Google Australia is forcing all users to make a Google account if they want to watch age-restricted videos or download age-restricted content on Google Play and "may be asked to provide additional proof of age when attempting to watch mature content". This is a direct result of the Australian Online Safety (Restricted Access Systems) Declaration. You might think it's no big deal, everyone has a Google account and kiddies shouldn't be watching "mature content", but imagine being a 16 or 17 and wanting a peek at some content that some adult decided isn't for you. What a frustrating time to be a kid. Plus like, Google harvesting and storing more info on you just so you can watch a video or download an app, fuck that noise.
The common "link in bio" refrain in people's Instagram posts is now a billion dollar business. Yep, Linktree (an Australian mob, I just found out) got a fresh US$110m investment that values their company at one point three billion United States dollars. LinkTree is literally a webpage you sign up for and chuck on a bunch of links to stuff. Popular with influencer types who want a quick way to link to all their social media, online store, affiliate programs and so on. They make money charging for additional features. Such a simple idea, executed well, that took off beyond anyone's expectations. I'm not jealous or bitter, no not me.
Last night's Nets vs Mavericks NBA game is the first volumetric video of a live sports game. What the fuck is volumetric video? I'll let The Verge explain: "110 data capturing cameras placed around the court to carefully track player movement. Then it combines that data in real-time with 3D models that have been built of each player, and renders it, very similar to how things would work while you're playing NBA 2K. That creates the ability for virtual camera operators to show off the action from any angle they want to, as virtual cameras swoop around the floor like drones". Here's a video of the output. It's like a reverse video game.
Looking to get a solar power system installed at your home, but all the panel and inverter brands leave you confused? Solar Quotes' latest installer survey has you covered. They asked their large panel of installers which panels and inverters they like working with best. The results for inverters are pretty clear - Fronius (installers love em), or if you're on a budget Sungrow. For the panels it was a bit more varied with Sunpower the "if money is no object" recommendation. Trina and Jinko were very close in the value for money area. Sungrow and Jinko panels seems like a good way to achieve quick ROI on the investment.
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