Episode 156: Januaryish

Follow Up

Rods Car about to get more apps

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/15/24344560/google-android-automotive-play-store-apps-car-ready-program 

TikTok Ban is a thing

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz6p1g54q85o

Also marvel snap

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/19/24347034/marvel-snap-banned-tiktok-bytedance 

Lawmakers press Meta, Apple, Google, and others on massive Trump donations

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/17/24345244/elizabeth-warren-senator-press-big-tech-trump-donations 

Apple suspends AI-generated news alert service after BBC complaint

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jan/17/apple-suspends-ai-generated-news-alert-service-after-bbc-complaint?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&CMP=bsky_gu 

iOS 18.3 temporarily disables Apple Intelligence notification summaries for select apps, more

https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/16/ios-18-3-temporarily-disables-apple-intelligence-notification-summaries-for-select-apps-more/ 

Apple's interoperability efforts aren't meeting spirit or letter of EU law, advocacy groups argue

https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/16/apple_dma_compliance_criticized/ 

EU denies pausing action against Apple and others ahead of new US presidency

https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/14/eu-denies-pausing-action-against-apple-and-others-ahead-of-new-us-presidency/ 

M4 Mac mini USB-C Issues

https://mjtsai.com/blog/2025/01/16/m4-mac-mini-usb-c-issues/ 

The people should own the town square

https://blog.joinmastodon.org/2025/01/the-people-should-own-the-town-square/ 

News 

European Union orders X to hand over algorithm documents

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/european-union-orders-x-to-hand-over-algorithm-documents/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social 

Google decides it won't comply with EU fact-checking law

https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-decides-it-wont-comply-with-eu-fact-checking-law-201514781.html?src=rss&utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub&guccounter=1

RedNote may wall off “TikTok refugees” to prevent US influence on Chinese users

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/01/rednote-may-wall-off-tiktok-refugees-to-prevent-us-influence-on-chinese-users/ 

Driver stopped in Tesla Cybertruck banned in UK

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz0lldd30xlo 

Bezos’ Blue Origin successfully launches SpaceX rival

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/16/24342567/blue-origin-launch-sucessful 

Parallels brings back the magic that was waiting seven minutes for Windows to boot

https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/16/parallels_x86_vms_on_apple_silicon/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_PC 

DJI loosens flight restrictions, decides to trust operators to follow FAA rules

https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/15/dji_ditch_geofencing/ 

Media 

Severance Season 2

Apple continues high-profile Severance promos with fun homepage panels

https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/17/apple-continues-high-profile-severance-promos-with-fun-homepage-panels/ 

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/01/14/apple-severance-season-2-promo/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon 

The Great 

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/the_great 

Juror #2

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/juror_2

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beetlejuice_beetlejuice 

Games

XCOM2

https://store.steampowered.com/app/268500/XCOM_2/ 

 Civilization VII preview: The most complete package since IV

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/01/civilization-vii-preview-a-new-age-for-a-storied-franchise/ 

Switch 2

It’s official: Take a first look at the Switch 2

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2025/01/its-official-take-a-first-look-at-the-switch-2/ 

The Nintendo Switch 2 supports original Switch cartridges

https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/16/24343666/nintendo-switch-2-cartridge-backwards-compatibility 

https://www.theverge.com/24344511/nintendo-switch-2-features-specs-handheld-dock-upgrade-comparison

Main Show

SONOS

https://investors.sonos.com/news-and-events/investor-news/latest-news/2025/Sonos-Announces-CEO-Transition/default.aspx 

Sonos CEO Patrick Spence steps down after app update debacle 

https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/sonos-ceo-patrick-spence-steps-down-after-app-update-debacle-2025-01-13/ 

Tony Fadell wanted Apple to buy Sonos; Steve wanted to sue it

https://9to5mac.com/2025/01/15/tony-fadell-wanted-apple-to-buy-sonos-steve-wanted-to-sue-it/#more-985975 

App of the Week 

Crossover Office

https://www.codeweavers.com/ 

Thing of the Week 

Scalextric

https://uk.scalextric.com/

Contact

@[email protected]

@g5maniac.bsky.social

@[email protected]