Sunday, May 28, 2017

Court Rules Against Registering Drones

Drone
Earlier this month, a federal appeals court ruled against the US Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) policy for registering drones.

This decision should mean that most hobby drone pilots will not need to register their drones with the FAA or even keep their current registration up-to-date. (*See legal note below)

We previously wrote about this harsh requirement two years ago.

In the ruling from May 19, 2017, John A. Taylor v Federation Aviation Administration, the court ruled against the FAA's regulations.   Specifically, the court found that the agency does not have authority to regulate model aircraft:

In short, Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act prohibits the FAA from promulgating “any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft.” The Registration Rule is a rule regarding model aircraft. Therefore, the Registration Rule is unlawful to the extent that it applies to model aircraft.

But the court's ruling is not all inclusive.

Pilots of drones used for commercial use--- even piloted by a hobbyist -- still appear to need to register and maintain a drone registration for their model aircraft.

Most importantly, all drone users must continue to pilot their drones in a safe, responsible and legal manner.

The FAA released a statement on the ruling:
We are carefully reviewing the U.S. Court of Appeals decision as it relates to drone registrations. The FAA put registration and operational regulations in place to ensure that drones are operated in a way that is safe and does not pose security and privacy threats. We are in the process of considering our options and response to the decision.
We continue to encourage registration for all drone operators.
###
So have fun with your drones.  Be safe out there!
* Legal notice.  We're not lawyers.  We don't even play lawyers on TV.  Heck, we don't even watch actors playing lawyers on TV anymore.  So, nothing in this post or on the One Cool Tip site should be construed as legal advice.  Seek qualified legal advice regarding flying your drone.  Seek qualified legal advice on living your life.

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#drone #FAA #UAS #UnmannedAircraftSysten #plane #remote #onecooltip

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Amazon Alexa Now Lets You Make Calls

Amazon's internet-connected speakers now lets you call other Echo devices hands-free.

Amazon Echo
Using the Alexa-powered skill is easy.  You just have to ask Alexa to call one of your contact and your contact's device will start ringing.

To work, you'll need to register your Echo device using the Alexa app.

And your contact also needs to have a registered Echo device connected or use the Alexa app for iOS or Android.

You can also send audio messages to your contacts.

Contacts who also have an Echo device and have registered for the calling feature will be listed in your Alexa app.  You can also call them directly from the app.

At this time, Alex can't call regular telephone numbers.

Not surprisingly, Google announced voice calling to regular phone numbers for their Google Home device.  But calling other Home devices is not yet supported.

To learn more about Alexa calling, check out the Alexa Calling Help Site from Amazon.


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#Amazon #Echo #Alexa #phone #calls

Friday, May 26, 2017

iPhone Calculator Hack Your Never Knew!

The Apple iPhone has a hidden feature that's been hiding in plain sight for years.

iPhone Calculator
Do you know this secret hack?

To backspace as you are entering a number, just swipe left or right on the calculator's display line.

Doing so will wipe out the last number character you entered.

And for all this time we were clearing the entire number!

The iPhone still has secrets to give up.

Now don't we feel silly we didn't know this sooner?



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#iphone #calculator #apple #ios #app

Sunday, May 21, 2017

Google Assistant Now on iPhone

Google Assistant iPhone
The long wait is over.  Google Assistant is now available for the iPhone.

And it works like the Android version.

Apple's personal assistant Siri now has serious competition on the iPhone.

Let Google Assistant help you make phone calls, answer your questions and keep you organized in your daily Google life!

Since Apple restricts apps from having access to all iPhone functions, Google Assistant can't always fully interact with the iPhone.  But the ease of use to access your Google services makes up for this.

The new app is available now in the iTunes store.  Download the app   HERE (fixed).


Learn more about Google Assistant at Google.


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#Google #assistant #iphone #googleassistant #ios

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Stop Amazon Ads from Stalking You on Facebook

Does it feel like Amazon is stalking you?

It can when you search for an item on Amazon and then see ads for that very same item when you next log on to Facebook.




I always feel like somebody's watching me
And I have no privacy (oh oh oh)
I always feel like somebody's watching me
Tell me, is it just a dream

Michael Jackson's "Somebody's Watching Me"

This creepy collaboration between Amazon and Facebook is not uncommon or unique.

But if you know where to look, you can minimize it from happening to you.

Here's how.

Facebook Mobile App
Go to Settings and then tap Ads
Tap "Can you see online interest-based ads from Facebook?"
Tap "Off"

This will stop interest-based ads across all of your devices.

Facebook Website
To change the option on your PC, visit facebook.com/ads/settings.


While logged on to Facebook on your PC, be sure also to click "No" to the option, "Can your Facebook ad preferences be used to show you ads on apps and websites off of the Facebook Companies?”  

This will stop Facebook from sharing your interests on other websites that collaborate with Facebook.
Other Sites
Facebook is not alone in showing interest-based ads.  Other major websites also default to creepy, stalking ad preferences.  You can change your ad preferences on GoogleAmazon and Microsoft
Change Your Preferences on iPhone and Android
You can also change your preferences on your iPhone or Android mobile devices.  Here's how.
iPhone
Settings > Privacy > Advertising, and turn on “Limit Ad Tracking.”  Learn more at Apple's support site.
Android 
Settings > Google > Ads. Tap “Opt out of Interest-based Ads.” This setting is just for Google-based ads, however.  Learn more at Google's support site.
That's it.  Enjoy.

Stop Amazon Ads from Stalking You on Facebook

Does it feel like Amazon is stalking you?

It can when you search for an item on Amazon and then see ads for that very same item when you next log on to Facebook.




I always feel like somebody's watching me
And I have no privacy (oh oh oh)
I always feel like somebody's watching me
Tell me, is it just a dream

Michael Jackson's "Somebody's Watching Me"

This creepy collaboration between Amazon and Facebook is not uncommon or unique.

But if you know where to look, you can minimize it from happening to you.

Here's how.

Facebook Mobile App
Go to Settings and then tap Ads
Tap "Can you see online interest-based ads from Facebook?"
Tap "Off"

This will stop interest-based ads across all of your devices.

Facebook Website
To change the option on your PC, visit facebook.com/ads/settings.


While logged on to Facebook on your PC, be sure also to click "No" to the option, "Can your Facebook ad preferences be used to show you ads on apps and websites off of the Facebook Companies?”  

This will stop Facebook from sharing your interests on other websites that collaborate with Facebook.
Other Sites
Facebook is not alone in showing interest-based ads.  Other major websites also default to creepy, stalking ad preferences.  You can change your ad preferences on GoogleAmazon and Microsoft
Change Your Preferences on iPhone and Android
You can also change your preferences on your iPhone or Android mobile devices.  Here's how.
iPhone
Settings > Privacy > Advertising, and turn on “Limit Ad Tracking.”  Learn more at Apple's support site.
Android 
Settings > Google > Ads. Tap “Opt out of Interest-based Ads.” This setting is just for Google-based ads, however.  Learn more at Google's support site.
That's it.  Enjoy.

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Avoid That Speeding Ticket. Waze App Now Warns With Speed Limits

Waze Navigation App
What's the Speed Limit?

If you've ever asked yourself that question, let the new speed limit feature in the Waze app help you.

When driving in an area where the feature is working, you'll receive an alert letting you know the speed limit and your current speed.

Waze Speed Limit

You can change the speed over the limit that the app alerts you in the Waze settings.

The new feature started this spring but new areas have been added.

Enjoy!


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#Waze  #Android #iPhone #iOS #Google #Speed #Limit