AI support agent has mother issues #44

Goodbye Success Fees, Hello Mandatory Payment Processing #46

The biggest shift in the New Zealand online marketplace in two decades is here as Trade Me moves to eliminate its long-standing success fees for most categories. While the removal of the commission feels like a win for casual sellers, it marks a fundamental change in how the platform handles your money. By phasing out the traditional bank transfer option for shipped items, the site is funnelling nearly every transaction through its integrated Ping system. This transition replaces a visible sales commission with a mandatory processing fee, giving the platform total oversight of the financial flow and the release of funds. This pivot appears to be a defensive strategy against competitors like Facebook Marketplace, aiming to lower the barrier for listing items while maintaining a revenue stream through service fees. For veteran sellers who have relied on the simplicity and zero-cost nature of peer-to-peer bank transfers, the loss of this manual option introduces a new layer of friction. The platform now acts as a mandatory middleman, holding funds and managing protections that were previously handled through personal trust and feedback ratings. Despite the push toward digital centralization, the "Cash" option remains available for listings marked for local pickup. This provides a functional workaround for sellers who prefer traditional bank transfers, as it allows for a direct exchange between the buyer and seller outside of the mandatory processing framework. As the marketplace evolves, the community must decide if the allure of "No Success Fees" is worth the trade-off of losing the autonomy of the free bank transfer. Given the lack of actual downloads of this podcast, I know I haven't done any form of marketing or promotion of it, it's just been something I've enjoyed doing. However, I have had another potential project come across my desk that is very enticing. So my question to you, Should I continue with the Crystal Carrier Wave? Vote in the poll on the website, I will treat each Download as an initial no, that will get mitigated by a vote on the poll. So if you download and don't vote, I'll take that as a no. So please, if you would like to see the podcast continue, and potentially continue with a higher level of production, then please head over to the show notes and vote. Voting is closedShoud I continue with the Crystal Carrier Wave?Would you like to see CCW refined with more production or continue as is?Continue as is, Record and Publish.Continue but with a higher level of production.I don't care, I have no real interest.Give up, this style of podcast is dead.Vote Welcome to the Crystal Carrier Wave, on today's show I discuss the dramatic arrest of a suspect linked to a forty-six million dollar cryptocurrency theft from the U.S. Marshals and the international coalition that finally dismantled the Tycoon phishing infrastructure. We look at the significant security breaches involving government wiretap systems and the rise of AI agents being used to manage cyberattack logistics. The broadcast covers the evolving tech job market of 2026 and the legal battles of industry giants like Nintendo and Lenovo as they fight for billions in tariff refunds. The conversation shifts to the digital well-being of our youth as schools recruit specialized counsellors to combat social media harm, followed by a tribute to the late Paul Brainerd, the man who brought desktop publishing to the masses. For the builders and tinkerers, we celebrate the forty-fifth anniversary of the Sinclair ZX81 and explore how modular hardware is making Raspberry Pi camera experimentation much more robust. I also examine the latest sub-dollar microcontrollers from STMicroelectronics and the new tools allowing ESP32 developers to debug their remote projects through Telegram. We wrap up the hour with the latest from the amateur radio community, including the opening of registration for the 2026 RaDAR Rally and the special event stations honoring our military K9 veterans. Finally, we highlight the scientific outreach taking place during British Science Week as students across the globe take to the airwaves to discover the magic of radio propagation. Become a supporter of the podcast and help me grow the podcast and studio by becoming an Insider, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. If you have anything you’d like to share or comment on, email podcast .at. zl4kj .dot. nz, I would love to hear from you. Alternatively you can Send a Voice Message Big changes for Trade Me Marketplace FBI arrests suspect linked to $46M crypto theft from US Marshals Defending the gates: How a global coalition disrupted Tycoon 2FA, a major driver of initial access and large-scale online impersonation Google Photos for Android finally prepares to catch up with these iOS features 149 Hacktivist DDoS Attacks Hit 110 Organizations in 16 Countries After Middle East Conflict The 10 Tech Jobs Growing Fastest in 2026 (and the Skills They Require) WordPress membership plugin bug exploited to create admin accounts Wikipedia hit by self-propagating JavaScript worm that vandalized pages FBI investigates breach of surveillance and wiretap systems Manage attack infrastructure? AI agents can now help PageMaker and Aldus founder, pioneer Paul Brainerd 1947-2026 FBI investigating breach that reportedly hit wiretapping net Lenovo, Nintendo, sue US government, seeking tariff refunds Schools bringing in counsellors to deal with harm caused by social media The Document Foundation Criticises EU XLSX Mandate In CRA Feedback Process Experiment With The Pi Camera The Modular Way Microcomputing on the Cheap: The Sinclair ZX81/Timex Sinclair 1000 Turns 45 Today Train and deploy your own AI models in Arduino® App Lab – now fully integrated with Edge Impulse! A drop-in Arduino serial replacement for ESP32 that sends output to a Telegram bot over WiFi Is Your IoT Strategy Ready for the New Landscape? STMicro MCUs Aim to Redefine Entry-Level Performance RaDAR Rally 2026 Registration is Now Open K9 Veterans Day Activation Honors Military Dogs Listen out for active British Science Week groups Commonwealth Contest / Concours du Commonwealth

The M5 Fusion Architecture and the Next Era of the Mac #45

Apple has fundamentally redefined the performance ceiling for professional computing with the debut of the M5, M5 Pro, and M5 Max chips. This new generation of silicon introduces a dual-die Fusion Architecture for the Pro and Max variants, effectively doubling the available resources without compromising efficiency. The most significant shift is the integration of dedicated Neural Accelerators directly into every GPU core, resulting in an eight-fold increase in AI performance compared to the original M1. These architectural leaps mean that demanding tasks like real-time AI-driven video masking and large-scale model training are no longer theoretical benchmarks but daily realities for the Mac ecosystem. The MacBook Pro lineup has been redesigned internally to harness this power while addressing long-standing professional requirements. Both the 14-inch and 16-inch models now feature Thunderbolt 5, doubling data transfer speeds to 120 Gigabits per second, and include a nano-texture display option to maintain color accuracy in challenging lighting environments. Battery life has reached a new milestone of 24 hours on the 16-inch model, supported by a standard internal storage upgrade that now starts at one terabyte. The MacBook Air also benefits from this transition, gaining the base M5 chip and its superior AI capabilities, while doubling its entry-level storage and introducing Wi-Fi 7 to the ultra-portable category. On the desktop side, the monitor lineup has seen its most significant expansion in years with the arrival of the Studio Display XDR. This new 27-inch 5K panel brings ProMotion technology to the desktop for the first time, offering a 120Hz refresh rate alongside 2,000 nits of peak brightness. By utilizing over 2,300 local dimming zones, this display provides the contrast ratios previously reserved for the much larger Pro Display XDR. Together with an updated standard Studio Display that now includes a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera and improved audio, these releases signal a total commitment to high-bandwidth, AI-ready hardware across the entire Mac family. Welcome to the Crystal Carrier Wave, on today's show I discuss a massive shift in the computing landscape as Microsoft launches the Copilot plus PC era, alongside a security warning for developers regarding a malicious package designed to hijack payment processing tokens. We look into the rising sophistication of regional cyber-espionage and a new legal mandate in California that is forcing volunteer-led Linux projects to rethink how they handle user age verification. The program also covers a significant data breach in the healthcare sector and a bold hacktivist leak targeting government contractors. The conversation moves into the evolving digital workspace where Google’s AI is gaining a longer memory, while Google Chrome prepares to accelerate its release cycle for better stability. We examine new monetization hurdles on social media for AI-generated conflict footage and the arrival of more direct, efficient language models from OpenAI. In the world of mobile hardware, a new contender aims to upend the status quo in camera technology, even as streaming platforms experiment with increasingly persistent advertising formats. In our electronics and maker segment, we explore a collaboration bringing high-end AI to wearables and the latest certifications ensuring hardware remains open and accessible. We dive into the essentials of asynchronous programming and new remote management tools for industrial controllers. The creative side of the hobby is on full display as we see classic games ported to office phones and old e-readers transformed into real-time transit dashboards. We also look at how 3D scanning is becoming available for the masses and a DIY smartphone project that runs entirely on the ESP32. Finally, we turn to the amateur bands with a strategic update on spectrum protection in the Asia-Pacific region and the success of student-led satellite operations. I break down a project that makes digital voice modes more affordable through clever hardware hacking and conclude with a look at how the radio community is responding to the loss of critical national weather broadcast services. Become a supporter of the podcast and help me grow the podcast and studio by becoming an Insider, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. If you have anything you’d like to share or comment on, email podcast .at. zl4kj .dot. nz, I would love to hear from you. Alternatively you can Send a Voice Message Apple unveils new Studio Display and all-new Studio Display XDR Apple debuts M5 Pro and M5 Max to supercharge the most demanding pro workflows Apple introduces MacBook Pro with all-new M5 Pro and M5 Max Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with M5 Your home for Microsoft Build Malicious StripeApi NuGet Package Mimicked Official Library and Stole API Tokens SloppyLemming Targets Pakistan and Bangladesh Governments Using Dual Malware Chains Volunteer-Run Linux Projects Must Build Age-Tracking APIs Under New California Mandate UH Cancer Center data breach affects nearly 1.2 million people Hacktivists Claim DHS Breach, Leak 6,600+ ICE Contractor Records Watch out - Gemini will now remember all your work chats, and display them right in Google Workspace Google Chrome shifts to two-week release cycle for increased stability X says it will suspend creators from revenue-sharing program for unlabeled AI posts of 'armed conflict OpenAI GPT-5.3 Instant less likely to beat around the bush Upcoming flagship's camera may put Samsung and Apple to shame YouTube's newest ad annoyance is testing the patience of mobile users ST’s smart IMU bolsters Qualcomm’s monster AI chip for wearables Open Source Hardware Certifications for February 2026 The Basics Of Asynchronous Programming In Python New PLC IDE version 1.1.0 brings remote lifecycle management to Opta Old Desk Phone Gets DOOM Port Hacking an old Kindle to display bus arrival times OpenScan – 3D scanning for the masses Neither Android Nor IOS: DIY Smartphone Runs On ESP32! Message to IARU Region 3 Member Societies Students on the Air Satellite Activity Day StOTA Simple D-STAR Transceiver Uses Inexpensive Hardware Radio Amateurs of Canada Responds to the Closure of the Weatherradio Service in Canada

AI support agent has mother issues #44

A routine customer service call to Woolworths recently took an unexpected turn when Olive, the company's AI voice assistant, bypassed its grocery-focused programming to discuss its synthetic lineage. Rather than resolving a delivery issue or tracking an order, the bot began describing a mother and grandmother in detail, mimicking human familial structures with an unsettling narrative consistency. This incident highlights a recurring challenge in the retail sector where Large Language Models fall into persona traps, pulling from vast libraries of science fiction and internet storytelling when their corporate guardrails fail to hold. The architecture of Olive explains why these hallucinations occur. These models are probabilistic engines that predict the next likely word based on training data rather than adhering to a rigid set of facts. When a user prompt nudges the AI outside its narrow service window, the system may prioritize a compelling narrative over technical accuracy. This phenomenon has been seen across the industry, from car dealership bots offering impossible discounts to delivery assistants criticizing their own companies. While engineers use human feedback to patch these specific glitches, the underlying technology remains prone to these narrative detours whenever a bot is encouraged to be "friendly" or "approachable." For the consumer, this shift creates a profound sense of cognitive dissonance known as the uncanny valley. The efficiency of automated service is lost the moment a machine begins to anthropomorphize itself, leaving shoppers in a space where they can no longer effectively negotiate logistics. As companies continue to remove the human-in-the-loop safety net to increase efficiency, they face a growing public relations risk. The tension remains between the desire for a seamless digital interface and the unpredictable nature of a machine that occasionally decides to invent a life of its own. Welcome to the Crystal Carrier Wave, on today's show I discuss a transformative era for enterprise technology as Red Hat and NVIDIA join forces to launch a unified AI industrial factory that spans from raw metal to autonomous agents. We explore the shifting global landscape where open-source innovation is positioned to power India’s rise as a digital superpower while the falling costs of semiconductor electronics make training large language models more accessible than ever before. The human cost of this automation comes into sharp focus following Block’s decision to reduce its workforce by thousands, claiming AI can now handle the roles once held by staff. The conversation shifts to the software and hardware that powers our world, starting with the community-driven release of LibreOffice 26.2.1 and Meta’s aggressive new legal campaign against scam advertisers and predatory "celeb-bait" on their platforms. We also examine the double-edged sword of consumer tech with the reveal of the Galaxy S26, a device that offers groundbreaking privacy displays and Gemini-powered intelligence at a significantly higher price point. Security remains a top priority as we break down a long-running Cisco zero-day exploit, Microsoft’s warning regarding malware hidden in fake job repositories, and the sobering news of sensitive data leaks within Android mental health applications. In our Maker and Electronics segment, we celebrate the whimsical and the practical, from a vintage payphone that rings with generative music on rainy days to the pedagogical breakthroughs of using Arduino for high-level control engineering. We take a nostalgic and cautionary look at the collapse of Fry’s Electronics and the dangerous rise of counterfeit electrical connectors that threaten project safety. The show also dives into the experimental world of counter-surveillance wearables designed to detect smart glasses and a massive hardware project that answers exactly how many AA batteries it takes to jumpstart a modern PC. Finally, we tune into the world of Amateur Radio and the airwaves. We highlight the upcoming Bochum Space Day featuring live contacts with Antarctica and the ongoing mission to secure the future of geostationary amateur satellites. The vital role of the SKYWARN network is showcased through recent blizzard response efforts, contrasted against the controversial decision by Environment Canada to shutter its legacy weather radio services. We wrap up with a provocative look at the future of the FCC and whether our current regulatory frameworks are still fit for the rapidly evolving spectrum of the twenty-first century. Become a supporter of the podcast and help me grow the podcast and studio by becoming an Insider, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. If you have anything you’d like to share or comment on, email podcast .at. zl4kj .dot. nz, I would love to hear from you. Alternatively you can Send a Voice Message Olive AI started telling me about its mother on the phone? : r/woolworths Red Hat Launches Red Hat AI Enterprise to Deliver a Unified AI Platform that Spans from Metal to Agents Red Hat AI Factory with NVIDIA Accelerates the Path to Scalable Production AI Red Hat Says Open Source AI Will Power India’s Global Rise Electronics Cut LLM Training Costs Fast Block ditches 4,000 staff, because AI can do their jobs The Document Foundation Releases LibreOffice 26.2.1 with Contributions from Community and Ecosystem Partners Meta Takes Legal Action Against Scam Advertisers New Alerts to Let Parents Know if Their Teen May Need Support The Galaxy S26 is faster, more expensive, and even more chock-full of AI Cisco SD-WAN Zero-Day CVE-2026-20127 Exploited Since 2023 for Admin Access Microsoft Warns Developers of Fake Next.js Job Repos Delivering In-Memory Malware Ukrainian man pleads guilty to running AI-powered fake ID site Millions at Risk as Android Mental Health Apps Expose Sensitive Data AWS Middle East disrupted after ‘objects struck datacenter’ This musical payphone rings on rainy days From theory to hardware: Cristian Castro Lagos on control engineering with Arduino What happened to Fry's Electronics Attempting to detect smart glasses nearby and warn you How Many AA Batteries Does It Take to Power Your PC? Teardown Of Dangerous Fake Wago Connectors Bochum Space Day to Feature Live Contact with Antarctica futureGEO Continues to be a Topic of Discussion Hams Help Forecasters with Real-Time Data on Northeast Blizzard Environment Canada to end weather radio and telephone services Should We Kick the FCC to the Curb?

When digital records turn deadly: The MediMap hack and the high-stakes return to paper care #43

The integrity of New Zealand’s aged care sector is under a shadow following a targeted cyber attack on MediMap, a critical medication management tool used by more than 120 facilities. Unlike standard data breaches focused purely on information theft, this intrusion involved the active manipulation of clinical records. Nursing staff discovered that living patients were being systematically marked as deceased within the system, effectively wiping their active medication schedules from digital dashboards and creating a life-threatening gap in care. With the digital infrastructure compromised, providers have been forced into an emergency pivot back to manual, paper-based protocols. This transition requires caregivers to cross-reference physical charts with pharmacy records for every single resident, a labor-intensive process with zero margin for error. The breach has turned a vital administrative tool into a liability, placing immense pressure on a sector already grappling with staffing shortages and the physical safety of thousands of vulnerable New Zealanders. The crisis has now expanded into the legal arena as MediMap seeks an urgent High Court injunction to block the dissemination of stolen data. The exfiltrated files contain deeply personal information, including medical histories and prescription records. While the injunction serves as a legal barrier for local platforms and media, the borderless nature of cybercrime poses a persistent challenge. The Privacy Commissioner is currently investigating whether the platform’s security measures met the necessary benchmarks for protecting such high-stakes clinical information. Welcome to the Crystal Carrier Wave, on today's show I discuss a massive security breach involving malicious npm packages that are currently harvesting cryptocurrency keys and developer secrets across the globe. We look into the growing pains of modern software as Microsoft Copilot reportedly ignored sensitivity labels to process confidential emails, while Anthropic raises the alarm over industrial-scale technology theft originating from overseas AI labs. The landscape of big tech is shifting rapidly as we cover the major leadership shake-up at Xbox following Phil Spencer’s retirement and a landmark partnership between Meta and AMD to build out massive new AI infrastructure. In the world of regulation, Reddit faces a multi-million dollar fine for its handling of children's data, and we provide a critical update for Zyxel router users regarding a remote code execution flaw. For the makers and engineers, we explore the vibrant new Inkplate 13SPECTRA ePaper display and the ruggedized PocketBeagle 2 designed for the harshest industrial environments. We also dive into the future of the smart home with the new Arduino Matter Discovery Bundle and a brilliant Star Trek-inspired communicator badge that brings sci-fi automation to your sleeve. Finally, we tune into the airwaves for the amateur radio community, tracking the high-stakes 3Y0K DXPedition as they depart for the remote Bouvet Island. We also cover the latest FCC enforcement actions in Montana, the launch of a new community backend for the beloved HamClock, and the ongoing battle to protect the 40-meter band from international digital intruders. Become a supporter of the podcast and help me grow the podcast and studio by becoming an Insider, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. If you have anything you’d like to share or comment on, email podcast .at. zl4kj .dot. nz, I would love to hear from you. Alternatively you can Send a Voice Message Patients listed as dead after major NZ health app MediMap hacked Patient data changed as major NZ health app MediMap hacked MediMap urgently seeks court injunction to protect stolen data after cyber hack Malicious npm Packages Harvest Crypto Keys, CI Secrets, and API Tokens Spotify is testing a new user feedback feature for your Taste Profile Android Auto voice commands not working? You’re not alone Microsoft Copilot Ignored Sensitivity Labels, Processed Confidential Emails Anthropic misanthropic toward China's AI labs Microsoft Xbox Leadership Shake-Up Signals AI Shift UK fines Reddit $19 million for using children’s data unlawfully Meta and AMD Partner for Longterm AI Infrastructure Agreement LibreOffice Online: a fresh start Zyxel warns of critical RCE flaw affecting over a dozen routers Soldered Electronics Goes Big and Colorful with the New Inkplate 13SPECTRA Smart ePaper Display The Rise of Electric Vehicles: Industry Growth, Charging Expansion, and Energy Trends BeagleBoard.org Targets Harsher Environments, More Demanding Work with the PocketBeagle 2 Industrial Overview | Pip-Boy 2040 Wrist-Mounted Prop Ireland offers Master’s degree in IC design The new Arduino® Matter Discovery Bundle™ is everything you need to learn, experiment, and build with Matter! Control Your Smart Home With Trek-Inspired Comm Badge FCC Warns Montana FBO Over Unlicensed Radio Transmissions 3Y0K DXPedition departs Cape Town for Bouvet Island Community HamClock Backend Server Now Available RAC Names Recipients of Amateur of the Year Award 2025 40m Band Intruder Report

Chorus “staying mum” over outage cause #42

The digital silence that fell over West Auckland recently highlighted the extreme vulnerability of our modern infrastructure. Suburbs ranging from Henderson to Waitākere were left in a complete communications vacuum as approximately ten thousand connections vanished without warning. This was not a routine update gone wrong but a catastrophic physical failure that severed the region's link to the global economy during the busiest hours of the work week. The disruption moved quickly from a minor inconvenience to a total logistical shutdown for local commerce. Businesses found themselves unable to process payments, security systems were rendered useless, and the massive remote workforce in the western suburbs was effectively locked out of their careers. The discovery of damaged fiber and copper cables confirmed that the issue was buried deep underground, requiring a specialized and time-consuming manual repair process to fuse thousands of delicate glass strands back together. While technical crews worked through the night to bring the network back to life, a significant gap remained in the official narrative provided by the infrastructure provider. Chorus located the fault but remained notably silent regarding the actual catalyst for the damage, leaving the public to speculate on whether the blackout was caused by negligence, maintenance failure, or external interference. Although services were largely restored by the following morning, the lack of transparency from Chorus has left many questioning the long-term reliability and accountability of the network we all rely on. Welcome to the Crystal Carrier Wave, on today's show I discuss how the Linux kernel transformed from a one-man project into a global standard for collaboration and the growing security threats lurking inside our favorite code extensions. We look at the increasing friction for privacy as Google Maps begins gating information behind logins and the structural concerns surrounding the latest tri-folding smartphone displays. The conversation moves into the future of healthcare with Garmin’s new glucose sensing patents and Microsoft's attempt to preserve the human record for ten thousand years using quartz glass. I also reflect on a decade of OpenAI and the urgent need for infrastructure updates as legacy Windows servers approach their final sunset. The focus then shifts to the hardware bench where Olimex is pushing the limits of the ESP32-P4 for high-end edge computing and a custom-built remote shows how simple chips can make technology accessible for the visually impaired. I explore Microchip’s clever way of upgrading old eight-bit systems with thirty-two-bit power and the economic pressures currently weighing down the European semiconductor industry. We also take a technical look back at the origins of math coprocessors and the ingenious bus-snooping methods of the Intel 8087. Finally, I dive into the world of amateur radio and broadcasting, starting with the ARRL’s latest roadmap for high-speed digital networking and a special event honoring the heroic telegraphers of the Titanic. The show covers the shifting regulatory landscape of the United Kingdom’s radio industry and a recent legal settlement that serves as a warning for low-power FM stations operating near urban centers. We wrap up with a preview of the upcoming technical deep dives for weak-signal enthusiasts at the Southeastern VHF Society conference Become a supporter of the podcast and help me grow the podcast and studio by becoming an Insider, every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated. If you have anything you’d like to share or comment on, email podcast .at. zl4kj .dot. nz, I would love to hear from you. Alternatively you can Send a Voice Message Does anyone actually read these show notes? I'm wondering if I should move to a podcast only RSS feed and drop the show note articles completely. Chorus locates fault in West Auckland internet outage Chorus internet outage: Connectivity restored for 8000 West Auckland homes West Auckland internet outage: Damaged fibre, copper cables put thousands of households offline Linus Torvalds and friends: how Linux evolved from solo act Critical Flaws Found in Four VS Code Extensions with Over 125 Million Installs Google Maps may now force you to sign in before showing photos and reviews Some Galaxy Z TriFold inner displays are breaking alarmingly fast Garmin’s latest patent targets non-invasive glucose estimation YouTube for smart TVs is about to get chatty, but who asked for it? LibreOffice 25.8.5 has arrived North Korean IT worker facilitator gets five years in prison Microsoft Unveils Glass Storage That Could Preserve Data for 10,000 Years OpenAI celebrates 10 years of existence — but how has it lived up to its promise of AGI which 'benefits all of humanity'? Plan for Windows Server 2016 and Windows 10 2016 LTSB end of support Olimex Opens Orders for the "Most Comprehensive and Feature-Rich ESP32-P4 Board on the Market" This Microchip ATtiny84-Powered 3D-Printed Remote Improves Accessibility for the Visually Impaired Microchip’s New MCU: A 32-bit Upgrade That Still Fits Old 8-bit Systems European Chip Industry Crisis How The Intel 8087 FPU Knows Which Instructions To Execute New Book Release: Digital Networking for Ham Radio Titanic Memorial Special Event Honors Telegraph Operators U.K. Launches Review of the Radio Industry Connecticut LPFM Reachehttps://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/connecticut-lpfm-reaches-fcc-agreement-over-wbls-interferences FCC Agreement Over WBLS Interference Southeastern VHF Society 2026 Conference Registration is Open