In The Weeds

What's important?: Netflix did well in Q4, 2023, better than expected, given price hikes and ads....do you still subscribe? Links: - https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/23/business/2024-earnings-report-netflix-stock/index.html - **********

What's important?: Around the US, electric vehicles are getting stuck and running out of juice due to the cold temperatures. This isn't just a Tesla problem, nor is it their fault....it's a myriad of issues that unfortunately are getting shoved down our throats.

What's important?: Apple's Vision Pro has a lot of great inclusions from Disney, TikTok and more but will it's price ultimately hold this device back? I think so. Links: - https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/16/24039960/apple-vision-pro-3d-movies-disney-plus - **********

What's important?: Gone are the days of ownership in the digital age. Links: - https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/12/02/playstation-is-deleting-tv-shows-players-paid-for-thanks-to-warner-bros/?sh=2b28a4a533d5 **********

What's important?: No one likes dealerships and apparently Hyundai doesn't either! The car manufacturer is teaming up with Amazon to change your buying experience starting in 2024. Links: - https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/3999 - **********

What's important?: In the words of LeBron James, "It's about damn time", that it is. We pay more, now, for everything and just because a community is poorer or disparaged doesn't mean it should get less quality of service in an age where being connected is more important than ever. Links: https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/15/23962881/fcc-anti-digital-discrimination-pass - - **********

What's important?: Faster, faster, faster. M3 is faster than the previous generation, with much improved graphics performance. If you're still on an Intel machine or perhaps M1 machine -- these could be the Macs for you. Links: - https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/30/23938867/apple-m3-imac-macbook-pro-biggest-announcements-m3 **********

What's important?: Chromebook Plus is a new design spec announced by Google that will highlight machines running Chrome OS that meet higher, more capable hardware requirements. Today is a good day -- no more getting away with selling junk machines. Links: - https://www.androidauthority.com/google-chromebook-plus-3369405/?n=%40 **********

What's important?: Here we go again, another Google product being killed, this time with it's purpose supposedly getting integrated into YouTube Music, which seems a little shortsighted. Links: - - **********

What's important?: This episode I take to give an overview of the iPhone 15 Event, featuring new watches and phones with a focus on carbon neutrality. How'd Apple do? Links: - https://www.imore.com/iphone/iphone-15-pro - https://www.imore.com/health-fitness/apple-watch/apple-watch-series-9 - https://www.imore.com/iphone/iphone-15-camera **********

What's important?: Let Apple or Samsung tell you, you need a new phone every year. I'm here to tell you.....that's a lie. Links: - - **********

What's important?: Senior staffers at YouTube are worried that YouTube Shorts is killing it's long form content. With everyone wanting to be TikTok, THAT may be the bigger problem. Links: - https://www.theverge.com/2023/9/3/23857451/youtube-shorts-tiktok-ads-short-video **********

What's important?: X is seriously devolving by removing features that make a social network work.... No block lists... No headlines on articles shared... Make it make sense. Links: - https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/22/23841012/x-twitter-remove-headlines-news-elon-musk **********

What's important?: Elon is on a mission to destroy Twitter and remove all of its built up brand equity. Way to go buddy. Twitter has been renamed and it's slowing becoming a pile of garbage. Links: - https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/24/23805415/twitter-x-logo-rebrand-bird-farewell-to-birds - **********

What's important?: MVNOS, mobile virtual network operators, can save you a load of cash. Stop paying the big dogs for the same service, you and your dollars are contractors....pick up and move to where the grass is greener and better for your pockets. Links: - - **********

What's important?: ChatGPT, AI generated songs and "art" -- can we start to understand the legal implications before we open the floodgates? Links: - - **********

What's important?: Netflix, I'm over you. I'm over not being able to find anything to watch. I'm over actual good shows getting the boot after one or two seasons. I'm over small incremental price hikes with a lessening of overall quality. Peace out. Links: - - **********

What's important?: Now, more than ever, consumers are placing a new car buying decision on whether or not it has Android Auto or CarPlay. With GM wanting to focus on their own infotainment system, I say we make them (and others) regret that decision. Let these new cars rot on lots. Links: - https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/4/23669523/gm-apple-carplay-android-auto-ev-restrict-access **********

What's important?: Remember during the height of the pandemic when social audio apps like Clubhouse were all the rage? When's the last time you listened on any of these? I don't remember either.... Links: - https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/4/23670193/spotify-live-shut-down-obamas-audible-amazon-jay-shetty-iheart - **********

What's important?: I still don't know why deep fakes exist. No one can tell me the usefulness of these monstrosities other than to lie and mislead. Now, TikTok, which has been under fire for years, is taking steps to clean them up. Links: - https://www.theverge.com/2023/3/21/23648099/tiktok-content-moderation-rules-deepfakes-ai **********