A Minecraft fan has recreated Pokemon's Ecruteak City in impressive detail. Rather than basing the recreation off of the pixel-art game world, the Minecraft player found inspiration in Pokemonconcept art, creating a more realistic take on the city.

Whenever I register the class normally I always get this error when trying to inherit from itmain, (1, 13) : ERR : Can't inherit from class 'Node' marked as finalint r = engine->RegisterObjectType(name.c_str(), 0, asOBJ_REF);

How many of you remember the Spices Girls or Backstreet Boys?The late 90s and early 2000s were dominated by iconic girl and boy bands. We couldnt get enough of them. I remember those teenage years, locked in my bedroom, belting out their tunes and perfecting their dance moves (or at least trying to). But where have all the pop bandsgone?90s pop bands collageSourceThe number of bands in the Top 100 chart has shrunk since the last decade, and most of the top artists in the chart are solo projects.This is a great reflection of society and the social media world we currently live in, which focuses attention on individuals, indirectly creating a stronger individualistic culture. The Guardian observes that younger generations are less interested in being part of a band where collaboration is vital and more attracted to the idea of going solo. Its so much easier to create music in your own bedroom and upload it to social media. This mirrors the growing focus on standing out, personal brand and success, a cultural shift that places individualism and forgets about togetherness.The American DreamIn modern society, individualism has long been celebrated as a core value. It drives progress, innovation, and personal freedom. When thinking about America, its impossible not to think about the American Dream. This individualistic approach separates us, places us against each other and doesnt nurture empathy for one another. Its interesting to read about heroic individualism in Brad Stulbergs The Practice of Groundedness, as it captures a mindset that promotes the idea that personal achievement is paramount, often at the expense of collaboration. While it can drive individuals to achieve more, it can also leave them feeling isolated and disconnected from their teams, a trend increasingly reflected in the workplace.So, we cant deny that the fabric of modern society shapes not only our personal lives but also how we bring ourselves into the workplace, and this focus on individualism also has significant consequences for how we work together. How we define projects, work toward goals, and build relationships with colleagues is profoundly influenced by the world outside our officewalls.Whether we realize it or not, our social and cultural contexts inevitably seep into our professional lives. Some may strive to maintain a strict separation between their personal and professional identities, while others fully integrate the two. However, our society significantly shapes our thoughts and, consequently, ourwork.At first glance, this may seem philosophical or even abstract when applied to the workplace, but if you strip away the layers of bureaucracy, hierarchy, and formalities, what remains is a group of people-individuals coming together to collaborate and achieve something. Who we are, how we think, and the way we interpret the world around us deeply impact how we approach a project, how we work toward deadlines, and how we build meaningful connections with our coworkers.The importance of collaboration for designersCartoon from Tom FishburneAs designers, we cant achieve our goals by ourselves. If we dont want to get bothered by product or sales or marketing, we need at least to have a great working relationship with engineers as they are the ones pushing the designs to theworld.Paola Antonelli, talking about her student experience at the Politecnico of Milan on Design Better Podcast, clearlysays:Design can never stand by itself right it always has to have other crutches like I went to the Polytechnic of Milan so the crutch there was engineering not a bad crutch but it always is with something so its either within engineering or its within an art school and in either case you have some big shortcomings, which is interesting.https://medium.com/media/8052affd4f04acfeb6a3a32a82796dd6/hrefIndividualism can create challenges for organisations that rely on collaboration and shared goals-and thats every organisation! A balance must be struck between valuing personal achievements and promoting teamwork.Workplaces thrive when they foster an environment where individual talents are valued but contribute to a collective vision. Strong communication, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose can counterbalance the downsides of individualism, leading to more engaged and connected teams.If we want to have great products, we dont need big egos, but greatteams.Melissa Tan explains the importance of teams focusing on fostering a team-first culture where collective success is valued more than individual achievements. Aligning on shared goals helps improve efficiency and impact. One key aspect of collaboration is establishing solid interpersonal relationships, which builds trust and promotes a collective mindset across theteam.I love the quote about growth being seen as a cross-functional effort, highlighting the importance of great collaboration.[] just infusing a culture of thinking like an owner. This infusing of the culture, I think it comes out in a few ways. One is, and this is really common in growth. Growth is so cross-functional that you often will end up feeling like youre blocked by otherteams.https://medium.com/media/73ac2078f45f66a721fe4ba156d3e57f/hrefHow can we make sure that the competitive nature of climbing the organisational ladder doesnt hinder teamwork? If the success of our products depends on how well teams collaborate, how can we prioritise and encourage this collaboration?Collaboration is not a workshop, its amindsetLets make this straight. Collaboration isnt about doing a brainstorming exercise and forgetting that it has even happened.I know workshops sometimes feel like a never-ending episode of a typical reality show (my go-to is RuPauls Drag Race). We are all in there to make a good show, but at the same time, we need to look better than the others towin.RuPaul Drag Race UKSourceQNewsWe have all been in awkward workshops where everyone seems to demonstrate they are the next Steve Jobs. But lets be honest, were all just trying to avoid being the next person laid off in a cost cutting measure nobody understands.Collaboration doesnt happen in any of those scenarios. Its a much longer process that needs to be consciously incorporated into everything we do as a team. It doesnt happen in a meeting; its something that we build over time the more we work together.When teams truly collaborate and use everyones expertise to solve problems, its visible. as it allows us to create something that actuallyworks.Thanks for reading Some Designers! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support mywork.The Unholy Trinity: UX, Product, and EngineeringHow many times have you heard of the three-legged stool? The one where you have engineering, product and design supporting a seat, meaning they are equally important to achieve the goal of astool.SourceWe designers are always dreamers who think every problem can be solved with a sleek interface and a perfectly placed button. On the other hand, we have product managers who (bless them!) try to keep this stool standing while juggling odd stakeholder expectations. And then we have the engineers, the wizards, who transform our gorgeous mockups into reality. They also make more artistic interpretations of the designs and use their artistic licence to build something completely different.Unfortunately often each leg tries to convince the other one they are the most important part of the chair and organisation are oddlyshaped.SourceBut heres the thingmagic happens when we work together. And by magic, I mean a product that doesnt make users want to throw their devices out thewindow!The Collaboration ConundrumCollaboration isnt just a fancy word for yet another meeting. Its a mindset that we can all work towards, and it can set teams apart by producing better products. I like five main principles for creating great teams that work well together.The Importance of Inclusive DesignInclusive design is not merely a checklist; it involves creating diverse teams from the outset. This approach ensures that various perspectives are considered, ultimately leading to more innovative solutions. For managers, here are a few questions to think about when it comes to hiring and creatingteam:Have a fair hiring process: Evaluate your hiring stages critically. Are they fair and inclusive? Consider how you assess candidates and whether you have a matrix to evaluate them based on the teamsneeds.Target underrepresented groups: Actively seek to hire from underrepresented backgrounds. This means posting job ads on platforms that cater to marginalised communities, such as POC tech spaces or women in techforums.Read more about it in my previousarticle.Building respectful relationshipsRespect is fundamental in any team dynamic. Alan Alda humorously noted, The more empathy I have, the less annoying other people are. While empathy is often overused in design discussions, respect for each team members expertise is crucial. Heres how you can fosterrespect:Understand Roles: Take the initiative to learn about your colleagues rolesengineers, product managers, designersand clarify responsibilities.Encourage Open Dialogue: Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their insights and expertise.Leveraging insights for better collaborationInsights drive effective collaboration. Jim Barksdale famously said, If we have data, lets look at data. If all we have are opinions, lets go with mine. To avoid decision-making based solely on individual opinions:Conduct Research: Even without a large budget, you can gather valuable insights through simple methods like client interviews orsurveys.Involve Everyone: Encourage team members from various disciplines to participate in research efforts. This cross-functional involvement helps everyone understand customer needsbetter.I wrote more about starting small with research.Aligning design with businessgoalsUnderstanding the business context is vital for applying your design or engineering skills effectively. Heres how to align your work with business objectives:Frame decisions through a business lens: When proposing design changes, articulate how these decisions can help achieve business goalssuch as increasing revenue or expanding the audience.Focus on value creation: Rather than getting bogged down in aesthetics alone, consider how your work contributes to the overall success of the business.More about how to sell design through a business lenshere.Fostering enjoyment and celebrationCreating a joyful workplace is essential for team morale. Instead of viewing work as merely a series of tasks, celebrate achievements together:Recognise milestones: Take time to acknowledge accomplishments as a team. This practice not only boosts morale but also fosters a sense of belonging.Encourage fun: While forced fun can feel insincere, genuine celebrations of success can enhance teamspirit.More than workshopsSourceSo, collaboration isnt just a brainstorming session with sticky notes or an endless round of meetings that could have been emails. Genuine collaboration is messy, unglamorous, and often requires more patience than we like toadmit.But when done right, its magicthe type that happens when diverse minds, mutual respect, and a shared goal collide. It transforms clunky ideas into products people enjoyusing.Collaboration is about building inclusive teams, respecting each others expertise, and grounding decisions in insights, not egos. Its about aligning with business goals while keeping a sense of joy alive. And its a practicea mindsetwe must nurture everyday.So, lets stop treating collaboration like a checkbox and start weaving it into every moment of how we work. Because the best productsand the best teamsarent built by lone geniuses. Theyre built by people who roll up their sleeves, respect the process, and, maybe, crack open something fizzy to celebrate the wins along theway.Originally published at https://raffdimeo.com on October 6,2024.Individualism, pop bands & workplace collaboration was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

One notable trend at CES earlier this year was the quirky robot vacuum. It seemed every third booth had a new model that could climb stairs, pick up socks, serve drinks and, oh yeah, suck up dirt from your floor. Now that Amazons Spring Sale is here, were seeing lots of discounts not on those wacky prototypes, but on robo vacs that make keeping your floors clean easier and automated.Engadget has two guides to these handy home gadgets, based on years of testing and reviewing products from brands like iRobot, Shark, Dyson, Eufy and more. Here are the best deals on robot vacuums and cordless stick vacs we could find for the Big Spring Sale. The best Amazon Spring Sale robot vacuum deals Shark's Matrix Plus robovac for $400 ($350 off): In our testing, weve been consistently impressed with Shark vacuums but theyre not cheap. This machine can mop in addition to vacuum and is nearly half price at 47 percent off. Shark Robot PowerDetect NeverTouch vac and mop combo for $500 ($400 off): This is the non-pro model of our runner up pick for the best combo bot. It mops and vacuums, quickly making a map of your home on its first run. The app easily lets you program where your hard and carpeted surfaces are, as well as set schedules. The base empties the dry debris and dirty water, then refills it with new water. The difference between this model and the Pro version is that this one doesnt clean the mop with each use, so you may need to manually perform that task more often but the price difference may make up for that lack. Anker Eufy Robot Vacuum 3-in-1 E20 for $400 ($200 off): If you cant decide between a robot vacuum or a lightweight stick vac, you dont have to. The new Eufy E20 combines a robo vac, cordless upright and handheld vacuum in one machine. Plus the automatically emptying base holds a lot of debris for its size. While we found the robot performance to be better than the stick vac suction, its still impressive and convenient for an all-in-one model. Anker Eufy Robot Vacuum 11S MAX for $140 (44 percent off): The S in the model name stands for slim and it was one of the more low-profile machines we tried. Its a pick in our guide to budget robot vacuums and has a long battery life and good suction power for its price. The main drawback is the lack of Wi-Fi, so instead of programming it with your phone, youll use the included remote. The best cordless vacuum deals Dyson V15s Detect Submarine for $800 ($150 off): This Dyson cordless stick vacuum and mop is a top pick in our best cordless vacuums guide thanks to its sleek design and included mop attachment that easily swap in so you can clean tile, hardwood and other flooring with liquid solution. Yes, it's expensive, but you're essentially getting two cleaning machines in one plus, when used as a vacuum, it has excellent suction power and great battery life. Levoit Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (LVAC-200) for $150 ($50 off): The lowest price weve tracked on this stick vac is $130 but this matches the lowest price weve seen this year. Its our runner up budget pick for a stick vac in our guide. It doesnt have a storage base and the bin is smallish, but its lightweight and super affordable. It also disassembles easily for storage making its lack of base less of a deal breaker. Tineco Pure ONE Station 5 for $349 ($110 off): This vac earned an honorable mention in our tests. The self-emptying base is a big selling point. We also liked the auto-adjusting suction and single-button start feature. The fact that it doesnt require proprietary bags helps keep down the long-term cost, too. Tineco Pure ONE S11 cordless vacuum for $200 ($100 off with coupon): Click the coupon to get $95 off our top pick for a budget stick vac. We like that it automatically adjusts suction depending on what it's picking up and is relatively lightweight when youre pushing it around your floors. The bin is on the small side and the battery life isnt as good as on other models, but its an easy-to-use, no-frills way to clean floors. Tineco Pure ONE Station FurFree for $400 ($300 off): Of all the stick vacs our reviewer tried for our guide, this is the one she wanted to use the most. Its super convenient with a dock that charges and empties and cleans all parts of the machine brush, tube and dustbin after each use. Plus the suction power is great and the iLoop smart sensor kicks up the suction when needed. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-spring-sale-robot-vacuum-deals-the-best-sales-from-dyson-shark-irobot-and-others-092652432.html?src=rss

This years Amazon Spring Sale is in full swing, and as promised, a ton of household, fashion and outdoor gear has dropped to record-low prices. Tech isnt a huge focus for this sale, but there are a decent number of devices on sale right now for some of the best prices weve seen all year. The selection may not be as good as that of Amazon Prime Day in July, but it still provides a good opportunity to save on things like headphones, robot vacuums, air purifiers and more.Weve collected the best Amazon Spring Sale deals on tech gear here so you dont have to go searching for them. The Spring Sale runs through March 31, so check back here for all of the latest deals as they drop. Best Amazon Spring Sale deals Sonos Ray for $179 ($100 off): This is our favorite midrange soundbar thanks to its compact, attractive design and easy setup. It's best for those who have a smaller living room or den they want to outfit with better TV sound. Also available at Sonos in their March Madness sale. Dyson AM09 heater and fan for $300 (36 percent off): The AM09 has been around for ages, and for good reason. It's an excellent heater during cold months and fan during warm months, so you can use it all year round. Jet Focus control lets you choose from Focused or Diffused for personal or whole-room heating or cooling, and the handy sleep timer lets you set when the device turns off in intervals from 15 minutes up to nine hours. Dyson V15s Detect Submarine for $800 ($150 off): This Dyson cordless stick vacuum and mop is a top pick in our best cordless vacuums guide thanks to its sleek design and included mop attachment that easily swap in so you can clean tile, hardwood and other flooring with liquid solution. Yes, it's expensive, but you're essentially getting two cleaning machines in one plus, when used as a vacuum, it has excellent suction power and great battery life. Levoit Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (LVAC-200) for $150 ($50 off): The lowest price weve tracked on this stick vac is $130 but this matches the lowest price weve seen this year. Its our runner up budget pick for a stick vac in our guide. It doesnt have a storage base and the bin is smallish, but its lightweight and super affordable. It also disassembles easily for storage making its lack of base less of a deal breaker. Beats Studio Pro for $180 (49 percent off): These Beats headphones have improved sound quality, good Transparency mode and USB-C charging, plus decent mic quality for phone calls. They support wired USB-C audio, plus they have solid ANC as well. Beats Fit Pro for $169 (15 percent off): These are the best wireless earbuds for working out thanks to their comfortable, secure fit, good sound quality with thumping bass and handful of convenient features provided by Apple's H1 chipset. It provides quick-pairing and switching between Apple devices (and quick pairing with Android phones), Find My compatibility and hands-free Siri. Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones for $318 (20 percent off): These top our list of the best wireless headphones you can get right now thanks to their supreme comfort, excellent sound quality and ANC, multipoint connectivity and 30-hour battery life. Bose QuietComfort headphones for $249 ($100 off): These Bose over-ear headphones provide excellent noise cancellation, a comfortable fit and up to 24 hours of listening time on a single charge. A quick-charge feature will net you 2.5 hours of battery life in just 15 minutes of charging, so you'll rarely have to go without them, too. Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones for $349 ($80 off): These hold the top spot in our best wireless headphones guide for excellent noise cancellation. These cans will give you a step up in ANC, blocking out most noise and chatter of those around you. General audio quality has been improved as well, and they have a comfy fit. Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer for $280 ($70 off): A version of one of our favorite air fryers, this air fryer toaster oven has 11 cooking modes including air fry, broil, bake, roast and more, and it has a large capacity that can fit up to six slices of bread at once or a 13-inch pizza. The Pro model is also on sale, down to $320 from $400. Spigen Spring Sale deals: Spigen makes some of our favorite tech accessories, and a number of the brand's products have been discounted as part of the Spring Sale. Key among them is one of our favorite iPhone cases, the Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit case; Prime members can pick up an iPhone 16 case for only $12. Apple Watch Series 10 for $299 ($100 off): Apples flagship wearable is the best smartwatch you can buy, period. While the Series 10 was an iterative update, thats not necessarily a bad thing. It sports a slightly longer battery life, a slimmer design and wide-angle OLED screen for better viewing angles. It tracks workouts accurately and delivers alerts to your wrist efficiently. Mac mini M4 for $529 ($70 off): If you're on the market for a new desktop, the upgraded M4 Mac mini is one that wont take up too much space, but will provide a ton of power at the same time. Not only does it come with an M4 chipset, but it also includes 16GB of RAM in the base model, plus front-facing USB-C and headphone ports for easier access. Apple AirTags (4-pack) for $70 ($29 off): These are the best Bluetooth trackers for iPhone users thanks to their vast finding network and accurate ultra wideband features for locating your things when theyre close by. Just attach them to your keys, wallet or bag with the right AirTag holder and keep track of everything in the Find My app. Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $170 ($79 off): The AirPods Pro 2 remain Apples best set of wireless earbuds, as they offer the full set of Apple-focused features, strong ANC, onboard volume controls, a (generally) comfy in-ear design and a warm sound profile that most should find agreeable. They can even work as a hearing aid, though their six-hour battery life still isnt the best, and you should only get them if youre all-in on Apple hardware. If thats the case, though, we call them the best choice for iPhone owners in our wireless earbuds buying guide. We saw this pair drop as low as $154 back in December, but this deal comes within a dollar of its best price since then. AirPods Max (USB-C) for $480 ($70 off): If youre looking for over-ear headphones with all of the conveniences of in-ear AirPods, the AirPods Max are one of your only options (with the others being Beats devices). The latest models have the same design as the originals, but now charge up via USB-C instead of Lightning. iPad Air M3 for $549 ($50 off): The latest version of the iPad Air now runs on the M3 chipset, and it continues to hold the top spot in our best iPads guide. It has the best combination of power, design and extra features, so you can use it primarily as a media consumption device if you wish, or you can add iPad accessories like an Apple Pencil or a Magic Keyboard to turn it into a true workhorse. 10th-gen iPad for $279 (20 percent off): The previous version of most affordable iPad gives you an A14 Bionic chip, a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, TouchID built into the lock button and more. Its compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil and the keyboard folio, plus we found it to have solid performance and a matching battery life. Chipolo One for $20 ($5 off): The Chipolo One is the top overall pick in our guide to the best Bluetooth trackers. While Apples AirTag can tap into a substantially larger crowd-sourcing network, weve found the One to send separation alerts faster when youve left an item behind and ring louder when youre back in its vicinity. Blink Mini 2 for $20 (50 percent off): Blink's latest wired, indoor security camera is one of our favorites, particularly if you're just starting out building a security camera system. It's easy to set up and use, and it works seamlessly with Amazon's Alexa. Plus, if you want a local storage option, you can buy the Blink Sync Module 2 and a thumb drive to store video clips locally. Audible (three months) for $3 ($42 off): This deal gives you access to Audible Premium Plus, which includes one credit each month that you can spend on any book you'd like, along with listening access to thousands of other books, podcasts and Audible Originals. You also get to take part in Audible's exclusive member sales. Only US customers who are not already subscribed to Audible can take advantage of this deal. Eufy 3-in-1 E20 robot vacuum for $400 ($200 off): If you cant decide between a robot vacuum or a lightweight stick vac, you dont have to. The new Eufy E20 combines a robo vac, cordless upright and handheld vacuum in one machine. Plus the automatically emptying base holds a lot of debris for its size. While we found the robot performance to be better than the stick vac suction, its still impressive and convenient for an all-in-one model. Cosori 9-in-1 air fryer for $90 ($30 off): One of our favorites in our best air fryers guide, this Cosori model has nine preset cooking modes and a spacious cooking basket that can handle more food at once than you might expect. It's not too large, so it can sit on your countertop all the time, and the basket has a safety release button that prevents accidental pulls. Levoit Core 400S air purifier for $190 ($30 off with coupon): Our top pick for the best air purifier for most people, the Core 400S has easy-to-use onboard controls, powerful filtering technology that isn't too loud and relatively affordable replacement filters. It reliably improved air quality in our testing, and even though its mobile app is a little overstuffed, it gives you another way to control and monitor the device. TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro mesh Wi-Fi system for $280 (30 percent off): Our current pick for the best mesh Wi-Fi system you can get, this TP-Link bundle may be no-frills, but it gets the job done nicely. It's easy to set up and provides excellent Wi-Fi 6E performance, plus the three included nodes can cover up to 7,200 square feet. Samsung Evo Select microSD card (512GB) for $35 ($5 off): A value pick in our best microSD cards guide, this Evo Select card provides respectable read and write speeds, and it comes with a full-sized adapter. Samsung T7 portable SSD (2TB) for $140 (48 percent off): We're on the T9 series now, but if you're looking to save a bit of cash, the T7 remains a great option for on-the-go storage. It supports read and write speeds up to 1,050/1,000 MB/s and sports a pocket-friendly design. Amazon Spring Sale FAQs When is the Amazon Spring Sale? The Amazon Spring Sale 2025 runs from March 25 through March 31. What is Amazon's Spring Sale? The Amazon Spring Sale is a multi-day sale event that has taken place at the end of March since 2024. Do I have to be a Prime Member to shop the Amazon Spring Sale? No, Amazon Spring Sale deals are available to all, including those who do not subscribe to Prime. What types of deals can I expect to find during the Amazon Spring Sale? In the past, we've seen a lot of spring cleaning and fashion items in sale during the Big Spring Sale. We expect this year to be no different. We at Engadget in particular will be on the lookout for discounts on our favorite spring cleaning tech, including robot vacuums, cordless vacuums and air purifiers, along with deals on kitchen and smart home gear. Are there deals I can shop now ahead of the Amazon Spring Sale? Yes, check out our list of the best Amazon Spring Sale deals you can get right now above. How long does the Amazon Spring Sale last? The Amazon Spring Sale lasts seven days this year, running from March 25 through March 31. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-spring-sale-tech-deals-the-best-discounts-from-apple-bose-irobot-dyson-and-others-130607879.html?src=rss

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In the realm of product design, natures bounty particularly fruits, offers boundless inspiration. These natural wonders provide a perfect blend of vibrant colors, unique textures, and organic shapes that designers eagerly incorporate into their work. Fruits not only deliver aesthetic appeal but also evoke positive associations with health and vitality, creating products that resonate on both visual and emotional levels.Drawing from the biophilic elements of fruits allows designers to create pieces that balance beauty with functionality. By emphasizing connections to nature, fruit-inspired designs celebrate organic simplicity while delivering practical innovation. This approach demonstrates a commitment to natural aesthetics and sustainable thinking, transforming everyday items into products that feel both familiar and refreshingly original.1. Go for Fruit-inspired ShapesAs nature doesnt adhere to strict shapes, fruits are celebrated for their organic, rounded, and curved forms. These natural shapes inspire products that embrace functional curves, enhancing both comfort and aesthetics. When paired with tactile surfaces, these shapes create a more enjoyable and engaging user experience, adding a playful element to the design. Fruits inherently possess beautiful, harmonious shapes that are pleasing to the eye, with their gentle curves and contours making them more enjoyable to hold. From home dcor to tech products, incorporating these playful, curvaceous forms brings a touch of whimsy, vibrancy, and fun, while adding depth to the overall experience.Gazzaladras Banana Lamp takes the whimsical idea of glowing bananas and turns it into a clever, creative design. Crafted using detailed 3D scans of real bananas, this lamp transforms an everyday fruit into a striking piece of functional art. The lamps design captures the authentic curves and textures of a banana bunch, making it both lifelike and modern. Its not just a light source but also a conversation starter that adds personality to any space.The Banana Lamp blends aesthetics with practicality and its charm lies in the perfect balance of form and function. Designed for LED bulbs only, the lamp is made with materials that can withstand lower heat, ensuring safety and durability. Gazzaladras Banana Lamp is a fun reminder to embrace the quirky and unexpected in design. It turns an ordinary object into something extraordinary, adding a playful touch to any room while sparking creativity and joy.2. Select Bright ColorsFruit-inspired product design captures attention due to its visually striking appearance and colors that make it stand out. These colors infuse energy and vitality, while the appropriate use of color psychology is key in influencing mood. For instance, the bright red color of strawberries is associated with excitement and energy, the vibrant yellow of bananas reminds one of warmth and happiness, the rich hues of oranges are linked to friendliness and excitement, and green kiwis are associated with health and freshness. Also, the fresh citrus tones evoke a sense of rejuvenation and add a refreshing touch to any product design.The term quadruped robot is typically associated with dog-like designs inspired by Boston Dynamics Spot, a new DIY robot that challenges this convention with a unique and unexpected form. This unique robot features four legs, but instead of resembling canines or other animals, it disguises itself as a fruit that splits into four parts and moves like a crab. Its a playful, real-world Transformer in a small, quirky package. Named Sherobo, this robot is built using off-the-shelf components for the mainboard and motors, with custom 3D-printed parts for the frame, body, and legs.Each of the four legs of the robot has three degrees of freedom (3DoF) that offer impressive mobility and flexibility. Despite this, its leg placement makes it walk more like a crab than a typical quadruped. The fruit-inspired design, such as a watermelon or any spherical object, is an unconventional choice but adds to the robots charm. Sherobo is a fascinating exploration of robot design that expands the definition of a quadruped robot.3. Go for Textured FormsFruits feature a variety of surfaces, each offering a unique tactile experience. From the rough texture of a pineapple to the smooth, glossy feel of an apple or the velvety finish of a peach, these natural qualities can significantly enhance a products appeal. By incorporating such textures, designers introduce an organic quality to the product, giving it depth and visual interest. These diverse textures not only stand out but also create a multisensory experience, elevating the design. The addition of textured surfaces can produce dynamic shadows and a captivating appearance, making the product enjoyable to hold and adding richness to its overall aesthetic.The Pineapple Villa at Nickelodeon Resort in Punta Cana offers a luxurious and unique vacation experience, inspired by the iconic pineapple home of Spongebob Squarepants. This distinctive villa captures the essence of the beloved cartoon characters underwater abode, featuring playful design elements such as blue bamboo wallpaper, a floaty chair, a bulls-eye window, and a diving-helmet-shaped TV, creating an immersive environment that transports guests into the world of Bikini Bottom.This two-bedroom, three-bath villa is designed with comfort and style in mind. It includes a private master suite with a king-size bed, expansive living and dining areas, both indoor and outdoor, and a modern marble bathroom. Guests can unwind in the Aguas del Amor outdoor shower or relax in the freestanding tub, surrounded by the villas private gardens. The Pineapple Villa also features an infinity pool and sunbathing beds. With its one-of-a-kind design and luxurious accommodations, the Pineapple Villa offers an unforgettable stay.4. Focus on Sustainable DesignSustainability is not a luxury but a necessity, especially as we witness the effects of climate change. It is crucial to reduce our reliance on non-biodegradable plastic products. There is growing experimentation with fruit waste alternatives to address this issue. Many products are now made from fruit waste that offers sustainable and eco-friendly design solutions. For example, fruit leather is being used as an alternative to real leather, helping to reduce environmental impact. Some brands are also creating fruit-based plastics from biodegradable materials. Additionally, eco-friendly food packaging is being developed to promote a circular economy by minimizing waste and supporting sustainability, ensuring that products do not end up in landfills.Traditional leather alternatives, while animal-friendly, still rely on harmful chemicals. Piatex is an innovative, sustainable alternative made from discarded pineapple leaves which is a byproduct of fruit harvesting that would otherwise be burned, contributing to carbon emissions. Piatex transforms these leaves into a leather-like material, offering a sustainable solution that mimics real leather in look and feel. Piatex is versatile, durable, and water-resistant, making it suitable for various products, from accessories to upholstery.Its easier to produce in different colors using GOTS-certified pigments and is coated with a water-based resin for added durability. The material is non-woven, replicating the texture of leather without harmful chemicals. The process is eco-friendly, using fewer resources and creating a circular economy. The leftover leaves can be used as fertilizer or biofuel, benefiting the environment and pineapple farmers. Piatex is a sustainable leather alternative that supports local farmers, offering them a new revenue stream.5. Consider Quirky DesignsFruit-inspired quirky designs unlock creative possibilities and introduce a playful element that enhances the products overall appeal when integrated into product design. By incorporating these fun, imaginative designs, products become more engaging, inviting users to interact with them. These designs are functional and celebrate natures beauty, infusing the freshness and vibrancy of fruits into our everyday lives.The Peel-Pal transforms the humble arch of discarded fruit peels into whimsical utensil stands for your dining table. Available in five vibrant flavors orange, watermelon, kiwi, lemon, and grapefruit each stand mirrors its fruit inspiration in both shape and color. These playful accessories add an unexpected pop of personality to everyday meals, turning the mundane act of resting your chopsticks or cutlery into a subtle design statement that sparks conversation.What makes these fruit-inspired stands truly charming is their commitment to the concept. The button-like base provides stability while enhancing the quirky aesthetic, and even the packaging continues the fruit theme with color-coordinated boxes. Whether paired with minimalist tableware for striking contrast or colorful dishes for a bold, eclectic look, the Peel-Pal proves that functional objects can be both practical and delightfully unconventional, bringing a slice of whimsy to your dining experience.The unconventional elements inspired by fruit add joy, infuse color, and brighten spaces, lifting the mood and transforming ordinary items into functional art. From lamps to chairs and dcor, each product becomes an interesting focal point that offers a playful way to bring nature into your home.The post 5 Best Inspiration That Unleash the Potential of Fruit-Inspired Product Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Whenever Verge staffers are asked to describe their smart tech, office tools, kitchen gadgets, or whatever else, they talk about things they recently bought, things they picked up 10 years ago, or things theyve had sitting around their house for decades.Weve gathered a few of the items that our staffers have enthused about in the past that they use for charging, repairing, listening, cooking, gardening, and parenting, and that are now discounted as part of Amazons Big Spring Sale. Just in case youd like to check them out.RelatedKitchen helpYnesoer automatic soap dispenser$19$2627% off$19A hands-free soap dispenser with a built-in sensor.$19 at AmazonAfter realizing were not a family who likes to get their hands dirty while cooking (we leave that part to mixers and blenders), an automatic soap dispenser has become one of the most used devices in our kitchen. We opted for a cheap $25 option from Amazon that lets you adjust how much foaming soap is dispensed and lasts for a couple of months between charges, but companies like Simplehuman sell pricier $80 versions wrapped in brushed metal or other fancy finishes that could better match your decor. We find we use less soap now that its always perfectly portioned out, and buying refills in bulk is much cheaper. Theres now one in every bathroom in our home. Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter, newsInstant Pot Duo Crisp$100$15033% off$100An 11-in-1 air fryer and electric pressure cooker that air fries, steams, slow cooks, sauts, dehydrates, and in other words gives you a world of cooking features on your counter.$100 at AmazonFor the past few years, the Instant Pot has been a staple in my kitchen. From making rice to slow-cooking stews and even frying up chicken, it can do just about anything. The best part is that the Instant Pot can cook most recipes in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven or on the stove. Rice, for example, takes just six minutes to cook (not counting the amount of time it takes to build pressure), and theres no fussing with covering the pot or adjusting the heat. Sometimes, its just easier and much less stressful to let the Instant Pot take the wheel. Emma Roth, news writerCambom mini food chopper$11$1315% off$11A quick and safe way to chop vegetables.$11 at AmazonOne of the first things I did when I got my own place was purchase a food chopper. Perhaps puritan chefs will disagree with my methods, but this saves me so much time. I like to make tikka masala, which requires dicing ginger. If youve ever tried to dice ginger, you know that a food chopper would come in handy. This one did break recently, so Ill probably replace it with a fancier one. Kylie Robison, senior AI reporterInfant & child careYogasleep Hushh Compact Sound Machine$24$3020% off$24The Hushh Compact is a small, portable white noise machine with three sound options and a night light.$24 at AmazonThe Yogasleep Hushh is a small, portable white noise machine. Thats it, and thats why its great.Its not a smart device and doesnt require any sort of subscription. It has physical buttons. It has three different white noise options. It can run on battery for up to 24 hours, and you can charge it with a USB-C cable. It even comes with a ring to attach it to things.My wife and I turn on the Hushh every time we put our baby down to sleep. If youre looking for a simple white noise machine that just works, this is the one to buy. Jay Peters, news editorRavensburger Starter-Set GraviTrax$49$7030% off$49An interactive track system allows you to design and build your own racetracks and experiment with gravity, magnetism, and kinetics.$49 at AmazonWhen screen time is over, theres no building toy, not even Lego, that holds my kids attention better than GraviTrax. It lets you build complicated marble runs using myriad components, including ramps, risers, bridges, switches, and launchers and thats just the starter set. There are several expansions that add motorized components that can keep marbles rolling indefinitely if assembled correctly, and its one of those toys that adults will enjoy just as much as kids do. For younger kids, theres also now a GraviTrax Junior line with simpler components and larger marbles. Andrew Liszewski, senior reporter, newsFisher-Price Flap & Wobble Penguin$29$4028% off$29This musical penguin toy will keep your baby giggling.$29 at AmazonA musical penguin toy that cycles through surprisingly boppy remixes. It flaps its wings with high-contrast black-and-white spots that will mesmerize your baby. Helen Havlak, publisherSnoo Smart Sleeper Bassinet$1187$169530% off$1187A smart bassinet that soothes your infant with motion and white noise.$1187 at Amazon$1187 at Happiest BabyThe Snoo is a smart bassinet that plays white noise and rocks your baby, ramping up the intensity if your baby keeps crying. I have heard from friends that it does not work for every baby, but when it works, it really works and you have truly magical moments when it successfully puts your baby to sleep. You can control the intensity manually and get nice sleep logs in their proprietary app though Snoos parent company, Happiest Baby, has come under fire for introducing a new subscription fee of $19.99 / month for the main app functionality after nine months. While infuriating, I was so desperate for sleep, I would still have bought a Snoo. Also, look out for return policies; some parents prefer to buy their Snoos from Amazon to avoid Happiest Babys steep $199 restocking fee. Helen Havlak, publisherGarden gadgetsGouevn soil moisture meter$8$7-14% off$8Gouevns cheap meter can quickly test the soil moisture for both indoor and outdoor plants.$8 at AmazonFungus gnats love overwatered soil, so once youve gotten rid of them, youve got to be careful and diligent about your watering schedule. For that, I got myself a Gouevn soil moisture meter to teach myself how to properly water my plants. Ive properly vanquished my fungus gnat issue, but with these two tools, Im always prepared in case theres ever another infestation. - Victoria Song, senior reviewerVelcro one-wrap garden ties$6$825% off$6Velcro brand garden ties keeps flowers and plants staked, supported, and securely bundled together.$6 at AmazonOne day, I received a surprise package in the mail from my mom, and it included these Velcro garden ties. Id never even seen these before, so I decided to try them with my orchid. I found that theyre a lot softer than the plastic ties I used previously, and they do a pretty good job at supporting my plants, both indoor and outdoor. You can simply cut the Velcro ties to size, wrap them around your plant, and the tie will stick to itself. Theyre reusable, too! Emma Roth, news writerCharging gadgetsEpicka universal travel adapter$20$2520% off$20Epickas universal travel adapter is an all-in-one adapter that includes four different plugs that cover over 150 countries.$20 at AmazonIn my youth, I forgot to pack plug adapters for international trips one too many times. Buying them once youve landed in another country isnt always easy, either. And if youre like me, your relatives in rural Korea dont always have more than one plug for your American devices in which case, youll have to share with your six other cousins. Nope. Absolutely not. Which is why I never leave this country without a universal travel adapter.Basically, its six plug adapters in one. Depending on which one you get, it might come with USB ports so you can charge multiple devices in one outlet. Granted, its bulkier than buying one or two specialized adapter plugs, but if youve got a multi-continent itinerary, its a game-changer. What I like about this one from Epicka is that it comes with a spare fuse in case things go sideways with voltage.The only caveat is that, although it says universal, its technically only the four most common types of plugs. Thatll get you by in most countries, but its not a guarantee in places like Brazil, South Africa, or India. Even so, Ill take this over price gouging at airport electronics shops or having to take time out of my schedule to visit a local hardware store. Victoria Song, senior reviewerAnker 321 Power Strip$20$2623% off$20This all-in-one 20W power cube boasts three AC outlets, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port.$20 at AmazonNobody wants to carry a power strip or an extension cord with them on their vacation. Its probably unnecessary if youre staying in relatively modern buildings and definitely unnecessary if youre camping. But sometimes you want to stay in a charming historical hotel or a lovely cabin in the woods, and its only when you go to charge your devices at night that you realize that the only electrical socket in the bedroom is in the corner farthest away from the bed and there are already two lamps plugged into it. Older buildings especially suffer from what I can only describe as loose socket syndrome, where those very convenient modern boxy socket extenders with five different USB and USB-C charging ports simply cannot stay in place and fall right out of the wall because theyre too heavy. After one (totally pleasant) vacation where I had to charge my phone, watch, AirPods, and laptop in a weird corner of my room with the plug-in charging hub propped up on a strategically balanced mountain of books and sham pillows, I bought this Anker combination extension cord / power strip. Its not a full power strip just a cube with a few sockets along with USB and USB-C charging ports at the end of a five-foot cable. Ive brought it on a few trips since then. It takes up extra space in my suitcase but each time has left me feeling vindicated about the purchase. The three prongs at the end of the cable are static, rather than folding flat for easy packing. This is key because the loose sockets of older buildings reject the beautiful convenience of folding prongs. There are more than enough sockets for one person, and with some finagling (and maybe an extra charging brick), it can accommodate two peoples devices.If youre traveling overseas, dont forget to purchase a different plug type. Sarah Jeong, deputy features editorOther gadgetsMeross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener$39$5022% off$39Meross makes a handy add-on that can transform a variety of garage door models into smart doors that you can open remotely. It works with Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings.$39 at AmazonMost of the things I own are, frankly, just unreliable enough to be annoying. All except for one or two, and of those, the one I love most of all is the Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener for HomeKit. And my love for it isnt just about its rock-solid performance its because, as far as I can tell, its compatible with almost any garage door opener on the market and across time itself. I dont think thats an exaggeration, either. The chunky mustard yellow all-metal box that cranks my garage door open the Model 455 by Automatic Doorman was made, by my loose estimation, sometime between the fall of Rome and 1975. But Meross adapter was $30 and to my amazement, after a very simple installation, it worked and continues to do so almost every time I need it to. Best of all, I dont have to carry the chunky remote with me on my bike when I leave because I can just talk into my Apple Watch when I return and coast right in. Wes Davis, weekend editorSony WH-1000XM4$248$35029% off$248Sonys WH-1000XM4 noise-canceling headphones still offer plenty of bang for your buck with excellent ANC, lively sound, and lengthy battery life. Theyre not the companys latest, but they remain an excellent buy.$248 at Amazon$250 at Best BuyI spend the workday at my Vox laptop, a MacBook Pro, with a few accessories, including a pair of Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones that my colleague Chris Welch reviewed. Adi Robertson, senior reporterHoto 3.6V Electric Screwdriver Kit (Classic)$40$7043% off$40Hotos electric screwdriver is perfect for making small- to medium-sized repairs around the house. In addition to a USB-C port, the screwdriver comes with a magnetic case and 25 steel bits.$40 at AmazonI picked up Hotos electric screwdriver because my former boss at The Verge, Dan Seifert, would often pitch it around gift guide season. Im glad I did, though, because it now sits alongside a handful of tools I use on an almost weekly basis. I wouldnt suggest using it for real household projects that require some serious torque, but its incredibly handy for tightening the legs on my desk, assembling furniture, and making sure my bike seat isnt going to come off mid-ride. Its also equipped with a USB-C port for charging, a nifty LED light that lets you ditch the headlamp, and a case for housing the 25 steel bits. Oh, and it really does make for a great little gift. I guess Dan was right. Brandon Widder, senior commerce editorKailh Deep-Sea Silent Pro Islet switches$48$6020% off$48A fantastic silent linear mechanical switch for Cherry MX-compatible keyboards. Islets are smooth and quiet, with a long spring that gives them a top-heavy, almost tactile force curve. Theyre 3-pin switches, so they work with most hot-swappable mechanical keyboards that take 3- or 5-pin switches.$48 at Amazon (90-piece)These are my current favorite switches. The Kailh Deep-Sea Silent Pro Islets are nearly identical to the fantastic switches in the HHKB Studio, just much less expensive. The Islets are silent linear switches, with an extra-long spring, so the actuation force curve is strongest right at the beginning and then smooth the rest of the way, giving them an almost Topre-like tactile sensation. (Pitchforks down; I said almost.) Theyre an instant upgrade for any hot-swappable keyboard that takes Cherry MX-compatible switches, and Ive been using them as my daily drivers for a while. Theres also a tactile version, which I dont like as much. Sorry to the Kailh Whales. Nathan Edwards, senior reviews editorUpdate, March 29th: Updated to reflect current pricing/availability.See More:

Large language models (LLMs) have become vital across domains, enabling high-performance applications such as natural language generation, scientific research, and conversational agents. Underneath these advancements lies the transformer architecture, where alternating layers of attention mechanisms and feed-forward networks (FFNs) sequentially process tokenized input. However, with an increase in size and complexity, the computational burden required for inference grows substantially, creating an efficiency bottleneck. Efficient inference is now a critical concern, with many research groups focusing on strategies that can reduce latency, increase throughput, and cut computational costs while maintaining or improving model performance.At the center of this efficiency problem lies the inherently sequential structure of transformers. Each layers output feeds into the next, demanding strict order and synchronization, which is especially problematic at scale. As model sizes expand, the cost of sequential computation and communication across GPUs grows, leading to reduced efficiency and increased deployment cost. This challenge is amplified in scenarios requiring fast, multi-token generation, such as real-time AI assistants. Reducing this sequential load while maintaining model capabilities presents a key technical hurdle. Unlocking new parallelization strategies that preserve accuracy yet significantly reduce computation depth is essential to broadening the accessibility and scalability of LLMs.Several techniques have emerged to improve efficiency. Quantization reduces the precision of numerical representations to minimize memory and computation needs, though it often risks accuracy losses, especially at low bit-widths. Pruning eliminates redundant parameters and simplifies models but potentially harms accuracy without care. Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) models activate only a subset of parameters per input, making them highly efficient for specific workloads. Still, they can underperform at intermediate batch sizes due to low hardware utilization. While valuable, these strategies have trade-offs that limit their universal applicability. Consequently, the field seeks methods that offer broad efficiency improvements with fewer compromises, especially for dense architectures that are simpler to train, deploy, and maintain.Researchers at NVIDIA introduced a new architectural optimization technique named FFN Fusion, which addresses the sequential bottleneck in transformers by identifying FFN sequences that can be executed in parallel. This approach emerged from the observation that when attention layers are removed using a Puzzle tool, models often retain long sequences of consecutive FFNs. These sequences show minimal interdependency and, therefore, can be processed simultaneously. By analyzing the structure of LLMs such as Llama-3.1-405B-Instruct, researchers created a new model called Ultra-253B-Base by pruning and restructuring the base model through FFN Fusion. This method results in a significantly more efficient model that maintains competitive performance.FFN Fusion fuses multiple consecutive FFN layers into a single, wider FFN. This process is grounded in mathematical equivalence: by concatenating the weights of several FFNs, one can produce a single module that behaves like the sum of the original layers but can be computed in parallel. For instance, if three FFNs are stacked sequentially, each dependent on the output of the previous one, their fusion removes these dependencies by ensuring all three operate on the same input and their outputs are aggregated. The theoretical foundation for this method shows that the fused FFN maintains the same representational capacity. Researchers performed dependency analysis using cosine distance between FFN outputs to identify regions with low interdependence. These regions were deemed optimal for fusion, as minimal change in token direction between layers indicated the feasibility of parallel processing.Applying FFN Fusion to the Llama-405B model resulted in Ultra-253B-Base, which delivered notable gains in speed and resource efficiency. Specifically, the new model achieved a 1.71x improvement in inference latency and reduced per-token computational cost by 35x at a batch size of 32. This efficiency did not come at the expense of capability. Ultra-253B-Base scored 85.17% on MMLU, 72.25% on MMLU-Pro, 84.92% on Arena Hard, 86.58% on HumanEval, and 9.19 on MT-Bench. These results often matched or exceeded the original 405B-parameter model, even though Ultra-253B-Base contained only 253 billion parameters. Memory usage also improved with a 2 reduction in kv-cache requirements. The training process involved distilling 54 billion tokens at an 8k context window, followed by staged fine-tuning at 16k, 32k, and 128k contexts. These steps ensured the fused model maintained high accuracy while benefiting from reduced size.This research demonstrates how thoughtful architectural redesign can unlock significant efficiency gains. Researchers showed that FFN layers in transformer architectures are often more independent than previously assumed. Their method of quantifying inter-layer dependency and transforming model structures allowed for broader application across models of various sizes. The technique was also validated on a 70B-parameter model, proving generalizability. Further experiments indicated that while FFN layers can often be fused with minimal impact, full block parallelization, including attention, introduces more performance degradation due to stronger interdependencies.Several Key Takeaways from the Research on FFN Fusion:The FFN Fusion technique reduces sequential computation in transformers by parallelizing low-dependency FFN layers.Fusion is achieved by replacing sequences of FFNs with a single wider FFN using concatenated weights.Ultra-253B-Base, derived from Llama-3.1-405B, achieves 1.71x faster inference and 35x lower per-token cost.Benchmark results include: 85.17% (MMLU), 72.25% (MMLU-Pro), 86.58% (HumanEval), 84.92% (Arena Hard), and 9.19 (MT-Bench).Memory usage is cut by half due to kv-cache optimization.FFN Fusion is more effective at larger model scales and works well with techniques like pruning and quantization.Full transformer block parallelization shows potential but requires further research due to stronger interdependencies.A systematic method using cosine distance helps identify which FFN sequences are safe to fuse.The technique is validated across different model sizes, including 49B, 70B, and 253B.This approach lays the foundation for more parallel-friendly and hardware-efficient LLM designs.Check outthe Paper.All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,feel free to follow us onTwitterand dont forget to join our85k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqWebsite| + postsBioAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences.Asif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/A Step by Step Guide to Solve 1D Burgers Equation with Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs): A PyTorch Approach Using Automatic Differentiation and Collocation MethodsAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Tutorial to Create a Data Science Agent: A Code Implementation using gemini-2.0-flash-lite model through Google API, google.generativeai, Pandas and IPython.display for Interactive Data AnalysisAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Google AI Released TxGemma: A Series of 2B, 9B, and 27B LLM for Multiple Therapeutic Tasks for Drug Development Fine-Tunable with TransformersAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Meet Open Deep Search (ODS): A Plug-and-Play Framework Democratizing Search with Open-source Reasoning Agents