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I was tired of scrolling – his app woke me up and made me smarter

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Whenever I pick up my smartphone, I’m confronted with the question, “Which app am I going to open?” More often than not, I open up an app that tells me the latest news from around the world or updates me on all the latest sports news. Because I’m a British man, I also have to keep on top of the weather forecast, so I always know when it’s going to rain.

More recently, I’ve been opening a completely different type of app. One that is doing me a lot more good and helping me be healthier and more mentally aware. It’s a brain training app called Impulse. There is no shortage of brain training apps and websites, but in my limited experience, there is isn’t a better one.

Homescreen heroes

This is part of a regular series of articles exploring the apps that we couldn’t live without. Read them all here.

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iOS 18 Rumor Recap: Smarter Siri, Design Changes, and More

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iOS 18 is still months away from being unveiled, but there are already several rumors and expectations for the software update, as outlined below.

iOS 18 Mock Feature Baubles
iOS 18 is rumored to include new ChatGPT-inspired generative AI features for Siri and many built-in apps, and Apple plans to add RCS support to the Messages app for an improved texting experience between iPhones and Android devices. The update is also rumored to have some design changes, but details remain slim.

iOS 18 is expected to be announced at Apple’s annual developers conference WWDC in June, and widely released in September.

Smarter Siri and Generative AI

iOS 18 Mock Siri Feature Baubles
iOS 18 is rumored to have new generative AI features for Siri, Spotlight, Shortcuts, Apple Music, Messages, Health, Numbers, Pages, Keynote, and more, according to sources such as Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman and The Information‘s Wayne Ma.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly teased that the company is working on generative AI, and plans to share details “later this year.”

Generative AI surged in popularity in late 2022, when OpenAI released ChatGPT, a chatbot that can respond to questions and other text prompts. The company has also expanded into generative AI tools for images and videos.

Some generative AI features might be exclusive to iPhone 16 models, which are rumored to have a Neural Engine with “significantly” more cores.

RCS Support in Messages App

General Apps Messages
In November, Apple announced that it would support the cross-platform messaging standard RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting “later” in 2024, so it will likely be an iOS 18 feature based on that timeframe.

RCS support should result in the following improvements to the default messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices:

  • Higher-resolution photos and videos
  • Audio messages
  • Typing indicators
  • Read receipts
  • Wi-Fi messaging between iPhones and Android devices
  • Improved group chats, including the ability for iPhone users to leave a conversation that includes Android users

These modern features are already available for iPhone-to-iPhone conversations with blue bubbles, via iMessage, and many of the features are also available in third-party messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram. RCS support on the iPhone will extend the features to green bubbles in the Messages app.

Design Changes

iOS Design 1
In a February edition of his newsletter, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman said Apple was working to update the design of iOS as “early as this year.”

Gurman has yet to reveal any specific design changes planned for iOS. In a November edition of his newsletter, however, he said Apple’s senior management described iOS 18 as “ambitious and compelling,” with “major new features and designs.”

Gurman does not expect iOS 18 to receive a “total overhaul that mirrors visionOS.”

Accessibility Features

iOS 18 could include new accessibility features related to VoiceOver, Live Speech, and Text Size.

More Details

For additional information, read our iOS 18 roundup.

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10 Tips & Tricks to Help You Work Smarter on Your Mac

Mac Tips

We have some awesome Mac tips that are designed to improve your productivity on your Mac. In the digital age, efficiency and productivity are the keystones of success, especially for Mac users who often juggle multiple tasks in their daily computing lives. Whether you’re a newcomer to macOS or a veteran looking to streamline your workflow, discovering new ways to enhance your efficiency can be a game-changer. In the video below from Dan’s Tutorials, we get to find a range of features and tricks that promise to elevate your Mac experience, making your interactions smoother and more productive.

  1. Quick Menu Bar Searches: Ever found yourself digging through menu options to find a specific function? The Mac allows you to swiftly locate any menu option with a simple search in the Help menu. Type what you’re looking for, and a blue arrow will guide you to the feature, saving you time and hassle.
  2. Customizing Menu Bar Icons: Tailor your workspace by rearranging the icons on the right side of the menu bar. Simply hold down the Command key while dragging icons to reorder them according to your preferences, ensuring your most used features are always within easy reach.
  3. Optimizing Finder Window Defaults: Streamline how you access files by setting a default view for new Finder windows. Instead of settling for the default ‘Recents’ view, you can choose a specific folder, like your Home folder, to open every time you launch a new window, making file navigation more intuitive.
  4. Always-On Scroll Bar: Enhance your document navigation by choosing to always display the scroll bar in windows. This tweak, found in System Settings, is particularly useful for lengthy documents or web pages, offering a quick visual cue of your position.
  5. Dock-Based System Settings Access: Gain quick access to a comprehensive list of system settings by clicking and holding the System Settings icon in the Dock. This method reveals settings that might not be immediately visible, providing a shortcut to deeper customization options.
  6. Effortless Document Retrieval: For document-centric apps, right-click the app icon in the Dock to swiftly access and open recent documents. This feature is a boon for those working with numerous files, enabling faster switching and less time spent navigating through folders.
  7. Finder File Grouping: Organize your files more efficiently by grouping them by kind in Finder. This method clusters similar file types together, such as all PDFs or all images, making it easier to locate specific files in a crowded folder.
  8. Gesture-Based Zooming: Utilize macOS’s accessibility features to zoom in and out on your display with a simple scroll gesture combined with modifier keys. This feature is invaluable for users needing to enhance visibility or focus on specific screen areas.
  9. Desktop Clutter Reduction: macOS Sonoma introduces the ability to hide all desktop items, which can then be accessed from the desktop folder. This feature is perfect for users seeking a minimalist workspace, reducing on-screen distractions and fostering a cleaner, more organized desktop.
  10. Desktop Access Simplification: If you prefer a tidier desktop, you can disable the feature that hides all windows when clicking the desktop background in macOS Sonoma. Alternatively, use hot corners to quickly show the desktop, providing a seamless method to access files or applications without minimizing everything manually.

By integrating these tips and tricks into your daily Mac use, you can significantly enhance your productivity and efficiency. These features, designed to improve user interaction with macOS, offer shortcuts and customization options that streamline tasks and make your computing experience more enjoyable. Remember, mastering your Mac’s capabilities is an ongoing journey, and exploring its lesser-known features can lead to more effective and enjoyable computing.

Source: Dan’s Tutorials

Image Credit: Michail Sapiton

Filed Under: Apple, Laptops





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Is ChatGPT Smarter Than You?

Is ChatGPT Smarter Than You?

The current landscape of artificial intelligence is undergoing a rapid and transformative evolution, with the emergence of AI assistants like ChatGPT and Bard at the forefront of this technological revolution. These AI assistants, with their advanced linguistic capabilities, have the ability to create compelling narratives, translate languages with remarkable efficiency, and provide responses to intricate queries that are striking in their clarity and coherence. This has sparked a widespread conversation about the implications of such advanced technology, raising pivotal questions about the nature of intelligence and the relationship between these AI tools and human cognition.

To begin with, it is essential to address the concept of “smartness” as a multifaceted and complex attribute, rather than a singular, measurable entity. Human intelligence is an amalgamation of various dimensions, including but not limited to creativity, analytical reasoning, emotional depth, and even kinesthetic skills. Thus, drawing a direct comparison between the intelligence of AI assistants like ChatGPT and human intelligence is an oversimplification. It’s like comparing apples to oranges – each has its own unique properties and areas of strength.

Delving deeper into the capabilities of ChatGPT, we find a tool that excels in linguistic processing and generation. Its proficiency in mimicking human conversation patterns and generating text that is convincingly human-like is nothing short of remarkable. It is adept at crafting engaging stories, translating between languages with high accuracy, and producing a variety of creative content, tasks that traditionally demand considerable human intellectual effort.

However, it’s crucial to acknowledge the inherent limitations of ChatGPT and similar AI assistants. They operate within a digital framework with boundaries defined by their training data, which, while extensive, is ultimately finite and cannot encompass the entirety of human knowledge or experience. Unlike humans, these AI tools lack the ability to engage in deep critical thinking or to fully grasp the nuances and complexities of the real world. They are capable of generating sophisticated text responses but do not possess an understanding of human emotions, moral complexities, or the unpredictable consequences of actions in the real world.

This is not to suggest that AI assistants are completely devoid of understanding. They are continually evolving, assimilating vast amounts of data, and refining their algorithms. This ability to process and learn from large datasets is a formidable strength, enabling them to excel in specific tasks. However, this form of learning lacks the richness and context that comes from actual human experiences and interactions with the world.

Considering the rapid advancements of these AI assistants, one might wonder if they are on the path to surpassing human intelligence. The answer, for the foreseeable future, is no. While their abilities are growing exponentially, AI assistants still lack the capacity for genuine understanding and interaction with the world in a human-like manner. They are powerful and valuable tools, indeed, but they are just that – tools designed to augment and extend human intelligence, not to replace it.

The advent of AI assistants presents both challenges and opportunities. It is imperative to adopt a balanced perspective, recognizing their potential while being aware of their limitations. Here are some considerations for navigating this new era:

  1. Foster Collaborative Synergy: AI assistants should be viewed not as rivals, but as partners in progress. Their efficiency in processing information and completing tasks can complement our human strengths. By harnessing their capabilities, we can focus more on higher-order thinking, creativity, and tasks that demand emotional intelligence and a real-world touch.
  2. Enhance Critical Thinking: As AI becomes more sophisticated, distinguishing between AI-generated content and reality becomes increasingly crucial. We must emphasize the cultivation of critical thinking skills, both in ourselves and in future generations. This includes the ability to scrutinize information, recognize biases, and assess the credibility of sources.
  3. Invest in Uniquely Human Abilities: The rise of AI should be viewed not as a threat to human relevance but as an opportunity to emphasize the qualities that make us uniquely human. Qualities such as empathy, creative problem-solving, ethical judgment, and emotional intelligence are unlikely to be replicated by AI in the near future. Focusing on these human-centric skills ensures that we remain integral in a technology-driven world.

In summary, the debate over whether ChatGPT or any other AI assistant is “smarter” than humans is not the most pertinent question. We are dealing with fundamentally different entities, each with distinct strengths and limitations. The real challenge lies in how we navigate the emergence of these AI tools – recognizing their potential while safeguarding our essential human qualities. By approaching AI with a mindset of collaboration and critical analysis, we can ensure that the advancement of AI marks a step forward in the narrative of human intelligence, not a step toward obsolescence.

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New updates to GitHub Copilot make AI coding assistant even smarter

GitHub Copilot is now even smarter thanks to latest updates

The latest latest updates to Visual Studio Code (VS Code) and GitHub Copilot, have been designed to boost your productivity and make coding feel less like a chore, explains Microsoft. The enhancements to GitHub Copilot are particularly noteworthy. It’s now smarter than ever, providing coding suggestions that are precise and relevant to what you’re trying to achieve. This means that Copilot is getting better at understanding your coding goals and offering recommendations that are in line with your intentions. It’s like having a coding partner that’s learning and growing with you.

With the introduction of a new workspace command in VS Code, searching across your entire project has become a breeze. This feature overcomes previous limitations, allowing you to conduct thorough searches quickly and without leaving your coding environment. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that can save you time when you need to find something fast.

Copilot’s ability to understand the context of your project has also seen a significant boost. It now looks beyond the line of code you’re working on and takes into account the whole project. This results in suggestions that are not just relevant but also coherent with the larger scope of your work.

GitHub Copilot AI updates

The integration of ChatGPT-4 with GitHub Copilot introduces a new level of interaction. You can now talk to Copilot as if it were another developer, making the experience more natural and engaging. This conversational capability can help you articulate your coding challenges and find solutions more effectively.

  • For those repetitive tasks that can be so time-consuming, Copilot now offers assistance in iterating code. Whether you’re adjusting a button for different social media platforms or doing any other repetitive work, Copilot can generate variations to meet your specific needs, potentially saving you hours of manual coding.
  • Copilot has also become more proactive in its suggestions. It can anticipate your coding requirements, from fetching URLs from configuration files to proposing the right CSS styles. This forward-thinking approach means you can stay focused on the bigger picture while Copilot handles the details.
  • You can now ask Copilot context-aware queries that are specific to your project. Need information from a README file? Copilot can pull that data for you, providing insights that are immediately applicable to your work.
  • Troubleshooting errors is a part of every developer’s life, but Copilot’s latest update makes it easier. It now offers solutions based on the output of terminal commands, helping you resolve issues more quickly and with less frustration.
  • A new VS Code extension brings voice command capabilities to the table. You can now interact with Copilot using speech-to-text, which is a boon for developers who prefer to talk through their code or for those who want to code hands-free.
  • Finally, Copilot now helps with the often tedious task of version control documentation. It can auto-generate commit messages and pull request descriptions, ensuring that your documentation is consistent and clear, all while saving you time.

The updates to VS Code and GitHub Copilot are making coding more intuitive and less repetitive. With smarter assistance, streamlined project searches, and enhanced conversational interactions, these tools are helping you focus on what you do best: creating amazing software. These improvements are not just about making your current tasks easier; they’re about empowering you to take on new challenges with confidence. Find out more over on the official GitHub website. Here are some other articles you may find of interest on the subject of Microsoft Copilot AI :

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