Feedback Loop: Amazon's new phone, trust issues with password managers and more!
Do you need a break from watching the World Cup? Good! Because the latest Feedback Loop is right here. Amazon released a new phone this week and we discuss if it meets our expectations; we speculate on what makes password-management apps trustworthy; Kris shares her thoughts on a new startup that aims to disrupt coin machines; we share our favorite browser extensions that protect our most personal data; and we get ridiculously excited about Twitter's support for animated GIFs. You can find all that and more below!
Talking about the Amazon Fire phone
Amazon's phone has been a pretty poorly kept secret. Even so, there were still a few surprises in store when it was finally unveiled on Wednesday. So, did it meet our lofty expectations? Will it be a game changer? Head over to the forums and discuss whether or not you're excited about the Amazon Fire.
Are password managers trustworthy?
It seems that hardly a day goes by without hearing about a security breach at our favorite sites. Plus, some of the most important tools powering the web have had major flaws discovered recently. It's enough to give even the least security conscious among us agita. Because of this, there's been a newfound emphasis on making sure users properly secure their data. xVxM4tthewxVx wants to know if we can depend on password-management tools. How can he get over his trust issues? Head over to the forums and let us know whether or not you're using one.
A startup will sell you quarters for laundry. Yes, really.
Last week, we learned about Vessyl, a new "smart cup" that knows what you're drinking and can track it. We even joked that this potentially foretold the end of civilization as we know it. This week, we have another seemingly ridiculous, but also potentially useful idea. A startup will deliver you a roll of quarters for a small fee, which could be useful if you forgot to bring change to the laundromat. Snarking aside, is this actually a brilliant idea? Sound off and let us know what you think.
What are some great browser extensions for protecting privacy?
Companies like Twitter, Facebook and Google (not to mention all sorts of various ad networks) store cookies on your machine that track you around the entire internet. They can (and do) build a ridiculously accurate profile of your interests and habits. Short of using incognito mode all the time, what are some browser extensions that will prevent me from turning into a glorified algorithm in some corporation's database?
Twitter now supports animated GIFs!
There are only two things that power the internet: cat photos and animated GIFs. That's why the recent news about Twitter supporting animated GIFs is so exciting. When you only have 140 characters to share your thoughts, every letter counts. If an image is worth a thousand words, surely an animated GIF is worth way more. Are you happy about this new feature? Share your favorite GIFs right here.
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That's all this week! Want to talk about your favorite gadget or have a burning question about technology? Register for an Engadget account today, visit the Engadget forums and start a new discussion!
