The Facebook and Instagram apps are getting their own activity and usage time management controls, much like Screen Time settings in iOS 12 on the iPhone and iPad.
AI Limitations, iMac Pro Kernel Panic Problem, Bryan’s HomePod Experiment - ACM 472
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss the current limitations of AI, and what real AI in the future might be like. They also talk about Apple’s T2 kernel panic issue and follow up on Bryan’s dual-HomePod TV experiment.
Facebook 'Experimenting' with Low Earth Orbit Satellites for Internet Access
Facebook is “experimenting” with some LEO (low Earth orbit) satellites to connect the huge part of the world that remains without Internet access. After all, there are more than three billion products out there waiting to be sold, and Facebook wants to be the company that taps into all that merchandise those people. Wired did the footwork on this story, tracking down emails between the FCC and a lawyer representing Facebook through subsidiaries, but Facebook owned up to it when directly asked by the magazine. When I said “experimenting,” though, it really is an experiment. Facebook has been looking for ways to get the rest of the world connected for many years. Past experiments have included both a geosynchronous satellite (that blew up) and solar-powered gliders that didn’t work out. A network of up to thousands of LEO satellites, however, could do it.
Facebook Shutting Down Three Apps: Hello, Moves, and tbh
Facebook announced Monday that it was shutting down the three apps, citing “low usage.”
Facebook's Spy Patent, Apple Music Shows, Samsung Patent Fight Ends - ACM 468
Facebook has a scary new patent application that Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet say “is so Zuck.” They also talk about how Apple might position and price its streaming original content, and there are a lot of possibilities. Plus, Apple’s long-running patent fight with Samsung is over. What does that really mean?
Apple and Other Tech Companies Meeting in San Francisco to Chat about Privacy
The trade group organizing the meeting includes Apple, Google, Amazon, Adobe, Ebay, Facebook, HP, Twitter, Salesforce, IBM, Microsoft, Intel, Qualcomm, Samsung, Dropbox, and many others, though it’s not clear how high up the org chart this meet-up will go.
Adobe Unveils Project Rush, a Video Editor for YouTube and Social Networks
Adobe just unveiled a new cross-platform video editor and publishing app called Project Rush for YouTube and social networks.
Apple May Be Ready to Unleash a Slew of New Macs
Events and portents suggest that Apple may be finally ready to refresh a good part of its Mac lineup.
The AR Demo and the Benefits of Surveillance Capitalism - ACM 466
If you’ve been wondering what all the fuss was about augmented reality, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet have an AR Demo for you to see. They also take time out from ranting about being the product to talk frankly about the benefits of surveillance capitalism.
Here's How to Watch Mark Zuckerberg's EU Privacy Hearing Live
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is going before the European Parliament today to answer questions about the social network’s privacy policies. The event will be streamed live on the interent from the EP website, which means everyone can watch and see how it compares to the recent U.S. Congressional hearings where he also testified. The live stream starts at 12:20 PM eastern time.
Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg Testifying at EU Privacy Hearing on Tuesday May 22
First Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg testified before a U.S. Congressional hearing about the social network’s privacy policies, and now he’s doing the same in the European Union. Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify before the European Parliament on Tuesday, May 22nd.
Share Buybacks and Apple's Future, Same Old Facebook, Google Duplex - ACM 461
Warning, this one went long: Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet discuss what Apple’s share buybacks say about Apple’s future. They also weigh WhatsApp’s founder leaving Facebook, and what it says about Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg. They go over when diving into Google Duplex, a demonstration that was as awesome as it was devoid of real value.
Facebook Wants to be Your New Favorite Online Dating Service
Facebook is launching its own dating service some time this year so you’ll soon have a new way to find Mr. or Mrs. Right and share more personal information with the social network.
How to Download Instagram Data, Including Photos and Comments
You’ll need a laptop or desktop to download your data; it’s not possible with the Instagram app.
WhatsApp's Future, No Project Marzipan this Year - TMO Daily Observations 2018-05-01
Kelly Guimont and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to talk about what Jan Koum leaving Facebook means for WhatsApp, plus they look at when we can expect Apple’s unified Apple app development platform.
Amazon Cyberpunk King, Tim's State Dinner, GrayShift Pudding - ACM 459
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet talk about how Amazon has quietly become the Cyberpunk king. They also discuss Tim Cook’s choice of dinner companions for the White House’s state dinner, and how Grayshift’s data breach is the proof in the pudding that backdoors and cracks get mishandled.
Instagram Rolls Download Tool for Downloading Your Photos and Posts
So far, the tool is available only on the browser version of Instagram, with the company working on deploying it on iOS and Android.
Cybersecurity Tech Accord: 34 Tech Companies Just Promised a Bunch of Nothing
The Accord has gotten some positive headlines, but Bryan Chaffin doesn’t think the announcement stands up to logical scrutiny.
Cybersecurity Tech Accord, Cyberwar Is Now, Social Network Inertia - ACM 458
In this episode, Bryan Chaffin and Jeff Gamet dissect the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, a pledge by 34 tech companies to do something vague and unlikely. The timing for the announcement is somewhat interesting because we are in the middle of an undeclared shadow cyberwar. They cap the show analyzing what it might take for any new social network to supplant Facebook.
Facebook's Shadow Profiles - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-13
Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet take a look at Facebook’s shadow profiles on people who don’t have accounts, and how those accounts may impact online privacy legislation.
Mac Keyboards, Trusting Facebook, and Being Profitable and Green - ACM 457
In this episode, Bryan and Jeff discuss Mac keyboards, and what they like about clicky, long-throw keyboards, including the Azio Classic Retro BT keyboard Bryan just reviewed. They also go through a thought experiment on whether Facebook could ever earn our trust on privacy by radically reshaping their policies. They cap the show with a look at how Apple manages to be profitable and green, both.
Senator Kennedy: Facebook's User Agreement Sucks
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified at a Congressional hearing on April 10th about his company’s privacy policies and Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) took him to task saying, “Facebook’s privacy policy sucks.”
Surprise! Facebook Scans Your Private Messenger Conversations
If you’re worried that Facebook isn’t stripping away every last shred of your privacy, don’t be because the company confirmed it scans the conversations you have in its Messenger private messaging platform.
Facebook's Powerful Draw, Limiting Online Tracking - TMO Daily Observations 2018-04-05
Andrew Orr and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to discuss how Facebook works to hold our interest, and talk about ways to limit how much the social network tracks us.