AI & RoboticsNews

Samsung’s VASTA system uses AI to let users program smartphone tasks visually, without coding

November 6, 2019
Assistants like Samsung’s Bixby are fairly versatile where task automation is concerned — they’ll perform multi-step commands like “Open Facebook and share the three most recent photos” without complaint — but they’re not perfect. It’s incumbent on developers to program said tasks, which means that for users, it becomes more or less a waiting game. Perhaps that’s why researchers…
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MobileNews

Chrome OS 78 rolling out: Split browser/device settings, YouTube for Android PiP, more

November 6, 2019
After rolling out to Android, Mac, Windows, and Linux, version 78 of Chrome OS is now available. Notable features in Chrome OS 78 include separate browser and device settings, click-to-call, and the full launch of Virtual Desks. Chrome is getting another cross-device sharing feature after “Send this page” widely rolled in September. With “click-to-call,” you can right-click on phone…
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AI & RoboticsNews

Extend raises $16 million for AI that optimizes extended warranty offers

November 6, 2019
Extended warranties are big business. How big? A report from Research and Markets estimates the segment will reach a whopping $50.2 billion by 2026. There’s unsurprisingly merchant interest in the opportunity, but most sellers lack the know-how and bandwidth required to pursue it. That’s where Extend comes in. The San Francisco-based company, which offers what it describes as a full stack…
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ComputersNews

Microsoft tests Quick Search buttons in Windows 10

November 6, 2019
Microsoft has made a few small tweaks to the Windows 10 search function, designed to help users get everyday info that bit quicker: Search Home will now have tabs for weather, news, “today in history” and movies at the bottom of the window. The company has also…
MobileNews

Just how secure is the iPhone on iOS 13? Apple’s newest privacy site is a deep dive explainer

November 6, 2019
Apple doesn’t just vaguely tout privacy as a feature in its products. It also has a dedicated website at apple.com/privacy that explains exactly how privacy features work in detail. Apple is updating its user-friendly privacy site today for the fourth year in a row with a focus on new benefits in iOS 13, iPadOS 13, watchOS 6, and more. New this year isn’t just a high-level explainer of how…
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