Zoom focuses on fix privacy, safety issues instead of developing new features

Zoom has skyrocketed to popularity with the need for videoconferencing tools in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the app's sudden popularity has also exposed its issues, which included sending data to third parties like Facebook, the lack of end-to-end encryption, and what we now know as "Zoombombing." The latter involves hackers and other malicious personalities hijacking Zoom meetings and sharing violent or pornographic images. 

The company's response to these issues is to freeze development for 90 days so it can focus its resources on "our bigger trust, safety, and privacy issues." Founder and CEO Eric Yuan shared this update on a blog post saying, "We want to do what it takes to maintain your trust."

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New iOS 13.4.5 beta lets you share Apple Music songs on Instagram, Facebook Stories

Apple Music looks to be getting a feature similar to what you can do to Spotify. The first beta of iOS and iPadOS 13.4.5 suggests that Apple's streaming music service will let you share songs on Instagram and Facebook Story. When you tap on the Share button and select the social media apps, you'll be able to generate a Story post with the song title, artist, and album art. And if other people with Apple Music apps and subscriptions tap on the song, it would allow them to listen to the song on their devices. Spotify has implemented this feature for a while already, and we expect the Apple Music version to behave the same. The feature appeared in beta, though, so don't expect it to be widely available just yet.

Source: MacRumors

Federal government now has a COVID-19 resource app

The Government of Canada has a new dedicated COVID-19 app to serve as a centralized resource for the country on the pandemic and help prevent the spread of misinformation. The app is available on both iOS and Android. It's designed to provide personalized, evidence-based information about COVID-19. The app also provides up-to-date data, recommendations, and essential resources. There is a self-assessment tool as well to help you determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Other information available on the app includes data on the confirmed cases in Canada by province, the importance of physical/social distancing, and how to wash your hands properly. You can also see press releases issued by the government on the pandemic as well as things like travel advisories and answers to commonly-asked questions.

Source: MobileSyrup

'The Simpsons' to stream on Disney+ in its correct aspect ratio by end of May

The wide aspect ratio cut out important visual gags like this scene that should show that the Duff, Duff Lite, and Duff Dry beers all come out of the same spout. (Screencap credit: Tristan Cooper/Twitter)

Disney drew a lot of flak when it launched Disney+ with The Simpsons not streaming in the correct 4:3 aspect ratio. But now, the series will be available in this aspect ratio soon. Almost six months since the launch of Disney+, the company announced that it had found a solution, and it hopes to stream The Simpsons in its proper format by the end of May.

It was sometime in Season 20 when The Simpsons switched from 4:3 to 16:9. The latter format was what Disney opted to stream the series in "to guarantee visual quality and consistency across all 30 seasons." But that came at the cost of losing visual gags because they got cropped out. And fans were unhappy about this development. Now, let's hope Disney will be able to meet the deadline they set so that The Simpsons can be enjoyed in its proper format.

Source: The Verge