Bridget McCormack is used to correcting judges' work. As the former chief justice on the Michigan Supreme Court, it was her job to review complaints about how judges at the lower courts failed to consider key evidence or rule on certain aspects of a case. In her current job, McCormack is working on a new kind of legal decision-maker. Like a judge, it would make mistakes. But unlike many judges, it wouldn't be burdened by more casework than it had hours in the day. It could make sure to always show its work, check that each side agreed it understood all the facts, and ensure it ruled on each issue at play. And it wouldn't be human - it's ma …Read the full story at The Verge.

Instagram’s premium subscription may include unlimited audience lists and the ability to see which accounts you follow aren’t following you back. Meta is gearing up to trial new premium subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp in the coming months that will allow users to access expanded AI capabilities and additional features. TechCrunch reports that the upcoming subscription plans aim to "unlock more productivity and creativity" by providing premium users with "more control over how they share and connect."The core Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp services will remain free to use, and the new premium subscriptions will be separate from the paid Meta Verified service that was launched in 2023. Meta told TechCrunch that it will test a variety of subscription features and …Read the full story at The Verge.

This is actually tidier than my desk normally looks. It took way too long, but Roland finally caved and gave the people what they want: a proper analog successor to the iconic TR-808 drum machine. The 808's sound, especially the kick drum, is embedded so deeply in the DNA of modern music that it would be a gross disservice to try and boil its influence down to a single sentence or a list of artists. (Note: Not all of the songs linked necessarily use an actual 808, but they at least feature samples or approximations of its sounds.)But, in typical Roland fashion, the company didn't just re-create some iconic analog circuits. No, the TR-1000 also has digital emulations of other classic Roland d …Read the full story at The Verge.

Microsoft has started testing a refreshed web experience for Xbox Cloud Gaming that looks even more console-like. Xbox Insiders can now try out the preview UI, which includes updated navigation features, plenty of new animations, and a refreshed design. It all feels like a teaser of what's to come for Xbox consoles in the years ahead.The existing Xbox Cloud Gaming interface got its last major overhaul nearly two years ago, when Microsoft added the social features and UI you'd normally find in the Xbox dashboard. This new design makes that existing UI feel even closer to an Xbox console, thanks to a variety of new animations, a new library …Read the full story at The Verge.

I was paying way more for cloud storage than I should have, and I realized it was far too late. I was subscribed to both Google One and iCloud since I use a MacBook and an Android phone. Recently, I decided I wanted nothing to do with big tech and would rather store my data myself on a local NAS.

I spend a lot of time at my desk as a writer, but not all of that time is of equal value. If you have a desk job, I suspect you would also be surprised to see how you actually spend your time. On an hour-by-hour basis, I was spending a lot less time actually writing and more time swapping between Discord and Facebook Messenger. What I thought were small, harmless diversions were actually sapping my productivity and breaking my workflow.

If you've ever felt that the standard Nvidia Control Panel plays things a little too safe and feel like taking the tweaking and tuning to the next level, a lightweight, open-source utility may be just what you're looking for.

Once upon a time, gaming on Linux was a better joke than it was a feasible means of playing your favorite titles. However, over the years, Linux has gotten better and better, and Valve's adoption of the operating system for its portable console, the Steam Deck, only accelerated things. Now you can get an entire Linux gaming operating system that fed-up Windows 11 users are discovering for the first time.

Self-hosting your own services can seem intimidating, especially if you’ve never dabbled in containers or virtual machines before. But most of the popular FOSS tools are easy to deploy and ship with sleek interfaces that you can get accustomed to in no time. Home Assistant is one such utility that, despite being packed to the brim with handy features, is easy to work with even when you’re a complete beginner.

When you first kick off your self-hosting journey, Docker tends to be the recommended go-to, and a Docker container manager tends to be the recommended app. While you can obviously handle everything through the CLI and Docker Compose, a Docker container manager just makes everything easier with a straightforward interface that makes managing and installing new apps much easier. Portainer is a popular choice here for its versatility and plethora of features. That's exactly why I started using it.

Komoot offers more features to all users for free, including turn-by-turn navigation. | Image: Komoot Strava and Komoot - two of the most popular apps for cyclists, hikers, and runners - are each bringing offline maps to the Apple Watch, ending a major source of frustration for many. Now you can easily see routes and record your workouts all in your preferred app, without having to bring along a relatively heavy and cumbersome iPhone. Strava says the offline maps are only available to subscribers, but Komoot's offering is free (though you might have to pay to unlock additional map regions) and also bakes in turn-by-turn navigation. Strava subscribers pay $11.99/month or $79.99/year plus any taxes.One of the biggest selling points of the …Read the full story at The Verge.

Notion is understandably the go-to for many productivity enthusiasts; it’s quite flexible and has that all-in-one appeal. AFFiNE improved on that for me with a more streamlined interface, faster performance, the whiteboard canvas, and the focus on local-first data and ownership. This is why it’s become my top pick over Notion for managing my notes and projects. Overall, depending on your needs, both apps are great. But they can also be heavier than necessary for day-to-day note-taking.