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Samsung's Odyssey 3D: Glasses-Free 3D Gaming Monitor Unveiled

2025-01-03

Samsung's Odyssey 3D: Glasses-Free 3D Gaming Monitor Unveiled

Samsung is launching the Odyssey 3D monitor, a glasses-free 27-inch 4K display utilizing a lenticular lens and AI to convert 2D content into 3D. Eye-tracking technology enhances the experience by optimizing the 3D effect. This represents another attempt by Samsung to popularize 3D displays, building on previous prototypes. While a larger 37-inch version was teased, only the 27-inch model has been released so far, potentially due to cost and market demand considerations. The monitor will be further showcased at CES 2025.

(arstechnica.com)

Hardware 3D display Samsung

The Book of PF, 4th Edition: Now Available for Preorder

2025-07-26

After eight years, the highly anticipated fourth edition of "The Book of PF" is now available for preorder! Author Peter Hansteen explains the update: to sync with the modern internet, particularly OpenBSD 7.8 and FreeBSD 14-STABLE. The new edition updates content while maintaining a similar structure and chapter titles, with a stronger FreeBSD focus. The update involved collaboration with Max Stucchi and Tom Smyth, refined through numerous conferences and tutorials. The fourth edition focuses on OpenBSD and FreeBSD's PF implementations and will be released in the second half of 2025, with a related tutorial at EuroBSDcon 2025.

(bsdly.blogspot.com)

Development

Cheating at Settlers of Catan: Loaded Dice and P-values

2025-05-22

This article details an experiment to create loaded dice for Settlers of Catan, aiming to gain 5-15 extra resource cards per game. The author submerged one side of the dice to increase its weight, skewing the results. While statistical tests confirmed the dice bias, the author argues that the limited number of rolls in a typical game prevents opponents from scientifically proving cheating using standard p-value tests. The article discusses flaws in p-value analysis and highlights the use of more sophisticated methods like Bayes factors.

(izbicki.me)

Game Settlers of Catan Statistics Cheating

Paying Peer Reviewers: Faster Reviews, Same Quality?

2025-03-31

Paying Peer Reviewers: Faster Reviews, Same Quality?

Two recent studies suggest that paying peer reviewers around $250 can significantly speed up the review process without compromising quality. An experiment by *Critical Care Medicine* showed that offering payment increased acceptance rates and review speed. *Biology Open* conducted a similar experiment with higher payment amounts, yielding similar results. While the studies are small-scale, they provide initial data on paid peer review, sparking debate about this model and its potential impact on scientific publishing.

(www.nature.com)

Tech payment

500 Years of Betting on Papal Conclaves: From Secret Wagers to the Internet Age

2025-02-27

500 Years of Betting on Papal Conclaves: From Secret Wagers to the Internet Age

Since the 16th century, papal elections have been the focus of secretive gambling. From the Republic of Venice banning bets on the Pope's lifespan to Roman bankers openly offering odds, and Gregory XIV declaring betting on papal elections heretical, this centuries-long gambling saga has been turbulent. In the modern era, the internet has revived papal election gambling, although it remains illegal in places like the United States, the legal lines are increasingly blurred. This article reviews this unique gambling phenomenon spanning five centuries, from early secret transactions to modern online betting, showcasing the interplay of power, faith, and money.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Misc Papal Elections Gambling History Religion and Politics

The Rise and Fall of Bell Labs: A Cautionary Tale for Modern Innovation

2025-06-06

The Rise and Fall of Bell Labs: A Cautionary Tale for Modern Innovation

This article explores the remarkable history of Bell Labs and the reasons behind its eventual decline. Famous for its open culture of innovation and trust in its brilliant minds, Bell Labs birthed countless technological breakthroughs, such as the transistor and the laser. However, modern metrics-obsessed environments and the pressure for short-term gains have stifled such freedom. The author argues that a lack of investment in long-term research and trust in talent are the primary reasons why replicating Bell Labs' success is difficult today. The article calls for a rethinking of innovation models in both corporate and academic settings, advocating for greater freedom and time for scientists to foster true breakthroughs.

(links.fabiomanganiello.com)

Tech

SpaceX Starship V2 Test Failure: Design Flaws Cause Delay

2025-03-12

Anonymous sources suggest that parts of SpaceX's Starship will require a major redesign after its break-up shortly after stage separation on its last two test flights. The issues stem from fundamental miscalculations in the design of Starship V2, specifically within the fuel lines, engine wiring, and power unit, requiring urgent rework. The fate of S35 and S36 is unclear, with potential for revision or scrapping. Production of subsequent ships may be paused until design issues are resolved. Leaks suggest the next test flight is delayed until after June. However, the author believes the situation may not be as dire, as the issues seem localized and fixable. Furthermore, the FAA is no longer an obstacle, allowing SpaceX to lead the investigation and implement fixes.

(behindtheblack.com)

Tech Test Failure

Neut: A Functional Programming Language with Static Memory Management

2025-02-24

Neut is a functional programming language featuring static memory management, cleverly combining full λ-calculus support, predictable automatic memory management, and the absence of type system annotations. Unlike traditional garbage collection, Neut uses a type-directed approach to resource handling. The compiler ensures each variable is used exactly once by translating types into functions that can discard or copy values. Even when copying is necessary, Neut avoids unnecessary overhead using the T-necessity operator in modal logic, similar to Rust's borrowing. Neut compiles to LLVM IR and binaries, and boasts built-in LSP server, code formatter, and a rapid prototyping experience akin to scripting languages. Its unique module system distinguishes modules using tarball digests and defines module identities with version information.

(vekatze.github.io)

Development static memory management

3D-Printed White Tower: A Revolutionary Leap in Construction Technology

2025-05-26

3D-Printed White Tower: A Revolutionary Leap in Construction Technology

Researchers at ETH Zurich, in collaboration with industry partners, have constructed a stunning white concrete tower using 3D printing technology. The tower's design, based on complex algorithms, was built by an industrial robot layer by layer without traditional formwork. A novel concrete mix and innovative reinforcement techniques enabled 3D-printed concrete to be load-bearing for the first time. This project not only showcases advancements in construction technology but also symbolizes a successful collaboration between academia and industry, offering new opportunities for the construction sector and rural tourism.

(ethz.ch)

Tech construction technology concrete

WWI's Secret: How the US Government Built 80+ Towns in Two Years

2025-05-25

WWI's Secret: How the US Government Built 80+ Towns in Two Years

During WWI, the US government secretly became the nation's largest housing developer, constructing over 80 planned communities across 26 states in just two years. These weren't hastily built barracks, but thoughtfully designed neighborhoods complete with parks, schools, and infrastructure, housing nearly 100,000 people. Inspired by the Garden City movement, these communities prioritized single-family homes, eventually sold to residents, fostering community ownership and stability. Though the program ended with the war, its legacy endures in the many surviving neighborhoods and its influence on urban planning principles. This forgotten chapter highlights the potential of large-scale government intervention to address critical needs.

(theconversation.com)

Tech Government Housing

AI Spear Phishing: A 50%+ Success Rate Shocker

2025-01-05

AI Spear Phishing: A 50%+ Success Rate Shocker

A chilling study reveals that AI-powered spear phishing campaigns using LLMs like GPT-4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet achieve click-through rates exceeding 50%, drastically outperforming human-crafted emails and generic phishing attempts. Researchers automated the entire process, from target profiling using AI-driven web searches to crafting highly personalized phishing emails, resulting in a 50x cost reduction. This research highlights the significant cybersecurity threat posed by AI, exposing vulnerabilities in current defenses and demanding innovative countermeasures.

(www.lesswrong.com)

Tech

UK Drought: Can Deleting Emails Really Help?

2025-08-13

UK Drought: Can Deleting Emails Really Help?

Facing a severe drought, the UK government urges citizens to conserve water, even suggesting deleting old emails and photos to reduce data center water usage. While large data centers consume massive amounts of water, small daily actions can collectively make a difference. Official data shows a 20% drop in water consumption in the Severn Trent area following water-saving campaigns. Fixing leaks is also crucial; a leaky toilet can waste 200-400 liters daily. This drought highlights the importance of water conservation and pushes tech companies towards more sustainable data center technologies.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech drought

Kowloon Walled City: A Cross-Section of Density and Decay

2024-12-13

Kowloon Walled City: A Cross-Section of Density and Decay

In the 1990s, Kowloon Walled City in Hong Kong was the world's most densely populated place, cramming roughly 50,000 people into just 2.6 hectares. After WWII, it became a refuge for refugees, its buildings growing organically into a labyrinthine structure. Crime and poor living conditions led to its demolition in 1994. Artist Hitomi Terasawa's cross-section illustration vividly captures this unique and ultimately tragic urban phenomenon, preserving its memory as a 'living organism'.

(www.thisiscolossal.com)

Design Kowloon Walled City population density urban planning

No AI December: A Month Without AI Tools

2025-02-09

The author embarked on a challenge called 'No AI December,' abstaining from using AI tools like ChatGPT for a month. Initially a joke, it became a profound reflection on technology's impact. He discovered that over-reliance on AI led to diminished thinking skills, poorer problem-solving abilities, and poor information retention. The author argues for proactive deep thinking instead of passively relying on AI for quick answers and encourages others to try 'No AI December' to reassess their relationship with technology.

(blog.rybarix.com)

Tech AI dependence deep thinking

Turso Offline Sync Public Beta: Always-On Apps, Even Offline

2025-03-31

Turso Offline Sync Public Beta: Always-On Apps, Even Offline

Turso is thrilled to announce the public beta of Turso Offline Sync! Your applications can now function seamlessly, even without internet connectivity. Local database operations continue normally, automatically syncing upon reconnection. Leveraging embedded replicas, your local database (on-device or server) stays in sync with your Turso Cloud database, with changes propagated to all replicas. This beta addresses previous limitations of unidirectional sync, enabling fast local writes, offline capabilities, and later syncing to the Turso Cloud. This simplifies development for local-first apps, mobile apps, POS systems, field data collection, and IoT applications. The beta currently supports TypeScript and Rust, and includes features like bi-directional sync, remote write support, WAL sync checkpointing, and conflict detection (resolution coming soon).

(turso.tech)

Development offline sync

Workflow Use: No-Code Automation for Deterministic Workflows

2025-05-16

Workflow Use: No-Code Automation for Deterministic Workflows

Workflow Use is a revolutionary project aiming to create deterministic, self-healing workflows by recording browser interactions. Users simply show the recorder the workflow, and the system automatically generates reusable automation scripts. Currently in early development, the project aims to enable computers to learn tasks once and execute them indefinitely without human intervention. Future plans include improving LLM fallback, implementing self-healing, and integrating with other tools.

(github.com)

Development

Firefox's Ticking Time Bomb: Critical Root Certificate Expiring Soon!

2025-03-11

Firefox's Ticking Time Bomb: Critical Root Certificate Expiring Soon!

Users of older Firefox versions face a critical deadline: March 14, 2025. A crucial root certificate expires then, disabling add-ons and breaking streaming services (like Netflix) if you haven't updated to Firefox 128 (or ESR 115.13+). This also compromises security features. Check your version now and update to avoid broken add-ons, streaming issues, and security vulnerabilities!

(betanews.com)

Tech Security Update

Huawei Launches First HarmonyOS Laptop, Breaking Free from Windows

2025-05-10

Huawei Launches First HarmonyOS Laptop, Breaking Free from Windows

Huawei unveiled its first laptop powered by its homegrown HarmonyOS in 2025, marking a significant step in its operating system journey. US sanctions forced Huawei to develop its own OS, breaking free from reliance on Windows and Android. Years in the making, HarmonyOS now boasts its own kernel and user interface, supporting multitasking and AI features like Celia, Huawei's AI assistant. While app support is smaller than Windows initially, over 2,000 applications, primarily Chinese ones, are available at launch. Existing Huawei laptops running Windows remain unaffected.

(liliputing.com)

Tech

AstroForge's Odin Mission: A High-Stakes Deep Space Asteroid Probe

2025-02-02

AstroForge's Odin Mission: A High-Stakes Deep Space Asteroid Probe

AstroForge's Odin payload, launching no earlier than February 26th on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aims to image a near-Earth asteroid and assess its metal content. This ambitious mission marks a first for private companies—operating a spacecraft in deep space beyond the Moon. The mission's success hinges on Odin's survival and communication back to Earth, with asteroid arrival considered a secondary, less likely goal. AstroForge has also partnered with Stoke Space for future asteroid mining missions using their reusable Nova rocket.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech Asteroid Mining Deep Space

Microdot: A Tiny Web Framework for Microcontrollers

2025-09-07

At EuroPython 2025, Miguel Grinberg presented Microdot, a lightweight web framework running on both MicroPython and CPython, suitable for systems ranging from IoT devices to cloud servers. Inspired by Flask but significantly smaller, Microdot's creation stemmed from Grinberg's experience with a faulty smart thermostat in his Irish home. He built a MicroPython-based system to control heating and used Microdot to create a simple web interface for monitoring temperature and humidity. Microdot's core is remarkably concise at 765 lines of code, supporting asynchronous operations and common features, with extensions providing advanced functionality. Its design emphasizes simplicity and avoids complexity, making it ideal for building web applications on microcontrollers.

(lwn.net)

Development

Universe's Missing Matter Found!

2025-06-17

Universe's Missing Matter Found!

For decades, scientists have searched for the universe's 'missing' ordinary matter, accounting for 5% of the universe. Researchers from the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and Caltech have used fast radio bursts (FRBs) to solve the mystery: over three-quarters of ordinary matter resides in hot, low-density gas between galaxies. FRBs slow down when traversing intergalactic gas; measuring this slowdown reveals the gas density. This study provides the first detailed measurements of ordinary matter's distribution, confirming cosmological simulations and illustrating matter's movement across the universe. It also highlights the efficiency of intergalactic feedback mechanisms.

(gizmodo.com)

Tech Fast Radio Bursts

Beyond KPIs: Revolutionizing Data Visualization with Dimensional Relationships

2025-01-10

Beyond KPIs: Revolutionizing Data Visualization with Dimensional Relationships

This article champions the importance of visualizing dimensional relationships in data. The author critiques the limitations of relying solely on KPIs, arguing they fail to reveal the underlying drivers of data. Sankey diagrams and Decomposition Trees are presented as superior alternatives for visualizing these relationships. Sankey diagrams offer a clear visual representation of proportions between dimensions, while Decomposition Trees provide a more detailed view of all values and allow for interactive exploration of dimensional impacts on key measures. Using the fictional Dorkweiser brewing company, the author illustrates the advantages of these methods, ultimately stressing that the goal of data visualization is to empower users to make data-driven decisions, not merely create aesthetically pleasing visuals.

(qlikdork.com)

Design dimensional relationships Sankey diagram decomposition tree

Photon Matrix: Laser Mosquito Killer Launches on Indiegogo

2025-07-06

Photon Matrix: Laser Mosquito Killer Launches on Indiegogo

The Photon Matrix, a laser-based mosquito killer, is seeking funding on Indiegogo. This Chinese-designed device uses LiDAR to detect mosquitoes within 3 milliseconds, then uses a second laser to eliminate them. While effective against slow-moving mosquitoes, it struggles with faster insects. The device boasts IP68 waterproofing, multiple range options, and millimeter-wave radar to avoid harming humans or pets. Although the concept isn't new, concerns remain about safety and the team's inexperience.

(newatlas.com)

Tech laser mosquito killer

Texas Reading Test Scores Stagnant for a Decade: Is Test Design to Blame?

2025-05-28

Texas Reading Test Scores Stagnant for a Decade: Is Test Design to Blame?

Despite billions of dollars invested in Texas K-12 education from 2012 to 2021, annual reading test scores remained flat. A deep dive into test design reveals this stagnation wasn't due to lack of student improvement, but rather, the test itself. The administering agency annually adjusted difficulty, resulting in consistent passing rates over a decade, masking actual student progress. This norm-referenced testing focuses on relative ranking, not absolute standards, hindering accurate assessment of learning and exacerbating inequities in resource allocation. The researcher calls for improved test design to remove barriers to educational equity.

(theconversation.com)

Tech education assessment standardized testing

I Reverse-Engineered Waffle House's Website During a Hurricane

2025-05-28

I Reverse-Engineered Waffle House's Website During a Hurricane

During Hurricane Helene in late September 2024, while my university was closed and people were boarding up their homes, I reverse-engineered Waffle House's website. Using hidden JSON data within their Next.js site, I built a live map tracking Waffle House closures to help gauge the hurricane's impact. The site unexpectedly went viral, attracting attention from Waffle House itself and even Frank Luntz. Ultimately, trademark issues forced me to take it down, but the experience was a fun and unexpected adventure.

(www.jack.bio)

Development

AI's Bottleneck: Data, Not Algorithms?

2025-06-30

AI's Bottleneck: Data, Not Algorithms?

AI has seen incredible progress, but the pace seems to be slowing. This article argues that past major AI breakthroughs (DNNs, Transformers, RLHF, reasoning models) stemmed not from novel algorithms, but from unlocking new data sources (ImageNet, web text, human feedback, verifiers). The author suggests future breakthroughs will likely come not from algorithmic innovation, but from effectively utilizing new data sources like video and robotic sensors, as existing datasets may be approaching their knowledge limits.

(blog.jxmo.io)

AI model limitations

Data Wiping and Refurbishing: The Rebirth of Used Laptops

2025-05-26

Data Wiping and Refurbishing: The Rebirth of Used Laptops

SK TES's Fredericksburg facility meticulously processes discarded laptops. Employees thoroughly inspect the machines, uncovering hidden drives, and rating them based on functionality, cosmetic condition, and component value. Retail-ready laptops receive full-body adhesive skins to mask blemishes before hitting the market. This process highlights the potential for e-waste recycling and the magic of tech restoration.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech laptop refurbishment

Titanic's Untold Story: The Lifeboat Myth

2025-07-02

Titanic's Untold Story: The Lifeboat Myth

The Titanic disaster is often cited as a cautionary tale of insufficient lifeboats. However, this narrative is overly simplistic. This article explores the history of lifeboats, from their early designs to the modern understanding of a ship as its own best lifeboat. The Titanic's sinking resulted from a confluence of rare events: a precisely positioned iceberg impact, a nearby ship's radio silence, and unusually calm seas. Even with more lifeboats, significantly more lives might not have been saved. The tragedy ultimately led to international regulations mandating sufficient lifeboats, but that's not the only lesson to be learned from the Titanic.

(99percentinvisible.org)

Misc lifeboats

Lord of the Rings vs. Discworld: Two Cosmologies for the Tech Age

2025-03-08

Lord of the Rings vs. Discworld: Two Cosmologies for the Tech Age

This essay contrasts the worldviews presented in *The Lord of the Rings* and Terry Pratchett's *Discworld* series. It argues that *Lord of the Rings*, while a great story, offers a simplistic, deterministic view of technology and society unsuitable for a technologically advanced species. In contrast, *Discworld*, with its ironic and absurdist approach, provides a far superior model for understanding technological progress, societal evolution, and human interaction with these forces. The author advocates for embracing the pluralistic and generative worldview offered by *Discworld* over the limiting, Chosen One narratives of *Lord of the Rings*.

(contraptions.venkateshrao.com)

Misc Worldview

Gamers Fight Back Against Payment Processor Censorship

2025-08-03

Gamers Fight Back Against Payment Processor Censorship

Visa, Mastercard, Stripe, and PayPal's sudden delisting of NSFW games from Itch.io sparked a massive gamer backlash. Players are bombarding payment companies with phone calls, demanding the games' reinstatement. The movement, supported by unions and game developer associations, has yielded some results, with payment company representatives showing shifts in attitude. However, payment companies refuse comment, citing vague policies about "illegal or brand-damaging" activities. The core issue revolves around whether payment processors should censor content and the implications for free speech.

(aftermath.site)

Game

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