@emilyforlini.bsky.social
Senior Tech Reporter at PCMag || Used to work in Big Tech, now trying to help us make sense of it
https://www.pcmag.com/authors/emily-dreibelbis-forlini
https://www.pcmag.com/authors/emily-dreibelbis-forlini
“Walking through the airport with another dog feels like cheating, as weird as that sounds.”
These days, when Calandra leaves for work in the morning, Iris looks at him longingly from their couch. “You can’t come anymore,” he tells her with a pang in his heart.
www.pcmag.com/articles/fbi...
These days, when Calandra leaves for work in the morning, Iris looks at him longingly from their couch. “You can’t come anymore,” he tells her with a pang in his heart.
www.pcmag.com/articles/fbi...
The FBI’s Secret Weapon Has a Nose for Circuit Boards and a Weakness for Kibble
Meet Iris, the now-retired Labrador who sniffed out hidden laptops, thumb drives, and other technological evidence, helping launch a whole new kind of digital forensics.
www.pcmag.com
February 19, 2026 at 5:32 PM
“Walking through the airport with another dog feels like cheating, as weird as that sounds.”
These days, when Calandra leaves for work in the morning, Iris looks at him longingly from their couch. “You can’t come anymore,” he tells her with a pang in his heart.
www.pcmag.com/articles/fbi...
These days, when Calandra leaves for work in the morning, Iris looks at him longingly from their couch. “You can’t come anymore,” he tells her with a pang in his heart.
www.pcmag.com/articles/fbi...
My latest cover story has all the ingredients for a great read:
- A dog who is the first FBI special agent of her kind
- In depth crime scenes
- Incredible science
- Tears
- Laughs
- 2 puppy photos
Sold? Check it out!!
www.pcmag.com/articles/fbi... @markyarm.bsky.social
- A dog who is the first FBI special agent of her kind
- In depth crime scenes
- Incredible science
- Tears
- Laughs
- 2 puppy photos
Sold? Check it out!!
www.pcmag.com/articles/fbi... @markyarm.bsky.social
The FBI’s Secret Weapon Has a Nose for Circuit Boards and a Weakness for Kibble
Meet Iris, the now-retired Labrador who sniffed out hidden laptops, thumb drives, and other technological evidence, helping launch a whole new kind of digital forensics.
www.pcmag.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:54 PM
My latest cover story has all the ingredients for a great read:
- A dog who is the first FBI special agent of her kind
- In depth crime scenes
- Incredible science
- Tears
- Laughs
- 2 puppy photos
Sold? Check it out!!
www.pcmag.com/articles/fbi... @markyarm.bsky.social
- A dog who is the first FBI special agent of her kind
- In depth crime scenes
- Incredible science
- Tears
- Laughs
- 2 puppy photos
Sold? Check it out!!
www.pcmag.com/articles/fbi... @markyarm.bsky.social
Reposted
@emilyforlini.bsky.social meets Iris, the FBI's first-ever tech-sniffing dog (now sadly retired).🐕
The FBI’s Secret Weapon Has a Nose for Circuit Boards and a Weakness for Kibble
Meet Iris, the now-retired Labrador who sniffed out hidden laptops, thumb drives, and other technological evidence, helping launch a whole new kind of digital forensics.
www.pcmag.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:13 PM
@emilyforlini.bsky.social meets Iris, the FBI's first-ever tech-sniffing dog (now sadly retired).🐕
This is a good time for an overdue PSA.
AI will always make up quotes, even if you think it’s just picking out real ones from a primary source.
It’s compulsively “creative,” and that has been a problem for years in my testing.
Everyone should be aware of this, especially this AI reporter.
AI will always make up quotes, even if you think it’s just picking out real ones from a primary source.
It’s compulsively “creative,” and that has been a problem for years in my testing.
Everyone should be aware of this, especially this AI reporter.
Sorry all this is my fault; and speculation has grown worse because I have been sick in bed with a high fever and unable to reliably address it (still am sick)
I was told by management not to comment until they did. Here is my statement in images below
arstechnica.com/staff/2026/0...
I was told by management not to comment until they did. Here is my statement in images below
arstechnica.com/staff/2026/0...
February 17, 2026 at 4:42 PM
This is a good time for an overdue PSA.
AI will always make up quotes, even if you think it’s just picking out real ones from a primary source.
It’s compulsively “creative,” and that has been a problem for years in my testing.
Everyone should be aware of this, especially this AI reporter.
AI will always make up quotes, even if you think it’s just picking out real ones from a primary source.
It’s compulsively “creative,” and that has been a problem for years in my testing.
Everyone should be aware of this, especially this AI reporter.
Yikes this ChatGPT ad is huge!! First one I’ve seen. How has Sam Altman spent the last year talking about how they would blend in and then this is the final product?
February 15, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Yikes this ChatGPT ad is huge!! First one I’ve seen. How has Sam Altman spent the last year talking about how they would blend in and then this is the final product?
There's a new AI feature over on Threads called Dear Algo.
(We are apparently talking to algorithms now.)
When you write that in a post, it customizes your feed for 3 days with what you requested.
Is it Meta's answer to everyone tagging @grok on X?
Though a different (and new) concept.
(We are apparently talking to algorithms now.)
When you write that in a post, it customizes your feed for 3 days with what you requested.
Is it Meta's answer to everyone tagging @grok on X?
Though a different (and new) concept.
February 12, 2026 at 10:20 PM
There's a new AI feature over on Threads called Dear Algo.
(We are apparently talking to algorithms now.)
When you write that in a post, it customizes your feed for 3 days with what you requested.
Is it Meta's answer to everyone tagging @grok on X?
Though a different (and new) concept.
(We are apparently talking to algorithms now.)
When you write that in a post, it customizes your feed for 3 days with what you requested.
Is it Meta's answer to everyone tagging @grok on X?
Though a different (and new) concept.
Trump's DOT changes tune on the federally funded EV chargers it initially sought to fully block.
They now have have 100% American parts, up from 55%.
Duffy also claims he's trying to make "it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure."
www.transportation.gov/briefing-roo...
They now have have 100% American parts, up from 55%.
Duffy also claims he's trying to make "it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure."
www.transportation.gov/briefing-roo...
www.transportation.gov
February 11, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Trump's DOT changes tune on the federally funded EV chargers it initially sought to fully block.
They now have have 100% American parts, up from 55%.
Duffy also claims he's trying to make "it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure."
www.transportation.gov/briefing-roo...
They now have have 100% American parts, up from 55%.
Duffy also claims he's trying to make "it easier for states to efficiently build out this infrastructure."
www.transportation.gov/briefing-roo...
OpenAI introduces contact syncing in ChatGPT to help you find friends.
It's potentially a major first step toward turning the chatbot into a more social media-like platform.
X= Musk's megaphone
Truth Social = Trump
ChatGPT = Altman?
www.pcmag.com/news/watch-o...
It's potentially a major first step toward turning the chatbot into a more social media-like platform.
X= Musk's megaphone
Truth Social = Trump
ChatGPT = Altman?
www.pcmag.com/news/watch-o...
Watch Out: Your Friends Might Be Sharing Your Number With ChatGPT
You can now sync your contacts and 'find friends' on OpenAI. Is this the first major step toward the company becoming a social media app?
www.pcmag.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:57 PM
OpenAI introduces contact syncing in ChatGPT to help you find friends.
It's potentially a major first step toward turning the chatbot into a more social media-like platform.
X= Musk's megaphone
Truth Social = Trump
ChatGPT = Altman?
www.pcmag.com/news/watch-o...
It's potentially a major first step toward turning the chatbot into a more social media-like platform.
X= Musk's megaphone
Truth Social = Trump
ChatGPT = Altman?
www.pcmag.com/news/watch-o...
Anyone see that AI.com ad during the Super Bowl last night?
Here's what it is, and why I instantly regretted creating an account.
www.pcmag.com/news/i-signe...
Here's what it is, and why I instantly regretted creating an account.
www.pcmag.com/news/i-signe...
I Signed Up for AI.com. Then I Read Its Alarming Privacy Policy
The site will eventually create personal AI agents for you. But for now, it requires you to hand over a credit card and takes no responsibility for anything your agents do, even if they commit crimes.
www.pcmag.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Anyone see that AI.com ad during the Super Bowl last night?
Here's what it is, and why I instantly regretted creating an account.
www.pcmag.com/news/i-signe...
Here's what it is, and why I instantly regretted creating an account.
www.pcmag.com/news/i-signe...
I love that all the energy nerds on my feed are excited about Bad Bunny featuring the power grid in this halftime show
February 9, 2026 at 4:20 PM
I love that all the energy nerds on my feed are excited about Bad Bunny featuring the power grid in this halftime show
What's the point of having a podcast if you can't rant about your nemesis? On this week's episode, we dig into why Tammy is lame, AI commodification, the critical thinking epidemic, Anthropic's Super Bowl spot, and more.
@mikeelgan.bsky.social
www.superintelligentpodcast.com/p/dont-be-a-...
@mikeelgan.bsky.social
www.superintelligentpodcast.com/p/dont-be-a-...
Don’t Be a Tammy (Updated)
Episode #34
www.superintelligentpodcast.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:16 PM
What's the point of having a podcast if you can't rant about your nemesis? On this week's episode, we dig into why Tammy is lame, AI commodification, the critical thinking epidemic, Anthropic's Super Bowl spot, and more.
@mikeelgan.bsky.social
www.superintelligentpodcast.com/p/dont-be-a-...
@mikeelgan.bsky.social
www.superintelligentpodcast.com/p/dont-be-a-...
Remembering the first long-form feature I published about a local record pressing plant, partially owned by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy (who actually gave this lowly grad student a quote for the piece!)
www.chicagomag.com/arts-culture...
www.chicagomag.com/arts-culture...
Record Plant Smashed Plastic Is Keeping It Local
Known for pressing vinyl for Chicago artists, the shop’s new partnership with Jeff Tweedy will help keep the records spinning.
www.chicagomag.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Remembering the first long-form feature I published about a local record pressing plant, partially owned by Wilco's Jeff Tweedy (who actually gave this lowly grad student a quote for the piece!)
www.chicagomag.com/arts-culture...
www.chicagomag.com/arts-culture...
Reposted
Some personal news. For real. After 12 years at @wsj.com I’m leaving.
I’m starting my own consumer tech media company, building a new home with the same mission I've always had: help real people navigate the tech changing their lives + have fun while doing it.
Sign up! www.thisismynexthing.com
I’m starting my own consumer tech media company, building a new home with the same mission I've always had: help real people navigate the tech changing their lives + have fun while doing it.
Sign up! www.thisismynexthing.com
Home | This Is My Next Thing
Joanna Stern
www.thisismynexthing.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Some personal news. For real. After 12 years at @wsj.com I’m leaving.
I’m starting my own consumer tech media company, building a new home with the same mission I've always had: help real people navigate the tech changing their lives + have fun while doing it.
Sign up! www.thisismynexthing.com
I’m starting my own consumer tech media company, building a new home with the same mission I've always had: help real people navigate the tech changing their lives + have fun while doing it.
Sign up! www.thisismynexthing.com
I just received a check for $8.02 for an Apple data breach.
Is that really considered compensation for my data being leaked? I'm glad they hold companies accountable to any degree, but who is calculating these amounts?
Is that really considered compensation for my data being leaked? I'm glad they hold companies accountable to any degree, but who is calculating these amounts?
February 6, 2026 at 3:53 PM
I just received a check for $8.02 for an Apple data breach.
Is that really considered compensation for my data being leaked? I'm glad they hold companies accountable to any degree, but who is calculating these amounts?
Is that really considered compensation for my data being leaked? I'm glad they hold companies accountable to any degree, but who is calculating these amounts?
"Things escalated with the creation of RentAHuman, a website where OpenClaw bots can hire one of us meatbags to complete tasks for them that require a physical body.
The posted jobs include picking up a UPS package, trying spaghetti, and joining Discord."
www.pcmag.com/news/no-huma...
The posted jobs include picking up a UPS package, trying spaghetti, and joining Discord."
www.pcmag.com/news/no-huma...
No Humans Allowed: AIs Get Their Own Religion, Social Media, and Hired Help
In this week's AI news wrap-up, I dig into how the viral agentic platform OpenClaw rattled me, why Sam Altman is on edge, and a new path to inner peace.
www.pcmag.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:01 PM
"Things escalated with the creation of RentAHuman, a website where OpenClaw bots can hire one of us meatbags to complete tasks for them that require a physical body.
The posted jobs include picking up a UPS package, trying spaghetti, and joining Discord."
www.pcmag.com/news/no-huma...
The posted jobs include picking up a UPS package, trying spaghetti, and joining Discord."
www.pcmag.com/news/no-huma...
My weekly AI wrap-up is here! It’s been a weird one—for me, Sam Altman, the stock market, the crypto bros, and so many other humans.
The bots tho? Thriving.
www.pcmag.com/news/no-huma...
The bots tho? Thriving.
www.pcmag.com/news/no-huma...
No Humans Allowed: AIs Get Their Own Religion, Social Media, and Hired Help
In this week's AI news wrap-up, I dig into how the viral agentic platform OpenClaw rattled me, why Sam Altman is on edge, and a new path to inner peace.
www.pcmag.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:26 PM
My weekly AI wrap-up is here! It’s been a weird one—for me, Sam Altman, the stock market, the crypto bros, and so many other humans.
The bots tho? Thriving.
www.pcmag.com/news/no-huma...
The bots tho? Thriving.
www.pcmag.com/news/no-huma...
Cat’s got a new hat
February 5, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Cat’s got a new hat
“To acquire knowledge, one must study, but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”
- Marilyn vos Savant
(American magazine columnist with the highest recorded IQ in the Guinness Book of Records)
- Marilyn vos Savant
(American magazine columnist with the highest recorded IQ in the Guinness Book of Records)
February 5, 2026 at 1:51 AM
“To acquire knowledge, one must study, but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.”
- Marilyn vos Savant
(American magazine columnist with the highest recorded IQ in the Guinness Book of Records)
- Marilyn vos Savant
(American magazine columnist with the highest recorded IQ in the Guinness Book of Records)
"It's another subtle admission from Apple that its homegrown AI tools are not on par with the rest of the industry, following its decision last month to use Google Gemini to power its future AI strategy—not its own models."
At least they're getting honest about it?
www.pcmag.com/news/you-can...
At least they're getting honest about it?
www.pcmag.com/news/you-can...
You Can Now Vibe Code Apple Apps With Claude, OpenAI's Codex
With Xcode 26.3, Apple adds support for two of the most popular agentic AI coding tools after failing to release the homegrown version it initially advertised.
www.pcmag.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
"It's another subtle admission from Apple that its homegrown AI tools are not on par with the rest of the industry, following its decision last month to use Google Gemini to power its future AI strategy—not its own models."
At least they're getting honest about it?
www.pcmag.com/news/you-can...
At least they're getting honest about it?
www.pcmag.com/news/you-can...
Reposted
Journalism jobs! We currently have four (4) open positions at @pcmag.com:
• Senior Writer, Software
• Senior Writer, Mobile
• Writer, Mobile
• Editor, Shopping & Deals
Listings here: www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs I'm not involved in the hiring process, but feel free to DM me with any questions.
• Senior Writer, Software
• Senior Writer, Mobile
• Writer, Mobile
• Editor, Shopping & Deals
Listings here: www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs I'm not involved in the hiring process, but feel free to DM me with any questions.
February 4, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Journalism jobs! We currently have four (4) open positions at @pcmag.com:
• Senior Writer, Software
• Senior Writer, Mobile
• Writer, Mobile
• Editor, Shopping & Deals
Listings here: www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs I'm not involved in the hiring process, but feel free to DM me with any questions.
• Senior Writer, Software
• Senior Writer, Mobile
• Writer, Mobile
• Editor, Shopping & Deals
Listings here: www.ziffdavis.com/careers/jobs I'm not involved in the hiring process, but feel free to DM me with any questions.
@stevenrodas.bsky.social love this! The headline and reporting totally speak to me.
www.nj.com/weather/2026...
www.nj.com/weather/2026...
Why is it so (bleeping) cold in N.J. right now? Here’s when it could get warmer.
Climate change? Bad luck? We were due? Freezing New Jerseyans need answers.
www.nj.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:18 AM
@stevenrodas.bsky.social love this! The headline and reporting totally speak to me.
www.nj.com/weather/2026...
www.nj.com/weather/2026...