Q&A with Spotify Co-President and CTO Gustav Söderström on AI-generated music, NotebookLM podcasts, AI recommendations, improving discoverability, and more (Alex Kantrowitz/Big Technology)

Form has launched the Smart Swim 2 Pro goggles, enhancing durability with Gorilla Glass 3 lenses and introducing a baby shampoo-based anti-fog spray for clearer vision. Available from July 15 for $329 in the US, the upgraded goggles also offer premium subscribers improved data-driven training features, leading to faster performance gains. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Form has released the Smart Swim 2 Pro goggles, which are now tougher with scratch-resistant lenses and...

The four crew members of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, including Peggy Whitson (U.S.), Shubhanshu Shukla (India), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), have undocked from the International Space Station after an 18-day mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon. They are now en route back to Earth following their time at the orbital outpost. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: The four astronauts from Axiom Space's Ax-4 mission have left the International Space Station...

Meta's newly established superintelligence lab is contemplating a significant shift in its AI strategy, potentially moving from its open-source model, Behemoth, to a closed model. Discussions led by chief AI officer Alexandr Wang are preliminary and would require approval from CEO Mark Zuckerberg, as the company aims to address performance issues with its current A.I. framework. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Meta is thinking about changing how it makes its smart computers, possibly...

ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is developing mixed reality goggles through its virtual reality startup, Pico, aiming to compete with Meta's products. The lightweight goggles will rely on an external computing puck to minimize weight and are designed to minimize latency in AR experiences, although details on availability and potential sales in the U.S. remain uncertain. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, is creating lightweight mixed reality goggles...

Google has introduced "featured notebooks" to its AI-powered NotebookLM platform, providing interactive resources on various topics, including longevity advice and cultural insights. Created in collaboration with respected authors and publications, these notebooks allow users to engage with content through chat interfaces, summaries, and audio overviews, enhancing the overall utility of NotebookLM. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: Google has added special "featured notebooks" to its NotebookLM tool, which lets people explore fun topics and...

The 128GB Pixel 8 Pro, currently priced at $599 with a free Pixel Watch 2, offers a superior camera system and build quality compared to the $499 Pixel 9A. Launched in late 2023, it features a 120Hz OLED display and promises over five years of OS updates, making it a compelling choice for users seeking longevity and performance. Explain It To Me Like I'm 5: The Pixel 8 Pro, now available for $599 with a...