AllYouCanTech

“Customer Discontent Increases as ISP’s Smart TVs Refuse to Turn On”

### Sky Glass and Stream Devices Hit by Major Outage: Faulty Update Suspected

Numerous Sky Glass TV and Stream puck users in the UK were left exasperated when their devices failed to power on Thursday. The problem, affecting subscribers to Sky’s streaming services, remains largely unexplained by the company, although a malfunctioning software update is widely thought to be the culprit.

Sky, a subsidiary of Comcast, ventured into the streaming hardware space in 2021 with its own Glass TVs and Stream pucks. These devices enable users to access Sky’s TV channels online, removing the necessity for a satellite dish. Nonetheless, the recent disruption has caused many customers to doubt the dependability of the hardware and the company’s capability to oversee such technology.

### The Incident: Devices Not Powering On

As of Thursday, several Sky Glass and Stream users reported their devices not activating, resulting in blank screens. Reports indicated the problem persisted for several hours, with some users unable to utilize their devices for almost 11 hours. The issue appeared to peak around 3:10 pm UTC, with 377 cases noted on the outage-tracking site **Downdetector**. However, the true number of affected devices might be significantly greater, as many users voiced their discontent on Sky’s community forums and social media platforms.

A discussion thread on Sky’s community forum addressing the problem has expanded to 141 pages, with users sharing their accounts and troubleshooting advice. Some customers have requested compensation, whether in the form of refunds or credits, as they were unable to access the services for which they pay. Yet, at the time of writing, Sky had not issued any public communication regarding possible refunds or compensatory measures.

### Sky’s Response: Apologies and Technical Assistance

Sky has recognized the issue through its social media platforms and support forums. On Thursday, the company released a message on Twitter stating:

> “Some Sky Glass/Stream customers are currently experiencing technical issues when trying to switch on their devices. Our technical teams are working hard to fix this. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

Sky also pointed users to a support page outlining steps for device resets. However, numerous customers reported that the recommended solutions did not rectify the problem. One user on Sky’s support forum, PaulRC1963, voiced his dissatisfaction, stating:

> “Yet this isn’t working for everyone though. You’re essentially just telling people to turn it on and off again. Sky is acting very incompetent.”

Despite ongoing troubleshooting efforts, some users continued to face issues as of Friday morning. Sky has not offered a timeline for the complete resolution of the problem.

### The Suspected Cause: A Faulty Update?

While Sky has not confirmed the specific cause of the issue, many believe that a poorly executed software update is responsible. The simultaneous malfunction of hundreds of devices indicates that the problem was likely initiated by a widespread update distributed via the Internet. Sky has opted not to respond to inquiries from the **BBC** regarding the problem’s cause or its resolution timeline.

This outage serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of purchasing hardware from companies unaccustomed to the tech industry. Primarily recognized for its satellite TV services, Sky entered the streaming hardware market in 2021 with its Glass TVs and Stream pucks. These devices were intended to facilitate Sky’s transition from traditional satellite TV to Internet-based streaming, but the recent incident underscores the difficulties the company encounters in managing such technology.

### The Larger Context: Streaming Hardware and Software Updates

Sky’s entry into the streaming hardware space was part of a broader strategy to meet the rising demand for streaming services. The company’s Glass TVs, priced from £600 (approximately $800) for a 43-inch model to £1,199 (about $1,600) for a 65-inch variant, include features like **quantum dots**, **Dolby Vision**, **HDR10**, and **HLG HDR** support. However, customers must subscribe to Sky Entertainment to utilize the devices, and access to streaming applications like Netflix is contingent on this subscription.

The Stream puck, a smaller and more economical device, similarly requires a Sky subscription to operate. While these devices provide a simple method to access Sky’s TV channels and streaming services, the recent outage has raised alarms about their reliability.

This situation starkly illustrates the challenges associated with managing large software updates for smart devices. Unlike traditional set-top boxes, reportedly unaffected by the outage, smart TVs and streaming devices heavily rely on software updates for optimal operation. A poorly executed update can render these devices inoperable, as many Sky customers experienced this week.

### Customer Discontent and Requests for Compensation

The outage has ignited widespread frustration among Sky customers, with some contemplating the cancellation of their subscriptions. One user on Sky’s community forum, **larky+marky**, remarked:

> “What a total lump of

Ars Technica is Seeking a Seasoned Senior Reporter to Focus on Google and Related Subjects

## Ars Technica is Seeking a Senior Technology Reporter to Report on Google and AI

In a time when technology is advancing faster than ever, Ars Technica is searching for a Senior Technology Reporter to focus on one of the most vibrant and influential firms globally: Google. As Google experiences substantial changes, especially with its emphasis on generative AI, cloud solutions, and its ongoing rivalry with tech leaders like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Perplexity, this position is vital for delivering comprehensive analysis and coverage of the company’s strategic initiatives.

### The Role: Senior Technology Reporter

This role goes beyond merely covering Google’s consumer offerings such as Android or Pixel devices, although those will be included in the scope. The main emphasis will be on Google’s broader technological and business strategies, particularly in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud services, and search technologies. Google is leading the AI revolution, and its actions in this sector are influencing the future of technology and our interaction with information. The Senior Technology Reporter will be tasked with examining these developments, offering critical perspectives, and producing well-researched articles that engage Ars Technica’s audience.

A discerning viewpoint and informed skepticism are essential for this role. Google’s choices often carry significant consequences for privacy, data security, and the larger tech industry. The perfect candidate will need to delve deeply into these concerns, providing readers not just with the “what” but also with the “why” and “how” of Google’s decisions.

### What You’ll Be Doing

As a Senior Technology Reporter, your tasks will involve:
– **Comprehensive reporting on Google’s strategic actions** in AI, cloud services, and search technologies.
– **Evaluating the competitive environment**, particularly Google’s responses to challenges from firms like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Perplexity.
– **Covering significant Google events** and product unveilings, offering both immediate news and extended analysis.
– **Writing daily news updates** on smaller occurrences while also working on larger, in-depth articles.
– **Working collaboratively with a remote team** of editors and journalists to ensure high-quality, prompt reporting.

### The Ideal Candidate

This is a senior-level role, and Ars Technica seeks an individual who is ready to get started immediately. The perfect candidate will have:
– **Previous professional experience in tech journalism**, complemented by a strong portfolio showcasing the ability to tackle complex technical and business subjects.
– **A thorough understanding of AI, cloud services, and search technologies**, along with knowledge of the wider tech industry.
– **The capacity to work autonomously** and control your own reporting timetable while also collaborating with a remote team.
– **Exceptional analytical abilities** to provide insightful, well-considered perspectives on Google’s business strategies and technological innovations.

### Requirements

– **Professional experience in technology journalism** is essential. This is a senior role, so applicants should demonstrate a solid history of reporting on technology-related issues.
– **Must reside in and be eligible to work in the United States**. Regrettably, this position is available only to candidates based in the U.S.
– **Adaptability to remote work** is crucial, as Ars Technica operates as a fully remote team.
– **Willingness to travel** two to three times annually for major event coverage, including Google I/O and other prominent tech conventions.

### Why Join Ars Technica?

Ars Technica is celebrated for its comprehensive explorations of technology, science, and policy, and this position presents an opportunity to be at the forefront of coverage on one of the world’s most influential companies. As part of a team that appreciates informed skepticism and meticulous analysis, you’ll have the opportunity to influence the dialogue about Google’s impact on the future of AI and technology.

This is a full-time, unionized position with benefits, offering job security and the opportunity to work on meaningful stories. You’ll be joining a team of dedicated journalists committed to providing readers with the most accurate, insightful, and engaging content possible.

### Meet Your Assistant: “Googly”

In a fun twist, the job listing hints that if you are hired for this role, you’ll be assigned an assistant—playfully named “Googly.” While details about Googly are minimal, it’s apparent that Ars Technica possesses a sense of humor, and you can anticipate joining a team that appreciates both hard work and a lighthearted, cooperative environment.

### How to Apply

If this opportunity seems perfect for you, don’t wait to apply! You can find the complete job description and application instructions on the

A Detailed Archive of Earth’s Temperature Covering 500 Million Years

**Reconstructing Earth’s Climate: A 500-Million-Year Journey**

Global temperature records are limited to just a few centuries, yet this does not imply ignorance regarding Earth’s climate prior to the advent of thermometers. Researchers have devised numerous techniques to reconstruct ancient climates, utilizing natural markers referred to as *temperature proxies*. These include tree rings, ice cores, and isotope ratios found in marine fossils, which can shed light on the Earth’s temperature throughout eons. Nonetheless, as we delve further back in time, locating dependable proxies becomes increasingly difficult, complicating the reconstruction of a comprehensive view of historical climates.

Recently, a group of international scientists has achieved a significant advancement in this area by utilizing a blend of proxy data and climate models to reconstruct Earth’s climate over the last 485 million years. This timeframe dates back to the Cambrian explosion, an era during which complex life began to flourish. Their results, featured in *Science*, offer an intricate global temperature record and uncover captivating insights into the interplay between carbon dioxide (CO₂) concentrations, continental movements, and long-range climate patterns.

### The Challenge of Reconstructing Ancient Climates

Reconstructing Earth’s climate over such an extensive timespan presents considerable challenges. Although numerous proxies exist for more recent climates, such as tree rings and ice cores, these markers become scarcer and less trustworthy as we journey millions of years back in time. In this study, researchers concentrated on a specific category of proxy: the ratio of oxygen isotopes present in the shells of marine organisms. These isotopes can provide insights into the temperature of the seawater in which these organisms thrived.

However, employing oxygen isotopes as a proxy involves its own challenges. A significant assumption is that the ratio of these isotopes in the oceans has stayed consistent throughout time. To address this uncertainty, the researchers employed two distinct approaches to translate the isotope data into temperature estimates. One method presumed the isotope ratios remained constant, while the other accounted for a gradual change over time.

### Climate Models and Continental Shifts

To convert these localized temperature estimates into a broader climate narrative, the researchers relied on climate models. These models incorporate various elements, such as the configuration of continents and CO₂ levels, to estimate global temperatures. By leveraging a range of models, the researchers minimized the risk of their conclusions being overly reliant on the assumptions of a singular model regarding atmospheric dynamics.

A noteworthy discovery from the study is the strong connection between Earth’s climate and CO₂ levels over the last 485 million years. The team observed that global temperatures have varied between a low of approximately 11°C during recent glacial epochs and a peak of 36°C, which occurred around 90 million years ago. These temperature fluctuations were predominantly influenced by shifts in CO₂ levels, except for one significant anomaly: the Cretaceous period, characterized by a hothouse climate despite relatively stable CO₂ concentrations. This anomaly continues to puzzle researchers and remains a topic of ongoing investigation.

### The Role of Supercontinents

Another fascinating revelation is the influence of the formation and disintegration of supercontinents on long-term climate trajectories. Earth’s continents have not always occupied their present positions. Over millions of years, they have traversed the planet’s surface, periodically uniting to create supercontinents like Pangaea, only to later separate. These tectonic movements can profoundly affect global climate by modifying ocean currents, atmospheric patterns, and the arrangement of landmasses.

The researchers propose that the cycle of supercontinent assembly and break-up may be linked to the alternation between warm “greenhouse” climates and cooler “icehouse” climates over the past 485 million years. For instance, during icehouse episodes, the temperature differential between the equator and poles can reach up to 50°C. Conversely, during greenhouse intervals, this temperature difference narrows to approximately 15°C to 25°C, with polar areas experiencing significant warming.

### The Sun’s Influence and Other Factors

An unexpected finding from the study is the absence of a distinct warming trend associated with the gradual rise in solar energy impacting Earth over the past 485 million years. As the Sun ages, it becomes more luminous and emits more energy. Throughout the time period analyzed in this study, the Sun’s output has risen by about 4.2%. Nonetheless, this added solar energy does not seem to have significantly influenced Earth’s climate.

The researchers put forth several plausible explanations for this phenomenon. One possibility is that alterations in Earth’s surface, such as a reduction in ocean coverage, may have counteracted the warming effect of the Sun. Oceans absorb more sunlight than landmasses, so a decrease in oceanic area could have contributed to maintaining stable temperatures. Another potential explanation is that early ecosystems may have generated higher levels of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, thereby increasing warming in the distant past.

### Implications for Future Climate