Enter our new international giveaway for a chance to win the brand new iPhone 16 Pro.
COVID-19 Contact Tracing App ‘Working in Ireland’
Ireland’s COVID-19 contact tracing app is a rare success story, according to BBC News. It is also one of the tools that has been released using that Apple-Google API.
And now people in Northern Ireland are about to get access to a similar contact tracing app made by Nearform, the company behind Ireland’s Covid Tracker. Northern Ireland health officials confirmed at a briefing today that the app, to be released next week, will collect some data to show how it is functioning. In the early days there will not be much to go on as only between 10 and 20 new cases of the virus are being reported each week, but if there is a second wave of infections in the autumn they hope to know more about what is going on. The officials also revealed their app will work across the border, as will Ireland’s Covid Tracker.
Security Friday - Apple Security, TikTok – TMO Daily Observations 2020-07-24
Andrew Orr joins host Kelly Guimont for Security Friday to discuss Apple’s new security research, a privacy app, and other security news.
Apple Donates Proceeds From John Lewis Documentary to Museums
Apple is donating its portion of the proceeds from the documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble” to museums honoring his legacy.
How to Play Apple Music on an Alexa Device
Apple Music is accessible on Alexa devices. Subscribers need to go through a few steps to link accounts and make Apple Music the default.
Secret Document Reveals Details of Apple’s ‘Find My’ App
A secret document reveals details about Apple’s Find My app, which the company announced would be open to third-parties.
Sorry, Catnip Won’t Protect You Against the Meow Attack
Over 1,000 insecure databases have been completely erased, and the attackers leave no trace except the word “meow.”
Since then, Meow and a similar attack have destroyed more than 1,000 other databases. At the time this post went live, the Shodan computer search site showed that 987 ElasticSearch and 70 MongoDB instances had been nuked by Meow. A separate, less-malicious attack tagged an additional 616 ElasticSearch, MongoDB, and Cassandra files with the string “university_cybersec_experiment.” The attackers in this case seem to be demonstrating to the database maintainers that the files are vulnerable to being viewed or deleted.
Better erased than breached, right?
‘The Darwin Affair’ Latest Big Library Read
“The Darwin Affair” is the next book in Libby’s digital book club called Big Library Read.
London, June 1860: When an assassination attempt is made on Queen Victoria, and a petty thief is gruesomely murdered moments later—and only a block away—Chief Detective Inspector Charles Field quickly surmises that these crimes are connected to an even more sinister plot. Was Victoria really the assassin’s target? Are those closest to the Crown hiding something? And who is the shadowy figure witnesses describe as having lifeless, coal-black eyes?
Apple's TV Strategy: Become the Favored Subscription TV Platform
Unlike Roku and Amazon, Apple has immediately welcomed HBO Max and Peacock to its own streaming TV systems, tvOS and iOS. Apple’s TV strategy is interesting.
Bluetooth 5.0 Speaker, Wireless Charger, Clock: $56.99
We have a deal on the Gotek Wireless Charging Music Station. This device is a Bluetooth 5.0 speaker, , a wireless charger, and a clock, all in one. Accordingly, it tells time with a big LED display, and is capable of both streaming music and charging your Qi-enabled smartphone wirelessly. It’s $56.99 through our deal.
Multiple States Launch Consumer Protection Probe Against Apple
The Texas AG’s Consumer Protection Division launched the investigation and may sue Apple for violating the state’s deceptive trade practices law.
Apple Orders Thriller Series ‘Shining Girls’ Starring Elisabeth Moss
Apple announced today an order for “Shining Girls” a metaphysical thriller based on the bestselling 2013 novel by Lauren Beukes.
Is TikTok Really a Security Threat? Here’s What Experts Found
TikTok has faced accusations of data collecting and spying for the Chinese government. Here’s what the experts say.
Campaigners Call on Apple to Exit Uyghur Region Amidst Forced Labor Fears
Apple is amongst the major firms urged to cut ties with China amidst allegations that Uyghur Muslims are used as forced labor by suppliers.
Jamf IPO, NYT Media Purchases – TMO Daily Observations 2020-07-23
Charlotte Henry joins host Kelly Guimont to discuss her interview with the CTO of Jamf, and the latest media moves by the New York Times.
Serial Podcast Maker Bought by The New York Times
Serial Productions, the maker of the hit podcast series, has been purchased by The New York Times Company.
AT&T 5G Network is Available Across the United States
The AT&T 5G network is now available nationwide, the company announced today. All unlimited wireless plans will come with 5G starting August 7.
The Reasons Why Apple Should Buy TikTok
TikTok has been the focus of much political attention recently due its base in China and allegations (which it denies,) of data sharing with the Chinese state. The video-sharing app has said it will move its HQ, but it could even be bought by a U.S. firm. Music Business Worldwide offered a number of reasons why that company could, and maybe should, be Apple.
TikTok’s global addictive appeal is no accident. The app’s advanced artificial intelligence capabilities and powerful recommendation algorithms are key factors behind the 68 billion hours spent by its users in the app last year. Case in point: respected investor and tech industry commentator Connie Chan recently wrote a piece in which she called TikTok “the first mainstream consumer app where artificial intelligence is the product”… In an increasingly competitive music streaming market, with Apple Music’s primary rival Spotify known for excelling in content recommendation, TikTok’s AI baked into the the Apple Music ecosystem could be Spotify’s kryptonite.
Plex Goes Back to The Future With Free Live TV Service
Plex is launching a new live TV streaming services with 80 channels available for free with more on the way.
Steve Wozniak Suing YouTube Over Bitcoin Scam
Steve Wozniak has accused YouTube of allowing a Bitcoin scam, similar to that carried out on Twitter, to take place.
Creating Beastie Boys Posters on iPad Pro
To celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the Beastie Boys releasing Hello Nasty, Apple released a new video in which artist Geoff McFetridge describes making five new posters related to the Apple TV+ series about the band. The eye-catching posters were made entirely on an iPad Pro with an Apple Pencil. They give some insight into the cultural and musical impact of the rap trio.
DNA Company ‘GEDmatch’ Hacked in Data Breach
First, over a million DNA profiles from GEDmatch were leaked. Then, email addresses from the breach were used in a phishing attack against users of genealogy website MyHeritage.
As a result of this breach, all user permissions were reset, making all profiles visible to all users. This was the case for approximately 3 hours. During this time, users who did not opt in for law enforcement matching were available for law enforcement matching and, conversely, all law enforcement profiles were made visible to GEDmatch users.
If GEDmatch sounds familiar, it was the DNA database used to identify the Golden State Killer.
NBC Peacock Review
John has mixed feelings about this new TV streaming service in his NBC Peacock review.
Apple Security Research Device Program Launches Today
The Apple Security Research Device program launched today, and it aims to provide special iPhones to researchers with shell access.
Apple Hires Economists to Prove App Store is not Anticompetitive
Apple hired economists from the firm Analysis Group who said in a study that the company’s fees are similar to competitors.