### Issue 1566 - Tuesday 15th March, 2022

## In Today's Issue

- Popular alternative YouTube app Vanced gets cease & desist from Google after NFT plans
- Optus wants government to intervene when businesses make more money than it does using the internet
- Apple dumps a load of new updates, including nifty Universal Control feature
- If you like old computers, you might like the ACMS's Microbee celebration this week
- Cheap Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, Echo Show 5 & Ring Doorbell combo, Creative Stage soundcar, Kmart Apple Watch bands, Anko PS5 controller charging dock, Dell Vostro SFF PC, Google Nest Hub, DJI Mavic Mini 2, Klipsch bookshelf speakers, Osmo starter kit for iPad, Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, 128GB SanDisk SDXC card, Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6, Toshiba 4TB portable HDD, 12m sub to Wired, Woolworths Mobile, AMD Ryzen CPUs

## The News

### Popular alternative YouTube app Vanced gets cease & desist from Google after NFT plans

The creators of popular Android alternative YouTube app Vanced, which had the main benefit of blocking ads without requiring a YouTube Premium subscription (as well as some great quality of life features over the official app), have ceased operations all of a sudden. They didn't say why, but The Verge confirmed that they received a cease and desist from Google. Vanced was available for years, but it appears that the decision to create NFTs as a way to monetise the app got Google's attention. RIP to a real one.

### Optus wants government to intervene when businesses make more money than it does using the internet

Optus said at a CommsDay Summit today that "more and more digital providers with increasingly data-hungry services are leveraging our investments to build highly profitable businesses" that require network upgrades. Their solution to this is asking the government to implement a "policy response" to stop businesses like Netflix and YouTube getting a "free lunch". The sooner Optus gets it through its thick skull that its job is to get packets from point A to point B with the minimum amount of fuss and stop being jealous of more profitable businesses using the infrastructure THEY PAY YOU TO USE, the better.

### Apple dumps a load of new updates, including nifty Universal Control feature

Apple's got a shitload of new software updates for ya today. The main one is iOS 15.4, which includes the new Universal Control feature. MacStories covers it in-depth for both iOS and macOS, but simply put, it's a way to use an iPad from a Mac and vice-versa that seems to work very, very well. This is different to Sidecar, which turns an iPad into a Mac's second display. Also in iOS 15.4 is the ability to use Face ID with a mask and new emoji. macOS 12.3 adds that same emoji and brings Spatial Audio to the Mac. tvOS 15.4 lets you use use wi-fi via a captive portal, making travel with your Apple TV easier. There's also watchOS and HomePod updates.

## Something I Saw On The Internet

### If you like old computers, you might like the ACMS's Microbee celebration this week

This is pretty niche, but I love the Australian Computer Museum Society so I'll mention their little 40th anniversary of the Microbee celebration coming up this week. On March 19th at the ACMS's new premises, they'll have some talks from the creators and hands-on exhibits with Australia's most popular home grown computer - the Microbee. Readers a few years older than me might have had one of these Z80 computers in their home or classroom in the 80s as they were locally made and relatively affordable. For full details visit the ACMS website. If you can't make it in person that's okay, they're also streaming it online.

## Bargains

- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller - $79 from Amazon
- Amazon Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen) with Ring Video Doorbell Bundle - $89 at Big W (low stock, I couldn't find any in Melbourne)
- Creative Stage V2 Soundbar - $154.95 from Creative Australia
- Dell Vostro 3681 SFF PC (i3-10105, 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Win 11 Pro) - $650 from Dell
- Apple Watch Silicone Band - $2 from Kmart
- Anko PS5 Controller Slim Charging Dock - $3 from Kmart
- Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen & fre $30 Harvey Norman gift card - $98 from Harvey Norman
- DJI Mavic Mini 2 Drone - $631.74 from Lenovo
- Klipsch R-51M Bookshelf Speakers (need an amp for these) - $330 + delivery from VideoPro
- Osmo Pizza Co. Starter Kit for iPad - $49 from JB Hi-Fi
- Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 (Wired) - $299 from JB Hi-Fi
- 128gb SanDisk Extreme SDXC card - $33.99 from Amazon
- Xiaomi Mi Smart Band 6 - $55 from Banggood
- Toshiba Canvio Basics 4TB portable HDD - $104.46 from Amazon UK
- 12m subscription to Wired print magazine & digital access, bonus tote bag - $55 from Wired USA
- Woolworths Mobile 365-day prepaid SIM with 200GB data, unlimited calls & SMS, eSIM compatible - $200 from Woolworths
- AMD Ryzen 5600X, 5600G, 5800X, 5950X CPUs - $301.50, $287.10, $440.10, $808.20 + delivery & CC surcharge from Shopping Express

## The End

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