Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn MoreOver the weekend, Chinese web search giant Baidu announced the launch of two new AI models, ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1, a multimodal language model and reasoning model, respectively. Baidu claims they offer state-of-the-art performance on a variety of metrics, besting DeepSeeks non-reasoning V3 and OpenAIs GPT-4.5 (how do you like the close name match Baidu chose as well?) on several third-party benchmark tests such as the C-Eval (assessing Chinese LLM performance on knowledge and reasoning across 52 subjects), CMMLU (massive multitask language understanding in Chinese), and GSM8K (math word problems).It also claims to undercut the cost of both fellow Chinese wunderkinds DeepSeeks R1 reasoning model with ERNIE X1 by 50% and US AI juggernaut OpenAIs GPT-4.5 with ERNIE 4.5 by 99%, respectively.Yet both have some important limitations, including a lack of open source licensing in the former case (which DeepSeek R1 offers) and a far reduced context compared to the latter (8,000 tokens instead of 128,000, frankly an astonishingly low amount in this age of million-token-plus context windows. Tokens are how a large AI model represents information, with more meaning more information. A 128,000-token window is akin to a 250-page novel).As X user @claudeglass noted in a post, the small context window makes it perhaps only suitable for customer service chatbots. Baidu posted on X that it did plan to make the ERNIE 4.5 model family open source on June 30th, 2025.Baidu has enabled access to the models through its application programming interface (API) and Chinese-language chatbot rival to ChatGPT, known as ERNIE Bot it answers questions, generates text, produces creative writing, and interacts conversationally with users and made ERNIE Bot free to access. ERNIE 4.5: A new generation of multimodal AIERNIE 4.5 is Baidus latest foundation model, designed as a native multimodal system capable of processing and understanding text, images, audio, and video, and is a clear competitor to OpenAIs GPT-4.5 model released back in February 2025.The model has been optimized for better comprehension, generation, reasoning, and memory. Enhancements include improved hallucination prevention, logical reasoning, and coding capabilities.According to Baidu, ERNIE 4.5 outperforms GPT-4.5 in multiple benchmarks while maintaining a significantly lower cost.The models advancements stem from several key technologies, including FlashMask Dynamic Attention Masking, Heterogeneous Multimodal Mixture-of-Experts, and Self-feedback Enhanced Post-Training.ERNIE X1 introduces advanced deep-thinking reasoning capabilities, emphasizing understanding, planning, reflection, and evolution. Unlike standard multimodal AI models, ERNIE X1 is specifically designed for complex reasoning and tool use, enabling it to perform tasks such as advanced search, document-based Q&A, AI-generated image interpretation, code execution, and web page analysis.The model supports a range of tools, including Baidus academic search, business information search, and franchise research tools. Its development is based on Progressive Reinforcement Learning, End-to-End Training integrating Chains of Thought and Action, and a Unified Multi-Faceted Reward System.Access and API availabilityUsers can now access both ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1 via the official ERNIE Bot website.For enterprise users and developers, ERNIE 4.5 is now available through Baidu AI Clouds Qianfan platform via API access. ERNIE X1 is expected to be available soon.Pricing for API Access:ERNIE 4.5:Input: $0.55 USD per 1 million tokensOutput: $2.2 per 1M tokensERNIE X1:Input: $0.28 per 1M tokensOutput: $1.1 per 1M tokensCompare that to:GPT-4.5, which has a noticeably astonishingly high price through the OpenAI API of:Input: $75.00 per 1M tokensOutput: $150.00 per 1M tokens DeepSeek R1Input: $0.55 per 1M tokensOutput: $2.19 per 1M tokensBaidu has also announced plans to integrate ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1 into its broader ecosystem, including Baidu Search and the Wenxiaoyan app.Considerations for enterprise decision-makersFor CIOs, CTOs, IT leaders, and DevOps teams, the launch of ERNIE 4.5 and ERNIE X1 presents both opportunities and considerations:Performance vs. Cost With pricing significantly lower than competing models, organizations evaluating AI solutions may see cost savings by integrating ERNIE models via API. However, further benchmarking and real-world testing may be necessary to assess performance for specific business applications.Multimodal and Reasoning Capabilities The ability to process and understand text, images, audio, and video could be valuable for businesses in industries such as customer support, content generation, legal tech, and finance.Tool Integration ERNIE X1s ability to work with tools like advanced search, document-based Q&A, and code interpretation could provide automation and efficiency gains in enterprise environments.Ecosystem and Localization As Baidus AI models are optimized for Chinese-language processing and regional knowledge, enterprises working in China or targeting Chinese-speaking markets may find ERNIE models more effective than global alternatives.Licensing and Data Privacy While Baidu has indicated that GPT-4.5 will be made open source later this summer, June 30, 2025, thats still three months away, so enterprises should at least wait until that time to assess whether its worth deploying locally or on US-hosted cloud services. Enterprise users should review Baidus policies regarding data privacy, compliance, and model usage before integrating these AI solutions.AI expansion and future outlookAs AI development accelerates in 2025, Baidu is positioning itself as a leader in multimodal and reasoning-based AI technologies. The company plans to continue investing in artificial intelligence, data centers, and cloud infrastructure to enhance the capabilities of its foundation models.By offering a combination of powerful performance and lower costs, Baidus latest AI models aim to provide businesses and individual users with more accessible and advanced AI tools.For more details, visit ERNIE Bots official website.Daily insights on business use cases with VB DailyIf you want to impress your boss, VB Daily has you covered. We give you the inside scoop on what companies are doing with generative AI, from regulatory shifts to practical deployments, so you can share insights for maximum ROI.Read our Privacy PolicyThanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here.An error occured.

Terminated employees at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) have been brought back to work in response to a judges order sort of. Probationary employees (a class of government workers who are newer to an agency or role) received letters over the weekend notifying them that they were reinstated into their positions, following a court order requiring the CFPB and 17 other agencies to restore such employees. According to court filings, the agency had allegedly terminated about 70 probationary employees in early February after Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency showed up. Another 70 to 100 term employees these are employees contracted to work at an agency for a set period of time were later fired, NPR reported. The government is expected to file a breakdown of the number of reinstated probationary workers broken down by agency by 7 PM Eastern Time Monday. However, at least some CFPB employees who have been reinstated nevertheless arent really back to work. In a copy of a reinstatement notice viewed by The Verge, an employee was informed that while their responsibilities and compensation had been reinstated, they were still on administrative leave until instructed otherwise. Presumably this means they are still paid but are excused from their duties, though its unclear what it means for their responsibilities to be reinstated. According to the letter, employees will receive backpay from the date of their termination, and workers official personnel file will have no record of the termination occurring. The letter does not directly ask whether employees want to return to work, though Adam Martinez, the acting chief human capital officer who sent the notices, wrote that hed appreciate an acknowledgment of receipt. The CFPB headquarters is still closed. Some reinstated employees still need to get their access to the systems and even equipment returned to them in order to do their jobs, but have been told that HR guidance is pending on how that will work.A union representing CFPB employees has been arguing in a separate court case that the Trump administration is trying to illegally wind down the agency, which had about 1,700 employees before the cuts. Martinez testified in federal court last week about the frightening week that DOGE showed up at the agency, but also said that the agencys new acting leadership is more measured in his words, Theres hope. A CFPB employee appointed to lead the team in charge of mass firings, however, testified about the administrations alleged plans to terminate 1,200 employees and shut down the agency, and that thered been no change in plans even after the judge had previously ordered a pause on further firings.See More:

Mar 12Jay PetersS-Tier.The New York Times Spelling Bee puzzle is celebrating its 2,500th edition today. To mark the occasion, todays puzzle is the first with the letter S, which should open up a lot of fun possibilities for words. Try it here.2,500th Spelling Bee Puzzle | The New York Times Company[nytco.com]Dec 12, 2024Jay PetersSamsungs daily trivia game is coming to phones.The Six, which launched in June on Samsung Smart TVs, is launching today in the Samsung News app on Galaxy phones.Heres Samsungs description of the game, if youre interested:The Six offers daily trivia challenges where players compete by answering six questions on topics ranging from entertainment to world history, with faster correct answers earning higher scores.Samsung News App Gets Gamified with Arrival of Popular Trivia Game, The Six[Samsung U.S. Newsroom]Dec 5, 2024Jay PetersA Strands archive has shut down because of an NYT DMCA takedown notice.A Strands-maker website had also hosted an archive of The New York Times Strands puzzles, but the archive is gone now. The DMCA notice, which has been viewed by The Verge, was shared with the developer of the website yesterday.Last month, I reported that the NYT sent a cease and desist letter to have an unauthorized Connections archive removed.Nov 22, 2024Jay PetersOne free Connections archive: gone.After receiving a cease and desist letter from The New York Times, the owner of a Connections creator that also had a full archive of the NYTs puzzles has removed it. You can still make puzzles on the site and play other creations, if you want.That Heres why link points to my piece from earlier this week. Screenshot by Jay Peters / The VergeNov 20, 2024Jay PetersThe New York Times is trying to shut down a popular Connections puzzle creatorA screenshot of todays NYT Connections on the alternate puzzle creator. Screenshot by Jay Peters / The VergeThe New York Times wants to shut down a copy of its popular Connections word game. The publication sent a cease and desist letter to the owner of a website that lets you make your own Connections games. The site also has a full archive of all of the NYTs past Connections puzzles, which the NYT keeps behind a paywall.The Connections creator website is built and run by Anthony Salazar, a freelance web developer who runs the creative studio Swellgarfo. Earlier this month, striking New York Times tech workers used Salazars Connections tool to make their own strike-themed puzzle. Salazar previously told me that he built the archive using the NYTs publicly available API.Read Article >Nov 14, 2024Andrew WebsterWords With Friends takes on Wordle with new single-player daily puzzlesPhoto by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergeWordles success has caused an explosion in newspaper-style puzzle games, and now Words With Friends is getting in on the action. The long-running word game is adding four solo modes that can be played daily, and theyll sound familiar to those who use The New York Times gaming app.The new games include a mini crossword puzzle; a word search; Word Wheel, which is about connecting letters to create words; and a word guessing game called Guess Word. You can see what they all look like in the gallery below:Read Article >Nov 6, 2024Jay PetersNYT tech workers are making their own games while on strikeMembers of the Times Tech Guild picket outside of the New York Times headquarters on November 4th, 2024. Photo by Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesStriking New York Times tech workers have created a Guild Builds page dedicated to strike-themed games you can play, including a spin on Wordle, a word search, and the custom Connections I reported on earlier today.As part of its strike announcement on Monday, the New York Times Tech Guild requested that people dont cross the digital picket line to play the NYTs daily puzzle games. This collection of five other games offers an alternative if you want to support the striking workers but also do some brain teasers.Read Article >Nov 6, 2024Jay PetersStriking NYT tech workers made a custom Connections so you dont cross the picket lineStriking New York Times tech workers have created a custom Connections puzzle so fans can get their daily fix without crossing the digital picket line.The Strike Edition puzzle was made on a website that lets people create their own Connections. The workers, part of the New York Times Tech Guild, specifically asked NYT readers not to play NYT games when the strike began on Monday, so the custom puzzle offers a way to play while still respecting the Guilds wishes.Read Article >Oct 31, 2024Andrew WebsterA meditative take on sudoku that changes with the weatherImage: PuzzmoThe Weather Channel can be a very useful website, but thats mostly true when the weather is bad. So when the company began collaborating with the Hearst-owned puzzle platform Puzzmo, it had a specific goal: to get people coming to the site even when its nice out. Why would you check the weather on a sunny day? veteran game designer Zach Gage remembers asking himself. Eventually, the Puzzmo team came up with an answer in the form of Weather Memoku, an extremely chill game that combines elements of memory, sudoku, and, well, the weather.A very important idea was: can we change checking the weather from being a thing you check off your to-do list, to being a chance to take a moment for yourself? explains Gage.Read Article >Oct 28, 2024Andrew WebsterGood morning sports fans.As part of its burgeoning lineup of games, the New York Times has just released a new version of Connections, this one focused entirely on sports trivia from The Athletic. Because everyone is getting in on daily games, the NHL also recently launched its own Connections-style game called Lines, which, obviously, is full of hockey-themed puzzles.Play Connections: Sports Edition[www.nytimes.com]Oct 25, 2024Jay PetersDaily sudoku is coming to Apple News Plus.The sudoku puzzles are part of iOS 18.2 in the US, as reported by MacRumors. There are three difficulty levels you can pick from.The new puzzles join the apps crossword, mini crossword, and a Scrabble-like game called Quartiles.iOS 18.2 Adds Daily Sudoku Puzzles for Apple News+ Subscribers in U.S.[MacRumors]Oct 22, 2024Jay PetersNetflix is getting a daily word game from TED.Slide rows of scrambled letters to spell words in this thought-provoking word puzzle game from TED, according to the App Store description for the new game, TED Tumblewords. Seems like the game is trying to be Netflixs Wordle.The new game is set to launch on November 19th on Android and iOS, though youll need a Netflix subscription to be able to play it.Images: NetflixOct 8, 2024Jay PetersNYT Games is testing Zorse, a new phrase guessing puzzle gamePhoto by Alexandra Schuler / picture alliance via Getty ImagesThe New York Times is starting to beta test a new puzzle game called Zorse, as reported by Semafor. The game is a new phrase guessing game where every puzzle is a mash-up of two phrases, NYT spokesperson Jordan Cohen says in a statement to The Verge. As Semafor points out, the Zorse name identifies the offspring of a zebra and another equine, so it seems like the game will focus on wordplay like that.Cohen says Zorse is currently only available in Canada, meaning I cant play it myself. But my Canada-based colleague Andrew Webster gave it a shot and told me about it; the game sounds a bit like Wheel of Fortune with a puzzle-y twist.Read Article >Oct 8, 2024Jay PetersNow you can suffer through old Connections puzzles.The New York Times is adding a Connections archive as a benefit for NYT Games and NYT All-Access subscribers. Its available first for mobile web and desktop and will come to the NYT Games mobile app later this month.Wordle got a playable archive earlier this year.Screenshot by Jay Peters / The VergeSep 16, 2024Jay PetersWordle is now available in virtual realityWordle now has a native app for Meta Quest so that you can easily play the game in virtual reality. The free app is available for Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, and Meta Quest Pro.Based on screenshots in a Meta blog post and an NYT video, the game looks like, well, Wordle in VR: youll have six attempts to guess a five-letter word. But if you have wanted to play the game in an app on your Quest, thats now something you can do.Read Article >Aug 8, 2024Jay PetersThe NYTs Connections will now track your winning streak. Or, for me, lack thereof.I already find Connections, which I look forward to every day, incredibly stressful. But now theres the added pressure of keeping up a streak, thanks to the new statistics tracked by the game. I already fret enough about my Wordle streak!This is the pop-up about Connections new stats. Screenshot by Jay Peters / The VergeAug 7, 2024Jay PetersMini glory.The New York Times is launching a hall of fame for the Mini Crossword. 25 solvers will get a spot by submitting scores from August 14th and August 21st, and if you make it into the hall of fame, youll get a personalized mini trophy that the NYT designed in collaboration with Kazuya Washio.Image: The New York TimesAug 2, 2024Andrew WebsterThis online puzzle community has a fresh twist on battle passesImage: Puzzmo / Angie WangEveryone seems to want in on newspaper-style casual gaming. While The New York Times is leading the way with Wordle and its iconic crossword, major companies ranging from Netflix to LinkedIn are trying to carve out a place as well. So, when game designer Zach Gage, cofounder of the Hearst-owned site Puzzmo, started exploring the space, he knew the project needed more than great games. He says the goal was to design a website that isnt just links to games but is in fact a deeper community experience. Thats why Puzzmo launched last year with a handful of titles and multiplayer features like leaderboards.Now both of those aspects are expanding with a new game thats also introducing new ways to play inspired by some of the biggest online shooters around.Read Article >Jun 27, 2024Jay PetersThe New York Times excellent word search game is now in its Games appImage: The New York TimesStrands, The New York Times very good word search game, has been officially added to the NYTs Games app on iOS and Android.For me personally, this is huge. Strands has become my favorite of the NYTs games since it launched in beta in March, but I was annoyed that I had to bounce between the app and a browser to complete my daily Wordle, Connections, and Strands. Now, I can do all of the puzzles right in the app over my morning coffee. Its the little things!Read Article >Jun 27, 2024Allison JohnsonIts no Mr. Bugs Wordy Nugz.The I/O Crossword isnt anywhere near as zany as Wordles original name, but it is awfully cute. Google says it created the crossword with the help of Gemini Advanced and a bunch of its own developer tools. You dont have to be a developer to join in and help solved the puzzle, but it would probably help Im stumped.Google I/O Crossword[crossword.withgoogle.com]Jun 26, 2024Jay PetersYou will never guess Wordles terrible, hilarious original nameMr. Bugs Wordy Nugz. Screenshot by Jay Peters / The VergeWordle is a pretty clever name for the very good word game created by Josh Wardle. But when he was first working on it in 2013, Wardle had another name in mind that isnt quite as catchy.This is true: I was going to call Wordle, Mr. Bugs Wordy Nugz, Wardle revealed as part of a presentation about Wordle at Figmas Config conference on Wednesday. He also showed a slide that spelled out the name in big yellow letters. Had I called the game Mr. Bugs, I like to think it would not have been successful.Read Article >May 8, 2024David PierceI regret to inform you that LinkedIns games are very funPhoto: LinkedInI almost didnt get Pinpoint this morning. Heres what it taught me about B2B sales.Im kidding! But I have to admit something: Ive been going on LinkedIn every day recently, and Im having a great time. Last week, the company announced it was adding three games to its app, both on desktop and mobile, as a naked engagement ploy to get you to open the app every day. I hate to say this, but its working.Read Article >May 1, 2024Ash ParrishLinkedIn is the latest company to get in on gamingPhoto: LinkedInLinkedIn is now in the gaming business. Starting today, users on the LinkedIn mobile app or on desktop can play one of three different games Pinpoint, Queens, and Crossclimb. Youll be able to play each game once per day, and after your daily session, youll get access to all kinds of metrics including your high score and daily streak, different leaderboards, and who in your networks has also played. The games are available here under the LinkedIn News and My Network section on desktop or the My Network tab on mobile.Heres a brief rundown of the three games.Read Article >Apr 10, 2024Amrita KhalidIf youre sick of crosswords, check out the new game coming to Apple News Plus.The Scrabble-esque game Quartiles will arrive with iOS 17.5. Players start with 20 tiles, each with a group of letters, and combine them to form words. The longer the word, the more points you get.A screenshot of the new Quartiles game on Apple News Plus, via Gadget Hacks. Gadget Hacks/AppleMar 8, 2024Jess WeatherbedThe New York Times is targeting Wordle clones with legal takedownsSome developers have already taken down their Wordle clones to avoid a legal battle with The New York Times. Photo by Mike Kemp / In Pictures via Getty ImagesHundreds of games inspired by Wordle, the popular web-based word puzzle, are at risk of being deleted due to copyright takedowns issued by The New York Times. As reported by 404 Media, The New York Times which purchased Wordle back in 2022 has filed several DMCA notices over Wordle clones created by GitHub coders, citing its ownership over the Wordle name and copyrighted gameplay including 5x6 tile layout and gray, yellow, and green color scheme.Two takedown requests were issued in January against unofficial Korean and Bosnian-language versions of the game. Additional requests were filed this week against Wirdle a variant created by dialect group I Hear Dee in 2022 to promote the Shaetlan language and Reactle, an open-source Wordle clone built using React, TypeScript, and Tailwind. It was developed prior to the Times purchase of the game, according to its developer, Chase Wackerfuss.Read Article >

Haworth is one of the major players in the world of luxury seating. It has recently partnered with Xbox and its Halo franchise to deliver compelling high-end options to gamers. I've spent a good amount of time with its Haworth Fern, trimmed in a unique gradient color, to see if it's worth your investment. Spoiler alert, it's fantastic.Haworth Fern PhotosHaworth Fern Design and FeaturesErgonomic chairs have a tendency to blend together, but the Haworth Fern is at no risk of being confused with anything else. It has a unique wave-like design and open lumbar channel revealing its fronds, lending it a very unique and stylish appearance. You can pick it up in mesh, leather, or knit fabric, with prices ranging from $1,100 to just under $1,900. Its a luxury chair through and through, but through a partnership with Microsoft, it has locked gamers squarely in its sights. It offers both Xbox and Halo themed versions of its flagship Fern chair, as well as an Xbox version of its Very gaming chair. These themed versions lock down your choices, but I've yet to see one that doesn't look good. None are overstated, but are also clear matches for their source material. You don't need to worry about losing features if you opt for one of these, however. They are the same in features and comfort as the personalized versions you can craft yourself.If you decide to configure your own, there's a huge array of customization options. There are four fabrics to choose from: mesh, digital knit, gradient knit, and leather. You can pick from six different colors of mesh and eight for the digital knit, a soft fabric that textures the backrest with tasteful chevrons. Digital Knit takes the same fabric but exchanges the chevron pattern for a gradient that extends from the top of the backrest to the waterfall edge of the seat, and there are five to choose from. Finally, theres leather, which is available in black, gray, tan, and luggage which comes in a camel-like desert brown.There's quite an array of additional configuration options too. You can outfit the chair with a headrest and an additional lumbar support, choose between 4D armrests or limit them to height only, add forward tilt to accompany the default backward tilt, and decide whether you want a plastic or aluminum base, as well as the finish you would like. All told, its one of the most configurable chairs Ive reviewed. Theres a handful of quick-ship options but most are stated to ship in around five business days. Tan and luggage leather options are made to order and take about three weeks.No matter which material you choose, every Fern comes with a fabric, cushioned seat and offers the same basic array of ergonomic adjustments. Whether youre choosing an entry-level version or are opting for a top-of-the-line executive chair, its designed to be comfortable and supportive for long hours at a desk, and is made to look every bit the luxury that it is.It all starts with the backrest. The Fern uses what Haworth calls the Wave Suspension System. This encapsulates the entire backrest, which is actually multiple parts that come together into a cohesive whole. The core of the system sits between the plastic rear frame and the front face. Behind the fabric, supporting your back, is a flexible cradle. This is a skeletonized grid sculpted to match the contours of your spine and provide structural support. It mates with the fern from which the chair takes its name. This piece quite literally looks like a fern with a stem in the center thats surrounded by flexible fronds. The stem is a central channel for the optional adjustable lumbar support. The fronds are support leaves that work with the cradle to maintain targeted support as you sit and move throughout the day. The Fern is considered a high-back chair, so the backrest reaches to the upper back. At 58, it comes up to my shoulders. You can pick up an optional headset that mounts to the top and can move up and down but isnt angle- or depth-adjustable. It truly does look like a wave and the contours guide you toward the center, aligning with the chairs lumbar support. Around the back, the stem area is open, giving you a peek at the chairs internals. If you pick up the added lumbar, its polished aluminum handle lives here, so its a functional feature as much as it is an aesthetic one. I recommend getting it if your budget can stretch that far. The chairs natural contouring is good but the lumbar provides firm, targeted support and is one of the biggest ways you can guarantee that it provides exactly what your unique anatomy requires.The seat is well padded with formed foam. Its contours guide you toward its center, aligning with the chairs lumbar support. It's not exceptionally thick but is padded enough to hide the frame and remain comfortable without fear of it becoming too soft over time. On the right side, you'll find a lever to adjust its height, as well as a crank to raise or lower the recline tension. Another paddle controls the tilt lock, allowing you to adjust the recline from being locked upright to a deep recline. It's not a full lay like you'll find with a gaming chair. However, it's perfect for kicking back with a controller.The armrests come in clutch here. They offer a wide degree of adjustability, much more than your average gaming chair despite sharing the same four axis of adjustment. When it comes to width, they can be tucked right in to support your elbows when holding a controller in your lap or set wide and out of the way. The cushions are soft but resilient. You can lean into them all day long without making yourself sore. I also like that they attach to the frame in thick aluminum channels, so if you do choose to lay your weight into them, you don't need to worry about damaging the plastic.The headrest is also adjustable, but it's quite simple. It's fairly thin and just moves up and down. It's best positioned between the neck and head and does a good job of offering support there, but it lags behind some competing high-end task chairs, like the Steelcase Gesture, that allow you to angle and depth in addition to height. It gets the job done, but it's far from a make or break feature.Haworth Fern PerformanceThe Haworth Fern is an excellent chair that justifies its high asking price. Ive been testing it for some time and have put it through its paces over long work days and gaming sessions. In both cases, it has performed exceptionally well and my back has been pain-free throughout. I was sent a gradient knit version, and its gorgeous: easily one of the most visually interesting chairs of its type. There was a bit of a wait time as it was made to order, but it is now available with standard shipping. The craftsmanship, quality, and final aesthetic were much worth the wait. The Fern lives up to the hype.As a rule, chairs like this are fairly simple. They don't take long to wrap your head around, and the controls, while very important to understand and adjust properly, are straightforward once you understand what they do. I still recommend taking the time to read up each and try out slightly different positions and tensions until it feels just right for your body.I was a bit of a Goldilocks with this review, especially when it came to recline tension, but now that its set, I really only need to adjust the height and armrests and am glad I took the time for that initial setup.The controls for the chair are well laid out and easy to use. I like that the seat depth slider is on the opposite side from the other controls and is set back a bit so you have to be intentional about making that specific adjustment. I was less likely to unlock the seat by accident, which is always a pain since the adjustment is so core to your comfort in the chair. I also liked that I didnt have to get up to make depth adjustments. During initial setup, it definitely made it easy to find the right position and sped up the process. The materials and build quality are also excellent. The Fern competes with the heaviest hitters in this industry and stands tall: it lacks nothing next to the Herman-Miller Embody, for example, or the Steelcase Leap V2. I would rank it right alongside those flagship offerings without a moment's hesitation. Haworth also offers an excellent 12-year warranty on its chairs. So should anything go wrong or become damaged from normal use, you have an assurance that your investment is protected.Over the course of this review, I sat in the chair for as long as 7 hours with minor standing breaks in between without any time lost to assembly as it comes pre-assembled. I have used it reclined with a controller and sitting upright with a mouse and keyboard. I have typed tens of thousands of words, edited photos and videos, prepared spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations, and have generally lived a good chunk of my work life in the chair. And I have done all of that, gotten up, and moved on with my day without feeling any discomfort. It's a case where the chair is a fantastic match for my body.Just as importantly, it has left me feeling very satisfied with it as my daily driver. I walk into my office and enjoy seeing it at my desk. I appreciate the small details and the high quality craftsmanship throughout its design. And that gradient is just a chefs kiss when it comes to unique and modern styling, balancing aesthetic with professionalism in a way thats as at home in a professional office as it is in a gaming den.The only criticism I really have of it, apart from its high price, is its headrest. It really does feel like an afterthought. And because of the way in which it is attached, through a slit in the fabric of the backrest, its not something you can remove and replace. I'm happy it's there, but I wish it offered more adjustability and support.Taken as a whole, it is fantastic, but there's no way around its high price. With that in mind, it's worth considering a chair like this as an investment in the quality of your work and gaming life. Even though it costs a tidy sum, broken up over the 12 years of its warranty, the yearly cost seems much more reasonable. While it certainly isn't for everyone, it's hard to argue that it's anything less than exceptional.Purchasing GuideThe Haworth Fern is available directly from Haworth beginning at $1,100 and extending to around $1,900. Its available in mesh, Digital Knit, Gradient Knit, and Leather and in a wide range of colors and patterns. It is also available on Amazon for a similar price; however, use caution if purchasing from third-party to ensure warranty coverage.

The best VR gaming headset has a bit of a discount today. Amazon is throwing in $50 in bonus Amazon credit when you purchase the Meta Quest 3 512GB VR headset for $499.99. It should be automatically applied in cart and reflected during the last step of checkout. You also get a free copy of Batman: Akrkham Shadow and a three-month trial to Meta Quest+.Meta Quest 3 VR Headset with Batman: Arkham ShadowBonus $75 Amazon Digital CreditBonus $50 Amazon Digital CreditMeta Quest 3 VR Headset$499.99 at AmazonThe Meta Quest 3 is the best standalone consumer-oriented VR headset you can get right now. What sets the Quest apart from most other VR headsets is that it can be played completely untethered. That means you can play games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without having to own a gaming PC or a PlayStation 5 console. If you do happen to own a powerful gaming PC, you have the option to connect to it and harness your PC's superior hardware, even wirelessly.How Is the Quest 3 Different from the Quest 3S?Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 SimilaritiesSnapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processorTouch Plus controllers120Hz refresh rateMixed reality passthrough (same cameras, different layout)Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 DifferencesLower per-eye resolution (1832x1920 vs 20642208)Fresnel lens vs. pancake lensLower FOV (96/90 vs 104/96)Smaller storage capacity (128GB vs 512GB)Longer battery life (2.5hrs vs 2.2hrs)The Quest 3 isn't the most affordable standalone VR headset; that title goes to the Quest 3S. The Quest 3S has the same processor, features, ergonomics, and controllers for $200 less. However, the Quest 3 boasts significantly upgraded optics while the Quest 3S mostly carries over the same optics from the Quest 2 That's more significant than it reads on paper. How much enjoyment you get from VR headset is largely determined by the visual quality of the display. If the image that you see is blurry, or distorted, it takes you out of the immersion. For newcomers to VR gaming who are unsure of whether or not they'll enjoy the experience, the Quest 3S is the safer purchase. However for VR veterans, the improved immersion offered up by the Quest 3 is a worthwhile investment.Quest 3 Review by Eric Song"The Quest 3 continues Metas legacy of offering a cost-effective headset that doesnt require an expensive gaming PC, but can still benefit from one if you have it. Thats a unique feature that sets it apart from almost every other VR headset out there, other than its own predecessors. The sheer amount of upgrades are well worth the $200 generational price increase. For everyone else is willing to make the splurge, the Quest 3 sets the new standard for VR and mixed reality gaming."PlayWhy 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.

The season two finale of Severance is almost here, and amidst the huge success that the show has become, Google has added a fun easter egg to make Severance fans smile.Severance easter egg on GoogleAs noted by Ben Stiller, director of the show, Google now shows a bunch of blue balloons floating on the screen when you search for Severance. This, of course, is a reference to the blue Lumon balloons that Mr. Milchick gives Mark S. when the employee returns to the office. The balloons are seen in other scenes in the first episode of the second season.If you want to see the balloons yourself, all you have to do is open Google on your computer or mobile device and search for Severance. Tap the confetti button to show the balloon animation on the screen.Ahead of the premiere of the second season in January, Apple has launched a webpage where you can take or upload a photo to put your own face on one of Lumons blue balloons. The company also promoted the show with images of the balloons on the Apple.com homepage.According to Apple, Severance has broken all Apple TV+ records and is now the most popular show ever on the platform, even overtaking Ted Lasso previously Apples most popular show. The company also said that the second season premiere of Severance pushed Apple TV+ subscription growth in January compared to the previous month.For those unfamiliar, Severance is a sci-fi show in which employees of a company agree to participate in a program to separate their workplace memories from their personal memories.The last episode of Severances second season will air next Thursday night on Apple TV+. Although the show has not yet been renewed for a third season, Ben Stiller has suggested that the shows writers are already working on a third sequel.And, of course, please try to enjoy each search result equally.Gadgets I recommend: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

Ashly Burch, the voice actor behind Aloy from the acclaimed PlayStation titles Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Hidden West, has responded to the leaked tech demo showing off a clumsy but uncanny AI imitation of her performance as the character.In a video shared on TikTok, Burch said that the footage had her concerned not simply about the future of the game franchise or her own career, but for her profession as a whole."I feel worried about this art form game performance as an art form," Burch said in the video, which she also shared on her Instagram. @ashly.burch let us speak on AI aloy original sound - Ashly Burch The footage, which was leaked online by an anonymous source but has now been taken down via copyright strike, originated as an internal presentation from Sony's PlayStation Studios. Using an approximation of Burch's voice, the AI-puppeted Aloy is shown stiffly answering a variety of questions asked out loud by the presenter, in a pretty far cry from the vivacious personality that fans of the game series have come to adore.Burch said that Guerilla Games, the developers of "Horizon," claimed that the demo "didn't reflect anything that was actively in development." And no performance capture was involved, the studio further claimed, so Burch's voice or facial data wasn't used.Nonetheless, it's an upsetting spectacle. Burch reiterated that voice actors like herself are currently on strike, largely because of the AI tech evidenced here. Performers are asking for protection, Burch said, "because we know that game companies want to use it."Led by SAG-AFTRA, the strike has been in effect against the game industry since July 2024, and was initiated in the wake of the labor union's strike against the film industry in the preceding year, which won limited AI protections."What we're fighting for is that you have to get our consent before you make an AI version of us in any form," Burch said in the video. "You have to compensate us fairly and you have to tell us how you're using this AI double."Given that there's an ongoing strike, the timing of the tech demo is extremely tone-deaf if not a cynicalwarning to performers."The technology isn't the problem," Burch said. "The problem is we're currently on strike, and the bargaining group will not agree to give us common sense protections.""If we lose this fight," she added, there'd be "no recourse" for a performer who has their likeness stolen by AI.Share This Article

Are you a hands-on doer, committed to providing amazing customer service? If so, we'd like to speak with you. This accounting role will provide accounting support in all aspects of financial accounting on behalf of our company, including general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, revenue accounting, and account reconciliation on an accrual basis primarily.This is a very important role within our organization, with significant direct owner contact as the role will be vital in assisting the owner with company accounting needs. Outgoing and engaging candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.The candidate in this position will be trained and should aspire to be an Accounting Manager or Controller as he/she progresses.The position requires a high degree of comfort with various software and applications and a desire to learn new systems as needed. The successful candidate will use multiple systems such as Customer Resource Management (CRM), electronic banking, electronic bill pay, and various timekeeping systems such as TSheets daily.Responsibilities:Detailed Balance Sheet Reconciliations to WorkpapersProvide timely and accurate payment processing of accounts payable for the companyRespond to owner inquiries related to accounts payable.Prepare billing on behalf of the company and monitor Accounts Receivable Aging.Assist in month-end close procedures, including developing and maintaining work papers, and files on asset and liability account balances.Assist in the preparation of company budgets and forecasts as requested.Follow up on action items related to service and collaborate to ensure accurate and timely services and reporting.Personal relationships grounded in trustSpirit of CollaborationSuccess through continual improvementExceptional service and valueCommitment to innovative solutionsQualifications:B.S. Accounting/Finance graduateDetail and deadline-oriented self-starterMust be English proficient and communicate well in EnglishFearless dedication to client serviceExcellent communication skills with strong client communication and interface (client-facing) skillsAbility to multi-task, interface with multiple clients daily, and exercise problem-solving skillsCPA preferredMinimum of 3-5 years experience in accounting or related functionsPublic Accounting experience preferredStrong Understanding of Accrual AccountingGovCon or Cost Accounting experience is highly preferredKnowledge of GAAP, regulations, policies, and proceduresProven, solid software skills and exposure to automated accounting systems to include:Knowledge in using QuickBooks Desktop / Enterprise / Online / Deltek / Unanet / PROCAS / JAMIS / MS NavisionApply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now

The director of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program cautioned against funneling broadband money to the worlds richest man.

More than 400 Hollywood creative leaders signed an open letter to the Trump White Houses Office of Science and Technology Policy, urging the administration to not roll back copyright protections at the behest of AI companies.The filmmakers, writers, actors, musicians and others which included Ben Stiller, Mark Ruffalo, Cynthia Erivo, Cate Blanchett, Cord Jefferson, Paul McCartney, Ron Howard and Taika Waititi were submitting comments for the Trump administrations U.S. AI Action Plan. The letter specifically was penned in response to recent submissions to the Office of Science and Technology Policy from OpenAI and Google, which asserted that U.S. copyright law allows (or should allow) allow AI companies to train their system on copyrighted works without obtaining permission from (or compensating) rights holders.Related StoriesWe firmly believe that Americas global AI leadership must not come at the expense of our essential creative industries, the letter says in part. The letter claims that AI companies are asking to undermine this economic and cultural strength by weakening copyright protections for the films, television series, artworks, writing, music and voices used to train AI models at the core of multibillion-dollar corporate valuations.Popular on VarietyThe letters signatories include: Ben Stiller, Mark Ruffalo, Guillermo del Toro, Natasha Lyonne, Paul McCartney, Cynthia Erivo, Cate Blanchett, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Cord Jefferson, Bette Midler, Cate Blanchett, Ava Duvernay, Paul Simon, Aubrey Plaza, ngel Manuel Soto, Ron Howard, Taika Waititi, Ayo Edebiri, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lily Gladstone, Sam Mendes, Brit Marling, Janelle Mone, Bryn Mooser, Rian Johnson, Paul Giamatti, Maggie Gylenhall, Alfonso Cuaron, Olivia Wilde, Judd Apatow, Kim Gordon, Chris Rock and Michaela Coel.The letter says Google and OpenAI are arguing for a special government exemption so they can freely exploit Americas creative and knowledge industries, despite their substantial revenues and available funds. There is no reason to weaken or eliminate the copyright protections that have helped America flourish. OpenAI alleged in its OSTP submission (at this link) that the U.S. copyright codes fair use doctrine promotes AI development and the company proposed that the U.S. take steps to ensure that our copyright system continues to support American AI leadership and American economic and national security, including working to prevent less innovative countries from imposing their legal regimes on American AI firms and slowing our rate of progress.Google, in its submission (at this link), advocated for balanced copyright rules, such as fair use and text-and-data mining exceptions, which the company said has been critical to enabling AI systems to learn from prior knowledge and publicly available data, unlocking scientific and social advances. These exceptions allow for the use of copyrighted, publicly available material for AI training without significantly impacting rightsholders and avoid often highly unpredictable, imbalanced and lengthy negotiations with data holders during model development or scientific experimentation.Here is the full text of the letter from the Hollywood signatories:Hello Friends & Strangers. As you may be aware there has recently been a recommendation by OpenAI & Google to the current US Administration that is gaining alarming traction to remove all legal protections & existing guardrails surrounding copyright law protections for the training of Artificial Intelligence. This rewriting of established law in favor of so-called Fair Use was in need of an initial response by 11:59 PM ET Saturday, so we have submitted an initial letter with the signatories we had at that time. We are now continuing to accept signatures for an amendment to our initial statement. Please feel free to forward this to anyone you think may be invested in the ethical maintenance of their intellectual property. You can add your name and whatever guilds or unions or description of self you feel appropriate, but please do not edit the letter itself. Thank you so much for kicking this out wide on a Saturday Night!Hollywoods Response to the Administrations Artificial Intelligence Action Plan and necessity that copyright law be upheld.We, the members of Americas entertainment industry representing an intersection of cinematographers, directors, producers, actors, writers, studios, production companies, musicians, composers, costume, sound & production designers, editors, gaffers, union and Academy Members, and other industrious, creative content professionals submit this unified statement in response to the Administrations request for input on the AI Action Plan.We firmly believe that Americas global AI leadership must not come at the expense of our essential creative industries. Americas arts and entertainment industry supports over 2.3M American jobs with over $229Bn in wages annually, while providing the foundation for American democratic influence and soft power abroad. But AI companies are asking to undermine this economic and cultural strength by weakening copyright protections for the films, television series, artworks, writing, music, and voices used to train AI models at the core of multi-billion dollar corporate valuations.Make no mistake: this issue goes well beyond the entertainment industry, as the right to train AI on all copyright-protected content impacts all of Americas knowledge industries. When tech and AI companies demand unfettered access to all data and information, theyre not just threatening movies, books, and music, but the work of all writers, publishers, photographers, scientists, architects, engineers, designers, doctors, software developers and all other professionals who work with computers and generate intellectual property. These professions are the core of how we discover, learn, and share knowledge as a society and as a nation. This issue is not just about AI leadership or about economics and individual rights, but about Americas continued leadership in creating and owning valuable intellectual property in every field.It is clear that Google (valued at $2Tn) and OpenAI (valued at over $157Bn) are arguing for a special government exemption so they can freely exploit Americas creative and knowledge industries, despite their substantial revenues and available funds. There is no reason to weaken or eliminate the copyright protections that have helped America flourish. Not when AI companies can use our copyrighted material by simply doing what the law requires: negotiating appropriate licenses with copyright holders just as every other industry does. Access to Americas creative catalog of films, writing, video content, and music is not a matter of national security. They do not require a government-mandated exemption from existing U.S. copyright law.America didnt become a global cultural powerhouse by accident. Our success stems directly from our fundamental respect for IP and copyright that rewards creative risk-taking by talented and hardworking Americans from every state and territory. For nearly 250 years, U.S. copyright law has balanced creators rights with the needs of the public, creating the worlds most vibrant creative economy. We recommend that the American AI Action Plan uphold existing copyright frameworks to maintain the strength of Americas creative and knowledge industries, as well as American cultural influence abroad.