### Issue 2077 - Tuesday 30th April, 2024

## In Today's Issue

- US-based PsiQuantum gets $1b from AU govt to build "world's first fault-tolerant error-corrected corrected quantum computer" in Australia
- Review of Optus 000 failure complete, government to make a few changes
- EU determines iPad OS is also a "digital gatekeeper"
- Raspberry Pi 5 vs. Intel N100 benchmarks & specs comparison
- Cheap earbuds, headphones, speakers, Xbox SSD expansion, Vodafone & Catch pre-paid

## The News

### US-based PsiQuantum gets $1b from AU govt to build "world's first fault-tolerant error-corrected corrected quantum computer" in Australia

The federal and QLD governments have given a US startup called PsiQuantum almost a billion dollars to "build the world's first fault-tolerant error-corrected corrected quantum computer in Australia". The $940m investment is made up of equity and loans from the governments and makes PsiQuantum "one of the highest funded quantum companies in the world". It's unclear how PsiQunantum - which isn't even an Australian company! - got such a massive amount of taxpayer funding as the expressions of interest process "was tightly bound by a strict non-disclosure agreement" and the Federal Industry Minister has "sought to block multiple attempts by the media and the Parliament to access information about the proposal". If you're so positive this is a good spend of money, why not be open to independent analysis, hmm? PsiQuantum plans to have the computer live by the end of 2027. I doubt it'll happen, but congrats on scamming the government out of a cheeky billion.

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### Review of Optus 000 failure complete, government to make a few changes

A government review of Optus' network failure that saw 000 inaccessible for large chunks of the country has finished up and made some recommendations. The government has agreed to do the following (ripping this list straight from the press release): "Establish the Triple Zero Custodian framework, initially led by the TIO, to improve industry accountability and end-to-end oversight of Triple Zero. Implement new rules mandating how, what and when telecommunications carriers communicate with their customers during and after a major outage. Require industry to provide work plans to the regulator following a major outage, to explain how an impacted telco will mitigate the risk of a similar outage in future. Create a new comprehensive testing regime across telecommunications networks and telecommunications devices for calls to Triple Zero. A review and update of legislation and regulation relating to the delivery of Triple Zero". Amazing how quickly the government can move when motivated.

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### EU determines iPad OS is also a "digital gatekeeper"

Apple tried to argue that iPadOS didn't meet the criteria to be designated a "significant digital gatekeeper" under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), but the EU disagrees. An investigation by the European Commission found that "Apple's business user numbers exceeded the quantitative threshold elevenfold, while its end user numbers were close to the threshold and are predicted to rise in the near future. End users are locked-in to iPadOS. Apple leverages its large ecosystem to disincentivise end users from switching to other operating systems for tablets. Business users are locked-in to iPadOS because of its large and commercially attractive user base, and its importance for certain use cases, such as gaming apps". This means the changes Apple made to iOS have to happen to iPadOS too. A win for common sense.

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## Something I Saw On The Internet

### Raspberry Pi 5 vs. Intel N100 benchmarks & specs comparison

The Raspberry Pi is cool and all, but they're no longer the cheap and cheerful little computer they used to be. They're a bit hard to find (though that has improved lately) and the price for one with a case, storage and power supply can be close to $150. That puts it in the same territory as a "proper" x86 PC with one of Intel's current-gen low power CPUs like the N100. CNX has compared these two platforms so you can make the call on which one suits your needs. Even though the Pi 5 is slightly cheaper and uses slightly less electricity ($10-20/yr more depending on your electricity costs), the N100 is so much more flexible and so much faster if all you want the computer to do is sit in the corner and do computer stuff.

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## Bargains

- Jabra Elite 10 Noise Cancelling Earbuds - $249 at The Good Guys
- Vodafone 365-day SIM with 240GB data, unlimited calls & SMS, 2000 Everyday Rewards points - $150 at Woolworths
- Catch Connect 365-day SIM with 120GB data, unlimited calls & SMS - $109 from Catch
- Edifier S351DB BT Bookshelf Speakers with Sub & Remote - $259 (free delivery VIC/SYD/ADL) from Centrecom
- 2TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S - $388.37 from Amazon Germany
- Sennheiser Accentum Plus Wireless Over Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones - $249 from Minidisc AU

## Image Of The Day

Department of Employment and Industrial Affairs, 1985 (National Library of Australia)

## The End

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