Internet

Low-income households in the US could qualify for up to $50 per month discounts on their broadband, with the FCC approving the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program today. The new scheme - which is not yet open to registrations, and will require provider support from cable and other ISPs - also covers larger reductions for those living on Tribal lands, and a one-time discount on the cost of a new computer or tablet.

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WhatsApp's Facebook-friendly privacy changes have caused many users to flock to other secure messaging services. Those services, in turn, have rapidly pushed out changes to improve their features as well as prepare their servers for the sudden influx of new users. For its latest set of updates, Telegram is adding a touch of transience to some of its features, such as public chats as well as invite links, while also making sure that refugees from other messaging platforms will feel at home as well.

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Almost all of Elon Musk's endeavors and dreams have proven to be controversial but most of them prove themselves in the long run. While The Boring Company has still to bear any usable fruit and Neuralink is still too early in its infancy, SpaceX's Starlink Internet satellite constellation continues to split people up. It still has to reach its full potential, both in number of satellites and promised speeds, but Elon Musk says that there might be a speed bump on the way.

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It's Spotify's big day today, not only boasting of its large library of content and roster of artists on its platform, it also announced new features, like its HiFi lossless streaming. One feature that didn't get the spotlight has actually been in limited testing for a few months but is only now getting a formal name. Spotify Clips is now rolling out, at least if you're an artist, and like everyone else, it's taking a page out of Snapchat's book.

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SpaceX's Starlink internet service may be opening up to new customers, but according to Elon Musk the satellite system has even more aggressive targets over the next 12-18 months. Until recently in an invite-only beta, Starlink has recently begun taking broader reservations from those who want to try out its cable- and DSL-free connectivity.

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Late last year, Comcast revealed that it would be expanding its 1.2TB Internet data cap to the remaining states that hadn't yet received them -- a change that was originally scheduled to start next month. Not too long ago, the company said it would delay the data caps until July, but now it is back with yet another update.

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Facebook isn't one to back down from a fight or making controversial changes, at least until its hands are forced by laws. Even as it faces inquiries and lawsuits about its alleged monopolistic business practices, it is still pushing through with unpopular actions that practically put its mark on everything it owns. The Oculus Quest's new multi-user support, for example, is still tied to Facebook accounts, and WhatsApp is now resuming the journey to revamp its privacy policy to favor Facebook.

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Facebook will block users and publishers from sharing news content in Australia, a stark reaction to the proposed new Media Bargaining code in the country. The decision means that Facebook users in the country will not be able to see local or international content through the social network.

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Millions of people across the United States are currently without power -- and that's a big problem as temperatures drop to dangerous levels. Though Texas has primarily been hit -- in terms of power outages -- multiple states are currently experiencing problems, and this map makes it easy to keep track of what's happening.

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LastPass is making big changes to LastPass Free, the no-cost version of its password manager, and they're likely to go down badly among those who have been relying on the security tool. The big difference is that LastPass Free users will have to choose between mobile or computers for their unlimited device access, rather than getting the system on both.

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The Public Beta of Microsoft's xCloud for the web appears to be nearly ready for release. A report from The Verge today suggests that the web browser-based version of Microsoft xCloud is in testing in-house now, and should be ready for public beta play in the near future. This version should allow Microsoft xCloud to be played on more platforms than the cloud gaming service works with currently.

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The first Deadpool movie starring Ryan Reynolds was released in February 2016, a full five years ago. A month later, a fan named Hunter wrote Reynolds a letter addressed to 'Mr. Deadpool' asking if he had any advice on 'being more badass like you.' Reynolds wrote a response, but it was lost...until now.

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