Starbucks is brewing up something new in Texas—and this time, it’s not just what’s in the cup. Next week, the coffee giant will open its first-ever 3D-printed store, a drive-thru-only location in Brownsville that looks more like the future of construction than your average café. Built with layers of concrete piped out by a giant robotic printer, the 1,400-square-foot structure is part of the company’s ongoing effort to modernize operations and trim costs. But does a 3D-printed café actually save money—or is this just a buzzworthy experiment? Is 3D-printing more cost-effective? Peri-3D, a German company, used a giant 3D printer to pump out layers of concrete mixture to create the structure. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, the cost for building the small scale coffee shop was about $1.2 million. The accounting platform Freshbooks says building a restaurant from the ground up can cost up to $2 million. However, a smaller-scale quick-serve restaurant may cost less to build. According to KRG Hospitality, it costs around $535 per square foot to build a quick serve restaurant, which comes out to $749,000 for a 1,400-square-foot structure like the new Starbucks—a bit less than the $1.2 price tag for the 3D-printed build. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brownsville Today (@brownsvilletoday) Of course, the new method is a first for the brand. And builders say, the more they use the technology, the more efficient they are at it. In Georgetown, Texas, an entire community of 100 homes was recently built using 3D-printing. The company who built the community, Lennar, says they’re seeing costs drop with each build. Stuart Miller, chairman and co-CEO of Lennar, told CNBC earlier this year that the construction company says their costs and cycle time go down “by half” by adopting 3D-printing.  “This is significant improvement in evolving a housing market that has the ability to change over time and being more adaptable and more functional in providing affordable and attainable housing for a broader swath of the market,” said Miller.Likewise, many building materials are becoming more expensive all the time. According to a 2023 report by construction cost data tracking firm Gordian, 82.5% of construction materials have skyrocketed since 2020, with the average increase at 19%. Now that the impact of tariffs is looming, those costs are expected to increase even more.3D-printing is also much faster, meaning that projects can be completed in a fraction of the time, potentially drastically cutting labor costs. According to the World Economic Forum, 3D-printing can cost just 30% of what building structures the old-fashioned way costs. That’s why some companies are using it as a tool to address labor shortages and the housing crisis. The future of restaurant building? 3D-printing is gaining momentum for construction purposes, given it’s less time-consuming and has the power to be less costly. In addition to housing, in Japan, a 3D-printed train station was just erected. And Peri-3D, itself, has completed at least 15 construction projects, including residential buildings in Europe and Germany.3D-printing has been incorporated into some restaurants when it comes to customizing food, or even making 3D-printed furniture, too. But building restaurants with the technology is a brand-new development. With restaurant chains looking for cost-cutting initiatives in the wake of inflation, rising operating costs, and the impact of tariffs, 3D-printing could eventually become a time-slashing, and cost-slashing way for establishments to expand.  Especially because, no matter how the restaurants are built, the food, and the coffee, are likely to taste the same.

The infamous “Am I the A**hole?” subreddit is making its way to the small screen. Hosted by Jimmy Carr, the new game show for Comedy Central U.K. will feature members of the public appearing before Carr and a panel of two comedians to reveal their deepest secrets and most bizarre disputes—before receiving judgment, per Deadline. The show is based on the popular Reddit subreddit of the same name, which boasts 24 million members at the time of writing. The subreddit’s creator, Marc Beaulac, is one of the executive producers of the series. Jimmy Carr’s Am I the A**hole? is being produced by STV Studios-owned Tuesday’s Child. Filming will take place in late spring, and the series is set to premiere later this year on Comedy Central U.K., consisting of eight hour-long episodes. Steph Harris, executive producer at Tuesday’s Child, said per Chortle: Am I the A**hole? is only a question you ask if you’re convinced you’re right in an argument, but will our guests get the answer they’re hoping for when they share awkward real-life scenarios with comedians who pull no punches in delivering judgments?” Carr added: “Seems odd that anyone would ask me to host a show about a**holes. I should be grateful, but I feel a little insulted. I guess I’m an a**hole. Well, it takes an a**hole to know an a**hole, so I’m the right man for the job. “I’m very much looking forward to being Comedy Central’s proctologist-in-residence. There are an impressive number of a**holes in our country, and they’re finally getting the recognition they deserve on national television.” From giving your stay-at-home wife a written performance review (kind of the A-hole) to calling out a lactose-intolerant milk thief (not the A-hole), Reddit’s “Am I the A**hole” thread—also known by the acronym AITA—has become a safe space for people to vent anonymously and ask an impartial jury of Internet strangers: Am I in the wrong? Since its creation in 2013, AITA has evolved from a niche online forum into a cultural phenomenon, the subject of philosophical and demographic study and endless internet discourse. Over a decade on, it has inspired an entire ecosystem, including TikToks and podcast episodes dedicated to dissecting the most viral posts. Now, a panel of comedians and a TV audience will have their turn weighing in on real-life conflicts—offering insight, validation, or, in some cases, a much-needed dose of self-reflection.

We’ve come a long way since the failures of Google Glass. Now, smart glasses are all the rage, ever since Meta managed to nail the product brief with their Ray-Bans collaboration. Up until Meta’s breakthrough, smart glasses have been solutions searching for problems – but now the tides have turned as AI and camera-enabled glasses are actually hitting mainstream. I bought the Meta Ray-Bans 2 the first chance I got because I instantly saw the value proposition – a dashcam of sorts for when I rode my e-scooter. While that problem statement may not apply to everyone, the folks at BleeqUp decided to take things a step further – by making sports-focused AI smart glasses. In short, protective glasses, a GoPro, a walkie-talkie, and open-ear earphones – all in one stellar, slick product. BleeqUp’s new AI sports glasses seem less concerned with fancy AR features or social-media integration like other smart glasses, and more focused on bundling genuinely useful tech into a form factor cyclists already wear. It feels like a natural convergence, streamlining the gear many athletes already carry separately. The core appeal lies in its integration, aiming to be a practical tool built from understanding what cyclists might actually use out there on the road or trail. Designer: Simon Lin Click Here to Buy Now: $299 $449 ($150 off) Hurry, only 23/140 left! Raised over $200,00. The glasses themselves hold about an hour’s worth of continuous recording power – something even Meta’s glasses can’t hold a candle to. However, Bleequp smartly offers an optional helmet-mounted battery pack that extends the total recording time up to five hours, completely leaving the competition in the dust. This modular approach addresses the power demands of continuous filming without making the glasses themselves overly bulky – that dashcam requirement I had? The continuous recording ability of the BleeqUp basically ticks that box without compromise. There’s AI woven into the BleeqUp too, mainly in the form of video processing by way of automatic clip processing, highlight detection, and the ability to go from one long recorded video to social-media-ready video snippets of your greatest moments. However, if you want to grab moments manually (rather than relying on the AI), a simple tap of the touchpad on the temple activates BleeqUp’s recording mode. Meanwhile, the AI can automatically detect crashes or falls and begin recording, acting like a built-in dashcam to document incidents as they happen. While it doesn’t prevent accidents, having a recorded account can be invaluable for reviewing what happened or sharing footage if needed. BleeqUp incorporates open-ear headphones, absolutely vital for maintaining situational awareness – blocking traffic noise is a non-starter for safe cycling. Dual-driver speakers strategically placed in the temple stems guide audio directly into your ear, providing clear full-range audio that doesn’t impair your ability to hear other noises around you (traffic, horns, etc.). Use it to listen to energetic music while engaging in outdoor sports, or even integrate your BleeqUp with Strava or Google Maps to give you stats or navigation while you ride. The headphones, aside from just being for music and navigation, also have a walkie-talkie mode that lets you chat with other nearby riders even at speeds of 30km/h. A 5-mic array helps cut noise (especially wind) while you’re riding. Audio control is handled via hands-free voice commands or a Bluetooth remote that mounts conveniently on your handlebars. Fiddling with buttons on your face mid-ride isn’t practical, so these options are essential. Ultimately, the BleeqUp are safety glasses first. To that end, the glasses themselves feature a wind-resistant design and UV400 lenses, and are designed to wrap around the face to protect against dust and debris while riding. Meanwhile, the internal tech is rated IP54 for dust and splash resistance, so you could easily wear these in a light drizzle or work up a sweat without any worry. For wearers with prescription lenses, the folks behind BleeqUp provide a free lens clip for attaching RX lenses. What’s so remarkable about the BleeqUp is that it isn’t being the best version of one product – it’s being the best version of three separate product categories. It’s first and foremost a pair of safety glasses, designed to be durable, protective, and stylish. Next comes the AI-empowered built-in camera that performs better than most smart glasses, while also simultaneously eliminating the need for action cameras. Thirdly, the audio setup within the eyewear gives you a holy trifecta of music, navigation, and communication with the walkie-talkie feature… all that for a $299 price tag, or $399 if you want that extra power-pack and the Bluetooth remote controller. If you’re still wondering whether the BleeqUp are for you, here’s what I’ve learnt in the 8 months I’ve owned a pair of smart glasses. Even though these are built for sports, the very idea of being able to record your PoV is absolutely life-altering. I’ve recorded scenic videos of myself riding an e-scooter, filmed traffic violations (and accidents), captured moments in a split second when I couldn’t take out my phone, recorded festivals like Lollapalooza, and even filmed a PoV of myself holding my friend’s newborn son. These are things you really can’t put a price on – and even if you did, $299 for essentially a 4-in-1 device (glasses, camera, earphones, walkie-talkie) is pretty compelling, no?? Click Here to Buy Now: $299 $449 ($150 off) Hurry, only 23/140 left! Raised over $200,00.The post These AI-Powered Smart Glasses Destroy the Meta Ray-Bans with 5-Hour Video Recording first appeared on Yanko Design.

PROS: Exceptional dialogue clarity with three levels of AI-powered speech enhancement Immersive Dolby Atmos performance with convincing height and surround effects Bluetooth connectivity finally addresses a long-requested Sonos feature Modular design allows gradual expansion into a complete surround system Sound Motion technology delivers impressive bass without requiring a subwoofer CONS: Single HDMI port with no passthrough limits connectivity options Premium $999 price point places it beyond many consumers' budgets Basic EQ settings lack the width control and granular adjustments audiophiles desire RATINGS: AESTHETICSERGONOMICSPERFORMANCESUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITYVALUE FOR MONEYEDITOR'S QUOTE:The Arc Ultra elegantly combines minimalist design with powerful audio impact for truly immersive home entertainment. The morning light streams through floor-to-ceiling windows in my open-concept living room, catching dust motes as they drift above tile flooring. This 16×24 space with its 12-foot vaulted ceiling has always been acoustically challenging. Sound escapes upward, dialogue gets lost in the expanse, and before the Arc Ultra arrived, movie nights meant constant remote adjustments and missed conversations. The room’s hard surfaces and glass walls create beautiful natural light but reflect audio unpredictably, making it the perfect testing ground for Sonos’ claims about adaptive sound processing. Designer: Sonos My entertainment wall features a minimalist walnut console floating beneath a 65-inch Hisense CanvasTV. No cabinet doors or shelves interrupt the clean lines; instead, a simple platform supports the Arc Ultra. The soundbar’s presence feels intentional rather than intrusive—its matte black finish complementing the TV’s thin bezel while its curved edges soften what could otherwise be an imposing 46-inch span across the console. Weekend gatherings have become the true test of any audio equipment in this space. During last Sunday’s NBA playoff game, a dozen friends scattered across sectional seating and spilled into the adjacent kitchen island, where drinks and snacks created constant background chatter. The Arc Ultra managed the complex audio mix with surprising finesse. Sneaker squeaks on tile flooring, referee whistles, commentator insights, and crowd reactions each occupied distinct audio layers without bleeding together. Even with kitchen conversations competing for attention, the dialogue clarity remained intact at 65 percent volume, which is no small feat in a room where sound typically dissipates into the rafters. Several nights later, a very different challenge emerged. My wife and I started “A Quiet Place” well after our kids had fallen asleep in the nearby bedroom. The film’s tension relies on near silence punctuated by sudden sounds. With Night Sound enabled and Speech Enhancement set to its middle position, whispered conversations remained perfectly intelligible at low volume while the sudden dynamic peaks that make the film effective were tamed just enough to prevent wall-penetrating bass. The Arc Ultra’s processing preserves the film’s tension without disturbing sleep in the adjacent room—a parenting win that any home theater enthusiast with young children will appreciate. Design That Respects Your Space Unboxing the Arc Ultra reveals Sonos’ attention to sustainability beyond marketing claims. The packaging uses molded pulp inserts rather than foam, minimal ink, and efficient geometry that reduces shipping volume. The bar itself communicates quality through density—at just over 13 pounds, it has substantial heft without requiring two people for installation. The dimensions (46.38 x 2.95 x 4.35 inches) house 14 precisely positioned drivers behind a seamless perforated grille that wraps around all sides. This unified design approach allows the soundbar to sit beneath most TVs without blocking the bottom of the screen—a practical consideration often overlooked by manufacturers focused solely on driver size. In my setup, the Arc Ultra sits just below the QOLED’s lower edge, leaving subtitles and on-screen controls completely visible. Sonos maintains its minimalist aesthetic with just two finish options: Matte Black and Matte White. The black version in my living room practically disappears during movie viewing, while the white option would complement brighter Scandinavian-inspired interiors. The matte finish effectively resists fingerprints and dust, a welcome feature when curious visitors inevitably touch new technology. Physical controls remain appropriately subtle. Touch-sensitive areas on the top handle play/pause, volume, and microphone functions without protruding buttons or distracting lights. A discreet LED indicator provides necessary feedback without drawing attention during dim-light viewing. Around back, a recessed connection bay houses the HDMI eARC port, Ethernet jack, power connection, physical microphone switch, and Bluetooth pairing button. The clean rear design keeps cables from dangling visibly, particularly important in my setup where the console sits a few inches from a glass wall. Placement flexibility matters in real-world environments. During initial testing, I tried the Arc Ultra in three positions: mounted below the TV, placed on the console, and temporarily situated inside a bookshelf. The performance differences were immediately apparent. The bookshelf placement deadened the Atmos height effects completely, reinforcing Sonos’ guidance that up-firing drivers need clear paths to reflective surfaces. Console placement delivered excellent results with height cues bouncing cleanly off the vaulted ceiling. Wall mounting slightly improved the vertical soundstage by angling the drivers more directly toward listening positions. The absence of an optical port and HDMI passthrough may concern users with older equipment or TVs that have limited HDMI inputs. Sonos includes an optical adapter, but it’s clearly pushing users toward the superior bandwidth of HDMI eARC connections. In my setup with multiple HDMI sources, an external switch solved the passthrough limitation without compromising audio quality. Performance Across Content and Contexts Living with the Arc Ultra for several months reveals its ability to handle diverse content beyond controlled testing scenarios. One rainy Saturday morning, I streamed Miles Davis’ “Kind of Blue” while preparing breakfast. The album’s intimate recording came through with remarkable spatial precision—bass notes anchored near the left side of the room, trumpet positioned centrally with appropriate height, and cymbal shimmer extending toward the ceiling. The soundstage extended well beyond the physical dimensions of the bar, creating an immersive listening experience that filled the kitchen with warm jazz without requiring dedicated stereo speakers. Formula 1 race coverage presented a different challenge the following day. The broadcast layers multiple audio streams: trackside engine noise, in-car radio communications, commentator analysis, and crowd reactions. The Arc Ultra effectively separated these elements, allowing pit-wall conversations to remain intelligible even as cars sped past on the main straight. When onboard cameras were activated, the Doppler effect of passing competitors moved convincingly from left to right across the soundstage, then the audio focus immediately tightened for team radio transmissions. This precise handling of complex, layered audio demonstrates the bar’s processing capabilities beyond simple music or movie reproduction. Movie nights reveal the Arc Ultra’s true purpose. “Dune: Part Two” features massive sandworm sequences that demand both low-frequency authority and precise spatial positioning. The rumble of sand shifting began at the floor level, then rose through the soundstage as creatures emerged. The dialogue remained anchored to the screen even during these intense scenes. Paul Atreides’ voice cut through the complex sound design without getting lost in the mix. The bass response was impressive for a standalone soundbar. While not reaching subwoofer depths, the low-end provided sufficient foundation for most content without overloading the room’s glass walls. Late-night gaming sessions with “Halo Infinite” highlighted the Arc Ultra’s technical precision. Grenade arcs traced overhead paths that matched on-screen trajectories perfectly. Footsteps positioned enemies accurately in the soundstage, providing a genuine competitive advantage through audio cues. Most importantly, the HDMI eARC connection maintained perfect audio-video synchronization even during frenetic gameplay—no lip-sync issues or processing lag detected. After adding the Sonos Sub 4 to the system, the performance ceiling rose substantially. Bass duties shifted to the dedicated subwoofer, allowing the Arc Ultra to focus on midrange clarity and spatial positioning. The system’s frequency response extended into the high 20Hz range, giving movie explosions and music bass lines physical presence that vibrated the sectional seating. More importantly, dialogue clarity improved further with the crossover handling bass management more efficiently than the standalone bar. The full evolution came with rear Era 300 speakers completing the system. Watching “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” became a truly three-dimensional experience, with sounds precisely placed in space as Miles swung through different animation styles and universes. The Era 300s’ unique design includes up-firing and side-firing drivers that create genuine height and surround effects behind the listening position. During a thunderstorm scene, raindrops fell convincingly from the ceiling to the floor around the entire room. Music in Dolby Atmos format similarly benefited—The Beatles’ “Come Together” placed each instrument in distinct spatial locations, creating the uncanny sensation of sitting among the musicians. Living With Sonos: Everyday Practicality The addition of Bluetooth alongside Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2 connectivity addresses a long-standing limitation in previous Sonos products. When friends visited for dinner last weekend, they connected phones directly to the Arc Ultra without downloading the Sonos app or joining my Wi-Fi network. This simple improvement removes friction from casual listening scenarios that arise in real-world use. The Sonos app itself has matured considerably. Setting up the Arc Ultra took less than ten minutes, including running Trueplay tuning to optimize sound for my specific room acoustics. The Quick Tune option now works with both Android and iOS devices, though the more detailed Advanced tuning remains iOS-only. After rearranging furniture, the following week, running a fresh calibration immediately adjusted the sound profile to account for the changed reflective surfaces. Daily interaction with the system proves refreshingly simple. Morning news briefings come through with enhanced vocal clarity before transitioning to background music during work hours. When evening entertainment begins, the Arc Ultra automatically switches to appropriate processing for TV content. The system remembers different volume levels for various inputs, solving the jarring experience of blasting commercials or overly quiet dialogue that plagued previous audio setups. Power efficiency matters in always-on devices. The Arc Ultra draws just 2 watts in standby, activating instantly when content begins playing. Software updates install automatically overnight without disrupting daily use. The physical components include a recycled polymer housing, halogen-free circuit boards, and a design that facilitates easy service. This demonstrates that Sonos recognizes the importance of premium products lasting longer than typical replacement cycles. The modular nature of the Sonos ecosystem provides a practical growth path. Starting with just the Arc Ultra delivers impressive standalone performance. Adding the Sub dramatically enhances low-frequency impact. Completing the system with Era 300 surrounds creates cinema-quality immersion. This staged approach allows spreading the investment over time rather than requiring an all-or-nothing purchase decision. The Lived Experience At $999, the Arc Ultra represents a significant investment in home audio. After living with it through countless hours of varied content, the value proposition becomes clearer. This isn’t merely a sound improvement; it’s a fundamental shift in how content integrates into daily life. My morning routine now includes podcast listening with perfect vocal clarity while preparing breakfast. Weekend sports viewing allows for conversation without missing a moment of the commentary. Movie nights deliver genuine cinema-quality experiences without dedicated in-ceiling speakers or visible wiring. Late-night viewing remains possible without disturbing sleeping family members. The Arc Ultra particularly shines in architecturally interesting spaces where traditional audio setups would intrude. My open-concept living area, with its vaulted ceiling and glass walls, previously created acoustic challenges that required a compromise. The adaptive processing and precisely aimed drivers now fill this challenging space with balanced, immersive sound while the minimal design complements rather than competes with carefully chosen furnishings. For apartment dwellers, the Night Sound feature and precise bass control prevent neighbor conflicts. In dedicated media rooms, the expandability with Sub and surrounds creates reference-quality performance without receiver complexity. In family settings, the dialogue enhancement ensures everyone catches every word, regardless of hearing ability or competing household noise. Consider whether your space, listening habits, and content preferences align with what the Arc Ultra has to offer. If you value design integration alongside audio performance, appreciate simplified control without sacrificing capability, and potentially plan to expand your system over time, Sonos has created a compelling foundation. The Arc Ultra transforms not just how your entertainment sounds, but how seamlessly it integrates into the rhythms of daily life in your specific environment.The post Sonos Arc Ultra Review: Atmos Muscle Meets Tall-Ceiling Style first appeared on Yanko Design.

In her new book, On Muscle, Bonnie Tsui investigates the other stuff our thews remember—like how to grow when you exercise.

Las Arenitas is an artificial oasis that recycles used water from the border city of Mexicali to regenerate ecosystems in the Colorado River delta.

The lack of strategy in the Trump administration's execution of tariffs continues, as the President promises to "set the tariff" on entities that don't make deals in the "next couple of weeks."Tariffs could affect iPhone prices in the fallAfter historic ups and downs in the market, things flattened out a bit while President Trump paused the extreme tariffs levied on "Liberation Day." Markets actually closed slightly up on Wednesday due to signs of the US planning to ease pressure off of China, but that stress relief has only lasted a few hours as things have changed again.According to a report from CNN based on remarks President Trump made in the Oval Office on Wednesday evening, the 90-day pause will end sooner for select entities. Specifically, any country or company not actively trying to reach a deal with the Trump administration, or those unable to accept offered terms of a deal, will have tariffs set for them. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

By default, macOS Sequoia leaves a neat gap between windows when they are tiled — but if you don't like that, it's easy to change it.Tiled windows have a gap, or margin, by default, but you can change that.If you use Apple's new Window Tiling feature in macOS Sequoia to just tile one window over the side of your screen, you'll never notice this. But as soon as you tile two next to each other, you'll see a gap.It's the same kind of gap that Apple imposes when you drag widgets onto the Mac screen, the same kind of thing where it's trying to make things neat. It isn't a mistake, it's a conscious choice by Apple — but you can still change it if you like. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Despite some controversy leading up to its release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows managed to rise to the top of March sales charts in the U.S., according to industry-tracking firm Circana. It was one of several releases that month to make it onto the charts, with Shadows also becoming the second-best-selling game of the year. However, sales in gen…Read More

Logitech announced it has added new tools for photographers, videographers and designers to the MX Creative Console in the Logi Marketplace.Read More