I don’t know about you, but the days are just blurring together and I’m losing track of time. I’ve gained a few pounds, my wife won’t let me shave because she likes the beard, and the kids are driving us crazy. It’s not easy to live in quarantine, but you’re stronger than you think. It’s easy to let the news overwhelm you, but don’t let it. To help distract you from the boredom, I’ll be recommending a new tech thing you can download, purchase, or try to learn something new, gain a skill, or have fun once a week. Check out the first article on ProCreate and let me know what you think.

If it’s Thursday, it’s time for Mark Starling and I to recap this week’s tech stories. As you may have guessed, COVID-19 overshadows most news, but we’ll do what we can to keep it light while keeping you synchronized. You can listen LIVE to Mark and I, every Thursday at 6:43 am Eastern by tuning into First News 570 online or via the iHeartRadio app.

UK PM CRITICIZED FOR USING ZOOM

For real, for real, last weekend, I played two DnD campaigns, had a virtual happy hour, and co-watched Tiger King using video conferencing apps. Yesterday, the UK Prime Minister has been criticized for using Zoom for communicating with self-isolating ministers. The government began using the tool for ministers who were self-isolating themselves during the rise of COVID-19. Globally, video conferencing software has seen its day in the light as many corporations and individuals have begun using the tools to stay connected. Zoom is one of the more popular tools, but has come under scrutiny with its lax security controls, and potential for being zoom bombed. Reports are coming stating that some Zoom calls have been porn-bombed by people breaking security. One such incident happened to one of my friends.

APPLE LETS CARD HOLDERS SKIP APRIL

The state of the world is causing a sad time for many businesses. I’ve seen shops close temporarily, and for good since the quarantine limited foot traffic. Some businesses are figuring out ways to seek relief for their employees and customers. Apple has setup a Customer Assistance Program to give Apple Card holders the option of deferring their March 2020 credit card payment, and extended its grace period. All you have to do is open the Wallet app and submit a support request asking for enrollment in the Customer Assistance Program. I think this is a good move by a company that has a very loyal customer base.

EU PLANS TO USE SMARTPHONE TECH TO FIGHT CORONAVIRUS

EU technology companies and Union officials are close to launching the Pan-European Privacy Preserving Proximity Tracing system to combat the spread of the coronavirus. The idea is bringing 130 experts from 8 European countries together to build a system that tracks the location of smartphone users who tested positive for COVID-19, and the movements of smartphone users in proximity with an infected person. An app will alert the user that someone infected with COVID-19 is nearby. Some leaders are in favor of the plan as long as usage of the app is voluntary. Similar tracing was used to break up large gatherings in New York City. I’m wondering if a technology like this will have the effect of having people orderly disperse or insight varying levels of panic. It remains to be seen, but epidemiologists are saying infection tracing will be the key to flattening the curve.

If you listen to my weekly segment, please tell your friends, and please share the blog. Be careful out there, and stay safe.