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Breaking news and tips
Meetings now come with surveillance
It doesn’t bother me anymore, but it used to. Maybe it’s happened to you. You’re in a Zoom call, wearing pajama bottoms, and someone casually says, “Oh, my AI assistant is taking notes of everything everyone is saying.”
Wait, what?! There’s a digital stenographer silently documenting every sigh, awkward pause and half-baked idea you mutter?
AI meeting assistants like Otter.ai, Fireflies, Notion and others are the new must-have workplace tool. They can:
- Transcribe every word, so you can focus instead of frantically typing.
- Summarize key points, so you don’t have to rewatch the whole meeting.
- Highlight decisions and deadlines, so you know what matters.
- Assign tasks automatically based on what’s said. No more “Who was supposed to do that?”
- Even integrate with your apps like Slack, Trello or email to keep the ball rolling.
Super helpful, right? But just because you can bring AI into the boardroom doesn’t mean you always should.
🤖 Rule #1: Be up front
If AI is eavesdropping, slip in a casual, “Hey, I’ve got AI taking notes.” Be cool about it. Don’t drop it like a Bond villain mid-meeting: “Ah yes, my transcription robot is always listening.”
📩 Rule #2: Offer the summary
Want to be everyone’s favorite? Share the AI-generated recap.
People love walking away from a meeting with clear notes, even if they were only half-paying attention (you know who you are). Sharing = good karma.
🛑 Rule #3: Respect boundaries
If someone isn’t comfortable being recorded or transcribed, don’t push. Hit pause on the AI. Forcing it makes you look tone-deaf and can even lead to people opting out of the meeting entirely.
Let the games begin
🎉 Here’s what you need to keep the good times rolling.
- Level up with a gaming controller ($56) that’s fast and smooth.
- A Toniebox speaker (30% off) tells kids’ bedtime stories and more.
- Help your child learn to swim with a back belt floater (18% off).
- Fetch! This oddly shaped dog ball ($8) bounces in some cool ways.
- Watch your cat chase this laser cat toy ($25) in random directions.
🧸 Catch ’em all: Toss your kid’s stuffed animals into a hanging net ($29) for later.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Honor their service: How to get official military records
If you’ve ever lost someone who served, or even just want to understand your family better, listen to this. I was poking around online, and I found my dad’s actual WWII draft card application. His name, his handwriting, his signature, where he lived. It was all there. I didn’t expect to get so emotional, but wow.
👂 Struggling to hear conversations? Find top-rated hearing aids tailored to you. With expert support and a 45-day risk-free trial, there’s nothing to lose, except the frustration. Hear better today!
🪄 You need this magic powder in your lives: By age 60, you’ve lost half your natural collagen. Hello, joint pain, wrinkles and low energy. NativePath Collagen is my go-to fix. Just two scoops a day, and you’ll feel the difference. Get 45% off plus free shipping and a free gift for a limited time!
AI is recording everything at work
AI tools now transcribe every meeting. Should you warn people before hitting record?
21%
That’s how much of Business Insider’s staff just got axed in one morning. BI swung the layoff scythe again, shedding over a fifth of its workforce (paywall link) as SEO clicks vanish and AI floods the content pool. The memo called it “transformation.” Somewhere, a LinkedIn “Open to Work” badge just blinked to life. P.S. We’re hiring!
🎬 Not sure what to watch? Try FlixPatrol. It shows daily top 10 charts of what’s trending worldwide, from Netflix movies to HBO shows. Already have something in mind? Use JustWatch to find out where it’s streaming and go straight to the site. Saves time and all that endless scrolling.
How to self-publish your book
So you wrote a book, congrats! Skip the waiting game with publishers. You can do it yourself with Kindle Direct Publishing.
Math problem pyramid scheme: A fake Facebook event disguised as a “genius-level math contest” has been a top post for half a year, somehow racking up 115M+ views. Spoiler: It’s just a viral engagement trap. People are still arguing about its fake equation in the comments a year later. My math teacher called me average. How mean.
Father’s Day flex
🎁 For the dad who says he “doesn’t need anything.”
- Muscle knots? This massage gun (30% off) helps him chill.
- A set of fresh cologne (33% off) packs four bold scents.
- This hairbrush ($21) keeps his beard looking sharp.
- Get him a multitool ($10) that’s part knife, part screwdriver.
- These rolling grill baskets ($24) are a must for any BBQ.
🛒 Two weeks to shop: Check out my Ultimate Father’s Day Gift List for more picks he’ll want to use.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Crypto kidnapping: What really happened
A Manhattan crypto investor allegedly kidnapped and tortured an Italian man for his Bitcoin. Lesson: If you own crypto, zip it. Plus, jobs AI might wipe out, what’s next from Apple, and is your Amazon Echo always listening?
40-foot submarine-hunting drone
The “BlueWhale” uses special sensors to spot underwater and surface threats, and can help clear mines. The cool bit? It’s fully autonomous and runs on batteries for weeks. Basically, a Roomba’s scarier cousin with serious military vibes.
📸 Google Photos turns 10: Happy 10th bday to Google Photos, now AI-powered and ready to remove your ex from pictures like they never existed. A new editing tool called “Reimagine” will let you circle a part of a photo and prompt it to redo reality. Also, QR codes for albums. iPhone owners? You wait.
Google Maps detour: Need to make a stop on the way? With your final destination set, tap the 3-dot icon (top right) and select Edit stops. Type in your second location, and it’ll appear on your route. To change the order, tap, hold and drag the three lines next to each stop. Then hit Done.
Bitcoin millionaire kidnapped in NYC — May 31st, Hour 1
Crypto bragging rights aren’t worth 17 days as a hostage. Plus, LexisNexis data breach, how to spot digital cheaters, and Paul from Missouri wants to turn his 3D-printed puzzle hobby into a hit YouTube channel.
Hold the phone
📞 Don’t hang up. Here are cool tools to keep your phone in place.
- Bump your tunes with a speaker & phone stand combo (48% off).
- Take underwater photos with these waterproof pouches (5% off).
- Long flight? Clip this phone holder ($17) to your tray table.
- Shoot smooth videos and pics with a gimbal tripod (20% off).
- This bike mount (38% off) locks down your phone while you ride.
📱 Pop this on: PopSockets’ new magnetic Kick-Out Grip ($40) can finally stand upright. You take video calls or scroll on social media, all hands-free. Plus, it comes with an adapter for Android folks. So wonderful!
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Move over, DJI: A U.S. company called SiFly says its new drones are way better. The Q12 model can fly for up to three hours, and the Q250 can carry 200 pounds. That means longer range, more gear, better performance in emergencies and no secrets sent back to communist China.