Updates this week to the Gemini app on Android and iPhone introduce a new app icon that adopts the four Google colors.
more…Apple puts its products through a lot of tests during the development process, intended to ensure they have a long and reliable life even in challenging conditions. The company tests at least 10,000 iPhones prior to launch in an attempt to cover all the bases.
It’s not often the iPhone maker lets outsiders into its labs, but Apple invited some of those attending WWDC 2025 to visit one to see for themselves the conditions it expects its gadgets to survive …
more…Apple quietly dropped a new AI model on Hugging Face with an interesting twist. Instead of writing code like traditional LLMs generate text (left to right, top to bottom), it can also write out of order, and improve multiple chunks at once.
The result is faster code generation, at a performance that rivals top open-source coding models. Here’s how it works.
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The sweeping layoffs announced by Microsoft this week have been especially hard on its gaming studios, but one Xbox executive has a solution to “help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss”: seek advice from AI chatbots.
In a now-deleted LinkedIn post captured by Aftermath, Xbox Game Studios’ Matt Turnbull said that he would be “remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances.” The circumstances here being a slew of game cancellations, services being shuttered, studio closures, and job cuts across key Xbox divisions as Microsoft lays off as many as 9,100 employees across the company.
Turnbull acknowledged that people have some “strong feelings” about AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot, but suggested that anybody who’s feeling “overwhelmed” could use them to get advice about creating resumes, career planning, and applying for new roles.
“These are really challenging times, and if you’re navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you’re not alone and you don’t have to go it alone,” Turnbull said. “No Al tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience. But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.”
Microsoft has loudly embraced AI, having announced plans in January to invest $80 billion into AI infrastructure prior to this latest wave of job cuts. That environment might have made Turnbull think his recommendations were reasonable. More broadly, however, generative AI is viewed by some creatives as a threat to creative industries like gaming, which has already struggled with growing layoffs and studio closures over the last few years.
It’s unclear why Turnbull deleted his LinkedIn post, but if the comments on this repost made to Bluesky are any indication, creatives probably didn’t take too kindly to his suggestions.
You can read the full text of the deleted post below:
“These are really challenging times, and if you’re navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you’re not alone and you don’t have to go it alone.
I know these types of tools engender strong feelings in people, but I’d be remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances. I’ve been experimenting with ways to use LLM Al tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.
Here are some prompt ideas and use cases that might help if you’re feeling overwhelmed:
Career Planning Prompts:
“Act as a career coach. I’ve been laid off from a [role] in the game industry. Help me build a 30-day plan to regroup, research new roles, and start applying without burning out.”
“What kinds of game industry jobs could I pivot to with experience in [Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc.]?”
Resume & Linkedin Help
“Here’s my current resume. Give me three tailored versions: one for AAA, one for platform/publishing roles, and one for startup/small studio leadership.”
“Rewrite this resume bullet to highlight impact and metrics.”
“Draft a new LinkedIn ‘About Me’ section that focuses on my leadership style, shipped titles, and vision for game development.”
Networking & Outreach
“Draft a friendly message I can send to old coworkers letting them know I’m exploring new opportunities.”
“Write a warm intro message for reaching out to someone at [studio name] about a job posting.”
Emotional Clarity & Confidence
“I’m struggling with imposter syndrome after being laid off. Can you help me reframe this experience in a way that reminds me what I’m good at?”
No Al tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience. But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.
If this helps, feel free to share with others in your network.
Stay kind, stay smart, stay connected.”
Nothing mostly gets eyes for its smartphones at this point, but it’s audio that put this brand on the map. Over time, Nothing has built up a reputation for delivering excellent value in its audio products and rock solid sound quality at the same time. The Nothing Ear series blew away my expectations last year, so I was thrilled to hear the company was working on a pair of over-ear headphones. After hours of listening, though, I have mixed feelings about Nothing Headphone (1), as they don’t quite deliver the same charm as the earbuds.
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Tony Tan, a Google shareholder, has obtained and published a set of letters the Trump administration sent to multiple tech companies, essentially saying: don’t worry about the law, the president has your back, keep TikTok online.
However, Mr. Tan disagrees. And he’s taking legal action to prove it.
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