### Issue 1651 - Monday 18th July, 2022

## In Today's Issue

- Victorian EV tax High Court challenge gets federal government support
- Microsoft to release a new Windows version every 3 years, new features every few months
- Google acknowledges kids use Insta & TikTok to search for stuff
- Old mate sitting next to you pulls out an iMac to use on the plane, what do you do?
- Cheap camera gear, Elder Scrolls V for PC, DJI smartphone gimbal, Google Nest Mini, Gigabyte 2TB NVMe SSD, Sennheiser HD 350BT headphones

## The News

### Victorian EV tax High Court challenge gets federal government support

The federal government has thrown its support behind a High Court challenge to Victoria's EV tax. The case was launched about a year ago and argued that "the State of Victoria lacks the constitutional authority to impose such a charge", to which the federal government agrees. We all know it was just the state trying to claw some cash for themselves instead of it going to the feds, but depending on how this case goes, it opens the door to a federal road usage tax - the way it should be - instead of each state doing their own thing. Meanwhile, the ACT wants to ban sales of ICE cars by 2035.

### Microsoft to release a new Windows version every 3 years, new features every few months

Windows Central is reporting that Microsoft has given up on the idea of yearly versions of Windows (like macOS) and will aim to put out a major release of Windows every three years. Windows 11 entered the world in 2021, so "Windows 12" would be on target for 2024. That said, Microsoft still plans to "rollout new features and experiences at key points throughout the year, outside of major OS releases". I hate these random updates that add annoying things I end up disabling. They're way more annoying every few months instead of every 3 years as part of an OS upgrade.

### Google acknowledges kids use Insta & TikTok to search for stuff

The Senior VP of Google's Knowledge & Information organisation (I don't know what that is, but it sounds important) said at a conference, "in our studies, something like almost 40% of young people, when they're looking for a place for lunch, they don't go to Google Maps or Search, they go to TikTok or Instagram". This VP went on to explain that youngins want "visually rich forms" of search, but I reckon they're smart enough to realise most of Google's search results are bullshit and can't be trusted.

## Something I Saw On The Internet

### Old mate sitting next to you pulls out an iMac to use on the plane, what do you do?

This tweet of a bloke using an iMac on a plane has been doing the rounds lately and we need to talk about it. As far as I know it is not staged, it is not a joke and is really a person using a 21.5" iMac with a wireless keyboard and a Magic Trackpad on an economy class airplane (United) seat. Why in God's name aren't they using a laptop? The dock is crammed full of icons, like hundreds of minimised windows. They're probably powering the iMac off the in-seat AC power socket that's common on newer planes. I need to know more about the logic and/or trauma that lead to this person making this decision.

## Bargains

- digiDirect's eBay store is currently running a 20% off sale - loads of cheap lenses and camera gear
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Special Edition for PC - $13.73 from the Xbox Store
- DJI OM4 SE smartphone gimbal - $129 from Amazon
- Google Nest Mini (Coral Red) - $39 at JB Hi-Fi
- Gigabyte AORUS 2TB NVMe Gen4 M.2 SSD - $299 from PC Byte
- Sennheiser HD 350BT wireless headphones - $99 from Amazon

## The End

📻 Hawaiian Robots - Something For Kate

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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.