EsquireCats

No such thing as a free-ride. Forced changes to how the app store is run will certainly less to changes in how developers pay for their app to be present on the store. Currently this is an annual fee, but it’s trivial to charge by usage and customer metrics: keeping smaller developers with smaller charges, while possibly making large developers who currently dodge fees pay significantly.

sdw2001 said:

williamlondon said:

"the DIA had adopted the belief that the rules didn't apply to commercial data that the government purchases"

Scary to imagine how many *other* laws are broken using this exact form of mental gymnastics.

Well, the thing is that they are probably correct.  Not many gymnastics required.  If it's commercially available product, they can probably use it.  Whether or not it could be used in a criminal trial is another matter.  I'm not saying I agree with it.

That being said, the government is prohibited from using a private company to do that which it is not allowed.  Let's say the FBI wants to tap your phone, but doesn't want to get a warrant of any kind. They can't hire Bob's Phone Tapping service to do it for them.  Of course, they get around this by using things like national security letters and the FISA court improperly.  

I think you’ve just explained why this is still most likely illegal as it is not specified whether or not the information had to be sourced prior, merely that a warrant is needed when surveilling US citizens. 

Combined light/speaker systems aren't a new idea, but I've always found them a curiosity to who the buyer might be.

Consumers:

• It takes the audio system from a space where there is ample room (living area) and places it somewhere there typically isn't (ceiling cavity.)
• It costs more than having the components separately, while also sacrificing audio quality.
• It takes two personal decisions (lighting and sound system) into a single product - I daresay one or the other won't be correct for many, even if they did like the idea of a combined unit.

Business/Corporate/Retail:

• They typically will have the large ceiling voids needed to fit these, but not the desire to have a combined system (because that space allows for the easy roll out of a wired system.)
• The product cost is again way more than the individual parts, while sacrificing control to not-always-perfect wireless protocols.

Then there are other curiosities, like syncing them to play in unison or binaural playback. The lack of homekit support (it's 2021 already) and as alluded above, the temperamental nature of wireless audio.

Literally walk into any independent mobile phone store in the UK/Ireland and there will be counterfeit apple-branded chargers, earpods and cables.

It's always good when this is exposed as it's an opportunity to improve - it's not the first time and likely won't be the last. Keep in mind that this is a cat and mouse game, remember their government made this and are actively endorsing and encouraging its use.

Not to be too philosophical, but any interaction in this country will in someway involve the government who are responsible for the forced labour. Where does one draw the line in their dealings?
If this was a company, let's say Walmart (insert anything there): would you still shop there but only buy the products which aren't tainted by the forced labour - or would you boycott the store altogether because shopping there helps facilitate the evil actions of the company?