Daredevil: Born Again viewers have reacted negatively to the Marvel TV show's latest character death on Disney+.

UNA's modular smartwatch is now live on Kickstarter.

Roblox is again updating its parental control features in an effort to give parents more visibility into (and control over) their childrens activities on the platform. The company is updating its in-app Safety Center to counter concerns that Roblox, which unlike social media apps allows children under 13, puts its youngest users at risk.The company added the centralized hub for parental controls last year, in an update that also added new restrictions on younger kids ability to exchange private messages with other users. But while that update gave parents the ability to control some of their childrens settings from their own devices, it was missing some key features like blocking.With the latest update, parents can now view their childs friend list and block users on their behalf. Once another user has been blocked, theyll no longer be able to exchange direct messages with the child and kids will need to get parental approval to unblock the person.Similarly, parents will now be able to block specific experiences within Roblox. Parents have already had the ability to limit in-app content based on its age rating, but parents have still at times complained about inappropriate content surfacing in certain games. Now, parents can block their young kids from participating in certain experiences. (Importantly, Roblox notes that kids will be able to remove apps from the blocked experiences list once they turn 13.)Finally, Roblox is adding more granular insights to the in-app screen time metrics that allow parents to see how their kids are spending their time on the platform. The Safety Center will now list the 20 experiences in which their child has spent the most time over the last week, sorted by total time. Parents can then opt to block specific games or experiences directly from the screen time menu if something seems off.Robloxs recent push to beef up safety features for younger users come amid a broader reckoning about the effect that online platforms can have on teens. Platforms have tried to address these concerns by enhancing parental controls and dedicated safety features for teens. But lawmakers are also pushing for change, with multiple states passing measures requiring some form of age verification (some of which have since been struck down). Theres also a bipartisan bill in the Senate to ban all preteens from social media entirely.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/roblox-parental-controls-now-include-a-block-button-120005897.html?src=rss

Samsung is releasing two Fan Edition models of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10, and they're both more affordable than their standard counterparts. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE and the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ are powered by the Samsung Exynos 1580 chipset instead of MediaTek processors like the standard versions. Samsung's Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ model has a 13.1-inch display, which is bigger than the Tab S10+'s 12.4-inch screen but smaller than the 14.6-inch one on the Tab S10 Ultra. Take note that both models have a refresh rate of up to 90Hz, which is lower than the standard versions' 120 Hz refresh rate.That means the standard Tab S10 models are still the better options if gaming is your primary use for a tablet. But again, the new Fan Editions cost substantially less than they do. The Galaxy Tab S10 FE's prices start at $500, and it comes with 128GB and 256GB storage options. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE+ will cost you at least $650 and come with the same storage options. The standard Galaxy Tab S10's prices start $999, while the Tab S10 Ultra will cost you at least $1,200.Like the the standard models, the Fan Edition versions come with AI capabilities, including Circle to Search with Google that makes it easy to look for information simply by encircling elements on your device. Their Samsung Note app also features Math Solver, which can do calculations based on handwriting and text, as well as Handwriting Assist, which can help you tidy up handwritten notes. Both Fan Edition devices will be available in the US starting on April 10. You'll get a $50 credit if you reserve a unit now, and you can buy a Book Cover Keyboard Slim for 50 percent off if you purchase one by May 11.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/tablets/samsungs-galaxy-tab-s10-fe-and-galaxy-tab-s10-fe-will-be-available-on-april-10-120019555.html?src=rss

Early products tend to have a technical focus. But technologies mature and can become commodified. This is where design becomes the key differentiator.Ive been a designer for more than 3 decades. I believe in the power of design. There are a lot of posts on Medium these days about the challenges in UX design. The reasons vary: layoffs in tech, failure to clearly demonstrate the ROI of design, the challenges of agile, and the emerging creative threat of AI. I share these concerns but history suggests that this could just be a cycle were going through. The influence of design has risen and fallen multiple times in the last century as products and industries evolve. It tends to follow a consistent pattern.The 4RulesThe importance and influence of design ebbs and flows. Nowhere is this more apparent than when technology is involved. Not every designed object involves technology, but most do when viewed through the right lens. As products evolve and grow, design and technology influence each other. Here are 4 rules for how design & technology influence each other. They were partially inspired by Marshall McLuhans Laws ofMedia.Rule 1Technology dominates in early product lifecyclesEarly on in a products history, technology tends to dominate. There are usually many technical problems to solve. How will something be built? Does it meet the technical challenges of daily usage? Will it be of an appropriate size and cost to address the problem its trying tosolve?New technologies also tend to start as expensive private offerings. Early users are typically more willing to put up with technical challenges. As access costs come down, services migrate toward public availability. The designer Edwin Schlossberg, an early experience design pioneer, advocated for looking to private offerings as inspiration for what should become public. Stock trading started on proprietary systems, evolved to Bloomberg terminals and finally to the era of Schwab, eTrade and consumer trading platforms. Each transition typically requires a new design experience to suit the needs of the broadening consumerbase.Rule #2Then design & technology interact to create more human-centered solutionsEarly solutions may be functional but not usable. They may be too raw or, sometimes, a solution looking for a problem. Design can help bridge the gap between raw technology and daily use. Designers help the technology evolve into something that is more familiar, usable and desirable.Rule #3Design becomes the differentiator in well established technologiesAs a given technology matures, components become standardized resulting in cost efficiencies and commodification. As this happens, competing offerings evolved towards sharing underlying technology and parts. This is when design becomes the key differentiator in the market. The single best example of this is MP3 players prior to the iPod. There were multiple MP3 players in the market well before Apple introduced the iPod. Apple didnt invent the MP3 player. They saw the opportunity and designed a significantly better experience, one that included hardware, software, andcontent.Rule #4As new technologies emerge, the cyclerestartsAs technical innovation continues, bigger gains tend to reinvent the category and start a new cycle. This has happened multiple times in the auto industry but is best exemplified by the move from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles to the service models of Uber andWaymo.Examples of the rules inactionTransportationCars have been through all 4 stages starting with the technical focus on the first Model T, to the golden age of car design in the 1950s, to the paradigm shifts of Uber andWaymoYou can have it in any color you want as long as its blackHenryFordWhen the Ford Model T was introduced in 1908, Henry Ford made that famous quip about the lack of color choice. It was the perfect example of a new technology early in its lifecycle. Henry Ford was too busy inventing the car and the assembly line to worry about custom options like paintcolors.Early production focused on solving technical issues, the essence of the first rule. There were competing engine technologies. Early owners needed to be both mechanic and driver. Wheels needed to be redesigned to accommodate the increased forces of motorized travel. Safety concerns needed to be solved. That changed as the number of competitors and car models expanded.The post war 1950s featured a boom in the market for cars. Car manufacturers had been restricted in the making and selling of new cars in the 1940s as part of the WWII War effort. The end of the war and return of soldiers from overseas led to a boom in demand. This increased the importance of car design in meeting consumer demand. Car design took many forms from the tail fins of the Chevy Bel Air, the muscular stance of the Chevy Corvette to the simple lines of the Ford Thunderbird. But engines, cylinders, and ccs were still a key focus and selling point. This is Rule 2 in action. It was a crowded market so style and performance were both differentiators.Since then, there has been a steady expansion of form factors beyond the original sedan: compacts, minivans, SUVs, crossovers, and a wide variety of pickup trucks. The fact that many models are built on the same chassis is a sign that the differences are primarily a matter of design. There was a related trend in car interiors that was design focused. Bucket seats used to be a selling point. Now there are cup holders, heated seats, charging ports, seatback displays, and sun and moon roofs.. When the number of cup holders gets counted more than the number of cylinders, you know this is no longer a technology focused product. This is Rule3.The growth of electric cars represents a new product generation. The ongoing focus on battery range and lifespan suggests that we are still in the technology phase. Similarly, the growth of Uber and its competitors should be seen as an example of Rule 4 where new technologies tend to restart the cycle. There were many challenges (technical, regulatory, safety) in getting Ubers initial service launched. Uber is also the result of deep design. The app UX is critical to key service elements like transparency, safety, and customer communication. It also redefined the transportation category. Do I even need a car if I have Uber? Finally, we have Waymo questioning the need for drivers in the car experience.FurnitureThe Wassily Chair by Marcel Breuerimage courtesy ofKnollThe Wassily Chair was designed by Marcel Breuer for Wassily Kandinskys house when they were both teaching at the Bauhaus. I admire the idea of this chair as much as its design. Visually, it was supposed to evoke the intersecting planes of cubism. From a form and function perspective, Breuers conceptwas,Anywhere a person and the chair touch, the material should be warm and flexible against thebody.The rest of the chair should be a material that is more efficient for structure, likemetal.It was a brilliant design concept particularly given that it was designed in the early 1900s. Furniture back then looked like what we see in historic mansions and museums. The Bauhaus wanted its students to embrace the industrial age and modern materials. Breurs design for the Wassily chair fit this bill perfectly. But the design created a challenge. None of the furniture factories at the time were making chairs out of metal. Breur eventually turned to a bicycle maker who knew how to bend and weld steeltubing.The design of the Wassily chair is the perfect example of Rule 2. The chair embraces new materials and manufacturing techniques but it is also designed with a close attention to how that technology meets the user. It is modern but it is also comfortable and ergonomic. Breur made the technology morehumane.Consumer ElectronicsThe original 1979 SonyWalkmanIts hard to imagine a time when audio was not available on the go. But there was a time when this was not a thing. There were transistor radios in the 70s but you were at the mercy of the local radio station. Then, in 1979, Akio Morita, the cofounder of Sony proposed a new product category. Sony was already shipping handheld tape recorders for journalists which included a playback option. Morita proposed that Sony sell a tape recorder that could only play recordings as a handheld music device. The Walkman wasborn.Paul Kunkels Sunrise to Sunset diagramimage from, Digital DreamsThe work of the Sony DesignCenterAt first, there was only one Walkman model. The focus at Sony was on engineering (Rule 1). Making the tape mechanisms better, smaller and cheaper. Battery life needed to be good. The product became a hit. As the category took off, there were higher-end innovations and a push to make the low end more affordable. This is Rule 2 in action. But eventually, all critical technical issues were solved. That is when models and form factors started to take off. There were minimalist designs, sports models, even kids models. There is a great diagram of how this unfolded over time in Paul Kunkels, Digital Dreams book. He called it the Sunrise to Sunset diagram. Pauls diagram helped inspire this post. In it, you can see the early engineering focus and Rule 1 on the left, the sunrise phase. Rule 2 is at high noon. Technical issues are still being addressed but you see design variations starting to emerge. On the right, you see the design phase where models and form factors proliferate (Rule 3). Finally, on the lower right, you see the sunset when one category gives way to the next generation of products (Rule 4). Sony enjoyed a strong lead in the portable audio category for more than 20 years. There were CD, MiniDisc, and hard drive versions. But then the category was largely taken over by Apple with their introduction of theiPod.Cell PhonesThe earliest cell phones looked like something the US Army would have used in WWII. They were large and bulky but showed the promise of what was to come. This was the era of technology focus addressing cell range, power, cost, and size. The critical first step. Then came the boom of form factors from many companies. There were candy bars and flip phones, the beautifully thin Motorola Razr, Blackberries, and Sidekicks. This was Rule 2. Many of the devices were a healthy balance of engineering and design from the elegant thinness of the Razr to the integration with corporate email of the Blackberry. The market was also supported by a broad range of companies across the globe, Nokia, Sony-Erikkson, Motorola, Palm, and Samsung. In this era, cell phones became as much about personal fashion statements as communication devices. This evolved into Rule 3 from a form factor perspective. Design dominated. The technology was largely solved and the same across companies. Product design became the primary way to differentiate your offering.Then cameApple.iPhone as hardwaredeviceNot too long after the iPhone launched, I was riding on Caltrain from San Francisco to Silicon Valley. I remember looking around and noticing that almost everyone on the train had an iPhone. It was almost like overnight, we went from many form factors to one. It felt that sudden. The massive success of the iPod and iTunes helped propel Apple into the consumer space. Before the iPhone, hardware companies and service providers all struggled to define their own apps and look and feel. This led to a balkanization of apps and UX patterns. Apple broke through the logjam and defined a better wayforward.iPhone as an apps ecosystemThe launch of the iPhone represented the end of a rich marketplace of hardware design and the beginning of a new cycle (Rule 4). There was now only 1 hardware paradigm. But of course it also led to the flourishing of app design (Rule 3). This trend continues in the consumer space and extends into the B2Bspace.Apps &SaaSThe ongoing evolution of software experiences from the DOS C/ prompt to the latest SaaS apps andChatGPT.The stand out design of the iPhone experience also led to the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) trend for corporate users. Everyone wanted to use an iPhone at work even if the company still wanted to use their Blackberries. iPhone apps taught corporate users that apps did not need to suck. This created the push for better designed SaaS applications. I started my UX career on the consumer side but switched to a focus on SaaS applications. The design problems were more interesting and there were so many companies in need of design overhauls. It was a target rich environment. The state of SaaS companies and design makes me think of thisquote,The future is already hereits just not evenly distributed. WilliamGibsonSaaS applications cut across almost every industry. The cost of building a quality SaaS software and experience can be quite high. So even though the field has been around at least 20 years, there are still likely companies exhibiting each of the 4rulesRule 1Companies that are still mostly focused on technology issues. Electronic Health Records (EHR) strikes me as an example of this but there are probably better examples in the IT, security and cloud storagespaces.Rule 2Companies that are straddling the technology and design space. Workday might be an example of this. They are still trying to enable a broad range of HR and payroll technologies while also making small improvements to the user experience.Rule 3Asana, Slack, Monday, Product Board seem like examples of Rule 3. They are all highly aware of the importance of design and often have a keen focus on user experience.Rule 4Any company that is actively shipping and integrating AI into their workflows is probably in the early days of Rule 4. A new technology has emerged creating both an innovation but also a renewed focus on technology. Design is playing a role but not central to the innovation (yet). Microsoft and Google would be good examples of Rule 4 but there are too many companies here to list. Salesforce practically invented the SaaS category with their no software campaign in 2000. So they have likely been through all 4 stages sincethen.QuestionsThis post was meant to share a little bit of design history as it relates to the current situation in UX. History suggests we might be nearing the end of a design cycle but there will be others in the future. Agent-based AI experiences are mentioned as an area in need of design. There are only a small number of examples for the design of self-driving taxis. Food and dining seems ripe for more innovation. Climate solutions and healthcare will need more design help. But I still have many questions.Where is design headed in todays SaaS applications?Where will the next rise of design prominence occur andwhen?Whats youropinion?Sources and RelatedPostsDigital DreamsThe work of the Sony Design CenterPaulKunkelThe Rise of SaaS: How Salesforce and Marc Benioff Revolutionized Marketing StrategyMoeMizonoA bright future for strategic thinkersThis article has a good list of posts at theend.Four rules for how design influences technology was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Reanimal is the newest project from developer Tarsier Studios, and it looks to be one of its grimmest adventures yet. Known for the beloved Little Nightmares franchise, Tarsier Studios no longer develops the IP, as it's now been handed over to Supermassive Games. This makes Reanimal a fascinating prospect, as it teases an even darker dive into what can be done with the developer's special brand of horror.

Ever wondered how some smartphone photos look almost professional? With the best phone cameras available today, capturing stunning images is just a pocket away. This guide explores top smartphones that deliver exceptional photo quality, catering to a range of photographic needs and budgets. Whether you're an amateur looking to step up your photo game or a seasoned photographer seeking a convenient yet powerful tool, there's something here for everyone.

Helldivers 2 has been out for over a year now, and it's been "one heck of a roller coaster year," as described by Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Shams Jorjani. In a new interview with The Game Business, Jorjani explained how Helldivers 2 recovered from an overwhelmingly negative Steam user score--and how No Man's Sky provided the template.Helldivers 2 has seen massive highs and lows in its first year of release, from becoming the fastest-selling PlayStation game ever to being review-bombed almost to oblivion by angry fans. When it came to recovering from the lows, Jorjani looked to another legendary video game comeback."We went down to like 30 [percent positive] in [Steam's] user score, and usually that's the death knell for a game, but we came back from that," he recounted. "Then we fumbled with balancing and the focus for the game, and that sent us all the way down to 19%, I think was the lowest. Games that get 19% user score do not generally recover."Continue Reading at GameSpot

Spirit of the North is an upcoming sequel to the acclaimed adventure game of the same name. Here, you are an isolated fox going on a quest accompanied by a smart raven to restore the lost guardians.It starts with customizing the foxs appearance to make it personal. The deep customization system in the game allows you to adjust various body parts and details, such as weight, eye size and colors, muscle shape, ear length, and more. There are currently 25 fur patterns to find and unlock throughout the game, some of which were designed and created by players who won the fur design competition during the games development.In this breathtaking third-person adventure presented by Infuse Studio, you can explore a vast and ancient open world at your own pace, roaming through rich biomes, each with unique challenges and secrets to be discovered. You might also discover some runes that are hidden in deep, mysterious places, and they can be equipped to grant you new powers, like glide, dash, or spirit sprint, as well as give different glowing patterns on your back.Challenges are everywhere in the adventure, as seen in the first trailer be it storms that make the journey even harsher or stronger creatures, like bears trying to hunt you or giant birds stopping you from passing through and moving forward. But with the assistance of the raven, as well as puzzle-solving skills, you can conquer them all to reach the destination.Infuse StudioInfuse StudioInfuse StudioSpirit of the North 2 will be released on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S next month, on May 8. If youd like to join the fox on this incredible journey, dont hesitate to add the game to your wishlist on Steam.Join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, and awesome artworks.Source link The post Sequel To Acclaimed Adventure Game Set In Breathtaking Ancient World Is Coming Next Month appeared first on CG SHARES.

Xhon HysenajIt appears that Autodesks digital sculpting software, Mudbox, has received its fifth consecutive minor update with no new features mentioned in the release notes.The only information provided is a vague message saying, Welcome to Mudbox 2026. This release includes minor updates, leaving users in the dark about the specifics of these updates.Since Autodesk made the decision to reinvest in Mudbox back in 2017, there has been a noticeable lack of new features. The last version to deliver meaningful upgrades was Mudbox 2019, with subsequent releases consisting of minor updates.The only noticeable change in Mudbox 2026 seems to be its pricing, which has dropped to $10 per month. Check the release notes here in case they are updated with more information, and dont forget to join our80 Level Talent platformand ournew Discord server, follow us onInstagram,Twitter,LinkedIn,Telegram,TikTok, andThreads, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.Source link The post Autodesks Mudbox 2026 Released With No New Features Listed appeared first on CG SHARES.

RTHUXLEYTerada in the blue forest.#scifi #comic #art

RTXeo Shirow Masamune

A man with a complex medical history ended up with a rare bacterial infection after taking probiotics in the hospital.

Tropical storms have been steadily increasing in frequency over the past 5,700 years, new evidence from sediment in the Great Blue Hole reveals, with a massive spike in the past two decades.

Nature, Published online: 02 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00991-7The fierce debate about smartphones and adolescent mental health rests on conflicting science. Researchers and technology companies must work to improve it.

Nature, Published online: 02 April 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-00933-3Researchers are debating the strength of evidence connecting technology to surging rates of adolescent mental illness. But they have some clear advice for parents.

Home printers and scanners had their momentaround the same time flip phones did. But in 2025, nobodys dragging out a giant machine just to digitize a couple forms. Instead, theyre swapping out those dusty relics for a powerful little app called iScanner.This mobile document scanner fits in your pocket, fires up instantly, and doesnt charge you monthly. Even better? You can grab lifetime access for just $24.99 with code SCAN at checkout while codes last (reg. $39.99). Last time we ran this deal, they sold out within the dayso act fast if youre interested.Point, shoot, and scaniScanner turns your iPhone or iPad into a fast, accurate scanner with tools that detect page edges, fix angles, and flatten curves automatically. Honestly, it puts your old scanner to shame.This mobile scanner app only takes three simple steps to digitize any document, receipt, ID card, or contract:Hold your device above the paperThe app automatically grabs a captureAI tools give you a perfect scan every timeEdit PDFs on the goIts the most wonderful time of the year (not): tax season. Youve probably already found yourself needing a mobile PDF editor for tax forms, and now youll always have one. Or, when you get sent a contract to sign, you can do it right from your iPhoneno matter where you are.iScanner also has the unique ability to solve math problems, measure object length, or calculate the area of rooms, only by capturing or uploading photos. Its like having a mini know-it-all in your back pocket.Use code SCAN to get an iScanner lifetime subscription for $24.99 before were sold out of codes (reg. $39.99). Remember: we expect these to sell out fast.StackSocial prices subject to change.iScanner App: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal

The names for two internet-famous eagle chicks have officially been announced. The eaglet formerly known as Bigger Chick is named Sunny and Smaller Chick is now Gizmo. Sunny and Gizmo joined mom Jackie and dad Shadow on their nest overlooking Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino mountains east of Los Angeles, California in March. The nest is monitored by cameras 24/7 by nonprofit organization Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV).According to FOBBV, over 54,000 names were submitted. The third, fourth, and fifth grade classes at Big Bear Valley elementary schools voted on the new names on April 1. They chose from 31 names including Skye, Crackle, Talon, Blaze, and Bell. In 2022, Jackie and Shadows chick named Spirit from the 10,000 names that were submitted. The tradition of having these youngsters choose the name goes back to Jackies parents Ricky and Lucy.The third graders always study eagles, FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers tells Popular Science. A biologist who has since retired, but was at the Forest Service, was talking about eagles with the third graders. She had that connection and put this in place.The eaglets are starting to grow into their feathers. CREDIT: FOBBV. According to FOBBV, a DNA test is the only way to positively determine the sex in bald eagles. The team may or may not guess at the sex when the eaglets are 10 weeks of old based on their size, vocal pitch, and other visual characteristics.Eagle parents Jackie and Shadow tending to their new chicks. CREDIT: FOBBV. For the tens of thousands of viewers who have been following this journey via a 24-hour livecam, its been an emotional rollercoaster. After three eggs failed to hatch in 2024, three eggs appeared in the nest. Chick 1 hatched late on March 3, followed by Chick 2 early on March 4, and Chick 3 hatched on March 8. On the evening of March 13, a snowstorm hit the area dumping up to two feet of snow and pummeling the nest with strong winds. On the morning of March 14, only two of the chicks were visible on the live cam. FOBBV later confirmed the passing of one of the chicks.FOBBV believes that Chick 1 died based on foot size and the amount of thermal down feathers in the other two eaglets. The deceased chick has since been named Misty in honor of Kathi Misterly, an FOBBV volunteer who passed away after a battle with cancer.The post Jackie and Shadows eaglets officially named. Meet Sunny and Gizmo. appeared first on Popular Science.

Norman Foster's View on Designing for Space: New Exhibition of Extra-Terrestrial Projects Opens at Washington's Kennedy CenterSave this picture!NASA Lunar Outfitting Render. Image Foster + PartnersFor three weeks, from March 28 to April 20, 2025, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. will host the art festival "EARTH to SPACE: Arts Breaking the Sky." Curated by Alicia Adams, Vice President of International Programming, and Gilda Almeida, Director of International Programming, the festival includes a full agenda of performances, film screenings, talks, panels, and exhibitions. As part of the festival, Foster + Partners has designed an exhibition titled "From Earth to Space and Back," inviting visitors to imagine a future where humans have experienced life on Mars, where exploring new worlds is within reach, and where technological advancements in space revolutionize life on Earth. The festival is based on the idea that imagining life in space can inspire solutions for living on Earth, a perspective reflected in the projects presented by Foster + Partners.Save this picture!The firm's stance is that space exploration unlocks new horizons for scientific discovery, pushing the boundaries of physics, biology, and psychology. According to Foster + Partners, space is not only a field of science but also holds immense social and economic potential. They argue that designing for space provides insights into responsible and sustainable architecture, helping designers develop solutions for more efficient and harmonious living on Earth. They also emphasize how research into 3D-printing technologies, originally aimed at building habitats on the Moon and Mars, has led to advancements in metal and concrete printing techniques currently under development.Save this picture!Save this picture!Through scale models, 3D-printed structures, and films, the exhibition presents extraterrestrial projects and asks: Why should we build a second home on Mars? It envisions autonomous robots mining rare metals on the Moon and digital and genetic archives safely preserved on Mars. Foster + Partners' lunar habitat designs feature 3D-printed modules that protect inhabitants from gamma radiation, meteorite impacts, and extreme temperature fluctuations. The exhibition also connects to the firm's broader portfolio, merging space exploration with terrestrial architecture, including Spaceport America in New Mexico, designed as a launchpad for space tourism. Since 2012, Foster + Partners has collaborated with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) to conceptualize habitats for other planets. Related Article Designing for Two Worlds: How Space Exploration is Shaping the Future of Architecture on Earth The exhibition will run from March 28 to April 13, 2025.Save this picture!Save this picture! The science fiction fantasies and inspirations of my youth are the project realities of today. Designing for space is about pushing the boundaries of innovation. The challenges we face in creating sustainable habitats on the Moon or Mars have inspired groundbreaking solutions for zero waste and zero emissions buildings on Earth. The technologies and materials developed for space exploration can revolutionize how we build and live in harsh climates, making our planet more resilient and sustainable. - Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners Founded in 1967, Foster + Partners has built upon Norman Foster's early high-tech approach to architecture, as discussed in a 1971 interview with Bernard Keeffe. In a 2007 conference, Norman Foster reflected on the future, stating: "As an architect, you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown." Under this vision, the firm continues to develop architecture and urban design projects worldwide, particularly in urban regeneration and development. Their latest projects include a Masterplan and Shopping Hub for Iai's Palace of Culture Area in Romania, the nearly completed Safra National Bank Tower in Miami, and the Manchester United stadium redevelopment and Old Trafford neighborhood renewal.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorCite: Antonia Pieiro. "Norman Foster's View on Designing for Space: New Exhibition of Extra-Terrestrial Projects Opens at Washington's Kennedy Center" 02 Apr 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1028689/norman-fosters-view-on-designing-for-space-new-exhibition-of-extra-terrestrial-projects-opens-at-washingtons-kennedy-center&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Luigis Mansion was a GameCube launch title (Nintendo)A reputable insider has claimed GameCube games will soon be available through Nintendos online service, ahead of the Switch 2 Direct.The games library on Nintendo Switch Online might not be as expansive as the Wiis Virtual Console, but it has steadily improved over time with games from the Sega Genesis, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo 64 generations.The big omission is the Nintendo GameCube, which is synonymous with games like Super Smash Bros. Melee and Metroid Prime. While several GameCube games have been remastered for the Switch over recent years, it seems like Nintendo is planning to add some of the systems original games as an extra incentive for its online subscription service.The addition of GameCube games has been rumoured for some time, but reputable insider Nate The Hate, who accurately leaked the Switch 2 reveal date, has now corroborated these claims.During the latest episode of his podcast, Nate The Hate said: Ive heard GameCube will be coming to Nintendo Switch Online. Its just a question of when, not if.More TrendingWhile theres no indication of when this could be announced, theres a chance it could be shown during the Switch 2 Direct at 2pm UK time today especially if GameCube games are exclusive to Nintendos next system. The GameCube launched in 2001 (Nintendo)Theres some evidence to suggest GameCube games will eventually appear on the service. Earlier this year, an FCC filing suggested a wireless GameCube controller might be planned for the Switch 2. Nintendo previously released a wireless Nintendo 64 controller when it launched N64 games on the Switchs online service, so it might be planning something similar for the GameCube on Switch 2.If this functionality does come to Nintendo Switch Online, the big question is whether Nintendo will continue to release fully remastered GameCube games, with many fans hoping for spruced up versions of The Legend Of Zelda: The Wind Waker, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and Zelda: Twilight Princess.At the very least, it would be a welcome addition to platform some of the consoles beloved oddities, like Chibi-Robo, Eternal Darkness, Viewtiful Joe, and Billy Hatcher And The Giant Egg. Paper Mario was recently remastered on Switch (Nintendo)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Is Project Rene doomed before its even out? (EA)EA continues to face an uphill battle with its upcoming The Sims game for mobile as another playtest yields new screenshots and footage.While EA has said it will never make The Sims 5, choosing to instead continuously update The Sims 4, the company still intends to release new Sims games, including Project Rene.Billed as The Sims but with multiplayer, EA has yet to give it a proper name or release date. But leaked info from private playtests has already earned it a sour reputation among fans for its art style, with one playtester blasting it as boring.Officially, EA hasnt provided any updates on the project in months though it appears to have set up yet another playtest for mobile devices. Unfortunately, if EA had hoped to turn fans opinions around, it hasnt worked.The playtest was spotted over on the German Google Play store under the name City Life Game with Friends, where it launched about a week ago on March 26. Theres no sign of it on Apples app store so its exclusive to Android phones.Despite the fake-sounding name, its definitely related to Project Rene since the screenshots on its store page match the leaks from previous playtests. Plus, EA is listed as the publisher, and you can see the iconic Sims green diamond (or plumbob) over the player characters head in video footage uploaded to YouTube.According to the official Sims Discord channel (as spotted by fan site Sims Community), the playtest is limited to certain regions and only set to last until April 4.It sounds fundamentally identical to the last leaked playtest since it also involves you working in a caf, though the store description mentions being able to throw block parties as well.Regardless, it appears to have done little to get fans any more invested, with reactions on Reddit to the screenshots and video footage proving universally negative.This is not going to be for me, I can tell already. It just seems so basic and I dont want to play The Sims on my phone, reads the top comment by Simplyobsessed2.The graphics remain a big sticking point, with one commenter simply labelling them as vile while another says it looks like those Russian content farm YouTube videos for babies.Given the timing of the footages upload to YouTube, a couple of fans seem to have mistaken it for an April Fools joke or at least wish it was.More TrendingThis isnt anything Id care about and definitely isnt the next generation of The Sims, writes kaptingavrin, who believes EA will have to shift course and make a proper Sims game anyway now that it has new competition in the form of inZOI.A rare example of a game trying to emulate The Sims, inZOI quickly garnered a lot of attention on Steam thanks to its admittedly amazing graphics, shooting to the top of peoples wishlists. Its currently available in early access, meaning anyone can try it out for themselves (as long as you can get it running on your PC), meaning its already reaching a wider audience than Project Rene is with its limited playtests.EA could manage to turn things around once Project Rene becomes more widely available, but these early impressions make it hard to be optimistic about the games chances. inZOI is undoubtedly the better-looking game (Krafton)Emailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Today is Liberation Day, according to President Donald Trump the day he announces a slate of new tariffs. This is just the latest update to tariff policies that have already caused a good deal of whiplash since Trump took office in January. He threatened to impose tariffs on Colombia and canceled his plan to do so all in a single day. He rolled out a tariff plan for Canada and Mexico, only to postpone implementing it shortly after some tariffs went into effect. And hes been threatening both allies and adversaries with broad and aggressive tariffs for reasons ranging from cracking down on fentanyl to closing a TikTok deal.The chaotic nature of Trumps tariff policies has unnerved investors, and the stock market has plummeted since the president made it clear that hes not afraid of a trade war. It has also made tariffs look like an inherently bad idea. To be fair, Trumps tariff proposals are bad policy: They are far too broad, haphazard, and have confusing rationales.But tariffs are not fundamentally unwise. The reality is that tariffs can be, and have been, effective policy tools for promoting industrial development when theyre done in a targeted strategic way and when they are matched with other complementary policies, said Adam Hersh, a senior economist at the Economic Policy Institute. So what would good tariff policies actually look like?When tariffs can be goodA tariff is a tax thats imposed on goods imported from other countries. Oftentimes, the cost is passed on to consumers because companies will raise their prices to offset the tax. One of the biggest reasons countries would be interested in levying a tariff is to protect domestic industries from unfair competition. Take the example of Chinese steel. China, which heavily subsidizes its steel industry, produces more than half of the worlds steel. Because demand for steel within China has not kept pace with supply, Chinese steel has become much cheaper, potentially selling at a loss in international markets. That makes it extremely difficult for steel manufacturers elsewhere to compete, which has prompted governments to respond. Last year, the Biden administration implemented tariffs aimed at curbing imports of Chinese steel in order to protect US manufacturers.Another example of unfair competition comes from countries with bad labor standards and very low wages. If, for example, Chinese products are cheaper than American products in part because of extremely low labor costs, the US shouldnt respond by lowering wages to keep local companies competitive. Instead of a race to the bottom, the US can respond by imposing tariffs on certain Chinese products. That allows American companies to pay their workers well without having to sacrifice their competitiveness in the market. Tariffs work best when they are tailored to a specific problem. We have to start by making strategic choices about, What are the industries that are important to support with public policy? Hersh said. That could be for a national security reason, it could be for an economic reason, it could be because of broader social goals like fighting the climate crisis.Other times, a country might be interested in propping up a certain sector to make the supply chain more stable. If the United States is too reliant on other countries to provide certain goods, it can be caught in a crisis when supply chains are disrupted. This was a lesson learned painfully during the COVID-19 pandemic when everyone was scrambling to source personal protective equipment (PPE), respirators, and critical medicines unavailable domestically at the necessary scale, Hersh wrote in an article with Josh Bivens, the chief economist at the Economic Policy Institute. Tariffs, in other words, can help ensure that there isnt a monopoly over crucial imports so that supply chains arent completely disrupted in the event of war or, as we learned in 2020, a pandemic.Why Trumps tariff policy is misguidedOn his first day back in the White House, Trump announced that he would try to build a whole new agency called the External Revenue Service to collect taxes on imports. His goal is very simple: to abolish the Internal Revenue Service and let all the outsiders pay, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Fox News in February.But while tariffs were a main source of revenue for the US government before it introduced federal income taxes in 1913, Trumps supposed plan to replace the IRS with an External Revenue Service is a terrible idea. For starters, tariffs essentially act as a flat tax on spending, which ultimately puts a higher burden on lower-income consumers. Its also impossible for tariffs to raise nearly as much money as income tax.This strategy also highlights why Trumps tariff proposals are so poorly planned: He simultaneously wants to raise a significant amount of money from tariffs while also pledging to get rid of tariffs if other countries agree to his terms. Trumps tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada, for example, were placed in part, he says, to stop fentanyl from flowing into the United States. So what would happen if those countries end up meeting Trumps demands? If Trumps plan is just to raise revenue, then clearly he wouldnt want to come to an agreement with those countries. If his plan is to curb fentanyl, then he clearly doesnt want tariffs to be a permanent source of revenue.The Trump administration has not been targeted or strategic. They have so many different rationales for why theyre pursuing tariffs, not all of them have to do with industrial revitalization, Hersh said. The broad-based approach is also expected to be seriously disruptive, spiking prices on all kinds of products all at once. Even Trump seemed to suggest that would be the case. WILL THERE BE SOME PAIN? YES, MAYBE (AND MAYBE NOT!), Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, his social media platform. BUT WE WILL MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, AND IT WILL ALL BE WORTH THE PRICE THAT MUST BE PAID.Another problem is that Trump seemingly believes that tariffs can stand on their own. But tariffs in and of themselves are not a solution. To be effective at protecting American companies and jobs, tariffs should be coupled with other policies that help spur investments.Trump has proposed repealing the CHIPS and Science Act, which former President Joe Biden signed into law in 2022. The law invested tens of billions of dollars in Americas semiconductor industry by subsidizing companies that want to build new manufacturing facilities in the United States and by funding research and development.If Trump is actually interested in using tariffs productively, he should start by first figuring out what his policy objectives actually are. He could also turn to his predecessor for answers. The Biden administrations approach to propping up the semiconductor industry, for example, was to impose some tariffs in addition to the CHIPS Act, using tariffs as just one tool of many to support industry growth. Trump, by contrast, wants to just rely on tariffs without committing to long-term investments. That wont deliver the same goal.Ultimately, its important to remember that just because Trumps approach to tariffs is bombastic and unpredictable, that shouldnt necessarily be a reflection on tariffs more broadly. At the end of the day, tariffs exist for a reason, and, if implemented well, they can be a beneficial tool to shore up jobs, promote better wages, and advance national interests. We cant judge the tool, Hersh said, by the craftsman that is mishandling it.See More:

Joe Rogan's popular podcast has both video and audio components. Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images 2025-04-02T10:30:01Z SaveSaved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? The definition of a "podcast" is evolving, with YouTube videos often considered part of the category.This shift complicates the picture for advertisers who want clarity and advanced tracking metrics.Industry leaders say they want a unified podcast definition to help ensure future growth.No one knows precisely how to define what a "podcast" is anymore and debate around the topic is roiling the industry.The term "podcast" used to refer to an on-demand audio show of people discussing things, but that definition has become blurry over time.More than half 52% of people now say videos that are only available on YouTube can be considered podcasts, according to a new report by Oxford Road and Edison Research aptly titled, "What Is a Podcast? Preserving its Essence, Structuring for Expansion."The most popular definition in the survey accepted by 72% was recordings of people discussing a topic on YouTube that's also available as audio shows elsewhere, like Spotify or Apple Podcasts.The answers changed based on people's media habits. People were more willing to consider YouTube-only videos as podcasts if they'd listened to podcasts, and even more so if they'd watched video podcasts. Oxford Road and Edison Research surveyed more than 4,000 Americans 12 and up for the report.The survey is another sign of how the format's definition is shifting and it's not just an academic issue.Podcasting has never been bigger. It's credited with helping shape the presidential election, and Big Tech is coming for its piece. YouTube revealed in February that more than 1 billion people every month listen to podcasts on the platform. Spotify, meanwhile, is pushing into video. Creators are increasingly getting into the medium, too.But the convergence of audio and video in the podcast medium has caused confusion and complexity for advertisers. Ad buyers now have to wrangle over which of their clients' budgets podcasting should come out of audio or video and that's slowing down the ad-buying process, the report found. Platforms like Spotify and YouTube also make third-party tracking difficult, which means performance advertisers struggle to assess how their ads are performing."Where there's lack of clarity, there's confusion, and there's frustration, and advertisers will take their business elsewhere," said Dan Granger, CEO of Oxford Road and Veritone One, which helps marketers buy podcast ads. "We have seen advertisers not buy shows because of this. It's material."Oxford Road and Edison's report calls for the podcast industry to agree on common definitions and explore the development of a system to measure podcasting across platforms.Video raises questions for hosts, tooThe shift to video has other consequences for podcasting. Uploading files as videos can make more money for the host and let advertisers reach a bigger audience, but it also creates more work."It's a good thing because it's pushing the industry forward," said Jeff Umbro, CEO of The Podglomerate, which makes, markets, and monetizes podcasts for organizations like PBS, Netflix, and others. "I also think that nobody's really talking about the administrative burden that this adds, figuring out how to reconcile all these payments, the time it takes to upload to all these platforms."More broadly, the shift raises identity questions for hosts. As they go beyond audio to video, and then do live events and sell ads on social media, they start to look more like influencers.Joining the influencer club means potentially accessing a bigger ad pie. Advertisers spent $9.2 billion on influencer marketing in 2024, versus $2.3 billion on podcast advertising, per EMARKETER. However, it could also distance them from the positive qualities that podcasting has become associated with, such as the intimate relationship hosts have with audiences.As hosts branch out to other things, it can also get complicated to figure out how to share the resulting ad dollars among stakeholders. And there's the question of what happens to a podcast's value on YouTube. YouTube videos can command around a third of podcasts' ad rates because advertisers discount the quality of the viewing.Steve Blackford, head of customer acquisition for LifeLock, a longtime podcast advertiser, said he's resigned to figuring out video advertising because that's where the audience is going. But it's hard to track an ad when it runs across both video and audio. Some podcasters sell video and audio together as a bundle and don't break out the audience by channel."As a performance marketer, it's hard to put those all together," Blackford said. "How do I know what value I'm getting?"Some players are trying to solve for the complexity. SiriusXM is rolling out Creator Connect, a tool that creates different versions of a podcast ad for video and social media. Gabe Tartaglia, who heads podcast and satellite sales for SiriusXM, said the company was hearing from advertisers that they wanted to be able to buy against hosts' multiplatform efforts. About 12% of SiriusXM's podcast advertisers are already running ads on more than one format.Spotify said in a statement that it offers dynamic ad tools and works with third parties to support its podcast ad ecosystem.What's in a name?The report's authors interviewed 30 industry stakeholders and found a few common themes. Some said the audio element was primary."If you can mute it and it doesn't make sense, it's not a pod anymore," Granger said.Some said it didn't matter what platform it was on.The researchers proposed a new definition for podcast: "An on-demand audio-driven program featuring episodic content across wide-ranging themes and formats."Or, more simply: "If it works with your eyes closed, it's a podcast."A video podcast, meanwhile, is "an episodic, on-demand program centered on spoken-word content, where synchronized visuals meaningfully shape the experience."Granger said without a shared vocabulary that enables podcasting to be measured and clarified for advertisers, the industry risks decline."Investment in the industry chases industry growth," he said. "And if they can't define it, you can't forecast it, and if you can't forecast it, institutional capital is less bullish, you have less growth."A few said they wouldn't mind if the word "podcast" went away entirely."If podcasting goes away, that's not a national tragedy," the report quoted Ira Glass, host of "This American Life," as saying. "Creative people will find a place to make stuff."Another view is that the industry shouldn't abandon a term that has earned strong credibility with advertisers.One area of agreement seems to be that video isn't going away as a format for podcasts, especially with YouTube making a big play for them. YouTube's role is poised to get even larger if it gets into dynamic ad insertion, as Semafor reported it's looking into. This would allow for more customization and potentially trackability.Recommended video

Deloitte is one target of the Trump Administration's push to cut spending on consultants. J. David Ake/Getty Images 2025-04-02T10:41:37Z SaveSaved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? The Trump administration is slashing federal spending on consultants.Business Insider crunched the DOGE receipts to calculate how many contracts have been cut.Deloitte has had at least 127 contracts cut or modified more than twice as many as any of nine other firms.Ten major firms are under the spotlight as the Trump administration continues its consulting crackdown but one is taking the most heat.Deloitte has had at least 127 of its government contracts cut or modified since January, more than double the total for any of the other consultancies on the Trump administration's list, a Business Insider analysis of data on DOGE's website found.The Big Four firm is one of 10 of the federal government's highest-paid consultancies that have come under scrutiny amid the administration's push to cut waste and improve efficiency. The list includes Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, IBM, and General Dynamics.According to DOGE, the cuts to Deloitte contracts will save taxpayers about $371.8 million.They include $51.4 million in savings from a contract providing IT services to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and $1.1 million in savings from a DEIA training contract that has been running since 2020.Deloitte US contracts with federal agencies were worth $3.3 billion a year, or almost 10% of its most recent annual revenues, it said in a recent earnings report.Booz Allen Hamilton, which generates almost all of its $11 billion in annual revenue from the public sector, is the second hardest-hit firm, with 61 contracts cut, according to BI's analysis.Accenture has had at least 30 contracts cut, saving $240.2 million, per DOGE's data. In an annual earnings call last month, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet said that DOGE's cost-cutting efforts had already hit the firm's revenues, and staff have told BI they're worried about layoffs. The General Services Administration headquarters in Washington, DC. Douglas Rissing/Getty Images The General Services Administration (GSA), the government's largest procurement arm, is leading the effort to reevaluate federal consulting spend. The agency, which operates separately from DOGE, said that consulting contracts with the 10 firms were set to generate more than $65 billion in fees in 2025 and future years.In March, the GSA asked the consultancies to submit a scorecard containing a detailed breakdown of their pricing and suggestions for where they could reduce costs or cut waste.It told the firms to identify which contracts were "mission critical" and to use simple terms to do it: "A 15-year-old should be able to understand what service you provide and why it is important."Responses were due by Monday this week.A source at the agency told BI that the GSA and federal bodies were now reviewing the scorecards and would decide on further cuts. The goal was to cut waste and move toward a more outcome-based approach instead of open-ended contracts, they said. CEOs and senior executives at the consultancies appeared to be aligned with the administration's priorities, the source added.Here's the list of contracts cut and savings made, according to the DOGE website:Deloitte: 127 contracts, $371.8 millionBooz Allen Hamilton: 61 contracts, $207.1 millionGuidehouse: 49 contracts, $128.7 millionAccenture: 30 contracts, $240.2 millionGeneral Dynamics: 16 contracts, $202.7 millionIBM: 10 contracts, $34.3 millionLeidos: 7 contracts, + $78.5 millionCGI Federal: 7 contracts, $465,000Science Applications International Corp: 5 contracts, $7.5 millionHave a tip? Contact this reporter via email at pthompson@businessinsider.com or Signal at Polly_Thompson.89. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely.Recommended video

A new 3D-printed design could make an integral part of cooling systems like air conditioners or refrigerators smaller and more efficient, according to new research. Heat exchangers are devices that whisk away heat, and theyre everywhereused in data centers, ships, factories, and buildings. The aim is to pass as much heat as possible from one side of the device to the other. Most use one of a few standard designs that have historically been easiest and cheapest to make. Heat exchangers are at the center of the industrial economy. Theyre an essential part of every machine and every system that moves energy, says William King, a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and one of the authors of the new study. Existing designs tend to favor straight lines, right angles, and round tubes, he adds. King and his colleagues used 3D printing to design a heat exchanger that includes features to optimize heat movement, like wavy walls and pyramid-shaped bumps, which wouldnt be possible to make using traditional manufacturing techniques. The team had set out to design a system based on a common refrigerant called R-134a, which is commonly used in devices like air conditioners and refrigerators. When cold water lowers the temperature of the refrigerant, it changes from a gas to a liquid on its path through the device. That liquid refrigerant can then go on to other parts of the cooling system, where its used to lower the temperature of anything from a room to a rack of servers. The best way to cool the refrigerant tends to involve building very thin walls between the two sides of the device and maximizing the amount of contact that the water and the refrigerant make with those walls. (Think about how much colder youd get wearing a thin T-shirt and pants and lying down on ice than simply touching it with your gloved hands.) To design the best possible heat exchanger, researchers used simulations and developed machine-learning models to help predict the performance of different designs under different conditions. After 36,000 simulations, the researchers landed on the one they decided to develop. Among the key components: small fins that jut out on the side of the device that touches the water, increasing the surface area to maximize heat transfer. The team also designed wavy passageways for the water to pass throughonce again helping to maximize surface area. Simulations helped the researchers figure out exactly how curvy the passages should be and where precisely to place the fins. On the side of the devices where the refrigerant passes through, the design includes small pyramid-shaped bumps along the walls. These not only maximize the area for cooling but also help mix the refrigerant as it passes through and prevent liquid from coating the wall (which would slow down the heat transfer). After settling on a design, the researchers used a 3D-printing technique called direct metal laser sintering, in which lasers melt and fuse together a metal powder (in this case, an aluminum alloy), layer by layer. In testing, the researchers found that the heat exchanger created with this technique was able to cool down the refrigerant more efficiently than other designs. The new device was able to achieve a power density of over six megawatts per meter cubedoutperforming one common traditional design, the shell-tube configuration, by between 30% and 50% with the same pumping power. The devices power density was similar to that of brazed plate heat exchangers, another common design in industry. Overall, this device doesnt dramatically outperform the state-of-the-art technology, but the technique of using modeling and 3D printing to produce new heat exchanger designs is promising, says Dennis Nasuta, director of research and development at Optimized Thermal Systems, a consulting firm that works with companies in the HVAC industry on design and research. Its worth exploring, and I dont think that we know yet where we can push it, Nasuta says. One challenge is that today, additive manufacturing techniques such as laser sintering are slow and expensive compared with traditional manufacturing; they wouldnt be economical or feasible to rely on for all our consumer cooling devices, he says. For now, this type of approach could be most useful in niche applications like aerospace and high-end automotives, which could more likely bear the cost, he adds. This particular study was funded by the US Office of Naval Research. Next-generation ships have more electronics aboard than ever, and theres a growing need for compact and efficient systems to deal with all that extra heat, says Nenad Miljkovic, one of the authors of the study. Energy demand for cooling buildings alone is set to double between now and 2050, and new designs could help efficiently meet the massive demand forecast for the coming decades. But challenges including manufacturing costs would need to be overcome to help innovations like the one designed by King and his team make a dent in real devices. Another barrier to adopting these new techniques, Nasuta says, is that current standards dont demand more efficiency. Other technologies already exist that could help make our devices more efficient, but theyre not used for the same reason. It will take time for new manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing, to trickle into our devices, Natsua adds: This isnt going to be in your AC next year.

MSI Claw had a rocky start, but the latest MSI Claw AI 8+ ranks among the best gaming handhelds. No matter the exact console, MSI seems committed to listening to user feedback, because todays update comes with some of the features gamers have been asking for. Lets dig in.MSI announced the latest update in a post on X (Twitter), saying: Were bringing these new MSI Center M features based on community feedback. Looking at whats being added, I can easily believe that this was based on requests, and in fact, one of those things is something I want in pretty much every single piece of software the ability to choose between light and dark mode.Image used with permission by copyright holderColor mode is exactly what it says on the label you can now choose the design that suits you best. Personally, Im always using dark mode on every device that allows it, but I have to say that the light mode looks pretty neat, too. It doesnt appear to be overly bright, which helps when gaming at night, but try it out for yourself and report back.Recommended VideosThe other updates are all related to battery life. MSI is bringing Battery Master to help you choose a charging limit, which can help protect battery health. The same way youll sometimes hear that you shouldnt charge a phone to a full 100% in order to keep the battery healthy, MSI is now letting you do the same thing with your Claw. Lastly, Battery Calibration. This is a separate tool that MSI recommends that you use once every 3 months to further improve battery life. You should only use it when the handheld is plugged in, though, and using it will close all your apps, so dont tab out of a game to do this youll lose your progress.MSI also says that some bug fixes have been implemented alongside these updates, although it doesnt specify what exactly has been fixed.The update is rolling out now, so if you own an MSI Claw, you can download the patch and check out these new features for yourself.Editors Recommendations

Every fall, Apple drops a number of major software updates for its devices, with last year seeing the arrival of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS 15 Sequoia. We then get smaller updates to these software builds as the months progress with some of those introducing big features that maybe werent ready when the main software dropped, while others are merely bug fixes.This week saw the release of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4 but while watchOS would usually have dropped at the same time in this case watchOS 11.4 it was notably missing. Still, theres good news in that it is here now, and with it come a couple of new features one of which is especially good for those of you who need an extra kick to get out of bed in the morning.Recommended VideosApples watchOS 11.4 introduces an improvement for the smartwatchs sleep alarm. The Sleep Wake Up Alarm will now be able to break through silent mode on your Apple Watch so you dont need to turn silent mode off before you go to bed in fear of missing your alarm.RelatedThere is still the vibration alarm for those that dont want to wake their partner up, but if the vibration on your wrist isnt enough to wake you up, being able to have your Apple Watchs alarm ring too will no doubt be a welcome addition.The software also sees the Home app on Apple Watch support Matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaners. That support has been introduced on iPhone through iOS 18.4 and iPad through iPadOS 18.4 too, but with watchOS 11.4, it means you can command your robot vacuum from your wrist.Elsewhere, watchOS 11.4 brings a number of bug fixes and improvements, as is usually the case, including a fix to the bug that made watch face selection unresponsive when switching faces.The watchOS 11.4 software is available to Apple Watch models from the Series 6 and newer. To download it, go to the Watch app on your iPhone and head to General. From there, you will need to tap on Software Update. You will also need to make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18.4 before you can update your Apple Watch.Editors Recommendations