technoslut

Tell me when the NSA, or the US in general pre-NSA, has ever endangered or compromised their encryptions? There surely is enough stories of how the CIA screwed up and stories like the FBI helping Whitey Bulger to continue murdering while he was an FBI informant.

I'd doubt that's possible. The NSA has the best mathematicians and cryptologists in the world. They probably also have the most.

Google Maps is the best as much for its maps acquisitions as it is the work they put into it.

If they do acquire it, it will because they see a use for Waze talent and tech.

>but I think overlooks the fact that much of this record keeping happened prior to the internet. Almost all public activity generates a paper trail, and before the internet, your phone company, bank, grocery store, even your VHS rentals and public library, were keeping records on you.

I think you would've had a very hard time tracking someone through these records.

As an NYer, tapping John Gotti was very traditional compared to the blanket tracking of US citizens that has been granted by FISA.

As for Schneier's link to the Atlantic's article, I think we're moving to a new era where we trust developers and not the popularity or the design of the app itself. I'm sure one will be tracked when you don't have to pay anything for it.

Certainly, current tablets are still too slow in keeping up with a stylus but I'm sure Apple would love to have their own stylus in the market considering they already have 3rd party accessories. The iPad's smart cover is very popular as is.

>I trust Google more to fight for privacy of my data against the government, than any of those organizations. After 9/11 AT&T practically rolled over for the US government. When a crime happens, the police can subpoena your email, but the reality is, they obtain your phone and financial records first.

I do commend Google for some of the good they have done but I think you are overselling Google way too much here when it comes to trust. They were a part of a trade group that backed CISPA. We shouldn't forget either the numerous privacy issues that Google has had. The last one was getting fined for bypassing Safari privacy settings.

While you have also mentioned many companies, some fairly and unfairly, Google has services that are aiming to compete against all of them in an attempt to gather all the information they can. Google isn't "evil" in this regard but I don't think anyone believes that one company having their fingers in so many pots is a good thing for user privacy or the internet in general.

It's a short term issue. When I mean short term it could last at least 20 years.

I earnestly believe that society is trying to find boundaries but technology is updating far faster than a democracy can change the rules.

I live in the cloud now for the reasons like many do: price and features. As much as I want to follow the principles that you have set forth, Drobos and quality hard drives are expensive when I can rely on Evernote, iCloud, Everpix and Vimeo for securing my data at a far cheaper price and less problems.

Sony had more than one problem. The biggest problem is their brand name has suffered for years with lackluster and not very well-thought out products.

They're starting to turn it around but it may be too late - much like Nokia and HTC.

I'd prefer the box. It's cheaper to replace than a TV which would allow me to upgrade the hardware more frequently for new features. The new Xbox has shown that a box can take over typical functional like the channel guide and changing stations.

I don't think the price is unreasonable. This is the going rate that other sites like SmugMug offer. While most offer unlimited storage, they lack the community aspect of Flickr. I look at it as supporting a site you love to use while opting out of ads and possibly ad tracking as well.

>Meanwhile, what's the last yahoo acquisition that didn't turn into disappointment soon after the acquisition?

One could argue that that the last acquisition that worked out was the acquisition of Stamped. Something tells me they were behind the new Yahoo! Weather iPhone app which is stellar.

It does what everybody needs at this point but people have drifted towards services like Instagram because it is so well thought out and easy to use.

In a lot of ways most people are looking for what Flickr offers but refuse to use it. They want privacy, a place to back up their full-resolution smartphone photos and for a very cheap price.

Flickr updated their site a few months ago along with the release with their new iPhone app. It still doesn't feel like a modern site and it doesn't work as well as it should.

Supposedly there is a new Flickr being shown off tomorrow and hopefully Yahoo rebuilt the site from the ground up.

It'll have integration with Yahoo's own services but it also presents a few more headaches with pirate links and takedown notices.

Many Apple fans would say that Google is the favored child right now.

Journalists look for a good story (or the ability to make one) regardless of what device they use.

Just because MS has their fingers in a lot of pots doesn't meant everything they do has value. Office and Windows is still their bread and butter while Office continually takes up a larger piece of the pie.

MS is at a crossroads. If they push subscriptions like Adobe has, they could see a mass exodus of consumers away from Office.

The future isn't bleak for MS. What the climate has been showing is that MS is at its best when it comes to business.

None of that means he is giving away as much as took in tax loopholes. I haven't read any official news story that Buffett is doing this. It's also quite possible he's doing so without publicly acknowledging it. However, I doubt it because he's rarely weary of giving a statement or interview even in his advanced age.

If reports are true then they did look into this. There are just too many complications in buying these services. The popularity of these apps are regional, some have deals with carriers and they'll still have to integrate it with their own services which they're attempting to do already with their own offerings.

They'll still be faced with the same problem of enticing users to switch to their service. I think Google took the reasonable path.

>I absolutely agree with Warren Buffet on this: he uses the legal loopholes while arguing against them. I think it's the most ethical position. At first, it may seem as hypocrisy, but in fact, it's absolutely understandable and logical.

Unless Buffett is giving away that money for good causes then he is a hypocrite. Actions carry far more weight than words.

I'm not sure why you would put all off you eggs in one basket. That is what I took away from your story.

Many times, these big companies are not the best in their offerings for a given service but rely on their brand to push adoption.

I doubt Apple would do anything without Google's permission regarding this. Google probably has the same deal with Apple with the built-in YouTube app where there weren't any ads either.

Apple has done this before announcements (software updates usually) but not regarding iTunes app sales milestones. I'm of the mind that it is a coincidence.

Google's done the same as well after Apple events such as them announcing they would drop h.264 for Chrome which never came to fruition.

It's been quite the opposite. College tuition fees has risen rapidly (as most other things have) but the middle and lower class wages haven't been keeping up with this trend. The middle class today is working more for same amount of money they made a decade ago.

I think it's too easy to blame people who vote against raising taxes. The rate at which college tuition has gone up since I went ('95-'99) is insane. This is not including that you could graduate from college from my era and find a decent job.

I don't know why the tuition fees have risen so rapidly over a short period of time but it's certainly not helping out middle class families.

I'm sure that lack of exercise is also playing a role in this though it was not mentioned. Many kids are quite comfortable sitting at home on the computer, playing online games and instant messaging instead of leaving the house.

Well it was a secondary underlying theme to the lousy movie "The Dilemma".

I'm sure it can be done but the question is whether someone wants it. Many in that class would probably adjust quicker to the silence of EV's than a lie.

Do keep in mind that engine noise is not only beneficial to the driver but cyclists, other motorists and at crosswalks as well.

It's not a problem that is easily solved and satisfied by all parties.

>Why can't the existing industry do this?

It's like any other business that's been extremely successful for so long. It's very difficult to change course unless you are built that way.

We may be talking about electric cars but one of the best things that Tesla has done compared to everyone else is making the interior joyful.

I don't think we've even seen everything of what Tesla can do yet. If they are really interested in giving away refueling for free then that can that speed up the transition away from oil.

After test driving a Tesla, I agree with much of what you said and one is the engine noise. I prefer sports cars and especially the sound of a V8/12. To me it's better than listening to music.

I do understand that those purchasing a luxury vehicle have different expectations. Those in sedans appreciate cabin silence more than others.

The goal is acquiring information and, in this regard, Google is one company that has extended themselves into many areas but seem to keep their focus pretty well. They may be an outlier though.

As for this article, I'm reminded of a similar story with a different point of view posted on Medium: https://medium.com/understandings-epiphanies/aae8d5f880cc

I do question question the long term value of social networks that operate under what has become the traditional advertising model as teens move towards apps that are more privacy conscious.

I've seen far more Ferraris out on the road than Teslas and they cost, at least, twice as much. This is not including vehicles that are similarly priced to even the Tesla Roadster which only increases that ratio.

I'd include Long Island (which do have traditional homes and garages) in this as well where I've never seen one on the road.

I think there are issues that exist beyond what you mentioned.