Bluesky Tests Trending Topics; Galaxy Ring 2 May Bow Soon; Why Apple Won’t Build a Search Engine; Next Gen Meta Ray-Bans May Get Small In-Lens Screen

Posted: December 26, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

As they press forward in building out an app strikingly similar to the old Twitter, Bluesky is now testing out a trending topics feature. Techcrunch.com reports that the feature showed up in beta on Christmas Day. It is available on both the desktop and mobile versions of the platform. Look for it on the right sidebar on the desktop, and on mobile, you can tap the search button to look for them. Threads rolled out trending to US users on March, and now is in Japan, but the Bluesky beta is available worldwide.

We may be seeing a Galaxy Ring 2 at Samsung’s January Unpacked event, in addition to the Galaxy S25 phones and perhaps new AR glasses. According to androidpolice.com, some ring improvements may include more size options, better sensors, smarter AI, and better battery life. If the Ring 2 does make an appearance, don’t expect it to be immediately available…the OG ring took several months to hit stores after being unveiled. If the Ring 2 gets a couple extra sizes, say 14 and 15… it would match ring leader Oura. 

One thing Apple has always relied on others for is a search engine…notably Google, which has paid a ton of money to be the default one on Apple devices…some $20 billion a year as revealed in legal actions. Why hasn’t Apple rolled their own? 9to5mac.com says Apples Eddy Cue has given 3 reasons why Cupertino won’t do that. Cue says first off, Apple is focused on other growth areas…he notes it would cost billions and take many years. Second, Cue points out the ongoing movement in AI, and says it would be economically risky to divert cash from that into a search engine. Finally, he says that to have a viable search engine, you have to build a platform to sell targeted advertising, which he notes isn’t a core business of Apple….and would go against Apples longstanding privacy commitments. 

The next iteration of Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses may have a couple of nice adds…a ‘small in-lens’ screen and a wristband controller. Zdnet.com reports that the display would introduce an AR component to the glasses with a holographic interface while capturing your surroundings with a pass-through display that may be controllable with a wristband sensor. It’s a sensible step up from the current smart glasses model, which only allows for audio-based interactions and photo and video-taking. Right now, it looks like the earliest we may see these added features is 2027, but Meta has said that these are two of the most requested features. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Apple Planning Face ID Doorbell; Google Objects to DOJ’ s Interventionist Antitrust Remedies; X Jacks Up Premium Subscriptions; Honda & Nissan Look to Merge in 2026

Posted: December 23, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Many times over the years, Apple has been late to the party, but has gone on to dominate categories of tech gadgets. The iPhone, of course, is the classic example. Now, 9to5mac.com reports that Cupertino is working on a Face ID compatible smart home doorbell cam, shades of the Ring. The device would offer “advanced facial recognition”, and integrate wirelessly with smart home locks. As a user of both Apple HomeKit and Ring, I have to say it would be cool to have my door cam integrated into HomeKit, but right now, it’s hard to imagine how an Apple device would really do a better job than the Ring does. The door lock thing is cool…unlock your door by scanning your face…but I don’t have an electronic door lock. I have a neighbor who does, but that is one area I just haven’t ‘technified.’ A lock can be picked, but the thief has to be right there…not a ways away like with a hack. Apple may have the thing on the market by the end of next year.

Google has come out blazing as they have floated their own proposal in the antitrust case from the US Department of Justice that argues that Google must sell off its Chrome Browser. According to techcrunch.com, Google says the DOJ proposal reflects an ‘interventionist agenda’ that “goes far beyond what the Court’s decision is actually about.” As an alternative, Google proposes that it still be allowed to make search deals with companies like Apple and Mozilla, but they should have the option to set different defaults on different platforms (for example, iPhone vs. iPad) and in different browsing modes.

In a move that is certain to vastly increase his user base, Elon Musk is raising prices for ad-free Premium Plus on X from $16 to $22 a month. If this was a Tom Swiftie, that would have ‘he said sarcastically’ after it! At any rate, engadget.com reports that the 37.5% price hike will kick in by January 20th, and will be for the US, Europe, the UK, Canada, and Australia. X has lost an estimated 2.7 million active users in the past 2 months, while new rival Bluesky has doubled in size in that same time period. This does not seem to be the move of a business genius…but I could be wrong.

In a move that would create the world’s third largest car maker, Honda and Nissan plan to merge in 2026. Arstechnica.com reports that Honda would take the lead in the deal. The two firms already had a strategic partnership for software and electrification. Nissan has been in an alliance with France’s Renault and Japan’s Mitsubishi. Both are taking a wait and see attitude on the Honda-Nissan deal. If approved, the deal should be finalized by this coming June, with the new company formed by August 2026.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.

Gemini Contractors Forced To Rate AI Responses Outside Their Expertise; TikTok Gets SCOTUS Hearing; Apple Drops iPhone Hardware Subscription Plan; FAA Bans Drones in Parts of NJ

Posted: December 19, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

As if there isn’t enough of a problem with artificial intelligence ‘hallucinations…or in plain language…lying…now we find that Google has been making Gemini contractors to rate AI responses outside their areas of expertise. Techcrunch.com reports that these people behind the proverbial curtain…sometimes called ‘prompt engineers’ and analysts, have been pushed to evaluate AI responses outside their area. Google has been using some contractors from GlobalLogic, an outsourcing firm owned by Hitachi. Until recently, they were able to ’skip’ certain prompts, and opt out of evaluating various AI-written responses to those prompts, if the prompt was way outside their domain expertise. For example, a contractor could skip a prompt that was asking a niche question about cardiology because the contractor had no scientific background. Well, as of last week, they won’t be allowed to skip prompts, even if they have no clue about the area being queried about. Contractors can now only skip prompts in two cases: if they’re “completely missing information” like the full prompt or response, or if they contain harmful content that requires special consent forms to evaluate, the new guidelines show. So far, Google hasn’t commented about this. 

It’s not a total reprieve, but now TikTok will get its day in court…in the Supreme Court…to argue why it should not be banned in the US. According to gizmodo.com, the Supremes will hear arguments on January 10th, only 9 days before the ban on TikTok is set to go into place. Most court watchers expect the Supreme Court to make a decision before the January 19th ban date. ByteDance already lost in the DC Court Of Appeals, where the Court said that the First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States, and the ban represents the government acting “solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.”

Apple has dropped plans to offer a hardware subscription service for iPhones. Macrumors.com says that Cupertino had considered a service that would let users ‘subscribe’ to get a new iPhone every year…something that had been in the works since 2022. It appears that Apple has decided that such a plan is not feasible due to regulatory concerns, software bugs, and other issues. You can still buy an iPhone from them with a 12 or 24 month payment plan at zero interest, which really isn’t much different from the subscription idea.

Although there have been sightings/issues elsewhere, New Jersey has seemed to be the hub of late for freakouts over drone activity. Now, the Federal Aviation Administration has stepped in. Bloomberg.com reports that the FAA has prohibited drone flights over parts of the Garden State as public hysteria over sightings has continued. The FAA just published 22 temporary flight restrictions over critical infrastructure in the state. The agency said  it was instituting the ban “at the request of federal security partners.”

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.

T-Mobile Testing Starlink Service; FTC Bans Hidden Junk Fees; Threads Testing Post Scheduling Feature; Study-Return to Office Mandates Lose Best & Brightest

Posted: December 18, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

T-Mobile has started beta test sign ups for its Starlink satellite cell service. Engadget.com reports that the companies got FCC approval for the project last month. The first beta test is planned for 2025, and it will focus on text messaging initially. Voice and data are planned at a later date. Availability is limited, and T-Mobile is prioritizing first responder agencies and individuals for the program. 

The Federal Trade Commission announced a new rule yesterday that will prohibit ticket sellers, hotels, and vacation rental services from hiding total prices and burying junk fees during the checkout process. The Junk Fees Rule helps ensure that consumers know exactly what the full price will be before they buy event tickets or book short-term lodging. According to bgr.com, the rule has been in development since 2022. Businesses will now have to disclose the true price including all mandatory fees, AND will have to display the total price more prominently than most other pricing information. This may not get rid of ‘resort fees’ from hotels that aren’t even close to a resort, and are for amenities that may be dubious, but at least you will know you are being hosed upfront. A favorite of mine was at a motel that just had a small workout room and indoor pool…and the pool was out of service!

Threads, the social net offshoot of Meta’s Instagram, is road testing a post scheduling feature. Techcrunch.com says user who get to test the feature won’t be able to schedule replies, however. You can check the 3 dot menus in the composer to see if you have the beta feature. Posts show up in the drafts folder, and from there you can edit or delete them, as well as change the time when they will be posted. Instagram has already started letting people schedule their direct messages. IG has let users schedule posts for the main feed for some time now. 

A study from researchers at several universities, including University of Pittsburgh and Baylor has found that return to office mandates cause companies to lose some of their best workers. Arstechnica.com notes that the study tracked over 3 million workers at 54 ‘high tech and financial’ firms from the S&P 500 index. The researchers only looked at companies with data available for at least 2 quarters before and after they issued RTO mandates. They did conclude that the average turnover rates at firms that instituted RTO mandates increased by 14%. Potentially alarming for employers is the study finding that senior and skilled employees were more likely to leave following RTO mandates. This aligns with a study from University of Chicago and University of Michigan researchers published in May that found that Apple and Microsoft saw senior-level employee bases decrease by 5 percentage points and SpaceX a decrease of 5 percentage points.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.

Samsung Already Working on Answer to iPhone ‘Air;’ OpenAI Nearly Ready to Bow ChatGPT Search; Tesla-Big Issue with Self-Driving Computers; TikTok Begs Supreme Court for Lifeline 

Posted: December 17, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

We are really just still hearing word about the reported iPhone ‘Air,’ but now it turns out Samsung is hard at work on their own slim smartphone that may launch a few months after the rollout of the Galaxy S25 phones…which should hit the market late January or early February. Mashable.com reports that Korea’s ET News spotted the new model in a database. The iPhone is reportedly going to have a 6.5 inch or 6.6 inch display with a much thinner profile than present iPhones. Back in 2014, Samsung did make a much thinner phone called the Galaxy Alpha with a 4.7 inch display. At that time, it wasn’t a great seller. Don’t expect either Samsung or Apple to mess with their great-selling flagship phones for these slim models…they will be additions. Neither tech titan wants to harm their golden goose!

ChatGPT search has been open to paid subscribers since this Fall…now, OpenAI says it won’t be long before anyone can use it, with no Plus or Pro membership needed. According to engadget.com, you will still need to make an OpenAI account…hey, for a freebie service, did you think they wouldn’t want some of your info to re-sell?  At any rate, once you’re logged in, and if your query calls for it, ChatGPT will automatically search the web for the latest information to answer your question. You can also force it to search the web, thanks to a handy new icon located right in the prompt bar. OpenAI has also added the option to make ChatGPT Search your browser’s default search engine. 

This is not good…brand new Teslas are having self-driving computer failures. It’s happening to enough cars that it is apparently overwhelming their service. Electrek.co says that the problem seems to come from a low voltage battery short-circuiting the computer during a camera calibration process. Tesla is going to try to push out a temporary software fix, but ultimately may have to just replace the computers. Tesla hasn’t issued a service bulletin and has told service downplay the problem as they race to deliver enough cars at the end of the quarter to avoid their first down year in deliveries in 10 years. 

The clock is ticking for TikTok to sell the app or face a US ban. Now, ByteDance has asked the US Supreme Court to consider blocking the sell-or-ban law passed earlier this year by January 6. This would give American app stores and internet hosting providers just a few weeks to prepare for January 19, the deadline when the U.S. could force them to block TikTok. Techcrunch.com reports that the TikTok CEO also met with president-elect Trump on Monday, asking for help. Trump told reporters he has a ‘warm spot in my heart for TikTok.’ That’s a 180 degree turn from when he was trying to ban it himself with an executive order when he was in office before. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Temu-Most Downloaded App; Foldable iPad in Works; Musk Wants to Challenge Gmail; Meta Bows Tool to Watermark AI Videos

Posted: December 16, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Temu, the Chinese shopping app that has been dinged for shoddy products by some, is again the most downloaded free app on the US Apple App Store. TechCrunch.com reports that the shopping app took the #1 slot last year, displacing TikTok, which is still #3, behind Meta’s Threads app at #2. The 4th most downloaded is ChatGPT, while Google’s Search App is 5th. In 6th place is Instagram, with the #7 slot being held by WhatsApp. After that comes CapCut (which is owned by TikTok maker ByteDance), then YouTube, Gmail, Google Maps, Shein, and Facebook at lucky (or not) 13. What about the rest of the top 20? Look for Telegram, Snapchat, Cash App, Spotify, Max, McDonald’s, and Amazon.

It won’t be for a while, yet, but Apple is working son a king-sized folding iPad that opens up to the size of a couple iPad Pros side by side. Mark Gurman of Bloomberg says we should expect it around 2028. The folder will sport a 20 inch display. Apple’s biggest issue…as is every maker’s with folding devices…is to avoid the crease down the middle of the screen when the device is open. Samsung has been trying to minimize the crease since their first folding phone in 2019…it’s a tough nut to crack. Apple is aiming for the folding iPad to look like ‘a single, uninterrupted piece of glass.’ Reports are that the crease is close to invisible now, but close might not be good enough for Apple. It is unclear if it will run some version of iPad OS or if it will be robust enough to run the MacOS.

From the ‘good luck with that’ department, Elon Musk is apparently planning to take on Google’s Gmail with an X Mail affiliated with his X platform. According to androidpolice.com, Musk replied to a user asking about an email format of yourname@x.com, Elon replied ‘Yeah. On the list of things to do.’ As for dethroning Gmail…that will be a mountain to climb for Musk…Gmail presently has over 1.8 billion active users, and Gmail is pretty deeply integrated into the Google ecosystem. Musk is apparently aiming for something more like a DM style interface, but it’s doubtful that such will work for most folks…who are used to the advanced search, seamless integration with Google Workspace, and strong security features found in Gmail. 

This is an especially timely move by Meta, with all the activity around deepfakes. CBS did a segment on 60 Minutes about so-called ‘nudity’ sites like Clothoff, (which I purposely left the suffix off of) that use AI to produce very realistic pictures of people with their clothing removed to make nude photos and videos. Well, Meta has rolled out a tool for watermarking AI-generated videos. TechCrunch.com reports that since 2023 there has been a 4 times increase in deepfakes worldwide. The tool, called Meta Video Seal, is available in open source and designed to be integrated into existing software. The tool joins Meta’s other watermarking tools, Watermark Anything (re-released today under a permissive license) and Audio Seal. DeepMind also has a tool called SynthID that can watermark videos, and Microsoft has its own video watermarking techniques. In addition to a watermark, Video Seal can add a hidden message to videos that can later be uncovered to determine their origins. Meta claims that Video Seal is resilient against common edits like blurring and cropping, as well as popular compression algorithms.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Google Announces Gemini 2.o; Apple Watch Ultra 3-Text Via Satellite; Amazing New Tech Splits Water to Make Hydrogen; GM Ends Cruise Robotaxis

Posted: December 11, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Google has announced Gemini 2.0, its latest, greatest AI model. 9to5google.com reports that the first model is Gemini 2.0 Flash, which they say “outperforms 1.5 Pro on key benchmarks” — across code, factuality, math, reasoning, and more — at twice the speed. The model is available today in AI Studio and Vertex AI for developers…it will be open to the general public next month. Google says the new model results in an “even more helpful Gemini assistant.” Both Gemini and Gemini Advanced users will be able to use a chat-optimized version of 2.0 Flash experimental in gemini.google.com this week. Go to the model dropdown menu in the top-left corner. Access is “soon” coming to the mobile app. With all these helpful AI assistants, does anyone else have flashbacks to Microsoft’s ‘Clippie?’ Just wondering.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 was a big snooze, while the latest version of the Watch…10…was a huge update. Now, according to macrumors.com, we will see a pretty cool update when the Ultra 3 comes out next year. It will have satellite connectivity for off-grid texting like the iPhones 14, 15, and 16…but in a WATCH! Like with the latest iPhones, you will not only be able to send emergency texts, but will be able to send texts to anyone. Now, you can text your friend from your surfboard out riding a wave if you are so inclined! Presumably, if a satellite was overhead, you could even send one while scuba diving. Right now, we don’t know if the Watch Ultra 3 will get 5G though…Watches have continued to use 4G LTE, even though the iPhones moved to 5G several years ago.

Hydrogen is a great, clean way to power vehicles and systems, but getting it is not so clean…it mostly comes from natural gas. Now, bgr.com says some scientists have figured out a way create green hydrogen using some tech from batteries and solar panels. Apparently by using a 2-step process with a couple different photocatalysts, they can create hydrogen from sunlight. So far, the process is just a proof of concept that was published in Frontiers in Science, but if they are able to scale it up…and build big enough battery systems to store the power at night…since you can’t derive anything from sunlight at night, it could be a real leap forward in completely clean hydrogen for fuel. 

General Motors has taken the old No Cruising signs that have graced certain California streets to heart…well, kind of. The General has announced that it is killing off the Cruise robotaxi experiment after dropping a fortune into it. Engadget.com reports that they will fold Cruise into GM’s in-house technical team, where the engineers will focus on developing advanced driver assistance programs, and work towards fully autonomous personal vehicles. After seeing the little cars around San Francisco, as well as in Arizona and Texas, the fleet will be no more. The incident where one hit and dragged a pedestrian in San Francisco probably did the most to take the program down.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Buy a Car from Amazon?; Instagram Bows ‘Trial Reels’; Samsung Galaxy S25-Qi2 Charging; OpenAI Launches Sora Video Generation Publicly

Posted: December 10, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

There are everything stores and then there are everything stores. Costco has everything, including caskets. Now, Amazon is adding cars! Yep, you can add a car to your cart…specifically, a Hyundai. Wired.com reports that Amazon had announced that cars could be coming in 2024, and now you can buy one with a click. Amazon has announced that it will ‘roll out’…ok sorry about that…services with other dealerships and manufacturers in 2025. Right now, go to Amazon Autos, and search for the make and model you want, then you can find matching vehicles at nearby dealerships that have them. You can also get an estimate of your trade in value. Amazon says is is working with an ‘independent third party’ to determine trade values. At check out, you can pay in full (like many Hyundai buyers do that) or get help getting financing. Most paperwork can be e-signed on Amazon. After that, just schedule a pickup at the Hyundai dealer. Yeah, sorry…no next day delivery…or shipping at all!

Instagram has launched a new feature for video creators. Now, you can publish a ‘trial reel’ for non-followers to see, and test it out before revealing the video to followers. According to engadget.com, the feature is in direct response to feedback from creators who “feel nervous” about posting videos that may not perform well. Meta said the new feature is meant to make it easier for creators to experiment with different genres and “easily get a gut check on how your content might perform.” After 24 hours, creators can revisit the video and see how the metrics look before releasing it to followers or not. 

It looks like Samsung will be adding Qi2 charging to the Galaxy S25 phones. 9to5google.com notes that the standard has been out for a couple years, but only one Android phone has gotten it so far, and that’s the little-known HMD Skyline. Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhones have the faster charging via their magnetic ring connection. There had been a rumor that Google’s Pixel 9 phones would get it, but nope. A reliable Samsung leaker says the Galaxy S25’s will have it though. We won’t have long to wait to see if that turns out to be true…they’re due out in January.

OpenAI has launched Sora video generation publicly. Arstechnica.com reports that Sora Turbo text-to-video generation is available to ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers via a dedicated website. The model can create videos of up to 20 seconds long with resolutions up to 1080 pixels from a text or image prompt. Right now, it is available in the US and much of the world, but not in Europe yet. OpenAI is limiting generation of videos of people for the time being to prevent deepfakes. The company notes that there are limitations as it is an early version. The model reportedly struggles with physics simulations and complex actions over extended durations.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.

Google Bows Amazing Quantum Chip; Apple-Playstation Support for Vision Pro & Cellular for Macs; Diamond Battery Could Run Low Power Items for Eons; TikTok Asks Appeals Court for Temp Block of Sale-or-Ban Law

Posted: December 9, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Google has just revealed its latest quantum computing chip…Willow. Gizmodo.com reports that Google claims the new chip can perform calculations in five minutes that would take the world’s fastest supercomputers 10 septillion years. For reference, the universe isn’t even 14 billion years old—a fraction of a fraction of that timescale. Quantum computers operate and calculate in a manner that is fundamentally different from regular or so-called classical supercomputers. They won’t be a desktop or portable item any time soon or ever though….quantum computing requires a lab environment with temperatures near absolute zero to work! Google sees some commercial applications for their quantum computing as being within the next 3 to 5 years now instead of decades away.

Apple has some interesting things in the works, according to 9to5mac.com, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. One is that they are planning to support VR game controllers, and have approached Sony about supporting PlayStation games on the headset. You would still need third party controllers, although th field of view in the Vision Pro would be amazing. Apple is also looking at bring cellular to the Mac for the first time. As they move to their now modems and away from Qualcomm, the Mac might join iPhones and iPads, as well as Watches with their own cellular connection. This could reportedly happen by 2026. 

British scientists have successfully created the world’s first carbon-14 diamond battery…which could run low energy devices like satellite communication equipment for over 5,000 years. Thenextweb.com notes that the battery is made of the radioactive isotope carbon-14, encased in a thin layer of synthetic diamond. As the carbon-14 decays it emits electrons. The diamond acts like a semiconductor, converting these electrons into electricity. Since carbon-14 has a half-life of 5,700 years, scientists expect the battery to last for millennia. Besides satellites, the diamond batteries could power pacemakers, hearing aids, watches, computer chips — any low-power device in environments where frequent battery replacement isn’t feasible. Shortwave radiation from the decaying carbon-14 doesn’t pose a risk — it is fully absorbed by the diamond casing, the researchers said. The battery can also be recycled at the end of its life — if anyone is still around by then!

TikTok and parent company ByteDance have filed an emergency motion with a federal appeals court asking it to temporarily block the law that would ban the app in the US unless the social network divests from Chinese ownership by January 19. The companies are asking for the hold in order to give the Supreme Court a chance to assess the case. Techcrunch.com reports that more than 170 million people in the US are on the app monthly or more. As a back up, TikTok is also appealing to president-elect Trump, who had promised voters he would save the app if elected. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

Microsoft Copilot Vision Launches in Preview; Apple Expands Password Autofill to Firefox; Pixel 9 May Get Automatic to-do Lists From Call Summaries; Meta Expands ‘Strike Removal’ Feature to Avoid Facebook Jail

Posted: December 5, 2024 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment

Microsoft has started a limited US rollout of a preview version off Copilot Vision, that tool they have touted as being able to read things on your screen, and then respond to questions you might have when looking at a website on your screen using Edge. Techcrunch.com reports that in order to use the preview version, you have to have a $20 a month subscription to Microsoft’s Copilot Pro plan. Besides answering questions, the AI can summarize and translate text, and spot discounted products on a site. Microsoft stresses that the system deletes data after every session. In addition, processed audio, images, or text aren’t stored or used to train models.

A really useful feature Apple has had for a while was expanded into what is essentially a stand-alone app in the latest iterations of software…iOS 18 and MacOs 15 Sequoia. Passwords saves all your passwords (with your permission) to the app, and then it auto-fills on websites, using your biometrics…either FaceID or TouchID to verify that it’s you. I find this terrifically handy, but so far, it has only worked on Safari, Apple’s own browser. According to arstechnica.com, that has now changed. Apple is now officially supporting the Passwords extension in Firefox if you are running macOS. As of this moment, the extension only supports macOS Sonoma and Sequoia, not older versions. It also doesn’t work on Windows or Linux yet. Apple has had a Chrome extension since 2023, and has also worked with Edge but it hasn’t used the Passwords extension…both those have relied on the cloud…so your passwords are possibly at risk more. It does appear that Apple will be extending official Windows support down the line, too. 

If you are a habitual list maker…and I have done a bit if that in my life…and you have a Pixel 9, you may really like this. Androidpolice.com says a feature on the phone may be getting a cool expansion. The 9 already has a Call Notes feature that automatically generates call summaries. Well now, Google is apparently working on something added…the software will extract actionable items from the call summaries and turn them into to-do lists. The lists will include titles and allow users to copy, edit, and share them directly from the Phone app. Call Notes and the list feature are entirely on-device using Gemini Nano, so they don’t rely on the cloud. No official word on when the to-do feature will be live, but it looks like it will be soon. 

Meta is expanding its so-called ‘strike removal’ feature to all Facebook users and to Instagram. Engadget.com reports that what this is… is a ‘short educational program’ that helps users avoid a ‘strike’ on their account or Facebook jail. Think of it as going to driving school to get a point taken off your license if you got a speeding ticket. It will only be available once in a 12 month period for most first-time offenses. Sounds like a nice step, but it won’t eliminate their sometimes confused algorithm from taking action in the first place on a post that really doesn’t violate their community standards…it just may be language that the algorithm doesn’t understand. 

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now. 

← Older Entries