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Showing posts from March, 2025

Automation Leverage in Turnaround Strategy

Automation Leverage in Turnaround Strategy Turnaround work is often described as a crisis discipline: reduce costs, preserve cash, stabilize operations and buy time. Those moves matter, but they are not enough. A durable turnaround also needs leverage: better systems, clearer information flows and repeatable execution. For Livio Andrea Acerbo , AI automation is useful in turnaround strategy when it improves the operating rhythm of a company. The point is not to add tools. The point is to remove friction from decisions that must happen every week. From cost control to operating clarity Cost control can stop the bleeding, but operating clarity creates the next phase. Teams need to know which products are profitable, which customers deserve attention, where working capital is trapped and which workflows create avoidable delay. Automation helps when it turns scattered data into a management cadence. Dashboards, exception reports, document summaries, pipeline reviews and cash visibi...

The Verge’s favorite stuff with style

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Sometimes we treasure our devices and tools not just because they’re practical, but because we like their style — the way they look, the way they make our surroundings look, or just because it’s nice to work with something that is, well, snazzy. It reflects our taste. It gives us, or our living space, style. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Elon Musk and Taylor Swift can now hide details of their private jets

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has created a system for private aircraft owners to request that their registration information — including their name and address — be kept private. That may impact celebrity private jet trackers, which have used FAA registration information to identify jets belonging to the likes of Elon Musk and Taylor Swift. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Startup Founder Claims Elon Musk Is Stealing the Name ‘Grok’

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Elon Musk said he borrowed the name from a 1960s science fiction novel, but another AI startup applied to trademark it before xAI launched its chatbot. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Apple is reportedly on track to launch the M5 iPad Pro and MacBook Pro later this year

According to Mark Gurman in the Power On newsletter this weekend, we may see at least two devices with Apple’s upcoming M5 chip before the end of the year. Gurman reports that the M5 iPad Pro has reached the late stages of testing, putting it “on track for production in the second half of this year.” And the M5 MacBook Pro should be here sometime in the fall, in line with the timing of the past few years’ releases. This year’s iPad Pro likely won’t be the generation that adopts Apple’s in-house modem, though. According to Gurman, that shift is expected to happen in 2027 with the arrival of the M6 models — which he reports that Apple has already begun “early” work on. Apple introduced its first in-house cellular modem, the C1, with the iPhone 16e in February this year, and so far it seems to be performing pretty well. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/apple-is-reportedly-on-track-to-launch-the-m5-ipad-pro-and-macbook-pro-later-this-year-2...

Perplexity CEO denies having financial issues, says no IPO before 2028

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas recently took to Reddit to address users’ product complaints and reassure them that the company is not under serious financial pressure. Srinivas seemed to be responding, in part, to a user theory that the company is “doing horribly financially” and “making lots of changes to cut costs.” As an example, the Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Beyond encryption: Why quantum computing might be more of a science boom than a cybersecurity bust

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While quantum computers will be able to break traditional encryption, we’re still a long way from “No More Secrets” decryption. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Apple reportedly revamping Health app to add an AI coach

Apple is developing a new version of its Health app that includes an AI coach that can advise users on how to get healthier, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. Gurman first reported that something like this was in the works back in 2023, but now he says development is moving ahead, with the new features Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

China Miéville says we shouldn’t blame science fiction for its bad readers

It’s been 25 years since China Miéville stepped into the literary spotlight with his novel “Perdido Street Station.” Combining elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror, the novel introduced readers to the fantastically complex city of New Crobuzon, filled with insect-headed khepri, cactus-shaped cactacae, and terrifying slake moths that feed on their victims’ dreams. It Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Getting in touch with the Fortnite generation | Cody ‘Clix’ Conrod interview

I spoke with Cody "Clix" Conrod, who has millions of followers on social. He has been playing Fortnite since a young age and now he is world famous. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

4 Best Tax Services (2025), Tested and Reviewed

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I’m filing my 2024 taxes with nine different documents across three states. I tested popular tax services to see which best helped me untangle my tax mess. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Sam Altman firing drama detailed in new book excerpt

An excerpt from the upcoming book “The Optimist: Sam Altman, OpenAI, and the Race to Invent the Future” offers new details about why OpenAI’s board briefly fired CEO Sam Altman back in 2023. Written by Wall Street Journal reporter Keach Hagey, the book claims the nonprofit’s board members became increasingly concerned after learning about issues Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Amazon Spring Sale deals on Verge staff favorites

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Whenever Verge staffers are asked to describe their smart tech, office tools, kitchen gadgets, or whatever else, they talk about things they recently bought, things they picked up 10 years ago, or things they’ve had sitting around their house for decades. We’ve gathered a few of the items that our staffers have enthused about in the past Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

A live orchestra will perform Undertale’s soundtrack in London to celebrate its 10th anniversary

We’re coming up on the 10-year anniversary of Undertale’s release, and to mark the occasion, a 25-piece orchestra will perform the game’s soundtrack for a one-night-only concert at London's Eventim Apollo this summer. The event, dubbed The Determination Symphony, will be held on June 22, and tickets are on sale now. The Determination Symphony is described as “a musical journey from your initial fall at Mount Ebott, leading you through Froggit Village, the Snowdin Forest, Temmie Village and so much more.” Attendees (who I’m deeply envious of) will be able to watch all of that on screen while the orchestra makes its way through arrangements of the soundtrack. It’s hard to believe that Toby Fox’s Undertale is already 10 years old, but its enduring popularity just speaks to the impact it’s had on so many who have played it. We may not all get to experience the orchestral rendition, but at least we'll always have the original soundtrack. This article originally appeared on Engadget ...

Amazon Spring Sale tech deals under $50: The best discounts on chargers, earbuds, accessories and more

Amazon’s latest sales event is underway. The so-called Spring Sale runs through March 31, and while it mostly focuses on things like apparel and outdoor goods, it still includes a handful of discounts on electronics. Per usual with these big Amazon events, most of those aren’t anything special.But if you’re on a budget and looking to grab a new gadget on the cheap, we’ve rounded up a few actually decent tech deals that are available now and priced below $50. Some of the discounts below have technically been live for a few days, but a good price is a good price, and the offers include several devices we recommend in our various buying guides. We’ll update this guide with the latest discounts throughout the sale. Best Amazon Spring Sale deals under $50 Anker PowerConf C200 for $48 ($12 off MSRP): The PowerConf C200 is our favorite webcam for those on a tighter budget due to its crisp video quality, easy setup, solid microphones and built-in privacy cover. Its USB cable is on the sh...

BougeRV’s telescopic lantern is ridiculously versatile

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It’s sold as an outdoor camplight, but BougeRV’s very bright LED lantern is really a multifunctional work lamp for any place that needs an extra dose of lighting. It’s rechargeable and compact enough to serve as a long-lasting flashlight with three swiveling LED panels that can direct 3000 lumens onto your table, campsite, workspace, or engine block Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Top Trump Officials’ Passwords and Personal Phone Numbers Discovered Online

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Plus: Alleged Snowflake hacker will be extradited to US, internet restrictions create an information vacuum in Myanmar, and London gets its first permanent face recognition cameras. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

7 Best Bike Locks (2025): Litelok, Abus, Hiplok, KryptoLok Compared

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Our favorite bike locks for every ride, including new locks designed to thwart angle grinders. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

The Trump administration could green-light deep-sea mining for the first time

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The company that has pushed to open up the deep sea for mining is cozying up to the Trump administration after years of hitting roadblocks in international negotiations.  The island nation of Nauru initially sponsored The Metals Company (TMC) and its deep-sea mining effort. In 2021, that triggered a race to develop regulations before TMC Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

The Partial solar eclipse will be visible at sunrise today: Here’s how to watch it

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Today's the day: A solar eclipse will darken the skies in the northeastern US and Canada in the early hours of Saturday. Unlike the “Great American Eclipse” of 2024, however, this will not be a total eclipse. Instead, this event will be a partial eclipse visible in parts of the northern hemisphere.  While this one will lack the dramatic "totality" of the 2024 event, a partial eclipse is still worth seeing. The sun will not be fully obscured, but with proper eye protection, you will be able to see the moon take a bite out of the sun. And there's a catch, but it's also an opportunity: This eclipse will occur at sunrise in North America, meaning the sun will just barely be above the horizon. But that timing offers viewers the chance to see the famed “devil horns” — a crescent of solar light emerging from behind the moon. When can you watch this partial solar eclipse, and those devil horns? Let’s talk about how to safely watch this eclipse. What areas will experience ...

YouTube tests turning off notifications for channels you don’t watch

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YouTube is switching off some push notifications for channels with frequent uploads in a new test that might make you miss alerts you’ve signed up for. The latest test announced by the official TeamYouTube community targets channels that users have notifications set to “all” for, but often don’t open those notifications. The test won’t turn Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

7 Best Sleep Masks (2025), Tested and Reviewed

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Get some solid shut-eye with the help of these sleep masks. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Earth Shakes, Wallets Quake, and Stars Shine: March 28 Unveiled with Alvin

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Welcome, dear readers, to a tale spun with the threads of chaos, charm, and a dash of cosmic wonder. I’m Alvin, your storyteller here at Greenground, where we don’t just... Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Krafton acquires controlling stake in Indian gaming studio Nautilus Mobile for $14M

Krafton, known for its titles PUBG and BGMI, has acquired a controlling stake in 12-year-old Indian mobile gaming studio Nautilus Mobile. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Second-person horror game Out of Sight launches on May 22

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Out of Sight, a horror-puzzle title from The Gang and Starbreeze featuring a second-person perspective, finally gets its May 22 launch date. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Vizio All-in-One Soundbar (SV210D-0806) Review: Cheap Thrill

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Vizio’s minimalist new budget bar cuts the frills, keeps the fun. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

The open source Model Context Protocol was just updated — here’s why it’s a big deal

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An updated version of the MCP spec introduced key upgrades to make AI agents more secure, capable and interoperable. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

YouTube is changing how it calculates views for Shorts

YouTube Shorts has introduced a change that brings analytics for its bite-sized video option into closer parity with rival services TikTok and Instagram. The video platform will remove the minimum play time requirement it previously had for a user watching a clip to count as a view. Beginning March 31, a "view" will be added any time a YouTube Short is played or replayed. This will likely mean that creators will see higher view counts after the change takes place. YouTube will continue to track "engaged views," which measure the number of times a clip was played "for a certain number of seconds." YouTube clarified that the shift would not impact Creator earnings or their eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program; both will continue to be assessed by the engaged view metric. Both Instagram and TikTok have defined a "view" as the number of times a video starts playing, although those platforms also offer metrics for tracking time spent watching a...

Island lands $250M in funding at a $4.8B valuation

Enterprise browser startup Island just raised a sizable funding round — one that bumps up its valuation significantly, and less than one year after its last fundraise. Dallas-based Island raised $250 million in a Series E round led by Coatue that valued the company at $4.85 billion, the startup announced today. This brings the company’s Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Observe launches VoiceAI agents to automate customer call centers with realistic, humanlike voices that don’t interrupt

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Observe.AI has officially launched VoiceAI agents, a solution designed to automate routine customer interactions in contact centers. The latest addition to the company’s AI-driven conversational intelligence platform, VoiceAI agents aim to improve customer experience while reducing operational costs. With this release, Observe.AI is positioning itself as the only complete AI-powered platform that supports enterprises across  Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Avocado Mattress Review: A Comfortable, Eco-Friendly, Organic Mattress

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The Avocado Green Mattress manages to be soft and plush while still offering a supportive base good for combination sleepers. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Instagram partners with schools to prioritize reports of online bullying and student safety

Instagram on Tuesday announced a new school partnership program aimed at expediting the handling of moderation reports submitted by verified school accounts. The program is currently available to all middle and high schools in the U.S. It allows schools to report posts or student accounts that may violate the app’s guidelines directly to Instagram. These Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

The Kindle Colorsoft is now a far better deal thanks to Amazon’s Big Spring Sale

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When we reviewed the Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition late last year, one of our biggest gripes was the e-reader’s initial starting price of $279.99. It’s a high price to pay for an ebook reader, particularly given its smaller 7-inch display and lack of stylus support, but those shortcomings are more forgivable now that the ebook Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

It’s Looking More Likely NASA Will Fly the Artemis II Mission

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The core stage of NASA’s Space Launch System is now integrated with the rocket’s twin boosters. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Read the email Jack Dorsey sent when he cut 931 of Block’s staff

Block just laid off 931 employees. Read the email from its co-founder Jack Dorsey for more details on why. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Google says its new ‘reasoning’ Gemini AI models are the best ones yet

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After delivering a new “open” AI model with better performance on a single GPU, Google has now introduced an update to the AI models for its products with Gemini 2.5, which combines “a significantly enhanced base model with improved post-training” for better overall performance. It’s claiming that the first release, Gemini 2.5 Pro experimental, leads Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

iRobot’s 2-in-1 vacuum and mop drops to $149 for the Amazon Spring Sale

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly robot vacuum that can handle both vacuuming and mopping, iRobot’s Roomba Combo Essential just hit its lowest price ever. Thanks to the Amazon Spring Sale, it’s down to $150 from $275, matching the lowest price we’ve seen. It previously dipped to $149 during the holiday season and earlier this year, but it’s unclear how long this deal will stick around this time. As you can see in our roundup of the best budget robot vacuums, we’ve consistently rated iRobot’s machines highly for their reliability and ease of use. The Roomba Combo Essential is a simple, no-frills option that both vacuums and mops, making it a solid pick for small apartments, dorm rooms or anyone who wants a cleaner floor without spending a fortune. The vacuum uses special multi-surface brushes to pick up dirt, dust and pet hair from hard floors and carpets. Unlike some budget models that struggle with transitions, this one automatically adjusts to different surfaces, so you w...

Scientists Observe Carbon Dioxide on Planets Outside the Solar System for the First Time

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The findings provide strong evidence that four giant exoplanets 130 light-years from Earth formed much like Jupiter and Saturn. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Quora’s Poe launches its most affordable subscription plan for $5/month

Poe, Quora’s chatbot app, launched one of its most affordable subscription options on Monday, priced at just $5 per month.  In addition, the company introduced its highest-priced plan at $250 per month, designed for users who need to send a large volume of messages on Poe. Poe allows users to utilize several AI-powered bots– including Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

The Trump administration axes funding for climate impacts on health research

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A growing body of evidence points to mounting health risks posed by climate change. Despite this, it seems the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will quit funding that kind of research. ProPublica first reported the news on Monday, citing internal records that the investigative outlet viewed. NIH gave directions to staff members last week that Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

A Chinese tech giant says it slashed AI costs using only Chinese chips

Earlier this year, DeepSeek briefly crashed Nvidia’s stock because of speculation that its models require far fewer chips. Now, Chinese fintech giant Ant Group, which is backed by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, is claiming a major AI breakthrough. Ant was able to use Chinese chips made by Alibaba and Huawei to create methods that cut Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

US lifts sanctions on Tornado Cash, a crypto mixer linked to North Korean money laundering

Tornado Cash was used to launder billions in stolen crypto, according to the Treasury. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

How to Delete Your Data From 23andMe

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DNA-testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, which means the future of the company’s vast trove of customer data is unknown. Here's what that means for your genetic data. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

OpenAI says its AI voice assistant is now better to chat with

OpenAI released updates Monday for Advanced Voice Mode, its AI voice feature that enables real-time conversations in ChatGPT, to make the AI assistant more personable and interrupt users less frequently. Manuka Stratta, an OpenAI post-training researcher, announced the changes in a video posted Monday to the company’s official social media channels. OpenAI’s latest update aims Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Space Heater Safety Tips: How Not to Set a Fire

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Space heaters are safer than ever, but they can still start fires. Here’s how not to. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Ex-Network International execs raise $6M for Enza, an African fintech serving banks

Over the past decade, Dubai-based Network International has become one of the dominant payment processors across the Middle East and Africa, thanks in part to a pair of acquisitions. However, many large incumbents can fall prey to slower innovation, opening the door for smaller, faster-moving startups. The latest development is Enza, a fintech founded in Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Apple’s The Studio spins Hollywood chaos into comedic gold

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Though movie studio heads are usually in the mood to pat themselves on the back around this time of year, it is always difficult to take the entertainment industry seriously when you stop to think about the many ridiculous projects that leave you wondering “who asked for this?” IP-based hits like Barbie get studio executives Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

How to delete your 23andMe data

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23andMe has filed for bankruptcy, raising concerns about what will happen to the DNA-testing company and all the data it’s collected from customers over the years. In the event that 23andMe is sold, its massive genetic database may end up in the hands of a different company entirely — one that users never consented to Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Apple’s rumored plastic Apple Watch SE has reportedly hit a serious snag

We’ve been hearing for some time that Apple is working on a version of the Apple Watch SE with a plastic shell to offer a cheaper and more kid-friendly option, but it seems bringing that vision to life is a bit more complicated than expected. After Apple’s September event last year came and went with no new Apple Watch SE announced, Mark Gurman reported that the team had run into some “cost and quality” challenges with the plastic design, but that it was still happening. Now, in this week’s Power On newsletter, Gurman says the plastic Apple Watch SE is “in serious jeopardy.” According to Gurman, “The design team doesn’t like the look, and the operations team is finding it difficult to make the casing materially cheaper than the current aluminum chassis.” It’s been over two years since Apple released the second generation Apple Watch SE, and that model now feels “bland,” as Engadget’s Amy Skorheim wrote after revisiting the device recently. A refresh is due, but it's now looking lik...

‘Gradually then suddenly’: Is AI job displacement following this pattern?

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Many technological shifts have coincided with economic downturns. Will 2025 be the year AI not only augments jobs but starts to replace them? Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Former Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt’s new robotics startup reportedly raises another $150M

The Bot Company, the robotics startup founded by former Cruise co-founder and CEO Kyle Vogt, has raised $150 million in a round led by Greenoaks, according to Reuters, citing unnamed sources. Vogt founded the startup with Paril Jain, who led the AI tech team at Tesla, and former Cruise software engineer Luke Holoubek. Vogt did Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Google is rolling out Gemini’s real-time AI video features

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Google has started rolling out new AI features to Gemini Live that let it “see” your screen or through your smartphone camera and answer questions about either in real-time, Google spokesperson Alex Joseph has confirmed in an email to The Verge. The features come nearly a year after Google first demonstrated the “Project Astra” work Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Here are the best deals you can already grab from Amazon’s spring sales event

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Spring has sprung — and so has Amazon’s latest sales event. Amazon’s Big Spring Sale kicks off on Tuesday, March 25th, and runs through Monday, March 31st, bringing with it a slew of discounts on gardening supplies, bedding, grilling essentials, and other springtime favorites. And while the discounts aren’t as steep as during tentpole events Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Apple Watches with built-in cameras to support AI features are reportedly in the works

Apple is working on adding cameras to future Apple Watch models in order to make them function more like AI wearables, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in the Power On newsletter. Gurman reports that the company “is considering adding cameras to both its standard Series watches and Ultra models,” with plans for a 2027 launch. The move would allow the Apple Watch to support AI features like Visual Intelligence, which can provide on-the-spot information about whatever the user points the camera at. Gurman previously reported that Apple is developing AirPods with a built-in camera for the same purpose, and he notes this week that these are expected to launch around the same time as the camera-equipped Apple Watches. Camera placement would likely vary among the different watch models. According to Gurman, the Series watches could get a camera in the display, while the camera in the Ultra would be on the side of the device. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.eng...

The Apple Watch may get cameras and Apple Intelligence

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Apple is working on adding cameras to the Apple Watch in order to enable AI features like Visual Intelligence within the next two years, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman in today’s Power On Newsletter. The cameras will be “inside the display” for the standard Series Watch, while the Apple Watch Ultra would feature it on Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Assassin’s Creed Shadows has reached 2 million players, Ubisoft says

Assassin’s Creed Shadows may be shaping up to be the hit Ubisoft needed. On social media, the Assassin’s Creed team announced that the game, which was released on Thursday, has so far drawn in two million players. Assassin’s Creed Shadows was originally slated to come out last fall, but was delayed twice as developers worked to further polish the game and try to ensure everything would be running smoothly on day one.  So far, (mostly) so good, it seems. Engadget’s Kris Holt noted in his review this week that the game is for the most part running well on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and PC. 🔥 2 MILLION PLAYERS! 🔥We’re thrilled to celebrate this incredible milestone! Assassin's Creed Shadows has now surpassed the launches of AC Origins and Odyssey. Thank you for joining the journey in Feudal Japan! #AssassinsCreedShadows pic.twitter.com/a6YezXNtYI— Assassin's Creed (@assassinscreed) March 22, 2025 According to Ubisoft, the launch of Shadows “has now surpassed the launches o...

Hue accidentally leaks a new video doorbell

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An update to the Philips Hue app this week appears to have leaked a new Hue Secure video doorbell, reports Hueblog. The unannounced product shows up in a section offering instructions for adding devices that you have no QR code for. From the screenshots below, taken in the iOS Hue app by my colleague Jennifer Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Minecraft will drop two new games and more movie details

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Minecraft announced details for the next two game drops, Spring to Life and the next vanilla game drop, called Vibrant Visuals. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

SwitchBot adds robot vacuums, smart shades, and its new Hub 3 to Home Assistant

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SwitchBot will integrate more than 45 of its products with Home Assistant during the first half of this year, the company said in an email to The Verge. That expansion includes The SwitchBot Hub 3 that was first revealed in a filing with the Connectivity Standards Alliance last week. Many of these integrations are coming Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Amazon Spring Sale Apple deals include the Mac mini M4 for a record-low price

Apple’s most recent Mac mini is down to its lowest price yet in an early Amazon Spring Sale deal. The M4 Mac mini starts at just $499 right now for 16GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage, or 17 percent off the usual price of $599. Other versions are $100 off too, with 16GB/512GB currently going for $699 and the model with 24GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage sitting at $899. You can also get the Mac mini with the M4 Pro chip for $1,299, down from its usual $1,399. The M4 Mac mini earned a review score of 90 in our review this past fall, impressing us with how much power it packs into its tiny frame. Engadget’s Devindra Hardawar wrote at the time, “The Mac mini was the fastest computer I've reviewed this year, at least when it comes to CPU benchmarks.” That it starts at 16GB of RAM (as is now standard for new Macs) is a big plus, and in addition to the connections on the back, it has some useful front ports: two USB-C ports and a headphone jack. The M4 Mac mini’s dimin...

It’s time to squad up in this preview from Apple’s Mythic Quest spinoff series

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Aside from cutscenes, most of Mythic Quest takes place in the real world. But Apple’s upcoming spinoff series Side Quest will give us a much better look at what the game looks like from within. While some of Side Quest’s four episodes focus on people’s lives outside of and away from Mythic Quest, the final Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Meta settles UK ‘right to object to ad-tracking’ lawsuit by agreeing not to track plaintiff

A human rights campaigner, Tanya O’Carroll, has succeeded in forcing social media giant Meta not to use her data for targeted advertising. The agreement is contained in a settlement to an individual challenge she lodged against Meta’s tracking and profiling back in 2022. O’Carroll had argued that a legal right to object to the use Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Less is more: UC Berkeley and Google unlock LLM potential through simple sampling

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With multiple sampling and self-verification, Gemini 1.5 Pro can outperform o1-preview in reasoning tasks. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

SpaceX could soon have more control over Texas public road and beach closures

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SpaceX could soon have greater control over the recreational activities of South Texas residents. The Houston Chronicle (via Gizmodo) and San Antonio Express-News report that a pair of state senate bills introduced earlier this month would give officials at the likely Starbase city the authority to decide when a nearby beach shuts down for weekday launch activities. Meanwhile, a third bill floated on Wednesday would take the company's control a step further, making it a criminal offense for people on the beach not to comply with SpaceX's evacuation orders. The bills are possible because of an upcoming election that will almost certainly give SpaceX officials control of the area. On May 3, voters will decide if Starbase becomes a Texas city, something Elon Musk first proposed in 2021. Given that the area near the rocket site is populated mainly by SpaceX employees (after previous homeowners in Boca Chica Village moved, often after being bought out by the company), let's just...

Joint studies from OpenAI and MIT found links between loneliness and ChatGPT use

New studies from OpenAI and MIT Media Lab found that, generally, the more time users spend talking to ChatGPT, the lonelier they feel. The connection was made as part of two, yet-to-be-peer-reviewed studies, one done at OpenAI analyzing "over 40 million ChatGPT interactions" and targeted user surveys, and another at MIT Media Lab following participants' ChatGPT use for four weeks. MIT's study identified several ways talking to ChatGPT — whether through text or voice — can affect a person's emotional experience, beyond the general finding that higher use led to "heightened loneliness and reduced socialization." For example, participants who already trusted the chatbot and tended to get emotionally attached in human relationships felt lonelier and more emotionally dependent on ChatGPT during the study. Those effects were less severe with ChatGPT's voice mode, though, particularly if ChatGPT spoke in a neutral tone. Discussing personal topics also tende...

The Morning After: A closer look at Facebook’s leadership

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For all of the money and clout Meta has, it can’t stop the triennial emergence of a whistleblower revealing how awful its leadership is. Careless People, the tell-all memoir from former staffer Sarah Wynn-Williams is the latest, dishing plenty of dirt on the house of Zuckerberg. The book has shot to the top of The New York Times’ bestseller list despite Meta’s attempts to suppress it. Engadget’s Karissa Bell summarized some of the more eye-watering details from the book, and even in highlight form, it’s wild. Like the fact Mark Zuckerberg, the billionaire world king of the internet, wanted the company to arrange for him to be mobbed when he landed in Asia. Or that Sheryl Sandberg didn’t quite grasp how difficult it is to transport live organs between countries. There’s plenty of scorn for Joel Kaplan, the former George W. Bush staffer and friend of Brett Kavanaugh, who has long been seen as the figure behind Facebook’s rightward pull. Kaplan is accused of blocking attempts to address t...

Brad Pitt’s High-Octane F1 Comeback – Inside the 2025 Formula 1 Movie

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Brad Pitt’s High-Octane F1 Comeback – Inside the 2025 Formula 1 Movie #BradPitt #Formula1 #F1Movie #Racing #Greenground Join Alvin from Greenground as we dive into Brad Pitt’s thrilling new Formula 1 movie, F1. This elegant yet energetic monologue reveals the film’s plot – a veteran driver’s comeback saga – and introduces the star-studded cast bringing it to life. Discover fan theories (did Pitt secretly film a victory in Mexico City?), behind-the-scenes secrets of how the director of Top Gun: Maverick captured high-speed action on real F1 tracks, and how Lewis Hamilton helped inject authentic racing spirit into the production. With release details, on-set anecdotes, and a dash of Alvin’s own charm, this in-depth look will leave you revved up for the 2025 release of F1. Buckle up for Hollywood drama meets Grand Prix adrenaline!Let me know if you’d like further refinements or additional elements. Let’s push the boundaries of imagination together! 🚀 and Remember, if you want to stay upd...

The 560-pound Twitter logo has sold for $34,000

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Twitter may be dead, but the 12-foot tall bird logo from its San Francisco headquarters will live on. The sign — one of two birds that formerly adorned Twitter’s office — has been sold at auction for $34,375. That's a bit less than $40,000 auctioneers RR House estimated it would fetch, but is nonetheless a pricey piece of social media history. The massive logo that marked the company’s headquarters on San Francisco's Market Street is undoubtedly one of the most iconic symbols associated with the social media company. (The sign was unceremoniously removed after Musk’s rebranding of the company to X.)  The unknown buyer will also responsible for costs to move the sign from the San Francisco storage facility where it’s currently located. That alone will be no small feat. The sign is 145˝ x 105˝ (roughly 12 feet by 8 feet) and weighs in at 560 pounds, according to the listing. A YouTube video accompanying the listing shows that it took a crane and a team of several workers to remov...

Ford Bronco Electric Bike Review: Car Makers Now Make Electric Bikes

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For the motocross-minded, the Bronco eBike is equal parts blast-from-the-past and harbinger of the future. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

The System Shock 2 remaster comes out June 26th

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Nightdive Studios is making good on a six-year-old promise: a remastered version of the classic Looking Glass game System Shock 2. Nightdive and Sony revealed a trailer for System Shock 2: 25th Anniversary Remaster, as well as a release date of June 26th for PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 4 and Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Segway is recalling over 200,000 electric scooters that can collapse mid-ride

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Segway has issued a recall for all of its Ninebot Max G30P and Max G30LP electric scooters due to a faulty mechanism that can cause the scooters’ handlebars and stem to fold while it’s in use, creating a fall hazard, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The company has received 68 reports of Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

The crypto bars are invading Washington

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In a true sign of a vibe shift in Washington, a DC bar beloved by Republican staffers announced that it was shuttering its doors – and will reportedly be replaced by a bar that only accepts cryptocurrency as payment. Local news site PoPville first reported on Thursday that a D.C. outpost of Pubkey, a bar Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

The EU wants Apple to open these iOS features to other gadgets

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The European Union has outlined exactly how Apple needs to improve the interoperability of iOS, and the guidance reveals which features could be available to other smartwatches, headphones, and speakers. The specifications adopted by the European Commission on Tuesday explain exactly how Apple needs to open iPhone and iPad operating systems to comply with the Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

The Pixel 9A’s version of Gemini is missing a few features

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The Google Pixel 9A may have the same Tensor G4 chip as its more expensive counterparts, but it comes with a text-only version of Gemini AI. Google confirmed to Ars Technica that the Pixel 9A doesn’t have access to certain features, like the AI-powered Pixel Screenshots app, because of the phone’s lower 8GB of memory. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

‘We Don’t Want an AI Demo, We Want Answers’: Federal Workers Grill Trump Appointee During All-Hands

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Leaked chats obtained by WIRED detail plans for the General Services Administration—and the staff's angry response. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Solar notches another win as Microsoft adds 475 MW to power its AI data centers

The company recently signed a deal with energy provider AES for three solar projects across the Midwest. © 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Satellite Internet Will Let Us Put AI in Everything

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AI-powered agents need to be connected all the time to be truly effective. Sounds like a job for satellite internet providers. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .

Speed is King: How Google’s $32B Wiz play rewrites DevOps security rules

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The real story behind Google acquiring Wiz is how the need for speed and better cloud security dominates every enterprise’s devops cycles. Posted from: this blog via Microsoft Flow .