ICYMI here are the biggest tech news stories from Google, Meta, Pico, OpenAI and more for August 18, 2024.

Klarna, best known for its buy now, pay later loans, is launching a personal account for deposits and cashback rewards in the U.S. and Europe.

As the modern philosopher once said: The more money you come across, the more problems you see. Lifestyle creep, where you increase your spending as your income increases, may not have been the exact problem Biggie was describing, but it can leave you just as financially stressed as when couch cushion change was your emergency fund.The problem with lifestyle creep is that you dont notice it happening. When the manicures and sushi dinners that were once an annual splurge have become a weekly habit, it can be hard to remember how you used to live without them.Thats why one of the best ways to combat lifestyle creep is to reset your money expectations with a financial fast. Heres how a financial fast can get your lifestyle in better alignment with your money goals.What is a financial fast?Michelle Singletary of The Washington Post coined the term financial fast to describe a period when you refrain from making any nonessential purchases and avoid using your credit card.Essential purchases include groceries, medicine, rent or mortgage, utilities, and any current financial obligations you may have. The fast forbids things like dining out, unnecessary shopping, or paying for entertainment.Financial fasting defines what you valueSince a financial fast can free up cash relatively quickly, many fasters use the exercise as a way to pay down debt or build an emergency fund. But one of the biggest benefits of a financial fast is more psychological than purely financial. Your fast encourages you to be more mindful and more creative with your resources, which can help you reset your lifestyle.Specifically, radically changing your financial behavior for a set period of time helps you recognize which money decisions are nothing more than habits and which are important to you.For example, perhaps you rely on the convenience of DoorDash because you regularly get home too tired to cook. But during your fast, you made and froze extra food when you had time on the weekends. This may remind you how much you prefer home-cooked meals and help you right-size your portions, while giving you a framework for replacing the convenience of takeout with the convenience of a well-stocked freezer.On the other hand, you might have found that forgoing your biweekly massage negatively affected your sleep, ability to work out, and comfort, making it clear that your regular massage is not a luxury. Once you know that massages need to be a line item in your budget, its easier to give up your I-thou relationship with DoorDash.Planning a financial fastTo set up your financial fast, youll need to follow these rules:Decide on the timeframe: Singletary recommends fasting for 21 days, but committing to a shorter period of time can be beneficial and feel less intimidating. Start with a weekend or a week to ease into the process and get used to thinking more deeply about your purchases.Define essential: While essential spending sounds like a simple concept, you may need to take the time to determine exactly whats on that list. Money can be such a convenient method of meeting our needs that we forget there are other options available. Spend some time thinking about what essential means before the fast begins so youre in a better position to think creatively during the fast. For example, if your kid outgrows their shoes during your fast, is buying a new pair essential or might there be a hand-me-down pair you could easily find?Identify spending triggers: Both before and during the fast, try to determine what situations are likely to trigger unnecessary spending. You can commit to avoiding the spending triggers youre already aware of, which means you might uninstall the Amazon app on your phone and decline the happy hour invitation. But the fast can also help you identify what situations prompt you to spend that you were unaware of.Create a wish list: One of the easiest ways to avoid unnecessary spending is to make a list of all the items you are tempted to purchase during the fast. Many people get to the end of the fast and cant even remember why they were interested in most of the items on the list.Plan for a post-fast review: Instead of quietly letting the fast elapse, plan to do an analysis of your time fasting. What worked? What was harder than you expected? What did you miss and what did you forget about?Schedule regular fasts: Whether you are fasting for a weekend once a month, a week every six months, or for 21 days once a year, get into the habit of cutting all unnecessary spending for a defined period. This can help you remember what spending is important and what spending is just easy.Protect your money from the creepTheres a reason its called lifestyle creepit inches slowly into your budget without you noticing.So reclaim your notice with a financial fast. Regularly committing to this exercise gives you the time and framework for rethinking your money choices. Cutting out all unnecessary spending forces you to think creatively about solving your problems, recognize your spending triggers, determine what you valueand show that creep whos boss.

For our latest lookbook, we've collected eight homes featuring bathrooms where statement bathtubs form stylish centrepieces and add a sculptural feel.Whether they're made from concrete, terrazzo or marble, built into a wall or sunk into the floor, the bathtubs in these projects all enhance the design of the bathrooms they're in.By using the bath as a statement piece, designers can create wet rooms that aren't just functional but also beautiful.Matching the tub with the wall can create a hotel-like feel, while contrasting materials and colours can make the bathtub stand out.This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archive. For more, see previous lookbooks featuring living rooms with giant sofas, clever storage solutions and wooden kitchens.Photo by Ricardo LabougleArt House, Greece, by Kallos TurinVeiny green marble clads the walls and bath in this home in Greece, designed by architecture studio Kallos Turin to show off the owners' art collection."When creating the interiors, we viewed the house's concrete shell as a 'neutral' base the equivalent of white walls in an art gallery," concluded the architects.Find out more about Art House Photo by Matthieu SalvaingVersailles townhouse, France, by RMGBLocated across from the Chateau de Versailles, this French townhouse also has a bathroom with a marble bathtub. A splashback and floor in the same colour combine to make a decorative contrast to the room's white walls.Designer RMBG added a black-and-white photo with a similar pattern to that of the tub to create an interesting detail in the otherwise pared-back bathroom.Find out more about this Versailles townhouse Photo by Sara MagniMilan apartment, Italy, by David/NicolasFrench-Lebanese design studioDavid/Nicolas' refurbishment of this 1920s Milan apartment pays homage to iconic architect Gio Ponti, who created some of its interior in the 1950s.In the bathroom, the studio kept Ponti's pink bathtub and shower unit and covered the walls with micro concrete that forms a tactile contrast against the glossy tub.Find out more about this Milan apartment Photo by Helen CathcartThe Marker's Barn, UK, by Hutch DesignA former concrete pig shed, The Maker's Barn outside London was given a glamorous makeover by architecture studio Hutch Design, using "natural and honest" materials.Though the bathtub is located in the bedroomrather than the bathroom, it has an attention-grabbing sunken design that gives users an uninterrupted view of the fields outside through floor-to-ceiling glass windows.Find out more about The Maker's Barn Photo by Nicholas WorleyUntitled House, UK, by Szczepaniak AstridgeThis house in London is centred around a "concrete sculpture" a walled void that travels from the kitchen to the bathroom. Here, it has been enclosed behind a glass wall.Next to it, a deep concrete bath adds another sculptural detail. Green plants soften the brutalist feel of the bathroom, which was designed by architecture studioSzczepaniak Astridge.Find out more about Untitled House Photo by William Jess LairdUpper West Side apartment, US, by General AssemblyUS studio General Assembly chose terrazzo for the bath, floor and sink in one of the bathrooms in this Upper West Side apartment. Moss-green tiles add a symmetrical contrast to the playful terrazzo pattern.The studio used a wide variety of materials throughout the flat, with another bathroom clad in swirly marble.Find out more about this Upper West Side apartment Photo by Imagen SubliminalG House, Spain, by Gon ArchitectsSmall white tiles cover this large bathtub, which completely fills the space between a wall and the window.The Spanish home has an unusual design in that the bathroom and dressing room can only be accessed via the bath, which has steps leading up to it.According to the architect, the hidden bathroom was meant to add an element of play and surprise to the interior.Find out more about G House Photo by Megan TaylorSunderland Road house, UK, by 2LGPlayful pastel colours abound in this UK home designed for a family with three young children. Local firm 2LG Studio matched the pale-purple floor with the statement bathtub in the bathroom, which also has decorative marble wall details.Amorphous mirrors and blue tiles give the room even more character, while plants on small wall shelves add an organic feel.Find out more about Sunderland Road house This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen's archive. For more, see previous lookbooks featuring living rooms with giant sofas, clever storage solutions and wooden kitchens.The post Eight elegant bathrooms where eye-catching bathtubs take centre stage appeared first on Dezeen.

As the weekend comes around, I often find myself fantasizing about a short sweet getaway! Just a few days away from my hectic life, and this hectic world, in a bubble of my own, where all my worries are nowhere to be seen. And I do think Camping is a plausible plan! Theres nothing more comforting or exciting than lounging about in a cozy camper while you explore the countryside. You never feel out of place, because these little campers manage to feel like a home on wheels. Fill it up with your dear belongings, and its your home away from home. Not to mention the camper designs today are super innovative and inventive! These resourceful campers manage to cater to almost all of our needs, solving various problems, and turning our camping experience into a fulfilling and comfortable one.1. Wilderness Vans Range Slide-In Truck CampersSay hello to the Wilderness Vans Range slide-in campers the R1 and the R2. The campers have been created for all-year-round off-grid camping, and theyre amped with a whole bunch of amenities onboard. Equipped with multiple windows and skylights, the campers are quite light-filled and airy, creating a free-flowing and spacious interior.Why is it noteworthy?The Range campers are completely insulated for all weather usage. Theyre equipped with natural fiber and wool installation in the ceiling and walls, as well as cushioned wood layering with cell foam which makes the interiors warm during winter, and cool during the summer season.What we likeEquipped with excellent storage optionsFeaturesa 200-watt solar charging station to provide power in off-grid locationsWhat we dislikeThere is no pop-up option, so the headroom is pretty limited2. Xplorer 2.0Australian company HardKorr recently designed the Xplorer 2.0, or Shorty. Shorty is designed to be the little brother of their popular Xplorer trailer. The height has been trimmed to create a trailer with all the features and amenities of the OG. With the Shorty you can live comfortably in the outdoors for weeks or even months with your family.Why is it noteworthy?With the Shorty you dont need to compromise on comfort and living space. And once you return home, you can easily stow the trailer away in your city apartment garage until you need it for next time.What we likeGarage-compatible trailerFeatures an integrated staircase and a rooftop tentWhat we dislikeWe are unsure if it is available in the US currently3. G-47 Teardrop TrailerGoliath Campers built the G-47 model with top-quality marine-grade material, with finishing in appealing hues. It is designed to be a hard-shelled living unit with off-grid capabilities. It is equipped with water storage, a 200Ah lithium battery, a 2000W inverter, and a solar panel. It also has a swing-out grill for barbecues and a flip-up rainfall shower.Why is it noteworthy?The trailer is pretty compact measuring 15.4 feet. It rides on a Cruisemaster independent suspension system, and twin shock absorbers to support its off-roading ability. It has a unique and one-of-a-kind body which is made from foam core fiberglass, and is equipped with a hatch kitchen which can be accessed easily from outside.What we likeThe kitchen is well equipped with Weber BBQ grill, wine rack, sink, 65-litre fridge with freezer, 300-litre cupboard, and diesel hot water systemWhat we dislikeGeometric chassis might not fit all aesthetic tastes4. The AlphaGo S6 Air V4Named the AlphaGo S6 Air V4, this luxurious camping trailer from South Africa is designed to be a comfy off-road trailer that can host a family of six inside a self-inflating camper. This camper maximizes the time you spend at the time, cutting down on set up and set down stress. The trailer effortlessly transitions from a low towable trailer into a splendid multi-room villa.Why is it noteworthy?The trailer uses air inflation tech to cut down the need for traditional tenting poles. It can be easily set up in five minutes, building a spacious and cozy interior and adjoining space, to allow users to thoroughly enjoy their camping adventures.What we likeMore flexible and spacious as compared to typical trailersEquipped with a 10-leaf spring suspension to tackle challenging roadsWhat we dislikeCompletely dependent on functional air inflation device5. Yacht-Inspired Travel TrailerThis yacht-inspired travel trailer is truly astounding! Amped with contemporary amenities and design elements that draw inspiration from the beauty of a yacht, this travel trailer offers a yacht experience while youre on the road. If youre someone who dreams of being on a yacht but prefers keeping their feet grounded, then this is the trailer for you.Why is it noteworthy?The yacht was the inspiration for this elegant trailer, as it is the symbol of maximum comfort. It is road-legal towable, measures 8 sqm, and is equipped with the living space of a trailer that can accommodate a family of four people.What we likeFeatures an awning that lets you bask in the sunThe dining area can be converted into a bed and storage sectionsWhat we dislikeSince it is conceptual, we are unsure of how the final product will be6. Hitch HotelNamed the Hitch Hotel, this small towable trailer measures only 3.5 feet once folded for storage. You can easily tag the trailer to the back of your car, and it will retract over 7 feet, not occupying much space.Why is it noteworthy?Equipped with a fiberglass body, the overall weight of the trailer is kept to a minimum. You can sleep in it once the sun goes down, and you can even use it to stow your gear. It is quite similar to a conventional trailer in terms of form and functionality. A marine-grade canvas lines the inside with padded insulation.What we likeIt is quite well-ventilatedMaintains a compact and tiny formWhat we dislikeOwners have to invest in their sleeping mattress that fits this setup7. Crossfire 4.7 TrailerOn the Move Caravans recently designed their new Crossfire 4.7 trailer, which was built overseas, while retaining an Australian heart and spirit. The Crossfire 4.7 trailer features a compact, woodfree, and unibody design which is supposed to be 100 percent weatherproof. It is durable and reliable, and an excellent way to explore the unexplored.Why is it noteworthy?The trailer is equipped with a generous array of windows on the lateral sides, as well as a few on the back and front, this allows you to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape if youre camping or out exploring.What we likeFeatures a slide-out external kitchen complete with a three-gas burner and a sinkWhat we dislikeWe dont have proper information on the price8. Earth CamperNamed the Earth Camper, this camper is designed by ARB, and it will accompany you on your outdoor adventures and off-road expeditions. It features long-travel independent suspension and all-terrain tires. With this camper, you can tackle all kinds of difficult terrains with complete ease.Why is it noteworthy?The Earth Camper features a gray gel-coated fiberglass-reinforced plastic shell within a one-piece exoskeleton shell. This offers longevity and durability, and the 25 mm thick walls provide excellent noise control and temperature.What we likeFeatures 120W roof-mounted solar panelsIt can cater to all your off-grid needs and requirementsWhat we dislikeOn the pricier sideIt is only available in Australia, so limited availability9. Genimax HRDubbed the Genimax HR, this affordable pop-roof camper is designed for around-the-year camping. It has a rather lightweight body and is made from aluminum and rust-resistant and durable composite materials. The camper weighs 375 lbs, and you can move to different places with it. It is 60 inches in width.Why is it noteworthy?It is equipped with a high-performance independent suspension, and it offers excellent ground clearance to elevate its off-road ability. The camper can also ride smoothly on snow.It is designed specifically as a ready-to-camp solution to go on an adventure with his little family.What we likeLightweight and durable buildFeatures high-resistance polyurethane adhesive sealingWhat we dislikeSetting up the tent requires tedious manual labor10. RomotowNamed Romotow, this innovative trailer is designed by the New Zealand-based design and architecture firm W2. It features a fixed chassis and a rotated closed living unit which swivels around the full 90 degrees to offer a comfortable outdoor living experience.Why is it noteworthy?The Romotow measures 30.5 feet, and in transit, it stays closed. When stationed for the night, the main living unit can be opened on both sides, creating two different sections a big deck, and a sleeping/living cabin.What we likePowered by a 200Ah lithium battery and a 395W solar panel on the roofWhat we dislikeThe trailer needs to rotate a complete 90 degrees to fully open up, and that much free space may not always be availableThe post 10 Best Camping Automotives You Need To Achieve Your Outdoor Dreams This Summer first appeared on Yanko Design.

Here we go again.GTA: San Andreas for the Quest 2 was announced to great fanfare in 2021, and that was the last anyone heard of it.

Introducing: the definitive MacBook M1 Air slayer.

A good private video editor is hard to findespecially when you want it to work across all of your devices. Yes, there are lots of decent video editors, including Microsofts Clipchamp tool and Apples iMovie app. But Clipchamp is one of many modern video-editing tools that requires you to sign in with an account and upload your videos to a companys servers. And iMovie, of course, is limited to working only on Apples own products.Ive been looking for a free web-based video editor that is completely private, compatible everywhere, and available to use without any sign-in or account-creating requirement. Now, Ive found one that fits the bill.Its named Wide.video, and it runs in your web browser, which means it works on whatever computer you happen to be using: Windows PC, Chromebook, Mac, Linux, or whatever else you might prefer.But, while it runs in your web browser and is technically a web app, it does all the work on your computer. You dont have to sign up for an account, you dont have to install anything, and you dont have to upload your private videos to any companys servers. And while its free, it doesnt even have ads.Ready for a pleasant video-splicing surprise?Be the first to find all sorts of little-known tech treasures with my free Cool Tools newsletter from The Intelligence. One useful new discovery in your inbox every Wednesday!Video editing, without the asterisksFirst things first: Youll need Chrome or another Chromium-based browser like Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, or Opera to use this tool. Wide.video doesnt work in Firefox, as Firefox doesnt support some features it requires. Additionally, this is the kind of app that needs a big screen, so it wont work well on a phone. Save this one for your laptop or desktop computer. That aside, youll need only about one minute to get Wide.video up and running, though it may take you a few minutes to actually complete a video projectdepending on how complex you want to make it.But, again, no accounts are required. Just head to the Wide.video website and click Lets Go to get started.Then, youll need to click Open Project and point Wide.video at a folder on your computer that will be used for your video project. Youll want to create a new folder for this. Wide.video will store all your videos and other project data there, on your own local deviceno uploading of any data anywhere.Now, youre off to the races! You can add video files to the media list at the top-left corner of the windowwith drag and drop, or by clicking in that box and then opening them.Wide.video runs completely in your browser but works entirely on your own local computer. [Photo: wide.video]Wide.video offers a wide variety of traditional video editing features, including:Tools to insert text and shapesSmart tools for noise reduction, background removal, and moreA Download Stock Media feature that lets you download stock videos to incorporate in your projectsThe ability to export your video, complete with a trim feature so you can select only the parts of the project you want to exportAs far as video editors go, Wide.video has a fairly traditional interface while packing a decent selection of features. It also offers a variety of video tutorials to help you get started, in case you need extra guidance. Click the Video Tutorials button on the page where you open a project, or click Help > Video Tutorials within the Wide.video web app to find them.You can use Wide.video in your web browser on a Windows PC, Chromebook, Mac, or Linux PCwhatever your computer of choice is.This tool is completely free to use. And it doesnt even have ads.Since Wide.video runs entirely in your browser and does all the work on your own computer, no data of any sort is shared and no personal information is required to use the service.Treat yourself to even more productivity-boosting goodness with my free Cool Tools newsletter. Youll get an instant introduction to an AI-powered supertool that transcribes your brainand a useful new off-the-beaten-path gem every Wednesday!

This week on Dezeen, we explored 15 of the most interesting venues that will host the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, including the recently opened Intuit Dome.Among the venues on the list are the recently completedSoFi StadiumandIntuit Dome, as well as the LA84 Foundation/John C Argue Swim Stadium, which was built to host the swimming events for the 1932 Summer Olympics.The article marked the end of our Olympic Impact series, which examined the carbon-reduction measures taken by the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and explored whether sustainable major sporting events are possible.Populous has designed a stadium in Saudi Arabia with a spiralling formIn other stadium news, this week global architecture studio Populous released images of its Aramco Stadium, which will seat 47,000 people.The stadium, which has a spiralling form intended to evoke waves, is being developed to meet the requirements for the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia and will be located in Al Khobar.Malaysia will no longer prioritise skyscrapers, prime minister saysMalaysia's prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has said the country, which has numerous well-known skyscrapers, will no longer be prioritising them."I have emphasised the need to focus on projects that serve and respect the people," Ibrahim said. "There are already many skyscrapers, if the private sector wants to build them please do. But, the government does not make this a priority anymore."Teenage Engineering has developed an electronic instrument for medieval musicSwedish tech company Teenage Engineering released the "world's first medieval electronic instrument" this week. The beat machine lets users create their own medieval-stylemusicby combining samples of lutes, hurdy-gurdies and "rowdy peasants".In other design news, designer Kacper Motyka has developed Chairie, an adaptable piece of furniture designed to enhance sexual experiences. It comprises three cylindrical pillows that can move up and down to let the furniture change into various forms.Seven skinny townhouses in New York feature in our US roundupWe rounded up seven narrow townhouses in New York, many of which are considered "infill" buildings built on previously empty sites thought too small for residential development.As these can be half the width of normal plots, the architects in the story worked within the spatial constraints to create innovative skinny homes that make the most of their narrow sites.A chalet in Canada was among the week's most popular projectsPopular projects on Dezeen this week included a stilted "micro-chalet" in a Canadian wood, an off-grid house on an Australian farm and a metal-clad holiday home in Montana.Our latest lookbooks featured living rooms dominated by giant sofas and cleverly organised homes divided by storage solutions.This week on DezeenThis week on Dezeenis our regular roundup of the week's top news stories.Subscribe to our newslettersto be sure you don't miss anything.The post This week we revealed the venues set to host the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics appeared first on Dezeen.

Jessica Thompson-Lee, a ceramic artist and educator originally from Kansas City, MO, now thriving in Brooklyn, New York, is transforming the way we think about ceramics. Her work is an exploration of the dynamic relationship between form and function, with each piece inviting a tactile journey as much as a visual one. Thompson-Lees creations dont just sit on a shelf, they beckon you to touch, to hold, and to explore their intricate, biomorphic designs.Designer:Jessica Thompson-LeeInspired by the organic beauty of coral reefs, cellular structures, and the delicate networks of mycelium, her pieces are alive with movement. Handles on her mugs, for instance, arent mere attachments, they stretch and sprawl like living extensions of the vessel itself, creating web-like patterns that challenge the very idea of how a mug should be held. Each curve and twist invites you to find new, playful ways of interacting with the object, transforming the simple act of holding a mug into an engaging sensory experience.However, as beautiful as these designs are, one might wonder about their ergonomics. How comfortable is it to actually put your fingers through those differently shaped holes, and what kind of grip can one get? The intricate designs may offer visual allure, but they could pose a challenge when it comes to practical use. The unconventional placement of the handles might make it difficult to get a secure hold, raising concerns about the balance between art and utility. The delicate structure, while visually striking, might make one hesitant to use the mug for its intended purpose, fearing that it could break. But, you would never know until you actually hold one, it might just surprise you with great comfort. Either way, the piece can definitely add value to your space with its charm.The magic of Thompson-Lees work doesnt just lie in the finished product but in the journey of its creation. In her Brooklyn studio, she begins each piece with what she calls sketching with clay, an approach thats as spontaneous as it is deliberate. With a squeeze bottle filled with liquid clay, she lets her hands guide the design onto a plaster slab, embracing the unpredictable nature of the process. This element of surprise and fluidity infuses her work with joyful spontaneity, making each piece as unique as the moment it was born.Once the vessel takes shape on the wheel, Thompson-Lee shifts to the meticulous hand-building phase. With an exacto knife, she carves handles from thick slabs of clay, carefully refining the form until its just right. After smoothing the edges with a damp sponge, the handle is attached to the mug, which then undergoes its first firing. But the journey doesnt end there. Layers of intricate patterns and vibrant glazes are added post-firing, transforming the piece into a vivid, abstract work of art.Thompson-Lees creative exploration doesnt stop at mugs and vases. Shes pushing her biomorphic designs into new territories, with plans for jars, lamps, and even small furniture. Committed to sustainability, shes also experimenting with recycled paper pulp as a medium. Her unique, tactile creations are available on Etsy, where each piece offers an adventure waiting to be discovered.The post Biomorphic handles on these ceramic mugs add a touch of nature and quirk to lifestyle design first appeared on Yanko Design.