Whether you’re snoozing in a campground or have family visiting for the holidays, these are the best sleeping pads and camping mats we’ve found to rest your weary bones.

Macworld Among the rumors we’ve heard about the upcoming iOS 19 reveal at WWDC25 next month is a Calendar app revamp. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported on it but offered no details, and a couple of weeks ago, MacGeneration confirmed that Apple acquired Mayday Labs last year, makers of the Mayday calendar app, which used AI to “help you organize, protect, and manage your day” before it was shuttered last May. Further confirmation on a new Calendar was spotted by Macworld contributor Filipe Esposito, who noticed a job posting for a Senior Software Engineer, Calendar Experience. The posting, which was listed on April 29, states that Apple is looking for candidates to join a team that will “reimagine what a modern calendar can be across Apple’s platforms.” That’s pretty much a confirmation from Apple that Calendar is undergoing a dramatic revamp. Now the speculation switches from whether Calendar will be revamped in the first place to what it will look like and how it will work. Will Mayday’s interface simply replace the Calendar app’s UI, or will Apple incorporate Mayday features and maintain the classic Calendar’s look? As for those features, Mayday Labs’ Jeremy Bell is keen on AI, stating that “AI assistants will usher in a new era of personal productivity and fulfillment.” Some of the features Mayday offered included a Calendar Shield that blocked your calendar when you are overbooked, and AI-Schedule Tasks, where the software would “suggest the optimal time to focus on that task, automatically blocking out a slot in your calendar.” Another feature of the Mayday calendar was the ability to find schedule conflicts and provide insight on rescheduling (see video). Those all sound like Apple Intelligence features that could be unveiled at WWDC. A new AI-infused calendar app might not be the kind of AI that gets all the headlines, but it’s the type of features Apple excels at, as Bell puts it, ones that “automate the mundane.” With rumors that WWDC probably won’t feature the major Siri AI overhaul that’s long overdue, Apple will likely opt to showcase smaller features that make our devices easier to use. Apple will kick off WWDC with a keynote on June 9 to showcase the new features of iOS, macOS, and the rest of its operating systems.

According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, OpenAI and Jony Ive are planning a neck-worn AI device with a similar form factor to the iPod Shuffle.Former Apple designer Jony IveTF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo revealed on X that the new AI device from Jony Ive and OpenAI is expected to enter mass production in 2027. In his post, he said the prototype is slightly larger than Humane's (failed) AI Pin but remains as compact and elegant as an iPod Shuffle.The device won't include a display and is designed to be worn around the neck, using cameras and microphones for environmental awareness. It will connect to smartphones and PCs for computing power and display output, positioning it squarely in the emerging category of ambient, screenless AI. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Minimalist color photography thrives on simplicity, clarity, and restraint, using limited color palettes and streamlined compositions to create powerful visual impact. This style strips away distractions, emphasizing the essential elements of the scene and allowing photographers to convey strong emotions and clear narratives effectively. Embracing Simplicity Minimalism isn’t about having fewer elements for the sake of simplicity alone; it’s about intentionality. Every aspect of your photograph—color, composition, and subject—should serve a clear purpose and contribute meaningfully to the image’s overall impact. Limited Colors: Restricting your palette to a few colors or shades enhances visual clarity and emotional resonance. Focused Subject: Clearly defined subjects with significant negative space help viewers immediately grasp the narrative or emotion you’re conveying. Choosing Colors for Emotional Impact In minimalist photography, your color choices are critical. Each hue carries emotional weight and meaning: Monochromatic Schemes: Utilizing shades of a single color can create elegant, unified, and tranquil images. Subtle Contrasts: Gentle contrasts in minimalist photos—such as muted pastels paired with soft neutrals—generate quiet, compelling visual interest. Bold Accents: Introducing a single vibrant color against an otherwise neutral background can create dramatic visual tension, guiding the viewer’s eye directly to your subject. Composition for Maximum Effect Achieving successful minimalist photography relies heavily on thoughtful composition: Negative Space: Extensive use of negative space emphasizes your subject, creating a serene yet compelling aesthetic. Rule of Thirds and Symmetry: Utilize basic compositional techniques like the rule of thirds or symmetry to structure your image effectively, reinforcing clarity and visual harmony. Minimal Details: Each detail included should significantly enhance your composition; extraneous elements dilute the minimalist impact. The Role of Lighting in Minimalism Lighting is essential to minimalist photography, significantly affecting mood and visual appeal: Soft Lighting: Diffuse, gentle lighting helps maintain visual simplicity, reducing harsh contrasts and promoting a tranquil mood. Directional Light: Controlled use of directional lighting can add subtle texture and depth, highlighting essential elements without introducing unnecessary complexity. Refining Your Minimalist Vision Minimalist photography challenges photographers to see beyond the surface, demanding careful planning and thoughtful execution. Cultivate the discipline to exclude unnecessary elements and focus solely on essential details. This approach allows the viewer to connect instantly with your message or emotion, leaving a lasting impression. Minimalist color photography demonstrates the profound power of simplicity. By embracing restraint, carefully choosing your colors, mastering composition, and thoughtfully utilizing lighting, you can create visually impactful photographs that deeply resonate with your audience. Explore minimalism in your photographic practice, and discover the strength and clarity of saying more with less. Extended reading: Transforming ordinary scenes with vibrant colors The post Less is More: The Power of Minimalist Color Photography appeared first on 500px.

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After seemingly years of speculation, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is finally coming out for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It features several returning voice actors, including David Hayter and Lori Alan, but that’s not all. Cynthia Harrell, known for the iconic “Snake Eater” theme, also returns and sings a new version for the remake. You can hear some of it in the remade opening title sequence from the latest Metal Gear Solid Legacy episode, though it’s perhaps most well-known for playing near the end. Written and composed by Norihiko Hibino, the track came to life as a substitute and was never meant as the theme. “Don’t Be Afraid” by Rika Muranaka was instead pitched, but after listening to and liking “Snake Eater,” director Hideo Kojima opted for it instead. The composition has been compared to a James Bond film theme and has received extensive praise since the original game’s launch. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater launches on August 28th, with pre-orders now live worldwide. Check out the latest trailer here.

Image credit: ASFQ The Grand Conference of not-for-profit Architecture sans Frontières Québec (ASFQ) is returning to Montreal next month. The theme for this year’s conference, which is taking place on June 5, 2025, will be “Architecture and International Solidarity | Collaborating Across Borders.” The event, hosted by Architecture Sans Frontières Québec (ASFQ), aims to bring together local and international experts to discuss how architecture can be a lever for resilience and social justice on a global scale. For 17 years, ASFQ has been supporting projects around the world, implemented in a collaborative dynamic to co-design responses adapted to local realities, integrating traditional know-how, innovation and participatory approaches. This approach is part of a growing worldwide movement. “Everywhere, a growing number of organizations and professionals are committing themselves to solidarity-based architecture, across all borders,” reads ASFQ’s website. “But what underpins the importance and legitimacy of such an approach? In a context marked by climatic, social and geopolitical crises, how can architecture contribute to sustainable development, resilience and community well-being? And above all, how can we overcome the historical power struggles between North and South, and ensure a truly collaborative architecture? These are all essential questions that need to be addressed.” Held in person, the event will end with a cocktail reception, offering an opportunity to network with professionals from diverse backgrounds. 400 participants are expected to attend the June 5 gathering, which follows at the end of the annual conference of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) (June 1-4) in Montreal. For more information and to register, click here. The post ASFQ’s 2025 Grande Conférence returns to Montreal next month appeared first on Canadian Architect.

A New, Shape-Shifting ‘Flapjack’ Octopus Has Been Discovered in the Deep Sea Off the Coast of Australia The tiny Carnarvon flapjack octopus is the latest of ten species described by Australian scientists after a 2022 research trip The newly described octopus, Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis, has red tentacles. Cindy Bessey / CSIRO A new species of shape-shifting octopus has just been described by scientists in Australia. The tiny cephalopod grows only about 1.6 inches across, but it can survive more than half a mile beneath the ocean’s surface. Scientists have named the octopus the Carnarvon flapjack (Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis), after the Carnarvon Canyon Marine Park off the coast of Western Australia, where it was found back in 2022. The “flapjack” part of its name comes from its shape-shifting nature—flapjack octopuses can flatten their bodies into pancake-like discs. The octopus marks the tenth new species to be described from specimens collected by researchers aboard the Investigator, a vessel led by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia’s national scientific research agency. The ship has been charting Australia’s waters for years, mapping the seafloor and studying marine life. During the 2022 expedition, the team used high-tech cameras, nets and sleds to collect samples and snap photographs deep below the ocean’s surface. Many of the specimens they found are thought to be new species, according to a statement from CSIRO. Tristan Verhoeff, a volunteer systematic taxonomist at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, went through a long, multi-step process to name the new octopus and verify that it had never been seen before. “It is exciting, but at the same time, there is pressure to do it right,” he says to Crystal McKay at theAustralian Broadcasting Corporation. “It is easy to think you have a new species when you don’t. That’s why it takes time, as you need to compare specimens and literature descriptions.” To name the new species, Verhoeff had to collect measurements of the octopus, count its suckers, dissect its organs and take detailed photos, per the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Then, researchers compared that information to records of already identified species. Top view of the new octopus species (Opisthoteuthis carnarvonensis) Cindy Bessey / CSIRO The Carnarvon flapjack is a type of deep-sea dwelling “dumbo” octopus, so nicknamed because the ear-like fins just above their eyes give them a resemblance to the popular Disney elephant. “Dumbo octopus are a rare and unusual species that live on the seafloor,” adds Verhoeff in the statement. “They reproduce and grow slowly, are very soft and gelatinous and, unlike other octopus, they produce no ink and cannot change color.” Some of the Investigator’s other recent discoveries include the painted hornshark, the parallel-spine scorpionfish and an “incredibly rare” blind cusk eel. These creatures all add to scientists’ understanding of seafloor habitats in Western Australia. A researcher holds the painted hornshark, which was discovered on the Investigator's 2022 expedition. Frederique Olivier / CSIRO Scientists discovered the parallel-spine scorpionfish on the 2022 research voyage. Frederique Olivier / CSIRO The findings also “help marine managers, such as Parks Australia, better conserve and protect the incredible diversity of marine life that inhabits Australia’s oceans,” says Venetia Joscelyne, the CSIRO Marine National Facility team leader, to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. “Incredibly, scientists estimate that there are likely more than 1,000 new species waiting to be described from specimens collected on CSIRO RV Investigator voyages over the past ten years,” she adds in the statement. If you want to feel like you’re part of the adventure, you can watch a live stream of the vessel on its journey of discovery. Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.

Wildlife Studios and Winners Alliance today announced a major licensing partnership, bringing Naomi Osaka and other stars to the hit mobile game Tennis Clash. Tennis Clash has been played by more than 170 million users worldwide. Through the agreement, Wildlife Studios now holds rights to feature the names, images, and likenesses of select men’s and women’s players, marking the first time officially licensed players will appear in Tennis Clash. Launched in 2019, Tennis Clash is one of the most downloaded mobile sports games globally. Wildlife Studios – founded in 2011 – has released more than 60 games and surpassed 4 billion lifetime downloads across its portfolio. Starting May 23, users can compete as four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who debuts in a custom outfit inspired by her 2024 U.S. Open look. Wildlife Studios will introduce at least three more licensed player characters later this year, with more in development. The integration of real players brings even more realism and depth to the game, allowing fans to experience tennis in a more immersive, authentic, and personal way. Through interactive avatars, the sport’s top stars are connected with Tennis Clash’s massive global audience in ways that reimagine how tennis is played, promoted, and experienced. “Winners Alliance is proud to bring professional tennis players into a platform as dynamic and far-reaching as Tennis Clash,” said Eric Winston, president of Winners Alliance, in a statement. “Wildlife Studios has taken great care to reflect each athlete’s officially licensed identity, and this is just the beginning of what’s possible when gaming and athlete licensing come together at scale.” “We strive to make Tennis Clash as authentic and entertaining as possible, which is why we’re excited to partner with Winners Alliance to welcome some of the sport’s most beloved stars into the game,” said Giovanni Piffer, partnerships lead at Wildlife Studios, in a statement. “We’re eager to see how our players enjoy the new Naomi Osaka character and can’t wait to unveil the additional characters coming soon. Tennis Clash is giving gamers and tennis fans a new way to engage with the sport – closer, more personal, and more interactive than ever before.” Winners Alliance is a global, athlete-centric commercial solution dedicated to creating novel group licensing, sponsorship, partnership, content, investment and event opportunities for world-class athletes collectively. Wildlife is one of the world’s largest mobile gaming publishers. In over ten years, it has launched more than 60 games, including hits such as Sniper 3D, Zooba, Tennis Clash, War Machines and Colorfy. Founded by brothers Victor and Arthur Lazarte, the company’s games have been downloaded more than 4 billion times across the planet. GB Daily Stay in the know! Get the latest news in your inbox daily Read our Privacy Policy Thanks for subscribing. Check out more VB newsletters here. An error occured.

nDreams CEO Patrick O'Luanaigh steps down after 19 years O'Luanaigh will assume the role of non-exec chairperson as Tomas Gillo steps in as CEO Image credit: nDreams News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on May 22, 2025 nDreams CEO Patrick O'Luanaigh is stepping down after 19 years. O'Luanaigh said he will "still be working closely with the exec team and Aonic to shape" the company's future as non-exec chairperson. "I have loved my 19 years as CEO, and it’s going to be great to continue to keep a close eye on nDreams’ exciting journey from my new role," he said in a statement. Talking about new CEO Tomas Gillo, who has been running development at nDreams for almost a decade, O'Luanaigh added: "Tom knows the company and teams better than anyone, and most importantly knows VR and MR game development inside out, and I have no doubt that he’ll do a fantastic job along with the incredible exec team that we have built. In a responding statement also posted to nDreams' LinkedIn, the company said: "As a company we'd like to thank Patrick O'Luanaigh for his years of wonderful leadership. His forward-thinking vision for VR has led this company from success to success, but more than that, his guidance, calm presence and patience with colleagues has set the example for leadership in our company. "That said, we're extremely excited to welcome our long-time colleague Tomas Gillo as CEO! With more than a decade's experience at the company, we know he's the right man for the job and are excited for this next chapter in nDreams' history." At the end of last year, nDreams made mass layoffs, saying that despite exploring "multiple alternatives to avoid such action," a new "strategic focus could result in redundancies affecting up to 17.5% of the company." Then, in February, it launched a new studio called Compass and shut down two others.