The AskHandle Blog

When Fiction Meets Reality: Dan Brown’s Origin and the AI Future That’s Already Here

In Origin (2017), Dan Brown introduced Winston, an AI assistant with charm, wit, and startling independence. At the time, it felt like a futuristic fantasy. But in 2025, with tools like ChatGPT and generative AI transforming everyday life, Winston seems eerily familiar. So how close is today's AI to Brown’s fictional vision?

What is Serverless Computing and How Does It Compare to Traditional Servers?

Developing web applications involves choosing how your code runs. Two popular methods are server-based hosting and serverless computing. This article will show you the differences, using Node.js projects on Heroku (server-based) and Vercel (serverless) as direct examples.

Do You Need a Website to Use an AI Chatbot?

Many people interested in creating or using AI chatbots wonder whether they must have a website to access or deploy these intelligent systems. The answer is no; you do not need a website to use an AI chatbot. There are several ways to interact with or deploy AI chatbots without a dedicated website. Let’s explore how you can do this and look at some simple code examples to understand the process better.

How Many Types of APIs Are There and What Are Their Differences?

When working with software development, you often hear the term API. APIs are a way for different software systems to communicate with each other. There are several types of APIs, each suited for different use cases. Understanding the common APIs protocols and how they differ can be very helpful in both development and choosing the right tool for your project. There are four main types of API protocols widely used today: REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and gRPC. Each has its own design principles, use cases, and strengths.

What is a REST API and Why Is It Useful?

When working with modern web applications, you often hear about APIs and how they help different software systems communicate. One of the most common types of APIs used today is called REST API. If you’re preparing for a tech interview or just want to understand how web services operate, understanding what a REST API is and why it’s useful can be very helpful.

What Types of Businesses Are Best Suited for Pay-Per-Click Advertising?

Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising is a popular online marketing strategy where businesses pay a fee each time their ad is clicked. It allows companies to appear prominently in search engine results or on social media platforms, targeting users actively searching for specific products or services. But which types of businesses benefit the most from PPC campaigns? Understanding this can help you prepare for tech interviews and craft effective digital marketing strategies.

What is Unsupervised Learning in AI?

Unsupervised learning is a type of machine learning where a computer system learns from data without being given specific instructions on what to look for. Unlike supervised learning, where models are trained on labeled data, unsupervised learning deals with data that has no pre-existing labels or categories. This allows the system to discover patterns, groupings, or structures in the data all on its own.

How Do API Layer Services Connect Diverse Systems So Easily?

Many software applications today offer Application Programming Interfaces, or APIs. These APIs allow different programs to talk to each other. Connecting these APIs can create powerful automated workflows. But making these connections directly often requires a lot of technical work. API layer services simplify this process.

What is a proxy server, and is it the best practice to use one?

A proxy server is a tool used on the internet to act as a middleman between your computer and the websites you visit. It can offer several benefits, but it also comes with some drawbacks. This article explains what a proxy server is and whether using one is a good idea.

What are Embeddings and How Do They Help AI Process Words?

Large language models, or LLMs, are AI systems that work with human language. They can write stories, answer questions, and translate text. For these models to do their job, they need a special way to process words. This is where embeddings come into play. Embeddings are a key part of how these AI systems make sense of language.

WebSockets vs REST API for Chat Widgets

ABuilding a chat widget? You’ll need to decide how messages get sent and received—WebSockets or REST API. One is real-time and always connected. The other is request-based and easier to manage.

Are You Allowed to Do Outbound SMS Campaign in the USA?

Running an outbound SMS campaign can be a quick and effective way to reach your customers. However, it's important to know the rules and regulations in the United States before you start sending mass text messages. Many businesses wonder if they can send SMS messages freely. The answer is yes, but with certain rules to follow. This article explains what you need to know about outbound SMS campaigns in the USA.

Why Are Pop Figures So Popular Among the New Generation?

Pop figures, also called Funko Pops, have become one of the most popular collectibles today. Young people love collecting these small, cute statues of their favorite characters from movies, TV shows, games, and more. But what makes these figures so appealing to the new generation? Let’s take a look at the main reasons behind their popularity.

Will You Lose All Photos in Google Photos If You Stop Paying?

Many users wonder what happens to their photos on Google Photos if they decide to stop paying for the service or cancel their subscription. This article explains what occurs, including the timeline and what you can do to keep your pictures safe.

Top Personal Communication Channels in the U.S. (2025 Edition)

In today’s hyper-connected world, how we message each other says a lot about our culture, devices, and even our age group. While social apps come and go, certain platforms dominate personal communication in the United States. If you're curious about what Americans are using to stay in touch — especially for person-to-person messaging — here’s a breakdown of the top personal communication channels in 2025.

How Can You Use AI to Practice and Improve Your Sales Pitch?

Practicing your sales pitch is key to closing deals and building strong relationships with clients. Traditionally, this involves rehearsing in front of mirrors, recording yourself, or practicing with colleagues. Now, artificial intelligence (AI) offers new ways to make this process more effective and engaging. These tools help you prepare, refine, and perfect your pitch so you can communicate more confidently and clearly.

How Can AI Search Through and Understand Your PDF Files?

Many people and businesses store huge amounts of information in PDF files. Searching through these files can be slow and frustrating, especially when looking for specific answers. Generative AI has made it much easier to search and understand PDFs. But how does it actually work?

Why Is a Clear Prompt Important to Improve AI Performance?

Using artificial intelligence (AI) tools has become common for many tasks today. They can help write, answer questions, analyze data, and much more. But to get the best results from these tools, the way you ask your questions — called the "prompt" — matters a lot. A clear and well-phrased prompt ensures AI understands what you need and gives accurate, useful answers. In this article, we will explore why clear prompts are so important and how they can improve AI performance.

Will Foreign Software Need to Pay for Tariffs?

Foreign software plays a major role in business and daily life. With global trade tensions and new tariffs in 2025, many are asking: will foreign software be subject to tariffs? The answer is more complex than it first appears. This article explains how tariffs work, why software is treated differently from physical goods, and what recent changes mean for companies and consumers.

Does AI Send Response Token by Token?

AI, especially language models, often prompts questions about how they generate responses. One common question is whether AI models send their replies all at once or token by token. This article explains how AI models produce text responses and clarifies whether the process involves sending responses one piece at a time.

How Can AI Help Local Tourism?

Tourism is a vital part of many local economies. It brings visitors, creates jobs, and supports small businesses. Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a tool that can help boost local tourism in many ways. This article will explain how AI can make a difference for tourist destinations and improve visitors’ experiences.

Is Retrieval Augmented Generation an Upgraded Version of Text Search for AI?

Artificial intelligence has rapidly advanced in recent years, especially in creating and retrieving information. Two important methods in this progress are Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and traditional text search. Many people wonder if RAG is just a better version of text search or if it offers something more. This article compares these two approaches and explains how RAG improves upon basic search methods.

How to Code the Front End of an Android App?

Creating the front end of an Android app involves designing the user interface (UI) and making it interactive for users. This article will guide you through the basic files you need and how to edit or create them to build a simple, functional front end for your Android application.

Can a Website Run Without Using Cloud Servers?

Many people wonder if it's possible to run a website without relying on cloud servers. With more options than ever, understanding how websites operate and what alternatives exist can help you decide what best suits your needs. The good news is, a website can function without cloud servers, but there are important factors to consider.

What Is Capacitor for Mobile App Development?

Mobile app development often involves choosing the right tools to create apps that work smoothly on multiple platforms like iOS and Android. Capacitor is one such tool that helps developers build apps efficiently. This article will explain what Capacitor is, how it works, and why many developers use it in their projects.

The Secret Behind How Streaming Apps Avoid Apple & Google Fees

Apps like Netflix and Spotify don’t use Apple’s or Google’s in-app payment systems. Instead, they direct users to external websites to sign up or manage subscriptions. But how is this allowed under App Store and Google Play rules, especially when most digital content apps must use native billing?

Why You Should Use Native iOS and Google Play SDKs for In-App Payments?

When developing a mobile app that sells digital goods—such as in-game items, virtual currency, eBooks, or premium features—one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how to handle payments. While there are multiple third-party payment solutions available, Apple and Google strongly encourage developers to use their native in-app purchase (IAP) SDKs for digital content. Despite the initial learning curve, using the native iOS (StoreKit) and Google Play Billing SDKs offers major advantages that save time and prevent headaches down the road.

Can I build a software without using any cloud services?

Creating software without relying on cloud services is possible, but it has some important considerations. Many developers think about using cloud platforms for ease and scalability, but it is not a requirement. You can build, run, and maintain software entirely on your own hardware. This article explains how to build software without cloud services and the pros and cons of such an approach.

How Can ChatGPT Know Today's Date?

Many users wonder how ChatGPT, an AI language model, can tell the current date. Since ChatGPT does not have a real-time clock or direct access to the internet during conversations, it seems confusing how it provides date-related information. In this article, we will explain how ChatGPT can know today’s date and how it manages to give accurate answers about the current day.

Can I Use 3rd Party Payments for Selling Digital Goods in Mobile Apps?

When you're building an app that sells goods or services, choosing the right payment system is critical. One common question developers ask: Can I use third-party payments like Stripe inside my app? Let’s break down the current policies of Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store in 2025.

Are Old but Still Popular Programming Languages Worth Learning?

Programming languages come and go. New languages are created regularly to keep up with changing technology and user needs. Yet, some older programming languages are still widely used today. They remain relevant for many types of projects, and knowing them can be very useful. This article talks about some old programming languages that are still popular and why they are worth attention.

Can I Write Software Without Using Any Open Source Libraries?

Many developers ask whether it is possible or practical to create software without relying on open source libraries. The idea of building everything from scratch sparks curiosity about the advantages, challenges, and realistic possibilities involved in such an approach. This article explores these questions in detail to help you understand what it takes to write software without open source tools.

Is it possible to use CPU to do GPU's work in theory?

In the world of computers, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) serve different purposes. CPUs handle general tasks, running the operating system, executing applications, and managing input/output operations. GPUs, on the other hand, are specialized for parallel processing tasks like rendering graphics or performing complex calculations in scientific computing. This article explores whether, in theory, a CPU can take over the responsibilities of a GPU.

How to Reset 2FA When You Lose Access to Your Phone Number

Losing access to your phone number used for two-factor authentication (2FA) can be frustrating. It can prevent you from logging into your accounts, and the process to regain access may seem complicated. This article will guide you step by step on what to do if this situation happens.

What jobs does a large scale data center offer?

Large scale data centers are central to the operation of many modern businesses and internet services. They store, process, and transmit massive amounts of data daily. These facilities are complex and require a wide range of skilled professionals to keep them running smoothly. This article explores the various jobs available in a large scale data center and what roles are involved in maintaining its operations.