21 November 2018
The Best eBay Black Friday Deals in 2018
Slated for November 23, Black Friday is best known for knock-down, drag-out fights in brick and mortar stores. That doesn’t mean you have to line up early in the morning and struggle to get the best deals. Instead, you could turn to a site like eBay and benefit from some good deals from the comfort of your own home.
In an effort to make sure you’re fully prepared for Black Friday, we’ve put together a guide to what deals to look out for on eBay. And like we’ve said in the past, there are certain things you should buy on Black Friday to make sure that you’re getting a great deal including laptops, tablets, TVs, video games and consoles, and cameras.
When to Log On?
eBay started dropping its Black Friday deals long before November 23. But as is the case with most Black Friday deals, sale items are limited in quantity so something that might have been available at the time of writing could already be out of stock.
Your best bet is to jump on eBay’s Black Friday sales page right now and see what you can find. It also appears that the deals will keep on coming long after Black Friday has come and gone.
(And if you’ve completely missed the boat and Black Friday is long over—remember—eBay actually offers year-round daily deals.)
One thing to note about the eBay deals: All discount percentages are based on the retail price. So, when you find a great deal that’s 70% off, you might very well find a similar deal from another retailer, so be sure to do a quick search to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
Laptops
If you’re in the market for a new laptop, eBay has some solid deals. Whether you’re looking for a Windows laptop, a MacBook, or a Chromebook, you’ll find brand new and refurbished options. But when selecting a laptop, be sure to ask yourself if buying a cheaper laptop model is a waste of money.
If the laptops are refurbished, you can expect the discounts to come with some cosmetic blemishes and signs of use in some of the laptops including scratches, scuffs, dents, and dead pixels. (And the bigger the discount, the more likely it’s a refurbished device.)
- Acer C720 Chromebook Refurbished: $79.95 (73% off)
- Samsung Chromebook Refurbished: $79.99 (68% off)
- Microsoft Surface (13.5″): US $899.99 (31% off)
- MacBook Air 13″ Refurbished:$379.97 (68% off)
- MacBook Pro 13”: $1,269.99 (37% off)
If you need help figuring out which laptop is right for you, consider these guides:
- How to Pick and Buy the Perfect Chromebook
- The 8 Best Lightweight Laptops in 2018
- All the Best Laptops Under $400 for Students
Tablets and eReaders
You’ll find the full range of iPads, from the iPad Mini to the iPad Pro, in all sorts of configurations including dirt-cheap first gen models, along with Samsung and Amazon Fire tablets, but no Kindles to speak of.
- Apple iPad 6th Gen: $339.99 (20% off)
- Apple iPad Pro: $424.95 (42% off)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S3: $349.99 (41% off)
If you pick up a tablet that’s great for reading books, you’ll also want to keep an eye out for the best eBook subscription services.
TV, Video, and Home Audio
Among the best deals you can find on Black Friday are the discounted TV prices. Along with TVs, eBay is also offering deals on other home entertainment products like Bluetooth and smart speakers.
- Samsung QLED TV 49″: $649 (50% off)
- Marshall Acton 50W Wireless Bluetooth Speaker: $119.99 (60% off)
- Apple HomePod: $239.99 (31% off)
- Google Chromecast 2nd Gen: $24.99 ( 50%off)
Video Games, Consoles, and Movies
Xbox consoles aren’t significantly discounted on eBay this year (at least not yet), but there are a few decent PlayStation console deals as well as Xbox and PlayStation games and accessories to choose from.
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (XBox): $47.99 (20% off)
- Fifa 19 / Madden NFL 19 (PlayStation 4): $38.99 (35% off)
- NBA 2K19 (Xbox One): $24.99 (58% off)
- PlayStation 4 Slim 1TB Console + Marvel’s Spider-Man: $324.99 (26% off)
- Microsoft Xbox LIVE 12 Month Gold Membership: $42.99 (28% off)
- Sony Dualshock 4 Wireless PS4 Controller: $39.99 (38% off)
If you’re planning on buying a PlayStation controller, you might want to pick one of the 6 best PS controllers out there, some of which are among this year’s eBay Black Friday deals.
Cameras
The cameras available on eBay are a mixed bag of DSLR bodies and bundles, as well as a few mirrorless cameras, but not as many as we’d like to see.
The Canon Rebel T6, for example, which is also one of the best cheap cameras to buy, comes as part of a bundle with two kit lenses, the 18-55 and the 75-300. Now if we’re being completely frank, these are not great lenses. The body alone will cost you around $300 anywhere else, but this set will set you back around $400 with eBay’s Black Friday deal. If you’re just getting started and don’t want to splurge on nicer lenses, this might be a good place to start.
- Canon Rebel T6: $403.98 (46% off)
- Nikon D500 kit (2 batteries & Grip Pro): $1,179.99 (70% off)
- Fujifilm X-T2: $1,252.01 (45% off)
Smartphones
Popular phone models from Apple and Samsung are available on eBay, as well as some cheaper brands like Huawei and LG.
- Apple iPhone 7 Plus 32GB (Unlocked): $389.99 (51% off)
- Apple iPhone X 64GB (Refurbished): $579.00 (35% off)
- Samsung Galaxy S9+ 64GB (Unlocked): $649.99 (35% off)
Home Appliances & Smart Home
If you’ve been thinking about bringing some smart technology into your home, or even any small home appliances, Black Friday is a great chance to do just that.
- Nest Thermostat E White: $119.99 (40% off)
- Philips Hue Smart Bulb Starter Kit: $119.99 (40% off)
- KitchenAid 3.5 Quart Stand Mixer: $199 (53% off) For even bigger savings, you can consider the refurbished 5-quart model for just $179.99.
More Black Friday Tips and Deals
eBay isn’t the only place to look for great Black Friday deals. There will be plenty of deals for gamers on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. With so many great deals to choose from, you’ll definitely want to do your homework and make sure that you are getting the best deal possible.
eBay isn’t the only site already doling out the Black Friday sales. Amazon’s 2018 Black Friday deals are live all week, as are Costco’s Black Friday TV deals and GameStop’s Black Friday sales.
Other stores like Target are offering a sneak peek into the deals you’ll get on Black Friday
There are also sites to help you find the best Black Friday ads for the year. These sites offer up all the necessary information like business hours, as well as great online deals you can get without leaving your couch.
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12 Striking Dark Wallpaper Sites That Are Perfect for Your Desktop
The computer desktop is a personal space, and so you get to do it up with your choice of wallpapers. Desktop wallpapers reveal something about our natures. The kind of mood you are in. Science says that the choice of colors affect how we think and feel. Maybe also light or the absence of it. So how do you feel about dark desktop wallpapers?
The obvious benefit of using dark backgrounds on your desktop is that all your icons and folders stand out in contrast. They make text easier to read. For instance, a dark motivational wallpaper spotlights the inspiring message scribbled on it.
So let’s look at a few high-quality free dark-themed wallpapers for your desktop.
1. Wallpapers Craft
The better wallpaper sites allow you to choose a wallpaper according to your screen resolution. They also have multiple categories for you to choose from. Wallpapers Craft could be on the shortlist. The catalog of dark wallpapers gives you 1000+ wallpapers to choose from. Sort them by the number of downloads or ratings for the best pick.
I am partial to the light, sky, stars background you see in the above screenshot.
Download: Light, Sky, Stars Wallpaper
2. Pexels
You can create your own desktop wallpapers. I suppose designing dark wallpapers is easier than most. Take a dark background and then customize it with your own motivational message or a reminder.
One of my favorite sites to go for dark backgrounds is Pexels. Take this photo of a grey shark for instance. The download button will let you pick from four resolutions or a custom one (which can warp the photo).
Download: Grey Shark Wallpaper
3. Wallpapers Wide
Come here to grab wallpapers in every category you can think of. Also available are Retina wallpapers and backgrounds for dual or triple monitor setups. Set the aspect ratio and resolution filters as you go hunting.
Download: Gothic Lion
4. Unsplash
Unsplash is another popular stock photography website. It has carved its own special place in the hearts of wallpaper hunters. The collection of dark photos I linked to is just one example of the sets you can expect to find. You can also pick from this excellent collection of black wallpapers.
Search the site with a keyword like “dark photos” or “dark desktop wallpapers” or something more specific. Every photo you find on Unsplash is licensed under Creative Commons Zero.
Download: Observing Space
5. InterfaceLIFT
The navigation and the ease with which you can find wallpapers makes one come back here. For instance, I can find a wallpaper of the exact hue and a resolution that fits my device. The site also automatically detects this resolution for you. And did I mention that this is also one of the larger wallpaper sites out there?
Download: Empire of the Lights
6. WallHaven
Go to this excellent wallpaper site and browse the “dark” tag. The treasure trove of 4000+ wallpapers covers landscapes, portraits, and fantasy art. Try this sight of a dark forest on your desktop. Does it pull you in?
Download: Dark Forest Wallpaper
7. Adorable Wallpapers
This wallpaper site has a good collection of dark wallpapers. I stumbled on to this site when hunting for high-definition Dark Knight wallpapers. Everything about this caped crusader is dark and the popularity of his movies (and film posters) ensures that people will peek over your shoulder at your display.
Download: Dark Knight Wallpapers (55 in total)
8. Psiu Puxa
You can set a real-time photo of the Earth as your desktop background. But go just a few million miles more into deep space for genuine space photos that are just right as dark desktop wallpapers.
This site brings you handpicked wallpapers from all over the universe thanks to photos sourced from NASA and other space agencies. Dig into the collection and gather a few from the darkest corners of the galaxies.
Download: Deep Space
9. HD Wallpapers
HDWallpapers.net is a huge repository of desktop wallpapers. A separate “Dark” wallpaper category isn’t on the list but you can easily find a few gems with the search box. The multiple resolutions on offer makes sure that all your devices are well-covered. Why not use a common wallpaper for all of them?
Download: Darth Vader Lighting a Cigarette
10. jmd.im
The initials belong to multidisciplinary designer Jean-Marc Denis. He has created a small but stunning wallpaper series of black images by juxtaposing space, scale, textures, shapes, camera angles, and light. You can download all of them in a single ZIP file.
Use them on your desktop or Android phone. If you like minimalist desktop setups, you will love these.
Download: Black VII
11. Wllppr
This wallpaper community site can cover your desktop, Macs, iPhones, iPads, and Android devices. Search for dark wallpapers and use the high resolution (4k and 5k) wallpapers to customize your devices. Pick the right device first with the sidebar filter first.
Download: Monochrome dune
12. DeviantArt
Type “dark wallpaper” into the DeviantArt search bar and you will be flooded with 100,000+ results to wade through. For your own sake try a more precise search on the world’s largest online art community. The downside is that you might not always get it in your resolution. The upside is that you have more than enough to choose from.
Download: Evil Wallpaper
Plenty More Dark Wallpapers to Choose From
These are just a few of the well-known wallpaper sites you can bookmark. You can beachcomb with these Google Images hacks too. It can be a great jump point to chase down the right desktop background.
A dark wallpaper or theme can squeeze more out of your battery if it’s an AMOLED (also known as OLED) display. Computer displays are usually LCD and the presence of the backlight negates any battery saving benefits. But a dark Windows theme (with a dark wallpaper included) can do its bit to reduce eye strain.
For me, the mysterious and murky look of a dark wallpaper is enough to appeal on its own. If you can find a dark wallpaper to inspire you every day, then it’s the best of all worlds.
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Deepfakes Explained: The AI That’s Making Fake Videos Too Convincing
Seeing is believing. Well, at least that was the case before we realized that people could doctor videos to propel hoaxes and rewrite history. While we’ve found ways to debunk most hoax images, there is one technological development that is gaining pace so rapidly we may soon no longer know how to tell what’s real and what’s fake.
Deepfakes change everything we thought possible in terms of doctored videos. Here’s all you need to know about them…
What Are Deepfakes?
The term deepfakes comes from a combination of the words “deep learning” and “fakes”. This is because artificial intelligence software trained in image and video synthesis creates these videos. This AI can superimpose the face of one subject (the source) onto a video of another (the target). More advanced forms of the technology can synthesize a completely new model of a person using the source’s facial gestures and images or video of the subject they wish to impersonate.
The technology can make facial models based upon limited visual data, such as one image. However, the more data the AI has to work off of the more realistic the result is.
This is why politicians and celebrities are such easy targets for deepfakes since there is so much visual data available online that the software can use. Since deepfake software is available on open-source platforms, people on the internet are continually refining and building upon the work of others.
The Origins of Deepfake AI Technology
The technology behind deepfakes was developed for a multitude of purposes. Much like Photoshop, the software has professional, entertainment, and hobbyist uses. And just like Photoshop, despite the creator having no malicious intentions in creating the software, this hasn’t stopped people from using it for malicious purposes.
Face-swapping technology was initially mainly used in the movie industry. One of the most famous instances is in the 2016 film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. In the movie, filmmakers used face-swapping and video synthesis technology to recreate the character Grand Moff Tarkin. A younger version of Princess Leia was also created in the film. In both instances, models of the original actors’ faces were superimposed onto stand-in actors.
Apps like Snapchat also use face-swapping technology to create fun filters for users. The developers behind these apps continually refine face detection and tracking to apply these filters more effectively.
Meanwhile, others have developed video synthesis tools to create holograms for educational purposes. For example, one project developed video and facial synthesis software so that the testimony of Holocaust survivors could be presented as interactive holograms at a museum.
Why Deepfakes Are Making People Nervous
When people realized that scammers and people playing hoaxes used Photoshop to create fake images, we had to become more skeptical about what we considered proof. Luckily, there were many ways to detect whether an image was fake, even with the naked eye.
In addition to this, creating a convincing doctored image in Photoshop is relatively labor-intensive. Not just anyone can slap together two images and make them look realistic.
But deepfakes are different. Machine learning makes life easier, but in this case, it makes fakery significantly easier. Firstly, the software is widely and freely available. FakeApp, for example, is a popular choice for creating deepfakes. You don’t need advanced skills to apply a face-swap, the software will do it for you.
Since AI and deep learning help create deepfakes, the tech also improves and becomes more convincing at an alarming rate. It won’t be long before these edits aren’t visible to the naked eye.
In a world rife with fake news, convincing deepfakes could prove to be a chaotic force against what we believe to be true.
The rise of deepfakes is also taking place at a time when AI voice synthesis is advancing quickly too. Not only can AI generate fake videos, but it can also generate voice models for people.
This means that you wouldn’t need an impersonator to make it sound like a politician is making an outrageous statement. You can train AI to mimic their voice instead.
The Consequences of Deepfakes
People already use deepfakes for malicious purposes. People often used FakeApp to create fake videos of celebrity actresses engaged in adult content.
Gal Gadot, Daisy Ridley, and Emma Watson are just a few of the actresses targeted by fake adult videos. These deepfakes swap actresses’ faces into videos by adult film stars.
While several platforms and certain adult websites have banned these types of videos, more appear each day. In fact, some websites specifically create deepfake celebrity adult videos based on user requests.
In most countries, no laws deal with this kind of content yet, making it difficult to control.
While we’re still some way away from the dystopia ruled by misinformation and false video evidence that we see in movies like The Running Man, we are already all too familiar with the effects of fake news.
Deepfakes can be a powerful tool in spreading misinformation. No one has been framed for a crime or faked their death using deepfakes, but what happens when it becomes difficult to tell which videos are truly real?
The consequences of deepfakes used for political purposes is two-fold. Firstly, it makes fake news much easier to spread. Videos are more likely than text or images to convince people that something fictitious actually happened.
People already believe headlines from fake websites with no evidence backing their story. Suddenly, fake stories will have “evidence” showing politicians confessing to wrongdoings or making outrageous statements.
On the other hand, deepfakes could also embolden politicians when dodging accountability. They could always easily claim that an audio or video recording is actually a deepfake.
How Are We Fighting Deepfakes?
While many tech companies are taking their time to reign in deepfakes, a variety of people are developing tools to combat malicious fake videos. AI can fight hackers and cybercrime, but it’s also useful for detecting AI tampering in videos.
The AI Foundation created a browser plugin called Reality Defender to help detect deepfake content online. Another plugin, SurfSafe, also performs similar checks. Both these tools aim to help internet users discern fact from fiction.
Fact-checking websites like Snopes also expanded to calling out doctored videos. But they don’t yet have the tools to automatically detect deepfakes.
Even the US Department of Defense invested in software to detect deepfakes. After all, what would happen if a convincing video of a world leader appeared online, declaring war or a missile launch against another country? Governments need tools to quickly verify the legitimacy of a video.
Machine Learning’s Unintended Consequences
There’s no doubt that AI technology and deep machine learning improve our lives in many ways. But the technology also has unintended consequences.
While bad data is a major hindrance to machine learning algorithms, the human element also plays a role. It’s difficult to predict how people may use certain technology for malicious purposes. You can find out more about machine learning and past mistakes in our guide to machine learning algorithms and why they go wrong.
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Chromecast vs. Roku: Which One Is Best for You?
When it comes to streaming media devices, we’re spoilt for choice. There are dozens of products vying for our attention, and in this article we’ll pitch Chromecast vs Roku.
Chromecasts are perennially popular, but they face stiff competition from some of Roku’s products. Which product is right for you depends on which features are most important to you.
Which Roku Device Should You Use?
Roku is forever tweaking its product line. In 2017, Roku launched new hardware, which was done with the goal of simplifying its lineup. However, the company’s list of gadgets has ballooned again with the reintroduction of the Roku Premiere.
Today, there are six devices that you could reasonably consider to be a direct competitor to the Chromecast. They are the Roku Express, Roku Express +, Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere +, Roku Streaming Stick, and Roku Streaming Stick +.
The only Roku product that isn’t a Chromecast competitor is the Roku Ultra. This is a set-top box rather than a dongle. As such, it will not form part of this article.
So, let’s talk about the six Roku products and contrast them to the Chromecast over a few key areas.
Chromecast vs. Roku: Cost
The cheapest of the six Roku products is the Roku Express; it costs $29. The most expensive device is the Streaming Stick +, which will set you back $59. That means there’s only $30 difference covering all six Roku dongle devices.
The standard Chromecast costs $35. That’s the same price as a Roku Express + and just $4 cheaper than the re-released Roku Premiere. A Chromecast Ultra, which adds 4K support, costs $69.
If you want to buy a Chromecast or a Roku so you can cut the cord, the narrow spread of prices means costs shouldn’t be a significant consideration. After all, the average cable bill in the US is more than $100/month; you could buy any of the models and still save money.
Chromecast vs. Roku: User Interface
The biggest difference between the Chromecasts and the various Roku products is the user interface.
Roku devices run Roku OS. There’s an on-screen interface with channels, a store, a settings menu, and search functionality.
Chromecasts do not offer an on-screen interface. They’ll simply mirror your phone, tablet, or computer screen on the TV.
You set up and manage your Chromecast via the Google Home app. Which is available on Android and iOS.
Chromecast vs. Roku: Connections
All the devices connect to your television via an HDMI port.
The only exception is the Roku Express +. In addition to HDMI connectivity, it also offers composite A/V ports. If you have an older TV that doesn’t have HDMI ports, the Express + is the only device that will work for you.
Chromecast vs. Roku: Picture Quality
Three Roku products—the Express, Express +, and Streaming Stick—only offer standard 1080p HD video. The other three devices—the Premiere, Premiere +, and Streaming Stick +—all offer 4K video and high dynamic range (HDR).
Of the two Chromecast products, only the more expensive Chromecast Ultra supports 4K.
Before you run off and buy a 4K model, stop and think. Firstly, does your TV even support 4K? It’s not yet commonplace across mid- and low-end products.
Secondly, do you actually watch 4K content? Remember, many popular streaming services will charge you more if you want to stream in 4K.
For example, the cheapest Netflix plan is $7.99/month, whereas the 4K plan is $13.99/month. And, even if you pay for 4K access, not all the shows and movies are available in 4K.
Chromecast vs. Roku: Controls
All Roku devices come with their own remote control. The three cheapest models have a simple remote; it lets you control your Roku and little else. The three premium models ship with a voice remote.
As you’d expect, the voice remote lets you search for content verbally. However, it also includes a TV power button and volume controls, meaning you can dump your TV remote and have fewer gadgets lying around.
Roku also sells more powerful remotes individually. There’s the Enhanced Voice Remote (with a headphone jack for private listening) and the Gaming Remote (which includes specific gaming buttons).
Lastly, you can download a Roku app on both Android and iOS. It lets you control your device and switch between the various Roku devices in your home easily.
In contrast, Chromecast devices are controlled entirely from your mobile device or computer. Because they cast your screen, any inputs you make locally will be reflected in what you see on your TV.
Some apps—such as Netflix—are cast-enabled. You just need to hit the in-app Cast button to start watching. Others, like Amazon Prime Video, are not cast-enabled. Luckily, there are a few workarounds that let you watch Amazon Prime Video using Chromecast.
Chromecast vs. Roku: Content
According to Roku’s literature, there are more than 500,000 channels you can install on your device.
Of course, a large percentage of these aren’t worth the time of day, but you’ll be able to find all big hitters like Spotify, Hulu, Sling, Netflix, Amazon Video, and so on.
Roku also has a near-endless collection of private channels. We’ve covered some of the best private channels on Roku, as well as how to install private channels on Roku if you would like to learn more.
Chromecast devices are different. Not all apps are Chromecast-enabled, meaning you’ll sometimes have to manually cast your entire screen. If you’re streaming from mobile, it has a negative impact on your battery life. Additionally, you won’t be able to use your phone for anything else while the casting is taking place; it might not be a suitable arrangement for you.
Furthermore, some apps won’t successfully stream even if you cast your entire screen. If they rely on Silverlight, Flash, QuickTime, or VLC, they will not work.
Chromecast vs. Roku: Additional Features
Roku devices and Chromecasts both have some extra features that might help to tip the scales, depending on what’s important to you.
The Chromecast Ultra has an ethernet port. Using it should provide a faster and smoother streaming experience. The only Roku device with an ethernet port is the Ultra, but as explained previously, we haven’t included the Ultra in this showdown.
Roku devices are Miracast-enabled. Miracast is often touted as a replacement for HDMI. It means you can mirror Android and Windows screens directly to your TV. Sadly, you will not find Miracast on Apple devices.
Lastly, since September 2018, Roku OS has supported Google Assistant. It means you can use any Google Assistant device, such as Google Home, to search for and play content on your Roku device.
Chromecast vs. Roku: And the Winner Is…
A lot of your decision will depend on which products you already have in your home, which ecosystems you are tied into, and how you plan to use your device.
Broadly speaking, if you’re looking for a platform-agnostic way to cut the cord, you should buy a Roku. Whereas if you just want to stream the occasional TV show or movie to your TV, you should buy a Chromecast instead.
To learn more about the two devices, check out our tips to get more out of your Roku and our tips to get more out of your Chromecast.
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10 Awesome Mac Apps for Students to Help You Succeed
Whether you’re starting a new school year, adjusting to another semester, or just need help getting through the rest of the year, this list of apps for Mac is just for you.
Planning, writing, studying, organizing, and focusing is much easier on your computer with the right tools. Here are the best Mac apps for students.
Plan Your Schedule, Assignments, and Homework
One of the most essential parts of a successful student life is planning. From your classes to assignments and more, these student planners will keep you organized.
1. myHomework
With myHomework, you’ll never lose track of your classes, schedule, or homework. The app gives you a clear view of your course schedule, a calendar showing what’s due when, and a homework section for all your assignments.
Create reminders and repeating tasks, color-code your classes for easy viewing, and see your student overview in one simple app. And if your professors use Teachers.io, you can connect to that for announcements and assignments.
Download: myHomework (Free, subscription available)
2. iStudiez Lite
Another great student planner is iStudiez Lite. You can view your calendar by day or week and see tasks due at a glance. The assignments section is flexible, so you can view what’s due by date, course, or priority.
The app also offers an area to set up holidays when school isn’t in session, a progress bar for your semester, and a way to connect instructors from your contacts list. You can click on a class to view dates and times plus the room number and professor. It also lets you add notes, assignments, or convert to an exam.
Download: iStudiez Lite (Free)
Create and Study With Flashcards
Flashcards are terrific study tools. These apps let you create your own flashcard decks, share them with others, or browse decks that might fit your topics.
3. PAL Flashcards
PAL is a cool flashcard app that gives you a few samples to start with, but lets you create and import your own decks as well. You can use text or images when creating your cards, which makes it handy for any course.
When it’s time to review your cards, just hit the Study button and test yourself. PAL also lets you share your flashcard decks with fellow students by sending a link. If you want a basic, easy flashcard app for Mac, this is it.
Download: PAL Flashcards (Free)
4. Flashcard Hero Lite
Flashcard Hero Lite is another great flashcard app. Create cards, decks, and topics with just a click. And if you like to be a little creative with your flashcards, the app lets you format text and use lists in your answers.
At study time, you can use the Memorize, Type, or Multiple Choice features. You can adjust the deck for a more productive study session by using your iPhone as a remote, use text-to-speech, and shuffle the cards. Flashcard Hero Lite also gives you a progress section to check out.
Download: Flashcard Hero Lite (Free, premium version available)
Write and Take Notes With Helpful Tools
Every student is familiar with writing. Make writing on your Mac easier—whether it’s papers, essays, or notes—with these tools.
5. Grammarly
You may be familiar with Grammarly due to its popular browser extensions that help you avoid spelling and grammar mistakes. But the company also offers a Mac app that does more than that. You can use it as a full writing tool with built-in spelling and grammar features.
Create a new document or import one to get started. As you work on your document, you’ll see alerts for spelling and grammar issues at the top and can click for details. You can adjust the settings to show word count and increase the font size. You can also view your performance stats and set goals. Grammarly on Mac provides a really solid writing experience that helps you avoid errors.
Download: Grammarly (Free, subscription available)
6. Bear
Another terrific writing tool on Mac is Bear. While you may think it’s just another note-taking app, there’s more to Bear than meets the eye. You can create full documents with headings, font formatting, lists, and even code for programmers.
Bear lets you change to a distraction-free experience, send or share your papers quickly, and view stats like word, character, and paragraph counts. Read time and creation/modification dates are also present. You can adjust the settings in Bear for sorting, shortcuts, fonts, lines, paragraphs, and more. We’ve compared Bear to Apple Notes if you’re interested in more.
Download: Bear (Free, subscription available)
Organize Projects and Thoughts With Mind Maps
A mind map is a handy tool for organizing your thoughts in a visual way. Maybe you have a large team project to collaborate on, an in-depth paper to write, or just need to brainstorm ideas. These mind map apps make it easy.
7. SimpleMind Lite
SimpleMind Lite is one of the easiest ways to create mind maps. The interface is intuitive with a nice toolbar at the top. Add your nodes, use custom colors or palettes, and adjust the style. You can choose from a variety of styles like bright colors, chart, grayscale, and colors on black to get started.
The app gives you zoom and print options, clipboard features, freeform or horizontal layouts, and a distraction-free mind mapping feature.
Download: SimpleMind Lite (Free) | SimpleMind ($30)
8. Junkyard
If you like to work with an outline view in addition to the visual map, check out Junkyard. Open up the sidebar and start creating your map with a click. You can pick from various font styles and colors, and adjust the alignment and layout easily.
When you want to see your outline, just click its button in the sidebar. You can even export and print your outline, which is great for a written view of your assignment or project. Junkyard does display an ad at the bottom of the window, but unlike similar apps, you receive all features for free. You can remove the ad via in-app purchase.
Download: Junkyard (Free)
Stay Focused and Take Breaks
Whether you’re studying or writing an essay, staying focused is key to completing your task. But breaks are important to your mental health as well. These focus timers help you try the Pomodoro technique on your Mac.
9. Be Focused
A focus timer should be super simple, and Be Focused is just that. Click to open the app, which pops into your menu bar. Then click once more to start the timer at its default of 25 minutes.
If you want to track specific tasks, you can add those and use the timer for each. This is a great way to see which subjects or assignments you’re spending the most time on. The app includes settings for your work, long and short break intervals, sounds and notifications, and handy shortcuts.
Download: Be Focused (Free)
10. Red Hot Timer
Another excellent focus timer option is Red Hot Timer. When you open the app, just type in the amount of time you want and the timer starts. The display shows a large digital countdown clock, which you can customize to include four different timers.
Other handy features include a menu bar icon, automatic starts and tops, various notification sounds, a Do Not Disturb mode, multiple notification options, and task shortcuts.
Download: Red Hot Timer (Free)
Your Student Life, Simplified by Useful Apps
It’s never too early or too late to get your computer prepared for school. Your life as a student can be a bit easier with the right tools to help you out with planning, organizing, focusing, and more.
We also have you covered with Chrome extensions for students and apps every student needs on their iOS device.
Read the full article: 10 Awesome Mac Apps for Students to Help You Succeed
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Facebook appeals UK data watchdog’s £500k Cambridge Analytica fine
Facebook has said it will appeal against a £500,000 penalty issued by the UK’s data watchdog this summer following a lengthy investigation into the Cambridge Analytica data misuse scandal.
Facebook told the regulator an estimated one million UK users were among the 87M of its users whose private data was harvested by Dr. Aleksandr Kogan and his company Global Science Research — which passed the data to the now defunct political consultancy, Cambridge Analytica.
In July, the ICO announced it intended to fine Facebook the maximum possible amount under the UK’s old data protection regime — saying it was “clear” the company had contravened the law “by failing to keep users data safe” when its systems allowed Kogan’s app to scrape Facebook user data.
It confirmed the penalty a month ago, with commissioner Elizabeth Denham saying then: “Facebook failed to sufficiently protect the privacy of its users before, during and after the unlawful processing of this data. A company of its size and expertise should have known better and it should have done better.”
Although the text of its October decision includes the admission that the ICO had not found evidence that any UK Facebook users’ data had actually been passed to Kogan.
“Facebook has asserted that the only individuals whose personal data was used in this way [shared by Kogan with third parties including Cambridge Analytica] were US residents,” it writes on this, before adding that even if Facebook’s assertion is correct some US residents would also have been UK users “from time to time” (e.g. if visiting the UK) — and thus would fall under its remit.
It also pointed to “serious risk” to UK users’ data being material to its decision, writing: “Dr. Kogan and/or GSR were put in a position where they were effectively at liberty (if they so chose) to use the personal data of UK residents for such purposes, or to share such data with persons or companies who would use it for such purposes.”
On that basis, Facebook appears to be resting its appeal against the ICO decision on its own assertion to the ICO that there’s no evidence of UK users’ data being used.
Commenting on its decision to appeal against the ICO’s fine in a statement, Anna Benckert, its EMEA VP & associate general counsel, said:
We have said before that we wish we had done more to investigate claims about Cambridge Analytica in 2015. We made major changes to our platform back then and have also significantly restricted the information app developers can access. And we are investigating all historic apps that had access to large amounts of information before we changed our platform policies in 2014.
The ICO’s investigation stemmed from concerns that UK citizens’ data may have been impacted by Cambridge Analytica, yet they now have confirmed that they have found no evidence to suggest that information of Facebook users in the UK was ever shared by Dr Kogan with Cambridge Analytica, or used by its affiliates in the Brexit referendum.
Therefore, the core of the ICO’s argument no longer relates to the events involving Cambridge Analytica. Instead, their reasoning challenges some of the basic principles of how people should be allowed to share information online, with implications which go far beyond just Facebook, which is why we have chosen to appeal.
For example, under ICO’s theory people should not be allowed to forward an email or message without having agreement from each person on the original thread. These are things done by millions of people every day on services across the internet, which is why we believe the ICO’s decision raises important questions of principle for everyone online which should be considered by an impartial court based on all the relevant evidence.
We’ve reached out to the ICO for comment. Update: An ICO spokesperson said: “Any organisation issued with a monetary penalty notice by the Information Commissioner has the right to appeal the decision to the First-tier Tribunal. The progression of any appeal is a matter for the tribunal. We have not yet been notified by the Tribunal that an appeal has been received.”
Last month Denham explained the decision to impose the maximum penalty on Facebook by saying: “We considered these contraventions to be so serious we imposed the maximum penalty under the previous legislation. The fine would inevitably have been significantly higher under the GDPR. One of our main motivations for taking enforcement action is to drive meaningful change in how organizations handle people’s personal data.”
This summer her office issued its first ever enforcement notice under the new GDPR data protection regime against Canadian data firm AIQ, which had supplied software and services to the disgraced Cambridge Analytica.
But last month the ICO issued a narrower enforcement notice, replacing the earlier notice, after AIQ appealed.
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Affetto is the wild boy head robot of your nightmares
Affetto is a robot that can smile at you while it pierces your soul with its endless, dead state. Created by researchers at Osaka University, this crazy baby-head robot can mimic human emotions by scrunching up its nose, smiling, and even closing its eyes and frowning. Put it all together and you get a nightmare from which there is no sane awakening!
“Android robot faces have persisted in being a black box problem: they have been implemented but have only been judged in vague and general terms,” study first author Hisashi Ishihara says. “Our precise findings will let us effectively control android facial movements to introduce more nuanced expressions, such as smiling and frowning.”
We last saw Affetto in action in 2011 when it was even more frightening than it is now. The researchers have at least added some skin and hair to this cyberdemon, allowing us the briefest moment of solace as we stare into Affetto’s dead eyes and hope it doesn’t gum us to death. Ain’t the future grand?
The goal, obviously, is to lull humans into a state of calm as the rest of Affetto’s body, spiked and bladed, can whir them to pieces. The researchers write:
A trio of researchers at Osaka University has now found a method for identifying and quantitatively evaluating facial movements on their android robot child head. Named Affetto, the android’s first-generation model was reported in a 2011 publication. The researchers have now found a system to make the second-generation Affetto more expressive. Their findings offer a path for androids to express greater ranges of emotion, and ultimately have deeper interaction with humans.
The researchers investigated 116 different facial points on Affetto to measure its three-dimensional movement. Facial points were underpinned by so-called deformation units. Each unit comprises a set of mechanisms that create a distinctive facial contortion, such as lowering or raising of part of a lip or eyelid. Measurements from these were then subjected to a mathematical model to quantify their surface motion patterns.
Pro tip: Just slap one of these on your Roomba and send it around the house. The kids will love it and the cat will probably die of a heart attack.
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CVCompiler is an robot that fixes your resume to make you more competitive
Machine learning is everywhere now, including recruiting. Take CVCompiler, a new product by Andrew Stetsenko and Alexandra Dosii. This web app uses machine learning to analyze and repair your technical resume, allowing you too shine to recruiters at Google, Yahoo, and Facebook.
The founders are marketing and HR experts who have a combined fifteen years experience in making recruiting smarter. Stetsenko founded Relocate.me and GlossaryTech while Dosii worked at a number of marketing firms before settling on CVCompiler.
The app essentially checks your resume and tells you what to fix and where to submit it. It’s been completely bootstrapped thus far and they’re working on new and improved machine-learning algorithms while maintaining a library of common CV fixes.
“There are lots of online resume analysis tools, but these services are too generic, meaning they can be used by multiple professionals and the results are poor and very general. After the feedback is received, users are often forced to buy some extra services,” said Stetsenko. “In contrast, the CV Compiler is designed exclusively for tech professionals. The online review technology scans for keywords from the world of programming and how they are used in the resume, relative to the best practices in the industry.”
The product was born out of Stetsenko’s work at GlossaryTech, a Chrome extension that helps users understand tech terms. He used a great deal of natural language processing and keyword taxonomy in that product and, in turn, moved some of that to his CV service.
“We found that many job applications were being rejected without even an interview, because of the resumes. Apparently, 10 seconds is long enough for a recruiter to eliminate many candidates,” he said.
The service is live now and the team expects the corpus of information to grow and improve over time. Until then, why not let a machine-learning robot tell you what you’re doing wrong in trying to get a job? That is, before it replaces you completely.
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Facebook failed to stop a child bride being auctioned on its platform
Facebook failed to prevent its platform being used to auction a 16-year-old girl off for marriage in South Sudan.
Child early and forced marriage (CEFM) is the most commonly reported form of gender-based violence in South Sudan, according to a recent Plan International report on the myriad risks for adolescent girls living in the war-torn region.
Now it seems girls in that part of the world have to worry about social media too.
Vice reported on the story in detail yesterday, noting that Facebook took down the auction post but not until after the girl had already been married off — and more than two weeks after the family first announced the attention to sell the child via its platform, on October 25.
Facebook said it first learned about the auction post on November 9, after which it says it took it down within 24 hours. It’s not clear how many hours out of the 24 it took Facebook to take the decision to remove the post.
A multimillionaire businessman from South Sudan’s capital city reportedly won the auction after offering a record ‘price’ — of 530 cows, three Land Cruiser V8 cars and $10,000 — to marry the child, Nyalong Ngong Deng Jalang.
Plan International told Vice it’s the first known incident of Facebook being used to auction a child bride.
“It is really concerning because, as it was such a lucrative transaction and it attracted so much attention, we are worried that this could act as an incentive for others to follow suit,” the development organization told Vice.
A different human rights NGO posted a screengrab of the deleted auction post to Twitter, writing: “Despite various appeals made by human rights group, a 16 year old girl child became a victim to an online marriage auction post, which was not taken down by Facebook in South Sudan.”
We asked Facebook to explain how it failed to act in time to prevent the auction and it sent us the following statement, attributed to a spokesperson:
Any form of human trafficking — whether posts, pages, ads or groups is not allowed on Facebook. We removed the post and permanently disabled the account belonging to the person who posted this to Facebook. We’re always improving the methods we use to identify content that breaks our policies, including doubling our safety and security team to more than 30,000 and investing in technology.
The more than two week delay between the auction post going live and the auction post being removed by Facebook raises serious questions about its claims to have made substantial investments in improving its moderation processes.
Human rights groups had directly tried to flag the post to Facebook. The auction had also reportedly attracted heavy local media attention. Yet it still failed to notice and act until weeks later — by which time it was too late because the girl had been sold and married off.
Facebook does not release country-level data about its platform so it’s not clear how many users it has in the South Sudan region.
Nor does it offer a breakdown of the locations of the circa 15,000 people it employs or contracts to carry out content review duties across its global content platform (which has 2BN+ users).
Facebook admits that the content reviewers it uses do not speak every language in the world where its platform is used. Nor do they even speak every language that’s widely used in the world. So it’s highly unlikely it has any reviewers at all with a strong grasp of the indigenous languages spoken in the South Sudan region.
We asked Facebook how many moderators it employs who speak any of the languages in the South Sudan region (which is multilingual). A spokeswoman was unable to provide an immediate answer.
The upshot of Facebook carrying out retrospective content moderation from afar, relying on a tiny number of reviewers (relative to its total users), is that the company is failing to respond to human rights risks as it should.
Facebook has not established on-the-ground teams across its international business with the necessary linguistic and cultural sensitivities to be able to respond directly, or even quickly, to risks being created by its platform in every market where it operates. (A large proportion of its reviewers are sited in Germany — which passed a social media hate speech law a year ago.)
AI is not going to fix that very hard problem either — not in any human time-scale. And in the meanwhile Facebook is letting actual humans take the strain.
But two weeks to notice and takedown a child bride auction is not the kind of metric any business wants to be measured by.
It’s increasingly clear that Facebook’s failure to invest adequately across its international business to oversee and manage the human rights impacts of its technology tools can have a very high cost indeed.
In South Sudan a lack of adequate oversight has resulted in its platform being repurposed as the equivalent of a high-tech slave market.
Facebook also continues to be on the hook for serious failings in Myanmar, where its platform has been blamed for spreading hate speech and accelerating ethnic violence.
You don’t have to look far to see other human rights abuses being aided and abetted by access to unchecked social media tools.
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Google’s News Initiative heads to APAC with grants of up to $300K for media orgs
Google is expanding its efforts to support media to Asia Pacific after the search giant brought its Google News Initiative to the region.
Known as GNI, the program is designed to “help quality journalism thrive in the digital age” by providing grants (i.e. cash without equity) to media organizations that are judged to have potential. The initiative started life in Europe in 2015 with a $170 million fund; a $300 million U.S-based incarnation went live earlier this year. It has also extended to YouTube after GNI set aside $25 million and pledged to work with media figures to combat fake news and develop new features.
For Asia Pacific, Google isn’t saying precisely how large the kitty is, but it is promising grants of “up to” $300,000 for publishers developing new and innovative business models and revenue streams.
“We are inviting proposals for projects aimed at increasing revenue from readers, including subscriptions, membership programs, contributions and/or new digital products and services. A panel of Googlers and other tech industry executives will review the submissions and fund selected projects up to $300,000 and finance up to 70 percent of the total project cost,” Kate Beddoe, Google’s head of news and publishing partnerships, wrote in a blog post.
A company spokesperson told TechCrunch that the grants will be staggered. Success applicants will be provided with their grant in tranches in exchange for sharing their experiences with the wider community, for example, as materials published online or at events. That information exchange is aimed at helping media within Asia Pacific to learn from each another and more generally share sustainability ideas and war stories.
The fund was announced today but it won’t kick off until 2019.
Those wanting to submit applications can do so at the dedicated website (here) from November 28 until January 9. Google said it’ll provide additional details on December 11 when it will host an “APAC town hall at its Singapore office — the live stream for that is here.
Google isn’t the only one backing media across APAC through grants. Blockchain media startup Civil recently announced a $1 million fund for Asia, although it remains to be seen if that will go ahead since the company canceled its ICO after failing to hit its $8 million minimum target.
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Valve Discontinues Steam Link: How to Get One While You Still Can
Valve’s Steam Link is one of the coolest little pieces of tech that almost no one purchased. It’s a device that lets PC gamers stream their games from a computer to a TV over a local network. According to people who actually bought the device, it did a fantastic job of making games playable with minimal latency.
What Happened to the Steam Link?
In spite of the quality and low cost of the device, the Steam Link never seemed to catch on. Perhaps PC gamers were too concerned with having any latency to feel comfortable relying on it to play their games.
At times, Valve even discounted the Steam Link to as low as $2.50, which was an absolute steal for the $50 gadget.
To put it simply, if you’re even remotely interested in getting a Steam Link for your home, now is the time to buy, as Valve has said that “physical Steam Link hardware devices is sold out in Europe and almost sold out in the US.”
If you’re worried about the the longevity of the devices, Valve says that it “intends to continue supporting the existing Steam Link hardware as well as distribution of the software versions of Steam Link, available for many leading smart phones, tablets and televisions.”
The Steam Link isn’t completely gone, though. The name lives on through the Steam Link app, which offers similar streaming functionality without the need for physical hardware. Instead, it just streams to the devices you already own, such as your smartphone or tablet.
Where to Buy a Steam Link
Right now, it looks like most retailers are out of the Steam Link. For example, Amazon only has them listed from third-party sellers for $119. However, you can get it directly from the Steam Store for $49.99, but Valve estimates that it will take 4-8 days for you to receive your device once you place your order.
If you’re interested in getting a Steam Link with a Steam Controller, Valve is offering the bundle for 10% off right now. Either way, if you want one, you’re going to want to jump on it, because they’re sure to run out soon.
Read the full article: Valve Discontinues Steam Link: How to Get One While You Still Can
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Internal Facebook memo sees outgoing VP of comms Schrage take blame for hiring Definers
TechCrunch has obtained an internal memo published by Facebook’s outgoing head of public policy Elliot Schrage in which he blames himself for hiring PR firm Definers. He admits to having the company push negative narratives about competitors, but says Facebook did not ask or pay Definers to publish fake news. COO Sheryl Sandberg left a comment on the memo, saying it was never Facebook’s intention to play into anti-semitic theories about George Soros.
The memo includes a Q&A regarding points raised by a New York Times article detailing how Definers worked to spread negative publicity about Google and other tech giants to make Facebook look better, and that the firm’s employees also published biased articles bashing Facebook’s competitors and critics through a news site called NTK Network that’s affiliated with Definers.
In the memo, Schrage justifies the use of opposition research, and chastizes Facebook employees for allowing internal finger pointing surrounding its troubled past two years to become public. He also notes that his replacement, Facebook’s new head of global policy and former UK deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg will be reviewing its work with all political consultants, which could turn up more skeletons.
Facebook’s former head of policy and comms Elliot Schrage (left)
Schrage announced in June that he’d be stepping down in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, but would stay on to help find a replacement. Many have asked who, if anyone, would be fired for putting Facebook in cahoots with Definers. As TechCrunch previously reported, Schrage was atop the chain of command here. Given his extensive experience in public policy, was likely well aware of the nature of Definers’ work. Schrage taking the blame provides a convenient solution to the issue, as he’s already on his way out.
“Responsibility for these decisions rests with leadership of the Communications team. That’s me. Mark and Sheryl relied on me to manage this without controversy” Schrage writes. “I knew and approved of the decision to hire Definers and similar firms. I should have known of the decision to expand their mandate . . . I’m sorry I let you all down. I regret my own failure here.” This explanation serves to protect Zuckerberg and Sandberg from additional blame, even as Sandberg strives to show she’s not passing the buck by noting “I want to be clear that I oversee our Comms team and take full responsibility for their work and the PR firms who work with us.”
Schrage’s defense of his bosses provides additional cover for Zuckerberg’s comments from a CNN interview that ran tonight in which he said he won’t step down as Facebook’s chairman and hopes to continue working alongside Sandberg for decades to come. The memo could have been aimed at quieting internal unrest about Facebook’s chief lobbyist Joel Kaplan. His ties to the GOP, support for Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and involvement with Facebook’s latest PR troubles had led some employees to question his employment. Now Facebook has someone else to take the heat.
Schrage is effectively jumping on the grenade here.
The memo and comment can be found below:
Internal Facebook Memo By Elliot Schrage
Many of you have raised questions about our relationship with the Definers consulting firm. We’ve been looking into this and though it is close to a holiday for many of you I wanted to share an update on what we’ve learned and where things stand:
Why did we hire Definers?
We hired Definers in 2017 as part of our efforts to diversify our DC advisors after the election. Like many companies, we needed to broaden our outreach. We also faced growing pressure from competitors in tech, telcos and media companies that want government to regulate us.
This pressure became particularly acute in September 2017 after we released details of Russian interference on our service. We hired firms associated with both Republicans and Democrats — Definers was one of the Republican-affiliated firms.
What did we ask them to do and what did they do?
While we’re continuing to review our relationship with Definers, we know the following: We asked Definers to do what public relations firms typically do to support a company — sending us press clippings, conducting research, writing messaging documents, and reaching out to reporters.
Some of this work is being characterized as opposition research, but I believe it would be irresponsible and unprofessional for us not to understand the backgrounds and potential conflicts of interest of our critics. This work can be used internally to inform our messaging and where appropriate it can be shared with reporters. This work is also useful to help respond to unfair claims where Facebook has been singled out for criticism, and to positively distinguish us from competitors.
As the pressure on Facebook built throughout the year, the Communications team used Definers more and more. At Sheryl’s request, we’re going through all the work they did, but we have learned that as the engagement expanded, more people worked with them on more projects and the relationship was less centrally managed.
Did we ask them to do work on George Soros?
Yes. In January 2018, investor and philanthropist George Soros attacked Facebook in a speech at Davos, calling us a “menace to society.” We had not heard such criticism from him before and wanted to determine if he had any financial motivation. Definers researched this using public information.
Later, when the “Freedom from Facebook” campaign emerged as a so-called grassroots coalition, the team asked Definers to help understand the groups behind them. They learned that George Soros was funding several of the coalition members. They prepared documents and distributed these to the press to show that this was not simply a spontaneous grassroots movement.
Did we ask them to do work on our competitors?
Yes. As I indicated above, Definers helped us respond to unfair claims where Facebook was been [sic] singled out for criticism. They also helped positively distinguish us from competitors.
Did we ask them to distribute or create fake news?
No.
Who knew about this work, and who signed off on it?
Responsibility for these decisions rests with leadership of the Communications team. That’s me. Mark and Sheryl relied on me to manage this without controversy.
I knew and approved of the decision to hire Definers and similar firms. I should have known of the decision to expand their mandate. Over the past decade, I built a management system that relies on the teams to escalate issues if they are uncomfortable about any project, the value it will provide or the risks that it creates. That system failed here and I’m sorry I let you all down. I regret my own failure here.
Why have we stopped working with them?
Mark has asked us to reevaluate how we work with communications consultants. It’s not about Definers. It is about us, not them.
Mark has made clear that because Facebook is a mission driven company, he wants to hold us to a higher standard. He is uncomfortable relying on any outside firm to make decisions about how to make our case about our mission, policies, competitors and critics until he can become comfortable with our management, oversight and escalation.
Where are we now?
Many people across the company feel uncomfortable finding out about this work. Many people on the Communications team feel under attack from the press and even from their colleagues. I’m deeply disappointed that so much internal discussion and finger pointing has become public. This is a serious threat to our culture and ability to work together in difficult times.
Our culture has long been to move fast and take risks. Many times we have moved too quickly and we always learn and keep trying to do our best. This will be no exception.
What happens next?
Our legal team continues to review our work with Definers to understand what happened. Mark and Sheryl have also asked Nick Clegg to review all our work with communications consultants and propose principles and management processes to guide the team’s work going forward. We all want to ensure that we, our advisors and consultants better reflect Facebook’s values and culture.
Comment On The Memo From Sheryl Sandberg
Thank you for sharing this, Elliot.
I want to be clear that I oversee our Comms team and take full responsibility for their work and the PR firms who work with us. I truly believe we have a world class Comms team and I want to acknowledge the enormous pressure the team has faced over the past year.When I read the story in New York Times last week, I didn’t remember a firm called Definers. I asked our team to look into the work Definers did for us and to double-check whether anything had crossed my desk. Some of their work was incorporated into materials presented to me and I received a small number of emails where Definers was referenced.
I also want to emphasize that it was never anyone’s intention to play into an anti-Semitic narrative against Mr. Soros or anyone else. Being Jewish is a core part of who I am and our company stands firmly against hate. The idea that our work has been interpreted as anti-Semitic is abhorrent to me — and deeply personal.
I know this has been a distraction at a time when you’re all working hard to close out the year — and I am sorry. As I said at the All Hands, I believe so deeply in the work we do and feel so grateful to all of you for doing so much every day. Thanksgiving seems like the right time to say a big thank you once again.
Additional reporting by Taylor Hatmaker
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Zuckerberg won’t step down as Facebook chairman
In a short but amply-hyped interview with CNN, Facebook’s founder and chief executive again responded to criticism over the company’s most recent crisis.
The interview, excerpted from a longer Q&A for a CNN series called “Human Code,” hit most of the main questions that critics have raised about Facebook’s failings and Zuckerberg’s unilateral control over the company.
While we didn’t learn much new, we do know the company’s latest posture about a few leadership issues, the first of which being if Sheryl Sandberg remains secure in her position as COO.
“Sheryl is a really important part of this company… She’s been an important partner with me for 10 years,” Zuckerberg told CNN. “I’m really proud of the work we’ve done together and I hope that we work together for decades to come.”
That answers that, for now anyway.
The second big leadership issue: Will Zuckerberg retain all of the control he currently exercises as the chairman of Facebook’s board? Last week during a press call, Zuckerberg told reporters that he won’t be stepping down in that capacity and “[he doesn’t] think that that specific proposal is the right way to go.” Still, that was early days for this particular self-made internal crisis.
When asked again today if he plans to step down as chairman in the midst of his company’s latest crisis, Zuckerberg answered firmly enough to put that question to rest for now.
“That’s not the plan… I’m not currently thinking that that makes sense,” Zuckerberg told CNN.
The scandal over Facebook’s relationship with a GOP crisis communications group known for its opposition research is far from the first time critics have called for Zuckerberg to relinquish some of his power at the company. Due to the nature of its shareholding structure, he commands the majority of voting power within the company he founded. With no mechanism through which he could be deposed, Zuckerberg again makes it clear that he is one and the same with the company he founded — and that he won’t be going anywhere or yielding any of his control any time soon.
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