đ§ Dyson drops headphones | QUT study finds GC #1 for film | The world's rarest whale that's never been seen alive | GC's dog poo bag problem | Google's mega $34b cybersecurity buy and more!
Volume 72: Today's newsletter is 1,225 words, a 5.5-minute read.
Welcome to Thursday, July 18, a day that feels colder than a Game III Origin loss đ„¶đ
đ Need a read? Check out Andrew Wilkinsonâs (the Warren Buffet of techâŠ) new book, Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire
In today's email
One Big Thing: Googleâs Mega $34B Move on Cybersecurity
The 30th Gold Coast V8 Race: Fans Rev Up
Gold Coast Dog Poo Bag: Dilemma
Trending: Mixed messages
Around The Web (Snippets): The worldâs rarest whale (thatâs never been seen alive) washed ashore, QUT finds the GC #1 for film, a body found floating in the Broadwater, people that look like Adam Sandler that arenât Adam Sandler and more!
Councillorsâ Corner
Upcoming Events
Weekend Weather and Surf
Live Gold Coast Housing Price Index
1. One Big Thing: Googleâs Mega $34B Move on Cybersecurity
Whatâs Happening
Alphabet, Google's parent company, is in advanced talks to acquire cloud security startup Wiz for around AUD 34 billion.
Why It Matters
This would be Google's largest acquisition to date and aims to boost Googleâs cloud security capabilities, enhancing its competitiveness against AWS and Microsoft Azure in particular.
By the Numbers
Wiz, a venture capital-backed company, raised USD $1 billion in funding earlier this year at a valuation of $12 billion USD.
Despite the mega valuation, it achieved only USD 350 million in annual recurring revenue in 2023.
For context, here are Google's top acquisitions of all time, converted to Australian dollars.
Motorola Mobility (2012) - USD 12.5 billion - 18.75 billion AUD
Nest Labs (2014) - USD 3.2 billion - 4.8 billion AUD
Mandiant (2022) - USD 5.4 billion - 8.1 billion AUD
DoubleClick (2008) - USD 3.1 billion - 4.65 billion AUD
Looker (2019) - USD 2.6 billion - 3.9 billion AUD
Fitbit (2021) - USD 2.1 billion - 3.15 billion AUD
YouTube (2006) - USD 1.65 billion - 2.475 billion AUD
Waze (2013) - USD 1.1 billion - 1.65 billion AUD
Clouding The Future
Up against it when coming to cloud-based services behind Amazonâs AWS and Microsoftâs Azure, this acquisition would strengthen Googleâs cloud security offering and secure a bigger slice of the rapidly growing market space.
What The People Say
"Google's acquisition of Wiz shows their commitment to cloud security," commented Kieran Moran, Managing Director at Connecting Industry.
What To Look For Next
Probably every generation of humans moving forward looking down at clouds, as opposed to all those that came before us, and up until about ten years ago, who all looked upâŠ
2. The 30th Gold Coast V8 Race - Fans Rev Up
By Marshall Hall
Whatâs Happening
There are just 100 days remaining until the 30th annual V8 festival, the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500.
Why It Matters
This year's event will thunder through the Surfers Paradise Street Circuit from October 25 to October 27, where record-breaking crowds are expected, following last yearâs highest-ever attendance.
By The Numbers
201,971 fans: Was last yearâs attendance and was the highest since the Supercars-only era began in 2009
$58 million: Was added to the local Gold Coast economy from last yearâs event alone
Local Impact
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has promised the event would be the âbiggest partyâ on the annual supercar calendar this year.
What the People Say
âOver the past three decades, this event has grown to become a highlight of the sporting calendar, not just in Queensland, but across Australia.â
It is recognised as one of the premier street circuit events globally every year,â said Supercars CEO Shane Howard.
What to Look For Next
The full article by Marshall Hall, below đ
3. Gold Coast Dog Poo Bag Dilemma
By Marshall Hall
Whatâs Happening?
A report to the City of Gold Coast has said that the council gave away nearly 13 million dog poo bags during the 2022-23 financial year, many more than the Sunshine Coast and even Brisbane City.
But, was there even that much to clean up?
By The Numbers
At a cost of nearly $750,000: 13 million poo bags were provided across the Gold Coast in the 12 months to June 30
9.6 million were given away by Brisbane City Council, 2.2 million on the Sunny Coast and only 486,000 across Logan City
What the People Say
Speaking on Gold Coast ABC, Councillor Mark Hammel said the number of plastic bags being used was "extraordinary."
What to Look For Next
If youâre passing through Logan, where youâre walkingâŠ
However, back home on the Gold Coast, the council is now reviewing its dog waste bag policy to discover why so many bags are being used and whether there are any more environmentally friendly options available.
4. Trending
5. Around The Web (Snippets)
The worldâs rarest whale, which has never been seen alive, may have: Just washed ashore in New Zealand
A QUT-led report reveals the Gold Coast has: Become the centre for film and television in Australia since the COVID-19 outbreak
Dyson released set of $800: Headphones, the OnTrac, that have no cleaning functionâŠ
A jet ski instructor on the Broadwater came across: A body floating in the water near Main Beach
People who sort of look like: Adam Sandler but arenât Adam Sandler
An $830,000 haul of cash was found at the GC: Airport on a man who has now been charged
The best of Amazonâs: Prime Day discount line-up just dropped
Hope Island boat builder is facing: Fraud charges after a long-running investigation
The full history of Presidential assassination attempts: From Donald Trump to Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, all the way to Andrew Jackson in 1835
6. Councillorsâ Corner
Div 3 | Coomera, Wongawallan, Willowvale +2 | Cr Donna Gates (Deputy Mayor)
Div 11 | Burleigh Waters, Robina, Varsity Lakes, Cr Dan Doran
7. Upcoming Events
âł Storyfest Charity Golf Day: July 19Â from 7 am onwards; an input-taxed event supporting children's literacy activities through good corporate citizenship at RACV Royal Pines
đ Ghost - The Musical: July 19 - August 17; a musical based on the hit 1990 romantic fantasy thriller film of the same name opening tomorrow at Spotlight Theatre Halpin Auditorium
đšđŒâđŠœ Free Wheelchair Racing Sessions: July 20 from 9 am - 10 am; a pathway for junior and beginner wheelchair racers who would like to work up to participating in the 10km Wheelchair Race or Marathon at Athletics Track (G44), Griffith University Gold Coast Campus
đïž Ancestors Disinherited and All Locked Up: July 20 from 1 pm onwards; enhance your knowledge of ancestors who may have been part of the Queensland prison system in the late 1800s at Room 3, Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre
đ Gold Coast Suns vs GWS Giants: July 20Â from 11:45 am;Â Round 19Â at ENGIE Stadium, SydneyÂ
đ Gold Coast Titans vs Sea Eagles: July 21Â from 2:05 pm;Â Round 20Â at 4 Pines Park, Sydney
đ¶ The Australian IRB Championships: July 21 from 7 am onwards; watch the best Inflatable Rescue Boat crews battle it out for the championship title at Miami Beach Surf Life Saving Club
đ Cars & Culture: July 21 from 9 am onwards; connect with others who share the same passion for vehicles at Gold Coast Sports Precinct
đ„·đŒ Mums Self Defence Classes: July 22 from 9:30 to 10:30 am; learn effective ways to feel empowered and stay safe in tough situations at Helensvale Community Centre
đ· Togs Tell: The Raw Files: July 23 from 10 am onwards; female photographers  will share the tears and trials that led them to become the creative rebels they are today at Mo's Desert Clubhouse
đđœââïž Women in Sport Summit: July 24 from 9:30 am onwards; the largest and most influential gathering for women in the sports industry at Star Event Centre
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