iPhone 11 Pro Location Data Always ON; Qualcomm New In-Display Ultrasonic Fingerprint Reader; Facebook Liam Chatbot- Helps Employees Talk to Families; Formula E Becomes World Championship

Apple has made much about how they protect your data better than others. According to businessinsider.com, that claim has a newly discovered blemish. Security expert Brian Krebs has found that the iPhone 11 Pro periodically collects location data even when individual apps and services are told not to. Location services can still be totally killed by switching the button in your iPhone’s security settings. Nonetheless, with location services on, and the individual apps’ location services ON, there will still be some data collection on the iPhones.

Qualcomm has unveiled its gen 2 version of the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor. Theverge.com reports that there is a new twist to increase security…the new version can detect 2 fingerprints at once for extra secure authentication. The so-called 3D Sonic Sensor has improved reliability and security over existing optical sensors. It also has a vastly larger area, which should make it a lot easier to use. It should even work through a screen protector. A rumor has Apple looking into adding the tech to the new iPhones next year.

Facebook has been working behind the scenes to equip employees with a way to answer questions from family and friends about the social network’s various scandals over the holidays. Enter Liam….a chatbot. Mashable.com says that the bot will give employees a way to answer tough questions while keeping things in line with company policies. PR isn’t the only thing the bot can help with…it has also been designed to help handle basic tech support questions that Facebook employees might get over the holidays from family and friends (sound familiar? I just helped one get an edited document from the desktop to a thumb drive yesterday. Go ahead and laugh…there are perfectly smart people out there who just don’t have the tech gene. The hapless user has an advanced degree!)

This is a true sea change from the days that have existed since long before I hit the pavement…the days of gasoline alley. According to engadget.com, the FIA has elevated Formula E, the electric race car league, to World Championship status starting in the 2020-21 season. Up to now, E-racers have played second fiddle to Formula 1. From now on, the overall Formula E winner will be able to claim to be a World Champion. This has been moved forward lately with the participation of legendary racing marques Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. While Formula E may not eclipse the popularity of Formula 1, it will now compete at a whole new level.