Techmeme
August 17, 2017, 7:00 PM

Top News

Skype Blogs:
Microsoft launches preview of redesigned Skype desktop client, adds new features including @mentions, message reactions, media gallery, and enhanced group calls  —  Starting today, the next generation of Skype is available in preview on desktop computers.  It's not yet complete and we need your feedback.
Charlie Warzel / BuzzFeed:
Tim Cook says Apple will make two separate $1M donations, to Southern Poverty Law Center and Anti-Defamation League, in an email to staff about Charlottesville  —  On Wednesday evening Apple CEO Tim Cook sent an email to all global employees condemning racism and bigotry as well as President Trump's response …
Ryan Mac / BuzzFeed:
Thuy Ong / The Verge:
Facebook will limit the spread of stories in News Feed that feature either fake video play buttons or videos of only a static image  —  Like ones that have a fake play button on videos of still images … Facebook has announced two new updates that will limit video clickbait posts from appearing in the News Feed.
Tom Warren / The Verge:
Apple adds new setting in iOS 11 beta that temporarily disables Touch ID, brings up option to call 911 when iPhone users tap power button five times quickly  —  Apple is adding an easy way to quickly disable Touch ID in iOS 11.  A new setting, designed to automate emergency services calls …
Robert Hackett / Fortune:
Bitcoin wallet provider Blockchain and exchange Bitstamp add support for Ethereum  —  Ethereum, a cryptocurrency network and rival to Bitcoin, continues to gain steam in the virtual money world.  —  Two of the longest-operating cryptocurrency businesses said Thursday they will customers to start buying …
Maxwell Tani / Business Insider:
Internal memo: Mic is laying off 25 staffers, primarily from its news and editorial departments, as it shifts focus to video and visual journalism  —  Mic.com laid off staffers on Thursday in what is part of a larger pivot to video that it will begin later this month.
Stephanie Condon / ZDNet:
Box announces Google Cloud Vision API integration, available today in private beta  —  The integration is one of Box's first moves to bring machine learning capabilities to its cloud content management platform.  —  In one of its first moves to bring machine learning capabilities …
Jacob Kastrenakes / The Verge:
Sprint opens Essential Phone pre-orders with a $260 discount, only offers black versions, and says units will ship by August 28  —  Sprint is now taking preorders for the Essential Phone, and it's offering subscribers a pretty good perk to jump on it early: a discount of about $260.
Justin Duino / 9to5Google:
Alleged renderings of LG V30 show off handset from multiple angles  —  We're less than a week away from the official announcement of the V30, but that hasn't stopped leaked images of the handset from emerging.  The latest to surface is a press render of the device that shows off the phone from almost every angle...

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