Flynn Webb's video of what appears to be a dead seal was not supposed to feature a movie-style jump scare.
Key points:
17-year-old Eyre Peninsula local Flynn Webb took a now-viral video of a leopard seal
Leopard seals are inhabit the Antarctic but have been found as far north as Queensland
They can grow up to 300-400kg and up to three metres long
In a TikTok video that has racked up almost 16 million views, Flynn can be seen approaching what he thought was a dead leopard seal.
The 17-year-old from Tumby Bay on the Eyre Peninsula had heard there was a seal out at Fishery Bay so hopped in his car to go and have a look.
Flynn Webb said he had a "few choice words" when he realised the leopard seal was alive. (
ABC North and West SA
)
"It looked pretty dead and wasn't moving so we thought we would go and take a closer look," he said.
"Curiosity got the better of me to go up to it.
"I went and touched it to see what it felt like and it was still alive.
The amateur fisherman was not the only community member to spy the natural predator, with many Eyre Peninsula residents sharing their footage and pics online.
According to anecdotal reports from locals the sea leopard has now headed back to sea.
"We left it alone pretty soon after that and then rangers were called," Flynn said.
Far from home
Peter Shaughnessy, an honorary research associate at the South Australian Museum, has more than 20 years of experience with the CSIRO and has previously travelled to the Antarctic.
He said it was a bit unusual to see an Antarctic leopard seal so far away from home.
"They tend to come ashore in late winter when the pack ice melts and they are short of food."
The amateur fisherman wasn't the only community member to spy the natural predator with many residents sharing their footage and pics online.(
Supplied: Matt Tusar
)
Mr Shaugnessy said that before 2017, there had only been two leopard seals recorded on the shore at Fisheries Bay.
"Between 2017 and 2019 we have now had seven records of them, which is pretty amazing," he said.
Mr Shaughnessy said the condition that a leopard seal would be in by the time it reaches Australian shores is very different to its normal state.
"I've seen adult leopard seals grow to about 300-400 kilos and three metres long," he said.
"The leopard seals we see here are usually juvenile and they aren't in very good condition."
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'They've eaten people'
Flynn said he did not know much about the Antarctic leopard seal, but from what he did know he kept his distance.
"And its teeth looked pretty crazy and weird."
Mr Shaughnessy said that in Antarctica leopard seals were at the top of the food chain, sometimes eating other seals.
"They are well known to approach boats with tourists on them in Antarctica," he said.
"I've even seen people that have been bitten by them."
Though Flynn was lucky to have left the leopard seal alone after the viral video was taken, Mr Shaughnessy had a simple warning for those who might try and approach the predator.
TikTok fame
Of his newfound TikTok fame, Flynn said it was unbelievable, with comments coming in from all around the world.
An injured leopard seal disappeared after spending five days on a beach in northern NSW in 2018.(
Supplied: Aidan Ricketts
)
"All of the comments are just about Aussies and how crazy we are," he said.
"There's a fair few people that have asked me about [the video] at school but I don't think anything is going to change much."
CINCINNATI, OH, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sur-Seal® Company, a custom sealing solutions industry leader, has launched a unique new product line. The Sur-Cool® line is a comprehensive lineup of silicone thermal interface materials that combines quality, ease of use, and affordability to bring engineers solutions that are finally made easy. This proprietary product line spans four different unique types of products.
The lineup includes:
Sur-Cool Thermal Tape 120V
Sur-Cool Silicone Thermal Gap Pads: 150V, 300V, 500V, 800V, and Ultra Soft
Sur-Cool SFR: 100V, 150V, 200V, and 300V
Sur-Cool Phase Change 300V
"We are pleased to be able to offer state-of-the-art thermal interface materials that are made to meet real-world expectations," explains Larry Faist, president, and chief executive officer of Sur-Seal. "Sur-Seal is committed to our customer satisfaction, and bringing quality thermal material options to our customers is a priority."
Sur-Seal's Sur-Cool line of proprietary thermal interface materials takes the guesswork out of choosing the right materials. Featuring easy-to-use products with reliable quality at the right price, the Sur-Cool line allows design engineers to make informed decisions about the products they are using. Sur-Seal strives to be a continued leader in thermal interface materials by bringing quality products like the Sur-Cool line to their customers. For more information on Sur-Cool, visit https://www.sur-seal.com/products/sur-cool/
About Sur-Seal
Sur-Seal® Company, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, with service centers in Ohio, New Hampshire, Mexico, and China, offers custom engineering and supply chain solutions. The company does business in 25 countries, with over 200 OEM customers, including 15 long-term Fortune 500 partners. Sur-Seal was founded as a family-owned business in 1965 and is currently owned by Heartwood Partners, a Connecticut-based private equity firm. Sur-Seal is a company with a passion for fostering a strong culture and is proud to have been recognized as a Best Place to Work locally and nationally. For more information about Sur-Seal, visit the site at: https://www.sur-seal.com
INDIANAPOLIS - High school students in Porter County now have an opportunity to earn state certification in carpentry, helping to prepare them for a career once they graduate. The Indiana Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship is partnering with a carpenter’s union, the Porter County Career Center, and Portage and Chesterton high schools in the State Earn and Learn programs.
INDIANAPOLIS – On Aug. 24, officials from the Indiana Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship (OWBLA), the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC), IKORCC signatory contractors, school officials, and community stakeholders gathered to formally recognize Porter County Career Center (PCCC), Portage High School, and Chesterton High School’s respective carpentry programs as certified State Earn and Learn (SEAL) programs.
Developed in partnership with the IKORCC, these SEAL programs will serve as pre-apprenticeships for the IKORCC Carpenters Union. Students participating in the SEAL will earn IKORCC Carpentry Level 1 Apprentice Certification through completion of the IKORCC Career Connections curriculum, have opportunities to work and learn with IKORCC contractors, and will receive automatic entry into the union with advanced standing upon completion of the SEAL program.
Speaking on the partnership, IKORCC Outreach Specialist Chris Charters said, “The IKORCC is very excited to help connect CTE programs with direct partnerships and work-based learning opportunities for their students with our signatory contractors. The SEAL will provide a way for students to develop job-related skills and build relationships that will help them to establish a career as a carpenter immediately upon high school graduation.”
The IKORCC SEAL programs are aligned to Indiana Career and Technical Education Next Level Programs of Study and provide students the opportunity to earn 15 college credits from Ivy Tech Community College in the construction technology pathway. Additionally, earning IKORCC Carpentry Level 1 Apprentice Certification satisfies Indiana Graduation Pathway’s postsecondary readiness requirement.
Audra Peterson, Director of PCCC, said, “Porter County Career and Technical Education is extremely excited to expand our partnership with the Indiana Kentucky Ohio Council of Carpenters. This SEAL will provide our students with an opportunity to directly work for construction companies and to directly connect with the union after graduation.”
Tonn and Blank Construction, Specialty Construction, and Solid Platforms, Inc. are the first three signatory contractors participating in the SEAL program in Porter County. The Construction Advancement Foundation of Northwest Indiana will also support each SEAL program by facilitating job shadowing experiences and providing additional safety training for students.
Developed and launched in Porter County, this SEAL is the first of its kind for IKORCC and will serve as a model of best practice as other schools in Indiana partner with IKORCC to bring these work and learn opportunities in construction to more students.
“Both IKORCC and Porter County Career and Technical Education representatives have done tremendous work in building a partnership and laying a foundation that will continue the expansion and support of registered apprenticeship in the construction trades across Indiana,” said Matt Presley, OWBLA regional director.
SEALs are Indiana’s state-level apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. They are designed to deliver work-and-learn experience for participants along with the skills and certifications that employers value. These programs are geared toward both adult and youth populations.
For more information about SEALs, visit the OWBLA website at www.INwbl.com or email the Indiana Department of Workforce Development Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship at wbl@dwd.in.gov.
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The likelihood of your smartphone exploding is slim, but it happens, as demonstrated by Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 fiasco a few years ago. But why does it happen and what, if anything, can you do to avoid it?
Why Do Smartphones Explode?
(Image: Samsung)
There are many reasons a smartphone may catch fire or explode, and it almost always has to do with the device's battery. Modern mobile devices are powered by lithium-ion batteries, which contain a careful balance of positive and negative electrodes to allow for recharging. When something goes wrong, the inner components of the battery can break down and create a volatile reaction that can lead to fires.
This can happen for multiple reasons, but the most common problem is excessive heat. If a charging battery or overworked processor becomes too hot too quickly, it can ruin the chemical makeup of the phone's components. With batteries, a chain reaction called thermal runaway can cause the battery to generate even more heat and eventually catch fire or explode.
The reason for your phone overheating will vary. Physical damage—the kind sustained from a fall or excessive bending—can disrupt the inner workings of the battery. Leaving the phone out in the sun for too long, malware overworking the CPU, or a charging debacle can all cause short circuiting within the device.
Or it could be something outside your direct control. Batteries degrade over time, so if a device has been used for several years, it's possible for the internal components to fade, leading to swelling and overheating. Or an issue with the phone's production may be to blame, which you can't really account for.
Warning Signs
(Image: Vlad Kagoshima/Shutterstock)
You may not get a warning, but if you hear hissing or popping sounds coming from the phone or smell burning plastic or chemicals, it may be damaged and on the verge of exploding. (Don't put your face near it, obviously.) Similarly, look out for excessive heat coming from the device, especially when charging. If it's burning hot to the touch, unplug it immediately.
Another big warning sign is a swollen battery, which can happen if it has been damaged or internal components have degraded. Look out for any changes in your device's shape, including a protruding screen, an enlarged seam, or a distended chassis that may cause the phone to no longer sit flush with a flat surface.
PCMag's Senior Security Analyst Max Eddy nearly blew up his aging Android phone while trying to remove all traces of Google services in 2019. All he got for his trouble was a bulging battery.
Most modern smartphones no longer allow you to remove the battery, so if you're concerned about your device, turn it off and take it in for service immediately.
Can You Prevent Your Phone From Exploding?
(Photo Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd)
While there are steps you can take to alleviate some of the strain you may put on your phone's battery, there's not a whole lot you can do if the issue is a manufacturing defect or naturally degrading power source. Batteries must be rigorously tested for faulty components, but cheaply made units may possess imperfections that can cause a phone to overheat. There's no quick fix when it comes to shoddy battery construction.
(Illustration: Samsung)
In the case of the Note 7, a design flaw was to blame; there was nothing the average consumer could do to fix it. However, there are several dos and don'ts that may help you maintain the health of your device and avoid a fire.
Get a Phone Case
(Photo: Steven Winkelman)
While it isn't common, dropping your phone can damage the battery. Just ask PCMag's Mobile Analyst Steven Winkelman, who received a Chinese-manufactured phone in the mail for review. After accidentally dropping it from the kitchen counter to the floor, though, the phone emitted a chemical smell and burst into flames within minutes.
Not every phone is going to go up in flames after a fall, but one way to protect your device's innards is to cover it with a phone case—preferably one with a lip around the edge of the phone. These cases aren't as expensive as they once were, and even the cheapest offer more protection than nothing. At this point, there's no excuse to go without one. If you have an iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, or Samsung Galaxy S21, we have a few suggestions.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
(Illustration: Alexander Trou/Shutterstock)
You probably know that heat is your phone's worst enemy, but what about cold? Your phone's battery is optimized to work within a certain temperature range—between 32-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Regularly exposing the battery to harsh conditions can damage the components within and cause long-term damage.
This means you should avoid leaving your device in direct sunlight, or on top of a hot radiator, for long periods of time, especially when charging. You should also avoid freezing cold temperatures whenever possible. So don't place your phone inside the freezer, if you still believe in that myth, or leave it in your car on particularly frigid days.
Don't Cover Your Phone While It's Charging
(Image: spyarm/Shutterstock)
This one sounds silly, but I can personally attest to this; don't cover your phone with anything while it's charging and don't charge the device in bed. Years ago, I woke up one morning to find my phone underneath my body and burning my bare chest. At some point in the night, I had rolled onto the phone, causing the device to overheat. Not only did it burn my body, but it burned itself out and stopped working.
Your best option is to place your phone on a flat, hard surface—like a table or desk—when it's time to charge the device. Snuggling up to it at night runs the risk of you rolling on top of it, wrapping it in blankets, or covering it with a pillow. To be safe, keep the device free from plush surfaces, papers, or general clutter.
Practice Good Battery Hygiene
There are a lot of battery myths out there. We shot down many of them, like the idea that charging your phone overnight will cause it to explode (it won't). For our purposes, remember that batteries naturally deteriorate over time, and the best you can do is delay that erosion.
We recommend keeping your phone charged between 30-80% most of the time (there's no reason to always insist the battery be at 100%) and refrain from fast charging overnight, if you can help it. However, don't get too worried about this; it will take a few years for your battery to naturally deteriorate. If you switch out phones every year or so, you'll be fine.
Recommended by Our Editors
Use the Right Charger
(Image: inspire finder/Shutterstock)
Your device needs optimal voltage and current to charge properly, so we recommend sticking with the charger that came in the box or grabbing one directly from the phone's manufacturer. That means if you have a Samsung phone, buy a cable from Samsung; if you have an iPhone, get a Lightning cable from the Apple Store.
You also shouldn't mix and match cables and power bricks because different units have different wattage levels. It may be tempting to save some money and get a cheap charger off Amazon or use whatever you have around the house, but this is a good way to ruin your battery.
If you absolutely must get a third-party charger, stick with a known brand like Anker and not a no-name company just because it's cheaper. You can also check to see if a USB-C cable is certified by the USB-IF or a Lightning charger has the MFi badge (and is authentic if it does). It may be a little more expensive, but it will be worth it in the long run.
Take Care of Your Cables
(Image: Aleksandrs Muiznieks/Shutterstock)
Once you have a charger, you need to take care of your cables; damaged wires can lead to charging issues and even cause their own fire hazard. Back in the day, my MacBook Pro's MagSafe charger frayed until the wiring became exposed. Eventually, the charger shorted out and caught fire. The same can happen to your phone plug.
There are a few best practices you should keep in mind when managing your phone charger, or really any wire that connects to your devices. Avoid wrapping wires too tightly and remember to unplug the charger from the actual plug instead of yanking it out from the cord. If your current charger is fraying or seems to have melted, it's time to get a new cable.
Look Out for Malware
(Illustration: Promon)
If you become infected with malware, the nefarious program may hog your phone's resources for tasks like cryptomining, which can overheat the battery and potentially damage the phone. Does your phone run slower than it probably should? Get hot for no good reason? Hit you with nonstop pop-ups? You could be infected with malware.
Thanks to the closed-off nature of Apple's App Store, the iPhone tends to be less susceptible to malware. The same can't be said about the Google Play Store, but many popular antivirus companies offer antivirus apps for Android as part of multi-device subscriptions. Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton, and McAfee are all PCMag Editors' Choices picks in the category.
Don't Worry, Your Phone Is Unlikely to Explode
(Image: Roman Samborskyi)
In spite of all these warnings—and how common they might appear on the news—exploding phones are still extremely rare. When the Galaxy Note 7 was recalled by Samsung in 2016, only about 100 of the 2.5 million units shipped were reported to have exploded. That's still scarier than zero, but if you're concerned about ruining your phone, there are more common issues to worry about.
And remember, exploding phones make companies liable for damages, so if there is ever another widespread recall again, it's likely to be dealt with relatively quickly. For instance, Samsung put out software updates that throttled the phone's battery capacity before eventually making the device completely unusable as a safety precaution.
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The last U.S. warplane carrying American troops left Afghanistan Monday after 20 years, and retired U.S. Navy SEAL Jocko Willink reminded host Dan Bongino on Fox Nation’s "The Dan Bongino Show" how America should always respect those in harm’s way.
Willink: I was going to bring this up the other night. I heard you, before I came on, I heard you talking and you were talking about the fact that we were leaving people behind. And I wanted to mention this story. When I was in Iraq, I was in the battle of Ramadi, and there was a situation where there was a gunfight and there were some Iraqi soldiers, some friendly Iraqi soldiers got wounded and were laying in the street. And two of my guys, two American SEALs, put down cover fire, ran out into the middle of the street during a gunfight to grab these two guys, bring them back to safety, totally put their lives at risk. Both those guys ended up receiving the Silver Star for that action.
But this is what we did. And this was for Iraqi soldiers, guys that didn't speak English, guys that were just out there to help us. And that code that you talked about, it's a real thing. It applies to anyone that helps us. We will be there for you. And so it's very sad to see the situation unfolding the way it is.
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Emily BlakeLast modified: August 30, 2021 at 1:04pm
A young trades person competes in the Skills Canada NWT territorial competition in Yellowknife in May 2019. Sarah Pruys/Cabin Radio
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Northwest Territories residents with a journeyperson or recognized trade certificate can now apply for a Blue Seal program to develop their business skills.
“The launch of the Blue Seal program will increase opportunities for Northwest Territories residents to advance in their careers in the trades. This certification will recognize the professionalism and transferable business skills of our tradespeople,” said employment minister RJ Simpson in a statement.
The Blue Seal program was established by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to encourage and recognize business training in the trades.
To obtain a Blue Seal certificate, those eligible must complete at least 150 hours of study approved by the NWT Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Certification program or supplied by a recognized training provider.
Eligible subject areas for that study include accounting, marketing, public administration, communications, and human resource management.
The announcement follows amendments to the territory’s Apprenticeship, Trades and Occupational Certification Act to increase the minister’s authority to issue certificates not previously available in the NWT.
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The territorial government has also pledged to increase the number of women in the trades, including an upcoming workshop for girls in Yellowknife, Ndilǫ, Dettah, and Behchokǫ̀. Currently, less than five percent of all apprentices in the NWT are female.
Modeling motherhood! Heidi Klum has been open about her family life since becoming a mom in 2004.
The model announced in December 2003 that she was pregnant with her and then-boyfriend Flavio Briatore’s first child. When the couple subsequently split, the former Project Runway host moved on with Seal.
The America’s Got Talent judge gave birth to daughter Leni in May 2004, and the singer adopted the little one five years later. He and Klum went on to welcome Henry, Jonah and Lou in 2005, 2006 and 2009, respectively.
The Grammy winner explained at the time: “It requires teamwork. If you are a team, if both parents are a team, then it’s really easy and that’s not a real challenge at all. … But you have to be a team. And if you’re not a team, then it can all fall to pieces. … I never had that teamwork [with Klum]. We never had teamwork.”
“That’s a precarious road to take,” Seal told Us. “Seldom does it end in happiness, but what do I know? She’s 17. It’s not my fault. It’s not my first choice. You have to [let them do] whatever makes them happy. You love them. You keep them safe to the best of your ability, then you let go. They don’t have challenges in the grand scheme of things. … They live in a nice house. They don’t have to worry about food on the table. They have the benefit of a great education.”
“So far, so good,” Klum said, while Kaulitz chimed in, “I think it’s working out pretty good. Of course [teaching them guitar] goes with it. I’m a full-time musician, and I’m doing music all day long. So yeah, that’s part of it.”
Keep scrolling to see Klum’s sweetest shots with her sons and daughters over the years.
ragamnyakabar.blogspot.com Vote To Remove Rebel Flag From Williamson County Seal Delayed For Sons Of Confederate Veterans | WPLN News - Nashville Public Radio
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Conway, Ark. - The Central Arkansas Men's Soccer Team scored a goal in the eighth minute to seal a 1-0 victory over the Belmont Bruins in their second match of the season.
FIRST HALF - EARLY GOAL AND BIG CHANCES
The first real contribution to the tough nonconference match was the goal that eventually sealed the deal for the Bears. Bradyn Knutson played a quick ball into the feet of Karim Diao who turned on his defender and played a lovely through ball into the feet of Vicent Abaso, who has now scored two goals in two games. Abaso rounded the goalkeeper with his first touch and had a simple tap-in.
SECOND HALF - DOMINANT HOLD UP PLAY
The second half was more of the same for the Bears as the defense put together a perfect clean sheet with zero goals and zero shots on goal, while only allowing three total shots which all were off target. Rubyn Gill had two chances to score and put both of those shots on target, but couldn't double the Bears advantage.
HEAR FROM THE COACH
"We have three tough ones coming on the road, so we have to work this week on finishing more of our chances. Life would be a lot easier if we put more chances away. I'm proud of the guys effort for playing two games in a weekend and I am pleased with how we are progressing," said Head Coach Frank Kohlenstein after the 1-0 win.
HEAR FROM THE PLAYERS
"It was important to start the season 2-0 and I think we followed our plan. Personally, I have never experienced this before, scoring two goals in two games so I am happy about that. Now I must try and get more for the team," said Vicent Abaso on his personal and the team's form.
"It was amazing for the defense to keep the clean sheet. We knew a clean sheet would mean the win for us. That is what we are aiming for every match," said the Captain, Alberto Suarez on the dominant defensive performance.
"Everything just feels great out there! I feel that I need to score now while still providing assists. We don't feel rushed and getting the assist was an amazing feeling," said Karim Diao after his second match for the Bears.
The Bears are on the road in the UAB Tournament next weekend, with two matches to be played. Friday, September 3 against Elon with a kickoff of 4 P.M. and Sunday, September 5 against UAB with a kickoff of 5 P.M.
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BEARS GET EARLY GOAL TO SEAL THE WIN OVER BELMONT - University of Central Arkansas Athletics - UCA Sports
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The Freedom Phone is a new "free speech and privacy first" handset unveiled in July that's raising red flags with journalists and security experts who say it's just a rebranded budget Chinese Android phone.
The Freedom Phone and its politically conservative branding will appeal to many. But there is nothing to suggest that the phone, its privacy claims or avoidance of "Big Tech" work the way Finman suggests.
On Aug. 9, Finman posted to Twitter a picture of a stack of FedEx boxes with the caption, "It's shipping time." The tweet was posted using Twitter for iPhone.
Eric Finman posted a tweet using Twitter for iPhone to announce that the first batch of Freedom Phones were shipping.
Twitter
The website for the Freedom Phone was overhauled. The 10 different "buy" buttons were reduced down to three including the ability to use Apple Pay which is curious because of Finman's outspoken avoidance of "big tech" companies. The site states, "Not just making America great. But also making a great phone." Clearly the Freedom Phone is more saturated in politic rhetoric than actual technical innovations.
If you're looking for a phone that protects your privacy, look somewhere else. The Freedom Phone has a lot of red flags. Initially the phone was supposed to run Freedom OS which Finman claimed protects your privacy. It had an "uncensorable" app store called the PatriApp store that claims to feature apps banned by "big tech." In the announcement video, Finman shows off a phone that is powered off and looks similar to a budget Chinese phone that sells for one-quarter of the Freedom Phone's $500 price.
On Aug. 26, Finman announced a partnership with ClearCellular which runs on AT&T and T-Mobile networks in the US. Future models of the Freedom Phone will run ClearOS Mobile which is based on Android 10 made by the "big tech" company Google. The new phones will have better hardware, security and a ClearCellular logo on the back.
In a post on Twitter Finman wrote, "We designed the original version great, but now we're making it 10x better. That means stronger security, tighter privacy, and better hardware."
The basic specs and technical details put the Freedom Phone nearly on par with a $200 budget Android phone. Despite Finman claiming that the Freedom Phone is comparable to the best smartphones, its hardware doesn't come close to premium phones like the Galaxy S21 Ultra or iPhone 12 Pro Max. On paper, it doesn't even seem comparable to the best budget phones. There are not any details about the new version of the Freedom Phone that comes out in Nov. or what makes it 10x better.
It not clear whether the models that shipped in August will be upgraded from Freedom OS to ClearOS or if Finman is planning to support both Freedom OS and ClearOS moving forward. Also, if the original phone and OS was supposed to be robust, what makes the new OS have stronger security and privacy features? Not matter what your politics are, this isn't a good sign.
There isn't much information about how any of the software privacy and free speech features actually work on the August version of the Freedom Phone or the new version that's due out in November. This is a red flag. The phone is marketed entirely on its politically conservative branding and seems like nothing more than a savvy entrepreneur looking to make money from conservatives frustrated with Facebook and Twitter banning former President Donald Trump.
I also ordered a Freedom Phone for testing, but had my order cancelled. I placed another order and hope to test it out when I receive it. I don't recommend you buy the Freedom Phone at this time. I contacted Freedom Phone and Finman for comment and to get more information about the phone.
What is the Freedom Phone?
It's a new phone that promises to protect your privacy and allow free speech without censorship across the device. In his promotional video, Finman says that the Freedom Phone "does everything your current phone does except censor you or spy on you." He says it's comparable to the best smartphones on the market. The Freedom Phone's specs are not comparable to the specs of the best phones. At best, some of the specs are comparable to the $200 Moto G Play or the $250 Moto G Power. Both of those phones have a giant 5,000-mAh battery. The size of the Freedom Phone's battery is unknown.
Finman goes on to state that everyone is complaining about "Big Tech censorship" but no one is doing anything about it. On screen in the video, a generic tweet is shown that's dated Dec. 18 and attributed to Twitter user "@twitteruser" that reads, "BUILD YOUR OWN PHONE!" To which Finman replies, "So, I did." The Twitter account shown is a real address whose last post is dated Nov. 5, 2013.
How many Freedom Phones are there?
There is the original Freedom Phone and apparently a new version that comes out three months later.
Does the Freedom Phone actually work?
We don't know. In the launch video, the phone remains powered off the entire time. That could indicate that the software isn't ready for viewing. We asked Freedom Phone for more details.
Why is the Freedom Phone controversial?
Any time a handset vendor makes claims about a phone's features, it falls to the company to demonstrate and explain how those features work. The Freedom Phone's website, launch video and Finman's posts on Twitter give few details about the phone or how its protections work. The technical details shared don't match up to Finman's claims. The fact that the company already has a second version of the phone planned with an entirely new OS is a huge red flag.
Is the Freedom Phone just a rebranded $120 Chinese Android phone?
The Freedom Phone has the tagline: "Made for conservatives by conservatives." Turns out it's actually made by a Chinese company called Umidigi that's based in Shenzhen City. In an interview with The Daily Beast, Finman confirmed that Umidigi made the Freedom Phone but didn't specify which Umidigi phone design is used.
Matthew Hickey, a cybersecurity expert who co-founded Hacker House, told the Daily Dot that the Freedom Phone is a Chinese phone called the Umidigi A9 Pro that can be bought from AliExpress for as little as $119. He said that the A9 Pro is sold in bulk with custom logos and branding.
In a tweet, Finman wrote, "We designed this between my design lab and our partner in Hong Kong to make a phone that is custom."
Should I buy a Freedom Phone?
No. Even if all of Finman's claims about the Freedom Phone turn out to be true, it's best to wait until devices are available to test the company's claims.
Is the Freedom Phone a scam?
Finman hasn't explained how the phone works, or how it protects your privacy or free speech. Despite the claims so far, the Freedom Phone's basic technical details don't match the claims Finman made about it being comparable to the best phone on the market. The fact that he is releasing an entirely new version of the Freedom Phone just months after the initial one shipped isn't a good sign either. While I can't outright call it a scam, I would approach this handset with caution until it's available for testing.
What makes the Freedom Phone secure?
The first Freedom Phone runs on Freedom OS. Finman says that it won't track your apps, your keystrokes or your location, but he doesn't explain how. The phone's Freedom OS has a security privacy guard called Trust.
"With powerful tools such as Trust, you are in control of what your apps can do whenever you want. Trust will help you understand the security of your device and warn you about possible threats."
We have never heard of Trust. It might be something Finman's team developed. Again, there aren't any details on how it works or where it came from. It isn't clear if Freedom OS is based on Android. And just a reminder that "Big Tech" company Google makes Android.
Google frequently updates Android with software upgrades and security patches which this phone likely wouldn't get.
An upcoming new version of the Freedom Phone will run ClearOS Mobile which is built on Android 10.
What makes the Freedom Phone 'uncensorable'?
The website says the Freedom Phone has an "uncensorable" PatriApp store offering apps banned by the Google Play store and iOS App store. What's unclear is if there are policies in the PatriApp store that protect against illicit criminal activity, hate speech, graphic and sexual material or pedophilia. Is the PatriApp store basically like the 4chan of app stores?
It also isn't clear how the phone would handle technical details like IP tracing, website cookies or other conventional tracking tools used on phones and other electronic devices. We don't know if the Freedom Phone has received clearance from the FCC.
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The upcoming version will run on ClearCellular which runs on the backs of AT&T and T-Mobile.
How does the Freedom Phone protect against carrier tracking?
It's unclear, and the issue isn't addressed on the Freedom Phone website.
If the Freedom Phone avoids 'Big Tech', why does it work on all of the major US carriers?
This is also unclear. In Finman's promo video, "big tech" is largely used in the context of Twitter and Facebook banning former President Trump after he used his accounts to whip up a mob that invaded the Capitol on Jan. 6.
When can you order a Freedom Phone?
The Freedom Phone is available to order now. We strongly recommend you don't order it.
When does the Freedom Phone ship?
The original Freedom Phone shipped in August. A second batch will ship in October. The new version of Freedom Phone is expected to ship in Nov. 2021.
Where can you buy a Freedom Phone?
At this time, only on the Freedom Phone website.
What apps does the Freedom Phone run?
The website shows icons for Parler, NewsMax, OANN, Rumble, the DuckDuckGo web browser and Telegram encrypted messaging. But it's unclear if it will be able to run productivity apps like Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat, social media apps like TikTok or Snapchat, dating apps like Tinder or Grindr, or video games.
Is the Freedom Phone 'comparable to the best smartphones' as Finman claims?
We have strong doubts. The design shown in the video looks like dozens of budget Android phones we've seen over the years. It doesn't look high-end. The screen has a teardrop cutout for the selfie camera, which is a design choice many Android phones had three years ago.
It has a 6-inch screen that Finman says is edge-to-edge. In the video, he never shows the display powered on running Freedom OS. Photos show a dual-SIM card tray with a spot for expandable storage. Finman says things like "great camera," "comparable to the best smartphones on the market" and a "super fast processor," but the specs shared Monday tell a different story.
At best, the Freedom Phone's hardware specs put it barely on the same level with a $200 to 250 budget phone. Important details about the type of processor (Qualcomm or MediaTek) as well as the battery size are left out. There are three rear cameras, but aside from the resolution of the sensors, information regarding cameras is absent, such as if one is ultrawide or a depth sensor.
Curiously, the Freedom Phone has NFC, which means it could be able to use wireless payments like Google Pay. But since Google is "big tech" I'm not sure what, if any, wireless payments would be supported on Freedom OS. There also isn't any mention of biometric security like a fingerprint reader to unlock the phone or for online shopping. See how the Freedom Phone's spec stacks up against some 2021 budget phones below.
Freedom Phone specs vs. Umidigi A9 Pro, Motorola Moto G Play, Motorola Moto G Power
Comes with a clear case, dual-SIM card (both physical)
Comes with a case and screen protector, 10W fast charging, digital infrared thermometer, customizable hardware shortcut key, dual-SIM card (both physical),
10W Rapid charging, Spot color photos
15W Turbo charging, EIS, FM radio, Spot color photos and video
Price off-contract (USD)
$500
$120
$200
$250 (64GB); $200 (32GB
Who owns Freedom Phone?
According to its website, Freedom Phone is owned by Finman, LLC in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Eric Finman is listed as the company's agent and organizer.
Who is Freedom Phone's billionaire founder Erik Finman?
"avoid it" - Google News
August 30, 2021 at 04:45PM
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Freedom Phone: The first batch shipped but here's why you should avoid it - CNET
"avoid it" - Google News
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