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Showing posts from March, 2020

15 best comedy movies now streaming on Netflix

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These days, nothing hits better than a genuine laugh. With Netflix subscribers everywhere continuing to socially distance themselves, it can feel like we're missing out on a lot. Thankfully, the streaming service has a huge archive of killer comedy to help us fill our days and nights with jokes, disasters, and mayhem. From hidden gems to legendary favorite films, here are our top 15 picks (plus, two honorable mentions) for the best comedies on Netflix streaming right now. Enjoy! 15. While We're Young Before Adam Driver starred in Marriage Story, director Noah Baumbach cast him in the hidden gem of a movie, While We're Young. Driver and Amanda Seyfried appear opposite Ben Stiller and Naomi Watts in this touching look at what it means to grow older while staying young at heart. How to watch: While We're Young is now streaming on Netflix. 14. Good Burger "Welcome to Good Burger, home of the good burger! Can I take your order?" Starring Kel Mitc...

Google, Microsoft, IBM and Amazon partner with White House to provide compute resources for COVID-19 research

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The flag and seal at White House Press briefing, Washington DC, USA During today’s White House coronavirus task force press conference, President Trump announced the launch of a new public/private consortium to “unleash the power of American supercomputing resources.” The members of this consortium are the White House, the Department of Energy and IBM . Other companies, including Google, Amazon and Microsoft, as well as a number of academic institutions, are also “contributing lots of different things,” the president said. While Trump’s comments were characteristically unclear, IBM provided more details, noting that it is working with a number of national labs and other institutions to offer a total of 330 petaflops of compute to various projects in epidemiology, bioinformatics and molecular modeling. Amazon, Google and Microsoft are also part of the consortium, which is being led by IBM, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Department of Energy. I...

Apple_iPhone 12 may be twice as fast as the Samsung Galaxy S20

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iPhone continues its processing speed lead The iPhone 12 will continue to widen the gap between Apple and all other Android phone makers, according to newly leaked benchmarks. It's not too big of a surprise, as the trio of iPhone 11 phones continue to best even the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. This iPhone 12 news is derived from a surprise benchmark entry for the 'A14 Bionic', which is the chipset we'd expect the iPhone 12 to use (the iPhone 11 used A13 Bionic, the iPhone XS A12 Bionic and so on). GizChina caught the Geekbench listing first. In the test, the A14 Bionic returned a single-core score of 1,658, and multi-core of 4,612. Single-core is useful for simple tasks like scrolling the web and using social media, while multi-core tasks include intense gaming and photo and video editing. The multi-core score is the highest we've seen on a smartphone, and that makes sense because Apple's phones typically has the highest speeds we seen on phones. For co...

iPhone_Apple might launch a budget-friendly 'iPhone 9 Plus'

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An iPhone 9 Plus (or iPhone SE 2 Plus?) might be on the way, for those of you with bigger hands.An iPhone 9 Plus (or iPhone SE 2 Plus?) might be on the way, for those of you with bigger hands. It looks like Apple might not only release an iPhone 9 (or iPhone SE 2), but an iPhone 9 Plus as well. According to 9to5Mac, the iOS 14 code contains hints of a larger version of the phone. The iPhone 9 has been rumored for a while now, with recent reports suggesting it would launch in March of this year. But a "plus" size version of the phone hasn't been mentioned until now. Considering the iPhone 9 might replace the iPhone 8, it makes sense there would also be a new version of the iPhone 8 Plus. With a rumored starting price of $399, both phones are supposed to be budget-friendly alternatives to the iPhone 11 (which starts at $699) and the iPhone 11 Pro (which starts at $999). But as with any entry-level model, that also means its features are slightly more dated. ...

Stop touching our faces?

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There is a reason why humans are susceptible during disease outbreaks like that of Covid-19 – we keep touching our faces. Why, and what can we do about it? Humans have a rather unusual habit we don’t share with many other animals, and, unfortunately, it makes us particularly susceptible during certain disease outbreaks – we keep touching our faces. Our species is one of the few in the animal kingdom known to touch their faces regularly, and we often do it without even noticing. Studies have shown that we are particularly prone to touching our chins and the areas around the mouth, nose and eyes. When it comes to a disease like the new coronavirus, Covid-19, that is a recipe for fast transmission. (Read more about how Covid-19 can be transmitted by surfaces.) One 2015 observational study analysed the behaviour of medical students in Australia. Mary-Louse McLaws, an infection control expert at the University of North South Wales, Sydney, and her colleagues found that the studen...

SIM Swapping Fraudsters For Stealing Over $3 Million

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Europol, along with the Spanish and the Romanian national police, has arrested 26 individuals in connection with the theft of over €3.5 million ($3.9 million) by hijacking people's phone numbers via SIM swapping attacks. The law enforcement agencies arrested 12 and 14 people in Spain and Romania, respectively, as part of a joint operation against two different groups of SIM swappers, Europol said. The development comes as SIM swapping attacks are emerging as one of the biggest threats to telecom operators and mobile users alike. The increasingly popular and damaging hack is a clever social engineering trick used by cybercriminals to persuade phone carriers into transferring their victims' cell services to a SIM card under their control.  The SIM swap then grants attackers access to incoming phone calls, text messages, and one-time verification codes (or one-time passwords) that various websites send via SMS messages as part of the two-factor authentication (2FA) process...

Easier to get coronavirus than we thought

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You don't have to have symptoms to do some serious spreading.You don't have to have symptoms to do some serious spreading. First, the obligatory caveat: There's still so much we don't know about the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, the disease that results from the virus. New genetic developments are coming everyday — so fast that even the CDC can't keep up. During the latest coronavirus press conference Saturday, Dr. Deborah Birx shared new findings about the virus that may contradict what the CDC currently says about transmission. Birx, the highly experienced coronavirus response coordinator at the White House, said that there may be a group of people who are asymptomatic yet spreading the virus. Birx's task force of experts does not believe that people under 20 are immune from coronavirus, so they may have it and not show symptoms. "Are they a group that are potentially asymptomatic and spreading the virus?" Birx asked. "Because of tha...

TP-Link smart switch at it's best price ever with an Amazon coupon

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Control and adjust lights anywhere with a smart switch from TP-Link.Control and adjust lights anywhere with a smart switch from TP-Link. IMAGE: TP-LINK With more people set to work from home, there are plenty of useful products to help you work efficiently and stay in the right mindset. One thing to consider is whether you have the right amount of light to stay focused, and a set of smart light bulbs can really help you out there. But if you want to control your lights through a simple schedule and app, a TP-Link Kasa smart switch will make things much more convenient. Upgrade with a TP-Link (HS220) Kasa smart dimmer WiFi light switch for $24.99 at Amazon. To get the extra $5 discount, make sure you apply the coupon before you add it to your cart. That knocks it down to the best price we've seen ever on this model. And if you have a larger home, you can get a TP-Link (HS200PF) Kasa smart switch 3-pack for just $54.97 when you clip a bonus $15 coupon. When you buy the ...

Trump’s claims, Google isn’t building the coronavirus screening site — and it’s not ready

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In a press conference at the White House, President Trump today announced that 1,700 Google engineers were working on a coronavirus screening site. That site was supposedly the first step in a new screening process that would lead people from figuring out if their symptoms warranted more testing to the location of new “drive through” testing stations. But Trump was wrong. This screening site isn’t being developed by Google . Instead, it’s being built by Verily, Alphabet’s life science division — and it’s not ready to launch yet either. While both share the same parent company in Alphabet,  these are two very different companies. In addition, as Verily  noted in a statement it provided almost three hours after Trump made the announcement, this site isn’t quite ready yet. “Verily is developing a tool to help triage individuals for COVID-19 testing. We are in the early stages of development, and planning to roll testing out in the Bay Area, with the hope of expanding more...

Leaves Microsoft’s board- Bill Gates

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Bill Gates  has stepped down from the board of Microsoft to spend more time on his philanthropic endeavors, the company announced Friday afternoon. Though he will remain technology advisor to CEO Satya Nadella, this move reduces his involvement with the company to the lowest level it has ever been. Gates led Microsoft  from the ’80s all the way through 2008, when he left to dedicate himself more fully to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, through which he has channeled a great deal of his immense wealth toward global health concerns. He remained on the board, however, and in fact chaired it until 2014. But starting today he will only be there as, presumably, something like a lucky charm and occasional auxiliary brain to Nadella and his crew. “It’s been a tremendous honor and privilege to have worked with and learned from Bill over the years,” said Nadella in a Microsoft press release. “I am grateful for Bill’s friendship and look forward to continuing to work a...

Who stop breathing in their sleep

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The man who draws in his sleep Why science says you need a nap If you have sleep apnoea, chances are you don’t realise it. But it’s linked to diabetes, heart disease and other conditions, and it can put your life at risk I thought I was dying. During the day, I was so tired my knees would buckle. Driving the car, my head would dip and then I would catch myself. My face was lined with exhaustion. At night, I would sleep fitfully, legs churning, then snap awake with a start, gasping for breath, heart racing. My doctor was puzzled. He ordered blood tests, urine tests, an electrocardiogram – maybe, he thought, the trouble was heart disease – those night-time palpitations… No, my heart was fine. My blood was fine. He ordered a colonoscopy. It was late 2008 and I was 47 years old – almost time to be having one anyway. So I forced down the four litres (seven pints) of Nulytely to wash out my intestines so a gastroenterologist could take a good look inside. My colon was clea...

Coronavirus-Europe could face Italy-like surge within weeks

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Some of the world’s top experts tracking the spread of the coronavirus predict that in a matter of weeks, much of Europe could be facing a similar surge in cases that has locked down Italy, overwhelmed its hospitals in the north and brought the country of 60 million to a standstill. Mathematical models developed by epidemiologists to track the virus show a sharp trajectory of infections in Germany, France and Britain. Spain showed particularly concerning exponential growth, some experts said. The modelers in Europe say a similar arc is likely in the United States, but anticipating the spread is made more difficult by the lack of widespread testing of suspected cases there. “Italy is about two weeks ahead of Britain and the rest of Europe,” said Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London. Observations by epidemiologists show that if unchecked, the number of infections double approximately roughly every five days, with infected individuals, ...

Bangalore Google employee tests positive for coronavirus

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Google  said on Thursday that an employee at its office in Bangalore, India has tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus and the firm has asked all the other employees in that office to work from home on Friday out of abundance of caution. “We can confirm that an employee from our Bangalore office has been diagnosed with COVID-19. They were in one of our Bangalore offices for a few hours before developing any symptoms,” a company spokesperson said in a statement, adding that those who were in close contact with the employee have been asked to quarantine themselves. In an internal email, accessed by TechCrunch, Anand Rangarajan, director of engineering at Google, said the infected “Googler contracted the virus after traveling overseas.” In recent days, Google has moved to ask all its employees in North America, Europe, and several other regions to work from home. But the company has yet to extend such measure to its employees and contractor workers in Asian markets. ...

Thousands of U.S. workers to stay home amid coronavirus fears-Google asks

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Google's U.S. workers have been told to stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.Google's U.S. workers have been told to stay home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. As concern about the coronavirus continues to build, many workplaces are encouraging people to work remotely to prevent it from spreading further. Now, in one of the biggest such moves yet, Google has asked all its employees in the U.S. and Canada to work from home for at least a month. The new policy was announced in a memo to workers on Tuesday, and confirmed by a Google spokesperson to Business Insider. Those who are able to work remotely have been told to do so for an entire month, staying away from Google's offices until at least April 10. Google has also recommended that employees in Europe work from home, and issued advice to its international offices depending upon the local situation. Google has numerous offices around the globe, however, some 100,000 of its workers are based...

01 Best laptop for writers in 2020: the 10 best laptops for authors and journalists

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These are the best laptops for writers Not every notebook can be the best laptop for writers. Much like photographers, 3D designers and video editors, writers have specific needs when it comes to their main writing tool, even if it seems to outsiders that all they need are Microsoft Word and a working keyboard. If you’re spending hours typing, for example, having a functional keyboard just isn’t enough. You’ll need one that’s extremely reliable and accurate, comfortable to use, and has a satisfying bounce and tactile feedback. In fact, you’ll need one of the best keyboards on a laptop, if you hope to type on it for eight hours straight without fatiguing. You’ll also need one with an excellent display, one that lets you see things when you’re outdoors and isn’t eye-straining even when you’re indoors. And ideally, the best laptops for writers are sleek and compact, because you never know when or where inspiration will strike. With these considerations in mind, we found all the ...

Aprilia RS 660 Will Be Available With An A2 Compliant Variant

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European licensing standards dictate that A2 motorcycles must have a power output of no more than 47 horsepower. This puts sub 400cc motorcycles such as the KTM 390 Duke, and the Kawasaki Ninja 400 as prime examples of bikes European riders can upgrade into from their A1 bikes. There is, however, another option for A2 license holders. Restriction kits for higher displacement motorcycles such as the Yamaha MT-07 and Kawasaki Z650  can be installed, limiting the performance of these machines, thereby making them A2 compliant. The benefit of this is that once time comes for the rider to progress into a full-fledged A license, the restrictor kit can simply be removed, allowing the rider to experience the full potential of their machine. This is perhaps what Aprilia will be offering after they announced that the much anticipated RS 660 will have an A2 license friendly variant when it launches later this year. After making waves at EICMA, the RS 660 has raised a lot of interest in ...

5G: How fast

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5G speeds will vary between locations, countries, carriers and devices, but on the whole the average internet speed you can expect should be much greater than what's currently offered on 4G. We've been testing the first 5G networks in the US, UK, and Australia, and have found speeds to be a little bit of a mixed bag. While some of the mmWave networks - most reliably, Verizon in the US - regularly provide over 1 Gbps as promised, their coverage is spotty and minimal. Sprint's mid-band 2.5Ghz 5G service covers more area and reliably offers speeds in the 200Mbps, which is less impressive but still far superior to typical 4G LTE speeds. In the UK, EE's network maxed out at 550Mbps, but spotty coverage resulted in speeds averaging 200Mbps-400Mbps.

e-bike-Shimano’s smart tech gives Volt’s Infinity the edge

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Intelligent power management, and a Sony battery too Volt’s website gives you an indication of what to expect from its cool-looking new Infinity two-wheeler. "We don’t make e-bikes that look too electric" it says, as you pick over the fascinating history of this innovative British brand. It also gives you a great idea of what to expect from this latest addition to the growing range of Volt e-bikes. The Infinity does indeed look like a proper bike, and the Volt designers have done a commendable job of making an aesthetically pleasing machine. This is despite the fact that it features the usual frame mounted battery pack and electric motor at the crank combination that defines many e-bike designs. The company has opted to build the Infinity around two core elements; the Shimano 250W crankdrive motor and its associated Steps operating technology, which delivers 15.5mph or 25kmh tops. It also adapts assistance dynamically, depending on your requirements. The all-impor...

Best foldable phone concept we've seen so far

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Foldable phones are here. You can buy several of them right now, and there any many more in the works, behind the scenes at a number of global handset manufacturers. While we've seen a number of patents, fan-made renders and concept form factors, only a handful of foldable handsets have made it to market so far. However, we've been able to get our hands on devices from a scrappy phone manufacturer which could well mold the future of flexible smartphones. TCL is behind a trio of foldable concepts we were shown in a conceptual preview, with its most 'normal' design being one we saw for the first time in October 2019, and sees a single, flexible display built into a handset which folds in half like a book - but at a theorized pricetag that's far lower than elaborate flagship foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Fold. We're going to skip past that one, as we've already given you a look at it, and focus instead on the two other concepts, which are arguabl...

Top 1 & best touchscreen laptops 2020: the best touchscreen laptops we've tapped this year

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This list should make your hunt for one of the best touchscreen laptops of 2020 easier. (Image credit: Microsoft) The best touchscreens laptops have forever changed the way we think about – and use – laptops, transforming the portable scene for good and for the better. Their touchscreen and 2-in-1 capabilities offer users a few different functionalities, catering to their different needs, while still delivering the same level of power and portability that rival that of the best laptops on the market. The fact that these laptops are now available with touch-friendly operating systems like Windows 10 and Chrome OS makes them even more appealing. The best touchscreen laptops essentially give users the ability to utilize their laptops as tablets to squeeze in a bit of gaming and some Netflix watching after school or work. We reviewed a number of these touchscreen laptops ourselves, and meticulously picked out the best, some of which also made our best 2-in-1 laptops list. Best to...

Microsoft Big tech affected by coronovirus

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Some the biggest technology companies in the U.S. have agreed to pay wages for hourly employees impacted by the ongoing corporate response to the coronavirus outbreak. It’s the right thing for companies to do, from both a health and safety perspective, and to ensure that the hourly workers who are most impacted by work stoppages and shortages are not adversely affected by events that are beyond their control. As we reported earlier today, Facebook committed to pay its “contingent” workers. And according to a report in Axios, Amazon, Google and Twitter are joining them. We’ve reached out to Apple but have yet to receive a comment. In a statement to Axios, Amazon made the same commitment for its employees. “We will continue to pay all hourly employees that support our campus in Seattle and Bellevue – from food service, to security guards to janitorial staff – during the time our employees are asked to work from home,” the company said in a statement. “In addition, we will sub...