With up to 40 per cent of carbon emissions coming from the construction industry, the profession needs to find ways of adapting the type of buildings it designs, and fast. The default option for any project should be to adapt and re-use an existing building, one of the key demands of the AJsRetroFirst campaign.Our ongoing series seeks to celebrate the projects that save buildings from demolition or give them a brand new life.Lee Whiteman of Whiteman ArchitectsTell us about the projectThis project is all about giving a 1920s Art Deco house a fresh new look while keeping its charm. Its in Riverdale Gardens, Twickenham, a stone's throw from the river, and the plan is to extend, renovate, and update the cladding and windows.AdvertisementThe scheme will add a rear ground floor extension to create more living space; replace the old pitched roof with a flat roof and extension; give the faade a full makeover with new cladding and windows; and create a new-build outbuilding in the back of the garden.The house is growing too from 253m to 320m of floor space. Thats an extra 67m of room to play with.The houses on Riverdale Gardens are mostly red brick Queen Anne-style houses and typical semi-detached interwar houses. The house in question is detached and completely unique, standing out from the prevailing character of the street.What were the challenges of the existing building?The primary challenge, which also presented a unique opportunity, was the existing architectural style of the house. The clients were drawn to the property specifically because of its aesthetic, which meant that any proposed changes needed to strike a delicate balance between improving functionality and preserving the original character. Modernising and enhancing a house with a distinct style, while respecting its heritage, can often be a complex undertaking.AdvertisementMeanwhile the rear building lines are all over the place. Some of the [neighbouring] houses have big extensions, some dont. So there was room to push the design a little but no clear precedent.And, although the house has an Art Deco vibe, it is not the best example of the style. Any changes needed to respect that style while still modernising it and enhancing the original intentThe property also boasted a garden that was slightly longer than those of the neighbouring houses. This presented an opportunity to extend the house and incorporate a substantial outbuilding without compromising too much outdoor space. However, it was essential to strike a balance between indoor and outdoor areas, ensuring that the garden retained its functionality and aesthetic appeal.Had demolition ever been considered?Initially, starting from scratch was considered, due to the extensive changes required. The costs of making these changes were comparable to starting anew. Therefore, from the outset, we evaluated the advantages of both options to ensure everyone had a clear understanding of the pros and cons of both directions.How did you convince the client not to flatten the building?Honestly, it just made sense to keep it. Heres why:Eco-friendly choice Knocking it down and starting over wouldve created a ton of waste and used way more materials.Retrofitting was likely cheaper than a full rebuild in the end.The house has great bones. The structure was solid, and keeping its Art Deco charm while making it modern was a win-win.The main reason the clients purchased this property was because how unique it was and starting afresh simply didnt sit well.What stayed? The core structure and overall form. What changed? The roof, new extensions, new cladding, and modernised windows.Original ground floor plan (left); and proposed layout (right)Aside from retaining the original fabric, what other aspects of your design reduce the whole-life carbon impact of the building?The clients really went all-in on sustainability for this one. The cladding is timber composite, which looks great and keeps things eco-friendly; a more sustainable way of heating the house will be adopted, namely air source heat pumps. This will, in turn, require the house to be thermally more efficient and well-ventilated; the newest Building Regs (June 2023) require better insulation, so the house will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer the requirements of the insulation is ultimately on par with a new-build.Even walls which are not required to be upgraded to suit the Building Regs will be upgraded to make the house generally more thermally efficient.There are smart design tricks like retaining high ceilings to help with natural cooling and recessing windows to reduce overheating.First gloor planWere the planners supportive of the proposals?The planning officer initially intended to refuse the application, believing it would be out of character. He called us to give us the news that the application was going to be refused and offered the opportunity to withdraw the application if we preferred.The planning officer intended to refuse the plansHowever, digging deeper into this we were able to put across our view. We explained the existing house is currently at odds with the architectural character of Riverdale Gardens. While it was originally conceived with Art Deco influences, its execution was unsuccessful, resulting in a design that neither aligns with the surrounding streetscape nor stands as a strong example of the style it sought to embody.Our proposal aims to address this by enhancing the existing building and elevating it into a well-executed and cohesive example of Art Deco architecture. Rather than replacing the structure entirely, we have taken a sensitive approach that respects its original intention while refining its proportions, detailing, and materiality to create a more authentic and celebrated contribution to the street.What have been the main lessons from the project that you could apply to other developments?Here are a few takeaways:You dont need to demolish to transform a space. This house went from dated to inspiring without losing its charm.Sustainability isnt always a choice incorporating elements like thermal mass and effective insulation significantly reduces energy consumption. Due to updated Building Regulations, where altering 50 per cent of an elements surface mandates compliance with improved U-values, the distinction between new builds and refurbishments is becoming less clear.Context matters picking up the phone and explaining to a planning officer the architectural intent can completely change the outcome of an application. The planning officer was only calling out of courtesy. If I did not answer, this project may not be going ahead.Layouts matter just as much as size they didnt add a lot of floor space, but they completely reworked the floor plan to make better use of space.Concept mark-upHave you seen a change in approach to demolition and retrofit from clients?Yes, but these are things we are seeing on most of our projects now! This is a great example of the shift toward retrofitting instead of rebuilding. More and more people are realising that retrofitting can often be a similar cost to a new build, its better for the environment, and that you can keep original architectural details and still moderniseRetrofits like this one are probably a bigger chunk of the workload now than they were a few years ago. Interestingly we are seeing experienced developers also exploring retrofitting instead of new builds. This is mainly down to cost rather than sustainability reasons but it is still encouraging to know there could be a market shift.Riverdale Gardens proposed outbuilding

The new structure was designed to contrast with the brick Vernacular Revival style of the 19th century house, itself designed by Victorian architect Ernest Newton, one of several on Newton Park Place in the Chislehurst Conservation Area.Its oak frame was prefabricated by specialist joiner Tim Gaudin in Devon before being dismantled and reassembled on site. The rear faade has full-width 4m-wide bi-folding windows with integrated window seat, while exposed oak joists extend out to form the pergola. Planters around this are intended to support vegetation that will provide screening to the living room, solar protection and, over time, form a green enclosure for outside dining.Inside, separate spaces have been created for a kitchen, living and dining, the latter with an exposed oak joist ceiling lit by an overhead skylight and a picture window. A 3m-deep spiral wine cellar has also been created below from engineered limestone concrete.AdvertisementSolar panels have been incorporated on the roof of the main house while the extension is topped by a wildflower green roof.The garden design by Lilly Gomm extends directly out from the architecture of the house and is divided into two areas, a pond with adjacent bench seating and a larger open space with loose, naturalistic planting.Architects viewKelly was a superstar client and we loved working together to craft such a beautiful home for her and her family. In terms of natural materials, quality of space and sustainable approach this is exactly what we aim for with our residential projects and feel this has added so much to this historic home.Craig Rosenblatt, director, ROARClients viewWe absolutely love this extension, it has transformed our home and created a space we truly enjoy. ROAR has managed to marry the charm of an old gardeners cottage with a modern and quietly striking extension which pulls the garden and nature inside. My teenagers (and I) really love being home, whatever the modern word for cool is, I know they feel our house softly expresses it. ROAR was fantastic and really excelled at this high-quality architecture.Kelly Johnson Source:ROARProject dataLocation Chislehurst, south-east LondonStart on site July 2021CompletionApril 2023 (garden completed August 2024)Gross internal floor area 30m2 (extension)Form of contractJCT intermediate Building Contract with Contractors Design 2016Construction cost 450,000 (excluding VAT)Architect ROARClient Kelly JohnsonGarden designer Lilly GommJoinery Tim GaudinMain contractor Dardan Building ServicesAdvertisement

Every week, hundreds of artists share their work on the Blender Artists forum. I'm putting some of the best work in the spotlight in a weekly post here on BlenderNation.Source

Traffic safety After 50 million miles, Waymos crash a lot less than human drivers Waymo has been in dozens of crashes. Most were not Waymo's fault. Timothy B. Lee Mar 27, 2025 7:00 am | 59 A driverless Waymo in Los Angeles. Credit: P_Wei via Getty A driverless Waymo in Los Angeles. Credit: P_Wei via Getty Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThe first ever fatal crash involving a fully driverless vehicle occurred in San Francisco on January 19. The driverless vehicle belonged to Waymo, but the crash was not Waymos fault.Heres what happened: A Waymo with no driver or passengers stopped for a red light. Another car stopped behind the Waymo. Then, according to Waymo, a human-driven SUV rear-ended the other vehiclesat high speed, causing a six-car pileup that killed one person and injured five others. Someones dog also died in the crash.Another major Waymo crash occurred in October in San Francisco. Once again, a driverless Waymo was stopped for a red light. According to Waymo, a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction crossed the double yellow line and crashed into an SUV that was stopped to the Waymos left. The force of the impact shoved the SUV into the Waymo. One person was seriously injured.These two incidents produced worse injuries than any other Waymo crash in the last nine months. But in other respects, they were typical Waymo crashes. Most Waymo crashes involve a Waymo vehicle scrupulously following the rules while a human driver flouts them, speeding, running red lights, careening out of their lanes, and so forth.Waymos service will only grow in the coming months and years. So Waymo will inevitably be involved in more crashesincluding some crashes that cause serious injuries and even death.But as this happens, its crucial to keep the denominator in mind. Since 2020, Waymo has reported roughly 60 crashes serious enough to trigger an airbag or cause an injury. But those crashes occurred over more than 50 million miles of driverless operations. If you randomly selected 50 million miles of human drivingthats roughly 70 lifetimes behind the wheelyou would likely see far more serious crashes than Waymo has experienced to date.Federal regulations require Waymo to report all significant crashes, whether or not the Waymo vehicle was at faultindeed, whether or not the Waymo is even moving at the time of the crash. Ive spent the last few days poring over Waymos crash reports from the last nine months. Lets dig in.Examining Waymos safety record since JulyLast September, IanalyzedWaymo crashes through June 2024. So this section will focus on crashes between July 2024 and February 2025. During that period, Waymo reported 38 crashes that were serious enough to either cause an (alleged) injury or an airbag deployment.In my view, only one of these crashes was clearly Waymos fault. Waymo may have been responsible for three other crashesthere wasnt enough information to say for certain. The remaining 34 crashes seemed to be mostly or entirely the fault of others:The two serious crashes I mentioned at the start of this article are among 16 crashes where another vehicle crashed into a stationary Waymo (or caused a multi-car pileup involving a stationary Waymo). This included 10 rear-end crashes, three side-swipe crashes, and three crashes where a vehicle coming from the opposite direction crossed the center line.Anothereight crashesinvolved another car (or in one case a bicycle) rear-ending a moving Waymo.A furtherfive crashesinvolved another vehicle veering into a Waymos right of way. This included a car running a red light, a scooter running a red light, and a car running a stop sign.Three crashesoccurred while Waymo was dropping a passenger off. The passenger opened the door and hit a passing car or bicycle. Waymo has aSafe Exit programto alert passengers and prevent this kind of crash, but its not foolproof.There were two incidents where it seems like no crash happened at all:In one incident, Waymo says that its vehicle slowed and moved slightly to the left within its lane, preparing to change lanes due to a stopped truck ahead. This apparently spooked an SUV driver in the next lane, who jerked the wheel to the left and ran into the opposite curb. Waymo says its vehicle never left its lane or made contact with the SUV.In another incident, a pedestrian walked in front of a stopped Waymo. The Waymo began moving after the pedestrian had passed, but then the pedestrian turned around and approached the Waymo AV. According to Waymo, the pedestrian may have made contact with the driver side of the Waymo AV and later claimed to have a minor injury. Waymos report stops just short of calling this pedestrian a liar.So thats a total of 34 crashes. I dont want to make categorical statements about these crashes because in most cases, I only have Waymos side of the story. But it doesnt seem like Waymo was at fault in any of them.There was one crash where Waymo clearly seemed to be at fault: In December, a Waymo in Los Angeles ran into a plastic crate, pushing it into the path of a scooter in the next lane. The scooterist hit the crate and fell down. Waymo doesnt know whether the person riding the scooter was injured.I had trouble judging the final three crashes, all of which involved another vehicle making an unprotected left turn across a Waymos lane of travel. In two of these cases, Waymo says its vehicle slammed on the brakes but couldnt stop in time to avoid a crash. In the third case, the other vehicle hit the Waymo from the side. Waymos summaries make it sound like the other car was at fault in all three cases, but I dont feel like I have enough information to make a definite judgment.Even if we assume all three of these crashes were Waymos fault, that would still mean that a large majority of the 38 serious crashes were not Waymos fault. And as well see, Waymo vehicles are involved in many fewer serious crashes than human-driven vehicles.Waymos get in fewer crashes than human driversAnother way to evaluate the safety of Waymo vehicles is by comparing their per-mile crash rate to human drivers. Waymo has been regularly publishing data about this over the last couple of years. Its most recent release came last week, when Waymo updated itssafety data hubto cover crashes through the end of 2024.Waymo knows exactly how many times its vehicles have crashed. Whats tricky is figuring out the appropriate human baseline, since human drivers dont necessarily report every crash. Waymo has tried to address this by estimating human crash rates in its two biggest marketsPhoenix and San Francisco. Waymos analysis focused on the 44 million miles Waymo had driven in these cities through December, ignoring its smaller operations in Los Angeles and Austin.Using human crash data, Waymo estimated that human drivers on the same roads would get into 78 crashes serious enough to trigger an airbag. By comparison, Waymos driverless vehicles only got into 13 airbag crashes. That represents an83 percent reductionin airbag crashes relative to typical human drivers.This is slightly worse than last September, when Waymo estimated an 84 percent reduction in airbag crashes over Waymos first 21 million miles.Over the same 44 million miles, Waymo estimates that human drivers would get into 190 crashes serious enough to cause an injury. Instead, Waymo only got in 36 injury-causing crashes across San Francisco or Phoenix. Thats an81 percent reductionin injury-causing crashes.This is a significant improvement over last September, when Waymo estimated its cars had 73 percent fewer injury-causing crashes over its first 21 million driverless miles.Insurance claims against Waymo are about 90 percent lowerThe above analysis counts all crashes, whether or not Waymos technology was at fault. Things look even better for Waymo if we focus on crashes where Waymo was determined to be responsible for a crash.To assess this, Waymoco-authored a studyin December with the insurance giant Swiss Re. It focused on crashes that led to successful insurance claims against Waymo. This data seems particularly credible because third parties, not Waymo, decide when a crash is serious enough to file an insurance claim. And claims adjusters, not Waymo, decide whether to hold Waymo responsible for a crash.But one downside is that it takes a few months for insurance claims to be filed. So the December report focused on crashes that occurred through July 2024.Waymo had completed 25 million driverless miles by July 2024. And by the end of November 2024, Waymo had faced only two potentially successful claims for bodily injury. Both claims are pending, which means they could still be resolved in Waymos favor.One of them was this crash that I described at the beginning of mySeptember articleabout Waymos safety record:On a Friday evening last November, police chased a silver sedan across the San Francisco Bay Bridge. The fleeing vehicle entered San Francisco and went careening through the citys crowded streets. At the intersection of 11th and Folsom streets, it sideswiped the fronts of two other vehicles, veered onto a sidewalk, and hit two pedestrians.According to a local news story, both pedestrians were taken to the hospital, with one suffering major injuries. The driver of the silver sedan was injured, as was a passenger in one of the other vehicles. No one was injured in the third car, a driverless Waymo robotaxi.It seems unlikely that an insurance adjuster will ultimately hold Waymo responsible for these injuries.The other pending injury claim doesnt seem like a slam dunk, either. In that case, another vehicle steered into a bike lane before crashing into a Waymo as it was making a left turn.But lets assume that both crashes are judged to be Waymos fault. That would still be a strong overall safety record.Based on insurance industry records, Waymo and Swiss Re estimate that human drivers in San Francisco and Phoenix would generate about 26 successful bodily injury claims over 25 million miles of driving. So even if both of the pending claims against Waymo succeed, two injuries represent a more than 90 percent reduction in successful injury claims relative to typical human drivers.The reduction in property damage claims is almost as dramatic. Waymos vehicles generated nine successful or pending property damage claims over its first 25 million miles. Waymo and Swiss Re estimate that human drivers in the same geographic areas would have generated 78 property damage claims. So Waymo generated 88 percent fewer property damage claims than typical human drivers.Timothy B. Lee was on staff at Ars Technica from 2017 to 2021. Today he writes Understanding AI, a newsletter that explores how AI works and how it's changing our world. You can subscribe here.Timothy B. LeeSenior tech policy reporterTimothy B. LeeSenior tech policy reporter Timothy is a senior reporter covering tech policy and the future of transportation. He lives in Washington DC. 59 Comments

cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Image: NintendoNintendo's latest Switch Direct was packed with all sorts of exciting announcements, but we're not done just yet.The company's Japanese broadcast was slightly different - featuring multiple other titles, so we've rounded them all up into a single post. Here's everything from Japan's Switch Direct, you might have missed:On this page: Round Up: Everything From Japan's Nintendo Direct Broadcast (March 2025)Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube800kWatch on YouTube Nintendo Direct - Japan, March 2025 - Full BroadcastThis is the full Japanese Nintendo Direct broadcast if you really want to watch it!Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube800kJapanese Game AnnouncementsRight, onto the game announcements made up of a few trailers and some sizzle reels. We've also thrown in a previous trailer of Konami's romance dating sim Tokimeki Memorial. While some of these games are exclusive to Japan, many of them will be getting a release locally.Project:;COLD case.mirage - Available now (Japan)Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube800k"Project:;COLD case.mirage is an immersive desktop-style mystery adventure game that feels like solving a case directly on your PC. Data from websites, surveillance cameras, and smartphones, digitally-recreated interrogations of victims As you piece together scattered fragments of information, a shocking truth will emerge. Can you change your fate with just a single screen?" via GematsuSizzle Reel 1Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube800kThe games featured in the first sizzle reel include the following:Sanrio Characters Miracle Match: Magical Onigokko (out now)Winning Post 10 2025 (out now)Star Overdrive (10th April 2025)All in Abyss: Judge the Fake (10th April 2025)Rusty Rabbit (17th April 2025)The Hundred Line -Last Defense Academy- (24th April 2025). "We put all our effort into the game"Try it out before launchSuper Robot Wars Y - 2025 (Worldwide)Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube800k"Super Robot Wars is a grid-based tactical combat RPG that brings units and pilots from a variety of anime together to battle their mutual foes. Rise, Unite, and Triumph!"Sizzle Reel 2Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube800kThe second sizzle reel included:Super Technos World: River City & Technos Arcade Classics (24th April 2025)Tokimeki Memorial (8th May 2025)Capcom Fighting Collection 2 (16th May 2025)Mobile Suit Gundam (22nd May 2025)Ys Memoire (22nd May 2025)Onimusha 2 (23rd May 2025)Fantasy Life (21st March 2025, featured in the western broadcast) Update: Worldwide release confirmedLaunching worldwide this MayNo word of a localisation yetOne hit and it's game overTokimeki Memorial: forever with you Emotional - 8th May 2025 (Japan)Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube800k"Tokimeki Memorial is a romance simulation game celebrating its 30th anniversary. Tokimeki Memorial: Forever with You Emotional is built around the concept of reliving memories, just as they were, on Nintendo Switch, with the original games feel and gameplay carefully preserved." via GematsuNintendo Direct - Worldwide, March 2025And if you haven't seen the local Nintendo Direct yet, you can check out our full guide here: Nearly 30 late arrivalsWhat did you think of Japan's announcements? How about the rest of the latest Switch Direct? Let us know in the comments.Related GamesSee AlsoShare:321 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Expands Switch Online's SNES Library With Four More TitlesArriving next weekNintendo Direct Confirmed For Today, 27th March 202530 minutes of news for OG Switch gamesPokmon Scarlet & Violet: Mystery Gift Codes ListAll the current Pokmon Scarlet and Violet Mystery Gift codesRumour: A Switch 1 Direct Presentation May Take Place This WeekColour us sceptical, though

Amazon'sBig Spring Salekicked off earlier this week, and the seasonal savings event runs from Tuesday, March 25, through Monday, March 31. The best part? The Spring Sale is open to all customers -- not just Prime members.I've been scouring Amazon's Spring Sale deals since the event was announced on March 18, including all-time-low prices on top tech like the Apple Watch Series 10, Apple M4 Mac Mini, and plenty of additional tech fromApple, Roborock, Anker, and more.While you can score savings on select products, it's important to remember that not all deals are treated equally. These deals likely aren't as competitive as they were during Cyber Week. Nevertheless, we've selected our favorite Amazon Spring Sale offers that you can shop now, and we'll be updating this list every 30 minutes so you can shop the best of these spring seasonal savings. (Our sister site, CNET,has extensive coverage of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, too.) And be sure to check out other retailers' deals this week as well, as stores will cut down prices to compete.Find your Amazon dealsZDNET's top-selling Amazon Spring Sale 2025 dealsOur team has collected the top-selling products among ZDNET readers during the Big Spring Sale so far. (A note: Your privacy is protected. We only have access to aggregate data from our user base, and we cannot identify individual people's purchases).Soundcore Sleep A20 Earbuds: $120 (save $30): Catching up on lost sleep? Ourexpert says these sleep earbuds help you doze off, and they're on sale again for 20% off.Jakemy 180-Piece Smart Cordless Screwdriver Kit: $40 (save $30 with coupon): Ourexpert says this is the perfect accessory for tinkerers (or to just have on hand) and it's over $20 off now.Chipolo Card Point Bluetooth Tracker: $24 (save $13 with coupon): ZDNET's best-selling product of February is on sale for 31% off. Expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes says Chipolo's Android Bluetooth trackers are theperfect substitutes for AirTags, (plus, he says they're even better and cheaper).Apple 2024 Mac Mini Desktop Computer with M4 Chip: $529 (save $70): The 2024Mac Miniis a great pick for those who want the latest Apple tech without the high cost. For comparison, the M4 iMac and MacBook Pro deliver a similar experience, but prices for those devices start at over $1,000, while the Mac Mini is on sale for 12% off.Apple AirPods Pro 2: $170 (save $80): Apple'sAirPods Pro 2consistently ranks among the most premium earbuds on the market thanks to their H2 chip and pioneering features. Right now, you can get them for $170 -- the best price we've seen them sell for.Ecoflow Delta Pro Portable Power Station: $1,798 (save $1,002): Featuring a 3600Wh LFP battery capacity, this portable power station provides strong electrical storage for home battery backup power supply and outdoor camping.LG 65-inch OLED G4 Series Smart TV: $1,870 (save $527): This is the best TV our expert saw in 2024, and he still highly recommends it. Plus, it's nearly 22% off.Nitecore NB10000 Gen 3 Ultra-Slim Power Bank: $52 (save $13): Our expert loves that this 10,000mAh power bank can fully charge most phones two times with power to spare. Plus, its dual USB-C QC ports can fast charge two devices simultaneously.Amazon Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition: $225 (save $55): Ourexpert saysthe Kindle Colorsoft brings a smooth color display to your favorite books, and its bright screen looks great outdoors, even in direct sunlight. Right now, it's on sale for the first time at 20% off.Eufy E340 Video Doorbell: $115 (save $65): This battery-powered doorbell has no hidden or extra monthly fees, is on sale for its best price yet, and isloved by our smart home expertfor its dual-camera design.Hisense 55-inch Class QLED 4K S7N CanvasTV: $763 (save $237): As Hisense's answer to Samsung's The Frame TV, this TV comes with a frame and allows you to display artwork when you're not watching your TV in a hi-matte display.Our favorite Amazon Spring Sale deals Adam Breeden/ZDNETApple Watch Series 10 (GPS 42mm): $299 (save $100): The Watch Series 10, Apple's latest smartwatch, is down to its best price yet, and expert Matthew Miller says the Series 10 is better than the Watch Ultra in certain areas. Plus, shop the GPS 46mm model on sale, too.KeySmart SmartCard: Our expert loves this Bluetooth card for its thin profile and rechargeable design, and ZDNET has the only exclusive offer available now. Now through April 9, you can use the code25ZDNET2025at checkout to snag $10 (or 25%) off a singular KeySmart SmartCard, or code23ZDNET2025at checkout to get $20 off (or 23%) off a three-pack of SmartCards.Apple iPad Mini A17 Pro: $399 (save $100): Our expert says this is the best iPad you can get for under $400, it supports Apple Intelligence, and it's 20% off.Shark FlexStyle Hair Styler: $220 (save $80): The FlexStyle is most known for being a Dyson Airwrap competitor, and right now it's on sale for 27% off.DJI Osmo Action 5 Camera Adventure Combo Bundle: $369 (save $80): Our expert says if you're into filming vacations or outdoor activities, the DJI Action 5 Pro is one of the best cameras on the market. Plus, several bundle options are on sale now.SwitchBot Wallet Tracker Card: $13 (save $12): This ultra-thin wallet tracker is shaped like a credit card, is highly reliable and works seamlessly with the Apple Find My network. Expert Maria Diaz says its as good as an AirTag. There's an extra 30% off available via coupon, too, and you can save more with multiple purchases.Apple AirTag 4-Pack: $70 (save $29): Speaking of AirTags ... if you'd prefer Apple's native Bluetooth tracker,AirTagsare great for tracking keys, luggage, wallets, and more, and they're on sale for 29% off.Great deals from other retailersSpring Sale deals under $50: MagSafe gear, mobile accessories, and more Kayla Solino/ZDNETAUFU 240W USB-C Magnetic Breakaway Connector 2-Pack: $13 (save $4): Another top-selling product for ZNDET in February, expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes calls this USB-C accessory the ultimate breakaway connector thanks to its 180-degree swivel feature. Plus, it's saved his laptop from numerous cord-induced crash situations.Baseus Free2Pull 100W Retractable USB-C Cable: $10 (save $3): My favorite travel accessory is this retractable USB-C cable that keeps tangled cords off my itinerary, and it's 20% off.Blink Mini 2 Indoor Cam: $20 (save $20): One of the best security camera deals is back. Save 50% on the Blink Mini 2 Indoor Cam, which oursmart home expert lovesfor its great connectivity, easy set-up, and more.Anker Nano Power Bank USB-C: $24 (save $6): This tiny power bank is perfect for those on the go. ZDNET's Sabrina Ortizloves this battery boosterfor its compact form and foldable adapter, and ZDNET's Charlie Osborne has purchased one for future trips. Thelightning modelis on sale, too.Anker 25W USB C Charger Block: $10 (save $6): For a compact, cheap charging option for mobile devices, you can take 38% off the Anker charger block.Amazon Echo Pop Speaker: $30 (save $10): Amazon's smallest Alexa-enabled speaker is on sale for 25% off. The larger Echo Dot is also on sale for $40.Kasa Smart Plug Ultra Mini 15A: $15 (save $5): Smart plugs are an inexpensive way to upgrade your home, and our expert loves them for lights, speakers, and even seasonal decor.Amazon Fire TV Stick HD: $20 (save $15): Nearly every model of the Fire TV stick is on sale now, including this HD model that's 43% off, the 4K Max Stick, and the base 4K Stick.JBL Go 3 Mini Speaker: $30 (save $10): JBL's portable mini speaker is on sale for 25% off. It comes in tons of colors and is great for dorms, the beach, and more.ESR Aura MagSafe Wallet and Stand: $19 (save $6): My favorite MagSafe wallet is the perfect companion for most iPhones, holds up to five cards, and has a dedicated ID slot. Plus, it's a few dollars off and comes in several colors.Anker MagGo Qi2 15W Charging Pad: $20 (save $5): Got an extra $20 lying around? Expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes says this budget charger is better than Apple's, and has a longer cord, too. TurboTax Deluxe 2024 Tax Software: $48 (save $22): Download thistax softwareto your PC or Mac to file your 2024 federal tax return. It even comes with live tax advice if you need help while filing. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET Current price: $30 or $70Original price: $40 or $90Expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes says Apple AirTags are bulky and not ideal for wallets. His perfect solution is this SmartCard from KeySmart, which is thin and lightweight enough to fit in your wallet or luggage.Lucky for you, ZDNET has an exclusive pormo code that will nab you up to $20 off, and you can't find this offer anywhere else. Now through April 9, you can use the code 25ZDNET2025 at checkout to snag $10 off (or 25%) off a singular KeySmart SmartCard, or code 23ZDNET2025 at checkout to get $20 off (or 23%) off a three pack of SmartCards. Show more View now at Amazon Spring Sale headphone deals: Sony, Bose, Apple, and more Jada Jones/ZDNETApple AirPods 4: $100 (save $30): It's not too often you see deals on Apple earbuds, but Apple's new AirPods 4 range is back down to their lowest price. These buds "feature significant improvements to sound quality, noise cancellation, and comfort,"our reviewer says.Apple AirPods Pro Max: $479 (save $70): The only Apple-made over-ear headphones dropped by $70. These promise strong noise cancellation and a comfortable fit suited for air travel, deep work sessions at the office, and workouts at the gym. Deals are available for Starlight models.Marshall Major V Headphones: $112 (save $38): Our expert says these deliver powerful sound, with bass and treble to spare and smooth, subtle mids, and can last for days on a single charge. Right now they're under $120.Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: $150 (save $30): Our expert calls these the best bone conduction headphones she's tested, and right now they're seeing a rare sale.Beats Solo 4 Headphones: $130 (save $70): Ourexpert saysthese refreshed Beats Solo headphones carry all the nostalgia while sounding great. Right now they're over $50 off.Nothing Open Earbuds: $129 (save $60): These are without a doubt thebest earbuds for working out-- whether you're in the gym or outdoors.Nothing Ear (a): $77 (save $23): Think of the Nothing Ear (a) as the AirPods Pro 2's more interesting cousin. While you won't get as strong noise cancellation on these as you would the AirPods, they deliver impeccable sound for more than half the price. They're our earbuds expert's favorite pair of earbuds.Apple AirPods Pro 2: $170 (save $80): Apple'sAirPods Pro 2consistently rank among the most premium earbuds on the market thanks to their H2 chip and pioneering features. Right now, you can get them for $170 -- the best price we're seeing right now.Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones: $328 (save $72): Our expert calls the XM5 headphones "basically perfect," and they're on sale for a decent $72 off.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: $219 (save $80): Our audio expert tests earbuds for a living and she can confidently say theBose QuietComfort Ultraare the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market -- and they're $80 off now.Bose Ultra Open: $249 (save $50): These open earbuds deliver immersive audio in a unique form factor that mimics a clip-on earring. They're some of the most interesting earbuds we've tested.Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: $179 (save $51): Ourexpert saysthe Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 deliver comfort, utility, and premium features for Android users. Plus, they're currently on sale for $179, which is their best price drop since their release last fall.Beats Studio Pro Headphones: $180 (save $170): These Beats headphones are 49% off and ourexpert saysthey're the perfect middle-ground headphones for Android and Apple users.Beats Solo Buds: $60 (save $20): The cheapest pair of earbuds Beats offers just got 25% cheaper, andthey feature18-hour battery life and a compact form.Beats Studio Buds: $93 (save $57): Our expert says theBeats Studio Budsare a worthy competitor if you're eyeing Apple's AirPod Pro 2s, and right now they're 38% off. Jada Jones/ZDNET Current price: $349Original price: $429Working in a noisy office or traveling on a blaring airplane? You need a good pair of noise-canceling headphones to immerse you in music and quiet the distractions. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are our audio expert's pick for the best noise-canceling headphones, and they're on sale for $80 off now. Show more View now at Amazon Spring Sale TV deals: Sony, LG, soundbars, speakers, and more Jason Hiner/ZDNETSonos Era 100 Smart Speaker: $198 (save $50): The Sonos Era 100 is the smart speaker expert Maria Diaz recommends to most people, audiophile or not, and it's finally on sale for 20% off again.Sony Ult Field 1 Portable Speaker: $98 (save $32): Portable speakers are perfect for the beach, outdoors, and more, and our expert loves this one from Sony for its crystal-clear sound.Beats Pill Portable Speaker: $100 (save $50): Our expert says this Beats speaker delivers "gloriously smooth sound," and right now it's $50 off -- the same price offered during Black Friday.Samsung 43-inch QN90D Smart TV: $848 (save $450): Select models of the Samsung QN90D TV are on sale. This TV is ZDNET's favoritefor gaming thanks to a base refresh rate of 120Hz that can be pushed to 144Hz, making it great for both console and PC gaming.Hisense 65-inch U6 Series ULED Smart TV: $498 (save $236): This limited-time deal on a Hisense U6 TV offers top features like Dolby Vision and Atmos, Game Mode, Mini LED with dimming, and more for 32% off.Amazon Fire TV Cube: $110 (save $30): The newest model of the Fire TV Cube features AI-powered Fire TV Search, hands-free streaming with Alexa, and is on sale for 21% off.Insignia 32-inch Fire TV: $75 (save $55): This 32-inch TV is one of Amazon's top sellers for a reason. Right now it's under $100, and is the perfect size for a dorm, kids room, or kitchen.TCL Q65 65-inch QLED Smart TV: $398 (save $152): ZDNET's pick for thebest budget TV with premium features, the TCL Q65, is on sale for over $150 off. Released in 2024, this TV offers great 4K resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support for smooth action and sharper contrast.Hisense 85-Inch QD7 Series QLED 4K UHD TV: $798 (save $300): If you want a huge amount of display space, check out the discount on this 85-inch Hisense Google Smart TV.Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar: $98 (save $32): A soundbar on offer for under $100 has caught our attention. This Sony soundbar is 25% off.Xgimi Horizon S Max: $1,609 (save $209): This deal is not available on Amazon, but it's too good to skip. You can save over $200 on an Xgimi Horizon S Max, an IMAX-level home theater projector. The company is throwing in a free floor stand, too. Jason Hiner/ZDNET Current price: $1,598Original price: $1,998The Sony Bravia X90L is one of our picks for thebest Sony TVs you can buy, and for good reason. Its color accuracy, precision brightness, 120Hz smooth motion, and 4K image processing make it one of our most recommended TVs you can buy. Editor-in-chief Jason Hiner also considers it one of the most underrated TVs available. And with the 2025 TVs hitting the market, you can save on select sizes of this excellent 2023 model. Show more View now at Amazon Spring Sale laptop deals: MacBooks, gaming laptops, and more Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETApple MacBook Air M3: $1,149 (save $350): Eyeing the M3 MacBook Air? This model is a step up from the older M2 but not quite as fast or fresh as the newest M4. It's still a great option if you're looking for a reliable laptop that comes with some savings. The 16GB Unified memory model ison salefor $999, too.Apple MacBook Pro M4: $1,589 (save $210): Speaking of the M4, if you need a fast and capable laptop with speedy software, this MacBook Pro is $200 off right now.Microsoft Surface Laptop Snapdragon X Elite 15-inch: $1,300 (save $400): Our laptopexpert saysthis model lives rent free in his head for its sleek look, and right now it's on sale for 24% off.Microsoft Surface Laptop Snapdragon X Plus 13.8-inch: $777 (save $223): Our laptopexpert saysthis laptop (Microsoft's first consumer laptop built for the AI era) puts a big smile on his face. Plus, it's on sale with a discount of $223.Lenovo ThinkPad T14s: $1,300 (save $400): ZDNET's pick forbest laptop for workis on sale for 24% off. Our laptop expert says it's an excellent choice for professionals seeking a fast laptop that can tackle intensive productivity tasks thanks to the recently released AMD Ryzen AI 7 Pro 360 processor, the integrated AMD Radeon 880M graphics card, and the ample 32GB of RAM.LG Gram 14-inch 2-in-1: $1,200 (save $400): We wenthands-on with the 16-inchand17-inch Pro versionsof LG's light-as-a-feather Gram laptops last year and praised them for their portable form factor and powerful hardware. Now, the 14-inch from the baseline joins the party with a massive $400 price cut for the configuration with 16GB of RAM.HP EliteBook 665 G11: $680 (save $120): This 16-inch EliteBook comes in multiple configurations, up to 64GB of RAM and 4TB of memory. The 32GB version, however, is on sale for just $680, a bargain for this versatile device designed to handle productivity workflows and multitasking.HP Chromebook 14 Chromebook: $220 (save $50): An interesting Amazon Spring sale deal we've spotted is for a Chromebook. This affordable HP model is perfect for basic tasks, including internet browsing.Samsung 15-inch Galaxy AI Book4 Edge laptop: $699 (save $201): If you're in the market for a work-ready laptop, you can enjoy a 22% discount on the 15-inch Samsung Galaxy Book4 Edge, equipped with 16GB RAM and 512GB of storage.Acer Gateway Chromebook 311: $135 (save $65): If you need a basic laptop for casual use, consider the cheap Acer Gateway Chromebook, available for only $135.Lenovo V15 laptop: $470 (save $100): We particularly like this deal for a business-ready laptop. You can save $100 on a Windows 11 Pro model with a 15.6-inch display, 16GB RAM, and 1TB of storage. Jason Hiner/ZDNET Current price: $499Original price: $599Apple products don't frequently see savings, especially on newer products. Editor-in-chief Jason Hiner says theMac Mini M4 introduceda "long-awaited redesign [to] one of Apple's quirkiest and most utilitarian products," and this is one of the lowest prices we've seen since its release.Plus, theMac Mini is a great pick for those who want the latest Apple tech without the high cost. For comparison, the M4 iMac and MacBook Pro deliver a similar experience, but prices for those devices start at over $1,000. Show more View now at Amazon Spring Sale smartphone and accessory deals: iPhone, Samsung, chargers, and more Prakhar Khanna / ZDNETGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL 256GB Unlocked: $949 (save $251): Our smartphone expert loves the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, but says the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the better deal, especially while it's on sale.Motorola G Stylus 5G 2024: $245 (save $155): A standout among the budget crowd, this Motorola comes with 256GB storage and a built-in stylus for precision inputs. The textured backing is the cherry on top.Motorola Moto G Power 5G 2024: $180 (save $120): Motorola's sub-$200 handset is ideal for those who want greater battery life and a big display.Twelve South Butterfly SE 2-in-1 MagSafe Charger: $73 (save $27): Expert Jada Jones loves this 2-in-1 MagSafe wireless charger from Twelve South for its compact design and quick charge. Plus, it's nearly half-off in the black color, while other colors are slightly discounted.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB Unlocked: $1,188 (save $232): ZDNET's mobile expert says that the slimmer, lighter design, enhanced processor, and suite of Galaxy AI features make this year's Ultra flagship more powerful than ever.Torras MiniMag 5,000mAh MagSafe Battery Pack: $36 (save $24 at Amazon):ZDNET's favoritethinMagSafe batterypack is on sale. This battery is lightweight, powerful, and perfect for topping off your phone's battery on the go, and it comes in three sleek colors.Motorola Razr 2024: $500 (save $200): The entry-level flip phone is nearing all-time lows in price, and it comes with 256GB of storage and a series of stylish colors.Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6: $999 (save $220): The 512GB variant of the foldable phone is on sale, with multiple colors available. Kerry Wan/ZDNET Current price: $849Original price: $1,099ZDNET's mobile expert says Google's Pixel 9 Pro is a brilliant piece of technology, but the software isn't what makes this entry in the series stand out. Right now, it's on sale for 23% off. Show more View now at Amazon Spring Sale tablet deals: iPads, Kindles, Galaxy tablets, and more Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETSamsung Galaxy Tab A9+: $220 (save $50): This 64GB Android tablet features a large screen, quad speakers, an upgraded chipset, and multi-window display. Plus, it has a slim and light design perfect for travel, and it's 25% off now.Amazon Kindle Scribe: $325 (save $75): Our expert says Amazon's newest Kindle Scribe comes with new note-taking features and a stellar pen-and-paper experience. It's on sale for its lowest price yet.Google Pixel Tablet: $359 (save $140): Our expert says the Google Pixel tablet works well as a smart home display, and even performs better than other options on t

One of Samus' new suits from 'Metroid Prime 4: Beyond'.NintendoThe latest trailer for Metroid Prime 4 shows Samus on the new planet of Viewros and some new psychic abilities, but its all giving off some heavy Echoes vibes.Its been a while since we had anything new to see for Metroid Prime 4, and the latest trailer (shown below) reveals the world of Viewros to be both amazing and suitably mysterious.The original Metroid Prime trilogy felt very neat in a bookended kind of way. The whole Dark Samus arc as an antagonist worked wonderfully, but its the second game in the Prime series thats really pertinent here.In many ways, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes was almost a side story from the main quest. Yes, it dealt with Phazon and its corrupting effects, but the story was more self-contained.Taking place on the planet Aether, an indigenous race called the Luminoth was being hunted to extinction by the Ing from a Phazon-induced dark dimension of sorts.Play Puzzles & Games on ForbesWhile that light and dark duality is seemingly absent in Metroid Prime 4, the planet of Viewros and its ancient alien population are definitely giving off strong Luminoth vibes.Theyre obviously not the same, but the new upgraded suit for Samus thats teased in the trailer (shown above) also bears stylistic hallmarks to the Light Suit from Echoes, especially with the sleek armor and the three lights in the center of the chest.The new psychic abilities that Samus can wield also come across as almost Aetherean in nature. Its hard to place how and why, but theres a certain Echoes vibe here. An echo of Echoes, if you will.While Sylux wasnt present in this trailer, it has been revealed that Sylux will be one of the games primary villains, which will be interesting to see how that resolves as well as what Syluxs motivations are for hunting Samus in the first place.Considering that Retro Studios has been working on Metroid Prime 4 since 2019, its clear that this extended development cycle has birthed something probably quite remarkable.Heres hoping that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond can finally deliver on that once it is released on Switch later this year.In the meantime, you should definitely play the remaster of the first Metroid Prime also on the Switch. Its incredibly good.Follow me on X, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and am currently featured in the Giant Robots exhibition currently touring Japan.

OpenAI has enforced temporary rate limits on image generation using the latest GPT-4o model after the internet was hit with a tsunami of images recreated in a style inspired by Studio Ghibli. The announcement comes just a day after OpenAI stripped free ChatGPT users of the ability to generate images with its new model.OpenAIs co-founder and CEO Sam Altman said the trend was straining OpenAIs server architecture and suggested the load may be warming it up too much. Altman posted on X that while its super fun to witness the internet being painted in art inspired by the classic Japanese animation studio, the surge in image generation could be melting GPUs at OpenAIs data centers. Altman, of course, means that figuratively we hope!Recommended VideosAs a result, OpenAI will temporarily limit the generation rate while the systems are being tuned for better efficiency. The company is aware that ChatGPT may also turn down certain generation requests, but that is being worked on as well. Altman says the duration to apply these fixes hopefully wont be long! The executive added that while image generation using the latest reasoning model was limited to paid users after enormous demand, free users shall soon be able to create up to three images per day. They did not share a timeline for when to expect the two developments.Altmans announcement was hit with another barrage of images generated in Studio Ghiblis style, making it seem like OpenAIs restrictions will hardly dampen the spirits of those passionate to recreate their entire image gallery. pic.twitter.com/JjzXXlp0X5 Smillew (certified liar) (@Smillew_Rahcuef) March 27, 2025OpenAIs latest GPT-4o has become immensely popular for generating highly realistic images with nearly immaculate text. The model is particularly gaining popularity for its ability to interpret images visually and rendering them in different styles, of which the art style of Studio Ghibli, known for popular anime productions, including My Neighbor Totoro. While other image generators can create Studio Ghibli style images with equal dexterity, the 4o model excels at interpreting scenes and recreating them with high accuracy.Over the last few days since the announcement, we have seen countless stills being, from iconic movie scenesto timeless memes and latest political eventsbeing recreated in the iconic Japanese art style. The viral trend has also stirred up online debate about the legality, copyright, and fair use of different art forms.Editors Recommendations