What is quantum computing, and why does Trump care? | Mashable

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

It’s been a week since President Trump signed an executive order directing a whole-of-government push on quantum computing — funding it, securing its supply chains, building its workforce, and making sure adversaries like China don’t get there first.

This marks a significant federal commitment to a technology that is either the next great computing revolution or the most expensive science experiment in history, depending on the expert opinion. But one thing it can do: replace AI as the carrier of long-term hopes for the tech industry. This would be the right moment for a switch, as the vibe shifts on AI itself: models are more expensive to train, returns are harder to demonstrate. Investors who have sent AI stock soaring may soon be looking for the next big thing to believe in.

Read More

YouTube says the secret to success is not their algorithm, it’s your audience | Mashable

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Much of the talk at VidCon 2026 focused on how long-form horizontal content is at the forefront of rewiring the traditional Hollywood model. On a panel about convergence, Pocketwatch CEO Chris H. Williams declared, “If it works on YouTube, it’ll work anywhere,” pointing to The Besties’ crossover success on Hulu and, soon, Amazon Fire TV Stick.

A recurring topic across panels was how streamers like Hulu, Amazon, and Tubi are recruiting creators, acquiring their YouTube libraries, or funding original content. But what does it take to make a video go viral on YouTube in 2026?

Read More

More than half of social media child safety features aren’t working as advertised, new research finds | CNN Business

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Social media giants have for years touted their growing slate of safety tools and protections as proof that they prioritize young users’ well-being.

But more than half of those protections don’t work as advertised, new research finds.

Researchers at the Cybersafety Research Center tested 86 youth safety features across TikTok, Instagram, Snap, and YouTube and examined whether they worked as described and whether children could realistically find and use them. Only 35 of those features — just over 40% — successfully met both criteria.

Read More

Comcast says it will spin off NBCUniversal | CNN Business

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Comcast is positioning itself for the next round of media industry merger and acquisition activity.

That’s what industry analysts are saying about the company’s Monday morning announcement about spinning off NBCUniversal.

Comcast says it is going to spend the next year separating NBCUniversal and a European media arm, Sky, into a new publicly traded company, separate from Comcast’s broadband distribution business.

Read More

Google Glass has found yet another lease of life — but is it too little too late for smart glasses? | Live Science

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

It has been over a decade since Google Glass smart glasses were announced in 2013, followed by their swift withdrawal — in part because of low adoption. Their subsequent (and lesser-known) second iteration was released in 2017 and aimed at the workplace. They were withdrawn in 2023.

In December 2025, Google made a new promise for smart glasses, with two new products to be released in 2026. But why have Google’s smart glasses struggled where others are succeeding? And will Google see success the third time around?

Read More

History of computers: Timeline of key events & technological breakthroughs | Live Science

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

The history of computers is fascinating because it’s also the history of the world. Join us on a whirlwind tour of the great technological breakthroughs of the past few centuries, from Ada Lovelace to Alan Turing. Then we’ll bring you bang up to date, explaining the influence of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, right up to the current state of play with regard to artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing.

We’ll also bust a few myths along the way. Who really created the first computer? Was it John Mauchly with ENIAC? Alan Turing with his theoretical Turing Machine? Konrad Zuse with the Z3? Or could it actually be Charles Babbage with his Difference and Analytical Engines?

We’re keen to redress any gender imbalances, too. While the history of computing has been dominated by men (again, reflecting world history), many important contributions have also come from women. Not least Ada Lovelace, who some consider the first programmer, and the computer pioneer Grace Hopper.

Read More

The Best Way to Start a Podcast| businessnewsdaily.com

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Podcasts have become essential companions, whether for enduring a lengthy commute, navigating parenthood, or passing the time in a waiting room. Podcasts have evolved into essential resources for information and entertainment, with approximately 3 million active podcasts and 150 million episodes since their inception in 2005, according to data from Exploding Topics. Podcasts are popular, too; Edison Research’s The Infinite Dial survey found that about 64% of the U.S. population tunes in to at least one.

This high popularity has gotten the attention of marketers, who recognize the potential for audience engagement. Podcasting offers a unique platform to establish authority, influence consumer decisions, and foster brand loyalty via word-of-mouth advertising. The beauty lies in its accessibility, as launching a podcast often requires minimal initial investment. However, navigating the podcasting landscape can be daunting, especially for beginners. We’ve consulted experts to help you sidestep common pitfalls and kick-start your podcasting journey.

Read More

11 Jobs Travel Lovers Can Use to Explore the World | Business News Daily

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Do you want to explore the world and be your own boss? Starting your own business could take you to your dream destinations. If you’re determined to see the world while owning a business, check out these 11 business ideas for people who love to travel.

Business ideas for travel lovers

1. Traveling personal assistant

High-profile individuals, including executives and public figures, increasingly rely on personal assistants. Personal assistants usually travel with their employer, whether they are going on tour, have speaking events, or conduct business in other locations.

If organization, time management, and problem-solving are your top skills, create your own agency. Personal assistants typically arrange travel and accommodations, manage schedules, run errands, and coordinate with other staff members. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for executive secretaries and administrative assistants is expected to remain flat through 2034, but specialized personal assistant services for traveling executives remain in demand.

Read More

Midlife Reset: The 5-Domain System for Rebuilding at 45 and 50 | Life Hack

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

A midlife reset is what happens when a 40 to 55-year-old realizes their life still works on paper but no longer fits in practice. It is a proactive rebuild across work, health, money, relationships, and identity, done on your own timeline, before the drift becomes a breakdown. It is not a midlife crisis, not a 21-day detox, and not a single-topic wellness protocol.

Most people know the feeling before they have a name for it. The calendar is full, but the days feel misaligned. The body does not bounce back the way it used to. One of your closest relationships is running on autopilot. You keep meaning to rebuild your financial plan, sort out what you actually want from work, carve out real time for your parents or your kids. You know what to do. You cannot seem to make it stick.

Read More

Burnout Recovery, Step by Step: The Post-Hustle Operating Mode | Life Hack

~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Burnout recovery is not rest. It is not a vacation. It is not a different job. It is the operating mode you switch into, and the four things you do every week until your nervous system trusts you again. If you are searching for this, you are in one of two states. Either you are currently burned out and need to know what to do this week, or you are past it, and you are not doing this again. The protocol is mostly the same. The difference is whether you start with rescue or with design.

“Just rest” fails because burnout is not a sleep debt. The WHO defines it as a syndrome from chronic workplace stress with three signs: depletion, mental distance from work, and reduced effectiveness. Sleep heals exhaustion. It does not undo the chronic loading pattern that produced the exhaustion. People take a two-week holiday, feel better on day 10, return to the same inputs, and crash again by week three. The vacation did its job. The operating mode did not change

Read More