Tech Valet

Exciting things are in the works here at Tech Valet! Look for an expansion of resources! Will post more as things come to fruition!

So yesterday Google had a problem with their OnHub wireless access points. The problem was with a host-based control system, and the result was that a lot of OnHubs did a factory reset. This left many users without a reliable wifi system. There are many elements about this that disturb me. One - how can I be comfortable installing OnHub in a client's home or business if the system can be brought down by a host-based event? This leaves my clients high and dry, and requires an ...on-site visit to re-set the access points and get things running again. And this isn't exactly an event I can charge my clients for. Two - there should be no host-based activity that can bring an installed access point down. This makes me worry about what Google is doing monitoring and interacting with these devices. I have two OnHubs in my house and I will be replacing them today with Apple Airport Extremes. At least they will only notify me when there is an update and won't be remotely factory reset. Shame on Google for this most embarrassing problem. See more

I was happy to read this morning that Evernote has decided that user privacy is more important than previously indicated. Earlier Evernote had indicated it was going to change its privacy policy to allow machine learning to help in system utilization and features, and that employees would be reading snippets of users' notes in order to help with that endeavor. Users revolted over the change, many saying they would drop the service if such a major change were made. It appears that that change will not happen. We are now waiting to hear more from Evernote about what the next privacy policy change will entail. http://www.pcworld.com//evernote-backs-off-from-privacy-po

So Apple had their MacBook announcements yesterday, and I for one have to say I am disappointed. They did nothing for the iMac, and they continue to remove ports on devices at a staggering rate. So the new MacBook pro has no: SD card slot, magsafe charging port, standard USB (2 and/or 3) ports, ethernet port. The new MacBook Pro DOES have: 4 USB 'C' ports, as USB 'C' charging adapter, a headphone jack. So how am I supposed to plug my new iPhone 7 into my new MacBook Pro? T...he iPhone comes with a standard USB connector - the new MacBook pro doesn't have one of those. Confusion reigns supreme in the Mac world right now. And the poor old iMac? It needs an update. See more

This morning Apple announced that it is delaying the shipment of its new Airpods - its new bluetooth headphones designed for use with iPhone 7 - the phone with no headphone jack. I am sure there are lots of customers out there who purchased their iPhone 7s knowing they would have to buy the new Airpods also. And now there is no expected ship date. Frustrating.