News December 06, 2024
Save $80 with the best post-Black Friday iPad deal
The iPad (9th Gen) is on sale at Walmart for $249, saving you $80 on the list price. This model features a bright and colorful 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone, the A13 Bionic chip for smooth performance, and up to 256GB of storage. It also includes compatibility with the Apple Pencil (1st Gen) and Smart Keyboard. This is an ideal option if you want an iPad that doesn’t break the bank and still offers impressive performance.
Environmental Sensing Is Here, Tracking Everything from Forest Fires to Threatened Species
The article discusses the use of technology in forests to study animals and plants, with a focus on smart devices that are becoming smaller, smarter, and more interconnected. These devices must be able to withstand ever-changing conditions and transmit data from the forest to labs. Once up and running, these new generation of smart devices will offer unprecedented insights into the forest. Some examples of such devices include Silvanet Wildfire Sensor, Treevia, Rainforest Connection’s recycled, solar-powered smartphone, BiodivX Drone, Leaf Sensor, and Plant-e. These devices are being developed by scientists and engineers at various companies to make them unobtrusive and self-sustaining.
Spotify Wrapped, TikTok—Maybe the Algorithms Are Losing Touch
Spotify’s annual report, Spotify Wrapped, has been criticized for being flat this year. The New York Times and TikTokkers have both used the term to describe the offerings. Many listeners took time away from posting their cringiest Wrapped stats to express their disappointment with the lack of excitement in the report. Some users mentioned that the layoffs at Spotify, which resulted in 1,500 job losses, may have contributed to the flatness of this year’s Wrapped. The report relied heavily on AI, including AI podcasts and an algorithmic playlist hosted by Spotify’s AI DJ. Some users also mentioned that the algorithms may not be able to pick up on organic trends as effectively as they used to. Overall, it seems that a combination of factors, including layoffs and changes in user behavior, contributed to the flatness of this year’s Spotify Wrapped.
Sabrina Carpenter and Quinta Brunson team up for Netflix sketch about being ghosted
Sabrina Carpenter and Quinta Brunson are “ghosted past” and “ghosted present” in a new sketch for Netlfix’s upcoming variety special, A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter. The SNL-style skit sees the pair materialising in the apartment of a guy who has ghosted them, with Brunson joking that she figured out where they live from the breadcrumbs they left on TikTok for her to find. The special will feature a mix of comedy sketches and duets with other artists, including Chappell Roan and Shania Twain. A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter premieres Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. ET on Netflix.
NYT Mini crossword answers, hints for December 6, 2024
The Mini is a daily crossword puzzle that is similar to The New York Times’ original crossword, but with a shorter list of clues and answers. It is designed for players who want a quick and fun experience, rather than a challenging and comprehensive puzzle. The Mini is also known as Strands, and it is available on the New York Times website and other platforms.