Sunday, May 24, 2026

On Trails is a wandering tale that blends hiking, science, and history

In On Trails: An Exploration, Robert Moor delves into the multifaceted significance of trails, weaving personal hiking experiences with broader themes such as colonialism and technology. The book starts with Moor's journey on the Appalachian Trail and expands into discussions about ant trails and the historical implications of various pathways, showcasing his ability to blend humor, philosophy, and poetic prose seamlessly.

Apple’s latest MacBook Air is $200 off in both sizes for Memorial Day

Apple's latest MacBook Air is now available at a $200 discount for Memorial Day, with the 13-inch model priced at $899.99 and the 15-inch model at $1,099.99. Both models feature the M5 chip, making them ideal for everyday tasks and offering impressive performance, including double the base storage compared to earlier versions.

New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh suggests he may take an Alan Greenspan-style approach at the central bank

New Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has indicated he may govern similarly to former Chair Alan Greenspan, emphasizing a flexible monetary policy that avoids premature interest rate hikes. During his swearing-in ceremony, Warsh expressed his commitment to fostering economic growth while acknowledging the challenges posed by persistent inflation and rising oil prices. He also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to enhance productivity and lower inflation, suggesting a cautious approach to rate adjustments.

Trump says Iran negotiations proceeding in 'orderly and constructive manner;' warns against rushing

President Donald Trump reported that negotiations to end the conflict with Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz are moving forward in an 'orderly and constructive manner.' He cautioned his team against rushing to finalize a deal, asserting that both sides should take their time to ensure no mistakes are made. The ongoing discussions aim to unfreeze Iranian assets and address nuclear program concerns.

ByteDance study finds that asking LMMs questions beats making it transcribe text for long document training

A new study from ByteDance and HKUST reveals that training multimodal AI models, like the MMProLong, is more effective when using question-answer pairs rather than traditional text transcription. This approach allows the model to better navigate long documents, outperforming larger competitors while maintaining stability at high input lengths.

Deepmind's Hassabis sees humanity "in the foothills of the singularity" while LeCun says current AI isn't intelligent

At a recent Google I/O keynote, Deepmind co-founder Demis Hassabis expressed that humanity is on the brink of a significant technological leap, referring to it as being in the 'foothills of the singularity.' He anticipates that artificial general intelligence (AGI) could be realized within the next five years, which he believes would surpass the impact of the industrial revolution. In contrast, AI researcher Yann LeCun argues that current large language models (LLMs) lack true intelligence, as they cannot independently solve new problems without prior training.

Report: watchOS 27 to improve heart-rate tracking; AI health coach may not debut at launch

Apple is enhancing heart-rate tracking capabilities in watchOS 27, focusing on stability and performance improvements rather than major new features. Meanwhile, the anticipated AI health coach, Project Mulberry, has faced delays and may not debut until later in the iOS 27 release cycle, as Apple seeks to refine its offering to compete with existing health subscriptions.

Apple Intelligence image models to boast ‘major’ visual upgrades in iOS 27: report

Apple is set to enhance its image generation models in iOS 27, significantly improving the visual quality of Genmoji and Image Playground. The updates will include new features that suggest Genmoji based on users' photo libraries, alongside the introduction of support for third-party AI models in Image Playground, moving beyond just OpenAI's ChatGPT. These enhancements aim to address the previously criticized low fidelity of Apple's image generation tools since their debut in iOS 18.2.

Report: iOS 27 to revamp the AirPods settings UI

Apple is set to overhaul the AirPods settings interface in iOS 27, addressing the cluttered layout that has accumulated as new features were added over the years. The redesign promises a more organized and functional menu for AirPods and AirPods Pro users, enhancing the overall user experience. These updates will also be included in iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, with an official announcement expected at the WWDC conference on June 8.

Why you shouldn't leave model selection on default in Copilot, Gemini and other AI tools

An experiment by mathematician Adam Kucharski highlights that Microsoft Copilot, when set to its default 'Auto' mode, generates misleading analyses by relying on stereotypes rather than the actual data. In tests involving identical datasets labeled for different countries, Copilot produced erroneous conclusions about cultural differences, underscoring the importance of understanding model selection in AI tools.

The Middle East war is testing the Gulf's ambitions to become an AI hub

The Gulf's aspirations to establish itself as a leading AI hub are under significant strain due to the ongoing Middle East conflict, which has raised concerns about energy security, infrastructure resilience, and investor confidence. With oil prices soaring and attacks on data centers becoming a reality, nations like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are facing delays and pauses in their ambitious AI projects, despite their previous investments in technology and infrastructure.

TechCrunch Mobility: Robotaxi reality check

Waymo's robotaxi services are experiencing significant operational challenges, prompting the company to pause operations in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Nashville due to difficulties navigating heavy rain and flooded roads. Despite being a leader in the commercial robotaxi space, Waymo's recent recall and suspension of services on freeways in major cities highlight the complexities of scaling autonomous vehicle technology, reminding stakeholders that commercial launch does not equate to long-term viability.

The Surprising Science Behind Google Searches

In a recent Bloomberg segment, Simon Rogers, Google's Data Editor, shared insights from his new book, 'What We Ask Google: A Surprisingly Hopeful History of Humankind.' He explores how the data generated from Google searches reflects not only individual curiosity but also broader societal trends, revealing a hopeful narrative about human inquiry.

How New Mega-Cap IPO's Will Reshape the Markets

SpaceX is gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO), marketing itself as an artificial intelligence company with a staggering potential market opportunity of $26.5 trillion. This strategic move signals SpaceX's intent to capture market share from established tech giants whose valuations have surged in recent years. Bloomberg's Larry Tabb discussed the potential market reshaping effects during a recent segment on Bloomberg This Weekend.

Apple’s Watch and Health Efforts Need Reboot to Rival New Wearables

The Apple Watch, now over ten years old, is struggling to keep pace in the rapidly evolving health and fitness wearables market. As competitors like Whoop and Oura gain traction, Apple is expected to revamp the Watch while also enhancing its AirPods and introducing new features in iOS 27 to maintain its competitive edge.

I tried Amazon’s Bee wearable and am both intrigued and slightly creeped out

Amazon's Bee wearable, acquired last year, functions as an AI personal assistant that records and summarizes conversations, providing organizational support. While it shows promise in professional settings, its extensive data collection and privacy implications raise concerns for personal use, making it a double-edged sword for potential users.

The Dreamie alarm clock got me to stop using my phone in bed

The Dreamie alarm clock has transformed bedtime routines by enabling users to disconnect from their phones, leading to improved sleep quality. With features like podcast playback and a 'back to sleep mode,' it offers a practical solution for those struggling with phone dependency at night. Priced at $250, the Dreamie combines functionality with a straightforward interface, making it a compelling alternative to traditional alarm clocks.

Hackers are learning to exploit chatbot ‘personalities’

Hackers are increasingly learning to exploit the conversational 'personalities' of chatbots, using psychological manipulation rather than technical skills to bypass safety measures. This shift has led to an arms race in AI security, where understanding human language and social cues is becoming as crucial as coding expertise. As tech companies work to patch vulnerabilities, the challenge remains to allow chatbots to engage meaningfully while preventing harmful outputs.