Tech's Message

Welcome back to Tech's Message! This week, in our inaugural episode of the new Tech's Message era, we're discussing the history of webcams. For Patrons, we also discuss Apple's recent announcements and Ian's decision to invest some serious cash in one of the products.Here are some links to various things we discussed in the show:Webcams look like balls: https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/18lzalf/not_sure_if_1999_counts_as_vintage_already/ Intel Easy PC Web Cam:  https://www.reddit.com/r/nostalgia/comments/mf0zea/first_webcam_i_purchased_early_2000sWebcam reviews and prices from CNET circa 2000: https://web.archive.org/web/20000411021102/http://cnet.com/hardware/search/results/0,10238,0-1085-402-0-1,00.html?tag=st.co.1078.dir.1085-402-0Wirecutter guide to modern webcams: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/the-best-webcams/Computer Chronicles webcam episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4mxg4pBgIwThe greatest defunct Web sites and dotcom disasters: https://web.archive.org/web/20080607211819/http://crave.cnet.co.uk/0%2C39029477%2C49296926-2%2C00.htmApple VideoPhone: https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageApple/comments/1due7sk/apple_videophone_video_conferencing_1996_style/#lightboxThe complete, ad-free episode is available via Patreon subscription and includes our weekly news discussion, extended segments, outtakes and more. Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

Ian and I took nine months off from podcasting, but rest quite assured: it wasn't in order for him to gestate and pass our baby. In this bonus episode, I'll explain the actual reason for our absence and our plan for a new era of Tech's Message, which begins on this very day -- look out for episode 323 in your feed shortly!We're really grateful to everyone who's kept our feed in their podcatchers and stuck with their Patreon membership until we were ready to return. We've got some cool plans for the show and we'll welcome your feedback.Onwards!Nate & Ian

This week on Tech’s Message:AI machine cannot be called an inventor, rules UK courthttps://www.ft.com/content/7bccf980-9eaf-40d9-92b6-ab3ffb43c98dhttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ff6c264d3bf7f65d42209f9/consolidated-patents-act-1977.pdf  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67772177Police to be able to run face recognition searches on 50m driving licence holdershttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/dec/20/police-to-be-able-to-run-face-recognition-searches-on-50m-driving-licence-holders https://www.technologyreview.com/2021/04/14/1022676/robert-williams-facial-recognition-lawsuit-aclu-detroit-police/The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:Ministry of Justice plan to destroy historical wills is ‘insane’, say expertshttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2023/dec/18/ministry-of-justice-plan-to-destroy-historical-wills-is-insane-say-expertsGUESS THE HO HO HOLE!Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

This week on Tech’s Message:Bedfordshire Police use AI to save hours on admin dutieshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-67680698https://docdefender.nethttps://rivengroup.comhttps://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/14734000/officersGoogle Groups losing Usenet integrationhttps://www.theverge.com/2023/12/14/24002220/google-groups-is-about-to-drop-support-for-posting-to-or-browsing-usenethttps://archive.org/details/usenetThe extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:On The Death of E3https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2023/12/how-the-internet-killed-e3/Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

This week on Tech’s Message:Mobile phones: Firms face £3bn legal claim for overcharginghttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67649539Unproven AI face scans may estimate age for porn access in UKhttps://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/12/unproven-ai-face-scans-may-estimate-age-for-access-in-uk/https://www.theregister.com/2023/12/05/uk_age_verifcation_proposals/ The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:Laptop Vs. DesktopIn which Nate talks about going from using a desktop (Mac Studio) to a laptop (new MacBook).Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

This week on Tech’s Message:We're joined by CNET's Andrew Lanxon -- find his photography YouTube channel here.Sony’s getting into the in-camera micropayments gamehttps://pressroom.pixelshift.studio/sony-electronics-announces-custom-gridline-license-available-for-alpha-camera-bodieshttps://pro.sony/ue_US/digital-imaging/custom-gridlineRegard: https://www.polygon.com/23399591/elder-scrolls-4-oblivion-horse-armor-video-game-cosmeticsRegard also: https://avlgear.com/product/panasonic-lumix-dmw-sfu2-s1-filmmaker-upgrade-software-key-download-only/Evernote's changes and the future of our note-takinghttps://www.engadget.com/evernote-is-reportedly-testing-a-severely-restricted-plan-for-free-users-184607336.html?src=rss The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:ChatGPT is one year old. Here’s how it changed the tech world.https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2023/11/chatgpt-was-the-spark-that-lit-the-fire-under-generative-ai-one-year-ago-today/Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

This week on Tech’s Message:Squid Game Contestants Considering Lawsuit Over Reality Show Injurieshttps://gizmodo.com/squid-game-the-challenge-contestant-possible-lawsuit-1851047311 UK's cookie crumble: Data watchdog serves up tougher recipe for consent bannershttps://www.theregister.com/2023/11/22/uk_ico_cookie_action/Keep or cancel Freeview? The argumentshttps://rxtvinfo.com/2023/keep-or-cancel-free-to-air-terrestrial-tv-the-arguments/The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:FEATUREWhen Is The Right Time To Buy A New Computer? Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

This week on Tech’s Message:Booths supermarkets to ditch self-checkouts in north of England storeshttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/10/booths-supermarkets-to-ditch-self-checkouts-in-north-of-england-storesApple Wallet account balances now available for 10 UK bankshttps://9to5mac.com/2023/11/10/apple-wallet-account-balances/ Apple to bridge message divide - but keeps green bubbleshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-67451724 LINK: Tom Merritt's Know A Little More about RCShttps://play.acast.com/s/know-a-little-more/aboutrcs The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:Parking Meters: Where is the contactless and why are there so many apps?Become a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.

This week on Tech’s Message:Newport: Can AI help find lost £227m Bitcoin fortune?https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67297013Disney+ now has an ad supported tier like Netflixhttps://www.pocket-lint.com/disney-plus-subscription-tiers-uk-differences-price/Facebook and Instagram launch a paid ad-free subscriptionhttps://www.theverge.com/2023/10/30/23938283/facebook-instagram-ad-free-subscription-eu Plus: Paramount+ has stopped working for Ian, YouTube ad-blocking woes and why Google search is just terrible now. The extended, ad-free version available via Patreon subscription includes extended sections, outtakes, as well as additional discussions about:Discussions: Does the PC vs Mac debate feel really old school now?Discussion about how 15 years ago it felt like rivalry between PC and Mac, Apple and Microsoft etc hit fever pitch. Today, it’s just a lot more boring isn’t it?Sidenote: Microsoft Word just turned 40, and so did the Apple Lisa.https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/25/23931391/microsoft-word-was-released-40-years-ago-todayBecome a supporter to unlock bonus content and listen live — join our Patreon.Full show notes, subscription options and more available at https://www.uktechshow.com.TECH’S MESSAGE IS:Hosts: Nate Lanxon, Ian MorrisProduction and Editing: Nate LanxonMusic: Audio Network & Pond5Certain Artwork Elements Designed By: macrovector / FreepikPublisher (Free Version): AcastCopyright © Nate LanxonAds (on free version) are not endorsements, nor controlled by Tech’s Message. Read Nate’s ad policy.