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'Fortnite' players raised $144 million for Ukraine relief efforts
Epic Games and Xbox donated their shares of proceeds from the last two weeks.
WhatsApp debuts coronavirus fact-checking hub
WhatsApp can be more than a messaging app -- in Europe, India and other parts of the world, it's a social network in its own right. To help avoid the spread of misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, the company -- which is owned by Facebook -- created an information hub that provides advice on how users can look after friends and family, stay cognizant of the latest developments and share verified information. The website was launched in partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and UNDP, and is meant to help in more than just a social context -- healthcare providers, educators, local governments and businesses can learn how to best connect with one another while social distancing is advised.
UNICEF now takes bitcoin and ether donations
UNICEF, the United Nations' charity that helps underserved children around the world, now accepts donations in bitcoin and ether. As the first UN organization to embrace cryptocurrencies, UNICEF and the recipients of its funding will benefit from the lack of fees that result from money being transferred overseas. Plus, donors will presumably be able to see how their contributions are disbursed to various initiatives.
UNICEF recruits gamers to mine cryptocurrency for Syrian kids
UNICEF has launched a new fund-raising project in the same vein as SETI@Home and Einstein@home, but with a cryptocurrency spin. In an effort to raise money for the children in war-torn Syria, the organization is asking gamers, eSports fans and anybody with powerful graphics cards in their computers for help in mining Ethereum. It's calling the new project "Game Chaingers," and joining it is as easy as going to its website, giving it a few details about your system so it can configure the mining software and installing that software to your PC.
Facebook's new maps will help responders during natural disasters
When natural disasters hit, the role of a site like Facebook switches from a fun social networking platform to a tool that can be used to save lives. Fully aware of the role it plays in natural disasters, Facebook has today announced that it will be using its software to lend emergency services a helping hand.
UNICEF looking to invest in tech that helps children in need
The United Nations Children's Fund, more commonly known as UNICEF, wants to start investing more in technology startups. This new initiative is part of its Innovation Fund, which seeks to develop projects that can make life better for underprivileged children across the globe. But first, companies must meet a few requirements to qualify for UNICEF's funding: The idea must be open source and have a working prototype, while the tech behind it can be novel or improve an existing one.
Land a role in the new Star Wars movie just for donating to UNICEF
Admittedly, we're pretty stoked about the next instalment in the Star Wars saga -- specifically seeing the old cast back in action. J.J. Abrams announced the Star Wars: Force for Change initiative from Episode VII's set in Abu Dhabi this morning. Abram's company Bad Robot, coupled with Disney and Lucasfilm will use Force for Change to help bring creative solutions to some of the world's greatest problems. The initiative's kick off would see your $10 entry fee go to Unicef's Innovation Labs and Programs and the winner get a role in Episode VII. Yeah, you'll get to flown to England with a friend, become J.J.'s VIP guest, get hair, make-up and costume sorted for your role. Have deeper pockets? Using the Omaze fundraising platform, entrants can choose all kinds of entry points and get gifts -- think Kickstarter for charities. For $5k you get 500 chances to win and a replica lightsaber, for a cool $50K, 5,000 entries and a chance to see the film ahead of the rest of humanity. This first round in what we hope will be an ongoing charity saga, starts today and runs until July 18.
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for March 14, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
Help a child in need by not touching your iPhone
Normally I'd never advocate going longer than 35 seconds without checking your iPhone for social news, Twitter favorites, or Facebook likes, but I'll definitely make an exception for UNICEF's Tap Project. The Tap Project is an initiative to provide clean water to children in need all over the world, and all you need in order to participate is your iPhone and mobile browser. Head to the Tap Project page on your mobile browser (located at UNICEFTapProject.org) to start things up, and once you're ready to set your phone down for a bit you can activate the site's timer to begin. When you absolutely cannot stand to go another second without checking your Snapchat messages or Instagram profile, the site will tell you how much clean water you've helped to provide. UNICEF is able to provide the resources thanks to sponsors who have pledged to fund the project based on the amount of time people can go without picking up their phones. And if you're thinking you can trick the site, think again; the web app uses your iPhone's accelerometer to make sure you're not just starting the timer and then tossing your smartphone in your pocket. No cheating!
S.U.N. launches first major update
Soul of the Ultimate Nation is launching its first major content update, and spreading a little Christmas cheer while they're at it. The content update will bring a new map -- Valley of the Dragon -- for players above level 60 who are looking for a new challenge, as well as a new battle zone, AC system and quests. Finally, an elite item set option is now available, said to be the most unique item in game. While they were at it, WEBZEN decided to add another little bonus to their game, the "Holiday Spirit in Soul of the Ultimate Nation" event. From now until December 30th, you can purchase Happy Winter Packages, and part of the purchase price will go to support UNICEF. The holiday promotion is limited, but the new content is here to stay, so pick up your winter gifts and settle in to enjoy this first major content update!
Snoop wants his Xbox and he wants it now!
The New York Post is reporting that Snoop Dogg, during a UNICEF benefit concert, almost didn't make it on stage due to an Xbox. As part of Snoop Dogg's long list of demands for his appearance, he required that there be an Xbox in his dressing room. But when no Xbox was to be found, Snoop nearly canceled his concert. That is until a parent lent the rapper their kid's Xbox so he could get his game on with his massive entourage. In the end Snoop was only an hour or so late (gaming way too hard), but did give his performance. Is our pot smoking "friend" Snoop Dogg a diva in disguise or is it perfectly justifiable for a gamer to demand an Xbox? We can definitely understand the necessity of it, but then again we aren't getting paid $150,000 to show up somewhere.
Ayiti: The Cost of Life
Ayiti: The Cost of Life is a simple, web-based strategy game built by NYC-based developers gameLab and students from Brooklyn's South Shore High School. The game's purpose is to teach about poverty in developing nations, but don't let the game's educational mission deter you from giving it a shot. It's not easy. In eight attempts to win with the "Money" strategy, we lost eight times (Cholera being the leading cause of death in the game). If you find a strategy that keeps your family from crapping themselves to death, do share, because the game's not at all easy. Then again, maybe the point is that you're not supposed to be able to win this one.
