Finally, after 15 years of speculation and a variety of architectural proposals, a plan is in place to transform Houstons beloved Astrodome. Dubbed Vision: Astrodome, the new plan from Gensler and the Astrodome Conservancy, a private nonprofit that advocates for the structures reuse was unveiled this week. It largely maintains the structures original use as an entertainment venue, while also introducing new supporting programs including offices, retail, and restaurants. The redevelopment is also designed to engage NRG Park, Houstons major sports and conventions complex, transforming the area into a more walkable urban space.The new proposal creates a pedestrian boulevard that the architects compare to New York Citys High Line. (Courtesy Astrodome Conservancy)Genslers intervention hinges upon an arc-shaped path that will be carved through the existing structure. A new events stage will be constructed at the midpoint of the arc, while its respective arms, which reach outside of the Astrodome, will connect pedestrians to its neighbors: the NRG Center and NRG Stadium. This parabolic boulevard was inspired by New York Citys High Line. The Astrodome can and should be the heartbeat of a new, global entertainment destination at NRG Park, said Judy Nyquist, founding board member of the Astrodome Conservancy. It will serve as an exciting catalyst for future development in and around the Park.Gensler has designed four new structures to be constructed within the dome. (Courtesy Astrodome Conservancy)In total, four new structures will be constructed within the dome. The aforementioned event center is the most prominent, rising above the stands, while the othersa rodeo experience, the NASA Center, and a food hall for local vendorswill be embedded within the grandstand and the connecting corridors beneath. In addition, a retail village will be built along the exterior of the stadium.According to a press release, these interventions will add 450,00 square feet of revenue-generating space, justifying the projects expected $ 1 billion price tag. Two unidentified primary tenants will occupy the structure once the renovation is complete.The pedestrian corridor extends through the building. (Courtesy Astrodome Conservancy)To further rationalize the expenditure, the Astrodome Conservancy has commissioned a feasibility study for the new plan and also cites a 2020 poll that found that 86 percent of Harris County residents support the preservation and reuse of the Astrodome. Ultimately, the development will be bankrolled by some form of public-private partnership although exact detailsincluding the cost to Harris County taxpayersare still forthcoming.Earlier in the week, Houston Chronicle reported that the conservancys plan does not have the support of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a major player in NRG park, though it has garnered endorsements from local Harris County politicians.The Astrodome was a symbol of technological progress in the 1960s. (Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)A Look Back at the Early AstrodomeWhen it first opened to the public in 1965, the Astrodome was revolutionary. It was the first indoor air-conditioned stadium in the world, a precedent for sporting complexes as we know them today. Jokingly referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World, the stadium bolstered Houstons image as a space-age city. A few years earlier, NASA had selected Houston as the site for its Manned Spacecraft Center (later renamed after Lyndon B. Johnson).Designed by Hermon Lloyd and W.B. Morgan and engineered by Walter P. Moore, the Astrodome first opened to the public in 1965. (Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)With its 18 story height and 700 foot diameter, the Astrodome introduced a new scale to live professional sporting events. Due to the great distance between the upper grandstands and the field, the stadium was the first to implement an electronic scoreboard, known as Astrolite. The so-called exploding scoreboard, with its animations of charging bulls, cowboys, and shooting starsthe result of thousands of programmable lightswas a forerunner to the now ubiquitous jumbotron. As stadiums have continued to expand in size, the live sporting experience is increasingly mediated by technology. The building is perhaps best known for the invention of Astroturf, a synthetic grass named for the Houston Astros. During the teams first season in the stadium, the natural grass on the field had quickly died out, starved for sunlight despite the glow of the arenas large fluorescent lights.Over the years, the stadium was home to the Houston Astros, Oilers, and Livestock Show and Rodeo. Impressively, the field could be converted quickly to accommodate any of these events.The Astrodome reopened briefly in 2005 to serve as a temporary shelter for victims of Hurricane Katrina. (Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain)By the early 2000s, stadium design had progressed far beyond the mid-century feats of the Astrodome, and the structure was largely abandoned by Houstons sports teams and local events for new venues that had been constructed in NRG Park. Bud Adamsthen owner of the Houston Oilersmoved the team to Tennessee in 1998 after Houstonians rejected his plea to use public funds for the construction of a new football stadium. A History of Speculative ProposalsIn the 15 years since its abandonment, the disused structure has captured the imagination of the architecture profession, inspiring a litany of proposals for its reuse.AN itself participated in this frenzy, hosting a competition in 2013 to reimagine the structure. From 23 submitted proposals, which spanned a variety of intended uses, our jury awarded first place to one of the more conservative entries that would transform the structure into a massive parking garage.Speculative plans for the building were incoming even as late as last year. AN covered a proposal from the University of Houston that would turn the space into a hotel and botanical garden. The design won ASHRAEs 2023 LowDown Showdown Competition.A new events center and stage will anchor the revamped interior. (Courtesy Astrodome Conservancy)Though certainly not as imaginative as previous speculations for the site, the new plan from Gensler and the Astrodome Conservancy isat least hypotheticallydesigned to make financial sense of the massive undertaking. To make this proposal a reality, the team will need to satisfy a large contingent of public and private stakeholders.In a 1965 Texas Observer essay Love, Death, and the Astrodome, Larry McMurtry quipped Houston is the kind of boom city that will endorse almost any amount of municipal vulgarity so long as it has a chance of making money. Hopefully, by engaging the public and enhancing NRG Park, this new proposal can tone down some of the commercial vulgarity.

A Threshold has been announced as the winner of the AR Emerging awards 2024, along with Chen Donghua Architects who have been highly commended, and Material Cultures who have won the Peter Davey PrizeIndia-based practice A Threshold has been named the winner of the 2024 AR Emerging awards, receiving a 5,000 prize. Selected from a shortlist of 15 standout practices, the practice was chosen by an esteemed panel of judges, including previous AR Emerging finalist Geir Brendeland, Bahrain-based architect and curator Noura Al Sayeh-Holtrop, and architect and educator Adrian Lahoud.Subterranean Ruins by A ThresholdCredit:Edmund SumnerThe jury praised A Thresholds ability to educate their clients, circumventing private briefs to produce public projects. This practice has a point of view that is rooted in its local context and the traditions of India.Subterranean Ruins by A Threshold. Credit: Edmund SumnerChen Donghua Architects were highly commended by the judges, who highlighted the practices attention to shade a powerful idea in the context of global heating. The judges praised the way the practice works with economical means and lightweight structures to achieve maximum effect, bringing a sense of poetry into everyday life.Nanhai primary school extension by Chen Donghua Architects. Credit: Wu SimingCredit:Wu SimingMaterial Cultures have been awarded this years Peter Davey Prize a prize presented to the editors choice. Material Cultures commitment to decarbonising building practices has never been more important or urgent, explains Manon Mollard, editor of The Architectural Review. The studio attends to the wider ecology of architecture: the landscapes from which building products are created, the pedagogy of construction techniques as well as material research.Wolves Lane Centre by Material Cultures. Credit: Henry WoideCredit:Henry WoideThe winners of the awards, announced today (Thursday 14 November) at Arups offices in London, received a trophy made of 100 per cent recycled materials, designed by The New Raw a Rotterdam-based design studio who transform plastic waste into sustainable products using both robotics and craftsmanship.Credit: The New RawProfiles of all this years shortlisted practices have been published in AR November 2024: click hereto buy a copyThe AR Emerging awards 2024 are sponsored by2024-11-14AR EditorsShare AR November 2024Buy Now

The Bangalore-based practice imagines a public life for a private guest house, finding community benefit in a commercial briefA Threshold is the winner ofthe AR Emerging awards 2024. Read about the full shortlist hereThe first thing Avinash Ankalge and Harshith Nayak designed together as A Threshold was exactly that: athreshold. In a renovation of anapartment building, the pair proposed abreathable facade, extending outwards from the existing building. The facades gridof concrete planters encloses deep newbalconies, with light and air filtered bytropical plants; from the street, the vegetation contributes tropical green toBangalores urban landscape.The brisesoleil has become a signature element of A Thresholds work resolved variously in brick, terracotta tile, stone and ferrocement and Ankalge and Nayak see them as an opportunity to draw civic value from the typically inwardfacing typology of private housing. We try to give apublicness to every project, Ankalge explains.Nowhere is this more evident than in aproject dubbed Subterranean Ruins. Theproject began during 2020 Covid19 lockdowns when a Bangalore furniture businessman commissioned A Threshold todesign a weekend guest house at his orchards southeast of the city. We had adifferent idea altogether, Ankalge says. What happens for the other three to four days when hes in the city? we asked. Could it be more than a house a kindergarten for the village school, or a space for workshops and exhibitions?Few clients can be convinced of such anidea, but it is a credit to A Thresholds persuasive capacity that the final building partially realises this ambition. The resulting project is a series of spatially independent and so programmatically malleable spaces. Running perpendicular to a natural contour on the site, loadbearing brick walls define four independent rooms. The rooms are connected only by an arched enfilade of gardens on the lower side and a pathway carved into the slope on the other. One of the rooms a halllike space with many doorways out to a courtyard is usually a living room, while the other threerooms, which are more enclosed and feature en-suite bathrooms, typically act as bedrooms, though the architects imagine them becoming classrooms in a nursery, breakout rooms for an office retreat or exhibition spaces in a gallery. How the building is actually used is mostly beyond A Thresholds control, though they say weddings, exhibitions and yoga classes have been held here since it opened last year. The versatile plan as well as the robust material palette make it possible to imagine the building alternating between public and private use over decades, if not centuries. Itis a test case for Ankalges assertion thata house can be a city and a city can beahouse, referring to Aldo Van Eycks pictogram of a tree that rotates to become aleaf. If you give a solution at the scale of ahouse, you should also be able to design forthe city and for its everyday issues. Withpublic projects on the horizon including a school and proposals for the reworking of a highway interchange that borders a temple plaza, market andtransit hub thistheory will soon be putinto practice.

As part of the ever-growing Poland Springs Resort in Poland, Maine, the operators of the Poland Springs Hotel sought to erect a house of worship for guests and local community members. In 1909, fundraising had risen to total of $15,000 and that, along with a matching contribution by the Ricker Family, who owned the Poland Springs Resort, allowed for the hiring of an architect and the project to commence. Boston-area architect George Henri Desmond furnished the plans for the chapel, and were also hired by the Ricker family to complete plans for alterations to the Mt. Kineo House on Moosehead Lake during the same time period. All Souls Chapel is a Neo-Gothic Revival building constructed of irregular granite blocks with a gable roof covered with slate. It has a central tower with a flat parapet roof and a belfry with ornate louvered openings. The tower is square in plan and contains the principal entrance to the chapel. When the chapel was opened in 1912, it was opened as an interdenominational place of worship for use by Catholics and Protestants. Guests contributed much of the interior furnishings and all of the memorial hand-painted windows placed in the chapel were sponsored by guests or relatives of longtime guests.Today, the chapel hosts weddings, baptisms, and other similar events.

Replica of a Chip (1994), wool mounted on wood, 120 146.1 centimeters. Photo Museum Associates/LACMA. Image courtesy of American Indian Science and Engineering Society, shared with permissionMarilou Schultz Weaves Computer Processor Patterns in Traditional Navajo TapestriesNovember 14, 2024Kate MothesWhat does Intels Pentium computer chip have in common with Navajo textiles? More than you might think.For artist Marilou Schultz, the ancestral practice of weaving melds with an unexpected contemporary source of inspiration. Merging analog loom methods with the patterns found on computer processor cores, Schultz entwines the histories of the Navajo people and modern technology.Detail of Intel Pentium core processor dieIn the late 17th century, Spanish colonists introduced a breed of sheep called the Iberian Churro to the American Southwest. The Dinknown also as Navajowho had lived in the Four Corners region for hundreds of years, embraced shepherding and wool production, eventually developing a unique breed still managed today, the Navajo-Churro. Along with an aptitude for raising sheep, Din weaving traditions flourished. Anthropologists surmise that the craft was adopted from the neighboring Puebloans sometime in the 12th or 13th centuries. As time passed, Navajo styles and techniques evolved, rising to popularity first among Plains Indian tribes and then, in the 19th century, with Europeans and non-Native tourists who sought out blankets and rugs for their remarkable craftsmanship and geometric patterns.Schultz, a mathematician and teacher in addition to her studio practice, was commissioned by Intel in 1994 to make Replica of a Chip as a gift to the American Indian Science & Engineering Society, an organization still active today that focuses on advancing Indigenous people in STEM. As computer historian Ken Schirriff details in a thorough blog post about the pieceespecially its highly accurate layoutthe work highlights the alluring patterns of a trailblazing piece of technology.Detail of Replica of a ChipThe first Pentium processor was released in 1993. About the size of a fingernail, the diethe material on which the processor is fabricatedcontains more than three million transistors. These microscopic switches control the flow of electricity to process data. Today, some high-powered chips contain billions of transistors.Schultz faithfully transferred the die pattern to a tapestry, employing delicate loom techniques and working from a photograph of the chip. Unlike traditional Navajo textiles, the geometries in Replica of a Chip are far from symmetrical.She used yarn pigmented with plant dyes, and the cream-colored regions are the natural shade of Navajo-Churro wool.Schultz told Schirriff that the weaving process was slow and deliberate as she referenced the image, completing about one to one-and-a-half inches per day. The painstaking and methodical process of sending warp through weft creates a beautiful tension between the instantaneous results we associate with digital tools today.Intel Pentium processorsReplica of a Chip was the first in a series of weavings Schultz created based on computer circuits, including one known as the Fairchild 9040. While not as common as the Pentium, the Fairchild company is notable for its employment of Navajo workers in its operation in Shiprock, New Mexicowithin the Navajo Nationin the 1960s and 1970s.Part of a government initiative to try to improve the economic conditions of life on the reservation, Fairchild was incentivized to open a manufacturing center in Shiprock. The project started in 1965 with 50 Navajo workers in the Shiprock Community Center manufacturing transistors, rapidly increasing to366 Navajo workers, Schirriff says. Eventually, the company employed 1,200 workers, and all but 24 were Navajo, making Fairchild the nations largest non-government employer of American Indians.In 1975, the Fairchild-Navajo partnership took a dramatic turn that spelled its demise. With the semiconductor industry suffering from the crippling U.S. recession at the time, Fairchild laid off 140 Navajo employees in Shiprock, which today still has a population of only a little more than 8,000 residents. The layoffs were a blow to the community. A group of 20 locals, armed with rifles, responded by occupying the plant for a week. While the episode eventually ended peaceably, Fairchild decided to shutter entirely and move its operation overseas, further compromising trust in corporate interests on Navajo land.Womens roles in manufacturing and assembling electronics are often under-recognized. Schultz taps into ideas around gendered labor, visibility, and the slippery notion of progress. Through the lens of Navajo history and craft, she addresses paradigm shifts in technology, economics, and social change through the language of fiber.You can see Replica of a Chip in Woven Histories: Textiles and Modern Abstraction at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa, which continues through March 2, 2025.Detail of Replica of a ChipNext article

All images courtesy of Murase KabankoA Samurai-Inspired Backpack Elevates Leather Scraps to a Bag Befitting a WarriorNovember 14, 2024Kate MothesIn Japan, randoseru are small, high-quality backpacks, typically made of leather, designed to withstand years of use by school children. Manufacturer Murase Kabanko, for one, departed from its typical offerings with a highly detailed nod to a different tradition altogether: samurai.Also known as bushi, samurai were an elite military class in Japan between the 11th and 19th centuries, typically retained by feudal lords. Over the centuries, their status evolved from a mostly provincial role to one of notable political influence, but the warriors were formally abolished in the 1870s as modern militaries emerged.In Murase Kabankos unique, meticulously crafted bag, the company has created an ode to historic armor. Leather craftsman Noriki Okada used scrap pieces from other bags to assemble an accessory that exudes strength and a connection to Japanese cultural heritage. In yellow, black, and red, the intimidating faces of oni demons flank the sides and are embellished with woven details and precise stitching.From small leather plates and numerous brass rivets, the backpack evokes the protective shell of an isopod and references a style of armor that developed between the 14th and 16th centuries known as tosei-gusoku. The suits often exceeded 50 pounds and were engineered for maximal flexibility while providing optimal protection. Tosei-gusoku also refers to types of equipment accompanying Buddhist altars or horses. Okadas randoseru taps into the dual associations of history and utility.Okadas randoseru won the artistic design award at this years Japan Leather Awards. If you have a spare 500,000 yenabout $3,300you can purchase your own on Murase Kabankos website. (via Spoon & Tamago)Previous articleNext article

Published November 14, 2024 10:00am EST close Tech expert explains how AI kidnapping scammers replicate people's real voices Cyble CEO and Chair Beenu Arora explains how scammers use AI to replicate people's real voices in a kidnapping scam. A new scam called ClickFix is targeting users and is on the rise in the U.S. As the name suggests, it prompts you to click on a link, claiming to fix an issue, but in reality it infects your computer with malware.Ireported on this earlier, detailing how threat actors used messages impersonating errors from Google Chrome, Microsoft Word and OneDrive to infect users' computers.Now, a similar type of attack is affecting Google Meet users, regardless of whether theyre using a Windows PC or a Mac. I explain how this cyberattack works and what you can do to protect yourself. A woman working on her laptop (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)How the Google Meet trap worksAccording to Frenchcybersecurity company Sekoia, it all starts with an email containing a link to a Google Meet. The email can come from any address and may be socially engineered to look like it's related to your organization. It could link to a Google Meet invite for a meeting, webinar, online collaboration or something similar. When you click on the link, youll be directed to a fake Google Meet page, which will soon display a warning claiming theres an issue with your PC. It might say your microphone or camera isn't working or there's a problem with your headset.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?You can expect to see the following URLs in these fake meeting emails:meet[.]google[.]us-join[.]commeet[.]google[.]web-join[.]commeet[.]googie[.]com-join[.]usmeet[.]google[.]cdm-join[.]usThis fake page will also display a pop-up offering to fix the issue, showing phrases like "Press the key combination" or "CTRL+V." When you follow these instructions, malicious code is pasted into the Windows prompt, infecting your computer with malware. Once the code is on your computer, hackers can gain access to your cryptocurrencies, sensitive files and personal information.Sekoia has uncovered several other malware distribution clusters beyond Google Meet. These include platforms like Zoom, PDF readers, fake video games (such as Lunacy, Calipso, Battleforge and Ragon), web3 browsers and projects like NGT Studio and messenger apps such as Nortex. Fake Google Meet page (Sekoia)The bigger pictureBack in July, McAfee noticed that ClickFix campaigns were ramping up, especially in the U.S. and Japan (viaBleeping Computer). Lately, two groups Slavic Nation Empire and Scamquerteo have been behind some of these attacks. Both are said to be offshoots of larger crypto scam gangs Marko Polo and CryptoLove.Earlier this year, Proofpoint found thatmalware was spreading by pretending to be fake error messages for Google Chrome, Word and OneDrive, tricking people into downloading malicious code. They also pointed out a method called "email lure," where hackers send fake emails pretending to be from MS Word to infect computers.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE Fake page requests (Sekoia)4 ways to protect yourself from harmful softwareThe fake Google Meet page creates a sense of urgency, making users click on the links and unknowingly compromise their devices. There are several steps you can take to protect yourself from such cyberattacks.1. Have strong antivirus software:The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.2. Monitor your accounts: Regularly review your bank statements, credit card statements and other financial accounts for any unauthorized activity. If you notice any suspicious transactions, report them immediately to your bank or credit card company.3. Place a fraud alert:Contact one of the three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian or TransUnion) and request a fraud alert to be placed on your credit file. This will make it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name without verification.4. Enable two-factor authentication:Enabletwo-factor authentication whenever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.Kurts key takeawaysHackers have come up with sneaky ways to trick you into installing malware. They use social engineering to make emails and website prompts look legit, hoping you'll click on a link and follow their instructions. The best way to protect yourself is by avoiding unknown links and always checking the URL of the page you're on before taking any action.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHave you ever received an email or prompt that looked suspicious but seemed legitimate at first glance? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Published November 14, 2024 6:00am EST close Solar-powered aircraft achieves groundbreaking 22-hour autonomous flight Aircraft can stay airborne for weeks without refueling. Imagine an aircraft that can stay airborne for weeks, even months, without refueling. This isn't futuristic fantasy.Skydweller Aero is working toward turning this vision into reality with its innovative solar-powered plane.As the world's largest unmanned solar-powered aircraft, Skydweller is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in aviation. Skydweller Aero solar aircraft (Skydweller Aero)A milestone achievementSkydweller Aero recently achieved a significant milestone by completing a series of uncrewed autonomous flight tests. The longest of these flights lasted an impressive 22 hours, launched from the company's facility at Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Mississippi. This achievement demonstrates the feasibility of remaining airborne for extended periods using solar energy and batteries. Skydweller Aero solar aircraft (Skydweller Aero)The Skydweller advantageWhat sets Skydweller apart from its predecessors? Its foundation is built on the Solar Impulse, the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the globe. This heritage provides Skydweller with a robust design capable of carrying substantial payloads. With a wingspan of 236 feet (larger than a 747) and weighing just 5,620 pounds (about the same weight as a Ford F150), the Skydweller can carry up to 800 pounds of payload. Skydweller Aero solar aircraft (Skydweller Aero)Military applications and beyondThe Navy has demonstrated significant interest in Skydweller's potential, as evidenced by recent flight tests conducted as part of a Joint Concept Technology Demonstration, which previously played a key role in the development of platforms like the Global Hawk and Predator. This initiative, overseen by the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering and supported by a cooperative research and development agreement with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, aims to evaluate autonomous maritime patrol aircraft. Skydweller's ability to remain airborne for extended periods could revolutionize maritime patrol and surveillance operations.Persistent surveillance for maritime and border securitySkydweller Aero's uncrewed, autonomous solar-powered aircraft offers continuous surveillance capabilities, enhancing maritime border security, monitoring illegal fishing activities and preventing unauthorized operations such as trafficking and smuggling. The aircraft's long endurance enables round-the-clock coverage, significantly bolstering national security efforts.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?Telecommunications and connectivityBy serving as a non-terrestrial communications platform, Skydweller Aero provides cost-effective, airborne telecom solutions to remote areas and underserved populations. This capability not only connects the unconnected but also promotes economic development in these regions.Disaster response and humanitarian aidIn times of crisis, Skydweller Aero's aircraft can rapidly respond to disasters, offering real-time aerial assessments, communication relays and tracking for relief operations. The solar-powered endurance ensures extended, consistent coverage, complementing other assets or providing solutions where alternatives are unavailable or cost-prohibitive.Environmental monitoring and researchSkydweller Aero's ultra-long endurance and remote access capabilities make it an invaluable asset for environmental and scientific research. From climate and wildfire monitoring to geophysical surveys, the aircraft enables meaningful, long-baseline data collection across vast regions, contributing significantly to environmental protection efforts. Skydweller Aero solar aircraft (Skydweller Aero)The road to commercializationWhile military applications are the initial focus, Skydweller Aero has its sights set on commercial markets, too. CEO Robert Miller envisions a future where solar-powered aircraft could serve as airborne communication platforms, complementing satellite networks. Miller sees solar aircraft as a complementary capability to LEO satellite communications rather than a direct rival, with the potential for providing continuous coverage in specific regions.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE Skydweller Aero solar aircraft (Skydweller Aero)Overcoming technical challengesDeveloping a solar-powered aircraft isn't without its challenges. Many previous attempts by other companies have ended in failure. Skydweller's success lies in its team's expertise in aeroelasticity, ensuring the aircraft can withstand the stresses of flight. As CEO Robert Miller explains,"Fundamentally, my team has a lot more experience in aeroelasticity than all the other solar programs combined." Skydweller Aero solar aircraft (Skydweller Aero)Kurts key takeawaysAs the world's largest unmanned solar aircraft, Skydweller Aero is revolutionizing aviation and opening up exciting new possibilities. From enhancing maritime patrols to serving as airborne communication platforms, the potential applications are vast. While challenges remain, Skydweller's recent successful test flights demonstrate just how far solar aviation technology has advanced.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPWhat challenges do you foresee in the widespread implementation of solar-powered aircraft technology, and how might they be overcome? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.Follow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

neppen1 - stock.adobe.comNewsWilliams Racing F1 team supports kids cyber campaignA multi-region campaign will teach pre-teen children cyber security basics with a little help from Formula 1 star Alex AlbonByAlex Scroxton,Security EditorPublished: 14 Nov 2024 15:30 Formula 1 team Williams Racing has joined forces with cyber firms Keeper Security and KnowBe4 to launch a global security education programme for schools, designed to empower online safety across the sector.The Flex Your Cyber campaign, which launches first in the US, with a UK roll-out planned for the near future, is aimed at children aged between five and 14, and is being supported by the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCA), a security education non-profit.Keeper Security CEO and co-founder Darren Guccione said that with the education sector increasingly victimised by cyber criminals, and bountiful evidence of a clear awareness gap, it is becoming crucial to teach cyber fundamentals not just to teachers and admin staff, but to children too.Our goal is to empower the entire educational community with the knowledge they need to protect themselves from todays cyber threats, said Guccione. Starting this education at a young age will help ensure future generations are protected against the cyber threats plaguing our digital landscape.Flex Your Cyberwill provide tailored content for parents, teachers, administrators and children, ranging from practical tips and solutions for the grown-ups, to more age-appropriate activities for children.For children in the Little Kids category, which covers those aged up to about eight or nine, the campaign has developed a number of videos and games, an activity book and an infographic to introduce the youngest learners to some of the basics of online safety.This is where Williams Racing comes in. The team has loaned the services of its lead driver Alex Albon, who stars in a video in which he travels across the internet on a brightly coloured bike, battling cartoon cyber threats as he goes. Our goal is to empower the entire educational community with the knowledge they need to protect themselves from todays cyber threats Darren Guccione, Keeper SecurityChildren in the Big Kids category will be engaged with more interactive activities, cyber challenges and access to information that delve a little deeper into digital security concepts relevant to pre-teens. Meanwhile, Albon dodges cyber dangers such as privacy potholes and navigates the malware mile in a retro 8-bit style racing video game environment.Not to be forgotten, teaching staff will have access to tools, resources and age-appropriate lesson plans to integrate elements of security education in the classroom, while back office staff will receive more guidance on best practices and solutions to build secure digital environments within schools.More resources, information and videos including, just for fun, a game of cyber charades between Albon and Williams team principal James Vowles are available on the Flex Your Cyber campaign website.Cyber security is critical in all walks of life, and particularly in Formula 1, where protecting our data is vital to succeeding on track, said James Southerland, head of partnerships at Williams Racing.Forming good cyber security habits at a young age is becoming as important as learning to cross the road safely or wear a seatbelt, and we are delighted to be supporting our partner Keeper Security with this campaign.Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4, added: Keeper Securitys Flex Your Cyber initiative is a crucial step in safeguarding children in an increasingly digital world, cultivating a security culture in our future workforce from the ground up.By equipping students, parents and educators with accessible cyber security education and resources, Flex Your Cyber will foster a robust culture of cyber resilience essential for navigating todays complex threat landscape. We are proud to support this impactful programme, which promises to have a lasting, positive impact on the education community and beyond.Read more about security education and online safetyThe National Cyber Security Centre is expanding its PDNS for Schools service to encompass a wider variety of institutions up and down the UK.Schools are implementing smartphone-free policies in an attempt to curb students exposure to online harms, but teachers and parents are worried the Online Safety Act will only partially address concerns.In their first agreement on the subject of childrens online safety, the UK and US governments have said they will create a new working group to boost cooperation.In The Current Issue:Interview: Niall Robinson, head of product innovation, Met OfficeIAM: Enterprises face a long, hard road to improveDownload Current IssueDapr dresses up for CNCF project graduation + Diagrid delights Open Source InsiderPatent troll-busting: CNCF launches Cloud-Native Heroes Challenge CW Developer NetworkView All Blogs

HN Works - stock.adobe.comNewsA fifth of new PCs shipped in Q3 were AI-optimisedPC manufacturers are working hard to showcase the benefits of premium devices that use neural processing units to deliver on-device AI accelerationByCliff Saran,Managing EditorPublished: 14 Nov 2024 14:58 A fifth of all PCs shipped in the third quarter of 2024 were equipped to support artificial intelligence (AI), Canalys has reported in its latest PC market report. The Canalys data shows that AI-capable PC shipments hit 13.3 million in the quarter, accounting for 20% of all PCs sold.The analyst firm defines AI-capable PCs as desktops and notebooks that include a chipset for dedicated AI workloads, such as a neural processing unit (NPU).Canalys reported that Windows devices accounted for a majority of AI-capable PC shipments for the first time, capturing a 53% share. What is significant is that these Windows-certified devices, known as Copilot+ PCs, are based on the Qualcomm Snapdragon ARM-based chip rather than an x86-compatible processor from the likes of Intel or AMD.Discussing the data, Canalys principal analyst Ishan Dutt said: Copilot+ PCs equipped with Snapdragon X series chips enjoyed their first full quarter of availability, while AMD brought Ryzen AI 300 products to the market and Intel officially launched its Lunar Lake series. However, both x86 chipset vendors are still awaiting Copilot+ PC support for their offerings from Microsoft, which is expected to arrive this month.While the Windows 11 refresh cycle and processor roadmaps will continue to drive penetration, however, Canalys believes there may be a reluctance to buy the new technology, which is designed to provide on-device AI.Despite the positive momentum, significant work must still be done to convince both channel partners and end customers of the benefits of AI-capable PCs, said Dutt. This is especially true for more premium offerings, such as Copilot+ PCs, which Microsoft requires to have at least 40 NPU TOPS [trillions of operations per second] alongside other hardware specifications.There is a sense that these devices appear to be targeting the premium end of the PC market. For instance, even with Black Friday deals, Currys cheapest AI-capable device is currently an HP OmniBook X 14in laptop Copilot+ PC, which is on sale at 799, reduced from 999. The most expensive is a 2,149 Microsoft 15in Surface laptop Copilot+ PC. The majority of the devices listed are over 1,000, which may put them beyond the budget of many organisations.In fact, just under a third (31%) of PC resellers do not plan to sell Copilot+ PCs in 2025, according to Canalys, while a further 34% expect such devices to account for less than 10% of their PC sales next year. With Windows 10 end of support now less than a year away, the coming quarters represent a critical opportunity to drive a significant portion of an aged installed base to be upgraded to an AI-capable PC, Dutt added.Given the premium these AI-capable devices command, Canalys noted that manufacturers are working with software firms to help them sell the benefits of AI PCs. For instance, at its Imagine AI event in September, HP showcased its collaboration with software providers to deliver on-device AI experiences. Lenovo, meanwhile, has focused on embedding proprietary AI tools and agents into its PCs, such as Creator Zone, Learning Zone and Lenovo AI Now.For vendors like Lenovo and Dell, whose offerings extend beyond PCs, on-device AI will be a key component of the delivery of broader, more holistic AI services and solutions, said Canalys analyst Kieren Jessop.The Canalys data also reveals how Apple is not directly competing with Microsoft. Since 2020, Apple has shifted away from using Intel processors to its own chips based on ARM architecture. It is now shipping devices with the M3 chip, the third generation of so-called Apple silicon. This potentially makes Apple devices running ARM-based hardware a more mature offering than the mainstay of PC manufacturers, which have jumped on the Copilot+ bandwagon.Apples strategic approach in this landscape is distinct, said Jessop. It is leveraging its vertically integrated ecosystem to create features that do not need to directly compete with Microsofts suite of productivity tools, such as Copilot Pro for Microsoft 365, which is compatible with macOS. Apple can instead focus its differentiation at the hardware and operating system level, positioning itself against Windows OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] in an effort to make market share gains during the ongoing refresh cycle.Read more about neural processing units (NPUs)ARM accelerates Edge AI: NPU said to deliver four times performance uplift for high-performance edge AI applications, such as factory automation and smart cameras, through new IoT reference design platform.Forrester preparing for the era of the AI PC: PC manufacturers are gatecrashing the artificial intelligence industry party. 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