Jason Howell, a tech expert known for his insights on gadgets, shares his hands-on review of the new Google TV Streamer, a successor to the Chromecast. He highlights its interface nuances and user experience, discussing both its appealing features for families and areas needing improvement. The conversation also dives into recent proposals by NIST to eliminate outdated password rules that can compromise security. With a blend of tech analysis and humor, this discussion paints a vivid picture of modern digital challenges.
The Google TV Streamer is positioned as a successor to Chromecast, offering enhanced features and user experience for streaming content.
NIST's new digital identity guidelines aim to improve security by recommending longer, less complex passwords and eliminating ineffective password practices.
Deep dives
Boost Mobile's New Offer
Boost Mobile is launching a new unlimited plan that provides talk, text, and data for only $25 a month for the life of the customer. The promotional message emphasizes that this offer lasts forever, appealing to users with long-term price stability. However, the service may experience slower speeds after the first 30 gigabytes of data are used. Customers must remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan to maintain this monthly rate.
Meta's GDPR Violation Fine
The Irish Data Protection Commission has fined Meta $101.5 million for violating GDPR rules by storing user passwords in plain text. This penalty stems from a 2019 security breach that revealed approximately 600 million passwords had been inadequately protected. The inquiry also found that Meta failed to notify the DPC about the breach in a timely manner and did not implement necessary safeguards. This situation highlights the ongoing scrutiny major tech firms face regarding data protection practices.
NIST Proposes Password Improvements
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a new draft of digital identity guidelines, advocating for a shift away from outdated password practices. NIST suggests eliminating mandatory password resets, the use of security questions, and restricting special character usage. Instead, the guidelines promote longer passwords of at least 15 characters and stress that complexity should not negatively impact security. These recommendations aim to enhance user security while minimizing annoyance with current password creation and management protocols.
Google's Gmail Smart Replies
Google has introduced new smart reply options in Gmail powered by its Gemini large language models, designed to make email responses more contextual and personalized. This feature aims to help users respond quickly while considering the entire conversation. While some users find this technology beneficial for quick replies, it raises concerns about authenticity in communication. The implementation invites discussion about the impact of AI on personal interactions, especially in professional contexts.
Jason Howell is here to share his hands-on review of the Google TV Streamer, the replacement for the Chromecast. Plus the National Institute of Standards and Technology aka NIST, is proposing to bar nonsensical password rules that make security less safe.
Starring Tom Merritt, Sarah Lane, Jason Howell, Len Peralta, Roger Chang, Joe.