Tomorrow on #CreateWithMaxon, learn all about the new features in #RedGiant! Discover how to create stylized effects using the six new Dither plugins in Universe and how to take #MaxonStudio templates to the next level using the new Replace Footage functionality.Join us for an exciting livestream about the new features in Red Giant 2025.2 with Product Manager Alex and Trainers Chad and Max.

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Listen to Your Intuition It Can Help You Navigate the Future | Hrund Gunnsteinsdttir | TED

An artist's rendering of the X-37B conducting an aerobraking maneuver using the drag of Earth's atmosphere, with the bottom of the craft glowing red as it heats up. Boeing SpaceRecently, the United States Space Force surprised space travel enthusiasts and professionals alike by revealing details about its mysterious spaceplanes seventh mission. In a statement released on October 10, the agency announced that its Boeing-made X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle would conduct a series of unprecedented aerobraking maneuvers to change its orbital path around Earth. This month, Boeing Space said on social media that the procedure had begun.This first-of-a kind maneuver from the X-37B is an incredibly important milestone for the United States Space Force as we seek to expand our aptitude and ability to perform in this challenging domain, B. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations of the U.S. Space Force, said in the statement.The news is a rare offering of information from the Space Force and Boeing, which are incredibly secretive about the X-37Bs activities. The craftlaunchedon its first mission in 2010, but few details have been revealed about its highly classified purpose in space.The newly described aerobraking maneuver allows the X-37B spaceplane to change its orbit by using the Earths atmospheric dragthe friction caused by molecules in the atmosphere. Normally, spacecrafts have to fire their thrusters to achieve a shift in orbit, which uses up propellant and thus can only be done a limited number of times, per Space.coms Brett Tingley.When we aerobrake, we utilize atmospheric drag to effectively step down our apogeethe farthest point from Earth in the orbitone pass at a time, until we get to the orbital regime that we want to be in, John Ealy, a Boeing engineer, says in a video released by the company. When we do this, we save enormous amounts of propellant, and thats really why aerobraking is important.Because of the way it conserves fuel, aerobraking could allow missions to last significantly longer, per Newsweeks Tom Howarth.What is Aerobraking? | X-37B Mid-Mission DemonstrationWatch on X-37B will change its orbit (or perhaps it already has) in order to dispose of service module components, dropping them off to burn up in the Earths atmosphere.Besides this novel maneuver, the public knows very little about X-37B. It is an unmanned, remotely controlled spaceplane Boeing developed for the U.S. Department of Defense. More broadly, spaceplanes are hybrids between airplanes and spacecraft that can orbit the planet like satellites but also land back on Earth like passenger planes, per Gizmodos Passant Rabie. In essence, this ability makes them reusable.X-37B was launched into space via SpaceXs Falcon Heavy rocket for its seventh mission (OTV-7) in December 2023. Since then, it has been orbiting Earth in an extremely elliptical path with a perigee (the closest point of an orbit) of 620 miles and an apogee of more than 22,210 miles, per Live Sciences Rory Bathgatethough it has been spotted as close as 185 miles above Earth.But exactly what its doing on that orbit is unclear. Since December 28, 2023, the United States Space Force, supported by the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office, has conducted radiation effect experiments and has been testing Space Domain Awareness technologies in a Highly Elliptical Orbit, is all the agency said of the spaceplanes overall mission in the recent statement. The X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle when it concluded its sixth successful mission. U.S. Space Force / Staff Sgt. Adam Shanks, Public domainWe do know, however, that past missions have served to study the effect of long-duration space exposure, including space radiation, on seeds.Space is a vast and unforgiving environment where testing technologies is critical to the success of future endeavors, Michelle Parker, vice president of Boeings Space Mission Systems, said in another statement last month. There is no other space platform as capable, flexible and maneuverable as the X-37B, and its next demonstration will be another proof point that this test vehicle sets the pace of innovation.Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said in a statement that the craft is conducting national security missions in space. Some suspect this to include military surveillance. Many are thus wondering what might have prompted the agency to release information about the X-37Bs latest maneuver.Disclosing this aerobraking maneuver could be the Space Forces way of showing the world what the spaceplane is capable of, Vivienne Machi writes for Aviation Week, with an intended audience of anyone from allies and partners, adversaries, lawmakers, industry, potential recruits, and perhaps even the service itself.Machi adds that two other reasons for the revelation could include loosening up some of the agencys historic and perhaps unnecessary security classification barriers, and/or wanting to prompt China and Russia to also step up communication about space maneuvers.Once the aerobraking has been completedand perhaps it already hasthe spaceplane will return to its secretive objectives.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Government, Innovations, Military, Outer Space, Planes, Space Travel

First-edition Jane Austen novels in a special display case at her former home Jane Austen's HouseFirst-edition copies of Jane Austens completed novels are on display in the home where the beloved author spent years writing and revising. The rare books are part of a new permanent exhibition, Jane Austen and the Art of Writing, at her familys formercottage in Chawton, a village located some 50 miles from London.Austen lived in the house during the last eight years of her lifebetween 1809 and 1817with her mother and sister Cassandra. She wrote or revised all six of her completed novels there:Sense and Sensibility,Pride and Prejudice,Mansfield Park,Emma,Northanger AbbeyPersuasion.This is the first time that all six first-edition novels will be on display together at Jane Austens House, which is now a museum. They include a copy of Emma that Austens brother Frank owned, copies of Northanger Abbey and Persuasion from her brother Edward, and a copy of Sense and Sensibility with the publishers original binding.The new exhibition presents them as real treasuresalmost as relics of Jane Austens life in this house, Sophie Reynolds, the head of collections, interpretation and engagement at the museum, tells theGuardians Steven Morris. Some of these are copies that Austen would have handled, including those owned by her brothers Frank and Edward. It is very special to see them all together like this.The novels appear on display in a 12-sided case built for the new installation, a nod to Austens small 12-sided wooden table she often worked at. The rare books are part of the museums preparations for the beloved authors 250th birthday celebrations in December 2025. Jane Austen's House in Chawton is showcasing first-edition copies of her celebrated novelsincluding some that were once owned by her siblings. Dan Kitwood / Getty ImagesLizzie Dunford, director of the museum, is excited for visitors to have the unique opportunity to be quite literally surrounded by the books and objects that influenced Austen, per the Farnham Heralds Paul Coates.The show also features other objects from Austens life that are connected to her writing. For example, topaz crosses that Jane and Cassandra received from their brother Charles likely inspired the amber cross that Fanny Price receives from her brother William in Mansfield Park. Charles, like William, was a sailor who would often bring back trinkets from his travels, writes Artnets Tim Brinkhof.Additionally, some of Austens letters are on view at the exhibition, which examines how her correspondence and love of letter-writing informed her fiction. Visitors will also see a film about The Watsons, one of Austens unfinished novels, and how the original manuscript sheds light on her writing process.This exhibition is a deep dive into Jane Austens creative process, says Reynolds, per the Farnham Herald. We hope that it will unlock a new way for our visitors to understand Jane Austen as a dedicated, driven and professional writer, and to explore how her life and living arrangements affected her writing in the very house in which she lived and wrote.Jane Austen and the Art of Writing is now on view at Jane Austens House in Chawton, England.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Arts, Books, British Writers, England, Exhibitions, Exhibits, Fiction, Jane Austen, Museums, Writers

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Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn MoreMicrosoft has launched a new suite of specialized AI models designed to address specific challenges in manufacturing, agriculture, and financial services. In collaboration with partners such as Siemens, Bayer, Rockwell Automation, and others, the tech giant is aiming to bring advanced AI technologies directly into the heart of industries that have long relied on traditional methods and tools.These purpose-built modelsnow available through Microsofts Azure AI catalogrepresent Microsofts most focused effort yet to develop AI tools tailored to the unique needs of different sectors. The companys initiative reflects a broader strategy to move beyond general-purpose AI and deliver solutions that can provide immediate operational improvements in industries like agriculture and manufacturing, which are increasingly facing pressures to innovate.Microsoftis in a unique position to deliver the industry-specific solutions organizations need through the combination of the Microsoft Cloud, our industry expertise, and our global partner ecosystem, Satish Thomas, Corporate Vice President of Business & Industry Solutions at Microsoft, said in a LinkedIn post announcing the new AI models.Through these models, he added, were addressing top industry use cases, from managing regulatory compliance of financial communications to helping frontline workers with asset troubleshooting on the factory floor ultimately, enabling organizations to adopt AI at scale across every industry and region and much more to come in future updates!Siemens and Microsoft remake industrial design with AI-powered softwareAt the center of the initiative is a partnership with Siemens to integrate AI into its NX X software, a widely used platform for industrial design. Siemens NX X copilot uses natural language processing to allow engineers to issue commands and ask questions about complex design tasks. This feature could drastically reduce the onboarding time for new users while helping seasoned engineers complete their work faster.By embedding AI into the design process, Siemens and Microsoft are addressing a critical need in manufacturing: the ability to streamline complex tasks and reduce human error. This partnership also highlights a growing trend in enterprise technology, where companies are looking for AI solutions that can improve day-to-day operations rather than experimental or futuristic applications.Smaller, faster, smarter: How Microsofts compact AI models are transforming factory operationsMicrosofts new initiative relies heavily on its Phi family of small language models (SLMs), which are designed to perform specific tasks while using less computing power than larger models. This makes them ideal for industries like manufacturing, where computing resources can be limited, and where companies often need AI that can operate efficiently on factory floors.Perhaps one of the most novel uses of AI in this initiative comes from Sight Machine, a leader in manufacturing data analytics. Sight Machines Factory Namespace Manager addresses a long-standing but often overlooked problem: the inconsistent naming conventions used to label machines, processes, and data across different factories. This lack of standardization has made it difficult for manufacturers to analyze data across multiple sites. The Factory Namespace Manager helps by automatically translating these varied naming conventions into standardized formats, allowing manufacturers to better integrate their data and make it more actionable.While this may seem like a minor technical fix, the implications are far-reaching. Standardizing data across a global manufacturing network could unlock operational efficiencies that have been difficult to achieve.Early adopters like Swire Coca-Cola USA, which plans to use this technology to streamline its production data, likely see the potential for gains in both efficiency and decision-making. In an industry where even small improvements in process management can translate into substantial cost savings, addressing this kind of foundational issue is a crucial step toward more sophisticated data-driven operations.Smart farming gets real: Bayers AI model tackles modern agriculture challengesIn agriculture, the Bayer E.L.Y. Crop Protection model is poised to become a key tool for farmers navigating the complexities of modern farming. Trained on thousands of real-world questions related to crop protection labels, the model provides farmers with insights into how best to apply pesticides and other crop treatments, factoring in everything from regulatory requirements to environmental conditions.This model comes at a crucial time for the agricultural industry, which is grappling with the effects of climate change, labor shortages, and the need to improve sustainability. By offering AI-driven recommendations, Bayers model could help farmers make more informed decisions that not only improve crop yields but also support more sustainable farming practices.Beyond the factory: Microsofts AI tools reshape cars, banking, and food productionThe initiative also extends into the automotive and financial sectors. Cerence, which develops in-car voice assistants, will use Microsofts AI models to enhance in-vehicle systems. Its CaLLM Edge model allows drivers to control various car functions, such as climate control and navigation, even in settings with limited or no cloud connectivitymaking the technology more reliable for drivers in remote areas.In finance, Saifr, a regulatory technology startup within Fidelity Investments, is introducing models aimed at helping financial institutions manage regulatory compliance more effectively. These AI tools can analyze broker-dealer communications to flag potential compliance risks in real-time, significantly speeding up the review process and reducing the risk of regulatory penalties.Rockwell Automation, meanwhile, is releasing the FT Optix Food & Beverage model, which helps factory workers troubleshoot equipment in real time. By providing recommendations directly on the factory floor, this AI tool can reduce downtime and help maintain production efficiency in a sector where operational disruptions can be costly.The release of these AI models marks a shift in how businesses can adopt and implement artificial intelligence. Rather than requiring companies to adapt to broad, one-size-fits-all AI systems, Microsofts approach allows businesses to use AI models that are custom-built to address their specific operational challenges. This addresses a major pain point for industries that have been hesitant to adopt AI due to concerns about cost, complexity, or relevance to their particular needs.The focus on practicality also reflects Microsofts understanding that many businesses are looking for AI tools that can deliver immediate, measurable results. In sectors like manufacturing and agriculture, where margins are often tight and operational disruptions can be costly, the ability to deploy AI that improves efficiency or reduces downtime is far more appealing than speculative AI projects with uncertain payoffs.By offering tools that are tailored to industry-specific needs, Microsoft is betting that businesses will prioritize tangible improvements in their operations over more experimental technologies. This strategy could accelerate AI adoption in sectors that have traditionally been slower to embrace new technologies, like manufacturing and agriculture.Inside Microsofts plan to dominate industrial AI and edge computingMicrosofts push into industry-specific AI models comes at a time of increasing competition in the cloud and AI space. Rivals like Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud are also investing heavily in AI, but Microsofts focus on tailored industry solutions sets it apart. By partnering with established leaders like Siemens, Bayer, and Rockwell Automation, Microsoft is positioning itself to be a key player in the digitization of industries that are under growing pressure to modernize.The availability of these models through Azure AI Studio and Microsoft Copilot Studio also speaks to Microsofts broader vision of making AI accessible not just to tech companies, but to businesses in every sector. By integrating AI into the day-to-day operations of industries like manufacturing, agriculture, and finance, Microsoft is helping to bring AI out of the lab and into the real world.As global manufacturers, agricultural producers, and financial institutions face increasing pressures from supply chain disruptions, sustainability goals, and regulatory demands, Microsofts industry-specific AI offerings could become essential tools in helping them adapt and thrive in a fast-changing world.VB DailyStay in the know! 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The Ricochet anti-cheat system for Call of Duty games can block cheaters before they play or as they play a match and before they can win.Read More

Ubisoft appoints new chief people officerSbastien Froidefond will "lead Ubisoft's global people strategy, driving excellence in human resources across the company" News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Nov. 13, 2024 Ubisoft has appointed a new chief people officer: Sbastien Froidefond.The megacorp says Froidefond will assume the role a week today, November 20, and "lead Ubisoft's global people strategy, driving excellence in human resources across the company." Froidefond will report to EVP of communications, Ccile Russeil.Froidefond's expertise "spans HR strategy, performance management, culture building and employee engagement." He joins Ubisoft following a position as human resources Americans lead at Lactalis Americas.Previously, he has worked at senior HR positions across a number of sectors, including beauty, pharma, and life sciences.Froidefond replaces Anika Grant, who left the publisher back in November 2023.Last month, over 700 Ubisoft France staff walked out on a three-day strike in a dispute over home working and pay. Ubisoft's France-based workers were called to participate in a three-day strike over a dispute around the company's return to office policy. French game workers union STJV (Syndicat des Travailleurs et Travailleuses du Jeu Vido) said the diktat to be in the office at least three days per week going forward was "the straw that broke the camel's back."

Casual studio Funstop Games secures $5 million in Series A fundingFunding will be used to "ramp up" development efforts and expand portfolioImage credit: Funstop Games News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Nov. 13, 2024 Casual gaming studio Funstop Games has secured $5 million in its Series A funding.As reported by The Economic Times, the funding round - led by 360 One Asset - will be used to "ramp up" Funstop's development efforts, expand its portfolio, and build its ad-tech systems.With 360 One Asset coming onboard, we aim to be truly global with rapid expansion across the genres and doubling down on the India growth story," said co-founder Prashanth Vijay."The 360 One Asset team would bring in a [sic] depth understanding about the gaming ecosystem, a playbook on global expansion, and most importantly, the know-how on scaling up rapidly, making them ideal partners for us at this stage.India's gaming industry is on the cusp of global recognition, and Funstop Games is here to drive that momentum. This investment gives us the resources to scale our operations, expand our portfolio, and bring uniquely Indian storytelling to a global audience," added additional co-founder Tamesh Sharma.