videoconference

13 Stories

CEO Who Fired Workers Over Zoom Is Taking Time Off

Better.com's board made the announcement about Vishal Garg internally on Friday

(Newser) - Update: The CEO who shot to infamy last week after opting to fire 900 workers during a brief Zoom call is "taking time off." The board of mortgage lender Better.com announced in an internal email on Friday that Vishal Garg would be taking a break "effective...

Ohio Unveils Distracted-Driving Bill as Lawmaker Zooms While Driving
Lawmaker on
Video Call Busted
by His Seat Belt
in case you missed it

Lawmaker on Video Call Busted by His Seat Belt

State Sen. Andrew Brennerd drives while Zooming, on day Ohio unveils distracted-driving bill

(Newser) - On Monday, House Bill 283 was introduced in Ohio in a bid to tamp down on distracted driving by banning texting, taking photos, livestreaming, or otherwise using an electronic device while behind the wheel. That same day, a state senator was busted doing just that during a virtual meeting of...

Man Doesn't Know His Mic Is On, Insults Judge in Hearing

Liberty Mutual insurance adjuster monitoring trial via videoconference calls judge an 'idiot'

(Newser) - A California courtroom became the latest venue for a hot-mic incident last month when an insurance adjuster insulted the judge while monitoring the proceedings remotely. The Mercury News reports that Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Roberta Hayashi was trying to figure out where jurors should be seated during an...

Flub on G7 Call: Angela, 'I Think You Need to Mute'

British PM Boris Johnson had to inform German chancellor that everyone could hear her talking

(Newser) - No one turned into a cat , appeared upside down , or made a Britney Spears reference , but world leaders attending a virtual G7 conference on Friday experienced their own low-key videoconferencing snafu. Reuters reports it came courtesy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who inadvertently interrupted British Prime Minister Boris Johnson as...

Zoom Offers Thanksgiving Surprise
Zoom Offers
Thanksgiving
Surprise 

Zoom Offers Thanksgiving Surprise

Videoconferencing program will scrap its 40-minute time limit for Nov. 26 only so families can chat

(Newser) - With top health experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci strongly urging people to forgo holiday gatherings with loved ones during the pandemic, many are opting to settle in for a quiet meal at home with members of their household only, perhaps with plans to hold a Zoom call with relatives far...

Widespread Zoom Glitch Causes Problems

People unable to join meetings Monday morning

(Newser) - People who use Zoom to work remotely may have gotten a little break on Monday: The videoconferencing site has been experiencing a widespread malfunction, reports Business Insider . Exactly what happened wasn't immediately clear, but Zoom has acknowledged the issue. "If you're having trouble connecting to Zoom, we...

Aquarium's Problem: Its Eels Are Forgetting People Exist

An 'unprecedented situation' in Tokyo

(Newser) - A Japanese aquarium has an "urgent request" for locals who can't stop by for a visit due to the coronavirus shutdown: It wants them to partake in a "face-showing festival" instead and call in for a video chat with its spotted garden eels, for whom the presence...

More Good News From Krasinski: Stanley Tucci's 'Quarantini'

Tucci, Martha Stewart, Guy Fieri among those joining ex-'Office' star for virtual potluck

(Newser) - John Krasinski knows the way to his fans' hearts is through humor and good deeds —and yes, through their stomachs. Rolling Stone reports that the fifth episode of the ex-Office star's Some Good News show, taped at his home amid the coronavirus pandemic, featured a slew of stars...

Welcome to Facebook's New 50-Person Video Chat

Messenger Rooms is social network's videoconferencing answer to Zoom, Houseparty

(Newser) - Facebook apparently felt left out of the video chat parties taking place during the virus lockdowns—so it simply launched its own. Showing that social distancing doesn't have to adversely affect social networking, the company announced on Friday its new Messenger Rooms, a videoconferencing rival to platforms like Zoom...

Farm Has an Odd Idea for Your Next Online Meeting

It will make a horse, donkey, or even a chicken available for a fee

(Newser) - A miniature donkey named Mambo is getting some online love in North Carolina, where a farm is getting in on the idea of having animals spice up tedious virtual meetings during the coronavirus pandemic, per the AP . Peace N Peas Farm will rent Mambo, the 8-year-old miniature donkey, and his...

Zoom Hid Security Flaws: Shareholder

Class-action lawsuit also claims unauthorized disclosure of personal info

(Newser) - Shares in videoconferencing app Zoom hit record highs at the end of last month as COVID-19 forced people to work and socialize from home. Then came the drop, coinciding with concerns about " zoombombing " and other security and privacy issues. Another drop in stock price came Tuesday, with shares...

Working From Home During Virus? Beware of 'Zoombombs'
Working From Home During
Virus? Beware of 'Zoombombs'
THE RUNDOWN

Working From Home During Virus? Beware of 'Zoombombs'

FBI warns that hackers are 'hijacking' videoconferencing app

(Newser) - As the coronavirus pandemic rages on, people stuck at home have taken to using videoconferencing apps to hold work meetings and chat with family and friends. One such app that's become ubiquitous: Zoom, founded by Cisco engineer Eric Yuan. But be careful before you log in for that virtual...

Obama Talks Afghan Strategy With Karzai

Morning videoconference pleased Afghan president, sources say

(Newser) - President Obama spent an hour on the phone with Hamid Karzi this morning to discuss the new US policy for Afghanistan, a spokesman for the presidential palace reports. A close confidant of Karzai's who was with the Afghan president following the call said Karzai was happy with the videoconference conversation...

13 Stories