Android 13, new Ubuntu updates and facial recognition puzzles in the roundup of our most read stories last week.
Too busy this week to get all the latest tech news? Fear not – we’ve collected and summarized TechRepublic’s top stories from August 11-18.
The face recognition conundrum of Android 13 and Pixel 6
Despite having the technology and hardware to support it, Google has yet to publicly test facial recognition support for any of its phones since the Pixel 4. And while the pandemic has made the Pixel 5’s fingerprint unlocked a fortuitous feature, the base of customers would still like the ease of use provided by Apple’s face unlock features.
TL; DR: Jack Wallen thinks that if Google doesn’t roll out facial recognition support soon, it will disappoint some users and lose them forever.
How to return first and last time from timestamps in Microsoft Excel
Call center records can be unnecessarily complicated when imported into Excel, but this tutorial by Susan Harkins and her companion demo file can eliminate repeat call noise in call center logs.
TL; DR– Use Excel MIN () and MAX () references along with VLOOKUP to isolate the start and end of the day’s calls.
What’s new with Ubuntu 22.04.1?
The first point release of Ubuntu Jammy Jellyfish wouldn’t normally attract much attention, but Jack Wallen advises users to upgrade now to enable security features. The release also includes many other updates including toolkits for major programming languages and GNOME 42.
TL; DR: This update also includes the ability for users to upgrade from 20.04 via the command line, which excludes several commands if you are ready to upgrade to the latest version.
Nearly 2,000 data breaches reported in the first half of 2022
Data breach reports are down for the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021, according to the latest data from Flashpoint State of Data Breach Intelligence: 2022 Midyear Edition. But these numbers, and the report on the lowest number of records exposed since 2015, can be deceiving.
TL; DR: Reporting is slow, so the actual number of data breaches and exposed records could actually reach or exceed last year’s numbers when fully counted.
Google officially launches Android 13
Owners of Pixel 4, 5 and 6 phones can upgrade to the latest operating system, Android 13, at any time from the settings menu. In addition to updated music controls, customizable icons and bedtime mode, the new version of the operating system also includes more privacy controls.
TL; DRSupport for previous Pixel phones is expected to roll out later this year, but Android tablets can be upgraded immediately to access split screen mode and other updates.