Let the ink flow

Let the ink flow: HP’s recent firmware updates block cheaper non-HP ink. HP says it’s for security and to stop counterfeits. Yeah, sure. The folks suing say they were bait-and-switched, and they want repayment for their now-useless off-brand cartridges — plus, a ban on restrictive printer software. I hope they win.

Tags: ban, firmware updates, ink, security, software, updates


Your data is worth big money — and you can take it back

“Call me for a good time.” That simple message prompted more creepy calls and texts than you can believe. A woman contacted me after someone posted that message — alongside her cellphone number — on a porn site.

Continue reading

Trivia

What smartphone manufacturer ships the most models worldwide each year? Is it … A.) Apple, B.) Samsung, C.) Xiaomi or D.) Motorola?

Find the answer here

400% more grid capacity 

By updating U.S. power lines instead of building new ones. Reconductoring would allow us to get 90% of our power from renewable energy by 2035. Countries are already doing it worldwide. I say it’s time we get current with our tech — but, of course, there are always resistors.

Let me tell you, modern technology has never matched the simplicity and grace of the traditional pen. In fact, you could say that there is still no e-quill. (Bet you didn’t see that coming!)

15% annual increases in cybercrime 

That will lead to $13.8 trillion in losses by 2028. The U.S. GDP — the largest economy in the world — is $25.5 trillion. (It’s followed by China at $17.9 trillion and Japan at $4.2 trillion.) Cybercrime is now a world economic leader. That’s just a bad phish-cal policy.

33% of rideshare drivers have had a crash on the job

Phone use, unruly passengers and long hours are all crash culprits. Definitely buckle up.

53% of young women have been digitally harassed

Those aged 18 to 29 have been sent unwanted sexual pictures online. And it’s not just young women: 32% of all women and 30% of men have been cyberflashed. A new bill in Congress will make these pics illegal. Call it the anti-junk bill.

Trivia

Remember pagers? Be-e-e-e-p. They’ve mostly faded into the tech graveyard, but thousands are still alive-ish and kickin’ in the U.S. Can you guess how many pagers are active today? Is it … A.) 8,000, B.) 80,000, C.) 800,000 or D.) 8 million?

Find the answer here

3.3 million recalled Kia and Hyundai models

And they must stay parked until fixed. The companies each recalled over a million cars last year due to faulty parts that led to fires. They’ve finally started contacting owners to schedule repairs.

500,000 Starlink users added since December

SpaceX’s satellite internet system now has 2.7 million users. Elon Musk says Starlink’s profits will largely pay for his efforts to colonize Mars — and, of course, provide stellar internet service to people there.