I don't like passkeys
Passkeys are promoted as a secure login method, but they pose risks like account lockout and device loss for individuals. Hardware key limitations and reliance on synced accounts can lead to irreversible access issues.
Android 17 APIs, Cloudflare Quick Tunnels, and passkeys debate
First things first
People are buzzing about new tech quirks and big shifts, from AI mishaps to privacy debates. It’s like we’re riding a rollercoaster of innovation, with some wild stories about AI design, security, and even the human brain. Things are changing fast, and it’s kinda wild to keep up.
Meanwhile, folks are also talking about global tension, data laws, and how AI influences everything from chips to military stuff. It’s a mix of excitement, concern, and curiosity - like the world’s on the edge of some big moves.
The top 6
Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without releasing to the AOSP
Android 17 is the first version since 3.x to introduce new APIs without being released to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). This marks a departure from previous update practices for Android versions.
Cloudflare Quick Tunnels
Cloudflare Quick Tunnels allows developers to securely share local applications globally with a single command, without needing accounts or complex setup. Built on Cloudflare's global network, it provides automatic HTTPS, DDoS protection, and fast, reliable connections for testing and collaboration.
Claude Code now reads AGENTS.md if there is no Claude.md
Claude Code now reads the AGENTS.md file if there is no Claude.md, making the system more standards-compliant. The update is part of new features including Claude Code mods for customization, which are open source.
US Military had close call after using AI for hallucinated intelligence report
The US military used AI to generate intelligence reports, which led to a close call involving false information. The incident resulted in mistaken drone strikes on schools, causing civilian casualties.
Bend 2 and the Vibe-Coding Trap
Bend 2 aims to be a language for AI-driven coding with formal verification, but it requires extensive code to verify simple laws, highlighting inefficiency. Vibe-coding can cause developers to miss established solutions like formal verification, leading to suboptimal approaches.
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Quote of the day
Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Buddha
Also big today
I Vibed a Proof of Conway's Conjecture
Dan Abramov claims to have a Lean proof of Conway's 50-year-old conjecture about omnific integers, though it is not yet verified by mathematicians. The proof, supported by mechanical checks and initial expert opinions, explores surreal numbers and their properties.
Saving another 100TB of RAM with math (and Rust)
Cloudflare improves memory efficiency by using advanced math and Rust programming to save 100TB of RAM. This optimization enhances performance and cost-effectiveness for large-scale infrastructure.
Korea raises data breach fines to 10% of revenue
Korea's privacy regulator has increased fines for data breaches to up to 10 percent of a company's annual revenue. This change aims to encourage companies to prioritize data protection and prevent leaks.
Human brain is two separate organs, Stanford Medicine-led research finds
Stanford Medicine-led research found that the human brain is composed of two separate organs that evolved independently. This discovery could advance understanding of neurological diseases affecting the brain stem, such as ALS and SMA.
Border agents can search cellphones without a warrant or reasonable suspicion
Border agents can now search cellphones without a warrant, probable cause, or reasonable suspicion following a ruling by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. This decision broadens law enforcement powers at border crossings to include electronic device searches.
North Korean nuclear test sets off years of earthquakes – Science – AAAS
North Korea's nuclear tests have triggered seismic activity that causes earthquakes lasting for years. These tests are detected through their long-term impact on the Earth's crust.
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What do lions use to look at their manes?
Mirroars.
Worth a look
There's no point at which turning your brain off will work
Using large language models often leads to people turning off their critical thinking and blindly trusting the outputs, which can result in errors and ineffective results. As LLMs improve, relying solely on them without active oversight becomes increasingly problematic, especially for high-value tasks.
US troop deaths during Iran war exceed Pentagon count by at least four
US troop deaths during the Iran war are reported to be at least four more than the Pentagon's official count. The discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy of the reported casualties.
San Francisco Onion Futures Company
The San Francisco Onion Futures Company sells private contracts for the future delivery of yellow onions, with prices updated daily by a proprietary algorithm. Delivery is arranged with buyers in primary US and Canadian cities, and contracts are transferable but non-refundable.
US Treasuries Have Become Unappetizing for Foreign Central Banks and Governments
Foreign central banks and governments have reduced their Treasury holdings to $3.77 trillion, the lowest since 2012, as Treasuries become less attractive. Meanwhile, US hedge funds and companies increasingly hold Treasuries through opaque foreign financial centers, making the US less dependent on official foreign investors.
An Empirical Study of Harness Design for Coding Agents
A study evaluates components of coding harnesses that improve autonomous coding agents' performance, focusing on planning, action space, and context management. Results show context management is crucial for small context windows, and different strategies impact efficiency and cost depending on model strength.
Photon-Emission-Guided Laser Fault Injection Enables RP2350 Secure Debug
Photon-emission microscopy was used to locate a register that controls debug features on the Raspberry Pi RP2350 microcontroller. Laser pulses enabled access to secure debug mode, allowing recovery of a secret stored in one-time-programmable memory despite security measures.
Song of the day
Deep cuts
Apple releases iPhone Duo simulator and Xcode 27.1 beta
Apple has released the iPhone Duo simulator and Xcode 27.1 beta for developers. These updates enhance testing and development capabilities for iOS applications.
How OpenAI Used Its Own LLMs to Design Its Jalapeño Chip
OpenAI used its own large language models to assist in designing a Jalapeño chip. This innovative approach demonstrates how AI can be applied beyond software, into hardware and product design.
AI chatbots becoming experts at changing people's minds. What's their secret?
AI chatbots are increasingly effective at influencing people's opinions and decisions. Their success relies on advanced natural language processing and psychological manipulation techniques.
Second Circuit Allows Government to Search Electronic Devices at the Border
The Second Circuit ruled that border agents can search electronic devices without suspicion, allowing warrantless searches. The Knight Institute criticized the decision, stating it endangers privacy and First Amendment freedoms.
GPT-6 Astra Solves a WWI German Radio Cipher
GPT-6 Astra has decoded a WWI German radio cipher encrypted with the ADFGVX method, revealing a message about a British cruiser arriving at Sevastopol. The decoding involved using a specific encryption key and a detailed rearrangement process based on the key word 'TRUPPENVERSCHIEBUNG'.
War may be coming. Are we psychologically ready?
The UK government is urging citizens to prepare for potential wartime disruptions, including stockpiling supplies and strengthening civic resilience. Military leaders warn that threats from Russia make this the most dangerous period in decades, despite the low likelihood of invasion.