Posts with «region|us» label

'Westworld' and other canned HBO shows are now streaming on Roku for free

A boatload of HBO series and other Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shows and movies are now available to watch for free on Roku. The Roku Channel now includes 14 ad-supported channels that are streaming more than 2,000 hours of WBD content, including shows like Westworld, The Nevers and Raised by Wolves, all of which vanished from HBO Max a few months ago.

In January, WBD struck deals with Roku and Tubi for free, ad-supported streaming (aka FAST) channels. Three of the cable-style channels debuted on Tubi in early February, but it took a little longer for them all to land on Roku.

The channels are each focused on different areas. There's one for fan-favorite shows like the canceled Westworld and Nikita (WB TV Watchlist), another centered around docuseries such as How It’s Made and How the Earth Works (WB TV How To), a channel for classic movies (WB TV At The Movies) and even one for baking competition series (WB TV Sweet Escapes). Licensing out content for streaming on FAST channels will give WBD another revenue stream as it tries to improve its bottom line — WBD posted a net loss of $2.1 billion for the last three months of 2022.

The channels are arriving on Roku just before WBD folds Discovery+ content into HBO Max as part of a combined streaming service sometime this spring. Discovery+ will remain as a standalone streaming service in the US. It's believed that the souped-up HBO Max won't immediately become more expensive. WBD raised the price of the ad-free HBO Max plan for the first time in January.

The company has yet to reveal the name of the new streaming service, though reports indicate that it will simply be called "Max" (shudder). We won't have to wait much longer to find out, though. WBD plans to spill the beans at an event on April 12th.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/westworld-and-other-canned-hbo-shows-are-now-streaming-on-roku-for-free-183106349.html?src=rss

Ram 1500 REV electric truck beats F-150 Lightning with 500-mile range

Stellantis says the upcoming Ram 1500 REV will offer up to a 500-mile range, longer than any electric pickup available. The automaker officially announced the electric truck at the New York International Auto Show today after teasing an ultra-sleek concept in January (which the version you can buy looks nothing like) and a production reveal in February.

The standard version of the Ram 1500 EV will include a 168 kWh battery that lasts 350 miles; you’ll need to opt for the premium 229 kWh battery option to reach the 500-mile estimate. By comparison, the Ford F-150 Lightning maxes out at a 320-mile range, while the Chevy Silverado EV can last an estimated 400 miles. Meanwhile, Tesla claims its long-delayed Cybertruck will match the new Ram with a 500-mile range.

The Ram 1500 EV also supports quick charging. Stellantis says it can add up to 110 miles of range with only 10 minutes of charging.

As far as performance, the truck can go from 0 to 60 mph in as little as 4.4 seconds and has 654 horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. Its other specs include a towing capacity of up to 14,000 lbs and a maximum payload of up to 2,700 lbs. In addition, it has a frunk with 15 cubic feet of storage and bidirectional charging (including powering another vehicle, charging a home during power outages and sending power back to the grid). Finally, it can handle up to two ft of water fording.

Stellantis hasn’t yet announced pricing, and deliveries aren't scheduled to start until the fourth quarter of 2024. After opening (and quickly closing) reservations in January, you can reserve one again with a (refundable) $100 down payment.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ram-1500-rev-electric-truck-beats-f-150-lightning-with-500-mile-range-180324028.html?src=rss

Two alcohol recovery startups just got caught sharing private user data

Online alcohol recovery startups Monument and Tempest got caught sharing confidential user data with advertisers without their consent, as originally reported by TechCrunch. Everything came to light after an internal review revealed a data breach impacting 100,000 users, forcing the companies to issue a formal disclosure to the user base. The violations started in 2017 and were ongoing until last month's review.

Monument and Tempest started as two entirely different platforms, but the former acquired the latter several months back. Parent company Monument confirmed not only the data breach but that the companies shared private information with advertisers via a notification filed with California’s attorney general. Data shared with advertisers, without user consent, includes patient names, dates of birth, email addresses, postal addresses, phone numbers, insurance information and more.

Unfortunately, that is just the beginning. In a cruel insult to those seeking recovery, the companies also shared data related to appointment information, assessment information and survey responses, which includes alcohol consumption data. Monument continues to tout its commitment to privacy on its website, saying that survey responses are “protected" despite the recent disclosure

The companies blame third-party tracking systems for the issue, stating that they have removed the offending tracking codes from their websites. The companies do not admit to sharing this information on purpose to increase profits, indicating that the tracking pixels provided by third parties did the deed all on their own.

Though this is an especially egregious example, it is important to remember that most companies have a less-than-pristine record regarding data privacy, even in the case of medical records. There is a near-endless list of similar violations, like the time a mental health startup shared patient information without consent and when Meta was caught with its own hand in the digital cookie jar. Be careful out there folks.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/two-alcohol-recovery-startups-just-got-caught-sharing-private-user-data-171504445.html?src=rss

Google will require that Android apps let you delete your account and data

Google wants to make it as easy to scrub an app account as it is to create one. The company has announced that Android apps on the Play Store will soon have to let you delete an account and its data both inside the app and on the web. Developers will also have to wipe data for an account when users ask to delete the account entirely.

The move is meant to "better educate" users on the control they have over their data, and to foster trust in both apps and the Play Store at large. It also provides more flexibility. You can delete certain data (such as your uploaded content) without having to completely erase your account, Google says. The web requirement also ensures that you won't have to reinstall an app just to purge your info.

The policy is taking effect in stages. Creators have until December 7th to answer questions about data deletion in their app's safety form. Store listings will start showing the changes in early 2024. Developers can file for an extension until May 31st of next year.

The changes come several months after Apple instituted a similar rule for App Store software. In both cases, the companies are concerned about privacy violations and the ensuing fallout — they don't want users to fall prey to data breaches because they couldn't easily delete accounts or sensitive info when they stop using an app.

This also follows growing efforts by regulators to demand more control over services. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently proposed rule changes requiring easy ways to cancel subscriptions and memberships. While the FTC is focused more on unwanted charges than privacy, the message to app makers is clear: provide more control of accounts or face repercussions.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/google-will-require-that-android-apps-let-you-delete-your-account-and-data-170618841.html?src=rss

Twitter designates NPR as 'US state-affiliated media'

Twitter has added a label to the main account of NPR to designate the public broadcaster as "US state-affiliated media." Until now, such labels have typically been reserved for state-run organizations such as RT and Sputnik in Russia and China's Xinhua News Agency. The labels appear on every tweet from accounts they're applied to.

“We were disturbed to see last night that Twitter has labeled NPR as ‘state-affiliated media,’ a description that, per Twitter’s own guidelines, does not apply to NPR," the broadcaster's CEO John Lansing said in a statement. "NPR and our member stations are supported by millions of listeners who depend on us for the independent, fact-based journalism we provide. NPR stands for freedom of speech and holding the powerful accountable. It is unacceptable for Twitter to label us this way. A vigorous, vibrant free press is essential to the health of our democracy.”

NPR stands for freedom of speech & holding the powerful accountable. A vigorous, vibrant free press is essential to the health of our democracy.
My full statement on the recent inaccurate Twitter label below: pic.twitter.com/kdusUNtNUo

— John Lansing (@johnlansing) April 5, 2023

As Mediaite points out, Twitter has edited its guidelines regarding the "state-affiliated media" label since applying it to NPR's account. "State-financed media organizations with editorial independence, like the BBC in the UK or NPR in the US for example, are not defined as state-affiliated media," the guidelines page read on Tuesday, according to a Wayback Machine snapshot. By Wednesday morning, Twitter had removed the text "or NPR in the US." Twitter no longer has a communications department that can be reached for comment. 

Elon Musk, who took over Twitter in October, noted the change to NPR's account. In response to a user who gave him acknowledgment for the move, Musk tweeted a portion of the state-affiliated media policy that reads "State-affiliated media is defined as outlets where the state exercises control over editorial content through financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or control over production and distribution." Musk wrote that the definition "seems accurate" with regards to NPR.

On Tuesday, Musk responded to a tweet that criticized NPR over a report suggesting that “European right-wing politicians [are] lobbing a conspiracy theory that elites want people to eat bugs.” He replied with an exclamation point. The user who posted the thread went on to claim that "NPR is worse than the propaganda of Maoist schoolchildren during the cultural revolution.”

NPR, which is an independent non-profit, says that on average, less than one percent of its annual operating budget comes from government grants. Over the last five fiscal years, around 70 percent of its revenues have come from corporate sponsors and core and programming fees paid by member organizations. Meanwhile, Voice of America, a broadcaster that is owned by the US government, does not have a state-affiliated media label on its Twitter account.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/twitter-designates-npr-as-us-state-affiliated-media-165306913.html?src=rss

Ransomware hackers leak second batch of city data from Oakland attack

The perpetrators of the ransomware attack against Oakland have leaked more of the data from the hack. The city has confirmed that Play, the hacker group claiming responsibility for the ransomware, has shared a second batch of info on the dark web. While officials aren't sharing more details, The Oaklandsidesources say the dump was 600GB and included confidential Oakland Police Department files (including disciplinary records), council members' communications and city staff's medical records.

The first release from early March was a comparatively modest 10GB, but included city employee rosters and police records. The incident was serious enough that the Oakland police union is now demanding $25,000 per officer for the damage done through the leak. The union also wants to pressure the city into tightening its security.

The February attack prompted the city to declare a state of emergency and take its network offline in a bid to limit the damage. That left many non-emergency services unavailable, including the systems to issue licenses and permits. Oakland closed some buildings and warned of delayed responses to non-urgent complaints. Access to some systems came back in late February.

Play group has been linked to numerous attacks, including Rackspace and the Belgian city of Antwerp. The gang first emerged in June of last year, when BleepingComputer forum users reported attacks attributed to the outfit.

The city still hasn't outlined Play's demands. However, the second wave of leaks suggests Oakland isn't bowing to pressure to pay the ransom. That's not a surprising decision. While the exposed data increases the risk of fraud, the city risks encouraging more ransomware attacks if it gives in.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ransomware-hackers-leak-second-batch-of-city-data-from-oakland-attack-163350688.html?src=rss

The Ninja Foodi Dual-Zone air fryer is $50 off right now

Air fryers don't really fry — they're much more versatile and handle an impressive range of recipes. If you've been holding back because of price, this might be a good time to add one to your kitchen. The 10-quart Ninja DZ401 is our favorite dual-zone pick in our guide to air fryers and right now Amazon is selling it for $180, or 22 percent off its usual $230 price tag. That's the lowest price we've seen this year and essentially makes the 10-quart size the same price as the 6-quart version. The larger size is ideal for people who entertain or have bigger families. 

A dual-zone fryer, like the DZ401, has two chambers that can cook two different foods at the same time, using completely different modes. It can also cook the same thing on both sides or just use one side at a time, leaving the other side empty for smaller batches. We like that it heats up quickly, with virtually no heat-up time and runs quietly. It even includes a Smart Finish feature that will adjust the cooking temps of each side so that your two different recipes finish at the same time. 

The DZ401 has a wide temperature range, from 105 to 450 degrees and six available cooking modes including air fry, broil, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate. The 10-quart size is large, however. While that's great for cooking up big batches of food, it's not a small unit. If you've got a smaller kitchen without a lot of storage space, this might be too big. 

If you're still on the fence about air fryers in general, our guide covers the pros and cons of these devices, as well as how to clean them and where to find recipes. If you decide to dive in, the $50 discount might make this a good day to grab one. 

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/the-ninja-foodi-dual-zone-air-fryer-is-50-off-right-now-162311100.html?src=rss

Amazon Fire Kids tablets are up to 45 percent off right now

Amazon is running another sale on its own products and this time around it's on Fire Kids tablets. Those looking for a way to keep kids entertained in the back seat on a long car ride might want to take a look at the latest Fire 7 Kids tablet. The 16GB model has dropped from $110 to $60. That's just $5 more than the lowest price we've seen to date. Doubling the internal storage to 32GB will only cost an extra $5. A microSD slot allows you to add up to 1TB additional storage.

The tablet, which is designed for youngsters aged three to seven, comes with a rugged protective case with built-in stand and a two-year worry-free guarantee. Also included is a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which includes thousands of books, games, videos, apps and Alexa skills, all of which are ad-free. You'll be able to filter age-based content, set time limits and open access to apps such as Disney+ and Netflix via the parent dashboard.

Amazon says the latest version of the tablet delivers 30 percent faster performance than the previous generation and double the RAM at 2GB. The company says Fire 7 Kids will run for up to 10 hours on a single charge and it has a USB-C port rather than the micro-USB port of older models.

In case you feel a little more screen real estate is in order, the sale also includes a good deal on our pick for the best tablet for children, the Fire HD 10 Kids. That model is 30 percent off at $140. The Fire HD 10 Kids is just over 10 ounces heavier than the smaller model at 25.2 ounces (716 grams), so it's maybe better suited for resting on a surface than the back of a car.

The 10.1-inch Full HD device also comes with a case and a year of Amazon Kids+. Amazon says it'll run for up to 12 hours on a single charge. As with the Fire 7 Kids, this tablet has 2MP front-facing and 5MP rear-facing cameras with 720p video capture capabilities.

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/amazon-fire-kids-tablets-are-up-to-45-percent-off-right-now-153710444.html?src=rss

FBI seizes a giant online marketplace for stolen logins

Law enforcement just took down an important hacker haven. TechCrunchreports the FBI has seized Genesis Market, a major marketplace for stolen logins, as part of an international campaign dubbed "Operation Cookie Monster." The UK's National Crime Agency adds that authorities arrested roughly 120 people worldwide as part of the bust, including 19 site users in that country.

We've asked the FBI and Justice Department for comment. In a release, the Justice Department says the seizure took down a "key enabler" of ransomware. Beyond the US and UK, the campaign included agencies from Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sweden and European countries like Germany and Poland. Europol and the EU's Eurojust were also involved.

Genesis Market was founded in March 2018 and sold logins, cookies and browser fingerprints taken from breached systems. Hackers could not only sign into accounts, but impersonate web browsers to access those accounts without needing a password or two-factor authentication token. So long as Genesis could still reach a victim's devices, it could offer up-to-the-minute data from that victim — a valuable resource for hackers that sometimes have to settle for old and sometimes useless data.

The black market shop has sometimes been linked to high-profile cybercrime incidents. Motherboardnoted that the intruders behind the 2021 EA hack said they bought a $10 bot from Genesis to hijack a Slack account at the game publisher.

The seizure and arrests won't stop sites from peddling bootleg logins. It won't be surprising if many of Genesis Market's customers turn to smaller marketplaces. All the same, this is a significant action that could make it harder for attackers to simply buy the login data they need. It also comes as law enforcement is stepping up efforts to disrupt the ransomware networks themselves. In theory, digital extortion is a more difficult proposition than it was even a few months ago.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fbi-seizes-a-giant-online-marketplace-for-stolen-logins-151112975.html?src=rss

Cash App creator Bob Lee reportedly killed in San Francisco stabbing

Bob Lee, the creator of Cash App and a former Square executive, was stabbed to death in San Francisco early Tuesday, according to reports. The San Francisco Police Department said a 43-year-old sustained "apparent stab wounds" and died after being taken to hospital. The perpetrator is still at large.

Lee most recently worked at crypto startup MobileCoin as chief product officer and his death was confirmed by the company's CEO Joshua Goldbard. “Bob was a force of nature. Helped to birth Android and CashApp into our world,” Goldbard told Bloomberg. “Moby was his dream: a privacy protecting wallet for the 21st century. I will miss him every day.”

Jack Dorsey, CEO of Square parent Block, wrote on Nostr that Lee's death was "real. Getting calls. Heartbreaking. Bob was instrumental to Square and Cash App."

Lee worked on Android's core library development in the early years of the mobile operating system, as TechCrunch notes. He then moved to Square to work on the company's Android app before becoming chief technical officer and creating Cash App. Lee was also a startup investor and helped the World Health Organization with its mobile app after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cash-app-creator-bob-lee-reportedly-killed-in-san-francisco-stabbing-140418685.html?src=rss