The WAN Show: Cell Phone Kill Switches & Outernet Global Broadcast System, Feb 7th, 2014
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Description
WAN Show Document: linustechtips.com Hotspot Shield link: hotspotshield.com 0:00:00 - Introduction to Topics 0:02:43 - Into Video 3:09 Hotspot Shield Call-out! 0:04:00 - Outernet 0:11:45 - Syncnet 0:21:35 - Twitch.tv Fourth In Peak Traffic 0:24:45 - Twitter Blitz 0:30:17 - Twitch.tv Stats 0:38:00 - Air Dock 0:43:20 - Eve Valkyrie 0:47:58 - Vaio to be sold 0:55:55 Amazon buys another gaming company 0:57:59 Hotspot shield call-out 1:03:46 MASSIVE GIVEAWAY! 1:06:21 Mandatory kill-switch for phones and tablets in 2015 1:10:00 Maxwell rumors 1:15:14 Titanfall min. specs 1:18:17 Tigerdirect.com and scan.co.uk taking Bitcoin! 1:21:38 CoD on a 3yr dev cycle 1:24:99 Steam Music 1:28:06 Folding Update! 1:28:33 Star Citizen Update!
The WAN Show episode dated February 7th, 2014 covers a mix of ambitious tech concepts, industry moves, and upcoming announcements, all anchored by Linus and the team’s characteristic blend of enthusiasm and critical eye. The hosts begin by teasing a controversial concept: mandatory kill switches for devices, with a nuanced discussion about user empowerment versus potential abuse and the lack of a universal standard at that moment. They acknowledge California’s possible moves, noting how such a standard might define what a device must be able to do and who has the control to deactivate features in a dispute. The discussion quickly broadens to consumer hardware strategy, including Sony’s Vio line and the potential shift in its business model, drawing a parallel to IBM’s sale of ThinkPad. Throughout, there is a strong emphasis on user rights, security, and the tradeoffs between accessibility and censorship, all framed within the show’s forward-looking tech sensibility.
Topics · science and technology · consumer electronics · digital communications · internet governance
Questions answered
- What is the basic idea behind Outernet and who benefits from it?
- Outernet aims to broadcast information via a constellation of small satellites to provide one-way access to data for people without reliable internet connectivity, with content like news, Wikipedia, emergency information, and educational materials. The system emphasizes broad access and resilience in disasters or censorship environments, where two-way communication may be limited.
- How does SyncNet differ from the traditional internet and what are the risks?
- SyncNet uses BitTorrent Sync to distribute content via secret keys and local networks, allowing offline-friendly sharing and a private cloud feel. Risks include security holes if secrets are compromised, potential for tampering, and the challenge of updating dynamic content across nodes, which could enable rapid spread of malicious data.
- Why are kill switches for devices controversial, and what is the show’s stance?
- Kill switches could empower owners to disable misuse but introduce the risk of abuse and coercion by authorities or attackers. The hosts frame it as a potential tool that requires a robust, well-defined standard to prevent misuse while preserving user agency and safety.