INBOXIFY ORIGINAL's [23/June/2023]

"Welcome, Friday! Get ready to dive into our newsletter filled with the latest updates, inspiring stories, and captivating content to kickstart your weekend with a dose of knowledge and positivity. Let's make this Friday one to remember!"

WORLD

Tour de headlines

Search widens, time narrows for missing Titanic sub. If the Titan, the submersible that went missing Sunday with five people on board as it journeyed toward the wreckage of the Titanic, is not found by around 6am today, there is little hope of there being survivors due to a lack of oxygen. However, as of yesterday, the Coast Guard said it was still a search-and-rescue mission, and more ships were sent out to search an area twice the size of Connecticut.

Alito is the latest SCOTUS justice accused of ethical missteps. ProPublica reported that Justice Samuel Alito ran afoul of financial disclosure laws by failing to report accepting a seat on a private plane to a luxury Alaska fishing trip from hedge-fund billionaire and Republican donor Paul Singer. It noted that Singer subsequently had cases before the high court, including one his firm won concerning billions of dollars in debt repayments from Argentina. Alito took the unusual step of defending himself in a Wall Street Journal op-ed published first, saying he had “no obligation” to recuse himself and wasn’t even aware Singer was involved in the case.

Bad US accounting is good for Ukraine. After discovering a major error in its accounting, the Pentagon realized it could send another $6.2 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine—without having to ask Congress for more aid cash. The oopsie that the Pentagon described to the Washington Post as “valuation errors” first came to light last month, but then it was considered only $3 billion because the Pentagon got the math wrong…again. The news comes as Ukraine needs to gear up for its counteroffensive to win back territory seized by Russia since the invasion.

TECH

FTC claims Amazon duped users into getting Prime

Raise your hand if you have ever been personally victimized by Amazon Prime’s user design.

The FTC certainly thinks you have. Yesterday, the agency filed a lawsuit alleging that Amazon violated consumer protection laws by manipulating millions of customers into signing up—and staying signed up—for its $139-a-year Prime service. The lawsuit claims Amazon did this by:

• Making it harder for customers to buy products without a Prime membership.

• Utilizing “dark patterns,” a design tactic that subtly convinces users to perform a specific action, to get people to enroll in Prime without their consent.

• Designing a cancellation process that took six clicks, which was referred to internally as the “Iliad Flow,” a reference to Homer’s doorstop epic poem.

The lawsuit accused Amazon leadership of being complicit in the company “tricking and trapping” customers, saying that they “slowed or rejected changes that would’ve made it easier for users to cancel Prime because those changes adversely affected Amazon’s bottom line.”

It’s not just Amazon: The FTC proposed rule changes in March that would require companies to make canceling a subscription as easy as signing up for one. So, the days of spending an hour on the phone to cancel that subscription you signed up for impulsively may soon be over.

GAME

Batman: Arkham Trilogy Is Coming to Nintendo Switch

Rocksteady's Batman trilogy is coming to Nintendo Switch as the Batman Arkham Trilogy this fall.

Revealed at today's Nintendo Direct, the trilogy includes Batman: Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, Arkham Knight, and all DLC for the three games. The trailer showed a montage of footage from across the trilogy, featuring foes like Joker, Two Face, Catwoman, and more.

This marks the first time Rocksteady's Arkham games are appearing on Nintendo Switch, but not the first time on Nintendo platforms, as Arkham City had a special release on Wii U. If you're unfamiliar with these three games, Arkham Asylum is the smallest-scale game, taking place entirely in the titular asylum. Arkham City expands things to across Gotham City, while Arkham Knight introduces the Batmobile as a central gameplay mechanic.

AROUND THE WEB

TodAI in AI: ChatGPT-maker OpenAI reportedly plans to launch a marketplace where developers can sell AI models built with its tech.

Update: With USDA approval, Upside Foods and Eat Just-owned Good Meat are now cleared to sell lab-grown meat in the US.

Amazon announced its upcoming Prime Day event — July 11-12 — will feature invite-only deals for Prime members. In 2022, the annual sale raked in $11.9B.

Meanwhile, the FTC is suing Amazon, alleging it tricked customers into recurring, hard-to-cancel Prime subscriptions, and Sen. Bernie Sanders lanched an investigation into its warehouse safety conditions.

Nintendo announced several upcoming games during its Nintendo Direct event yesterday, including “Detective Pikachu Returns,” “Pikmin 4,” and a whole lot of Mario.

1. Explore a New Hiking Trail: Take advantage of the weekend by venturing into nature. Discover a new hiking trail, immerse yourself in scenic views, and enjoy some fresh air and exercise.

2. Try a New Recipe: Unleash your inner chef and experiment with a new recipe. Whether it's a mouthwatering dessert, a savory dish, or a refreshing cocktail, indulge in a culinary adventure right in your own kitchen.

3. Host a Game Night: Gather your friends or family for a fun-filled game night. Break out classic board games, card games, or even try some virtual multiplayer games for a memorable evening of laughter and friendly competition.

4. Visit a Local Farmer's Market: Support local vendors and embrace the vibrant atmosphere of a farmer's market. Discover fresh produce, artisanal goods, and unique crafts while enjoying the community spirit.

5. Have a Movie Marathon: Create your own cozy movie theater at home and indulge in a movie marathon. Choose a theme, gather your favorite snacks, and enjoy a relaxing day of cinematic entertainment from the comfort of your couch.

Remember, the weekend is all about rejuvenation and enjoyment, so pick activities that bring you joy and create lasting memories.