 | Edition 2499 |
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After yesterday's Microsoft Oreo story, I had a few suggestions for some Sizzle biscuit/confectionery/snack-related emojis. So, I will! Send me an email if you have any ideas and we'll put it to a vote. |
Mentioned in today’s edition: Cryptocurrency, Palantir, Discord, Claude Opus 4.6, REA Group, KPMG and IBM. Plus, deals on Adobe subscriptions, Samsung Galaxy smartphones and Kogan monitors. |
The News |
Bitcoin is down bad and no one can figure out why |
After a glorious year-ish of gains, Bitcoin prices have absolutely cratered and people aren't really sure why (Bloomberg). After peaking at US$124,000 last year, the cryptocurrency's price fell to a low of US$60,000 last week — the lowest number since October 2024, just before Trump won the election. This latest crypto winter is materially impacting the legit faces of the industry. Publicly traded Coinbase is getting killed on the market (Investing) and Kraken fired its CFO before its IPO — typically not a sign of confidence (Coindesk). |
 | weeeeeee |
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The Sizzle: Why is Bitcoin down? Is it because: |
the Trump administration is struggling to get through its crypto-friendly reforms as promised (Reuters)? It's not actually "digital gold" that's safe during world turmoil but just a tech-y asset? crypto is so yesterday and all the money (and computer chips) are going to AI (Coindesk?) the most recent Epstein file dump makes it clear that the sex trafficker was instrumental in popularising it (Guardian)? or all of the above?
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Probably a bit of everything but fundamentally I really believe that Bitcoin is just a failed currency. No one uses it to buy or sell (legal) things. And if it's an asset based on nothing, then its price has no floor. It's been close to twenty years since Bitcoin was invented and its main function is still "we invented a thing to get around financial regulations" and that's why it's mostly used for speculation, moving a bit of money between countries (stablecoins etc), and crime. The reason I keep writing about this is because people in powerful positions were telling us this was the future of finance! |
Discuss in Slack or Forum. |
Telstra joint venture with consulting firm lays off 200 people, cites AI |
Telstra and Accenture have sprinkled the magic "AI" word over firing 200 people so their roles can be off-shored (Guardian). Last night, the telco and consulting company announced that 209 jobs would be cut so that they can use "Accenture’s global capabilities, advanced AI expertise and specialist hub in India to deliver Telstra’s data and AI roadmap more quickly". Hmm. Customer service does seem like one of those industries where AI is having an impact, but, gee, I wonder how much mentioned AI is to give your offshoring a high-tech sheen. |
Discuss in Slack or Forum. |
The. Trump. Phone. Is. Real. It. Really. Exists |
I have been devouring all the of the Verge's reporting on the Trump Phone which was scheduled for release last August but blatantly did not exist beyond some sketchy renders. Until now. |
 | LFG |
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A Verge journalist did a long interview with one of the "executives" at "Liberty Mobile" who flashed a "Trump Phone". Some notes: 1. This is not the US-made, Trump Phone that was promised. 2. It's apparently coming very soon. 3. It actually looks OK specs-wise and seems to run vanilla Android. 4. The phone's cameras are ... unevenly spaced. |
Is it bad that I really, really want one? |
Discuss in Slack or Forum. |
Leftovers |
Australia: |
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Rest of World: |
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Discuss in Slack or Forum. |
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Oh, Also |
The US government has an AI chatbot that will recommend the best food to put up your bum |
Continuing on the heavy US theme of this Sizzle, I couldn't resist clicking on 404 Media's article about RFK's new government-run food website that has a chatbot which will advise you about which food is best to go in your bum. |
 | thank you RFKAi |
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You know, in one sense, I'm surprised that someone like anti-vaccine, anti-science guy RFK would go for AI. But then I realised: a magic box that will tell you whatever you want to hear is like the ideal source of information for a guy like him. |
Discuss in Slack or Forum. |
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Bargains |
Electronics |
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Computing |
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Mobile |
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The End |
😎 The Sizzle is written by Cam Wilson and emailed every weekday. It was created by Anthony “decryption” Agius. |
🤖 We love robots at the Sizzle but this newsletter has always been and will always be written by humans for humans. Also by Aussies for Aussies — so all prices are in dollarydoos, of course. |
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Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land |
The Sizzle is created on Gadigal 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. |
