Google publicly disclosed a zero-day flaw in macOS found by two researchers after Apple failed to fix it within a 90-day deadline.
NSA Spying Program Has Allegedly Ended
The NSA spying program that analyzed the calls and texts of American citizens has allegedly been shut down.
Christopher Augustine, an N.S.A. spokesman, told The New York Times in January that agency officials were “carefully evaluating all aspects” of the Freedom Act program, and were discussing its future. Mr. Augustine made clear that the White House would make the final call about whether to ask Congress to extend the Freedom Act.
I hope this is actually true. Now we need the GCHQ to not spy on us either.
Spotify Takes on Apple Music in India, Get 1 Million Users in a Week
Spotify launched in India under a week ago. It now has over a million unique users in the country, providing more competition to Apple Music.
Lots of Arguments Against Cord Cutting Are Stupid
Despite cord cutting getting ever more popular, lots of people continue to put up lots of arguments against it. The thing is, most of them just do not make sense. Fast Company helpfully compiled a list of 6 of the dumbest arguments against cord cutting. Something to deploy, perhaps, when friends and family tell you to renew the cable subscription.
By dropping cable or satellite TV for cheaper streaming services–or perhaps an over-the-air antenna–you can easily save hundreds of dollars every year. Yet we’re constantly being told by a parade of contrarian pundits that this is actually a bad idea–that the savings are illusory or that some future consequence will doom cord-cutting in the end. Most of these arguments collapse under scrutiny, which might explain why people are ignoring the naysayers and abandoning cable and satellite TV in record numbers.
Apple Acquires Patents From Failed AI Powered Home Security Startup
Apple acquired patent’s from Lighthouse AI in late 2018, it has emerged. Apple purchased 8 patents from the smart home security startup. They related to, amongst other things, computer-vision based security, visual authentication, and incident sharing. Lighthouse AI closed down in December 2018. The purchases are another indication of the renewed seriousness with which Apple is approaching AI. 9to5Mac wondered if we could see the technology associated with the patents used to improve Face ID.
The patents in question (via Patently Apple) relate to technology used for computer-vision based security, visual authentication, and more. In total, Apple acquired eight patents and patent applications from Lighthouse. Lighthouse AI officially shut down in December of last year after it failed to achieve commercial success. Lighthouse focused on using augmented reality and 3D sensing to make it easier for users to understand and sort through security footage.
Facebook Messenger on iOS Gets Dark Mode
The latest version of Facebook Messenger for iOS now has Dark Mode, but you don’t switch it on in the way you might expect.
Sharing Contacts, Bulk SMS, Calendar Tweaks, and Quick Tips - Mac Geek Gab Podcast 751
Want to learn the big secret to keeping your computer happy? How about how to share contacts? What about some quick tips about using calendar? This is what Mac Geek Gab is all about, and Dave and John help guide you through all of this, including getting your questions answered!
Foldable Smartphone Displays are Plastic, but Glass is Coming Next
Wired writes:
Foldable phones like Samsung’s Galaxy Fold and Huawei’s Mate X are coming, whether you’re ready or not. In fact, they’re coming whether they’re ready or not. The software remains untested or nonexistent. The prices are either astronomical or unannounced. But those potential issues can be fixed on the fly. The real thing you should hold out for? Glass.
Wired explores the technical prospects for real, foldable glass. It’s coming.
Democrats to Introduce 'Save the Internet Act' Wednesday
House Democrats will introduce a bill this Wednesday called Save the Internet Act in a bid to restore net neutrality rules.
TMO Background Mode Interview with TMO Podcaster and Journalist John Braun
John Braun is a software engineer, multiple patent holder, a Mac Observer Contributor and co-host of the Mac Observer’s podcast Mac Geek Gab (MGG). That podcast launched in 2005, and John has co-hosted 750 episodes to date.
We chatted about John’s early interest in computers and science, influenced in part by his father, an engineering manager. John started off partial to chemistry, but later specialized in computers. He holds aa B.S. in Computer Engineering and an M.S. in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
John told me about early work with computer bulletin boards, his career at Pitney Bowes, how he got to know Dave Hamilton and then joined the Mac Observer, how he prepares for the weekly podcast, and all about his two current Macs and why he loves them.
