iPhone Passes Android in US; Ireland Fines Instagram; Google Chrome Flaw; EU Pushes Smartphone Support & Repair

Posted: September 6, 2022 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Just before Apple releases the latest batch of iPhones, they have something new to brag about. According to engadget.com, Counterpoint Research finds that the iPhone overtook all Android handsets put together and came out on top, garnering a 50% share of the US smartphone market in June. Apple’s gigantic ‘active installed base’ helped making this possible. That grouping includes people using an iOS device after buying or obtaining it used (like a hand-me-down to your kid.) As of early 2022, Android held 70% market Share in the US. It’s unlikely Google is worried…Android buries Apple’s phones in sheer numbers in most of the world.

Instagram has been fined $402 million by Ireland’s Data Protection Commission after an investigation into how it handled the data of teens. Theverge.com reports that full details of the decision will be out this week. One issue was that Instagram was allowing teens 13-17 to set up business accounts on IG (they have more engagement analytics.) Business accounts, however, made the users’ contact information publicly available. Instagram also made the accounts of some young users public by default. Instagram parent Meta had previously been fined $267 million for data sharing on WhatsApp and $18 million for data breaches on WhatsApp.

There’s a Google ‘zero day’ flaw that affects the browser on Windows, Mac, and Linux. Zdnet.com says the newly disclosed flaw is being actively exploit by cyberattacks. Google has released a patch, and Chrome users are advised to install the patch immediately when the browser reminds you to update. If you don’t have it already, the patch should be available in the next few days. Google is withholding specifics on the bug, to prevent even more cyber crooks from exploiting it. 

EU lawmakers are pressing for a set of standard Android updates like the ones Google offers on the Pixel 6. According to 9to5google.com, the EU is pushing to make Google support Android devices for at least 5 years…up from the current 2-3 years. They are also pushing for brands to offer repair parts and service for at least 5 years. Maybe even a bigger deal…batteries would have to keep 83% of rated capacity after 500 charge cycles, and 80% after 1,000 cycles. The Germans would go even further…requiring 7 years of support for phones. 

Apple Reality Pro; Samsung Data Breach; Google- $20 Million To Computer Sci in Schools; AI to Predict EV Battery Degradation

Posted: September 5, 2022 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Patent sleuths have already spotted a trademark application from Apple called ‘Reality Pro,’ so we know what they will be calling their augmented and virtual reality headsets. Now, macrumors.com says Mark Gurman has written that there will be at least 3 of the AR or VR headsets…up from the two most people expected. The first one will be a ‘high end rival’ to Meta’s upcoming Quest Pro headset, and may drop in January. A second device is thought to be a lower priced model.The third is the expected augmented reality glasses…which Gurman and other Apple watchers think is still several years away. Apple also applied for trademarks for Reality Processor’ and ‘Reality One.’

It seems like there is one of these almost daily, but now Samsung has notified customers of a ‘cybersecurity’ incident dating from late July. According to mashable.com, the breach exposed names, contact and demographic information, dates of birth, and product registration information. Fortunately, no social security numbers or credit card numbers were part of the breach. Samsung didn’t specify how many people had their info leaked, but if you got a notice… check your credit and financial info.

Google is dropping $20 million in the education sector, in an effort to bring computer science education to 11 million students. This brings the total the company has donated to further computer science to over $240 million. Androidcentral.com reports that some of the money will go to the Oakland based nonprofit The Hidden Genius project. Other nonprofits around the country in major cities will also get part of the funds.

Since electric vehicles are essentially rolling computers with giant battery packs, a healthy battery system is a pretty major concern. We all know from our computers and phones that lithium-ion batteries degrade over time. Now, thenextweb.com says the European Union has a team working on using artificial intelligence to predict aging in EV batteries. Maybe more importantly to users, the AI is supposed to help with developing software to mitigate aging effects and prolong the life of the expensive battery packs in electric vehicles. 

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