Friday, April 26
Daily News Stuff 26 April 2024
Narbuncular Numbats Edition
Narbuncular Numbats Edition
Top Story
- Elizabeth Bathory eat your heart out. Or someone else's. Probably a peasant's. Three women have contracted HIV after receiving "vampire facials" at an unlicensed spa in New Mexico. (Ars Technica)
The woman's case led investigators to VIP Spa, which was unlicensed, had no appointment scheduling system, and did not store client contact information. In an inspection in the fall of 2018, health investigators found shocking conditions: unwrapped syringes in drawers and counters, unlabeled tubes of blood sitting out on a kitchen counter, more unlabeled blood and medical injectables alongside food in a kitchen fridge, and disposable equipment-electric desiccator tips-that were reused. The facility also did not have an autoclave-a pressurized oven-for sterilizing equipment.
I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit.
Twice.
Tech News
- HMD, the company that manufactures Nokia phones these days, has released three new models under its own brand, all under $200. (Ars Technica)
In Europe.
Unfortunately they all have 720p screens, which may or may not be an issue for you.
I recently picked up a Moto G54 - 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, and a 1080p screen - for around $130. That model is also not available in the US.
- TSMC has announced it 1.6nm process, called A16, due late 2026. (AnandTech)
It's not a huge advance over the company's second-generation 2nm process due in 2025, but I'm not sure how much we can ask when new processes are coming out every few months.
- Gigabyte has a new "baseline" option in its latest BIOS version that keeps Intel CPUs running within specs to make sure they are stable for gaming. (WCCFTech)
It reduces performance by 30%.
And your electric bill by a similar amount.
- Australia's police and spy agencies want backdoors in encryption protocols. (The Register)
Because of course they do.
- Best I can do is a backdoor into Chinese keyboard apps. (The Register)
And estimated 750 million people could have their data stolen... If they are using a Chinese keyboard on their phone.
Learn a real language.
Disclaimer: Potat.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
06:33 PM
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1
Chinese keyboard apps: "flaws", El Reg says. Sure. "Flaws". Totally an accident.
Posted by: Rick C at Friday, April 26 2024 11:17 PM (BMUHC)
2
The last time I used a camera on my phone it was to document a fender-bender. As long as it takes better pictures than a potato I'm good.
I don't play games on my phone, or scroll endlessly through social media or TikTok videos. I keep music on my phone - both my own and by way of a streaming service. (My current streaming service just dumped a couple of my favorite artists. Not mainstream to say the least.) And so my current phone was selected because it supports up to a 1 terabyte micro SD. I never listen to music from the phones speakers, so those are also pointless.
As for the 720p screen... no games. I don't keep books on the phone in case I'm stuck in line at the DMV, the dentist or wherever... I don't think I would care.
I don't play games on my phone, or scroll endlessly through social media or TikTok videos. I keep music on my phone - both my own and by way of a streaming service. (My current streaming service just dumped a couple of my favorite artists. Not mainstream to say the least.) And so my current phone was selected because it supports up to a 1 terabyte micro SD. I never listen to music from the phones speakers, so those are also pointless.
As for the 720p screen... no games. I don't keep books on the phone in case I'm stuck in line at the DMV, the dentist or wherever... I don't think I would care.
Posted by: Zendo Deb at Saturday, April 27 2024 12:41 PM (/Wb6G)
3
"Do keep books on the phone"
Posted by: Zendo Deb at Saturday, April 27 2024 12:42 PM (/Wb6G)
4
Yeah, reading books is the only reason I want a 1080p screen. I notice the difference, but that's just me, and for anything else it really doesn't matter.
And even the cheapest Motorola model currently available in Australia has a 1080p screen so that wasn't an issue.
And even the cheapest Motorola model currently available in Australia has a 1080p screen so that wasn't an issue.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at Saturday, April 27 2024 03:33 PM (PiXy!)
5
I've been debating replacing my trusty old LG V20, but for me a user replaceable battery is non-negotiable as I don't want to be on the phone replacement treadmill every 2 years or so. The options, unfortunately, are mostly not much of an upgrade. Fairphone 5 seems to be the best bet, but reviews indicate teething issues, it's expensive, and not directly available in the US (T-Mobile). Any thoughts?
Posted by: StargazerA5 at Sunday, April 28 2024 01:41 AM (bT2sP)
6
Stargazer, you've got a tough road ahead of you; a few minutes searching seems to mainly show either really old phones like the V20, really low-end phones, or really expensive ruggedized ones.
Posted by: Rick C at Sunday, April 28 2024 04:01 AM (BMUHC)
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