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Thomas Pockrandt

@tho.bsky.social
9.1K followers 29 following 269 posts

Passionate Rower 🚣 & Mountain Biker 🚵‍♂️ Tech Advisor & Digital Enthusiast 🦾 Opinions are my own.

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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Dropbox let a rogue Lenovo SSO silently hijack accounts. No password check, no step-up, no consent. Classic broken-trust federation: never auto-link identity based on an unverified email claim from a third-party Identity Provider. Zero-trust the trust broker too.
9to5mac.com
Dropbox breach seemingly caused by egregious authentication failure - 9to5Mac
Multiple Dropbox users have been emailed by the cloud storage company to advise them that a security breach saw unauthorised...
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Free Wi-Fi motion sensing in every router sounds great… until you read the fine print: those logs can be shared with law enforcement, no notice to you required. Bang goes the data privacy. 🧨
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Amazon started as a bookstore. Now it's a book burner. Slicing spines off rare, irreplaceable books just to scan them into AI training data. Once a book is gone, it's gone forever, and no chatbot answer is worth that. 📚
inc.com
Amazon Is Buying Up Older Books and Destroying Them After Scanning. The Orders Go Back to 2024
An AirTag traced a roughly 1,000-book order to an Amazon scanning operation. Inc. found unusual shipments were reaching the same Las Vegas warehouse back in 2024.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Same. The second my ears suspect it’s AI-made, I want to push a “skip ai” button.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Never wanted to be around camera-equipped smart glasses? A new app alerts you when they may be nearby. - Detects signals from Meta & Snap - Shows proximity on a radar - Top 3 on paid App Store - Can’t confirm active recording Knowing when a camera is nearby is a basic form of consent. 👓
digitaltrends.com
A smart glasses detector is now among the top paid apps on Apple’s App Store
A $2.99 app that scans for nearby smart glasses has become one of the App Store’s top paid downloads amid growing camera anxiety.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
Meta's AI bot was meant to recover Instagram accounts, but handed them to hackers instead .. How they did it: - Used VPN to match target's location - Asked AI to change email & reset pass Looks like the bot took “customer service” a bit too literally! 🤦‍♂️
techradar.com
Meta reveals over 20,000 Instagram accounts hacked and stolen using AI support bot
Meta has revealed the true scale of the attack that abused the AI support chatbot.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Remember Mike Judge’s Idiocracy (2006)? It was supposed to be a dystopian comedy, not a documentary in slow motion. Apparently, there is a scoreboard for the decline now: idiocracy.wtf We were warned. 📉
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
Have you seen 413,793 F1-shaped KitKats? In a GTA-like scenario, thieves posing as cops hijacked a truck in Italy and vanished with the lot. Not cash. Not guns. Limited-edition Chocolate. Somewhere in Europe, a crime lord is stress-eating a miniature Ferrari. 🍫🏎️ Check your snack here: nes.tl/566fb2
forbes.com
The Great KitKat Heist—Truckload Of Formula 1 KitKats Hijacked
A truck loaded with around 12 tons of Formula 1 car-shaped KitKat bars just vanished in Italy. This is not a movie plot. It really happened! But how?
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
A new nasal‑spray vaccine trial protects lungs against many viruses, bacteria, and allergens in one shot. - Developed by Stanford Medicine - Effective for months - Boosts innate & adaptive immunity - First trials in mice Simple to use and long‑lasting - this is how prevention should feel. 🌿
med.stanford.edu
One vaccine may provide broad protection against many respiratory infections and allergens
Stanford Medicine researchers and their colleagues invented a new vaccine that protects mice from respiratory viruses, bacteria and allergens — the closest yet to a universal vaccine.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Meta Glasses: your recordings aren’t private. - 7M+ sold, nobody read the Terms of Service - Offshore workers reviewed bathroom footage & nudity - Meta: „it’s in the fine print“ 🤷 Better skipped the buy, not the Terms of Service. 👀
mashable.com
Meta workers forced to review intimate videos taken by Ray-Ban smart glasses
Read over those Terms of Service again.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Just caught the northern lights over Germany! Breathtaking aurora borealis lighting up the night sky. Nature at its finest.
Aurora borealis lighting up the night sky
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Remember when millions of people lent their home computers to search for alien life? After 21 years, SETI@home scientists have narrowed billions of signals down to 100 mysterious ones that deserve a closer look. ✨
gizmodo.com
Millions Used Their Computers to Search for Aliens. Now Scientists Have 100 Signals Worth a Closer Look
For 21 years, the SETI@home project tapped personal computers to analyze unusual radio signals from space.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
Tailwind CSS explodes in use, but AI crushes revenue, team slashed. • Docs traffic -40%, sales -80% • 75% layoffs (3/4 engineers gone) • Google AI sponsors survival Harsh reality: AI skips page visits and kills ad funnels. Time to adapt - or build AI-native from day one with your next project. 🦾
the-decoder.com
Tailwind's shattered business model is a grim warning for every business relying on site visits in the AI era
Tailwind CSS is one of the most successful open-source projects in web development. But while the framework is booming, revenue at the company behind it has dropped 80 percent. Founder Adam Wathan bla...
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 21/12/2025
Ever heard of a dumb phone? They’re back - but who actually uses them? - seniors who want simple calls - kids' as their first phones - adults chasing a digital detox Fewer apps, longer battery, zero doom-scrolling.📱 Not for me, but from a tech perspective, “dumb” is starting to look pretty smart.
bgr.com
What Is A Dumb Phone And Who Buys Them? - BGR
Tired of constant notifications? Discover what a dumb phone is, why they are making a comeback, and who is trading in their smartphone for a simpler life.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 29/11/2025
2025‘s stock market: S&P 500 up 12% YTD, but it’s the „Magnificent Seven“ AI stars (Nvidia, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, etc.) carrying the load. The other 493? Snoozing through a weak economy.
washingtonpost.com
The ‘S&P 493’ reveals a very different U.S. economy
A few trillion-dollar companies are powering the market’s gains. Here’s what’s happening to most other businesses in the United States.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
They say you give a show 3 episodes to decide if it’s worth watching. Just finished episode 4 of #Pluribus and it definitely earned the hype. Vince Gilligan’s storytelling and Rhea Seehorn’s performance bring back that true quality TV show feeling.
youtu.be
Pluribus — Official Trailer | Apple TV
YouTube video by Apple TV
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Apple finally brings a Digital ID for U.S. passports to Wallet. How it works: - Needs iPhone 11+ / Apple Watch 6+ - Scan passport, read chip, selfie for setup - Present at 250+ TSA checkpoints in U.S. airports! Cool step for travel, but not for international trips yet. 🛫
fastcompany.com
Apple lets you upload your passport to your iPhone. Here’s how to do it
Yes, you can store your U.S. passport in your Wallet app now. But don’t leave that hard copy at home just yet.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
From July 2026, streaming ads on Netflix, YouTube, and more won’t be louder than its shows anymore. No more sudden volume jumps ruining the vibe. Finally, some peace for tired ears! 🔉
theverge.com
California bans noisy ads on Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services
The end to volume jumpscares is in sight.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 29/09/2025
AirPods aren’t just for music or calls—now they can be game controllers too. 🎮 The game RidePods uses head tracking so you steer a motorcycle by simply tilting your head. It’s a playful, hands-free twist on iPhone gaming, supported on most recent AirPods models. 🏍️
9to5mac.com
New iPhone game RidePods uses clever AirPods trick for steering - 9to5Mac
RidePods is a new iPhone racing game on the App Store that lets you steer hands-free thanks to the motion tracking capabilities of AirPods.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
NYC just got a quirky new EV charger—mounted 10ft up on a lamppost. How it’s done: - Retractable cable avoids clutter + damage - Works on wood or metal poles - Level 2 charging, up to 9.6 kW - Pay by tap or app Feels very NYC: Even the EV chargers dream of being skyscrapers. 🏙️⚡️
electrek.co
NYC’s newest EV charger hangs 10 feet high on a lamppost
The Voltpost Air, a 10-foot-high lamppost EV charger, was launched in Brooklyn, offering faster installs and more reliable urban charging.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 06/09/2025
Amazon is ending Prime Invitee Oct 1. No more sharing free shipping outside your household — you’ll need your own $15/mo Prime. The “Amazon Family” plan only works if you live together. 📦 Chance to rethink: is Prime really worth it to subscribe on your own?
cnet.com
Major Amazon Prime Benefit Faces Crackdown Next Month
Amazon plans to end its Prime Invitee program soon. Here's how this could affect your deliveries.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
California man sues Microsoft over “forced” Windows 11 switch. He wants free Win10 updates until less than 10% use it. He claims: - His laptops can’t run Win11 - Win10 support ends too soon - Upgrade is about AI + profit If you don’t go with the times, Microsoft will make you go with the times. 🤦‍♂️
theregister.com
California man sues Microsoft over Windows 11 upgrades
: He wants Microsoft to keep supporting Windows 10 until its market share drops below 10%
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
Kind of addicted to my daily coffee—and turns out science is finally on my side 😅 Caffeine does more than wake you up: - Activates ancient enzyme AMPK ⚡️ - Boosts DNA repair & stress resistance 🛠️ - May slow aging at the cellular level ⏳ In that case, time for another one ☕️
scitechdaily.com
Caffeine Flip-Flops a 500-Million-Year-Old Switch to Slow Aging
Scientists have discovered that caffeine doesn’t just perk up your brain—it energizes your cells in a way that could slow aging. By flipping on an ancient fuel-sensing enzyme called AMPK, caffeine ind...
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Apple’s new haptic trailer for the F1 movie syncs iPhone vibrations with engine revs, curbs, and gear shifts. It adds a tactile edge that suits a sport built on feel. More a tech demo than a game-changer, but still a smart use case. 🏎️
tv.apple.com
Watch Haptic Trailer - Apple TV+
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
Keep losing or breaking your trimmer parts? Philips now lets you 3D print your own at home—starting with the OneBlade comb. It’s free, easy, and helps cut down on waste. ♻️
theverge.com
Philips will let you fix your trimmer with 3D printable parts and accessories
Fix it, don’t toss it.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 26/04/2025
Same showerhead: one made in Asia for $129, one made in the USA for $239. 25,650 people looked — nobody bought the U.S. version. According to this A/B test by brand Afina, price still matters more than good intentions.
afina.com
Everyone Says They’ll Pay More for “Made in the USA.” So We Ran an A/B
When we priced a U.S.-made version of our flagship product 85% higher than our Chinese-made one, 25,650 customers had the chance to vote with their wallets. Here’s what happened. As small business own...
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Paris cut air pollution by 50%—just by making it easier to bike. 🚲 - 100+ car-free streets - 100,000+ parking spots removed - Hundreds of miles of bike lanes Now it feels more like Copenhagen: clean air, quieter streets, and a city made for people, not traffic. 🌳
fastcompany.com
Paris air pollution is down 50% after its radical bike-friendly transformation
Cars have been banned from more than 100 streets. Tens of thousands of parking spots have been eliminated. Hundreds of miles of bike lanes have been added. And air pollution is plummeting.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 12/04/2025
Amazon’s vans might save lives, not just deliver packages. Amazon tested defibrillators in delivery vans—drivers often reach heart attack victims faster than EMTs. - Piloted in 3 European cities - 100+ trained drivers - Often beat emergency services Looking forward to a global rollout. 🚨
ttnews.com
Amazon Equips Some Drivers in Europe With Defibrillators - TT
Amazon.com Inc. equipped some delivery vans in Europe with defibrillators to see if drivers crisscrossing residential areas could speed up aid to heart attack victims.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 25/03/2025
Want to see something spectacular? Look up! The Northern Lights might be visible TONIGHT! You might see them in MT, ND, MN, MI, WI, NY, VT & ME Best time: 10pm-2am Go somewhere dark, look up, and enjoy the show! Use night mode for pics & share if you see them! 🌌
forbes.com
Updated Northern Lights Forecast: These 15 States May See Aurora Borealis Tonight Amid Geomagnetic Storm
Winds from a spot on the sun’s surface may affect Earth’s magnetic field, forecasters said.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 28/02/2025
Nearly 1.6M Android TV devices have been infected by the Vo1d malware, peaking on Jan 14. While North America isn’t hit hard yet, it’s a wake-up call: update your TV’s firmware, enable auto-updates, and stick to trusted app stores. Your smart TV is just as vulnerable as your phone or PC.
digitaltrends.com
Nearly 1.6 million Android TV devices have been infected by Vo1d malware
While Vo1D hasn't reached the US in any sizable numbers, it's a reminder to keep all your connected devices secure, including TVs.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 15/02/2025
I’ve always loved how Xcode makes building iPhone and iPad apps possible. With GitHub Copilot, coding feels smoother—less repetition, more focus on real problem-solving. It’s amazing to see how AI is opening the door for more people to create, making programming more accessible, intuitive, and fun.📱
github.blog
Code completion in GitHub Copilot for Xcode is now generally available · GitHub Changelog
Code completion in GitHub Copilot for Xcode is now generally available
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 10/02/2025
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out is a legendary game that's tested players for years. After 75,000 attempts over 5 years, Summoning Salt has finally defeated Tyson in under 2 minutes for the first time. A perfect mix of skill and luck made it happen, marking history in gaming! 🥊💥
youtube.com
Mike Tyson in 1:59.97 (World Record)
YouTube video by Summoning Alt
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Even disruptors can make basic security mistakes. DeepSeek left its database wide open, exposing sensitive data. Key lessons: - AI security isn’t just about future threats—basics matter - Simple misconfigurations cause major risks - Rapid growth needs strong security - Innovation needs protection 🔐
wiz.io
Wiz Research Uncovers Exposed DeepSeek Database Leaking Sensitive Information, Including Chat History | Wiz Blog
A publicly accessible database belonging to DeepSeek allowed full control over database operations, including the ability to access internal data. The exposure includes over a million lines of log str...
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 13/01/2025
Social media shouldn’t belong to billionaires. @freeourfeeds.com is working to keep Bluesky’s tech open and fair for everyone. Imagine apps like Instagram or TikTok, but no one owns the roads we all use. A better internet, built for the people.
techcrunch.com
'Free Our Feeds' campaign aims to billionaire-proof Bluesky’s tech | TechCrunch
The initiative, Free Our Feeds, aims to protect Bluesky’s underlying technology, the AT Protocol, and leverage it to create an open social media ecosystem that can’t be controlled by a single company ...
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 02/01/2025
In 1995, Tomorrow’s World imagined life in 2025. Here’s how it went: - Robots doing surgery? Check! - Holograms everywhere? Not quite—think smart speakers. - Mining asteroids? Still a dream. Big ideas, some progress, and plenty to look forward to. 🚀 Nice read.
bbc.com
30 years ago Tomorrow's World predicted 2025 - how did it do?
From space junk gel to hologram surgery, the team had lots of intriguing predictions. Which, if any, came true?
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 14/12/2024
Turning traffic cams into a giant public selfie machine is such a creative idea. Morry Kolman turned surveillance tech into interactive art, making it feel absurd and playful while making a statement. Now NYC wants him to stop. 📸
uk.pcmag.com
NYC Wants You to Stop Taking Traffic Cam Selfies, But Here's How to Do It Anyway
The Traffic Cam Photobooth website from artist Morry Kolman lets you snap a pic as you pass a public camera. New York officials responded with a cease-and-desist, but Kolman is undeterred.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 06/12/2024
Rumor has it: Valve’s gearing up to take on Sony, Xbox, and even Meta—living room consoles, wireless VR, SteamOS devices, and more. Imagine playing anywhere with hardware made for gamers, by gamers. Maybe Steam Deck was just the start... 🔥
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
This answers a question I had for some time: Does closing apps save battery? Not really. Apple says apps in the background don’t drain power, and reopening them uses more. Better tips: - Only close frozen apps - Use Low Power Mode to save battery - Keep iOS updated No need to force quit apps. 🔋
techradar.com
Does closing apps on your iPhone save battery life? The surprising answer is no – here's why
Mythbuster: It's satisfying, but not particularly effective
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
California’s EV future? Still on track. If Trump ends the $7,500 tax credit, here is the Governors plan: - Bring back state EV rebates - Fund them with polluters’ dollars - Help more Californians go electric Clean cars, affordable options, and zero turning back. ⚡
techcrunch.com
California will offer EV rebates if Trump kills federal tax credits | TechCrunch
California is committed to zero-emission vehicles, even if the federal mood shifts.  The state's governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said Monday that
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 23/11/2024
Coca-Cola’s new AI generated Christmas ads are getting roasted online: - Fans say the magic feels lost - Glitches, weird vibes and proportions in the footage - Critics call it a cheap move to cut costs Some say it’s playful, what do you think? 🎄 Read more: www.forbes.com/sites/danidi...
youtube.com
The Holiday Magic is coming.
YouTube video by Coca-Cola
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
UK mobile provider o2 introduced Daisy, the AI granny scammers can’t escape. Here’s how: - Detects and answers scam calls - Acts like a charming old lady - Keeps fraudsters talking for hours - Chats endlessly about cats, knitting, and more She’s got plenty of time—but zero payment info to share! 📞
forbes.com
Introducing Daisy, The ‘AI Granny’ Outwitting Scammers
British telecom company O2 adds to its fraud team a human-like chatbot that fools scammers into thinking they’ve found a perfect senior target, then wastes their time.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 20/11/2024
Bluesky keeps shaping the future of social media: - 20M+ users now, growing rapidly - Users pick tailored feeds: popular posts, quiet voices, or niche topics - Escape algorithmic echo chambers and X’s chaos This is what social media should be. Proud to be part of—well written @stokel.bsky.social
newscientist.com
Bluesky is ushering in a pick-your-own algorithm era of social media
More than 20 million people have joined Bluesky, a social network that gives you fine-grained control over what you see and who you interact with. I think it is the future of social media, says Chris ...
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 18/11/2024
Google’s Gemini AI telling a student to die isn’t just a ‘nonsensical response’—it’s dangerous. Be careful trusting AI systems.
techradar.com
Did Google's Gemini AI spontaneously threaten a user?
AI assistant calls student "a stain on the universe" and worse
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 17/11/2024
Just saw Back to the Future: The Musical in London—mind officially blown. I’m not a musicals person, but for BTTF, it’s something else entirely. Grew up loving the movies, and this brought the nostalgia and energy to 1.21 gigawatts. Great Scott, it’s worth it.
The stage at the Adelphi Theatre featuring the Back to the Future: The Musical
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Apples iOS 18.1 update tightens privacy security: - iPhones auto-restart after 3 days of no use - Restarts lock data in the most secure state - Police tools struggle to access locked phones With that, investigators now have just 72 hours to extract data before it’s nearly impossible. 🔐
techcrunch.com
New Apple security feature reboots iPhones after 3 days, researchers confirm | TechCrunch
“Inactivity reboot" effectively puts iPhones in a more secure state by locking the user's encryption keys in the iPhone's secure enclave chip.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
For a few minutes there was sunshine - I took the chance. 😎
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
Big Ben glowing in the sunlight, surrounded by a blue sky. A moment of calm and beauty in the heart of London.
Big Ben glowing in the warm sunlight, surrounded by a blue sky.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Apple’s upcoming iOS update makes dealing with lost baggage easier—here’s how: - Share AirTag location data directly with airlines - Soon available with Delta, United & 15+ airlines - Find lost bags faster, skip the refund fight Now airlines can actually know where they lost it. 🧳
cnn.com
Airline lost your bag? Tracking it might be about to get easier | CNN
With airlines still losing nearly seven bags per 1,000 passengers, travelers are turning to tracking devices to keep an eye on their checked luggage. Apple’s new update looks set to make the process e...
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 04/11/2024
NASA’s made it possible for astronauts on the ISS to send their ballots back from 250 miles up. Using a secure electronic system, they transmit votes straight to Earth. Pretty smart way to keep them involved in democracy. Every vote counts—even from space! 🪐
digitaltrends.com
How NASA astronauts vote from space | Digital Trends
How do you vote when you're 250 miles above the nearest polling station? NASA came up with an answer for its astronauts.
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Thomas Pockrandt @tho.bsky.social · 02/11/2024
As a longtime user since 2007, I'm curious—and a little cautious—about Apple acquiring Pixelmator. They say no big changes, but Apple’s known to shake things up. Anyone else think this could be huge for creatives? 🎨
theverge.com
Apple is acquiring the popular image editing app Pixelmator
What’s next for Pixelmator?
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