The proposed law, which would force companies like Apple, Google, and Facebook to build backdoors into their encrypted platforms, betrays the Australian government’s baffling lack of understanding.
New Google Sync App Can Backup Your Mac
Like iCloud, the app can back up your Mac’s desktop, documents, and photos.
Google Calendar App for iPhone Adds Today Widget
Google rolled out an update for its iPhone and iPad Calendar app on Friday that adds a Today Widget. That’s a long overdue and welcome addition to the app because it makes it easier for Google ecosystem fans to stick with just the apps they want to use instead of relying on Apple’s Calendar app for viewing schedules from the Home screen. Google Calendar 2.4 is a free download on Apple’s App Store and requires a free Google account.
AAPL, MSFT Among Stocks Affected By NASDAQ Glitch
Nasdaq is blaming Bloomberg and other market-tracking sites for publishing test data that reset the prices of several tech stocks.
Host a Remote YouTube Viewing Party With Uptime
The experimental app from Google’s Area 120 incubator is now free for all users on iOS.
Google to End Gmail Scanning, Nike's AR Shoe Promotion - TMO Daily Observations 2017-06-26
Jeff Butts and Dave Hamilton join Jeff Gamet sort out exactly what Google’s plan to stop scanning our Gmail accounts really means, plus they take a look at Nike’s new augmented reality shoe promotion scheme.
Google Will Finally Stop Scanning Your Emails to Personalize Gmail Ads
This doesn’t mean that ads are going away, just that Google promises not to use the contents of your emails to come up with personalized ad ideas.
macOS: Linking Contact Cards Together
If your contacts list contains duplicated data because you’re using more than one account to sync (like, say, both a Google one and your iCloud one), Melissa Holt has a fix to link them together.
Antivirus Firm Claims There's New Android Malware Every 10 Seconds
Sing the lyrics to The Beatles’ “Come Together.” Before you get to “holy roller” there will be a new instance of Android malware out there. That’s according antivirus firm G-Data, who claimed it found 754,958 instances of Android malware in just the first quarter. The company is projecting 3.5 million Android malware samples in 2017, a figure that would beat 2016’s record of more than 3.2 million.
Microsoft Surface in Schools Aims at Google in Education with Apple Caught in the Crossfire
Microsoft has made a number of product announcements that trouble Jeff Butts. The products look great, and it’s certain to give Google’s Chromebooks a run for their money. However, Apple is caught squarely in the crossfire of this battle, and needs to act soon to improve its placing in the education market.
Use Google Without Tracking in StartPage
I might have found my new favorite search engine. I like DuckDuckGo for its privacy, but folks have raised concerns about its US-based location. I’m also not happy that it doesn’t actually deliver Google search results. Instead, it serves up its own. StartPage, on the other hand, delivers actual Google search results in absolute privacy. It’s Google without tracking. They do this by submitting your query to Google stripped of identifying information. You even get a free proxy with every result. So, you can visit a third-party website without your internet service provider knowing about it. Even better, StartPage doesn’t track your searches or log your IP address. It’s such a privacy-minded search engine that it consistently meets or exceeds the requirements of EuroPriSe. Even Edward Snowden recommended it. Plus, StartPage offers many of the same tools as a normal Google search. This includes refining your results to only show images or videos. If a search engine can be sexy, this one sure is.
Alphabet's Waymo Offers 'Early Riders' Driverless Rides in Phoenix
Alphabet’s driverless car company—Waymo—announced an “Early Rider” program for its driverless cars. The company has invited the general public to apply to be part of the program, saying “We’re searching for early riders in parts of the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Chandler, Tempe, Mesa and Gilbert. Come join us in making it safer and easier for everyone to get around!” The feel-good video below features a family that participated in small-scale tests, and Waymo said it would accept a “limited number” of additional participants in the expanded program. Alphabet CEO Larry Page has been an enthusiastic pursuer of driverless car technology since before Google, and Waymo’s goal is to launch a ride-hailing service based on its driverless platform. Apple, Didi, Uber, and a variety of other tech companies are all invested in a similar vision. Waymo’s testing in Arizona is a sharp reminder that a driverless future is marching inexorably closer. You can apply at Waymo’s site.
iPhone 8 Delays, Apple's Satellite Pros - TMO Daily Observations 2017-04-24
Word on the street says the iPhone 8 won’t ship until October or November. Bryan Chaffin and John Martellaro join Jeff Gamet to share their thoughts on potential iPhone 8 production issues, plus they dive into Apple’s satellite expert hires from Google.
Apple Hires Satellite Experts away from Google
Apple has hired away a pair of Google’s top satellite experts, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Citing unnamed sources, Mr. Gurman reported that Apple hired John Fenwick, who previously led Google’s spacecraft operations, and Michael Trela, head of satellite engineering at Google. They are part of a new hardware team at Apple headed by another former Googler, Dropcam cofounder Greg Duffy.
Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon. Which Won't Make it to 2067?
There they are. The five tech giants: Facebook, Google, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon. FGAMA. They’re all doing well. But if one had to predict which one won’t be around in 50 years, which one would it be?
John humbly predicts.
Google Maps for iOS Adds Turn-by-Turn Directions to Lock Screen Widget
Google updated its Google Maps app for iOS Monday. Version 4.30’s chief new feature is turn-by-turn directions on the lock screen courtesy of a Directions widget. With that widget, users can arrow through each direction in any active route from the lock screen or the Today view (swipe left on the Home Screen). Users can also send their location via Google Maps through iMessage. Both features give Google Maps a dramatically more integrated experience in iOS, erasing some of the pain points of not being the built-in Maps service for Apple’s mobile operating system. The Directions widget will need to be added to your lock screen, while the location feature is available through iMessage. The update is free, meaning you remain the product.
