Microsoft does away with passwords, employs new phone-based login system

You might no longer need to sign into your Microsoft account with a password anymore. Microsoft launched a new Authenticator app that does away with passwords and its place makes use of a new sign-in feature via your smartphone. Once you have it set up, the app, which is available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone, makes use of your mobile device to confirm your identity. When you need to sign into your Microsoft account somewhere on desktop, you just need to type in your username and then you’ll receive a notification on your phone to approve the login. Simply tap approve and you’re signed in. Aside from preventing unauthorized login attempts, the app can also provide unique code that works as second authentication factor for OAuth logins.

Source: Engadget

Google Search and Newsstand now has real-time NBA and NHL updates

Google is making it easier for you to keep up with your favorite NBA and NHL teams with the latest update to its Google Play Newsstand and Google Search apps. From Newsstand, you’ll be able to see dedicated NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs sections. There you’ll get play-by-play information as well as other local and national news about the sports. Now if you don’t want to use Newsstand, you can simply go to Google Search. The updates will be displayed in Google’s “Knowledge Panels” so you can check everything there.

Source: Android Authority

Uber loses VP of Global Vehicle Programs

One more Uber executive has left the company. This time its Sherif Marakby, Uber’s vice president of Global Vehicle Programs, who helped launched the company’s self-driving program in Pittsburgh. It isn’t clear why Marakby left Uber but according to Automotive News, it isn’t related to the lawsuit the company has with Waymo. It can’t be said if it’s related to sexual harassment allegations either. Marakby joined Uber back in April after working for Ford for 25 years.

“Sherif’s deep experience and knowledge of the automotive industry have helped us tremendously in working to make self-driving cars a reality,” an Uber spokesperson told TechCrunch in a statement. Marakby joins at least five other execs who’ve left the company in the past few months, including its head of comms, president, head of AI Labs, SVP of engineering, and VP of growth.

Facebook plans to review content reporting system after murder video stayed on its service for hours

Scott Carlson/Cleveland19News

There are unforgettable moments you get to see on Facebook’s video platform these days. Unfortunately, some of them are terrible and gruesome. One of these was the documentation of a deadly shooting that happened in Cleveland, which stayed on the site for hours before it was taken down. The social network says they’re reviewing their content reporting system because of this. According to a statement Facebook released, “As a result of this terrible series of events, we are reviewing our reporting flows to be sure people can report videos and other material that violates our standards as easily and quickly as possible.

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