The WAN Show - Apple vs The Feds, Round 2.. FIGHT! - Feb 19, 2016

The WAN Show episode dated February 19, 2016 covers a wide range of technology news and ongoing debates around security, privacy, and consumer devices. The show opens with a rapid recap of major topics, highlighting a federal court order for Apple to assist the FBI in decrypting the San Bernardino iPhone 5c, and Apple’s public open letter responding to the government demand. The hosts discuss the implications of a potential back door in iOS, stressing the distinction between lawful access and creating a universal vulnerability. They emphasize Apple’s stance that building a back door would undermine user privacy and security, and they examine the broader ecosystem pressures from competitors who are less privacy conscious. The segment frames the legal battle as a battle over what kind of security standard should apply to encrypted devices and who should control the keys to access them. The hosts also touch on public figures and opinions surrounding the case, including John McAfee who claims he could decrypt the device without a back door and even entertains a Libertarian presidential bid. They assess the political and legal ramifications if a back door were accepted or rejected by the courts, noting potential escalations to higher courts and even the Supreme Court. The conversation then shifts to Microsoft and government pressure on Windows 10, with the Pentagon reportedly mandating deployment to millions of devices, which the hosts analyze in terms of security, identity verification, and the implications of biometric features like Windows Hello. The discussion expands to consumer hardware leaks, including the HP Elite X3 and its positioning as a Windows 10 mobile device, and they explain how Continuum aims to enable a desktop experience from a mobile device. The show then pivots to a look at a low cost smartphone from Ringing Bells, the Freedom 251, priced at roughly $4, and they dissect the feasibility, distribution strategy, and potential drawbacks of such a subsidized device for a developing market. Throughout the program, the hosts intersperse sponsor segments for Squarespace, Lynda.com, and Dollar Shave Club, maintaining their usual blend of tech talk and promotional reads. They discuss ReFlex, a bendable full color smartphone concept with haptic feedback that could simulate page turning, and they consider how such flexible devices might influence content consumption, gaming, and user interaction in the future. The conversation also delves into Caterpillar’s foray into smartphones, exploring how rugged hardware strategies are used to address extreme conditions and enterprise needs. The WAN Show includes a segment on Apple’s Response to the iPhone update issue known as Error 53, which bricked devices and prompted debate about supplier control and security proofs. They touch on the idea of long term data storage, referencing 5-dimensional discs claimed to store data for billions of years, then pivot to a rumor about Twitter shadowbanning and what that would mean for social media moderation and reach. As the episode progresses, they reflect on broader issues of platform security, open letters from tech leaders, and the balance between privacy, security, and accessibility in a connected world. Finally, the hosts close by summarizing why these issues matter for developers, enterprises, and everyday users, connecting the dots between court rulings, government mandates, and consumer choices in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Topics · technology · security · privacy · government_policy · consumer_electronics · business_news · enterprise_tech · networking