Places and Things

If you found yourself underwhelmed by last fall's Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, it sounds like you shouldn't give up hope just yet. In a recent interview with the LA Times, Warner Bros. from https://comicbook.com/movies/2019/02/28/fantastic-beasts-3-movie-crimes-of-grindelwald-script-jk-rowling/ http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

In the wake of a disappointing holiday quarter, J.C. Penney is slashing hundreds of jobs. Time J.C. Penney plans to close 15 additional full-line stores and nine home-and-furniture locations as the retailer struggles to get its footing amid significant challenges for department stores. from https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2019/02/28/j-c-penney-store-closings/3013368002/ https://www.gannett-cdn.com/uxstatic/usatoday/usat-web-static-5003.16.0/images/sprites/icon_close.png

By injecting nanoparticles into the eyes of mice, scientists gave them the ability to see near-infrared light—a wavelength not normally visible to rodents (or people). from https://gizmodo.com/incredible-experiment-gives-infrared-vision-to-mice-and-1832940986 https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--8VVhJOkG--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/dtu0iclof3eqdgsshemh.jpg

President Trump's central claim about his economic policies officially crashed into reality today. Throughout the 2016 campaign and since, the president and his party have vowed to kick-start tepid Obama-era economic growth. from https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/28/trumps-economic-policies-failed-to-deliver-promised-3percent-growth-in-2018.html https://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/img/editorial/2017/12/21/104911357-GettyImages-896283674.530x298.jpg?v=1551301698

Google Assistant lives in your home and might have its own button on your phone. Now it's in your Android Messages texting app, too. I got a hands-on demo of how exactly it works, here at MWC 2019 in Barcelona.  from https://www.cnet.com/news/google-put-assistant-into-its-android-texting-app-and-its-pretty-cool-mwc/ https://cnet4.cbsistatic.com/img/-DDyf1CmM-r-w2z-7gUmDkUq1Do=/970x0/2019/02/25/7f90a402-ca42-4561-8e2b-cb885557185e/google-assistant-messages-android.jpg

The SanDisk SSD Plus 1TB solid state drive is down to $99.99 on Amazon. This drive normally sells for around $125 with brief jumps up to $140. Today's price is the lowest we have ever seen and its first drop to $100. from https://www.windowscentral.com/thrifter-deal-sandisk-ssd-plus-1tb-solid-state-drive-amazon-one-day-sale http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

The race to create cheaper, longer-lasting batteries just got more interesting. 24M, a US Department of Energy-funded startup, announced that it has delivered semi-solid state lithium-ion batteries with energy density levels of 250 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/27/semi-solid-state-batteries-could-lead-to-cheaper-longer-range/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D1600%252C1066%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1066%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2019-02%252F221e10b0-3a93-11e9-af99-2c1713fc2885%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D9440ded5ef8ecec14bb54fe10a1efee96de4a753&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=90975a31f60717766fa11c3f664bf6d5a6d80718

The speedy USB 3.2 format has technically been ready for the better part of two years, but it's finally ready for a PC near you. The USB-IF standards body has revealed that 3. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/26/usb-3-2-coming-to-desktop-pcs/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D4592%252C3063%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1067%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2019-02%252F7da1f960-3a07-11e9-adff-90007cd73a64%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D8bb6329bad5aa1d3f651a79861fcccadd419eb57&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=11516ab34e98181388ab630784772f0197047488

Wind power has become increasingly popular, but its success is limited by the fact that wind comes and goes as it pleases, making it hard for power grids to count on the renewable energy and less likely to fully embrace it. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/26/google-machine-learning-wind-power/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D4806%252C3078%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1025%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2019-02%252Ffbc6fd80-39ef-11e9-9eef-69c987edfb3f%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D60177864fb2c99e079329f7bef398a473f2e6200&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=8927276aecd3ed14b2dde33465cfabfe9e317af8

The Chinese government might have provided funding that was used in a controversial project to genetically edit babies, according to documents obtained by STAT. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/26/18241382/crispr-babies-chinese-government-he-jiankui-bioethics-science-health https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63125657/crispr.0.png

As noticed by Android Police, Google has begun widely rolling out the web version of its Google Duo video chat service. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/26/18241498/google-duo-web-now-available-chrome-safari-firefox https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63125575/duoweb.0.png

Last year at Photokina 2018, Sony said it had big plans to keep growing its E-mount lens portfolio. The company revealed back then it was working on 12 new lenses for its Alpha mirrorless cameras, which would increase the number of native glass for those shooters from 48 to 60. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/26/sony-fe-135mm-g-master-full-frame-lens-mirrorless-cameras/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?crop=1600%2C1067%2C0%2C0&quality=85&format=jpg&resize=1600%2C1067&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2019-02%2F88fe1e10-3921-11e9-bffb-cc2bdc41fcff&client=a1acac3e1b3290917d92&signature=59419e21465003d8e2cc14909fc0de6137241040

Glyphosate—the active ingredient in Monsanto's Roundup weedkiller that some studies have linked to cancer—is also a secret ingredient in nearly 20 popular beers and wines. That's the finding of a new study from the education group U.S. from https://www.ecowatch.com/glyphosate-beer-wine-2630077686.html http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

On February 26, while the Bitcoin price remained at $3,800 following a sudden 10 percent plunge, Enjin Coin (ENJ), a crypto asset native to a gaming-suited blockchain network called Enjin, spiked by more than 150 percent. Against Bitcoin, at its daily peak, Enjin Coin surged from 0. from https://www.ccn.com/this-crypto-surged-200-after-listing-on-samsung-galaxy-s10-blockchain-wallet https://www.ccn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Galaxy-S10-NTB-680x350.jpg

Since its launch in 2015, Apple has increasingly positioned the Apple Watch as a health and fitness device; something that helps users track their workouts and look after their body. But one popular feature has been missing from Apple’s built-in software: sleep-tracking. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/26/18241136/apple-watch-sleep-tracking-functionality-2020-report https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63124111/vpavic_180917_2949_0076.0.jpg

The recently signed executive order establishing the American AI Initiative correctly identifies artificial intelligence as central to American competitiveness and national defense. However, it is unclear if AI has accomplished anywhere near as much as many have claimed. from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/ais-big-challenge/ https://static.scientificamerican.com/blogs/cache/file/A31E6B1C-1BBB-4583-BF406FB23E78227F_source.jpg?w=590&h=800&A4CBA62B-4710-4FCD-9878536DE827FDAF

Apple Music is coming to Google Home, according to Google’s own iOS app for managing its smart speakers. A MacRumors reader first noticed that the Google Home app now lists Apple Music as a service that can be integrated, although the ability is currently non-functional. from https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/2/26/18241049/apple-music-google-home-app-update https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63123698/vpavic_161101_1258_0057__1_.0.0.jpg

Mass media is full of the idea that work will fulfill us, and so we should chase our passion at all hours. But hustle can’t replace health. from https://www.inverse.com/article/53571-is-my-job-making-me-depressed https://fsmedia.imgix.net/b2/c7/51/fb/cb5b/434a/b7b3/de120ad71d4c/working-weekends-and-long-hours-is-associated-with-a-higher-risk-of-depression-researchers-found.jpeg?rect=735%2C0%2C3674%2C2756&auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&w=650

Filings made with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may have revealed two upcoming smartphones from Google. Documents posted by the government agency today show two new devices from the company, quite possibly the Pixel 3 Lite and Pixel 3 XL Lite handsets that have been rumored for months. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/25/fcc-filing-google-pixel-3-lite-xl/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D3000%252C2250%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1200%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2019-02%252Fd7c13ce0-3916-11e9-afdf-42cc45bafc47%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3Db3468a5914ff50aa36ddc48be350de295c2a0406&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=0fc89f709c8c959104553a87c918a7e0b407ae45

Samsung is one of the first major smartphone makers to include a cryptocurrency wallet in its latest flagship Galaxy S10 phones. The wallet lets users store bitcoin, Ethereum, and a beauty-related cryptocurrency called Cosmo Coin. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/25/18233131/samsung-galaxy-s10-bitcoin-cryptocurrency-wallet-features https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63120590/Screen_Shot_2019_02_20_at_5.28.31_PM.0.png

Anthem, BioWare's latest science-fiction game, is filled with lots of great gear to hunt for and get your hands on. However, some of these weapons truly stand out as incredible. Here's a short list of what we think are the most dangerous tools in Anthem's loot pool. from https://www.windowscentral.com/best-weapons-anthem http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Apple will soon give iOS and Mac App Store developers the option to offer discounted subscriptions to current and past customers, as noted by MacRumors and TechCrunch. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/25/18240224/ios-mac-app-promotional-subscription-discounts-promos https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63121830/akrales_181019_3014_0888.0.jpg

from http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Google Assistant is coming to Android Messages, one in a series of major updates introduced today at the start of Mobile World Congress Barcelona. Contextual integration of Google Assistant will be made available in Android Messages over the course of the coming months. from https://venturebeat.com/2019/02/25/android-messages-gets-google-assistant-suggestions/ https://venturebeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_20190108_1031381.jpg?fit=578%2C433&strip=all

Apple COO Jeff Williams says the company is “very aware” of concerns over the rising cost of the iPhone and Mac computers. from https://www.cultofmac.com/608610/apple-very-aware-concerns-iphone-high-prices/ https://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/iPhone-XS-Max-Gold-780x536.jpg

Maybe you’ve got yourself some Apple hardware, but you prefer Google’s apps and services, or maybe you just find Google a less scary Big Brother in your iPhone than Apple (though both companies should inspire concerns about privacy)—to what extent can you live the Google life on your iPhone? W from https://gizmodo.com/how-to-completely-google-ify-your-iphone-1832789295 https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--lYjxbROo--/c_scale,f_auto,fl_progressive,q_80,w_800/hlvvov1l7csvyp0kdurf.jpg

If you missed Microsoft's big MWC event yesterday, we've distilled all of the news down to 13-minutes to get you caught up quickly. There's plenty of HoloLens, mixed reality, Kinect and more, so here's a brief rundown of what you might've missed. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/25/microsoft-hololens-2-event-in-13-minutes-mwc-2019/ http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

The SD Association has unveiled microSD Express, a new format that will bring speeds of up to 985 Mb/s to the tiny memory cards used in smartphones and other devices. Like SD Express, it exploits the NVMe 1.3 and PCIe 3.1 interfaces used in PCs to power high-speed SSDs. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/25/microsd-express-ultra-fast-mobile-data-speeds/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D1600%252C967%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C967%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2019-02%252Fe909cea0-38de-11e9-bdff-fb6f6abb67fc%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D797f16d62c3e9b4c0d2f170f5ec751777589f43e&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=4bf84d1d5be2aa582a9fa86923a4a0ff9a4c615e

The inexorable march of increasing storage capacities continues today with the announcement of the world’s first 1-terabyte microSD cards. from https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2019/2/25/18239433/1tb-microsd-card-sandisk-micron-price-release https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63116538/Untitled_2.0.jpg

Samsung is offering a much closer look at its Galaxy Fold in a new 4-minute video. The footage of Samsung’s foldable phone is mostly silent B-roll, but it offers the chance to see and hear the folding phone complete with its clicks, bloops, and beeps in various modes. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/25/18239413/samsung-galaxy-fold-folding-phone-video-features https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/14499820/samsungfoldable.gif

Security researchers are already poking holes in 5G mere months into its existence. They've discovered three flaws in 4G and 5G that could be used to intercept phone calls and track someone's location. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/25/4g-5g-security-flaws-allow-snooping/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D4000%252C2667%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1067%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2019-02%252F786c7df0-3861-11e9-bffb-885bb88fad66%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D2d6810457134f8607672111a18db0be126467b72&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=c0bf5b6032679ce70f9b4885a7ffba36f4e41da4

If you ask one key organization, part of the internet's very backbone is under assault. ICANN, the company vital to managing many internet addresses, has warned of "ongoing and significant" risks to the Domain Name System infrastructure. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/24/icann-warns-of-dns-attacks/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D4830%252C3221%252C0%252C400%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1067%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2018-12%252Fbb586d40-fd47-11e8-bdf7-4d9a7236b898%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3Dafaef9d90a80981d72ecbf5db8b2158422844d2d&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=278b23301792fab7f8322455bce8205bacf470f5

Samsung’s Galaxy Fold announcement isn’t even a week old yet, and we already have a competitor that is thinner, has a bigger screen, and folds flatter. Say hello to the Huawei Mate X. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/24/18238269/huawei-foldable-phone-mate-x-price-release-date-specs-mwc-2019 https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/14420437/huawei_matex_mwc19_vsavov7.jpg

This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full blog on how many smart speakers you need in your home here. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/24/how-many-smart-speakers-do-you-need-in-your-home/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?crop=1599%2C1067%2C0%2C0&quality=85&format=jpg&resize=1600%2C1067&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fs.yimg.com%2Fos%2Fcreatr-uploaded-images%2F2019-02%2F4e61c7a0-3608-11e9-bfbf-018a95425504&client=a1acac3e1b3290917d92&signature=d223ee5820be045308d8476ae2d6c9858085a604

If you haven’t already soaked up the leaks about it, the new LG V50 introduced today is a souped-up V40 with the new Snapdragon 855 processor, improved cooling, bigger battery, and the futuristic addition of 5G. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/24/18238437/lg-v50-dual-screen-second-display-mwc-2019 https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63112233/vpavic_190223_LG_DUAL_SCREEN_0001.0.jpg

Using Landsat data from the US Geological survey, NASA's Laren Dauphin recently imaged the Salar de Atacama in Chile. The enclosed basin is the world's largest source of lithium, producing 29 percent of the world's reserves. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/24/the-big-picture-lithium-salt-flats-chile/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?crop=3499%2C2232%2C0%2C0&quality=85&format=jpg&resize=1600%2C1021&image_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen_us%2FNews%2FReuters%2F2018-10-18T110938Z_405854813_RC12FE629380_RTRMADP_3_CHILE-LITHIUM.JPG&client=a1acac3e1b3290917d92&signature=9a1adef079a5d838cbc58612c025ac21d383d803

Anyone who's watched an older family member struggle to navigate their smartphone might completely write off the idea of gifting them a smart speaker. But Google Home ($99 at Walmart) speakers and other smart options aren't just for the generations who grew up on the internet. from https://www.cnet.com/how-to/buy-google-home-for-your-grandparents/ https://cnet3.cbsistatic.com/img/iHdNrLQJW-VLwGGXem7nfF7g2xg=/724x0/2018/11/14/cbe90968-3fab-4bd3-84ba-7acf5a33a54a/dsc-0896.jpg

Intel's timeline is tied closely with Apple's product plans due to Apple's reliance on Intel chips for their iPhone modems. Previously a Qualcomm customer, Apple and Qualcomm have been at odds due to an ongoing legal battle between the two companies. from https://www.macrumors.com/2019/02/23/intel-5g-2020-iphones/ https://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2017/11/intel5g.jpg

MacBooks are high-end computers that generally “just work.” However, over time, users might begin to notice their laptop starting to slow down, function oddly, or maybe exhibit battery drainage. from https://www.idropnews.com/how-to/this-easy-trick-can-speed-up-a-slow-macbook-instantly/97578/ https://cdn.idropnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/22135337/12-inch-MacBook-SMC.jpg

Just a few days ago, a man in Seattle said his Apple Watch alerted him that his intermittent atrial fibrillation had returned. Now, a woman in North Texas is also now crediting the device for detecting a heart condition. from https://9to5mac.com/2019/02/23/apple-watch-expedite-diagnosis/ https://9to5mac.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2019/02/apple-watch-heart-1.jpeg?quality=82&strip=all&w=1600

Now that Anthem is available to everyone, there's an obvious question: what comes next? Not surprisingly, BioWare is ready to shed light on the future of its shared-world shooter. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/23/anthem-90-day-roadmap/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D1600%252C1067%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1067%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2019-02%252F6dd04210-377f-11e9-b8bf-0f5b55d785f1%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D5929adc3aa7be3305a74cd89cfc20c62c2ae7356&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=22b92da5b1e24ec83a824a30133767a86acc2a05

I'm crying over a dang piece of machinery, but folks, this little rover was special. Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity was meant to last 90 days; she survived for over 14 years. from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/rosetta-stones/goodnight-opportunity-so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-geology/ https://mars.nasa.gov/mer/gallery/specialEffects/opportunity/images/PIA07110_Opp_BurnsCliff_Sol290-B670R1.jpg

Anthem is a shared-world third-person shooter from BioWare. BioWare is the studio behind famous franchises like Dragon Age and Mass Effect. The title launched on February 22, but if you're on PC and an Origin Access Premier subscriber, you gained access to the full game last Friday. from https://www.windowscentral.com/anthems-roadmap-details-significant-changes-until-may https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2019/02/anthem-cover-art.jpg?itok=oM-wLOK9

Intel has said that while it will send out sample versions of its 5G modems to its clients this year, the chips won't be in phones before 2020. Apple uses Intel modems in its iPhones, so the timeline suggests we might not see a 5G iPhone until next year, which falls in line with previous reports. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/22/intel-5g-modem-iphone-apple-2020/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fresize%3D2000%252C2000%252Cshrink%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2019-02%252F58361510-36e9-11e9-be6d-a6db6d980f04%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D45d9df8781228b1c184dab36f6607a05bf4e9105&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=7fd4aef80167351c4f4ae50ea305fdc77b9689a2

Earlier this week, multiple brands pulled their advertisements from YouTube in response to what one YouTuber called a "soft-core pedophilia ring" being fostered via video comments. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/22/youtube-blocking-ads-on-videos-predatory-comments/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fcrop%3D3839%252C2560%252C0%252C0%26quality%3D85%26format%3Djpg%26resize%3D1600%252C1067%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-images%252F2019-02%252F6eb7d570-36db-11e9-9125-6bfe4271d62d%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3Dbc5b044dee26dac8b758af640cb5c2257197521b&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=43b366306c6a4e033327cb9081588e9ea6c781b8

Yesterday, responsible tech journalists across the web did an important job: they warned readers that it might be a little bit premature to spend $1,980 on a completely unproven, entirely new category of phone-computer. That’s justified. Nobody gets it right on the first try. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18235565/samsung-galaxy-fold-phone-status-symbol-price https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63096640/samsung_galaxy_fold.0.jpg

MWC doesn't officially begin until Monday, but a few companies are revealing the goods this weekend ahead of the show. Microsoft is one of those, and we'll be there on Sunday (February 24th) to bring you all the news as it's announced in liveblog form. from https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/22/microsoft-mwc-liveblog-teaser-hololens2-livestream/ https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?quality=85&image_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fimages%2Fdims%3Fresize%3D2000%252C2000%252Cshrink%26image_uri%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fs.yimg.com%252Fos%252Fcreatr-uploaded-images%252F2019-02%252Ff042fe10-36ba-11e9-bf7f-106e4e50799a%26client%3Da1acac3e1b3290917d92%26signature%3D1856b2d65b7897abca160cacf75a89ca75a5a189&client=amp-blogside-v2&signature=3171737c4e8ec5a3af3598acd7706fbbd5e11ff1

Two-factor authentication is a good way to add an extra layer of security to online accounts. It requires the use of your smartphone, however, which is not only inconvenient, but it can be a problem if your phone is lost or breached. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18235288/two-factor-authentication-security-key-how-to https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63094946/setienne_190114_3238_0158.0.jpg

There are so many streaming options available these days, and so many conflicting recommendations, that it’s hard to see through all the crap you could be watching. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18235464/2019-oscars-streaming-recommendation-1927-wings-first-best-picture-winner-kanopy https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63094521/MV5BMTQ5NTI3Nzk3N15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNTkyNzYwNw__._V1_SY1000_CR0_0_1293_1000_AL_.0.jpg

Germany is divided about the future of its most important industry: while some automakers pursue electric vehicles, a noisy group of diesel-energy enthusiasts are expressing their frustration through protests. These have gone on every weekend so far this year, since the first on January 11th. from https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/22/18235135/diesel-germany-protest-electric-vehicles-ev-car-industry https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63091554/GettyImages_1096565644.0.jpg