Got an Apple Watch? You can use it to ping a lost iPhone in your house. But did you know that you can do that with your AirPods, too, assuming they’re set up to do so? You can, and we’ve got the trick to it in today’s Quick Tip!
Google to Shut Down Messaging App Allo
Google announced that it is shutting down its Allo messaging app. Analyzing the development, Engadget’s Nick Summers noted that Allo “has struggled to coax users away from established messaging apps such as iMessage and Facebook Messenger.” The app will stop working in March 2019.
Google’s new lineup will be simpler, but not necessarily better. There’s a chance, of course, that every carrier and OEM will add RCS support before March 2019, making Messages a viable option. The uptake over the last seven months, however, doesn’t fill me with confidence. If RCS remains a niche, I’ll have to stick with Whatsapp to communicate with most people. Which is a shame, because I liked Allo and believe a semi-popular, Google-run messaging app could be good for the wider industry. It would give Apple and Facebook some much-needed competition in the West, at least.
How T-Mobile's eSIM iPhone App Works
PC Magazine got an exclusive look at T-Mobile’s eSIM app for the iPhone. It allows users to connect to a new prepaid T-Mobile line without the need for a physical sim card. Apple introduced this capability with the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. A number of carriers are planning to support eSIM but the T-Mobile system was deemed easier than those from its rivals as it is based on an app and does not a QR Code or in-store activation.
T-Mobile is rolling this app out to its staff for training tomorrow and aims to launch it by the end of the year, according to sources close to the development and rollout. For now, it will only support adding prepaid plans to eSIMs; the thinking seems to be that it will be used for inbound roaming and secondary lines, with customers still going into stores and getting physical SIMs activated for primary lines and family plans.
Ultraloq UL3 Bluetooth Fingerprint and Touchscreen Smart Lock: $143.99
We have a deal on the Ultraloq UL3 Bluetooth Fingerprint and Touchscreen Smart Lock. This smart lock allows you to program the lock to use your fingerprint, code, or smartphone to unlock the door. You can assign different users, use your iPhone app to unlock it over Bluetooth, and there’s a mechanical key backup. Our deal is for $168.99, but coupon code SAVEGREEN25 at checkout take $25 off, for a final price of $143.99.
Security Laws and Data Breaches – TMO Daily Observations 2018-12-07
Andrew Orr and Bryan Chaffin join host Kelly Guimont to talk about security laws, data breaches, and robot-led bear spray attacks.
Apple Announces New Beddit Sleep Monitor 3.5
Beddit, a sleep company acquired by Apple, is selling a new 3.5 version of its Beddit Sleep Monitor for US$149.95.
The Beddit Sleep Monitor 3.5 isn’t a radical change from the previous 3.0 version. It’s still a 2mm thin strip that you lay above your mattress and power via USB. It connects to an iPhone app for sending sleep tracking data to the Beddit app and Apple’s Health app (with permission), and it’s still advertised as not requiring a “wearable” like the Apple Watch — although Beddit has an Apple Watch app for tracking naps.
Amazon Robot Attacks Employees With Bear Spray
An Amazon robot sent 24 workers to the hospital after it tore open a can of bear spray in a warehouse, while 30 workers were treated on scene.
Dangerous Australia Encryption Law Passed
With the new Australia encryption law that recently passed, Apple could soon be forced to build a backdoor into iOS.
Security Week: Check Out Wired's Guide to Data Breaches
Lily Hay Newman put together a great guide to data breaches. It covers the history of breaches like Equifax, Marriott, Quora, and others.
Think of data breaches as coming in two flavors: breaches of institutions that people choose to entrust with their data—like retailers and banks—and breaches of entities that acquired user data secondarily—like credit bureaus and marketing firms.
Apple Removes Game Because It Uses The Taliban as Enemies
The game in question is called Afghanistan 11, and it’s supposed to be a historically accurate game that bases battles on real world scenarios.
