Looking to pick up an iPad for carrying out basic tasks like watching shows, catching up on reading and handling some email? The latest base model might be the way to go, especially if you’re a budget-conscious buyer. The A16 iPad is now on sale at a record-low price. It has dropped by $29 to $320. The discount is available for most colorways. The deal is for the entry-level configuration with 128GB of storage, 6GB of RAM and Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. The A16 iPad, which Apple released earlier this year, is our pick for the best budget iPad. It's not as sleek or powerful as the iPad Air, but as things stand it'll run you $234 less than that tablet. It's a good device in its own right, as we gave it a score of 84 in our review. Apple didn't increase the price of the latest base iPad compared with the previous model, but it added 2GB of RAM, doubled the storage and slotted in a more powerful chipset that's fast enough for most common tasks, including casual gaming and light photo editing. However, the iPad doesn't support Apple Intelligence — which is either a positive or negative, depending on your perspective or feelings about generative AI. The build quality is still solid, while the 11-inch tablet runs for around 10 hours on a single charge, depending on the taks you carry out with it. On the downside, the accessory situation isn't ideal. The Apple Pencil doesn't charge wirelessly when you attach it magnetically to the iPad — you'll need a USB-C cable and a USB-C to Lightning adapter to juice up the original Pencil's battery from the tablet. The Magic Keyboard support isn't great either, as the model that works with the base iPad is tough to stabilize on your lap. Still, if the accessory fussiness doesn't bother you, this might be the right iPad for your needs. Sure, the iPad Air and Pro lineups have models with more powerful chipsets, but if all you're looking for is an iPad to watch some movies on while you're flying or to read the news on without breaking the bank, this could be the way to go. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-latest-ipad-drops-to-a-record-low-price-143619542.html?src=rss

The Washington Post is partnering with OpenAI to bring its reporting to ChatGPT. The two organizations did not disclose the financial terms of the agreement, but the deal will see ChatGPT display summaries, quotes and links to articles from The Post when users prompt the chatbot to search the web. "We're all in on meeting our audiences where they are," said Peter Elkins-Williams, head of global partnerships at The Post. "Ensuring ChatGPT users have our impactful reporting at their fingertips builds on our commitment to provide access where, how and when our audiences want it." The Post is no stranger to generative AI. In November, the publisher began using the technology to offer article summaries. Since the start of February, ChatGPT Search has been available to everyone, with no account or sign-in necessary.  Later that same month, Jeff Bezos, the owner of The Washington Post, announced a "significant shift" in the publisher's editorial strategy. As part of the overhaul, the paper has been publishing daily opinion stories "in defense of two pillars," personal liberties and free markets. Given that focus and Amazon's own investments in artificial intelligence, it's not surprising to see The Washington Post and OpenAI sign a strategic partnership. More broadly, today's announcement sees yet another publisher partnering with OpenAI, following an early but brief period of resistance from some players in the news media industry — most notably The New York Times. According to OpenAI, it has signed similar agreements with more than 20 news publishers globally.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-washington-post-partners-with-openai-to-bring-its-content-to-chatgpt-141215314.html?src=rss

Top tips to make your Airwrap last as long as possible, plus sustainable options for what to do if you need to replace yours.

It's finally launch day for Instagram Edits, a free video editor for Android and iOS that's designed to compete with the likes of CapCut.

In M. Son of the Century, Italian VFX powerhouse EDI Effetti Digitali Italiani masterfully recreates the turbulent rise of Mussolini through over 200 immersive visual effects shots. Led by VFX Supervisor Stefano Leoni and VFX Producer Pasquale Vitillo, the team transforms historical drama into cinematic realism across all eight episodes.Utilizing cutting-edge virtual production inside Cinecittà’s LED-wall theater, the show features seamless set extensions and digitally reconstructed environments that echo the political tension of the era. From crowds gathered in propaganda rallies to haunting recreations of early 20th-century Italy, every frame is crafted with precision and atmosphere.Working alongside director Joe Wright, the EDI team infuses the narrative with a sense of time and place that feels both authentic and emotionally resonant. This VFX breakdown showcases the technical artistry and storytelling power behind one of Italy’s most ambitious historical series. The post Bringing History to Life – VFX Breakdown of M. Il Figlio del Secolo appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Dexter Studios brings cinematic grandeur to the legendary martial arts saga Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants. Adapted from Jin Yong’s classic novel, this epic tale unfolds during the Mongol invasion as warriors unite to defend the Song Dynasty’s stronghold of Xiangyang.Under the direction of Tsui Hark, the battle for Xiangyang is transformed into a visual spectacle. From large-scale digital environments to sweeping action sequences, Dexter’s VFX work elevates the scale of the conflict to a continental level. Intricate CG armies, realistic battle damage, and dynamic elemental simulations breathe life into the intense chaos of war.Every clash, leap, and sword strike is meticulously enhanced, capturing the spirit of wuxia with modern cinematic flair. This VFX showreel is not just a technical achievement, but a celebration of storytelling through martial arts and digital artistry. The post Epic Martial Arts Meets Cutting-Edge VFX  ‘Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants’ by Dexter Studios appeared first on Vfxexpress.

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. There was a time when data centers were quietly built throughout the country…just another utility necessary to meet the need of businesses and consumers. Today, they’re bigger and more power hungry, and that’s drawing a new level of attention. So much so that, in a recent rezoning hearing attended by hundreds of residents, attendees expressed concerns about the proliferation of data and data centers.  Clearly, big data applications are driving the surge in the data center industry’s expansion today. But we started to wonder how much wasted data is out there and if consumers understand how they connect to data centers. Are people paying (increasingly high) fees to store waste? Do they understand it all lives in a physical, powered location? As a company, we are dogged about zero waste. We’re certainly not in the business of building virtual landfills.   Being curious, we set out to dig deeper, to understand how Americans see digital accumulation. Between January 21 and February 5, 2025, Compass Datacenters polled 1,005 Americans for their perspectives on digital accumulation. At the heart of the study was this question: Are we a nation of digital hoarders?  The results  We learned that few people connect the dots between “the cloud” and the physical infrastructure behind it. Nearly 60% of respondents claimed they use cloud storage, but only 23% recognized that as being a physical location.  While people said they do delete files on occasion, those occasions are few and far between. People are motivated to hit delete to keep their devices functioning; few exercise good digital hygiene as a matter of security. Respondents were quick to say they’re afraid of deleting something they might need later. One-third of respondents said the prospect of dealing with digital accumulation makes them feel overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed—so much so that 60% said they’d rather wash dishes than clean out digital files.  Further, there is an out of sight, out of mind mentality when it comes to digital files. It’s troubling to see younger generations buying their way out of practicing good digital hygiene. Nearly half (49%) of Gen Z and millennials polled say they pay for data storage. Of the Gen Z group:  48% pay $1-$20 each month  40% pay $20-$40 per month  11% pay $40-$60 monthly   Accounting for a 3% inflation rate, assuming a 25-year-old pays $20/month for data storage until the age of 85, they will spend $40,000 over their lifetime on digital storage.  Data retention in the workplace  This trend is not relegated to consumers. Studies indicate that less than 20% of large businesses have procedures for data retention or information governance.  Businesses can set the tone and be champions for better digital hygiene by prioritizing clear policies for data retention and digital storage and ensuring compliance for security and efficiency. Best practice in the business world is not unlike consumer guidance. You have to identify the types of data to retain, the file retention duration, and the appropriate storage methods. Discipline around stored data review can help identify which redundant or outdated information to eliminate, thereby reducing storage costs and minimizing digital clutter.  Additionally, leveraging encryption and secure access controls can protect sensitive data from unauthorized access and breaches. By adopting these best practices, companies can maintain a streamlined and secure digital environment supporting their operational needs and regulatory requirements.  The bottom line on digital waste  Digital waste is still waste. Just as a more orderly physical spaces fosters productivity and reduces stress, a more organized digital life can lead to greater efficiency and less anxiety. Taking small, consistent steps now to delete unused apps, unsubscribe from unnecessary emails, and regularly organize our files creates a more sustainable digital ecosystem.  We share other tips for creating disciplines about what to store and where, and how to integrate best practices into daily life at Delete Digital Dust Bunnies, a site highlighting this kind of Earth Day cleanup.  By recognizing the tangible impact of our digital lives and embracing the practice of digital decluttering, we can all contribute to a more sustainable digital future. Earth Day is a great time to swipe out the extraneous data and lighten the load, for us and for the future.  Chris Crosby is CEO of Compass Datacenters. 

In April 2023, the New York State Board of Regents unanimously voted to prohibit mascots, team names, and logos with any connection to Indigenous peoples in public schools. This move was made to ratify a notice sent months before by the New York State Education Department to public schools to change any mascots depicting Native Americans that do not have explicit permission from local tribal leaders or face “removal of school officers and the withholding of state aid.”  Although dozens of schools began the process of changing mascots, school districts such as Massapequa stood fast. Eponymously named after the Massapequa tribe, the school district uses a “chief” mascot throughout the town and at Massapequa High School. The slogan “Once a Chief, always a Chief” can be often found on residents’ T-shirts and heard throughout the area.  In a letter sent by the Massapequa Board of Education to the New York State Board of Regents, the council stated that the mascot was “more than a symbol to Massapequa,” and stated that “we in Massapequa will not sit idly by while an unelected group of officials tries to remove our history.” However, according to JP O’Hare, a spokesman for the state’s Education Department, the Massapequa school district did not make an attempt to ask permission from local Indigenous leaders. “Disrespecting entire groups of people is wrong in any context, but especially in our schools, where all students should feel welcome and supported,” O’Hare said in an interview with the New York Times. Now, two years into the conflict, President Trump has added another wrench in the Board of Regents ruling. Taking to Truth Social on Monday, the president affirmed his support for the Massapequa Board of Education. “Forcing them to change the name, after all of these years, is ridiculous and, in actuality, an affront to our great Indian population,” Trump said. “By copy of this TRUTH, I am asking my highly capable Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to fight for the people of Massapequa on this very important issue.” Federal funding at stake in broader DEI fight So far, it is unclear what power McMahon may actually have to oppose state education law. Fast Company reached out to the Department of Education (DOE) for comment. Nevertheless, attention like this from the Trump administration should not be taken lightly. Earlier this month, Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from public schools that have enacted what the administration considered to be unfair diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. In response to the president’s comments, the Massapequa School Board released a statement thanking Trump for speaking out, local media reported. “We are honored that President Trump has recognized our efforts and brought national attention to our cause. His support is a powerful affirmation of what we’re fighting for.” Fast Company was unable to reach the school board for further comment as its press mailbox was full and email requests bounced back. We also reached out to the New York State Education Department and the National Congress of American Indians. We will update this post if we hear back.

It's a colourful resurrection for the ginger beer brand.

Following the death of Pope Francis, the Vatican is preparing to organize a new conclave in less than 20 days. This is how they’ll tamp down on leaks.