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Facebook Hilariously Reminds its Users About ‘Data Privacy Day’

Andrew Orr ·

In the next few weeks you might see a reminder in the Facebook to review your privacy settings. That is, what little privacy the company gives you.

The updates represent Facebook burnishing its image to some extent. It spent much of the last decade embroiled in privacy problems that ranged from the Cambridge Analytica scandal through to data exposure on a third-party system. At the same time, it’s safe to say many people want to know their data is being used properly — the prompt and expanded tools could provide a degree of reassurance.

I don’t think it’s possible for Facebook to burnish its image.

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Amazon’s Ring Surveillance App is Loaded With Trackers

Andrew Orr ·

Not only are Ring doorbell cameras used as surveillance, but the app itself too. Like many apps, it’s loaded with third-party trackers and analytics tools. The EFF examined the Android app.

As we’ve mentioned, this includes information about your device and carrier, unique identifiers that allow these companies to track you across apps, real-time interaction data with the app, and information about your home network. In the case of MixPanel, it even includes your name and email address.

Podcast

Eclectic Light Company Founder Dr. Howard Oakley - TMO Background Mode Interview

John Martellaro · · 2 Comments

Dr. Howard Oakley is currently a developer of Mac software and is the founder of The Eclectic Light Company. Howard started life keenly interested in medicine, attended Oxford, and spent most of his career with the British Royal Navy as a doctor, ascending to the rank of Surgeon Commander. Along the way, he became heavily involved with computers and programming. His first encounter with a Mac SE and MPW hooked him for life.

We chatted about his life and times as a navy physician, his parallel evolution as a Mac developer, his amazing blog, The Eclectic Light Company, his writing for Mac Format, and some of his amazing free software: Aquiline Check, Consolation and SilentKnight, tools he wanted for himself. Howard delves into security issues, like XProtect, in a way that few other developers do.

TMO Deals

Boost Productivity with this App's Task Timelines, Project Visualization, Daily Planning, and Cross-Links: $25

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on Pagico 9, software designed to make your life easier by managing all your tasks, files, projects, and clients in one elegant package. Pagico 9 turns to-do lists into meaningful timelines, visualizes project status, centralize tasks, cross-link everything, neatly tag projects, and more in just a few clicks. It’s $25 through our deal.

Cool Stuff Found

New 'Shot on iPhone' Clip - 'Powder'

Charlotte Henry ·

Apple’s latest ‘Shot on iPhone’ video takes us to the slopes. Winter X Games snowboarders Red Gerard, Danny Davis, Kimmy Fasani, and Ben Ferguson feature in the clip. They enjoy fresh powder at the iconic Baldface Lodge in British Colombia. Joe Carlino directed the video. It was shot on an iPhone 11 Pro.

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Leaked Documents Reveal Antivirus Surveillance Industry

Andrew Orr ·

Leaked documents reveal that an Avast antivirus subsidiary called Jumpshot packages what you do on your computer and sells it to companies like Google, Microsoft, Pepsi, and more.

The data obtained by Motherboard and PCMag includes Google searches, lookups of locations and GPS coordinates on Google Maps, people visiting companies’ LinkedIn pages, particular YouTube videos, and people visiting porn websites. It is possible to determine from the collected data what date and time the anonymized user visited YouPorn and PornHub, and in some cases what search term they entered into the porn site and which specific video they watched.

I write a lot about privacy and security, and I try hard to be optimistic that eventually things will change and some day we will have a federal privacy law.

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iPads Can’t Kill Laptops But They are a Viable Alternative

Andrew Orr ·

It’s the tenth anniversary of the iPad. Steve Jobs introduced the device on January 27, 2010. Nathan Ingraham writes about the iPad but insists Apple is still trying to kill laptops. But I think he disproves his own point when he shares what Mr. Jobs said:

Shortly after the iPad launch, Jobs nailed his famous metaphor, comparing iPads to cars and traditional laptops and PCs to trucks, saying he believed that for most people, a car met all their needs. That clearly has not come to pass for a majority of computer users, but that doesn’t mean Jobs was wrong.

The metaphor is correct. Apple isn’t trying to kill laptops, they’re saying that for many people iPads are a good alternative. Alternative, not replacement.

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Apple to Build 116 Million iPhones in First Half of Fiscal Year

Charlotte Henry ·

Apple will build 116 million iPhones in the first half of its fiscal year, according to Cowen analyst Krish Sankar. This includes an expected new low-cost model of the smartphone, the so-called SE 2. AppleInsider reported on the note in which he made the prediction.

A note to investors by Cohen’s Krish Sankar, seen by AppleInsider, estimates that Apple produced 70 million iPhones for the holiday quarter. Of those 70 million, the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro models accounted for 74% of that —about 52 million. For the first calendar quarter of 2020, Apple is predicted to build 46 million iPhones of varying models, up 12% year-over-year. In that 46 million, is six million “iPhone SE 2” units, that Sankar estimates will sell for about $475 each… Additionally, for the second calendar quarter of 2020 —Apple’s third fiscal quarter of the year —Sankar believes that Apple will produce about 43 million iPhones.

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Privacy, Parenting, and Monitoring Your Kids’ Electronics

Andrew Orr ·

Wired is publishing a series on parenting, and this article is written by a father who monitors his teens’ electronics.

Later, after discovering my daughter had secreted a contraband Chromebook in her room to watch late-night Friends, all devices would be sequestered in the master bedroom overnight.

And this rule was above all else: The devices all belong to me and my wife, and we are entitled to see anything and everything on them.

I didn’t get a cell phone until I was in college, so my parents didn’t have to worry about me blasting my teenage cringe online. At the same time, this guy sounds like the type to physically remove the door to his kid’s room so they can’t hide from him.

Moleskine Journey is an iOS Planner, Journal, and More
Cool Stuff Found

Moleskine Journey is an iOS Planner, Journal, and More

Andrew Orr ·

The most recent app from Moleskine is called Moleskine Journey. It’s a multi-purpose app that serves as an iOS planner, journal, project manager, habit tracker, note-taker, photo diary, and food diary. Or whatever else you want to use it for because it seems flexible.

Designed for creatives minds, independent workers, audacious backpackers, and free spirits, Moleskine Journey is the first app that blends productivity tools with wellness tracking features to help you get stuff done and find inner balance every day. This minimal and intuitive app gathers together the many aspects of your life.

App Store: Free ((Offers In-App Purchases)