robteix's comments

robteix | 1 year ago | on: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max

Honest question: why though? If someone uses a language other than English on their phone, the feature is quite literally useless to them, isn't it? I don't get why they're "self centered" for saying so.

I think it's quite telling that one of the main new features of the new iPhones won't even be available until next year for most of the world.

robteix | 4 years ago | on: My small revenge on Apple

I'm confused about the "revenge" aspect of this. Seems like you're doing what Apple is asking you to do -- implementing Apple Sign-In -- and then going the extra mile to make sure your users have a worse experience than they should otherwise have. How is that revenge on Apple?

robteix | 5 years ago | on: Facebook is pushing back on Apple’s new iPhone privacy rules

> Apple some time ago recognized that they won't be able to compete on software with other BigTech giants so they are building an environment where certain software advancements are crippled. User activity data will be important to tune algorithms for maximum utility and by restricting access to user data for others, Apple wants to give itself the best shot to stay in the game.

That seems off to me. Apple isn't crippling anything, they're giving their users the choice of opting in/out of tracking. If, as you say, choosing not being tracked makes the users' experiences so bad, they can simply opt-in and all will be good again. What am I missing?

robteix | 5 years ago | on: Judge in Google case disturbed that 'incognito' users are tracked

> It doesn't seem like the complaint is that Chrome collects data on you in "Incognito" mode, rather that websites (e.g. Google Analytics) still collect on you in "Incognito" mode.

Isn't that a distinction without a difference though? It's not Chrome, it's Google Analytics. It's all Google in the end, isn't it?

robteix | 5 years ago | on: TikTok: All under-16s' accounts made private

Such a different experience. I keep telling everyone how Tik Tok is the most positive social media experience. All I see is people dancing and comedy sketches. My wife sees some more "mom" jokes, but still the same overall feel.

I've never seen anything like what you're describing. Amazing how the algorithm can make experiences completely different.

robteix | 5 years ago | on: Facebook's attempt to vilify Apple looks like sour grapes

None of this is hidden though. We have the absolute choice of not using Apple products. Simple. None of this seems relevant to the discussion at hand either. We can definitely disagree with two companies at the same time.

Facebook is objecting to allowing people to know that they're being tracked everywhere by them. Lots of people don't really understand how that works. I think this is a good thing Apple is doing in this particular case.

robteix | 5 years ago | on: Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla and the Unfortunate Implications

> French Canada doesn't like the rest of Canada and vise versa.

Please stop these generalizations that are borderline racist. I personally have nothing against the English, for example. If you hate us so much, that's on you.

Go watch, say, The Last Kingdom on Netflix. It wasn't made by Ubisoft or French Canadians. And yet the depiction of English vs Danes is pretty much the same: the cowardly christians with their silly religion. That's the POV of one character. It is flawed as well. But it has nothing to do with French Canadians, come on.

> I'm just saying that given their cultural baggage (as a group) this is likely to a blind spot where they're less likely to notice.

I'm sorry but you seem to be showing your own "cultural baggage" here and projecting it onto others.

robteix | 5 years ago | on: Uber is laying off 3,700, as rides plummet due to Covid-19

Sales, marketing, legal in every market they operate in. Remember they don't have to deal only with different countries, but different states and municipalities in each of them, each with their own laws and ordnances and lobbying needs.

robteix | 6 years ago | on: Which of these Amazon Prime purchases are real?

Super fast and cheap shipping is a big deal. Easy returns.

I have several issues with Amazon the company, but any time I buy something only from any other vendor I'm reminded of what makes Amazon different.

robteix | 6 years ago | on: Off-Facebook activity

Literally the first result in the list of companies that shared data about me with FB is my pharmacy. My pharmacy! That's just... wrong.

robteix | 6 years ago | on: CBP and ICE DNA Collection [pdf]

Effective January 6, 2020, CBP will begin collecting DNA from any person in CBP custody who is subject to fingerprinting. This will include aliens as well as United States citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (U.S. Persons).

robteix | 6 years ago | on: My Talk at Microsoft

> There are those who think that Microsoft invited me to speak in the hope of seducing me away from the free software cause.

> Others assert that inviting me was opposition research and nothing more.

Honestly, why would Microsoft in 2019 even need to either convince RMS to give up free software or to research him at all?

robteix | 6 years ago | on: The Most Intolerant Wins: The Dictatorship of the Small Minority (2015)

It seems to me that the minority can dictate things that are inconsequential to the majority.

Take the halal example: as the author says, the kosher eater won't eat non-halal food, but non-kosher eaters don't mind eating halal. If it wasn't so, I don't think a Kosher minority would be able to impose anything.

Seems like the author is picking and choosing examples.

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