Yeah they can do their own thing, but if Google and Apple decide the app breaks their rules it will be removed from the store.
Android owners would have to sideload and apple go with out.
@Jamze hopefully they see sense in not trying to reinvent a wheel that 2 more experienced companies can do better.
I am curious where you got the app, as it is being trialled in the Isle of Wight at the moment and not generally available.
These people took a closer look at the iOS version. So mixed reviews. Some people say its performance is variable on iOS, this one says it actually works.
The âlinkingIdâ is not ideal as not random - so, in theory, you could link that back to the handset or person (depends what is used to generate it)
The app is on the stores, just not searchable at the moment. Iâm Android.
Lots of people worrying about âbig dataâ being used to influence politics or 24/7 surveillance by the state, but in my opinion, they like a central DB because ukgov want a UK map in their mission-control that is driven by data from the contact-tracing app. In theory theyâd have a near real-time view of where people were reporting symptoms or getting positive test results. Canât do that with the distributed design at the mo.
I get the point, but there is another point.
There will be no opt-out after opting in, unlike other databases that follow current requirements of law.
The UK Gov already have a long-standing problem with overzealous data collection of its populace, which repeatedly gets used for purposes it was not intended or even currently permissible.
The data keeps ending up in departments it was not intended for allowing wider access and misuse.
So, got an update to Apple iOS beta this morning. Now, COVID-19 Exposure Logging cannot be enabled unless a third party app using the feature is installed.
Yes, thatâs the plan. Each country can have one nominated health provider app using it (itâs not standalone). Countries with a more distributed health service will prob be allowed more than one.
Here in the UK they published the client code yesterday. TBH the back-end design and code is probably more of interest.
-UPDATE- says here the back-end code will be published too
I had to take my phone password down to eight characters from 26 because of the mask. I am seriously considering going for a touch ID phone if this is all still going on when I have to replace my phone.
I love the touch sensor on my Samsung S9. The S8 I had before was similar. To me, the location on the back works fantastic.
Unless my hands are wet, it is the only way I unlock my phone
I just got my laptop with touch ID, I am loving it.
I wonder if this is an example of more diversity needed within Apple/Google? Mask-wearing has always been more common in Asia. Only Apple and Google AFAIK has dropped the fingerprint sensor as an alternative to face recognition.
Yes, I think you nailed it on the head.
Now that I have a laptop with a fingerprint reader, I am thinking about going to a very long password on it, if I can ever get mack to traveling. Right now it looks as if I am not going to have to worry about my laptop in airport security for a long long time.
Germany launched their tracing app yesterday.
(I couldnât find a link to the Apple store)
This is the one based on the GAPPLE API, so it should run reliably on iPhones. The Google Play Store was showing over 1,000,000 downloads in the first day, since it was online, and over 26,000 reviews, most of which are positive (4,7 star rating).
I donât know anyone who has installed it, yet.
Initial WHO report says it is showing benefits for those who are critically ill, and no effect in those with milder disease.
Any feedback yet @big_D on how well the German apps are working?
Interesting yesterday that ukgov briefed us on their (lack of) progress. The original NHSX app developed by VMware has been tested alongside a version that uses Apple/Google, and the results are:
The original app, as expected, does not work well on Apple devices due to the limitations of BLE when an app is in the background. However, when it is able to work, the contact-detection bit works well.
The one using the Apple/Google API obvious fixes the BLE reliability bit, but itâs much worse at contact-detection? The distance algorithm has issues?
So we have more delays while this is raised with Apple (only Apple was mentioned, not Google).
It has only been in use for a couple of days, but no real results so far. Heck, mine says that it doesnât have enough data yet to provide an analysis. (Only been in contact with my wifeâs phone so far.)
Not heard anything about the distance algorithm, officially.
There was a report that a lot of people are confused by the app - probably because in the first 24 hours it says that it doesnât have enough data.
Ta. Today Apple are in the press denying any knowledge of any issues and what the ukgov are taking about. But they would say that, wouldnât they!
Obvious to me over time theyâll tweak the distance algorithm, perhaps the VMware/Pivotal team have some good ideas Apple can look at.
OK a slight adjustment to the good new from the UK NHS
In short:
UK Gov: âOh yes we have been working closely with Apple and Googleâ
Apple: âWho ? What ? When ?â
What can we expect from a project headed by the oh-so incompetent Dido Harding.
How the hell did she get this gig after the farce and lies with Talk-Talk ?
Got a feeling everyone will eventually conclude the smartphone apps donât work well enough. Singapore are now planning to roll out a dedicated wearable for COVID contact tracing. If successful might be a big market for it! As this is BLE coin batteries probably enough?
