Legacy search brand Yahoo has been working on its own web browser prototype, and says it would like to buy Google's Chrome if the company is forced by a court to sell it. The information came out during the fourth day of the Justice Department's remedies trial to rectify Google's search monopoly. The DOJ has - among other proposals - requested Judge Amit Mehta break up Google by requiring it sell its Chrome browser, which the agency says is a key distribution channel for its popular search engine that's amassed too much power for anyone else to compete. Yahoo isn't the only company interested in buying Chrome. While DuckDuckGo's CEO said they wouldn't be able to afford it, witnesses from Perplexity and OpenAI both expressed interest in the popular browser on the stand this week. Witnesses from Perplexity and OpenAI both expressed interest in Chrome Yahoo seems to agree that owning a web browser is a very important portal for search, and is looking to run its own, either through developing or buying one. Yahoo Search General Manager Brian Provost testified that about 60% of search queries are done through a web browser; many people search directly from the address bar. That's … Read the full story at The Verge.

In recent years, contrastive language-image models such as CLIP have established themselves as a default choice for learning vision representations, particularly in multimodal applications like Visual Question Answering (VQA) and document understanding. These models leverage large-scale image-text pairs to incorporate semantic grounding via language supervision. However, this reliance on text introduces both conceptual and practical challenges: the assumption that language is essential for multimodal performance, the complexity of acquiring aligned datasets, and the scalability limits imposed by data availability. In contrast, visual self-supervised learning (SSL)—which operates without language—has historically demonstrated competitive results on classification and segmentation tasks, yet has been underutilized for multimodal reasoning due to performance gaps, especially in OCR and chart-based tasks. To explore the capabilities of language-free visual learning at scale, Meta has released the Web-SSL family of DINO and Vision Transformer (ViT) models, ranging from 300 million to 7 billion parameters, now publicly available via Hugging Face. These models are trained exclusively on the image subset of the MetaCLIP dataset (MC-2B)—a web-scale dataset comprising two billion images. This controlled setup enables a direct comparison between WebSSL and CLIP, both trained on identical data, isolating the effect of language supervision. The objective is not to replace CLIP, but to rigorously evaluate how far pure visual self-supervision can go when model and data scale are no longer limiting factors. This release represents a significant step toward understanding whether language supervision is necessary—or merely beneficial—for training high-capacity vision encoders. Technical Architecture and Training Methodology WebSSL encompasses two visual SSL paradigms: joint-embedding learning (via DINOv2) and masked modeling (via MAE). Each model follows a standardized training protocol using 224×224 resolution images and maintains a frozen vision encoder during downstream evaluation to ensure that observed differences are attributable solely to pretraining. Models are trained across five capacity tiers (ViT-1B to ViT-7B), using only unlabeled image data from MC-2B. Evaluation is conducted using Cambrian-1, a comprehensive 16-task VQA benchmark suite encompassing general vision understanding, knowledge-based reasoning, OCR, and chart-based interpretation. In addition, the models are natively supported in Hugging Face’s transformers library, providing accessible checkpoints and seamless integration into research workflows. Performance Insights and Scaling Behavior Experimental results reveal several key findings: Scaling Model Size: WebSSL models demonstrate near log-linear improvements in VQA performance with increasing parameter count. In contrast, CLIP’s performance plateaus beyond 3B parameters. WebSSL maintains competitive results across all VQA categories and shows pronounced gains in Vision-Centric and OCR & Chart tasks at larger scales. Data Composition Matters: By filtering the training data to include only 1.3% of text-rich images, WebSSL outperforms CLIP on OCR & Chart tasks—achieving up to +13.6% gains in OCRBench and ChartQA. This suggests that the presence of visual text alone, not language labels, significantly enhances task-specific performance. High-Resolution Training: WebSSL models fine-tuned at 518px resolution further close the performance gap with high-resolution models like SigLIP, particularly for document-heavy tasks. LLM Alignment: Without any language supervision, WebSSL shows improved alignment with pretrained language models (e.g., LLaMA-3) as model size and training exposure increase. This emergent behavior implies that larger vision models implicitly learn features that correlate well with textual semantics. Importantly, WebSSL maintains strong performance on traditional benchmarks (ImageNet-1k classification, ADE20K segmentation, NYUv2 depth estimation), and often outperforms MetaCLIP and even DINOv2 under equivalent settings. Concluding Observations Meta’s Web-SSL study provides strong evidence that visual self-supervised learning, when scaled appropriately, is a viable alternative to language-supervised pretraining. These findings challenge the prevailing assumption that language supervision is essential for multimodal understanding. Instead, they highlight the importance of dataset composition, model scale, and careful evaluation across diverse benchmarks. The release of models ranging from 300M to 7B parameters enables broader research and downstream experimentation without the constraints of paired data or proprietary pipelines. As open-source foundations for future multimodal systems, WebSSL models represent a meaningful advancement in scalable, language-free vision learning. Check out the Models on Hugging Face, GitHub Page and Paper. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Twitter and join our Telegram Channel and LinkedIn Group. Don’t Forget to join our 90k+ ML SubReddit. Asif RazzaqWebsite |  + postsBioAsif Razzaq is the CEO of Marktechpost Media Inc.. As a visionary entrepreneur and engineer, Asif is committed to harnessing the potential of Artificial Intelligence for social good. His most recent endeavor is the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Media Platform, Marktechpost, which stands out for its in-depth coverage of machine learning and deep learning news that is both technically sound and easily understandable by a wide audience. The platform boasts of over 2 million monthly views, illustrating its popularity among audiences.Asif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/AWS Introduces SWE-PolyBench: A New Open-Source Multilingual Benchmark for Evaluating AI Coding AgentsAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/Meet Xata Agent: An Open Source Agent for Proactive PostgreSQL Monitoring, Automated Troubleshooting, and Seamless DevOps IntegrationAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/NVIDIA AI Releases Describe Anything 3B: A Multimodal LLM for Fine-Grained Image and Video CaptioningAsif Razzaqhttps://www.marktechpost.com/author/6flvq/A Coding Guide to Build an Agentic AI‑Powered Asynchronous Ticketing Assistant Using PydanticAI Agents, Pydantic v2, and SQLite Database

Quantum AI Is Coming. Here’s What No One Is Telling You (But Should) 0 like April 24, 2025 Share this post Author(s): Subhadip Saha Originally published on Towards AI. AI just got an upgrade. Learn how quantum computing is rewriting the rules — and why you’re not hearing about it enough. I know — that sounds like science fiction. But think about it. What if your laptop could solve problems not just faster… but in a completely different way? Problems that even today’s smartest AI can’t figure out? Source: Image created with AI. Welcome to the world of Quantum AI — where reality starts to feel a little like magic. A few months ago, I was sitting with a friend at a café. He’s a physics nerd. I’m more into building stuff with code. He said something wild over coffee: “Subh, what if AI isn’t the future? What if it’s Quantum AI?” At first, I laughed. I mean, it sounded like a Marvel movie. But that question stuck with me. So I went down the rabbit hole. Articles, videos, podcasts. Some of it made my brain hurt. Most of it felt like gibberish. But bit by bit, I started to understand the story behind Quantum AI — and why it’s becoming one of the biggest tech frontiers of 2025. Let me take you on that same journey. No jargon. No PhD needed. Just a curious mind and a cup of coffee. Every day, we deal with problems that are messy, confusing, and hard to solve. Whether it’s: Climate change.Discovering new… Read the full blog for free on Medium. Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming a sponsor. Published via Towards AI Towards AI - Medium Share this post

If you're hunting for one of the new Nvidia Blackwell graphics cards and don't want to pay a huge markup, who better to trust than the cardmakers themselves? MSI is one of Nvidia's biggest AIB manufacturers around and it happens to sell its own products on the Walmart online marketplace under its subsidiary brand name "Raideals." Currently, several graphics cards are available ranging from the budget 5060 Ti to the high end 5080, some of them at the lowest prices online.Keep in mind that just because a graphics card is sold at "list price" doesn't mean it matches Nvidia's suggested launch price. For example, the GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB has a launch price of $429, but MSI's least expensive RTX 5060 Ti is currently $609 "at list price." Part of the cost goes into the build quality and features (like a beefier cooling system and overclocking out of the box) and part of the cost goes into the manufacturer's markup. At this point, these markups are unavoidable unless you spend all your luck to find an Nvidia Founder's Edition card.MSI GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Graphics Cards8GB RAMMSI GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB Venus 2X OC Plus Graphics Card$429.99 at Walmart8GB RAMMSI GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB Gaming Trio OC Graphics Card$469.99 at Walmart16GB RAMMSI GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Ventus 2X OC Plus Graphics Card$499.99 at WalmartMSI GeForce RTX 5070 12GB Shadow 2X OC Graphics Card$609.99 at WalmartNvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Review by Jacqueline Thomas"Easily able to handle most AAA games at 1080p with all the eye candy turned up, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a great mid-range graphics card. Just do yourself a favor and stay away from the 8GB version."MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Graphics CardsMSI GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Ventus 3X OC Plus Graphics Card$1,409.99 at WalmartMSI GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Inspire 3X OC Graphics Card$1,479.99 at WalmartMSI GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Gaming Trio OC Graphics Card$1,579.99 at WalmartMSI Vanguard GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Vanguard SOC Graphics Card$1,629.99 at WalmartMSI GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Suprim OC Graphics Card$1,669.99 at WalmartNvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Review by Jacqueline Thomas"The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 is complicated. It does what it says on the tin: play games at 1440p at a high frame rate. But the problem is that it doesn’t necessarily do that better than the RTX 4070 Super, or any other graphics card in this price range. It does add Multi Frame Generation, which is nice to have for anyone with a high-refresh monitor, but that alone isn’t worth the upgrade."MSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Graphics CardsMSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB Ventus 3X OC Graphics Card$899.99 at WalmartMSI GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB Inspire 3X OC Graphics Card$949.99 at WalmartNvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti Review by Jacqueline Thomas"For the money, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is simply the best 4K graphics card for most people. It’s not only significantly faster than its predecessor, but DLSS 4 and multi frame generation will keep it relevant for years."MSI GeForce RTX 5080 Graphics CardsMSI GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Ventus 3X OC Plus Graphics Card$1,409.99 at WalmartMSI GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Inspire 3X OC Graphics Card$1,479.99 at WalmartMSI GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Gaming Trio OC Graphics Card$1,579.99 at WalmartMSI Vanguard GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Vanguard SOC Graphics Card$1,629.99 at WalmartMSI GeForce RTX 5080 16GB Suprim OC Graphics Card$1,669.99 at WalmartNvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Review by Jacqueline Thomas"The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 is an extremely competent 4K graphics card for its price. It’s just not quite the performance uplift that hardcore enthusiasts who upgrade every generation are going to want to see."If you're thinking of a prebuilt PC, consider AlienwareIf you're not keen to build out your own PC and would rather go the prebuilt route, Alienware is offering very reasonable pricing on select RTX 50 series gaming PCs. They're priced competitively compared to other prebuilt vendors, they're readily availabe, and they included a 1 year warranty with the option to extend it. With graphics cards so marked up nowadays, you really won't save any money going down the DIY route like years past.New ReleaseAlienware Area-51 Intel Core Ultra 9 285K RTX 5090 Gaming PC (64GB/4TB)Alienware Aurora R16 Intel Core Ultra 7 265F RTX 5080 Gaming PC (16GB/1TB)$2,399.99 at AlienwareAlienware Aurora R16 Intel Core Ultra 9 285 RTX 5080 Gaming PC (32GB/1TB)Alienware Aurora R16 Intel Core Ultra 7 265F RTX 4090 Gaming PC$2,999.99 at AlienwareAlienware Aurora R16 Intel Core Ultra 7 265F RTX 5070 Gaming PC$1,899.99 at AlienwareWhy Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?IGN's deals team has a combined 30+ years of experience finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and just about every other category. We don't try to trick our readers into buying things they don't need at prices that aren't worth buying something at. Our ultimate goal is to surface the best possible deals from brands we trust and our editorial team has personal experience with. You can check out our deals standards here for more information on our process, or keep up with the latest deals we find on IGN's Deals account on Twitter.Eric Song is the IGN commerce manager in charge of finding the best gaming and tech deals every day. When Eric isn't hunting for deals for other people at work, he's hunting for deals for himself during his free time.

The sun is shining, temperatures are rising, and that can only mean one thing: the Summer of Superman is here! And it’s not just a publishing initiative. It’s a celebration of all things Superman, and tonight, Den of Geek and eBay Live have got something special for you.  Starting at 7:00 pm Eastern, we’re hosting an auction with portions of the proceeds for each item benefitting the Binc Foundation and First Responders Children’s Foundation, with a ton of cool Superman stuff and a couple of great guest hosts. You can click here to save us as a seller to receive a push notification reminder! We’ll be joined by Big Apple Comic Con’s Mike Carbonaro and Spineworks Comics’ Michael Raphael to auction off a whole mess of cool Superman comics and memorabilia. Carbo, as he’s more commonly known, set up his first comic con at the age of 13 and has been a geek world staple since then. He’s been hosting the Big Apple Con in some way, shape or form since its launch in the early ‘90s, all the while amassing a geek memorabilia collection that could fill a couple of museums. Raphael left the corporate world during COVID and gave into his geeky passion, starting Spineworks, a company designed to helping collectors protect their cherished collections, connecting them with grading services and providing preservation and restoration services to comic and card owners. The auction has a ton of cool stuff: a batch of ‘60s Superman books, including an old appearance of the adult Legionnaires (Adventure Comics #354) and a lot of Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen books that has a pair of early Kirby works (Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #137-138). It’s got a toothbrush set from the 80s; a Superman Viewmaster reel from 1989; a box of Superman shampoo from when the first movie came out; a costume set from the 80s; a lunchbox from 1966; and, if you didn’t get your hands on them in shops, copies of Absolute Superman #1 and DC’s All-In Special. 

Regardless of how relatively easy and inexpensive it is to change, paint still feels permanent. Which means, when it comes time to paint—or repaint—a room, we all hem and haw over countless paint swatches. Even the most seasoned decorators are no stranger to the paint pick freeze or second guessing their choices! Instead of spending hours in the aisle of a paint store agonizing over the perfect shade, allow me to help. As Country Living’s Senior Homes & Style Editor, I’ve spent more hours than I can count researching paint colors, chatting with designers about their favorite paint color picks, and tracking which shades are trending and which are on their way out, which is why I’m the perfect person to share this list of ten creme-de-la-creme paint picks. These are timeless color choices that I promise you won’t regret in ten years—and probably even longer! And, no: I’m not relegating you to boring neutral shades that may or may not have the best resale value, because I don’t believe you should decorate your home with the sole goal of selling it one day. These ten shades from across the ROYGBIV spectrum are guaranteed to please everyone from the farmhouse-style lover to the cottagecore fanatic to the tried-and-true maximalist. Need More Paint Color Guidance? Check Out These Guides:1Swiss Coffee by BehrSwiss Coffee is one of those shades that designers go back to again and again. “This has been my go-to white for years,” says Alabama-based designer Heather Chadduck Hillegas. “It has just the right amount of warmth without going too yellow.” Get the Look: Paint Color: Swiss Coffee by BehrRELATED: See Swiss Coffee in Heather’s Own Kitchen, Plus 19 Other Designer-Favorite White Paint Colors2Hazel by Sherwin-WilliamsWhile duck egg blue might be the color of the season, it’s also a timeless classic. Somewhere between green, blue, and gray, Hazel by Sherwin-Williams is the perfect chameleon color for even the color-adverse. Get the Look: Paint Color: Hazel by Sherwin-WilliamsRELATED: Check Out Our Other Favorite Shades of Duck Egg BlueAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & BallCountry Living’s Design Director, Maribeth Jones, spent months searching for the perfect yellow for her kitchen makeover (pictured above). It needed to feel cozy but not too dark, cheerful, but not too highlighter-y. She finally landed on this sunny shade, which quickly became a reader favorite. Get the Look:Paint Color: Sudbury Yellow by Farrow & Ball RELATED: See More of Maribeth’s Cheerful, Timeless Yellow Kitchen 4Jasper by Sherwin-WilliamsIt’s no secret that the color green has experienced a resurgence in recent years, but if you want a shade that feels more timeless than trendy, stick with this one by Sherwin-Williams. “A dark green that almost reads black, Jasper looks fabulous with everything from a perfect patinaed chest to industrial furniture,” says Country Living contributor Holly Audrey Williams.Get the Look:Paint Color: Jasper by Sherwin-Williams RELATED: Love Dark Green? Here Are More of Our Favorite ShadesAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Pink Ground by Farrow & Ball I can personally vouch for this color, as it’s been the shade of my childhood bedroom for the last ten years. If you don’t trust me, trust design maven Annie Selke: “This is the loveliest, most flattering color,” she says. “During the day, it washes out to a white, but at night it comes alive, making the room glow.” Get the Look:Paint Color: Pink Ground by Farrow & Ball RELATED: Love Pink? Plant These Pink Flowers In Your Garden This Spring6Kensington Blue by Benjamin MooreEveryone needs a good navy blue, and Kensington Blue by Benjamin Moore is just that. As part of Benjamin Moore’s Classics Collection, this blue is considered to be a go-to hue that’s part of the company’s “foundational legacy.” It helps that designers love it just as much as the brand. Get the Look:Paint Color: Kensington Blue by Benjamin Moore RELATED: See Kensington Blue in a Room, Plus 19 Other Designer-Favorite Dark Blue Paint ColorsAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7Tricorn Black by Sherwin-WilliamsA good black is necessary in any designer’s go-to palette. This shade, a popular choice for doors and shutters, offers the perfect contrast to crisp, cheery whites and is a favorite for dramatic ceilings. Country Living’s Editor-in-Chief, Rachel Hardage Barrett and serial house renovator Holly Audrey Williams also used Tricorn Black throughout their Mississippi farmhouse project on doors, trim, and ceilings. “I love the edge this color brings to a room,” says Holly. Get the Look:Paint Color: Tricorn Black by Sherwin-WilliamsRELATED: See How Rachel and Holly Used Tricorn Black Throughout Their Mississippi Farmhouse8White Dove by Benjamin MooreOften cited by designers and architects as their favorite classic white paint color, Benjamin Moore’s White Dove will never look out of place. “This is a foolproof shade. It’s just creamy enough and just crisp enough to work anywhere,” says designer Julie Holloway. Get the Look:Paint Color: White Dove by Benjamin Moore Advertisement - Continue Reading Below9Dark Chocolate by Benjamin MooreMuch like everyone needs a good black, everyone needs a good true brown to ground a space. This shade from Benjamin Moore is the optimal shade, with a name as sumptuous as its appearance. Get the Look:Paint Color: Dark Chocolate by Benjamin MooreRELATED: See Dark Chocolate Used in the Coziest Ever Living Room, Plus More Popular Brown Paint Colors 10Silver Lining by Benjamin MooreIn 2025, I’m asking—no, begging—people to pick something other than gray for their walls. When done properly, gray paint can be lovely, but it should not be everyone’s go-to just because they think it’s the only crowd-pleasing neutral. If you like gray, pick this blue-tinged shade instead for something that is timeless, but still feels fresh and livable. It’s a favorite shade of top designers like Katie Rosenfeld for a reason! Get the Look:Paint Color: Silver Lining by Benjamin MooreRELATED: See How Katie Used Silver Lining in a Kitchen, Plus Other Dreamy Blue-Gray Paint Color FavoritesAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.  

Trends come and go—sometimes in the blink of a Pinterest scroll. One year it’s all about bold geometric tiles and high-contrast patterns, the next we’re leaning into muted tones and natural textures. But when it comes to flooring, this isn't just about chasing the latest look—it's about making a decision that quite literally lays the groundwork in your home for years to come.In 2025, the shifts in flooring design preferences are subtle but significant. We’re seeing a gentle pivot from 2024’s more maximalist choices—think colorful palettes, heavy patterning, and bold statements—toward styles that are a little more grounded, versatile, and enduring. Adam Vester, senior director of design of Mohawk, one of today’s leaders in flooring, declares, “The future of flooring will be all about warmth, natural aesthetics, and timeless, well-crafted materials.” That doesn’t mean boring; it means smart. Because your floors aren’t just a background feature—they’re the base layer of every room’s story. This year’s biggest flooring trends blend longevity with style. There’s a resurgence of checkerboard tile (yes, black and white is back in a big way), the return of wall-to-wall carpeting with a luxe twist, and the ongoing obsession with biophilic design—hello, cork, stone, and sustainable wood. We’re also seeing a move toward wide planks, warm tones, and hard-working materials like luxury vinyl plank that offer the beauty of natural wood without the maintenance headaches. “Practicality is an important factor as well because flooring must meet the needs of the homeowner’s lifestyle. Things like quality, durability, and ease of cleaning are must-haves when it comes to choosing a flooring,” adds Hannah Nelson, manager of product management at Mohawk. Whether you're building from scratch or giving your space a glow-up, choosing a flooring style that works for your lifestyle—and lasts through the many seasons of design—is key. These eight trends are more than just fleeting favorites; they’re investments in the look and feel of your home for the long haul. Related StoriesCheckered RevivalLindsay SalazarA butler’s pantry by The Fox Group.Whether done in marble or ceramic, checkerboard floors lend instant character and a timeless sophistication that says, “I read shelter magazines for fun.” And as a shelter magazine editor, I can confirm that black-and-white tile floors are being seen more frequently throughout the design world. They’re so much more than kitchen nostalgia—they're making a high-contrast impact in foyers, bathrooms, and even living spaces. They’re also incredibly photogenic. In other words, your floor is about to become the main character. Want the look without redoing your floors? Designer Meghan Jay of Meghan Jay Design suggests “giving new life to existing flooring” with paint as a “creative, budget-friendly, and sustainable way to refresh a space and add character.”Related StoryThe Carpet ComebackRustic White PhotographyA media room by NeKeia + Company.Carpet has re-entered the chat with major texture and pattern moments, especially in the form of cut and loop pile designs. According to Russ DeLozier, president of The Carpet and Rug Institute, “carpet appears to be experiencing a long-anticipated resurgence in popularity.” Think of it as wall-to-wall luxury that feels just as good as it looks. Beyond the cozy factor, today's carpets offer serious sound insulation and warmth—a dream for anyone who hates cold morning toes. And with the latest easy-to-clean technology, carpet is even a great option for pet owners. “We’re seeing pet-friendly carpet emerge as its own category, providing consumers with waterproof backings, odor- and snag-resistance, and even warranties against pet messes,” notes DeLozier. Don’t call it a comeback...okay, actually, do.Related StoryLiving With NatureEmily Minton-RedfieldA bathroom by Barbara Glass Inc.Floors, like so many other aspects of the home, are getting the green memo. Sustainable materials like cork, natural stone, and responsibly sourced hardwoods are becoming go-tos for the eco-conscious home. “We’re sourcing responsibly, opting for FSC-certified or reclaimed woods and low-VOC finishes that highlight the natural beauty of materials like European oak,” notes interior designer Elizabeth Ego of Agape Design Group. “Clients today want the elegance of classic craftsmanship, but with a conscience. There’s a deeper appreciation for where materials come from and how they’re made, and that’s shaping a new era of luxury—one that’s both beautiful and mindful.” These elements bring in organic texture and grounding energy (literally), all while treading lightly on the planet. Related StoryThe Power Tile PlayJohn MerklA kitchen by Harte Brownlee & Associates.Large-format tiles are having a moment, and they’re not just for ultra-modern spaces anymore. Alena Capra, Coverings spokesperson and Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer, confirms that “mosaics are having a big (or rather, large-format) resurgence.” With fewer grout lines and a seamless appearance, these tiles make any room feel expansive and effortlessly elegant. Whether matte, glossy, or stone-look, laid in a pattern or streamlined, big tiles are making big impressions. Related StoryVinyl, ReimaginedTessa NeustadtA kitchen by Interior Archaeology.Once dismissed as the underdog of flooring, LVPs (luxury vinyl planks) are now the MVP. Today’s luxury vinyl options mimic hardwood so well, even seasoned designers have to do a double-take. “Hyperrealistic grain patterns, along with natural lowlights and subtle color variations, will provide the next level of realism, closely mimicking the beauty of natural wood but with the added benefits of modern manufacturing techniques,” says Vester. Durable, water-resistant, and easier on the budget than natural wood, LVP proves you can have it all. Golden Hour WoodsJenna PeffleyA home by French & French Interiors.Cool grays? We’re giving them a soft goodbye. Joyce Van Waeleghem, Mohawk’s senior director of design, calls Millennial grey and cool-tone wood looks an “outdated trend.” Forecasting that they are "being replaced by light natural and warmer wood colors.” Think honey, chestnut, and caramel coming back in a major way. These sun-kissed hues infuse spaces with comfort and timelessness, making your floors feel like a warm hug. This color palette is also being seen in tile, with “colors of sand” being one of Coverings' top ten tile trends of 2025. “With a warm and often calming palette, the colors of sand are earnest and neutral, portraying the essence of a natural, earthy, and eco-friendly environment,” says Capra.Related StoryTerrazzo ForeverDavid BlankA kitchen by Formarch.Speckled, chic, and oh-so-durable, terrazzo is having a well-deserved renaissance. This composite material adds personality and texture in a way few other flooring types can, with chips of marble, quartz, and glass creating a mosaic masterpiece underfoot. It’s playful yet polished. Plus, terrazzo’s wide variety and versatility mean it can span the trends listed in this forecast. Large format? You got it. Sustainable? Check. Warm Tones? Available. One could even go as far as to say, if you’re feeling brave, multicolored terrazzo tiles could be laid out in a checkerboard design. Related StoryPlank StatementCarmel Brantley

A dining Room by Janie Molster Designs.Go big and go home. According to Vester, “wider and longer planks will also become more common, creating a sense of openness and elegance, and allowing for greater visual continuity across spaces.” Oversized wood planks are trending for their ability to make spaces feel open, airy, and super high-end. According to their yearly member survey, The National Wood Flooring Association also found “homeowners are wanting longer, wider boards, “ while Brett Miller, VP of Technical Standards, Education, and Membership for NWFA adds, “parquet, herringbone, and chevron patterns are popular choices to add some additional flair to a room.” No matter how you lay them out, these elongated beauties reduce visual breaks and add instant sophistication to any room. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Europe’s climate tech startups raised $2.3bn (€2bn) in the first quarter of this year — the lowest total since Q3 2020, according to Dealroom data.  Behind the headline figure lies a complex mix of growing pains, shifting investor focuses, and broader VC market dynamics, experts told TNW. More specifically, they said the slowdown stems from a blend of market maturity, strategic repositioning, AI’s outsized pull on capital, and a tough exit environment.  “If we use the narrative of Dunning-Kruger Curve, we are at a slope of despair in climate now, at least for investors,” Rokas Peciulaitis, founder and managing partner at Lithuania-based Contrarian Ventures, told TNW.   The 💜 of EU techThe latest rumblings from the EU tech scene, a story from our wise ol' founder Boris, and some questionable AI art. It's free, every week, in your inbox. Sign up now!“No quick wins, no massive exits, mergers and acquisitions are limited,” he added. “Most companies required more capital than assumed, and did not show enough traction. Also, the regulatory tailwind completely failed in most cases.”   However, Peciulaitis believes there is light at the end of the tunnel. “I think those who are disciplined will prevail and win, both on the founder and VC side,” he said.     European climate tech startups raised $2.3bn in Q1 2025. This graph also includes the start of Q2. Credit: Dealrom The funding dip comes off the back of an exceptional run. European climate tech funding has soared over the past decade. The sector’s best year was in 2023, when climate tech startups raised $15bn in venture capital — more than their counterparts in the US. That’s despite an overall poor funding environment that year.  Orla Browne, head of insights at Dealroom, told TNW that there are several possible reasons why Europe’s climate tech funding has slowed down so far in 2025.  Firstly, the market is maturing. Some forms of cleantech that previously attracted heaps of VC cash — like electric mobility startups — have gone mainstream. As these markets become more established and growth stabilises, they tend to attract less early-stage venture funding, Browne said.   Investor hype around AI could also be fuelling the slowdown. “AI is taking the oxygen out of VC, at least for other sectors,” Browne said. “More than 25% of all VC now goes to AI startups, up from single-digit percentages just a few years ago.”  Another reason for the slump could be that climate tech startups are rebranding themselves as a “resilience” or “security” play to capitalise on skyrocketing defence tech spending and Europe’s current push for tech sovereignty.  The dip likely also signals a broader return to normal, following an unprecedented spike in VC investment in 2021. But Peciulaitis believes there could be a lot of “unannounced deals” in the pipeline this year.  Startup funding is one of the the key themes at TNW Conference, which takes place on June 19-20 in Amsterdam. Tickets for the event are now on sale — use the code TNWXMEDIA2025 at the checkout to get 30% off. Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

Apple has already launched five new products this year, but the company has much more in store for users. In addition to major software changes like iOS 19’s redesign, there are 15+ new Apple products in the pipeline that we’re expecting to launch before the year ends. Here’s everything that’s coming. iPhone 17 family After years of fairly iterative iPhone updates, this year’s iPhone 17 lineup is set to elicit a lot more hype. The Plus model is out, replaced by a new iPhone Air, and there’s even potential for a rebranding of the Pro Max to give us the first iPhone Ultra. iPhone 17: ProMotion for the first time, better selfie camera, more. iPhone 17 Air: Radically thin, futuristic look but some compromises. iPhone 17 Pro: Upgraded camera system, memory, and A19 Pro chip. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Thicker for even more battery, and reduced display cutout. M5 Macs and iPads Apple has already launched two new iPads and two new Macs this year, but there’s more on the way, including the debut of the first products with an M5 chip. New Mac Pro: M3 Ultra like the recent Mac Studio, and slim chance of a redesigned case. M5 MacBook Pro: First product with M5, plus M5 Pro and M5 Max options. M5 iPad Pro: Rumors are minimal aside from M5 chip, but iPadOS 19 upgrades should be a highlight. Big wearables upgrades for AirPods and Apple Watch Apple’s lineup of wearables is expected to get some strong updates this fall, largely due to the arrival of much-anticipated new versions of AirPods Pro and Apple Watch Ultra. AirPods Pro 3: Upgraded noise cancellation, heart-rate monitoring, and new H3 processor. Apple Watch Ultra 3: 5G RedCap, hypertension sensors, satellite features. Apple Watch Series 11: Same design, high blood pressure detection. Apple Watch SE 3: Updated S-class chip, more modern than existing SE. Apple Home products Apple has big ambitions for the smart home, and we’ll start to see its new plans materialize with a brand new Home product plus updates to existing favorites. ‘HomePad’: Smart home command center running homeOS. New Apple TV 4K: Likely Apple Intelligence capable, with upgraded A-class chip. HomePod mini 2: New Wi-Fi modem, enhanced compatibility with other Home products. Everything else from Apple What else is left? Just a couple key revisions for some of Apple’s rarely updated products. AirTag 2: New Ultra Wideband chip with improved range, plus stronger privacy features. Studio Display 2: Same 27-inch size, but with MiniLED technology and likely camera improvements. What other new Apple products could launch this year? There are strong rumors indicating the entire list of new products above should launch this year, or very shortly afterwards. But are there any other launch possibilities? A couple wildcards include updates to two of Apple’s most expensive products: Vision Pro Pro Display XDR I just wish Apple would make another small IPhone not everyone wants to carry around a large inconvenient brick. My hands nor my pockets are getting any bigger and if I can’t operate with one hand or fit it in my pocket then I don’t want it. The size the iPhone 8 with the design of the iPhone 16 would be amazing. Make it happen Apple. I have been extremely disappointed in the last 3 years. If an android makes a phone I want then I’m switching. View all comments Rumors about a new Vision Pro are all over the place, but at least one reliable supply chain source believes an M5 Vision Pro update is coming late this year or in early 2026. Similarly, beyond its Studio Display 2, reports indicate Apple may also be preparing a Pro Display XDR 2 for later this year or shortly thereafter. In any case, with the many Apple products outlined above expected to launch this year, it should make for an especially exciting year for new hardware. Which of this year’s new Apple products are you planning to buy? Let us know in the comments. Best iPhone accessories Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed.  FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

It may have felt like a whole lot longer, but we're less than 100 days into billionaire Elon Musk's grand experiment of trying to shave trillions of dollars from the United States government's budget.And judging by the absolute chaos that has unfurled, his Department of Government Efficiency experiment has been nothing short of a disaster.Besides finding little in terms of actual "waste and fraud" and massively cutting his ambitions down from $2 trillion to a mere $150 billion earlier this month, Musk's actions have had little to show except endless drama and suffering.Millions of people are in danger of being cut off from Social Security, the Internal Revenue Service is struggling to keep it together at the height of tax season, and international aid organizations are warning that extreme hunger and starvation will be on the rise thanks to massive cuts to US foreign aid.And while Musk promised during a recent Tesla earnings call that he would be spending less time overseeing these budget cuts, White House officials, including Cabinet members, are getting increasingly fed up with the billionaire's meddling.As Axios reported this week, Musk was involved in a shouting match — in earshot of president Donald Trump — with treasury secretary Scott Bessent. The argument was reportedly about Musk trying to influence Bessent's decision over who to pick to lead the IRS.Vocal disagreements have become so commonplace that White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt recently had to defend them as a "normal part of any healthy policy process," a bewildering statement that defies common sense."And ultimately everyone knows they serve at the pleasure of President Trump," she added.Musk's actions in Washington, DC, have proven disastrous for his popularity — just as he predicted himself last fall — with the majority of Americans now holding an unfavorable view of him.His relationship with Trump, which flourished last year during and immediately after the election, has been tested again and again. Case in point, Trump had to remind his Cabinet last month that they were the ones in charge, not Musk.The president's disastrous trade war has also driven a wedge between the two, with Musk breaking rank this month, raging against tariffs threatening his businesses' bottom line.Even whether DOGE is saving the government any money at all remains dubious. Last month, the Treasury Department and IRS officials predicted a decrease of more than ten percent in tax receipts, which would amount to more than $500 billion in lost revenue, as the Washington Post reported at the time."DOGE is not a serious exercise," Manhattan Institute fellow Jessica Riedl told Reuters, estimating that DOGE had only saved $5 billion to date and predicting that Musk's efforts could ultimately cost the government more than it saves.Mass layoffs have also repeatedly involved DOGE making mistakes, forcing agencies to immediately rehire fired staffers.Instead of meaningfully addressing waste and unnecessary red tape, the Trump administration has attempted to justify the freezing of countless grants as a way to root out so-called "woke" ideology, a bogeyman used to defend a shift to a purportedly more meritocratic society.Judging by his "progress" so far, Musk's stint at the White House has been a failure of epic proportions. Which leaves the question: what was it all for? Could the cruelty itself be the point, as The Atlantic's Adam Serwer argued in a 2018 essay about Trump's first presidency?Given Musk's long-held reputation for being a "horrible boss" and his well-established disdain for the public sector and its workers, it often feels that way.More on DOGE: Elon Musk Realizes He's Dragging Tesla Into RuinShare This Article