Photographs have revealed the Casa de Vidrio greenhouse in Chile by architecture studio Max Nez Arquitectos, which hasvaulted roofs made of glass bricks.Located in a private garden, Casa de Vidrio was completed late in 2018 but was recently captured by Chilean photographer Cristbal Palma to show the fullness of the tropical plants inside.Max Nez Arquitectos has created a greenhouse in ChileThe 130-square metre structure was created as a "building for plants" according to Max Nez Arquitectos founder Max Nez, who took cues from modern greenhouses while emphasizing the "artificial nature" of the natural elements contained within.To do this, Nez created different elevations within the structure, so that the plants sit below ground level, accessible by a series of staircases that lead down from a concrete-and-steel platform ringing the interior.It has a double vaulted ceiling made of glass bricks"Having the plants at a lower level was a way to differentiate the horizon of these plants, which are strange to the rest of the park," Nez told Dezeen."It's a subtle way of changing the relation between the horizons of the tropical plants compared to the exterior flora as visitors move around the perimeter."The plants grow below ground levelThis subtle shift in elevation on the interior also allows tropical plants, such as palm trees, to grow to a fuller height.Two large vaulted ceilings also serve practical purposes. They allow the plants to plants to grow taller while refracting light so the plants inside remain in a warm environment without taking on direct sunlight.A walkway lines the perimeterNez noted that the use of vaulted ceilings is rare in Chile, which often sees powerful earthquakes.Though the frame of the structure appears slim, extra supports were placed throughout the vaults. Extra steel supports were also placed in the middle of the ceiling where the vaults meet and around the perimeter.Read: Forma transforms century-old glasshouse into Vksthuset climate classroomThese additional supports were then used to hide the water and electrical systems. Because of the low temperatures of Santiago's winter, heating elements were included around the perimeter, below the walkway.The vaults were supported by simple I-beams, and lighting was placed in the recesses to allow access during the night. Extra-translucent glass clads the exterior and the faces of the vaults."In this way the plants are more visible from the outside, turning the building into a large showcase that exhibits their habitants," said the studio.Lighting and environmental systems were placed in the steel structureOther international greenhouses include the conversion of a steelworks in China into the Expo Cultural Park Greenhouse and a research facility in California designed by Perkins&Will with greenhouses on top.The photography is by Cristbal Palma.Project credits:Architect in charge: Max NezCollaborator: Carlos RosasLandscape design: Juan GrimmLighting design: InterdesignThe post Max Nez Arquitectos tops greenhouse with vaulted glass block roofs appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen Showroom: a series of furniture and fittings rendered in Yves Klein's iconic deep blue hue is among 12 new products featured on Dezeen Showroom.Klein Blue collection by TiptoeThe Archives Yves Klein worked with Parisian furniture design brand Tiptoe to develop a range of monochrome pieces that are coloured with French artistYves Klein's eponymous shade of blue.The Klein Blue collection comprises seating, tables, stools and shelving, as well as table legs and wall brackets, all made from steel, wood or a combination of the two.The series was recently featured on Dezeen Showroom alongside a kitchen made from planks of solid oak and an armchair with a wraparound arm and backrest atop a pouf-like base.Read on to see more of the latest products:Micra tiles by VivesSpanish brandVives has released a large-format porcelain tile that comes in a range of styles and patterns but is unified by its terrazzo-like surfaces.Micra tiles are available in various sizes and colours that are intended to be applied in tandem with the brand's other tiles and surfaces.Find out more about Micra Green steel bathroom products by BetteGerman bathroom brandBette has enabled a selection of its products to be specified in green steel, a material which the company considers to be carbon-neutral.Green steel bathroom products are finished with the brand's signature glazed surface, which enhances hygiene and durability.Find out more about green steel products Tenon kitchen by Kristian Ahlmark for KongacphLithuanian brand Kongacph worked with Danish architect Kristian Ahlmark on a kitchen made from one single oak log.The Tenon kitchen is decorated with various natural cracks and knots as well as visible joinery to create a characterful aesthetic.Find out more about Tenon Azerocare Plus stone treatment by AntoliniItalian stone company Antolini has created a process that can be applied during the manufacturing of its stone surfaces that protects them from contact with potentially abrasive substances.The Azerocare Plus stone treatment can be applied in conjunction with marble, onyx and soft quartzite stones.Find out more about Azerocare Plus Marmi Maximum tiles by FiandreItalian brandFiandre has added three new designs to its Marmi Maximum tile collection, all of which mimic the appearance of highly-striated marble.Marmi Maximum tiles are now available in Dama Bianca, Breccia Imperiale and Silver Root patterns, and, like the rest of the range, are suitable for use across a variety of applications.Find out more about Marmi Maximum Light and Shadow rug collection by TenBerke for Warp & WeftDawn, midday and dusk inform the patterns present in this collection of rugs by architecture studio TenBerke for US brand Warp & Weft.The Light and Shadow rug collection comprises ten rugs in total, all of which feature various abstract shapes and soothing colour combinations.Find out more about Light and Shadow Ribbon textile by Sophie Smallhorn for DesigntexIntersecting and overlapping lines create a kaleidoscopic pattern on this material created by artist Sophie Smallhorn for UStextilecompanyDesigntex.Ribbon textilecomes in various colourways and background hues, which all aim to energise the spaces in which they are used.Find out more about Ribbon Nebulona armchair by E-ggs for MiniformsItalian brandMiniforms worked with design studio E-ggs to create a rounded, inviting armchair.The Nebulona armchair shares the rest of the collection's soft, plump forms, and can be upholstered in a selection of fabrics.Find out more about Nebulona Maya lamps by FraumaierUndulating lines are created by layers of fringing in the shade of this duo of lamps by German lighting brandFraumaier.Maya lamps come in both pendant and standing variations, and are available in various colourways for the inner and outer shade and base, in the standing lamp iteration.Find out more about Maya tude chair collection by TiptoeClassic classroom chairs meet grown-up aesthetics in this chair by French furniture brandTiptoe.The tude chair collection comes in dining and lounge variations with optional armrests that can be finished in a myriad of colourways.Find out more about tude Raffles rug by Azma's rugsTextile companyAzmas Rugs worked with designer David Mrugala on a kaleidoscopic rug decorated with frond-like patterns of vivid colours.The Raffles rug is made from hand-knotted wool and silk, and features 100 knots per square inch to create a dense and highly tactile finish.Find out more about Raffles SSD stool TiptoeFurniture design company Tiptoe has released a stool that takes visual cues from its SSD chair.The SSD stool has four gently splayed, cylindrical legs that support a round seat, and is available in both bright and neutral colourways.Find out more about SSD 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 Klein Blue collection by Tiptoe among 12 new products on Dezeen Showroom appeared first on Dezeen.

Amid a fragile ceasefire, architects and designers in Lebanon are torn between hope and fear as they take stock of how Israel's military campaign has impacted their country's creative community.The last year of conflict has seen Lebanon face its most intense attacks in several decades, with Israeli strikes killing more than 4,000 people among them 316 children and displacing 1.3 million more."So many designers have moved abroad," interior designer Nour Saccal, of Saccal Design House, told Dezeen. "And I am not sure if they will indeed return.""Many have started looking into opening offices outside Lebanon in order to ensure a continuous workflow and protect themselves from any future instability.""Culture is the first thing that gets affected"As designers and craftspeople fled the violence, many Lebanese studios were forced to pause or delay projects.Now, they fear demand for their work might not return until there is some semblance of stability a prospect that still seems far off as both Israel and Lebanese militant political group Hezbollah continue to violate the ceasefire they agreed on 27 November."Culture is the first thing that gets affected when events like this happen," said architect Lina Ghotmeh. "Who's going to build a museum when everybody's bombarding everywhere?""But culture is very important because culture is what brings people together," she added. "Cultural places are ones where people can be confronted with different points of view. So it's essential, it's not a luxury."PSLab stockpiled materials to keep manufacturing in its northern Lebanon factoryIn fact, Lebanon's celebrated creative industries are needed now more than ever, argues We Design Beirut founder Mariana Wehbe, as the nation looks to rise from the ashes of the war and elect a new president after two years without a head of state and a parliament in deadlock."While we've rebuilt physically many times, rebuilding fundamentally as one united people is a challenge we have yet to fully undertake," Wehbe explained. "For the first time in our history, we have an opportunity to turn the page, to forgive and to come together to build a unified nation.""What I believe has always bonded us together as a country is the creative community it's an integral part of our moving forward," she added. "It is the only community far from politics, polarisation and finger-pointing, breaking all barriers of religion and political stands.""Lebanon has never been without its conflicts"Lebanon and Israel have been embroiled in an on-and-off conflict since the latter was founded in 1948. But the most recent clash erupted when Hezbollah fired on Israel after the country was attacked by Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023, triggering a year of tit-for-tat airstrikes.Israel escalated the conflict into an all-out war and ground invasion in September, which it claims to be targeted at Hezbollah militants but has resulted in many civilian deaths, leading human rights organisations to call for Israel to be investigated for potential war crimes.More than 500 people died on a single day that month, making it "the bloodiest day in Lebanon" since the country's civil war in 1990, according to UN secretary general Antnio Guterres.The conflict which saw Beirut heavily bombed until seconds before the ceasefire came into effect has also caused an estimated 6.7 billion worth of damage, with more than 100,000 homes either hit or entirely levelled.Read: Beirut explosion was "the funeral of my hometown"This destruction could not have come at a worse time for Lebanon, already battered by economic collapse, severe food shortages, the Covid-19 pandemic and a disastrous explosion in the capital's port in a span of only five years.Even before Israel's invasion, this amounted to "the most devastating, multi-pronged crisis in its modern history", according to the World Bank, with the country losing "the equivalent of 15 years of economic growth"."Lebanon has never been without its conflicts: the 15-year civil war, the Israeli invasion of 1982, the Israeli aggression of 2006, the Beirut Port explosion of 2020, and now this invasion that is above and beyond anything we have ever seen" Wehbe said."How many times can we be asked to rebuild our human selves? How many wars can we endure in a single lifetime?" she added. "The word 'trauma' feels like a euphemism.""This is not the first round of war that we've gone through," agreed architect Bernard Khoury. "We do hope that it will be the last one, as we did so many times."Studios forced to pause local projectsDesigner Paola Sakr is among those who have chosen to leave the country. She moved to Dubai in November "with a heavy heart", after many of the local artisans who make her products were forced to flee."Although this decision wasn't easy, it will allow me to work with more stability and plan for future growth," she explained. "That said, I am dedicated to maintaining a presence in Lebanon and will do everything possible to keep a foot in my production there."Similarly, Paris-based Lebanese architect Ghotmeh has seen three different projects put on hold due to Lebanon's ongoing political and economic crisis, among them a hotel set to be built among the vineyards of Bekaa Valley, which was hit by several deadly strikes."They're on hold and it will be at least a few years before anything big happens," she said. "It's a question of finance, a question of stability."Lina Ghotmeh's Lining Kefraya Hotel in Bekaa Valley was put on hold"It's affected my desire to set up a satellite office in Lebanon," Ghotmeh admitted. "But still, we're always trying to work on revival projects and trying to see how we can help and push in the best way possible, despite the situation."Meanwhile, the Saccal Design House office in Beirut's Verdun neighbourhood finally reopened its doors at the start of December after employees worked remotely for two months, with many moving abroad or into the countryside to escape the heavily bombed capital."We are trying our best to navigate this time while still staying resilient and keeping the work ongoing," said Saccal, who paused all local projects but continued to spearhead overseas endeavours from her satellite office in Kuwait."Part of the resilience is our feeling of responsibility to persevere harder by getting more work and projects from abroad in order to keep the Beirut office and its employees afloat.""When our atelier was struck we didn't stop"Studios without overseas outposts were forced to find circuitous ways to maintain their normal operations amid the frightening unpredictability of the fighting.Design duo Bokja had to abandon their studio in Beirut's central Basta neighbourhood after it was damaged by an Israeli air strike, moving their team of artisans to a temporary space in nearby Saifi."When our atelier was struck we didn't stop, we adapted," said co-founders Huda Baroudi and Mara Hibri. "Our artisans relocated, taking their craft with them, and continued creating."Lighting design studio PSLab continued production in its factory in northern Lebanon, where the team stockpiled extra raw materials and fuel for generators, with alternative sea freight on standby in case the local airport was shut down.Bokja moved to a temporary space in Saifi after its atelier was damaged"If you talked to any of our 150-plus team members you would think they have not been affected and it's business as usual," said PSLab communications director Rania Abboud."But in reality, Lebanese-based design studios, and especially manufacturers, work extra hard to achieve this 'business as usual'."Khoury also said he managed to stay on time with projects thanks to certain "defence mechanisms" he put in place, requiring tasks and responsibilities to be divvied up interchangeably between all team members rather than falling to certain individuals."This, alongside unconventional schedules that allow for a level of flexibility and adaptability, permits us to operate in what has become a highly unstable environment both politically and economically," he explained."The setup we have here remains, as far as I'm concerned, more effective than anywhere else," Khoury added. "Lebanon still has impressive human resources. This applies to design practices as much as it applies to most creative fields."Lebanese expertise "still not replicable" elsewhereEven studios that already have a foot in other markets across the Middle East and beyond say the war has given them a renewed appreciation for Lebanon's creative output that dissuades them from leaving for good."This experience has deepened my appreciation for the resilience, skill and cultural richness of Lebanese artisans," said Tara Sakhi of Europe-based design studio T Sakhi, which saw several client commissions paused or delayed."These projects often rely on techniques and craftsmanship specific to Lebanon, which are difficult to replicate elsewhere."Read: Eight highlights from the first-ever We Design Beirut event"What we have in Lebanon in terms of quality of work and sophistication is still not replicable," agreed designer Nada Debs, who is continuing the production of her furniture and homeware in Beirut while expanding in Dubai."We will be opening a space by early next year in order to create demand and to keep the livelihood of the craftsmen going."For Wehbe, the dogged perseverance shown by Lebanon's design community remains a beacon of hope."Designers have found creative ways to work, manufacture, and adapt, even in the face of immense adversity," she said."In many ways, they've been putting the pieces back together all along, and I believe the coming year will showcase the remarkable strength and resilience of this community."The main photo is by Matej Sulc via Shutterstock.Dezeen In DepthIf you enjoy reading Dezeen's interviews, opinions and features,subscribe to Dezeen In Depth. Sent on the last Friday of each month, this newsletter provides a single place to read about the design and architecture stories behind the headlines.The post "How many times can we be asked to rebuild?" demand Lebanese architects and designers appeared first on Dezeen.

Handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion GO, and ASUS ROG Ally have proven to be popular designs in a somewhat niche market. Despite their small sizes, at least relative to laptops, these computers are quite capable of driving even graphics-heavy triple-A games, at least with reasonable settings. And as with any gaming-worthy computer, these handheld PCs are also capable of doing just about anything, including office productivity or even content creation.That said, their designs are hardly conducive to use cases outside of gaming, especially for tasks that require at least a keyboard. There are alternative designs from the likes of AYANEO and GPD that do add a tiny keyboard, but those are meant more for chatting than actual work. This upcoming newcomer, however, wants you to have your cake and eat it too, and its using a rather ingenious design that supports both games and productivity without compromising too much.Designer: ONE-NETBOOKWeve seen handheld gaming PCs that look like laptops, but these usually compress the keyboard in order to make room for gaming controls like joysticks and buttons. This creates a usable but not ideal experience, where typing is doable but uncomfortable and gaming is bearable but not always enjoyable. And thats not even considering issues with ergonomics for both sides of the coin. Short of having a shape-shifting computer or a modular design (that has actually been done before as well), theres really no easy way to bridge these two together, at least until now.Unlike its predecessor that attempted to create a hybrid between a Nintendo Switch handheld and a Microsoft Surface tablet, the ONEXPLAYER G1 embraces the form factor of a small 8.8-inch laptop. Opening it up reveals what looks like a regular physical keyboard, complete with a tiny touchpad, so you might not even consider it as a gaming computer until you remove that keyboard. Yes, that keyboard is actually wireless and connected to the computer using magnets only, and lifting it up reveals the handhelds gaming chops.Underneath this removable keyboard are analog joysticks, a D-Pad, and face buttons, the essential parts of a game controller. Because there isnt a critical need to have a keyboard, the design is able to accommodate a more comfortable arrangement of buttons similar to an Xbox-compatible controller. Of course, there are also triggers and shoulder buttons at the back of the laptop, as well as a number of extra buttons.Whats interesting about this design is that even this gaming mode still has a split keyboard below the controls. Its not immediately clear whether these are capacitive keys on a glass surface or if theyre just very low-travel keys for basic chat needs. Either way, its definitely an interesting twist on the handheld gaming PC design, though the price for such a multi-functional beast will probably cost as much as a laptop as well.The post Mini gaming laptop has a removable keyboard to easily switch between work and play first appeared on Yanko Design.

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MacworldKids love iPads. The simplicity of tapping on the screen when they want things to happen means they can learn to use them in seconds, but theres plenty that Apples tablets can do. Whether its educational games, entertainment apps, using them to create art with an Apple Pencil or just something to stop them getting bored on car journeys, iPads can be a godsend.Choosing the right one can feel a bit daunting. After all, dont they all do the same things? Whats the difference between the normal iPad and the iPad Air? Well, were here to simplify things so you can be sure youre buying the right one. You can also read our best iPhone and iPad apps for kids guide to get them off to a good start. Plus, we have a roundup of the best iPhones for kids if you want to immerse them fully in the Apple world as they grow up. Should I get an iPad for my child? Theres been lots of research published about how much screen time our kids should be allowed. Some parents might argue that kids shouldnt be exposed to screens at such a young age, but frankly, in a world where everything is dominated by technology we think that we owe it to our kids to make sure they are comfortable in that environment, hence the introduction of an iPad is good for their education.That said, just sticking them in front of an iPad rather than interacting with them probably isnt great: Disney+ shouldnt really be babysitting your kids for hours on end, but if it allows you a few minutes of peace to make dinner then fair enough.With that out of the way, there are many reasons why you should be confident about getting an iPad for your kids to use. There are, after all, many other tablets on the market, most of which are cheaper than the iPad. So, if you are looking for some reassurance on is whether the iPad is the best option for your child, here are a few compelling reasons:The App Store is full of great apps designed specifically for kids.Many of those apps will be ideal for school children of various ages, or even toddlers.There is an ecosystem of great accessories designed to work with the iPad.iPadOS is easy to use, especially if your child has used your iPhone. The bonus is your iPhone apps will be available on your iPad too and vice versa.If you have older children, then take a look at our guide to the best iPads for students.What iPads are there to choose from?At the time of writing, Apple offers four categories of iPad, which are as follows. iPad iPad mini iPad Air iPad ProIn all honesty, we wouldnt recommend the iPad Pros for children, as youd just be paying quite sizeable amounts for performance and compatibility features that they just wont need. The standard iPad and iPad mini range offer plenty of scope and power for younger users, and the iPad Air will satisfy the more demanding teen. Our advice is to stick with those and ignore the Pros. When it comes to older students though, its a potentially different argument, but the good news is you can put that off for a few years and save up for the more expensive iPad in the meantime.Speaking of savings, check out our round-up of the best iPad deals you can get on the whole range of iPads here: The best iPad deals.Is 64GB enough? This depends on how you want to use the iPad. For long trips, you might want to download lots of movies, TV shows, or games to entertain the kids in the car or on the plane. In that case, more storage is better. Otherwise, any apps you purchase can always be deleted and then downloaded again, plus public Wi-Fi can often be available as an easy solution for the little ones streaming a few episodes of their favorite shows. Our advice would be to get more than 64GB storage if you can. The iPad mini (A17 Pro) that launched in October 2024 starts at 128GB storage now, rather than 64GB as it did before, and as the standard iPad still does. If you compare the standard iPad with 64GB for $349/329 to the 128GB iPad mini which costs $499/499, its well worth spending $150/150 more to get the extra storage and everything else the mini offers. And if you want even more storage, the iPad mini with 256GB costs $599/599 compared to $499/479 for the 256GB iPad. If you are buying a refurbished or used iPad, then wed strongly advise against a 32GB or lower, it simply isnt enough storage and you will regret it. For more advice regarding buying a used or refurbished iPad read: Why a refurbished iPad could be the best tablet for you.Do I need cellular?Probably not. It adds $150/150 to the price of the iPad and wed suggest that money was better spent on upgrading the storage, or getting a better model. If you want to add cellular capabilities to your kids iPad, we recommend that when you are outside the house you hotspot from your own iPhone rather than spend money on a contract for your child. That said, most apps will work offline and you can download movies to the device when heading on a long trip.Best iPad for kids and toddlersHeres our advice on which iPad to choose when buying for a child.iPad mini (A17 Pro) Best for small handsProsLightweightPowerfulApple Pencil Pro support ConsSmaller doesnt mean cheaperPrice When Reviewed:599 EuroBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice579View Deal599View Deal599View Deal599View Deal631.9View Deal550,58 View Deal569,00 View Deal569,00 View Deal599,00 View Deal599,00 View Deal599,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket579 at Computeruniverse599 at Alternate599 at AppleView more prices from notebooksbilliger.deJACOBtease-Shopdigitalo.deClose Best Prices Today:iPad mini (A17 Pro) Best for small handsRetailerPrice579View Deal599View Deal599View Deal599View Deal631.9View Deal550,58 View Deal569,00 View Deal569,00 View Deal599,00 View Deal599,00 View Deal599,00 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketWhile the iPad mini might be the smallest member of the family, dont let that fool you, theres plenty of power and features packed into the diminutive frame. The only negative is the price, which is a little higher than the bigger iPad, so its not quite as much of a bargain for kids.The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display is gorgeous. Like all the modern iPads, there is no Home button Apple ditched that a generation ago and instead put a Touch ID sensor in the Power button on the side.Under the hood, theres an A17 Pro driving things, this processor is the lowest spec required to run Apple Intelligence features. If you are choosing between the iPad mini and cheaper iPad and are curious about Apple Intelligence, only the iPad mini, iPad Air and Pro will support it). Even if Apple Intelligence doesnt peek your interest, the A17 Pro chip means there is no lack of power in this smaller iPad, ensuring the latest games and apps will absolutely fly on this device. It also has support for the Apple Pencil (USB C) or the Apple Pencil Pro, meaning your child can use if for doodling, creating art or note-taking at school when they get a bit older.The compact dimensions of 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm at 297g make it small and lightweight, which can be easier for little ones to hold. There are also four different colors to choose from, including soft shades of Purple and Blue. Oh, and there are 5G versions if you want to add a fast data connection for streaming and messaging on the go.The iPad mini is available in these configurations:iPad mini (A17 Pro) 128GB $499/499iPad mini (A17 Pro) 256GB $599/599iPad mini (A17 Pro) 512GB $799/799iPad mini (A17 Pro, cellular) costs $150/150 more than the non-cellular versions. Check our guide to the best iPad mini deals to see if you can get one for a lower price.Read our full Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) review iPad Air (M2) For bigger kids ProsInexpensiveApple Pencil Support (1st Gen)A13 Bionic Processor, Headphone JackConsLower quality screen than other modelsOlder design.No longer in productionBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice0.01View Deal649View Deal649View Deal659View Deal699View Deal633,15 View Deal649,00 View Deal652,31 View Deal658,64 View Deal699,00 View Deal699,00 View Deal714,00 View Deal740.82View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket0.01 at idealo649 at Computeruniverse649 at notebooksbilliger.deView more prices from AlternateAppletease-ShopnotebooksbilligerClose Best Prices Today:iPad Air (M2) For bigger kids RetailerPrice0.01View Deal649View Deal649View Deal659View Deal699View Deal633,15 View Deal649,00 View Deal652,31 View Deal658,64 View Deal699,00 View Deal699,00 View Deal714,00 View Deal740.82View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketWe said in the introduction that the iPad Air is probably overkill for kids, but that does depend a bit on the age of the child. For some there will be a lot of appear in the 11-inch iPad Air (M2), with its 11-inch display, modern design, low weight (462g), great cameras, and hugely powerful processor, and as we recommend in our round up of the Best iPads for Students it is a great choice for students.Unfortunately, its a bit on the pricey side, starting at $599/599 (higher education students get a discount but not school aged children). Thats still only $100/100 more than the iPad mini though, and it has a lot more to offer. Not least the M2 chip than makes it the perfect combination of power, storage and features.The M2 processor is the same chip that powered the previous generation of iPad Pro models, not to mention several Macs. If your kid enjoys gaming on their iPad then the iPad Air will likely meet their needs (for anyone else then theres always the iPad Pro, which has an M4 and the addition of ProMotion for faster screen refreshes, but that really is overkill for kids!) The camera is a 12MP Wide lens (also like on the iPad Pro) and the front-facing camera is a 12MP Ultra-Wide that is positioned on the longer side of the chassis to allow landscape views during FaceTime calls.There are some nice colors to choose from including pale Purple and Blue shades (that are similar to those on the iPad mini). Theres also the standard Starlight and Space Grey. You can use the Apple Pencil Pro ($129/129) and Apple Pencil USB-C ($79/79) with the iPad Air. See: Apple Pencils compared: Which Apple Pencil works with your iPad?The iPad Air (M2) is available in these configurations:11-inch iPad Air (M2) 128GB $599/59911-inch iPad Air (M2) 256GB $699/69911-inch iPad Air (M2) 512GB $899/89911-inch iPad Air (M2) 1TB $1,099/1,09911-inch iPad Air (M2), cellular) costs $150/150 more than the non-cellular versions.If they want a larger display, there is also the 13-inch iPad Air (M2) that comes with all the same specs and features. It starts at $799/799. Read iPad Air (M2) vs iPad Pro (M4) to find out how the iPad Air compares to the iPad Pro.Read our roundup of the best iPad Air deals.Read our full iPad Air 11 Zoll (2024) review 10th-gen iPad (2022) Budget optionProsModern design10.9-inch Liquid Retina DisplayUSB-C for chargingVibrant colorsCons64GB SSDA14 Bionic processor doesnt work with Apple IntelligenceBest Prices Today: RetailerPrice399View Deal401View Deal445.6View Deal339,00 View Deal349,00 View Deal372,70 View Deal376,32 View Deal376,45 View Deal379,00 View Deal399,00 View Deal408,00 View Deal408,51 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from Backmarket399 at Apple401 at Alternate445.6 at JACOB339,00 at amazon.deView more prices from amazon.deOTTOdigitalo.deSMDVClose Best Prices Today:10th-gen iPad (2022) Budget optionRetailerPrice399View Deal401View Deal445.6View Deal339,00 View Deal349,00 View Deal372,70 View Deal376,32 View Deal376,45 View Deal379,00 View Deal399,00 View Deal408,00 View Deal408,51 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideView more pricesProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketIn 2022, Apple gave its standard iPad a makeover when it launched this 10th-generation model, replacing the classic Home button design with the mini/Air approach of gesture-based controls. There is still Touch ID available, but now youll find the sensor embedded in the power button on the top edge. This means theres more space for the display, which increases from the 10.2-inch panel in the 9th generation iPad to 10.9-inch in this 10th generation model.As with the previous standard iPad models, the display isnt laminated, meaning there is a slight air gap between the glass and the display beneath. This is a minor thing and probably wont even be something you notice, unless you use an Apple Pencil often, in which case youll probably experience a slight lag as you write. Its all good though, and after no time at all, youll be able to incorporate that into your technique and scribble away with the best of them. This model supports the 1st generation Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil (USB C).Apple fits the 10th-gen iPad with an A14 Bionic processor, which is the same tech that powered the iPhone 12 range (including the Pros). That processor is a little on the old side now, and doesnt support Apple Intelligence, of which Apple is making a big deal right now. Apple Intelligence has some features that might appeal to students, so it could be a benefit, then again it might lead your child to cheat on their homework That said, the A14 chip will still provide adequate performance for playing basic games, streaming content, and running educational apps. Another notable feature is the inclusion of a USB-C port rather than Lightning. This opens up a world of peripherals that you can use with the iPad, and you can even connect it to a compatible monitor if your child needs a desktop-style experience.Of course, you can always pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to create the perfect, compact laptop for homework and any creative endeavors your child wants to try. The iPad comes in four bright, bold colors (Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver), so your child can pick one that reflects their personality or just the one with the hues they like the most.One of the best features of the 10th generation iPad is its low price. You can pick them up for the following prices:iPad (10th gen) 64GB $349/329iPad (10th gen) 256GB $499/479iPad (10th gen, cellular) costs $150/150 more than the non-cellular versions. We recommend opting for the 256GB storage variant, as 64GB can fill up pretty quickly if youre downloading games, large apps, or TV/movie content. At this point you might be better served by the iPad mini (A17 Pro) 128GB at $499/499 though, which is why this iPad isnt our top choice right now, but that may change when Apple gets around to updating it in 2025. Read: New iPad 11th generation rumours. Check our guide to the best iPad 10th-gen deals to see if you can get one for a lower price.Read our full Apple iPad (10th gen, A14, 2022) review

Apple has had a busy year in enterprise tech. Apple Intelligence, spatial computing, the war to protect the user experience against excessive regulation, security, privacy and continued improvements to Apple Silicon and valuable OS improvements for enterprise deployment have occupied much of its time. With this in mind, its a good time to speak with Apple device management and security leaders from Jamf, Kandji, Jumpcloud, and Fleet to find out what mattered most in 2024, and what they expect in 2025.Fleet: Crowdstrike was important to AppleI spoke withFleetCEO Mike McNeil. Fleet is anopen-source MDM providerthat now supports iPhones, iPads, Macs, Windows, and Linux devices.In 2024, what were the three most important Apple-related moments for enterprise users?One of the most significant Apple-related events occurred despite not directly affecting Apple itself. This was the CrowdStrike out(r)age.Apples ongoing innovation with VisionOS not only challenges businesses to think creatively and find innovative ways to work but also enhances accessibility in the workforce.Apples first release of AI capabilities, allowing users to access them without privacy violations or security issues, is a pretty significant milestone. Its like the promise of Siri is finally coming true.Looking ahead to 2025, what do you expect will be the biggest concern(s)/challenge(s) for Apple in the enterprise? As more organizations enroll more personal devices and BYOD programs, the attack surface for adversaries expands significantly meaning, if you manage to pop one employees phone, you can now access whatever they could on their phone, McNeil said. Consequently, people who manage devices need to invest more in preventing both traditional malware-based attacks and sophisticated social engineering tactics.What do you think enterprise users most need from Apple that it does not yet provide? A comprehensive and robust declarative management framework that enables devices to maintain a known good state irrespective of their network connectivity or environmental conditions.Apple would be very well served by investing more in getting people to adopt existing features rather than adding more product managers and names for slight variations of the same things.How do you see the future of Apple in business across the next 12 months? Apple is such an amazing company. We are only going to see more and more Macs in the enterprise this year, as user choice programs and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs evolve and become the standard practice rather than an exception. With Managed Apple IDs catching on, well see more secondary computing devices like Apple Watch and Apple Vision Pro in enterprise environments.Jumpcloud: Identity, security, and AII got the following thoughts from Joel Rennich, senior vice president for product management atJumpcloud. The company earlier this year published survey data that shows abig switch in favor of using Apple devices in the enterprise. They expect this to continue.In 2024, what were the three most important Apple-related moments for enterprise users?The introduction of Apple Intelligence not so much in the sense that it will change the world, although it might, but more so in how its challenging Enterprise IT departments on how to respond to a new way of doing AI. With Apples use of on-device and Private Cloud Compute processing, a new dimension has been added to thinking about how to engage with AI with sensitive data.Changes to how Managed Apple Accounts, formerly known as Managed Apple IDs, are created and used. Beyond a name change, MAAs have become a lot more functional to the point where most enterprises should be able to start using them. With the introduction of OpenID Connect Federation (OIDC) and System for Cross-Domain Identity Management (SCIM) flows to Apple Business Manager and giving organizations a lot more control over how MAAs are created in the first place I expect adoption of Apple accounts to go up significantly. Theres still more work to be done, and organizations will still get annoyed by some of Apples insistence on being Apple, but most IT departments will be able to make good use of the changes today.While this one isnt entirely of Apples making, they are certainly championing the use of passkeys across the board. The speed at which passkeys have taken over OTP and push as MFA or as full on authentication has been astonishing. If youve never used a passkey on your iPhone to sign in to a website on your PC, you should run, not walk, to experience that. Its a simple thing, using a QR code with some Bluetooth help, but the security underlying all of this and the general ease of use of the process is astounding.Looking ahead to 2025, what do you expect will be the biggest concern(s)/challenge(s) for Apple in the enterprise? While there are a number of global threats and other issues that impact Apple as much as other vendors, the biggest challenge for Apple in the enterprise is Apple itself. This is the same as it has been since Apple started making inroads into enterprise with the original iPhone. The aspects that make Apple great in the consumer space are many times inherently at odds with what enterprises are looking for, and in most cases Apple refuses to compromise on aspects like user privacy and experience. I dont expect Apple to change much here. As it continues to expand its enterprise offering, customers will consistently ask foreven more controls and abilities to take away from the experience end users expect from Apple products.What do you think enterprise users most need from Apple that it does not yet provide? Apple has made real strides with their Platform SSO functionality. However, it still doesnt do the most basic function that enterprises are asking for, which is the automatic creation of the first new user on the system. Instead, customers still have to cobble together a combination of a number solutions to achieve this. Its clear that Apple was intending PSSO for a different set of problems the establishment of a SSO session from a user login but customers still need this functionality.[Users also need] a consistent method to enforce system updates. Apple keeps almost getting this right, but then missing something important. While Declarative Device Management can help, theres still a lot of consistency in the process thats lacking. This is a serious miss for Apple as they control the entire chain here.How do you see the future of Apple in business across the next 12 months? Apple will do fine. With the recent refresh of almost their entire hardware lineup to the M4 and consistent improvements to the software, Apple will continue to grow incrementally in the enterprise space. Mobile will still be the biggest reason that enterprises need to ensure they understand what Apple is doing, but solving for mobile pretty much ensures a good experience for any Mac users.Apple devices will continue to be at the upper end of the hardware quality spectrum and the MacBook Air will become even more attractive with the M4 chip and the price points staying low. The Apple Vision Pro wont break out into the mainstream in 2025, but Apple will continue to refine, and some developers will continue to work with it as they look for a compelling reason to make VR/AR more commonplace.Kandji: Device management, spatial computing, and AIWeldon Dodd, senior vice president of global partnerships atKandji made four substantial predictions for the coming year, supplementing his expectations aroundenterprise deployment of Apple-supporting AIfrom earlier in 2024.Hybrid work will drive innovation in device management: The hybrid work model will hit a tipping point, as employers push for more in-office presence while employees increasingly demand flexibility. This growing divide will catalyze innovation in device management. Many companies have already invested in streamlining onboarding and remote support, but now the challenge will be adapting those systems to also serve in-office environments. The key will be prioritizing automation and efficiency, which reduces the need for manual fixes and enhances the user experience across all work settings. As businesses navigate this tension, the future of device management will focus on creating seamless and flexible solutions that balance both employee autonomy and the need for in-person collaboration.Spatial computing becomes (more) mainstream: Apple Vision Pro will continue to evolve in 2025, becoming the more accessible productivity-focused tool that Apple has always wanted. Apple is expected to make the device more affordable, widening its appeal to consumers, while also maintaining its strength in workspaces especially with the recent software updates that allow for ultra-wide displays and seamless Mac integration.This shift could change how consumers interact with their devices, bringing spatial computing closer to the mainstream. In addition, rumors of a new Siri-powered kitchen device suggest Apple aspires to make daily life even more convenient with smart, hands-free solutions that leverage the growing capabilities of Apple Intelligence. Together, these innovations will drive deeper integration of Apples ecosystem across both personal and professional spaces.Businesses will use proprietary LLMs and RAG to unlock their own data: We are going to see a big shift as businesses start using Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and LLMs with their corporate data. Rather than relying solely on third-party models like OpenAI, companies will begin asking these models more specific questions about their business, such as, Is there anomalous behavior happening on this device we manage, or What does this data tell me about our device management security?By connecting LLMs with internal data, businesses will be able to get answers that arent just based on general world knowledge, but are much more tailored to their needs. As companies make this move, theyll also need to pay close attention to data governance and privacy, especially as regulations like GDPR implement stricter guidelines regarding the handling of customer data. If done right, this approach could unlock valuable insights, but businesses must balance the power of AI with well-established data practices to keep afloat.Apples M4 Chip will enable on-device AI: Apples M4 chip will make on-device AI the new standard, enabling more AI processing to happen directly on devices rather than relying on the cloud. For consumers, this shift means faster, more personalized experiences with greater privacy. This is because less data will need to be shared or stored remotely. For businesses, the impact could be substantial, particularly related to Apple-managed accounts, making it easier to deliver tailored services. And for the business user that requires top level speed and performance think video editing, software deployment or AI development using LLMs the M4 is going to be untouchable by the competition.What Jamf sees comingA veteran of the Apple device management space, Jamf also focused on AI and the part it will play in the coming year. The companyrecently introduced a host of new toolsfor Apple device management and deployment.With generative AI quickly becoming a pervasive fixture in the technology landscape, businesses are reacting with catch-all policies to restrict usage and control how sensitive information and intellectual property flows outside the organizations data protection boundary, said Michael Covington, vice president of portfolio strategy. For many, this means blanket policies forbidding the use of AI until reviewed by an oversight board.While oversight is good, it can significantly delay the adoption of useful tools if the process is not streamlined to allow for timely decision-making. The recent release of Apple Intelligence serves as a good case study on how AI keywords can trigger restrictive business policies, despite an implementation that keeps private data on-device and includes controls to govern the use of third-party AI models.In order to enable business leaders to more effectively cope with the onslaught of AI-enabled tools and to minimize an oversight bottleneck the industry will need to develop a set of foundational rubrics to guide in more timely assessments of AI technologies. As a result, I predict we will see a renewed focus on data classification labels, a better understanding of AI processing locations, and a demand for confidentiality assertions from vendors as private data traverses their infrastructure.As the industry transitions to an application-driven phase of AI, it is imperative that organizations be equipped to make thoughtful and timely decisions about how the technology can be used responsibly to drive business objectives.As genAI becomes demystified, the true effectiveness and value of solutions for enterprises will become clearer, said Jamf CIO Linh Lam. (Many) companies quickly entered the genAI market over the past year or two. Its a crowded space that can easily overwhelm even leaders of technology companies who are looking to select the right genAI solution for their businesses. In 2025, while the hype cycle will continue to evolve, well see the more effective solutions surface and more customers focusing on solutions that bring the most real value to their businesses.As with any hot new tech on the block, the buzz around this latest emerging technology will start to calm, and well start to see genAI mature. Well start to see what value these tools can provide for businesses, and which perform better than the others. Its going to be a year of cutting through the noise, and those who can break through that will be the companies that stick around for years to come.You can follow me on social media! Join me onBlueSky, LinkedIn,Mastodon, andMeWe.

Despite low sales, the Apple Vision Pro is reportedly shaking up the VR/MR industry and moving the trend of headsets from entertainment to productivity and innovation.Apple Vision ProThe global VR and MR headset market is expected to grow steadily in 2024, with shipments projected to reach 9.6 million units, an 8.8% increase year-over-year, according to a new report by TrendForce. Apple Vision Pro, despite moderate growth, is setting new standards.Launched in 2024, Apple Vision Pro has already claimed 5% of the market, a significant achievement given its high price. Starting at $3,499, the Vision Pro is not positioned as a mass-market device but rather as a high-end product aimed at professionals and early adopters. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums