MacworldBloombergs Mark Gurman reports that Apples planned push into the smart home market will be delayed until 2026, a direct effect of the decision to delay the major update to Siri. Apple had originally planned to release the Siri update with iOS 18.4, which was released last week, but the company rescheduled the release after some internal discussions about Siris development (or lack of it).This new report of a delay follows several others. In the first half of March, Gurman reported on the delay but did not offer a timeframe, though he implied it could be oushed back to the fall. Aimilarly, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported in March that the smart home hub may ship in the third quarter of this year, a rescheduling after a planned unveiling at WWDC25 along with iOS 19.Apple wants to create a greater presence in the smart home market, and the smart home hub (which has been dubbed the HomePad by the media) is said to be the control center of that effort. With an iPad-like screen and HomePod-infused dock, the device will tap into Siri and the underlying App Intents technology to offer AI answers and actions without needing to plysically interact with the device. Apples handling of Siri has been scrutinized as of late, from its mishandled development and its marketing based on false premises, to its inability to handle the simplest of queries. Apple has made moves to prioritize Siri development, but it comes at the cost of delays for a feature that was introduced nearly 14 years ago.Gurman also repeats a previously reported detail that Apple is already testing the hub in the corporate headquarters and employees homes. Gurman also states (again) that Apple will unveil a more elaborate hub that features a robotic arm holding a display, and would serve as a smart home command center, videoconferencing machine, and remote-controlled home security tool. Its unclear when Apple plans to launch that device now, but its like either late 2026 or 2027 at the earliest.

Jorg Greuel/Getty Images IN BRIEF Effective leadership requires balancing strategic agility (adapting swiftly to change) and strategic consistency (upholding core principles). Leaders can achieve this balance by leveraging emerging technologies and cultivating a culture of continuous learning. Mastering this equilibrium enables organizations to navigate volatility, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term resilience. Whats out of date is the idea that a leader should adopt a fixed leadership style thats agnostic to the specific context in which he or she is operating. A single approach to leadership, whether traditional or emerging, is not going to meet the myriad of challenges that todays []The post Architecting the Future: Why Leaders Must Balance Strategic Agility and Consistency appeared first on Harvard Business Publishing.

President Trump is literally doubling down on his ruinous tariff plans, saying that since China has retaliated to the original rate, he is now raising it a further 50%.Donald Trump's signed tariff plan - Photo credit CNBCTrump's original tariffs were more severe than businesses had feared, they have hit every single country Apple relies on, and saw the company's share price implode, but now there is more. Even as the White House claimed it was fake news that Trump would consider pausing his tariffs, the President himself has announced punitive retribution for China having retaliated."[Despite] my warning that any country that Retaliates against the U.S. by issuing additional Tariffs, above and beyond their already existing long term Tariff abuse of our Nation," wrote Trump on his Truth Social platform, "will be immediately met with new and substantially higher Tariffs, over and above those already set." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The Pratt Institute School of Architecture is celebrating its 70th anniversary this spring with a special month-long exhibition highlighting the rather extraordinary contributionsPratt students, alumni, and faculty have bequeathed to the world since 1954.All of the materials featured, which the school has labeled a retrospective "first step" preceding a turn to its bright future, are taken from the Pratt Institute Library archives and will be on display through April 25th. It also coincides with an exhibition of student work from the B.Arch and M.Arch programs that was organized to be showcased during an NAAB accreditation visit and offers an "exciting view of the dynamic community of these two professional degrees."70 Years [+] Pratt School of Architecture: An Ongoing Story can be viewed in the Leo J. Kuhn Lobby at Higgins Hal daily from 9 AM until 5 PM.

Got a project thats too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. Were all familiar with the Seven Wonders of the World. The mathematically mesmerizing Great Pyramid of Giza. The gravity-defying Hanging Gardens of Babylon. That oversized, improbably serene statue of Zeus at Olympia. Each one is a feat of ambition and structural ingenuity, and together, for centuries, theyve impressed, inspired, and challenged architects from all over the globe.But what becomes of wonder in a time ruled less by emperors and more by email, where the built environment is defined by regulation, restraint and value engineering rather than divine mandate and imperial will? Has awe been relegated to the realm of tourism, something to visit rather than inhabit?Perhaps not. It might not be in limestone blocks or towering statuary as in days gone by, but more often in details so well considered they catch you off guard. In these moments, wonder very much still exists. A window that frames a single tree akin to a ukiyo-e print. A bathtub, perfectly perched on a cantilever, so it looks out to nothing but the sky. A ceiling raised just enough to let the early morning light slip across a concrete floor over breakfast. These moments, the result of exacting decisions made with intent, do something rare and increasingly valuable. They make you stop. And notice. And feel something.They might never be monuments whose every design detail will be taught in schools for centuries, but they are moments of wonder. The following five projects are perfect examples of magical design decisions in which architects have done what they do best without guidance from the emperor or god created moments of wonder in everyday life.The Grand HouseBy Km Architecture Office, Vnh Phc, VietnamPhotos by Hoang LeIts the light that stops you at The Grand House. Filtered through a terracotta brise soleil, it hits white interior walls in shifting bands that move continuously across the surface, working almost like a sundial. In practical terms, the screen manages heat and softens the harsh mid-day glare, but it does something else, too. It makes you look.Nowhere is this more evident than at the staircase, placed at the heart of the plan, where light and shadow gather and change spectacularly throughout the day. Its a simple, purposeful gesture, designed without fuss, and yet it transforms a transitional space into something memorable.Dyes Inlet FarmhouseBy SHED Architecture & Design Modern Architects Seattle, Silverdale, WashingtonPhotos by Rafael SoldiAt Dyes Inlet Farmhouse, wonder is found in the act of waking up. The bedroom windows arent oversized or overworked, but their placement is exact. From the bed, the view beyond is uninterrupted, capturing the inlet within the confines of a clean, minimal frame. The shifting tide and distant tree line are so striking they could be a landscape painting. The home was redesigned to honor its history and rural setting, and the alignment between guest, window and view turns a private sanctuary into something both expansive and awe-inspiring.ATTO SuitesBy Pedevilla Architects, San Candido, ItalyPhotos by Gustav WilleitAt ATTO Suites in San Candido, wonder comes not from the view alone, but from how completely the architecture absorbs you into it. The suites are lined with regional spruce and stone pine, chosen as much for their scent and grain as for their provenance. Terrazzo floors and tinted concrete reference the geology of the nearby Sesto brook, while drop-shaped motifs nod to local alpine craft. The result is a space that feels made of the very mountains that overlook it. Each room opens to at least two aspects, with a private loggia set like a theatre box in front of the Haunold peaks. The view is spectacular, but its the interior, and its absolute commitment to place, that makes it unforgettable.The Green HouseBy S^A | Schwartz and Architecture, Palo Alto, CaliforniaPhoto by Ayla ChristmanFor many, a long soak in a deep tub could easily be one of the worlds greatest wonders, and at The Green House, it really is the bath that delivers the pause. Set low against a large picture window, the freestanding tub looks not out, but in framing a dense patch of planting at eye level. The greenery sits so close it feels architectural rather than decorative, as if the garden beyond has been drawn right into the room. A small sanctuary, executed with absolute precision.Designed in 1966 by Aaron Green, Frank Lloyd Wrights West Coast protg, and recently expanded with care, its no surprise that the house is full of thoughtful details and many moments of wonder. A stunning terrace surrounded by wildflowers, perfectly positioned windows to draw in light at every opportunity, and even a vinyl nook to browse through records at hearts content. Its a home thats both carefully curated and completely absorbing from one corner to the next.Split HouseBy NAJAS ARQUITECTOS, Quito, EcuadorSplit House may be named for its clear division of public and private zones, but its greatest split is the one that makes room for a living tree. Rather than uproot it, Najas Arquitectos wrapped a spiral staircase around the trunk, allowing it to rise unbroken through all three levels in Quitos Tumbaco Valley.A linear skylight runs overhead, tracing the bark with shifting daylight from dawn to dusk. At the ground floor, the trunk is seen through full-height glazing; by the first landing, its fully immersive. The simple act of leaving nature where it belongs is transformative, and the result is a moment of wonder that shapes how you move through and experience a home.Got a project thats too wild for this world? Submit your conceptual works, images and ideas for global recognition and print publication in the 2025 Vision Awards, launching this spring! Stay updated by clicking here. The post From Pyramids to Picture Windows: A New Era of Architectural Wonder appeared first on Journal.

The movie adaptation of Sonys Horizon franchise that was last announced during CES 2025 back in January has now seemingly been changed into becoming a TV show. In an interview with Variety, head of PlayStation Productions Asad Qizilbash spoke about how there is an audience for games being adapted into movies and shows if the adaptations are done right.I think what people have seen in Hollywood is that video game adaptations, if done right, can actually be very popular, and they scale really well. Thats been a big sea change that Ive seen in the last five, six years, since weve really started to come and deliver some great content, said Qizilbash.This desire to do it right, according to him, was what led to the Horizon adaptation being turned from a movie to a TV show. Qizilbash said that it just wasnt creatively going how we wanted to.It is worth noting that changes like this arent likely to have adverse effects on the quality of the adaptation since the production work is likely still in its early stages. Neither Sony nor Columbia, for instance, have confirmed what kind of cast or crew is currently attached to the project.The adaptation will likely be produced in a similar way as what we got to see with HBOs The Last of Us, which was largely faithful to the source material in the games, while also making a few minor changes here and there in order to tell the story in a way better suited for episodic viewing.The Last of Us is getting ready to premiere it second season on April 13. Leading up to this, the show also got a new trailer. In more The Last of Us news, the PC version of The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered came out last week. Check out our review for more details.

The IGDA Foundation has appointed former Microsoft exec Shannon Loftis as the new chair of its board of directors.Read More

Japanese publisher share prices drop amid tariff uncertaintyNintendo, Sony and Bandai Namco were among those seeing dropsImage credit: Nintendo News by Samuel Roberts Editorial Director Published on April 7, 2025 Financial markets worldwide are reacting to last week's announcement of tariffs by US President Donald Trump, and Japanese game publishers are among those seeing drops in share price.Upon opening earlier today, Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 7%, itself following a 9% drop last week, according to the Wall Street Journal.Publisher stocks are mirroring this trend. In Japan earlier today, Nintendo closed 7.85% down, Capcom closed 6.61% down, Square Enix closed 5.62% down, Bandai Namco closed 7.37% down, Konami closed 5.19% down and Sony closed 10.04% down.This pattern was noted by Kantan Games' Dr Serkan Toto earlier in the day.In the US, NASDAQ-listed publishers Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive have each seen single-digit percentage drops in share price since April 1.On the London Stock Exchange, shares in Everplay Group (owners of publisher Team17) and Frontier Developments have been similarly affected.Britain's FTSE 100 has dropped to its lowest level in nearly 14 months, according to Reuters.In the US, last week was the worst for Wall Street since the start of the pandemic in 2020, with stocks off to a volatile start at open today too, according to The Independent.Trump's 10% 'base' tariffs on goods imported into the US went into effect on April 5, while the higher per-country 'retaliatory' tariffs are due to go into force on April 9.The main consumer-facing result of the tariffs so far is the temporary delay of Switch 2 pre-orders in the US, which is manufactured in countries hit by the higher tariffs, like Vietnam and Cambodia.

Nintendo of America boss Doug Bowser has explained the $80 RRP slapped onto Switch 2 launch title Mario Kart World is an example of the "variable pricing" philosophy the company will lean on when deciding how much its first-party software should cost.Nintendo notably chose to omit pricing details from its Switch 2 focused Nintendo Direct, but subsequently confirmed the console will retail for $449. It also revealed that Mario Kart Worldpositioned as the must-have launch titlewill set consumers back $80.Those figures caused sticker shock within some corners of game industry, even pushing some vocal Nintendo fans to voice their disdain by repeatedly calling for Nintendo to "drop the price" during a Nintendo Treehouse livestream last week (thanks, Nintendo Life).Now, speaking to The Washington Post, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser has indicated that $80 isn't a universal or fixed price tagbut rather a number that could shift based on the scale and scope of individual releases."What you see right there is variable pricing," Bowser told The Washington Post. "Well look at each game, really look at the development thats gone into the game, the breadth and depth of the gameplay, if you will, the durability over time and the repeatability of gameplay experiences.Related:"Those are all factors, and theres many more that go into consideration of what is the right price point for the game. So I think you can anticipate that there will be variable pricing, and we havent set a benchmark."It's a statement that suggests some Switch 2 titles could retail for less (or perhaps even more) than $80 in the long term.When pressed what drove the increase, Bowser said it's about the company "deciding the right thing to do for its products or what the pricing should be for its products overall."He explained there was some "variability" throughout the Switch's lifecycle, pointing to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and its predecessor Breath of the Wildwhich retailed for $70 and $60, respectivelyas examples of that fluctuation."I think for us, thats really how we want to proceed and go forward," added Bowser. "I cant speak for other games that might be released by other publishers or other platforms. Its more about what we think is right for our content, what is the right value for the consumers as they come into our platform."It remains to be seen when consumers in America will be able to drop cash on the Switch 2.Last week, Nintendo delayed Switch 2 pre-orders in the region in response to sweeping tariffs issued by U.S. President Donald Trump. The Japanese company said it must "assess the potential impact" of those tariffs and pledged to update pre-order timeframes in the future.Related:The console is still expected to launch on June 5, 2025, in the United States.

Nintendos hoping to relieve some of the sticker shock it gave fans with its game pricing with the news that the Switch 2 upgrades for both Legend of Zelda games will only cost $10 if you already own them. The games are priced for the Nintendo Switch 2 at $69.99 for Breath of the Wild and $79.99 for Tears of the Kingdom. In an interview with IGN, Bill Trinen, Nintendo of Americas VP of product and player experience, broke down the pricing situation.What youre looking at is for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, thats the physical price for somebody that has not bought the base game, he said. For somebody who has bought Tears of the Kingdom or Breath of the Wild, the upgrade packs for those are $9.99. And if you happen to be a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member, both of the Zelda upgrade packs are inclusive within that membership.Trinen did not explain if digital copies of the two games would be cheaper than their physical versions. Additionally, Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour, a game that uses surprisingly fun and informative mini-games to explain the inner workings of the console, will also be priced at $9.99 although some think the game should be included with the Switch 2 akin to Astros Playroom for the PS5.But it seems that, for Americans at least, the pricing conversation regarding Nintendo Switch 2 games will have to take a back seat to the more pressing matter of figuring out the exact price of the console itself. Pre-orders have started for the Switch 2 in other countries while the US is forced to wait to hear how or if the Trump presidencys tariffs, which includes a 24 percent tariff on Japanese goods, will impact the consoles $449.99 price.