Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies have entered the mainstream discourse, but they’ve also been joined by a concept that is widely circulated, but poorly understood: “the blockchain” or just “blockchain.” The idea of a blockchain, the cryptographically enhanced digital ledger that underpins Bitcoin and most cryptocurrencies, is now being used to describe everything from a system for inter-bank transactions to a new supply chain database for Walmart. The term has become so widespread that it’s quickly losing meaning.

I agree that this word is used way too much these says.  I am starting to see this pop up in sales emails and calls that I receive at work.

Via: Adrianne Jeffries at The Verge

“A small yet colorful part of the iTunes Store will be history by year’s end. According to an internal Apple email obtained by Metro, Apple will stop taking iTunes LP submissions this month. Apple confirmed the plans to The Verge, signaling the impending end of the paid multimedia album experience on iTunes.

The leaked email reportedly said, “Apple will no longer accept new submissions of iTunes LPs after March 2018,” and “existing LPs will be deprecated from the store during the remainder of 2018. Customers who have previously purchased an album containing an iTunes LP will still be able to download the additional content using iTunes Match.””

I only ever brought a few of these myself but it was a neat idea at the time and I will be a bit sad to see it go,

Via: Valentina Palladino at Arstechnica

“Microsoft is busy prepping developers for the next big Windows 10 update, version 1803, and it is putting the focus on machine learning. Due in March or April this year, the new version will include a new machine-learning framework for using machine-learning models in Windows applications.”

I’m not sure how useful this will be once it ships but it sounds like a logical next step.

Via: Peter Bright at Arstechnica

New Lego pieces: Still hard on your feet, but easier on the planet

Bitcoin thirst spurs Icelandic heist—“Grand theft on a scale unseen before

http://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-43261311/stranded-orchestra-surprises-skegness-wedding-couple