Reddit Is Tearing Itself Apart

Reddit

Bryan Menegus, writing for Gizmodo:

For the past 11 years, an eternity in internet time, Reddit has touted itself—repeatedly, and loudly—as the place to have “authentic conversations” online. For a variety of reasons, that sentiment has always rang hollow. Now, Reddit, in its goal to be a laissez-faire haven of (relatively) free expression, has been overrun by nationalist trolls. Its staff of volunteer moderators is losing hope in the site’s future.

Reports of Fitbit Buying Pebble

Technology

TechCrunch is reporting that Fitbit will be purchasing Pebble for around $34-40 million.

The site reports that the acquisition is a “small amount” but there’s no word on exactly how much, or indeed how little. Further, The Information said that the deal will see Pebble and its products closed down over time, with Fitbit acquiring its assets, which include intellectual property and software.

Spotify Unveils “Singles” Series

Spotify has unveiled a new weekly series featuring exclusive recordings called “Singles.” This will replace their previous sessions series. Forbes reports:

The Singles program sees big name acts and exciting and up-and-comers recording a pair of songs for the service and releasing them only on the world’s most popular streaming music platform. The first will be a track of their own, and it will typically be a newer cut that the artist is busy promoting, while the second will be a cover of a popular song from any time in history. The first edition of Singles is available today, and it features Grammy-winning jazz phenom Esperanza Spalding, who re-recorded her own song “Unconditional Love,” as well as David Bowie’s “If You Can See Me.”

Julien Baker – “Decorated Lawns”

Julien Baker

Julien Baker has debuted the new song, “Decorated Lawns,” over at 36 Vultures. It’s quite good.

“Decorated Lawns” recalls Julien moving back in with her parents, falling in love, and driving around with the one she loved around the Holidays. The song builds into this wonderful rally of “I loved you/I loved you/More than I hate me” that give you both butterflies and hit you in the base of your spine at once.

New York Ups the Punishment on Ticket Bots

Pitchfork

New York has passed a law to make the punishment for ticket scalping bots harsher. Pitchfork reports:

The use of “ticket bots,” automated software that allows scalpers to buy up huge blocks of tickets for concerts, theater performances, and other events ahead of average customers, will soon be a crime in New York. Earlier this week, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new law making the use of a ticket bots a class A misdemeanor that could result in substantial fines or even imprisonment.

Spark Comes to the Mac

Apps

Spark, an email client I’ve often recommended on iOS, has come to the Mac today. MacStories has a good review of the app:

It’s good to see Spark come to the Mac and I’m sure fans of the iOS app will be pleased that Readdle brought many features of the iOS version to macOS. Despite some rough edges and quirks in version 1.0, Spark’s clean design, email management tools, and ability sync with the iOS version using iCloud make it a solid choice, especially for users of Spark for iOS.

I haven’t given it a spin yet, but the screenshots look good.

Wi-Fi Mesh Systems Compared

Technology

Wi-Fi mesh systems are the future of home networking. Mac Observer has a really good run down on what they are and which one is best for your home:

Mesh routing completes that puzzle because the access points act as one. They are all aware of each other and can work with client devices to decide which access point is best for that client at that time, not just which one is closest or has the strongest signal. If one device starts streaming a ton of Netflix, for example, the mesh can identify this and either tell that client to move or start moving other clients to free up that radio for the video stream.

This kind of setup is simply not possible to build yourself with off-the-shelf routers.

My place isn’t big enough to need something like this, but damn, it’s still cool.