Expanded 529 plans

Just a few weeks after escaping a net neutrality investigation into data cap exemptions, Verizon has decided to let its FiOS mobile video stream on its wireless network without counting against data caps. Customers who have Verizon FiOS TV at home and a Verizon Wireless smartphone plan can watch TV outside their homes without using up the data allotments on limited mobile plans, the company announced today . Just two months ago, the Federal Communications Commission accused Verizon Wireless of violating net neutrality rules by letting its Go90 video service stream without counting against customers' data caps as the company charged other video providers for the same data cap exemptions (also known as "zero-rating"). But the FCC's new Republican leadership rescinded that claim and ended the investigation last month , giving carriers the green light to expand data cap exemptions. Verizon's Go90 mobile video service hasn't been a smashing success, and 155 employees were … [Read more...] about After escaping net neutrality probe, Verizon expands data cap exemptions

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk is making plans to visit China as early as April and is seeking a meeting with China's Premier Li Qiang, two people with knowledge of planning for the trip told Reuters. The exact timing of the visit is subject to Li Qiang's availability, one of the sources said. Tesla and China's State Council Information Office did not immediately reply to requests for comment on Friday. China is Tesla's second-largest market after the United States and its Shanghai plant is the electric carmaker's largest production hub. A visit by Musk would mark his first visit to China since the COVID-19 pandemic and since Xi Jinping secured a third term as China's president. Before Li became premier in March, he served as Shanghai's party secretary where he oversaw the construction and opening of the Tesla factory. Musk last visited China in early 2020, when he set the internet abuzz by dancing on stage during an event at the Shanghai factory. … [Read more...] about Elon Musk plans China visit, seeks meeting with premier, claim sources

Google puts a lot of effort into creating and enforcing policies to prevent abuse while enabling publishers and businesses to thrive in the digital world. In 2022, Google added or updated 29 policies for advertisers and publishers to protect users from fraud and scams, block and remove harmful content, combat misinformation, respond to the war in Ukraine , and prioritise child safety. Google's financial services certification program was expanded to 10 new countries, and additional restrictions were placed to prevent spammers from creating thousands of accounts to spread malware. Over the past few years, Google has implemented comprehensive measures to address misinformation and unreliable claims in our advertising ecosystem. Among these measures are our policies that prohibit harmful health claims and claims that are demonstrably false and could weaken trust and engagement in elections. Google blocked or removed over 5.2 billion ads, restricted over 4.3 billion ads, and … [Read more...] about How Google is fighting ad spam on internet

Google introduced ‘Google Reviews and Development’ (GRAD), a new rating system that will help managers avoid paying low-performing employees bonuses and stock grants. Now Facebook owner Meta is also bringing a rating system according to which the bonus payouts will be awarded. Citing an internal memo, Wall Street Journal reported that Meta is planning to lower bonus pays for some employees and assess staff performance more frequently. The report also mentioned that employees who get a rating of "met most expectations" in their 2023 year-end reviews, will receive a smaller percentage of bonuses and restricted stock award due in March 2024. Read Also Meta launches subscription service in US Changes in grading The WSJ report mentioned that the bonus multiplier for the grade has been cut to 65% from 85% earlier and Meta will restart assessing staff performance twice a year. "We are making changes to our performance process, taking into account … [Read more...] about meta: Facebook parent Meta is bringing Google-like review system for bonus payouts: Report

This morning, this story spoke about a singular fresh-faced rumor, suggesting that both Oppo and sibling phone maker OnePlus would suddenly and unexpectedly be pulling out of European markets. We reached out to both brands for confirmation and, as such, this story now includes their formal responses. If you'd asked us yesterday, we'd have said everything looks to be sunshine and rainbows at both OnePlus and Oppo. OnePlus recently launched the OnePlus 11 – a noteworthy improvement on its predecessor, which is in contention for best phone of 2023. And Oppo not only showcased its newest flagship line – the Oppo Find X6 series – but broke into the international foldable market with the one of the best foldables around (check out our Oppo Find N2 Flip review for the full breakdown) a little over a month ago. With all of this in mind, not to mention a successful MWC trade show – in which both brands had some of the most interesting things on the show floor to … [Read more...] about Confirmed: Oppo and OnePlus aren’t leaving Europe after all

With so many options available, identifying the best microSD cards on the market is no easy feat. But we've carefully selected the top microSD flash memory cards you can use in smartphones , cameras , drones , and game consoles, like the Nintendo Switch . Many of the microSD cards featured in this guide also include an adapter that allows them to be used in devices that support standard SD memory cards. MicroSD cards allow you to expand the capacity of many devices quickly. But it's not as straightforward as just packing a bunch of gigabytes into a small memory card. The best microSD cards also need to offer high speeds. These are essential when moving large files to and from the card. This is especially true when recording video in Ultra HD ( 4K ) resolutions. Your device will be writing a lot of data and need ample space. This is our pick of the best microSD cards currently available in terms of pricing, reliability, and usability. Remember that it is advisable to … [Read more...] about Best microSD cards (March 2023): flash memory for drones, cameras and more

Like in other parts of the world, Canada is working out what the right to repair means for its people. The federal government said in its 2023 budget released Tuesday that it will bring the right to repair to Canada. At the same time, it's considering a universal charging port mandate like the European Union (EU) is implementing with USB-C. The Canadian federal government's 2023 budget introduces the right to repair under the chapter “Making Life More Affordable and Supporting the Middle Class." It says that the "government will work to implement a right to repair, with the aim of introducing a targeted framework for home appliances and electronics in 2024." The government plans to hold consultations on the matter and claimed it will "work closely with provinces and territories" to implement the right to repair in Canada: When it comes to broken appliances or devices, high repair fees and a lack of access to specific parts often mean Canadians are pushed to buy new products … [Read more...] about Right to repair, universal charging port mandates eyed to save Canadians money

It's a tentative time for the tech industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, tech sector employment fell by 11,184 positions in February. Overall, this can be viewed as a modest reduction of 0.2% of the total tech industry workforce, which numbers more than 5.5 million. Unemployment is creeping upwards, rising from 1.5% in January to 2.2% in February. While we're not facing a critical situation, there are signs that things are slowly but surely starting to take a downturn. However, we know that during times of uncertainty or even recession, not all tech jobs are affected equally. In fact, many tech roles are predicted to grow over the next decade, including fields such as data science (36%), information security (35%), and web development (30%). With this in mind, it helps to stay on top of the latest industry trends and needs. By continuously upskilling and growing your skillset, you can safeguard your career long into the future. Discover 2023's most in-demand … [Read more...] about These are the three most in-demand tech skills this year

Welcome to Edition 5.31 of the Rocket Report! We're about to tip over into April, and all signs continue to point to the likelihood of a Starship orbital launch attempt this month. I've heard all sorts of dates, but most recently, SpaceX appears to be working internally toward April 10. That lines up with about when a launch license is expected from the Federal Aviation Administration. It probably won't happen that soon, but we are pretty darn close, y'all. As always, we welcome reader submissions , and if you don't want to miss an issue, please subscribe using the box below (the form will not appear on AMP-enabled versions of the site). Each report will include information on small-, medium-, and heavy-lift rockets and a quick look ahead at the next three launches on the calendar. Isar Aerospace scores a big funding round . Before this week, the Munich-based company had raised about $165 million, a reasonable amount of cash for a launch startup building a small rocket. On … [Read more...] about Rocket Report: ULA Centaur stage has an ‘anomaly,’ Virgin Orbit funding is dire

As soon as Lars Ruiter steps out of his car, he is confronted by a Microsoft security guard, who is already seething with anger. Ruiter, a local councillor, has parked in the rain outside a half-finished Microsoft data center that rises out of the flat North Holland farmland. He wants to see the construction site. The guard, who recognizes Ruiter from a previous visit when he brought a TV crew here, says that’s not allowed. Within minutes, the argument has escalated, and the guard has his hand around Ruiter’s throat. The security guard lets go of Ruiter within a few seconds, and the councillor escapes with a red mark across his neck. Back in his car, Ruiter insists he’s fine. But his hands shake when he tries to change gears. He says the altercation—which he will later report to the police—shows the fog of secrecy that surrounds the Netherlands’ expanding data center business. The heated exchange between Ruiter and Microsoft’s security guard shows how contentious Big Tech’s … [Read more...] about These angry Dutch farmers really hate Microsoft