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9TO5MAC.COMSignal is making it easier for users to join group calls with custom linksThe popular encrypted messaging platform Signal announced on Monday some new features coming to its users. With the update, its now easier to join group calls using custom links, so read on as we detail whats new in Signal.Signal brings new features for group callsAs announced in a blog post, Signals latest update adds a new way for users to join a group call. Previously, users had to create a group chat before starting a group call. Now with the update, users can simply create a link to invite others to join the call.To create a link, simply open the Signal app and look for the links tab. Then tap the button to create a new link. Users can choose a custom name for the link and even require approval before someone joins the call. You can also remove people from calls and optionally block them from the call so they cant join again.Another cool option is the ability to reuse the same link for future calls, which is useful for weekly meetings, for example. Signal supports group calls with up to 50 people.In addition to these improvements, the update adds some other new features. For example, there is now a raise button during calls so that everyone can see who wants to talk next. Users can also now react with emojis during a call. Moreover, the call controls have been updated to make it easier to turn the camera or microphone on and off.The new features are now being rolled out to Signal users on desktop, iOS, and Android. When it comes to iPhone and iPad, the app is available for free on the App Store. Make sure you have the latest version installed on your device in order to get access to the new features.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel0 Comments 0 Shares 43 Views
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9TO5MAC.COMiOS 18.2 fixes one of the most annoying aspects of the new Photos appApple introduced a brand new interface to its Photos app with iOS 18, which for years had looked pretty much the same. Unsurprisingly, while some users liked the update, others are still reluctant to approve the new app. But there was one very annoying aspect of the new Photos app that Apple is finally fixing with iOS 18.2.Apple changes the video player in the iOS 18 Photos appWith the third beta of iOS 18.2, which was released to developers on Monday, Apple has made a small but important change to the Photos apps video player. In previous versions of iOS 18, videos are displayed with white borders around them and users have to tap the screen to watch them in full screen. Now videos are always played in full screen, just like in older versions of iOS.The new video scroll bar and playback controls are still there, but the white space around the videos is gone. Now tapping on the screen simply hides and shows the interface buttons as it used to before iOS 18.Personally, I was never a fan of the new video interface in the iOS 18 Photos app, so Im glad to see Apple changing it. Given that the company is reverting to the old design, it seems that more people were unhappy with this aspect of the Photos app.Since the very first beta of iOS 18.0 in June, Apple has made a lot of changes to the Photos app based on feedback from users and developers. The app is now entirely customizable and its internal navigation has been completely changed, which has caused some users to dislike the interface as they consider it too confusing.Photos app in iOS 18.1 (left) and iOS 18.2 (right)During the development of iOS 18, some other more radical changes were also reversed such as the carousel with highlights that was scrapped in iOS 18.0 beta 5. At the end of the day, this whole story reminds me of when Apple tried unsuccessfully to introduce a major redesign to Safari and ended up bringing back the classic interface after many complaints.Its worth noting that iOS 18.2 will be released to the public in December.What are your thoughts on the new Photos app in iOS 18? Let us know in the comments section below.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel0 Comments 0 Shares 45 Views
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FUTURISM.COMDonald Trump Put Elon Musk on the Phone With Ukraine's Volodymyr ZelenskyyApparently you can buy anything, if you're rich enough.Dialing InDuring his call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just one day after the election, president-elect Donald Trump decided to include his number one campaigner: Elon Musk.First reported byAxios, this three-way call was apparently less tense than one might expect.According to insiders Axios spoke to, Zelenskyy was reassured by what he heard from the billionaire pair amid speculation about how a second Trump presidency will affect the United States' relations with Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing invasion.One of those sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity so they could discuss the matter freely, said that it "didn't leave Zelenskyy with a feeling of despair."In particular, the Ukrainian president was heartened that the call happened so soon after the election, one ofAxios' anonymous sources claims. Notably, the Zelenskyy call occurred days before Trump spoke to Putin and during that exchange, which seems to have happened without Musk, he advised his Russian counterpart not to escalate his years-long incursion in Ukraine.From Russia With LoveDuring the 25-minute call, Musk told the Ukrainian leader that he'd continue supporting Ukraine via Starlink satellite. That reassurance was also likely welcome to Zelenskyy following reports last month indicating that Russian forces were using Ukraine's Starlink access to their own ends.It's also curious that the South African-born technocrat was put on the call given that just a few weeks ago, the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk had been having secret phone calls with Putin since late 2022 the same year Russia invaded Ukraine.During those chats, Putin purportedly asked Musk not to provide Starlink access to Taiwan at the behest of Chinese President Xi Jinping and given that the disputed country still doesn't have Starlink, it appears that the billionaire acquiesced.It doesn't appear that those clandestine chats were discussed during the relatively brief call between Trump, Musk, and Zelenskyy. Nevertheless, we'd love to hear what the trio did talk about.Share This Article0 Comments 0 Shares 46 Views
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FUTURISM.COMMicroplastics Are Infesting Clouds, Affecting WeatherThey could be making rainstorms fewer and worse, too. Cloudy SkiesMicroplastics may literally be changing the weather.In a press release, Penn State saysthat its environmental researchers have found evidence that microplastics may help in the formation of the ice crystals around which rain droplets form, essentially "seeding" clouds unintentionally.Published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology: Air, this new lab-based study saw Penn State researchers place four different types of microplastics low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in small droplets of water, allowing them to cool slowly to see how they affected the freezing process.The results? The droplets with microplastics in them produced ice crystals between nine and 18 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than those without, demonstrating that rain-producing ice crystals can form at warmer temperatures with these inorganic particulates than without them.Translation: with microplastics changing the way rain forms, they may well be changing weather patterns too.Heavy RainMicroplastics keep being detected everywhere scientists look, from the penises of living humans to buried archeological treasure. This new study may aid how we understand these harmful particulates, and how they seem to be so ubiquitous."Throughout the past two decades of research into microplastics, scientists have been finding that they're everywhere, so this is another piece of that puzzle," said Penn State chemistry professor Miriam Freedman, the senior author of the new paper.As Freedman explains, atmospheric microplastics could both make it rain less and also make it rain heavier."In a polluted environment with many more aerosol particles, like microplastics, you are distributing the available water among many more aerosol particles, forming smaller droplets around each of those particles," the professor explained. "When you have more droplets, you get less rain, but because droplets only rain once they get large enough, you collect more total water in the cloud before the droplets are large enough to fall and, as a result, you get heavier rainfall when it comes."Though this isn't the first study to posit that there are microplastics in the clouds, this study offers more evidence than ever that they may be changing the weather for the worse."Its now clear that we need to have a better understanding of how they're interacting with our climate system," Freedman said, "because weve been able to show that the process of cloud formation can be triggered by microplastics."More on microplastics: Microplastics Likely Causing Wave of Cancer in Young PeopleShare This Article0 Comments 0 Shares 53 Views
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THEHACKERNEWS.COMNew GootLoader Campaign Targets Users Searching for Bengal Cat Laws in AustraliaNov 11, 2024Ravie LakshmananMalware / SEO PoisoningIn an unusually specific campaign, users searching about the legality of Bengal Cats in Australia are being targeted with the GootLoader malware."In this case, we found the GootLoader actors using search results for information about a particular cat and a particular geography being used to deliver the payload: 'Are Bengal Cats legal in Australia?,'" Sophos researchers Trang Tang, Hikaru Koike, Asha Castle, and Sean Gallagher said in a report published last week.GootLoader, as the name implies, is a malware loader that's typically distributed using search engine optimization (SEO) poisoning tactics for initial access.Specifically, the malware is deployed onto victim machines when searching for certain terms like legal documents and agreements on search engines like Google surface booby-trapped links pointing to compromised websites that host a ZIP archive containing a JavaScript payload.Once installed, it makes way for a second-stage malware, often an information stealer and remote access trojan dubbed GootKit, although it has also been observed delivering other families such as Cobalt Strike, IcedID, Kronos, REvil, and SystemBC in the past for post-exploitation.The latest attack chain is no different in that searches for "Do you need a license to own a Bengal cat in Australia" surface results that include a link to a legitimate-but-infected website belonging to a Belgium-based LED display maker, from where victims are prompted to download a ZIP archive.Present within the ZIP archive is a JavaScript file that's then responsible for kicking off a multi-stage attack chain that culminates in the execution of a PowerShell script capable of harvesting system information and fetching additional payloads. It's worth noting that an identical campaign was documented by Cybereason earlier this July.Sophos said it did not observe the deployment of GootKit in the case the company analyzed, thereby preventing the download of additional malware."GootLoader is one of a number of continuing malware-delivery-as-a-service operations that heavily leverage search results as a means to reach victims," the researchers said. "The use of search engine optimization, and abuse of search engine advertising to lure targets to download malware loaders and dropper, are not newGootLoader has been doing this since at least 2020."Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE0 Comments 0 Shares 47 Views
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SCREENCRUSH.COMFirst Gladiator IIReviews Call It Entertaining But FamiliarSome 25 years in the making, Ridley ScottsGladiator II finally arrives in theaters later this month. (For context: When the first film debuted in theaters in the summer of 2000 Chappell Roan was ... two years old.)The film is still about a week and a half from release, but the first reviews are in: Thecritics whove seen the film so fararemixed. Most say the film is entertaining, if a bit familiar. (A fair number compare it to a remake, even though it is technically a sequel, featuring Paul Mescal as the adult version of a character from the original film.) The person drawing the most praise so far is Denzel Washington, whos getting very solid notices for his performance as a former slave with grand designs for Mescals character.The reviews also praiseScotts action and spectacle across the board, although some do say the whole affair feels a bit too close to the original movie in terms of structure. One critic said watching the movie is akin todj vu.Gladiator IIParamount Picturesloading...READ MORE: The Best Movies of the Year So FarHeres a sampling of theGladiator IIreviews so far.Caryn James, BBC.com:By far the best popcorn film of the year.Siddhant Adlakha, Inverse:It's a darker, more vicious film for a darker, more vicious time, a relevancy that has only grown in recent days.Tim Grierson, Screen International:UltimatelyGladiator IIis diminished by a nagging recognition that this material felt fresher in the first film.Owen Gleiberman, Variety:David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter:Theres a dj vu quality to much of the new film, a slavishness that goes beyond the caged men forced to fight for their survival, and seeps into the very bones of a drama overly beholden to the original.Gladiator IIParamountloading...Ross Bonaime, Collider:A grand epic that cant escape Maximus shadow.Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly:What elevatesGladiator IIin the cinematic arena is the ways its themes and dialogue underpin its outrageous spectacle.Brian Truitt, USA Today:Yes, we are entertained again by outrageous sequel.Chris Evangelista, /Film:Scott and Scarpa should've jettisoned the first two acts of the film and made the final act the main focus.Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence:We are less entertained.Gladiator IIopens in theaters on November 22.Get our free mobile appFamous Movies Featuring Once-Beloved Products That No Longer ExistThese movies now work as time capsules, capturing a time when these now-defunct products existed.Filed Under: Denzel Washington, Gladiator, Gladiator 2, Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Ridley ScottCategories: Movie News0 Comments 0 Shares 85 Views
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SCREENCRUSH.COMMattel Apologizes For Wicked Dolls With Link to Porn WebsiteMattel has had to apologize for a major error on the packaging for their line of dolls from the upcoming movie version ofWicked, after concernedcustomers discoveredthat a website listed on them directed people not to asite for the film but to a similarly titled porn page.Oops.This could prove to be a costly error. TheWickedfilm looks to be one of the biggest movies of the fall and the line of toys could be a hot item this holiday season after kids see the film, which is about the relationship between Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande) and the Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo) in the years prior to the events ofThe Wizard of Oz.There have been reports online that the items are already being pulled from store shelves. The products were widely available on Target and Amazons website as of a few days ago, but all appear to be taken down as of this writing.Anecdotally, my daughter received one of theWicked dolls for her birthday last week and after news broke, I checked the discarded packaging to see what it said. Sure enough the website listed there takes you not to an official site for the film but to a porn site of a very similar name. (I had to investigate for journalism purposes, you see.)WICKEDUniversalloading...READ MORE: We Tried Starbucks TwoWicked DrinksHere was Mattels statement on the issue...Mattel was made aware of a misprint on the packaging of the Mattel Wicked collection dolls, primarily sold in the U.S., which intended to direct consumers to the officialWickedMovie.comlanding page. We deeply regret this unfortunate error and are taking immediate action to remedy this. Parents are advised that the misprinted, incorrect website is not appropriate for children. Consumers who already have the product are advised to discard the product packaging or obscure the link and may contact Mattel Customer Service for further information.Wickedopens in theaters on November 22. And just for the record, the official website for the movie is WickedMovie.com. Make sure you put movie in there. If you dont, something else might be defying gravity.Get our free mobile appThe Worst Parts of 15 Great MoviesThese movies are terrific. Theyre not perfect, though. Filed Under: Mattel, WickedCategories: Movie News0 Comments 0 Shares 83 Views
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WEWORKREMOTELY.COMSimplyAnalytics: Senior Frontend DeveloperTime zones: EST (UTC -5), CST (UTC -6), MST (UTC -7), PST (UTC -8), AKST (UTC -9), HST (UTC -10), ART (UTC -3), UTC -4, UTC -4:30, UTC -3The CompanySimplyAnalytics is a powerful spatial analytics and data visualization application used by thousands of business, marketing, and social science researchers in the United States and Canada. It comes pre-packaged with 200,000+ data variables and allows our users to create maps, charts, tabular reports, and crosstabs. We are passionate about creating outstanding software, and we believe in test driven development, continuous integration, and code review.As a smaller company, each of our developers has an important role to play - at SimplyAnalytics, you are not just another cog in the wheel, you are an integral member of our team. You will be working on valuable features and making key decisions that impact the direction of the product and our users. In addition, we provide an excellent work-life balance, with 100% remote work, 20 personal days off, flexible work hours, a collaborative work environment, and quarterly professional development days to explore and share your interests with the rest of the team.The RoleWe're looking for a Senior Frontend Developer to take on an important role in the development and maintenance of our cutting edge analytics and data visualization application. You'll be developing and maintaining production-quality in-house tools and customer-facing features within a large shared code base.The ideal candidate has experience working on complex single-page applications, is a self-starter, has a high level of attention to detail, is comfortable asking questions, enjoys working with talented colleagues, and has an interest in analytics and data visualization.This is a 100% remote position. Our employees can live and work anywhere in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Central America, or South America. This is a full-time salaried position. When applying, please include a cover letter.Responsibilities:Design, develop, and test features, both in-house and customer-facingWrite modern high-quality, clean, scalable, and maintainable codeContribute ideas for new features or improvements to existing featuresAssist colleagues through code-review, collaboration, and troubleshootingRequired:8+ years of professional software development experience on large, structured code bases using vanilla JavaScript (this is not a React, Angular, Node.js, or full-stack position)Strong UI development skills (CSS & HTML)Open to learning new technologiesSelf-starter who gets things doneAttention to detailBonus:Experience implementing data tables, charts, graphs, or other data visualizationsExperience working on complex analytics, data visualization, or mapping applicationsD3.js experienceMapLibre GL JS or Mapbox GL JS experienceExperience with geospatial, demographic, business, marketing, or health dataExperience with TypeScriptComfortable using Linux CLI0 Comments 0 Shares 94 Views
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WEWORKREMOTELY.COMHorizon Brands (archive-1730466399): Social Media StrategistAbout Horizon BrandsReady to Build the Next Big Thing? Join Horizon Brands on Our $1 Billion Mission! Fresh off the sale of our 8-figure brand, we're embarking on our boldest challenge yet: building multiple 9-figure brands and redefining the CPG industry. Our goal? To launch game-changing brands that will collectively generate over $100 million in annual sales.Were seeking exceptional, driven individuals to join our powerhouse team. Here, youll collaborate with some of the brightest minds, shape the future of CPGs, and play a pivotal role in disrupting how brands are developed and scaled on Amazon.If youre ready to push boundaries, think beyond limits, and be part of a fast-paced, innovative journey toward a $1 billion valuation, we want to hear from you. Lets create something extraordinarytogether.The RoleWe seek a strategic and experienced Social Media Strategist to oversee and guide our influencers' and brand ambassadors' content creation efforts. In this role, you will develop data-driven strategies, provide creative direction, and use analytics to optimize campaigns for maximum impact and brand growth. This position requires creative and analytical expertise to craft campaigns that capture attention and drive sales.Key Responsibilities:1. Cohort DevelopmentIdentify and define specific consumer cohorts based on brand objectives, audience demographics, and consumer behavior data.Develop strategies tailored to different cohorts, considering their unique preferences and how they interact with various social platforms.Continuously refine cohort definitions using data insights and market research to ensure content remains relevant and engaging.2. Content Strategy and GuidanceDevelop and communicate content strategies to influencers and brand ambassadors, ensuring they understand the nuances of different social media platforms (e.g., TikToks short videos, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts).Provide clear briefs and creative direction, including key messages, desired outcomes, and platform-specific guidelines.Stay updated on social media trends and provide brand ambassadors with fresh and engaging ideas to keep content relevant and compelling.3. Data Analysis and InsightsAnalyze performance metrics of content produced by influencers and ambassadors, using insights to refine strategies and improve outcomes.Implement post-creative strategy (PCS) by reviewing audience feedback and engagement data and sharing insights with content creators to guide future projects.Use analytics to inform decisions about which types of content to amplify and where to allocate resources for maximum impact.4. Amplification and Paid MediaIdentify high-performing content created by influencers and amplify it through strategic ad campaigns.Oversee paid social media strategies, ensuring content is effectively distributed to target audience segments.5. Collaboration and Relationship ManagementBuild and maintain strong relationships with brand ambassadors and influencers, acting as the main point of contact for content-related inquiries and support.Host regular check-ins with content creators to provide feedback, discuss new ideas, and align on upcoming campaigns.Coordinate cross-functional efforts between marketing, creative, and social media teams to ensure cohesive messaging.6. Brand Building and Consumer EngagementDevelop strategies to ensure content created by influencers enhances brand relevance and builds trust with the audience.Monitor cultural trends and audience preferences to guide content direction and maximize engagement.Utilize cohort development to tailor content strategies for specific demographics, ensuring messages resonate with different audience segments.Qualifications:Minimum of 3 years experience in social media strategy, influencer marketing, or related fields.Strong understanding of platform-specific content strategies and how to guide content creators effectively on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.Proficient in using analytics tools (e.g., TikTok Analytics, Instagram Insights, Google Analytics) to evaluate performance and inform strategy.Experience managing relationships with influencers, brand ambassadors, or external content creators.Excellent communication and leadership skills to inspire and guide content creators.Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and stay ahead of social media trends.Willing to work ES time zone.Preferred Skills:Familiarity with brandformance strategies (balancing brand building and performance marketing).Knowledge of interest-based algorithms and how to leverage them through influencer collaborations.Experience in coordinating multi-platform campaigns and optimizing content for maximum impact.Why join Horizon Brands?The opportunity to develop your team of brand ambassadors and influencers.You will be working with several brands in the CPG space.Expert knowledge from highly experienced Amazon Sellers, ranking among the top 1% of FBA Sellers worldwide.Working with us will be a significant learning experience. We are committed to fostering the professional growth of our team members, empowering them to excel in their careers, whether within our company or beyond.Competitive compensation increases as you advance with the company, plus twenty-one days of paid vacation.Stability and long-term opportunity we have over nine years of success, with most of our team members staying for over five years. Your strong performance can lead to great success in this company.0 Comments 0 Shares 95 Views