Spider-Man 2 will crawl onto PCs in January

Duolingo co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn announced an "AI-first" strategy via an all-hands email, indicating a gradual reduction in contractor roles for tasks that AI can automate. This shift involves rethinking work processes, including changes in hiring and performance reviews, while emphasizing that the goal is to alleviate repetitive tasks for employees, allowing them to focus on creative work. Von Ahn stated that AI is essential for scaling content creation to reach more learners...

NASA astronaut Don Pettit celebrated his 70th birthday on April 20 by making a dramatic return to Earth, landing in Kazakhstan after spending 220 days in orbit, a record for his age. Unlike any previous birthday celebration, Pettit experienced the intense forces of re-entry, including 4.4gs in freefall, before landing and feeling the effects of the journey. While John Glenn had been older at 77 during his spaceflight, Pettit’s long duration in space at his...

Summary Temu is implementing "import charges" of approximately 145% due to President Donald Trump's tariffs on goods from China, as reported by CNBC. These fees exceed the cost of the products purchased by U.S. consumers, in some instances more than doubling the price of a standard order. For example, CNBC highlighted that a summer item faced significant price increases as a result of these added charges. Full Article

IBM Investment AnnouncementIBM has announced a $150 billion investment in the United States over the next five years, with over $30 billion dedicated to research and development in mainframes and quantum computing. This move follows similar commitments from other tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, each pledging around $500 billion, amid the backdrop of President Trump's administration and its cost-cutting measures. CEO Arvind Krishna emphasized IBM's longstanding focus on American jobs and manufacturing, as the...

The author, despite being a good cook, struggles with stovetop rice and decides to try a rice cooker for better results. They tested various rice cookers based on their ability to prepare different types of rice, including sushi-grade white rice, brown rice, and basmati, while also considering ease of use and cleaning. The final recommendations focus on models under $300, emphasizing value for cost and the importance of cooking performance to enhance meals like katsu,...

Virtual reality (VR) headsets have significantly evolved, offering immersive experiences for gaming, exploration, and virtual meetings. Options range from standalone devices like the Meta Quest 3, which operate independently, to high-end systems such as the Apple Vision Pro that provide advanced features and visuals. Testing criteria for VR headsets include ergonomics, immersion, and controller functionality, with a focus on comfort, display quality, and tracking accuracy for an optimal user experience. Full Article