put things into context. In 2019, Microsoft estimated that 163 million Americans couldn't access the internet at or above broadband speeds. Meanwhile, the FCC put that number closer to 25 million. 

That discrepancy was the direct result of how the FCC compiled its data at the time. It relied on Form 477 filings from the service providers, which could include errors and exaggerations. FCC acting chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says the new mobile broadband map is just the start of what the agency has planned on that front.

Google may release the Pixel 5a on August 26th

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 10:00 AM PDT

Google offered the first official details about the Pixel 6 just a few days ago, and it seems the company is gearing up to release the Pixel 5a as well. Previous leaks suggested the phone would be a revamped Pixel 4a 5G and a new report has shed some more light on the possible specs.

The device will reportedly have the same camera as the Pixel 5, as well as a headphone jack and an IP67 rating, according to Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech. The report suggests the Pixel 5a will use Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765G 5G chipset and have 6GB of RAM. There'll be a 4,650mAh battery but no wireless charging support, according to Prosser. The phone's expected to have a 6.4-inch display and a single Mostly Black color option.

If all of that grabs your interest, you might not have to wait too long to get your hands on the Pixel 5a. The report suggests Google will release the device on August 26th for $450.

Google said in April it was still making a Pixel 5a with 5G, contrary to rumors at the time. It said the device would only land in the US and Japan and that it would be "announced in line with when last year's a-series phone was introduced." It revealed the Pixel 4a in September 2020, so an August announcement and release date just about matches up. It's unclear whether Google plans to release a non-5G Pixel 5a.

A sealed copy of 'Super Mario Bros.' has sold for a record-breaking $2 million

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 09:41 AM PDT

An unopened copy of Super Mario Bros. has sold for $2 million, shattering the previous record set by a video game sale set just last month when a collector paid $1.56 million to obtain a mint version of Super Mario 64. Per an image shared by Rally, the company that sold the game, the copy had a 9.8 A+ rating on the Wata Scale, meaning it was in "exceptional" condition.

Once you get past the insane price, what makes this sale interesting is that it didn't involve an auction. Instead, Rally positions itself as an "alternative asset investment" platform. Per The New York Times, the firm buys physical collectibles and holds "initial offerings" where people can buy shares in that item. When a collector wants to acquire something from Rally, the company takes their offer to everyone who has a stake, and they then vote on the matter.

In the case of this recent Super Mario Bros. sale, Rally bought the copy for approximately $140,000 in April 2020. That same year, investors rejected a $300,000 offer for the game. Even with $2 million on the line, some didn't want to part with the game just yet, with a quarter of those with a stake in the collectible voting to reject the offer.

If you've been following the market, you probably have a good idea of why some wanted to hold onto the copy for a while longer. Days before the previous record was set, a boxed version of The Legend of Zeldasold for $870,000 at auction. With no signs of the market cooling down anytime soon and only so many mint video games in existence, it seems it's only a matter of time before another record is set.

DARPA's PROTEUS program gamifies the art of war

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 09:20 AM PDT

The nature of war continues to evolve through the 21st century with conflict zones shifting from jungles and deserts to coastal cities. Not to mention the rapidly increasing commercial availability of cutting-edge technologies including UAVs and wireless communications. To help the Marine Corps best prepare for these increased complexities and challenges, the Department of Defense tasked DARPA with developing a digital training and operations planning tool. The result is the Prototype Resilient Operations Testbed for Expeditionary Urban Scenarios (PROTEUS) system, a real-time strategy simulator for urban-littoral warfare.

When the PROTEUS program first began in 2017, "there was a big push across DARPA under what we call a sustainment focus area, and that included urban warfare," Dr. Tim Grayson, director of DARPA's Strategic Technology Office, told Engadget, looking at how to best support and "sustain" US fighting forces in various combat situations until they can finish their mission.

PROTEUS screen
DARPA

The PROTEUS program manager (who has since departed DARPA), Dr. John S Paschkewitz, "came to the realization that the urban environment is really complex, both from a maneuver perspective," Grayson said, "but also going into the future where there's all this commercial technology that will involve communications and spectrum stuff, maybe even robotics and things of that nature."

Even without the threat of armed UAVs and autonomous killbots, modern urban conflict zones pose a number of challenges including limited lines of sight and dense, pervasive civilian populations. "​​There's such a wide range of missions that happen in urban environments," Grayson said. "A lot of it is almost like peacekeeping, stabilization operations. How do we… help the local populace and protect them." He also notes that the military is often called in to assist with both national emergencies and natural disasters, which pose the same issues albeit without nearly as much shooting.

"So, if someone like the Marines or some other kind of sustainment military unit had to go conduct operations in a complex urban environment," he continued, "it'd be a limited footprint. So, [Paschkewitz] started looking at what we refer to as the 'what do I put in the rucksack problem.'"

"The urban fight is about delivering precise effects and adapting faster than the adversary in an uncertain, increasingly complex environment," Paschkewitz said in a DARPA release from June. "For US forces to maintain a distinct advantage in urban coastal combat scenarios, we need agile, flexible task organizations able to create surprise and exploit advantages by combining effects across operational domains."

PROTEUS itself is a software program designed to run on a tablet or hardened PDA and allow anyone from a squad leader up to a company commander to monitor and adjust the "composition of battlefield elements — including dismounted forces, vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), manned aircraft and other available assets," according to the release. "Through PROTEUS, we aim to amplify the initiative and decision-making capabilities of NCOs and junior officers at the platoon and squad level, as well as field-grade officers, commanding expeditionary landing teams, for example, by giving them new tools to compose tailored force packages not just before the mission, but during the mission as it unfolds."

But PROTEUS isn't just for monitoring and redeploying forces, it also serves as a real-time strategy training system to help NCOs and officers test and analyze different capabilities and tactics virtually. "One of the beauties of [PROTEUS] is it's flexible enough to program with whatever you want," Grayson said. It allows warfighters to "go explore their own ideas, their own structure concepts, their own tactics. They're totally free to use it just as an open-ended experimentation, mission rehearsal or even training type of tool."

But for its design flexibility, the system's physics engine closely conforms to the real-world behaviors and tolerances of existing military equipment as well as commercial drones, cellular, satellite and Wi-Fi communications, sensors and even weapons systems. "The simulation environment is sophisticated but doesn't let them do things that are not physically realizable," Grayson explained.

The system also includes a dynamic composition engine called COMPOSER which not only automate the team's equipment loadout but can also look at a commander's plan and provide feedback on multiple aspects including "electromagnetic signature risk, assignment of communications assets to specific units and automatic configuration of tactical networks," according to a DARPA press release.

PROTEUS EMSO Wizard
DARPA

"Without the EMSO and logistics wizards, it's hard to effectively coordinate and execute multi-domain operations," Paschkewitz said. "Marines can easily coordinate direct and indirect fires, but coordinating those with spectrum operations while ensuring logistical support without staff is challenging. These tools allow Marines to focus on the art of war, and the automation handles the science of war."

Currently, the system is set up for standard Red vs Blue fights between opposing human forces though Grayzon does not expect PROTEUS to be upgraded to the point that humans will be able to compete against the CPU and even less likely that we'll see CPU vs CPU — given our current computational and processing capabilities. He does note that the Constructive Machine-learning Battles with Adversary Tactics (COMBAT) program, which is still underway at DARPA, is working to develop "models of Red Force brigade behaviors that challenge and adapt to Blue Forces in simulation experiments."

"Building a commander's insight and judgment is driven by the fact that there's a live opponent," Paschkewitz said in June. "We built ULTRA [the sandbox module that serves as the basis for the larger system] around that concept from day one. This is not AI versus AI, or human versus AI, rather there is always a Marine against an ADFOR (adversary force), that's another Marine, typically, forcing the commander to adapt tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) and innovate at mission speed."

"PROTEUS enables commanders to immerse themselves in a future conflict where they can deploy capabilities against a realistic adversary," Ryan Reeder, model and simulation director, MCWL Experiment Division, said in a statement. "Commanders can hone their battlefield skills, while also training subordinates on employment techniques, delivering a cohesive unit able to execute in a more effective manner.

Technically, DARPA's involvement with the PROTEUS program has come to an end following its transfer to the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab where it is now being used for ADFOR training and developing new TTPs and CONOPS. "My guess is they will mostly use it for their own purposes, as opposed to continuing to develop it," Grayson said. "The Warfighting Lab is less focused on technology and more focused on our future force, concepts and what are our new tactics."

This week's best deals: $70 off Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones, and more

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 09:00 AM PDT

We're steadily moving through August, and that means more summer deals are popping up all over. If you've got your eye on a pair of new high-end headphones, we've seen Sony's excellent WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling over-ears fall back to $278, while Jabra's long-lasting Elite 85h model have returned to a budget-friendly $150. If better internet connectivity is what you're after, Amazon has dropped the three-pack of Google's WiFi mesh system to $150, providing a stronger WiFi network across a much larger area inside (and potentially outside) your home. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.

Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony XM4
Engadget

Sony's excellent WH-1000XM4 ANC headphones often bounce up and down in price, so if you missed previous deals on them you're in luck. The wireless over-ears are back down to the $278 we saw in the Spring, a solid $72 saving on their typical price of $350.

Buy Sony WH-1000XM4 at Amazon - $278

Jabra Elite 85h

Jabra Elite 85h
Engadget

The Jabra Elite 85h headphones are back down to a low of $150 at Amazon, which is around $100 off their normal price. They earned a score of 84 from us for their custom EQ and ANC modes, comfortable and attractive design and impressive battery life.

Buy Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones at Amazon - $150

Google WiFi

Google WiFi
Google

Families who are still largely working and studying at home might find that their WiFi network is feeling the strain, especially if someone's setup is far away from the router. If you're on the lookout for an upgrade, it may be worth considering the Google WiFi mesh system. A three-pack of nodes currently costs $150 on Amazon. That's the lowest price we've seen to date on the most recent model, which debuted in October at a price of $199 for the three-pack.

Buy Google WiFi (three-pack) at Amazon - $150

Echo Show 5 (1st Gen)

Amazon Echo Show 5
Amazon

Amazon's first-gen Echo Show 5 has hovered around the $45 mark for the past week, but you've had to be quick to secure it from different retailers. If you missed the chance to get the Alexa-powered smart display at a discount, though, now's your chance to get one: It's available for $45 again at Amazon. That's the lowest price we've seen for the device, where it's been selling for around $50 these past months.

Buy Amazon Echo Show 5 (1st Gen) at Amazon - $45

Apple Mac Mini M1 (512GB)

The Mac Mini M1 with extra storage is back down to $799 right now, offering a saving of $100. This is a great time to pick up the latest Mac Mini if you've wanted to upgrade your desktop to something more powerful that's also compact enough to fit into most desk setups.

MacBook Air M1

The latest MacBook Air M1 with 512GB of storage continues to maintain the low price we saw last week, meaning you can still grab it for $1,099. It's one of the best laptops for most people, and it's a great option for students going back to school. The Air M1 earned a score of 94 from us for its incredibly fast performance, excellent keyboard and trackpad, good battery life and lack of fan noise.

Buy MacBook Air M1 (512GB) at Amazon - $1,099

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

'Stranger Things' season 4 will arrive in 2022

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 08:36 AM PDT

It's been 25 months since Netflix dropped season three of Stranger Things. You'll have to remain patient a while longer before returning to Hawkins, however. Season four of the sci-fi horror series will emerge in 2022.

Along with the release window news, Netflix dropped another teaser. Most of the 30-second video features shots from previous seasons, but there's a glimpse of a monster that appears to be far larger than the Mind Flayer or the Demogorgon.

This could be the most ambitious season of Stranger Things to date, as filming has taken place in Georgia, Lithuania and New Mexico. Part of the season will be set in Russia, where Jim Hopper is held captive. Hopefully, Netflix is looking at an early 2022 release date so fans don't have to wait too much longer.

Twitter appoints 'grievance officer' to obey India's internet rules

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 08:04 AM PDT

Twitter is scrambling to reassure India and reclaim its liability protections for user-made content. Bloombergreports that Twitter has told an Indian court it appointed grievance and nodal officers to honor new rules demanding local full-time staff to handle handle issues like compliance and law enforcement matters. The court previously claimed Twitter was in "total noncompliance" and had stripped the protections, leaving Twitter legally vulnerable if users posed illegal material.

Police have filed cases against Twitter multiple times based on user actions, including child pornography violations or posting controversial political maps.

The social media giant isn't safe yet. The government will have to determine whether or not the executives put India in compliance with the rules. Another hearing is due on August 10th. Companies like Facebook, Google and Telegram have already complied the requirements.

Twitter has had a fractious relationship with the Indian government. The social media giant refused to block critics of the Indian government after officials threatened to arrest employees in early February. Accordingly, India ordered Twitter to pull criticism of its pandemic response after COVID-19 cases surged in April. The alleged rule violations just represented an escalation of already-high tensions in that regard. Not that Twitter has much choice but to comply — leaving the Indian market would deliver a serious blow to its business while having little impact on censorship in the country.

'PUBG' is now 'PUBG: Battlegrounds'

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 07:35 AM PDT

PUBG, aka PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, has a new name. It's now called PUBG: Battlegrounds, which technically makes it PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds: Battlegrounds. It seems publisher Krafton quietly made the change in July. On the surface, it's a silly rebranding akin to "ATM machine," but there seems to be some reasonable logic behind the decision.

"Krafton is actively expanding the PUBG brand through a variety of new experiences set in its universe," the publisher told PC Gamer. "Rebranding PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds to PUBG: Battlegrounds is the first step in us realizing this vision. Additional titles in the franchise will carry the PUBG name, as you see with our upcoming game, PUBG: New State."

The next game in the series, PUBG: New State, is a mobile title with a futuristic setting. The Callisto Protocol, a horror game from the creators of Dead Space, is also connected to the franchise. The name hasn't been weighed down with the PUBG prefix just yet, though.

Many players have referred to the original game simply as PUBG for years, and with more games in the franchise on the way, it makes sense to differentiate it a bit. The rebranding also takes the game away from the equally baffling former title, especially for folks who don't know who the devil PlayerUnknown actually is. Brendan "PlayerUnknown" Greene is the man who ushered in the battle royale craze by creating an ARMA 2 mod and then leading development of PUBG. He left the game in 2019.

Still, Krafton could have called the phenomenally successful game literally anything else rather than giving it another awkward name. Simply PUBG or even PUBG: OG or PUBG: Where Are We Dropping? would have been better.

Meanwhile, PUBG: Battlegrounds (sigh) is going free-to-play for a week to mark the game's collaboration with K-pop megastars Blackpink. It won't cost you a dime to play between August 10th and August 16th.

According to leaker PlayerIGN, Krafton may be using that week to test the waters and "gauge player responses" before potentially making the game free-to-play permanently. PUBG: Mobile is free, as are rival battles royale such as Fortnite, Apex Legends and Call of Duty: Warzone.

Windows 11's new focus timer feature will work with Spotify

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 06:41 AM PDT

Microsoft is betting that a little Spotify streaming could help sharpen your mind. The Vergereports that product chief Panos Panay has previewed a Focus Sessions feature in Windows 11 that uses Spotify to help you concentrate. Based on the Pomodoro Technique that divides tasks into timed segments with breaks, the new Clock app mode asks you to choose a task (from Microsoft To Do, at least for now), set a timer and choose a Spotify playlist if you need a soundtrack. When the timer is done, your music will stop and let you know it's time for a brief pause.

Focus Sessions aren't yet available in public Insider Previews, but there's a real chance they'll be available in the finished version of Windows 11 arriving late this year. Microsoft has integrated Spotify with Xbox consoles before, but this appears to be the first major effort in Windows.

The concept of a Pomodoro app isn't new, but this will be built into Windows — and Microsoft is clearly hoping the Spotify tie-in will make a difference. It could be an important competitive advantage, too. Windows 11's focus elements could help it compete against macOS Monterey's Focus modes, not to mention parallel similar features in Android and iOS.

Engadget Podcast: Digging into Google Tensor and the Pixel 6

Posted: 06 Aug 2021 05:30 AM PDT

This week, Cherlynn is joined by guest co-host Terrence O'Brien and senior tech correspondent at Insider Lisa Eadicicco to discuss Google's own mobile chip Tensor and the Pixel 6. We share more insight from having seen and used the phones in person, too. Plus, we go over some updates from the Activision Blizzard case and a handful of new gadgets.

Listen below, or subscribe on your podcast app of choice. If you've got suggestions or topics you'd like covered on the show, be sure to email us or drop a note in the comments! And be sure to check out our other podcasts, the Morning After and Engadget News!


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Topics

  • Google announces Tensor, its own mobile chip, will debut on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro – 1:47

  • Activision/Blizzard hit with another lawsuit – 33:08 

  • NLRB recommends a new union election for Amazon's Alabama warehouse – 40:04

  • Google Nest launches new battery-powered doorbell and security cameras – 43:06

  • Amazon releases a soap dispenser that counts to 20 – 47:58

  • R2-D2 Tamagotchi is coming later this year – 49:26

  • Working on – 52:23

  • Pop culture picks – 56:40


Video livestream

Credits
Hosts: Cherlynn Low and Terrence O'Brien
Guest: Lisa Eadicicco
Producer: Ben Ellman
Livestream producers: Julio Barrientos, Owen Davidoff, Luke Brooks
Graphics artists: Luke Brooks, Kyle Maack
Music: Dale North and Terrence O'Brien
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