So how do you patch that?

Spotted the other day that Apple ear buds need a firmware update.  On June 25, Apple released a firmware update for “AirPods (2nd generation and later), AirPods Pro (all models), AirPods Max, Powerbeats Pro, and Beats Fit Pro”. The vulnerability is that an attacker in Bluetooth range might be able to spoof the intended source device and gain access to your headphones.

If you want to check what version you are on, go into Bluetooth, find the airpods and check the version.

Once you connect your airpods to your phone or ipad (or computer) they will automatically update in the background. (This is pre update). Now comes the fun part. What version of Airpods do I have?

I personally find that Airpods connect flawlessly for about two to two and half years and then one of the ear phones starts to have issues either with connecting or with the sound.

Recently I updated to a new LG tv and found that we could connect two bluetooth devices to the TV via the accessibility section. With the airbuds connected, then my Dad can have a slightly louder volume setting and I can have lower volume.

Do you find that yours only last about two years?

MS-DEFCON 4: Consumers get a break

By Susan Bradley

We’re halfway through the patching year!

It’s time to install the June updates, which is why I’m lowering the MS-DEFCON level to 4. I’m not seeing any widespread issues or major impacts. Most side effects seem to be with Win11 Insider versions and 24H2.

It appears that new technology allowing you to sync your phone with your computer is causing a bit of a CPU hit in the 24H2 release. Microsoft is trying to fix this issue before it gets released to the rest of us. That’s good news.

In the very good news category is the delay in releasing Microsoft Recall, the much-hyped “reminder” software. The company pulled back at the last minute, due to concerns from security researchers and businesses.

Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.26.1, 2024-06-25).

Whom can you trust with your data?

ON SECURITY

By Susan Bradley

Taming that technology

Two years ago, we added a tagline to our logo: “Tame Your Tech.” My idea was that you must be in control of the technology that surrounds you, and that we’re here to help.

But lately, I’ve been feeling as if I ought to add yet another tagline: “Whom should you trust with your technology?”

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.26.0, 2024-06-24).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter.

Google is declaring war on clickbait — but who’s winning?

PUBLIC DEFENDER

By Brian Livingston

Faced with an onslaught of AI-generated websites that invent hundreds of articles out of whole cloth each day, Google says it’s imposed new rules requiring sites to provide original and genuinely helpful information.

The Mountain View search giant announced recently that changes to its algorithms had reduced “spammy, low-quality content” by 45%.

It’s admirable that Google is actively trying to eliminate the junk that’s being generated en masse by artificial-intelligence bots. But the search engine’s accomplishment so far is like a naval commander saying, “The ship is sinking from numerous breaches in the hull, but the good news is that we’ve patched 45% of the holes.”

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.26.0, 2024-06-24).

Windows Live Photo Gallery

SOFTWARE

By Mary Branscombe

It’s tempting to remember older software as being better and more reliable than newer tools, with their constant redesigns and updates. Do the Live Essentials tools still hold up?

Microsoft keeps resetting its photo-editing tools. Every new version seems to drop useful features and become less reliable.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.26.0, 2024-06-24).

Terabyte update 2024

HARDWARE

By Will Fastie

This year, the numbers are bouncing around and the trends are muddled.

Except for the influences exerted by events such as floods in Thailand and global pandemics, pricing for storage usually follows a predictable trend line.

Prices are behaving slightly differently this time around. I will offer some thoughts about why this might have happened, but I admit to a lack of clarity.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.26.0, 2024-06-24).

Can’t get email?

Sometimes, the reason isn’t you, it’s them. Case in point a coworker is on a cruise right now and contacted me via text messaging to ask why he couldn’t get his Comcast email and it kept prompting him for a password. While you are on vacation you might not want to access technology, but then again if you need access to confirmations and what not, sometimes you need email.

It turns out, or rather, it appears that Comcast still is blocking the IMAP ports when you are not on a regular wifi and are on a Cruise ship. I told him to use the web URL and access it that way.

IMAP uses specific port numbers, specifically 993 or 143. On the Internet connection on the ship, clearly they are blocking those ports.

It reminds me that while email is so used by everyone, it’s still something that we don’t always have total control over. Vendors block ports, or change authentication methods, or change defaults and don’t communicate well what they are doing.

Like this… wouldn’t it be better if there was some sort of splash page provided by Comcast that indicated what the block was?

Have you ever been surprised about a change in email that no vendor told you about?

OneDrive and File Explorer

WINDOWS 11

By Will Fastie

Things are not going so well for Windows 11’s new File Explorer.

But it might be OneDrive’s fault.

In fact, it’s not really possible to discuss File Explorer without including OneDrive, and vice versa. They are inextricably linked now, a probable source of many problems with synchronization. And there may be a deeper problem, buried somewhere in Windows 11, that is the source of a strange behavior described below.

Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.25.0, 2024-06-17).
This story also appears in our public Newsletter.