Dan Ackerman

@danackerman
583 Followers
45 Following
25 Posts
Editor in Chief, Micro Center. Ex-EiC, Gizmodo, ex-Editorial Director, CNET/CBS. Author, the Tetris Effect.
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Buy The Tetris Effecthttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DWX9T7G/
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Dan Ackerman (@danack) • Threads, Say more

1.2K Followers • 584 Threads • Editor in Chief, Micro Center. Ex-EiC, Gizmodo, ex CNET, CBS. Yes, I wrote that book about Tetris. Subscribe to my super sweet newsletter, link below. See the latest...

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CES news is already happening -- I liked this collection of prototypes from Dell I got to see in person, including a new type of gaming controller and a metaverse-friendly 3D monitor (both under the "Nyx" name): https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/dells-concept-nyx-flaunts-a-metaverse-ready-monitor-and-futuristic-gaming-gear/
Dell's Concept Nyx Flaunts a Metaverse-Ready Monitor and Futuristic Gaming Gear

The collection of prototype devices run from an advanced PC game controller to glasses-free 3D displays.

CNET
Slipped in one final CBS Mornings appearance for 2022, talking about gadgets for New Year's resolutions and the big tech trends for 2023. Clip and notes here: https://danackerman.substack.com/p/new-years-resolution-gadgets-for
New Year's Resolution Gadgets for 2023

Plus, everyone agrees on the big tech trend for next year.

Big Ack
Dear Apple Watch: I’m a New Yorker, I’m always walking outside, no need to make a big deal about it…

@mmasnick @mmasnick I think what COULD make this place take off is an intuitive app with an incredibly simplified signup flow.

There’s a lot of bullshit out there about how you have to sign up for Mastodon like six times to follow the people you like. The backbone is good here, it just needs a couple of good UX people to build on top of it, which could be anybody. I know that app Ivory is trying this and it could win.

The New European asked me to write an essay explaining Americans and free speech after Elon Musk claimed, ridiculously, to be a proponent of 'free-speech absolutism.' In it, I examine the components of speech -- including editing and moderating -- and examine what separates the US from Europe and the UK.
https://medium.com/whither-news/we-the-tweeters-75febd8bf399
We, the Tweeters - Whither news? - Medium

Elon Musk, recent convert to the cult of far-right fascism known as the Republican Party, is currently suffering history’s worst case of buyer’s remorse. He also claims…

Whither news?
I was tired of hearing about Elden Ring all the time, so this headline was my pitch for how to cover the "best" games of 2022. "CNET's Best Games of 2022 (That Aren't Elden Ring)"
https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/cnets-best-games-of-2022-that-arent-elden-ring/
CNET's Best Games of 2022 (That Aren't Elden Ring)

Elden Ring dominated 2022's gaming scene, but there are plenty of other titles that deserve your time and praise.

CNET

Because Elon has continuously misrepresented this:

The data used for flight-tracking accounts like ElonJet - called ADS-B data - are transmitted from nearly every plane in the sky.

The signals are unencrypted, and anyone with a $20 RTL-SDR radio can pick them up. Aviation hobbyists gather the data and put them on websites like ADS-B Exchange.

It's publicly available, legally acquired data of the kind Elon Musk said he'd allow, until suddenly he no longer did.

Welcome new neighbors. My best tips:
1. In preferences, switch to advanced web interface.
2. Switch to light mode. You will thank me.
3. Complete your profile & write & pin a post introducing yourself *before* you start following other folks.
4. In the Notifications column settings, under quick filter bar, turn on "display all categories" (separates replies from boosts from new followers).
5. Try movetodon.org to find folks from the Dodo site.
More here: https://medium.com/whither-news/on-joining-mastodon-d539eed5e41a
On Joining Mastodon - Whither news? - Medium

An academic friend asked for help joining Mastodon. I wrote a detailed email in response that I thought it might be useful to others. I’m also going to teach a master class in Mastodon at my school…

Whither news?
Need a palate cleanser after this evening? Here's a discussion of the ~35 books I've read this year, including a stack of obscure vintage pulp paperbacks: https://danackerman.substack.com/p/all-the-books-ive-read-in-2022
All the Books I've Read in 2022

From digital galleys to pulp paperbacks.

Big Ack