Hi Everyone. This is Take Off. We're like a hidden Easter egg in your favorite video game - surprising, delightful, and adding an extra layer of fun to your tech news consumption.

Here's what we're serving up today:

• The Great “Domain” Migration 🌐

• Twitter’s New Plans 🐦

• Asteroids ☄️

• ToolBox Tuesdays ⚒️

The Great “Domain” Migration 🌐

It's time for another episode of "Google's Great Techyard Sale". This time, Google is sticking the proverbial price tag on its Domains business and handing it over to Squarespace.

You read that right – Google's checking out of the domain registrar game and Squarespace is stepping up to the plate, ready to take care of 10 million virtual properties that Google previously babysat.

• Google Domains was launched in 2014 and was oddly in beta version up-until 2022.

• However, just 14 months after rolling out to 26 countries and launching out of beta, the product is being sold off to Squarespace.

Big G says it's time to "sharpen its focus". So, for all of you currently with a Google-bought domain, brace yourselves for a change of scenery.

• This newly minted love affair is scheduled for at least three steamy years of handling domains and sorting out bills.

• Squarespace has gracefully announced a one-year price lock for all current Google Domains customers.

But, let's keep it real. If you're using Google just to keep your domain name and hosting your site elsewhere, Squarespace might not seem like your knight in shining armor.

This $180 million deal sat pretty well with the wolves though as they cheered on the stock (NYSE:SQSP).

Google Domains won’t be joining the tech graveyard (killedbygoogle) just yet, but it’s definitely packing its bags.

Twitter’s New Plans 🐦

Well, well, well, what have we here? A Twitter in transition?

It's no surprise that the little birdie we all love to tweet with is getting a makeover, courtesy of Elon Musk and new CEO Linda Yaccarino.

So, what's cookin', you ask? Well, it seems like there were 3 major trends that were highlighted at a private investors meeting last week.

1/ Going Big on Video

Well, TikTok will be damned! It seems like after Instagram Reels and Youtube Shorts, Twitter is going to have their copycat…errr…their own version of video on the platform.

Vertical video content is in vogue, making up for more than 10% of the time spent on Twitter.

You've got Tucker Carlson launching a show on the platform and the possibility of selling ads and sponsorships along videos.

2/ Send and Receive Money

The birdie wants to be a 'super app', like China's WeChat, not just a place to tweet your breakfast pics or complain about that latest TV show twist.

Even the company's name's changed to X Corp, to reflect Musk's super app vision. The company has also reportedly applied for money transmitter licenses in all 50 US States.

3/ Advertising is getting back baby!

Advertising bigwigs, who had earlier asked clients to halt ad spending, have reversed their decision. Some pretty big brands like Warner Bros and McDonald's are back!

Post-Musk takeover, Twitter went through a bit of a teen angst phase, you know, thousands of layoffs, advertising exodus, content moderation issues.

You know, the usual.

But the tides seem to be turning now.

Word around the water cooler is that Musk and Yaccarino are on good terms. With their powers combined, they're hoping to chart a course towards calmer, more prosperous waters.

☄️ Asteroids ☄️

Hackers threaten to leak 80GB of confidential data stolen from Reddit. BlackCat hackers are threatening to leak stolen Reddit data unless the company reverses its API price hike and pays $4.5 million.🕵️💻

SSDs are becoming the new standard for PC gaming, with Bethesda's Starfield requiring 125GB SSD and Cyberpunk 2077 phasing out HDD support.

Meta is lowering the age limit for its VR headsets to 10. With parental approval and controls, pre-teens can explore the virtual world. Just remember, balance and safety are key. 🎮🌐

⚒️ Toolbox Tuesdays ⚒️

Foundr AI 2.0 - Free ChatGPT prompts library

GPT-Trainer - No code, AI chatbot builder

Lit Codes - ChatGPT with access to the internet

Puzzicle - Turn video lessons into interactive social games in seconds

Cohesive - Create magical content with the most powerful AI editor

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