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  • Meta launches Horizon TV on Quest to turn VR into a smart TV-style streaming hub
    October 17, 2025, 8:17 PM EDT. Meta is adding Horizon TV to its Quest VR headsets, delivering a smart TV-style streaming hub in virtual reality. The app mirrors a familiar TV interface with hero banners, app icons, and personalized recommendations, unveiled at Meta Connect to lure non-gaming audiences into VR. Horizon TV opens a new advertising revenue stream for Meta, but selling ads in VR faces challenges amid ongoing streaming wars and potential publisher friction. Content comes from partners such as Amazon, Pluto, and Peacock, with icons for YouTube, Spotify, and DAZN; Disney+ and ESPN are expected soon. Notably missing are Netflix, Hulu, and HBO. Meta's approach mirrors existing smart TV business models where platforms take a share of ad and subscription revenue, despite potential pushback from publishers.
  • Dead Internet Theory explained: Alexis Ohanian, quasi-AI and LinkedIn slop blamed for killing the web
    October 17, 2025, 8:16 PM EDT. The dead internet theory is a conspiracy positing the web is now dominated by AI and bots rather than real users. Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian reignited the debate on a TBPN podcast, blaming quasi-AI and "LinkedIn slop" for hollow online life and stressing that visible proof of life-live viewers and live content-is valuable. The idea has echoes in remarks from Sam Altman, who noted many high-volume accounts may be bot-driven. Originating with a Reddit post by IlluminatiPirate, the theory argues most accounts are machine-facilitated and human interaction is scarce, a sentiment likened to The Matrix. As a cure, Ohanian calls for a next generation of social apps that are verifiably human, grounded in group chats and real signals.
  • Pixel Watch 4 vs Garmin Venu 4: which smartwatch counted steps more accurately?
    October 17, 2025, 8:15 PM EDT. As a fitness tester, I compared the Pixel Watch 4 and Garmin Venu 4 by counting 14,000+ steps across several walks with a manual clicker. Both rely on an internal accelerometer to convert arm swings into steps, with two steps per swing, and they maintained consistency whether worn on the dominant or non-dominant wrist. The results show the Pixel Watch 4 was slightly closer to manual counts, while the Garmin Venu 4 ran a touch higher. Totals landed near 14.9k-15.0k, with the Pixel Watch 4 overcounting about 85 steps and the Garmin Venu 4 about 118 steps (roughly a 36-step gap). Beyond steps, both watches offer HRM, ECG, SpO2, skin temperature sensors, sleep tracking, and 24/7 wearability.
  • Reddit expands AI-powered search to five new languages
    October 17, 2025, 8:14 PM EDT. Reddit said it is expanding its AI-powered search to five new languages-French, German, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese-making the feature available in Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, Mexico, and Italy. Users who set one of these languages as default can now chat with the AI in a question-and-answer format. The feature runs on a Google AI model and sits within Reddit Answers, alongside traditional search. The expansion follows last year's rollout and comes as Q&A-style search and chat interfaces gain traction after ChatGPT's web search integration. Reddit cites strong usage-over 70 million weekly users for search and more than 6 million for Reddit Answers-reflecting growing interest in multilingual AI-assisted discovery.
  • Vanderbilt University Eyed for a Satellite Campus in Downtown San Francisco Amid AI Boom
    October 17, 2025, 8:13 PM EDT. Vanderbilt University is reportedly exploring a satellite campus in downtown San Francisco, potentially at the San Francisco Chronicle building. Local officials, including Supervisor Matt Dorsey, are upbeat about housing for students and neighborhood benefits. Vanderbilt says it is excited about exploring a presence in San Francisco and values its partnership with Mayor Lurie; no location has been decided. Proponents cite the area's post-pandemic recovery, proximity to a thriving AI and tech sector, and abundant internships nearby. The city's Office of Housing and Community Development notes ongoing conversations and suggests permitting could be straightforward given existing infrastructure.