Weekend Photo News and Journalism Roundup for July 25-26, 2020
A weekly compilation of photography, journalism, and content creation news and resources written or curated by Sean Sosik-Hamor. Not everything posted is breaking news but is something that piqued Sean’s interest while researching or fact-checking other stories.
A media drone passes over the vendor tents and crowds at NEMBAfest 2015 (June 2015). Photograph by Sean Sosik-Hamor.
Chinese Drone Manufacturer Responds To Recent Security Concerns Over Android App
By Sean Sosik-Hamor for Newsvoice
Cybersecurity researchers revealed on Thursday that DJI's drone control app for Android, DJI GO 4, can bypass the Google Play app store. Outside of China, app updates downloaded from Google Play must go through an approval process. DJI responded, if the app has been modified by the user, "we notify the user and require them to download the most recent official version of the app from our website."
Independent News Sources
Popular Chinese-Made Drone Is Found to Have Security Weakness
Chinese-made drone app in Google Play spooks security researchers
Vendor Response
SpaceX Starlink Satellites Appear in Photos of Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE)
By Sean Sosik-Hamor for Newsvoice
Concerns have been raised after many of SpaceX's Starlink satellites have appeared in astronomy photos of Comet C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE). Over 400 Starlink satellites are currently in orbit and SpaceX plans to launch a total of 12,000 satellites for their network. There are many other satellites in orbit but Starlink satellites appear brighter because they orbit closer to Earth than other satellites.
Independent News Sources
Create Shell Scripts To Implement Your Own Local Fix for Poor App UI/UX
By Sean Sosik-Hamor for Inert Ramblings
I’ve recently started submitting summary posts to Newsvoice.com to expand my journalism portfolio for Hamor Photography. But, like many web-based services, the web app doesn’t implement the same feature set as the smartphone app and vice versa. More frustratingly, neither app seems to allow editors to view a list of submitted story links or summaries pending moderation.
So I’ve hacked together a quick shell script to find the latest published summary URL on Newsvoice.com, iterate through a list of all recently-submitted summaries (both published and unpublished), and do a case-insensitive search for a single-word string that appears in the title.
Read more and get the source code snippet at Inert Ramblings!
AP To Equip All Visual Journalists Globally With Sony Imaging Products
Sony Electronics Inc., a global leader in imaging, and The Associated Press, the trusted global news organization, announced today a new collaboration that will make Sony the exclusive imaging products and support provider for AP news photographers and video journalists around the world.
New Sony Gear ‘a Game Changer’
AP has a long history at the forefront of imaging technology, from the first transmission of photos over the wire to the early days of digital photography. Today’s announcement that AP will equip its photo- and video journalists with cutting-edge Sony cameras and lenses is another milestone.
Software and Firmware Updates
Today was Firmware and Software upgrade day for all of my gear! Here’s what’s new:
