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The "Sass" Protocol

9/3/2026

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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Bullion Scams

9/3/2026

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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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Google Pixel Screen Sensitivity

9/3/2026

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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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HDMI 2.2

9/3/2026

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Do you know what HDMI is? (High-Definition Multimedia Interface). Think of the plug that you have on your TVs and laptops for connecting things to the screen.

The HDMI Forum has officially announced HDMI 2.2, the first major update to the world's most popular connection standard in nearly a decade. Aimed at a 2026 rollout, this version doubles the bandwidth of the current standard to meet the extreme demands of next-gen gaming and spatial computing.

The Power Move: 96Gbps Bandwidth The current HDMI 2.1 standard (found on the PS5 and Xbox Series X) tops out at 48Gbps. HDMI 2.2 introduces "Ultra96" technology, pushing that limit to a massive 96Gbps. This massive data pipe is designed to support:

Insane Refresh Rates: 4K at up to 480Hz and 8K at 240Hz.
10K Resolution: While 8K is still finding its footing, the 2.2 spec officially prepares for 10K displays.
Immersive Tech: A primary focus of this update is reducing latency for Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) headsets, where even a millisecond of lag can cause motion sickness.

The "Ultra96" Cable Requirement To hit these speeds, you won't be able to use your old cables. A new Category 4 "Ultra96" cable will be required. The good news? The physical connector remains the same, and the cables will be fully backward compatible with your current TVs and consoles.

The HDMI Forum (the governing body for the tech) officially teased the spec at CES 2025 and provided deeper details this month (January 2026). Prototypes of the Ultra96 cables are already being showcased by manufacturers.

When can you buy it?While the spec is official, don't expect it on store shelves immediately.

Late 2026: We expect the first high-end PC graphics cards and boutique monitors to adopt HDMI 2.2.
2027 and Beyond: This is when it will likely trickle down to mainstream 8K TVs and the next generation of gaming consoles.

Verdict: For 99% of users, your current HDMI 2.1 setup is still perfect. But for pro gamers and VR enthusiasts, the road to 480Hz starts in 2026.

Ep357

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The "Sass" Protocol

Bullion Scams

Google Pixel Screen Sensitivity

HDMI 2.2

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