Short notes from the workshop.

Hermes AI Agent: Private AI Your SMB Can Actually Own

Hermes is a family of open-weight AI models built for tool use, and it has become a credible path to private, self-hosted AI agents. Here's what a Hermes AI agent actually is, where it fits a small business, and where it doesn't.

Google Replaced Search With AI. Here Are Your Options.

Six privacy-respecting search engines that still treat you like the customer, not the product.

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Why Spring 2026 Felt Like Everything Got Hacked at Once

You're Using AI Wrong

Stop prompting and start building

The Hidden Gap Between AI’s Advice and Its Choices

When AI Knows What “Good” Looks Like but Still Chooses Badly

Hello from TechTargets — what this blog is for.

A short note on why we're starting a blog separate from Insights, and what you can expect to find here.

China’s Quiet Advantage: Why AI Tokens Are the New Oil

The US is playing the wrong game... And it's time to upgrade our decrepit electrical infrastructure.

The Coming Collapse of Trust on the Internet

...and what we can do about it

The Industrial Revolution for Cognitive Labor

AI Across Industries

A General Contractor...But For IT

If you only read one of my posts, make it this one

Stop Competing For A Job - Demand Attention From Employers

...By Designing Your Own Hiring Interface with AI

How AI and Testing Are Quietly Hollowing Out Education

When Metrics Become Destiny

Where Professional Value Actually Lives

Professional judgment vs mechanical execution, and the future of work

Big Changes Coming to Windows, Office, and OneDrive

Philosophical Reset on Cybersecurity

Typing and clicking is antiquated. Orchestrating AI agents is the only viable path forward.

Take 2: Controlling Your PC via AI with UI-TARS Desktop

This time, control Microsoft Windows or Apple macOs operating systems with AI prompts

AI Shouldn't Necessarily Be Your Go-To Solution for Business Problems

...Unless it makes sense...

ByteBotAI: Control Your Computer With AI

Run ByteBotAI locally on Windows and watch ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini operate like a coworker.

The U.S. Buys Into Intel: Finally Leveling the Playing Field, or Playing with Fire?

A government stake may be justifiable in the semiconductor industry, where foreign rivals are backed by their states—but America shouldn’t make a habit of corporate ownership.

Satellite Rivalry, Smarter Healthcare AI, Security Breaches, and MacBook Design Flaws

A snapshot of innovation and risk

Tech News Roundup Friday 8/15/25

From foldable phones that finally work everywhere to tiny cars that can power your home

The Tech Revolution Hiding in Plain Sight: 3 Breakthrough Innovations That Will Change Your Daily Life

From self-cleaning windows to invisible smart films, the future is closer than you think

AI Just Got Personal: How ChatGPT-5 and Smart Family Apps Are Reshaping Your Digital Life

The latest AI breakthroughs aren't just about technology—they're about making your everyday life safer, smarter, and more connected

What the Hell is "Vibe Coding"?

Alternate Title: Just put on some Lo-Fi take a drag of your vape pen and ask AI to solve all of your problems...

The Great Outlook Swap: Why "New Outlook" is a Downgrade in Disguise

Alternate Title: I guess consent isn't a thing anymore...

Cybersecurity Threats in 2025: Deepfakes, AI-Powered Hacking & More

Alternate Title: "You wanted me back… I'm back." - John Wick Chapter 2

The Internet Archive's Wayback Machine is Under Attack

Alternate Title: The hacker group claims they are not a bunch of teenagers...which means they are a bunch of teenagers...

Chinese Government Hacks Verizon, AT&T and Lumen Using US Government Backdoors

Alternate Title: There's no way to ensure only the good guys use backdoors

I-XRAY: AI Glasses That Reveal Anyone's Personal Details in Seconds

Alternate Title: What is privacy anymore?

Brief For Business Leaders: Understanding AI LLMs

Alternate Title: There's more to it than just "Prompt Engineering"

Network Attached Storage (NAS) Wars

Alternate Title: "I'll just build my own NAS! ...With blackjack and..." - Bender from Futurama

What's Going On With Telegram?

Alternate Title: Just...Don't use it...

Battery Performance on the Latest Smartphones: Did Apple Win? (No)

Alternate Title: Battery life is by far the most important feature as far as I'm concerned...

AI Generated Podcast About the Latest AI News Relevant to Small Businesses

Alternate Title: The ability to do this so quickly and easily scares me...

The Cloud is Running Out of Storage Space

Alternate Title: If tech services are free, you have to ask why and for how long...

OpenAI vs SSI Drama

Alternate Title: The brains of the operation just started a new company...

Make That USD (Universal Scene Description)

Alternate Title: One file format to rule them all...

Finally - A Windows Laptop That Beats M3 MacBooks

Alternate Title: It's been awhile since the last leapfrog...also, not a sponsor

Why "Normies" Don't Use Linux

Alternate Title: The penguin mascot is pretty cute...

Are We Ready For The New Internet Protocol? (IPv6 Adventures)

Alternate Title: Wait...you're telling me I can just skip right past your router?!

AI vs AI: Doctors vs Health Insurance Agencies

Alternate Title: AI vs AI is Going to be a new subseries...

Direct-To-Cell-Phone Satellite Connectivity: T-Mobile + SpaceX

Alternate Title: Please don't get rid of terrestrial wireless networks though...

The Ultimate Windows Troubleshooter

Alternate Title: It actually works though...seriously...

Job Seekers vs Job Recruiters: AI vs AI

Alternate Title: I Don't Like This Arms Race

Switzerland Mandates All Government Software Be Open Source

Alternate Title: Please Let This Become A Trend...

AI's Ouroboros Problem

Alternate Title: This Reminds Me Of Those "Deep Fried" Memes

Tutorial: How To Learn Any Topic Quickly Using Notion and AI

Alternate Title: I Really Wish I Had This During School...

Infostealer Malware: The Most Prevalent Threat to Your Business

Alternate Title: I Swear I Will Write Some Uplifting Tech Stories Soon...

Google Accidentally Deletes $135 Billion Pension Fund

Alternate Title: Why Backups Are A Necessity

The Ubiquiti Unifi Shortstack: Perfect for Most Homes and Small Businesses

Alternate Title: A Solid Foundation for Your Home or Small Business Network

Goodbye Passwords, Hello Passkeys

Alternate Title: Are We Sure This Is A Good Idea?

Enough is Enough Adobe

Alternate Title: Let's Not Tolerate Predatory Subscription Practices

Google's Focus on AI is a Problem

Alternate Title: Noah, Get the Boat

The Snowflake Hack

Alternate Title: At This Point, Just Assume All of Your Info is Public

Spacedrive - The Open Source, Cross Platform File Explorer

Alternate Title: One File Explorer to Rule Them All

Windows on ARM: A Nightmare for Developers

Alternate Title: Microsoft is Really Trying to Fail the ARM(s) Race

The Most Versatile New Smart Lock: Aqara U200

Alternate Title: Aqara? More Like "I Care A"bout Versatility

Stay Away From Intel (13th and 14th Gen CPUs)

Alternate Title: Raptors and Meteors Are Dangerous

CrowdStrike CyberSecurity Platform Kills the Internet

Alternate Title: When Security Systems Cause Security Incidents

Coming soon