Voice commands for Google Assistant and Samsung’s Bixby are designed to make tasks easier for people — but they’ve also opened up ways for potential hackers to take advantage of your phone. On Tuesday, researchers from cybersecurity company Checkmarx disclosed vulnerabilities in several Android devices, including Google’s Pixel line and Samsung’s Galaxy series. The security …
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Save 20% on the ultimate AirPods accessory: An extended battery case that adds wireless charging
Let’s do some simple math, shall we? Price to replace your current AirPods case with Apple’s wireless-charging case: $79. Price of Pitaka’s Air Pal extended-battery case, which also offers wireless charging: $63.20. That’s with promo code CNETAIRPAL. Kind of a no-brainer, wouldn’t you say? See it at Pitaka 2020 Holiday Gift Picks Holiday gift guide 2020: Our top picks Best …
Read More »Huawei says US license extension doesn’t fix its unfair treatment
The US Commerce Department for the third time has extended a temporary license that lets American companies do business with Huawei. This 90-day reprieve for the embattled Chinese telecom follows the first one in May and the second in August. The department blacklisted Huawei following a May executive order from President Donald Trump that effectively banned the company from US communications networks. It …
Read More »Disney Plus will get a continue watching feature in the ‘near future,’ report says
Disney Plus has an impressive library that helped it attract 10 million users in one day. It also may soon be finally adding a feature that should’ve been there when it launched last week: the ability to track your viewing progress to easily pick up watching later. The Mouse House is planning to add a “continue watching” feature to its …
Read More »Cybersecurity firms form coalition to fight stalkerware
Cybersecurity companies are partnering with domestic violence prevention organizations to take on stalkerware — tools widely used by abusive partners to track victims without their knowledge. In October, the Federal Trade Commission settled its first case against a stalkerware company, but this new coalition is looking to do more. On Tuesday, ten groups announced they were creating the Coalition Against …
Read More »Vizio will add Disney Plus Chromecast support in December
After early struggles with Disney Plus not streaming on Vizio TVs, the television maker is revealing its progress toward bringing Disney Plus to its line of SmartCast TVs. On Tuesday Vizio announced that it will be pushing out an update in “early December” to its TVs that have Chromecast built-in to allow for streaming Disney Plus. iOS owners who have …
Read More »Macy’s customers shopping online may have had their credit card info stolen
Macy’s has told customers about a data breach on its online shopping site, where credit card information may have been stolen back in October. As reported earlier Tuesday by CNET sister site ZDNet, the breach was caused by a Magecart card-skimming code implanted in the payment portal. In a letter to customers, Macy’s said it was alerted on Oct. 15 …
Read More »FCC proposes 988 for suicide prevention hotline
The US Federal Communications Commission is considering a new rule to make 988 the national suicide prevention and mental health hotline. FCC Chair Ajit Pai announced Tuesday the issue will be voted on during the Dec. 12 public meeting. “The suicide rate in the United States is at its highest level since World War II, and designating 988 as the …
Read More »Verizon finally has 5G maps showing where the network has launched
Verizon has finally provided maps showing where its 5G service is available, more than six months after first launching the service in parts of Chicago and Minneapolis. The maps show which city landmarks 5G is available near, and when you click on a neighborhood it’ll show you a street-by-street view. 5G, launched in some parts of the US by Verizon, AT&T, …
Read More »Amazon adds new Fire TV Blaster to boost Fire TV home theater control
Do you have a Fire TV Stick and want to have Alexa control your home theater set up? She’ll soon be able to. On Tuesday Amazon announced a new Fire TV Blaster, infrared (IR) transmitter that can be used to control your TV, cable box and speaker with Alexa instead of traditional remote controls. Not a standalone device, the Blaster …
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