Patrick Lucas Austin
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🇭🇹 / editor: @itbrew / former: @time, @gizmodo, @consumerreports / @patbits@mastodon.social / he/him
Articles by Patrick Lucas Austin
FTC Targets Tracking Pixels Amid Data Sharing Settlements with GoodRx, BetterHelp | JD Supra
Digital healthcare platforms using third-party tracking pixels should be on alert in light of the recent post issued by the Federal Trade Commission's new Office of Technology[1] and the FTC's latest enforcement actions against two digital healthcare platforms, GoodRx and BetterHelp, strictly limiting the use of third-party tracking pixels for the unauthorized sharing of user health data for marketing and advertising.[2] The FTC alleged that the third-party tracking pixels had enabled both...
CISA Announces Launch of Ransomware Prevention Initiative | JD Supra
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced the formation of a new program aimed at identifying and preventing ransomware attacks. The initiative is known as the Ransomware Vulnerability Warning Pilot (RVWP) program.
Overview of the National Cybersecurity Strategy
The Biden-Harris Administration has unveiled its highly anticipated National Cybersecurity Strategy — a sweeping and ambitious document calling for "fundamental changes to the underlying dynamics of the digital ecosystem." The Strategy sets numerous strategic objectives, ranging from defending federal government systems from cyber threats, increasing public-private collaboration on cyber resilience, shaping cybersecurity norms through federal procurement, and bolstering international law...
Vigorous physical activity provides protection against all‐cause deaths among adults patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
ORIGINAL ARTICLE The Handling Editor for this article was Professor Vincent Wong, and it was accepted for publication after full peer-review. Summary Background Mortality benefits of vigorous leisure time physical activity (LTPA) among adults with NAFLD is not known. Aim To investigate association between LTPA and reduction in all-cause mortality among adults with NAFLD.
Greetings, and welcome to IT Brew
Greetings, salutations, and welcome to the first edition of IT Brew, the newest addition to your inbox from Morning Brew. We’re here to talk about cybersecurity, AI, remote work, and the challenges facing the contemporary IT professional. Why? Well you’d be hard-pressed to find an industry more important to the behind the scenes of our lives than today’s IT industry.
Microsoft Buying Activision Blizzard Might Be Good For Gamers, But Bad for Developers
On Tuesday tech giant Microsoft announced its proposed purchase of gaming company Activision Blizzard for nearly $69 billion. The deal would grant Microsoft ownership over globally recognized franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush, to name a few. It also creates a new division in the company, Microsoft Gaming, to be led by the company’s head of its Xbox division, Phil Spencer. For Activision Blizzard, this couldn’t have come at a better time.
The 10 Best Gadgets of CES 2022
As COVID-19 cases continue rising due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, this year’s CES was once again different from years past—some in-person events went on as planned in Las Vegas, but several big names in the tech world, like Google, Intel and Microsoft, took their announcements virtual instead. Still, that doesn’t mean CES 2022 was without its share of high-tech splendor.
Amid Scaling Challenges, Rivian Announces Plans to Build New $5B Factory in Georgia
In its first earnings report since the company’s blockbuster $13.7B IPO in November, electric vehicle maker Rivian announced its plans to build a second EV factory, this time in Georgia. (Rivian’s only current factory is in Normal, Ill.) The Irvine, Ca.-based company delivered compelling numbers, but admitted the challenges of scaling up production rapidly.
Apple's nude iPhone kidpix ban
Put yourself into the mindset of your inner male child. A nude photo now shows up in your iMessages feed, but it’s blurred and comes with a warning … #Apple #iPhone #nude photos Apple's latest iOS 15 operating system update blurs nude images sent via text messages, if parents first opt-in for the feature. Who will be smarter here: kids or Apple engineers?... Apple stakes its reputation on privacy.
The 10 Best Video Games of 2021
The gaming industry was perfectly positioned to thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic. With each new variant of the coronavirus, many of us are stuck inside, often alone. Why not use the time to explore other worlds? But in 2021, pure escapism through gaming has proven impossible.
Halo Infinite Made Me Love Gaming With Friends Again
Credit - 343 Industries Nostalgia is a curse. Its memory manipulation makes us hyperinflate the value or quality of past relationships, experiences, things we loved. When we see them again, the disappointment can be a shock. No, Speed Racer was not a good cartoon show. No, your grade school crush wasn’t that impressed at your spelling test scores. But yes, the first Halo game was, and still is, the greatest first-person shooter video game ever made.
The 20 Tech Gifts We'd Give Our Loved Ones This Holiday Season
Whether you’ve got the holiday bug or not, supply-chain problems across sectors means you probably needed to start your holiday shopping yesterday. But buying a gift for someone who is already on the cutting edge of nerdiness might be a bit more difficult. That’s what this gift guide is for, shopping for every kind of nerd in your life.
Everything to Know About Rivian, the Next Electric Vehicle Darling
This week, electric vehicle maker Rivian is expected to throw its hat in the ring with a major IPO that could affect both the EV landscape and the way the world’s largest online retailer gets its packages to your door. Rivian has already raised around $11 billion in private capital, with the majority arriving in the past three years, and is seeking a massive valuation of over $60 billion according to an SEC filing on Nov. 1, with plans to use the RIVN ticker. Who is backing Rivian?
Facebook Changes Its Name to Meta
On Thursday, at Facebook’s annual developer-focused Connect conference, keynote speaker and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the stage—a virtual home—to announce the company’s latest update, along with a name change reflecting its new ambitions. The new name: Meta. But what about the Facebook name, originally derived from its first iteration, FaceMash, in 2003? “Increasingly it just doesn’t encompass everything we do,” said Zuckerberg.
Here Are the Biggest Changes in Microsoft Windows 11
Microsoft’s Windows 11 is finally here—six years after the launch of its predecessor. The operating system promises larger changes (like Android apps) on the way, but longtime Windows users will be just fine adjusting to the only slightly altered layout like the now-centered taskbar and simplified widget bar. The biggest change to Windows 11 is its more stringent hardware requirements.
MacOS Monterey: Best Tips and Tricks
Apple has yet to announce a release date for the upcoming macOS Monterey update for Mac users, only saying that it will come sometime later in 2021. Still, there’s plenty to look forward to about the revamped operating system, which comes replete with new features, bug fixes, and enhancements to existing utilities. Here are a few of the new features that just might make your update sooner than later.
iPhone iOS 15: Best Tips and Tricks
This week, Apple released its newest iPhone software update with iOS 15. While a new iOS version has become an annual event, iOS 15 brings some notable changes and more than a few welcome additions. iOS 15 is full of security enhancements, bug fixes and general improvements that cement its status as one of the best mobile operating systems around, especially when paired with Apple’s latest iPhone 13 devices.
The iPhone 13 Is Perfectly Fine
Credit - Apple Like clockwork, Apple has let loose this year’s version of last year’s smartphone, the iPhone 13. Looking at the line up, which also includes the iPhone 13 mini, 13 Pro, and the (quite large) 13 Pro Max, you’ll be properly satisfied by the updated hardware and improvements brought by the most recent software update iOS 15. However, if you’ve got an iPhone with a number in the double digits, there’s not much here you haven’t seen before.
5 Big Takeaways From Apple’s iPhone 13 Event
On Tuesday, Apple hosted another virtual presentation, showcasing both the beautiful scenery of California and a slew of new consumer products, including the expected new line of iPhones and updates to its tiniest tablet. While the upgrades were numerous, many of them were predictable, expected and incremental, failing to knock the collective audience’s socks off. The base iPad, the iPad mini, the Apple Watch and the new iPhones all received updated hardware.
Creator Hideaki Anno on 'Neon Genesis Evangelion’s Final Film
One of the most revered anime series in history has finally reached its thrilling conclusion with the Aug. 13 release of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, director Hideaki Anno’s final entry in the Neon Genesis Evangelion series. The fourth film of the series, which debuted in the U.S. on Amazon Prime, ends the story that began 26 years ago and remains a hallmark of Japanese animation.
Apple’s Newly Child Safety Rules: Here's What to Know
Apple’s latest announced changes to how it’s handling both children’s privacy and illegal material have stirred up controversy around encryption and the right to privacy. But chances are you’ll never notice a change to your daily texting and photo taking. On Friday, Apple announced new changes to how it handles certain images in its iCloud Photo Library, as well as certain images sent via the Messages app. The implementation is set to arrive later this year with the delivery of iOS 15.
5 Headphone Options to Get You Through a Sweaty Summer
Summer is in full effect, which means barbecues, bashes, and begging for an end to the global pandemic. But as 2021’s hot girl summer rages and the temperatures soar, that doesn’t mean you have to deal with gross, musty cans when you want to enjoy some music solo outside (or inside). Whether working out in the heat, sweating up a storm on a hike or just walking around by yourself on a warm day, you need a pair of headphones that won’t give up after a few sweltering sessions.
Apple TV’s New Calibration Feature: How to Use
Hiding indoors from the heat waves of summer is a perfect excuse to watch your favorite (or least favorite) binge-friendly show yet again. But you might not be getting the most out of your new 4K TV, at least where colors are concerned. To get your money’s worth out of your glowing content box you’ll need to calibrate your TV correctly. And if you have an Apple TV running the latest tvOS 14.5 update, it’s easier than ever. Why calibrate your TV?
What to Know About the Pegasus iPhone Spyware Hack
On Sunday, an international collaboration between The Washington Post, The Guardian and other media organizations, published a massive report detailing the global usage of a spyware tool called “Pegasus” to infiltrate personal cell phones. The Pegasus tool, which was developed an Israeli cybersecurity organization named NSO Group, was sold to the governments of countries including Hungary, Rwanda and India.
How to Prevent Your Home Router From Being Targeted by Hackers
Even your router can be a security risk. Here's how you can tell if your router's been hacked and what to do about it. Home routers have become a …
Cybereason secures $275M in late-stage funding for its breach prevention platform - SiliconANGLE
Newly-Discovered 'Borg' DNA Is Unlike Anything Scientists Have Ever Seen These 'Borg' elements assimilated genes from other organisms, and could be used to help fight climate change. Scientists have discovered DNA sequences in wetland soil that are unlike anything ever found...
How One Company Refused to Let Its Cyberattackers Win
As the threat of ransomware grows, companies have felt pressed to pay massive amounts to hackers holding systems hostage. One business decided not to give in to their attackers’ demands. Cyberattacks like the recent global attack that impacted multiple companies over the Fourth of July weekend, this spring’s disruptive attack on Colonial Pipeline and 2017’s infamous WannaCry virus are only growing in frequency and cost.
How One Company Refused to Let Its Cyberattackers Win
As the threat of ransomware grows, companies have felt pressed to pay massive amounts to hackers holding systems hostage. One business decided not to give in to their attackers’ demands. Cyberattacks like the recent global attack that impacted multiple companies over the Fourth of July weekend, this spring’s disruptive attack on Colonial Pipeline and 2017’s infamous WannaCry virus are only growing in frequency and cost.
Sonos’ Roam Is a Pretty, Portable and Pricey Speaker
Summer is here and you’re probably ready to party, see your friends, and mostly get back to yucking it up responsibly outdoors. But as plenty of people aren’t comfortable venturing into the crowded world just yet, you’re still going to spend time indoors. Either way, you’ll want some tunes, and Sonos has made a speaker pretty well-suited for both environments. While the Sonos Roam has a few shortcomings, it’s pretty impressive.
Apple Doubles Down on Its Push for iPhone Privacy With Multiple New Features Aiming to Protect User Data
Apple 2021 Worldwide Developers Conference Keynote Apple CEO Tim Cook previews powerful new privacy protections at AppleÕs Worldwide Developers Conference at Apple Park, on June 7, 2021.
Review: Apple’s AirTags Already Outsmarted the Competition
Recently, at a family member’s birthday party, my friend’s house keys went missing. We searched fruitlessly for an hour, killing the mood and ending the evening on a pretty low note. While his keys were indeed lost (though found the next day), I felt a tad guilty knowing that something like that would probably never happen to me, at least not anymore. In a world full of iPhones, Apple’s new $29 device-tracking AirTags make it pretty darn hard to lose anything, accidentally or otherwise.
Amtrak's Boss Has a Plan to Make You Love Trains Again. Will it Work? Original
Across much of the U.S., taking the train isn’t exactly convenient. Slow service, delays, and poor access often make alternatives like flying or driving more attractive. But on March 31, President Joe Biden—nicknamed “Amtrak Joe” for his frequent trips between Delaware and Washington, D.C.—unveiled his American Jobs Plan, which among other things proposes $80 billion in new funding for Amtrak, the country’s major passenger rail service.
iPhone’s Next Software Update Aims to Give More Privacy Control
Apple’s next major software update for the iPhone is set to give users more control of their privacy—and could significantly alter the way advertisers and app developers do business. iOS 14.5, already in the hands of beta testers and scheduled for release later this month, puts serious restrictions on the information third parties can gather from iPhone and iPad users without their permission. That data, usually used for ad tracking and targeting, is highly sought after by companies.
Working From Home Is Driving Up Our Energy Costs. Should Employers Foot the Bill?
© Romy Arroyo Fernandez—NurPhoto/Getty Images A man working from home during the coronavirus crisis. If you’re one of the estimated 4.7 million Americans who shifted to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, you may have noticed an unexpected spike in your energy costs as you spend more time consuming power at home, rather than at the office.
E-Bikes Are Taking Off-But We Need to Make Space for Them
© Bloomberg via Getty Images—© 2020 Bloomberg Finance LP This year has been a boon for bikes of all sorts. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing many Americans to reconsider how they get around, it’s no surprise people turned to bikes—and e-bikes, which use electric motors to do all or most of the work for riders, have been a popular option for those looking to get into cycling without breaking a sweat.
'Cyberpunk 2077' Is a Mess On Every Level Original
Cyberpunk 2077 and the constellation of controversy orbiting it—at nearly every level of its making—is almost laughable. The open-world shooter game, developed by Polish studio CD Projekt Red, was billed as the next big thing in video games, an experience that would impress both visually and narratively. From a huge city full of opportunities to an arsenal of upgradable elements for your customizable character, how could one not be enticed by the previews ahead of the Dec. 10 release?
The Perfect Last-Minute Gifts for the Gamers in Your Life
Looking for last minute gifts for someone with a particular hobby is one thing, but buying a gift for a gamer is another matter entirely, especially if they’re a connoisseur in the field. With the most anticipated holiday gifts—the Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation 5 consoles—in short supply, and the holidays only days away, what do you get the gamer in your life that has (almost) everything? Get them what they didn’t know they needed.
No PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X? Here's How to Get Your Next-Gen Gaming Fix at Any Budget
© Jung Yeon-Je - Getty Images It’s been just a few weeks since the Microsoft Xbox Series S/X and Sony PlayStation 5 consoles hit store shelves, with people scrambling to pick up what little available stock there is before the holidays arrive. But said consoles are hundreds of dollars a pop, and right now they aren’t worth the price of admission considering how few next-gen titles are available. So what’s a gamer with a slim wallet and a dream to play the latest games to do?
My Only Beef With the iPhone 12 Mini? I Wish it Was Even Smaller Original
Smartphones might be made by humans, but they sure don’t feel made for us. With huge screens, inscrutable interfaces, and a laundry list of specifications hyped up to make you look at your current phone with disdain, just once it’d be nice to get a phone that maybe understands how I move through the world (or, for now, sit around at home).
The 10 Best Video Games of 2020
In a bizarre, unsettling, and oftentimes downright frightening year, video games became a port of refuge for many—be they longtime gamers, old-school veterans picking the controller back up after a break, or first-timers looking for a novel way to safely have fun or connect with friends during pandemic lockdowns. It’s a small blessing, then, that it was also a banner year for excellent games to play. Here are TIME’s best video games of 2020, according to our group of resident gamers.
Thinking About a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S? 4 Reasons to Hold Off
Gamers, rejoice! The hotly anticipated next-generation consoles from Microsoft and Sony are now available, meaning you can enjoy kicking ass and taking names on your TV in luxurious 4K glory. But if you’re on the fence about upgrading to the Xbox Series X/S or PlayStation 5 (or you just can’t find one in stock), you might want to stay there.
Should You Get a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Xbox Series S? Here's How to Decide
After seven years, millions of consoles sold, and a generation of users clamoring for an upgraded graphical experience, Sony and Microsoft are finally releasing the next version of their iconic Xbox and PlayStation consoles. With both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X (and Series S) going on sale this week, you might be wondering which one to pick. Here’s what sets each of them apart from the others.
Apple's New MacBooks (and Mac Mini) Are Powered By iPhone DNA Original
Months after first teasing the news, Apple on Tuesday unveiled a trio of Mac desktop and laptop computers powered not by Intel processors, but by its homemade M1 chip, an ARM-based design that more closely resembles those typically found in smartphones and tablets, like the iPhone and iPad. The switch marks the second major change to the silicon powering Apple’s Mac lineup, the first occurring in 2005 when the company ditched PowerPC processors for Intel guts.
Star Wars: Squadrons Crams Tons of Fun in a Tiny Cockpit
Credit - Electronic Arts I’m flying through the Nadiri Dockyards, where the New Republic constructs warships to take on the ever-expanding Galactic Empire. In my X-Wing starfighter, I’m being followed by an enemy TIE Bomber set on turning me into space dust. Hit after hit knocks out my shield until I decide to hide behind an asteroid, kill the engine, and watch as they zoom by, landing right in my sights.
There Are Perfectly Good Reasons to Upgrade to an iPhone 12. 5G Isn't One of Them
Apple’s new iPhone 12 lineup, revealed Tuesday, has plenty of the upgrades you’d expect: a faster processor, a better camera, a new design. But the feature that’s getting the most hype is the new 5G wireless chip, which will let the devices connect to the latest high-speed mobile broadband networks. Apple CEO Tim Cook talked up the benefits of including the new cellular standard in the iPhone 12 line, citing improvements on everything from video streaming to consumer privacy.
The Best Amazon Prime Day Tech Deals We Could Find
From Oct. 13 to 14, Amazon is continuing its Prime Day tradition of heavily discounting various products, from books to cooking utensils to everything in between.
The 6 Most Interesting Things Apple Just Announced Original
Apple on Tuesday unveiled two new Apple Watches, a fitness subscription service, updates to its iPad lineup and more. It was the second pandemic-era virtual event for the company, and executives made multiple references to the outbreak and the need to stay healthy in “these difficult times,” as CEO Tim Cook put it. Here’s a look at the six most interesting things Apple announced. The Apple Watch Series 6 Apple Inc.
Microsoft's Double-Screened Surface Duo Smartphone Is Exciting, But I'm Waiting for Next Year's Model Original
Are two screens better than one? Microsoft seems to think so, as evidenced by its long-anticipated Surface Duo, a double-screened Android smartphone that closes and unfolds like a spiral notebook. The concept’s intriguing, but the Duo makes compromises compared to the latest high-end folding smartphones, like the recently launched Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2. So is it worth the relatively steep $1,300 price tag? Don’t get me wrong.
Miss the Movie Theater? 7 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Home Theater
While some new big-budget films, like Disney’s Mulan, are premiering on streaming services, others, like Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, are attempting to lure consumers back to theaters despite the risk of indoor transmission of COVID-19. Movie fans who don’t want to take chances with their health might be feeling a bit frustrated they can’t enjoy a flick in the theaters, complete with extra-buttery popcorn and shuffling past other people’s kneecaps to get to your seat.
Smartphone Showdown: Samsung's High-End Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G vs. Google's Budget Pixel 4a Original
How much money are you willing to spend on a new smartphone in 2020? A few hundred bucks? A few thousand? A few weeks with two popular smartphones—the budget-friendly $349 Google Pixel 4a and the extravagant $1,299 Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G—tells a story one probably knows offhand is true: You don’t really need a thousand-dollar smartphone, but spending more confers some benefits to be sure. The allure of a flagship smartphone like Samsung’s Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G is immediately apparent.
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