The AirPods backpack is very odd, and I love it

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the Allen Institute for AI have created CoSyn, an open-source tool that gives free AI systems vision capabilities on par with—or even better than—expensive proprietary models like GPT-4V and Gemini 1.5 Flash. This could level the playing field between open and closed AI development, making high-end visual AI accessible to everyone, not just big tech companies.

Editor’s Note: Right now, the best vision AI is locked behind paywalls and corporate control. If CoSyn delivers what it promises, it could democratize advanced AI tools, empowering indie developers, researchers, and small businesses to build cool stuff without needing deep pockets. It’s a big step toward open AI actually competing with the giants.

This 2018 article discusses "stackless traversal," a programming technique that avoids using the call stack for certain operations, which can be useful in memory-constrained environments or for optimizing performance. The linked Hacker News comments suggest it sparked technical debate, with some praising its cleverness while others questioned its practicality.

Editor’s Note: For developers, techniques like stackless traversal are like finding a new tool in the toolbox—sometimes niche, but handy when the right problem comes along. It’s a reminder that even older discussions (2018 feels ancient in tech time!) can resurface with fresh relevance, especially as systems push efficiency boundaries.

A popular tea-themed app has suffered a data breach, leaving thousands of users' personal images exposed. The app, which lets people share photos of their tea setups and brewing techniques, reportedly had a security flaw that allowed unauthorized access. While the full extent of the leak isn’t yet clear, it’s a reminder of how easily private content can slip into the wrong hands—even in seemingly harmless apps.

Editor’s Note: Even niche apps aren’t immune to hacks, and this breach highlights how personal data—even something as simple as tea photos—can become vulnerable. If you’ve used the app, it might be time to check your privacy settings or reconsider what you share online. Beyond tea lovers, it’s a wake-up call about digital security in apps we might not think twice about trusting.

Descent was a groundbreaking 6DOF (six degrees of freedom) shooter from the '90s that let players pilot a spaceship in full 3D, twisting and turning through labyrinthine tunnels. While it was a hit in its day and influenced later games, it’s since faded from mainstream conversation—despite being a technical marvel for its time.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just nostalgia—games like Descent paved the way for modern 3D movement in shooters, yet they rarely get their due. Revisiting it reminds us how far gaming has come and how quickly even revolutionary titles can slip from memory. If you’ve ever wondered why today’s games control the way they do, Descent is part of that story.

Amazon is diving deeper into the world of video game adaptations by developing a TV series based on Wolfenstein, the iconic first-person shooter franchise known for its alternate-history Nazi-fighting action. While details are still scarce, the project signals Amazon’s continued bet on gaming IP as a goldmine for streaming content.

Editor’s Note: Video game adaptations are having a moment (The Last of Us, Fallout), and Amazon clearly wants in. Wolfenstein’s gritty, action-packed world could make for a compelling show—if done right. But fans will be wary: game-to-screen projects often stumble, and the bar is higher than ever. Still, it’s another sign that Hollywood sees gaming as the next frontier for big-budget storytelling.