Year: 2023

Beware: Google is Cracking Down on Fake Reviews

Dan Uff June 16, 2023 0

Google is taking aim to shut down fake reviews, specifically targeting ones supporting faux businesses. The company filed a lawsuit today in California courts directed at Ethan QiQi Hu as well as GMBEye, Rafadigital, LLC, and Doe to stop deceptive practices to create legit-looking businesses with great reviews in order to sell the non-businesses.

Fake reviews have been a nuisance to consumers for years, creating a false sense of confidence in a purchase as customers compare products and services. Some make a living off of writing reviews for products and services they’ve never used before, tricking potential customers into thinking they’re about to make a great purchase, which often turns out to be trash.

Ethan QiQi Hu stands accused of creating and listing over 350 fake business profiles on Google platforms, backed up with more than 14,000 false reviews, and selling them “to real businesses to lure in unsuspecting customers.

Some of his business profiles include fake listings for garage repair, tree cutting, plumbing, and “essential oils for verifying fake aromatherapy and reiki therapy” businesses.

In the lawsuit, Google claims, “Over the past two years, Defendants – led primarily by a single individual, Ethan QiQi Hu – have abused Google products to create fake online listings for businesses that do not exist, and to bolster them with fake reviews from people who do not exist.”

The lawsuit goes on to outline how QiQi Hu and others “sell these listenings, and the inquiries from confused consumers who are lured in by them, to individuals and entities looking to promote their businesses on Google platforms.”

The defendants stand accused of using Google to scam consumers and affecting small businesses by making “unsubstantiated and impossible claims about their ability to guarantee a favorable position in Google’s search results and implying preferential treatment or access with respect to certain Google processes.”

Ethan QiQi Hu is listed as GMBEye’s owner and Rafadigital’s owner, registered agent, and manager. As for Doe, Google had yet to identify the names and positions of those involved and is suing the entity under “fictitious names” until such information is uncovered.

Google is seeking to block Ethan QiQi Hu from continuing his scam in addition to seeking unspecified monetary damages. The accused has yet to make a statement on the matter.

Via: Cord Cutters News

Apple to stop Apple Card Monthly Installments for SIM-free iPhones starting in August

CompuScoop Staff June 16, 2023 0

Starting in August, Apple says that it will no longer allow U.S. customers to purchase SIM-free iPhone models using Apple Card Monthly Installments. Instead, a carrier connection with Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile will be required.

Previously, Apple allowed buyers to purchase an iPhone with the “Connect to a carrier later” option. This option means users are free to use the iPhone without a cellular connection or via any carrier of their choosing. For instance, you could connect an iPhone purchased with this option to a carrier such as Mint Mobile or Google Fi.

Starting on August 15, however, Apple will require that any iPhone purchased via Apple Card Monthly Installments be connected to AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon at the time of setup. This effectively blocks iPhones bought with Apple Card Monthly Installments from being used with other carriers.

The “Connect to a carrier later” option will no longer be available for purchases financed with Apple Card Monthly Installments. This was already the case with iPhones purchased from Apple Stores, but it now applies to online purchases as well. Note that the iPhones will still be unlocked, but the carrier connection will be required at the time of setup.

Via: 9to5Mac.com

 Apple Battersea opens in London’s historic Battersea Power Station

Apple Inc June 16, 2023 0

June 15, 2023

Apple Battersea opens in London’s historic Battersea Power Station

The new store features sustainable design elements, special Today at Apple sessions, and the latest Apple products, including the new 15-inch MacBook Air and Mac Studio

Apple today opened Apple Battersea inside the historic Battersea Power Station in London. The store will serve as a new destination for customers from the local community and all over the world to explore and buy Apple’s incredible lineup, experience unparalleled service and support, and learn how to get the most out of their devices.

“Our stores are a place where the community can come together to discover all of Apple’s incredible products and services, and we’re proud to be expanding to serve even more customers with the opening of Apple Battersea,” said Deirdre O’Brien, Apple’s senior vice president of Retail. “Located just below our new U.K. headquarters, our amazing team is excited to provide exceptional support and help customers unleash their creativity.”

Apple Battersea has highly skilled and deeply knowledgeable team members who are ready to deliver best-in-class service to customers who want to purchase and learn more about the latest Apple products, including the all-new 15-inch MacBook Air — the world’s best 15-inch laptop — and Mac Studio with M2 Max and M2 Ultra.

Team members also support customers with advice that suits their needs — whether customizing their Mac, showcasing their individual style with Apple Watch bands, adding a personal touch with engraving, unlocking even more value with Apple Trade In, or getting started with Personal Setup.

In celebration of the opening of Apple Battersea, Apple Music will host live performances outside the store from Thursday through Sunday, featuring local artists JGrrey and Kwaye, among others. Additionally, in partnership with Battersea Arts Centre and Curated Makers, Apple Creatives have supported eight local emerging creatives to bring Shot on iPhone and Made on iPad works to life, all inspired by Battersea Power Station. Customers will be able to discover and shop these works at Curated Makers, a retailer in the power station that champions local artists.

For customers who want to learn how to get the most out of their devices, Apple Store locations provide free, educational Today at Apple workshops. Drawing inspiration from the local area, Apple Battersea offers customers unique Today at Apple tours that showcase the best of iPhone photography and iPad creativity. Visitors have two bespoke experiences to choose from where they can learn the skills to create their own artwork at Apple Battersea:

Photo Tour: Capturing the Story of Battersea Power Station
Art Tour: Drawing Perspective at Battersea Power Station

Today at Apple also offers sessions that teach the basics of using assistive technologies and features for people with reduced mobility, vision loss, and hearing disabilities. And throughout the summer, families can participate in Apple Camp sessions and design a dream invention using Keynote and Freeform on iPad. For anyone interested in learning alongside family, friends, and colleagues, Group Booking is also available for Today at Apple sessions in the store or online.

Apple Battersea is built with universal design principles that create an inviting and accessible space for everyone who comes through its doors. The new store offers varied table and seating heights, expanded assisted listening systems, and enhanced visual and acoustic clarity as well as access routes that give wheelchair users more space to navigate.

Customers can explore products and services on the newly designed avenues engineered for carbon sequestration through the use of sustainably harvested wood. And, like all Apple Store locations, Battersea is operationally carbon neutral and runs on 100 percent renewable energy.

Apple Battersea is Apple’s 40th store in the U.K. and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Customers can download interactive wallpapers, enjoy one month of Apple TV+ free, and explore a curated collection of shows, music, apps, games, podcasts, books, and upcoming Today at Apple sessions at apple.com/uk/today/battersea.

How to set up your Mac to auto logout when not in use

Dan Uff June 15, 2023 0

Sometimes, for security reasons, you may want your Mac to automatically log out of your area and return to the log-in screen. This is possible with a Mac.

Just do the following:

On your Mac, select  > System Settings.
Then choose Privacy & Security.
Click Advanced at the bottom.
Turn on “Log out automatically after inactivity.”
Click the “Log out after” pop-up menu, then choose the amount of time before the user is automatically logged out.
That's it.

How to log back in: