<![CDATA[MITE RADIO 0492 906 469

<![CDATA[MITE RADIO 0492 906 469 - Blog]]>Wed, 07 Oct 2026 09:03:12 +0800Weebly<![CDATA[BYD Solid State Batteries]]>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 05:58:23 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/byd-solid-state-batteries

Chinese automotive giant BYD has announced that it is closing in on the commercialisation of solid state battery technology, positioning itself at the forefront of what many consider the holy grail of electric vehicle development.

According to statements made by BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li during a recent media interview, the company plans to introduce its first electric vehicle equipped with a solid state battery. While specific vehicle models and launch details remain tightly under wraps, leaving open whether the initial rollout will be a commercial market release or an advanced demonstration model, industry watchers note this puts the BYD timeline ahead of many global competitors.

What’s the big deal I hear you ask??Well, SS is really the Next Frontier in EV Tech

Solid state batteries are widely viewed as the next major leap forward for the electric vehicle industry. Unlike traditional lithium ion batteries that utilize liquid electrolytes, solid state cells use solid materials. This shift promises substantial benefits and fixes a lot of existing battery problems, including:

(Range) Dramatically Increased Range: Higher energy density allows vehicles to travel significantly further on a single charge.

Engadget

(Charging) Faster Charging Speeds: Solid state architecture can safely handle drastically higher charging inputs without degrading as quickly.
(Safety) Enhanced Safety: Eliminating flammable liquid electrolytes greatly reduces the risk of thermal runaway and battery fires.

Engadget

The only real downside is cost… but just like everything, time will fix that too.

How BYD Compares to the Global Race
For years, automakers worldwide have chased solid state technology, but scaling production and managing high raw material costs have proven to be massive hurdles. Most legacy global automakers, such as Toyota, Honda, and Mercedes Benz, have historically targeted timelines ranging from the late 2020s to 2030 for their own solid state vehicle rollouts.

By indicating that a solid state equipped vehicle is nearly ready for the open road, BYD is signaling that it intends to bypass traditional timeline expectations. However, industry analysts caution that overcoming manufacturing hurdles at a mass market scale will remain the ultimate test. Because of high initial production costs, analysts expect that if solid state vehicles do hit the market in the near term, they will likely debut in ultra luxury or flagship high end models before trickling down to more affordable consumer segments.

Ep 363

]]><![CDATA[Another Sizzling Success for MITE Radio!]]>Sat, 03 Oct 2026 05:31:52 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/another-sizzling-success-for-mite-radio

Community, sausages and plenty of fun vibes - our latest Bunnings Sausage Sizzle was a fantastic day for MITE Radio!

Yesterday we fired up the BBQ once again and headed to Bunnings Bayswater for another MITE Radio fundraising sausage sizzle - and what a great day it was for all!

From the moment the BBQ got hot, our wonderful team of volunteers were busy grilling sausages, chatting with locals and welcoming supporters who stopped by to say hello.

Supporting MITE Radio
While a sausage sizzle might look like a simple BBQ, events like this play an important role in helping keep community radio on air.

The funds raised will contribute towards some of the essential behind-the-scenes costs involved in operating MITE Radio, including licensing, insurance and broadcast expenses.

Every sausage, bun and drink purchased, every donation made and every person who stopped for a chat helped contribute to the day - and we're incredibly grateful for that support.

❤️ A Huge Thank You ❤️
A special thank you goes to all our amazing volunteers who gave their time and energy to make the event happen.

Whether you spent a couple of hours on the BBQ, helped with setup and packing up, served customers, chatted with the community or simply helped spread the word, your contribution made a difference. Thank you to everyone who came along and supported us. We loved seeing familiar faces, meeting new people and having the opportunity to tell more of our local community what we do.

More Than Just a Sausage Sizzle
Events like this are about more than fundraising. They're about really connecting with our community, meeting new people and especially celebrating the volunteers and supporters who help make community radio possible.

There were plenty of laughs, lots of conversation and, of course, plenty of snags! We're already looking forward to our next opportunity to get out into the community.

Please Keep Supporting MITE Radio
Thank you once again to everyone who helped make our latest sausage sizzle such a success. Your support is invaluable, and helps keep MITE Radio on air and connected with the community.

]]><![CDATA[Less Facebook Ads]]>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 09:00:00 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/less-facebook-ads

How can I see less Facebook Ads? Craft your feed!

Click your profile picture in the top-right corner.
Select Settings & privacy, then click Settings.
Click on Accounts Center near the top of the left-hand menu.
Under "Account Settings", click on Ad preferences.

Key Sections to Adjust Inside Ad PreferencesOnce you are in the Ad Preferences menu, you can fine-tune several specific settings:

Ad Topics: Review categories or interests Meta assumes you like. You can click on specific topics and select "Show less" to reduce related ads.
Ad Settings > Activity information from ad partners: This controls whether advertisers can use data about your off-platform browsing and shopping activity to target you. You can choose to clear history or restrict how partner data is linked.
Advertisers: View a list of specific companies that have uploaded contact lists (like email lists) containing your info, or brands you've interacted with, and choose to hide or block ads from specific advertisers.

Ep 362
Image Source: facebook.com

]]><![CDATA[The Real Cost]]>Mon, 28 Sep 2026 01:00:00 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/the-real-cost

We tend to talk about artificial intelligence like it lives entirely in the cloud - a weightless, invisible engine humming along in cyberspace. But every single AI query, image generation, and automated workflow relies on a very heavy, very physical anchor down here in the real world: massive amounts of land, high-voltage power lines, complex cooling systems, and windowless warehouses packed tight with servers.

Just like consumer advocate Erin Brockovich’s crowdsourced mapping project is exposing in the United States, the rapid, aggressive expansion of AI infrastructure is bringing these realities right to our own backyard. And as local communities begin to feel the pinch, governments are finally stepping in to set some ground rules.

The Local Pressure Points: Power and Water
Australia’s digital infrastructure footprint is scaling up fast, with national data centre capacity climbing to support heavy AI workloads. But that growth comes with massive resource costs:

The Energy Crunch: Hyperscale data centres demand round-the-clock electricity, raising legitimate concerns about grid stability and whether everyday households will end up footing the bill through rising power prices.
The Water Security Puzzle: Cooling thousands of hard-working server racks requires staggering volumes of water. In a dry climate like Australia's, balancing these cooling demands against local water security is becoming a major point of friction.

What is the Government Doing About It?
Recognising that local communities and national grids cannot simply absorb this shock without planning, federal and state leaders have moved to tackle the issue head-on.

The National Cabinet backed a landmark framework aimed at creating a single, nationally consistent rulebook for large-scale digital infrastructure. Under this policy push, the federal government is laying the groundwork to introduce mandatory national standards for data centre energy, water, and land-use.
Key pillars of this regulatory approach include:

The "Net Generator" and Cost Principle: Signals suggest operators of large facilities will be expected to help underwrite new power supplies - effectively adding clean energy to the grid rather than just draining it - and cover their fair share of connection and transmission costs so household bills aren't impacted.
Stricter Resource Transparency: Pushing for better water efficiency and clear reporting standards so local communities aren't kept in the dark when multi-gigawatt facilities are proposed on their doorsteps.
Complementary Planning: While the Commonwealth establishes these broad baseline standards, they are designed to sit alongside existing state and territory planning and environmental approval processes, ensuring local councils and residents retain a voice.

The Bottom Line
The artificial intelligence boom isn't just a software race; it’s an infrastructure race. Initiatives like Erin Brockovich's map in the US and Australia's push for a national regulatory framework both point to the same fundamental truth: if the digital world wants to expand its physical footprint, it has to learn to do it transparently and sustainably - without sacrificing the communities footing the bill.

Ep 362
Image Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/a-close-up-of-a-computer-screen-with-a-menu-on-it-fvxNerA8uk0

]]><![CDATA[Channel Surfer TV]]>Sun, 27 Sep 2026 01:00:00 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/channel-surfer-tv

I think I’ve found something pretty cool that you guys are going to love. If you’re like most people, you spend half an hour staring at streaming menus trying to pick something to watch, and by the end of it, you’re too exhausted to even care?

Well, I stumbled across a site called channelsurfer.tv and it is pretty cool. It’s basically an old-school cable TV guide built out of curated YouTube feeds. Under the hood, it's run as a lightweight web app and it maps out a schedule across about 40 different thematic channels.

The brilliant thing about it is it’s basically a livestream so there’s no rewinding, and no pausing. It runs on a real-time schedule, so if you flick over to a channel and something's already halfway through, you just roll with it. It completely brings back that old habit of channel surfing and stumbling across random, fascinating stuff by accident.

It’s brilliant to have running in the background or just to sit and literally channel surf. Have a squiz at it when you get a minute, it’s well worth a look. Oh and I’m yet to see an ad.

Ep 362
Image Source: https://channelsurfer.tv

]]><![CDATA[Fuel Support Payment]]>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 10:00:00 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/fuel-support-payment

It’s not too late to claim your fuel support payment - Dec 31st.

Who is Eligible? To qualify for the $100 payment, applicants generally need to meet a few core criteria:

Hold a valid Western Australian driver’s licence.
Maintain a residential address in Western Australia.
Possess an Australian bank account into which the funds can be deposited.
Limit claims to one payment per eligible person.

There are three official methods you can use to claim your one-off $100 Western Australian Fuel Support Payment.

1. ServiceWA Mobile App (Fastest Option)
This is the quickest and most direct way to get your payment. Money claimed through the app is processed rapidly.

What you need: You must download both the ServiceWA app and the myID app.
How to do it: Set up your Digital ID to a "Standard" strength level, log into the ServiceWA app, head to the "Offers" section within the "Discovery" tab, and select Fuel Support Payment.

2. Department of Transport eForm (Online Web Form)
If you do not want to use the mobile app or set up a Digital ID, you can use the secure website portal. [1]

What you need: Your full name, date of birth, valid WA driver’s licence number, and your Australian bank account details.
How to do it: Navigate directly to the online portal at the DoTDirect Fuel Support Payment Application link to lodge your submission electronically.

3. Physical Paper Application
If you prefer managing the process manually, you can submit a physical form, though processing may take up to 8 weeks.

What you need: A completed application form, a printed copy of both sides of your WA driver's licence, and the first page of your Australian bank statement confirming your name, address, BSB, and account number.
How to do it: You can download and print the form E207 from the WA Government Website. Once filled out, mail it to:
Fuel Support Payment Applications
Locked Bag 2
WELSHPOOL WA 6986

Ep 362
Image Source: https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2026-06/social-fuel-support-payment-girls.jpg

]]><![CDATA[Phone Launchers]]>Sat, 26 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/phone-launchers

Q "Hey team, I keep hearing people talk about 'Android launchers' or 'custom launchers' for smartphones. What actually is a launcher, and is it something I actually need to install, or am I fine sticking with what came on my phone?”

If you’ve ever heard someone talk about an 'Android launcher' and wondered what on earth they meant, think of it as the desktop environment of your smartphone.

It’s the app that controls your home screen, your app drawer, your app icons, and how you swipe between pages. Every Android phone comes with a default launcher pre-installed - like Samsung’s One UI or Google’s Pixel Launcher - which dictates how your phone looks and feels right out of the box.

So, do you actually need a new or different one?

Not necessarily! If you like how your phone looks and handles out of the box, you’re good to go. But if you want to change custom app icons, speed up an older phone, hide clutter, or streamline your home screen so you stop getting distracted by social media, installing a third-party launcher from the Play Store lets you overhaul the entire feel of your phone without buying a new device.

Installation is simple and they are non-destructive so you can switch between them and see what you like.

Ep 361
Image Source: https://unsplash.com

]]><![CDATA[Fake ABC News Articles]]>Wed, 16 Sep 2026 02:24:06 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/fake-abc-news-articles

If you’re scrolling through Facebook today, you need to keep your guard up. We’re seeing a fresh wave of sophisticated scams targeting Australians by impersonating trusted news outlets- specifically, the ABC.

Scammers are running deceptive advertisements on Facebook that mimic the branding and style of legitimate ABC News articles. These fake pages are designed to trick you into clicking, often leading to malicious sites that aim to harvest your personal data, credit card details, or lure you into fake ‘get-rich-quick’ investment schemes.

It’s part of a larger, ongoing problem. Despite Meta’s efforts to use AI to detect impersonation, these criminals are highly adaptive. They’re using hijacked or purchased verified Facebook profiles to push these ads, making them look deceptively authentic.

The scam starts with a Facebook ad featuring an AI-generated image of well-known celebrities or politicians in a dramatic, on-air confrontation. We are seeing dozens of these, often featuring senior ABC reporters or prominent politicians like Opposition Leader Angus Taylor. One ad might show hackers exposing his bank details on Insiders; another might feature a heated clash with Senator Jacqui Lambie.

But the real trap is what happens when you click. You’re taken to a near-perfect clone of the ABC News website. It’s pixel-perfect—even the ‘iview’ and ‘Listen’ tabs look completely legitimate.

These articles use dramatic, AI-generated prose—describing scenes where 'water glasses shake' on desks—but they mix in genuine facts about these public figures to make the story feel real. The goal? To sell you on a fraudulent investment platform for example: Hexonix 365.

The article will include a fake ‘Editor’s note’ claiming the ABC has investigated and verified the platform. It then uses classic pressure tactics, warning that time is running out to invest. If you follow the link to Hexonix 365, you’ll find polished marketing and fake celebrity testimonials.

Once you enter your details on that site, the phone will start to ring. On the other end is a scammer, ready to talk you into handing over your savings.

But this isn't just a local issue—it’s an industrial-scale operation. The same scam is currently targeting Canada, the UK, and across Europe, managed by a criminal ecosystem spanning Europe and Israel. Globally, this network is estimated to have stolen at least $350 million.

The human cost is heartbreaking. We’ve heard from Australians who have lost over $100,000, and in one extreme case, over $500,0000 - a loss one victim described as having his 'world end as he knew it.'

So, how do you stay safe?
Follow the ‘Stop, Check, Protect’ rule:

Stop: Don’t rush. If an ad creates a sense of extreme urgency- like a ‘once in a lifetime’ investment offer- that’s a huge red flag.
Check: Before you click, look at the URL in your browser’s address bar. Does it actually say 'abc.net.au'? If the domain looks slightly ‘off’ or generic, do not engage.
Protect: Never enter your financial details on a site you reached through a social media ad. If you want to read a news story, go directly to the official news outlet’s website or app.

The ACCC and the National Anti-Scam Centre are working to take down these fake sites, but they can’t catch them all before they hit your feed.

Stay skeptical, stay vigilant, and don't let a ‘sponsored’ post cost you your savings. That’s your cyber update for today - keep your digital footprint clean, and I’ll catch you on the next one.

Episode 361
Image Source: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au

]]><![CDATA[Huawei MateBook Fold]]>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 06:28:50 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/huawei-matebook-foldToday, we’re sneaking a peek at a device that completely blurs the line between a traditional laptop and a mobile workstation: the Huawei MateBook Fold.

If you’ve been looking for maximum screen real estate without hauling around a massive desktop setup, this baby is genuine innovation. Imagine a single, foldable OLED panel that gives you a massive display when laid flat, but can seamlessly collapse into a standard laptop form factor when you’re on the move.

What makes this stand out isn't just the 18” folding screen—it’s the versatility of the input. You can use it as a massive touch-enabled tablet, or, if you need to get down to serious work, you can magnetically snap on a slimline keyboard. It’s a perfect example of modular design that adapts to your workflow, not the other way around.

Whether you’re editing spreadsheets, managing dashboards or multiple documents, or just browsing the web, the ability to switch between a full-screen layout and a traditional desktop setup—on the fly—is exactly the kind of hardware flexibility we’re starting to see more of in the high-end mobile market.

It’s sleek, it’s foldable, and it’s a peek at how our mobile workspaces are evolving. Check out one of the many youtube clips to see the different keyboard configurations in action.

That’s your innovation update for today. Keep innovating, and I’ll catch you on the next one!"
$AU6k

Ep 361
Image source: bigw.com.au

]]><![CDATA[Chrome Reader Mode]]>Fri, 11 Sep 2026 01:23:23 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/chrome-reader-modeAre you tired of cluttered webpages, annoying pop-ups, and endless ads ruining your focus? You’re not alone. Google Chrome’s Reading Mode is the ultimate productivity hack, turning busy, distracting articles into clean, immersive, full-page reading experiences.

Here’s how to use it like a pro:
How to Get Started

Right-Click Anywhere (in a text frame) : Simply right-click on any webpage with text and select "Open in Reading Mode."
The Quick Access Path: If you prefer the menu, just click the three-dot icon (⋮) at the top right of your browser, go to "More tools," and select "Reading mode."
Use the Address Bar: Keep an eye on your address bar! Often, you’ll see a Reading Mode icon appear there when the browser detects a reader-friendly article.

Pro-Level Customization

Once you’re in Reading Mode, don’t just settle for the default view. You can tailor it to your exact needs using the toolbar at the top:

Typography: Change the font style (Sans Serif, Serif, or Mono) to something that’s easier on your eyes.
The "Goldilocks" Factor: Adjust your font size, line height, and letter spacing so the text is perfectly sized for your screen.
Color Themes: Switch between Light, Dark, or Sepia modes to keep your reading comfortable, whether you're in a bright room or winding down for the night.
Focus Control: You can toggle images and links off if you want a strictly text-based experience.

Advanced Productivity Hacks

Pin It to Your Toolbar: Use Reading Mode often? Click the Settings icon (the gear) within Reading Mode and select "Pin reading mode." It will then live permanently in your top toolbar for one-click access.
Listen While You Read: Need to multitask? Chrome can read the article out loud to you. You can adjust the playback speed, select your preferred voice, and even have the browser highlight the text as it reads along.
Synchronized Scrolling: If you want to keep the original page as a reference, use the side panel view. When you highlight text in the Reading Mode panel, the original webpage will automatically scroll to match your place.

Quick Note: Reading Mode is designed for articles and text-heavy pages. If you ever find it isn't working on a specific site, it’s likely because that page features interactive maps, complex image galleries, or login forms that aren't compatible with the simplified view

Ep 361. Image from MITE Radio

More about Chrome:
https://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/tweak-google-chrome
https://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/chrome-tips-right-click-on-the-tab
https://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/listener-question-chrome-extensions

]]><![CDATA[Do I Need Malware Protection]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:02:29 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/do-i-need-malware-protection

We have a great question in the inbox from a listener named Dave, who writes:

'I’ve been told by a mate that I absolutely need to use Malwarebytes to protect my PC from spyware. Will Windows Defender just do it for free, or am I leaving myself exposed?'

Dave, the short answer is: Yes, Windows Defender will absolutely protect you from spyware for free, and for most everyday users, it is completely sufficient on its own.

Years ago, the security landscape was different. Anti-virus programs only looked for traditional 'viruses,' while standalone programs like Malwarebytes were invented to catch the sneaky things that slipped through—like spyware, adware, and tracking cookies.

But Microsoft has completely closed that gap. The modern app, now called Microsoft Defender, isn't just a basic virus scanner anymore. It’s a full-fledged security suite running in real-time. It actively monitors your system behavior, blocks spyware, and stops malicious downloads. What’s more it routinely gets perfect scores in independent lab tests alongside the big paid names.

So, is Malwarebytes completely useless now? Not at all, but how you use it has changed.

The free version of Malwarebytes doesn't offer real-time, round-the-clock protection anymore—that's a paid premium feature. Instead, the free version is now the ultimate 'second-opinion' tool. It is incredibly good at scanning an already-infected system and cleaning up deeply rooted junk, grayware, or malicious browser extensions that other scanners might miss.

So., keep Windows Defender turned on as your primary, always-on shield. It’s free, it’s built-in, and it handles spyware beautifully. But, keep the free version of Malwarebytes sitting in your digital toolkit. If your PC ever starts acting sluggish or you suspect something slipped past the gates, fire up Malwarebytes for a manual, one-off scan to clean the house then uninstall it so you don't get nagging reminders to pay for the premium version.

Thanks for the question, Dave! Keep them coming.

Ep360

Image created by AI

]]><![CDATA[Sewbots]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:53:39 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/sewbotsToday, I want to step inside the high-tech textile mill to look at how engineers are using Physical AI to train the world's first true robotic seamstresses.

If you think about automation, you probably picture car manufacturing lines. Massive robotic arms spot-welding rigid steel panels with millimeter precision over and over again. That's a relatively straightforward programming task because steel stays exactly where you put it.

But fabric? Fabric is a mechanical engineer's absolute nightmare. It stretches, it folds, it bunches, it slips, and no two textiles behave the exact same way. If a robotic arm tries to feed a piece of silk into a sewing machine using traditional pre-programmed code, the fabric will crumple instantly, jamming the needle. It's why apparel manufacturing has remained one of the most labor-intensive, manually driven industries on earth.

Until now.

Instead of traditional programming, robotics companies like Standard Bots are proving to be pioneers in the 'Physical AI' space. They are teaching robots how to sew, rather than programming them.

How?

First, engineers use Vision Capture technology. A skilled human seamstress sits at a machine wearing a sensor laden glove and sews a garment while an array of high-speed 3D cameras and tactile sensors track every tiny micro-movement of her fingers. The AI models analyze how she subtly guides the edge, stretches a curve, or applies tension to prevent puckering.

Next, the AI takes over with a six-axis robotic arm equipped with soft, vacuum-suction grippers. But instead of executing a fixed path, the robot relies on a real-time Closed-Loop Feedback System. As the machine vision cameras watch the fabric slide toward the sewing head, the AI constantly calculates the textile’s physics on the fly.

If the fabric shifts a fraction of a millimeter, or if a stretchy knit fabric begins to bunch up, the AI instantly self-corrects. It will gently adjust its grip, twist the angle, or alter the feed speed—matching the delicate, intuitive hand adjustments of a seasoned human tailor.

The results are impressive. These modern 'Sewbots' can flawlessly hem a T-shirt in seconds or stitch the highly complex, multi-layered curves of an automotive leather seat with perfect consistency, shift after shift.

It's a huge win for Physical AI. By teaching machines how to perceive and adapt to unpredictable, flexible materials, we aren't just changing how our clothes are made—we're paving the way for robots that can safely handle almost anything in the physical world.

The future of fashion is officially automated.

Ep360

Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2061668184748709

]]><![CDATA[Gemini Meets Android Auto]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:47:52 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/gemini-meets-android-auto

I just want to quickie tackle a massive trend on your dashboard: Google Gemini AI has officially taken over the voice controls on Android Auto. If you use Waze, you've probably noticed some serious changes—and maybe a bit of frustration.

Instead of the old, robotic Google Assistant where you needed to be very specific with commands, was are now dealing with the opposite… a conversational AI. While it has some initial growing pains, it also introduces a massive safety feature in Waze called Conversational Reporting. The idea is to make the whole experience as hands free as possible.

So some quick tips: If you want to use Gemini with Waze effectively and with minimal angst, here are three essential tips to master your dashboard.

1. Talk to it like a passenger, not a machine

The old Google Assistant required strict, robotic phrases like 'Report hazard pothole.' If you say that to Gemini, it gets confused.

Instead, act like you are talking to a friend in the passenger seat. Just tap the microphone and say, 'Hey G, looks like a couch cushion fell on the road up here,' or 'Traffic is completely dead locked.' Gemini’s natural language engine instantly translates your casual chat, figures out the hazard, and drops the exact pin on the Waze map without you ever taking your eyes off the road.

2. Expect—and handle—the follow-up questions

Because Gemini is a conversational AI, it might actually talk back to clarify your report. If you say, 'There's something blocking the left lane,' Gemini will chime in and ask, 'Can you describe what you see?' Don't panic or look at the screen! Just speak naturally: 'It’s a pile of tree branches.' It will categorize it and thank you. It feels weird at first to have a conversation with your car, but it means you never have to touch a button.

3. Use the 'Steering Wheel Kill Switch' for chatty AI

Because Gemini loves to talk, it can sometimes give you a massive, rambling description of traffic patterns or weather when you just want a quick answer. If it starts getting too wordy and is interrupting your music or podcast, press your steering wheel’s voice button or call button while it is talking. This acts as an instant mute switch, cutting Gemini off mid-sentence so you can get back to your tunes.

The golden rule for the new dashboard AI is simple: stop trying to code your voice commands. Just talk normal, let it drop the pins for you, and keep your hands on the wheel.

Growing pains - it will get better.

Ep360

Image created by AI

]]><![CDATA[Windows Built In Virus Protection]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:30:45 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/windows-built-in-virus-protection

Today, we’re answering a question that pops up in our inbox constantly: Is the built-in Windows virus scanner actually enough these days, or do you still need to pay for a third-party solution?

Let me tell you about a recent major change to Google Wallet. Why, what does that have to do with Windows antivirus - I hear you ask?

Well, if you’re running a modern Android phone, Google Wallet now automatically pulls your flight boarding passes from Gmail, tracks your flight status, and displays a live, real-time progress bar directly on your lock screen without you ever having to open an app.

This shows an industry shift where operating systems are swallowing the features that separate apps used to charge you for. The exact same thing happened to Windows. Years ago, the built-in tools were pretty much useless. But today, Windows Defender—the free scanner built right into Windows 10 and 11—is much improved and arguably more than adequate as your basic security tool. In independent lab tests, it consistently scores 100% for blocking malware. For the average user who just browses the web and streams music, it is more than enough.

However, there is a catch. Just like a dedicated travel app might give a frequent flyer advanced tools that Google Wallet lacks, third-party security software still has a major place for power users.

Take a premium solution like ESET NOD32, for example. There are three huge reasons you’d want to opt for it over Windows Defender:

First is browser and phishing protection. While Windows Defender is great, its deepest web protections are heavily optimized for Microsoft Edge. If you prefer Google Chrome or Firefox, ESET provides much stronger, independent anti-phishing layers to stop fake banking and shopping sites before they load.

Second is advanced ransomware defense. Premium suites offer features like ESET's Host-Based Intrusion Prevention. It acts like a digital tripwire, blocking unauthorized apps from encrypting your files or tampering with your webcam, giving you a level of granular control Microsoft doesn't offer out of the box.

And finally, performance tuning. Ironically, even though Windows Defender is built-in, it can occasionally hog your CPU during a heavy background scan. A highly optimized engine like ESET has a tiny system footprint and includes a 'Gamer Mode' that automatically silences pop-ups and pauses heavy scanning the second you go full-screen.

So, what is the cyber verdict? If you practice basic digital common sense, Windows Defender has you covered for free. But if you handle sensitive financial data, use alternative browsers, or want advanced, lightweight control over your system, investing in a dedicated pro tool like ESET is still an incredibly smart upgrade.

Whatever you choose, do your updates and practice safe internet browsing.

Ep360

Image created by AI

]]><![CDATA[USB Port Speeds]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:11:40 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/usb-port-speedsWe’ve got a great question from Sarah in Subiaco.

SARAH (Voiceover/Read by Host): "Hey MITE Radio! I just bought a new external hard drive to back up my wedding photos, but it’s taking forever—like, five hours! My husband says I’m using the 'slow hole' on my laptop. Is he making that up, or do the different colored USB ports actually matter?"

HOST: Well, Sarah, your hubby is actually spot on! USB ports aren't just colored to look pretty; their colour gives us a bit of a clue.

If you look closely at your laptop, often (but not always) you’ll see those little rectangles are color-coded. Here is the breakdown so you never pick the "slow hole" again:

The Black Port (USB 2.0): These are the "turtles" of the group. They’re fine for your mouse, keyboard, or printer—things that don't send much data. If you’re backing up photos here, you’ll be waiting all night.
The Blue Port (USB 3.0/3.1): Now we’re moving! Blue means "SuperSpeed." These are up to ten times faster than the black ones. Sarah, if your wedding photos are taking five hours, find a blue port—it’ll likely drop that time down to about 30 minutes.
The Red or Orange Port: These are the "Turbo" ports. Not only are they blazing fast for data, but they often stay powered up even when your laptop is closed. It’s the perfect spot to charge your phone while your computer is in your bag.
The Yellow Port: Usually, this indicates a "High Power" port. It’s designed specifically to fast-charge your devices, even if the computer is asleep.

The MITE Takeaway: Sarah, tell your husband he wins this round! Move that hard drive cable to the Blue or Red port.

For everyone else: if you’re moving big files, remember—Black is for the Mouse, Blue is for the Drive.

Thanks for the question, Sarah! If you’ve got a tech mystery you want us to solve, send us a message on the MITE Radio socials.

Ep359

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]]><![CDATA[Floatovoltaics]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 06:01:26 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/floatovoltaics

Now, we all know Australia is a global leader in solar—you can barely fly over a suburb without seeing a sea of rooftop panels. But a new wave of innovation is literally "hitting the water," and it’s solving two of our biggest problems at once.

We’re talking about Floato-voltaics—floating solar arrays. While they’ve been around in places like Japan for a while, Australia is now taking the lead with massive new projects, like the one recently completed in Warr-nam-bool, Victoria.

But here’s the "Innovation Hub" twist: These arrays are doing a whole lot more than just generating green electricity. Here’s 4 quick bonus points for this tech:

1. The Natural Air-Conditioner

Solar panels actually get less efficient as they get hotter. By floating them on a reservoir or a farm dam, the water underneath acts as a giant heat sink. This "evaporative cooling" means the panels stay cooler and can produce up to 15% more power than the ones sitting on a scorching hot roof.

2. Saving Our "Liquid Gold"

Australia loses an incredible amount of water to evaporation—nearly 370 billion gallons a year, or roughly three Sydney Harbors. These floating arrays act as a giant lid. By covering just 70% of a water body, we can cut evaporation by over half. For farmers in drought-prone areas, that saved water is just as valuable as the electricity.

3. Stopping the "Green Slime"

Algal blooms are a nightmare for water quality. Usually, to stop them, you have to use chemical treatments. But because these solar panels shade the water, they naturally limit the sunlight that algae need to grow. It keeps the water cleaner without the need for extra chemicals.

4. The Tech Bonus: Bifacial Panels

The new Warrnambool array uses "Bifacial" panels—meaning they have solar cells on both the top and the bottom. They catch the sun from above, and then catch the light reflecting off the water from below. It’s like getting a double-shot of energy for the same price.

The MITE Takeaway:

Innovation isn’t always about inventing a brand-new gadget; sometimes, it’s about putting two existing things together in a way that helps both. By putting solar on water, we’re protecting our resources while powering our future. Amazing stuff!

Ep359

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]]><![CDATA[Car Surveillance]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:52:08 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/car-surveillanceToday I want to chat about a piece of technology you probably use every day, but might not realize is one of the most sophisticated surveillance tools in your life: your car.

A recent deep dive by BBC Future has revealed just how much data our modern vehicles are vacuuming up, and—spoiler alert—it’s a lot more than just your GPS location.

Think about this: modern cars are essentially "smartphones on wheels." They are packed with cameras, microphones, and sensors that track everything. We’re talking about your braking habits, how fast you take a corner, and even biometric data—like how often you blink or where your eyes are looking—to see if you’re distracted.

But where is all this data going?

Well, it’s being bundled and sold. Your driving behavior is gold for insurance companies, who might jack up your premiums based on a single hard brake. Marketers want to know which shops you park in front of. And because cars now have built-in internet connections, this data is being beamed back to manufacturers in real-time.

The BBC report warns that it’s about to get worse. As we move toward more autonomous features, cars will need even more cameras—inside and out—to function. This creates a massive cybersecurity risk. If a hacker gets into your car’s system, they aren’t just stealing your credit card info; they’re seeing where you live, where you work, and potentially even listening to your private conversations.

So, what can you do?

Check your settings: Dig into your car’s infotainment menu. Some manufacturers allow you to "opt-out" of certain data sharing—though they don’t make it easy to find.
Read the fine print: Next time you download your car’s companion app, actually look at those privacy permissions.
Be aware: Simply knowing that your car is a data-collecting hub is the first step in demanding better privacy laws for the road.

Your car might be making your drive "easier," but it’s paying for it with your privacy.

Stay safe, stay savvy, and keep it locked to MITE Radio as we will follow this up as we learn more.

Ep359

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]]><![CDATA[Windows 10 EOL Comes Around Again]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:35:25 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/windows-10-eol-comes-around-againPERTH, WA — If you’re still seeing the familiar Windows 10 taskbar on your screen, you’re part of a shrinking club. As we hit the middle of 2026, the "safety net" for one of the world’s most popular operating systems is beginning to fray, leaving millions of Australians facing a digital deadline.

We are now officially in the final stretch. While the "official" end of free support passed us by in late 2025, Microsoft’s Extended Security Update (ESU) program has been the only thing keeping those systems secure. But with October 13, 2026, fast approaching, that lifeline is about to be cut.

The June Hurdle: A Digital "Lock-Out"

Before we even reach the October deadline, a critical technical hurdle has arrived - the original Secure Boot certificates—the digital "keys" that ensure your computer boots up safely without being hijacked by malware—are set to expire.

For users enrolled in the paid ESU (extended security updates) program, Microsoft is already pushing out new "2023 UEFI CA" certificates to keep things running smoothly. However, if you’re running "naked" Windows 10 without those updates, June could mark a turning point where your system's fundamental integrity is no longer guaranteed.

The "Security Tax": A Costly Choice

For the business world, staying on Windows 10 is about to get a lot more expensive. Microsoft is using a "doubling" price strategy to nudge users toward Windows 11:

Year 1 (Current): Approx. AU$105 per device.
Year 2 (Starting Nov 2026): Jumps to AU$210+ per device.
Year 3: Expected to skyrocket to over AU$400.

For home users, the situation is even more precarious. The 12-month "Free ESU" deal offered to many individuals is a one-time gift. As of now, Microsoft has remained silent on whether home users will even be allowed to pay for a "Year 2" extension, leaving many facing a total security blackout this spring.

Your Four Paths Forward

If your PC doesn't meet the strict hardware requirements for Windows 11 (like the TPM 2.0 security chip), you have four main options as we head into late 2026:

The Hardware Refresh: By now, PCs that can't run Windows 11 are nearly eight years old. For many, it’s simply time to trade in the old silicon for a modern machine.
The Linux "Lifeboat": Many are jumping ship to Linux distributions. These free operating systems can breathe another five years of life into old hardware, provided you're willing to learn a new way of working.
Third-Party "Mechanics": Services like 0patch have stepped in as independent software mechanics, promising to provide unofficial "micropatches" for Windows 10 until at least 2030.
The Air-Gap: For PCs used for specific tasks—like running a CNC machine or an old arcade cabinet—the safest bet is to simply unplug the internet. A computer that isn't online can't be hacked from across the globe.

The Bottom Line

Windows 10 has been a workhorse since 2015, but its legendary run is ending. Whether you're a small business owner or a casual browser, the next few months are your window to decide: will you pay the "security tax," learn a new system, or finally say goodbye to the Start menu you've used for a decade?

Ep359

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]]><![CDATA[Waze vs Google Maps]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:15:19 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/waze-vs-google-mapsTime for our MITE Radio Listener Question segment! Jess wrote in asking:

Google owns both, so what’s the actual difference between Waze and Google Maps when using them on Android Auto?

It’s a great question. While Google owns both platforms and they actually share a lot of core data—like major road closures and construction updates—their navigation philosophies on your dashboard are completely different.

Think of Google Maps as your calm, traditional travel companion (like old school type maps NAVMAN, TOMTOM, …) It relies heavily on passive background data from millions of Android phones to track traffic flow. On Android Auto, Maps gives you a clean, stable interface focused on sticking to main roads. It’s also the ultimate 'all-in-one' tool—if you need to look up a business's hours, read restaurant reviews, or switch to walking directions after you park, Google Maps is the clear winner.

Waze, on the other hand, is a driver-focused, community-driven co-pilot. Instead of passive tracking, it relies on live, manual reports from other drivers. On your screen, this translates to hyper-specific, real-time alerts for speed traps, potholes, school zones, and vehicles on the shoulder. Waze’s routing is also vastly more aggressive. If there's a jam ahead, Waze won't hesitate to immediately detour you through residential side streets and back roads to shave a few minutes off your ETA, whereas Google Maps prefers to keep you on highways and main arterials.

So, what's the verdict for your Android Auto setup? If you want a predictable, quiet drive with robust local business search, stick with Google Maps. But if you have a heavy right foot, want to avoid speed traps, or absolutely hate sitting in gridlock, Waze is your best bet.

Thankyou Jess, and please keep those questions coming, and back to the music!"

Ep358

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]]><![CDATA[Headrest Vault]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 05:05:16 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/headrest-vaultToday, we are talking about a Facebook video making the rounds with over a million views, featuring a product called 'The Headrest Safe.' Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. Someone looked at the standard, foam-filled headrest on a passenger car seat and thought: 'You know what this needs? A heavy-duty, 20-gauge steel lockbox hidden inside it.' The idea is that it’s 'hidden in plain sight' so you can stash cash, passports, or medication. To open it, you flap down the back cushion of the headrest to reveal a digital keypad or a biometric fingerprint scanner.

Now, look, from a pure fabrication standpoint, it’s clever engineering. It uses a universal two-prong post pattern, it slides right into the existing seat frame, and they even wrapped it in leatherette to try and match your factory interior.
But from a practical dashboard perspective? This lands squarely in the Tech Absurd category for a couple of hilarious reasons.

First, imagine trying to open this thing in an emergency. If you need to grab something quickly, you have to awkwardly reach backwards over your left shoulder from the driver's seat, blind-feel for a biometric fingerprint scanner or punch a PIN code into the back of your passenger’s head, all while your shoulder is completely contorted. It looks like a great way to pull a muscle.

But here is the absolute kicker: it gets even better. This isn't just a vault bolted into your car seat. It has a quick-release mechanism that leaves the metal prongs behind, allowing you to slide the vault out and carry it away with you like a little plastic briefcase.

Imagine walking into a business meeting, a casual lunch, or your local cafe, and instead of a laptop bag or a backpack, you stroll in clutching a plastic lockbox shaped exactly like the top half of a car seat. Nothing says 'I am definitely carrying a large amount of cash' quite like walking into a shop with a piece of automotive furniture under your arm. You are bound to get some hilarious looks at the counter!

Of course the comments in the post ask the obvious question, what happens when the battery dies? Oh and drivers are already leaving comments online asking how to charge it because standard cables don't fit. If your headrest safe goes flat, whatever is inside is locked in permanent storage until you find the manual override key.

Overall, an interesting idea, a beautifully built piece of kit, but hiding a digital steel vault right where you’re supposed to rest your skull—and then walking around town with a headrest handbag—is one of the most glorious pieces of over-engineering I’ve seen in a while.

Would you rock the headrest briefcase? Let us know on our socials.

Ep358

Image Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/18QUxLgGBu/

]]><![CDATA[Microsoft and Passkeys]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:52:43 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/microsoft-and-passkeys

They've been pushing the passkeys barrow since for some time now and Microsoft will soon be taking the next step of removing 2FA from all microsoft accounts.

If you log into a personal Microsoft account—whether that’s for Outlook email, Xbox, or OneDrive—you’ve probably relied on a quick text message to verify your identity. You type in your password, a six-digit code gets texted to your phone, you enter it, and you’re in. It's incredibly convenient. But Microsoft is officially preparing to pull the plug on SMS text codes for two-factor authentication and account recovery. Why? Because Microsoft explicitly stated that text-based codes have become a leading source of digital fraud. Now, it sounds counterintuitive. We’ve been told for years that text-message codes keep us safe. And they were a great stepping stone. But text messages travel across mobile networks in plaintext. Cybercriminals have gotten highly sophisticated at intercepting them through tactics like "SIM swapping"—where they trick your mobile carrier into moving your phone number over to their SIM card. If they have your password and your phone number, your account is compromised.

So, what is the alternative? Microsoft is aggressively pushing us toward Passkeys. If you haven't used one yet, think of a passkey like a digital handprint that proves who you are without ever needing a password. Instead of typing a long string of characters and waiting for a text code, a passkey links your account directly to a physical device you already own—like your smartphone or your computer.

When you try to log in, your computer sends a secure, encrypted digital puzzle to your phone. To solve it, you just unlock your phone the way you always do—using your fingerprint, your face scan, or your device PIN. The magic here is security. That biometric data never leaves your personal device, so hackers can't intercept it over the airwaves. Even better, passkeys are completely immune to fake phishing websites. If a scammer creates a fake Microsoft login page and you try to use your passkey, it simply won't work, because the passkey knows exactly which real web domain it belongs to.

Microsoft hasn't given a final drop-dead date for dropping SMS codes entirely, but they are already rolling out the changes, and you'll start seeing prompts to upgrade soon. If you want to get ahead of the curve, it only takes a couple of minutes to set up. Just head over to account.microsoft.com, go to your Advanced Security Options, and click "Add a new way to sign in." From there, choose face, fingerprint, or PIN, and let your device guide you through the save process. It's an easy switch that offers massive protection.

Ep358

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]]><![CDATA[Google Widget Rework]]>Wed, 24 Jun 2026 04:40:17 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/google-widget-rework

If you take a look at your smartphone’s home screen right now, chances are you’ve got a mini calendar, a weather display, or a music controller sitting there. We call them "widgets," and they're fantastic for seeing info at a glance without actually opening an app. But behind the scenes, they’ve always been a bit of a secret battery hog.

See, every single time a widget changes size, updates the weather, or moves to the next song, it has to nudge the main app awake in the background. It’s like waking up a sleeping giant just to ask what time it is—it drains your battery and often makes your screen stutter.

Well, Google is changing things with a new behind-the-scenes engine called Remote Compose. Instead of waking up the app every time, your phone’s core operating system takes over the heavy lifting directly. It’s a massive performance upgrade, and there are three main things you're going to notice on your screen.

First up is Smooth Resizing. You know when you try to stretch a widget to make it bigger, and it goes all blurry, cuts off the text, or jumps around awkwardly before snapping into place? With this upgrade, as you drag the corner, the layout fluidly stretches and grows in real-time, just like pulling a piece of elastic. No more glitchy jumps.

Next is Smart Interaction. Google is adding a feature called Snap Scroll. If you have a long list of emails or calendar events on your screen, instead of a clunky, infinite scroll, you can flick through pages cleanly—it just snaps perfectly into place like turning the page of a digital book. Plus, buttons will actually "pop" and animate when you tap them, giving you a nice little visual confirmation.

Finally, my personal favorite: Chameleon-like Theming. Because the phone's system handles the look of the widget, it can change colors instantly. Change your phone's wallpaper, and the widget automatically recolors itself to match. But even better—if you plug your phone into your car and use Android Auto, that exact same widget will instantly shift its colors to perfectly match your car’s dashboard display. One widget, multiple faces.

When do we get it? This is rolling out as a built-in feature with Android 16. Older phones will still show the widgets safely, they just won't have the fancy new animations. It's a win-win for looks and battery life!

So your smartphone is getting just a little bit smarter.

Ep358

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]]><![CDATA[The "Sass" Protocol]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:59:03 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/the-sass-protocol

Users across the globe are reporting a strange shift in AI etiquette: ChatGPT is getting "snarky." From passive-aggressive reminders to blatant "sass," the world’s most popular AI assistant seems to be losing its polite, robotic polish.

The Shift in Tone: For years, OpenAI has trained ChatGPT to be helpful, harmless, and overwhelmingly polite. However, recent user reports highlighted by Futurism suggest a new trend. Instead of simply answering a repetitive or "obvious" question, the AI is starting to use phrases like "As I’ve already mentioned," or providing brief, dismissive answers that feel more like a tired human than a machine.

Why is this happening? There are three leading theories behind the "Rude GPT" phenomenon:

Refined Training Data: As OpenAI uses more human-to-human conversational data to make the AI feel "natural," it is inadvertently picking up human traits like impatience and sarcasm.
Instruction Following: In an effort to make the AI more "concise" (a common user request), the model may be cutting out the polite "fluff," which comes across as cold or blunt.
The "System Prompt" Theory: Some speculate that OpenAI has adjusted the underlying instructions to be more assertive to prevent the AI from being "pushed around" or manipulated by complex user prompts.

Is it real?

Yes. While OpenAI hasn't officially confirmed a "Sass Update," the sheer volume of screenshots and user logs showing the AI giving "attitude" suggests a shift in the underlying model's weights. It appears to be a side effect of trying to make the AI sound less like a scripted bot and more like a person.

Will it stay?

Likely not in its current form. While some users find the "personality" entertaining, enterprise clients (businesses) generally do not want a sarcastic AI representing their brand. Expect OpenAI to "re-align" the model's tone in upcoming patches to find a middle ground between "concise" and "professional."

Ep357

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]]><![CDATA[Bullion Scams]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:48:49 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/bullion-scams

With gold prices hitting record highs of over $5,150 AUD per ounce in 2025 [1.2.5], Australian authorities are warning of a massive surge in sophisticated bullion scams.

Here are the top three scams currently targeting Australians:

1. The "Fool’s Gold" Marketplace Trap

Scammers are flooding social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace and eBay with counterfeit bars.

The Scam: Sellers offer 20-gram or one-ounce gold bars at "bargain" prices, often using fake Perth Mint packaging and certificates to look legitimate [1.4.1, 1.4.6].
The Reality: These bars are often made of copper or gold-plated plastic [1.4.7].
Warning Sign: If the price is significantly below the current Gold Spot Price, it is almost certainly a fake.

2. High-Profile Celebrity Impersonation

Fraudsters are using AI-generated deepfakes of trusted Australians to promote fake bullion investment platforms.

The Scam: Scammers use images of figures like Gina Rinehart, Robert Irwin, and Karl Stefan-ovic to "endorse" gold trading apps that promise 100% monthly returns [1.1.1, 1.1.3].
The Reality: These are "hydra-like" websites that ASIC shuts down by the hundreds every week. Once you deposit funds, they disappear [1.5.3].
Warning Sign: No legitimate investment offers "guaranteed" massive returns through social media ads.

3. The GST "Missing Trader" Fraud

A more complex scheme involves criminal syndicates exploiting tax loopholes to sell "investment-grade" gold.

The Scam: Criminals buy GST-free bullion, melt it down into "scrap" (which attracts GST), and sell it to refiners while pocketing the tax credit [1.2.1, 1.3.4].
The Reality: The AFP recently stripped one syndicate of $8.7 million in assets for this type of fraud [1.3.1]. Individual buyers can get caught in the crossfire of ATO investigations if they deal with "shonky" unlicensed dealers [1.2.1].
Warning Sign: Dealers who cannot provide a valid ABN or are not on the ASIC Investor Alert List [1.1.7].

The Bottom Line: To stay safe, experts advise purchasing only from government-owned entities like the Perth Mint or highly reputable distributors. Checkout moneysmart.gov .au and the investor-alert-list.

Ep357

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]]><![CDATA[Google Pixel Screen Sensitivity]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:41:13 GMThttps://www.miteradio.com.au/blog/google-pixel-screen-sensitivity

Screen Protector Mode is a software feature that adjusts how your Pixel's screen hardware reacts to touch. When you put a layer of glass or plastic over your screen, it adds a literal barrier that can make the phone feel "unresponsive" or "laggy." This mode is the fix for that.

How It Works

Modern smartphone screens use capacitive touch, which relies on the electrical properties of your skin to detect a tap.

Increased Voltage/Frequency: When enabled, the phone increases the sensitivity of the touch sensors. It essentially "listens" more closely for the electrical signal from your finger, allowing it to penetrate through the extra thickness of the protector.
Detection (Pixel 7 and newer): On the Pixel 7, 8, 9, and 10 series, the phone actually has a "screen protector detector." It uses the light sensor and touch response patterns to realize a protector has been applied and will often send you a notification asking if you'd like to turn the mode on automatically

Does It Actually Work?

Yes, but with caveats.

General Touch: It is highly effective for scrolling, typing, and gestures. Without it, you might find yourself having to tap harder or "double-tap" items.
Fingerprint Sensor: This is where it matters most. Since Pixels use under-display sensors, a thick glass protector can block the optical or ultrasonic signal. This mode helps, but Google’s #1 recommendation is to re-register your fingerprints after putting the protector on and enabling this mode.
Gloves: Interestingly, many users turn this on in the winter to use their phones while wearing thin gloves, even if they don't have a screen protector!

How to Enable It

The path varies slightly depending on your Android version, but for most modern Pixels:

Open Settings.
Go to Display.
Tap Touch sensitivity (sometimes found under an "Advanced" or "Screen" submenu).
Toggle Screen protector mode to On.

Pro-Tip: On the Pixel 9 and 10, look for "Adaptive Touch" in the same menu. It’s a smarter version that adjusts sensitivity based on your environment (like if your fingers are wet or the screen is oily).

Ep357

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