Category: Technology

Seven companies, mostly made up of American tech giants, have notified the European Commission that they meet the criteria to be classified as “gatekeepers” under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, TikTok owner ByteDance, Meta, Microsoft and Samsung have declared that they meet the thresholds the EU set when it passed the new law. According to Reuters, Booking.com also expects to meet gatekeeper status by the end of the year and will notify authorities by then. 

Gatekeepers are companies with an annual turnover in Europe of at least €7.5 billion (US$8.16 billion) in the last three financial years or those with a fair market value of at least €75 billion (US$81.6 billion) in the last financial year in at least three member states of the EU. They must also have served more than 45 million monthly active end users and more than 10,000 yearly active business users in the EU over the last three years. These criteria were designed to include the biggest players in the field, since as the law’s name indicates, it’s meant to cover large online platforms that act as “gatekeepers” in digital markets. 

Under the DMA, gatekeepers will be prohibited from favoring their own services over their rivals’ and from locking users into their ecosystem. They must allow third parties to interoperate with their own services. They must also allow business users to promote their products/services and “conclude contracts with their customers outside the gatekeepers’ platform.” In Google’s and Apple’s case, that means they can’t prevent developers from using a different payment systems other than their own. The companies can’t prohibit users from removing pre-installed apps or from sideloading apps from outside sources, as well. That will mean huge changes for Apple, in particular, whose ecosystem has been designed as a “walled garden” for the longest time. In December last year, Bloomberg reported that Apple was preparing to allow third-party app stores and sideloading with the release of iOS 17. 

All gatekeepers will have to comply with all aspects of the DMA in 2024. For now, European authorities will be reviewing the submissions and will be designating the gatekeepers for specific platform services by September 6th. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tech-giant-gatekeepers-must-comply-with-all-of-the-eus-new-digital-market-rules-065324264.html?src=rss 

On Monday, meteorologists documented the hottest day in recorded history, according to US National Centers for Environmental Prediction (via Reuters). July 3rd, 2023 saw average global temperatures edge past 17-degrees Celsius (62.62 Fahrenheit) for the first time since satellite monitoring of global temperatures began in 1979. Scientists believe Monday is also the hottest day on record since humans began using instruments to measure daily temperatures in the late 19th century. The previous record was set in August 2016 when the world’s average temperature climbed to 16.92C (62.45 Fahrenheit).

This week, the southern US is sweltering under a heat dome that has sent local temperatures past the 110 Fahrenheit mark (43C). Even places that normally aren’t known for their warm weather have been unseasonably hot in recent days and weeks, with the Vernadsky Research Base in Antarctica recording a July high of 8.7C.

Scientists attribute the recent heat to a combination of El Niño and ongoing human-driven emissions of greenhouse gases. Studies have shown that climate change is contributing to heat waves that are more frequent, last longer and hotter than ever. “The average global surface air temperature reaching 17C for the first time since we have reliable records available is a significant symbolic milestone in our warming world,” climate researcher Leon Simons told BBC News. “Now that the warmer phase of El Niño is starting we can expect a lot more daily, monthly and annual records breaking in the next 1.5 years.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/july-3rd-was-the-hottest-day-in-recorded-history-214854746.html?src=rss 

Twitter has been even more of a mess than usual over the last few days, in part because it limited the number of tweets users could read each day. The decision came as a surprise to many, but the company said it was unable to give folks a heads up.

“We temporarily limited usage so we could detect and eliminate bots and other bad actors that are harming the platform,” a Twitter Business blog post reads. “Any advance notice on these actions would have allowed bad actors to alter their behavior to evade detection.”

While some have been skeptical of Twitter’s reasoning for the move, the company says it limited the rate limit to stop bad actors from scraping public data to feed into artificial intelligence models and to prevent them from “manipulating people and conversation on the platform in various ways.” It says that the rate limits currently impact a small percentage of users and it will provide an update when these efforts are complete.

It seemed strange that Twitter posted this update on its business blog until the company mentioned that rate limiting has had a “minimal” effect on advertising. Many pointed out that limiting the number of tweets users could read per day would make it harder for advertisers to reach users and for Twitter to make money.

Rate limiting broke Twitter’s website and apps for the most part, including TweetDeck, an app that many power users rely on. To help remedy that, the company released “a new, improved version of TweetDeck.” The company is moving all users over to the latest version, but there was another twist in store: Twitter is making the app exclusive to verified accounts, effectively putting a paywall on TweetDeck for the vast majority of users.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twitter-says-it-couldnt-tell-people-about-rate-limiting-in-advance-183928265.html?src=rss 

A judge has blocked the Biden administration and other federal officials from communicating with social media companies in a case that could have far-reaching implications. On Tuesday, a Trump-appointed judge granted the state attorneys general in Louisiana and Missouri a temporary injunction against the federal government, reports The Washington Post. The two Republican lawyers sued President Joe Biden and other top government officials, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, last year, accusing them of colluding with Meta, Twitter and YouTube to remove “truthful information” related to the COVID-19 lab leak theory, 2020 election and other topics.

Although he has yet to make a final ruling in the case, Judge Terry A. Doughty wrote in his order that the Republican attorneys general “produced evidence of a massive effort by Defendants, from the White House to federal agencies, to suppress speech based on its content.” While the order grants some exceptions for the government to communicate with Meta, Twitter and YouTube, it also specifically targets more than a dozen individual officials. Among those are Jen Easterly, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and Alejandro Mayorkas, the secretary of Homeland Security.

The lawsuit is the latest effort by some Republicans to allege the Biden administration pressured social media platforms to censor conservative views. The GOP has aired that grievance in a few different venues — including, most notably, a contentious House Oversight Committee hearing at the start of the year related to the so-called “Twitter Files.” The lawsuit from the attorneys general of Louisiana and Missouri takes a different tack. Instead of directly targeting Meta, Twitter and YouTube, which argue they have a First Amendment right to decide what content is allowed on their platforms, the attorneys general sued the federal government. Whatever happens next, that strategy has already led to the most successful effort yet to counter online content moderation. 

Separately, it’s worth noting Meta, Twitter and YouTube have all recently scaled back their moderation policies in one way or another. In the case of YouTube, for instance, the company said last month it would begin allowing videos that falsely claim fraud occurred during the 2020 election. Meta, meanwhile, last month back its COVID-19 misinformation rules for Instagram and Facebook in countries where the pandemic is no longer deemed a national emergency. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/judge-blocks-federal-officials-from-contacting-tech-companies-192554203.html?src=rss 

While there’s a week to go until Amazon officially kicks off Prime Day, the company is getting things started early with deals on many of its own products. Ring video doorbells, cameras and security systems are among the products on sale. A bundle of a Ring Video Doorbell and Echo Show 5 (which you can use to monitor what the doorbell sees) typically costs $190. However, for Prime members, Amazon has dropped the price by 66 percent to $65. That’s the lowest price we’ve seen for this bundle to date.

You’ll get the second-gen Ring Video Doorbell, which Amazon released in 2020. While Amazon has released two newer versions in the interim, it’s still a capable device. It offers up to 1080p HD video, while the original was limited to 720p. It can run on battery power alone, or you can hardwire it or connect it to a Ring solar charger.

A privacy zone option enables you to block out certain areas of the field of view from recordings. There are adjustable motion zones (you’ll receive a notification when someone triggers the built-in motion sensor or presses the doorbell), an audio privacy setting and, Amazon claims, improved night vision over the first model.

The Echo Show 5, meanwhile, is the new third-gen model that Amazon released in May. Although the design is almost the same as the previous version, the latest Echo Show 5 is 20 percent faster and offers “double the bass” through an upgraded speaker system, Amazon says. The device typically retails for $90 alone.

In case you don’t need or want an Echo Show 5 (you can still see a video feed from the doorbell on a phone, tablet or PC), you can pick up the second-gen Ring Video Doorbell by itself for $55 if you’re a Prime member. This again is a record low price. The device usually sells for $100.

There are lots of deals elsewhere in the Ring sale. Prime members can get 50 percent off the second-gen Ring Indoor Cam that Amazon released several weeks ago. It’s on sale for $30. Those looking for more peace of mind may be interested in a Ring Alarm kit. Several options are on sale, including the latest version of the five-piece kit. That has dropped from $200 to $120. 

Your Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for the best Amazon Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In the Know. Hear from Autoblog’s car experts on must-shop auto-related Prime Day deals and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/rings-early-prime-day-deals-include-an-echo-show-5-bundle-for-just-65-150337948.html?src=rss 

The Las Vegas skyline will soon be dominated by a massive display. MSG Entertainment has started full testing of the Sphere, a 17,600-seat venue near the The Venetian Resort that’s defined by an enormous (516ft across and 366ft tall) animated dome and a wraparound internal 16K LED screen. It’s eye-catching on the outside, but the main attraction is the immersion for live entertainment on the internal display — it’s meant to rethink concerts and cinematic experiences.

As MSG’s James Dolan and David Dribble explain to Rolling Stone, the aim is to effectively create a VR experience without the “damn goggles.” Creators use a special camera to produce footage that envelops the audience. There’s also a unique 164,000-speaker audio system that can isolate specific sounds, or even limit them to certain parts of the audience. One section could hear only Spanish-language dialog, for instance.

Like “4D” movie theaters, the MSG Sphere also has a sensory experience for some guests. About 10,000 seats have haptics, cold, heat wind and scents. If you’re on a virtual trip to the Arctic, you might feel the coolness while you watch.

The venue will have its first performance on September 29th, when U2 starts a 25-show run with a custom production. The shows have effectively sold out, so you’ll have to rely on the inevitable flurry of social media videos to see what the Sphere looks like during its inaugural stint. Partial screen testing took place this spring.

Whether or not it’s a wise investment isn’t clear. Construction started in 2019, but the pandemic and technological complexity have swelled the expected cost to $2.3 billion. That will make it the most expensive venue in Las Vegas to date (even the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium costs ‘just’ $1.9 billion), and there are no guarantees MSG will recoup its investment in a timely fashion. It’s not clear what comes after U2’s concerts, either, although there is the possibility of hosting eSports tournaments and mixed martial arts fights.

The draw, however, is clear. Large-scale concerts typically take place in stadiums where the audio, visuals and seating are designed around sports, not music. Even traditional concert halls haven’t changed much over the decades. In theory, you’ll make a pilgrimage to the Sphere to get an experience you simply can’t get elsewhere.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-venetian-resort-starts-testing-its-giant-led-video-sphere-153112387.html?src=rss 

Meta will have to limit the reach of its personalized ads in the European Union. The region’s Court of Justice has ruled that Meta’s Facebook brand will need to obtain consent before delivering at least some personalized ads in the EU. The custom ads “cannot justify” processing that volume of data without users’ permission, according to the ruling.

We’ve asked Meta for comment. In a statement to The Wall Street Journal, a spokesperson said the social media giant was still “evaluating the court’s decision” and would say more in the future.

Meta is already appealing a €390 million EU fine (now worth about $425 million) for requiring that Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users accept personalized ads just to use those platforms. The governing body requires “freely given” consent for features, and believes Meta violated the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) by asking for ad targeting data just to use Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp on a basic level. In the new ruling, the Court of Justice said it was up to a site operator to prove that people willingly give permission.

The decision is included in a larger court finding that local competition regulators, such as Germany’s Federal Cartel Office, can factor in compliance with other laws (such as the GDPR) when investigating antitrust cases. Put simply, a country could decide that rule breaking in one area is evidence of broader anti-competitive behavior.

The ruling is somewhat vague, and it’s not clear just how officials will interpret the requirement in practice. Meta might have to ask permission to provide personalized ads on Facebook and other platforms. That could improve privacy for users, but affect the company’s bottom line. The outfit warned of a hit to its ad revenue when iOS 14 gave users the ability to reject ad tracking in apps — this could represent another blow that affects everyone in the EU, regardless of the device they use.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/facebook-will-need-permission-to-show-personalized-ads-in-the-eu-140106138.html?src=rss 

Here’s your chance to get a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 for a price lower than anything we’ve seen it go for on Amazon. You can get the Galaxy Watch 5 for as low as $199, or 29 percent less than its retail price. The price applies to the 40mm Bluetooth smartwatches in gray and pink gold, though the silver and navy/mustard color options are only just a dollar more expensive at $200. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5 models are most likely on sale, because the company could launch its next-gen wearables at its Unpacked event scheduled for late July. But this model is still a solid option if you’re looking for a smartwatch with health tracking capabilities. 

We gave the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 a score of 85 in our review and praised it for having a clean design and a durable build. We also praised the smartwatch for having comprehensive health and activity tracking features. The device has an advanced sleep tracker that can detect and and analyze sleep stages. It can monitor your activity, remind you to get up and suggest simple exercises, as well as track activities like running, rowing and swimming. The watch can also analyze your body composition — we found its results to be pretty spot on — and has a more accurate heart rate sensor than its predecessor. 

If you want one of the larger watches, some of the 44mm Galaxy Watch 5 models are also on sale. The Bluetooth versions are currently list for $229, while the LTE models will set you back at least $279.

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/samsungs-galaxy-watch-5-falls-to-a-new-low-of-199-132507458.html?src=rss 

Apple is initiating one last-ditch effort to maintain a cut of in-app sales, asking the Supreme Court to hear its appeal of Epic Games’ anti-trust case, Reuters reports. Two lower courts ruled that Apple must drop its guidelines preventing apps from including their own payment options, a policy that helped Apple’s bottom line. 

The fight began in 2020 when Epic rolled out a new Fortnite update that allowed gamers to purchase digital coins through a direct payment feature. The move violated Apple’s policy that required all iOS games to use in-app purchases — and gave Apple a 30 percent cut of the profits. Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store in response, despite its regular status as one of its highest-grossing games. In retaliation, Epic sued Apple to end its “unfair and anti-competitive actions” with the goal of changing its policy versus seeking any damages. 

The lawsuit was a mixed bag for both parties involved: In 2021, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Epic knowingly violated Apple’s rules and the iPhone maker wasn’t required to add Fortnite back to its App Store. Rogers also stated that Apple wasn’t acting like a monopoly but that the company must allow apps to provide their users with third-party payment systems. The change went into effect last year, and the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the entire injunction this past April. 

In their filing, Apple’s lawyers claim that the ruling extends beyond Epic Games and “exceeds the district court’s authority under Article III, which limits federal court jurisdiction to actual cases and controversies.” Basically, they argue that the court overreached and asked the Supreme Court to acknowledge that and let its App Store go back to business as usual (developers giving but cuts of sales to Apple). One way or another, Apple will at least have to adapt in some countries, with new European Union regulations requiring the company to allow third-party app stores by 2024.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-wants-to-take-the-epic-games-case-to-the-supreme-court-123501115.html?src=rss