Apple has new iPhones - the 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max (no new mini phone). The 14 isn't much of a change from the 13, but the Pro phones get beefier camera sensors, a "Photonic Engine" for fancy image processing, a "Dynamic Island" that makes the notch area interactive and an always-on dsiplay. All the iPhone 14 variants get satellite connectivity in the US, but more on that later. The Apple Watches got updates (even the SE), with an all new Apple Watch Ultra designed to take on the Garmins and Fenix sport smartwatches that I think is pretty cool. The AirPods Pro got a refresh too, featuring a new H2 chip for better noise cancellation, battery life and 3D audio. You can adjust volume via touch controls. By the way, iOS 16 and watchOS 9 are coming on September 12th.
Albania has "cut diplomatic ties with Iran and expelled the country's embassy staff" after a "reckless and irresponsible" cyberattack that "temporarily shut down numerous Albanian government digital services and websites". That attack being ransomware and a leak of documents on Telegram that show "Albanian residence permits of members of the Iranian opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq group". The Albanians say that there is "undeniable evidence that the cyberattack against our country was orchestrated and sponsored by the Islamic Republic of Iran which had involved four groups for the attack on Albania". Surprised we don't see countries treating cyberattacks like physical attacks more often. I guess attribution is harder to determine.
The Department of Home Affairs is contemplating the expansion of "data localisation" as part of its National Data Security Action Plan. It's already mandatory for businesses storing, transferring, processing or handling My Health Record data to keep it all on Australian soil, but in a discussion paper, Home Affairs wonders out loud if this should be extended to financial data (so it can be audited), as well as other personal/sensitive data. It probably won't surprise you that all the tech lobby groups (made up of mostly US businesses) vehemently do not want to be forced to store data in Australia. The Tech Council of Australia and DIGI both reckon such laws would "increase the cost of doing business" and "data localisation is the wrong approach to address these issues". Telstra and Optus are also against it, saying the cost will be enormous and that there's too many overlapping data security laws.
As mentioned earlier, the iPhone 14 range has satellite connectivity. They're using Globalstar's satellites on Band 53, which is actually part of the LTE standard (2483.5 – 2495 MHz), so think of it more like a phone tower in the sky very far away with fuck all bandwidth instead of a Starlink terminal in your pocket. Apple's implementation is designed for emergency communications and according to MacRumors there is a "relay center with Apple-trained specialists that will be able to place an emergency call for you". It's also integrated into Find My and can provide location info in the background even if there's no wi-fi/cell coverage so others can keep an eye on where you are. Unfortunately it is US and Canada only. It's free for the first 2 years, but no pricing info for what happens after that.
📻 I For An Eye - WAAX
😎 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.