The end of December is a quiet time for technology news. Yet, parallel to the annual tech retrospective of 2024, the Russian government is cracking down on cryptocurrencies, and the final season of the hit Netflix phenomenon approaches.
First, the Russian government has banned cryptocurrency mining in 10 regions for six years, according to a report from the state news agency TASS. Russia cited the industry’s high electricity consumption rate as the main reason for the ban. Cryptocurrency mining operations already account for nearly 2.5% of U.S. energy use. Russia’s ban will take effect on January 1 and last until March 15, 2031. It was only in November that the currency became fully legal in Russia.
— Matt Smith
Get this delivered straight to your inbox every day. Subscribe here!
The biggest technology stories you missed
Netflix released season 2 yesterday.
No, we don’t know what kind of cliffhanger shenanigans Season 2 ended with (it just came out!), but we don’t have to wait too long to see how it all ends. Tudum, a blog run by Netflix, announced that the Korean drama will return for a third and final season next year.
Read more.
From “Animal Well” to “Vendetta Forever.”
Engadget
2023 has been a bumper year, and the past 12 months have also seen a number of great new releases. Whether you love great indie productions or big-budget productions, we’ve found something for you. Don’t worry. We transitioned Baratolo’s essay into its own dedicated story.
Read more.
An “indoor gardening appliance” that combines mood lighting and a grow light.
LG
LG’s latest high-tech lamp can also be used as a flowerpot. LG says the lamp, which has a circular lampshade, illuminates the plants you want to grow with LED light at five different intensities. And at night, the lights blaze upwards, creating a cozy mood of lighting. The tall standing lamp can hold up to 20 plants at once and you don’t have to worry about watering them. The base of the lamp incorporates a 1.5 gallon tank.
Read more.
