When you think of technology that connects your brain to a computer, you probably picture something like this: A startup called Neurable had the technology, but wanted better design for their first product, called Enten. They turned to industrial design consultancy Fresco for help. Brain interface tech for the everydayNeurable, a Boston-based startup, teamed with Fresco to design and develop their first product for the consumer market the Enten headphones. These BCI headphones monitor your brain activity and provide useful information for your daily life, like patterns of when you are focused or distracted.the clientNeurable is a neurotechnology company that uses Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology to interpret human intent, measure emotion, and provide telekinetic control of the digital world.services deliveredDesign Strategy / Industrial Design / Models & Prototypes / Virtual Photography / Digital Design"Fresco's support on the Enten project was invaluable. Their creativity, efficiency, and dependability greatly contributed to the success of the challenging task of integrating BCI into a consumer product. Collaborating with them was easy and fun. We continue to partner with Fresco on new explorations and product development efforts, and can always rely on their consistent delivery of high-quality, high-impact work." --Jamie Alders, Vice President of Product, NeurableOUR PROCESSDesigning consumer appealWhen you think of BCI, do you picture intricate monitoring devices, headcaps, and wires? Neurable's vision aimed to overcome those associations. We designed the BCI headphones to look, appear, and behave like a premium product, tackling numerous design and engineering challenges to seamlessly integrate the technology into a desirable form factor.Research prototype Schematic architecture Early design Working prototype Appearance model Final design Design for personasFor this novel technology, we began by understanding its application and the anticipated user environments. From user personas, we tailored our design choices in size, shape, material, color, and visual segmentation, considering a dense market of visual trends.Weaving tech into consumer soft goodsWe embarked on an R&D journey to research, design, spec, source, and manufacture selectively conductive 3D knitted fabrics. By experimenting with weave patterns and emphasizing ear comfort, we optimized the design for EEG channel skin contact and internal board connection. The final knit product conformed to 3D ear cushions, ensuring aesthetics, comfort, acoustics, and sensor performance. Engineering prototypes for testingThrough several engineering prototype iterations, we fine-tuned the integration of BCI technology into the Enten headphones, ensuring manufacturability. Fresco produced both individual and small-batch prototypes for design validation, internal review, and user testing.Appearance models for funding & design excitementDuring the design phase, we built high-craft appearance models for early product photography, marketing campaigns, stakeholder alignment, investor pitches, and to refine color and material selections. Part design for manufacturingFresco provided Neurable with a fully executed and documented industrial design and mechanical engineering blueprint for scaled manufacturing. We assisted Neurable in collaborating with contract manufacturers, verifying their expertise, and evaluating the secondary suppliers involved in the product's production.You can see more of Fresco's work here.

Weve extended the deadline just for Pros like you. Monday is the last day to enterView the full content here

Remember the days when youd scramble to find different chargers for each of your devices? Those frantic moments of digging through bags for the right cable while your phone battery hovers at 2% are becoming a thing of the past. The latest MagSafe power banks are revolutionizing how we keep our growing collection of tech powered up, with clever designs that accommodate multiple devices simultaneously and eliminate cable clutter that once plagued our backpacks and pockets.The Ridge Magnetic Power Bank stands out in this increasingly crowded market by offering a truly versatile charging solution that works with virtually any device you might carry. Unlike traditional power banks that require you to bring your own cables or MagSafe options that only work with iPhones, this compact powerhouse combines wireless charging capabilities with built-in cables to create a genuinely all-in-one solution for todays tech-laden lifestyles.Designer: RidgeMost of us now juggle multiple devices throughout our day smartphones have become extensions of ourselves, smartwatches track our every step, wireless earbuds keep us connected, and tablets provide entertainment on the go. When youre away from power outlets for extended periods, keeping everything charged becomes a genuine challenge that can disrupt your productivity and connectivity if not properly addressed.The Ridge power bank tackles this problem with an impressive array of charging options packed into its sleek frame. Its primary function is wireless charging for iPhones at a respectable 15W when magnetically attached to your devices back. This MagSafe compatibility creates a secure connection that wont disconnect if jostled in your bag or pocket, ensuring continuous charging even when youre actively moving around.What truly sets this power bank apart are the two built-in USB-C cables that eliminate the need to carry separate charging cords. These integrated cables can deliver up to 20W of power, faster than the wireless option, making them perfect for quick top-ups when youre running low on battery and time. Having these cables permanently attached means youll never again face the frustration of forgetting essential charging accessories.Apple Watch users will appreciate the dedicated charging spot that delivers 2.5W of power to keep your wearable running. While not the fastest charging speed available, its perfectly adequate for maintaining battery life throughout a busy day. The 10,000mAh capacity strikes an excellent balance between portability and power, providing enough juice to fully charge most smartphones multiple times before needing to be recharged itself. This generous capacity ensures you can keep all your essential devices powered through weekend trips, long flights, or outdoor adventures without worrying about running out of battery at critical moments.Beyond its charging capabilities, thoughtful design features enhance the user experience. The integrated kickstand lets you prop up your phone for comfortable video watching or video calls while charging, transforming the power bank from a mere utility into a genuinely useful accessory. Available in vibrant Basecamp Orange, sophisticated Matte Olive, or classic Matte Black, it offers style options to match your personal aesthetic preferences.The post MagSafe Power Bank Has All The Charging Options You Need For Power On The Go first appeared on Yanko Design.

Style: ClassicColor Combination: Soft beige, matte black, warm grey, pearl whiteWho is it for: Sophisticated professionals and design enthusiasts who appreciate understated, clean and thoughtful aesthetics. Perfect for those who value quiet elegance and curated simplicity.Budget: $$-$$$Timeless Classic Dining Room Shopping ListBelow we present a curated list of products presented on the board:1. Lloyde. Dining Table2. Yo Armchair3. Logan Sphere Chandelier4. SAFAVIEH Area Rug5. Framed Wall Art6. SAFAVIEH Couture Boone Sideboard7. Mirror8. Gold-Brushed Decorative Bowl9. Porceline Tile10. Wall Paper11. Concrete Decorative Bowl12. Faux Olive Tree13. Sinead Ceramic Table VaseTips and suggestionsColors That Work Together: The warm beige textured wall provides a soft backdrop, while black and grey elements create definition and depth. White accents add light and airiness to the sophisticated palette.Wall Details: Abstract line art featuring minimalist human forms creates an artistic focal point. The carefully curated gallery wall adds visual interest without overwhelming the space.Furniture Foundation: The sculptural black round dining table anchors the room, with its pedestal base adding architectural drama. Soft white chairs with black frames create a perfect balance of comfort and visual lightness.Storage Solutions: The textured grey sideboard offers elegant storage, its organic wave-like pattern adding subtle texture and movement to the space.Lighting: The statement bubble glass chandelier brings organic softness, its multiple globes creating a sculptural element that feels both modern and timeless.Decorative Accents: The circular mirror and ceramic bowl add carefully chosen decorative elements that enhance the rooms refined aesthetic. A statement vase with delicate greenery brings life and softness to the composition.The Final Note: This dining room design demonstrates how restraint and carefully chosen elements can create a space that feels simultaneously calm and compelling. Each piece tells a story of thoughtful design, proving that true elegance lies in simplicity.

Collection of detailed drawings launches on Kickstarter today.

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Social Security systems contain tens of millions of lines of code written in COBOL, an archaic programming language. Safely rewriting that code would take yearsDOGE wants it done in months.

Researchers looked inside the chatbots brain. The results were surprisingly chilling.

Stop me if youve heard this one before: A tech company accumulates a ton of user data, hoping to figure out a business model later. That business model never arrives, the company goes under, and the data is in the wind.The latest version of that story emerged on March 24, when the onetime genetic testing darling 23andMe filed for bankruptcy. Now the fate of 15 million peoples genetic data rests in the hands of a bankruptcy judge. At a hearing on March 26, the judge gave 23andMe permission to seek offers for its users data. But, theres still a small chance of writing a better ending for users.After the bankruptcy filing, the immediate take from policymakers and privacy advocates was that 23andMe users should delete their accounts to prevent genetic data from falling into the wrong hands. Thats good advice for the individual user (and you can read how to do so here). But the reality is most people wont do it. Maybe they wont see the recommendations to do so. Maybe they dont know why they should be worried. Maybe they have long since abandoned an account that they dont even remember exists. Or maybe theyre just occupied with the chaos of everyday life.This means the real value of this data comes from the fact that people have forgotten about it. Given 23andMes meager revenuefewer than 4% of people who took tests pay for subscriptionsit seems inevitable that the new owner, whoever it is, will have to find some new way to monetize that data.This is a terrible deal for users who just wanted to learn a little more about themselves or their ancestry. Because genetic data is forever. Contact information can go stale over time: you can always change your password, your email, your phone number, or even your address. But a bad actor who has your genetic datawhether a cybercriminal selling it to the highest bidder, a company building a profile of your future health risk, or a government trying to identify youwill have it tomorrow and the next day and all the days after that.Users with exposed genetic data are not only vulnerable to harm today; theyre vulnerable to exploits that might be developed in the future.While 23andMe promises that it will not voluntarily share data with insurance providers, employers, or public databases, its new owner could unwind those promises at any time with a simple change in terms.In other words: If a bankruptcy court makes a mistake authorizing the sale of 23andMes user data, that mistake is likely permanent and irreparable.All this is possible because American lawmakers have neglected to meaningfully engage with digital privacy for nearly a quarter-century. As a result, services are incentivized to make flimsy, deceptive promises that can be abandoned at a moments notice. And the burden falls on users to keep track of it all, or just give up.Here, a simple fix would be to reverse that burden. A bankruptcy court could require that users individually opt in before their genetic data can be transferred to 23andMes new owners, regardless of who those new owners are. Anyone who didnt respond or who opted out would have the data deleted.Bankruptcy proceedings involving personal data dont have to end badly. In 2000, the Federal Trade Commission settled with the bankrupt retailer ToySmart to ensure that its customer data could not be sold as a stand-alone asset, and that customers would have to affirmatively consent to unexpected new uses of their data. And in 2015, the FTC intervened in the bankruptcy of RadioShack to ensure that it would keep its promises never to sell the personal data of its customers. (RadioShack eventually agreed to destroy it.)The ToySmart case also gave rise to the role of the consumer privacy ombudsman. Bankruptcy judges can appoint an ombuds to help the court consider how the sale of personal data might affect the bankruptcy estate, examining the potential harms or benefits to consumers and any alternatives that might mitigate those harms. The U.S. Trustee has requested the appointment of an ombuds in this case. While scholars have called for the role to have more teeth and for the FTC and states to intervene more often, a framework for protecting personal data in bankruptcy is available. And ultimately, the bankruptcy judge has broad power to make decisions about how (or whether) property in bankruptcy is sold.Here, 23andMe has a more permissive privacy policy than ToySmart or RadioShack. But the risks incurred if genetic data falls into the wrong hands or is misused are severe and irreversible. And given 23andMes failure to build a viable business model from testing kits, it seems likely that a new business would use genetic data in ways that users wouldnt expect or want.An opt-in requirement for genetic data solves this problem. Genetic data (and other sensitive data) could be held by the bankruptcy trustee and released as individual users gave their consent. If users failed to opt in after a period of time, the remaining data would be deleted. This would incentivize 23andMes new owners to earn user trust and build a business that delivers value to users, instead of finding unexpected ways to exploit their data. And it would impose virtually no burden on the people whose genetic data is at risk: after all, they have plenty more DNA to spare.Consider the alternative. Before 23andMe went into bankruptcy, its then-CEO made two failed attempts to buy it, at reported valuations of $74.7 million and $12.1 million. Using the higher offer, and with 15 million users, that works out to a little under $5 per user. Is it really worth it to permanently risk a persons genetic privacy just to add a few dollars in value to the bankruptcy estate?Of course, this raises a bigger question: Why should anyone be able to buy the genetic data of millions of Americans in a bankruptcy proceeding? The answer is simple: Lawmakers allow them to. Federal and state inaction allows companies to dissolve promises about protecting Americans most sensitive data at a moments notice. When 23andMe was founded, in 2006, the promise was that personalized health care was around the corner. Today, 18 years later, that era may really be almost here. But with privacy laws like ours, who would trust it?Keith Porcaro is the Rueben Everett Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke Law School.

The European Union is set to fine Apple because of the App Store's claimed violations of the Digital Markets Act, but the sum will reportedly be minimal, to avoid the ire of President Donald Trump.The EU is reportedly planning only minimal fines against Apple and othersDuring the ten years that Margrethe Vestager oversaw the EU's anticompetition regulations, Apple was fined $2 billion over allegations concerning Apple Music. Apple was also forced to pay $14.5 billion in back taxes, which Tim Cook described as "total political crap."In a sign that the enforcement of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) is at least political, the Financial Times now reports that future fines are being reduced specifically to avoid clashes with President Trump. New EU competition chief Teresa Ribera had previously said she was open to negotiations with the White House, but the EU would not be bullied. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums