• WWW.THEVERGE.COM
    The Kindles new Recaps feature will catch you up on a book series
    Amazon has introduced a new Recaps feature on several Kindle models. | Image: AmazonAmazon is comparing a new feature for the Kindle to the Previously on segments that TV shows frequently use. But the Kindles Recaps feature is instead focused on book series and provides a quick refresher on storylines and character arcs before readers start the next book, Amazon says.The short Recaps, which do include spoilers, are available to readers in the US for thousands of bestselling English language Kindle books in series you have purchased or borrowed, according to Amazon.You can determine if a series youre reading has Recaps available by looking for a View Recaps button in the series page in your Kindle Library. It will also be available in a three-dot menu where you see a series of books grouped together in the Kindle UI.Recaps was first introduced on a Kindle software update released last week that also lets Kindle Colorsoft and 12th-gen Paperwhite Signature Edition users double-tap the back and sides of their e-readers to turn pages or scroll lists. The Recap feature will be available on a wider assortment of Kindle devices, including older models that are eligible for the 5.18.1 update.Amazon says its being rolled out as an over-the-air update over the next several weeks, but it can also be downloaded from Amazons website and manually installed on Kindles immediately. Amazon also plans to soon make it available on its Kindle app for iOS.
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  • WWW.MARKTECHPOST.COM
    Introduction to MCP: The Ultimate Guide to Model Context Protocol for AI Assistants
    The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard (open-sourced by Anthropic) that defines a unified way to connect AI assistants (LLMs) with external data sources and tools. Think of MCP as a USB-C port for AI applications a universal interface that allows any AI assistant to plug into any compatible data source or service. By standardizing how context is provided to AI models, MCP breaks down data silos and enables seamless, context-rich interactions across diverse systems.In practical terms, MCP enhances an AI assistants capabilities by giving it controlled access to up-to-date information and services beyond its built-in knowledge. Instead of operating with a fixed prompt or static training data, an MCP-enabled assistant can fetch real-time data, use private knowledge bases, or perform actions on external tools. This helps overcome limitations like the models knowledge cutoff and fixed context window. It is observed that simply stuffing all relevant text into an LLMs prompt can hit context length limits, slow responses, and become costly. MCPs on-demand retrieval of pertinent information keeps the AIs context focused and fresh, allowing it to incorporate current data and update or modify external information when permitted.Another way MCP improves AI integration is by unifying the development pattern. Before MCP, connecting an AI to external data often meant using bespoke integrations or framework-specific plugins. This fragmented approach forced developers to re-implement the same tool multiple times for different AI systems. MCP eliminates this redundancy by providing one standardized protocol. An MCP-compliant server (tool integration) can work with any MCP-compliant client (AI application). In short, MCP lets you write once, use anywhere when adding new data sources or capabilities to AI assistants. It brings consistent discovery and usage of tools and improved security. All these benefits make MCP a powerful foundation for building more capable and extensible AI assistant applications.MCP Architecture and Core ComponentsAt its core, MCP follows a clientserver architecture that separates the AI assistant (client/host side) from the external integrations (server side). The design involves three primary roles:MCP Host: The AI assistant application or environment that needs external data or actions. This could be a chat interface, an IDE with an AI coding assistant, a CRM with an AI helper, etc. The host is where the user interacts and the LLM lives.MCP Client: This component (often a library within the host app) manages the connection to one or more MCP servers. It acts as a bridge, routing requests from the AI to the appropriate server and returning results. The client handles messaging, intent analysis, and ensuring the communication follows the MCP protocol format.MCP Server: A lightweight program or service that exposes specific capabilities (tools, data access, or context) through the MCP standard. Each server is essentially a context provider; it can fetch information from certain data sources or perform particular actions and return results in a structured way.To visualize this, imagine the AI assistant as a laptop and each MCP server as a device or accessory that can be plugged in. The MCP client is like the universal hub/port that allows the computer to connect to many devices using the same interface. For example, the host AI (e.g., Claude or ChatGPT) connects via an MCP client hub to multiple MCP servers (adapters) that provide access to different services (Slack, Gmail, Calendar API, or local files). No matter who built the tool or data source, if it speaks MCP, the assistant can use it seamlessly. Each MCP server (bottom) is a context provider connecting the AI to a specific external service or data (icons for Slack, Gmail, Calendar, local files). The MCP client (middle, represented by the hub) enables the host AI application (top) to communicate with these servers through the standardized MCP interface. This modular design lets AI assistants plug into new data sources as easily as adding a new device, without custom integration for each tool.Context Providers (MCP Servers)Context providers are the external data sources or tools that an AI assistant can access via MCP. In MCP terms, these correspond to the MCP servers; each server provides a certain capability or data domain. For example, one MCP server might give access to a collection of documents or a knowledge base, another might interface with an email API, another with a database, and so on. The key is that each server follows the MCP standard for requests and responses, making them interchangeable from the perspective of the AI client.MCP servers can interface with local data sources (like files on your computer, local databases, etc.) or remote services (like web APIs, cloud apps). Indeed, a growing list of pre-built MCP servers already exists; for example, reference implementations are available for web searching, file operations, database queries, etc. You effectively make those data sources available to your AI by running or deploying the appropriate servers. The AI doesnt need to know the low-level API details; it just sends a standardized request (e.g., search for X or read file Y), and the MCP server handles the rest. This design keeps the LLM isolated from direct external access. The server mediates what the AI can see or do, allowing for security and access control. In summary, context providers enable secure, plug-and-play integration of diverse data sources into the AIs world.Document Indexing and RetrievalMCP servers often employ document indexing behind the scenes to efficiently use external data (especially large text corpora). Instead of storing a whole document or database record as one big blob, the data is pre-processed into an index that the server can query quickly. For textual data, this typically means splitting documents into chunks (e.g., paragraphs or passages) and converting them into a format suitable for fast similarity search, often embedding the text into vectors and storing them in a vector index or database. This is analogous to how a search engine indexes websites to retrieve relevant pages for a query instantly.Why index documents? So that when the AI asks something, the server can find the relevant information without sending the entire data store. This is the essence of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG): the users query is used to fetch relevant documents or snippets (via semantic search or keyword search), and those results are provided to the model as additional context. Using an index, the system can locate the needed knowledge quickly and accurately, even from large volumes of text. For example, if an AI can access a PDF library or a corporate wiki via MCP, the server might index all PDFs or wiki pages by content. When asked a question, it can then return just the top relevant sections to the AI rather than the AI scanning everything blindly. This speeds up the response and helps fit the info into the LLMs context window limits.Its worth noting that MCP itself doesnt mandate a specific indexing technique; depending on the servers implementation, it could be a vector similarity search, a keyword-inverted index, a database query, etc. The protocol just standardizes how the AI can request and receive information. Indexing is one of the best practices for context-providing servers to ensure the AI gets the right data when needed.Query Resolution ProcessWhen a user asks a question or gives a prompt to an MCP-enabled AI assistant, the system goes through a query resolution workflow to figure out how to get the necessary context. In a typical MCP interaction, the process works like this: the users query goes to the MCP client (in the host app), which then analyzes the querys intent and requirements. Based on this analysis, the client decides which context provider (MCP server) can best handle the request. For instance, if the query is What are the steps to reset my email password? the client might route this to a documentation or knowledge base server. The query Schedule a meeting next Monday might route to a calendar API server. The client essentially performs a tool selection or routing step.Once the appropriate server(s) are identified, the client sends the request to the MCP server in a standardized format (e.g., a JSON RPC call defined by the MCP spec). The server then processes the request this could involve running a search in an index (for a knowledge query), calling an external API, or performing some computation. For a data retrieval scenario, the server would execute a search or lookup on its indexed data. For example, it might take the query, run a semantic similarity search across document embeddings, and find the top matching chunks. The retrieved results (or action outputs) are then returned from the server to the client, which returns them to the AI model.In many cases, the client might wrap the results into the prompt given to the LLM. This entire resolution cycle happens quickly and transparently. The user experiences the AI assistant responding with an answer or action outcome. Still, behind the scenes, the assistant may have consulted one or several external sources to get there. According to one description, the MCP client selects the appropriate tools via the MCP server, and invokes external APIs to retrieve and process the required information before notifying the user of the results. The architecture ensures that the communication is structured and secure at each step; the AI can only use the tools its allowed to and only in the ways the protocol permits.A practical consideration in query resolution is that you typically only connect relevant providers for the task. An AI could have dozens of MCP servers available, but giving the model access to all of them simultaneously might be counterproductive. The best practice is to enable a subset of tools based on context or user scope to avoid confusing the model with too many choices. For instance, an AI agent in a coding IDE might load servers for Git and documentation but not the CRM or Calendar servers. This way, query resolution involves picking among a manageable set of options and reduces the chance of the model calling the wrong tool.Context Delivery to the AssistantAfter a provider fetches the relevant context, it needs to be delivered back to the AI model in a useful form. In an MCP setup, the servers response is typically structured (e.g., containing the data or an answer). The MCP client then integrates that into the AIs prompt or state. In a retrieval scenario, this often means attaching the retrieved text as additional context for the LLM to consider when generating its answer. For example, the client might prepend the models prompt with something like Reference Document: [excerpt] before the actual question or use a special format the model is trained to understand (such as a system message with the context). The AIs response is enriched with external knowledge; it can quote specifics from the provided text or base its reasoning on it. If multiple context pieces are returned, the client could concatenate them or present them in a list. The LLM will then see all those pieces and the user query and attempt to synthesize an answer. This dynamic injection of context means the AI can output information it didnt originally know, effectively extending its knowledge at runtime. For the user, it feels like the assistant knows about internal documents or the latest news, when in reality, it is reading from the supplied context.Its important to highlight that context delivery in MCP is not limited to static text. While the focus here is on retrieval, MCP can also deliver the results of actions. For instance, if the user asks the AI to perform a calculation or send an email (and the MCP server for email executes that), the response delivered might be a confirmation or data about that action. In the case of retrieval (read-only context), the delivered content is analogous to what RAG provides: relevant documents for the model to read. However, MCP can go further; it supports active outputs. One source explains that RAG is read-only, whereas MCP enables the AI to do things and deliver the outcome. For example, an MCP server could return, say, Email sent to John at 5 pm as a result. In all cases, the final step is for the AI assistant to present the information or outcome to the end user in natural language. The user doesnt see the raw context chunks or API calls; they just get the answer or confirmation, with the heavy lifting done via MCP behind the scenes.In conclusion, the Model Context Protocol (MCP) advances the integration of AI assistants with diverse external data sources. MCP enables AI systems to dynamically leverage up-to-date, relevant information and seamlessly perform context-aware interactions by standardizing context retrieval, indexing, and delivery. This approach enriches the functionality and accuracy of AI assistants and simplifies development by establishing a universal framework, eliminating redundancy, and enhancing security.SourcesAlso,feel free to follow us onTwitterand dont forget to join our85k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqWebsite| + postsBioAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences.Asif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Snowflake Proposes ExCoT: A Novel AI Framework that Iteratively Optimizes Open-Source LLMs by Combining CoT Reasoning with off-Policy and on-Policy DPO, Relying Solely on Execution Accuracy as FeedbackAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Salesforce AI Introduce BingoGuard: An LLM-based Moderation System Designed to Predict both Binary Safety Labels and Severity LevelsAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Open AI Releases PaperBench: A Challenging Benchmark for Assessing AI Agents Abilities to Replicate Cutting-Edge Machine Learning ResearchAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Nomic Open Sources State-of-the-Art Multimodal Embedding Model
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  • WWW.IGN.COM
    Marvel Rivals Dev Says It's Feeling Social Media Pressure to 'Keep the Game as Exciting as It Has Been Since December,' Announced Big Season 3 Shake-Up
    NetEase Games is fundamentally changing its Marvel Rivals post-launch roadmap to shorten its seasons and deliver at least one new hero every month as it battles to maintain live service momentum with its players.Its a major update to the existing content release schedule that was teased during the new Marvel Rivals Season 2 Dev Vision Vol. 5 video. Included in the 15-minute upload were details about how Season 2 will introduce its new Vanguard, Emma Frost, at launch April 11, as well as Ultron, whose class will be revealed closer to his mid-season launch. Both promise to keep Marvel Rivals fans on their toes with new abilities, but the real changes to how playable heroes will impact matches truly begin in Season 3.PlayIn Marvel Rivals Season 3, which is currently without a release date, NetEase will shift season lengths from being three months long to just two months. It means major content updates will progress rapidly without changing the teams initial promise to drop at least one new hero every half-season. So, while youll have to wait a month and a half to play as Ultron after Emma Frost launches next week, that wait will be cut down significantly after the hero after that drops.Since the launch of Season 1, weve been deeply contemplating how Marvel Rivals can continuously deliver fun and engaging experience for you all, Marvel Rivals creative director Guangyun Chen explained in the Dev Vision video. During this time, several discussions on social media have certainly added some pressure on us to keep the game as exciting as it has been since December. To a certain extent, we agree.With our goal of keeping the audiences excitement alive just like our opening months, the real adventure with Marvel Rivals is just beginning.Chen went on to explain that NetEase wants Marvel Rivals to fulfill everyones fantasies about Marvel Super Heroes, and that means exploring new modes and flooding the scene with a dense roster of varied characters. Following what he called extensive internal discussions and thorough evaluations, NetEase will adjust its systems to account for the increased flow of content. More information on how this will affect players will be revealed before the launch of Season 3.With our goal of keeping the audiences excitement alive just like our opening months, the real adventure with Marvel Rivals is just beginning, Chen added.PlayNetEase pulled back the curtain on Marvel Rivals Season 2 just hours ago, revealing that it will soon swap out its vampire takeover theme in favor of a new storyline that focuses on the Hellfire Gala. That means new fancy outfits, maps, and characters are on the way, with more information primed to be revealed in the coming weeks.Marvel Rivals was a smash hit when it launched in December, securing 10 million players in three days. NetEases free-to-play superhero team-based PvP shooter launched on December 6 across PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. On Steam the launch was particularly huge, with 480,990 concurrent players. January's Season 1 then drew an incredible 644,269 concurrent players, making Marvel Rivals the 15th most-played game ever on Valve's platform.But those concurrents have been on a downward slide ever since, which may have sparked the drastic roadmap change from NetEase. Still, Marvel Rivals remains hugely popular, and is one of Steam's most-played games. The launch of Season 2 will no-doubt prove a shot in the arm, and again with Season 3.For more on Marvel Rivals, be sure to check out the patch notes for update version 20250327 as well as why Disney decided to scrap an idea for a Marvel Gaming Universe.Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
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  • WWW.IGN.COM
    Pokemon Scarlet/Violet Is on Sale and Getting a Free Update for Switch 2 Later This Year
    I started playing Pokmon Scarlet when it first came to the Switch back in November 2022. I was excited to get back into the usual Pokmon formula again after Legends Arceus mixed it up. The open world gameplay combined with the standard gym battle progression had me feeling like a little kid again. Unfortunately, when the game first launched it was riddled with problems. In IGN's Pokmon Scarlet and Violet Review, we loved a lot of things about it, but found that it just ran terribly. The game has since received various patches and updates to help resolve the major issues, but it's the free Nintendo Switch 2 upgrade that is likely going to finally bring this game to its full potential.Nintendo has listed the games that will be receiving free updates to improve performance or add extra features on the Nintendo Switch 2 console, and both Scarlet and Violet are on there. Additionally, Amazon is having a sale on physical copies of these games that brings the price down to well below many of the upcoming Switch 2 editions of older games. If you're a Pokmon fan who has been on the fence about the latest games in the series, now is the time to buy before the new console arrives.Pokmon Scarlet and Violet Deals at AmazonPokmon ScarletPokmon VioletThe discount on these games aren't exactly massive right now, but with the price of Switch 2 games being revealed at $70 and above, they feel actually reasonably priced. Both of these games are currently sitting at full price a the Nintendo eShop, and it's unlikely that prices will drop much further than they are now once the free Switch 2 upgrade drops on June 5. If you are planning on getting the new Switch console at launch, you should check out our Switch 2 preorder guide for all of the details.What Pokmon Games Are Coming to Switch 2?PlayNintendo has stated that the Switch 2 will be compatible with most Nintendo Switch games. This means that you'll most likely be able to play the full library of Pokmon Switch games on the Nintendo Switch 2 when it comes out in June. Only Scarlet and Violet will be receiving the free upgrades, however. Outside of those games, Pokmon Legends: Z-A is the next announced game and will be coming to both Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. There will also be a Switch 2 enhanced version of the game that will offer better resolutions and frame rates.See more Pokmon Switch gamesPokmon Legends: ArceusSee it at AmazonPokmon SwordSee it at AmazonPokmon ShieldSee it at AmazonPokmon Brilliant DiamondSee it at AmazonPokmon Shining PearlSee it at AmazonPokmon: Let's Go, Eevee!See it at AmazonNew Pokmon SnapSee it at AmazonPokmon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DXSee it at Amazon
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  • WWW.DENOFGEEK.COM
    Jason Momoa and Jack Black Are Stoked for Your Kids to Watch Minecraft
    A Minecraft Movie has arrived bringing the Overworld to the moviegoing masses. The family friendly romp follows siblings Henry (Sebastian Hansen) and Natalie (Emma Myers) and their animal-loving realtor Dawn (Danielle Brooks). and the video-game-obsessive Garrett The Garbage Man Garrison (Jason Momoa) as theyre sucked into the magical mines of the Overworld and into an adventure that theyll never forget.For here they will meet the legend they call Steve (Jack Black).We chatted to the cast and creators of the film at an awesome event in Los Angeles that threw us directly into the mines, the vegetable gardens, and the terrifying zombies that inhabit the cubed world of the game and movie. Adapting that universe to the screen was no mean feat, especially as what has made the game so successful is the never ending possibilities it presents, something that director Jared Hess is keenly aware of.The cool thing about the game is that it is an open world, and theres no story to it, so everybody that plays it brings their own imagination, their own story to what theyre doing, Hess shares. So we wanted to have that same approach as we developed the film and really everybody involved, from the writers to the producers and the design team, we just wanted to bring what we love about the game to the film and really celebrate it.Torfi Frans lafsson, the senior director of original Minecraft content, agreed: Its been there for people in moments of joy and grief and even bringing people together like families and connecting friends across continents. he says. It is definitely challenging, because to some people, its just a very serious zombie survival game, and it should be approached as such. And to others, its like a colorful free-for-all where you just throw a bunch of blocks.He continues. Thats why its called A Minecraft Movie. This is the Jared Hess vision-version of it. Even Steve is almost like faceless, a blank slate when you play Steve or Alex or any other characters, because they embody kind of what you do as a player. So people are saying, Hey, thats just Jack Black wearing a blue shirt. But this is Jack Blacks Steve taken to 11.While the film is just one of many stories that could take place inside of Minecraft, the crew was still aware that you had to bring the easter eggs, nods, and creatures that fans love so much to the big screen. This includes the terrifying Enderman who star Jack Black was particularly excited to tease. Hes legit the scariest creature in Minecraft, and I think we did a really good job of capturing that thing. You cant look him in the eye, Jack Black says. In our movie you do see what happens when you look an Enderman in the eyeThose terrifying moments make A Minecraft Movie stand out, playing with the fears we have as children, and the ways that films can help us learn our boundaries. For Jason Momoa, the film that scarred him as a kid is still shaping his capacity for horror today.Im terrified, Momoa laughs. I still f*#*ing hate clowns. I should have listened to my mother. Mama was like, Do not watch It. Went and watched it at her friends house. I looked at shower drains [afterward], and I still kind of look at shower drains a little bit weird. At the gutters, my skateboard went down that shit. I was like, its gone.Luckily A Minecraft Movie isnt that kind of scary, but Momoa is already contemplating how this film will change his life and the way that he interacts with fans just like It changed his life as a little kid. Its gonna be crazy too. Like obviously kids come up to you and your movies and things that youve done, like Kung Fu Panda, Momoa says to Black. But its the first time Im experiencing it. I did Aquaman where people were like, Oh my gosh youre a superhero! But this, I dont even know whats gonna happen, because there are going to be three year olds. Everyones gonna see this movie. Its just fun for them to watch, obviously, Im getting my butt kicked. Hes kicking butt. So its great to watch.Black agrees, having a revelation of his own. Its already generational, because kids who started playing it when they were teenagers, like 14 or 15, they could very well have kids of their own now, because its 15 years later. Theyre 29 or 30 years old. There will be Minecraft parents and their kids coming to this movie. Its kind of cool.
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  • 9TO5MAC.COM
    iOS 18.4 has Apples best solution yet for this Podcasts app flaw
    Apple Podcasts isnt the dominant force in podcasting that it once was. But if you still get your podcasts from Apple rather than YouTube or another third-party app, there are some nice Podcasts app additions in iOS 18.4including a new widget that solves a key shortcoming.Up Next queue has long felt like a regression in Apple PodcastsIve used Apple Podcasts for years, but a while back my customer satisfaction went way down when Apple implemented its new Up Next queue.Up Next, in theory, is meant to be your one-stop destination for what to listen to next.But the feature represented a big change from Podcasts previous interface, which showed a list of the most recent episodes published.You can still access a Latest Episodes view, but it requires a couple extra taps to get there.I wont go into detail on why Up Next doesnt work well for me, as Ive already done that elsewhere.But I am happy to report that iOS 18.4 adds a new Podcasts widget that makes viewing your Latest Episodes list much easier than before.iOS 18.4 actually adds two new widget types for Apple Podcasts:Library, which features episodes from a list in your libraryand Shows, which does the same for a single show of your choosingEach is available in various sizes to suit your needs, and there are even XL versions on iPad.The Library widget is the one Ive quickly grown to love, because you can configure it to display either Saved Episodes, Downloaded Episodes, or your Latest Episodes.That latter option is what I went with.Now, right from my iPhones Home Screen I can view and play any of the four most recently published episodes from shows I follow.Essentially, its like the apps old default setup, but without needing to open the app at all.I continue to find Up Next a sub-par feature, but at least now in iOS 18.4, I can avoid it entirely without needing to jump around Podcasts various tabs and sections every time Im ready to listen.Have you used any of Apple Podcasts new widgets in iOS 18.4? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
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  • 9TO5MAC.COM
    iOS 18.4 features, AI Health service rumors, Apple Card drama
    Benjamin and Chance start with a catch-up on changes to Friday Night Baseball, before diving into the software updates of the week, with the launch of iOS 18.4 and the first iOS 18.5 beta launching. Also, thoughts on Apples rumored AI Health service plans, and the latest on finding a new partner for the Apple Card.And in Happy Hour Plus, Benjamin embarks on a mission to convert baby videos from old camcorder tapes, to digital files. Subscribe at9to5mac.com/join.Sponsored by DREAME: Get up to $600 off intelligent robotic cleaners and effortless wet/dry vacs inDREAMEs Spring Cleaning sale now.HostsChance Miller Benjamin MayoSubscribe, Rate, and Review9to5Mac Happy Hour PlusSubscribe to 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus! Support Benjamin and Chance directly with Happy Hour Plus! 9to5Mac Happy Hour Plus includes:Ad-free versions of every episodePre- and post-show contentBonus episodesJoin for $5 per month or $50 a year at9to5mac.com/join.Feedback Submit #Ask9to5Mac questions on Twitter, Mastodon, or ThreadsEmail us feedback and questions to happyhour@9to5mac.com LinksAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
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  • FUTURISM.COM
    It's Interesting How Truth Social Moved to Sell Stock Right Before Trump's Tariffs Were Announced
    Just before announcing a major escalation in his tariff war on Wednesday evening followed by a major stock market wipeoutthe following morning president Donald Trump freed up the sale of his Truth Social shares.As the Financial Times reports, Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) revealed that it was planning to sell more than 142 million shares in a late Tuesday filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.Most notably, the shares listed in the document include Trump's 114-million-share stake, which is worth roughly $2.3 billion and held in a trust controlled by his son Donald Trump Jr. Other insiders, including a crypto exchange-traded fund, and 106,000 shares held by US attorney Pam Bondi were also included in the latest filing.While the filing doesn't guarantee any future sale of shares, investors weren't exactly smitten with the optics. Shares plunged eight percent in light of the news, according to the FT, and are down over 45 percent this year amid Trump's escalating trade war.The timing of the SEC filing is certainly suspect. Trump's "liberation day" tariff announcement on Wednesday triggered a major selloff, causing shares of multinational companies and stock futures to crater.Trump also vowed in September that he wasn't planning to sell any of his TMTG shares, which caused their value to spike temporarily at the time.Now that the shares are up for grabs, the president has seemingly had a change of heart or, perhaps, is getting cold feet now that the economy is feeling the brunt of his catastrophic economic policymaking. It's also possible Trump was always planning to cash out and leave investors exposed.Meanwhile, Trump Media released a statement on Wednesday, accusing "legacy media outlets" of "spreading a fake story suggesting that a TMTG filing today is paving the way for the Trump trust to sell its shares in TMTG." The company said this week's filing was "routine."Experts have long pointed out that if Trump were to sell, it could lead to TMTG spiraling.It's still unclear whether the company which reported a staggering $400 million loss in 2024, while only netting a pitiful $3.6 million revenue will realize the mass sale of millions of shares.But even just the suggestion appears to have spooked investors."In this offering it says the Trump trust could sell shares it doesn't necessarily mean that they will," Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein told ABC News. "It signals to the market that they could.""This leaves it up in the air if and when a share sale will happen," he added.In short, instead of building a viable business that generates meaningful revenue to reflect its valuation, TMTG still feels more like an enrichment scheme for Trump and his closest associates."Trump Media has been pretty unsuccessful at creating an operating business model, but they have been quite successful at selling their stock," University of Florida finance professor Jay Ritter told ABC News.Share This Article
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  • FUTURISM.COM
    Astronaut Insists the Mushrooms He's Growing in Space Are "Not the Ones Youre Thinking"
    A crypto billionaire and a filthy rich ketamine user have launched a trip to the stars stop us if you've heard this one before.We promise it's not quite as Silicon Valley as it sounds, though as Australian explorer and freshman astronaut Eric Phillips told Ars Technica, there are shrooms involved.Alongside Norwegian filmmaker Jannicke Mikkelsen, German roboticist Rabea Rogge, and Chinese crypto billionaire Chun Wang, Philips is a member of SpaceX's Fram2 mission. The first private flight of its kind, the four-person team launched in a Crew Dragon capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket for the first-ever civilian mission flying over Earth's poles.Chartered by Chun and, of course, greenlit by SpaceX owner and resident White House psychonaut Elon Musk the four-person crew launched on March 31 and are currently in orbit, working on nearly two dozen scientific experiments they have planned for their short journey.Among them, as Ars noted, is the plan to become the first mushroom growers in space but "theyre not the ones youre thinking," Philips told the website. Instead, per a Fram2 statement released ahead of the launch, they'll be growing delectable oyster mushrooms.FOODiQ Global, the Australian company behind the "Mission MushVroom" experiment aboard Fram2, said in the press release that "oyster mushrooms are the perfect space crop" because they grow rapidly and have tons of nutrients. They even have "the unique ability to make vitamin D," the statement noted.Along with all those nutritional benefits, those yummy shrooms will almost certainly taste better than space food if top space minds can figure out a way to cook them in orbit, that is.In an op-ed forBusiness Insider, FOODiQ founder and CEO Flvia Fayet-Moore said that she identified mushrooms as an ideal in-orbit crop, particularly for years-long missions to Mars and other planets."Can you imagine eating thermostabilized, dehydrated food for five years?" the space nutritionist yes, that is apparently a real thing wrote. "I can't."We won't know how well the shrooms grew in microgravity until Fram2 gets back to Earth this week.More on space life: Boeing's Starliner Disaster Was Even Worse Than We Thought, Astronaut RevealsShare This Article
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  • WEWORKREMOTELY.COM
    M3USA: Junior CRM Administrator (Remote)
    Company DescriptionThe Medicus Firm (TMF), a part of M3USA, is a national healthcare recruitment firm with a mission to be the market leader which is most respected for its Performance, People, and Partnerships. One of the largest physician recruitment companies in the US, TMF focuses on providing the most efficient and effective recruiting services to hospitals and healthcare employers nationwide with unmatched sophistication, consultation, and market insight. Due to its transparent and consultative approach, The Medicus Firm is a ten-time winner of the Best of Staffing Client Satisfaction award, presented by ClearlyRated. By providing a collaborative work environment with a competitive compensation model, TMF has successfully built an accomplished team that is the recipient of multiple awards for its culture.Due to our continued growth, we are hiring for a Junior CRM AdministratoratThe Medicus Firm, an M3 company.As part of the M3 family of companies, The Medicus Firm benefits from M3s physician reach through millions of active physicians who regularly participate in market research, continuing education, clinical research, professional enrichment, etc. M3 USA is at the forefront of healthcare innovation, offering digital solutions across healthcare, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and more. Since our inception in 2000, weve seen remarkable growth, fueled by our mission to utilize the internet for a healthier world and more efficient healthcare systems.Our success is anchored in our trusted digital platforms that engage physician communities globally, facilitating impactful medical education, precise job placement, and insightful market research. M3 USA prides itself on a dynamic and innovative work environment where every team member contributes to global health advancements.Joining M3 USA means being part of a dedicated team striving to make a significant difference in healthcare. We provide a unique opportunity for you to be at the cutting edge of healthcare innovation, shaping the future in a meaningful career. Embrace the chance to drive change with M3 USA.Job DescriptionAssist in the implementation and training support for all new tools, resources, or applicationsParticipate in the development and implementation of all new technologies or resources that integrate with the CRMAssist in identifying additional technologies or resources, as well as evaluating effectiveness of the current modelContribute ideas and strategies for automation and efficiencies through technologyHandle all basic administrative functions including user maintenance, modification of page layouts, generation of reports and dashboards, creation of new fields and other routine tasksAutomate processes usingSalesforcetools such as process builder, approval processes, flows and validation rulesAssist in training new users, as well as training current users on new processes or technologies, and continue to grow theSalesforceskill set across the organizationDocument and track all customizations made inSalesforceReview upcoming upgrades and seasonal releases for integrated applicationsWork with leadership to develop necessary reports essential to production and the businessAll other duties assigned by CEO, COO or Director of CRM & TechnologyQualificationsBachelors degree required1+ years of salesforce experience Experience with Dataloader requiredExperience with Sales Cloud requiredExperience in business development/sales strongly preferredImplementation experience preferredExperience with Marketing Cloud with a focus on Account Engagement preferredExperience with CRM Analytics preferredExperience with Sales Engagement preferredProven ability to analyze data and make recommendations for improvement to technology, processes, or CRM to leadershipAbility to effectively complete projects or implementations processesExcellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate complex processesDemonstrated experience in resolving issues, brainstorming, and problem-solvingStrong understanding of theSalesforceplatform, with the ability to build custom apps and objects, formula fields, processes, custom views, and other content of intermediate complexityStrong understanding ofSalesforcebest practices and functionality preferred and ability to master new technologiesSalesforceAdministrator certifiedHTML coding preferredAdditional InformationBenefits:A career opportunity with M3 USA offers competitive wages, and benefits such as:Health and DentalLife, Accident and Disability InsurancePrescription PlanFlexible Spending Account401k Plan and MatchPaid Holidays and VacationSick Days and Personal Day*M3 reserves the right to change this job description to meet the business needs of the organizationM3 USA is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the principles of inclusion and diversity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at M3 USA are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical or mental disability, medical history or genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, past or present military service, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the federal, state or local laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. #LI-PH1#LI-Remote
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