Thought Pennies cuts headcount as project loses funding"Our publisher changed strategic direction, and our previous project is now without funding," explains CCOImage credit: Thought Pennies News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Nov. 18, 2024 Thought Pennies has let go a number of staff after its publisher "changed strategic direction."In a statement posted to LinkedIn, chief creator officer Daniel Erickson said that despite "never miss[ing] a milestone" and "great feedback," the developer had no choice but to cut its headcount given a project is "now without funding.""Over the last three years at Thought Pennies we built something amazing," Erickson said (thanks, GameDeveloper). "We never missed a milestone, our feedback was great, our partnerships strong."We went from two people and a PowerPoint to a team of almost sixty heavily-vetted, incredibly independent, passionate professionals," the CCO continued. "Our publisher changed strategic direction, however, and our previous project is now without funding. Last week, we had to shrink the size of the studio."Erickson added that "every person you see with Thought Pennies next to their name and their brand-new 'open to work' tag was hand-picked and performed the improbable with our team," and whilst Thought Pennies would "love to grab each one of these people back when our next project arrives," "first and foremost we want them all to be in the perfect place for their lives and aspirations."It's unclear how many people have been impacted by the cuts, but its LinkedIn profile states the company employs 11-50 people.Thought Pennies' layoffs are just the latest in a long line of industry job cuts over the last eighteen months, mostly recently at Madrid-based Tequila Works.

Merak Capital launches $80m fund to support MENA games startupsInvestment firm aims to support developers, gaming technologies, and publishing platformsImage credit: Merak Capital News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Nov. 18, 2024 Merak Capital has announced a $80 million games fund and accelerator for startups in the Asia, Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) games market.The investment firm aims to support 15 to 20 game industry startups via Exel by Merak, including developers, gaming technologies, publishing platforms, and other services.The accelerator will provide these companies with equity investment, mentorship, assistance in legal matters and relocation, and access to tools and resources.The startups will aim to develop "at least 15 commercially viable and monetizable games" as part of the program."Exel by Merak and its gaming accelerator program is a testament to Merak Capital's commitment to building a vibrant games ecosystem in Saudi Arabia," said Merak Capital CEO and founder Abdullah Altamami."At Merak, we leverage our industry expertise and global network to provide selected startups not only with equity investment but also with the tailored resources and strategic support essential for their success."By offering mentorship from world-class experts, support services from gaming industry experts, and access to a leverageable network, we aim to empower these startups to drive innovation and establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for gaming excellence."Faisal Sedrani, vice president and leader of Exel by Merak, added: "Our accelerator is designed to offer financial support and help entrepreneurs tap into a network of industry experts, empowering them to transform their games into sustainable gaming companies."

Justin Carter, Contributing EditorNovember 18, 20242 Min ReadImage via Thought Pennies Entertainment.At a GlanceThought Pennies was founded in 2020, and these layoffs continue from its previous staff reductions last October.Employees at RPG studio Thought Pennies have been recently let go, according to CCO Daniel Erickson. On LinkedIn, he explained the layoffs came after funding on a previous project was pulled by its unnamed publisher, which opted to go in a new "strategic direction.""Last week, we had to shrink the size of the studio," he wrote. "Every person you see with Thought Pennies next to their name and their brand-new 'open to work' tag was hand-picked and performed the improbable with our team." This is its second round of layoffs within a year, and this new set of eliminations further shows the industry is still going through tough times.Around this time last year, Thought Pennies had cut several positions. At the time, the studio was working on what had been previously deemed a "multiplatform, social role-playing game," but it's unclear if this or another project was scrapped. The all-remote studio was founded by 2020 by mobile developer Tim Ernst, and has spent the years since operating in "stealth mode."Erickson went on to say the company would "love to grab each one of these people back when our next project arrives, but first and foremost we want them all to be in the perfect place for their lives and aspirations."Like last year, 2024 has been very layoff-heavy, and in some cases the result of cancelled projects or lost funding. Last week, Tequila Works went insolvent shortly after it had to cancel an unannounced project, and ProbablyMonsters recently cut staff from its internal Battle Barge team after a project was similarly gutted.The governments of some countries have started funding programs in an attempt to alleviate the issue and aid the studios (and workers) who reside there. Meanwhile, studios like Tales of Kenzera creator Surgent Studios are seeking out funding on their own, and publicly showing off projects as a way to lure potential partners.Read more about:LayoffsAbout the AuthorJustin CarterContributing Editor, GameDeveloper.comA Kansas City, MO native, Justin Carter has written for numerous sites including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. In addition to Game Developer, his writing can be found at io9 over on Gizmodo. Don't ask him about how much gum he's had, because the answer will be more than he's willing to admit.See more from Justin CarterDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

Justin Carter, Contributing EditorNovember 18, 2024Image via Valve.At a GlanceValve developers recall the 2002 lawsuit with Vivendi that nearly bankrupted the company and prevented Half-Life 2's release.This weekend marked Half-Life 2's 20th anniversary, and NoClip released a new documentary covering the history of Valve's first-person shooter. And the reason for the game's existence can be owed in part to a Korean-speaking intern who came into the picture during a tumultuous legal battle.In the documentary, developers at the studio discussed its 2002 lawsuit against Vivendi, which gained the retail publishing rights for Counter-Strike after acquiring Sierra. Vivendi begun licensing out the multiplayer game to cybercafes, leading to Valve filing a lawsuit after Vivendi did not agree the cybercafe fell out of its original purview.According to COO Scott Lynch, the two companies were already in the throes of "torturous" negotiations, so the lawsuit prompted Vivendi to "go World War III." Attorney Karl Quackenbush added the Seattle court sided with Valve, which led to Vivendi hiring a new law firm that hit the studio with multiple counterclaims, including the cancellation of the companies' initial 2001 agreement and Vivendi acquiring the entire Half-Life IP and preventing Valve from doing Steam.In Lynch's words, Vivendi's aim was clear: "'We're going to put Valve out of business, and then we'll bankrupt the two of you'" he said when describing their alleged strategy.Valve CEO Gabe Newell flatly called it an intimidation move, one helped by Vivendi knowing Valve's financial situation. "This was really about an assertion of power. [...] They were just trying to crank up our legal costs as another way of draining [time and money] from the company."The Valve/Vivendi lawsuit took a toll on the studio, even as developers were mostly said to be siloed off from it so they could focus on making Half-Life 2. Even so, there was concerns the game could never come out, even if development did finish: at the time, Vivendi was considerably larger, and Newell remarked that at time, it was common for publishers to "bully" developers in this way.The tide turned in Valve's favor after Vivendi made a massive mistakeBoth Newell and Valve were "pretty close" to going bankrupt, but things turned in Valve's favor after it asked for documents covering Vivendi's activity in Asia. The documents were all in Korean, which Newell and others speculated may have been another way to drain its resources.But that summer, the studio employed an intern named Andrew who natively spoke the language and asked him to pore through the documents. He discovered conversations in Korean which directly implicated Vivendi in destroying documents regarding its deal with Valve "as directed"a potentially illegal move that Quackenbush admitted to never seeing laid out quite like this in his career as a lawyer.Valve presented those conversations of the evidence being destroyed to the judge, who subsequently sided with the studio and halted Vivendi from further contesting the suit. In the end, Valve secured ownership of Half-Life and Counter-Strike, and ended Vivendi's cybercafe deal. The ability to distribute its own games led to the creation of Steam, which launched in September 2003 and has become a major (and often controversial) fixture of the game industry.You can learn more about Half-Life 2's development, from its physics engine to the real-world faces they used for the game's characters, in NoClip's documentary.Read more about:ValveLawsuitsAbout the AuthorJustin CarterContributing Editor, GameDeveloper.comA Kansas City, MO native, Justin Carter has written for numerous sites including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. In addition to Game Developer, his writing can be found at io9 over on Gizmodo. Don't ask him about how much gum he's had, because the answer will be more than he's willing to admit.See more from Justin CarterDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

Google now lets you manage Nest Cam IQ indoor and outdoor cameras which were both released in 2017 through a public preview in the Google Home app, meaning that you can now technically manage all Nest cams from as early as 2015 from the Home app instead of the Nest app.Google has been slowly making it possible to bring Nest cams into Home over the past year and change. When you transfer your Nest Cam IQ cameras over to Home, youll be able to review video history in event and timeline views, access camera settings, and more without switching between the Nest and Google Home apps, Google says. From Home, Google also lets you view live streams from cameras in your favorites tab and set up automations.You can join the public preview from inside the Home app or at home.google.com. If youre already enrolled in Public Preview, youll see prompts in both the Nest app and in the Google Home app under the Favorites Tab with instructions when youre able to transfer your Nest Cam from the Nest app to the Google Home app, Google says. Access will start to roll out this week. And if you want to reverse transfer your Nest Cam IQ indoor and outdoor cameras back to the Nest app, youll be able to do that, according to Google.RelatedGoogle also now lets you manage any Nest Hub Max devices from the Home app if youre enrolled in the public preview. However, unlike with the Nest Cam IQ cameras, if you bring Nest Hub Max devices into the Home app, you cant transfer them back to the Nest app.Google already let you transfer the Nest Cam Indoor (wired, first-gen), Nest Cam Outdoor (wired, first-gen), and the Nest Hello / Nest Doorbell (wired, first-gen) to the Home app. The company says it will continue to support the Nest app and that there is no change to the Nest app experience today. Now, the only things that work in the Nest app but not the Home app are the Nest Protect smoke detector and the Nest x Yale door lock.

Apple currently sells MacBooks equipped with its own M-series chips in a wide range of sizes and price points. It discontinued the M1 MacBook Air to make room for the latest models, but some retailers are still selling the last-gen laptop starting at $649 a far cry from the $2,499 starting price of the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro. Purchasing a new MacBook can certainly be a pricey endeavor, but thankfully, finding a deal on more recent models is actually not that difficult. Apple has recently shaken up the starting RAM for several models, creating more options than ever before and resulting in steeper discounts on older models.Although Macs may not experience perpetual discounts, its not uncommon to see various models discounted by as much as $400. Alternatively, purchasing refurbished options directly from Apple is another way to save money without waiting for the changing deal winds to blow your way. Its also the only option to find certain SKUs of older models as Apple continues to move forward on newer releases. Apples refurbished store provides a one-year warranty on all products and generally offers discounts of up to 15 to 20 percent off the price of a new unit.But if you want to buy new and youre looking to save whatever you can, here are the best MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini deals available.RelatedThe best MacBook Air dealsM1 MacBook AirTheM1 MacBook Air was considered Apples entry-level laptop before the M3 models arrival prompted Apple to stop selling it directly in its online and brick-and-mortar stores. But while the redesigned M2 version of the MacBook Air (which has been with us for a while as well) seems poised to take over as the top value choice, the 2020 version with an M1 processor and fanless design remains available at some retailers as a solid budget option. Its best suited for typical productivity work, with a comfortable keyboard, an excellent trackpad, and all-day battery life. For many people, the M1 Air still ticks the right boxes when it comes to performance and price, even if its long enough in the tooth to have been fully dethroned in our guide to the best laptops.The base MacBook Air with the M1 chip comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Its becoming harder to find in new condition, but Walmart has committed to keeping it around for the foreseeable future and is currently discounting it to $649 ($350 off) a special sale price thats hung around since the retailer ran its counter-Prime Day promotions in July. The M1 Air may be a few years old now, but its still hard to beat in terms of value, especially when it comes to everyday performance and battery life. 2020 MacBook Air with M1 (256GB)$649$99935% off$649$649$99935% offThe 2020 MacBook Air has been discontinued but remains a great value and is still easy to find on sale at some retailers. It comes outfitted with the companys M1 chip in one of three different colors (silver, space gray, and gold).$649 at WalmartM2 MacBook AirThe M2 MacBook Air is a super slim, lightweight laptop with a 1080p webcam and a handy magnetic charger that frees up one of its two USB-C ports. Although its M2 processor didnt kick-start a revolution like the M1 generation, its a great performer for any user, including more demanding creatives.It does have some slight downsides, though, including slower storage in the base 256GB configuration and a notch cutout in its otherwise excellent screen. But even so, Apple hasnt offered a more travel-friendly laptop since the days of the polarizing 12-inch MacBook, and this prior-gen model was once good enough to top our list of the best laptops.RelatedThe M2-powered MacBook Air 13 from 2022 seems to be on its way out, with availability for the 15-inch version waning. But, outside of opting for the newer M3 models (see further below), you can at least get the 13-inch M2 model with 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and an eight-core GPU at Amazon in select colors starting at $729 ($270 off) when you clip the on-page coupon. You can also get the same model with 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for as low as $949 ($250 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo; however, thats a significant premium for a configuration that offers less RAM than the base model. If youre looking for a bigger display, Best Buy is still selling the 15-inch MacBook Air M2 in its base 8GB / 256GB configuration for $1,049 ($250 off) or with 512GB of storage for $1,249 (also $250 off). Again, keep in mind that Apple now sells the 15-inch Air with an upgraded 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $1,299.13-inch MacBook Air with M2 (2022)$729$99927% off$729$729$99927% offThe 2022 MacBook Air is a thin, lightweight device powered by Apples M2 chip. The M2 model touts an improved 1080p webcam and a better display than its predecessor while retaining features like long battery life and MagSafe charging.M3 MacBook AirThe M1 Air and its wedge had to perish for the M3 MacBook Air to exist. Apples updated entry-level laptops arrived in both 13- and 15-inch variants simultaneously this time, bringing with them slightly faster performance and a slate of minor upgrades. Apple added Wi-Fi 6E, for one, along with an additional Thunderbolt port that allows you to use two external displays when the lid is closed. They also continue to offer 18 hours of battery life and a MagSafe charging port, though the M3 Air starts at a slightly higher price than its predecessor at $1,099. That said, Apple recently discontinued the M3 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM and now considers the 16GB / 256GB model as the starting configuration.RelatedRight now, the entry-level model with 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage is on sale at Amazon for $899 ($200 off) thanks to an on-page coupon. You can also find a discount on the 16GB RAM / 512GB model, which drops it to $1,099.99 (also $200 off) in select colors at B&H Photo and Amazon (the latter with an on-page coupon).As for the 15-inch Air, you can currently grab it with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for $999 ($300 off) at Amazon. However, the 16GB / 256GB model may be the better value now, as its available for $1,099 ($200 off) at Amazon when you clip the on-page coupon. You can also get it in the 16GB / 512GB configuration at Amazon and B&H Photo in select colors starting for $1,299 ($200 off).13-inch MacBook Air with M3 (2024)$900$109918% off$900$900$109918% offThe MacBook Air M3 is a jack-of-all-trades, with a balanced combination of performance and power efficiency. It also now supports dual displays with the lid closed, and the storage speed is noticeably faster. You dont need to think about if this laptop will meet your needs it just will. Read our review.$900 at Amazon (16GB RAM, 256GB SSD)$1099 at Amazon (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)15-inch MacBook Air with M3 (2024)$999$129923% off$999$999$129923% offThe 15-inch MacBook Air is also equipped with Apples M3 chip. It features a larger display and better speaker array than the 13-inch MacBook Air M3. Read our review.The best MacBook Pro dealsDuring its Scary Fast event last year, Apple announced new MacBook Pros that use M3 processors including a new 14-inch model that replaced the 13-inch M2 model. Apple followed the M3 models up with M4-based machines in October, and were already starting to see the discounts on them. That being said, the last-gen M3 models are often the better bargain, as theyre still relatively easy to find and receive steeper discounts.M3 and M3 Pro MacBook ProThe entry point into the MacBook Pro world is a MagSafe-equipped MacBook Pro that uses the existing 14-inch design and slightly pares it down. The 14-inch M3 MacBook Pro has the same 3024 x 1964 resolution display and 120Hz refresh rate as its pricier siblings, and in addition to a MagSafe charging port, it has an SD card slot and HDMI port. However, it starts with just 8GB of RAM and lacks the third USB-C / Thunderbolt port found on the M3 Pro and M3 Max models (as well as Thunderbolt 4 speeds).RelatedThe M3 MacBook Pro may be a bit of an odd middle child in some ways, but its still a very good laptop especially if you can find a deal that puts more price distance between the M3 model and the M3 Pro version. Fortunately, the base model with 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM is currently on sale for its all-time low of $1,199 ($200 off) at Best Buy. The step-up configuration with 8GB of RAM and 1TB of storage is also on sale at Amazon for $1,349.99 ($350 off) with an on-page coupon, which is its lowest price to date. 14-inch MacBook Pro with M3 (2023) $1299$159919% off$1299$1299$159919% offApples previous-gen 14-inch laptop powered by the M3 processor uses a similar design to the pricier 14-inch MacBook Pro with Apples Pro- / Max-series chips but is offered at a lower price with similar ports and less RAM.$1299 at Best Buy (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD)$1350 at Amazon (8GB RAM, 1TB SSD)The 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros of late 2023 are another round of spec-bump models, much like their previous 2022 incarnations. Now starting with the M3 Pro chip (or the speedier M3 Max) and 18GB of base RAM instead of 16GB, the new models remain targeted at creatives doing content work like video editing, photo processing, and other graphical work. Like their predecessors and the M1 Pro generation before that, they offer MagSafe charging, three USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI-out, and a full-size SD card slot, with prices starting at $1,999 for the 14-inch and $2,499 for the 16-inch. You can, of course, spec them up the wazoo if youre willing to pay more, as exhibited by the review unit Apple sent us of the 16-inch model, which cost an eye-watering $7,199.But rest assured, versions that actual humans buy now receive regular discounts. For instance, the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M3 Pro (11-core CPU / 14-core GPU), 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD is going for $1,699 ($200 off) at Best Buy and B&H Photo. It was $500 off not long ago, making the current discount good but not that good. As for the base 16-inch Pro which comes with an M3 Pro chip, 18GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD its on sale starting at $1,999 ($400 off) at Best Buy.14-inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (2023)$1699$199915% off$1699$1699$199915% offThe 14-inch MacBook Pro from 2023 comes in a space black color and is configurable with either an M3 Pro or M3 Max chip. It looks a lot like the previous M2 generation, but spec-wise, the M3 Pro models start with a 12-core CPU, 18GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD.16-inch Apple MacBook Pro with M3 Pro (2023)$1999$239917% off$1999$1999$239917% offThe 16-inch MacBook Pro remains Apples largest laptop for creators and power users. The 2023 model includes a spec bump to the M3 Pro and M3 Max chips, with a claimed battery life of up to 22 hours, and is configurable with up to 128GB of RAM. $1999 at Best Buy (18GB RAM, 512GB SSD)M4 and M4 Pro MacBook ProApple released the M4-series MacBook Pro on November 8th. Notably, the base 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro is the first to launch with 16GB of RAM double the previous generations starting memory and 512GB of storage for the same $1,599 starting price as the last-gen model. It also picks up a third Thunderbolt 4 port, which is positioned on the right side and supports dual external monitors while the lid is opened. Also new this year is an upgraded 12-megapixel webcam that supports Center Stage and a new Desk View feature, plus the option to add a nano-texture display for an extra $150. Its also available in space black.RelatedThe 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips also received additional RAM, bringing them up to 24GB. They start with 512GB of storage, too, and retail for $1,999 and $2,499, respectively. While the total port selection hasnt changed compared to their respective M3 Pro and M3 Max counterparts, youll get faster Thunderbolt 5 ports on these more substantial models. Thats in addition to the SD slot, dedicated full-sized HDMI port, and 3.5mm jack. They also have the upgraded 12-megapixel Center Stage webcam with Desk View and the optional nano-texture display option.Deals for the M4 MacBook Pro have already started to roll in at Amazon. Right now, for example, the base 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is down to $1,399 ($200 off), while the 24GB / 512GB variant with an M4 Pro chip (12-core CPU / 16-core GPU) is down to $1,799.99 ($200 off) thanks to an on-page coupon. The base 16-inch MacBook Pro is also on sale at Amazon with an M4 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $2,249.99 ($250 off) when you clip the on-page coupon.MacBook Pro with M4$1399$159913% off$1399$1399$159913% offThe entry-level MacBook Pro with M4 starts with 16GB of RAM double that of its predecessor for the same starting price of $1,599. It also gets an extra USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 port and comes in a new space black option.$1399 at Amazon (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)$1599 at Apple (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro$1799$199910% off$1799$1799$199910% offThe 14-inch MacBook Pro with a 12-core / 16-core M4 Pro chip starts with 24GB of RAM a 6GB increase over the prior generation. It also has a 512GB SSD, three Thunderbolt 5 USB-C ports, an optional nano-texture display, and a 12-megapixel webcam.$1799 at Amazon (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD)$1999 at Apple (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD)16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro$2250$249910% off$2250$2250$249910% offThe 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro starts with 24GB of RAM and offers more computing cores (14 for the CPU and 20 for the GPU) compared to the 14-inch model. It also picks up Thunderbolt 5 ports and a new 12-megapixel camera with support for Apples Desk View mode.$2250 at Amazon (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD)$2499 at Apple (24GB RAM, 512GB SSD)The best Mac Mini dealsTheres a new Mac Mini in town, as M4-based models arrived earlier this year. Apple increased the starting RAM from 8GB to 16GB, as it did with the 2024 MacBook Pro and 2024 iMac. That makes Apples newest desktop an excellent value, even if you factor in the more aggressive discounts weve recently seen on the M2 Mac Mini.M2 and M2 Pro Mac MiniThe 2023 Mac Mini comes in a base configuration with Apples M2 processor or a more powerful configuration with the M2 Pro, both of which have proven to be some of Apples most value-packed computers to date. The M4 version is poised to take that crown, but the M2 Mac Mini is still kicking around and starts with 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD for $599, while the M2 Pro model features a superior processor, gigabit ethernet, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage for $1,299. The latter model also features an expanded port selection, from two USB-C ports to four. Its almost like getting an M2 Pro-powered MacBook Pro 14 but in desktop form. However, keep in mind that buying any Mac Mini means you have to provide your own mouse, keyboard, and monitor. Right now, the base model with an M2 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD is on sale for $469 (about $130 off) at Amazon and B&H Photo. Apple Mac Mini with M2$469$59922% off$469$469$59922% offThe last-gen Mac Mini starts at $599 for an M2-powered model with an eight-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD. The Mini can also be had with the M2 Pro chip, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and a more robust port selection for $1,249.$469 at Amazon (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)$469 at B&H Photo (M2, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)M4 and M4 Pro Mac MiniDeals on the previous-gen Mac Mini are drying up, but you can start looking toward the newest models. The M4 Mac Mini starts with an M4 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $599. Thats an incredible value for a tiny desktop computer that can rival the Mac Studio and Mac Pro when it comes to certain tasks, including light gaming, 4K video editing, and 3D modeling. Vertically, the M4 Mac Mini is a fair bit thicker than the M2 model at 2 inches tall, yet it measures a mere 5 inches wide and 5 inches deep.In addition to the odd decision to place the power button on its underside, Apple moved the 3.5mm headphone jack and two of its five USB-C / Thunderbolt 4 ports to the front. The rear features an additional three thunderbolt ports, HDMI-out, and a gigabit ethernet port. You can also get the Mac Mini with an M4 Pro chipset starting at $1,399, which comes with faster Thunderbolt 5 storage and the option to upgrade to 10-gigabit ethernet for another $100.RelatedRight now, you can get the base Mac Mini at Amazon with an M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD for $549 ($50 off) when you clip the on-page coupon. Stepping up to the version with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD will currently run you $689.99 (about $109 off) at Amazon, or you can get it with 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for $889.99 (also around $109 off) at Amazon. The M4 Pro model is also a bit cheaper at Amazon, where you can pick it up for $1,269.99 (about $129 off) with an on-page coupon.Mac Mini with M4$549$5998% off$549$549$5998% offThe latest Mac Mini features Apples upgraded M4 chips and a smaller build than the prior model. Each configuration now starts with 16GB of RAM and includes five total Thunderbolt ports, gigabit ethernet, HDMI, and a 3.5mm jack.

Coming one year after the Raylib 5 release, the Raylib 5.5 release is jam packed with new features including the Raylib Project Creator we discussed earlier. Features of the Raylib 5.5 release:NEWraylib pre-configured Windows package: The new raylibportable and self-contained Windows packageforraylib 5.5, intended for nobel devs that start in programming world, comes with one big addition: support forC code building for Web platform with one-single-mouse-click!For the last 10 years, the pre-configured raylib Windows package allowed to edit simple C projects on Notepad++ and easely compile Windows executables with an automatic script; this new release adds the possibility to compile the same C projects for Web platform with a simple mouse click. This new additiongreatly simplifies C to WebAssembly project building for new users. Theraylib Windows Installerpackage can be downloaded for free fromraylib on itch.io.NEWraylib project creator tool: A brand new tool developed to help raylib users tosetup new projects in a professional way.raylib project creatorgenerates a complete project structure withmultiple build systems ready-to-useandGitHub CI/CD actions pre-configured. It only requires providing some C files and basic project parameters! The tools isfree and open-source, andit can be used online!.NEWPlatform backend supported: RGFW: Thanks to thercoreplatform-split implemented inraylib 5.0,adding new platforms backends has been greatly simplified, new backends can be added using provided template, self-contained in a single C module, completely portable. A new platform backend has been added:RGFW.RGFWis anew single-file header-only portable library(RGFW.h) intended for platform-functionality management (windowing and inputs); in this case fordesktop platforms(Windows, Linux, macOS) but also forWeb platform. It adds a new alternative to the already existingGLFWandSDLplatform backends.NEWPlatform backend version supported: SDL3: Previousraylib 5.0added support forSDL2library, andraylib 5.5not only improves SDL2 functionality, with several issues reviewed, but also adds support for the recently released big SDL update in years:SDL3. Now users canselect at compile time the desired SDL version to use, increasing the number of potential platforms supported in the future!NEWRetro-console platforms supported: Dreamcast, N64, PSP, PSVita, PS4: Thanks to the platform-split onraylib 5.0,supporting new platform backends is easier than ever!Along the raylibrlglmodule support for theOpenGL 1.1graphics API, it opened the door tomultiple homebrew retro-consoles backend implementations!Its amazing to see raylib running on +20 year old consoles likeDreamcast,PSPorPSVita, considering the hardware constraints of those platforms and provesraylib outstanding versability!Those additional platforms can be found in separate repositories and have been created by the amazing programmer Antonio Jose Ramos Marquez (@psxdev).NEWGPU Skinning support: After lots of requests for this feature, it has been finally added to raylib thanks to the contributor Daniel Holden (@orangeduck), probably the developer that has further pushed models animations with raylib, developing two amazing tools to visualize and test animations:GenoViewandBVHView. Adding GPU skinning was a tricky feature, considering it had to beavailable for all raylib supported platforms, including limited ones like Raspberry Pi with OpenGL ES 2.0, where some advance OpenGL features are not available (UBO, SSBO, Transform Feedback) but a multi-platform solution was found to make it possible. A new example,models_gpu_skinninghas been added to illustrate this new functionality. As an extra, previous existing CPU animation system has been greatly improved, multiplying performance by a factor (simplifiying required maths).NEWraymathC++ operators: After several requested for this feature, C++ math operators forVector2,Vector3,Vector4,QuaternionandMatrixhas been added toraymathas an extension to current implementation. Despite being only available for C++ because C does not support it, these operatorssimplify C++ code when doing math operations.Key LinksRaylib HomepageRayLib GithubRaylib 5.5 Release NotesRaylib Discord ServerYou can learn more about the Raylib 5.5 release in the video below. This video was sponsored by TechSmith the makers of Camtasia (which is what I use to create all of my videos). You canlearn more about Camtasia hereand use code GAMEFROMSCRATCH at checkout for 15% off.

The development of vision-language models (VLMs) has faced challenges in handling complex visual question-answering tasks. Despite substantial advances in reasoning capabilities by large language models like OpenAIs GPT-o1, VLMs still struggle with systematic and structured reasoning. Current models often lack the ability to organize information and engage in logical, sequential reasoning, limiting their effectiveness for tasks that require deep cognitive processing, particularly when dealing with multimodal inputs such as images combined with text. Traditional VLMs tend to generate immediate responses without a step-by-step reasoning approach, leading to errors and inconsistencies.Meet LLaVA-o1A team of researchers from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Peng Cheng Laboratory, Alibaba DAMO Academy, and Lehigh University has introduced LLaVA-o1: a visual language model capable of systematic reasoning, similar to GPT-o1. LLaVA-o1 is an 11-billion-parameter model designed for autonomous, multistage reasoning. It builds upon the Llama-3.2-Vision-Instruct model and introduces a structured reasoning process, addressing the limitations of previous VLMs with a more methodical approach. The key innovation in LLaVA-o1 is the implementation of four distinct reasoning stages: summary, caption, reasoning, and conclusion.The model is fine-tuned using a dataset called LLaVA-o1-100k, derived from visual question answering (VQA) sources and structured reasoning annotations generated by GPT-4o. This enables LLaVA-o1 to perform multistage reasoning, extending capabilities similar to GPT-o1 into vision-language tasks, which have historically lagged behind text-based models.Technical Details and BenefitsLLaVA-o1 employs a novel inference-time scaling technique called stage-level beam search. Unlike previous methods, such as best-of-N or sentence-level beam search, LLaVA-o1 generates multiple responses for each stage of its structured reasoning process and selects the best candidate at each step, ensuring higher-quality results. This structured approach maintains logical coherence throughout the reasoning process, leading to more accurate conclusions.Fine-tuned from the Llama-3.2-11B-Vision-Instruct model, LLaVA-o1 shows an 8.9% improvement on multimodal reasoning benchmarks compared to its base model, even outperforming larger or closed-source competitors like Gemini-1.5-pro, GPT-4o-mini, and Llama-3.2-90B-Vision-Instruct. It achieves this with only 100,000 training samples, making LLaVA-o1 an efficient solution in terms of both performance and scalability. By employing structured thinking through distinct stages, LLaVA-o1 systematically addresses problems, minimizing reasoning errors common in other VLMs.Importance and ResultsLLaVA-o1 addresses a significant gap between textual and visual question-answering models by enabling systematic reasoning in vision-language tasks. Experimental results show that LLaVA-o1 improves performance across benchmarks like MMStar, MMBench, MMVet, MathVista, AI2D, and HallusionBench. It consistently surpasses its base model by over 6.9% across multimodal benchmarks, particularly in reasoning-intensive domains such as mathematical and scientific visual questions.Stage-level beam search enhances the models reliability by generating and verifying multiple candidate responses for each stage, selecting the most appropriate one. This allows LLaVA-o1 to excel in complex visual tasks, compared to traditional inference scaling methods that can be inefficient. LLaVA-o1 demonstrates that structured responses are crucial for achieving high-quality, consistent reasoning, setting a new standard for similarly sized models.ConclusionLLaVA-o1 is a visual language model capable of systematic reasoning, similar to GPT-o1. Its four-stage reasoning structure, combined with stage-level beam search, sets a new benchmark for multimodal AI. By training on a relatively small yet strategically constructed dataset, LLaVA-o1 demonstrates that efficient and scalable multimodal reasoning is achievable without the massive resources required by larger closed-source models. LLaVA-o1 paves the way for future research on structured reasoning within vision-language models, promising more advanced capabilities in AI-driven cognitive processing across visual and textual domains.Check out the Paper and GitHub Page. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. If you like our work, you will love ournewsletter.. Dont Forget to join our55k+ ML SubReddit. Nikhil+ postsNikhil is an intern consultant at Marktechpost. He is pursuing an integrated dual degree in Materials at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Nikhil is an AI/ML enthusiast who is always researching applications in fields like biomaterials and biomedical science. With a strong background in Material Science, he is exploring new advancements and creating opportunities to contribute. LinkedIn event, 'One Platform, Multimodal Possibilities,' where Encord CEO Eric Landau and Head of Product Engineering, Justin Sharps will talk how they are reinventing data development process to help teams build game-changing multimodal AI models, fast

The Secret to Unlocking Deeper SWOT Analysis with AI (The Code That Started It All and How I Took It to the Next Level) 0 like November 18, 2024Share this postAuthor(s): Mukundan Sankar Originally published on Towards AI. I thought I had cracked the code for automated SWOT analysis until Neuro-symbolic AI revealed an entirely new layer of depth.This member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Image Depicting the Evolution of SWOT Analysis using AI and Neuro-symbolic AI using Napkin AI created by the AuthorYou know that feeling when you think youve figured something out, only to discover youve only scratched the surface? Thats exactly what happened to me with SWOT analysis and AI. Not too long ago, I published a blog post comparing my original GPT-3.5-based SWOT analysis tool with a new, more advanced approach Neuro-symbolic AI.From surface-level summaries to actionable intelligence discover how this AI upgrade breathed new life into mypub.towardsai.netIn that post, I dove into how neurosymbolic AIs blend of neural networks and symbolic reasoning brought a whole new level of insight to SWOT analysis. It wasnt just faster; it was smarter. It didnt just spit out lists of strengths and weaknesses; it wove them into a strategic narrative, highlighting connections and implications that GPT-3.5 simply couldnt reach.If you are wondering who I am and why I am talking about this, feel free to check out my About Me Blog below:https://medium.com/about-me-stories/about-me-mukundan-sankar-2c66b289bfccThat comparison post was well-received, but something didnt sit right. I kept thinking: What if I shared the whole journey? Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

LatestMachine LearningI Built an OpenAI-Style Swarm That Runs Entirely on My Laptop. Heres How. 0 like November 18, 2024Share this postAuthor(s): Vatsal Saglani Originally published on Towards AI. A developers journey into creating a privacy-focused, cost-effective multi-agent system using Python and open-source LLMs.This member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Image by ChatGPTYou know how in sci-fi movies, AI systems seamlessly collaborate to solve complex problems? This always used to fascinate me as a kid. When I started learning about machine learning and deep learning in my pre-final year of undergrad in 201718, I was amazed by the potential of these models. It was fascinating how these models could learn to differentiate between dog breeds, predict the price of a house, classify tweet sentiments, and even play games like chess and Go.Attention, Tokenization, Transformers, and GPT were the new buzzwords, and I was fascinated by how these models could be used to add intelligence to applications. After graduating, when I started working as a data scientist, I gained first-hand experience training, fine-tuning, and deploying models for a wide range of applications. Those days we used to train/fine-tune models for individual tasks or features. We used to discuss how meta-learning, few-shot learning, and few-shot prompting could help us build more intelligent models. But we didnt exactly know how could we build a system that could learn to do multiple tasks without being explicitly told how to do so.Then in 2020, Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post