NBN is thinking about a “Netflix tax” to boost revenue
Samsung CEO explains why the Galaxy Fold still isn’t available
Microsoft disabling all ebooks it sold and refunding everyone
Control a Sonos setup from your Apple Watch with Lyd
Cheap Chromecasts, Wonderboom speaker, Lenovo Smart Clock, Logitech MX Anywhere 2S mouse, Philips Hue starter kit, Jabra Move headphones, Vodafone prepaid SIMs with Netflix gift cards, Nokia 3310 3G phone, 12% Lenovo cashback, Nintendo Switch console
The brainworms have dug in nice and deep over at NBN Co, as demonstrated by the fact they're considering a "Netflix tax" on their shiny new $60b network. The question about downgrading video streaming services and customers paying more to unlock full quality streams was raised with ISPs in the NBN's latest wholesale pricing review, and as you'd expect, the ISPs are not happy about yet another price increase for customers already cranky that the NBN costs more than their ADSL did. It seems unlikely it'll actually happen, but it's funny to watch the NBN grasping for straws to meet government imposed revenue targets.
Samsung's CEO, DJ Koh, has told journalists that the release of the stillborn Galaxy Fold was "embarrassing" and that he "pushed it through before it was ready" in a rush to get a jump on competitors. As to the current status of the Galaxy Fold, he said that "more than 2,000 devices are being tested right now in all aspects. We defined all the issues. Some issues we didn’t even think about, but thanks to our reviewers, mass volume testing is ongoing" - sounds to me like it's gonna be a few more months until the Galaxy Fold leaves the lab. Still waiting for Huawei and Xiaomi's folding phones too.
Back in April, Microsoft announced that it will shut down its ebook store after only 2 years of operation and that in July (i.e: now) "your ebooks will no longer be available to read". While there's been a heap of news around the internet saying this is why DRM sucks and why paper books are good (which is true and I agree with), Microsoft's gone about this shutdown the right way and will be giving a full refund for all books purchased. You can then take that money and use it to buy paper versions of the books that nobody can ever take from you. Short of an armed cultural revolution I guess. It's not like that's never happened.
Many of you own Sonos speakers and also own an Apple Watch, so it would be remiss of me not to tell you about Lyd - an official Sonos app for the Apple Watch. From 9to5 Mac, "Lyd lets you remotely control your Sonos speaker playback, including adding speakers to your now playing group, changing volume, starting a new playlist, or setting a favorite radio station. You can even switch between Sonos households right on the Apple Watch, and the Siri watch face suggests launching Lyd intelligently". It's on the app store now for $2.99, a small price to pay to control your $300 speaker from your $600 watch.
Good Guys are doing another eBay sale with the code PGUY20:
Google Chromecast Ultra - $79.20
Google Chromecast (3rd-gen) - $47.20
UE Wonderboom bluetooth speaker - $70.40
Lenovo Smart Clock with Google Assistant - $99.20
Logitech MX Anywhere 2S wireless mouse - $51.20
Philips Hue A19 White starter kit - $78.85
Non Good Guys sale stuff:
Jabra Move wireless headphones - $79 at JB Hi-Fi.
Get a $30 Vodafone prepaid starter kit for $10 at Woolworths and get a free $20 Netflix gift card.
Shopback is offering 12% cashback from Lenovo’s online store if you’re in the market for a nice ThinkPad.
Big W is clearing out the Nokia 3310 retro 3G phone for $29, unlocked.
Nintendo Switch console - $359.10 from EB Games eBay store using the code PRETZEL.
🎶 Search and Destroy - Iggy & The Stooges
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The Sizzle is created on Wathaurong land and acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, recognising their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay my respect to them and their cultures and to elders both past and present.