As a child, Dan Harden was always drawing, painting, or taking apart appliances and lawnmower engines. His parents encouraged the fledgling maker to follow his creative instincts, and he already knew what his career would be, even though he didnt have a name for it yet. I was born to be an industrial designer, and I sensed it at a young age, even though I had no idea it was called that, Harden says.It was during internships at George Nelson Associates and Richardson Smith when he saw the design profession in action, and everything clicked. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati, and honed his own approach with stints at Henry Dreyfuss Associates and Frog Design. However, one venture would have a lasting impact on his life and the industry at large when he and Bob Riccomini founded Whipsaw in 1999.Dan HardenCelebrating 25 years in business this year, Harden now heads the firm, based in San Francisco, California, as CEO and principal designer. The visionary and his team have worked with top-tier clients like Google, Nike, and Uber, with a portfolio of more than 1,000 products and projects.Harden still stays inspired, nurturing his interest in architecture, music, and woodworking. Developing his various talents not only gives him momentum in work, but more importantly, it boosts his everyday happiness. Hes content to explore, and if he ever decided to pivot, hed write a book.Although the designer invents material things, he doesnt covet them. He does appreciate his few classic cars and guitars, but he is more interested in what such items can help him tap into. Possessions to me are gateways to experiences, and its the experiences that I treasure most, Harden notes. I think good design is that way. Its not only about adoring the thing its about how it enables you or motivates you in some special way.Today, Dan Harden joins us for Friday Five!Photo: Jonah De Oliveira on Unsplash1. Martin Acoustic GuitarA Martin guitar is the epitome of a finely crafted musical instrument. Martins have a rich wooden tone that reverberates into your chest when you play it, and the feel is sublime. Every detail is meticulously fabricated by hand. A Martin guitar is the perfect blend of form, function, and usability. Once I played a Martin I never went back to a lesser guitar.Primordial by Dan Harden2. Acrylic PaintI have been painting since I was 12 years old, and although I like oil too, I find that acrylic paint brings out my immediate creativity. Its less committal, so I tend to jump right in and paint without overthinking it. Acrylic dries fast so you can layer over and over to get cool depth effects. The colors are rich and its thick body allows you to build deep textures.Photo: Dan Harden3. Porsche 911 (especially the 993 series from the nineties)The perfect classic sports car. Its a visceral, manual, gutsy, gorgeous machine. Ive had four of these beauties, and I never tire of driving them especially down Route 1 below Carmel, California.Photo: Ketut Subiyanto at Pexel4. CottonWe take it for granted because its so ubiquitous in our lives, no matter where you live. Cotton feels good, looks good, breathes, retains color, absorbs moisture, is sustainable and cheap. We wear it under and over. We sleep on it. We clean with it. Its the original greatest of all time natural material.Photo: Inspirationfeed5. Jet EngineI love techy machines, especially those that represent the highest level of human imagination and ingenuity. The jet engine is such a beautiful piece of fine engineering because of how small and simple it is, yet so incredibly powerful. The next time youre sitting on a plane, look out the window when youre taking off and visualize whats going on there. Air is instantly compressed by 40x, often making over 100,000 pounds of thrust, all happening on a single rotating axle. When visualized together with its partner the wing, another engineering wonder, its even more astounding.Works by Whipsaw:Skrolla Lounge ChairRavenchord PianoDG Takano Melior Water FaucetOwala FreeSip Water Bottle

When does a home become more than a carefully curated living space, but a tangible reflection of its owners journey through life? In the case of House of Lightness, the South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia design by Kennon weaves personal history into every detail, drawing inspiration from the clients rural Australian roots and a decade spent by the beaches of California. Each room tells a chapter of their story, transforming the house into a deeply intimate expression of place, memory, and connection. Through thoughtful material choices and artful spatial transitions, the home becomes a testament to the profound relationship between architecture and identity.As further described by Kennon: House of Lightness is a love story founded on light, both natural and in the essence of lightness, a feeling of comfort, happiness and weightlessness. Kennon, through this project, celebrates place and the unforgettable memories that connects us to our home.Beyond restored archways, the home transitions into softer tones and textures. Sandy walls, gentle curves, and leathered granite floors define the rear of the house, evoking the coastal lightness of California. A centerpiece by Australian artist Nathan Hawkes anchors the casual dining space, its soft palette of reds, yellows, and blues infusing a dynamic yet calming energy. Further emphasizing the Californian influence, furnishings for this space were sourced from Los Angeles-based Stahl and Band.The dining room serves as a vivid homage to the clients pastoral upbringing. Walls in deep forest green Venetian plaster envelop the space, complemented by marble floors that add texture and sophistication. A 1960s Fringe pendant by Swedish designer Hans-Agne Jakobsson presides over a black circular table paired with Cassina Cab Chairs in matching green leather. Above, Melbourne artist Tracey Stranges landscapes add a touch of local craftsmanship, while a rich velvet green curtain lends depth and warmth.For more information on Kennon, visit kennon.com.au.Photography by Felix Forest.

Uncover the risks of neglecting cultural sensitivity in design and discover how Latina leaders are breaking barriers to create inclusiveContinue reading on UX Collective

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We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.Before Apple's event this September, any Apple user who wanted to get active noise-canceling (ANC) AirPods had to shell out $250 for the AirPods Pro. With the release of the new ANC AirPods 4, currently at $138.99 (originally $179), that's no longer the case. The current price tag is a new record-low price, according to price-tracking tools. Apple also has a more budget-friendly version without ANC, currently for $119 (originally $129). While these discounts aren't mind-blowing, the fact we're seeing any discount on newly released AirPods can be considered a good deal, relative to Apple. Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Audio, Sweat and Water Resistant, USB-C Apple AirPods 4 (Without ANC) $119.00 at Amazon $129.00 Save $10.00 Get Deal Get Deal $119.00 at Amazon $129.00 Save $10.00 Wireless Earbuds, Bluetooth Headphones, with Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency Apple AirPods 4 (With ANC) $138.99 at Amazon $179.00 Save $40.01 Get Deal Get Deal $138.99 at Amazon $179.00 Save $40.01 SEE -1 MORE The new AirPods 4 finally have USB-C charging, so you can use the same chargers you use for your other Apple products. Both are powered by Apple's H2 chip, so you'll get Personalized Spatial Audio (your head and ears are measured so you can hear sounds coming from different directions as you move your head), and the ability to use head gestures to tell Siri "yes" or "no" (this also works for answering or denying calls). If you're willing to pay more for the ANC AirPods 4 (which you shouldit's just a $20 difference right now), you'll get a charging case with a built-in speaker, which you can use with Find My to locate if you lose them. You'll also get other features like Conversation Awareness, which lowers your music volume when your AirPods detect that you're having a conversation; Transparency Mode, which lets you hear your surroundings; and Adaptive Audio (combines ANC and Transparency mode to adjust ANC levels based on the noise around you). Keep in mind that since these are open-style earbuds, there is no silicone that isolates noise, so the ANC will not be as good as what you can get from AirPods Pro.Both versions will get IP54 for dust and water resistance, up to five hours of listening per charge (30 hours with the charging case), and automatic switching with your other Apple devices. You can read more about the non-ANC AirPods on PCMag's "excellent" review. and more about the ANC AirPods on PCMag's "outstanding" review here.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.Do you know someone who always seems to be going... somewhere? You'll be watching Instagram Stories and here they come, sitting in an airport lounge or posing at a restaurant that is most certainly not in the city where they live. Whether this person is constantly being shuttled around as a result of their job or is just a true believer in the concept of vacation, you can use the holidays as an opportunity to get them something that will make their life easier and better, no matter where they are in the world.The best gifts for frequent flyersYour frequent flyer probably already has luggage they love that suits their lifestyle and needs, so don't try that as a gift unless you're sure it's wanted. You know what they probably don't have, though? A scale to make sure that luggage is within airline weight requirements. A portable luggage scale is just $10.99 to you, but invaluable to them. Well, maybe you can put a price on its value, since it's about to save them so much in overweight fees. Etekcity Digital Portable Handheld Luggage Scale $10.99 at Amazon Shop Now Shop Now $10.99 at Amazon Next, let's talk techspecifically, charging and storage for tech. Look around an airport sometime. Everyone is 1. on their phone and 2. charging it simultaneously. Save your recipient the hassle of making the impossible choice about whether they should charge their headphones, smart watch, or phone with their one precious outlet and pick up this folding three-in-one charger ($20.34) instead.Or, if they're an international explorer, try a phone-charging passport holder, like this one from Lovie Style ($43.99). They already need to keep their passport on them, so you can help make it dual-function this way. Plus, it's pretty unlikely they have one like this already, so it's a holiday win. For on the plane itself, I have two suggestions: A PROFezzion magnetic phone mount ($14.99) and the Lavales Bluetooth adapter ($29.99). With these, you guarantee your traveler can be entertained on their flight, no matter what. The phone mount holds a phone up in front of someone, attaching to the seat in front of them, while the adapter enables them to use their own wireless headphones to hear in-flight entertainment. Finally, consider a Dapper Wrapper ($26.16), a portable tech organizer that rolls up and keeps cords and small devices separate and safe inside a bagno matter how fast they're running to make it to their gate.The best gifts for travelingWhether on the plane or in a hotel room in a strange new place, your giftee may find sleeping a little troublesome. May I suggest the Muciozy sleep headphones ($22.79)? They are Bluetooth headphones with an attached eye mask, resulting in a very customized sleeping environment. MUSICOZY Sleep Headphones $29.99 at Amazon $39.99 Save $10.00 Shop Now Shop Now $29.99 at Amazon $39.99 Save $10.00 A few months ago, I got the Tan Fan sleep sack ($46). It's a silky kind-of sleeping bag that is meant to stop your self tanner from getting all over your sheets at night, and while I use it for that, I also discovered a great dual purpose for it: I took it on a trip with me, where I shamelessly used it not only on the plane, but to separate myself from the sheets at my hotel. I'm not usually a big germ freak, but it was comforting to know that even if the housekeeping staff was feeling lazy that week, I was safe in a personal cocoon I had washed myself. It's so small and foldable that it was a breeze to pack away. As it turns out, there are all kinds of sleeping bag liners out there if you don't want to get the one branded for self-tanning. If your recipient stays at hostels or Airbnbs, this could be a real winner. A travel towel is also a smart buy, especially if your traveler is outdoorsy or stays in accommodations other than hotels. The PackTowel Luxe ($27.69) is small, light, and easy to carry and stow, but still absorbent, so they never have to be wet when they're on the go.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on Friday said it has ordered federal supervision of Google Payment Corp. after determining that it meets the legal requirements for such oversight. The CFPB monitors banks, credit unions and other financial institutions, and recently finalized a rule to supervise digital payment apps. In the order, which focuses on the Google Pay app and its peer-to-peer (P2P) payment service (discontinued in the US earlier this year), the CFPB said it has reasonable cause to determine that Google has engaged in conduct that poses risks to consumers. Google filed a lawsuit shortly after the announcement to challenge the decision, Reuters reports.The risks identified by the CFPB are tied to Googles handling of erroneous transactions and fraud prevention. Based on customer complaints, the order said it appears that Google didnt adequately investigate erroneous transfers, or adequately explain the findings of its investigations into these issues. The complaints also indicate Google didnt do enough to prevent fraud, the order says. But, the CFPB announcement notes that the order does not constitute a finding that the entity has engaged in wrongdoing, nor does it require the CFPB to conduct a supervisory examination.In a statement to TechCrunch, a Google spokesperson said, This is a clear case of government overreach involving Google Pay peer-to-peer payments, which never raised risks and is no longer provided in the U.S., and we are challenging it in court. The CFPB's order acknowledges that Google Pay was discontinued but says this is not a basis to refrain from designating Google for supervision, though it could affect whether it decides to conduct an examination.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-sues-after-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-orders-supervision-of-its-payment-arm-000829576.html?src=rss

Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn announced on Saturday that theyve made changes to the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) with help from X to strengthen the bill while safeguarding free speech online and ensuring it is not used to stifle expression. The Senate passed the bill in July with a vote of 91-3, but its since stalled in the House, and its proponents are pushing for it to be passed before the end of the year. Xs CEO Linda Yaccarino also posted about the collaboration, and called for Congress and the House to pass the bill.After working with the bill authors, Im proud to share that weve made progress to further protect freedom of speech while maintaining safety for minors online, Yaccarino wrote in a post on X that was shared by the two senators. KOSA is meant to protect minors from addictive social media features and potentially dangerous content by placing a duty of care on the companies that own the platforms. But critics have argued that it could lead to censorship and other harms. The new changes, according to The Verge, clarify the conditions under which duty of care can be enforced and narrow its application around anxiety and depressive disorders, stating they must be objectively verifiable and tied to compulsive usage.In their joint statement, Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) and Blackburn (R-Tennessee) said:These changes should eliminate once and for all the false narrative that this bill would be weaponized by unelected bureaucrats to censor Americans. We thank Elon and Linda for their bold leadership and commitment to protecting children online and for helping us get this bill across the finish line this Congress. We appreciate that this endorsement and revised text reflects their publicly stated goal of furthering free speech without fear of censorship. We reiterate Xs call to pass KOSA by the end of the year it is clear that this legislation has overwhelming support from Congress.KOSA was first introduced in February 2022 and has faced opposition from groups including the ACLU and the Electronic Frontier Foundation. Its been revised multiple times.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/x-helped-senators-update-the-kids-online-safety-act-so-it-cant-be-used-to-stifle-expression-221853260.html?src=rss

Redshift 2025.2 is out. Check out the new features in Maxon's GPU renderer, including new options for material variation and non-photorealistic rendering, universal GPU denoising, and a new USD Command Line Rendering tool for render farms.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/12/maxon-releases-redshift-2025-2/

Cinema 4D 2025.1 is out. Check out the new features in Maxon's 3D animation and motion graphics software, including the revamped real-time Boolean modeling system, and updates to animation, simulation and USD workflows.https://www.cgchannel.com/2024/12/maxon-releases-cinema-4d-2025-1/