The Delaware Court of Chancery has ordered Nano Dimension to complete its $183 million merger with Desktop Metal (DM), following a court trial held between March 11-12, 2025.Last year, Desktop Metal filed a lawsuit against Nano Dimension, accusing the Israeli micro-3D printing specialist of failing to make reasonable best efforts to attain timely regulatory approval. In its post-trial opinion and order, the Court ruled that Nano had materially breached the Merger Agreement, rejected the defendants counterclaims, and granted Desktop Metal specific performance.Nano must sign a national security agreement with the US Committee on Foreign Investment within 48 hours of the Courts March 24 order. This is the final condition for closing the deal. Additionally, if Nano fails to finalize the merger by March 31, 2025, DM may extend the deadline until its completion.Under Court of Chancery Rule 54(b), the ruling is immediately appealable to the Delaware Supreme Court because it constitutes a final judgment on the specific performance claims. Desktop Metal intends to move swiftly and close the merger agreement as quickly as possible while continuing to serve its customers, employees and other stakeholders. Ric Fulop, CEO of the Massachusetts-based industrial 3D printer manufacturer, previously warned that failing to complete the deal could lead to a fatal prognosis for Desktop Metal.After the Courts ruling, DMs stock surged 97.3%, rising from $2.22 on March 24 to $4.38 the following day. According to Bloomberg data, Desktop Metals stock surge marks its largest intraday jump ever. Meanwhile, Nano Dimension dropped 19.9%, falling from $2.11 to a low of $1.69 on March 25.Nano Dimension offices in Munich. Photo by Michael Petch.Nano Dimension to complete Desktop Metal merger?In July 2024, Nano Dimension agreed to acquire Nano Dimension in an all-cash deal worth approximately $183 million, or $5.50 per share. At the time, then-Nano Dimension CEO Yoav Stern claimed the combination would create a larger, more diversified company to accelerate growth and generate long-term value for shareholders. The combined entity was reported to offer a strong financial profile, with $246M in joint FY 2023 revenue, 28% of which was recurring.The merger agreement came amid a period of economic challenges for Desktop Metal. In Q224, the companys revenue fell by 26.9% YoY to $38.9 million, while operating loss grew 108.8% YoY to -$101.3 million. During a Q2 2024 earnings call with Nano Dimension investors, Fulop argued that the business combination represents the best path forward for his company. He also noted that the failure to finalize the agreement could mark the end of Desktop Metals existence.In December 2024, questions were raised over the deals future when Desktop Metal filed its lawsuit against Nano Dimension. The defendant denied the allegations, arguing that the suit was without merit and inconsistent with the terms of the Merger Agreement.DM quickly followed this with a second lawsuit naming US FDM 3D printer OEM Markforged as a co-defendant. The suit alleges that Nanos planned $115 million acquisition of Markforged, announced in September 2024, violated its agreement with Desktop Metal, threatening its completion.Nano Dimensions boardroom changes also raised doubts about the companys M&A activity. At the beginning of December 2024, a shareholder vote saw Yoav Stern removed from the Nano Dimension Board. The decision came during the companys Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (AGM), which also saw incumbent Director Michael X. Garrett removed. Ofir Baharav and Robert Pons, nominated by activist shareholder Murchinson Ltd., were also elected to the Board of Directors.Following the AGM, six of Nano Dimensions incumbent directors, Dr. Yoav Nissan-Cohen, Eitan Ben-Eliahu, Oded Gera, Roni Kleinfeld, Chris Moran, and Georgette Mosbacher, also resigned from the Board. At the time, this left Baharav and Pons, Kenneth Traub, and Dr. Joshua Rosensweig as the remaining Nano Dimension Board members.Before 2024 ended, Murchinson scored another victory when Yoav Stern was removed as Nano Dimension CEO. The activist investor was a long-time critic of Sterns leadership, repeatedly challenging his stewardship by raising concerns over capital allocation and poor governance.Stern was a vocal advocate of M&A activity, and his removal raised concerns around the Markforged and Desktop Metal agreements. Before the 2024 AGM, Murchinson published a letter calling the offers for Desktop Metal and Markforged overpriced and misguided. In a press release, the organization called on the restructured board to carefully and critically examine the merits and success of past and present acquisitions.Despite Murchinsons reservations, the Court ruling leaves Nano Dimension with little choice but to complete the merger.Ric Fulop. CEO of Desktop Metal.3D printing M&A activityMergers and acquisitions activity has been a key theme in the 3D printing industry this year.Earlier this month, US-based specialty metals solutions provider United Performance Metals (UPM) acquiredFabrisonic LLC, an Ohio-based metal 3D printing manufacturing company. The deal will see UPM, an affiliate of ONeal Industries, enhance and expand its manufacturing capabilities. Following the acquisition, Fabrisonic will join UPMs specialty processing network. Jason Riley, General Manager of Fabrisonic, claimed that the deal marks an important development for Fabrisonic and helps the firm extend our reach and continue delivering solutions to our customers.Elsewhere, direct-to-consumer (DTC) 3D printing furniture startup Model No. was recently acquired by additive manufacturing printing service provider IC3D. Before the sale, Model No. had faced pertinent challenges in scaling its operations. This was negatively impacted by the high costs of maintaining and upgrading its specialized 3D printing equipment. The agreement will see CEO Phillip Raub depart the company, with none of Model No.s employees transitioning to IC3D.Who won the 2024 3D Printing Industry Awards?Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to keep up with the latest 3D printing news.You can also follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry Youtube channel to access more exclusive content.Featured image shows Nano Dimension offices in Munich. Photo by Michael Petch.

Researchers from the University of Brighton have developed a 3D printed glucose biosensor that can monitor glucose consumption in HepG2 cells.Led by Chloe Miller, alongside Bhavik Anil Patel, Professor of Clinical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, this study employed a method in which Prussian Blue was embedded directly into carbon black/polylactic acid (CB/PLA) filaments before 3D printing. Leveraging FlashForge Creator Pro 3D printer, the method offers a potential workaround to common issues with chemically modified electrodes, especially when it comes to stability and reproducibility.Electrochemical sensors depend heavily on the surface of electrodes, where reactions take place. Thats why surface modifications, such as improving conductivity or enhancing selectivity are often essential.Typically, this involves depositing materials like nanoparticles or enzymes after the electrodes are printed. But those post-printing steps are often complex, time-consuming, and prone to long-term degradation. Published in ACS Publications, the Brighton team instead set out to integrate the active material at an earlier stage.Schematic diagrams showing the processes taken to pre- and post-modify CB/PLA electrodes with PB. Image via University of Brighton.Direct electrodeposition improves material control and printabilityAs per the team, Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) has become a go-to 3D printing technique for sensor fabrication because its affordable, customizable, and easy to work with. Still, theres a catch: the conductive materials available off the shelf are limited, which leaves many researchers resorting to in-house modifications.Some previous attempts, for example, involved embedding compounds like Ni(OH) and graphene into PLA filaments. Others tried to create Prussian Blue on filaments using leftover iron. But these approaches often fall short when it comes to consistency or accessibility.To avoid that, the team directly electrodeposited Prussian Blue onto commercial CB/PLA filaments. Prussian Blue, known for its electrocatalytic behavior in detecting hydrogen peroxide (HO), was deposited using cyclic voltammetry.The researchers tested different numbers of deposition cycles to find the optimal point. Up to 200 cycles, the surface coating improved without causing any problems. But once they hit 250 cycles or more, the filament became too thickly coated to pass through the 3D printers extruder.Surface analysis with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy confirmed successful deposition and iron distribution on the filament. At 200 cycles, the coating developed cracks that exposed the PLA base, improving material mixing during extrusion.Electrodes printed from these filaments contained well-distributed Prussian Blue, although only about 5.2% of the embedded material remained electrochemically accessible.Evaluating performance across electrode types and designsTo see how well these embedded electrodes performed, the researchers compared embedded electrodes with post-printing Prussian Blue films, finding both showed surface-controlled behavior but differed notably in sensitivity and stability.The film electrodes initially had a lower detection limit for HO (1.4 M) compared to embedded ones (22.4 M). Long-term stability tests revealed that film electrodes lost 80% of their current response after 30 days, while embedded electrodes retained over 60%, indicating superior durability.Geometry also turned out to matter. The team printed electrodes with flat, dome, and square grid surfaces to evaluate how design affects performance. Interestingly, while flat surfaces gave the highest response in standard tests, the square grid performed best in real-time HO detection, likely due to better exposure of embedded Prussian Blue at the edges.With that in mind, they used the square grid design to build a glucose biosensor. After modifying the surface with glucose oxidase, bovine serum albumin, and glutaraldehyde, they inserted the sensor into a 3D printed well plate.They then tested its ability to track glucose levels in a cell culture setup. When the sensor was placed in media with HepG2 cells for 24 hours, it successfully measured a drop in glucose concentration compared to a control sample, proving it could monitor cellular metabolism in vitro.According to the researchers, this study demonstrates a novel approach to glucose biosensor fabrication by embedding Prussian Blue directly into 3D printing filaments. By successfully monitoring glucose consumption in cell cultures, the study showcases the potential of this approach for reliable, real-time biochemical sensing in biomedical applications.Light microscopy images of flat, dome, and square grid CB/PLA electrodes. Image via University of Brighton.Novel developments in 3D printed biosensorsAway from Brighton, previous research also explored novel approaches to advance 3D printed biosensor development.In December 2018, Washington State University (WSU) researchers used 3D printing to create a needle-free glucose monitoring device for people with diabetes. Produced via direct ink writing (DIW), the thumbnail-sized biosensor was made from layered carbon and enzyme inks, where the carbon ink served as the electrode and the enzyme layer absorbed glucose.Adhering to the skin and measuring glucose in sweat, the device was designed as a less invasive alternative to finger pricking. It showed improved sensitivity, material efficiency, and long-term stability over screen-printed versions, highlighting DIWs potential for affordable, personalized biosensors.Elsewhere, researchers from Sungkyunkwan University used a commercially available inkjet printhead to develop personalized wearable biosensors for health monitoring. Using 3D printed sugar scaffolds filled with flexible silicone elastomer, the team created lightweight, conductive sensors that conformed to patient body shapes.These devices captured both active strain and passive signals like EMG, EDA, and EEG with high sensitivity during sleep and treadmill tests, leading the team to pursue broader personalized diagnostic applications.What3D printing trendsshould you watch out for in 2025?How is thefuture of 3D printingshaping up?To stay up to date with the latest 3D printing news, dont forget to subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter or follow us on Twitter, or like our page on Facebook.While youre here, why not subscribe to our Youtube channel? Featuring discussion, debriefs, video shorts, and webinar replays.Featured image shows schematic diagrams showing the processes taken to pre- and post-modify CB/PLA electrodes with PB. Image via University of Brighton.Ada ShaikhnagWith a background in journalism, Ada has a keen interest in frontier technology and its application in the wider world. Ada reports on aspects of 3D printing ranging from aerospace and automotive to medical and dental.

Hello everyone,Im having an issue I cant seem to solve pixelated VDB in 5.4 created in Embergen.What ever voxel size and count I tried I still get the same result. The mesh car is imported for collider. And for proper scale I scale x100. The upscaler works for export but when I import in UE it crashes, the files are too big. There are 180 files at around 130 MB each. Is there some sort of solution for this or it is just the quality of Embergen in UE. 1 post - 1 participant Read full topic

What a difference two months can make. In rapid time, the Trump administration, which has empowered Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) operation to hunt through the executive branch of the federal government supposedly in search of inefficiency, has taken a chainsaw to so much statecraft. This turbulence has major significance for those who work on the built environment: Tariffs increase the cost of building materials, mass deportations constrict the construction workforce, layoffs hinder HUDs abilities, and anti-trans policies impact architects, architecture professors, and students. Further, the exit from the Paris Agreement and the deprioritization of mass transit over road construction, among other issues, slow collective responses to climate crisis. With impressive speed, Trumps administration has sought to curtail even the most minor of energy-saving efforts. An executive order from January 20 took direct aim at building products: Unleashing American Energy claims that burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations have impeded the development of these resources, and so we must unleash Americas affordable and reliable energy and natural resources to restore American prosperity. The executive order encourages energy exploration and production on Federal lands and waters, eliminates the electric vehicle (EV) mandate (which is not a real thing), and safeguards the American peoples freedom to choose from a variety of goods and appliances, including but not limited to lightbulbs, dishwashers, washing machines, gas stoves, water heaters, toilets, and showerheads, and to promote market competition and innovation within the manufacturing and appliance industries.On February 11, Trump took to social media to discuss the topic: I am hereby instructing Secretary Lee Zeldin to immediately go back to my Environmental Orders, which were terminated by Crooked Joe Biden, on Water Standards and Flow pertaining to SINKS, SHOWERS, TOILETS, WASHING MACHINES, DISHWASHERS, etc., and to likewise go back to the common sense standards on LIGHTBULBS, that were put in place by the Trump Administration, but terminated by Crooked Joe. I look forward to signing these Orders. THANK YOU!!! (As noted by Politico, Zeldin is the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Energy Departmentnot EPAis responsible for establishing efficiency standards for consumer products and appliances.) Under President Biden, the Department of Energy tightened restrictions for washing machines and dishwashers and in 2023 began enforcing electricity usage regulations that incandescent bulbs cannot achieve, effectively prohibiting their retail sale, according to Politico. Apparently even LED light bulbs are woke? Ad Hoc Order by Ccile B. Evans (Rosemary Warren/Courtesy Ccile B. Evans and Chteau Shatto, Los Angeles)The upheaval reminds me of an artwork I stumbled across at Art Basel Miami last December: Ccile B. Evanss Ad Hoc Order is a six-part sculpture that photorealistically reproduces a scale model of the United Nations General Assembly Hall, according to their gallery, Chteau Shatto. Beneath, a darkened, subterranean mass is actually a kit-bashed trash heap imagined as a storage space for the plundered ruins of New York City. Within the rubble, there are detectable bits of the metropolis, like the torch from the Statue of Liberty, a corner of the Flatiron building, signage from Citi Field, highway signs, a subway tile mural from Times Square, and more. The model, which depicts an imagined institution titled the Global Archive of Memory, comes apart in pieces to be able to be used as a set for futuristic films made by the artist about Reception, one of the last human translators in this world, and her double, a memory that has abandoned Receptions body. The model and films are on view at the Sharjah Biennial.The worldbuilding (and model-making) speaks to the bifurcated reality of our moment: A new show of administrative strength, surfaced in gold leaf and official-looking seals, above, and a chaotic hot mess of wreckage below. Instead of giving in to the tumult, in this issue, we look to projects that offer a place of gathering and respite. Across three features, read about remarkable structures that support cultural activation, whether through performance (Michan Architecture), civic infrastructure (Colloqate and Bora), or a progressive shift in building culture through the reuse of existing materials (pihlmann architects). Plus, our Focus section delivers a range of hospitality products and projects.Before and after, we sequence stories for your consumption, including a survey of the voices of the L.A. design community in response to the devastation of the recent fires, a remembrance of Alain Peauroi, a review of Karamuk Kuos Cannady Hall at Rice University, and an interview with Elizabeth Diller on the occasion of Diller Scofidio + Renfros widescreen monograph, in addition to an obituary of Ricardo Scofidio. And: See exhibitions and events to watch on our Happenings lineup.Learn more about this years Pritzker Prize winner, Liu Jiakun, who has kept a relatively low profile in Western media so far. But his sensibility is spot on: Architecture should abstract, distill and make visible the inherent qualities of local people, he commented. It has the power to shape human behavior and create atmospheres, offering a sense of serenity and poetry, evoking compassion and mercy, and cultivating a sense of shared community. In architecture as in life, a little grace goes a long way.

dMFK Architects renovation of the fin de sicle offices of a wallpaper manufacturer strikes a delicate balance between restoration and upgradingMathilda Lewis of dMFK Architects is shortlisted for the MJ Long Prize for Excellence in Practice 2024. Find out more about the W Awards hereDoes a landmark have to mark the landscape? Voysey House is nestled in a network of alleys off Chiswick High Road in west London. Anattentive stroller might easily miss it. Yetfor admirers of the fin de sicle architect and designer CFA Voysey, it is a landmark indeed, even if you have to peep down one of the slender passages that surround it to see its gleaming white brick walls and Portland stone peaks. I think the photographers feltduped, says Mathilda Lewis of Londonbased firm dMFK Architects, whenthey came and realised that they couldnt get the perspective for a great photo.Voysey specialised in a distinctively streamlined Arts and Crafts style. His country houses reconcile vernacular forms such as pitched roofs with clean, modernising features like white rendered walls. Completed at the height of his practice, Voysey House transferred his ethos to a structure of a verydifferent stripe. Previously known as the White Building, it was erected for the wallpaper manufacturer Arthur Sanderson & Sons in 1902 to complement a redbrick Victorian factory across the passage.After a fire gutted the Victorian factory in 1928, Sanderson moved out to Perivale. Now its successor company, Sanderson Design Group, has moved back in, thanks to property developer and investor Dorrington. After buying the building in 2020, Dorrington invited Sanderson back and began a competition for its restoration. This waswon by dMFK, with Lewis as project architect. Work started on the site in January 2021 and construction took three years.Its architect aside, the building has a significant place in design history. Sanderson was established in 1860, a year before William Morris started his own company. At one point its Chiswick factory accounted for 98 per centof all British wallpaper manufacture. Sanderson hired many of the leading designers of the day, including Voysey. In1940, it bought the wallpaper business, blocks, logbooks, stock and name of Morris & Co, absorbing its most famous rival. The present incarnation encompasses six British luxury interior brands. The companys 75,000item archive, now housed within thebuilding, is a remarkable repository ofwallpaper design.Voysey approached his sole industrial commission with a typical combination offunctionalism and flourish. The buildings hulking dimensions allowed rolls of wallpaper the length of tube carriages to be unfurled atonce. The walls are built of white glazed bricks, with plinths and window frames in a Staffordshire blue variety. Voysey installed huge windows with curved frames toallow in light for work, but also punched whimsical portholelike round windows onthe top floor. The buildings buttresses resemble those of a parish church. Seen from the south, the roof alternates the crowns ofthese structures with parapets topped with cambered Portland stone coping. But any lofty ornamental flourishes are balanced with concessions to the reality of a working building in a 20thcentury city: the buttresses are fitted with urine deflectors to protect them from drinkers from the adjacent pub.Originally known as the White Building, wallpaper-maker Sandersons office used to be connected to its factory across the passage. Its architect wasthe arts and crafts designer CFA VoyseyCredit:RIBA CollectionsAfter Sanderson left, the White Building became a printing works. In 1968, it was purchased by the National Transit Insurance Company. During this period two shuttered garage doors were sawed into the west end of Voyseys structure. They made partitions, added an internal glass lobby and raised deck and removed the original roof. When it was Grade II* listed in 1973 the transformations had already been done. In the 1980s, architect Charles Lawrence bought the building. Lawrence was a member of the Voysey Society and engaged in piecemeal restoration. He rented out the lower three storeys as anoffice while converting the uppermost into a family home, adding another floor, alightwell and a roof terrace while doing so.Over the years, Voyseys bricks had deteriorated. dMFK collaborated with stonework and restoration contractor Paye to repair them, brick by brick. Lewis worked with the client to mark up every damaged brick. It was almost like a game of Jenga, she smiles. How many bricks could we remove without the building falling down? This was possibly the most painful bit of thejob, and in the end you almost dont notice itbecause its so seamlessly repaired.The practices plan sought to bring the building closer to Voysey without turning back time.dMFK director Joshua Scott says: Refurbished glazed brick buildings canlooklike theyve just come outof the factory.They look almost like afacsimile ofthemselves rather than an authentic restoration. dMFK and their partners aimed to instead embrace the buildings wear and age. The exterior isconsequently clean but not glossy.By renewing Voysey House, the architects have made its layers of history all the more conspicuousThe approach continues inside the building. The steel structure is visible, painted in an intumescent paint to protect it from fire. Voyseys original ceiling of white corrugated metal has been cleaned, but dMFK has kept its joins and irregularities. The first and second floors, home to Sandersons offices and design studios, retain Voyseys original wooden flooring, with visible ink stains andmarks from the presses.dMFK also retained Voyseys service coreat the eastern end of the building, adding modern amenities such as showers and bicycle storage, extending the lift to the upper storey and redesigning the staircase with a bespoke nosing of brass inlay and Staffordshire blue brick. These are all hidden from the main space. Network and power sockets are also concealed behind skirting and in the ceiling. The partitions, lobby and raised deck were removed to create freeflowing, open spaces, as Voysey would have recognised. The ground floor is fitted with movable wall panels, allowing separate areas to be created while retaining sight of the entire space.For the windows, dMFK restored the aesthetics of Voyseys original while doing something new. dMFK reimplememted hissmall panes and thick metal frames, replacing his castiron with heatretaining steel. This has both a heritage and security function, with the portcullislike lattice making it difficult for breakins and dispensing with the need for shutters. Through material investigation the architects also discovered and reapplied the frames original bottle green colour.These windows use double glazing, which enhances the buildings heat retention. Thiswas something weve had to fight for in planning, recalls Lewis, because Hounslow Council has a blanket no double glazing policy to avoid double reflectivity. The solution was to place ultrathin panels of Fineo glazing close together. This decreased the buildings Uvalue by over 50 per cent. Itunlocked us getting an EPC A rating, which is quite an achievement for a building of this age, adds Scott.dMFK did not reverse all the interventions of the previous century. The garage doors wereturned into large windows, allowing thebuildings ground floor to serve as a showroom. Lawrences upper floors and lightwell were kept, but heavily adapted. The third floor, with abundant natural light on one side but none on the other, was perfect for Sandersons climatecontrolled archive, while the floor above has been converted into an office space, retaining Lawrences undulating steel ceiling. Weinitially wondered whether this was a good addition, says Lewis. Do we want to embrace it? But taking all that steel away didnt seem like the right thing to do in thecurrent climate. Other features were removed. There were some very strange drainage strategies when we got in, explains Scott. There used to be an internal gulley where rainwater would just run down. Youdpull a bit of wood off the top and thered be water flowing through it. The lightwell was turned into a terrace, with architectural metalwork and vaulted transoms that resemble the outer windows. dMFK clad the walls of the lightwell with TECU oxidised brass panelling. It already demonstrates a vivid patina. In this it represents the project as a whole. By renewing Voysey House, dMFK has madeits layers of history all the more conspicuous. Returning to the building over the past year has been a reminder that its not the glossy photographs that bring the most joy at the end of a job, says Lewis, but seeing how the spaces work for the people who usethem.

Photo by Markus Elblaus. All images courtesy of Svea Tisell, shared with permissionSvea Tisell Weaves Vibrant, Sculptural Furniture from Reclaimed RopeMarch 26, 2025CraftDesignKate MothesIn early 2025, designer Svea Tisell founded Kryss, a studio that takes an expansive approach to a single material and experimental processes. From lengths of rope sometimes measuring thousands of meters, she creates unique furniture objects in which craft traditions and contemporary design converge.Kryss is named after a sailboat that belonged to Tisells great-grandfather, intertwining notions of tradition, function, and innovation. The artist is currently focused on creating furniture objects using a technique called MultiWeave, developed by Estonian textile artist and teacher Kadi Pajupuu. Using reclaimed climbing ropes or surplus from the production of shoelaces, Tisell incorporates a rigid framework of warp supports around which weft threadsor sturdy ropeare guided.The grid, consisting of conduits for threading the material, offers structure and support during the weaving process but is removed once the piece is finished, allowing it to be reused. Whether a seat or small table, the knotted rope then adjusts to weight and movement and subtly adapts to use over time.For Kryss, Tisell is fascinated by the possibilities of translating textiles into three-dimensional forms that interact and provide different functions. She tells Colossal that the project concentrates on the fundamental characteristics of the material, where textile is the main character, keeping its soft and receiving qualities, while also supporting itself independently.Find more on Tisells Instagram.Photo by Markus ElblausNext article

Recommended Published March 26, 2025 6:00am EDT close Tiny electric vehicle takes half a parking space A compact electric quadricycle is designed to tackle the challenges of city living while offering accessible and eco-friendly transportation. Toyota just unveiled a new concept that could totally transform how people get around cities, with potential implications for cities worldwide, including those in the U.S.The FT-Me, a compact electric quadricycle, is designed to tackle the challenges of city living while offering an accessible and eco-friendly transportation solution.Initially focused on Europe, this innovative vehicle addresses universal urban issues relevant to metropolitan areas, showcasing a blend of sustainability, accessibility and practicality that could inspire similar solutions here in the U.S. and elsewhere.STAY PROTECTED & INFORMED! GET SECURITY ALERTS & EXPERT TECH TIPS SIGN UP FOR KURTS THE CYBERGUY REPORT NOW FT-Me (Toyota)A compact space saverThe FT-Me is a true space-saver, measuring less than 98.4 inches in length. This tiny footprint allows it to occupy just half a standard parking space or even one-third when parked perpendicularly. Despite its small size, the FT-Me doesn't compromise on functionality. It features a two-seater layout with a removable passenger seat for extra cargo space, 360-degree visibility for easy maneuvering and hand controls for accessibility, making it suitable for wheelchair users. The concept vehicle weighs only 937 pounds.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?The Toyota FT-Me is classified as a quadricycle due to its lightweight design and limited power output, which align with European regulatory criteria for such vehicles. Despite its car-like appearance, it is designed for urban mobility with a focus on efficiency and compactness rather than the robust safety features and performance of a traditional car. FT-Me (Toyota)Eco-friendly and efficientToyota's commitment to sustainability is evident in the FT-Me's design. The concept showcases an all-electric powertrain with a range of at least 62 miles. A solar panel roof can add 12-19 miles of range per day, potentially eliminating the need for daily charging in urban settings. The FT-Me concept uses recycled materials and aims for a 90% reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional urban vehicles.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE FT-Me (Toyota)Accessibility features of the vehicleOne of the most intriguing aspects of the FT-Me concept is its accessibility. It qualifies as a "Voiture Sans Permis" in France, which would allow drivers as young as 14 to operate it without a full license. The concept has a top speed of 28 mph, making it suitable for urban environments. FT-Me (Toyota)Market positioningWhile Toyota is currently focusing on Europe with this concept, the FT-Me enters a growing market of microelectric vehicles. If developed for production, it would compete with established models like the Citron Ami, Fiat Topolino and Mobilize Duo (formerly Renault Twizy). FT-Me (Toyota)Kurts key takeawaysThe FT-Me concept is a glimpse into the future of urban mobility, offering a blend of sustainability, accessibility and practicality. Whether or not it makes it to production, Toyota's innovative approach is sure to inspire new ideas in the micromobility sector. Let's hope this tiny electric quadricycle hits the roads soon, bringing a fresh wave of eco-friendly transportation to our cities.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPReady to give up your big car or SUV for a vehicle like the FT-Me? Why or why not? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/Newsletter.Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.Alert:Malware steals bank cards and passwords from millions of devices.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

ZDNET's key takeaways The OneOdio Studio Max 1 headphones are available now on the official site for $169.99 These headphones offer wired and wireless options for connecting to a traditional source and produce a well-blended sound If you're looking for headphones to use with your phone, look elsewhere. View now at Oneodio My best friend has been a DJ for over 30 years. I've seen and worked with the equipment he uses, and I've watched other DJs do their thing in many environments. One thing that never fails to intrigue me is the idea of DJ-specific headphones.Also: The Beats Studio Pro headphones are practically half-price during Amazon Spring Sale - but hurryYou know what I'm talking about. A DJ stands behind turntables (or a digital deck) with a single headphone cup precariously held between the head and shoulder. It's an iconic look. They do that to preview what's coming up while also being aware of the music that's currently playing.But what about those headphones? Are they wired? Wireless? What gives?The OneOdio Studio Max 1 headphones offer a choice. details View at Oneodio OneOdio believes there's a middle ground that offers a similar low latency level but with the convenience of wireless. This new hybrid headphone is the Studio Max 1. With these headphones, you can plug directly into your sound device for a wired connection or connect a special transmitter to your sound device via the included 3.5mm cable, which then connects wirelessly to the headphones. Studio Max 1 was developed as a collaboration between OneOdio and one of Italy's top-five DJs, Arianna Bianchi. My interest was piqued, so I tested the headphones in wired and wireless modes. I came away impressed.My experienceMy first test was in wired mode. I connected the headphones to my Outlaw Audio amp and cranked up some Beethoven (Symphony No. 3 in E flat major Op. 55 - Eroica, to be exact). The sound that greeted my ears was nice, delivering a good blend of lows and highs. More importantly, the sound was clear and clean, making it easier to hear when queuing tracks.Next, I connected the headphones to the wireless transmitter. (Press the button on the transmitter until the white lights blink, and then press the multi-mode button on the headphones for 2 seconds until they power on.) The headphones immediately connected to the transmitter, and I then used the 3.5 mm cable to plug the transmitter into my amp.Also:These Beyerdynamic headphones deliver premium and rich sound while undercutting the competitionI did an unscientific test to check the latency. First, I returned to the wired connection and dropped the needle on Beethoven to see how quickly the sound spilled from the headphones.Immediate.Then, I reconnected the transmitter for the wireless mode and dropped the needle.Immediate.According to the OneOdio site, the Rapid Will + Ultra Low-Latency 2.0 tech archives a 20ms connection speed, so we are talking milliseconds. Think about it this way: The fastest standard Bluetooth connection (AptXLL) achieves a 40ms latency, so the OneOdio halves that.The latency is so low that it's undetectable to the naked eye or ear. That means the wireless option is just as viable as the wired one for DJs.How do they sound?The Max 1 Studio headphones sound great. They aren't studio/reference quality, nor do they achieve the glorious sound produced by the Dali IO-8 (which has become my new baseline for high-quality sound). But these headphones offer a beautifully neutral sound, so you're not getting an added coloration to the music. You hear a nice and level EQ that produces depth without unnaturally punching things up. The lows are just right, and the highs won't wear out your ears.Also: These are the wireless headphones that made me forget about Sony and Bose - and they look greatThat said, you won't buy DJ headphones specifically for an audiophile experience. You want these to serve your needs and make your job easier.But what if you're not a DJ? Why wouldn't you want to use a pair of headphones wirelessly or wired? Jack Wallen/ZDNETIf you have a sound device with a headphone jack and want to use your headphones wired or wirelessly, these are a brilliant option. However, these headphones are not intended to connect to your phone via Bluetooth. If you want to connect these headphones to your Android or iOS device, you'll need an adapter to convert from 3.5mm to USB C.In my opinion, the Max 1 Studio headphones aren't made for those who just want a pair of Bluetooth headphones to connect to a phone. They are more purpose-built for DJs or those who want to enjoy music from their traditional stereo setup without being tethered by a wire.I connected the transmitter to my amp, dropped some Rush onto the turntable, and walked out of my office. I could traverse the entirety of our 3,000-square-foot home, and the connection never once dropped. I can't do that with a phone and traditional Bluetooth headphones. On top of that, Rush's "Roll The Bones" album sounded fantastic. The sound was beautifully balanced and blended.And did I mention that these headphones can get very loud without the slightest distortion?Yet again, I was impressed.ZDNET's buying adviceIf you're a DJ looking to replace a pair of headphones and would like more flexibility in your system, a pair of OneOdio Studio Max 1 headphones are a great choice. Although most DJs prefer a wired connection (because if you lose connectivity, the gig could go south), you've got options with these. If you're a lover of music with a traditional audio system and would like to be able to wander the house while listening, these headphones will be a good addition to your stable of devices, and at only $169.99, these won't break the bank.Also:I finally found a Bluetooth speaker that's not afraid to get loud (and still sounds good)If you listen to music with your phone, I'd suggest skipping these and going with a more traditional pair of Bluetooth headphones.The specs50mm large composite diaphragm driversFrequency response: 20Hz 40kHzSensitivity: -42 3dBImpedance: 32Advanced Wireless Ultra-Low Latency 2.0 technology 20ms connection speed for audio transmissionUp to 120 hours of use per chargeDJ Wireless (with transmitter)Wired Monitoring (3.5mm)DJ Wired (6.35mm)Bluetooth version 5.3Bluetooth audio codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC.Dual Hi-Res Audio CertificationLDAC high-definition audio decoding technologyTransmitter M1 lasts 10-15 days on a single charge (4 hours daily use)2.5 hours of use from 5 minutes of charging (quick charge feature)Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.Featured reviews

Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty ImagesOK, we need to talk about what I believe could be one of the biggest opportunities I see for the near future, and no, it's not AI.With AI making business opportunities so accessible and much faster, it's like the dot com bubble on steroids. So what's this opportunity? It's storytelling! Yes, I know it might not be the quick fix or magic pill you want, but I promise you this article is worth reading and acting upon. I don't want to gas this up, but storytelling could be the opportunity of a lifetime when paired with AI. Also: You're sitting on a million-dollar business idea - and don't even know itIn this article, I'll share with you: What storytelling is and why it's crucial for 2025 and beyond.Common misconceptions about storytelling and how to avoid them.Three steps to get you started, even if you've never thought of yourself as a storyteller.But before we jump into it, I'll share a little about who I am and how I arrived at this conclusion so you don't have me committed. Quick intro If you're new to my work, my name isLester, but my friends call me Les. I'm a founder with a successful exit and currently the executive chairman of a group of e-commerce brands, but I'm an award-winning performance marketer at my core, and spotting trends is my thing. Here's a fun fact: To stay ahead in the competitive e-com space, my team and I developed internal tools and processes to spot trends faster than anyone else. We operate more like a data company than a traditional e-com brand. That's why I can confidently say storytelling is the future of business. By the way, if you're into data-driven business and marketing insights and strategies, check out my free newsletter,No Fluff,Just Facts. I share what's working in the world of business, along with marketing insights and trends I'm seeing. What is storytelling's impact?Let's start with the stats from Headstream research: Brands can see a 30% increase in conversion rates with compelling storytelling.55% of people who love a brand story are more likely to buy the product in the future, and 15% will buy the product immediately.Storytelling significantly boosts consumer trust; 81% of consumers say they need to be able to trust the brand to buy from them.Storytelling also helps convert leads by as much as 30%.Of these stats, the one that stands out the most to me is: If prospects love your brand story, 55% are more likely to buy the product in the future, 44% will share the story, and 15% will buy the product immediately. Also: Why you should ignore 99% of AI tools - and which four I use every daySimply put, storytelling sparks the emotion that inspires action. Communicating with the people who give you money is more than just a good idea. It's an art that turns words into a picture they can see and believe in. Think "1,000 songs in your pocket."Without me even telling you, you know I'm talking about Steve Jobs and the iPod. That is the power of storytelling. We often focus on features and not telling stories, but I'm here to tell you that no one cares about features. They care about whether this product or service solves their problem. Storytelling is about sharing messages, emotions, and values in an authentic way. It is how we connect with people, whether in casual conversations or through bigger media. In business, storytelling transforms standard marketing into an engaging journey that captures the consumer's heart. This is entirely different from telling someone about the product or service's features. Why is storytelling so crucial? As we speak, at least a billion new AI whatevers were launched, and a new model for something or the other was created. The sheer volume of AI events is overwhelming, and keeping up with tech is literally my job. With everything so chaotic today, what does the future look like when anyone can do anything? Building a company is simply about telling an AI what you want, and poof, it's done. Also: Email marketing is back and big social is panicking - everything you need to knowThe only thing that will separate you from the tons of competitors is who can tell a better story that cuts through the noise and humanizes their product or service. Here are the key reasons why storytelling is a great business strategy:` Connection: Stories create emotional engagement and foster community through shared experiences and values.Differentiation: A compelling story sets your brand apart in a crowded marketplace. It articulates your unique value proposition in a way that facts and figures alone cannot achieve.Persuasion: A good story can be more persuasive than traditional advertising by subtly influencing behaviors and decisions.Mindshare: Stories are memorable. They stick with us long after the facts fade, helping brands build and maintain their legacy.Storytelling helps your brand stand out and feel real. It keeps the human side of your business front and center in today's AI-driven world. Common misconceptions about storytelling Storytelling is sometimes overlooked or shunned in the business and deemed unimportant, but that couldn't be further from the truth. It's not just for creative industries: Storytelling isn't just for movies, books, or ads. It is a powerful tool in any industry, shaping how people connect, understand, and remember ideas. It requires dramatic flair: Many think storytelling takes natural talent, but anyone can learn to tell engaging stories. Also: Will AI destroy human creativity? No - and here's whyMore than entertainment: While stories can be entertaining, storytelling translates dry data and abstract concepts into compelling narratives that drive action. Brevity over length: There's a notion that stories need to be long and detailed to be impactful. However, a concise story that gets to the heart of the message can be much more powerful than a lengthy one. Beyond a marketing gimmick: Some people see storytelling as another passing marketing trend, but it has always been a simple way to share ideas and build relationships. It is wild how often businesses overlook something this basic. 3 steps to get started with storytelling First off, don't overthink this. Every story has a beginning, middle, and end. The key is to keep everything in the proper order. Also: From zero to millions? How regular people are cashing in on AIHere are three simple steps to get started with storytelling in your business: Know who you're talking to: First, you must understand your audience by knowing their needs and wants. This helps you create stories they will care about, making your message stronger and more memorable. What's your main point?: Think about the main thing you want to say with your story. What's the most important idea or value about your brand that you want everyone to know? Keep this message clear and straightforward. This is the heart of your story. Make it relatable: Start your story with something your audience can understand and relate to. Describe their problem and explain how your product or service can fix it. When you use these steps, storytelling becomes natural. You will stand out, catch interest, and connect better with your audience. My two cents I know I threw a lot at you today, and you might wonder why you should trust a stranger on the internet. First, you shouldn't unless that stranger is named Les, and he's talking about the importance of storytelling. On a serious note, don't just take my word for it. Reflect on how noisy the media landscape has become, including your social feeds. Now, think about the businesses or creators that stand out. Ten times out of ten, the creators and companies that make an impression do so because they make you feel seen and achieve that through storytelling. Also: You won't believe how B2B marketing is shifting - here are 5 ways to land more dealsStill not convinced? You just read this entire article on what arguably is a boring subject. Why? Storytelling!!The businesses that will win are those that: Cut through the noise with clear, engaging narratives.Craft compelling stories that resonate on a human level.Build genuine connections with their audience.The future belongs to those who can weave powerful stories that forge lasting relationships with their audiences. By the way, want more data-driven marketing insights and tips on how to tell more compelling stories? Sign up for my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I share what's working in the world of digital marketing, the latest trends, and the occasional pep talk to keep you inspired. Click here to sign up. It's totally free! Hope this helps. I'm rooting for you. Get the biggest stories in tech every Friday with ZDNET's Week in Review newsletter.Featured

Hippies Dancing and Playing Guitar. Age effects added.gettyAlmost all data moves. Although there is a formalized classification of data at rest to denote those information resources that are not on the move between applications, databases, analytics engines and other service components, most data at some point in its life is moved around and some of it is transmitted in real-time.But data movement is now becoming a technology classification in and of itself. This is in no small part down to the rise of artificial intelligence and the need to feed AI models with information spanning large and small language models, alongside regular systems data that AI needs to operate, interconnect and apply the requisite levels of governance and compliance to itself.Logically then, moving data is risky. This is because data in transport doesnt necessarily break as such (although connection between different components of a given software system can lead to corruptions), were more concerned with making sure data on the move doesnt end up in the wrong place and isnt sent to machine entities that dont have access policy rights.Managing Data PipelinesAirbyte is a company that describes itself as an open source data movement platform specialist. Its technology works to move data at scale for AI and analytics workloads, while ensuring governance so that organizations spend less time managing data pipelines while unlocking value from data.We make it possible for organizations to protect their data, ensuring that it doesnt accidentally become accessible outside the organization by consumers of AI models, said Michel Tricot, co-founder and CEO, Airbyte. [The technology]The company is now updating its products designed to provide organizations with additional support for data movement while retaining sovereignty over their own first-party data with enhanced security, speed and enhanced resource management. This includes support for unstructured data and portable data lake formats, which are repositories typically used for the mass storage of raw data streams (think of them more like a holding pen than a dumping ground) before they become managed and structured for onward use.In technology terms this includes support for the Apache Iceberg open standard for moving data into modern lakehouse architectures, which are the backbone for AI workloads with large language models as well as modern analytics. The company is also offering file transfer support for Google Drive, SharePoint and OneDrive for the movement of unstructured data such as PDF, video and image files (along with their metadata and permissions), making all of this data accessible for AI.Tricot and team say that they are making moving data easy and affordable across nearly any source and destination, ensuring enterprises have accurate, timely data for analysis and decision-making. With over 900 contributors and a community of more than 230,000 members, Airbyte supports a large data engineering community that works with an industry-wide open data movement platform.What Is Lightweight Data Transformation?A new Mappers feature enables users to perform lightweight data transformations (comparatively simple changes to data resources such as deduplicating, formatting, parsing or restructuring to achieve data consistency when different information resources are dovetailed or integrated, or simply for good housekeeping) directly within the Airbyte interface.This transformation can also include hashing (changing all data fields to a fixed length, typically a shorter one), encrypting, renaming fields and filtering rows to help organizations maintain compliance with data privacy regulations like GDPR and HIPAA.Airbyte is also providing an enterprise connector bundle as a complement to its Airbyte Cloud Teams and Self-Managed Enterprise brands. The bundle includes connectors for NetSuite, Oracle database with Change Data Capture, SAP HANA, ServiceNow and Workday.This bundle of connectors streamlines how the worlds largest organizations access their most valuable financial, operational and human resource data. The Airbyte Enterprise products ensure that organizations can easily and securely extract critical data from complex and sensitive sources with governance controls for data privacy and compliance, said Tricot.The Data Movement MovementLooking ahead, we may see the data movement movement extend and finesse itself in the same way that house removal businesses do. We can hire a major removal firm for a whole house move, or we can hire a man with a van for smaller tasks. We can hire a down and dirty cheap low-end service to lump concrete or broken down wall materials around, or we can hire bespoke white glove services that promise to transport our porcelain tea sets all in one piece and make sure they get to their intended destination. Either way, whether its data or homewares, make sure you lay down a dust sheet.