I'm back! Sure is weird typing "2023" in the date above. Hope you all had a nice break like I did. It's the longest break I've ever had from The Sizzle and while it was good, I did miss writing this stupid thing.
Mine consisted of lying on the couch either watching cricket, Mr. Inbetween or listening to the CDs I recently collected, with periods of eating too much and researching speakers to waste money on that I ultimately decided I can't afford.
Time to crack open my RSS reader and feast on the goo inside.
Just before Christmas, the ACCC knocked back Telstra and TPG's proposed mobile network sharing deal. Under the plan, "TPG would decommission or transfer its mobile sites in regional and urban fringe areas to Telstra. TPG would then acquire mobile network services from Telstra. TPG would give Telstra access to most of its regional spectrum". In the short-term it would be great for TPG customers as they get access to Telstra's mobile network outside of metro areas, but the ACCC reckons "the reduction in competition in the longer-term will likely lead to higher prices, less innovation and quality of service, and less competitive pressure to expand and improve networks". Unfortunately almost all the information the ACCC used to make its decision is redacted, so who knows if their assumptions on long term reduced network investment are legit?
A ruling by the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) has decreed that "Meta must allow users to have a version of all apps that does not use personal data for ads within three months", "ask users for consent to ads via a 'yes/no' option", allow users "to withdraw consent at any time and Meta may not limit the service if users choose to do so" - all in line with the EU's GDPR laws. Meta was also fined 390 million euros. GDPR activist group Noyb took Meta to the Irish Data Protection Commissioner over their lack of GDPR adherence back in 2018, but only now has the EDPB weighed in and forced Meta to actually play by the rules. I'm sure Meta will thrash and flail around, but explicit consent over data use really is just being polite and respectful. The fact Meta can't be bothered to do this just shows what a bunch of fuckwits they are.
Dell has shown off the U3224KB 31.5-inch 6144×3456 resolution monitor at CES. It brings 200%/2x/Retina goodness but with more available desktop space than 4K and 5K monitors. The specs on the U3224KB are great too, featuring an IPS Black panel with a 2000:1 contrast ratio, 500nit brightness and 99% DCI-P3 gamut coverage. It's a Thunderbolt 4 monitor with 140W power delivery, 1x USB-C, 4x USB-A, 2.5GbE RJ45 and a front facing hub with 2x more USB-C ports and a USB-A port. There's even a 4K webcam and noise cancelling mics and a speaker built-in for video conferencing. The only things not to like are the rather corporate design, no mega bright HDR and 60Hz refresh rate. Doesn't bother me though, as long as the pricing isn't stupid (still TBA) I'm buying one as soon as Dell put it on sale in Q2 2023.
MiniDiscs [Hacked] is a compilation of recordings by the English alternative rock band Radiohead, made while they were working on their 1997 album OK Computer. It comprises over 16 hours of demos, rehearsals, live performances and other material. The recordings, taken from MiniDiscs belonging to singer Thom Yorke, were not intended for release; after they leaked online in June 2019, Radiohead released them through the music sharing site Bandcamp for 18 days, with all proceeds going to the environmentalist group Extinction Rebellion. (Del-Uks / Flickr)
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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.