Geekly Update - 08 June 2022
Is that handy app on your phone watching and tracking your every move? Can you sell your digital soul for cash, or at least a gift card? Is there an app to help locate the best local gasoline price? And is there really Nothing to see here? Get answers in today's Geekly Update... it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment! |
The AskBobRankin Geekly Update
Canadian investigators discovered that Tim Horton's, the popular Canada-based coffee and donut company, was illegally collecting “vast amounts of location data” from customers. Their app was tracking users as they entered or left their home, workplace, sports venues, and competing coffee shops.
The headline said "3D-printed garden hose-to-USB adapter surprisingly handy for dealing with mice", so I had to investigate. It turns out you can connect a computer mouse to a garden hose. And why not?
If you're looking forward to the day when you can replace your plastic wallet-based based driver's license with a "secure" digital one, be prepared for the possibility of identity theft.
Apple's new medication tracking tool lets users set a reminder schedule for their meds. An alert pops up on their iPhone or Apple Watch when it's time to pop a pill.
Nothing to see here, or is there? Nothing (the not-so-cleverly named tech firm) will launch the Nothing Phone 1, its first smartphone, on July 12th. Last year, Nothing released the Ear 1 "true wireless" earbuds.
Ford's F-150 Lightning has bi-directional charging capability, so the massive truck battery can be used to charge other electric vehicles -- except Teslas, which have a proprietary charging adapter. But Ford has included the J1772 Adapter, so F-150 owners can now rescue dead Teslas.
Looking for the best local gas price? Try the Gas Guru app for Android or iPhone. If you prefer a browser based tool, the GasBuddy price map will show gas prices at nearby filling stations.
If you want to ditch cable, but you want your live sports, news and favorite channels, there are several live TV streaming services that might work for you. CNet compared YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, Sling TV, DirecTV Stream, and Philo. Find out which one offers the best channel lineup, the sports you want, or the lowest price.
Surf is a browser extension that allows you to earn money from the data you share about your web usage. Surf cuts Google out of the equation, and instead sells your data to retail brands, in exchange for points that can be redeemed for gift cards and discounts. Privacy settings limit what data users share.
And finally, this week's Just Here For The Headline: NASA’s Mars Perseverance Rover Has a Pet Rock!
Your thoughts on these topics are welcome. Post your comment or question below...
This article was posted by Bob Rankin on 8 Jun 2022
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Most recent comments on "Geekly Update - 08 June 2022"
Posted by:
Dan
08 Jun 2022
The USB -> hose adapter reminds me ... decades ago I worked in heavy industry in a division testing electrically-activated hydraulic equipment. My boss was heard to mutter one day, "What I need here is a pipe-thread-to-BNC connector."
So we underlings built him one as a birthday present. It stayed proudly on his desk for the rest of his career.
Posted by:
hifi5000
08 Jun 2022
The story about the Mars rovers obtaining pet rocks on their travels bought a smile to my face.Good thing NASA planners and scientists anticipated such a possibility.You don't want the wheels getting all scratched up or clipped.May the rovers be happy with their new pets.
Posted by:
Frank
09 Jun 2022
Should I uninstall Java 8 from my System?
Posted by:
JP
09 Jun 2022
GasBuddy also has smartphone apps. It works much the same as Gas Guru. I don't use this feature, but they also offer discounts on gas - terms apply.
Posted by:
samg
12 Jun 2022
Some other app than Gasduddy. Never was able to use their discount card. For 2 cents a gallon. And updating their prices was a joke for me. Removed their apps and trashed their card. 1 star.