Welcome back to Week in Review. This week, were breaking down Blueskys big surge in users, Elon Musk co-leading Trumps Department of Government Efficiency, and Mark Zuckerbergs latest foray in extreme wife-guy behavior. Lets go.Bluesky is seeing a major surge as X users unhappy with the platforms latest policy decisions make the move to the competitor social network. The decentralized social media platform has grown to more than 16 million users, including Swifties. If youre making the switch or at least wanting to see if the grass is greener (or bluer) on the other side weve put together a guide on how to get started.Teslas Cybertruck is facing its sixth recall in a year, affecting 2,431 units. A report from Tesla found that those trucks are or were equipped with a faulty drive inverter. Unlike Octobers Cybertruck recall, which could be solved with an over-the-air update, Tesla will need to physically replace the recalled drive inverters for this batch. The EV maker said it would do so free of charge.Elon Musk will co-lead President-elect Donald Trumps Department of Government Efficiency, the acronym of which references Musks favorite cryptocurrency. Musk will lead the department with biotech entrepreneur and former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy to help Trumps administration dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies.This is TechCrunchs Week in Review, where we recap the weeks biggest news. Want this delivered as a newsletter to your inbox every Saturday? Sign up here.NewsImage Credits:Album art for Mark Zuckerberg's cover of "Get Low" with T-PainMark Zuckerberg T-Pain: Mark Zuckerberg enlisted T-Pain to write and record an acoustic cover of Lil Jon & The East Side Boyzs Get LowRead moreStanding desks arent as healthy as you think: Sorry to standing desk users, but a new study found that standing for more than two hours a day doesnt protect against cardiovascular risks, and it actually heightens an individuals risk of circulatory problems. Read moreTalk Tuah dating coach: Social media star Haliey Welch has launched Pookie Tools, an AI-powered dating advice app for Gen Z singles. The apps chatbot helps write conversation starters, while another tool predicts if a potential match is lying about their height. Read moreWriter nabs $200M: The generative AI startup has raised $200 million at a $1.9 billion valuation to expand its platform. CEO May Habib says the new cash will be used for product development and cementing the companys leadership in the enterprise generative AI category. Read moreAmazon takes on Temu: Amazon has rolled out the Amazon Haul store, a storefront that offers discounted and mass-produced items, most of which ship from China, to better compete with highly popular competitors Temu and Shein. Read moreJust Eat sells off Grubhub: TheRead moreSBF is headed to the big screen: Lena Dunham is working with Apple and A24 to adapt Michael Lewis book Going Infinite, which chronicles the life of Sam Bankman-Fried and the implosion of FTX. Now to wonder who will be cast as SBF Read morePrepare to see more AI-video slop: InVideo is launching a generative AI-powered video creation feature that lets people use prompts to make videos in a variety of styles, including live-action, animated, or anime. Read moreApples wall-mounted tablet: Apple is reportedly planning to release a tablet that mounts to your wall, controls smart home appliances, and does video calls, as early as March 2025. Of course, the device will feature Apple Intelligence. Read moreAds are coming to Perplexity: The AI-powered search engine is experimenting with ads. The site will be showing ads in the U.S. to start, and theyll be formatted as sponsored follow-up questions from partners like Indeed, Whole Foods, Universal McCann, and PMG. Read moreYou can now play Hot Cross Buns on your phone: Artinoises latest product is reimagining the classic plastic recorder.Read more

Cambridge Hall of Fame featuring | K Mitch Hodge via UnsplashPresenting an architecture thesis is no easy feat, as you pour all your years of hard work and dedication into a final paper demonstration before the committee. Although, in most cases, the defense process is more of a formality because the work has already been evaluated, you should still be ready to prove that your architecture plan holds academic merit.Your work may also invite critiques and questions from the esteemed committee, so you have to be sure that your presentation is easy to understand and that you can communicate your design concepts well. Below, you will find the best tips on how to defend an architecture thesis.Understand the Purpose of Your ProjectBefore starting your thesis presentation, you should study your project and its main ideas and concepts in the tiniest detail. Just like WritePaperForMe essay writing experts study ones college assignment to get it done according to the requirements, you should study the initial objectives of your research to understand if the goals on framework, design, and architecture have been achieved. Knowing the exact rationale behind your decisions will make your answers more appealing to the instructor panel. You should also get ready for multiple questions from your thesis advisors, especially the ones regarding functionality, sustainability, design, and aesthetics. Even though your work has already been assessed, the panel will still want to know your opinion on each of these aspects to check your critical thinking.Create a Clear Presentation PlanWhen it comes to architecture thesis defense, a clear plan can make a huge difference in how your project will be received by the committee. We recommend starting with well-organized visuals that are easy to perceive and dont require too much text or overcrowding details. These can be small diagrams, miniature models, or brief sketches that illustrate your designs but do not overwhelm the panel. Avoid adding too much unnecessary information to your slides.For one, the attention span of your listeners is not infinite, and they will inevitably get distracted if you cram all that you know into one slide. Secondly, large amounts of information will take up too much valuable space and detract the attention of the audience from the key points of your thesis. The best way to deal with a presentation plan is to aim for a balance between visual aids and clear explanations. Arrange the slides in a logical sequence and make sure that they follow the natural flow of your presentation. Start with the introduction, highlight the key concepts, and add details on design development and sustainability concerns to make your project coherent. Conclude your defense by emphasizing the importance of your research.Tell a Compelling StoryToo many technical details without any creative storytelling or a personal touch can make the defense of your architecture thesis sound boring. Try to customize your presentation by adding compelling details. For example, you may tell the audience why you chose a specific design, what inspired you to create certain concepts, what issues your thesis aims to solve, and how you arrived at your design solution after hours of contemplation and brainstorming ideas. The panel would be excited to find out the details of your project and how it is relevant to the current architectural trends. The instructors need to see your research journey and understand the core message of your presentation. Ask yourself whether your narration is clear enough for others to comprehend and whether your plan has a personal touch that makes the story engaging.Practice Your DefenseWhen getting ready for your thesis defense, practice in front of your friends or family members who can assess your plan critically and point out possible drawbacks or filler words that need to be minimized or reduced. For instance, you may use a lot of unnecessary interjections to articulate your point, or your speech is filled with slang words that sound inappropriate in a formal setting. You also need to pay attention to the speed of your narration. Speaking too fast can confuse the panel, whereas being too slow with your presentation may violate the allocated time reserved for each student. Dont be afraid to ask your fellow students for constructive, detailed feedback. Sometimes, you need a third party to tell you which areas might be unclear or where you need to improve in your presentation. Having a fresh perspective will enable you to work on the parts of your architecture thesis defense that are not complete and boost your confidence on the actual day of the presentation.Prepare for Additional QuestionsAn architecture thesis, just like any other thesis, requires a proper presentation. When defending your thesis in front of the academic committee, you need to be ready for panel members to ask various questions about your work. These questions can be very complex and challenging. To avoid confusion during the presentation, write down the list of possible questions and practice answering them before the day of the presentation. The panel may ask you about the functionality and practicality of your design, as well as its theoretical and conceptual aspects, such as the origins of your design idea and the steps you took to achieve your design solution. If you receive critical feedback during the presentation, it is better to respond to it in a professional manner. Acknowledge the points made by the panel and show your willingness to consider their comments and propositions for the next design plan.Architecture StudentTips Leave a comment

Torre Romana | Filippo PoliLocated on the 23rd and 24th floors of Torre Romana, the MISA 9.5 penthouse apartment has been thoughtfully renovated by architect Federico Guarini of Sciveres Guarini Associates. Torre Romana, initially designed by architect Paolo Chiolini and completed in 1963, embodies the modernist ethos that defined Milans mid-century high-rise developments. The buildings rectangular plan, oriented along the north-south axis, allows each side to capture unique sunlight exposure, offering panoramic city views from every angle.MISA 9.5 Penthouse Technical InformationRenovation Architects1-16: Sciveres Guarini AssociatesTorre Romana Architect: Paolo ChioliniLocation: Milan, ItalyTopics: Apartment RenovationsOriginal Building Construction: 19621963Renovation Project: 2024Photographs: Filippo PoliThe entire apartment was characterized by the presence of beautifully designed original fixed walnut furniture, typical of the 1950s and 1960s. It was necessary to recover, reuse in a contemporary key and transform a large part of this furniture within the new project. Sciveres Guarini Associates ArchitectsMISA 9.5 Penthouse PhotographsLiving Room | Filippo PoliViews | Filippo PoliStairs | Filippo PoliLibrary | Filippo PoliKitchen | Filippo PoliOffice | Filippo PoliBedroom | Filippo PoliBathroom | Filippo PoliRooftop | Filippo PoliDining Room | Filippo PoliMISA 9.5 Penthouse Spatial ReconfigurationBefore the recent intervention, MISA 9.5 exemplified the typical layout of a Milanese upper-middle-class residence, compartmentalized into distinct functional zones in line with modernist principles. Spaces included an entrance hall, living room, dining room, kitchen, service areas, and a rooftop terrace. Original built-in walnut furnishings from the 1950s and 60s were integral to the apartments aesthetic, with boiseries, bookshelves, and cabinets that showcased the fine craftsmanship and design sensibilities of that era. However, the layout no longer aligned with contemporary living needs, and many of the systems and finishes had become outdated.The renovation of MISA 9.5 was not merely a facelift but a thoughtful intervention to adapt the space to modern lifestyle demands while respecting its architectural roots. Recognizing the value of the original walnut furnishings, the designers dismantled and cataloged these elements, which were then thoughtfully integrated into the reimagined space. This approach retained a sense of continuity with the apartments mid-century heritage, preserving and recontextualizing the past within a contemporary framework.Structural changes involved the removal of interior partitions and the existing masonry staircase, leaving only the primary load-bearing structurea series of reinforced concrete walls and a transverse septum. This structural septum divides the apartment into two primary zones: the day area and the night area. In the day area, a long wooden podium supports a suspended metal staircase that leads to the 24th-floor terrace. The functional block, a large piece of hyper-furniture comprised of bookcases and cupboards, also incorporates concealed spaces for the laundry, study, and guest bathroom. In the night area, a continuous surface of fixed and movable doors, clad in walnut, creates an element of surprise, concealing en suite bathrooms and a guest bedroom, blurring the lines between furniture and architecture.Materiality and Furnishings Blending Old with New Filippo Poli Filippo PoliOne of the most distinctive aspects of the MISA 9.5 renovation is its respect for the original 1950s walnut furnishings. These elements, with their rich patina and fine craftsmanship, serve as a bridge between past and present, allowing the apartments mid-century charm to shine through while aligning with modern sensibilities. The decision to restore and incorporate these pieces demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and historical integrity.New materials, including white lacquered panels and steel, were selected to complement the walnut furnishings, creating a cohesive aesthetic that balances old and new. The bathrooms are outfitted with Carrara marble slabs, colored cementitious mortar, and walnut ceiling panels, showcasing a palette that respects the original apartments character. This careful choice of materials demonstrates how traditional elements can coexist harmoniously with contemporary updates, creating a timeless, unified space.Terrace Integration and Environmental InteractionA key element of the MISA 9.5 redesign is the enhanced connection between the interior living spaces and the rooftop terrace on the 24th floor. Previously regarded as an accessory space, the terrace has been re-envisioned as an extension of the apartments living area. An iron and glass pergola was installed to provide shelter, while the addition of an outdoor kitchen, solarium, and changing room establishes the terrace as a functional, multi-use space.The redesign also places a strong emphasis on light and airflow. By aligning new internal openings with the apartments existing windows, the designers achieved a double exposure from east to west, allowing for an uninterrupted flow of natural light and ventilation. This thoughtful lighting strategy enhances the apartments spatial quality, creating a dynamic interplay between indoor and outdoor spaces.MISA 9.5 Penthouse PlansFloor Plan | Sciveres Guarini AssociatesAxonometric View | Sciveres Guarini AssociatesMISA 9.5 Penthouse Image GalleryAbout Sciveres Guarini AssociatesSciveres Guarini Associates is an Italian architectural firm specializing in diverse design fields, including residential redevelopment, historic building restoration, winery design, and interior design. Operating primarily in Lombardy, Sicily, and Puglia, the firm emphasizes a harmonious balance between new interventions and existing architectural heritage. Notes & Additional CreditsLead Designers: Federico Guarini, Nunzio Gabriele Sciveres, Parul Bhardwaj, Manuel Mangiatori, Athul Narayanan, Ludovica StarnoniStructural Engineering: Ing. Roberto PizzoMain Contractor:Bluedile s.r.l.Electrical System: LinewireClient: PrivateCarpets and Mats: Galleria AltaiBeds and Chairs: Design RepublicLighting and Furnishings: TRJMarble Works: Laboratorio MorselettoWooden Fixtures: QR LegnoGlass Works: Vetraria DallOrtoIron Works: ConferCurtain Work: BosioCementitious Mortar: Sansone PavimentiWood Furniture Restoration: Stillitano il FalegnameWoodwork: Verri Arredamenti, DBArredamenti, Macetti

Brought to you by:Architect: INC Architecture & DesignLocation: New York CityCompletion Date: 2024INC Architecture & Design, a New York Citybased practice, has completed work on The Treadwell, a residential tower located on the threshold between Midtown and the Upper East Side. Designed to fit in with its surroundings, the building blends two classic Upper Manhattan architectural styles, art deco and Romanesque revival, achieving these references with modern construction techniques and materials. To approximate the rich materiality of these historic precedents, The Treadwell is clad in fluted terra-cotta panels and features a quartzite-clad entrance. The building is sited on 2nd Avenue, a busy corridor punctuated by vertical residential towers. (Ivane Katamashvili)Rising 28 stories, The Treadwell is sited along 2nd Avenue, a thoroughfare that is defined by tall condominium towers. The building is named after the Treadwell Farms Historic District, a small landmark-designated neighborhood along 61st and 62nd street. Two primary styles drove the design of the project. Namely, the work of Rosario Candela, a famed early-20th century architect known for his Romanesque structures such as One Sutton Place and 834 Fifth Avenue, as well as the iconic art deco residences located near Central Park including The Ardsley and The Majestic. INC borrowed from both sources, resulting in a tower thats silhouette is distinctly art deco, while its facade is composed of warm colors evocative of Candelas work.Bronze-colored trim between the terra-cotta panels helped to achieve the overall warm tones of the facade. (Ivane Katamashvili)The Treadwell was about bridging the cool modernism of midtown with the rusticated materiality that you see on the Upper East Side, said Hilary Fulmer Kroll, principal at INC. So when we were looking at the cladding materials, we were trying to balance those two concepts. Terra-cotta felt like a nice middle ground because it has this handmade quality to it, she added. To add texture and dimension to the towers elevations, a fluted surface was manufactured for the panels. By implementing a standard fluting across all of the panels, the architects were able to minimize costs and simplify the extrusion process.We fought tooth and nail to keep terra-cotta on the project, added Fulmer Kroll. [The Treadwell] was developed during the pandemic so the market was a little unsteady. But in the end, they sprung for the terra-cotta and the building is selling really well.The tower terminates in a decorative crown. (Aerial VP)The Treadwells massing and decoration leaned primarily toward art deco precedents. To emphasize the verticality of the building, protruding vertical mullions and a darker finish were applied to the panels near the center of the buildings mass. The top of The Treadwell is adorned with a large cross-shaped crown, a classic feature of the style.INC Architecture & Design specified fluted brown quartzite for the buildings residential entrance. (Ivane Katamashvili)A separate residential entrance is located on 62nd street. The entrance was clad in ornate brown quartzite with oversized fluting that dwarfs that of the terra-cotta panels above. A darker color was selected to match the panels running up the center of the structure. The other end of the structure, located on 2nd Avenue, features a ground-floor retail space. The warm mineral palette of the exterior is continued inside the project, where the architects specified a range of materials including limestone, wood paneling, and metal trim. Overall, the building demonstrates the importance of materiality in modern construction. Though unable to replicate the decorative excess of the past, working architects can still imbue structures with a sense of solidity and history by using natural materials like stone and terra-cotta.Project SpecificationsClient: Dart InterestsClient Representative: Zeckendorf DevelopmentDesign Architect: INC Architecture & DesignArchitect of Record: SLCE ArchitectsLandscape Architect: John MiniInterior Design: INC Architecture & DesignStructural Engineer: McNamara SalviaMEP Engineer: ICORGeotechnical Engineer: LanganLighting Design: One Lux StudioAV/Telecommunications: The Clarient GroupAcoustics: Longman LindseySignage/Wayfinding: Crown SignageZoning Consultant: DCS ZoningFacade Consultant: AJLPConstruction Manager: CMAGlazing Contractor: Skyline WindowsFacade Installation: PG New YorkTerra-cotta: ShildanACM Metal Panel: AlucobondWindows: Skyline WindowsIGU: Guardian GlassEIFS: Sto Corp

All aboard! Next Stop Newton Centre! The Newton Centre station was originally commissioned by the Boston and Albany Railroad in 1884 as one of a series of new, highly designed stations in the Boston suburbs. Architect, H. H. Richardson designed five passenger stations for the Boston & Albany Railroad in Newton, and of which, only one survives. After his death in 1886, Richardsons successor firm, Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, followed the design vocabulary of Richardson for the remainder of the stations outstanding. The new station, built by the Norcross Brothers firm of Worcester, opened in 1891.The station was heavily modified in 190507 when the line was lowered below grade to eliminate street crossings. TheHighland branchwas closed in 1958 and quickly converted for streetcar use; streetcar service began in July 1959, with this station being located on the MBTA Green Line D. The station has long been leased to commercial stores and coffee shops but has been unused since 2022. Heres to hoping the building can be used again in the future!

A significant house and grounds are tucked away, hidden off Dudley Road in Newton, Massachusetts. This is the Kennard Estate. Frederic Hedge Kennard (1865-1937) was born in Brookline and attended Harvard College. He did graduate work for a time at the Bussey Institution and the Lawrence Scientific School, and entered the employ of Frederick Law Olmsted, the noted landscape architect, with his office in Brookline. By 1906, he decided to open his own landscape architecture office, opening locations in Boston and Philadelphia. He would purchase this expansive wooded property, and had this house built by 1907. He laid out the grounds, creating paths and gardens on the property and planted native trees. It is unclear who designed the house, sadly. Mr. Kennard was also a noted ornithologist (an expert on birds) and would host visiting scholars at his home, walking the grounds and studying birds there. After his death in 1937, the property was inherited by his son, Harrison Eisenbrey Kennard, and ultimately willed to the City of Newton upon his death in 1982. Since then, Newton Parks and Recreation have maintained the house (though they could be doing more to preserve it), and opened the grounds as Kennard Park, a free public park comprised of wooded trails and streams.

HistoryA Fascinating Collection of Hungarian Sign Painting Photos, 19061976Women feature prominently in these archival images of signs and sign painters at work in Hungary.Better LettersNov 7, 2024 5 min readOutlining with a mahl stick as a straight edge in Hungary, 1976. Photo: Fortepan / FFOT.Tom Koch is currently working on a museum project for the Austrian city of Eisenstadt, which will include a permanent sign painting exhibit. To give context to some of the objects, he asked if I had any archival photos of sign painters at work. In addition to various 'Ye Olde Sign Shoppe' posts, I shared some other pictures from my collection, including this one from Hungary in 1965.Photo: Fortepan / UVATERV (97080).I can't recall where I got the photo, but Tom quickly tracked down its original source in the brilliant Fortepan photographic archive. Searching within this, he then unearthed even more archival sign and sign painting photos from Hungary. The pictures span a period of 70 yearsfrom 1906 to 1976and show work in progress on a variety of different sign types.One thing that immediately struck me was how prominently women sign painters feature among the photos, and I wondered why. It turns out that the majority of them were taken during Hungary's Communist era, which Wikipedia describes as a time when women had "greater access to secondary and university education, especially in technical fields" and were "included in the workforce in a more equal way". These images bear that out, and buck the trend of most archival sign painting photos that I've seen to date.The following are presented in reverse chronological order for your enjoyment, and thank you Tom for sharing this wonderful collection.1970sThis series of six photos were all taken in the same sign shop in 1976, but there are no details of its name or location.Photos: Fortepan / FFOT.Here are some closer crops.Photos: Fortepan / FFOT (207023).Photos: Fortepan / FFOT (207022).Photos: Fortepan / FFOT (207020).Livery work in progress at the IKARUS bus factory in Budapest, 1976.Photo: Fortepan / UVATERV (99391).Bareback brushwork, 1976.Photo: Fortepan / FFOT (207025).Publicity for a jazz festival in Cegld, 1970.Photo: Fortepan / Pterffy Istvn (142627).A closer look at some of those letters.Photo: Fortepan / Pterffy Istvn (142627).1960sAdding a shade to some transom lettering in Gyr, 1966.Photo: Fortepan / Kriss Gza (191969).Photo: Fortepan / Kriss Gza (191969).Heraldry practise at an art college in Pcs, 1963.Photo: Fortepan / Hunyady Jzsef (107131).Mural signs in Budapest, 1961.Photo: Fortepan / Mra Andrs (114992).Father and son? 1960.Photo: Fortepan / Rcz Vekerdi Gyuln (250188).1950sTank insignia from Budapest in 1956, the year of the Hungarian Revolution.Photo: Fortepan / Kurutz Mrton (12337).Kcs village in 1953. Kacsa (no accent on the first a) means 'duck', and the village joker at work is the Hungarian painter and graphic designer Szalai Zoltn.Photo: Fortepan / Szalai Zoltn (204500).1943That's a huge mahl stick!Fortepan / Wein Sarolta (19703).1938An airbrush is also being used to paint this film poster for Black Diamonds.Photo: Fortepan / Fortepan (26394).Teamwork makes the dream work: adding a long text to the agricultural scenes on this mural.Photo: Fortepan / Ormos Imre Alaptvny (173220).1906This is the oldest image in the collection, with a mixture of pictorial and lettering work in progress.Photo: Fortepan / Zichy kria, Zala (263436).Photo: Fortepan / Zichy kria, Zala (263436).Bonus PhotosThere are also some nice photos from outside of Hungary in the collection.Ludwigsfelde, Germany, 1966This sign painter is adding monthly performance data to this board outside the IFA truck factory: unser ziel (our goal) and planerfllung (plan fulfillment).Photo: Fortepan / Bojr Sndor (179542).Photo: Fortepan / Bojr Sndor (179542).Prague, Czech Republic, 1960Aging neon and a painted billboard; what's not to like!Photo: Fortepan / UWM Libraries (259136).Photo: Fortepan / UWM Libraries (259133).Fortepan is a copyright-free and community-based photo archive with over 100,000 photographs available for anyone to browse and download in high-resolution, free of charge. It currently contains 36 photos tagged with 'sign painter'.More Ye Olde Sign ShoppeMore History

Fort (2024), wood, cardboard, 94 1/2 x 133 7/8 x 19 3/4 inches. All images courtesy of Mariane Ibrahim, shared with permissionLush Growths and Classical Architecture Converge in Eva Jospins Meticulous SculpturesNovember 16, 2024ArtNatureGrace EbertRather than position herself as an observer of landscapes, Eva Jospin imagines humans and their environments as one. The Parisian artist carves intricate forests and stately architecture subsumed by vines and craggy cliffs all from humble cardboard, accentuating the corrugated textures to add depth and intrigue.In her Chicago debut at Mariane Ibrahim, Jospin presents a series of freestanding sculptures and wall works that invite the viewer to venture into her large-scale, yet incredibly intricate worlds. Titled Vanishing Points, the exhibition gestures toward perspective and the ways subtle details and contemplation can shift how we see. Fort troglodyte (2024), wood, cardboard, and mixed media, 72 1/2 x 59 x 31 1/2 inchesAs with earlier bodies of work, Jospins paper sculptures and vivid, silk tapestries draw on classical styles and the 18th-century tradition of follies, architectural structures designed for decoration. These often ornate buildings could be found in many Baroque gardens, which took human mastery over nature as an imperative. The artists works instead depict a convergence between the manufactured and the organic. In the six-foot tall Fort troglodyte, for example, vines crawl down from a ceiling embedded with shells and sea sponges. The exquisite vault stands parallel to a similarly shaped cavern, occupied by trees rising from a rugged bluff.Jospin walks viewers through her process and studio in the video below. If youre in Chicago, see Vanishing Points before January 25. Detail of Fort troglodyte (2024), wood, cardboard, and mixed media, 72 1/2 x 59 x 31 1/2 inchesCapriccio (2024), wood, cardboard, and mixed media, 76 3/8 x 41 3/8 x 21 5/8 inchesDetail of Capriccio (2024), wood, cardboard, and mixed media, 76 3/8 x 41 3/8 x 21 5/8 inchesJardin Constantine (2024), silk thread, silk canvas, wood and cardboard frame,46 x 96 7/8 x 4 inchesJardin Constantine (2024), silk thread, silk canvas, wood and cardboard frame,46 x 96 7/8 x 4 inchesPetit Bois (2024), wood, cardboard, 28 x 34 1/2 x 9 1/4 inchesTreille (2024), silk thread, silk canvas, wood and cardboard frame, 100 3/4 x 69 1/4 x 4 inchesDetail of Fort (2024), wood, cardboard, 94 1/2 x 133 7/8 x 19 3/4 inchesDetail of Treille (2024), silk thread, silk canvas, wood, and cardboard frame, 100 3/4 x 69 1/4 x 4 inchesLabyrinthe (2024), wood, cardboard, and mixed media, 41 x 39 3/8 x 27 1/2 inchesDetail of Labyrinthe (2024), wood, cardboard, and mixed media, 41 x 39 3/8 x 27 1/2 inchesNext article

close Apples AirPods Pro 2 makes hearing tests as easy as a tap Checking your hearing just got much easier. Millions of people are walking around with undetected hearing loss, but checking your hearing just got a whole lot easier thanks to the new hearing test feature in AirPods Pro 2.No more booking appointments or visiting clinics. Now, you can take a scientifically validated hearing test right from your iPhone or iPad in the comfort of your own home. Hearing aid feature using AirPods Pro 2. (Apple)A convenient and accurate hearing testIt's pretty slick how it works. TheAirPods Pro 2 use their Pro-level Active Noise Cancellation and in-ear seal to create a controlled environment, kind of like a mini sound booth in your ears.Using puretone audiometry built on advanced acoustic science, the test plays a series of tones that you respond to by tapping the screen. Helpful animations, tapback effects, and progress indicators guide you through the experience, which takes about five minutes. More than 150,000 realworld audiograms and millions of simulations helped develop thishearing test thats accurate, fast and easy. In about five minutes, you'll have a personalized report on your hearing. Test your hearing using AirPods Pro 2. (Apple)Steps to complete your Hearing test with AirPods Pro 2You'll want to find a quiet spot and follow these steps to take your hearing test. Note that this hearing test is intended for people 18 years and older.Ensure your iPhone is running the latest software. Go toSettings >General >Software Update, then tap"Download and Install" if needed.Next, make sure you are wearing yourAirPods Pro 2.On your iPhone, tap onSettings.Next, click yourAirPods Pro 2.Then, select theHearing Test option.Now tapGet Startedand follow theprompts,which include answering a few questions, confirming you are in a quiet location, and checking the fit of your AirPods Pro 2.Follow the remainingprompts and tapStart Test.It should take about 5 minutes, and you can cancel it at any time.The test will playunique tones at different volumes and frequencies, which, at times, you may not hear. Each tone will pulse three times.Tapthe screen when you hear a tone and wait until you hear another.The test will begin with your left ear and then proceed to the right.After the hearing test is complete, you'll get acheckmark and a message that your results have been saved.TapShow Results, and you can tapShow Details to review your results and any hearing assistance recommendations.Tapdone when you are finished.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)? Hearing test using AirPods Pro 2. (Apple)Immediate insights into your hearing healthOnce you're done with your hearing test, you'll receive immediate insights into your hearing health. Here's how to access your hearing data, which will be saved in the Health app:In the health app, tap onBrowse in the bottom right-hand corner.Taphearing, and your most recenthealth results will appear near the top.TapHearing Test Results to review your hearing assistance recommendations and all your results, which include a graph that shows the decibel loss for each ear, as well as averages if you've taken multiple tests.You can tapShow More Data for additional information.You can also tapAdd Test in the upper-right corner of your screen if you'd like to upload data from another hearing test or audiogram, like one taken at a doctor's office.If you'd like toprint or save results, scroll down, tapAll Hearing Test Results, and then tapExport PDF.AIRPODS PRO 2 VS. A CUTTING-EDGE HEARING AID: WHICH ONE OFFERS BETTER SOUND? Hearing test results using AirPods Pro 2. (Apple)Transforming AirPods into clinical-grade hearing aidsIf the test indicates mild to moderate hearing loss, you will be prompted to enable the new hearing aid feature. This Hearing Aid mode is pretty groundbreaking. It essentially turns yourAirPods Pro 2 into a clinical-grade hearing aid. Using Apple's H2 chip and advanced computational audio technology, it enhances sound clarity in real time. Let's learn how to set up hearing assistance and turn on the hearing aid feature.While wearing your AirPods Pro 2, tapHearing Assistance in your AirPods settings on your iPhone.You can start a new hearing test from here or selectresults from a test you've already taken.We'll tapUse a Prior Test Result.Answer thequestions on the Provide Some Details screen.Scroll down and tapNext.Now, select acompatible Hearing Test result.Then, tap Next, and the results and recommendations from your selected test will appear.If your test indicates mild to moderate hearing loss, tapSet up Hearing Aid and follow the prompts.When Hearing Aid is ready, tapTurn On Hearing Aid andtap Done.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HEREOnce the Hearing Aid feature is on, it's saved to your AirPods Pro 2, so make sure that you don't share your AirPods with anyone. Also, keep in mind that it might take some time to get used to the adjustments based on your personalized hearing profile. You can make additional changes in Control Center at any time. Here's how:TapHearing Assistance in your AirPods settings again andcustomize your Hearing Assistance settings.If you tapAdjustments, you'll find options and sliders to help you further adjust the Hearing Aid feature.Plus,Media Assist is on by default, which automatically improves the clarity of music, phone calls and FaceTime calls.Advanced hearing protectionThe new Hearing Protection feature is designed to safeguard your ears from loud noises in daily life. It actively adjusts to sudden loud sounds, protecting your hearing in noisy environments like concerts or even during your daily commute. What's really cool is how Apple has packaged all of this hearing test, hearing aid, and noise protection into one seamless experience. Advanced hearing protection with AirPods Pro. (Apple)Beyond AirPods: Professional-grade hearing solutionsNow, if the test indicates mild to moderate hearing loss, as we mentioned, you'll be able to use theAirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid. However, if you have more severe hearing loss, you may need aproduct which is much better for the hearing-impaired.Kurt's key takeawaysThis Apple update to theAirPods Pro 2 is a pretty big deal in the world of hearing health. By making these tools so accessible, Apple's potentially changing the game for millions of people who might have otherwise ignored their hearing health. It's exciting to think about how this could lead to more people taking care of their ears and catching hearing issues early on.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPWhat barriers have you encountered in addressing your hearing health, and how do you think innovations like these could help overcome them? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterFollow 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.

close The Beatles come together Their final song was mixed with John Lennon's voice. Welcome to Fox News Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.IN TODAYS NEWSLETTER:- The Beatles' AI-assisted songs Grammy nomination could push the limit on interest in the technology- Gary Marcus: OpenAI could be the next WeWork- Trump is not going to regulate AI industry with Musk 'sitting next to him,' exec says The Beatles posing together. From left to right: musicians George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, circa 1965. (Getty Images)'COME TOGETHER': The Beatles' return to the Grammys has come with an assist from artificial intelligence. "Now and Then" is nominated for record of the year and best rock performance at the 2025 Grammy Awards, making it the first nominated song ever to use AI in its production.MODELS MAXED OUT?: New York University professor emeritus Gary Marcus discusses the consequences of artificial intelligence and OpenAI's valuation on 'The Claman Countdown.'HANDS-OFF APPROACH: Dominari Securities CEO Kyle Wool joins 'Mornings with Maria' to assess Q3 earnings, deregulation under President-elect Trump and his expectations for upcoming economic data. Tesla CEO Elon Musk speaks on stage as he joins former U.S. President and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump during a campaign rally at site of his first assassination attempt in Butler, Pa. on Oct. 5, 2024. (JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIASIGN UP FOR OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERSDOWNLOAD OUR APPSWATCH FOX NEWS ONLINEFox News GoSTREAM FOX NATIONFox NationStay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox Newshere. This article was written by Fox News staff.