The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

Apple Wanted Location Data To Make Its Products Even More Compelling

Posted on | April 22, 2011 | 3 Comments

by Smitty

In its way, the concern over Apple’s iPhone data collection is laughable. If people understood the half of the data that companies and governments collect, they would. . .do pretty much what they are doing.

Turns out the answer is simpler than you think, and it doesn’t involve a conspiracy theory, the government or David Duchovny. Basically, Apple keeps track of your location data so that it can maintain its own location database. By golly, it also turns out they’ve explained it some time ago–last summer.

Last year, Apple lawyer Bruce Sewell sent a letter to two congressmen explaining and disclosing Apple’s location-data collection techniques and policies. The 13-page letter reports that location data is only tracked and transmitted if a user turns on the Location Services option on in the Settings menu. If the option is turned off, nothing is collected.

According to the letter, the data is stored in what we can only assume is “consolidated.db,” randomly assigned an identification number every 24 hours, and sent off every 12 hours to Apple. The data gets stored in a secure database “accessible only by Apple.”

Apple then collects information about nearby cell towers and Wi-Fi access points whenever you utilize a service that requests your current location. It sometimes automatically happens with location-based apps that utilize GPS technology.

It turns out Apple ditched the location databases it was previously using from Google and SkyHook Wireless, and is in fact using their own. Now for that to happen, what Apple needs is location data. What better way than to pull it from the millions of existing iPhone customers already roaming around the globe?

The crux of the matter is that there is precious little middle ground. You either go full-on modern data-driven society, and know that you have to deliberately unplug to be free of the tether, or, alternately, you can opt for something in the Afghanistan to Papua-New Guinea range. It’s almost a binary proposition. High or low tech. Not much middle ground.
One of the translators here in Bagram was decrying the state of Afghanistan in terms of infrastructure. I gathered he’d been a US citizen for a couple of decades. I couldn’t resist making the gentle point that one of the things needed to get Afghanistan going was for people who had been abroad and acquired some education to cease their wandering ways and come home. Fix up the joint.
The response was along the lines of “Screw that noise!”
Sure, I’m quite ready to drop the place like a bad habit. So what are we going to do, distribute 80 million iPhones around Afghanistan? “Domestic peace: there is an app for that!”
As for iPhones, I’ve been a Nokia addict for too long, even though I’m composing this post on a MacBook Pro, and ran 5k while jacked into an iPod, the Genius Mix thingy being a killer feature. When we’re all dead with this technology, Stacy McCain will stand in the ruins, I-told-you-so card cocked at 11 o’clock, saying “Uh huh.”

Category: Uncategorized

Get Better, No Sheeples!

Posted on | April 22, 2011 | 2 Comments

by Smitty

No Sheeples Here is a longtime blog friend who is quite under the weather. We need you strong, lady! Be healed!

Category: No Sheeples

Trump’s Candidacy Snuffed In One Line

Posted on | April 22, 2011 | 6 Comments

by Smitty (h/t Corner)

Chris Rock on Donald Trump:

“I won’t vote for him. I’m afraid he’ll leave us for a younger, prettier country.”

And when you recall Ivana, it’s clear that no amount of stimulus projects will do. A buddy of mine chips in: “But I guess as long as he pays off our credit card bills before he goes, we’ll manage.”

Category: Donald Trump, Election 2012

Once in a Lifetime: Military Policy Edition

Posted on | April 22, 2011 | 19 Comments

by Smitty

Just a few days ago, I sketched what I think are the major points in the last century that have marked our national course to ruin. Among the major inputs to the whole dog’s breakfast we face is military policy. Now, I grew up a Navy brat, enlisted in the Navy, took a commission, and am currently deployed on active duty. Thus, badmouthing anybody or any operation in detail would be rude. Nevertheless, I’d be a less effective supporter and defender of the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic if I neglected to pass along some points to ponder. Read more

Category: History, Military

Preview of Our Sound After Stacy, Wombat and I Drop Out of Blogging and Form a Band

Posted on | April 22, 2011 | 1 Comment

by Smitty


We might even have to steal the name, too. I thought these guys had had a Wikipedia page, telling you that they’re a bunch of Aussie surf bums who drag in to play from time to time. Now they’ve dwindled to a mere mention here. Saw them about 13 years ago at a wine tasting in Albany, Australia, or thereabouts. Ageless men playing timeless music.

Category: Music, Video

Big Breitbart: Scenes From Thursday’s Righteous Indignation Reception in DC

Posted on | April 22, 2011 | 5 Comments

A huge crowd turned out Thursday at the DC offices of Americans for Tax Reform, where the Daily Caller co-hosted a book-signing party for Andrew Breitbart’s Righteous Indignation.

When I saw Andrew signing books in front of the giant picture of himself, I said, “Big Breitbart Is Watching You!”

Strangely enough, neither Travis Korson nor Matt Martini asked to see Alyssa Farah‘s birth certificate.

Jason Mattera of Human Events talks to a friend. If you look carefully, you can see Ace of Spades in the background.

Ben Johnson of Accuracy in Media greets Byron York of the Washington Examiner.

Reason magazine editor Matt Welch eyes me suspiciously.

Andrew Marcus of Founding Bloggers and CNN’s lovely Amy Holmes.

Breitbart checks his text messages while, in the background, you can see Derek Hunter and Erik Telford discussing what they’re going to do when the next truckload of unmarked cash arrives from the Koch Brothers.

Category: Andrew Breitbart, Books

Ensign to Strike His Flag?

Posted on | April 22, 2011 | 3 Comments

by Smitty (h/t The Virginians Daily)

Per The Hill:

Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) announced Thursday he will resign his seat effective May 3.
“It is with tremendous sadness that I officially hand over the Senate seat that I have held for eleven years,” he said in a statement. “The turbulence of these last few years is greatly surpassed by the incredible privilege that I feel to have been entrusted to serve the people of Nevada. I can honestly say that being a United States senator has been the honor of my life.”
The senator plans to send his resignation letter to Vice President Biden on Friday.

Later,

Rep. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) has already announced he’s running for Ensign’s seat, and it’s possible Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval would appoint him as Ensign’s replacement.

And the obvious Sharon Angle question:

According to Nevada law, Sandoval would then have to call a special election for Heller’s House seat. Republican Sharron Angle, who lost her bid to replace Reid last year, is running for Heller’s seat.

One can’t resist questioning the timing. Having held out this long against the charges of being a low-down, skirt chasin’ dog, what’s the point of not finishing the term? Is the stress of the budget fracas too much?

Category: Republicans, Senate

LIVE AT FIVE – 04.22.11

Posted on | April 22, 2011 | 3 Comments

TOP NEWS
John Ensign Resigns From The Senate

Senator John Ensign (R-Nevada)

Justice & FEC investigations cleared him, but Senate Ethics committee grinds on, hires new attorneys for another round of investigations.



President Heckled In San Francisco By Leftists
Musical rubes: “We paid our dues, so where’s the change?”


President Directs Holder To “Root Out” (Alleged) Fraud And Manipulation Behind High Gas Prices
Again?



POLITICS
Michigan Jury To Decide Whether Controversial Pastor Must Post “Peace Bond” Before Mosque Demonstration

Koran-burning pastor Terry Jones

Jones’ planned protest outside America’s largest mosque sparks free speech dispute, bond requirement to pay for additional police

Survey Finds More  Gloom About The Economy


Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson Enters Race For GOP Nomination

NH Senate Passes Bill Curbing Unions

Texas Governor Perry Urges Prayers For Rain As Wildfires Continue

Senator Scott Brown Opposes Increasing Debt Limit Without Tying Increase To “Serious Reform”




THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Asian Stocks Fall On Japan Shares; Gold Continues To Rise
Southwest Ekes Out $5 Million 1Q Profit
Mattel Loses The Bratz Battle (Video)
US Stocks End The Week Higher, Boosted By Earnings
Boeing Vows To Fight NLRB Complaint Blocking SC Plant
IPhone Tracking Only Tip Of Security Iceberg
AT&T Files T-Mobile License Transfer Request, Sprint Objects
Samsung Fires Back: Sues Apple For Patent Infringement In Seoul, Tokyo, Berlin



SPORTS
Coming Soon To Baseball: Expanded Playoffs

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig

Two more teams to be added in 2012 after owners, players’ union agree

Kemp Hits Second Sayonara Homer This Week, Dodgers Beat Braves 5-3



Wade Leads Heat To Win, Miami Now Up 3-0 Over Sixers

Bruins’ Ryder Returns To Haunt Habs In OT Win

Cousins, Hayes Power Fish Offense As Marlins Pound Pirates 8-5

Mets Overpower Astros 9-1 As They Welcome Back Jason Bay



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Rush Limbaugh Joins Conspiracy Of Silence Over IPhone Location “Feature”

Legendary conservative talk show host in the bag for Apple?

“Nothing to see here,” claims conservative radio trailblazer

J-Lo, “American Idol” Creator Team For New Project

Tina Fey: Mama Said Knock You Out

College Not So Magical For Emma Watson



Kate Beckinsale Offered “Total Recall” Role

The Game – Banned From Canada Due To Gang Ties

Courteney Cox And Co-stars Laugh Off “Cougar Town” Dating Rumors



FOREIGNERS
Libyan Rebels Take Remote Western Border Crossing
Australian PM Sees No Role For Nuclear In Australia’s Energy Plans
US Sends Predator Drones To Libya
Another Clash On The Thailand/Cambodia Border
Violence Postpones Gubernatorial Elections In Two Nigerian States
Ivory Court Chief Yao N’Dre Refuses To Accept Responsibility For Post-Election Fighting Depsite Ruling For Gbagbo
Acting PM Swan: Rioters To Feel Full Force Of Law
PRC Envoy To Visit ROK, Discuss Norks



BLOGS & STUFF
Michelle Malkin: Ensign Quits – Good Riddance
Outside the Beltway: Politifact Says Dem Claim That Ryan Plan Would End Medicare “Pants On Fire” Wrong
John Bolton: Obama Wobbly On Libya
Protein Wisdom: Larry Sabato, Prepping The Battlefield
Moe Lane: Sean Trende – Obama’s Not In Great Shape
Hit & Run: Gary Johnson Runs For President – It’s Official
Lots of informative links in this post.
POWIP: Another Long, Hot Summer For Obama
Da Tech Guy: The MSM Proves My Palin/Left Point Again
National Review Online: More Companies Pull Ads From Wonkette

— compiled by Wombat-socho

Category: Live at Five
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