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Comment Re:It's come to this... (Score 1) 49

It's kind of amazing how badly Microsoft has been failing for decades.

They were in a pretty strong position with Internet Explorer and MSN as the start page. But IE was crap and didn't get much development. MSN was so bad everyone moved to Yahoo! and then Google. They let their lead slip away, and have been trying to bribe people or trick them into coming back ever since.

No matter what they offer, even with Edge being a half decent browser, they manage to screw it up.

Comment Re: Make them occasionally? (Score 1) 140

In Ireland they often round prices and don't bother giving you change if it's only a few cents, or even tens of cents on a large purchase. It caught me out the first time.

Apparently the switch to using contactless payments more often has resulted in noticeable losses for shops that were previously keeping the change from your Euro.

Comment Re:Testing? (Score 1) 67

It looks a lot like Elon Musk's Optimus. Same limitations like not being able to be unbalanced at any time, resulting in that squat and awkward "walking".

You can tell when a robot is shit tier because the good ones use balance as a tool. Humans basically fall when they walk forward, and then catch themselves with a foot out in front. That also helps them stay upright on slippery and uneven surfaces, climb stairs, deal with being bumped into and so on. The crap ones need to be balanced at all times, and fall over if they are not.

Comment Re:No (Score 3, Informative) 81

There are plenty of good Android tablets.

If you want pen input, Samsung are a good bet. Way better than an iPad. You can scribble anywhere and it just works. Handwriting, drawings, selections, it's all seamless and supported in every app. Last time I checked, iPads don't have that kind of basic functionality for their pens.

For other stuff, Xiaomi are a good option. Very nice screens, good speakers, fast processors, and a lot of models to suit every price point. Battery life is generally excellent.

Of course they all support side loading and alternative app stores, so you aren't locked in to Google Play/Apple Store.

Comment Re:I'm not opposed to EVs, but... (Score 1) 24

Of all the ridiculous things in the world to be worried about, this is one of the very most ridiculous of all. The rate of fires is massively lower than for ICE cars. You have loads of lithium battery devices in your house already, and you don’t (presumably) shriek with fear each hour of each day as you contemplate the terrifying death traps they apparently represent, tucked away next to your combustible household goods. And of course, it’s also such an outdated fear, because LFP is already well established — about *40%* of the global EV battery market — and has a substantially lower risk of fire than NMC.

These are not meaningful risks to your health and safety. Fumes, noise and car-dependent urban design are meaningful risks to your health and safety.

Comment Re:Modern VR hardware is really disappointing (Score 1) 22

Untethered means battery-powered wifi gaming.

Immediately, not interested.

I can play my Vive Pro as long as I like (e.g. at a party we can all have a go for hours), it's reliant on the power of the machine connected to it, not the device itself, and it provides tech specs far in advance of the wireless junk.

Comment Re:Modern VR hardware is really disappointing (Score 2) 22

I solved that problem with a hook in the ceiliing and one of those springy-cord things (like people used to have on their keys) so that you can move in literally any direction and it doesn't matter at all as the cable will follow you, and then spring back to the hook when you step back again.

Literally a $10 solution, never had an issue after that.

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