Since 1924, the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade has been entertaining the masses while the turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce are being prepared. On paper, that makes 2024 the centennial year, but the parade did not take place from 1942-44 because of World War II, so the big 100th birthday is still a couple years away. This years parade will take place on Thursday, November 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Lets take a look at some history, whats new this year, and how to tune in.Where did the giant balloons come from in the first place?Today, one of the most iconic elements of the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade is the presence of giant character balloons. It might surprise you to learn that the first three years of the parade didnt include them, as People magazine reports. A Felix the Cat balloon debuted in 1927, but it was filled with airnot heliumand held up by stilts.Even more surprising is what was done with the early floating creations. They were simply untethered and released, often traveling to Long Island, according to People. A reward was offered to whoever returned a balloon, but this caused some people to rip it into pieces to try to get a prize. This practice was discontinued when a balloon got caught in a propeller of a small plane almost, causing it to crash. Pilots and the environment are both thankful that today the balloons are deflated and stored for future use.Will there be new balloons in the parade this year?The 2024 parade will feature 17 character and 15 novelty balloons. Six of these are brand-new, as USA Today reports. Disney fans will be happy to see Minnie Mouse making her debut in balloon form. She measures in at 60 feet tall and 34 feet wide. Thats as tall as a five-story building and the width of five taxis.A new Spider-Man balloon will also grace the skies. This is the third version of the superhero, this time honoring the late comic book artist John Romita Sr.s vision of the character. It is 77.5 feet tall and 44 feet wide. To put that in perspective, that length is equal to two standard New York transit buses.Rounding out the list of new balloons is Extraordinary Noorah & The Elf on the Shelf, Gabby from Gabbys Dollhouse, Goku from Dragon Ball, and Marshall from PAW Patrol. Ballon lineup: You can see the full balloon lineup here.Ribbon cutter, parade route, performers, and moreThere is more to the parade than balloons. Twenty-two floats and lots of star power will also traveling the path from West 77th Street and Central Park West down Sixth Avenue to Macys Herald Square are 22 floats.The festivities kick off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and this years actress Alison Brie is doing the honors.Idina Menzel will be on board the Bronx Zoos Wondrous World of Wildlife float and will sing a song from her new Broadway show Redwood.T-Pain will perform on the Jennie-O Turkey float. The rapper is stoked to make his parade debut. Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue, and Billy Porter will sing their hearts out in Herald Square.Route: You can see the full parade route here.How can I watch or stream the parade live?Hosts Hoda Kotb, Savannah Guthrie, and Al Roker will guide audiences through all the pageantry on NBC and Peacock beginning from 8:30 a.m. to noon in all time zones. If you have a pay-TV provider, you can watch NBC live online and via its mobile apps. If you miss it the first time, there is a chance of redemption for you with an encore at 2 p.m. ET/PT. Telemundo is also simulcasting the festivities in Spanish with hosts Carlos Adyan and Andrea Meza.For those without Peacock, a traditional cable subscription, or over-the-air antenna with reception, your best bet is a live-TV streaming service that carries NBC. Those include: Hulu + Live TVFuboTVDirecTV StreamThe services are easy to cancel and offer free trials for new subscribers.

Want extra legroom on your flight? Theres a fee for that. Care for a window or aisle seat? Pay up. There once was a time when airlines didnt charge extra for certain seats, but over the past two decades, so-called ancillary fees have become a regularand costlypart of modern air travel. In fact, theyve been designed right into the buying process. And soon, airline executives will answer for that.A new Senate report released this month found that from 2018 to 2023, five major and low-cost airlines brought in $12.4 billion in revenue from seat fees. In part, investigators blame rising fees on tactics like dynamic pricing and dark patterns meant to deceive customers and boost the airlines bottom line. Such tactics have created a windfall for an industry thats already recorded record profits this year.The blame lies in part on the user experience of the airline ticketing interfaces themselves. Airline websites and mobile applications bury critical information, such as the cost of selecting a particular seat, at later stages of the booking process, the report reads. At some airlines, proprietary algorithms use consumer data to help set the price of fees so that different people attempting to book the exact same flight at the exact same time may be charged different prices for checking a bag.Airlines great unbundlingIts part of a larger unbundling strategy in the industry thats designed to charge customers separately for goods and services, according to the report. Consumers once knew the seat theyd have for an up-front fee, but would-be travelers now have to navigate a veritable maze of add-ons, seat maps with varying prices, and luggage charts before clicking pay.Now executives from the investigated airlinesAmerican, Delta, United, Spirit, and Frontierhave been called to testify on the seat fees before the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on December 4.Early ancillary fees can be traced to Spirit Airlines, the low-fare carrier that lowered ticket prices in 2006 and charged for everything else. After the start of the Great Recession, other airlines followed Spirits lead, with American, Delta, and United introducing a $15 first-checked-bag fee in 2008. More fees followed.Today American, Delta, and United charge $35 to $40 to check your first bag, while carry-on bags, advanced seat assignments, and Wi-Fi all cost extra. Turns out its pretty complicated to fly basic economy (which is itself a new tier to navigate).Meanwhile, airlines are investing more in luxury experiences that come with premium price tags. On Tuesday British Airways announced major improvements to its first-class seating inspired by luxury hotels. Delta is upgrading its seats and opened a luxury lounge at New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport. Even travel-size toiletries have gotten a luxury makeover for high-income travelers.In theory, the fees now under scrutiny began as a great deal for people who were willing to travel light and without any frills, but investigators found that consumers now face higher costs, increasingly complex fees, and few ways to avoid them.Unbundling has not lowered the cost of flying for consumers, who now face additional charges to fly with carry-on or checked bags or to sit next to their minor children, the reports authors wrote. These costs are only expected to rise without any meaningful limitation, according to investigators, who found ancillary fees are unconnected to the actual cost of providing the service they cover. The report, which follows new Department of Transportation rules about fee disclosures announced this year, recommends that Congress require airlines to provide more granular fee data and strengthen fee disclosure, and calls for further investigation into potential abuses and whether current airline ancillary fee practices comply with transportation tax law.

Japanese studio Kengo Kuma and Associates has refurbished the interiors of the Endo at the Rotunda sushi restaurant at the former BBC Television Centre in London.Kengo Kuma and Associates (KKAA), which designed the original space, made a number of significant changes to the omakase restaurant, which is located in the rooftop pavilion on the eighth floor of the circular glass building.Endo at the Rotunda is located in a rooftop pavilion at the Television Centre"This projects was an unusual one," KKAA architect Javier Villar Ruiz told Dezeen."It consisted on the renovation of a space that we at KKAA had originally designed. The original counter that once structured the whole space, now was going to be reduced in order to create a new lounge space."Kengo Kuma and Associates designed an undulating cedar bench for its loungeTo keep the "spirit of the original counter" in the new lounge space, KKAA designed a large cedar wood bench with an undulating, stacked shape that gives the room an organic feel."We avoided the simple solution of just populating the new space with lounge chairs and tables and decorative elements; and instead we gathered the seatings into one big wooden bench that recovers the presence power of the counter," Ruiz explained.Read: Kengo Kuma and Associates cloaks Chinese clay museum in handmade tiles"Indeed, we designed this bench as the result of stacking sections of wood exactly to the ones in the counter, creating a dialogue between both bench and counter," he added.By adding more wood, the studio also aimed to soften the space, which has floor-to-ceiling windows.A wavy paper-like installation hangs from the ceilingIt also added a wavy installation made of polyester fabric, designed to look like paper, which is suspended from the ceiling and adds an ethereal feel to Endo at the Rotunda."Sushi restaurants in Japan are usually small, cozy, intimate, enclosed spaces," Ruiz said. "For Endo we had to transform a rooftop pavilion mainly made out of glass and metal showcasing impacting panoramic views of London.""The undulating forms of the ceiling, the counter and the bench have the aim to soften the geometries of the existing architecture, creating a sense of comfort," he continued.The wooden bench has a stacked designKKAA chose to work with wood as it's the traditional material used for sushi bars."Because of the dialogue between the new lounge bench and the sushi counter, using wood was the natural choice," Ruiz said."Genuine Japanese sushi experience is always related to the presence of wood, specially in the counter, not only because its traditional feel, but because of the sensorial qualities that it brings to the whole experience: the natural warmth of its touch and the subtle nuances of its scent."The restaurant, which seats 10 people, serves an 18-course edomae sushi menu that combines British produce with Cornish and Spanish seafood.Other recent Kengo Kuma and Associates projects include a wooden Christmas tree that will eventually be turned into furniture and a Chinese clay museum cloaked in handmade tiles.The photography is byBenjamin McMahon.Project credits:KKAA team: Javier Villar Ruiz, Jaime Fernandez Calvache and Marian Dominguez DuranThe post Kengo Kuma designs London sushi restaurant with undulating wooden bench appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen Showroom: from fabrics and lighting to seating and tables, the following selection demonstrates the varied furnishings that come out of the USA.The products here build on the US heritage of furniture design and manufacturing, only now deploying new materials and modern manufacturing techniques.This selection includes craftspeople, studios and companies of varying sizes and specialisms in locations across North America, including those based in New York andLos Angeles.From hand-thrown ceramic lamps and futuristic metal and glass tables to innovative ring-shaped lights and modular seating for enhanced comfort in offices, these products show how diverse the USA's furniture output continues to be.Read on to discover our picks of furniture and lighting created in America that feature on Dezeen Showroom.Tera lamp by CeramicahA domed hemispherical shade and a thick column-like base comprise these table lamps by Los Angeles-based design brand Ceramicah.The sculptural Tera lamp comes in various sizes and finishes, but all are hand-thrown and made from ceramics with solid brass hardware.Find out more about Tera Circon wallcoverings by Momentum Textiles and WallcoveringMomentum Textiles and Wallcovering a fabric brand headquartered in California has released a collection of vinyl wallcovering materials that are made from 70 per cent bio-sourced materials.Circon wallcoverings come in various patterned finishes and colourways that allow them to blend into a wide variety of interior design styles.Find out more about Circon Rise modular seating by IDA Design for AllsteelReconfigurable seating modules comprise the Rise modular seating system by US-based office furniture brand Allsteel.The system also includes work surfaces, with all elements available in a selection of fabric and wood options.Find out more about Rise Tuned collection by Carnegie Acoustic SolutionsAmerican design brand Carnegie Acoustic Solutions has developed a dynamic array of acoustic products in the form of its Tuned collection.The range comprises ceiling-hung pieces and wall panels among others, each available in a selection of shapes, sizes and colours.Find out more about Tuned Wool Library textiles by DesigntexUS companyDesigntex's new Wool Library textiles are made from biodegradable wool fibre and come in a selection of vibrant and neutral hues.Thanks to their materiality, the fabrics are thermoregulating, hard wearing and renewable due to these properties, hey can be used for a number of practical purposes.Find out more about Wool Atlantic collection rugs by Workshop/APD for Warp & WeftProjects situated on the US island of Nantucket by architecture firm Workshop/APD were the basis for this series of rugs created by the studio in collaboration with US brandWarp & Weft.Atlantic collection rugs reference the American east coast through their designs and patterns, which range from striped to patchy to reference different aspects of the coastal region.Find out more about Atlantic Rings lights by Ted Bradley StudioAmerican lighting brand Ted Bradley Studio has developed a ring-shaped ceramic light that comes in various pendant and cluster shapes.As well as a range of ceiling-mounted setups, Rings lights are available in an array of glossy, satin, matte and crackle finishes, from neutrals to bright colours.Find out more about Rings Calm privacy screens by Union Design for KFI StudiosUS furniture brandKFI Studios has developed a divider system with a ridged, fluter profile that created separated zones in open-plan office spaces.Calm privacy screens come in a selection of neutral colourways and are anchored by steel floor brackets that allow them to be configured in various arrangements.Find out more about Calm AL-03 table by Studio Orlando PippigNew York furniture designerOrlando Pippig looked toSouthern California's 1960s Light and Space movement when creating this geometric coffee table.The AL-03 table comprises a rectilinear smoked glass top supported by an aluminium base split into two parts.Find out more about AL-03 Dezeen ShowroomDezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.The post Nine products and furnishings designed in the USA appeared first on Dezeen.

In todays fast-paced world, homes are evolving to meet modern needs through technology. Smart homes, once a futuristic concept, are now becoming mainstream, offering convenience and efficiency. Exciting as it may be, stepping into the realm of smart home technology can feel daunting due to the perceived complexity and cost. Fortunately, SwitchBot provides an accessible solution, especially with their enticing Black Friday deals.SwitchBot simplifies the transition to a smart home by offering innovative, user-friendly products. This brand stands out by ensuring that upgrading your home is both easy and budget-friendly. With the upcoming Black Friday discounts, theres never been a better time to enhance your living space with smart technology.Designer: SwitchBotLiving the Smart Way with SwitchBotA smart home offers numerous advantages, with energy efficiency being a primary benefit. By automating systems like lighting and climate control, smart homes can significantly reduce energy consumption. This not only lowers your carbon footprint but also results in considerable savings on utility bills.Smart homes help to further reduce overall costs through their automation features. These devices can optimize energy usage by adapting to your daily routines, ensuring that you only use what you need. This level of control translates to financial savings over time, making the investment in smart technology worthwhile.Many smart home devices require rewiring or replacing furniture and fixtures, but SwitchBot excels in providing products that enhance your home without the need for extensive renovations. For instance, their devices can automate existing curtains, blinds, and switches, eliminating the need for costly replacements. This approach allows you to enjoy the benefits of smart technology without a complete overhaul of your home infrastructure.SwitchBot also offers smart cleaning robots that efficiently maintain your home with minimal effort. These robots are designed to integrate seamlessly into your daily routine, offering a smart solution for keeping your living space tidy and organized. This feature not only saves time but also adds a layer of convenience to your lifestyle. With the holidays coming, theres never been a better time to think of the future and invest in products that will save you money, time, and effort for years to come.SwitchBot Curtain 3Grumpily pulling curtains in the morning is now a thing of the past! Designed to be compatible with standard Rod and U Rail types, the SwitchBot Curtain 3 automates regular curtains without having to replace them. Installation is a breeze, taking just 30 seconds due to its simple design. Even though its now twice as strong, it can work on heavy curtains up to 15kg, it can still operate below 25dB with its Silent Mode, ensuring a quiet environment night or day.Users have a variety of ways to easily control those curtains, whether via smartphone, voice commands, or a light sensor that uses ambient lighting to make automatic adjustments. Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri out of the box, it also supports the Matter protocol with SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini, offering a seamless smart home experience. This device transforms ordinary curtains into smart fixtures, enhancing convenience and energy efficiency.Why Its NoteworthySimple, no-nonsense installation in just 30 seconds.Silent Mode operates below 25dB for slower and quieter drifting to remove disturbances.Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, and Matter (requires SwitchBot Hub 2 or Hub Mini)Click Here to Buy Now: $62.99 $89.99 (30% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!SwitchBot Blind TiltIf blinds are your preferred window coverings, then the SwitchBot Blind Tilt is for you. This smart robot adjusts blind angles without replacing existing louvers, saving you both time and money. The high-precision motor adjusts blades to the closest 2 degrees, providing precise control over sunlight. It also comes with a 2000mAh lithium battery for continuous use and ships with a solar panel for never-ending green energy.Remote control is effortless using the app or voice commands when within Bluetooth range, enhancing comfort, energy efficiency, and privacy. Users can also schedule operations or connect to smart assistants through the SwitchBot Hub to open the doors to integration with popular smart home assistants. This innovative device maximizes control over indoor lighting and temperature, contributing to a more efficient home environment.Why Its NoteworthyBuilt-in 2000mAh lithium battery can receive power from the included solar panel for energy and cost savingsHigh-precision motor can adjust shutter blades precisely to the closest 2 degreesPair with the SwitchBot Hub to use smart assistants such as Alexa, Google Home, and SiriClick Here to Buy Now: $48.99 $69.99 (30% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!SwitchBot S10 Floor Cleaning RobotCleaning the floor should no longer be a chore in the 21st century, especially with this super-convenient robot cleaner. The SwitchBot S10 offers an advanced cleaning experience with its dual-station design, featuring auto-refill, auto-drain, and auto-empty functions. It boasts 100% automated cleaning with self-refilling and dust collection capabilities, freeing you to spend time on the more important things in life.Connected to your plumbing system, it ensures thorough cleaning without manual intervention, making it an ideal choice for busy households. The all-around cleaner features the tag team of the RevoRoll Roller Mop and RinseSync that cleans and mops at the same time to provide effective cleaning, while the 6500Pa suction power handles pet hair and dirt. It can even fill the water tank of the SwitchBot Evaporative Humidifier to create an even more automated smart home experience for users.Why Its Noteworthy100% Automated Cleaning for hands-free cleaning, self-refilling water station, and self-emptying dust binSimultaneous cleaning and mopping remove dirt without damaging floors.Powerful 6500Pa Suction for households with pets and automatic cleaning modes for thorough coverageClick Here to Buy Now: $699.99 $1199.99 (42% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!SwitchBot K10+ Pro Mini Robot VacuumSmall spaces are no longer big problems with the SwitchBot K10+ Pro. As the worlds smallest yet most powerful robot vacuum, it is perfect for tight spaces and small areas. Despite its size, it offers high-performance cleaning with 3000Pa suction power, tackling dust and dirt efficiently while still operating quietly at 45dB.Equipped with LDS Laser Navigation and PSD Sensors, it deftly navigates obstacles and cleans edges meticulously. It can even remember up to four floor plans for versatile cleaning environments. Giving you peace of mind, it has an extra-large 4L dust collection base that requires emptying at most four times a year only. Designed for pet owners, its anti-tangle brush prevents hair clogs, cleaning up those pesky hairs while also simplifying maintenance.Why Its NoteworthyExceptional 3000Pa cleaning power effortlessly tackles dust, crumbs, and pet litterAnti-tangle brush prevents hair from clogging, effectively managing pet shedding.Smart navigation accurately identifies obstacles and can map up to four floor plansLarge 4L dust collection base lasts up to 90 daysClick Here to Buy Now: $399.99 $599.99 (33.33% off). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!Make Your Home Smarter Today: SwitchBot Black Friday DealsSwitchBots approach to smart home technology is both innovative and practical, making it accessible to a wider audience. With their cost-effective solutions, you can enjoy the benefits of a smart home without breaking the bank, offering an ideal opportunity to invest in this technology and transform your home. From November 21 to December 2, 2024, SwitchBot offers extraordinary discounts on various products. These include the SwitchBot Pan/Tilt Cam Plus 3K for security, smart home hubs like the SwitchBot Hub 2, and environment monitors such as the Meter Pro and Meter Pro (CO2 Monitor).As you consider upgrading your home, SwitchBot offers a compelling option that combines affordability with cutting-edge technology. Embrace the future of living by making your home smarter, more efficient, and ultimately more comfortable. Dont miss out on the chance to enhance your lifestyle with SwitchBots smart solutions this Black Friday.The post Upgrade Your Smart Home with SwitchBot: Unmissable Black Friday Deals first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cutting and slicing ingredients might sometimes feel mechanical, but seasoned cooks and food lovers know that theres some magic behind the seemingly mundane process. Cutting the wrong way can, for example, adversely affect not only the texture of the piece, it can even ruin its flavor. More importantly, the kind of knife used also has an unseen effect on the quality of the food you will eventually put inside your mouth, not to mention the overall experience of preparing the food.This is especially true for dishes that use sensitive soft ingredients like raw fish in sashimi, and a plain old kitchen tool just doesnt cut it, pardon the pun. To really bring out the flavor of sashimi and similar dishes, you need a knife that makes you feel both like a chef and an artisan, deftly slicing with a tool whose sharpness matches its elegance.Designer: goyemonClick Here to Buy Now: $269 $299 (10% off at checkout). Hurry, Black Friday sale ends in 48 hours!Most people think of ceramic as this hard yet brittle material used for plates, mugs, vases, and other fragile vessels. In the food world, however, ceramic is also famed for being lightweight and sharp, especially when used in kitchen knives. Especially with super ceramics produced under high pressure, you can get a blade thats not only twice the hardness of stainless steel but whose sharpness also lasts 200 times longer.The benefits of using a ceramic blade go beyond its durability and sharpness. The matou sashimi knife is practically maintenance-free, requiring only a normal washing with a detergent and then wiping it down to dry before storing it away. Unlike even stainless steel knives, you dont need to sharpen the blade or wipe it down with oil regularly to prevent the buildup of rust. Preparing food can already be a taxing chore, so your knife doesnt need to add to the burden.Ceramic also does wonders for flavor in the way it doesnt interact with them. No matter how clean you keep them, metallic knives will always impart some metallic smell or taste to the food they cut. In the same vein, food odors dont cling to the blade, and simply wiping it off makes sure you dont transfer garlic scents to other ingredients. Cutting sour fruits like lemons? The ceramic blade is also resistant to both acids and alkali so you dont have to worry about corrosion. Discoloration is also not a problem by soaking the blade in diluted bleach once in a while.More than just the sharpest knife in your drawer, this ceramic kitchen knife is going to also be the most handsome among your kitchen tools. Made by Japanese experts, both the ceramic blade and the wooden handle with a buffalo horn muzzle are eye-catching works of craftsmanship, marrying form and function with elegance.The unique curved single-edged shape of the blade not only ensures a sharp cutting edge but also minimizes the blades contact with the food, while the octagonal handle improves comfort and grip. Whether youre preparing sashimi, or cutting through meat and soft ingredients, this handsome ceramic knife brings the best of Japanese design to bring out the best of your foods flavors.Click Here to Buy Now: $269 $299 (10% off at checkout). Hurry, Black Friday sale ends in 48 hours!The post Chef-Approved Super Ceramic Sashimi Knife for Precision Cuts and Lasting Sharpness first appeared on Yanko Design.

It's just one week to go until we'll be grabbing the snacks and getting ready to find out which are the 25 most anticipated games coming to PC!Don't forget, set a reminder here https://www.youtube.com/live/c4Y3GMbaV3s#PCGamingShowPC Gaming Show: Most Wanted is our annual celebration of the most exciting projects in development for the world's greatest gaming platform. Our rundown of 2...

Refresh your setup for $125 with these Black Friday deals on the best budget gaming keyboard, mouse and headset.Relatively small potatoes for such a bumper batch of gear.

That is all.

It's a great time to get quality classic notebooks at bargain prices.