Apple, Google, and other tech companies have announced the formation of a new project to set up new common communication standards for smart home devices. Project Connected Home over IP will allow smart home devices from different manufacturers to communicate with one another using an open standard with built-in security.
Convenience store chain Wawa reports data breach
Convenience store chain Wawa has disclosed a data breach that occurred from March 2019 to December 2019. Malware was detected and then removed from its payment processing servers by their information security team. Payment information, including credit and debit card numbers, expiration dates, and cardholder names were included in this breach. Wawa is offering one year of identity theft protection for affected cardholders.
SQL Server 2019 generally available on November 4th 2019
Microsoft announced the general availability of SQL Server 2019 on November 4th 2019 at its Ignite conference. There are four editions: Enterprise, Standard, Express, and Developer. Express and Developer editions are free and can be downloaded from microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-downloads.
A list of new features for SQL Server 2019 is also available.
More information is available at microsoft.com/sql-server/sql-server-2019.
QuickBooks company backup files do not include file attachments
QuickBooks desktop edition does not include file attachments when it makes a company backup data file. This will cause issues if the files need to be installed on a new computer or saved as part of normal data file backups.
The attached files are stored by QuickBooks in a folder named “Attach” with multiple subfolders.
The company file and Attach folder can be found by selecting Company > Documents > Repair Attached Documents Links.
Click the Open Company File Folder button to locate the Attach folder and company file. The Repair Links button will remove invalid attached document links. 
The company file can also be found by searching for a file with name format *.QBW.
Google Drive and Gmail free storage limited to 15 GB
Google accounts start with 15 GB of total storage spread across Google Drive, Gmail, and Google Photos. Once this limit is exceeded, users have the option of upgrading to a Google One plan.
You may check the total amount of storage currently used for your Google account at google.com/settings/storage. Google also provides instructions on how to free up additional storage.
iTunes replaced on Apple devices by Apple Music and TV apps
iTunes has been replaced by Apple Music, Apple TV, Apple Books, and Apple Podcasts on iOS and MacOS devices. Prior iTunes media library content can now be found in these new apps. Instructions on how to manage Apple Music and other subscriptions are available.
Yahoo data breach settlement
REAL ID compliant identification required to fly in US on October 1st 2020
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require a REAL ID-compliant form of identification for all airline passengers who fly in the United States starting on October 1, 2020. More information from the TSA about REAL ID is available here.
Apple reports some iPhone 6 smartphones experiencing power on issues
Apple released a statement that some iPhone 6 smartphones cannot be turned on due to a failed internal component. iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus users can see if their phone may be affected by entering the phone serial number at this link.
Apple iPhone 5 users will also have to do an iOS update or they may experience issues in several major iPhone apps starting on November 3rd 2019.
DoorDash and Dunkin Donuts data security incidents
Meal delivery service DoorDash has reported a data breach of about 4.9 million customer, delivery driver, and merchant user accounts. Users who registered after April 5, 2018 should not be affected. DoorDash has also set up a phone help line regarding this data breach that can be reached at 855-646-4683.