Apple leaks

Memo about Apple leaks – Leaked.

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Firstly, I’m getting more convinced we’re all living inside a movie each and every day. Apple, the huge tech company, prizes itself on secrecy and the mysterious allure it has! Apple like’s to keep things under wraps around it’s software and hardware each and every year. So they’re going to take a very hardline on anyone who breaks NDA’s. So those Apple leaks we get giddy about, someone, has put their job on the line to leak the information, hence why we always get blurry images and bit part information. Well turns out, that according to Bloomberg, Apple’s had 12 employees arrested over the course of the year for leaking information regarding future software plans. This was part of a memo which leaked.

Apple leaks: The Memo

In the memo, it stated that it had caught 29 people who had leaked info over the course of the last year. 12 of which were arrested. They were employees, contractrors and supply chain partners. So Apple has a job on it’s hand, to keep everyone in line when it comes to secrecy around their products. As there’s A LOT of people that are handling precious and important information on a day to day basis.

According to Bloomberg the memo read:

“Leakers do not simply lose their jobs at Apple….In some cases, they face jail time and massive fines for network intrusion and theft of trade secrets, both classified as federal crimes.”

Furthermore, the memo allegedly goes on to warn employees of any potential ‘friends’ that they may make from the media. Stating that the people aren’t your friends. They are just trying to get information out of them for their own benefit.

“While it may seem flattering to be approached, it’s important to remember that you’re getting played,”

Which reads like your telling you about a shady love interest. Apple are cool, even when you’re being warned about future work conduct!

Listen to the guys chatting about this by clicking here! 

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Amazon Key

Amazon Wants Your Boot: Amazon Key

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Your car boot that is. After successfully launching Amazon Key, Amazon are looking to launch a similar system. Yet, this time delivering items to your car.

However, the scheme is only available to those who own newer models of GM or Volvo vehicles and 37 US cities.  Also deliveries being made using the Amazon Key for cars scheme are limited. Deliveries are only to be made to cars that are parked in a publicly accessible area. Which means cars that are parked on driveways, office car parks or on streets in front of a house or a block of flats.  This means no deliveries to be made to private garages or other such areas that aren’t readily or easily available.

How It Works

A user simply downloads the Amazon Key app, as they would do for the home version. Then link the app to their vehicle. Furthermore, just like the home version, the app will give users a delivery slot. Inform them when it’s on the way and when it has been delivered. Consquently the app also keeps a log of when their car has been locked and relocked. Just like on the home version.

To combat theft, the packages are delivered into a boot and placed/hidden out of sight. To Amazon’s credit, the giant online retailer have been making strides in this area.

Privacy

For a number of years the company have placed an emphasis on leaving packages in an area where they cannot be stolen. Or atleast very difficult to steal from. Amazon even offer secure lockers in available locations for the customers in urban areas.

“Receiving a package securely and reliably in your car, without you having to be there, is something we think many people will appreciate…..This mix of car and commerce is starting the next wave of innovation and we intend to be at the forefront.” – Atif Rafiq, chief digital officer at Volvo Cars.

Furthermore there has been worries of privacy. Are Amazon going to track where by car is at all times? Rohit Shrivastava, the general manager of Amazon Key, shared this concern and calmed everyone’s fears. Also he states that the system that Amazon uses for Amazon Key is “Securely Encrypted” and they cannot see or track a users car.

Listen to the guys chatting about this by clicking here!

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Facebook Listening

Facebook Isn’t Tapping Your Microphone

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There’s been a lot of information and news around Facebook lately. Most of it is about data, our personal data. However, earlier on in the year, Facebook drew criticism for allegedly listening to our conversations. Facebook listening to us sounds like a crazy idea. Facebook listening to us sounds horrifying! But is it actually true? The guys over at the Verge went ahead and done some myth busting around the whole thing!

Mark Zuckerberg even had to state during his privacy hearing in congress that the whole idea of Facebook listening to it’s users was a ‘conspiracy theory’

Facebook are said to have been listening to us, as we, as users. Have seen ads for the stuff we have been talking about with friends. Yet according to the Verge it’s not down to listening at all. It’s all down to very clever ad targeting. They know everything you do. It’s all because of you too. You’re the one giving Facebook this information, so don’t be surprised when you get super accurate ads.

  • They know your browsing history because of cookies and trackers. Facebook has their own inhouse one called Facebook Pixel.
  • The ‘Like’ button you may use on a news website. Information is fed back to facebook.
  • What you look like (uploaded photos)
  • Where you like to spend your free time (location data when you tag yourself in places)
  • The things you buy! (the Facebook ads you click on and then consequently purchase)

Facebook knows more than you think. It’s not down to eavesdropping that would violate a ton of wiretapping laws. It’s all down to you. You’re the one giving them this information. It may look creepy, but their just feeding back the information you gave to them back to you. Think of it as a gift from a loved one. You forget about it and then, as you forgot, act all surprised that they remembered what you wanted for your birthday. Think of Facebook ads like that.

The reason why it appears to appear on your screen right after you spoke about it? All psychological. Andreas Andrietta of the Electronics Frontier Foundation, stated in the Verge’s report something interesting. That ad may have been running there the whole time, but as you are more aware of it, after speaking about, your more inclined to notice the ad.

You provide Facebook with so much data, they don’t need to tap your microphone. Even if they could. They could. They have the tech to do it. Nigel Cannings of Intelligence Voice, states that the tech is super simple. But it requires a lot of differing factors to identify you. Such as geometric data and geofencing, which with Facebook, you give out that data. This would work simply on a very very very small scale. However, Facebook has huge numbers of people on their platform, there are just simply too many people to do this feasibly.

Even if they could do it anyway, there’s too many of us and B, it’s highly illegal to do so.

For a more detailed look at this head on over to the Verge and check out their video on the subject, it’s very interesting!

Listen to the guys chatting about this by clicking here! 

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WhatsApp ban

WhatsApp banned for Under16

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So there’s going to be a WhatsApp ban. WhatsApp are raising the age of the minimum age of it’s users to 16 across Europe. The current age limit for the messaging app is 13. However, the company are enforcing stricter rules ahead of the new data privacy rules due to be enforced in Europe in May. Yet, if you’re from outside Europe, the age is still 13.

The messaging service will ask for EU users to confirm their age before accepting new terms of service. The WhatsApp ban is unknown as to how it will affect the number of users. As the service which has 1.5billion users from January. Furthermore WhatsApp have confirmed that they will not be asking for any more rights to their personal data.

WhatsApp Ban: Facebook

Facebook, which owns WhatsApp, are introducing a similar data policy. With users aged between 13 and 15 having to get permission from a parent or guardian for them to share information on the platform. If no permission is given, the teen will not see a fully personalised version of Facebook.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

Download WhatsApp here: Apple / Android

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Anvio VR

Multiplayer Madness in Virtual Reality – Anvio VR

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Multiplayer Madness VR – Anvio VR

Recently we got invited down to Anvio VR UK a brand new 'VR Playground' that has opened up in London recently. They're brand new in London and opened in early 2018, so as lovers and enthusiasts of virtual reality and all things technology, we thought we'd head down and check it out!For more information please click here: http://www.howtokillanhour.com/gadgets-tech/multiplayer-madness-in-virtual-reality-anvio-vrTo book your own tickets please click here: https://en.anviovr.com/Our website is here http://www.howtokillanhour.comOur podcast is here http://www.howtokillanhour.com/showsTwitter: https://twitter.com/HowTokillAnHourFacebook: https://facebook.com/HowTokillAnHourInstagram: https://instagram.com/HowToKillAnHour

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 3 May 2018

Recently we got invited down to Anvio VR a brand new ‘VR Playground’ that has opened up in London recently. They’re brand new in London and opened in early 2018, so as lovers and enthusiasts of virtual reality and all things technology, we thought we’d head down and check it out!

Unlike a lot of VR games or events this is an experience in which you’re allowed to play! Hence why they’re describing it as a playground! What we mean by play is that you’re free to move around. As you’re not confined to a small play area. So you get to run around a HUGE room and experience, quite literally, a whole new world!

In the worlds that Anvio VR have created you can run, jump and even wave to your partners whilst in the game, all that and much much more! Their play area is also fully wirless so there’s no worry about running into a wall or falling over wires. Thus creating a much more realistic and immersive experience. Plus there’s guides in the room, who are there to help prevent you from crashing into any walls, if you do manage to find your way to a wall that is!

Currently Anvio have two games available to play:

Anvio VR: City Z

This game lasts 45mins and is for a team of 4 ages 12 and up. You’re provided with an assault rifle or a mele weapon to play whilst in this game. The City Z gameplay mixes close quarter combat and full blown warfare. You’ll be thrown in to dark corridors and be aware if you’re afraid of heights! What are you fighting? An How To Kill An Hour favourite: ZOMBIES!

Anvio VR: Lost Sanctuary

This game too lasts 45mins and for a team of 4 ages 12 and up. Yet instead of action, this is a puzzle game and you got to focus on the traversing environment. You’ll be transported into an ancient abandoned city, your task is to find out more about the city and look for the treasure! As you’ll too be faced with combat and some heights!

To purchase tickets of your own to go and venture in multiplayer madness please click here!

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cambridge analytica

Cambridge Analytica: How to (Part 2)

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So, last week we said to you guys that you’d get a notification to tell you if you’d been sniped by Cambridge Analytica. Turns out, hardly anyone got that notification. However, there’s a way to see if you did actually were wrongly done by Cambridge Analytica.

Therefore, simply click here!

Cambridge Analytica: What next

That’s really all you have to do. You’ll be presented with a page like this if you weren’t affected:

Cambridge Analytica

 

If you were you’ll be presented with this page:

 

cambridge analytica

 

Yet, Facebook doesn’t share what they’re doing to resolve this, (Well what can they do, it’s already been sold) they do share what they’re doing to prevent it from happening again.

So, to listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

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battery

iPhone Battery: How to tell it’s lifespan

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iPhone Battery health a step by step guide

How to tell if your iPhone battery is in tip top condition:

  • Upgrade your iPhone to iOS 11.3
  • Open up settings on your iPhone and select “battery”
battery

battery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • Click in to here
  • Within this menu you will see what the apps on your iPhone use the most power

battery

    battery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  • To see more about your iPhone and it’s health click on the menu labeled “Battery Health”
battery

battery

  • Here you will see whether or not your iPhone’s performing to standard or not. As you can see Producer Bill’s phone is performing at a normal peak performance! The phrase “Your battery is currently supporting normal peak performance” then that’s all good and you can keep using your phone as normal. Nothing to worry about here!

More information

If it is less than 100 don’t worry either, as with all lithium ion battery’s the batteries lose efficiency over time. This is affected by a lot of different things so there’s not much you can do to prevent it. It’s just how these batteries work! Temperature of where you keep your phone, how often you use it, how often you charge it, how you charge it, all these come into play! If it’s less than 100, then of course you’re going to get less hours of use out of it, but a few percentages doesn’t matter at all.

This is where you’re going to see the state of the battery’s health, consequently your iPhone. So if you notice anything a little off, head here and you may get a slight idea of what may be going wrong!

The battery selection on system settings doesn’t really do that much. However, if you have an “unexpected shutdown” that’s when the performance management software will kick in, which Apple says is initially disabled. You’ll see a message afterwards which says: “Performance management has been applied to help prevent this from happening again.”

Who this affects?

Throttling only affects iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6S, 6S Plus, 7, 7 Plus and SE models as they can’t keep up with the processing power of newer iOS’s so slow the phone down to prolong the life of the phone. If they didn’t the sheer power that’s needed would start to affect other areas of the phone.

If you turned off the performance management system and experience unexpected shutdowns, you’ll have to live with it. Or turn on the performance management system and live with a slower iPhone. So you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. To rectify this, either replace the battery or get a newer phone. Apple recommends you replace them after a less than 80% maximum capacity.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here! 

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facial recognition

Crazy China Facial Recognition

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This is some CRAZY next level facial recognition technology coming right out of China. Once you hear about the lengths and levels of the facial recognition that China has at their ability you will be amazed!

The Chinese police have used facial recognition technology to arrest someone – get this – in a crowd of 60,000 concert goers.

CRAZY!

The suspect is only known as a Mr Ao, he was attending a concert of popular pop star Jacky Cheung in Nanchang city. Then he was caught. Whilst it is unaware as to what he was wanted for, the BBC are reporting that he was wanted for “economic crimes” Whilst this may come as a suprise after being recognised in such a large number of people in such as small space, China has a HUGE surveillance network. There are over 170million CCTV cameras in China.

He was identified apon arrival and was apprehended once he had sat down. So, he didn’t even get to see the concert! Police Officer Li Jin told state news agency Xinhua that the suspect was taken completely by surprise. As he didn’t know he’d be spotted in such a large crowd so quickly. Mr Li also spoke to China Daily and informed them that there are several cameras that are equipped with facial technology at ticket entrances.

Mr Ao had intended to go see the concert with his wife after travelling 56miles especially to see it. According to news site Kan Kan, who allegedly have footage from within custody. Mr Ao is reported to have said that he wouldn’t have gone to the concert if he knew there was facial recognition tech there!

 

The BBC are reporting that this isn’t the only case of the Chinese police using facial technology to catch suspects. In Aug of 2017, police in Shandong province arrested 25 suspects using the tech which was set up at a Beer festival.

China has said to be building the largest surveillance network. With plans to build 400million new cameras, which are to expected to be installed within 3 years. Many of which have artificial and facial recongition technology. So it’s no suprise that China regularly remind citizens that it’s almost impossible to evade authorities.

 

 

Listen to the guys chatting about this please click here! 

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3Doodler Hex Bug

3Doodler Hex Bug

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So, we handed the 3Doodler Hex Bug over to Producer Bill to test and you can check out how he got on with the, 3D Printing pen above!

What is 3Doodler Hex Bug?

The 3Doodler is already available on the market today, and it’s essentially a 3D printer in the form of a pen. By utilising this pen, users, are able to doodle anything that they like and bring it to life, right before their eyes! 3Doodler are launching a series of STEM kits that are designed to help users build their own creations, ranging from robotic dinosaurs and skeleton’s.

However, they have recently signed a partnership with HexBugs to launch a set which helps children put together their own bugs! Including eyes, wings, legs all kinds of insecty type of body parts. The best part about the partnership with HexBug? The included motors. Therefore making kids creations able to scurry across the table. Just like a bug. The company are calling these types of creations ‘DoodleMods’ and you don’t even have to use the included tracing tubs. You can create your own. As a result the only thing that’s stopping you is your imagination!

3Doodler Hex Bug: Benefits

The kits are designed to help teach children about structural design, they’re a mixture of 3Doodler’s already popular starter kits, into a smaller, more child friendly version of the original 3Doodler pen.

However, for all you adults out there who are always stealing your children’s toys. There are adult versions available that incorporate plastic elements which are embedded with various types of materials. Such as specks of wood, copper and even bronze.

The Hex Bug isn’t available to purchase as a kit just yet, that’s released in May. However you can purchase your own 3D Doodler kit already, just please click here! 

Listen to the guys chatting about the 3D Doodler Hex Bug please click here! 

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Philips OneBlade

Philips OneBlade Body edition

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So after Marcus quite famously shaved the wrong area of his body with the Philips OneBlade last time round (listen to that episode here!) Philips have released a body version of their very popular OneBlade shaver! (So, there’s no need for Marcus to keep using his OneBlade in the wrong part of his body now. There’s a proper tool for that job now! Think, we’re due a cut of the sales Philips! Marcus’ unfortunate use of the OneBlade has spawned a new product line!

So, what does the Philips OneBlade do?

Philips OneBlade Face + Body: Features

First of all the Philips OneBlade does everything that the original OneBlade did previously. You can trim your beard with one of the three stubble comes, which come in a variety of lengths. There’s 1mm, 3mm and 5mm. However, the OneBlade now comes with a body comb, which is 3mm, which you can use in any direction.

As the OneBlade does not shave like a regular shaver, i.e. getting really close. You’re able to use this to your advantage and go against the grain and easily shave off any length of any hair from any part of your body! Remember to change the blade though! There’s one for the body and one for the face!

Another tip would be to use the skin guard if your shaving in sensitive areas as this gives an extra layer of protection.

Furthermore, if you wish to get that super slick even length of stubble, use the click on combs to get that model like even stubble length. Plus, as the OneBlade follows the contours of your face, this allows you to get one super comfortable shave! To be even more precise and slick, utilise the double sided blade of the OneBlade to style those edges and create clean lines that everyone looks for!

Speaking of the blades, they’re super long lasting! Consequently when you come to changing them, this is a hassle free process. Though, this only takes place every four months, depending on useage.

As a tip, you can use the OneBlade as a wet shaver, or a dry shaver. It lasts 45mins on a single charge too! (Which takes 8 hours)

To purchase your own Philips OneBlade Face + Body please click here!

Listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

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