Espresso Displays makes some of our favorite portable monitors, but up until now, it felt like there was a hole in its portfolio. That's because aside from its flagship model — the $800 Espresso 17 Pro — the other members of the family are slightly more affordable fare like the $469 Espresso Touch 13 and $499 Touch 15. Today, the company is plugging that gap with the Espresso 15 Pro, which packs everything I like about its bigger sibling in a more portable package for $699 (with a stand included). Design and display One of the things I appreciate about Espresso is that it doesn't try to do too much. The 15 Pro features an ultra minimalist design made from simple sheets of matte black aluminum along with glossy glass in front (if you prefer matte displays, you can always add one of the company's textured screen protectors). Granted, the monitor does have a bit of a chin, but aside from two USB-C ports stashed in the corner, that's really the 15 Pro's only defining exterior feature, so I'm not that bothered. All told, the display weighs 1 pound and 11 ounces, which sounds a lot heavier than it feels. As for its specs, the Espresso 15 Pro's 4K LCD panel delivers nearly everything you want and then some. Brightness tops out at 550 nits (it was actually 556 nits according to my light meter), which is higher than the 450 nits on the 17-inch model. It also covers 100 percent of the Adobe RGB spectrum with 10-bit color (8-bit + 2-bit frame rate control). The one thing I wish Espresso included was a 120Hz refresh rate instead of being capped at 60Hz. That said, unless you're gaming or editing videos, that limitation may not be a huge factor. Setup and special features Sam Rutherford for Engadget Getting the 15 Pro up and running couldn't be easier. Each USB-C port has enough bandwidth to carry power and data over a single cable, so you just need to plug in the included cord, and off you go. The one exception is for laptops that can't send out much power via USB-C, but I tested the monitor with 4 different laptops (both Mac and PC) and none of them had issues. The display even automatically downloaded the EspressoFlow software, which adds touch support to your Apple notebooks. You also get the new Glide feature that automatically positions the monitor in the right place depending on how you have it arranged next to your laptop. And by some black magic, the 15 Pro nailed it when it correctly laid out the monitor to the left of my notebook's built-in screen. As someone who has recently been forced to use a Mac for work, the ability to quickly and easily add touch support to Apple's laptop is super nice. And while I'm far from a digital Degas, you can even use the display for drawing and sketching as the monitor also works with the company's optional stylus. This makes the 15 Pro an ideal travel companion for both people who want more screen real estate or a portable way of creating art on the go. Accessories In addition to screen protectors and pens, there are also a couple of important stand accessories for the 15 Pro. The first is the $49 Espresso Case, which is more of a magnetic folding cover that protects the screen while in transit that can also flip around back to become a kickstand when you're working. Like the display itself, it's a fairly simple affair that does exactly what you expect it to. However, for those who want something more substantial, the 15 Pro also works with Espresso's $69 Stand+. It's more like what you'd see on a traditional desktop monitor, except that it can fold up for improved portability while also packing a really strong magnet that allows you to mount the monitor in a variety of positions. This thing might be too pricey for some, but I've quickly grown to appreciate how easy it makes putting the 15 Pro in the perfect position. It's more well-built than a lot of the desktop monitor stands I have. The obvious drawback is that at 1 pound and 4 ounces, the Stand+ weighs almost as much as the display itself, which is rather hefty. Wrap-up Sam Rutherford for Engadget The Espresso 15 Pro has nearly everything I look for in a premium portable monitor. It features well above average brightness, a sleek but sturdy design and super simple setup. It also comes with a few special features like Glide and added touch support for Macs that help you get more out of the devices you already own. And thanks to a wealth of accessories, it can adapt to almost any use case. While I'd like a higher refresh rate, not having it is far from a deal-breaker. That would almost certainly increase its price, and considering that the 15 Pro is already somewhat costly, starting at $699 for the monitor and the Stand+, I'm not sure the added expense would be worth it. Regardless, if you want a really portable monitor that's also more than good enough to use at home, there aren't many other displays that can match the Espresso 15 Pro.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/espresso-15-pro-review-just-a-really-nice-though-pricey-portable-monitor-230046315.html?src=rss

Still anonymous

Webull, which competes with Robinhood, has racked up 23 million users, including some who signed up after receiving stimulus checks.

A new VFX breakdown is out. The post Effects sims by Wētā FX in ‘Godzilla X Kong: The New Empire’ appeared first on befores & afters.

The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only membership community of leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual dues for access to peer learning, thought leadership opportunities, events and more. PFAS contamination is everywhere: clothing, household products, even the water we drink. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), aka “forever chemicals,” are engineered to last, making them commonplace in manufacturing but devastating to human health and the environment. While regulators scramble to set new limits, traditional water treatment methods aren’t keeping up.   For industry, this is an environmental crisis and a business imperative. Investing in PFAS removal and destruction technologies can help the industries contributing to PFAS contamination mitigate risks, open new markets, keep pace with regulations, and earn trust in an era where sustainability and operational efficiency are key business drivers.  The true cost of inaction  Studies suggest that PFAS has contaminated almost 50% of the U.S. tap water supply. These chemicals are linked to a growing list of health risks, including cancers and chronic diseases. Many global institutions have recently taken regulatory action. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed stringent limits for PFAS in drinking water. Meanwhile, the European Union is considering a near-total PFAS ban in consumer products.   But PFAS contamination isn’t just a regulatory headache, it’s also a massive financial burden. One report estimates that decontaminating Europe from PFAS could cost at least €100 billion annually and €2 trillion over two decades. In the U.S., the EPA projects that public drinking water systems will need $1.5 billion per year to meet proposed PFAS limits. The American Water Works Association suggests that cost could exceed $3.8 billion annually, and that’s for just two PFAS compounds (PFOA and PFOS) out of thousands.   Beyond drinking water, recent studies expose another major PFAS concern: wastewater and sludge. Treated wastewater, often considered safe for reuse, has been found to still carry significant levels of PFAS. Even more concerning is the widespread practice of using treated sewage sludge as farm fertilizer. The EPA has warned that PFAS in sludge can contaminate crops, soil, and groundwater, creating a direct pathway from industrial chemical waste to the food we eat.  Industries from agriculture to consumer goods face supply chain disruptions, product recalls, and legal battles over PFAS exposure. This is a problem that can’t be ignored. The question isn’t whether businesses should act, it’s whether they can afford not to.  Why industry leadership is essential  Government action alone isn’t enough to tackle PFAS contamination effectively. The private sector’s speed, resources, and innovation are crucial to addressing PFAS contamination. Public utilities and municipalities often lack the funding and technical expertise to implement cutting-edge solutions on their own. Businesses, especially those in water treatment, chemical manufacturing, and waste management, have both the responsibility and capability to lead the charge in PFAS decontamination.  This leadership goes beyond compliance and represents a real opportunity. Companies that invest in next-generation PFAS treatment technologies will be well-positioned to meet growing demand from a range of stakeholders seeking to reduce their environmental footprint. Proactive companies can also shape industry standards, influence policy, and build reputations as sustainability leaders.  Current solutions are falling short  Many existing PFAS treatment methods are simply shifting the problem elsewhere. Most “treatments” remove the forever chemicals from water but create a new problem: concentrated waste. This waste is often incinerated or landfilled, practices that are costly, energy-intensive, and environmentally risky.  In some cases, utilities transport PFAS-contaminated waste across state lines for disposal. This effectively increases costs and emissions and shifts the contamination burden from one community to another, without solving the core problem.  The real solution? Destroying PFAS at its source.  The business case for on-site PFAS destruction  Emerging technologies like electrochemical oxidation and micro-foam fractionation can eliminate PFAS at the molecular level rather than just concentrating and relocating it.   These technologies offer a dual advantage: environmental safety and economic efficiency. By treating PFAS on site, companies reduce the risk of these toxic substances re-entering the environment and provide a cost-effective solution for municipalities and industrial users. For industries that rely on water (manufacturing, energy, pharmaceuticals), adopting these technologies is about more than compliance—it’s about resilience.  The time to lead is now  A world in which PFAS no longer contaminates our food, water, or ecosystems is within reach. It requires bold industry action, leadership, and innovation. The fight against PFAS isn’t confined to one sector; it demands collaboration across industries, from fashion and pharmaceuticals to agriculture and water management. By investing in sustainable water technologies, companies can create new markets and this will drive economic growth. Most importantly, this investment will safeguard public health.  The PFAS crisis is here. It’s global and it’s growing, but it is solvable. The question is not whether companies should address PFAS, but how fast they are willing to lead.  With the right combination of innovation, investment, and accountability, businesses can turn the tide on PFAS pollution. Industry players who act now will be at the forefront of a cleaner and safer future, one that is more sustainable.  Prakash Govindan is cofounder and COO of Gradiant. 

The handheld gaming PC market just got a lot more colorful. Shenzhen-based One-Netbook has unveiled its upcoming OneXPlayer Youxia X1 Pro EVA Limited Edition, a striking collaboration that marries cutting-edge portable gaming technology with one of anime’s most iconic franchises. Designer: One-Netbook This isn’t just another gaming device with a fancy paint job. The new limited edition model features a globally exclusive “Unit-02 Asuka” color scheme inspired by Neon Genesis Evangelion, the groundbreaking anime series that continues to influence popular culture decades after its debut. What immediately catches the eye is the bold red and orange chassis, instantly recognizable to fans of the series as Asuka Langley Soryu’s distinctive EVA unit. One-Netbook has gone beyond mere aesthetic homage, incorporating dynamic RGB light blade effects that recreate the anime’s tense “cockpit combat atmosphere” when gaming. The attention to detail extends throughout the design, with the CNC-machined aviation-grade aluminum alloy frame featuring numerous franchise-specific industrial design elements. But impressive visuals mean nothing without the hardware to back them up. Powerhouse Performance in Your Hands At the heart of this special edition device beats Intel’s latest Core Ultra 7 255H processor, part of the new Arrow Lake-H series. This 16-core chip can boost up to 5.1GHz, providing substantial computing power that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in a handheld form factor. Graphics processing comes courtesy of the integrated Intel Arc 140T GPU, which early benchmarks suggest performs comparably to the Radeon 890M found in the AMD variant of the X1 Pro. Interestingly, the Arc 140T appears to outperform its AMD counterpart in non-gaming benchmarks, suggesting superior general computing capabilities. The device comes loaded with 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM running at 8400MHz and a spacious 2TB PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD storage solution. This combination delivers considerable horsepower for both gaming and productivity tasks, ensuring the device can handle everything from AAA gaming titles to creative workloads. Visual fidelity is maintained through a 10.95-inch 2560×1600 (2.5K) fully laminated LTPS display running at a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. This high-quality touchscreen provides an immersive visual experience, whether you’re deep in a gaming session or consuming media. Versatility Redefined What truly sets the OneXPlayer X1 Pro apart from other gaming handhelds is its innovative modular design. The device features detachable controllers that support three distinct usage modes: Combined handheld configuration for traditional portable gaming Separated tablet/controller setup for a more comfortable experience External keyboard/mouse peripheral connectivity for productivity tasks This “3-in-1 PC hybrid” approach redefines portable gaming by allowing seamless transitions between handheld gaming, tablet productivity, and desktop workstation modes. The included magnetic keyboard attachment and controller stand further enhance this versatility. For serious gamers, the controllers feature Hall-effect linear triggers and dual customizable rear buttons in an Xbox-style layout, providing precise control and customization options. Connectivity and Expansion One notable hardware upgrade in this model is the shift from USB4 to Thunderbolt 4 ports, offering improved peripheral compatibility and data transfer speeds. The device also includes a USB-A 3.2 port and microSD card reader for additional connectivity options. An OCuLink port provides eGPU support, allowing users to connect external graphics cards for enhanced performance when docked. This feature essentially transforms the handheld into a capable gaming desktop when at home. Wireless connectivity hasn’t been overlooked either, with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections for online gaming and peripheral pairing. Limited Availability and Pricing As with most limited edition collaborations, the OneXPlayer X1 Pro EVA Asuka Edition will be produced in restricted quantities, making it a potentially valuable collector’s item for both gaming enthusiasts and Evangelion fans. While official pricing hasn’t been announced, it’s expected to command a premium over the standard X1 Pro models. For reference, the 2023 Youxia X1 Pro model, equipped with AMD’s Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, launched with configurations starting at 8,699 RMB (approximately $1,200 USD). Based on recent information, the EVA Limited Edition with its 64GB RAM and 2TB storage configuration is likely to be priced around $1,649.99, positioning it firmly in the high-end segment of the handheld gaming PC market. Final Thoughts The OneXPlayer X1 Pro EVA Asuka Limited Edition represents a significant advancement in portable gaming PC technology. By combining Intel’s powerful Arrow Lake-H processor with ample RAM and storage in a versatile 3-in-1 form factor, it offers genuine desktop-class performance in a device that can function as a handheld console, tablet, and laptop. The Evangelion-inspired design adds collecting appeal beyond pure technical specifications, though the premium price point positions it firmly in the high-end segment of the market. For enthusiasts seeking maximum performance in a portable form factor—particularly those with an appreciation for anime aesthetics—this limited edition represents a compelling, if expensive, option in the increasingly competitive handheld gaming PC landscape. One-Netbook’s collaboration with the Evangelion franchise demonstrates how gaming hardware is increasingly intersecting with pop culture, creating devices that serve as both functional tools and collectible expressions of fandom. Whether this trend continues will likely depend on the success of limited runs like this one. Pre-orders are expected to open soon, with shipping anticipated to begin between April 15 and April 30, 2025. Given the limited production run, interested buyers are encouraged to act quickly once sales begin.The post OneXPlayer X1 Pro EVA Edition: A Neon Genesis Gaming Machine with Real Power first appeared on Yanko Design.

Desktop class power comes to the finest tablet for creatives.

The abrupt firing of Xiaofeng Wang and his wife from Indiana University last month shocked the academic community and is stoking fears that Chinese-born scholars are being targeted.

Macworld With all the problems we’ve heard about Apple Intelligence lately–delayed Siri improvements, bad news notification summaries, unimpressive image generation, and more–you might wonder what Apple is planning to do to right the ship. Obviously new and improved models are important, and so in increased training, but Apple has a particularly hard time of this because its privacy policies are a lot more strict than other companies creating AI products. In a new post on Apple’s Machine Learning Research site, the company explains a technique it will employ to help its AI be more relevant, more often, without training it on your personal data. Ensuring privacy while polling for usage data Differential Privacy is a way to, as Apple puts it, “gain insight into what many Apple users are doing, while helping to preserve the privacy of individual users.” Basically, whenever Apple collects data in a system like this, it first strips out any identifying information (device ID, IP address, and so on) and then slightly alters the data. When millions of users submit results, that “noise” cancels out. That’s the Differential Privacy part: take enough samples with random noise and identifiers removed, and you can’t possibly connect any particular bit of data with a user. It’s a good way to, for example, get a good statistical sample of which emoji are picked most often, or which autocorrect word is used the most after a particular misspelling–collecting data on user preferences without actually being able to trace any particular data point back to any user, even if they wanted to. Apple can generate synthetic text that is representative of common prompts, then use those differential privacy techniques to find out which synthetic samples are selected by users most often. Or to determine which words and phrases are common in Genmoji prompts and which results the users are most likely to pick. The AI system could generate common sentences used in emails, for example, and then send multiple variants out to different users. Then, using differential privacy techniques, Apple can find out which ones are selected most frequently (while having no ability to know what any one individual chose). Apple has been using this technique for years to gather data meant to improve QuickType suggestions, emoji suggestions, lookup hints, and more. As anonymous as it is, it is still opt-in. Apple doesn’t collect this type of data unless you affirmatively enable device analytics. Techniques like this are already being used to improve Genmoji, and in an upcoming update, they’ll be used for Image Generation, Image Wand, Memories Creation, Writing Tools, and Visual Intelligence. A Bloomberg report says the new system will come in a beta update to iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, and macOS 18.5 (the second beta was released today). Of course, this is just data gathering, and it will take weeks or months of data collection and retraining to measurably improve Apple Intelligence features.

Apple Watch deals are heating up at Amazon this week, with a $100 discount in effect on an Apple Watch Series 10 style and prices across the wearable line starting at $169.Amazon cuts prices on the Apple Watch line - Image credit: AppleWe're following a fresh Apple Watch Series 10 price drop at Amazon today, with the Apple Authorized Reseller knocking $100 off the 42mm GPS + Cellular model with a Silver Aluminum Case and Denim Sport Band.Now priced at $399, Amazon states this is a limited-time deal (and stock is limited at press time). Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums