Double-decker AirPower. Thats basically the pitch for this wireless charging station from Zens that Apple is selling. Unlike Apples AirPower charging mat, this two-story power apartment for iPhones and AirPods is an actual shipping product.Its called the Zens Quattro Wireless Charger Pro 4 one too many fours by my count and the silver and white version is an Only at Apple exclusive.As its name twice implies, the Quattro Wireless Charger Pro 4 is capable of wirelessly charging up to four devices simultaneously. A 65W power adapter provides energy for the quad of MagSafe (Qi 2) charging pads to each support 15W charging speeds.Being sold through Apple is a pretty good endorsement for both the brand and the four-in-one wireless charger that costs $149.95.Meanwhile, Apple is selling another Zens product called the 4-in-1 Wireless Charger that costs $149.95. Note that the Zens 4-in-1 Wireless Charger is a three-in-one wireless charger with a USB port for charging a fourth device with a cable. It features a wireless charging nook for AirPods, an Apple Watch charging puck, a MagSafe charging stand for iPhone, and a Mac Pro-style handle for leaning the iPad against.More details here:The Zens 4-in-1 Wireless Charger in white/silver delivers up to 60W of power while keeping all your devices organised and ready to go. Fast charge your smartphone at 15W, power up your Apple Watch up to 5W, and wirelessly recharge your AirPods up to 5W. The additional 60W USB-C port offers the flexibility to charge a fourth device via cable.Zens, which is based out of The Netherlands, has made a range of charging solutions for years. Apple first carried its Modular charger in 2022 before picking up the Quattro and 4-in-1 this week. Both new entries are being sold by Apple online and in stores worldwide. My favorite Zens product not sold by Apple has to be the Liberty charging pad with a transparent base and visible charging coils. Its basically the AirPower patent illustrations made into a product.Best Apple accessoriesFollow Zac Hall on X, and listen to Runtime with co-host Sophia Tung on Apple Podcasts and YouTube.Add 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

Here are the answers for The New York Times Mini Crossword for March 17.

Hints and answers for the NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, No. 175, for March 17.

submitted by /u/marketrent [link] [comments]

2025-03-16T20:13:34Z Read in app Baidu's new suite of AI models is named "Ernie." Regis Martin/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Chinese tech giant Baidu released open-source AI models Ernie X1 and Ernie 4.5.The company says the models rival those from OpenAI and DeepSeek in performance per cost.The models also further the AI industry's turn toward open-source.Baidu, China's answer to Google, has released two new AI models.OnIt also launched a multimodal foundation model called Ernie 4.5 that the company says "outperforms GPT-4.5 in multiple benchmarks while priced at just 1% of GPT-4.5."Baidu said it's also making its chatbot, Ernie Bot, free to the public on April 1, ahead of schedule.The tech giant said it will "progressively integrate" Ernie 4.5 and X1 into its product ecosystem, including Baidu Search, China's dominant search engine.Baidu's new releases come as Silicon Valley reckons with the cost of AI models, largely spurred by the latest drops from DeepSeek, a Chinese startup launched by hedge fund High Flyer.In December, DeepSeek released a large language model called V3, and in January, it unveiled a reasoning model called R1. The models are considered as good or better than equivalent models from OpenAI but priced "anywhere from 20-40x cheaper," according to analysis from Bernstein Research.OpenAI vs DeepSeek vs BaiduTokens are the smallest unit of data an AI model processes. Companies price models according to how many input tokens a model processes and output tokens it generates.For Ernie 4.5, Baidu said that input and output token prices start as low as 0.004 Chinese yuan per thousand input tokens and 0.016 per thousand output tokens.BI converted those figures into US dollars to understand how chat models from OpenAI, DeepSeek, and Baidu compare against one another. While Baidu's cost claims against OpenAI's latest, "emotionally intelligent" GPT-4.5 check out, DeepSeek's V3 barely wins out in cost against Ernie 4.5. In comparison to GPT-4.5, R1 and Ernie 4.5 demonstrate a 98-99% drop in cost. BI via Flourish In terms of reasoning models, conversions to USD show that Ernie X1 is the cheapest of all with prices just under 2% of OpenAI's o1. X1 is about 50% of the cost of R1 and a little under 2% of the cost of o1. BI via Flourish Cost-savings aside, those who've already tried Ernie seem impressed. "Been playing around with it for hours, impressive performance," Alvin Foo, a venture partner at Zero2Launch, said in a post on X.Baidu's latest models demonstrate not only the growing competition between the United States and China in the AI race but also the latter's growing embrace of open-source models."One thing we learned from DeepSeek is that open-sourcing the best models can greatly help adoption," Robin Li, Baidu's CEO, said on an earnings call in February. "When the model is open source, people naturally want to try it out of curiosity, which helps drive broader adoption."China, which aims to become a global leader in AI by 2030, has captured headlines over the past weeks with the release of AI agent Manus and Alibaba's own open-source model, QwQ-32B.Until now, AI insiders seemed eager for the coming launch of DeepSeek's R2. But the Ernie collection may give it a run for its money.

Its a footnote in the career of Jenna Ortega that she made her film debut in Iron Man 3 with a very brief cameo role that didnt include any lines. And while most performers on Ortegas level would happily dive into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, shes content for that to be her one and only MCU role.It was one of the first jobs I ever did, Ortega told Entertainment Tonight. They took all my lines out. Im in Iron Man 3for a quick second. I take up the frame. I have one leg, and Im the vice presidents daughter.Recommended VideosOrtega briefly plays the daughter of Vice President Rodriguez (Miguel Ferrer), and her silent cameo visually confirms that she has only one leg, which implied that her father sided with the films villain to help her regain full mobility with the Extremis technology.Jenna Ortega Made Her MCU Debut 12 Years Ago in 'Iron Man 3' #jennaortega #mcu #marvel #shortsOrtega filmed lines for the movie, which were left on the cutting room floor. Her character isnt even listed by name in the films credits, which is something Ortega hasnt forgotten.Please enable Javascript to view this contentThey even took my name away, said Ortega. I count that [as my MCU appearance], and then I move on.Ironically, during Ortegas 2023 appearance on Saturday Night Live, she appeared in an X-Men parody skit dressed as Rogue.School vs. School - SNLIts possible that Ortega could eventually change her mind about playing a superhero role in the MCU. But for now, shes got a full schedule including Netflixs Wednesday and her upcoming film,Death of a Unicorn, which pairs her with the MCUs Paul Rudd as her on-screen father. She is also currently in talks to star in and produce a remake of Single White Female.Editors Recommendations

Baidu introduced Ernie X1, a reasoning model that can support tools such as advanced search, generation of AI images, and webpage reading.

The Central Intelligence agency is among the investors in Kela, a firm where techno-warriors aim to sell directly to the Pentagon.

2025-03-17T04:18:40Z Read in app Michelle Obama shares how she stayed "sane" amid constant online rumors about her and her husband, former president Barack Obama. Marcus Ingram/Getty Images This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now.Have an account? Former first lady Michelle Obama, 61, is no stranger to online rumors.That's why, to protect her peace, she doesn't read the comments section, she said at SXSW.But public figures aren't the only ones vulnerable to the negative impact of social media.Michelle Obama knows it's not easy to be in the public eye, and that's why she pays attention to her social media usage.During a live taping of her "IMO" podcast which she cohosts with her brother, Craig Robinson at SXSW on Thursday, Obama spoke about her top tip for protecting herself and her family online."People always ask me and Barack, how did we stay hopeful in, not just the eight years that we were in the White House, but beyond?" Obama said, per People.The former first lady said she and her husband, Barack Obama, faced "a lot of negative energy" due to widespread rumors about them, such as gossip about his nationality and whether he attended Harvard."But through it all, what kept us sane and we tried to instill this in our daughters is, you cannot live through social media," Obama said. "I don't think I have ever once looked at a comment section, period."The things that internet users say in the comments section are often untrue, since they are "people who don't know you," she said."That doesn't mean you don't stay informed, but staying informed has nothing to do with the comment section. It has everything to do with the content of the stories that you take in," Obama said."I think we cannot get so trapped by social media that we feel so caught up into the one way we get information. We've got to broaden our spectrum, and we have to get off the phone," she added.The pitfalls of social mediaBut it's not just public figures who are vulnerable to the negative impact of social media; children and teenagers are especially at risk. Cyberbullying and the need to constantly seek validation online can have a detrimental effect on their mental health.Researchers from Yale and Columbia looked at screen time habits in over 5,100 kids, ages 9 and 10. The study, published in 2023, showed that youths who spend the most time on their phones are more likely to develop depression and anxiety, among other problems, in the future. Governments are taking note: Australia has already approved a law banning social media for children under 16, while Norway is considering enacting a ban for children under 15.Other celebrity moms have also spoken up about the dangers of social media.In January 2024, Penlope Cruz told Elle about her concerns regarding letting her kids use social media."It's so easy to be manipulated, especially if you have a brain that is still forming," Cruz said. "And who pays the price? Not us, not our generation."During a panel at the "A Day of Unreasonable Conversation" summit in March 2024, Paris Hilton spoke about how technology has changed the way children interact with the world."Kids are not going outside anymore and playing as much because everyone's just so busy on their phones," Hilton said. "So, hopefully, my kids won't be as addicted to social media as I am."A representative for Obama did not immediately respond to a request for comment sent by Business Insider outside regular hours.

Pu'er Beautiful Star Village Coffee Experience Center / Studio Dali ArchitectsSave this picture! Arch-ExistExhibition Center, Cultural CenterPu'er City, Yunnan Province, ChinaArchitects: Studio Dali ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:1886 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Arch-Exist, Dong Image Lead Architects: Ye Li More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The Pu'er Beautiful Star Village Coffee Center is located in the valleys of southern Yunnan, a region blessed with perpetual spring-like weather and recognized as one of China's largest coffee-producing areas. As a key project aimed at revitalizing the local cultural and tourism economy, this building serves not only as a platform for local coffee farmers and coffee culture to exchange and showcase their heritage but also as a unique experiential space for visitors. In this project, we employed three architectural design strategiestree-like structures, flexible spaces, and folded-plate roofsto address critical themes such as climate, culture, open spaces, and identity.Save this picture!Save this picture!1. Responding to Climate Conditions. Southern Yunnan experiences a tropical rainforest climate, characterized by intense sunlight and abundant rainfall. To adapt to these conditions, we designed an extended folded-plate roof. This roof not only ensures effective drainage but also reduces direct sunlight exposure through its angled form, providing shade for the interior. Additionally, skylights were incorporated into the roof, corresponding to the interior functions. These skylights allow natural light to filter into the space, mimicking the dappled light effect of a tropical rainforest. This design not only meets functional needs but also creates a natural, immersive spatial atmosphere.Save this picture!Save this picture!2. The Spatial Concept of Rainforest Coffee. Pu'er is renowned for its rich tropical rainforest ecosystem, which inspired the spatial design. Drawing from the forms of trees in the rainforest, we designed a tree-like steel structure supported by an irregular column grid. This structural system creates a sense of ordered ambiguity while enabling multiple spatial pathways within the flexible layout, enhancing both usability and experiential richness. The design also carries symbolic meaninglike a grove of trees, the structure offers shelter, brings people together, and strengthens the connection between humans and nature.Save this picture!Save this picture!3. Open Spaces Serving the Community. To make the building a hub for interaction, we incorporated numerous fluid and flexible spaces. These areas can be adapted for various activities, from coffee tasting and cultural exchanges to community gatherings and temporary exhibitions. The staggered layout across two levels further enriches the spatial hierarchy, allowing the building to blend seamlessly with the surrounding terrain and landscape. Under this shared roof, visitors, local coffee farmers, and operators can interact, fostering an open and inclusive public environment.Save this picture!Save this picture!4. Identity and the Transmission of Local Spirit. The expansive folded-plate roof is the core element of the design. Its simple yet powerful form not only responds to the climatic characteristics of southern Yunnan but also metaphorically represents the vastness and vitality of the tropical rainforest. The space beneath this roof provides not only physical shelter but also an emotional sense of belonging. It evokes a collective memory and identity, reminding everyone of the unique regional culture and natural environment.Save this picture!Save this picture!Through the three design strategies of tree-like structures, flexible spaces, and folded-plate roofs, the architecture effectively addresses themes such as climate, culture, open spaces, and identity. We hope this building transcends its functional purpose to become a reflection on the relationship between humans and nature, tradition and modernity. In a simple yet direct way, it demonstrates how architectural design can preserve local characteristics in a contemporary context and inject new vitality into community development.Save this picture!Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, ChinaLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officePublished on March 17, 2025Cite: "Pu'er Beautiful Star Village Coffee Experience Center / Studio Dali Architects" 17 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027830/puer-beautiful-star-village-coffee-experience-center-studio-dali-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save? / 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