### Issue 1752 - Friday 9th December, 2022

## In Today's Issue

- FTC sues to stop Microsoft and Activision Blizzard merging
- Australian Senate Big Tech inquiry gets an issues paper, leaves no stone unturned
- Waze team merges with Google Maps team, Twitter to price subscription higher on iOS than web, 28/12/24 is Apple's EU USB-C deadline, LJ Hooker hacked, BYD Atto 3 goes up in price
- Some tips for starting your own ISP
- Friday Forum Update
- Cheap LIFX bulb, 2 months free Apple TV+, Belkin face tracking iPhone mount, Portal for Mac & PC, Apple Watches, Samsung Evo Plus microSD cards

## The News

### FTC sues to stop Microsoft and Activision Blizzard merging

Microsoft's US$69 billion deal to purchase Activision Blizzard has been blocked by the USA's FTC. The complaint specifically calls out Microsoft's decision to make "several of Bethesda's titles including Starfield and Redfall Microsoft exclusives despite assurances it had given to European antitrust authorities that it had no incentive to withhold games from rival consoles", as justification, despite Microsoft signing deals this week with Nintendo and Steam to guarantee Call of Duty for those platforms. Microsoft President Brad Smith said "while we believe in giving peace a chance, we have complete confidence in our case and welcome the opportunity to present it in court" and controversial Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said he has "confidence that this deal will close", "despite a regulatory environment focused on ideology and misconceptions about the tech industry".

### Australian Senate Big Tech inquiry gets an issues paper, leaves no stone unturned

The Senate Economics References Committee's inquiry into international digital platforms operated by Big Tech companies (yeah that's the full name) has released an issues paper, outlining the things it will look into. It's set to cover a very wide range of issues, including, but not limited to "Big Tech" market concentration, the cloud, algorithms and transparency, data and privacy, children's safety, the metaverse, "international" (I assume looking into what they do overseas) and Big Tech's role in internet disinformation. The aim is to do a whole bunch of research, take submissions from the public, then see if there's anything the government could regulate. I expect it to be a huge gripe-fest from all corners of society about all the ways Big Tech is fucking us. The committee will submit its report by the last sitting day of 2023, so about a year from now.

### Waze team merges with Google Maps team, Twitter to price subscription higher on iOS than web, 28/12/24 is Apple's EU USB-C deadline, LJ Hooker hacked, BYD Atto 3 goes up in price

- Google's bean counters have smooshed the previously separate and independent 500 person Waze team into the same team as Google Maps. Makes sense as they're very similar apps and most of the good stuff in Waze is in Google Maps now anyways. Wouldn't surprise me if Waze dies in the near future as Google scrambles to trim fat during an economic downturn.
- The Information received a leak that Twitter will price its revamped Blue premium subscription at US$7/m on the website and US$11/m via the App Store (due to the 30% App Store cut), leading everyone to believe that Elon and Tim's chat at Apple HQ was about Apple being generous with its interpretation of App Store rule 3.1.3(b).
- Apple's got a deadline from the EU for when they have to ditch the Lightning port on all its devices - December 28th 2024, two iPhones away. That obviously includes all other smartphone makers, not just Apple. Plenty of time for Apple to refresh any products still using Lightning.
- Real estate agent LJ Hooker got popped. The ransomware gang ALPHV (also known as BlackCat) claims to have 375gb of employee and customer data, including "passport scans, credit card details, and loans data". Why am I not surprised? As if LJ Hooker ever listened to any computer nerd that warned them about this very thing happening.
- What was the best bang for buck EV on sale in Australia, the BYD Atto 3, now costs $3,000 more than it used to in Australia ($48k + on-road costs). BYD reckons "the cost of raw materials has increased significantly, lithium and various other components that make up electric vehicles". Very annoying EVs are going up in price, not down.

## Something I Saw On The Internet

### Some tips for starting your own ISP

Feel like starting your own ISP? The appropriately named startyourownisp.com has a heap of resources to make your information superhighway cyber adventure dreams a reality. The site is pitched at someone who wants to start a wireless ISP (aka a WISP) to service a rural community. The hardware is a commodity now, so armed with a bit of networking knowledge, a fibre backhaul and some billing software, it's possible to start a profitable ISP bringing fast internet access to an under served area. It's a US site so some of the regulations (i.e: dealing with the FCC, their equivalent of our ACMA) are different, but the bulk of information applies just fine for Australia too.

## Friday Forum Update

Here's five interesting discussions over on The Sizzle's paid subscriber forum for you to enjoy over the weekend. If you are not a paid subscriber but want to get involved, visit https://thesizzle.com.au/payme to get onboard.

- devraj is stuck on FTTN NBN and needs a robust VDSL modem to plug into their UniFi Dream Machine
- petecohen & Baa have posted job ads in the job thread this week. Work with a Sizzle subscriber!
- Tung wants an all-in-one messaging/communications app (merges Slack, Gmail, Telegram, etc in a single app) for Windows like Franz or Rambox
- Prophesa is looking to upskill and wants to know what they should focus on to get a better job
- greyham's got some gear in an IKEA cabinet that's getting too warm, is after advice to cool it down

## Bargains

- 2 months free Apple TV+ for new or returning customers
- LIFX White to Warm B22 Bayonet smart LED bulb - $29 from Amazon
- Belkin Magnetic Phone Mount with Face Tracking (for iPhone Only) - $14.97 from JB Hi-Fi for Perks members
- Portal (Mac & PC) - $1.45 via Steam
- Apple Watch Series 7 45mm Red Aluminium Case GPS + Cellular - $528 at JB Hi-Fi
- Apple Watch Series 7 45mm Blue / Green Aluminium Case GPS - $458 at JB Hi-Fi
- Samsung Evo Plus SDXC Flash Memory Card 512GB/256GB - $69/$35 from The Good Guys

## Image Of The Day

This handout photo taken on October 3, 2022 and released by the Vatican press office, the Vatican Media, shows Pope Francis (R) talking with Apple CEO Tim Cook during a private audience at the Vatican (AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA)

## The End

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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.