Senator Al Franken Grills Steve Jobs About iPhone Tracking

Senator Al Franken (D-MN) wants answers about the iPhone’s undisclosed tracking features.

As reported, the iPhone and 3G iPad secretly record your location as you travel around and sync it with your computer. It appears to be a serious violation of privacy. It was first disclosed by security researchers Alasdair Allan and Pete Warren at O’Reilly’s Where 2.0 conference.

Apple hasn’t yet explained the matter, prompting Sen. Franken to publish an open letter to Steve Jobs demanding answers.

Sen Franken wants to know why Apple is collecting the data; how it is collected; what it is used for; why it isn’t encrypted; if the data is shared; and why consumers aren’t asked before the data is collected.

Here’s the full text of Sen. Franken’s letter to Jobs:

April 20, 2011

Mr. Steve Jobs
1 Infinite Loop
Cupertino, CA, 95014

Dear Mr. Jobs,

I read with concern a recent report by security researchers that Apple’s iOS 4 operating system is secretly compiling its customers’ location data in a file stored on iPhones, 3G iPads, and every computer that users used to “sync” their devices. According to the researchers, this file contains consumers’ latitude and longitude for every day they used an iPhone or 3G iPad running the iOS 4 operating system-sometimes logging their precise geo-location up to 100 times a day. The researchers who discovered this file found that it contained up to a year’s worth of data, starting from the day they installed the iOS 4 operating system. What is even more worrisome is that this file is stored in an unencrypted format on customers’ iPads, iPhones, and every computer a customer has used to back up his or her information. See Alasdair Allen & Pete Warden, Got an iPhone or 3G iPad? Apple is Recording Your Moves (Apr. 20, 2011), available at http://radar.oreilly.com/2011/04/apple-location-tracking.html.

The existence of this information — stored in an unencrypted format — raises serious privacy concerns. The researchers who uncovered this file speculated that it generated location based on cell phone triangulation technology. If that is indeed the case, the location available in this file is likely accurate to 50 meters or less. See Testimony of Michael Amarosa, Before the House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, June 24, 2010 at page 7 available at http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings/pdf/Amarosa100624.pdf.

Anyone who gains access to this single file could likely determine the location of a user’s home, the businesses he frequents, the doctors he visits, the schools his children attend, and the trips he has taken — over the past months or even a year. Cf. People v. Weaver, 909 N.E.2d 1195, 1199-1200 (N.Y. 2009) (“What this technology yields and records with breathtaking quality and quantity is a highly detailed profile, not simply of where we go, but by easy inference, of our associations … and of the pattern of our professional and avocational pursuits.”).

Moreover, because this data is stored in multiple locations in an unencrypted format, there are various ways that third parties could gain access to this file. Anyone who finds a lost or stolen iPhone or iPad or who has access to any computer used to sync one of these devices could easily download and map out a customer’s precise movements for months at a time. It is also entirely conceivable that malicious persons may create viruses to access this data from customers’ iPhones, iPads, and desktop and laptop computers. There are numerous ways in which this information could be abused by criminals and bad actors. Furthermore, there is no indication that this file is any different for underage iPhone or iPad users, meaning that the millions of children and teenagers who use iPhone or iPad devices also risk having their location collected and compromised. An estimated 13% ofthe 108 million iPhones and 19 million iPad devices sold are used by individuals under the age of 18, although some of these devices may not have been upgraded to iOS 4. See AdMob, AdMob Mobile Metrics Report at 5 (Jan. 2010), available at http://metrics.admob.com/wp-content/uploads/201 0/02/AdMob-Mobile-MetricsJan-10.pdf; Complaint of Apple Inc. v. Samsung Electronics, CV-11-1846 at 4-5 (N.D. Cal. Apr. 15, 2011).

These developments raise several questions:

1. Why does Apple collect and compile this location data? Why did Apple choose to initiate tracking this data in its iOS 4 operating system?

2. Does Apple collect and compile this location data for laptops?

3. How is this data generated? (GPS, cell tower triangulation, WiFi triangulation, etc.)

4. How frequently is a user’s location recorded? What triggers the creation of a record of someone’s location?

5. How precise is this location data? Can it track a user’s location to 50 meters, 100 meters, etc.?

6. Why is this data not encrypted? What steps will Apple take to encrypt this data?

7. Why were Apple consumers never affirmatively informed of the collection and retention of their location data in this manner? Why did Apple not seek affirmative consent before doing so?

8. Does Apple believe that this conduct is permissible under the terms of its privacy policy? See Apple Privacy Policy at “Location-Based Services” (accessed on April20, 2011), available at www.apple.com/privacy.

9. To whom, if anyone, including Apple, has this data been disclosed? When and why were these disclosures made?

I would appreciate your prompt response to these questions and thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely
Al Franken
United States Senator

The entire letter is  here (PDF).

Prism Sound - Orpheus FireWire Recording Interface

"Orpheus is a FireWire multi-track audio interface for personal recording and sound production, for professional musicians, songwriters, engineers and producers as well as recording studios, post production facilities and scoring stages. Orpheus is ideal for music and sound recording, multitracking, overdubbing, stem-based mastering, analogue summing and critical listening applications. 

Orpheus provides Prism Sound's renowned performance, sound quality and state-of-the-art clock technology in a dedicated FireWire unit compatible with both Windows (XP, Vista (32 and 64bit) & Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit), ASIO & WDM) as well as MAC OS X 10.4.11 and later (Intel & PPC). Once configured with a computer, Orpheus can also operate stand-alone using its S/PDIF or AES3 I/O. 

Orpheus has line, microphone and instrument inputs, selectable RIAA Equalization for turntables, a built-in premium-quality monitoring mixer for each output providing for performer foldback and surround monitoring, concurrent ADAT and switchable S/PDIF or AES3 digital I/O plus support for outboard MIDI devices. Microphone inputs include MS matrix processing. High-performance digital sampling-rate conversion (SRC) is available for digital inputs or outputs. Dual headphone outputs are provided each with its own volume control, both monitoring the same headphone feed. "
http://www.prismsound.com/music_recording/products_subs/orpheus/orpheus_home.php?src=GSOFeb11F

Eowave Domino Analogue Synthesizer

DOMINO is an analogue synthesizer with a VCO in the tradition of MS20 and TB303.

Technical Specifications 1 analgue oscillator from saw to square with tune and mix Lfo modulation Pulsewidth modulation 24dB Moog ladder resonant filter Envelope modulation and LFO modulation of the filter LFO with Speed and Type parameters Envelope with Attack, Decay, Sustain Analogue VCA Env/gate switch Connections MIDI in Audio out Ext power supply Audio in Pricing & Availability Availability: June 2011 Pricing: €299 (excl. taxes)

Got an iPhone or 3G iPad? Apple is recording your moves

"Ever since iOS 4 arrived, your device has been storing a long list of locations and time stamps. We're not sure why Apple is gathering this data, but it's clearly intentional, as the database is being restored across backups, and even device migrations."
Read the full article here:
http://radar.oreilly.com/2011/04/apple-location-tracking.html

SKnote GTS-39 Limiting Tube Compressor

GTS-39 was modeled after an old limiting tube compressor. According to SKnote, it has been developed by testing and measuring real hardware.

It includes:

• Input and output gain controls.
• Release time control.
• Custom "hold" control (delays release for envelope control).
• Stereo/dual_mono switch (for stereo imaging).
• 8x oversampling for nice distortion.

Pricing & Availability

The plug-in is available in VST format for Windows and Mac OS X. SKnote announces an introductory price of $19,99 until April 30th, then it will be priced at $29,99.

Cartec Audio Pre-Q5 Preamp

"The CARTEC PRE-Q5 is a high quality transformer based microphone preamp for the API 500 series format that incorporates a passive inductor equalizer, and a balanced output attenuator. The circuit is identical to our PRE-Q1A, but without the front panel controls for the High/low boost controls. The fully balanced stepped output attenuator (constant impedance T-pad) allows saturation of the output transformer while controlling the output level (allowing you to really drive the PRE-Q5 without clipping the next item in your signal chain). The Line level switch allows all of the features of be used both during tracking and mixing. you could send pre-recorded sounds to the EQ section or use the a combination of the EQ and transformer saturation to enhance synths or any existing sounds."
$899 at Zen Pro Audio
http://www.ZenProAudio.com/cartecaudiopre-q5.aspx

Blue Microphones Reactor

The new multi-pattern Reactor pushes the envelope of modern microphone design and performance while making multiple mic setups more accessible. Reactor fuses an innovative pattern selection method with a swiveling capsule head for perfect positioning, and features Blue's premium condenser capsule, fully discreet Class A solid state components, and proprietary preamp for simple live switching between patterns (Cardioid, Omni or Figure-8). To facilitate use in multiple mic setups (like Mid/Side, X-Y), Reactor's capsule head rotates a range of 90 degrees for perfect positioning in tight spaces and easy pattern adjustability. Reactor's recording pattern selection is both intuitive and stylish, featuring LED backlighting on the pattern indicators and a magnifying element that compliments its forward-looking design.


$499 at Sweetwater 
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Reactor

WAves Q-Clone $48 (80% off)

There’s nothing like the warmth and character of vintage hardware equalizers. With Q-Clone, you can dig into its massive library of classic EQs, or use the Q-Capture component to model your own hardware favorites. Plus, you can use your captured hardware freely throughout your session, adjusting the sound of each track as if you had dozens of that same equalizer. With so many EQs at your fingertips, Q-Clone is truly an equalization revolution.

Available exclusively at the Waves Online Sto

Alchemy is the ultimate sample manipulation synthesizer

"Alchemy is the ultimate sample manipulation synthesizer which can turn your musical dreams into reality. It's a synth powerhouse and yet is easy to use thanks to its performance controls and remix pads. The library of contemporary sounds explores new sonic territory ranging from cutting-edge pads and sublime soundscapes to ultra-fat basses and synths. 
Alchemy is perfect if you just want quick and easy access to inspiring sounds. The perform section gives access to the most important controls for the current preset, making it simple to tweak. The remix pad makes it possible to quickly try different variations - simply click and drag to morph between the eight sounds.
Alchemy ships with over 3GB of exclusive samples and a library of 600 presets from many of the world's top sound designers. With eight carefully designed variations of each sound, it's like having 4800 presets! Sounds range from soaring pads to endessly evolving soundscapes and playable arps. All sounds are arranged in categories for rapid access to the sound you require, to keep your inspiration flowing. There are also a variety of sound libraries available to further extend your library.

Alchemy allows you to manipulate sounds in ways which are impossible with any other soft synth or sampler. Alchemy features the most powerful additive synthesis engine with the most accurate resynthesis available in any plugin, which allows you to create unique sounds. Alchemy also features spectral and granular synthesis, sampling, and a fat sounding virtual analog engine - it's like getting five synths for the price of one! You can morph or crossfade between sources for anything from vector mixing, to morphing one voice into another. Listen to the music player above to hear the huge variety of possibilities.

You can import your own samples from SFZ, WAV or AIFF files. A wide range of analog modelled filters are included, in addition to a flexible rack of effects which includes all those from CamelPhat and CamelSpace as well as many new effects such as a high quality reverb. The innovative modulation system is extremely flexible, yet easy to use. Alchemy also features a powerful arpeggiator with the ability to import the groove from any MIDI file for immediate synchronization to your beats. You can find all the details in the easy to read manual.

Alchemy uses remarkably little CPU given its many advanced features. Thanks to the great care that went into development, you can use many instances simultaneously on modern systems."

Fans gobbling up 'World's Biggest Pac-Man' game

If you wasted too many hours of workplace productivity playing Google's Pac-Man tribute, you'd better call in sick for this one.

To promote Namco-Bandai, the creators of the arcade classic, an Australian firm has created what it's calling the World's Biggest Pac-Man game.

And it's letting users make it even bigger.

Soap Creative, which designed the official Pac-Man website, rolled out the online game last week. Since then, players have gobbled up nearly 270 million dots and sacrificed the life of video-game history's hungriest golden orb more than 1.4 million times.

Maybe more impressively? Fans have helped created more than 12,600 interlocking mazes. Players can play on multiple mazes in a single game. The exits that let you zoom to the other side of a maze in the original version of the game transport you to the next maze in this one.

"It has been labeled 'an internet hit,' the world's biggest waste of time and time-wasting brilliance," the massive game's creatorswrote on their website. "All of which we are happy about."

The project grew out of a collaboration between Namco and Microsoft Australia, and uses HTML5, the emerging tool for building web applications (and the latest version of HTML, the most popular coding language).

Some of the user-created levels mimic the style of Pac-Man's original mazes. But many others add a new dash of creativity.

A glance at the game's main page shows mazes whose walls form images of robots, mushrooms, a yin-yang symbol and what appear to be several self-portraits.

Other mazes celebrate video-game classics like Sonic the Hedgehog, Mario Brothers and Space Invaders.

Of course, this being the internet, not all images are as creative, or in good taste.

The company says its constantly scanning new mazes for inappropriate images, including an anatomical favorite of juvenile minds everywhere.

"We're happy that the 'penis to non-penis levels' ratio is well below 1:100 (the standard for user generated campaigns) ...," the company wrote on its blog. "We've been watching the moderation closely, so every penis has a short life."

The Most Exclusive Tuesday Party only at Juliet in NYC

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Strawberry Mojito

I love to make mojitos. This is a refreshing cocktail.  Would you want it? What's your favorite drink?

Strawberry Mojito Recipe

1.5 ounces of simple syrup

3 fresh strawberries

5 fresh spearmint sprigs 

soda water

1/2 lime

2 ounces of light rum

1. In a chilled glass, muddle the simple syrup, strawberries and mint leaves together with the back of a spoon or muddler. Crush the strawberries and mint leaves well.
2. Squeeze the juice from the lime into the glass, add the rum and stir well. Fill glass with ice and top off with soda water.
3. Garnish with mint sprigs or strawberry slices. Makes 1 drink.

Amber Rose

Toshiba to be Sole Supplier of iPhone LCDs?

Plans to invest in a Sharp production facility have been reportedly dropped by Apple, with the company choosing instead to use Toshiba as the sole supplier of liquid crystal displays used in the iPhone.

A report in Japanese newspaper Nikkan Kogyu Shimbun claims that “Sharp was no longer a candidate for Apple’s investment,” and that the company wishes to avoid placing full dependancy on one country for the production of iPhone LCDs. It is believed the Tohoku area earthquake – which could have effected component production – may have persuaded Apple to think twice about its investment in two suppliers located in Japan.

Sharp has since issued a public statement denying the rumors, insisting that the report “contradicts the facts,” and requesting the paper retracts its report. If the rumors are true, however, it would be a substantial loss to Sharp.

Malaysia's anti-gay camp violates law says minister

A camp set up to correct the effeminate behaviour of Muslim schoolboys violates the law and should be abolished, says Malaysia's women's minister.

Sixty-six schoolboys identified by teachers as effeminate began counselling this week to discourage them from being gay.

They are undergoing four days of religious and physical education.

An education official said the camp was meant to guide the boys back "to a proper path in life".

But the women's minister, Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said singling out these children based on perceived feminine mannerisms was traumatising and harmful to their mental health.

The camp violates the Child Act, which protects children without prejudice, she said.

Gay rights groups have also criticised the measure, saying it promotes homophobia in the Muslim-majority country where gay sex is still illegal.

The schoolboys allegedly displayed "feminine mannerisms" - though educators in the conservative state of Terengganu did not detail what they were, the BBC's Jennifer Pak reports from Kuala Lumpur.

State officials say that, if left unchecked, the students - aged between 13 and 17 - could end up gay or transsexual.

They blame parents for encouraging boys to develop feminine traits, by dressing them up in girls' clothing at a young age.

Terengganu state's education director, Razali Daud, said the students were invited to join the camp and were not compelled to do so.

"As educators, we have to do something about it before the young ones misunderstand people and reach the point of no return," he was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.

Mr Razali says although homosexuals and transvestites exist in Malaysia, the authorities want to limit their number.

Homophobia

Gay sex is illegal in Malaysia and homosexuals say they face discrimination from government policies such as a law that makes sodomy punishable by 20 years in prison.

Activists say it is appalling that educators are persecuting children for expressing their personalities and identities.

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality said "corrective boot camps" violate the rights of people who are perceived as different.

"It should be strongly opposed and challenged as it promotes homophobia and prejudice," the group said in a statement.

"We should send a clear message to institutions that they have no business meddling with an individual's identity and personal preference."

A campaigner for sexual rights, Pang Khee Teik, described the camp as outrageous and an example of homophobia.

"All the students will learn from these camps is that they are expected to behave a certain way," said Mr Pang, co-founder of Seksualiti Merdeka.

"And in order to avoid further ridicule, perhaps they will learn to pretend better. In the end, we are only teaching them how to be a hypocrite."

Cancer breath test 'step closer'

A breath test that can sniff-out cancer is a step closer to reality, according to a preliminary study.

Researchers found an "electronic nose" was able to identify chemical signals of cancer in the breath of patients with lung or head and neck cancer.

A cancer charity said it would take years of research to see if the breath test could be used in the clinic.

About 80 volunteers took part in the Israeli research, published in the British Journal of Cancer.

Of these 22 had various head-and-neck cancers, 24 had lung cancer and 36 were healthy.

The prototype breath test uses a chemical method to spot markers of cancer present in the breath.

The hope is that one day such a test could be used in a GP's surgery to give an instant diagnosis.

'Urgent need'

Researchers at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology - are working on a device called the nano artificial nose.

They looked at head-and-neck cancer, which is often diagnosed late, making it more difficult to treat successfully.

Lead researcher, Professor Hossam Haick, said: "There's an urgent need to develop new ways to detect head-and-neck cancer because diagnosis of the disease is complicated, requiring specialist examinations.

"We've shown that a simple 'breath test' can spot the patterns of molecules which are found in head-and-neck patients in a small, early study.

"We now need to test these results in larger studies to find if this could lead to a potential screening method for the disease."

Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, said it was incredibly important to spot the disease as soon as possible when it was easier to treat successfully.

She added: "These interesting initial results show promise for the development of a breath test to detect head-and-neck cancers which are often diagnosed at an advanced stage.

"But it's important to be clear that this is a small study, at a very early stage, so many more years of research with patients will be needed to see if a breath test could be used in the clinic."

Happy Days actors sue over merchandise

Actors from the cast of Happy Days are suing CBS Studios for more than $10m (£6.1m) in damages, claiming they have been denied profits from merchandise.

They say CBS released DVDs and allowed their images to be used on products including lunchboxes and gambling machines without sharing revenue.

Anson Williams, who played Potsie, and Don Most - Ralph Malph in the sitcom - are among cast members who have brought the case in Los Angeles.

CBS was not available for comment.

The actors contend that a "if you don't ask, then we don't pay" policy conflict with contracts promising the cast a share of merchandise revenue.

The case is also being brought by Marion Ross, who played Marion Cunningham, Erin Moran (Joanie) and the estate of the late Tom Bosley, who played Howard.

Happy Days - which ran for 255 episodes for 10 years from 1974 - was set in the 1950s and 1960s and starred Henry Winkler as Arthur "the Fonz" Fonzarelli.

Neither Winkler or Ron Howard - who went on to become an Oscar-winning film director - are part of the claim.