Mar 15

Google & Apple Sued In France Over ‘Abusive’ Developer Contracts

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Given that Google and Apple pretty much have the market cornered when it comes to the mobile scene, it’s not surprising that developers usually have no choice but to accept the terms and conditions laid out by them if they want to sell their apps in their app stores. However over in France, it seems that they’ve had enough.

The country’s finance minister Bruno Le Maire has announced that the government plans to sue both Google and Apple over what he calls “abusive” contracts that are imposed on developers through their app stores. He cites examples of how Apple and Google can unilaterally impose price changes and changes to contracts on developers, a move which he claims is unfair.

According to Reuters, Le Maire was quoted as saying, “I believe in an economy based on justice and I will take Google and Apple before the Paris Commercial Court for abusive business practices. As powerful as they are, Google and Apple should not be able to treat our startups and our developers the way they currently do.”

This isn’t the first time that developers have expressed their unhappiness over the dominance of Apple and Google. Some companies have even taken it upon themselves to suggest to customers that subscriptions should be made outside of the app stores to circumvent the cut that Apple or Google would usually take.

Google & Apple Sued In France Over ‘Abusive’ Developer Contracts , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Mar 15

Griffin Unveils New USB-C Docking Station

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These days we’re starting to see laptop makers like Apple and Google make their laptops even more minimalist than ever. Take for example the new MacBooks from Apple, where they come with less than a handful of ports, and even then those ports are all USB-C, which means that unless you own a bunch of USB-C devices, chances are you’ll be dealing with a bunch of dongles.

Dongles are great for on the go, but if you’d prefer having a more comprehensive setup, Griffin has unveiled their new USB-C Docking Station. As you can see in the photo above, this is a docking station that appears to be more suited for desktop use. It will connect to your computer via a USB connection and will act as a hub where users can plug devices with non-USB-C connections.

This includes 4x USB-A 3.0 ports, a HDMI port, a Gigabit Ethernet port, and an audio jack. Its USB-C PD 2.0 output port is also capable of providing up to 85W of power, which as pointed out by 9to5Mac is enough power to juice up the 15-inch MacBook Pro, meaning that in theory you would only need to use one port on your laptop to connect all your peripherals along with the charger.

No word on when the Docking Station will be available, but Griffin did state that it would be “coming soon”, so we guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

Griffin Unveils New USB-C Docking Station , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Mar 15

Twitter Reportedly Working On Feature Similar To Snapchat’s ‘Discover’

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Snapchat is not only popular amongst its users, but it also seems to be popular amongst its competitors where we’re seeing Snapchat features being “borrowed” and incorporated into other apps. A good example would be how Instagram took Snapchat’s Stories feature and made it their own, which some are suggesting might be even more popular.

However it looks like Facebook/Instagram aren’t alone in copying Snapchat’s features because according to a report from CNBC, it looks like Twitter could be next. The report claims that their sources have told them that Twitter is apparently working on a feature that could be similar to Snapchat’s “Discover” tab. For those unfamiliar, the Discover tab is where Snapchat curates snaps based on location around certain topics and displays them together.

This helps to create a collection of location-based photos and videos all in the same place, which for Twitter could be useful. Twitter has been used to help spread news and information, so for them to create a similar feature for their platform would come in handy, as opposed to users have to create and search based on hashtags.

No word on when this feature will be launched or if it will be launched at all. Companies do test out new features from time to time, some of which never make it past the testing phase, but we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for more information should it become available.

Twitter Reportedly Working On Feature Similar To Snapchat’s ‘Discover’ , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Mar 15

WhatsApp Agrees To Not Share Data With Facebook (For Now)

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Given that Facebook owns WhatsApp, we expect that eventually both platforms would cross paths with each other. A couple of years ago it was revealed that WhatsApp had plans to share its user data with Facebook which resulted in a huge outcry amongst its users and privacy advocates around the world.

The good news is that it looks like for now, WhatsApp will be backing off on their plans to share data with Facebook. This is according to the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office in which they have announced that they have reached a truce with Facebook/Whatsapp, where they will be closing their investigation against the companies and that they have come to an agreement over the data sharing controversy.

However note that this is only temporary because according to Information Commissioner Elizabeth Denham, it is possible that personal data could still be shared if it falls under the compliance of the upcoming General Data Protection Regulation which will be coming into effect this May.

This means that should Facebook and WhatsApp’s personal data sharing be compliant with the regulation, then there will be no issues. According to Denham, “Data protection law does not prevent a company from sharing personal data – they just have to follow the legal requirements.” For now it seems that if there is any user data to be shared, it can only be done for basic data processing.

WhatsApp Agrees To Not Share Data With Facebook (For Now) , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Mar 15

LG’s ThinQ Google Assistant Smart Speakers Available For Pre-Order

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Last year in December ahead of CES 2018, LG announced that they would be getting into the smart speaker game by unveiling the LG ThinQ series. For those who are interested in getting their hands on the speakers, you might be pleased to learn that B&H has put up both speakers for pre-order.

For those unfamiliar with the ThinQ speakers, one of the speakers is your standard speaker that comes with Google Assistant built into it. The other model is similar to the Amazon Echo Show which comes with the same smarts with Google Assistant, except that the main difference would be the fact that it comes with a touchscreen display.

They will be able to do pretty much what Google Assistant can do, which means you can ask it questions, ask it to schedule your meetings, ask for the weather, traffic information, and also control connected household gadgets that are compatible with Google Assistant. B&H doesn’t specify when they will be released, but they are available for pre-order which means that it should be close to being released.

For those who are just looking for the standard speaker, it is priced at $196.99 while the version with the touchscreen display will retail for $296.99.

LG’s ThinQ Google Assistant Smart Speakers Available For Pre-Order , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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Mar 15

Trump manages to take credit for the Democrats’ victory in Pennsylvania.

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Mar 15

2 Navy Aviators Killed In Super Hornet Crash Off The Coast Of Florida

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The aircraft went down during a training flight.

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Mar 15

Nest's $229 video doorbell is a useful addition to its ecosystem

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Last September, Nest introduced several products to its connected home lineup: the Nest Secure home security system, the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor and the Nest Hello video doorbell. While both the Secure and the IQ outdoor cam have been out for a few month…

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Mar 15

Duolingo's Klingon course has finally arrived

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It’s not an exaggeration to say we’ve been waiting for Duolingo’s course in Klingon for years. Now, it’s finally making its debut. Star Trek fans (or really, anyone who’s interested in taking a course in a constructed language, or conlang) can access…

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Mar 15

Capcom Details Upcoming Deviljho Update For Monster Hunter World

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If you’ve already played through Capcom’s Monster Hunter World and would like to see some new content, you might be interested to learn that Capcom has recently detailed the upcoming Deviljho update on its blog. This is the game’s first major update since its release which will introduce a bunch of new features to the game.

Starting with the most obvious, the update will be adding the Deviljho monster to the game which players can hunt to craft armor. According to Capcom, “Bring Deviljho materials to the Workshop and they’ll be able to craft 2 complete armor sets—Vangis α and Vangis β—as well as a new entry in each of the 14 existing weapon types, including brand new Deviljho designs for Sword and Shield, Hunting Horn, Bow, Insect Glaive and Charge Blade!”

In addition to the new monster, Capcom has also announced that starting 5th of April until the 18th of April, the Spring Blossom festival will be taking place. There will be daily activities and events and new food items. There will also be two special event quests that will be taking place during the Spring Blossom festival, one of which involves gamers designing Mega Man weapons, and the other event will lead to players unlocking materials to craft the Wyvern Ignition Great Sword.

There will also be some improvements and changes to the game, such as how the carving animation can no longer be interrupted, which in turn prevents other players from griefing each other.

Capcom Details Upcoming Deviljho Update For Monster Hunter World , original content from Ubergizmo. Read our Copyrights and terms of use.

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