Google facing strong objections to both the vulnerability and invasiveness of its products

When both the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal are issuing alarms about using Google Chrome because of its surveillance factors, it's time to move. They suggest changing to Firefox ASAP. https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/06/21/google-chrome-has-become-surveillance-software-its-time-switch/?utm_term=.f1cfa3fb3663 Goodbye, Chrome: Google’s web browser has become spy software Chrome lets tracker cookies follow you all over the web. The Post's Geoffrey … Continue reading Google facing strong objections to both the vulnerability and invasiveness of its products →

Apple Watch will soon be able to alert you to sound that could damage your hearing

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/14/apple-watch-noise-check-protects-your-hearing.html TECH Here’s how the Apple Watch will soon help protect your hearing PUBLISHED SAT, JUN 15 2019 10:00 AM EDT Todd Haselton@ROBOTODD KEY POINTS Apple’s watchOS 6 update includes a new feature called Noise. It can notify you if you’re in an area that’s too loud for an extended period of time that could be … Continue reading Apple Watch will soon be able to alert you to sound that could damage your hearing →

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2019/06/11/new-security-warning-issued-for-googles-1-5-billion-gmail-and-calendar-users/amp/ 467,364 views|Jun 11, 2019,7:24 am New Security Warning Issued For Google's 1.5 Billion Gmail And Calendar Users Davey WinderContributor Cybersecurity I report and analyse breaking cybersecurity and privacy stories Google’s Gmail email service is used by upwards of 1.5 billion people. The Google Calendar app, meanwhile, has been downloaded more than a billion times … Continue reading Security warning for Gmail and Google Calendar users →

The first article below explains why the new version of the iPod Touch will be just what those concerned about privacy may want. The second article details why it might be great for pre-smartphone children. https://gizmodo.com/who-is-the-new-ipod-touch-good-for-privacy-hawks-1835068738 Who Is the New iPod Touch Good For? Privacy Hawks Patrick Howell O'Neill Today 3:50pm Filed to: HACKING 7.4K 6Save … Continue reading New iPod Touch still fulfills niche needs at a reasonable cost →

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/17/google-gmail-tracks-purchase-history-how-to-delete-it.html Google uses Gmail to track a history of things you buy — and it’s hard to delete PUBLISHED FRI, MAY 17 2019 2:09 PM EDTUPDATED FRI, MAY 17 2019 7:01 PM EDT Todd Haselton@ROBOTODD Megan Graham@MEGANCGRAHAM KEY POINTS Google saves years of information on purchases you’ve made, even outside Google, and pulls this information from Gmail. … Continue reading Google uses Gmail to build a record of your purchases — and it’s difficult to delete →

https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/18/18629379/how-to-google-maps-location-sharing-meet How to use Google Maps to help someone find you Share your location in real time, and make meet-ups easier than ever By JR Raphael May 18, 2019, 10:00am EDT SHARE Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge Google Maps is great for helping you find your way — or even helping you find your car — … Continue reading Use Google maps to help someone locate you in real time →

https://bgr.com/2019/05/16/netflix-shows-2019-list-better-way-to-watch/ This free app makes Netflix better in 5 key ways Zach Epstein @zacharye May 16th, 2019 at 8:17 AM The battle for streaming subscribers is really starting to heat up in 2019. There used to be a massive gap between Netflix and every other service out there, but that gap is slowly beginning to narrow. … Continue reading Free app that makes Netflix work better →

I have not tested this unexpected iOS upgrade, but offer this as grist for your teeth grinding trying to decide what to do. https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2019/05/25/apple-ios-12-3-1-release-should-you-upgrade-iphone-ipad-messages/#456f4ce11af2 May 25, 2019, 06:30pm Apple iOS 12.3.1 Release: Should You Upgrade? Gordon Kelly Senior Contributor Consumer TechI write about technology's biggest companies Apple iOS 13 has iPhone owners worried, but iOS 12 … Continue reading New iOS update — upgrade or not? →

Google has now made the feature available more or less universally available. Another article on the same topic is at https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2019/05/05/google-confirms-it-will-automatically-delete-your-data-what-you-need-to-know/amp/ https://www.popsci.com/google-new-privacy-auto-delete-feature You should enable Google’s new auto-delete privacy feature It’s on its way in ‘the coming weeks.’ By Rob Verger May 2, 2019 Take a moment and review what kind of location permissions you give to … Continue reading A tech task to perform — take advantage of Google’s new auto-delete privacy feature →

https://www.zdnet.com/article/got-a-problem-with-an-iphone-mac-or-other-apple-device-thats-out-of-warranty-you-might-be-eligible-for-a-free-repair Got a problem with an iPhone, Mac, or other Apple device that's out of warranty? You might be eligible for a free repair Apple has 15 repair and extension programs covering iPhones, Mac, and much more, that are ongoing which mean you could be entitled to a free repair if you own an … Continue reading Apple device out of warranty — you may not be out of luck →

https://www.ecowatch.com/environmental-documentaries-2633535914.html 5 Must-Watch Documentaries for a More Sustainable Planet Irma Omerhodzic Apr. 04, 2019 12:19PM ESTPOPULAR SimonSkafar / E+ / Getty Images A powerful documentary can help inform viewers and spark a more conscious lifestyle. Maybe you've thrown out rotting greens one too many times, or waste from online shopping has you feeling guilty. The … Continue reading 5 climate crisis documentaries to watch →

https://www.theverge.com/2019/4/30/18524761/nyc-mta-subway-bus-apple-pay-omny-contactless-payment-may-31-summer-launch Apple Pay is coming to New York City’s MTA transit system this summer Hello OMNY By Sean Hollister@StarFire2258 Apr 30, 2019, 9:13pm EDT SHARE Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge It’s been nearly two years since we wrote that New York City would finally be upgrading its transit system to take “tap-to-pay” contactless payments, but … Continue reading Apple Pay (and other credit methods) coming to NYC MTA on May 31st →