Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss Facebook and politics, T-Mobile’s network problems, AT&T cutting jobs, an under-screen front facing camera to create a full screen smartphone, tech companies restricting access to face recognition software, a rumored Samsung event, and more.

Justin in Fairbanks, Alaska listens on AM970 KFBX and is calling via the App and asked: “Yesterday, I took a shot of a group of about 20 ravens. I Googled “What is a gro…” and Google suggested “…group of ravens called.” Is Google analyzing my photos? Also, a group of ravens is called a conspiracy.”

Justin, technically yes, they may be…

If you store images on Google’s cloud they will process them and analyze them. Depending on which camera app and which photo gallery app you’re using, you may be doing just that by default.

You may have noticed that Google’s photo gallery app will allow you to search your pictures by keyword, but if you haven’t you can give it a shot. Just search for something common like “car” or “dog” or “baby” and pictures that Google thinks contain those things will show up.

Google is refining their image recognition over time so it has gotten a lot more precise than when they got started. You may remember a few years ago when they offered automatic gif creation and some image enhancements as a way to get people to agree to share their photo galleries with them.

The point is in part what you’re seeing now, so depending on which software is currently on your phone, yes, Google may be scanning your images.

As usual, you’re the product…

When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway:

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway: Call anytime, 24/7 – 800-899-INTO (4686) Or use the “Message to Studio” option on the FREE Into Tomorrow App!

All CALLERS — using the AUDIO option on our Free App or 1-800-899-INTO(4686)  – automatically qualify to win prizes.

Audio archived for at least 6 months

Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss Facebook and politics, T-Mobile’s network problems, AT&T cutting jobs, an under-screen front facing camera to create a full screen smartphone, tech companies restricting access to face recognition software, a rumored Samsung event, and more.

Our guest this hour:

Sam Yang, Managing Director of Xandar Kardian

Justin in Fairbanks, Alaska listens on AM970 KFBX and is calling via the App and asked: "Yesterday, I took a shot of a group of about 20 ravens. I Googled "What is a gro..." and Google suggested "...group of ravens called." Is Google analyzing my photos? Also, a group of ravens is called a conspiracy."

http://www.intotomorrow.com/media/podcasts/2020/06-19-2020/06-19-2020-H1S1.mp3

Justin, technically yes, they may be…

If you store images on Google’s cloud they will process them and analyze them. Depending on which camera app and which photo gallery app you’re using, you may be doing just that by default.

You may have noticed that Google’s photo gallery app will allow you to search your pictures by keyword, but if you haven’t you can give it a shot. Just search for something common like “car” or “dog” or “baby” and pictures that Google thinks contain those things will show up.

Google is refining their image recognition over time so it has gotten a lot more precise than when they got started. You may remember a few years ago when they offered automatic gif creation and some image enhancements as a way to get people to agree to share their photo galleries with them.

The point is in part what you’re seeing now, so depending on which software is currently on your phone, yes, Google may be scanning your images.

As usual, you’re the product…

When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway:

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway: Call anytime, 24/7 – 800-899-INTO (4686) Or use the “Message to Studio” option on the FREE Into Tomorrow App!

All CALLERS -- using the AUDIO option on our Free App or 1-800-899-INTO(4686)  - automatically qualify to win prizes.

Audio archived for at least 6 months

Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss NASA’s new photos of an alien sky, seamless purchases on streaming video services, drones delivering books to kids, the Rose Bowl and facial recognition technology, Instacart’s success, and more.

Our guest this hour:

Julie Rothhouse, CEO and Founder of SynaVoice SOL

Gary in Michigan listens on AM800 CKLW - "The Information Station" and asked: "I have an iPhone 11 and it makes random Facetime and phone calls when I don't even have the phone icon selected. It'll be in my pocket and all of a sudden it'll be Facetiming or calling somebody and I seem to have no control over it."

http://www.intotomorrow.com/media/podcasts/2020/06-19-2020/06-19-2020-H2S1.mp3

Gary, to be honest it sounds to us like you’re just not locking your phone before you put it in your pocket.

You’re talking about an iPhone 11 which has FaceID, the inside of your pocket shouldn’t look an awful lot like your face so you shouldn’t be able to pocket dial anyone.

With FaceID on, unlocking the phone is pretty effortless, so there’s really no reason to not lock your phone before you put it in your pocket. It’s not any harder than closing a flip phone and it should prevent this issue entirely.

As an iPhone user, Chris can pretty much confirm that's what you're doing. He's famous for forgetting to lock his phone before putting it in his pocket. A few weeks ago, he was out doing some yard work in the 95-degree south Florida sun and he heard my phone ring from his pocket. It was his mom asking if he had just pocket dialed her. She said she got excited that he was actually calling her but when she answered, all she heard were rustling noises and the muffled sound of his cussing. So after the guilt-trip, he took a break and talked to his mom for a while.

Jake in Colfax, Washington listens on KMAX called in to recommend a low-cost phone.

http://www.intotomorrow.com/media/podcasts/2020/06-19-2020/06-19-2020-H2S5.mp3

Jake recommended the Samsung Galaxy A10e.

Thank you, Jake!

When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway:

Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss NASA’s new photos of an alien sky, seamless purchases on streaming video services, drones delivering books to kids, the Rose Bowl and facial recognition technology, Instacart’s success, and more.

Gary in Michigan listens on AM800 CKLW – “The Information Station” and asked: “I have an iPhone 11 and it makes random Facetime and phone calls when I don’t even have the phone icon selected. It’ll be in my pocket and all of a sudden it’ll be Facetiming or calling somebody and I seem to have no control over it.”

Gary, to be honest it sounds to us like you’re just not locking your phone before you put it in your pocket.

You’re talking about an iPhone 11 which has FaceID, the inside of your pocket shouldn’t look an awful lot like your face so you shouldn’t be able to pocket dial anyone.

With FaceID on, unlocking the phone is pretty effortless, so there’s really no reason to not lock your phone before you put it in your pocket. It’s not any harder than closing a flip phone and it should prevent this issue entirely.

As an iPhone user, Chris can pretty much confirm that’s what you’re doing. He’s famous for forgetting to lock his phone before putting it in his pocket. A few weeks ago, he was out doing some yard work in the 95-degree south Florida sun and he heard my phone ring from his pocket. It was his mom asking if he had just pocket dialed her. She said she got excited that he was actually calling her but when she answered, all she heard were rustling noises and the muffled sound of his cussing. So after the guilt-trip, he took a break and talked to his mom for a while.

Jake in Colfax, Washington listens on KMAX called in to recommend a low-cost phone.

Jake recommended the Samsung Galaxy A10e.

Thank you, Jake!

When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway:

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway: Call anytime, 24/7 – 800-899-INTO (4686) Or use the “Message to Studio” option on the FREE Into Tomorrow App!

All CALLERS — using the AUDIO option on our Free App or 1-800-899-INTO(4686)  – automatically qualify to win prizes....

Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss NASA’s new photos of an alien sky, seamless purchases on streaming video services, drones delivering books to kids, the Rose Bowl and facial recognition technology, Instacart’s success, and more.

Gary in Michigan listens on AM800 CKLW – “The Information Station” and asked: “I have an iPhone 11 and it makes random Facetime and phone calls when I don’t even have the phone icon selected. It’ll be in my pocket and all of a sudden it’ll be Facetiming or calling somebody and I seem to have no control over it.”

Gary, to be honest it sounds to us like you’re just not locking your phone before you put it in your pocket.

You’re talking about an iPhone 11 which has FaceID, the inside of your pocket shouldn’t look an awful lot like your face so you shouldn’t be able to pocket dial anyone.

With FaceID on, unlocking the phone is pretty effortless, so there’s really no reason to not lock your phone before you put it in your pocket. It’s not any harder than closing a flip phone and it should prevent this issue entirely.

As an iPhone user, Chris can pretty much confirm that’s what you’re doing. He’s famous for forgetting to lock his phone before putting it in his pocket. A few weeks ago, he was out doing some yard work in the 95-degree south Florida sun and he heard my phone ring from his pocket. It was his mom asking if he had just pocket dialed her. She said she got excited that he was actually calling her but when she answered, all she heard were rustling noises and the muffled sound of his cussing. So after the guilt-trip, he took a break and talked to his mom for a while.

Jake in Colfax, Washington listens on KMAX called in to recommend a low-cost phone.

Jake recommended the Samsung Galaxy A10e.

Thank you, Jake!

When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway:

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway: Call anytime, 24/7 – 800-899-INTO (4686) Or use the “Message to Studio” option on the FREE Into Tomorrow App!

All CALLERS — using the AUDIO option on our Free App or 1-800-899-INTO(4686)  – automatically qualify to win prizes....

Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss Spot the robot dog’s uses, HVAC evaluation and alerts, new Pokemon games,  and more.

Our guest this hour:

Dr. Phillip Alvelda, CEO - Brainworks

Jeff in Erie, Pennsylvania listens on WPSE and is calling via the App and asked: "I'm wondering if there's a way, on an iPhone, to delete messages without going through three buttons to delete one message. If you highlight it, it says "Delete, delete for me, and then another delete." Is there a way to do it just one time?"

http://www.intotomorrow.com/media/podcasts/2020/06-19-2020/06-19-2020-H3S1.mp3

Jeff, there is.

If you want to delete individual messages, you can hold your finger down on one of the messages you want to delete. That “delete” you mentioned will come up but there will probably be a second “more options” button.

Select that you’ll get a checkbox next to each message which will allow you to delete the ones you don’t want to see anymore and bulk delete them with a single tap at the end.

If you’d prefer to delete the entire conversation instead you can just swipe to the left and tap on delete.

Text messages don’t take up an awful lot of space, but if you’re worried about the media attached to them, you can also go into your phone’s settings and set a deletion policy that will just automatically get rid of any message older than a certain range.

You may have that set to keep forever, but there are other options that will allow your phone to take care of this for you so you don’t have to.

Penny in Windsor, Ontario listens on AM800 CKLW and asked: "I have a Samsung Galaxy A8. The main reason I bought the phone is because of the voice-controlled camera, as I can only use one hand. I can say "capture" and it would take the picture for me instantly. After an upgrade on the phone, the camera would no longer recognize the voice control. I looked everywhere to try to fix this and all the solutions did not work. DO you either know how I can fix this, or find an app that does the same thing?"

http://www.intotomorrow.com/media/podcasts/2020/06-19-2020/06-19-2020-H3S4.mp3

Penny, Google’s official camera does have this feature. The command in this case wouldn’t be “capture,” but your camera app may already allow you to do this.

Try telling your phone “hey, Google. Take a picture” or “hey, Google. Take a selfie” depending on which camera you’d like to use.

Before you do that, check your camera settings, there is a Voice setting to turn this feature on or off.

Also, remember that this is the stock Android camera, it may not be the camera that is currently installed on your phone since Samsung is not shy about filling their phones with bloatware.

If that doesn’t work for you or if you don’t like that camera there are lots of voice activity cameras on the Play store like VoCoCam, VoiceCamera, Voice Selfie,

Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss Spot the robot dog’s uses, HVAC evaluation and alerts, new Pokemon games,  and more.

Jeff in Erie, Pennsylvania listens on WPSE and is calling via the App and asked: “I’m wondering if there’s a way, on an iPhone, to delete messages without going through three buttons to delete one message. If you highlight it, it says “Delete, delete for me, and then another delete.” Is there a way to do it just one time?”

Jeff, there is.

If you want to delete individual messages, you can hold your finger down on one of the messages you want to delete. That “delete” you mentioned will come up but there will probably be a second “more options” button.

Select that you’ll get a checkbox next to each message which will allow you to delete the ones you don’t want to see anymore and bulk delete them with a single tap at the end.

If you’d prefer to delete the entire conversation instead you can just swipe to the left and tap on delete.

Text messages don’t take up an awful lot of space, but if you’re worried about the media attached to them, you can also go into your phone’s settings and set a deletion policy that will just automatically get rid of any message older than a certain range.

You may have that set to keep forever, but there are other options that will allow your phone to take care of this for you so you don’t have to.

Penny in Windsor, Ontario listens on AM800 CKLW and asked: “I have a Samsung Galaxy A8. The main reason I bought the phone is because of the voice-controlled camera, as I can only use one hand. I can say “capture” and it would take the picture for me instantly. After an upgrade on the phone, the camera would no longer recognize the voice control. I looked everywhere to try to fix this and all the solutions did not work. DO you either know how I can fix this, or find an app that does the same thing?”

Penny, Google’s official camera does have this feature. The command in this case wouldn’t be “capture,” but your camera app may already allow you to do this.

Try telling your phone “hey, Google. Take a picture” or “hey, Google. Take a selfie” depending on which camera you’d like to use.

Before you do that, check your camera settings, there is a Voice setting to turn this feature on or off.

Also, remember that this is the stock Android camera, it may not be the camera that is currently installed on your phone since Samsung is not shy about filling their phones with bloatware.

If that doesn’t work for you or if you don’t like that camera there are lots of voice activity cameras on the Play store like VoCoCam, VoiceCamera, Voice Selfie, all of them free.

There’s even a whistle camera if you feel like whistling at your phone instead!

Matthew in Hartsdale, New York listens Online and asked: “Wanted to ask about the in-car entertainment systems that are out in the new 2020 cars, such as the Ford Sync 3 system, the GM IntelliLink and the Chevrolet MyLink system. If you could tell us the differences between these systems.”

Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss Spot the robot dog’s uses, HVAC evaluation and alerts, new Pokemon games,  and more.

Jeff in Erie, Pennsylvania listens on WPSE and is calling via the App and asked: “I’m wondering if there’s a way, on an iPhone, to delete messages without going through three buttons to delete one message. If you highlight it, it says “Delete, delete for me, and then another delete.” Is there a way to do it just one time?”

Jeff, there is.

If you want to delete individual messages, you can hold your finger down on one of the messages you want to delete. That “delete” you mentioned will come up but there will probably be a second “more options” button.

Select that you’ll get a checkbox next to each message which will allow you to delete the ones you don’t want to see anymore and bulk delete them with a single tap at the end.

If you’d prefer to delete the entire conversation instead you can just swipe to the left and tap on delete.

Text messages don’t take up an awful lot of space, but if you’re worried about the media attached to them, you can also go into your phone’s settings and set a deletion policy that will just automatically get rid of any message older than a certain range.

You may have that set to keep forever, but there are other options that will allow your phone to take care of this for you so you don’t have to.

Penny in Windsor, Ontario listens on AM800 CKLW and asked: “I have a Samsung Galaxy A8. The main reason I bought the phone is because of the voice-controlled camera, as I can only use one hand. I can say “capture” and it would take the picture for me instantly. After an upgrade on the phone, the camera would no longer recognize the voice control. I looked everywhere to try to fix this and all the solutions did not work. DO you either know how I can fix this, or find an app that does the same thing?”

Penny, Google’s official camera does have this feature. The command in this case wouldn’t be “capture,” but your camera app may already allow you to do this.

Try telling your phone “hey, Google. Take a picture” or “hey, Google. Take a selfie” depending on which camera you’d like to use.

Before you do that, check your camera settings, there is a Voice setting to turn this feature on or off.

Also, remember that this is the stock Android camera, it may not be the camera that is currently installed on your phone since Samsung is not shy about filling their phones with bloatware.

If that doesn’t work for you or if you don’t like that camera there are lots of voice activity cameras on the Play store like VoCoCam, VoiceCamera, Voice Selfie, all of them free.

There’s even a whistle camera if you feel like whistling at your phone instead!

Matthew in Hartsdale, New York listens Online and asked: “Wanted to ask about the in-car entertainment systems that are out in the new 2020 cars, such as the Ford Sync 3 system, the GM IntelliLink and the Chevrolet MyLink system. If you could tell us the differences between these systems.”

Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss midair haptic feedback for visually impaired individual, an autonomous jet vs a human pilot, Tesla's market valuation and improvements, Twitter's new labels, space tech, and more.

Our guest this hour:

Dr. David Greenfield, Advisor to Circle and founder of the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction at Circle

Nick in Windsor, Ontario listens on AM800 CKLW and is calling via the App and asked: "I've just started adding some smart devices, like light bulbs, doorbells and cameras. I'm the only one in the house. Will I need to get a new router? I still use an Android box which goes over the Wifi. I'm wondering if all that contention will require a faster router. My router is maybe six years old."

http://www.intotomorrow.com/media/podcasts/2020/06-12-2020/06-12-2020-H1S1.mp3

Nick, no you shouldn’t need a new router just because you added a few extra devices unless your original router was very cheap and underpowered.

Your new devices are typically relatively dormant most of the time and don’t generate a lot of traffic or require a lot of bandwidth.

Routers are not all equal, so the fact that it was made six years ago doesn’t tell us too much, for example, there were already some gigabit WiFi routers out in the market six years ago, and a router that can handle a gigabit connection should be able to handle a few devices.

In theory a home router should be able to handle in the neighborhood of 250 devices, but WiFi is a fairly heavy protocol, so people who truly like home automation and truly dislike getting off the couch sometimes prefer lighter weight wireless protocols that just rely on home automation.

Still, just you and a bunch of home devices are probably not going to be making your router sweat too much if it’s a decent one. Change it if it gives you trouble, but it probably won’t.

When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway: Call anytime, 24/7 – 800-899-INTO (4686) Or use the “Message to Studio” option on the FREE Into Tomorrow App!

All CALLERS -- using the AUDIO option on our Free App or 1-800-899-INTO(4686)  - automatically qualify to win prizes.

Audio archived for at least 6 months

Tech News and Commentary

Dave and the team discuss midair haptic feedback for visually impaired individual, an autonomous jet vs a human pilot, Tesla’s market valuation and improvements, Twitter’s new labels, space tech, and more.

Nick in Windsor, Ontario listens on AM800 CKLW and is calling via the App and asked: “I’ve just started adding some smart devices, like light bulbs, doorbells and cameras. I’m the only one in the house. Will I need to get a new router? I still use an Android box which goes over the Wifi. I’m wondering if all that contention will require a faster router. My router is maybe six years old.”

Nick, no you shouldn’t need a new router just because you added a few extra devices unless your original router was very cheap and underpowered.

Your new devices are typically relatively dormant most of the time and don’t generate a lot of traffic or require a lot of bandwidth.

Routers are not all equal, so the fact that it was made six years ago doesn’t tell us too much, for example, there were already some gigabit WiFi routers out in the market six years ago, and a router that can handle a gigabit connection should be able to handle a few devices.

In theory a home router should be able to handle in the neighborhood of 250 devices, but WiFi is a fairly heavy protocol, so people who truly like home automation and truly dislike getting off the couch sometimes prefer lighter weight wireless protocols that just rely on home automation.

Still, just you and a bunch of home devices are probably not going to be making your router sweat too much if it’s a decent one. Change it if it gives you trouble, but it probably won’t.

When you participate on the show – anytime 24/7 – and we HEAR you with any consumer tech question, comment, help for another listener, tech rage or just share your favorite App these days … you could win prizes.

The 2020 COOL “Into Tomorrow” HOT Summer Giveaway: Call anytime, 24/7 – 800-899-INTO (4686) Or use the “Message to Studio” option on the FREE Into Tomorrow App!

All CALLERS — using the AUDIO option on our Free App or 1-800-899-INTO(4686)  – automatically qualify to win prizes.

Audio archived for at least 6 months