Today in Tech

Last week, The Washington Post revealed that, despite update app tracking transparency measures, iPhone apps continue to track users. This presents a serious privacy issue, since the type of data gathered about a user's device could be specific enough to identify individual iPhones. And worse yet, The Washington Post revealed that this tracking occurs even when users explicitly ask apps not to do so. Apple's iOS competitor, Android, also has app privacy measures in place. In Android 11, app permissions automatically reset if a user hasn't used an app within a few months. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss iPhone versus Android privacy measures and how fingerprinting affects individuals and enterprises.

Bootcut jeans, butterfly clips and... flip phones? Y2K trends are back in a big way, and that includes Motorola Razr nostalgia. But of course, in 2021, the technology of yesteryear has gotten a huge makeover. Microsoft's recently announced Surface Duo 2 is the latest folding smartphone on the market. It joins a handful of other foldable phones from companies including Samsung, Huawei and, yes, even Motorola. Sure, these new folding phones are cool and gimmicky, but are they here to stay? Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss how folding phones like the Microsoft Surface Duo 2 shape the future of mobile. 

Apple announced its latest additions to its iPhone lineup, as well as a new iPad mini, at its "California Streaming" event on Tuesday. Both devices will be powered by Apple's new A15 Bionic processor. Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor join Juliet to discuss how the A15 processor compare to its predecessor, the A14, and how Apple may use it in future products. They also cover what the iPhone 13 and iPad mini mean for the enterprise. Plus, Michael, Ken and Juliet discuss Apple's response to the Pegasus spyware flaw.

Apple's next event, titled "California Streaming," will occur on Tuesday, September 14 at 10 a.m. PT. It's expected that Apple will announce the iPhone 13, Apple Watch Series 7 and new set of AirPods. Potential new iPhone features include the ability to photograph stars at night, an always-on display and portrait mode videos. Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss what rumored devices, software and features will be announced at the event. If you have any questions about Apple's September event, let us know in the comments. We'll respond during the live broadcast.

Microsoft will launch Windows 11 on October 5, but not every PC will be eligible for an immediate upgrade. Rollout will last well into 2022 for machines that meet the necessary hardware requirements, and Windows 10 will be supported through October 2025. But, there's still some confusion about what hardware is required to support Windows 11's beefed up security measures. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and contributing editor Preston Gralla join Juliet to discuss Windows 11 security, whether it will require new hardware and what IT needs to know before upgrading. 

Google's latest addition to the Pixel lineup, the Pixel 5a, ships out today. While Apple also has a low(er) cost phone in the iPhone SE, the two smartphones don't have much in common. The Pixel 5a comes with 5G capability, an OLED screen and two camera lenses. On the other hand, the iPhone SE comes with LTE, a Retina screen and one lens. But, the differences don't stop there. Importantly, the iPhone SE is powered by Apple's A13 chip, whereas the Pixel 5a relies on the Snapdragon 765G processor (not Google's upcoming Tensor chip). Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss how the two phones compare.

Apple announced last week that it will soon begin scanning photos uploaded to iCloud for child sexual abuse material. Cybersecurity and privacy experts met the announcement with skepticism, with many pointing out potential abuse of this system. Specifically, experts say this encryption backdoor could encourage oppressive governments to ask Apple to police other types of illegal content. Apple says it will refuse such requests from governments. Still, this change, which will arrive in iOS 15, marks a shift in the company's privacy policy. Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss Apple's privacy rules and why security experts are concerned about potential misuse of this surveillance tool.

Google announced that its new system on a chip, called Tensor, will power the upcoming the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro phones. Google says Tensor will improve the Pixel's camera system and its speech recognition abilities, among other things. The company's shift away from Qualcomm to Tensor follows Apple's path of making its own silicon. Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis join Juliet to discuss what this shift means for Google, and how the Pixel 6 will compare to the iPhone 13. Then, Computerworld managing editor for features Val Potter and writer Charlotte Trueman will join the show to explain how to intentionally create a successful hybrid work environment. As companies in some parts of the world craft plans to return to the office, the majority say they will permit hybrid work in some capacity. While companies are now used to employees working remotely, fostering an intentionally hybrid-first work is another strategy entirely. Val, Charlotte and Juliet will discuss how to successfully implement a hybrid-first policy and the consequences of waiting too long to do so.

The semiconductor shortage has wreaked havoc on manufacturers, and Apple will soon feel pinch. In the company's Q3 earnings call, chief executive Tim Cook said that supply constraints around "legacy nodes" will affect iPhone sales. These "legacy nodes" include chips for the display, ports and audio, not the A- and M-series processors that Apple designs for its devices. Macworld executive editor Michael Simon and Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis discuss how the chip shortage will affect Apple, why Apple is considering using its own chips in monitors and other revelations from the earnings call. If you have a question about the chip shortage, leave a comment below. We'll respond during the live broadcast. 

Amnesty International's Security Lab revealed that a handful of iPhones, mostly belonging to journalists and human rights activists, were successfully infected with Pegasus spyware. While the majority of iPhones users are not affected, the spyware, created by NSO Group, was found even on newer iPhone models equipped with the latest iOS update. Apple bills the iPhone as the most secure consumer cellular product on the market, so this wave of malware raises security concerns. Computerworld executive editor Ken Mingis and Macworld executive editor Michael Simon join Juliet to discuss iPhone security and more.