Month: December 2019

9-8-8: FCC Approves proposal for 3-digit suicide hotline number like 9-1-1

CompuScoop Staff December 13, 2019 0

SAN FRANCISCO -- The Federal Communications Commission has voted to establish 988 as the new designated phone number people can call for assistance with suicidal thoughts.

The three digit number will make it easier for people to reach out for help.

The proposal says calls made to 988 would be directed to the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, a national network of 163 crisis centers that is funded by the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Currently, the Lifeline is available by calling 1- 800-273-TALK and through online chats.

In 2018, trained Lifeline counselors answered over 2.2 million calls and over 100,000 online chats.

The proposal requires that all telecommunications carriers and interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers make, within 18 months, any network changes necessary to ensure that users can dial 988 to reach the Lifeline.

The FCC will seek comment on all aspects of implementation, including whether a longer or shorter timeframe, would be needed to make 988 a reality.

Via: 6ABC.com, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Apple already renews ‘Little America’ for second season

Dan Uff December 13, 2019 0

Apple has renewed a popular exclusive Apple TV+ show called 'Little America' for a second season even before the show's debut on the streaming service.

According to Apple:

"Little America' will go beyond the headlines to look at the funny, romantic, heartfelt, inspiring and surprising stories of immigrants in America, when they're more relevant now than ever."

Check with Apple TV+ for an official start date.

AT&T Starts Actual 5G Rollout, but with a catch – NO mmWave

Dan Uff December 13, 2019 0

Earlier this week, AT&T has started rolling out its actual 5G Service in ten markets around the United States. But due to the fact that it won't include something called mmWave which allows virtually any smartphone with 5G to use the network, only one Smartphone model will be able to use it as-is which is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ 5G, which currently sells for $1,299.99. Customers also have to use AT&T's $75 Unlimited Extra or $85 Unlimited Elite plans to use the 5G network.

The market list is available below:

Birmingham, AL
Indianapolis
Los Angeles
Milwaukee
Pittsburgh
Providence, RI
Rochester, NY
San Diego
San Francisco
San Jose, CA.
Boston
Bridgeport, CT
Buffalo, NY
Las Vegas
Louisville, KY
New York City

Note: Some listed cities will not be able to have 5G service until the first half of 2020. So if your listed city does not have it yet, it is coming.

Google adds Incognito Mode to Google Maps for iOS

CompuScoop Staff December 12, 2019 0

People turn to Google Maps to make their lives easier—whether it's getting tips and recommendations tailored to your daily commute, or knowing when your favorite restaurants, grocery stores and places may be the most crowded so you can avoid a long wait in line. Handy tools like this are improved by Location History–when you turn it on, this optional setting helps make Maps more useful for everyone, as well as personalized to your needs.

Throughout this year, we've focused on making it easier to control, manage and delete your Location History information. Location History is off by default, and you can choose to delete all or part of your history automatically when you turn it on. We introduced auto-delete controls so you can choose to keep only three or 18 months’ worth of data—anything older than that will be automatically deleted. Your Data in Maps lets you quickly access your Location History and other privacy controls with just a few taps. And on Android, Incognito mode on Google Maps stops searches or places you navigate to within Maps from being saved to your Google Account.

Today, we have two updates: Incognito mode is rolling out on Google Maps for iOS today, and bulk delete in Timeline will arrive on Android next month.

Incognito mode

Incognito mode on iOS works the same way it does on Android. While in Incognito mode, the places you search for or navigate to won’t be saved to your Google Account and you won’t see personalized features within Maps, like restaurant recommendations based on dining spots you’ve been to previously. Using Incognito mode on your phone will not update your Location History, so the places you go won’t be saved to your Timeline.

Bulk delete in Timeline

Your Timeline is a tool that uses your Location History to help you easily remember places and routes you’ve visited–and on Android, share them with friends. With bulk delete, you can quickly find and delete multiple places from your Timeline and Location History all at once. You’ll still have the ability to delete all or part of your Timeline by date range from your Location History settings.

How Location History improves Google Maps

We’re committed to providing simple, easy-to-use tools to manage your Location History—as well as clearly explaining how it makes products more useful. Scroll through the images below to learn more about Google Maps features made more helpful by Location History.

Stay up to date on your Location History settings

It’s our goal to help you stay informed about your Location History. If you’ve chosen to turn Location History on, you’ll receive periodic email reminders that let you know what data you’re saving, and ways you can manage it.

Via: Google Blog