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Greetings! Your latest quick tech update is here:
☀️ On this day: On May 2, 1983, Microsoft released the first version of Microsoft Word. Initially called “Multi-Tool Word”. Unlike its competitors, Word featured a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) interface and introduced mouse support, paving the way for a new generation of word processing.
What’s happening:
😡 Zuckerberg plans AI takeover of ad industry
🤖 Texas school uses AI to ace academics
🚗 House votes to block California gas car ban
🍎 Apple braces for $900M tariff hit in Q3
💰 Xbox consoles now cost over 25% more
+ 📊 Daily poll and results
+ 📈 Trending tools and resources
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Hand-picked news:
😡 Zuckerberg plans AI takeover of ad industry ↗️LINK
What: Mark Zuckerberg revealed Meta’s plan to automate the entire ad creation process with AI — from visuals and copy to targeting, optimization, and measurement — effectively bypassing traditional ad agencies.
Why: Zuckerberg envisions a future where businesses simply state their goals, connect payment, and let Meta’s AI handle everything. This “infinite creative” model could streamline ad spending, especially for small businesses lacking resources.
Impact: The proposal alarms major ad agencies, who fear loss of control and transparency. Meta’s model could disrupt the $600B+ ad industry, concentrating power with platforms and flooding media with AI-made content.
🤖 Texas school uses AI to ace academics ↗️LINK
What: Alpha School in Texas uses an AI tutor to deliver core academics in just two hours daily. Students rank in the top 1–2% nationally, while the rest of their day is spent on real-world skills and passion projects.
Why: Co-founded by psychologist MacKenzie Price, Alpha aims to combat boredom and inefficiency in traditional education. Personalized AI instruction replaces lectures, while human guides support emotional and social growth.
Impact: With demand rising, Alpha plans to open 7 more campuses by Fall 2025. Backed by school-choice policies, it signals a shift toward tech-driven, student-centered learning models in U.S. education.
🚗 House votes to block California gas car ban ↗️LINK
What: The House passed a resolution (246–164) to block California’s rule banning sales of new gas-powered cars by 2035. The rule, backed by an EPA waiver, is among the strictest climate policies in the U.S. Eleven other states also plan to adopt it.
Why: House Republicans argue only Congress can regulate the auto market. They invoked the Congressional Review Act, despite legal rulings that it doesn’t apply here. Critics call the move an illegal overreach.
Impact: The resolution faces an uncertain future in the Senate. If enacted, it could undermine states’ ability to set tougher climate standards and reshape federal-state regulatory powers.
🍎 Apple braces for $900M tariff hit in Q3 ↗️LINK
What: Apple CEO Tim Cook said tariffs could add $900 million in costs for Q3, assuming no further changes to U.S. trade policy. The estimate follows limited Q2 impact and comes amid investor anxiety over future quarters.
Why: Cook attributed the manageable Q3 hit to Apple's diversification, with U.S.-bound iPhones now partly made in India and other products sourced from Vietnam. However, he stressed the estimate is uncertain and future quarters may be affected differently.
Impact: While the $900M figure was lower than feared, Apple’s exposure to shifting trade policies remains a risk. The company continues to hedge through global supply chain shifts and close engagement with policymakers.
💰 Xbox consoles now cost over 25% more ↗️LINK
What: Xbox hiked prices for its Series X and Series S consoles, with the Series X now at $599.99 (up $100) and Series S at $379 (up from $299.99). Controller prices have also increased, and first-party games will rise to $79.99 starting this holiday season.
Why: The company cites inflation, development costs, and tariffs enacted by President Trump as key reasons. Xbox emphasized maintaining value while adapting to global market shifts.
Impact: The hikes could strain consumer spending ahead of the holiday season and pressure competitors. Xbox’s move follows mixed financial results and mirrors trends from PlayStation and Nintendo.
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Looking for even more options? Explore our curated section below:
Today’s Poll:
Is banning gas-powered cars a good way to fight climate change? |
Vote and find out about the result tomorrow.
Yesterday’s Poll Result:
Should AI be a core subject in high school?
A) Yes – It’s essential for the future - 57% 🏆
B) No – Keep it optional - 43%
Reader’s opinions:
“Obviously, our future is being shaped by AI. I do think though this should study both the benefits and risks to make sure we don't lose our basic human capabilities in embracing this tool.”
“Introducing AI as a core subject in high school is a forward-thinking and relevant idea. Given how deeply AI is integrated into modern life, students should have a foundational understanding of how it works, its capabilities, and its ethical implications. This knowledge would not only prepare them for future careers but also help them become more responsible and informed digital citizens. However, it's important to ensure that the curriculum is age-appropriate and accessible to students with varying levels of technical background. Integrating AI into existing subjects like computer science, math, or social studies could be a practical first step before making it a standalone core subject. Overall, the idea has strong potential and aligns well with the demands of a rapidly evolving world.”
Intro to Artificial Intelligence (free course): This course will introduce you to the basics of AI. Topics include machine learning, probabilistic reasoning, robotics, computer vision, and natural language processing.
Meco (free app): Meco is a distraction-free space for reading and discovering newsletters, separate from the inbox. Add your newsletters in seconds and liberate your inbox today!
Gamma: Create unlimited presentations, websites, and more—in seconds. Everything you need to quickly create and refine content with advanced AI.
ElevenLabs: The ElevenLabs voice generator can deliver high-quality, human-like speech in 32 languages. Perfect for audiobooks, video voiceovers, commercials, and more.
BetterPic: Professional AI headshot generator. Get studio-quality AI professional headshots, without a photographer or a studio shoot.
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