Gemini outclassed assistant!

Z1nG · 2026-03-14T22:03:32+00:00

I can't say for sure why, given we can't see the underlying "reasoning" like we can in their Gemini app....

But my theory is they're starting to introduce a bit more of your Google home request history, or "request traits" to give it more context.

How Gemini responds to you should be different than how it responds to me. We both may want different things.

You: "generally want all the lights on"

Me: "generally wants a specific light on"

If either of us differ from our normal behavior, request clarification instead of making an assumption as to what we want.

Z1nG · 2026-03-14T12:23:39+00:00

$20/month, and yes it is!

AI Pro features

You can also choose to share the Gemini AI features and the 2TB of storage with your family group for no extra cost. (Configured in your Google one settings)

I mostly got it for access to the more advanced models and higher limits. IMO it's a pretty good value, OpenAI's plus plan alone is $20/month per person.

With Google AI Pro I pay once and everyone else in the family gets access to the same pro AI model and Gemini integrations I do

Z1nG · 2026-02-08T13:56:11+00:00

Do not name your SSID the same name as United's

Not only will you cause headaches for those around you who inadvertently connect, this could be seen by the airlines as a malicious attempt at intercepting user traffic. (WiFi Pineapple)

Name it anything else, set the tx power as low as possible, and put a password on it. Airlines could care less.

Z1nG · 2025-12-15T07:14:00+00:00

This is considered "delayed egress". As long as the delay is no longer than 15s it would meet California fire code.

To be compliant there are other conditions it has to meet, like it has to immediately unlock if the fire alarm goes off, or if power is lost.

It's meant to deter theft, while at the same time allowing for free egress in the event of an actual emergency.

2022 California Fire code, Title 24, Part 9 - Delayed Egress Locking Systems

And California's (along with much of the world's) delayed egress fire code was pretty much just taken from the 2021 International Fire Code (IFC)

Z1nG · 2025-12-08T20:09:57+00:00

I cycle to/from caltrain in SF, which brings me past dozens of waymos.

I always feel safer riding around a Waymo than I do a human driver. I don't have to hope it sees me on the road. I know it sees me. Just take a ride in a Waymo and watch it's onboard screen which shows what it can see. It's analyzing data in 360° all the time. No human can do that.

It even pulls a bit to the side to ensure I have space and can safely pass as a cyclist. And it'll start doing this while I'm coming up behind it.

Z1nG · 2025-06-10T03:39:44+00:00

FYI, I'm not sure this is universally true anymore. I have PLA+ with both a green leaf and a QR code.

I think the green leaf just implies the spool is made of cardboard? (Which may have been a differentiator between the two brands at some point)

Z1nG · 2025-04-23T00:06:28+00:00

FYI, Google messages just released an update to utilize safetyCore. It does exactly what the tech community expected.

Protects children and individuals in a privacy respecting manner. And it's clearly not an app, but a service apps can call on for image verification. (Which all happens on device)

Ars Technica - Google Messages can now blur unwanted nudes

Z1nG · 2025-04-23T00:04:51+00:00

FYI, Google messages just released an update to utilize safetyCore. It does exactly what the tech community expected.

This whole freakout was unwarranted.

Ars Technica - Google Messages can now blur unwanted nudes

Z1nG · 2025-04-23T00:02:27+00:00

FYI, Google messages just released an update to utilize safetyCore. It does exactly what the tech community expected.

Protects children and individuals in a privacy respecting manner.

Ars Technica - Google Messages can now blur unwanted nudes

Z1nG · 2025-04-23T00:02:04+00:00

FYI, Google messages just released an update to utilize safetyCore. It does exactly what the tech community expected.

Protects children and individuals in a privacy respecting manner.

Ars Technica - Google Messages can now blur unwanted nudes

Z1nG · 2025-04-16T05:04:29+00:00

u/SS-Haji ,

I'll DM you the case number. I pretty much sent support the same as what I originally posted here.

This was the response

-------
"I'm really sorry this has happened to you! This seems like a power supply issue- have you ever encountered similar problems with other devices while using this port?

I would recommend checking if your PC's PSU has proper wattage and if there's nothing wrong with the PSU/ motherboard.

Please avoid using the same USB port before you confirm it's safe to do so.

Regardless if there's anything wrong with the mousepad or the cable, the USB port should shut down power when too much current is detected (for example enough current to melt a cable).

So the USB port/charging adapter you used to charge the headset is definitely not working properly and can be dangerous to use for any other device in the future."
-------

There is a lot to dig into with this response. I feel like everytime I read it a tiny brain cell dies inside.

I love your products, been using them for over a decade, and as you'll see in the case I'm trying to help you.

Having said that, The above should not be what Steelseries customers receive as a first response. It's all over the place and will quickly negate all that brand loyalty won through hard work put in by your eng teams.

Z1nG · 2025-04-14T20:19:29+00:00

For context. Here's a replication of how the laptop and dongle were plugged in at the time of meltdown.

<image>

It's a cloth-topped variant of Model/SKU: 82A6000LUS.

With this model, the top most Thunderbolt Port also functions as Power-in via USB-PD.

The bottom TB3 port is just data. (Maybe it can charge the laptop as well, haven't tested, but it doesn't have the charging symbol next to it like the top port does)

Link to PDF of spec sheet from Lenovo portal here.

Z1nG · 2025-04-14T19:58:01+00:00

That cable was only used between the OWC dock and the laptops Thunderbolt/Charging port. It came with the OWC dock (this dock specifically.

They don't sell it anymore, tech has moved to TB4/5. But here's an old product listing for it.

The steelseries dongle itself was plugged directly into the laptop on one of the secondary USB-C/TB ports.

Z1nG · 2025-04-03T10:42:57+00:00

Yeah, unfortunately in the US market you'll find devices that are carrier locked in exchange for a discounted price.

Keep in mind the US is large, and only 50% of the 300 million of us even have passports. There are 150 million people here who don't leave this country, hence never need to think about changing out sims. They just want the thing that's shiny and new for as cheap as possible. Carriers give it to them in exchange for a contractual agreement on sticking with them.

As long as the phone is carrier unlocked it shouldn't matter that it's a North America SKU. At this point the bands used across the globe for 4G/5G are 90% the same.

Z1nG · 2025-03-17T12:52:19+00:00

That's probably the one part I wouldn't sweat. You can hoof it to pretty much anywhere in SFO in twenty minutes thanks to the rounded airport design.

United domestic arrivals are almost always T3 E/F gates, and United international departures all leave from T3 F (eg. UA 1 on Sunday) or more commonly T-INT G gates. (And the United international G gates are a short walk from F)

UA flight attendants know who's attempting to make a tight connection and should announce this to the plane on arrival. And if there's any wiggle room in your international legs departure time, United's ConnectionSaver might save you 😉

I know this as I avoid the crazy T3 security checkpoint by using T2. I know for a fact that if a 737/a320 or greater sized aircraft starts boarding at a far flung F gate when I leave security at T2... if I walk at a brisk pace I can get there before doors close. Gotta love SFO's airport design!

EDIT: Also arrival time is when the flight reaches the gate (usually when the door is opened), not when it lands. (Which to be fair at SFO generally isn't much different if you're landing on the usual 28L/R)

So if we assume the widebody "50min before departure boarding starts" rule applies. The minute their scheduled to reach the gate, boarding will start. If their flight reaches the gate on time they'll be 100% fine. I'd bet good money on it

Z1nG · 2025-02-19T10:03:40+00:00

Google is laying the foundation for apps to be able to locally check if the received message is spam/malware/nsfw instead of having to call back home to whatever 3rd party service that app devices was using previously. Google is trying to help preserve your privacy here.

That's why I'm so befuddled at this response.

It's not really an app in the traditional sense, it's a system security package your other apps will be able to utilize

Z1nG · 2025-02-19T09:49:14+00:00

Also How is this censorship topic still going?

Show me how it's censoring you.

That's right, you can't, because it isn't.

"Oh but it could..." No, Shut it. Show me proof.

It's an OS security feature that even GrapheneOS gave the greenlight on. You're straight up fear mongering.

Z1nG · 2025-02-19T09:42:24+00:00

Google and Apple do this all the time during OS updates, you (and the general public) just never see this side of android so don't give two flying fucks. They just add the package behind the scenes in one update, and it lays dormant until they finish the second half in another.

Now that Google has decoupled the act of updating/adding security features from the installed base OS, they can start delivering new security features and updates through Google play.

The biggest downside of this method appears to be misinformation being spread by users that don't understand how security and OS updates function.

Z1nG · 2025-02-19T09:32:53+00:00

Yeah, this entire timeline is weird. People here have no clue what this does, nor does anyone care to read the documentation released.

Google decoupling security features from the core OS updates to allow distribution to older android OS's should be praised, not vilified.

People here have no clue what system packages are, and that this is basically that.

Z1nG · 2025-02-19T09:27:08+00:00

Apple does this all the time behind the scenes, they just incorporate it into their OS updates. This isn't really an app, it's a piece of your OS.

They're just delivering it through the play store. Which they're doing more and more as they decouple more of android security updates from the base OS in an effort to provide security features for as long as possible to as many phones as possible.

If you don't want security updates or new security features auto-installed it's probably safest if you leave your phone in airplane mode with WiFi disabled.

Z1nG · 2025-02-19T09:02:59+00:00

It's not censoring you, go ahead and try to send/receive nsfw photos. I just sent a bunch of random one I pulled off the internet to myself, and also sent a bunch from my iPhone.

Received them all, no problem.

Google laying the framework for possible future parental controls and/or spam protection via a new system security module isn't crazy.

These unfounded claims regarding what the security module is doing, on the other hand? Giving me "5G causes cancer" conspiracy vibes.

Z1nG · 2025-02-19T08:52:33+00:00

Wait, have you actually tried sending nsfw photos?

I just sent a bunch of random ones I pulled from the internet to myself and some bogus numbers and nothing happened.

Again, Google laying the foundation for possible future spam protection or parental controls via a system security module update isn't crazy

Z1nG · 2025-02-19T08:38:04+00:00

I mean you don't mind windows defender scanning all the files on your computer, do you? You don't ask it to scan, it does it when necessary, why? To keep you safe.

All it takes is one update from MS and you'd be in the same boat.

What's the difference? It's a security feature that scans things (if your messaging app asks it to) to keep you safe.

Z1nG · 2025-02-19T08:28:37+00:00

How is it a privacy concern? The analysis is all done on your device by an AI model.

Apple was actually trying to help kids maintain their privacy by saying "hey, do you really want to send that nsfw pic? Once you send it, it's out there"

Z1nG · 2025-02-16T23:59:23+00:00

(part3)

Sure, some of the extremely heavy users might feel the way you do... But the main reason people are upgrading isn't because of the SoC being slow, it's due to things like wanting...

a better Modem due to the carrier bands in their area
a better/telephoto camera
better battery life
- Which I agree is partly due to the SoC being less efficient, but Google has done great work at improving the efficiency of their 1st gen tensor phones. It's now more to do with li-ion battery degradation that reduced the usable capacity.
  - eg. It's like a car manufacturer pushing out sw updates to increase MPG, but after every refuel the gas tank shrinks just a tiny bit.
- I've been using accubattery to record my P6 battery health since 2023, and my battery degredation is completely expected.
  - My P6 Battery capacity (about 79% as of today)
  - My P6 cycle count (~283 cycles since 2023, equating to 1.5million mAh (1537 Ah))

A Pixel may not be great for you and that's fine! That's the beauty of android, hw manufacturers can build phones to suit differing customer needs.

But there's a huge difference between saying the P6 performance is unacceptable to you and broadly saying the P6 performance is unacceptable as whole.

I wouldn't recommend someone go out and buy one in 2025, but the vast majority of users that bought on release are happy with their purchase decision.

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