Tech Sightings:
Editors Note: Techtonics is taking November 13 off. Will return next week.
A woman demonstrates the use of the application “Promo C-Ou” on her smartphone at the Carrefour supermarket in Lille, France, Nov. 5, 2015. (Reuters)
We’re Watching You: Carrefour Lights Have Eyes
Almost three-quarters of British retailers are using new technologies, including facial recognition software, to track customers in stores. French retailer, Carrefour, started using a marketing tool that tracks your movements and beams data to your smartphone via light pulses undetectable to the eye, to guide you to the right shelves for tailored special offers.
Yik Yak Posts Aren’t as Anonymous as Users Believe
The Yik Yak social media app is popular among college students, but it’s not as anonymous as they believe. The app provides a feed of anonymized comments from people physically around them, such as on the same college campus. It’s by far the most widely adopted, anonymous, location-based applications at schools. However, fine print says the service can disclose to police each user’s Internet protocol address and GPS coordinates, along with details about the phone or tablet, and date and time for each message. In an emergency the company may provide details without a subpoena or other legal instrument.
Windows 10’s First Major Update Is Arriving Today
More than 110 million machines are now running Windows 10. The first major update will include a number of fixes. One of the noticeable differences is a new colored title bar for desktop apps. Another change is the introduction of Skype integration with dedicated Messaging and Skype Video apps.
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