WhatsApp unveils $1M grant, info hub to fight coronavirus rumors – TechCrunch
WhatsApp has long grappled with its platform being used to spread misinformation. In the latest move, today it announced two initiatives to fight specifically against fake news and other misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Facebook -owned instant messaging service announced the What…

TechCrunch

WhatsApp is working to do their part to help combat coronavirus by fighting against misinformation and fake news. They are also working directly with UNICEF and the WHO to provide messaging hotlines for people to use to get information on the COVID-19 outbreak. A little late compared to the other companies, but still welcome.

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

New iPad Pro 2020 release date, price, news and everything you need to know
The new iPad Pro 11 and iPad 12.9 are here – and will be available next week

TechRadar

The new iPad Pro is coming, and TechRadar has all of the information that you need before making a purchase decision.

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

Twitch Streamer Suspended Indefinitely Over Coronavirus Comment
Twitch streamer Kaceytron has been banned indefinitely from the streaming platform after making what the streamer called an “insensitive comment.” The comment had to do with the coronavirus and saw the streamer joking that she’d try to spread the coronavirus as much as possible if the […]

Comic Book

How does that old saying go? Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. While Kaceytron undoubtedly was only speaking in jest, she should have taken the moment to consider if the words coming out of her mouth were truly the right thing to say.

Verdict: NOT WORTHY

IGN via YouTube

The Resident Evil 3 remake demo is here, and IGN has a 4K 60FPS demo for you.

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

Apple unveils new iPad Pro with LiDAR Scanner and trackpad support in iPadOS
Apple today unveiled its most advanced iPad Pro, adding an Ultra Wide camera and studio-quality mics, and a breakthrough LiDAR Scanner.

Apple

The official announcement from Apple, in case you want to hear the news straight from the horse’s mouth.

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

Apple’s New Magic Keyboard With Integrated Trackpad Compatible With 2018 iPad Pro Models
The new Magic Keyboard is backwards compatible with both of Apple’s 2018 iPad Pro models, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and the iPad…


MacRumors

Good news for anybody who has the 2018 iPad! The new Magic Keybaord will be compatible!

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

Inside PlayStation 5: the specs and the tech that deliver Sony’s next-gen vision
Sony has broken its silence. PlayStation 5 specifications are now out in the open with system architect Mark Cerny delivering a deep dive presentation into the nature of the new hardware and the ways in which we should expect a true generational leap over PlayStation 4. Digital Foundry had the chanc…

EuroGamer

Sony has finally broken their silence and have announced all PlayStation 5 specs. EuroGamer has coverage, as well as a link to the deep dive tech talk.

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

Android 11 Developer Preview 2 is out with call screening and more foldable features
Google’s latest Android 11 developer preview adds new support for foldables, 5G detection, and some privacy features. It’s only available on Pixel phones and isn’t meant to be a public beta.

The Verge

In Android news, the Android 11 Developer Preview 2 is out, but only accessible on Pixel phones and to developers. This doesn’t help the general users in any way, so we’ll have to give this a big NOT WORTHY.

Verdict: NOT WORTHY

Google halts upcoming releases of Chrome and Chrome OS to keep things stable for everyone working from home
Google is pausing on upcoming releases of Chrome and Chrome OS “due to adjusted work schedules.” With Google employees now working from home, the company wants to focus on keeping Chrome stable for those who depend on it.

The Verge

A smart play by Google, as they would likely come under heavy fire if Chrome suddenly broke during this time when most people are working from home.

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

The U.S. wants smartphone location data to fight coronavirus. Privacy advocates are worried.
The U.S. wants smartphone location data to fight coronavirus. Privacy advocates are worried.

NBC News

How does having smartphone location help fight coronavirus when we don’t even have enough tests to see who has it? Also, is smartphone location data intelligent enough to show whether we are 6 feet away from others? What if people live in apartment buildings? Will it show that they are on different floors? These are questions that need answers!

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

COVID-19: With everyone working from home, VPN security has now become paramount | ZDNet
Switching to remote working because of the coronavirus can create cybersecurity problems for employers and employees. Here are some things to watch.

ZDNet

A good informative article about VPNs and the security that they provide, but newsworthy? Nope.

Verdict: NOT WORTHY

Slack’s latest changes couldn’t come at a better time
Slack was already a big part of modern work life for many people, but as more companies turn to remote work, it is becoming even more essential. Even if you were using Slack to chat with coworkers in an office before, conducting all of your conversations there could be a big shift. Fortunately, Slac…

Engadget

Slack is rolling out a ton of new features just in time for the mass exodus of employees working from home. The changes seek to primarily improve the user experience and allow better organization of your chats and channels.

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

Fitbit Charge 4 leak suggests NFC for Pay on all models – 9to5Google
This morning’s FCC filing made it clear that Fitbit is working on a new fitness tracker. A Fitbit Charge 4 leak provides…

9to5Google

We’ll wait until we hear an official announcement, thanks.

Verdict: NOT WORTHY

Bose’s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are cheaper than ever at Nordstrom
We haven’t seen many deals on the Bose 700 noise-canceling wireless headphones, but today’s sale at Nordstrom is the best one, by far. Usually $400, you can get this model for $300 right now.

The Verge

Decent headphones for a huge discount. You can save $100 or 25% of the cost by shopping at Nordstrom, of all places. Good deal, not news.

Verdict: NOT WORTHY

Google’s Advanced Protection Starts Blocking App Sideloading
Google has this service called Advanced Protection that you can enroll in today if you want an extra level of security on your Android device and Google account. It’s still a somewhat-new service, but I feel like it is a lesser-known Google service that more should be aware of. Today, it’s…

Droid-Life

As interesting as it is (not very much) to see that Google’s Advanced Protection is blocking sideloaded app installs, this bit of information is hardly worth an entire article.

Verdict: NOT WORTHY

Facebook says spam filter mayhem not related to coronavirus
Social network restores posts that were wrongly removed as system went haywire

The Guardian

A bit of an oops on Facebook but honestly not that big of a deal as they amended the issue. Did they really need to explain themselves in depth and bring up the coronavirus?

Verdict: NOT WORTHY

Lynk sends the first text message from space directly to a normal cell phone – Gadgets Stack
Last year Lynk — then called Ubiquitilink — showed that from now on, every phone can be a satellite phone. But they’ve spent the last year honing the product and have just demonstrated the real thing: Sending a plain old text message from a “cell tower in space” to a normal phone on the surface.

Gadgets Stack

A two way text connection between space and the Falklands, which has very limited network capabilities! Lynk is looking to use their satellite systems to offer at least 2G coverage to all around the world, providing some kind of cellular service to areas that have no options at the moment.

Verdict: NEWSWORTHY

Samsung says 5G won’t save the smartphone market from coronavirus slump this year
Growing demand for 5G devices won’t save the global smartphone market from the novel coronavirus pandemic, Samsung said on Wednesday.

CNN

Hey Samsung, tell us something we don’t already know. The coronavirus has disrupted literally everything across the globe.

Verdict: NOT WORTHY