Daily Crunch: Facebook has a weak stance on political ads

The Daily Crunch is TechCrunch’s roundup of our biggest and most important stories. If you’d like to get this delivered to your inbox every day at around 9am Pacific, you can subscribe here.

1. Facebook should ban campaign ads. End the lies.

Facebook recently formalized its approach to political advertising, declaring, “We don’t believe, however, that it’s an appropriate role for us to referee political debates.” In other words, it will allow politicians to say whatever they want in their ads, even if their claims are blatantly false.

Josh Constine proposes a different solution: If Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and YouTube don’t want to be the arbiters of truth in campaign ads, then they should stop selling them.

2. Fortnite is just a black hole right now

Fortnite just blew up its entire map and all that’s left is a black hole. Some are speculating that this is simply a teaser for a new Fortnite map, but it’s unclear when that map will arrive.

3. SoftBank reportedly preps a package to take control of WeWork parent company

SoftBank Group, the multibillion-dollar Japanese technology conglomerate and investment firm, has put together a bid that would save WeWork parent company The We Company, just weeks before the co-working real estate company’s imminent collapse, according to The Wall Street Journal.

4. Kik says it’s ‘here to stay,’ following shutdown reports

The once-mighty messaging service announced in late September that it would be shutting down its app and eliminating the vast majority of its team, following a protracted battle with the SEC. And yet the company tweeted over the weekend: “Great news: Kik is here to stay!!!!”

5. California’s Privacy Act: What you need to know now

The CCPA was signed into law in June 2018 — enshrining protections for a sub-set of U.S. citizens against their data being collected and sold without their knowledge. It will take effect on January 1, with a six-month grace period before enforcement begins. (Extra Crunch membership required.)

6. Why each Libra member’s mutiny hurts Facebook

Visa, Stripe and eBay have all dropped out of Facebook’s cryptocurrency project. The companies have said they could still get involved later, but their exit clouds the project’s future and leaves Facebook to absorb more of the blowback.

7. This week’s TechCrunch podcasts

Equity does something different this week, getting on the phone with an IPO expert to discuss the public market cycle, both domestically and abroad. And after taking a break for Disrupt, Original Content is back with a review of “The Politician” on Netflix.

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Google updates its Titan security keys with USB-C

Google has revealed its latest Titan security key — and it’s now compatible with USB-C devices.

The latest Titan key arrives just weeks after its closest market rival Yubico — which also manufactures the Titan security key for Google — released its own USB-C and Lightning compatible key, but almost two years after the release its dedicated USB-C key.

These security keys offer near-unbeatable security against a variety of threats to your online accounts, from phishing to nation-state attackers. When you want to log in to one of your accounts, you plug in the key to your device and it authenticates you. Most people don’t need a security key, but they are available for particularly high-risk users, like journalists, politicians, and activists, who are frequently targeted by hostile nation states.

By Google’s own data, security keys are far stronger than other options, like a text message sent to your phone.

Many companies, like Coinbase, Dropbox, Facebook, Twitter and Google, support the use of security keys. But although the list of supported companies is not vast, it continues to grow as security key usage increases.

Google said its newest key will be available from October 15 for $40.

This is Google’s Titan security key

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Samsung opens Android 10 One UI beta ahead of final launch

After pushing back a planned early-October launch, Samsung has introduced the Android 10 beta of its One UI. The 2.0 version of the Android skin follows a little under a year after the first version’s beta (released in November 2018). The concept goes counter to the earliest Android overlays, instead intending to create a simpler take on Google’s operating system.

Manufacturers’ long standing instance on putting their own stamp on Android is understandable — if sometimes misguided. Samsung’s initial stated intention for One UI is to let software and hardware, “work together in perfect harmony,” to paraphrase Stevie Wonder.

One UI is largely a success on these fronts. And Samsung is understandably cautious about the roll out, opting again for a public beta version, ahead its Android 10 release. “Select” Galaxy S10 owners in the U.S. can sign up for the program starting today, with a final release “in the coming months.” There are a lot of Galaxy phones out there, so the company clearly wants to get the experience right, gathering up user feedback in the process. 

Here’s what’s new, per Samsung,

• A new, smarter layout with animated icons and improved edge lighting
• An enhanced Dark Mode that reduces display brightness while viewing content and provides battery saving benefits
• Minimized pop-ups, embedded loading indicators and the ability to only view buttons the user needs
• A streamlined design where notifications take up less space, allowing users to stay up to date while focusing on the task at hand
• Focus Mode to pause apps temporarily for times when you need to minimize distractions

More info on Samsung’s blog.

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The cosmic war between monotony and creativity | David Deutsch

The cosmic war between monotony and creativity | David Deutsch

Theoretical physicist David Deutsch delivers a mind-bending meditation on the "great monotony" -- the idea that nothing novel has appeared in the universe for billions of years -- and shows how humanity's capacity to create explanatory knowledge could be the thing that bucks this trend. "Humans are not playthings of cosmic forces," he says. "We are users of cosmic forces."

Click the above link to download the TED talk.

Reddit now lets iOS users share to Snapchat

Reddit users can now share their favorite content from the site to Snapchat, thanks to a new integration that allows sharing of text, link, and image-based posts on iOS from Reddit’s “Safe for Work” communities. The move makes Snapchat the first platform partner that Reddit is testing content sharing integration with, the company says, and it hopes the result will be an influx of younger users to the site.

Unlike many social media platforms, Reddit has tended to skew a little older when it comes to its user demographics. According to Pew Research Center, just 22% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 29 used the site, compared with 34% of those 30 to 49 and 25% of those 50 to 64. And 19% were aged 65 and up, Pew found. While that particular study was performed a few years ago, a 2019 study continues to show Reddit as one of the lesser-used online platforms among all U.S. adults, Pew found.

And with a growing advertising business that’s set to cross $100 million in revenues this year, Reddit needs to even out its user demographics and increase its overall usage to be competitive.

To use the new sharing feature, Reddit users who have Snapchat installed on their iOS device will be able to tap the “Share” icon on a posts in the Reddit iOS app, then select the Snapchat option.

You can then choose to send the post to a few friends or post it to your story so all your friends can see it. The content will appear in Snaps and Snap Stories as a new sticker designed specifically for this integration that includes the Reddit logo and source information.

If the viewer also has the Reddit app installed, they can swipe up on the Snap to visit the post. If they don’t have the app installed, they’ll be directed to the App Store to download it.

“Reddit empowers discovery and discussion that many Snapchatters love. With this integration, Snapchatters will be able to share interesting posts they find, adding new context and conversation-starters to their Snaps,” said Ben Schwerin, VP of Partnerships at Snap Inc., in a statement about the launch. “As shared Snaps drive engagement back to Reddit — this helps advance the power of community and connection across both platforms,” he added.

Because Reddit tends to host a wide range of content — some of which may violate Snapchat’s terms of use —  the new integration is only being enabled on Reddit’s “Safe for Work” subreddit communities, which are those that don’t host adult content. The communities must also be in good standing, Reddit says.

“Snapchat is the first platform partner with whom we’re testing a content sharing integration, and we’re excited to see how the feature will shape the sharing habits and experiences among our users,” said Vaibhav Sahgal, Reddit’s Head of Growth Product, in a statement. “We hope the integration empowers redditors to share Reddit content more frequently, while simultaneously exposing new users to the unique content only found on Reddit.”

The launch follows Reddit’s $300 million funding round led by China’s Tencent earlier this year, that valued the site at $3 billion. This puts Reddit in competition with Facebook and Google for internet ad dollars — a challenge considering its userbase has historically skewed older and male, and users are often anonymous.

The company says the sharing feature will roll out to Android users soon. 

 

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VirtualBox vs. VMWare vs. Hyper-V: What’s the Best Virtual Machine?

There are several virtualization tools available to Windows 10 users. But three tools dominate the market: VirtualBox, VMware, and Microsoft Hyper-V. But which of these virtual machine tools is best?

Moreover, aren’t they all the same?

Choosing between VirtualBox, VMware Workstation Player, and Windows 10 integrated Hyper-V is difficult. Here’s how the three virtual machine tools stack up and which one you should use for certain tasks.

What Is a Hypervisor?

Let’s start with the big question: how are VirtualBox, VMware Workstation Player, and Hyper-V on Windows 10 different? They all allow you to run a virtual environment on your host machine, right?

Well, yes, they do. But despite that similarity, the virtual machine tools work differently under the hood. That is because virtual machines depend on two different types of software called hypervisors to install and run.

The hypervisor acts as the platform for virtual machines. It provides the necessary division between the virtual machine operating system and the host machine hardware. The host machine can share its resources, like memory and processing power, across multiple workloads.

There are two types of hypervisor: Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 Hypervisor

A Type 1 hypervisor runs directly on the host machine’s hardware and is sometimes referred to as a bare-metal hypervisor.

Microsoft Hyper-V is a prime example of a Type 1 hypervisor. It doesn’t require additional installation through an external package and directly manages the guest operating system.

VMWare ESX and vSphere, Citrix XenServer, and Oracle VM are all Type 1 hypervisors.

Type 2 Hypervisor

A Type 2 hypervisor installs on the operating system, just like any other software, and is known as a hosted hypervisor.

The virtual machine environment runs as a process on the host machine and still shares the system hardware, but the management of the virtual machine routes through the host instead of executing commands directly. The consequence of this arrangement is a slight latency between actions.

VirtualBox, VMware Workstation, and VMware Workstation Player are prime examples of a Type 2 hypervisor.

What is the Difference Between VirtualBox, VMware Workstation Player, and Hyper-V?

Now you know the difference between hypervisor types, understanding the differences, limitations, and positives of each option is easier. Let’s break it down into a few sections.

Ease of Use

Hyper-V is integrated with Windows 10 Pro, Education, and Enterprise, but not Windows 10 Home. You have to enable Hyper-V using Windows Features or a PowerShell command, but it takes care of activation itself.

Once activated, Hyper-V offers a quick virtual machine creation option and a more extensive virtual machine creation option through the Hyper-V Manager.

Creating a virtual machine through each Hyper-V option is easy. However, the quick virtual machine creation option auto-fills in the settings which can cause faults or errors when you attempt to start the virtual machine.

Hyper-V’s more extensive custom virtual machine creation option allows greater control over the settings.

Both VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Player have a virtual machine creation wizard. The wizard on each program guides you through the virtual machine creation process. There are differences, though.

For example, the VirtualBox wizard has you create a basic virtual machine for which you edit the settings afterward, but it does offer some suggested values for specific virtual machine types. Here’s how you set up and use VirtualBox.

Whereas, the VMware Workstation Player wizard allows you to customize settings during the virtual machine creation process.

The difference isn’t much, but it does mean the VMware Workstation Player virtual machine is ready to run after finishing the wizard, rather than altering more settings once it completes.

Performance

The performance of a virtual machine relates to the hardware you use to run it. With virtualization, hardware is king. Furthermore, the virtual machine you use makes a huge difference.

I’m testing each virtual machine option using a Lubuntu guest operating system on my desktop which has an Intel i5-3570K, 16GB RAM, and an Nvidia GTX 1070. It isn’t the most powerful CPU, but it handles most things.

Simply put, VirtualBox is one of the slowest virtual machine options available.

If you have decent hardware, you won’t notice the stutters and whirring quite as much. But on a low power machine, VirtualBox doesn’t give the best virtualization experience.

The performance deficit is most noticeable when you switch to VMware Workstation Player. Running the same guest operating system on the same hardware shows that the VMware Workstation Player is a smoother, slicker experience.

So, where does Hyper-V fit into all of this? The Hyper-V installation of Lubuntu performed well and was noticeably smooth. It is important to note that some Windows 10 Hyper-V users report performance issues in other areas once they enable Hyper-V on their system.

Because Hyper-V runs at the BIOS level rather than as software within the OS, the virtualization is always “on,” even if you are not using a virtual machine.

Temporarily Switching Hyper-V Virtualization Off and On

If you feel Windows 10 Hyper-V is affecting your gaming performance or otherwise (without a virtual machine environment running), you can use a command to switch Hyper-V virtualization services off.

Type command in your Start Menu search bar and select Run as Administrator. Then input the following command:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off

Then restart your system. Hyper-V virtualization will not start after the reboot, and you should find your performance returns to normal. If you want to turn Hyper-V virtualization on again, use the following command:

bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype on

Restart your system again.

Functionality

If you’re unsure about how to choose between the three options, consider the functionality of each option. You can run a guest operating system using VirtualBox, VMware Workstation Player, or Hyper-V, but each hypervisor has its quirks.

Snapshots and Checkpoints

One major plus for VirtualBox and Hyper-V are Snapshots and Checkpoints.

Although the platforms use different names, Snapshots and Checkpoints are very similar tools. They allow youto take an image of the virtual machine in its current status. The image preserves the virtual machine, allowing you to return to that specific moment.

Unfortunately, VMware Workstation Player does not support Snapshots or Checkpoints. You can temporarily suspend the guest operating system to resume from a specific point, but it isn’t the same as creating an image history for the virtual machine.

File Sharing

Each hypervisor allows you to drag and drop files between the host and guest operating system. You can also activate shared files and folders, although Windows 10 Hyper-V makes the process vastly more complicated than VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player.

Seamless Mode

VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Player both use seamless mode to integrate the virtual machine environment into the host operating system. Seamless mode strips away the additional virtual machine window and menus, making it feel as if the guest operating system is part of the host.

Unfortunately, Windows 10 Hyper-V does not feature seamless mode.

Virtual Machine Encryption

If you want to encrypt your virtual machines, you’re in luck. Each hypervisor supports encryption of one kind or another.

VMware Workstation Player supports virtual machine encryption out of the box.

VirtualBox supports encryption with the installation of VirtualBox Guest Additions, available to each VirtualBox guest environment.

Hyper-V on Windows 10 supports encryption using Microsoft’s BitLocker.

Each option is secure and works well with the respective platform.

Cost

Each hypervisor is free, but some are freer than others. Why?

VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Player are free for any user. So long as your hardware can run the guest operating system without destroying the host in the process, you can use the free virtual machine software.

Whereas, Windows 10 Hyper-V is also free but only if you have the correct version of Windows 10.

There are workarounds for Windows 10 Home users desperate to use Hyper-V on their hardware. But those people may as well use one of the free alternatives rather than shoehorn a solution.

Don’t forget, the fix might work today, but it might not with the next Windows 10 update.

Guest Operating Systems

Windows 10 Hyper-V has some limitations regarding guest operating systems. Hyper-V supports Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD virtual machines. It does not support macOS.

VirtualBox and VMware Workstation Player support almost all guest operating systems, including macOS.

Please note that a macOS guest operating won’t work out of the box. Follow our tutorial on how to install macOS in VirtualBox or VMware Workstation Player on Windows 10.

What’s the Best Virtual Machine Tool on Windows 10?

Choosing between VirtualBox, VMware Workstation Player, and Windows 10 Hyper-V is tricky. If you have a powerful machine running Windows 10 Pro, Education, or Enterprise, you can take your pick of the hypervisors.

If you are running less powerful machine, I would advise using VMware Workstation Player. It offers better support and stability for a wide range of hardware.

Still unsure if you even need a virtual machine? Check out these practical reasons to start using a virtual machine.

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The 10 Best Wireless Gaming Headsets in 2019

If you love to game, then you should consider purchasing a gaming headset. Regular speakers or headphones will do just fine for a quick gaming session every now and then. But, if you play often then you’ll benefit from a headset with gaming features. This means access to an integrated microphone or lossless wireless audio.

We’ve rounded up ten of the best available for every budget to help you find the best wireless gaming headset for you.

1. Best Overall Gaming Headset:
HyperX Cloud II

HyperX Cloud II HyperX Cloud II Buy Now On Amazon $84.83

If you’re looking for a great all-round gaming headset, we’ll cut right to the chase and recommend the HyperX Cloud II. Yes, these are wired gaming headphones, but they are an affordable high-performance option. They are compatible with consoles like the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 as well as PC and Mac. The ear cups have memory foam. So, you can wear them comfortably for long sessions. There’s even a detachable microphone for chatting with teammates or competitors while you play.

2. Best Cheap Wireless Gaming Headset:
Logitech G533

Logitech G533 Logitech G533 Buy Now On Amazon $74.00

If you want solid performance without breaking the bank, the Logitech G533 have you covered. These headphones for PC or Mac have all the essential gaming features. There’s 7.1 surround sound to help you hear other players creeping up on you, a replaceable battery which lasts up to 15 hours, and long-range wireless audio of up to 15 meters. This means you can move around the room without losing audio quality. There’s also a noise-cancelling microphone so you can chat as you play.

3. Best Cheap Wired Gaming Headphones:
SteelSeries Arctis 1

SteelSeries Arctis 1 SteelSeries Arctis 1 Buy Now On Amazon $49.99

If you prefer a budget wired headphone option, try the SteelSeries Arctis 1. You can get these in a few different versions for PC and multi-platform, or specifically for the PlayStation or Xbox. The wired headset is a bargain, offering a similar audio experience to other headsets in the more pricey Arctis range. The headphones have gaming features like a noise-cancelling microphone and comfortable ear cushions with performance fabric to prevent your ears getting too hot. The headband is reinforced with steel so they should stand up to rough handling as well.

4. Best Mid-Range Wireless Gaming Headset:
Corsair HS70

Corsair HS70 Corsair HS70 Buy Now On Amazon $69.99

If you’re willing to spend a little more, you can get more features with a headset like the Corsair HS70. These offer low-latency wireless audio and precision-tuned speaker drivers, so you don’t have to sacrifice quality audio to go wireless. There’s a removable microphone, and with 16 hours of battery life, they won’t die on you mid-game. These are among the best wireless gaming headsets for PC, so they aren’t compatible with Xbox or PlayStation.

5. Best Mid-Range Wired Gaming Headphones:
Sennheiser Game Zero

Sennheiser Game Zero Sennheiser Game Zero Buy Now On Amazon $134.40

If audio quality is more important to you than going wireless, check out the Sennheiser Game Zero headset. This mid-range offering has excellent audio clarity, and its closed cup design helps to block out any external sounds which could detract from your gaming focus. The headphones are foldable, so they’re good for traveling. They have an eye-catching design and come in a range of colors for the style-conscious. There’s also a noise-cancelling microphone with an automatic mute feature.

6. Best High-End Wireless Gaming Headphones:
Astro A50 Wireless

Astro A50 Wireless Astro A50 Wireless Buy Now On Amazon $226.98

For a high-end wireless experience, the Astro A50 Wireless are the model of choice among serious gamers. These striking cans come with a base station for easy charging, and have 7.1 surround sound alongside a precise microphone. The headphones are tuned for gaming audio, but you can tweak the settings to your heart’s content with the Astro Command Center software. If you want to beef them up even more, there’s also a mod kit available. This kit adds noise-cancelling ear cushions and a padded headband for the ultimate luxury gaming headset.

7. Best High-End Wired Gaming Headset:
SteelSeries Arctis Pro

SteelSeries Arctis Pro SteelSeries Arctis Pro Buy Now On Amazon $119.95

For those looking to go all-out on quality wired audio, the SteelSeries Arctis Pro headset is a solid choice. These premium headphones are lightweight and comfortable to wear for long periods, and they’re made from steel and aluminum alloy for strength and longevity. There’s a ChatMix Dial included which you can use to adjust the volume between gaming audio and chat audio. The microphone has exceptional voice clarity with background noise cancellation.

8. Best Wireless Gaming Headset With Long Battery Life:
HyperX Cloud Flight

HyperX Cloud Flight HyperX Cloud Flight Buy Now On Amazon $135.98

If you’re sick of your wireless headphones running out of juice mid-game, try the HyperX Cloud Flight. These can last for an impressive 30 hours of gaming at 50 percent volume, so long as you leave the RGB lighting feature turned off. That should satisfy even the most dedicated gamers. With a wireless range of up to 20 meters and a durable steel headband, they meet other essential gaming needs as well. They’re compatible with PC and PlayStation 4 but be aware that they aren’t compatible with Xbox One.

9. Most Versatile Gaming Headset:
HyperX Cloud Stinger

HyperX Cloud Stinger HyperX Cloud Stinger Buy Now On Amazon $43.98

For those who want a gaming headset that can do everything, the HyperX Cloud Stinger is a great choice. These headphones support all your devices, from PC to consoles like Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, plus mobile devices. They’re lightweight and comfortable with memory foam ears cup and solid construction. They also come with a microphone which you can swivel to automatically mute.

10. Best Headphones for Gaming and Other Tasks:
Bose QuietComfort 35 II

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Noise-Cancelling, with Alexa voice control, enabled with Bose AR - Black Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones, Noise-Cancelling, with Alexa voice control, enabled with Bose AR - Black Buy Now On Amazon $349.00

When you’re looking for headphones which you can use for listening to music as well as gaming, you should consider looking beyond the gaming headset market. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones have fantastic sound quality along with solid construction. They come with support for Google Assistant, making them ideal for use with your mobile. The clear, crisp audio lends itself to gaming just as well as listening to your favorite tunes.

If you want to know more before you buy, check out our review of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.

The Best Wireless Gaming Headset for You

These headphones will make your gaming experience more immersive without disturbing your neighbors. If you can afford it, it’s a good idea to spend a little more to buy gaming headphones which sound great and which will last. However, if you’re on a really tight budget then don’t despair—we have you covered with a round-up of the best budget gaming headsets for under $25.

Read the full article: The 10 Best Wireless Gaming Headsets in 2019

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Check for Bed Bugs in Your Hotel Room or Apartment: 8 Tips and Tools

Few things strike fear into the hearts of renters and holiday-makers like the words “bed bugs.” When you stay somewhere, you want to have a good night’s sleep.

Unfortunately, bed bugs are small, insidious, and pervasive. Your rental experience or dream vacation can quickly turn into a disaster.

Fortunately, technology has made it easier to avoid, identify, and destroy these pests. Here are the best websites and apps that will help you decide if your hotel room, Airbnb, or apartment has bed bugs.

1. How to Check for Bed Bugs

Before we run through the websites and apps, we want to do a basic rundown on the best ways to look for bed bugs.

If You’re Renting a New Apartment

• Try to find online reviews about this apartment building, to see if other renters have complained.
• Ask the rental company or landlord if there is a history of bed bugs. It’s important to do your diligence.

If You’re Booking a Hotel Room or Airbnb

• Read online reviews to see if previous guests have complained about bed bugs.
• Read up on the cancellation policies of the place you’re staying at. If you find bed bugs, you’ll need to rebook your room.

In both of these cases, but especially when entering a room with a used mattress:

• Do not put your luggage on the bed. Check for bed bugs first.
• Get a small flashlight and check the headboard, the mattress cover, and the piping of the mattress for adult or juvenile bed bugs.
• Check the mattress for tiny bloodstains. This is a sign of the bed bugs feeding.

If luck prevails, your accommodations will be clean. But what if you do find bed bugs in your hotel room or apartment? What are your options?

2. What Should I Do If I Find Bed Bugs?

We’re going to keep this section pretty short, as there’s a wealth of information and resources further down on the list. That said, there are a few basic things you should know.

If Your Hotel Has Bed Bugs

• Go to the front desk and inform the concierge. Either ask them to move you to a new room or book another room at a different hotel yourself.
• Be warned: Depending on their cancellation policy, you may or may not be charged for this room.

If Your Airbnb Has Bed Bugs

• Let your host know that there are bed bugs on the premises.
• If you read the fine print on Airbnb’s TOS, you’ll notice that you may not be able to receive a full refund on your booking if you cancel last minute. This will depend on the Airbnb cancellation policy for that specific accommodation.

If Your Apartment Has Bed Bugs

• Finding bed bugs in your apartment is both the easiest and most intractable situation on this list.
• If you’re looking for a place to rent and you haven’t signed a lease yet, you can simply say “thanks but no thanks” to the landlord, then move on.
• If you’re living in an apartment and you find bed bugs, you need to:
  • Record evidence of the infestation.
  • Immediately report the issue to your landlord.
  • Make sure pest control is called, and a date is set up to deal with the issue.
  • Follow the steps recommended by pest control to remove the infected materials from your apartment.

As you can imagine, all these steps can get expensive very quickly. On the flip side—if you’re a host—a guest bringing bed bugs onto the premises is one of the many risks Airbnb hosts might face.

This is why it’s so important to use tech-based tools ahead of time to rule out problematic buildings. Here are the websites and apps that you can use to make a more informed decision on where to stay.

3. Bed Bug TV

Bed Bug TV is a YouTube channel devoted to all things bed bugs. With new videos posted on a semi-regular basis, Bed Bug TV acts as a resource for people who learn better through visual cues.

Along with its incredibly useful videos on how to find bed bugs, they also run the website BedBug Central, where you can find additional information on how to detect and contain these small insects.

4. Bedbugger.com

Bedbugger.com is a website devoted to everything and anything on bed bugs. It has been around for a long time, as you can probably tell from its very outdated “look.”

That said, you shouldn’t judge this website by its cover. It’s a useful tool for anyone looking to get a comprehensive understanding of how to get rid of bedbugs and how to protect yourself in the future.

On the website, there are links to useful tools to get rid of bed bugs, along with a community forum of fellow sufferers.

5. The Bedbug Registry

The Bedbug Registry is an outdated website that has been around since 2006, but it’s still a useful tool if you want to get an overall idea of “does my apartment have a history of bed bugs?”

Through self-reporting by users, the registry keeps track of bed bug incidents in the US and Canada. You can either look up specific addresses to see if there have been any reports, sign up for bed bug alerts, or check out the bed bug maps.

Please Note:

• While users are still posting new alerts to this website, The Bedbug Registry website doesn’t look like it’s been updated in some time.
• There have been extended periods where the search functionality and overall website have suffered errors.
• The Bedbug Registry also doesn’t verify its reviews, as explained by its FAQ.

If you see multiple reports for bed bugs at the same location, you shouldn’t outright dismiss the report. But you should definitely check the date of the report, to see if it’s recent.

You should also double-check your sources when trying to determine the report’s veracity. The anonymity of the reporting system leaves The Bedbug Registry vulnerable to abuse from malicious actors or rival landlords.

6. TripAdvisor

We know, it seems strange to include TripAdvisor on this list! But TripAdvisor is one of the best, if not the best travel review website that you can use. It’s invaluable when looking up hotels and their issues with bed bugs.

The reviews on TripAdvisor—by and large—are strongly vetted. When you go into the comments section for a place that you want to stay at, chances are high that you can trust the information that’s there.

You can find out about the overall cleanliness of the building, along with any pest control issues that have been reported. Definitely use this website if the question “does my hotel have bed bugs” keeps you up at night.

7. BedBugs 101

BedBugs 101—run by the company Protect-a-bed—is a great little app for iOS and Android.

The app hasn’t gotten a lot of attention, but it’s a handy reference if you’re actively searching for a new apartment, signing into a hotel room, or checking into an Airbnb. The app contains a lot of easy-to-understand information on how to spot, detect, and disinfect an area with bed bugs.

The only downside to this app? Protect-a-bed is a mattress company, so they have an obvious incentive to promote their products. This might throw you off if you’re looking for an “unbiased” source of information.

Download: BedBugs 101 for Android | iOS (Free)

8. Bed Bug Field Guide

A full-fledged field guide, the simply-named “Bed Bug Field Guide” functions as a mini-encyclopedia on all things bed bugs. It’s a great tool for anyone who wants to get into the details of how to identify these insects and locate them.

Download: Bed Bug Field Guide for Android | iOS (Free)

Beware of Bed Bugs

With these apps and websites on hand—and armed with common sense—you should be able to avoid all but the most unexpected of infestations. You’ll also be well prepared for anything that may go wrong.

However, bed bugs are not the only thing you have to worry about when apartment hunting. You’ll need to actually find the apartment itself: one that has the right location and amenities.

If you’re searching for a new apartment but have had no luck, you can narrow down your search by using some of the best apartment finder websites.

Read the full article: Check for Bed Bugs in Your Hotel Room or Apartment: 8 Tips and Tools

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The Best Marvel Apps and Games for Comic Book Fans

If you’re a comic book fan who loves Marvel and love your smartphone, here are the best Marvel apps and games you need to install on your smartphone.

Marvel Comics was founded in 1939, meaning it’s been around for over 80 years. Whether you’re a longtime fan or have discovered the characters recently, this article is for you.

1. Marvel Unlimited

Avid comic book readers should already be aware of Marvel Unlimited, the Netflix for Marvel comics. By paying a small monthly fee, you’ll have access to a wide variety of comic books, from the latest Spider-Man issue to the iconic Infinity Gauntlet saga from 1991. And the best part is that they all live in your pocket.

There are also lots of new comics being added on a frequent basis, so if you somehow get tired of the 25,000+ issues available in Marvel Unlimited, there are always more on the way.

Download: Marvel Unlimited for iOS | Android (Free, subscription available)

2. MARVEL Battle Lines

MARVEL Battle Lines is an epic card game based off of your favorite Marvel heroes and villains. Captain Marvel, Dr. Doom, Thor, you name it—they’re all here and ready for battle.

In Battle Lines’ single player mode, you can embark on an adventure to protect the universe from evil and collect new cards as you go. And in online PvP, you can face off against fierce opponents using the deck you’ve built.

There are more than 300 cards to acquire, with even more being added through regular updates. We strongly recommend MARVEL Battle Lines for fans who like a good strategy game with lots of content.

Download: MARVEL Battle Lines for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases)

3. Marvel: Color Your Own

While it may seem child-like at first glance, it really isn’t. Marvel: Color Your Own is a sensational experience for people of all ages.

After a long day of stress, it’s a great way to unwind. There’s a wide gamut of brush types and colors to help you personalize your favorite Marvel heroes. And it can be a worthwhile educational experience for creative beginners looking to become more experienced when it comes to drawing on a device.

If you want to customize your favorite superhero, learn a bit about digital art, and relax a little, Marvel: Color Your Own is a great app to download.

Download: Marvel: Color Your Own for iOS (Free, subscription available)

4. Avengers: Endgame Stickers

iPhone users: If you want to add a little super-heroic pizzazz to your iMessage conversations, Marvel’s official Avengers: Endgame sticker pack has got you covered. It features a bunch of adorable stickers, including an inspired Captain America, a motivational Black Widow, and a sassy-as-always Rocket Raccoon.

And of course, when you’re feeling arrogant or cocky, a snappy mini-Thanos is at your disposal. Just be careful to not erase half the universe when using him.

Download: Avengers: Endgame Stickers for iOS ($1.99)

5. MARVEL Strike Force

MARVEL Strike Force is an awesome strategy RPG that lets you assemble a huge array of mighty superheroes and villains.

Your task in Strike Force is to form your own collective to combat an assault from another world. This time around, the good and the bad team up. Characters such as Venom, Deadpool, and Dr. Strange join you in the fight against an all-new evil.

Strike Force has six different game modes to choose from; Arena, Blitz, Raids, Alliance War, and Challenges. Unfortunately, there’s no online mode, but we’ll let this omission slide as the existing modes are lots of fun. All in all, this is a great game for Marvel die-hards.

Download: MARVEL Strike Force for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases)

6. MARVEL Puzzle Quest

If you’re a fan of Candy Crush and Bejeweled, you’re going to love Marvel Puzzle Quest.

Marvel Puzzle Quest is a unique RPG built around a simple and fun Match-3 game mechanic. As you match tiles, characters attack and perform epic special moves. Keep racking up the matches, and you’ll be victorious in no time.

But don’t get too arrogant. Whether you’re playing as Star-Lord, Loki, or Luke Cage, Puzzle Quest gets super challenging and dials up the difficulty as you move forward. Not to mention, there’s an online mode with over 15 million players, so you’re sure to find some competition.

Download: Marvel Puzzle Quest for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases)

7. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes

It’s a big download, coming in at 2GB, but it’s well worth it. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Universe In Peril features an action-packed, goofy, LEGO-ified Marvel story.

In order to stop a sinister alliance of super-villains from destroying the Earth, you must help the Avengers get through a variety of platforming stages to acquire the legendary Cosmic Bricks. But it’s not just the Avengers you can play as; there are more than 90 playable mini-figure heroes to choose from.

And if you don’t have an internet connection at hand, that won’t stop you from taking down evil. You can play LEGO Marvel Super Heroes even without Wi-Fi.

Download: LEGO Marvel Super Heroes for iOS | Android ($4.99)

8. Marvel Contest of Champions

If you’re like the Hulk, and just want to punch and destroy everything in your way, you should consider Marvel Contest of Champions.

Contest of Champions is a fierce fighting game in which the most powerful superheroes, anti-heroes, and villains in the universe face off in an intergalactic tournament. It’s easy to get the hang of the battle mechanics with its fun and intuitive touch controls.

It isn’t all about fighting, though; there’s an element of strategy. You have to collect, upgrade, and carefully manage your teams of fighters to ensure victory, whether it be in single-player or online mode.

Overall, we strongly recommend Marvel Contest of Champions for fans of brawlers like Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and Injustice.

Download: Marvel Contest of Champions for iOS | Android (Free, in-app purchases)

9. Disney+

Disney+ is Disney’s streaming video service in the same mold as Netflix and Hulu. This is the new home of Marvel movies such as Avengers: Endgame, Captain Marvel, Thor, and Iron Man 3.

Eventually, all Marvel Cinematic Universe films will be streamable from Disney+, alongside other content. Disney and Marvel are planning to release original series based on MCU characters, like Loki, WandaVision, and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

It’s safe to say that Disney+ is a must-have for anyone who calls themselves a Marvel fan.

How to Read Comic Books Online for Free

We think you’re going to love all of these apps. The mix of games, sticker packs, and puzzles are essential for all Marvel fans. And for more superhero fun, here are the best ways to read comic books online for free.

Read the full article: The Best Marvel Apps and Games for Comic Book Fans

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3 Camera Apps You Should Uninstall on iPhone 11

Apple’s iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max have made headlines since their release in September 2019. A primary reason for this buzz is the significant innovations in the iPhone 11 camera.

With the iPhone now including more features in its camera, certain iPhone camera apps may now become obsolete. These apps relied on certain shortcomings of previous iPhone cameras to capture interest.

Let’s identify three iPhone camera apps that you probably won’t need anymore after purchasing the iPhone 11. And if you’re still using an older iPhone model, these apps can help you replicate what the iPhone 11 does.

Key Capabilities of the New iPhone 11 Camera

First, let’s summarize some of the iPhone 11 camera’s standout features.

Something you’re likely to notice immediately about the design of the iPhone 11 camera is its camera bump. The reason for this is to house the third lens in the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. See our iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro comparison if you’re not familiar with the different devices yet.

Beyond the apparent design change, what do these lenses bring to your iPhone camera game?

• Triple camera system: Easily switch lenses in-between zooms while maintaining exposure and consistent image quality.
• Wider shots: The 120-degree 12MP ultra-wide lens makes it easier to increase the range of a shot.
• “Slofies”: Apple’s new term for slow-motion video selfies. It’s possible to take selfies on the move thanks to the 12MP TrueDepth front-facing camera.
• Dedicated night mode: This makes it easy to shoot in low-light conditions.
• Close to accurate picture reproduction: The new camera makes it easier to capture images with faithful color representation and an impressive dynamic range.
• Sensory intelligence: The iPhone 11 Pro camera can accurately judge lighting conditions and adjust exposures. This, in turn, boosts the shadows of images and reigns in highlights when needed.
• QuickTake: Want to take a video while capturing an image? Just position your iPhone 11 camera, click to shoot an image, and keep holding for a video.

A final exciting feature of the iPhone 11 camera is the new Deep Fusion algorithm. This is Apple’s post-processing software meant to aid with enhancing the details of images shot on the iPhone 11 camera.

This automatically activates when you open the camera app. As you frame the subject of the shot, the iPhone takes both short and long-range exposure shots. Then, when you click the shutter, the algorithm combines the images taken to form a master image. The image created has lower noise and is highly detailed.

At the time of writing, this feature is expected to become available in late 2019.

3 Camera Apps the iPhone 11 Camera Replaces

Now that Apple has brought these revolutions to phone camera technology, what does that mean for specific apps? We’ve identified a few camera apps that will be affected. by the iPhone 11’s offering.

1. VSCO

VSCO is one of the best camera apps in the App Store. Apart from its editing capabilities, the app also offers a powerful camera that’s user-friendly.

If you’ve used the app before, you know that the transition from image capture to edit on the platform is smooth. In camera mode, you have an array of icons at the bottom of the screen. These display the various controls you have over the images you take.

To unlock certain advanced features, you’ll have to upgrade to the pro level subscription. However, now that Apple will make your photos look better than ever out of the gate thanks to the Deep Fusion algorithm, VSCO might not be as necessary.

Apple’s upcoming functionality requires little to no intervention from you to determine the best setting for an image. For most people, this means paying for VSCO won’t be necessary.

Download: VSCO (Free, in-app purchases available)

2. ProCamera

For iPhone users vested in taking quality videos, the go-to camera app has been ProCamera. But with the iPhone 11 camera, ProCamera may have stiff competition.

This camera app offers you in-depth control over the videos you shoot with it. It offers features like the preset camera mode for HDR. Also, you can set the frame rate, focus, geotagging, stabilization, file format, and resolution of videos.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 11 camera has its triple camera system with HDR. This easily allows you to juggle lenses, which enhances the depth of coverage in the video. Plus, QuickTake lets you shoot a scene without having to go through the process of opening the camera app.

In low-light settings, the dedicated night mode feature removes the need for ProCamera. And as discussed, Deep Fusion will handle much of the post-processing work.

Download: ProCamera ($7.99, in-app purchases available)

3. Camera+ 2

One of the top options for fun iPhone photography apps is Camera+ 2. As soon as you launch it, you’ll notice that it’s relatively similar to the native camera app. However, unlike the native camera, you have more controls and buttons at your fingertips.

For example, with Camera+ 2, you get to set focus and exposure points. You also have access to depth capture and editing. It’s possible to adjust the amount of blur on an image and also set the focus distance. These perks offered in the Camera+ 2 are found in the iPhone 11 camera, with its broader shot capabilities as well as the sensory intelligence.

Another standout feature of the Camera+ 2 app (which previous iPhone cameras did not offer) is the different shooting modes. For those who love to engage in long-exposure photography, the lack of this on the iPhone would lead to use of Camera+ 2 app, You won’t need this now, if you have an iPhone 11.

With the new iPhone 11 camera, the QuickTake and “slofie” features are similar to the slow shutter mode of the Camera+ 2 app.

Download: Camera+ 2 ($3.99)

An Improved iPhone Photography Experience

It’s important to note that camera apps don’t exist to replace the core camera of your device. Instead, they supplement its inadequacies or enhance existing features of your phone’s camera. In the case of the iPhone 11 essentially coming with the standout characteristics of these apps already built-in, it will be fun to see how these camera app developers innovate.

To improve your photos no matter what device you have, check out iPhone camera settings everyone should master.

Read the full article: 3 Camera Apps You Should Uninstall on iPhone 11

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Foodvisor automatically tracks what you eat using deep learning

Meet Foodvisor, a startup that has built a mobile app that helps you log everything you eat in order to lose weight, follow a diet or get healthier. You can add data by capturing a photo of your plate before you eat.

“We’ve spent a little over two years doing research and development before we launched the app in 2018 in France,” co-founder and CMO Aurore Tran told me. Foodvisor has raised $1.5 million so far (€1.4 million).

The company is using deep learning to enable image recognition and detect what you’re about to eat. In addition to identifying the type of food, the app tries to estimate the weight of each item.

Foodvisor tries to evaluate the distance between your plate and your phone using camera autofocus data. It then calculates the area of each food item. The company then tries to extrapolate the volume of each item depending on the type of food.

And of course, if Foodvisor got something wrong, you can manually correct it before you log your meal. Many people give up on nutrition trackers because it’s too demanding. Foodvisor’s technology is all about making the data entry process as seamless as possible.

After that, you get a list of nutrition facts about what you just ate — calories, proteins, carbs, fats, fibers, etc. You can then set a goal, log activities and monitor your progress over time.

The startup has managed to attract 1.8 million app downloads already. It is available on iOS and Android in French, English, German and Spanish. “We have adjusted our product, we’ve enriched our database to better target the American market,” Tran said.

It offers a premium subscription for $5 to $10 per month. In addition to more analysis and diet plans, the main feature of the premium plan is that you can chat with a registered dietitian nutritionist directly in the app. It turns out that artificial intelligence can’t replace real human nutritionists altogether.

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Facebook should ban campaign ads. End the lies.

Permitting falsehood in political advertising would work if we had a model democracy, but we don’t. Not only are candidates dishonest, but voters aren’t educated, and the media isn’t objective. And now, hyperlinks turn lies into donations and donations into louder lies. The checks don’t balance. What we face is a self-reinforcing disinformation dystopia.

That’s why if Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and YouTube don’t want to be the arbiters of truth in campaign ads, they should stop selling them. If they can’t be distributed safely, they shouldn’t be distributed at all.

No one wants historically untrustworthy social networks becoming the honesty police, deciding what’s factual enough to fly. But the alternative of allowing deception to run rampant is unacceptable. Until voter-elected officials can implement reasonable policies to preserve truth in campaign ads, the tech giants should go a step further and refuse to run them.

This problem came to a head recently when Facebook formalized its policy of allowing politicians to lie in ads and refusing to send their claims to third-party fact-checkers. “We don’t believe, however, that it’s an appropriate role for us to referee political debates and prevent a politician’s speech from reaching its audience and being subject to public debate and scrutiny” Facebook’s VP of policy Nick Clegg wrote.

The Trump campaign was already running ads with false claims about Democrats trying to repeal the Second Amendment and weeks-long scams about a “midnight deadline” for a contest to win the one-millionth MAGA hat.

After the announcement, Trump’s campaign began running ads smearing potential opponent Joe Biden with widely debunked claims about his relationship with Ukraine. Facebook, YouTube and Twitter refused to remove the ad when asked by Biden.

In response to the policy, Elizabeth Warren is running ads claiming Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg endorses Trump because it’s allowing his campaign lies. She’s continued to press Facebook on the issue, asking “you can be in the disinformation-for-profit business, or you can hold yourself to some standards.”

We intentionally made a Facebook ad with false claims and submitted it to Facebook’s ad platform to see if it’d be approved. It got approved quickly and the ad is now running on Facebook. Take a look: pic.twitter.com/7NQyThWHgO

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) October 12, 2019

It’s easy to imagine campaign ads escalating into an arms race of dishonesty.

Campaigns could advertise increasingly untrue and defamatory claims about each other tied to urgent calls for donations. Once all sides are complicit in the misinformation, lying loses its stigma, becomes the status quo, and ceases to have consequences. Otherwise, whichever campaign misleads more aggressively will have an edge.

“In open democracies, voters rightly believe that, as a general rule, they should be able to judge what politicians say themselves.” Facebook’s Clegg writes.

But as is emblematic of Facebook’s past mistakes, it’s putting too much idealistic faith in society. If all voters were well educated and we weren’t surrounded by hyperpartisan media from Fox News to far-left Facebook Pages, maybe this hands-off approach might work. But in reality, juicy lies spread further than boring truths, and plenty of “news” outlets are financially incentivized to share sensationalism and whatever keeps their team in power.

Protecting the electorate should fall to legislators. But incumbents have few reasons to change the rules that got them their jobs. The FCC already has truth in advertising policies, but exempts campaign ads and a judge struck down a law mandating accuracy.

Granted, there have always been dishonest candidates, uninformed voters, and one-sided news outlets. But it’s all gotten worse. We’re in a post-truth era now where the spoils won through deceptive demagoguery are clear. Cable news and digitally native publications have turned distortion of facts into a huge business.

Most critically, targeted social network advertising combined with donation links create a perpetual misinformation machine. Politicians can target vulnerable demographics with frightening lies, then say only their financial contribution will let the candidate save them. A few clicks later and the candidate has the cash to buy more ads, amplifying more untruths and raising even more money. Without the friction of having to pick up the phone, mail a letter, or even type in a URL like TV ads request, the feedback loop is shorter and things spiral out of control.

This is why the social networks should halt sales of political campaign ads now. They’re the one set of stakeholders with flexibility and that could make a united decision. You’ll never get all the politicians and media to be honest, or the public to understand, but just a few companies could set a policy that would protect democracy from the world’s . And they could do it without having to pick sides or make questionable decisions on a case-by-case basis. Just block them all from all candidates.

Facebook wrote in response to Biden’s request to block the Trump ads that “Our approach is grounded in Facebook’s fundamental belief in free expression, respect for the democratic process, and the belief that, in mature democracies with a free press, political speech is already arguably the most scrutinized speech there is.”

But banning campaign ads would still leave room for open political expression that’s subject to public scrutiny. Social networks should continue to let politicians say what they want to their own followers, barring calls for violence. Tech giants can offer a degree of freedom of speech, just not freedom of reach. Whoever wants to listen can, but they shouldn’t be able to jam misinformation into the feeds of the unsuspecting.

If the tech giants want to stop short of completely banning campaign ads, they could introduce a format designed to minimize misinformation. Politicians could be allowed to simply promote themselves with a set of stock messages, but without the option to make claims about themselves or their opponents.

Campaign ads aren’t a huge revenue driver for social apps, nor are they a high-margin business nowadays. The Trump and Clinton campaigns spent only a combined $81 million on 2016 election ads, a fraction of Facebook’s $27 billion in revenue that year. $284 million was spent in total on 2018 midterm election ads versus Facebook’s $55 billion in revenue last year, says Tech For Campaigns. Zuckerberg even said that Facebook will lose money selling political ads because of all the moderators it hires to weed out election interference by foreign parties.

Surely, there would be some unfortunate repercussions from blocking campaign ads. New candidates in local to national elections would lose a tool for reducing the lead of incumbents, some of which have already benefited from years of advertising. Some campaign ads might be pushed “underground” where they’re not properly labeled, though the major spenders could be kept under watch.

If the social apps can still offer free expression through candidates’ own accounts, aren’t reliant on politicians’ cash to survive, won’t police specific lies in their promos, and would rather let the government regulate the situation, then they should respectfully decline to sell campaign advertising. Following the law isn’t enough until the laws adapt. This will be an ongoing issue through the 2020 election, and leaving the floodgates open is irresponsible.

If a game is dangerous, you don’t eliminate the referee. You stop playing until you can play safe.

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