MacworldFaceTime, Skype, Zoom, and other apps offer live captions for calls and videoconferences. You can record calls in FaceTime. Several services and some apps transcribe audio to text using machine learning. Why not combine all these into a single service? Apple did with the Phone app and FaceTime in iOS 18.1.Starting with that release, you can opt to record calls if you meet Apples broad requirements. The integration into the operating system is still a little wonky: Apple has the Phone or FaceTime app record into a Notes item, which is also where you find a transcript in a special format embedded in the note.For transcription, you need at least an iPhone 12 model. Presumably for reasons of software development, call recording and transcription are limited to many of the most-spoken languages. See the bottom of this article for more details.If you have iOS 18.1 installed and you see the recording icon described and shown below, you have the right intersection of language, country, and hardware to record.Record a callHeres how to record a call:In the FaceTime or Phone app, look for the new Recording icon that appears overlaid in the app. Tap it. (If you dont see it, read the requirements at the end of the article.)A countdown begins with an automated message that speaks the phrase, This Call Will Be Recorded. Theres an X icon you can tap to prevent that message and back out of recording before it starts.The recording starts. You can tap the stop button to end the recording; when you end the call, the recording stops automatically.When the recording starts in a language supported by transcription, youll see a notification that says, Take notes on this call. Tap it, and youre taken to the note that is capturing the active calls audio and will later have a post-call transcription.The sequence from an active call to active recording starts by tapping the Record icon (highlighted in red with an arrow pointing at it) through alerts and notifications.FoundryPlaying audioVisit the note, which is nested in a Call Recordings folder, to play back audio. If youre using a language that supports transcription, the text of the conversation follows audio playback. If not, or if you tap the Transcription icon in the lower-left corner (to de-select it), you will see an audio waveform.Working with the transcriptIn languages that support transcription, opening the note reveals the conversation as text and audio control tools at the bottom. You can drag to scroll through the transcript. Speakers are identified based on Caller ID or contact information. Youre listed as You.Tap on any point in the transcript and the audio playback jumps to that position and starts to play. You can use the Transcription icon to switch between the audio waveform and the transcript to move the audio to the point you want to read the transcript and then tap the icon again.If you want to extract the transcript as plain text you can work with, tap the (More) icon and choose Add Transcript to Note. From the menu, you can also copy the transcript to use in another app (or paste on another device via Universal Clipboard), or save or share the audio.The transcript in Notes can be dragged through to find audio or, by tapping the Transcription icon (highlighted in red at right bottom), you can scrub through audio instead.FoundryYou can search within the transcript with Find in Transcript or by tapping Search at the bottom of the view. With Apple Intelligence available and enabled, you can tap Summary to get a short description of the conversation.Additional requirementsApple currently supports only a few languages for call transcription, whichit lists in this way: Cantonese (Hong Kong), English (Australia), English (United States), Korean (South Korea), Mandarin Chinese (China mainland), and Spanish (United States).Call recording has broader support, but Apple alsolists availability by languagerather than country. There are 31 supported languages, which includes Chinese in both Cantonese Mandarin forms.Ask Mac 911Weve compiled a list of the questions we get asked most frequently, along with answers and links to columns:read our super FAQto see if your question is covered. If not, were always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours tomac911@macworld.com, including screen captures as appropriate and whether you want your full name used. Not every question will be answered; we dont reply to emails, and we cannot provide direct troubleshooting advice.For more information about iOS 18 read our guide to iOS 18.

MacworldInstead of letting down the Apple lover on your gifting list this year with something like AirTags, why not surprise them with an iPad Air? No, you dont have to splurge to get them some Apple gear, at least if you shop refurbished.Check off your holiday shopping list with this4th Gen iPad Air. Grab it now for$324.97 (reg. $599). Youll have to place your order by December 15 if you want it to arrive on time for the holiday!Shopping refurbished allows you to save over 30% on this iPad Air, but that doesnt mean its used. This refurbished modelarrives in Grade A condition, so they probably wont even noticeor carethat it had a previous life.Whether theyre using this iPad for catching up on book club reads, FaceTiming family during the holidays, or streamingHome Alone, your giftee will love its sleek, portable profile and 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display.They can even work on this iPad Air, thanks to the A14 Bionic Chip that allows for smooth multitasking and Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) compatibility (both not included). Storing photos, apps, and files locally is also simple, thanks to its 64GB capacity.You might just outdo Santa Claus this year when you treat someone to thisnear-mint 4th Gen iPad Air, now$324.97 while supplies last. Order on or before December 15 at 11:59 PM Pacific so it arrives by Christmas!Apple iPad Air 4th Gen (2020) 64GB WiFi Sky Blue (Refurbished)Only $324.97 at MacworldStackSocial prices subject to change.

In a world where technology increasingly shapes how cities manage safety and security, Kazakhstans Ministry of Internal Affairs is leading the way with its groundbreaking Carpet CCTV project. This ambitious initiative has revolutionized public safety by combining a massive surveillance network with advanced analytics and artificial intelligence, creating a system that shifts the focus from reactive responses to proactive prevention.Over the past four years, the scope of Kazakhstans surveillance infrastructure has expanded dramatically. The number of cameras has grown from just 40,500 to an impressive 1.3 million, with 313,000 cameras now directly accessible to police. These cameras are strategically positioned to monitor key areas, enhancing law enforcements ability to detect, prevent, and respond to incidents in real time. The system has already shown its effectiveness: since early 2024, it has detected over 8,200 criminal offenses and recorded 7.1 million traffic violations, resulting in significant improvements in public safety and road management.At the heart of this transformation is the use of artificial intelligence. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as facial recognition, license plate detection, and crowd monitoring, the system provides actionable insights that allow authorities to address risks before they escalate. For example, facial recognition capabilities enable real-time identification of persons of interest, while AI-powered traffic monitoring contributes to improved road safety and generates public revenue through fines. These features highlight the systems ability to go beyond passive recording, transforming it into a dynamic tool for crime prevention and urban management.The implementation of the Carpet CCTV project, however, was not without challenges. Managing the enormous volume of data generated by over a million high-definition cameras required significant upgrades in communication networks and data storage infrastructure. The integration of public and private camera networks demanded a unified approach to data sharing and management, while privacy concerns necessitated robust regulatory frameworks to ensure citizen trust. Through a combination of strategic planning, public-private partnerships, and transparent communication, the Ministry successfully addressed these obstacles, setting a model for other nations to follow.One of the projects most significant achievements lies in its deterrent effect. Administrative offenses, such as public disturbances, have decreased sharply, indicating that the visible presence of surveillance cameras is influencing behavior. This demonstrates the power of technology not just to react to incidents, but to prevent them altogether. Furthermore, the use of video evidence has increased case resolution rates, further solidifying the systems impact on law enforcement effectiveness.Looking ahead, Kazakhstan plans to build on the success of Carpet CCTV by expanding its geographic coverage and enhancing its analytical capabilities. New developments will focus on leveraging advanced AI to improve the accuracy and scope of surveillance, while also incorporating adaptive privacy measures to protect civil liberties. This forward-thinking approach ensures the system remains at the forefront of public safety technology, balancing innovation with accountability.Kazakhstans Carpet CCTV project represents more than just an investment in technologyits a vision for smarter, safer cities. By blending state-of-the-art solutions with thoughtful governance, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has created a system that not only addresses todays challenges but also lays the groundwork for a secure and sustainable future.

When most businesspeople think of videoconferencing software, the first thing that comes to mind is probably Microsoft Teams or Zoom, but there are many other choices, each with its own strengths. Sometimes the choice of what tool to use comes down to whats standard corporate issue more often than not, thats Teams but its not uncommon for businesses to use a mix of tools.Some organizations dont want to be reliant on Microsoft for everything, or sometimes an executive likes another tool better, says Will McKeon-White, senior analyst for unified communications and conversational AI at Forrester Research.In this buyers guideVideoconferencing software: What it is, why enterprises need itCurrent trends in videoconferencing softwareWhat to look for in videoconferencing softwareBefore you shop: Key questions to ask yourself and your stakeholdersKey questions to ask videoconferencing vendors14 videoconferencing tools to considerEssential readingVideoconferencing software: What it is, why enterprises need itVideoconferencing services enable users to conduct online video meetings with one or more people who may join the call from their computers, phones, tablets, and room conferencing systems. They integrate with calendaring software for scheduling purposes, and usually include an audio call-in option, screen-sharing capabilities, and nonverbal communication features such as text chat, whiteboarding, and the ability to add reaction emojis.Business-grade tools also allow for administrative controls that restrict who can join and what can be shared, and offer enhanced security features such as multifactor authentication (MFA), bring your own key (BYOK) end-to-end encryption, and single sign-on (SSO). Many videoconferencing systems integrate with conference room video hardware from the same vendor and/or third-party vendors.Videoconferencing software has long been a useful tool for remote employees who needed to engage with their teams, and it was a nice-to-have for communicating with customers and partners when face-to-face meetings were impractical. Then, in 2020, everything changed. Videoconferencing rose to critical infrastructure status when, during the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly all office employees suddenly found themselves working from home. Licensing of videoconferencing software and services soared Zoom nearly doubled its revenue in 2021 and innovation increased as vendors competed for a piece of a much larger pie. The software saw rapid improvements as vendors raced to add new features, including better audio and video quality and enhanced security.Nearly five years later, large numbers of employees have returned to the office, but many still telecommute one or more days per week. Videoconferencing software remains an essential part of business communications.Current trends in videoconferencing softwareNowadays, videoconferencing software may seem like a well-defined, mature product space, but change is still afoot. The weird thing about the videoconferencing software market is that its being subsumed into unified communications [UC], says McKeon-White.IDCs term for this software category is unified communications and collaboration (UC&C), which the research firm describes as an advanced telephony solution integrated with messaging (i.e., email, voice, and fax), instant messaging (IM) or chat, presence, and conferencing platforms for web conferencing, audioconferencing, and/or videoconferencing. Many UC&C suites include additional collaboration features such as file sharing and virtual whiteboards. And while chat sessions in traditional, standalone videoconferencing systems typically end when the call terminates, vendor-hosted UC as a service (UCaaS) systems often include persistent chat functions that continue even after a videoconferencing session ends.Like Forrester, IDC says most standalone videoconferencing software is being folded into larger UC&C suites. Videoconferencing apps are also found in productivity app suites such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, which is one reason why Microsoft Teams has dominated the space. It has a 44.7% share of the $69 billion UC&C software market, according to IDC, while Zoom, its nearest competitor, sits at 6.4%.That domination was also driven by the fact that, until this year, Microsoft bundled Teams with most Microsoft 365 licenses. That got pushback from regulators, Forresters McKeon-White says, so now new enterprise customers must pay $5.25 per user per month for Teams as an add-on. But most companies already have Teams now and can purchase it through existing licenses, he adds.Innovative AI-based features such as real-time transcription, text insertion, and multiparty translation have also changed the user experience, according to McKeon-White. With some products, each user can see a translation of whats said in their native language through captioning. Thats happening now, he says.Another feature, image upscaling, sends lower-resolution audio and video to other participants devices, which can then upscale the quality. Its much easier now to have a smooth experience over poor connections, McKeon-White says.Finally, emerging AI features are closing the loop between what users say in a videoconferencing session and action items, he says. For example, if a participant needs to look up an account record in the CRM system to determine its status, a bot says, Would you like me to do that for you? or it identifies that it needs to be done and pulls the record right into the conversation. It can do so by rendering the CRM interface right into a chat window or by extracting the information and presenting it.Early experiments with AI didnt go well because the AI didnt comprehend exactly what people were asking in conversation, but the technology has seen massive improvements of late, McKeon-White says. While vendors are still experimenting with this function, you can expect to see more and better capabilities like this going forward, he says.What to look for in videoconferencing softwareEvery vendor offers similar features, but the user experience can vary significantly. Consider both user familiarity with a given tool and whether the user experience is good enough. If it doesnt meet expectations, some users may turn to more familiar, easy-to-use options such as Zoom.I see standardization on Teams, McKeon-White says, but sometimes an exception is better for the business, such as when communicating with people in external organizations who use different software.While a company standard is good to have, theres no reason to force everyone to use one videoconferencing service exclusively, says Jitesh Gera, research manager for UC&C at IDC. Its OK to opt for different tool choices that meet the needs of each kind of user, such as for sales, customer service, developers, or IT.Consider whether a given tool is the dominant one in your industry. For example, Zoom has a big footprint in healthcare and financial services, for Cisco its government, GoTo is the preference for IT teams because of its advanced screen-share capabilities, and Microsoft is virtually everywhere, says McKeon-White. And some tools offer Slack integration that lets users keep an audio or video line open while working on their own screens. That more Discord-like experience is a plus for software development teams, he says.Also, consider how well a product fits in with your UC&C suite, and what new and innovative AI-based features may be available or planned.Finally, the videoconferencing software you choose needs to integrate well with your existing meeting room conferencing systems. Companies have started to prioritize AI meeting room videoconferencing capabilities such as adaptive speaker framing [which zooms in on the participant whos talking], multiple camera layouts, and virtual meeting zones, which are the top three factors when choosing a UC&C system, says Gera.Before you shop: Key questions to ask yourself and your stakeholdersDo you already have software that you can use for videoconferencing? For example, is there a videoconferencing component in your UC&C suite?Are there needs that arent being met by your current solution? Is the tool currently in use easy to use, or do users dislike the user experience so much that they turn to other videoconferencing options?What types of communication needs does your organization have? Do they include internal only or also internal-to-external partners and customers? Are there specific needs for certain groups, such as sales, finance, IT, or software engineering?What types of room conferencing system hardware do you have and what are the compatibility options for videoconferencing software?Whats your budget?Key questions to ask videoconferencing vendorsHow effective is the videoconferencing software at enhancing productivity and collaboration? Do you have any metrics?In what ways is the experience better than the product(s) my organization already has?Is the software easy to use? How many clicks does it take to start a meeting?Does it support screen sharing?Is there a whiteboard function?Are there browser, desktop, and mobile app options?Does it integrate with my organizations calendaring system and other key systems, such as our project management software?Does it integrate seamlessly with our room conferencing system hardware?How do you secure it for enterprise use? Does it support SSO MFA? LDAP? Watermarking for shared documents? What type of encryption is offered? Does it support BYOK encryption?What administrative and data access controls does the software offer? For example, does it offer data sensitivity labeling, and can we restrict user or group access to specific documents?What regulatory compliance standards does it meet?What session quality enhancements does it support (image blurring, noise suppression, image upscaling, etc.)?Does it support session recording and retention policies?What is the vendors feature road map and plan for AI evolution? Are they too dependent on external providers for AI? If so, they may not be very innovative, says Gera.Does the software have features specifically tailored to my industry vertical?Where is data associated with videoconferencing sessions routed and hosted geographically? Weve seen instances where traffic was routed through countries that were less than desirable, says McKeon-White.What are the uptime and reliability guarantees?Does the software support hybrid on-premises/cloud deployments for high availability? For example, Microsoft offers the Survivability Branch Appliance for Teams that can keep sessions going when the cloud-based service is unavailable.What are my pricing options?14 videoconferencing tools to considerThe top four videoconferencing software products by market share are Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex, and Google Meet, according to IDC and Forrester. Some tools are available only as part of broader UC&C offerings. Heres a brief summary of products from 14 vendors, listed alphabetically, that have offerings in the videoconferencing services space.88 Communications Platform88s videoconferencing software is just one feature of its 88 Communications Platform, a UC&C offering tailored to the needs of contact centers. It includes a 99.999% service level agreement with 247 technical support; can live stream meetings on YouTube; includes its own mobile, desktop, and web apps; and integrates with Teams as well as major CRM and service and support applications. The 88 Communications Platform supports polls and virtual break-out rooms for meetings; includes an intelligent assistant; and offers administrative controls, analytics, and reporting.Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise RainbowAlcatel-Lucent Enterprise, the French telecommunications hardware and software company, describes its Rainbow offering as a secure -la-carte cloud-based communications and collaboration platform. It supports meetings of up to 120 participants and 12 simultaneous video streams; is compliant with ISO 27001, GDPR, and CCPA; and can be deployed in on-premises or hybrid configurations. It offers integrations for Microsoft Teams as well as on-premises telephone systems. Other options include a system designed for use in conference rooms and another designed for virtual classrooms.Avaya SpacesAvaya Spaces, Avayas UC&C platform, includes one-click voice and videoconference calling as well as text chat, and supports meetings with up to 1,000 people. Its compatible with Google, Microsoft 365, Teams, Salesforce, and Slack and offers an API for custom integrations. Spaces can record meetings, has retention policy controls, is HIPAA and GDPR compliant, and offers single sign-on and encryption for data in transit and at rest.AI-driven features include background noise cancellation, meeting transcription, and closed captioning. Users can connect via browser, desktop, or mobile app, with user interface versions available in 26 languages.Cisco Webex MeetingsWebex Meetings is part of Ciscos comprehensive UC&C suite that also includes calling, event management, whiteboards, polling, messaging, webinar support, and other features. The software integrates with a wide array of general-business and vertical-specific enterprise apps.A free version supports meeting durations of up to 40 minutes. The entry-level paid version includes an AI assistant that can translate conversations through closed captions, write messages, and summarize meetings and messages. All versions offer end-to-end encryption and HIPAA/BAA compliance; the enterprise version is FedRAMP authorized and offers bring your own key end-to-end encryption and watermarking. Cisco also sells several Webex-compatible desktop and meeting room video hardware devices.DialpadDialpads videoconferencing service includes enterprise, small business, and free versions, with UC&C editions designed for general business, sales, and contact centers. Dialpad is strong in chat intelligencebusiness analyticsinternational support and real-time user insights, according to Forrester. It integrates with Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, and several CRM tools, and includes AI-driven meeting and call transcription, screen and meeting recording, data retention policies, and analytics and reporting functions.Dialpad adjusts video resolution to available bandwidth for each connection to reduce video freeze-ups. It can support up to 150 participants through browser, desktop, and mobile apps. A meeting room version is also available. Session encryption and single sign-on are supported, and Dialpad is HIPAA compliant.Google MeetGoogles cloud-based Google Meet videoconferencing software includes a free version that supports meetings up to one hour long. The Google One Premium version includes call recording, noise cancellation, and the ability to live stream meetings on YouTube. Chat is a separate app.The business version, bundled into the Google Workspace collaboration suite, supports longer meetings, offers higher-quality video and includes meeting recording with transcripts. It works with Googles Gemini AI assistant (which requires a separate subscription) for real-time translation and generating meeting summaries. The enterprise version of Meet includes more advanced security features such as bring your own key end-to-end encryption.GoTo MeetingGoTo Meeting (formerly LogMeIn), available in business and enterprise editions, is one element in a collaboration suite of UC&C offerings that also includes GoTo Webinars and GoTo Training. The GoTo UC&C offerings fall into three categories: business communications, contact centers, and IT management and support. The vendor promotes its security and privacy features (single sign-on, end-to-end encryption, HIPAA compliance, one-time meeting passwords, meeting locking) and 99.9999% uptime SLA.Key features include recordings and transcriptions for meetings with up to 250 participants, background noise suppression, screen sharing, drawing tools, and virtual breakout rooms. GoTo Meeting also works with H.323-enabled room conferencing systems. A14-day free trial version of GoTo Meeting Business is available.Microsoft TeamsMicrosofts Teams dominates in the enterprise videoconferencing space because its tightly integrated with Microsoft 365, the office productivity suite that many large organizations already use. Teams offers VoIP calling, webinar hosting, a whiteboard, and integration with PowerPoint, and its compatible with a wide range of room conferencing systems. Calls, meetings, chat sessions, and files can be encrypted.Another element, Microsoft Mesh, creates immersive 3D spaces where participant avatars can interact in a virtual meeting room. The optional Microsoft 365 Copilot AI assistant can summarize, suggest action items, and provide real-time translation for videoconference and chat sessions.Microsoft is increasingly dictating the direction of the UCaaS market, with many other vendors offering Teams integration, Forrester reports, although it adds that licensing is needlessly complicated. A basic version of Teams is available for free.Mitel MiCollabVideoconferencing is one element of the Mitel MiCollab UC&C suite, which includes voice, video, chat messaging, SMS messaging, web conferencing, and team collaboration tools. It can run on-site or over virtualized public or private cloud infrastructure. It integrates with the companys business phone system offerings as well as Microsoft 365, Teams, and the Zoom Workplace Platform. MiCollab apps are available for Windows, macOS, and mobile devices.Ooma MeetingsVoIP phone system provider Ooma offers Ooma Meetings as part of its Ooma Office Pro and Ooma Office Pro Plus collaboration and small business phone system services. It offers client software for macOS and Windows desktops as well as browser-based access. Features include a dashboard for scheduling meetings with up to 100 meeting participants, background noise cancellation, screen sharing, whiteboarding, chat, meeting recording (stored for three months), and integration with Microsoft and Google calendars.RingCentral VideoUC&C platform vendor RingCentral offers a standalone enterprise edition of its videoconferencing offering, RingCentral Video Pro+, as well as a more limited, free version. Video Pro+ supports meetings of up to 200 participants for up to 24 hours duration. Features include a whiteboard, content sharing, meeting recording, a collaborative notes space, and background noise cancellation.An AI assistant creates real-time closed captions, transcriptions, and meeting summaries. Security and administration features include end-to-end encryption, single sign-on, data retention policy controls, and usage and performance analytics. Versions for conference rooms and webinars are available as add-ons.Vonage MeetingsPart of the Vonage Business Communications (VBC) software suite, Vonage Meetings supports meetings with up to 200 participants; includes chat, whiteboard, and recording features; integrates with both Google and Outlook calendars; and has desktop and mobile clients for macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Security and privacy features include support for SSO, MFA, and encryption. VBC is HIPAA and GDPR compliant.Zoho MeetingZoho Meeting supports both videoconference meetings with up to 250 participants and webinars with up to 5,000 attendees for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. It integrates with the Zoho Workplace calendar and offers chat, digital whiteboards, screen sharing, session recording, virtual breakout rooms, live polls, and AI-generated meeting transcriptions and summaries.Sessions can be streamed live on YouTube, and a version for meeting rooms is available as an add-on. It also offers session encryption and analytics for administrators. A feature-limited, free version supports up to 100 users per session for up to 60 minutes.ZoomZoom, which rose to fame during the pandemic for its easy-to-use interface, remains a major player in the videoconferencing software space Forrester says it offers a best-in-class video experience. Like its competitors, Zoom has expanded beyond video meetings, now offering a UC&C suite called Zoom Workplace that includes include chat, a whiteboard, meeting recording, email, a calendaring system for scheduling, and Zoom Docs, a built-in document creation tool. While consumers may gravitate to the basic, free version, the business versions allow for longer meetings and provide an AI assistant, Zoom AI Companion, that can summarize meetings (including a catch-up summary if a user comes into a meeting late), draft messages, and provide real-time translation. Zoom Phone, the companys VoIP telephony offering, is included with enterprise Zoom Workplace subscriptions and available as an add-on for small-business plans. A one-year subscription to Essential Apps, a set of third-party add-ons with functions ranging from meeting summarization to gamification to virtual breakout rooms, is also included with enterprise licenses, except for organizations in government, education, and healthcare. Bring-your-own-key end-to-end encryption is a standard feature.Essential reading UCaaS buyers guide: How to choose the right unified communications platformEnterprise buyers guide: Digital whiteboard software

As he visits Apple Stores in London, Tim Cook says the company is continuing to expand on its more than $18 billion investment in the country, and how it has doubled its engineering teams there.Tim Cook (left) has a pint with "Slow Horses" star Jack LowdenOn his return trip from China, Apple CEO Tim Cook has been in London, visiting the city's Apple Covent Garden store. He saw a performance by musician Jamie Cullum, and also drank a pint with "Slow Horses" star and Golden Globe nominee Jack Lowden."We've been serving customers in the UK for more than 40 years, and we're proud of our deep connection with communities across this country," said Cook in a statement about Apple's investment in the UK. "We're thrilled to be growing our Apple teams here, and to keep supporting the extraordinary innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs who are pushing the boundaries of technology in so many ways." Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple's supply chain will be challenged to produce the rumored iPhone 17 Slim. Here's what features the company is rumored to jam into the thinnest iPhone yet.A render of what the iPhone 17 Slim could look likeThe iPhone 17 Slim is expected to form part of the next batch of flagship launches in fall 2025. To prepare for that launch, Apple's supply chain is starting to perform the initial tasks required to actually manufacture it.According to supply chain sources of DigiTimes, the iPhone 17 Slim or Air has moved to the New Product Introduction (NPI) phase of manufacturing. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

LPA Design Studios, the firm founded by Leason Pomeroy in Southern California in 1965, has been named the 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award winner by the American Institute of Architects.The awards 61st official recipient follows Quinn Evans in winning the honor. Their influence on architecture in the region has been felt widely even as it emerged from a 1997 rebranding to design projects wed to a philosophy that consistently exhibits sustainability credentials while internally creating opportunities for underrepresented voices to enter the professional community.With operations in California and Texas, the practice has grown into a national firm with more than 400 architects working on projects for higher education, K-12, and municipal and state government clients.

The Foster + PartnersandEpstein-designedMidtown Bus Terminalreplacementproject for The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has been approved by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).The $10 billion plan will construct a new2.1-million-square-foot facility in phases over four years with an eventual 2032 completion after a temporary space is built in 2028. The original structure dates to 1950 and will be upgraded with a new main entrance, added street-level retail, and a multi-story indoor atrium comparable toFulton Center, and new public open space.Image: courtesy Foster + Partners and EpsteinThe Port Authority says the existing terminal has served approximately 205,000 average weekday daily passengers this year.

There are three currencies in Marvel Rivals: purple Chrono Tokens, blue Units, and gold Lattice. Units are the currency used to purchase microtransactions, whether skins, cosmetics, or bundles, in the game. Acquiring these Units for free is a matter of grinding for other currencies.This guide outlines every possible way to get a hold of Units in Marvel Rivals.Achievements ProgressionThe Marvel Rivals Achievements tab is buried in the Career section or player profile page. These Achievements are not to be confused with Steam or Xbox Achievements. These can be accomplished over the course of many days and matches. Completion of these Achievements confers 100 Units at regular intervals.A total of 800 Units stand to be earned from the current Heroic Journey milestones, though it remains to be seen if this refreshes over seasons.Season EventsSeason Events can be found on a separate page under the Missions tab in the Season section. Rotating over the course of seasons, these tasks reward 60 Units for completion.Battle Pass ProgressionAs you progress through the Battle Pass using Chrono Tokens either earned from completing dailies and challenges or converted from Lattice, there will be some pages that reward you with Units at the cost of 200 Chrono Tokens per individual unlock. In the ongoing season, there are 300 Units to be earned, though this should be raised to 600 in future seasons.Currency ConversionAs a premium, paid-for currency, Lattice itself can also be converted to Units at a 1:1 conversion rate. This is far more economical than the conversion sequence of 200 Lattice to 200 Chrono Tokens to unlock just 100 Units in the Battle Pass. So any Lattice unlocked from the Battle Pass is best converted directly into Units for maximum value, except for one very specific case scenario.If there is a bonus conversion rate scheme like 1:2.5 on offer for Lattice to Chrono Tokens, you will get much more bang for your buck. Those bonus Chrono Tokens can then be put toward unlocking further free Units from the Battle Pass, but only if any actually remain to be gained. This is possible through purchase of the accelerated Luxury Battle Pass.That is every possible way to grind for Units in Marvel Rivals.

Marvel Rivals has a leveling system in place which also serves to impede player access to Competitive Play and its ongoing season. New players will have to grind their way to rank 10 before they can even access ranked play and its ladder. And that is just player account XP the Battle Pass has its own distinct progression system.This guide is everything there is to know about earning both account and Battle Pass progression in order to rank up quickly and efficiently in Marvel Rivals.Quick Play For Rank XPThe simplest of modes to hop right into, Quick Play will match you up with players of all skill levels. Aside from a team victory, your personal performance will earn you XP towards your account rank. Everything from kills to assists to being MVP can increase your XP per match.Kills are clearly the largest contributor towards account rank XP gains.Chrono Tokens And The Battle PassMarvel Rivals Battle Pass progression is unusual in that it does not level up through merely playing and winning matches, but specifically through the completion of daily missions, as well as challenges and events that are released at regular intervals.These tasks tend to be of the hero-specific variety, that incentivize the use of certain skills and abilities. Some of these can be tedious as they require pre-conditions to exist in the arena, such as the use of a Team-Up ability where another random player would have to be a specific hero in order to perform. Successful completion of the dailies, challenges, and events rewards you with purple Chrono Tokens.Dailies confer 30 of these tokens each, with four becoming available everyday for 48 hours, for a total of 120 Chrono Tokens each day.Challenges drop less regularly, are more involved, and only reward you with 80 Chrono Tokens each.Season Events can earn you 100 Chrono Tokens each, while rotating over the course of entire seasons.Both Dailies and Challenges offer up to three refreshes each, if the options on offer are unsatisfactory, and each of those refresh attempts are reset 24 hours after initial use.Fortunately, many of these tasks can be completed in practice matches versus AI. All three of these mission types can be tracked from the Missions tab in the Season section, but only outside of matches.The Achievements tab (not to be confused with Steam or Xbox Achievements) is buried deep elsewhere, in the Career section or player profile page. Here you will find multiple tracks, two of which (Galactas Guide and Rivalry Rising) have non-rotating tasks that can unlock 200 Chrono Tokens each, and can only be completed in true PvP modes for the most part, unless specified.These Chrono Tokens can then be spent on unlocking pages in the Battle Pass.Additionally, any gold Lattice either purchased or unlocked through the Battle Pass can be converted into Chrono Tokens at a 1:1 conversion rate. With 300 in the ongoing season, and 600 in future passes, Lattice currency conversions can go a long way towards gaining the Chrono Tokens needed for Battle Pass completion. Since Lattice does not expire, the most optimal practice is to make use of promotional schemes that convert Lattice to Chrono Tokens at a more advantageous ratio, as high as 1:2.5, with a percentage-based acquisition bonus on top. This is possible through purchase of the accelerated Luxury Battle Pass.That is everything there is to know about grinding XP to level both account rank and the Battle Pass in Marvel Rivals.