Tech Brew Ride Home - Mon. 01/11 – All Of Tech Kills Parler

Starting point is 00:00:00 On April 4th, 2023, around 2 in the morning, a man was found stabbed multiple times on a sidewalk in downtown San Francisco. Hey, who did this to you? What happened next turned the story into a political firestorm. Reports have identified the victim as Bob Lee, the founder of Cash App. From Bloomberg Podcasts, this is Foundering, the Killing of Bob Lee, beginning April 16. Welcome to the TechMeme Right Home for Monday, January 11th, 2020. I'm Brian McCullough today. Once again, did some things happen since we last spoke?

Starting point is 00:00:43 A rundown of especially the parlor situation. And it's the first day of CES. So here's what we're missing in terms of gadget announcements, cool gadgets we'd love to get hands on time with, and the weird gadgets that always makes CES so fun. So lately, if I don't talk to you for 72 hours or so, literally like two weeks of headlines can happen in that period. And that puts me in a bit of a bind because by the time I do get to talk to you, it's kind of old news, right? Twitter officially banned

Starting point is 00:01:20 President Trump. It seems like three years ago now. But at the same time, for continuity's sake, maybe it's worth at least running everything down. So we're all on the same page. In aid of that, let's just blaze through this and then we'll do a tiny bit of analysis at the end. Friday night, Twitter officially suspended the at real Donald Trump account, quote, due to the risk of further incitement of violence, end quote. And that was only one platform banning. The list of bans to Trump accounts range from Facebook to Google, YouTube, Snapchat, TikTok. That one might have enjoyed pulling the trigger on Trump, you might imagine, because just a week ago it was Trump that was threatening to ban them. But also, even Pinterest and Shopify have removed Trump account. then words started trickling out that parlor was in trouble. It first got taken down from the Google Play Store, Apple then gave them 24 hours, and then suspended parlor from the app store, saying Parlor, quote, has not taken adequate measures to address threats to people's safety on its platform. So at that point, that's not great for Parlor, right? But you could still

Starting point is 00:02:31 sidelode the app on Android, and if you had already downloaded Parlor on iOS, you could still use it. But then, this is something else entirely. AWS announced that it would suspend Parlor's cloud account. Quote, in an email obtained by BuzzFeed News and AWS Trust and Safety Team told Parlor Chief Policy Officer Amy Peacoff that the calls for violence propagating across the social network violated its terms of service. Amazon said it was unconvinced that the services plan to use volunteers to moderate calls for violence and hate speech would be effective. quote, recently we've seen a steady increase in this violent content on your website, all of which violates our terms, the email reads.

Starting point is 00:03:13 It's clear that parlor does not have an effective process to comply with the AWS terms of service, end quote. Now, even there, there are, of course, other ways to operate an app or a website beyond AWS, although migrating off AWS, as we've discussed before, is not the easiest thing in the best of circumstances, but it got even worse. because AWS apparently isn't alone. Word has been trickling in that basically every vendor from, I don't know, Zen Desk to MailChimp has been pressured to drop Parlor as well. Parlor CEO says the company has, well, let me quote. Parlor CEO John Matzzi said today that his social media company has been dropped by virtually all of its business alliances after Amazon, Apple, and Google ended their agreements with the social media service. Quote every vendor from text message services to email providers to our website. lawyers all ditched us two on the same day. Matzzi said today on Fox News. Matzzi conceded that the bands could put the company out of business while raising free speech issues, calling it, quote, an assault on everybody. Quote, they all work together to make sure at the same time we would

Starting point is 00:04:22 lose access to not only our apps, but they're actually shutting all our servers off tonight, off the internet, Matzie said. They made an attempt to not only kill the app, but to actually destroy the entire company, end quote. There has been a lot of talk over the weekend about how people suddenly have been born again to the idea of an open, decentralized web being an important thing in this era of major tech platform oligarchs. The idea of, you know, maybe having your own servers under your own control isn't that bad an idea after all. But also, I'd point out, in this world of you choose this company to do your payroll, this company to do your HR, this company to do your customer service, all these things that used to be departments inside

Starting point is 00:05:05 any company of size. Yeah, in a bespoke world, if you've outsourced most of the functions to your operations to providers who operate on a terms of service basis, then yeah, you too could wake up one day and not have any operation to call your own at all. Look, there is a metric ton of analysis on this, and we could go on and on harvesting the takes on all sides of this, but generally we can agree that Ben Thompson is one of the smart dudes we tend to trust, right? So I'm going to outsource to him for the one take to quote from today. This is from his morning subscriber newsletter to sum up. The reason everyone gave for cutting Parlor loose was that Parlor wasn't doing enough to

Starting point is 00:05:50 moderate what was happening on their platform, quoting Ben. If there is an expectation of Facebook-style moderation for every new social network, well, that means a Facebook-sized moat to overcome. And needless to say, Parlor, even if it wanted to, was not going to put that together in 24 hours, which is the grounds on which Apple, Google, and Amazon acted. Here is the fact of the matter. An assault on the nation's capital in an attempt to undo an election result did, in fact, occur, and said assault was in fact organized on Parlor, at least in part. While I recognize, and in a vacuum have extremely deep concerns about the implications of Apple, Google, and especially Amazon's actions in this case. It is notable how many of the free speech absolutists blasting this decision don't even seem to acknowledge what happened on Wednesday. In other words, we are not operating in a vacuum, end quote. I'm going to skip down a bit in his piece, and quote again. So Facebook and Twitter and Apple and Google and Amazon and all of the rest were wrong, right? Well, again, context matters. And again, the context here.

Starting point is 00:06:52 was an elected official encouraging his supporters to storm the Capitol to overturn an election result and his supporters doing so. What I believe happened this weekend was a uniquely American solution to the problem of Trump's refusal to concede and attempts to incite violence. All of corporate America collectively decided that enough was enough and did what Congress has been unable to do, effectively ending the Trump presidency. Parlor, to be honest, was just as much a bystander casualty as it was a direct target, that the tech sector is the only one with the capabilities to actually make a difference is what makes the industry stand out. I am not, to be clear, saying that this is some sort of ideal solution. As I noted last week,

Starting point is 00:07:33 impeachment is the way this is supposed to go, and hopefully that still occurs. And, as I also noted last week, if this triggers a debate about the power of tech companies, all the better. This solution was, though, a pragmatic and ultimately effective one, even if the full cost will take years to materialize, again, more on the long-term repercussions. soon. This is also why I wish Twitter and everyone else would have been honest about the exceptional nature of the situation, both last week and for the last four years. The Supreme Court famously wrote in Bush v. Gore that, quote, our consideration is limited to the present circumstances, end quote, which many interpret as meaning that the case should not be used as precedent. It was simply a

Starting point is 00:08:14 decision that had to be made in extraordinary circumstances. That, I think, is the best way to interpret what happened this weekend, and as unsatisfying as that explanation may be, it is as American as Apple Pie, end quote. One more thing to make note of before we leave this topic, I've been hearing a lot of chatter about tech companies, especially the ones we've just discussed, being concerned this morning about security and the safety of their employees. San Francisco police are reportedly preparing for a demonstration this morning outside of Twitter headquarters. Now, Twitter, HQ, has largely been abandoned since Twitter was among the first to go work from home. But still, I know many of you listening right now work at the companies I've just been talking about, and no doubt you've

Starting point is 00:09:00 been getting some concerned internal emails today, so be safe, everyone. CES kicked off today. We'll be getting the usual keynotes all this week, but since the whole affair is virtual this year, of course, I thought I'd begin to share some of the cool stuff that's dropped that normally I'd be able to tell you about firsthand. A lot of laptops get showcase this week, stuff like HP's new $999, HPNV14 laptop, which is rocking 11th-gen-in Intel Chips, quoting Android Authority. The HP NVX-360 from 2020 was one of last year's most well-reviewed laptops. With the NVX-360, you got the style and design aesthetic of the high-end Specter series, but at a much lower price.

Starting point is 00:09:54 At $999, the HP NV-14 is quite expensive. In fact, that price really blurs the line between the mid-range Envy family and the high-end Specter series. Regardless, this seems like a terrific machine if you can afford it. What made the price go up? Inside the HPNV14 houses an Nvidia,

Starting point is 00:10:12 G-Force GTX-1650 TI graphics card, and an 11th-gen-I-5 chip. This makes it far more powerful than most other Envi models. Of course, if you're not a gamer or a creator, that hardware is going to be overkill for your needs. HP hopes you are a creator, though, because that's what its marketing team seems to be gunning for. The laptop's sleek minimalist design is quite trendy, and the power of that graphics card will make editing video on the go a breeze, end quote. And speaking of envy, seems HP has a case of Surface Envy.

Starting point is 00:10:51 Say hello to the HP Elite Folio, which takes direct aim at the Microsoft Surface Surface. form factor. Android Authority again, quote. In 2021, we now have the HP Elite Folio. Like its predecessor, the screen is on a dual hinge that allows you to work in a traditional clamshell style and then quickly switch to a tablet style experience. However, that's pretty much where the similarities end. There's no leather on the Elite Folio. Instead, HP opted for being environmentally conscious by using 90% recycled magnesium by weight and even some ocean-bound plastics inside. The biggest difference, though, is that the HP Elite Folio has a second-gen Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx5G chip set. The previous Specter folio had the usual Intel core processor.

Starting point is 00:11:38 This makes the Elite Folio a wildly different product, considering how young Windows-on-Arm is at the moment. Still, the Elite Folio seems like a terrific machine for those folks who are cool with jumping into untested waters. You can get up to 16 gigabytes of RAM, up to 512 gigabytes of internal SSD storage and a 3-2-1920 by 1280 display covered in Gorilla Glass 5. And since it has that mobile processor, you'll be able to optionally access 5G cellular networks, no hotspot needed, end quote. And when I talk about missing out on the hands-on stuff at CES, I'm talking about stuff like this. Last year, I tried on a lot of AR tech because I felt like at the time we might be on the cusp of AR breaking through, and if I were in Vegas in a parallel universe right now, I'd want to try on Lenovo's

Starting point is 00:12:34 new Think Reality A3 smart glasses that can show up to five virtual 1080p displays and comes with an 8 megapixel camera and two fish-eye cameras for room scale tracking, quoting a gadget. The manufacturer is presenting the Think Reality A3 as a pair of smart glasses that can be used for applications like 3D visualization and augmented reality guided workflows at a time when the is, quote, looking to adopt new technologies for smart collaboration, end quote. Unlike the first think-reality model, the A6, which looks like your typical mixed reality headset, this one fits more like a pair of chunky sunglasses. Companies can modify it with Lenovo's industrial frame options, though, to make it more durable or safer. As you'd expect, the PC edition

Starting point is 00:13:19 uses Windows software tools and applications. Meanwhile, the A3 Industrial Edition relies on Motorola's think reality software platform for hands-free AR tasks. Lenovo envisions various applications for the headset across industries and believes it can be used wherever space and privacy are limited. It can be used in factories, laboratories, retail locations, and hospitality spaces, for instance. Since it's meant for enterprise use, Lenovo didn't release a consumer price point, but it announced that the A3 will be available in select markets worldwide starting mid-2020, end quote. And a lot of the fun of CES is just walking around the floor and stumbling on little off-the-wall things that you never knew somebody needed.

Starting point is 00:14:04 You never knew there was a market for, but once you see it, you kind of want it for yourself. Things like this new super compact 60% mechanical gaming keyboard for just 99 bucks, quoting the verge. Most major gaming peripheral companies have already introduced 60% mechanical keyboards, which are more compact than full-size versions and have become trendy in recent years for aesthetic and size reasons. But at CES 2021, HyperX is finally following suit by debuting its first compact model called the Alloy Origin 60. There are fewer keys here than one of its full-size options, but not necessarily fewer functions. You'll find most of the keys available have secondary functions that can be activated by holding

Starting point is 00:14:43 down the function button. HyperX says that its key caps included are PBT double shot, which means that they're far more resistant to getting shiny and having the lettering wear away after lots of use. This model will release in the U.S. on February 22nd for $99.99. On the topic of availability, HyperX also announced during CES 2021 that its Pulsefire, Haste Wired Gaming Mouse, Cloud 2 Wireless Gaming headset, and the Cloud Revolver 7.1 wired gaming headset are all available globally, end quote. And then, of course, CES is also great for the wacky stuff.

Starting point is 00:15:25 stuff like this $3,000 doggy door. Think of this as sort of a garage door for Fido with a little ring doorbell technology mixed in, which is fitting because it's built by old school garage door maker Chamberlain, quoting the verge. They've built a fully automated internet-connected pet door for your dog, one that gives them the freedom to go outside whenever they want, or lets you remotely activate it yourself. your pet can approach the door to ask you permission while you monitor its cameras from an app, one that also automatically tracks your pet's comings and goings in a diary. It's called the MyQ Pet Portal, and it's packed with tech, including twin 1080P cameras that beam encrypted video to your phone anywhere in the world via Amazon S3 servers,

Starting point is 00:16:15 IR and light touch safety sensors to avoid pinched tails, microphones, and speakers to talk to your pet, plus the encrypted Bluetooth low-energy beacon that goes around your dog's neck. The door won't open until your pet is stationary for a few seconds to make sure they actually want to go out, and it closes automatically behind them. Pre-orders for the MyQ Pet Portal start today at an eye-watering $3,000 and up, which at first blush makes it seem like exactly the kind of ostentatious far-out product concept that graces the CES show floor in Vegas every year. An awesome idea to gawk at, but not something in.

Starting point is 00:16:51 anyone actually needs. After all, can't you already buy a simple pet flap for well under $100? But the world's largest garage door opener company seems dead serious about building the best doggy door ever made. During the COVID-19 pandemic, roughly a dozen staffers have been toiling away in their own homes, guided by extensive surveys, focus groups, and testimonials about what pet owners might need to actually trust a product that lets their furry companions in and out of the house. Today, says product lead Barrel Altaner, pet doors don't necessarily. have that trust. Only 34% of pet owners who let their pets outside have a pet door, according to a national survey conducted by the company. That means 68% are doing without,

Starting point is 00:17:32 forcing pets to wait for humans to let them outside, forcing themselves to schedule their lives around their pets or both. Quote, there's a lot of guilt among pet parents in the inability to tend to pets' needs in a timely fashion, said Altener, showing me both survey results and video testimonials from individual pet owners, end quote. As a dog owner, once again, I can vouch for the utility of me not having to take Archie out to the sidewalk all the time. But then again, for $3,000, the sliding door to the backyard works just fine. Thank you very much. By the way, about a week ago, I went on a Twitter jag one night about the movie Tenet.

Starting point is 00:18:17 It was largely tongue and cheek about how impossible I felt Tenet was to follow. That was because I was watching it while on Twitter and in between taking Archie outside and also reminding folks to stop hitting their sisters. Let's just say Tenet is a movie that demands 120% of your attention or you're totally lost. So this weekend I finally got the chance to give it, shall we say, 90% of my attention. And verdict is it's not bad. Definitely worth your time. But I will say this.

Starting point is 00:18:47 I've heard this was one of Christopher Nolan's oldest movie ideas. So given that this is maybe the purest expression of his obsession with time, Time travel, narrative jumps, and the like. Here's hoping that now that he's gotten to do Tenet, maybe he's gotten all that out of his system. I described Tenet as being like Memento or Inception, but stripped of all characterization or emotional narrative. It's just bare bones the puzzle box and nothing but the puzzle box.

Starting point is 00:19:17 Which is fine, that's cool and all. But I mean, dude, enough with the movies about time jumps and time travel. You even manage to mess with time. Dunkirk. Christopher Nolan is a supremely talented filmmaker, so I just love for him to tell a story for once without all the messing around with timelines, stuff that has frankly become a tired filmmaking tick of his. It was a cute gimmick at first, the first, I don't know, seven times he did it. Now it's just a magic trick that has become annoying. Something, something the prestige. Anyway, that's all for this edition of Ride Home Movie Reviews. TM, talk to you tomorrow.

Starting point is 00:19:56 Thank you.

Tech Brew Ride Home - Mon. 01/11 – All Of Tech Kills Parler

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