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Telecom Lobby in California Loses Case Against Net Neutrality

Andrew Orr ·

Telecom lobbyists in California have lost a case to attack net neutrality law SB 822, considered the strongest such law in the U.S.

The California net neutrality law is now clearly enforceable, and bars telecom companies from blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, abusing their gatekeeper power in interconnection, or engaging in “zero rating” scams. The court’s decision also clearly paves the way for other states to impose their own net neutrality protections.

‘Deliveries’ App Update Supports Shortcuts on macOS Monterey
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'Deliveries' App Update Supports Shortcuts on macOS Monterey

Andrew Orr ·

The Deliveries app update now supports macOS Monterey and iOS 15. The version notes for Monterey include Shortcuts support. The update includes a lot of improvements and bug fixes, so here is just part of the notes: Shortcuts are now supported on macOS Monterey. Note: due to limitations in macOS, shortcuts only have a written or spoken description, rather than showing the relevant deliveries like on iOS. The “scan a package” shortcut will open the “Add a Delivery” window since scanning barcodes is not supported in Deliveries for Mac. Notifications that a package has been delivered are now marked as Time Sensitive on macOS Monterey. Sharing a single delivery via Messages now just sends a link. Sharing via AirDrop now sends a link instead of a file, so it’s easier to share with someone that doesn’t have the app.

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PSA: Neil Young Still on Apple Music, Amidst Joe Rogan Spotify Row [Updated]

Charlotte Henry ·

Neil Young is headed off of Spotify, having decided he won’t be on the same platform as podcaster Joe Rogan, but he remains on Apple Music. You can get classic albums like 1972’s Harvest and 1989 hit “Rockin’ in The Free World” with a subscription. The service costs $9.99 per month, or $14.99 for family sharing, and is included in all Apple One bundles.

[Update: January 28] Apple Music appears to be trolling Spotify over its Neil Young/Joe Rogan decision. It is posting tweets from its official Twitter accounts as well as push notifications reminding people that the artists is still available there, The Verge reported.

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FCC Now Requires Broadband Nutrition Labels for Consumers

Andrew Orr ·

The FCC will force ISPs to disclose broadband “nutrition labels” to give information on prices, introductory rates, data allowances, broadband speeds, and management practices.

The law directs the Commission “to promulgate regulations to require the display of broadband consumer labels, as described in the Public Notice of the Commission issued on April 4, 2016 (DA 16–357), to disclose to consumers information regarding broadband Internet access service plans.” Id. See also Consumer and Governmental Affairs, Wireline Competition, and Wireless Telecommunications Bureaus Approve Open Internet Broadband Consumer Labels, GN Docket No. 14-28, Public Notice, 31 FCC Rcd 3358 (CGB/WCB/WTB 2016) (2016 Public Notice).

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The Search for Infamous Phone Phreaker Susy Thunder

Andrew Orr ·

The Verge has a cool story about searching for Susy Thunder, a phone phreaker and social engineer.

Susan found her way into the hacker underground through the phone network. In the late 1970s, Los Angeles was a hotbed of telephone culture: you could dial-a-joke, dial-a-horoscope, even dial-a-prayer. Susan spent most of her days hanging around on 24-hour conference lines, socializing with obsessives with code names like Dan Dual Phase and Regina Watts Towers. Some called themselves phone phreakers and studied the Bell network inside out; like Susan’s groupie friends, they knew how to find all the back doors.

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Apple TV+ Makes 'The Afterparty' Premiere Episode Available on YouTube

Charlotte Henry ·

Apple TV+ made the entire premiere episode of The Afterparty available for free on YouTube. It is a very interesting move. While we have seen plenty of clips of movies and shows released online previously, as well as trailers and complimentary content, there have never been full episodes shared likes this. The Afterparty is a comedy-drama that follows the fallout of a school reunion gone wrong. It features a star-studded cast led by Tiffany Haddish. A further two episodes, alongside the pilot, were released to subscribers on Friday.

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'Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock' Guest Stars Ed Helms, Cynthia Erivo, Daveed Diggs Play Frictionary

Charlotte Henry ·

In a newly released clip, Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock guest stars play ‘Frictionary’. Ed Helms, Cynthia Erivo, and Daveed Diggs all appear in the new Apple TV+ series, but do they really know what all the phrases they are saying mean? Their answers are, it’s fair to say, unimpressive…However, the show is lovely and available now to subscribers to the streaming service.

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Facebook Rolls Out End-to-End Encrypted Chats for Everyone

Andrew Orr ·

End-to-end encrypted chats are now available for all users of Facebook Messenger, the company announced. This includes group chats and calls.

Last year, we announced that we began testing end-to-end encryption for group chats, including voice and video calls. We’re excited to announce that this feature is available to everyone. Now you can choose to connect with your friends and family in a private and secure way.

These secure chats remain opt-in only, instead of encrypted by default like actual private messaging apps.