Happy Friday, readers! In today’s edition of the Daily Roundup, you can read about an FTC report that revealed how Google manipulated its search results, Microsoft clarified its Windows 10 upgrade policy for pirated copies and what Popcorn Time is doing to prevent a shutdown. Get the details on these stories and more below.
FTC report reveals how Google manipulated its search results
A few years ago, the FTC decided not to pursue an antitrust lawsuit against Google despite finding that its search algorithm really was biased. Now, we finally know the details of that lengthy investigation, thanks to a report written by FTC staffers that recently surfaced due to an open-records request. According to the 160-page report, the employees found evidence that Mountain View was demoting its competitors and placing its own services on top of search results lists, even if they weren’t as helpful.
Microsoft clarifies Windows 10 upgrade process for pirated copies
Yesterday, we heard that Microsoft planned to give people with pirated copies of its software a free way to upgrade to Windows 10. According to Reuters, Microsoft’s goal with this plan was to combat piracy in China, though the idea was to expand said offer beyond that country. Well, as it turns out, it won’t be that simple — and, frankly, is anyone really surprised?
Movie piracy app Popcorn Time thinks it can thwart a shutdown
About a year after Popcorn Time’s death and resurrection show, comes news that the app is taking even more of the legwork out of watching pirated movies online. To further stretch the meaning of “legal,” the service is moving to a peer-to-peer streaming system so that its user base (which is apparently growing by 100,000 downloads per day) hosts the requisite data, according to Wired.
This personal flamethrower is somehow legal in 49 states
The XM42 from Ion Productions is every pyromaniac’s dream come true: a personal, portable flamethrower that’s (amazingly still) legal everywhere except California. You’ll be able to get your own flame on for as little as $700 when the company launches its IndieGoGo campaign on March 23rd.
Google hopes these offers make you want a Chromecast
Google isn’t just using Chromecast Offers to reward existing users, the company’s also loading it with freebies in an effort to more households to get one. For instance, if you buy a Chromecast from March 20th to April 19th, you’ll get $80 worth of rewards. Namely, three months of subscription to Play Music, one month of Qello Concerts, three months of DramaFever, three months of Sesame Street GO and a free movie rental from Play Movies.
Total solar eclipse coincides with supermoon and spring equinox
The end is nigh, Engadget readers: a triumvirate of celestial events is happening simultaneously. Okay, that might be a bit of an overstatement, but until we hit the other side of today’s supermoon, spring equinox (yay!) and total solar eclipse, we just won’t know. As The Wall Street Journal tells it, this sort of thing is “extremely unusual.” Total solar eclipses — where the moon plays middleman and blocks the sun from our view — happen about once every year-and-a-half. Supermoons and the equinox? A handful of times per year and once annually, respectively.
You can buy your own ‘Tron’ light cycle (if you’ve got 40 grand)
If you’ve ever watched Tron: Legacy and wished that you could own your own light cycle, then May 2nd could be your only chance. Car collectors the Andrews Family is selling the bulk of its vehicle haul that includes a custom replica of the two-wheeler from the film.
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