WhatsApp deletes 2 million accounts per month to curb fake news

https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/06/whatsapp-deletes-2-million-accounts-per-month/

WhatsApp is trying a number of measures to fight its fake news problem, including study grants, a grievance officer and labels on forwarded messages. However, it’s also relying on a comparatively old-fashioned approach: outright deleting accounts. The messaging service has revealed in a white paper that it’s deleting 2 million accounts per month. And in many cases, users don’t need to complain.

About 95 percent of the offenders are deleted after WhatsApp spots "abnormal" activity, the company’s Matt Jones told The Guardian. They might immediately send out messages without a "typing" dialog," or start sending a flurry of messages soon after signing up. The firm’s Carl Woog added that i would ban accounts involved in "automated or bulk" behavior.

Whether or not that’s enough to help is another story. India’s elections are coming up in April, and it’s no secret that political campaigns have tried to circumvent forwarding limits and other obstacles to spread their messages. It could only take a handful of accounts to spread a bogus rumor, and there’s no guarantee WhatsApp will catch perpetrators in a timely fashion.

Source: The Guardian

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

February 6, 2019 at 12:18PM

Arcimoto starts taking orders for its three-wheeled EV

https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/07/arcimoto-fuv-evergreen-edition-orders-open/

Arcimoto has started taking orders for its three-wheeled electric vehicle. The Fun Utility Vehicle (FUV) Evergreen Edition will set you back $19,900 before tax credits and rebates, which is a far cry from Arcimoto’s target of $11,900, though it aims to push down the price over time.

"As we scale operations and drive down costs, we intend to introduce even more affordable variations until we hit our target base price of $11,900," Mark Frohnmayer, Arcimoto’s founder and president, said in a statement. "The Evergreen epitomizes our commitment to an American-made everyday electric vehicle that is affordable for everyone. It is the FUV by which all other FUVs will be measured."

Arcimoto plans to deliver 100 Evergreens by the end of June in Oregon, California and Washington. It will later expand delivery to other states, and hopes to fulfill all US pre-orders (more than 3,000 of them) by the end of June next year. It’s requiring a non-refundable $5,000 deposit from anyone who orders one now.

The Evergreen offers a 75 mph top speed and a range of 100 miles of city driving on a single charge (Arcimoto plans to offer shorter- and longer-range battery options later). It has two heated seats and an open-air design with removable half doors — it’s intended for quick trips more than long weekend drives. Other features include Bluetooth speakers, a rear storage locker and a handy magnetic cup holder, while you can start the car using an app.

Source: Arcimoto

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

February 7, 2019 at 09:36AM

Did you know these iPhone apps record your screen while you use them?

https://www.engadget.com/2019/02/07/iphone-screen-recording-analytics/

When an app says it’s collecting data for technical support or analytics purposes, it seems innocuous but a report by TechCrunch and The App Analyst found a number of iOS applications that went much further without informing users. The apps mentioned, including Air Canada, Abercrombie & Fitch, Expedia, Hotels.com and others used analytics software from a company called Glassbox that embeds "session replay" tech to show them exactly what users are doing.

Whatever buttons are pushed or information is entered is recorded, and worse, while the feature can be configured to prevent recording of sensitive data like credit card numbers, they didn’t always block it out fully. By using man-in-the-middle software to intercept data going to Glassbox’s servers, The App Analyst showed how this happens in Air Canada’s app, where it could screenshot credit card info and user passwords.

The companies do only get recordings of activity that happens within their apps, but the potential for a data leak or misuse of information that users don’t even know they’re giving out is worrying. Glassbox isn’t the only analytics company with such software running in iOS apps, and a report last year by Gizmodo uncovered a number of Android apps with similar screen recording capabilities built-in. The company in that case, AppSee, like Glassbox, openly advertises its capture abilities to developers, but for users it’s just another thing to think about every time you pick up your phone.

Source: TechCrunch, The App Analyst

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

February 7, 2019 at 03:24AM

NASA Honors Fallen Astronauts with Day of Remembrance

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/?p=31676

Every year, NASA recognizes astronauts who lost their lives in the pursuit of spaceflight with an official Day of Remembrance. This year, it’s celebrated Feb. 7. And NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. Another wreath-laying ceremony will also happen at Kennedy Space Center’s Space Mirror Memorial. Both ceremonies will also include observances for NASA’s lost explorers.
The three great disasters in NASA his

via Discover Main Feed http://bit.ly/1dqgCKa

February 7, 2019 at 09:32AM

Why Don’t We Have Nuclear Fusion Power Yet? [Science Video]

https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2019/02/07/why-dont-we-have-nuclear-fusion-power-yet-science-video/

Fusion power is supposed to save us from fossil fuels, so when is nuclear fusion going to be a viable option and why has it been so elusive?

[SciShow]

The post Why Don’t We Have Nuclear Fusion Power Yet? [Science Video] appeared first on Geeks are Sexy Technology News.

via [Geeks Are Sexy] Technology News http://bit.ly/23BIq6h

February 7, 2019 at 06:42AM

This electric skateboard only needs OneWheel to shred

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/02/06/this-electric-skateboard-only-needs-onewheel-to-shred/

Transcript:

Shred some gnar with this single-wheeled skateboard. OneWheel+ XR is a monowheel electric skateboard designed for off-roading and urban mobility. The single-wheeled skateboard has a range of 12-18 miles on a single charge. A brushless motor lets the board reach a top speed of 19 mph. OneWheel+ XR is connected to an app that shows battery life, speed,

GPS

tracking, and much more. An LED light in the front lights the way after the sun goes down. As soon as you step on the board it begins to balance itself out. The board is operated by leaning forward and backward. Turning is accomplished by shifting weight onto your toes and heels. OneWheel+ XR is priced at $1,899.

OneWheel
Click here to purchase on Amazon

Autoblog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. These deals are available through our affiliate partnership with Amazon.com. Deals are subject to Amazon’s schedule and availability.

via Autoblog http://bit.ly/1afPJWx

February 6, 2019 at 06:11PM

AAA: Cold weather can temporarily cut EV range by more than 40 percent

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/02/07/aaa-cold-weather-ev-range/

DETROIT — Cold temperatures can sap electric car batteries, temporarily reducing their range by more than 40 percent when interior heaters are used, a new study found.

The study of five electric vehicles by AAA also found that high temperatures can cut into battery range, but not nearly as much as the cold. The range returns to normal in more comfortable temperatures.

Many owners discovered the range limitations last week when much of the country was in the grips of a polar vortex. Owners of vehicles made by manufacturers including Tesla, the top-selling electric vehicle company in the U.S., complained on social media about reduced range and frozen door handles during the cold snap.

“As long as drivers understand that there are limitations when operating electric vehicles in more extreme climates, they are less likely to be caught off guard by an unexpected drop in driving range,” Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering, said in a statement.

AAA tested the BMW i3s, Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf from the 2018 model year, and the 2017 Tesla Model S 75D and Volkswagen e-Golf. All have a range of at least 100 miles per charge. They were tested on a dynamometer, which is like a treadmill, in a climate-controlled cell.

The automobile club tested the cars at 20 degrees and 95 degrees, comparing the range to when they were tested at 75 degrees Farenheit, according to a report on the study.

At 20 degrees, the average driving range fell by 12 percent when the car’s cabin heater was not used. When the heater was turned on, the range dropped by 41 percent, AAA said.

At 95 degrees, range dropped 4 percent without use of air conditioning, and fell by 17 percent when the cabin was cooled, the study found.

When the temperature tumbled to 20 degrees last week in Hickory, North Carolina, near Charlotte, Jason Hughes noticed the range fall when he drove his Tesla Model 3 on the commute from home to work.

“It would easily use double the amount of power for that 15-mile trip,” said Hughes, who owns four Teslas and runs a business that refurbishes and sells salvaged Tesla parts.

The cars use energy to heat the battery coolant in cold weather, as well as for heating the cabin, Hughes said. Range would take a hit mainly for short trips, and the decrease wouldn’t be as large on longer trips once the battery and cabin are heated, Hughes said.

“It’s definitely an issue,” he said. “If you want to go somewhere far in the cold, you’re going to be using more power.”

Range would be reduced further by extreme cold in northern states, he said.

AAA says electric cars can still be used in extreme climates with a little extra planning. It recommends that drivers heat or cool their cars while still plugged in to a charging station. And obviously, parking the car in your garage overnight is a good idea.

Related Video:

via Autoblog http://bit.ly/1afPJWx

February 7, 2019 at 08:06AM