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Apple’s iPhone 16e Hits Stores: Affordable Power with AI

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Tech enthusiasts, rejoice! Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone 16e is now available for purchase both online and in Apple Stores worldwide.

Pre-orders for the iPhone 16e began on Friday, February 21st, at 5 a.m. PST for customers in 59 countries and regions, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK, and the U.S.

This new addition to the iPhone 16 family positions itself as the most budget-friendly option, while still packing a punch with powerful features.

The iPhone 16e boasts impressive battery life, a speedy A18 chip, and “revolutionary” Apple Intelligence. It also features a high-resolution 48MP 2-in-1 camera system, ensuring users capture stunning photos and videos.

Apple is making it easier than ever to upgrade with its Trade-In program. With select carrier promotions, customers can receive up to $120 in credit for trading in an iPhone 11 and, with even more, up to $599. Apple Retail also offers personalized support through expert team members who help customers set up their new devices.

Apple Intelligence launches in English for users in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the U.S. More languages, including French, German, Italian, Portuguese (Brazil), Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese (Simplified), plus English for Singapore and India, will be added in April. Further language support, including Vietnamese, will roll out throughout the year. Please note that some features may vary by region and language.

Key Features:

  • Affordable price point within the iPhone 16 family
  • Breakthrough battery life
  • A18 chip for fast performance
  • Apple Intelligence
  • 48MP 2-in-1 camera system
  • Trade-in offers up to $599

The iPhone 16e Silicone Case is available in five colors (winter blue, fuchsia, lake green, black, and white) for US$39 (U.S.).

AppleCare+ for iPhone offers comprehensive service and support, including unlimited accidental damage incidents and 24/7 expert assistance. iCloud+ plans start at US$0.99 (U.S.) per month, offering up to 12TB of storage and premium features. New iPhone 16e purchasers may also receive three free months of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, and Apple Fitness+ with a new subscription.

Microsoft kills Skype ☠️

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Microsoft kills Skype, OpenAI releases GPT 4.5.

These are both stories that were announced after I released the Friday checkout this week, so I decided to make a short for them. What do you think about the format?

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Trump tries to kill CHIPS Act

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►►► This video ◄◄◄

This week Microsoft tested putting ads into Office apps on Windows, Amazon announced Alexa+ which is now based on generative AI and LLMs, and Trump and DOGE tried to kill the CHIPS act by firing its staff.

Episode 238

This video on Nebula: https://nebula.tv/videos/tfc-microsoft-tests-ads-in-office

Beebom Office with Ads: https://beebom.com/microsoft-free-ad-supported-office-quietly-launched/

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►►► Release monitor ◄◄◄

If a line starts with "*" it’s an affilate link. I earn a commission if you buy through it.

Clicks: https://www.clicks.tech
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*Nomad ChargeKey: https://collabs.shop/fnwnvb

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►►► TechAltar links ◄◄◄

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►►► Attributions & Time stamps◄◄◄

Writing & Research: Tristan Rayner
Music by Edemski: https://soundcloud.com/edemski

Stock assets: Getty Images

0:00 Intro
0:18 Ads in Office
1:48 Alexa+, with LLMs
2:58 Killing CHIPS act
4:18 Release Monitor
6:42 The Brief

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Moca Network and SK Planet Launch OKI Club: Web3 Onboarding Reaches Millions

Seoul, South Korea – Moca Network and SK Planet have unveiled OKI Club, a groundbreaking premium membership program that seamlessly integrates Web3 technology into SK Planet’s OK Cashbag app.

This launch marks the first large-scale enterprise use of Moca Network’s AIR Kit SDK, bringing blockchain functionality and interoperable digital identity to millions of South Korean consumers.

OKI Club, powered by Moca Network’s AIR Kit, allows OK Cashbag users to create an AIR account directly within the app, earning rewards in OCB Points and MOCA Coin. This integration provides a simplified pathway for users to engage with Web3 experiences, leveraging a unified digital identity across multiple ecosystems.

The program has already generated significant interest, attracting over 600,000 pre-registrations from KYC-verified OK Cashbag users. By tapping into SK Planet’s 28 million user base, OKI Club aims to drive widespread Web3 adoption and expand the utility of MOCA Coin across various sectors, including gaming, IP, sports, and entertainment.

“The launch of OKI Club is a major milestone for Moca Network’s AIR Kit,” said Kenneth Shek, project lead of Moca Network. “This partnership blurs the line between Web2 and Web3 by having AIR Kit natively integrated with the consumer app with millions of users.”

Kyosu Kim, CBO at SK Planet, added, “Through strategic partnerships with Web3 companies like Moca Network, we will continue to discover new benefits and develop innovative programs.”

OK Cashbag
OK Cashbag
Developer: SK Planet
Price: Free

Dynadot Announces .CO Domain Price Increase: Act Before April 1st

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Domain owners take note! Dynadot has announced an upcoming price increase for .CO domain registrations, renewals, and transfers, effective April 1, 2025, at 00:00 UTC.

Here’s the breakdown:

  • Current Price: $24.96
  • New Price (Effective April 1, 2025): $27.04

Dynadot is encouraging customers to take advantage of the current pricing by registering, renewing, or transferring their .CO domains before the deadline.

This price adjustment is due to an increase from the central registry for .CO domains.

C’mon AMD… you got this…

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Timestamps:
0:00 it’s a bit different
0:07 leaks about RX 9070 prices, specs
1:35 Framework Desktop, Laptop 12
3:18 Alexa+, Claude 3.7, Grok 3
5:58 QUICK BITS INTRO
6:08 Nothing Phone 3a Pro
6:54 ASRock BIOS update for Ryzen issues
7:18 Google "Results About You"
7:58 Unitree G1 kung-fu robot

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USPS Announces Service Standard Changes and $36 Billion Cost Reduction Plan

Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced refined service standards for several market-dominant services, including First-Class Mail, Periodicals, Marketing Mail, and Package Services.

These changes aim to improve service reliability nationwide while maintaining the current five-day service standard window for First-Class Mail.

The USPS projects at least $36 billion in savings over 10 years through transportation, mail processing, and real estate cost reductions.

The refined standards will shorten the day ranges for end-to-end Marketing Mail, Periodicals, and Package Services, while upgrading more market-dominant volume than is downgraded.

According to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, these adjustments will help the USPS modernize its operations and achieve financial sustainability, addressing historical burdens and congressional resistance to change.

Implementation will occur in two phases, starting April 1st and July 1st.

The USPS will provide information at retail locations and through online tools to ensure customers are aware of the changes.

Retail access will remain unchanged.

This initiative is part of the USPS’s Delivering for America 10-year transformation plan, focused on modernizing the postal network and improving service across all mail and shipping categories.

Brave Search Ads Skyrocket: 1500% Click Growth Signals Shift in Search Advertising

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San Francisco, CA – Brave Search Ads has reported a staggering 1500% growth in click volume during 2024, alongside an impressive 80% increase in organic search queries.

This remarkable surge highlights Brave’s privacy-focused search engine’s growing success and burgeoning advertising platform, signaling a potential shake-up in the search advertising landscape.

The explosive growth is attributed to Brave’s strategy of targeting top-tier paid search advertisers who are seeking alternatives to Google Ads’ near-monopoly.

Brave Search Ads has attracted major players like Amazon Ads, Booking.com, and Wayfair by offering category exclusivity and access to a privacy-conscious audience of tech early adopters.

Brave Search Ads Skyrocket: 1500% Click Growth Signals Shift in Search Advertising 1

Advertisers are seeing significant conversion volumes, in some cases exceeding Brave’s market share, and achieving up to 5% growth on total paid search spend while maintaining their target return on ad spend (ROAS).

The success of Brave Search Ads is fueled by the continued expansion of the Brave browser, which boasts 80 million active users worldwide, and the effectiveness of search advertising itself.

Brave Search Ads Skyrocket: 1500% Click Growth Signals Shift in Search Advertising 2

With features like Answer with AI and ReRank, Brave Search is gaining popularity among users who value privacy and customizable search results.

This combination of a growing user base and a robust advertising platform has created a compelling alternative to traditional search engines, marking a significant step towards a more competitive and fair search advertising market.

Epic Gardening Plants Roots in Modern Farmer: A New Chapter Begins

Gardening enthusiasts rejoice! Epic Gardening, a leading voice in the world of gardening and urban agriculture, has officially acquired Modern Farmer, a publication known for its in-depth exploration of food and agriculture.

This exciting merger promises to bring together the best of both worlds, combining Epic Gardening’s practical expertise with Modern Farmer’s insightful reporting.

Epic Gardening Plants Roots in Modern Farmer: A New Chapter Begins 3
screenshot of the Epic Gardening website

In a letter to subscribers, the Epic Gardening team expressed their commitment to maintaining Modern Farmer’s dedication to quality content.

Readers can expect a continuation of the insightful articles that have made Modern Farmer a trusted source, now bolstered by Epic Gardening’s team of experienced gardeners and farmers.

The acquisition aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of food systems, bridging the gap between the garden and the table.

This merger signifies a new chapter for both organizations, creating a powerful platform for exploring the diverse facets of modern agriculture.

The Epic Gardening team invites readers to join them on this journey, promising to deliver content that inspires and informs, fostering a stronger connection to the food we eat.

Emerging Scholars Program Offers Scholarships and Bursaries to Trench Town Students

Kingston, Jamaica – The Emerging Scholars Scholarship and Bursary Program (ESSB) is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 academic year.

This program aims to empower promising students from Trench Town, Kingston, by providing financial assistance, mentorship, and opportunities for upward social mobility.

Scholarships and bursaries ranging from J$25,000 to J$100,000 will be awarded based on merit and financial need.

A total of six awards will be disbursed for the upcoming academic year.

To be eligible, applicants must reside in Trench Town for at least three years and be enrolled in a secondary or tertiary institution.

Participation in extracurricular or community activities is strongly encouraged, but it is not mandatory. The application deadline is June 30, 2025.

Emerging Scholars Program Offers Scholarships and Bursaries to Trench Town Students 4

The ESSB program was founded by Dr. Tashanna Walker-Valentine, a Trench Town native whose work is deeply rooted in community advocacy and social equity.

Dr. Walker-Valentine’s dedication to her community drives her efforts to provide educational opportunities and support for local students.