AI Guide

Tech & Productivity

Choosing the Right Keyboard for Remote Work

The article emphasizes the significance of selecting the appropriate tools for effective remote work, specifically focusing on keyboards. It notes the wide variety of keyboards available, catering to diverse work styles and workstations. Different layouts like standard, tenkeyless, and 60% keyboards are mentioned, along with ergonomic options designed for comfort and injury prevention. The advantages and disadvantages of wireless (mobility) versus wired (cheaper, faster response) keyboards are also discussed.

News List

Mashable

2 hours ago

The best keyboards in 2025

The article discusses the importance of having the right tools for working from home, with a particular focus on keyboards. It highlights that not all keyboards are created equal and that the vast selection available caters to different types of work and workstations. The article outlines the different keyboard layouts, such as standard, tenkeyless, and 60% keyboards, and also touches on ergonomic keyboards designed for comfort and to prevent injuries. Additionally, it discusses the pros and cons of wireless versus wired keyboards, noting that wireless keyboards are great for mobility, while wired keyboards may be cheaper and offer faster response times for gaming.

AI Guide

AI & Audio

ElevenLabs' Audiobook Publishing Platform

ElevenLabs, a VoiceAI company, is expanding its services by allowing authors to publish AI-generated audiobooks directly on its Reader app. This follows their recent partnership with Spotify for AI-narrated audiobooks. The company, which began trialing the publishing program last year, is now opening it to all authors. The goal is to provide affordable tools for audiobook creation, challenging Audible with faster royalty rates. Authors will be paid around $1.10 when listeners engage with an audiobook for 11 minutes or more. ElevenLabs also plans to create a marketplace for authors to sell their content.

Energy

Proxima Fusion's Fusion Reactor Design

German nuclear fusion startup Proxima Fusion has published plans for a working fusion power plant in a peer-reviewed journal. Their 'Stellaris' design is the first peer-reviewed fusion power plant concept that demonstrates reliable and continuous operation, addressing instabilities found in other approaches. Proxima, founded two years ago and funded with $35 million from the EU and German government, plus $30 million in venture capital, aims to build a fully operational fusion reactor by 2031. The company has chosen to share its findings publicly to support open-source science.

News List

TechCrunch

4 hours ago

ElevenLabs now lets authors create and publish audiobooks on its own platform

VoiceAI company ElevenLabs is now letting authors publish AI-generated audiobooks on its own Reader app. The announcement comes days after the company partnered with Spotify for AI-narrated audiobooks. ElevenLabs started inviting authors to try out their publishing program through their app on a trial basis last year, that program is newly open to all authors as of today. The idea is to provide affordable and accessible tools for audiobook creation, which might have otherwise cost much more to produce in a studio. The platform itself aims to compete with Audible, which ElevenLabs believes offers slower royalty rates for authors. ElevenLabs’ audiobooks will be offered within its own Reader app and the company will pay authors when users engage with their content, currently, it pays roughly $1.10 to authors when listeners engage with an audiobook for 11 minutes or more. The company also plans to create a marketplace where authors can sell their content.

TechCrunch

4 hours ago

German startup wins accolade for its fusion reactor design

German nuclear fusion startup Proxima Fusion has published plans for a working fusion power plant in a peer-reviewed journal. Proxima Fusion’s ‘Stellaris’ design is the first peer-reviewed fusion power plant concept that demonstrates it can operate reliably and continuously, without the instabilities and disruptions seen in tokamaks and other approaches. Proxima chose to share its findings publicly to support open-source science. Founded two years ago, Proxima has raised $35 million in funding from the European Union and German government, along with $30 million in venture capital. The company aims to build a fully operational fusion reactor by 2031.

AI Guide

Artificial Intelligence

Anthropic's Claude AI Models

Anthropic's Claude family of AI models includes Claude 3.5 Haiku, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and Claude 3 Opus. Claude 3.7 Sonnet is a hybrid AI reasoning model that can provide both real-time and thought-out answers, allowing users to choose whether to enable its reasoning abilities. While Claude 3 Opus is currently the largest but least capable, Claude 3.5 Haiku outperforms it on some benchmarks but lacks image analysis. All Claude models support multi-step instructions and tool use, with a standard 200,000-token context window.

Gaming Laptops

Razer Blade 18

Razer is launching the Blade 18 gaming laptop, featuring Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs and Intel Arrow Lake CPUs. It has an 18-inch display with dual modes: 3840×2400 at 240Hz or 1920×1200 at 440Hz. Other manufacturers like Asus ROG, MSI, and HP are also offering new notebooks with RTX 50-series GPUs.

Framework Laptop 16

Framework's event in San Francisco focused on the new gamer-oriented Framework Desktop. While the Desktop and Framework’s original 13-inch laptop both got the latest AMD processors, it is unknown if or when the Framework Laptop 16 might leap forward too. Framework did finally ship its promised M.2 adapter bay in December, which will let you stick extra SSDs or other peripherals into a Framework Laptop 16 instead of a discrete graphic card.

Razer is adding a fresh gaming laptop to the pile of new models up for preorder today: the Blade 18. Like its smaller Blade 16 cousin, the new Razer Blade 18 will come with Nvidia’s RTX 50-series GPUs and Intel Arrow Lake CPUs. But one major way it differs is its large 18-inch display, which has dual modes allowing it to run either 3840×2400 at 240Hz or 1920×1200 at 440Hz. Razer isn’t the only PC manufacturer offering new gaming laptops for preorder today. As Nvidia already teased, a variety of new notebooks sporting RTX 50-series GPUs now have finalized pricing, and there are fresh offerings from the likes of Asus ROG, MSI, and HP.

AI Guide

Technology

New Samsung SSD

Samsung is set to launch its first consumer-ready pure PCIe Gen5 SSD, the Samsung 9100 Pro series, in March. The SSD will come in 1TB (starting at $199.99), 2TB ($299.99), and 4TB ($549.99) capacities in an M.2 form factor, with or without heat sinks. An 8TB configuration is planned for the second half of 2025. The 9100 Pro can reach sequential read and write speeds of up to 14.8GBps and 13.4GBps, respectively, roughly double the last-gen 980 Pro.

Technical Debt in Software Development

Adapting software for market needs is typical, but maintaining a reliable product requires allocating time for fixing technical debt and refactoring. Technical debt refers to accumulated compromises in the codebase, while refactoring enhances the product. Allowing team members to improve the codebase helps build involved teams. Agile principles and rituals can address problem areas, with one solution being to build a technical debt backlog and allocate resources.

Science

Challenges in Establishing Lunar Time Standard

The paper discusses establishing a coordinate time on Earth using the GPS time as an example. The constellation clocks are set to beat at the average coordinate rate corresponding to clocks at rest on the surface of the rotating Earth by applying a “factory frequency offset” to the clocks before launch. The center of mass of the Earth and Moon approximately follows a Keplerian orbit. There are also relativistic effects arising from changes in time and length scales, Lorentz contraction, and changes in tidal effects.

Entertainment

Roberto Orci's Death

Roberto Orci, a Hollywood writer and creator known for his work with Alex Kurtzman, has died at 51 due to kidney failure. The pair were behind hits such as Mission Impossible III, Star Trek, and Transformers.

News List

The Verge

7 hours ago

Samsung’s first Pro series Gen 5 PCIe SSD arrives in March

Samsung will launch its first consumer-ready pure PCIe Gen5 SSD, the Samsung 9100 Pro series, in March. It will be available in 1TB (starting at $199.99), 2TB ($299.99), and 4TB ($549.99) capacities in an M.2 form factor, with or without heat sinks. An 8TB configuration is planned for the second half of 2025. The 9100 Pro’s theoretical maximum random read and write speeds are at least twice as fast as the last-gen Samsung 980 Pro. Samsung says the 9100 Pro can reach sequential read and write speeds of up to 14.8GBps and 13.4GBps, respectively, roughly double the last-gen 980 Pro.

Gizmodo

8 hours ago

Roberto Orci, Writer of Star Trek, Transformers, and More, Has Died

Roberto Orci, a prolific Hollywood writer and creator known for his work with Alex Kurtzman, has died at 51 due to kidney failure. The pair were behind hits such as Mission Impossible III, Star Trek, and Transformers. There was a time when anything the pair touched turned to gold, making “Kurtzman and Orci” a sought-after name in Hollywood.

HackerNoon

9 hours ago

Why It’s So Difficult To Establish a Lunar Time Standard

The paper discusses establishing a coordinate time on Earth using the GPS time as an example. The constellation clocks are set to beat at the average coordinate rate corresponding to clocks at rest on the surface of the rotating Earth by applying a “factory frequency offset” to the clocks before launch. The center of mass of the Earth and Moon approximately follows a Keplerian orbit. However, for the Earth-Moon system, one cannot have a Keplerian orbit in a coordinate system centered on the Earth and a Keplerian orbit in a coordinate system centered on the Earth-Moon center of mass with the same orbit parameters. There are also relativistic effects arising from changes in time and length scales, Lorentz contraction, and changes in tidal effects.

HackerNoon

13 hours ago

Developers Love to ‘Fix’ Code—Here’s Why That’s a Problem

It is normal to adapt software for market needs, but the only way to have a reliable product is to reserve time for fixing technical debt and providing a proper refactoring process. Technical debt refers to accumulated compromises in the codebase, while refactoring improves the product in general. It is crucial to allow team members to enhance the codebase, as it helps build involved teams. Code improvements are necessary, but they should be manageable. Agile principles and rituals can cover problem spots, and one solution is to build a technical debt backlog and allocate resources.

AI Guide

AI & Technology

AI Assistant Advancements

Microsoft is offering free access to some Copilot AI assistant features, including unlimited use of Voice and Think Deeper, which is powered by OpenAI’s o1 model. The Voice feature enables conversations, while Think Deeper is designed for complex queries. Copilot Pro subscribers will have prioritized access.

OpenAI Updates and Pricing

OpenAI's ChatGPT platform is evolving with new features like memory and an upgraded voice mode. ChatGPT provides both free and paid plans; the free version includes access to the GPT-4o mini model and the GPT Store. ChatGPT Plus, priced at $20 per month, offers higher capacity and advanced models.

Multi-LLM Integration

Integrating multiple Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI and Anthropic’s Claude into applications can be complex. A message broker and router simplifies this by abstracting the complexities of interfacing with different LLM APIs, facilitating multi-model use cases and redundancy.

Uncensored AI Chatbot

A new cursing chatbot aims to provide an "uncensored" answer to ChatGPT.

iOS Dictation Bug

A peculiar bug in iOS causes iPhones to automatically change the word "racist" to "Trump" when using the built-in dictation feature in Apple apps. Apple claims this is due to "phonetic overlap," while an AI expert suggests it could be a prank.

Space & Time

Lunar Timekeeping Research

Research focuses on establishing coordinate time on the Moon using Keplerian orbits. This includes analyzing clock rate differences in various coordinate systems, examining the equations of motion for the Earth and Moon, and providing transformation equations between barycentric and Fermi normal coordinates.

Clock Behavior in Cislunar Space

The study presents a model based on Keplerian orbits for establishing coordinate time on the Moon and rates of clocks at Lagrange points. By considering the gravitational forces and accelerations, the metric is defined, and the motion is analyzed, providing insights into clock synchronization in cislunar space.

Time Coordination in Space

The Earth and Moon orbit around their mutual center of mass, and to calculate the rate differences between clocks on Earth and the Moon, a locally freely-falling inertial frame is introduced. The article explains coordinate time on Earth, compensating for relativistic effects like gravitational potential and second-order Doppler shift.

Business & Finance

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Updates

Hemi, a modular blockchain network powered by Bitcoin and Ethereum, will launch its mainnet on March 12, 2025. DTX Exchange, a trading platform, has confirmed its final presale token price at $0.36 as it enters the closing phase of its token sale, having raised over $15.1 million.

Security Training Recognition

INE, a provider of networking and cybersecurity training, received G2’s 2025 Best Software Awards for Education Products. This award ranks the world’s top 50 software education products.

Security Principles Highlighted

An article emphasizes the importance of security principles, drawing from an experience with a Bybit hack. It introduces the "Zero Principle of Security," stating that any system can be hacked given enough time, money, and effort.

Governance & Policy

Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)

The White House has appointed Amy Gleason as the acting administrator of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Concerns persist about the oversight of DOGE and Elon Musk's role.

Entertainment

Wicked at Universal Fan Fest Nights

Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked will be at Universal Fan Fest Nights at Universal Studios Hollywood, teasing plans for the movie adaptation.

Other

Workplace Surveillance Concerns

Optifye.AI, a Y Combinator startup, faced backlash for a demo showing AI-powered security cameras tracking factory workers, sparking criticism over AI's use in workplace surveillance.

VPN for Geo-Restriction Bypass

NordVPN enables users to bypass geo-restrictions and access region-locked content by switching their IP address to another country, with over 7,300 servers in 118 countries.

Importance of Refactoring Code

An article discusses the necessity of refactoring to fix technical debt and improve code quality. Technical debt refers to the accumulated compromises in the codebase, which can occur during rapid development.

New cursing chatbot follows Elon Musk’s plan to provide an “uncensored” answer to ChatGPT.

This document outlines the equations of motion for the Earth and Moon, constructing a locally inertial, freely-falling frame of reference with the origin at the center of mass of the Earth and Moon. By accounting for the gravitational forces and accelerations, it demonstrates that the Earth and Moon revolve around their mutual center of mass in a Keplerian orbit. The derived equations satisfy Kepler’s equation in the plane of the Earth-Moon orbit, providing insights into their orbital dynamics.

HackerNoon

9 hours ago

Keeping Time on the Moon: A Relativistic Approach to Lunar Clocks

This document provides transformation equations between barycentric coordinates and Fermi normal coordinates with the center at the Moon, using specific formulas for the transformation coefficients. It details the transformation of the metric tensor, focusing on the time-time component in the freely falling frame. Furthermore, it constructs a freely falling center of mass frame, providing the necessary coordinate transformations and metric tensor calculations for understanding the relationship between different reference frames.

This article emphasizes the importance of security principles, drawing from an experience with a Bybit hack. It introduces the “Zero Principle of Security,” stating that any system can be hacked given enough time, money, and effort. The article suggests verifying signing details, using browser-based wallet connections, updating wallet firmware, and simulating transactions to mitigate risks associated with hardware wallets. The author’s overall point is to highlight the importance of security and the variables that can affect it.

HackerNoon

10 hours ago

How to Simplify Multi-LLM Integration With KubeMQ: The Path to Scalable AI Solutions

Integrating multiple Large Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI and Anthropic’s Claude into applications can be complex due to different APIs and communication protocols. Using a message broker and router simplifies this by abstracting the complexities of interfacing with different LLM APIs. This approach facilitates multi-model use cases, batch processing, and ensures redundancy for uninterrupted AI operations. A message broker distributes incoming requests across multiple LLM instances, preventing overloading and ensuring smooth operation, essential for high-traffic applications.

HackerNoon

12 hours ago

DTX Exchange Sets Final Token Price At $0.36 As Presale Concludes

DTX Exchange, a trading platform, has confirmed its final presale token price at $0.36 as it enters the closing phase of its token sale. Having raised over $15.1 million, the platform is designed to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized trading. DTXExchange provides a multi-asset trading environment, offering access to crypto, forex, ETFs, and stock trading. With a community of over 600,000 members, DTXExchange is preparing for its next phase, which includes expanded market accessibility and liquidity.

HackerNoon

13 hours ago

INE Secures Spot In G2’s 2025 Top 50 Education Software Rankings

INE, a provider of networking and cybersecurity training, received G2’s 2025 Best Software Awards for Education Products. This award ranks the world’s top 50 software education products. INE was recognized for its enterprise and small business leadership in online course providers and cybersecurity professional development. G2’s Best Software Awards rank the world’s best software companies and products based on verified user reviews and publicly available market presence data.

AI Guide

Artificial Intelligence

Claude 3.7 Sonnet's Cost and Performance

Anthropic's latest AI model, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, reportedly cost only "a few tens of millions of dollars" to train, utilizing less than 10^26 FLOPs. This is significantly lower than the training costs for OpenAI's GPT-4 (over $100 million) and Google's Gemini Ultra (close to $200 million), suggesting a trend toward more affordable AI development.

Claude Plays Pokémon

Anthropic is showcasing Claude 3.7 Sonnet's capabilities by having it play Pokémon Red on Twitch. The AI model can reason through puzzles in the game, winning three gym leader badges, although it still faces some challenges.

Space Exploration and Technology

SpaceX Launches to the Moon and Beyond

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center with three payloads: a satellite to orbit the Moon, a privately operated lunar lander (Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander, Athena), and a spacecraft for potential asteroid mining. NASA will livestream the launch.

SpaceX and FAA Collaboration on Starlink

SpaceX is partnering with the FAA to enhance telecommunications in remote areas using its Starlink satellite network. This includes testing Starlink terminals in Alaska to improve weather information reliability. However, this collaboration raises conflict-of-interest concerns due to Elon Musk's involvement in modernizing federal agencies through DOGE.

Government and Technology

DOGE and Elon Musk's Influence

Elon Musk has cultivated an ecosystem of tech talent across his companies, which now intersects with the U.S. government through the Trump-ordered Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Amy Gleason has been appointed as the acting administrator of DOGE. Musk's associates have gained access to government systems and sensitive data.

Consumer Technology

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Deal

The unlocked 128GB Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, released in August 2024, is discounted to $799 on Amazon. The phone features 16GB of RAM, a 120Hz refresh rate, and Android 14.

Beats Studio Pro Headphones on Sale

The Beats Studio Pro noise-canceling headphones are currently on sale at Amazon for $200, a 43% discount. They feature personalized spatial audio, lossless audio over USB-C, and excellent voice targeting microphones.

Funding and Investment

Perplexity Launches Investment Fund

Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine developer, is raising a $50 million seed and pre-seed investment fund. The fund is managed by Kelly Graziadei and Joanna Lee Shevelenko, co-founders of F7 Ventures.

Gaming

Citizen Sleeper 2: Stray Plush Crowdfunding

Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector creator Gareth Damian Martin is crowdfunding a limited-edition Stray plush designed by Guillaume Singelin.

Security and Privacy

Guarding Personal Data During Protests

An article discusses the importance of guarding personal data on phones during protests, highlighting that phones function as tracking devices.

Apple Fixes Dictation Bug

Apple acknowledged a bug where the iPhone's dictation feature briefly displayed “Trump” when someone said the word “racist” and is rolling out a fix.

This article discusses the importance of guarding personal data on phones during protests, especially with the increasing use of phones and smartwatches to carry personal information. It highlights that phones function as tracking devices and contain a trove of information. The article was initially written in June 2020 during protests against systemic racism and police brutality. It was revised two years later during protests against the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade and again during the new Trump presidency.

AI Guide

AI and Technology

OpenAI Deep Research Expansion

OpenAI is extending its Deep Research web browsing agent to all paying ChatGPT users. ChatGPT Plus, Team, Enterprise, and Edu subscribers will receive 10 queries per month. ChatGPT Pro users now get 120 monthly queries, up from the initial 100.

Google's Gemini Code Assist

Google has launched Gemini Code Assist with high usage limits, outperforming competing tools by a factor of 90.

Microsoft Adds Sudo Command to Windows 11

Microsoft is integrating a sudo command into Windows 11 version 24H2, enabling users to run single commands as administrators, mirroring Linux systems. This feature can be enabled in System Settings under System > For developers.

Robotics and Manufacturing

Apptronik and Jabil Partnership

Apptronik, an Austin-based humanoid robot manufacturer, is partnering with Jabil for a pilot program. This collaboration, following a $350 million Series A funding round, aims to scale up production of the Apollo robot. Jabil may eventually manufacture the robot, potentially leading to robots building themselves. Apptronik plans to start commercial unit production by 2026.

Framework Desktop PC

Framework is introducing a customizable Framework Desktop PC, starting at $1,100. It features an AMD Ryzen AI Max chip, soldered LPDDR5x RAM, and two PCIe NVMe M.2 2280 slots.

Data Security and Privacy

Avast Settlement

Approximately 3.7 million Avast customers are eligible for refunds as part of a $16.5 million settlement with the FTC. The FTC determined that Avast collected and sold user data without consent.

Consumer Data Ownership

Senator Ron Wyden is urging the FTC to ensure consumers are clearly informed about the ownership rights they obtain when purchasing digital media online, emphasizing transparency regarding license duration, transferability, and resale options.

Entertainment and Gaming

Warner Bros. Discovery Gaming Division Cuts

Warner Bros. Discovery is downsizing its gaming division, closing Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and WB Games San Diego, and laying off employees at WB Games Montreal. The company will concentrate on properties such as Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, the DC universe, and Game of Thrones.

Infinity Nikki's New Event

Infinity Nikki is launching "Eerie Season" on February 26th, featuring darker-themed clothing. The update will also include new story and quest content in the Queen’s Palace Ruins.

Xbox Cloud Gaming Update

Microsoft's February Xbox update introduces shareable links for Xbox Cloud Gaming, enabling users to invite friends to gaming sessions. It also expands Xbox Cloud Gaming to stream owned games on Xbox consoles, mobile, PC, and TVs.

Cobra Kai Scene Cut

A scene featuring Daniel and Kumiko slow dancing to "Glory of Love" was cut from season three of Cobra Kai.

Electronics and Hardware

Hisense U7N QLED TV

The Hisense U7N QLED TV is praised as a top choice for value, featuring high brightness (over 1,500 nits), accurate colors, and a Google TV interface. The 75-inch model is available for $859.99 after a 43% discount.

SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD

The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is highlighted for its reliability and portability. The 2TB model is currently 33% off at Amazon, priced at $135.

Samsung 9100 PRO Series SSDs

Samsung's new 9100 PRO Series SSDs include its first consumer-grade 8TB NVMe SSD, utilizing the PCIe 5.0 standard. Pricing starts at $200 for the 1TB model and goes up to $550 for the 4TB version.

Clicks Android Keyboard Case

Clicks is launching its physical keyboard case for Android phones, compatible with the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Galaxy S25, and Moto Razr+. Priced at $130, the Moto Razr+ version is designed to enable full app use on the cover screen without opening the phone.

Transportation

Lucid Motors CEO Change

Lucid Motors is replacing CEO Peter Rawlinson with COO Marc Winterhoff as interim CEO. Rawlinson will transition to a strategic technical advisor role.

Health and Science

Novel Coronavirus Discovery

Researchers in China have identified a novel coronavirus in bats, HKU5-CoV-2, with the potential to infect humans, though further factors limit its immediate threat.

Software and Apps

Framous Mac App

Framous, a new Mac app, allows users to add device frames around screenshots. The app is available for free with a one-time fee of $19.99 or a $9.99 yearly subscription to unlock all frames.

Audio

Sonos Discount for Existing Customers

Sonos is offering existing customers a 25% discount on one select product (up to $2,500) through March 2nd to rebuild customer trust.

A new event, Eerie Season, is coming to Infinity Nikki on February 26th, featuring darker-themed clothing in response to community requests. The update will also expand the Queen’s Palace Ruins with new story and quest content. The author expresses strong interest in acquiring a cowboy outfit from the premium outfits, planning to use gacha game strategies to obtain it without spending extra money, after a previous lesson on the game’s gacha economy.

Lifehacker.Tech

11 hours ago

How to Claim Your Piece of Avast’s $16.5 Million Settlement

Nearly 3.7 million Avast customers are eligible for refunds as part of a $16.5 million settlement with the FTC. The FTC found that Avast collected and sold user data, including sensitive information like religious beliefs and health concerns, without consent. Eligible customers who purchased Avast software between August 2014 and January 2020 will be notified by email between Feb. 24 and March 7, and must file a claim by June 5, 2025.

AI Guide

AI and Software Development

OpenAI's DeepResearch Tool

OpenAI is expanding its DeepResearch tool to all paying ChatGPT users, including Plus, Team, Edu, and Enterprise subscribers.

Plus users will get 10 queries per month, while Pro subscribers now have 120. The tool allows ChatGPT to create in-depth reports on various subjects, embed images with citations, and enhance document analysis.
However, due to concerns about AI's ability to persuade and spread misinformation, OpenAI will not bring the AI model powering DeepResearch to its developer API.

Edera Secures Funding for Cloud Security

Edera, a security company founded by three women, has raised $15 million in a Series A round led by Microsoft's M12 venture fund.

The company focuses on cloud workload isolation tech, addressing security problems in shared cloud infrastructure, especially with growing AI workloads.
Edera aims to improve GPU and container isolation, arguing that current tradeoffs are unacceptable.

Social Media and Content Moderation

Meta and Others Shift to Community Notes

Social media platforms are increasingly replacing third-party fact-checking with user-generated notes to combat misinformation.

Meta plans to replace fact-checking programs on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads with Community Notes. X (formerly Twitter) has a similar feature, and YouTube is testing a community notes feature as well.
Community Notes allow users to add corrections and context to potentially misleading posts.

Streaming content

Disney+ offers a variety of content for adults, including shows from the Star Wars and Marvel franchises.

The platform has merged with Hulu, making many of Hulu's shows available on Disney+ as well.

Gaming Industry

Warner Bros. Games Restructuring

Warner Bros. Games is shutting down three game studios and cancelling its Wonder Woman game.

The closures affect Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego, reflecting a strategic shift by the company to focus on key franchises like Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones.
The Wonder Woman game, which had been in development for years, will no longer move forward.

8BitDo Ultimate 2 Controller

8BitDo has released the Ultimate 2 wireless controller, available for pre-order at $59.99.

This controller features TMR joysticks for enhanced durability and reduced power consumption, reactive RGB lighting effects, customizable triggers, and extra customizable shoulder buttons.

Hardware

Razer Blade 18 Refresh

Razer has updated its Blade 18 gaming laptop with Intel Core Ultra 200HX series processors and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU.

It features an 18-inch dual-mode display, redesigned keyboard, Thunderbolt ports, Wi-Fi 7, HDMI 2.1, and Gigabit LAN.

Business and Policy

DOGE Employee Resignations

More than 20 employees of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) resigned, citing concerns over the direction and competence of the Elon Musk-led team.

The group, comprised of technologists from companies like Google and Amazon, made up about one-third of the U.S. Digital Service. The Digital Services director also resigned.

Apple Rejects Anti-DEI Proposal

Apple shareholders rejected an anti-DEI proposal from the National Center for Public Policy Research (NPPR) at its investor meeting.

Despite some companies curbing or eliminating DEI programs, Apple CEO Tim Cook cautioned that the company may need to make changes to comply with evolving legal landscapes.

Technicolor Group Faces Potential Collapse

Technicolor Group, a major French VFX company, faces potential collapse due to severe cash flow issues.

CEO Caroline Parot announced the company has initiated receivership proceedings in Paris and is working to implement frameworks for orderly protection in its global operations.

A group of technology experts resigned from the United States Digital Service due to concerns over the direction and competence of the Elon Musk-led DOGE team now overseeing the department. The former employees stated they would not compromise government systems, jeopardize Americans’ sensitive data, or dismantle critical public services. The Digital Services director also resigned, citing that the current mission is not what she initially joined to serve.

The Verge

12 hours ago

Warner Bros. Games is canceling its Wonder Woman game and shutting down three studios

Warner Bros. Discovery is making significant changes to its gaming division, including canceling the Wonder Woman game announced in 2021 and shutting down three studios: Monolith Productions, Player First Games, and Warner Bros. Games San Diego. The company cited a strategic shift to focus on key franchises like Harry Potter, Mortal Kombat, DC, and Game of Thrones. The decision to cancel the Wonder Woman game was due to it no longer aligning with strategic priorities. Despite these cuts, Warner Bros. Discovery aims to return its Games business to profitability and growth by 2025.

AI Guide

Computing

Framework Updates and New Products

Framework has been busy announcing several new products.

Framework 13 Laptop Update: Framework has launched an updated version of the Framework 13 laptop featuring the Ryzen AI 300 series. Key improvements include enhanced AI performance with Microsoft Copilot+, Wi-Fi 7, an improved thermal system utilizing a 10mm heat pipe and Honeywell's PTM7958 thermal paste, an improved keyboard, USB4 support, and new translucent color options.
Framework Laptop 12: Framework is launching the Laptop 12, a more affordable, repairable, and upgradeable 2-in-1 convertible laptop designed with students in mind. It features a 12.2-inch touchscreen, 13th-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processors, up to 48GB DDR5 RAM, up to 2TB NVMe SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, and a 1,920×1,200 display. Pre-orders will open in April, with shipments expected in the summer.
Framework Desktop: Framework is entering the desktop PC market with the Framework Desktop, a modular and upgradeable mini-ITX PC. It is powered by AMD's Ryzen AI Max chip and features a customizable front panel. Specs include up to 128GB of LPDDR5x memory, a custom thermal system, 5Gbps Ethernet, two USB4 ports, DisplayPort, HDMI, two M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slots, and Wi-Fi 7. Pre-orders are open, with shipping expected in Q3 2025.

Google Pixel 9a Leaks

A hands-on video revealed details about the upcoming Google Pixel 9a, showcasing a minimalist design with a "plastic feeling" build. The phone is expected to feature a Tensor G4 processor, up to 8GB of RAM, and a 120Hz OLED display. Launch is expected sometime in late March.

Microsoft Windows 11 Testing New Features

Microsoft is testing a new drag tray feature in a beta version of Windows 11, allowing users to quickly share files to frequently used apps like Outlook or WhatsApp. The company is also testing an improved Windows Search on CoPilot+ PCs and two new layouts for the Start menu.

Logitech G Powerplay 2 Released

Logitech has released the G Powerplay 2, a $100 wireless charging mousepad designed to keep compatible gaming mice powered continuously. It features a thinner design and a larger charging area compared to its predecessor.

Anker Nano USB-C to HDMI Cable Adapter

Anker has released a USB-C to HDMI adapter cable that allows users to connect mobile devices to external displays while charging at up to 140W. The adapter is Thunderbolt 5 compatible and includes a USB-C port on the HDMI connector for power delivery.

Security

Google to Switch from SMS 2FA to QR Codes

Google is planning to switch from SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) to QR codes to enhance security, as SMS-based 2FA is vulnerable to interception. Google hopes to limit these scams by moving to more secure alternatives, such as authenticator apps or the password-less Passkeys system.

Social Media

Tumblr Backs Tapestry

Tumblr has financially backed Tapestry, a newly launched app that organizes feeds from across the open web, including RSS, Mastodon, and Bluesky. The funds will be used to build a native macOS version of the app.

Entertainment

DC Studios' Approach to Post-Credit Scenes

DC Studios presidents James Gunn and Peter Safran discussed their approach to post-credit scenes, emphasizing that they will only tease elements they are certain will happen.

The Wheel of Time Season 3

The Wheel of Time returns for season three, with Rosamund Pike and Josha Stradowski reprising their roles as Moiraine Damodred and Rand al'Thor.

Space

SpaceX Identifies Cause of Starship Test Flight Failure

SpaceX has identified the likely cause of a Starship test flight failure in January: a stronger-than-expected harmonic response that increased stress on the propulsion system. The igniter system has been upgraded for future flights.

Business

DoorDash to Pay $16.75 Million to Dashers

DoorDash will pay $16.75 million to over 60,000 Dashers in New York as part of a settlement for withholding tips between May 2017 and September 2019.

Legal

Lawsuit Against USDA for Removing Climate Change Information

A lawsuit alleges that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) removal of climate change information from its websites harms organic farmers.

Dark Horse Comics Shutting Down Digital Service

Dark Horse Comics is shutting down its digital service and will no longer support the Dark Horse Comics iOS app. Users are advised to download purchased comics by March 30th.

Google is planning to switch from SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) to QR codes to enhance security. SMS-based 2FA is vulnerable to interception through SIM card scams and other methods. Google hopes to limit these scams by moving to a more secure alternative, such as authenticator apps or the password-less Passkeys system. Authenticator apps generate codes on a secure service controlled by the user and require biometric authentication.

Microsoft is testing a new drag tray feature in a beta version of Windows 11, which appears when users drag files to the top of the screen, allowing them to quickly share files to frequently used apps like Outlook or WhatsApp. The company is also testing an improved Windows Search on CoPilot+ PCs to find photos in the cloud, and two new layouts for the Start menu: name grid and category. These features are available through the Windows Insider program.

AI Guide

AI & Tech Industry Updates

AI Developments

Microsoft Enhances Copilot's Accessibility

Microsoft now offers unlimited access to OpenAI's o1 reasoning model and Copilot's voice capabilities for all users, removing previous usage limits. However, delays may occur during high demand. This follows a recent revamp of the Copilot Pro subscription.

Quora's Poe Introduces AI App Creation

Quora's Poe platform has launched Poe Apps, enabling users to create visual interfaces or apps powered by AI models such as OpenAI's GPT-4o and Google's Veo. The tool, driven by Anthropic’s Claude 3.7 Sonnet, translates descriptions into code, with options for manual adjustments and sharing.

Lovable Raises $16 Million for AI-Powered App Building

Swedish AI startup Lovable, an alternative to U.S. AI coding tools, secured $16 million in funding led by Creandum. The platform allows users to create software without coding and claims 500,000 users. It utilizes OpenAI, Google Gemini, and Anthropic.

AI vs. Google

Chegg Sues Google Over AI Overviews

Chegg has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that Google’s AI-generated summaries negatively impact its traffic and revenue, leveraging its monopoly power. Chegg CEO Nathan Schultz emphasizes the importance of quality learning information. Chegg is also considering being acquired and going private. Chegg Sues Google Over AI Overviews

Chegg Alleges Anti-Competitive Practices by Google

Online education company Chegg has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging anticompetitive practices related to AI-powered search results, undermining websites providing detailed answers and homework help.

Amazon's Alexa Upgrade

Amazon Prepares to Unveil "Remarkable Alexa"

Amazon is set to introduce an upgraded Alexa experience, "Remarkable Alexa," at an upcoming press event in NYC, potentially priced between $5 and $10 a month. The enhanced Alexa is designed to be more natural, handle multiple requests, take autonomous actions using generative AI, and feature improved smart home capabilities.

Fintech Industry News

Fintech Growth and Challenges

Brex Eyes $500 Million Revenue

Fintech Brex anticipates its annual net revenue to reach $500 million in 2025, with significant growth and an 80% increase in its enterprise business. Brex, serving over 150 public companies, aims for cash-flow positivity by 2025, followed by a potential IPO.

DocUnlock Streamlines Customs Documentation

DocUnlock, founded in 2023, automates customs documents for commercial importers, integrating into a customs broker's email and using AI to aggregate unstructured data.

Fintech Trial and Tribulations

TechCrunch's fintech newsletter is on hiatus. The criminal trial against Frank founder Charlie Javice has commenced, with JPMorgan Chase alleging she faked millions of customers. Fintech Varo has only raised $29 million of its targeted $55 million Series Ground. Crypto exchange Bybit reported a significant Ethereum theft. However, the SEC dropped its lawsuit against Coinbase and closed its investigation into Robinhood's crypto unit without action.

Social Media and Browser Integration

Social Media Platform Updates

LinkedIn Enhances Casual Games Suite

LinkedIn is rolling out a games widget, launched in May 2024, for easy access to word and logic puzzles directly from the home screen, aiming to increase user engagement.

Opera Integrates Bluesky

Bluesky has been integrated into the Opera web browser's sidebar for easy access, alongside Slack and Discord, to reduce clutter from open tabs.

Gadgets and Hardware

Qualcomm and Android Updates

Qualcomm Enables Extended Update Support

Qualcomm now enables up to eight years of update support starting with the Snapdragon 8 Elite. Qualcomm Enables Extended Update Support

Projector and Laptop Deals

Nebula Capsule 3 GTV Projector on Sale

The Nebula Capsule 3 GTV Projector is on sale for $379.99 at Amazon, offering a 1080p display, smart features, and Bluetooth speaker functionality.

Asus ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop Deal

The Asus ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) is on sale for $1,099.99, featuring a fast 165Hz refresh rate screen.

Policy and Legal Matters

Government and Legal Challenges

AT&T Loses Broadband Mandate Case

The Supreme Court was not swayed by AT&T pulling home Internet service out of New York. AT&T Loses Broadband Mandate Case

DOGE Controversy

Twenty-one workers resigned from Elon Musk's DOGE (formerly the U.S. Digital Service) in protest. Congressman Dave Min introduced the BADDOGE Act, and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia introduced the LEASHDOGE Act, both aimed at reigning in Elon Musk's influence over the government.

Entertainment

Movie Re-Release

Star Wars Episode III Re-Release

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is being re-released in theaters for its 20th anniversary on April 25, including showings in 4DX, for one week only.

Gaming Industry

Game Development Delay

Fable Reboot Delayed

Microsoft is delaying the release of its Fable reboot from 2025 to 2026.

Scientific Discoveries

Mars Exploration

Evidence of Past Oceans on Mars

Researchers have discovered evidence suggesting Mars once had oceans and sandy beaches, based on data from China's Zhurong rover. Evidence of Past Oceans on Mars

Bioacoustics and Ecosystems

Monitoring Ecosystems Through Sound

Monica Retamosa studies Costa Rica's ecosystems using bioacoustics and ecoacoustics to monitor biodiversity and conservation effectiveness.

Space Research

Supermassive Black Hole in the Large Magellanic Cloud?

New research suggests that the Large Magellanic Cloud may host a supermassive black hole, challenging current theories. Supermassive Black Hole in the Large Magellanic Cloud

DocUnlock automates the process of filling out customs documents for commercial importers. The platform integrates into a customs broker’s email and uses AI to aggregate unstructured data needed for the forms. This helps customs brokers focus on applying their expertise to customs regulations instead of manual data entry. Founded in 2023, DocUnlock aims to streamline the paperwork process, which is typically manual and tedious, saving customs brokers time and increasing efficiency.

Wired

14 hours ago

Costa Rica Is Saving Forest Ecosystems by Listening to Them

Monica Retamosa studies Costa Rica’s ecosystems by listening to their sounds, a field known as bioacoustics. Organisms use sound for various purposes, including attracting mates and warning of danger. Retamosa combines bioacoustics with ecoacoustics, which includes human-made and natural sounds, to monitor biodiversity changes, detect threats, and measure conservation effectiveness. She emphasizes the importance of sound in conservation, noting that disturbances can often be detected earlier through sound than by other factors. Automated recordings have revolutionized this field, allowing for continuous monitoring of ecosystems.

Engadget

14 hours ago

Xbox has delayed its Fable reboot until 2026

Microsoft is delaying the release of its Fable reboot from 2025 to 2026. The announcement was made by Craig Duncan, the new head of Xbox Game Studios, who assured fans that the delay would be worth the wait. Developed by Playground Games, the reboot was first announced in 2020. Despite the delay, Xbox has a strong lineup of games in the coming months, including Avowed, South of Midnight, and Doom: The Dark Ages. Duncan claims the studio is crafting “the most beautifully realized version of Albion you’ve ever seen.”

Ars Technica

14 hours ago

Qualcomm and Google team up to offer 8 years of Android updates

Starting with the Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm enables up to eight years of update support.

Mashable

14 hours ago

The Asus ROG Strix gaming laptop is $300 off and ready to rumble

The Asus ROG Strix G16 gaming laptop (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) is on sale for $1,099.99, saving you $300. It features a fast 165Hz refresh rate screen. This laptop offers a strong processing loadout for gaming, equipped with a respectable 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB solid-state drive. The GeForce RTX 4060 ensures snappy ray tracing, making it a solid build with good processing power and memory for games and other applications.

Mashable

14 hours ago

LinkedIn Games widget launches to compete with Wordle for your time

LinkedIn is enhancing its casual games suite by rolling out a games widget for easy access to word and logic puzzles directly from the home screen. This update, launched in May 2024, aims to keep users engaged longer by competing with popular puzzles like Wordle and Connections. The games page offers four options: Pinpoint, Crossclimb, Tango, and Queens. The widget will automatically update to display your last played time and current streak count.

Mashable

14 hours ago

Save $120 on the Nebula Capsule 3 GTV Projector at Amazon and skip a new TV

The Nebula Capsule 3 GTV Projector is on sale for $379.99, down from $499.99, at Amazon, a discount of 24%. This ultraportable projector delivers a 1080p display with 200 lumens of brightness and a maximum screen size of 120 inches. It offers 2.5 hours of movie playback or 8 hours of music on a single charge. With built-in Netflix and Google TV smart features, the projector also functions as a Bluetooth speaker, making it versatile for movie nights and parties.

AI Guide

AI and Technology

AI Model Development and Limitations

Large Language Models (LLMs) have made significant progress, prompting a reevaluation of compositionality as a limitation of connectionist models. The success of LLMs in learning syntax without innate knowledge challenges nativist proposals. However, a common criticism remains regarding their lack of semantic competence and the grounding problem, where linguistic tokens are disconnected from real-world referents.

UK Copyright Protections and AI

Major newspapers in the UK are protesting government proposals that could weaken copyright protections against artificial intelligence. The “Make It Fair” initiative is fighting proposals allowing AI companies to train models on copyrighted work without permission, raising concerns about the potential devastation of the UK’s creative industries.

Miro's AI-Powered Innovation Workspace

Miro, a virtual workspace with over 90 million users, has launched an AI-powered Innovation Workspace. This collaboration platform summarizes project developments to keep teams up to speed. Stephen Curry is among Miro’s investors.

YouTube Ad Slot Updates

YouTube is changing its approach to mid-roll ads to enhance the viewing experience and boost creator revenue. Beginning May 12, YouTube will reduce ads during disruptive moments, instead placing more ads at natural breakpoints in videos, updating older videos to include these new slots. Creators retain the option to manually manage their ads in YouTube Studio.

Mobile Technology and Accessories

Clicks Keyboard Cases for Android

Clicks is expanding its physical keyboard case, previously available for iPhones, to select Android phones. Versions are being released for Google Pixel 9/9 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S25, and Moto Razr+. The design mirrors the iPhone version with backlit keys, USB-C charging, and shortcuts, integrating with a companion app. Pre-orders are available with discounted prices until March 21, after which the price will increase to $139. Shipping dates vary by device, with Pixel cases shipping in late April, Razr+ cases in late May, and Galaxy S25 cases in June. The Android-based Clicks keyboard integrates with a companion app and includes a dedicated key for Google Gemini.

Samsung Galaxy Fold 7

Samsung is reportedly working on making its next flagship foldable, the Galaxy Fold 7, its thinnest yet. It is rumored to measure just 4.5mm thick when unfolded and 9.5mm when folded, to have a 200MP main camera sensor, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset. Leaks suggest improvements to the hinge and water/dust resistance.

Retail and Consumer Products

Deals on Apple AirTags and Other Gadgets

Deals on Apple AirTags are available, with a four-pack down to $67.99 and a single AirTag at $22.99. Amazon is offering deals on Apple AirTags (4-pack) for $67.99, the Eufy Video Smart Lock for $167.99, the Tile Mate (4-pack) for $55.99, and the Lenovo Tab Plus for $239.99.

Tile Mate on Sale

The Tile Mate is on sale at Amazon for $18, down from $25. The Tile Mate has a 350-foot Bluetooth range, a battery life of up to three years, is water-resistant, integrated with Life360, compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and has an SOS feature.

WD Black SN770 Internal M.2 SSD Discount

The WD Black SN770 internal M.2 SSD is discounted at Walmart, with the 2TB model at $109 and the 1TB model at $64. The SN770 can reach speeds of 5,100MB/s. This drive is 2280, which means it's 22mm wide and 80mm long.

Corsair M75 Wireless Gaming Mouse

The Corsair M75 Wireless Lightweight RGB Gaming Mouse is on sale at Best Buy for $69.99, saving $60. The ambidextrous mouse has 6 buttons, a 26,000 DPI sensor, and uses 2.4GHz Slipstream Wireless technology.

Asus ZenScreen Portable Monitor

The 16-inch Asus ZenScreen portable monitor is on sale at Amazon for $99, down from $149. The Asus ZenScreen features a kickstand design for use in landscape or portrait mode, a tripod socket, and an anti-glare screen.

Lego Jurassic Park T. rex Skeleton

Lego revealed its next Jurassic set, a 3,000-plus-piece replica of the T. rex skeleton that appears in the movie. Clocking in at over three feet in length once built the set will take the prehistoric crown as Lego’s biggest-ever Jurassic set. The set will include minifigures of Laura Dern and Sam Neill’s Ellie Sattler and Alan Grant, as well as the standard information plaque displaying stats about the Tyrannosaurus rex. The Lego Jurassic Park Tyrannosaurus rex fossil will set you back $250 when it releases next month.

Starbucks Phasing Out Plastic Cups

FolderFort Cloud Storage

FolderFort, a cloud storage solution, is offering a lifetime subscription to its pro plan for $110, a 78% discount. FolderFort allows users to store and access files from any modern browser on PC, Mac, or mobile devices.

Science and Health

Mars' Red Hue

Scientists now believe that Mars got its rusty red hue earlier in its ancient past than previously known, when liquid water was widespread on the planet’s surface. But the distinct redness seems to match more with the color of iron oxides that contain water, or ferrihydrite.

Kidney Transplant and Tick Germ

A rare germ normally spread by ticks was transmitted from a person's infected donated kidney, leading to illness in both the donor and recipient. The infection was caused by Ehrlichia bacteria.

Afynia Laboratories Endometriosis Blood Test

Afynia Laboratories, a biotech startup from McMaster University, has secured $5 million to commercialize a blood test for endometriosis. The EndomiR test detects endometriosis by analyzing microRNA panels in a patient's blood.

Tea Leaves and Toxic Metals

High surface area of the tea leaves means they can adsorb toxic metals released by the boiling water.

Entertainment

Ayo Edebiri and the Barney Movie

Ayo Edebiri, known for "The Bear" and "Bottoms", is in talks to star in and write the script for Mattel's Barney movie, a live-action film co-produced by Mattel Films, Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions, and A24.

Business and E-commerce

NAYAMAX Transforming African E-commerce

NAYAMAX, nominated in HackerNoon's Startups of The Year 2024 awards in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, is transforming African e-commerce by providing digital tools for SMEs.

Software and Apps

Beeper and Texts Merge

Beeper, now owned by Automattic, has released a new beta update to its desktop and iOS apps that merges its service with Texts. The new desktop version is built on the Texts desktop app, while the iOS app was rebuilt from scratch. Both are universal messaging services that connect to multiple platforms.

Automotive

Tesla FSD in China

Tesla is initiating a software update in China, potentially introducing its Full Self-Driving (FSD) features to its largest car market under the name “Urban Road Autopilot Assistance” (URAA).

Workplace and Government

Elon Musk's DOGE and AutoRIF

Elon Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) is reportedly working on new software, AutoRIF, to expedite mass firings of federal workers. Concerns arise that the software and AI could accelerate large-scale terminations across government agencies.

Misc

OnePlus Watch 3 Delay

OnePlus is delaying the launch of its Watch 3 due to a typo, with "medain China" printed on the back.

HackerNoon Top Stories and Survey

HackerNoon's top stories include removing unwanted emails from Gmail using Apps Script, running Bitcoin nodes in homes, and how Ethereum Swarm is the foundation of the decentralized web. Also, participate in HackerNoon's survey for a chance to win prizes.

Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) is reportedly working on new software, AutoRIF, to expedite mass firings of federal workers. DOGE operatives have accessed and edited the code of AutoRIF. Riccardo Biasini, linked to Musk, is seemingly tasked with pruning AutoRIF on GitHub. Concerns arise that the software and AI could accelerate large-scale terminations across government agencies.

Engadget

14 hours ago

Clicks is finally releasing its keyboard add-on for some Android phones

Clicks, known for its physical keyboard add-on for iPhones, is launching a version for select Android phones like the Pixel 9/9 Pro, Galaxy S25, and Moto Razr+. The design mirrors the iPhone version with backlit keys, USB-C charging, and shortcuts. The Android-based Clicks keyboard integrates with a companion app. The Pixel 9 versions will be out first at the end of April, with the Samsung Galaxy model shipping out in June.

HackerNoon’s top stories include removing unwanted emails from Gmail using Apps Script, running Bitcoin nodes in homes, and how Ethereum Swarm is the foundation of the decentralized web. Also, participate in HackerNoon’s survey for a chance to win prizes.

HackerNoon

15 hours ago

Meet Miro: HackerNoon Company of the Week

Miro, the virtual workspace with 90M+ users, is featured as Company of the Week. Its Innovation Workspace is an AI-powered collaboration platform that allows teams to collaborate on projects. The key element of Innovation Workspace is collaboration, it will summarize your project’s latest developments so everyone is up to speed. One of Miro’s investors is Stephen Curry.

HackerNoon

17 hours ago

How AI Learns Words but Not Meaning

A common criticism of LLMs trained on text only is that while they can convincingly mimic proficient language use over short interactions, they fundamentally lack the kind of semantic competence found in human language users. According tothe “grounding problem,” there is an apparent disconnection between the linguistic tokens manipulated by NLP systems and their real-world referents. The semantic interpretation of these symbols is externally provided by the programmers.

HackerNoon

18 hours ago

Do AI Models Challenge the Need for Innate Grammar?

The apparent success of LLMs in learning syntax without innate syntactic knowledge has been offered as a counterexample to nativist proposals. Anothertraditional dispute concernswhether artificial neural network models of language challenge popular arguments for nativism in language development.

HackerNoon

19 hours ago

The AI Compositionality Debate

The remarkable progress of LLMs in recent years calls for a reexamination of old assumptions about compositionality as a core limitation of connectionist models. According toalong-standing critique ofthe connectionist research program, artificial neural networks would be fundamentally incapable of accounting for the core structure-sensitive features of cognition, such as the productivity and systematicity of language and thought.

HackerNoon

20 hours ago

Building Africa’s Digital Future: Interview with Startups of the Year 2024 Nominee, NAYAMAX

NAYAMAX, nominated in HackerNoon’s Startups of The Year 2024 awards in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, is transforming African e-commerce by providing digital tools for SMEs. Through its SaaS platform, digital addressing solution, and educational community, NAYAMAX enables African businesses to sell online, streamline logistics, and access essential knowledge and partnerships.

AI Guide

AI & Copyright

UK Creatives Protest AI Copyright Law Changes

British creatives, including Kate Bush, Annie Lennox, and Paul McCartney, are protesting the UK government's proposed changes to copyright law. These changes would allow AI developers to use creative material to train models without permission unless creators actively opt out. Over 1,000 musicians have released a protest album called 'Is This What We Want?', featuring recordings of empty studios and performance spaces. The UK News Media Association and publications like The Guardian are also protesting through the Make It Fair campaign, arguing for fair compensation for creators whose work is being used to build AI products. Creatives wrote an open letter to The Times, stating that there is no moral or economic argument for stealing copyright.

Adobe Firefly's New AI Features

Adobe has rolled out two new Firefly plans with early-access pricing. Both the new Adobe Firefly Standard and Firefly Pro plans give users unlimited access to Firefly imaging and vector features, plus a tiered capacity for Firefly’s all-new premium video and audio features. Firefly’s newest AI capabilities let you turn your text prompts or still images into highly stylized five-second 1080p videos or translate a six-minute video or audio file into over 20 languages.

Business & Finance

IBM's Acquisition of HashiCorp Cleared by UK

The U.K.’s antitrust authority has approved IBM’s planned $6.4 billion acquisition of infrastructure software company HashiCorp. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it had “cleared the anticipated acquisition by IBM of HashiCorp". The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the U.S. is also looking at the deal.

SBF's X Post and FTX Token Spike

Sam Bankman-Fried, the disgraced FTX founder, made his first public post on X in over two years, commenting on Elon Musk's ultimatum to federal employees. Following his post, FTX's token, FTT, spiked 30%.

Senator Wyden Urges FTC to Mandate Disclosure of Digital License Terms

Senator Ron Wyden has urged the FTC to mandate companies to disclose when consumers are purchasing a license to access digital goods. He advocates for clear information "before and at the point of sale."

Tech & Gadgets

FAA Testing SpaceX's Starlink

The FAA is testing SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet terminals in the national airspace system. Elon Musk claimed Verizon's system is ineffective and poses risks to air travelers. The FAA confirmed it's been considering Starlink to improve reliability at remote sites, particularly in Alaska.

Musk's "Department of Government Efficiency" Under Scrutiny

According to reporting from the Associated Press, a full 40% of the federal contracts won’t save America any money at all. Musk and his DOGE cronies apparently don’t know how to read a government contract.

New Motor Technology

This startup says it has solved the problem with hub motors.

Deskbuddy Oversimplifies Calendar Display

The Deskbuddy is a $100 desktop calendar display that may take simplicty too far.

Casio's Limited-Edition Ring Watch

Casio has released the CRW001-1, a limited-edition ring watch, to celebrate its 50th anniversary. The watch is fully functional.

Deals

Amazon Sales: Roborock, Arzopa, Apple, Dyson, Google

The Roborock Q8 Max+ is on sale at Amazon for 51% off, bringing the price down to $400.
The Arzopa 15.6-inch portable monitor is on sale at Amazon for 41% off, bringing the price down to $65.
A four-pack of Apple AirTags is on sale at Amazon for $67.99.
The Dyson V8 vacuum is on sale at Amazon for $349.99.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is on sale at Amazon for $799.

Entertainment & Gaming

Bloober Team and Konami Continue Partnership

Following the success of last year's Silent Hill 2 remake, Konami and Bloober Team are continuing their partnership with a new title based on Konami's intellectual property. The project is likely to be a fresh entry in the Silent Hill series.

Atari Reboots Breakout

Atari is releasing Breakout Beyond, a reboot of the classic 1976 brick-smashing game. The game will be available on multiple platforms on March 25 for $15.

Paramount+ Adds MTV Unplugged Episodes

Paramount+ has added more than 50 classic MTV Unplugged episodes to its streaming service. Many of the episodes haven't been available to watch in more than 20 years.

Fable Game Delayed to 2026

Microsoft has delayed the release of its upcoming Fable game to 2026.

YouTube to Adjust Mid-Roll Ad Placement

Starting May 12th, YouTube will adjust its mid-roll ad placement to interrupt sentences or action sequences less frequently, opting for "natural breakpoints" like pauses or transitions.

Smart Home

Philips Hue Sync Now Available on LG TVs

The Philips Hue Sync app is now available for many LG televisions, allowing smart lights to synchronize with TV screens. The app costs around $130 or a monthly subscription of $3.

Other

Nik Bentel's RCCarBag

Nik Bentel Studio has created a leather purse with a built-in remote control car priced at $295.

Peloton's Challenges and Pivot

Peloton is attempting to revive its business by shifting from expensive hardware to content subscriptions.

The Roborock Q8 Max+ is on sale at Amazon for 51% off, bringing the price down to just $400. This model comes with a dock which your robot will automatically empty itself into after each cleanup. Its 2.5L dust bag means it can store up to seven weeks of debris, severely limiting how often you need to intervene in its daily cleanup. The vacuum has a powerful suction of 5,500Pa, easily lifting dirt, dust, and even pet hair from your floors.

Mashable

16 hours ago

Snag Apple AirTags for their lowest price ever just in time for spring break travel

A 4-pack of Apple AirTags is on sale at Amazon for $67.99, down from the usual price of $99. That’s a 31% discount and the lowest we’ve ever seen at Amazon. A Bluetooth tracker in your checked luggage means you’ll be able to check on its whereabouts with a quick glance on your phone. If your phone is an iPhone, the Apple AirTag is likely your best option. Bluetooth trackers are also useful at home and on your pet.

Mashable

16 hours ago

Score early-access deals on Adobe’s latest Firefly plans

Adobe has rolled out two new Firefly plans at early-access pricing. Both the new Adobe Firefly Standard and Firefly Pro plans give users unlimited access to Firefly imaging and vector features like Text to Image and Generative Fill, plus a tiered capacity for Firefly’s all-new premium video and audio features. Firefly’s newest AI capabilities let you turn your text prompts or still images into highly stylized five-second 1080p videos or translate a six-minute video or audio file into over 20 languages with the click of a button.

AI Guide

Business and Technology

AI Developments

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has reopened its API after a three-week pause due to capacity constraints, allowing customers to top up credits. The company gained prominence with its R1 "reasoning" model, rivaling OpenAI's models.
Alibaba launched a preview of its latest reasoning AI model, QwQ-Max, and plans to open-source it, indicating increasing competition in the Chinese AI market.
Microsoft is reportedly reducing its datacenter footprint by canceling leases, raising questions about adjusting its expectations for future AI demand. Meanwhile, initiatives like a $20 billion datacenter funding plan and a potential $500 billion investment in datacenters for OpenAI through Project Stargate indicate the rest of the industry is moving in the opposite direction.

AI in Gaming

AI-driven enhancements are set to revolutionize the gaming experience in 2025, with GIGABYTE's B800 series motherboards designed for Intel B860 and AMD B850 chipsets at the forefront. These motherboards integrate AI-powered solutions like D5 Bionic Corsa and AORUS AI SNATCH software to maximize DDR5 memory performance and deliver advanced overclocking capabilities.

Software and Services

Microsoft is reportedly testing an ad-supported version of Microsoft Office for Windows, potentially allowing users to access PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and more for free.
Apple is bringing its Apple Developer service to China’s WeChat app. This move comes amid falling iPhone sales in the Chinese market, which declined 11.1% in the most recent quarter. The company is also reportedly in conversations to bring AI technologies from Tencent and ByteDance to the new device, as it has done in the U.S. with OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

E-commerce and Delivery

DoorDash has agreed to pay $16.75 million to settle a lawsuit by New York’s attorney general. Around 63,000 New York DoorDash delivery workers stand to benefit from the settlement.

Consumer Products

Audio Devices

Apple’s latest AirPods Pro 2 are available at a discounted price of $199 on Amazon, featuring improved Active Noise Cancellation.

Mobile Devices

The Moto G Power 2025 is a $300 Android smartphone with adequate performance and a 6.8-inch display with a 120-Hz refresh rate.
Indonesia has reached an agreement with Apple to lift the country's ban on iPhone 16 sales after Apple agreed to invest $1 billion in Indonesia and train locals in the company's research and development to create their own products.
Samsung is offering bundle deals with the Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra tablet, along with a trade-in credit of up to $800, potentially lowering the price to $400, and discounts on accessories like the Book Cover Keyboard Slim, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, or Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Camera

Panasonic has announced the Lumix S1R II, featuring a new 44.3-megapixel sensor, faster autofocus, and 8K video recording capabilities, expected to be available in late March for $3,299.99.

Accessories

The Seagate 1TB Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S is on sale at Amazon for $120.

Science and Environment

Carbon Capture Technology

Mitico, a startup, is working to slash the cost of carbon capture using a simple, tweaked salt for industrial duty.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The Koch Industries-owned Pine Bend Refinery in Rosemount, Minnesota, will receive sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), blend it into its conventional jet fuel, and send the fuel mix through the pipeline to the airport for use by Delta Airlines and other carriers.

Electric Propulsion System

Magdrive, a UK-based startup, has developed an electric propulsion system for satellites using solid metal propellant to generate high-energy plasma.

Entertainment

Gaming

Bloober Team and Konami are collaborating on a new project after the success of the Silent Hill 2 remake. Konami is also working on a new, non-remake Silent Hill game named Silent Hill F. Additionally, a movie adaptation of Silent Hill 2 is in the works with Christophe Gans directing.

Collectibles

Pixar’s proof of concept short from 1988, Tin Toy, is finally getting the Funko treatment. Only 5,000 Tin Toy figures will be available at WonderCon 2025.

Movie

Chris Pratt is open to a return to Marvel. Jason Momoa will return for Dune: Messiah as Duncan Idaho’s evil clone, Hayt. Joe Russo stated he believes Avengers: Doomsday will “challenge audiences” and be “very radical.” Stephen King confirmed he’s writing material for Mike Flanagan’s The Dark Tower TV series.
Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, may be retiring at the end of this year.

Security

Data Breach

US-based employee screening services provider DISA Global Solutions was breached by hackers, putting the personally identifiable information of 3.3 million people at risk.

Other

Workplace Dynamics

The importance of relationships in the workplace is highlighted, emphasizing that employees who feel connected and can collaborate are more likely to succeed and be happy. The rise of hybrid work models poses challenges to maintaining meaningful workplace relationships.

Home Improvement

Wi-Fi extenders cause slower speeds, increase latency, cause congestion and interfere with your main network, and there is no seamless hand-off for your devices as you move around the house.
Smart lights have evolved to offer more features and form factors over the years. Some tricks you can try are syncing your lights with your TV for movies and shows, setting up random schedules to deter potential robbers when you're away from home, and getting notifications via your lights using third-party services like IFTTT.

Company’s CEO says Google AI overviews serve to keep users on Google.

DoorDash has reached an agreement with the New York Attorney General over a practice where the company used customers’ tips to subsidize its drivers’ pay. DoorDash will pay $16.75 million in restitution that will be divided between 63,000 drivers. The Attorney General told The New York Times that a lot of drivers will receive payments in the low thousands, but some will get as much as $14,000. DoorDash ended its unfair tipping practices in 2019.

Wired

17 hours ago

This Refinery Wants to Make Sustainable Aviation Fuel Mainstream. Trump’s Cuts Could Kill It

A deal was announced in September in which the Koch Industries-owned Pine Bend Refinery in Rosemount, Minnesota, would receive sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), blend it into its conventional jet fuel, and send the fuel mix through the pipeline to the airport, where it will be used by Delta Airlines and other carriers. The propenents said last year that up to 60 million gallons of blended fuel, containing potentially up to 50 percent SAF, would be flowing by 2025, and they aim to produce 1 billion gallons of SAF per year. However, federal incentives like tax credits or loans are “on life support” under the Trump administration.

Lifehacker.Tech

17 hours ago

The Brane X Is a Portable (but Pricey) Smart Speaker With Incredible Bass

The Brane X is a multi-use premium speaker that can handle itself underwater, has Alexa voice assistant, connects through wifi for better audio, has the best bass of any wifi speaker, and can be used as a soundbar and subwoofer combo. The Brane X is a great wifi speaker for someone who values bass, would like to take their speaker outdoors, and needs a soundbar and subwoofer combo for their home theater.

Quantum Machines, an Israeli startup that provides quantum control solutions to others in the field, has raised $170 million. One reason for the size of the round is because of the startup’s business funnel. Quantum Machines’ technology is now used by more than half of all the companies in the world working on quantum computers and quantum computing.

Wired

17 hours ago

Trek FX+ 7S Review: Wonderful Upgrades, High Price

Trek was updating the FX+ series, but I was a bit thrown by the move to the TQ HPR50 motor, which has a smooth pin ring drive—a more expensive drivetrain system that we first saw on Trek’s high-end mountain bikes. It tested the small-size frame, which fit my 5’2″ self perfectly. The frame is aluminum, and all the cables are routed internally, so it has a very clean look to it.

Walking pads fit under standing desks and allow you to rack up steps while you work. They keep energy up, and you’re more locked in. There are tons of walking pads on the market, with varying speed capabilities, extra features like built-in desk platforms, and durability.

Gizmodo

18 hours ago

Funko’s Toy Story Deep Cut Is Clever Bait for Collectors

Pixar’s proof of concept short from 1988, Tin Toy, is finally getting the Funko treatment. Only 5,000 Tin Toy figures will be available for the die-hard animation Funko enthusiasts at WonderCon 2025. Additionally, there will be new Bitty Pop and Loungefly drops at WonderCon too, showcasing Tron, Wreck-It Ralph, and Beauty and the Beast.

AI Guide

AI & Software Development

Chegg vs. Google: AI Overviews and Copyright Infringement

Chegg has filed a lawsuit against Google, alleging that Google's "AI Overviews" negatively impact its traffic and revenue by republishing Chegg's content without permission. Chegg claims this violates antitrust laws and accuses Google of abusing its monopoly to force companies to supply materials for AI Overviews. Google responds that it sends billions of clicks to sites and that AI Overviews send traffic to a greater diversity of sites. This lawsuit joins others using the Sherman Act, highlighting the significant value of educational content for AI applications. [ Chegg Lawsuit ]

Tenstorrent's AI Accelerators on Koyeb

Tenstorrent, a chipmaker, is now allowing developers to test its AI accelerators on Koyeb, a serverless cloud platform focusing on AI applications. Tenstorrent offers AI processors based on the RISC-V architecture and its open-source neural network library, TT-NN, and programming model, TT-Metalium, as an alternative to Nvidia GPUs. Koyeb has deployed Tenstorrent’s PCIe boards in its data centers, positioning itself as a hardware-agnostic cloud platform. Developers can access Tenstorrent’s low-level TT-Metalium SDK.

Software & Apps

Photoshop Launches on iPhone with Free and Paid Options

Adobe has officially launched Photoshop on iPhone, offering a free app with core imaging and design tools, including selections, layers, masks, the TapSelect tool, Spot Healing Brush, and Adobe Firefly AI features like Generative Fill and Generative Expand. It integrates with Adobe Express, Adobe Fresco, and Adobe Lightroom, and provides access to Adobe Stock assets. A $7.99 monthly subscription offers premium features and Photoshop on the web. An Android version is planned for later this year. The app aims to attract new users, especially younger ones, and compete with other editing apps. [ Photoshop on iPhone ] [ Adobe Photoshop App ]

Trello Integrates with Multiple Platforms for Universal Task Management

Trello is introducing new features to become a universal to-do list by integrating with Slack, Teams, email, and Siri. A new 'Inbox' column allows users to quickly save items from various platforms for later organization. Trello is also introducing Trello Planner, a new calendar view to schedule time for tasks. The goal is to consolidate important tasks in one place, using Trello's organization tools and AI to enhance productivity, and improve individual productivity.

Tenstorrent, a chipmaker that recently raised nearly $700 million, is now allowing developers to test its AI accelerators on Koyeb. Tenstorrent offers AI processors based on the RISC-V architecture and has created its own open-source neural network library, TT-NN, and programming model, TT-Metalium, as an alternative to Nvidia GPUs. Koyeb, a serverless cloud platform, is focusing on AI applications and has deployed Tenstorrent’s PCIe boards in its data centers. Koyeb is positioning itself as a hardware-agnostic cloud platform. Developers can access Tenstorrent’s low-level TT-Metalium SDK to write host and kernel programs. There are two types of instances in Koyeb’s documentation and admin panels: TT-N300S and TT-Loudbox.

Engadget

18 hours ago

Educational tech company Chegg sues Google over AI Overviews

Chegg has sued Google in federal court, alleging that Google’s “AI Overviews” have negatively impacted its traffic and revenue. Chegg claims that Google republishes its content without permission in AI-generated answers, violating antitrust laws. Chegg accuses Google of abusing its monopoly position to force companies to supply materials for its “AI Overviews.” Google stated that it sends billions of clicks to sites and that AI Overviews send traffic to a greater diversity of sites. Chegg argues that its educational content holds significant value for AI applications. Chegg is one of many companies suing Google over alleged misappropriation of IP content, using the Sherman Act.

AI Guide

Technology & Gadgets

Audio Deals

The JBL Flip 6 portable Bluetooth speaker is on sale for $89.95 at Woot, offering robust audio in a durable, cylindrical design.

Amazon has the JBL Bar 9.1 Channel Soundbar System discounted to $570, featuring detachable wireless speakers and Dolby Atmos for immersive sound.
The Soundcore V20i open-ear headphones are available for $28.49 on Amazon, offering a comfortable fit and punchy sound with awareness of surroundings.

Mobile Devices

Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 7 is rumored to rival the Oppo Find N5 in thinness, potentially measuring just 4.5mm when open. It is also rumored to feature larger screens and a possible 200-megapixel main camera.

Smart Home

Security cameras are essential for home monitoring, offering peace of mind with indoor, outdoor, and versatile setups. Consider weatherproofing, mounting options, local storage, privacy features, and smart device compatibility when choosing a camera.

Music Streaming

Apple Music offers a limited-time deal for new subscribers, providing six months of access for just $3. It requires redemption on an Apple device and offers high audio quality with lossless streaming.

Smartwatches

In 2024, India's smartwatch shipments declined, but Apple Watch shipments surged, growing by 141% and capturing 50% of the premium smartwatch segment.

Automotive Industry

Tesla Protests

Protests against Elon Musk and Tesla are escalating across the US, organized via Bluesky under the hashtags #TeslaTakedown and #TeslaTakeover. Protesters target Tesla showrooms and vehicles.

In-Car Advertising Concerns

A Jeep driver reported unwanted ads for extended warranty plans on their car's console. While Stellantis claims it was a glitch, concerns are rising about the safety implications of in-car ads as automakers explore monetization opportunities.

The Soundcore V20i open-ear headphones are on sale for $28.49 at Amazon, a 43% discount from their list price of $49.99. The headphones feature a comfortable fit, punchy sound with BassUp technology, and an open-ear design for awareness of surroundings. The blue and white pairs are available for slightly more at $29.99 each. This deal is for a limited time only.

TechCrunch

19 hours ago

Apple Watch shipments surge in India

India’s smartwatch shipments experienced their first annual dip in 2024, as consumers moved away from cheaper, unknown brands. However, Apple defied this trend with a reported 2.4x growth for the year. While the broader market faltered, Apple Watch saw a 141% increase in its shipments. Apple Watch’s success boosted overall premium smartwatch shipments in India, with 147% growth and captured 50% of the total premium smartwatch segment.

AI Guide

AI & Tech News

AI Model Efficiency

Context-Aware Bifurcated Attention: Improves AI model efficiency without performance tradeoffs, especially beneficial for long contexts and high token generation. Multi-query attention reduces memory during incremental decoding with many generated tokens.
Latency Reduction: Reduces latency in code generation and machine translation services, leading to more responsive and efficient user experiences, especially for generating multiple code snippets or translations.
Nvidia A100 GPUs: Multiple AI models trained on Nvidia A100 GPUs, utilizing varying sizes of code data with a context size of 2048. Attention variations include multihead, multigroup, and multiquery.

AI Applications

Recruiting Platform "Perfect": Israeli startup Perfect raised $23 million for its AI-powered recruiting platform, which helps recruiters write job posts, determine where to run them, and triage inbound responses, potentially saving up to 25 hours per week. Current customer base includes Fiverr and eToro.
Digital Marketing Startup Scaling: Integrating AI, automation, and workforce apps to streamline management, improve visibility, and address logistical issues for remote teams. This was crucial in overcoming the limitations of manual processes and ensuring the startup's continued success.

Cybersecurity

OpenAI Job Scam: A fake OpenAI job scam defrauded low-wage workers in Bangladesh by luring them into investing cryptocurrency with promises of completing online tasks. The scheme collapsed when the website and funds disappeared.
Cybersecurity Industry Criticism: Dr. Chase Cunningham argues that the cybersecurity industry is failing to address core issues, with breaches becoming more common, and hacking democratized by leaked tools and AI assistance. He views the industry as a "giant grift" profiting from ineffective solutions.

Cryptocurrency & Blockchain

Ledger Co-founder Kidnapping: David Balland, co-founder of Ledger, and his wife were kidnapped at gunpoint in France, with kidnappers demanding a ransom from another co-founder. French authorities rescued them, arresting ten suspects, highlighting security concerns in the crypto industry.
Commerce DeFi: Aims to integrate decentralized finance with real-world commerce using stablecoins, instant blockchain payments, and tokenized loyalty systems for everyday transactions.
Delta Exchange: A crypto derivatives platform registered with the FIU, offering a user-friendly trading experience with INR compatibility and a wide range of crypto derivatives markets.
Roam Bounty Program: Roam, an Open Wireless Network integrating OpenRoaming and blockchain, launched a Community Bounty Program to reward crypto enthusiasts with $ROAM tokens for supporting Roam's growth through content creation and social media engagement.
Bitcoin Nodes: Encouraging even the poorest people to run Bitcoin nodes, utilizing heat energy released during cooking to route transactions and finance projects like Mars missions.

Software & Development

Apache DolphinScheduler Upgrade: Guide for upgrading Apache DolphinScheduler across multiple major versions, including pre-upgrade preparations and detailed upgrade steps.
Gmail Email Removal: Guide to permanently remove emails from specific senders in Gmail using a filter to forward emails and then immediately delete them, bypassing Gmail's 30-day retention policy.
Backend Transition: Bubble tea franchise, Ann's Boba Tea, needed to transition its ordering applications from LevelUp to Paytronix, navigating Paytronix APIs to match LevelUp's functionality.

Business & Startups

Startup Mistakes: Discusses three common mistakes early-stage startup founders make: overspending before product validation, outsourcing core functions too early, and overestimating the value of conferences. The author advises focusing on solving a real problem and understanding customer needs.
RSystems Blog Book Contest: RSystems and Hacker Noon have launched a writing contest for RSystems staff, inviting them to showcase their expertise in digital transformation.

Consumer Tech

Steam Deck Anniversary: Valve's Steam Deck, a handheld gaming PC, has reached its third anniversary, with nearly 6 million shipments in three years, surpassing all competitors combined.
Apple AirTags Deal: A four-pack of Apple AirTags is on sale at Amazon for $68, a new all-time low.
Sennheiser Accentum Earbuds Deal: The Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless Earbuds are on sale at Best Buy for $99.99, 50% off the original price, plus a bonus of three months of YouTube Premium for new subscribers.

Other Tech News

Amazon Device Presentation: Amazon is expected to showcase their next-gen Alexa. Sigma is launching the BF camera, and Google's Veo 2 AI video model will cost $0.50 per second. Apple is rumored to announce a new M4 MacBook Air soon.
Techbeat Newsletter: Highlights Lumoz's AI-powered blockchain launch, Ethereum gas efficiency, altcoin season strategies, pay-by-bank systems, vibe coding, and Obsidian syncing.

Context-aware bifurcated attention offers a way to perform attention without a performance tradeoff and can be used without performance trade-offs. Multi-query is applicable for single-batch inference without high batch sampling if the context is long and the number of generated tokens is high, then the benefit of multi-query is clear. If processing different inputs in a batch, multi-query attention can reduce memory during incremental decoding, especially in scenarios with a high number of generated tokens.

AI Guide

AI and Technology

AI Coding Assistants

Google has launched Gemini Code Assist, a free AI coding tool for solo developers globally. It provides up to 180,000 code completions per month and supports all programming languages, integrating with VSCode and JetBrains. It also rolled out Gemini Code Assist for GitHub, a code review agent for bug detection. The tool, powered by Google’s Gemini 2.0 AI model, can generate code blocks, complete code, fix bugs, and offer coding assistance via a chatbot interface.

AI in Law

An Australian driver's case involving mobile phone use is being defended by a human lawyer alongside an AI trained on legal documents. During a session at SXSW Sydney titled "Can AI Win a Court Case?", a senior associate and NexLaw's Legal AI Trial Copilot presented arguments for the same case. This highlights AI's increasing role in automating tasks such as contract negotiation and assisting in writing legislation, with the legal profession embracing AI to lower costs and increase accessibility.

Interoperability and Antitrust

The European Court of Justice (CJEU) has clarified that a dominant company's refusal of interoperability can be considered antitrust abuse. This ruling was prompted by Google's refusal to allow Enel X Italia to integrate its electric car charging app with Android Auto. The court stated that while refusal can be abusive, exceptions apply if there is no app template or if security is compromised. Platform operators must fulfill interoperability requests within a reasonable timeframe if no exceptions apply.

Trans Technologies

Oliver Haimson's new book, "Trans Technologies," explores how trans communities create tools to address their needs and challenges. It examines online spaces and digital services used by trans communities to navigate hostile social realities, aiming to extend individual agency, particularly in challenging environments.

Deals and Gadgets

Bluetooth Tracker

A four-pack of Tile Mate Bluetooth Trackers is on sale for $55.99 at Amazon. These trackers attach to items like keys and bags, allowing users to locate them within a 350-foot Bluetooth range. They feature a replaceable battery lasting up to three years, IP68 water resistance, and Life360 compatibility.

Chromebook Tablet

The Lenovo 10E Chromebook Tablet is on sale for $49.99 (refurbished). It features a 10-inch HD touchscreen with Dragontrail Pro glass, a MediaTek processor, 4GB of RAM, and Chrome OS, offering up to 16.5 hours of battery life.

Universal Power Banks

A three-pack of Snap-N-Charge 10W Universal Power Banks is on sale for $64.99. These 3,000mAh power banks use magnetic connectors with interchangeable USB-C, Lightning, and Micro-USB tips.

Microsoft Excel Training Bundle

The Complete Microsoft Excel Training Bundle, featuring seven online courses, is on sale for $34.99. The courses cover Excel formulas, functions, and data analysis, including using Excel with ChatGPT.

Monitor Riser with Docking Hub

The MobilePixels Aluminum Monitor Riser with 8-Port Docking Hub is on sale for $129.99 with code POWER20. It features USB-A, USB-C, mini HDMI, Ethernet ports, and a PD port with up to 100W power delivery.

Golf Simulator

The Phigolf World Tour Edition Golf Simulator is on sale for $89.97 until March 30. It offers over 38,000 courses and features a Smart Motion Sensor and 3D Data-Analysis System.

Apple Watch Series 10

The Apple Watch Series 10 (GPS, 46mm) is on sale at Amazon for $359. It features a larger display, comfortable fit, and health/safety features like heart rate monitoring and fall detection.

Geopolitics

US-Russia Prisoner Exchange

Vladislav Klyushin, a Russian tech executive, was sentenced to nine years in US federal prison for hacking and wire fraud, and later was part of a US-Russian prisoner exchange.

Archaeology

Potential Discovery of Pharaoh Thutmose II's Mummy

Archaeologist Piers Litherland believes he may have located the mummy of Pharaoh Thutmose II. The tomb, uncovered near Luxor, was damaged from flooding, and an inscription suggests Thutmose II’s half-sister/wife had the contents moved.

A four-pack of Tile Mate Bluetooth Trackers is on sale for $55.99 at Amazon, down from $79.99. Tile Mates attach to items like keys and bags, allowing users to locate them via a smartphone app within a 350-foot Bluetooth range. The trackers feature a replaceable battery that lasts up to three years, IP68 water resistance, and compatibility with Life360 for family tracking. The Tile Mate can also make a connected smartphone ring, even when it is on silent.

AI Guide

Deals & Sales

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 Discount

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 is on sale for $15.96 at Amazon. This Bluetooth tracker works with Samsung’s SmartThings Find and has features like Search Nearby mode with Compass View, a beeping function, and a battery life of up to 500 days. It's also IP67-rated for water and dust resistance and can be used as a remote for Samsung SmartThings devices.

Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames

The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames six-pack booster bundle is available for $26.94 at Best Buy via the Best Buy app. This set is known for its Charizardex cards, including the Special Illustration Rare Charizardex. The set also features the Hyper Rare Charizardex, the Ultra Rare Charizardex and the Pidgeotex card.

Finance & Investment

Thoma Bravo's European Fund

Thoma Bravo, a private equity firm, has closed its first European fund at €1.8 billion ($1.9 billion) to invest in mid-sized software companies across Europe. The firm established its London office in 2023 and has invested approximately €14 billion across 16 deals in Europe since 2011. The firm was also behind some of the biggest take-private deals of 2024, including that of U.K. cybersecurity company Darktrace.

Cybersecurity & Data Breaches

DISA Global Solutions Data Breach

DISA Global Solutions, a U.S.-based employee screening services provider, reported a data breach affecting over 3.3 million individuals. The breach, discovered on April 22, 2024, revealed that an attacker infiltrated the company's network undetected for over two months, starting February 9, 2024. Stolen information includes Social Security numbers, financial account details, and government-issued IDs, impacting over 360,000 Massachusetts residents.

Software & Technology

Microsoft Office Ad-Supported Version

News List

TechCrunch

21 hours ago

US employee screening giant DISA says hackers accessed data of more than 3M people

DISA Global Solutions, a U.S.-based employee screening services provider, reported a data breach affecting over 3.3 million individuals. The breach, discovered on April 22, 2024, revealed that an attacker infiltrated the company’s network undetected for over two months, starting February 9, 2024. Stolen information includes Social Security numbers, financial account details, and government-issued IDs, impacting over 360,000 Massachusetts residents. DISA could not definitively determine the specific data compromised due to a lack of technical logs. The company collects sensitive information like work history, education, and criminal records.

The Verge

21 hours ago

Microsoft is testing free Office for Windows apps with ads

Microsoft is testing a free, ad-supported version of Office for Windows in certain countries. This version includes banner ads and 15-second video ads, and forces users to store documents in OneDrive with local file storage disabled. The free version lacks some features of the full apps, such as drawing and design tools in Word, add-in support in Excel, and dictation in PowerPoint. Microsoft says this is limited testing, but the company has engineered its Office apps to work with ads. Microsoft currently only offers free versions of Office on the web.

TechCrunch

22 hours ago

Thoma Bravo raises €1.8B for its first European fund

Thoma Bravo, a private equity firm, has closed its first European fund at €1.8 billion ($1.9 billion) to invest in mid-sized software companies across Europe. Despite a retreat by North American investment firms from the region, Thoma Bravo aims to capitalize on Europe’s rapid digitization. The firm established its London office in 2023 and has invested approximately €14 billion across 16 deals in Europe since 2011. The firm was also behind some of the biggest take-private deals of 2024, including that of U.K. cybersecurity company Darktrace, which Thoma Bravo acquired in a deal valued at $5.3 billion.

Mashable

22 hours ago

Always losing your keys? This Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 is under $16 right now.

The Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 is on sale for $15.96 at Amazon. This Bluetooth tracker works with Samsung’s SmartThings Find to help locate misplaced items. It features a Search Nearby mode with Compass View, a beeping function, and a battery life of up to 500 days. It’s also IP67-rated for water and dust resistance. The SmartTag2 can also be used as a remote for Samsung SmartThings devices, allowing users to control lights and appliances. The white SmartTag2 is on sale for $15.96, while the black version is available for $22.69.

Mashable

22 hours ago

I never see Pokémon TCG Obsidian Flames in stock, but Best Buy has them right now

The Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet—Obsidian Flames six-pack booster bundle is available for $26.94 at Best Buy via the Best Buy app. This set is known for its Charizardex cards, including the Special Illustration Rare Charizardex, which has been valued at over $70. The set also features the Hyper Rare Charizardex and the Ultra Rare Charizardex. Additionally, the Pidgeotex card is popular for its Quick Search Ability. The set also has Illustration Rares like the Scizor Illustration Rare and the Ninetales Illustration Rare.

AI Guide

Technology

Logitech Powerplay 2 Wireless Charging Mousepad

Logitech is launching the Powerplay 2, a new $100 wireless charging mousepad, in March. This updated version features a 15 percent wider charging area and a thinner design (3.5mm). However, it is only $20 cheaper than the original. A notable drawback is the removal of the built-in wireless mouse receiver, now requiring two USB ports as the mouse dongle must remain plugged into the PC.

News List

The Verge

23 hours ago

Powerplay 2: Logitech made its magic mousepad cheaper instead of better

Logitech is releasing a new $100 version of its Powerplay wireless charging mousepad in March, called the Powerplay 2. It features a 15 percent wider charging area and is thinner at 3.5mm. However, it’s only $20 cheaper, and it feels like Logitech made its mousepad cheaper to hit that goal. Also, there’s no more wireless mouse receiver built into the Powerplay 2, so the mouse requires two full-size USB ports instead of one because users still have to leave the mouse’s dongle plugged into their PC, too.