Internet – Page 19 – Stilgherrian

31 May 2014

Talking internet security on ABC Radio Overnights

ABC logo There’s a reason I’m firing off all these blog posts so early. I’ve been up since 0300 this morning, because at 0400 I was doing a radio spot on ABC Radio Overnights.

Presenter Sally Knight and I spoke about all manner of security and safety issues, including questions that came in from the listeners — which is always interesting on this program, because it goes to air across Australia on every ABC Local Radio transmitter, city and country. You get to hear the real concerns.

This is the full 47-minute block of conversation.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 47:52 — 34.7MB)

31 May 2014

Talking Facebook audio snooping on The Project

Given that Facebook is the biggest social network on the planet, and therefore the biggest data miner of them all, there was naturally plenty of media interest in the privacy implications of their latest feature: audio matching.

As explained in these stories at ZDNet and The Independent, and in Facebook’s own blog post, the new Facebook app can use your smart device’s microphone to identify the music you’re listening to or the TV program you’re watching.

On Thursday I spoke about this on Channel TEN’s The Project. “Look I wouldn’t trust Facebook, personally, as far as I could spit a cow,” I said.

Over the fold you’ll find the video of the entire four-minute segment — starting off with a “package”, as they’re called, featuring Angus Kidman, editor of Lifehacker.com.au, followed by the panel interviewing me. The presenters are Carrie Bickmore, Ray Martin (yes, that Ray Martin), Jo Stanley and Lemo.

Continue reading “Talking Facebook audio snooping on The Project”

31 May 2014

Talking Apple vs Android on ABC Download This Show

Marc Fennell, Claire Reilly and Stilgherrian on Download This Show

ABC logo Just like last time, one segment of this week’s Download This Show was also turned into a video segment, the one where Claire Reilly and I were talking about what we’d like to see Apple’s iOS adopt from Google’s Android, and vice versa.

Yes we spoke about Windows Phone too.

In the great battle between Apple and Android phones — what if they stopped making war and started reproducing? We’re asking what iPhone features you would like in an Android, and what Android features you would like in an iPhone.

The video is over the fold, immediately below.

Continue reading “Talking Apple vs Android on ABC Download This Show”

29 May 2014

Talking Facebook and more on ABC Download This Show

I made another appearance on ABC Radio National’s Download This Show this week, with CNet Australia news editor Claire Reilly joining presenter Marc Fennell.

“What should Apple and Android steal? Hao Li and more” is the headline for this episode.

Why just watch movies… when you can be the star? This week on Download This Show meet Hao Li. He’s a man who believes the future of 3D animation and character building is you. Also: are Facebook about to start listening in on your phone conversations?

And in the great battle between Apple & Android phones — what if they stopped making war and started reproducing? We’re asking what iPhone features would you like in an Android, and what Android features would you like in an iPhone.

Here’s the full program.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 27:30 — 12.6MB)

28 May 201428 May 2014

Prime Minister Edna, while it lasted

Screenshot of Google Search results If you’d done a Google Search for “abbott government” last night Australian time, or any time up until lunchtime today, this is what you’d have seen. Dame Edna Everage as prime minister.

According to Crikey [paywall. free trial]:

It’s likely that a News.com.au article titled “Seven ways the Abbott Government may change your life” is responsible — the Google search algorithm has “crawled” all pages with the words “Abbott government” and chosen the best “hero image” to appear in the search summary box in the top right-hand corner. The PM does love a good Dame, though — perhaps Dame Edna should run for a seat in 2016?

A shame it didn’t last, in my opinion.

28 May 2014

Talking Wikipedia self-diagnosis on 1395 FIVEaa Adelaide

“Do NOT try to diagnose yourself on Wikipedia! 90% of its medical entries are inaccurate, say experts,” begins a report at the Daily Mail. So just how risky is using Wikipedia and “Doctor Google” in general?

That was the question taken up by Will Goodings on 1295 FIVEaa Adelaide this afternoon.

He spoke first with the state president of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), Dr Patricia Montanaro, and then me.

And here’s the full recording.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:26 — 7.8MB)