06 November 2019

Tinder’s interactive video series ‘Swipe Night’ is going international next year


Tinder’s big experiment with interactive content — the recently launched in-app series called Swipe Night — was a success. According to Tinder parent company Match during its Q3 earnings this week, “millions” of Tinder users tuned into to watch the show’s episodes during its run in October, and this drove double-digit increases in both matches and messages. As a result, Match confirmed its plans to launch Tinder’s new show outside the U.S. in early 2020. 

Swipe Night’s launch was something of a departure for the dating app, whose primary focus has been on connecting users for dating and other more casual affairs.

The new series presented users with something else to do in the Tinder app beyond just swiping on potential matches. Instead, you swiped on a story.

Presented in a “choose-your-own-adventure” style format that’s been popularized by Netflix, YouTube, and others, Swipe Night asked users to make decisions to advance a narrative that followed a group of friends in an “apocalyptic adventure.”

Swipe Night ChoiceThe moral and practical choices you made during Swipe Night would then be shown on your profile as a conversation starter, or as just another signal as to whether or not a match was right for you. After all, they say that the best relationships come from those who share common values, not necessarily common interests. And Swipe Night helped to uncover aspects to someone’s personality that a profile would not — like whether you’d cover for a friend who cheated, or tell your other friend who was the one being cheated on?

The 5-minute long episodes ran every Sunday night in October from 6 PM to midnight.

Though early reports on Tinder’s plans had somewhat dramatically described Swipe Night as Tinder’s launch into streaming video, it’s more accurate to call Swipe Night an engagement booster for an app that many people often find themselves needing a break from. Specifically, it could help Tinder to address issues around declines in open rates or sessions per user — metrics that often hide behind what otherwise looks like steady growth. (Tinder, for example, added another 437,000 subscribers in the quarter, leading to 5.7 million average subscribers in Q3).

Ahead of earnings, there were already signs that Swipe Night was succeeding in its efforts to boost engagement.

Tinder said in late October that matches on its app jumped 26% compared to a typical Sunday night, and messages increased 12%.

On Tinder’s earnings call with investors, Match presented some updated metrics. The company said Swipe Night led to a 20% to 25% increase in “likes” and a 30% increase in matches. And the elevated conversation levels that resulted from user participation continued for days after each episode aired. Also importantly, the series helped boost female engagement in the app.

“This really extended our appeal and resonated with Gen Z users,” said Match CEO Mandy Ginsberg. “This effort demonstrates the kind of creativity and team we have a tender and the kind of that we’re willing to make.”

Swipe Night

The company says it will make Season 1 of Swipe Night (a hint there’s more to come) available soon as an on-demand experience, and will roll out the product to international markets early next year.

Swipe Night isn’t the only video product Match Group has in the works. In other Match-owned dating apps, Plenty of Fish and Twoo, the company is starting to test live streaming broadcasts. But these are created by the app’s users, not as a polished, professional product from the company itself.

Match had reported better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter, with earnings of 51 cents per share — above analysts’ expectations for earnings of 42 cents per share. Match’s revenue was $541 million, in line with Wall St.’s expectations.

But its fourth-quarter guidance came in lower than expectations ($545M-$555M, below the projected $559.3M), sending the stock dropping. Match said it would have to take on about $10 million in expenses related to it being spun out from parent company IAC.

 

 


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Tinder’s interactive video series ‘Swipe Night’ is going international next year


Tinder’s big experiment with interactive content — the recently launched in-app series called Swipe Night — was a success. According to Tinder parent company Match during its Q3 earnings this week, “millions” of Tinder users tuned into to watch the show’s episodes during its run in October, and this drove double-digit increases in both matches and messages. As a result, Match confirmed its plans to launch Tinder’s new show outside the U.S. in early 2020. 

Swipe Night’s launch was something of a departure for the dating app, whose primary focus has been on connecting users for dating and other more casual affairs.

The new series presented users with something else to do in the Tinder app beyond just swiping on potential matches. Instead, you swiped on a story.

Presented in a “choose-your-own-adventure” style format that’s been popularized by Netflix, YouTube, and others, Swipe Night asked users to make decisions to advance a narrative that followed a group of friends in an “apocalyptic adventure.”

Swipe Night ChoiceThe moral and practical choices you made during Swipe Night would then be shown on your profile as a conversation starter, or as just another signal as to whether or not a match was right for you. After all, they say that the best relationships come from those who share common values, not necessarily common interests. And Swipe Night helped to uncover aspects to someone’s personality that a profile would not — like whether you’d cover for a friend who cheated, or tell your other friend who was the one being cheated on?

The 5-minute long episodes ran every Sunday night in October from 6 PM to midnight.

Though early reports on Tinder’s plans had somewhat dramatically described Swipe Night as Tinder’s launch into streaming video, it’s more accurate to call Swipe Night an engagement booster for an app that many people often find themselves needing a break from. Specifically, it could help Tinder to address issues around declines in open rates or sessions per user — metrics that often hide behind what otherwise looks like steady growth. (Tinder, for example, added another 437,000 subscribers in the quarter, leading to 5.7 million average subscribers in Q3).

Ahead of earnings, there were already signs that Swipe Night was succeeding in its efforts to boost engagement.

Tinder said in late October that matches on its app jumped 26% compared to a typical Sunday night, and messages increased 12%.

On Tinder’s earnings call with investors, Match presented some updated metrics. The company said Swipe Night led to a 20% to 25% increase in “likes” and a 30% increase in matches. And the elevated conversation levels that resulted from user participation continued for days after each episode aired. Also importantly, the series helped boost female engagement in the app.

“This really extended our appeal and resonated with Gen Z users,” said Match CEO Mandy Ginsberg. “This effort demonstrates the kind of creativity and team we have a tender and the kind of that we’re willing to make.”

Swipe Night

The company says it will make Season 1 of Swipe Night (a hint there’s more to come) available soon as an on-demand experience, and will roll out the product to international markets early next year.

Swipe Night isn’t the only video product Match Group has in the works. In other Match-owned dating apps, Plenty of Fish and Twoo, the company is starting to test live streaming broadcasts. But these are created by the app’s users, not as a polished, professional product from the company itself.

Match had reported better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter, with earnings of 51 cents per share — above analysts’ expectations for earnings of 42 cents per share. Match’s revenue was $541 million, in line with Wall St.’s expectations.

But its fourth-quarter guidance came in lower than expectations ($545M-$555M, below the projected $559.3M), sending the stock dropping. Match said it would have to take on about $10 million in expenses related to it being spun out from parent company IAC.

 

 


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Google enlists mobile security firms to rid Google Play of bad Android apps


Google has partnered with mobile security firms ESET, Lookout and Zimperium to combat the scourge of malicious Android apps that have snuck into the Google Play app store.

The announcement came Wednesday, with each company confirming their part in the newly created App Defense Alliance. Google said it’s working with the companies to “stop bad apps before they reach users’ devices.”

The search giant has struggled to fight against malicious apps in recent years. Although apps are screened for malware and other malicious components before apps are allowed into Google Play, the search and mobile giant has been accused of not doing enough to weed out malicious apps before they make it to users’ devices.

Google said earlier this year that just 0.04% of all Android apps downloaded from Google Play were considered potentially harmful apps — or about 30 million potentially malicious apps.

Yet, it remains an ongoing problem.

ESET, Lookout, and Zimperium have all contributed to the discovery — and eventual takedown — of hundreds of malicious apps on Google Play in recent years.

But each time Google takes down a suspicious or malicious app from Google Play, the thousands or millions of users with the app installed on their phone remain vulnerable. The apps are not removed from devices, continuing to put users at risk.

By integrating its Google Play Protect technology, which serves as Android’s built-in antimalware engine, with each of its partners’ scanning engines, the collective effort will help to better screen apps before they are approved for users to download.

Google said that knowledge sharing and industry collaboration are “important” to combat rising mobile app threats.


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Our immigration conversation is broken -- here's how to have a better one | Paul A. Kramer

Our immigration conversation is broken -- here's how to have a better one | Paul A. Kramer

How did the US immigration debate get to be so divisive? In this informative talk, historian and writer Paul A. Kramer shows how an "insider vs. outsider" framing has come to dominate the way people in the US talk about immigration -- and suggests a set of new questions that could reshape the conversation around whose life, rights and thriving matters.

Click the above link to download the TED talk.

How Do You Fix a Windows 10 Laptop With a Wrong Battery Percentage


windows10-battery-percentage

It’s not uncommon for a Windows 10 laptop to display the wrong battery information. This could be a fault with the battery hardware or the Windows software. We’ll show you how to fix it and get it to display the right battery charge level.

If you’ve ever found yourself with a laptop unexpectedly shutting down, even when you seemingly had enough battery left, this will help you fix the problem.

Laptop Batteries Don’t Last Forever

Not every laptop battery is created equal. A laptop battery has a set capacity, determined by the milliamp-hour (mAH). Simply put, the higher the mAH value, the more power the battery can hold. It’s common for more expensive laptops to have better batteries, but check your manufacturer’s specifications if you’re unsure.

laptop power management

The amount of time that your laptop will stay on without requiring more charge depends on how you use the laptop. Having the screen at full brightness, watching videos, and running lots of programs are all things that will drain the battery quicker.

There’s also debate around whether removing a laptop battery increases its life.

That said, no matter how lightly you use your laptop, the total capacity of the battery will always decrease over time. Every battery has a specific number of charge and recharge cycles. They also get affected by environmental factors like heat. Of course, no battery will last as long as it did when you bought the laptop. Typically, you’ll notice a reduction in battery run time after 18 to 24 months.

You can use battery health tools to get a better understanding of how your battery is fairing.

Battery Time Remaining Is a Prediction

Before you read the steps below to try to sort out the battery reading provided by Windows, you should understand how it’s calculated because it might not off the mark, to begin with.

The battery time estimate provided by Windows is an estimate. It’s based upon what your laptop is currently doing and assumes it will continue doing that.

If you are watching a video, or playing a game, or doing something intensive like that, Windows won’t estimate many hours remaining.

Laptop battery charge levels

However, if you stop playing the game, decrease screen brightness, and only open a Word document, the number of hours left on the battery will shoot up.

The figure can also change without you actively doing anything, like if a program is installing updates in the background.

So, if the remaining hour count jumps around a lot, that might be normal. But if your laptop suddenly turns off at 30 percent charge, there’s a problem.

Calibrate Your Laptop Battery

If your laptop battery meter is displaying an incorrect figure, the most likely way to solve it is by calibrating the battery. This is where you run the battery down from a full charge to empty and then back up again.

This process won’t give your battery more power or increase its life, but will instead allow Windows to provide an accurate reading.

1. Adjust Your Power Plan

Windows 10 Power Plans

  1. To start, right click the battery icon in the taskbar. Click Power Options, then click Change when the computer sleeps from the left menu.
  2. Take note of your existing settings here because you will need to put them back later. Change all the dropdowns to Never and click Save changes.
  3. Click Change advanced power settings. Expand Battery, then expand Critical battery level. Take note of the current percentage for later. Click the On battery percentage and set it as low as possible.
  4. Expand Critical battery action and ensure that On battery is set to Hibernate. If it isn’t, click to change it.
  5. Once done, click OK to save the changes.

2. Charge Your Laptop

Plug your laptop in and charge the battery to 100 percent. You can still use your laptop when doing this.

When it gets to 100 percent, stop using the laptop and wait a couple of hours. You want the battery to cool down. It’ll also account for any extra charging that might need to happen if the 100 percent reading is inaccurate.

3. Unplug Your Laptop

Take your laptop off charge and let the battery drain. Again, you can use your laptop during this time. You need to wait until the laptop completely runs out of power and turns off. When it has, let it rest for a couple of hours.

4. Charge Your Laptop Again

Plug the laptop back into power and charge the battery to 100 percent. Go back into the Windows power plan settings, following the previous instructions, and set everything back to how it was. (Or adjust them to something new, if you want.)

The battery percentage provided by Windows should now be accurate. If it isn’t, try the other steps below.

Reinstall Battery Drivers

Your battery drivers might be missing or corrupted and therefore causing an incorrect percentage reading. Let’s reinstall them.

Press Windows key + X and click Device Manager. Expand Batteries and you should see Microsoft AC Adapter and Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery.

Windows 10 Device Manager battery drivers

Right click on Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery and click Uninstall device. Wait for this to complete.

Once done, from the top menu, click Action > Scan for hardware changes. This will reinstall the driver. Restart your computer when it’s finished.

Update Windows

Check for updates in Windows 10

You should always keep Windows up to date to keep your system protected and to benefit from the latest features.

The issue with Windows being outdated is that the battery percentage that is displayed when you hover the taskbar icon, versus the percentage that shows when you click it, is one percent different.

To ensure your laptop is running the latest version of Windows, press Windows key + I to open Settings, click Update & Security, and click Check for updates. Any available updates will automatically download and install.

Optimize Your Battery Life

Hopefully, this has helped you understand your Windows laptop battery reading and fix it if necessary.

If your laptop battery is getting old and not providing much juice, you should check out our guide on how to optimize Windows 10 for battery life.

Read the full article: How Do You Fix a Windows 10 Laptop With a Wrong Battery Percentage


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The 7 Best Office Gadgets to Aid Your Creativity


office-gadgets-creativity

It doesn’t matter what profession you’re in, everyone suffers from a creative slowdown from time-to-time. If you’re struggling to see the way forward in whatever project you’re working on, one solution is to fill your office space things that’ll help to get your creative juices flowing.

Want to learn more? Keep reading. We’re going to round up seven of the best office gadgets to aid creativity.

1. Hidrate Spark 3

Hidrate Spark 3 Hidrate Spark 3 Buy Now On Amazon $59.95

Drinking plenty of water has numerous benefits from a creativity standpoint. Endless studies have shown that it can reduce tiredness, improve your mood, sharpen your focus, increase your memory span, aid your memory recall, help you think more clearly, and a whole lot more.

So, why do so few of us drink the recommended amount of water in a day? One way to stay on top of your intake is to use the Hidrate Spark 3. It will track your consumption in an app, issue alerts if you fall behind, sync with other activity trackers you own, and light up to remind you that it’s time to take a sip.

2. SMY Blue Light Therapy Energy Lamp

SMY Blue Light Therapy Energy Lamp SMY Blue Light Therapy Energy Lamp Buy Now On Amazon $53.99

Another criminally underappreciated aspect of creativity is lighting. A study by the US National Library of Medicine found that people who worked in places that were devoid of natural light suffered from lower quality sleep and higher instances of depression, anxiety, and even delirium. A second study jointly published by Microsoft and Cornell University found that exposure to blue light boosted creativity.

So, why not use those two facts to your advantage? The SMY Blue Light Therapy Energy Lamp mimics a bright, sunny day with a 10,000-lux output. There are two levels of brightness and an automatic shutoff timer.

3. DRAGONN Ergonomic Kneeling Chair

DRAGONN Ergonomic Kneeling Chair DRAGONN Ergonomic Kneeling Chair Buy Now On Amazon $119.98

We all know that sitting in a bad position is terrible for our posture. But did you know it can also indirectly hinder your creativity?

A paper from the University of Nevada showed that if you sit hunched over, you are limiting the ability of your thorax and rib cage to expand during breathing. In turn, that decreases the amount of oxygen in the lungs and your bloodstream. Less oxygen in the blood impairs your focus and reduces productivity and creativity.

So, why not try the DRAGONN Ergonomic Kneeling Chair? It has a tilted seat that promotes a better back posture, improves abdominal strength, and distributes your body weight across your buttocks and legs.

4. Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace

Creativity, Inc by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace Creativity, Inc by Ed Catmull and Amy Wallace Buy Now On Amazon $20.99

Creativity, Inc was published in 2014 and quickly became a bestseller. Written by the former president of Pixar, Edwin Catmull, it details the creative processes within Disney that led to some of the company’s most popular animations of recent times, including The Incredibles, Toy Story, Cars, Ratatouille, Finding Nemo, and Wall-E.

The book ostensibly focuses on the movie industry. However, its real strength is in detailing how creativity can be grown and engendered within any workplace. If you want to be creative in life, the book is a must-read. It is available in paperback, hardback, Kindle, and audiobook formats.

5. BBabe Desktop Waterfall Fountain

BBabe Desktop Waterfall Fountain BBabe Desktop Waterfall Fountain Buy Now On Amazon $33.59

In turns out that it’s not just drinking water that can boost your creativity. In his book Blue Mind, author Wallace J. Nichols argued that merely being close to water can help to unblock your brain.

Here’s how The Washington Post described the book in its review:

‘Blue Mind’ is a fascinating study of the emotional, behavioral, psychological and physical connections that keep humans so enchanted with water. Nichols examines seas and oceans, lakes and rivers, even swimming pools and the contents of our bathtubs. The study is both highly readable and rooted in real research. Nichols draws on science and art, hard data and anecdote, and plenty of experience, to explain our blue mind in detail.

Therefore, the second water-themed item on our list is the BBabe Desktop Waterfall Fountain. It has four levels, built-in LED accent lights, and a quiet pump that won’t irritate your colleagues. Best of all, the fountain measures just 10 x 9 x 7 inches, so it will fit comfortably on your desk.

6. Guardian Technologies True HEPA Filter

Guardian Technologies True HEPA Filter Guardian Technologies True HEPA Filter Buy Now On Amazon $79.99

Another proven aspect of being more creative is to make sure you’re breathing clean air. Ideally, that means getting out into the world of nature for a lengthy walk every day. Sadly, however, most bosses are unlikely to be receptive to your idea of disappearing into the wilderness for several hours on company time.

Instead, you can try to use the Guardian Technologies True HEPA Filter to keep the air in your working area as fresh as possible. It’s a three-in-one air purifier that can remove 99 percent of germs, dust, pet hair, mold spores, and other allergens. It kills germs using a UV C light, odors are removed with active charcoal, and larger particles go through the changeable filter. It can work effectively in rooms up to 167 square feet.

7. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones Buy Now On Amazon $349.00

Offices can be noisy places. Gossiping coworkers, whirring printers, droning air conditioning systems, ringing telephones—there are far too many distractions for you to be able to maintain your focus and concentration for any serious length of time.

And all that noise is a drag on your creativity. A study by a biologist at Duke University found that silence is vital for the health of your brain. It helps cell development in the hippocampus. That’s the part of your brain that’s responsible for consolidating both short- and long-term memory, as well as managing your senses.

So, how can you shut out all that office noise? One solution could be to invest in a pair of high-quality noise-canceling headphones, such as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. Not only will they filter out the sound, but they are also Alexa-enabled and can pair with your existing devices via Bluetooth.

If you want to know more about the headphones, make sure to check out our review of the Bose QuietComfort 35 II.

The Best Gadgets for Creativity

There’s not one single thing that can magically turn you into a creative powerhouse. But if you add some of the devices we’ve discussed in this list to your workspace, you’re sure to see some notable improvements.

If you’d like more tips about how to become more creative, check out the best gadgets that every creative person needs to carry at all times.

Read the full article: The 7 Best Office Gadgets to Aid Your Creativity


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Essential Facebook Etiquette: 10 Do’s and Don’ts


facebook-etiquette

Facebook has more than 1 billion users. They use it to connect with friends, share life events, and/or read interesting content. It is a huge platform that has its own set of rules.

Some of these rules are official, while others are unwritten. A kind of Facebook etiquette. And in this article we list the essential Facebook do’s and don’ts you should be following.

The Facebook Etiquette Do’s

Here are the things that are considered appropriate on Facebook.

1. Do Accept Requests From People You Know

Facebook etiquette - Friend requests

It’s best not to accept friend requests from strangers but if you get a request from an old school friend or your aunt Betty, it’s considered appropriate to accept it. It’s also OK to find old classmates and colleagues and send them friend requests on Facebook.

Facebook helps you achieve this by showing you people you may know. These people generally share some mutual friends with you. Or they could be from the same city, school, or workplace as you.

2. Do Acknowledge Others’ Posts and Comments

If you have posted a selfie and people are complimenting you on your new hairstyle, it’s considered polite to reply to them. You’ll see a reply link below their comment. Click on it and start typing your reply.

Similarly, when someone on your friends list shares any good or bad news, do acknowledge it by using the appropriate Facebook reaction and adding a suitable comment.

3. Do Have a Healthy Discussion

If someone from your Facebook friends list posts something and you have an opinion on it, you can have a healthy discussion about it. However, if it turns into an argument, it’s best to leave it at that rather than ruin your friendship over it.

Even if you do have an argument with someone, don’t impulsively remove them from your friends list. You can just ignore them instead. Here’s how to politely ignore someone on Facebook.

Keep in mind that even if it’s an online discussion, you are talking to real people. It’s a good idea to keep your tone polite and respectful at all times.

4. Do Evaluate the Genuineness of Something Sharing

Facebook etiquette - Fake News
Image Credit: rawpixel/Pixabay

There are always fake news stories doing the rounds on Facebook. You might think sharing something could be beneficial to your friends, but it’s important to check its accuracy before sharing it.

Avoid spreading rumors and hoaxes. Content that becomes viral quickly has the potential to mislead others. Always do a quick Google search to find out if the content you’re sharing is accurate.

5. Do Ask for Permission Before You Tag Someone

If you go out with friends and then choose to post their photos on Facebook, be sure to ask permission before you tag them in them.

Don’t share unflattering photos of your friends, as they can get upset by this. The golden rule is to treat your friends as like you’d want them to treat you.

The Facebook Etiquette Don’ts

Here are some things you shouldn’t do on Facebook.

1. Don’t Send Friend Requests to Everyone

If you had a brief conversation with someone and sent them a friend request, they might not be ready to add you. Be sure to only send friend requests to people you actually know.

If you often send friend requests to people because you found someone’s comment on a page and agreed with them, they will probably turn you down. They might also mark it as spam, and if you get reported too often, you can get banned from Facebook.

2. Don’t Post Inappropriate Photos

Facebook etiquette - private chat group

Facebook has rules about the images you can post on its platform. For example, it will not accept nudity or sexually suggestive photos. Even if a photo doesn’t break Facebook’s rules, be sure to consider the people in your friends list.

If your 13-year-old niece is on Facebook, you might want to reconsider posting about crazy parties where you passed out on the floor. If you really want to share such photos with your close friends, create a private chat on Facebook and share them there.

To create a private chat, open the Facebook Messenger app, tap on the Pen icon in the top-right corner to create a new message and simply start typing the names of your close friends in the To field.

3. Don’t Overshare

Each social media platform has its own sharing etiquette. While it’s acceptable to post hundreds of posts in a day on Twitter, Facebook doesn’t work that way. People generally share interesting stories or vacation photos on their Facebook pages.

Also, make sure you don’t share too many personal details on Facebook. If you’re going through a breakup, it’s not appropriate to share all of the gory details on social media.

4. Don’t Post Something You Won’t Tell Anyone in Real Life

Bragging about something illegal will not just make you look bad, it can also land you in legal trouble. If you drink and drive, you shouldn’t be posting about it on Facebook. Not only will it reveal you to be a law breaker, someone could report you to the authorities.

Also, there are certain things you should never share on social media such as your private or confidential information. Even if you think it’s shared only with your friends, that data can be read by someone with malicious intent. Don’t take a chance. Facebook privacy policies keep changing and it’s always best to stay safe.

5. Don’t Bully Others

Bullying isn’t just nasty, it can also be illegal depending on the context. Don’t make offensive comments over someone’s gender, race, or sexual orientation on Facebook. It’s important to understand that a few words written by you can harm others in a big way.

Research has shown that cyberbullying can lead to self-harm and suicidal behavior in young people. It’s a serious offense that can land you in legal trouble. Be polite and respectful on Facebook.

Facebook Is Pretty Much Like Real Life

When it comes to posting on Facebook, just assume it’s like real-life. So, before you post something on Facebook, stop and think if you would say or do that in real life. While it’s good to be yourself and to reflect your personality, it shouldn’t come at the expense of others.

There are many ways to improve your Facebook experience and the above mentioned Facebook etiquette tips will make it all the more fun for you and your friends.

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Spotify for Kids, Chromebook Parental Controls, Increase iPhone Storage


kids-chromebook

Want to know more about the Spotify Kids app, how to keep your children safe online using a Chromebook, or find more space on your iPhone or iPad? The Really Useful Podcast is here to help you with these points and more.

Hosts Christian Cawley and Gavin Phillips walk you through everything you want to know from the HBO Max launch to finding SimCity-like browser games, managing RAM on Android, and even some recommendations for YouTube channels.

Really Useful Podcast Season 4 Episode 10 Shownotes

Check these shownotes for links to everything we discuss in this week’s show:

Your rating or brief review on iTunes can help us reach more listeners. Or, you can share the Really Useful Podcast via email and social media. We’re available wherever you can listen to podcasts, including:

See you next week!

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San Francisco smokes Juul’s hopes by voting to keep e-cigarette ban


Voters in San Francisco have resoundingly rejected an attempt to overturn a citywide ban on e-cigarettes by a margin of around 80:20.

Reporting on the count in the Bay Area, CBS SF says at least 78 per cent of voters rejected the ballot measure, known as Proposition C.

The measure had been heavily back by e-cigarette maker Juuluntil just over a month ago. It is reported to have spent at least $10M promoting the attempt to flip the ban, before withdrawing its support at the end of September as part of a company-wider review under new CEO, K.C. Crosthwaite, that’s also seen between 10-15% of its workforce lay off.

The 2017-founded company, which has raised some $14.4BN in funding to date per Crunchbase, has faced trenchant criticism over the level of youth usage of its products.

In a statement responding to the Prop C vote, San Francisco city attorney Dennis Herrera attacks Juul — dubbing the company “Big Tobacco” — and writing: “San Francisco voters are too smart to be fooled by Juul. Juul is Big Tobacco, and it’s using a classic ploy from the Big Tobacco playbook to try and hook another generation of kids on nicotine. Voters saw right through Juul’s deception. San Francisco already has the toughest e-cigarette regulations in the nation. By law, e-cigarettes must undergo FDA review to ensure they are safe for public health. Complete FDA review and you can sell your product here. If you don’t, you can’t. It’s that simple.”

We’ve reached out to Juul for comment.

In October Juul announced it would stop selling mango, creme, fruit and cucumber flavored nicotine products in the US, while continuing to sell the flavors elsewhere. But it did not commit to permanently giving up on selling flavored nicotine products — in the US or anywhere.

Vaping generally has also been under a growing cloud of suspicion after a number of e-cigarette users died from an acute lung condition which appears related to the process of chemicals being vaporized and inhaled — and potentially to devices being used to vape THC.

Third party sellers hawk unofficial cartridges for e-cigarette devices such as Juul’s which can contain the psychoactive compound found in marijuana, along with other unknown substances. But studies have also shown that even popular e-cigarette brands don’t know exactly what chemicals are produced when the substances contained in their cartridges are vaporized.

“If the FDA can’t verify that these products are safe, then they don’t belong on store shelves,” added Herrera in the statement. “The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that we are in the midst of a youth vaping epidemic. Juul spent millions trying to mislead San Franciscans and rewrite the rules to benefit itself before realizing that was a fool’s errand. It could have put that time and effort into completing the required FDA review. If Juul had done that the day Supervisor Shamann Walton and I introduced our e-cigarette legislation back in March, Juul would have had its answer from the FDA by now. Perhaps FDA review is a test that Juul is afraid it can’t pass.”

Last month a lawsuit filed by a former Juul executive alleged the company knew that a batch of contaminated e-liquid had been used in about one million pods shipped to retailers earlier this year but did not inform customers.


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Google Launches a Rewards Program for Android Users


Google has launched Google Play Points, a rewards program for Android users. Google Play Points lets you earn points by using Google Play. You can earn points in a number of different ways, and then use those points for a myriad of different rewards.

In September 2018, Google debuted Google Play Points in Japan. Then, in April 2019, it launched in South Korea too. Google claims that millions of people have joined the program, and that success has moved the company to launch Play Points in the US.

How Google Play Points Works

Google announced Google Play Points in a post on The Keyword. The company states that Play Points is a way of rewarding the 2 billion people in 190 countries who now use Google Play. Which suggests it’s looking to expand Play Points worldwide.

Google Play Points is free to join, with no fees involved whatsoever. Once you’ve joined, you’ll earn points on everything you buy with Google Play and by downloading featured free apps and games. There will also be weekly points events to earn more points.

There are four levels to Google Play Points: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The more points you earn, the higher your level. And the higher your level, the more perks (such as weekly prizes) you’ll receive. This is designed to keep you engaged.

Once you’ve starting earning points, you can redeem them for a range of things. This includes in-app items like characters and gems, plus Google Play Credit which you can then use to rent a movie, buy an audiobook, or whatever else takes your fancy.

How to Join Google Play Points

To join Google Play Points, open the Play Store app on your Android device. Tap the hamburger menu in the top-left corner, and click Play Points. And that’s it. You can then start earning points as you use Google Play for your apps, games, and subscriptions.

Google Play Points is a fantastic idea. It rewards Android users just for using Google Play, which the majority do already. Now, you just need to know what to download, so with that in mind here are the best Android apps on the Google Play Store.

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You Can Now Try Microsoft Office for Mobile


Microsoft has released a new, unified Office app for mobile. Office brings together the core Microsoft Office apps of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint into one app. And it’s now available to try for free in public preview on both Android and iOS.

Microsoft Starts Taking Mobile Seriously

Microsoft is synonymous with PCs. This is because Windows is by far the most popular desktop operating system. And Microsoft’s failure to compete with Android and iOS in the mobile sector only solidified that connection.

However, in recent years, Microsoft has made a concerted effort to become more mobile-friendly. The company now happily releases apps for Android and iOS, including mobile versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. And now it’s combining all three.

Microsoft Launches an Office app on Mobile

Microsoft launched the Office mobile app in a post on the Office Apps Blog. The company bills Office as “a new vision for how people get work done on a phone” and “a new app that’s ambitious enough to simply be called Office.”

Office for mobile has been built with mobile users in mind at all times. So it’s optimized for use on mobile devices, with Microsoft “combining the existing Word, Excel, and PowerPoint mobile apps into a single app.”

Anyone who has already used any of these Office apps will recognize them immediately. It’s just that Microsoft has squeezed them into a single app. This means you get to enjoy an integrated experience, while also gaining some mobile-centric features.

Combining its existing apps into one “brings all of your Office documents together in one place, reduces the need to switch between multiple apps, and significantly reduces the amount of space used on your phone compared to multiple installed apps.”

How to Try Microsoft Office on Your Smartphone

To try the Office for mobile app on Android, simply visit this page and follow the instructions. Unfortunately, due to Apple limiting public previews to 10,000 users, iOS users who haven’t already downloaded Office will now have to wait until its full release.

For an app still only in public preview, the new Office app is looking good. And it’s only likely to get better. However, many people would still prefer to use an alternative to Microsoft Office. So here are the best free Microsoft Office alternatives.

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The Best Email Apps for Your iPhone You Must Try


block-emails-iphone

Email apps, whether for business or pleasure, are one of those tools that most people are particular about.

Does it have the features you need, plus extras you’ll appreciate? Is it free or affordable? Does it sync across devices? And for a mobile email app on your iPhone, you definitely want one that’s easy to use, too.

From someone who has tried dozens of email apps for iPhone, we’ve picked the ones that stand out above the others and explained why. So if you’re looking for the best email app for iPhone, check out these five terrific options (in no particular order).

Essential Features in an iPhone Email App

Most email apps will provide the basic features you need to send and receive messages, as well as get notifications. Here is a list of those features that we look for in an email client and that each of the ones on our list provides:

  • Alerts, notifications, and badge icons
  • File and photo attachments
  • Available for both iPhone and iPad
  • Free with optional in-app purchases

1. Spark

The Spark email app is a definite favorite in this category. It offers an attractive design, threaded messages, multiple email accounts, a built-in calendar, and color-coding for your accounts.

Spark’s standout features include:

  • Smart Inbox: View a summary of all new messages from each of your email accounts.
  • Delegation: Assign emails for others to take an action on.
  • Snooze: Snooze messages to a later date or time and receive an alert when the time comes.
  • Reminders: Set a reminder for an email so you don’t forget to follow up.
  • Quick Replies: Tap to reply with a smile, a thank you, that you agree, or your own custom Quick Reply.

This isn’t the end of the list of features for Spark either. You can also create signatures for all accounts, set up and use email templates, use a passkey lock, sync with your other devices, and much more.

Download: Spark (Free, subscription available)

2. Airmail

Airmail is an excellent iPhone email app that integrates with storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox, along with productivity apps like Evernote and Todoist. The app gives you a long list of actions you can take on emails that makes inbox management a breeze.

Below are some of Airmail’s standout features:

  • Advanced email actions: Beyond moving, applying labels, and muting or blocking, you can create PDFs, unsubscribe, move to another account, and send to Reminders or Calendar.
  • Custom actions: Create actions for simplified workflows.
  • To Do: Start a list of tasks right from your emails using the built-in To Do list feature.
  • VIP list: Add email senders to your VIP list.
  • Password-protection: Set up a password and choose the amount of time before the app prompts you for it.

With a nice array of features that make taking action on your emails easy, Airmail is a good option for any serious mail user on iOS. If you’re interested in multiple accounts, snooze, send later, and premium support, check out the Airmail subscription options.

Download: Airmail (Free, subscription available)

3. Polymail

For a powerful email app that’s similar in features to Spark, take the time to check out Polymail. You can set up multiple email accounts, enable two-factor authentication, and enjoy a host of other features.

Have a look at some of Polymail’s coolest features:

  • Customizable swipe actions: Create four actions (rather than the standard two) when you swipe emails in your message list.
  • Read later: Mark emails to read later for any date and time that works best for you.
  • Send later: Schedule emails you compose to be sent at a certain date and time.
  • Block senders: Tap to block an email sender or follow the unsubscribe link right from your inbox.
  • Reminders: Create reminders when sending emails to follow up if you don’t receive a reply.

And that’s not all! You can automatically send emails to the Archive after you read them, view an Activity Feed, create and apply labels, and much more. Polymail is a terrific, full-featured email app for iPhone.

Download: Polymail (Free, subscription available)

4. ProtonMail

If security is your number0-one concern in an email app, then ProtonMail is the app for you. With its end-to-end encryption and zero access to your data, you’ll love the other secure features ProtonMail offers.

Here’s a summary of how ProtonMail stands out:

  • Password-protect emails: Secure an email you’re sending with a password and include a hint for the recipient.
  • Self-destructing messages: Set a time limit on the email so that it disappears after a certain number of days and/or hours.
  • Protection: Enable Touch ID and/or a PIN. Plus, you can set an automatic lock for the app after a specified number of minutes.
  • Contacts: Create and manage contacts and groups from within the app.
  • Swipe actions: Use the swipe actions you want for messages in your inbox.

With ProtonMail, you can rest assured that your messages and data are safe and secure. If you’re interested in upgrading your account, you can opt for a subscription and receive additional storage space and send more messages per day.

Download: ProtonMail (Free, subscription available)

5. Canary Mail

Another security-centered email app to check out is Canary Mail. Similar to ProtonMail, Canary Mail offers end-to-end encryption. Along with its dedication to safety, you’ll enjoy the ability to use multiple email accounts and a built-in calendar.

In particular, Canary Mail offers:

  • Pin emails: Keep important messages at the top of your list by pinning them.
  • Draw messages: Use a stylus or your finger to scribble in your emails.
  • Favorites: Mark people as favorites and then access them in one spot.
  • Customizable actions: Set up swipe and thread actions to take care of emails quickly.
  • Snooze: Snooze emails for a date and time you pick to follow up.

To go with these great features, you can also sync across devices, protect access to the app, create signatures for all accounts, and request read receipts. Canary Mail is worth a look as another solid email app that concentrates on security.

Download: Canary Mail (Free, subscription available)

The Best iPhone Mail Apps Worth Trying

Each of these iPhone email apps is excellent in its own way. Of course, pretty much every mail app has the basic features you need. So it’s those extra bonus features that will turn an email app like one of these into your favorite.

For more choices, check out iPhone email apps to help better organize your inbox.

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4 Free Morse Code Software and Apps to Send Coded Messages


Morse code was once a revolutionary form of communication, as it allowed people to transmit messages electrically over long distances. While it’s fallen out of favor due to modern technology, you’ll still find cool Morse code software to make use of it in the 21st century.

Let’s take a look at some Morse software you can use to transmit messages and have fun with Morse code.

1. Morse Typing Trainer: Learn Morse Code

Chances are that you don’t know Morse code by heart. It’s easy enough to find a key or flowchart online to translate the code, but you might be interested in fully learning it on your own.

If that’s the case, check out Google’s Morse Typing Trainer tool. Google released it alongside support for Morse Code in its Gboard keyboard for Android and iOS. This is primarily intended as an accessibility tool for people who have difficulty typing on a standard keyboard, but anyone can use it to send Morse code from their keyboard.

This tool uses visual aids to help you associate each letter in Morse code with its dots and dashes. For example, for the letter “B,” which is represented by “. – – -” in Morse code, it shows a banjo with a dot in the middle and three dashes going up the neck.

Google Learn Morse Code

You can access a demo of the service on your desktop, but it’s intended for use on your phone using Gboard.

Download: Gboard for Android | iOS (Free)

Using Morse Code on Gboard for Android

First, download Gboard if it’s not already on your phone. To open the app’s settings, select a text field to bring up your keyboard. If another keyboard appears, tap the Keyboard icon in the bottom-right corner and switch to Gboard.

Next, hit the arrow at the top of the keyboard to show a list of icons. Select the three-dot Menu button to show more items, then tap the Gear icon to open Settings.

From here, select Languages and tap the existing English (US) entry. Scroll all the way to the right and select Morse code. Below this you can change a variety of settings; tap Done to add the Morse code keyboard.

To switch between the standard keyboard and Morse code, tap the Globe icon in Gboard.

Using Morse Code on Gboard for iPhone

Download Gboard from the App Store if you don’t have it yet, then open the app from your home screen. Once you’re here, select Languages, then Add language. Scroll down to the bottom and select Morse Code – English for whatever region you prefer.

Now Morse code is added to your keyboard. To switch to it, tap the Globe icon in Gboard. You’re then ready to type in Morse code on your iOS device.

2. Morse Code Translator: Translate Morse Code and English

Morse Code Translator

If you don’t want to commit to learning Morse code, you can still use tools like the Morse Code Translator to send and receive Morse code on your computer.

This site lets you enter a message in English to see the equivalent in Morse code. It also supports showing the English output for Morse code characters. Once you’ve typed out a message, you can hit Play to hear the code. Check the Light box to also show corresponding flashes.

It’s also easy to share your Morse code with others. Click the Save button to download a copy of the audio in WAV format. Or use the Send button to create a unique URL that you can send to friends. When they open it, they’ll hear the message, see flashes, and watch the English characters appear in real-time.

This site has several other resources related to Morse code, including a virtual keyer, text guide to the characters, and information on message timing.

3. Morsecode.me: Communicate With Others in Morse Code

Morsecodeme Morse Code Chat

One of the coolest online Morse code programs, morsecode.me allows you to join chatrooms and talk to other people in Morse code. As people type, you’ll hear the corresponding sounds and see the text appear in real-time.

The service offers several channels depending on your proficiency level. The default is channel 1 for beginners, while more experienced users can switch to a different channel using the top menu.

Give it a try if you’re confident enough in your Morse code skills to communicate back and forth. There’s a key on the right side to help you out, but the site mentions that this is for people who know Morse code. Thus, you should take care to be respectful and not clog up the chat.

4. Morse Decoder: Listen to Encoded Messages

Morse Code Decoder

Years ago, we covered a free Morse code decoder software called CwGet. It’s still around, but it’s fairly clunky and only available for Windows. You can achieve the same effect with Morse Decoder, which is made by the same person as the Morse Code Translator service mentioned above.

This service lets you either upload an audio file containing Morse code or listen to audio from your computer’s microphone. It will display the characters in the message as it detects them. You can also see a basic graph of the input below.

If you wanted, you could use this tool to send secret messages to your friends in Morse code. However, you’ll need to encrypt them in some way, as anyone who has access to the raw audio can easily decode the Morse code text using a service like this. You might hide the Morse code file as a single track in a multi-track audio file, for instance.

However, this is probably overkill for most people. You’re better off with easier self-destructing apps to send secure messages.

Morse Code Apps Are ..-. ..- -. (Fun)

Even if you’ve never used Morse code before, we hope you can have some fun with this collection of free Morse code software. They’re available to use on any platform and make learning, translating, decoding, and communicating in Morse code simple.

Due to its storied history and universal nature, Morse code is a wise skill to pick up. And it’s easier than learning a new language. For more like this, check out alternative ways to type on your Android phone.

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