AMC Theatres is working with Facebook to allow US users to find and buy movie tickets without leaving the social network first. Using a new ticketing platform recently launched on Facebook, you’ll be able to search movies by location and showtime from the “movies” tab under your Explore options. Once you’ve settled on a showing, …
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EU hits Google with record $5 billion fine over Android antitrust practices
The European Commission slapped Google with a record fine of 4.34 billion euros ($5 billion) on Wednesday over antitrust violations related to the Android mobile operating system. The European Union is concerned that Google’s agreements with phone makers such as Huawei, Samsung and LG put those companies at a disadvantage because they’re completely dependent on Android. The agreements stipulate that …
Read More »Alphabet to deploy Loon internet balloons in Kenya’s skies in 2019
Alphabet’s Loon project said Thursday that its balloons will bring internet to remote parts of Kenya next year. This’ll be the project’s first deal in Africa, Reuters reports, and it’ll see Loon working with Telkom Kenya to get high-speed internet to the East African country’s rural and suburban populations. Loon became its own company only last week — having started …
Read More »Xiaomi Mi Max 3 goes bigger on battery and screen
Xiaomi on Thursday unveiled its latest giant phone, the Mi Max 3. Powered by a Snapdragon 636 processor backed by up to 6GB of memory, the phone boasts a huge 6.9-inch, 18:9 display with a 2,160×1,080-pixel resolution. The device’s battery is also supersized, with a 5,500-mAh pack inside that has a standby time of 474 hours. It supports Quick Charge …
Read More »Comcast ends bidding war with Disney for Fox, will focus on Sky
It looks like Disney will get the X-Men, while Comcast shifts its focus to the UK. Comcast on Thursday confirmed it’ll no longer pursue 21st Century Fox, focusing instead on its bid for UK broadcaster Sky. “I’d like to congratulate Bob Iger and the team at Disney and commend the Murdoch family and Fox for creating such a desirable and …
Read More »Nokia X5 offers dual cameras and a notch for less
HMD Global, the licensee of the Nokia brand for phones, announced the Nokia X5 Thursday. It’s an Android Oreo phone that aims to bring a little iPhone X feel to a midrange device. The 5.86-inch phone uses a notched 1,520×720-pixel resolution display giving it a 19:9 screen ratio, similar to what you’d find on Apple’s current flagship and several other …
Read More »Need a special screw? Amazon’s Part Finder might help you someday (hands
I really wish Amazon’s new Part Finder worked better, because it’s a great idea in theory — just take a picture of that oddball screw, with the Amazon Shopping app (on iOS) and it’ll theoretically show you a matching fastener you can order on the spot. But when I tried it today: I had to go get a white piece …
Read More »Sonos vs. Polk: What smart sound bar is right for you? (The 3:59, Ep. 429)
On this podcast, we talk about a bunch of sound bars and equipment to pair with your TV, including: Sonos Beam Polk Command Bar Roku TV Wireless Speakers Now playing: Watch this: Sonos vs. Polk: What smart sound bar is right for you?… 4:01 The 3:59 gives you bite-size news and analysis about the top stories of the day, brought …
Read More »Walmart to launch Netflix rival under Vudu brand this year, says report
We could be watching movies on Walmart’s rumored video-streaming service by the end of this year. The big box giant plans to launch a subscription video platform through its Vudu division, Variety reported on Thursday. The news follows a similar report earlier this week that Walmart was considering a video service to go up against Netflix and e-commerce rival Amazon. Vudu …
Read More »Reddit’s Subreddit chat rooms bring back fast
Community-based Reddit chat rooms are being released to more subreddits each day, a year after beta tests began. Each subreddit can opt to add a chat room as a casual conversation alternative — one that doesn’t require refreshing to update — and it’ll be added to a directory. Reddit product designer ityoclys outlined his experience of beta testing the new …
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