Latest News from around the web
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OpenAI introduces Codex, its first full-fledged AI agent for coding
We’ve been expecting it for a while, and now it’s here: OpenAI has introduced an agentic coding tool called Codex in research preview. The tool is meant to allow experienced developers to delegate rote and relatively simple programming tasks to an AI agent that will generate production-ready code and show its work along the way.
Codex is a unique interface (not to be confused with the Codex CLI tool introduced by OpenAI last month) that can be reached from the side bar in the ChatGPT web app. Users enter a prompt and then click either “code” to have it begin producing code, or “ask” to have it answer questions and advise.
Whenever it’s given a task, that task is performed in a distinct container that is preloaded with the user’s codebase and is meant to accurately reflect their development environment.
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Acer’s new Swift Edge 14 AI laptop packs in a matte display and AI features
Acer is updating its lineup of Swift Edge, Go and X laptops at Computex with the latest Intel chips, and in of one of these Copilot+ PCs, a unique matte display treatment developed by Corning, the glass manufacturer behind the Gorilla Glass covering millions of smartphones.
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The Acer Predator Triton 14 AI is now my most anticipated gaming laptop of the year
Acer is announcing a boatload of PCs and gadgets for Computex 2025. But among the sea of new tablets, monitors, productivity machines and more is the Predator Triton 14 AI, which just became my most anticipated laptop of the year.
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LLMs are Making Me Dumber
The author shares a personal look at how constant reliance on large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT is making them feel less sharp. You get examples of how easy access to instant answers discourages deep thinking, problem-solving, and even memory. Instead of wrestling with tough questions or debugging code themselves, they now just ask the AI. The result: less learning, less confidence, and a creeping sense of intellectual laziness.
The piece raises a warning about what you lose when AI does the heavy lifting—curiosity, grit, and the joy of “figuring it out.” The author suggests using LLMs more like calculators: as a last step, not your first move. If you want to keep your mind in shape, you’ll find this article gives you reasons to pause before reaching for the AI shortcut every time.
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Donald Trump, Foreign Policy, Middle East, and 3 others How Qatar Bought America
Qatar has poured billions into American universities, think tanks, and media to boost its image and influence US policy. You see Qatar’s fingerprints in Ivy League campuses, high-profile events, and major research funding. The money buys access, shapes conversations about the Middle East, and helps soften criticism of Qatar’s politics and human rights record.
The article explains how this campaign runs deeper than just donations. It covers lobbying, exclusive access for Qatari officials, and investments in institutions that shape what Americans read and hear. If you want to know how a small Gulf state built big influence in Washington and on US campuses, read the full piece for details on names, figures, and how this soft power works behind the scenes.
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They Paid $3,500 for Apple’s Vision Pro. A Year Later, It Still Hurts.
Many early adopters paid $3,500 for Apple’s Vision Pro headset, expecting a revolution in how they use computers and media. A year later, many feel let down. Owners describe the device as impressive but awkward to use, heavy on the head, and lacking must-have apps. You get a sharp display and cool tech, but daily life doesn’t seem to fit with the headset’s promise. People who bought in early say it’s gathering dust or being resold, as the excitement fades fast.
Apple has not managed to make Vision Pro essential or even comfortable for long sessions. Owners point to a limited app ecosystem, missing software updates, and hardware that feels more like a beta than a finished product. Even loyal Apple fans call the headset “lonely” and “isolating.” If you’re curious about Apple’s AR/VR future, you’ll want to check out the full story to see why even dedicated users now feel some buyer’s remorse.
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CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of CarPlay, begins rolling out today
Apple just launched CarPlay Ultra, the next generation of its in-car software platform. You get a completely redesigned interface that now stretches across every screen in your car, not just the main dashboard. CarPlay Ultra lets you control climate, seat functions, and see vital car info like speed and fuel all from Apple’s familiar system. You’ll recognize iPhone-like widgets, split-view controls, and a new navigation view that spans the entire display. Apple wants you to feel like you’re using an iPhone, only built for your car.
Automakers like Aston Martin and Porsche are first to support CarPlay Ultra in new 2025 models, with others lined up to follow. If you’re driving one of these, you’ll notice fast setup with your iPhone, more customization for themes and layouts, and a smoother experience that stays synced with your apps and Apple Maps. Apple’s goal: make your car feel as smart and connected as your phone, without distractions. Read the full release to see which features and brands are rolling out first.
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Old and Small Technology
John Goerzen makes the case for using old and small tech in a world obsessed with the latest gadgets. He explains how old computers, simple devices, and classic software can actually improve your experience by being less distracting, more reliable, and easier to control. You don’t need constant upgrades or cloud dependencies to get real work done.
Goerzen shares practical tips on running old hardware, using lightweight Linux distributions, and getting value from “retro” tech. He highlights benefits like lower cost, better privacy, and less e-waste. If you’re tired of bloat, frequent updates, or being forced to replace gear, you’ll find his arguments for “slow computing” refreshingly direct. Dive into the full post for examples and recommendations.
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Stack overflow is almost dead
Stack Overflow is losing its relevance fast. In this article, Gergely Orosz explains that traffic has dropped by more than 50% since ChatGPT launched. Developers now use AI tools to get instant answers instead of searching Stack Overflow’s vast Q&A database. Even Stack Overflow’s leadership admits this drop isn’t temporary.
You see fewer new questions, less engagement, and declining ad revenue. Stack Overflow tried to adapt with products like “OverflowAI,” but these efforts look more like last-minute attempts than real innovation. The core problem: AI assistants answer coding questions faster and with less friction. If you rely on Stack Overflow today, expect less up-to-date content and a shrinking community. Read the full analysis for data and first-hand insights.
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Increased sedentary behavior is associated with neurodegeneration and worse cognition in older adults over a 7-year period despite high levels of physical activity
A new 7-year study shows that older adults who spend more time sitting experience more neurodegeneration and perform worse on cognitive tests, even if they stay physically active. The researchers tracked over 1,500 participants, using MRI scans and cognitive assessments, and found that high levels of physical activity did not counteract the negative effects of prolonged sitting on brain health.
You can exercise daily, but if you spend the rest of your time sitting, your risk for neurodegeneration and cognitive decline still goes up. The study urges you to reduce overall sedentary time—not just focus on hitting your activity goals. Read the full study for details on their methods and implications for healthy aging.
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Ollama’s new engine for multimodal models
Ollama’s latest blog post introduces a new engine designed to support multimodal models, enabling seamless integration of text and image processing.
### Key Features
**Model Isolation:** Each model operates independently, allowing developers to implement and deploy models without modifying shared codebases or risking conflicts with other models.
**Enhanced Accuracy:** The engine adds metadata during image processing to maintain positional information, ensuring accurate handling of large images that may exceed batch sizes.### Supported Models
* **LLaVA 1.6:** Available in 7B, 13B, and 34B parameter sizes, these models offer improved image resolution support, enhanced text recognition, and reasoning capabilities.
* **Llama 4 Scout:** A 109B parameter mixture-of-experts model capable of answering complex questions about images, such as identifying landmarks and estimating distances.
* **Gemma 3:** Supports multi-image inputs, enabling comparative analysis across images, such as identifying common elements or differences.
* **Qwen 2.5 VL:** Specializes in document scanning and character recognition, including translating vertical Chinese text to English.### Usage
Models
Developers can also integrate these models into applications using Python or JavaScript libraries, providing flexibility in deployment.
For more detailed information, visit the full blog post -
Doom: The Dark Ages review
For decades now, you could count on there being a certain rhythm to a Doom game. From the ’90s originals to the series’ resurrection in recent years, the Doom games have always been about using constant, zippy motion to dodge through a sea of relatively slow-moving bullets, maintaining your distance while firing back at encroaching hordes of varied monsters. The specific guns and movement options you could call on might change from game to game, but the basic rhythm of that dodge-and-shoot gameplay never has.
Just a few minutes in, Doom: The Dark Ages throws out that traditional Doom rhythm almost completely. The introduction of a crucial shield adds a whole suite of new verbs to the Doom vocabulary; in addition to running, dodging, and shooting, you’ll now be blocking, parrying, and stunning enemies for counterattacks. In previous Doom games, standing still for any length of time often led to instant death. In The Dark Ages, standing your ground to absorb and/or deflect incoming enemy attacks is practically required at many points.
During a preview event earlier this year, the game’s developers likened this change to the difference between flying a fighter jet and piloting a tank. That’s a pretty apt metaphor, and it’s not exactly an unwelcome change for a series that might be in need of a shake-up. But it only works if you go in ready to play like a tank and not like the fighter jet that has been synonymous with Doom for decades.
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Tianma Introducing New Innovations in LCD Display Technology at Display Week 2025
16″ WQXGA 480 Hz Oxide – Tianma is launching the world’s first 16″ 480 Hz Oxide gaming panel, establishing a new industry benchmark for high refresh rate. This panel, featuring advanced Oxide technology, demonstrates a significant improvement in refresh rate when compared to most mainstream “e-sports” gaming displays on the market. With a 3 ms GTG response time, motion blur is effectively eliminated, ensuring instantaneous reactions. In addition, the panel offers a stunning 2560×1600 WQXGA resolution, 500nit brightness, a 1200:1 contrast ratio, and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, making it the ultimate choice for high-performance gaming notebooks.
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Fractal Meshify 3 XL Case Review @ Hardware Asylum
Quote: In this review we will be looking at the Meshify 3 XL and appears to be a nice upgrade to the Mehsify case series. It features the same rockface front grill texture and high airflow design but offers many new features that people normally take for granted.
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Sony Introduces the Next Evolution of Noise Cancelling With the WH-1000XM6
Sony today announced the WH-1000XM6 wireless noise cancelling headphones – latest edition of its award winning 1000X series that set a new standard for premium audio and personal listening experiences. Building on the legacy of the 1000X series, this latest model combines premium sound with the best noise cancelling in a seamless design to create an unparalleled audio solution for music lovers, fashionistas, travelers and professionals alike.
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MSI Unveils the MPG 274URDFW E16M – Mini-LED, Dual Mode and AI-Driven Gaming Monitor
MSI proudly introduces the MPG 274URDFW E16M, a 27-inch Mini-LED Dual Mode gaming monitor. It features a Rapid IPS panel, Dual Mode for 160 Hz at UHD and 320 Hz at FHD, 0.5 ms (GtG, Min.) response time, and AI-driven features. This monitor delivers stunning visual clarity, rich colors, and optimized performance.
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Meta’s ‘Behemoth’ Llama 4 model might still be months away
According to the report, Meta had originally intended to release its “Behemoth” Llama 4 model at the April developer event, but later delayed its release to June. Now, it’s apparently been pushed back again, potentially until “fall or later.” Meta engineers are reportedly “struggling to significantly improve the capabilities” of the model that Mark Zuckerberg has called “the highest performing base model in the world.”
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Doctors successfully treated a baby with the first ever personalized gene-editing therapy
A team of doctors and scientists have successfully treated a rare genetic condition with the first-ever personalized gene-editing therapy. Results of the groundbreaking treatment have been published in The New England Journal of Medicine, with an accompanying editorial by a doctor who had previously overseen the FDA’s gene-therapy regulation efforts.
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X is once again selling checkmarks to US sanctioned groups, report says
X has once again been accepting payments from people associated with terrorist groups and other entities subject to US sanctions, according to a new report from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP). According to the report, X has not only accepted payments in exchange for its premium service, but in some cases has provided an “ID verified” badge.
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Here’s how the Sony WH-1000XM6 compare to the WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Max
It’s been over two years since Sony had a new pair of headphones in its 1000X lineup, but the newly announced WH-1000XM6 seem worth the wait. From the outside, the new ANC headphones look similar to the streamlined WH-1000XM5 from 2022, with the only major change being the return of ear cups that rotate and fold flat. Inside, though, Sony’s packed in improvements that put the WH-1000XM6 ahead of the competition in terms of both sound quality and active noise cancellation.