stompy

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stompy
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  • AirTags with disabled anti-stalking speakers briefly surface on eBay, Etsy

    stompystompy
    [email protected] said:
    I bought about 20 of these things and removed the speakers. Put them in all my power tool cases. I had a 12K pedicab stollen from my shop in Dec, if they come back for my rather expensive battery powered tools, I'll ready.

    I also have them all my camera cases, computer bags, Jeep, etc.

    I *should* have bought Tile, though. I can remove the speakers in the AirTags but the thief will still get notified that he's being tracked if he takes my stuff to his house, minimizing my chance and recovering my stolen property.
    Tool manufacturers have been trying to make their own solutions -- e.g. Bosch blue hound, Milwaukee one key-- I'm not sure how good any of them are though. In real world use, they may be more of an inventory aid, to ensure every tool is secured/accounted for at the end of the work day. 
    MplsP

  • AirTags with disabled anti-stalking speakers briefly surface on eBay, Etsy

    stompystompy
    MplsP said:
    "The intent of this modification was to cater to the several requests of buyers interested in my other AirTag product who were interested in fitting an AirTag to their bikes, pets and power tools,"

    Yeah, exactly why would anyone looking to put an AirTag on a power tool be interested in disabling the speaker? This is just like people selling radar detectors and insisting they're not being used for speeding.
    Anyone who considers using an AirTag to potentially track stolen items has probably thought about disabling the speaker. It's also exceedingly common for thieves to steal  power tools (i.e. from builders). 

    I'm not taking a stance about this seller/modder's actual motives, and yes, I get that Apple's AirTag marketing is to specifically to find items you misplaced.
    retrogustodewmebeowulfschmidt

  • Spotify blows through 2021 HiFi streaming deadline, with no release in sight

    stompystompy
    neoncat said:
    ...However: Glass houses and all, given Apple's inability to deliver its full menu of promised features in iOS 15 or Big Sur, even months after their launch. ...
    Spotify's announcement was grandstanding, pure and simple. Apple has changed their OS launch strategy, but I can see how you'd equate the two.

    From an article on MacWorld
    "There was a time, last decade, when Apple would ship new versions of iOS and macOS whether or not all their features were ready for public consumption. It’s become much more disciplined lately, choosing to delay features when they don't work."

    Nowadays, if there's a feature I think would be nice to have, I'd certainly like it to be ready on launch day, but my expectation is that it appear before next WWDC.
    scstrrfwatto_cobra

  • The AirTag stalking problem is only partially Apple's problem, it's mostly law enforcement...

    stompystompy
    stevebobs said:
    Xed said:
    stevebobs said:
    We have got ourselves some apple lovers here. While I agree that the media probably wants to make a story of this more than investigate the matter, this device apple made is dangerous. It leverages the entire apple ecosystem! You know, those 1 billion devices. What other device can tap into that? It's $30. Discreet. It has been shown that it's firmware can be hacked. Apple has released several new security measures since it came out. Why?? Cause it's so freaking easy to use it to track people. All I gotta do is go to Target. Yah it's tied to my ID but if I'm a stalker I don't care. Don't blame this on law enforcement. They were blindsided by a tracker expertly crafted by one the world's most capable companies. Wtf, mate? 
    Apple includes an anti-stalking feature to their AirTags = Apple bad
    No one else has this feature despite cheap and simple easy to track people without their knowledge has existed for long time = It's still Apple's fault

    🙄
    I mean I'm not super passionate about this argument. I don't know if actual criminals will ever figure out a way to gainfully jailbreak airtags.

    But one thing to consider, I have no idea how or where I could buy a good stalking device. Like I know tile is an alternative but I think we airtags and the kind of devices this thread is referring to are much more capable. 

    But buying an airtag is easy. Yah dedicated criminals had access to these tools for a long time. But your regular dumb, jealous, angry, or resentful average person wants convenience. Airtags give them incredible convenience. Yah anybody can make em. But only apple has the ubiqituous network that enables such accurate tracking. 

    Are these trackers convenient enough for you?
    williamlondon

  • Bob Iger says Apple & Disney would have merged if Steve Jobs was alive

    stompystompy
    AppleInsider said:
    "Former Disney CEO Bog Iger says that he never spoke with Steve Jobs about a potential merger of Apple and Disney, but he believes ...."
    The ultimate "if Steve were alive..."  :/
    williamlondonpatchythepirateStrangeDaysradarthekatronngeorgie01watto_cobramknelsonBeatscornchip