apps

Closing Apps in iOS?

If you're using an iPhone or iPad running the iOS operating system, should you close an app after using it, or periodically close all apps that you've opened during the day? Here are two articles that say no:

https://www.komando.com/happening-now/409554/one-mistake-you-should-never-make-with-your-apps-when-trying-to-save-battery-power

https://daringfireball.net/2017/07/you_should_not_force_quit_apps

Prior to reading the above I had thought that apps, once used, remained running in the background and consumed a slight bit of operating memory. Apparently this is no longer true. Background apps, it seems, are 'frozen' and no longer consume operating memory.

This is good to know, and I'll not worry about closing background apps.

Jim Hamm

App Security Protection

If you use Facebook, Twitter or Google apps, here is an article you may want to read about improving your security. There is a section discussing how to do a security checkup, which I found interesting. Out of curiosity, I clicked the Google checkup and, voila!, I was surprised at the info on me that came up.

Remember, Google knows everything and never forgets. Time for you to do your security checkup.

Jim Hamm

The Epidemic Has Begun

        After you've viewed Jim Hamm's alert (just below) go to this other article at How To Geek (Mac OS X isn’t safe anymore. The crapware/malware epidemic has begun).        See illustrated examples of screens that are “like the Old Faithful of bundled crapware.” Examples show Yahoo, CNET downloads, OpenOffice, fake Java messages, MacKeeper, etc. It discusses the plist file, and says to restrict Apps that aren’t from the App store.

Immediately Check Your Apps

        Two days ago this urgent notice was printed with the notice "iOS users should immediately check the status of any apps they use, especially if the apps convey bank account numbers or other sensitive personal information."  Take a look:  keep informed.  http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/04/24/critical-https-bug-may-open-25000-ios-apps-to-eavesdropping-attacks/#p3 

Apps That Are Vulnerable

        Alert and aware! We spare ourselves a lot of trouble by keeping informed.  The ArsTechnica article of April 20 declares about 1,500 iPhone and iPad apps contain a vulnerability that makes it easy for your encrypted passwords, bank account numbers and other sensitive information to be intercepted.  The article of April 20 needs your attention. http://arstechnica.com/security/2015/04/1500-ios-apps-have-https-crippling-bug-is-one-of-them-on-your-device/

Walmart App Saves You Money

        Jim Hamm gets our attention with "If you occasionally shop at Wally World, a blogger wrote the the following about an app that is available. It might be worth checking out."  
        "If you shop at Walmart you might want to check out their Savings Catcher Program.  Just download the Walmart app for your phone and then use it to scan your Walmart receipts.  There is a QR code at the bottom of every Walmart receipt that looks like this:  


        "Just use the Walmart app to scan the code and then WM will compare what you paid to prices at other stores in the area.  If they find a lower price, they credit you with the difference.  
        "So far in the last several months, we've gotten a little over $17 back.  You can collect it by printing out an e-card at home and then use it at the checkout.  So, check it out." 

Apps: Adobe and Alternatives

        "Sometime in the past you installed software from Adobe. When you did this, it scattered a bazillion files all over the place on your Mac. Now you want to delete the Adobe software. Good luck finding all the cruft!" exclaims Past Prez Art Gorski.  
        He goes on,  "Utility programs that claim to be able to uninstall software for you fail miserably when faced with the Adobe challenge.  Here’s a good on-line discussion of the involved procedure needed to absolutely clean this stuff off your computer:"  http://www.macintouch.com/readerreports/applications/topic3000-026.html#d12aug2014 

Apps on Sale

         "Get 'em while they're hot!" smiles John Carter.  Here's his find:  "CNET News is showing another sale for Mac apps that some of our members might want to jump on.

        "For only $19.99 you can get (supposedly) $1,776 worth of apps. The apps include BoinxTV, MacJournal, Toon Boom Studio, AccountEdge Pro, iSale, Picturesque, Starry Night Pro, Xojo Desktop, and a mystery item." Take a look: http://tinyurl.com/kf9zl45

Apple In-App Purchases

          Jim Hamm finds some interesting info.  "Here is an article summarizing the recent FTC ruling on children being able to make in-app purchases and perhaps ringing up a big $ cost. And here is an article by Consumer Reports wherein Google's Play Store allows the same thing, but no FTC involvement there. One wonders why?
        "If, say, you log in to Apple or Google to purchase an app or two, and enter your password, you want the password to remain open for a period of time so you can browse and make purchases without having to constantly reentering your password.

         When you're done, log out so your children -- or anyone else -- can't pick up your device and start making purchases. However, it seems the password remained in cache for a period of time after logging out, and would be available to anyone."
        Jim concludes with, "It seems to me Apple should have corrected this cache problem much quicker, and that the FTC should also look into Google Play store as well, and not just Apple."

You Can Sandbox Flash Player

          You can Sandbox Flash Player in Safari for OS Mavericks as described and explained in this article http://techland.time.com/2013/10/24/finally-you-can-sandbox-flash-player-in-safari-for-os-x-mavericks/ 
        What’s an “app sandbox?.  Here’s Apple’s guide to this protection for your security. https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/documentation/Security/Conceptual/AppSandboxDesignGuide/AboutAppSandbox/AboutAppSandbox.html 

Do NOT Install MacKeeper

        Here's an important notice from John Carter:  "It was just brought to my attention by Betsy Barnes that MacKeeper is one of the apps that you do not want to install on your Mac.

        "The reasons are various. It has been described as highly invasive malware, but this is probably because it pops up in your face every time you drag an application to the trash (the preferred method is to use AppCleaner to delete an application), and then often after dragging anything to the trash. 
        "Malware is anything that is hostile, intrusive, or annoying. So if being reminded that MacKeeper can clean up your computer is annoying, then MacKeeper is malware. By this logic, Apple's Notification Center can be annoying and therefor it is malware.
        "MacKeeper does this as a way of 'helping' you keep your computer running lean and fast. Does it really? 
        "A simple query in Safari returns dozens of complaints about MacKeeper. For one user who bought a MacBook Pro and then installed MacKeeper, he started having freezes and crashes. A scan of the logs clearly showed MacKeeper as involved in every crash and freeze (See the full report here.)
        "Additionally, one user has attempted to get a refund and is still waiting for it after being told three times he will get it."
        John concludes, "For what it's worth, I am no longer even suggesting that MacKeeper be used on a Mac. Use AppCleaner to remove apps and the rest can be trusted to just dumping it into the Trash.
        For further reading, see this article on "Do not install MacKeeper."

Your Smartphone Might Save Your Life

        A nine-minute video TV interview is a must-see;  a smartphone could be the future of medicine.  We thank Jim Hamm for this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=r13uYs7jglg  
       Jim comments, "Here is an intriguing video on a way to possibly help contain burgeoning medical costs: use a smartphone for diagnostics." 
         In this video Dr. Eric Topol discusses and demonstrates the use of a smart phone and new apps that can monitor your health and possibly save your life.  
        Take a look at http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/01/25/doctors-see-apples-iphone-as-life-saver-in-the-future-of-medicine  

An Armchair Tour via iOS Device

        "Are you somewhat of a history buff? Would you like to take an armchair visual tour of a variety of archaeological sites, museums, etc, from around the world?" asks Jim Hamm. He goes on, " Here is a link to ten history apps for the iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch you might take a look at."
        Do these apps come up on a computer, too?  "I don't think so.  Only on an iOS device."