IS Magazine Blog

All Posts Author: Patrick Stevens
Business FirstSoftware Sensations

Google Acquires Timeful For Google Calendar

Timeful

Timeful is a very useful application for your smartphone that uses artificial intelligence to find ways for users to fit more into their daily schedules. The only issue the company faced was getting users to switch from their current calendar applications and use the new features. But with news today that Google will acquire the company, these advanced features will now be implemented within Google calendar and other Google productivity apps. The current app for iOS and the iPhone will continue to be available but all new development will be on Google products.

Internet TodaySoftware Sensations

Facebook Messenger Adds Video Calling

FacebookMessenger

If you have tried to send a message using your Facebook app recently, you noticed that the company wants you to download Facebook Messenger first. This new Facebook app has become popular with both Apple iPhone users and Google Android users. Using the app you can chat with your Facebook friends using your phones instead of their built in messaging apps.

Crime and JusticeInternet Today

Twitter Trolls Are Being Eliminated

TwitterTrolls

Twitter has been active trying to get rid of trolls or limiting their reach so when they attack, their tweets are not read. The company just updated its abuse policy to target those that attack others through the platform. The company also has a new tool to find abuse automatically by comparing patterns to previous patterns that were found to be abusive. The company also plans to be more responsive to reports of abuse.

This is a change from prior activity by the company which favored growth over limiting the actions of certain members. Investors are looking for growth in subscribers and the company has seen a decline in engagement recently. They now feel that by limiting the abusive accounts, they can increase engagement and hopefully membership.

Hardware Innovations

Training For Apple Watches Starts On April 24

AppleWatch

Beginning on April 24, Apple will offer training for its new Apple watch to potential customers.  These workshops will take place at various Apple stores all over the world.  This should help buyers understand how to use their new watches and encourage additional sales.

You can find out where classes are held by looking at the "Stores" section of the Apple Store app.  This information will also be listed on the websites of the locations that are offering the classes. However, please note that only a few Apple stores will offer these classes. The classes will start every one and a half hours beginning on April 24. They will also be available to customers over the weekend.  Some Apple Store locations will have longer hours to accommodate more customers in higher traffic spots.

Crime and JusticeEntertainment

Dallas Buyers Club LLC Goes After File Sharing Users

dallasbuyersclub

Owners of the Dallas Buyers Club movie rights are going after file sharing users who illegally shared the movie over the Internet. In Australia, courts have ruled that the Dallas Buyers Club LLC group can invoice users of peer-to-peer software that seeded the Dallas Buyers Club movie since it was released in movie theaters in 2013. The company pursued internet providers iiNet, Internode, Adam Internet, Amnet Broadband, Wideband, and Dodo in court to get the names of those that shared the movie for free.

Entertainment

April Fools Day By Dominos, Samsung and Google

google-pacman

Leave it to some of the bigger advertisers on the Internet to bring out the jokes and the games on April Fools Day. Some companies have gone so far as to launch new products today that of course do not exist. And you thought your prank on your kids was funny. There are at least 10 quality online pranks that have already happened but there are more to come for sure.

Internet Today

Google Does Away With Chrome Extensions That Are Malware

Extensions

Over 190 Chrome extensions were killed by Google as the company ruled them to be nothing more than malware. The ad injecting extensions did not provide enough value over the issues they presented to users by showing ads or installing additional software. The University of California Berkley was involved in the study that led to the malware designation for the add-on products. 194 different extensions were removed from the popular browser and measures were put into place to prevent new ones from performing similar activities against users.

Internet Today

Government Websites Increase In Popularity

HealthCare.gov

The federal government has launched a public analytics dashboard called "Where's My Refund?" The most looked at website powered by the U.S. government, "Where's My Refund?" had 4,561 viewers last Thursday. All federal websites combined had almost 147,000 viewers.

People can now look at what is going on with 300 executive branch domains. A recent White House blog says that anyone can now know how many people are on a particular federal website and also what operating systems, browsers and devices are being used.

Crime and Justice

Taxis Sue Uber in California

uber

Uber, founded in 2010, was sued by 19 Taxi companies in California this week over false advertisement claims. Uber has been advertising as the safest ride on the road and the taxi companies feel this claim has given them an unfair advantage. The plaintiffs state that taxi drives must go through background checks making their rides safer on the surface. Uber, in a response, states that their drivers go through three local checks and their system of driver ratings makes them even safer.

Crime and JusticeInternet Today

The NSA Is Sued By Wikimedia Foundation

EdwardSnowden

A lawsuit filed in Maryland wants the NSA to end a program that it uses to tap into Internet streams and grab sensitive data on those connections. The suit, led by Wikimedia Foundation, filed on Tuesday is the latest against the agency and their unconstitutional spying programs involving US citizens discovered in the leaked documents stolen by government contractor Edward Snowden.

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