Welcome to June month of Pride, Juneteenth, Fathers Day and the official start of summer. Youve probably got a lot already planned for the weeks ahead beach vacations, summer cookouts with your nearest and dearest, tickets to see that big blockbuster in an air-conditioned movie theater but allow us to share a few more suggestions for wellness-boosting ways to spend this time.

Heres our guide to enjoying summers simple pleasures (perfectly ripe tomatoes! vitamin D! switching your out-of-office email responder on!) while doing some good and keeping your health top of mind.

Upgrade your diet. Unless you're part of the 1.58% of American adults who have an ideal diet, you could stand for some improvement. One way to get started: Look into the Mediterranean diet, which research shows has lots of health benefits. Here's what groceries to stock up on and what a meal plan looks like.

Try mall walking. It's got A/C ... and an Abercrombie. If you want to keep up your daily step count without subjecting yourself to triple-digit temperatures, consider escaping to your local mall. Mall walking is free (no gym fees), accessible (great for all ages and no pesky hills or uneven sidewalks) and air conditioned. If you simply want to beat the heat, here's a guide to other public places where you can cool down this summer.

Visit a farmers market. June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month, and its a great excuse to skip the grocery store checkout lines and instead see what local producers have on offer. Summer cookouts call for recipes featuring the best in seasonal ingredients think cherries, berries, peaches, corn, tomatoes, summer squash, green beans and more so grab a tote bag and stock up. (But watch out for those summer fruit injuries.)

Take a CPR class. June 1 to 7 marks National CPR and AED Awareness Week. Recent research shows that lifesaving AEDs (or automated external defibrillators) are rarely used in cases of cardiac arrest occurring outside of a hospital setting, even though experts say they are pretty simple to use. And just last week a survey from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center found that only about half of Americans feel they could perform CPR in an emergency. If youre not one of them, take time to sign up for a course through the American Red Cross (or brush up on your training with these tips).

Time to see the doc, dude. Fellas, its Mens Health Month an important reminder to follow through on any delayed checkups (like getting to the bottom of that pesky twinge in your knee youve been brushing off as no big deal) or kick-start any wellness goals you might have. Sign up for a gym membership trial. Improve your mood by making plans with that buddy you havent seen in forever. Make like Guy Fieri and work out with a weighted vest. The skys the limit!

Donate blood. June 14 is World Blood Donor Day. If youre able, roll up your sleeve and do your part. Bonus: Its good for your health.

Roll with it, baby. June 18 is International Sushi Day. If you plan to celebrate with a bento box order for lunch, read up on the health benefits (and not-as-healthy aspects) associated with the Japanese dish. In short: Go easy on the rice, fried dishes (shrimp tempura, we're looking at you) and sauces (especially if they're mayo-based or high in sodium); choose low-mercury fish like salmon and crab; and add a side of protein-packed edamame.

Consider an international sunscreen. There's a lot of buzz surrounding international sunscreens, which are subject to different guidelines and have SPF filters not yet approved in the U.S. Here's what dermatologists told us about their appeal and whether it's worth swapping out your usual sunscreen stash.

Embrace the summer solstice. For those of us in the northern hemisphere, the summer solstice as in, the official start of summer and the longest day of the year falls on Thursday, June 20. Some experts associate the solstice with improved moods, though its unclear whether thats because of the extra sunshine it brings or the effect on circadian rhythms and sleep cycles. Either way, the sky has another trick up its sleeve that week that might also lift your spirits. On Friday, June 21, there will be a strawberry moon so named by Native American tribes because it coincides with the peak of summer harvesting season and is not a reference to its color shortly after sunset.

Strike a pose. The dog days of summer are calling for some downward dog. June 21 is the International Day of Yoga, a United Nations-recognized observance that encourages people the world over to try the practice. Research shows that yoga offers a number of mental and physical benefits (including increased flexibility and strength), so roll out your mat and get started with some simple poses.

Boost your brain health. June is Alzheimers & Brain Awareness Month, so look for opportunities to keep your mind sharp. As Yahoo Life recently reported, that could include starting your day with Wordle or some other type of brain teaser, picking up a new skill that challenges you or just focusing on healthy habits like sleep, diet and hydration.

Find a pool. In a perfect world, youd have an Olympic-size pool in the backyard to keep you cool. In reality, youre sticking your ankles in a plastic kiddie pool you picked up at Walmart. But a refreshing splash is more attainable than you think. If your communitys public pool doesnt appeal to you, look into buying a day pass at a local hotel or resort, where you can enjoy poolside perks without being a registered guest. Services like Swimply also serve as an Airbnb of sorts for privately owned pools, with rates charged by the hour. Its definitely something to consider when temperatures climb and the risk of heat illness gets very real. Just make sure youre following water safety rules, especially if kids are around.

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A healthy (and fun!) guide to June: Why yoga and the strawberry moon should be on your to-do list - Yahoo Life

The first State-level yoga conference conduced by Department of Kannada and Culture and Karnataka Yoga Teachers Federation was held in the city on Saturday underlining the benefits of yoga to the world at large.

The conference was inaugurated by Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dinesh Gundu Rao who said that yoga promotes mental peace in individuals leading to peace in society and the world.

He said the conference was being held to highlight the benefits of yoga and pointed out that Swami Vivekananda introduced it to the west and with it a slice of Indian culture. Apart from physical well-being it also promotes concentration of mind achieved through meditation, he added.

The Minister said yoga would be revived in educational institutions and the recently held Yogothsava reached about six lakh people in the State including ASHA and Anganwadi workers. Yoga kendras have been established across the State to promote the discipline in view of its health benefits, he added. Apart from physical and mental well being it also promotes spiritual growth resulting in peace and amity in society, the minister said.

Harish Gowda, MLA, Yoga convention committee president S.P. Yoganna and others were present.

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State-level yoga conference held in Mysuru - The Hindu

Jason Samels vision for a Long Island Yoga Festival started during the pandemic when he was feeling anything but Zen.

I went through a really tough breakdown, like a lot of people, he says of that time of isolation. I fell into a really very difficult depression.

What helped him, he says, was visiting Harry Tappen Beach in Glenwood Landing. I just started rising my arms up in the sky, sort of catching a prayer above my head, and then bringing them to my heart while I was breathing in and out, he says. It wasnt exactly yoga, but it was something like that. It brought this overwhelming feeling of happiness and connectivity between me and nature and the things around me.

Jason Samel, owner of Buddha Jams Yoga studio in Glen Cove, sits in the lounge area of the studio on May 26. Credit: Linda Rosier

That led Samel, 46, of Old Brookville, to become a yoga instructor in 2021, to open Buddha Jams Yoga studio in Glen Cove in 2022, and now, to launch an inaugural Long Island Yoga Festival, which he hopes to make an annual event that merges a music festival atmosphere with the mindfulness of a yoga retreat. He envisions, he says, a really cool funky, fun, festive atmosphere.

Students Gina Solomon and Jeff Pliskin follow Buddha Jams Yoga instructor Jason Samel through yoga poses on May 26 in Glen Cove. Credit: Linda Rosier

The three-day event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. June 21 which is the International Day of Yoga with a free yoga session open to the public on Harry Tappen Beach during which participants will perform 108 sun salutations, a meditative tradition often performed on solstices.There will also be a drum circle.

The next two days will include spots for up to 70 people to buy day or festival-long yoga session passes and about 150 people to attend concerts on Friday and Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Aside from the Tappan Beach event, the festival will be held indoors and on the grounds of Samels Buddha Jams studio.

Jason Samel, owner of Buddha Jams Yoga studio in Glen Cove, and student Lorraine Popowitz, during a class on May 26. Credit: Linda Rosier

Yogis from studios across Long Island and Manhattan will lead sessions, Samel says. They are scheduled to include, for instance, Colleen Saidman Yee, owner of the Yoga Shanti studio in Sag Harbor, and Rodney Yee; Alan Finger and Sara Platt-Finger, co-founders of ISHTA Yoga in Manhattan; Matt Giordano, also known as TheYogiMatt, originally from Sea Cliff; and Gail Grossman, founder of the now-shuttered Om Sweet Om studio in Port Washington.

There will also be meditation workshops, drum circles and more for participants, who must purchase tickets in advance online. Craft vendors will be selling clothing jewelry, yoga gear and more.

Entertainment includes Nina Rao on Friday evening performing kirtan and traditional chants, DJ Taz Rashid leading a Saturday night dance party and Milard Roper on Sunday evening leading another kirtan session.

Scott Barbey, Lorraine Popowitz, and Gina Solomon, participants in a yoga class called Rock N Slow Flow Yoga with Jason, at Buddha Jams Yoga studio in Glen Cove on May 26. Credit: Linda Rosier

It gives people the opportunity to explore different styles of yoga, says Platt-Finger, who will lead a session with her husband from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on June 22. In a music festival, you get to take in different types of music and enjoy the artistry. Its the same with yoga. You get to experience different styles of yoga. She says it also allows people to gather with like-minded people and feel a sense of community.

Platt-Finger, who grew up in Glen Head, says shes happy to come full circle by offering her style of yoga and meditation and some of these transformative practices that have changed my life. She says yoga helps her feel more centered in myself and in my body.

Samel, who lives with his wife, veterinarian Sheila Delijani, and their two children, Micah, 12, and Gabriel, 8, says he was an unlikely yoga advocate whose previous forays into yoga included being dragged to sessions by Delijani.

I was a fat guy who was breathing really heavyand couldnt touch his toes and couldnt stand being there, he says. Now, he says, yoga helped him lose weightandhelped improve his marriage. He even wrote a song about yoga called Heads Bow Down that he plans to release in conjunction with the festival. I want people to get as excited about yoga as I am, he says.

WHEN | WHERE June 21-23 at Buddha Jams Yoga in Glen Cove, 192 Glen St., Glen Cove

COST Friday afternoon kickoff free at Harry Tappen Beach on Shore Road in Glenwood Landing; Saturday or Sunday pass $199 each; weekend pass $299. Evening musical events Friday and Saturday $35 each (musical events included with weekend passes).

MORE INFO 516-548-7168, longislandyogafestival.com, tickets must be purchased in advance.

Beth Whitehouse writes about families, parenting and great things to do with the kids on Long Island. Shes been a Newsday editor and shared a 1997 Newsday staff Pulitzer Prize for coverage of the crash of TWA Flight 800.

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Long Island Yoga Festival comes to Buddha Jams Yoga in Glen Cove - Newsday

People attend a yoga class in celebration of the summer solstice at the 22nd annual all-day outdoor yoga event in Times Square in New York on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI People attend a yoga class in celebration of the summer solstice at the 22nd annual all-day outdoor yoga event in Times Square in New York on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI People attend a yoga class in celebration of the summer solstice at an 22nd annual all-day outdoor yoga event in Times Square in New York City on Thursday, June 20, 2024. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI People attend a yoga class in celebration of the summer solstice at the 22nd annual all-day outdoor yoga event in Times Square in New York on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI People attend a yoga class in celebration of the summer solstice at the 22nd annual all-day outdoor yoga event in Times Square in New York on Thursday. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

June 20 (UPI) -- Hundreds of people converged on Times Square in New York on Thursday to celebrate the summer solstice with an entire day of outdoor yoga classes.

The event, dubbed Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga, commenced at 7:30 a.m. with a class taught by yogi Richa Dhekne and presented by Consulate General of India.

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Classes are being held throughout the day at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue, between 43rd & 48th Streets, with the last one scheduled to end at 8:30 p.m.

The yearly tradition began with three yogis who gathered to welcome the solstice with yoga in Times Square at sunrise on June 21, 2003, and they went on to make it into an annual event.

"Summer Solstice Yoga in Times Square with its inspiring yoga teachers, has become an iconic setting to reaffirm your yoga practice under the Broadway lights and the invigorating sun," Douglass Stewart, co-founder of Solstice in Times Square, said in a news release.

The yoga classes are being livestreamed at http://www.TSQ.org/Solstice and on the official Times Square Facebook page.

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Yogis celebrate solstice with Times Square takeover - UPI News

Personal growth and self-improvement are essential aspects of living a fulfilling life. As we navigate challenges and experiences, its crucial to recognize the signs indicating were making progress on our journey. In this article, well explore 13 signs that suggest youre becoming a better and stronger person.

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, and those who thrive understand that change is inevitable. If you find yourself more open to new experiences and willing to step out of your comfort zone, its a clear sign of personal growth. Youve developed the resilience and flexibility needed to adapt to new situations, allowing you to navigate lifes challenges easily.

One of the hallmarks of a more assertive person is the ability to own up to their mistakes and take responsibility for their actions. Instead of engaging in the blame game or making excuses, you focus on finding solutions and learning from your missteps. This level of accountability demonstrates maturity and a commitment to personal growth.

Setting boundaries is an essential aspect of self-care and personal well-being. If youve started to recognize and communicate your limits assertively, its a sign that you value yourself and your time. Saying no to things that dont align with your goals or values takes courage, but it allows you to prioritize your needs and maintain a healthy balance.

Reflecting on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors is a powerful tool for personal growth. If you regularly engage in self-reflection and introspection, youre more likely to identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes. This level of self-awareness is a crucial indicator of a stronger and more self-aware individual.

When you define success on your terms and prioritize self-improvement over seeking approval from others, youre on the path to becoming a better version of yourself. Instead of relying on external validation, you focus on your goals and values, allowing you to lead a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Embracing challenges as opportunities for learning and growth shows a solid and resilient mindset. If you view failures as stepping stones to success rather than insurmountable obstacles, youre well on your way to personal development. A growth mindset allows you to approach life with curiosity and a willingness to learn, leading to continual improvement.

Cultivating gratitude is a powerful tool for personal growth and well-being. Imagine yourself appreciating the small joys in life and focusing on the positive aspects of your experiences. In that case, its a sign that youre developing a more grateful and content mindset. This shift in perspective can lead to increased happiness and a more fulfilling life.

Surrounding yourself with supportive and uplifting individuals is crucial for personal growth. If youve started to invest time and effort in building and maintaining meaningful connections, its a sign that you value the power of healthy relationships. These connections provide a source of encouragement, inspiration, and accountability as you navigate your journey.

Taking care of your physical and emotional health is essential for personal growth and strength. If youve started to engage in activities that promote self-care and prioritize your mental well-being, its a clear sign of progress. Seeking help when needed and prioritizing your mental health demonstrates a commitment to your overall well-being.

Emotional intelligence involves recognizing and managing your emotions while demonstrating empathy and understanding towards others. If youve noticed an improvement in your ability to navigate emotional situations and communicate effectively, its a sign of growing emotional maturity. This skill is essential for building solid relationships and navigating challenges gracefully and resiliently.

Being open and honest about your feelings and experiences takes courage, but its a sign of a stronger and more authentic individual. If youve started embracing vulnerability and cultivating genuine connections with others, it clearly indicates personal growth. This level of authenticity allows for deeper, more meaningful relationships and a greater sense of self-acceptance.

Holding onto grudges and resentment can be a heavy burden that hinders personal growth. If youve started to practice forgiveness and release negative emotions, its a sign that youre prioritizing your well-being and moving forward. Forgiveness doesnt mean condoning hurtful behavior; instead, it means focusing on the present and letting go of the past for your own well-being.

A thirst for knowledge and a commitment to lifelong learning are hallmarks of a more robust and well-rounded individual. If you find yourself actively seeking new experiences and opportunities to expand your knowledge, its a sign that youre embracing personal growth. This curiosity and openness to learning will serve you well in all aspects of your life.

Presley, a 32-year-old restaurant manager, was at a crossroads. She had worked in the hospitality industry for over a decade, but the long hours and high-stress environment affected her mental and physical well-being. Presley realized that she needed to make a change, not only in her career but also in her personal life.

Determined to improve herself, Presley started by setting small, achievable goals. She began practicing mindfulness and self-reflection, taking time each day to assess her thoughts and feelings. This introspection helped her identify areas where she needed to grow, such as developing healthier coping mechanisms for stress and learning to communicate more effectively with her team.

As Presley continued her journey of personal growth, she discovered the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care. She learned to say no to extra shifts when she needed to recharge and started engaging in activities that brought her joy, like hiking and painting. These changes improved her work-life balance and helped her develop a more positive outlook on life.

Over time, Presleys commitment to personal development began to transform her life. She became more resilient in the face of challenges at work and in her relationships. Her newfound emotional intelligence and authenticity allowed her to build stronger connections with her colleagues and loved ones. Presleys journey of growth had not only made her a better restaurant manager but also a better friend, partner, and overall person. She continues to embrace opportunities for learning and self-improvement, knowing that the path to becoming her best self is a lifelong journey.

Becoming a better and stronger person is a lifelong journey that requires dedication, self-awareness, and a willingness to embrace change. By recognizing these 13 signs within yourself, you can celebrate the progress youve made and continue to strive for improvement. Remember that growth is not always linear, and setbacks are a natural part of the process. Embrace the journey, be kind to yourself, and trust in your ability to overcome challenges and emerge stronger on the other side.

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13 Signs Youre Actually Becoming a Better and Stronger Person - New Trader U

Todays planetary alignment prompts you to search for answers to the unknown. You may have a sudden desire to lock yourself up and take some time off to think about things that have happened to you and discover more about yourself. Dont be afraid of this period of solitude, and use it to discover yourself. It is also good to let go of any stress or negative energy you may have been harbouring in your system. Forgive yourself and others, and try not to hold grudges in your heart. Aquarius Love Horoscope TodayToday, Aquarius, the cosmic energies invite you to concentrate on developing profound bonds in your relationships. This is the perfect opportunity for single people to get out of their comfort zone and start new relationships. It might be useful to go to places or join organisations where people with similar beliefs can be found. Regarding relationships, do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and be ready to embrace the unknown, as this will create bonds. In a steady relationship, the best way to improve the relationship is by being truthful with your partner. Aquarius Career Horoscope TodayToday, Aquarius, the stars are aligned to give you the green light to go ahead and pursue personal development. This is a perfect time for the employees to start searching for a new job and be more active. Reconnect with your connections and diversify your search for new positions. Be ready for new prospects that may present themselves to you since they may be promising in your career. For working professionals, it is time to prove yourself to your superiors and demonstrate your skills and talents to the maximum. Aquarius Money Horoscope TodayToday, Aquarius's attention is drawn to the financial sector, encouraging you to look at your earnings, savings, and expenses more carefully. If there are any large financial choices that you have been thinking about making, such as investing in a new business or buying a product, then today is a good day for action. Regarding your income and earnings, you may want to think about how to make yourself more financially secure. It could be as simple as trying to find an additional source of income or asking for a pay rise at the workplace. Aquarius Health Horoscope TodayToday, Aquarius, the energies are focused on your well-being. When it comes to your health, todays horoscope advises that you should exercise. You can also include new forms of exercise that you have not practised before, such as yoga, dancing, or hiking. It is also important to understand your body and not overwork it because even in training, one needs to have rest days.

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Aquarius, Daily Horoscope Today, June 22, 2024: Unlock the unknown and discover your true self - The Times of India

The AI race is picking up speed.

Microsoft earlier this year made the first change to its keyboards since the introduction of the Windows key, when it said it would include a dedicated button to activate its CoPilot AI assistants. Google has made its Gemini generative AI available through its Pixel phones and made a deal with Samsung to integrate its technology into the South Korean groups AI offerings.

And now Apple has said it will build AI tools into its operating systems for iPhones, iPads and Macs, creating Apple Intelligence and transforming Siri from a voice assistant to a more useful digital assistant that will eventually be able to reach into apps on your phone to give you a helping hand. AI is a core part of the new software going forward for those who can access it.

One of the last to announce its intentions on generative AI, Apple unveiled its plans at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) last week, quietening some of the speculation around its ability to innovate. This is a moment weve been working toward for a long time, Apples senior vice-president Craig Federighi said.

But the company largely avoided using the term artificial intelligence, preferring instead to refer to it as personal intelligence, and AI for the rest of us, making the point that this is not simply technology for technologys sake.

Global Datas Anisha Bhatia described it as a consumer-friendly approach to explaining the benefits of AI to its core market, and it appears to have hit the mark. Although shares in Apple fell almost 2 per cent in the immediate aftermath, they quickly recovered ground and Apple regained the title of most valuable company in the world, snatching it back from Microsoft.

Apple may not have been talking much about generative AI until recently but the company has certainly been working on it in the background. While it may not have fully embraced generative AI publicly, there is more to AI than chatbots. Apple first introduced the Neural Engine AI processor into its devices in 2017. And the company has been quietly building its expertise, with a number of acquisitions over the past couple of years.

It has also been training its own large language models, which underpin generative artificial intelligence, using a variety of data from public web data, licensed data from news archives, stock photography and in-house data created by Apple.

Apple doesnt need to be the first; it just needs to do it better, said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore. While it typically takes a more cautious wait and see approach, it is interesting to see Apple make such a bold statement with AI still in its infancy.

The anticipation around this years Worldwide Developer Conference, or Dub Dub as it is affectionately known, was at fever pitch by the time Tim Cook took to the stage to begin his keynote. Many of Apples announcements had largely leaked in advance of the event but there was still an element of the unknown about the event. And while generative emojis, image editing and automatic transcriptions were attention-grabbing, there were other questions to answer.

Among them were how Apple, a company that was vocal about user privacy and data control, could stick to its principles while also using a technology that not only requires large amounts of data to train models, but will be dependent on using highly personal user data to be at its most useful.

Apple Intelligence is hoping to bridge that gap. It uses a combination of its own models for on-device processing, occasionally extending into a locked-down cloud environment with specially built servers when needed.

Federighi told WWDC attendees that private cloud computing solved a necessary, profound challenge around the range of capabilities of AI. While many of the queries dealt with by Apple Intelligence could be dealt with on-device, there are times when more power would be needed, and Apple has created a solution that allows users to throw server-class hardware at the problem, extending the device itself into the cloud without the compromises that other cloud options may bring.

The device figures out what data is needed to get the question answered, and only sends that to the cloud. There is no permanent storage of data, and there are no logs; all of this will be subject to checks and audits. In other words, Apple cannot see the data even if it wanted to, and no storage means the company will almost certainly be unable to comply with requests that may come from law enforcement around the data.

This is a fascinating tension that sees Apple arriving at the same conclusion as rivals: that it is not possible to fully run todays AI features on-device and that elements must be outsourced to the cloud, said CCS Insights Ben Wood.

Apple will try to play up its security credentials, but this marks a shift in approach, nonetheless. The move also reintroduces other inescapable problems with server-powered AI, such as latency and cost, which Apple will have to manage. Despite this initial approach, CCS Insight predicts that Apple will seek to move more processing to the device over time.

There is one catch, though. Apple Intelligence needs the neural engine in the iPhone 15 Pro lines A17 chip, or that contained in the M-series chips designed by Apple. That excludes a large part of the current iPhone user base, and while it may spur some users to upgrade, it means there will be a large group of current iPhone users who will be waiting a year or more to access the new features.

Apples approach may be surprising to some. Creating large language models is an intensive process that does not always make sense for companies. Amazon, for example, ditched the idea of its own large language models and has opted instead to support other companies, investing in Anthropic.

In a nod to this, Apple has chosen to partner with OpenAI for queries that Apple Intelligence cannot handle. Federighi described it as the best choice for our users today, although it comes with restrictions for OpenAI. It cannot save user data and requests, for example, and accounts are not required to use the service. Those who choose to sign in with an OpenAI account, though, will have the ChatGPT creators data use policies applied.

This can be framed as evidence that Apple is behind the curve and has been pushed into a position of dependency on competitors. However, we would highlight that AI has yet to deliver any game-changing applications, and that no rival has yet offered an AI feature or device that poses a genuine threat to Apple, said Wood. Apple Intelligence should do enough to calm investors and show that the company is on a journey to offering more attractive AI applications and experiences, with progress set to continue in the coming years.

The ChatGPT integration may not be as crucial as it first seemed. It will only deal with wider queries that cannot be answered by Apples own AI, and it may soon be joined by other third-party arrangements.

Federighi said that although the company was starting with OpenAI, Apple was looking to integrate additional models to give its users options in the future.

Apples former director of marketing Dave Edwards described it as arms length.

In some ways, this is parallel to the way Apple has approached search, relying on Google as a partner, he said. At the same time, this feels incomplete as a solution and it will be interesting to see how this changes over time.

Time is certainly something that Apple is willing to give the new system. The features look set to be rolled out slowly, even to those devices that can run them. Apple is reported to be releasing some next year, perhaps in an effort to avoid the missteps of some of its rivals. But, regardless of the timescale, they are coming.

Seeking to take AI to the masses is a pivotal moment for Apple; providing developers with the tools that will create most sought-after features among users, said PP Foresights Pescatore. And this is just the beginning. The next wave of development will be mind-boggling as everyone seeks to outpace each other.

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Apple's plan to focus on the personal side of AI takes centre stage after years of development - The Irish Times

ZKX, the first Social Perp Trading DEX built on Starknet and Ethereum, has successfully raised a total of $7.6M to date. This includes a recent seed valuation round of $6.3 million, featuring investors such as Flowdesk, GCR, and DeWhales. Previous supporters include Hashkey, Amber Group, Crypto.com, and StarkWare.

The infusion of capital is set to accelerate the expansion of the ZKX Protocol. This will facilitate the introduction of new features such as social copy trade pools and the groundbreaking expansion into cross-chain interoperability, aligning with their vision of making perpetual swaps fun and accessible for all. The protocol is designed to make trading social with gamified trading battles of perpetual futures, leveraging its appchain to deliver unparalleled scalability and high-speed APIs.

This week, the protocol launched its native token, $ZKX, on KuCoin, Gate.io, and Bitget. The launch of this token empowers ZKX users and community members to shape the direction of the protocol alongside the team.

Eduard Jubany Tur, Founder at ZKX, said, Two years ago, we launched ZKX with the goal of making DeFi accessible and social. Today, we celebrate a major milestone with the launch of the $ZKX token. This token isnt just a digital asset; its a way to reward the incredible contributions from our community members, users, and partners. It will play a key role in governance, staking, and growth of the ZKX ecosystem. We deeply appreciate the support of our investors who believe in our vision. This milestone marks the beginning of a transformative year for ZKX and our users.

Additional Launch Initiatives

The launch of $ZKX is accompanied by the launch of staking and airdrop. Starting on June 19th, users can stake $ZKX to earn a share of the platforms revenue. The staking plans are designed to incentivize a stable and committed user base, crucial for the platforms growth and sustainability.

Airdrop is set to reward active community members and early adopters. With a total supply of 100 million tokens, 33% will be unlocked at launch.

ZKX aims to expand its presence across multiple L1 and L2 blockchain ecosystems in 2024. To learn more about ZKX, please visit https://zkx.fi/.

You can view the full announcement here: https://zkx.fi/blogs/the-zkx-token-launch

About ZKX

ZKX makes trading social with PVP battles and competitions for perpetual futures. Leveraging its appchain, ZKX delivers unparalleled scalability and high-speed APIs by combining the efficiency of centralized exchanges with the self-custody and trust of DeFi. ZKX is currently deployed on Ethereum and Starknet, and is leading the way where SocialFi meets DeFi.

Explore more at https://zkx.fi/.

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First Social Decentralized Perpetual Exchange Raises $7.6M in Total, Introduces Governance Token - Crypto Reporter

The rise of a new breed of decentralized and censorship-resistant Bitcoin (BTC) applications on Nostr marks a significant evolution in the Bitcoin apps space, according to blog.bitfinex.com. These platforms leverage Nostr's open, resilient protocol to integrate seamlessly with Bitcoin and Layer 2 solutions like the Lightning Network, enhancing privacy, security, and user autonomy.

A new wave of Bitcoin-centric Decentralized Applications (DApps) has emerged, utilizing the Nostr decentralized social media protocol to offer censorship-resistant and private services for the Bitcoin ecosystem. Platforms like Mostro, Joinstr, Munstr, Smart Vaults, and Civkit are at the forefront of this movement. These platforms integrate tightly with Bitcoin and its Layer 2 solutions such as the Lightning Network and more recently, E-cash over Cashu and Fedi. They aim to enhance privacy, security, and user autonomy in digital transactions, offering functionalities from peer-to-peer exchanges to sophisticated multi-signature vaults.

Mostro exemplifies this new breed of platforms by providing a peer-to-peer Lightning exchange built on top of Nostr. It allows users to buy and sell Bitcoin with enhanced privacy, using ephemeral keys and an escrow system that minimizes risk while ensuring transactions are secure and decentralized. Mostros integration with Nostr ensures that communications are resilient and verifiable, maintaining user anonymity and data integrity across the network.

Joinstr offers a decentralized CoinJoin implementation using Nostr, enhancing Bitcoin transaction privacy without relying on centralized coordinators. By facilitating CoinJoin transactions through Nostr, Joinstr ensures user privacy and simplifies the CoinJoin process. Its straightforward implementation, coupled with features like better UI/UX and the absence of fidelity bonds, makes it accessible and attractive to a broad range of users. Integration with tools like the Electrum wallet further enhances its usability.

Platforms like Munstr and Smart Vaults bring advanced multi-signature technology and secure Bitcoin management to the forefront. Munstr uses Nostr for secure and encrypted communication in multi-signature transactions, while Smart Vaults leverages Nostr to orchestrate signatures and manage Bitcoin custody collaboratively. These platforms aim to eliminate the friction in managing Bitcoin collectively, providing robust solutions for both individual users and institutional clients. Civkit, on the other hand, combines Nostr with the Lightning Network to create a decentralized, permissionless marketplace, promoting financial inclusion and reducing reliance on centralized intermediaries.

The emergence of private and decentralized censorship-resistant applications built on Nostr and Bitcoin aligns seamlessly with the core principles of the cypherpunk movement. Cypherpunks advocate for the use of cryptography and privacy-enhancing technologies to create a world where individuals can communicate and transact freely, without interference from centralized authorities. Bitcoin, as a decentralized digital currency, already embodies many of these ideals by enabling peer-to-peer transactions without the need for intermediaries. Building applications on Nostr, a protocol designed for censorship-resistant and decentralized social media, extends these principles to other areas of digital interaction, fostering a more open and resilient online ecosystem.

From an ideological standpoint, cypherpunks have long envisioned a future where privacy and freedom are preserved through the use of technology. The integration of Bitcoin with Nostr fulfills this vision by combining the financial sovereignty of Bitcoin with the communication resilience of Nostr. This synergy enables the creation of platforms that not only resist censorship but also protect user privacy, ensuring that individuals can engage in financial and social activities without fear of surveillance or restriction. The development of such applications is a testament to the cypherpunk commitment to building systems that empower individuals and protect their rights in the digital age.

The technological advancements that have made these decentralized platforms possible are relatively recent, highlighting the importance of timing in the realization of the cypherpunk vision. The maturation of Bitcoins ecosystem, with its security and widespread adoption, provides a strong foundation for financial transactions. Simultaneously, the development of Nostr as a flexible and resilient protocol for decentralized communication offers the necessary infrastructure for building censorship-resistant applications. The advent of these tools, along with advancements in cryptographic techniques and Layer 2 solutions like the Lightning Network, has created a perfect storm of opportunity for innovators to bring cypherpunk ideals to life.

The practical implications of these new platforms are profound. They offer an alternative to the centralized, sometimes opaque systems in traditional finance. By empowering users to control their own data, communications, and financial transactions, these applications foster a more democratic and equitable internet. This shift not only aligns with cypherpunk ideology but also addresses growing concerns about privacy, surveillance, and the monopolistic tendencies of major tech companies. As these decentralized platforms continue to evolve and gain traction, they represent a significant step towards realizing a more free and open digital world, as envisioned by the cypherpunk pioneers.

The emergence of Bitcoin applications on the Nostr protocol might represent only the beginning of a larger wave of DApps. Given Nostrs inherent resistance to censorship, coupled with Bitcoins security and financial autonomy, these initial projects demonstrate the protocols potential to revolutionize how decentralized platforms are built and operated. As the tools and infrastructure for developing on Nostr become more accessible and refined, it is likely that we will see an influx of diverse and innovative DApps leveraging the protocols strengths. This could lead to a flourishing ecosystem of decentralized, privacy-focused applications that challenge the dominance of centralized platforms, further promoting the ideals of financial sovereignty and personal freedom within the digital landscape.

Originally posted here:
Nostr Fuels the Growth of Decentralized Bitcoin (BTC) Apps - Blockchain News

HONG KONG - 20 June 2024 Zeek, a decentralized collaboration network for on-chain social bounty and reputation, has successfully completed a USD 3M seed funding round ahead of its official launch in July.

Investors include OKX Ventures (as part of its strategic investment in Everest Venture Groups consumer-oriented products, which includes Zeek), Animoca Brands, Mask Network, Arche Fund, Summer Ventures, Blockchain Coinvestors, Aspen Digital, CatcherVC, Panony, Spacebar, Hardbank, and super angels including Jason Kam of Folius Ventures, Ivan Li of Comma3 Ventures and Donny Chi of WeMade.

Backing the Zeek team resonates with our goal of supporting bold founders in building the future of the open internet, and it is definitely an exciting opportunity to participate in the nascent growth of something new in the SocialFi space. Our confidence in the team's vision and execution capabilities strengthens our commitment to helping their growth,

Thanh Le, the Founder of Ninety Eight

We see significant potential in consumer-oriented initiatives like Zeek that blend real use cases with gamified experiences in social and gaming contexts. Zeek's decentralized collaboration economy promotes organic collaboration through on-chain bounties. By monetizing the idle value of social networks and personal skills, it creates new opportunities for all participants. We are confident that this will make disruptive technologies accessible and enjoyable for mainstream audiences,

Suji Yan, the Founder & CEO of Mask Network

In the world of Web3, users are constantly encouraged to do their due diligence before trusting a person, platform, or any information they see, which is easier said than done. Zeek aims to solve this through its on-chain reputation construct, recognizing users who create value through social collaboration.

Powered by OpenSocial Protocol, Zeek is a social network that allows users to unlock the value of their intelligence, network, access, and time through on-chain social bounty mechanics and reputation called Wish and Rizz.

Social value is created as users create and participate in Wishes, which can be applied for different purposes, whether to seek out information and insight or expand your network and connections. Users will then be able to gain Rizz through contributions and engagements in the network, which will naturally construct a social reputation layer for everyone and act as an on-chain recognition of the social value the user creates.

Rizz is an embodiment of karma whereby the more you give, the more you should be given in forms of economic incentive and measurable influence. Zeek's product and token are designed to foster such collaboration and construction of on-chain reputation.

With Zeek, users will be able to check the reliability of a person based on the reputation they have built, creating a whole new way to enforce trust in the Web3 world.

The future of SocialFi is to create new social economies through the financialization of existing social behaviors and hence, we have built Zeek as we believe the endgame of SocialFi is the reputation layer, which bridges the gap between social influence and on-chain identities,

Angus Ko, CEO of Zeek

Zeek is anticipated to officially launch in July, with its Private Beta running from the present until the launch date. Currently, users are able to pre-register via their X and Discord accounts here. Additionally, Zeeks Tier-0 Genesis NFT collection, limited to 250, will be dropped later this month.

Zeek is a decentralized collaboration economy incentivizing reputation, and powered by innovative social bounty mechanics called Wishes. Individual behaviors and engagements contribute to the construction of a reputation layer called Rizz, which can be monetized and utilized to gauge credibility, reliability, and influence.

This publication is provided by the client. Cointelegraph does not endorse and is not responsible for or liable for any content, accuracy, quality, advertising, products, or other materials on this page. Readers should do their own research before taking any actions related to the company. Cointelegraph is not responsible, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with the use of or reliance on any content, goods, or services mentioned in the press release.

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Zeek, a new decentralized social collaboration network, raises $3M seed funding to reinvent social reputation in Web3 - Cointelegraph