Alison DeNisco Rayome

Slack revamps iPhone and Android app with simpler design

Slack on Wednesday rolled out a major update to its iPhone and Android apps, which aims to improve navigation and make it easier to access DMs and availability and status settings. The mobile improvements follow a big update to Slack’s desktop platform that arrived in March, just as coronavirus lockdowns and quarantines were beginning and …

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5 ways to make video meetings a little less awkward, from a Google expert

In our new socially distanced world, video chat reigns supreme as the primary form of communication for many workplaces and groups of family and friends looking to keep in touch. Whether you use Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, or Google Hangouts, Meet or Duo, you’ve probably noticed that despite being able to see everyone’s face, it’s still not quite the same as …

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NBC streaming service Peacock will be available on Apple devices in July

NBC‘s new streaming service Peacock will be available on Apple devices when it launches nationally on July 15, NBCUniversal said Wednesday. Peacock started rolling out a preview version to Comcast customers in April, but this is the first we’ve heard of the service expanding beyond Comcast and Cox systems.  At launch time, Peacock will be integrated with the Apple TV …

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Upgrade your Marco Polo video chat app to HD for $5 a month

Amid coronavirus lockdowns and quarantines, video chat app Marco Polo saw a 16x increase in new signups and a 3x increase in activity. To aid in the increase in business costs, the free video chat app is adding a subscription service for users who want to upgrade their service. The new subscription services, called Marco Polo Plus, includes HD video, …

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Quarantine sucks. These services make it easier to get stuff done and stay sane

For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites. Most of us are spending more time at home as a result of coronavirus lockdowns and quarantines. And even when restrictions begin to loosen, it’s going to be a while before things get back to any sense of “normal.” You may still be …

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Zoom, Skype, FaceTime: 11 video chat app tricks to use during social distancing

Millions of people working from home and practicing social distancing to avoid coronavirus are taking advantage of free video chat apps to stay in touch with coworkers, friends and family. But staring at your own face framed by your messy living room or plain home office on the screen can get dull — for you and for them.  Luckily, popular video …

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Instagram adds stickers for local businesses to offer gift cards, delivery

Social media platform Instagram is making it easier for small businesses to share gift card, food order and fundraiser stickers in their profile and Stories, an effort to ease some of the challenges many are facing during the coronavirus pandemic.  When you use Instagram, you can tap the sticker to make a purchase through the business’s site. This feature will …

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Longtime Mozilla leader Mitchell Baker is now CEO

On Wednesday, Mozilla chair and longtime leader Mitchell Baker was named permanent CEO of the company that makes the Firefox web browser.  Mitchell became interim CEO of Mozilla in December 2019 after former CEO Chris Beard resigned. The company conducted an external candidate search over the last eight months, and concluded the Mitchell is the right leader for Mozilla at …

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Budget

Motorola’s new budget-friendly Moto G Stylus and Moto G Power smartphones are now available for preorder on the company’s website. Both phones will be generally available in the US starting April 16 at Best Buy, B&H Photo, Walmart, and Amazon, with subsequent availability at Verizon and other providers, Motorola confirmed to CNET.  The Moto G Power costs $250, and the …

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Get a personalized list of shows to stream across Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime with this free app

Many people are practicing social distancing and staying home due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has meant a lot more time spent with TV and movie streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video. A new free app called Watchworthy seeks to help you figure out what to watch by giving you a personalized list spanning all of the …

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