Month: February 2019

Unknown voice says “No one wants to see that!” to Nest Cam owner

CompuScoop Staff February 16, 2019 0

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - A Florida man said he was going through his morning routine when he walked out of his apartment bathroom and realized his Nest security camera was on.

Adam King said he then heard a voice he did not recognize.

"The light came on and caught my attention, and I believe he said, 'No one wants to see that,'" King said. "He had an accent, proceeded to do some shuffling of the microphone. When I left the bedroom, some music or audio of some (sort) came on."

King said someone was using a computer or cellphone to watch him through the Nest app.

He said he walked into his living room to search for his cellphone or his iPad so he could turn off the camera, but he was unable to, because the other person had control of the app.

"I had no choice but to come right back inside and unplug the camera," King said.

Nest, which is owned by Google, provided WFTV with the following statement:

"Nest Security has not been breached or compromised. Customers may be vulnerable because their email addresses and passwords are freely available on the internet. If a website is compromised, it's possible for someone to gain access to user email addresses and passwords, and from there, gain access to any accounts that use the same login credentials."

Jason Cook, a Florida Department of Law Enforcement cybercrimes supervisor, said it is important to use a secured network.

"It's your thermostat. It's your home surveillance system, your washer and dryer, Wi-Fi, controlled outlet sometimes," he said. "They're all running through your network, and if your network isn't secured, all of that stuff is vulnerable."

Nest said that it encourages users to utilize its two-layer authentication process.

King said he is unwilling to put his privacy at risk again.

"I don't want to put my camera back up on the wall in fear it could be hacked again," he said.

The company spokesman would not estimate how many customers have experienced similar issues.

Via: action news Jax

Apple has acquired Voice-Tech company behind ‘Hello Barbie’

CompuScoop Staff February 16, 2019 0

Apple is looking to make some noise in the rapidly growing voice-technology field.

According to a report in Axios, the company has purchased PullString, a San Francisco startup whose technology has been incorporated into such devices as Google Home and Amazon’s Echo.

Founded in 2011 by former Pixar executives, PullString was initially known as ToyTalk, and specialized in high-tech children’s entertainment. In 2015, ToyTalk was crucial to the development of Mattel’s innovative (and controversial) Hello Barbie. The doll, which allowed children to converse with the iconic Barbie character, was criticized over potential privacy and security concerns, as well as for such retrograde one-liners as, “Let’s chat about fashion!”

The company changed its name to PullString in 2016, and began to expand into other areas of voice-driven applications, working with such clients as HBO, Amazon, and Activision.

The acquisition comes during the midst of a boom in the smart-device market. Amazon has reportedly sold more than 100 million devices powered by Alexa, its voice-activated program, including including Echo and Echo Dot. The company has been competing in the smart-device field with Google, whose Home devices have also increased in popularity.

Apple, however, has largely been seen as an also-ran in the voice-technology race. Though the company’s Siri application was an early example of how consumer products and voice-powered technology could successfully merge together, the company’s HomePod device, introduced last year, failed to break through with consumers. The PullString deal, reportedly worth about $30 million, is a clear sign the company wants to turn up the volume.

Via: Fortune.com

Allstate expands into iPhone repair

CompuScoop Staff February 15, 2019 1

In a surprise move, Allstate Corporation has acquired iCracked – a provider of on-site, on-demand repair services for smartphones and tablets in North America.

A release said that iCracked, based in San Francisco, will join SquareTrade, an Allstate company providing consumer protection plans and tech support.

“Today’s consumers rely on connectivity to run their lives, and they can’t afford to wait for device repairs,” said iCracked president and co-founder Ahmed Khaishgi in a statement. “With our recent acquisition of PlumChoice, SquareTrade is uniquely positioned to protect the hardware and software that power our customers’ connected devices.”

“We are excited to join SquareTrade, a company that shares our commitment to delivering high-quality on-demand service to customers,” iCracked CEO A.J. Forsythe commented.

iCracked operates in more than 60 metropolitan areas in the US and Canada.

The acquisition means that Allstate has become one of the most influential and unlikely proponents of right to repair laws in the US.

“iCracked has been a major supporter of right to repair, and we really appreciate their valuable contribution to the fight for freedom,” iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens told Motherboard.

“SquareTrade continues to work with manufacturers as well as the independent repair community,” said SquareTrade VP and global director Jason Siciliano in an email statement. “As this issue evolves, we will maintain good relationships and continue to listen to the key players on all sides of the debate and will work towards sensible solutions whether they are led by the industry or regulators.”

Via: Insurance Business

Apple extends health records to CPSI Clients

CompuScoop Staff February 15, 2019 0

Patients at community hospitals and clinics using an Evident EHR can now access their medical data on the iPhone's Health app.

Evident is an EHR vendor under the CPSI parent company.

Through the Apple Health app, patients will be able to view an aggregated record of their medical data — including immunizations, lab results and procedure history — from participating providers.

"Giving our patients access to this type of technology has many benefits to our patients and staff," Julie Jones, CEO of Community Hospital in Fairfax, Mo., said in a CPSI news release. "We have found that our patients are much more informed of their current health and care status, which helps our clinical staff focus more time on proactive treatment and better care outcomes for their patients."

Apple launched its health records app in January 2018 with the goal to improve consumer and patient experience. Since then, more than 100 hospitals and clinics have added the feature.

"We've worked closely with the health community to create an experience everyone has wanted for years — to view medical records easily and securely right on your iPhone," Apple COO Jeff Williams said when announcing the project in January. "By empowering customers to see their overall health, we hope to help consumers better understand their health and help them lead healthier lives."

Via: Becker’s Health IT and CIO Report