NewsMinimalist

Oh, the irony! Google’s groundbreaking new feature lets you perform a “web” search. Yes, you read that right—a web search on Google. They’re rolling it out and in tests on desktop, it looks like it might just be the most revolutionary change to their search engine since, well, ever.

This magical setting filters out all the extra clutter Google loves to pack into search results, leaving you with just links and text—how novel! It even blocks Google’s new AI Overviews. Groundbreaking, isn’t it?

You might be scratching your head and asking, “Isn’t every search a web search? Isn’t Google Search basically the web?” Well, yes, but now there’s a shiny new button for it. So, you know, progress.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/14/24074314/google-now-offers-web-search

Google Photos has rolled out a new AI-driven search feature dubbed “Ask Photos,” enabling users to find pictures by asking specific questions about them. This update aims to make photo searches as easy as chatting with your favorite AI assistant—because we all need another reason to procrastinate via photo hunts. The feature leverages advanced image recognition and contextual understanding, making it a bit like having a personal photo librarian that never takes a break.

Ah, the beacon of digital responsibility, X (once called Twitter), has gallantly stepped up to block searches for Taylor Swift. Why? Because the internet just can’t resist making AI-generated graphic fakes of the beloved pop star. So, in a bold move to “prioritize safety,” X implemented what might be the least effective digital blockade since the invention of the hashtag.

If you try searching “Taylor Swift” or “Taylor Swift AI,” you’re greeted with the ever-so-helpful “Something went wrong” message. But fear not, intrepid internet user! By simply playing a little word jumble with the search terms or adding quotation marks, you can easily bypass this formidable security measure. Because, as we all know, those extra two seconds it takes to rearrange words or type quotes are a huge deterrent!

Truly, X’s latest effort is a masterclass in superficial solutions to complex problems.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/27/24052841/taylor-swift-search-blocked-x-twitter-ai-images

OpenAI’s Chatbot, ChatGPT, has been updated to remember and forget specific information as per user instructions. This new feature aims to facilitate more personalized and engaging conversations for users while ensuring their privacy. Users control what the bot retains from their conversations, and it forgets data after 30 days by default. However, any user can instruct the chatbot to forget certain things instantly. OpenAI continues to prioritize user feedback to refine and improve its models over time.

Superlist, a new productivity tool created by the co-founder of Wunderlist, Christian Reber, has been launched to aid with task management. The tool, currently free in beta version, aims to provide more functionalities than other similar tools. It offers features like subtasks, labels, due dates, and repeated tasks, and integrates well with calendars, emails, and other productivity apps. Superlist intends to roll out a premium paid version with added features in the future. Despite being acquired by Microsoft and later shut down, Reber hopes that Superlist, much like Wunderlist, will become a hit among businesses and casual users alike.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/2/13/24071136/superlist-tasks-app-wunderlist-productivity-tool