Android Authority has spotted a line in Google Messages' beta that could make it easier for you to add people to group chats.

Check out Framestores breakdown of its invisible effects in the film.The post Does Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy have VFX? It sure does appeared first on befores & afters.

Memorable experiences guide us to value the present moment before it becomes only a memory. As the context around us continuously evolves at a rapid pace, the formation of memories comes to life through spatial awareness of the physical environment. The importance of human interaction and shared engagement in the design of immersive entertainment and sports venues, workplaces, and even homes is fundamental to making memories of a lifetime.Georges Duhamels 1919 French philosophical essay, The Hearts Domain, touches on the essence of human experience and the pursuit of meaning in a rapidly changing world. He emphasizes the importance of human connection. Duhamel was a surgeon, poet, and philosopher, and his words translated into English noted, We do not know the true value of our moments until they have undergone the test of memory. Like the images the photographer plunges into a golden bath, our sentiments take on color; and only then, after that recoil and that transfiguration, do we understand their real meaning and enjoy them in all their tranquil splendor.Photography has evolved and we now have the ability to memorialize images physically printed or digitally, and saved to a cloud server that can be virtually accessed anytime and anywhere.Shared experiencesWhen faced with the immediate decision to evacuate the Sunset Fire on January 8, the practical and emotional task of deciding what to take tested how we physically save memories. Besides our cats, computers, important documents, and overnight bags, the indecision between which physical (pre-digital) photo albums to grab became daunting. That evening it was the small details and stories of our shared experiences at home and in the community that we wanted to imprint in our minds not knowing what, if anything, would survive.We were fortunate that the fires did not ultimately reach our canyon neighborhood, but the unimaginable loss of lives, homes, schools, and businesses as a result of the Palisades and Eaton Fires has been devastating. So as communities rebuild for a resilient future, we honor the memories of the past, and value what we have in the present.Builder of dreamsThe physical manifestation of bringing stories to life is transformational to healing and moving forward. Walt Disney said, Times and conditions change so rapidly that we must keep our aim constantly focused on the future. My first memory of being at Disneyland was captured in a photograph of my family and me posing in front of Sleeping Beautys castle. The stone details, colored banners and scents of cotton candy illuminated the storybook backdrop. My mom, sister, and cousin were posing with great attention to my dad and his camera. My head was turned away as I could not take my eyes off the remarkable castle structure that we had just walked through.This magical place that I had only read about or seen in a movie had come to life to immerse me in the story. I had no recollection of the moment until I found this image and wondered if it was my first inspiration to become an architecta builder of dreams.Memorable experiences transcend the past, present, and curiosity of the future. Design of memorable experiences enables shared human connections that meet people where they are, and how they are inspired to engage.Barbara Bouzais former president of Walt Disney Imagineering.The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.

Trying to find authentic, consistent joy in the midst of a reality that is relentlessly delivering devastating blows feels akin to finding a needle in an impossibly large haystack. But according to Michelle Obama, it is possibleand the power lies in acknowledging the depth of despair and apathy while still finding reasons for hope.At SXSW this week, the former first lady and her older brother, Craig Robinson, who is executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, took the stage for a live session of their new podcast, IMO. The pair were joined by Laurie Santos, a cognitive scientist, the Yale professorbehind the schools most popular class to date, The Science of Well-Being, and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, to discuss how to cultivate a hopeful mindset given the state of the world.On the current climate and drawing from childhood lessonsObama acknowledged the tense political climate, job loss, and growing divisions among Americans.I worry about folks being out of work, and I worry about how we think about diversity and inclusion. I think about how we treat one another and the voices that we hear, and what that does, what models thats setting for the next generation, she said.Who do we want to be as a country? she continued. All of that keeps me up at night, and I know that a lot of people are struggling with some of those things. But I find in those moments that it is better not to try to figure that stuff out alone.The siblings shared anecdotes from childhood to underscore several themesthe value of in-person interactions, the limiting of social media consumption, and how childhood experiences led them to develop the skills necessary to cope with adversity. They were raised by parents who, Obama pointed out, had many reasons to wallow in despair. Their father was a blue-collar worker raised in desegregation who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis as a young man. The two discussed what it was like growing up with a parent with a disability dominating his life, yet rarely missed a day of work and still managed to raise two successful children.For me and Craig and our families, you know, we always try to step outside of our loneliness and talk as a family and as a community to share those concerns, Obama shared. And I hope that our listeners are pushed to do some of the same things too.On tackling apathy and negative emotionsAn audience member posed the question to panelists: How do we plan for a future that looks different from the one that we were promised, without feeling apathetic?To Santos, a crucial piece of it is acknowledging that these times are not normal, and so feelings of apathy and disconnect are normal.All too often we can get into this, like, toxic positivity bag, where its like, Im feeling kind of embarrassed that Im so upset and frustrated and overwhelmed and sad about whats going on in the world, she said. Were supposed to feel that! Negative emotions are normal in an abnormal world.All three speakers agreed that social media and technology play an active role in exacerbating unhappiness. To combat this, Santos urged the audience to consider the impact scrolling on a timeline can have on the psyche and be deliberate in how we spend our time.Social media companies wouldnt have the algorithms if all our eyeballs werent on phones anymore. And we actually have more agency than we often remember in that fight, she said.On finding hopeA recurring theme in the conversation was rooted in finding ways to help others, even in small ways. Impacting the people around us and our loved ones, was a surefire way to find joy.Our mom used to say, Youre responsible for your own passion. And that was some of the most empowering advice she ever gave us, said Robinson. How can we help those out there who dont have a Marian Robinson or a social group? How can we help them work through making themselves happy?For Santos, hope did not mean toxic positivity or simply remaining optimistic.Hope says things are not fine, but I can actually see at least a few paths for things to get better, she said.

Almost every knifemaker wants to either make a blade that looks classy, or looks deadly. And the ones who chase the latter often jump through hoops to make their blade look incredibly dangerous but let me tell you if theres one singular visual symbol of danger, its the Grim Reapers scythe. The Reapers scythe is rumored to be powerful enough to sever the soul from the human body, and honestly if that isnt the most bone-chilling thing ever, I dont know what is.Meet the ScytheBlade, a tiny EDC knife that builds itself on that design format. Sure, the Grim Reapers scythe is much larger in comparison, but it shares the same iconic curved blade profile. In fact, scale the scythes blade down in size and you get something that really looks like a tiger claw, which also has a reputation of being incredibly dangerous and powerful. In short, the ScytheBlade is a tiny EDC that packs a punch far exceeding its small proportions, in part, thanks to the blades design but also to its robust titanium outer body.Designer: EdgeletClick Here to Buy Now: $33 $50 (35% off) Hurry! Limited units at discounted price.At just 46mm in length when opened, the ScytheBlade is one of the smallest folding knives youll find, but it doesnt compromise on durability. The body is made from lightweight yet strong titanium, giving it an incredibly robust feel without weighing you down. Weighing in at just 8 grams, its virtually unnoticeable until you need it, and at 46mm in length when deployed, it proves that size doesnt dictate capability. Titanium also brings that signature blend of strength and corrosion resistance, making it a great choice for an everyday knife that wont demand constant upkeep.The standout feature is, without a doubt, its sickle-style 7Cr steel blade. Unlike traditional straight-edge or tanto-style EDC knives, the curved edge of the ScytheBlade enhances cutting power by naturally pulling materials into the sharpest point of the blade. Its a design thats been refined for centuries, from agricultural tools to combat weapons, and now it finds its place in the modern EDC world. This shape is just inherently incredibly effective for tasks like opening boxes, cutting zip ties, or slicing through cordage. The hooked tip provides additional control, making delicate cuts easier while preventing accidental slips.Despite its size, the ScytheBlade doesnt skimp on security. The frame lock mechanism ensures the blade stays securely in place, both when opened and closed. Theres a satisfying click when the blade locks, reassuring you that its ready for action. The deployment is smooth, and while its not an automatic or assisted-open knife, the design makes one-handed operation relatively intuitive after a bit of practice. Given its size, youll probably find yourself opening it every other moment just out of sheer fidget appeal, but thats not really the pointits designed for precision, not theatrics.Carrying the ScytheBlade feels effortless. Its small enough to live on your keychain without being obtrusive, yet it offers a level of cutting performance that outclasses most utility knives of its size. Whether youre breaking down boxes, stripping wires, or handling a quick paracord job, the sharp hook of the blade makes every cut feel deliberate and controlled. A hole on the opposite side is perfect for stringing a lanyard through, or a keychain ring for easy carry.The ScytheBlade has all the makings of a great EDC. Its compact, highly durable, performs like a charm, and has enough of a unique factor to be visually memorable. I try to cover EDC knives that are distinct in their overall design, but the sad truth is that a lot of them follow a very predictable visual template. The ScytheBlade doesnt, thanks to its gorgeous talon-like blade that works as ruthlessly as a panthers claw, while being visually iconic enough to have a silhouette youve never seen before. Plus, $33 is a pretty low price to pay for a knife that will undoubtedly be a proud part of your EDC collection for decadesClick Here to Buy Now: $33 $50 (35% off) Hurry! Limited units at discounted price.The post This Mini Titanium Knife Cuts Like a Grim Reapers Scythe Meet the ScytheBlade first appeared on Yanko Design.

Xysticus cristatus, the common crab spider, is a species in the family Thomisidae. It has a Palearctic distribution, being found throughout Europe (including Iceland) and east through Asia to Siberia, China, Korea and Japan. It has been introduced to Canada and the United States. The species is usually found in low vegetation and avoids woodland and closed canopy habitats, but is otherwise found in almost every habitat type. The female has a body length of about 6 to 8 millimetres (0.24 to 0.31 inches), and the male about 3 to 5 millimetres (0.12 to 0.20 inches), with coloration varying from light cream, dark brown to greyish. X.cristatus is an ambush hunter that spends much time sitting still with its forelegs spread wide, waiting for insects to blunder into them. During reproduction, the female builds a flat white ovisac containing developing eggs, usually fixed on plants. The female sits on it to protect it, until myriad little spiders are released. This female X.cristatus spider with its prey, a Carniolan honey bee, was photographed in Bled, Slovenia. The photograph was focus-stacked from seven separate images.Photograph credit: Charles J. SharpRecently featured: Amlie of LeuchtenbergSt. Paraskevi ChurchMauritius kestrelArchiveMore featured pictures

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) has ushered in a new era of large language models (LLMs) capable of understanding and generating human-like text. However, the proprietary nature of many of these models poses challenges for accessibility, collaboration, and transparency within the research community. Additionally, the substantial computational resources required to train such models often limit participation to well-funded organizations, thereby hindering broader innovation.Addressing these concerns, the Allen Institute for AI (AI2) has introduced OLMo 2 32B, the latest and most advanced model in the OLMo 2 series. This model distinguishes itself as the first fully open model to surpass GPT-3.5 Turbo and GPT-4o mini across a suite of widely recognized, multi-skill academic benchmarks. By making all data, code, weights, and training details freely available, AI2 promotes a culture of openness and collaboration, enabling researchers worldwide to build upon this work.OLMo 2 32Bs architecture comprises 32 billion parameters, reflecting a significant scaling from its predecessors. The training process was meticulously structured in two primary phases: pretraining and mid-training. During pretraining, the model was exposed to approximately 3.9 trillion tokens from diverse sources, including DCLM, Dolma, Starcoder, and Proof Pile II, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of language patterns. The mid-training phase utilized the Dolmino dataset, which consists of 843 billion tokens curated for quality, encompassing educational, mathematical, and academic content. This phased approach ensured that OLMo 2 32B developed a robust and nuanced grasp of language. A notable aspect of OLMo 2 32B is its training efficiency. The model achieved performance levels comparable to leading open-weight models while utilizing only a fraction of the computational resources. Specifically, it required approximately one-third of the training compute compared to models like Qwen 2.5 32B, highlighting AI2s commitment to resource-efficient AI development. In benchmark evaluations, OLMo 2 32B demonstrated impressive results. It matched or exceeded the performance of models such as GPT-3.5 Turbo, GPT-4o mini, Qwen 2.5 32B, and Mistral 24B. Furthermore, it approached the performance levels of larger models like Qwen 2.5 72B and Llama 3.1 and 3.3 70B. These assessments spanned various tasks, including Massive Multitask Language Understanding (MMLU), mathematics problem-solving (MATH), and instruction-following evaluations (IFEval), underscoring the models versatility and competence across diverse linguistic challenges. The release of OLMo 2 32B signifies a pivotal advancement in the pursuit of open and accessible AI. By providing a fully open model that not only competes with but also surpasses certain proprietary models, AI2 exemplifies how thoughtful scaling and efficient training methodologies can lead to significant breakthroughs. This openness fosters a more inclusive and collaborative environment, empowering researchers and developers globally to engage with and contribute to the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.Check outthe Technical Details, HF Project and GitHub Page.All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,feel free to follow us onTwitterand dont forget to join our80k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqWebsite| + postsBioAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences.Asif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/A Coding Guide to Build a Multimodal Image Captioning App Using Salesforce BLIP Model, Streamlit, Ngrok, and Hugging FaceAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Simular Releases Agent S2: An Open, Modular, and Scalable AI Framework for Computer Use AgentsAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Alibaba Researchers Introduce R1-Omni: An Application of Reinforcement Learning with Verifiable Reward (RLVR) to an Omni-Multimodal Large Language ModelAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Building an Interactive Bilingual (Arabic and English) Chat Interface with Open Source Meraj-Mini by Arcee AI: Leveraging GPU Acceleration, PyTorch, Transformers, Accelerate, BitsAndBytes, and Gradio Parlant: Build Reliable AI Customer Facing Agents with LLMs (Promoted)

If youre interested in unusual or innovative games, then Maps of Misterra should be on your radar, especially since its currently selling at a hefty sale discount. It normally runs in the $30 range, but Amazon currently has it on sale for $12.99, which is less than half price. That's quite a deal on a game that's worth a look.Maps of Misterra on Sale for $12.99Maps of Misterra$12.99 at AmazonIn Maps of Misterra, players are cartographers, seeking to chart an unknown island. Youll start with some end-game goals of what you think the island is supposed to look like, and initially youll place terrain tiles on a shared board trying to match that map. But exploration is a tricky business and you can be mistaken: other players can overwrite your placements with their own until someone takes an extra action to confirm that tile, fixing it in place. Terrain effects, such as being able to see further atop mountains, or travel further over steppe, lend extra weight to the strategy and flavor to the theme.The result of this clever, two-step, discover and confirm mechanic is a fascinating dynamic and interactive puzzle where your goals push and pull against those of other players, and the island takes shape around them. This also provides a real sense of revelation, of venturing into the unknown as every version of the island is different.If you enjoy getting into the theme of a game, you can also have a great time loudly proclaiming that your suggestions are the absolute truth against the nonsense other players are trying to foist on the map. Its fun as a solo board game, too, against an automated opponent so you still get the sense of playing against an active player. The slightly messy interaction might put off some players, but at this price its worth a look for its sheer oddness.See more cool board gamesResident Evil 2: The Board GameSee it at AmazonBloodborne: The Board GameSee it at AmazonSlay the Spire: The Board GameSee it at AmazonPac-Man: The Board GameSee it at AmazonStardew Valley: The Board GameSee it at AmazonDoom: The Board GameSee it at AmazonMatt Thrower is a contributing freelance writer for IGN, specializing in tabletop games. You can reach him on BlueSky at @mattthr.bsky.social.

If you're looking for an OLED TV from a reputable brand name at a great price, then Best Buy has got a solid deal going on right now. The Sony Bravia XR A75L 4K OLED smart TVs are on sale right now with the 55" model priced at $999.99 and the 65" model for $1,299.99. These prices are lower than what we saw during Black Friday (the 65" model was $1499 at the time). Although the A75L is an older generation (2023) TV, it's still one of the best TVs out there in terms of image quality and gaming performance. Especially for the 55" model, you won't find a better TV for under $1,000.55" Sony OLED 4K Smart TV for $999.99, 65" for $1,299.9955" Sony Bravia XR A75L 4K OLED Google TV65" Sony Bravia XR A75L 4K OLED Google TVGenerally speaking, OLED TVs are considered the best TVs you can buy right now. Compared to traditional LED LCD TVs, they offer better image quality, deeper blacks, better contrast ratio, wider color gamut, and super fast response times. Because of these advantages, the OLED TV are easily the best type of TV for viewing 4K HDR content in all of its intended glory.OLED technology aside, the A75L has the features you'd want in a current generation gaming TV. It has a native 120Hz panel as well as two HDMI 2.1 ports that can run games in 4K at up to 120fps on a PS5 or Xbox Series X gaming console. The OLED panel benefits from a near instantaneous response time (sub 0,.03ms) and supports features like variable refresh rate (VRR) including G-SYNC and auto low latency mode (ALLM). Note that despite this being a Sony TV, it pairs equally well with an Xbox console.Sony OLED TVs use Google TV as its smart interface. Google TV is intuitive to use and supports voice commands through Google Assistant. You can also pair it with an Android phone to use as a remote.Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

Theres still one week left to enter our giveaway to win Apples latest MacBook Pro courtesy of Chargeasapto help celebrate the launch of the companys new Flash Pro Ultra, the worlds first dual OLED 275W powerbank. Head below to learn more about the new Flash Pro Ultra by Chargeasap and enter the giveaway. ChargeASAP: Flash Pro Ultra, the worlds first dual OLED 275W powerbankChargeasap is launching a Kickstarter campaign for a brand new kind of powerbank.Flash Pro Ultrais the worlds first 275W portable battery that uses an OLED screen for displaying charging status. It supports charging up to six devices simultaneously including a power-hungry MacBook Pro, and it uses the latest Qi2 wireless charging for the MagSafe experience. Read on to learn how you can be one of the first to get your hands on Flash Pro Ultra.25000mAh 140W Fast Charging MagSafe compatible Qi2wireless Recharge in 70 Min Charge 6 Devices Apple/Samsung Watch CompatibleAll this comes in a portable package that starts at $169, making the ultimate powerbank a must-have in your toolkit. Chargeasap is launching a 60-day Kickstarter campaign to help bring the product to market. Choose between an Apple Watch or Samsung Watch charging pad, while a limited-edition colour, space grey, in addition to the black version, will be available if the campaign hits the $350K stretch goal.The Flash Pro Ultra campaign kicks off today and runs through April 12.Shipping is slated for August.How to enter:For your chance to win Apples newest MacBook Pro, enter your name and email below (one submission per email address) to sign up for Chargeasaps and 9to5Macs newsletters. Be sure toshare our giveaway onFacebookorTwitter. Entries are open until March 20, 2025.Open to readers in US and Canada only. If you are viewing this on mobile and dont see the option to enter,click here.Macbook Pro giveawayAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel