AllYouCanTech

Apple Commemorates 20 Years of Podcasts by Showcasing 20 Most Impactful Programs

Twenty years back, Apple incorporated podcasts into iTunes, contributing to the validation and rise of a new entertainment genre. To honor the podcast landscape two decades later, the company has launched a dedicated page on its website named “20 Years, 20 Podcasts We Love,” highlighting significant podcasts over the years. Apple also announced it will feature videos from the hosts of these podcasts addressing questions about podcasting in celebration of this milestone.

“Podcasts serve as the ideal medium to narrate a compelling story, and I’m thrilled that Apple continues to champion them so passionately after 20 years,” stated Ira Glass, host and executive producer of This American Life.

Here are 20 top podcasts, as identified by Apple:

1. **Love and Radio**, launched in 2005, resembles a personal diary.
2. **This American Life**, launched in 2006, focuses on society and culture.
3. **99% Invisible**, launched in 2010, is a program that emphasizes the omnipresence of design.
4. **The Truth**, launched in 2012, features fictional storytelling.
5. **The Read**, launched in 2013, is a comedic show and the original “hang-out-with-friends” podcast.
6. **Song Exploder**, launched in 2014, helps listeners rediscover their favorite songs.
7. **Serial**, launched in 2014, established the true-crime podcast genre.
8. **Mystery Show**, launched in 2015, probes mysteries that elude internet searches.
9. **Acquired**, launched in 2015, shares the backstories of the world’s largest corporations.
10. **Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang**, launched in 2016, features two culture critics who have shaped the cultural landscape.
11. **The Daily**, launched in 2017, is the trailblazer of daily news podcasts.
12. **Call Her Daddy**, launched in 2018, sets a new standard for interviews with top celebrities.
13. **MOONFACE**, launched in 2019, is a drama podcast that aids in self-discovery.
14. **Dolly Parton’s America**, launched in 2019, includes Parton reflecting on American culture.
15. **The Rest Is History**, launched in 2020, examines both renowned and obscure historical events.
16. **Huberman Lab**, launched in 2021, discusses health and fitness topics.
17. **Suave**, launched in 2021, explores society and culture, focusing on life post-incarceration.
18. **Sweet Bobby**, launched in 2021, is a series centered around true crime.
19. **Baby, This Is Keke Palmer**, launched in 2023, offers comedic insights with a “charming host.”
20. **Therapuss with Jake Shane**, launched in 2024, provides guidance from an “internet addict.”

Apple Podcasts highlights:

– Initially, iTunes featured 3,000 podcasts. Today, it stands as a global platform with millions of shows spanning various genres.
– The Apple Podcasts app debuted in 2012 and currently includes customized discovery features to assist users in finding their favorite shows.
– 2024 marked Apple’s highest achievements in podcasts, boasting “more listeners, plays, and subscribers than ever.” The company claims Apple Podcasts “experienced double-digit growth in over 100 nations this year.”
– This fall, Apple Podcasts will introduce a broader selection of playback speeds and unveil an Enhance Dialogue feature.

Here’s to two more decades of podcasts on the Apple Podcasts app and further!

Research Discloses Caffeine’s Ability to Impede Cellular Aging

Caffeine and Cellular Aging: A Fresh Perspective

Caffeine, a common component of countless individuals’ daily habits, is frequently discussed regarding its health effects. Recent studies indicate that caffeine may contribute to the deceleration of cellular aging. An article published in *Microbial Cell* illustrates how caffeine triggers AMPK, a pathway that senses energy, utilizing fission yeast as a model organism. This triggering boosts stress management, DNA repair, and growth control within cells.

The research contributes to the ongoing conversation surrounding coffee’s health advantages, emphasizing the wider effects of caffeine. The interaction of caffeine with AMPK, as opposed to a direct relationship with the growth regulator TOR, affects cellular growth and DNA repair. These mechanisms are vital for managing aging and diseases, hinting at caffeine’s promising impacts on health and longevity.

Additional research could enhance our comprehension of caffeine’s influence on cellular aging, providing greater insights into its health advantages.

WhatsApp Launches AI Function for Condensing Personal Messages

For several months, WhatsApp has been introducing Meta AI functionalities. Although some users have found the AI agent somewhat misplaced, a new feature may make it perfect for frequent users.

If you belong to multiple groups and communities on WhatsApp, you can now leverage AI to summarize messages. WhatsApp revealed this capability in a blog update: “Sometimes, you just need to quickly catch up on your messages. That’s why we’re thrilled to unveil Message Summaries, a fresh option that utilizes Meta AI to privately and swiftly summarize unread messages in a chat, allowing you to grasp what is happening before delving into the specifics of your unread messages.”

WhatsApp claims that summarizing messages is straightforward. Using the company’s Private Processing technology, your messages can be summarized without Meta or anyone else accessing them. The company also released an engineering blog and a technical white paper for those interested in further information.

How to summarize private messages in WhatsApp

Whether you’re in a group chat or a friend has sent a barrage of messages, here’s how to proceed:

– On WhatsApp for iPhone, check for the “Unread Messages” counter.
– You’ll find a new star toggle to tap.
– Once you tap it, Meta AI will convert your messages into bullet point summaries.

WhatsApp emphasizes that no one else in the chat can see that you have summarized the messages, and the summary is solely for your visibility.

Here’s another AI feature you should utilize on WhatsApp

If you enjoy discovering AI functionalities on WhatsApp, did you know you can chat with ChatGPT directly within the app? Even more exciting, the chat recently received a significant update that allows you to create images right in the conversation.

According to my colleague Chris Smith, you can text ChatGPT on WhatsApp at 1-800-ChatGPT (1-800-242-8478). The AI will reply just like it does online or in the mobile application.

New AI Image Creator “Soul” Sparks Broad Enthusiasm

In recent times, AI image generators have achieved significant progress, creating images that are almost indistinguishable from authentic photographs. Platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Firefly, and Midjourney now provide high-quality image creation, frequently without visible watermarks, making it difficult for the casual observer to tell apart AI-generated images from real ones.

ChatGPT has surged in popularity with its latest image generation feature, resulting in a spike in users. However, Google’s Gemini, featuring Imagen 4 and Imagen 4 Ultra, presents a similar experience with upgraded functionalities. At the same time, Higgsfield’s innovative AI model, Soul, has garnered attention on social media. Soul is crafted to offer “high-aesthetic” visuals with “fashion-grade realism,” potentially competing with smartphone photography.

One of Soul’s notable aspects is its collection of 50+ curated presets, which streamline the image creation experience. Users can opt for presets such as “iPhone,” “Tokyo Streetstyle,” or “Overexposed,” enabling the AI to grasp the preferred image style without requiring intricate technical descriptions. This user-friendliness, coupled with the capacity to generate impressively realistic images, establishes Soul as a key contender in the realm of AI image generation.

Soul’s website features striking examples of its prowess, underscoring the model’s ability to create lifelike images that could rival conventional photography. As AI image creation keeps advancing, tools like Soul are redefining the limits of what can be achieved, providing users with creative avenues to produce and engage with visual content.

Steve Jobs’ 40-Year-Old Forecast on AI Innovations Such as ChatGPT

What Would Steve Jobs Think About OpenAI’s ChatGPT?

Steve Jobs, the pioneering cofounder of Apple, has left a lasting impact on the tech industry with his groundbreaking ideas and visionary perspective. Even 14 years posthumously, his presence is still significant, particularly regarding conversations surrounding new technologies such as artificial intelligence. As Apple navigates its AI advancements, notably with the constraints of Siri, many speculate on how Jobs would have viewed OpenAI’s ChatGPT and what path he might have taken Apple down in relation to AI.

During a speech in 1985 at Lunds University in Sweden, Jobs made a prophetic remark that seems to anticipate the core of ChatGPT. He articulated a wish for an interactive resource that could embody the perspectives of great thinkers like Aristotle, enabling future generations not just to read their writings but also to engage with them through inquiries and responses. This vision closely mirrors what ChatGPT provides today—a platform that compiles knowledge from diverse sources, allowing users to extract insights and pose questions in a manner reminiscent of human dialogue.

In 1985, Jobs had recently exited Apple following a disagreement with then-CEO John Sculley. Despite the obstacles Apple was encountering at that time, Jobs remained committed to transformative technologies. His ambition for an interactive computational tool that enhances education and comprehension is realized in platforms like ChatGPT, which represent the potential he envisioned for technology to fundamentally change how we retrieve and interact with information.

Reflecting on Jobs’ contributions, it’s fascinating to ponder how he might have woven AI into Apple’s framework. His focus on user-friendly design and experience indicates that he would have emphasized making AI approachable and advantageous for users. Though we can only hypothesize, it’s evident that Jobs’ progressive vision continues to motivate and mold the technological realm, urging us to delve into the possibilities of AI and its significance in our lives.

Leak Exposes Distinct Attributes of Apple’s Foldable iPhone in Comparison to Rivals

After years of conjecture, it appears that Apple is at last progressing with its aspirations for a foldable gadget, with expectations set for a September 2026 reveal alongside the iPhone 18 series. In contrast to current foldables, the iPhone Fold is rumored to be broader instead of taller, looking similar to an iPad mini when fully opened. Recent leaks indicate that the prototype boasts a 7.58-inch display with a resolution of 2,713 x 1920 and an aspect ratio of 14.1:10. The design supposedly incorporates a robust hinge crafted from an amorphous metal-glass composite and a titanium chassis, accompanied by dual 48-megapixel rear cameras. Illustrations suggest that the device will feature slimmer bezels than the iPad mini 7. Although the final specifications have not yet been validated, these details offer a peek into Apple’s possible foray into the foldable market.

OpenAI’s First AI Gadget Needs More Than Jony Ive’s Fame for Achievement

This week has been quite hectic for OpenAI, Sam Altman, and Jony Ive. The AI organization had to remove its page regarding io, the company developed by Altman and Ive that is working on a device that could signify the largest product launch in the sector since the introduction of the iPhone in 2007.

While some speculated that the collaboration had ended, it was actually a trademark concern that compelled OpenAI to take down the page from its website:

“This page is temporarily unavailable due to a court directive stemming from a trademark dispute with iyO regarding our usage of the name ‘io.’ We disagree with the claim and are considering our options.”

Subsequently, a court document from OpenAI disclosed additional information about this enigmatic new product, previously referred to as a non-smartphone, and now described as a “non-wearable.” According to my colleague Chris Smith, this device is “at least a year away” from launch, and it will not be an in-ear device like the one iyO is currently accepting preorders for.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo appears to have been correct. In May, he indicated that the “current prototype is slightly larger than the AI Pin, with a design as compact and stylish as an iPod Shuffle. The design and specifications might change prior to mass production.”

Some propose that it could also be worn around the neck or set on an office desk. Nevertheless, I doubt the success of this product will hinge on its form factor, which is why I don’t believe that Jony Ive’s name alone will ensure OpenAI’s initial hardware thrives. In reality, it’s the software that will enable it to flourish.

OpenAI can succeed where Humane fell short

Whenever a new report highlights the type of product OpenAI is creating, I can’t help but reminisce about Humane’s AI Pin. At that time, I was among those skeptical about the technology and saw no valid point for the product’s existence. A year later, I would argue the primary drawback was that the technology simply wasn’t ready.

This is precisely why I believe OpenAI stands an excellent chance of succeeding. For the tasks this AI companion is designed to handle, it requires improved LLMs, reasoning skills, and user-friendliness.

Stick with me: We’ve witnessed a dramatic surge in AI usage. While Apple recently released a fascinating paper discussing how AI models lack reasoning abilities, it doesn’t imply they aren’t valuable. Whether it’s training for a marathon, figuring out how to operate a washing machine in another language, or swiftly recording, transcribing, and summarizing a meeting, AI can greatly enhance our lives.

I also appreciate the strategies that Google, OpenAI, and Opera have adopted regarding AI. The AI companion should assist you in tasks, akin to Google’s AI shopping mode, OpenAI’s on-screen awareness in iOS 26, and Opera’s Operator browser to aid you in accomplishing tasks.

Netflix Renews Mind-Bending Thriller from Warrior Nun Creator

Netflix is intensifying its commitment to the high-stakes teen drama Bet, a polished psychological thriller from Warrior Nun creator Simon Barry.

The series, centered around a talented teenage gambler, has officially received a second season renewal — even as it appears audiences are still mulling over their opinions on it. However, in contrast to the fervor for online petitions and fan campaigns that arose when Warrior Nun was canceled, Bet doesn’t yet appear to have garnered that same degree of dedicated support. A glance at YouTube trailer comments, for instance, showcases a considerable amount of harsh skepticism, with critiques ranging from the tone to the performances.

So, evidently, Netflix concluded: Sounds like a contender for renewal to us!

What is Netflix’s Bet about?

Barry, noted for cultivating a devoted fan base with the cult classic Warrior Nun (whose cancellation incited significant backlash, a topic I covered in detail), returns with a distinctly different project this time. Bet is a live-action adaptation of the well-known manga Kakegurui, reinterpreted through the lens of underground gambling at an elite high school. It’s stylized, quick-paced, and slightly outrageous.

Situated at the fictional St. Dominic’s Academy, Bet features Yumeko, portrayed by Miku Martineau. She’s a gambler harboring a traumatic background and an emotionless poker face. Trained by her mother to view betting as a blood sport, Yumeko enrolls at a highly competitive school where gambling is essentially a foundational activity. At St. Dominic’s, Yumeko swiftly demonstrates her ability to hold her own, capturing the interest of the merciless student council. With assistance from her new ally Ryan (Ayo Solanke), she begins eliminating challengers, edging closer to a long-hidden secret she aims to reveal.

Another notable point is that although Bet derives its central premise from Kakegurui, Barry clarified from the outset that it would not serve as a verbatim remake. “There was no purpose in attempting to replicate the original,” he stated to Netflix’s Tudum. “Instead, we opted to be guided by the essence that Kakegurui embodies in terms of tone, audacity, and enjoyment.”

So… why was Bet renewed?

This creative choice may shed light on the lukewarm reception. Among some of the recent YouTube comments linked to the series’ trailer:

CarPlay Ultra Highly Unlikely to Be Offered in Specific Vehicles

When Apple revealed its intentions for CarPlay Ultra, 14 automotive companies initially agreed to incorporate the software. Nonetheless, numerous manufacturers are now reevaluating this choice as they aim to set their products apart and compete with the Chinese market. The Financial Times reports that some carmakers have distanced themselves from their original pledges, while others are still assessing the extent of integration they desire with Apple.

Aston Martin was the first to showcase CarPlay Ultra, but several other brands are choosing to create their own infotainment systems to possibly increase revenue from in-car services and vehicle data. In spite of this, CarPlay continues to be favored by drivers in the US, with Apple asserting that 98% of new vehicles come equipped with CarPlay, and the platform is utilized over 600 million times each day. This popularity could create difficulties for manufacturers withdrawing from CarPlay Ultra.

At present, Aston Martin, Hyundai, Genesis, and Porsche intend to endorse CarPlay Ultra. Companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, Nissan, Infiniti, Acura, Honda, and Lincoln are rethinking their strategies. Meanwhile, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Polestar, Renault, and Volvo Cars have opted not to support CarPlay Ultra.

Apple has established explicit regulations regarding data sharing, ensuring that CarPlay Ultra does not require extra sharing of vehicle data, which remains securely stored within the automaker’s own databases. Vehicle data is not transmitted to the iPhone. The implementation of CarPlay Ultra in vehicles is yet to be determined, and updates will be provided as further information emerges.

“When to Anticipate the Briefest Day of Your Existence This Summer”

We might soon experience the briefest day of our existence. As per reports, the Earth is consistently rotating more swiftly on its axis. Although this phenomenon has been known for several years, scientists are closely monitoring the duration of days this summer.

A report from Time and Date indicates that July 9, July 22, or August 5 could be the briefest days in recent history. It is a fact that the Earth’s rotational velocity has been increasing since at least 2020. Each year, we notice marginally shorter days in the middle of the year.

It’s important to mention that the briefest day of our lives won’t be significantly shorter in the larger context. In reality, the change in the Earth’s rotational speed on that day will be hardly perceivable, except when viewed through the lens of the atomic clock. Technically shorter, the day will only be approximately 1.51 milliseconds shorter, at maximum.

The exact reason for the Earth’s accelerated rotation remains uncertain, but scientists suspect it could have a lasting effect. Not only will it shorten our days, but it may also impact a number of other aspects, such as the global climate and more. Although the precise cause is unknown, we recognize that gravitational forces from the Moon and Sun play a role in the Earth’s rotation.

Nevertheless, the range of factors that can influence the Earth’s rotation speed, and consequently the day’s length, is more extensive than one might think. Many believe the change is predominantly driven by internal earthly forces, but atmospheric conditions cannot be entirely dismissed. Thus, knowing when the briefest day of our lives is likely to take place is crucial if we aim to keep track of Earth’s overall health.

It is widely acknowledged that the Earth will eventually be consumed by the Sun. However, until that time arrives, the Earth will continue to exist as it has for billions of years. As it endures, the rotational velocity that governs our days will both shorten and increase as the influencing forces change and develop.

While we can’t predict which of the three days mentioned will ultimately be the briefest day of our lives, it is evident that such an occurrence is very likely to repeat, at least until the Earth experiences a slowdown.