Skip to main contentADVERTISEMENTHamiltonAs many as 80 Tesla vehicles damaged at dealership in Hamilton: police By Codi WilsonPublished:March 20, 2025 at 11:13AM EDTHamilton Police are investigating after upwards of 80 Tesla vehicles were damaged at a local dealership this week. ADVERTISEMENTShopping TrendsThe Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

Nvidia took San Jose by storm this year, with a record-breaking 25,000 attendees flocking to the San Jose Convention Center and surrounding downtown buildings. Many workshops, talks, and panels were so packed that people had to lean against walls or sit on the floor and suffer the wrath of organizers shouting commands to get them to line up properly.Nvidia currently sits at the top of the AI world, with record-breaking financials, sky-high profit margins, and no serious competitors yet. But the coming months also hold unprecedented risk for the company as it faces U.S. tariffs, DeepSeek, and shifting priorities from top AI customers.At GTC 2025, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang attempted to project confidence, unveiling powerful new chips, personal supercomputers, and, of course, really cute robots. It was an exhaustive sales pitch one aimed at investors reeling from Nvidias nosediving stock.The more you buy, the more you save, Huang said at one point during a keynote on Tuesday. Its even better than that. Now, the more you buy, the more you make.Inference boomMore than anything, Nvidia at this years GTC sought to assure attendees and the rest of the world watching that demand for its chips wont slow down anytime soon.During his keynote, Huang claimed that nearly the entire world got it wrong on traditional AI scaling falling out of vogue. Chinese AI lab DeepSeek, which earlier this year released a highly efficient reasoning model called R1, prompted fears among investors that Nvidias monster chips may no longer be necessary for training competitive AI.But Huang has repeatedly insisted that power-hungry reasoning models will, in fact, drive more demand for the companys chips, not less. Thats why at GTC, Huang showed off Nvidias next line of Vera Rubin GPUs, claiming theyll perform inference (that is, run AI models) at roughly double the rate of Nvidias current best Blackwell chip.The threat to Nvidias business Huang spent less time addressing was upstarts like Cerebras, Groq, and other low-cost inference hardware and cloud providers. Nearly every hyperscaler is developing a custom chip for inference, if not training, as well. AWS has Graviton and Inferentia (which its reportedly aggressively discounting), Google has TPUs, and Microsoft has Cobalt 100.Image Credits:Justin Sullivan / Getty ImagesAlong the same vein, tech giants currently extremely reliant on Nvidia chips, including OpenAI and Meta, are looking to reduce those ties via in-house hardware efforts. If they and the aforementioned other rivals are successful, itll almost assuredly weaken Nvidias stranglehold on the AI chips market.Thats perhaps why Nvidias share price dipped around 4% following Huangs keynote. Investors mightve been holding out hope for one last thing or perhaps an accelerated launch window. In the end, they got neither.Tariff tensionsNvidia also sought to allay worries about tariffs at GTC 2025. The U.S. hasnt imposed any tariffs on Taiwan (where Nvidia gets most of its chips), and Huang claimed tariffs wouldnt do significant damage in the short run. He stopped short of promising that Nvidia would be shielded from the long-term economic impacts, however whatever form they ultimately take.Nvidia has clearly received the Trump Administrations America First message, with Huang pledging at GTC to spend hundreds of billions of dollars on manufacturing in the U.S. While that would help the company diversify its supply chains, its also a massive cost for Nvidia, whose multitrillion-dollar valuation depends on healthy profit margins.New businessAs it looks to seed and grow businesses other than its core chips line, Nvidia at GTC drew attention to its new investments in quantum, an industry that the company has historically neglected. At GTCs first Quantum Day, Huang apologized to the CEOs of major quantum companies for causing a minor stock crash in January 2025 after he suggested that the tech wouldnt be very useful for the next 15 to 30 years.Image Credits:David Paul Morris / Bloomberg / Getty ImagesOn Tuesday, Nvidia announced that it would open a new center in Boston, NVAQC, to advance quantum computing in collaboration with leading hardware and software markers. The center will, of course, be equipped with Nvidia chips, which the company says will enable researchers to simulate quantum systems and the models necessary for quantum error correction.In the more immediate future, Nvidia sees what its calling personal AI supercomputers as a potential new revenue-maker.At GTC, the company launched DGX Spark (previously called Project Digits) and DGX Station, both of which are designed to allow users to prototype, fine-tune, and run AI models in a range of sizes at the edge. Neither is exactly inexpensive they retail for thousands of dollars but Huang boldly proclaimed that they represent the future of the personal PC.This is the computer of the age of AI, Huang said during his keynote. This is what computers should look like, and this is what computers will run in the future.Well soon see if customers agree.

In BriefPosted:2:11 PM PDT March 20, 2025Image Credits:Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket / Getty ImagesApple is reportedly losing $1B per year on its streaming serviceApple is losing more than $1 billion per year on its streaming service, Apple TV+, according to a new report from The Information. Apple TV+ is the only service in Apples portfolio that isnt profitable, the report reveals.The company has spent around $5 billion on content each year since the streaming service launched in 2019, but brought that number down to $4.5 billion in 2024. Apple TV+ is known for original shows like Severance, Ted Lasso, The Morning Show, Silo, and Shrinking.Despite Apple TV+ productions earning more than 2,500 award nominations and wins, the streaming service has lagged behind Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video when it comes to subscribers.Although Apple doesnt disclose how many subscribers its streaming service has, the report states that Apple TV+ has an estimated 45 million subscribers. For context, Netflix leads the streaming industry with 301 million subscribers.Topics

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is next week, but if you can't wait to upgrade your PC storage, you can snag the 8TB T5 Evo portable SSD for just $500 now.

The buzz of the self-driving world this week was a video by Mark Rober, one YouTubes biggest stars, comparing Teslas camera-based Autopilot to a LIDAR equipped car with some obstacles, including, for amusement, a foam wall with a photograph printed on it showing an empty road ahead. In Robers video, the Autopilot failed to detect the wall, while LIDAR, as expected did so easily.There were a number of flaws in Robers tests, the the core issue of just how these different ways of sensing work is an important one. Another YouTuber, a Tesla fan named Kyle Paul made a response video, testing the two main version of Tesla Full Self Driving," the system that Rober should have tested--nobody cares about Autopilot or expects it to handle such tests well, but FSD has to face a vastly higher bar. In Pauls test, FSD version 12 on Teslas 3rd generation hardware also failed to detect his wall, but a Cybertruck, with FSD version 13 on Teslas 4th generation hardware, did stop for it.Paul tested the right Tesla systems, which is important, but his test also has some flaws. With a much lower budget, his wall isnt nearly as good as Robers. It is noticeably lighter than the real road, sky and terrain, and this changes with the light between his two tests. The wall has several defects where gaps between the photos are obvious. Unforunately, one thing that computer vision systems, even machine-learning ones, focus on is edges, and Pauls wall is full of clear edges, making it much more likely that CV will detect it. Robers wall has its faults as well, it also differs in color, and its outer edges are edges but it does not have gaps between the stripes.This suggests that detection of this wall is on the edge, as the old software and hardware failed and the new generation worked properly. It tells us that different walls might be detected by both, or by neither.Rober did not respond to requests about what version of Tesla Autopilot he tested. Autopilot is a much simpler system than FSD, though it uses the same hardware. (The latest versions of Autopilot are more similar and derived from the FSD software, the older ones are a completely different system.) But Autopilot is at its core a driver-assist system, essentially a fancy adaptive cruise control. Theres lots of things cruise controls dont see, and they depend on the driver to handle them. Teslas have infamously run right into the broadsides of trucks on Autopilot, but its been regularly ruled that is not any sort of defect in Autopilot, which is not designed to be or expected to be perfect at that task. FSD is another story. Today its also a driver-assist tool, not expected to be reliable, but Tesla has promised that in June, they will deploy it with nobody in the car, and then it will need to be very reliable (though not perfect) and not miss key obstacles.FSD includes a virtual lidar that attempts to calculate distance from the camera image. Tesla calls it an occupancy network. Such tools can work, though they dont match the very high reliability of LIDAR at that job. Humans also try to discern distance out of our 2-D cameras but use the skill of the human mind to do it. Indeed, a photographic wall is aimed at the things such a tool will do wrong. But it also has a good chance of detecting flaws in the wall, like edges. A perfect video wall would probably fool this network, and also could fool a human, but would not fool LIDAR or radar.Another potential issue is that Paul held up his wall by parking a truck behind it. He made certain he would not crash through that wall, of course. Teslas HW4 has a version which includes a new generation radar, known as the Phoenix radar. This is present in new Model X and S, but not in models 3 and Y. There are conflicting reports if it is present in the Cybertruck, so that is certainly not confirmed, but if it were, a radar would of course strongly detect the truck and respond to it. Almost all self-driving cars use not just cameras, but also radar and LIDAR. Tesla models had an older model automotive radar but it was removed, and use of it disabled in earlier cars.That old automotive radar might not see the truck, big and bright as it is. Thats because these radars are very low resolution and so they arent too useful on stopped objects, though they have some ability with them. The Phoenix radar is an imaging radar which would detect it clearly. Tesla should include it in their FSD cars, not to detect walls painted by Coyotes but for more reliable detection of other obstacles and their speed.The Cybertruck also is alone among Teslas in having an extra forward camera on the front. It is not known how this camera is used by FSD13. It may only be used by the forward collision warning and avoidance system (and for off-roading.) If it is used by FSD, its stereo viewpoint would assist in detecting something like this wall. (Though again, it should see it easily with just one camera.) However, at present there is no confirmation that FSD uses that camera.This wall remains a silly and contrived test. Rober did it for the fun of recreating the Road Runner cartoon scene, not because its an important thing for self-driving cars to detect. There is a field of research where people experiment with deliberate tricks to fool cars, and some of the research in that area informs on real dangers, but most of the issues are more academic than real, and this is one of them. There have been real world problems of this class, such as trucks and billboards with photographs painted on them that confused some camera based systems; most teams are aware of this and work to make sure it doesnt cause problems. There are also adversarial attacks on radar and LIDAR which have been experimented with and published.The debate about what sensors to use is a real one. Many, including myself, have been critical of Tesla for using only cameras. I first published this article in 2012 on the issues, and in spite of massive improvements in machine learning that have aided the camera systems, most of the issues remain today. Tesla wants to work with the hardware they already ship, which is low cost. Most other teams feel they should use all available tools, including the superhuman abilities of LIDAR, radar and even thermal cameras to make sure the system is as safe as they can make it, and then rely on the extremely likely vast reduction in cost of electronics at scale to make the safe solution cheaper. Tesla feels that any really working solution needs so much AI intelligence that it will be able to do the job with the cheapest sensors, and extra sensors will just make the job harder. Nobody actually is certain about which of these is the answer, though the multi-sensor choice is the overwhelming favorite in the industry today, and the approach used by all teams that have actually made a working robocar, including Waymo which has been on the road with no safety driver for over 6 years.In the end, it doesnt matter much whether Tesla sees a wall like this. What matters is what it does with real world objects and situations. For this, we want to know how often the latest Tesla FSD needs a human to take over to prevent a safety event, as well as to avoid it being a bad road citizen (blocking traffic etc.) Tesla should know these statistics very well. It should be looking at all interventions, re-running them in simulator and determining what would have happened if the human driver had not intervened. Tesla has refused to provide this data which frankly is surprising. If they have good numbers on this, we might expect them to shout it from the rooftops, particularly as they need to convince the public its safe to deploy FSD unsupervised in a vehicle with nobody on board as Tesla has said it will do in June.Most other robotaxi projects have situations they cant handle well, such as snow or extremely heavy rain as seen in the Rober video. At present, they just do not operate in those situations, and work on expanding what they can do so they can operate at more places and times. The results of these tests is neither heartening or scary, for only statistics over a very wide range of situations actually matters.

Arnold and Patrick Schwarzenegger (Photo by Maya Dehlin Spach/WireImage)WireImageA lot has happened in the world of AI over the past few weeks.OpenAI has taken the lead with ChatGPT surpassing 400 million weekly users in February, a doubling from 200 million in August 2024 after shipping a slew of exciting new consumer features last Fall, including Advanced Voice. Amazon announced Alexa+, powered by Anthropics Claude, with the potential to bring generative AI to 600 million Alexa devices. Grok now talks, Perplexity has DeepSeek, and Googles NotebookLM AI podcast hosts are answering call-in questions from humans.AI can see, hear, talk, empathize, reason and take action on behalf of users autonomously. Its merely a matter of time before it starts cranking out entertainment as captivating as humans.I asked the top five AI assistants to write a compelling treatment for the next season of the HBO hit series, The White Lotus, starring Season 3s Patrick Schwarzenegger and his cousin Jack Schlossberg, who is a political correspondent and grandson of former U.S. President John F Kennedy. The two have been at odds in the media and could be a great anchor to any show that descends into chaos, Grok advised.In answering the prompt, ChatGPT, Claude and Grok were rich in detail, while Googles Gemini and Perplexity came up a bit short. But as a tool, these five AI assistants are incredibly powerful, as well as entertaining. Here are the responses.Prompt: Write a treatment for White Lotus 4 starring Patrick Schwarzenegger and Jack Schlossberg1. ChatGPT: The White Lotus: ViennaGenre: Dark Comedy / Social Satire Format: Limited Series (7 Episodes) Setting: The White Lotus: Vienna, Austria Starring: Patrick Schwarzenegger, Jack Schlossberg, Anya Taylor-Joy, Christoph Waltz, Emma Mackey, and Cate BlanchettLogline: The White Lotus sets its latest luxury resort in the heart of Vienna, Austriaa city of aristocratic wealth, hidden corruption, and old-money families clinging to power. As a new batch of privileged guests arrives, tensions rise when an elite Austrian banking family and an American political dynasty collide. By the end of the week, someone will end up dead.Setting: Vienna, AustriaThe White Lotus: Vienna is housed in a grand historic palace turned ultra-luxury resort. Originally built for the Habsburgs, the hotel boasts gold-trimmed ballrooms, opera performances, secret tunnels, and a dark aristocratic past. The wealthy guests enjoy private masquerade parties, decadent feasts, and waltz lessonsuntil their carefully curated facades begin to crumble.Cast & CharactersPatrick Schwarzenegger as Saxon RatliffAn entitled, reckless heir to a centuries-old Austrian banking fortune. Handsome and charming, he masks his deep insecurity with arrogance. He has never had to work a day in his life and spends his days fencing, gambling, and indulging in debauchery. But when he gets tangled up in a high-stakes money laundering scandal, his familys entire legacy is at risk.Jack Schlossberg as Ben Kennedy-RossA Harvard-educated political elite and the estranged cousin of Saxon Ratliff. The son of an American ambassador, Ben arrives in Vienna to broker a massive energy deal between Austria and the U.S. While he presents himself as an idealistic statesman, his carefully maintained reputation hides a web of secrets. He and Saxon have a tense history.Anya Taylor-Joy as Margaux DufresneA brilliant but manipulative French art forger posing as a wealthy collector. Shes in Vienna to con an aristocrat out of a priceless Gustav Klimt painting, but she may have picked the wrong target.Christoph Waltz as Baron Albrecht von EbersteinThe ruthless head of Austrias oldest banking dynasty, Baron Albrecht is Saxons grandfather and sees his grandson as unworthy of inheriting the family fortune. When a secret about his wealth surfaces, hell stop at nothing to bury the truth.Emma Mackey as Celeste RitterA mysterious socialite and journalist writing an expos on Viennas elite. She arrives as Saxons new girlfriend, but is secretly investigating his familys financial crimes.Cate Blanchett as Alexandra von HohenbergThe icy CEO of The White Lotus: Vienna, who was born into Austrian nobility. She maintains an unshakable, regal demeanor, but beneath the surface, shes desperate to protect the hotel from scandal.Plot OverviewEpisode 1: The Waltz BeginsThe White Lotus: Vienna welcomes its newest guestsAmerican politicians, European aristocrats, and scandalous socialites. Saxon and Ben are forced into an uneasy reunion and their past resentments resurface immediately. Meanwhile, Margaux sets her art heist in motion, and Celeste quietly gathers intel on Saxons family.Episode 2: The Masks We WearAt an extravagant masquerade ball, tensions explode. Saxon learns that his grandfather plans to cut him out of the family fortune. Ben is caught in a compromising position that threatens his diplomatic deal. And Celeste makes a shocking discovery about the White Lotus itself.Episode 3: Blood and MoneyAs secrets unravel, alliances shift. Saxon attempts to bribe his way out of trouble, but Ben uses his political connections to block him. Margaux is blackmailed into stealing from a more dangerous target, and Alexandra struggles to control the escalating chaos.Episode 4: The Blackmail GameBen receives an anonymous threat, revealing that someone knows about his darkest scandal. Saxon, pushed to the brink, starts self-destructing. A forbidden romance blossoms in the shadows.Episode 5: Vienna BurnsA fire at the hotels hidden underground casino threatens to expose an illegal operation. A body is found floating in the Danube River, and guests realize that someone is willing to kill to protect their secrets.Episode 6: The Grand ConfrontationThe remaining guests scramble to cover their tracks. Saxon and Ben have a deadly confrontation in the hotels grand ballroom, while Margaux attempts her final escape. Alexandras carefully crafted empire begins to fall apart.Finale: The Last WaltzA final opulent dinner party takes place in the palaces golden hall, with tensions at an all-time high. When the White Lotus staff discover another body, the guests must face the consequences of their actions. Who will make it out alive?Themes The Fall of Empires: Old-money families and political elites struggle to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world. The American vs. European Aristocracy: The series explores the contrast between American political families (like Ben) and European dynasties (like Saxon). Scandal, Wealth and Power: The more powerful the characters, the more devastating their secrets.2. Grok: The White Lotus: AmalfiLogline: A group of privileged guests and beleaguered staff at an eco-luxury resort on Italys Amalfi Coast unravel over a week of indulgence, betrayal, and buried secrets. The shows signature mix of opulence, absurdity, and slow-burning suspense culminate in shocking tragedy with twists that expose the fragility of their curated lives.Setting: Amalfi, Italy A lavish, eco-resort on the Amalfi Coast of Italy, known as Villa Smeralda, marketed as a sustainable paradise for the ultra-wealthy. The resort is perched on cliffs overlooking turquoise waters, surrounded by lemon groves and ancient ruins, but beneath its pristine faade lie secrets of exploitation, hypocrisy and clashing egos.Tone: Darkly satirical, sensual, and suspenseful, with a focus on generational wealth, privilege, and the performative nature of good intentions in the modern age.Cast & CharactersPatrick Schwarzenegger as Tanner VossTanner, 29, is a charming but reckless influencer and heir to a tech fortune. Tan, toned, and perpetually shirtless, with a million-watt smile and a knack for turning every moment into content, he arrives at Villa Smeralda with his entourage to detox after a public scandal involving a crashed Lambo and a viral meltdown. Beneath his laid-back vibe, Tanner is desperate to prove hes more than a trust-fund burnout, but his impulsiveness and entitlement keep derailing him. Tanners flirtations with staff and guests spiral into a dangerous game of power, leading him to uncover a dark truth about the resorts sustainability claims.Jack Schlossberg as Luca MorettiLuca, 32, exudes Kennedy-esque charismasharp jawline, effortless charm, and a wardrobe of tailored linen suits. A polished, idealistic Italian-American lawyer and scion of a political dynasty, hes at Villa Smeralda to propose to his girlfriend, Isabella, and to scout the resort for a potential family investment. Luca believes in doing good (or at least looking like he does), but his privileged blind spots and need for control clash with the messier realities around him. In his arc, Lucas romantic getaway turns into a moral quagmire as he stumbles into a conspiracy involving the resorts owners and his own familys legacy. Supporting RolesIsabella RicciLucas fiery, art-world girlfriend, a 30-year-old sculptor with a rebellious streak, Isabella is suspicious of the resorts glossy perfection and Lucas polished persona. Shes drawn to Tanners chaotic energy, creating a volatile love triangle. Her growing unease about the resortand her relationshippushes her to take risks that threaten to upend everything.GiuliaA 40-something local woman with a sharp wit and a plastered smile, Giulia is the resorts overworked, quietly resentful manager who keeps Villa Smeralda running while hiding her disdain for the guests and her bosses. She knows the resorts dirty secrets but is trapped by circumstance. An unlikely ally to Tanner and Luca as tensions rise, but loyalties remain ambiguous.The DeLucia TwinsValentina and Matteo, both in their 50s, are eccentric siblings who own Villa Smeralda, and are obsessed with their vision of sustainable luxury. Theyre hiding the fact that the resorts eco-credentials are a sham built on illegal land deals and exploited labor. Their unraveling faade drives the seasons central conflict.Plot OverviewEpisode 1: Arrival The season opens with a flash-forward: a body floating in the crystalline waters below the cliffs, identity obscured. Cut to one week earlier. Tanner arrives at Villa Smeralda in a blaze of bravado, filming his entrance for his followers, while Luca and Isabella check in with strained politeness. Giulia greets them all with forced enthusiasm, already fraying at the edges. Tanner flirts with Isabella by the infinity pool, sparking Lucas jealousy. Meanwhile, the DeLucia twins host a welcome dinner, boasting about their carbon-neutral paradiseuntil a local fisherman crashes the event, shouting about stolen land.Episode 2: Cracks Tanner ditches his entourage for a solo hike and stumbles on a hidden construction siteevidence the resort is expanding illegally. He posts about it, oblivious to the danger. Luca, sensing something off, presses Giulia for answers, but she deflects with charm. Isabella bonds with a quirky guest (a washed-up pop star, perhaps), who hints at the twins shady past. A steamy late-night encounter between Tanner and a staff member ends abruptly when she warns him to stop digging.Episode 3: Masks A masquerade ball amplifies the tensions. Tanner crashes the party in a ridiculous costume, drunk and confrontational, while Luca proposes to Isabellashe hesitates, sparking a public fight. Giulia overhears the twins plotting to silence the fisherman, whos gone missing. Tanner and Isabella share a charged moment, caught by Lucas watchful eye. The episode ends with a cryptic phone call to Luca from a family member, hinting at their ties to the resort.Episode 4: Leverage Tanner blackmails the twins with his footage, demanding a payout, but they counter with a threat to expose his scandal. Luca digs into the resorts ownership and discovers his familys investment firm has a stakehis proposal was a cover for a business deal. Isabella confronts him, accusing him of manipulation. Giulia, torn between self-preservation and guilt, slips Tanner a key to a locked office. A storm brews over the coast, mirroring the chaos.Episode 5: Descent The office reveals documents proving the resorts eco-claims are fraudulent, tied to a mafia-backed scheme. Tanner, Luca, and Isabella reluctantly team up to confront the twins, but the alliance fraysLuca wants reform, Tanner wants revenge, and Isabella wants out. A staff member vanishes after talking to Tanner, raising the stakes. Giulias composure cracks as she confesses to knowing about the fishermans fatehes dead.Episode 6: Reckoning The finale unravels in real time. The twins stage a lavish sustainability gala to bury the scandal, but Tanner gatecrashes with the evidence, livestreaming to his followers. Luca tries to broker a deal to save face, but Isabella walks away from him. In the chaos, a fight erupts on the cliffsTanner and one of the twins grapple, and someone goes over the edge. Cut to the opening scene: the body in the water is revealed as Matteo DeLucia. The survivorsbloody, shakenwatch as the sun rises over the ruined paradise.ThemesPerformative Virtue: The resorts eco-luxury mirrors the guests shallow attempts at goodness (Tanners detox, Lucas idealism).Privilege and Power: Tanner and Lucas wealth insulates them from consequencesuntil it doesnt.Beauty and Decay: The Amalfi Coasts stunning vistas contrast with the moral rot beneath.3. Perplexity: The White Lotus: MaldivesLogline: Amid a luxurious island backdrop, pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters hide a darker undercurrent of family drama and political intrigue.Setting: The MaldivesMain CharactersPatrick Schwarzenegger as Tristan Kennedy A charismatic but troubled political scion trying to escape his familys legacy.Jack Schlossberg as Ethan Kennedy Tristans more reserved cousin, aspiring to follow in his familys political footsteps.Plot OverviewThe Kennedy cousins, Tristan and Ethan, arrive at the White Lotus Maldives for whats supposed to be a relaxing getaway. However, their vacation quickly becomes entangled with local politics, environmental issues, and their own familys complex history.As Tristan attempts to distance himself from his political heritage, Ethan embraces it, causing friction between the cousins. Their contrasting approaches to their family name become a microcosm for larger themes of legacy, responsibility, and personal identity.Themes1. Political Intrigue: The cousins become unwittingly involved in a local election, with opposing factions trying to use their family name for leverage.2. Environmental Crisis: A looming ecological disaster threatens the resort, forcing the Kennedys to confront their familys mixed record on environmental issues.3. Family Secrets: As tensions rise, long-buried family secrets come to light, challenging both cousins perceptions of their shared history.4. Romance and Rivalry: Tristan and Ethan find themselves competing for the attention of a mysterious local activist, further straining their relationship.The season explores themes of privilege, responsibility, and the weight of family legacy, all set against the backdrop of a paradise thats not quite what it seems4. Gemini: The White Lotus: New EnglandLogline: At a historic White Lotus resort nestled in the heart of coastal New England, a subtle, yet fierce, class warfare simmers beneath the surface.Setting: New England, during the peak of a crisp, late-summer/early-fall seasonTone: Maintain the shows signature dark comedic tone, with moments of sharp social commentary and unexpected twists. Emphasize the contrast between the idyllic setting and the characters inner turmoil. Increase the level of suspense with many plot twists.Cast & CharactersPatrick Schwarzenegger as Tripp Van Derholt A scion of a prominent New England political family. Hes trying to escape the suffocating weight of his legacy while simultaneously leveraging it for personal gain. Hes an attractive man used to getting his way, but underneath it all, hes extremely insecure.Jack Schlossberg as A seemingly unassuming, yet intensely ambitious, tech entrepreneur who has recently acquired new money, hes determined to infiltrate the "old money" circles and establish his dominance. Hes socially awkward, but has a high level of intelligence. Supporting RolesA jaded, long-time White Lotus staff member who has seen it all, and provides cynical commentary.A group of "old money" socialites, clinging to tradition and resentful of outsiders.A local New England townie that is trying to make money off of the wealthy tourist.Plot PointsThe season opens with the discovery of a body on the resort's private beach, setting the stage for a mystery that unfolds throughout the week.Tripp and Caleb's paths intersect, leading to a complex dynamic of rivalry, manipulation, and perhaps even a twisted form of camaraderie.The "old money" socialites view Caleb's presence as an intrusion, leading to passive-aggressive power plays and social sabotage.Tripp is trying to keep his family secrets from being exposed, while also trying to keep his image intact.Caleb is trying to use his tech and money to gain social status, and to also find out the secrets of the old money families.The staff members are caught in the crossfire, forced to navigate the guests' eccentricities and escalating conflicts.The season culminates in a dramatic confrontation that exposes the hidden agendas and dark secrets of the characters.Themes"Old Money" vs. "New Money": The clash between established, generational wealth and the often-crass displays of newfound affluence.Political Dynasties: Exploring the burdens and privileges of legacy within prominent American families. Illusion of Civility: exposing the dark undercurrents that lurk beneath the veneer of polite society. The idea of decaying American aristocracy.5. Claude: The White Lotus: KyotoLogline: At an ancient hot springs resort in the Japanese countryside, two wealthy American cousins with political ambitions find their rivalry intensified amid cultural misunderstandings, generational tensions, and the ghosts of Japans imperial past.Setting: Kyoto, Japan.Tone: The season juxtaposes traditional Japanese aesthetics (wabi-sabi, mono no aware) with intrusive modernity. Visual motifs include steam from hot springs obscuring truth, perfectly arranged surfaces hiding disorder, and the contrast between natural beauty and human deception. The palette shifts from serene natural tones to increasingly saturated colors as tensions rise. Cherry blossoms, fall leaves, and seasonal changes provide visual metaphors for impermanence. Traditional Japanese music is subtly integrated with the shows signature ominous score. Like previous seasons, the show maintains its signature blend of social satire, psychological tension, and mounting dread, while exploring new themes specific to its Japanese setting exploring the commodification of tradition and ghosts of imperial pasts.Cast & CharactersPatrick Schwarzenegger as Chase Huntington Handsome and charismatic heir to a tech fortune, presents himself as a globally-minded entrepreneur with a public persona of a reformed trust fund kid (35). Beneath his polished exterior lies ruthless ambition. Hes using this trip to court Japanese investors before announcing his congressional run.Jack Schlossberg as Jack Kennedy Chases distant cousin comes from the less wealthy, but more politically established branch of the family (34). A diplomat working on U.S.-Japan relations with genuine respect for Japanese culture and language skills. Hes been invited on this trip by Chase as a gesture of family reconciliation, but is suspicious of his cousins motives and superficial engagement with Japan.Yuko Tanaka (Japanese actress, 40s)The resorts composed, perfectionist manager who returned to Japan after years in New Yorks hospitality industry. She navigates between honoring tradition and delivering luxury to demanding Western guests.Naomi Watanabe (Japanese-American actress, 30s)A famous fashion designer doing a residency at the resort to create a collection inspired by traditional Japanese textiles. Born in America to Japanese parents, shes reconnecting with her heritage while being criticized by both cultures. She becomes entangled with both cousins for different reasons.Takeshi Yamamoto (Japanese actor, 70s)The elderly former owner of the ryokan whose family has maintained the adjacent shrine for generations. He still lives on the property as an authentic cultural ambassador for guests, but silently judges the commercialization of traditions. He sees through the performative cultural appreciation of the wealthy guests and knows dark secrets about the lands history.Supporting RolesThe Kato Family - Japanese tech billionaires considering investing in Chases fund: Hiroshi (50s) - Old money Tokyo elite who views the American guests with polite disdain Mizuki (40s) - His wife, a former pop idol with hidden intelligence and ambitionThe Geller Couple Senator Geller (60s) - A U.S. Senator on a fact-finding trip thats really a luxury vacation Dana Geller (60s) - His ambitious wife who collects Asian art and speaks performative Japanese phrasesResort Staff Takumi (30s) - The charismatic cultural activities director with samurai ancestry Mari (20s) - A maid from a nearby village who witnesses everything Chef Koji (40s) - A Japanese-American chef trying to prove himself authentic enough to master kaiseki cuisinePlot OutlineEpisode 1: Arrival Chase and Jack arrive separately at the resort, establishing their uneasy relationship. We meet the other guests and staff. Cultural misunderstandings occur immediately. The episode culminates in an elaborate welcome dinner where tensions emerge beneath polite conversation. A guest finds a mysterious old photograph in their room.Episode 2: Immersion A visit to the hot springs reveals characters vulnerabilities. Jack tries to investigate rumors about Chases ethics violations. Takeshi tells guests a ghost story about the shrine that seems oddly specific. Senator Geller makes an inappropriate comment during a tea ceremony.Episode 3: Boundaries A Shinto blessing ceremony goes awry when Chase interrupts sacred protocols. Jack and Naomi grow closer as they discuss cultural identity. Yuko receives a threatening message about the resorts upcoming expansion. A sacred object disappears from the shrine.Episode 4: Ancestors An excursion to a nearby temple reveals connections between Takeshis family and WWII-era activities. The Kato family pressures Chase about his companys data harvesting in Asia. Jack discovers an old family photo suggesting his grandfather visited this exact location during the war.Episode 5: Masks A traditional Noh theater performance at the resort parallels the characters hidden motives. Chases true reason for bringing Jack on the trip is revealed. Kato discovers disturbing information about American military history in the area. Takeshi confronts Yuko about selling her familys land.Episode 6: Reflection A typhoon isolates the resort temporarily. Jack confronts Chase about using Japanese cultural imagery in campaign materials. Naomis fashion show preparation reveals exploitation in her supply chain. Mari witnesses a secret meeting between Senator Geller and local officials.Episode 7: Fracture Ancient pottery in the resort is broken, symbolizing deeper fractures. A past tragedy in Yukos family is revealed, connecting her to Chases company. The cousins political ambitions collide in a public confrontation at a formal dinner. Someone falls into the hot springs late at night.Episode 8: Departure As guests prepare to leave, the full extent of various betrayals comes to light. Historical secrets about the property during WWII are revealed. One cousins career is destroyed while the others rises from the ashes, but at great moral cost. The season ends with Yuko making a fateful decision about the property and a final revelation about a death that occurred decades ago on the grounds.Themes1. Tradition vs. Modernization: The resort embodies Japans tension between preserving cultural heritage and embracing globalization. The American guests authentic experience is a carefully curated performance that often misses deeper cultural meanings.2. Political Ambition & Legacy: Both cousins are positioning themselves for political careers but represent conflicting visions of Americas role in Asia. Their rivalry resurrects family history that intersects with Japans post-war relationship with America.3. Cultural Appropriation & Identity: Questions of who can claim Japanese culture and how it should be presented to outsiders run throughout. Characters like Naomi and Chef Koji struggle with being Japanese enough, while Americans like Chase commercialize cultural experiences.4. Surface vs Depth: Japanese concepts of tatemae (public behavior) versus honne (true feelings) create a perfect thematic framework for a show about social performance. The hot springs gradually reveal what lies beneath polished exteriors.

Java is a programming language and software platform. Examples of applications that use Java are numerous and widespread but include web browsers, office applications, and even games like Minecraft are based on Java.If you need to run Java applications, downloading and installing the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) is enough. If you're developing Java applications, you'll want to download the JDK, which also includes the JRE.For full information and terms, refer to the OTN License Agreement for Java SE. The OTN License Agreement for Java SE for current Oracle Java SE releases allows them to be used, without cost:(i) For personal use on a desktop or laptop computer, such as to play games or run other personal applications.(ii) For development, testing, prototyping, and demonstrating applications, including to use by/with profilers, debuggers, and Integrated Development Environment tools.(iii) For use with some approved products, such as Oracle SQL Developer, or as an end user of a software application created by an approved product. (referred to as "Schedule A" and "Schedule B" Products in the OTN License Agreement for Java SE)(iv) With identified Oracle Cloud Infrastructure products.The latest version of Java is Java 24 or JDK 24 released on March 2025. However, many versions of Java are actively maintained for compatibility purposes. Java 8, Java 11, Java 17 and Java 21 are the four long-term support versions recommended by Oracle alongside the latest release. You can download the version you need below:Java SE 23 DownloadJava SE 22 DownloadJava SE 21 Download (LTS, recommended)Java SE 20 DownloadJava SE 19 DownloadJava SE 18 DownloadJava SE 17 Download (LTS, recommended)Java SE 16 DownloadJava SE 15 DownloadJava SE 11 Download (LTS, recommended)Java SE 9 DownloadJava SE 8 Download (LTS, recommended)Java 8 is the last free software public update for commercial use, which explains why it remains popular even though it was released back in 2014. Oracle plans to maintain it until at least 2030. Also, you should know that some applications might refer to Java 8 as version 1.8.0.What is Java JDK?The Java Development Kit (JDK) is the full-featured software development kit for Java developers. It has everything the JRE has, but adds the compiler (javac) and tools (like javadoc and jdb). The JDK allows you to create and compile Java programs.Is Java free to use?Yes, Java is free to use under the jdk.java.net license. This means anyone can download it for personal or development use at no cost. Oracle does charge for long term support, but this is optional.What's NewJDK 24 delivers twenty-four enhancements that are significant enough to warrant their own JDK Enhancement Proposals - JEPs, including eight preview features and one incubator feature. They cover improvements to the Java Language, APIs, performance, and the tools included in the JDK.Language Enhancements:Primitive Types in Patterns: Expanded pattern matching to include primitive types in instanceof and switch.Flexible Constructor Bodies: Improved constructor reliability with distinct prologue and epilogue phases.Module Import Declarations: Simplified importing of module packages.Simple Source Files & Instance Main Methods: Streamlined entry for beginners and concise small programs.Library Improvements:Stream Gatherers: Enhanced Stream API with custom intermediate operations.Class-File API: Standardized API for class file manipulation.Scoped Values: Improved thread-safe data sharing.Vector API: Accelerated vector computations on supported CPUs.Structured Concurrency: Simplified multithreaded programming.Security Advancements:Key Derivation Function API: Enhanced cryptographic security.Quantum-Resistant Key Encapsulation (ML-KEM): Post-quantum cryptography readiness.Quantum-Resistant Digital Signatures (ML-DSA): Post-quantum cryptography readiness.Performance & Runtime:Compact Object Headers: Reduced object header size for better memory usage.Late Barrier Extension for G1: Optimized G1 garbage collector.Ahead-of-Time Class Loading & Linking: Faster application startup.ZGC: Remove Non-Generational Mode: Simplified ZGC maintenance.Synchronize Virtual Threads without Pinning: Improved virtual thread scalability.Tooling:Linking Run-Time Images without JMODs: Reduced JDK size and increased linking flexibility.Complete release notes can be found here.

Focus FeaturesTable of ContentsTable of ContentsIf Anything Happens I Love You (2020)On the Basis of Sex (2018)The Discovery (2017)Struggling to pick a movie for the weekend? Netflix is home to countless hidden gems. These are the must-see films that slipped through the cracks but still deserve their moment in the spotlight. While flashy blockbusters dominate the homepage, theres a treasure trove of underrated movies just waiting to be discovered.From a heartbreaking short film to an inspiring drama or a disturbing sci-fi flick, theres something unexpected and underrated to match any mood. These overlooked titles might not have made the streamers trending list, but theyre every bit as compelling as Netflixs biggest hits. If youre ready to break away from the usual choices, dive into these underappreciated films that deserve a watch!Recommended VideosWe also have guides to the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max,andthe best movies on Disney+.RelatedNetflixIf Anything Happens I Love You is a 12-minute animated short that wields silence like a weapon. A quiet house, a grieving couple, and shadows that seem to whisper the past its harrowing story unfolds without any dialogue. It revolves around two struggling parents drowning in sorrow after the tragic loss of their daughter in a school shooting. With minimalistic hand-drawn animation, the 2020 film depicts their pain through memories that play out around them ghosts of a once-happy life. The truth about their daughters fate is also revealed in painful fragments until viewers realize the gravity of their grief.Despite winning an Academy Award for Best Animated Short, If Anything Happens I Love You didnt receive the widespread recognition it deserved. Directed by Will McCormack and Michael Govier (in their directorial debut), its subdued animation style and quiet approach only make its emotional gut punches more powerful. The animated movie on Netflix may only have a 12-minute runtime, but audiences are not likely to forget the haunting viewing experience long after the screen fades to black.If Anything Happens I Love You is streaming on Netflix.Focus FeaturesOn the Basis of Sex is a biopic and legal drama centered on a determined woman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (Felicity Jones). It follows her experiences as one of only nine female students at Harvard Law School and eventually on the court as a brilliant legal mind. The 2018 film chronicles Ginsburgs early legal battles, particularly her groundbreaking 1972 case, Moritz v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, which challenged gender-based discrimination in tax law. Viewers will likely root for her as she pursues justice in a world that continuously underestimates her, crafting a strategy that would set the foundation for her lifelong fight for gender equality.Directed by Mimi Leder, On the Basis of Sex may not have reached the same heights as recent genre hits like Oppenheimer and even Bohemian Rhapsody, but it deserves more credit for its inspiring story. While critics were quick to dismiss it as a conventional biopic, that undersells its sharp writing and strong and increasingly relevant message. The 2018 movie is a rousing and intelligent drama that is a fitting tribute to a legal icon, and, more importantly, a stirring reminder of how change is made, one case at a time.On the Basis of Sex is streaming on Netflix.NetflixIn The Discovery, a world-altering scientific breakthrough by Dr. Thomas Harbor (Robert Redford) leads to a disturbing crisis. His scientific proof of the existence of an afterlife triggers a wave of suicides around the globe as people rush to reach the next plane of existence. Against this unsettling backdrop, his estranged son, Will (Jason Segel), returns home, skeptical of his fathers work. There, he meets Isla (Rooney Mara), a mysterious woman dealing with her own grief. Together, they learn about the controversial experiment and what really comes after.It may have a wholly original premise and an A-list cast, but director Charlie McDowells sci-fi movie flew under the radar, with critics disappointed by its unexpected story. While some expected a more traditional sci-fi thriller, the film instead delivers an existential slow-burn story that soars thanks to the surprising chemistry between its two leads. Segel, who is incredible in a rare dramatic role, and Mara, who portrays Isla with mesmerizing intensity, are impeccably cast and serve as the anchors of the film. The Discoverys melancholic atmosphere and philosophical themes may not be for everyone, but those who appreciate cerebral and introspective sci-fi will find it to be an underrated gem.The Discovery is streaming on Netflix.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsDoes the Google Pixel 9a have wireless charging?Other charging methodsGoogle has just released the Pixel 9a, giving some people who are shopping for the Pixel 9 another phone in the series that best fits their budget. It comes in four beautiful matte colors Obsidian, Porcelain, Iris and Peony and runs on the Tensor G4 processor, ensuring your phone receives the most optimal performance. It has a flatter camera frame than the premium models, trimming its weight and giving it an eye-catching design. It costs between $499 and $599, depending on whether you buy the 128GB model or the 256GB model, respectively. No matter what model you get, it runs on 8GB of RAM and brings you optimal performance with Googles Tensor G4 processor.If youre in the market for a new phone and are looking to get the Pixel 9a, you might be wondering if it has wireless charging capabilities. Most smartphones on the market are able to fill their batteries through wireless charging. Is the Pixel 9a any different simply because its a budget Pixel phone? The answer will have you decide if its worth the money.Recommended VideosThe Pixel 9a has wireless charging, but its not as powerful as its premium counterparts. It only draws 7.5 watts of wireless charging power, which is similar to that of the Pixel 8a, despite it having a bigger 5,100mAh battery than the Pixel 9s 4,700mAh.RelatedIts slow wireless charging speed is determined by the fact that it can only be charged with Qi standard wireless chargers, so you may see your phone may not get wirelessly charged at the same pace as the Pixel 9, which supports 15W of wireless charging. The 30-plus hours of battery life may also be a factor in its slow wireless charging speed.If wireless charging is not an option for you, you can always choose to plug the Pixel 9a into a wired charger. It supports 23W of wired charging, provided you use Googles 45W USB-C wall charger. Its not much of an improvement from the 18W of wired charging the Pixel 8a had, but itll still charge your phone faster than a wireless charger.Googles proprietary 45W USB-C wall charger is sold separately, but you can still use other wall chargers from other brands as long as it has a USB-C port.Editors Recommendations

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang offered a quantum-level climb-down on Thursday, after spooking quantum-computing companies earlier this year with his assessment that their efforts wouldnt be very useful for 15 to 30 years.