5 Things You Should Know – Part 197

Here are 5 things you should know.

1. If you use an Apple device (e.g. iPhone, iPad, MacBook Pro, etc.), you may be getting charged more when online shopping (this includes airline and hotel rates).

Companies may charge you more if you use an Apple device to visit their website or use their app. The idea behind it is that owners of Apple devices (such as an iPhone, MacBook Pro, etc.) are wealthier and have more disposable income than say someone who uses Windows or an Android cell phone.

How do they know what device you’re using? Because it’s easily obtainable when you’re using their app or visiting their website.

Travel websites also customize hotel and airfare prices. On Delta, Kennesaw State grad students found a PC user got more low-price options on a flight from Atlanta to Denver than a Mac user.

The statement we received from the airline’s states, “Delta does not treat searches differently based on the device or browser customers use when they shop for tickets.” Delta admits they get complaints about this issue but say they can’t control the results your computer shows.

When we used mobile devices for hotels on Orbitz and Travelocity, both the cell phone and tablet came up with better deals than a desktop. Where you shop physically can also affect the price.

http://www.cbs46.com/story/27923981/cbs-investigates-online-shopping-disparities

2. Propane tanks do expire. The date is punched on the top collar in MM/YY format. Your tank is only good for 10 years. Unless that date is followed by a letter (ex. E = 5 yrs, S = 7).

These tanks can still be recertified or exchanged. Tanks in exchange are usually only half filled and may still be expired. If you’re planning on grilling out but your tank is empty, please check the date before traveling to a nearby propane dispensary and having a fit because they refuse to service your tank. (It is a $5,000 fine and loss of propane license.)

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3. The markup brush/pen-like tools in the iOS Photos app should not be used to redact/censor details in photos as adjusting the contrast/levels of the censored photo may reveal the original info. Instead, use the shape tool hidden behind the “+” button in Markup for truly opaque redaction.

When in Markup, there is a blue “+” button to the right of the row of tools that includes the pen, highlighter, and marker tools.

From the “+” menu, you can choose to add text, a signature, or a magnified portion of your image. You can also add arrows and assorted basic shapes. Choose the rectangle, then use the new “shapes” button (just to the left of the “+” button) to choose a solid rectangle. Your rectangle can be dragged and resized to cover whatever it is you need to react in your image.

Privacy matters. Use the shapes tool to censor safely, without worrying about someone adjusting the contrast or brightness of your image to get around your efforts!

The pen tool does cover pretty well. It’s the softer tools, like the default brush, which require multiple passes to cover well, and it may be difficult to tell when the coverage is 100%. An opaque tool like the shape tool or pen tool avoids that issue.