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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.

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Articles by Andrew Orr

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FTC Shuts Down Four Robocall Groups

Andrew Orr ·

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has shut down four robocall groups responsible for billions of robocalls.

Four separate operations responsible for bombarding consumers nationwide with billions of unwanted and illegal robocalls pitching auto warranties, debt-relief services, home security systems, fake charities, and Google search results services have agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that they violated the FTC Act and the agency’s Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), including its Do Not Call (DNC) provisions.

I feel like this will be a hydra situation. Four get shut down and eight new ones take their place.

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A Few Details About Apple Exec Peter Stern

Andrew Orr ·

We’ve got a few details about Peter Stern, a former cable TV executive who now leads Apple’s new subscriptions.

Stern will not be able to rest on his laurels. Though some of the services announced Monday are brand new, and some, such as Apple TV+, are months away from even launching, observers are already expecting that Stern will eventually cobble them together into an Amazon Prime-esque bundle.

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Should Apple Be Broken Up? Probably Not

Andrew Orr ·

Apple just announced a slew of new services, so you know what that means? It’s a monopoly and should be broken up, at least according to Cale Guthrie Weissman.

In the two-hour presentation, Apple transformed from product maker to platforms and services provider; Tim Cook’s ambition is to control every aspect of its domain. And that should give many of us pause…Less than a month ago, Elizabeth Warren made headlines for her sweeping plan to break up the tech giants. Though she didn’t initially mention Apple, she later explained to the Verge that, yes, the Steve Jobs-founded company is also in her crosshairs.

I think certain tech companies need regulation, but I don’t think Apple is one of them (Yes, obviously I’m biased). The only thing Elizabeth Warren did was give reasons why no one will vote for her in 2020.

Mac Contacts App Cardhop Arrives on iOS
Cool Stuff Found

Mac Contacts App Cardhop Arrives on iOS

Andrew Orr ·

Cardhop is a popular contacts app for the Mac. It’s made by Felxibits Inc. makers of another popular app Fantastical 2. Cardhop has finally arrived on iOS. The app’s parsing engine is incredibly intuitive, letting you search, add, edit, and interact with your contacts using a simple sentence. Just type in “John G” and John’s card will instantly appear. Or enter “Sarah Smith [email protected]” and Cardhop will add a new contact to Sarah’s card. Or type in “call Michael S” and Cardhop will instantly start a phone call. Cardhop automatically loads your contacts in Apple’s Contacts app, so you don’t need to do much except tap the Allow button. Plus, the company says that your contact information stays on your iPhone and isn’t uploaded to their servers. Right now the app is available for 20% for a limited time as part of the launch sale. App Store: US$3.99

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Publishers are Driving Readers to Apple News

Andrew Orr ·

What’s good for publishers isn’t necessarily good for readers. Josh Constine writes about how Apple News+ is bad for publishers.

Readers visit Apple’s app, not the outlet’s site that gives it free rein to promote conference tickets, merchandise, research reports, and other money-makers. Publishers don’t get their Apple News+ readers’ email addresses for follow-up marketing, cookies for ad targeting and content personalization, or their credit card info to speed up future purchases.

This is exactly why people install adblockers. No one wants to be harassed by endless pop-ups, marketing or cookies, autoplaying videos, and they don’t want you to have their credit card info or email address so it can get leaked in a data breach. You can’t blame Apple for that.

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More Details on Mastercard's Universal Digital ID

Andrew Orr ·

Late last year Mastercard announced its idea for a universal digital ID. We have a bit more information on that.

Mastercard envisions a platform in which consumers have control of their identity information and it is stored locally on their devices, rather than in a centralized system that Mastercard would need to defend. The ID would be set up through a bank or other participating institution that already holds identity information about the individual. And people would manage their enrollment and interact with their universal ID through that institution’s secure mobile app.

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Pick Up AirPods 2 in an Apple Store Today

Andrew Orr ·

You can pick up a pair of AirPods 2 in Apple retail stores today. Previously they were only available online.

If you’re looking to get your hands on a pair of second-generation AirPods, you may be able to score a pair directly from a brick and mortar Apple Store today via in-store pickup. Not all locations have stock available, and supplies will likely be limited, so you may want to act fast if you want them today.

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iOS 12.2 Fixes 51 Security Vulnerabilities

Andrew Orr ·

iOS 12.2 patches 51 security vulnerabilities, which is a huge incentive to update if nothing else announced yesterday was enticing.

The list of patches covers a wide variety of bugs an adversary could potentially manipulate to obtain effects like denial-of-service, privilege escalation, and information disclosure to gaining root privileges, overwriting arbitrary files, or executing code of the attacker’s choice.

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iOS 12.2 Reveals Wireless Powerbeats Pro

Andrew Orr ·

Remember that rumor about wireless Powerbeats? Turns out it was real. They’re called Powerbeats Pro and will include the H1 chip.

Given that the new Powerbeats Pro looks and works similar to AirPods, they could be the solution for those who’ve been waiting for a black version of AirPods, which some expected to come with the second generation released last week.

I’d still rather have black AirPods.

Darkroom 4.1 Adds Photos Extension, Editing in Files
Cool Stuff Found

Darkroom 4.1 Adds Photos Extension, Editing in Files

Andrew Orr ·

Darkroom 4.1 adds more ways for users to edit images, including a new photos extension and the ability to open photos directly in Files. What’s new: Photos Extension: Edit your photos with Darkroom right within the Photos app; Import to Darkroom: As an alternative to the Photos Extension, hand over your photos from apps using the new Share Extension; Copy to Darkroom: Easily copy your photos from external storage services like Dropbox or the Files apps to the camera roll and edit in Darkroom; Drag and drop to Import: Photos now can be dragged and dropped, on iPad only, to Darkroom to be copied and edited; Imported Smart Album: One convenient place to track all the photos you imported and/or copied to Darkroom; Open: Right from the album picker you can tap on the “Open” to access any photos accessible through the Files app, and 3d-party services that integrate with it. App Store: Free (Offers In-App Purchases)

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It's Now Easier to Delete Telegram Messages

Andrew Orr ·

With a new “delete everywhere” feature it’s now easier than ever to delete Telegram messages and erase your chat history.

The new ‘nuclear option’ delete feature allows a user to selectively delete their own messages and/or messages sent by any/all others in the chat. They don’t even have to have composed the original message or begun the thread to do so. They can just decide it’s time.

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Smartphones Are No Longer a Status Symbol

Andrew Orr ·

Smartphones used to be a status symbol. But that has changed now that everyone has one. Now, the status symbol is in avoiding smartphones.

Not only are screens themselves cheap to make, but they also make things cheaper. Any place that can fit a screen in (classrooms, hospitals, airports, restaurants) can cut costs. And any activity that can happen on a screen becomes cheaper.

The rich do not live like this. The rich have grown afraid of screens. They want their children to play with blocks, and tech-free private schools are booming. Humans are more expensive, and rich people are willing and able to pay for them…All of this has led to a curious new reality: Human contact is becoming a luxury good.

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Mind Chaser's Collection of Big Tech Spying Articles

Andrew Orr ·

The folks at Mind Chasers put together a constantly-updating list of Big Tech companies that spy on you, with examples.

Below is a listing of articles documenting various spying incidents, capabilities, and vulnerabilities that you may not already know. Maybe it will help drive home that our society has a big problem and make you think twice before you order your next connected device that’s built to spy on you.

This is a great resource to bookmark.

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We Finally Have a Super Mario Party Update

Andrew Orr ·

Nintendo finally released a Super Mario Party update. It’s not a major update but it fixes an annoyance some players had with Online Mariothon.

Fixed an issue with Online Mariothon in which ranking data was not displaying properly.

  1. Connect the Nintendo Switch console to the Internet.
  2. Return to the HOME Menu and launch the game.
  3. The update will be downloaded and installed automatically.
  4. Once the update is installed, the newest version number will be displayed on the title screen.
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Kickstarter Claps Back Against Unionization Attempts

Andrew Orr ·

On Tuesday, a bunch of Kickstarter employees went public with their efforts to unionize under the name Kickstarter United. But senior employees are fighting.

We believe this effort to unionize is the result of consistent issues with internal communications. We hope well-intentioned, good faith dialogue with executives and a specific list of issues from unsatisfied coworkers can get us to a better place. We want to give this a try before resorting to something as extreme as a union.

The statement is from an internal memo circulated among the company, and lists various reasons against the union.