LITS bits:Â
This week, Matt and Griff dive into Apple's F1 movie, how Microsoft has now killed the Blue Screen of Death and replaced it with the Black Screen of Death,️ how the PNG Format is back, and how it's better than ever in PNG 3.0, how your company's logo being uppercase or lowercase changes people perceptions of you, how Cloudflare tells site crawler bots to pay up, Google's Agent2Agent 'advertising revolution' means bots will start buying ads to attract other bots, and how 16 billion passwords may or may not have been leaked!
Have a listen and find details about each topic below:
Apple’s F1 Movie Races to the Big Screen—and Controversy
Apple’s F1 movie is more than just a blockbuster—it’s a brand power play. With a $57 million opening weekend and over $140 million earned globally, Apple Studios is showcasing its cinematic muscle. The film, captured using modified iPhones, is part of a broader Apple strategy that may include a bid for Formula 1 broadcast rights in 2026.
But not everyone’s cheering. Some iPhone users are miffed after seeing a pop-up ad for the movie in their Apple Wallet—raising concerns about where the line lies between ecosystem and intrusion.
RIP Blue Screen of Death. Meet Its Sleek, Dark Successor
Microsoft is officially replacing the classic Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) with a Black Screen of Death for Windows 11. The updated design better matches the OS’s aesthetic and adds clarity to crashes, including details like stop codes and driver errors.
David Weston, VP of Enterprise & OS Security, says it’s part of a larger transparency push—especially critical after the chaos caused by recent issues like the CrowdStrike bug. Bonus: Microsoft is also rolling out a new Quick Machine Recovery feature to streamline system rebounds after crashes.
PNG Format Is Back—and It’s Better Than Ever
The PNG image format is getting a second wind after decades of stagnation. New specs make Animated PNGs (APNGs) officially supported—offering smoother, higher-quality visuals compared to GIFs. Here’s what’s new:
- HDR Support with just 4 bytes
- EXIF Metadata baked in
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Better Compression on the way
Compared to GIFs, APNGs support millions of colors, 8-bit transparency, and smaller file sizes. Think of it as GIF’s cooler, modern cousin.
Branding 101: Should Your Company Yell or Whisper?
Is your brand name uppercase or lowercase? Turns out, it matters more than you'd think.
- Uppercase: Signals competence, authority (think GUCCI)
- Lowercase: Feels warmer, friendlier (think adidas)
In egalitarian cultures like the U.S. or Europe, lowercase branding can make your company feel more approachable. In hierarchical cultures like China or Japan, uppercase may be perceived as more legitimate.
Cloudflare Tells Bots to Pay Up
Cloudflare is rolling out a “pay-per-crawl” system for AI bots, allowing content creators to charge for data access. Currently in private beta, the system lets publishers decide which bots pay, get in free, or are blocked entirely.
This move could usher in a new era of permission-based AI training, where creators regain control—and compensation—for their content.
Bots Buying Ads? Google's Agent2Agent Advertising Revolution
Google is now selling ads… to AIs.
Their new “Agent2Agent” ad model targets AI agents acting on behalf of users, a major pivot in how digital advertising works. In this future, bots—not humans—initiate purchases, compare products, and even complete transactions.
It’s a bold (and slightly dystopian) reimagining of what digital marketing will look like when AIs become the primary "consumers."
16 Billion Passwords Leaked?! Not So Fast.
The internet lit up recently with claims of a 16-billion-password mega-breach, allegedly affecting platforms like Apple and Google. But when security researchers looked closer, they discovered:
- It was not a single breach
- The credentials came from 30+ older leaks
- Many were recycled, outdated, or non-applicable
This story highlights how fear-based cybersecurity marketing often takes center stage—even when the actual threat is murky. Always vet the source before panicking.
Enjoyed what you heard? We release a new episode every two weeks, so be sure to come back for the next one!