MSI Net, Inc. & mCloudServ

March 14, 2019

Google says it removed 2.3B bad ads, 1.5M bad apps, and 28M bad pages in 2018, plans updated tools and a new Policy Manager to help publishers with compliance (Ingrid Lunden/TechCrunch)

Ingrid Lunden / TechCrunch: Google says it removed 2.3B bad ads, 1.5M bad apps, and 28M bad pages in 2018, plans updated tools and a new Policy Manager to help publishers with compliance — Google is a tech powerhouse in many categories, including advertising. Today, as part of its efforts to improve how that ad

Chinese restaurants caught using fake delivery app licenses – CNET

Up to 35,000 restaurants got away with using a fake license or no license at all. Chinese restaurants caught using fake delivery app licenses – CNET Source: CNet

Google blocked 2.3 billion bad ads for tickets, garage doors, tech support in 2018 – CNET

That’s 900 million fewer ads than it blocked last year — but twice as many advertisers and publishers. Google blocked 2.3 billion bad ads for tickets, garage doors, tech support in 2018 – CNET Source: CNet

Emulating An Altair 8800 On An Apple II

The Altair 8800 was, to its creators, a surprise hit. Despite looking nothing like what we would today consider to be a computer, it sold thousands of units almost immediately upon its launch, way back in 1975. A few years later, the Apple II burst onto the scene, and the home computer revolution began in

March 14, 2019

Google is shutting down its Spotlight Stories VR film studio, part of Google's ATAP group, according to an email from the studio's executive producer (Janko Roettgers/Variety)

Janko Roettgers / Variety: Google is shutting down its Spotlight Stories VR film studio, part of Google’s ATAP group, according to an email from the studio’s executive producer — Google is shutting down its Spotlight Stories immersive entertainment unit, according to an email sent out by Spotlight Stories executive producer Karen Dufilho Wednesday evening. Google

Shazam superhero movie with Zachary Levi: Trailers, cast, advanced screenings – CNET

Here’s our ongoing guide to the upcoming DC Comics film starring Zachary Levi. The film opens April 5, but advance screenings are coming March 23. Shazam superhero movie with Zachary Levi: Trailers, cast, advanced screenings – CNET Source: CNet

ATtiny Gets A Tiny Software UART

Modern microcontroller platforms spoil us with their performance and expansive spec sheets. These days it’s not uncommon to be developing for a cheap micro that has a clock rate well in excess of 100MHz, with all manner of peripherals baked in. DACs, WiFi, you name it – it’s in there, with a bunch of libraries

Marvel Cinematic Universe songs ranked: Everything from Led Zeppelin to Marvin Gaye – CNET

From Iron Man and Captain Marvel to Black Panther and Guardians of the Galaxy, here are songs that perfectly paired to a scene. Marvel Cinematic Universe songs ranked: Everything from Led Zeppelin to Marvin Gaye – CNET Source: CNet

Lamborghini's CEO eyes the future, mulls possible 2+2 GT model, report says – Roadshow

That model could also feature a hybrid drivetrain with a naturally-aspirated engine. Lamborghini's CEO eyes the future, mulls possible 2+2 GT model, report says – Roadshow Source: CNet

Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp Go Down. At the Same Time.

All three services experienced interruptions throughout the day on Wednesday. Grief and chaos ensued. Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp Go Down. At the Same Time. Source: NY Times Tech

March 13, 2019

Amazon has delisted two books that claimed to hold cures for autism, following a letter from Rep. Schiff criticizing anti-vaccine misinformation on the platform (Tiffany Hsu/New York Times)

Tiffany Hsu / New York Times: Amazon has delisted two books that claimed to hold cures for autism, following a letter from Rep. Schiff criticizing anti-vaccine misinformation on the platform — Amazon has removed the online listings for two books that claim to contain cures for autism, a move that follows recent efforts … Amazon

Google, Facebook and others pressed to stop spread of anti-vax information – CNET

The American Medical Association worries misinformation could lead to the spread of preventable diseases. Google, Facebook and others pressed to stop spread of anti-vax information – CNET Source: CNet

SoftBank and Other Investors May Buy $1 Billion Stake in Uber’s Self-Driving Cars

The talks precede Uber’s initial public offering and may ease worries about how costly it is to develop autonomous vehicles. SoftBank and Other Investors May Buy Billion Stake in Uber’s Self-Driving Cars Source: NY Times Tech

March 13, 2019

Facebook is rolling out Watch Party support for live TV, with tools for adding trivia, polls, and more, testing first in Facebook Groups with live sports events (Facebook)

Facebook: Facebook is rolling out Watch Party support for live TV, with tools for adding trivia, polls, and more, testing first in Facebook Groups with live sports events — Today at SXSW, we’re sharing updates on how we’re bringing people together around video and music on Facebook … Facebook is rolling out Watch Party support

Facebook's data-sharing deals reportedly under criminal probe – CNET

The social network gave tech companies special access to user data, says a New York Times report. Facebook's data-sharing deals reportedly under criminal probe – CNET Source: CNet

March 13, 2019

Tumblr traffic dropped by nearly 100M views the month after it banned porn

Tumblr’s ban on adult content is costing it dearly. In December, we reported on news of Tumblr invoking the nuclear option and banning pornography and other adult content from the popular blogging platform. A month later, it had lost more than 100 million views — a 17 percent decline in just 30 days. According to

Android Q beta available for Pixel phones – CNET

Google’s Android Q beta is here for early adopters. Android Q beta available for Pixel phones – CNET Source: CNet

March 13, 2019

Cloudera misses Q4 FY2019 analyst estimates with revenue of $144.5M, up 37% YoY, and losses of $85.5M; stock down ~15% after hours following weak Q1 guidance (CNBC)

CNBC: Cloudera misses Q4 FY2019 analyst estimates with revenue of $144.5M, up 37% YoY, and losses of $85.5M; stock down ~15% after hours following weak Q1 guidance — Cloudera plummeted as much as 15 percent in extended trading on Wednesday after the developer of software for managing … Cloudera misses Q4 FY2019 analyst estimates with

Tech giants are guilty of 'bullying tactics,' says Obama's former economic advisor – CNET

A report published in the UK says the big tech companies are overly powerful. Tech giants are guilty of 'bullying tactics,' says Obama's former economic advisor – CNET Source: CNet

Facebook’s Data Deals Are Under Criminal Investigation

A federal grand jury is looking at partnerships that gave major tech companies broad access to Facebook users’ information. Facebook’s Data Deals Are Under Criminal Investigation Source: NY Times Tech

CRISPR experts call for moratorium on creating gene-edited babies – CNET

Prominent scientists and ethicists believe a temporary pause is necessary. CRISPR experts call for moratorium on creating gene-edited babies – CNET Source: CNet

March 13, 2019

Sources: Facebook's data-sharing deals under federal criminal investigation; an NY grand jury subpoenaed at least two device-makers who partnered with Facebook (New York Times)

New York Times: Sources: Facebook’s data-sharing deals under federal criminal investigation; an NY grand jury subpoenaed at least two device-makers who partnered with Facebook — Federal prosecutors are conducting a criminal investigation into data deals Facebook struck with some of the world’s largest … Sources: Facebook's data-sharing deals under federal criminal investigation; an NY grand

3D Scanning Via DIY Photogrammetry

For those with 3D printers, taking a 3D model and spitting out a physical object is so routine as to be blasé. The reverse is something a little different. There are many ways to create a digital 3D model of a physical object, of varying complexity. [Eric Strebel] favors photogrammetry, and has shared a useful

March 13, 2019

Google Earth and Carmen Sandiego is the best combo since PB & J

Carmen Sandiego, renowned lady thief and the original superstar of edutainment, has finally made her way into a new video game — only this time, the actual world is her canvas in Google Earth. I don’t know who came up with this idea, but I’m so glad they had that brainwave, because this combination of

March 13, 2019

Sources: a consortium that includes SoftBank and at least one automaker is in late-stage talks to invest $1B or more into Uber's self-driving vehicle unit (Maureen Farrell/Wall Street Journal)

Maureen Farrell / Wall Street Journal: Sources: a consortium that includes SoftBank and at least one automaker is in late-stage talks to invest $1B or more into Uber’s self-driving vehicle unit — A consortium that includes SoftBank Group is in late-stage talks to invest $1 billion or more into Uber Technologies’ self-driving vehicle unit. Sources:

Blog