December 2022 - The Digital Life from Lökwest - tech news, updates, and interesting things to spare!
It's the last issue of 2022, so let's get right into it. In the news, read about a new study on Apple's AirPods, learn why your new Mercedes charges you to go fast, and see how fast your brain really is. Then catch up with security updates. See how your phone tracks you and how that could get you in trouble. Plus, check out the latest phishing trick.
For fun, generate a World Cup insult, use your unlimited Gmail addresses, and take care of things in the afterlife. Also, read about the effort it takes to generate a 3-second YouTube sound. It's more work than you think!
I hope you enjoy something in this issue and continue to follow us in 2023 for more great tech-based news you can use.
Best wishes for the rest of the year!
In the news...
Apple earbuds show promise as hearing aids in a clinical trial — www.medtechdive.com
We reported how recent laws have made over-the-counter hearing aids more accessible. Now, a new study indicates you may actually already own hearing aids if you have a pair of Apple AirPods.
Mercedes locks faster acceleration behind a yearly $1,200 subscription — www.theverge.com
You bought that fancy new Mercedes. Now, do you want it to go fast? You're going to have to subscribe for that. Mercedes is the latest manufacturer to lock auto features behind a subscription fee, with an upcoming “Acceleration Increase” add-on that lets drivers pay to access motor performance their vehicle is already capable of. Welcome to the 21st century of auto "ownership".
Are You Ready for Workplace Brain Scanning? — spectrum.ieee.org
This is a really interesting look at how fast your brain really is, compared to the time it takes you to form a reaction. Extracting and using brain data to directly influence software will make workers happier and more productive, backers say.
Your security updates...
Apple Says Your iPhone's Usage Data is Anonymous, but New Tests Say That's Not True — gizmodo.com
Your iPhone's analytics data includes an ID number tied to your name, email, and phone number, say researchers who uncovered other holes in Apple' promises. In other words, your phone is a tracking device no matter what anyone tells you.
A Peek Inside the FBI's Unprecedented January 6 Geofence Dragnet — www.wired.com
Google provided investigators with location data for more than 5,000 devices as part of the federal investigation into the attack on the US Capitol. This article looks into how that data request was made, narrowed down, and processed. It also raises some questions about precedent with "geofence" warrants. Note to self: Leave the phone at home if attending protests 😉
Disneyland Malware Team: It’s a Puny World After All — krebsonsecurity.com
This has NOTHING to do with the mouse-eared company, but with a hacking group called the "Disneyland Team". They're using a VERY interesting, but yet simple technique to get people to interact with phishing domains. For example, would you visit https://microsòft.com/ and assume you have a spec of dust on your screen? If so, you've been duped.
Interesting as always...
Duolingo’s Fowl Language Generator — fowllanguage.duolingo.com
It's world cup time again, and we've had a lot of fun with this site. In addition to being a great language-learning app, Duolingo occasionally does something fun. Now, learn how to cheer and trash-talk teams in (almost) every language with Duolingo’s free Fowl Language generator. Da kann ja meine Oma besser spielen! (my Grandma can play better than that) 😂😂
Your Gmail Account Has Unlimited Addresses — lifehacker.com
I reverted to this trick just this month to help a client sign up for Apple TV. For some reason, it wouldn't accept her Gmail address. Why? I don't know. The solution? Use a Gmail alias. You can also do this, using the same Gmail over and over again, with no one the wiser.
Building the new YouTube sound, one note at a time — blog.youtube
I've recently gotten back into music and audio production (more on that in an upcoming newsletter). If audio production fascinates you, you'll want to check this read out. Here's what it takes from a sound design perspective to put together a three-second clip. Here’s how YouTube created the vibrant new branding that plays when YouTube starts up.
Get things done from the afterlife — posterity.life
With this subscription service, you can setup an unlimited number of "dead man's switches" that trigger in case of your demise. This service's differentiation is that they fully verify the death before setting off the events, avoiding false triggers.
In tech history...one bulb out since 1882
Edward Johnson, an associate of Thomas Edison, has walnut-sized bulbs made specifically for him to wire his Christmas Tree with electric light. The 80 red, white, and blue bulbs formed the first set of electric Christmas Tree lights in history. Prior to this, people would traditionally decorate their trees with wax candles.
Read more about the demo's backstory here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahcaldicott/2014/12/16/disruptive-innovation-the-first-christmas-lights/
Watch for your holiday card!
I'll be mailing out my annual holiday cards and calendars to everyone who was an active client in 2022. If I haven't seen you for awhile, if you've moved, or if you'd like a card for whatever reason, please reply and I'll get one to you!
In Closing...
