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MONTANA BECOMES THE RIGHT TO TRY ANYTHING STATE, EXPANDING ACCESS TO EXPERIMENTAL DRUGS

A new bill in Montana permits clinics and doctors to sell and provide nearly any experimental drug to potential patients.

STACK OVERFLOW IS ALMOST DEAD

The number of monthly questions on Stack Overflow this month is as low as when the site launched in 2009.

MY 2025 HIGH-END LINUX PC 🐧

This article discusses a Linux PC build with an Intel 285K CPU for low idle power, a 4TB SSD, and an Nvidia graphics card to drive a Dell UP3218K 8K monitor.

A LEAP YEAR CHECK IN THREE INSTRUCTIONS

This post discusses a different approach to checking leap years and explains in detail the math behind it.

INTERNET ARTIFACTS

This site contains a collection of artifacts that tell the history of the internet.

YOUTUBE LAUNCHES WEEKLY TOP PODCAST LIST TO RIVAL SPOTIFY AND APPLE

YouTube's Weekly Top Podcast Shows Chart, which will be updated every Wednesday, only tracks podcasts in the US.

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MEET ALPHAEVOLVE, THE GOOGLE AI THAT WRITES ITS OWN CODE—AND JUST SAVED MILLIONS IN COMPUTING COSTS

Google DeepMind's AlphaEvolve is an artificial intelligence agent that can invent brand-new computer algorithms. It pairs Google's large language models with an approach that tests, refines, and improves algorithms automatically. The system has already been deployed across Google's data centers, chip designs, and AI training systems, boosting efficiency and solving mathematical problems that have stumped researchers for decades. The system represents a major leap in AI's ability to develop sophisticated algorithms for both scientific challenges and everyday computing problems.

UBER'S NEW BUS-LIKE FEATURE FOR COMMUTERS IS NEARLY 50 PERCENT CHEAPER THAN UBERX

Uber's new type of ride service travels along a set route every 20 minutes with up to three passengers. Route Share will cost up to 50% less than an UberX ride. The service will be available in select cities and only during commuting hours. Uber says the service is a complement to public transit. The company has also announced a new price lock feature that allows customers to lock in a certain price for up to 10 routes for a $2.99 per month fee. Customers can now prepay for up to 20 rides a month at a reduced rate.

BIG TUNNELING MILESTONE!

The Boring Company has successfully continuously mined in a Zero-People-in-Tunnel (ZPIT) configuration. Its machine can simultaneously advance forward and build tunnels without a human in it. Each 'ring' in the tunnel weighs around 24,000 pounds. ZPIT continuous mining is the Holy Grail for Boring Machines as it is the safest, fastest, and least expensive architecture for building tunnels.

ROBOT CHEFS TAKE OVER AT SOUTH KOREA'S HIGHWAY RESTAURANTS, TO MIXED REVIEWS

South Korean tech companies are now deploying collaborative robots to work alongside humans in hotels, elder care, schools, and restaurants. The bots are supposed to solve a looming labor shortage in the rapidly aging nation. The government plans to increase the number of bot workers to 1 million by 2030. The reaction to the introduction of robots has been met with mixed emotions from both workers and customers.

MICROSOFT PULLS PLUG ON BING SEARCH APIS

Microsoft will retire Bing Search APIs on August 11. All existing instances of Bing Search APIs will be decommissioned completely and the API will no longer be available for use. Developers who need a real alternative are recommended to check out Brave Search APIs, which generally offers a more cost-effective solution, especially for developers with lower usage needs.

GIT-BUG

git-bug is an issue management tool that embeds issues, comments, and more as objects in a git repository, enabling users to push and pull them to one or more remotes. It manages issues, users, and comments directly within repositories, keeping everything versioned and clutter-free. git-bug leverages git's decentralized architecture to work offline and sync seamlessly later. It is lightning fast and easily synchronizes with platforms like GitHub and GitLab.

IF YOU HATE ADS ON NETFLIX, I HAVE BAD NEWS: THEY'RE DOING REALLY WELL

Netflix's ad-supported tier has 94 million monthly active users, up 20 million since last November. The cheaper plan costs $7.99 per month compared to $17.99 for the lowest ad-free option. The ad model is outperforming expectations. Netflix says its ad-supported tier now reaches more US viewers aged 18 to 34 than any other broadcast or cable network and that viewers are engaging with mid-roll ads just as much as they do with the content itself.

LLMS ARE MAKING ME DUMBER

Large language models can help people output substantially more work, but this usually comes at the cost of learning or improvement. People are incentivized to maximize immediate output, so the sacrifice seems fair. Before the rise of generative AI, learning was a prerequisite for output, but people can now use technology to build things without deeply understanding the implementation. Developers should decide what skills they are and are not okay with offloading and what they want to do for themselves.

FORTNITE RESUBMITS APP STORE REVIEW REQUEST FOLLOWING LACK OF RESPONSE

Gamers will have to wait a few more days before Fortnite can return to the App Store, as Epic had to resubmit the app for review after the first submission went unreviewed for over 120 hours - 90% of apps are usually reviewed within 48 hours.

LISA

Linux Integration Services Automation (LISA) is a Linux quality validation system consisting of a test framework to drive test execution and a set of test suites to verify Linux kernel/distribution quality.

KLARNA CEO SAYS AI HELPED COMPANY SHRINK WORKFORCE BY 40%

AI has helped Klarna shrink from about 5,000 employees to almost 3,000 - the headcount reduction wasn't solely due to AI, but also because of attrition.

IF AI IS SO GOOD AT CODING … WHERE ARE THE OPEN SOURCE CONTRIBUTIONS?

Some of the best minds in programming work in open source - if AI coding was really better than humans, they'd be using it and recommending it.

DATABRICKS TO BUY STARTUP NEON FOR $1 BILLION

The deal may make Databricks more attractive to businesses that want to create their own artificial intelligence bots.

OPEN LETTER TO BRIAN CHESKY

Airbnb's success was never due to some kind of grand narrative - it was the company's tinkering, perfect timing, and perpetual sensitivity to what hosts were already doing.

Google Cloud research report_

APPLE TO SUPPORT BRAIN-IMPLANT CONTROL OF ITS DEVICES

Apple is taking early steps to enable people to control their devices with brain-computer interfaces. It is working on a new standard with Synchron, a company that makes a stent-like device that is implanted in a vein on top of the brain's motor cortex to read brain signals. Early testers have been able to use the technology to control iPhones, iPads, and Vision Pro headsets. Synchron's device has been tested in 10 people since 2019.

AFTER BACK-TO-BACK FAILURES, SPACEX TESTS ITS FIXES ON THE NEXT STARSHIP

SpaceX's Starship has completed a long duration six-engine static fire and is undergoing final preparations for its ninth flight test. The company hasn't yet officially announced a target launch date, but there are signs the launch might happen as soon as next Wednesday. If everything goes to plan, Starship will enter space and fly halfway around the world, reentering in a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. SpaceX will try to catch the Super Heavy booster again. The company was aiming for as many as 25 Starship test flights this year, but it will now likely fall short of that number.

FLEXIBLE BRAIN IMPLANT TAKES MAJOR LEAP FORWARD

Brain-computer interfaces are systems that allow direct communication between the brain and external machines. Precision Neuroscience has a device thin enough that it can be implanted into the motor cortex of the brain through an incision less than 1 millimeter wide. The device has been cleared by the FDA for commercial use in patients for up to 30 days. The approval will allow Precision to collect a lot more brain data, which will help the company develop the algorithms it needs to translate users' thoughts into commands for machines. Precision plans to start clinical trials for a fully implanted system in 2026.

TESLA SHARES VIDEO OF ITS OPTIMUS ROBOT CATCHING UP TO COMPETITION

Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot looks like it's catching up to the competition. CEO Elon Musk has been telling shareholders that the robot is a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity for the company. Tesla is already using robots in its factories. The company has released a new video showing an Optimus prototype dancing. The video is available in the article along with videos of another humanoid robot from Unitree, a competitor.

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TAKING OUT THE TRASH: GARBAGE COLLECTION OF OBJECT STORAGE AT MASSIVE SCALE

A common problem when working with distributed systems on top of object storage is figuring out how to remove files from object storage that had been logically deleted either due to data expiry or compaction. This post looks at how to solve this problem using a delayed queue, async reconciliation, or both. It also looks at obvious ways to solve the problem that don't work well in practice, like bucket policies and synchronous deletion. The solution presented in the post is highly scalable, cheap, and easy to reason about.

GOOGLE ANNOUNCES MATERIAL 3 EXPRESSIVE, A COLORFUL EVOLUTION OF ANDROID DESIGN

Google's new Material 3 Expressive will be integrated into Android OS before expanding across the full Google app ecosystem. The redesign is the result of numerous user studies. This article takes a look at the redesign to show readers what to expect from Material 3 Expressive. It includes screenshots and videos showing different aspects of the new UI. Material 3 Expressive is an open design framework, so any of Google's partners can implement it into their Android skins.

OPENAI WANTS TO BUILD A SUBSCRIPTION FOR SOMETHING LIKE AN AI OS, WITH SDKS AND APIS AND 'SURFACES'

OpenAI wants to develop a subscription operating system for AI with models that ingest every experience users have in their lives. The company hasn't figured out what exactly that will look like, and it may take a few attempts before it gets it right. CEO Sam Altman says he hopes that whatever the company develops will enable an unbelievable amount of wealth creation. For now, OpenAI will continue building tons of AI infrastructure and keep making models better.

AIRBNB EXPANDS INTO SERVICES AND EXPERIENCES, PLANS MORE SOCIAL AND AI FEATURES

Airbnb has introduced a new feature that allows travelers to book services and experiences. The new offerings can be added to trips or booked independently. There are currently 10 categories of services available, including catering, photography, massages, personal training, and makeup. The services are available in 100 cities worldwide across eight countries. Airbnb is also launching exclusive experiences that involve celebrity partnerships. It has planned social features for release later this year.

MICROSOFT LAYING OFF ABOUT 6,000 PEOPLE, OR 3% OF ITS WORKFORCE

Microsoft's largest round of layoffs since the elimination of 10,000 roles in 2023 is not related to performance, but aimed at reducing layers of management.

PREVENTING OUTAGES WITH PKILL'S NEW --REQUIRE-HANDLER FLAG

Missing the removal of signal senders when removing signal handlers (like SIGHUP) can cause services to terminate unexpectedly fleetwide.

GOOGLE'S NEXT AI FRONTIER: AUTONOMOUS CODING AND VISUAL DISCOVERY SET TO DEBUT AT I/O

Google is developing an autonomous software development agent codenamed 'Codey' and a Pinterest-like visual discovery feature, both of which are expected to debut at the company's I/O conference, which starts on May 20.

GOOGLE IS REPORTEDLY PLANNING TO UNVEIL A PINTEREST ALTERNATIVE AT I/O 2025

Google may be debuting a Pinterest competitor to secure its ads revenue from commercial queries.

ASK HN: HOW ARE YOU ACQUIRING YOUR FIRST HUNDRED USERS? (HACKER NEWS THREAD)

A discussion on how to acquire users and also what to avoid doing.

NFT PHENOM CRYPTOPUNKS WAS JUST SOLD TO A NONPROFIT

Yuga Labs, the creator of Bored Ape Yacht Club and other notable NFTs, has sold CryptoPunks to the NODE Foundation, a nonprofit focused on preserving digital art.

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SAMSUNG LAUNCHES THIN S25 EDGE AS APPLE REPORTEDLY PREPARES THE IPHONE ‘AIR'

Samsung has unveiled a thin version of its flagship smartphone called the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge. The device is 5.8 millimeters thin and weighs 163 grams. It will go on sale on May 30, starting at $1,099. Samsung may be trying to get ahead of Apple, which is gearing up to launch the iPhone 17 Air.

WHY MODERNA MERGED ITS TECH AND HR DEPARTMENTS

Moderna's merging of technology and human resources into a single function is a sign of how artificial intelligence will change the workforce. The company is redesigning teams based on what work is best done by people versus what can be automated with technology. It has developed over 3,000 tailored GPTs designed for specific tasks like dose selection for clinical trials and drafting responses to questions from regulators. As a result, roles are being created, eliminated, and reimagined.

A NEW ERA IN CANCER THERAPIES IS AT HAND

CAR-T cells are modified cells used in a form of immunotherapy that involves changing parts of the immune system into cancer-attacking instruments. It is one of the most promising modern cancer treatments. While some studies have linked the therapy to fatal complications, new therapies are beginning to surpass those challenges and provide safer, more targeted delivery directly to tumors. Improving on these strategies might lead to treatments for even the most resistant types of cancer.

NEW MEXICO'S SPACEPORT AMERICA LOOKS UP AND INTO THE FUTURE

Spaceport America, a purpose-built commercial spaceport with 6,000 square miles of restricted airspace, has plans to further grow its launch complex. The company is currently expanding access roads and plans to build a hanger that acts as a security center, STEM education center, office and conference area, and center for handling small vehicle and payload processing. Spaceport America is currently working on a reentry license so it can do capsule return and other types of returns. Being an inland spaceport, it will never have the throughput that the Cape in Florida has, but it is a good alternative for quick small to medium-sized launches.