This is what the Huawei P30 will look like

You can already find many leaked photos of Huawei’s next flagship device — the P30 and P30 Pro. The company is set to announce the new product at an event in Paris next week. So here’s what you should expect.

Reliable phone leaker Evan Blass tweeted many different photos of the new devices in three different tweets:

pic.twitter.com/nIlhxby1Ah

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 20, 2019

As you can see, both devices feature three cameras on the back of the device. The notch is getting smaller and now looks like a teardrop. Compared to the P20 and P20 Pro, the fingerprint sensor is gone. It looks like Huawei is going to integrate the fingerprint sensor in the display just like Samsung did with the Samsung Galaxy S10.

mysmartprice also shared some ads with some specifications. The P30 Pro will have a 10x hybrid zoom while the P30 will have a 5x hybrid zoom — it’s unclear how it’ll work to combine a hardware zoom with a software zoom. Huawei has been doing some good work on the camera front, so this is going to be a key part of next week’s presentation.

For the first time, Huawei will put wireless charging in its flagship device — it’s about time. And it looks like the P30 Pro will adopt a curved display for the first time as well. I’ll be covering the event next week so stay tuned.

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This is what the Huawei P30 will look like

You can already find many leaked photos of Huawei’s next flagship device — the P30 and P30 Pro. The company is set to announce the new product at an event in Paris next week. So here’s what you should expect.

Reliable phone leaker Evan Blass tweeted many different photos of the new devices in three different tweets:

pic.twitter.com/nIlhxby1Ah

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 20, 2019

As you can see, both devices feature three cameras on the back of the device. The notch is getting smaller and now looks like a teardrop. Compared to the P20 and P20 Pro, the fingerprint sensor is gone. It looks like Huawei is going to integrate the fingerprint sensor in the display just like Samsung did with the Samsung Galaxy S10.

mysmartprice also shared some ads with some specifications. The P30 Pro will have a 10x hybrid zoom while the P30 will have a 5x hybrid zoom — it’s unclear how it’ll work to combine a hardware zoom with a software zoom. Huawei has been doing some good work on the camera front, so this is going to be a key part of next week’s presentation.

For the first time, Huawei will put wireless charging in its flagship device — it’s about time. And it looks like the P30 Pro will adopt a curved display for the first time as well. I’ll be covering the event next week so stay tuned.

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Facebook admits it stored ‘hundreds of millions’ of account passwords in plaintext

Flip the “days since last Facebook security incident” back to zero.

Facebook confirmed Thursday in a blog post, prompted by a report by cybersecurity reporter Brian Krebs, that it stored “hundreds of millions” of account passwords in plaintext for years.

The discovery was made in January, said Facebook’s Pedro Canahuati, as part of a routine security review. None of the passwords were visible to anyone outside Facebook, he said. Facebook admitted the security lapse months later, after Krebs said logs were accessible to some 2,000 engineers and developers.

Krebs said the bug dated back to 2012.

“This caught our attention because our login systems are designed to mask passwords using techniques that make them unreadable,” said Canahuati. “We have found no evidence to date that anyone internally abused or improperly accessed them,” but did not say how the company made that conclusion.

Facebook said it will notify “hundreds of millions of Facebook Lite users,” a lighter version of Facebook for users where internet speeds are slow and bandwidth is expensive, and “tens of millions of other Facebook users.” The company also said “tens of thousands of Instagram users” will be notified of the exposure.

Krebs said as many as 600 million users could be affected — about one-fifth of the company’s 2.7 billion users, but Facebook has yet to confirm the figure.

Facebook also didn’t say how the bug came to be. Storing passwords in readable plaintext is an insecure way of storing passwords. Companies, like Facebook, hash and salt passwords — two ways of further scrambling passwords — to store passwords securely. That allows companies to verify a user’s password without knowing what it is.

Twitter and GitHub were hit by similar but independent bugs last year. Both companies said passwords were stored in plaintext and not scrambled.

It’s the latest in a string of embarrassing security issues at the company, prompting congressional inquiries and government investigations. It was reported last week that Facebook’s deals that allowed other tech companies to access account data without consent was under criminal investigation.

It’s not known why Facebook took months to confirm the incident, or if the company informed state or international regulators per U.S. breach notification and European data protection laws. We asked Facebook but a spokesperson did not immediately comment beyond the blog post.

We’ve contacted the Irish data protection office, which covers Facebook’s European operations, but did not hear back.

Mark Zuckerberg is ‘proud’ of how Facebook handled its scandals this year

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Slowdown or not, China’s luxury goods still seeing high-end growth

Despite well-documented concerns over an economic slowdown in China, the country’s luxury goods market is still seeing opulent growth according to a new study. Behind secular and demographic tailwinds, the luxury sector is set to continue its torrid expansion in the face of volatility as it’s quickly becoming a defensive economic crown jewel.

Using proprietary analysis, company data, primary source interviews, and third-party research, Bain & Company dug into the ongoing expansion of China’s high-end market in a report titled “What’s Powering China’s Market for Luxury Goods?”

In recent years, China has become one of the largest markets for luxury good companies globally. And while many have raised concern around a drop-off in luxury demand, findings in the report point to the contrary, with Bain forecasting material growth throughout 2019 and beyond. The analysis provides a compelling breakdown of how the sector has seen and will see continued development, as well as a fascinating examination of what strategies separate winners and losers in the space.

The report is worth a quick read, as it manages to provide several insightful and differentiated data points with relative brevity, but here are the most interesting highlights in our view:

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Taxes on VC and electric buses harming oil prices

From Extra Crunch

• A lot of subscribers got to hear from TechCrunch hardware guru Brian Heater, who has been meeting with (too many) robotics companies as we prepare for TechCrunch Sessions: Robotics. If you weren’t able to join us, a transcript will be available in the next 48 hours.
• We have Lucas Matney and Eric Peckham on the horn this Friday at noon PDT to talk about all things Game Developers Conference (GDC). Be sure to check your emails for details.

Wide Angle

zssp via Getty Images

Stories from outside the 280/101 corridor

• Indian entrepreneurs are furious over a tax on venture investing, in which the government taxes the proceeds of an equity round.

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MoviePass co-founder’s new startup PreShow gives you free movie tickets for watching ads

As founding CEO of MoviePass, Stacy Spikes has already changed the way we think about paying for movie tickets. Now he’s pursuing a new approach — providing a free ticket to people who watch 15 to 20 minutes of ads.

Spikes told me that when it comes to watching movies outside the theater, there are three basic business models — pay-per-view, subscription and ad-supported. MoviePass brought a subscription approach into theaters, but Spikes (who stepped down as MoviePass CEO in 2016) said he kept wondering, “Well, why can’t you have an ad-supported version that will allow you to go to movies for free?”

It’s hard to imagine digital advertising being worth enough to really pay for that ticket, but Spikes insisted, “You’re paying your way. This is not going to be a loss leader model. It’s an ad-revenue based business.”

To make that work, he said the new service, called PreShow, is bringing a couple innovations to the table. First, there’s facial recognition technology that ensures you’re actually present and watching the ad.

Spikes demonstrated this feature for me last week, showing me how his face unlocked the PreShow app. Once he’d chosen the film he wanted to watch, he was presented with a package of video ads that were specifically selected to run with that movie — and any time he looked away from the screen or moved too far away from his phone, the ads would stop playing. (Apparently the sensitivity can be dialed up or down depending on user feedback.)

Spikes also said the ads should tie into the film in some way, whether that’s thematically, or by highlighting products that are also featured in the movie. And they’ll always include an opportunity to further engage with the advertiser.

So although 15 to 20 minutes might sound like a long time to watch ads,  it should be more interesting for the viewer than just watching a random collection of promotional videos. And for the advertisers who are already paying for product placement in a film, this could be a way to reinforce their message with consumers who are actually watching the movie. (Spikes also compared this to the marketing packages that usually play before showtime in theaters — hence the company name.)

By watching one of these 15- to 20-minute packages, you should earn enough points to purchase a ticket at the theater using a virtual credit card provided by PreShow. Technically, those points can be used to buy any movie ticket, but Spikes said you won’t be able to earn more than two tickets at once, “so people don’t stockpile.”

As for whether PreShow is competing with his old company, Spikes said, “I don’t think they’re competitive in any way. If you compare a subscription platform to an ad platform to a pay-per-view platform, they’re different animals.”

Stacy Spikes

The plan is to start testing the service with a select group of users in the next three to six months, and to find those users, PreShow is launching a Kickstarter campaign today. Pledge levels range from $15 to $60, with the amount you pay determining how early you get access, and how many friend invites you receiving.

Spikes said he’s less interested in raising money (which is why the campaign’s official goal is only $10,000) and more in attracting film lovers who want to try out the app.

“It’s a way to have innovation happen more organically, versus if you just open it up for the general public,” Spikes said.

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5 Tricks Untrustworthy VPNs Use to Fool Their Customers

While you would usually use a VPN to increase your privacy while browsing online, untrustworthy VPNs achieve exactly the opposite.

In fact, there’s no shortage of VPN providers who mislead clients or engage in deceptive practices to fool their customers. When considering a VPN service, look out for these five tactics that untrustworthy VPNs use to trick potential customers…

Why Would a VPN Try to Trick You?

You may wonder why a VPN provider would try to trick you in the first place. This is often to simply increase sales and profit. But some companies also use deceptive practices to establish trust when the company doesn’t really concern itself with protecting your privacy.

In the past, multiple VPNs have been caught selling user data to third parties to make money. Some VPNs also use your data for advertising other products and services.

Other times, a VPN may use buzzwords and marketing jargon to make the product seem more secure than it is. The problem is so widespread that the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) worked with a variety of VPNs to develop questions a trustworthy VPN should be able to answer for consumers.

We spoke with one of the CDT’s partners in the project, Golden Frog (the company behind VyprVPN), to discuss some of the ways certain players in the VPN industry try to trick consumers.

1. Undisclosed Affiliate Reviews and Sites

Even when you try to do your research and read VPN reviews, you may have trouble sorting legitimate feedback from biased affiliate content.

Many VPN companies use SEO strategies to push negative stories and reviews further down the search engine results. But worse still, some providers even own undisclosed affiliate review sites. These sites pretend to be independent but are actually just glorified company blogs that push a certain product.

“A few top VPN providers have been known to run ‘3rd party’ review sites, which tend to praise a single provider over the competition across the board. Brands can create a positive image with doctored reviews and testimonials,” Golden Frog CEO Sunday Yokubaitis says.

When reading a review site, look out for signs that the site may unreasonably favor one VPN provider over others. Trustworthy review sites will always disclose affiliate links and posts.

When doing your research, make sure to check news websites and forums for any scandals or negative reports on a VPN provider. Reddit is also a good tool for checking up on VPN experiences—just look out for fake users promoting products.

2. Not Identifying Parent and Partner Companies

The parent company of a VPN is an incredibly relevant piece of information for consumers. If a VPN’s parent company aggregates data for commercial use, for example, they may share and sell data from their VPN subsidiary. Sometimes, a parent company may also own advertising companies or other businesses that would benefit from sharing consumer data.

Furthermore, consumers need to know which major partners work with the VPN service to provide their product, the CDT notes. For example, you wouldn’t want a company known for IP leaks to be in charge of your VPN’s servers.

Trustworthy VPNs will not hide this information from you. However, dodgy VPNs will make this information difficult to find.

3. Unclear Revenue Models

When a VPN company is not upfront about the way it makes money, this is a major red flag. On the internet, if something is free it usually means your data is the product. Companies like Facebook illustrate this point perfectly. This is one of the reasons free VPNs aren’t recommended.

Untrustworthy VPNs often don’t provide clear information about their revenue model. Sometimes they bury these details in lengthy privacy policies, or they simply don’t make it available at all.

For your security, you want a VPN provider that mostly or completely makes its money off the subscriptions to its service. Otherwise, you may find that your VPN sells data to third-parties to make money. Or, as was the case with Hola VPN, the service may even sell your bandwidth to botnets.

As the CDT notes, if all or more of the VPN’s revenue comes from subscriptions, this suggests that the users are the company’s actual customers, rather than its product.

4. Unverified Claims of Being Logless

The term “logless” is a popular buzzword in VPN marketing, since many people feel more secure with services that don’t keep logs of their activities. Some companies exaggerate exactly how few logs they keep. But some VPN services outright lie about keeping logs—claiming to be logless when they aren’t

Golden Frog CEO Sunday Yokubaitis says that you should verify whether a VPN provider is actually logless by checking with an independent body that can verify this.

“If a VPN does claim to be logless, you should ensure that has been verified by an independent third party validator, and not just an affiliate publication.”

5. Fake Server Locations

Some untrustworthy VPN providers use fake virtual servers to trick consumers. They usually do this so that it seems like they have a larger network of servers and a wide variety of locations. This tactic often makes the product more appealing to potential customers.

However, fake server locations impact user experience and affect your ping. Furthermore, fake servers can affect user privacy.

You should always check whether your potential VPN provider has been caught using fake server locations.

Other Questions You Should Ask Your VPN

When shopping for a VPN provider, make sure to steer clear of manipulative tactics that try to trick you into buying a product.

A few other questions you should ask about a potential VPN service before subscribing include:

• If they keep logs, are they transparent about what is being logged, why it’s logged, and for what duration?
• How do they handle legal requests for information?
• Do third parties control or handle any of the VPNs functions?

These important questions will help you avoid nasty surprises in future.

Understand More About VPN Services

If you want to use a VPN to enhance your online privacy, you need to understand the different features of the service and what they can achieve.

Should you find yourself a bit unclear on the meaning of different VPN jargon, check out our guide on VPN terminology for a better understanding.

Image Credit: sharpshutter/Depositphotos

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The 6 Best Apps and Software for Recording Podcasts

If you’re thinking about starting a podcast, you’re far from alone. We’re so deep into the “golden age of podcasting” that the phrase itself has already become cliche.

Anyone can create a podcast, but you’ve got to have the right tools. Recording in a studio is the best option, but that might not be possible for podcasters yet to secure sponsorships.

Even if you’ve got a killer angle, the first step in becoming the next big hit is choosing the right tools. So here are the best apps and software podcasters of every level should be using.

1. Audacity

Audacity is a free podcasting app that does pretty much anything a podcaster would need. While this is a bare-bones option, it’s one of the best podcasting tools for beginners looking to test out the medium.

The open-source software runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux and you can easily hook up a USB microphone and start recording.

The main window serves as your dashboard. Here, you can access all editing tools, mix audio tracks, and monitor recordings. Beyond the basics, Audacity includes a handful of sophisticated audio-processing effects that remove unwanted coughs, static, or other distracting sounds.

The software doesn’t support MIDI or instrument plug-ins, so this isn’t the best choice for someone who wants a tool they can use for music and podcasting.

Once you’ve played around with the app, you can learn how to streamline your podcast production using Audacity.

2. GarageBand

If you have a Mac, GarageBand is a free digital workstation (DAW) that is a solid option for amateurs and podcasting veterans alike. Getting started is as simple as opening the app and starting a new project.

The layout is attractive and easy to navigate, and you’ll even have access to a few templates designed specifically for podcasters. Like Audacity, GarageBand is free, but there are a few key differences. GarageBand is a full-fledged recording studio that comes with a MIDI synth station, instrument plug-in support, and a better interface.

GarageBand’s primary features include the suite of digital instruments such as keyboards, drums, and guitars. As such, it’s clear Apple has musicians in mind, not podcasters. Still, there are some built-in podcasting templates, plus sound profiles for both male and female voices, jingles, stingers, and sound effects.

GarageBand is only available on Mac, so PC users looking for a free option should stick with Audacity. The apps are comparable, though Audacity comes with more podcast-specific tools, whereas GarageBand comes with a more attractive interface and a lower learning curve.

3. Apple Logic Pro X

Apple’s Logic Pro X is certainly the prettiest option in the lineup. But the bullet points in Apple’s marketing tend to focus on music production with features like Smart Tempo, Brush Drum Kits, and more plugins and sounds than ever.

Whether or not you’re jazzed about the program’s built-in brass section or the ability to add in drummers, Logic brings some powerful tools into the podcasting arena.

The post-production effects are top-notch and there are several automation features that will help you streamline the editing process.

The Track List feature means you can edit more than one track at a time or quickly shift between them by Shift-clicking to another. For some, Logic X may have a few too many features. If you’re not a musician, it may be a bit too much.

You can hide the items you don’t need, such as the MIDI keyboard tools or the music notation editor. Logic Pro X is a great choice for podcasting, albeit a costly one at $199. Whether this is the best choice for you depends on what you want your podcasting tool to do.

4. Adobe Audition

One of the most popular choices for experienced podcasters and newbies alike is Adobe Audition. This DAW is a flexible, subscription-based option that allows you to record audio files, then mix and edit to your heart’s content.

Adobe’s audio software is considered a premium option, at least compared to free platforms like Audacity or GarageBand. You’ll get the most out of Audition if you understand the basics of audio editing.

Adobe Audition comes with a range of features that give your tracks a crisp, professional touch. The noise reduction tools are particularly good, as is the approach to multitrack recording, which allows you to set levels for each guests voice and edit them separately in post-production.

Audition costs $20/month and isn’t the cheapest software by a long-shot. However, if sound quality is your primary concern, Adobe Audition is well worth the investment.

5. Hindenburg Journalist

Hindenburg Journalist is a storyteller’s dream. As the name suggests, the software is for broadcast journalists. It’s perfect for narrative podcasts in the vein of Serial or This American Life. Hindenburg’s automatic settings use the same standards as NPR, so you can channel your favorite public radio personalities with ease.

Where Apple Logic Pro X focuses primarily on music, Hindenburg provides a curated collection of essentials.

Hindenburg records uncompressed sound, so you’ll get the best audio quality possible. Beyond that, Hindenburg comes with an automated equalizer that helps you maintain a consistent sound throughout each recording.

This helps when you’re on the go, working from different locations, or using a laptop outdoors. The software works across multiple devices and allows users to plug in their USB microphone and start recording.

Organization tools like the clipboard help you arrange the best sound bytes from every interview, add in music and effects, and insert multi-track clips. What’s nice about this is, you can zoom out and really consider how the story fits together.

The Journalist software is $95 for a license but leaves out several key features. Multi-track recording, for example, is locked behind the $250 Pro pricing tier.

6. Zencastr

Zencastr is perfect for podcasters working with remote guests and comes with an easy-to-use invite system that records each guest on a separate audio track.

The software records each voice locally with pristine quality. Sometimes, recording remotely can present a few snags—like lag or audio issues. Which makes sense, given that the software is a lot like Skype or Zoom, just with a podcast-centric interface.

Zencastr beats using your run-of-the-mill VOIP. It comes with redundant backups and keeps recording if you lose the connection.

You can connect it to your Dropbox or Google Drive for access to files and easy editing. Zencastr also comes with a soundboard for live editing, which lets you insert your intro, ads, or other segments as you record.

Zencastr also offers automatic post-production tools and lossless .WAV, but these features are part of the premium package. Free users get high-quality MP3, which sounds pretty good to the untrained ear.

Pricing ranges from a free Hobbyist plan, which includes two guest tracks and eight hours of audio. You won’t get any post-production features, but you can purchase them a la carte.

The professional plan is $20/month for unlimited guests and episodes. And if your podcast starts to hit the big time, you can access professional features, plus analytics and advertising features for a whopping $250/month.

The Right Tools Can Help Make or Break a Podcast

Podcasts are a fantastic medium for telling stories and connecting with people who share similar interests. And these tools will help you deliver your narrative, be it a true crime podcast or deep dive into your favorite video game.

However, software isn’t the only tool you’ll need to buy before recording a podcast. For more on microphones, headphones, and other essential hardware, check out our roundup of the best podcast equipment for starters and enthusiasts.

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10 Great IFTTT Applets to Automate Your Android Phone

ShiftCam 2.0 Turns Your Phone into a Pocket-Sized DSLR

Most smartphones take amazing photos nowadays. The only thing missing is the ability to switch lenses. That changes with ShiftCam 2.0 — a six-in-one lens kit for your iPhone. This awesome case lets you capture distant wildlife, take wider group shots, and even focus on macro details. Right now, you can get ShiftCam 2.0 for $59.99 at MakeUseOf Deals.

Pocket DSLR

To build a serious following on Instagram, it’s essential to stand out from the crowd. Unfortunately, every iPhone owner is stuck with the same two lenses. It’s tough to be creative with such a limited toolkit.

That’s where ShiftCam 2.0 comes in. This smartphone photography kit gives you five extra options on the rear-facing camera, and a wider view on the front-facing camera.

The kit includes a 120° wide-angle lens that’s perfect for landscapes, plus a 2x telephoto lens for extra reach. You also get two macro lenses, which provide 10x and 20x magnification respectively. The 180° fisheye lens offers the widest view of all, adding a wacky perspective to your shots.

The lenses come with a nice protective case which provides a solid mount. When you’re no longer taking pictures, you can simply slide out the lenses and use your iPhone as normal.

ShiftCam 2.0 comes in three versions: for Phone X, iPhone 7/8 and iPhone 7/8 Plus.

Take Better Photos for $59.99

Order ShiftCam 2.0 now for $59.99 and save 14% on the standard price.

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PicsArt hits 130 million MAUs as Chinese flock to its photo editing app

Oculus Rift S Revealed With Huge Improvements

The world of virtual reality is constantly changing and evolving, with all of the major players looking to innovate on the hardware to become the number one platform. Oculus is making another big move, this time in the PC-based virtual reality space with the introduction of the Oculus Rift S.

Facebook-owned Oculus was clear that this isn’t the Oculus Rift 2, hence the use of S in the name. Instead, the company says that this isn’t a sequel to the Rift, but rather, it’s a replacement. The company also pointed out that the Rift and Rift S share the same core platform, which means current Rift owners will be able to take advantage of updates and new games.

Oculus Rift S Features and Specs

The main feature that separates the Rift S from the previous version is the built-in inside-out tracking. The company calls the technology Oculus Insight. Instead of needing external sensors to detect the movement of the headset, the Rift S features five cameras on the device itself that keeps track of movement. Oculus says the headset should feature room-scale movement in any lit indoor space.

Another exciting change coming to the Rift S is the resolution. Each eye is bumped to 1,280 × 1,440 (2,560 × 1,440 total). Since this is the VR headset designed for high-end gaming experiences, any bump in resolution can be a big deal.

Oculus says that it partnered with Lenovo to design the new Rift, and the two companies designed the S to feature increased comfort, better weight distribution, and improved light blocking. It also gets a single cable tether, making it a less cluttered experience. Like the Oculus Quest and Oculus Go, the Rift S features built-in audio and a headphone jack.

The last tweak is called PassThrough+, which gives the headset a true stereo-correct passthrough feature. If you need to see outside of the headset into the real world, this feature will come in handy.

Oculus Rift S Price and Release Date

Oculus’ new headset will be available in the Spring of 2019. It comes with a price tag of $399. The current model of the Rift sells for $349, so in spite of the huge improvements, the price hasn’t gone up dramatically.

Of course, because this is the PC-based platform, you’ll also need a powerful gaming PC that can handle virtual reality.

Read the full article: Oculus Rift S Revealed With Huge Improvements

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Call of Duty: Mobile Is Coming Summer 2019

Activision has announced Call of Duty: Mobile. As the name suggests, this brings Call of Duty to mobile devices for the first time. Call of Duty: Mobile will be available on Android and iOS this summer, and you can sign up now for a chance to participate in the beta.

Call of Duty Is Coming to Your Smartphone

There’s a new Call of Duty game released every year, and there has been for more than a decade. The series shows no signs of disappearing either, as despite other games stealing the headlines—Fortnite being a recent example—each new Call of Duty game sells well.

However, the industry is changing, with mobile gaming becoming more important. Which is why it should come as no surprise to see Activision bringing Call of Duty to mobile. And based on the first trailer and initial details, Call of Duty: Mobile looks promising.

Activision Unveils Call of Duty: Mobile

Call of Duty: Mobile is a free-to-play shooter that looks and feels very much like its PC and console counterparts. Trailers can obviously be deceiving, but on high-end smartphones this could be one of the best-looking mobile games ever released.

In terms of gameplay, Call of Duty: Mobile looks to be a greatest hits of Call of Duty. There’s familiar modes such as Search and Destroy and Free-For-All, and as with every Call of Duty game, multiplayer is key. There are also iconic maps from previous games.

While it hasn’t yet been confirmed, the trailer suggests a battle royale mode will also be available. Given the popularity of other battle royale games such as the aforementioned Fortnite, plus PUBG and Apex Legends, Activision would have been crazy not to include it.

Sign Up for the Call of Duty: Mobile Beta

Call of Duty: Mobile will be released this summer in North America, South America, and Europe. Proceedings will kick off with a beta to test everything is working. You can pre-register for Call of Duty: Mobile now to be in with a chance of participating in the beta.

If you’re a gamer of any description you may want to check out Google Stadia. Although it’s early days, Google thinks it has figured out how to bring cloud gaming to the masses, and if the company gets it right, Google Stadia could be a literal game-changer.

Read the full article: Call of Duty: Mobile Is Coming Summer 2019

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The 15 Best YouTube Channels You Should Watch Next

Are you struggling to decide what to watch on YouTube? The sheer number of YouTube channels can cause decision paralysis and a case of FOMO. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of the best YouTube channels you should watch next.

Compiling a list of “the best” YouTube channels is almost impossible. Which is why we’ve settled on a list of interesting YouTube channels worth watching. You might not like them all, but you should find something you’ll enjoy.

1. Tasty

This channel will make you drool. The snack-sized videos break down delicious dishes into the simple steps it takes to make them. You’ll want to dash into your kitchen and try these recipes. All of them.

Tasty also runs its own YouTube shows, including Tasty 101, Eating Your Feed, and Behind Tasty.

Subscribe to this channel if… you love food and easy recipes.

2. 5-Minute Magic

This fascinating YouTube channel will teach you simple magic tricks, illusions, and science experiments. Whether you need material for your kid’s next birthday party or want to impress your friends, this channel will set you up nicely.

Note that the videos are slightly longer than five minutes. You can easily spend an hour and more on this channel, studying new tricks.

Subscribe to this channel if… you love entertaining kids or just want to be the center of attention at a party.

3. The King of Random

This channel features random weekend projects, experiments, and life hacks. These DIY/mad science videos are professionally produced and range from useful to entertaining. 

You’ll find tips for improving cell phone reception, a way to make self-freezing soda, and survival tips, like how to start a fire with a sandwich bag.

New videos drop at 5pm ET every Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Subscribe to this channel if… you find endless fascination in the randomness of life and can’t wait to try out new things.

4. LinusTechTips

This channel is a great place to learn about technology. Beginners should start with the As Fast As Possible playlist, which features short videos that explain basic technology and terms. For example, you can find out about TCP/IP, CPU Cache, or how fitness trackers work.

If you’re in the market for a new PC, the Build Guides, Buyer’s Guides, and Ultimate Guides playlists will show you what to look for and how to build your own PC.

Subscribe to this channel if… you enjoy fun and educational videos about technology.

5. Tech Geeks Try Stuff

This channel shows a bunch of geeks facing various challenges. In Season 1, they tried foods from around the world, including space food and sour candy. And in Season 2 they tried to solve tech trivia, while blind-testing soda, pizza, and ice cream brands.

Disclaimer: Tech Geeks Try Stuff is a MakeUseOf channel.

Subscribe to this channel if… you’re looking for a good laugh or want to feel closer to the team behind your favorite website.

6. Music TalentNow

At first glance, this channel looks amateurish. But when you realize that it’s accumulated over 4 billion views, you know this is a case of false first impressions.

Music TalentNow features short clips from various international TV shows, like American Idol or Britain’s Got Talent. If you don’t have the time or patience to sit through these shows, here’s a chance to catch only the best performances and see what everyone’s talking about.

Similar YouTube channels include Top Talent and X Factor Global.

Subscribe to this channel if… you want to stay on the pulse of popular TV culture without having to consume too much of it.

7. Chills

You won’t forget the monotone voice of this Canadian dude. Once you’ve watched the scariest things caught on dashcam, heard the scary dark web stories, and saw the mysterious giant creatures, it might even come back to haunt you in your sleep.

The majority of these YouTube videos, however, won’t keep you up at night (unless you can’t stop watching). They’re only mildly creepy and mostly entertaining.

The maker of Chills also narrates the Top15s videos, which are less scary, but equally worth watching.

Subscribe to this channel if… you’re strangely attracted to weird and creepy things to watch.

8. CrazyRussianHacker

For Taras Kulakov, “safety is number one priority”. The USSR born former Ukrainian Olympic swimmer, who now lives in Waynesville, North Carolina, explores everything from boiling Coke, testing military food, to dumping 30 pounds of dry ice into a pool.

Taras also shares life hacks and tests gadgets. The random mix creates a fun collection of YouTube videos that are definitely worth watching.

Subscribe to this channel if… you get a kick out of watching crazy experiments with a safe ending.

9. FailArmy

The laugh is always on the loser. And you will split your sides laughing while watching these epic fail videos.

Always remember that one day, you could be the star of a fail video, because this channel accepts fan submissions.

Subscribe to this channel if… you need a good laugh every once in a while.

10. People Are Awesome

On the bright side, failure is a result of trying. And trying hard, over and over again, can lead to great results. People are Awesome celebrates the achievements of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Activities include extreme sports and simple exercises taken to the extreme.

Like FailArmy, this channel depends on material submitted by its viewers. If you have ever documented an amazing trick on video, this is your chance to share it with the world.

Subscribe to this channel if… you admire driven and creative people doing extreme sports.

11. TheRichest

Each video on this channel features a list of fun facts around a fascinating topic. That includes anything from stuff science can’t explain to common objects dirtier than your toilet. Can you find 10 videos you like on this channel?

To curb the randomness, dive into one of the playlists, which focus on unusual people, movies and TV, or creatures and animals.

Subscribe to this channel if… you love lists of fascinating facts.

12. Looper

Looper shines a light on the Easter eggs, interesting facts, and untold stories behind your favorite movies, TV shows, and games. You’ll learn what happened to Mr. T, how famous horror movie monsters look underneath their masks, and why they never made a sequel to Inception.

For someone with an interest in popular culture, this channel provides endless entertainment.

Subscribe to this channel if… you’re an entertainment buff and want to know more about popular films, shows, characters, and celebrities.

13. Amazing Space

Amazing Space is a YouTube channel dedicated to the infinite space beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Featured videos include live streams from the International Space Station, high-resolution videos of the Earth and the Sun, and a collection of time-lapse videos.

The material is sourced from NASA, the ESA (European Space Agency), and other exclusive sources.

Subscribe to this channel if… you are curious about our galaxy and appreciate breathtaking views of our planet floating in space.

And if this YouTube channel gets you in the mood to dive deeper into space, here are the best documentaries about the universe in which we all live.

14. The School of Life

This YouTube channel and real-life school for adults addresses the kinds of subjects many parents and schools neglect: philosophy, psychotherapy, literature, and art. Channel topics include relationships, work and capitalism, comedy, and pop culture.

You can stream individual videos on topics you’re interested in. Or you can follow a curated curriculum to graduate from the school of life as a fully educated adult.

Subscribe to this channel if… you feel like you’ve missed a couple of life lessons and would like to close that gap.

15. Veritasium

Every video on this channel contains an element of truth. Derek Muller answers intriguing questions and explores entertaining subjects through the lense of science. For example, do you know how chameleons change color, whether cell phones can cause brain tumors, or how welding in space works? You’ll find out on Veritasium.

Subscribe to this channel if… you’re fascinated by science and want to learn more about the wonders of our world.

For a list of similar channels, check out the best YouTube channels for science experiments.

What Are You Going to Watch on YouTube Next?

Want to stock up on things you can watch on YouTube, even when you’re offline? Then you can use a YouTube playlist downloader to save videos to your computer. And if you ever get bored with the free videos, here are the best YouTube Originals worth watching.

Image Credit: Elnur/Shutterstock

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How to Host Your Own Website on a Raspberry Pi

Need to run a website but can’t afford the hosting costs?

You could use this link to get a special discount at InMotion Hosting.

Or you could try turning a Raspberry Pi into a web server, which is more than capable of running basic web server software. Best of all, setting it up is simple.

Why Host a Website on Raspberry Pi?

There are several good reasons to setup a Raspberry Pi as a web server.

• Hosting costs are expensive
• Your desktop PC is too expensive to run all day
• Raspberry Pi has a very low energy footprint
• The Pi can be configured as a portable device
• Potential for beating censorship

Whatever your motivation for choosing to host your website on a Raspberry Pi, it can be set up in minutes. Better still, you can use any version of the Pi, even the Pi Zero. If the device can be connected to the internet, you can host a website on it.

Setting Up the Raspberry Pi Web Server Hardware

Start with a reliable power supply for your Raspberry Pi. You should also have the latest version of your preferred Raspberry Pi distro installed to a high-quality SD card.

The steps and screenshots in this guide are for setting your Raspberry Pi web server up with Raspbian Stretch.

As with most servers, you’ll need to access the Raspberry Pi web server using SSH. In Linux and macOS you can do this via the terminal. In Windows, use PowerShell to connect over SSH, or install a third-party tool.

Setting Up Wireless Networking and SSH

While you can use your Raspberry Pi as a web server with just a keyboard and monitor, remote access is simpler.

The best way to do this is to enable SSH on your Pi and set up wireless networking in advance. If you’re using an existing Raspberry Pi installation, you’ve probably done both already. Starting fresh? You can configured SSH and wireless networking while your SD card is still in your PC.

Begin by ensuring your SD card is visible in your computer’s file manager, and the /boot/ directory selected. (In Windows, this is the only portion of the SD card that is readable.)

Next, in the /boot/ directory window, right-click in empty space and select New > Text Document. Name the document ssh taking care to remove the .TXT file extension. When the Pi boots, it will detect the ssh file and enable this feature.

To connect over SSH, you’ll need to first enable wireless networking. To do this, create another file, this time calling it wpa_supplicant.conf. Again, delete the TXT extension. Open the file, and copy and paste the following:

ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
network={
ssid="YOUR_NETWORK_NAME"
psk="YOUR_PASSKEY"
key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}

Once pasted, edit the values to show your network name (SSID) and password (PSK). Save the file, then safely eject your SD card. After replacing it in the Raspberry Pi, boot up. You should be able to connect to the Raspberry Pi over SSH, using the Pi’s IP address. Find this by checking your router’s admin screen (check the device documentation), or by briefly connecting a keyboard and display.

With SSH set up, you can remotely connect to your Raspberry Pi web server at any time.

Configuring Your Raspberry Pi as a Web Server

Before you upload your HTML pages to your Raspberry Pi, you’ll need to configure the server and its software. To do this, install Apache and PHP. This will enable the serving of pages written in HTML and PHP.

Begin by updating Raspbian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Next, install Apache and associated libraries, by entering:

sudo apt install apache2 -y

Then check that Apache is running:

sudo service apache2 status

If the server displays “active (running)” in green text, everything is fine.

Should the server be down, start it with:

sudo service apache2 start

At this stage, you can browse to your Raspberry Pi’s web server from a browser.

If the browser is installed on your Raspberry Pi, visit this URL in your address bar:

http://localhost

However, if you are using SSH, use the IP address of your Raspberry Pi from your PC browser (e.g. http://123.456.789.0). You should see confirmation that Apache is installed.

Your Raspberry Pi is now setup as a basic web server. All you need to do now is add pages!

Configuring FTP on the Raspberry Pi

While you can check in the browser that your Pi is running as a web server, the page on offer will be very basic. This is a typical placeholder index.php file, one that you will have to replace with your own PHP or HTML document.

Begin by creating a www directory and installing the FTP software:

sudo chown -R pi /var/www
sudo apt install vsftpd

With the FTP application vsftpd (“Very Secure FTP Daemon”) installed you’ll need to make some changes to the configuration. First, open the config file in nano…

sudo nano /etc/vsftpd.conf

…and make the following permissions/security changes:

First, change anonymous_enable=YES to anonymous_enable=NO

Then, uncomment the following lines (by removing the # symbol)

#local_enable=YES
#write_enable=YES

This enables the settings the lines pertain to. Finally add this line to the end of the file:

force_dot_files=YES

Doing this will force the display of server files starting with a “.”, such as the all-important .htaccess file.

Press Ctrl + X to save and exit, confirming with Y and Enter.

Finally, restart FTP with:

sudo service vsftpd restart

Using a standard desktop FTP you will then be able to connect to your Raspberry Pi. Upload files to /var/www/html.

HTML Not Enough? Raspberry Pi Also Supports LAMP!

The Raspberry Pi isn’t only capable of serving basic HTML pages. The LAMP server configuration can be installed if you want MySQL with PHP support. Simply follow the installation steps above to install and set up Apache, then add install MySQL followed by PHP.

The following packages install MySQL and the requisite PHP component:

sudo apt install mysql-server php-mysql -y

Once this is installed, you’ll need to restart Apache:

sudo service apache2 restart

Next, install PHP itself with:

sudo apt install php -y

Again, restart Apache using the command above. Your LAMP server is now installed, ready for you to setup database-driven PHP web applications and websites.

As with any web server project, you should determine if the Pi will be suitable for your needs. While it is possible to setup WordPress to run on the Raspberry Pi, adding a multitude of plugins and multiple daily updates will make it extremely slow.

The website you plan to run on your Raspberry Pi should be light on resources and software requirements. A database driven solution can be used if necessary, you should limit the number of pages that can be viewed.

Want to go further? Check our guide to hosting a WordPress site on your Raspberry Pi.

Security and Technical Considerations

You’re unlikely to get anything nearing production-level speed when using the Raspberry Pi as a web server for anything resembling a popular website.

There are ways you can improve performance, however, such as setting up your server software on a USB hard disk drive rather than on the SD card in order to reduce degradation through regular read/write processes. Alternatively, using your device RAM for temporary read/write file storage is an option too. This is something you will perhaps want to change when you have decided how you’re going to use your very small web server.

Although suitable for setting up a test version of a database-driven PHP website, the Raspberry Pi’s online duties are probably best suited to a small collection of static pages.

Note that if you do plan to open access to your Raspberry Pi as an internet-connected web server, you’ll need to set up your router with a static IP address.

Finally, take the time to change your Raspberry Pi’s default password. This can be done in the command line via SSH using:

passwd

You will then be prompted to input and confirm a new password. Doing this will stop anyone familiar with Raspbian from being able to access the backend of your web page.

Host Your Own Raspberry Pi Website!

The potential for using a Raspberry Pi as a web server is considerable. Realistically, you won’t be able to host a website as large as MakeUseOf. However, with a battery pack and mobile internet dongle you could host a compact website from anywhere in the world.

Remember, all you need to do is:

• Configure SSH and wireless networking
• Install Apache (MySQL and PHP optional)
• Install FTP
• Set up a secure password

With a static IP address or Dynamic DNS service set up, your website is ready. And if you don’t want it to be accessed from the internet, simply host a home intranet instead!

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What’s Using My Bandwidth? 5 Tips to Monitor Home Network Usage

The kids are playing an online game. Your partner is streaming a movie and downloading something for work. You’re trying to compete with them for bandwidth… but it just isn’t happening.

A lot of things can drain your internet bandwidth capacity. Most of the time, it is the people on your network you know about. At other times, it is malware or a network intruder.

It can get so bad you cry out “What is using my bandwidth?!” It is a good question. Here’s how you can check and troubleshoot what (or who) is using your bandwidth across your home network.

1. Track Bandwidth Usage via Your Router

The best place to start figuring out what is consuming your bandwidth is your router. Your router processes all the incoming and outgoing internet traffic for your home.

In your router settings is a page containing each device currently attached to your network. You can check device IP addresses, MAC addresses, and their current connection status. Depending on your router, you may also have access to network information such as current download and upload speed, and the amount of data each device is using or has used.

For instance, the local network page on my router shows each device.

Notice an entry you are unfamiliar with? You can delete it and remove it from your network. Make sure not to delete one of your own devices in the process! It isn’t a big deal if you do. You may need to re-enter your security credentials to log back into the network, a minor inconvenience for most devices.

2. Check Bandwidth Usage With Capsa

Your second option to check what is using your bandwidth is via a third-party program. In this case, you can use Capsa, a free network analysis app that captures every data packet engaging with your system.

1. Select the network adapter for your system. For me, it is Ethernet. For you, it might be a Wi-Fi adapter. Choose Full Analysis, then hit Start to get things underway.
2. In the Node Explorer (left-hand side), head to Protocol Explorer > [your adapter type] > IP. The tree of protocols expands, but you can stop here.
3. In the analysis panel, select the Protocol The Protocol tab shows data packets for each protocol your system is using.
4. In the analysis toolbar at the bottom of the screen, select MAC Endpoint. If you double-click your device IP address, it will open the detailed packet analysis screen for you.

What is handy is that loads of common traffic have easily identifiable addresses. In other places, Capsa marks the traffic for you.

You can organize this information differently, too. In the analysis panel, hit the IP Endpoint tab, then browse to your device IP address. The analysis toolbar shows all of the incoming and outgoing connections for the local host, its geographic endpoint, and more. The Node 2 column can make for interesting reading!

The free version has some limitations:

• Only tracks ten private IP addresses
• Only tracks one network adapter
• Can only work on one project at a time

But for the most part, these limitations shouldn’t affect your ability to figure out what is stealing your bandwidth.

Download: Capsa for Windows (Free)

Note: Want to keep track of your entire network? Here’s how to turn a Raspberry Pi into a network monitoring tool.

3. Scan Your System for Malware

The other possibility is that your bandwidth issues aren’t coming from your local network. You may well have picked up some nasty malware that is stealing your bandwidth as it communicates with an external server or acts as a spam email bot. Malware can consume your malware in numerous ways, although it isn’t always “all-consuming.” Still, if you have malware, regardless of bandwidth consumption, you need to clean your system.

You should have an antivirus suite installed. Run a full system scan with whichever antivirus you use. Furthermore, I would strongly advise downloading Malwarebytes and running a full system scan. Quarantine and remove any nefarious items the full system scan brings to light. Then, check if your bandwidth increases. You might notice a sudden boost in speed!

Unsure where to start? Check out the MakeUseOf malware removal guide!

4. Use Netstat to Uncover Network Issues

Another way to hone in on system processes hogging your bandwidth is through the Command Prompt and the netstat command. Netstat is short for “network statistics,” and you can use the command to evaluate all the network comings and goings on your system (but not your router).

In your Start menu search bar, type command, then right-click and select Run as Administrator. When the Command Prompt opens, input netstat -o and press Enter. What follows is a long list of every active network connection on your computer, which port they’re listening on, the external address, and which process the network connection belongs to.

Scan through the list and see if there are any unusual entries. You can copy and paste an address into your browser to search for it. The vast majority of entries are for servers or cloud servers of one kind or another because they’re the backbone of the internet.

For a quick analysis, head to urlscan.io and pop the address in there. You get a short report on who the server or address belongs to.

You can also note the PID (Process ID). Open your Task Manager, then the Services tab, and locate the equivalent process. If the PID has a lot of open network connections in the Command Prompt, and it is a service you don’t recognize, you can either stop the service and see if it clears your bandwidth issues, or complete an internet search to figure out what the process is and if it’s something your system requires.

5. Check Network Activity With Windows Resource Monitor

While you’re in the Task Manager, to get to another bandwidth troubleshooting tool, click on the Performance tab, and then click on the “Resource Monitor” button at the bottom.

The resource monitor is one of the most powerful tools available in your network troubleshooting arsenal, in my opinion.

A glance at the Send and Receive columns shows me that Chrome and Malwarebytes currently account for most of my bandwidth. Seeing Chrome and Malwarebytes at the top of the list is fine because I trust both of these programs. If you see an unknown process or application at the top of the list, draining your bandwidth, it is time to start investigating.

What’s Using Your Bandwidth?

It is a good question. I know in my house there can be up to ten devices competing for bandwidth at times. At those times, I’m glad I am in control of the router.

Not that I suggest cutting your family or friends bandwidth off. However, if you have a persistent bandwidth drain and you’re sure it isn’t a device within your control, one of the above tips on monitoring your home network use will uncover the perpetrator.

If you keep your smartphone by your side, why not turn it into a mobile network analysis hub with one of these Android apps?

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Morphin instantly Deepfakes your face into GIFs

Want to star in your favorite memes and movie scenes? Upload a selfie to Morphin, choose your favorite GIF, and your face is grafted in to create a personalized copy you can share anywhere. Become Tony Stark as he suits up like Iron Man. Drop the mic like Obama, dance like Drake, or slap your mug on Fortnite characters.

Now after three years in a stealth developing image mapping technology, Morphin is ready to launch its put-you-in-a-GIF maker. While it might look like just a toy, investors see real business potential. Morphin raised $1 million last summer from Betaworks, the incubator that spawned Giphy, plus Founders Fund, Precursor, Shrug Capital, and Boost.vc’s accelerator.

Elon Musk as Iron Man

“We believe in the future you’ll be able to be the main character in your own film. Imagine a super hero movie where you’re a the main protagonist?” co-founder Loic Ledoux asks. “That sounded like science fiction a few years ago and now with AI and computer vision we definitely see our tech going there.”

Ledoux also wants to reclaim faceswaps as something fun rather than a weapon for misinformation. “Deepfakes brought something pretty negative to computer vision. But it’s not all bad. It’s about how you use the tech to give people a new tool for self expressions and storytelling.” And since Morphin re-generates the whole clip from scratch with CGI animation, they look right at a glance but clearly aren’t manipulated copies of the original video designed to fool anyone.

Kanye performs magic

Morphin started three years ago with the intention to build personalized avatars for games and VR so you could be a FIFA soccer player or Skyrim knight. Ledoux had started a 3D printing company to explore opportunities in scanning and modeling when he saw a chance to connect your real and virtual faces. He teamed up with his co-founder Nicholas Heriveaux who’d spent 13 years working on 3D tech while modding games like Grand Theft Auto to insert his avatar and assets.

What they quickly recognized was that “People were just reacting to themselves on the screen”, ignoring the gameplay, Ledoux recalls. “Being able to see yourself as a hero was the underlying sentiment, so we focused on video completely.” Recognizable GIFs became its preferred medium, as they combine familiarity and the ability to convey complex emotions with a template that’s easy to personalize so they stand out.

Morphin’s tech no longer requires 3D scanning hardware and it works with just a regular selfie. You just snap a headshot, select a GIF from its iOS or Android app’s library, and a few seconds later you have a CGI version of yourself in the scene with no watermark that you can export and post. “We wanted it to be super straight forward because we wanted people to relate to the content” Ledoux notes. Over 1 million scenes have been created by 50,000 beta users, and each time a celebrity shares one of the GIFs Morphin has been sending them for marketing, scores of their followers demand to know what app they were using.

Morphin’s 9-person French team will have to keep innovating to stay ahead of avatar-making competitors like the ubiquitous Snapchat Bitmoji, Genies, Moji Edit, and Mirror AI. Facebook, Microsoft, and Google all have launched or are building their own avatar creators. But these typically live as 2D stickers or 3D AR animations you overlay on the real world. By using GIFs as a canvas, Morphin takes the pressure off your visage looking perfect and instead emphasizes the message you’re trying to get across.

The challenge will be for Morphin to become a consistent part of people’s communication stack. It’s easy to imagine playing with it and posting a few GIFs. But iconic new GIFs don’t emerge each day and without a social network to stay for, Morphin is at risk of becoming a merely a forgotten tool. The app might need TikTok-style challenges like submitting the best personalized GIF to match a prompt or a GIF browsing feed to keep people coming back.

Turning Donald Glover into Jay Gatsby

Morphin isn’t racing to monetize yet, but sees a chance to sell longer premium video scenes a la carte or as an unlimited subscription. Ledoux eventually hopes to unlock new forms of storytelling beyond existing GIFs. There’s also a chance for Morphin to highlight sponsored clips from upcoming movies or TV shows. “In the long-term we’re more interested in the analogy of Lil Miquela and how people are interacting with digital characters” Ledoux explains, citing a virtual pop star who’s developer Brud recently raised at a $125 million valuation.

One of the most exciting things about Morphin is that it will allow people to take the spotlight no matter how they look. Often times certain races, genders, and looks are unfairly excluded from starring in today’s most popular media. But Morphin could let the underrepresented take their rightful place as stars of the screen.

Your faithful author Josh Constine dropping the mic like Obama

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