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FCC Chairman wants to ban caller ID spoofing for text messages

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“We must attack this problem with every tool we have,” Chairman Pai said. “With these new rules, we’ll close the loopholes that hamstring law enforcement when they try to pursue international scammers and scammers using text messaging.” While the Truth in Caller ID Act prohibits spoofing caller ID information, it did not originally extend to text messages or international calls. If adopted, the new rules would expand the legislation and give the FCC more authority to fight those spoofing tactics.

Under Chairman Pai, the FCC has made fighting robocalls and caller ID spoofing one of its top priorities. Last month, the FCC voted to allow carriers to block robocalls by default. The FCC isn’t alone. In a recent crackdown, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed 94 actions against organizations responsible for more than one billion illegal calls, and an anti-robocall bill is working its way through Congress.

Still, the problem is widespread. A recent study found that robocall complaints grew by 165 percent between 2014 and 2017. They peaked around 4.5 million in 2017, and while those numbers have come down slightly, robocalls are still all too common. It’s clear there’s no one perfect solution. But there is, at least, a widespread effort to crack down on the scams, regardless of where they come from or how they’re delivered.

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Teenage Engineering ships its delayed modular synth and keyboard

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At Superbooth in May, the company explained to MusicRadar that it wasn’t happy with the way the keyboard turned out. Instead of putting out a product it wasn’t completely thrilled about (in terms of functionality), it decided to pull both the 170 synth and 16 keyboard until it could remedy the issue. Almost five months after the initial delay was announced, Teenage Engineering is shipping both units.

The Pocket Operator Modular 170 is an analog monophonic synthesizer with a built-in programmable sequencer and speaker. And living up to its name, the front panel includes plenty of room for patching. The 16 is a keyboard/controller for both the 170 and the more robust 400 model. It features tuneable keys and a programmable sequencer, but it isn’t a standalone instrument — you have to pair it with a synth. Like the 400, the 170 and 16 ship disassembled, so you get the full experience of folding the panels and putting all the pieces together. In true Pocket Operator fashion, the trio also runs on AA batteries, though you can purchase a power adapter for the 400 and 170 if you’d prefer.

The 170 synth costs $399 while the 16 keyboard is $199. And that power adapter will cost you an extra $25.



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‘Code with Google’ helps bring coding into the classroom

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“Code with Google is the next step in our ongoing commitment to closing equity gaps in computer science education. With the right tools and resources, more teachers can help their students unlock their potential with code,” wrote Google Vice-President of Education and University Relations in a blog post. The resource wraps in the company’s existing free coursework and tools to learn coding, including the Grasshopper app that teaches novices how to use Javascript. Teachers can access video-based activities through CS First (Google’s free CS curriculum), with different themes like game design, storytelling, sports and art. Along with the launch of Code with Google, the company also announced a $1 million grant to the Computer Science Teachers Association.

One activity called “An Unusual Discovery” has students sequence dialogue in a story using the programming language Scratch. Students program their characters with event blocks, such as “flag when clicked” or “wait two seconds.” Designed to be aimed at beginners, the activity will likely give students a look at the thought process behind computer programming and exercise their skills in logic and problem-solving.

All of Google’s Code with Google lesson plans are free and available in English and Spanish. The activities cover a broad range of age groups (from elementary to middle school) and skill levels vary from beginner to advanced. The idea of teaching kids computer science if they’re just beginning to grasp the fundamentals of pre-algebra or chemical equations may seem daunting to some teachers, but the game-like approach of the activities will likely appeal to many students. For teachers looking to refresh their curriculum with some computer science, Google’s resources will be an attractive option.

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Real 5G is nearly three times faster than LTE, but not everywhere

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Both the gap and the overall speeds were lower in other countries, with Switzerland and South Korea coming closest at roughly 1.1Gbps on 5G. Most of these markets don’t have millimeter wave access and are relying instead on “mid band” (typically 3.4GHz to 3.8GHz) frequencies to deliver next-gen wireless. In some cases, 5G was so new or channel-limited that the difference was hardly noticeable, such as in Spain and the UK. Australia’s 5G was actually slower than LTE, topping out at 792Mbps versus the older format’s 950Mbps.

US networks might not want to crow too loudly about their advantage. As we’ve discovered first-hand, millimeter wave 5G typically offers very limited coverage that falls apart quickly as you venture indoors. That mid band 5G may be slower in theory, but you may hold a 5G connection in more places. And of course, 5G networks are largely empty at this early stage. It could be a different story once 5G adoption picks up and providers become crowded.

Opensignal was optimistic, though. It noted that more 5G services would launch on new spectrum and wider channels, helping deliver on the technology’s potential. For now, though, only a handful of people will see 5G at its fastest.

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Facebook built a tool to track misinformation about itself

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Developed in 2016, Stormtracker has been used to follow viral posts about the company. It’s tracked everything from rumors that Facebook listens to users, to a prank that told users if they didn’t copy and paste a status Facebook would share their private information, jokes about Mark Zuckerberg looking like an alien and more. In at least a few cases, Facebook used Stormchaser to share messages debunking false claims about the company.

Some say Stormtracker is proof that Facebook prioritizes fighting fake news that puts the company in a bad light over other misinformation, but the company says that’s not the case. “We didn’t use this internal tool to fight false news because that wasn’t what it was built for, and it wouldn’t have worked,” a Facebook spokesperson told Bloomberg. “The tool was built with simple technology that helped us detect posts about Facebook based on keywords, so we could consider whether to respond to product confusion on our own platform. Comparing the two is a false equivalence.”

It’s not uncommon for companies to monitor what customers are saying about them on social media. But Stormtracker offers a reminder that Facebook has a unique advantage. Because it owns major social media platforms, it has unique insight, and when necessary, it can take measures to debunk rumors and pranks. It also raises questions about exactly how private Facebook’s future will be while tools like these exist.

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‘Pokémon Sword’ and ‘Shield’ will have version-exclusive gyms

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Whichever version you buy, you’ll have to deal with yet another new mechanic: Gigantamaxing. Unlike Dynamaxing, which ‘just’ makes Pokémon bigger and boosts their stats, certain creatures (such as Corviknight and Drednaw) will change appearance as they grow and gain access to a special G-Max Move. You won’t just want to stick to your familiar battlers, then, as you might miss out on some particularly effective attacks.

Throw in new Pokémon like the dessert-inspired Alcremie, Yamper the corgi, the coal-like Rolycoly and the steel Duraludon and there should be a healthy variety in the series’ first proper Switch titles, even if some of your critters won’t carry over. It may just be a question of whether or not the gameplay translates well to Nintendo’s current console.

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‘Dr. Mario World’ will make a new generation of virus-killing addicts

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After spending a bit of time with an early version of Dr. Mario World, I don’t have an exact answer just yet. But at the very least, it’s clear that Nintendo isn’t approaching it like an easy cash-grab. The gameplay has been optimized for one-handed touchscreen use, as you’d expect. And even though your main goal remains the same — match up three similarly colored pills and viruses to clear them out — the company wasn’t afraid to change things up a bit elsewhere.

Now, instead of having viruses fall from the top of the screen, Tetris-style, they rise up from the bottom. That seemed like a confusing flip at first, but after playing a few rounds, it was clearly a smart move for ergonomics. We typically cradle phones from the bottom in our palms. It would simply be tough to quickly move objects from the top of the screen with your thumb, especially with larger devices like the iPhone XS Max. Once I got into the flow of Dr. Mario World, dealing with pills rising up felt like second nature. And, as you’d imagine, dragging pills with my fingers felt far more fluid than hitting a directional pad. There were a few instances where I wanted a bit more control to nudge pieces into tight spots, but that’s a bit of finesse I’ll probably learn over time.

As for upgrades, Dr. Mario World will give you items and skills that can help you clear out stages. Koopa shells and bombs within some levels will also give you a leg up. The game only gives you a limited number of pills per stage, so part of the puzzle is figuring out the most efficient way to clear things out. And this being a mobile title, there’s also a stamina meter that’ll limit your gameplay, which will recharge over time.

You can, of course, buy more time, pills and power-ups with a premium currency called diamonds. I didn’t have a chance to test out the purchasing mechanics but based on my demo, it seems like you’d be able to play long enough to last a typical commute without having to pony up real money. You can also purchase new characters with diamonds and coins — yes, even Bowser has a doctorate now. Each new doctor will have special skills of their own: Yoshi, for example, can eliminate three random items.

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How to prepare for Amazon Prime Day

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At Wirecutter, we’ll be sifting through the thousands of deals from Amazon and everyone else, posting on our Deals page only the best discounts (generally the lowest price we’ve seen in 90 days) on items our staff has reviewed and recommends. You can also follow along on Twitter with the @WirecutterDeals account, or get the deals in your inbox via our Deals newsletter.

Look for deals on small appliances, small electronics, and luggage

Amazon keeps a tight lid on its Prime Day deals until the event starts, but in Prime Days past, the best deals have been on kitchen appliances, luggage, and small electronics. Here are some of the biggest discounts we saw during Prime Day last year:

  • The Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker, our pick at the time for the best sous vide machine, fell from a street price of $130 to $70 shipped from Amazon, and $72 from Williams Sonoma.
  • Our upgrade pick for the best cordless stick vacuum, the Dyson V8 Absolute Stick Vacuum, was discounted from $450 to $365. At the time, this was the lowest price we’d seen for a non-refurbished model.
  • The Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart, our favorite electric pressure cooker, dropped from $100 to an unheard-of $60 price.
  • Our pick at the time for the best carry-on luggage, the Travelpro Platinum Magna 2 22″ Rollaboard, went from $240 to $200. That discount may not seem like a lot, but that sale price was the lowest price we’d seen for the suitcase in months.
  • The best blender you can get, the pricey Vitamix 5200, dropped from $400 to $300.
  • The Jabra Move, a former budget pick for the best wireless Bluetooth headphones, went from $80 to $40.

What wasn’t on sale last year: the latest high-end electronics and entertainment. Don’t expect deals on top-quality 4K TVs, iPads, iPhones, video game consoles, or new video games and Blu-ray movies.

Start the day before

Just as Black Friday has gone from a single day to nearly a week of online and in-store sales, Prime Day is extending its hours as well, growing this year into a full 48 hour event. Amazon says the start time is midnight PT on Monday, 7/15, but we saw select deals last year on Sunday. We expect to see some this year, too.

Crash the party with a free trial of Prime

As the event’s name suggests, Amazon Prime Day is only for Amazon Prime members. The service costs $119 a year or $13 a month, and it gives you free two-day shipping on most purchases. Aside from the free shipping, Prime’s best features are streaming video and photo storage. Like Netflix, Prime Video has a rotating catalog of classic movies and TV shows, and Prime’s original content has been coming into its own lately. And Amazon Photos gives subscribers unlimited storage for full-resolution photos; this service could be a money-saver if it lets you cancel similar services from Apple’s iCloud or Google Photos.

If you’ve never had Amazon Prime before, you can use the 30-day free trial to get access to Prime Day. Once the event is over, if you decide Prime isn’t for you, just cancel before the trial ends to avoid being billed. Set a calendar reminder so you don’t forget.

Decide what you want before you shop

Before Prime Day starts, write a short list of what you’d like to buy, and be specific. Not all 55-inch 4K TVs are created equal, so choose a make and model, or at the very least identify the features you need, and note the price before the sale so that you have some perspective.

Choose Lightning Deals in the morning

Some of the best deals Amazon offers are Lightning Deals, which are available for a limited time in a limited quantity. They go fast, and Amazon leaves the expired ones visible so that shoppers see what they missed and feel compelled to watch for more.

The whole thing is designed to keep shoppers hooked and ready to pull the trigger with minimal time to assess the item and its price. If you do plan to shop the Lightning Deals, check them first thing in the morning and look for the ones that are upcoming. Taking this step will give you time to research the item, and you can set a reminder on your phone for 10 minutes before the deal starts so you don’t miss out.

Shop around

Prime Day might be Amazon’s thing, but the company can’t stop competitors from getting in on the action. Big-box retailers such as Best Buy, Target, and Walmart routinely match Amazon’s prices on appliances, TVs, and other electronics. Target and eBay have already announced competing sales. If the deal you want is out of stock on Amazon, check to see if anyone else still has it.

In addition, keep your eyes on smaller, specialty retailers, as well as on local shops. As Prime Day has whetted people’s appetite for shopping, stores of all sizes have started to use the event to their advantage.

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Aircraft lands itself for the first time

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No airport assistance required.
Aircraft lands itself truly autonomously for the first time

Researchers at Technische Universität München have successfully tested a system that uses a combination of computer vision and GPS to have the aircraft land itself. The technology uses GPS to navigate but combines that with visible light and infrared cameras to spot the runway and obtain an accurate sense of its position, even when fog or rain hurts visibility. From there, the aircraft can calculate a glide path and touch down all on its own. Yes, many airliners can land automatically, but they don’t really land autonomously — the airport guides them in with a radio signal. This could help create true end-to-end autonomous flights in the future.

Sony added everything we’d want in truly wireless earbuds.

Sony’s revamped wireless noise-canceling earbuds are a revelation

The WF-1000XM3 ($230) match Sony’s premium noise-canceling tech with truly wireless earbuds. A new digital audio converter (DAC) and amplifier delivers 24-bit audio — or at least, as close to that resolution as Bluetooth can provide. And the new hardware also gives both earbuds the ability to connect directly to your device. After our early testing, these could well be your next pair of truly wireless earbuds.

They’re a solid pair of mid-range GPUs.
Radeon RX 5700 and 5700 XT review: AMD brings the fight back to NVIDIA

AMD’s Radeon 5700XT is an ideal mid-range GPU. It’ll get you beyond 100FPS in most modern titles, which is perfect for 144Hz displays. You might even be able to squeeze some decent 4K performance out of it. Devindra Hardawar tests out the new cards.

The best things in life might be free.
The best free-to-play games

Capping off our week of refreshed games guides, we’ve got all the best free-to-play games. No in-app payments needed.

But wait, there’s more…

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The White House’s social media summit may not include Facebook and Twitter

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The sources said the summit would not be a serious attempt to discuss issues like privacy or security, but rather “would amount to a right-wing grievance session.” Supporting this assertion is the fact that right-wing commentators who have complained of anti-conservative bias and censorship on social media have been invited, as reported in the Washington Post, while Facebook and Twitter, two of the biggest players in social media, have not.

Both companies have had clashes with Trump and his administration. In April, Trump met with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and reportedly complained about the site removing a number of his followers. There have also been issues over the shadow banning and actual banning of far-right organizations and individuals on the site. And despite Facebook providing support for Trump during his campaign, it pulled campaign ads which it deemed too sensationalist and banned far-right users like Alex Jones.

Facebook and Twitter were also among a group of 50 global brands who denounced Trump’s anti-trans position at the start of the year. There is an ongoing perception among Republicans that Silicon Valley companies have an anti-conservative bias, but it’s not clear how hosting a summit without inviting the key players will help address this issue.

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