The Two Techies 466: Fully Focused

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Tougher Internet of Things laws, Adobe raise Creative Cloud prices and Facebook’s total focus on privacy.

Quick News:

  • Life-saving kidney delivered by drone [Link]
  • Google to ‘auto-delete’ tracking history [Link]
  • Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt will leave Alphabet’s board after 18 years [Link]
  • Spotify is first to 100 million paid subscribers [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • New gadget law planned to thwart hackers [Link]
  • Adobe Creative Cloud Price Rises to $20/month [Link]
  • Facebook’s total focus on privacy could crowd out more important issues [Link]

The Two Techies 465: True to Form

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Apple and antitrust complaints and podcasting with an unfortunate difference.

Quick News:

  • Microsoft hits $1 trillion market valuation [Link]
  • Which? reveals worst mobile network [Link]
  • Sprint and AT&T settle lawsuit over “blatantly misleading” 5G E logo [Link]
  • Samsung’s Galaxy Fold Smartphone Release Delayed [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Apple continues crack down on third-party screen time apps, faces new antitrust complaint in Europe [Link]
  • Podcast wars: $100 million startup Luminary launches Tuesday without Reply All or The Daily [Link]

The Two Techies 464: Over Simplified

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iOS 13, the problem with consumer reviews online and Samsung’s potential PR disaster.

Quick News:

  • UK helps push through EU copyright revamp [Link]
  • Bose Adds AirPlay 2 Support to BoseSmart Speakers and Sound Bars [Link]
  • Apple and Qualcomm drop billion-dollar battle [Link]
  • Microsoft reveals hackers accessed some Outlook.com accounts for months [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • iOS 13 will reportedly include a dark mode and huge improvements to iPad multitasking [Link]
  • Amazon UK is littered with suspicious reviews, report claims [Link]
  • Samsung’s folding phone breaks for reviewers [Link]

The Two Techies 463: Diversified Content

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The HomePod becomes more cost competitive, too much choice is a problem in a streaming environment and Apple’s plans for macOS 10.15.

Quick News:

  • New detectors to spot drivers on phones [Link]
  • Amazon Workers Are Listening to What You Tell Alexa [Link]
  • Netflix ends AirPlay support on iOS in an ongoing souring of its Apple relationship [Link]
  • Samsung’s Galaxy S10 fingerprint sensor fooled by 3D printed fingerprint [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Apple Drops HomePod Price to $299, Down From $349 [Link]
  • Ironically, Too Many Video Streaming Choices May Drive Users Back To Piracy [Link]
  • Apple reportedly will break out Music, Video, and Podcasts into separate apps in macOS 10.15 [Link]

The Two Techies 462: Supply and Demand

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Microsoft demonstrate why we shouldn’t always rely on their platforms and Apple’s March “services” event.

Quick News:

  • Apple Music surpasses Spotify in US with 28 million subscribers, ahead by 2 million and growing [Link]
  • HMD admits the Nokia 7 Plus was sending personal data to China [Link]
  • NSA contractor pleads guilty to data theft [Link]
  • Apple abandons wireless charging product [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • When this eBook store closes, your books disappear too [Link]
  • The 5 biggest announcements from Apple’s March event [Link]

The Two Techies 461: Service Centric

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A busy week for Apple, Google and Stadia as well as Spotify’s claims surrounding Apple’s unfair practices.

Quick News:

  • EU regulators hit Google with $1.7 billion fine for blocking ad rivals [Link]
  • New AirPods Launch With H1 Chip, Hey Siri, Up to 50% More Talk Time, and Optional Wireless Charging Case [Link]
  • Apple updates iMacs with new Intel processors and AMD GPUs [Link]
  • Apple Announces WWDC 2019 Kicks Off on June 3 in San Jose, Registration Open for Developers [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Stadia: everything you need to know about Google’s game-streaming service [Link]
  • Addressing Spotify’s Claims [Link]
  • Spotify files complaint with European Commission about the App Store, says Apple is giving itself an ‘unfair advantage at every turn’ [Link]
  • Apple Sends Out Media Invites for an ‘It’s Show Time’ Event on March 25 [Link]

timetoplayfair.com

The Two Techies 460: Take a Leaf

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Fitbit’s revenue strategy, the right to repair and Spotify’s grand plan for podcasting.

Quick News:

  • Thunderbolt 3 becomes USB4, as Intel’s interconnect goes royalty-free [Link]
  • Uber ‘not liable’ for self-driving death [Link]
  • Zuckerberg pledges ‘privacy-focused’ Facebook [Link]
  • Apple quietly addresses ‘Flexgate’ issue with MacBook Pro redesign [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Fitbit’s new $160 Versa Lite is a stripped-down version of its entry-level smartwatch [Link]
  • Want to fix your tractor? Tough luck, say some manufacturers [Link]
  • Spotify’s grand plan for podcasts is taking shape [Link]

The Two Techies 459: Pricing Plan

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The HomePod and it’s lack of market share, Apple’s COO is aware of pricing concerns and 5G won’t be coming without teething issues.

Quick News:

  • Tesla will close most of its stores and only sell cars online [Link]
  • Record fine for TikTok over children’s data [Link]
  • YouTube bans comments on videos of kids [Link]
  • Google backtracks on Chrome modifications that would have crippled ad blockers [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • 5G will be crazy fast, but it’ll be worthless without unlimited data [Link]
  • Apple COO Jeff Williams ‘Very Aware Of’ Concerns Over Apple Product Cost [Link]
  • HomePod Struggling to Gain Market Share Alongside Cheaper Amazon Echo and Google Home Speakers [Link]

The Two Techies 458: Doubtful Duopoly

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Apple could change processor infrastructure “soon” and ad code is responsible for a slow world wide web amongst other relevant stories from this week.

Quick News:

  • Facebook will shut down its spyware VPN app Onavo [Link]
  • Samsung reveals Galaxy Fold and S10 5G [Link]
  • UK 4G ‘slower than most of EU when busy’ [Link]
  • Google admits error over hidden microphone [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Ad code ‘slows down’ browsing speeds [Link]
  • Intel officials believe that ARM Macs could come as soon as 2020 [Link]

 

The Two Techies 457: Shifted Focus

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The controversial Article 13, further evidence to suggest Apple is focusing more on subscription based business and Amazon splashes the cash.

Quick News:

  • Networks call for 5G security inspector [Link]
  • Personal information of 14.8 million 500px users leaked in security breach [Link]
  • WWDC 2019 Dates Confirmed: June 3-7 in San Jose [Link]
  • AT&T Sued by Sprint for Misleading ‘5GE’ Branding [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • What is the controversial Article 13? [Link]
  • Apple to Hold Subscription-Focused Media Event March 25, No AirPods or iPad Mini Announcement Expected [Link]
  • Amazon Acquires Mesh WiFi Maker Eero [Link]

https://saveyourinternet.eu

The Two Techies 456: Potentially Positive

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Spotify sees potential in podcasts as well as making two potentially major acquisitions and Apple’s retail experience.

Quick News:

  • Raspberry Pi opens its first dedicated retail store [Link]
  • Twitter Q4 beats on sales of $909M and EPS of $0.33, but MAUs slump to just 321M [Link]
  • Big-name travel apps may secretly record your iPhone screen, including credit card info [Link]
  • UK music retailer HMV sold to Canada’s Sunrise Records [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Spotify and the potential for targeted podcast ads [Link]
  • Spotify Acquires Podcast Producer Gimlet Media and App Maker Anchor [Link]
  • Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts is leaving in April [Link]

The Two Techies 455: High Average

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Apple set high standards for themselves and a slight disturbance in Google and Facebook’s services on the iOS platform.

Quick News:

  • Serious FaceTime Bug Lets You Hear a Person’s Audio Before They Answer [Link]
  • EU data watchdog raises concerns over Facebook integration [Link]
  • B&Q ‘exposed data about store thieves’ [Link]
  • Apple News subscription service preview found in iOS 12.2 beta [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Apple’s dramatic Q1 2019 results [Link]
  • Apple blocks Google from running its internal iOS apps [Link]
  • Apple blocks Facebook from running its internal iOS apps [Link]

The Two Techies 454: Blocked Ad Block

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Adverts on paid streaming services, Microsoft warns users when safety is at risk and Apple are said to be innovating with the AirPods.

Quick News:

  • WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger to ‘merge’ [Link]
  • Macintosh Turns 35 [Link]
  • Apple Pay Rolling Out at Target, Taco Bell, and Jack in the Box Across the U.S. in Coming Weeks [Link]
  • Wow, fancy that. Web ad giant Google to block ad-blockers in Chrome. For safety, apparently [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Netflix ‘would lose 57% of their subscribers if they added commercials’ [Link]
  • Daily Mail demands browser warning U-turn [Link]
  • Next-Gen AirPods With ‘Health Monitoring’ Features Said to be Coming in First Half of 2019 [Link]

The Two Techies 453: Cast Gone

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Windows 10 Mobile gets abandoned, more control of your personal data is what Tim Cook wants and Google cans their Audio Chromecast.

Quick News:

  • Over 87GB of email addresses and passwords exposed in Collection 1 dump [Link]
  • Australia Becomes First Western Nation to Ban Secure Encryption [Link]
  • Apple Launches Smart Battery Cases for iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR [Link]
  • DuckDuckGo Integrates Apple Maps for Map and Address Searches [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Microsoft to end Windows 10 Mobile updates and support in December [Link]
  • Tim Cook calls on FTC to let consumers track and delete their personal data [Link]
  • Google cans the Chromecast Audio [Link]

haveibeenpwned.com

The Two Techies 452: Over Capacity

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Betrayal of customer trust, the murky area of online consumption and Apple demonstrate cross-platform functionality

Quick News:

  • The Samsung Galaxy S10 is coming on February 20th [Link]
  • Cambridge Analytica parent firm fined [Link]
  • VLC is adding AirPlay support and will reach 3 billion downloads [Link]
  • Samsung Phone Users Perturbed to Find They Can’t Delete Facebook [Link]

Topics talked about today:

  • Ring let employees watch customer videos, claim reports [Link]
  • Why We Have Failed As YouTubers… [Link]
  • Samsung Smart TVs Adding Support for iTunes Video Content and AirPlay 2 [Link]