March Meetings 2024
March 7, 2024 - What Data does Apple Collect? - Android Users Switching to iOS - What if You Click on an Unknown Link? - Types of Malware - Apple iOS 17.4 Update -
"I love COOKIES, that's true, but I will NEVER click on any unknown links (not even for a cookie)." - Cookie Monster
Club Questions
"I love COOKIES, that's true, but I will NEVER click on any unknown links (not even for a cookie)." - Cookie Monster
Club Questions
What Data Does Apple Collect?
In the past decade, Apple has positioned itself as a privacy-first company. It has butted heads with law enforcement for encrypting people’s phones, messages, and FaceTime calls, and battled Facebook over its creepy ad-tracking practices. But Apple’s business model is also shifting. For years, Apple made its money on high priced gear, but in recent years is switching to a subscription model. This includes collecting more data on its users. To read more about how Apple is changing its business model, take a look at this article.
In the past decade, Apple has positioned itself as a privacy-first company. It has butted heads with law enforcement for encrypting people’s phones, messages, and FaceTime calls, and battled Facebook over its creepy ad-tracking practices. But Apple’s business model is also shifting. For years, Apple made its money on high priced gear, but in recent years is switching to a subscription model. This includes collecting more data on its users. To read more about how Apple is changing its business model, take a look at this article.
Android Users Switching to iOS
iPhones are dominating the mainstream market in North America, leaving even the best Android phones left out in the cold. In fact, in the second quarter of last year, iPhones represented 53% of U.S. smartphone shipments, according to Counterpoint Research. However, a new report from the Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) says that fewer iPhone buyers were switching from an Android phone in 2023. The report concluded that Apple's dominance derives from convincing current iPhone users to buy another. While it does entice a consistent amount of Android users to switch to iOS each year, that number pales in comparison to iPhone upgrades. To learn more about how Android users are migrating to iPhones, take a look at this article.
iPhones are dominating the mainstream market in North America, leaving even the best Android phones left out in the cold. In fact, in the second quarter of last year, iPhones represented 53% of U.S. smartphone shipments, according to Counterpoint Research. However, a new report from the Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) says that fewer iPhone buyers were switching from an Android phone in 2023. The report concluded that Apple's dominance derives from convincing current iPhone users to buy another. While it does entice a consistent amount of Android users to switch to iOS each year, that number pales in comparison to iPhone upgrades. To learn more about how Android users are migrating to iPhones, take a look at this article.
What if You Click on an Unknown Link
It can happen, even tho the ONE thing the Computer Club has tried to impress on its members is to NEVER click on an unknown link, but if it does, what should you do? Of course this would depend on a few things, what sort of malware/virus did this unknown link carry? One thing you can be sure of is if a window suddenly pops up and tells you to "click here" or call a number it is providing, DON'T DO THAT! Your best bet is to disconnect from the Internet, and then run your anti-virus/malware app to check your entire computer system. If you're using a Windows based computer, you'll probably have Windows Defender, run that. Or if you have Malwarebytes or another similar app, run that. For more info on what you can do if you accidentally click on an unknown link, take a look at this article.
It can happen, even tho the ONE thing the Computer Club has tried to impress on its members is to NEVER click on an unknown link, but if it does, what should you do? Of course this would depend on a few things, what sort of malware/virus did this unknown link carry? One thing you can be sure of is if a window suddenly pops up and tells you to "click here" or call a number it is providing, DON'T DO THAT! Your best bet is to disconnect from the Internet, and then run your anti-virus/malware app to check your entire computer system. If you're using a Windows based computer, you'll probably have Windows Defender, run that. Or if you have Malwarebytes or another similar app, run that. For more info on what you can do if you accidentally click on an unknown link, take a look at this article.
Apple Updates
Apple has just released a range of new updates for some of their devices, including; iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch. Apple has added a bunch of new features, some new emojis and is changing the way you can buy apps for your Apple devices (that change is rolling out in the EU first, it will affect the USA a bit later). To learn more about all the new updates from Apple, take a look at this article. Or if you want a video version, take a look at our Apple Video Page and scroll down to Apple iOS 17.4.
Apple has just released a range of new updates for some of their devices, including; iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch. Apple has added a bunch of new features, some new emojis and is changing the way you can buy apps for your Apple devices (that change is rolling out in the EU first, it will affect the USA a bit later). To learn more about all the new updates from Apple, take a look at this article. Or if you want a video version, take a look at our Apple Video Page and scroll down to Apple iOS 17.4.
March 14, 2024 - Is ChatGPT Safe? - Five Reasons to Use a VPN - How to Use Apple's Translate App - Here's to Jana! -
"You get a Car! and You get a Car! and You get a Car! - just as long as you never click on any unknown links!" - Oprah Winfrey
Club Questions
"You get a Car! and You get a Car! and You get a Car! - just as long as you never click on any unknown links!" - Oprah Winfrey
Club Questions
Is ChatGPT Safe?
For those who have seen ChatGPT in action, you know just how amazing this generative AI tool can be. And if you haven’t seen ChatGPT do its thing, prepare to have your mind blown! There’s no doubting the power and performance of OpenAI’s famous chatbot, but is ChatGPT actually safe to use? While tech leaders the world over are concerned over the evolutionary development of AI, these global concerns don’t necessarily translate to an individual user experience. To learn more about just how safe ChatGPT really is, take a look at this article.
For those who have seen ChatGPT in action, you know just how amazing this generative AI tool can be. And if you haven’t seen ChatGPT do its thing, prepare to have your mind blown! There’s no doubting the power and performance of OpenAI’s famous chatbot, but is ChatGPT actually safe to use? While tech leaders the world over are concerned over the evolutionary development of AI, these global concerns don’t necessarily translate to an individual user experience. To learn more about just how safe ChatGPT really is, take a look at this article.
Five Reasons to Use a VPN
Whether you're perpetually online or just an occasional internet user, you've probably come across the term "virtual private network," or VPN. Over the last few years, it seems VPNs have skyrocketed in popularity, partly thanks to countless major tech YouTubers recommending the services. And while VPNs aren't required for everyone, there are some key reasons most people could reap benefits from using a VPN service. To learn CNET's five reasons for using a VPN, take a look at this article.
Whether you're perpetually online or just an occasional internet user, you've probably come across the term "virtual private network," or VPN. Over the last few years, it seems VPNs have skyrocketed in popularity, partly thanks to countless major tech YouTubers recommending the services. And while VPNs aren't required for everyone, there are some key reasons most people could reap benefits from using a VPN service. To learn CNET's five reasons for using a VPN, take a look at this article.
How to Use Apple's Translate App
The Translate app built into your iPhone is a hidden gem if you’re traveling abroad. It gives you the ability to download languages in advance, so you don’t have to worry about a dodgy cell connection. The camera lets you translate text in-line of a restaurant menu or parking meter — it could help you out of a sticky situation. The Translate app’s conversation view makes it easy having a back-and-forth with someone who doesn’t speak your native tongue. To learn more about Apple's Translate app and how to make the best use of it, take a look at this article.
The Translate app built into your iPhone is a hidden gem if you’re traveling abroad. It gives you the ability to download languages in advance, so you don’t have to worry about a dodgy cell connection. The camera lets you translate text in-line of a restaurant menu or parking meter — it could help you out of a sticky situation. The Translate app’s conversation view makes it easy having a back-and-forth with someone who doesn’t speak your native tongue. To learn more about Apple's Translate app and how to make the best use of it, take a look at this article.
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Jana Celebrates 30 Years
If you've ever been to FCC, then you know who Jana is, she's the smiling face that talks with, helps, instructs, guides, and cherishes the good members of FCC each and every day she's been there. Jana just celebrated 30 years of joyful work with FCC. She's also a driving force behind the Computer Club. Here's to Jana and 30 more years! |
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March 21, 2024 - FCC Turbo Charges Broadband - Health Care Providers Suffer Cyberattack - Apple Breaks New Ground in AI -
"I may not know my name, but I know this much, smart people never click on any unknown links!" - The Horse with No Name
Club Questions
"I may not know my name, but I know this much, smart people never click on any unknown links!" - The Horse with No Name
Club Questions
FCC Turbo Charges Broadband
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has increased broadband speed benchmarks for the first time in almost 10 years. For an internet service to be deemed “broadband,” the commission now requires it to provide at least 100Mbps download speeds and 20Mbps upload speeds. The previous benchmark for a broadband connection was set at 25Mbps download and 2Mbps upload since 2015. So essentially, internet service providers now have to offer 4x more download speeds for their connections to be decreed as broadband. To find out more about how your broadband internet speed has just increased, take a look at this article.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has increased broadband speed benchmarks for the first time in almost 10 years. For an internet service to be deemed “broadband,” the commission now requires it to provide at least 100Mbps download speeds and 20Mbps upload speeds. The previous benchmark for a broadband connection was set at 25Mbps download and 2Mbps upload since 2015. So essentially, internet service providers now have to offer 4x more download speeds for their connections to be decreed as broadband. To find out more about how your broadband internet speed has just increased, take a look at this article.
Health Care Providers Suffer Cyberattack
Last month's suspected ransomware attack on a major health technology company has sent the health care system reeling — costing providers an estimated $100 million daily as payment disruptions continue, according to an estimate from First Health Advisory, a digital health risk assurance firm. "This is by far the biggest ever cybersecurity attack on the American healthcare system ever," Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, said Tuesday. "This is a system, Change Healthcare, that processes medical payments and touches one out of every three patients in this country. So the magnitude of the scope of this attack is really quite large." To learn more about how this type of attack may affect you, take a look at this article or watch the video.
Last month's suspected ransomware attack on a major health technology company has sent the health care system reeling — costing providers an estimated $100 million daily as payment disruptions continue, according to an estimate from First Health Advisory, a digital health risk assurance firm. "This is by far the biggest ever cybersecurity attack on the American healthcare system ever," Dr. Céline Gounder, a CBS News medical contributor and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, said Tuesday. "This is a system, Change Healthcare, that processes medical payments and touches one out of every three patients in this country. So the magnitude of the scope of this attack is really quite large." To learn more about how this type of attack may affect you, take a look at this article or watch the video.
Apple Breaks New Ground in AI
Apple CEO Tim Cook has a message for Wall Street. He believes Apple “break new ground” on generative AI this year. Cook’s latest AI hype comments came today during Apple’s annual shareholders meeting. This marks the Apple CEO’s second tease for major AI news out of the company so far this month. A few weeks ago, Cook promised Apple AI announcements coming later this year — likely WWDC in June. That’s when iOS 18 will be unveiled, which Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has frequently reported will focus on AI features. To learn more about what Apple has in store for its users in terms of AI, take a look at this article.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has a message for Wall Street. He believes Apple “break new ground” on generative AI this year. Cook’s latest AI hype comments came today during Apple’s annual shareholders meeting. This marks the Apple CEO’s second tease for major AI news out of the company so far this month. A few weeks ago, Cook promised Apple AI announcements coming later this year — likely WWDC in June. That’s when iOS 18 will be unveiled, which Mark Gurman at Bloomberg has frequently reported will focus on AI features. To learn more about what Apple has in store for its users in terms of AI, take a look at this article.
March 28, 2024 - Apple's Latest Update iOS 17.4.1 - England Used AI to Find Cancer - YouTube Gets Tough on AI -
"Some people might call me a monster, and I do like to eat cities, but I will NEVER click on an unknown link!" - Godzilla
Club Questions
"Some people might call me a monster, and I do like to eat cities, but I will NEVER click on an unknown link!" - Godzilla
Club Questions
Apple's Latest Update
Apple just released an update to eligible iPhone and iPad devices. It's not really a feature update, but rather a bug fix and security update. Security updates are usually small and easy to download, but also very important in terms of keeping your device safe from hackers and the like. To learn more about Apple's latest update, iOS 17.4.1, take a look at this article, or take a look at our Apple video page and scroll down to iOS 17.4.1.
Apple just released an update to eligible iPhone and iPad devices. It's not really a feature update, but rather a bug fix and security update. Security updates are usually small and easy to download, but also very important in terms of keeping your device safe from hackers and the like. To learn more about Apple's latest update, iOS 17.4.1, take a look at this article, or take a look at our Apple video page and scroll down to iOS 17.4.1.
England Uses AI to Find Cancer
AI is being used for just about everything lately, from choosing the right TV show for you to writing your homework assignment. In England, the National Health Service (NHS) has just used AI to find cancer that doctors missed. AI in medicine is a growing trend and is currently being studied for lots of different health applications around the world, including the US. To learn more about how the NHS used AI to find cancer, take a look at this article.
AI is being used for just about everything lately, from choosing the right TV show for you to writing your homework assignment. In England, the National Health Service (NHS) has just used AI to find cancer that doctors missed. AI in medicine is a growing trend and is currently being studied for lots of different health applications around the world, including the US. To learn more about how the NHS used AI to find cancer, take a look at this article.
YouTube Gets Tough on AI
Artificial intelligence isn’t quite on the verge of taking your job or replacing your favorite search engine yet, but it’s certainly capable of tricking the average internet user. As such, YouTube will now require creators on its platform to start disclosing the use of “altered or synthetic media” in their videos, including generative AI, to create realistic content. To learn more about why YouTube is requiring these disclosures from their content creators, take a look at this article.
Artificial intelligence isn’t quite on the verge of taking your job or replacing your favorite search engine yet, but it’s certainly capable of tricking the average internet user. As such, YouTube will now require creators on its platform to start disclosing the use of “altered or synthetic media” in their videos, including generative AI, to create realistic content. To learn more about why YouTube is requiring these disclosures from their content creators, take a look at this article.
