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Laid-off workers should use AI to manage their emotions, says Xbox exec

Laid-off workers should use AI to manage their emotions, says Xbox exec

The sweeping layoffs announced by Microsoft this week have been especially hard on its gaming studios, but one Xbox executive has a solution to “help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss”: seek advice from AI chatbots.

In a now-deleted LinkedIn post captured by Aftermath, Xbox Game Studios’ Matt Turnbull said that he would be “remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances.” The circumstances here being a slew of game cancellations, services being shuttered, studio closures, and job cuts across key Xbox divisions as Microsoft lays off as many as 9,100 employees across the company. 

Turnbull acknowledged that people have some “strong feelings” about AI tools like ChatGPT and Copilot, but suggested that anybody who’s feeling “overwhelmed” could use them to get advice about creating resumes, career planning, and applying for new roles.

“These are really challenging times, and if you’re navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you’re not alone and you don’t have to go it alone,” Turnbull said. “No AI tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience. But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.”

Microsoft has loudly embraced AI, having announced plans in January to invest $80 billion into AI infrastructure prior to this latest wave of job cuts. That environment might have made Turnbull think his recommendations were reasonable. More broadly, however, generative AI is viewed by some creatives as a threat to creative industries like gaming, which has already struggled with growing layoffs and studio closures over the last few years.

It’s unclear why Turnbull deleted his LinkedIn post, but if the comments on this repost made to Bluesky are any indication, creatives probably didn’t take too kindly to his suggestions.

You can read the full text of the deleted post below:

“These are really challenging times, and if you’re navigating a layoff or even quietly preparing for one, you’re not alone and you don’t have to go it alone.

I know these types of tools engender strong feelings in people, but I’d be remiss in not trying to offer the best advice I can under the circumstances. I’ve been experimenting with ways to use LLM AI tools (like ChatGPT or Copilot) to help reduce the emotional and cognitive load that comes with job loss.

Here are some prompt ideas and use cases that might help if you’re feeling overwhelmed:

Career Planning Prompts:

“Act as a career coach. I’ve been laid off from a [role] in the game industry. Help me build a 30-day plan to regroup, research new roles, and start applying without burning out.”

“What kinds of game industry jobs could I pivot to with experience in [Production/Narrative/LiveOps/etc.]?”

Resume & Linkedin Help

“Here’s my current resume. Give me three tailored versions: one for AAA, one for platform/publishing roles, and one for startup/small studio leadership.”

“Rewrite this resume bullet to highlight impact and metrics.”

“Draft a new LinkedIn ‘About Me’ section that focuses on my leadership style, shipped titles, and vision for game development.”

Networking & Outreach

“Draft a friendly message I can send to old coworkers letting them know I’m exploring new opportunities.”

“Write a warm intro message for reaching out to someone at [studio name] about a job posting.”

Emotional Clarity & Confidence

“I’m struggling with imposter syndrome after being laid off. Can you help me reframe this experience in a way that reminds me what I’m good at?”

No Al tool is a replacement for your voice or your lived experience. But at a time when mental energy is scarce, these tools can help get you unstuck faster, calmer, and with more clarity.

If this helps, feel free to share with others in your network.

Stay kind, stay smart, stay connected.”

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#Laidoff #workers #manage #emotions #Xbox #exec


Open-style wireless earbuds are all the rage these days, but not all the major brands are on board yet. Samsung, for example, still has its semi-open-ear Galaxy Buds 4, but nothing quite as open as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or Nothing’s Ear Open. I should say Samsung doesn’t have anything fully open yet.

According to a leak from SammyGuru, Samsung is working on a new pair of Galaxy Buds called the Galaxy Buds Able, and it looks like that unreleased pair might opt for an open-style clip design if illustrations found in recent One UI firmware are anything to go by.

In addition to the open-style design, SammyGuru is also reporting that the Galaxy Buds Able will use bone conduction, which is suited for delivering sound without needing to plug up your ears with silicone ear tips. Another benefit of bone conduction is that it’s not prone to sound leakage, which is often a downside of most pairs of open wireless earbuds. Bone conduction is also often used in more fitness-focused wireless earbuds, so there’s a chance the Galaxy Buds Able might lean into running and other exercise applications.

While clip-style open wireless earbuds aren’t novel—Sony, SoundPeats, and JBL all have their own pairs now—it’d be a departure for Samsung and a big indicator that open wireless earbuds are having a huge moment right now. If the leaks pan out, one of the things I’m most interested to see is whether Samsung endeavors to provide any kind of noise reduction. Though full-on active noise cancellation (ANC) isn’t possible without ear tips, brands like Shokz have managed to provide a surprisingly effective level of noise reduction that scratches a similar itch. Shokz’s OpenFit Pro, for example, are its only pair with noise reduction, but they do have a bulkier design. They’re not exactly clip-style; instead, they loop around the back of your ears with a sound module that nestles into the outer ear.

Since the Galaxy Buds Able aren’t official yet, there’s no word on price or release date, but there’s a chance they could end up being unveiled this summer at Samsung’s next Unpacked event.

#Samsungs #Pair #Galaxy #Buds #Huge #Departureaudio,Galaxy Buds Pro,wireless earbuds">Samsung’s Next Pair of Galaxy Buds Look Like a Huge Departure
                Open-style wireless earbuds are all the rage these days, but not all the major brands are on board yet. Samsung, for example, still has its semi-open-ear Galaxy Buds 4, but nothing quite as open as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or Nothing’s Ear Open. I should say Samsung doesn’t have anything fully open yet.

 According to a leak from SammyGuru, Samsung is working on a new pair of Galaxy Buds called the Galaxy Buds Able, and it looks like that unreleased pair might opt for an open-style clip design if illustrations found in recent One UI firmware are anything to go by. In addition to the open-style design, SammyGuru is also reporting that the Galaxy Buds Able will use bone conduction, which is suited for delivering sound without needing to plug up your ears with silicone ear tips. Another benefit of bone conduction is that it’s not prone to sound leakage, which is often a downside of most pairs of open wireless earbuds. Bone conduction is also often used in more fitness-focused wireless earbuds, so there’s a chance the Galaxy Buds Able might lean into running and other exercise applications.  Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Buds Able, spotted in One UI firmware, feature a unique clip-on bone conduction design that keeps your ears open while delivering sound in a whole new way.   Would you trade premium sound quality for more awareness and comfort in your daily listening?… — SammyGuru (@sammygurus) April 20, 2026  While clip-style open wireless earbuds aren’t novel—Sony, SoundPeats, and JBL all have their own pairs now—it’d be a departure for Samsung and a big indicator that open wireless earbuds are having a huge moment right now. If the leaks pan out, one of the things I’m most interested to see is whether Samsung endeavors to provide any kind of noise reduction. Though full-on active noise cancellation (ANC) isn’t possible without ear tips, brands like Shokz have managed to provide a surprisingly effective level of noise reduction that scratches a similar itch. Shokz’s OpenFit Pro, for example, are its only pair with noise reduction, but they do have a bulkier design. They’re not exactly clip-style; instead, they loop around the back of your ears with a sound module that nestles into the outer ear.

 Since the Galaxy Buds Able aren’t official yet, there’s no word on price or release date, but there’s a chance they could end up being unveiled this summer at Samsung’s next Unpacked event.      #Samsungs #Pair #Galaxy #Buds #Huge #Departureaudio,Galaxy Buds Pro,wireless earbuds

semi-open-ear Galaxy Buds 4, but nothing quite as open as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or Nothing’s Ear Open. I should say Samsung doesn’t have anything fully open yet.

According to a leak from SammyGuru, Samsung is working on a new pair of Galaxy Buds called the Galaxy Buds Able, and it looks like that unreleased pair might opt for an open-style clip design if illustrations found in recent One UI firmware are anything to go by.

In addition to the open-style design, SammyGuru is also reporting that the Galaxy Buds Able will use bone conduction, which is suited for delivering sound without needing to plug up your ears with silicone ear tips. Another benefit of bone conduction is that it’s not prone to sound leakage, which is often a downside of most pairs of open wireless earbuds. Bone conduction is also often used in more fitness-focused wireless earbuds, so there’s a chance the Galaxy Buds Able might lean into running and other exercise applications.

While clip-style open wireless earbuds aren’t novel—Sony, SoundPeats, and JBL all have their own pairs now—it’d be a departure for Samsung and a big indicator that open wireless earbuds are having a huge moment right now. If the leaks pan out, one of the things I’m most interested to see is whether Samsung endeavors to provide any kind of noise reduction. Though full-on active noise cancellation (ANC) isn’t possible without ear tips, brands like Shokz have managed to provide a surprisingly effective level of noise reduction that scratches a similar itch. Shokz’s OpenFit Pro, for example, are its only pair with noise reduction, but they do have a bulkier design. They’re not exactly clip-style; instead, they loop around the back of your ears with a sound module that nestles into the outer ear.

Since the Galaxy Buds Able aren’t official yet, there’s no word on price or release date, but there’s a chance they could end up being unveiled this summer at Samsung’s next Unpacked event.

#Samsungs #Pair #Galaxy #Buds #Huge #Departureaudio,Galaxy Buds Pro,wireless earbuds">Samsung’s Next Pair of Galaxy Buds Look Like a Huge DepartureSamsung’s Next Pair of Galaxy Buds Look Like a Huge Departure
                Open-style wireless earbuds are all the rage these days, but not all the major brands are on board yet. Samsung, for example, still has its semi-open-ear Galaxy Buds 4, but nothing quite as open as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or Nothing’s Ear Open. I should say Samsung doesn’t have anything fully open yet.

 According to a leak from SammyGuru, Samsung is working on a new pair of Galaxy Buds called the Galaxy Buds Able, and it looks like that unreleased pair might opt for an open-style clip design if illustrations found in recent One UI firmware are anything to go by. In addition to the open-style design, SammyGuru is also reporting that the Galaxy Buds Able will use bone conduction, which is suited for delivering sound without needing to plug up your ears with silicone ear tips. Another benefit of bone conduction is that it’s not prone to sound leakage, which is often a downside of most pairs of open wireless earbuds. Bone conduction is also often used in more fitness-focused wireless earbuds, so there’s a chance the Galaxy Buds Able might lean into running and other exercise applications.  Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Buds Able, spotted in One UI firmware, feature a unique clip-on bone conduction design that keeps your ears open while delivering sound in a whole new way.   Would you trade premium sound quality for more awareness and comfort in your daily listening?… — SammyGuru (@sammygurus) April 20, 2026  While clip-style open wireless earbuds aren’t novel—Sony, SoundPeats, and JBL all have their own pairs now—it’d be a departure for Samsung and a big indicator that open wireless earbuds are having a huge moment right now. If the leaks pan out, one of the things I’m most interested to see is whether Samsung endeavors to provide any kind of noise reduction. Though full-on active noise cancellation (ANC) isn’t possible without ear tips, brands like Shokz have managed to provide a surprisingly effective level of noise reduction that scratches a similar itch. Shokz’s OpenFit Pro, for example, are its only pair with noise reduction, but they do have a bulkier design. They’re not exactly clip-style; instead, they loop around the back of your ears with a sound module that nestles into the outer ear.

 Since the Galaxy Buds Able aren’t official yet, there’s no word on price or release date, but there’s a chance they could end up being unveiled this summer at Samsung’s next Unpacked event.      #Samsungs #Pair #Galaxy #Buds #Huge #Departureaudio,Galaxy Buds Pro,wireless earbuds

Open-style wireless earbuds are all the rage these days, but not all the major brands are on board yet. Samsung, for example, still has its semi-open-ear Galaxy Buds 4, but nothing quite as open as the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds or Nothing’s Ear Open. I should say Samsung doesn’t have anything fully open yet.

According to a leak from SammyGuru, Samsung is working on a new pair of Galaxy Buds called the Galaxy Buds Able, and it looks like that unreleased pair might opt for an open-style clip design if illustrations found in recent One UI firmware are anything to go by.

In addition to the open-style design, SammyGuru is also reporting that the Galaxy Buds Able will use bone conduction, which is suited for delivering sound without needing to plug up your ears with silicone ear tips. Another benefit of bone conduction is that it’s not prone to sound leakage, which is often a downside of most pairs of open wireless earbuds. Bone conduction is also often used in more fitness-focused wireless earbuds, so there’s a chance the Galaxy Buds Able might lean into running and other exercise applications.

While clip-style open wireless earbuds aren’t novel—Sony, SoundPeats, and JBL all have their own pairs now—it’d be a departure for Samsung and a big indicator that open wireless earbuds are having a huge moment right now. If the leaks pan out, one of the things I’m most interested to see is whether Samsung endeavors to provide any kind of noise reduction. Though full-on active noise cancellation (ANC) isn’t possible without ear tips, brands like Shokz have managed to provide a surprisingly effective level of noise reduction that scratches a similar itch. Shokz’s OpenFit Pro, for example, are its only pair with noise reduction, but they do have a bulkier design. They’re not exactly clip-style; instead, they loop around the back of your ears with a sound module that nestles into the outer ear.

Since the Galaxy Buds Able aren’t official yet, there’s no word on price or release date, but there’s a chance they could end up being unveiled this summer at Samsung’s next Unpacked event.

#Samsungs #Pair #Galaxy #Buds #Huge #Departureaudio,Galaxy Buds Pro,wireless earbuds

I was delighted to see that the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 didn’t skimp on a crappy touchpad. That goes a long way toward improving the experiencing of actually using the laptop on a moment-by-moment basis. I wasn’t annoyed every time I had to click-and-drag or select a bit of text. This one’s biggest weakness is definitely the screen, which is true of just about every cheap Chromebook I’ve tested. The colors are ugly and desaturated, giving the whole thing a sickly green tint. It’s also not the sharpest in the world, as it’s stretching 1920 x 1200 pixels across a large, 16-inch screen. But in terms of usability and performance, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 is a great value, combining an Intel Core i3 processor with 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB of storage. For a Chromebook that’s often on sale for $350, it’s a steal.

While we’re here, let’s go even cheaper, shall we? Asus has two dirt-cheap Chromebooks that I tested last year that I was mildly impressed by. The Asus Chromebook CX14 and CX15. Notice in the name that these are not “Chromebook Plus” models, meaning they can be configured with less RAM and storage, and even use lower-powered processors. That’s exactly what you get on the cheaper configurations of the CX14 and CX15, which is how you sometimes get prices down to as low as $130. I definitely recommend the version with 8 GB of RAM, but regardless of which you choose, the both the CX14 and larger CX15 are mildly attractive laptops. You’d know that’s a big compliment if you’ve seen just how ugly Chromebooks of this price have been in the past.

With these, though, I appreciate the relatively thin bezels and chassis thickness, as well as the larger touchpad and comfortable keyboard. The CX15 even comes in a striking blue color. The touchpad isn’t great, nor is the display. Like the Acer Chromebook Plus 516, it suffers from poor color reproduction and only goes up to 250 nits of brightness. It only has a 720p webcam too, which makes video calls a bit rough. But that’s going to be true of nearly all the competition (and there isn’t much).

Of the two models, I definitely prefer the CX14 though, as it doesn’t have a numberpad and off-center touchpad, which I’ve always found to be awkward to use. Look—no one’s going to love using a computer that costs the less than $200, but if it’s what you can afford, the Asus Chromebook CX14 will at least get you by without too much frustration.

Whatever you do, don’t just head over to Amazon and buy whatever ancient Chromebook is selling for $100 for your kid. It’s worth the extra cash to get something with better battery life, a more modern look, and decent performance.

Other Good Chromebooks We’ve Tested

We’ve tested dozens and dozens of Chromebooks over the past years, having reviewed every major release across the spectrum of price. Unlike Macs and Windows laptops, Chromebooks tends to stick around a bit longer though, and aren’t refreshed as often. I stand by my picks above, but here are a few standouts from our testing that are still worth buying for the right person.

Image may contain Computer Electronics Laptop Pc Computer Hardware Computer Keyboard and Hardware

Photograph: Daniel Thorp-Lancaster

#Chromebooks #Correctchromebooks,laptops,buying guides,google">The Best Chromebooks Are Doing Their Best to Course CorrectI was delighted to see that the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 didn’t skimp on a crappy touchpad. That goes a long way toward improving the experiencing of actually using the laptop on a moment-by-moment basis. I wasn’t annoyed every time I had to click-and-drag or select a bit of text. This one’s biggest weakness is definitely the screen, which is true of just about every cheap Chromebook I’ve tested. The colors are ugly and desaturated, giving the whole thing a sickly green tint. It’s also not the sharpest in the world, as it’s stretching 1920 x 1200 pixels across a large, 16-inch screen. But in terms of usability and performance, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 is a great value, combining an Intel Core i3 processor with 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB of storage. For a Chromebook that’s often on sale for 0, it’s a steal.While we’re here, let’s go even cheaper, shall we? Asus has two dirt-cheap Chromebooks that I tested last year that I was mildly impressed by. The Asus Chromebook CX14 and CX15. Notice in the name that these are not “Chromebook Plus” models, meaning they can be configured with less RAM and storage, and even use lower-powered processors. That’s exactly what you get on the cheaper configurations of the CX14 and CX15, which is how you sometimes get prices down to as low as 0. I definitely recommend the version with 8 GB of RAM, but regardless of which you choose, the both the CX14 and larger CX15 are mildly attractive laptops. You’d know that’s a big compliment if you’ve seen just how ugly Chromebooks of this price have been in the past.With these, though, I appreciate the relatively thin bezels and chassis thickness, as well as the larger touchpad and comfortable keyboard. The CX15 even comes in a striking blue color. The touchpad isn’t great, nor is the display. Like the Acer Chromebook Plus 516, it suffers from poor color reproduction and only goes up to 250 nits of brightness. It only has a 720p webcam too, which makes video calls a bit rough. But that’s going to be true of nearly all the competition (and there isn’t much).Of the two models, I definitely prefer the CX14 though, as it doesn’t have a numberpad and off-center touchpad, which I’ve always found to be awkward to use. Look—no one’s going to love using a computer that costs the less than 0, but if it’s what you can afford, the Asus Chromebook CX14 will at least get you by without too much frustration.Whatever you do, don’t just head over to Amazon and buy whatever ancient Chromebook is selling for 0 for your kid. It’s worth the extra cash to get something with better battery life, a more modern look, and decent performance.Other Good Chromebooks We’ve TestedWe’ve tested dozens and dozens of Chromebooks over the past years, having reviewed every major release across the spectrum of price. Unlike Macs and Windows laptops, Chromebooks tends to stick around a bit longer though, and aren’t refreshed as often. I stand by my picks above, but here are a few standouts from our testing that are still worth buying for the right person.Photograph: Daniel Thorp-Lancaster#Chromebooks #Correctchromebooks,laptops,buying guides,google

Asus Chromebook CX14 and CX15. Notice in the name that these are not “Chromebook Plus” models, meaning they can be configured with less RAM and storage, and even use lower-powered processors. That’s exactly what you get on the cheaper configurations of the CX14 and CX15, which is how you sometimes get prices down to as low as $130. I definitely recommend the version with 8 GB of RAM, but regardless of which you choose, the both the CX14 and larger CX15 are mildly attractive laptops. You’d know that’s a big compliment if you’ve seen just how ugly Chromebooks of this price have been in the past.

With these, though, I appreciate the relatively thin bezels and chassis thickness, as well as the larger touchpad and comfortable keyboard. The CX15 even comes in a striking blue color. The touchpad isn’t great, nor is the display. Like the Acer Chromebook Plus 516, it suffers from poor color reproduction and only goes up to 250 nits of brightness. It only has a 720p webcam too, which makes video calls a bit rough. But that’s going to be true of nearly all the competition (and there isn’t much).

Of the two models, I definitely prefer the CX14 though, as it doesn’t have a numberpad and off-center touchpad, which I’ve always found to be awkward to use. Look—no one’s going to love using a computer that costs the less than $200, but if it’s what you can afford, the Asus Chromebook CX14 will at least get you by without too much frustration.

Whatever you do, don’t just head over to Amazon and buy whatever ancient Chromebook is selling for $100 for your kid. It’s worth the extra cash to get something with better battery life, a more modern look, and decent performance.

Other Good Chromebooks We’ve Tested

We’ve tested dozens and dozens of Chromebooks over the past years, having reviewed every major release across the spectrum of price. Unlike Macs and Windows laptops, Chromebooks tends to stick around a bit longer though, and aren’t refreshed as often. I stand by my picks above, but here are a few standouts from our testing that are still worth buying for the right person.

Image may contain Computer Electronics Laptop Pc Computer Hardware Computer Keyboard and Hardware

Photograph: Daniel Thorp-Lancaster

#Chromebooks #Correctchromebooks,laptops,buying guides,google">The Best Chromebooks Are Doing Their Best to Course Correct

I was delighted to see that the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 didn’t skimp on a crappy touchpad. That goes a long way toward improving the experiencing of actually using the laptop on a moment-by-moment basis. I wasn’t annoyed every time I had to click-and-drag or select a bit of text. This one’s biggest weakness is definitely the screen, which is true of just about every cheap Chromebook I’ve tested. The colors are ugly and desaturated, giving the whole thing a sickly green tint. It’s also not the sharpest in the world, as it’s stretching 1920 x 1200 pixels across a large, 16-inch screen. But in terms of usability and performance, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 is a great value, combining an Intel Core i3 processor with 8 GB of RAM and a 128 GB of storage. For a Chromebook that’s often on sale for $350, it’s a steal.

While we’re here, let’s go even cheaper, shall we? Asus has two dirt-cheap Chromebooks that I tested last year that I was mildly impressed by. The Asus Chromebook CX14 and CX15. Notice in the name that these are not “Chromebook Plus” models, meaning they can be configured with less RAM and storage, and even use lower-powered processors. That’s exactly what you get on the cheaper configurations of the CX14 and CX15, which is how you sometimes get prices down to as low as $130. I definitely recommend the version with 8 GB of RAM, but regardless of which you choose, the both the CX14 and larger CX15 are mildly attractive laptops. You’d know that’s a big compliment if you’ve seen just how ugly Chromebooks of this price have been in the past.

With these, though, I appreciate the relatively thin bezels and chassis thickness, as well as the larger touchpad and comfortable keyboard. The CX15 even comes in a striking blue color. The touchpad isn’t great, nor is the display. Like the Acer Chromebook Plus 516, it suffers from poor color reproduction and only goes up to 250 nits of brightness. It only has a 720p webcam too, which makes video calls a bit rough. But that’s going to be true of nearly all the competition (and there isn’t much).

Of the two models, I definitely prefer the CX14 though, as it doesn’t have a numberpad and off-center touchpad, which I’ve always found to be awkward to use. Look—no one’s going to love using a computer that costs the less than $200, but if it’s what you can afford, the Asus Chromebook CX14 will at least get you by without too much frustration.

Whatever you do, don’t just head over to Amazon and buy whatever ancient Chromebook is selling for $100 for your kid. It’s worth the extra cash to get something with better battery life, a more modern look, and decent performance.

Other Good Chromebooks We’ve Tested

We’ve tested dozens and dozens of Chromebooks over the past years, having reviewed every major release across the spectrum of price. Unlike Macs and Windows laptops, Chromebooks tends to stick around a bit longer though, and aren’t refreshed as often. I stand by my picks above, but here are a few standouts from our testing that are still worth buying for the right person.

Image may contain Computer Electronics Laptop Pc Computer Hardware Computer Keyboard and Hardware

Photograph: Daniel Thorp-Lancaster

#Chromebooks #Correctchromebooks,laptops,buying guides,google

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