Marriott data breach exposes 5 million guests' information. Again.

Marriott International has announced a massive data breach that exposed over 5 million hotel guests' information. No, not that breach. It's a new one this time.  "At the end of February 2020, we identified that an unexpected amount of guest information may have been accessed using the login credentials of two employees at a franchise property," the international hotel chain wrote on Tuesday. "We believe this activity started in mid-January 2020." According to Marriott International, the breach exposed information such as customers' personal and contact details, loyalty account information,...

Forget Zoom: Use these private video-chatting tools, instead

Zoom is so last week — which, in the time of coronavirus, might as well be last year.  The videoconference tool that's captured the nation's attention as it socially distances and shelters in place has won legions of converts for its easy-to-use interface and fun backgrounds. It also happens to be a privacy nightmare. Thankfully, there are other options that cybersecurity and privacy experts say will get the job done — without the baggage.  And yes, Zoom has a lot of baggage. Let's start with the fact that the company has misrepresented the security of its videoconferencing serviceThe...

PSA: You can get your first month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $1

TL;DR: As of March 31, gamers can get their first month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $1 (normally $14.99).  Video games with online multiplayer modes have taken on a new importance during this time of social distancing due to the novel coronavirus outbreak: Even while you're stuck at home, you and your IRL pals can still hang out and bond over shared (virtual) experiences when you're all gaming together. If your crew is Team Xbox or Windows 10, it doesn't get any better than the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan — you get all of the benefits of Xbox Gold Live (Microsoft's multiplayer...

Spotify Kids is here to keep your children busy while you're stuck at home

If you're stuck in the house with the kids and don't know how to keep them entertained, Spotify has your back. The music streaming service launched its standalone Spotify Kids app in the U.S., France, and Canada on Tuesday. This came after an extended beta period which saw the app slowly roll out in the UK and Australia. In case the name didn't make it clear, it's a special version of Spotify made for kids, specifically ages three and up. We'll get the bad news out of the way first: You need a Spotify Premium Family subscription to access Spotify Kids. That's $15 per month, which will understandably...

Deep Space Nine Upscale Project Update: ‘Sacrifice of Angels’

It’s been almost exactly a month since I published my last Deep Space Nine report, where I showed how different AI software could upscale the show to something approaching HD quality. Despite the ongoing pandemic, I’ve kept the Cascade Lake testbed and RTX 2080 crunching busily away, testing various permutations. Some folks have contacted me to express interest in working together, and I’ve learned some interesting things along the way. I haven’t been able to find my DVDs, so I bought Season 6 brand-new and started working with that source. I chose Season 6 because it has some of the best space-combat...

Webcams have been selling out, but Dell has a lot from Logitech in stock

First, it was hand sanitizer. Then it was toilet paper. Now, it's webcams. MacBook and Microsoft owners haven't thought twice about webcams since 2012. But folks who rely on their work computers or laptops are now finding themselves in the middle of a mass shift to working from home — with a home computer that can't get on Zoom calls. The panic buying of webcams from both single employees and whole companies caused "out of stock" notices on numerous websites, even on the less-than-1080p models. SEE ALSO: 5 essential Zoom hacks to improve your virtual hangouts Dell's stock of Logitech...

The best VPNs for staying home in the UK

We've been banging on about VPNs for years, and now the world has opened its eyes to how great these services are for boosting online security and bypassing geo-restrictions. There are two reasons for this sudden realisation. The first is that more and more businesses are making the transition from a traditional office setting to a remote workforce. A VPN is absolutely essential for working remotely because it provides an organisaton with an encrypted connection for securely accessing internal company networks. SEE ALSO: The best VPNs for watching Hulu in the UK The second reason is all about...

Fitbit unveils the Charge 4, its first fitness tracker with built-in GPS

If you're in the market for a new fitness tracker, especially since gyms have shutdown due to the coronavirus, Fitbit's new Charge 4 might be of interest.  Its design isn't revolutionary compared to its predecessor, the Charge 3. In fact, I probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference if you placed both of them right next to each other. It has a touchscreen display, inductive button for navigation (rather than a traditional button, this one dips into the side of the tracker and vibrates when triggered), and a sleek swim-proof case. But the major improvements are under the hood.  For...

Google stops selling Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

Google is no longer selling its Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones in its online store.  Android Police noticed that the web pages that previously contained listings for the phones now redirect to the store's homepage, and a Google spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that the change was intentional. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are also no longer visible in the dropdown menu on top of the homepage or the carousel menu on the bottom.  If you dig a little deeper into Google Store, you will find a mention of the Pixel 3, but if you click it you will once again be redirected to the homepage....

Free live TV news to watch now: stream ABC, CBS, Fox News, CNN and more - CNET

Stay informed with the latest on coronavirus and other stories free on your desktop, phone, tablet or TV. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET News https://ift.tt/2WW4yfX via IFT...

Save big on Amazon's range of Kindles

TL;DR: Amazon has dropped the price of its range of Kindles, saving you up to 29% on list price. We're all looking for an escape, and nothing works quite like a good story. Fortunately, Amazon has put almost all of its Kindle e-readers on sale, with savings of up to 29% on list price. Kindles are packed full of useful features that help you unwind, with a selection of millions of books, newspapers, and audiobooks on offer. Kindles come with a battery that lasts for weeks, a built-in adjustable front light so you can read at all hours, and a glare-free touchscreen display that reads like printed...

Free live TV news to watch now: stream ABC, CBS, Fox News, CNN and more - CNET

Stay informed with the latest on coronavirus and other stories free on your desktop, phone, tablet or TV. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET https://ift.tt/2UwDAtS via IFT...

Samsung's display business will stop producing LCD screens this year

Samsung Display will stop producing liquid crystal display (LCD) panels in China and South Korea at the end of the year in order to concentrate on the new generation of "quantum dot" (QD) screens, Reuters reports. Any LCD orders made before the end of the year will still be fulfilled. Samsung made its plans for QD tech known last year, when it announced its $11 billion investment into a plant capable of manufacturing true QLED TV screens that self-illuminate. Traditionally, Samsung's quantum dot LCD tech puts LED backlights behind a filter (so the display doesn't match up to the likes of say,...

This all-in-one subscription keeps your kids busy

TL;DR: A three-month subscription to a Fire for Kids Unlimited Family Plan is on sale for £0.99, saving you 96% on list price. One of the biggest challenges that a lot of families are facing at the moment is keeping everyone entertained. It's not easy, but there is a solution. Fire for Kids Unlimited is an all-in-one subscription that gives kids access to literally thousands of books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, Audible books, and games on compatible Fire and Kindle devices. Everything is child-friendly, so you can sit back and relax. SEE ALSO: The best laptops for working from home...

Is the Houseparty app safe? How it works – and how to delete your account

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Apple's iPhone 9 will likely launch in the next five days, report says

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Apple certainly won't have any sort of physical launch event for the rumored iPhone 9. But there's pretty good indication that the phone is coming — and soon.  9to5Mac has received a photo from a tipster at Best Buy, showing a case for a "new iPhone 4.7-inch, 2020," which fits the description of the rumored new phone, which will probably be called either iPhone 9 or iPhone SE 2. The case won't go up for sale until April 5, which is six days away, making it probable that the new iPhone will launch in that period.  Given that previous rumors pegged the...

Sharpen your Microsoft Excel skills from home with this online course

TL;DR: Learn the ins and outs of Excel with the Premium A to Z Microsoft Excel Bundle for just $49.99, a 97% savings as of March 31.  Now that you've watched all of Tiger King, it's time to switch gears to something more productive. You could exercise, read a book, learn a new skill, or strengthen your existing skills. For instance, take Excel. Could your Excel skills use some work? If you answered "yes," you'll want to take a look at the Premium A to Z Microsoft Excel Bundle. Excel is one of the most important office programs on the planet, but most people don't bother going beyond the...

Bored? Learning Photoshop is the perfect activity to keep you sane.

TL;DR: Become a retouching pro with this Adobe Photoshop course for just $24.99, a 98% savings as of March 31.  All this downtime and nothing to do? Then perhaps its time you learn a brand new skill or strengthen one that's falling behind.  If you like taking photos, then you have probably ventured into the world of Photoshop once or twice. And if you have ever opened up the program without a proper understanding of how Photoshop works, then you know how overwhelming it can feel. With hundreds of tools to choose from, it can feel impossible to navigate even if you have some basic,...

SEO works — learn how you can utilize it to grow your brand

TL;DR: Get a lifetime subscription to Brand Overflow's SEO Rank and Keyword Tool for just $39.99, a 92% savings as of March 31.  Now, more than ever, a powerful online presence is vital. With stores closing their doors due to social distancing efforts and everything moving online, it's going to be even harder to stand out amongst the crowd. Sigh. Unfortunately, there aren't really any magic pills to take to boost your exposure, but there is this SEO Rank and Keyword Tool form Brand Overflow. And SEO definitely works. Using the right keywords can almost immediately boost your position in...

14 unexpected ways to spruce up your WFH space

For those of us with the privilege to do so, working from home is no longer a fun perk offered by your company on the occasional Friday.  The truth is that we don't know how long we'll be operating out of a home office, so it may be time to start thinking long and hard about making your space more hospitable. Sure, using the ironing board as a desk was "cute" for a week, but how it will feel on your back a few more weeks from now? That's why we've rounded up 14 fun products that will make your WFH setup more pleasant and conducive to actually working. Read more... For Fresh Air: Wynd Plus...

Video chat app Houseparty blames 'smear campaign' for hacking controversy, offers $1 million bounty

You've heard a lot about Zoom in recent weeks as people work out how to video chat with as many people as possible while social distancing. Plenty of folks are opting for its more "fun" competitor Houseparty instead, especially as Zoom's faced criticism over privacy concerns, from it corporate policies to new users' increased vulnerability to phishing attacks (not to mention careless Star Trek cast members).  Now Houseparty is under fire itself, as users have leveled accusations that the app has been hacked and used to gain access to their Netflix, Spotify, PayPal, and other online accounts,...

What your Zoom background says about you - CNET

Astrology is old news. Thanks to Zoom, we have an entirely new way to deduce someone's entire personality. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET https://ift.tt/3avU8Yr via IFT...

What your Zoom background says about you - CNET

Astrology is old news. Thanks to Zoom, we have an entirely new way to deduce someone's entire personality. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET News https://ift.tt/3dFwPxl via IFT...

Jonathan Frakes, please don't tweet LeVar Burton's Zoom Meeting ID

The stars really are just people. Well, at least when it comes to videoconferencing screw-ups, that is.  With the world socially distancing in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the former cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation decided to celebrate Marina Sirtis's March 29 birthday in a responsible manner — i.e., a Zoom videoconference party. There's just one problem: Jonathan Frakes tweeted LeVar Burton's Zoom recurring Meeting ID. If that's a jumble of meaningless words to you, then, like many Americans, you're likely unfamiliar with the host of settings tweaks required to keep a Zoom...

Airbnb to pay $250m to hosts losing out to Covid-19 cancellations

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How to talk about coronavirus misinformation with the older people in your life

Your phone pings with another message in the family group text. It's grandma, sharing a block of text clearly copy and pasted from Facebook. "Be careful!" she writes, alongside news that you could get a ticket for driving during stay-at-home orders in Los Angeles (you can't).  Misinformation about coronavirus is circling on social media. And the same demographic that is most at risk for the virus is also especially susceptible to fake news about the coronavirus. "Your grandma is in the crosshairs," said Jeff Hancock, a Stanford University professor of communications who studies social media...

Missing your second monitor? Snag this portable one that's on sale.

TL;DR: Get Mobile Pixels's DUEX Pro Portable Dual 1080p Monitor for just $179.35, down from its original price of $249.99 as of March 30.  It's true what they say. You never really know what you've got until it's gone. And when it comes to the world's newfound remote work contingency, most of us are mourning the loss of our second monitor, which sits untouched in our now-empty office. The free pastries in the office pantry are a close second, but who's counting. Having a second screen is the most clear cut way to boost your productivity, and working without one can make you feel super...

Dell has a ton of Vizio 4K TVs on sale, and they come with free gift cards

We need all the indoor entertainment we can get right now. Making the switch from a tiny 40-inch TV (or, worse, using your laptop as a TV) is the obvious first move, but if hours of TV every day for the next few months is going to be a thing, it's really okay to splurge on those accessories. SEE ALSO: 'Tiger King' Season 2? Producers say more of Netflix docuseries could be on way Dell is making it super easy: A slew of Vizio 4K TVs are on sale (including the P-Series Quantum X, which is constantly out of stock), and attached to your purchase are free Dell gift cards — anywhere from $25 to...

Udemy is having a flash sale so you can learn something new while stuck at home

TL;DR: Udemy is having a flash sale through Monday, March 30, making many of its popular online classes as cheap as $10.99. We're now on Week 3 of social distancing due to the coronavirus outbreak, which means things are starting to look pretty dire on the boredom front. If you've already depleted your Netflix queue, deep-cleaned your house twice over, nailed down your sourdough recipe, attempted a TikTok dance, *and* paid off your tent loan to Tom Nook, what else is there to do while you're stuck at home for the foreseeable future besides... I don't know, descend slowly into cabin fever-induced...

They made vacuum cleaners before the coronavirus outbreak. Now, they’re making ventilators.

UK manufacturer Gtech revealed a prototype design for a medical ventilator, a vital piece of equipment in the battle against the novel coronavirus. Gtech, known for their vacuum cleaners, was asked to help mass produce ventilators by the UK government.  Read more... More about Uk Government, Vacuum Cleaner, Coronavirus, Ventilators, and Uk Gov https://ift.tt/39tyd2L from Tech https://ift.tt/2UvXe9o via IFT...

Save $150 on an iPad Pro, plus more tablet and laptop deals

It's not looking great out there right now, but at least we've got..retail therapy? It's cold comfort, but honestly, it's the perfect time to treat yourself — you deserve it for surviving in this world today.  If you're a fellow tech lover, we've scrounged up a list of the best deals on laptops and tablets for your viewing (and buying) pleasure.  Here's what we found, and catch us again on Friday for more.  Laptops $499 and below Asus ImagineBook — $299.99 (list price $499.99) Dell Vostro 14 3490 Laptop — $529 (list price $898.57) Laptops $500 to $999 HP Envy x360...

Audible is giving away hundreds of stories for kids — and there's no catch

TL;DR: As of March 30, you can access hundreds of  stories for kids for free on Audible.  "For as long as schools are closed, we're open." That's Audible's latest mantra that's sure to make a huge difference in households all over the world.  The audiobook behemoth recently announced that hundreds of their kid-friendly titles are available for 100% free with absolutely no catch. Seriously, you don't even have to register or log in. Just click the link and get to listening.  So the next time your little ones are going a bit stir-crazy but you don't have the time to sit and...

This Samsung stainless steel stick vacuum is cheaper than Dyson's V11

TL;DR: This Samsung VS90E cordless stick vacuum bundle comes with an extra removable battery and as of March 30 is on sale for $449.99 — a total savings of $280. The importance of routine cleaning during this (figuratively) messy period can't be understated. It's therapeutic — both if you need spring cleaning for a sense of normalcy or if your home is just looking extra... lived in. There's no better way to step up your isolation deep clean than with a new, splurge-worthy vacuum. You may have seen Samsung's Star Wars-themed robot vacuums, but did you know Samsung makes cordless stick vacuums,...

Facebook commits $100 million to journalism amid the coronavirus outbreak

Facebook has pledged $100 million to support the news industry during the coronavirus crisis, the company announced Monday.  The company will grant $25 million to local news funding through its Facebook Journalism Project, as well as $75 million in additional marketing spending, with the goal "to move money over to news organizations around the world." Of course, Facebook and Google’s dominance of the internet ad market is a major factor in why it's so difficult for local newspapers to survive in the first place.  "At a time when journalism is needed more than ever, ad revenues are...

Coronavirus chronicles: Here's some good news amid the dire reports - CNET

From vaccine progress to people uniting in friendship and solidarity, some positive COVID-19 news to keep things in perspective. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET https://ift.tt/3bsbwxm via IFT...

Turbo Systems hires former Looker CMO Jen Grant as CEO

Turbo Systems, a three-year old, no-code mobile app startup, announced today it has brought on industry veteran Jen Grant to be CEO. Grant, who was previously vice president of marketing at Box and chief marketing officer at Elastic and Looker, brings more than 15 years of tech company experience to the young startup. https://ift.tt/3avTXfD from Yahoo Tech https://ift.tt/3dEvRBf via IFTT...

Coronavirus chronicles: Here's some good news amid the dire reports - CNET

From vaccine progress to people uniting in friendship and solidarity, some positive COVID-19 news to keep things in perspective. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET News https://ift.tt/2QJjfzd via IFT...

Facebook invests $100M in journalism during coronavirus crisis - CNET

Some money will go to local news outlets as grants, and the rest will be spent on the social network's ads. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET https://ift.tt/3dzqK5z via IFT...

Facebook invests $100M in journalism during coronavirus crisis - CNET

Some money will be given to local news outlets as grants, and the rest will be spent on the social network's ads. https://ift.tt/eA8V8J from CNET News https://ift.tt/2QWYr7f via IFT...

Astronomers Go Hunting for Dark Matter in the Nearby Cosmos

Scientists around the world have been speculating on dark matter for decades, but we still don’t know what the mysterious substance is. It doesn’t look like that’s changing any time soon, either. A new study from University of Michigan, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the University of California Berkeley evaluated a popular dark matter hypothesis. The team found no evidence that so-called sterile neutrinos are the key to understanding dark matter.  Dark matter is a tricky and sometimes frustrating topic in the physics community. We know dark matter exists and that it makes up...

There has never been a better time to invest in a tablet

TL;DR: The Fire HD 8 Tablet is on sale for £44.99 on Currys PC World, saving you £35 on list price. This is a difficult period for everyone, but there are devices out there that can make it that little bit easier. Tablets are top of this list, and you can now save on one of the best models on Currys PC World. The Fire HD 8 Tablet is on sale for £44.99 on Currys PC World, saving you £35 on list price. This also comes with a free six-month Spotify Premium subscription for new Premium accounts, providing even more entertainment for when you need it most. Best tablet deals this week Apple...

Apple's iPhone 12 still scheduled for a fall launch, report says

Apple still plans to launch new iPhones in the fall, in line with its typical yearly schedule, a new report from Bloomberg claims. This is despite the coronavirus outbreak which has slowed down manufacturing across the globe and forced Apple to temporarily shut down all its retail stores outside of China.  Citing people familiar with the matter, the report says that the next iPhone — likely equipped with 5G and called iPhone 12 — is on schedule to launch in the fall, since mass production isn't starting until the summer.  This is partly in contrast with a recent report from Nikkei,...

Keep the whole family entertained with a Fire TV Stick

TL;DR: The Fire TV Stick 4K is on sale for £29.99 on Currys PC World, saving you 40% on list price. The Fire TV Stick 4K generally goes on sale a few times a year, and we would normally recommend waiting for Prime Day or Black Friday for the best deals. Not this year, though. The Fire TV Stick 4K is now on sale for just £29.99 on Currys PC World, and we don't think there has ever been a better time to invest in the little streaming stick. You can save 40% on list price and access more entertainment in this time of need. It's a double win. SEE ALSO: The best streaming sites in the UK The...

Stay at home and save on an Xbox Game Pass

TL;DR: A three-month subscription to an Xbox Game Pass is on sale for £9.99 on CD Keys, saving you 58% on list price. We're all being told to stay at home and isolate, which isn't a problem for a lot of gamers out there who have some experience in this.  Even the most experienced gamers will eventually run out of entertainment though, and this is when an Xbox Game Pass can really help. It's like Netflix for games, with new additions added every month, including new titles on release. SEE ALSO: The best laptops for working from home in the UK You can now sign up for three month of an...

Air Doctor scores $7.8M to connect travellers with local doctors

Air Doctor, the health tech startup that connects travellers with local doctors, has raised $7.8 million in Series A funding. The round is led by Kamet Ventures (the AXA-backed venture builder), and The Phoenix Insurance Company. Founded in 2016, Air Doctor aims to empower travellers who get sick when abroad and need non-emergency advice or treatment. https://ift.tt/39xxzB7 from Yahoo Tech https://ift.tt/2QVuxAp via IFTT...

Uber offers free trips and meals for NHS staff on the frontline of coronavirus pandemic

Uber will provide free meals and free trips for NHS staff in a bid to lessen the pressure on those on the frontline of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the UK.  Uber is pledging 200,000 free trips worth up to £15 each to help NHS workers get to and from work. Staff can claim a maximum of 10 trips and 5 meals per week, per person. Uber Eats will issue NHS staff with a £10 voucher that can be redeemed at restaurants and convenience shops across the UK.  Anyone with an NHS email address can claim the free rides and meals.  SEE ALSO: Millions across the UK clap and cheer...

A self-cleaning toilet brush exists, and it's actually pretty cheap

TL;DR: Keep your bathroom extra clean with the LUMI Self-Sanitizing Toilet Brush and Base for $31.99, a 20% savings as of March 30.  It's not every day we think about how gross our toilets are, but the coronavirus has brought out the inner germaphobe in all of us. So, naturally, we're sanitizing every single thing in our houses while we're self isolating. But here's the thing: scrubbing the toilet bowl with your old school toilet brush might actually be flinging around even more bathroom germs. Think about it. You're not actually killing the germs and bacteria you scrub off in the first...

Zoom's iOS app no longer sends data to Facebook

Zoom's iOS app is no longer sending your private data to Facebook. The videoconferencing software recently saw its usage spike as more and more people spend time at home due to the coronavirus outbreak. However, several concerns have been raised about its privacy practices, including the fact that its iOS app sends data such as the user's location and device details to Facebook — even if the user doesn't have a Facebook account. Now, Motherboard reports that Zoom's iOS app was updated to stop sending data to Facebook, as the company found that some of the data sent was "unnecessary." "We originally...

Divesting from one facial recognition startup, Microsoft ends outside investments in the tech

Microsoft is pulling out of an investment in an Israeli facial recognition technology developer as part of a broader policy shift to halt any minority investments in facial recognition startups, the company announced late last week. The decision to withdraw its investment from AnyVision, an Israeli company developing facial recognition software, came as a result of an investigation into reports that AnyVision's technology was being used by the Israeli government to surveil residents in the West Bank. https://ift.tt/2WNXa6m from Yahoo Tech https://ift.tt/2wN4TH1 via IFTT...