The world of hard drive technology is constantly evolving, with newer advancements promising to improve storage capacities and performance. One such technology that has been making waves of late is Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR), which promises to increase hard drive storage capacities by as much as 10 times. However, as with any new technology, there are concerns about how to effectively use HAMR drives in storage pools and backup applications without running into issues. One journalist wrote about their own experience, saying they had not been able to learn about HAMR’s pros and cons in real-world use yet. They expressed concerns about the lack of information available on file systems and cache setups required to take full advantage of HAMR drives.

Shopping for high-quality, long-lasting products has become increasingly difficult in today’s market. The author has observed that their grandparents own high quality items that have lasted for years, from their Hickey Freeman suits to their Pyrex storage containers. The author believes that a combination of survivorship bias and cost preference is responsible for their grandparents’ ability to purchase long-lasting items. Additionally, the author notes that the current state of the market and technological advancements have made it more difficult to discern if something will last. Brands that build long-lived products struggle to retain customers, as their products don’t require frequent replacements. To combat this, they often use forced obsolescence to ensure repeat purchases, making it harder for buyers to make informed decisions about the longevity of their purchases.

The VR/AR and now SC (Spatial Computing) market has been a puzzle to many major tech and advertising companies. Despite the conviction that this is a profitable market, the major challenge is that there is no clear justification for the behavioral adjustment required for it to be adopted as a general-purpose interface. The number of devices sold so far does not impress, as only a small number of people, especially young people with disposable income, can be sold on anything. This is a tech that is being pushed onto people rather than being pulled.

The Debate on Remote vs In-Office Work Continues in the Tech Industry The COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to adopt remote work policies, leading to a heated debate on whether remote work is more effective than in-office work. The tech industry, in particular, has been at the forefront of this debate as many of its professionals have been working remotely for years. Recently, a post on Hacker News sparked a discussion about the pros and cons of remote work, with some commentators arguing that it hinders collaboration and the sharing of ideas.

Apple has recently announced its new virtual and augmented reality headset called “Vision Pro”, but the hype around the product has raised concerns about the direction of technology and the effects it could have on our daily lives. A journalist, who has been using Apple products for the past decade, finds the marketing materials for the headset unsettling and unconventional. The idea of people isolating themselves in a room, wearing goggles to interact with their environment made the journalist feel uncomfortable. The whole concept seems “post-apocalyptic” and “creepy”.