Welcome to Next Week on Xbox! In this weekly feature we cover all the games coming soon to Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Game Pass! Get more details on these upcoming games below and click their profiles for further info (release dates subject to change). Lets jump in!Neon BloodMeridiem Games S.L.Get it nowNeon Blood November 26Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryThe year is 2053. The world as we know it came to an end in a war lost to time. Now, only inequality remains, in the form of Viridis, the great city that encompasses the dangerous Blind City and the luxurious Bright City. As former police detective Axel McCoin, you will become the key piece to unmask a plot of corruption and power that plagues the unstable peace of Viridis.Nine SolsRed Candle GamesGet it nowNine Sols November 26Game Pass / Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryA lore-rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer with Sekiro-inspired, deflection-based combat. Embark on a journey through an Asia-inspired fantasy world, explore a land once ruled by an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero on a quest to slay the 9 Solsthe powerful rulers of this forsaken realm.Tribe: Primitive BuilderPlayWay S.A.Get it nowTribe: Primitive Builder November 27Optimized for Xbox Series X|SYou are pulled out of the water by a masked native. With his help, you begin a journey into the depths of a mysterious island. Face the challenges that await you and uncover yet undiscovered places like a dangerous volcano, mysterious figures, and mystical tribes. What will you do to survive?SokoNatureOld School VibesGet it nowSokoNature November 27The game has 50 levels, with increasing difficulty and the introduction of new mechanics as the player progresses. Players can have three distinct sizes: small, medium, and large, growing whenever they collect a seed and shrink one size when they take damage (see board tiles/enemies). If the character takes damage when small, the game ends.Beyond HanwellSteel Arts Software Ltd$29.99Pre-orderBeyond Hanwell November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|SStep back into Hanwell and discover the world beyond it, set in the deeper parts of London. Explore a rich, atmospheric take on Westminster and its various Locations, filled with lore and secrets to discover as you scavenge scarce supplies like weapons and ammo as you utilize the environment in creative ways to take out the Anomolies in a frantic effort to simply survive.Death ElevatorQUByte InteractiveGet it nowDeath Elevator November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryEnter the relentless world of Death Elevator, a sleek, low-poly FPS where every decision matters and every encounter could be your last. With a one-hit death mechanic and dynamic slow-motion, each battle demands precision and quick reflexes. Ascend through randomized floors, battling waves of enemies with ever-changing weapons, as you unravel the mystery behind the elevator.Glitch HeroArtax GamesGet it nowGlitch Hero November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart Delivery / Xbox Play AnywhereShow your logical skills and quick mind to help Ada save Codeland by defeating enemies and clear dungeons in this fun and thrilling action adventure full of logical puzzles, loops, and fun visual algorithms suited for players of all ages.MXGP 24: The Official GameNacon$59.99Pre-orderMXGP 24: The Official Game November 28After a 3-year break, the official game of the MXGP is back. All the official bikes and 20 tracks of the 2024 calendar await to give you the full championship experience. Over 50 riders are available, including those from official teams like Red Bull KTM, Red Bull GasGas, Monster Energy Yamaha, Honda HRC, Kawasaki, Nestaan Husqvarna, Monster Energy Triumph, Fantic and Beta MRT.Penguin's RoadPenguin Bros. Inc.$7.99Pre-orderPenguins Road November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryThe Battle of Penguins Road is a fast and fun 3rd-person action shooter. The player is given an arsenal of weapons and tools to defeat enemies that attack from the land, sea and air. Master run-and-gun, cover-shooting, long aims, close blasts, melee and commanding tanks for victory!RavenswatchNacon$29.99Pre-orderRavenswatch November 28Optimized for Xbox Series X|SA top-down rogue-like action game in which you play as heroes of tales and legends that must slay hordes of nightmarish creatures in nerve-racking fights. After the success of Curse of the Dead Gods, Passtech Games returns with an improved formula and a compelling game experience with endless replay value. It can be played solo or with up to four players in co-op.ReactorX 3Ternox$4.99Pre-orderReactorX3 November 28A relaxing puzzle game where players work to restore the energy systems of a damaged spaceship. The main objective is to move reactors and activate the power grid, solving directional and color-based challenges. The game introduces new levels and obstacles that add depth while keeping the series accessible and easy-to-pick-up gameplay.Cursed FeedPlaystige InteractiveGet it nowCursed Feed November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryEmbark on a chilling journey with the Thornvale family as they confront a malevolent force unleashed by their own patriarchs archaeological discoveries. With each passing night, the family is tormented by terrifying apparitions and escalating paranormal activity, leading them to unravel dark secrets buried within the walls of their own home.Find Love Or Die TryingRatalaika Games S.L.$12.99Get it nowFind Love or Die Trying November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryWelcome to Find Love or Die Trying, a dating show where ending up single means ending up dead! Will you find love, or only score a date with death?Fly CorpKlabaterGet it nowFly Corp November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryExplore nearly 180 territories and tens of thousands of cities. Build airports anywhere and start transporting passengers globally. Adapt your strategy to different regions: shorter routes are easier to manage in places like Europe, while long-distance connections in vast areas will require careful planning due to higher costs.Furious BikersRatalaika Games S.L.Get it nowFurious Bikers November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryBlast through 30 high-intensity action-packed racetracks as you compete to be the fastest in every contest. Catch bursts of speed while avoiding slippery banana peels. Grab bottles of nitro to build up your vehicle speed. Collect coins to trade in for stylish new custom skins from the in-game store. Dodge punches and kicks and outrun opponents on different tracks around the world. The big Furious Biker trophy awaits you.Pure Mini GolfGametry LLCGet it nowPure Mini Golf November 29Enjoy over 50 unique levels, each with its own set of obstacles, twists, and turns. Its simple controls make it a snap to learn from the outset and through its three modes, youll soon go from fledgling to master putter.Shines Over: The DamnedFirenut Games$14.99Pre-orderShines Over: The Damned November 29Optimized for Xbox Series X|S / Smart DeliveryShines Over: The Damned will take you into a unique experimental horror experience in first person, where your senses will be tested and your reality questioned. You have no name, no memory, no weapons. There are no friends to protect you. You are alone except for your faithful German Shepherd dog, who will guide you through this dark world and stay by your side.

SummaryStar Wars Outlaws first story pack, Wild Card, is available today on Xbox Series X|S, featuring a high-stakes game of Kessel Sabacc.The Kessel Sabacc table aboard the casino cruiser Morenia is slightly larger with a slightly different set of rules compared to other tables across the galaxy. Learn those differences now and start preparing your strategy.Developer Thibaut Machin gives insider tips on the best cheats to use and intel to gather to knock out your opponents and win the grand prize.Star Wars Outlaws first story pack, Wild Card, is out now for Xbox Series X|S. To access the story pack, players need to complete the Gunsmith quest as well as The High Roller quest for Lando Calrissian.In Wild Card, Kay Vess is tasked by Tosharas own Governor Thorden with infiltrating a high-stakes Kessel Sabacc game and winning a coveted prize only to find out another, secret game is being played in the underworld. This game of Kessel Sabacc is only part of the adventures that await in Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card. However, the game is invite-only, so Kay will have to use her scoundrel charm and wit to locate and find a way into the game.The basics of Kessel Sabacc remain the same in Wild Card: youll face off against opponents and draw blood and sand cards to see who can piece together the winning hand. Each round consists of three turns, and once youre out of chips to draw new cards, youre out.However, this high-stakes iteration of Kessel Sabacc will look a little different from the Sabacc tables players are used to. Protocol Droid EY-E9 is the host of the event and the owner of the casino cruiser Morenia, where the game takes place. She sets the house rules, one of which is that shift tokens are banned. Shift tokens are typically a tool for Kessel Sabacc players to give themselves the upper hand at the table, or devastate an opponents strategy. However, EY-E9 wants to ensure every player has a fair shot to win, so no shift tokens are allowed at her table.Cheating, on the other hand, is still possible (provided you can get away with it). The three primary cheats in Star Wars Outlaws are using magnetic dice, Lando Calrissians double draw trick (which allows you to draw two cards instead of one), and spying on opponents hands with Nix. However, in Wild Card, Nix wont be able to be the usual extra set of eyes for Kay. The game takes place in an open, lively environment with a crowd watching, making it difficult for Nix to sneak behind players unnoticed. However, that doesnt mean the beloved merqaal cant help Kay out. In Wild Card, Nix has a new cheat up his furry sleeve: the ability to plant cards on other players in the hopes that EY-E9 catches them cheating and ejects them from the game.Another new Kessel Sabacc element in Wild Card is that the other players will also be able to use cheats of their own to gain an advantage at the table. Its up to Kay to pay attention to their actions, and their dialogue with one another, to catch them in the act and surreptitiously alert EY-E9 to their antics. This will make the droid more suspicious of those players, and will often lead to their ejection from the game.Speaking of other players, Kay will have to outwit more of them in Wild Card. Across the galaxy, Kay typically encounters four-person tables, with herself and three opponents playing at one table. On the casino cruiser Morenia, there are six total players at the table. EY-E9 will also oversee the table, to announce whats happening to the audience, interact with the players, and keep an eye out for cheating.To help players craft their best strategy for victory in Wild Cards twist on Kessel Sabacc, we spoke to Thibaut Machin, game director at Ubisoft Paris, about how to handle these new rules and win big.Double DrawThe double draw technique, the expert skill players learn from Lando, is crucial in this game, says Machin. Typically, in a game, players would use double draw for a better chance at pulling a favorable card, then use double discard to discreetly return the extra card to the deck before getting found out. Machin advises players to use the double draw cheat, then pair it with Nixs new card-planting ability instead of discarding the bonus card. Not only will you get to keep the better card for your hand, but youll get a chance to have one of the other players kicked out.Gather IntelAccording to Machin, players will need to explore the Morenia to find a way into the game, and players should keep their eyes peeled for useful pieces of information about the others at the Sabacc table.During that investigation, there are many clues to find about the other players, which will help you know how they cheat during the game, says Machin. If you collect those clues, youll be able to act during the game to expose them.Have a Good ReputationMany of the syndicates will be onboard the Morenia, having received an invitation to the Kessel Sabacc game from EY-E9. In addition to adding flavor to the casino cruiser, these syndicate representatives will be key for Kay to find her seat at the table. According to Machin, Kay will either ally with or betray them, but having a good reputation with the syndicates will help Kay navigate the cruiser, and will make things easier in the story pack.Take Your TimeThe best tip I can give is not to rush, says Machin. With so much happening at the table, its safer to play carefully and avoid acting too quickly. Also, paying close attention to the table dynamics is crucial to stay ahead.He goes on to describe that a common strategy for players is to immediately spend chips to draw a better hand, but in Wild Card, the game will last for more rounds, and players will only have eight chips. Its better to use discretion when spending chips to draw cards, as well as paying close attention to your opponents banter and interactions.Lando has a few funny lines that I really like, as do the others, says Machin. The mood is pretty intense for the player, so theyre meant to make it more lively.Play Star Wars Outlaws: Wild Card today on Xbox Series X|S! Theres more content coming to the game, so stay tuned to Star Wars Outlaws official channels on Facebook, Instagram, X (Formerly Twitter), and here on Xbox Wire.

The job of stringing lights on your tree is no joke, and unless you have a team of elves to help you out, youre likely all on your own to figure out an easy way to put lights on a Christmas tree. But even though this tedious task can be a headache, oh, the rewards! That glow of a real Christmas tree (or an artificial Christmas tree!) can downright take your breath away!Chances are youve been hanging lights on your tree the way your parents did. But, believe it or not, there are a few different ways to light a Christmas tree. Online and off, questions abound: Do you hang Christmas tree lights horizontally or vertically? Do you go top-to-bottom, or bottom-to-top? Do you put lights on a Christmas tree before anything else? (For the record, we say definitely yes to this!)Before you start doubting (or changing) your stringing technique, we have some good news: There really is no right or wrong way to light your tree. If your method of outfitting your tree suits you, stick with ityou have no reason to change! But if youre new to decorating or dreading the seems-so-hard task, and wonder, What is the easiest way to put lights on a Christmas tree? we have the answers for you. Below, our tips on several great ways to hang Christmas lights on your tree. Jump to:Becky Luigart-StaynerTip: In general, plan for about 100 Christmas lights per foot; a 6-foot tree would get 600 lights.Start With the Perfect Tree:How to Hang Christmas Tree Lights Horizontally Nico De Pasquale Photography//Getty ImagesHanging Christmas lights horizontally is the most widely used technique when it comes to decorating the tree. Its pretty self-explanatory, but if this is your first time hanging lights, youll want to follow these directions:First, plug in each set of lights to make sure all the bulbs are working. (This will save you a lot of stress later.)Starting at the top or bottom of your tree (depending solely on preferencesee below), wrap the lights over and under the branches of the tree, moving around the tree and slowly either up or down.Mix things up by placing some lights deeper into the tree than others, and by alternating the patterns so that it looks more organic. Get creative with it, and have fun!Tip: When you have to connect plugs, hide the eyesore by fastening the area to a branch with floral wire.How to Hang Christmas Tree Lights VerticallyThe vertical approach to hanging Christmas tree lights is a trend that started circulating a few years ago and Country Livings Managing Editor Amy Mitchell says switching to this technique has been life-changing! It is so much easier and more manageable, says Amy. No more carrying that bundle of lights while moving the ladder around and around the tree. Bonus: It's a whole lot easier to take them down once the holiday's over! Try this for outdoor Christmas light displays too. Heres how to hang: Plug in each strand of lights to make sure all the bulbs are in working order.Start with the plugless end of your lights at the top or bottom of the tree and let the lights lay vertically like a seam.Each time you reach the top or bottom, turn the lights back the other way until you have a sideways S pattern around the whole tree. For best results, Amy recommends hanging the lights in a back and forth S-like pattern, rather than a straight U, to prevent stripes.Tip: Try to avoid any obvious pattern or spiral; you want the lights to look natural. RELATED: The Enduring Love Story Behind the 2024 Rockefeller Christmas Tree How to Hang Christmas Lights Top to Bottom Catherine McQueen//Getty Images I string my lights from top to bottom because your plug is at the end of the strand and closer to the bottom of the tree and outlet, says The Home Depots Director of Trend and Design Sarah Fishburne, making a solid case for this method. Plus, she says, if you run out of lights, its easier to spread them out this wayand its easier to add more lights to the bottom versus the top of the tree. Heres how to do: Plug in the lights to make sure all the bulbs are working. Starting at the top of the tree, intertwine the lights on top of and under branches.Work your way down and around the tree, hanging lights in the back as well.When you reach the bottom, hide any extra lights behind the tree.If you want to add more lights, simply do another pass, starting again at the top and working your way down.Tip: Make sure you wrap the lights loosely on each branch for the best overall affect.How to Hang Christmas Lights Bottom to Topmartinedoucet//Getty ImagesThe Home DepotChristmas lights bottom to top because she can plug the lights in first. It makes it easier to see what the lit tree will look like as Im stringing the lights, she says. End up with extra lights at the top? Just wind them back down the tree for extra glow. And if you run out of light, simply start a new string and run an extension cord down the back of the tree. Heres how to do it: Plug in the lights to make sure all the bulbs are working. Starting at the bottom, zig zag Christmas tree lights through the tree in quadrants, section by section, versus around the tree.Place some lights deeper into the branches and place some closer to the front to create depth.Hide the lights connectors by pushing them deep into the tree branches near the trunk.Once you reach the top, you can either tuck the extra lights into the back of the tree or wind the extras back down the tree.Tip: Hang shiny ornaments towards the middle of your tree to reflect the light for more depth.Our Favorite Christmas LightsHoliday String Lights, 25 CountNow 20% Off$69 $55 at schoolhouse.comTwinkly Strings App-Controlled LED String LightsNow 41% Off$200 $117 at AmazonSYLVANIA Mini Christmas Lights, ClearNow 11% Off$18 $16 at AmazonColorful Christmas LightsNow 20% Off$18 $14 at AmazonJoiedomi 7-Strand Old-Fashioned Bubble String LightsNow 46% Off$28 $15 at Amazon24 Reviews Cherry Light Strings$69 at Balsam HillNow for the Decorating! Here Are Our Favorite Ideas to Get You Started:Alison AllsoppAlison Allsopp is the Style and Market Editor at Country Living.

Perched on a hilltop in North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, the 2024 Whole Home isn't just a pretty faceit's an eco-savvy sanctuary with leafy nature-preserve views. The 4,000-square-foot contemporary mountain retreat is nestled within a conservation-focused community called Sprout on a private preserve in Hendersonville, North Carolina. Inside, environmentally friendly systems and design elements work to conserve energy throughout. And when you look beyond the house's energy-efficient status and bucolic locale, you also find thoughtful decor and final flourishes that make the interiors feel alive. While many magazine-worthy rooms are more inspiring than attainable, our House Beautiful team took a different approach to developing this home's look and feel. By partnering with 11 talented design teams from across the country, we've made every space shoppable, so you can get the building blocks of the overall sense of laid-back luxury delivered right to your doorstep. Much of the room's decorative accents (from plant stands to mirrors) and furniture (including accent chairs and dining tables) was sourced from Wayfair Professional, which provides design professionals access to an unrivaled selection of items. With exclusive Pro Pricing - offering up to 15% off plus an additional 10% off across the Wayfair network of specialty brands AllModern, Joss & Main, and Birch Lane - as well as 360-degree support from a dedicated team and access to luxury brand Perigold. Read on to see what the designers handpicked for their respective rooms. Lower PatioCofounders of the Curated Nest Erin Coren and Lina Galvo sought inspiration from some far-flung destinations for the home's three separate patios. For the lower one, the team channeled the old-world aesthetic of Italy's Lake Como, combining raffia-wrapped chairs, striped chaise longues, and a row of stone pedestals crafted from natural travertine as plant stands to create the overall effect. The Met x Eichholtz Plant Stand in BeigeSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALUpper PatioFor the upper patio, the Curated Nest design team employed rich layers of rugs and pillows to evoke the souks of Morocco. A pair of daybed swings with custom bench covers anchor the seating area, while a handcrafted Meranti wood-and-bone framed mirror rounds out the look. A low-slung lounger and a brown vegan-leather pouf featuring a knife-edge finish provide additional seating. Bungalow Rose Vertical Modern & Contemporary Accent MirrorSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALClassic Home Ezekiel Vegan Leather PoufSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALLiving-Dining RoomIn the open-concept living-dining room, which features 22-foot ceilings, designer Dane Austin aimed for a mix of furnishings that feels collected over time"a mix of old and new, masculine and feminine, with some custom-made and some flea-market finds," he says. Nesting tableswith distressed metal bases and cleanlined marble topsstrike the perfect balance. In the dining area, an oval table with a sculptural pedestal base comfortably seats a crowd, courtesy of armchairs and a tufted settee. In the living area, the distressed look of a hand-planed tray-top end table with curvaceous legs fits right in with the curated array of vintage and modern furnishings. The coffee table, made from stainless steel and available in three polished finishes, is topped with black tempered glass, giving it a sleek two-tone design. It provides a contemporary contrast to some of the room's more traditional silhouettes. Everly Quinn Marble Top Nesting TablesSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALJoss & Main Adara Oval Dining TableSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALOrren Ellis Jasonville Glass Top Coffee TableSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALWoodbridge Furniture Tray Top End Table with StorageSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALStudio Designer Anita Yokota devised her soothing "recovery room" in calming shades of blue. To provide some storage, she included an antique-blue sideboard, which features built-in adjustable shelves and a concentric three-dimensional design. A rounded armchair with a storage ottoman transforms a corner of the room into a space to lounge or read. The light gray linen fabric keeps everything feeling breezy. Bungalow Rose Sideboard With Circular Groove Design And Round Metal HandlesSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALLatitude Run Danieal Upholstered Barrel Chair with OttomanSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALKitchenIn the kitchen, designer Kelsey McGregor of Kelsey Leigh Design Co. prioritized organic finishes and textures. A high-quality granite mortar and pestle match the natural theme. The hardworking kitchen tool also looks striking on the countertop when not in usethe perfect combination of form and function. Charlton Home Rodman Mortar and Pestle SetSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALPlayroomIn the playroom, Byron Risdon experimented with color and pattern, incorporating a palette of rich blues and yellows. Accessories like puzzle-piece bookends and a balloon-animal sculpture up the ante on the fun. Ivy Bronx Jakila Balloon Animal Dog Sculpture DecorSHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALGarageThe Iron House Design team of Jim and Tanya Ryno transformed the garage into a multi-use space that includes a home gym. Decorative accessories that nod to the outdoorsy locationlike a pair of novelty canoe-oar paddleskeep the space feeling more like a considered room than a mere utilitarian annex. Dovecove Wood Novelty Canoe Oar Paddle Home Wall Decor SHOP AT WAYFAIR PROFESSIONALNot a Wayfair Professional member? Join for free and discover even more member benefits.

London-based startup Lighthouse just raised a hefty $370mn from American investment giant KKR at a valuation of over $1bn, making it Europes latest unicorn tech company.The funding will supercharge the companys ambitions to shake up the $15bn travel tech market. Whats on the to-do list? Refining its AI tools, expanding globally, and snapping up competitors through mergers and acquisitions (it has already made four).Lighthouses platform crunches over 400 terabytes of travel data every day, using AI to turn that ocean of info into bite-sized insights that help hotels make better business decisions. It includes data like how many people are booking rooms, when theyre booking, what theyre willing to pay, and how hotels compare to others in the same area. This data helps businesses understand the market, predict trends, and make decisions to increase bookings and revenue.The startup says its tools are used by over 70,000 hospitality providers in 185 countries, including big names like Holiday Inn, Radisson, and NH Hotel Group. It has more than 700 employees worldwide.Watch Back NowCEO Sean Fitzpatrick is pumped about whats next. I couldnt be more energized by what were working towards. Were just getting started in making hospitality data and tools more powerful, accessible, and affordable, he said, adding that KKRs investment will boost AI capabilities, pull in new data sets, and push the company deeper into the global market.Gino Engels and Matthias Geeroms founded Lighthouse in 2012. The company was originally called OTA Insight and started in Ghent, Belgium, before moving its HQ to London. Now, it has raised one of the largest rounds for any startup based in the British capital.For KKR, this is another notch in a long belt of tech growth bets. Since 2010, the firm has funnelled around $23bn into the sector. Stephen Shanley, KKRs head of tech growth in Europe, called Lighthouse the leading platform in this space, praising its ability to serve everyone from boutique inns to multinational hotel chains.Back in 2021, Lighthouse raised $80mn in a Series B, with backers like Spectrum Equity and F-Prime Capital sticking around for this latest buy-in. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Candela is flying high and across the Atlantic.The Swedish startup has secured $14mn, marking the close of its Series C round at a cosy $40mn. This puts its total funding at just shy of $90mn.Candela has also sold its first P-12 ferry in the US, amid burgeoning demand for what is the worlds fastest and longest-range electric passenger vessel.FlyTahoe, the company that will operate the service, will use the P-12 to shuttle tourists and locals across Lake Tahoe. This massive freshwater lake straddles the border of California and Nevada and is best known for its clear blue waters and nearby world-class ski resorts.Watch Back NowCandelas ferry will run a north-south route across the lake at 25 knots (30 mph), halving travel times from an hour by car to just 30 minutes minus the emissions.Its ironic that while millions, myself included, drive around Lake Tahoe to admire its beauty, the road sediment we generate contributes to the largest threat to the lakes famous cobalt blue clarity, Ryan Meinzer, founder and CEO of FlyTahoe.Computer-controlled hydrofoils lift the P-12 above water, reducing drag and cutting energy use by 80% compared to regular boats. This also provides a smooth, silent ride unaffected by waves and winds.Attracting over 15 million visitors annually, Lake Tahoe suffers from road congestion, worsened in winter by heavy snow and road closures. However, since the lake never freezes over, the P-12 can operate year-round, providing a quicker, cleaner alternative to driving.Last month, Stockholm became the first city to adopt Candelas ferry as part of its public transport system. The P-12 runs a 15km route from the suburb of Eker into the City centre, cutting a 55-minute commute in half.Candela estimates 120 of its shuttles could replace Stockholms entire 35-strong fleet of diesel ferries. At $1.7mn (1.5mn) a piece, thats a big investment, but CEO Gustav Hasselskog is bullish on the returns.Unlike a lot of green technologies, the cost is lower, its cheaper to run, and cheaper to maintain, he told TNW when we visited the companys headquarters earlier this year.Powered by a fresh batch of funding, Candelas is rushing to fulfil orders from New Zealand, Berlin, Saudi Arabia and now the US, as it prepares for its biggest phase of growth yet.Our technology offers a strong economic incentive to switch to zero-emission fleets while unlocking the potential for waterways to ease road congestion and enable multi-modal urban travel. This investment comes at a critical time for the planet, said Hasselskog in a press release.SEB Private Equity, a global private equity investor, led the funding round, with participation from existing investors EQT Ventures and KanDela AB. Story by Sin Geschwindt Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecos (show all) Sin is a climate and energy reporter at TNW. From nuclear fusion to escooters, he covers the length and breadth of Europe's clean tech ecosystem. He's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. Sin has five years journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Get the TNW newsletterGet the most important tech news in your inbox each week.Also tagged with

Following a recent expansion of Tap to Pay on iPhone to more countries in Europe, Apple this week announced that it is bringing the feature to yet another country this year. As of today, users in New Zealand can count on the feature that turns the iPhone into a payment terminal.Tap to Pay on iPhone now available in New ZealandThe news was confirmed by Apple on its website (via MacRumors). In New Zealand, Adyen, ANZ Bank, Stripe, Windcave and Worldline are the first platforms to support Tap to Pay on iPhone.For those unfamiliar, Tap to Pay enables merchants to accept contactless payment via a compatible iOS app running on an iPhone Xs or newer, equipped with the latest iOS version. During the checkout process, the merchant will only need to instruct the customer to hold their iPhone, Apple Watch, or compatible NFC card near the merchants iPhone to make a payment.Just like any Apple Pay transaction, Tap to Pay is securely processed using NFC technology, and theres no requirement for extra hardware to facilitate contactless payments. In countries where the feature is available, developers can use an API available in iOS 15.4 and later to implement Tap to Pay support.Tap to Pay on iPhone supports contactless credit and debit cards from leading payment networks, including American Express, Discover, JCB, Mastercard and Visa.Tap to Pay on iPhone first debuted in the US in 2022, and expanded internationally to the UK,France,Taiwan,Australia,the Netherlands,Brazil,Ukraine,Japan, Canada, Italy and more.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Reading PDFs has become second nature, but when it comes to editing, converting, or even organizing PDF documents, the process can be cumbersome. UPDF has changed that, offering an AI-powered PDF solution that makes these complex tasks easier for Mac users. With full-featured editing at just a quarter of the price of Adobe Acrobat Pro, UPDF brings an impressive suite of capabilities to the table, including AI tools that summarize, translate, and even let you chat with PDFs. And this Black Friday, UPDF is available at up to 50% off, making it a perfect time to enhance your productivity.Explore the power of UPDF and get massive Black Friday savings!UPDF is an all-in-one PDF editor that does more than just basic editing. You can annotate, convert, organize, and even interact with PDFs in ways that save time and simplify tasks. With Black Friday here, UPDFs biggest sale is live, offering a significant discount of up to 50%.From editing text and images to managing complex files, UPDF offers a robust toolkit for all your PDF needs. Lets look at its key features:Edit all elements on PDFs with easeModify any text, images, and even layouts in your PDF files with just a few clicks. UPDF makes it easy to adjust content, ensuring your documents are always accurate and up-to-date.UPDFs annotation features allow you to highlight, underline, and add notes, making it perfect for collaborative work, study, or quick reference.Seamless conversion to popular formatsWith UPDF, converting PDFs to other file types is quick and efficient. It supports conversion to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, text, images, HTML, and more.OCR with AI makes scanned PDFs editableUsing AI-powered OCR, UPDF can convert scanned documents into editable files, saving hours of manual retyping and making content searchable and accessible.Organize PDFs in secondsRearrange pages, split documents, or merge files effortlessly, keeping your PDFs organized and easy to navigate.Fill out forms and sign documentsNeed to complete a form or sign a document? UPDF allows you to fill forms, add digital signatures, and securely manage document signing.Print to PDF and save files easilyUPDFs print-to-PDF feature simplifies the process of saving your documents for quick, reliable access later.Reduce PDF file sizes to make sharing simple without losing quality, ensuring files are accessible and manageable.Protect PDF documentsUPDF enables you to add passwords, redact sensitive information, and control document access for enhanced security.UPDF Sign: Send, sign, and track documentsWith UPDF Sign, you can send, sign, and track documents securely and legally. The tool supports certificate-based digital signatures and works seamlessly on any device, making document tracking and security easier than ever.What sets UPDF apart is its AI capabilities. UPDF is the first PDF editor to offer features that let you chat with a PDF, summarizing lengthy documents in seconds or even translating them into multiple languages. With UPDF, you can transform complex files into mind maps, making it ideal for students, researchers, and professionals who need to visualize information. From articles to complex research, you can convert them into an easy-to-read format.UPDF editor features and benefits youll appreciateUPDF combines advanced PDF editing with an intuitive interface, making it the perfect choice for anyone looking to maximize productivity. Here are some highlights:Comprehensive tools: UPDF provides annotating, converting, editing, form field recognition, organization, permissions, signing, security, OCR, and redaction.AI chat functionality: Engage with documents in real-time, saving time on summarizing, translating, and understanding complex files.Cross-platform access: Access UPDF on macOS, Windows, Android, or iOS with one account.AI translation support: Translate documents into various languages without needing additional tools.UPDF Cloud storage: Store up to 110GB of files, giving you access to important documents anytime, anywhere.Affordable and risk-free: UPDF comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and includes regular updates along with 24/6 customer support.Take advantage of UPDFs Black Friday deal!This Black Friday, UPDFs biggest sale is here, with discounts up to 50% off. Nows the time to enhance your PDF experience and save on one of the most feature-rich PDF editors available. Get UPDF now with Black Friday savings!For more updates, follow UPDF on social media:Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

"A disturbing and disappointing house of cards that deceived and victimized many across the country."AllFakeAfter duping the Los Angeles school system into giving her gobs of money, the founder of an AI ed tech firm allegedly spent a lot of it on herself.As theLA Times reports, 33-year-old Joanna Smith-Griffin, the founder of an AI startup called AllHere, has been charged by federal prosecutors with identity theft and multiple counts of fraud after her alleged web of lies regarding her company's sketchy wares came tumbling down.Earlier this year, the same newspaper reported that after being contracted to build out a chatbot connecting families with information from the Los Angeles Unified School District, AllHere filed for bankruptcy despite tens of millions of dollars in public and private investment.Now, the reason why seems to be emerging, per the allegations: that the founder's repeated lies about the company's worth, and dips into its investments for her own personal gain, led it to ruin.Double DippingProsecutors maintain in their indictment against Smith-Griffin that the founder of the Boston-based company inflated AllHere's worth to attract investors, claiming that she had raised millions for its bespoke educational chatbot tech when in reality the firm had far less in its coffers.According to the indictment, the founder also allegedly used some of the tens of millions she raised from private and public investors to put a down payment on a house in North Carolina and fund her own lavish wedding.Aside from outside investments, the firm was contracted with the LAUSD, the nation's second largest-school system, for $6 million. According to school officials who spoke to theLA Times, the district only paid out about half or $3 million of that contract to AllHere ahead of its collapse.Ed TechLaunched in March, AllHere's chatbot for the LAUSD, named "Ed," was meant to be a part of students' individualized toolkits. Just a few months after its splashy rollout, however, the school district quietly took Ed offline and soon, the company that made it was sinking as well."We can obviously point the finger at companies, especially startups, that are pressured to overpromise and... generally underdeliver," University of Southern California AI expert Stephen Aguilar told the LA Times after Ed went dark. "Ultimately, the responsibility rests with the school district."Now, the superintendent of the LAUSD is condemning Smith-Griffin and what prosecutors called a "deliberate and calculated scheme.""The indictment and the allegations represent, if true, a disturbing and disappointing house of cards that deceived and victimized many across the country," superintendent Alberto Carvalho told the LA Times following the recent charges. "We will continue to assert and protect our rights."Those rights, it seems, include the ability to revive the Ed chatbot at will and as Carvalho told the newspaper, the LAUSD hasn't given up hope that it will be able to do so.More on AI in education: Parents Sue School After Teacher Sends Son to Detention for Using AIShare This Article

Some accounts uploaded the videos straight to the platform while X turned a blind eye.Verified HorribleVerified accounts on Elon Musk's social media platform X-formerly-Twitter are promoting the sale of child sex abuse videos.As the BBC found, the identified accounts were using Saudi Arabic phrases and hashtags to link to websites that sell the appalling content. Other associated accounts even went as far as to upload child sex abuse material (CSAM) straight to the platform.It's a harsh reminder of just how meaningless the company's purported "verification" system has become while CSAM is flourishing in the absence of effective content moderation efforts.After the broadcaster identified the accounts to X, the company promptly removed them. Yet some accounts got thousands of views, while linking to Telegram channels purportedly containing CSAM."These accounts have been suspended in accordance with our policies," a spokesperson told the BBC, as translated from Arabic by Google, but refused to elaborate on how X's verification system works.Free for AllIt's a particularly problematic situation given the fact that verified users with blue checkmarks on the site are paying a monthly fee to jump the line and get far more visibility on the Musk-led platform.In simple terms, X is effectively making money off the sale of CSAM being openly promoted on its platform.Some of the identified accounts were active for over a year, highlighting the platform's failure to address the issue in a timely manner.That's despite Meta's Instagram and Facebook banning related keywords that were being used by these accounts earlier this year, according to the report.None of this should be particularly surprising. In the first couple of months after Musk took over the platform in late 2022, the team gutted the 20-person team responsible for preventing child sexual exploitation.According to February 2023 reportingby the New York Times, the company failed to keep child abuse content off the platform, with CSAM widely circulating.That's despite Musk making lofty promises about making "removing child exploitation" his "priority #1" three months earlier.In May, the European Commission requested information on X's content moderation and how much resources it was committing to those efforts. The Commission pointed to an X transparency report, which revealed that its content moderation team was cut by almost 20 percent since October 2023.Given the latest news, its content moderation in other parts of the world the Arab-speaking world in particular is woefully inadequate as well.Worst of all, X's content moderation practices remain a black box. In October, an Australian court upheld an order for Musk's company to pay a fine of almost half a million dollars after failing to cooperate with regulators in a request for information regarding anti-child-abuse practices.Share This Article