Elon Musk to Speak With Twitter Employees After Internal Outcry
Elon Musk to Speak With Twitter Employees After Internal Outcry
Twitter will host Elon Musk for an AMA, or "ask me anything," session with employees after internal outcry over the Telsa and SpaceX CEO joining the social network's board of directors.
Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal invited employees to the AMA, saying it would be a chance for them to ask Musk questions directly, The Washington Post reported, citing internal company messages and emails. A Twitter spokesman confirmed that Musk would join Agrawal for an AMA "soon" but didn't say when the event would take place.
See Also: 4 Changes Elon Musk Could Push at Twitter
"Following our board announcement, many of you have had different types of questions about Elon Musk, and I want to welcome you to ask those questions to him," Agrawal reportedly wrote in a companywide email Thursday.
On Tuesday, Agrawal tweeted that Musk will be joining the company's board of directors. The announcement came a day after Musk disclosed he had accumulated a 9.2% stake in Twitter, making him the company's largest shareholder.
"Looking forward to working with Parag & Twitter board to make significant improvements to Twitter in coming months!," Musk tweeted after the announcement on Tuesday.
Twitter employees have reportedly expressed concerns that Musk could damage the company's culture or make it harder for workers to do their jobs at the social network. In a company Slack channel, one employee said people would likely face an HR investigation if they "tweeted some of the things Elon tweets," according to the Post. They continued: "Are board members held to the same standard?"
2022 Kia Sorento receives price hikes across the board, introduces PHEV trims
2022 Kia Sorento receives price hikes across the board, introduces PHEV trims
SUV shoppers looking for a midsize rig should put the 2022 Kia Sorento on their list because, well, it's a darn good vehicle, as our editors have experienced. On Friday, we received updated prices for the vehicle that show Kia has jacked prices up a tad across the board, however.
The cheapest 2022 Sorento remains the LX trim, which costs $30,665 after a $1,175 destination charge. It's just $100 more expensive than last year, and the same goes for the LX all-wheel drive trim, which costs $32,465. No, $100 won't break the bank in the grand scheme of a new car purchase, but there are loftier increases as you climb the SUV's trim hierarchy.
Moving into the volume model, the Sorento's S trim, prices jump to $33,465, which is a $400 bump from last year. Really, if you want the most bang for your buck, the new X-Line S trim is where it's at. Last year, the X-Line was an optional package for the EX trim, but Kia bundled its goods and expanded the AWD trim. It cost $2,100 extra last year, but the 2022 Sorento X-Line S trim only costs $600 more compared to last year's S AWD model. Plus, the fancier 10.25-inch touchscreen is now standard for all Sorento trims aside from the base LX model.
Kicking the tires on an EX trim drops the 2.5-liter turbo-four engine under the hood, replacing the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter mill. Prices climb $400 for the front-wheel drive model but jump a whopping $2,300 for the EX AWD model. Rounding things out, the SX trims grow $200 more expensive and the range-topping SX Prestige trim gets a new name. Now called SX-P, these SUVs are $500 more expensive for 2022. They also receive standard memory seats, 14-way power adjustments and thigh extenders.
For those looking for a more frugal option, the Sorento Hybrid remains at its $35,165 starting price. The cost puts you in an S trim, but you can climb into a hybrid model in EX trimmings for $37,165 to start. AWD is a $1,800 option for the S model and $2,300 option for the EX model.
The biggest addition is the new plug-in hybrid Sorento, though we don't have prices for it yet. Kia did say it'll only be available in SX and SX-P trims, so don't expect anything super-duper affordable, noting the SX trim already starts at nearly $40,000 without the PHEV gear.
Nerf Ultimate Championship Brings 4v4 VR Dart Matches to Meta Quest
Nerf Ultimate Championship Brings 4v4 VR Dart Matches to Meta Quest
Nerf Ultimate Championship, which arrived Thursday on Meta Quest virtual reality headsets, could solve two of the biggest obstacles to having a real-life Nerf blasting battle: a big enough place for your foam-dart shootout and all that dart cleanup.
The $15 game from developer Secret Location is a 4v4 multiplayer shooter. It puts players into colorful sci-fi costumes and venues -- the trailer below has a family-friendly Fortnite-meets-Overwatch vibe -- and includes 10 different Nerf blasters recreated inside of the game.
The game will include season passes that reward players with more items as they progress, and those passes are included with the cost of the game.
At launch the game includes four maps and three game modes, including a Colosseum map for capturing a control point, a la king of the hill modes in other games, and Mesa for controlling three different control points. A more classic 4-on-4 team battle mode can be played out on a Blast City map and a Factory map.
Chrome's Toughest Browser Security: What You Give Up When You Use Enhanced Safe Browsing Mode
Chrome's Toughest Browser Security: What You Give Up When You Use Enhanced Safe Browsing Mode
Threats to your personal data have grown more common in recent years, and they're unlikely to subside anytime soon. There were a record number of data breaches last year, and cases in the first quarter of this year have risen by 14% since last year. At this rate, data breaches will soon be as common as houseplants in a millennial's home.
The folks at Google offer Chrome users protections to help keep their personal data safe from malicious activity online, with Enhanced Safe Browsing. These additional protections were released in 2020 and received an update last year. Google reports that people who turn these protections on are 35% less likely to fall victim to phishing scams than others.
While these protections certainly help keep you safer online, your privacy might suffer. By enabling these protections, you're giving Google access to more in-depth information on your browsing habits.
Here's what to know about Chrome's Enhanced Safe Browsing protections.
How to turn on Enhanced Safe Browsing
These protections aren't on by default, meaning you have to turn them on if you want the extra security. Here's how to turn them on.
1. Open Chrome from your computer or Android device.
2. Click or tap the three dots in the upper right corner of your browser or screen.
3. Click or tap Settings.
4. Click or tap Privacy and security.
5. Click or tap Security.
6. On your computer, click Enhanced protection. On Android, tap Safe Browsing.
Google hasn't brought Enhanced Safe Browsing to iOS, but that could change.
One important thing to note is if you turn these protections on from one device, they don't carry over to your other devices. That means you have to turn the protections on for all your devices if you want complete coverage.
If you decide Enhanced Safe Browsing is more trouble than it's worth, you can turn them back off by following the steps above and clicking or tapping Standard protection or No protection. However, No protection, as the name implies, gives you no protections so it's not recommended.
Benefits of Enhanced Safe Browsing
If you turn Enhanced Safe Browsing protections on, Chrome will check in real time whether or not a site you are about to visit might be a phishing site. These scans could protect users from accidentally giving their information to malicious actors, potentially saving them time and money.
When you're about to download a new extension from the Chrome web store, Enhanced Safe Browsing protections will let you know if the extension is trusted or not. Trusted extensions follow the Chrome Web Store Developer Program Policies.
Chrome also scans files before you download them to block suspicious files. If the files are risky but not clearly unsafe, Chrome will ask users if they want to send the file to Google for a more thorough analysis. These scans and analysis shouldn't take more than a few minutes to complete, and the extra caution is worth it to make sure you're being as safe as possible.
Google will also scan usernames and passwords associated with data breaches to see if your information is compromised. This could save you a lot of headache and worry. A notification from Google could warn you before you get hit with fraudulent charges.
The downsides to Enhanced Safe Browsing
These protections are nice, but there are a few drawbacks.
If you turn on Enhanced Safe Browsing, you share more data, like what your are downloading, with Google. If you are signed into Chrome, your Google account is also temporarily linked to your browsing data. According to Google, this is to tailor protections to your specific situation, and this data is anonymized after a short period of time to protect users. However, according to a study from Princeton and Stanford universities, anonymized data, including search histories, can be linked to social media profiles using publicly available data.
Enhanced Safe Browsing could also hurt developers. If you're a new extension developer, you have to wait for Google to say your product can be trusted. Google requires new developers to follow the developer program policies for a few months before they can be labeled as trusted. This policy could hurt new developers who rely on income from their work, and it could lock out talented developers who can't afford to wait those months.
For more Google news, check out why Google is suing Sonos, what to know about Google's new Wallet app and how to make room in your Google Drive.
When things go sideways with Windows, there's Ctrl-Alt-Delete to get you to the Task Manager where you can investigate what's causing the problem and end any unresponsive apps. When something goes wrong on a Mac, there's Command-Option-Escape to call up the Force Quit Applications window. But when an app freezes or starts acting sluggish on a Chromebook, where do you turn? Is there a keyboard shortcut that can put an end to your troubles?
I have good news for Chromebook users. There is such a keyboard shortcut, and it's quite simple. When something is amiss on your Chromebook and you need to force quit an app, hit Shift-Escape. This keyboard shortcut calls up Chrome's Task Manager. Since Chrome apps are the only kinds of apps that a Chromebook runs, Chrome's Task Manager is the only task manager you need on a Chromebook. Just click on the app that's giving you problems and hit the End Process button.
Screenshot by Matt Elliott/CNET
At the top of the Task Manager, you'll see Chrome listed. You can't select it and force quit it because Chrome OS isn't anything more than the Chrome browser with a bit of window dressing, which means that quitting Chrome would amount to shutting down your Chromebook. If you are experiencing an issue that force quitting an app can't solve, then shut down your Chromebook by clicking the system tray in the bottom-right corner of your display and then clicking the power button. Or if you're really stuck, hold down the power button for 3 seconds to power down your system.
For more tips, learn how to print from a Chromebook, run Windows programs on a Chromebook and the best way to use Dropbox on a Chromebook.
These 5 Tips Make Sleeping With a CPAP Machine Easy
These 5 Tips Make Sleeping With a CPAP Machine Easy
Sleeping with a CPAP machine can be annoying -- the mask covering your face, the hose tethering you to a machine that grumbles beside your bed. We get it. Undeniably, they can be a hassle, and that's a big reason why people opt to sleep without them. Up to 35% of people don't use their prescribed CPAP machine as intended. Some people only use it for a few hours each night, while others disregard it entirely.
We don't recommend doing that. Ignoring sleep apnea is serious as heart disease and high blood pressure. Instead of compromising your sleep quality and health, use these quick tips to make sleeping with a CPAP mask part of your routine.
1. Pick the right mask style
The good news is that CPAP machines have come a long way from the clunky old noise machine with a huge face mask. Newer models are very quiet, and there are various mask styles you can choose from. Modern CPAP machines offer mask variations that allow you to choose what works best for you.
Common CPAP mask styles:
Full-face masks: This coverage option is what people expect from CPAP machines. It covers both your mouth and nose. It's a good option for people with nasal congestion or those who breathe through their mouths at night.
Nasal mask: This mask only covers your nose. It's well suited for people who move around in their sleep.
Nasal pillow mask: This mask has the smallest face covering -- it sits across your upper lip and nostrils. This option is great for people who feel claustrophobic in full coverage options or wear glasses.
Oral mask: This mask covers only your mouth and is best suited for people who breathe out of their mouth at night.
Keep in mind what position you sleep in when choosing the style of mask. If you sleep on your stomach or side, the larger masks with various straps may push against your pillow.
2. Make sure your mask fits properly
Once you know which mask style best fits your needs, you must ensure it fits. An ill-fitting mask is uncomfortable and can leave you with a dry, stuffy nose. If you notice red marks on your face, it's too tight. On the other hand, you won't get the benefits CPAP machines offer if the mask is too loose.
Make adjustments each night until you find the perfect fit. When you adjust your mask, you should do so while lying down with the mask on your face. If you are having trouble getting your mask to fit properly, your doctor will be able to help you adjust the mask accordingly.
Getty Images/cherrybeans
3. Practice wearing it during the day
When you first put on a CPAP mask, it can feel a bit like having a facehugger from Alien clamped to your face. It takes time to get used to. The last thing you want to do is save the adjustment period for when you are trying to fall asleep. Instead, start wearing it during the day so you get used to the sensation of being on your face. Wear it while you're watching TV or reading a book. Soon enough, you won't notice it at all.
If you find that you can't tolerate wearing it during the day, try breaking it down into steps. Start with just the mask -- no hose or straps. Then slowly attach the hose and straps to the process.
4. Use the 'ramp' feature
CPAP machines are designed to push air into your airways to keep them from collapsing from sleep apnea. For some people, the feeling of forced air is hard to tolerate, especially in the beginning. Many CPAP machines have a "ramp" feature that starts with lower air pressure as you fall asleep and increases through the night. Work with your doctor to find your prescribed optimal pressure for your sleep apnea.
5. Be patient
Getting used to sleeping with a CPAP machine is an ongoing process that you should measure in terms of small steps. No one brings home their brand-new CPAP machine and immediately sleeps eight uninterrupted hours with it on. CPAP machines can help you sleep better and ultimately improve your health in the long run. Despite the sometimes annoying CPAP struggles, you'll feel more rested if you sleep with it.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate just got Aerith, Tifa and Barret costumes
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate just got Aerith, Tifa and Barret costumes
Perhaps the biggest breaking news to come out of last week's The Game Awards show was Sepiroth, the villain from perennial fan favourite Final Fantasy VII, being added to Super Smash Bros. as a playable character.
But what about the rest of the squad from Final Fantasy VII? When can we play as them?
Nintendo
Today, during a Thursday livestream revealing more details about Sepiroth's inclusion in Super Smash Bros., game director Masahiro Sakurai also revealed that Tifa, Barret and Aerith would also be making an appearance in the game, albeit in a slightly less significant form.
They're going to be alternate Mii fighter costumes.
If you don't play Super Smash Bros. this will be difficult to explain, but I'm going to try my darnedest.
In Super Smash Bros. video game characters fight each other. Mario, Yoshi and host of characters including Solid Snake, Sonic and -- now -- Sepiroth face off in endless bouts of fun cartoon violence.
One of those characters are the Mii. The customisable characters first introduced on the Nintendo Wii.
All characters in Smash Bros have alternate costumes, but in Super Smash Bros. the Mii have especially wild alternate costumes.
So now we have alternate Barret, Tifa and Aerith costumes in Smash that look like this...
Nintendo
From right to left that's Barret, Tifa, and Aerith. The dude on the far left is fan favourite Geno from Super Mario RPG. People are going a bit nuts about that.
To be clear, these are just costumes. They won't affect the moveset of the Mii character, but this is as close we can get to receiving more Final Fantasy VII characters in Smash...
