Verizon is acquiring Frontier for $20 billion, the provider announced one day after reports emerged that the two companies were in talks. The deal will expand Verizon's fiber network across the United States, allowing it to better compete with its rival, AT&T. Frontier will add 2.2 million fiber subscribers in 25 states, extending Verizon's reach to about 10 million customers in 31 states and Washington, DC. Verizon has experienced slowing revenue, and acquiring Frontier could give it the boost it needed in less time than it would take to expand its own network.
"The acquisition of Frontier is a strategic fit," said Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg in a statement. "It will build on Verizon's two decades of leadership at the forefront of fiber and is an opportunity to become more competitive in more markets throughout the United States, enhancing our ability to deliver premium offerings to millions more customers across a combined fiber network."
Frontier has experienced a rocky few years. The company declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020 and pivoted to a "leaner business" but faced concerns about emptying its bank account before finishing ongoing upgrades. Furthermore, the FTC sued Frontier in 2021, claiming it misrepresented its actual speeds. The company had to pay over $8.5 million and remove all false information. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/verizon-will-buy-frontier-for-20-billion-to-expand-its-fiber-network-114532971.html?src=rss
The Apple TV is one of the best streaming devices you can get right now that can add Netflix, Disney+, Max and other streaming apps to your boring old TV. But you may not know that, with a VPN, you can use your Apple TV to access even more content. By downloading one of several VPN apps directly to the Apple TV, you can spoof your IP address, tricking your system into thinking youre in a different country. And because most streaming services license different shows in different territories, flipping the VPN to an international location lets you access a wider array of content. Heres how to use a VPN on your Apple TV and why you might want to install one.
How to use a VPN on Apple TV
Setting up a VPN on your Apple TV is easy; just follow these steps (these may vary slightly between VPNs):
In the Apple TV App Store, search for the VPN you want to download or search for the keyword VPN to see your options.
Download and install your chosen VPN.
Sign up or log in.
We have a comprehensive guide on how to stream video to your TV using a VPN, which covers Apple TV installation and provides alternative methods for connecting a VPN to your Apple TV.
Why you should use a VPN on Apple TV
As previously mentioned, using a VPN on your Apple TV allows you to change your IP address to make it seem like youre browsing from a different country. This happens as the VPN encrypts your connection and tunnels it through the VPNs digital or physical servers located in other countries. So if youre in the US and tunnel to a UK VPN server, youll be able to access the UK Netflix content library and watch shows on UK-only services like BBC iPlayer.
VPNs can also be essential security tools, although their features apply best when youre using them on a smartphone or PC where you do most of your internet browsing. If you purchase a VPN subscription with your Apple TV in mind, we recommend using it on your smartphone and laptop, too. A VPN can help keep you anonymous online and protect your data from malicious parties or advertising networks. If you care about digital privacy and anonymity, its good practice to use a VPN across all devices with internet connectivity.
Choosing the right VPN
Apple TVs only work with a limited number of VPNs. Although that seems like a hindrance, Apple vets the VPNs it allows on its App Store, and you can feel reassured knowing theyre trustworthy options. Every one of the top picks on our best VPNs list is on the Apple TV app store.
We encourage you to do your own research when choosing a service. Although each VPN has the same basic functionalities, their price and extra features vary. Before deciding which one is right for your needs and the devices you have, take some time to look at what each one offers and see what other users have to say.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/vpn/how-to-use-a-vpn-on-your-apple-tv-113345557.html?src=rss
One of the standout e-ink slates around is finally getting upgraded. The reMarkables third-gen tablet is its first with a pro moniker, but its appropriate. The Paper Pro has a bigger display and, crucially, a color screen. Its an e-paper slate with a stylus (or keyboard) for reading, writing or editing your own documents.
Ill never stop being intrigued by e-ink devices, and color is a nice addition. The new Paper Pro has a different look and feel too, less like just another tablet. The edge band is sharper but still comfortable to hold. Its also the first reMarkable with a frontlight addressing another bugbear of reMarkable owners over the last few years. The reMarkable Paper Pro is available to order today from the companys website for $579 with the standard Marker stylus.
Mat Smith
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The GoPro Hero 13s biggest upgrades are on the outside
Interchangeable lenses, a magnetic mount.
Engadget
With the $400 Hero 13 Black, the company is bolstering its position as the go-to action cam with more versatility and features aimed at high-level users whove probably owned a GoPro or two for years. GPS is back, the battery is bigger and there are upgrades to slow-motion capture and more, but the big news might be outside of the camera unit itself. A new family of modular lenses includes ultra-wide, anamorphic (unfortunately not ready for testing) and macro, as well as a ND (neutral density) filter four-pack. However, the camera sensor is largely unchanged.
Continue reading.
Concord players keep jumping off the map
They want those trophy achievements before the game goes offline.
Sony and Firewalk Studios have stopped selling the PS5 and PC game before taking it offline this Friday, two weeks after its launch. And yet, some folks are still striving to unlock Concords Platinum trophy before it goes. The most time-consuming trophy requires players to reach a reputation level of 100. Some Concord players have found a way to speed up matches and farm XP faster: jump to their deaths off the map, over and over again. It seems theyre primarily doing so in Rivalry, a mode in which players only have one life and dont respawn.
Continue reading.
Intels Core Ultra 200V chips aim for AI PC dominance
Lunar Lake is coming on September 24.
The race to build the most compelling AI PC processors continues, and this time, its Intels turn to boast the top TOPs and more. Back in June, we learned these Lunar Lake laptop chips would feature a powerful 48 TOPS (tera operations per second) neural processing unit for AI work, and, surprisingly enough, theyd also sport up to 32GB of built-in memory for faster performance and lower power consumption. If you like numbers associated with RAM, NPU, GPU, TOPS and FLOPS, read on.
Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/the-morning-after-remarkables-new-e-ink-tablet-has-a-color-display-111510657.html?src=rss
Metas Oversight Board has weighed in on the companys content moderation policies in Venezuela amid violent crackdowns and widespread protests following the countrys disputed presidential election. In its decision, the board said that Facebook users posting about the state-supported armed groups known as colectivos should have more leeway in making statements like kill those damn colectivos.
The company asked the Oversight Board for guidance on the issue last month, noting that its moderators had seen an influx of anti-colectivos content in the wake of the election. Meta specifically asked for the boards input on two posts: an Instagram post with the words Go to hell! I hope they kill you all! that Meta says was directed at the colectivos, and a Facebook post criticizing Venezuelas security forces that said kill those damn colectivos.
The Oversight Board said that neither post violated Metas rules around calls for violence and that both should be interpreted as aspirational statements from citizens of a country where state-supported violence has threatened free expression. The targets of aspirational violence are state-backed forces that have contributed to the longstanding repression of civic space and other human rights violations in Venezuela, including in the present post-election crisis, the board wrote in its decision. By contrast, the civilian population has largely been the target of human rights abuses.
The Oversight Board also criticized Metas practice of making political content less visible across its services. The Board is also deeply concerned that in the context of Venezuela, the companys policy to reduce the distribution of political content could undermine the ability of users expressing political dissent and raising awareness about the situation in Venezuela to reach the widest possible audience. It recommended that Meta adapt its policies to ensure that political content, especially around elections and post-electoral protests, is eligible for the same reach as non-political content during times of crisis.
The case isnt the first time the board has waded into the debate surrounding the role of political content on Metas apps. Earlier this year, the board accepted its first case related to a post on Threads, which is also expected to weigh in on Metas controversial decision to limit recommendations of political posts on the service. The board has yet to publish its decision in the case.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/metas-oversight-board-separates-death-threats-and-aspirational-statements-in-venezuela-100050434.html?src=rss
Bang & Olufsen just unveiled Beoplay H100, its flagship headphones. As expected, the product promises superior sound quality and noise-cancellation technology, with 40mm custom-made titanium drivers and a novel EarSense feature that tailors sound to the wearer's unique fit in real time. But what stands out most for this trend analyst, at least is how the headphones have been designed for durability and longevity from the ground up.They're crafted from materials that age well, including aluminum, glass and leather. Parts like the inner headband and earpad cushions are user-replaceable, while the product's modular construction provides service teams with easy access to internal components like batteries, drivers and circuit boards. The brand's commitment to a long lifespan extends beyond hardware; the H100 runs on a new software platform that allows upgrading over time, ensuring the headphones won't become obsolete as technology advances. When new features come out, users just update their software to get access.As Bang & Olufsen says, "One day, we believe all headphones will be designed like this. Intuitive. Long-lasting. Modular. So you can care for and make them like new again. And again." Future-proofed quality comes at a price: the Beoplay H100 is listed for EUR 1499/USD 1,549.
Xs advertising woes are about to get a whole lot worse, according to a new report from Kantar, details of which were published by Advanced Television. The market research firm found that 26 percent of marketers plan to cut their spending on X in the coming year, and that advertisers trust in X is historically low.
Kantars report, which is based on interviews with 18,000 consumers and 1,000 marketers from around the world, underscores just how far Xs advertising business has declined since Elon Musk took over the company. Over the last year and a half, the platform has seen numerous high-profile advertisers halt or slow down their spending amid concerns about hate speech and other toxic content.
Musk has also antagonized major advertisers, saying that brands worried about hate speech should go fuck yourself. hes also accused advertisers of blackmail, and recently sued an industry group and several global companies for conducting an illegal boycott of the platform. Of note, Kantar found that only 4 percent of marketers believe X is safe for brands.
X didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The company told the Financial Times that advertisers know that X now offers stronger brand safety, performance and analytics capabilities than ever before, while seeing all-time-high levels of usage.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/report-a-quarter-of-x-advertisers-plan-to-cut-spending-next-year-235447747.html?src=rss
When youre not watching Barkitecture or the Weird Al movie on your Roku, the device turns on its familiar scrolling, purple city-scape. Now you dont just have to settle for a Flintstones-esque background of neoclassical buildings and the occasional billboard for PlutoTV when your Roku goes into rest mode. The TV viewing platform is introducing a new screensaver feature called Backdrops.
The new viewing feature turns your TV or viewing device into an Amazon Echo Show 8 Photos Edition, except Roku hasnt taken away the only feature that gave it its name. Backdrops will show pictures of classic works of art by masters like Claude Monet and beautiful photos of landscapes that you can choose to display on your Roku device. The new Backdrops feature will start appearing on Roku-branded TVs and third-party Roku TVs in the next few weeks while customers with Roku streaming players and streambars will have to wait until the fall.
Roku
There are thousands of works of art and photos to choose from and even include descriptions so you can learn a little art history and geography while youre vegging out in front of your TV. Its not like you were doing anything important anyway on your couch on those sweatpants you dont even wear outside when youre taking out the garbage.
Rokus Backdrops doesnt just limit your choices to what it has to offer. You can also upload your own photos to your Roku account on the website from your computer and connect your Google Photos collection to your Roku. Backdrops can basically turn your boring wall into a museum if the entire museum could move around you to each work of art instead of the other way around.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/rokus-new-feature-will-turn-your-tv-into-a-fancy-art-delivery-system-214841525.html?src=rss
Verizon is reportedly near a deal to buy fiber provider Frontier Communications. On Wednesday, The Wall Street Journal said that an announcement could come as early as this week, provided discussions dont hit any last-minute snags.
Frontier has a market value of over $7 billion and provides broadband to around three million locations in 25 states. The company would help Verizon boost its Fios fiber network and better compete with AT&T. The carrier has seen slowing wireless revenue and views fiber investment as a growth area. Acquiring companies with existing infrastructure, like Frontier, is potentially less expensive and time-consuming than rolling out its own network.
Based in Dallas, Frontier is currently upgrading its copper landline system to fiber enabling it to offer a 5Gbps symmetrical plan. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020. It pivoted to a leaner business, as the WSJ describes, before running into concerns that it would run out of money before it finishes its current upgrades.
The FTC sued the company in 2021 for misrepresenting its speeds. Under a 2022 settlement, Frontier was required to stop lying about its internet performance, dole out over $8.5 million and install fiber service in 60,000 California homes over four years.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/verizon-is-reportedly-near-a-deal-to-buy-broadband-provider-frontier-communications-210317747.html?src=rss
In case the many books and films from the Twilight universe haven't provided enough fodder for your fandom, there's a new TV project in the works about the love-em-or-hate-em sparkly vampires of the Pacific Northwest. An animated series adaptation of Midnight Sun is currently in development at Netflix. Published in 2020, Midnight Sun is a companion to the original Twilight novel, telling the same events of that book from the perspective of Edward Cullen. Yes, the sick, masochistic lion gets to share his side of the story of how he falls for the stupid lamb known as Bella Swan.
The announcement from Netflix doesn't share much beyond the show's existence and the production team. Author Stephanie Meyer will be an executive producer for the series, as she has been for most other projects in the Twilight realm. The only other notable behind-the-scenes news is that Sinead Daly will be the series' writer as well as an executive producer. Daly's past writing credits include Tell Me Lies, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency and The Get Down.
The art team can make or break an animated show's success, so I'm very curious to find out what studio will be brave enough to try recapturing the classic image of Robert Pattinson nearly losing his lunch at his first contact with Kristen Stewart and her intoxicating blood. That and other details about cast and release date will be revealed closer to the show's debut.
Netflix has been putting a lot of resources into its animated programming slate. The streaming service has picked up several series inspired by video game franchises, such as Arcane, Tomb Raider and Minecraft.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/netflix-is-working-on-an-animated-twilight-tv-show-based-on-midnight-sun-204052491.html?src=rss
The Internet Archive is starting to run out of legal options. Wired reports that the non-profit internet cataloguer of videos, games and books lost its appeal in the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. The court rejected Archive.orgs claim in its ongoing lawsuit with several high profile book publishers that its virtual library of books can legally operate under the fair use doctrine.
The lawsuit stems from the online archives National Emergency Library (NEL) that launched in March 2020. The NEL helped readers access library materials during the COVID pandemic with digitized copies of books that users could check out one at a time. Sometime later, the Internet Archive allowed users to check out an unlimited number of e-books and authors like Colson Whitehead and Neil Gaiman as well as the Authors Guild condemned the NEL, according to NPR.
The website reinstated the book borrowing caps but it didnt stop publishers like Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins and Random House from filing a lawsuit the following June. Less than three years later, a federal judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs declaring the non-profit website violated the publishers copyright protections.
The only upside for Archive.orgs appeal is the courts recognition of the Internet Archive as a non-commercial entity. The Internet Archive still faces a separate copyright infringement lawsuit over its music digitization projects brought by Universal Music Group and Sony last year.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/the-internet-archive-loses-its-appeal-of-ebook-copyright-case-ruling-202452279.html?src=rss
