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why do I have to "install"apps on my tablet?

9 years ago

So why do I have to install apps on my tablet that require my location, etc.for websites that I merely visit from my laptop? I feel like this compromises my id security. Please educate me.

Comments (6)

Elmer J Fudd
9 years ago
So that aspects of your "user experience" can be tailored to your location. You start Yelp, I think you'd rather see pizza places in your area rather than ones in another state. And they earn more when delivering ads for businesses near where you are.

If you only go to legit websites, you can be sure no one is tracking you personally. You're just one of millions of users.

What is the notion of "id security' that you have that concerns you?
jimct01
9 years ago
You would be surprised at the mass amount of information Google, Facebook etc. is tracking whether with a brower or not. Every website you go to, every facebook like and friend , every purchase you make is being tacked and it is not anonymous. Ever wonder why certain adds pop up on your screen and how the seem to match what you were searching for yesterday. If you want to stay private, stay off the internet period.

As for apps, I only let ones that have a legitimate reason to know where at am. Mapping apps, travel apps like TripAdvisor , my astronomy apps etc. anything else, no you can't have my location. On the IPad you can review these settings later and turn them on and off. But don't let that fool you, the trackers can use cookies and your IP address, network provider etc to narrow down pretty well we're you are located. And of course your cell phone always knows where you are as does the wifi in your car.
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I have two (one iPad and one Android)...each is fine. I like them because they take up little space, can do most anything a laptop can do, and I use them to download a number of magazines and newspapers I subscribe to. And they can be used as an e-reader for books (like a Kindle, etc.). Once downloaded, these documents are on the device, and I don't need an Internet connection to read them. However, I would imagine that any hospital these days will have wi-fi available. The only disadvantage I see is that they are a little slower to type on because you are typing on the touch screen. However, if this is a big deal, then you can get a cheap, compact keyboard that pairs with the device wirelessly (I just bought one for $20). As far as apps, the choices are endless, and often free...I've yet to pay for one. Most tablets have an icon to tap to take you to the "store" where you type in the sort of thing you are looking for and then you choose and download it. Some of the apps I like are: a weather app; a flight app that gives the realtime schedule for any flight in the world; a wi-fi locater showing where free wi-fi is available anywhere in the world based on my location; a dictation app so I don't have to type; game apps (Mahjong and crossword puzzles); music app to play digital music files; calendar, shopping list, and reminder apps; video player so I can watch Netflix movies; and several recipe apps with 10's of thousands of recipes available (I just put the tablet in a little stand in the kitchen). That's about 10% of what I have installed. If you are going to get one, I suggest a 10" screen as it makes reading books and magazines, as well as surfing the web more enjoyable. You also have to decide whether you are going to get one that has only wi-fi, which means it can only access the Internet when you are in range of a wi-fi router, or whether you are going to get a more expensive one that can also access a data plan from a cell phone company. With the latter, you are not dependent on finding an available wi-fi connection to surf, but you are paying probably $100 more for the capability, and you will need to pay monthly for a data plan like you would with a smartphone. I don't have a data plan for my tablets. I mainly use a tablet at home so it connects to my router, and at other places, like major airports, university buildings, public buildings, Starbucks, McDonalds, etc., there is usually free wi-fi. If I really need an internet connection when I am out and can't find a free one, I just use my smartphone. Lastly, you can use most tablets as cameras, and more expensive ones have two cameras built-in so that you can also make phone calls via Skype. This post was edited by kudzu9 on Wed, Mar 27, 13 at 15:21
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I don't have a tablet, but I luuuvvv my iPod 4. It does everything a tablet would. It uses the iTunes format, but I'm sure the other devices have the same Apps. I do have the Kindle App if I want to "read." It's not a full function Kindle, but I do have 1,200+ print books in it, right in my iPod. 1,195 of them were free! I am nearly always listening to audiobooks. I tuck the iPod in the strap of my running bra; it stays in place and I don't even have to wear earbuds to hear it clearly. While I'm doing my mindless work of laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. I'm being entertained. The audio book is the foreground and the daily grind becomes the background "noise." I will list some of the Apps I use daily with links to their sites if you want to check them out. Of course, I have dozens more I wouldn't be without, but these are a few of the ones I use daily. MyStuff2 - Inventories and manages everything! I'd be lost without it. http://www.maddysoft.com/iphone/mystuff/ Pray! "Pray! helps you keep track of people you need to be praying for in a simple, intuitive, and efficient way." That way when I tell someone I'll be praying for them, I have their names and concerns before me. http://pray.zerodeviation.net/ iBird Pro Spendy, but worth every penny. Snoop around the site and you'll see al the features. A detailed bird guide with videos, sound clips, photos...everything! I also have the iBird/UK version because they had a special sell on them. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ibird-pro-guide-to-birds/id308018823?mt=8 Sewing Kit "Sewing Kit is your new home for all of your sewing needs! If you have ever been in a sewing store looking at patterns, but couldnÃ¢ÂÂt remember if you already bought the one you like, or if the fabric you like will work with the project you are working on, then you will love Sewing Kit! Sewing Kit lets you search through all of your patterns, fabrics, projects, and people to make sure you are not buying something twice, or getting home and finding out you forgot to get something you really needed! With Sewing Kit you can store and search on all of your: - patterns - fabrics - projects - measurements for people All of these things, all in one place." https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/sewing-kit/id382162683?mt=8 I don't play any games or do FaceTime, but I do have links to all the Garden Web/Home Site forums on the iPod screen so I can check in often and easily. I also have apps for Etsy, Ebay, Amazon, Houzz, Pinterest, Flylady, Pioneer Woman, Bernina, Schmetz, Learn Spanish, Project Quilt, Ian's Laces, How-to-tie-a-tie, History Here, Weather Channel, PBS, NASA, KJV Bible, TallyThings, Convert (Measurments), and on, and on, and on, and on. I use them all at least weekly.
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jimct01
9 years ago
You would be surprised at the mass amount of information Google, Facebook etc. is tracking whether with a brower or not. Every website you go to, every facebook like and friend , every purchase you make is being tacked and it is not anonymous. Ever wonder why certain adds pop up on your screen and how the seem to match what you were searching for yesterday. If you want to stay private, stay off the internet period.

As for apps, I only let ones that have a legitimate reason to know where at am. Mapping apps, travel apps like TripAdvisor , my astronomy apps etc. anything else, no you can't have my location. On the IPad you can review these settings later and turn them on and off. But don't let that fool you, the trackers can use cookies and your IP address, network provider etc to narrow down pretty well we're you are located. And of course your cell phone always knows where you are as does the wifi in your car.
jimct01
9 years ago
You would be surprised at the mass amount of information Google, Facebook etc. is tracking whether with a brower or not. Every website you go to, every facebook like and friend , every purchase you make is being tacked and it is not anonymous. Ever wonder why certain adds pop up on your screen and how the seem to match what you were searching for yesterday. If you want to stay private, stay off the internet period.

As for apps, I only let ones that have a legitimate reason to know where at am. Mapping apps, travel apps like TripAdvisor , my astronomy apps etc. anything else, no you can't have my location. On the IPad you can review these settings later and turn them on and off. But don't let that fool you, the trackers can use cookies and your IP address, network provider etc to narrow down pretty well we're you are located. And of course your cell phone always knows where you are as does the wifi in your car.
harry_wild
9 years ago
Basically, by law they have to ask for your permission to track your movements.

Each time you access their app; a log is keep on your habits; what you look at; for what; etc... so they can sell the info to one of several national database firms that advertisers buy from.
jimct01
9 years ago
You don't have to install apps in most cases. Most give you an option to just go to the website. However don't get fooled into thinking your location is a secret. The website , Google, yahoo, Bing are tracking nearly every website you visit, every place you buy something. Your IP address and provider are being stored and if you have cookies enabled even more of your habits are tracked. IP addresses can be used to get pretty close to where you Are.

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