@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social
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SomeGadgetGuy

@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social

That cranky tech nerd you watched that one time...

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SomeGadgetGuy, to tech
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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.

#tech #technology #editorial #news #technews #bbtg #privacy #security #google #apple #geek #business

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

It really is hilarious, because if Google had just done what Apple did (opting people in and releasing a horribly easy product to abuse location and privacy) all these tech "journalists" would definitely be crying foul.

But Google built in more safeguards and uses a stricter opt-in policy, and now all these hacks are crying about how two weeks in, it's not as good as the Apple's three year old network.

And of course these hacks are also giving Apple a pass on all the past privacy problems and how Apple delayed the Google network for an additional year shoring up security on the iPhone.

Apple's treatment of consumer data, and the dark patterns employed to opt out, should be a much bigger deal.

But that requires actual journalism, and you don't make as much money if you're not confirming your audience's bias.

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

And if you're only contribution to this criticism is an insufferable:

"Well Akshully AirTags wur teh MOIST secure becuz enkripshun!"

Then you're just a mockable slob who doesn't understand anything about security. Especially if you think the biggest threat or harm of the AirTag was:

"What if someone directly attacks the most secure part of Apple's data centers to crack open their entire location network, and sifts through all that data to discover my exact location!?!?!"

If you're really that obtuse, allow me to explain that you're being a massive douche nozzle.

Security researchers weren't concerned about AirTag encryption. We were concerned about someone sticking a tag to a car and tracking people without their knowledge.

Which happened.

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

From the recent security study on Apple WiFi and BT policies, all their data is dumped into a big bucket that can be accessed relatively easily.

You only need to call a few APIs to get enough location data from Apple devices to track populations of people, potentially down to individuals if they're using hotspots.

https://www.cs.umd.edu/~dml/papers/wifi-surveillance-sp24.pdf

It's good an AirTag can't just tell someone who its owner is, but that's FAR from the only potential threat.

SomeGadgetGuy, to tech
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

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:

"Yeah. $2 million ought to cover that. No need for a jury trial."
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/07/business/google-doj-antitrust-case-judge-decision/index.html

A hearing is set for July 21st for a dismissal.

SomeGadgetGuy, to tech
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

I've been covering a lot of HEAVY news lately, so let's wrap up the week with a little gaming accessory?
https://somegadgetguy.com/b/46M
This is one of the coolest solutions for a phone game controller I've ever had the pleasure of reviewing. Let's play!

#tech #technology #geek #game #gaming #mobile #android #xbox #microsoft #videogames #video #review #bbtg #gadgets

ProPublica, to news
@ProPublica@newsie.social avatar

NEW: Justice Clarence Thomas Acknowledges He Should Have Disclosed Free Trips From Billionaire Donor

The trips include vacations in Indonesia and at the exclusive, men’s-only Bohemian Grove retreat, which were first reported by ProPublica last year.

https://www.propublica.org/article/clarence-thomas-gift-disclosures-harlan-crow

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

@ProPublica
If I don't properly disclose my sponsorships or whether a company sent me a device to review, per FTC guidelines I can be fined up to $50,000 per transgression.
I'm just a schmuck with a medium sized YouTube channel.

Must be nice to be a judge... Must be really fucking nice...

SomeGadgetGuy, to random
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

HERE WE GO! DaVinci Resolve 19 Beta is here for ARM powered Windows PCs!

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/release/20240606-03

SomeGadgetGuy, to tech
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

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.

SomeGadgetGuy, to tech
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

A quick smartphone comparison! https://somegadgetguy.com/b/465
Pixel 8a vs OnePlus 12R! These might be the best two mid-ranger phones in the USA right now!

#tech #technology #geek #android #google #oneplus #smartphone #bbtg #review #video #youtube #gadgets

eff, to random
@eff@mastodon.social avatar

Want to know what it's like to work at EFF? https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/05/one-busy-day-life-effs-activism-team

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

@eff Done.

SomeGadgetGuy, to windows
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

It just clicked in my brain. What I haven't been able to articulate about why I'm so anxious about 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 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."

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

@CaptainJanegay @signalapp
There's already MS support pages on how to prevent recall from sucking up data on SPECIFIC websites, and it honestly sounds like a massive PITA.
Almost by design to make it singularly and manually annoying enough that we know folks won't take a lot of time opting out of specific services.

SomeGadgetGuy,
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@juliewebgirl @elfin @diazona

Yours and EVERYONE else's.

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

@AskPippa a little more complicated than that, but I'm sure there will be ways to "dump" that info.
It screenshots, scans the shot, and then drops that info into a database in your app data folder. Not super secure, but most folks wont know where it is.

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

@juliewebgirl @elfin @diazona

Yup. Agreeing with you. I'm just trying to keep that idea in every reply I get.

There's a certain human selfishness I think needs to be tapped.

People casually considering this won't really care about THEIR actions inconveniencing others, but OTHER people inconveniencing them is a bridge too far.

I dont want that idea lost in any part of this conversation.

SomeGadgetGuy,
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@juliewebgirl @elfin @diazona

I felt we were on the same page, just had to explain why I was being so pedantic on that one specific point 😊

SomeGadgetGuy,
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@BillySmith @foolishowl @mountdiscovery
SO glad to hear that! Hoping more corps and government agencies follow suit.

SomeGadgetGuy,
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@BillySmith @foolishowl @mountdiscovery
We can only hope that this impacts a glut of middle managers...

SomeGadgetGuy,
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@marinheiro
Yup.
But instead of walking back that data access, we're expanding it beyond the scope of email, to the OS level, and where every byte of data that shows up on screen is stored.

SomeGadgetGuy,
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@MisuseCase @foolishowl @mountdiscovery
It really feels like a panic response to investor trends in AI. Something they're pushing to make their stock price nudge up, and to fight the recent Apple/Meta/Google AI initiatives, rather than an actual practical, well honed consumer facing product.
It's not yet a part of 24H2, so I feel they're announcing now and they'll be "fixing it" before it delivers at scale.

SomeGadgetGuy,
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@kDelta Only around 70% of the desktop/laptop market 🤷

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

@kDelta
Oh it TOTALLY happens. I know that feel when you're not faced with something on the regular. It's nice when it's "out of sight, out of mind".

It's like the opposite of buying a new car, and then seeing it everywhere you go. 😄

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

I think I have a good feeling on what the response might be here on Mastodon, but with Microsoft pledging to improve security, and making Recall opt-in, will this change your perception of Windows 11?
https://www.windowscentral.com/software-apps/windows-11/microsoft-addresses-windows-recall-backlash-promises-to-fix-security-issues-and-make-it-opt-in

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

@cynblogger I kinda feel a LOT of the big tech brands have become what you're describing. I'm just old enough to remember ALL the various permutations of Microsoft dating back to DOS 3.

barnoid, to random
@barnoid@mastodon.me.uk avatar

I tried to get Wayland working with KDE and the Nvidia driver on Debian 12. Not seen this kind of thing in many years.

Your classic broken desktop rendering with windows and mouse pointer leaving trails

SomeGadgetGuy,
@SomeGadgetGuy@techhub.social avatar

@barnoid

Beautiful Gorgeous GIF

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