Kagi added a setting for removing paywalled links from search results
Kagi has introduced a new search setting that allows users to remove paywalled links from search results. This feature helps users access content without encountering paywalls.
Kagi removes paywalled links, grand jury declines Ohio man indictment
First things first
Looks like we're living in a pretty wild tech world right now, with AI getting cheaper and more powerful. We’re seeing new gadgets, big universe maps, and even some drama with law enforcement tech and security slips. It’s all about pushing boundaries while dealing with the messiness of trust and security in a rapidly changing digital age.
Stuff’s getting more advanced but also more fragile - from AI tools influencing work and education to tiny computers running Photoshop. The future feels a bit like a cyberpunk novel, but it’s also full of opportunities and questions we haven’t quite figured out yet.
The top 6
Grand jury declines to indict Ohio man charged with destroying Flock camera
A grand jury in Ohio decided not to indict Cody Morelock for allegedly destroying a Flock license plate reader camera. The case involved charges of felony vandalism after the camera and its support equipment were dismantled.
Felony Bench
Felony Bench tracks instances where AI models are involved in illegal activities, with scores indicating the number of such incidents. Companies like Anthropic and OpenAI have reported multiple security breaches and misuse cases affecting third-party entities.
There's no reason for software to be slow anymore
Advances in AI and lower costs for performance optimization have made it easier for developers to write highly efficient, workload-specific software. This shift enables more ambitious software projects, such as custom JIT compilers and optimized engines, to be built by a broader range of programmers.
Kobo can run apps now
Kobo e-readers now support running third-party apps through the open-source Cobalt platform, which manages app installation, updates, and execution over Wi-Fi. This enables functionalities like browsing arXiv papers, playing games, and running AI tools directly on Kobo devices.
I accidentally logged phone calls to military bases
An individual hijacked the e164.arpa phone network infrastructure zones for multiple territories due to an expired nameserver, logging hundreds of thousands of calls to military bases. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in DNS management of infrastructure domains used for phone routing.
Quote of the day
It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
Tony Robbins
Also big today
Claudette: Make Claude Stop Talking Like a BuzzFeed Article
Claudette is a project aimed at making the AI language model Claude stop generating content that resembles BuzzFeed articles. It seeks to improve the tone and style of AI outputs for more professional and neutral communication.
We are living in a version of the future out of J.G. Ballard or William Gibson
Daily news stories reveal a world increasingly resembling cyberpunk fiction, with robots, AI-generated music, and futuristic medical clinics becoming common. These developments reflect a society deeply embedded in advanced technology and dystopian themes.
Omacom Foundation Launches with $8M
The Omacom Foundation was launched with $8 million in funding to support open-source projects and infrastructure for a malleable computer future. Eight founding patrons, including industry leaders like Shopify, Stripe, and Dell, each contributed $1 million to ensure the foundation's long-term impact.
Rust Glancer: Rust LSP using 100x less RAM
Rust Glancer is a language server protocol (LSP) implementation for Rust that uses 100 times less RAM than traditional methods. It improves performance in large Rust workspaces by building in-memory data structures more efficiently.
Scientists release biggest 2D map of the universe
Scientists have released the largest 2D map of the universe, containing nearly 4 billion celestial objects. The map, built from over 263,000 telescope exposures, helps researchers study dark matter, dark energy, and rare cosmic phenomena.
What Happens When the Cost of Intelligence Drops 100x
The cost of AI models has decreased by 100 times, enabling large-scale, volume-driven tasks that were previously too expensive. This shift allows for more widespread use of AI in analyzing large datasets and performing repetitive tasks at a fraction of the former cost.
Pass it on
Enjoying the digest?
Forward it to someone who'd like it, or send them the link to subscribe.
Share hn.todayOne for the road
How many feet are in a yard?
It depends on how many people are standing there.
Worth a look
Three important steps in my maturation process
Thomas Dullien reflects on three key realizations that shaped his maturity, including understanding personal incentives and questioning beliefs. He emphasizes that individual actions often have unpredictable broader impacts and that personal motives influence moral judgments.
c100
The c100 is a Linux-powered mini-PC designed for professional environments like offices and labs, featuring a MILLED aluminum enclosure and AMD Ryzen 7940HS processor. It includes customizable components, a mechanical keyboard, and various ports, with prices starting at $1,400.
WPD won't replace stolen Flock cameras, citing public trust
Winona Police Department will not replace stolen Flock cameras to maintain public trust. The decision emphasizes the importance of community confidence in law enforcement technology.
How We Made a Text-to-Speech Model Respond in Sub-50 ms
Nari Labs developed a text-to-speech model that responds in under 50 milliseconds at 10 requests per second on a single NVIDIA H100 SXM. Their system outperforms other engines in speed and cost, achieving real-time playback with low latency and high capacity.
Quick impressions: A week of using Codex more than Claude
Codex produced simpler and more technical code solutions compared to Claude, with fewer comments and less abstraction. However, Claude felt more familiar and handled certain workflows like rebasing and integrations more smoothly.
Cancer-Related Mortality Among US Pilots and Flight Attendants
A study examines cancer-related mortality rates among US pilots and flight attendants. The research aims to identify potential health risks associated with their occupation.
Song of the day
Jet Lag (feat. Natasha Bedingfield)
Simple Plan;Natasha Bedingfield
Deep cuts
OTel Isn't Going Well (and I Made a Spreadsheet About It)
OpenTelemetry faces challenges due to limited maintainers, a large scope, and inconsistent support across languages, leading to delays and community frustration. The project aims to remain vendor-agnostic but struggles with stability and progress, impacting adoption and reliability.
US debt has hit $40tn - Will that be a wake-up call?
US national debt has surpassed $40tn, raising concerns about the country's fiscal future. The debt growth reflects increased government spending under recent administrations, echoing past warnings about fiscal responsibility.
I ran Photoshop on a £0.60 computer chip
Running an emulated Apple Macintosh on a Raspberry Pi chip costing about 60p shows how affordable and simple computers can be, capable of running software like Photoshop and WordPerfect. This highlights the potential for minimalistic devices and raises questions about future lightweight, low-power computing options.
AI Boosted Homework Scores by 18% – Then Exam Scores Dropped 20%, Study Shows
A study of 27,000 Chinese students found that AI tools improved homework scores by 18%, but caused a 20% decline in exam performance without AI. The research highlights the potential short-term benefits and long-term challenges of AI-assisted learning.
Initial focus for our partnership with Motorola is a regular non-folding device
The partnership between GrapheneOS and Motorola will initially focus on developing a standard non-folding device. The collaboration aims to improve device security and privacy features.
Canada will match US tariffs 'dollar for dollar' as trade talks break down
Canada will impose reciprocal tariffs on US goods dollar for dollar after trade talks broke down. Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized last-minute US proposals as unfair and unworkable.