Why integrated smarts in televisions isn't always that good.

Device manufacturers love to add bells and whistles to things to try and stand out from the pack. Promoting the idea that you can do it all with their device and do away with the other stuff you'd usually connect in.. but how does this fare over the long term? I don't think "smart" appliances are necessarily that smart.

Trying to identify a cheap security DVR's real manufacturer

So, someone I know has a cheap security DVR from Aldi. Distributed by "WinPlus Australia", it's been designated the brand and model "Cocoon Digital Video Security System IT115008".

With the latest hype around the Mirai botnet commandering things exactly like such a security DVR, I decided to get in touch with the local distributor and ask them if any issues had been reported, advisories released, or updates made available.