Our phone addiction isn’t getting any better. Across virtually all age groups, Americans look at their phones more often than ever before — an average of 52 times a day, according to Deloitte’s 2018 Global Mobile Consumer Survey. That’s up from 47 times a day last year.  It’s a habit many people are trying to …

Facebook launched on Friday a new short-form video app called Lasso that lets users make and share videos with filters and special effects. The app includes video-editing tools, and helps users add music and text. Users can also follow creators, browse videos and find popular hashtags.  Lasso’s features are similar to those of TikTok, another short-video platform. Bytedance Technology, a …

Unlike the iPhone XS, the iPhone XR doesn’t have 3D Touch, which lets you peek at messages or use shortcuts if you apply a little more pressure to your phone’s screen.  But iOS 12.1.1 will let owners of the iPhone XR use Haptic Touch to expand their notifications, a feature only iPhones with 3D Touch have had thus far, according …

Vine is back — sort of. Dom Hofmann, co-founder of the six-second video platform, took to Twitter on Thursday to promote the launch of Byte, a “new looping video app” that is expected to debut in the Spring 2019. our new looping video app is called byte. launching spring 2019 pic.twitter.com/C3FMvkcIwc — dom hofmann (@dhof) November 8, 2018 Last year, …

Defy Media, the parent company of YouTube giants Smosh and Clevver, is apparently shutting down and laying off employees. “Regretfully, Defy Media has ceased operations today,” the company said in a statement Tuesday night, according to Variety. “We are extremely proud of what we accomplished here at Defy and in particular want to thank all the employees who worked here. …

The 2018 US midterm elections on Tuesday have garnered plenty of attention on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. If you don’t have access to cable TV, these sites can also keep you up to date on election results.   Here’s how you can catch the latest election updates from your phone or computer. YouTube A handful of news …

If you’re one of those people who actually reads the iPhone user guide, you know there are certain things you should keep your device away from. That apparently includes helium.  “Exposing iPhone to environments having high concentrations of industrial chemicals, including near evaporating liquified gasses such as helium, may damage or impair iPhone functionality,” the user guide says.  But for …

Twitter on Friday suspended an account appearing to have been linked to Cesar Sayoc, who was arrested Friday in connection with mail bombs sent to prominent Democrats and critics of President Donald Trump.  Sayoc allegedly sent 13 suspicious packages to people including former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Joe Biden. He may …

Samsung could be working to step up its mobile displays with features like an in-screen fingerprint sensor and camera. On Friday, mobile tipster Ice Universe tweeted that Samsung had presented four innovations at its 2018 OLED Forum on Thursday. They include an in-screen fingerprint sensor, a speaker built into the screen, vibrations that come from the screen and an under-panel …

New York Attorney General Barbara Underwood has launched a probe into MoviePass’ parent company for allegedly misleading investors, a person familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Underwood’s office is looking into whether Helios and Matheson, an information technology company that owns more than 90 percent of MoviePass, misled investors about its financial situation. The investigation is being conducted under …