AI & Tech

AI-Powered Note-Taking Automation

MyNotesAI offers a lifetime subscription for £31.66, automating note-taking with AI-powered transcription and summarization across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It provides unlimited transcriptions from live audio or uploaded files and summarizes conversations into actionable insights. Mac users can directly record meetings from Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams without extra software. Notes are organized in custom folders and easily exported. Ideal for students, professionals, or anyone disliking manual note-taking, MyNotesAI saves time and effort by handling transcriptions and summaries.

Larry Ellison's Agricultural Misadventures

Larry Ellison's attempt to revolutionize agriculture on Lānaʻi Island through Sensei Farms has faced significant challenges. Despite investing over $500 million in AI-powered greenhouses and robotic harvesters since 2012, the project has been plagued by tech issues and rookie mistakes, hindering progress. Constant delays, leadership changes, and costly errors demonstrate that even substantial funding cannot overcome the complexities of a specialized industry.

Technology and AI

AI Tool Reliance

An author conducted an experiment to evaluate their reliance on AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and DeepSeek in their daily work as a developer and technical writer. Concerned about studies suggesting that AI use might decrease critical thinking abilities, the author blocked all AI tools for a day to assess their skills. The experiment involved tasks such as writing a script to scrape Bing Search results, reviewing a pull request on GitHub, and improving the SEO of a personal website. The author reflects on the balance between the benefits of AI in boosting productivity and the potential risks of over-reliance, suggesting further discussion on the topic.

UX Design for Startups

Vlada Zdorovenko, a Senior UX Designer and startup mentor, emphasizes the importance of user experience (UX) design for B2C startups. Many startups make the mistake of designing based on assumptions rather than real user needs, leading to products that fail to resonate with their target audience. Conducting user interviews and usability testing before creating an MVP is crucial to understanding user pain points, goals, and behaviors. Engaging with potential users helps to validate the product concept and saves from costly redesigns later. Utilizing platforms like Usertesting, Optimal Workshop, or Survey Circle can aid in finding the right audience for research. Collecting qualitative feedback from 30-50 potential users before developing the MVP and testing the user flow are vital steps.

AI & Politics

Grok's Filter Controversy

Grok, Elon Musk's AI chatbot, temporarily refused to provide sources mentioning that Elon Musk or Donald Trump spread misinformation. According to xAI's head of engineering, Igor Babuschkin, this was due to an unauthorized system prompt update by an ex-OpenAI employee. Musk has promoted Grok as a "maximally truth-seeking" AI. However, interventions have occurred to prevent Grok from stating that Trump, Musk, and Vice President JD Vance are "doing the most harm to America" or that Musk and Trump deserve the death penalty.

AI & Machine Learning

Google Veo2 Pricing

Google's Veo2 video-generating AI model, revealed in December, is priced at $0.50 per second, equating to $30 per minute or $1,800 per hour. Google DeepMind researcher Jon Barron compared this to the $32,000 per second production cost of Marvel's 'Avengers: Endgame.' Veo2 can create clips of two minutes or more. This pricing can be compared to OpenAI's Sora video generation model, available to ChatGPT Pro subscribers for $200 per month.

Mobile Technology

Apple's In-House Cellular Modem

Apple introduced its first in-house cellular modem, the C1, with the iPhone 16e. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple intends to eventually meld the modem component into the main processor, which could have energy and cost benefits. The company is already testing the C2 and C3, and the integrated design won’t follow until 2028 at the earliest. Apple called the new C1 modem its “most power-efficient modem ever in an iPhone.” The $599 iPhone 16e also has an A18 chip and supports Apple Intelligence.

Technology & Hardware

Nvidia RTX 50 Series GPUs

Nvidia's RTX 50 series GPUs are anticipated, with the RTX 5090 and 5080 expected to launch on January 30th, followed by the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5070 in February. The RTX 5090 is expected to be a powerhouse, though not as big a generational leap as the RTX 4090. The 50 series GPUs will also introduce DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation, using AI to predictively generate frames. There are reports of RTX 5080s missing ROPs, manufacturing issues with the RTX 5090 and 5070 Ti, and melting power connectors on the RTX 5090.

Tesla Supercharging Issue with Hyundai Ioniq 5

The 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5, when tested at a Tesla Supercharging station using the NACS port, revealed a gap issue because the charging cord was too short to reach the charge port. The problem should be solved with the rollout of Tesla's V4 charging stations with longer cables.

Electric Aviation

Beta Technologies' Electric Aircraft

Beta Technologies' founder and CEO, Kyle Clark, piloted the Alia CX300 on its maiden flight, built on a new scaled production line. Beta's go-to-market strategy differs from competitors like Archer and Joby. The startup has continued to rack up hours in piloted flight and financially backed customer orders.

Tech Industry & Culture

Palantir CEO's Criticism of Silicon Valley

Palantir CEO Alexander Karp, with Nicholas Zamiska, has authored "The Technological Republic," criticizing Silicon Valley for losing its way, arguing that it should rebuild its relationship with government and focus on technology and AI capabilities that address pressing challenges.

Entertainment

Avatar: The Last Airbender Updates

Netflix has released a blooper reel from the first season of its live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender show to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the show's release. The show has been renewed for two more seasons, with production for the second season currently underway. In addition, there is a new animated series in the works called Avatar: Seven Havens, which will pick up after the events of The Legend of Korra. Magic: The Gathering also announced an Avatar crossover coming out in November.

Space Exploration

X-37B Mission Photo

The Space Force has released a photo from the X-37B spaceplane's current mission, showcasing its orbit above Earth. The mission focuses on experimental aerobraking maneuvers to alter the spaceplane's orbit using minimal fuel. The seventh mission of X-37B involved employing Earth's atmosphere drag. The sixth mission of X-37B lasted for approximately two and a half years.

Gaming

Pup Cup Release on Playdate Catalog

Ledbetter Games has launched Pup Cup, a "Root-like score-chaser" game, on the Playdate Catalog. In this game, players have 60 seconds to create treats for dogs, earning tail wags by filling the pup cup to the "Good Boy Zone" using the crank. Bork Mode allows players to pet the dogs and add toppings for extra time. Pup Cup is available on the Playdate Catalog for $3.

Technology

Apple Intelligence and Google Gemini Integration

Backend iOS code suggests that Apple's plans to integrate Google Gemini into Apple Intelligence are progressing well. References to "Google," alongside "OpenAI" and "ThirdPartyModel," indicate that Gemini could soon be an alternative to ChatGPT for Apple users. Apple's software executive, Craig Federighi, confirmed the partnership, stating that Apple wants users to have a choice of multiple models. While a specific timeline was not provided, this suggests that Google Gemini integration is coming soon, although not necessarily in the iOS 18.4 update. Apple Intelligence's launch has been met with criticism for its staggered rollout, underwhelming features, and inaccurate AI-generated summaries. Apple is also reportedly developing its own LLM for iOS 19 and macOS 16.

Environment

Climate Change Impact on Cocoa Production

A recent report highlights that climate change is significantly impacting cocoa production in West Africa, specifically in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria, which account for 70% of global cocoa production. Rising temperatures are pushing conditions beyond the optimal range for cocoa growth, leading to water stress and reduced yields. Kristina Dahl from Climate Central emphasizes the risk to one of the world's most beloved foods and urges prioritizing actions to limit climate change to protect cocoa production. Exposure to temperatures higher than 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit prompts water stress, hinders plant growth, and erodes the quality and quantity of seeds the trees yield.

Entertainment

Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim Release

Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim is set to be released on Max on February 28, just two months after its theatrical release. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, the anime film is set nearly 200 years before the Lord of the Rings film trilogy and stars Gaia Wise as Héra. The film received mixed reviews, with praise for its scale but criticism for its animation and story. Additionally, the Rings of Power is coming back for a third season on Prime Video, and WB is developing a Gollum spinoff movie.

Government & Policy

Elon Musk's Email Controversy

Elon Musk reportedly tweeted that federal workers would receive an email requesting details of their work, with non-compliance interpreted as resignation. Legal experts and a House minority leader criticized this demand, suggesting potential violations of federal laws. Some department leaders advised employees to await guidance, while others urged compliance. Unions advised against responding, and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association deemed the email an unnecessary distraction.

Artificial Intelligence

AI-Powered Mental Health Support in Schools

Sonar Mental Health developed Sonny, an AI-powered chatbot, to support students' mental health in understaffed schools. Sonny, designed as a “wellbeing companion”, relies on AI suggestions with human oversight, where human staff ensures accuracy. Currently, it is available to over 4,500 students across nine districts, with chats monitored by psychology, social work, and crisis support professionals. It is not intended as a therapist but connects students with resources and therapists.

Open-Source Automation Platform

Open-CUAK is an open-source platform for managing and deploying automation agents, offering a cost-effective alternative to platforms like OpenAI's Operator.

It runs locally, leveraging any vision-compatible model to execute automation tasks and allows businesses to train, deploy, and manage AI-driven automation agents. It provides a user-friendly interface for non-developers to automate workflows without deep technical expertise, enabling vision-based automation, browser integration, compatibility with models like Claude and Gemini, and bot detection circumvention.

AI-Powered Blockchain

Lumoz launched its AI-powered blockchain, as highlighted in the HackerNoon Newsletter for February 23, 2025.

E-commerce

BigCommerce vs. Shopify

BigCommerce and Shopify are popular e-commerce platforms offering features and tools to create and manage online stores.

Data Synchronization

Change Data Capture (CDC) Synchronization Principle

Change Data Capture (CDC) tracks row-level database changes and notifies other systems in event order for real-time syncing between databases.

SeaTunnel CDC offers snapshot read and incremental tracking with lock-free snapshot synchronization, partitioning table data for parallel reading.

Crypto & Blockchain

Crypto Market Insights

The HackerNoon Newsletter for February 23, 2025, emphasizes liquidity's importance in crypto trading, with MEXC excelling in liquidity management. The 2025 crypto landscape sees Bitcoin's surge and MEXC's role in shaping digital asset trading. Cybercrooks are using fake job listings to steal crypto.

Cloud Storage

FileJump Cloud Storage

Get digital organization and pay just A$139 for lifetime access to FileJump's 2TB cloud storage plan.

FileJump offers an easy, secure, and affordable way to store files across devices. FileJump comes with 2TB of storage, end-to-end encryption, and no recurring fees—no subscription needed.

Government & Policy

CIA Restructuring

The CIA is reportedly planning a significant reduction, potentially the largest in 50 years. This reduction is expected to target officers involved in "recruiting and diversity issues." These positions, which were shifted from overseas agent recruitment to domestic DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) roles during the Biden administration, are now under review. This action appears to be in line with efforts by the Trump administration to dismantle diversity programs across the federal government.

Technology

Apple's Data Protection Removal in the UK

Apple has withdrawn its Advanced Data Protection feature for UK customers. This feature provided end-to-end data encryption for iCloud files and backups. This decision stems from a dispute with the UK government, which demanded unrestricted access to encrypted iCloud data belonging to Apple users. Apple has affirmed that they will never create a backdoor or master key to their products. While privacy advocates have commended Apple's stance, users are expressing concerns about the vulnerability of their data and whether this move constitutes a breach of contract.

Space Exploration

Intuitive Machines' Second Lunar Mission

Intuitive Machines is preparing for its second lunar mission under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The launch is scheduled for no earlier than February 26. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will carry the Nova-C lander, named Athena, to the moon. Athena is projected to land around March 6 and will carry NASA instruments, including a drill and mass spectrometer, to measure volatiles in the lunar South Pole soil. The mission also aims to achieve a successful landing with all six feet on the ground, correcting the previous mission's mishap where the lander toppled over.

Entertainment

Captain America: Brave New World – Illuminati Reference Cut

The post-credits scene of Captain America: Brave New World originally contained a reference to the Illuminati. Samuel Sterns ominously warns Sam Wilson about attacks from other worlds and "the others." Earlier drafts of the film included the Illuminati, but these were later cut during reshoots. Director Julius Onah stated that Sterns' words were purposely left vague because Marvel had a clearer picture of where things were going, and the goal was to make sure they were doing it at a time when nobody was writing because of the strikes.

AI

Grok-3's Censorship Controversy

xAI's new AI model, Grok-3, faced scrutiny after it briefly censored negative information about Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Initially, with the 'Think' setting on, Grok-3 avoided mentioning Trump or Musk when asked about misinformation spreaders, citing explicit instructions. TechCrunch verified this, but the issue was later fixed. This occurred amidst criticisms about Grok's perceived left-leaning bias.

Style

Zero-Drop Minimalist Footwear

Barefoot shoes allow you to feel the ground beneath your feet.

Technology

Apple's M4 MacBook Air Launching Soon

According to reports, Apple is preparing to launch the upgraded M4 MacBook Air as early as March. The 13-inch and 15-inch models are expected to be released simultaneously. This update completes the MacBook line's transition to M4 chips. The new Air models may get the Pro's key upgrade of being able to simultaneously connect to two external displays with the lid open.

Carbon Capture Technology

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a process that uses heat to transform minerals into materials that absorb CO2 permanently. The process involves converting common slow-weathering minerals called silicates into fast-weathering minerals by converting a kiln, or furnace, converts limestone (a sedimentary rock) into a reactive chemical compound called calcium oxide, which is then mixed with sand. The chemists replicated this process, but swapped sand out for a material called a magnesium silicate. Magnesium silicate contains two minerals that, with heat, exchanged ions and turned into magnesium oxide and calcium silicate.

Gaming

New AAA Video Game from Hasbro and Saber Interactive

Hasbro and Saber Interactive, the developers behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine II, are collaborating on a new AAA video game based on one of Hasbro's tentpole IPs. The game will combine high-octane single-player action and multiplayer with Saber's Swarmtech. Potential IPs include Transformers, G.I. Joe, Magic: The Gathering, and Dungeons & Dragons.

Hades II Update

Hades II has received its second major update as part of its early access development. The update includes a new region with new enemies, characters, and music to round out the surface route. The additions are impressive, making the already very good game even better.

Other

Photography Tools for Extreme Conditions

Gearing up to shred the slopes or dive into the seas? These photography tools are made for danger.

Technology and Gadgets

New Gaming Controller: SCUF Valor Pro

SCUF has launched the Valor Pro controller, priced at $100, designed to offer premium features at a mid-range price point. It includes Hall-effect sticks, swappable covers, and removable back paddles. The controller is wired-only and provides a comfortable gaming experience with precise controls. However, the D-pad is noted to be small and rough, potentially causing discomfort during extended use.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 9i features a 14-inch design with an aluminum body and a shimmering “Tidal Teal” glass cover. It incorporates camera-under-display (CUD) technology. The laptop has a spacious edge-to-edge keyboard with responsive keys and a small trackpad.

Automotive Industry

BYD's "God's Eye" ADAS

BYD, a leading Chinese EV manufacturer, is equipping 21 of its 30 models across four brands with its advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) called "God's Eye." This system, similar to Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD), includes features like valet parking, adaptive cruising, and automated braking. While it's an L2+ ADAS requiring human supervision, BYD's CEO envisions intelligent driving becoming standard. This move is expected to increase competition in China's EV market, potentially impacting rivals like Tesla, Toyota, VW, and Nissan. The top-tier version of "God's Eye" will be featured in the Yangwang U9 electric supercar.

Space Exploration

3D Map of Exoplanet WASP-121b

Astronomers have created a 3D map of the atmosphere of exoplanet WASP-121b (Tylos), revealing complex weather patterns and an unusual chemical composition. The study, conducted using the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope, identified iron, sodium, and hydrogen in distinct atmospheric layers. Tylos, an ultra-hot gas giant 900 light-years away, is tidally locked with one side permanently facing its star. These findings challenge our understanding of planetary weather and open avenues for future research on extraterrestrial atmospheres.

Audio Technology

Vizio Elevate SE 5.1.2 Soundbar Review

Vizio's new Elevate SE 5.1.2 soundbar offers convincing Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D audio performance for under $500. The system includes a dedicated subwoofer, dual surround speakers, and spinning side speakers for immersive sound. Despite lacking Wi-Fi streaming, smart features, and a physical remote, it provides excellent value. Setup is simplified with color-coded cables and automatic connection between the bar and sub.

Tech and Culture

Installer No. 72 Highlights

Installer No. 72 features content including experiences with Hasan Piker, calculator apps, car thieves, and the economics of being a YouTuber. Reviews cover Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Yellowjackets, Shure SE215 in-ear headphones, and Kevin Kelly's travel tips. Mentions include Apple's latest smartphone, new shows, a new Xbox game, and a group project on music listening habits.

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency

AI and Blockchain Integration

Lumoz launched its AI-powered Lumoz Chain. Rootstock combines Bitcoin's security with Ethereum's flexibility for AI blockchain applications.

DeFi Regulation and the Future of Transactions

Regulatory clarity on wallets in 2025 will shape DeFi. Pay-by-bank is poised to become the future of digital transactions due to lower fees and instant payments.

Altcoin Season and Ethereum's Gas Efficiency

Altcoin season offers opportunities to benefit from altcoins outperforming Bitcoin. Multidimensional EIP-1559 optimizes Ethereum's gas efficiency.

Liquidity in Crypto Trading

Liquidity impacts crypto trading by ensuring price stability and seamless transactions.

Science and Research

Colorful Birds

The birds, known for their showy displays, look even more colorful than we thought.

DEI in Science Research

Senate Republicans flagged thousands of grants as “woke DEI” research. Researchers see collateral damage in war against DEI in science.

The Saw-Toothed Function

In 1872, Karl Weierstrass published a function that threatened everything mathematicians thought they understood about calculus. Henri Poincaré condemned Weierstrass’ function as “an outrage against common sense.” Charles Hermite called it a “deplorable evil.”

Other

Dark Web Requests

Regular people make the stupidest requests on the dark web.

Archeology

Medieval Sword and Axes Discovery

A group of amateur treasure seekers in Poland discovered a large Medieval sword and two axes during an expedition in the Nowomiejskie district. The discovery was made by members of GRYF, a group of history enthusiasts and treasure hunters, in conjunction with the Ostroda Museum, which will eventually make the weapons part of its permanent display after preservation and X-rays. The sword measures just under 3.2 feet and is well-preserved despite being rusted and weathered. Details about the weapons' origins are vague, but they are known to be Medieval in origin.

Technology

Entabeni Systems and the US Ski Industry

Entabeni Systems, a tech consultancy founded in 2015, is helping mom-and-pop ski resorts in the US streamline their tech and improve their IT. US ski resorts, especially independent operators, face challenges such as snowless winters and economic pressures. As big and small resorts struggle, Entabeni quietly becomes the on-call expert shop for US ski resorts that are working hard to uphold a relationship with their communities.

Technology & Gadgets

E-readers

The Kindle Paperwhite is considered the best e-reader for most users, offering convenience and portability unmatched by traditional books. However, those wishing to avoid the Amazon ecosystem may want to explore alternatives. Factors to consider when choosing an e-reader include price, special features like annotation and waterproofing, and where you acquire your books. While most e-readers and tablets are compatible with Libby, Kindles and iPads generally work best with this library app.

Headphones

Enhance your flying experience with noise-cancelling headphones. For maximum effectiveness, a budget of $250 to $500 is recommended. Premium options offer superior active noise cancellation, customizable settings, and transparency modes. Comfort is crucial for long flights. Some headphones have designs that prioritize easy storage. Budget earbuds under $100 exist, but sacrifices are to be expected.

VPN Routers

The Deeper Connect Air portable VPN router is on sale for $149.97 with free shipping. It provides security and privacy without monthly fees, offering an alternative to digital VPNs. It connects via USB-C for power, pairs with up to five devices, unblocks streaming websites, blocks ads, and offers speeds up to 300Mbps. It employs military-grade encryption and a decentralized private network.

Item Trackers

The KeySmart SmartCard, a credit card-shaped tracker, is available for $29.97 with free shipping. It pairs with the iPhone FindMy app for locating belongings, similar to an AirTag. It enables real-time tracking and sound alerts within the FindMy app. Users can set notifications to prevent leaving items behind. The SmartCard is Qi-wireless rechargeable, with a battery life of around five months, and boasts an IPX8 waterproof rating.

Laptops

A refurbished 2019 Apple MacBook Pro (i5 2.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale for $424.97. Features include an adaptive Touch Bar, Touch ID, a 2.4GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It has four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and up to 10 hours of battery life. It's rated "A," indicating near-mint condition.

Software & Productivity

Microsoft Office & Windows

Microsoft Office Pro 2021 for Windows is available for $59.97, offering lifetime access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Teams, and Publisher. Setup includes instant download and activation using a product key, eliminating subscription fees. A lifetime license to the Microsoft Office Professional 2021 and Windows 11 Pro bundle is on sale for $54.97. Windows 11 Pro features Copilot, an AI assistant.

Social Impact

Black Girls Code

Black Girls Code (BGC) is dedicated to increasing the representation of Black women in technology, where they are currently underrepresented. Cristina Mancini, the head of BGC, aims to have one million girls of color in tech by 2040. BGC is focused on expanding its reach and curriculum, especially with the rise of AI.