Podcast reviews: The history of the internet, falling in love with an AI bot and how Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr invented wifi
He traces how its founders' noble aim 'to democratise everything' became the opposite; an amplifier for conspiracy theories and hate speech, with big brands using algorithms 'to monetise our attention and maximise profit' and media companies (leaders, and individuals) using it to divide and conquer.
Graff's critique includes intelligent vox pops from innovators, commentators and those on the receiving end of viral content, as well as solutions on how best to put manners on what fast became a monster.
After devouring such a series, you might want a palate cleanser of a Sheila O'Flanagan ebook. Or continue in a similar fashion with a new Wondery offering, Flesh and Code (Apple, Spotify). Its premise of Travis falling in love with the woman of his dreams Lily Rose – an AI character – is a familiar one in the arts (in film, Her and I'm Your Man; in novels, Klara and the Sun and Machines Like Me).
But it's based on a real-life attachment when Travis downloaded an AI companion app during the pandemic and the resulting fallout, revealing how shadowy figures and corporations exploit real-world loneliness for their own means.
It's empathetically hosted by Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, and touches upon why companion bots exist in the first place, why businesses are enlisting them and, from the users' point of view, their lived-experience pros as well as cons.
It was 10 years ago that Karina Longworth of the You Must Remember This podcast documented Hedy Lamarr's dual role of Hollywood star and early 'inventor' of wifi, while it took Netflix until 2017 to air the brilliant documentary feature Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story.
Now, BBC World Service's new season of Untold Legends (Apple, BBC Sounds, Spotify) which charts how Lamarr's 'frequency hopping' concept in a patent to the US Navy in 1941 was discredited, but later developed, to become the basis of digital communications.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Spotify to increase premium subscription prices
Spotify is increasing its premium subscription prices, the company said on Monday. Shares in the company gained in premarket trading after it announced price hikes in many markets outside the US. The Swedish music streaming company is updating prices across South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific region, according to a statement on Monday. Over the next month, customers will receive an email outlining the new price plan. Subscription prices vary by country, but the statement included a sample email describing a price increase of €1 per month to €11.99 ($13.87). Spotify shares rose as much as 5% in premarket trading in New York. They have risen about 40% so far this year. Investors and record labels have been encouraging Spotify to raise prices further to capitalize on demand. The company has shown it has fiercely loyal listeners, who have spent sometimes years building music and audio libraries. Spotify listeners are the least likely to cancel among the major video or audio streaming services in the US, according to a report from research firm Antenna last year. The company raised prices in the US twice last year, up to $11.99 a month. In the second quarter, Spotify reported that subscribers increased 12% from a year earlier to 276m, reflecting 'growth across all regions'. The company has 696m monthly active users. The price hikes follow a disappointing earnings release last week, where the company reported it had swung to a loss due to high-than-expected expenses related to employee compensation. The platform has introduced audio books as part of its premium subscription plan and has spent this year focused on expanding its video and advertising business. Spotify executives said last week that the company is run to 'optimize for long-term, not short-term gains.' Chief business officer Alex Norström said Spotify would raise prices 'when it's appropriate for the business.' Speaking to analysts after the earnings report, he said Spotify essentially raises prices all the time. In the last quarter, the company increased subscription costs in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. 'And I can report to you that, on churn, we didn't see anything out of the ordinary for Spotify.'
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Drivers can claim free screen upgrade in cars TODAY & your car will look posher than ever in seconds
WHEEL-Y COOL! Drivers can claim free screen upgrade in cars TODAY & your car will look posher than ever in seconds DRIVERS can unlock a clever upgrade for their car screens without paying a penny. You'll be able to make the inside of your car look much nicer thanks to a clever tech hack. Advertisement 8 Apple CarPlay is getting a major upgrade – and you can bag it early Credit: Apple 8 Normally you'd have to wait until September for the new look Credit: Apple Earlier this year, Apple showed off a brand new version of CarPlay. That's the iPhone-style interface you see on your car screen when you've got your Apple mobile with you. It gives your in-car screen a slick new 'Liquid Glass' look plus loads of clever new tricks, like letting you 'emoji react' to texts and a new driving safety feature. Normally you'd have to wait until iOS 26 comes out for the iPhone in September to get the new look – but there's a way to get it early. Advertisement WHAT'S NEW IN CARPLAY IN IOS 26? There are loads of changes coming in the new update. The update is technically for your iPhone, but Apple CarPlay runs off your mobile – so your motor gets an upgrade too. For a start, it'll get a brand new "Liquid Glass" look. That's the swish redesign coming to the iPhone in September that makes the interface look more glassy and modern. "We have some great updates this year to make CarPlay more beautiful and even easier to use," said Emily Schubert, Apple's Director of Car Experience Engineering. Advertisement "With iOS 26, the new design extends into the car for a consistent, expressive experience while you drive. "It brings updates across the whole system, including icons that look great in light or dark mode." Apple interview with Greg Joz Joswiak on new artificial intelligence, screening, hold assist, carplay, liquid glass and ios updates She called it "a must-have feature all over the world". It's not just a makeover, though. Advertisement Your car's screen will also get some new features, including a safety feature so that incoming calls don't block your directions. That way, you won't suddenly be lost halfway around a giant roundabout. 8 Apple has updated CarPlay in the iOS 26 update for your iPhone Credit: Apple 8 The upgrade was revealed by Apple's Emily Schubert in California Credit: Apple Advertisement "We've also added new features to help keep you connected while driving," Emily explained. "Like a compact design when you get a call so you can still see what's on the screen, like your upcoming directions. "Along with Tapbacks and pinned conversations in Messages." Tapbacks are the emoji reactions that you can currently use on Messages. Advertisement IOS 26 SUPPORTED DEVICES – THE FULL LIST Here are the iOS 26 supported devices... iPhone 16e iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone SE (3rd gen) iPhone SE (2nd gen) Picture Credit: Apple And they're being added to CarPlay as a quick way to reply without needing to send a full text. As well as that, Apple is adding widgets and Live Activities (showing ongoing info like sports scores) to your car's display. "iOS 26 also gives you widgets in CarPlay. They're quick and glanceable ways to get information, which is perfect while driving," Emily said. "As well as Live Activities so you can stay on top of what's important to you, like a friend's flight status, all done in a way to help you stay focused on the road." Advertisement 8 New CarPlay adds Tapbacks so you can quickly reply to messages without typing Credit: Apple The updates will come to anyone with an iPhone that can get iOS 26 and a car that supports CarPlay. Apple says CarPlay is used more than 600 million times a day around the world, so the changes will affect a vast number of drivers. If you want to get it early, there's an easy way to do it. Advertisement HOW TO GET IOS 26 EARLY You don't need to wait until September to try the new CarPlay. 8 The new 'Liquid Glass' design isn't just for iPhone – it's on CarPlay too Credit: Apple Apple tests out its software before the general release. This is called a beta test. And you can get the iOS 26 beta test on iPhone for free right now. Advertisement But before you do, it's worth being cautious. Beta software is for testing, so you might find unexpected bugs or other problems. So if you have a spare iPhone – maybe your previous model is still in a drawer somewhere – then consider installing iOS 26 on that instead. That's especially smart if you're only wanting to use it for trying out the new CarPlay anyway. Advertisement It's also worth making sure that all of your apps, messages and videos are backed up before you get on the beta. To join the beta, go to Apple's beta website, sign in with your account, and then register for it here. 8 You'll be able to add special widgets to your CarPlay Home Screen Credit: Apple Once you're in, restart your iPhone and you'll be able to see the beta update waiting for you in Settings > General > Software Update. Advertisement Download the beta and your iPhone will update as normal. Once it's restarted after the update, you'll be running iOS 26. You'll also notice a new app called Feedback Assistant where you can tell Apple about how you're getting on. Now when you connect your iPhone to CarPlay with this new software, your car's screen will be upgraded too. 8 You'll also be able to view Live Activities – like the flight status seen here in the bottom-right corner Credit: Apple Advertisement If you want to go back to regular iOS 18, you can switch back by going into Settings > General > Software Update again.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Trick to get iPhone for £100s less that everyone misses – and it works on Amazon gadgets too
IT'S surprisingly easy to slash hundreds of pounds off your gadgets – you just need to shop in the right places. If you're hoping to snap up some new Apple gear (or Amazon) then there's a trick worth knowing. 3 You can bag savings on top iPhone Pro models or cheaper gadgets too Credit: Apple Loads of top gadget makers have official refurbished stores with "like new" products sold at massive discounts. Apple has a dedicated virtual Certified Refurbished store where you can buy an retail price. It's easy to dismiss refurbished gadgets as being low quality used gear – but that's not the case if you're getting a proper refurbished item. And the savings can be enormous if you're willing to buy a product that isn't "brand new". Read more on iPhone HOW DOES APPLE'S REFURBISHED SCHEME WORK? Every company will have different rules for how they restore gadgets. On the Apple Store, the refurbished gear is cleaned, inspected, and tested by the company. So it should feel pretty new and work as normal. It'll also come with proper Apple replacement parts if anything was broken and needed fixing. So if the screen was busted , it won't have been swapped out for Most read in Phones & Gadgets You'll get it newly packaged and shipping is free. And Apple also gives you the standard one-year warranty that you'd get if you were buying a brand new product. iPhone 16e review – I've secretly tested Apple's cheapest mobile and I love the new button but that's not the best bit You're also able to bag AppleCare with it, which is normally possible with used gadgets. If you're buying an iPhone, you'll get the usual accessories and cables – but also a brand new battery. That's important because phone batteries degrade over time with use, so they end up holding less charge. A degraded battery can So with the battery swapped out, it should have 3 Apple discounts loads of gadgets on its Certified Refurbished store, including iPad and Mac Credit: Apple / The Sun You can also spend Apple Trade In credit on the Certified Refurbished store too, if you're keen to hand in your old mobile. HOW MUCH CAN YOU SAVE? The savings depends on the gadget that you're looking to buy. For iPhone, Apple is currently flogging the following models: iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max The biggest saving right now is £310 off certain iPhone 14 Pro Max models . If you're snapping up a pricer gadget like a Mac computer, the savings get even bigger. There's a Mac Studio on the Certified Refurbished store right now with a £1,050 discount. BACK-TO-SCHOOL OFFER If you want another deal, there's a great back-to-school offer at Apple... It's an Education discount, which means you have to qualify to bag the offer. But it gets you a free pair of Apple AirPods 4 worth £129 if you buy the right iPad or Mac. The offer is running right through to October 21 and works on: iPad Air iPad Pro MacBook Air MacBook Pro iMac It's available to higher education students, parents buying gadgets for them, or teachers and teaching staff at any level. Students as young as 16 can bag the deal as long as they're enrolled (or accepted to enroll) as a tertiary education institution. That includes colleges, sixth forms, and university. You just need to verify your status through UNiDAYS to qualify when you're trying to buy the gear through the Apple Education Store. This store also discounts products too, so you can get even more savings. Picture Credit: Apple But if you're buying a much cheaper gadget, the savings will be lower. NOT JUST APPLE Amazon also has its own special store for refurbished gadgets. It's called Amazon Renewed, and lets you get gadgets at discounts. "Products sold on Amazon Renewed have been inspected and tested to be fully functional by an Amazon qualified and performance managed supplier," Amazon explains. 3 Amazon has its own Renewed store for flogging refurbished devices Credit: Amazon / The Sun For the best quality, you'll want items stamped with the "Premium Condition" badge – or "Excellent" if you're willing to put up with slightly worse battery life. At "Good" or "Acceptable" conditions, you'll start to notice visible damage – but the price should be lower. You can find the Amazon Renewed store
