### Issue 1930 - Tuesday 12th September, 2023

## In Today's Issue

- QLD's AI-powered seatbelt & phone detectors incorrectly fined 1,842 drivers
- Alphabet & US government set argue if Google is a monopoly in 10-week trial
- Apple still can't escape Qualcomm, My Health Record to get pathology & radiology reports by default, Samsung stuffing AI chips to everything
- Windows to block 3rd party printer drivers by 2027
- Cheap Samsung SSD, Amaysim & Boost SIM cards, refurb Dell SFF PC, 20x EDR points on Ultimate gift cards, refurb Sony earbuds

## The News

### QLD's AI-powered seatbelt & phone detectors incorrectly fined 1,842 drivers

Those new AI-powered cameras that claim to detect if you're wearing a seat belt or using your phone whilst driving are undergoing an "urgent independent review" in Queensland after it "incorrectly issued double demerit points for 1,842 drivers between November 1, 2021 and August 31 this year", which lead to "626 drivers to have their licences incorrectly suspended, and 236 incorrectly served good behaviour periods". QLD's transport minister said "simply put, this should never have happened. I am very sorry to every person who has been impacted by this". The least they could do is have a human review each image attached to each fine before it gets sent to the driver.

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### Alphabet & US government set argue if Google is a monopoly in 10-week trial

A 10-week trial between Alphabet and the US government starts tomorrow that'll try and decide if Alphabet's Google search engine has abused its market power by "illegally using partnerships with phone makers and internet browser companies to shut out rival search engines". We all know how it works - Google gives fat cheques to companies like Apple and Mozilla to make sure Google is the first choice in their browsers so any other search engine (even Bing and Microsoft's big bag of cash) simply can't match what Google is paying. They're also gonna debate if Google's mandating of bundling Google apps as a requirement for smartphone OEMs to get access to the Google Play store is legit. The EU tackled these issues years ago, will be interesting to see how the yanks handle it.

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### Apple still can't escape Qualcomm, My Health Record to get pathology & radiology reports by default, Samsung stuffing AI chips to everything

- Qualcomm has extended its agreement with Apple to supply "5G modem-RF chips for their smartphones and other products that will be released in 2024, 2025, and 2026". It's business as usual, but this is notable because Apple has been trying for close to a decade now to get rid of Qualcomm and it appears they're still unable to do so. For all the gripes the industry has with Qualcomm, they're the undisputed leaders in RF chips.
- Pathology labs and diagnostic imaging providers in Australia will be forced to share patient results with My Health Record by default as of December 2024. You can still opt-out, but unless you do, this stuff will be added to your My Health Record. Only 1 in 5 reports are uploaded now, which the government reckons creates a "clear gap" to the "benefits of a digitally connected healthcare system" and will "make it easier for consumers and their healthcare providers to access health information".
- Samsung's gonna "equip all its new home appliance products with neural processing units (NPUs)" starting next year. TVs, dishwashers, ovens, fridges, air conditioners - they're all getting "ultra-low power use, but always-on AI smarts, to assist customers". Some uses include "on-device AI processing to implement voice recognition, machine vision, and full enabling of the Bixby assistant. Bixby will add question-and-answer capabilities to the devices, and more widely integrate all your compatible home devices". I can't wait.

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## Something I Saw On The Internet

### Windows to block 3rd party printer drivers by 2027

Microsoft appears to be killing off third party printer drivers in Windows. As of Windows 10 21H2, the operating system supports "Mopria compliant printer devices over network and USB interfaces via the Microsoft IPP Class Driver", which Microsoft says "removes the need for print device manufacturers to provide their own installers, drivers, utilities, and so on". Because of this, they are "announcing the end of servicing of the legacy v3 and v4 Windows printer drivers" which will be "staged over multiple years". By 2025, no printer drivers will be pushed via Windows Update and by 2027 "except for security-related fixes, third-party printer driver updates will no longer be allowed".

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## Bargains

- Samsung 4TB 870 QVO 2.5" SATA SSD - $239.20 from Futu Online's eBay store
- Amaysim 365-day SIM with 60GB data, unlimited calls/SMS to 28 countries & 1000 bonus Everyday Rewards points - $99 at Woolworths
- Refurb Dell Optiplex 7060 SFF PC (i5-8500, 16GB RAM, 1TB hybrid SSD/HDD) - $233.22 from smg-au's eBay store
- Get $18 cashback when you buy a $17 28-day Boost Mobile SIM with 65GB of data via Cashrewards
- 20x Everyday Rewards points on Ultimate gift cards (IKEA, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, Good Guys, EB Games) at Woolworths
- Refurb Sony WF-1000XM3 wireless noise cancelling Bluetooth earbuds - $100.62 from Sony's eBay store

## Image Of The Day

A floppy disk with a font that only contained the symbol that would replace Prince's name in 1993. Ironically it still says Prince on the floppy disk. (TEXT-MODE)

## The End

📻 Bambi - prince

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The Sizzle is created on Wathaurong 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 both past and present.