AI writes the songs that make the whole world stop singing.

In other words, artificially intelligent music is definitely a work in progress. For example, I went to Suno.ai and typed: “Write a song in the style of Dixieland jazz.” It was awful. So was 60s rock. And so was a rewrite of “The 12 Days of Christmas.” If this is the future of music, I might stop listening. But I liked the bluegrass tune “Neon Cowboy,” and was intrigued by “My Truck Found Love.” It’s about a self-driving vehicle gone rogue.

Supposedly, you can also get tunes from the Suno plugin in Microsoft’s Copilot. Search on “Microsoft Copilot” or click the blue-turquoise icon in the top right in Edge. For me, Suno created tunes in the style of Simon and Garfunkel, but the next day, it was gone. Microsoft says that if you don’t see it, it hasn’t rolled out to your area yet. Mine must have been on a temporary roll.

Attending High School Online    

SoraSchools.com offers an online high school and middle school that I would have loved to attend. They get kids from around the globe.

Besides the basics, kids can explore chemistry through cooking, learn how to turn an idea into a product, master the stock market, discover the world of fashion and figure out what makes you you on the atomic level. Instead of sitting in canned lectures for hours, the day includes time for independent study, personalized coaching, clubs and meetings. Prospective students and parents can visit the school in live virtual events.

The $12,500 tuition sounds steep but the school offers subsidies paying up to 75 percent.  They’re accredited by major institutions, so everything counts towards college. The teachers are said to be in the top one percent in the nation. Reviews on Glassdoor give it high marks. For more info, check out the founder, Garrett Smiley, on YouTube.

The End of Windows 10

When security updates end for Windows 10 in two years, Microsoft will offer a one-to-three-year subscription called “Extensive Security Options.” No price has been set yet.

I’m not sure I’ll need it. I’ll just refrain from clicking on suspicious links, visiting suspicious websites, and using a banking app when I’m on public WiFi– unless I’m using a virtual private network such as Nord VPN. Heck, it was possible to use a Windows XP laptop safely, well into the Windows 10 era. I know someone who did it.

Live Location Info in Your Google Contacts App

“Location Sharing” in Google Maps shows you where your contacts are, if they’ve agreed to be tracked. Now, you can see that info inside the Google Contacts app. It’s quicker to view it there than it is in Maps. In Maps, you have to click your profile icon, then tap “Location Sharing.”

If you have the Samsung contacts app on your Android phone instead of Google’s, just download Google Contacts from the Google Play Store.  For iPad and iPhones, do a search on “Sync Google Contacts with your mobile device or computer.”

Online Loans for Electric Cars

If I were interested in an electric car, I’d go to the website EVlife.co. They offer a free financial calculator that figures out the monthly cost, after rebates and tax credits, saving up to $200 a month.

Besides the calculator, you can get a loan at EVlife.co and order your car there too. Once you sign the deal, the site wires the money to the dealer or manufacturer. It seems like a fun way to shop.

I saw an electric BMW that was around $44,000 after incentives or $752 a month. I also saw Porsches, Nissans, Fords, Audis, Chevys, Hyundais and Teslas.

Alternatively, check out Tenet.com and Carvana. Like EVlife, Tenet has a calculator to figure monthly costs. But Tenet asks for your name, address and phone number, and Carvana asks for your name and address. With EVlife.co, you can browse anonymously,

Internut

Search on “Cato Human Freedom Index 2023” to see which country is the freest. The Cato scholars have analyzed freedom in terms of each country’s security and safety, religion, freedom of expression, sound money practices and free trade, among other indicators. The US is now 17th on the list, up from 21st in 2020, but down from 7th in 2000. Switzerland is first, followed by New Zealand.

AI for Teens

Google’s artificial intelligence, nicknamed “Bard,” now has features to help teenagers. For example, a student might type: “I’m running for class president. Help me write a speech.” The Bard also explains math problems, step by step, and uses a double-check system for fact checking. Find it at Bard.Google.com.

Audible Gifts

Recently, I gave my nephew the Michael Lewis audiobook, “Going Infinite.” It was $18 on Audible, or one credit from my Audible membership. Since I didn’t have any credits left, I bought one for $14, saving $4, and thinking I could use it to get the audiobook. But Amazon doesn’t let you purchase credits for gift-giving purposes. Oh well. I didn’t mind spending the $18.

I’ve also given Amazon’s e-books as gifts. You just look up a title, then click “Give to others.” There’s also a “give to the team” option. Gifts can be emailed or printed out as gift cards.