We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.I've used earbuds to help me sleep for a while now, but I never expected a company to actually make earbuds specifically for sleeping. Anker's Soundcore Sleep A20 are exactly that: earbuds designed to block out excess noise without pressing uncomfortably against your ear. I've been using them for a year and can't recommend them enough.Right now, these sleep earbuds are on sale for $119.99 (originally $149.99) during Amazon's Big Spring salethat's the lowest price they've been, according to price tracking tools. Soundcore Sleep A20 Noise Blocking Sleep Headphones, Small Earplugs for Side Sleepers, 80H Playtime, Sleep Monitor. $119.99 at Amazon $149.99 Save $30.00 Get Deal Get Deal $119.99 at Amazon $149.99 Save $30.00 The Sleep A20 are not active noise canceling earbuds, which is how they're able to have such a small, unobtrusive form factor. Instead, they use the in-ear seal to create a natural noise blocker, which, in my opinion, works well enough to block out sounds. They fit very comfortably and don't press against your ear when you sleep on your side. Very rarely do I wake up with one of them lost in the covers after falling off during the night, but it does happen occasionally. The battery life is 14 hours on sleep mode, which includes sounds from the Soundcore app (think like white noise or relaxing sounds). If you have it in Bluetooth mode, where you can listen to Spotify or whatever you want, it's eight hours, but the charging case gives it a total life of up to 80 hours between plug-ins.The companion app is great, with many useful features for sleeping. You can turn your earbuds off after a set amount of time, have a sleep tracker that records your sleep data, a smart volume feature that increases or decreases in volume depending on the sound in your room, full EQ, and other features. Shopping for tech? Lifehacker can help you make the right decision. Browse our tech reviews and head-to-head comparisons for everything from laptops and smartwatches to e-bikes and home gyms. Subscribe to our deals newsletter,Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox, or browse our best-of lists directly on Amazon, including:The Best Over-Ear HeadphonesThe Best Wireless EarbudsThe Best Adjustable Dumbbell SetsThe Best Projectors

The latest image from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, pictured above, also happens to be a stunning illustration of Einstein's theory of general relativity. So much so that the cosmic phenomenon is called an "Einstein ring."Einstein rings happen when light from one distant object is bent around the mass of another, slightly closer and even larger object. The effect is normally too subtle to observe up close on a local level, "but it sometimes becomes clearly observable when dealing with curvatures of light on enormous, astronomical scales," NASA writes. In the case of this image, when the light from one distant galaxy is warped around the mass of another.This "gravitational lensing," as it's technically called, is Einstein's general relativity in practice. Spacetime (the fusion of space and time that makes up the fabric of the universe) curving around an object's mass, with the curve itself being gravity. Objects like the ones pictured in the image an elliptical galaxy wrapped in a spiral galaxy are "the ideal laboratory in which to research galaxies too faint and distant to otherwise see."This Einstein ring was captured by the "Strong Lensing and Cluster Evolution (SLICE) survey" conducted at the University of Lige in Belgium. The survey is led by a team of astronomers looking "to trace eight billion years of galaxy cluster evolution," according to NASA.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/latest-webb-telescope-image-shows-a-cosmic-phenomenon-called-an-einstein-ring-185911553.html?src=rss

Score another one for regulatory scrutiny. Following a 2022 Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, Google said on Friday that it's adding the UK to the list of countries where it supports user choice billing. This lets Android developers in the nation allow users to pay for in-app purchases using alternative billing systems.Google says the UK will get user choice billing beginning on March 29. It will start with non-gaming apps, which aligns with how Google has handled these rollouts in other regions. Areas where alternate billing is already available include the US, Japan, Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, South Africa and European Economic Area (EEA) markets.Developers who enroll in the program can only offer alternative payments in addition to not in place of Google Play billing. They'll receive a four percent discount from Google's service fees.The move is closely tied to the nation's regulations. In 2023, the company floated user choice billing as a concession to help settle a UK CMA antitrust investigation that began the previous year.Although Google acknowledged the CMA's influence on its decision in its announcement, the company framed the move in a blog post as giving the people (in this case, developers) may want. "While over 90% of our developers are 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with Google Play's billing, which provides a secure way for people to buy subscriptions and digital goods in apps, we recognise that some developers may want more choice in how they process payments," Google Competition Counsel Myrto Tagara wrote.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-play-will-offer-user-choice-billing-in-the-uk-180145121.html?src=rss

Microsoft pulled out of a $12bn deal with CoreWeave, and OpenAI took its place.

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but this old RAT is back and more dangerous than ever.

The changes to the board come after Intel named Lip-Bu Tan as its new CEO earlier this month.

As part of apush to roll back dozens of environmental regulations, the Trump administration is offering coal-fired power plants and other industrial polluters a chance for exemptions from requirements to reduce emissions of toxic chemicals such as mercury, arsenic and benzene.The Environmental Protection Agencyhas set up an electronic mailbox to allow regulated companies to request a presidential exemption under the Clean Air Act to a host of Biden-era rules.Companies were asked to send an email by Monday seeking permission from PresidentDonald Trumpto bypass the new restrictions. The Clean Air Act enables the president to temporarily exempt industrial sites from new rules if the technology required to meet them is not widely available and if the continued activity is in the interest of national security.Environmental groups denounced the administrations offer, calling the email address a polluters portal that could allow hundreds of companies to evade laws meant to protect the environment and public health. Exemptions would be allowed for nine EPA rules issued by the Biden administration, including limits on mercury, ethylene oxide and other hazardous air pollutants. Mercury exposure can cause brain damage, especially in children. Fetuses are vulnerable to birth defects via exposure in a mothers womb.Margie Alt, campaign director of the Climate Action Campaign, said the request for exemption applications is a gift to the fossil fuel industry and further indication of a polluters-first agenda under Trump andEPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.Companies can now apply for a gold-plated, get-out-of-permitting free card, she said, adding that the latest action marked at least the third time Zeldin has moved to weaken enforcement of environmental laws since he took office less than two months ago. On March 12, he announceda series of actions to roll back landmark environmental regulations,including rules on pollution from coal-fired power plants, climate change and electric vehicles.Last month, Zeldin said he would push fora 65% spending cut at the agency,saying, We dont need to be spending all that money that went through the EPA last year.Trump and Zeldin, aided by billionaire Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency, have also pushed to drastically reduce EPA staffing, and the agency is considering a planto eliminate its scientific research office. About 1,000 scientists and other employees who help provide the scientific foundation for EPA rules safeguarding human health and the environment could be fired.The EPAs offer for companies to request exemptions was first reported by The New York Times.Submitting a request via this email box does not entitle the submitter to an exemption, the EPA said in a statement. The President will make a decision on the merits.Authority for exemptions solely rests with the president, not EPA, added EPA spokeswoman Molly Vaseliou.Former President Joe Biden offered similar exemptions after issuing a rule last year tightening emission standards for ethylene oxide from commercial facilities that sterilize medical equipment, she noted.Vickie Patton, general counsel for the Environmental Defense Fund, called EPAs action an invitation to pollute and an abuse of power by Zeldin. Coal-fired power plants have long used scrubbers and other devices to limit mercury and other toxic pollution and can continue to do so, she said, adding that hundreds of companies nationwide could potentially apply for exemptions that are neither needed nor legal.We will go to court. We will get their records and we will make that list (of exemptions) public, she said.Jason Rylander, a lawyer for another environmental group, the Center for Biological Diversity, called the EPAs actions ridiculous and one more demonstration that the Trump administration wants to help polluters, not protect the environment.It is an enormous stretch to suggest that theres some national interest in giving industry the right to pollute. That doesnt make sense to me, he said.Trump declared anenergy emergency early in his termand has embraced policies to boost and oil and gas production, which he sums up as drill, baby drill.In my view, were in the middle of a climate emergency, Rylander said. But in the Trump administrations view, we have this fictitious national energy emergency that may provide a basis for (Trump) to claim this is somehow in the national security interests of the United States.Exemptions offered this week also could apply to more than200 chemical plants nationwidethat are being required to reduce toxic emissions likely to cause cancer. The rule, issued last year, advanced the former presidents commitment to environmental justice by delivering critical health protections forcommunities burdened by industrial pollutionfrom ethylene oxide, chloroprene and other dangerous chemicals, the Biden administration said.Formally undoing the Biden administrations protections, however, is complicated and could take years. Exemptions for specific plants may be a faster workaround in the meantime, according to Bradford Mank, a law professor at the University of Cincinnati.Matthew Daly, Associated PressAssociated Press writer Michael Phillis contributed to this report.

This week, the internet had a rare opportunity to transform their selfies and family photos into stunning Studio Ghiblistyle portraits. What started as a lighthearted trend quickly took a darker turn. Soon after Images for ChatGPT was unveiled on Tuesday, a tsunami of images generated in the distinctive Studio Ghibli style flooded social media. X users posted Ghiblified versions of their personal photos, popular memes, and public figures like President Donald Trump.Sam Altman, OpenAIs chief executive, changed his profile picture on X to a Ghiblified image of himself and posted, grind for a decade trying to help make superintelligence to cure cancer or whateverwake up one day to hundreds of messages: look i made you into a twink ghibli style haha. Altman later joked on X that OpenAIs servers were melting from the demand.>be me>grind for a decade trying to help make superintelligence to cure cancer or whatever>mostly no one cares for first 7.5 years, then for 2.5 years everyone hates you for everything>wake up one day to hundreds of messages: "look i made you into a twink ghibli style haha" Sam Altman (@sama) March 26, 2025 Even the White Houses official X account jumped on the trend, sharing an image of a weeping woman from the Dominican Republicrecently arrested by U.S. immigration agentsstyled as a still from a Studio Ghibli movie.While the internet had its fun, serious ethical questions and copyright concerns began to surface. Critics raised concerns over whether OpenAI was unfairly using the work of artists, including Studio Ghiblis Hayao Miyazaki. Animated films like My Neighbor Totoro or Spirited Away arent made overnight; they require intricate hand-drawn animation and painstaking attention to detail that can take years to complete.According to the Associated Press, the company said the new tool would take a conservative approach when it came to mimicking the aesthetics of individual artists. We added a refusal which triggers when a user attempts to generate an image in the style of a living artist, OpenAI said in a technical paper posted Tuesday. The company added that it permits broader studio styles which people have used to generate and share some truly delightful and inspired original fan creations.The Ghibli-gate controversy is just the latest in a series of lawsuits filed by news organizations, authors, and musicians who claim their work was used to train AI models without permission.As for Miyazaki, the founder of Studio Ghibli, his feelings about AI-generated art are clear. In a resurfaced clip from a 2016 documentary, he called A.I. an insult to life itself. Perhaps something to bear in mind before Ghiblifying a picture of your cat.

The Cs Somme Cafe in Fukuoka, Japan, features a striking web-like canopy made of steel and mesh and is designed by the architecture studio Kengo Kuma and Associates. This innovative design consists of interlocking steel components that form an earthquake-resistant framework for the single-story cafe. The cafe is housed within a central rectangular structure, which is linked to a network of steel beams. These beams uphold the mesh canopy, which the studio describes as a modern version of a flying buttress.We designed an ethereal cafe drifting on a small green in a big city, said Kengo Kuma and Associates. Wrapped in mesh, the cafe shimmers like a mirage: an oasis floating in the middle of the urban landscape. The interlocking of the arched steel frame supporting the mesh and the grid-like steel frame supporting the inner rectangular boxes ensures sufficient earthquake resistance in spite of the thin members.Designer: Kengo Kuma and AssociatesThe Cs Somme Cafe is situated next to a car park on one side, providing convenient access for visitors arriving by vehicle. On the opposite side, the cafe features extensive glazing, offering panoramic views of a beautifully landscaped outdoor area. This design enhances the aesthetic appeal of the cafe and also creates a seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces.The studio explains that the web-like canopy serves a functional purpose by reducing the cafes energy demand. It achieves this by minimizing solar gain, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and energy-efficient environment. Also, where the canopy meets the ground, a series of gracefully designed arches are integrated, allowing visitors to enjoy outward views of the surrounding landscape.Visitors can access the cafe from the street via a thoughtfully designed walkway, leading them into a minimalist interior that exudes a sense of calm and elegance. Inside, a sleek white polished counter extends around the space, serving as a focal point for both staff and patrons. The interior is characterized by understated design elements, with white walls, concrete flooring, and steel accents providing a clean and modern backdrop. This minimalist setting is complemented by wooden seating that lines the bar area, adding warmth and texture to the space.Above the counter, a translucent light fixture is suspended gracefully. It is made from a fabric that beautifully matches the aesthetic of the buildings mesh canopy. This lighting element lights up the space, but also reinforces and supports the cafes seamless design theme, drawing inspiration from the web-like exterior and creating a visual connection between the interior and exterior design elements. Additional thoughtful details have also been added, improving the cafes overall ambiance such as a large piece of wood that serves as a sliding door behind the staffs preparation area. This wooden element adds a touch of natural warmth to the interior, complementing the minimalist design while providing functionality.The post Kengo Kuma Wraps A Japanese Cafe With A Mesh Canopy Making It An Earthquake-Resistant Shimmering Mirage first appeared on Yanko Design.

Finding elegant solutions for organizing reading materials can be a challenge for book lovers and design enthusiasts alike. Traditional magazine racks often feel bulky or visually intrusive, creating more visual clutter than they solve. The Skola magazine rack offers a refreshing alternative with its graceful, minimalist approach to both form and function, demonstrating how thoughtful design can transform a practical storage piece into something that enhances your space rather than merely existing within it.This beautifully crafted piece represents a perfect marriage between sculptural aesthetics and everyday utility. Crafted from a single piece of bent plywood, the Skola rack flows in one continuous curve that seems to defy the materials natural rigidity. Its organic silhouette creates a visual rhythm that draws the eye while maintaining a subtle presence that complements rather than competes with your existing dcor, making it an ideal addition to living rooms, studies, or reading nooks where both style and functionality matter.Designer: Fatih DemirciThe genius of the Skola design lies in its dual-purpose construction that addresses how people actually interact with their reading materials. The bottom section provides a stable base for stacking magazines and books horizontally, keeping your collection organized and accessible. This practical storage area prevents publications from sprawling across coffee tables and countertops while maintaining easy access to your entire collection when youre ready to browse through older issues or reference materials.What truly distinguishes this rack from conventional designs is the gracefully curved upper section that mimics the natural shape of a human hand. This creates a gentle cradle for displaying current reads or frequently referenced materials, keeping them separate from the stack below. The curved form holds books open at specific pages or showcases magazine covers like artwork, transforming your reading materials into part of your rooms visual landscape rather than hiding them away.Mobility was clearly a consideration in the Skolas design, with a minimal handle integrated seamlessly into the back of the piece. This practical addition allows you to easily transport your entire collection between rooms without awkward fumbling or multiple trips. Whether moving from the living room to the bedroom or repositioning within a space to catch better reading light, this thoughtful feature enhances the racks versatility without compromising its clean aesthetic lines or adding visual complexity.The natural warmth of wood brings an inviting tactile quality to the Skola that plastic or metal alternatives simply cannot match. The material choice connects this contemporary design to traditional craftsmanship while the bent plywood construction technique showcases modern manufacturing capabilities. This balance between timeless material and innovative forming methods creates a piece that feels both familiar and fresh, capable of integrating into diverse interior styles from mid-century modern to Scandinavian minimalism or contemporary spaces.The post Single-Piece Wooden Magazine Rack Concept Exhibits the Strengths of Simplicity first appeared on Yanko Design.