Futurelawyer

Verizon Is Giving Away 1GB Of Free Data - Or Is It?

Verizon is Giving Away 1GB of Free Data Right Now for "Thanksgetting" | Droid Life. Verizon is reprising its Thanksgiving "giveaway" of 1 Gigabyte of data added to each account as its "gift" to customers. But, let's take a look. I am paying $110 a month for 20 Gigabytes of data to be shared among all the family devices. While an extra gig is nice, it isn't a game changer. But, hey, "free" is free, so I clicked the link to sign up. But, the link didn't work. The message was "There is a glitch", call this 800 number to speak to a representative. The, I looked at the fine print. In order to get this "free" gigabyte, and the extra offers, you have to give your email address, which signs you up to receive any promotion or offer Verizon sends out. How generous, Verizon. Jeez. If Verizon weren't the most reliable network, I would be looking around for another carrier. Keep the gigabyte, Verizon. 

LG Cancels Watch Urbane LTE After Six Days

LG cancels smartwatch after just six days on the market | Ars Technica. It looks like it was a good thing that I resisted paying $500 for the LG Watch Urbane LTE on Verizon. The company has cancelled the launch due to a hardware issue. So, for now, the only cellular capable watch out there is the Samsung Gear S2, with 3G capability. 3G is perfectly acceptable on a watch, and I am very happy with it. If I want a bigger screen or a bulkier watch, I still have the original Gear S in my collection. 

Computer Lives Matter

Could Computers Have First Amendment Rights? - Law Blog - WSJ. The science of creating computers and robots with artificial intelligence is advancing rapidly. As AI advances, it becomes a misnomer. At some point in the future, there will be nothing artificial about the intelligence of machines. The more we learn how to replicate the processes of the human brain, the more human like robotic computer brains will become. At what point will we reach a consensus that they are alive? As this article postulates, the Constitution gives rights to "persons"; but, the advances of science are muddling what the word means, and how it applies to entities we create. For now, I would be satisfied if we just applied the term to all sentient beings, such as animals. Animal cruelty laws are based upon the premise that animals are not persons. If they are, they, too, should have rights enforceable by a human representative. Science fiction shows like Star Trek have examined the issue, and it is certainly an open question. 

(Thanks to Niki Black for the link)

Verily I Say Unto Thee, Dance Away

I knew that degree in English Literature would come in handy some day.

 

Google Hangouts Or Apple Facetime?

Google Hangouts Now Lets You Invite Anyone, Even Those Without Google Accounts | Popular Science. Apple has long had a feature for iPhone users that enables face to face calls and conferencing. Facetime can only be used between Apple users, however, which limits its functionality. Up until now, Google's competing video conferencing app, Hangouts, has had the same problem. If you want to have a video chat with another user, they have to have a Google account. Google now permits, however, a Hangouts organizer to invite anyone as a Guest. So, this holiday, call your family members. They don't even have to be Google heads. Stay insular, Apple users. Hangouts is for the rest of us.

Do You Know Where That Free USB Drive Has Been?

Caution - Free USB Drives. We have all  been to conferences lately where USB drives are given away to advertise a product, to efficiently deliver conference materials, or just because the giver is a generous soul. However, in some cases, the drives contain malware and caution should be exercised. The first rule is never to use a USB drive that is found in a suspicious location, like in a cardboard box left lying around, or a lost drive lying on the ground. The second rule is never to go to a website or run a program suggested by a strange USB drive. Finally, scan the drive for malware before using it. In most cases, if you are familiar with the source, no problem. Be careful out there.

Amazon Enables Two Factor Authentication

It's time to secure your Amazon account with two-factor authentication. Yes, Virginia, it is time for another annoying security post from FutureLawyer. I have written before about the necessity for two factor authentication. A password isn't enough. Every site you visit that has your personal data; especially financial data, should have a second layer of security in addition to your password. Use a strong password (letters, numbers, upper case, lower case and symbols); but, also use a code sent to a device within your personal control, like a cell phone. Sure, no site is completely secure, and data breaches occur at the server level. But, an extra lock on the door will keep out all but the most determined hacker. Amazon now permits two factor authentication, which calls or texts you if someone tries to log in. You can authorize devices that you use all the time in advance; but, be careful when you do this. The article linked to above will tell you all you need to know. Your credit cards and payment information is at Amazon. Protect it. Be careful out there.

10 Rules for Thanksgiving

Execupundit.com: 10 Rules for Thanksgiving. Michael Wade, at Execupundit, reprises his ten rules for the Thanksgiving table. Fear not, I will soon reprise my annual "Top Ten Reasons There Were No Lawyers On the Mayflower". If people can start putting up Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, we can start posting about Thanksgiving a week early. My favorite among these is no politics at the dinner table. In fact, I want the Internet and social media to become politics free zones. If you post about politics, I am likely to unfriend you. At the least, I will hide your posts. Can't we all just get along?

Google+ Is Revamped - Sorry, Google, I Liked The Old One Better

Google is always changing things. They do it to improve user experience. But, as with all changes, sometimes change is not good. Simplifying the Google+ interface may work on a tiny mobile device; but, on a real computer, it is not a satisfying experience. I tried it for about 15 minutes, and went back. Google, I know you need to keep the engineers occupied to justify the salaries. But, sometimes, it is best to leave it alone.

Enough With The Weather

Enough is enough. It is mid November, people. I am tired of my air conditioning bill. Bring on winter (at least what we call winter in the sunshine state).