### Issue 2153 - Thursday 15th August, 2024

## In Today's Issue

- Sonos' new app is still causing the entire company extended grief
- Apple to open up NFC payments to everyone in iOS 18.1
- Windows IPv6 vuln, ACCC says 58% of cryptocurrency ads on Facebook are scams, 4TB microSD cards coming soon
- EFA has some thoughts about the government's recently announced Trusted Exchange System
- Cheap Nikon Z8 camera, TCN gift cards, Aussie Broadband 1000/400 FTTP, Apple Airtags, WiiM streaming amp, GWM Ora Extended Range EV

## The News

### Sonos' new app is still causing the entire company extended grief

Sonos is having a really bad time lately. First it was the shitshow of an app update that users hated. Unreliable and with important features missing months later, the app is still not up to scratch. It's so bad that last week their CEO said it will cost Sonos US$20m-$30m in the short term to manage the fallout of the botched update. Now The Verge has come out with inside info that Sonos is seriously considering relaunching its previous app to appease customers, plus having to deal with the headaches caused by the new app resulted in delaying the release of a new flagship soundbar. This one app is making the entire company constipated! To make matters worse, Sonos sacked 6% of the company, around 100 employees. Unsure if it's related to the app problems or is just part of general economic and CEO group-think trends, but I'm sure it hasn't helped.

⬆ Share or Discuss

### Apple to open up NFC payments to everyone in iOS 18.1

Thanks to the EU forcing them and making everyone realise how stupid it was this wasn't already the case, Apple announced that "starting with iOS 18.1, developers will be able to offer NFC contactless transactions using the Secure Element from within their own apps on iPhone, separate from Apple Pay and Apple Wallet. Using the new NFC and SE (Secure Element) APIs, developers will be able to offer in-app contactless transactions for in-store payments, car keys, closed-loop transit, corporate badges, student IDs, home keys, hotel keys, merchant loyalty and rewards cards, and event tickets, with government IDs to be supported in the future". I get the feeling this could be what was holding the Victorian government back from offering Myki card support within iOS, so maybe that will happen when iOS 18.1 comes out later this year/early next year?!

⬆ Share or Discuss

### Windows IPv6 vuln, ACCC says 58% of cryptocurrency ads on Facebook are scams, 4TB microSD cards coming soon

- Microsoft is advising users of a fresh and exciting remote code exploit security vulnerability where "unauthenticated attackers can exploit the flaw remotely in low-complexity attacks by repeatedly sending IPv6 packets that include specially crafted packets". Patch is out, install it ASAP.
- The ACCC told the federal court as part of its case against Facebook's refusal to do anything about celebrity cryptocurrency scams that 58% of all cryptocurrency ads on Facebook "used misleading or deceptive promotional practices" and violated Meta's own ad policies. I 100% believe that, no need to fact check on my end.
- Western Digital has shown off 4TB micro SD cards, 8TB SD cards and 16TB external SSDs. This is possible due to their new BiCS8 218-layer 3D NAND that allows for denser memory. You get the same number of chips in the package, but the chips can now store quadruple what they did before. Not sure when they'll go on sale, but what a time to be alive.

⬆ Share or Discuss

## Something I Saw On The Internet

### EFA has some thoughts about the government's recently announced Trusted Exchange System

Electronic Frontiers Australia released statement regarding the recently announced Trusted Exchange System. Skeptical of TEx would be a good summary - "EFA expresses its strong concerns that this Proof-of-Concept appears to be lacking necessary and essential detail in specific areas around privacy, equity, cyber risk during build and implementation phases. EFA is also concerned about the potential costs for consumers, especially vulnerable groups, when private sector organisations no doubt seek to recoup their costs by passing them back to their customers". Also, "there is no information about whether the TEx would conform to the law enforcement data access restrictions as provided in the current Digital ID legislation". I don't want perfect to be the enemy of good, but the scant amount of detail around TEx, the half-baked Digital ID legislation and the lack of progress on Privacy Act reforms makes it difficult to say if we are trading away more freedoms for a little bit of convenience.

⬆ Share or Discuss

## Bargains

- Used/refurb Nikon Z8 camera with 1 year warranty - $3,999.86 from Teds Cameras
- 20x Everyday Rewards points on TCN gift cards (JB, EB, GG, OW, etc) at Woolworths next week
- Existing Aussie Broadband FTTP customers can upgrade to 1000/400 and get $30 off for 3 months ($199/m down to $169/m)
- Apple Airtag 4-Pack - $127.20 from DigiDirect
- WiiM Amp Streaming Integrated Amplifier - $396 from WestCoast Hi-Fi
- GWM Ora extended range EV - $36,990 driveaway

## Image Of The Day

Collection of posters from Telecom Australia (National Library of Australia)

## The End

📻 Jack White - What's The Rumpus?

😎 The Sizzle is curated by Anthony "decryption" Agius and emailed every weekday afternoon.

💬 Checked out the paid subscriber only forum? It's a tidy little place to discuss tech with like minded Aussies.

👋 Forums not your thing? The Sizzle has a Slack group you can procrastinate in and chat with other nerds bored at work.

💳 Paid subscriber looking to manage your billing info, change email address or cancel your subscription? Visit the customer portal.

🎁 Make someone's day and buy them a 12 month gift subscription to The Sizzle.

📚 Browse The Sizzle Archive. A few issues are missing and it's not searchable, but it's better than nothing.

🫂 Friends of The Sizzle is a small group of businesses or organisations operated by Sizzle subscribers. Support your fellow Sizzler!

💔 Tired of my bullshit? Unsubscribe and I'll never speak to you again.

## Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land

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.