Sure. Google location tracking "bad" and Apple data harvesting "good", but it's pretty hack to see articles popping up about how poor Android trackers are compared to AirTags. https://somegadgetguy.com/b/46Q
Ignoring the security nightmare AirTags were at launch, the assumed permissions Apple just takes for the Find My network, and the annoying (and scary looking) process Apple forces users through to OPT OUT of location tracking, it's shocking how well Google is doing only a couple weeks into this new finder network going live.
A case brought by the DOJ was just denied a jury trial because Google cut a check for $2 million dollars.
Business practices that likely impacted business and consumers to the tune of billions in potential damages, a company that generates $60 Billion in revenue on search and ads every fiscal quarter, a judge looked at the DOJ brief and said:
"Chamber of Progress, a tech industry coalition whose members include Amazon, Apple and Meta, is launching a campaign to defend the legality of using copyrighted works to train artificial intelligence systems."
"The generative AI boom has eroded trust between creatives and Silicon Valley. [...] it’s time for tech companies to stop screwing around for their own benefit, listen to the users who pay them, and act in a transparent way."
Suing Apple is a necessary step in challenging our perception of Big Tech… https://somegadgetguy.com/b/468
We can't take our eyes off this target. We need to build more momentum. Our legal system has been too slow to adapt to consumer tech trends, and we need to keep the pressure on if we're to course correct for YEARS of bad policy.
"Microsoft is ending support for Windows 10 in October 2025, but the company is now taking the unusual step of reopening its beta program for Windows 10 to test new features and improvements."
Are they just going to start cramming more AI into it to see if they can force people to upgrade?
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It just clicked in my brain. What I haven't been able to articulate about why I'm so anxious about #Windows Recall. I'm sure others have already gotten to where I am.
It's worse than "a system that tracks everything you do" and stores that info in a basic database that could be easily compromised.
It's worse than a nanny surveillance tool for companies to spy on their employees.
It's inescapable.
It doesn't matter if I make a dozen "how to disable recall" tutorials. The second YOUR data shows up on someone ELSE'S screen, it's in THEIR recall database.
It won't matter if you're a master #security expert specialist. You can't account for EVERY other computer you've ever interacted with. If a family member looks up an old email with your personal data in it, your data is now at risk.
If THEIR system is compromised YOUR data is at risk.
I just went from "vague feeling of unease" to "actively writing templates to canvas elected officials, regulators, and attorneys general."
"New York is planning to prohibit social media companies from using algorithms to control content to youth without parental consent under a tentative agreement reached by state lawmakers, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter."
Samsung is facing a labor strike for the first time ever. Apple is union busting. The FCC cancelled its affordable internet program. AI is all the rage with investors, but no one is using it.
Android trackers are FINALLY here! And, we should chat announcements at Computex!
Apple is partnering with OpenAI to improve Apple's lagging AI strategy, but we still don't know what the deal looks like. https://somegadgetguy.com/b/45u
Is Apple paying OpenAI? Is OpenAI paying Apple?
This is a tough partnership for Apple, as the optics on AI in general run counter to the marketing Apple has poured into "privacy".
Samsung forces repair shops to sign a TERRIBLE contract, that requires technicians to destroy your phone if they find non-Samsung parts in your device! iFixit is dropping their partnership with Samsung.
Good news for folks who enjoy AI embarrassing itself with nonsensical answers!
"Well, according to an interview at The Verge with Google CEO Sundar Pichai published earlier this week, just before criticism of the outputs really took off, these "hallucinations" are an "inherent feature" of AI large language models (LLM), which is what drives AI Overviews, and this feature "is still an unsolved problem.""
We want a future of repairable gadgets and less ewaste.
5-7 years of software support doesn't mean anything if we can't keep the hardware running well for 7 years.
Glad to see iFixit didn't go quiet on this one.
I've been trying to highlight Samsung's scummy business practices for a couple years now, but when they can't even make a support contract work with iFixit, it's a REAL bad look.
"The study from Reuters Institute and Oxford University (via BBC), which surveyed over 12,000 people across six countries, seemingly reveals how little that AI hype has percolated down to real-world use, for now."