Category Archives: Technology

No Android OS Updates, a Security Flaw

Android Logo

Tom Simonite writing for MIT Technology Review, is taking Google to task for not having a standard method for updating Android on cell phones. His point is that because Google has left themselves no way to update the core OS on an Android phone quickly, they themselves built a giant security flaw into Android. I have to say I do agree with him.

The Google update model of Android has remained unchanged since its inception. Versions are almost fully tied to the smart phone they are on. The carriers have all the power to ruin, crap up, and deny pushing a release to any phone. Just the sheer breadth of hardware Android runs on makes it impossible for Google itself to update the OS. Couple that with the fact that all of the engineering and testing involved for a patch to a phone has no economic incentive for the handset maker. All this leads to a system where the phone you buy has the OS that came with it until the day it dies.

This system harkens back to the Windows Mobile days. Microsoft at the time would be rolling out patches and updates to the OS that were doing things like enabling on device ActiveSync or better browser features. The problem became the only way to get these new features (save for a few flagship models) was to buy a new phone. And because MS would not release things like a roadmap or new information, you could drop five or six hundred dollars on a new phone that would be out of date the next day. It was this aggravation that had me switch to Apple many years ago when I got tired of using the ancient OS on my Palm Treo. Android would never be updated on the current phones and iOS was gaining new features on old hardware. Having been bit before, I begrudgingly(at the time) decided to make the leap.

Google themselves have tried to address this issue numerous times with different programs such as the Open Handset Alliance. The problem with all of these programs is that they don’t have any benefit to those that bear the burden of the program. The carriers don’t care and have to spend money to certify new OS versions. The handset manufacturers don’t care as they have to spend money on engineering, testing, and distributing the fix. And in all honesty does Google really care? They get no money from Android itself, and so long as the current version out there can send them ad revenue and information, why would they bother.

Unfortunately I think it is going to take a massive security flaw that actually affects people before any of the parties involved really are forced to come up with a viable solution. Google can say that it wants to fix the problem and come up with a solution, but I feel that until the brand takes a major hit, nothing will come of it.

Link: https://www.technologyreview.com/s/539766/the-security-flaw-google-built-into-android/

Polygon looks at the rise of Cities:Skylines

Polygon has a great article detailing the rise of Cities:Skylines along with the fall of SimCity. They go through the ups and downs of the company CEO right about the time they were to pitch Cities:Skylines, which had the wind taken out of its sails when EA announced plans to bring out a new version of SimCity.

Sunny Metropolis city in Cities:Skylines
Sunny Metropolis city in Cities:Skylines – Courtesy of the Cities:Skylines Wiki

Continue reading Polygon looks at the rise of Cities:Skylines

Chinese toxic lake fueled by our gadget thirst

The BBC has a great article on the damage done from rare-earth mineral mining in mainland China. This tailings lake spews the leftover byproducts from the extraction of rare-earth minerals that are used in the production of tech gadgets. The pictures and video alone tell a interesting story.

Neodymiumum is the biggest offender, as it is used to make the super small magnets in our earbuds and smartphone speakers. The process used to extract this mineral is highly caustic and is probably the reason that China is the worlds largest exporter.

Link: http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20150402-the-worst-place-on-earth

Tiger Direct Founders Guilty of Fraud

As a young kid and tech junkie in the late 90’s, I remember getting the original Tiger Direct catalogs. All of the products had articles written around them like a J. Peterman catalog. As the Internet took over, the catalogs disappeared and small blurbs on websites optimized for search engines took over.

It was the first piece of software I ever purchased, a utility that made Windows 3.1 able to use long file names like its newest cousin, Windows 95. I gave my mom the money to put it on her credit card and order it for me. Two weeks later it arrived and worked like a charm. Minus the slight fact that it was not compatible with the way Windows 95 and all othe subsequent operating systems handled long file names.

It was a quick trip down memory lane when I saw this article describing the guilty pleas of the two Fiorentino brothers who founded tiger direct. Apparently using your company like your personal bank account, getting kickbacks from suppliers, and over charging your own company is not the best way, and legal way, to run a business. I hope the fancy cars and big houses were worth the fun for a bit. Glad I could contribute to the fun!

Fox Business: Systemax brothers guilty of fraud

Macalope vs. The Apple is a religion cult

Once again the Macalope skewers the “any people that support Apple are brainwashed cult members crowd.” The funny part is that those who spout this are just as loud and fervent as the so called ones they say belong to a “cult.” I’d say they are members in a religion of their own, “I hate Apple more than anything.”

Macalope: http://www.macworld.com/article/2902041/the-anti-beatitudes-calling-apple-a-religion.html#tk.rss_all

Apple Watch bands only available as collections

Rene Ritchie at iMore has an article up that is sure to rile the Apple haters and make the latent Apple complainers reach fever pitch. It seems that when the Apple Watch goes on sale in a few days you will not be able to mix and match and create your own watch combo. This is not to say you cannot buy alternate bands for your watch, but the base watch body will come with a predetermined band from Apple. I’m sure this will be touted as an injustice and have papers drafted making this a war crime.

But is it?

One thing people seem to misunderstand is that when you buy something that is higher end or designer, you are buying their vision, their design. Apple is trying to play off this high design style with the watch which is why you at the very least have to buy into their vision of what the watch “should” look like.

Those that will complain are those that think the Burger King slogan of “Have it your way” is the only correct answer. They don’t stop to think, if you go to a high end restaurant you are going there because of the chef’s creations. Why would you spend that much money only to tell the man with the pedigree that you are paying to dazzle you, how to cook your food? It would be the same as hiring Picasso to paint a painting for you and then tell him not to use blue, because you don’t like it.

And if you think I’m incorrect, go to your local Target or Walmart and ask to buy a $30 Timex watch with the band of your choosing. I’m pretty sure they will tell you it comes with a band. Then visit your local jeweler and try to buy a Citizen with your choice of band. That option doesn’t exist either.

iMore: http://www.imore.com/no-apple-watch-mixing-and-matching-come-april-10-collections-are-it

Possible New Apple Wireless Keyboard

AppleInsider has some screenshots and details accidentally posted to Apple’s Czech web store. It seems to have keys that indicate that the keyboard maybe backlit. I for one would welcome a backlit keyboard, though many don’t see the utility. As someone who likes to use darker screen themes, combined with working late; the dim glow of keys would be great.

Possible New Apple Wireless Keyboard
Possible New Apple Wireless Keypad – Courtesy of Apple Insider

 

Many others speculate the use of the new butterfly style key switches, but what would be the reason? I’m sure they cost more than standard ones and there is no push to make the wireless keyboard thinner.

Give me a backlit keyboard and a touchpad with force touch built into it and I’ll be happy. Granted at this point I wouldn’t spend another $150 to replace what works perfectly now. Then again, this old iMac 2010 is getting a bit long in the tooth. Retina iMac anyone?

Link: Apple Insider – New Apple Wireless Keyboard

The Macalope takes on Apple Watch Fail

It should be no surprise that the Apple Watch doomsayers are taking are getting whipped up into a frenzy as the launch grows imminent. While I don’t think it will be the runaway success that is the iPhone or the steady sales category of the iPad, it will make a splash and sell in large enough quantities to be worth while to Apple.

My favorite line from the piece in regards to the oft misquoted 2.5 hours of application time:

This is not so much baloney as it is pimento loaf. Some people actually like baloney. No one likes pimento loaf.

I’m not sure why people think that they will be staring and playing with the watch for hours on end. After the initial fun time of it where you explore new apps and features most will use it like a regular watch or fitness band. It will sit there doing nothing but collecting data and waking up occasionally to alert you to something.

Macalope: Flop flap: Apple Watch comes pre-flopped

AT&T’s connected car concept is hilarious

Scanning the headlines over at Engadget I came across this picture of AT&T’s connected car concept that integrates with their connected home offering. I have to say it looks absurd in any vehicle and a usability nightmare. We won’t even get into the distraction factor.

AT&T's connected car concept
Source: Engadget – AT&T’s connected car concept

One would also wonder how much of a nightmare a screen of that size would be at night. I think you would have night blindness even if it was turned down as low as it could go. Plus, I’m sure the software on it would be updated on a regular basis.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Reactions

Rene Ritchie at iMore takes on Samsung’s newest flagship phone, the Samsung Galaxy 6S. While I’m not so sure it is a “slavish” copy of the iPhone 6, he does bring up some interesting points with Samsung removing essentially every differentiating feature of their phones. As for the Galaxy 6 Edge, I don’t think a bit of wrap around display is enough to make anyone go “Wow.”

http://tipb.com.feedsportal.com/c/33998/f/616881/s/43eb6259/sc/5/l/0L0Simore0N0Csamsung0Eannounces0Egalaxy0Es60Es0Eis0Efor0Eshameless/story01.htm