With our lives so dependant on technology sometimes it’s fun to consider where it all began
Have you got any of our top 5 gadgets laying about your house collecting dust, or maybe still being used? Either way there is no denying the impact these bits and bobs had on our day to day – yesterday!Presented by Top Shelf International
#5 CASSETTE TAPES
We all remember the humble cassette tape.
These compact cassettes were a stand out for their time. A revolutionary way to listen to your music on the go either in your pocket or in the car.
Before these came along, reel-to-reel audio tech was generally reserved for professionals who worked in radio stations.
Who doesn’t remember rewinding these tapes manually using a pencil.
#4 THE FLOPPY DISC
Floppy Disks continue to play a part in many pieces of software as the save icon!
These colourful little squares accompanied computer users for decades as the main portable storage method. Playing host too many of the original computer games and other utility programs.
IBM brought us the first floppy discs which became available in 1971 to the market. These read-only 8-inch disks stored 80 kB of data which ain’t much by today’s standards with tiny cards holding terabytes of files.
Floppy discs also became the mcguffin device for a host of popular cartoons of the 90s. Apparently holding nuclear launch codes or government secrets.
#3 CRT TELEVISIONS
If you ever dropped one of these on your toe you would certainly know about it.
Cathode ray tube televisions were the standard for decades and these bulky boxes of glass and technology have come a long way since. Interestingly enough there is a large community of collectors and enthusiasts who celebrate the quality these screens produce.
Almost all computer monitors and televisions were CRT units, until LCD and plasma screens started being used. The cathode ray tube was originally used as an oscilloscope which is a machine used to show waves and later showed us …shows!
#2 NOKIA’S 3310 MOBILE PHONE
The Nokia 3310 celebrates its 21st birthday this year.And remains almost impossible to destroy.
This little communication powerhouse was released in 1 September 2000 and managed to sell 126 million units.
Many were lucky enough to enjoy the convenience of a mobile with this model being their first. The instant messaging of the 3310 allowed for messages much larger than the size of a standard SMS to be sent.
The joy of looking up how to produce your own ringtones was also a lot of fun with the video game SNAKE getting us through many public transport trips.
#1 THE APPLE IPOD
A familiar sight for fans of Apple with the first Generation Ipod.
This gadget truly changed the way we download, share and listen to music.
The iPod 1G is the only iPod ever to have a physically-movable scroll wheel rather than the touch models we later got – which were later removed all together.
With 5GB of usable space users could enjoy up to 1000 CD-quality songs.
Many brands were quick to produce their own MP3 players and music devices that would replace the beloved music CD, even Microsoft later competed with their Zune breed of music player.
In Short:
– Top talent agencies, including CAA and UTA, oppose OpenAI’s Sora over client rights and copyright risks.
– Disney and others demand immediate action from OpenAI to address copyright infringements related to Sora.
Top Hollywood talent agencies have expressed strong opposition to OpenAI’s new video creation app, Sora. The Creative Artists Agency (CAA) voiced concerns about significant risks to their clients and intellectual property rights.CAA represents high-profile clients such as Doja Cat and Scarlett Johansson. The agency questioned OpenAI’s commitment to compensating creators for their work, suggesting that their practices might ignore global copyright principles.
They stated, “Control, permission for use, and compensation is a fundamental right of these workers.”
United Talent Agency (UTA) echoed similar sentiments, labelling Sora’s actions as “exploitation, not innovation.” UTA reinforced that human talent is irreplaceable and affirmed its commitment to defending its clients’ rights. OpenAI has indicated it will implement measures to limit the generation of well-known characters and enhance control for rightsholders.
Industry Response
The memo from WME instructed agents to ensure that all clients are opted out of the latest Sora updates. Disney also took a firm stance, clarifying it had not granted OpenAI permission to use its copyrighted content.
The Motion Picture Association urged immediate action from OpenAI to address copyright infringements related to Sora.
Concerns over generative AI’s impact on copyright have surged within the entertainment industry.
Major companies like Universal and Disney have already pursued legal action against other AI firms over similar issues, highlighting a growing fear regarding the protection of intellectual property.
In Short:
– OpenAI and Jony Ive face significant challenges for their AI device, delaying its launch to 2026.
– Technical issues include computing power shortages and difficulties defining the AI’s personality and behaviour.
OpenAI and Jony Ive’s collaboration on an AI device is facing significant technical challenges, leading to potential delays in its launch.
The partnership began after OpenAI’s acquisition of Ive’s design studio, io, for $6.5 billion. The current target for release is set for 2026.
The primary obstacle is the need for adequate computing power for widespread deployment. Insiders revealed that OpenAI is struggling to secure enough compute resources for current applications, let alone the device design focused on continuous interaction.
Compute Issues
Development teams are also navigating challenges in defining the AI’s personality and behaviour.
Creating an assistant that is both engaging and appropriately responsive has proven difficult, as the design aims to foster a friendly interaction style without veering into overly chatty or insincere exchanges.
Legal issues add to the complications, including a trademark dispute with audio startup Iyo, resulting in the removal of “io” branding from promotional materials. Manufacturing is ongoing, with partnerships established, including with Chinese company Luxshare.
As OpenAI prepares for the upcoming DevDay 2025 conference, the company is under pressure to showcase progress, especially as competitors like Apple and Google advance their AI projects.
The focus remains on overcoming existing hurdles while optimising development strategies for the future of AI devices.
In Short:
– Indonesia lifted TikTok’s suspension after it provided required protest-related data to the government.
– The incident underscores increasing tensions between Southeast Asian governments and tech companies over data transparency.
Indonesia has lifted TikTok’s operating license suspension on October 4, one day after imposing the penalty. The decision followed TikTok’s compliance with government demands for data related to protests in August.The rapid resolution illustrates rising tensions between Southeast Asian governments and global tech companies regarding data transparency during politically sensitive events.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs confirmed that TikTok submitted necessary data on livestream traffic and monetisation during the protests occurring between August 25 and 30, 2025. This submission occurred on the same day of the suspension announcement, restoring TikTok’s registration as an electronic system operator.
The suspension was initially triggered by TikTok’s partial data submission by a September 23 deadline, citing internal privacy constraints on full compliance.
Regulatory Context
The data dispute arose amid violent demonstrations in late August, protesting excessive lawmakers’ allowances and police brutality, particularly following the death of a motorcycle taxi driver on August 28. Authorities found accounts allegedly linked to illegal gambling using TikTok’s livestream feature, prompting TikTok to suspend this function temporarily.
The incident highlights Indonesia’s assertive stance on tech regulation, particularly given its significance as TikTok’s second-largest market globally. The platform has faced various regulatory challenges in Indonesia, including a recent $900,000 antitrust fine for late notification regarding its Tokopedia acquisition.
Despite the suspension, TikTok remained accessible throughout the regulatory process, stating its commitment to comply with local laws.