Digital Domain leads the visual effects for The Electric State, delivering over 850 shots that seamlessly blend emotional storytelling with groundbreaking digital artistry. At the heart of the film are robot characters like Cosmo and Herman, brought to life with striking realism and personality, creating a deep emotional connection with the audience. The studio also crafted massive digital environments including a haunting amusement park, a decaying robot-filled mall, and the desolate Exclusion Zone. These immersive settings enrich the film’s post-apocalyptic tone and narrative depth. The combination of character-driven animation and expansive worldbuilding demonstrates Digital Domain’s ability to merge visual spectacle with heartfelt storytelling, setting a new standard in cinematic VFX for sci-fi drama. The post The Electric State – VFX Breakdown by Digital Domain appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Meta is set to face off against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Monday in an antitrust trial that could force the social media giant to divest itself of Instagram and WhatsApp. The closely watched trial carries high stakes for Meta’s $1.3 trillion market value. The company depends heavily on advertising revenue from Instagram, and losing control of the platform could deal a significant blow to its business. Here’s what to know about the FTC trial. The case focuses on decade-old acquisitions Meta acquired Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 and WhatsApp for $19 billion in 2014. The government argues that Meta didn’t buy these companies for their products or technology, but rather to eliminate potential competition. Prosecutors say it reflects CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s well-known strategy of buying rivals instead of competing with them. “Acquiring these competitive threats has enabled Facebook to sustain its dominance—to the detriment of competition and users—not by competing on the merits, but by avoiding competition,” the FTC wrote in a complaint. That strategy, they allege, has led to a decrease in the quality of Meta’s products. The government wants Meta to divest of Instagram and WhatsApp The FTC wants Meta to breakup with Instagram and WhatsApp. That would mean the tech giant would have to spin off the two highly popular platforms into their own companies. Such a move could be detrimental to its broader advertising business. Instagram this year is expected to bring in more than half of Meta’s total U.S. ad revenue, or more than $32 billion, Adweek reported. Meta is standing its ground To no surprise, Meta is maintaining its innocence. “The FTC’s lawsuit against Meta defies reality,” Meta said in a statement shared with Fast Company. “The evidence at trial will show what every 17-year-old in the world knows: Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp compete with Chinese-owned TikTok, YouTube, X, iMessage, and many others. More than 10 years after the FTC reviewed and cleared our acquisitions, the Commission’s action in this case sends the message that no deal is ever truly final. Regulators should be supporting American innovation rather than seeking to break up a great American company and further advantaging China on critical issues like AI.” The case is being tried before a familiar judge The FTC first brought this case before the courts in 2020. But Judge James Boasberg of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., dismissed it, saying that the government didn’t have enough evidence. The agency amended its suit in 2022 and Boasberg allowed it to move forward. Judge Boasberg is already a well-known name during this second Trump administration. He’s presiding over both the White House’s deportations of alleged Venezuelan gang members and the fallout from top U.S. officials and advisors discussing imminent war plans over the Signal messaging app. Meta recently met with Trump Meta has reportedly been lobbying President Donald Trump and other White House officials to agree to a settlement ahead of the trial. The Wall Street Journal reported that Zuckerberg has visited the White House a handful of times since Trump’s inauguration. Former FTC chair Lina Khan expressed concerns in January that she hoped the Trump administration wouldn’t give Meta a “sweetheart deal.”

Remember those charming kerosene lamps that cast a warm, flickering glow during power outages or camping trips? There was something magical about their gentle illumination, despite the smoke and fire hazards they posed. The IGGY portable mood light captures that nostalgic charm while bringing it firmly into the present day, combining the classic silhouette of traditional storm lamps with modern, sustainable technology that makes it perfect for today’s lifestyle. What makes IGGY special is how thoughtfully it honors its heritage while eliminating all the drawbacks of its predecessors. The familiar lamp shape immediately evokes feelings of warmth and comfort, but instead of a potentially dangerous fuel tank, you’ll find a sleek solar panel that harnesses free energy from the sun. The lightweight yet sturdy construction maintains the rugged dependability of old-time storm lamps without the weight, mess, or environmental concerns of kerosene. Designers: Ferenc Laufer and András Húnfalvi (Flying Objects), video by Lilla Hajnal (Brick Visual) Taking IGGY from the patio to the dining table or bedside couldn’t be easier. Its versatile design makes it at home in virtually any setting, whether you’re creating the ambiance for an outdoor dinner party or need a gentle reading light that won’t disturb your partner. The lamp’s portability means you can bring that cozy glow exactly where you need it, transforming ordinary spaces into intimate environments with just the right amount of illumination. I particularly love the thoughtful details that make IGGY both beautiful and functional. The knurled dimming knob gives you precise control over brightness, allowing you to adjust the mood from a soft whisper of light to a more practical glow. This tactile control feels satisfyingly substantial under your fingers, a small but significant touch that connects you physically to the lamp in a way that touchscreens never could. The clever tiltable base adds another dimension of versatility to this already flexible light source. Position it upright on a table, tilt it to direct light toward a specific area, or even mount it on a wall when you need both hands free. This adaptability makes IGGY perfect for everything from reading nooks to outdoor gatherings, and workshop tasks to romantic dinners, it’s ready to serve however you need it. Environmental consciousness is woven into every aspect of IGGY’s design. Beyond its solar-powered operation (with battery charging as a backup option), the lamp’s construction prioritizes sustainability through its minimal parts count and complete recyclability. When the product eventually reaches the end of its life cycle, it can be fully disassembled and recycled—a refreshing departure from the disposable mentality that dominates so many consumer products today. IGGY proves that we don’t need to abandon the comforting aesthetics of traditional designs to embrace modern, eco-friendly technology. By reimagining the classic kerosene lamp for today’s needs, it delivers both the emotional warmth of nostalgic design and the practical benefits of contemporary innovation, all while treading lightly on our planet. The post Eco-Friendly Portable Light Combines Solar Power with Nostalgic Kerosene Lamp Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Inside the artist's that blends nature and animals with myths, legends and a touch of darkness

The approximate 20 percent budget cut could force the closure of the Goddard Space Flight Center and would see projects such as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope scrapped.

Macworld Don’t upgrade to Adobe Scan Premium’s monthly plan; there’s a more cost-effective option worth looking at. iScanner is a top-rated and reviewed document scanning and management app that offers premium features but with a one-time payment instead of a monthly subscription. Right now, new users can get lifetime access to iScanner for just $24.99 with code SCAN. iScanner goes well beyond basic scanning. It can digitize everything from documents and ID cards to receipts, books, and handwritten notes. Its AI-powered tools include object counting, which is ideal for tasks like inventory or merchandising, and OCR (optical character recognition), which accurately converts printed or handwritten text into searchable, editable content in more than 20 languages. You’ll also get a full PDF editor, document markup tools, e-signatures, watermarking, file protection, and drag-and-drop folder organization, all with no ads or recurring fees. Get iScanner for $24.99 with code SCAN — no subscription, just smart scanning for life. iScanner App: Lifetime SubscriptionSee Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.

Apple's Pages never gets the praise it should, but it's especially unfairly ignored on the iPad where in truth it is an exceptionally easy to use pro writing app.Pages on the iPadWhether it's on the Mac or the iPad, you shouldn't be using Pages to make notes. That would be like using a Lear Jet to get you to the end of your drive.Only, if the Mac version hides away its features, the iPad one arguably likes to force you to dig even further for what you need. It's the same idea of not getting in the way of your writing, but keeping Pages simple while you work by touch sometimes means features are several taps away. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

HWKN has announced the completion of the third and final tower of Journal Squared, a major residential development in Jersey City, New Jersey. The 59-story tower comprises 598 rental residences and nearly 18,000 square feet of amenity space. Image credit: Colin MillerImage credit: Colin MillerDeveloped in collaboration with Handel Architects, the three-tower complex now totals 1,840 apartments and 36,000 square feet of retail and dining areas. Situated adjacent to the Journal Square PATH station, the development has seen former parking lots and transit spaces converted into public areas hosting farmers’ markets, film screenings, and local events. The newly completed final tower features a panoramic sky lounge with views of Manhattan that also serves as a communal gathering space. Image credit: Colin MillerImage credit: Colin Miller“Witnessing our vision materialize after a decade, and realizing the potency of our chosen design –one that blends timeless aesthetics with a socially act...

Upon its release for Xbox Series X/S and PC last December, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle enjoyed widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike. Soon, PS5 players will also get to see what the fuss is about. MachineGames, Bethesda, and Microsoft’s first-person action-adventure title is set to launch for PS5 on April 17, with Premium Edition owners getting access starting April 15. To commemorate its looing release, Microsoft has released a new trailer to showcase the game. Check it out below.  At launch, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will also tout exclusive PS5 Pro features, including native 4K and 60 FPS support, advanced ray tracing, and more.  MachineGames recently also released a new update for the game on Xbox Series X/S and PC, which brings additional progression options with new Adventure Books, new quality-of-life features, various bug fixes, and more.  In our review of the game’s original release, we awarded it a score of 9/10, saying, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle captures its source material’s vibe down to a T, delivering an authentic, swashbuckling Indiana Jones adventure that can stand toe-to-toe with the original trilogy, while strong level design, compelling exploration, smartly designed puzzles, and enjoyable stealth and combat also combine in a well-crafted gameplay experience that might just be MachineGames’ best outing to date.” Read the full review through here.