July 2020

7 of the best reality shows from around the world

Scripted shows are great, but sometimes you just want to binge some good reality TV. Long-running reality television series such as The Bachelor, Survivor, and Say Yes to the Dress are popular options for scratching that unscripted drama itch, with all of them easy to flick on and devour. However, if you're looking for a change of pace, consider casting your hungry eyes farther afield — like across an ocean.

Reality TV shows are deliciously addictive regardless of where they're from, but different countries' fresh approaches can make familiar formulas exciting and new. There's also a ton of engrossing reality formats that haven't yet found popularity in the U.S., offering a whole new world of engaging unscripted television to explore. Read more...

More about Television, Reality Tv, Reality Show, Masterchef, and Reality Television


via Tingle Tech

Wannabe DevOps engineers can save 95% on this class bundle

TL;DR: The Ultimate DevOps Mastery bundle is on sale for £25.41 as of August 1, saving you 95% on list price.


In its 2017 State of DevOps Report, Puppet.com found that DevOps engineers are considered "a significant attribute to businesses". Those that hire people with DevOps skills deploy code with 30 times the frequency of their competitors, with 50% fewer failures. 

Despite this, only 18% of those surveyed claimed that their organisations had a DevOps engineer at their company. What's that sound? That my friends is the sound of opportunity.

SEE ALSO: Learn to grow your business by mastering these digital marketing secrets Read more...

More about Online Classes, Mashable Shopping, Devops, Shopping Uk, and Uk Deals


via Tingle Tech

This physics course teaches you everything you should have learned in school

TL;DR: The Fundamentals of Physics course is on sale for £7.69 as of August 1, saving you 94% on list price.


When you were a kid, being forced to learn things was the worst. You coasted through school doing the least amount of work possible and filled your free time with mindless nonsense. 

When you became an adult, you suddenly realised that you don’t know half of what you thought you did. Fortunately, it’s never too late to learn something, and a great place to start is by taking a course in physics. Yes, physics. Stick with us here.

More about Physics, Online Classes, Mashable Shopping, Shopping Uk, and Uk Deals


via Tingle Tech

How to clean your sex toys, according to three experts

Whether you've just purchased your first vibrator or are a seasoned dildo user, it's important to learn how to properly care for it. One major safety precaution you need to take — before both solo and partner play — is to clean your sex toy.

While it may not sound sexy, cleaning your toys is essential. "Pleasure products can help you embrace confidence, help navigate intimate desires and boundaries and boost self-love," said Kristin Fretz, co-founder and CMO of Emojibator. "But having an experience like getting a UTI from a vibrator is not just uncomfortable and can be extremely painful if left untreated, but it perpetuates the shame around masturbation and can create individual resistance to self-pleasure." Read more...

More about Sex Toys, Sex And Relationships, Dildos, Vibrators, and Sex Education


via Tingle Tech

Even the hard-charging world of early-stage startups has its share of procrastinators, lollygaggers, slow-pokes, wafflers and last-minute decision makers. If that’s your demographic, today is your lucky day.

You now have an extra week (courtesy of Saint Expeditus, the patron saint of procrastinators), to score early-bird savings to Disrupt 2020, which takes place September 14-18. Buy your pass before the new and final deadline — August 7 at 11:59 p.m. (PT) — and save up to $300. Who says prayers (or secular entreaties) go unanswered?

Your pass opens the door to five days of Disrupt — the biggest, longest TechCrunch conference ever. Drawing thousands of attendees and hundreds of innovative early-stage startups from around the world, you won’t find a better time, place or opportunity to accelerate the speed of your business.

Here are four world-class reasons to attend Disrupt 2020.

World-class speakers. Hear and engage with leading voices in tech, business and investment across the Disrupt stages. Folks like Sequoia Capital’s Roelof Botha, Ureeka’s Melissa Bradley and Slack’s Tamar Yehoshua — to name just a few. Here’s what you can see onstage so far.

World-class startups. Explore hundreds of innovative startups exhibiting in Digital Startup Alley — including the TC Top Picks. This elite cadre made it through our stringent screening process to earn the coveted designation, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more varied and interesting set of startups.

World-class networking. CrunchMatch, our AI-powered networking platform, simplifies connecting with founders, potential customers, R&D teams, engineers or investors. Schedule 1:1 video meetings and hold recruitment or extended pitch sessions. CrunchMatch launches weeks before Disrupt to give you more time to scout, vet and schedule.

World-class pitching. Don’t miss Startup Battlefield, the always-epic pitch competition that’s launched more than 900 startups, including big-time names like TripIt, Mint, Dropbox and many others. This year’s crop of startups promises to throw down hard for bragging rights and the $100,000 cash prize.

Need another reason to go? Take a page out of SIMBA Chain founder Joel Neidig’s playbook:

Our primary goal was to make people aware of the SIMBA Chain platform capabilities. Attending Disrupt is great way to get your name out there and build your customer base.

It’s time for all you last-minute lollygaggers to get moving and take advantage of this second, final chance to save up to $300. Buy your pass before August 7 at 11:59 p.m. (PT).

Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at Disrupt 2020? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.




via Tingle Tech

Make your beverage habit more eco-friendly with these reusable tumblers

The environmental impact of buying iced teas, coffees, and the like in plastic cups cannot be overstatedOver 4 billion are used per year, and less than 25% of the plastic cups from places like Starbucks are even recycled. This is cause for concern. 

If you drink a caffeinated beverage, it’s probably a daily habit, and that plastic use really adds up. So there has been an increase in interest in the reusable tumbler market. They’re especially enticing when coffeeshops offer a small discount for bringing your own reusables. And there are so many on the market at varying price points that it’s easy for environmental enthusiasts to get excited about all the choices that are available. Read more...

More about Social Good, Sustainability, Eco Friendly, Mashable Shopping, and Social Good
5afde3e5 5eb8 4b53 be23 4d305ecac57c
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST OVERALL

YETI Rambler

A durable choice that keeps your drinks cold, we love that it can go in the dishwasher.

  • Holds: 20 oz.
  • Dimensions: 3.5 in. x 6.7 in. x 2.75 in.
  • Accessories: None
  • Dishwasher safe: Yes
$29.99 from Amazon
3f2339d9 02b5 4896 be0d 297afc6d3906
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST INSULATED TUMBLER

Hydro Flask Tumbler Cup

A crowd favorite that’s insulated, and will keep your drinks at the desired temp.

  • Holds: 22 oz.
  • Dimensions: 3.1 in. x 2.9 in. x 7.8 in.
  • Accessories: None
  • Dishwasher safe: No
$29.95 from Amazon
1c7375e0 15ab 4294 a444 29c802ce6f9a
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST WALLET-FRIENDLY OPTION

Ban.do Sip Sip Tumbler With Straw

A cute intro to the reusable tumbler world, with a pretty pattern and included straw.

  • Holds: 20 oz.
  • Dimensions: 3.75 in. x 7.5 in. x 3.75 in.
  • Accessories: Comes with a straw
  • Dishwasher safe: You could probably get away with it a few times, but not recommended
$15 from Amazon
E19488a2 ce73 4175 98bb 158454a645e9
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR STRAW LOVERS

Klean Kanteen Insulated Tumbler

This tumbler from a favorite brand comes with a handy straw.

  • Holds: 16 oz.
  • Dimensions: 9.85 in. x 3.08 in. x 3.5 in.
  • Accessories: A stainless steel and silicone reusable straw
  • Dishwasher safe: No
$24.95 from Amazon
Ebc225f4 387e 4032 80fb 5b6cc9d7f9a9
IMAGE: Amazon

MOST STYLISH TUMBLER

Corkcicle Origins Tumbler

This tumbler’s slim design and chic colors make it one of the coolest looking ones on this list.

  • Holds: 24 oz.
  • Dimensions: 10.2 in. x 5.3 in. x 4.1 in.
  • Accessories: None
  • Dishwasher safe: No
$29.95 from Amazon
Dfc86883 404e 4ccc b1cc 1a585534e9fe
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST SWEATPROOF TUMBLER

S'well Stainless Steel Tumbler

The company behind the beloved water bottles also makes a strong, sweatproof tumbler.

  • Holds: 18 oz.
  • Dimensions: 8.4 in. x 3.9 in. x 3.7 in.
  • Accessories: No, lid is sold separately
  • Dishwasher safe: No
$30 from Amazon
9dd40de0 d4a6 4720 ad4c 5364b4ce6e15
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR GIFTING

Swig Life Tumbler

Lots of color options make this a great choice for gifting to family and friends.

  • Holds: 20 oz.
  • Dimensions: 6.1 in. x 3.3 in.
  • Accessories: Yes, reusable straw
  • Dishwasher safe: No
$19 from Amazon



via Tingle Tech

Does your small business need a website? Try these services.

If you have a small business, you know it needs to have an online presence. The days of being able to succeed without some kind of website or online store are far behind us. 

Fortunately, making your mark online has never been easier thanks to many companies offering easy-to-use website builders. That means you no longer need to hire a dedicated designer to construct your website. Many of these sites appreciate that you might not have expert knowledge, offering simple drag-and-drop interfaces and intuitive methods that help your website rank highly on search engines. 

With so many services out there, how do you know what's best for your business? Read on, and we explain what to look for when buying a website builder and everything you need to know about the best ones for you.  Read more...

More about Tech, Small Business, Mashable Shopping, Website Building, and Tech
79f678eb cc1a 450e 91f6 9d96e380e80b
IMAGE: Wix

BEST OVERALL

Wix

This website builder is one of the most straightforward options out there. It even offers a limited free plan.

  • Combo: $13 per month
  • Unlimited: $17 per month
  • Pro: $22 per month
  • VIP: $39 per month
2897ebb0 6320 4109 b53e 167ce621c401
IMAGE: Squarespace

BEST FOR UNLIMITED STORAGE

Squarespace

This well-known name is popular for a reason, thanks to providing unlimited storage at a great price.

  • Personal: $16 per month
  • Business: $26 per month
  • Basic : $30 per month
  • Advanced : $46 per month
Dc8b89df 4928 4e37 b202 ba033ee1174a
IMAGE: HostGator

BEST FOR FLEXIBILITY

HostGator

This web hosting company also offers useful templates that will get your website started within seconds.

  • Shared hosting: $2.75 to $5.95 per month
  • Cloud hosting: $4.95 to $9.95 per month
  • WordPress hosting: $5.95 to $9.95 per month
  • Reseller hosting: $19.95 to $24.95 per month
  • VPS hosting: $29.95 to $49.95 per month
  • Dedicated hosting: $118.99 to $148.98 per month
Fe7c21b2 f16c 425e 9b75 458386e110c0
IMAGE: Weebly

BEST VALUE

Weebly

This simple website creation service keeps costs down for your small business.

  • Personal : $6 per month
  • Professional: $12 per month
  • Performance : $25 per month
7beabee4 1717 41a5 8d52 2495d313dd19
IMAGE: Shopify

BEST FOR E-COMMERCE

Shopify

Almost too powerful in scope, Shopify is the ideal resource for those launching a significant online selling presence, but it takes some mastering.

  • Basic: $29 per month
  • Main: $79 per month
  • Advanced: $299 per month
12e4b7a3 d73f 4d1a b61a 9d432467d925
IMAGE: GoDaddy

BEST FOR SPEED

GoDaddy

A famous name in web hosting over the years, GoDaddy is straightforward and effective, even if it's not the prettiest.

  • Basic: $10 per month
  • Standard: $15 per month
  • Premium: $20 per month
  • E-commerce: $25 per month
C8aa38a7 625b 4c50 9408 f9abff4b235e
IMAGE: Wordpress

BEST BLOGGING PLATFORM

Wordpress

Simply want to be friendly with your customers? Wordpress is an easy blogging solution, but it can get complicated.

  • Personal: $4 per month
  • Premium: $8 per month
  • Business: $25 per month
  • E-commerce: $45 per month



via Tingle Tech

This battery sleeve for Amazon Echo 2 lets you bring Alexa anywhere

TL;DR: Make your Amazon Echo 2 wireless with the SkyTote Battery Sleeve for $23.99, a 59% savings. 


As smart as your digital home assistant is, it's not exactly mobile. Alexa generally lives inside your smart speaker, which needs to remain tethered to an outlet. That also means you have to bring yourself to it whenever you want to issue a command, ask a question, or choose some music. Seems a bit counterproductive, yeah?

What if you want to bring your digital assistant with you on a camping trip? Or out by the pool? Or anywhere else where you don't have access to an outlet? That's where the SkyTote Battery Sleeve comes in to save the day and keep your Amazon Echo 2 working no matter where you are. Read more...

More about Smart Home, Amazon Echo, Mashable Shopping, Tech, and Consumer Tech


via Tingle Tech

Invest in your financial future with these money management courses

TL;DR: Access hundreds of lessons with the Beginner's Guide to Personal Finance and Investment Bundle for $29.99, a 91% savings as of July 31. 


The pandemic that has defined 2020 has thrown us all a financial curveball. While we were all worried about our social calendars, COVID-19 slowly drained many of our bank accounts.

From the stock market crash to the loss of jobs, the economic impact is truly incalculable. It's definitely enough to make your anxiety skyrocket, which is why there's no time like the present to engage in some financial planning. And we've got a great resource to get you started: the Beginner's Guide to Personal Finance and Investment Bundle, which is on sale for a limited time. Read more...

More about Personal Finance, Online Learning, Mashable Shopping, Business, and Work Life


via Tingle Tech

This is why you should spend the money on a professional hair dryer

A good blow dry is the foundation to a good hair day. The fanciest hair straightener or curling wand in the world won't do you much good if your hair was singed with a crappy blow dryer beforehand. That's that on that.

It's common knowledge that pressing hair onto a sizzling hot flat iron or curling iron isn't great for it. We're quick to blame those tools for split ends and frizz, but less often, we consider that part of the problem may be the way the hair was dried in the first place. If your lifelong dream has been to give yourself the same glossy blowout that you get at the salon, your skills might not be totally to blame — your stylist's professional blow dryer is a lot better than your drugstore one. Read more...

More about Tech, Beauty, Mashable Shopping, Tech, and Consumer Tech
Adaf5dbe ee92 4499 b23c 964dca889bd4
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR DAMAGED HAIR

Dyson Supersonic

Prepare to be *blown* away by Dyson's bladeless dryer that uses high-velocity air jets and keeps damage to a minimum.

  • Power: 1,600 watts
  • Heat settings: 4
  • Speed settings: 3
  • Attachments: Diffuser, concentrator, smoothing nozzle
$399.99 from Amazon
Fc474f9d 894c 43c6 a909 fade2bdeb6f1
IMAGE: Ulta

COOLEST FEATURES

T3 Cura Luxe

The chic design is a selling point on its own, but this dryer's unique functions make self-styling easier than it's ever been.

  • Power: 1,875 watts
  • Heat settings: 5
  • Speed settings: 2
  • Attachments: Drying concentrator and styling concentrator
$285 from Ulta
Edaaba55 8e51 40f2 bede b788455776cf
IMAGE: Walmart

QUIETEST HAIR DRYER

Harry Josh Pro Dryer 2000

The tool that Dermstore calls "the most iconic hair dryer of all time" cuts drying time in half with 80 mph airflow.

  • Power: 1,875 watts
  • Heat settings: 3
  • Speed settings: 3
  • Attachments: Narrow and wide nozzle concentrator
$249.99 from Walmart
B6c0f08b a9ff 4fdf 87a0 a12d2377e31b
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR FRIZZY HAIR

ghd Air

Anyone who has given up on silky hair will find the ghd Air's frizz control to be a godsend — and it'll last for years.

  • Power: 1,600 watts
  • Speed settings: 2
  • Heat settings: 3
  • Attachments: Concentrator nozzle
$199 from Amazon
B94321e0 6484 4f9b 82f3 f8a6a6e43a15
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR COMBATTING WRIST FATIGUE

Sam Villa Light Ionic Dryer

Styling shouldn't feel like a workout, so Sam Villa put the wattage of a full-sized dryer into a body weighing less than a pound.

  • Power: 1,750 watts
  • Heat settings: 3
  • Speed settings: 2
  • Surface material: Ceramic and tourmaline
$189.95 from Amazon
5283a3f9 a837 4267 b098 b55f253d7a09
IMAGE: Amazon

BEST FOR UNDER $100

BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium Hair Dryer

If you're tired of your thick hair not holding a style, this badass titanium build offers the controlled heat that unruly hair needs.

  • Power: 2,000 watts
  • Heat settings: 3
  • Speed settings: 3
  • Attachments: Concentrator nozzle
$79.99 from Amazon
B5491c27 ca27 4c41 931d d3ef3363cfec
IMAGE: Ulta

BEST FOR CURLY HAIR

DevaCurl DevaDryer

The DevaFuser is the ultimate helping ~hand~ in keeping your curls' natural shape, but the dryer itself is nothing special.

  • Power: 1,600 watts
  • Heat settings: 3
  • Speed settings: 2
  • Attachments: DevaFuser
$159 from Ulta



via Tingle Tech

These online courses help you become better at working from home

TL;DR: Prepare for any future transitions with the 2020 Work From Anywhere Hacker Bundle for $29.99, an 84% savings as of July 31. 


As work and home life continue to meld, it can be difficult to maintain boundaries, stay productive, and keep your mental health in check — especially since the COVID-19 pandemic won't seem to let up.

But here's the thing. Successfully working from home really just takes a few essential skills: self-motivation, communication, collaboration, and time-management. Easier said than done, right? If you need a bit of a push in the right direction, this 2020 Work From Anywhere Hacker Bundle can help you ace the work from home lifestyle and develop the skills you need to thrive as a remote worker. Read more...

More about Remote Work, Work From Home, Online Learning, Mashable Shopping, and Culture


via Tingle Tech

Sick of smartwatches? Get the luxury automatic Blade watch for 20% off.

TL;DR: Treat yourself to a stylish and innovative design with the Blade Automatic Watch with 42H Power Reserve for $219.99, a 23% savings as of July 31.


It's a simple question: "What time is it?"

You look at your watch and see your step count, how many calories you burned on that bike ride you went on earlier, when your next period is due to arrive, what the temperature is outside, and more, but cannot figure out how to get back to the main screen that tells you the time. Sigh. Remember the good ol' days when watches told the time — and only the time?

If you're a minimalist looking for a watch that's modern and sleek, but without all the bells and whistles of a smartwatch, check out the Blade Automatic Watch with a 42H Power Reserve, on sale for a limited time. Read more...

More about Watch, Mashable Shopping, Tech, and Consumer Tech


via Tingle Tech

'The Umbrella Academy' Season 2 is more messy super-sibling fun

The Umbrella Academy Season 1 adapted Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá’s bestselling comic into a popular superhero extravaganza that introduced the Netflix audience to the mayhem that is the Hargreeves’s family drama. In Season 2, which time-travels the Academy members into the middle of Dallas in 1963, the hijinks continue in an entertaining, unpredictable season that moves the saga forward into truly dope territory — while retaining some of the first season’s original flaws in pacing and plot cohesiveness. 

There’s no doubt that Season 2 is fun as hell. Everything that was good about Season 1 is back, including the endearing dysfunction of the Hargreeves siblings, inventive fight scenes scored to pop and rock hits, and laugh-out-loud funny dialogue that needs to appear on a merch line (I would buy a Five Hargreeves “I’m the daddy here” mug in a heartbeat). It’s one of the rare shows where simply putting three characters in a hair salon and watching them hang out is equally as rewarding as watching a team of superhumans fight Soviet soldiers in an apocalyptic battle sequence, which is a credit to the strength of its cast and script.  Read more...

More about Tv Review, The Umbrella Academy, Entertainment, and Movies Tv Shows


via Tingle Tech

When looking for a new job, there are certain things you'll need to know

Is your job search as desperate as your dating life? We feel that.

As of January 2020, 3.6% of Americans were unemployed, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. By April, the rate escalated to 14.7%, presumably because of COVID-19-related layoffs,  and has hit 11% as of this writing. 

These numbers obviously fluctuate all the time, but one thing remains the same: People will always be looking for jobs. And with all the competition out there, you should probably work on your résumé — and a few other things — to score the position. 

When you're looking for a new job, there are certain skills you'll need just to get noticed. We recommend taking an online course to walk you through the specifics, but here are some pointers to get started. Read more...

More about Online Learning, Mashable Shopping, Culture, and Work Life
5f5cc78d addb 4493 8400 8247ba5a4417
IMAGE: edX

BEST OVERALL

“Résumé, Networking, and Interview Skills” on edX

Dive into career development in an extensive course that comprehensively covers each step of the process.

    $149 from edX
    76cae70e 50ac 4d95 be51 8f506a047a57
    IMAGE: LinkedIn

    EXPAND YOUR LINKEDIN PRESENCE

    “Rock Your LinkedIn Profile” on LinkedIn Learning

    Quick videos help establish a profile recruiters will love.

      4c891291 b8f5 47b9 9beb 3f30994628c4
      IMAGE: Coursera

      BEST RéSUMé INSTRUCTION

      “Writing Winning Résumés and Cover Letters” on Coursera

      Learn detailed résumé-writing techniques on one of the best online learning platforms.

        C8f548be b616 4cd5 8a12 9122646db7f9
        IMAGE: Coursera

        BEST COVER LETTER ADVICE

        Guided Project on Coursera

        Get a set of expert eyes to look over your cover letter and help yourself stand out.

          8fd746ac c6c9 4d87 92b4 099e64eb3f76
          IMAGE: Udemy

          BEST INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

          “Mastering Interview Skills in 1 Hour with Fortune 500 Exec” on Udemy

          Learn how to ace the interview with this one-hour course.

            $29.99 from Udemy
            2bcc2914 9d2b 4206 b9a5 ccd65ea12f3d
            IMAGE: Coursera

            BEST FOR BUILDING A WEBSITE

            “Web Design for Everybody: Basics of Web Development & Coding Specialization” on Coursera

            Learn to design your own website so you can present your best work.




              via Tingle Tech

              What the Mashable staff bought this month: July 2020 edition

              Who else is finding themselves online shopping way more often lately? Over at Mashable, it's happening to a lot of us. Maybe it's boredom. Maybe it's that we're longing to fill some sort of void with material possessions. Yeah, it's probably one of those two things. 

              Reasons for rampant online shopping aside, we're back again to share with you all the cool stuff we bought this month to hopefully inspire our fine readers to treat themselves, just like we did. Come on, we've all been living through tough times (that show no signs of stopping anytime soon) — you deserve to hit that "buy" button on that thing you've been wanting. Go ahead, do it.  Read more...

              More about Mashable Shopping, What We Bought, Culture, Work Life, and Consumer Tech


              via Tingle Tech

              Twitter has revealed a little more detail about the security breach it suffered earlier this month when a number of high profile accounts were hacked to spread a cryptocurrency scam — writing in a blog post that a “phone spear phishing attack” was used to target a small number of its employees.

              Once the attackers had successfully gained network credentials via this social engineering technique they were in a position to gather enough information about its internal systems and processes to target other employees who had access to account support tools which enabled them to take control of verified accounts, per Twitter’s update on the incident.

              “A successful attack required the attackers to obtain access to both our internal network as well as specific employee credentials that granted them access to our internal support tools. Not all of the employees that were initially targeted had permissions to use account management tools, but the attackers used their credentials to access our internal systems and gain information about our processes. This knowledge then enabled them to target additional employees who did have access to our account support tools,” it writes.

              “This attack relied on a significant and concerted attempt to mislead certain employees and exploit human vulnerabilities to gain access to our internal systems,” Twitter adds, dubbing the incident “a striking reminder of how important each person on our team is in protecting our service”.

              It now says the attackers used the stolen credentials to target 130 Twitter accounts — going on to tweet from 45; access the DM inbox of 36; and download the Twitter data of 7 (previously it reported 8, so perhaps one attempted download did not complete). All affected account holders have been contacted directly by Twitter at this point, per its blog post.

              Notably, the company has still not disclosed how many employees or contractors had access to its account support tools. The greater that number, the larger the attack vector which could be targeted by the hackers.

              Last week Reuters reported that more than 1,000 people at Twitter had access, including a number of contractors. Two former Twitter employees told the news agency such a broad level of access made it difficult for the company to defend against this type of attack. Twitter declined to comment on the report.

              Its update now acknowledges “concern” around levels of employee access to its tools but offers little  additional detail — saying only that it has teams “around the world” helping with account support.

              It also claims access to account management tools is “strictly limited”, and “only granted for valid business reasons”. Yet later in the blog post Twitter notes it has “significantly” limited access to the tools since the attack, lending credence to the criticism that far too many people at Twitter were given access prior to the breach.  

              Twitter’s post also provides very limited detail about the specific technique the attackers used to successfully social engineer some of its workers and then be in a position to target an unknown number of other staff who had access to the key tools. Although it says the investigation into the attack is ongoing, which may be a factor in how much detail it feels able to share. (The blog notes it will continue to provide “updates” as the process continues.)

              On the question of what is phone spear phishing in this specific case it’s not clear what particular technique was successfully able to penetrate Twitter’s defences. Spear phishing generally refers to an individually tailored social engineering attack, with the added component here of phones being involved in the targeting.

              One security commentator we contacted suggested a number of possibilities.

              “Twitter’s latest update on the incident remains frustratingly opaque on details,” said UK-based Graham Cluley. “‘Phone spear phishing’ could mean a variety of things. One possibility, for instance, is that targeted employees received a message on their phones which appeared to be from Twitter’s support team, and asked them to call a number. Calling the number might have taken them to a convincing (but fake) helpdesk operator who might be able to trick users out of credentials. The employee, thinking they’re speaking to a legitimate support person, might reveal much more on the phone than they would via email or a phishing website.”

              “Without more detail from Twitter it’s hard to give definitive advice, but if something like that happened then telling workers the genuine support number to call if they ever need to — rather than relying on a message they receive on the phone — can reduce the likelihood of people being duped,” Cluley added.

              “Equally the conversation could be initiated by a scammer calling the employee, perhaps using a VOIP phone service and using caller ID spoofing to pretend to be ringing from a legitimate number. Or maybe they broke into Twitter’s internal phone system and were able to make it look like an internal support call. We need more details!”




              via Tingle Tech

              Beyoncé drops 'Already' video as 'Black Is King' lands on Disney+

              Beyoncé's visual album Black Is King has landed on Disney+ and to mark the moment, the Grammy-winning monarch of modern music shared a new video for her song “Already."

              The track first appeared on Beyoncé's compilation album, The Lion King: The Gift, and features Ghanaian singer Shatta Wale and Major Lazer.

              Following two stunning trailers, Beyoncé’s new visual album Black Is King is now streaming on Disney+. 

              The film is based on the music from The Gift, and hinges around the journey of a boy learning about his ancestry, and connects with Black voices throughout the decades. It "reimagines the lessons of The Lion King for today’s young kings and queens in search of their own crowns." Read more...

              More about Beyonce, Music Video, Disney Plus, Disney, and Entertainment


              via Tingle Tech

              Seth Rogen tells Jimmy Fallon about his 'illegal clay deal' to feed his coronavirus pottery hobby

              The coronavirus pandemic has prompted thousands to take up new hobbies while cooped up at home, and actor Seth Rogen is no exception. Speaking to Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, Rogen said he's been filling his time with "a lot of pottery," which he'd been reluctant to try but quickly fell in love with.

              "Clay was not considered an essential service, though, so I literally had to buy illegal clay. I literally made an illegal clay deal from the back door of a pottery studio," said Rogen, adding that it felt like "the most apocalyptic thing that has happened to [him]."

              More about The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Rogen, Hbo Max, and Coronavirus


              via Tingle Tech

              'Incinerating American democracy': Seth Meyers blasts Trump's suggestion to delay the election

              The U.S. has continued to spin out of control this week, struggling with massive unemployment, increasing coronavirus deaths, and a presidentially praised doctor who believes in demon sperm. All of this is horrific, and will have devastating consequences for years to come. But if 2020 has taught us anything, it's that things can always get worse.

              Taking to Twitter once again, President Donald Trump has now suggested delaying the election in November — something that, as Late Night host Seth Meyers pointed out on Thursday, he legally cannot do.

              "The Constitution gives Congress, and only Congress, the power to set the election date," said Meyers. "All of which of course will be news to Trump. If you locked him in a room and told him to read the Constitution you'd come back five minutes later to find it tucked into his shirt like a bib while he wolfs down on a bunch of uncooked Goya products." Read more...

              More about Donald Trump, Constitution, Seth Meyers, Late Night With Seth Meyers, and 2020 Election


              via Tingle Tech

              Become a better writer with lifetime access to this online course

              TL;DR: The Writing With Impact course is on sale for £7.69 as of July 31, saving you 95% on list price.


              Prolific writers make writing look easy, but it's really not the case.

              Between finding a unique, zippy opener to decoding a jumble of thoughts and emotions into clean, concise prose, the whole process can be grueling. Yes, even for professional writers. And when it comes to writing persuasively? Forget about it. 

              As a writing tutor at Cambridge University, Clare Lynch knows a thing or two about good writing and has developed an online course dedicated to making you a better writer. The Writing With Impact course features 5.5 hours of on-demand videos and 30 articles, and will teach you the nuts and bolts of persuasive writing.  Read more...

              More about Writing, Mashable Shopping, Online Courses, Shopping Uk, and Uk Deals


              via Tingle Tech

              Master digital marketing with this stacked set of classes

              TL;DR: The Digital Marketing 22-Course Masterclass is on sale for £11.55 as of July 31, saving you 92% on list price.


              It’s never been easier to start your own business. On the flip side, it’s also never been harder to start your own business. Everyone and their mother is doing it and there are so many different digital ways to reach customers that it can seriously make your head spin. 

              Fortunately, you can learn how to master the digital marketing world with the Digital Marketing 22-Course Masterclass.

              This massive educational bundle contains 22 individual courses that will teach you how to become a digital marketing rock star. You’ll get lifetime access to 298 lectures and some 28 hours of content covering everything from social media and content marketing to email marketing and paid marketing. Whether you’re looking to grow your own business, land a marketing job, or help a client increase their business, this masterclass will get you where you need to go and take your skills to the next level.  Read more...

              More about Digital Marketing, Online Classes, Mashable Shopping, Shopping Uk, and Uk Deals


              via Tingle Tech

              Twitter reveals exactly how bitcoin scammers hacked Elon Musk's, Kim Kardashian's accounts

              Twitter just released an update on the massive hack that prompted the Great Blue Tick Silence of 2020, letting us know exactly how many accounts were actually impacted.

              On July 15, hackers posted tweets from several prominent, verified Twitter users' accounts, falsely claiming that any bitcoin sent to a certain address would be paid back in double. The scam netted the hackers 400 payments with a total value of $121,000 — a tidy sum for a handful of tweets. 

              Now, Twitter has revealed what it's learned about how this hack took place, stating that it "relied on a significant and concerted attempt to mislead certain employees and exploit human vulnerabilities to gain access to [Twitter's] internal systems." Read more...

              More about Twitter, Bitcoin, Hack, Tech, and Big Tech Companies


              via Tingle Tech

              Facebook boasts that ad boycott won't make a dent

              Boycott, schmoycott.

              Despite over 1,000 major advertisers participating in a July advertising boycott over the way Facebook handles hateful content, the company said in its Q2 2020 earnings report that its advertising business is doing fine and dandy. 

              Last quarter, Facebook made $18.3 billion in advertising revenue, which blew past investor expectations. While the company didn't give numbers for July (when the boycott began), it said its ad revenue growth rate for the first three weeks of July tracked with the rest of its 2020 year-over-year ad revenue growth rate of 10%. Meaning, despite companies from Ben & Jerry's to Unilever pulling their advertising dollars, things are basically the same for Facebook's bottom line, and Facebook expects it to stay that way. Read more...

              More about Facebook, Advertising, Tech, Social Media Companies, and Mark Zuckerberg


              via Tingle Tech

              The reception to Bronco 2021 — Ford’s flagship series of 4×4 vehicles that were revealed earlier this month — surpassed expectations of the company’s most optimistic initial projections, CEO Jim Hackett said in an earnings call Thursday. 

              More than 150,000 customers have plunked down $100 to reserve a spot to order one of the vehicles, according to Ford. 

              “We think this family of vehicles has big upside potential in the growing off-road category and this is a category with a leading OEM has not been seriously challenged until now,” Hackett said.

              These are, of course, mere reservations, not actual orders. The deposits are refundable. Now, Ford is focused on the due diligence required to determine how many of these reservations will be converted to orders as it lay outs its manufacturing strategy for the brand.

              The Ford Bronco 2 and Bronco 4 will be built at Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan. The Bronco Sport will be assembled at plant in Mexico. The company is now determining how many shifts to staff at each factory in order to match actual orders.

              “There’s still a lot of work to do,” Ford COO Jim Farley said in a call with analysts Thursday. “But the mix is great.”

              The Bronco is a brand that leans heavily on nostalgia, customization, functional design and technology, such as the automaker’s next-generation infotainment system and a digital trail mapping feature that lets owners plan, record and share their experiences via an app.

              While the response to the Bronco has been palatable, there are a number of competitors also aiming to win over customers. GM released a video this week teasing its all-electric GMC Hummer. While the video was a promotional mashup of buzzwords, it also showed that GM had clearly identified Ford Bronco and Tesla Cybertruck as its main competitors. Then there’s electric upstart Rivian, which plans to start production of its EV pickup and SUV in 2021.




              via Tingle Tech

              Autonomous vehicle technology startup Argo AI is valued at $7.5 billion, just a little more than three years after the company burst on the scene with a $1 billion investment from Ford.

              The official valuation was confirmed Thursday nearly two months after VW Group finalized its $2.6 billion investment in Argo AI. Under that deal, Ford and VW have equal ownership stakes, which will be roughly 40% each over time. The remaining equity sits with Argo’s co-founders as well as employees. Argo’s board is comprised of two VW seats, two Ford seats and three Argo seats.

              Ford’s announcement in February 2017 that it was investing in Argo AI surprised many. The startup was barely six months old when it was thrust into the spotlight. Its founders, Bryan Salesky and Peter Rander, were known in the tight knit and often overlapping autonomous vehicle industry; prior to forming Argo, Salesky was director of hardware development at the Google self-driving project (now Waymo) and Rander was the engineering lead at Uber Advanced Technologies Group. But even those insiders who knew Salesky and Rander wondered what to make of the deal.

              Since then, Argo has focused on developing the virtual driver system — all of the sensors,  software and compute platform — as well as high-definition maps designed for Ford’s self-driving vehicles.

              That mission now extends to VW Group as well. Ford and VW will share the cost of developing Argo AI’s self-driving vehicle technology under the terms of the deal. The Pittsburgh-based company also has offices in Detroit, Palo Alto and Cranbury, N.J. It has fleets of autonomous vehicles mapping and testing on public roads in Austin, Miami, Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C.

              The investment by VW expands its workforce and operations to Europe. Autonomous Intelligent Driving (AID), the self-driving subsidiary that was launched in 2017 to develop autonomous vehicle technology for the VW Group, is being absorbed into Argo AI. AID’s Munich offices will become Argo’s European headquarters. In all, Argo now employs more than 1,000 people.

              While the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles will be a long journey — a remark shared Thursday by Ford CEO Jim Hackett — the Argo investment has already provided the automaker with a short-term and timely gain.

              The automaker said Thursday it netted $3.5 billion in the second quarter from selling some of its Argo equity to Volkswagen. That gain gave the automaker a one-time boost in its second-quarter earnings.

              Ford posted a $1.1 billion profit in the second quarter, if the Argo transaction is counted. Ford lost $1.9 billion in the quarter before interest and taxes and one-time items. Ford reported a revenue of $19.4 billion, a 50% decrease from the same period in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic which caused the company to idle its factories for weeks.

              Still, the result could have been far worse. Ford had previously warned that it could post as much as a $5 billion net loss in the second quarter.

              Despite these COVID-19 headwinds, Hackett said Ford is still committed to the long-term pursuit of AVs, a point reiterated by CFO Tim Stone, who said the automaker continues to make investments to commercialize its autonomous vehicle business, including product development, engineering and testing.

              “The AV journey will be a long one, but Ford is now well positioned to run this race and compete like few others can,” Hackett added.




              via Tingle Tech

              The pandemic has been very good business for Apple

              Apple has pandemic work-from-home orders and stimulus checks to thank for setting new all-time sales records across a number of its product categories.

              Starting with the iPhone, which saw a decrease in sales last quarter, Apple revealed revenue for that product category grew by two percent during the third quarter.

              "In April, we expected year-over-year performance to worsen, but we saw better than expected demand in May and June," said CEO Tim Cook during the company's earnings call. "We attribute this increase in demand to several interactive causes, including a strong iPhone SE launch, continued economic stimulus, and potentially some benefit from shelter-in-place restrictions lifting around the world," he explained. Read more...

              More about Apple, Iphone Se, Tech, and Consumer Tech


              via Tingle Tech

              Contact Form

              Name

              Email *

              Message *

              Powered by Blogger.