It’s been a long time since VSCO released new Film X presets, but we have two that were just released: Kodak Portra 400VC (KP6) and Kodak Portra 400UC (KP).
Andrew Orr
Since 2015 Andrew has been writing about Apple, privacy, security, and at one point even Android. You can find him most places online under the username @andrewornot.
Articles by Andrew Orr
Which Carrier Really Has 'America's Best Network"?
Every carrier at one point seems to be crowned “America’s Best Network” but which one is actually the best? It turns out that the companies that perform these tests use different methodologies and so reach different conclusions.
In recent weeks, three key studies have reached conflicting conclusions about the top four nationwide carriers, which includes Sprint. But reports by RootMetrics, OpenSignal, and PCMag that, respectively, gave top honors to Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T aren’t wrong—not if you understand how they were put together.
Amazon Requires Police to Promote its Ring Surveillance Cameras
As part of a secret agreement, Amazon requires that police “encourage adoption” of its Ring doorbell surveillance cameras.
Dozens of police departments around the country have partnered with Ring, but until now, the exact terms of these partnerships have remained unknown. A signed memorandum of understanding between Ring and the police department of Lakeland, Florida, and emails obtained via a public records request, show that Ring is using local police as a de facto advertising firm. Police are contractually required to “Engage the Lakeland community with outreach efforts on the platform to encourage adoption of the platform/app.”
Winners of 12th iPhone Photography Awards Announced
The winners of the 12th iPhone Photography Awards have been announced, chosen from thousands of entries.
The grand prize winner is Gabriella Cigliano of Italy for her entry “Big Sister,” shot on an iPhone X in Zanzibar, Africa: Last year I spent a month in Wasa, Tanzania, teaching a class of young, curious and amazing guys. Before heading back to Italy we stopped in Zanzibar, where this photo was taken.
Google's AMP URL Technology Spreads to Images
Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) is a Google invention that is meant to speed up web pages on mobile devices. But since it wraps the page in a Google-controlled container, it’s a harmful technology to the open web. The company has started to bring AMP URL technology for Google Images.
When you select an image, you’ll see a preview of the website header at the bottom of the screen. You can keep scrolling through Google Images, or swipe up on the preview to load the AMP (accelerated mobile pages) version of the site.
Earlier I found a shortcut that can clean AMP URLs. Or, use an alternative search engine like DuckDuckGo.
Software Update to Fix iOS GPS Coming in November
Starting on November 3, 2019, certain older iPhones and iPads from 2012 to later will get an update to keep iOS GPS corrected.
Apple Number One in Corporate Solar Energy Usage
When it comes to corporate solar energy usage Apple leads the way, according to data from the Solar Energy Industry Association.
Civilization VI 'Rise and Fall' Expansion Available on iOS
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI recently made its Rise and Fall expansion pack available on iOS, and another expansion—Gathering Storm—will arrive later this year.
Costco Digital Membership Card Launches on iOS
A Costco Digital Membership Card has launched in its iOS app, to let customers pay for goods with their phone.
Stock Trader Robinhood Stored Passwords in Plaintext
Investment and stock trading app Robinhood recently admitted to storing user credentials like passwords in plaintext.
Now That it Fined Facebook, FTC Sues Cambridge Analytica
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suing now-bankrupt Cambridge Analytica for its role in collecting user data for voter targeting.
The torrent of privacy settlements, data scandals, and regulatory concerns over its handling of user information, however, has done nothing to hurt its financial prospects, at least yet. It’s business as usual for Facebook…But regulatory troubles are far from over for Facebook, what with the tech giant coming under fresh scrutiny from the FTC for possible violation of US antitrust law.
Apple, Microsoft, and a Partnership Between Them
Jason Perlow argues that Apple and Microsoft go together like “a burger and fries” and should enter into a partnership.
Microsoft’s Azure and 365 are the keys to Apple’s future products and services being able to fulfill their highest potential. In particular, Microsoft’s investments around AI and Machine Learning in the cloud would make the difference between Siri remaining the industry’s biggest not-so-intelligent agent joke — and becoming the very smartest in the industry. But only if the companies committed to building a single intelligent agent together.
I don’t necessarily agree, but then again Apple’s partnership with IBM surprised me.
Lockdown is a New Open Source iOS Firewall
Lockdown is a new, open source firewall for iOS that lets you block apps from cryptomining, sharing data with Facebook or Google, and more.
The app operates solely on device and the code has been shared on GitHub today. Lockdown’s release comes at a time when concerns are growing about how iOS apps share data with third-parties.
It’s a cool concept and I downloaded it. Unfortunately, you can’t use it in conjunction with real VPNs, at least for now.
Apple Music Names DJ Khaled First Artist in Residence
DJ Khaled announced on Instagram that he has been named Apple Music’s first artist in residence.
How Apple Card Compares to Other Credit Cards
Redditor u/cannono put together a credit card comparison chart that shows you how the Apple Card stacks up against other cards.
New Game Pathless Challenges You With Puzzles
In the futuristic dark world of Pathless it is easy to get lost, will you find the way out? Watch, memorize, repeat. Is your memory as good as you think it is? Memorize the different paths and try to repeat them in the same order. You must repeat the sequence of steps precisely to succeed. Features: One-finger control, 140 unique levels with more to come, player records and ladder system, randomly generated endless gameplay. It’s a coo game that reminds me of Bop It and that Simon Says toy. App Store: Free (Offers In-App Purchases).
Win Free AirPods 2 Tomorrow With 7-Eleven
The first 500 people to place a US$50 order in 7-Eleven’s 7NOW app can win free AirPods 2. First come, first serve, while supplies last.
UPS Drone Delivery Comes to a Sky Near You
UPS drone delivery is coming in the future after it got FAA approval back in April. On Monday UPS successfully tested a trial run.
Your Facial Data is Worth a $5 Gift Card to Google
Google employees are stopping people in public and offering them a US$5 gift card in exchange for their facial data. The company is thought to be working on a Face ID authentication system for the Pixel 4.
“I assume they’ll use the data to train a neural network to be able to recognize what a face is,” he replied. “Then you train your own phone on what your specific face looks like. And that’s what gets used to unlock your phone, Face ID-style, but more accurately.”
Add three zeroes to that Google, and then I’ll discuss it.
Dropbox Employees Seem to Have No Knowledge of Mac App
The new Dropbox for Mac has been annoying users, and it sounds like Dropbox employees don’t know how their app works.
To summarize, the problem is this: Dropbox now opens a new file browser and an associated Dock icon every time it starts, even if you don’t want it to…there are numerous Dropbox support employees who apparently have never used their company’s Mac application and do not understand how it works. As a result, Dropbox’s users have to explain to Dropbox employees how Dropbox’s application works on the Mac.
The Gates Foundation Profits From Private Prisons
Philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates run the Gates Foundation, which recently increased its stake in Serco Group Plc, a private, for-profit prison in the U.K.
The trust, the Gates foundation’s investment arm, added nearly 200,000 shares of Serco Group Plc in May…The foundation’s staff have no influence over the trust’s investment decisions, according to its website…Serco runs six for-profit prisons in the U.K., all of which are nearly filled to capacity.
The staff may have no influence, but surely either of the Gates have a say in the matter?
Proposed New York Bill Would Make Sale of Location Data Illegal
Introduced today, a new bill in New York City would make the sale of cellphone location data illegal, with fines for violators.
William Barr Wants You to Accept Encryption Backdoor Security Risks
U.S. Attorney General William Barr suggested that Americans should just accept encryption backdoor security risks (via TechCrunch). Encryption Backdoor Risks In a speech today, William Barr called on tech companies to help the federal government to access devices with a lawful order. In other words, ignore the security risks and put a backdoor into their…
Apple, Tennessee State University Promote Diversity in Coding
Apple is partnering with Tennessee State University to promote diversity in programming in HBCU C2 Presidential Academy.