Paul wrote on Sat, 29 Jun 2024 03:47:18 -0400 :

> You can ask ecosystem questions, of Copilot.

Hi Paul,
I studied AI in the late 1970's in grad school, and it bored me even then
(at that time it was all about probabilities and correcting them
endlessly), so I haven't kept up with the capabilities of AI lately.

Googling...

1. Copilot (Microsoft, previously BingChat, included in Windows 11,
apparently Copilot is on Windows 10 but in some limited fashion)
� <https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-use-microsoft-copilot-ai-what-to-try>
� <https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/welcome-to-copilot-on-windows-675708af-8c16-4675-afeb-85a5a476ccb0>
2. Gemini (Google, requires account, privacy implications)
<https://dorik.com/blog/how-to-use-gemini-ai>
3. ChatGPT (apparently it does not require a login to work via text only)
<https://chatgpt.com/auth/login>
<https://www.howtogeek.com/how-to-run-chatgpt-as-a-windows-app/>
4. Apple AI (doesn't actually work in the real world, only iPhone 15 Pro,
& doesn't work in Europe, etc., so it's mostly mere marketing fluff)
� <https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/06/introducing-apple-intelligence-for-iphone-ipad-and-mac/>
5. Others?

The trick, of course, at least for free, is to get one of these to work via
voice alone (STT and then TTS), which I do not think exists yet. Does it?

> *******
>
> Question for CoPilot:
>
> Of all the Apple hardware products, which products require a
> cloud login to function day-to-day ?
>
> Answer:
>
> Apple's hardware products are designed to work seamlessly with their
> ecosystem of services. While most Apple devices can function independently
> without a constant cloud connection, some features and services do rely
> on cloud integration.
>
> Here are the key products and scenarios where cloud login is relevant:
>
> 1. **iPhone and iPad**:
> - **iCloud**: iPhones and iPads heavily rely on iCloud for features
> like device backup, photo synchronization, Find My iPhone,
> and seamless app data sharing across devices.
> - **App Store**: To download apps from the App Store, users need an
> Apple ID (which is tied to iCloud).
>
> 2. **MacBooks and iMacs**:
> - **iCloud**: Similar to iOS devices, Macs use iCloud for data synchronization, Keychain, and Find My Mac.
> - **App Store**: To download apps from the Mac App Store, users need an Apple ID.
>
> 3. **Apple Watch**:
> - **iCloud**: Apple Watches sync health data, watch faces, and settings through iCloud.
> - **Activation Lock**: If the watch is lost or stolen, Activation Lock prevents unauthorized use.
>
> 4. **Apple TV**:
> - **Apple ID**: Users need an Apple ID to access the App Store, stream content from
> Apple TV+, and use features like HomeKit.
>
> 5. **HomePod and HomePod mini**:
> - **Apple ID**: HomePods require an Apple ID for setup and access to
> Apple Music, HomeKit, and personalized features.
>
> 6. **AirPods and AirPods Pro**:
> - While AirPods themselves don't require cloud login, features like
> automatic switching between devices and Find My AirPods rely on iCloud.
>
> 7. **Apple Services**:
> - **Apple Music**: Requires an Apple Music subscription and iCloud Music Library
> for seamless music streaming across devices.
> - **Apple TV+**: Subscribers need an Apple ID to access Apple's streaming service.
> - **iMessage and FaceTime**: These messaging services work across devices using iCloud.
>
> 8. **HomeKit-Compatible Devices**:
> - Devices like smart lights, thermostats, and security cameras integrated with
> HomeKit require an Apple ID for setup and remote control via iCloud.

This is a good summary Paul. Very good. Thanks. AI is useful I guess.

Notice that the users' App Store login is required ONLY on Apple devices;
it is not required on Android or Linux or Windows (AFAIAA).

I haven't had any Google (or Samsung) account on my Galaxy for years, and I
can easily download off the Google Play Store repository without it.

Having said that, I do realize most people log into their Google Account to
download apps from the Google Play Store; but it turns out that there are
FOSS Google Play Store clients (such as Aurora) that negate that need.
<https://aurorastore.org/> & <https://auroraoss.com/>

Same with YouTube, where there are FOSS YouTube clients which negate the
need to create an account on your phone & still get full functionality.
<https://newpipe.net/>

Same with the MUA, where there are plenty of privacy-aware MUAs on Android.
<https://email.faircode.eu/>

I don't know all that it's missing but I know it's missing the fact that
the messaging app, the way 99.99% of Apple users use it anyway, requires
logging into the Apple Messaging servers. Which is a horrible privacy hole.

The Apple users "think" they have privacy; but it's only because Apple
cleverly advertises that - but in reality - Apple knows EVERY message they
make (due to the extensive metadata that Apple gets from the login action).

Note: The iOS messages app can work with SMS/MMS *without logging into*
Apple's servers, but only 0.01% of Apple users would even know that, and
even fewer would do that because they then lose the walled-garden niceties
that the dumb-terminal design of the iPhone/iPad provide those users.

Bear in mind, the dumb-terminal design has merits even in non Apple worlds.

If Linux/Android/Windows users felt like logging into an Internet server,
they too would have all that walled-garden magic - plus compatibility.
<https://home.pulsesms.app/overview/>

Speaking of all the nice things that happen when you log into Internet
servers, I'm sure WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram, and many others using the
dumb-terminal concept also get those niceties - but since they're not
required to use messaging on Android, Linux and Windows, they're extras.

> Remember that while cloud login enhances the user experience by enabling synchronization
> and seamless transitions between devices, it's not strictly necessary for basic functionality.
> Users can choose to use local accounts for some features and services.

The cloud itself isn't required for "basic functionality", but you can't do
all the messaging things Apple owners crow about (like saving all your
messages) without the dumb-terminal logging into the mainframe server - as
most of those magical things (like the end-to-end encryption) require the
metadata-saving account on the server.

> Source: Conversation with Copilot, 6/29/2024
> (1) Introduction to Apple platform security - Apple Support.
> https://support.apple.com/guide/security/intro-to-apple-platform-security-seccd5016d31/web
>
> (2) Apple at Work - Platform Security.
> https://www.apple.com/business/docs/site/AAW_Platform_Security.pdf
>
> (3) How to use Apple's advanced iCloud security tools.
> https://www.computerworld.com/article/1618339/how-to-use-apples-advanced-icloud-security-tools.html
>
> *******
>
> Question: When using ChromeOS, do I need a cloud login to make it work ?
>
> **ChromeOS**, the operating system developed by Google, is designed to
> work seamlessly with cloud-based services. Here are some key points regarding ChromeOS and cloud login:
>
> 1. **Cloud-Centric Approach**:
> - **ChromeOS** is inherently cloud-centric. It relies heavily on cloud services for
> storage, synchronization, and application functionality.
>
> - When you sign in to a Chromebook or ChromeOS device, you typically use your
> **Google Account** credentials. This account serves as your gateway to
> the cloud-based ecosystem.
>
> 2. **Google Account Sign-In**:
> - **Users must enter their Google Account username and password each time they
> sign in to their device**.
>
> - If your organization uses **SAML single sign-on (SSO)** for devices, users
> are directed to the SAML identity provider (IdP) page without manually
> entering their email address².
>
> 3. **ChromeOS Flex**:
> - Google offers **ChromeOS Flex**, a secure, cloud-based OS for PCs and Macs.
> It brings the benefits of ChromeOS to existing devices.
>
> - With **ChromeOS Flex**, you can make your existing PCs and Macs faster and
> more secure. It offers features like 6-second boot-up times and automatic background updates.
>
> - Set-up is straightforward: create a bootable ChromeOS Flex USB drive, install
> it on your PC or Mac to replace the existing operating system, and upgrade
> other legacy devices via USB or network deployment¹.
>
> 4. **Offline Capabilities**:
> - While ChromeOS is cloud-centric, it does have **offline capabilities**.
> You can work offline with certain apps and files.
> - However, the full power of ChromeOS is realized when connected to the internet,
> as it leverages cloud services for data storage, synchronization, and collaboration⁵.
>
> In summary, while ChromeOS doesn't strictly require a cloud login, its
> design philosophy revolves around cloud integration. Whether you're using
> a Chromebook or ChromeOS on other devices, having a Google Account enhances
> the experience by enabling seamless access to cloud-based services.

Thank you for bringing up ChromeOS, which has a dumb-terminal use model
much like Apple does, so it's relevant even as I didn't even think of it.

Come to think of it, like ChromeOS, the Windows S also seems to be designed
like Apple products are as dumb terminals logging into mainframe servers
for most of the functionality - even if much of that is simply cloud
storage (and in the case of Windows S, it's also the Microsoft App Store).

Delving deeper, we have to remember that even the HP Stream devices when
converted from Windows S to Windows 10 Home or Windows 11 Home are more of
a dumb-terminal logging-into-a-mainframe-server concept in that they have
so small of a C:\ drive that you're pretty much "almost" forced into using
cloud storage (as you can't even pin an app icon onto the Windows task bar
if you've installed it onto an sdcard in the D:\ drive on HP Stream PCs.

> Source: Conversation with Copilot, 6/29/2024
> (1) Set ChromeOS device policies - Chrome Enterprise and Education Help.
> https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/1375678?hl=en
> (2) Upgrade Your PC: Faster and More Secure with ChromeOS Flex.
> https://chromeos.google/products/chromeos-flex/
> (3) Chrome OS offline: Can you really use a Chromebook without the cloud ....
> https://www.computerworld.com/article/1485641/chrome-os-offline-can-you-really-use-a-chromebook-without-the-cloud.html
>
> (4) Google: We don't need Chrome OS, we want cloud login for PCs.
> https://www.zdnet.com/article/google-we-dont-need-chrome-os-we-want-cloud-login-for-pcs/ <==== Year 2011
>
> (5) Get started with Chrome & ChromeOS device management.
> https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/13781354?hl=en
>
> Article number (4) there, highlights the financial importance of
> associating an account with an advertising profile you have for sale.

In short, it seems that ChromeOS and Apple's iOS are both designed, from
the start, as dumb terminals which are basically non functional if you're
not constantly logging into the mainframe servers.

The problem with that use model is that without the Internet, almost
nothing works - and worse - even with the Internet - that one account knows
every single thing you are doing in terms of metadata collection & storage.

Remember, no other operating system but iOS puts a unique code unique to
your Apple ID into every IPA app you install - even Google doesn't do that.

Certainly Linux & Windows don't insert a unique ID unique to you for every
app you've installed.... do they?