Armwood Technology Blog: 04/10/2016

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Uber claims US regulators collected data from 11m passengers

"Uber has claimed that transport regulators collect too much data on its passengers and drivers, marking the latest chapter in the ride-hailing giant’s fraught relationship with authorities.

In its transparency report released on Tuesday, Uber showed that state and local agencies – such as public utility and taxi commissions – requested data affecting more than 11m user accounts and half a million drivers between July and December 2015."

Uber claims US regulators collected data from 11m passengers

Bose changed its headphones to satisfy Apple, and everybody wins

"CNET: Did you change from an L-shaped plug to a straight one because you wanted the plug to be more compatible with iPhone cases?

GARRETT: We started with a straight plug, then switched to a 90-degree [L-shaped] plug, thinking that it would provide a more robust and durable solution for customers because it wouldn't have the lever arm on the jack so you wouldn't break the phone or the plug.

Turns out we don't get to dictate the geometry of the connector that goes into the phone. So we're not making design decisions so the connector will fit in cases better; we're making design decisions so they'll meet the specifications that Apple gives us so we can be part of the MFi [Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad] ecosystem just like everybody else.

What we've discovered is that when you go to a 90-degree plug they're getting so small there's not enough room to make all the electrical connections you need -- robustly. And that was always the weak point of our cable; it was always breaking there [at the plug]. We went to a 45-degree plug thinking we'd have more space but instead it's just aggravating because it spins and is never really lined up and gives a bad customer experience."

Bose changed its headphones to satisfy Apple, and everybody wins

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Microsoft Sues U.S. Over Orders Barring It From Revealing Surveillance - The New York Times

"Big technology companies have usually played a defensive game with government prosecutors in their legal fight over customer information, fighting or bowing to requests for information one case at a time.

But now Microsoft, in a move that could broaden the debate over the balance between customer privacy and law enforcement needs, is going on the offense.

The software giant is suing the Justice Department, challenging its frequent use of secrecy orders that prevent Microsoft from telling people when the government obtains a warrant to read their emails.

In its suit, filed Thursday morning in Federal District Court in Seattle, Microsoft’s home turf, the company asserts that the gag order statute in the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1986 — as employed today by federal prosecutors and the courts — is unconstitutional.

Microsoft Sues U.S. Over Orders Barring It From Revealing Surveillance - The New York Times