Website owners are learning again not to trust third-party sites to drive website traffic. A sudden and unexpected change in Facebook’s algorithm during May 2023 has resulted in a significant decrease in traffic for news and media websites, leaving publishers desperate for answers. According to Echobox, a social media management firm, Facebook-related traffic fell by about 50% from the summer of 2022, affecting numerous publishers worldwide. Insiders and publishers are concerned about the lack of communication from Meta, Facebook’s parent company, regarding these changes. This uncertainty has thrown the fragile digital news business into further turmoil, with recent instances such as Vice Media’s bankruptcy and BuzzFeed News’ closure. The ongoing decline is attributed to Facebook’s shift towards prioritizing video content and the decreased visibility of news content on the platform. Critics argue for transparency and communication from Meta, as its silent algorithm changes significantly impact third-party publishers’ performance and revenue. We have seen this with Google as well. It’s life and death for some of these sites.

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Show Notes:

* –Website traffic is plummeting after Facebook’s change 

* “Explain this, Bob”

* Smartphone makers let consumers remove batteries

* –The surprising source of evolution

* –NASA Finds a key building block 

* –NASA shares a breathtaking video of Earth

* –Victims speak out over fraud 

* –Reddit hackers demand $4.5 million 

* –The FCC is preparing to take “a fresh look.”

* $930 million in grants to expand internet access 

I am sure, in a bid to steal tech for the Chinese. A former Samsung Electronics executive, who previously served as vice president at SK Hynix, has been indicted in South Korea for purportedly stealing chipmaking technology to build a duplicate factory in China. The arrest is part of South Korea’s measures to safeguard its high-tech industry against acquisition attempts by Chinese companies. Prosecutors allege that the accused, backed by 200 employees from his former employers, plotted to construct a copycat semiconductor factory in China, causing an estimated loss of $230 million for Samsung. The scheme could have caused irreparable damage to the Korean semiconductor industry if successful. This incident underscores the escalating tech rivalry between the US and China, with Korean expertise in critical technologies often caught in the crossfire. Once again, innovation in China involves simply stealing the tech. This happens regularly, in this author’s opinion.

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Show Notes:

* –Reddit suffers a major outage

* –AT&T adopts Google’s RCS platform

* –Ex-Samsung executive alleged to have stolen tech

* –Florida man gets a flesh-eating infection

* –What will Apple’s vision for Apple Vision be in 2025?

* –Artificial photosynthesis could help astronauts

* –Musk stiffing on Google

* –Read the new Twitter CEO’s first email to employees

* –Google’s ad tech dominance

* –Boeing IP lawsuit

* –Robinhood’s crypto trading volume falls 68%

In a recent outburst Dmitry Rogozin, former director general of Roscosmos, voiced doubts about the authenticity of the Apollo Moon landings. This denialism is gaining traction, but it’s important to note that the Russians were observing the lunar landing in real-time from the ground and even had their spacecraft, Luna 15, in orbit around the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission. The Soviets were well aware of NASA’s achievements and had backchannel discussions with the American space program to prevent interference. Rogozin’s claim that Roscosmos only offered a book by cosmonaut Alexei Leonov as evidence for the landing is misleading and dismisses the significant history of the space race. One thing is for sure until we get back on the Moon and and take pics of footsteps, there will be some that never believe it.

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Show Notes:

* –Ten disadvantages of owning an electric vehicle 

* –Is a netbook worth using?

* –Did NASA land on the moon?

* –Western Digital hacked

* –A consultant used ChatGPT to free up time

* –Samsung gets FDA clearance

* –The White House challenges hackers

* –Meta may end Facebook in Canada

* –Google to revamp Search

* –Twitter to purge accounts

* –Marriage in space?

* –What’s the oldest known case of cancer in humans?

* –NASA is developing a robot

* –Amazon̵...

Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, discussed the potential of AI in transforming education during a TED Talk, highlighting its capacity to provide personalized tutoring for every student. Khan demonstrated the capabilities of Khan Academy’s chatbot, Khanmigo, which assists learners in various subjects without giving direct answers, encouraging problem-solving instead. Despite some concerns over plagiarism and misinformation, AI tools like Khanmigo can potentially revolutionize learning by offering tailored assistance and support to both students and teachers. What is super scary here is the potential for abuse, and revising history and providing slanted information will continue to erode education.  Summary of Business Insider Article!

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Show Notes:

* –Amazon plans to rework Alexa

* Googlers angry with CEO’s pay

* –AI is going to offer every student a personalized tutor

* –Working from home could kill career advancement

* Lyft Q1

* –Apple Q2

* –The US Government wants to use AI too

* –House lawmakers ask for an investigation

* Is PayPal safe to use?

* –Paramount+ tops 60 million subscribers 

* –Google Photos

* –Samsung’s next Galaxy Watch

* Google I/O

*

In a recent talk, SpaceX founder Elon Musk discussed the debut launch of the Starship rocket, stating that the vehicle’s flight slightly exceeded his expectations and the damage to the launch site was minimal. He anticipates the Starship flying again in just two or three months. During the flight, three of the 33 engines were not deemed healthy enough for full thrust, but 30 engines were in good condition for liftoff. Despite some engine and heat shield issues, Musk remains optimistic about future launches. With upgrades to the rocket and launch pad, he expects the next Starship launch attempt in six to eight weeks but acknowledges that regulatory hurdles may take longer to clear. Musk hopes to achieve up to five flights this year and estimates SpaceX will spend around $2 billion on the Starship program in 2023. One thing is for sure the launch was nothing less than spectacular, and for space enthusiasts, it will be unique to watch this platform evolve.

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Show Notes:

* –Microsoft partners with PayPal and more

* –Are digital wallets safe to use?

* –The nine best iPhone Apps to help seniors

* –“Godfather of AI”

* –NYC startup builds EV chargers

* –The NYPD Is giving away AirTags

* NASA keeps Voyager 2 alive

* –Elon provides a detailed review of Starship’s first launch

* –Astronomers discover two super-Earths

* Environmental groups sue the FAA

* –OpenAI gives in to Italy’s data

* –Over 100 Prime Video originals f...

YouTube Music officially adds podcasts to its platform in the United States for Android, iOS, and web users, offering a seamless and feature-rich podcast listening experience. The new addition comes after YouTube’s podcasting head, Kai Chuk, hinted at the integration a few months ago. Podcasts on YouTube Music will be available for on-demand listening, offline access, background play, and seamless audio-video switching, regardless of a user’s YouTube Premium subscription status. The update is gradually rolling out to US listeners, with plans to expand to international users in the near future. Geek News Central listeners, please continue to listen to the show via the normal podcast apps as YouTube is not using RSS and cannot be considered to be open.

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Show Notes:

* –This app lets you search for everything

* –What’s new on Prime Video

* –8 Microsoft tweaks

* –Comcast Q1

* –NASA’s Voyager

* –Tesla violated labor laws

* –Samsung Q1

* –Clubhouse is laying off employees

* –Lyft is laying off employees

* –YouTube Music adds podcasts

* –Microsoft discontinues its accessories

* –Amazon Q1

* –Intel Q1

* –How long does it take AI to crack your password?

* –

The Supreme Court is set to hear two cases determining whether government officials can block their social media critics without violating the First Amendment. The cases involve California residents Christopher and Kimberly Garnier, who were blocked by school district members, and Michigan resident Kevin Lindke, who a city manager blocked. Previous rulings have been based on whether officials use their accounts for official activities. Still, the Supreme Court’s decision could establish a definitive precedent on the matter, potentially forcing government figures to allow criticism on social media as long as it doesn’t constitute harassment or threats. In this humble court of personal opinion, I feel that if you’re an elected official, you have the right not to listen but not the right to block people from saying what they want.

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Show Notes:

* –Google I/O 2023

* –Travelers used to catch helicopters taxis

* –BeReal says it has more than 20 million daily active users

* –Sega of America workers are forming a union

* –Berkeley researchers deploy robots

* –Tesla to begin Cybertruck deliveries

* –Grad student helps design “artificial muscles.”

* –Disney begins the second round of job cuts

* –Getty Images and Trillium 

* A Japanese company is attempting a Moon landing 

* Bored Ape Yacht Club creator wins lawsuit 

* Are mandatory blue checks illegal?

*

It was only a matter of time before this became widespread. Using the pseudonym “Tom,” a Cardiff University student received the highest grade on an essay with the help of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. The student adapted and tweaked content generated by the AI chatbot, resulting in a significant grade improvement compared to his non-AI-assisted essay. Cardiff University is now reviewing its academic integrity policies and aims to educate students on the proper use of AI in academic work. As I discussed in my podcast, universities must develop a new approach to essays.

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Show Notes:

* –All the ways your bank will try to rip you off

* –Fastest ISP in the West

* –SpaceX’s starship is ready to fly

* –You can now order pizza via Apple CarPlay

* –Warren and AOC ask SVB depositors to detail ties to the bank

* –Mac shipments fall 40.5%

* –An incredible interactive map 

* –250-foot asteroid speeding toward Earth

* –Canada proposes to develop a lunar rover for Artemis 

* –Why a JUICE spacecraft will take eight years to get to Jupiter?

* –Tesla must be punished

* –Apple released last week’s security software patches

* –YouTube Premium adds more features

Imagine parking your car and having it send pictures of you inside your garage and send it back to Telsa. Reuters reports that Tesla workers shared sensitive images and videos captured by owners’ cars for several years, violating user privacy. Former employees revealed that colleagues circulated footage, including intimate moments and accidents, through group chats and one-on-one communications. Despite Tesla’s customer privacy notice stating camera recordings remain anonymous, one employee claimed it was possible to view the location of captured footage on Google Maps. Ironically I was talking about this with a fellow podcaster yesterday. I wonder if he will continue to share data with Tesla.

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Show Notes:

* –Lyft expands its EV options in more markets 

* –A 30,000-year-old furball

* –Pink Moon delights skywatchers

* –WSU students awarded for help solving dust problem 

* –Disney creates new executive role

* –Amazon says diamonds are a network’s best friend

* –Tesla employees reportedly shared videos

* –A separate Space Force

* –Global VC funding falls dramatically 

* –Walmart announces major expansion 

* –Five apps and websites to learn faster

* –The dos and dont’s of location sharing

* –Always get a second opinion on tech repair 

* –

NASA has announced the Artemis 2 crew, including Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch from the US, and Jeremy Hansen from Canada. The mission is scheduled for November 2024 and will be the first human lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. The crew will spend up to 21 days aboard an Orion capsule, circling the Moon before returning to Earth. Not as exciting as the Gemini project, but likely very exciting for this crew to be part of this historic event.

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Show Notes:

* HTTP vs HTTPS

* –Astronomers find an ultramassive black hole

* –Musk revokes NYT’s Twitter badge

* –Musk loses in court

* AI software helps astronomers 

* –Google cuts back on fitness classes, tape, and more

* –Dogecoin prices spike 20%

* –The first cell phone call was 50 years ago

* –Ten tips for new Android TV users 

* –What is WWDC?

* –New Google features in Search

* –These are the next astronauts that will fly on the mission to the Moon

* –Now scammers can use AI to fake anyone’s voice

* –Amazon faces FTC complaint

* –See Mars Jezero Crater for yourself

* –Tesla announces record...