Apparently, there’s only 100 (approx) days left for Christmas! I have to admit, do love Christmas time… mistletoe and wine. But first… we have our autumn to enjoy, the leaves to sweep up and get those hoodies out!
Heads up! – Tonight, I’ll be on BBC Radio Nottingham, just after 7pm, talking all things tech. It’s a regular thing, every few month I do, to keep the local community updated and informed about tech things that matter to them.
And with that, here’s my Top Two Tech Stories This week!
- Update those Apple Devices!
Apple’s iOS 14.8 was released on Monday, and the small update contains a big security fix. The latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system repairs a vulnerability reportedly exploited by invasive spyware called Pegasus that can potentially turn on your phone’s camera and microphone, and record messages, texts, emails and calls. (Though the odds of your iPhone or iPad being infected are low, you can still check to make sure your phone is not infected with Pegasus spyware!)
While iOS 14.7 brought some useful new features like MagSafe battery pack support for the iPhone 12 and managing timers on your HomePod, iOS 14.8 is just a security fix. It arrives right before iOS 15 is generally available to download on Monday, Sept. 20
So, even if you are thinking about updating to iOS15, suggest you get the security fix in as soon as possible.
2. Sir Clive Sinclair passes away
Inventor Sir Clive Sinclair, who popularised the home computer and invented the pocket calculator, has died at his London home aged 81.
His daughter Belinda Sinclair said he passed away on Thursday morning after having cancer for more than a decade.
Sir Clive’s products included the ZX series of computers and his ill-fated C5 electric vehicle.
He was still working on his inventions last week “because that was what he loved doing”, said Ms Sinclair.
“He was inventive and imaginative and for him it was exciting and an adventure, it was his passion,” she added.
His ZX Spectrum computers brought affordable personal computing to the masses – selling in their millions across the world.
However, in a BBC interview in 2013, Sir Clive revealed he did not, at that time, use computers himself.
“I don’t like distraction,” he explained.
“If I had a computer, I’d start thinking I could change this and that, and I don’t want to. My wife very kindly looks after that for me.”
Let’s put it simply like this – he was definitely ahead of his time.
There you go for this week. RIP Sir Clive Sinclair and update your Apple devices!