heavypound

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heavypound
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  • Virginia launches first COVID-19 exposure notification app in US using Google-Apple API

    For people in California, I wonder what the validity of using this app from Virginia is going to be. If you read the README file on the iOS App Store, it says when your test results come back as positive and are sent to the Virginia Department of Health, they will provide you with a PIN to use when you report your results in this app. Without the PIN, you can’t report a positive result in the app, so what’s the point? The PIN is used to reduce the number of false notifications that are sent out from the app.

    We’re all anxious to get an app for contact tracing, but if we’re going through the trouble of installing and configuring an app on thousands of phones, let’s make sure it will work. If you get people to install this one, are they going to switch over to a new app that works once it is released. These people will feel they are covered and ignore any more “install this tracing app” messages from their corporate IT or HR groups.
    chasmwatto_cobra
  • Facebook app accesses iPhone camera without user's knowledge

    Facebook has no permission to use a camera or a microphone on my phone. Seems like it never asked for it (so hopefully can’t use them). I would deny access if it asked though, that’s for sure.
    If you want to verify for certain, you can go to Settings -> Privacy, and then Microphone, Camera, etc and adjust the settings from there.

    Only apps that have asked for permission will be listed under each privacy topic.
    StrangeDayswatto_cobra
  • T-Mobile working with Apple to bring robocall screening to iPhones

    I don’t think blocking or screening helps the problem of robocalls. Those responses just pushes the problem onto other people.

    Robocalls are popular because they have “no” cost. I use the service from Jolly Roger Telephone to help with this. JR impersonates a real person answering the phone to get a real person on the line on their end. This ties up a real person and makes it actually cost the robocall outfit something because they are paying for a real person at that point. Since signing up for JR, I now relish all the telemarking calls I receive instead of fearing them or getting mad.
    jdgazapplesnorangesairnerddoozydozen
  • Crime blotter: A Walmart iPhone theft ring, New Hampshire delivery scammers sentenced

    3 months ago, I sent a Series 2 Apple Watch in to repair a cracked screen. I received an empty box (no watch, but all packing materials) back from Apple with the security tape on the outside of the box having been broken. After a little over a week, Apple shipped a replacement watch, so I wasn’t impacted by the theft, other than not having the watch for an extra 2 weeks. I’d bet a rather large amount of money on my watch having been stolen by a (hopefully former) FedEx employee.
    GeorgeBMac
  • How to use Apple's latest 'USB Restricted Mode' security feature included in iOS 11.4.1

    Power is only uninterrupted if the USB port does not also provide data. If the IOS devices senses data on the USB port, it needs to be out of USB Restricted Mode before charging starts.

    if you’re in restricted mode, your iPhone will not charge when plugged into a Mac using a USB to lightning cable. You need to unlock the device to start charging. Same results when I plug into the USB port on my car. If you plug the device into something like an Anker wall charger, it will charge, even if in restricted mode. I can test it on my Sony stereo with CarPlay later on.

    You can force your device into restricted mode before the 1 hour timeout by locking it then hitting the power button rapidly 5 times. Cancel the emergency call screen and you’re in restricted mode (and your fingerprint sensor is also temporarily disabled). At this point, it won’t start charging if you plug it into a power/data USB port on your computer/vehicle.

    I submitted feedback to Apple yesterday morning on this issue.
    Alex1N