Episode 604 – Aussie Tech Heads Shownotes

posted in: Show Notes

Wi-fi standards are getting new names, so say goodbye to 802.11

It will soon be easier to distinguish between different wi-fi standards following the Wi-Fi Alliance’s decision to ditch the 802.11 naming convention.

 

Rather than using the 802.11 code, each standard will instead be numbered. The new naming system comes with the introduction of Wi-Fi 6, which supports devices with 802.11ax. It is expected to deliver 30 percent faster wi-fi speeds and will be approved for use some time next year.

 

The new naming convention applies retroactively to previous wi-fi standards. Devices that support 802.11ac technology will now be identified as Wi-Fi 5 and devices supporting 802.11n will be referred to as Wi-Fi 4.

 

Microsoft mirrors MS-DOS on GitHub

it’s been 18 years since the text-entry OS was officially retired, Microsoft has made MS-DOS publicly available on its recent acquisition GitHub.

 

Previously, the source code had been released on the Computer History Museum, but four years later it’s now mirrored on GitHub

 

Why? Because it’s much easier to find, read, and refer to MS-DOS source files if they’re in a GitHub repo than in the original downloadable compressed archive file,” explains Rich Turner, Senior Program Manager on the Microsoft blog.

 

MS-DOS 1.25 and 2.0 are available by parties interested in examining how the veteran operating system behaves. As such, the source files are intended purely for reference,

 

Perth Prison drug smugglers filmed themselves on drone camera

 

Two drug smugglers were caught after accidentally filming themselves packing cannabis and pills into a drone which they planned to fly into Perth Prison.

 

But the drone crashed and when police studied footage from its camera, they found images of both men.

 

The court had heard how the pair had no idea they were filming themselves as they loaded the drone

 

Welcome to

BBC Music Memories

 

https://musicmemories.bbcrewind.co.uk/

 

This website is designed to use music to help people with dementia reconnect with their most powerful memories.

 

Evidence shows that music can help people with dementia to feel and live better. Memories from teenage years can often be the most powerful, so why not start by looking for music from that time and begin to create a music playlist?

 

You can then take part in our survey to help us discover the nation’s favourite music memories.

 

Windows 10 October 2018 update starts rolling out

 

Microsoft has primed caches and content distribution networks around the world with the stable release of its Windows 10 October 2018 “Redstone 5” update that brings in a raft of new features for users of the operating system.

 

Officially known as Windows 10 version 1809, Build 17763, the October update should appear for users in Windows Update from today onwards, with a full rollout worldwide on Wednesday October 10.

 

With version 1809, Microsoft continues the push to replace passwords for Windows users with multi-factor authentication. This includes facial recognition through Windows Hello and hardware FIDO2 keys, plus Web Authentication (WebAuthn) and the Microsoft Authenticator app.

 

Like Apple has done in macOS, Microsoft provides a dark theme for File Explorer, and version 1809 also has the overhauled Notepad text editor that debuted in July this year, featuring improved search capabilities, UNIX-style line feeds, zooming and better performance on large files.

Microsoft intends to kill off the Snipping Tool screen capture program, replacing it with Snip & Sketch that is better integrated with Windows.

Windows 10 users upgrading to version 1809 can also mirror their Apple iOS and Android devices on their computers, and sync content to a limited extent with the Your Phone app.

 

 

 

 

Joes Podcast for 04/10/2018


Microsoft is embracing Android as its new mobile version of Windows

 

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/3/17933644/microsoft-android-apps-windows-10-app-mirroring-report

 

  • Microsoft has unveiled during a press event in New York City the other night an interesting change to its Windows operating system.
  • Windows 10 will soon fully embrace Android to mirror all its apps on windows 10 via a Your Phone Windows App. ( iphone will also be supported at a later stage )
  • It’s starting with the mirroring of the Android stock texting and photos apps for now , but more to come later.
  • The Windows Phone has vanished in the last couple of years, and Microsoft finally admitted Windows Phone was dead nearly a year ago. The software maker has now embraced the reality that people don’t need Windows on a phone. Instead, it’s embracing Android as the mobile version of Windows.

 

The new W7 LG Watch with hybrid Wear OS smartwatch and mechanical hands

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/10/3/17933064/lg-watch-w7-wear-os-smartwatch-hybrid-price-features-release-date

 

  • The W7 has mechanical hands in front of its round, 1.2-inch touch screen and its running Wear OS. It will sell for $450 US on October 14th
  • The mechanical hands can display additional information such as the altimeter, barometer, a stopwatch, timer and compass directions too.
  • LG says…. As a smartwatch, the Watch W7 will last for up to two days. But those mechanical hands can keep turning for up to 100 days on a charge — when in watch-only mode.
  • The W7 isn’t a replacement for a fitness tracker; there’s no heart rate sensor inside, nor does it have built-in GPS or LTE connectivity. It’s just a budget Wear OS device that has  a traditional watch form factor and extends it functionality.
  • So with the W7, you’re really spending the money for its hybrid design, traditional aesthetic, and stainless steel body. And sinces its running the snapdragon 2100 that Wear OS chip was recently refreshed with a more straightforward, intuitive software experience on the Snapdragon 3100 ?

 

Facebook extends account deletion grace period from 14 to 30 days

 

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/3/17933264/facebook-account-deletion-grace-period-extension-30-days

 

  • Facebook recently extended the deletion grace period for terminating your main account from 14 to 30 days. Now, when you go to delete your Facebook account, you have up to one month to reverse the decision if you choose to log back in.
  • If you do decide to log back into Facebook, it won’t automatically restore your account but it does give you the option to cancel your request.”
  • A Facebook spokesperson say’s. “We’ve seen people try to log in to accounts after the opted 14-day period. The increase gives people more time to make a fully informed choice.”
  • Of course, the extension of the grace period also means you must wait up to one month instead of just two weeks for the account to permanently disappear too.
  • I guess it’s good to know you can take a month break from Facebook and decide at the end of the 30 days if you need or not or want the social network in your life. If not it’s gone (supposedly)