Reddit’s IPO has begun with shares soaring 60% within minutes

Shares of social forum giant Reddit opened Thursday at $47 per share, then quickly soared to around $55, up about 60% in heavy volume from its IPO price of $34 per share. It bounced around before stabilizing at around $50 a share.  The company had indicated a target range of $31 to $34 per share […]
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YouTube TV’s Multiview feature could soon roll out to iPhones and iPads

Some users have claimed to see YouTube TV’s Multiview feature on iOS devices, suggesting it could soon roll out officially to iPhones and iPads.
The Multiview option is already available on smart TVs and some TV stick options, offering a dynamic immersive way to watch multiple videos at once. It’s predominantly geared towards sports fans, with the option to watch multiple games at once during the high season.
On the YouTube TV subreddit, some users reported that they could already see the Multiview feature on their smartphones. Indeed, one person even shared a video of themselves playing four different basketball games at once via ESPN’s streaming.
YouTube’s Multiview functionality remains unclear
According to a comment from a company representative on Reddit, this is not an official limited rollout. The official comment told users that the feature is coming in a path that will be available for iOS users simultaneously.
Seemingly, the function can be accessed via the app’s Home tab but only for select games and users at the moment. It doesn’t appear to have all of the same features as the smart TV version, without the ability to show sports scores alongside a stream, as one example.
In order to access the Multiview function, you’ll need to have YouTube version 8.11 installed. There’s no official word on when the feature will formally roll out, so keep checking your app to see if you might be able to access it already.
While at the moment it appears to be limited to iOS, an Android version is reportedly in the works within “the coming months”, according to the same representative on Reddit. One user writing in the comments claims to have received a notification after opening the YouTube app on their Android informing them of Multiview, only for the feature not to be there when they clicked on to the app.
Other upcoming features include possible picture-in-picture options in Europe and more advanced labeling for realistic AI content.
Featured image: YouTube
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Proton Pass rolls out universal passkey support for users

Proton Pass has announced that it is adding passkey support for all users, including its free users.
In a blog post, the password manager company said that in a bid to provide “universal security for everyone,” it has “reimagined passkeys, helping them reach their full potential as free, universal, and open-source tech.”
Passkeys are said to be an easy and secure alternative to traditional passwords that can help prevent phishing attacks and make users’ online experience smoother and safer.

By popular request, #ProtonPass now supports #passkeys — on all devices, for everyone.
Passkeys provide a secure and convenient alternative to passwords.
Save, store and edit passkeys in @Proton_Pass: https://t.co/Px1ovJLfXE pic.twitter.com/R8BN7fcDKW
— Proton Pass (@Proton_Pass) March 21, 2024

 
The Swiss firm criticized Big Tech companies for their approach to implementing new technology, specifically passkeys. Instead of prioritizing the broad goal of enhancing security for all users, these companies are accused of using the technology to bind users more tightly to their own ecosystems.
It added: “Many password managers only support passkeys on specific platforms or provide them with paid plans, meaning you only get to reap passkeys’ security benefits if you can afford them.
“We believe online privacy and security should be accessible to everyone, regardless of what device you use or your ability to pay.”
TechRadar quoted Proton Pass saying the rushed rollout of passkey support in other managers “has resulted in confusing and suboptimal user experience and varied availability on different apps, devices, and pricing tiers.”
What are passkeys?
Passkeys represent the latest password-free innovation created by the FIDO Alliance, which is a cross-industry association that includes major tech companies on its board, such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft.
A passkey is a form of digital key that allows users to access an account, essentially eliminating the requirement for passwords and two-factor authentication (2FA). Instead of entering a username and password, it uses the person’s device to identify them.
With passkeys, the risk of phishing is significantly reduced because there’s no password available to be compromised. Additionally, passkeys offer enhanced security against brute-force attacks, thanks to their reliance on generating cryptographic keys.
When a user creates a passkey, their password manager automatically generates two mathematically connected numeric keys, one public and the other private.
Generally, to authenticate a login, only the biometric data saved on a mobile device, like a fingerprint or facial recognition scan, is needed. Alternatively, a PIN or FIDO2-compliant security key can also serve as an authentication method.
Featured image: Canva
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iPhone 17 may get new display tech that blocks out sunlight

It has been reported that iPhone 17 may come with a display feature that can help block reflections and most sunlight, an issue described by many Apple users.
iPhone users have often complained that the screen does not display properly if it is too bright. Although the device’s screen brightness can automatically adjust to its environment, modifying this setting can quickly deplete the battery.
However, there has been speculation that the tech giant is attempting to make it far more pleasant to use your iPhone when the sun is shining. According to MacRumors citing a source from Chinese social media site Weibo, next year’s iPhone 17 will feature an anti-reflective display that is more scratch-resistant than Apple’s Ceramic Shield found on iPhone 15 models.
Leaker Instant Digital claimed on Tuesday (March 19) that the outer glass on the iPhone 17 is set to have a “super-hard anti-reflective layer” that is “more scratch-resistant than you think.” The user added that the coating equipment was recently delivered to China’s supply chain, but not soon enough to be included in the upcoming iPhone 16 series this year.
“Ceramic Shield” refers to a glass-ceramic substance created through a partnership between Corning and Apple. Apple claims that the Ceramic Shield on the iPhone 15 is the most durable smartphone glass available.
Corning Gorilla Armor, used in Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra phones, also has a similar feature. The company claims it reduces reflections by 75 percent compared to typical glass surfaces and is resistant to micro-scratches that accumulate over time on competing glass panels.
The longstanding supplier for Apple has provided Gorilla Glass for a variety of devices in Apple’s product range. In 2021, Apple announced a total investment of $495 million in support of Corning’s research efforts focused on cutting-edge glass technologies.
Apple attempts to make strides amid a declining market
Patently Apple reported that the company had developed an adaptive exterior display capable of blocking out 90 percent of bright light. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has apparently granted the patent, enabling the phone to feature an adjustable element that blocks sunlight.
Despite the advancements, a prominent Apple analyst anticipated a considerable decrease in iPhone shipments this year. An analyst with Barclays stated in January that nothing unique about the iPhone 16 series would help turn around the device’s falling demand.
According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, “shipments of essential semiconductor components” have already decreased by 15%, suggesting a drop in iPhone 15 deliveries to 200 million. Kuo adds, “Apple may have the most significant decline among the major global mobile phone brands in 2024.”
Featured image: Canva
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Sea of Thieves celebrates 6th anniversary with content treasure trove

Sea of Thieves has announced a “cornucopia of events” to celebrate the 6th anniversary of the plundering multiplayer.
The game’s site has a handy countdown clock to the end of the Sixth Anniversary Celebration that runs until March 25. Players can uncork Legendary Messages in a bottle to Athena’s Fortune treasure, snap up the Golden Sailor Capstan, and those plucky enough to complete enough Legendary Voyages will add the Seaglass Rapier to their belt.
Players can “also earn double gold, reputation, Seasonal Renown, Allegiance, and Guild Reputation via Gold & Glory boosts while this Event is live from March 20th-25th.”
Rare released an announcement video that shows some of the content coming to the title in Seasons 12, and 13 and a “sneak peek behind the curtain on Season 14.”

Sea of Thieves turns six
The Rare preview event showcased some of the features coming to the title across 2024. Shelly Preston one of the Sea of Thieves Design Team introduced the upcoming changes saying “There are tools and items that might seem simple on the surface, but when they are in the hands of real players, who are playing in their own way and bringing their creativity, it really showcases that the sandbox is more than the sum of its parts, as it creates these memorable stories.”
The tools in question also involve the introduction of two new weapons to the game which will be the first since the treasure hunting title launched in 2018. “An area we haven’t delved into since launch is adding new weapons to the game,” says Mike Chapman the game’s Creative Director. “So in Season 12, we are going to be adding the double-barrelled pistol and throwing knives.”
The throwing knife will be available in Season 12 which Preston says “can be used as a melee item, they have a light and a heavy melee action, but they can also be thrown and used at range as well.”
The double barrel flintlock is a new type of pistol weapon with two shot types. You can fire both bullets inside the barrels separately or charge them up for a stronger shot to stop rival pirates in their tracks. The three new tools are the Wind Caller, the Scattershot, and the Bone Caller.
The Scattershot is a collection of four cannonballs and has a “much shorter falloff and a really widespread, allowing you to hit multiple targets at the same time,” says the announcement video. The Bone Caller fires an ethereal projectile that causes helpful skeletons to appear to help you take control of a rival ship or to conjure some helpful allies as you roam the beaches for loot. This new tool will be a boon for solo players to get some extra bony hands on deck.
The Windcaller is a shell that can be used to propel your ship via the elements. Players can blow into the conch and gain extra billow in their sails to help them evade enemies or hunt down evasive high-sea prey. Season 12 will also see tightrope traversal get an overhaul as harpoon lines can be used to add an extra layer of verticality or allow players to tightrope their way over to enemy ships. Some islands will also see the addition of zip lines to help traverse the deserted environments.
Later Seasons
Season 13 brings the “return of Captain Flameheart to the Sea of Thieves,” says Chapman. His Burning Blade ship makes a comeback in a “more monstrous and terrifying form than ever before.” The ship will move around the world and offer players the chance to prove themselves and pledge their allegiance to the enclave of pirates to crew the flamethrower-mounted ship.
Captain Flameheart expects a pledge in return and world events will be in place to take on Skeleton Camps to gather orbs to increase the worth of his ship. Players will be playing a deadly game to add loot to the legendary ship and must be coy about how they cash in the orbs as they battle the bony denizens of these dungeons and rival players after their horde.
Preston says “It’s really up to you how long you think you can hold on to it with that risk/reward because everybody in the world is going to be coming for you, they’re going to know you’re in there and know you’ve got high value, so it really becomes this dynamic player-created World Event with players versus players in the sandbox.”
Rare has been keeping Season 14’s details under lock and key with the exception of the introduction of new stealth mechanics to help players sneakily move around the world, crouch, and hang off the side of ships via an all-new grapple gun.
So a host of content is coming to the plundering pirate title and PS5 players will be eagerly awaiting their first venture into the high seas as the title comes to the console on April 30th and coincides with Season 12 hitting the shoreline at the same time.
Image: Rare.
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Epic set to take 12% cut of all Epic Games Store sales when it launches on iPhone

Epic Games has revealed more details about its plans to launch its own Epic Games Store app marketplace.
After finally announcing that it would bring the Epic Games Store back to iOS in Europe after a long battle, Epic Games has now shared more details about its plans to launch its own app marketplace for iPhones in the EU. The company has stated that it will take a 12% cut of all sales, a far smaller cut than Apple and Google’s respective takings of up to 30% on the App Store and Play Store.
This comes after Apple has been forced to relinquish its anti-steering rules in the US following a long legal battle with Epic Games. Nonetheless, Apple said it would still charge a commission on purchases made through alternative payment platforms, taking 12% for developers who are members of the App Store Small Business Program and 27% for everyone else.
In a new brief published today, Meta, Microsoft, X, and Match Group have now jointly added their voices to Epic Games’ long-standing criticisms of Apple.
Epic Games Store plans for Europe
Speaking at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) on March 20, as reported by 9To5Mac, Epic Games revealed that it plans to launch the Epic Games Store for both iPhone and Android in the EU by the end of the year. The terms for developers will remain the same between the US and the EU, with a 12% commission on all sales through the Epic Games Store and a 100% revenue share for the developer for the first six months.
As well as third-party partners, the app marketplace will feature Epic’s own made-for-purpose content, including its most popular title, Fortnite.
“The Epic Games Store has an 88/12 revenue split for developers who distribute paid-for apps on PC and Mac and that will continue on mobile platforms,” explained an Epic Games spokesperson. “Developers do not pay Epic anything to distribute free apps. If developers offer in-app purchases, they can choose to either use our payment processing system with the 88/12 revenue share or use a third-party payment processor and keep 100% of that revenue, just like they do today.”
Featured image: Epic Games
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The NSA Warns That US Adversaries Free to Mine Private Data May Have an AI Edge

Gilbert Herrera, who leads research at the National Security Agency, says large language models are incredibly useful—and a bit of a headache—for America’s intelligence machine.

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Watchdog assessing McDonald’s and Greggs IT failures

Payments Systems Regulator is examining spate of outages, which also affected Sainsbury’s and Tesco.

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Save up to $25 on Microsoft 365 Personal or Family Subscriptions

Enjoy premium apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, 1TB of OneDrive storage, cross-device compatibility, and built-in security protections.

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TechCrunch Minute: All about Microsoft’s mega AI push after it hired Inflection AI’s co-founders

Microsoft’s latest gambit to snag much of the human talent from Inflection AI is causing waves this week. Redmond has previously invested in the company, but is now absorbing much of its staff into a new division it created for just that purpose. The subtext is clear enough: Microsoft doesn’t want to run into regulatory […]
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