Google's new AI feature for Chromebook, BlueBuddy, could do the impossible and fix Bluetooth issues.

Elon Musk has revived a lawsuit against Sam Altman in federal court, alleging that the Tesla boss was manipulated into co-founding OpenAI.

Photo: Liam Daniel/HBO Episode 8 leaves it all on the table Continue reading

When the subject of retirement comes up, most people focus on two pieces of data: The amount of money they have saved (plus any sources of income they expect to have, like Social Security), and their age. Those two pieces of information give you a broad idea of when youll be able to retire, and as you approach retirement age (62 years old at the earliest for most people) you can usually hone in on the year that retirement becomes a viable option for you.But theres a third data point you should consider: What month will you retire? Though it may not be obvious the precise timing of your retirement decision on the calendar can have an impact on both your finances and your psychological wellbeing. While everyones employment, financial, and emotional needs are different, there are a few broad considerations that can help you decide if you should retire in January, June, or December (or somewhere in-between).Financial considerationsSince we tend to focus on our finances when we think about retirement, starting with financial considerations makes sense. The best time of year to retire will be different for everyone in terms of money, but you can ask yourself a few questions to determine what month would be best for you:Benefits. Does your job pay out a bonus? Waiting until you collect it makes a lot of sense unless youre trying to limit your income in your final year (see below), and retiring a month before a big bonus payout makes ... less sense. The extra cash can be a useful buffer during your transition from a regular paycheck, and you worked hard for that money.Pensions often credit you with a year of service on January 1, so holding out until next year and then retiring immediately after can give you a higher payout. Knowing when youre credited with that additional year of service is key to choosing the right month to retire.Social Security. The Social Security maximum taxable earnings this year is $168,600anything you earn in wages after that amount wont be taxed for Social Security. If you expect to hit that maximum before mid-year, it might make sense to delay retirement until later in the year because youll keep more of your money, especially if youll be getting a bonus or cashing out vacation days.Taxes. If you retire earlier in the year, you reduce your overall taxable income, bumping you into a lower tax bracket for the year.This can get complicatedif your company pays out bonuses at the end of the year, do you stay for that even if it balloons your income and youll get socked with taxes? If you stick around until next January to get your year of service credited, will it be worth the slightly higher payout if you go insane from stress? Make a note of the significant dates for your benefits, including stuff like earned PTO days you can cash out or vesting schedules for 401Ks, to ensure youre not leaving any money on the table. A financial advisor can help you figure out the advantages and disadvantages of retiring earlier or later in the year.Psychological considerationsThe perfect time of year to retire might just be the season that makes you happiest. Since many people experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the winter months (especially seniors and retirees), retiring just as the cold weather sets in might make your initial retirement experience a miserable one. Retiring just as the warm weather kicks in during summer, on the other hand, can be a psychological lift as you shift into vacation mode, making your first few months of retirement exciting and fun. Obviously, if youre a fan of winter and enjoying skiing or other winter activities, that might make more sense for youits always going to be an individual choice.Aside from the weather, life events can provide a guide. Is there a family reunion, destination wedding, or other event coming up youre looking forward to? Retiring just before can give you a sense of open road, as you can go all-in on the experience without worrying about getting back to work or other limitations. Knowing your own personal calendar for the year can help you pinpoint the ideal month to finally take the plunge.Retirement should be a joyous moment when you take the reward youve worked so hard for. But ensuring it feels like a reward often comes down to timingchoosing the right time of year means not feeling like you missed out on money or experiences.

CrowdStrike has taken a lot of flak over the enormous IT outage that brought much of the planet's computer systems to a halt last month. One thing that the company isn't willing to accept full blame for though is Delta's severe flight troubles.Delta CEO Ed Bastian said last week the company had "no choice" but to seek damages. The airline canceled more than 5,000 flights and said it was looking at a cost of over $500 million in lost revenue and compensation to passengers.New: CrowdStrike accuses Delta of creating a misleading narrative that CrowdStrike is responsible for Deltas IT decisions and response to the outage. Letter from CrowdStrikes outside counsel: pic.twitter.com/OMD3iY6U9M David Slotnick (@David_Slotnick) August 5, 2024 However, CrowdStrike claims it offered Delta assistance several times only to be rebuffed. "CrowdStrike worked tirelessly to help its customers restore impacted systems and resume services to their customers," CrowdStrike lawyer Michael Carlinsky wrote in a letter to his counterpart at Delta. "Within hours of the incident, CrowdStrike reached out to Delta to offer assistance and ensure Delta was aware of an available remediation. Additionally, CrowdStrike's CEO personally reached out to Delta's CEO to offer onsite assistance, but received no response."Carlinsky goes on to state that if Delta does pursue legal action, it will have to explain "why Delta's competitors, facing similar challenges, all restored operations much faster" and why it rejected free onsite help from CrowdStrike technicians "who assisted many other customers to restore operations much more quickly than Delta." The lawyer adds that CrowdStrike's liability is contractually capped "in the single-digit millions."CrowdStrike's public relations team made similar comments last week about Delta turning down "our repeated efforts to assist it in a speedy recovery. However, a formal letter from the company's lawyer holds a bit more weight, especially amid the threat of legal action.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/crowdstrike-says-deltas-woes-arent-its-fault-after-massive-it-outage-181803828.html?src=rss

Android users can add audio recordings to Google Lens, and the app will try its best to answer your burning questions.

SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son's net worth fell by $4.6 billion on Monday, according to the Forbes real-time billionaires list.

Summer 2024s record heat is creating problems for transportation infrastructure, from roads to rails.New Yorks Third Avenue Bridge, which swings open for ship traffic on the Harlem River, was stuck for hours after its metal expanded in the heat and it couldnt close. Roads have buckled on hot days in several states, including Washington and Wisconsin. Amtrak warned passengers to prepare for heat-related problems hours before a daylong outage between New York and New Jersey; the risks to power lines and rails during high temperatures are a growing source of delays for the train system.It doesnt help that the worsening heat is hitting a U.S. infrastructure system thats already in trouble.The American Society of Civil Engineers gave U.S. infrastructure an overall grade of C- in its latest national Infrastructure Report Card, released in 2021. While there has been some improvementabout 7.5% of U.S. bridges were in poor condition, compared with over 12% a decade earliermany bridges are aging, making them difficult to maintain. Some 40% of the road system was considered in poor or mediocre condition, and maintenance costs have substantially increased.The rate at which a bridge or road deteriorates depends not only on the materials and construction methods used but also on the climate during the structures life span. Extreme heat, in particular, significantly affects transportation infrastructure. As climate change progresses, the frequency and intensity of heat waves are expected to increase, exacerbating these issues.I lead the Smart Infrastructure and Testing Laboratory at the University of Texas at Arlington, where my team works on ways to better monitor the structural health of infrastructure. Heres why infrastructure struggles in the heatand how engineers are innovating to help extend its life.Buckling highways pose a hazard for driversWhen a road is built, it is cut into segments to create space for the pavement to expand during high heat or to contract in the cold. Without that space, the pavement can buckle when the road material heats up. Buckling of concrete pavement has become a serious problem in several states.Pavement becomes vulnerable to buckling for a number of reasons. The roadways design, the materials it is made out of, the climate when it was built, and the weather during its lifetime can affect its life span, as can damage to the road and improper repairs.Extreme temperatures and heavy precipitation can cause significant damage to roadways and jeopardize the structural integrity of rail systems. Additionally, sea-level rise is accelerating coastal erosion that can undermine roads and rail lines. The deterioration of pavement leads to traffic delays and damaged vehicles. And, most critically, it can cause traffic accidents.Hot rails can expand and also buckleRail expansion is another significant concern, especially with continuous welded rails like the main lines that trains use.When temperatures rise, rails expand due to the heat. This expansion can create high pressure and tension within the rail material. Combined with the forces exerted by moving trains, this pressure can cause the tracks to buckle to the side and become misaligned. It is sometimes referred to as a sun kink.Buckling rails are a serious safety hazard that can cause derailments. Thats one of the reasons Amtrak slows its speed in extreme heat, often leading to schedule delays. Washington, D.C.s Metro cuts its trains speed to a maximum of 35 mph once rails reach a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit.High heat caused thermal expansion of the rails, buckling this section of railway. [Photo: U.S. Department of Transportation]Predicting these thermal stresses can be challenging. Rail temperature measurements alone are not enough, because there are many unknown factors related to the tracks structure and how it moves. This makes it difficult to accurately forecast how much the rails will expand or contract.Engineers can reduce rail expansion risk by using heat-resistant materials, such as hypereutectoid rail steel and martensite rail steel, adjusting track design and ensuring timely repairs.To prevent roadways from buckling, engineers also have protective measures, such as using single-cut sawed joints filled with sealant to provide flexibility while keeping water out. They can also implement cold weather concreting practices that avoid pouring concrete during low temperatures or on cold bases, and they can use stronger and more durable concrete. Performing timely repairs when pavement cracks and becomes damaged can also help avoid buckling.Keeping infrastructure healthyInfrastructure health is similar to human health: If doctors detect problems such as tumors or cancer only in the later stages, it is often too late. Like human bodies, infrastructure needs to be maintained from the beginning to reduce costs and increase the potential for effective rehabilitation.One area my department works on is nondestructive evaluation methods for monitoring infrastructure without causing damage or requiring long road closures.Devices attached to a vehicle can quickly scan a roadway for weaknesses and defects, acting like mobile MRI machines.[Photo: Suyun Paul Ham/University of Texas, Arlington,CC BY-ND]We use mobile scanning systems that are almost like portable MRI machines to look for weakness or defects in bridges, roads, and runways. We are also developing advanced sensors that use mechanical and magnetic field phenomena to assess the condition of infrastructure, and we are using artificial intelligence to spot problems in the materials.A scan of a bridge roadway shows areas with weaknesses.[Photo: Smart Infrastructure and Testing Laboratory/University of Texas, Arlington]Infrastructure will face increasing challenges as the climate changes and roads, bridges, and other infrastructure age. The large number of buckling roadways and other problems this summer highlight the urgent need for resilient infrastructure to stand up to the future.Suyun Paul Ham is an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

To mark the end of Dezeen's North America Design 2024 series, Universal Design Studio has selected 10 stand-out designers each from a different city across the continent.London-based Universal Design Studio recently opened a location in New York and partnered with Dezeen as a sponsor, along with its sister studio Map, for our North American Design 2024 series, which highlighted a set of independent designers in 10 different cities across the continent."The series is a great platform for us to engage with this talent and gain a better understanding of the design culture in this part of the world," said Universal Design Studio creative director Satoshi Isono.Isono said that the studio was drawn to designers forefronting locality, including utilisation of local materials and processes as well as community-oriented approaches.Regional design and sustainability"I was intrigued to see that so many designers have a strong connection with their distinct local cultures through materiality. This is also reflected in how their environments inform their overall inspiration and methodology," said Isono."There were specific regional connections that jumped out. For example, it was interesting to see a number of former Nike designers working independently in Portland and discover how a strong maker culture in New York allows for special design pieces.""Clusters were born from regional design traditions while others formed around independent design communities."Isono also noted how local approaches seemed to be intimately woven with concerns about sustainability and waste.This approach differed from city to city and from studio to studio. However, Isono pointed to a social function or "impact" of design in connecting people and ideas.Read: This is North American Design 2024"Designers are finding innovative methods to get their designs produced from literally growing their own materials to sourcing them from waste. This was one of the most interesting aspects of their design process and approach," said Isono."It's exciting to see designers with a strong passion to create an impact through design. Sustainability is fundamental not only from an environmental point of view, but how it relates to society, economy, and industry."Read on for 10 of the best furniture design studios selected by and with comments from Universal Design Studio. Ania Jaworska, Chicago"I believe that an architectural practice should be open to developing any type and scale of design, and Ania's approach aligns well with that philosophy."See more of the Chicago designers here Wentrcek Zebulon, New York"Wentrcek Zebulon's work is inclusive of a strong material-driven design methodology and maker culture of New York, which as a studio with a growing Manhattan office, we are excited to tap into. Plus, it is very nice to see designers who value and prioritise the handmade."See more of the New York designers here Prowl Studio, San Francisco"Prowl Studio is deeply rooted in research-driven industrial design that responds to many problems in relation to the environment and people through design. Because of this, it is very easy to be captivated by their work."See more San Francisco designers here Fernando Laposse, Mexico City"Fernando was one of the most exciting discoveries for me. It is so unique that he grows materials in order to produce his natural plant-based furniture. This design methodology opens up the connection between his country and people through design, which is quite inspirational."See more Mexico City designers here Waka Waka, Los Angeles"I have always admired a designer who works with a single material to finesse their design skills. Being based in LA and working with plywood furniture seems very natural, with the California legacies of Eames furniture and the design culture of mid-century arts and architecture."See more Los Angeles designers here Lauren Goodman, Montreal"Lauren's background as a woodworker making one-off furniture out of industrial waste drew me in. As someone who thinks about this large issue that we face, I really respect her problem-solving."See more Montreal designers here Peca Estudio, Guadalajara"Again, seeing a designer working with materials that are endemic to their home, in this case, Mexico, makes me feel the close connection they have with local craftspeople. This is readily apparent in Peca's design."See more Guadalajara designers here Karen Lee, Portland"Karen's object-oriented design approach leads to forms that I find somewhat sculptural and tool-like. It is very curious to me."See more Portland designers here Donut Shop, Detroit"What stands out is that Donut Shop is making products themselves with a can-do attitude to solve problems while considering time and delivery, something we are all always grappling with."See more Detroit designers here Edwina Lee, Vancouver"I am particularly interested in how Edwina designs in response to nature. Her outdoor furniture using local wood connects well to the landscape of nearby Vancouver."See more Vancouver designers here Illustration by Alex MellonNorth American Design 2024This article is part of Dezeen'sNorth American Design 2024series selecting independent furniture and product design studios from cities across Canada, Mexico and the United States.The first edition of this series is created in partnership with Universal Design Studio and Map Project Office, award-winning design studios based in London and now in New York. Their expansion into the US is part of The New Standard, a collective formed with Made Thought.The post Ten of the best independent designers across North America appeared first on Dezeen.

The year was 1940. Thousands of Allied soldiers were trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk, France. The enemy was closing in fast. Panic spread as the soldiers looked out to sea, hoping for rescue ships. With every tick of the clock, their chances of escape grew slimmer. The Germans were quickly advancing to the shores, effectively surrounding thousands of soldiers and trapping them in what could only be viewed as certain death. That was until nearly 700 boats started appearing on the horizon. Sailing over from the UK, these boats gave the Allied soldiers the escape route they needed. Among them, a British fireboat called the Massey Shaw was responsible for saving as many as 600 soldiers.Its estimated that over 300,000 British and French soldiers were rescued that day from an impending German massacre. To pay tribute to the boats that ventured out to rescue the soldiers, and the Massey Shaw fireboat in particular, William Wood designed the Dunkirk Watch. Inspired by the boats engine order telegraph, the Dunkirk Watch has a face featuring various commands that the captain would trigger while commandeering the boats engine.Designer: William WoodThe Dunkirk Watch is perfect for history buffs and steamboat nerds who like wearing a relic of marine exploration on their wrists. The watchs face gorgeously captures the details of the engine order telegraph seen on almost all boats from that time. The telegraph would have a handle that you could rotate to select one of multiple commands, allowing your boat to stay still or move ahead. The handle would have a hollow window, allowing you to highlight an option on the telegraph so to celebrate that, the watch boasts hollow outline-shaped hour and minute hands.On the side of the watch, two red pipes reference the Massey Shaws firefighting system, comprised of multiple red pipes that pumped water to help douse fires. Inside, a Sellita SW200 movement powers the timepiece. The watch also comes with luminous markings on the dial and straps made from military leather as well as fabric from firefighter suits. Flip the watch over and youre greeted with artwork on the back, capturing the tense scene of Operation Dynamo which rescued roughly 338,000 soldiers from the shores of Dunkirk. In the center of the artpiece is a small metal fragment pulled from the engine of the Massey Shaw, putting literal history on your wrist. The watch also has the message We Will Remember Them inscribed on the back, along with a serial number unique to each timepiece.The Massey Shaw played a pivotal role in Britains history through the years. While it was best remembered for its role in Operation Dynamo, the London Fire Brigade Fireboat also helped save St. Pauls Cathedral in London during the German Blitz. Its said that planes dropped as many as 28 bombs on the cathedral in December of 1940, but the Massey Shaw continuously pumped water from the Thames, keeping the cathedral standing even after an intense bombing campaign. In 1947, the fireboat was one of many secret meeting locations that helped form what we know today as Britains NHS or National Health Service.The Massey Shaw was retired from service in 1971, and now sits on Londons harbor, with a scheduled visit to Dunkirk in 2025 to mark the events 80-year anniversary. Aside from making the watch, William Wood also donated 10,000 to help repair and restore the Massey Shaw. The first 600 people to purchase the Dunkirk Watch will also receive a commemorative limited-edition Operation Dynamo coin, and will even have their names engraved on a plaque installed within the Massey Shaw.The Dunkirk Watch starts at 3,995.00 GBP ($5100 USD approx), and delivers in November 2024. You can order yours on William Woods website.The post The Gorgeous Dunkirk Watch pays tribute to the Boats that rescued British Soldiers during WW2 first appeared on Yanko Design.