dws-2

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dws-2
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  • Apple urging retail staff to wear masks again even if they're vaccinated

    dws-2dws-2
    sdw2001 said:
    It is amazing how we just keep repeating the insanity. We know that mask mandates and lockdowns don’t work. This is unequivocal. That is not to say masks don’t work at all, but the way we’re wearing them clearly will not be effective.  We aren’t talking about wearing an N 95 or better mask when entering a high risk environment like a medical facility or a nursing home. We’re talking about wearing a piece of cloth or paper across your face while you shop for your new AirPods. It’s not going to do anything.  
    The NFL has probably the best research indicating that masks do help, and better masks help more. So if you're spending significant time with someone in a room, especially small or unventilated, then wearing a mask will help.

    However... Looking at the trend line where mask mandates are added or removed, it's pretty hard to see the mandates making any difference. The lines all trend approximately in the direction they were already heading — either level, down, or up.

    I think this is because in public places where the mask mandates have an effect, people rarely spend extended time next to the same person in small, poorly ventilated rooms. For example, going to the grocery store, you're not likely to spend 10-15 minutes next to the same person, especially in a small room. I think most of the covid spread is through gatherings with family and/or friends where no one is showing symptoms, but someone is infected. That's when you're in prolonged contact in smaller spaces.
    ronn

  • 'AirTags' appear to include privacy features to stop unwanted tracking

    dws-2dws-2
    Rayz2016 said:
    mike1 said:

    One of the code strings reads "If you feel your safety is at risk due to this item, contact your local law enforcement. You may need the serial number of this item."

    Another piece of evidence indicates that Apple could alert users with an "unknown accessory detected" prompt if they are carrying a tracking device that doesn't belong to them. "This item has been moving with you for a while. The owner can see its location," an alert reads.

    Apple may also provide instructions on how to disassemble an unfamiliar "AirTags" tracking device so that users can stop sharing their location.

    The security and safety features should help address concerns about unwanted tracking and stalking, such as if a bad actor surreptitiously places an AirTag device in someone's bag.

    Other "AirTags" evidence found within the first iOS 14.3 beta include information on the initial setup process, apparent compatibility of the Find My app with third-party tracking devices, and a feature that allows a user to scan an AirTag and bring up its owners information.

    What if the "target" is not an iPhone user?
    Good question. 
    Then they don't get notified. Apple is doing its best, but there's only so much they can do. They can't make Google implement it, and they've done anything else.
    watto_cobra

  • Clipboard snooping still rife across many popular iOS apps

    dws-2dws-2
    I think a bigger story is that most apps include libraries from Google and Facebook and many others, which among other things, collect as much information as possible about you. I suspect that's where a lot of the clipboard access is coming from. The "good" thing is that they don't care about passwords; hey just want to figure out what you're doing and interested in so they can sell better ads. For example, if you copy the name of a restaurant to search in maps, they can peak and sell some restaurant ads of similar places.
    williamlondonPetrolDavelongpathchiawatto_cobra

  • How AirPods & AirPods Pro get even better with iOS 14

    dws-2dws-2
    trebornd said:
    It would be really great if the charging case (and maybe even the buds!) could be updated to chirp out BLE packets for reception by the wider "Find My" network. This seems like a glaring omission, as the current "Find My" AirPods feature is completely useless when the buds are in their case or when they move away from their owner's iDevice.
    This seems reasonable since those BLE beacons can transmit for a year or more using a small battery.
    watto_cobra

  • Apple TV hardware is a great example of Apple's full-stack integration, and is overlooked

    dws-2dws-2
    Apple misses out on a lot of the benefits of that integration by poor or lazy execution. Our Apple TV only works with Apple programming, not with Netflix or Amazon. Airplay also no longer works. I'm sure I could fix it if I spent the time, but the remote annoys me enough that I just use either TIVO or Amazon's Fire box unless I want to watch something that I can only get on Apple's.

    I'll probably buy a new Apple TV if they have a decent remote, but improving the software should also be a priority for them. In particular, I'd like to see the ability to have multiple TV Apps in memory at once, so switching between the various apps is cumbersome. I think Apple thought the unified interface would be enough, but that's not working out.
    docno42