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Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)

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Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)

#291

Post by mikepurvis »

highwaylights wrote: post #263
jackson1442 wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Definitely should be an os-level feature to disable all that, similar to using panic mode on ios to disable biometrics. I personally boot my laptops to the filevault screen and no further when going through the security checkpoints. Keeps the disk encrypted and requires my password to continue.

“Would you like to enter the password before or after I check in the back to see if we have any latex gloves left, sir?”

Doesn't look like Filevault has a duress option— otherwise it'd be pretty nice to have a separate password that boots you to a dummy partition showing a fresh desktop install with apparently nothing on it. For bonus points, you could have the dummy OS kernel-patched so that it doesn't even show the other partitions as existing, and just pretends it's occupying the whole disk with mostly empty space.

"That computer? Oh yeah, I just picked it up, officer; was going to start configuring it when when I arrive at my destination."

Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)

#292

Post by wyager »

shortcake27 wrote: post #251
wyager wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They don't let me use an HDMI display without external power while closed, so why let me use bluetooth without power?

The opposite is also true. You can’t officially use a Macbook in clamshell mode (eg, as a headless media server) even when connected to power. When you close the lid without a connected display, the official MacOS behaviour is to put the computer to sleep. You need a third-party tool to prevent it from sleeping. Yet when my Macbook is asleep in my bag with no peripherals attached, my headphones will connect and wake…

I think we're agreeing - my point is that it doesn't make sense to allow bluetooth when they won't even allow a display (no power, laptop closed). What are you going to use the bluetooth for, moving a mouse you can't even see?

Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)

#293

Post by actionfromafar »

mikepurvis wrote: post #291
highwaylights wrote: post #263

Earlier quoted context omitted.

“Would you like to enter the password before or after I check in the back to see if we have any latex gloves left, sir?”

Doesn't look like Filevault has a duress option— otherwise it'd be pretty nice to have a separate password that boots you to a dummy partition showing a fresh desktop install with apparently nothing on it. For bonus points, you could have the dummy OS kernel-patched so that it doesn't even show the other partitions as existing, and just pretends it's occupying the whole disk with mostly empty space. "That computer? O…

Rookie mistake. It should have a shitload of random stuff on it, recently updated, including something mildly embarrasing¹ on it.

1: it depends on the person what that is, but it should be believable, "in character" so to speak.

Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)

#295

Post by 867-5309 »

_a_a_a_ wrote: post #289
dvirsky wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This has to be the most annoying thing in MacOS. My laptop, soundly sleeping in my backpack, takes over my bluetooth headphones all the time.

This is hilarious. And people wonder why I'm such a Luddite.

the best bit is when they want to squash features

Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)

#296

Post by dheera »

kaba0 wrote: post #235
dheera wrote: post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And how are we supposed to trust Apple that this is in fact what's happening? With a Framework laptop I have a hardware physical switch and I can actually open it up and see the PCB trace and verify that it disconnects the microphone.

Hardware physical switches are a gimmick feature - if you can’t trust your OS to that degree, then you surely have bigger problems than your microphone.

Of course I can never trust a closed source OS like MacOS.

Linux is a little better. But it's not just the OS. I might be in a Google Meet call where I have given microphone access, but can I trust the mute button? I'd rather have a physical mute.

Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)

#297

Post by kaushikc »

gnicholas wrote: post #141
dvirsky wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This has to be the most annoying thing in MacOS. My laptop, soundly sleeping in my backpack, takes over my bluetooth headphones all the time.

I don't understand why the bluetooth-stealing happens so often. I'll literally be in the middle of a podcast on my phone, and my iPad in the next room (on which my kids have been watching something) will take over my headphones. There's no change in state on either device (not stopping/starting), and I haven't moved close to the iPad (and the iPhone is much closer, in my pocket). I just have to turn off bluetooth ent…

I suspect the problem could be the bluetooth technology itself.

Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)

#299

Post by reductum »

dividedbyzero wrote: post #106
r00fus wrote: post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Just use a headset or external mic. If you're in clamshell you're probably at your desk/home office so that's quite reasonable. Also nice - if I'm WFH and one of my family walks in with some drama, I close the lid, go clamshell mode, and I am quite sure any corporate spyware isn't listening in.

I wish there were good quality webcams without microphones. My external microphone has a mute switch but my Streamcam mic is still available to any corporate spyware.

I wish the same. In the meantime, I like using these physical USB switches to easily disconnect my webcam when not in use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X82661H

Re: Hardware microphone disconnect (2021)

#300

Post by karaterobot »

JohnBooty wrote: post #287
karaterobot wrote: post #220

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FWIW, I think the phrase "just works" implies that you, the user, should expect it to work without any tweaks or workarounds. So, the user's preferences are implied. Saying that it just works in many cases , or that it just works for Apple is not what is implied by that marketing. It's a strong promise that was chosen for a reason, and in many cases they do not live up to it.

you, the user, should expect it to work without any tweaks or workarounds I think that, for any reasonable definition of "it just works", it would clearly refer to essential functionality and not the extremely long tail of niche tweaks that at least one user out of millions might want to perform. For example on Apple devices I've often wanted a feature that would let me skip PIN/FaceID authentication when connected t…

> I think that, for any reasonable definition of "it just works", it would clearly refer to essential functionality

Really? I always heard it as something more like "we've thought of everything, all the details, and you don't have to fiddle with our products like with Windows." I think essential functionality is always implied, with any product, but with Apple, it seemed like their promise was for a higher level of user experience than that.

Acknowledged that this is an old marketing statement (I believe it was a Jobs-ism, which dates it), but please look at the context of the thread.

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