• Key trusted Microsoft platform exploited to enable malware, experts warn
    www.techradar.com
    Microsoft Trusted Signing is being abused to grant malware short-lived certificates and help it bypass endpoint protection.
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  • Could Teslas fall from grace upend the entire U.S. EV market?
    www.fastcompany.com
    When people are protesting at an automakers retail locations because of the CEOs political actions, when that automakers sales are plummeting around the world, when that companys vehicle lineup is sorely in need of a hot new model or redesign that isnt coming any time soon, and when that companys market valuation is based largely on the promise of technological advancements that have yet to be demonstrated, that company is in trouble.That company, of course, is Tesla, which is in the midst of a corporate self-destruction unlike any Ive seen.To help you understand what were witnessing, Im going to lay out Teslas problems, with assists from analysts, and then explain whydespite the pleasure many people derive from seeing Elon Musks company implodewe should worry about what a weakened Tesla means for the U.S. electric vehicle market.I see a company that has accomplished a lot, but is facing more challenges than ever, said Karl Brauer, a longtime auto industry analyst who now works for iSeeCars.com.Theres nothing super exciting, or even really modestly exciting, coming down the Tesla product pipeline, he said. Every time weve been promised some new, refreshed version of one of [Teslas] cars, its been a pretty weak refresh, to be honest.Hes talking about Tesla as an automaker, but it differs significantly from other car brands. Teslas justification for its market valuation is based on the idea that its cars are a step toward a future of profits in self-driving vehicles, robotics and other businesses. Auto sales help to provide a financial bridge to the future, and that bridge looks shaky.We struggle to think of anything analogous in the history of the automotive industry, in which a brand has lost so much value so quickly, said a March 12 research note from J.P. Morgan.The investment bank cut its estimates for how many vehicles Tesla will deliver in the first quarter and for 2025 as a whole, projecting that the automaker will fail to meet its sales guidance and continue to lose value.This financial reckoning follows a post-election boom for Tesla, whose CEO, Musk, is a leading supporter of Donald Trump and now oversees the newly created,agency-dismantlingDepartment of Government Efficiency. Musk is working in government while maintaining his role as head of his companies.Tesla did not respond to a request for comment.Its share price peaked on Dec. 17 when it closed at $479.86. Its market capitalization, which is the sum of the value of its stock, was $1.5 trillion.As of the market close on Wednesday, the share price was $235.86, down 51% from the peak, and the market cap was $759 billion.For perspective, the market cap of General Motors is about $50 billion.[Image: Paul Horn/Inside Climate News]Plenty of other analysts share a bleak view of Tesla. For example, Wells Fargo Securities has set a price target of $130 per share for Tesla, which would be nausea-inducing for anybody who bought near the peak.[I]investors are starting to agree that there is no fun in the fundamentals, Wells Fargo said in a March 14 note.And yet, some analysts continue to see a bright future for Tesla. Wedbush Securities is sticking with its$550-per-share price target. Dan Ives, a Wedbush analyst, said in a recent note that Tesla is entering a period of major growth and innovation.One thing that just about every observer agrees on is the importance of Teslas launch of a self-driving taxi service in Austin, Texas, which Musk has said will happen in June.Also, Tesla has said it will provide more information about development of a low-cost car. Reuters reported last week that Tesla is developing asmaller and less expensive version of the Model Y crossover, which Tesla has not confirmed. The Model Y is the companys top seller, and has a base price of $61,630 before the $7,500 federal tax credit.If the taxi launch and a new-model announcement happen and provide enough detail to assure investors, then Tesla could ease the panic. But many analysts arent betting on it.We see a high probability of a delay or underwhelming launch, said Wells Fargo, about the taxis.Aside from product issues, Musk is likely to continue to do things that alienate customers. His association with the Trump administration and his role in layoffs and agency overhauls have made Tesla a toxic brand.Opponents of Musk and Trump have organized protests at Tesla showrooms. Social media is filled with photos of Teslas that have been vandalized. Some Tesla owners have put stickers on their cars with messages showing their disapproval of Musk, such as I bought this before we knew Elon was crazy.Its not just a U.S. phenomenon. Musks support for the far-right AfD party in Germany and his support for Trump have hurt Tesla with European buyers and helped inspire protests at Tesla locations there.(Im reminded ofBrewsters Millions, the 1985 movie starring Richard Pryor about a man who, for reasons of plot contrivance, has 30 days to get rid of an immense amount of money. A U.S. corporate executive taking time togive a live video addressat an AfD rally is a Brewsters Millions kind of move. A recent Google search tells me I am nowhere near the first person to make this observation.)Tesla sales also are way down in China, the worlds largest automotive market, which is likely due to a combination of backlash against Musk for his support of Trump, and competition from cheaper Chinese EV brands.While some people may be pleased to see Tesla and Musk struggle, and most of the damage was self-inflicted, Teslas swoon is probably bad for the U.S. EV market.It helps to have a sense of just how big Tesla is relative to other EV makers that sell in the United States. Last year, 48% of the EVs sold here were Teslas and no competitor cracked 10%,according to Cox Automotive.Tesla also is a key player in building and maintaining EV charging stations. If any of the companies behind charging infrastructure run into financial problems, that could be a big concern, said Samantha Houston, a senior manager for the Clean Transportation program at the Union of Concerned Scientists.Having those publicly accessible networks be reliable, and expanding them, is an essential piece, she said.If Tesla or other charging companies scale back their efforts, it would be an impediment to increasing EV ownership for all brands. This is especially true now that most automakers have adopted Teslas North American Charging Standard, which means Tesla charging stations can be used by people driving other brands, Houston said.In addition to practical issues such as charging, Teslas struggles could fuel a perception problem for EVs.I dont think its good for the EV market to have Tesla seen in a negative lightimploding, said William Roberts, senior research analyst for Rho Motion, the United Kingdom-based research firm that covers batteries and EVs.He explained that Tesla is synonymous with EVs, especially for consumers in the United States. For Tesla to be viewed as an object of derision is not helpful for easing the concerns of potential buyers, especially those who are deciding between an EV and a gasoline vehicle.At the same time, sales figures show that other automakers were able to increase their EV sales to offset Teslas decline, and then some. Teslas U.S. sales were down 5.6% last year compared to 2023, while overall EV sales in the nationwhich includes Teslawere up by 7.3%, according to Cox.Through the first two months of 2025, Tesla sales were down, especially in Europe and China, butglobal EV sales were way up, according to Rho Motion. Global sales were up 30%, including an increase of 35% in China and 20% in Europe and the United States/Canada. (Rho Motion includes plug-in hybrids in its totals, while Cox doesnt.)I just dont see the EV sales surge as a reason to think that the market is shaking off Teslas problems. The reason is simple: We dont know what sales would have been with a strong Tesla.In sports terms, a star player is limping. Thats almost never good for the game.This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here.
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  • Section 230 faces bipartisan repeal effort. Experts say its a risky bet
    www.fastcompany.com
    Section 230 of the Communications Decency Actthe provision that protects tech platforms from legal liability for content posted by their usershas long been a point of contention among lawmakers. Since its passage in 1996, it has fueled frustration across the political spectrum, with critics arguing that it enables Big Tech to dodge accountability. Now, nearly three decades later, a bipartisan group of senators is making a renewed push to dismantle it, with Senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin crossing party lines to draft a bill aimed at repealing Section 230, according to The Information.For years, Section 230 has been a scapegoat not just for politicians eager to rein in tech giants, but also for users frustrated by the prevalence of harmful content online. The clause has often been cited by platforms as a reason they cannotor will notremove content that, while not outright illegal, may be offensive or harmful, such as hate speech or harassment. Originally intended to foster innovation during the internets formative years, the provision now feels outdated to many observers. Few beyond the C-suites and legal departments of tech companies still support it.Still, experts warn that repealing Section 230 outright would be a mistake.Sunsetting Section 230 without proposing ways to change it is like taking a hostage without having a list of demands ready, says Adam Kovacevich, founder and CEO of the Chamber of Progress, a tech industry trade group. This is a deeply unserious exercise that reflects the bipartisan opposition to 230 is only surface-deep.Kovacevich argues that reformnot repealis the more responsible path forward. If Congress doesnt like Section 230, it should mend it, not end it, he says.The bipartisan momentum behind the new bill gives it more traction than past attempts, which have often faltered due to partisan divides. But even with broader political alignment, a full repeal could backfire. Republicans have criticized the provision for allowing platforms to suppress content they favor, while Democrats believe it enables platforms to avoid accountability for hosting harmful material. Both sides want changebut for opposing reasons.Both Democrats and Republicans should be wary of getting rid of Section 230, warns Anupam Chander, a law professor at Georgetown University. He notes that the law protects a range of actions that each party valueseven if it also enables behavior they oppose.Section 230 protects platforms against lawsuits when they get rid of hate speech, such as lawsuits alleging discrimination against men or religion, Chander says. Thats a key concern for liberal-leaning individuals who view anti-DEI backlash and culture war rhetoric as regressive. Yet conservatives, too, benefit from the laws broad protections. Section 230 also protects platforms like X or Truth Social so that they arent held liable for the speech they tolerate on their platforms, he says.Without those protections, platforms could face costly legal challenges for hosting controversial speechpotentially chilling the very discourse their users want to preserve. Both sides want different things from a post-230 world, Chander adds, but may find the speech they like deemed too risky by internet platforms.Ultimately, he argues, its safer to reform the law than to scrap it entirely: Being sued in the United States without a liability shield is an expensive and time-consuming undertaking.
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  • Fantastic Industrial Design: The Kodak Smile Camera
    www.core77.com
    When Kodak wanted to produce an instant digital camera, they turned to industrial design firm Branch Creative. With their design for the Kodak Smile, Branch came up with a great way to differentiate between "on" and "off:" To activate the camera, you pull the two halves open, revealing the lens on one side and the controls on the other.The 10MP camera can spit out instant prints using the company's "zero ink" technology (there's no need for ink cartridges) or can save the images to an SD card. An LCD screen lets you preview before you print, and the rechargeable battery is good for 40 photos per charge. See Also:Fellow Products Channels Dieter Rams' Design Approach
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  • Product Designer Writes Book on Improving the Decision-Making Process
    www.core77.com
    With a background in behavioral science, over a decade ago Vicki Tan became a product designer. (The UX kind, not the industrial design kind.) Over the years she's plied her trade at Google, Lyft, Spotify and is now the design lead at Pinterest. She's also corralled her design thinking skills and grasp of why people make the decisions they do into a book, called "Ask This Book a Question." She describes it as "An exploration into better decision making, grounded in the science of cognitive bias and the wisdom of storytelling."Ask This Book A Question arrives like a trusted friend, one who knows that decision making is less about unlocking secrets and more about understanding the quiet ways we navigate uncertainty. Through a series of visual prompts, the book maps the invisible geography of our minds from our perception of time to our tendency to remember the bizarre over the familiar to the shortcuts we take when avoiding difficult truths.This book is a companion for anyone who has ever felt stuck under the weight of too many choices, offering a thoughtful way to sit with uncertainty and navigate life's most pressing questions. Why did a designer write a book about decision-making?Because no matter who we are, we all struggle to make choices that truly align with who we want to be. I've redesigned how we think about cognitive biases not as flaws to fix, but as powerful tools for making more intentional, self-aware decisions.How can making decisions feel more playful?The book is made up of three parts: questions, stories, and biases. You move through these sections following what piques your interest, all the while helping you add texture to your understanding and learn about the patterns in how you think.Here is how Tan envisions the book being used:The book is available for pre-order now and will be released on April 8th.
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  • Home In The Nevada Desert Is A Masterpiece Of Concrete & Steel, Offering Scenic Views & Sustainable Design
    www.yankodesign.com
    Faulkner Architects, a studio based in California, has designed a striking concrete house crowned with a cantilever made of weathering steel, offering a scenic view of Las Vegas. This spacious home spans 11,780 square feet (approximately 1,094 square meters) and is located in Summerlin, Nevada. The design thoughtfully incorporates the sturdiness and traditional construction techniques necessary to withstand the deserts challenging conditions, which include strong winds, dry winters, and scorching summers.Designer: Faulkner ArchitectsNamed Red Rock, the house is designed with a central focus on a courtyard and a square, elevated water basin that mirrors the living areas dimensions. The structure was crafted using a subtractive method, involving ground excavation and the careful carving out of spaces. The house represents a contextual conversation between the original and distant desert landscape and the built landscape of the city, said Faulkner Architects. The earthlike ground form fitted with a layer of weathered steel is a nod to the geology of Las Vegas Valley and Red Rock Canyon beyond. Setting the distant view of the city profile on the water calls out its ephemeral nature and delicate relationship with water, the studio continued.Positioned between the bustling Las Vegas Strip to the east and the serene Red Rock Canyon to the west, the house artfully balances both urban and natural elements. The regions climate shaped the choice of materials and the architectural form of the residence. Zoning regulations also imposed a height limit of 24 feet (approximately 7.3 meters), prompting the design to incorporate shared spaces that extend into the earth.Nearly half of the homes structure is situated below ground level, while the remainder is elevated into a naturally ventilated viewing area that houses the sleeping quarters. This section is equipped with perforated steel screens, which provide shade to the upper level and manage sun exposure effectively. The design shelters the courtyard on its northern and eastern sides, yet it allows breezes to flow over the cooler water. This passive cooling system, facilitated by steel slash doors, helps maintain comfortable temperatures in the living areas on the lower level.Entry to the house is gained via a narrow opening in the concrete mass, said the studio. The threshold, at eye level with the water, leads to a closed and shaded passage that ramps up slightly to an entry court, open to the sky and inhabited by a vertical landscape of native plantings.The concrete used for the floors and walls incorporates a mix of locally sourced sand, gravel, and fly ash. This blend produces a tone that, when highlighted by the intense desert sun, mirrors the buff-colored hue of the distant mountains, as explained by the design team. This rock-like concrete complements the copper and rust tones of the weathering steel exterior and the warm neutral finishes of the sawn oak interior. A white, reflective roof supports a photovoltaic array, while high-efficiency glazing, mechanical systems, and lighting contribute to the homes performance in the challenging climate.The post Home In The Nevada Desert Is A Masterpiece Of Concrete & Steel, Offering Scenic Views & Sustainable Design first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • Earplugs made from mycelium can protect your ears from intense noises
    www.yankodesign.com
    As someone who regularly goes to concerts and also someone whos approaching middle age, I can see that pretty soon I may need to bring earplugs just to be able to protect my eardrums. To be fair, most of the concerts Ive been going to the past couple of years are kpop acts so theyre not as loud as the rock concerts I went to in my younger years. But still, earplugs are pretty handy to have especially if you want to be able to protect yourself from eventual hearing loss. Sometimes though, the disposable ones are not that earth-friendly. Designer: GOBIf you also want to be eco-friendly in your product choices, GOBs Core Pack is the one for you. GOB offers mycelium-based earplugs that provide comfort and protection. These earplugs are made from lab-grown mycelium, making them 100% home-compostable and free from harmful chemicals or additives. They are engineered for 12dB noise reduction. As a USDA Certified 100% Bio-based product, these earplugs contain no microplastics and no harmful residue. Designed for ultimate comfort, they mold to your ear like memory foam, adapting to your unique ear shape for a secure fit that stays in place without the discomfort of traditional earplugs.GOB earplugs are the worlds first sustainable hearing solution. The aerial mycelium foam dampens sound by evenly knocking down all frequencies, ensuring a balanced acoustic experience without distorting what you hear. Unlike traditional foam earplugs, which can muffle certain frequencies, GOB earplugs provide superior sound absorption while maintaining clarity and comfort. Once theyve done their job, they break down into nutrients that feed the soil. These earplugs are of course not just for concerts where you need to protect yourself from intense noise levels while still enjoying clear sound. They can come in handy for bedrooms and hotels in case you need to block out disturbances from a snoring partner or a pet. It can also be used in airplanes and when watching motorsports. It can also protect your ears if youre doing manual labor in places like construction and buildings. In essence, the GOB Core Pack presents a compelling option for those seeking both effective hearing protection and environmentally conscious products. Whether youre a concert-goer, a frequent traveler, or simply looking for a peaceful nights sleep, these mycelium-based earplugs offer a comfortable and sustainable solution. With their unique blend of comfort, effectiveness, and biodegradability, GOB earplugs represent a significant step forward in responsible personal care.The post Earplugs made from mycelium can protect your ears from intense noises first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • 7 brands with brilliant typographic identities, and why they work
    www.creativebloq.com
    Typography plays a pivotal role in shaping brand perception.
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  • How to edit videos in Premiere Pro: a beginner's guide to the Adobe software
    www.creativebloq.com
    So youve just launched Premiere Pro for the first time; welcome aboard! Now what do you do? This tutorial will guide you through the very basics.
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