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The original Pixelbook is out of stock on the Google Store

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It wouldn’t be surprising if Google dropped the system from its lineup. The Pixelbook first launched in 2017. While it should still get OS updates for another few years, it’s clearly behind the technological curve. We wouldn’t count on a replacement at Google’s September 30th event (that’s focused on the Pixel 5 and smart home devices like an Android dongle), mind you. Although that’s a possibility, the company could just as easily use the event as an opportunity to narrow the focus of its Chromebook range.

Still, it’s easy to see some lamenting this loss. The Pixelbook was expensive with a $999 starting price, but it also delivered a high-end, speedy two-in-one design that hasn’t been matched since in Google’s offerings. The Pixel Slate’s detachable tablet design never really took off, and the Pixelbook Go is aimed at more cost-conscious (though still relatively upscale) users. Enthusiasts will lose a major option if the Pixelbook goes away.

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Homeland Security warns of a ‘critical’ security flaw in Windows servers

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The security hole isn’t difficult to use. It takes “about three seconds in practice,” according to Secura.

Agencies have to install the patch no later than September 21st.

While the alert is clearly aimed at federal officials, it also serves as a warning for private firms that depend on Windows servers and Active Directory. If an intruder successfully launches this exploit, they’ll effectively have control of the network. They could spread malware, steal data or otherwise cause havoc. Some companies have already suffered major disruptions due to malware this year, and that trend could continue if they don’t protect themselves against flaws like Zerologon in a timely fashion.

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Bird releases more affordable, foldable Air electric scooter for $599

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If the premium Bird One is overkill for your transportation needs, Bird has a more reasonably priced electric scooter in store. The mobility company has released a custom-made Bird Air e-scooter that offers just a few frills for a not-too-outlandish $599. The foldable design is the clear selling point and makes sense for city commutes, but it also boasts “never-flat” tires and an aluminum frame that’s reportedly tough enough to hold up under everyday use.

You can expect a moderate 16MPH top speed and up to 16 miles of range. It’s not as long-lasting as the 25-mile One, then, but it should cover a downtown trip.

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After Math: Quibi wins some Emmys and Ridley Scott’s ‘Wolves’ is renewed

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Engadget

While most folks were reveling in the news that Harley Quinn is returning for a third season of animated antics, Ridley Scott’s dystopian sci-fi series Raised by Wolves, has quietly been re-upped for its sophomore season. Wolves follows the exploits of a pair of superhuman androids raising the last remnants of humanity of a distant planet after the fall of Earth.

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Engadget

If you and seven friends have find yourselves in the enviable position of still having you economic recovery checks burning holes in your collective pockets, hoo boy has Aston Martin got the ludicrous luxury item for your to blow them on. Get a load of this limited edition racing chair, only 150 of which will ever be produced. Of course, figuring out whose living room it will reside in will be your next major challenge.

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Engadget

In an era where streaming services are fragmenting and offering increasingly niche content selections, ViacomCBS is taking the opposite tact. The two formerly rival platforms — with Viacom offering BET+, Showtime and Pluto TV while CBS has its popular All Access — joined forces in 2019 after $30 billion in corporate wrangling. Starting Tuesday All Access will reboot as Paramount+ with a slew of newly additional Viacom shows.

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Engadget

Seems like the longer you live the more expensive life gets, even if only incrementally. While we’ve apparently been spoiled by the current generation of games costing a measly $60 brand new, Sony announced this week that some titles for its upcoming console will get a next-gen $10 price bump. On top of likely needing a new 4K television to get the most out of the system’s juiced graphics card, upgrading to PS5 is quickly proving to be a pricey proposition.

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Judge blocks US ban on WeChat app downloads

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Beeler added that the government’s general national security concerns about China were “considerable,” but that evidence of specific issues with WeChat was “modest.” Like with TikTok, politicians have been worried that China might push Tencent-owned WeChat to spy on Americans.

The move stymies the Trump administration’s attempt to crack down on China-owned internet services, at least until the lawsuit comes to its conclusion.

It’s also a relief to both users and some US companies. WeChat is a mainstay app in China, and a ban would have made it harder for Chinese Americans to message overseas relatives. Also, firms like Apple and Disney have warned that they stand to lose if they can’t interact with WeChat. Apple’s iPhone sales in China depend heavily on access to WeChat, for example. If it’s not allowed to offer the app, its future in the country is in doubt. The injunction puts those fears on hold, however temporarily.

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Trump approves TikTok deal with Oracle and Walmart ‘in concept’

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The new company will also be required to have an IPO on a US stock exchange, and American ownership is expected to “grow over time.”

The Commerce Department simultaneously created a window for the potential deal by delaying the ban on TikTok’s app by a week, until the end of September 27th. TikTok had already sued the Trump administration again to prevent the ban, arguing that it violated First Amendment rights and was politically motivated.

Some aspects of the deal caught ByteDance by surprise, Reuters noted — the Chinese firm said on September 20th that it first heard of the education plans at the same time the deal was announced. It said it was “committed” to education and would work toward the online classroom projects all the same.

As TechCrunch warned, though, this arrangement might not really address most of the key concerns. ByteDance reportedly holds the remaining 80 percent of TikTok Global, according to CNBC’s Alex Sherman. If the chief worry was that China’s government could pressure TikTok into spying on American users or spreading misinformation due to its majority Chinese ownership, that’s still a problem now. While US data is potentially more secure, this deal may be more about the appearance of action than a concerted effort to reduce Chinese government influence.



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Verizon’s $30 Unlimited Plus tablet plan offers 5G access

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Verizon (Engadget’s parent company) has introduced a new plan for tablets, hotspots, smartwatches and laptops that’ll give you access to its 5G Ultra Wideband network, provided you have a device that supports it. The Unlimited Plus plan expands upon the carrier’s old Unlimited plan and includes double the LTE data allowance. While the standard Unlimited plan comes with 15GB of LTE data, the Plus version comes with 30GB — it’s also just $10 more expensive at $30 a month if you already have an existing smartphone plan with the company.

The carrier says the new offering is meant to address people’s needs for more data and a more reliable coverage due to work-from-home or distance learning arrangements. Of course, the new plan would be even sweeter for those who have the devices that can take advantage of Verizon’s 5G network, such as Samsung’s Galaxy S7 Tab and Lenovo’s Flex 5G.

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Six people face charges for allegedly bribing Amazon staff to help sellers

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The indicted include Rohit Kadmisetty, Nishad Kunju, Kristen Leccese, Joseph Nilsen, Hadis Nuhanovic and Ephraim Rosenberg. They all face charges for commercial bribery, accessing protected computers without authorization, and wire fraud.

The group will make its first appearance in a Seattle court on October 15th.

The case isn’t particularly well-timed for Amazon. The company is no stranger to issues with rogue third-party sellers, and has been accused of using seller data to make competing products and gain an unfair advantage. While the two cases aren’t connected, this latest bust doesn’t help Amazon’s claims that it has a handle on third-party seller abuse.

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Ransomware may have led to the death of a German hospital patient

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Whatever the intentions, this may have been an avoidable breach. The intruders exploited a known security flaw in Citrix’s VPN software, and Germany’s cybersecurity authority said it warned of the vulnerability in January. It’s nothing new for institutions to fall short on security, but this misstep appears to have been deadly.

If the investigation establishes a connection, it could be one of the first deaths directly linked to a cyberattack, according to former UK security executive Ciaran Martin. If so, the loss might spur hospitals and other critical facilities to tighten security and prevent future tragedies.

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Live PlayStation 5 photos reveal a truly giant console

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Sony’s PlayStation 5 hasn’t really appeared in live photos, making it difficult to gauge the size of the console. However, the game console has finally made a real-world appearance in a filing at Taiwan’s NCC (via The Verge) — and it’s clear the PS5 isn’t meant for small cabinets. While Sony hasn’t been shy about mentioning the PS5’s 15.4-inch length (or height), 10.2-inch depth and 4.1-inch thickness, the NCC’s photos put those dimensions into context. You’ll have to make room for this beast, whether you’re buying the Digital Edition or the disc-based model.

As we pointed out in our specs comparison, this should be the largest console to date. It’s much larger overall than the Xbox Series X (if not as thick), and still bigger than legendary behemoths like the original PlayStation 3, the first Xbox, and the Xbox One. Sony also hasn’t included the stand or the “largest projection” of the PS5’s body into its figures.

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