Dr. Mac returns for a chat about a couple of discoveries in his Gift Guide adventures: One to look for, and one to look OUT for.
What’s Wrong With AirTags? Stalkers and Security
One report about AirTag on Thursday show that more security researchers are exploring the device, and another says it is a “gift to stalkers.”
Ninja Dragon Vortex 9 RC Quadcopter Drone with 4K HD Camera: $79.99
We have a deal on the Ninja Dragon Vortex 9 RC Quadcopter Drone with 4K HD Camera. This is a small quadcopter that has a 4K camera, a modular battery, and a one-click return mode. It’s $79.99 through our deal.
Experts Key to Epic vs Apple Battle
The Epic Games vs Apple case is well underway. A key part of the trial is expert witnesses, with David Evans, chairman of Global Economics Group set to be there for the Fortnite maker. Reuters has a breakdown of the significance of his, and other, appearances.
On the stand this week, Evans testified that Apple is what is known as a single-brand market, arguing that once consumers buy an iPhone, the costs of switching to an Android are so high that they rarely make the jump. Since about 2010, Evans testified, Apple’s App Store has effectively been its own market, and users rarely venture outside. After Apple kicked “Fortnite” off the App Store, Evans testified, only a small fraction of Apple users jumped to other devices like PCs or gaming consoles to play “Fortnite.”
People Can Now Store Medical Records in 1Password
On Thursday Agile Bits announced a new data type item that lets people store medical records in 1Password.
Pixelmator Pro Available With 50 Percent Discount
Pixelmator Pro is currently available with a 50 percent discount, and users also got a sneak peek at version 2.1 of the software.
YouTube TV Added Direct to App as Roku Row Escalates
Google and Roku are still rowing over how to get YouTube TV back on the streaming platform. It seems like Google has taken things into its own hands, as The Verge reported that YouTube TV is now in the main YouTube app.
YouTube users will start seeing a “Go to YouTube TV” option in the main YouTube app over the next few days. When they select that, they’ll then be switched over to the standard YouTube TV user experience. This option is coming to Roku devices first — where it’s currently most needed — but will also come to YouTube on other platforms as well. In essence, Google has basically stuffed the YouTube TV app into YouTube itself, a solution that seems unlikely to make Roku very happy. Google says it’s “still working to come to an agreement with Roku to ensure continued access to YouTube TV for our mutual customers,” and it notes the YouTube TV app remains usable for those who already have it installed
‘Brave’ Browser Adds Support for Crypto Domains
Brave is the latest browser to partner with Unstoppable Domains, letting users access decentralized crypto websites.
Through this integration, the Brave browser is supporting a decentralized network not part of the traditional Domain Name Service (DNS), which is increasingly susceptible to hijacking, denial-of-service attacks, and phishing attacks. Unstoppable Domains allows users to build and host decentralized websites for a variety of use cases, including creating NFT galleries, video, and file sharing.
App Tracking Transparency Most Popular New Feature With iPhone Users, as Brand Loyalty Soars
Apple brand loyalty is at 92.6 percent, with App Tracking Transparency the most popular new iOS 14.5 features with iPhone users.
IRS Can Seize Your Bitcoin if you Have Unpaid Taxes
Deputy associate chief counsel Robert Wearing of the IRS said that the agency would seize cryptocurrency assets to settle unpaid taxes.
The perceived authority to seize an asset like bitcoin from the IRS stems from a 2014 notice it issued claiming that “virtual currency is treated as property for Federal income tax purposes.”
But there is still some question as to how the IRS would accurately determine the BTC holdings of taxpayers, let alone compel them to relinquish their bitcoin.
