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Showing content with the highest reputation on 09/05/20 in Posts

  1. MS - "Our products need to be super secure so we don't support Thunderbolt/Removable RAM for the 1% case of someone having physical access to your device." Also MS - "We don't care about hackers actually hacking your device without physical access to it, because obviously that case is less than the 1% above."
    8 points
  2. Mr. Bathiche is fatally mistaken here. Because the lack of a physical shutter or switch does not hinder bad actors in spying at you. It merely allows you to realize this after the fact, or more during the act - but even that only if you're paying attention to it. And if you didn't, they not only could take picture of footage of you, of your home, etc. but you wouldn't even know it. Whereas a shutter or switch would have hindered them in abusing your camera in the first place.
    8 points
  3. Facebook's new web experience is now available to everyone

    no change my end still same old design
    6 points
  4. hearing this, I think I'll keep everything if Google sends me extra. It's not worth the trouble and headache. Plus it looks like google isn't worried.
    5 points
  5. Good to see them admit to issues and rectify it instead of pretend it's not happening or cover it up.
    4 points
  6. Please, don't forget to lick everything.
    4 points
  7. we get shutters for cameras, but where's our disable microphone physical switch?
    3 points
  8. The explanation makes sense and the physical design of the system, hard-wiring the LED indicator into the camera power circuit is sensible. However, that isn't the issue for people asking for a shutter - they don't trust the indicators in the first place, so explaining how they work may not help much to ease their minds. Tape's an ugly hack and probably doesn't help much with the mic, but at least it's easy to get and costs about nothing at all. If MS put in a shutter, I'm sure it would raise the unit cost by another 10 - 15$ and it would be yet another moving component that could break after years of use.
    3 points
  9. I like to think I am a good person, and I would have contacted them about the mistake. However, my goodness ends there. The minute they asked for a picture, I would have hung up and threw the other 9 up on eBay. Life is too short. If you try to do the right thing and get flack over it -- time to move on and not waste your time.
    3 points
  10. if they put me on hold 3 times and then ask me to send them proof of there screw up , i would be like well check the out going shipping weight from the tracking number and then say thank you google for the free extra phones
    3 points
  11. don't get it wrong, and cause the person a panic attack about a non-existent panic attack....
    3 points
  12. Microsoft will likely be able to learn from Apple's ARM MacBook

    Sounds like you think from a Windows perspective. Maybe it's odd then, but once you commit it shows that most hot keys are much more logical (to me they are (and I am a former Windows user)). Print screen options are much more complex because you can do much more than on Windows. That's why it is dedicated. That's why there is not just one button that does not do what you want it to do because it is not flexible (paste to Paint??). It is a perspective thing; however, you also seem to be locked to a specific view. You can't do more on Apple products, even though the key combinations are more complex. WinKey+Shift+S is itself comparable, add in WinKey+PrintScreen combinations along with the old school Alt-PrtScr and PrtScr copy features. I think it is natural for everyone to fall into a perspective of what they are using and becoming more familiar with using. The problem is when features advance outside what we use, which leads to bad assumptions. This can even become self defeating when we use outdated comparisons for future choices in products.
    3 points
  13. Surface line: multiple battery issues, power issues, 2x screen issues, dock issues. I still can't understand why people buy these overpriced products.
    3 points
  14. Microsoft will likely be able to learn from Apple's ARM MacBook

    Apple's already done a very good job of killing off their professional and prosumer markets. This ARM approach makes it clear that this was deliberate. I don't think Microsoft wants to learn anything from Apple in this regard...
    3 points
  15. I find these covers just a sign of "I'm a ######ing PC idiot". If a hacker has access to your camera, they have already been logging every login you've used for banks, retirement funds, credit accounts, social media, full access to the files on your drive also. By that point, the camera is the LEAST of your concerns. They already have access to your life.
    2 points
  16. Facebook's new web experience is now available to everyone

    Don't have it either. same old basic design for me too
    2 points
  17. Longhorn Explorer Beta 2

    I don't like this argument. Anti-vaxxers say similar things. "It's my choice, it doesn't harm anyone else." Except that it does harm others. By leaving yourself open to attacks by running a system that isn't being updated you are providing a way for others to become affected. The only time such a system should be used is in a VM, and definitely disconnected from the Internet.
    2 points
  18. Next-generation Apple Watch could be capable of detecting panic attacks

    trust only a dog. Don't make technology do what other things can do better. (not the hornets, though...)
    2 points
  19. I wouldn't be able to wear one If it detects panic attacks. It would never shut up! LOL.
    2 points
  20. They're also being sued on a class action I believe for all the Xbox controllers that feature drift, and have been continually seeing this for years (especially now that Nintendo came under fire recently). They really need to put their foot down on their QC... We actually gave up buying the docking stations.
    2 points
  21. no problems here with SP... even in my old SP devices, gen 1 and 3 MS has an outstanding service, never have they failed me or denied my warranty.
    2 points
  22. Microsoft will likely be able to learn from Apple's ARM MacBook

    Right now, NVidia is a more stable and full featured GPU technology. However, AMD's big GPU year is 2020 and RDNA2 could do to NVidia what AMD's CPUs did to Intel in 2019. Don't discount the upcoming AMD GPUs based on the current, rather unimpressive products. There is also a good chance NVidia's new Ampere will also be impressive. TLDR; Try not to form any preconceptions before we see the products later this year.
    2 points
  23. Microsoft will likely be able to learn from Apple's ARM MacBook

    Google use of 'Open' is more marketing than actual participation or progressing 'open' concepts. Microsoft is the largest contributor to OSS, and yet you think Google does it better. Marketing, pure marketing, and it works.
    2 points
  24. I've had no such issues with the Surface devices i've owned.
    2 points
  25. because nobody else builds anything competent like them. They do have issues, my sp7 is overheating, but what else am i gonna buy? some 16:9 dell tablet? An ipad? nope, it's surface pro or nothing.
    2 points
  26. What were they so worried about? Storm troopers are lousy shots, they can't hit anything.
    2 points
  27. What I would like to see is actual data out of postmortem analysis on batteries from controlled tests. There are way many variables and very little data published. For example, it is known that heat isn't very kind on lithium-ion chemistries, fast charging technologies that rely on higher voltage instead of higher currents lead to more heat; how do they compare at the same charging power? Do they degrade the battery at the same rate or is one of them more damaging than the other? The ones that can likely do those tests on the batteries are battery manufacturers, they already have access to batteries of the same batch and if they can use potent microscopes (e.g. SEMs, AFMs) they could see what happens to the inner layers after repeated charging sessions under X conditions. Different chemistries have different properties after all and some may have increased dendrite formations than others, but even if they preserved their expert knowledge and trade secrets on how to build them best, it would be beneficial to know authoritatively what kind of degradation we could expect at the different charging speeds.
    1 point
  28. One of reasons why Apple so stubbornly insisting on 5W or up to mere 18W charging. They know people keep the phones for long time. May suck sometimes, but it helps battery life. I wish phones had 3 options when plugging them on charger: - Regular charge to 100% - Regular charge to 80% - Fast charge This way you could decide how to charge phone when plugged in. For full capacity because you won't have charger at hand for longer time and you're not in a hurry. Up to 80% at regular speed for day to day charging and Fast charge when in rush. It's an annoying routine to manually stop charging at 80% to extend battery life. iOS 13 has adaptive charging up to 80% over night, but it doesn't seem to work for me and doesn't work anytime during the day.
    1 point
  29. When it comes to security, I don't mess around. When I leave my laptop unattended, I either power down the wireless network adaptor or put the whole device to sleep, so bad actors cannot look at my white, blank ceiling through my webcam. When I am using it, a good personal firewall is already protecting me. Real threats today are the ransomware, not horny hackers trying to catch a glimpse of your bare skin while you are undressing. Hence, please forgive my bluntness, but the camera cover is for idiots.
    1 point
  30. Not really. Hackers usually use webcams just to spy not to mention that laptop webcams are easy to hack without tipping the victim.
    1 point
  31. Network Keeps Dropping off

    Glad you got it sorted, bro!
    1 point
  32. Facebook's new web experience is now available to everyone

    Not sure how Facebook defines "everyone" ... but if we're using the term Web Platform to mean, launching Chrome or Firefox (for example) and heading to their website.. it's not showing up for me either. Still the same old design. Even cleared all browser settings to reload the cache. Nothing.
    1 point
  33. Our SP4s had issues with WiFi cards I recall. I feel like that's when they quality took a shift because the SP3s we had were flawless, including the old style docking stations. Mileage may vary of course, but all but 2 of our SP4s had issues by comparison... and we only bought like 10! Issues like this with the screen tend to come from the same batch in most cases. Probably the same with other issues that match on the same device. One little slip at some point in the production would have that type of effect. So far I think this screen issue is limited to a small number, probably the same batch/production run. If it was a design issue from the start it'd have a larger impact. I've had laptops out of the box with issues, bad GPUs or screen issues where it starts to come apart at the hinge. It happens, OEMs just try to keep it to whatever the legal requirement is for defects, I think it's under 3% but it could be different between countries. Man, I sure hope it's just bad batches in regards to e-waste. I know one of our SP4's had the SSD go out within 3 months. Microsoft took care of it, but it was a totally different unit, which leads me to wonder what/how they recycle the rest of those components. It's disgusting if they're not reused somehow and makes me want to avoid products like the thin Macbook Airs, Surface lineup, and pretty much any laptops that can't really be taken apart. It is my understanding all the failed models you turn in are used as spare parts to create refurbished units.
    1 point
  34. This boils down to trust, right? With a physical shutter that you can see blocking off the optics of the camera, you know that it can't see anything (well, unless the cam sensor can see IR and the shutter actually passes those long wavelengths ). With a physical switch that electronically disconnects the camera (and mic?) you could examine the circuit to confirm, but it's harder to just look at it and know that the camera is disabled.
    1 point
  35. And they won't be exclusives to Series X either. MS Said there won't be any exclusive titles for the console. There's really no big deal to this, people seem to want to make it one but the PC has been fine supporting a wide range of hardware old and new and developers have had no problems. In many cases I think we'll see stuff where the series x games load faster, have ray tracing and just run smoother while anyone who wants to play it on a one x/s will lose out on performance and so on. Really no dif from running a PC game with everything at high or running it with a mix of high/mid and maybe low. MS wants to sell games and game pass subs, they're not in it just for hardware.
    1 point
  36. You said nothing of pointing at someone, you said nothing of intent. You said, no brandishing laws. Zip. You were wrong, regardless of how you want to define brandishing. You are even contradicting yourself. Are you going to sit there and tell us that when you said brandishing, you meant it in a way that other states besides Michigan do? While you yourself live in Michigan, under MI law? Sure. 🙄 Edit: found this. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(aktwbqyxmo1lh2iiwja3x1h4))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-750-222 c) "Brandish" means to point, wave about, or display in a threatening manner with the intent to induce fear in another person. Pretty open to interpretation. Someone walking across the street with an unholstered firearm in their hand can easily be construed as threatening and as for intent, that’s one word against another. Not that it matters how it’s defined or interpreted, you said no brandishing and are now backpedalling. Man up, own your mistake, then move on.
    1 point
  37. This. So annoying you buy the product and it's biggest selling point next to AlwaysON display doesn't even work yet because I happen to live in "wrong" country...
    1 point
  38. It'd be nice if Apple actually bothered applying for ECG approval where they sell these watches. Still waiting, 18 months later...
    1 point
  39. Facebook's new web experience is now available to everyone

    I hope they bring back the Windows 10 Facebook app with all these cool features. They did a revamp on Facebook Messenger for Windows 10 in February and it's really nice to use now.
    1 point
  40. Facebook's new web experience is now available to everyone

    Since leaving Facebook and all other social networks 2 years ago I'm flabbergasted people still use them.
    1 point
  41. Microsoft will likely be able to learn from Apple's ARM MacBook

    I was hoping for some new and compelling arguments and ideas. Maybe I am missing the point. Apple isn't doing anything better outside of tighter lock-ins, fewer features, and technology restrictions. For example, they have the ability to control developers and push them to build new native software builds because they have a smaller and tighter OS X software market. Eventually, Apple will face blowback with their control of their ecosystem, especially in performance markets where Macs are already getting hit hard with Apple trying to force Metal and lack of NVidia support. I trust that Apple will do better with ARM and user adoption than Microsoft has, but this will be the result of marketing and customer ignorance of technology. Their success will not be because they are doing things better and it also probably will not be by offering a better path or technology. This is what Apple does well, they provide basic technologies and make people feel good when using them. Apple sells a discount economy car for the price of a luxury car, and then convinces their customers they don't need or want the features or advantages of a real luxury car. Which sadly, works, and the market often follows, and luxury cars one day no longer exist.
    1 point
  42. Twitter might soon allow users to schedule tweets

    How about to order tweets by time?
    1 point
  43. Microsoft will likely be able to learn from Apple's ARM MacBook

    Apple give users choices? 🤣
    1 point
  44. Microsoft will likely be able to learn from Apple's ARM MacBook

    They already are. It's called iPadOS and killing off the MacOS entirely. Replacing/killing the laptop market with these ARM tablet combos and just ignoring the professional OSX desktop is obviously the plan going forward.
    1 point
  45. Microsoft will likely be able to learn from Apple's ARM MacBook

    There is nothing for MS to learn here that they haven't already. Weird article.
    1 point
  46. Canada? This has nothing to do with open carry. If this happened in an open carry state ... and _if_ that had been a real gun ... the cops could have (and legally) considered it brandishing/unlawful display/etc (pointing, waving and/or displaying a firearm with intent on causing fear). Open carry != doing whatever you want with your weapon out in public. Of course, the cops in this video are idiots....
    1 point
  47. Twitter tests warning users when they write potentially offensive replies

    Always amuses me when people cite a work of fiction without even fully grasping its allegories.
    1 point
  48. I was surprised when they pulled the google set top box years ago, right as Roku and AppleTV were really ramping up. Chromecast has no appeal to me, even as a Pixel owner, as I do not want to use my phone to cast Netflix or whatever else to it. I much prefer to just be able to use a remote, pick what I want directly to the tv, and go.
    1 point
  49. Multiple external IP addresses on a FRITZ!Box 7530

    ^ exactly that is how the instructions read... If you want to do natting and give your devices a rfc1918 address, then your isp devices would need to support vips and how suggested it "could" work earlier in the thread.. Which is a common way of doing it..
    1 point
  50. Are TV Series Re-Watchable?

    sure, some! Seinfeld for one!
    1 point