Microsoft’s Windows 11, UGA podcasters, remote controlling thermostats, tiny urban forests, concerts in Sims & Fortnite, Mountain Dew and #LEGOcon
Andy, Michael and Michael start things off with all things Windows 11, barely resisting to make the expected Spinal Tap joke. OK, so the joke does make it into the podcast. You knew it would. So much news about the newest release of the operating system, focused on the consumer market. See the extensive Verge links in the show notes for many more details.
Then the co-hosts turn to the University of Georgia, where Michael R did his undergraduate work, and an article about all of the amazing alumni podcasters from the university – just missing one important podcast host that’s been recording this fine podcast for just a few episodes! Plus it was great fun teaching Andy how to pronounce dawgs properly for the episode title.
Next up, remote controlled thermostats in Texas, and the challenges that IOT systems bring, especially when people who install the smart metering devices don’t read the fine print and understand what they’ve agreed to.
Tiny urban forests loom large in the next set of stories and then things get incredibly interesting with “Operation Soda Steal” — an engineering story from 2008 for how a user decided to take advantage of the free refills at Taco Bell to enjoy Mountain Dew Baja Blast from the comfort of his home. The link in the show notes is worthwhile just to see the MS Paint graphics. By the way, MS Paint remains in Windows 11!
Other topics in this episode include virtual concerts in The Sims (in Simlish) and Fortnite, AI fighter jet pilots, hackers using gamers to become “crypto-rich” and this weekend’s LEGOcon!
Selected Links
The Verge article: Here are the visual changes Microsoft showed off in Windows 11 — https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22548895/windows-11-ui-visual-change-roundup-microsoft-upgrade
Microsoft’s Windows 11 event — https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/event
The Verge article: Microsoft wants Steam to be part of its new Windows 11 app store — https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/25/22550103/microsoft-new-windows-app-store-steam-welcome
The Verge article: Windows 11’s Intel-powered Android apps will run on AMD and Arm processors, too — https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22549303/windows-11-intel-bridge-android-apps-amd-arm-processors
Microsoft Windows Developer Blog post: What Windows 11 Means for Developers — https://blogs.windows.com/windowsdeveloper/2021/06/24/what-windows-11-means-for-developers/
The Verge article: Microsoft’s Panos Panay on building Windows 11 during a pandemic, Android, and the leak — https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/25/22550134/microsoft-windows-11-panos-panay-interview
Nathan W. Pyle — https://www.nathanwpyle.art
University of Georgia, UGA Today article: Talking Dawgs — https://news.uga.edu/talking-dawgs/
Ars Technica article: Texans regret opting in to power plan that remotely raises thermostat temps — https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2021/06/texans-regret-opting-into-power-plan-that-remotely-raises-thermostat-temps/
The Verge article: This VR remake of Myst is also coming to the Mac and PC this fall — https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/22/22545252/myst-vr-pc-mac-cyan-worlds
The Sims is getting an in-game music festival with Simlish songs — https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/24/22548640/the-sims-4-sessions-music-festival-concert-bebe-rexha
TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com
National Geographic article: Why ‘tiny forests’ are popping up in big cities — https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/why-tiny-forests-are-popping-up-in-big-cities
Tuiny Forest najaar 2021 from sprinklr — https://www.sprinklr.co/products/tuiny-forest-najaar-2021
Aforestt methodology — https://www.afforestt.com/methodology
Kotaku article: The True Crime Story Of A GameFAQs User Who Just Wanted More Mountain Dew — https://kotaku.com/the-true-crime-story-of-a-gamefaqs-user-who-just-wanted-1847161600
Laptop Magazine article: Microsoft Paint and Notepad get a ‘Fluent Design’ overhaul in Windows 11 — https://www.laptopmag.com/uk/news/microsoft-paint-and-notepad-get-a-fluent-design-overhaul-in-windows-11
Mountain Dew Baja Blast — https://www.mountaindew.com/products/mtn-dew-baja-blast/
Mountain Dew Code Red — https://www.mountaindew.com/products/mtn-dew-code-red/
The Verge article: Fortnite’s new virtual concert might be its trippiest yet — https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/25/22550240/fortnite-easy-life-concert-o2-arena
Schneier on Security article: AI-Piloted Fighter Jets — https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2021/06/ai-piloted-fighter-jets.html
Slashfilm article: ‘Q-Force’ Trailer: Netflix Introduces the First All-Gay Spy Team — https://www.slashfilm.com/q-force-trailer/
BBC article: Crackonosh: How Hackers are using gamers to become crypto-rich — https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-57601631
LEGO Con — https://www.lego.com/en-us/lego-con
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Such a fun episode, Michael & Andy! Loved your discussion on Life by You.