Issue 145 - Thursday, 12th May 2016 - The Driver Of A Dodgy Car In Rotorua Is In Deep Trouble

In this issue

News

Not News, But Still Cool

  • Instagram got a new icon
  • Civ 6 will be released on the 21st of October
  • Microsoft to ditch Wi-Fi Sense feature in new Windows 10 update
  • iPhone 7 might not blow our socks off
  • Uni of Syd ICT manager exposed as corrupt by NSW ICAC
  • There's 256GB microSD cards now
  • Fermi Paradox demo looks fantastic
  • Hyper loop One conducts first public test of proposed hyper loop propulsion system

NEWS

Instagram got a new icon Instagram changed their icon and some UI in their range of apps and man, people have lost their shit. Just search Twitter or Facebook for Instagram to see how salty it has become. Even Gruber-san has had a little rant about this thin veneer of a change. I dunno man, it's just a new icon/logo, it looks nice, get a fucking grip. Discuss

Civ 6 will be released on the 21st of October Civilization 6, pardon me, Civilization IV (better), will be released on October 21st this year. The latest installment of one of my very favourite game franchises (only GTA is more near and dear to my heart) will focus on changing the strategy around player's cities. The terrain, apparently, will play a massive part in how your cities function and defend themselves. According to Polygon's preview, it "brings an element of SimCity planning to Civilization", fuck yeah. Discuss

Microsoft to ditch Wi-Fi Sense feature in new Windows 10 update Microsoft is killing off the Wi-Fi Sense feature in Windows 10. This stupid idea was supposed to make logging in to wi-fi access points easy, but really, was a major security vulnerability. Wi-Fi Sense allowed you to share a list of your known wi-fi access points and passwords with your Skype and Facebook contacts. So if you had this feature turned on, you were giving your wi-fi network passwords away to other Windows 10 using Facebook and Skype contacts - pretty shit. Whilst Wi-Fi Sense will no longer share passwords with your contacts, it will still sync the passwords between any computers you are logged in to with the same Microsoft account. Discuss

iPhone 7 might not blow our socks off I tend not to read too much into Apple related rumours, sure, I let my imagination enjoy certain scenarios, but rumours about Apple products can be very hit and miss. However, the parts suppliers that produce all the components for Apple to assemble their iPhones with are often reliable indicators what Apple is up to. Many of the component manufacturers Apple buys stuff from have reported outlooks significantly lower than previously and will be manufacturing fewer parts than last year - a sign that the iPhone 7 may not be all that popular. Discuss

Uni of Syd ICT manager exposed as corrupt by NSW ICAC If you've ever worked somewhere and a flood of shithouse contractors appear out of nowhere but your manager loves them, remember this guy. NSW's ICAC recently found Jason Meeth, an ICT manager at the Uni of Sydney guilty of corruption when he asked a contractor supply company that wasn't on the accredited list, to give staff to one that is, so he can hire them, but pay the initial non-accredited supplier. The contracting company made a 50% profit, instead of the usual 10% off these contractors. Unfortunately there's no proof Meeth was paid a kickback, but ICAC reckons he got some fat stacks of cash though. Discuss

COOL SHIT

There's 256GB microSD cards now Samsung has announced 256GB microSD cards - the largest available. 256GB of 1's and 0's in the size of a fingernail. Amazing. Reads/writes at 95MB/90MB per second and will go on sale in June for US$250. If you don't need 256GB, here's a hot tip for buying cheap legit storage: hit up Ozbargain, search for microSD and you'll find the cheapest prices for Samsung/Sandisk micro SD cards. the largest available. 256GB of 1's and 0's in the size of a fingernail. Amazing. Reads/writes at 95MB/90MB per second and will go on sale in June for US$250. If you don't need 256GB, here's a hot tip for buying cheap legit storage: hit up Ozbargain, search for microSD and you'll find the cheapest prices for Samsung/Sandisk micro SD cards. ">Discuss

Fermi Paradox demo looks fantastic Check out this cool as hell demo. It's even cooler if you download it and run it on your computer natively (beefty GPU running in Windows required) Demos are like, I reckon, the programming equivalent of that heavy metal dude shredding the shit out of a guitar. Fantastic to watch and there's some music there, but it's not really practical. Like an amazing display of skill. The Yngwie Malmsteen of programming, I guess. Still, all those sweet graphics just sitting in 64 kilobytes! I like watching the old Amiga demos too. Discuss

Hyper loop One conducts first public test of proposed hyper loop propulsion system The Hyperloop, Elon Musk's idea for a whole new transportation method, took a step closer to reality in a Nevada desert today. The group behind Hyperloop One successfully completed its very first test of the propulsion system in front of a public audience. The demo managed to reach 100mph via magnetic induction motors on rails. Hyperloop One expects to have a tube-based demo ready by the end of the year. Still a long way to go, but there are people seriously trying to bring Elon Musk's idea to reality. Engadget has some nice pics too. Discuss

Here endeth the sizzle (until tomorrow!) --Anthony

Here's some more recent issues

So what are you waiting for?

Sign up for a free two-week trial today and find out for yourself. You don’t need to provide any credit card details.

Welcome aboard!
Expect to receive an email shortly.
Hmm…
Looks like there's something wrong with the email you entered.