Gmail boosts email security with new warning system

Gmail is making it very clear for its users when you’ve been sent a sketchy link. If you use Gmail on the web or on Android. You’ll see a question mark in place of the sender’s profile photo if the message wasn’t authenticated by either the Sender Policy Framework (SPF) or DKIM). Those who check Gmail on the web will see a familiar warning message similar to Google’s Safe Browsing protection tool that’ll let you know you might be clicking a link that has malware or uses phishing to get your personal information. Google is quick to emphasize that of course not all affected emails could be dangerous. But it is definitely better to be on high alert in situations like this.

Samsung teases Gear S3 for IFA

We’ve known for a while that there’s a new Gear smartwatch heading our way. Samsung has practically confirmed this news with its invite for its IFA 2016 press event happening on September 1^st at Berlin, Germany. The Gear S3 will come almost a year to the day Samsung released its predecessor at IFA 2015 as well. Some of the new features rumoured to be integrated into the Gear S3 include an altimeter, barometer, speedometer, and GPS. It’s starting to look like the smartwatch geared towards the more active crowd. We’ll get more confirmation pretty soon.

Source: CNET

Niantic brings down the hammer on ‘Pokémon Go’ cheaters, bans them permanently

Niantic hasn’t really taken kindly to cheaters and now they’re dishing out harsher punishments for those who use things like GPS spoofing, bots, and other software that’s allowing Pokémon Go players to game its system. Permanent bans are in the future of players who use GPS spoofing to catch Pokémon restricted to certain areas or regions, or those who use bots to automate certain parts of the game. What classifies for banning is: “This includes, but is not limited to: falsifying your location, using emulators, modified or unofficial software and/or accessing Pokémon Go clients or backends in an unauthorized manner including through the use of third party software.”

It isn’t exactly clear how Niantic will be able to detect these activities but the company says they want to “provide a fair, fun and legitimate game experience for everyone.” And if you’ve suddenly been banned from playing the game by mistake, you can appeal it through this form.

Source: The Verge

Microsoft buys livestreaming service Beam to boost interaction on the platform

Microsoft’s latest acquisition might be giving them an advantage in the livestreaming space. Its latest buy is livestreaming service Beam, a platform that lets viewers interact in real-time with the streamers while they broadcast. This is in contrast with Twitch that only allows passive viewing. Beam’s SDK doesn’t just allow for simple chatting and streaming, it allows you to directly interface with the streamers and even get involved in the game. You can earn XP points, boosters, and emoticons based on how much and how often you watch.

Beam will be part of the Xbox team and its CEO Matt Salsamendi is viewing this as a positive for them as well. Salsamendi says, "As part of the Xbox team, we'll be able to scale faster than we've ever been able to before." 

Source: Engadget