HiTechEdge

Category: Tech

All news related to tech.

  • Mozilla Launches Rally, a Privacy-First Data Sharing Platform

    Mozilla Launches Rally, a Privacy-First Data Sharing Platform

    Mozilla has launched Rally, a privacy-first data sharing platform, to tackle the growing challenges related to privacy and user data.

    Mozilla has a long history of championing privacy. It’s web browser, Firefox, is one of the most privacy-focused, secure browsers available. The company also offers a VPN service that has garnered positive reviews for its approach to privacy and security.

    The company is adding Rally to its portfolio of software and services in an effort to help people take back control over their own data.

    Your data is valuable. But for too long, online services have pilfered, swapped, and exploited your data without your awareness. Privacy violations and filter bubbles are all consequences of a surveillance data economy. But what if, instead of companies taking your data without giving you a say, you could select who gets access to your data and put it to work for public good?

    Rather than advertisers benefiting from user data, Rally will give users the option to donate their data to help crowdfund research projects.

    Computer scientists, social scientists and other researchers will be able to launch groundbreaking studies about the web and invite you to participate. A core focus of the initiative is enabling unprecedented studies that hold major online services accountable.

    Mozilla is working with Professor Jonathan Mayer’s research group at Princeton University to help launch the Rally research initiative.

    “Online services constantly experiment on users, to maximize engagement and profit,” says Mayer. “But for too long, academic researchers have been stymied when trying to experiment on online services. Rally flips the script and enables a new ecosystem of technology policy research.”

    Rally sounds like an interesting concept and will hopefully help more users take control over their data.

  • Latest Google App Crashing on Android Devices

    Latest Google App Crashing on Android Devices

    The Google app appears to be crashing on multiple devices following the latest update, impacting Google Pixel, Samsung and Motorola phones.

    The latest version of the Google app for Android is 12.23.16.23. Unfortunately, some users started experiencing problems immediately after updating, according to 9to5Google. In addition, the Podcasts and Lens apps are also crashing post-update.

    It seems that updating to the 12.24 beta of the Google app resolves the issue. While beta software should usually not be run on a production device, in this case, it may be the best option for users looking to restore stability and functionality.

    Users experiencing the problem can get the beta here, or via the Play Store listing.

  • Drones May Soon Track You Using Your Screams

    Drones May Soon Track You Using Your Screams

    Scientists may be on the verge of a major breakthrough in search and rescue (SAR), training drones to track people using their screams.

    In life and death situations, such as when a natural disaster strikes, finding survivors is a race against the clock. To make matters worse, rescuers often have to proceed carefully and slowly to avoid making matters worse. For example, if people are trapped in the rubble following an earthquake, rescuers must move slowly and methodically to avoid causing any additional cave-ins.

    Scientists may have found a solution, training drones to zero in on the sound of a person screaming and track the screams back to their source, according to The Washington Post.

    Engineers at Germany’s Fraunhofer FKIE institute have already built a working prototype, and the initial results are promising.

    “[Drones] can cover a larger area in a shorter period of time than rescuers or trained dogs on the ground,” Macarena Varela, one of the lead engineers, said. “If there’s a collapsed building, it can alert and assist rescuers. It can go places they can’t fly to or get to themselves.”

    While the concept is absolutely brilliant, and the engineers are to be applauded for what they’re trying to accomplish, I for one can’t help but imagine bloodthirsty drones hunting down humans screaming and running for their lives, Skynet-style. Especially in view of recent reportswhere a military drone hunted humans down without authorization, I can’t help but wonder how long it will be until human scream-tracking is turned into a nightmarish Terminator scenario.

  • Apple Watch May Call 911 While You’re Sleeping

    Apple Watch May Call 911 While You’re Sleeping

    If the police and ambulances suddenly show up at your house and wake you from slumber…you may have your Apple Watch to blame.

    The Apple Watch has an Emergency SOS function, whereby holding the Watch’s side button can automatically call 911. The feature is similar to the one on the iPhone and iPad, where holding the power and volume button can do the same thing.

    Unfortunately, it appears some Apple Watch users are sleeping on their Watch in such a way that the Emergency SOS feature is being activated in their sleep.

    “What happens is while people are moving around in their sleep or exercising, they’ll get the Apple Watch into the emergency mode. Without knowing it, the watch will actually call 911,” Overland Park Police Captain Jim Sutterby said told Fox Kansas City.

    Fortunately, the feature has to be enabled in the Watch app on your iPhone first, so not everyone will be impacted. Of course, another easy way to avoid the problem is to simply to take the Watch off and put it on the charger before going to bed.

    If, however, you choose to wear your Apple Watch to bed and the police and paramedics show up in the middle of the night…don’t say we didn’t warn you…

  • Colorado Lawmakers Pass Colorado Privacy Act

    Colorado Lawmakers Pass Colorado Privacy Act

    Colorado has become the third state to pass sweeping privacy legislations, as lawmakers passed the Colorado Privacy Act.

    Privacy has become an increasingly important element to consumers and regulators alike, with Colorado the latest state to pass legislation protecting consumer privacy. The state joins California and Virginia as the only states in the country to take such measures.

    The new bill stipulates that “consumers have the right to opt out of the processing of their personal data; access, correct, or delete the data; or obtain a portable copy of the data.”

    While good for Colorado residents concerned with their privacy, the Colorado Privacy Act illustrates the challenges companies are beginning to face. The EU has the GDPR, while California, Virginia and Colorado will all have their own privacy legislation.

    As individual states continue to adopt their own legislation, it will become increasingly complicated for companies to ensure compliance with the patchwork of applicable requirements. It’s little wonder that, in early 2020, then Salesforce co-CEO Keith Block called on the US to pass comprehensive privacy legislation.

    In the meantime, the Colorado bill is headed to the governor’s office to be signed into law.

  • Microsoft Getting Back Into Retail

    Microsoft Getting Back Into Retail

    Microsoft appears to be reversing course, getting back into retail with its flagship New York City, London and Sydney locations.

    Microsoft famously announced in June 2020 it was closing its retail locations throughout the US. Unlike Apple, whose stores are some of the most profitable retail space in the country, Microsoft was never able to achieve the same degree of success.

    When the company announced it was closing its stores, it said it would keep a few locations — New York City, London and Sydney — open as “Microsoft Experience Centers.” The stores would showcase Microsoft’s products, but would not actually sell anything to customers.

    The company is now reversing course, and will begin selling products at its Experience Centers. The company confirmed the change of plans in a statement to The Verge.

    “Our Microsoft Experience Centers were created to provide customers a way to experience our products in person,” said Travis Walter, Microsoft’s head of retail stores. “We use these spaces to test and experiment, and continue to evolve the experience based on customer feedback. Starting July 1st, customers will be able to purchase select Microsoft products at the New York, London and Sydney locations.”

  • Microsoft Hosting Special Windows Event June 24

    Microsoft Hosting Special Windows Event June 24

    Microsoft is preparing to unveil the next generation of its Windows operating system, just weeks after killing Windows 10X.

    Microsoft has been working on reinventing Windows for some time, with Windows 10X a major part of that endeavor. The new version of Windows reportedly had a streamlined interface, abandoned legacy code and was being optimized for multi-screen devices. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced Microsoft to refocus on existing efforts to help meet customers immediate needs.

    When Microsoft announced it was killing Windows 10X, the company said it would incorporate its design elements and features into existing products. It appears the world is about to see the fruit of those labors.

    Microsoft has announced a Windows event on June 24, with the tagline: “Join us to see what’s next for Windows.” CEO Satya Nadella and Chief Product Officer Panos Panay will both be presenting at the event.

  • TikTok Updates Terms to Collect Biometric Data

    TikTok Updates Terms to Collect Biometric Data

    TikTok is at it again, threatening user privacy as it updates its terms to collect biometric data.

    TikTok is one of the most controversial social media platforms, in large part due to its repeated, flagrant disregard for privacy. The company has been sued over accusations it collected and uploaded videos to servers in China without consent, without the user even having an account. The company has been accused of repeatedly violating child privacy, censoring individuals it didn’t consider beautiful enough to be showcased and has been warned by the EU over its handling of data. Even the CEO of Reddit called the platform “fundamentally parasitic.”

    The latest controversy involves a change to the company’s privacy policy, allowing it to collect biometric data.

    We may collect biometric identifiers and biometric information as defined under US laws, such as faceprints and voiceprints, from your User Content. Where required by law, we will seek any required permissions from you prior to any such collection.

    In many ways, the change is not particularly surprising. The company recently settled a lawsuit in Illinois for $92 million over its handling of biometric data. Notably, the company never admitted to the accusations in the aforementioned lawsuit. The change to the company’s privacy policy, however, gives it the ability to do what it was accused of doing, while committing to following applicable laws.

    All of which does little to change the validity of Reddit’s CEO that the platform is “fundamentally parasitic,” and not one anybody concerned about privacy should have on their phone.

  • WWDC: iPadOS Home Screen, Multitasking and Notes

    WWDC: iPadOS Home Screen, Multitasking and Notes

    Apple’s Craig Federighi highlighted the flexibility of iPadOS and the new features we can expect in iOS 15.

    Home Screen

    iPadOS Widgets

    The Home Screen is getting a big update, with the ability to include Widgets mixed in with app icons. To take advantage of the iPad’s larger screen, Widgets have been updated to allow for bigger sizes, perfect for TV widgets.

    Multitasking

    Multitasking gets its biggest update since the feature’s introduction, and adds a number of abilities people have been clamoring for.

    iPadOS now includes a new multitasking menu at the top of the screen. Tapping the new menu makes it much easier to open another app and add it to Split Screen or Slide Over.

    iPadOS Multitasking and Shelf

    The new multitasking features also include the ability to minimize apps or app windows into a new Shelf at the bottom of the screen. The Shelf stays visible, even when switching to new apps.

    Swiping down on an app in Split View makes it much easier to change the active app.

    Notes

    Notes have received a big update, adding Mentions. When tagging a person with a Mention, they’re automatically notified. A built-in tag browser provides a way to see all the different tags associated with a given note.

    iPadOS Quick Note

    iOS 15 also includes Quick Note, a way to create a note from any app. Simply swipe up from the bottom right corner to create a new app. The feature is also app-aware, adding specific functionality based on the app currently in the background.

  • WWDC: iOS 15 FaceTime and Notifications

    WWDC: iOS 15 FaceTime and Notifications

    Apple CEO Tim Cook took the stage to introduce WWDC 2021, the second time the company has held the event virtually. As expected, iOS 15 quickly became the focus with Craig Federighi taking the stage.

    FaceTime

    While highlighting how important FaceTime has been as a way to help people stay in contact during the pandemic, Federighi acknowledged video conferencing can be more difficult than in-person socializing. As a result, the company is working on features to make FaceTime feel more natural.

    Spatial audio is making its way to FaceTime, improving the quality of the audio and making it sound as if you’re with the other person.

    Voice isolation is a new feature that uses machine learning to block out ambient noise and focus on your voice. Wide spectrum, is the exact opposite, letting in all the background sound.

    Grid view is a new way to handle multi-person FaceTime chats, bringing the familiar Zoom-style interface, in addition to FaceTime’s existing floating grid style.

    FaceTime Links

    FaceTime Links are a new, easy way to invite others to a FaceTime call. Simply start up FaceTime and click “Share” to send a link to those you want to invite.

    SharePlay

    SharePlay is designed to make it easy to watch TV with others via FaceTime. All articipants can pause and resume the program, as well as talk with each other and chat via Messages, all while the program is playing in the background. SharePlay supports Picture-in-Picture as well.

    Apple is also releasing SharePlay API, making it easy for developers to include their own apps. Already, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount+, Pluto, ESPN+ and others are on board.

    Notifications

    Notifications are getting a major upgrade, including Notification summaries. The feature allows you to schedule when you receive a summary of recent notifications. It’s also possible to select which people’s notifications are included in summaries, making it easy to keep important contacts separate so their notifications get the attention they need.

    iOS 15 will also include the ability to automatically notify others in Messages when Do Not Disturb is activated.

    iOS 15 expands on Notifications, adding the ability to have custom notifications depending on what you are currently doing. For example, users can have work notifications or personal notifications, which will only allow contacts and apps classified as such to pop up when that notification is active.