There is still some debate about the benefits of curved screens at home, whether they can really replicate the cinematic experience of movie houses or are just marketing hype. Theres also the promise of a more ergonomic display because of how they conform to the natural angle of our vision. Some people swear by curved screens, especially when it comes to more immersive content like movies and video games, but not everyone is a believer.With many brands seemingly falling head over heels with curves, there seem to be fewer choices for flat-screeners. Even worse, youre forced to make an upfront decision when making a purchase, without the option to change your mind later at no cost. If we already have phones that can fold in half, it shouldnt be a huge leap to have monitors that can change their shape on a whim, which is exactly what LG is bringing to gamers desks in glorious 5K2K resolution.Designer: LGThere are benefits and disadvantages to both curved and flat monitors, but peoples preferences can change every now and then. While movies and games might look great on a curved screen, regular applications and windows might look distorted. Content creation software that relies on accuracy and precision doesnt benefit from such technology either, but theres no way users can switch between the two modes unless they have different displays for different needs.The upcoming LG UltraGear OLED Bendable Gaming Monitor (model 45GX990A) promises the flexibility to adjust to your needs without wasting money on extra equipment you might use only occasionally. The 45-inch monitor can go from flat to a 900R curvature in just a few seconds, making it possible to seamlessly switch between use cases in a snap. LG also promotes the monitors ability to quickly switch between resolution and refresh rate presets in order to match your needs.To be clear, this is not the worlds first bendable monitor, but it is the first one to come with a very high 5K2K (5,120 x 2,160) resolution. The monitors 21:9 ultra-wide aspect ratio is also a boon to gamers who usually need more screen real estate at the sides than a taller canvas. That said, the monitor does feature a Dual-Mode function that lets you switch between 21:9 and 16:9 aspect ratios as well as different picture sizes for compatibility with different types of content.LG is also announcing two other curved monitors that dont change their shape for those ready to go all in on that kind of display. The 45-inch UltraGear 45GX950A boasts a more pronounced 800R curvature while the 39-inch UltraGear 39GX90SA offers a slightly more compact size, both with wide 21:9 aspect ratios. All three monitors come with LGs WOLED (White OLED with color filters) technology for even better color reproduction that both gamers and creators demand. Availability of these new curved LG monitors has yet to be announced, but they will be showcased at CES 2025 next year.The post LG bendable gaming monitor tries to appeal to every taste first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Save up to $300 on Apple's MacBook Air as retailers launch New Year's sales early to compete for your year-end shopping dollars.Snag New Year's deals on Apple's MacBook Air this week.Both Amazon and Best Buy are competing for your business through a MacBook Air price war that has deals as low as $749 this Monday. Many closeout models are limited to stock on hand and could sell out at any time. Apple's latest M3 models with 16GB of unified memory are also marked down to as low as $899, making it a great time to pick up a new laptop at a discount. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

On this final 2024 episode of the HomeKit Insider Podcast, your host breaks down the new Apple video doorbell rumors as well as revisits the highlights from the last year.HomeKit Insider PodcastThough it came out a week ago, we're just now getting to talk about the big new Apple rumors for the smart home. Apparently, a video doorbell is in the works, alongside the smart display and security camera.It's said to support advanced facial recognition that will unlock your door automatically as you approach, similar to Face ID. But on your door, rather than your phone. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

A new leak backs up previous rumors and previous wishful thinking that the regular iPhone 17 will finally gain a ProMotion display, making it feel faster and more responsive.Render of a possible iPhone 17 designApple introduced ProMotion with the iPad Pro in 2017, dramatically improving how the screen kept up with Apple Pencil use. ProMotion can raise the display refresh rate to 120Hz where needed, and drop it to save battery power when showing static images.According to leaker Digital Chat Station on Chinese social media site Weibo, the feature will come to the regular iPhone 17 and expected iPhone 17 Slim in 2025. That's eight years since it debuted on the iPad Pro, and four since it first appeared on the iPhone with the iPhone 13 Pro. Rumor Score: Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.In the Caribbean, architecture has long served as a reflection of its diverse cultures, vibrant landscapes and the enduring interplay between tradition and modernity. From the breezy verandas of colonial-era homes to the geometric forms of mid-twentieth-century tropical modernism, the regions built environment has always responded to its unique climate and cultural context. Today, as the world grapples with climate change, urbanization and the need for more inclusive design practices, the Caribbean is emerging as a hub of architectural innovation.Architects across the region are blending sustainable strategies, cultural traditions and new technology to create spaces that honor the past while meeting the challenges of the future. The evolution of Caribbean modernism in the 21st century is marked by an intentional return to locally sourced materials, passive cooling techniques and designs that harmonize with the natural environment. Yet, this architectural movement isnt solely about functionality; its also about storytelling. Designers are weaving regional histories and identities into their projects, from reimagined public spaces that celebrate communal life to contemporary residential designs that reinterpret vernacular traditions. The following projects from across the Caribbean showcase how architects are offering a vision of modernism that is rooted in place.Caribbean Courtyard VillaBy Studio Saxe, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa RicaStudio Saxes project on the Caribbean coast of Puerto Viejo, Limon, weaves a modular network of pergolas and pavilions into the lush jungle, creating a harmonious connection between architecture and nature. Designed for the tropical climate, the pavilions are positioned among existing trees and step gently down the mountain, utilizing passive cooling, solar energy and water-efficient systems to ensure sustainability. The triangular pergolas link private and social spaces, allowing seamless circulation while blending with the surrounding vegetation, setting a new standard for bioclimatic design in Costa Rica.Liseo Bonaire, School Community BonaireBy atelier PRO architekten, Bonaire, Caribbean NetherlandsThe Liseo Boneriano high school on the Caribbean island of Bonaire has been expanded by atelier PRO architects and Jacobs Architects to address a growing student population. The new design creates a cohesive ensemble with outdoor spaces that encourage relaxed interaction between students and teachers. Designed for the local climate, the outdoor areas serve as a public domain, providing shaded, open-air spaces ideal for the islands tropical environment while enhancing the educational experience.Sail HouseBy David Hertz Architects, Studio of Environmental Architecture, Grenadines, Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesJury Winner, Private House (XL>6,000 sq ft), 10th Annual A+AwardsPerched on a ridgeline in Bequia, the Sail House is a stunning retreat that blends seamlessly with its tropical jungle surroundings. Comprising a primary residence, caretakers home and guesthouses, the design draws inspiration from the sailing culture of the Grenadines, with nautically inspired tensile roofs that provide deep shade, collect rainwater and enhance cross-ventilation for natural cooling.Prefabricated and assembled on-site, the projects aluminum structure and reclaimed ironwood finishes are both sustainable and resilient to the Caribbean climate. Entirely self-sufficient, the house generates its own electricity, collects 100% of its water and offers a harmonious indoor-outdoor living experience.Serena Del Mar HospitalBy Safdie Architects, Provincia de Cartagena, Bolvar, ColombiaThe Centro Hospitalario Serena del Mar in Cartagena is an advanced teaching hospital designed as a garden hospital, prioritizing access to nature and daylight to enhance well-being and clinical outcomes. Inpatient wings feature shallow floor plates to maximize daylight and views, while bamboo courtyards provide privacy and soothing light, enriching the experience for visitors and patients.Designed for the local climate, the hospital incorporates projecting roofs that attract breezes and offer protection from sun and rain, encouraging seamless movement between indoor and outdoor spaces. Motorized sliding shutters and recessed lighting further contribute to a calm, patient-centered environment.House in the CaribbeanBy Jamie Fobert Architects, CaribbeanDesigned in collaboration with landscape architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan, this private family home is a serene retreat that harmonizes with its lush, tropical surroundings. The house features a crisp, square-set form clad in travertine marble, set amid a jungle-like garden with a lagoon-inspired pool. Designed for the local climate, the living room opens seamlessly onto an expansive terrace, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces. Inside, the home balances scale and simplicity, with concrete walls and floors accented by warm walnut and textured details.Villa AntioquiaBy DL+A Arquitectos, Punta Cana, Dominican RepublicVilla Antioquia, located in Punta Espada, Cap Cana, is a contemporary Caribbean summer home designed to harmonize with its stunning natural surroundings. The villa integrates open social spaces, private balconies, and lush green areas, creating a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living.Designed with the local climate in mind, it maximizes natural light and ventilation through skylights, large openings, and sliding glass doors, while its sloped roofs and shaded terraces offer protection from the tropical sun. The carved stone cladding and sculptural half-helix staircase enhance the villas architectural character, blending elegance with functionality for family enjoyment amidst the Caribbean landscape.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Caribbean Modernism: Tropical Design Evolves for the 21st Century appeared first on Journal.

For all their ability to give the experience of enticing stories, engaging gameplay, and immersive world design, video games can also use these factors to shock us. Some of the darkest moments in any form of media are represented in video games, with their interactivity oftentimes making the anguish-able experience much more tangible than if the same thing happened in a movie or TV show. Your opinion on what constitutes dark may differ, of course, but the 15 moments discussed in this rundown are inarguably disturbing: upsetting at one end of the spectrum, downright harrowing at the other. Also, its worth pointing out that therere spoilers for the games featured.The Bloody Baron The Witcher 3: Wild HuntArguably the most morally bankrupt NPC Geralt encounters in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, The Bloody Barons history as an abuser to wife Anna and daughter Tamara is revealed during Geralts attempts to locate The Barons estranged family in exchange for information on his own daughters whereabouts. Neither of The Barons conclusions are favourable for him (or, indeed, his wife Anna); should both The Baron and Anna survive, Anna will have succumbed to madness whilst a band of witches abscond with the orphans of whom she was residing. Should Anna die, the Baron will tragically hang himself due to a lifetime of grief and guilt.

How to Watch the Quadrantid Meteor Shower, an Intense Spectacle With a Short but Strong PeakThe skyward show will produce many shooting stars from the evening of January 2 into the early morning hours of January 3heres how to make the most of the fleeting celestial event The Quadrantids only last for about six hours, but they're known for producing fireballs, or bright, fiery streaks that persist longer than average meteors. Luis Argerich via Flickr under CC BY-NC 2.0Usher in 2025 by watching the Quadrantids, which astronomers consider one of the best meteor showers of the year. The Quadrantids have the potential to produce 60 to 200 meteors per hour under perfect conditions, according to NASA, but the best part of this skyward spectacle only lasts for about six hoursso youll have just one evening to catch the dazzling show.This year, the Quadrantids run from December 26, 2024, to January 16, 2025, according to the American Meteor Society. But the best time for viewing them in the United States willMoonlight should not interfere with viewing the Quadrantids this year, as Earths natural satellite will be in its waxing crescent phase and just 11 percent full, per the American Meteor Society. In addition, the moon should set before the Quadrantids become best visible.Want to know more about the fleeting Quadrantids? Heres a primer on this prolific but short-lived meteor shower.Where the meteors come fromMeteor showers occur when Earth passes through a trail of space debris as it orbits around the sun. This cosmic rubblewhich includes bits of rock and dustburns up as it enters Earths atmosphere. As it does so, it creates fiery streaks of light in the night sky that are sometimes visible from Earths surface.Most meteor showers result from the debris left behind by comets. However, a handfulincluding the Quadrantids and, likely, the December Geminidsare caused by rocks and dust from asteroids. In the case of the Quadrantids, that asteroid is named 2003 EH1.Asteroid 2003 EH1, which orbits the sun every 5.52 years, was identified by astronomers with the Lowell Observatory Near-Earth Object Search project in March 2003 as it made its closest approach to the sun in its orbit. The asteroid is relatively small, measuring roughly two miles acrossabout the same length as the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Astronomers are still investigating asteroid 2003 EH1, but they suspect it might be a dead comet, according to NASA.For years, the Quadrantids were one of the major meteor showers without a known parent body, meaning astronomers debated its source. In 2004, Peter Jenniskens, a Dutch-American astronomer, was the first scientist to propose that asteroid 2003 EH1 was responsible for the annual Quadrantid meteor shower.Skygazers have been admiring the Quadrantids since at least 1825. Theyre named after Quadrans Muralis, a forgotten constellation near Ursa Major thats no longer officially recognized by astronomers. The Quadrantids are sometimes called the Bootids, which is a reference to the Botes constellation.The Quadrantids travel up to 91,800 miles per hour, which is somewhat slow in meteor shower terms. For comparison, the worlds fastest annual meteor shower, the Leonids, travel up to 158,400 miles per hour.A fleeting peakUnlike other meteor showers, which might peak across several evenings, the Quadrantids are short-lived. The reason? Asteroid 2003 EH1s debris trail is thin, and Earth passes through it at a perpendicular angle, according to NASA. Together, these factors create a small window for rocks and dust to enter Earths atmosphere and streak across the sky.This year, that exact peak is predicted to happen around 12:45 p.m. or 2 p.m. Eastern time on January 3, though the actual time might be different. So, for the very best period of the shower, which is about three hours on either side of that moment, many U.S. viewers could be out of luck due to the daylight. The shower favors the Pacific and Hawaii in 2025.But you can still see many of the meteors from the statesthe night from January 2 to 3 will offer good viewing, and about 25 meteors per hour will be visible on the days surrounding January 3.While the meteors are faint, there will be plenty of them for this shower, and thanks to the thin crescent moon not reflecting much sunlight, stargazers under dark skies will see up to a shooting star every minute, Darren Baskill, an astronomer at the University of Sussex in England, tells Newsweeks Tom Howarth.Though the meteor shower doesnt last long, the Quadrantids make up for their short duration by producing fireballs. Caused by bigger debris particles, fireballs tend to be brighter and longer-lasting than average meteors. The American Meteor Society keeps a log of fireball sightings, so if you see one during the Quadrantids, consider reporting it.Tips for viewing the Quadrantid shower Try to find somewhere with an open view of the sky and very little light pollution. Mike Lewinski via Flickr under CC BY 2.0To catch the Quadrantids, stay up late on the evening of January 2 or wake up before dawn on January 3. Ideally, youd travel somewhere with little to no light pollutionsuch as a national park or a certified dark sky area. If thats not an option, head to a dark place without any trees, tall buildings or other structures to block your view of the sky. If youre in a city, find the biggest bit of sky you can, or get up as high as you can above the rooftops, suggests the Natural History Museum in London.A loft window, a rooftop, the windows of upper-story flats or a local park (especially on the outskirts of a city) can work well as vantage points, according to the museum.Bring a pillow and a blanket so you can lie down on the ground, or a chair that lets you recline. Avoid looking at any artificial lights for 20 to 30 minutes, including your phone, so that your eyes can fully adjust to the darkness. You dont need any special gear or equipment to see the Quadrantids, though a few extra layers of clothing might help fend off Januarys chill.Though the Quadrantids appear to originate near the Big Dipper, experts say its best not to stare directly at this area, known as the radiant. Instead, let your eyes roam across the entire skyand bring a friend so you can call out when one of you notices a shooting star or fireball.Try to let your gaze defocus rather than staring intently at one spot, so you are aware of whats happening across as much of the sky as possible, according to the Society for Popular Astronomy. Then stay putdont be tempted to change position, even if you dont see much at first. The probability of seeing meteors is the same all over the sky.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Asteroids, Astronomers, Astronomy, Meteors, Moon, Outer Space, Sky Watching Guide, Weather

Scopely announced several key milestones achieved to date: $10 billion in lifetime revenue for its mobile games and a billion downloads.Read More

Nvidia has completed its acquisition of Run:ai, a software company that makes it easier for customers to orchestrate GPU clouds for AI, and said that it would open-source the software. The purchase price wasnt disclosed, but was pegged by reports at $700 million when Nvidia first reported its intent to close the deal in April. Run:ai postedRead More