We've all heard of it, and some of us have seen the Netflix comedy series, but what exactly is the U.S. Space Force, and what do they do? We invited USSF Chief Master Sergeant John Bentivegna to the podcast to discuss the founding of Space Force, what they are charged with overseeing, their role in continuously monitoring U.S. orbital assets and possible threats to them, and their future role in guarding the space lanes. We also look at the controversy surrounding the recent Blue Origin flight with Katy Perry and other women of note, a recent explosion at a Northrop Grumman facility, and the announcement of a possible detection of life on exoplanet k2-18b!

Headlines:

• Possible Life on Exoplanet K2-18b: Scientists have detected potential signs of life in the spectra of exoplanet K2-18b, including dimethyl sulfide, a substance produced by algae and microbes on Earth.
• Blue Origin's Glam Flight Controversy: The recent Blue Origin NS-31 flight, intended to promote women in STEM, sparked debate about space tourism and what defines an astronaut.
• Northrop Grumman Explosion: A recent explosion at Northrop Grumman's Promontory, Utah, test site destroyed a building, raising questions about the future of solid rocket motor development.

Interview with Chief Master Sergeant John Bentivegna:

• His role in the Space Force: Chief Master Sergeant Bentivegna discusses his role as the senior enlisted member, advising on guardian development, strategy, and welfare.
• Career Path: Bentivegna recounts his journey from joining the Air Force in 1994 to becoming a key leader in the Space Force, highlighting his experience in space operations.
• Space Force Mission: He details the Space Force's core functions: assured space access, global space operations (including GPS management and space domain awareness), and space control to ensure space superiority.
• Space Warfighting Framework: The launch of the Space Warfighting Framework, just released this week, is discussed, emphasizing its importance for integrating and planning space operations across the joint force and clarifying the Space Force's capabilities and operational lexicon.
• Concerns About Threats in Space: The podcast addresses the threats posed by adversarial actions in space, such as the deployment of ASAT weapons and potential EMP attacks, and the measures the Space Force is developing to protect and defend critical space assets.
• Space Force and NASA Collaboration: The ongoing collaboration between the Space Force and NASA is highlighted, including the role of guardians in space exploration, research, and astronaut support.
• Future of Space Operations: The episode concludes with a look at the future of space operations, including the potential for a "Space Coast Guard" and the expanding role of the Space Force in lunar and cislunar activities.

Hosts: Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik

Guest: John Bentivegna

Download or subscribe to This Week in Space at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-space.

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Google's ad business takes a loss against the DoJ. OpenAI is working on its own social network. Inside Zuckerberg's negotiations to end the antitrust case against Meta. And ChatGPT's newest AI models is performing 'reverse location searches' from photos. Breaking news as the Department of Justice finds Google's Ad Tech violates antitrust laws. OpenAI is building a social network that looks to take on other social networks such as Meta and X. But why would OpenAI be interested in a social network? A Wall Street Journal article looks into Mark Zuckerberg's negotiations with the FTC to drop Meta's antitrust case. And ChatGPT's latest AI models, o3 and o4-mini, are being utilized to perform 'reverse location searches' through uploaded photos. Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Dan Moren Download or subscribe to Tech News Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: threatlocker.com for Tech News Weekly Melissa.com/twit joindeleteme.com/twit promo code TWIT

In episode 473, Scott Wilkinson railed against what seemed like a totally frivolous lawsuit against Hisense for false advertising about one of its low-end QLED TVs. But it turns out the lawsuit might not be frivolous at all.

Host: Scott Wilkinson

Download or subscribe to Home Theater Geeks at https://twit.tv/shows/home-theater-geeks

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TWiT.tv just hit a major milestone—20 years of tech podcasting—and CEO Lisa Laporte is here to share the insider secrets behind 18 years of successful ad partnerships. In this episode of Host-Read Ads, Lisa breaks down why buying host-read ads directly from TWiT delivers better results for brands. With our hands-on boutique approach, Lisa explains how TWiT turns advertisers into partners—and why agencies simply can't compete with the network's intimate knowledge of its audience.

Interested in advertising on TWiT.tv? Reach out to partner@twit.tv and start a conversation about your growth goals.

Host: Lisa Laporte

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Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Uncover new Windows 11 features, including the innovative Windows Sandbox 2.0., real-time language translation in live captions, an upgraded Snipping Tool steps up its game with OCR and video trimming capabilities, and Snap Assist, ensuring you unlock the full potential of your Windows 11 experience.

Host: Paul Thurrott

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Windows at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-windows

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Mikah Sargent demonstrates how to set up and configure an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) with macOS, showcasing how this essential device can protect your Mac from sudden power outages and allow for graceful shutdowns to prevent data loss. This practical guide walks users through the various places macOS displays UPS information and how to customize shutdown settings for optimal protection.

Host: Mikah Sargent

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Looking for tech accessories that will enhance your Apple experience? Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard showcase their favorite gadgets and devices that pair perfectly with your Apple products. From keyboards and remote controls to innovative cases and water bottles, this episode highlights practical and useful accessories you might want to add to your own tech collection.

• Logitech MX Keys Mini - Rosemary shows off this compact keyboard that connects to three devices and features USB-C charging with nicely dimpled keys for better typing.
• Otterbox Statement Series Cactus Leather Case - Mikah discovered this premium case made from sustainable cactus leather that offers a great feel while avoiding the bulk traditionally associated with Otterbox products.
• Satechi R2 Bluetooth Multimedia Remote Control - This metal remote features both multimedia and presentation modes, making it perfect for controlling media playback or presentations when traveling.
• LARQ PureViz Bottle - This high-tech water bottle features UV lights in the lid to kill bacteria, tracks water intake with sensors, and offers an optional filtration straw for cleaner water on the go.
• Sony SRS-NB10 Wireless Neckband Speaker - A comfortable alternative to headphones that sits around your neck, delivering personal audio without blocking your ears, perfect for audiobooks or conference calls.
• Ubiquiti Wi-Fi Man Wizard - This phone-attachable spectrum analyzer works with the Wi-Fi Man app to create AR maps of your home's Wi-Fi coverage, helping identify dead zones and optimize router placement.
• Orbit Key 2-in-1 Tech Accessory Pouch - A versatile carrying case with elastic pockets, pen loops, and space for cables, chargers, and other tech essentials, plus a compartment for an AirTag to track your gear.
• dBrand "Touch Grass" Skin - An April Fools product that's actually real, featuring AstroTurf-like coverings for phones, laptops, and other devices.

News

• WWDC 2024 Announced - Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference will be held the week of June 9th, with rumored major redesigns coming to Apple's operating systems!

Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Rosemary Orchard

Contact iOS Today at iOSToday@twit.tv.

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Interview with Nikita Roy Linda McMahon just handed A.1. steak sauce an unbelievable opportunity When is 4.1 greater than 4.5? When it's OpenAI's newest model. Google DeepMind Is Hiring a 'Post-AGI' Research Scientist Why do AI company logos look like buttholes? The Dark Power of Fraternities Monkey.zip High levels of toxic chemicals found in paper receipts used by US retailers A weird phrase is plaguing scientific papers – and we traced it back to a glitch in AI training data DolphinGemma: How Google AI is helping decode dolphin communication 'She helps cheer me up': the people forming relationships with AI chatbots A meta-analysis of technology use and cognitive aging Meta CEO Zuckerberg considered spinning off Instagram in 2018 over antitrust worries, email says OpenAI's new o3 and o4-mini models are all about 'thinking with images' Boarding passes and checkin to be scrapped Pickled Popeyes A new season of Game Changer Hosts: Leo Laporte, Jeff Jarvis, and Paris Martineau Guest: Nikita Roy Download or subscribe to Intelligent Machines at https://twit.tv/shows/intelligent-machines. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: spaceship.com/twit monarchmoney.com with code IM

Paul, Leo, and Richard get into new Windows features (thanks to the Feature Tracker), hardware shifts for Microsoft/Intel/Apple, AI moves from OpenAI/Apple/Adobe, Notion Mail, a Hawaiian drink, the National Recording Registry, rice cookers, and electronic timer tunes! Windows 11 Feature Tracker. Since we last talked, Microsoft has announced the following new features for Windows 11: Semantic search can now search for Windows settings using natural language - Dev and Beta (24H2) channels, no clear stable date but guessing June Narrator can more accurately describe images by detailing the people, objects, colours, text, and numbers in them, Snapdragon X only, same builds as above Snipping Tool with "Text extraction" in the capture bar - This in Canary now, but it was in at least Dev previously, this could ship in stable at any time, it's an app Recall (preview) and Click to Do (preview) head to the Release Preview channel (24H2) - Expect this in May Patch Tuesday Narrator speech recap, Phone Link/Start integration, File Explorer Home updates, Windows Share with Edit all head to Release Preview (23H2) - Expect these in May Patch Tuesday - They were added to Beta channel (23H2) a few days earlier Plus, Microsoft Edge is up to 9 percent faster at web rendering and we're having a fiesta Also, the Windows 95 startup/logout chime has been inducted into the National Recording Registry Hardware Surface Hub OG hits EOL this year just like Windows 10 First major change under new Intel CEO What's a computer? The iPad, supposedly, but we'll see Everything's fine, but Google laid off hundreds in Pixel/Android group AI Apple is making big changes so that Apple Intelligence will actually be intelligent Adobe is going agentic too OpenAI is creating its own social network because the world needs another social network OpenAI announces three GPT-4.1 models - may retire GPT-4 soon - plus now o3 and o4-mini models ChapGPT gets an image library and a memory Claude gets Research and Google Workspace integration Meta will start training its AI models with EU data, wink wink Xbox and games Xbox app on mobile will soon let you buy games (!) and add-on content, join Game Pass, and redeem perks. Did Microsoft get a concession from Apple/Google?? COD: Modern Warfare II (OG) and more are coming to Game Pass in the next few weeks Xbox announces Doom: The Dark Ages limited edition accessories Sea of Thieves is coming to Battle.net Sony forced to raise the price of PS5 in three locales Tips and Picks Tip of the week: Think like an individual, not an enterprise App pick of the week: Notion Mail RunAs Radio this week: How to Not Hate PowerShell with Barbara Forbes Brown liquor pick of the week: 12th Hawaii Distiller's Reserve Hosts: Leo Laporte, Paul Thurrott, and Richard Campbell Download or subscribe to Windows Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/windows-weekly Check out Paul's blog at thurrott.com The Windows Weekly theme music is courtesy of Carl Franklin. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: 1password.com/windowsweekly uscloud.com

Android to get "Lockdown Mode". What's in the new editions of Chrome and Firefox? Why did Apple silently re-enable automatic updates? My new iPhone 16, Chinese tariffs and electronics. Dynamic "hotpatching" coming to Win11 Enterprise & Edu. Why is it so difficult for Oracle to fess up? Another multi-year breach inside US Treasury. An Apple -vs- the UK update. "Thundermail" (Can't someone come up with a better name?) The (in)Security of Programmable Logic Controllers. When LLM's write code and hallucinate non-existent packages. Wordpress core security and PHP gets an important audit. Device-Bound Session Credentials update session cookie technology Show Notes - https://www.grc.com/sn/SN-1021-Notes.pdf Hosts: Steve Gibson and Leo Laporte Download or subscribe to Security Now at https://twit.tv/shows/security-now. You can submit a question to Security Now at the GRC Feedback Page. For 16kbps versions, transcripts, and notes (including fixes), visit Steve's site: grc.com, also the home of the best disk maintenance and recovery utility ever written Spinrite 6. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: expressvpn.com/securitynow vanta.com/SECURITYNOW threatlocker.com for Security Now legatosecurity.com bitwarden.com/twit

Apple gets a break from the Trump tariffs. What's going on with Apple? France is planning country-wide digital IDs on iPhones. Could Instagram be finally coming to the iPad after 15 years? And could Apple be working on two versions of the next Vision Pro headset? Trump gives Apple a giant break with wide-ranging tariff exemptions. Trump touts how he 'helped' Tim Cook with US tariff pivots. Trump signals semiconductor tariffs are coming 'very soon'. What's wrong with Apple? On-device Apple Intelligence training seems to be based on controversial technology. France plans country-wide digital identity cards on iPhone by the summer. Indonesians can again buy the iPhone 16 as ban is finally lifted. Instagram may finally be coming to iPad after 15 years. Apple Maps on the web leaves beta, now works on mobile devices. Apple rebrands its advertising business as 'Apple Ads'. Apple is reportedly working on two new versions of the Vision Pro. Tim Cook really wants Apple Glass to become a reality. Apple to launch new recycling promo, offering up to $20 discount on AirPods and other accessories. Apple's Beats brand just announced its first-ever USB-C cables. Picks of the Week: Alex's Pick: Mix Effect Pro Doc's Pick: OBSBot Tail 2 Andy's Picks: GoComics & Comics Kingdom Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, and Andy Ihnatko Guest: Doc Rock Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: storyblok.com/twittv-25 Melissa.com/twit bitwarden.com/twit

Trump gives Apple a giant break with wide-ranging tariff exemptions Car safety experts at NHTSA, which regulates Tesla, axed by DOGE Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk would like to 'delete all IP law' 5 things to know about Meta's upcoming FTC trial Meta's New Tech Wants You Using Phones in Theaters Trump Orders Investigation into Former Cybersecurity Chief Beyond Showerheads: Trump's Attempts to Kill Appliance Regulations Cause Chaos Microsoft rolls out Recall AI in preview to Copilot+ PCs, after delaying the feature twice, from June 2024 and October 2024, over security and privacy concerns The Dire Wolf Isn't Back—But Here's What 'De-Extinction' Tech Can Actually Do Trump White House budget proposal eviscerates science funding at NASA Linda McMahon just handed A.1. steak sauce an unbelievable opportunity Researcher uncovers dozens of sketchy Chrome extensions with 4 million installs Vizio Shows What Happens When U.S. Fascism And TV Ensh*ttification Meet Host: Leo Laporte Guests: Sam Abuelsamid, Allyn Malventano, and Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ Download or subscribe to This Week in Tech at https://twit.tv/shows/this-week-in-tech Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: ZipRecruiter.com/Twit threatlocker.com/twit NetSuite.com/TWIT expressvpn.com/twit bitwarden.com/twit