In message <suac0l$ih6$1@dont-email.me>, at 07:29:25 on Sun, 13 Feb
2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:

>Apple's strength is slightly different: it's stricter about what apps can
>get into its app store than Google is.

Are they really checking for usability, rather than malware?

>So the apps available in both are equally good or bad, but the trashier
>Android apps don't get into the iOS/iPadOS app store. There are also
>some good iOS apps that don't make it on to Android, perhaps because
>they mainly target the iOS-dominated US market.

On phones and tablets in USA it's roughly 60:40 in favour of Apple;
about 60:30 in favour of Windows on PCs, the remaining 10% being Chrome.
--
Roland Perry

On 13/02/2022 08:45, Marland wrote:
> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> Workaround for iPads:
>> Go to safari and enter Google maps in the url bar, this will open a Google
>> search page (assuming you have the defaults set to use Google for search)
>> with maps.google.com as one of the hits. Long press on that link. Select
>> open in background option. That will open maps in a new tab rather than
>> jumping to the app. Then you can use the web version, go to street view and
>> then simply copy the URL from the browser bar.
>>
>>
>
> Thanks, just tried that and as an added bonus I see that the slider which
> brings up the older views is available as well. Though not every location
> has been revisited.
> This train is still awaiting its driver.
> <https://goo.gl/maps/zMMGqStNpHjSrnNx8>
>
> GH

Must be the record for the world's longest slash!

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 13/02/2022 09:13, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <suab6k$f5g$1@dont-email.me>, at 07:15:32 on Sun, 13 Feb
> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <su8s3j$2tl$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:51:47 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> In message <su8h8c$pe7$1@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:36 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <su82qd$vuf$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:40:13 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> In message <su6li5$mnn$1@dont-email.me>, at 21:47:49 on Fri, 11
>>>>>>>>> Feb
>>>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not a tramway box but Southern Electric moved this former
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Corporation cabinet a long way from home when they moved
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> it to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Shaftesbury.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <https://goo.gl/maps/vB6WS6WfPfTKgvB26>.   ( You?ll need to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> look around)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or use https://goo.gl/maps/CKjXHUb1LZEVQYss8 ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Like I said, on an I pad google maps seem to playing up lately
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and pasting
>>>>>>>>>>>>> from the main image isn’t working.  Its been like that before
>>>>>>>>>>>>> then been
>>>>>>>>>>>>> cured but it does make posting accurate views awkward while
>>>>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> situation
>>>>>>>>>>>>> lasts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, I’ve been finding the same.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> It doesn't just affect Google Maps. There is a fair amount of
>>>>>>>>>>> software
>>>>>>>>>>> which is not configured to work properly with pads/phones
>>>>>>>>>>> despite it
>>>>>>>>>>> being fairly obvious to those causing its use that those will
>>>>>>>>>>> be the
>>>>>>>>>>> majority of devices used.
>>>>>>>>>>> (see also - posting attachments in one of Micros**t's
>>>>>>>>>>> proprietary
>>>>>>>>>>> formats)
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> While true, I don’t think that’s the issue at the moment.  It
>>>>>>>>>> used to be
>>>>>>>>>> possible to share a URL for a street view image, but that
>>>>>>>>>> doesn’t actually
>>>>>>>>>> work at the moment.  You can share a position on the map but
>>>>>>>>>> not a view
>>>>>>>>>> from there.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> What equipment are you using. I've just pulled up that map,
>>>>>>>>> gone into
>>>>>>>>> Streetview, and produced a link. As someone else did earlier
>>>>>>>>> (url ending
>>>>>>>>> in ss8)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Going to links works fine.  On my iPad the “share” option of
>>>>>>>> Google Maps
>>>>>>>> works in map view but not in street view - if you select “share”
>>>>>>>> from the
>>>>>>>> menu no dialogue appears.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Here’s the map view, I can’t share a street view at this point
>>>>>>>> or any
>>>>>>>> other. <https://goo.gl/maps/nUrZNZn4Eefwo7988>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> https://goo.gl/maps/PANjZgJb1xK1MaFHA
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ...works for me, just like it always has. On a Windows PC.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Let me try again, very slowly.  Going    To    Links   Works Fine
>>>>>> I     Can’t     Share    A    Street    View.
>>>>>
>>>>> That's      because       your      chosen       "just works" Apple
>>>>> Platform     "only      just      works".     And      one of
>>>>> the           things    it       apparently   doesn't work        with
>>>>> is...      (answers       on     a postcard).
>>>>
>>>> Nowt to do with the platform and everything to do with the app code
>>>> author.
>>>> Apple can’t force Google to write working code.
>>>
>>> The conventional wisdom is that everything works better on Apple, not
>>> just Apple's in-house apps.
>>
>> Only in your mind.
>
> I've never believed in the Church of Jobs, but the infallibility of
> their products is often rammed down our throats.
>

Again, only in your mind. Your whingeing about Apple makes one wonder if
they turned you down for a job (sorry) at some point in your career.

--
Graeme Wall
This account not read.

On 13/02/2022 07:29, Recliner wrote:
> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <su8s3j$2tl$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:51:47 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>> In message <su8h8c$pe7$1@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:36 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>> In message <su82qd$vuf$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:40:13 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>> In message <su6li5$mnn$1@dont-email.me>, at 21:47:49 on Fri, 11 Feb
>>>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not a tramway box but Southern Electric moved this former
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Corporation cabinet a long way from home when they moved it to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Shaftesbury.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <https://goo.gl/maps/vB6WS6WfPfTKgvB26>. ( You?ll need to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> look around)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or use https://goo.gl/maps/CKjXHUb1LZEVQYss8 ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Like I said, on an I pad google maps seem to playing up lately
>>>>>>>>>>>>> and pasting
>>>>>>>>>>>>> from the main image isn’t working. Its been like that before
>>>>>>>>>>>>> then been
>>>>>>>>>>>>> cured but it does make posting accurate views awkward while the
>>>>>>>>>>>>> situation
>>>>>>>>>>>>> lasts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, I’ve been finding the same.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> It doesn't just affect Google Maps. There is a fair amount of software
>>>>>>>>>>> which is not configured to work properly with pads/phones despite it
>>>>>>>>>>> being fairly obvious to those causing its use that those will be the
>>>>>>>>>>> majority of devices used.
>>>>>>>>>>> (see also - posting attachments in one of Micros**t's proprietary
>>>>>>>>>>> formats)
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> While true, I don’t think that’s the issue at the moment. It
>>>>>>>>>> used to be
>>>>>>>>>> possible to share a URL for a street view image, but that
>>>>>>>>>> doesn’t actually
>>>>>>>>>> work at the moment. You can share a position on the map but not a view
>>>>>>>>>> from there.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> What equipment are you using. I've just pulled up that map, gone into
>>>>>>>>> Streetview, and produced a link. As someone else did earlier (url ending
>>>>>>>>> in ss8)
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Going to links works fine. On my iPad the “share” option of
>>>>>>>> Google Maps
>>>>>>>> works in map view but not in street view - if you select “share”
>>>>>>>> from the
>>>>>>>> menu no dialogue appears.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Here’s the map view, I can’t share a street view at this point or any
>>>>>>>> other. <https://goo.gl/maps/nUrZNZn4Eefwo7988>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> https://goo.gl/maps/PANjZgJb1xK1MaFHA
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ...works for me, just like it always has. On a Windows PC.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Let me try again, very slowly. Going To Links Works Fine But
T >>>>>> I Can’t Share A Street View.
>>>>>
>>>>> That's because your chosen "just works" Apple
>>>>> Platform "only just works". And one of
>>>>> the things it apparently doesn't work with
>>>>> is... (answers on a postcard).
>>>>
>>>> Nowt to do with the platform and everything to do with the app code author.
>>>> Apple can’t force Google to write working code.
>>>
>>> The conventional wisdom is that everything works better on Apple, not
>>> just Apple's in-house apps.
>>
>> Only in your mind. Microsoft’s applications work just as badly on Apple
>> platforms as on Microsoft’s own operating systems. Google’s products stay
>> as eternal betas on Apple platforms and vanish with little or no warning,
>> just as they do elsewhere.
>>
>>
>
> Apple's strength is slightly different: it's stricter about what apps can
> get into its app store than Google is. So the apps available in both are
> equally good or bad, but the trashier Android apps don't get into the
> iOS/iPadOS app store. There are also some good iOS apps that don't make it
> on to Android, perhaps because they mainly target the iOS-dominated US
> market. But even Geoff's LU Station Master app is iOS/iPadOS-only.
>
That not strictly true. An app I've been using for years on Android
cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <suac0l$ih6$1@dont-email.me>, at 07:29:25 on Sun, 13 Feb
> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>
>> Apple's strength is slightly different: it's stricter about what apps can
>> get into its app store than Google is.
>
> Are they really checking for usability, rather than malware?
>
>> So the apps available in both are equally good or bad, but the trashier
>> Android apps don't get into the iOS/iPadOS app store. There are also
>> some good iOS apps that don't make it on to Android, perhaps because
>> they mainly target the iOS-dominated US market.
>
> On phones and tablets in USA it's roughly 60:40 in favour of Apple;
> about 60:30 in favour of Windows on PCs, the remaining 10% being Chrome.

The reason iOS is targeted by developers, despite the complaints about
Apple’s 30% cut, is that iPhone users are *in general* better off and more
likely to pay for things. In figures I found:

Apple’s App Store generated 87.3% more consumer spending than Google Play
Store

<martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
> On 13/02/2022 07:29, Recliner wrote:
>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <su8s3j$2tl$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:51:47 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> In message <su8h8c$pe7$1@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:36 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>> In message <su82qd$vuf$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:40:13 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> In message <su6li5$mnn$1@dont-email.me>, at 21:47:49 on Fri, 11 Feb
>>>>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not a tramway box but Southern Electric moved this former
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Corporation cabinet a long way from home when they moved it to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Shaftesbury.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <https://goo.gl/maps/vB6WS6WfPfTKgvB26>. ( You?ll need to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> look around)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or use https://goo.gl/maps/CKjXHUb1LZEVQYss8 ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Like I said, on an I pad google maps seem to playing up lately
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and pasting
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> from the main image isn’t working. Its been like that before
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> then been
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cured but it does make posting accurate views awkward while the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> situation
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lasts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, I’ve been finding the same.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> It doesn't just affect Google Maps. There is a fair amount of software
>>>>>>>>>>>> which is not configured to work properly with pads/phones despite it
>>>>>>>>>>>> being fairly obvious to those causing its use that those will be the
>>>>>>>>>>>> majority of devices used.
>>>>>>>>>>>> (see also - posting attachments in one of Micros**t's proprietary
>>>>>>>>>>>> formats)
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> While true, I don’t think that’s the issue at the moment. It
>>>>>>>>>>> used to be
>>>>>>>>>>> possible to share a URL for a street view image, but that
>>>>>>>>>>> doesn’t actually
>>>>>>>>>>> work at the moment. You can share a position on the map but not a view
>>>>>>>>>>> from there.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> What equipment are you using. I've just pulled up that map, gone into
>>>>>>>>>> Streetview, and produced a link. As someone else did earlier (url ending
>>>>>>>>>> in ss8)
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Going to links works fine. On my iPad the “share” option of
>>>>>>>>> Google Maps
>>>>>>>>> works in map view but not in street view - if you select “share”
>>>>>>>>> from the
>>>>>>>>> menu no dialogue appears.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Here’s the map view, I can’t share a street view at this point or any
>>>>>>>>> other. <https://goo.gl/maps/nUrZNZn4Eefwo7988>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> https://goo.gl/maps/PANjZgJb1xK1MaFHA
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ...works for me, just like it always has. On a Windows PC.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Let me try again, very slowly. Going To Links Works Fine But
> T
>>>>>>> I Can’t Share A Street View.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> That's because your chosen "just works" Apple
>>>>>> Platform "only just works". And one of
>>>>>> the things it apparently doesn't work with
>>>>>> is... (answers on a postcard).
>>>>>
>>>>> Nowt to do with the platform and everything to do with the app code author.
>>>>> Apple can’t force Google to write working code.
>>>>
>>>> The conventional wisdom is that everything works better on Apple, not
>>>> just Apple's in-house apps.
>>>
>>> Only in your mind. Microsoft’s applications work just as badly on Apple
>>> platforms as on Microsoft’s own operating systems. Google’s products stay
>>> as eternal betas on Apple platforms and vanish with little or no warning,
>>> just as they do elsewhere.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Apple's strength is slightly different: it's stricter about what apps can
>> get into its app store than Google is. So the apps available in both are
>> equally good or bad, but the trashier Android apps don't get into the
>> iOS/iPadOS app store. There are also some good iOS apps that don't make it
>> on to Android, perhaps because they mainly target the iOS-dominated US
>> market. But even Geoff's LU Station Master app is iOS/iPadOS-only.
>>
> That not strictly true. An app I've been using for years on Android
> cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.
>

How does my Danfoss iOS app that programs my Bluetooth thermostatic
radiator valves work then?

In message <suak3i$rrd$1@dont-email.me>, at 09:47:30 on Sun, 13 Feb
2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <suac0l$ih6$1@dont-email.me>, at 07:29:25 on Sun, 13 Feb
>> 2022, Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> remarked:
>>
>>> Apple's strength is slightly different: it's stricter about what apps can
>>> get into its app store than Google is.
>>
>> Are they really checking for usability, rather than malware?
>>
>>> So the apps available in both are equally good or bad, but the trashier
>>> Android apps don't get into the iOS/iPadOS app store. There are also
>>> some good iOS apps that don't make it on to Android, perhaps because
>>> they mainly target the iOS-dominated US market.
>>
>> On phones and tablets in USA it's roughly 60:40 in favour of Apple;
>> about 60:30 in favour of Windows on PCs, the remaining 10% being Chrome.
>
>The reason iOS is targeted by developers, despite the complaints about
>Apple’s 30% cut, is that iPhone users are *in general* better off and more
>likely to pay for things. In figures I found:
>
>Apple’s App Store generated 87.3% more consumer spending than Google Play
>Store

I can believe that. Another reason to avoid being relentlessly
advertised to.

Or are they saying that Apple users are more likely to pay to upgrade to
the ad-free version?

I have the same issue with apps, as I do with paying subscriptions to
the online versions of traditional print media. I don't use any[1] of
them enough to make it value for money.

On the other hand, I'm happy to pay for the five to ten desktop software
suites I use at least once a week (some of them daily).

[1] I quoted two exceptions in 10yrs, earlier.
--
Roland Perry

On 13/02/2022 09:47, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
> On 13/02/2022 07:29, Recliner wrote:
>> Apple's strength is slightly different: it's stricter about what apps can
>> get into its app store than Google is. So the apps available in both are
>> equally good or bad, but the trashier Android apps don't get into the
>> iOS/iPadOS app store. There are also some good iOS apps that don't
>> make it
>> on to Android, perhaps because they mainly target the iOS-dominated US
>> market. But even Geoff's LU Station Master app is iOS/iPadOS-only.
>>
> That not strictly true.  An app I've been using for years on Android
> cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.

Yes, sometimes it's too strict. Firefox for iOS works but is forced to
use a different layout engine and cannot support add-ons.

In message <suajou$pq9$2@dont-email.me>, at 09:41:51 on Sun, 13 Feb
2022, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> remarked:

>>>> The conventional wisdom is that everything works better on Apple, not
>>>> just Apple's in-house apps.
>>>
>>> Only in your mind.

>> I've never believed in the Church of Jobs, but the infallibility of
>>their products is often rammed down our throats.
>
>Again, only in your mind. Your whingeing about Apple makes one wonder
>if they turned you down for a job (sorry) at some point in your career.

Channelling recliner, tut tut.

No, I have never wanted to work for Apple, although I did once get a
guided tour of their customer support centre near Heathrow.

Much later, I wrote a booklet for users of mainly iPhones, but also
applying to iPads, telling them how to better secure themselves against
hackers and stalkers (it's settings like location data which matter
most).

As a courtesy, I asked them to comment on the final draft, in case there
were any errors in it. Their response was "our company policy is to deny
that any such vulnerabilities exist, and therefore we cannot even
approve of the very existence for the booklet". Bus under, customers
thrown.

It wasn't an anti-Apple campaign, I had mirrors of it for Android,
Microsoft Phones, and Facebook[1].

The original trigger had been ex-partners infecting their wife's (it's
almost always the wives - not husbands - but very occasionally the
children, who are almost always with the wife) with various tracking
software, so they can find the refuge they are living in and go punch
them in the face.

They did other hostile stuff too, but I mention that one, because it was
the only activity the police were prepared to take action over. That's
why, along with some others, we worked hard to get the stalking law
updated.

Notwithstanding the above, it's their commercial practices I have more
issues with, than their tech support.

[1] Also Twitter. Not a lot of people knew this[tm] but at the time (I
do hope they fixed it) part of the meta-data in tweets (from any
platform) was the location if known.

I was working with a nationally recognised cyber-security
consultant, and thought I'd try this out. Lots of tweets from a
house on an estate, but also at ~3pm when they were waiting outside
their child's school to pick them up.

When I said "I know where your children go to school" I was a bit
put out by the response of "how dare you poke into my private data",
when what I was expecting was "we should work together to make sure
this data isn't public".
--
Roland Perry

Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> On 13/02/2022 08:45, Marland wrote:
>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> Workaround for iPads:
>>> Go to safari and enter Google maps in the url bar, this will open a Google
>>> search page (assuming you have the defaults set to use Google for search)
>>> with maps.google.com as one of the hits. Long press on that link. Select
>>> open in background option. That will open maps in a new tab rather than
>>> jumping to the app. Then you can use the web version, go to street view and
>>> then simply copy the URL from the browser bar.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Thanks, just tried that and as an added bonus I see that the slider which
>> brings up the older views is available as well. Though not every location
>> has been revisited.
>> This train is still awaiting its driver.
>> <https://goo.gl/maps/zMMGqStNpHjSrnNx8>
>>
>> GH
>
> Must be the record for the world's longest slash!

Good job it’s not in Ro(u)mania.

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <j6rvtvFdjdrU1@mid.individual.net>, at 09:05:03 on Sun, 13
> Feb 2022, Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> remarked:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> What is this nonsense about "ipad version"? Why can't you use a web
>>> browser on the ipad, and access the same functionality as a browser
>>> on any other platform?
>>
>> Don’t try and feign ignorance as if you don’t know that ipads have versions
>> of programmes tailored to them known as apps , a term that for some reason
>> I find irritating but has since spread to microsoft systems and others as
>> well.
>
> What an extraordinary conclusion to draw. All I said was "why not use
> the web version *INSTEAD*

No you didn’t, unless you wrote “instead” in invisible electronic ink.

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <su8h8c$pe7$1@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:36 on Sat, 12 Feb
>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <su82qd$vuf$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:40:13 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> In message <su6li5$mnn$1@dont-email.me>, at 21:47:49 on Fri, 11 Feb
>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>>>> Not a tramway box but Southern Electric moved this former Southampton
>>>>>>>>>>>> Corporation cabinet a long way from home when they moved it to
>>>>>>>>>>>> Shaftesbury.
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> <https://goo.gl/maps/vB6WS6WfPfTKgvB26>. ( You?ll need to
>>>>>>>>>>>> look around)
>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> Or use https://goo.gl/maps/CKjXHUb1LZEVQYss8 ?
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Like I said, on an I pad google maps seem to playing up lately
>>>>>>>>>> and pasting
>>>>>>>>>> from the main image isn’t working. Its been like that before
>>>>>>>>>> then been
>>>>>>>>>> cured but it does make posting accurate views awkward while the
>>>>>>>>>> situation
>>>>>>>>>> lasts.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Yes, I’ve been finding the same.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> It doesn't just affect Google Maps. There is a fair amount of software
>>>>>>>> which is not configured to work properly with pads/phones despite it
>>>>>>>> being fairly obvious to those causing its use that those will be the
>>>>>>>> majority of devices used.
>>>>>>>> (see also - posting attachments in one of Micros**t's proprietary
>>>>>>>> formats)
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> While true, I don’t think that’s the issue at the moment. It
>>>>>>> used to be
>>>>>>> possible to share a URL for a street view image, but that
>>>>>>> doesn’t actually
>>>>>>> work at the moment. You can share a position on the map but not a view
>>>>>>> from there.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What equipment are you using. I've just pulled up that map, gone into
>>>>>> Streetview, and produced a link. As someone else did earlier (url ending
>>>>>> in ss8)
>>>>>
>>>>> Going to links works fine. On my iPad the “share” option of Google Maps
>>>>> works in map view but not in street view - if you select “share”
>>>>> from the
>>>>> menu no dialogue appears.
>>>>>
>>>>> Here’s the map view, I can’t share a street view at this point or any
>>>>> other. <https://goo.gl/maps/nUrZNZn4Eefwo7988>
>>>>
>>>> https://goo.gl/maps/PANjZgJb1xK1MaFHA
>>>>
>>>> ...works for me, just like it always has. On a Windows PC.
>>>
>>> Let me try again, very slowly. Going To Links Works Fine But
>>> I Can’t Share A Street View.
>>
>> That's because your chosen "just works" Apple
>> Platform "only just works". And one of
>> the things it apparently doesn't work with
>> is... (answers on a postcard).
>
> Nowt to do with the platform and everything to do with the app code author.
> Apple can’t force Google to write working code.

What he said.

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

<martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk> wrote:
> On 13/02/2022 07:29, Recliner wrote:
>> Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>> In message <su8s3j$2tl$1@dont-email.me>, at 17:51:47 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>> 2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>> In message <su8h8c$pe7$1@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:36 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>> In message <su82qd$vuf$1@dont-email.me>, at 10:40:13 on Sat, 12 Feb
>>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>> In message <su6li5$mnn$1@dont-email.me>, at 21:47:49 on Fri, 11 Feb
>>>>>>>>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Not a tramway box but Southern Electric moved this former
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Corporation cabinet a long way from home when they moved it to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Shaftesbury.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <https://goo.gl/maps/vB6WS6WfPfTKgvB26>. ( You?ll need to
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> look around)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Or use https://goo.gl/maps/CKjXHUb1LZEVQYss8 ?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Like I said, on an I pad google maps seem to playing up lately
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> and pasting
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> from the main image isn’t working. Its been like that before
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> then been
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> cured but it does make posting accurate views awkward while the
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> situation
>>>>>>>>>>>>>> lasts.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>> Yes, I’ve been finding the same.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>> It doesn't just affect Google Maps. There is a fair amount of software
>>>>>>>>>>>> which is not configured to work properly with pads/phones despite it
>>>>>>>>>>>> being fairly obvious to those causing its use that those will be the
>>>>>>>>>>>> majority of devices used.
>>>>>>>>>>>> (see also - posting attachments in one of Micros**t's proprietary
>>>>>>>>>>>> formats)
>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>> While true, I don’t think that’s the issue at the moment. It
>>>>>>>>>>> used to be
>>>>>>>>>>> possible to share a URL for a street view image, but that
>>>>>>>>>>> doesn’t actually
>>>>>>>>>>> work at the moment. You can share a position on the map but not a view
>>>>>>>>>>> from there.
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> What equipment are you using. I've just pulled up that map, gone into
>>>>>>>>>> Streetview, and produced a link. As someone else did earlier (url ending
>>>>>>>>>> in ss8)
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Going to links works fine. On my iPad the “share” option of
>>>>>>>>> Google Maps
>>>>>>>>> works in map view but not in street view - if you select “share”
>>>>>>>>> from the
>>>>>>>>> menu no dialogue appears.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Here’s the map view, I can’t share a street view at this point or any
>>>>>>>>> other. <https://goo.gl/maps/nUrZNZn4Eefwo7988>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> https://goo.gl/maps/PANjZgJb1xK1MaFHA
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> ...works for me, just like it always has. On a Windows PC.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Let me try again, very slowly. Going To Links Works Fine But
> T
>>>>>>> I Can’t Share A Street View.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> That's because your chosen "just works" Apple
>>>>>> Platform "only just works". And one of
>>>>>> the things it apparently doesn't work with
>>>>>> is... (answers on a postcard).
>>>>>
>>>>> Nowt to do with the platform and everything to do with the app code author.
>>>>> Apple can’t force Google to write working code.
>>>>
>>>> The conventional wisdom is that everything works better on Apple, not
>>>> just Apple's in-house apps.
>>>
>>> Only in your mind. Microsoft’s applications work just as badly on Apple
>>> platforms as on Microsoft’s own operating systems. Google’s products stay
>>> as eternal betas on Apple platforms and vanish with little or no warning,
>>> just as they do elsewhere.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Apple's strength is slightly different: it's stricter about what apps can
>> get into its app store than Google is. So the apps available in both are
>> equally good or bad, but the trashier Android apps don't get into the
>> iOS/iPadOS app store. There are also some good iOS apps that don't make it
>> on to Android, perhaps because they mainly target the iOS-dominated US
>> market. But even Geoff's LU Station Master app is iOS/iPadOS-only.
>>
> That not strictly true. An app I've been using for years on Android
> cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.

I’m surprised by the Bluetooth thing, since there are lots of apps that use
it, but there is a nice network management app that used to be able to
analyse WiFi networks, but no longer can since Apple tightened security.

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

In message <sub5t5$c9e$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:51:17 on Sun, 13 Feb
2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:

>>An app I've been using for years on Android
>> cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.
>
>I’m surprised by the Bluetooth thing, since there are lots of apps that use
>it,

Including, surely, the infamous NHS tracing app.

>but there is a nice network management app that used to be able to
>analyse WiFi networks, but no longer can since Apple tightened security.

Hiring electric bikes/scooters is usually done via an app using
bluetooth to communicate with the lock. And then there's all those
"button tracker" things. And wouldn't fitness gadgets also use
bluetooth.
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <sub5t5$c9e$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:51:17 on Sun, 13 Feb
> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>
>>> An app I've been using for years on Android
>>> cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.
>>
>> I’m surprised by the Bluetooth thing, since there are lots of apps that use
>> it,
>
> Including, surely, the infamous NHS tracing app.
>
>> but there is a nice network management app that used to be able to
>> analyse WiFi networks, but no longer can since Apple tightened security.
>
> Hiring electric bikes/scooters is usually done via an app using
> bluetooth to communicate with the lock. And then there's all those
> "button tracker" things. And wouldn't fitness gadgets also use
> bluetooth.

My car also syncs up with my iPhone via Bluetooth, so I can make hands free
calls, get messages etc.

This seems to also show that Bluetooth and iOS use is widespread

https://www.verypossible.com/insights/ios-and-bluetooth-the-possibilities-and-limitations

In message <sub5jo$a9g$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:16 on Sun, 13 Feb
2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:

>>>> What is this nonsense about "ipad version"? Why can't you use a web
>>>> browser on the ipad, and access the same functionality as a browser
>>>> on any other platform?
>>>
>>> Don’t try and feign ignorance as if you don’t know that ipads have versions
>>> of programmes tailored to them known as apps , a term that for some reason
>>> I find irritating but has since spread to microsoft systems and others as
>>> well.
>>
>> What an extraordinary conclusion to draw. All I said was "why not use
>> the web version *INSTEAD*
>
>No you didn’t, unless you wrote “instead” in invisible electronic ink.

Interesting how so many of these spats end up arguing about invisible
words. It's hard work typing responses which eliminate all invisible
words.

Anyway, as the previous poster was complaining about an app, how could
suggesting using a web browser [instead], be anything other than an
alternative?

Perhaps you are auditioning for a job as a cabinet minister, where
defending the indefensible is a mandatory skill?
--
Roland Perry

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <sub5jo$a9g$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:16 on Sun, 13 Feb
> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>
>>>>> What is this nonsense about "ipad version"? Why can't you use a web
>>>>> browser on the ipad, and access the same functionality as a browser
>>>>> on any other platform?
>>>>
>>>> Don’t try and feign ignorance as if you don’t know that ipads have versions
>>>> of programmes tailored to them known as apps , a term that for some reason
>>>> I find irritating but has since spread to microsoft systems and others as
>>>> well.
>>>
>>> What an extraordinary conclusion to draw. All I said was "why not use
>>> the web version *INSTEAD*
>>
>> No you didn’t, unless you wrote “instead” in invisible electronic ink.
>
> Interesting how so many of these spats end up arguing about invisible
> words. It's hard work typing responses which eliminate all invisible
> words.
>
> Anyway, as the previous poster was complaining about an app, how could
> suggesting using a web browser [instead], be anything other than an
> alternative?

As has been pointed out, some sites insist on diverting you to the app when
using a mobile web browser. Or the mobile web version has reduced
functionality.

Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
> In message <sub5jo$a9g$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:16 on Sun, 13 Feb
> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>
>>>>> What is this nonsense about "ipad version"? Why can't you use a web
>>>>> browser on the ipad, and access the same functionality as a browser
>>>>> on any other platform?
>>>>
>>>> Don’t try and feign ignorance as if you don’t know that ipads have versions
>>>> of programmes tailored to them known as apps , a term that for some reason
>>>> I find irritating but has since spread to microsoft systems and others as
>>>> well.
>>>
>>> What an extraordinary conclusion to draw. All I said was "why not use
>>> the web version *INSTEAD*
>>
>> No you didn’t, unless you wrote “instead” in invisible electronic ink.
>
> Interesting how so many of these spats end up arguing about invisible
> words. It's hard work typing responses which eliminate all invisible
> words.
>
> Anyway, as the previous poster was complaining about an app, how could
> suggesting using a web browser [instead], be anything other than an
> alternative?

Given your other posting apparently chiding people for their choice of
platform and pointing out that your Windows system worked perfectly, the
lack of “instead” and the inclusion of “nonsense” made me prone interpret
your comments as pouring scorn on Apple and all its works. I apologise,
but you could be more gracious about how abiguous some of your writing is…

> Perhaps you are auditioning for a job as a cabinet minister, where
> defending the indefensible is a mandatory skill?

… except perhaps you were intending to be snarky all along - it would be
consistent with the tone here.

Sam

--
The entity formerly known as Sam.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
Spit the dummy to reply

Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> wrote:
> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <sub5jo$a9g$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:16 on Sun, 13 Feb
>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>
>>>>>> What is this nonsense about "ipad version"? Why can't you use a web
>>>>>> browser on the ipad, and access the same functionality as a browser
>>>>>> on any other platform?
>>>>>
>>>>> Don’t try and feign ignorance as if you don’t know that ipads have versions
>>>>> of programmes tailored to them known as apps , a term that for some reason
>>>>> I find irritating but has since spread to microsoft systems and others as
>>>>> well.
>>>>
>>>> What an extraordinary conclusion to draw. All I said was "why not use
>>>> the web version *INSTEAD*
>>>
>>> No you didn’t, unless you wrote “instead” in invisible electronic ink.
>>
>> Interesting how so many of these spats end up arguing about invisible
>> words. It's hard work typing responses which eliminate all invisible
>> words.
>>
>> Anyway, as the previous poster was complaining about an app, how could
>> suggesting using a web browser [instead], be anything other than an
>> alternative?
>
> Given your other posting apparently chiding people for their choice of
> platform and pointing out that your Windows system worked perfectly, the
> lack of “instead” and the inclusion of “nonsense” made me prone interpret
> your comments as pouring scorn on Apple and all its works. I apologise,
> but you could be more gracious about how abiguous some of your writing is…
>
>> Perhaps you are auditioning for a job as a cabinet minister, where
>> defending the indefensible is a mandatory skill?
>
> … except perhaps you were intending to be snarky all along - it would be
> consistent with the tone here.

The simple fact is that Roland can't afford Apple gear, but dresses up his
inability to afford it with a stream of inaccurate technical reasons for
not wanting it.

On 14/02/2022 11:35, Recliner wrote:
> Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> wrote:
>> Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>>> In message <sub5jo$a9g$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:46:16 on Sun, 13 Feb
>>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>>
>>>>>>> What is this nonsense about "ipad version"? Why can't you use a web
>>>>>>> browser on the ipad, and access the same functionality as a browser
>>>>>>> on any other platform?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Don’t try and feign ignorance as if you don’t know that ipads have versions
>>>>>> of programmes tailored to them known as apps , a term that for some reason
>>>>>> I find irritating but has since spread to microsoft systems and others as
>>>>>> well.
>>>>>
>>>>> What an extraordinary conclusion to draw. All I said was "why not use
>>>>> the web version *INSTEAD*
>>>>
>>>> No you didn’t, unless you wrote “instead” in invisible electronic ink.
>>>
>>> Interesting how so many of these spats end up arguing about invisible
>>> words. It's hard work typing responses which eliminate all invisible
>>> words.
>>>
>>> Anyway, as the previous poster was complaining about an app, how could
>>> suggesting using a web browser [instead], be anything other than an
>>> alternative?
>>
>> Given your other posting apparently chiding people for their choice of
>> platform and pointing out that your Windows system worked perfectly, the
>> lack of “instead” and the inclusion of “nonsense” made me prone interpret
>> your comments as pouring scorn on Apple and all its works. I apologise,
>> but you could be more gracious about how abiguous some of your writing is…
>>
>>> Perhaps you are auditioning for a job as a cabinet minister, where
>>> defending the indefensible is a mandatory skill?
>>
>> … except perhaps you were intending to be snarky all along - it would be
>> consistent with the tone here.
>
> The simple fact is that Roland can't afford Apple gear, but dresses up his
> inability to afford it with a stream of inaccurate technical reasons for
> not wanting it.
>
I could afford Apple gear but...

I consider it to be overpriced and Apple are too secretive regarding
bugs and vulnerabilities.

On 14/02/2022 06:44, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <sub5t5$c9e$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:51:17 on Sun, 13 Feb
> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>
>>> An app I've been using for years on Android
>>> cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.
>>
>> I’m surprised by the Bluetooth thing, since there are lots of apps
>> that use
>> it,
>
> Including, surely, the infamous NHS tracing app.

I think Apple gave that a special dispensation to access features other
apps couldn't, on the debatable basis that government could be trusted.

>> but there is a nice network management app that used to be able to
>> analyse WiFi networks, but no longer can since Apple tightened security.
>
> Hiring electric bikes/scooters is usually done via an app using
> bluetooth to communicate with the lock. And then there's all those
> "button tracker" things. And wouldn't fitness gadgets also use bluetooth.

On 14/02/2022 12:36, martin.coffee@round-midnight.org.uk wrote:
> On 14/02/2022 11:35, Recliner wrote:
>> The simple fact is that Roland can't afford Apple gear, but dresses up
>> his
>> inability to afford it with a stream of inaccurate technical reasons for
>> not wanting it.
>>
> I could afford Apple gear but...
>
> I consider it to be overpriced and Apple are too secretive regarding
> bugs and vulnerabilities.

I could afford Apple gear but rivals give me what I need with more
access to configure and modify it as I wish (and lower prices).

On 2022-02-14 12:58:56 +0000, Certes said:

> On 14/02/2022 06:44, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <sub5t5$c9e$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:51:17 on Sun, 13 Feb
>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>
>>>> An app I've been using for years on Android
>>>> cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.
>>>
>>> I’m surprised by the Bluetooth thing, since there are lots of apps that use
>>> it,
>>
>> Including, surely, the infamous NHS tracing app.
>
> I think Apple gave that a special dispensation to access features other
> apps couldn't, on the debatable basis that government could be trusted.

I think it's more a case that Apple (and Google) produces specific APIs
for covid tracking apps, that gave access to the elements of the
bluetooth functionality needed for the tracing purpose, without giving
the apps complete free reign over the bluetooth functionality. Most of
the countries that have similar apps have open-sourced them, so it
should be possible to actually check if anyone can be bothered.

Robin

In message <sud0dt$ol0$1@dont-email.me>, at 07:30:05 on Mon, 14 Feb
2022, Tweed <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> remarked:
>Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk> wrote:
>> In message <sub5t5$c9e$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:51:17 on Sun, 13 Feb
>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>
>>>> An app I've been using for years on Android
>>>> cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.
>>>
>>> I’m surprised by the Bluetooth thing, since there are lots of apps
>>>that use
>>> it,
>>
>> Including, surely, the infamous NHS tracing app.
>>
>>> but there is a nice network management app that used to be able to
>>> analyse WiFi networks, but no longer can since Apple tightened security.
>>
>> Hiring electric bikes/scooters is usually done via an app using
>> bluetooth to communicate with the lock. And then there's all those
>> "button tracker" things. And wouldn't fitness gadgets also use
>> bluetooth.
>
>My car also syncs up with my iPhone via Bluetooth, so I can make hands free
>calls, get messages etc.
>
>This seems to also show that Bluetooth and iOS use is widespread
>
>https://www.verypossible.com/insights/ios-and-bluetooth-the-possibilitie
>s-and-limitations

Hands-free kit, headphones and speakers probably don't require an app,
but I have the equivalent of the Apple Watch for Android, and it
requires a couple of apps to be running (it channels things like
Facebook and Twitter to[1] the watch, if you are into reading either of
those on a screen the size of a postage stamp).

[1] And from, allegedly, but I never explored how that worked, mainly
because typing on a screen the size of a postage stamp struck me as
too masochistic.
--
Roland Perry

On Mon, 14 Feb 2022 12:58:56 +0000, Certes <none@nowhere.net> wrote:

>On 14/02/2022 06:44, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <sub5t5$c9e$2@dont-email.me>, at 14:51:17 on Sun, 13 Feb
>> 2022, Sam Wilson <ukr@dummy.wislons.fastmail.co.uk> remarked:
>>
>>>> An app I've been using for years on Android
>>>> cannot be ported to iOS because Apple don't allow access to Bluetooth.
>>>
>>> I’m surprised by the Bluetooth thing, since there are lots of apps
>>> that use
>>> it,
>>
>> Including, surely, the infamous NHS tracing app.
>
>I think Apple gave that a special dispensation to access features other
>apps couldn't, on the debatable basis that government could be trusted.

Not at all. Apple and Google specifically did NOT allow the initial contact tracing NHS app to do the spying the
government wanted, so the latter had to back down and use the anonymised framework that Apple and Google had created.

<https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nhs-covid-19-app-privacy-information/anonymisation-definitions-and-user-data-journeys>

From
<https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/covid19/2021/04/21/the-nhs-contact-tracing-app-fell-foul-of-privacy-concerns-but-did-they-have-the-right-idea/>

It would, however, require keeping track of who has been in contact with whom over time — which would require
collecting this information (in a pseudonymised form) on a central server.

This is exactly what the NHS had in mind when developing its initial contact tracing app. But this approach was
effectively ruled out by Apple and Google in their insistence on only providing support for “decentralised” contact
tracing apps. Without it, the NHS’s app could not be made to function effectively, and they were forced to pivot to a
decentralised configuration. Apple and Google’s approach was lauded by privacy advocates, as their concerns rapidly
began to dominate the debate on digital contact tracing. Developers of decentralised contact tracing apps argued that
minimising the amount of information stored on a central server resulted in an app that was both “privacy-preserving”
and “abuse-resistant”, and, furthermore, that the central storage of any further information was simply not necessary
for the app to achieve its goals.

__________

And they continued to block the government's attempts to spy on us:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-56713017