Meta Rolls Out New Scam Detection; WhatsApp Gets Parent-Linked Kid Accounts, Nvidia Making Open Source Open Claw Competitor; Your Tire Monitors as Tracking Device
Posted: March 11, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Cybersecurity, Phishing, scams, security, technology Leave a commentMeta has launched new scam detection on its Facebook, Messenger, and WhatsApp platforms. Thenextweb.com reports that just last year the company removed 159 million scam ads last year and took down 10.9 million accounts linked to criminal networks. Now, the tentpole feature of the added scam protection is one for Facebook…it flags suspicious friend or follow requests before users act on them. When a request arrives from an account with no mutual connections, a different country location, or a suspiciously recent join date, Facebook will display a warning. WhatsApp also gets a new layer of protection. Device linking fraud has become a bigger issue…where you link your phone to a tablet, for example. Bad guys can spoof your account and get access. Scammers have been tricking users into scanning malicious QR codes, sometimes under the pretense of a customer service call or technical support request, which links the scammer’s device to the victim’s WhatsApp account. The app will now display a warning when it picks up a suspicious device linking request…and it will show where the request originated. On Messenger, on-device analysis automatically flags messages from unfamiliar contacts that match the patterns of common scams, fraudulent job offers, fake investment pitches, work-from-home schemes. Users get a warning, and have the option of sending the conversation to Meta AI for a cloud-based second review.
WhatsApp has introduced a new set of parent-supervised accounts for kinds under age 13. According to TechCrunch.com, The company said that these accounts will only have access to messaging and calling, and won’t be targeted with any ads. While the company rates its apps 13+ on both the App Store and Play Store, many pre-teens use WhatsApp to communicate with parents, as WhatsApp said it is introducing this feature after feedback from parents. To set up the account, tor he parent will need both their own device and the child’s, to authenticate the account with QR codes. By default, the parent gets an alert when a pre-teen adds, blocks or reports a contact. The parent also gets an alert if the youngster changes their name of profile picture, or when they are getting a new chat request; joining, creating, or leaving a group; a group turning on disappearing messages; and deleting a chat or a contact. All these settings are protected by a six-digit PIN that parents can set and change from their own device. The kid accounts have no access to Meta AI, Channels, or Status. The messages are still end to end encrypted. When the kid gets older, they get a message that they can convert to a regular account…but the parent can use their supervisory power to delay that by 12 months…so age 14. That still seems pretty young for unsupervised child activity.
We’ve mentioned OpenClaw here a time or two…the system that lets users direct ‘always-on’ AI agents from their personal machines, using any number of underlying models. Arstechnica.com says now Nvidia is now getting set to launch its own open source agent platform to compete with OpenClaw. Nvidia’s platform is dubbed NemoClaw, and they have already demo’ed it to Salesforce, Cisco, Google, Adobe, and CrowdStrike. Earlier this month, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC that OpenClaw was “the most important software release probably ever.” The sudden interest in OpenClaw has seemingly driven a run on Mac Mini hardware with unified memory that’s well-suited to running the tool. NemoClaw will run on machines without using Nvidia’s own GPUs.
You probably think of a device that can be planted under your car or something like an AirTag being used to track you by authorities, a crazy ex, or others. Well guess what? They don’t need any of that.Almost every modern car has something built in that allows tracking you. Bgr.com notes that it is your tire pressure monitoring system…TPMS. The system sends continuous signals so that if one of your tires is low on air, you get a warning….the little light on your dash, or in some cars it even shows you which tire. For less than $100 bucks, people can make a receiver that can pick up your car tire signals from up to 164 feet away…even if your car is moving or on the other side of a wall. A Spanish study revealed that someone using a very simple device can track the unique signal tires send out, meaning they can know if the same car has been tracked before. Over time, this can build out a pattern of someone’s routines such as when they arrive and leave for work, when they go home, or what day they head to the grocery store and to which one. Researchers are imploring manufacturers to fix this problem quickly!
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
EU Calls Out Meta-Blocking Rival Chatbots on WhatsApp; Discord Will Require Face Scan or ID for Full Access; Gadget Turns Car Display into Infotainment Center; Locking Down iPhone-For Reporters and Protestors
Posted: February 9, 2026 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AI, Artificial Intelligence, News, security, technology Leave a commentThe European Union has warned Meta that it may take what they are calling ‘interim measures’ against WhatsApp. Engadget.com reports that the EU is doing a ‘preliminary review’ around concerns that Meta is violating antitrust laws by blocking third party AI assistants from its WhatsApp platform. Back in October, Meta announced update to the terms of its WhatsApp Business Solution. EU investigators say that a January 15th update ‘effectively’ makes Meta AI the only assistant available on WhatsApp. In a statement, Meta responded “The facts are that there is no reason for the EU to intervene in the WhatsApp Business API. There are many AI options and people can use them from app stores, operating systems, devices, websites, and industry partnerships.”
Discord has announced that it is rolling out age verification on the platform in the US. According to theverge.com, starting next month all accounts will be automatically be set to ‘teen-appropriate.’ If you want to access more, you will have to use a face scan or ID to get through the teen screen. Direct messages and servers that are not age-restricted will continue to function normally, but users won’t be able to send messages or view content in an age-restricted server until they complete the age check process, even if it’s a server they were part of before age verification rolled out. Discord had already started age checks in the UK and Australia.
This was bound to happen with the full screens that go door to door on your dashboard on a number of cars. There are some limitations, but now you can turn your screen into basically a smart TV. Bgr.com says if you buy a $60 Carlin Kit Fire Drive Link Pro, you can connect your vehicle with a wired CarPlay System to a Fire TV stick and stream movies or games. The Fire stick is not included, and so far it’s the only one they recommended using…but some people have gotten a Roku stick to work. There isn’t time here to detail all the steps, but it isn’t rocket science to hook up and use. If you are getting ready for a road trip this spring or summer, and have a late model car or SUV with a giant display, this may be a cheap way to entertain the passengers on the way to your destination.
This is not for everyone…but if you are out protesting, covering an event as a reporter, or getting video of Enforcement actions, you may want to lock down your iPhone. ZDnet.com notes that the Lockdown Mode feature has been on iPhone for a while now. To use it, you should make sure your phone is updated to the latest OS. Then, back up your phone first…if you have iCloud, your stuff is backed up nightly already. go to Settings, then Privacy and Security, and scroll to the bottom where you will find Lockdown Mode. Note that a LOT of features on your phone will be deactivated. Most message attachments are link previews are locked, incoming FaceTime calls, SharePlay, and more are turned off. It removes shared photo albums and strips location data from shared images, and more. Again, not something you want to do unless you are reporting or protesting…but worth knowing about.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
AMD Partners with OpenAI; ICE Wants to Build 24-7 Social Media Surveillance Team; Discord User IDs & Data Compromised; Tesla Insurance Division Accused of ‘Egregious Delays’
Posted: October 6, 2025 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AI, Cybersecurity, News, security, technology Leave a commentAMD is partnering up with OpenAI, and will provide the AI firm with 6 gigawatts worth of processors for its AI data centers…something that poses a direct challenge to Nvidia’s AI chip market dominance. Theverge.com reports that the deal is a 5 year agreement which will aim to help OpenAI bulk up its infrastructure to meet the growing computational demands for its AI apps like ChatGPT. The first wave will be a gigawatt worth of AMD GPUs coming in the 2nd half of 2026. No dollar amount has been announced, but it is safe to say it will be in the tens of billions of dollars.
ICE is moving to connect with private vendors to run a multi-year surveillance program out of its two little—known targeting centers. According to wired.com, ICE plans to hire almost 30 contractors to sift through posts, photos, and messages—raw material to be transformed into intelligence for deportation arrests and raids. The contractors would be located at ICE facilities in Williston, Vermont and Santa Ana in Southern California. They would pore over Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and other platforms converting posts and profiles into fresh leads for enforcement raids.
A third party customer service provider for Discord has been infiltrated, and the hackers were able to gain access to user information. Engadget.com says the breach occurred on September 20th. Discord claims that the compromised data includes a “small number” of government IDs like driver’s licenses and passports, which some users may have submitted to verify their ages. To be clear, Discord itself wasn’t hacked, and you would only be affected by the data breach if you’ve ever communicated with the messaging service’s Customer Support or Trust & Safety teams. That also means the bad actors didn’t get access to your messages within the service, just whatever you may have communicated with customer support. Affected users are getting emails notifying them. They have cut ties with the provider.
The California Department of Insurance has slapped Tesla with an enforcement action for routinely denying or delaying customer claims despite years of warnings from that state regulator. Techcrunch.com notes that Tesla’s insurance arm along with partner State National Insurance Company, engaged in “willful unfair claims settlement practices” including “egregious delays in responding to policyholder claims in all steps” of the process and “unreasonable denials,” CDI wrote. This has allegedly caused “financial harm” and “distress to policyholders.” The state insurance department first warned about the issues in 2022, and now says things have only gotten worse. Tesla launched the in-house insurance back in 2019.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Will Regulate Apple Pay, Venmo, and Others; Amazon Shows Huge Echo Show; Over 200 Companies Now Support Passkeys; A Mother Lode of Rare Earth Elements in Spent Coal
Posted: November 21, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Cybersecurity, passkeys, password, security, technology Leave a commentThe Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which has had the task of regulating banks, is now expanding. Engadget.com reports that the CFPB will now supervise Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, and other payment apps and digital wallets. The Bureau proposed regulating the apps in 2023, but now the supervision will actually go into effect…with refined policies…in 30 days.
Amazon is supersizing Echo Show, introducing a new 21 inch model for smart home control, organization, and entertainment. According to geekwire.com, the Echo Show 21 smart display features built in Fire TV and Alexa. The screen comes with wall mounting hardware, for $399. If you prefer a counter stand, Amazon will sell you one of those for another $99. The 15 inch Echo Show has also gotten an upgrade with better audio quality. The 15-incher is $299.
We are finally…finally moving to a passwordless future. Now, 9to5mac.com says over 200 major companies are supporting passkeys. For those unfamiliar, passkeys were introduced two years ago, and they replace traditional passwords with more secure authentication using a security key or biometrics. The technology was developed by FIDO Alliance in partnership with companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft. Passkeys can use biometrics…like Apple’s FaceID and TouchID, freeing you from having to manage a massive list of passwords…or even using an app like 1 Password. It can’t happen soon enough!
It’s a kind of one person’s trash is another person’s treasure story. Dailykos.com picked up a report from the International Journal of Coal Science and Technology, and apparently there are rare earth elements in coal ash. The amounts are tiny…ordinarily not worth much, but there is a huge supply of the chalky coal ash in the US…maybe 11 million tons of accessible rare earth elements are in that coal ash. That is 8 times what the US has in domestic reserves. Most of our rare earths right now…about 75%…come from China. Ukraine also has a good supply, but this could make the US self-sufficient on these elements that go into batteries, solar panels, magnets, and other energy technologies. It’s likely that some entrepreneurs are active as we write this, looking at ways to efficiently extract those 17 rare elements.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
New Macs & iPad Mini November 1st; Android Rolling Out New Anti-Theft Features; Supremes Turn Away Suit Over Special Counsel Demanding Trump X Info; GM Working on Hands AND Eyes-Off Driving System
Posted: October 7, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Apple, iPhone, News, security, technology Leave a commentLast month, we got the new iPhones, Watches, and Apple ear buds upgrades. Now, macrumors.com reports that Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman is saying we will probably see updated bigger Apple Hardware as early as November 1st. This will include new M4 low-end 14 inch MacBook Pros, and the higher end 14 and 16 inch models…and also a refreshed Mac Mini with M4 and M4 Pro chips. The iMac will get the upgrade as well. One iPad seems to be in the mix for sure…the Mini. It is due for it, as the Mini hasn’t seen an upgrade in 3 years. Don’t expect Mac Studio or Mac Pro models with more powerful M4 chips quite yet. Those won’t be out until mid 2025 for the Studio and the Pro at the tail end of that year.
Google is now releasing anti-theft protection features in the US. They had previously only been available in Brazil. According to androidpolice.com, not all US users are seeing all of them even after the rollout. The 3 features are Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, and Remote Lock. So far, some Pixel users are getting Remote Lock, but not the other two. Other Pixel users are seeing all three protective features. You can check your phone to see what you have…go to the Settings app, and search for ‘theft protection’ to see if the 3 features are available for your phone. Theft Detection Lock determines if the phone is forcefully taken from your hand, and automatically locks it. Offline Device lock automatically locks your phone’s screen when “a thief tries to disconnect your phone for prolonged periods of time.” Remote Lock is for when you know when you phone is gone for good…you can remotely lock the screen with just your phone number and a security challenge. You use the website android.com/lock.
The Supreme Court is back in session, and promptly refused to take a case disputing special counsel Jack Smith’s efforts to get the records of former President Trump from Twitter (which, of course, is now X) and keep that platform from letting him know about the demand for production. In refusing to take the case, the lower court ruling stands that upheld a nondisclosure order, which Elon Musk claimed violated his platform’s First Amendment right to communicate with Trump. Bloomberg says a judge decided the order was valid, and fined X $350,000 for civil contempt. Twitter eventually turned over 32 direct messages, which the special counsel’s office said was a ‘minuscule proportion’ of the information they requested.
It won’t be a first, but it will certainly be the most widely used when it hits the road. General Motors is working on a hands AND eyes-off driving system. Techcrunch.com reports that this will be a step up from their 7 year old Super Cruise hands-off system that is currently available. This would be what is known as a Level 3 or L3 system…not quite self-driving cars like Waymo is running in several cities or even like GM’s Cruise division has…which are just getting back on the streets of San Francisco after an accident earlier this year where a woman was dragged. Right now, the only L3 system is Mercedes-Benz’ Drive Pilot. Even Tesla’s Autopilot and so-called ‘Full Self-Driving’ system are only Level 2. No word on how soon the Level 3 setup would be available from GM, but since they are teasing it, it should be sooner, not later. GM says Super Cruise will have about 750,000 miles of roads it can use by the end of 2025.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days-October 8-9; Chrome-Easier to Use Passkeys Across Devices; EU Looks to Demand Apple Open up iOS; VW Halts ID.4 Production-Door Handle Problem
Posted: September 19, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Cybersecurity, Google, passkeys, security, technology Leave a commentYes, another big Amazon sale is on the way. Amazon Prime Big Deal Days is scheduled for October 8th and 9th. Engadget.com notes that Amazon has changed the name of this event a few times, but it remains what they call Amazon’s marquee sale event for Prime members. As always, expect big discounts on Amazon’s own devices…the Echos, Kindles, Blink cams, and so forth. We can also expect, if the past is an indication, cheap prices on small items like ear buds…and of course, the ever popular ‘lightening deals.’ There’s nothing like a big sale to goose revenues in the 4th quarter for companies…and get a head start on the holiday rush. Stan Freeborn is smiling somewhere…as he tugged Santa’s beard…as well as ad agencies and merchants…with his ‘Green Christmas’ back in 1958!
As some of the major players move to a password-less future with passkeys…using the biometrics or screen locks on your smartphone, tablet, or computer to log into websites and apps, Google has dropped another obstacle to making this happen by making it effortless to use passkeys on different devices. Zdnet.com reports that previously, you had to scan QR codes to grant accesses to different devices. Google has introduced a feature that will allow passkeys to be saved right in Google Password Manager on Windows, MacOS, Linux, and Android. it all works the same…you create a passkey when they prompt you and it is now automatically saved and synced automatically across all devices when logged into the same Google account. Google has also introduced Google Password Manager PIN, an extra layer of protection. Apple has already had the ability to use passkeys across devices using their biometrics like Face ID and Touch ID, but it will be a big plus to have Google letting this work across devices and operating systems.
The EU is stepping things up to make Apple open up all of iOS and iPadOS to third parties. According to appleinsider.com, they have now started two ‘specification proceedings’ which will set the rules and timetable for Apple to allow the third party access to all its iPhone hardware and software features. The first proceedings concerns connectivity with third party devices. The second one will put in deadlines for compliance. So far there hasn’t been any comment from Apple. Apple CEO Tim Cook, however, had earlier described some EU moves as based on anti-US sentiment. I can see Apple complying and allowing interoperability with third party devices…like other watches, earbuds, etc…but opening their operating systems…that may be a bridge too far for Cupertino.
There are auto recalls virtually constantly. Here’s one I haven’t seen happen. Volkswagen has stopped production on the ID.4 crossover because the cool flush door handles apparently don’t meet their waterproofing specs. Arstechnica.com says the moisture can get into the door controller’s circuit board, and might allow the door to open while the EV is moving! VW has a recall for almost 100,000 ID.4 models, and put out a stop sale to dealers. This is actually the 2nd fix for ID.4 doors. Earlier, some would open intermittently while driving or refuse to open. So far, thankfully, there have been no crashes or injuries reported.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Grok Chatbot Trains on X User Data; Apple Intelligence Delayed Until October in iOS 18.1; DOJ says TikTok Collected User Data on Controversial Issues; Microsoft Will Make Windows Security more Mac-Like
Posted: July 29, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: AI, Apple, Microsoft, security, technology Leave a commentThe Grok chatbot Elon Musk has is apparently training on data from any and all X users. According to thenextweb.com, this could get Musk into trouble with the European Union. The data use may be in violation of EU rules. You can make sure you are not included in this. Go to settings in X, and look for a box that is checked by default…it says “Allow your posts as well as your interactions, inputs, and results with Grok to be used for training and fine-tuning.” This may violate the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation. That law restricts companies from expanding data collection without telling users, and providing users a clear opt-out.
Apparently Apple Intelligence won’t graduate in time to make it for the rollout of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia. If you were all pumped about that shiny new iPhone 16 using Apple Intelligence, macrumors.com reports that you will have to wait until the operating systems’ first updates in October. Apple Intelligence should be released in the upcoming beta versions of the software, probably next week, but Apple must feel it isn’t quite ready for prime time yet. The upgraded Siri with AI was already scheduled to bow next spring.
The Department of Justice went to court late Friday to ask the bench to reject the TikTok bid to have the law to ban it overturned. Engadget.com says the feds name national security concerns that include its alleged use of internal search tools to collect information on users’ views around sensitive topics. The government wrote in its filing that ByteDance has been using a search tool within their Lark suite of tools that “allowed ByteDance and TikTok employees in the United States and China to collect bulk user information based on the user’s content or expressions, including views on gun control, abortion, and religion.” The DOJ also argues in the filings that TikTok could be using the data to subject US users to content manipulation, and that their sensitive information could end up stored on servers in China. TikTok has denied the allegations.
After the CrowdStrike mess, Microsoft has indicated it will make Windows security more Mac-like. What does that mean? 9t5mac.com reports that Redmond will limit kernel access. Microsoft wrote about it on their IT blog. The company won’t be stripping away kernel privileges in a forthcoming Windows update. A shift like this will take significant time. But Microsoft’s direction for the future appears clear. Apple’s strict Mac security protocols don’t allow the same kind of kernel access to third parties as Windows does. This is why Macs weren’t impacted by the CrowdStrike outage. Let’s hope that another CloudStrike-type event doesn’t occur before Microsoft gets restricting kernel access in place.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Google & AT&T Invest in Starlink Rival; US EA Aims to Stop Citizen Data Exploitation; iOS 17.3 Drops-With Stolen Device Protection; FTC Tells Intuit to Stop Pushing Free Software That Isn’t
Posted: January 23, 2024 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Cybersecurity, Elon Musk, security, starlink, technology Leave a commentGoogle, AT&T, and Vodafone are pumping $206 million into AST SpaceMobile, a Starlink competitor that intends to offer smartphone service from low-earth orbit satellites. AST said it has “over 40 agreements and understandings with mobile network operators globally, who collectively service over 2 billion subscribers.” While Starlink already has over 5,000 satellites delivering home Internet service and plans to launch tens of thousands more, it isn’t too far ahead of AST SpaceMobile in terms of cellular-enabled satellites. SpaceX launched the first six Starlink satellites that can provide cellular transmissions to standard LTE phones a few weeks ago and demonstrated the technology with text messages sent between T-Mobile phones.
The US is planning to issue a new executive order that will be aimed at prevent foreign adversaries from accessing troves of highly sensitive personal data about Americans and people connected to the U.S. government, according to Bloomberg News. The draft order focuses on ways that foreign adversaries are gaining access to Americans’ “highly sensitive” personal data through legal means and through intermediaries like data brokers, third-party vendor agreements, employment agreements or investment agreements. The administration is concerned about the collection of data on political figures, journalists, academics, activists and members of marginalized communities, as well as patient data obtained through health-care providers and researchers. This order will NOT be voluntary like the commitments AI companies made this year.
Apple has released iOS 17.3, which is a minor upgrade except for one feature…Stolen Device Protection. Theverge.com notes that of late, a number of accounts have been taken over after a person meets another in a bar, and gets them to enter their passcode to the phone…allegedly to put in the new person’s number and info. The scammer has memorized the passcode, and has your name, etc…so they can take over your iCloud account and get into all your saved passwords…like banking info to drain accounts. Stolen Device Protection requires either Face ID or Touch ID for certain actions…like viewing saved passwords or applying for a new Apple Card. If you are away from your home or work, any time you try to change a password or the like, you will have to input the passcode AND use the biometric ID…and then wait an hour. To use the feature go to Settings, then select Face ID and Passcode. Scroll WAY down, and you can see Stolen Device Protection. Turn it on. It is off by default.
The FTC ordered Intuit to stop promoting its software products and services as “free” unless they’re actually free for all consumers. Bleepingcomputer.com reports that the order comes after the consumer protection watchdog’s investigation into how Intuit promoted its tax preparation software TurboTax as being a “free” product as part of a years-long deceptive advertising campaign. Around two-thirds of all tax filers in the U.S. could not use TurboTax for free as advertised by the accounting and tax software provider, instead being hit with charges when it was time to file. In other words, plug in all your info, and go through the whole stressful procedure and then…oh, yeah…you can’t actually file without paying these fees. By the way, if your taxes are pretty simple and you have an adjusted gross income of $79,000 or less, you can use products available through the IRS’ Free File Program to file federal and state tax returns for free.
I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.
Android Apps Track Kids; Making Facebook Friends Portable; Amazon’s Choice Secrets; Mini Sega Genesis Coming
Posted: April 16, 2018 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Amazon's Choice, Android, Cambridge Analytica, Children, Facebook, Genesis, Google, MegaDrive, Mini, Privacy, security, Sega Leave a commentIn the wake of the Facebook Cambridge Analytica flap, more people are becoming re-sensitized to their privacy…or lack of it. Bgr.com is pointing out that Google does a much better job of protecting privacy, but…and there’s always a but…with their third party apps, not so much. Researchers at the International Computer Science Institute have discovered thousands of Android apps that track young kids. In fact, the majority of 5855 of the most popular children’s apps were guilty of tracking in some manner. 19% of them collect personally identifiable information, while 66% transmit non-resettable persistent identifiers that negate the privacy preserving properties of the advertising ID. So…those thousands of apps are free, except for the data they steal to serve targeted ads to your kids. What a deal! ‘OK, Google! Fix this!’
Some people are leaving Facebook after the Cambridge Analytica mess…I count 31 that have bailed or deactivated on my friends list. For me, the horse got out of the barn a long time ago, so it seems a bit late to leave when you’re privacy has been violated continuously for 8 or 10 years. TechCrunch.com notes that you can download your facebook info, including your friends list…but it’s just a text list…you can’t easily take it to a competing platform. It’s just not going to work having to type them all in, or letting another platform use your email list and keep sending out pestering email to your friends. If people want the government to regulate Facebook as a utility, being able to export your friends list in a useable form to port them to another platform would be a great start. Meanwhile, we’ve speculated that somewhere, some brilliant geeks are working on programming to do it whether Facebook likes it or not. Whatever platform gets that kind of feature first will have a hell of a leg up in giving Facebook some real competition.
What kind of magic formula does Amazon use to give a product the Amazon’s Choice designation? No one has had a clue…until now. Geekwire.com reports that the online giant has started placing a ‘why we like this product’ link next to the Amazon’s Choice logo. If you click it, it will give you 3 specific reasons Amazon has awarded the Choice designator to that particular product. Some of the criteria seem heavily skewed towards highly rated, but also seen have been low return rate and popularity in Amazon search results. At least it’s a peek behind the curtain. So far, all the factors seem to be ones that lend themselves to a high degree of automation..hey, it IS Amazon!
Having purchased probably every system Sega ever made for a certain family member (which paid off in a way…he now works for a game company), I was interested to see that Sega is probably going to bring out a Sega MegaDrive Mini later this year. Cnet.com says the little box has just rolled out in Japan to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the system (MegaDrive was the original name for the system.) Now, a number of reports are surfacing saying the diminutive Genesis will e hitting the US later this year. It appears that Sega is presently asking users to let them know what classic games they want pre-loaded onto the system. Apparently the system will feature both Japanese and English voiceovers, and choice of classic or modern controls.
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