Daily Crunch: Facebook will pay $52M to content moderators

Facebook strikes a deal to compensate content moderators with PTSD, Tesla might reopen its factory next week and Twitter says some employees can work from home indefinitely.

Here’s your Daily Crunch for May 13, 2020.

1. Facebook to pay $52M to content moderators suffering from PTSD

Facebook employs thousands of content moderators to sift through the vast number of posts, images and other content posted to the site.

The Verge reported Tuesday that the settlement — to which Facebook has agreed “in principle — will cover more than 11,000 content moderators who developed depression, addictions and other mental health issues while they worked moderating content on the social media platform.

2. Alameda County may allow Tesla’s Fremont factory to reopen as soon as next week

The Alameda County Public Health Department may be close to resolving a dispute with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. The department released a statement saying, “If Tesla’s Prevention and Control Plan includes these updates, and public health indicators remain stable or improve, we have agreed that Tesla can begin to augment their Minimum Business Operations this week in preparation for possible reopening as soon as next week.”

3. Twitter says staff can continue working from home permanently

Jack Dorsey recently sent an email notifying employees that they will be able to continue working from home as long as they see fit. The CEO noted that Twitter was an early adopter of a work-from-home model, though — like much of the rest of the world — that push has been accelerated by COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.

4. Deliveroo criticized over ‘inadequate’ PPE provision and income support for riders risking coronavirus exposure

More than forty U.K. legislators from across the political spectrum have co-signed a letter urging the company to provide all riders with adequate personal protective equipment, given the risks faced to those who continue making deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

5. Adding three more companies to the $100M ARR club

When Alex Wilhelm kicked off his series on private companies that have reached $100 million ARR, he says he didn’t expect it to last. But today’s entry brings the series past the 30-company mark. (Extra Crunch membership required.)

6. Slice, an online ordering and marketing platform for pizzerias, raises $43M

Slice has created a mobile app and website where diners can order a custom pizza delivery from their local, independent pizzeria. And for those pizzerias, CEO Ilir Sela said the startup helps to digitize their whole business by also creating a website, improving their SEO and even allowing them to benefit from the “economies of scale” of the larger network through bulk orders of supplies like pizza boxes.

7. Loon signs deal to expand commercial internet service to Mozambique

Loon has signed a new deal with carrier Vodacom to expand its internet-via-stratospheric-ballon offering to Mozambique. This is the second commercial agreement the Alphabet-owned company has in place in the continent. Mozambique’s close proximity to Kenya — the location of its first deal — means that Loon will be able to use balloons across both markets.

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

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Amazon Launches All-New Fire Tablets to Keep You Entertained

For many years, Amazon has produced some of the best low-cost, value for money Android tablets released under its Amazon Fire brand.

Today, the company announced a whole new line of Fire tablets, with a range of devices suitable for the entire family.

Here’s everything you need to know about Amazon’s new Kindle Fire tablets.

All-New Fire HD 8

All-New Fire HD 8 All-New Fire HD 8 Buy Now On Amazon $89.99

The All-New Fire HD 8 is the most affordable of the new tablets. The 8-inch 1280×800 display means you’ll get a crisp experience while watching movies and TV shows. The tablet comes equipped with 2GB of RAM and a quad-core 2GHz processor.

It is available in 32GB or 64GB variants, although this can be expanded up to 1TB via a microSD card. The All-New Fire HD 8 now uses a USB-C charging port, meaning that the tablet will fully charge in just five hours.

As with the company’s other devices, the tablet comes pre-loaded with Amazon services like Prime Video, Kindle, and Amazon Music. There’s also support for Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant. The brand-new Game Mode allows you to enjoy a distraction-free gaming experience on the tablet, too.

All-New Fire HD 8 Plus

All-New Fire HD 8 Plus All-New Fire HD 8 Plus Buy Now On Amazon $109.99

When a smartphone launches with a Plus model, that often means the device is physically larger. That’s not the case here; the Plus refers to the additional services and component upgrades found on the All-New Fire HD 8 Plus.

The tablet comes with 3GB of RAM, a 2GHz quad-core processor, and support for wireless charging. There’s also a specialized 9W charger included, which can fully charge your Fire HD 8 Plus in just four hours.

All-New Fire HD 8 Kids Edition

All-New Fire HD 8 Kids Edition All-New Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Buy Now On Amazon $139.99

The Fire HD tablets are firm favorites for families. The low-cost devices are easy to use and, as they are geared towards Amazon’s entertainment services, generally family-friendly, too. However, the All-New Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is specifically tailored to younger children.

The tablet comes in a colorful bumper, which protects it against unexpected drops and knocks. The software is adapted, too, using Amazon’s Fire for Kids interface. This keeps all media, including ebooks, videos, and audio, age-appropriate. There are improved parental controls available as well.

The Best Affordable Android Tablets

The newly-launched Fire HD 8 tablets can be pre-ordered on Amazon now, and the company expects shipments to start on June 3rd, 2020. Despite coming loaded with Amazon’s services, they are still a great deal even if you don’t use that ecosystem.

That said, if you think these entertainment devices don’t quite suit your needs, consider one of the best tablets for reading digital books instead.

Read the full article: Amazon Launches All-New Fire Tablets to Keep You Entertained

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The Best Projector Screens for Your Home Theater

If you have a home theater system with a projector, then it is wise to invest in a good-quality screen. Given that projector screens can come in all manner of shapes, sizes, and materials, there’s a lot to consider when deciding on the best projector screen for you.

We’ve rounded up five of the best, each with different benefits. That way, you can decide on the ideal projector screen for your home theater system. Here’s what we found.

Best 4K HD Projector Screen:
Silver Ticket Projector Screen

Silver Ticket Projector Screen Silver Ticket Projector Screen Buy Now On Amazon $239.98

Many projectors now come with 4K support, so it makes sense to buy a screen to match. In this respect, the Silver Ticket Projector Screen is an excellent choice. You can customize the screen with a selection of projection materials. These vary in color, mainly, although you can alter the material, too.

For example, placing your projector screen over wall speakers will require a woven acoustic material. This won’t absorb any of the sounds, so the audio will still be clear. Black velvet surrounds the screen and is incorporated into the frame. This is great as it will absorb any light overthrow from the projector itself.

This is a 120-inch true widescreen projector screen, with an aspect ratio of 16:9. Be sure that your projector can throw out a 16:9 image before you take the plunge. It is also worth noting that you are required to build this screen yourself, although users have confirmed it is a reasonably straightforward process.

Best Manual Pull-Down Projector Screen:
Elite Screens Manual B

Elite Screens Manual B Elite Screens Manual B Buy Now On Amazon $69.00

Elite Screens are among the most well-known projector screen manufacturers. For that reason, the Elite Screens Manual B projector screen is an excellent option. The low price-point and high-quality build help, too. You can select from a range of screen materials, and when you have finished watching, you can store this one away easily until next time.

The unit boasts a 100-inch screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, making it ideal for tight spaces. The real clincher is its storable construction, though. That makes it an unobtrusive screen as a simple pull on the lanyard at the bottom will retract the screen back into its housing. There’s no assembly needed either, as the screen comes already wound into its housing.

The only thing you’ll need to do is measure up the brackets and fit the unit onto the wall. The screen itself is compatible with 4K, 8K, and Active 3D images. You also have a 180-degree viewing angle, so nobody misses out, wherever they are in the room.

Best Motorized Projector Screen:
Elite Screens Spectrum

Elite Screens Spectrum Elite Screens Spectrum Buy Now On Amazon $199.00

If manual screens aren’t your style, then you should consider a motorized option. With this in mind, the Elite Screens Spectrum could be the right choice for you. The Spectrum is a 100-inch screen, so it is great for smaller or mid-size rooms.

The Spectrum comes pre-fabricated, so no construction is required past mounting the screen to the wall. There are several screen materials to choose from, each with different properties. All of them are active 3D, 4K and 8K Ultra HD, and HDR ready.

With the exception of the woven acoustic screen, each option is a front projection screen with a black backing. This means your image won’t be dulled by any light coming in through the back of the screen.

Best Outdoor Projector Screen:
JWSIT Projector Screen

JWSIT Projector Screen JWSIT Projector Screen Buy Now On Amazon $185.99

If you want to enjoy your movies outdoors, then you’ll need a dedicated outdoor projector screen. The JWSIT Projector Screen comes with a stand, so you can use it both indoors and outdoors and quickly put it away when you’re finished.

The JWSIT model is 4K and 8K compatible, too. The 120-inch screen is ideal for BBQs and even for camping, so long as you have a portable projector. The screen has three layers for improved image quality and light absorbance.

The rear layer is black, preventing light from coming through to the front and disrupting your viewing. The middle is polyester to prevent creasing, while the front layer is PVC for a smooth face.

Best Budget Projector Screen:
Vankyo Projector Screen

Vankyo Projector Screen Vankyo Projector Screen Buy Now On Amazon

Vankyo manufactures affordable projectors, so it would make sense that they would put this experience to good use and offer screens to match. The Vankyo Projector Screen is an excellent purchase as the 100-inch screen is suitable for both indoor or outdoor use.

That said, you might need to use some elasticated rope with hooks in an outdoor setting, or a frame. The screen is manufactured from polyester, so it is crease-resistant. It does require some construction, but at such a low price, you can’t really complain about that.

This screen is good for anything up to and including 4K images, so you can watch the latest movies or play the latest games without loss of definition. As a result, the Vankyo unit is of the best affordable projector screens available today.

The Best Projector Screen for You

There really are a lot of options available for you where projector screens are concerned. Keep in mind that you will need the correct screen to do your home theater setup justice. Importantly, be selective with the material, constructed size, and the screen’s aspect ratio.

Once you’ve chosen your favored screen, it’s time to get watching. However, if you want a more mobile setup, consider investing in one of the best portable projectors.

Read the full article: The Best Projector Screens for Your Home Theater

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The 10 Best Free Live Workout Classes You Can Take at Home

Can’t get to the gym or your favorite fitness class? Luckily, several gyms, studios, and personal trainers are offering live workout classes online for free. Most classes require no equipment, making it easy to do at home.

Live workout classes can give you a rewarding fitness experience without actually meeting your trainer. These free live workout classes will give you the motivation to get off the couch and get fit.

1. Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness offers free live workouts right on its Facebook page. Tune into the stream every day at 7pm EST to get your heart racing.

Thankfully, you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic in order to join in—Planet Fitness has diverse classes, such as dancing sessions, cardio workouts, and toning exercises.

Some workouts are even hosted by famous instructors—professional dancer Derek Hough and Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin are just some of the celebrities Planet Fitness has previously featured. If you miss a workout, Planet Fitness keeps all of its previously filmed workouts on its Facebook page.

2. 305 Fitness

Love to dance? 305 Fitness hosts daily cardio-boosting hip-hop workouts. Jam out to upbeat pop music as you burn calories and learn new dance moves.

The hip-hop workouts offered by 305 Fitness aren’t all high-intensity. You can also participate in classes for beginners, kid-friendly workouts, low-impact classes, and even meditation sessions.

You can catch 305 Fitness’ live workouts on YouTube. Each dance cardio workout is hosted by the studio’s enthusiastic instructors at 12pm and 6pm EST every day.

3. Women’s Health Magazine

Women’s Health Magazine holds workouts every day on Instagram Live. In addition to offering traditional toning exercises, cardio, and strength training, you’ll also get the chance to try out specialized workouts like HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and barre.

To check out the weekly workout schedule, you can find the dates and times posted on Women’s Health’s Instagram account. Each workout lasts 20 to 45 minutes, so make sure to set aside some time to break a sweat.

For on-demand workouts, you can find any past live sessions on the Women’s Health IGTV (Instagram TV) page. If you’re not very Instagram-savvy, find out what IGTV is and how it works.

4. Barry’s

You don’t need to go to the gym in order to build muscle. With Barry’s at-home workouts on Instagram Live, you can do some strength training right in your living room. The instructors walk you through each exercise during the workout, making it easy to follow along.

Barry’s mainly offers two types of live workouts: bands and total body. Total body workouts involve equipment-free training for your whole body, while the band workouts require a resistance band.

Check Barry’s Instagram Story to see when the workouts go live. Otherwise, you can head to Barry’s IGTV page to browse old workouts.

5. Rumble

On Rumble’s Instagram page, you’ll find live virtual workouts posted weekly. To make these sessions even more immersive, you should learn how to watch Instagram Live videos on your PC or Mac.

Rumble is known for its boxing-inspired workouts that anyone can do. You can now participate in these high-energy workouts from your home, and get pumped while listening to the lively background music.

Classes range from 20 to 45 minutes of non-stop exercise. While most classes focus on HIIT, others offer a blend of cardio and strength training. Make sure to keep an eye on Rumble’s schedule if you want to join in.

6. Zumba

Zumba makes exercising a blast. As you dance to the fast-paced music, you won’t even realize you’re working out.

On Zumba’s virtual class page, you’ll find a huge list of Zumba instructors offering upcoming classes. You can sort this list by time, class type, language, and country to find the class that best suits you.

Keep in mind that not all classes are completely free, as some instructors charge a small fee. Simply click on the class of your choice to see its price.

7. Y7 Studio

Y7 Studio is a hot yoga studio based in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Right now, the studio is offering yoga sessions on Instagram Live that you should definitely take advantage of. Spread out your yoga mat, and get ready to strike some yoga poses while listening to chill music.

You’ll have to check on Y7 Studio’s Instagram page to find out the weekly schedule. On the other hand, you can also turn on your Instagram notifications to get alerts each time the studio shares a new post. It doesn’t seem like live yoga sessions are posted every day, so you might need to find other workouts to fill in those gaps.

8. The Edge Fitness Club

The Edge Fitness Club offers a huge variety of free live workouts on its Facebook page. Here, you’ll find everything from cardio dancing, HIIT workouts, strength training, kickboxing, spinning, barre, yoga, and more. That said, The Edge definitely has something for everyone, no matter what types of workouts you like to do.

Although you can stream most of The Edge’s live workout classes on Facebook, you can also find some on Instagram Live. To see if these classes fit into your agenda, check out the class schedule on The Edge’s Facebook or Instagram page.

9. Lululemon

Lululemon is known for its line of comfortable leggings and workout pants. Now, you can put that athletic apparel to good use by heading to Lululemon’s Instagram page.

Lululemon hosts a live workout taught by professional instructors every Saturday. The streams aren’t as frequent as most other sessions on this list, but they’re perfect for getting active on the weekend. Most workouts focus on yoga, strength training, and HIIT.

10. Chelsea Piers Fitness

Chelsea Piers Fitness is a small fitness chain, but it has a lot to offer. The studio hosts several Instagram Live classes each week.

If you’re getting bored of doing the same type of workout, you’ll be happy to hear that Chelsea Piers Fitness live streams many different types of classes. Zumba, strength training, barre, yoga, and Pilates, are just some of your options. Better yet, each class lasts about 30 minutes or more.

Stream Live Workouts From Home

Staying home doesn’t mean you have to give up your whole fitness routine. Add some of these live workout classes to your daily schedule, and you can stay fit while hanging out at home.

Looking for more free ways to workout? Check out these free workout apps and exercise tips.

Read the full article: The 10 Best Free Live Workout Classes You Can Take at Home

Read Full Article

The 10 Best Free Live Workout Classes You Can Take at Home

Can’t get to the gym or your favorite fitness class? Luckily, several gyms, studios, and personal trainers are offering live workout classes online for free. Most classes require no equipment, making it easy to do at home.

Live workout classes can give you a rewarding fitness experience without actually meeting your trainer. These free live workout classes will give you the motivation to get off the couch and get fit.

1. Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness offers free live workouts right on its Facebook page. Tune into the stream every day at 7pm EST to get your heart racing.

Thankfully, you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic in order to join in—Planet Fitness has diverse classes, such as dancing sessions, cardio workouts, and toning exercises.

Some workouts are even hosted by famous instructors—professional dancer Derek Hough and Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin are just some of the celebrities Planet Fitness has previously featured. If you miss a workout, Planet Fitness keeps all of its previously filmed workouts on its Facebook page.

2. 305 Fitness

Love to dance? 305 Fitness hosts daily cardio-boosting hip-hop workouts. Jam out to upbeat pop music as you burn calories and learn new dance moves.

The hip-hop workouts offered by 305 Fitness aren’t all high-intensity. You can also participate in classes for beginners, kid-friendly workouts, low-impact classes, and even meditation sessions.

You can catch 305 Fitness’ live workouts on YouTube. Each dance cardio workout is hosted by the studio’s enthusiastic instructors at 12pm and 6pm EST every day.

3. Women’s Health Magazine

Women’s Health Magazine holds workouts every day on Instagram Live. In addition to offering traditional toning exercises, cardio, and strength training, you’ll also get the chance to try out specialized workouts like HIIT (high-intensity interval training) and barre.

To check out the weekly workout schedule, you can find the dates and times posted on Women’s Health’s Instagram account. Each workout lasts 20 to 45 minutes, so make sure to set aside some time to break a sweat.

For on-demand workouts, you can find any past live sessions on the Women’s Health IGTV (Instagram TV) page. If you’re not very Instagram-savvy, find out what IGTV is and how it works.

4. Barry’s

You don’t need to go to the gym in order to build muscle. With Barry’s at-home workouts on Instagram Live, you can do some strength training right in your living room. The instructors walk you through each exercise during the workout, making it easy to follow along.

Barry’s mainly offers two types of live workouts: bands and total body. Total body workouts involve equipment-free training for your whole body, while the band workouts require a resistance band.

Check Barry’s Instagram Story to see when the workouts go live. Otherwise, you can head to Barry’s IGTV page to browse old workouts.

5. Rumble

On Rumble’s Instagram page, you’ll find live virtual workouts posted weekly. To make these sessions even more immersive, you should learn how to watch Instagram Live videos on your PC or Mac.

Rumble is known for its boxing-inspired workouts that anyone can do. You can now participate in these high-energy workouts from your home, and get pumped while listening to the lively background music.

Classes range from 20 to 45 minutes of non-stop exercise. While most classes focus on HIIT, others offer a blend of cardio and strength training. Make sure to keep an eye on Rumble’s schedule if you want to join in.

6. Zumba

Zumba makes exercising a blast. As you dance to the fast-paced music, you won’t even realize you’re working out.

On Zumba’s virtual class page, you’ll find a huge list of Zumba instructors offering upcoming classes. You can sort this list by time, class type, language, and country to find the class that best suits you.

Keep in mind that not all classes are completely free, as some instructors charge a small fee. Simply click on the class of your choice to see its price.

7. Y7 Studio

Y7 Studio is a hot yoga studio based in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Right now, the studio is offering yoga sessions on Instagram Live that you should definitely take advantage of. Spread out your yoga mat, and get ready to strike some yoga poses while listening to chill music.

You’ll have to check on Y7 Studio’s Instagram page to find out the weekly schedule. On the other hand, you can also turn on your Instagram notifications to get alerts each time the studio shares a new post. It doesn’t seem like live yoga sessions are posted every day, so you might need to find other workouts to fill in those gaps.

8. The Edge Fitness Club

The Edge Fitness Club offers a huge variety of free live workouts on its Facebook page. Here, you’ll find everything from cardio dancing, HIIT workouts, strength training, kickboxing, spinning, barre, yoga, and more. That said, The Edge definitely has something for everyone, no matter what types of workouts you like to do.

Although you can stream most of The Edge’s live workout classes on Facebook, you can also find some on Instagram Live. To see if these classes fit into your agenda, check out the class schedule on The Edge’s Facebook or Instagram page.

9. Lululemon

Lululemon is known for its line of comfortable leggings and workout pants. Now, you can put that athletic apparel to good use by heading to Lululemon’s Instagram page.

Lululemon hosts a live workout taught by professional instructors every Saturday. The streams aren’t as frequent as most other sessions on this list, but they’re perfect for getting active on the weekend. Most workouts focus on yoga, strength training, and HIIT.

10. Chelsea Piers Fitness

Chelsea Piers Fitness is a small fitness chain, but it has a lot to offer. The studio hosts several Instagram Live classes each week.

If you’re getting bored of doing the same type of workout, you’ll be happy to hear that Chelsea Piers Fitness live streams many different types of classes. Zumba, strength training, barre, yoga, and Pilates, are just some of your options. Better yet, each class lasts about 30 minutes or more.

Stream Live Workouts From Home

Staying home doesn’t mean you have to give up your whole fitness routine. Add some of these live workout classes to your daily schedule, and you can stay fit while hanging out at home.

Looking for more free ways to workout? Check out these free workout apps and exercise tips.

Read the full article: The 10 Best Free Live Workout Classes You Can Take at Home

MIT develops a way to use wireless signals from in-home appliances to better understand your health

Having a holistic picture of your health might not mean just wearing a device like an Apple Watch that can monitor your biometrics – researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) have developed a new system that can figure out when and where in-home appliances like hair dryers, stoves, microwaves and washing machines are being used, and they believe that info could help inform healthcare practitioners about the habits and challenges of people under their care.

The researchers devised a system called ‘Sapple’ which uses just two sensors placed in a person’s home to determine use patterns of devices including stoves, hair dryers and ore. There’s one location sensor that works using radio signals to figure out placement, with a user able to calibrate it to cover their area by simply walking the bounds of their space. A second sensor measures energy usage through the home, and combines that data with movement information to matching energy use signals with physical locations of specific applicants, to provide data both when aa person is using the appliances around the house, and for how long.

This gets around a lot of the issues raised by similar systems, including more simple voltage meters used on their own. While appliances do tend to have specific energy use patterns that mean you can identify them just based on consumption, it’s hard to tell when and how they’re being used with that data on its own. This info can let health professionals know if a patient is taking proper care of hygiene, food preparation and intake and more.

Of course, the system does sound like one that has a lot of potential privacy pitfalls, but its intended use is for specific cases, like providing supervised care of aging populations that need it while also still preserving resources and enabling better distancing, which is actually a more urgent need right now as we continue to figure out how to address caregiving in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s a clever system in that it doesn’t require any special smart IoT devices to work, beyond the two simple sensors, and essentially also doesn’t require any technical expertise on the part of the patients receiving care.

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How to manage your stress like an ER doctor | Darria Long

How to manage your stress like an ER doctor | Darria Long

How do doctors in the emergency room stay calm and focused amidst the chaos? Drawing on years of experience, ER doctor Darria Long shares a straightforward framework to help you take back control and feel less overwhelmed when life starts to get "crazy busy."

Click the above link to download the TED talk.

Facebook launches Avatars, its Bitmoji competitor, in the U.S.

Facebook’s Avatars feature, which lets you customize a virtual lookalike of yourself for use as stickers in comments and Messenger chats, is today launching in the U.S. Essentially Facebook’s version of Snap’s Bitmoji, Avatars were first introduced last year and have been since made available in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and Canada.

Based on early feedback, Facebook is also today expanding its range of Avatar customizations to include a variety of new hairstyles, complexions, and outfits.

Avatars may seem a little silly, but they allow for a form of self-expression that extends beyond the capabilities text and emoji alone. On digital platforms, using an avatar can be a helpful way to indicate the tone of your comment, so you’re not misinterpreted. Plus, many people like having the option of crafting a digital character that actually looks like them — meaning their candy-colored hair, piercings, glasses, goatees, sense of style, or anything else doesn’t come across when using just an emoji alone.

Initially, Facebook users will be able set up their Avatar from either the Facebook or Messenger comment composer. From here, you’ll click on the smiley face icon which takes you to stickers. You’ll then see a new option: “Make Your Avatar.”

After completing your Avatar, you can return to edit it at any time from Facebook’s Bookmark section (the three horizontal lines in the bottom-right of the Facebook mobile app.) You’ll need to click on “See More,” then “Avatars,” in the list that appears.

Today, the Avatars can be used Facebook comments and Messenger conversations, and they can be used on your Facebook Gaming profile. But soon, Facebook says Avatars will be able to be used in text posts with backgrounds.

The company isn’t yet sharing any metrics on the feature’s adoption, but did say Avatars have become particularly popular with the gaming community.

However, the source of inspiration for the feature, Bitmoji, has seen widespread adoption.

In January, Snap said 70% of its daily active users, or 147 million of its then 210 million, had made themselves a Bitmoji. The company first bought its way into the “digital persona” business back in 2016 when it picked up Bitmoji’s parent company Bitstrips for $62.5 million. It more recently launched Bitmoji TV, a Snapchat show that puts users’ Bitmoji avatars into animated situations.

Facebook hasn’t yet detailed any grand ambitions to make its Avatars more of a platform or a monetizable feature. Instead, it seems to be playing a game of catch-up with its rivals.

Though Snapchat popularized the concept, many companies have since cloned the Bitmoji phenomenon. Apple in 2018 introduced a customizable persona called Memoji to complement its existing Animoji characters, for use in iMessage and FaceTime. Samsung and Google also rolled out their own take on Bitmoji in 2018.

But despite its delayed arrival, Facebook hasn’t broken any new ground — for example, by introducing Avatars created automatically from your Facebook profile photo or those that move and react as in the popular Gen Z app, Facemoji.

Facebook says its Avatars feature will roll out to the U.S. starting today. You may not see it yet — as rollouts can take time — but should soon.

 

 

 

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How to Track Unsubscribes with Mail Merge for Gmail

Mail Merge for Gmail gives you can easy option to add an “Unsubscribe” link to all your outgoing email campaigns. When an email recipient clicks the unsubscribe link, the status of their email address is set to UNSUBSCRIBED and you will not able to send email campaigns to unsubscribed users in your future mail merge campaigns.

You can also manually resubscribe any unsubscribed contact if they have unsubscribed from your campaigns by accident.

How to Include Unsubscribe Link in Mail Merge

Inside your Google Sheet, go to Addons > Mail Merge with Attachments > Configure Mail Merge and expand the section that says “Enable Email Tracking”;

Provide a Campaign Name, check the option that says “Include an Unsubscribe Link” and also provide the text of the unsubscribe link.

How Unsubscribe Works in Mail Merge

When the unsubscribe option is checked, all outgoing emails sent through Gmail Mail merge will include a remove link in the message footer automatically.  The subscriber can click the link to opt-out of your future mailing lists.

When they click the unsubscribe link, they are taken to a special landing page confirming that their request for unsubscribing has been successfully recorded.

How to View Unsubscribed User Reports

Go to Add-ons > Mail Merge with Attachments > Campaign Reports > Open and Click Reports. This will open a list of email campaigns you’ve sent through Mail Merge. Click the Unsubscribe button in any specific campaign to generate a list of all email addresses that have unsubscribed from your mailing list via that particular campaign.

This will add a new “Unsubscribe Report” sheet in your Google Spreadsheet for Mail Merge. The report will include the following data to help you analyze the campaigns that resulted in the most unsubscribes:

• Date when the message was sent to the user
• Date when the user unsubscribed from the mailing list
• Email address of the unsubscriber
• Location / IP address from where the user unsubscribed
• Web browser (or mobile browser) of the unsubscriber.

Here’s a sample unsubscribe report generated by Mail merge.

How to Resubscribe an Unsubscribed Email Address in Mail Merge

The Mail Merge for Gmail app lets you include an unsubscribe link in your email message. If a user clicks the unsubscribe link to opt-out of your mailing lists, you’ll not be able send future email campaigns to that email address.

You can always send emails to the unsubscribed user manually via Gmail but they will not be included in the email campaigns sent via Mail Merge for Gmail.

Reactivate an Email Address

If your contact has unsubscribed their email address from your mailing list accidentally, or if you manually unsubscribed a user from your email system, you can easily reset their subscriber status from withing the Mail merge app. You’ll then be able to resume sending email campaigns to the resubscribed user via Mail Merge.

Resubscribe email addresses manually

Open your Google Sheet, go to the addons menu, select Mail Merge with Attachments, choose Email Campaign Reports and then choose Resubscribe Contacts.

On the next screen, type one or more email addresses that you wish to reactivate for Mail Merge. You can specify up to 4 different email addresses, and each email address should be specified in its own input box.

Click the Resubscribe button to reactivate the subcriber.

Intraday Trading Calls for 14-May-2020

Intraday Trading Calls for 14-May-2020

Please click on the following link to view full post.

https://intradayguruji.blogspot.com/2020/05/intraday-trading-calls-for-14-may-2020.html

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Live Intraday Trading on 13-May-2020 (Profit 4900)

Live Intraday Trading on 13-May-2020 (Profit 4900)

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Transfer Your Music From Google Play Music to YouTube Music

Google Play Music isn’t long for this world, with Google planning to kill the service at sometime in 2020. However, all is not lost, as Google has a ready-made replacement in YouTube Music. And now you can transfer your music from one to the other.

YouTube Music Is Replacing Google Play Music

While Google is one of the most innovative tech companies in existence, the company has a habit of killing its products and services. And so it has come to pass for Google Play Music, which is set to be shuttered in 2020 to make way for YouTube Music.

However, with the end now in sight, Google is actively encouraging you to transfer your music from Google Play Music to YouTube Music. And, as detailed in a post on the Official YouTube Blog, it has launched a quick and simple way to do so.

How to Transfer Your Music From Google Play Music to YouTube Music

You can transfer your artists, albums, songs, playlists, uploads, purchased music, and recommendations across from Google Play Music to YouTube Music. You can also transfer your podcasts to Google Podcasts by visiting this webpage.

To transfer your music from Google Play Music to YouTube Music, either visit music.youtube.com/transfer or follow the instructions below:

1. Download the YouTube Music app for Android or iOS.
2. Open the Settings menu and click Transfer from Google Play Music.
3. You’ll see a list of everything you’re going to transfer.
4. If you agree to the terms of service, click Transfer to start the process.
5. When it’s complete, you’ll get a notification and an email letting you know.

If you can’t yet see the option to transfer your music from Google Play Music to YouTube Music, be patient, as Google is rolling this out gradually over the next few weeks.

Other Music Streaming Services Do Exist

Once you have made the switch from Google Play Music to YouTube Music, you have a number of options open to you. You can listen for free using the ad-supported version, or pay the standard $9.99/month to upgrade to YouTube Music Premium.

As keen as Google is to get everyone using YouTube Music, it’s far from the only streaming music service. So, with that in mind, here’s how to pick the best music streaming service for you, and how to move to a new music streaming service.

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Xiaomi spinoff POCO’s F2 Pro undercuts Android rivals with low price and flagship features

POCO, a brand that spun out of Chinese electronics giant Xiaomi earlier this year, today launched the POCO F2 Pro smartphone as it continues its new journey as an independent firm.

The POCO F2 Pro, like its two-year-old sleeper hit predecessor Pocophone F1 smartphone, punches above its price class. It features an all-screen 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display (with 2400×1080 pixels), in-screen fingerprint scanner, support for 5G, quad-core rear camera setup and a pop-up front camera that quietly tucks away when not in use. It also features a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The smartphone comes in two variants: one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage that is priced at €499 (roughly $540), and the other that features 8GB of RAM and 256GB internal storage that costs €599 (roughly $650).

Both the variants run Android 10 and are going on sale globally starting Tuesday through Gearbest and Aliexpress e-commerce sites. POCO said it will soon begin selling the POCO F2 Pro on Amazon, Lazada and Shopee among other e-commerce sites, including its official website.

The dual-SIM card-supported smartphone, a popular feature in several Asian markets, is powered by Qualcomm’s flagship octa-core Snapdragon 865 processor, coupled with Adreno 650GPU. POCO F2 Pro also sports what the company claims to be the largest vapor chamber in any smartphone to support LiquidCool, a technology that keeps the device cool even when a user is playing high-end games such as Fortnite and PUBG.

A total score of 589,983.

CPU Benchmark score of 184,817.

GFXbench Manhattan 4.0 benchmark score of 40.

Yes, the #POCOF2Pro is simply #PowerfullyCool! pic.twitter.com/KgyHJt2dI4

— POCO (@POCOGlobal) May 12, 2020

On the camera front, the POCO F2 Pro features a 64MP Sony IMX686 sensor, which serves as the primary camera, with a 13MP ultra wide-angle lens, a 5MP macro and one 2MP depth sensor. The pop-up camera, which serves as the selfie sensor, is a 20MP lens. The rear camera setup is capable of recording videos in 8K resolution at 24fps, and 4K in 60fps.

The POCO F2 Pro, which comes in Neon Blue, Electric Purple, Cyber Grey, Phantom White, houses a 4,700mAh battery with support for fast charging, and ships with a 33W charger in the box.

POCO listed a number of additional features that other flagship Android smartphones offer, such as support for HDR10+, display brightness of 500 nits, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 that protects the screen and an IR blaster. But its display lacks support for 120Hz refresh rate — as seen on OnePlus 8T Pro that makes viewing experience extra smooth.

POCO F2 Pro is the second smartphone from the company since it spun out of Xiaomi earlier this year. The company’s first product, called Pocophone F1, launched in 2018 and was well received by the market.

At the time of the launch, Xiaomi executives said they had big plans for the POCO brand but never launched anything afterward. During the period the company also saw a big departure when Jai Mani, a senior product executive, left the firm. Earlier this year, the company launched the mid-range POCO X2 smartphone in India.

POCO executives today shared little plans on what the future holds for the firm, but assured that they are here to stay. “We’re back. It’s been awhile, but we are back,” said Angus Ng, a product marketing manager at POCO.

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