Saturday, 31 December 2022

Dark Sky Weather App Is Officially Dead

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Dark Sky Weather App Is Officially Dead

The highly-rated Dark Sky weather has reached the end of its life, with January 1, 2023 marking the end of its path.

Apple purchased the Dark Sky weather app in early 2020. The app gained popularity by offering hyperlocal weather information. Apple purchased the app to incorporate its features into the iOS Weather app.

Fans of the app can still access the website for a couple more months, according to the company blog:

As previously announced, the Dark Sky iOS app will no longer be available beginning on December 31st, 2022 and, as of this date, already purchased versions of the app will no longer provide weather data. The Dark Sky API and website will continue to function until March 31st, 2023.

Dark Sky Weather App Is Officially Dead
Matt Milano



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Friday, 30 December 2022

Revolutionizing Auto Insurance: How Technology Has Changed the Gamefor Consumers

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Revolutionizing Auto Insurance: How Technology Has Changed the Game<br>for Consumers

In the past few decades, technology has had a profound impact on the insurance industry. One of the biggest changes has been the proliferation of online insurance comparison engines, which allow consumers to easily compare quotes from multiple companies in a matter of minutes. This has been most widely used in the auto insurance industry.

Before the internet, shopping for auto insurance was a time-consuming and often frustrating process. Consumers had to call multiple insurance companies or visit their offices in person to get quotes, and it was difficult to compare the different offers side by side. However, with the advent of online comparison engines, consumers can now enter their information once and get quotes from multiple companies almost instantly. This not only saves time, but it also makes it much easier to compare the different options and find the best deal.

Auto insurance comparison algorithms work by allowing consumers to enter their personal and vehicle information into an online form, which is then used to generate quotes from multiple insurance companies. These algorithms are increasingly smarter and starting to us AI to grow in efficiency. They take into account various factors that insurance companies use to determine premiums, such as the make and model of the vehicle, the age and driving history of the driver, the location where the vehicle is parked, and the desired level of coverage.

When comparing quotes, the algorithm looks at the specific coverage and price offered by each insurance company and presents them to the consumer in an easy-to-understand format. This allows consumers to quickly and easily compare the different options and choose the one that best meets their needs and budget.

Comparing auto insurance companies can be helpful for someone who is trying to manage their personal budget in a number of ways. First and most obviously, comparing quotes from multiple companies can help a person find the best deal on their auto insurance, which can potentially save them a significant amount of money on their premiums.

When you’re comparing auto insurance quotes, it’s important to consider not just the price, but also the coverage and level of service offered by each company. By taking the time to do this, a person can ensure that they are getting the best value for their money, rather than just choosing the cheapest option available.

In addition to potentially saving money on premiums, comparing insurance companies can also help a person make more informed decisions about their coverage. For example, a person might find that one company offers a policy with a higher deductible, but a lower premium, while another company offers a policy with a lower deductible, but a higher premium. By comparing the different options and considering their budget and risk tolerance, a person can choose the policy that best meets their needs.

This all has generally been a positive development for consumers. Here are a few specific ways in which technology has changed the insurance industry and how it has benefited consumers:

  • Online comparison tools: One of the biggest ways that technology has impacted the insurance industry is through the proliferation of online comparison tools. These tools allow consumers to easily compare quotes from multiple insurance companies, which can save them time and money. In the past, shopping for insurance was a time-consuming and often frustrating process, but with the advent of online comparison tools, consumers can now get quotes from multiple companies almost instantly and choose the one that best meets their needs and budget.
  • Telematics: Another way that technology has impacted the insurance industry is through the use of telematics, which are devices that track driving habits and provide data to insurers. This data can be used to offer discounts to safe drivers, which can help consumers save money on their premiums. Telematics can also help insurers better understand risk and offer more customized coverage, which can be beneficial for consumers.
  • Digital claims processes: Technology has also made it easier for consumers to file and track insurance claims. Many insurance companies now offer digital claims processes that allow consumers to file a claim and track its progress online, which can be more convenient and efficient than traditional methods.

In addition to providing quotes, many comparison algorithms also offer additional resources and tools to help consumers make informed decisions. This can include information on different types of coverage, tips for saving money on premiums, and customer reviews of different insurance companies.

The technology that runs these engines has also helped insurance companies to better understand and predict risk. For example, some companies are using telematics devices to track driving habits and offer discounts to safe drivers. These devices collect data on things like speed, braking patterns, and time of day to help insurers better understand how risky a particular driver is. This can allow insurers to offer lower rates to safer drivers, which can help consumers save money on their premiums.

Overall, technology has made it easier for consumers to shop for and compare auto insurance, and it has also given insurance companies more tools to accurately assess risk and offer more customized coverage. As a result, consumers can now save more money on their auto insurance than ever before. Whether you’re looking for the lowest possible price or the best coverage for your needs, there are many resources available to help you find the right auto insurance policy at a price that fits your budget. So, it is always a good idea to compare quotes from multiple companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

Revolutionizing Auto Insurance: How Technology Has Changed the Game<br>for Consumers
Brian Wallace



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Thursday, 29 December 2022

India Will Require USB-C Charging for Smartphones

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India Will Require USB-C Charging for Smartphones

India has become the second major political jurisdiction to require USB-C charging for all smartphones.

The European Union adopted legislation to mandate USB-C in October in an effort to make things easier on consumers and reduce e-waste. India has now followed suit, according to Business Standard, requiring USB-C charging ports by March 2025.

As part of the new rules, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established quality standards manufacturers will need to meet.

“BIS has notified standards for type C chargers and the government will come up with two common types of charging ports for mobiles and wearable electronic devices,” said Rohit Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

“There is a broad consensus among the industry and government that the use of USB type C charging ports can be made mandatory after six months of the European Union’s rolling out of standards for USB charging ports in 2024 as electronic manufacturers have a global integrated supply chain,” Singh told Business Standard.

The news is a welcome development for smartphone users and should go a long way toward ensuring a more streamlined experience across mobile platforms.

India Will Require USB-C Charging for Smartphones
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Microsoft Excel Finally Gets Formula Suggestions

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Microsoft Excel Finally Gets Formula Suggestions

Microsoft Excel is getting a major new feature, one that Google Sheets has had for some time, namely Formula Suggestions.

Formula Suggestions are an important feature, especially for new users, helping them gain an understanding of how formulas work. Google Sheets has had the feature since last year, but Microsoft Excel is finally catching up.

The company made the announcement as part of their December 2022 update:

Welcome to the December 2022 update. We are excited to announce the release of Formula Suggestions and Formula by Example for Excel web users – a couple exciting capabilities designed to help save you time and learn more about Excel formulas as you use them. Also for web users are suggested links, IMAGE function, and a new search bar in the queries pane. For Windows users, a new keyboard shortcut is available to open the Power Query editor, and Insiders users on Windows can now get data from dynamic arrays and create nested Power Query data types to better organize your data.

Microsoft Excel Finally Gets Formula Suggestions
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Twitter Goes Down, Musk Says ‘Works for Me’

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Twitter Goes Down, Musk Says ‘Works for Me’

Twitter experienced its first major outage since Elon Musk’s takeover of the company, although the new CEO did little to reassure users.

Downdetector.com reported a major outage Wednesday evening, with more than 10,000 reports from users coming in. Many were quick to point out that this eventuality was not hard to predict, given how many people the company laid off in recent weeks. People feared the reduced workforce might struggle to keep the platform operational.

For his part, Musk seemed unconcerned.

While this may be the first major outage under Musk’s ownership, but only time will tell if this is a one-off or becomes a regular occurrence.

Twitter Goes Down, Musk Says ‘Works for Me’
Matt Milano



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Wednesday, 28 December 2022

Google Employees Brace for Cost-Saving Measures

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Google Employees Brace for Cost-Saving Measures

Google employees are reportedly bracing for cost-saving measures, fearing they could lead to mass layoffs the company has so far avoided.

The economic downturn has hit the tech industry especially hard, with many of Google’s rivals already resorting to layoffs in an effort to cut costs. While Google has so far managed to avoid that step, employees are growing increasingly worried such layoffs may be imminent.

According to The New York Times, Google employees in Switzerland have voiced concerns about measures the company is putting in place to evaluate employee performance.

“The number and spread of reports that reached us indicates that at least some managers were aggressively pressured to apply a quota” on a process that could lead to employees getting negative ratings and potentially losing their jobs, five workers and employee representatives wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The New York Times.

Despite Google’s profits and outlook, some investors are increasingly pushing the company to do more to reign in costs and protect the profits it’s earning.

Read more: Analyst Says Google Should Conduct Layoffs

“One of the most obvious ways to do that is to cut costs and reduce your employee head count,” Mark Mahaney, an analyst at Evercore ISI, said.

Mahaney added that it was “kind of odd” that Google’s parent Alphabet hired 30,000 in just the last three quarters, seemingly bucking the overall economic and industry trends. All told, Alphabet’s worker count comes in at 186,779.

Google’s employees have been concerned about the company’s future plans for some time, but the anxiety appears to be reaching all-new levels, according to the Times.

From the impending closure of a small office and the cancellation of a content-moderation project to various efforts to ease budgets during 2023 planning meetings, the Silicon Valley behemoth has become a tinderbox of anxiety, according to interviews with 14 current and former employees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution.

Only time will tell if Google plans to join its rivals and conduct mass layoffs, although the company has always avoided layoffs as a matter of pride.

Google Employees Brace for Cost-Saving Measures
Matt Milano



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Covid Tests Required for Travelers From China to the US

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Covid Tests Required for Travelers From China to the US

The US has implemented new measures requiring travelers from China to take a Covid test over growing concerns about an increase in cases.

While the US has largely ended its own strict Covid policies, this latest move comes amid growing concerns about the state of China. China recently ended its strict Covid policies and has experienced a significant increase in cases as a result.

According to Politico, US officials are also worried about the possibility of new variants coming out of China.

“Predeparture testing and the requirement to show a negative test result decreases the number of infected passengers boarding airplanes and it will help to slow the spread of the virus as we work through identifying and understand any potential new variants that may emerge,” a federal health official told reporters.

Travelers from South Korea’s Incheon International Airport, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Vancouver International Airport will also be required to have a negative Covid test two days before coming to the US if they have been to China in the previous 10 days.

Officials hope this latest measure, in combination with other CDC recommendations, will help slow the spread and reduce the likelihood of new strains.

“We know these measures will not eliminate all risk or completely prevent people who are infected from entering the United States,” the federal health official said. “But taken together they will help limit the number of infected people and provide us an early warning about new variants.”

Covid Tests Required for Travelers From China to the US
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Amazon’s Next Move Could Be a Sports Streaming App

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Amazon’s Next Move Could Be a Sports Streaming App

Amazon is considering a sports streaming app as the company continues its focus on its Amazon Prime video service.

Amazon Prime is one of the leading streaming services in the US, recently passing Netflix for the top spot. According to The Information, CEO Andy Jassy is determined to build on the service’s success and leverage the numerous sports deals the company has already secured.

According to the report, while no decision has been made, the company sees a standalone sports streaming app as a viable way to expand its presence in the market.

Amazon has discussed doing a stand-alone app for watching sports content, people briefed on the conversations told The Information. The move comes as CEO Andy Jassy doubles down on the company’s streaming ambitions.

Interestingly, Jassy views Prime as a key area that could see increased spending, despite the company looking for ways to cut costs:

Amazon could be thinking about new ways to squeeze revenue out of the billions of dollars in deals it has inked to stream live sports events, which so far it has mostly included in the standard Prime membership. Jassy recently highlighted streaming rights for live sports in particular as a place he’ll likely keep spending even as Amazon steps up its efforts to cut costs in other areas of its business.

Amazon’s Next Move Could Be a Sports Streaming App
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IBM Stock Was the Real Winner Among Big Tech in 2022

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IBM Stock Was the Real Winner Among Big Tech in 2022

IBM may fly under radar, compared to its Big Tech rivals, but Big Blue was the real winner in 2022.

2022 was not a good year for the tech industry. Despite flying high during the pandemic, an economic downturn has taken its toll, resulting in slower growth and mass layoffs.

According to CNBC, however, IBM is the exception to the rule. The company is one of only two among companies valued at $50 billion or more whose stock is up over the course of 2022. The other one is VMware, although its stock is only up because of its deal to be purchased by Broadcom.

Read more: IBM Beats Expectations on Strong Hybrid Cloud Results

IBM’s stock, which is up 6%, appears to be benefiting from the company’s long-term strategy which has reassured investors. The company has reinvented itself as a hybrid cloud provider and formed close ties with its larger cloud rivals, such as Microsoft and AWS.

As a result of the company’s strategy, Bernstein Research analysts say IBM is “trading well above its historical range.”

“Given its defensive characteristics and historical performance, we believe that IBM is likely to fare well if we continue to have pressured markets, and likely to lag major indices if we enter a recovery period,” they continued.

IBM is once again proving its ability to adapt to changing circumstances and stay relevant when many younger, more “nimble” companies struggle to keep up.

IBM Stock Was the Real Winner Among Big Tech in 2022
Matt Milano



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France Fines Microsoft $64 Million Over Bing Cookies

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France Fines Microsoft $64 Million Over Bing Cookies

France has fined Microsoft $64 million (€60 million) over ambiguity regarding how cookies are handled by its Bing search engine.

Bing is the second-largest search engine behind Google, one that many use specifically to avoid giving Google any more of their data. Despite this, Bing has run afoul of EU data privacy laws by depositing cookies on users’ computers without consent.

The CNIL (Commission Nationale de l’Informatique et des Libertés) outlined the nature of the allegations:

When users visited the search engine “bing.com”, a cookie with several purposes, including the fight against advertising fraud, was automatically deposited on their terminal without any action on their part.

Furthermore, when they kept browsing the search engine, a cookie with an advertising purpose was placed on their terminal, again without their consent being collected.

However, the law requires that this type of cookies be deposited only after the users have expressed their consent.

The CNIL also says Bing did not make it easy to reject cookies:

While the search engine offered a button to accept cookies immediately, it did not offer an equivalent solution (button to refuse or other) to allow the Internet user to refuse them as easily. Two clicks were needed to refuse all cookies, while only one was needed to accept them.

If Microsoft does not comply with the CNIL’s ruling by the deadline, the company will be fined “60,000 euros per day overdue.”

France Fines Microsoft $64 Million Over Bing Cookies
Matt Milano



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AMC CEO Wants His Pay Frozen in 2023

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AMC CEO Wants His Pay Frozen in 2023

AMC CEO Adam Aron wants his company’s board of directors to freeze his pay in 2023 over concerns for shareholders.

With an economic downturn, many companies are looking for ways to cut costs and reduce expenses. Many have turned to layoffs as a prime way to accomplish those goals. AMC’s Aron has a different idea, however, calling on his board to freeze his pay for 2023.

Aron also asked his company’s top executives to follow his lead.

Aron made clear he believes that what he is doing, and asking his management team to do, is the right course of action.

Aron’s take is a refreshing change from the stand many CEOs take.

AMC CEO Wants His Pay Frozen in 2023
Matt Milano



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Tuesday, 27 December 2022

FCC Takes Aim at ‘Egregious Prison Calling Rates’

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FCC Takes Aim at ‘Egregious Prison Calling Rates’

The Federal Communications Commission is taking aim at companies that provide calling services for prison inmates.

There are several companies in the US that provide calling and email services for inmates and their families. Unfortunately, many of these companies charge ‘egregious rates’ that border on predatory behavior.

Congress recently passed the Martha Wright-Reed Just and Reasonable Communications Act of 2022 and the bill is now awaiting President Biden’s signature. The bill gives the FCC the authority to address this behavior.

“Too many families of incarcerated people must pay outrageous rates to stay connected with their loved ones,” said FCC Chairwomen Jessica Rosenworcel. “This harms the families and children of the incarcerated—and it harms all of us because regular contact with kin can reduce recidivism.

“The FCC has for years moved aggressively to address this terrible problem, but we have been limited in the extent to which we can address rates for calls made within a state’s borders. Today, thanks to the leadership of Senators Duckworth, Portman and their bipartisan coalition, the FCC will be granted the authority to close this glaring, painful, and detrimental loophole in our phones rate rules for incarcerated people.

“I am committed to working with my colleagues on the Commission to expeditiously move new rules forward to fix this problem. I also want to highlight the late Martha Wright-Reed for her courageous voice and thank my former colleague Mignon Clyburn for carrying this issue forward at the FCC.”

The bill, and the FCC’s new authority, should provide relief for families of inmates, not to mention send a warning to companies that take advantage of situations to engage in predatory behavior.

FCC Takes Aim at ‘Egregious Prison Calling Rates’
Matt Milano



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The Chip Shortage Is Now a Chip Glut

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The Chip Shortage Is Now a Chip Glut

The semiconductor industry has swung from one extreme to another, going from a shortage to a glut as consumer demand changes.

During the height of the pandemic, semiconductors were in short supply. A combination of production issues as a result of lockdowns, combined with increased demand for computers and other electronic as people worked from home, led to a massive shortage of chips. The shortage was also spurred by stimulus money being poured into the economy, giving individuals more disposable income to spend on tablets, gaming consoles, and more.

According to The Wall Street Journal, that situation has changed dramatically as consumer spending has decreased. The overall economy is in the midst of a downturn, with stimulus money having long-since dried up, layoffs impacting multiple industries, and growing uncertainty about the future of the economy.

The result has been increased availability of computers and other electronics, not to mention falling prices.

“Today we have a large inventory, especially on the consumer side, which is driving very aggressive pricing because all of us are trying to reduce those inventories,” said HP Chief Executive Enrique Lores.

Chipmakers and PC manufacturers are already taking steps to stabilize supply and demand such as reducing the number of chips they manufacture, or computers they ship, to help drive up demand.

“Even as they were selling through their inventory, they were not replenishing stock to the same levels,” said AMD chief Lisa Su. “I think the market will continue to be volatile.”

The Chip Shortage Is Now a Chip Glut
Matt Milano



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Tesla Cannot Use ‘Full Self-Driving’ Name in California

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Tesla Cannot Use ‘Full Self-Driving’ Name in California

Tesla can no longer use “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) to describe its self-driving software in California, following the passage of a new law.

Tesla has repeatedly come under fire for its FSD, with the software falling short of customers’ expectations. Despite Tesla’s best efforts, FSD is still a ways off from being fully autonomous and California wants to make sure customers understand that.

According to Teslarati, California passed a law specifically to ensure Tesla’s description of its software is more realistic, after the Department of Motor Vehicles accused Tesla of “false advertising.”

Below is an excerpt from the legislation, provided by Teslarati:

“A dealer or manufacturer shall not sell any new passenger vehicle that is equipped with any partial driving automation feature or provide any software update or other vehicle upgrade that adds any partial driving automation feature, without, at the time of delivering or upgrading the vehicle, providing the buyer or owner with a distinct notice that provides the name of the feature and clearly describes the functions and limitations of the feature.”

“A manufacturer or dealer shall not name any partial driving automation feature, or describe any partial driving automation feature in marketing materials, using language that implies or would otherwise lead a reasonable person to believe, that the feature allows the vehicle to function as an autonomous vehicle, as defined in Section 38750, or otherwise has functionality not actually included in the feature. A violation of this subdivision shall be considered a misleading advertisement for the purposes of Section 11713.”

Tesla Cannot Use ‘Full Self-Driving’ Name in California
Matt Milano



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Apple Japan Must Pay $98 Million in Back Taxes

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Apple Japan Must Pay $98 Million in Back Taxes

Apple Japan must pay some $98 million in back taxes after tourists bought iPhones and were incorrectly exempted from paying taxes.

Tourists visiting Japan for less than six months can buy items without paying a 10% tax, but the exemption doesn’t apply to purchases made with the intention of reselling the items.

According to Nikkei, via Reuters, there were a number of bulk purchases at Apple Stores in Japan that should not have been exempt from the tax, since they were obviously for resell. In at least one case, an individual purchased hundreds of phones.

As a result, Apple will have to pay $98 million in back taxes.

Apple Japan Must Pay $98 Million in Back Taxes
Matt Milano



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Monday, 26 December 2022

US May Force ByteDance to Sell US TikTok Operations

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US May Force ByteDance to Sell US TikTok Operations

TikTok’s recent privacy scandals have US officials once again considering the possibility of forcing ByteDance to sell its US TikTok operations.

During the Trump administration, US officials attempted to ban the Chinese social media app, or force its parent to sell of its US operations. Oracle and Walmart, in partnership, emerged as the buyers, but the deal ended up losing steam and was eventually abandoned.

In recent weeks, however, new revelations have come to light about the extent of the threat TikTok poses to privacy and security. The company has been caught lying to Congress about how US user data is processed, and ByteDance admitted just days ago that a company team used TikTok to track Forbes journalists, despite denying the report at an earlier date.

Read more: Congress Passes Bill Banning TikTok From Government Devices

According to The Wall Street Journal, these new revelations are causing US officials to reconsider the social media app’s future, and whether it would be wise to force a sale of the US portion of the business. At the heart of the issue is concerns over TikTok and ByteDance’s ties to China, and the threat they may pose as a result of Beijing’s surveillance and espionage efforts.

The Pentagon and Justice Department are evidently weighing in on the matter, with officials reportedly of the opinion that the only way to ensure TikTok is safe for Americans is to force it out of Chinese ownership.

“We’re talking about a government that, in our own intelligence community’s estimation, has a purpose to move global technology use and norms to privilege its own interests and its values, which are not consistent with our own,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco told WSJ, while declining to discuss TikTok specifically. “That’s the perspective I bring to these issues.” 

Only time will tell if these talks lead to definitive action, but the future certainly doesn’t look good for TikTok.

US May Force ByteDance to Sell US TikTok Operations
Matt Milano



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Relying on AI Assistants Leads to Less Secure Code

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Relying on AI Assistants Leads to Less Secure Code

Developers that rely on AI assistants to help them end up writing code that is buggier and less secure than developers that don’t rely on AI.

Scientists at Stanford University, via The Register, conducted a study to determine the effects of using an AI assistant for writing code. The results are not encouraging, with a decrease in quality among those developers using AI.

The paper, entitled “Do Users Write More Insecure Code with AI Assistants?”, also demonstrates that AI assistants engender a false sense of confidence.

“We found that participants with access to an AI assistant often produced more security vulnerabilities than those without access, with particularly significant results for string encryption and SQL injection,” the authors state. “Surprisingly, we also found that participants provided access to an AI assistant were more likely to believe that they wrote secure code than those without access to the AI assistant.”

While there’s still much to learn about AI — and the study may not provide a completely comprehensive look at the role of AI in development — it certainly provides food for though and reason for caution.

Relying on AI Assistants Leads to Less Secure Code
Matt Milano



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TSMC Readies 3nm Chips for Next-Gen Macs and iPhones

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TSMC Readies 3nm Chips for Next-Gen Macs and iPhones

TSMC is preparing to mass produce its next generation 3nm chips, which will be used in Apple’s Macs and iPhones.

TSMC is the world’s leading chipmaker and the primary one Apple relies on. The company has a significant technological lead over its rivals and is already moving to 3nm chips.

According to DigiTimes, the company is preparing to mass produce the new chips, which Apple will use in its next-gen devices. The outlet reports that TSCM will hold a ceremony on December 29, at Fab 18, to launch production of the new chip.

Apple already has a significant lead, in both performance and battery life, in its mobile devices. Moving to the 3nm semiconductors will only help widen that lead even more.

TSMC Readies 3nm Chips for Next-Gen Macs and iPhones
Matt Milano



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Windows Notepad Is Getting Tab Support

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Windows Notepad Is Getting Tab Support

Windows 11 Notepad is getting a major upgrade, with the app poised to receive tab support.

Tabs are commonplace in web browsers and continue to make their way into other applications. Windows 11 File Explorer added tabs earlier this year, and Microsoft appears poised to add tabs to Notepad as well.

According to Windows Central, a Microsoft employee tweeted a screenshot of the feature before deleting it.

Windows 11 Notepad Tabs – Credit Windows Central

The feature will be a welcome improvement to Notepad.

Windows Notepad Is Getting Tab Support
Matt Milano



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Sunday, 25 December 2022

FTC Orders Mastercard to Stop ‘Illegal Business Tactics’

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FTC Orders Mastercard to Stop ‘Illegal Business Tactics’

The Federal Trade Commission has ordered Mastercard to stop its ‘illegal business tactics’ in an effort to level the debit card payment field.

Debit cards are increasing in popularity, but Mastercard has unfairly dominated the industry. The 2010 Dodd-Frank Act known includes a provision known as the Durbin Amendment. The Durbin Agreement “required banks to enable at least two unaffiliated networks on every debit card, thereby giving merchants a choice of which network to use for a given debit transaction.”

According to the FTC, Mastercard flouted “the law by setting policies to block merchants from routing ecommerce transactions using Mastercard-branded debit cards saved in ewallets to alternative payment card networks, including networks that may charge lower fees than Mastercard.”

As a result, the FTC is ordering Mastercard to provide competing networks with the customer data they need to be able to process debit card payments.

“This is a victory for consumers and the merchants who rely on debit card payments to operate their businesses,” said Holly Vedova, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition. “Congress directed the FTC to enforce this part of the Dodd-Frank Act and prevent precisely this kind of illegal behavior. We take this responsibility seriously, as demonstrated by our action today.”

FTC Orders Mastercard to Stop ‘Illegal Business Tactics’
Matt Milano



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Stack Overflow: Linux Surpasses macOS Among Developers

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Stack Overflow: Linux Surpasses macOS Among Developers

Linux has reached a major milestone, surpassing macOS among developers for both personal and professional use.

Linux has long been the third most popular operating system (OS), after Windows and macOS. Stack Overflow has released its 2022 Developer Survey, and it’s good news for Linux fans.

According to the Developer Survey, Linux use has passed macOS by a significant margin. Linux is used by 40.23% of developers as their primary OS for personal use, while 39.89% use it as their primary OS for professional use. In contrast, macOS is used as a primary OS for personal use 31.07% of developers and for professional use by 32.97%.

Technically, Linux surpassed macOS in Stack Overflow’s 2021 Developer Survey, but only by 0.13%. The latest survey shows a major uptick in usage, one Stack Overflow attributes to the appeal of open source software.

Windows is the most popular operating system for developers, across both personal and professional use. A Linux-based OS is more popular than macOS – speaking to the appeal of using open source software.

Stack Overflow: Linux Surpasses macOS Among Developers
Matt Milano



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TikTok Owner ByteDance Admits to Surveiling Journalists

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TikTok Owner ByteDance Admits to Surveiling Journalists

Despite initial claims to the contrary, ByteDance has admitted to using TikTok to monitor Forbes journalists, including tracking their locations.

Forbes broke a story in October that accused TikTok and ByteDance of planning to surveil specific Americans using the TikTok app. The two companies vehemently denied the allegations, even saying, “Forbes’ reporting about TikTok continues to lack both rigor and journalistic integrity.”

As it turns out, however, Forbes was right, and ByteDance has admitted the outlet’s report was correct. ByteDance used TikTok to track multiple Forbes journalists in an effort to track down leaks that served as the basis of multiple stories about the company’s close ties to China.

The surveillance even included using TikTok to track the journalists’ IP addresses and user data in an effort to determine if they had been in the vicinity of any ByteDance employees.

ByteDance has lost a number of executives responsible for the surveillance, including Chris Lepitak, its chief internal auditor and the man who led the surveillance team. Song Ye, the executive Lepitak reported to and who reported directly to CEO Rubo Liang, has resigned.

“I was deeply disappointed when I was notified of the situation… and I’m sure you feel the same,” Liang wrote in an internal email shared with Forbes. “The public trust that we have spent huge efforts building is going to be significantly undermined by the misconduct of a few individuals. … I believe this situation will serve as a lesson to us all.”

“It is standard practice for companies to have an internal audit group authorized to investigate code of conduct violations,” TikTok General Counsel Erich Andersen wrote in a second email. “However, in this case individuals misused their authority to obtain access to TikTok user data.”

Forbes minced no words in calling out ByteDance’s actions as an assault on a free press.

“This is a direct assault on the idea of a free press and its critical role in a functioning democracy,” says Randall Lane, the chief content officer of Forbes. “We await a direct response from ByteDance, as this raises fundamental questions about what they are doing with the information they compile from TikTok users.”

For its part, TikTok is clearly trying to distance itself from the situation and blame the whole fiasco.

“The misconduct of certain individuals, who are no longer employed at ByteDance, was an egregious misuse of their authority to obtain access to user data,” said TikTok spokesperson Hilary McQuaid. “This misbehavior is unacceptable, and not in line with our efforts across TikTok to earn the trust of our users.”

TikTok is under well-deserved fire, with multiple states banning the app from state-owned devices and Congress passing a bill that would ban it from government devices. This latest report is only going to add fuel to the fire, and will likely result in renewed calls for an all-out ban on the app.

TikTok Owner ByteDance Admits to Surveiling Journalists
Matt Milano



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Saturday, 24 December 2022

2022 Layoffs Top 125,000

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2022 Layoffs Top 125,000

As the new year approaches, the latest numbers indicate that a whopping 125,000 employees have been laid off in 2022.

Many companies and industries were flying high during the pandemic, as remote and hybrid work options fueled big spending on computers, tablets, cloud computing, and more. Meanwhile, government stimulus helped buoy spending among consumers. As things have returned to normal, however, fears of a recession have mounted and led to mass layoffs.

According to Forbes, the total number of layoffs for 2022 has now topped 125,000, with more than 60,000 of them being let go since the beginning of November. Tech companies have led the charge, with Meta, Amazon, and HP among those laying off the most workers. In total, some 90,000 workers have been laid off in the industry this year.

As economists warn of a recession, the layoff numbers are certainly lending weight to those concerns.

2022 Layoffs Top 125,000
Matt Milano



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Congress Passes Bill Banning TikTok From Government Devices

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Congress Passes Bill Banning TikTok From Government Devices

Congress has passed a $1.7 trillion spending bill that includes a clause banning TikTok from government devices.

TikTok has been under fire for repeated privacy concerns, not to mention lying to Congress about how US user data is handled. Several states have already banned the app from state-owned devices, but Congress has taken it a step further.

According to CNBC, both chambers of Congress have passed a $1.7 trillion bill that includes a provision banning the app from government devices. Despite praise from various industry groups, the move drew condemnation from TikTok.

“We’re disappointed that Congress has moved to ban TikTok on government devices — a political gesture that will do nothing to advance national security interests — rather than encouraging the Administration to conclude its national security review,” a TikTok spokesperson said. “The agreement under review by CFIUS will meaningfully address any security concerns that have been raised at both the federal and state level. These plans have been developed under the oversight of our country’s top national security agencies — plans that we are well underway in implementing — to further secure our platform in the United States, and we will continue to brief lawmakers on them.”

Only time will tell if lawmakers are satisfied with banning the app from government devices, or if additional measures will taken to implement a wider ban.

In the meantime, the bill will go to President Biden to be signed into law.

Congress Passes Bill Banning TikTok From Government Devices
Matt Milano



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IRS Delays $600 Reporting Rule

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IRS Delays $600 Reporting Rule

The Internal Revenue Service has delayed a rule that would require gig workers to report earnings of $600.

The American Rescue Plan of 2021 implemented new rules that would significantly lower the amount of yearly earnings online platforms would have to report, from 20,000 to a mere 600. The rules were initially set to go into effect for the 2022 tax year

After significant pushback from lawmakers, as well as concerns in the industry at large, the IRS has decided to delay implementation until the 2023 tax year.

“The IRS and Treasury heard a number of concerns regarding the timeline of implementation of these changes under the American Rescue Plan,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Doug O’Donnell. “To help smooth the transition and ensure clarity for taxpayers, tax professionals and industry, the IRS will delay implementation of the 1099-K changes. The additional time will help reduce confusion during the upcoming 2023 tax filing season and provide more time for taxpayers to prepare and understand the new reporting requirements.”

Thanks to the delay, entrepreneurs and gig workers will get a bit of a reprieve…at least for a year.

IRS Delays $600 Reporting Rule
Matt Milano



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Friday, 23 December 2022

FBI PSA: Use A Browser Ad Blocker

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FBI PSA: Use A Browser Ad Blocker

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a public service announcement, urging people to use ad blocking browser extensions.

Ad blocking software and browser extensions are a popular way to improve the web browsing experiencing, speed up browsing, and protect privacy. Virtually every major browser supports ad blocking extensions, or have such measures built-in.

In a PSA issued on December 21, 2022, the FBI endorses the use of ad blocking measures as a way to protect users against cyber criminals.

Cyber criminals purchase advertisements that appear within internet search results using a domain that is similar to an actual business or service. When a user searches for that business or service, these advertisements appear at the very top of search results with minimum distinction between an advertisement and an actual search result. These advertisements link to a webpage that looks identical to the impersonated business’s official webpage.

The FBI makes the case that ad blockers can help protect against this kind of scam.

Use an ad blocking extension when performing internet searches. Most internet browsers allow a user to add extensions, including extensions that block advertisements. These ad blockers can be turned on and off within a browser to permit advertisements on certain websites while blocking advertisements on others.

It’s good to see the FBI come out in favor of ad blocking and hopefully more individuals will follow their advice.

FBI PSA: Use A Browser Ad Blocker
Matt Milano



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LastPass: Hackers Stole Encrypted User Password Vaults

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LastPass: Hackers Stole Encrypted User Password Vaults

LastPass has issued a security advisory, notifying customers that the data breach it suffered in August was far worse than thought.

LastPass is a popular password management application. In August, the company informed customers that it had suffered a data breach, one in which “portions of source code and some proprietary LastPass technical information” was stolen. At the time, the company assured customers that no passwords were stolen or compromised.

The company has provided an update on the situation, informing customers that the data stolen in August was used to compromise an employee’s credentials and gain access to the company’s cloud-based storage service. As a result of this secondary breach, the hacker was able to download a backup copy of customer data vaults.

The company described the issue in its advisory:

To date, we have determined that once the cloud storage access key and dual storage container decryption keys were obtained, the threat actor copied information from backup that contained basic customer account information and related metadata including company names, end-user names, billing addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers, and the IP addresses from which customers were accessing the LastPass service.

The threat actor was also able to copy a backup of customer vault data from the encrypted storage container which is stored in a proprietary binary format that contains both unencrypted data, such as website URLs, as well as fully-encrypted sensitive fields such as website usernames and passwords, secure notes, and form-filled data.

Despite the severity of the breach, LastPass says customer passwords are still secure…at least for now. The company says encrypted fields are protected using 256-bit AES encryption, with the encryption key based on the user’s master password. Between the strong encryption and the fact that LastPass does not have access to a user’s password, theoretically, users’ password vaults should still be secure.

Despite the assurance, LastPass says all users should immediately change their master passwords to prevent any risk of the hackers using brute force attacks to try to access the vaults or use some of the unencrypted data in phishing and scam attempts.

The threat actor may attempt to use brute force to guess your master password and decrypt the copies of vault data they took. Because of the hashing and encryption methods we use to protect our customers, it would be extremely difficult to attempt to brute force guess master passwords for those customers who follow our password best practices. We routinely test the latest password cracking technologies against our algorithms to keep pace with and improve upon our cryptographic controls.

The threat actor may also target customers with phishing attacks, credential stuffing, or other brute force attacks against online accounts associated with your LastPass vault. In order to protect yourself against social engineering or phishing attacks, it is important to know that LastPass will never call, email, or text you and ask you to click on a link to verify your personal information. Other than when signing into your vault from a LastPass client, LastPass will never ask you for your master password.

LastPass’ revelation is a disturbing one, given the popularity of the application and the important role it plays in the cybersecurity of countless individuals. One can only hope the company will take drastic steps to ensure such a breach doesn’t happen again.

LastPass: Hackers Stole Encrypted User Password Vaults
Matt Milano



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Thursday, 22 December 2022

Google Open Sources Its Video Blurring Tool

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Google Open Sources Its Video Blurring Tool

Google has open sourced its video blurring tool, called Magritte, in an effort to improve user privacy.

Google has been working to roll out additional privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs). Magritte is one of those tools that the company has open sourced to help spur wider adoption.

“Today, we are happy to announce an open-source version of an internal project, Magritte, which uses Machine Learning (ML) advances to detect objects using low computational resources, and applies a blur to those objects automatically, as soon as they appear on screen,” the company writes in a blog post. “The tool can blur arbitrary objects, like license plates, and more.

“This code is especially useful for video journalists who want to provide increased privacy assurances. By using this open-source code, videographers can save time in blurring objects from a video, while knowing that the underlying ML algorithm can perform detection across a video with high-accuracy.”

The company has released the source code on GitHub.

Google Open Sources Its Video Blurring Tool
Matt Milano



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Google Strikes Deal to Bring NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube TV

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Google Strikes Deal to Bring NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube TV

Google has beat out its rivals to secure a deal with the NFL to bring NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube TV and YouTube Premium.

Amazon, Apple, and Google were all in the running to secure NFL Sunday Ticket, beginning with the 2023 season. Apple was considered to be a frontrunner before backing out of the negotiations.

Google has now secured a multi-year deal with the NFL to bring the programming to both YouTube TV and YouTube Premium.

“We’re excited to bring NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube TV and YouTube Primetime Channels and usher in a new era of how fans across the United States access, watch and follow the NFL,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “For a number of years we have been focused on increased digital distribution of our games and this strategic partnership is yet another example of us looking towards the future and building the next generation of NFL fans.”

“YouTube has long been a home for football fans, whether they’re streaming live games, keeping up with their home team, or watching the best plays in highlights,” said Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube. “Through this expanded partnership with the NFL, viewers will now also be able to experience the game they love in compelling and innovative ways through YouTube TV or YouTube Primetime Channels. We’re excited to continue our work with the NFL to make YouTube a great place for sports lovers everywhere.”

Google Strikes Deal to Bring NFL Sunday Ticket to YouTube TV
Matt Milano



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Wednesday, 21 December 2022

Google Reorganizing Labor to Answer ChatGPT

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Google Reorganizing Labor to Answer ChatGPT

Google has issued a “code red” and is reorganizing labor in response to the traction ChatGPT has gained.

ChatGPT is an AI-driven chatbot released by OpenAI. The chatbot has gained considerable traction and praise, while still receiving criticism for failing in many of the same ways as previous chatbots.

Google is one company that is trying to find an answer. When ChatGPT gained traction, the company held an all-hands meeting to address employee concerns that Google was being upstaged and could lose its competitive edge. Executives emphasized their desire to proceed slowly, lest the company’s reputation be hurt by less than stellar results.

According to Business Insider, Google appears to be taking significant steps to catch up. CEO Sundar Pichai has been involved in meetings that have resulted in a reorganization of labor. Personnel in Google’s research, Trust and Safety division are being tasked with assisting in AI development. Other divisions have been similarly involved.

The company will have to strike a fine balance between protecting the integrity of its search business while simultaneously keeping up with the broader AI industry.

“This really strikes a need that people seem to have but it’s also important to realize these models have certain type of issues,” Google AI head Jeff Dean said in the initial all-hands meeting.

Google Reorganizing Labor to Answer ChatGPT
Matt Milano



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Substack Is Experiencing an Outage

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Substack Is Experiencing an Outage

Digital newsletter platform Substack is undergoing a major outage, with the entire website inaccessible.

Shortly before 1:00 PM ET, Substack posted a message on its status page saying it was investigating an issue. Roughly an hour and a half later, the issue was still unresolved.

Visitors to the website are being greeted with the following message:

We’re performing maintenance right now, but will be back shortly!

Please check back in a few minutes or go to substack.statuspage.io for updates—we’ll get you back to reading your favorite writers as soon as we can!

Substack Is Experiencing an Outage
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Canada to Require 20% Zero Emission Vehicle Quota by 2026

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Canada to Require 20% Zero Emission Vehicle Quota by 2026

Canada is one step step closer to phasing out fossil fuel vehicles, requiring 20% of vehicles to be zero emission by 2026.

Governments around the world are beginning to take steps to address climate change, with a transition to electric vehicles being one of the biggest measures. According to Engadget, Canada is moving aggressively to spur such a transformation, requiring 20% of all vehicles sold to be zero emission by 2026.

“We’re moving forward with a regulated sales target that requires at least 20 percent of new vehicles sold by 2026 to be zero emission, increasing that to 60 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035,” said Julie Dabrusin, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

The move is one of the more aggressive moves by any country, with many others targeting 2030 and beyond for such an ambitious goal.

Canada to Require 20% Zero Emission Vehicle Quota by 2026
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EU Commission Investigating Broadcom’s VMware Deal

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EU Commission Investigating Broadcom’s VMware Deal

Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware hit another snag with the EU opening an investigation into the proposed deal.

Broadcom and VMware reached a $61 billion deal in May 2022 that would see Broadcom purchase the virtualization company. The deal immediately sparked concern for VMware’s future, given Broadcom’s reputation for slashing expenses and forcing its subsidiaries to run incredibly lean operations.

In November 2022, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced an investigation into the deal, and now the EU Commission has announced its own investigation.

“Broadcom, a major supplier of hardware components, is acquiring VMware, a key server virtualisation software provider,” said Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy. “Our initial investigation has shown that it is essential for hardware components in servers to interoperate with VMware’s software. We are concerned that after the merger, Broadcom could prevent its hardware rivals to interoperate with VMware’s server virtualisation software. This would lead to higher prices, lower quality and less innovation for customers and consumers.

In particular, the Commission is worried that Broadcom may scale back some of the services that VMware offers to third-party companies, choosing to bundle them with its own hardware exclusively.

Given the scrutiny tech acquisition have been under of late, the likelihood of Broadcom’s deal moving forward in the face of two separate investigations is certainly in question.

EU Commission Investigating Broadcom’s VMware Deal
Matt Milano



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Okta’s GitHub Repo Hacked, Source Code Stolen

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Okta’s GitHub Repo Hacked, Source Code Stolen

Okta’s GitHub repo was reportedly hacked and the company’s source code stolen, raising questions about a critical cybersecurity platform.

Okta is one of the world’s leading authentication platforms, offering single sign-on and Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions. BleepingComputer saw a ‘confidential’ email regarding a reported breach.

GitHub evidently notified Okta of suspicious activity on their account. Investigation revealed that bad actors evidently accessed the companies source code and copied it.

“Upon investigation, we have concluded that such access was used to copy Okta code repositories,” writes David Bradbury, the company’s Chief Security Officer (CSO) wrote in an email being sent to the company’s security contacts.

Despite the breach, Okta says there is little reason for concern. The company says “HIPAA, FedRAMP or DoD customers” were not impacted since the company’s security “does not rely on the confidentiality of its source code as a means to secure its services.”

Okta’s GitHub Repo Hacked, Source Code Stolen
Matt Milano



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Elon Musk Will Resign As Twitter CEO

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Elon Musk Will Resign As Twitter CEO

Following a poll in which he asked users if he should resign as CEO, Musk has said he will abide by the results and resign.

Musk has always been a big fan of Twitter polls, although he may not have been prepared for the results of his latest one. The CEO asked users if he should resign as CEO, and the majority of respondents voted “yes.”

The controversial CEO has now said he will resign and look for a replacement.

Elon Musk Will Resign As Twitter CEO
Matt Milano



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Tuesday, 20 December 2022

AWS Wins $723 Billion Contract to Provide Cloud Services to US Navy

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AWS Wins $723 Billion Contract to Provide Cloud Services to US Navy

AWS has scored a big win, securing a cloud contract with the US Navy worth some $723,878,930 over five years.

The Department of Defense has been working to modernize its computing infrastructure, migrating computer operations to the cloud. The Pentagon recently awarded its $10 billion Joint Warfighter Cloud Capability (JWCC) contract to AWS, Microsoft, Google, and Oracle.

The US Navy has now awarded AWS a cloud contract, worth more than $723 million, from December 2022 to December 2028.

Per the agreement, the funds will not be dispersed in one lump-sum, at the time of the blanket purchase agreement (BPA), but will be allocated as orders are fulfilled.

This BPA will not obligate funds at the time of award. Funds will be obligated as task orders are issued using a variety of funding types, including operation and maintenance (Navy) funds; other procurement (Navy) funds; and working capital (Navy) funds.

The contract is a big win for AWS and should help the company continue its reputation as the leading cloud provider for government and military organizations.

AWS Wins $723 Billion Contract to Provide Cloud Services to US Navy
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Apple Expands Self Repair Program to Include Desktops and Studio Display

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Apple Expands Self Repair Program to Include Desktops and Studio Display

Apple has expanded its Self Repair program, including both Mac desktops and the Apple Studio Display.

Apple is one of a few major companies that has been embracing self repair options, rolling out its Self Repair program for the iPhone before expanding it to the MacBook line.

According to Six Colors, at least in the US, Apple has expanded the program to include the M1 iMac, M1 Mac mini, and Mac Studio. The program also supports the new Apple Studio Display.

While Apple’s program is not perfect, it’s certainly better than nothing and will hopefully continue to improve.

Apple Expands Self Repair Program to Include Desktops and Studio Display
Matt Milano



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Top Security Tools To Help Businesses With Project Management

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Top Security Tools To Help Businesses With Project Management

Any workforce can benefit from implementing technologies that improve and streamline project management.

One of the best ways to gain more insight into productivity, and provide employees with more convenience is to invest in security tools for project management.

If you want to learn about the top security tools to improve project management, keep reading. In this guide, we will discuss the best security tools that enhance the convenience of punching in and provide more insight into project management.

One Single Platform For Security Management

One of the best ways to streamline project management is to make security information more accessible for you and your team members.

A cloud-based security system creates a single platform of truth for security data, from store camera systems to computer access logs at an on-site office. By establishing an integrated security system, you can eliminate data silos, allowing all security information to be hosted in one place, and improve oversight.

Another benefit of a cloud-based security system is that it allows your team to view security information from anywhere, whether on-site or off-site.

Smoother data retrieval lets your team view security data from different sources on a single interface without correlating timestamps. For instance, you would need to view surveillance video data alongside access control data to verify an employee’s identity.

Using a single platform for security management also enables easier onboarding and offboarding of your hires. If you need to onboard an employee to your security system, you can do so in one place, unlike several disparate platforms.

Respond Quickly To Events And Changes

Cloud-based security tools have another significant benefit: they allow employees to receive alerts and notifications when working.

Employees often perform tasks that leave them unavailable to deal with customers entering the building. The alerts provided by a cloud-based security system notify staff when a customer enters the building, allowing them to stop their task and deal with the customer.

Additionally, integrating occupancy management software with a cloud-based door access system can help inform staffing decisions.

Occupancy management software identifies occupancy levels based on access control events, identifies trends, and forecasts future occupancy levels. If you’re looking to make better staffing decisions, you can use data gathered from your occupancy management software to determine your busiest hours and which are your most active days.

For busy days, you can ensure you have plenty of staff on-hand, ensuring your team isn’t overwhelmed by customers—which could lead to poor-quality service that harms your business’ reputation. You can add extra shifts to your working days to cover a lunch shift or the time of day when your establishment is busiest and avoid unplanned overtime hours.

The software also allows you to plan your staff’s workday more effectively, ensuring they’re free to tend to customers during your busy hours while managing other tasks during your less activehours.

Deeper Data Analysis For Improved Decision Making

Applying time-tracking software to your cloud-based access control system allows for improved data analysis and decision-making regarding your payroll procedures.

Buddy-punching and employees recording hours improperly affect your business, as you’re being charged for hours your employees haven’t worked. As part of your project management strategy, you can ensure your employees know that the tool will track their time based on when they enter and leave the premises.

Time-tracking software provides you with more reliable data to analyze employee productivity and ensures proper payroll procedures. Time tracking software is beneficial for businesses that frequently use contractors.

You can identify productivity trends through data analysis, using the information to improve project management and optimize productivity.

Automated Security Workflows

When it comes to security incident response, you need to maximize efficiency. Effective incident response will protect your business from a security breach or theft and ensure your employees know their responsibilities.

You can create automated security workflows for your security team using AI. If your security system detects a potential security threat, your team will receive automated workflows to respond to the event. Manual workflow creation leaves a margin for error and is time-consuming.

Instead, you can establish automated workflows for each potential security threat in line with your incident response procedures. These workflows will automatically be assigned to your on-site employees, who will receive a mobile notification alerting them of the incident and their responsibilities.

Implementing automated security workflows reduces time-consuming and repetitive manual data entry tasks and ensures the task doesn’t inhibit your productivity. Instead, you can establish your workflows to ensure that your employees understand their responsibilities.

Summary

Security tools can be highly effective in improving project management for employees. Your employees can handle tasks and responsibilities while staying in touch with their customer management responsibilities, and you can plan your employees’ time in line with business’s busiest hours. Keep cloud-based security and integrations in mind when planning a security strategy that facilitates project management.

Top Security Tools To Help Businesses With Project Management
Brian Wallace



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Amazon Agrees to Major Business Changes in the EU to Head Off Probe

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Amazon Agrees to Major Business Changes in the EU to Head Off Probe

Amazon has reached an agreement with the EU to make major changes to its business in exchange for heading off antitrust probes.

Amazon was under fire for dealing unfairly with third-party sellers, preferring its own retail business over those of competitors, as well as for using its sellers’ non-public data to fine-tune its own services and gain an advantage.

The EU Commission outlined its concerns in a statement:

In July 2019, the Commission opened a formal investigation into Amazon’s use of non-public data of its marketplace sellers. On 10 November 2020, the Commission adopted a Statement of Objections in which it preliminarily found Amazon dominant on the French and German markets, for the provision of online marketplace services to third-party sellers. It also found that that Amazon’s reliance on marketplace sellers’ non-public business data to calibrate its retail decisions, distorted fair competition on its platform and prevented effective competition.

In parallel, on 10 November 2020, the Commission opened a second investigation to assess whether the criteria that Amazon sets to select the winner of the Buy Box and to enable sellers to offer products under its Prime Programme, lead to preferential treatment of Amazon’s retail business or of the sellers that use Amazon’s logistics and delivery services.

As part of the agreement, Amazon will no longer use non-public data from its sellers to improve its own products. The company will also make offers and products from competing sellers equally visible in its “Buy Box.” The terms of the deal will be enforced for seven years, but will only be in effect within the EU.

“Today’s decision sets new rules for how Amazon operates its business in Europe,” said Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy. “Amazon can no longer abuse its dual role and will have to change several business practices. They cover the use of data, the selection of sellers in the Buy Box and the conditions of access to the Amazon Prime Programme. Competing independent retailers and carriers as well as consumers will benefit from these changes opening up new opportunities and choice.

Amazon Agrees to Major Business Changes in the EU to Head Off Probe
Matt Milano



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T-Mobile Takes Aim at Comcast With Latest 5G Home Internet Promo

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T-Mobile Takes Aim at Comcast With Latest 5G Home Internet Promo

T-Mobile is taking aim at Comcast with its latest 5G Home Internet promotion, inviting customers to “Make Xfinity Your Ex.”

T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet has been growing at a rapid pace, providing customers in rural and under-served areas a strong option for high-speed internet. The company is offering Comcast customers up to $750 to cover early termination fees, as well as 50% off of the monthly fee for 5G Home Internet, bringing the price to a mere $25 per month.

“It’s clear Xfinity customers are tired of the BS. They’re hungry for a better option — and now they have one with T-Mobile 5G Internet,” said Mike Katz, President of Marketing, Innovation & Experience at T-Mobile. “At a time when Comcast is locking customers into contracts and increasing their costs, the Un-carrier is here to provide people with a new option that’s free from contracts, packed with value and finally giving Big Internet some real competition.”

Comcast has long held the unenviable distinction of being one of the most hated companies in America. The company continues to dramatically raise prices and charge hidden fees and equipment rentals, among other practices that have helped it earn its reputation.

T-Mobile makes the point that Comcast has gone too long without meaningful competition:

Comcast Xfinity is the poster child for what happens without competition. For over two decades, it’s been a leader of what, today, are the two most hated industries in America – Cable TV and Internet Service Providers. The result is a customer base that, unsurprisingly, really, really dislikes Comcast Xfinity and its catalog of headache-inducing attributes like exploding bills, surprise fees and painful customer service.

T-Mobile clearly wants to give Comcast customers another option and its latest promotion could go a long way toward luring individuals away from the cable company.

T-Mobile Takes Aim at Comcast With Latest 5G Home Internet Promo
Matt Milano



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UK Government Rules Netflix Password Sharing Illegal

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UK Government Rules Netflix Password Sharing Illegal

Netflix customers in the UK are in for a big disappointment, with the government ruling that password sharing is illegal.

Netflix password sharing is a common practice and one the company condoned for much of its history. The company appears to be backing off of that stance, and is widely believed to be preparing for a major crackdown on the practice.

According to TorrentFreak, Netflix’s attempts to reign in password sharing may have just received a big boost from the UK government. The UK Government’s Intellectual Property Office published new privacy rules that make password sharing illegal, potentially even opening users up to “criminal liability for fraud.” The rule impacts Netflix, as well as virtually all other major streaming platforms.

“There are a range of provisions in criminal and civil law which may be applicable in the case of password sharing where the intent is to allow a user to access copyright protected works without payment,” the IPO told TorrentFreak.

“These provisions may include breach of contractual terms, fraud or secondary copyright infringement depending on the circumstances.”

UK Government Rules Netflix Password Sharing Illegal
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Tesla May Be the Reason for Musk’s Twitter CEO Poll

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Tesla May Be the Reason for Musk’s Twitter CEO Poll

In the wake of a poll where Elon Musk asked if he should resign as Twitter CEO, some are speculating that Tesla is the reason.

Musk posted the poll regarding his status as Twitter CEO, promising to abide by the results. The poll ended with 57.5% voting that Musk should resign. While Musk has been noticeably silent since the poll closed, there’s reason to believe Tesla may have been the ultimate reason for him posing the question in the first place.

Musk has been under fire for essentially leaving Tesla leaderless since his purchase of Twitter. One of the largest individual Tesla shareholders went so far as to call for the board to replace Musk as CEO, saying “Elon abandoned Tesla.”

Some believe the poll could be Musk’s exit strategy or, more accurately, Tesla’s exit strategy for Musk.

As Wu points out, if the Tesla board exerted pressure on Musk, the poll would be a way for him to return to his main job in a way that saves face.

Tesla May Be the Reason for Musk’s Twitter CEO Poll
Matt Milano



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