hoodnj's recent activity
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Comment on US FBI stymied by Apple’s Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist’s iPhone in ~tech
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Comment on US FBI stymied by Apple’s Lockdown Mode after seizing journalist’s iPhone in ~tech
hoodnj (edited )LinkDoes anyone here have experience with using Lockdown Mode? I’ve been trying to find clearer documentation on what exactly Lockdown Mode changes and what the impact might be if I were to toggle it...Does anyone here have experience with using Lockdown Mode? I’ve been trying to find clearer documentation on what exactly Lockdown Mode changes and what the impact might be if I were to toggle it on and off frequently. I want to understand it better, but I don’t have a spare device to experiment with, and I’m hesitant to risk messing with my daily driver right now.
For instance, does Lockdown Mode disable biometric authentication, particularly for unlocking the device? I haven’t been able to find a definitive yes or no answer to that.
I’m planning a trip to China later this year and I want to know if Lockdown Mode is sufficient to protect my device and personal data. If it isn’t, I’m considering leaving my main phone at home and bringing a burner phone with only the bare essentials instead.
Edit: to all the replies mentioning how disabling biometrics would not truly help with my concerns about leaving the country, you’re absolutely right and I think the way I phrased my questions was pretty poor. Here are my two questions more clearly outlined:
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What all does Lockdown Mode do?
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I’m planning a trip to China and have been reading about personal device safety. I’ve learned that some businesses provide their employees with loaner devices for such trips, which are then destroyed upon return. My main concern isn’t being stopped and forced to unlock my phone, as I understand that if that happens, my device is compromised, and I would need to wipe it or get a new one upon returning home. Instead, I’m worried about a remote infection that could access my accounts and personal information without my knowledge. Would enabling Lockdown Mode be sufficient to prevent this? I understand that if someone is determined enough, there may be no foolproof solution, but I’m simply taking reasonable precautions as someone who they have no reason target and doesn’t work for the government or a defense contractor or anything like that.
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Comment on Netflix kills casting from phones in ~tech
hoodnj Link ParentCan you please share more about what you mean? I am getting to the point of looking for alternatives to these streaming services including getting a NAS to start a home media server, but I want to...Can you please share more about what you mean? I am getting to the point of looking for alternatives to these streaming services including getting a NAS to start a home media server, but I want to make sure I cover all of my bases first.
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Comment on I have been using a neo-dumbphone for a week, here are my thoughts in ~tech
hoodnj LinkI have also been using the Minimal Phone as my main device for about 3 months now and just took it on a week long trip to Ireland! I plan to do a write up on the experience but the short of it is...I have also been using the Minimal Phone as my main device for about 3 months now and just took it on a week long trip to Ireland! I plan to do a write up on the experience but the short of it is that its been great to use. I actually have 2 of them and plan to post my second one online for sale but if anyone on here is interested feel free to reach out!
I also just found out that the space button on the keyboard does not work in the Three Cheers app which I've never seen before so thats interesting. i had to type this up in a note and then copy/paste.
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Comment on Do dumbphones actually… work? (realistic week in the life) in ~tech
hoodnj (edited )LinkI have been using the Minimal Phone (the one with the keyboard in the video) for a few weeks now as my full-time device. There are definitely some bugs and limitations, but I am well versed in the...I have been using the Minimal Phone (the one with the keyboard in the video) for a few weeks now as my full-time device. There are definitely some bugs and limitations, but I am well versed in the Android space (I used to flash custom ROMs/kernels all the time) and willing to tinker with it so overall I love it. I did not get it to stop "doom scrolling" but it would definitely help with that if that is what you are looking for; I got it for the following reasons:
- I need a fully featured smartphone because of work (Teams, etc.)
- I want to read more and I have found the convenience of having a book always on me is the best way to encourage me to do so; reading on the e-paper display is 100% better than a normal LCD or OLED screen. In the short time I have had it I have read 2 books, The Way of Kings being one of them
- I look at screens enough in my life already, its nice to have something easier on the eyes to use
Feel free to ask any questions, I know its not the cheapest device so I understand why someone might be hesitant to try it out!
Side note: speaking of bugs, I just discovered one with the Three Cheers app for Android on the Minimal phone where for some reason it will not register the space key.
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Comment on Every tech YouTuber is talking about the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge now, so here’s a TLDR in ~tech
hoodnj LinkI'll throw a different opinion out there as a pretty big smartphone innovation fan: I welcome this thinner smartphone trend. I have an issue with the weight (and size) of phones and would like it...I'll throw a different opinion out there as a pretty big smartphone innovation fan: I welcome this thinner smartphone trend.
I have an issue with the weight (and size) of phones and would like it if someone could make a small, thin phone that has decent battery life. I don't use cases (unless I need to add magsafe, then I will use the slimmest and lightest case possible) and I am not in a position where a long battery life is necessary since I can charge at home, work, and in the car.
All that said, I don't plan to get this device and wouldn't upgrade solely to have a slimmer phone, but it will be a consideration of mine when the time comes. I also think the price of this phone is very high and, given how much you can generally save on a Samsung phone by waiting a few months, I would recommend everyone do that instead of you are interested.
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Comment on Building cross-platform offline-first apps with Bluetooth Low Energy in ~tech
hoodnj LinkAwesome write-up, thank you for sharing! Do you (or anyone else) know of any commercially available applications that are ready using this technology?Awesome write-up, thank you for sharing! Do you (or anyone else) know of any commercially available applications that are ready using this technology?
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Comment on It looks like Facebook will be forcing me to switch to Messenger. What are my options? in ~tech
hoodnj Link ParentThis looks awesome, I just got on the list. I used to try and move all my friends and family to a specific app but it would never stick so I just gave up and resigned myself to having 8+ different...This looks awesome, I just got on the list. I used to try and move all my friends and family to a specific app but it would never stick so I just gave up and resigned myself to having 8+ different messaging apps for the rest of my life. This could be a game changer. Anyone have an estimate for how long the wait might be?
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Comment on Netflix subscriptions jump as US password-sharing crackdown begins in ~tv
hoodnj Link ParentMy problem with not just Netflix but all the streaming services is that I constantly run into things I still can't watch. It's infuriating to pay for Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max (or whatever...My problem with not just Netflix but all the streaming services is that I constantly run into things I still can't watch. It's infuriating to pay for Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max (or whatever they are currently calling it), Amazon prime, etc. and still not be able to watch a movie I want to watch. Just last night I wanted to watch the Fast and the Furious movies because I've never seen them and it seems like they are on none of the streaming services I have access to.
To me it's still an access issue where I can't access the content I want to watch despite paying ~$50 a month. I'm not a pirate and I don't currently plan to become one but I can easily understand why people are going that route given the current streaming climate.
Thanks for giving it a try! Crazy to me that turning it on doesn’t disable biometrics, I would think that’s the least it would do given the name and purpose of the mode. I also edited my original comment to address what everyone was saying about biometrics.