### Issue 1649 - Thursday 14th July, 2022

## In Today's Issue

- Tesla's AI boss doesn't return to work after sabbatical
- Niantic cuts staff & projects, Unity merges with ad-tech company ironSource
- Microsoft to run ad network for Netflix, Optus still salty about Telstra & TPG network sharing, Celsius crypto bank files for bankruptcy
- Memories of Viatel on the Internet Archive
- Cheap Viofo dashcam, Nest doorbell, LG 4K monitor, DJI Mini SE drone combo, 75" TCL QLED TV, Amazon Echo Dot, 5% off most stuff at JB, reefurb Dell laptop, Flirc Raspberry Pi Zero case, Bose subwoofer, Chromecast, Logitech MX Master 3 mouse

## The News

### Tesla's AI boss doesn't return to work after sabbatical

Andrej Karpathy, Tesla's head of AI, has quit. He was on a 4-month sabbatical after 5-years at the company trying to make cars drive themselves with nothing but a low-res potato camera, but instead of coming back to work as planned, he peaced out with "no concrete plans for what's next". Seems like an amicable departure, with Elon wishing Andrej well on Twitter. Gotta wonder how far away Tesla is from "full self driving" when a bloke heavily invested in it leaves after a long break with nothing lined up. If Tesla was even remotely close to delivering on its FSD promise, wouldn't you stick around to bask in the glory?

### Niantic cuts staff & projects, Unity merges with ad-tech company ironSource

Some gaming industry news for ya today. First up Niantic, the company responsible for Pokemon Go and hyped augmented reality gaming blockbuster factory is sacking around 8% of its staff and canceling four projects, including a Transformers AR game and recently shut down a Harry Potter AR game. Unity, an extremely popular game engine used by thousands of games, has merged with a company called ironSource. ironSource "is the leading business platform for the app economy" and is a "step further toward realizing our vision of a fully integrated platform that helps creators in every step of their RT3D journey".

### Microsoft to run ad network for Netflix, Optus still salty about Telstra & TPG network sharing, Celsius crypto bank files for bankruptcy

- Microsoft has been named as "global advertising technology and sales partner" for Netflix's "new lower priced ad-supported subscription plan for consumers". Dunno when the cheaper (not free!) Netflix tier will launch or in what format the ads will appear, but ads on Netflix are certainly a thing that is coming sooner rather than later.
- Optus has made a post on LinkedIn with "emotionally manipulative images of kangaroos seeking to escape a bushfire", arguing that the proposed network sharing agreement between TPG and Telstra will lead to a "regional monopoly". The ACCC is still deciding if it should approve the deal and Optus is obviously trying to get the telco industry riled up about it.
- Celsius, the cryptocurrency bank promising stupid high interest rates on savings that "paused" withdraws a month ago, has filed for bankruptcy. Celsius managed around US$20b of funds at its peak and its 1.7m customers still can't get their money out. It doesn't look like a scam/rugpull as such, just poor risk management from everyone involved.

## Something I Saw On The Internet

### Memories of Viatel on the Internet Archive

If you're old, older than me, you might remember something called Viatel. It was kinda like the internet before the internet or before AOL/Compuserve/MSN. Viatel was a videotex service sold by Telecom in Australia that kicked off in February 1985 and was based on the British Prestel system. It worked in a similar to teletext (which I am old enough to remember!), but was two-way, unlike teletext. I recently stumbled across this delicious brochure for Viatel's introduction up on the Internet Archive. There's also a 1986 directory of Viatel services. You want to flick through these, trust me. The retro aesthetic is off the charts.

## Bargains

- Viofo A129 Plus Duo dashcam - $179.99 from Amazon
- Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) - $236.70 from The Good Guys
- LG 32UN88A 32" 4K monitor with Ergo desk mount/arm - $699 + delivery from Kogan
- DJI Mini SE Fly More Combo - $498 from Harvey Norman
- 75" TCL C727 4K QLED TV - $1276 from The Good Guys
- Amazon Echo Dot 3rd-gen - $19 at Bunnings
- 5% off everything* at JB Hi-Fi (exclusions apply, like Xbox/PS5, Apple, DJI, Dyson, Miele, etc)
- Refurb Dell Latitude 7480 laptop (14" 1080p, i5-7200U touch screen, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) - $299.25 from SMG-AU's eBay store
- Flirc Raspberry Pi Zero Case - $12.50 from Amazon
- Bose Bass Module 700 - $849.15 at The Good Guys
- Google Chromecast with Google TV - $80.05 from The Good Guys eBay store
- Logitech MX Master 3 Advanced mouse - $118 from Centre Com

## 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.