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Proton’s latest VPN app will be among the first to work natively on Windows ARM PCs, the company announced. The new app was built in collaboration with Microsoft by the same team that developed the encrypted Proton Mail service and promises “best in class security and privacy” on Windows ARM devices, according to Proton. 

The ARM app offers the same functionality as the x86 version and natively supports Proton VPN’s core security and privacy features. Normally, native support means it should also load and run a bit quicker than x86 apps running on Windows 11’s emulator, but improved security is the main selling point. 

As for its claim to be among the first native Windows ARM VPN apps, rival Surfshark launched such an app in August and NordVPN recently said that it’s planning to release an ARM-native app “this autumn.” 

Proton also revealed its upcoming winter 2024 roadmap, promising new apps for iOS and iPadOS. Those will include commonly requested features like sorting servers by load, selecting a server based on its city, hiding free servers and more. Proton also promised IPv6 support in more apps, port forwarding on macOS and Linux plus guest modes for iOS and iPadOS. 

Proton’s app topped our best VPN services list for 2024, thanks to its overall security, usability and privacy features. It also offers a no-logs policy, an open-source framework and an official vulnerability disclosure program. There’s a free version (with access limited to servers in three countries) or a paid version starting at 4.99 euros ($5.44) per month. Proton recently released an Apple TV app that allow customers with a paid plan to stream their media content from any location on Apple’s set-top box.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/protons-vpn-app-now-works-natively-on-windows-arm-devices-110054749.html?src=rss 

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a complaint against Grindr. According to Bloomberg, the agency alleges that a return-to-office (RTO) mandate that limited remote work and effectively meant a relocation requirement for many workers was an attempt to fend off a unionization drive. Around 80 of Grindr’s 178 employees quit as a result of last year’s RTO demand, according to the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

The NLRB’s general counsel office has accused Grindr of violating labor law by retaliating against workers who were attempting to organize. Per Bloomberg, the agency additionally claims the company refused to recognize the union or to negotiate with it in good faith, which would also be a violation of labor law.

A Grindr spokesperson told the publication that the claims were “meritless.” They added that some employees started signing union cards “only after it was known that the transition back to in-office work was underway.”

According to the CWA, the company announced on August 4 last year that workers would have to attend its offices at least two days a week. A supermajority of workers announced their unionization in July. The union claims that, by the end of August, around half of the staff had been forced to resign. This, in part, was said to a result of relocation requirements. 

Among other issues, having to relocate would have required some of Grindr’s trans employees to find alternate healthcare providers, the union has said. “The RTO mandate gave workers two weeks to choose between ending their tenure at Grindr or relocating to their respective team’s newly assigned ‘hub’ city to work in-person twice a week,” the CWA said when it filed an Unfair Labor Practice against Grindr in September 2023. As CNN noted, many of the workers who had been hired remotely were suddenly required to report to a Grindr office in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco or Washington DC. 

This is hardly the first time Grindr has been in hot water lately. Earlier this year, the company was sued for allegedly sharing personal information — including HIV statuses and test dates, ethnicity and sexual orientation — with advertising companies without users’ consent.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/nlrb-accuses-grindr-of-using-a-return-to-office-mandate-to-upend-a-unionization-drive-211507122.html?src=rss 

Portable Bluetooth speakers are always a good option to pick up for a special someone (or yourself) when early Black Friday tech deals start to pop up. One model worth paying attention in the sales is the JBL Clip 5, which has dropped to an all-time-low price of $50. That’s 30 bucks off the regular price.

We often recommend JBL products in our buying guides, such as our ones on the best portable Bluetooth speakers and best travel gifts. They’re by and large durable devices that deliver ample volume for the beach or a cookout, for instance (but maybe don’t use it on public transit if you don’t want to risk the ire of your fellow passengers).

As the name suggests, the JBL Clip 5 has a built-in carabiner, making it a cinch to attach to a backpack or belt loop, to name a couple of options. JBL said it redesigned the carabiner this time around to make the opening wider. As such, it’ll be easier to attach the speaker to a wider range of things.

Although the speaker measures just 1.75 inches, it’s said to deliver solid audio with punchy bass and a maximum output of seven watts. The JBL Clip 5 should be durable as well, since it has a IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating.

It’s claimed that the speaker will run for up to 12 hours on a single charge but there’s a Playtime Boost option that adds up to three extra hours of listening time. In addition, you can pair two Clip 5s for stereo audio or connect the speaker to other Auracast-enabled models from JBL to boost the sound.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/jbl-early-black-friday-deals-include-the-clip-5-bluetooth-speaker-at-an-all-time-low-price-184135106.html?src=rss 

Here’s some bad news for those who thought the future would include streaming versions of Choose Your Own Adventure books. Netflix is deleting much of its interactive content, according to reporting by The Verge.

The platform currently lists 24 “Interactive Specials”, and only four of them will remain after December 1. Luckily, it’s the only four most people have heard about. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend, Ranveer vs. Wild with Bear Grylls and You vs. Wild will all continue to be available for streaming.

The same cannot be said for specials based on Carmen Sandiego, Boss Baby and Puss in Boots. Incidentally, Puss in Book: Trapped in an Epic Tale was the very first Netflix special to feature this interactive technology, which was a couple of years before Black Mirror: Bandersnatch wowed the world.

This is a fairly disappointing end for a technology that Netflix once promised it would be “doubling down” on. Company spokesperson Chrissy Kelleher told The Verge that the feature “served its purpose, but is now limiting as we focus on technological efforts in other areas.” Former Netflix gaming honcho Mike Verdu also told Game File’s Stephen Totilo that it wasn’t making any more of these interactive titles.

Despite putting the kibosh on streaming content with gamified elements, the platform’s still dipping its toes into gaming itself. Netflix has a diverse array of mobile titles available for subscribers, and even some legit bangers. However, the company did just shut down its AAA game studio before it even released a single game.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/netflix-is-removing-much-of-its-interactive-content-185557989.html?src=rss