China’s scientific achievements are surrounded by secrecy – but this could change

China’s recent scientific achievements – including its embryo gene-editing research and historic moon landing – appear to be surrounded by secrecy. The global scientific community first learned about its experiments modifying the DNA of human embryos through rumors in 2015. While China’s National Space Administrative (CNSA) acknowledged in December 2018 that its spacecraft was preparing to land on the moon, it didn’t broadcast or announce the actual touchdown. Instead we learned about it through whispers among journalists and amateur astronomers. These events demonstrate how little we actually know about what’s going on within the Chinese scientific establishment. They also cast…

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Trump’s government shutdown cut off access to crucial public data

President Donald Trump reopened the US government last Friday after his 35-day-long attempt to compel members of Congress to fund a wall along the southern border ended in abject failure. By all accounts, except perhaps the President’s own, the longest shutdown in modern US politics was a complete catastrophe. According to experts, it’s lingering effects may never be fully understood. Especially when it comes to the gaps and delays caused by a lack of data – the people’s data. The most visible and immediate harm caused by the shutdown came in the form of Federal employees forced to work for…

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Biased algorithms: here’s a more radical approach to creating fairness

Our lives are increasingly affected by algorithms. People may be denied loans, jobs, insurance policies, or even parole on the basis of risk scores that they produce. Yet algorithms are notoriously prone to biases. For example, algorithms used to assess the risk of criminal recidivism often have higher error rates in minority ethic groups. As ProPublica found, the COMPAS algorithm – widely used to predict re-offending in the US criminal justice system – had a higher false positive rate in black than in white people; black people were more likely to be wrongly predicted to re-offend. Findings such as these…

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What to expect from 5G, the next generation of wireless networks

Never in the history of the mobile phone has there been so much hype about a new technology ahead of its launch than there is with 5G. It seems mobile phone operators, handset manufacturers, and equipment vendors are locked into a massive global game of one-upmanship, seeking to claim to be the first to achieve something groundbreaking with the technology. But the stakes are high – the mobile industry also desperately needs 5G, whether for new revenue sources, market share, or to drive growth. Since mobile phones first appeared in the mid-1980s, the industry has launched several new “generations” of…

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iPhone bug lets users eavesdrop on other people when calling them on FaceTime

Amazon just screwed over the indie filmmakers that made Prime Video great

When I said “’Space Boobs in Space’ is the best thing on Prime Video,” last year, I wasn’t playing coy or trying to be funny. The film, on its own merit, is a loud-and-proud statement on body-positive feminism. And the fact it was available on one of the world’s largest streaming entertainment networks gave me hope for the future of very-low-budget, independent cinema. That hope is gone. Amazon‘s Prime Video Direct, the program responsible for bringing independent films such as “Space Boobs in Space” to Prime Video subscribers, recently conducted a mysterious purge affecting thousands of films and dozens –…

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Or just read more coverage about: Amazon

Apple is ‘secretly developing a Netflix-style subscription gaming service’

Hardcore gamers tend to prefer PCs to Macs, but all that could be set to change.

Apple is reportedly working on a Netflix-style subscription service for games which will let players access a variety of titles in exchange for a monthly fee.

Currently, Mac computers have nowhere near the same range of games available as PCs and are generally more expensive.

A subscription service could change this situation very quickly, offering Apple users the ability to play games without forking out for individual titles.

The rumours about Apple’s ambitions were published by Cheddar, which cited ‘five people familiar with the matter’.

It’s not clear how the service would work, or whether it would be only be aimed at owners of Apple devices.

But we do know the tech behemoth is seeking to branch out into services amid fears that its hardware business is slowing down.

Mobile gaming is predicated to a huge growth area in the coming years, with the iPhone proving to be a popular platform for casual gamers.

‘The vast majority of revenue coming out of the App Store is games,’ Brandon Ross, an analyst at BTIG told Cheddar.

Apple already operates a subscription service for music and is expected to do the same for movies and potentially even magazines in the near future.

Pope Francis says social media is turning young people into ‘social hermits’

Could you take a pill to cure loneliness? Scientists are trying to find out

Doctors are only beginning to grapple with the ‘epidemic’ of loneliness that has gripped modern society.

So could we all soon take a pill to combat isolation?

Psychologist Stephanie Cacioppo believes a chemical called pregnenolone could ease people’s fear of socialising and help to build bridges with others.

‘If we could successfully reduce the alarm system in the minds of lonely individuals, then we could have them reconnect, rather than withdraw from others,’ she told The Guardian.

She has launched a study in which a number of people were given the pill for two years to see how it effected their loneliness.

The research concludes in June 2019 and Cacioppo is confident the results will be positive.

It’s believed the pill could calm brain regions which are responsible for detecting threats and anticipating negative events, removing some of the pressure which comes from breaking the cycle of loneliness by reaching out to people.

But there are also tried and tested ways to combat isolation

‘If you have a sense of worth and life with a purpose, you will feel less lonely,’ the psychologist added.

last year Zoë Abrams, executive director of Communications and Advocacy at British Red Cross, warned tha’ loneliness and social isolation doesn’t discriminate’.

‘Life circumstances can change in the blink of an eye, meaning it can happen to anyone, no matter your age or background,’ she added.

‘‘We all need someone to turn to in a crisis, but the findings of our research suggest that there are many people in our communities feeling they lack meaningful, human connections.’

Be afraid… Humanity is about to get its first real glimpse of a black hole

Watching Game of Thrones illegally? Researchers say piracy can help TV shows

Apple releases software to help smartphone junkies shake off their addiction

Sky TV and broadband price drop puts pressure on Virgin Media

Elon Musk’s favourite tweet of all time is about himself

How to block artists on Spotify from appearing in any playlist

UK victims of cyber-crime have lost £34m in the last 6 months, stats show

Facebook is going to ‘integrate WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger next year’

Mellody Hobson thinks too many all-white, all-male companies are committing “corporate suicide”

Mark Zuckerberg wants to get back to building new Facebook products

Apple is punishing Facebook big-time for breaking its rules

Two early executives at Lime have quietly left the scooter company

Full Q&A: “Be Fearless” author and early AOL executive Jean Case on Recode Decode

Apple says it’s banning Facebook’s research app that collects users’ personal information

Recode Daily: Apple wants to shift attention from drooping iPhone sales to its profitable “services”

Amazon’s HQ2 was supposed to be a win for New York City. Instead it has become a huge political battle.

Apple is getting closer and closer to spelling out its TV strategy

Facebook wants to integrate all its messaging services. How will that work?

iPad mini 5 Likely To Support Both Apple Pencil And Smart Keyboard

Those looking forward to picking up a new, finally refreshed iPad mini could be set to get a tablet that supports both the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard, according to a new report by developer Steve Troughton-Smith.

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This 3-In-1 AirPower Alternative Can Wirelessly Charge Your iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods Or Android Device At Same Time

Here's a 3-in-1 fast AirPower alternative wireless charger for iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and even Android devices.

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Anker Soundcore Infini Mini Soundbar Is Already Cheap At $80, Grab It For $69.99 Instead Today

Soundbars are all the rage right now. And if you may have noticed lately, they can be pretty costly. With the likes of Bose and Sonos offering their own soundbars costing many hundreds of dollars, it’s great to see Anker bucking the trend and offering their own alternative at a fraction of the price. What’s more, you can save an additional $10 right now, too.

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Facebook Gets Caught Paying People To Let Them Spy On Their Phones, Apple Revokes Certificates Killing All Facebook Internal iOS Apps, Android App Still Live

Facebook has been caught paying people to let them spy on their iPhones, and as a result Apple has revoked certificates killing all Facebook internal iOS apps while the Android app is still live. Here are the details.

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WD’s 1TB My Passport Portable SSD With USB-C Is A Blazing Fast Way To Keep Everything Backed Up, Just $179.99 Today

WD's 1TB My Passport portable SSD is down to a wonderful price of just $179.99 from its usual $340. Pick it up today and refresh your storage needs.

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Electra 1.2.1 iOS 11.4.1 Jailbreak Released, Download Now

You can now download Electra 1.2.1 IPA of iOS 11.4.1 jailbreak for your compatible iPhone and iPad devices. Here are the details on the release.

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Apple’s Smart Battery Case For iPhone XS, XS Max, XR Sees First Ever Discount, Now Just $118

Apple's brand new Smart Battery Case for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR is currently being offered for just $118.21 shipped. This is the first time that we have seen a discount being applied to Apple's new battery-based accessory meaning the first time that we've seen it available for this price.

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Need Extra USB-C Cables For Your 2018 iPad Pro? Grab A 5-Pack For Just $11.99 Today

Attention iPad Pro 2018 owners; this 5-pack bundle of iClever USB-A to USB-C of various lengths is available to purchase right now with an extremely satisfying discount applied. Extend your cable ownership right now and benefit from impressive savings.

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Apple Smart Battery Case Alternatives For iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR That Cost 1/4th The Price

Looking for cheap Apple Smart Battery Case alternative for iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR that costs less than half the price? We have a neat little list in one place that are all about battery cases for the aforementioned phones.

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South Korea's Netmarble to form consortium for Nexon holding company bid

South Korean gaming firm Netmarble said it will form a consortium to bid for a controlling stake in Nexon's holding company, the latest to show interest in a deal that could be worth about $9 billion after Kakao.

Apple Music Crosses 50 Million Paid Subscribers As Apple Registers Over 1.4 Billion Active Devices In Use

Apple Music has just crossed 50 million paid subscribers with Apple registering over 1.4 billion active devices in use. Here is everything you need to know about this.

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China's Didi weighs job cuts in support functions: The Information

Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing is looking at cutting headcount in some departments by up to 20 percent, technology news website The Information reported, citing a source.

Facebook keeps attracting digital ads, shares jump after hours

Facebook Inc reported better-than-expected profit on Wednesday, showing that digital advertisers were still flocking to spend money on the service in order to reach customers even after a series of high profile embarrassments for the world's largest online social media network.

New York settles with sellers of 'fake' online followers, 'likes'

New York's attorney general on Wednesday said she has resolved a probe into a group of Colorado companies that once sold fake followers, "likes" and views on social media platforms, in the first U.S. settlement to deem such sales illegally deceptive.