Google promises better privacy protection for Assistant

Google faced significant backlash earlier in the year when it was discovered that human workers listened to audio recordings from Google Assistant users. According to the company, the practice helped improve speech technology. But users weren't convinced with the argument, especially with reports that it could capture personal conversations as well. Google wants to convince the public that it has put in place privacy-related improvements for its virtual assistant.

The company emphasized that it isn't retaining audio recordings by default. Users are asked to opt in to the Voice and Audio Activity (VAA) program when first setting up Assistant. And now existing Assistant users can review this VAA setting. Google said the human review process will resume after you confirm your preference. Google said in its blog post, "We won't include your audio in the human review process unless you've re-confirmed your VAA setting as on."

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'Civilization VI' heads to the PS4 and Xbox

The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One are the latest consoles to get Civilization VI. Firaxis Games is keeping things fresh and bringing the 2016 civilization-building game to both consoles on November 22nd. Aspyr Media will be handling the port for the PS4 and the Xbox. According to a Sony blog post, the controls and user interface are "optimized for a controller experience." They didn't mention if the game gets a PC-syncing feature for importing saves like on the Nintendo Switch. But the port coming to the PS4 will include free Nubia + Khmer and Indonesia Civ & Scenario packs.

The base game will retail for US$59.99 (around CA$80). Take-Two will offer the Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm DLCs as a separate bundle for an extra US$49.99 (around CA$65).

Source: The Verge

Amazon Echo Show helps identify household pantry items in the US

Accessibility is one of the areas technology companies have been focusing on and improving in the past few years. The new feature available on the Amazon Echo Show helps the blind or low-vision customers to identify everyday household pantry items that are difficult to distinguish by touch. The feature makes use of computer vision and machine learning to recognize what item is placed before it. It'll be available on the first- and second-generation versions of this device. This Alexa-powered smart speaker is geared towards kitchens as it helps out with kitchen-related tasks, such as setting timers and watching recipe videos.

Users simply need to say things like "Alexa, what am I holding?" or "Alexa, what's in my hand?" And then the Echo Show will give verbal cues to inform the users what the product is. Amazon worked with blind Amazon employees, including its principal accessibility engineer, Josh Miele. They got feedback from both blind and low-vision customers and collaborated with the Vista Center for the Blind in Santa Cruz. It's currently only available in the US, but we're hoping it gets a broader rollout in the future.

Source: TechCrunch

Twitter for iOS lets you pin lists to your Home timeline

If you want an easier way to access your favourite lists on Twitter and you're using an iPhone, this new feature is for you. After testing it out with some users back in July, Twitter now allows all iOS users switch from viewing your timeline to lists you follow or subscribe to by simply swiping. You can pin and unpin up to five Lists, giving you a more curated experience on the app. 

The update also brings a new landing page for lists. It shows a header image and more context about these as well as the number of members and subscribers. To edit your Lists, head to your profile picture and then in the Home menu, look for the Lists tab. The GIF above shows how this can be done. Now, if you're an Android user, Twitter told Engadget that the feature would be available outside of iOS "in the near future."