Mentioned in today’s edition: Pixel 10 batteries, Tim Cook, Samsung, Meta, 2Apply, Sam Floreani, Disney+ and Prego. Plus, deals on CUKTECH power banks, Corsair SSDs and amaysim prepaid plans.

The News

EU will force phonemakers to put replaceable*** batteries in their devices soon

The EU's deadline for mandatory replaceable batteries in mobile phones is fast approaching, but it might not be what some people hope (Olive Press). In 2023, the EU introduced a new rule to curb electronic waste that forces all portable device makers to ensure that their batteries can be removed without "specialised tools or assistance" by early 2027 (EU). 

The Sizzle: A few articles about the looming deadline went viral this week, with people assuming it means they would soon be able to hot-swap their Pixel 10 batteries. But, as 9to5Google points out, the wording of these rules and some exemptions means that Samsung and Google probably won't have to change their existing phone designs which still require specialised tools, solvents and heat to remove. 

This is of course the challenge of designing regulations that need to apply to a million things in a million situations, at the same time as companies say they couldn't possibly do something... until they're forced to and it turns out that they can! The silver lining is that these rules appear to force Apple to abandon building its phones so you can only remove the batteries with proprietary tools, which should make it easier to replace them. Take the W! 

Discuss in Slack or Forum.

RentTech platform slapped for breaking privacy rules

A RentTech platform broke Australia's privacy rules by unnecessarily collecting data on prospective renters, according to the privacy watchdog (OAIC). The OAIC has fired off a warning shot about this kind of behaviour, noting the power imbalance between renters, landlords and their representatives. It's built on an investigation into InspectRealEstate's 2Apply platform which not only found that it extracted info like gender and citizenship status — clearly, crucial info — but also noted that it was doing things like using biased language and bundling requests for consent to things. 

I asked The Sizzle's resident RentTech expert for her reaction:

Discuss in Slack or Forum.

NSW Treasury staff member allegedly stole a whole lot of confidential files

A NSW Treasury staff member nicked 5,600+ sensitive documents from across the state government, the NSW government claims (ITNews). The staff member allegedly responsible was arrested this week on charges relating to computer hacking crimes. There's not much information on the purported motive. What little we know is that the transfer was flagged by security systems; and that the man worked in the Treasury's commercial teamswhich negotiates big government contracts. 

Discuss in Slack or Forum.

Leftovers

Australia:

Rest of World:

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Oh, Also

Would you let your pasta sauce surveil your family dinners?

Prego — like, the pasta sauce brand — is releasing a voice recorder that looks like a pasta jar lid that they're hoping people will use to record their conversations over the dinner table (Campbells). Why? 1. Why not. 2. The explicit mission is to record the conversations of "everyday Americans" for preservation in America's Library of Congress. Anyway, I think it's US only and they're only selling 100 of them as part of a bundle that includes some pasta and pasta sauce, obviously, but I'm sure you could find your way to get one if you really want it.

Discuss in Slack or Forum.

Bargains

Electronics

Computing

Mobile

The End

😎 The Sizzle is written by Cam Wilson every weekday. It was created by Anthony “decryption” Agius.

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The Sizzle is created on Gadigal land and acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, recognising their continuing connection to land, water and community. I pay my respect to them and their cultures and to elders past and present.