Mark-Cuban-says-hes-joined-the-Mac-Mini-craze-using.jpeg

Mark Cuban says he’s joined the Mac Mini craze, using one to counter a flood of AI-generated cold emails

by with No Comment Xpandfy

Mark Cuban says the rise of AI-generated cold emails has gotten so overwhelming that he is now fighting back with AI of his own.

Speaking on the live-streamed tech show TBPN on Thursday, the billionaire investor said he recently bought a Mac Mini to help manage the growing flood of inbound messages.

“I do what everybody else does. I bought a Mac Mini,” Cuban said.

Beyond AI-generated emails, he said the issue is unwanted email subscriptions.

“It’s not even like the cold emails because that’s pretty obvious,” Cuban said. “It’s people subscribing me to shit.”

His fix, he said, is to use AI to automate the cleanup.

Cuban said he is training systems to take advantage of Gmail’s built-in unsubscribe button, effectively creating a loop where AI filters out AI-generated noise.

“You just got to train it to hit the unsubscribe button,” he said. “Then, I just review it and all that shit, so it’s still a work in progress, but at least I have a path.”

Cuban didn’t immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comments.

A ‘trial and error phase’

The approach reflects a broader shift in how executives are using AI to manage their inboxes.

LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky has said he uses Microsoft’s Copilot for “almost every” high-stakes message, and executives across industries, from tech to retail, recently told Business Insider’s Ana Altchek that they rely on AI for day-to-day communications and reviewing documents.

Cuban framed the current moment as a trial-and-error phase, where people are testing what works and what doesn’t.

“We’re in that trial and error phase where people are like, ‘We’re going to try it, see what happens,'” he said, adding that response rates will likely fall as more AI-generated messages flood inboxes.

“Then they’ll get bored, and then it’ll drop off,” he added.




Source link

I-tried-the-signature-burgers-from-McDonalds-Wendys-and-Burger.jpeg

I tried the signature burgers from McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King. The Big Mac was my least favorite.

by with No Comment Xpandfy

Updated

  • I tried the signature burgers from three fast-food chains: McDonald’s, Wendy’s, and Burger King.
  • I thought McDonald’s Big Mac was underwhelming and needed more sauce.
  • I liked the smoky flavor of Burger King’s Whopper, even though it was the priciest burger.

As a food reporter, I’ve tried and tested many burgers over the years.

But for my latest taste test, I decided to go back to basics.

While I’ve compared the biggest burgers at fast-food chains and practically every fast-food double cheeseburger, I wanted to see if the signature burgers from three of America’s most beloved chains really are classics.

I tried the McDonald’s Big Mac, the Wendy’s Dave’s Single, and the Burger King Whopper to determine which is best in terms of taste and value.

My least favorite of the signature burgers I tried was McDonald’s Big Mac.

The McDonald’s Big Mac was released in 1968.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Arguably the most iconic fast-food burger, the Big Mac is a staple on McDonald’s menu. Created by owner and operator Jim Delligatti of Pittsburgh in 1967, the first “Big Mac” featured a triple-decker burger and sold for 45 cents, according to McDonald’s.

The burger rolled out across the US in 1968 and quickly became the chain’s signature burger.

Today, an estimated 900 million Big Macs are sold each year around the world.

A Big Mac comes with two 1.6-ounce beef patties, pickles, shredded lettuce, chopped onions, a slice of American cheese, and layers of Big Mac sauce on a sesame-seed bun.


mcdonalds big mac

The burger came topped with lettuce, pickles, and Big Mac sauce.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The Big Mac cost me $8.29, excluding tax, at my local McDonald’s in Brooklyn, New York.

Right away, I wasn’t obsessed with the flavors or texture of this burger.


mcdonalds big mac

The extra bun made the burger taste dry.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The burger I received was mostly lettuce, which covered up the flavors of the cheese, meat, and sauce. I wanted more of a tangy flavor from ketchup, mustard, or simply more Big Mac sauce.

My second-favorite burger was the Dave’s Single from Wendy’s.


wendys daves single with cheese

Wendy’s Dave’s Single with cheese is considered its signature burger.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Named after Wendy’s founder, Dave Thomas, Dave’s Single is Wendy’s signature burger. It is available in multiple sizes, from a single to a triple-stacked burger.

It features one of Wendy’s signature square patties and is the chain’s take on a classic cheeseburger. 

The Dave’s Single burger comes with a quarter-pound beef patty, a slice of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, mayo, and onions.


wendys daves single with cheese

The burger came with classic toppings like cheese, lettuce, and tomato.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The burger cost me $8.74, excluding tax, at my local Wendy’s in Brooklyn.

The burger was noticeably saucier than both the Whopper and the Big Mac.


wendys daves single with cheese

The burger was much saucier than the Big Mac.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

It was practically dripping with sauces, which I didn’t necessarily mind. Some of the flavors were slightly covered up by the two condiments, but I thought the cheese was tangy and the onions cut through the sweeter elements of the burger.

There was also a generous serving of pickles and a large slice of tomato.

Overall, I thought this was a good, classic cheeseburger.


wendys daves single with cheese

The burger checked a lot of boxes.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

However, if I had to change one thing, I might remove or ask for a half-serving of mayonnaise.

I thought it was an overall solid choice for a late-night snack.

My favorite burger was the Whopper with cheese from Burger King.


burger king whopper

The Whopper has been around since 1957.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Burger King’s signature burger has been around for decades. Released in 1957, just four years after the chain opened, the Whopper was 37 cents compared to Burger King’s original burger, which cost 18 cents.

Whoppers — and all Burger King burgers, for that matter — are flame-grilled, giving their burgers a distinct smoky flavor.

You can order a Whopper with or without cheese.


burger king whopper

The burger came without cheese, but I added it to my order.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

For the sake of this experiment, I decided to order a Whopper with cheese to ensure a fair comparison with the other signature burgers. 

The Whopper cost me $9.17, excluding tax, at my local Burger King in Brooklyn.

A Whopper comes with a quarter-pound beef patty, pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mayonnaise on a sesame-seed bun.


burger king whopper

The burger came with pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mayonnaise.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Right away, I could tell this burger was going to pack tons of flavor. Thick layers of ketchup and mayonnaise oozed out of the sides of the burger, while the bun was large and held the other ingredients together perfectly. 

The flavorful burger was my favorite for both taste and texture.


burger king whopper

This burger impressed me with its smoky flavor and size.

Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The lettuce, tomatoes, and onions all tasted very fresh, adding a delicious crunch to the burger.

The burger patties had a smoky, savory flavor that made the sandwich taste fresh off the grill. I also thought the patty’s shape, which was larger in circumference but flatter than some of the other burgers, made the sandwich easier to eat. 

Overall, I think the burger was worth the higher price tag.

When comparing the three signature burgers, I found myself feeling like a fast-food-eating Goldilocks: One burger was too dry, one was too moist, and one was just right.




Source link

This-is-the-only-mac-and-cheese-recipe-you-need.jpeg

This is the only mac and cheese recipe you need for Super Bowl weekend

by with No Comment Xpandfy

  • I made the famous mac and cheese recipe by “Next Level Chef” star Tineke “Tini” Younger. 
  • Her mac and cheese has racked up over 100 million views on TikTok. 
  • I loved her twists on the recipe and think this dish is perfect for Super Bowl Sunday. 

It’s not easy for a recipe to take hold on TikTok these days. So rarely does another dalgona coffee or feta pasta come our way.

That changed when “Next Level Chef” star Tineke “Tini” Younger shared her mac and cheese recipe.

Younger originally posted the video for Thanksgiving in November 2023, and the recipe — which seems to rack up more than 100 million views every time it’s shared — became an instant hit.

Tini’s recipe is now a holiday favorite, but I always crave mac and cheese on Super Bowl Sunday.

Here’s how to make it.

Tineke “Tini” Younger’s mac and cheese recipe features twists on the traditional ingredients.

This mac and cheese features sharp cheddar, mozzarella, and colby jack.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

To make Tini’s mac and cheese at home, you’ll need:

  • 1 pound of cavatappi pasta
  • 16 ounces of mozzarella cheese, grated
  • 16 ounces of colby jack cheese, grated
  • 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese, grated
  • 1 12-ounce can of evaporated milk
  • 2 cups of heavy cream
  • 3 tablespoons of butter
  • 3 tablespoons of flour
  • 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • ½ teaspoon of pepper

First, I cooked my pasta.


Cooking pasta for Tini's mac and cheese

I used cavatappi noodles, per Tini’s recommendation, for my mac and cheese.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

In her TikTok video, Younger said she opts for cavatappi noodles because their shape holds the cheese sauce better than elbow pasta.

“All that cream gets all in the hole, so you bite into the cream and the cheesiness,” she said.

Once my pasta was al dente, I drained the pot and set it aside while I started the sauce.

Then I turned on my oven and began prepping the cheeses.


Grating cheese for Tini's mac and cheese

Grating all the cheeses was definitely a workout.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I preheated the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and greased my baking dish (Younger recommends using a 9-inch by 13-inch pan) before I started grating all the cheese.

The recipe includes 2 ½ pounds of cheese, and Younger is adamant that you shred it yourself.

“Do not use pre-shredded cheese at all,” she says in the TikTok.

Next, I tossed all the cheeses together.


Grated cheese for Tini's mac and cheese

My cheese mixture.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

After giving everything a good mix, I divided half of the cheese to use for the sauce.

I also prepped my seasoning mix.


Spice mix for Tini's mac and cheese

The seasoning mix includes garlic powder and smoked paprika, plus salt and pepper.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I threw my garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper into a small bowl so it’d be ready for the roux.

It was time to get cooking.


Melting butter for Tini's mac and cheese

I melted my butter for the roux.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

First, I melted my butter in a large pan over medium heat.

Once the butter had melted, I added half the seasoning mix.


Adding flour to butter for Tini's mac and cheese

Adding flour and seasoning to the roux.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I started stirring as I added the flour. Younger said you should try to cook out all the flour, so I kept stirring for a few minutes.

I added the can of evaporated milk.


Adding condensed milk to roux for Tini's mac and cheese

I started whisking after adding the evaporated milk.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Younger said you should start whisking right after adding the milk to avoid clumps in your roux. This is also when your sauce should begin to thicken.

I also added the heavy cream and the rest of my seasoning.


Adding heavy cream to roux for Tini's mac and cheese

Adding heavy cream to the sauce.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I slowly began adding all my cheese.


Adding cheese to sauce for Tini's mac and cheese

Adding cheese to the sauce.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

Younger said you should let each handful of cheese melt before adding more.

Once all the cheese had melted, I threw in the pasta.


Adding pasta to cheese sauce for Tini's mac and cheese

Adding pasta to the cheese sauce.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I made sure to give the pot a big mix so all the noodles were coated with the delicious-smelling cheese sauce.

Then I began building my mac and cheese pan.


First later of pasta for Tini's mac and cheese

My first layer of noodles.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I added half of my cheesy cavatappi to the pan, spreading the noodles into an even layer.

I added half of my cheese mixture on top, then repeated the steps before throwing my pan into the oven.


Second layer of cheese for Tini's mac and cheese

I added a layer of cheese on top of the noodles, then repeated the steps for four total layers.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I baked my mac and cheese for 25 minutes, until the cheese had melted and began to bubble. Then I threw the pan on broil for two minutes to help give the top a beautiful golden crust.

My mac and cheese got everyone talking at a potluck.


Tini's mac and cheese

Younger’s mac and cheese looked — and tasted — glorious.

Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider

I made two pans of Younger’s mac and cheese (one with breadcrumbs and one without) for my friend’s NFL playoffs potluck, and it was one of the most popular dishes of the day.

The cavatappi noodles were the perfect vehicle for the thick and creamy cheese sauce, giving each bite an explosion of flavor. I far preferred them to the traditional elbow noodles, and I think Younger’s mac and cheese convinced everyone that cavatappi is the superior shape.

The cheese sauce was rich, indulgent, and delicious, and the Dijon mustard added a nice subtle tang. Our group was split 50/50 on whether the mac and cheese tasted better with breadcrumbs, so just stick to your personal preference.

If you’re looking for a Super Bowl side to steal the spotlight, Younger’s mac and cheese is the ultimate touchdown.




Source link

Clawdbot-is-the-new-AI-techies-are-buzzing-about-—.jpeg

Clawdbot is the new AI techies are buzzing about — and it’s renewing interest in the Mac Mini

by with No Comment Xpandfy

If your techie friend is texting a lobster, here’s why.

Clawdbot is an open-source AI agent that works around the clock and can connect to many common consumer apps. Users have asked their Clawdbots to organize their schedules, monitor vibe-coding sessions, and build new AI employees.

It’s scored some high-profile fans, from Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan to multiple Andreessen Horowitz partners. Many have praised it, others have meme’d it, and some have warned people about potential security concerns.

What is Clawdbot?

You can spot Clawdbot by its friendly lobster mascot.

Founded by Peter Steinberger, Clawdbot is an AI agent that manages “digital life,” from emails to home automation. Steinberger previously founded PSPDFKit.

In a key distinction from ChatGPT and many other popular AI products, the agent is open source and runs locally on your computer. Users then connect the agent to a messaging app like WhatsApp or Telegram, where they can give it instructions via text.

Clawdbot was named after the “little monster” that appears when you restart Claude Code, Steinberger said on the “Insecure Agents” podcast. He formed the tool around the question: “Why don’t I have an agent that can look over my agents?”

“I already did the whole startup thing,” Steinberger said. “I’m just here to have fun.”

Clawdbot runs locally on your computer 24/7. That’s led some people to brush off their old laptops. “Installed it experimentally on my old dusty Intel MacBook Pro,” one product designer wrote. “That machine finally has a purpose again.”

Others are buying up Mac Minis, Apple’s 5″-by-5″ computer, to run Clawdbot. Logan Kilpatrick, a product manager for Google DeepMind, posted: “Mac mini ordered.” It could give a sales boost to Apple, some X users have pointed out — and online searches for “Mac Mini” jumped in the last 4 days in the US, per Google Trends.

https://trends.google.com/explore?q=Mac%20Mini&date=today%201-m&geo=US

But Steinberger said buying a new computer just to run the AI isn’t necessary.

“Please don’t buy a Mac Mini,” he wrote. “You can deploy this on Amazon’s Free Tier.”

Engineers and AI heads seem to love it

The Mac Mini buy-ups have spawned dozens of memes.

One founder wrote that his “meal prep” was a fridge full of Mac Minis and Monster energy drinks. An engineer joked that his Mac Mini had quit his job and divorced his wife. Another founder prophesied a wave of Mac Mini returns in two weeks.

As for Clawdbot, many techies were excited by the agent’s capabilities.

One founder asked it to make him a dinner reservation; when it couldn’t complete the task via OpenTable, it used its ElevenLabs skill to call the restaurant. “AGI is here and 99% of people have no clue,” he wrote.

Others were less impressed. One founder called it a “generational psyop,” joking that it took him 6 texts to get a calendar invite.

Clawdbot seems to be at least moderately popular. Steinberger posted on X that he had 89 GitHub pull requests — and that venture capitalists were flooding his inbox.

What’s the worry?

Is Clawdbot the future of agents? Some onlookers seem skeptical.

First, the setup process can be technical. A16z partner Olivia Moore described the process, from terminal commands to API keys. “For most consumers (or even prosumers), the learning curve is likely too steep,” she wrote.

Then there’s the security question. You are giving an AI agent almost unlimited access to your digital life and passwords, after all.

Rahul Sood, a former Microsoft exec who founded its investment arm, wrote that Clawdbot turned text messages into “attack surfaces” and had “zero guardrails by design.” He advised using it carefully.

One hacker described Clawdbot as hiring a “brilliant” butler who later opened your home to the public, allowing a stranger to read your diary.

Steinberger responded to these security concerns by outlining some guardrails users could employ, including reading the security document and avoiding adding Clawdbot to group chats.

How much should we hand over our digital lives to AI? A16z partner Justine Moore warned against being the “guy who automated his entire life with ClawdBot.”




Source link