Starlink and T-Mobile have announced that as of next year customers on T-Mobile's network will be able to use Starlink's network when there's no T-Mobile signal, effectively creating 100% coverage across the USA. This capability relies on Starlink's 2nd generation satellites (launching next year) that will have "big, big antennas" and work on T-Mobile's "mid-band 5G spectrum" so existing phones will be able to communicate with the satellites for SMS/MMS and "select messaging apps". No voice or data, but SMS/MMS is still super useful compared to nothing. Tesla cars will connect to this network too apparently. This is a game changer and I can't wait to learn more details. It's inevitable an Australian telco will join in too, yeah?
You know how the US cracked the absolute shits at Russia for interfering with their 2016 and 2020 presidential elections by professionally shitposting on Facebook and Twitter? The US just got busted doing the same thing according to social network analysis firm Graphika and the Stanford Internet Observatory. US-based accounts posted memes, hashtag campaigns, petitions, deep fakes and links to US propaganda outlets (i.e: Voice of America/Radio Free Europe) to "promote pro-Western narratives" in countries like Russia, China, Afghanistan, and Iran. There's no hard evidence it was government sponsored, but the "the two most-followed assets in the data provided by Twitter were overt accounts that publicly declared a connection to the U.S. military".
This week was particularly packed with news. Here's some stuff that didn't make the cut but probably would have in a not so busy week:
Here's an ode to the mediocre programmer. The book will "uncover some of common misconceptions we have about programming, failure, and growth and come to understand that the act of programming and development is something we undertake each day and improve in small ways. It's these small changes that over time transform us from being mediocre programmers into better programmers". Shit, even if you don't become a better programmer, it's okay not to be amazing at something! I'm a mediocre writer that's at peace with being mediocre and writing is the thing I'm best at. Me write good.
Here's five interesting discussions over on The Sizzle's paid subscriber forum for you to enjoy over the weekend. If you are not a paid subscriber but want to get involved, visit https://thesizzle.com.au/payme to get onboard.
📻 You're Not The One - Sky Ferreira
😎 The Sizzle is curated by Anthony "@decryption" Agius and emailed every weekday afternoon.
💬 Checked out the paid subscriber only forum? It's a tidy little place to discuss tech with like minded Aussies.
👋 Forums not your thing? The Sizzle has a Slack group you can procrastinate in and chat with other nerds bored at work.
💳 Paid subscriber looking to manage your billing info or change email address? Visit the customer portal.
📚 Browse The Sizzle Archive. A few issues are missing and it's not searchable, but it's better than nothing.
🫂 Friends of The Sizzle is a small group of businesses or organisations operated by Sizzle subscribers. Support your fellow Sizzler!
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.