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Tech News and Commentary
Dave and the team discuss cellphone coverage, Netflix and chill’d ice cream, Facebook and Android, Super Bowl ads, Huawei’s perception, a car seat alarm, a fake traffic jam in Berlin, and more.
Maryanne in Windsor, Ontario listens on AM800 CKLW “The Information Station” and asked: “How do you know who owns which phone? Apple phones are Apple. It seems Google is on most phones. Sometimes I just want less tech. And how do you know if an app is going to connect itself to the Internet?”
Maryanne, Apple does own the iPhone line and iOS, the operating system that powers them. Google just licenses the Android operating system, it doesn’t make every Android phone, so who manufactures each device will vary and there are probably hundreds of companies manufacturing Android devices.
As for how to know which app will connect to the internet, you can assume that virtually every single app you install will connect to the internet.
Your photo gallery is probably backing your pictures up online, any app that contains ads will connect to the internet, be they games or productivity apps, weather apps, email apps, notes, reminders, music apps, maps, really just about everything on your phone will try to connect to the internet.
You can pretty much assume that if you’re installing an app on your phone, it will eventually try to get online.
Pat asked: “I have a simpli safe system in my home but it is wireless and the motion detector and siren runs on batteries. When the batteries die it does not warn you that the motion detector will not sound an alarm if triggered. So if we go out and set the system, and had a break in, the motion detector would pick up the intruder but the alarm would not sound. Are there any motion detector systems that do not rely on batteries to power the alarm?”
Pat, SimpliSafe is compatible with SimpliSafe equipment, there are some non-SimpliSafe devices that play well with their security system, but most do not.
Their sensors are all battery-operated, so if you’re set on getting hardwired sensors, then you’re probably looking into ditching them for another brand.
Of the internet-centric brands, Ring is the main one that will work with older style or existing wired sensors.
Other than that, you’re likely going to have to look for a modern system by a traditional security company like ADT. These days, they have modern alarm systems with the features you’d expect from any high-tech alarm company, but they also still offer hardwired devices with some of their systems.
Keep in mind that a hardwired system involves an installation that is much more involved than putting some batteries in and sticking or screwing a sensor to a wall. You will probably have to pay for an installation like that.
Hiding all the wiring will be tough too and you may end up with some visible wires or channels in some places.
If those are not dealbreakers for you, look for any traditional alarm company that has been around since before everything went “smart”, odds are they’re offering the middle ground between a modern alarm and a traditional installation that you’re looking for.
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