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UK Alexa users can now get answers to medical questions right from the NHS

Jul11
by on July 11, 2019 at 7:41 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Plugged


Amazon’s Alexa is all set to gain medical smarts in the UK, thanks to a partnership with the National Health Service (NHS). The healthcare service said it’s teaming up with Amazon‘s voice assistant to help answer medical queries with advice from the service’s official website. From this week, UK users who ask Alexa health-related questions — “Alexa, what are the symptoms of flu?” — will be provided with answers vetted by NHS health professionals. The UK‘s Department of Health (DoH) said the move will reduce the pressure on NHS professionals in the country, giving users an easy way to access authoritative medical…

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Apple steps in to automatically remove Zoom’s risky software from Macs

Jul11
by on July 11, 2019 at 5:41 am
Posted In: Around the Web


Apple has pushed a silent update to Mac users to remove the web server sneakily installed by popular video conference app Zoom, TechCrunch reports. Earlier this week, a disclosure by security researcher Jonathan Leitschuh revealed how Zoom installed a secret local web server on Mac devices — with an intent to save an extra click — but left users vulnerable by making it possible for an attacker to hijack their webcams. The undocumented server remained installed on users’ devices even after Zoom was uninstalled, allowing the app to be re-installed again without their knowledge. Zoom initially defended its decision to…

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Big businesses suffer from startup FOMO

Jul11
by on July 11, 2019 at 5:36 am
Posted In: Around the Web, Podium


Startups continue to push industries and technologies forward (and sideways) regardless of fluctuations in valuation and funding. At the same time, large companies around the world are scrambling to become part of the bustling startup culture to compete against, invest in or partner with promising entrepreneurs. Basically, organizations, largely criticized for their lethargic approach to change and contention, are looking at fledgling disruptors as a means or bridge toward the type of fresh perspective and ingenuity that’s often missing inside. Without it, companies are hampered in the ability to gain new market share and profitability while also becoming increasingly exposed…

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Google’s taking another crack at building a social network

Jul11
by on July 11, 2019 at 5:13 am
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web, Google


After shutting down failed Google+ in April, the big G is giving this social network thing another go. It’s currently trialing Shoelace, a hyperlocal network for people who want to find others to join them in activities like sports and attending shows. It’s currently invite-only, and promises to help you “connect with others who have the same interests.”. You can create a listing for an event or activity you’re participating in, and invite friends and strangers to join you. In addition, Shoelace will surface events that you might be into. As Android Police noted, Google has flirted with this concept…

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Tinder made a Lite app that’s 25x smaller than the original

Jul11
by on July 11, 2019 at 5:09 am
Posted In: Apps, Around the Web


Tinder today unveiled a stripped-down version of dating app for Android, dubbed Tinder Lite, for developing countries. The app will soon go live in Vietnam. followed by other Southeast Asian countries. The company said the new app is about 25 times smaller in size as compared to the main app. It won’t have features like Feed, where you can see updates from your matches. The lite app will also reduce network usage by 20 percent, run faster on low-end phones, and consume less battery than the standard version. If you’re subscribed to gold or plus plans on the main app, it’ll…

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