Go internet. It’s your birthday.
Today on Up To Speed: Running down the gifts it gave us.
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The latest on the California wildfires.
The fires in California continue to expand and endanger more lives. We are extending data, text and voice relief to the places that need it most. Our team is on the ground and helping communities stay connected. Get the latest here.
The internet turns 50!
Happy Birthday to the internet, which turned 50 yesterday! From its inception as the Aparnet created in a UCLA lab to the vast information that is stored and shared today, the internet has connected the world to endless opportunities. Who knows what the internet will look like in another 50 years, we can’t wait to see.
Introducing ZenKey and the end of passwords.
Leading U.S.phone carriers Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile are introducing a new app called ZenKey, which will streamline the sign-in process across all apps on a user’s phone.
Instead of using a password, the system will take into account “SIM card details, location data, phone account type and other characteristics to verify users,” says Johannes Jaskolski, ZenKey GM.
AirPods go Pro.
Apple’s Airpods have gone Pro. On sale today, Apple has introduced premium noise-cancelling earbuds. Priced at $249, the Airpods will feature a transparency mode, so you can hear your surroundings, a complete noise cancellation mode and a force sensor to control your music.
The pods will also include “Adaptive EQ,” which will adapt the sound to the shape of your ear for a better listening experience. And to ensure your Airpods fit perfectly, three sizes of ear tips will be included for your choice. And of course - Siri is included too.
You can order yours on verizonwireless.com today.
New Emoji alert.
The new iOS 13.2 update ushered in a new array of emojis with even more ways to represent ourselves. The update features more diversity with emojis depicting differently-abled communities with hearing aids, guide dogs, wheelchairs and more. You can also customize emojis with multiple people to reflect different race and gender pairings.
And what’s an update without more food favorites? Additions include butter, falafel, garlic and so much more.
With over 300 new emojis to choose from, there’s a lot to discover.
It’s the Litterati.
Beyond its cool name, the app Litterati is encouraging individuals to keep our Earth clean. What started as Jeff Kirschener’s personal endeavor to help the environment has turned into a global community of users with 150,000 app downloads.
App users will become a part of an online community of people who share their efforts in picking up litter with photo albums and community challenges. The app then aggregates this data to show how patterns of trash exist in cities, providing a valuable source of information for environmentalist and students alike.
