After a few days of stock shortage, the popular Blink Outdoor 4 cameras are back on Amazon with a huge 60% discount. This early Black Friday deal is turning heads as savvy shoppers rush to secure these great security devices at a fraction of their usual cost.The Blink Outdoor camera is known for its reliability and ease of use and has been a go-to choice for those looking to enhance their home security at a reasonable price. Now, with this substantial price cut, its become an even more attractive option: the single camera kit which typically retails for $99 is available for just $39.99. For those looking to secure multiple entry points or cover a larger area, the five-camera pack is an absolute steal at $159, down from its original price of $399.See Blink Outdoor 4 at AmazonSee 5-pack at AmazonThis wireless camera system offers a plethora of features that make it a standout in the crowded smart home security market. With its weather-resistant design, the Blink Outdoor can withstand the elements, making it perfect for monitoring your propertys exterior. The camera boasts HD video quality, ensuring clear footage day or night, thanks to its infrared night vision capabilities. Two-way audio allows you to communicate with visitors or deter potential intruders, while the motion detection feature sends alerts directly to your smartphone.Great Security, Great BatteryOne of the most appealing aspects of the Blink Outdoor is its impressive battery life: it can last up to two years of power from two AA lithium batteries so you wont find yourself constantly climbing ladders to change batteries. This longevity is a game-changer for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it security solution.Installation is a so easy and requires no wiring or professional help: simply mount the camera where you need it, sync it with the included module and youre ready to go. The user-friendly Blink app allows you to view live streams, receive notifications, and customize settings from anywhere in the world. This is also what makes it so popular.While this early Black Friday deal is exceptionally tempting, potential buyers should act fast. Given the high demand for these cameras and the depth of the discount, theres a strong possibility that stock will run out quickly (as it was the case earlier in November). Waiting until the end of November for traditional Black Friday sales might mean missing out on this opportunity entirely.At this price point (60% off on all kits; theres also one with three cameras), securing your home with an efficient camera system has never been more affordable. Whether youre looking to monitor your front porch for package deliveries, keep an eye on your backyard or simply want peace of mind when youre away from home, the Blink Outdoor camera system offers a cost-effective solution.See Blink Outdoor 4 at AmazonSee 5-pack at Amazon

Airports as Destinations: Branding Cities in East and Southeast AsiaSave this picture!The Rain Vortex indoor waterfall at Jewel Changi Airport. Image Freedomz via ShutterstockAir travel has opened up multiple avenues for travel experiences. Lately, these transitional spaces have become destinations themselves, with airports like the Hong Kong International Airport and Incheon International Airport commanding over 60 million visitors per year. Airports are often the first and last impression of a city, and designers and city planners are recognizing their role in telling a place's brand story. As hubs of both travel and tourism, these airports aim to blend functionality with cultural engagement, offering passengers a taste of the local flavor before they even leave the terminal.Packed with a golf course, ice skating rink, and even a Museum of Korean Culture, Seoul's Incheon International Airport offers amenities that provide entertainment for long layovers and attract even casual visitors. The Hong Kong Airport is another one of the growing number of airports enticing passengers with exciting forms of entertainment. The airport hosts a four-month cultural festival of music and art and also boasts a workshop where passengers can make personalized gifts and enjoy VR experiences.Save this picture!These mega-hubs set a new vision for what airports can be, breaking the distinction between transportation infrastructure and urban attractions. By integrating art, culture, and recreation into their design, these airports are going beyond the typical passenger experience, transforming what was once merely a waiting area into a community space and a touristic attraction in its own right. Related Article Airports: Examples in Plan & Section Airports as Mega-HubsAirports in metropolitan cities are revising themselves as attractions that compete with city landmarks for the attention of leisure travelers. New amenities and experiences have shifted the meaning of air travel. Singapore's Changi Airport is the best example of this trend. Its newest addition, the Jewel Changi Airport designed by Safdie Architects, features the world's tallest indoor waterfall, a canopy park, and a multi-story indoor garden. The attractions serve transit passengers while also drawing in local residents and tourists, effectively turning the airport into a destination itself. "Jewel weaves together an experience of nature and the marketplace, dramatically asserting the idea of the airport as an uplifting and vibrant urban center", shares Moshe Safdie whose firm designed the airport. Save this picture!The airport design facilitates a perception of the city of Singapore, mimicking its "garden-like" atmosphere. On the 5th level, the Canopy Park includes 14,000 square meters of attractions integrated within the garden spaces. These include net structures suspended within the trees, a suspended catenary glass-bottom bridge walk, a planted hedge maze and mirror maze, and feature installations completed in collaboration with internationally acclaimed artists. (write about how airports help with city branding - building a clear perception of what the city wants to be known for).Save this picture!As airports take on the role of gateway destinations, they start to become representatives of the identity of their city. The airport's design, amenities, and overall experience are becoming tools for shaping perceptions of the city and region it serves. Architectural design is often used to create a strong sense of place. Zaha Hadid Architects' undulating roof of Beijing Daxing International Airport, for example, reflects traditional Chinese architecture and symbolizes the country's rapid modernization. The designers' intentional fusion of cultural heritage and contemporary design creates a memorable first impression; a statement of the city's values, aspirations, and position on the global stage.Save this picture!Reimagining the Arrivals ExperienceThe arrivals area is often a traveler's first interaction with a city, making it a crucial touchpoint for shaping perceptions and experiences. Progressive airports are reimagining this space, moving towards single-level arrival areas that showcase local culture and integrate seamlessly with public transit. One approach is the concept of "curbside to city" design, creating a smooth transition from the airport to the city by incorporating elements of local architecture, art, and culture. At Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, the arrivals hall features Thai-inspired design elements and sculptures, offering visitors an immediate taste of the country's rich heritage. The connection to the city's efficient Skytrain system further enhances the arrival experience and helps reinforce the city's image as modern, efficient, and visitor-friendly. Save this picture!Integration with public transit is another key aspect of this reimagined arrivals experience. Hong Kong International Airport offers in-town check-in services at metro stations, allowing travelers to drop off their luggage and obtain boarding passes before even reaching the airport. This enhances convenience while encouraging the use of public transportation and demonstrates how city branding can extend beyond the airport itself. These redesigned arrival areas are changing the first impressions of cities for travelers. By showcasing local culture and providing seamless connections to the city, airports are becoming true gateways that set the tone for a visitor's entire stay.The New Airport EconomyThe transformation of airports into destinations has a strong impact on airport business models and profitability. Traditional aeronautical revenue sources, such as landing fees and passenger charges, are being supplemented and sometimes overshadowed by additional revenue. Sophisticated retail and dining spaces are now the norm. Tokyo's Narita Airport contains a vibrant shopping hub with high-end stores like Bulgari and Tiffany & Co., providing passengers with an upscale retail experience that blends international luxury with Japanese craftsmanship. Luxury brands are setting up shop in international airports, recognizing them as prime locations with a captive audience of international travelers. Save this picture!Save this picture!Airports are also becoming central to urban development, anchoring them as commercial hubs rather than mere transportation gateways. The concept of an "aerotropolis" redefines how modern cities can be designed around airports as the focal point. In Zhengzhou, China, the airport has expanded its role beyond aviation to include a commercial complex with office spaces, retail outlets, and hotels. The Zhengzhou Airport Economic Zone (ZAEZ), established by China's State Council in 2013, highlights airports' position as drivers of economic growth. By integrating transportation, business services, and residential areas, the ZAEZ offers unmatched connectivity, thereby attracting industries like high-tech, biomedical, and advanced services that rely on speedy, global communication. Its proximity to major cities like Beijing and Shanghai makes it an ideal location for businesses seeking quick access to international markets. This strategy strengthens the region's economic infrastructure by integrating local and neighboring provinces into global supply chains.Save this picture!Airports are embodying microcosms of the cities they serve. The "aerotropolis" concept positions airports as central to urban development, demanding influence on the city's physical and economic landscape. The emphasis on airports as facilitators of global connectivity strengthens a city's identity as an international business center, showcasing economic strength, cultural richness, and innovation potential.City Branding for Architects"In the next decade, airports and airline lounges will evolve into emotional landscapes, intertwining local culture, sustainability, and technology. In these spaces, we become more than just passengers traversing points on a map, but ones open to new ideas and cultures," predicts Elias Andrews, an expert in airport design. As airports increasingly transform from mere transit points into vibrant destinations, architects can create spaces that reflect local culture and provide engaging experiences for travelers. Save this picture!Architects can extend their practice toward the communication of a city's essence through thoughtful airport design. By incorporating local materials and cultural references, designers can craft environments that resonate with visitors from the moment they arrive. To enrich the passenger experience, airports also become a powerful marketing tool for the city, establishing a strong sense of place that enhances its global image. Ultimately, well-designed airports can become integral components of a city's identity and economic vitality.Image gallerySee allShow lessAbout this authorAnkitha GattupalliAuthorCite: Ankitha Gattupalli. "Airports as Destinations: Branding Cities in East and Southeast Asia" 11 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1023352/airports-as-destinations-branding-cities-in-east-and-southeast-asia&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

The Forestias Six Senses Residences / Foster + PartnersSave this picture! Weerapon SingnoiArchitects: Foster + PartnersYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:Weerapon Singnoi, Foster + PartnersMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. The first phase of the Six Senses Residences The Forestias development by the Thailand-based developer MQDC has been completed. Following the key principles of The Forestias master plan, the luxury villas are inspired by traditional Thai architecture to provide the highest levels of sustainability, well-being, and connections with nature. The development will be serviced by the nearby Six Senses The Forestias hotel and is designed to align with their pioneering approach to wellness, crafted experiences, and care towards local communities and the environment. Sunphol Sorakul, Partner, Foster + Partners, said: "The Six Senses Residences The Forestias is a private green haven at the edge of our masterplan. It offers an unparalleled living experience with access to the very best services and amenities to promote physical and emotional well-being while providing a strong sense of community. Every villa has been designed to optimize views of the spectacular natural surroundings, with an emphasis on quality materials and highly flexible living spaces that work for the whole family unit."Save this picture!Save this picture!The living quarters are raised up off the ground to enhance views of the surroundings, improve natural ventilation through the home, and create space for parking and MEP services below. The first level of the villas contains state-of-the-art dining and living spaces, the grandparents' bedroom, and a shaded courtyard where the family can gather at the heart of the home. A private infinity pool on the rear terrace appears to merge with the lagoon at the center of the development, while the rear terraces of the large residences connect with the forest, creating a seamless transition between inside and outside. The level above provides additional bedrooms and generous shaded terraces for socializing, relaxing, or practicing yoga.Save this picture!Save this picture!The breathable design is driven by an internal system of sliding louvers, which allows air to circulate through the villa and offers maximum flexibility for residents. Living spaces can be opened up, to create larger communal areas, or shut down for more privacy. The facade is carefully designed to balance views of the surroundings and privacy for residents. Timber screens on the first level are made from regionally sourced bamboo, with aluminum rain screens and stone cladding above. These screens provide shading and gently filter light into the living spaces, while also creating an elegant aesthetic that reflects the local culture and maintains a sense of seclusion. A large undulating aluminum roof with a timber soffit draws on natural forms, enhances water drainage, and features PV panels that provide energy to the home. Residents will have access to their own clubhouse, with a private health center and a large infinity pool that connects with the lagoon. The gridshell free-span timber structure creates a flexible event space that can accommodate a range of different activities.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessProject locationAddress:ThailandLocation to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.About this officeFoster + PartnersOfficeMaterialsWoodGlassMaterials and TagsPublished on November 11, 2024Cite: "The Forestias Six Senses Residences / Foster + Partners" 11 Nov 2024. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1023336/the-forestias-six-senses-residences-foster-plus-partners&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

OPINION AMD Is Making Great Strides in AI, May End Up Merging With IntelBy Rob EnderleNovember 11, 2024 5:00 AM PT ADVERTISEMENTQuality Leads That Turn Into DealsFull-service marketing programs from TechNewsWorld deliver sales-ready leads. Segment by geography, industry, company size, job title, and more. Get Started Now. AMD has made significant strides in AI. Last week, it announced that its first 1-billion parameter large language models are performing exceptionally well. Under the leadership of CEO Lisa Su and with the help of CTO and Executive VP Mark Papermaster, AMD has done an admirable job of fast pivoting after Nvidia and OpenAIs initial surprise success to create a credible generative AI solution.What makes this incredible is that it took Nvidia around 20 years to get where it is and although Nvidia clearly plowed the AI field, AMD is planting AI seeds like crazy. While this might be considered a risk to Nvidias growth, demand for AI solutions remains high and largely unmet. In a rapidly expanding market, all major players can benefit, and both AMD and Nvidia are well-positioned to succeed.In addition, the U.S. is pushing for AMD and Intel to merge, which could remove a lot of the marketing inefficiencies in the x86 space and allow both firms to better compete in the growing battle for AI dominance, in which China represents the most significant competitive threat.Lets talk about AMDs AI progress and its potential merger with Intel. Well close with my Product of the Week: Google Gemini Advanced, which has proven incredibly helpful in creating images to accompany my writing.AMD and AINvidia caught the tech market with its pants down when it became clear that it was the technology behind OpenAIs ChatGPT platform that was, in turn, the foundation for Microsoft Copilot. While Microsoft did a relatively poor job launching Copilot+, Copilot has been immensely successful, particularly with developers. Given that Nvidia took around two decades to build its incredible AI platform, it seemed unlikely that anyone would be able to compete with it for a few years.Well, AMD clearly didnt get that memo. To catch up with Nvidia, AMD bought a company called Silo AI, known for its extensive pool of AI experts, rivaling even IBM. Silo AI was already amassing a number of successful AI projects in a market currently more defined by unsuccessful projects.AMDs methodical approach to AI has been refreshing in a market where many players seem to be selling solutions that fall short. Sadly, this is the nature of a new tech market darling. People are so desperate to get it they arent looking under the covers hard enough. The result is an unusually high failure rate.However, both AMD and Nvidia are providing well-curated solutions. Nvidia built its capabilities largely organically, while AMD has done it faster through acquisition (given Nvidia was a first mover, this option wasnt available to it in time).Much like AMD has always been a strong competitor to Intel and is an even stronger one today, it has also become an impressively strong peer to Nvidia as both companies move aggressively on this massive AI growth opportunity.AMD and Intel May MergeCurrently, AMD is also outselling Intel in the data center space, which most of us thought was impossible. This shift showcases the difficulty Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger faces as he tries to turn around the company, partly by navigating the Chips Act to build a massive U.S. microprocessor manufacturing capability, a strategic imperative for both Intel and the U.S. Government.Intel is one of the too big to fail companies from a national security perspective, so the U.S. government is pushing for an AMD/Intel merger where AMD would manage the combined companies while manufacturing would spin out as a separate entity. Gelsinger would likely run the manufacturing spin-out, giving Lisa Su the resources to better compete with the threat represented by China, especially Huawei, a company that has overcome U.S. sanctions to challenge Apple, among others. Huawei is considered one of the AI challengers to Nvidia and, by extension, AMD and Intel.This combination would significantly improve both x86s prospects by eliminating unneeded competition between AMD and Intel both of which are facing challenges from Arm, China, and Huawei and allow greater focus on the strategic U.S. effort to build up domestic processor manufacturing.Wrapping UpThere is a lot of change going on in the tech space. Companies are flocking to AI solutions like nothing Ive ever seen. The AI ramp-up and competitive dangers are pronounced. The U.S., while currently in the lead, is being approached rapidly by China, which is executing well with better government support than the U.S. has been able to create yet. AMD has stepped up to this competition behind Nvidia and is performing impressively well and not just with AI. Its primary processor business is doing so well that its being asked to buy and merge with Intels development side and spin out manufacturing so it can advance more quickly with greater focus.While we often hold up Nvidia as the gold standard for AI computing, AMD is moving up fast as an alternative, and the market needs alternatives. Its growing too fast for one or even two primary vendors. Lisa Sus team continues to do impressive work, and I can only imagine the success they will likely enjoy in 2025.Google Gemini AdvancedI use several AI products at the moment, one of which is Google Gemini. There are two forms of Gemini: The base form is free, and Gemini Advanced costs around $20 monthly.While I initially struggled a bit learning how to state prompts to create images I wanted properly, both Gemini Advanced and I have improved over time. It now only takes me one or two iterations to create an image to complement my writing.Ive found Gemini Advanced to be incredibly fun to mess around with. For instance, I created the image shown here with the prompt, generate an image of a beautiful anime girl in a flying car fighting a horrific monster in space.The thing about AI tools is that they need to be fun and rewarding to use because there is a bit of a learning curve in how you phrase prompts and each tool requires slightly different phrasing. Gemini Advanced is clearly a kid-friendly, G-rated tool, so its a bit safer than some of the others that dont have guardrails.Im having great fun with Google Gemini Advanced, so its my Product of the Week. You should check out the free version.Rob Enderle has been an ECT News Network columnist since 2003. His areas of interest include AI, autonomous driving, drones, personal technology, emerging technology, regulation, litigation, M&E, and technology in politics. He has an MBA in human resources, marketing and computer science. He is also a certified management accountant. Enderle currently is president and principal analyst of the Enderle Group, a consultancy that serves the technology industry. He formerly served as a senior research fellow at Giga Information Group and Forrester. Email Rob.Leave a CommentClick here to cancel reply. Please sign in to post or reply to a comment. New users create a free account.Related StoriesMore by Rob Enderleview allMore in Tech BuzzShould we end the twice-yearly clock change for business efficiency?Yes - Making Daylight Saving Time permanent could boost evening activity.Yes - Making Standard Time permanent could improve early work hours.No - Businesses adapt well to the current system.Loading ...

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With the Kickstarter ending I wanted to give the newest scanner from Revopoint a full review looking at it different scanning modes and the results you can expect, to help you decide if this is the scanner for you.Unboxing video: https://youtu.be/FFj0tnkoCaw MetroX Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/revopoint3d/revopoint-metrox-3d-scanner?ref=5jyp7c Support the channel on Patreon and get videos a week early: https://www.patreon.com/ArtisansofVaul 3D scanner reviews: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnqmLZKRm5CZLZSpCbyXO1YceOsdjiDn1&amp ;amp;si=fmdcCzpr_LQDceg3

Random Screw generation using the Panel Screws operator in the Random Flow add-on in Blender.Shops:blendermarket.com/creators/blenderguppygumroad.com/blenderguppyPatreon:patreon.com/blenderguppy#shorts #b3d #blender3d #3d #3dmodeling #blendermarket #conceptartist #3dmodel #blenderaddon #3dmodelQuick canister generation using Panel Screws operator in the Random Flow add-on in Blender.Shops:blendermarket.com/creators/blenderguppygumroad.com/blenderguppyPatreon:patreon.com/blenderguppy#shorts #b3d #blender3d #3d #3dmodeling #blendermarket #conceptartist #3dmodel #blenderaddon #3dmodel

Grocery chain Asda is calling workers back to the office three days a week from January.The British retailer says it will improve on-site catering and provide better bathrooms for staff.Asda chair Stuart Rose said remote work doesn't suit the fast pace of the consumer goods industry. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Stuart Rose, chair of grocery store Asda and a veteran of British retail, says the company will improve bathroom facilities and on-site food as it mandates a return to the office for corporate staff.Rose, who has also held leadership roles at major UK retailers Marks & Spencer, Argos, and Topshop, said last week that from January, all Asda corporate staff must be in the office three days a week.After the announcement, Rose said in an interview with The Observer that having too many staff based at home was "not a satisfactory way of working," particularly in a "fast-moving consumer goods industry.""It's not always as efficient with those teams working together in terms of online, in terms of Zoom calls," he told the outlet.Asda said it will "improve the working environment" in its offices as part of the RTO push.That includes "a better catering offer, an on-site Asda Express, a more welcoming atrium, more meeting spaces, quiet-space working pods, upgraded toilets, new chairs and redecoration."A spokesperson confirmed to Business Insider that in November, the grocery chain cut 475 management roles and announced a major restructuring amid slowing sales.Rose has taken on a leading role in Asda's transformation after one of the grocery chain's owners, Mohsin Issa, stepped down from running day-to-day operations in September.In 2021, Issa, along with his brother Zuber and private equity firm TDR Capital, purchased a majority stake in Asda from its previous owner, Walmart.Asda said that its RTO policy, combined with the restructuring and job cuts, would bring the business "in line with our competitors and the wider market, allowing us to build high-performing teams with a collaborative culture and respond to what our business needs the most."Rose is not alone in wanting his employees back in the office. While many bosses are firm advocates for the potential productivity gains of in-person work, some studies have found that hybrid working does not affect productivity.As the pandemic years fade further into the past, more CEOs have been returning to policies similar to those that existed in most corporate environments pre-2020. In recent months, companies like Dell and Amazon have announced that staff must be back in the office five days a week.Asda's chair told The Observer he thinks demand for hybrid work has swung too far in favor of workers."Hybrid working wasn't invented in the pandemic," Rose said. "It has to fit the business's needs."Experts say workers still have some say in the working culture debate. If RTO policies become too strict, top talent will simply leave to find a system that works for them, Ravin Jesuthasan, a respected future-of-work researcher, previously told Business Insider.If the labor market swings back around to favor workers, organizations will be under more pressure to meet their employees on their terms, the author "The Skills-Powered Organization" said.Nick Bloom, a Stanford economist and a leading expert on remote work, previously told BI he believed working from home is "here to stay," citing big steps in technology such as video calls and virtual reality.In a presentation published in September, Bloom shared that surveys in 2021 had shown that, on average, employees regarded the right to work two or three days a week from home as valuable as an 8% pay rise, based on 17,087 responses.

The package could include 60 F-35 fighter jets and 400 Patriot missiles, the FT reported.President-elect Donald Trump has previously said Taiwan should pay the US to defend it.US officials believe China will be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. Thanks for signing up! Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Taiwan may buy a US weapons package worth more than $15 billion to show President-elect Donald Trump it is serious about defending itself against China.According to the Financial Times, the package could include 60 F-35 fighter jets, four Advanced Hawkeyes, 10 retired warships, and 400 Patriot missiles.People familiar with the matter told the publication that Taiwan may also request Lockheed Martin's Aegis Combat System, which uses satellites to detect and destroy missile launches."Taiwan is thinking about a package to show that they are serious," one former Trump administration official told the Financial Times."Assuming they follow through, they will go to the US national security advisor when they are named and present a very aggressive package of American hardware."A senior Taiwanese national security official told the FT that informal discussions have already begun with the president-elect's team.Business Insider could not independently verify the report.In a statement to Reuters, the Taiwanese government denied renewed talks on arms sales with the US."There has been a period of consolidation and discussion between Taiwan and the United States on military needs, but there is no new stage of discussion at this time," it said.US officials believe China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory, will be ready to invade by 2027.China would initially seek to target key US military sites in the region in missile attacks, then deploy thousands of drones to surveil and help pinpoint further strikes, experts previously told BI.The stakes are high. In its Global Peace Index 2023, the Institute for Economics and Peace estimated that a Chinese blockade of Taiwan would result in a $2.7 trillion loss in world economic activity in the first year alone, equivalent to a 2.8% decline in global GDP.Bloomberg's modeling, meanwhile, estimates that a total blockade of Taiwan and Western sanctions on China could result in a 5% worldwide GDP decline, with US GDP falling by 3.3% and China's by 8.9%.While Trump has not yet revealed his policy toward Taiwan, he has made comments to suggest Taiwan should pay the US to defend it against China."We're no different than an insurance company," he told Bloomberg in July."Taiwan doesn't give us anything. Taiwan is 9,500 miles away. It's 68 miles away from China. A slight advantage, and China's a massive piece of land, they could just bombard it."They don't even need to I mean, they can literally just send shells. Now they don't want to do that because they don't want to lose all those chip plants."Benjamin Blandin, a researcher at the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies, told BI's Singapore bureau it's unclear what protection Taiwan could receive from the US under Trump even if it were to pay up.Blandin added that it's highly unlikely the US would send troops to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack."China will likely test American reactions by increasing further its gray-zone activities around Taiwan and also against the Philippines," said Sari Arho Havrn, an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank. In 2022, Biden vowed to defend Taiwan in case of a Chinese attack. In October, he approved $2 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, including radar systems and three National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile SystemsDespite approving packages to Taiwan worth upward of $21 billion during his first term, Trump has been less explicit in his support.The Trump transition team, the Chinese embassy in London, and the British Office Taipei did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI.

In the weeks after Donald Trumps 2016 victory, many top tech leaders found themselves at a meeting in Trump Tower, frowning and quite obviously full of dread. Now, the same executives sound enthusiastic when they say theyre looking forward to working with the next president.After Tuesdays election, the congratulations from the tech elite to Trump came in fast. The day after he secured the White House, everyone from Tim Cook to Mark Zuckerberg posted their well wishes for Trumps second term. Even Jeff Bezos weighed in, hailing Trumps extraordinary political comeback and decisive victory. This, from a man who has been in more than one public feud with Trump.The newfound praise does not, however, signal a political realignment in all of Silicon Valley. Tech executives as well as rank-and-file workers overwhelmingly supported Kamala Harris in the election, which shouldnt be too surprising: Shes been involved in Bay Area politics for many years and has deep ties with the tech and venture capital industries. That allegiance continued the trends of the Obama era, which was marked by a bit of a love fest between Washington and Silicon Valley. Barack Obama, who won the White House in 2008 with the help of Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, embraced the ethos of startup culture and celebrated tech companies as a positive force in the United States. He developed personal relationships with executives like Zuckerberg and championed tech-friendly policies. Now, that era is over. In its place is something darker and dominated by a small but very loud group of techno-libertarian Trump fans whose ranks include not only Elon Musk but also the industrys most influential investors, most of the PayPal Mafia, and the vice president-elect. Does that mean the tech industry has taken a turn to the right? Is Silicon Valley Trump country now?It is neither left nor right, Democrat or Republican, Margaret OMara, an American history professor at the University of Washington, told me after the election. She pointed out that the tech industry culture in Silicon Valley has its roots in post-Vietnam baby boomers viewing personal computers as a form of liberation. They didnt feel like they had anything in common with political conservatives, but they shared a libertarianism that ran its way all the way across the political spectrum, OMara added. Its kind of a funny libertarianism.Tim Cook and other tech leaders met with Donald Trump, Peter Thiel, and other members of the transition team at Trump Tower on December 14, 2016. Albin Lohr-Jones/Getty ImagesYou get a sense of Silicon Valleys anti-bureaucratic worldview in everything from Apples famous 1984 ad, which quite literally suggests tearing down the establishment, to Googles celebrated 20 percent rule, which lets employees work on side projects of their own choosing. Theres also a more extreme version of this philosophy in the tech industry, especially lately, one that leans into anti-establishment thinking, which explains their affinity for crypto. These 21st-century techno-libertarians just want to be left alone to build things and make money. The tech executives busy kissing the ring this week are not necessarily part of this crowd. The Tim Cooks of the world are just doing business, and that requires doing business with the president of the United States, whomever it might be. After the tumultuous first Trump administration, these leaders learned that the president-elect responds best to flattery and praise. Theyve actually been sucking up to Trump for months in hopes that they might have some sway in the event of his return to office. This would be handy for many reasons. The Biden administration, in a break from Obama, has been tough on Big Tech. He appointed anti-monopoly legal star Lina Khan to chair the Federal Trade Commission, and she mounted multiple antitrust suits against the countrys biggest tech companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Meta. Now, Khan is currently waiting to see if shell keep her job, and the targets of those lawsuits may have an ally in Trump, who gets to decide Khans fate. In addition to less intense regulatory scrutiny, tech companies would also enjoy lower corporate taxes, which Trump has promised to provide. In my mind, this isnt a story about Silicon Valley overall and DC overall, said Robert Lalka, a professor at Tulane University. Instead, whats occurring now involves the influence of far fewer people: a very close-knit network of like-minded Trump supporters, especially if we focus on the PayPal Mafia, and the transformation of the Republican Party and its policy agenda.The PayPal Mafia refers to a group of entrepreneurs who worked at PayPal in its early days before going on to found or help build hugely influential tech companies. If you had to pick a godfather of the PayPal Mafia and hence the leader of this pro-Trump techno-libertarian political revolution it would be Peter Thiel. The PayPal co-founder donated over $1 million to Trumps campaign back in 2016 and spent $10 million to help JD Vance win a Senate seat in Ohio in 2022. Thiel also helped fund a project to establish autonomous, floating nations in international waters, where they would be free of all laws and regulations one reason he has been called the avatar of techno-libertarianism.The motivations of the techno-libertarians, also now known as techno-authoritarians, are more twisted. Elon Musk, who was also a PayPal co-founder, emerged this year as Trumps biggest supporter after donating nearly $119 million to his campaign through his America PAC and has made the promotion of free speech one of his missions. Free speech is also a big part of why, after accusing it of censorship, Musk bought Twitter in 2022 and turned it into X, where the promotion of right-wing propaganda and misinformation may or may not have helped Trump get elected too. Its not hard to see why Musk would benefit from a close relationship with the White House. The billionaire certainly didnt have much of a rapport with the Biden administration, which snubbed him at an electric vehicle summit, an incident that reportedly led Musk to embrace Trump. Musks rocket company, SpaceX, makes billions of dollars through government contracts, while his car company, Tesla, is lobbying for fewer regulations around self-driving cars as it attempts to launch a robotaxi business. Musks company Tesla Energy, formerly SolarCity, has received billions in subsidies over the years and surely looks to benefit from the federal governments continued investment in the energy transition. Meanwhile, Trump has promised Musk a role in his administration as the secretary of cost-cutting a position that doesnt yet exist, but one that Trump seems to be seriously entertaining.The other loud pro-Trump voices in Silicon Valley share a web of connections to each other and to Musk. Theres former PayPal COO and Musk pal David Sacks, who spoke at the Republican National Convention in July; Joe Lonsdale, who co-founded Palantir with Peter Thiel and helped launch Musks America PAC; and Marc Andreessen, who last year published the 5,200-word Techno-Optimist Manifesto that envisions tech leaders as keepers of the social order. Its worth noting that not every member of the PayPal Mafia has pledged allegiance to Trump. Reid Hoffman, another former PayPal COO and LinkedIn co-founder is a prominent Democratic Party fundraiser. He donated $7 million to pro-Harris and pro-Biden PACs, even though hes a vocal Lina Khan critic. He was also on a list of more than 100 venture capitalists who threw their support behind Harris leading up to the election.Donald Trump did a campaign stop at a crypto-themed bar in New York Citys West Village on September 18. Spencer Platt/Getty ImagesAnd then theres cryptocurrency.Andreessens VC firm announced in 2022 it was going all-in on crypto, a bet thats starting to pay off after two years of looking very foolish. Trump has promised to create a strategic cryptocurrency stockpile for the US government in his second term. Trumps general anti-regulation, pro-crypto stance sent Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies soaring to all-time highs after election night, following a widely covered crypto winter that lasted a couple of years. You could argue that the crypto vote was vital to helping Trump and a lot of other Republican candidates win, too. The crypto industry has emerged as one of the most powerful lobbying forces in the country, pouring tens of millions of dollars into races against politicians they perceive to be anti-crypto and its working. So far, 48 candidates backed by pro-crypto PACs have won their races this year. Zero have lost. When you think of it that way, Trumps win on the back of techno-authoritarian billionaires seems less like a seismic shift in the politics of the tech industry and more like a bunch of one-issue voters who donated lots of money and got their way.I think a lot of it is about crypto, OMara said. Crypto is also tied in and always has been tied in to a broader worldview, which is one of libertarianism, deregulation, or privately regulated markets that are separate from government. She described this ethos as escaping the state.Now, the techno-libertarians are the state. The day after Trump declared victory, he asked Musk to join him on a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And in the coming months, several more members of the PayPal Mafia get to decide what US tech policy will be for the next four years. You have to wonder if they just want to tear it all down. Or maybe theyll get bored and move to a floating nation in international waters where there are no laws and never have been.Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More: