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Cortana and Alexa… Friends?
Cortana and Alexa are now able to talk to each other, giving you cross-compatibility from Echos to Windows PCs. You can say to Alexa, “Alexa, open Cortana”, and you can give commands that Cortana will understand. The same works with Cortana, “Hey Cortana, open Alexa.”
iPhone X
Apple announced the new iPhone X (pronounced iPhone 10) on September 12, 2017. This event was in the new 1000-seat Steve Jobs Theater. The iPhone X has a new Apple A11 Bionic processor that includes a new graphics chip and the Secure Enclave co-processor for FaceID.
The battery lasts 2 hours longer than iPhone 7 and the iPhone X works with Qi chargers. Apple has a new wireless charging dock called AirPower that can charge your iPhone 8 and 10, series 3 Apple Watch, and AirPods with the optional wireless charging case. It has a 5.8″ Super Retina Display and a glass back also. The front display has practically no bezels and no fingerprint sensor either.
Apple’s new face tracking technology looks really cool. You can use it with SnapChat or with Animoji. There is also a new dual camera system with both cameras having optical image stabilization (OIS). The one lens is telephoto and the other a wide lens. Both of these are 12MP sensors. The “selfie camera” can now take portrait photos, portrait lighting, and is 7MP. FaceID can unlock your phone by sensing your face.
Your Security Brief: the Equifax data breach
Equifax is a major credit bureau in the United States. It recently had a data breach that exposed 60% of US adults’ information, including Social Security numbers, addresses, and drivers license numbers. This could affect you! Please take precautions to secure your identity. The FTC has good information on this.
Serious About Tech! podcast update
I am wondering if you enjoy the video companion to this podcast. I am thinking about not doing video because it takes lots of time in post-production. Audio takes less time to edit, and I can record whenever I have time. Send your feedback through email, the contact form, or my Twitter poll.
Be sure to check out the Serious About Tech! YouTube channel.
Sources: PCWorld, PCMag, ZDNet, and Apple.