Particle News app for iOS: Seattle Times articles are returned from searches for "Null"

 iOS 18.1.1

Particle News app for iOS (version 1.0.8)

11/26/2024

Description:

Today, after reading an article about it, I downloaded a new app called Particle. It's a news app that uses AI to organize and curate news for you. It's an interesting idea, with an easy to understand user interface. 

I did find one small thing odd. I ran a search for the term "null" inside of the app:

And actual results were returned from the term "null" - not an optimal result.

This is a test that I run with every app that I download that has a search input box. Unless there is specially an entity named "Null" nothing in the app's menu or search results should, presumably, be labeled as the term "null" - if it is it is worth a second look! 

I've written about issues related to "Null" appearing inside of iOS apps before. 

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Download and launch the Particle News app for iOS (version 1.0.8)

2. Successfully create an account

3. Click on the magnifying glass in the bottom right of the screen

4. Inside of the search input box enter in the term "null"

5. Click on "URLs"

6. Note that 15 Seattle Times URLs are returned that are labeled as "Null"

Result: If the user searches for "null" inside of the Particle News app for iOS, 15 URLs from the Seattle Times newspaper's website are returned. Each URL has a description of "Null" - this is a less than optimal end user experience 

Expected: No returned URL inside of the Particle News app for iOS should be labeled as "Null" 

Download the Particle News app for iOS and create a valid account. Launch the app...

Click on the magnifying glass search option in the bottom right hand corner of the screen...

Enter the term "null" into the search input box and run a search...

Note that 14 "null" results are returned - all from the Seattle Times!

OpenTable app for iOS: Bad Data in the Gulf of Guinea!

iOS 13.3.1
OpenTable app for iOS (version 13.12.2)
Date: 03/22/20

Description:

Have ever been curious to know a quick way to find "bad data" in an app? Meaning, data that may have a listed address, but one that isn't recognized as valid? Have you every wanted to see if the particular map-integrated app you're using has entities which aren't geo-locating to the correct place?

Here's an easy way to do it!

The OpenTable app has a problem which is common on numerous other apps. Here's a summation of the problem: if a restaurant address is listed that is not recognized as a "valid" it is deposited at a latitude/longitude of "0.0.0.0."

This "0.0.0.0" is off the coast of Africa and is known as a mythical "Null Island" for database purposes. 

Some of the various locations you can quickly find - many of them are in Australia...
The Mexican Port Douglas
Lime Leaf Thai Restaurant 
Choo Choos Marina Port Douglas

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Download and launch the OpenTable app for iOS (version 13.12.2)
2. Sign into an account
3. Click on "Search" - search in any location
4. Click on the Map
5. Search in the Gulf of Guinea area off of West Africa
OR:
6. Run a search for restaurants in the Gulf of Guinea

Result: Searching the 0.0.0.0 area in many apps will show you locations that lack a correct address

Expected: Not sure - just a fun way to find bad data across multiple apps!

Massimo Dutti app for iOS: The word "null" appears when sharing Massimo Dutti apps on Facebook

iOS 13.3
Massimo Dutti app for iOS (version 9.16.0)
Date: 01/12/2020

Description:

There is a minor bug with sharing items from the Massimo Dutti app to Facebook. When the user shares an item listed in the app to Facebook, the auto-generated description of the product displays the word "null" in the Facebook post.

Take a look at these screenshots:

Shouldn't ever be displaying the word "null" when sharing something from an iOS app.

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Download the Massimo Dutti app for iOS
2. Share a product via the Share Sheet to Facebook
3. Note the word "null" appears

Result: The word "null" appears when sharing a product from the Massimo Dutti app to Facebook

Expected: The word "null" should never appear when sharing a product from inside the Massimo Dutti app to Facebook