In a similar vein to ‘Only Murders In The Building’, with a likeable enough cast and adequate writing, viewers are more than happy to overlook the plot contrivances to necessary keep the premise of the show going.

Why not just use Brave, which blocks ads and allows for picture-in-picture and background play?

Do you need to download for offline play or similar?

How has it been “proven” that all app stores are equally safe?

Heck, just comparing Google Play and Apple App Store - every article over the past year covering malicious apps (including the recent cross-platform SparkCat) mentions at some point or another that these occurrences are significantly rarer on iOS given Apple’s stricter policies and guidelines. Policies that could not otherwise be enforced on 3rd party app stores.

Realistically, no one who purchases an iPhone is doing so under the assumption that they aren’t going to be within the wider Apple ecosystem and ‘walled garden’. Those that do want that additional freedom, and associated risks, have Android and other FOSS options available to them already.

Think of it this way: There are plenty of Android-based devices that are faster, better or have unique features that iOS doesn’t; Apple’s USP is iOS. We were ‘free’ to choose this ecosystem, and by trying to impose your own definition of freedom onto us, you are instead depriving us of our own.

If you choose not to see the inherent risks associated with this, so be it - but I am wary enough to know that if/once the genie is out of the bottle, there is no ability to go back when the shit inevitably hits the fan.

Don’t think of me as a blind Apple fanboy, either: I think there are plenty of valid criticisms of Apple’s handling of the App Store that legislation would be much better suited to targeting - namely their egregious fees and arbitrary policies regarding directing users to their own websites for alternate payment methods.****

Well you weren’t very specific, so I wasn’t sure which point(s) you were disagreeing with.

I’m sure there are a number of apps which were only available on one storefront (Google, Samsung, F-Droid etc.).

China is in an even worse spot, as Google is outright banned - there are a dozen or so competing Android app stores; however their saving grace is that literally every digital transaction goes through either Weixin or AliPay - so there’s a somewhat lessened risk of credit card fraud.

Why would smaller, niche apps move to alternative stores on iOS? To (rightfully) avoid the excessive fees charged - so yes, a restaurant would be a prime example of someone not be willing / able to give 30% to Apple (nor should they, it’s downright extortion).

Banking Trojans have hit millions of Android devices in 2025 — here are the biggest threats and how to protect yourself

Just because you aren’t aware of it, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening already.

I respectfully disagree.

If I’m out at a restaurant with app-based ordering, or my Real Estate agent requires payment through their gateway, or to track my utilities usage, or am required to use any other number of niche apps that become only available through alternate app stores? Then I very well risk being put in a situation where I am otherwise forced to.

Let alone the headaches that will inevitably come from the older, less technologically savvy, and more vulnerable having their default app stores highjacked, and spoof apps stealing their credentials/credit cards.

Then we get into the more general issues of allowing unsigned code to be loaded and run on our smartphones - it will lead to the era of viruses, Trojans and ransomware.

I am reminded of this piece that Last Week Tonight did on Encryption, which is quite cogent given the topic at hand.

Best security practices involve minimising the number of places your sensitive (financial) data is stored. If a website doesn’t accept a known and reputable intermediary like Apple Pay, PayPal or a BNPL provider - I would refrain from using it.

If this is something that you want - then go ahead and Jailbreak your iPhone, or get an Android - more power to you; but please stop trying to enshittify iOS.

Unpopular opinion, but if I wanted multiple app stores (and all the associated benefits and risks) then I would have opted for an Android.

The walled garden approach works for me, and I don’t want to be inconvenienced and my data put at risk because a particular, necessary app is only available through a 3rd party platform.

Now, Apple being forced to reduce the % of app sales down from 30% to a more reasonable number I am all for.

Yup; in general China stands to benefit most in the long-term with a second Trump administration. Economic projections are that they will take over the US as the world’s largest economy, and when that happens - it will shift global spheres of influence, especially with the US digging itself so far into debt and isolationism.

A combination of getting complacent with the lack of competition during the ‘00s and early ‘10s, getting stuck with 10nm development and instead extending 14nm+++++++++++++ (I think that’s the right number of pluses?), and switching leadership from an engineer to an accountant.

So this is how I find out that Ted Lasso is coming back…?

shrugs

…I’m OK with it!

2nd season of Harry’s Law absolutely butchered any interest we had following season one. I think we only made it 2 episodes in before completely giving up?

i think it was a complete change of character for S1’s antagonist to join the team in S2 - but I could be misremembering…

Aww, that’s kinda sweet!

I checked out the first season after catching up on Only Murders in the Building, to scratch my ‘grumpy old men’ comedy itch and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Being the usual suspects:

Front Mission, if you like tactical RPGs (ie. where you move characters on a grid game map during battles).

I think it’s time we blow this scene, get everybody and the stuff together…

Okay, three, two, one, let’s jam! 🎵

You might be right; only looking at losing the windshield, soft-top and driver… all easily replaceable parts, IMO!

Miata is always the answer.

In this case, the question would have been - which one of these cars would not survive an accident with the other?

Which is why in Australia, when we tell someone to eat shit - it’s actually because we care about their digestive health!

I find it helps to avoid the hype trains surrounding new media releases, as well as anything after the teaser trailer.

Getting one’s expectations up usually results in the said media failing to live up.

Best to go in blind and make your own mind up afterwards!

Are there any region-free 4K blu-ray drives available? I’m asking for a friend.

If you really want to feel old, consider that GTA: Vice City was released in 2002, and set in 1986 - a 16 year gap.

Grand Theft Auto 4, set in a contemporary timeframe was released 17 years ago…