Peloton is continuing to expand into products other than stationary bikes and treadmills with a new strength training app called Peloton Strength+. The iOS-only app will give current and future Peloton subscribers access to audio-guided strength workouts that can be performed at the gym.The fitness company initially started testing a beta version of the app in September, which Peloton says informed features like bookmarking custom workouts and the ability to swap and reorder movements. The final version also includes a tool for generating new workouts based on how much time you have, your experience level, or available equipment, instructional how-to videos and in-ear coaching to keep you on track while youre working out. Like many other fitness apps, Strength+ can also connect to an Apple Watch to display metrics like your heart rate and calories burned and let you log weights and reps from your wrist. None of these features are radically different from what you can get from other popular apps like Fitbod or SmartGym, save for Pelotons focus on audio and the companys roster of popular fitness instructors.In the years following the pandemic, Peloton has struggled to adjust to the changing demand for its subscription hardware. Not everyone wanted a Peloton Tread or Bike in their living room when the option to pay less to use one in public became available. Peloton has tried various strategies to recapture its popularity since then, making it possible to access Peloton workouts without expensive hardware, launching a fitness-tracking camera called Guide with a strength workout focus similar to Strength and even selling a rowing machine. Nothing has matched the sales highs the company experienced during the pandemic. Selling subscriptions to the Peloton app and Strength+ seems like a viable way to grow in the inevitable future where most people dont care about Peloton hardware.Peloton Strength+ will be available for a limited time at $1 per month for the first six months. Afterward, a subscription to Strength+ will cost $9.99 per month. Current Peloton All Access, Guide, and App+ subscribers can use Strength+ at no additional cost.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/peloton-is-introducing-a-new-audio-focused-strength-training-app-222145376.html?src=rss

OpenAI has partnered with defense startup Anduril Industries to develop AI for the Pentagon. The companies said on Wednesday that theyll combine OpenAIs models, including GPT-4o and OpenAI o1, with Andurils systems and software to improve the US militarys defenses against unpiloted aerial attacks.The deal comes less than a year after OpenAI softened its stance on using its models for military purposes. Although the ChatGPT makers policies still prohibit its models from developing or using weapons, it deleted a line in January that explicitly banned integrating its tech into military and warfare use. The company said at the time it was already working with DARPA on cybersecurity tools. In October, the company hired a former Palantir security officer and was reportedly pitching its products to the US military and national security establishment.An OpenAI spokesperson told The Washington Post that the deal complies with the companys rules because it focuses on systems that defend against pilotless aerial threats. The company said the partnership doesnt cover other uses.According to The Washington Post, the OpenAI-Anduril partnership will aim to improve the latters tech for detecting and shooting down drones threatening the US military and its allies. The Pentagon already buys Andurils Roadrunner drone interceptor (pictured above) to help counter the rise of smaller drones on the worlds battlefields. The startup sells sentry towers, comms jammers, military drones and an autonomous submarine, among other projects.The companies framed the partnership as a way to defend US military personnel and counter Chinas advancing AI. Our partnership with OpenAI will allow us to utilize their world-class expertise in artificial intelligence to address urgent Air Defense capability gaps across the world, Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf wrote in a statement. Together, we are committed to developing responsible solutions that enable military and intelligence operators to make faster, more accurate decisions in high-pressure situations.Anduril was co-founded by Oculus Rift inventor (and Oculus VR co-founder) Palmer Luckey. That headset laid the foundation for the Meta Quest lineup, which today holds the lions share of the VR and AR market. Luckey left Meta (then Facebook) in 2017, months after news broke that he donated $10,000 to a group aiming to post 4chan-style anti-Hillary Clinton memes on roadside billboards.OpenAI builds AI to benefit as many people as possible, and supports U.S.-led efforts to ensure the technology upholds democratic values, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote in a statement. Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure OpenAI technology protects U.S. military personnel, and will help the national security community understand and responsibly use this technology to keep our citizens safe and free.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/openai-signs-deal-with-palmer-luckeys-anduril-to-develop-military-ai-213356951.html?src=rss

Maxon has released ZBrush for iPad 2025.2. Check out the new features in the iPad edition of the digital sculpting software, including GoZ support for Cinema 4D.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/12/maxon-releases-zbrush-for-ipad-2025-2/#latestupdate

Substance 3D Modeler 1.17 is out. Check out the new features in the virtual reality modeling software: primarily updates to the new Primitives workflow, for rapidly blocking out complex hard-surface models.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/12/adobe-releases-substance-3d-modeler-1-15/#latestupdate

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Industrial Light & Magic takes viewers on a thrilling behind-the-scenes adventure with an exclusive VFX breakdown of Twisters. This highly-anticipated sequel to the classic storm-chasing thriller shows ILM at its best, making natures raw fury.With cutting-edge visual effects, ILM brings the destructive power of twisters to life with breathtaking realism. From towering storm clouds and swirling debris to the chaos of the elements, every frame is a testament to ILMs artistry and technical precision.This breakdown reveals how the talented team of ILM achieved the immersive and heart-stopping sequences, capturing in them the awe-inspiring yet terrifying beauty of extreme weather. Their work not only elevates the films intense action but deepens the emotional impact of its storytelling.With Twisters, ILM continues to set new benchmarks in visual effects, delivering a cinematic experience that would keep viewers on the edge of their seats.The post Behind the Magic: The Visual Effects of Twisters appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Japans Nippon Steel is committed to its $15 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel and is confident of completing it by year-end, a senior executive said, despite strong U.S. opposition including from President-elect Donald Trump.We will not give up on the deal There is no global strategy without the U.S., Nippon Steel Vice Chairman Takahiro Mori told Reuters this week, after returning from his eighth visit to the United States since the deal was announced a year ago.With U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel aims to raise its global steel production capacity to 85 million metric tons per year from 65 million tons now and the asset is core to its goal of lifting production capacity to more than 100 million tons in the long-term.The transaction has faced stiff resistance from politicians and the United Steelworkers (USW), a major labor group. Trump reiterated his opposition to the deal this week.Asked whether U.S. Steels CEO David Burritt would remain in place, Mori said Nippon Steel would select the right person as CEO from various candidates, including Burritt, but no decisions had been made.Mori, who has been leading the talks, held discussions with politicians and local stakeholders in Pittsburgh, where U.S. Steel has its headquarters, during his latest U.S. trip, but did not meet members of the incoming Trump administration.He declined to comment on whether he had met USW President David McCall during the visit.We sensed growing support from the local community, Mori said, noting that discussions had shifted to more substantive issues, such as the projects intrinsic value, since the conclusion of the U.S. presidential election.We are close to 100% confident of closing the deal by the end of the year, he said.Nippon Steel, the worlds number 4 steelmaker, has obtained all necessary regulatory approvals outside the U.S., and is awaiting reviews from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and clearance from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under antitrust laws.The Japanese steelmaker has promised not to transfer any U.S. Steel production capacity or jobs outside the United States. It has also said it would not interfere in any of U.S. Steels decisions on trade matters, including decisions to pursue trade measures under U.S. law against unfair trade practices.Trump returns to the White House on January 20, though President Joe Biden has also said U.S. Steel should remain an American-owned company.Financing optionsThe CFIUS is due to deliver its decision this month. The committee could approve the deal potentially with provisions to address national security concerns or recommend that the president blocks it. It can also extend the review period.If approval from U.S. authorities is not granted, the Japanese company is open to pursuing all possible measures, including legal action, to secure the deal, Mori said.To finance the acquisition, Nippon Steel has already raised some funds via hybrid financing and sold some assets, part of an effort to strengthen its financial position.We have a number of options for permanent financing, including capital increase. We will select the most appropriate financial tools, Mori said.In case the company decides to pursue a secondary share issue, it will not make a significant dilution for the current shareholders, he added.The deal is being closely watched in Japan, a close U.S. ally and its biggest foreign investor. Last month, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba sent a letter to Biden, urging him to approve the acquisition.Mori said the company did not request the letter but acknowledged its significance.Its important to note that the Japanese government is strongly supporting this deal and closely monitoring the proper procedures. I am very grateful for that.Yuka Obayashi, Katya Golubkova and Ritsuko Shimizu, Reuters