The word, and wearing masks in public, is now reportedly illegal. Turkmenistan fights COVID-19 by banning the word 'coronavirus' – CNET
Source: CNet

Harvard scientists suggest COVID-19 might cause loss of smell by damaging a particular set of cells in the nose. Coronavirus study finds 'surprising' link between infection and loss of smell – CNET
Source: CNet

Catch all the performances from Corden’s Monday primetime special, livestreamed from his garage. James Corden's Homefest: Watch BTS, Billie Eilish, John Legend and more – CNET
Source: CNet

Apple’s new cheaper iPhone may (or may not) be coming soon. iPhone 9 may launch soon after case spotted in Best Buy leak – CNET
Source: CNet

Joe’s singing, John’s missing teeth, Carole’s missing husband: All the things you might have missed. Tiger King: 9 things you didn't know about Netflix's insane hit show – CNET
Source: CNet

Sheriff Chad Chronister is getting six tips a day, but nothing credible yet. Tiger King inspires call for new information on Carole Baskin's missing husband – CNET
Source: CNet

Her work helped lead to development of a vaccine for the virus, which often resulted in paralysis and even death among children. Google Doodle honors Jean Macnamara, Australian polio doctor – CNET
Source: CNet

Stream live concerts of your favorite bands and musicians like Phish, Ke$ha, Miley Cyrus, Diplo, Melissa Etheridge, Questlove and more. #couchtour All the livestream concerts you can watch during the coronavirus shutdown – CNET
Source: CNet

Commentary: Maybe there’s a reason Netflix Party didn’t become popular until now. Netflix Party is a good idea, but doesn't always work in real life – CNET
Source: CNet

Microsoft is moving to make most of its external (and some internal) events digital-only for its FY’21 in light of impacts of the coronavirus. Yes, that means Ignite 2020 for sure and likely Build 2021, too. Microsoft to take most of its external and internal events for the next year digital-only
Source: ZDNet Microsoft

Image: Endlesss

Collaborative music-making app Endlesss is now available for iOS. The app’s been in beta for quite a long time, so newcomers will find that there’s already a community using Endlesss and sharing and discussing projects on the software’s dedicated Discord server.

Even though Endlesss is a music-making app, it’s not really meant for making complete songs. It’s a collaborative “virtual musical hangout with a live chat room” that lets multiple users build and change loops of music in real time. Just select a project and start tapping out drum patterns and melodies to change up someone’s loop. You can make stuff just for yourself, but the social aspect is encouraged.

Open loops where anyone can remix layers on the fly sounds like a recipe…

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This app lets musicians remotely jam out on loops in real time
Source: New feed

Plus: Chris Cuomo, brother of New York’s governor, tests positive, and states extend their lockdowns. Coronavirus updates: US deaths outnumber China's reported fatalities – CNET
Source: CNet

It’s smart to take 12-megapixel photos with a 108-megapixel camera. Galaxy S20 Ultra takes great photos in the dark thanks to pixel binning – CNET
Source: CNet

Other NBA stars participating in the 16-player tournament include Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker and Andre Drummond. Kevin Durant and Trae Young headline players-only NBA 2K tournament for ESPN
Source: Washington Post Tech

The updated tracker is Fitbit’s first GPS wearable since the Ionic, and is similar to the current Charge 3. New Fitbit Charge 4 fitness tracker adds GPS but keeps the same design – CNET
Source: CNet

Call of Duty fans can purchase the remastered version starting Tuesday, first on the PS4. Modern Warfare 2 campaign gets a remaster – CNET
Source: CNet

Mobile developer King is adding free, unlimited lives to Candy Crush Saga and a swath of other games this week, removing the timers that make players wait or pay if they fail too many levels. The change lasts until April 5th, and it’s part of a World Health Organization partnership called #PlayApartTogether, which promotes awareness of safety and social distancing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic.

Seven games are being updated with free lives: Candy Crush Saga, Candy Crush Soda Saga, Candy Crush Jelly Saga, Candy Crush Friends Saga, Farm Heroes Saga, Bubble Witch 3 Saga, and Pet Rescue Saga. I can’t say if those latter six are worth your newly unlimited playtime. But Candy Crush Saga is a genuinely engrossing take on the…

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You can play Candy Crush with free, unlimited lives this week
Source: New feed

Illustration by Alex Castro / The Verge

Zoom is apparently leaking some email addresses, user photos, and allowing some users to initiate a video call with strangers because of an issue with how the app handles contacts that it perceives work for the same organization, according to a report by Vice.

Typically, Zoom will group contacts with the same email domain into a “Company Directory” so you can, for example, search for a specific person, see their photo and email, and start a video call with that person. That makes sense for a company with employees on Zoom, but the app has also been grouping some people together who signed up for the service with a personal email, reports Vice. That means an affected user might be able to see the personal email addresses and photos of…

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Zoom is leaking some user information because of an issue with how the app groups contacts
Source: New feed

Image: Wyze

Smart home gadget maker Wyze has released a firmware update and set of instructions for turning its low-cost security camera into a working webcam at a time when proper webcams from brands like Logitech are increasingly hard to find.

The update, which was released roughly an hour ago on Wyze’s support website, involves manually installing firmware onto your Wyze camera that will temporarily turn it into a webcam, after which it will no longer connect to the Wyze app and function normally. However, Wyze says you can reverse the process to restore security camera access to the device and have it function normally again.

The instructions say you’ll need a Wyze Cam v2, a…

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Wyze firmware update lets you turn its security cameras into webcams
Source: New feed

Dark Sky just announced it has been acquired by Apple, and with the sale come a few big problems for fans of the hyper-local weather app. First of all, the Android app is going away altogether—for obvious reasons. You can continue to use it until July 1, and subscribers will be refunded any money they’ve spent on a…

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These Weather Apps Are Great Alternatives to the Apple-Owned Dark Sky
Source: Life Hacker

Photo by Sean O’Kane / The Verge

Tesla announced on March 19th that it would temporarily shut down its electric car factory in California, after back-and-forth with local officials about whether the plant was subject to a county-wide coronavirus shelter-in-place order. But the Silicon Valley automaker fought to keep the factory open after that announcement as well, according to new emails obtained by Protocol. It also came after the county’s health officer decided that keeping the plant open was a “public health risk.”

The emails were sent by the local police chief to Tesla’s senior policy advisor, Dan Chia. Each one includes a letter memorializing calls and virtual meetings between Tesla and local city and county officials. They help shed light on the deliberations…

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Tesla created a ‘public health risk’ by keeping car factory open, local official said
Source: New feed

Ready to settle in for another night at home?

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What to Watch Tonight, March 31, 2020
Source: Life Hacker

According to a crowdsourced list, nearly 400,000 people have placed reservations for the electric pickup in the past few months. Tesla Cybertruck may have 600,000-plus preorders to its name – Roadshow
Source: CNet

Are you out of work because of COVID-19? Here’s a breakdown on how to qualify — and receive — the new unemployment benefits. Coronavirus unemployment: Everything you need to know about payments, applying and more – CNET
Source: CNet

From kitchen accessories to essential tech to at-home fitness gear, here are the essential tools to help you survive an extended shelter-at-home ordeal. 13 stay-at-home essentials for under – CNET
Source: CNet