The cloud has been a revolutionary change in app development that allows just about anybody to create a new app. Unfortunately, “just about anybody” probably isn’t qualified to handle your private data.
A study by mobile security firm Zimperium (via Wired) found that tens of thousands of Android and iOS apps have misconfigurations in their cloud infrastructure that allow hackers to gain access to private data.
Here’s how those leaks work:
Does that mean you should be concerned? Absolutely:
📱 The latest from Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi is a solid upper-budget-tier device. Redmi Note 10 Pro review: Revved up specs for a great price (Android Authority).
📳 The world’s first phone with a 165Hz AMOLED display was announced in China, although it’s not from a brand you’ll probably like (Android Authority).
♻ What do you do with your old phone when you get a new one? Apparently less than a third trade it in (Android Authority).
🔊 Sonos announced a new portable speaker called the Sonos Roam. It ships in April, but be warned: it isn’t cheap (The Verge).
💨 Good news for US consumers: Senators have called on the FCC to increase base speeds for “high speed” internet. It’s been stuck at 25Mbps down 3Mbps up since 2015 (The Verge).
🚗 And now some bad news for US drivers: US roads got more dangerous in 2020 even though we stayed at home (Ars Technica).
🍎 Apple clarified that no, you will not be able to choose a default music player in iOS 14.5. Will this take the heat off of antitrust litigation? Probably not (TechCrunch).
❌ Valve has ceased development on its Dota card game Artifact. You can still play it for free with no microtransactions, if that’s your thing. Surely this will free up plenty of resources for Half Life 3, right? (Ars Technica).
😈 Matthew Cederquist, Game Producer for Diablo II: Resurrected, confirmed that players will be able to import 20-year-old game saves from the original title. How’s that for backwards compatibility? (IGN Middle East)
🍫 “How would you be expelled from Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory?” So many OSHA violations (r/askreddit).
This week’s Friday Fun is a bit of a blast from the internet past. In certain circles of YouTube, removing music from music videos was all the rage back in 2014/2015. Mario Wienerroither was an early pioneer, with hugely popular videos like a musicless version of Elvis Presley performing Blue Suede Shoes.
Other channels like Without Music (watch their Greased Lightning video, it’s great) have continued the trend well into 2021.
Check them out but be careful not to fall too deep down the rabbit hole.
Until next time,
Nick Fernandez, Editor