Now in its 11th year, The Architect’s Newspaper’s Best of Products Awards crown the top products for the built environment, from interior furniture, fixtures, and surfaces to facades and other exterior materials. The program, which is now accepting submissions for 2025, elevates products that champion not only a high level of design but also sustainability, innovation, and a consideration for ease of use. To be part of this program is to be honored for an inventive level of design and craft know-how. Who can submit to Best of Products? Any product available to the North American market is eligible to enter. Products should be from 2025, meaning available to the market no earlier than January 2024 and available through December 2025. Products should fall into one of the 2025 categories, which has been expanded this year to reflect the ever growing work and attention to details of manufacturers, designers, and engineers. The 2025 categories now include: Acoustics Appliances and Plumbing: Kitchen Appliances Kitchen Fixtures Bathroom Plumbing Bathroom Fixtures HVAC Building Materials & Facades: Timber Stone and Concrete Glass Weather, Air Barriers, and Insulation Composites Metal Ceramic Facades: Structural Systems Finishes and Surfaces: Interior Flooring—Carpeting Interior Flooring—Hard Flooring Interior Surfaces Outdoor Paints and Coating Walls & Wallcoverings Furnishings: Outdoor Residential Commercial—Office Commercial—Hospitality Accessories Hardware: Decorative Architectural Lighting: Decorative Architectural Systems Outdoor Openings: Windows Doors Roofing Textiles: Rugs Indoor Outdoor Technology: Design and Build Software Smart Building, Smart Home, and Automation Systems Winners and honorable mentions are awarded with features in print, online, and on social media. In addition, winners will receive a special trophy. These honors will be decided and awarded by AN’s jury, which will be announced in the upcoming weeks. The submission form is short and sweet, requiring short descriptions of the product, technical details, and a description of use, and images. Submissions are open until midnight (ET) on July 25, 2025. Early Bird entry is open until May 30. Learn more about the program and start a submission here.

Jeremy Miranda ‘And Then There Was Everything’ Unearths the Allure of Natural Motifs at Joy Machine April 9, 2025 Joy Machine Joy Machine is thrilled to announce its second exhibition, And Then There Was Everything, featuring works by Paul S. Briggs, David Cass, Laura Catherwood, Yellena James, Jeremy Miranda, Jeffly Gabriela Molina, and Anna Ortiz. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on April 18. And Then There Was Everything takes its name from the opening line of Richard Powers’ novel The Overstory, which beckons readers into a winding, interconnected narrative tuned into the intimations of the trees. Powers writes that “a good answer must be reinvented many times, from scratch,” a sentiment each artist uniquely investigates through painting, ceramic sculpture, and collage. Iterating on natural motifs, these artists tap into our personal and collective psyches to unearth the recurring messages within. Paul Briggs, “Effloresce (Series)” (2025), black stoneware, white cone 6 glaze Anna Ortiz, “Reflexión” (2024), oil on canvas, 30 x 34 inches Miranda and Molina grapple with similar questions as they utilize recollections of moments and spaces. Observation is at the heart of Miranda’s works, and he harnesses the ethereal qualities of light to cast familiar spaces anew. In his hands, a nondescript pocket of forest or humble bonfire becomes dreamlike, prompting questions of perspective and how we understand our relationships to the settings that surround us. And Then There Was Everything is on view from April 18 to June 7. RSVP to the opening reception here. Jeffly Gabriela Molina, “Mother Our Castles Will Not Be Made of Sand” (2020), watercolor on Arches 300 Lb, 23 x 23 inches David Cass, “Pulley I – Rockport, ME” (2023-24), oil on marine pulley, 23 x 11.5 x 8 centimeters Next article

Software engineering is also a high demand area, with research from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation showing that software engineers and programmers are amongst the most sought-after professionals in the UK, alongside solicitors and lawyers, and chartered accountants. So, how do you get into software engineering, what skills and capabilities do you need, and what sort of career might lie ahead? The usual route to becoming a software engineer is a degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or Information Technology as you’ll learn coding and designing software applications prior to a role in industry. Other degrees which we commonly see and that are well-suited are Mathematics and Physics due to the highly analytical nature of the subjects. However, times are changing – and there are plenty of alternative routes in alongside the traditional degree-led path. Indeed, this is part of a wider trend across the technology industry. The Harvey Nash 2024 Global Tech Talent and Salary Report found that only half of technology professionals had a degree or university-level qualification – with the rest breaking into the industry via a mixture of routes including apprenticeships, industry training and other schemes. For example, bootcamps are becoming ever more popular. These are short, intensive courses which usually last 8-16 weeks and condense the learning of the skills you need to get a software engineering job in an accelerated timeline. Be aware though that the courses come with a cost, usually running into the thousands. Look for ones that include the promise of helping you find a job. Meanwhile, some people are self-taught, perhaps topped up by taking a relatively inexpensive course available on platforms like Udemy. However, this is by far the smallest cohort in the industry as it’s much harder to secure that initial role.  Software offers a diverse array of careers tailored to diverse skillsets and interests. You will see a variety of terms for software roles – software programmer or coder, software engineer, software developer, and more. Often, these roles are more or less interchangeable and it’s just that different companies give them different names. However, there can be differences of emphasis in what they do. A software programmer or coder is usually focused on actually writing code while a developer might have a broader remit responsible for applications and systems including design. A software engineer, meanwhile, is likely to have a full-stack, whole lifecycle remit focusing on designing and maintaining whole software solutions. You are also likely to see a variety of more specific role names including front-end/web developer, back-end engineer, full-stack developer, mobile engineer, and many others. As with everything else technology-related, AI is definitely having an impact. That said, software professionals have probably been on the AI curve longer than almost anyone else – it’s becoming part of how work is delivered. Generative AI can be a powerful assistance tool to coders and developers, helping them write code, test it, and check for (and fix) bugs. It speeds up the process and, used correctly, helps achieve higher quality outputs. However, there are still some caveats. In the still-new field of generative AI, very few application developers rank themselves as experts, as this piece of research shows. There is a lack of standardisation around the AI development process. Human overview and checking is definitely still needed – you can’t just set the AI to work and leave it at that. With the right prompt engineering, generative AI can get a developer a good way down the road, but we’re not at the stage yet where AI can safely carry out the whole job end-to-end. To the question, therefore, “Do I need strong AI skills to be a software developer?”, the answer is that in most cases it is not a hard requirement – but it definitely helps and is likely to become increasingly expected. A lot also depends on the software language you specialise in. The newer and more advanced languages like Python and spin-offs such as Rust and Go naturally link to AI and machine learning, so AI skills are more critical here.  Currently, we’re seeing that Python is the most in demand skillset, closely followed by Java and Javascript. We believe lots of companies are choosing Python for newer projects because it’s easy to learn and work with, has compatibilities with AI, and is extremely versatile. We’re also seeing companies regularly looking for full-stack developers for their positions, which means candidates need experience in both front-end and back-end programming languages. The use of Devops principles is also a skillset that is becoming a must-have for senior level developers, with the use of containerisation tools such as Docker or Kubernetes being the most popular. Cloud engineering is another skill which is being asked for on a regular basis, with Azure being the current most popular platform followed by AWS and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Aside from strong technical ability, which most companies will look for as a starting point, a number of softer skills really help too. A good software engineer has high attention to detail (because accuracy really matters) with the ability to work logically and methodically. Problem solving ability is key, while a healthy streak of creativity is no bad thing either in order to think your way round a problem and come up with an innovative solution. The stereotypical image of a programmer is often someone sitting in a corner with their headphones on, absorbed in their own world. However, good interpersonal skills are usually really important – as you’ll need to understand and translate requirements from business users, as well as have discussions around the design and use of what you’ll actually be building from a wider business perspective. You’ll also need to work as part of an engineering team and, especially at the start of your career, asking lots of questions is key. The ability to learn from more senior engineers and adapting whilst on the go is going to be vital in growing into a better software engineer. In some businesses, software teams adopt a ‘pair programming’ approach where a senior and junior developer work together to help with this development – they frequently switch between being the coder and the reviewer, which helps the junior developer learn and also brings a second pair of eyes to the senior developer’s output. It is generally seen as a good learning and development model. Software engineering is well-paid, which adds to its attraction as a career. However, salaries can vary quite significantly depending on experience, location and specialisation. Entry level positions typically offer £30,000 to £35,000 annually, while experienced professionals can earn £60,000 to £90,000. Senior roles, especially in London and other major hubs, may exceed £100,000 per year due to the presence of major corporates with larger budgets. Sectors like financial services and gaming tend to pay the highest salaries and rates. Then there is contracting – which will actually pay more than a permanent role. It may seem counter-intuitive to some, but whereas in some disciplines the initial route in is via temporary or contract work with the goal of eventually securing a permanent position, in software for many people it is the reverse: you start out and build your experience in a permanent role with the aim of becoming a contractor later (perhaps after 5-10 years) when you can work on projects that really interest you whilst commanding a significant rate. There will be many variables here, including the nature of the work and the length of the contract, but the day rate for a Java developer can easily exceed £625, with rates in London perhaps reaching £750-800. Some contractors may even command £1,000 a day. Another factor is whether the contractor role sits inside or outside IR35. That’s probably the subject of a whole article in itself – but if a role is deemed to fall within IR35 (so that the contractor is regarded as equivalent to an employee and taxed at source, similar to PAYE) then the business may pay a premium of perhaps 20% to top up the contractor’s rate to compensate. If the role is outside IR35, then the rate will be a bit lower – saving the employer money but also usually being more attractive to the contractor as they don’t lose the tax deduction at source.  Software engineering teams are usually very multicultural with developers coming to the UK from all areas of the world given how mature the technology landscape is, especially in London. Software engineering as a whole has historically been a very male-dominated industry, but recently we’ve seen the number of female candidates in the market increase year-on-year, which is very encouraging. The beauty of software engineering is that it’s really up to the individual how they develop their career. For some, they’re content to keep writing code and being part of the development team. For others, it’s the beginning of a journey up the ranks – taking on more team and management responsibility, becoming Head of Engineering or perhaps moving into adjacent areas like cybersecurity or data, and even ultimately assuming a technology C-suite role such as CDO, CTO or CIO. Once you’ve got going, it’s really all to play for. Emmanuel Sackey is a senior consultant, and Morgan Fox, principal consultant, at Harvey Nash

The collaboration will make Samsung's rolling robot a lot more personalized.

Lenovo is known for taking some of the biggest risks as a product innovator in the PC space, and at MWC 2025 it continued to explore interesting new ideas and concepts.

iPhone Glass: When Windows 7 launched back in 2009, one of its standout features was its sleek, glass-like interface – subtle shadows, rounded edges, and a sense of depth that made windows and buttons feel almost tangible. Now, if this massive iOS 19 leak is to be believed, Apple seems to be channeling a bit of that same magic for the next iPhone refresh. Apple's iOS 19 update is set to debut at WWDC in June and is reportedly bringing with it the biggest visual overhaul in a decade. One of the most striking changes is a subtle return to the slightly raised, glossy aesthetic that made Windows 7 feel so special. App icons, menus, and interface elements could be adopting a softer, more dimensional appearance. Icons could get rounder (though not as extreme as when we get on visionOS or watchOS), much like other UI components like permission dialogs and sliders. The app icons also look slightly "raised." The rumored update to Apple operating systems would revamp the UI across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. Jon Prosser has released a 10-minute video detailing iOS 19's possible new design language. The renders suggest the update may be moving away from the ultra-flat look that has dominated iPhones since iOS 7 – at least in some areas. Another major change is a new "floating" navigation bar across native apps. Gone is the rigid, squarish dock glued to the bottom of the screen. In its place is an oval-shaped tab bar that hovers just above the display, featuring smoother animations as users switch between tabs. Internally, Apple is calling it "Tab View." Then there's the Messages app, which is relocating its search bar from the top to the bottom center. Expect other native apps to follow suit. Even the lock screen is getting a refresh, with shinier animations for the camera and flashlight shortcuts. Prosser notes that the Control Center has remained mostly unchanged. The brightness and volume sliders have become rounder, and the slightly raised design language has made its way to the controls as well – but that's about it. What's interesting is how Apple is threading the needle between change and usability. The new design doesn't completely upend what users know – icons are still recognizable, and core functions remain intact – but the tweaks add just enough freshness to make the OS feel modern. Of course, leaks are never guaranteed. Apple could still tweak things before the final release. These renders are essentially Prosser's team reverse-engineering what he saw in materials sourced from within the company – not actual screenshots – so take them with a grain of salt.

When deciding to make SinnersBlack Panther 3, Ryan Coogler had to get personal. While speaking with Deadline, Coogler discussed Sinners and why he explored vampiric horror instead of returning to Wakanda for a third chapter. Recommended Videos “It is interesting for you to ask where this came from and timing it before Black Panther 3,” Coogler said. “It was my realization that I had been on this path of what I could make and what I wanted to make. And realizing they had all been in the service of stories that were outside of myself.” Related Coogler explained how he found a way into the story for his previous directorial features. Fruitvale Station was based on real events. In Creed, Coogler entered Sylvester Stallone’s sandbox and provided a new perspective to the Rocky franchise. For the Black Panther films, Coogler was hired for an “open directing assignment.” With Sinners, Coogler was finally ready to express his views to the audience. “I got this company that can make things. I’ve engaged with audiences all over the planet, man,” Coogler said. “Who can say, at my age, that they’ve had four movies released theatrically? And yet I still haven’t really opened myself up to the audience … I still haven’t brought something that was just me.” Opening up to the audience meant exploring one of his favorite genres: horror. “How funny is it that when I say, Hey, I’m making a horror movie and people are surprised. But if you know me, I love those movies,” Coogler said. “If I had to reckon with the fact that the audience doesn’t truly know me. And I got scared that I would look up and be 50 and would still be in that situation. And by then, I might not have anything to say. So the movie was made because I had to make it right now. And with the people that I wanted to make it with, it had to happen now. Or if not, it wouldn’t. I feared that. And that was why now.” Michael B. Jordan stars as Smoke and Stack, twin brothers who return to their hometown for a fresh start, only to discover a sinister presence waiting for them. Coogler mentioned that his late Uncle James’ love for blues music played an integral part in Sinners. Written and directed by Coogler, Sinners opens in theaters on April 18, 2025. Editors’ Recommendations

Higher prices and slower consumer spending threaten the Big Tech pocketbooks fueling AI.

Thinking smarter, not harder Google’s best Gemini AI model is showing up in more places Gemini 2.5 is starting to move beyond its experimental phase. Ryan Whitwam – Apr 9, 2025 4:33 pm | 0 Credit: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Credit: Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only   Learn more Google made waves with the release of Gemini 2.5 last month, rocketing to the top of the AI leaderboard after previously struggling to keep up with the likes of OpenAI. That first experimental model was just the beginning. Google is deploying its improved AI in more places across its ecosystem, from the developer-centric Vertex AI to the consumer Gemini app. Gemini models have been dropping so quickly, it can be hard to grasp Google's intended lineup. Things are becoming clearer now that the company is beginning to move its products to the new branch. At the Google Cloud Next conference, it has announced initial availability of Gemini 2.5 Flash. This model is based on the same code as Gemini 2.5 Pro, but it's faster and cheaper to run. You won't see Gemini 2.5 Flash in the Gemini app just yet—it's starting out in the Vertex AI development platform. The experimental wide release of Pro helped Google gather data and see how people interacted with the new model, and that has helped inform the development of 2.5 Flash. The Flash versions of Gemini are smaller than the Pro versions, though Google doesn't like to talk about specific parameter counts. Flash models provide faster answers for simpler prompts, which has the side effect of reducing costs. We do know that 2.5 Pro (Experimental) was the first Gemini model to implement dynamic thinking, a technique that allows the model to modulate the amount of simulated reasoning that goes into an answer. 2.5 Flash is also a thinking model, but it's a bit more advanced. We recently spoke with Google's Tulsee Doshi, who noted that the 2.5 Pro (Experimental) release was still prone to "overthinking" its responses to simple queries. However, the plan was to further improve dynamic thinking for the final release, and the team also hoped to give developers more control over the feature. That appears to be happening with Gemini 2.5 Flash, which includes "dynamic and controllable reasoning." The newest Gemini models will choose a "thinking budget" based on the complexity of the prompt. This helps reduce wait times and processing for 2.5 Flash. Developers even get granular control over the budget to lower costs and speed things along where appropriate. Gemini 2.5 models are also getting supervised tuning and context caching for Vertex AI in the coming weeks. In addition to the arrival of Gemini 2.5 Flash, the larger Pro model has picked up a new gig. Google's largest Gemini model is now powering its Deep Research tool, which was previously running Gemini 2.0 Pro. Deep Research lets you explore a topic in greater detail simply by entering a prompt. The agent then goes out into the Internet to collect data and synthesize a lengthy report. Google says that the move to Gemini 2.5 has boosted the accuracy and usefulness of Deep Research. The graphic above shows Google's alleged advantage compared to OpenAI's deep research tool. These stats are based on user evaluations (not synthetic benchmarks) and show a greater than 2-to-1 preference for Gemini 2.5 Pro reports. Deep Research is available for limited use on non-paid accounts, but you won't get the latest model. Deep Research with 2.5 Pro is currently limited to Gemini Advanced subscribers. However, we expect before long that all models in the Gemini app will move to the 2.5 branch. With dynamic reasoning and new TPUs, Google could begin lowering the sky-high costs that have thus far made generative AI unprofitable. Ryan Whitwam Senior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam Senior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering the ways Google, AI, and mobile technology continue to change the world. Over his 20-year career, he's written for Android Police, ExtremeTech, Wirecutter, NY Times, and more. He has reviewed more phones than most people will ever own. You can follow him on Bluesky, where you will see photos of his dozens of mechanical keyboards. 0 Comments

A cup made from transparent paperboardNoriyuki Isobe (JAMSTEC) A waterproof, plant-based material that degrades quickly in the ocean could offer a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics in cups and straws. Transparent paperboard is, like cellophane, made from cellulose, the molecule that makes up plant cell walls. Because of the coagulant chemicals used in cellophane’s production, it hadn’t been possible until now to make it stiff, limiting it to applications such as food packaging. Advertisement Noriyuki Isobe at the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology in Yokosuka and his colleagues discovered that when cellulose is treated with a solution of lithium bromide, it doesn’t require a coagulant – it can simply be left to dry instead. “We have now developed a regenerated cellulose material from this solvent system that is not only shapeable but also has the potential to serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics,” says Isobe. The researchers found that a cup made of transparent paperboard can hold just-boiled water with almost no leakage for well over 3 hours. When they added a coating made from a plant-derived fatty acid salt, the cup became completely waterproof. Unmissable news about our planet delivered straight to your inbox every month. Sign up to newsletter The material can be made from both recycled and upcycled cellulose products such as recovered clothing. Isobe and his colleagues also tested how the material breaks down in the ocean and found that it completely degraded in 300 days in the deep sea and more quickly at shallower depths. Bhavna Middha at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Australia says having a paper-based alternative to plastic is “not a bad thing”, but she has some reservations about this approach to tackling the waste issue. “I would say that there should be an objection to using anything single-use unless it’s really required by people or groups that really need single-use disposable materials – for example, the medical industry,” she says. Journal reference:Science Advances DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ads2426 Topics: