The Digital Life from Lökwest - August 2020
The summer rolls on and we're almost into fall! Probably the biggest tech article of the month was the Twitter hack. In this issue, we've shared a good analysis on the "what ifs" of this attack.
Fall is also new phone season, with Google announcing this year's lineup. Samsung also announced, but didn't make the newsletter, and Apple is announcing next month. Look for shiny new phones and discounts on existing models soon!
We've got some great tips this month, including what Napoleon knew about e-mail and how to browse better. We've got some medical technology news. Spoiler alert - if you're older and have had problems with online medical appointments, you're not alone!
Finally, a few fun things to look at - Google search history and how the cops track your phone for starters.
There's sure to be an article that piques your interest! If you love our newsletter, share it with friends. If you really love our newsletter, book us for an online digital coaching appointment!
Until September......
Let's start with some news
Twitter's big hack bares broad dangers — ow.ly
One of the bigger stories of the month - Twitter was hacked. Dozens of famous, verified profiles requested bitcoin in exchange for doubling it. Believe it or not, some fell for it and the target wallet address received over 100K. Authorities have the suspects in custody but what's interesting is how it started - a "spear phishing phone attack" to a Twitter employee. In layman's terms, that means calling a company and talking nice until they give you access to the system. Human's are usually the weakest link in the security chain! Now imagine if the message wouldn't have been about bitcoin but about nuclear war! 😮
Phishing attacks aim to steal sensitive data by prompting people to renew Microsoft subscription — ow.ly
If you get an e-mail from Microsoft of any company, it's best to check the source. There has been a new rash of phishing related to renewing Microsoft Office 365. If you're in doubt, go and login DIRECTLY at myacccount.microsoft.com. Don't click the link!
Google announces Pixel 5, Pixel 4A 5G, and Pixel 4A all at once — www.theverge.com
The Pixel 4a might well be the best mid-range phone coming out this year - price / features ratio. The basic 4A will be available on August 20th, and it’s priced at just $349. The 5G and Pixel 5 premium versions are coming in fall 2020, but we only know the price for the Pixel 4A 5G: $499.
How about tips? We like tips!
Email Lessons from Napoleon Bonaparte — thesweetsetup.com
I really enjoyed this short read that compared Napoleon's information handling strategy to today's e-mail. Can you learn a few tips on keeping your inbox clean from Bonaparte?
Zoom adds silly filters and more noise suppression options — www.engadget.com
Hot off the press - Zoom is about to get more fun with Snapchat-esque face filters and more exciting backgrounds. They're also improving the audio on Zoom calls. Let's just hope the VP of marketing doesn't show up as a pirate (oh wait - the VP of marketing is me - aargh)! 🙂
These 10 essential browser tweaks fix the web’s biggest annoyances — ow.ly
If you browse a lot on your desktop, read this article. It's got quite a few tips to improve your experience. Say “so long” to perpetual cookie pop-ups, impossible-to-read pages, and other internet irritations!
Healthcare and tech updates
Older adults have a hard time accessing virtual health care — www.popsci.com
If you're older and have had problems with an online medical appointment, you're not alone! In a study out this week in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers at the University of California San Francisco tried to pinpoint what percent of Medicare beneficiaries would have trouble navigating telemedicine, whether on the phone or on a computer. The researchers found that more than one third of people over 65 years old would have some degree of problems with telemedicine. If you need some help, give us a call!
In-Car Pulse Tracking Could Let Your Car Call A Doctor — ow.ly
Newer technology in cars could turn some of the machine learning inward to track the owner's health. Based on existing technology, it could monitor vitals like your pulse. This could be a future trend, similar to smart watches tracking health data.
We can't forget the fun!
What America Searched for on Google, Over the Last Decade — ow.ly
Wow - this is what people looked at over the last decade. I have to say, I wasn't all that impressed or surprised. A lot of pop culture, a lot of top breaking events. Fascinating nonetheless. Check out this animated map providing an overview of the top trending Google searches in every state over the last decade.
Bill Gates-backed Likewise Puts Apps on Android, Amazon Apple — ow.ly
Spending an hour to find something to watch? While streaming TV has come a long ways, the number of services has multiplied. What used to be on one guide now requires opening 2 or three apps with no centralized list. Enter Likewise, which makes recommendations for you across streaming services.
How Cops Can Secretly Track Your Phone — theintercept.com
Although this doesn't fall into the "fun" category per se, it is an interesting read. If you're not familiar with how people (including authorities) can intercept your phone signal, check this guide out. And if you're going to a protest, this is a must read!
In tech history...the first re-run
Way back when, all radio and TV was LIVE - even the commercials! It wasn't long before someone had the idea to pre-record content for playback later. The deck above was the size of a washer/dryer combo and in 1938 radio station WQXR in New York City broadcasts a program using a tape recorder for the first time. The tape recorder used was the Phillips-Miller recording system, also known as Millertape, invented by James Arthur Miller.
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