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Facebook Reveals Standalone App for Events

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Facebook has announced the release of a dedicated standalone Events app. Facebook’s goal is to put more emphasis on events shared on the social media application.

The app gives users the ability to view various Facebook events coming soon. In addition, the app will also suggest events that a user may like based on their interests. The most interesting feature in the Events app is the ability to connect users to their iCloud calendar, meaning users can use Facebook as a calendar app.

Facebook issued a statement saying, “Today we’re announcing Events from Facebook, a new app we designed for event seekers who are passionate about keeping up with nearby events and finding things to do with their friends.” The statement added that, “Whether you’re looking for something to attend this weekend or just wondering what’s happening in your area, Events will help get you there.”

This news comes months after a Facebook patent application that outlined a system for system for setting up ride-sharing for people attending the same event. For future events, users will be able to select what kind of transport they plan on taking to get there and team up with others who want to get there the same way. Essentially, this could allow for Facebook to match up two people who want to take the bus together somewhere. Events on Facebook could also allow for someone driving to an event to pick up passengers who are also attending the same event.

The patent application shows a system that outlines how a driver could pick up a group of passengers along a route to an event. In addition, the application also suggests that Facebook could match their interests such as what kind of music they like or political affiliations to the other people attending the same event. Once signed up to ride together, Facebook would show the driver how to get to the passenger’s location. The application will also outline a system showing the best route for each route, which is similar to how Uber figures out how its drivers should pick up passengers.

The world’s largest social network is moving forward on making Events a more popular feature to their 1.5 billion users, and if the Events app is a success, expect ride-sharing via Facebook to come soon. However it is important to point out that the Events app is only available on iOS and an Android version on the way.

Google Chrome Blocks Users From Visiting Pirate Bay

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The Pirate Bay has been blocked by both Google Chrome and Firefox. Users who attempt to visit the website will be displayed a warning page.

In an effort to combat piracy, three of the most popular torrenting websites have been shut down. It all started last July when the Federal government shutdown Kickasstorrents, which was one the most popular torrent websites on the Internet. Several weeks later, torrent search website Torrentz shut down followed by another popular torrent search engine site, Torrenthound.

While there are dozens of alternatives, The Pirate Bay is one of the most popular file sharing websites in the world. But, the new change may put the future of the torrent website in jeopardy. Users who attempt to visit the website receive the following warning:

“Deceptive site ahead: Attackers on Thepiratebay.org may trick you into doing something dangerous like installing software or revealing your personal information. Google Safe Browsing recently detected phishing on thepiratebay.org. Phishing sites pretend to be other websites to trick you.”

Many have blamed Google for purposefully discouraging users from visiting the website. However, reports of viruses, malware, and phishing attacks via The Pirate Bay have many other browsers, including Firefox, following in Google’s footsteps by issuing similar warnings to their users.

While this issue may discourage some users from visiting Thepiratebay.org, there is a simple solution to this warning page. All users have to do is click “Ignore This Warning” in the bottom right corner of the warning page. Also, those users who want to avoid the malware can also visit other Torrent websites including The Pirate Bay mirror and clone sites without being redirected to a warning page.

This news comes after Hackers are filling torrents listed on websites such as The Pirate Bay with malware and viruses. The Internet security group, InfoArmor, issued a statement warning users that hackers are implementing malware into what would assume to be regular torrent files. In fact, InfoArmor pointed out torrent websites such as The Pirate Bay, Demonoid and Kickass Torrents were being specifically targeted by hackers.

Hackers are targeting popular torrents using a tool called RAUM in order to gain access to vulnerable computers. The RAUM hacking tool installs a ransomware, which requires users to pay a certain amount of money in order to regain access to their computers and can leave users vulnerable to other viruses, spyware and malware.

Need to Register to Vote? Try the Facebook Messenger App

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The Ad Council has launched a nationwide initiative to get more people registered to vote using Facebook’s messenger platform. The non-profit Public Service Announcement initiative is hoping to simplify and personalize the way Americans register to vote.

Named GoVoteBot, the Ad Councils automated service provides users with a list of questions and depending upon their answers, the bot will provide resourceful solutions on how and where to vote including polling locations and registration options. GoVoteBot is powered by Google Civic and the U.S. Vote Foundation. To start messaging with “GoVoteBot,” users only need to visit the R/GA Facebook page and click “Messenger” link on the homepage. However, it is important to note that users will have to share private information such as their state and address.

Facebook is donating free ad space in order to promote the GoVoteBot. The Ad Council also plans on marketing across several media platforms including online commercials and digital billboards. The government and nonprofit organizations are working to boost the number of voters who turn up to their polling stations on Election Day. It is important to point out that data from the U.S. Vote Foundation that found 43% of all eligible U.S. Voters did not cast ballots in the 2012 general election. In addition, a 2014 General Social Survey found that millennials in 2016 are significantly less likely to vote or try to influence others vote than previous generations. However, millennials are approximately just as interested in politics as youth in prior generations, and equally as politically active outside elections.

The AdCouncil’s investment into the Facebook Messenger service illustrates a shift in customer service and trust in the Facebook platform. Launched two years ago, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, has added several unique features including the ability to send money and have video conference calls. During the Facebook F8 conference on March 25, 2015, Facebook announced the Messenger platform can now be used to automate services for people and businesses to interact. Since that 2015 announcement, Facebook has partnered with weather services, CNN news, and 1-800-Flowers allowing for businesses to interact personally with their audience members.

Despite being an easy way to connect with Millennials, using Facebook Messenger does come with challenges. Last March, Marriott invested into the Facebook Messenger platform and provided potential customers with misinformation and unsolicited advertisements. Customers who recently visited the Marriott website were then sent customers private unsolicited messages asking if they wanted to book a room.

Instagram Stories Reaches 100 Million Daily Active Users

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After only two months, Instagram Stories has over 100 million daily active users. That means more than two thirds of the daily active user population for Snap Inc, previously known as Snapchat, are currently using Instagram Stories.

When Instagram Stories was released many analysts called the new feature a copy of Snapchat stories. The recently added feature is nearly identical to the central feed of Snapchat; a feature that helped launch the company into a multibillion dollar business. The videos are only available for 24 hours from the time of posting and encourages users to post more frequently than traditional social media platforms.

Instagram has more than 500 million daily active users and while the app has been around slightly longer than Snapchat, Instagram’s new feature differs from the traditional features on the social network. Instagram placed a row of avatars at the top of a users’ news feed. Each bubble represents an account that you follow on Instagram or can discover on the social media app. Each bubble contains a photo and/or video clip that a user shared within the past 24 hours. In order for a user to access the Instagram story, all they have to do is tap a bubble and their story will open in full screen. Unlike the newsfeed, there are no hearts in the Instagram stories. But similar to Snapchat, users can reply by sending messages.

This is not the first time Instagram has followed in the footsteps of their competition. Instagram first started off as a place for users to share photos and connect with friends and family. But, after the rise of the Vine app, a social media application that allowed for users to upload six second video clips, Instagram quickly added a new feature allowing users to share 10 second video clips. A week after Instagram added that new feature, Vine video sharing plummeted on the app by 70 percent.

However, it is important to point out that Instagram Stories does not mark the end of Snapchat. Snapchat users have not abandoned the social network for Instagram Stories, which is a good sign for a company that is reportedly on the verge of going public. Snap Inc. is attempting to sell shares of the company as early as late March. Snapchat is working on achieving a $25 billion dollar valuation.

Fitbit Doesn’t Improve Weight Loss, Study Finds

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According to a new study by Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, fitness trackers do not actually encourage a healthier lifestyle. The study, which was published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal, found that men and women who wore Fitbit Zip, a fitness tracker, did not show improvements in weight loss or blood pressure.

The study involved splitting 800 participants into four different groups. One group’s participants were given approximately $2.92 and a Fitbit Zip. Two of the groups were given $11 for every week that they managed between 50,000 and 70,000 steps, but one of those groups had to donate their earnings to charity. The fourth group was only given information about exercise but without a Fitbit Zip. Participants that were given money experienced the biggest increase in physical activity, a few months later. However, after a year, 90% of the participants had given up on using their fitness trackers. In fact, despite being more active, Fitbit Zip users didn’t show improvements in weight loss or blood pressure.

“These are basically measuring devices,” said Eric Finkelstein, a professor at Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore, who led the research. Finkelstein argued that, “knowing how active you are doesn’t translate into getting people to do more and the novelty of having that information wears off pretty quickly.”

The results of the study reinforce previous studies on fitness trackers. Last month, the Journal of the American Medical Association published a study that found that adding wearable activity tracking devices to a diet and fitness program didn’t actually result in additional weight loss. In fact, those participants who did not wear devices lost approximately five more pounds than those who wore them. However, both groups did lose weight, changed their eating habits and activity levels.

Finkelstein argued that “trackers can encourage people to take more steps, but it still seems like the random extra steps aren’t enough to really improve your health.” Consequently, the results of the study shows it requires more than just a leisure walk but, more rigorous exercise.

Since the study was published, Fitbit issued a statement on Tuesday asserting their fitness products are helping millions of people lose weight. “We are confident in the positive results our millions of users have seen from using Fitbit products.” Fitbit added that they are continuing to develop and improve their fitness tracking equipment.

Clown Sightings: Study Reveals the Science Behind Creepy Clowns

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Researchers have decided to study the psychology behind what makes people afraid and have found clowns as one of the scariest professions in the world.

In the journal of New Ideas in Psychology, Francis T. McAndrew studied the “nature of creepiness”. The study surveyed 1341 different individuals and asked the participants what they found “creepy”. Researchers asked subjects to rate the creepiness level of 44 different types of physical and behavioral traits.

The results demonstrated that people find men, abnormal physical traits, strange patterns of eye contact, odd emotional responses and unpredictable behavior as creepy. In addition, subjects chose “clown” as the creepiest listed profession.

McAndrew basically argues that people are afraid of what they do not understand. “This study is consistent with the notion that the perception of creepiness is a response to the ambiguity of threat.”

The result comes after a wave of clown sightings across America. Since last August, there have been dozens of reports of threatening clowns nearby schools, homes and colleges. Many people have dismissed these clown sightings as mere pranks, but police officers have arrested dozens of people in connection with these clown sightings.

A 14-year-old was arrested in California when he threatened high school students and faculty on an Instagram page called “Fontana’s Killer Clowns.” Police say the teenager wanted to scare people and go viral on social media.

In addition, a mother in San Francisco fought off a person dressed as a clown, who grabbed her one-year-old daughter. “I thought he was going to kiss her hand. Instead, he pulled her arm literally, so I pulled her arm back and I kicked him,” said Tiffany Martin.

The creepiness of clowns has even reached the White House. When asked if President Barack Obama was aware of the numerous clown sightings across the United States, White House Press Secretary responded by saying, “I don’t know that the president has been briefed on this particular situation.”

Some people are so threatened by the numerous clown sightings that they are organizing neighborhood watch groups. Recently, hundreds of students at Penn State University launched a manhunt after a clown was reportedly seen on campus.

In defense of the multiple clown sightings, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey released a statement  saying, “It is troubling because it’s a distraction for our clowns who just want to make people laugh and smile.”

Phone Carriers Are Now Accepting Exchanges of Replacement Galaxy Note 7 Devices

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Following a recent report of a replacement Galaxy Note 7 device explosion on a domestic Southwest airplane, T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Sprint are now accepting exchanges of replacement Galaxy Note 7 devices.

Sprint provided a statement saying, “Sprint is working collaboratively with Samsung to better understand the most recent concerns regarding replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones.”

Sprint added that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is currently investigating the Note 7 replacement device. “If a Sprint customer with a replacement Note 7 has any concerns regarding their device, we will exchange it for any other device at any Sprint retail store during the investigation window.” Sprint also plans on providing additional information as soon as the investigation is complete.

AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are following in the footsteps of Sprint. If you currently own a Note 7, they will allow you to exchange for any other device they sell. All you have to do is visit one of their retail locations.

On October 5th, a replacement Galaxy Note 7 caused passengers and crew members on a Southwest flight departing from Louisville, Kentucky to evacuate. During the boarding process, Note 7 owner, Brian Green, was asked by flight attendants to turn off his cell phone, then his smartphone began to catch fire.

As the phone was powering down, the Note 7 began to smoke, at which point Green dropped the phone on the ground. Green said the phone was letting out a “grey-green angry smoke.” A friend of Green went back on to the flight to grab his belongings and was able to capture a photo of the device as it was burning a hole through the airplane’s carpet. The flight was canceled and Southwest rebooked all of the passengers for later flights.

Samsung issued a statement regarding the Galaxy Note 7 explosion saying that they are currently investigating the issue. “We cannot confirm that this incident involves the new Note 7. We are working with the authorities and Southwest now to recover the device and confirm the cause.”

Last September, Samsung announced a global recall of the Note 7 along with stopping all future sales of the device following reports of battery explosions. Every Note 7 sold before September 15th is effected by the recall and must either be returned or replaced. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said owners of affected Note 7s should power off their cell phones and return them. In addition, the FAA has advised against using or charging the Note 7 while on flights.

Once the recall was announced, Samsung issued an official statement on the recall saying that the issue is related to the type of batteries used in some Note 7s. Low-quality battery cells have a history of overheating when overcharged or used frequently. A report by South Korean manufacturing regulators showed that “an error in production that placed pressure on plates contained within battery cells. That in turn brought negative and positive poles into contact, triggering excessive heat.”