SomeGadgetGuy

That cranky tech nerd you watched that one time...

Patreon: https://Patreon.com/SomeGadgetGuy
YouTube: https://YouTube.com/@somegadgetguy
Home Site: https://somegadgetguy.com/

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Last Notes

2024-09-08 20:19:45

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"Not at all. Go ahead and wrap this up since it's so important to you who talks last, instead of who's right."
I've only gotten to play that out ONCE, and it was glorious.

2024-09-05 05:13:28

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It's always projection isn't it.
"We're awful people, so the other side must be doing the same awful things WE are!"

2024-08-28 23:20:09

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I KNOW THAT TP LINK! I really liked that box.
It's just so nerdy cool what we can do with mobile network management.
I think you'd dig this Asus as a refresh on the TP-Link idea.

2024-08-28 22:55:57

Asus RT-AX57 GO Portable Router Review!
https://somegadgetguy.com/b/4A8
It’s one of those gadgets that seems kinda “meh” when you read through the press release, but then the more you use it, the cooler it gets.
If you’re the “IT Department” for you family, this is the kind of gadget that can make your life A LOT easier.
#tech #technology #gadget #review #bbtg #technews #youtube #video #asus #privacy #security #data #datasecurity

2024-07-17 19:24:08

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It'll depend on the headphones, but I really control that FROM the headphones.
On my cans, I just turn them off and my phone goes "cool that disconnected". Or earbuds, I put them in the case.
Going through menus on the phone seems like it would take longer, and do exactly what you're describing.

2024-07-09 14:27:28

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I'm so glad we're cooking the planet to impress investors with this crap...
🙄

2024-07-08 15:56:09

Give us a share and come join the chat! The show is LIVE! https://www.twitch.tv/somegadgetguy
HAPPY MONDAY! I'm finally back in the GadgetLab, but I brought back an EXTRA souvenir from London. TK is joining me for a casual chat this week, as we follow up on our new ARM laptops. Have they lived up to the claims? Do they work well for travel?
Also we have a new Realme and a fancy gaming headset in our hands!
Let's get our tech week started right!
#tech #technology #podcast #livestream #geek #bbtg #windows #microsoft #google #android
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/751/619/504/555/618/original/ca8ef243ca4071c4.jpg

2024-07-05 15:11:47

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nice! I was so jetlagged from the trip we failed to make it out to a fireworks show 😢

2024-07-03 09:00:37

Microsoft's carbon emissions from data centers are up 30% since promising to be carbon neutral, and now we find out Google's emissions are up 50% because of increased data center use. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/jul/02/google-ai-emissions
Cloud AI still hasn't proven any viability as a business, but it sure is polluting more.

2024-06-29 18:22:42

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seems like if we wanted to move the needle on those business practices, we should work from the top of the industry first.
If it became more unfashionable for a company that delivers at the scale apple can, then smaller brands would likely not engage in similar practices.

2024-06-29 17:23:08

https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/701/064/302/600/890/original/45c9d4754bab184c.jpg

2024-06-27 06:26:46

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The toughest part has been reporting on this to techies. Folks who love commenting on benchmark videos, but really haven't kept up with ARM over the last couple years.

2024-06-24 18:21:59

iFixit with the GOOD data! https://www.ifixit.com/News/96998/from-0-10-to-8-10-microsoft-puts-repair-front-and-center
Good to see Microsoft going from the WORST possible repair-ability score, to being a good option for repair and well documented for technicians.
#tech #technology #ifixit #microsoft #windows #righttorepair #repair

2024-06-24 16:42:36

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I used to viscerally disagree with this idea, but increasingly I think breaking up huge tech companies might be the only way to go.

2024-06-24 14:39:43

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It's rough. I REALLY want an OS that CAN learn about me and be proactively helpful. I thought we were on that trail with Google Now cards, but we keep inching forward and then stepping back.
Recall isn't a bad idea. There are apps that do similar things already, and MS was basically "sherlocking" that functionality.
But MS ALSO deserves every ounce of criticism and scrutiny for what they showed off. The initial demonstrations we're security NIGHTMARES, and the steps so far to shore up user security are insufficient.
I hope it gets there.

2024-06-24 14:32:46

Reviewing the new Surface Laptop! A quick follow up, A LOT of this is working great! https://somegadgetguy.com/b/47K
It’s almost like we totally could have predicted this over the last year of Windows on ARM!
Basically, the experience has improved to the point, where I don’t think many people will know that anything is different. Some of the core issues will obviously arrive from BETA software and X86 drivers, but what does that actually look like now? Well, it looks pretty darn good.
After my first impressions, here are some quick follow up thoughts on networking, storage and accessories, audio gear, and a fun little skit about gamer bros.
I’m sure there’s nothing in this that might be deemed controversial.
ENJOY!
#tech #technology #review #geek #bbtg #microsoft #laptop #windows #windows11 #ai #copilot #video #qualcomm

2024-06-23 18:56:53

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Oh I didn't mean their exact menu there, I just mean in general. A curry chicken on a good pizza dough, nice hot savory sauce. Yeah. That could work for me.
Depending on how the broccoli was cooked, I could maybe go for that too.

2024-06-23 18:54:51

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Ooooh a curry chicken pizza sounds amazing...

2024-06-23 03:23:15

I don't remember ever having signed up for this, but apparently the Sony Rewards program is ending. I even have some points.
Looking up the rewards catalog, I was only 219,972 points shy of the camera body I wanted.
Darn.
So close.
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/663/785/768/510/320/original/9545c499b3368165.png

2024-06-23 01:27:15

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even more like a capybara now?
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/663/332/975/633/125/original/2f94db82ea5195b1.png

2024-06-22 03:55:27

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the last two years have been very good. We just needed better hardware for it. 😊

2024-06-22 03:06:15

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haven't made it that far yet. I am running Ubuntu in WSL tho.

2024-06-22 02:18:59

Remap the CoPilot Key on Your Laptop!
https://somegadgetguy.com/b/47G
If you're not using CoPilot on your new AI PC, it's easy to change the CoPilot key to do something else! Let's remap that keyboard!
#tech #technology #geek #bbtg #laptop #windows11 #tutorial #microsoft #copilot #ai #pc #Techsupport #tutorial

2024-06-22 00:16:31

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Daisy... Daisy... Give me your answer do...

2024-06-21 23:10:42

Patreon Early access: https://www.patreon.com/posts/arm-powered-pc-3-106647548
Follow up thoughts on ARM PC networking, storage and accessories, audio gear, and a fun little skit about gamer bros. I'm sure there's nothing in this that might be deemed controversial. ENJOY!
#tech #technology #geek #bbtg #microsoft #surface #windows #windows11 #copilot #ai #review #laptop #gaming #pc #pcgaming
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/657/128/232/335/212/original/b59cf314dae649ba.jpg
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/657/130/329/037/001/original/7be38f9db331f717.jpg
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/657/131/783/414/063/original/98aa178376fba1bc.png
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/657/131/934/528/113/original/534cbd873453f6bf.png

2024-06-21 21:07:47

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LOL spot on.
MS gonna snatch failure from the jaws of victory yet again...

2024-06-21 21:03:06

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We keep parroting this lame talking point in tech reviews:
"Tablets are solutions in search of problems"
But really, the thing holding back tablets has been actual desktop grade productivity software.
Now we have a MUCH better performance per watt solution to put a proper desktop OS into a slate form factor, it's exciting to see a slate machine be A LOT MORE useful.
The next year should be REALLY fun.

2024-06-21 00:18:34

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Gotcha! I kinda figured something like that would be different, again for the other worldly powers and stuff. Ultraman, etc.
But for all the folk tales and feats of strength, I kinda figured Paul is a "giant", not really a "strange beast". Blue the OX would be the kaiju.

2024-06-20 23:32:02

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Are giant humans kaiju?
I mean babe the big blue ox sure, but a giant person?

2024-06-20 21:32:25

Little marshmallow works of art that play your music REALLY well! Taking the Meze Alba earbuds for a spin! https://somegadgetguy.com/b/47C
#tech #technology #music #headphones #earbuds #audio #audiophile #bbtg #review #video #youtube

2024-06-20 20:06:36

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It's maddening watching politicians talk past the "youths" they seem so desperate to protect. I have some small hope that when I've hosted presentations for high school students, the idea of participating and "taking power" (instead of waiting to for older generations to GIVE power) seem to resonate.
I don't doubt that in an era of HUGE data tech companies, some notion of reforming or adapting section 230 could be worth a conversation with some nuance, but this current drive to sunset it is ludicrous.

2024-06-20 16:27:39

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I hope this gets tested in the courts IMMEDIATELY after the European Court of Human Rights declared weakening encryption violates the human right to privacy.
https://edri.org/our-work/european-court-of-human-rights-confirms-weakening-of-encryption-can-violate-the-human-right-to-privacy/#:~:text=Encryption%20not%20only%20safeguards%20users%E2%80%99%20privacy%2C%20but%20also,indiscriminate%20data%20storage%20interferes%20with%20users%E2%80%99%20privacy%20rights.

2024-06-20 15:27:04

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I'd never thought to look before, but Rufus has a native ARM version!
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/649/646/990/154/843/original/246aeea6e31b4a1b.png

2024-06-20 03:12:41

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THIS is really cool to see!

2024-06-20 01:46:59

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I'm too chicken to try and install the experimental Debian distro from Qualcomm on this brand new Surface, but I did get Ubuntu up and running in WSL.
So, there's that at least 😁
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/646/422/983/822/221/original/7ac25425226dcc97.png

2024-06-20 01:08:49

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Man, we had old drives that went "knock knock" and floppies that sounded like an angle grinder was snapping plastic...

2024-06-19 23:13:24

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Figured I'd start my time reviewing this laptop decorating it to show folks how I feel about all the AI stuff...
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/645/816/569/385/237/original/4d62ad5fb2accad5.png

2024-06-19 21:57:55

I've spent LESS than a DAY setting up the new Surface Laptop CoPilot+ PC, and I have a LOT of thoughts!
https://youtu.be/xvhredzomLY
Unboxing, setup, gaming, and some EARLY benchmarks. We're jumping RIGHT into this conversation on the future of Windows portable computers!
#tech #technology #geek #bbtg #microsoft #ai #copilot #bbtg #windows11 #qualcomm #review #gaming #video #youtube #laptop

2024-06-19 00:01:20

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Going live with the Android Faithful crew! Come join the chat!

2024-06-18 18:10:16

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We were so close to that with Cortana. You could tell a windows phone "Remind me to ask my wife about the dog's medication", and then ANY text or Email the phone would pop up a reminder.
I keep dreaming we'll get better app integration, like if could tell my phone to search for a song on Qobuz and play it on my TV, but we seem to be moving farther away from BROAD interactions on our gadgets.

2024-06-15 17:37:22

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It was never about the functionality. Apple designed iMessage to be a pain point for families, so parents wouldn't buy less expensive phones for their kids.
It's exhausting that people still keep acting like Apple was out to make the best functional product for their customers.
It was always about lock in, and they found a GREAT psychological pain point to encourage their customers to evangelize against Android users.
It's "in group" vs "out group" marketing at its finest.

2024-06-14 23:17:23

The Vivo X100 Pro is easily one of the best smartphone cameras I've ever reviewed, but ONE small issue is driving me BONKERS in the pro mode...
https://somegadgetguy.com/2024/06/14/vivo-x100-pro-a-big-problem-with-my-favorite-phone-camera/
#tech #technology #geek #bbtg #review #android #androidography #photography

2024-06-14 17:14:40

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Oh! That reminds me that I'm running low on their salad dressing mixes... Gotta get an order in...

2024-06-14 17:13:54

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Poverty is often a "criminal offense", and eventually those kids will be in the legal system to become slave labor in prisons.

2024-06-13 23:12:19

It's EARLY days for Google's Find My Device network. I'm reviewing different trackers and collecting data on the experience.
https://somegadgetguy.com/b/46r
Literally the first thing to look at, which one of these tags is easier to setup?
#tech #technology #findmydevice #geek #bbtg #Google #android #review #youtube #video

2024-06-13 18:56:19

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I'm playing through Axiom Verge right now too!
Like a comfy little nostalgia blanket. Such a fun little romp.

2024-06-13 18:51:04

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Ah! I see YOUR point now.
Yeah. The purpose of this video specifically (beyond the cheeky 'Sheep' slur of course) isn't to complain about the people who responded. There's no satire there. There's no gotcha.
The responders were completely correct to call out my bait post.
That's why my example on the Android side is shown by using a screen grab of a major android reviewer site. I'm trying to show that the criticism of Google doing the exact same thing was trumped up by folks with a much bigger publishing reach, and the apple end users and consumers came to the CORRECT conclusion.
Platforms like Threads and YouTube demand we always cater to the bias of the most profitable audiences, and it's important to show that content discrepancy and bias in "reporting".
Taking the exact same situation, but swapping "google" for "apple" should have delivered similar headlines from tech websites. It's NO mystery why that didn't happen.
Money.

2024-06-13 17:51:50

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Except for the consumer tech "reviewer" echo chambers that seem to consistently deliver the "tough criticisms" only when they risk nothing for their PR relationships and monetization. That venn diagram of influencer commentary is becoming a circle.
Consumers are the victims. They just don't realize it.

2024-06-13 16:53:33

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There was a brief window at launch where it felt like an old school social media site, but Facebook algorithms ratcheted up fast.
You're experience doesn't sound too far off from what I saw. There's a vein of FANATICS on that site that want to fight about anything which doesn't sound like 100% acceptance of their favorite thing.
Another of my friends is a tech reviewer too, just recently shared some nice thoughts on Apple's AI play, but had a criticism or two mixed in, and got A LOT of hate from the Apple side.
That's how you win over Android users right?

2024-06-13 15:17:11

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Psssst...
You forgot to add:
"...in perpetuity on all platforms and media currently available, and future platforms, media, and distribution to be invented, until the heat death of the universe."

2024-06-13 15:14:02

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I hate that it draws it out of me too.
I'm pathologically incapable of NOT picking at Apple Sheep and Samsung Knights. It's like almost mandatory that I reply to people with the same tone they use commenting at me, just so I can watch them feign shock at how "rude" I am for mirroring their confrontation.
I wish I was above it, but I know I'm not LOL.

2024-06-13 14:45:46

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it's wild though that the social media platform has so much influence over the fans community.
I posted the same bait here on Mastodon, and there's a healthy collection of Apple users here too. No one took that bait here though, and most people seemed to know what I was doing.
It's like Meta attracts a user base drawn to that kind of fighting, and their algorithms feed divisiveness and confrontation.
Anecdotally, the posts of mine that seem to reach the farthest are those that cause "is vs them" fights.

2024-06-13 14:25:06

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There's a good deal of snark in this video, but my conclusion isn't a "trick". It's sad that spelling out the concept seems to make Apple fans on Threads even angrier.
They were happy to correct me when I posted an obvious bad take on Apple Intelligence. That was the goal with a bait post. I got what I needed.
But they seem ANGRIER that their arguments supporting Apple could ALSO be used against hack reviewer criticisms of the Pixel.
Like, they want to hate on Android more than they want to be right in defending the iPhone.
It's a weird vibe on Threads right now.
#tech #technology #threads #meta #socialmedia #facebook #apple #ai #appleintelligence #geek

2024-06-13 00:19:50

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Definitely one to keep mentioning. Especially encouraging folks to contact regulators and law makers until we start getting more comprehensive consumer privacy laws.

2024-06-12 23:43:02

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Thanks for that. It's good to hear.
It's a not insignificant amount of money to invest in, but strangely, it doesn't FEEL like we're spending a lot more as we pause our streaming services from month to month.

2024-06-12 23:41:44

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I don't check in very often anymore, but my entire notification section was basically nuked. Evaporated. Gone.
Twitter is going great.
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/606/294/470/292/327/original/c489f18bf457b421.png

2024-06-12 23:39:11

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Yup. I dont know how long they'll last, but I'm hoping we won't have TOO many issues with disc rot.
Pulling the footage from 4K discs, and saving REALLY high quality HEVC files, Im hoping we won't have to re-rip TOO often.

2024-06-12 23:22:40

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That would be good if GM did shut it down, but it's more than just GM.
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2024/06/car-makers-shouldnt-be-selling-our-driving-history-data-brokers-and-insurance

2024-06-12 23:11:03

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I wish I had the time to poison the well like that. I hope some folks are.

2024-06-12 23:08:27

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Neat. What we all really wanted was a massive investment in infrastructure and data centers, consuming significantly more power and water, while dumping a ton more carbon into the air, all so we would get shuffled off to random web searches right?
RIGHT?

2024-06-12 23:05:51

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This on TOP OF you car manufacturer likely selling off your driving data directly too.

2024-06-12 18:36:48

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Oh no. no no. I think you've tapped into the frustrations we're all feeling.
Regional markets are shrinking, and we're ALL losing competition.
It takes a herculean amount of effort to course correct for that kind of retail atrophy though.

2024-06-12 18:29:44

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I guess the point is, and I'm not trying to fight you, areas like yours wont just GET better competition hoping companies will deliver it.
It takes a groundswell of support, actual grass roots retail pressure, and a consistent chatter with local news and regulators.
People have to show up first to prove the market.
It doesn't work the other way around.
So if you get an AMAZING deal on a Vivo, Realme, Redmi, Poco, Infinix Tecno, etc.
People have to show up and support those companies. The education has to happen first.

2024-06-12 18:22:22

A bit of fun conducting a social experiment on Threads.
https://somegadgetguy.com/b/46m
Apple fans on Threads are CORRECT!
Apple not bringing LLM features to current iPhones and iPads is NOT an indication that Apple is failing to support their products!
So why did we think this was a problem when Google did something similar with Gemini?
#tech #technology #socialmedia #threads #bbtg #geek #apple #ai #Google #android #ios #ios18 #react #technews #gemini

2024-06-12 17:53:43

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But that's the core problem isn't it? Competition.
"I don't have good competition in my region, so I hope Apple will deliver a product that meets my needs and budget."
That won't help improve the competitive landscape as much as you think it might.

2024-06-12 17:36:27

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That's the BIG IF though isn't it? When has Apple ever demonstrated any savvy at that price point.
To your point about android phones though, I worry you're seeing TOO narrow a view of the budget and midrange.
Sure, Samsung is wildly boring there too, but you also have to dismiss phones like the Vivo V30, which have cameras that compare VERY well against phones that cost twice as much, and has innovative features like the ring flash I wish was on the Vivo X series.
Or a Pixel 8A at $500, or a OnePlus 12R, phones that completely EMBARRASS more expensive products from Apple and Samsung.
The issue is one of marketing and consumer education. We can't keep pretending there's only a duopoly of manufacturers worth considering, and then also somehow expect consumers to know about these other products.

2024-06-12 14:06:18

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Yeesh. That's a lot of speculating, and a pretty terrible misread of the android mid-range.
Especially since Apple has historically delivered the absolute worst compromises at this tier to keep profits higher.
Why give Apple this magical power "to deliver" when they always fumbled this dating back to the iPhone 5C?

2024-06-12 02:15:29

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See the edited OP.

2024-06-12 02:03:13

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It's honestly kinda crazy to me that massive tech/data companies dont just run their own instances. Think how many fans would want to have an @Apple.com mastodon account...

2024-06-12 01:15:45

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LOL for reals. Apple execs aren't bothered by this at all.
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/601/002/135/125/287/original/d00b7167d5e7f659.jpg

2024-06-12 01:09:25

Elon Musk disabling the Apple Twitter account is the funniest man-baby tantrum shit I've read all year. You love to see it.
#tech #technology #apple #elonmusk #twitter #socialmedia #news #technews #funny
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/600/976/383/167/513/original/dac7cf9ea760c0ed.png

2024-06-11 17:24:31

That's a nice shot.
I'm not sure what phone you used, but this is one of the advantages of newer phones with larger telephoto sensors. We get better output at the native and cropped zoom roughly out to that 10X equivalent.
The thing about phone HDR, it's going to try to lift shadow detail, like in the tree line near the building. I always find it useful to knock the shot down a half stop. For an image like this, it's ok if those trees are more silhouette, the water a little darker, as you'd get slightly richer colors out of the sky.
If there's any kind of long exposure night mode or "high res" mode, it's always worth giving those options a shot too. They're trickier to use at dusk, but a "hi-res" shot can sometimes be cropped into more than taking a 10X zoom shot from the auto mode. Again, that just depends on the phone and the sensor in your phone.
Lastly, given the pixelation of the water, I'd probably line up the horizon on the bottom third of the frame, instead of the middle.

2024-06-11 17:04:19

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All the boxes and discs end up in our storage unit, but I LOVE having my own personal library again.

2024-06-11 15:29:32

It's enraging how slow our legal system and regulators work when it comes to big tech companies.
Following the DOJ case against Google's ad and search business. The 80 year old judge presiding over the case accepted Google's $2 million dollar offer to "cover the damages" referenced in the DOJ brief. The judge ruled we won't need a jury trial.
Google brings in roughly $60 BILLION in revenue on search and ads every fiscal QUARTER.
We wouldn't have known what the damages were until we heard the DOJ's case. Sure. $2 million. That should cover it.
Now, major parts of Google's search code have been leaked on github, and it seems Google has been lying to users, ad customers, and to regulators, on how it organizes and ranks websites.
A handy video summing up the leak: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mirCSvEnN0
But it's unlikely this new data will be stapled on to the current DOJ case, and it's unlikely this judge would understand this data anyway.
#tech #technews #news #business #google #law #doj

2024-06-11 14:12:53

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I'm down 😄

2024-06-11 06:21:27

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the stigma of green bubbles will still allow for the most awful apple fanboys to ostracize android chat.

2024-06-11 04:11:16

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generations of "us vs them" marketing since literally the 1984 spot.

2024-06-11 03:59:18

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[The joke is, all the techies who were acting like Google reneged on their tech support promises because Gemini features weren't going to the Pixel 8. When we swap "Google" for "Apple", we suddenly see folks defending Apple's support where they criticized Google.]

2024-06-11 01:51:01

LOL. I'm no Apple fan, but Twitter needs Apple a metric poop-ton more than Apple would ever consider "needing" Twitter.
Musk warns that he will ban Apple devices if OpenAI is integrated at operating system level https://www.yahoo.com/tech/elon-musk-says-ban-apple-204647804.html
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/595/474/357/401/429/original/0e36eb982900144a.mp4

2024-06-10 23:40:10

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always glad to find a few other nerds that care about this.more than some old hack "Mac vs PC" marketing debate.
I still hope for more Linux PC and phone adoption. Steam deck rocksy socks, and shows us how viable a consumer facing product could be.
It's a vague hope, but could be a small way for enthusiasts to at least opt out of this duopoly.

2024-06-10 23:30:36

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I've been shooting on 1" type sensors for a couple years now.
The USA is SO FAR BEHIND the rest of the world for mobile camera tech.
It's sad. REALLY sad...

2024-06-10 23:10:31

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I honestly don't know anymore. It's really disappointing that we can point to this market, see clearly that a lack of competition is harming consumer choices and services, but there's no base of consumers who would be willing to take the first step and leave "their team".
Huawei could pull some attention away, but that will probably only influence a couple small regions in the short term. MAYBE some progress in the EU, but it's doubtful we'll see Huawei influence the market in North America.

2024-06-10 22:34:44

"I dunno... I just don't see how we can trust Apple to live up to their promises of five years of software support on the iPhone. I think today shows Apple will just cancel that promise whenever they feel like it."
#tech #apple #wwdc #wwdc24 #shitpost #geek
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/594/695/482/834/335/original/3893b65c912d2bbf.png

2024-06-10 19:04:48

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"Oh don't worry. We're not BUILDING all the new data centers (yet). We're just USING all the data centers that need tons more electricity and water and pump more carbon into the air.
We're Apple."

2024-06-10 15:55:21

Give us a share and come join the chat! The show is LIVE! https://www.twitch.tv/somegadgetguy
Shorter stream this week as we wait for WWDC to kick off!
Chatting about the Windows Recall Backlash, Adobe's Terms of Service update, How Google Avoided a Jury Trial by cutting a check, and another twist in the Apple vs Epic courtroom drama!
#tech #technology #geek #business #technews #news #podcast #livestream #bbtg #google #apple #wwdc #wwdc24 #microsoft #android #adobe #recall #business
https://files.techhub.social/media_attachments/files/112/593/066/652/053/512/original/90b93111d322e5b2.jpg

2024-06-10 01:11:57

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From the recent security study on Apple WiFi and BT policies, all their data is dumped into a big bucket that can be accessed relatively easily.
You only need to call a few APIs to get enough location data from Apple devices to track populations of people, potentially down to individuals if they're using hotspots.
https://www.cs.umd.edu/~dml/papers/wifi-surveillance-sp24.pdf
It's good an AirTag can't just tell someone who its owner is, but that's FAR from the only potential threat.

2024-06-10 01:11:02

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And if you're only contribution to this criticism is an insufferable:
"Well Akshully AirTags wur teh MOIST secure becuz enkripshun!"
Then you're just a mockable slob who doesn't understand anything about security. Especially if you think the biggest threat or harm of the AirTag was:
"What if someone directly attacks the most secure part of Apple's data centers to crack open their entire location network, and sifts through all that data to discover my exact location!?!?!"
If you're really that obtuse, allow me to explain that you're being a massive douche nozzle.
Security researchers weren't concerned about AirTag encryption. We were concerned about someone sticking a tag to a car and tracking people without their knowledge.
Which happened.

2024-06-09 23:16:26

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It really is hilarious, because if Google had just done what Apple did (opting people in and releasing a horribly easy product to abuse location and privacy) all these tech "journalists" would definitely be crying foul.
But Google built in more safeguards and uses a stricter opt-in policy, and now all these hacks are crying about how two weeks in, it's not as good as the Apple's three year old network.
And of course these hacks are also giving Apple a pass on all the past privacy problems and how Apple delayed the Google network for an additional year shoring up security on the iPhone.
Apple's treatment of consumer data, and the dark patterns employed to opt out, should be a much bigger deal.
But that requires actual journalism, and you don't make as much money if you're not confirming your audience's bias.

2024-06-09 23:06:55

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"I'm choosing to ignore all the actual reported issues with AirTags, law enforcement advisories, lawsuit (that just survived Apple's filing for dismissal), and the recent published study on Apple's location APIs" isn't the best defense of Apple's finder network, but it seems that's what you're going with.
Or you know, you could just admit Apple isn't magically any more secure than any other big data harvesting company.

2024-06-09 22:50:11

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And that has nothing to do with the potential for AirTags abuse we saw realized when AirTags launched.
Nor is apple's overall location services nearly as secure as you think it is. Especially when API calls tracking things like wifi and Bluetooth can already be used to do things like track troops and refugees in Ukraine.
This "cryptographic" lock you refer to, only protects one TINY part of Apple's chain, and the whole rest of the location network is one big bucket of data that's easy to consume.
AirTags and the finder network deserves a lot more criticism.

2024-06-09 22:14:03

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I've been preaching this for a couple years now. I started building up a library of my own discs during Covid, and ripping them for my own plex server.
It's not only a fun project , but it makes cancelling streamers so easy when you know you have a collection of content you can always watch.
It's insanely frustrating paying for a streamer, and then still having to look for your favorite films and shows, and how that content moves around different services. Now if I REALLY like a show or film, I don't have to worry about it leaving my collection.

2024-06-09 21:59:35

Sure. Google location tracking "bad" and Apple data harvesting "good", but it's pretty hack to see articles popping up about how poor Android trackers are compared to AirTags.
https://somegadgetguy.com/b/46Q
Ignoring the security nightmare AirTags were at launch, the assumed permissions Apple just takes for the Find My network, and the annoying (and scary looking) process Apple forces users through to OPT OUT of location tracking, it's shocking how well Google is doing only a couple weeks into this new finder network going live.
#tech #technology #editorial #news #technews #bbtg #privacy #security #google #apple #geek #business

2024-06-09 15:00:01

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It was obnoxious enough before I made it that far...

2024-06-08 19:33:27

A case brought by the DOJ was just denied a jury trial because Google cut a check for $2 million dollars.
Business practices that likely impacted business and consumers to the tune of billions in potential damages, a company that generates $60 Billion in revenue on search and ads every fiscal quarter, a judge looked at the DOJ brief and said:
"Yeah. $2 million ought to cover that. No need for a jury trial."
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/07/business/google-doj-antitrust-case-judge-decision/index.html
A hearing is set for July 21st for a dismissal.
#tech #technology #news #business #technews #google #search #law #lawsuit #doj

2024-06-08 15:36:50

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It's exhausting.
Having to hope there's enough outrage left that Adobe will backtrack, or that eventually a regulator will push back on this.

2024-06-07 23:46:32

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that's the "market correction" a lot of these tech brands need. Their actual customers and end users are an after thought. They've grown too big to care.

2024-06-07 23:44:40

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but... The shareholders... Won't SOMEONE please think of the SHAREHOLDERS?!?!?

2024-06-07 21:18:21

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I kinda feel a LOT of the big tech brands have become what you're describing. I'm just old enough to remember ALL the various permutations of Microsoft dating back to DOS 3.

2024-06-07 21:17:14

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Right there with you.
I have no great insight, but it REALLY feels like these "concessions" were just the feature updates and polish that were already going to come with the official launch.
I feel there's a BIT more that needs to be addressed.

2024-06-07 21:12:56

I've been covering a lot of HEAVY news lately, so let's wrap up the week with a little gaming accessory?
https://somegadgetguy.com/b/46M
This is one of the coolest solutions for a phone game controller I've ever had the pleasure of reviewing. Let's play!
#tech #technology #geek #game #gaming #mobile #android #xbox #microsoft #videogames #video #review #bbtg #gadgets