Blog Archives

What is the best way to put a protective clear cover on a mobile phone screen?

31/5/2024

My first thought is to get one of those phone kiosk guys at the shopping centre to do it. They will usually fit for free if you buy the protector from them. 😊

If you don’t already have a new protector and you want to do it yourself, there are some really cool kits available online that work beautifully (Google Magic John Screen protector). You can literally do it with your eyes closed. There are some great videos on Youtube.

Old school DIY
Assuming you have a standard protector and are ready to go, I follow this general process:

Prep your workspace: Find a clean, well-lit area with minimal dust. It can help to turn off electronics nearby that might stir up dust particles.
Wash your hands: Use soap and water to remove any dirt or oils from your fingers that could get trapped under the screen protector.
Dry Fit the new screen protector: Check that it is going to fit with your case on (if you have one)
Remove the case if you have one: This will make it easier to access all edges.
Clean the phone screen: Most screen protectors come with cleaning cloths. Use them to thoroughly clean the phone screen, removing any fingerprints, dust, or debris. You can also use isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) for a final clean, but make sure it's at least 70% alcohol and that the phone is turned off before applying it.
Align the screen protector: Peel back a small portion of the adhesive liner on the screen protector. Carefully hold the protector by the edges and line it up with your phone's screen, using the speaker grille, camera cutout, or home button as a reference for alignment.
Apply the screen protector: Once aligned, gently lay the adhesive side of the screen protector onto the phone screen. You can use a credit card (wrapped in a microfiber cloth) or a squeegee tool (often included with the screen protector) to gently smooth out any bubbles working outwards from the centre.

Here are some additional tips:

If dust gets trapped under the screen protector during application, you can just live with it (safer option). If you want to try removing it, you may be successful using a small piece of tape to remove it before refitting the protector.
For stubborn bubbles, try gently pressing them towards the edge of the screen protector with your finger or the squeegee tool.

PC slow to startup

31/5/2024

I have a fairly new Windows 11 PC but when I turn it on it seems to take a long time loading things before I can actually click on anything. It runs OK after the initial startup. What could be the problem?

There are a couple of reasons why a new Windows PC might have a slow startup even though it runs fine afterwards. Here are some things to check:

Startup programs: (bottom right - system tray) These are programs that automatically launch when you turn on your computer. Too many startup programs can slow down the boot process. You can control startup programs through Task Manager. There are also some settings menus that can help you manage this.
Hard Drive vs Solid State Drive (SSD): If your PC has a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), it will naturally be slower than a Solid State Drive (SSD) during startup. Upgrading to an SSD can significantly improve boot times.
Background Processes: Some programs might be running in the background even though you haven't opened them yet. You can check Task Manager to see what processes are running and disable any that you don't need.
Scan for Malware: In rare cases, malware can also slow down your startup process. Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date and run a scan.

For startup programs: right click taskbar -> taskbar settings -> Other system tray icons.
Turn off some things that you may not be using, reboot and see it you see improvement.

Split screen options in Windows

31/5/2024

Windows 11 has a cool split screen feature called Snap Assist. Hover over the little square top right of your active window.

You have a number of auto options available: split, 3, 4 in various patterns.

If you have Windows 10 (shock horror) grab the top of a Window in the title bar and drag your mouse cursor to the left or right edge of your screen and see what happens 🙂
If you drag to the top, you get full screen.

The End of Batteries?

31/5/2024

Forget charging cables! Swedish tech is creating devices powered by any light source, even a candle! Imagine headphones that never die... This is a game-changer. #SolarPower #TechRevolution

The End of Batteries? Swedish Solar Tech Promises Power From Any Light SourceImagine a world where your devices never need charging again. A Swedish company called Exeger is pioneering a revolutionary solar cell technology that could make this dream a reality.
In a hush-hush Stockholm factory, a top-secret printer churns out sheets – each a marvel of engineering worth thousands – every six seconds. These sheets hold the key to the future: 108 miniature solar cells destined to transform our everyday gadgets, from keyboards to headphones. The minds behind this innovation say it won't just change how we use technology, it'll make us rethink light itself.
Powerfoyle: Solar Power Reinvented
Exeger's Powerfoyle solar cells are unlike traditional solar panels. These ultra-thin, ultra-durable cells can harvest energy from any light source, from sunlight to even a flickering candle. This means devices like headphones, keyboards, and even bike helmets could be equipped with Powerfoyle, eliminating the need for disposable batteries and pesky charging cables.
Beyond Sunlight: A Technological Breakthrough
Developed by Exeger co-founder Giovanni Fili, Powerfoyle goes beyond the limitations of previous indoor solar technology. Traditional amorphous silicon cells were bulky, inefficient, and offered limited integration with existing devices. Powerfoyle overcomes these limitations, boasting:

Unparalleled Efficiency: Powerfoyle can utilise even the faintest light sources, making it perfect for indoor applications.
Unmatched Durability: These solar cells are built to last, able to withstand water, dust, and shocks.
Seamless Integration: Powerfoyle's thin, flexible design allows for seamless integration into a wide range of devices.
Aesthetic Appeal: Powerfoyle can even mimic different materials like leather or brushed steel, ensuring a sleek and stylish look.

A Battery-Free Future
Exeger's vision extends beyond convenience. Their technology has the potential to significantly reduce our reliance on disposable batteries, a major environmental concern. Imagine a world where billions of batteries aren't thrown away each year, replaced by clean, ever-present solar power.
Early Adopters and Boundless Potential
Exeger's Powerfoyle is already making waves. Several major companies, including Adidas, Phillips, and 3M, have incorporated Powerfoyle into their products. With rumours of partnerships with tech giants like Logitech and Apple, the future looks bright for this revolutionary technology.
Powering the Future, One Light Source at a Time
Exeger's Powerfoyle is more than just a solar cell; it's a glimpse into a future free from battery limitations. As Fili himself says, "Our grandchildren will laugh that we had cables." With its versatility, efficiency, and environmental benefits, Powerfoyle has the potential to redefine the way we interact with technology and usher in a new era of sustainable power.

Ticketmaster is the latest of hack victims - 560 million customers worldwide

31/5/2024

Millions of music and event fans could be at risk after reports of a cyberattack on Ticketmaster by a notorious hacker group.
Are your details exposed? What should you do to protect yourself?

#TicketmasterHack #Cybersecurity

Ticketmaster Customers on Alert After Potential Data Breach by Notorious Hacker GroupAustralian Ticketmaster customers are being urged to be cautious following reports of a cyberattack by the infamous hacker group ShinyHunters. The Department of Home Affairs confirmed it's working with Ticketmaster to investigate the incident's severity, according to ABC News.
ShinyHunters: A History of Large-Scale Hacks
ShinyHunters is a well-known group in the cybercrime world, with a history of targeting large companies and stealing user data. Some of their recent high-profile attacks include:

AT&T Wireless (2021): ShinyHunters breached AT&T, gaining access to the personal information and social security numbers of 70 million wireless subscribers. The data breach wasn't publicly acknowledged by AT&T until 2024.
Tokopedia (2020): This Indonesian e-commerce giant was compromised by ShinyHunters, exposing data for over 91 million user accounts, including usernames, real names, email addresses, and hashed passwords.
Pluto TV (2020): ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for stealing data from 3.2 million Pluto TV users. The leaked information included usernames, email addresses, IP addresses, hashed passwords, and dates of birth.
Animal Jam (2020): This popular online game for children wasn't spared either. ShinyHunters reportedly gained access to data from 46 million accounts.

Potential Scope of the Ticketmaster Breach
The reported attack on Ticketmaster claims to have compromised data from a staggering 560 million customers worldwide. This information supposedly includes sensitive details like names, addresses, emails, and even partial credit card digits. The hackers are allegedly demanding a ransom of $US500,000 for the stolen data.
Ticketmaster Yet to Confirm Breach
While the Department of Home Affairs is investigating, Ticketmaster has not yet publicly confirmed the data breach.
What You Can Do
If you're a Ticketmaster customer, here's how to protect yourself:

Be vigilant of scams: Scammers often take advantage of data breaches to launch phishing attacks. Be wary of unsolicited emails, calls, or texts claiming to be from Ticketmaster. Do not click on suspicious links or attachments, and never provide personal or financial information unless you're certain of the sender's legitimacy.
Monitor your accounts: Keep an eye out for any unusual activity on your credit card statements or Ticketmaster account. Report any suspicious transactions immediately.
Consider a credit freeze: If you're concerned about your credit card information being compromised, you can contact your bank and request a temporary credit freeze. This will prevent new lines of credit from being opened in your name.

Stay Informed
As the investigation progresses, further details about the potential data breach are likely to emerge. Keep an eye on reputable news sources for updates.
This potential breach highlights the importance of cybersecurity for both businesses and consumers. By remaining vigilant and taking appropriate precautions, you can help minimise the risks associated with cyberattacks.

Super Mario Finally Breaks Down and Tells That One Door: "Fine, You Win!"

30/5/2024

After 28 years of existential dread, a seemingly unopenable door in Super Mario 64 has finally been conquered. This accomplishment wasn't achieved through some fancy fire flower or a lucky star – it involved a penguin and a whole lot of stubbornness.

Yes, that right, a penguin. Apparently, the moustachioed plumber needed a little feathered friend (and a frame-perfect manoeuvre) to squeeze through an invisible wall and unlock the door in Cool, Cool Mountain. In case you didn’t know, Cool, Cool Mountain is the fourth level in the beloved classic Super Mario 64, taking players on a chilly adventure through a snowy mountain landscape. (fun fact: penguins are penguins in the Mushroom Kingdom, in case you were confused).

The credit for this avian-assisted exploit goes to Alexpalix1, a speedrunner who clearly wasn't going to let a little locked door ruin their day. But Alex wasn't working alone. Shoutout to YouTube guru Scott Buchanan (Pannenkoek2012), who spent three hours and 45 minutes explaining how invisible walls work in Super Mario 64 (because apparently, even magical brick walls need rules).

Look, you probably don't have that kind of time, but Alex did, and let's just say it involved a lot of pixels and polygons. The important takeaway here is that with a little help from our feathered friends and a whole lot of internet rabbit holes, we can all achieve the seemingly impossible. So next time you get stuck in a video game, try befriending a local penguin. You never know, they might have the key to unlocking your destiny (or at least a mysterious door).

Screen night modes

30/5/2024

My screen goes dimmer and a dull colour at night time 11pm exactly. How do I stop it from happening?

It’s all about sleep hygiene. Your phone is going into a scheduled sleep, night or similar mode. You can adjust the schedule in settings to a more suitable time - although I think at 11pm you should be going to sleep anyway 🙂

You can also turn it off completely if that’s what you want.

Sleep Mode, Look for Night Mode, Night Light, Eye Care Mode, Comfort View, Blue Light Filter, …

Run a Safety Check

30/5/2024

Is your online browsing riddled with risk? Password breaches, sneaky extensions, and lurking malware can steal your data and leave you exposed. But fear not! Chrome's built-in Safety Check is here to be your digital guardian angel. Stay tuned to learn how this powerful tool can identify threats and keep you safe online!

Chrome to the Rescue: Protect Yourself from Online Threats with Safety CheckThe internet can be a treasure trove of information and connection, but it also harbours hidden dangers. With online scams, password breaches, and malware lurking around every corner, staying safe online can feel like a constant battle. Thankfully, Google Chrome offers a built-in guardian angel: Safety Check.
This handy tool acts as your personal online security inspector, scanning your browsing habits and settings for vulnerabilities. Here's what Safety Check does:

Password Leak Patrol: It checks if your saved passwords have been compromised in any known data breaches. If a compromised password is detected, Chrome will prompt you to change it immediately, safeguarding your accounts from unauthorised access.
Extension Eviction Squad: Safety Check identifies any extensions that might pose security risks. Malicious extensions can track your browsing activity, inject ads, or even steal your data. By identifying these rogue extensions, Chrome empowers you to remove them and protect your privacy.
Permission Paramedic: Do you have websites lingering in the background with permissions you barely remember granting? Safety Check reviews rarely visited site permissions, allowing you to revoke access for sites you no longer use. This keeps your data under tighter control.
Malware Mitosis Masher (okay, maybe not that catchy): Safety Check scans for malware and phishing attempts that could compromise your device and steal your information. By proactively searching for these threats, Chrome helps you avoid falling victim to online scams.

Running a Safety Check is Simple:

Open Google Chrome and click the three dots in the top right corner.
Select "Settings" from the menu.
In the left-hand menu, choose "Privacy and security."
Scroll down to the "Safety Check" section and click the blue "Check Now" button.

Chrome will then perform a quick scan and present the results. If any issues are found, you'll be guided through the steps to address them and strengthen your online security.
Remember, prevention is always better than cure. By incorporating Safety Check into your regular browsing routine, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling prey to online threats. So, take charge of your online safety today, and let Chrome's Safety Check be your shield against the ever-evolving dangers of the web.

Australia Unveils First National Robotics Strategy

30/5/2024

Robots on the Table: Australia Unveils First National Robotics Strategy

Australia's industrial landscape is set for a transformation with the federal government unveiling its first National Robotics Strategy. Announced by Minister for Industry and Science Ed Husic, the strategy aims to supercharge the development and adoption of robotics across the country.

The strategy has a three-pronged approach:

Boosting Domestic Robotics: The plan seeks to cultivate a thriving domestic robotics industry, fostering innovation and positioning Australia as a global exporter of robotic technologies.
Benefits for Australians: A core focus is on encouraging businesses to embrace robotics in ways that benefit Australian workers. This includes ensuring safe implementation and creating new job opportunities.
Economic Growth Engine: The strategy ambitiously targets a potential $600 billion annual boost to Australia's GDP by leveraging the power of automation and robotics.

Minister Husic emphasised the crucial role robotics will play in shaping Australia's future industrial landscape. "This strategy," he said, "represents a significant investment in our people and technology. By fostering a skilled workforce alongside advancements in robotics and automation, we can sharpen our competitive edge in advanced manufacturing and create a secure jobs market."
The announcement, made at an AI summit in Sydney, underscores the government's commitment to embracing technological advancements to drive economic growth and create a prosperous future for Australian industry.
The Relationship Between Robots, AI, and Machine Learning:

Robots and AI: Not all robots are created equal. While some are pre-programmed for specific tasks, others utilise AI to make decisions and adapt to their environment. AI is the intelligence that can guide robots, allowing them to react and solve problems in real-time.
Robots and Machine Learning: Machine learning is a subset of AI that allows robots to learn and improve their performance over time. By analysing data, robots with machine learning can adjust their actions and become more efficient.

In essence, robots are the physical embodiment, while AI and machine learning provide the brains and learning capabilities.
Ultimately, the decision to use robots depends on a careful consideration of both the potential benefits and drawbacks. By strategically implementing robots alongside workforce training and ethical development of AI, robots can become a powerful tool for progress and economic growth.

Spider Sensors

29/5/2024

Spider Silk Revolution: 'Web' Sensors Take Biosensing to a New LevelResearchers at Cambridge University have taken a major leap forward in biocompatible sensors with the development of "spider web" sensors inspired by spider silk. These ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight sensors are so imperceptible they can be printed directly onto human skin without being felt.

Inspired by Nature, Made for Us:
The key to these "spider web" sensors lies in their fabrication method, inspired by how spiders spin their webs. These biocompatible fibres, made from a blend of conducting polymers and natural materials, are a mere 50 times thinner than a human hair.
Beyond Skin Deep:
The power of this technology goes beyond wearable tech. The ability to "spin" these sensors directly onto biological surfaces like, oh I dunno…leaves haha! opens doors for applications in environmental monitoring or precision agriculture.
Sustainable and Efficient:
The fabrication process is not only ingenious but also eco-friendly. It uses minimal materials, produces minimal waste, and requires only room temperature and water-based solutions – a stark contrast to traditional sensor manufacturing.
A Future Woven with Innovation:
These "spider web" sensors have the potential to flip healthcare on its head (think continuous health monitoring), virtual reality (enhanced sensory experiences), and even our understanding of human-computer interaction. The possibilities are as vast and interconnected as a spider's web itself.
Check out the paper in the journal Nature Electronics - Imperceptible Augmentation https://www.nature.com/articles/s41928-024-01174-4

Focus on Email

29/5/2024

These days, your email inbox has 2 default views Focussed and Other.
These are filtering options which automatically file messages based on these 2 broad categories.

Microsoft calls it Focussed/Other, Google calls it Important First

Why Focused Inbox is Useful:

Prioritisation: Focused Inbox helps you focus on the most important emails first, saving you time and mental strain from sifting through less critical messages.
Increased Productivity: By prioritising emails, you can streamline your workflow and respond to urgent messages more promptly.
Reduced Information Overload: The "Other" section helps declutter your main inbox, minimising distractions and allowing you to focus on essential emails.
Improved Organisation: Focused Inbox allows you to categorise emails automatically, promoting a more organised and manageable inbox environment.

It's important to note:

Focused Inbox algorithms might not always be perfect, and you might need to adjust settings or manually move emails between sections.
With that in mind, you can select a message in either filtered list and tell it to be filed in either camp

If you don’t see this option

Not all email clients offer this functionality, so you might need to switch clients if it's a crucial feature for you.

New Sea Cable from Oz

29/5/2024

Google Announces Umoja: First Subsea Cable Connecting Africa and AustraliaTech giant Google has unveiled a major investment in digital infrastructure for Africa, announcing the construction of Umoja, the very first subsea fibre optic cable directly linking Africa and Australia.
This project, detailed in a Google Cloud blog post, aims to significantly improve internet connectivity and economic integration between the two continents.

Umoja: Bridging the Digital Divide
Umoja, a Swahili word meaning "unity," will be anchored in Kenya and traverse several East, Central, and Southern African nations. These include Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, where it will connect to the Google Cloud region before venturing across the Indian Ocean to Perth, Western Australia.
Boosting Connectivity for Africa
"Umoja will enable African countries to more reliably connect with each other and the rest of the world," said Brian Quigley, Vice President of Global Network Infrastructure for Google Cloud. This enhanced connectivity is expected to unlock a range of economic and social benefits for African nations, fostering improved communication, collaboration, and access to global information resources.
A Step Towards Digital Transformation
Umoja represents a significant stride towards Google's commitment to Africa's digital transformation. This initiative builds upon Google's $1 billion pledge in 2021 to support African startups and digital development over five years.
The project is expected to have a positive ripple effect, not only boosting internet speeds and reliability but also potentially stimulating further investments in digital infrastructure and innovation across Africa.
The Future of Africa-Australia Connections
The completion of Umoja promises a brighter future for digital communication between Africa and Australia. This vital subsea cable has the potential to revolutionise business operations, educational opportunities, and overall connectivity for millions of people across both continents.
https://www.submarinecablemap.com/

Scan a Document on Your Phone (Windows)

28/5/2024

If you’re a Windows user, you’ve likely heard of and perhaps use Onedrive.
Onedrive will backup 5GB of your most important data from your PC/Laptop to the cloud.

There’s also a companion app for Android and Apple that lets you access your cloud files from your phone or tablet.

Onedrive also has a nifty scan to file option using your phone camera.

This is a great way to snap documents directly to PDF without having to scan them with your printer/scanner.

Open the Onedrive app, tap the camera
Let the magic eye draw a frame around your document text then tap the shutter to capture.
If multipage, tap + and keep going
When you’re done tap done to save and choose which folder on your one drive.
You can then attach to an email or share via whatever app you need.

Facebook Request Overload

28/5/2024

I’m being inundated with Follow requests on Facebook. I seem to be always closing them and they keep popping up. Help!

Facebook has many customisations in settings, but they can be a bit of a maze to get through.
I understand your frustration with the constant barrage of "follow" requests. While you can't eliminate them completely, there are some ways to significantly reduce them.
Please try working your way through these suggestions and see how you go. If you don’t already know how, you can get to settings by clicking (mouse) or tapping (phone) you profile picture. You may also have access to more settings on you PC/laptop than on your phone. Settings has a search option which you can use to enter Following, Requests etc… to take you to the relevant sections.

1. Don’t click "Cancel" next to the suggestion.

This might seem counterintuitive but clicking "cancel" on these requests might actually be telling Facebook's algorithm that you're interested in the type of content, even though you don't want to follow the specific page.

2. Mark Them as "Not Interested"

Look for the three-dot menu (...), usually located on the top right corner of the suggested post. Clicking that should give you an option to mark the post as "Not Interested" or "See Less From This Page." This trains the algorithm to show you less content from similar pages.

You may be seeing these Follow requests on the back of Friend Requests
3. Adjust Privacy Settings:

Who can send you friend requests? Change this from "Everyone" to "Friends of Friends" to limit requests from strangers.
Who can see your friend list? Consider making your friend list private to prevent friend suggestions based on your connections.

4. Manage Following vs. Friends:

Focus on content from your actual friends. Unfollow pages that primarily rely on "follow" requests to gain followers and prioritise content from people you already know.

5. Take Advantage of News Feed Preferences:

Hide Posts: If you see a specific post you don't want to see, click the down arrow and choose "Hide post." You can also choose "Hide all posts from [Page name]" for a more permanent solution.
Prioritise Who You See: Facebook allows you to prioritise posts from specific friends or pages. Find this option in your settings under "News Feed Preferences."

Hope this helps. Keep in mind that we are training the Facebook algorithms, so changing these settings might take some time to reflect in your feed. Be patient and consistent with these methods, and you should see a noticeable decrease in "follow" requests.

Best of luck!

AI Overviews in Google Search

28/5/2024

Google Search is getting a makeover, and it's called AI Overviews. This new feature promises to understand complex queries and provide summaries of the answer, pulling information from various sources. It sounds great in theory - one stop for all your search needs. But is it too good to be true?

AI Overviews: A TL;DR (too long-didn’t read) for Your Search
Imagine searching for a yoga studio. In the past, you might have searched for "yoga studios near me," "popular yoga studios," and "yoga studio discounts." Now, with AI Overviews, you can ask for all three at once. The overview will summarise the info, potentially including popular studios in your area, their commute times, and any discounts they offer.
This "generative AI" aims to make search results more visual and interactive. Think images, videos, and a more social search experience.
Are the Answers Actually Right?
Here's the catch: AI Overviews are making some big mistakes. While it can answer basic questions accurately, reports show it has provided incorrect information about everything from running with scissors to dogs playing on the oval during a footy match.
During the Google I/O presentation, there were some absolute clunkers - right out there warts and all for the world to see first hand that Google has a way to go.

How to keep cheese on pizza? Add an eighth of a cup of nontoxic glue. That's a tip that originated from an 11-year-old comment on Reddit.

In response to a query about daily rock intake for a person, it recommended we eat "at least one small rock per day." That advice, from a story featured in TheOnion.com in 2021.

How AI Gets Confused
So, how does an AI designed to help end up suggesting rock consumption? AI hallucinations stem from a few factors.

Flawed Training Data: AI models learn from the data they're fed. If that data includes inaccurate or misleading information, the AI can incorporate those errors into its responses.
Algorithmic Errors: The complex algorithms that power AI can sometimes malfunction, leading to nonsensical outputs.
Context Misunderstandings: AI might struggle to grasp the nuances of human language and misinterpret the intent behind a query.

It’s basically a "Garbage In, Garbage Out" Problem
Let’s hope Google can take out the garbage, before search as we’ve come to know it - becomes just that!
AI Overview - coming to Google Search soon 🙂

Newscorp Takes the Money

28/5/2024

News Corp Makes History with AI Content DealNews Corp, the media giant behind publications like The Wall Street Journal and The Times, has struck a landmark deal with OpenAI, a leading research lab in the field of artificial intelligence. This multi-year agreement, potentially valued at $250 million over five years, will see content from News Corp integrated into OpenAI's products, most notably ChatGPT, a large language model chatbot.

Boosting Informed Decisions Through AI
News Corp emphasises that the core objective of this partnership is to provide users with access to reliable information through AI. OpenAI's ChatGPT will be able to leverage current and archived content from a vast array of News Corp publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, MarketWatch, The Times, The Sun, The Australian, and many more. This will allow ChatGPT to offer more comprehensive and informative responses to user queries.
A Wealth of News at ChatGPT's Fingertips
The deal grants OpenAI access to a treasure trove of news content, encompassing current events, financial markets, business insights, and more. This includes both recently published articles and archived materials, giving ChatGPT a broader historical context to draw upon.
Focus on News Content for Now
It's important to note that this partnership is limited to News Corp's news publishing arm. Content from other areas of News Corp's vast media empire, such as book publishing or movie production, will not be included in the deal.
A New Era for News Consumption?
This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the integration of AI and news media. By providing AI systems with access to high-quality journalistic content, News Corp and OpenAI are paving the way for a future where users can access information and make informed decisions through AI-powered tools. The potential impact on how news is consumed and understood in the digital age remains to be seen, but this deal undoubtedly represents a turning point.

Google Chromecast and Google TV

27/5/2024

How do I setup Google Chromecast on my non-smart TV

What you'll need:

Your Chromecast with Google TV device
A TV with an HDMI port
A power outlet
A Wi-Fi connection
A phone, tablet, or computer

Instructions:

Plug in the Chromecast:
- Connect the Chromecast's power adapter to a power outlet.
- Plug the other end of the power adapter into the Chromecast.
Connect the Chromecast to your TV:
- Find an available HDMI port on your TV and plug the Chromecast into it.
- Switch your TV's input to the HDMI port you just used (consult your TV's manual if you're unsure how to do this).
Download the Google Home app:
- On your phone, tablet, or computer, download the Google Home app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
Set up Chromecast with Google TV:
- Open the Google Home app.
- If this is your first time using Google Home, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Google account and other preferences.
- The app will automatically start searching for nearby Chromecast devices.
- Select your Chromecast from the list.
- You might see a setup code on your TV screen. Enter this code on your phone or tablet to pair the devices.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your Chromecast to your Wi-Fi network.
Optional: Connect to Ethernet (wired internet)
- While not necessary, you can connect your Chromecast to your router using an ethernet cable (sold separately) for a more stable internet connection. There's an ethernet port on the Chromecast itself.
Control your Chromecast:
- Once set up, you can use the Google Home app to control your Chromecast with Google TV. You can browse apps, launch content, and adjust settings.
- You can also use the remote control that comes with Chromecast with Google TV to navigate the interface.

Tips:

Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromecast.
If you have trouble connecting, restart your Chromecast, TV, and router.
You can find more detailed instructions and troubleshooting tips on the Google Chromecast support website: https://support.google.com/chromecast/answer/6006232?hl=en

Enjoy your Chromecast with Google TV! You can now stream movies, shows, music, and more from your favourite apps to your non-smart TV.

Solitaire Resort

27/5/2024

I like remakes of classic games and I particularly like it if they make it more interesting.
Solitaire Resort is such a creation. (Apple and Android)

Solitaire Resort: A Strategic Escape with Optional Ad BoostsSolitaire Resort offers a strategic escape for fans of Klondike Solitaire, with an added twist: renovating a virtual resort! Let's see how it stacks up:
The Good:

Classic Gameplay: The core mechanic is the familiar Klondike Solitaire, offering a solid and well-known card game foundation.
Relaxing Atmosphere: Tranquil visuals and calming music create a chilled-out atmosphere, perfect for unwinding while strategizing your next move.
Multiple Difficulty Levels: Choose from Easy, Medium, and Hard difficulties to cater to your Solitaire skills.
Renovation Project: Collecting coins earned through Solitaire matches allows you to renovate a dilapidated resort, adding a layer of strategy and purpose to your gameplay.
Customization Options: Change card backs, backgrounds, and personalise your resort, adding a touch of ownership to your virtual getaway.
Optional Ad Boosts: The free version offers ad-free gameplay as long as you stick to earning coins through regular play. If you want extra coins or cheats, you can choose to watch ads.

The Solitaire: The core Solitaire gameplay remains strong. However, the lack of additional Solitaire modes beyond Klondike might be a point to consider for players seeking fresh challenges.
The Resort Renovation: This is where Solitaire Resort shines! Earning coins through successful Solitaire matches and using them to renovate the resort adds a layer of satisfaction and long-term goals. Visually transforming the run-down resort into a luxurious getaway provides a sense of accomplishment alongside the mental challenge of Solitaire.
Overall: Solitaire Resort offers a compelling blend of classic Solitaire gameplay and a resort renovation meta-game. The calming atmosphere, familiar card game, and strategic renovation project provide a relaxing and engaging experience. The free version offers ad-free gameplay unless you choose to watch ads for extra coins or cheats. In-app purchases are available for additional features, but not essential for core gameplay. If you enjoy Klondike Solitaire and appreciate a strategic renovation challenge, this game is worth checking out.

Zoom text on your screen (increase size)

27/5/2024

Sometime text can be adjusted on the fly without going into settings

On your touch screen device, try the old pinch and zoom. Not all apps will support this.

In Windows: click on the text in a window to obtain focus (make it the active screen) - try holding down CTRL key on your keyboard while scrolling your mouse wheel up and down. When you let go you should see a popup bubble showing the percentage zoom and a reset option.

Mac is similar but you use CMD key.

Quick and simple way - great for web pages.

Apple Music top 10

27/5/2024

A Modern Take on Musical Greatness
Curated by Apple Music's in-house experts alongside artists and industry veterans, this list isn't merely a reflection of streaming numbers; it's a love letter to the albums that have shaped our world.
Nile Rodgers: A legendary record producer, songwriter, and guitarist. He co-founded the band Chic and has produced hits for artists like David Bowie, Diana Ross, and Madonna.
Maggie Rogers: A Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, and record producer. Her music blends pop, electronic, and folk influences.
Zane Lowe: A British radio DJ and music journalist. He currently works for Apple Music as a global creative director and tastemaker.
Ebro Darden: An American radio personality and music executive. He's the longtime host of Apple Music's Beats 1 radio show and known for his expertise in hip-hop music.
Top 10 Revealed (note they ranged from 1969 to 2016)
The top 10 albums are a star-studded exploration of musical history, featuring genre-defining works by:

Beyoncé - Lemonade (2016)

Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)

Amy Winehouse - Back to Black (2006)

Kendrick Lamar - good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)

Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life (1976)

Frank Ocean - Blonde (2016)

Prince & The Revolution - Purple Rain (1984)

The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)

Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998), Lauryn Hill

More Than Just a List - A Celebration of Music
Apple Music is offering a wealth of bonus content to delve deeper into this historic list. These include:

100 Audio Vignettes: Narrated stories providing context and insights for each album.
Apple Podcasts: Listen to the stories behind the albums on Apple Podcasts at https://100best.music.apple.com/.

Apple Ecosystem Integration: Explore special content across Apple products like the App Store, Apple News, and Apple Books.

Yatzy: A Classic Dice Game in Your Pocket

24/5/2024

Sometimes simple implementations are the best. It’s been decades since I played.

Yatzy (spelling with Y not EE) is a free Android app that lets you play the classic dice game Yatzy anywhere, anytime. It's a great way to pass the time for solo players or whip out some friendly competition. Here's a breakdown of the pros and cons:
Keep your brain active and sharp, analyse all the possibilities and try to get the best score to win over your friend or your opponent!
Yatzy is a 13 round game. Each round you can roll the five dice up to three times to achieve one of the 13 combinations. Each combination has to be done once and only once. The objective is to achieve the highest score possible at the end of the game.
This fun Yatzy Classic dice game has 3 modes:

- Solo game : train yourself and improve your best score
- Play versus a friend : challenge your friend and play on the same device turn by turn
- Play online : challenge an opponent online!

Pros and Cons:

Free to Play: You can download and play Yatzy without spending a dime.
Simple and Familiar: The app uses the classic Yatzy rules, making it easy to pick up for anyone familiar with the game.
Solo or Multiplayer: Play against the AI Offline or challenge friends and family Online
Multiple Difficulty Levels: Choose a difficulty level that suits your skillset.

Ads: The free version of Yatzy includes ads, if you choose extra rolls

Overall:
Yatzy is a solid, no-frills Yatzy app. It's perfect for casual players who want a quick and easy way to play the classic game. However, if you're looking for an app with more features or flashier graphics, you might want to consider other options available on the Play Store.

Robotic Palm

24/5/2024

Robots about to get a whole lot gentler? New design gives robotic hands a human-like touch. Imagine a robot that can hold a fragile egg without crushing it. The future of robotics is in our grasp...literally

Imagine a robot so lifelike it can hold an object as delicately as a human hand. Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have inched closer to that reality with a new robotic hand design called GelPalm.
Unlike most robotic hands, GelPalm doesn't just focus on fancy fingers. It incorporates a specially designed palm equipped with sophisticated sensors that mimic human touch. This innovation has the potential to revolutionise fields like prosthetics, human-robot collaboration, and healthcare.
Inspired by Biology
The GelPalm design draws inspiration from the human hand's structure. It combines rigid internal elements with a soft, gel-based sensor embedded in the palm. This sensor uses coloured lights and a camera to create detailed 3D models of objects it touches, allowing for precise manipulation.
Fingers with Feeling
GelPalm isn't a one-trick pony. The team also developed specialised fingers named ROMEO (RObotic Modular Endoskeleton Optical) that complement the palm's functionality. These fingers are not only flexible but also have built-in sensors similar to those in the palm. This "passive compliance" allows the fingers to adjust to objects naturally, without needing extra motors.

Benefits Beyond Dexterity
The key advantage of GelPalm lies in its ability to achieve a more human-like grasp. Unlike robotic hands that rely solely on intricate finger movements, GelPalm’s combination of a conformable palm and sensitive fingers allows it to securely grasp and handle a wider range of objects. This is a significant advancement because it not only improves dexterity but also enhances safety during interaction, especially important for tasks involving collaboration with humans.
Looking Ahead
The researchers readily acknowledge some limitations such as the challenge of integrating bulky camera-based sensors within the palm. Future development might involve creating more flexible materials for these sensors to improve their functionality and ease of use.
GelPalm represents a significant leap forward in robotic hand design. Experts like Professor Matei Ciocarlie of Columbia University acknowledge the novelty of GelPalm's design, particularly its combination of articulation and sensing in the palm, a feature often missing in most robots.
With continued research and development, scientists like lead researcher Sandra Q. Liu hope to see widespread adoption of this technology within the next decade. Her vision is for GelPalm's modular design and ease of manufacturing to inspire further innovation within the field of robotics.

Better NBN for Macarthur (Sydney)

24/5/2024

Homes in Sydney's Appin are about to get a high-speed internet boost, but is your area next? The NBN's multi-million dollar project is bringing fibre-optic connections, but where else is this ultrafast technology headed? Stay tuned for updates on the national fibre upgrade program!

Homes in Sydney's Southwest to Get Ultrafast BroadbandGreat news for residents of Sydney's southwest! A new partnership between Walker Corporation and NBN Co will bring the NBN's fastest residential speeds to 13,000 homes in the new Appin community.
This multi-million dollar investment will see 17 kilometres of new fibre optic cable rolled out throughout the community. This full-fibre connection will provide residents and businesses with lightning-fast, high-capacity internet access.
NBN expects this investment to deliver significant economic, social and productivity benefits to the Macarthur region. With residents increasingly working and learning from home, having a fast and reliable internet connection is more important than ever. This new infrastructure will ensure that residents of Appin are well-connected for the future.
For the rest of us, fear not - NBN Co is working on a broader national fibre upgrade program. Their goal is to enable access to nbn Home Ultrafast, offering download speeds of 500 Mbps to close to 1 Gbps, to around 10 million premises across Australia by the end of 2025. Let’s hope the cost doesn’t go up!

Tile Dynasty

23/5/2024

Tile Dynasty: A Traditional Treasure with Modern PolishTile Dynasty dives into the world of mahjong, offering a mobile experience that blends classic tile-matching gameplay with vibrant visuals and modern features.
A Modernised Mahjong Masterpiece

Familiar Yet Fresh: Tile Dynasty takes the core mechanics of mahjong - matching identical tiles to remove them from the board in sets of 3

Gameplay
You remove tiles from the structure into your 7 tile rack and you keep going - matching 3 tiles and they disappear. You keep going until you release all the tiles and you win! OR the rack fills up and you lose 🙁

Visually Appealing: The game boasts crisp graphics, smooth animations, and a clean user interface, making the tile-matching experience visually enjoyable.

Help System Might Cost You: The undo option and magic wand hint are helpful, but requiring players to watch ads to use them can be frustrating - so don’t use them and it’s quite OK 🙂

Tile Dynasty dives into the world of mahjong, offering a mobile experience that blends classic tile-matching gameplay with vibrant visuals and modern features

Google vs Bing

23/5/2024

Go for the familiar castle, vast and powerful, with endless resources at your fingertips. (Google)
Or explore the vibrant new palace, offering a simpler path and hidden treasures to uncover. (Bing)
The choice is yours. Your quest for knowledge begins soon.

Deciding whether Google or Bing is "better" depends on your specific needs and preferences. Here's a breakdown of their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide:
Google:

Strengths superior search algorithms for complex queries, better image and video search, integrations with other Google products (Gmail, Maps, etc.)
Weaknesses: Can be overwhelming for some users with too many features and options, privacy concerns due to data collection practices.

Bing:

Strengths: Simpler interface, better image quality in search results, rewards program with points redeemable for Microsoft products, potentially better for visual search tasks.
Weaknesses: Smaller search index may lead to less comprehensive results, less powerful search algorithms for complex queries, fewer integrations with other popular services.

Here are some additional factors to consider:

What do you use a search engine for most often? If you primarily search for news or basic information, Bing's simpler interface might be appealing. For complex research or in-depth topics, Google's superior algorithms might be better.
Do you value privacy? If you're concerned about data collection, you might prefer Bing, which generally collects less data than Google.
Do you use other Google products? If you heavily rely on Gmail, Maps, or other Google services, the integration with Google Search might be a major advantage.

Overall, both Google and Bing are capable search engines. Google offers a more powerful search experience with a wider range of features, while Bing provides a simpler interface and potentially better image results. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences.