Missed Microsoft Build? All good — here’s the recap

// Uninterrupted music streaming is now free.99 »

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4 takeaways from Microsoft's Build developer conference keynote

“Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella took the stage Tuesday to give a keynote address at Microsoft Build, the company's annual developer conference, where he unveiled several new artificial intelligence initiatives. The updates came just a day after Microsoft announced new Copilot+ PCs, and a week after Alphabet's Google I/O developer conference. Here are the key takeaways.”

// Investopedia »

Best way to ruin a playlist? Ads

When it comes to music, ads kill the vibe. You know what else ruins a good jam sesh? Not being able to skip songs. And bad sound quality. Basically, there are lots of things that can get in between you and your tunes. But not with Amazon Music Unlimited. Get 30 free days of uninterrupted streaming when you join today. We’re talking ad-free music and podcasts, offline listening, and unlimited skips — so uninterrupted that the only thing that’ll get between you and your music is, well, you. So step aside and let yourself indulge in an immersive — and ad-free — audio experience. [Ad]

// Listen ad-free »

AI is a black box. Anthropic figured out a way to look inside

“For the past decade, AI researcher Chris Olah has been obsessed with artificial neural networks. One question in particular engaged him: ‘What's going on inside of them?’ he says. … That question has become a core concern now that generative AI has become ubiquitous. Large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Anthropic’s own Claude have dazzled people with their language prowess and infuriated people with their tendency to make things up. But LLMs are strangers in our midst. Even the people who build them don’t know exactly how they work … If the people building the models knew what happened inside these ‘black boxes,’ it would be easier to make them safer.”

// Wired »

The next big thing for cars is actually pretty small

Over the next thirty years, about 70% of the world population is expected to migrate out of the ‘burbs and into the big cities. That means your already loud and crowded city is about to get busier, and those coveted parking spots are going to be even harder to find. Eli Electric Vehicles is the “next big thing” in urban mobility according to the big-shots over at McKinsey (so you know this is pretty legit), disrupting the transportation industry with a ~$500 billion market opportunity: micro-EVs. A compact and convenient way to commute around cities, these tiny cars might just change mobility in urban settings for good. Want to be part of that change? Shares start at $9.80 with a $793.80 minimum investment. Check out their exclusive investor perks. [Ad]

// Get invested »

Creating a bacteria painting is an elegant but dangerous art

“There’s no comprehending agar art without first understanding what agar is. The white, gelatin-like substance is gleaned from red algae and can be used for cooking purposes, particularly for making desserts. It’s especially coveted by microbiologists for its thickening and stabilizing properties, which creates a solid growing area where, with the help of nutrients, bacteria can be cultured and studied. Agar art, therefore, is the practice of using this jelly-like medium to culture pigmented microbes and manipulate them into elaborate designs and patterns, bridging the worlds of arts and sciences with the flick of a paintbrush. But if it’s not done right, there are some serious dangers involved in the art, including contamination and spreading disease to the general public.”

// Atlas Obscura »

Still playing without perks? You deserve better than that

How’s that standard, perk-less gaming experience going for you? Our guess: It’s probably fine, but it could be better. And with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate three-month membership plans going around for so cheap, why not upgrade to better? You can even stack codes for more months of EA Play perks, discounts, freebies, online console multiplayer, and access to all the benefits of a Game Pass Ultimate membership. [Ad]

// Game on »

Inside the black market where people make thousands of dollars selling their poop

“Fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) have been around for a while. The first recorded instance of a fecal-based remedy occurred in ancient China, and today, they’re one method used to treat Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), a bacterial infection that causes fever, nausea, and diarrhea, which can occur after antibiotics have inadvertently scoured a patient’s bowels of healthy microbes. … Scientists think that transplanted poop might be useful for patients suffering from other chronic gut illnesses, too.”

// Slate »

Not using a VPN for your biz? Better get on that

If you own a small business, you know a thing or two about dodging curveballs. But not all fires are preventable. Especially when the Internet is so full of weirdos and hackers and trackers. That’s why having a VPN for your biz isn’t just nice, it’s necessary. With all the options out there, it can be hard to figure out which one will work best for your company. Luckily this extensive guide breaks it all down step by step.

// StackSocial »