Apple Intelligence has launched in public beta

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September 20, 2024

Apple Intelligence has launched in public beta. This rollout began for those enrolled in Apple’s public beta program as of September 19, 2024 and here’s what you need to know:

Apple Intelligence is available for devices equipped with A17/8 chips (like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max) and those with M1 and later chips in iPads and Macs. This includes the iPhone 16 series and compatible models from the iPhone 15 series.

The beta includes AI-driven features like writing tools, suggested replies in Messages and Mail, prioritization of notifications, custom emoji generation, phone call recording and transcription, and advanced photo editing capabilities like object removal.

Apple emphasizes privacy with on-device processing and a private cloud compute model, ensuring data privacy while utilizing server-based resources for more complex tasks.

There’s a system-wide integration with ChatGPT, enhancing Siri’s capabilities with more complex query handling.

Initially introduced with iOS 18.1, features will continue to roll out through updates like iOS 18.2 and beyond, with the full suite of features expected by mid-2025.

If you’re interested in activating some or all of the new features mentioned here, you’ll need to join the wait-list through the Settings app to activate Apple Intelligence features, indicating a phased approach to feature availability.

This beta launch signifies Apple’s entry into more advanced Apple Intelligence functionalities directly within its ecosystem, focusing on privacy, utility, and integration with existing services like Siri, while also leveraging external AI like ChatGPT for enhanced capabilities.

Montana’s housing market listed as least affordable in entire US

By

Alan

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September 19, 2024

Montana’s housing market listed as least affordable in entire US — Recent reports and analyses have painted a stark picture of housing affordability in Montana as of 2024.

The National Association of Realtors came out with a report that listed Montana as the least affordable state in the entire country, based on its Affordability Distribution Curve.

See below:

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Housing Affordability Index:

Metrics like these used by various economic analyses and housing market overviews suggest that Montana’s housing market has become increasingly unaffordable. This isn’t just a local concern but positions Montana as having one of the least affordable housing markets in the U.S..

When you look at income requirements, affording a typical home in Montana, which might not even be a standalone house but could include town-homes or similar, a household now needs to earn significantly over what was required just a few years ago. Income needed to buy a home in Montana has seen one of the sharpest increases nationwide, with figures suggesting an annual income well over $100,000 might be necessary for a median-priced home.

Market Dynamics:

The surge in housing prices can be attributed to several factors including an influx of out-of-state buyers, retirees, and remote workers seeking Montana’s lifestyle and natural beauty. This has driven demand, pushing prices up beyond the reach of many long-term residents or new entrants into the housing market who aren’t from higher-income brackets.

Policy and Market Responses:

There’s recognition of the issue at the state level, with legislative efforts to address affordability through funding mechanisms, zoning changes, and investment in affordable housing projects. However, the implementation and impact of these policies might take time to reflect in the market, and there’s debate over whether these measures address the root causes or merely the symptoms.

Public sentiment is pessimistic at best. There’s a clear frustration and concern among Montana residents about housing becoming a luxury rather than a basic need. Discussions range from the impact on community makeup, where only the wealthy or those with significant external income can afford to buy or rent, to the broader socio-economic effects this trend might have on Montana’s future.

While the overall trend is towards decreasing affordability, there are nuances. Certain areas or types of housing might still offer relative affordability, especially away from major urban centers or desirable tourist spots. However, the general trajectory, unless significantly altered by policy or market correction, suggests continued pressure on affordability.

The scenario here in Montana reflects broader national trends of housing becoming less affordable due to a combination of low supply, high demand, and economic factors like interest rates. Yet, our case here in the state is exacerbated by our unique appeal, leading to what some might call a real estate boom that’s outpacing income growth for many of our residents and thus resulting in Montana’s housing market listed as least affordable in entire US.

Pepsi tasted better in glass bottles

By

Alan

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September 18, 2024

Pepsi tasted better in glass bottles — Some people might consider the taste of Pepsi from a glass bottle as a *perception, but the science might say otherwise. Pepsi and other delightfully fizzy soft drinks actually did taste better.

Taste is much more than just a perception and here’s why:

Glass is inert, meaning it doesn’t react chemically with the contents. This ensures that the taste of Pepsi isn’t altered by the container material, unlike plastic bottles or aluminum cans which can slightly affect the flavor due to trace interactions or the leaching of material compounds into the drink.

Glass bottles are less permeable to gases compared to plastic. This means carbon dioxide, which is responsible for the soda’s fizz, stays in the soda longer, preserving the sensation and flavor associated with freshly opened Pepsi. Over time, plastic bottles allow CO2 to escape, potentially making the soda taste flatter sooner.

Although not directly affecting taste, glass can keep beverages colder for longer if chilled beforehand, and temperature can influence how we perceive taste. A colder Pepsi might taste crisper and more refreshing.

There’s a nostalgic element to drinking from glass bottles, which might enhance the perceived taste experience. The ritual associated with glass bottles, like the sound of opening a bottle or the feel of glass, can psychologically impact how one tastes and enjoys the beverage.

Plastic bottles and cans can sometimes impart a very subtle taste to the beverage. Plastic can transfer acetaldehyde, which might alter the soda’s flavor slightly, and cans have a polymer lining that some claim can absorb or alter flavors. Glass doesn’t have these issues.

Glass bottles are often associated with a time when sodas might have been consumed more promptly after purchase, reducing the time for any potential degradation in taste. Also, the storage conditions for glass bottled sodas in the past might have been different, potentially in cooler, darker places which preserve taste better.

Over all it’s pretty clear that while the formula of Pepsi might not have changed, the container it comes in significantly impacts the drinking experience.
Today’s insights are based on consumer perception and nostalgia as much as they are on the physical properties of glass versus other materials.

The preference for glass might also reflect a broader appreciation for how beverages were consumed in the past, with possibly different recipes or natural ingredients like real sugar, which some argue also tasted better than today’s high fructose corn syrup or artificial sweeteners.

When you look at the science, Pepsi tasted better in glass bottles.

Beef Quesadillas Casserole

By

Alan

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September 18, 2024

Beef Quesadillas Casserole — Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for a Beef Quesadilla Casserole that you can try at home:

Ingredients:

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet taco seasoning or your own blend (cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper)
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained or 1 1/2 cups of frozen corn
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), undrained
1/2 cup beef broth or water
6 large flour tortillas
3 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend or cheddar cheese
Olive oil or cooking spray
Optional toppings: sour cream, guacamole, salsa, chopped cilantro, green onions, or jalapeños

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it’s no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
Add the chopped onion and garlic to the beef, and sauté until the onions are translucent.
Stir in the taco seasoning, then add the black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with chilies. Mix well. Pour in the beef broth or water to help combine all the flavors. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Layer the Casserole:

Place 2 tortillas at the bottom of the baking dish, cutting them if necessary to fit.
Spread 1/3 of the beef mixture over the tortillas.
Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese over the beef.
Repeat these layers two more times, ending with cheese on top.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
Let the casserole sit for about 5-10 minutes before cutting. This helps it set. Serve with your choice of toppings like sour cream, guacamole, salsa, or fresh cilantro.

Tips:

Feel free to add in other ingredients like sliced olives, bell peppers, or jalapeños in the layers for more flavor or heat.
You can mix cheeses like cheddar with Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for different flavor profiles.
You can assemble this Beef Quesadillas Casserole a day ahead of time and keep it refrigerated. Just increase the covered baking time if you’re putting it in the oven cold.

Country Roads Melodies – A Cowboy’s Serenade

By

Alan

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September 17, 2024

Country Roads Melodies is your home for heartfelt country music, cowboy ballads, and songs that celebrate the simple joys and profound truths of life.

Here is just one of the many tunes you’ll enjoy on the Country Roads Melodies youtube channel:

You Are My One True Love | Love in the Heartland: A Cowboy’s Serenade

Join Country Roads Melodies on a musical journey through the heartlands, where every note resonates with the spirit of adventure and the warmth of home.

Subscribe and become part of a community where the roads are always calling and the music never ends.

https://www.youtube.com/@countryroadmelodies

Lyrics:

I wake up every morning, the sun just peeking through,
Beside me lies an angel, so soft and pure, it’s true,
Her hair shines like the sunrise, her smile lights up my day,
In this cowboy’s heart, she’s the queen to whom I pray.

We built our dreams on open land, with skies so big and bright,
Through rain and thunder, hand in hand, we faced each darkest night,
With every step and every tear, our love just grew so strong,
In this ol’ cowboy’s simple life, it’s her where I belong.

She’s my one true love, the only star I see,
In this lonesome world, she’s the light that sets me free,
I could roam this earth forever, but where I’d rather be,
Is here with my true love, right where she’s loving me.

We dance beneath the moonlight, the stars as our stage,
Her laughter’s like a melody, it’s sweeter with each age,
In every field we wander, her presence feels so right,
This cowboy’s love will never fade, it grows with every night.

We built a life from scratch and bone, from cattle to the corn,
In every sunrise, every dawn, our love forever sworn,
Through every trial, every storm, we’re side by side and true,
This cowboy’s heart, it’s hers alone, there’s nothing we can’t do.

She’s my one true love, the only star I see,
In this lonesome world, she’s the light that sets me free,
I could roam this earth forever, but where I’d rather be,
Is here with my true love, right where she’s loving me.

Looks like these Country Roads Melodies are here to stay.

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