Author: Johannes Ernst

  • My Question to Nest / Google

    Just sent this: I’m considering replacing my thermostat. I’m intrigued by your product, but I am worried about my privacy. Can you point me to a document that describes, in detail, 1. which exact information the thermostat “sends home” to Google or anybody else outside of my home, and under which circumstances, 2. how to…

  • WiFi Security in the IoT: Getting worse for everything

    You have WiFi all around your house, and because you are security-conscious, you have activated some kind of WiFi security that requires a password. Great. Now you go out and buy some cool internet-enabled Things, like lightbulbs, garage door openers, sprinklers, a scale and so forth. And because you are still security-conscious, of course you…

  • Below all the folksiness, the Cluetrain update is a call to arms against a trillion dollars and more

    Doc Searls and David Weinberger are very nice people. Doc I count as a friend. David I only met a few times, but he clearly is a nice guy, too. When they oppose something, they don’t do it lightly. When they call somebody by a less-than-flattering name, you know it’s important. And we all better…

  • The Charlie Hebdo attack: time to declare my values again

    Here’s what I believe: You have a right to your opinion, whatever it may be. I have a right to my opinion, whatever it may be. You have a right to state your opinion, but not to shout it into my ear. I have the right to not listen to your opinion. I have a…

  • The opening shot for tech’s takeover of automotive: NVidia car computer

    Techcrunch says: At its CES press conference, Nvidia today announced the Drive CX, a digital cockpit for car that is based on the company’s new X1 processor Never mind TC’s grammar, this seems to be a significant announcement. I distinctly remember another press announcement from, as it turns out, thirteen years ago. Thanks, Internet! ‘Dictator’…