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Search: smart home
Over 2 Billion User Records Exposed in Orvibo Data Breach
Orvibo makes smart home products, and researchers found a leak in its database that exposed over two billion user records. This included usernames, email addresses, passwords, and precise locations.
The data breach affects users from around the world. We found logs for users in China, Japan, Thailand, the US, the UK, Mexico, France, Australia, and Brazil. We expect that there are more users represented in the 2 billion plus logs.
We first contact Orvibo via email on June 16. When we didn’t receive a response after several days, we also tweeted the company to alert them to the breach. They still have not responded, nor has the breach been closed.
Utterly ridiculous. It’s one thing to leak data, and other thing to ignore the problem and not fix it.
Tell Alexa to Delete Amazon Echo Voice Recordings
Amazon announce that users can delete recordings made by their Echo device via Alexa voice commands, not just the website and app.
New Zealand Man Gets a Surprise With New iPhone Purchase
Glen Cottle recently purchased a brand new iPhone for his partner. But upon opening the package, it might not be as brand new as he thought.
Communal Head Scratching to Help Solve Your Problems – Mac Geek Gab Podcast 758
It’s true, your two favorite geeks have come together again to have a “communal head scratch” about all the questions and problems you’ve submitted. Then it’s on to some happy tips, including one about working around the new Dropbox limitations. Download, press play, and learn at least five new things… and get your questions answered, too!
Zero Day Exploit Affects TP-Link Routers
Before you’re tempted to check out Amazon’s sale on TP-Link routers, you should know a zero day exploit was recently found in these devices.
This Google Nest Device Has a Secret Microphone
The Nest Secure smart home hub has had a secret microphone this whole time. But poor Google just plain forgot to tell us.
On Tuesday, a Google spokesperson told Business Insider the company had made an “error.” “The on-device microphone was never intended to be a secret and should have been listed in the tech specs. That was an error on our part,” the spokesperson said.
Silly Google, tricks are for kids. Also, get a HomePod.
Democrats Question Tim Cook Over FaceTime Bug
Democratic Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr., and Jan Schakowsky wrote a letter to Tim Cook today asking for details about the FaceTime bug.
This Gadget Brings Night Shift Into Your Bedroom
Online mattress company Casper released a new gadget called the Glow. It’s a bedside lamp that brings Night Light into your bedroom.
CES - Maximus Offering Increased Security with Dual Camera Video Doorbell
LAS VEGAS – Maximus is showing answer, the first dual camera video doorbell that sees what other devices miss.
Amazon Enjoys Best Ever Holiday Season
Amazon had a record-breaking holiday season in 2018, with over one billion items bought and millions of Prime memberships sold.
Owner's Parrot Uses Alexa to Play Music, Order Food
The Times writes: “The African grey parrot has become so adept at giving orders to Amazon’s smart speaker system while his owner is out that he uses it to play songs, tell him jokes and even order treats.” I wonder if the parrot instructs Alexa to open the smart home door so Amazon can bring the food to the cage.
Amazon Unveiling New Hardware at Surprise Event Today
Amazon is hosting a surprise media event 1 PM eastern time on Thursday to announce new hardware products. The company isn’t saying what it’ll introduce, but it’s a safe bet the Echo is involved. Along with new smart speakers and a rumored Echo subwoofer, we may see some other gear outside the smart speaker space. The Verge says,
Amazon could be shifting focus toward Alexa in general, with plans to unveil up to eight smart home devices this year. Rumored products range from a voice-controlled in-car accessory to a smart microwave oven. The latter is particularly interesting given Amazon recently began offering Blue Apron-style meal kits, both online and at its Amazon Go cashier-less outposts. The smart oven, if confirmed, could potentially be tied to Whole Foods as well.
So maybe you’ll be talking to your microwave oven soon, or at least sharing more of your cooking habits with Amazon.
Sonos Further Expands Wireless Speakers with New APIs, IFTTT Integration, and new Sonos Amp
Wireless speaker pioneers Sonos today announced the upcoming availability of their first-ever set of public APIs available to all Sonos speakers, as well as the Sonos Amp, a new piece of hardware aimed at allowing folks to use their own speakers within a Sonos system.
Siri Improves in Loup Ventures AI Showdown, Still Trails Google Assistant
Loup Ventures conducted its annual test to see how popular voice assistants perform, and Apple’s Siri came in second behind Google Assistant.
MacBook Pro, FreezerGate and a Tempest in a Teapot
There was a disruptive event this week in the Apple community that made screaming teenage girls at a concert look calm and sensible by comparison.
![Here Are All of the iOS Apps on macOS Mojave [Update]](https://www.macobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/macOS-mojave-iOS-apps-wide.png)
Here Are All of the iOS Apps on macOS Mojave [Update]
Craig Federighi schooled Mark Gurman, the originator of the rumor that iOS and macOS will merge.
Comcast Joins the Wi-Fi Mesh Market with xFi Pods
Comcast joined the Wi-Fi mesh market on Tuesday with the official launch of its xFi Pods. The plug-size devices extend the range of Comcast’s Xfinity broadband Wi-Fi network in your home.
This Amazon Doorbell Let a Man Spy on His Ex-Boyfriend [Update]
Ring—which Amazon acquired in February—makes a smart doorbell that has a camera connected to Wi-Fi.
The Voice Assistant War: Alexa and Google Assistant Versus Siri
We’re still in the early stages of voice assistant technology so we can’t declare a winner yet, regardless of which you prefer. Based on what we’re seeing, however, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are putting Apple’s Siri in a serious catch up position.
Is It Time to Replace Your AirPort Router? – Mac Geek Gab 707
APFS support in third-party apps continues to grow, there’s now an app to search for 32-bit apps, secondary iCloud IDs might work well for you, and Apple’s official acknowledgement of the end of the AirPort router line brings up one of our favorite topics again: what Wi-Fi solution is best for your home? John and Dave talk through all of this, all for you. Just like Sister Hazel sang. Or something like that. Just press play and enjoy!
It's Shortsighted for Apple to Discontinue AirPort Products
For two decades, Apple has been there for its customers who want a great, easy-to-understand, easy-to-set-up, Wi-Fi system. Why give that up?
Will Amazon's Fire TV Edition Do What Apple Could Not?
Amazon is folding its Fire TV into a smart 4K/UHD TV, called the Fire TV Edition. It’s what some have called on Apple to do. Will Amazon’s vision pay off?
As Far As You Know He’s Not a Real Doctor – Mac Geek Gab 702
Your questions, answered! That’s what we do here. Today’s show starts with some Cool Stuff Found items, including at least one that answers a question from a previous show about auto-captioning your videos! Then it’s on to figuring out where all your storage is being used, whether or not you should ignore those iOS relogin requests, and migrating Aperture to Photos. You like Quick Tips? We’ve got those, too. All this and more, folks!