Editors note: This post is part of Into the Omniverse, a blog series focused on how developers, 3D artists and enterprises can transform their workflows using the latest advances in OpenUSD and NVIDIA Omniverse.3D product configurators are changing the way industries like retail and automotive engage with customers by offering interactive, customizable 3D visualizations of products.Using physically accurate product digital twins, even non-3D artists can streamline content creation and generate stunning marketing visuals.With the new NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint for 3D conditioning for precise visual generative AI, developers can start using the NVIDIA Omniverse platform and Universal Scene Description (OpenUSD) to easily build personalized, on-brand and product-accurate marketing content at scale.By integrating generative AI into product configurators, developers can optimize operations and reduce production costs. With repetitive tasks automated, teams can focus on the creative aspects of their jobs.Developing Controllable Generative AI for Content ProductionThe new Omniverse Blueprint introduces a robust framework for integrating generative AI into 3D workflows to enable precise and controlled asset creation.Example images created using the NVIDIA Omniverse Blueprint for 3D conditioning for precise visual generative AI.Key highlights of the blueprint include:Model conditioning to ensure that the AI-generated visuals adhere to specific brand requirements like colors and logos.Multimodal approach that combines 3D and 2D techniques to offer developers complete control over final visual outputs while ensuring the products digital twin remains accurate.Key components such as an on-brand hero asset, a simple and untextured 3D scene, and a customizable application built with the Omniverse Kit App Template.OpenUSD integration to enhance development of 3D visuals with precise visual generative AI.Integration of NVIDIA NIM, such as the Edify 360 NIM, Edify 3D NIM, USD Code NIM and USD Search NIM microservices, allows the blueprint to be extensible and customizable. The microservices are available to preview on build.nvidia.com.How Developers Are Building AI-Enabled Content PipelinesKatana Studio developed a content creation tool with OpenUSD called COATcreate that empowers marketing teams to rapidly produce 3D content for automotive advertising. By using 3D data prepared by creative experts and vetted by product specialists in OpenUSD, even users with limited artistic experience can quickly create customized, high-fidelity, on-brand content for any region or use case without adding to production costs.Global marketing leader WPP has built a generative AI content engine for brand advertising with OpenUSD. The Omniverse Blueprint for precise visual generative AI helped facilitate the integration of controllable generative AI in its content creation tools. Leading global brands like The Coca-Cola Company are already beginning to adopt tools from WPP to accelerate iteration on its creative campaigns at scale.Watch the replay of a recent livestream with WPP for more on its generative AI- and OpenUSD-enabled workflow:The NVIDIA creative team developed a reference workflow called CineBuilder on Omniverse that allows companies to use text prompts to generate ads personalized to consumers based on region, weather, time of day, lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.Developers at independent software vendors and production services agencies are building content creation solutions infused with controllable generative AI and built on OpenUSD. Accenture Song, Collective World, Grip, Monks and WPP are among those adopting Omniverse Blueprints to accelerate development.Read the tech blog on developing product configurators with OpenUSD and get started developing solutions using the DENZA N7 3D configurator and CineBuilder reference workflow.Get Plugged Into the World of OpenUSDVarious resources are available to help developers get started building AI-enabled product configuration solutions:Omniverse Blueprint: 3D Conditioning for Precise Visual Generative AIReference Architecture: 3D Conditioning for Precise Visual Generative AIReference Architecture: Generative AI Workflow for Content CreationReference Architecture: Product ConfiguratorEnd-to-End Configurator Example GuideDLI Course: Building a 3D Product Configurator With OpenUSDLivestream: OpenUSD for Marketing and AdvertisingFor more on optimizing OpenUSD workflows, explore the new self-paced Learn OpenUSD training curriculum that includes free Deep Learning Institute courses for 3D practitioners and developers. For more resources on OpenUSD, attend our instructor-led Learn OpenUSD courses at SIGGRAPH Asia on December 3, explore the Alliance for OpenUSD forum and visit the AOUSD website.Dont miss the CES keynote delivered by NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang live in Las Vegas on Monday, Jan. 6, at 6:30 p.m. PT for more on the future of AI and graphics.Stay up to date by subscribing to NVIDIA news, joining the community and following NVIDIA Omniverse on Instagram, LinkedIn, Medium and X.

Major League Baseballs exciting 2024 season has wrapped and with MLB The Show 24s Season 4 content arriving tomorrow*, we at San Diego Studio wanted to take a moment to share a sneak peek at the future of this franchise.MLB The Show 24 Season 4Beginning tomorrow, all fans can enjoy every card in MLB The Show 24 as we move into Season 4 with the release of 2024 Finest with more content coming. Yes, this also means cards in your inventory from previous seasons in MLB The Show 24 can be enjoyed again!MLB The Show 25 Diamond DynastyWe appreciate the feedback from our community and have also decided that Sets and Seasons will not be returning in MLB The Show 25, allowing every card to be used freely throughout the year. While we look forward to sharing more about our live content plans for MLB The Show 25 at a later date, our Season 4 approach gives you a sense of the direction of MLB The Show 25.We are also excited to share that you, our fans, will be able to earn rewards in MLB The Show 24 to jump-start your MLB The Show 25 experience! Beginning tomorrow, you can start earning Now & Later MLB The Show Packs in playable content all throughout Diamond Dynasty! Each Now & Later MLB The Show Pack earned in MLB The Show 24 will grant an MLB The Show Pack in MLB The Show 25**.As we work to develop the most authentic and realistic Major League Baseball experience possible, we wanted to share a sneak peek of what is to come next year in MLB The Show 25.Road To The Show: Deepen the players journey before being drafted, and return control to how a player develops and grows in new and interesting ways.Diamond Dynasty*: With Sets and Seasons retiring, our fans can look forward to all-new elements of the Diamond Dynasty experience blended with what they love most about it.Franchise: Improved trade evaluation metrics are coming along with a new fun and engaging offseason experience.Gameplay: With the expansion of quick time events, defensive AI, and pathing updates, enjoy more engaging moment-to-moment gameplay.For all the latest MLB The Show information, head to TheShow.com, sign up for The Scouting Report, and follow our X, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.*Internet connection required for online features and software updates.**An internet connection, MLB The Show account, and purchase of MLB The Show 25, once available, is required to receive your Now & Later MLB The Show Pack in MLB The Show 25.

Earlier this week, Trademark Films dropped a trailer for The Grim and The Dark: The Search for John Blanche. The new documentary starring, of all people, Napoleon Dynamite actor Jon Heder follows a descent into the grimdark culture of Warhammer and the artists, writers, and creators who thrive in it, according to the studios announcement.The film seems targeted both at Warhammer diehards and newcomers alike, as the trailer opens on Heder searching for the center of grimdark and everything gnarly, while the camera comically zooms out to reveal hes standing in front of a massive statue of a Space Marine. The films description implies Heders search began due to a chance encounter at a game store, but the admiration for the art of wargames comes through in the trailers cinematic composition and editing. Shots of miniatures and core texts are interspersed with interview clips and medieval architecture (rightfully) framing Warhammer and the culture around it as esoteric and arcane. Heders comedic ignorance of the hobby balances the, pardon the phrase, grimdark aesthetic, making the trailer feel like the final documentary will be accessible to even the most uninformed viewer.The trailer culminates with a directive for Heder: If you want to talk to the grandmaster, go find John. This, of course, refers to artist John Blanche, who is credited with defining the visual language of Warhammer during his 46-year long tenure at Games Workshop. Blanche famously retired in June of last year, making rare media appearances that can be found on his personal blog. The trailer ends with a dramatic sequence of Heder knocking on what one could assume to be Blanches front door, before quickly cutting to an over-the-shoulder shot of a man, ostensibly Blanche, taking off his glasses in preparation.The film is slated to be released in spring of 2025, according to the Trademark Films announcement. Pre-orders are available now for $12.

My Fortnite locker, the name of the UI interface that contains all of my cosmetic items, has become the video game equivalent of a junk drawer. Rummage through my account, and youll find a backpack version of Ninken from Naruto lined up next to a rainbow gun wrap I got from the 2021 Pride collection. The game contains sub-menus for emotes, wraps, cars, instruments, and Lego kits. Its all too much, and to be frank, Im worried that recent changes in the Fortnite subscription service from Epic Games ignore a simple truth: Sometimes, less is more.On Wednesday, Epic Games announced a big change to Fortnite Crew, its monthly subscription service that awards players with the Battle Royale battle pass, V-bucks, and other perks. Starting on Dec. 1, Fortnite Crew subscribers will get content from the Music Pass and Lego Pass at no additional cost. So once the change goes live, players who subscribe to it will be able to progress and redeem cosmetics on the other games on the platform, like battle passes from Fortnite Festival and Lego Fortnite.On the surface, this looks extremely pro-consumer and in many ways, it is. Its essentially giving people more items for free. If I subscribe and I only want to play the Battle Royale mode, Ill still end up with a whole lot of other cosmetics from other games on Fortnite. In addition to that, Epic Games has also changed how the battle pass works, so leveling up one pass will unlock the items on another. This way, you dont need to grind each game individually if youre interested in earning cosmetics from other battle passes.It sounds great, but the announcement came with another notice: The standard price of the Battle Royale battle pass (outside of the Crew subscription) will be raised in price from 950 to 1,000 V-bucks.The price hike doesnt significantly change how much you pay in dollars. You can purchase 1,000 V-bucks for $8.99 from the in-game shop. Additionally, 50 V-bucks isnt exactly an exorbitant amount of currency, and it isnt even enough to buy a low-tier emote. However, if youre a regular player, that amount can add up, and even a paltry 50 V-bucks could make or break whether or not you are able to purchase a certain skin in the store on any given day. (Which matters, because who knows when your favorite cosmetic will return to the Fortnite shop, since it rotates items in and out!)For me, gradual price hikes like this only serve to enhance the value of the subscription service and allow players to justify springing for the full-on premium Fortnite subscription. Its almost like the modern video game equivalent of bundling cable or streaming services you might not want everything in there, but because all the individual parts are getting so expensive, it eventually makes financial sense.Whats more is that changes like this are catered toward how Epic Games wants its users to engage with its platform, rather than the actual way the majority of its players do. At time of publication, Lego Fornite has 24,600 active users, and Fortnite Festival has 8,500 players. In comparison, the unranked version of the Battle Royale mode has more than 542,000 players, and Zero Build has 344,800 players. Instead of improving the battle pass experience around these games, Epic Games has decided to raise the price and shove a bunch of unneeded items into the lockers of its Fortnite Crew subscribers.As a Battle Royale player, I dont want more junk. I want a transparent pricing system when it comes to cosmetic items. I want a consistent battle pass price. I want a locker and emote wheel that I can actually organize. I dont want to grind the battle pass leveling, and Id like the ability to buy old skins. So while the Fortnite Crew change might seem all right on the surface, it sure does feel like the company is throwing a whole lot of junk in my face.

There are few straight lines at the new 13-story Populus hotel in downtown Denver, Colorado. Implementing a hyper site-responsive strategy, notable architecture firm Studio Gang designed the distinct structure based on the distilled form and unique growth pattern of the Aspen Tree otherwise known as the Populus precinctive to the area. How and where it sheds its bark was translated into a matrix of scalloped windows within the fluted buildings stacked log massing, individually denoting the properties 265 guest rooms as well as its comprehensive offering of internal and community-facing amenity spaces.Photo: Jason ORearThe practices holistic concept introducing biophilic elements at every scale and meeting the strictest sustainability standards carries through from the use of fly ash rather than water in the hotels sculpted concrete shell to the ingenious second function of the eye-shaped windows lids serving as shields that provide natural cooling on warmer days. A third function? They also work as streamlined gutters deflecting rainwater. These apertures do all this while also framing choice views of the Rocky Mountains in the distance and notable city monuments closer-by.Photo: Jason ORearThe icing on the cake: Populuss planted roof top featuring a wide variety of flora also local to the area and soon home to its diverse fauna as well. Theres no integrated parking facility and so guests are encouraged to use Denvers rapidly improving public transportation network or even walk to get around.Photo: Yoshihiro MakinoPhoto: Steve HallThe opening of Populus marks an incredibly significant milestone and represents a new model of environmentally conscious hospitality that will forever change the guest experience for mindful travelers, while adding vibrancy to the city of Denver, said Jon Buerge, President of Urban Villages, the development firm behind the locales inception that also secured 7,000 tons of certified carbon credits making it the first carbon positive hotel in the country.Photo: Steve HallThe hotel situates on a triangulated site at the intersection of Denvers ever-burgeoning arts, culture, and business districts. As a strategic hub linking these otherwise disconnected areas, Populus comprises a whole host of public hospitality venues, promoting a more integrated sense of urban density and lively activation.Photo: Yoshihiro MakinoPhoto: Yoshihiro MakinoManaged by Aparium Hotel Group, Populuss full embodiment of biophilic and sustainable principles carries through to this suite of soft products as well with two zero waste restaurants to boot. While ground level restaurant Pasque serves nature-based dishes beneath a suspended Reishi Tapestry produced using mushroom byproduct mycelium Stellar Jay is a bustling rooftop haunt with operable walls that open up to a large rooftop terrace and unfolding vistas. Theres also a coffee shop and ample flex-space for remote working or lounging.Photo: Yoshihiro MakinoNo detail or tree, really, was left unconsidered. For much of the interior outfit, Wildman Chalmers Design and Fowler Architecture and Design imbued the various spaces with a warm earth tone palette indicative of the Mountain West region; an important counterpoint to the somewhat sleek character of Populuss undulating structural core.Photo: Yoshihiro MakinoDefined by the large curvilinear windows, guest rooms in both the Aspen and Grove collections are infused with a serene minimalist yet textured atmosphere. Located on the top floor, the Pando Suite incorporates a dining area, kitchenette, 1.5 baths one with a soaking tub and panoramic views.Photo: Yoshihiro MakinoPhoto: Steve HallPhoto: Yoshihiro MakinoPhoto: Jason ORearWhat: PopulusWhere: Denver, ColoradoHow much: Guest rooms starting from $229Design draw: A biophilic and sustainable hotel in more ways than one; tapping into local natural beauty through various architectural and interior design details as well as eco-conscious dining and the anchoring of a new urban densification in downtown Denver.Book it: Populus DenverGo virtually on vacation withmore design destinations right here.Photography by Jason ORear, Steve Hall, and Yoshihiro Makino

When it comes to my holiday gift list, I always put a lot of thought into each item to make sure its something Id truly enjoy and use especially in my cozy (i.e. small) apartment. I think the same way when picking out a gift for someone else. I want any gift to feel purposeful, rather than adding clutter, and Id hate for anyones hard-earned money to go toward something that might go unused. With that in mind, my list of recommendations is a mix of practical essentials and a fun splurges I would be thrilled to gift or receive. Below, youll find a curated selection of ideas that have made it onto at least one of my wish lists over the years happy gifting!Arc Alarm Clock by Nanu \\\ $235Everyone needs a clock and some of us still require an alarm other than our phone to wake us up in the morning and this one does the trick. Merging analog, since they say the light on digital clocks can affect sleep, with the needs of modern times, this clock is a great option for any aesthete. It has a mechanical chime that gradually wakes you up and a hidden digital display to make setting the clock a breeze. Even though its made from premium materials, its also repairable making it built to last.Symmetry Dinnerware Collection by Studio/ JIALUN XIONG \\\ From $65Whether you know someone whos really into cooking for their family or loves hosting guests for dinner parties, chic dinnerware is a must. Not only does it make the food appear more appetizing, but it sets the tone of the space its being served in. This minimalist collection, which includes a plate, bowl, and cup, is adorned with dots, lines, circles, or squares resulting in symmetrical patterns juxtaposed on naturally flawed porcelain. The versatile pieces would work alongside a monochromatic tablescape just as easily as it would one adorned with lots of color.Great Jones x Fellow Kettle \\\ $195If this collaboration had been out a couple of years ago when I bought my Fellow electric kettle in black, I would have jumped on it. Its perfect for making hot tea or pour-over coffee, as it heats the water to the perfect temp in less than a minute. Its limited edition so if you know anyone who needs to up their coffee or tea game, this blueberry colored (plus pops of Raspberry and Mustard) kettle is such a great gift.Juno Carafe by NUDE Glass \\\ $118I may not need a carafe, but this one from NUDE Glass makes me think I do. The entire Juno Collection, which includes the carafe, a cake dome, mini serving plate, serving plate, and a set of glasses (sadly the glasses are sold out), is incredible all handmade from lead-free crystal in shades of opal grey, clear, and apricot. The carafe features an interlocking cylindrical vessel with an apricot colored top thats designed to look beautiful sitting on a kitchen counter, shelf, or on a bedside table whether in use or not.Essential Chrome 5-Piece Flatware Set by Sabre Paris via Unison \\\ $50Along with elevating the dinnerware, adding complementary flatware is a must. If you know anyone like me who had the same IKEA flatware for 15 years, this modern set is the perfect option to replace it. When I upgraded to this exact design, it made cooking and eating the prepared food feel so much better. The contemporary shapes work for takeout or weeknight dinners, but they also are stylish enough to be used at a dinner party.Chunky Cup + Saucer by Gustaf Westman \\\ $68 (Standard) $48 (Mini)Ive been in love with Gustaf Westmans Chunky series since I first spotted it on social media last year. The oversized silhouettes and curves are so playful and unique and I want them all, especially in pink. If you know anyone that loves fun ceramics or that enjoys a special cup for their morning brew, this one will definitely become their favorite.Polaroid Hi-Print 46 Photo Printer \\\ $150Do you know someone who misses actual photographs outside of their smartphone? This printer delivers postcard-size photos to anyone wanting to post friends and family on their fridge, add to a frame, or to catalog memories in a photo album. Its compact and makes printing easy direct from your phone. Theres even a free Hi-Print app where images can be personalized prior to printing.750-Piece Cake Puzzle by Piecework \\\ $42We all have at least one person in our life that loves puzzles and is always looking for a new one. This one from Piecework, who makes a ton of really cool puzzles, is colorful and super cute. If only it would magically become three dimensional and edible!POLSPOTTEN Multi Mix Caps & Jars Set of 3 \\\ $280Organization can be your best friend and when things are neatly contained in beautiful objects, suddenly its more than just storage. These colorful jars from Amsterdam-based POLSPOTTEN do just that by leaning more toward objets dart. Each mouth-blown piece comes in a different vibrant color creating a decorative set that your loved one will find joy using every day, whether in the kitchen for dry goods or in the bathroom for cotton balls. The set also comes in a more muted two-tone option for those that prefer it.Case Study Ceramics Birdhouse by Modernica \\\ $75For those that love watching birds or just enjoy spending time outside, this organic modern birdhouse would be an ideal addition to anyones outdoor space. It comes in four fat lava glaze colors Avocado, Blue, Orange, and White so theres an option for everyone, whether they want it to blend into the surrounding greenery or pop against it.Follow along so you dont miss any of our2024 Gift Guidesthis year!This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

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On balance, 2024 has not been a great year for me, for reasons both personal and global, and my smartphone addiction hasn't been doing my perpetually simmering anxiety any favors. Even though I've stepped away from one toxic social media platform in favor of another, friendlier one, I still have a tendency to fall into doomscrollingwhich is why the Boox Palma has been such a godsend for me since I first reviewed it back in February. The Palma is a rather unique e-reader from Onyx International, a Chinese company that has slowly built up a cult following among e-ink aficionados over the past decade and a halfe-ink being the name for the paper-like black-and-white displays on devices like the Kindle Paperwhite. Two key things set the Palma apart from any e-ink device sold by Amazon (or Barnes & Noble, for that matter): The shape and its unrestricted operating system. Both are key reasons why it's the best e-reader I've ever used, and why I've spent the past eight months reading more and spiraling on social media less. It's good enough that I'd easily recommend picking one up, even though Onyx has recently released an upgraded Boox Palma 2, which I'll be reviewing soonthe differences aren't super significant (the newer version has a fingerprint scanner, a faster processor, and a more recent version of Android, but costs $35 more as of this writing) and either one will serve you well. BOOX Palma Mobile E-Reader, 6GB (White) $245.99 at Amazon $279.99 Save $34.00 Shop Now Shop Now $245.99 at Amazon $279.99 Save $34.00 BOOX Palma Mobile E-Reader, 6GB (Black) $245.99 at Amazon $279.99 Save $34.00 Shop Now Shop Now $245.99 at Amazon $279.99 Save $34.00 BOOX Palma 2 Mobile ePaper Fingerprint Recognition Smart Button Dual Speakers Microphones (White) $279.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $279.99 at Amazon 2-in-1 Case for Onyx BOOX Palma $29.90 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $29.90 at Amazon SEE 1 MORE An e-reader that looks (and almost works) like a phone Credit: Joel Cunningham Before I got the Palma, I did most of my reading on my iPhone. I've owned several e-ink tablets over the years, dating all the way back to the third-generation Kindle (the one with the keyboard) my parents gifted me way back in 2010. I've always found the proportions of the standard 6-inch e-reader screen a little awkwardtoo squarish to feel like an actual book, and too big to easily fit into a pocket. For a while I used a larger 7.8-inch Nook Glowlight Plus, and while the extra screen real estate was nice, it was hampered by slow software and difficulties loading library books. But whether Kindle or Nook, I never stuck with one device for long, as I've always found it annoying to carry around a second device too big to easily fit into my pocket, and all that device-hopping means my book collection is spread across multiple incompatible ecosystems (Nook, Kindle, and Kobo, not to mention Libby, my library's e-reading app of choice). Meanwhile, I always have my phone with me, and I have five different reading apps loaded on it. Unfortunately, my phone also gives me ready access to the rest of the internet, which meant more often than not, I would pull out my phone intending to read and end up checking my notifications and getting sucked into the latest horrors on the news, or maybe just mindlessly scrolling dog Reels. The Palma solves for all of these issues. It is basically the same size as an iPhone 15 Plus, so it's easy to slip into my pocket, and at 6.13 inches measured diagonally, it mirrors the screen size I've gotten used to from my years of reading on a phone. But it still has the benefits of a black-and-white e-ink displaywhich, for me, means more immersion into whatever I'm reading, and less risk of distraction. More than that, it runs on a fairly standard version of the Android 11 operating system, with access to the full Google Play store, which means I can download all of the different reading apps I want, and I don't have to worry about being tied to a particular retailer. Basically, the Palma offers everything I've ever wanted from an e-ink reader, which is probably why I'm still using it after nearly a year.Android gives you freedomMy biggest beef with my various Kindles and Nooks was the fact that I don't particularly love the user experience for either devicegenerally, I think the Kindle and Nook iPhone apps work a lot better than the stodgier e-reader versions. The beauty of the Palma is that on the operating system level, it basically is a phoneas noted, its fairly unrestricted Android 11 OS offers flexibility you won't find in any proprietary on-device software. Instead of resigning yourself to sorting and displaying your books however your Kindle wants you to, you can choose whichever app(s) you like best, as long as they're available for download in the Google Play store (sorry, Apple Books readers), no jailbreaking or side-loading required (though you can certainly do the latter if you like). Credit: Joel Cunningham I currently have installed the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo apps, as well as the Libby app (for accessing library books from the Brooklyn Public Library), plus a format-agnostic app called Moon+ Reader Pro ($6.99 for an ad-free version) that I highly recommend if you want more customizability in your reading app, from font choice to kerning to file sorting and more. The point is, any and all of these apps are open to youthough Onyx has its own default reading app, you are in no way railroaded into using it. Listen to your audiobooks and podcasts (but bring your wireless earbuds)Android support means you can also use the Palma to listen to your audiobooksthere's no headphone jack, but it will pair with your Bluetooth headphones easily enough. It does have an external speakeronly one; one of the speaker grilles on the bottom of the device is ornamentalbut the sound quality is mediocre at best.I tested out syncing audiobooks via Audible and the Kindle app, and it worked as expected, as did playing audiobooks downloaded from Libby. There's enough onboard storage128GB, with a SIM tray for up to 1TB of extra storageto hold an awful lot of audio material. (I'm not a heavy audiobook listener, but I did download Pocket Casts to try out the Palma as a podcast machine, too. In short: It works well, but I still prefer my iPhone for that, as it syncs with my Apple Watch and automatically connects to my Beats earbuds, no pairing required.)Add fonts, screensavers, and more with easeMy favorite thing about the Palma is I can plug it into my laptop and easily sideload books, upload new fonts, and do anything else you can accomplish via drag and drop. The Android OS isn't shy about letting me see the file structure and put things exactly where they need to go. The end result is, if you're willing to put in a little effort, you can create a truly custom experience. Set your own lock screen, choose your own wallpaper, read in Wingdings: The possibilities are endless.Snappy performanceWith 6GB of onboard RAM, the Palma is certainly fast enough to deliver your e-books at a clip, and turning pages or skipping through chapters rapidly is no problem. Navigating around a PDF is pretty smooth, too: Provided the app allows it (as does the native PDF reader, Neo Reader), you can pinch to zoom in and out and enjoy near-instantaneous performance, which is much more than I can say for trying to magnify a PDF on my old Nook.The device also lets you browse the internet with minimal lag, and apps load quickly enough that I never felt like I was using a lesser device.Good (but not exceptional) battery lifeOne of the benefits of e-readers is that their basic displays sip power instead of gulping it. And while the Palma will go a lot longer between charges that your smartphone, in my anecdotal experience (I didn't run a dedicated battery test) it doesn't last quite as long as a Kindle, especially if you're using a lot of different apps. Reading for an hour or two a day with the frontlight on throughout will drain the battery by half in less than a week. Once plugged in (via USB-C), it charges pretty fast. You can stretch out this timeline by dimming the light or reading with it turned off, but my eyes are old and tired, so I usually leave it on. I appreciate that I don't need to charge it every day, but I would prefer not to have to charge it quite so often.More than an e-reader (but still not a true phone)Android support means you can download more than reading apps. You can also download Goodreads, Gmail, Chrome, Bluesky, Reddit, or anything else you want. A super-responsive screen (for an e-reader)Unlike the extremely clunky screens on most e-readers, which suffer from severe lag that makes even scrolling a webpage unpleasant, the Palma offers four different refresh modes, from HD (best for reading super-crisp text on a static screen, as when reading a novel), to Balanced (for scrolling through PDFs), to Fast or Ultrafast, which can handle scrolling through your social media feeds with responsiveness close to what you'd get with an LCD screen. Weirdly, however, the onscreen keyboard still feels slightly laggy, with characters appearing onscreen a noticeable fraction of a second after you press them. YouTube in e-inkOn a Kindle, doing anything but reading feels like a chore, but it actually is feasible to browse the web and even watch videos on the Palma. Play a YouTube video and you'll certainly be able to tell what you're looking at, though the ghosting will get worse the longer it goes on, forcing you to tap the action button to trigger a manual refresh. Everything will still look a bit grainy, and of course it's all in grayscale, but considering I could barely read my email on my first Kindle's "experimental" web browser, I'm still pretty impressed. Play your games (as long as they don't need color)If you're wondering if the Palma can serve as a gaming device, it's another qualified yes. I downloaded a Tetris app, which functioned surprisingly well in Ultrafast mode. The NYT crosswords are a pretty good fit for it, but don't plan on playing Wordle, as you won't be able to tell the colored squares apart in grayscale. Though I didn't try it myself, there are videos online of people trying to play more ambitious fare (like a first-person shooter), and it certainly...is possible, I guess.Look, I would never suggest that using any non-reading app on the Palma is a great experience, but they will work, and in a way, their comparable ugliness to how they'd look on a full-color LCD is a boonas I noted at the start of this review, I'm using the Palma because I want to read more books. If I want to be distracted by an immersive screen experience, my iPhone has me covered. No SIM supportThough it looks and functions like an Android phone, the Palma can't replace yours, as it lacks SIM support (as noted though it has a side-loading card tray, it accepts only memory cards up to 1TB). You can use it for phone calls over wifi via a supported app (like Google Voice)the device has both speakers and a microphone in addition to supporting Bluetooth headphones. It will also run most messaging apps via wifi, though you may need a SIM-less phone number to get them up and running.The lack of SIM support is hardly a dealbreaker for me, as I wasn't looking to replace my phone with an e-ink device. (If that's your goal, look to Hisense, another Chinese company that makes a number of e-ink mobile devices.)No significant waterproofingAlso very un-phonelike, at least when it comes to modern flagship devices: the Palma isn't significantly waterproof. Yes, technically even iPhones are only "water resistant," but that translates to "they can survive being immersed in water for half an hour." The Palma is "water resistant" in that a few raindrops on the display won't hurt it, but if you drop this thing in the tub or the pool, there's a good chance it won't survive.Waterproofing is hardly a universal e-reader featurethe entry-level Kindle doesn't have itbut it would be a welcome addition to such a pricey device.A great one-handed reading experienceMy mixed reactions to the Palma as an Android device aside, it excels as an e-reader. The form factor is what it isI personally find the 6.13-inch screen very pleasant, and the 1648 x 824 screen resolution at 300 ppi means the text is always super crisp and readable, especially at HD resolution. The build quality feels good: the screen is "micro-etched glass" that mostly avoids issues with glare, the physical buttons are responsive and easy to click, and the back cover is lightly textured and easy to grip.You have the choice of turning pages by either tapping the touch screen or using the physical buttons on the right hand side of the device, making it easy to read one-handed (especially considering how light it isaround 170 grams). Though support varies from app to app, most of the reading apps I've tried will turn pages forward and backward using the volume up/down button. You can also change your settings to read via infinite scroll using either your fingertip or the volume button. An additional button on the left side can be mapped to a number of different functions based on a quick press, a long press, or a double tap. By default, a single press will refresh the screen, which is handy if you frequently find yourself annoyed by the faint ghosting that can plague any e-ink screen, but you can also use it to turn pages, skip to the next chapter, and more.A comfortable frontlight The ghosting you see here can be solved for with a quick tap of the refresh button on the side of the Palma. Credit: Joel Cunningham The frontlight on the screen is comparable to what I've experienced with other modern e-readersyou can adjust the brightness and the warmth to suit your comfort levelwith perhaps a bit more of a visible "ring" around the edge of the screen than you'd see on, say, a Kindle Paperwhite. I wasn't super impressed by the auto-brightness option, which purports to set the best brightness level based on your current lighting conditions. I found it tended to waffle back and forth between too bright and too dark, even as I sat unmoving in a dark room. It's easy enough to adjust the lighting manually that I wasn't much bothered by this, but it's worth noting (and turning off).What else can the Palma do?After eight months of use, I feel fairly safe in saying the Palma does everything I want it to very well, and a bunch of stuff I don't really need it to do surprisingly well. It also can do a lot more that I've only tried for purposes of running it through its paces, including scanning documents with the default scanner-to-PDF app and taking photos and shooting video via the 16 megapixel rear camera (provided you download a camera app; there's no native default, which is odd). The pictures will look like crap on the device itself, but if you hook it up to your laptop to access them, they seem comparable to anything you'd take with a basic smartphone cameranot iPhone quality by any stretch, but why does an e-reader need to have a camera at all?Risks to consider (Who is Onyx International, anyway?)The nice thing about a Kindle is if yours breaks, you can just call up Amazon customer service to get it fixed or replaced. With a Boox Palma, you won't have that luxury: Parent company Onyx is based in China, and Reddit's e-reading communities are riddled with reports of less-than-ideal customer service. Even keeping in mind that mind most people don't post their good customer service experiences to Reddit, it's troubling: Some users have reported displays failing seemingly spontaneously, and if that happens to you, you'll be on the hook to get it replaced (unless Onyx determines the limited one-year warranty covers whatever has gone wrong, which seems unlikely, at least based on comments from grumpy Redditors).As noted, the operating system is based on Android 11, and it's not updatable. This isn't a huge deal in terms of functionality right now, but its conceivable that in the future, your reading apps' updates will no longer be compatible with an OS that's already more than four years old and has, in fact, already reached its "end of life" when it comes to security updates. That probably isn't a huge deal for a device you'll mostly be reading on, but it's something to consider if you want to download other apps that might contain sensitive personal data that bad actors could somehow get ahold of via an unpatched security issue.There's also the fact that, as a Chinese company, Onyx isn't subject to the same privacy restrictions and laws as Apple or Amazon, but that's a well of paranoia I'd rather not dip into. That's more than I can say for some folks on the r/Onyx_Boox Reddit group, though. (As it is, the only thing anyone would learn from looking at my Palma is that I read a lot of science fiction.)All of this being said, if you're in the United States, I would definitely recommend buying the device from Onyx's Amazon store, as you'll get the usual benefits of Amazon, including Prime shipping and the option to reach out to their customer service if you have an issue with your device.The bottom lineAll of this functionality does come at a pricethe device retails for $279, though you can currently pick one up for $245 on Amazon. That's obviously much more than entry level Kindles, and in the same ballpark as the high-end (and now discontinued) Kindle Oasis. But all of its features, along with the form factor, also means the Boox Palma is the best e-reader for me, and certainly the best e-reader I've ever used. I've stuck with it all these months, and it has helped me read more and use my phone less, which is my number one priority when it comes anything I'm using to read (including an old-fashioned paper book). I think there's a good chance you'll love it, too.Boox Palma specsDisplay: 6.13-inch, 824 x 1648 (300 ppi)CPU: Qualcomm Octacore processor RAM: 6GB Storage: 128GBConnectivity: Wi-Fi 5 (2.4/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0Lighting: Frontlight with temperature adjustmentCamera: 16MP rear cameraOperating system: Android 11Battery/charging: 3,950mAh via USB-CSize: 159 x 80 x 8mmWeight: 170gMicroSD card support

We all have a few go-to calculations that we find ourselves doing often, like converting ounces to cups or miles to kilometersthat sort of thing. When I need to do a quick conversion, I use Calculator Soup, a simple website offering hundreds of purpose-built calculators for things like inflation, unit conversion, gas mileage, algebra, and so much more.The site can be overwhelming at first glance, with its old-school aesthetic and list of categories, but it's full with the kinds of tools you'd otherwise search for and find ad-ridden versions of. For example: if you're trying to get the best possible car loan there's a car loan calculator: Credit: Justin Pot You can enter the loan amount, how long it will last, and the interest rate. You'll immediately see the results along with a break down. There's even a link you can use to share the calculation.Another example Lifehacker readers should appreciate is the computer storage units calculator, which can convert bits to bytes and everything else. Credit: Justin Pot Again, the application shows its work, meaning you don't just get the answer but learn how you could have calculated it yourself.I could honestly spend all day talking about the various tools here. There's one that can convert any number with decimals to a fraction. There's one that can calculate someone's current age based on the date of birth. And there's a tool for working out compound interest. And, if you're a scientist, there are plenty of specific tools for chemistry, physics, and statistics.It's honestly hard to think of anything that's missing, in terms of calculations one might need to do regularly. I'd personally, add a bunch of calculators related to brewing beer, but that's pretty niche. The overwhelming majority of calculations the average person is likely to do can be found here. That's why Calculator Soup is the kind of site everyone should bookmark, or at least keep in mind. Want more calculator coverage? We've outlined the best calculator apps and rounded up the hidden features in the Windows calculator app, so check those out.