Android, unlike some phone operating systems, allows users to install software from outside the default app store (even if you don't live in Europe). And that's good, because there's all kinds of great software that you can't get on Google Play.The game Fortnite is a prominent examplethat game's developer, Epic, doesn't want to pay Google a cut of sales and as such isn't available on Android's main app store. Other apps aren't available because of Google's interestsfor example, there's an ad-free, privacy respecting YouTube client that you can't find on Google Play.If you've never installed Android software without using Google Play, however, you might not know where to start. The good news is that sideloading is not hard.Sideloading comes with security concernsBefore you go too wild, though, know that there are security implicationsyou should be careful about sideloading Android apps. While it's not always perfect, Google Play has a system to keep malware out of their app store. Installing apps from outside that ecosystem means that you, yourself, need to do that vetting. Only sideload applications if you trust where they're coming from. F-Droid, which I'm highlighting in this article, is maintained by a community of open source developers and I'm inclined to trust it. Don't install APK files unless you've done your due diligence and have a good reason to trust the source.Getting started with sideloadingFirst, you'll need to download the APK file for the app you want to install. I'm going to use F-Droid, an alternative app store that only carries free and open source applications, to demonstrate how this works. I downloaded the APK file from the website, then I tried to open it. I was told that I was not permitted to install unknown apps from my download managerin your case the warning may name Chrome, or whatever browser you use. In any case you can tap Settings to adjust the setting to allow installing apps.Once you've enabled the setting, you can now go back to your browser and reopen the file. You will be asked if you want to install the apptap Install. You'll see the installer for a few moments, after which the application will be installed. Credit: Justin Pot Note that you'll have to repeat these steps for any other sources of software. For example, if you try to install an APK using your phone's file browser, you'll need to enable the file browser as a source for software. The same goes for F-Droid and any other alternative app storeyou need to give the application permission to install apps. The exact steps are going to vary depending on your specific model of phone and operating systemthat's the norm for Android. And in some cases your phone might be locked down to prevent such software from being installeda lot of company-issued phones, for example, are locked down by IT departments. All that aside, though, you should now be able to install APK files. Enjoy the freedom!

Fartleks are a well-known and popular running workoutor at least theyre something runners talk about all the time. But how many of us have gone out and said Im doing a fartlek today and actually followed through with it? The original idea is that the workout is unstructured (the name means speed play) so its hard to plan one. Heres what you need to know about fartleks, and some guidelines to setting yourself up for a fun and productive one.What counts as a fartlek run?Fartlek comes from a Swedish term meaning speed play, and its usually described as something you just go out and do for funsies. You choose a landmarksay, a mailbox up aheadand decide to run faster until you get to it. Then you slow down again.Most runners and coaches would agree on that description, but when you try to nail down a definition of the fartlek run, things start to fall apart. If you run fast for one minute and slow for four, is that a fartlek, or just a time-based interval? Can you run fartleks at a specific pace, or just off vibes? I even saw one post on Reddit that claimed its not a real farlek if you know how long youll be running each segmentyou need a coach to blow a whistle when you least expect it.Still, these are some commonalities among the descriptions Ive read, and we can use them to guide us:A fartlek run includes short segments of faster and slower running.The slower running is still running, usually around your easy pace. So this isnt a sprint-and-walk situation, more like jog-and-surge. (If you need to walk those recoveries, keep your pace strong and powerful.)Precise paces and times are not required.The faster segments should be short, and the easy segments should be longer.Your cues to speed up and slow down may come from your environment, your training partners, your whims, or a loose plan you had when you set out.A fartlek run should feel harder than an easy run.Why run a fartlek?The benefits of fartlek runs will depend on how you do them. Some fartleks are basically a threshold run, some end up being long runs with some marathon-pace work in the middle, and some are just standard speedwork with a different name. These will all have different benefits. If a coach or written program tells you to do a fartlek run, make sure to get clarification on what thats supposed to mean.Here are some of the reasons commonly given for including fartlek runs in a program:If the runner chooses their own intervals, it can be fun and playful, sort of a mental break from structured training.Since there are no strict pace targets, it can serve as a transition between easy running and introducing more structured speedwork (for example, as you finish your off-season and start training for a race).The variety in the run can make it a little less boring than a standard threshold or long run.You cant compare your times or paces to what youve done previously, since every fartlek is different. This can help if you get anxious about whether youre improving enough.Examples of fartlek runs you can try todaySo we have some guidelines, and we know when and why we might try a fartlek run. With that, you can pretty much put together your own versionbut Id like to give a few examples to start you off. There are no wrong answers, so feel free to add your own!For any of these, plan to start and end your run with at least five to 10 minutes of easy jogging (or however you like to warm up and cool down).The music fartlekYoull need a good playlist for this one. (Fortunately, we have a guide from our resident spinning instructor on how to craft a great one.) When the song is slow, jog easy. When the chorus picks up the energy a bit, you can too. And if it hits a big, emotional bridgeyou know what to do.You can also do this same idea song by song. Alternate chill songs with higher energy ones, and match that energy to your running speed. Remember, its a fartlek, so you can always skip or repeat a song as you see fit.The hill fartlekDo you have a route with some little hills or challenging parts here and there? Jog easy, but when you hit one of those special spots, put on a little extra speed and surge up that hill. Or, if the hills are too steep for that to be realistic, choose flat straightaways or downhills where you can really open it up and get your legs moving.The lightpole fartlekThis one is good for some distance-based guidelines if you run in a place with lightpoles, mailboxes, or some similar repetitive structure. Starting at one pole, run fast until you hit the next one, then jog easy until you pass two or three more.Haul ass triggersI love this idea, which came from an old Reddit comment. The redditor says: I learned about fartlek runs in the US Army, and still to this day I have certain spots in my routes that I consider haul ass segments. I also have a rule that if certain songs come up in my play list when set to shuffle, that's sprint mode or skip the song.This is like a speedwork version of the run until challenge. The haul ass segments could be a favorite hill or straightaway, as we discussed above, but you could come up with more creative options as well. Here are a few: If you pass a picnic with a boom box blasting, run faster for as long as its in earshot. If you see a cute dog or a cool-looking bird, run faster for 30 seconds. And of course, every park runners favorite, pass that person in front of me. They dont have to know you think its a race.The partner fartlekThis one is like the pick a mailbox type of fartlek, but the catch is that you and your running buddy get to take turns. This can be playful, vicious, or anything in between, depending on how you and your buddy get along. (He made me run a real long one? OK, Ill make him sprint up this hill!)Time-based fartleksSome will say these arent true fartleks, but sorryplenty of people run time-based intervals with loose pace targets and call them fartleks. Here are a few Ive seen:1 minute fast/4 minutes easyPyramid up and down: 1 minute fast, 1 minute easy, then 2 of each, 3 of each, then 2, then 1. Jog easy for a bit before starting the next pyramid.Descending only: 5 minutes fast, 5 easy, then 4, 3, 2, and 1.The treadmill fartlekIm now realizing that some of my ways to make the treadmill less boring are, in fact, fartleks. My favorite is the simple rule to change something every quarter-mile. That could mean an increase in speed, or a decrease in speed. A little bump to the incline. Maybe I just try to get this last quarter-mile over with as fast as possible.Again, make up your own rules. You could do time-based intervals as above, or choose triggers like sprinting for 30 seconds whenever a number 7 comes up on any of the readouts in front of you.

The Amazon Appstore will no longer be available on Android as of August 20, 2025. After that date, apps from the digital storefront "are not guaranteed to operate" on Android hardware; however, they can continue to be used on devices like the Fire TV and Fire Tablets. The Coins program, Amazon's virtual currency for some Appstore app and in-app purchases, will also end on that same date. Coins will no longer be available for purchase beginning today. The Appstore was Amazon's effort to get in on the app distribution game for Android. Third-party app stores have been a hot topic for the business world in recent years, with the owners of walled gardens insisting that everything is fair while the companies trying to get a share of the action for themselves insist that it's not. There have been mixed moves to address the question in the US government, while regions such as the EU have taken more decisive steps to increase competition. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/amazon-is-shutting-down-its-third-party-android-app-store-192047953.html?src=rss

After announcing its plan to end third-party fact-checking in January 2025, Meta's crowdsourced replacement is finally starting to take shape. You can now join a waitlist to be a Community Notes contributor on Facebook, Instagram and Threads when the feature rolls out in the coming months.Contributors are expect to provide context via a note when a post on one of Meta's platforms "might be inaccurate or confusing," according to the company's sign-up page. Community Notes will be able to be added to "most public content across Facebook, Instagram and Threads" and must be 500 characters or fewer. Any note is also subject to Meta's Community Standards and the judgment of other contributors. Meta expects contributors to rate notes so that the correct context gets displayed under posts.To sign-up, you need to be based in the US, be over the age of 18, have a Meta account that's more than six months old and in good standing and have either a verified phone number or two-factor authentication. Meta says contributors will start to be taken off the waitlist once the Community Notes beta launches. The company hasn't given a hard date for the launch, but does mention that Community Notes will be phased in "over the next few months."Meta started testing Community Notes on Threads a little over a month ago. The feature, in name and basic functionality, is inspired by X's Community Notes, which originally launched in 2022 when the company was still known as Twitter. Community Notes and other crowdsourced pseudo-fact checks have been tested on Google platforms like YouTube and Search as well, and they all have the same general weakness. A crowdsourced answer doesn't come with the same guarantee of accuracy as one provided by someone whose sole job it is to be an impartial fact-checker.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/you-can-now-sign-up-to-be-a-contributor-to-metas-community-notes-feature-190814234.html?src=rss

A database of medical details has been discovered online.

Following the shutdown of 3G networks across Australia, telco complaints have increased significantly, according to TIO

The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.From a young age, feedback from authority figures shape our self-perception. Unfortunately, too many young people internalize the message that they should only pursue what comes easily to them. I know this firsthand. As a student, I was interested in STEM but found it challenging. After an educator told me to focus on what I was good at, I believed I could never succeed in science or technologyand I gave up.What happened to me isnt unique. Too often, young people arent given the opportunity to fail safely, leading them to impose limits on their own potential. The consequences extend beyond the individualindustries suffer, too. Research shows that professionals with high confidence earn $8,000 more each year than their less self-confident peers, and 93% cite confidence as key to career success. Without a cultural shift that embraces safe failurethe opportunity to fail, learn, and try againinnovation will stagnate, and talent pipelines will weaken.As the leader of FIRST, a global robotics community dedicated to igniting young peoples passion for STEM, Ive seen firsthand the impact that building confidence in kids as young as preschool age can have on students educational affinity and interpersonal skill development. The same principles we apply to students ages 4-18 are relevant for young adults entering the workforce. A thriving business environment depends on uplifting young talent and empowering them to navigate challenges.Celebrate failure, dont fear itFIRST founder and prolific inventor Dean Kamen, who holds more than 1,000 patents, believes that yesa project may failbut never a person. He says, A step backward is a failure, but what if, for every step backward, you take two steps ahead? Learning from failure is a critical step in progresssomething over 3.2 million FIRST participants and alumni understand well.Business leaders must foster environments where failure is not only accepted, but expected. Controlled, low-risk failures offer young workers invaluable learning experiences that allow them to iterate and improve. Teams should see failure not as a sign of incapability but as a tool for growth. If we expect young professionals to push through challenges, we must provide them with the safety net to do so.Use mentorship to model resiliency and offer guidanceMentorship is a powerful way to help young professionals build resilience. Whether they are learning a new skill or questioning whether they have what it takes to go pro in STEM, it is not at all uncommon at FIRST to see young people stepping outside of their comfort zones, seeking guidance, and needing reassurance. Our role as leaders is not just to teach but to help young people find their places of belonging, and mentorship is a key piece of that puzzle. Strong mentorswho have faced setbacks and perseveredoffer support, model confidence, and help young people navigate obstacles.Mentorship doesnt just benefit mentees; it strengthens the mentors leadership skills. Corporate leaders Ive spoken with who invest in mentorship often report improved communication, problem-solving, and long-term employee commitment. Business leaders should consider structured mentorship programs, to cultivate a culture of support and professional development for their employees.Focus on flexibilityand growth mindsetsCareer paths are rarely linear. Many young professionals pivot as they discover their passions and adapt to changing industries. Organizations that encourage continuous learning and skill developmentnot just technical expertise but also communication, teamwork, and adaptabilitywill retain talent and drive innovation.Looking back on my past experiences, I wish I had understood that I had a choice: I could either accept my teachers discouragement or cast her words aside and believe in my limitless potential. As business leaders, we must create spaces where young professionals are empowered to take risks, learn, and grow. Innovation requires risk taking and trial and error. And for innovation to flourish, we must give young professionals permission to jump, with the knowledge that they have a safety net beneath them.If we reframe failure as an opportunity, provide mentorship, and encourage resilience, we can ensure young professionalsand the businesses they powerreach their full potential.Chris Moore is CEO of FIRST.

The chief executive of streaming giant Netflix on Thursday announced a $1 billion investment to produce some 20 films and TV series in Mexico annually over the next four years.Speaking at President Claudia Sheinbaums morning press conference in Mexico City, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said he looked forward to entering more partnerships with producers in the Latin American nation.Sheinbaum said the investments in the film industry should produce many jobs beyond immediate production needs, such as hospitality for actors and crew members, fashion designers and also spur tourism.Its an industry that gives a lot of mileage to the economy, Sheinbaum said. Its not only important for Mexico to be seen in the world, but also because of the economic development and jobs generated by a production.Netflix has invested in Mexican productions such as Club de Cuervos, a comedy-drama about the politics of a local soccer club, 2018s Roma, the first Mexican entry to win the Oscar for best non-English language film, and last years Pedro Paramo.Pedro Paramo, an adaptation of Juan Rulfos classic 1955 novel, required the support of hundreds of artists and musicians and the production of some 5,000 traditional textile items, Sarandos said, adding that the books sales later tripled.Netflix has already agreed to collaborate with Mexico Citys Estudios Churubusco, one of Latin Americas longest-running film studios, Sarandos said.He added that Netflix plans to fund programs to help talent behind the camera break into the industry, and that Mexicos geographical variety makes it a good location for filming.Last year, Netflix bought the rights to Oscar-nominated Emilia Perez, a French-made musical about a trans Mexican drug lord, which garnered much criticism in Mexico over cultural stereotypes, poor Spanish, lack of Mexican actors and a light treatment of the issue of forced disappearances and spawned a Mexican-made parody in retaliation.Emilia Perez began screening in Mexican cinemas nearly half a year after its European release date, and Mexicos consumer watchdog had to order a top cinema chain to clarify its guarantee refund policy after many spectators walked out of the movie.($1 = 20.3374 Mexican pesos)Sarah Morland and Aida Pelaez-Fernandez, Reuters

My workstation runs on a single heartbeat, and no its not my laptop. Its actually the device that anchors my laptop, my phone, my SSD, my Nintendo Switch, my keyboard, mouse, monitors, and occasionally even my camera together. Its the multiport USB-C hub that basically acts as the arc reactor, powering Tony Starks entire suit and all its features. Except, in this case, it isnt a suit, its a well-oiled workstation thats lean and clean. No cable spaghetti, no constant plugging and unpluggingjust a streamlined command center where everything works in perfect sync. If youre chasing that same effortless efficiency, this might be the missing link in your setup.The CASA Hub Pro S is built for those who refuse to compromise on connectivity. Its a USB-C hub, but calling it just that would undersell its capabilities. With an aluminum alloy body that feels as premium as it looks, it houses an array of ports that turn your laptop into a full-fledged workstation. Whether youre dealing with external monitors, wired internet, or high-speed data transfers, this hub handles it all with finesse. The design is compact enough to sit discreetly on your desk, yet powerful enough to act as the backbone of a productivity-driven environment.Designer: ADAM elementsClick Here to Buy Now: $81.75 $109 (25% off, use coupon code 25YANKOHPROS). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!Connectivity is literally any multiports make-or-break, but with its 12-in-1 design, the CASA Hub Pro S covers practically all workstation needs. Theres an HDMI port that supports 4K at 60Hz (and up to 3 displays), giving you smooth, high-resolution output without lag. If youre working with an external display, this means crisp visuals whether youre editing videos, designing in Photoshop, or simply extending your screen real estate. The Ethernet port ensures a rock-solid wired connection at 1000Mbps, perfect for those who demand stability over the unpredictability of Wi-Fi. Add to that multiple USB-A ports, a USB-C PD (Power Delivery) port, and an SD card reader, and youve got a hub that covers all bases.What sets the CASA Hub Pro S apart is also its ability to handle multiple high-power connections simultaneously. Some hubs arent made to handle high power-delivery tasksthis one is. The USB-C PD port delivers up to 100W of power, which means your laptop stays charged even when every other port is in use. This is crucial for anyone running a power-hungry setup. The USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports allow data transfers up to 5Gbps, so moving large files from an external SSD wont leave you waiting. Meanwhile, the SD and microSD slots support UHS-I speeds, making it a solid choice for photographers and videographers who need quick access to their media.If youre tired of juggling dongles and adapters, this hub consolidates everything into a single, elegant solution. It stands vertically thanks to a dock, but detaches and can be used independently for spatial flexibility. The aluminum build dissipates heat efficiently, preventing the overheating issues common with lower-end hubs. Its also plug-and-playno drivers, no setup hassles. Just connect it to your laptop, and everything falls into place. It visually and functionally matches setups running M2, M3, or even M4 chips, with its matte aluminum finish and its ability to crush any task you throw at it. The compact form factor means its portable enough to slip into a bag too, making it just as useful on the go as it is at your desk.When a device integrates so seamlessly into a setup, it stops feeling like an accessory and starts feeling like an essential. The CASA Hub Pro S does exactly thatit eliminates limitations, expands possibilities, and ensures every component of your workstation works together effortlessly. Whether youre a designer, developer, gamer, content creator, or someone who just values an efficient workflow, this hub is the piece that ties everything together.Click Here to Buy Now: $81.75 $109 (25% off, use coupon code 25YANKOHPROS). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!The post The Ultimate USB-C Hub: 12 Ports, 4K HDMI, 100W PD, and Gigabit Ethernet in One Compact Device first appeared on Yanko Design.

Yoto Mini is a tiny, pocketable music player for kids and toddlers that shuns screens. While staying kid-friendly, it adds a surprising amount of tech for endless entertainment.Yoto Mini review: The Yoto Mini goes with us everywhereAs music lovers, we want our children to experience it as we did. But options are a bit limited.You can go with a smart speaker, but that isn't easily controllable for little ones. You can go vintage with a cassette or CD player to stay more low-tech, but they're breakable and also not kid-friendly. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums