Google adds E2E RCS encryption to Messages, emoji mashup suggests, and more for Android

Google has announced seven new features for Android that it says will help improve accessibility and make Assistant Shortcuts more useful, among other things. The new features announced today are: Google announced that RCS chats sent through the Messages app will now be end-to-end encrypted. The feature was rolled out in beta last November, but it seems that Google is now releasing it for everyone who has access to RCS. When a message will be encrypted, the send button will have a lock… Source link

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MacKenzie Scott reveals another $2.74 billion in charitable giving

MacKenzie Scott, philanthropist and former wife of billionaire and Amazon (AMZN) CEO Jeff Bezos, announced on Tuesday that she donated another $2.74 billion to charity.  Scott has donated a total of $8.5 billion since July 2020. “Me, Dan [Jewett, Scott’s new husband], a constellation of researchers and administrators and advisors — we are all attempting to give away a fortune that was enabled by systems in need of change,” Scott wrote in a Medium post titled ‘Seeding by Ceding’…. Source link

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Charles Barkley rails against ‘politically correct people’

Charles Barkley is lashing out at “politically correct people” he views are trying to ruin the “NBA on TNT” show by taking the fun out of it, particularly in the past 18 months.  Barkley railed against “cancel culture” while a guest on Monday’s “Grant and Danny” show on 106.7 The Fan. He has spoken out against it before, but went more in depth on how he sees it’s impacted the show.  Barkley: ‘We can’t even have fun anymore’  Barkley joined the show after host Danny Rouhier appeared on “NBA… Source link

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UK’s CMA opens market study into Apple, Google’s mobile “duopoly” – TechCrunch

The UK’s competition watchdog will take a deep dive look into Apple and Google’s dominance of the mobile ecosystem, it said today — announcing a market study which will examine the pair’s respective smartphone platforms (iOS and Android); their app stores (App Store and Play Store); and web browsers (Safari and Chrome).  The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is concerned that the mobile platform giants’ “effective duopoly” in those areas  might be harming… Source link

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Inflation isn’t everywhere

Inflation has hit the highest level since 2008, when gas prices exceeded $4 per gallon. Overall prices are up 4.9% during the last 12 months, with the biggest jumps in pandemic-affected parts of the economy. A shortage of semiconductors needed for new cars has pushed used-car prices up 30%. Transportation costs, driven by rising airfares, are up 20%, with volatile gas prices up 56%. Surging demand for real estate has pushed home prices up 13%, with many buyers shut out completely. Consumers… Source link

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3 Upgraded Stocks to Buy as the S&P 500 Makes New Highs

With the S&P 500 breaking out to new highs, Southern Copper (SCCO), Westlake Chemical Corporation (WLK), and Vera Bradley (VRA) are 3 upgraded stocks that investors should consider buying. The POWR Ratings have been calculated, pinpointing the latest stocks worthy of Strong Buy and Strong Sell ratings as well as ratings in between these extremes. A-rated stocks have posted an average annual performance over 30%, and B-rated stocks have an average annual return of over 19%.&nbsp Thus, investors… Source link

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U.S. retail sales take step back as spending pivots to services, trend remains strong

By Lucia Mutikani WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. retail sales dropped more than expected in May, with spending rotating back to services from goods as vaccinations allow Americans to travel and engage in other activities that had been restricted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite last month’s decline reported by the Commerce Department on Tuesday, the trend in retail sales remains strong. Sales in April were revised sharply up and are well above their pre-pandemic level, keeping intact… Source link

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Stock futures mixed as investors digest retail sales, inflation data

Stock futures were mixed Tuesday morning investors considered a spate of new economic data, including a weaker-than-expected print on consumer spending during the recovery.  Contracts on the S&P 500 and Nasdaq rose, while contracts the Dow fluctuated between gains and losses. Investors considered another batch of key economic data out Tuesday morning, offering looks at both the strength of the consumer and extent of price increases across the supply chain.  The Commerce Department’s May… Source link

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‘Gone Girl’ actor Lisa Banes dies 10 days after hit-and-run

NEW YORK (AP) — “Gone Girl” actor Lisa Banes died 10 days after being injured by a hit-and-run driver in New York City, police said. The 65-year-old Banes, who was struck by a scooter or motorcycle while crossing a street on June 4, died Monday at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, a police department spokesperson said. The driver did not stop, police said. Banes appeared in numerous television shows and movies, including “Gone Girl” in 2014 and “Cocktail” with Tom Cruise in… Source link

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