Meta's Threads Testing New Private Messaging Feature
Threads, the Meta Platforms Inc. social network that rivals Elon Musk's X, is testing a new messaging feature for users to interact privately on the service.
Private messages on Threads will be accessible within the network's app, and represent a fourth distinct inbox that Meta's user can access; this type of message can be sent already on Instagram, Messenger and WhatsApp. Threads messages won't be encrypted at launch, a spokesperson confirmed, and users can receive messages only from their followers or someone they're connected with on Instagram. Threats originally started as an offshoot of Instagram, and people can use the same network or build a new one.
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Forbes
30 minutes ago
- Forbes
Microsoft Installs Emergency Update On Windows PCs
Emergency update is now being installed. Another month, another emergency update for Windows users. After issuing several out-of-band updates to address update fails in May (1,2), here we are again in June. Only now, 'this OOB update downloads and installs automatically,' Microsoft says. Per Windows Latest which was first to report the initial problem and the response, this follows the June update failing to install on some PCs, primarily those with Easy Anti Cheat gaming software. 'As we suspected, something seemed odd with Windows 11 24H2 KB5060842 when Microsoft had paused the rollout briefly.' That interlude allowed a patch to be applied to the standard update, but this didn't work. Instead Microsoft withheld the update from affected PCs, which will now receive the emergency update instead. 'Windows users likely didn't experience this issue,' the Windows-maker says, because the standard update was not offered to at-risk PCs. According to Windows Latest, users had reported that 'the update showed up, but kept failing with the message: 'Some update files are missing or have problems. We'll try to download the update again later. Error code: (0x80073712)'.' Microsoft then confirmed 'compatibility issues' and applied a fix. But when the fix also failed, 'Microsoft made the final call to yank the buggy patch (KB5060842) because it wouldn't install, and replace it with [the new emergency update] KB5063060.' It's now clear this 'major issue' with June's Patch Tuesday 'causes PCs to reboot unexpectedly when launching games using Easy Anti-Cheat, such as Fortnite.' The emergency replacement for the Patch Tuesday update includes all cumulative fixes as well as the compatibility workaround. Microsoft says the OOB update 'downloads and installs automatically from Windows Update and Microsoft Update on devices with Easy Anti-Cheat installed and on devices that have not installed KB506842 yet.'
CNET
40 minutes ago
- CNET
Yes, an iPhone Could Cost More Than $2,200 With Tariffs. Should You Buy One Now?
Tariffs could soon raise the price of iPhone. James Martin/CNET President Donald Trump announced he has made a deal with China, which could potentially affect the cost of a new iPhone -- but maybe not as much as you think. "WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 55% TARIFFS, CHINA IS GETTING 10%," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, noting that he and China's president, Xi Jinping, still need to give their final approval for the deal. However, 55% "total" tariff incorporates 30% the countries agreed to in May (10% "reciprocal tariff" + 20% "fentanyl tariff") and approximately 25% from tariffs that Trump imposed on China during his first term, according to a White House official. Although 55% is substantially less than the original 145% tariff against China Trump originally put in place, it's still likely to result in higher prices for many items, said Michael Coon, associate professor of economics at the University of Tampa. And the new tariff deal doesn't take into account the 25% smartphone tariff Trump announced shortly after Apple said it was moving production of US iPhones to India. "I would suspect that the 25% smartphone tariff would be added on top of the existing tariffs in China," he said. "I think the smartphone tariff is more reaction to India -- Apple's announcement that they were going to ship most of their production to India." Apple didn't mention tariffs during its Worldwide Developers Conference this week, but with the rumored iPhone 17 due for a price hike -- regardless of tariffs -- is now the time to buy a new iPhone? Read more: Thinking About Buying a New iPhone? Here's Why You Should Wait How much could tariffs raise iPhone prices? We do the math Companies don't always pass the full tariff onto customers in the form of higher prices, but they can. Even if Apple could absorb some of the costs, you should expect to see significant price jumps if tariffs take effect. "They're still going to probably pass 80% to 90% onto consumers, if they can," Coon said. "Unless they wanted to do some sort of marketing ploy out of it, which I don't suspect they would want to do, because that would be directly going up against the administration." Based on the current tariff rate, iPhones manufactured in China are already subject to a 25% tariff (from Trump's first term), but could now get an additional 30% tariff. Goods from India currently have a 10% baseline tariff but that could potentially soar to 26% next month. Here's how the current tariffs and potential 25% Apple tariff could affect the price of the iPhone. These figures are based on our estimates and not confirmed by Apple: How much could iPhones made in China cost after tariffs? Current price With new 30% tariff New tariff + 25% smartphone tariff iPhone 16e (128GB) $599 $779 $928 iPhone 16 (128GB) $829 $1,078 $1,285 iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) $929 $1,208 $1,440 iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) $999 $1,299 $1,548 iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) $1,199 $1,559 $1,858 iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) $1,599 $2,079 $2,478 How much could iPhones made in India cost after tariffs? Current price Current 10% tariff Potential 26% tariff Potential 26% tariff + 25% smartphone tariff iPhone 16e (128GB) $599 $659 $755 $904 iPhone 16 (128GB) $829 $912 $1,045 $1,252 iPhone 16 Plus (128GB) $929 $1,022 $1,171 $1,403 iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) $999 $1,099 $1,259 $1,508 iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) $1,199 $1,319 $1,511 $1,810 iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) $1,599 $1,759 $2,015 $2,414 Based on Coon's estimates that Apple could pass along up to 90% of the tariff cost to customers, that could raise the price of a new iPhone 16 Pro Max (1 TB) assembled in China to $2,230. "Estimates say it would cost $3,500 to produce an iPhone in the US. So, it would still be cheaper to produce in China," Coon said. There's a lot more that goes into the price of an iPhone than simply where it's assembled. Apple sources components for its products from a long list of countries, which could face higher tariffs after the pause. And a tariff on goods doesn't necessarily mean prices will increase by the same amount. If companies want to stay competitive, they could absorb some of the costs to keep their prices lower. Apple did not respond to a request for comment. When could we see iPhone prices increase? It's unclear exactly when prices could go up, but if companies sell out of devices produced before the tariffs, they may have to increase prices on products in tariffed shipments. However, even if Apple can't avoid tariffs entirely, it has ways to offset the impact through its services -- including its music, news and data plans -- according to supply chain expert Joe Hudicka. "Apple will likely absorb some of the tariff costs up front to keep sticker prices stable, then pass the rest on to consumers gradually through service bundles, device longevity and ecosystem upgrades," he said. "Consumers will still pay, just not all at once." And regardless of how the tariff drama plays out, the Wall Street Journal reports that Apple plans to raise iPhone prices later this year. So expect prices to go up soon. Is it better to buy an iPhone and other tech now or wait? If you already planned to buy a new smartphone, buying it now might save you money. But if you don't need a new phone immediately, you might want to wait, said CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland, who's been reviewing phones for CNET since 2016. "If iPhone prices rise, know that, like cars, the prices for used iPhones will likely rise, too," he said. "If Apple does raise its prices, you'll likely get more for your old iPhone when you trade it in, and that should offset any increased prices." If you don't have the cash on hand and are considering using a credit card or buy now, pay later plan just to avoid tariffs, make sure you have the money to cover the costs before you start accruing interest. With credit cards' average interest rates currently more than 20%, the cost of financing a big purchase could quickly wipe out any savings you'd get by buying before prices go up because of tariffs. "If you finance this expense on a credit card and can't pay it off in full in one to two months, you'll likely end up paying way more than a tariff would cost you," said Alaina Fingal, an accountant, founder of The Organized Money and a CNET Money Expert Review Board member. "I would recommend that you pause on any big purchases until the economy is more stable." One way to save on Apple products, even if prices go up, is to buy last year's model instead of the newest release or a used one. And trading or selling a used one can help offset the cost even more. "Apple has leaned into that with its Certified Refurbished program, much like the auto industry's used car model," Hudicka said. "This program helps extend the lifespan of devices, keeping customers in the Apple ecosystem longer while distributing the cost impact over time." Buy or Wait Guide: How Tariffs Will Change Tech Prices and What to Do Next Buy or Wait Guide: How Tariffs Will Change Tech Prices and What to Do Next Click to unmute Video Player is loading. 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Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Is there a rocket launch today? Upcoming SpaceX liftoff should be visible in California
The third rocket launch of June from California could be about a day away, and (as usual) it should be widely visible across southern portions of the state. SpaceX, the commercial spaceflight company founded by billionaire Elon Musk, is preparing to launch its Falcon 9 rocket on the latest Starlink satellite delivery from the West Coast. The Starlink missions have become by far the most frequent and common rocket launches from Southern California – having comprised all six spaceflight missions in May from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The two-stage 230-foot-tall rocket, one of the world's most active, has become crucial in regularly deploying batches of internet-beaming Starlink satellites into what's called low-Earth orbit – an altitude that allows for things like satellites to circle Earth fairly quickly. The good news for Californians is, they have plenty of opportunities to see the Falcon 9 rocket soaring after it gets off the ground. But it's important to keep in mind that rocket launches can be – and often are – scrubbed or delayed due to any number of factors, including poor weather conditions or unexpected issues with spacecraft. Check back with the VC Star for any updates on the impending rocket launch. Here's what to know about the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, as well as when and where to watch it: California rocket launches: Here's a look at the upcoming schedule from Vandenberg A Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory suggests SpaceX is targeting the launch for as early as Friday, June 13, with backup opportunities Saturday, June 14. However, multiple websites that track rocket launches suggest the launch window could open at 6:46 p.m. PT Thursday, June 12. Neither the Vandenberg Space Force Base, nor SpaceX have yet officially confirmed the launch. The launch, using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to deliver the Starlink satellites, will take place from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County. Following the delivery and deployment of the satellites, the Falcon 9 rocket's booster will aim to land on a SpaceX drone ship, nicknamed "Of Course I Still Love You," in the Pacific Ocean. This allows for SpaceX personnel to recover the booster so it can be reused in future spaceflights. Residents of Santa Barbara County, San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County could hear sonic booms, according to an alert from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Sonic booms are brief, thunder-like noises that are often heard from the ground when a spacecraft or aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound. SpaceX provides a livestream of the launch on its website beginning about five minutes before liftoff, along with updates on social media site X, which Elon Musk also owns. Because Vandenberg is an active military base, the launch complex does not host public viewings of launches. But if conditions are clear, rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base can be viewed from several locations as far as Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Space Launch Schedule, a website dedicated to tracking upcoming rocket launches, provided a list of places in California to catch the launch in person: 13th Street and Arguello Boulevard, the public site with the closest views of SpaceX launches Floradale Avenue and West Ocean Avenue, officially designated as the 'viewing site for SLC-6' (space launch complex-6) Renwick Avenue and West Ocean Avenue, another intersection close to the base where spectators can park Santa Lucia Canyon Road and Victory Road, provides a partial view of Complex 4 Surf Beach on Ocean Avenue, the only location where the public can view the ignition and liftoff of rockets from Complex 4. Public access is at the Amtrak Surf Station parking area, but the area is closed in the case of back-to-back launches. The city of Lompoc in Santa Barbara County is filled with places to catch a rocket launch. The city's tourism bureau, Explore Lompoc, even maintains this list with additional viewing locations: , 6851 Ocean Park Road, which, while it doesn't have a view of the launch pad itself, is located only four miles from the launch site and provides a good vantage to see rockets get off the ground. Parking is limited, and law enforcement will close the road to the beach once parking is full. , 1 Hancock Drive, a community college located nine miles from the launch site where both the launch pad and rocket's tip can be seen before liftoff. , N A Street and McLaughlin Road, located within 10 miles of the launch site, is filled with large fields for activities or for spectators to set up chairs. Elon Musk, the world's richest man, founded SpaceX in 2002. The commercial spaceflight company is headquartered at Starbase in South Texas near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site, which is where SpaceX has been conducting routine flight tests of its 400-foot megarocket known as Starship, was recently voted by residents to become its own city. SpaceX conducts many of its own rocket launches, most using the Falcon 9 rocket, from both California and Florida. That includes a regular cadence of deliveries of Starlink internet satellites into orbit, and occasional privately-funded commercial crewed missions on the Dragon. The most recent of SpaceX's private human spaceflights, a mission known as Fram2, took place in April. SpaceX was also famously involved in funding and operating the headline-grabbing Polaris Dawn crewed commercial mission in September 2024. SpaceX also benefits from billions of dollars in contracts from NASA and the Department of Defense by providing launch services for classified satellites and other payloads. The Vandenberg Space Force Base is a rocket launch site in Santa Barbara County in Southern California. Established in 1941, the site was previously known as the Vandenberg Air Force Base. Though it's a military base, the site also hosts both civil and commercial space launches for entities like NASA and SpaceX. Space Launch Delta 30, a unit of Space Force, is responsible for managing the launch operations at Vandenberg, as well as the missile tests that take place at the base. Owned by SpaceX founder Elon Musk, Starlink is a constellation of more than 7,000 satellites that provide internet service to customers around the world. SpaceX has spent more than six years delivering the satellites to orbit with a regular cadence of rocket launches from both Florida and California. While most satellite internet services operate from single geostationary satellites orbiting Earth at about 22,236 miles, Starlink is a constellation of thousands of satellites that operate from a low-Earth orbit, about 341 miles up. That allows Starlink's satellites to have lower latency and data time between user and the satellite, improving performance of things like streaming, online gaming and video calls. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: California rocket launch today: Where to see SpaceX Falcon 9 lift off
