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at&t

Thousands of AT&T Customers Report Phone Service Outages Across America

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On Thursday morning, a large portion of AT&T’s customer base in the US experienced a network outage, rendering them unable to use the internet or make and receive calls.

Among the more than 74,000 reported outages as of 9 am, the top cities experiencing problems were Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, according to the tracking site Downdetector.

While some Verizon and T-Mobile customers also experienced outages, the companies stated that those affected were likely attempting to reach AT&T users. As of 7 am, 3,000 Verizon outages and 1,100 T-Mobile outages were reported by customers. Verizon told CNN, “Verizon’s network is operating normally.”

“Some customers experienced issues this morning when calling or texting with customers served by another carrier. We are continuing to monitor the situation.”

AT&T acknowledged the outages in a statement but did not specify why the system failed.

 “Some of our customers are experiencing wireless service interruptions this morning. We are working urgently to restore service to them. We encourage the use of Wi-Fi calling until service is restored.”

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The company did not provide a timeline for when the system would be completely restored, but it did say that portions of the network are starting to recover. AT&T has been directing people to contact customer service via direct message in their online responses to customer complaints.

According to CNN, an anonymous source in the industry said that the problem seems to be associated with the way cellular services hand off calls from one network to another, a process called peering. The source also stated there is currently no evidence to believe that a cyberattack caused the widespread outages.

A significant concern is that due to the outages, some individuals might be unable to reach emergency services by dialing 911.

On X, San Francisco’s Fire Department told users they were aware of the issue and the trouble it posed for people in crisis.

“We are aware of an issue impacting AT&T wireless customers from making and receiving any phone calls (including to 911). We are actively engaged and monitoring this. The San Francisco 911 center is still operational. If you are an AT&T customer and cannot get through to 911, then please try calling from a landline. If that is not an option, then please try to get ahold of a friend or family member who is a customer of a different carrier and ask them to call 911 on your behalf.”

Officials from emergency services nationwide, including Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, and Georgia, have stated that the outage is affecting their operations. Many of the departments advised relying on Wi-Fi for calls.

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On Thursday morning, members of the New York Police Department informed CNN that their AT&T phones could not make or receive calls or emails unless they were connected to Wi-Fi.

Officials from emergency services, such as those from The Massachusetts State Police, also told residents not to test their service by placing 911 calls.

“Many 911 centers in the state are getting flooded w/ calls from people trying to see if 911 works from their cell phone. Please do not do this. If you can successfully place a non-emergency call to another number via your cell service, then your 911 service will also work.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens released a statement saying the city is gathering more information to address the outages adequately.

“Atlanta’s e-911 is able to receive inbound and make outbound calls. We have received calls from AT&T customers that their cellular phones are in SOS mode.”

The company’s FirstNet network is still up and running, according to an AT&T representative. As a more robust network than AT&T’s commercial network, FirstNet offers coverage for police, fire departments, and first responders during national disasters.

iPhone 11 Pro

Apple To Potentially Discontinue iPhone XR, iPhone 11 Pro After iPhone 12 Release

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The iPhone 12 is currently projected to be released in October of this year. As the Keynote event gets closer and closer, many tech experts and blogs are placing their final bets for what’s to come with Apple’s newest smartphone upgrade. One of the most circulated rumors currently is reporting that Apple will discontinue the iPhone 11 Pro and the iPhone XR model once the 12 is finally released. 

The initial reports come from Twitter user @iAppleTimes, who’s been one of the most credible sources of information on all things Apple in the past. Recently, the user tweeted that the two iPhone models would be discontinued with iPhone 12’s launch and iPhone 11 deals would get a $150 price reduction.

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Price reduction on older generation iPhone models occurs annually with the drop of every new iPhone, typically followed by the discontinuing of whatever the oldest model is that year; last year it was the iPhone 7 Plus and everything before. So the discontinuing of two of Apple’s most recent models is quite surprising. 

It’s important to remember that even when this information comes from the most credible blog sources, we must take them with a grain of salt. While dropping these models may be surprising, it’s a newer trend that Apple’s seemed to follow. Every year they drop multiple versions of the same upgraded device, and ween out which models are most successful to continue selling. 

Last year when the iPhone 11 was launched, Apple also silently discontinued selling the iPhone XS and XS Max; this is also a part of the company’s efforts to only have a few smartphone options available at once. Since Apple also launched the iPhone SE earlier in 2020, it makes sense that they would want to discontinue newer models to keep up with the upgrades. 

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So the real question is what you should do if you’re currently in the market for a new iPhone, but don’t know if you should wait for the 12, the price-reduced 11 deals, or just go for it and pay for a new one now. If you were specifically looking to get the iPhone 11 Pro of iPhone XR, remember, this discontinuation is still simply a rumor based on Apple’s trends in the last few years, however, you may want to think about picking one up soon, just in case. 

If Apple does decide to discontinue both models, however, they won’t just pull them from the shelves without warning, and you’ll still be able to buy them online from third-party sellers. Establishments like Best Buy, or cell-service retail locations will likely have an overstock in the discontinued models that they’ll sell at a reduced price. 

Once Apple does finally launch the iPhone 12, it’s likely that all previous generation models will reduce in price as well. Third-party retailers typically also follow in these footsteps, so if you’re serious about getting a new phone as quickly as possible, try to hold out until the fall. 

Covid-19 has made it difficult for Apple to follow their usual launch schedule, hence the fall keynote presentation being delayed a month; it typically takes place in the beginning of September with the launch of the new iPhone models two weeks later. 

Kids on Smartphones

Utah Tech Company Creates ‘Kid-Safe’ Smartphone To Help Combat Excessive Screen Time

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Gabb Wireless is a company based in Lehi, Utah that wants to give parents an easy way to satisfy their kids desire for a cell phone, while giving them the peace of mind that their children are staying safe from things like cyber-bullying or online child predators. Gabb has released a kid-safe phone before, but in their new second-generation smartphone for children the company tried to implement even more security measures and new features that will limit screen time. 

The Z2 Gabb Phone, according to Gabb’s Vice President of marketing Lance Black, was developed to protect kids and minimize the amount of time they spend on their devices. Black claims that they are the first company to tackle the issue of kids and cell phones head-on by offering a cell phone specifically for them. 

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“We’ve got data to show that kids who have Gabb phones spend 80%, less time on screens. We’re a strong believer that the thief of opportunity is distraction. If we’re less distracted, we can accomplish great things. So (have) less screen time and do more cool stuff.”

The phone itself has Bluetooth capabilities and 14 pre-downloaded standard apps that are designed to motivate kids to step away from the world of the internet, video games and social media. The Z2 Gabb phone retails for about $100 with monthly plans that range from $20-$25, so parents aren’t breaking their banks paying for $900+ smartphones and data plans. 

Like regular smartphones, however, the Gabb phone has fingerprint security and GPS capabilities to help kids track down their phones if they lose it and so parents can also locate where the phone is. The company is also gearing up to release even more kid-friendly products that parents will love too. One of these projects includes a potential smartwatch launch that will implement the same message to kids; that they should be living their life beyond just a screen. 

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“We protect kids on a safe phone, we connect families, we empower parents and we live beyond the screen.”

Black also claims that Gabb partners will local organizations to help spread this message as well. Most recently the company partnered with Defend Innocence, an organization that’s working to end child sexual abuse, as well as the Gabb Ambassadors, an organization of young people who act as role models for what kids can accomplish when they limit their screen time. 

The presence of social media has become a major point of contention for young people especially. With technology and influencer culture being what it is today, there’s so many unhealthy beauty and living standards that circulate throughout the internet. These trends of living standards are indirectly telling kids that they should aspire to be like all the other young people on apps like Instagram and TikTok, instead of motivating them to explore their own individuality beyond what’s considered standard in the eyes of society. 

Gabb Wireless is essentially rebranding the idea of a cell phone to be more like what it was in the early 2000s, before smartphones became the norm for everyone. Give kids the opportunity to have their own phone and feel that independence, but restrict access to platforms that they have no business being on as a child anyway. This way, life is able to keep moving forward, and kids will be able to explore their own outlets for creativity.

Smart Devices

Get The Most Use Out Of Your Smart Devices

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Technology has become somewhat of a lifeline for most of us. It’s hard to point to anyone under the age of 55 who doesn’t own at least one smart personal device; and why would it be any different? Personal technology helps us organize our busy lives, stay connected to all of our loved ones regardless of where they are in the world, and can be an endless source of entertainment. 

It goes without saying that while technology can help us all become more organized and productive, it can also have the opposite effect to the same degree. However, making simple upgrades and adjustments to the ways in which we implement this technology in our personal and professional lives can make all the difference in terms of productivity. 

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Some of the most common struggles that we all can relate to in terms of our smart devices is either the fact that they run too slow, or don’t have enough storage. Both of these issues often come with age, meaning how long we’ve owned a particular version of a particular device. Upgrading out-of-date technology often feels unnecessary and like a scam that those who work on the retail end for these tech corporations push onto customers to get them to spend more money; and more often than not that is the case. 

However, upgrading your devices every three to five years has become somewhat of a standard practice, as it should be. Putting the aesthetics of upgraded smart phones and thin laptops aside, it’s important to buy new generations of the devices you own because of how often technology is changing now. So how do you know when it’s time to give your old phone the boot to pick up a fresh one? 

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First, do an analytical assessment of the devices you’re debating upgrading. Take note of every issue, no matter how small, that you have with the way in which your device is running. When you look back at your list, would it be more worth it to invest in repairs, or an upgrade? Getting a quote for repairs is also always an option, so if you’re unsure as to which option would give you the biggest bang for your buck in the long run, don’t hesitate to get your device checked out by a professional. 

So once you have either your new device or refurbished one, there are other ways to ensure you’re utilizing them to be the most productive individual that you can be. Distractions and an excess of communication via social media can kill productivity in a matter of milliseconds, as most of us already know. To help combat this, it’s best if you give yourself a visual for how often you’re using each application on your device.

On most smart devices, there’s a section in the settings application that allows you to see how much time you spend on your phone in a given week; beyond that, how often you spend on each particular app. Use this information as a means of creating a sort of tech use strategy for yourself. All the aspects of your phone/device that are used as a means of distraction need to be less accessible during the times you want to be productive.

Whether that means turning your device completely off, turning off the notifications, or even temporarily deleting distracting apps for the day until you get all of your work done, whatever it is, do what you need to do to be the most productive. 

TikTok

TikTok’s Censorship Issues

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TikTok has fast become one of the quickest growing social networks. However, the Chinese platform has recently come under fire following leaked documents revealing censored videos. Sources claim that videos showing people with disabilities, homosexuals or overweight people were hidden from view in a move to “protect vulnerable users.” Thanks to a strange policy, moderators were encouraged to limit the reach of some users, placing them on a ‘special users’ list, with the concern that they would be more vulnerable to bullying and internet trolls.

Website netzpolitik.org obtained documents that highlighted TikTok’s guidelines and spoke with a reliable source. In the documents, ByteDance, the Beijing-based technology company who owns TikTok, details how to deal with bullying with dubious methods of controlling it. In their moderation rules is a section called “Imagery depicting a subject highly vulnerable to cyber bullying” and discusses users who are “susceptible to harassment or cyberbullying based on their physical or mental condition.”

TikTok moderators are encouraged to mark accounts of people who have disabilities as ‘Risk 4’, meaning the video will only be available in the country the user uploaded it, resulting in some accounts only having a reach of around 5.5 million people — depending on their country’s user numbers — rather than their global audience, which is nearer to one billion people.

There were further restrictions for accounts where the owners were deemed extremely vulnerable. If the videos exceeded 6,000 to 10,000 views they were automatically tagged as “Auto R,” meaning if they exceeded these numbers they would automatically be placed in the ‘not recommended’ category.

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This means the algorithms will not allow the video to appear in the For You Feed that is shown when you first open the app.

Although many users may not acknowledge their disability, TikTok’s guidelines state that moderators need to look for “autism,” “Down syndrome,” and “facial disfigurements.” If a moderator deems that someone in the video has these characteristics the video is restricted. Each moderator has around 30 seconds to make these decisions.

Many are asking how someone can acknowledge somebody has any of the disorders within such a short time and the moderators appear to be as confused as everyone else. It seems that even with worldwide debates looking at the visibility of disabled people in the media, while many are asking for a barrier-free internet and open visibility, TikTok is going out of its way to block such users.

AbilityWatch’s Constantin Grosch thinks the policy is “overriding and exclusionary,” saying:

“The regulation listed here transforms this behavior into new digital platforms in which the visibility of disabled people is deliberately reduced out of misunderstood and unnecessary care.”

A growing online bullying issue is ghosting — a practice of deliberately and suddenly stopping all communication with another to end a relationship with them — which makes the TikTok policy even more shocking. Rather than tackling online bullying, including ghosting and internet trolls, it appears TikTok would rather restrict the victims.

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One source familiar with the moderating rules reported that staff repeatedly pointed out the problems of this policy and asked for a more sensitive and meaningful one. In November, The Washington Post had already reported on clashes between America’s employees and the rule makers in China, with many U.S. employees unhappy they had to restrict further videos including heated debates, heavy kissing, and political discussions.

While TikTok states that the U.S. operation is not required to carry out censorship, employees have stated that the final decisions on videos being restricted are made in Beijing. The potential influence Beijing could have in America has seen the Committee on Foreign Investment investigate the deals that ByteDance has had, especially in relation to Musical.ly, with many legal experts asking U.S. officials to investigate “a potential counterintelligence threat we cannot ignore.”

Vanessa Pappas, TikTok’s General Manager in America commented:

“TikTok has grown quickly, much like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat grew during their early years. And like those platforms, growth has posed challenges in terms of making sure our policies and practices keep up.”

One of the main concerns with TikTok is its lack of transparency on policies with no details being released about moderating decisions until recently. However, recent pressures have encouraged them to distance themselves from accusations that the app’s content is moderated by the Chinese government — something the Hong Kong protestors have claimed after some of their videos were censored.

ByteDance purchased Musical.ly in 2017 and promptly incorporated it into their own TikTok company, resulting in many young Americans uploading stunts, dances and stories in the millions, enabling TikTok to increase in value to around $75 billion, more than Snapchat and Uber combined. ByteDance is owned by one of China’s richest businessmen, Zhang Yimin.

There are now a reported one billion users worldwide meaning TikTok is the fastest growing social media platform in history. But will their censorship issues be their downfall?