🗞️ AI News of The Week: OpenAI Shuts Down Sora
OpenAI is shutting down Sora, its short-form video app, just six months after launching it. They are cutting costs and refocusing on enterprise and productivity tools as it prepares for a potential IPO. Sora, despite the viral hype at launch, didn't fit that strategy.
Why this matters:
OpenAI is stepping back from "creative" consumer apps and going all-in on high-productivity tools
A big consolidation is coming: ChatGPT, its browser, and the Codex coding app are merging into a single desktop super app
Disney dropped the ball. A high-profile partnership to use Sora with Disney characters fell apart
IPO Clock is ticking and OpenAI is trying to justify its $730 billion valuation to investors
🧠 AI Term of The Week: Smoke Test
Definition:
A quick, preliminary check to confirm that the core functions of a system work before running more thorough testing.
Explain Like I'm 5:
Before making breakfast, you flip on the stove to see if it turns on. You're not cooking yet, just making sure the basics work. That's a smoke test.
Real examples:
Not a smoke test:
Running a 500-step test that checks every feature of your appSmoke test: Checking if your app launches and the login page loads before running any other tests
Not a smoke test: Manually clicking every button and form on your website
Smoke test: Quickly verifying the homepage loads
Why it matters now:
AI-generated code is shipping faster than ever, making quick sanity checks more critical
Smoke tests are often the first step in automated pipelines used by developers
Even non-developers can apply this mindset: a fast "does it work?" check before any big launch or demo
💬 Quote of the Week:
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."
🧰 AI Tool of The Week: Claude Dispatch
What is Claude Dispatch?
Anthropic's remote AI agent feature inside Claude Cowork that lets you assign tasks to Claude from your phone while it works on your desktop.
What it does:
Connects your phone to your desktop so you can send Claude instructions from anywhere
Executes tasks like browsing the web, filling spreadsheets, opening apps, and sending messages
Supports scheduled and recurring tasks so you can set it and let Claude handle the rest on autopilot
Why it's interesting:
It's essentially a remote-controlled AI coworker that keeps working while you're away from your desk
Claude uses integrations first (Slack, Google Calendar) and falls back to direct browser and keyboard control when needed
Currently rolling out to Max plan subscribers ($100-200/month), with Pro plan access coming soon
Real-world example: You're out running errands and remember you need a slide deck for a meeting. You open Claude Dispatch on your phone, type the request, and it's done by the time you're back at your desk.
🛠 AI Tutorial Of The Week:
Hostinger VPS: How To Install Claude Code Safely as a Non-Root User
Description:
Learn how to install Claude Code on a Hostinger VPS as a non-root user to keep your server secure and your setup clean.
🤖 What You'll Learn
Why running Claude Code as root is a security risk you should avoid
How to create a dedicated non-root user on your VPS
Step-by-step installation of Claude Code with the proper permissions
How to verify your setup and launch Claude Code safely
Need A Hostinger VPS? https://www.hostg.xyz/SHIDN
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Mike Murphy — The AI Handyman 🧰
Helping creators & small businesses turn their content & documents into AI‑powered tools.
📚 Smoke Test
❞ “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” – Confucius
