In late September, Dominik Domtendo Neumayer received a troubling email. He had just featured The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom in a series of videos on his YouTube channel. Now, those videos were gone.Some of your videos have been removed, YouTube explained matter-of-factly. The email said that Domtendo had now received a pair of copyright strikes. He was now just one copyright strike away from losing his 17-year-old channel and the over 1.5 million subscribers hed built up.At least, he would have been, if Domtendo hadnt spotted something fishy about the takedown notice something YouTube had missed.Domtendo had been a little bit confused right from the start;The next copyright strike will close your channelNintendo has a complicated relationship with the fans who use its copyrighted works, infamously shutting down all sorts of unauthorized projects by sending cease-and-desists. It has gone after YouTubers, too. But both the Japanese gaming giant and the broader gaming industry typically leave Lets Plays alone, because they serve as free marketing for their games.And yet, YouTube had received a legit-looking request apparently justifying these takedowns under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), signed Tatsumi Masaaki, Nintendo Legal Department, Nintendo of America.It was in a second email from YouTube that Domtendo spotted something off. The takedown requests came from a personal account at an encrypted email service: tatsumi-masaaki@protonmail.com.YouTube took action on Domtendos videos, even though the requests cited a personal email address. Image: DomtendoFake takedowns are real. YouTube says over six percent of takedown requests through its public webform are likely fake, and the company accepts requests via plain email too, meaning anyone can file them. Fighting fake takedowns can cost creators time, money, and stress. But creators cant easily be sure that a takedown is fake and they can lose their entire channel if they get it wrong and clash with a company that has a legitimate copyright claim.When the well-respected Retro Game Corps received his second Nintendo copyright strike, he publicly declared he would self-censor all his future work to hopefully escape the companys wrath. But first, he checked that Nintendos threat was real. He checked to see who YouTube listed as the complaining party, and that it came from a Nintendo email address. Then he checked with his YouTube Partner Manager to be extra safe.RelatedRumors of fake Nintendo takedowns have swirled in the past. Earlier this year, Garrys Mod developer Garry Newman removed 20 years worth of Nintendo-related fan content from his sandbox video game over takedown threats. Fans speculated that it may actually have been someone posing as a Nintendo lawyer. But Newman eventually revealed Nintendo was legitimately behind those takedowns despite using seemingly suspicious names and emails.Domtendo thought he might have an actual case of a Nintendo faker. So he decided to push back. At first, it seemed to work. He emailed YouTube, and it soon reinstated his videos. But Tatsumi was back the next day this time, emailing Domtendo directly.Dear Domtendo, I represent Nintendo of America Inc. (Nintendo) in intellectual property matters, the first email began. After a bunch of legalese, Tatsumi eventually explains why hes reaching out: I submitted a notice through YouTubes legal copyright system, but the infringing content still appears.He wouldnt let it go.Domtendo wasnt about to risk his livelihood just in case Tatsumi was real. He got spooked, and began voluntarily pulling his videos off YouTube. But his new pen pal just kept asking for more removals. Tatsumi reached out day after day, sometimes multiple times a day, according to emails shared with The Verge. The threats got weirder, too:October 3rd:I ask for your expeditious removal of all infringing material that use Nintendo Switch game emulators by 6th October 2024. Please note that the amount of videos infringing Nintendos copyrights is too high to be able to list them all in this e-mail and we hope that you will conscientiously remove all infringing videos before the next week.October 8th:Nintendo hereby prohibits you from any future use of its intellectual and copyrighted property. Existing content may remain as long as there is no request to remove it. Nintendo of America Inc. would like to avoid further legal action and therefore hopes that their intellectual property will no longer be used by you. This cease-and-desist declaration is valid immediately and has been approved by President of Nintendo of America Doug Spencer Bowser.October 12th:Nintendo of America Inc. (Nintendo) will no longer tolerate this behavior and is now on the verge of filing a lawsuit. Note that we work closely with our subsidiary Nintendo of Europe, located in Germany and therefore already have your address from the time you have been Nintendo Partner and/or will receive your new address from the residents registration office.Domtendo began reaching out to friends and fellow content creators, and discovered he wasnt alone. Waikuteru, a streamer who develops Zelda mods, had been targeted by Tatsumi as well. Only that time, the takedown notices were filed in Japanese, and YouTube claimed theyd come from a seemingly real email address: anti-piracy3@nintendo.co.jp. Whoever submitted those notices claimed to be a Group Sub-Manager in Nintendos Intellectual Property Department.Could Tatsumi be legit? Was Domtendo staring down a real threat?The Verge could find no public record of a Tatsumi Masaaki working for Nintendo of America or Nintendos legal team, period. Nintendo did not respond to The Verges repeated requests to fact-check whether such a lawyer even exists.But there was a person by a similar name working on Nintendo technology patents in its home country of Japan, public records show, and Domtendo was dismayed to find a Nintendo email address for that person on the public web.This is the name of a real person ( ) who worked for Nintendo out of Kyoto, Japan, but the company wouldnt tell The Verge one word about it. Image: USPTOTo a trained eye, there were signs that Domtendos Tatsumi was probably a fake. What business would a Japanese game technology inventor have individually chasing down a German YouTuber and threatening them with the laws of the United States? If they were a real lawyer, wouldnt they know that threatening Domtendo with DMCA 512 is laughable, because thats the portion of the law that protects platforms like YouTube rather than individual creators?But Domtendo didnt want to take the risk, not without proof. His livelihood was at stake. So as Tatsumis email threats rolled in, he reached out to Nintendo himself.To his great surprise, Nintendo replied.Please note that tatsumi-masaaki@protonmail.com is not a legitimate Nintendo email address and the details contained within the communication do not align with Nintendo of America Inc.s enforcement practices. We are investigating further, the companys legal department wrote on October 10th, according to a screenshot shared with The Verge.Heres how Nintendo replied to Domtendo.Even then, Domtendo didnt feel safe. Hed seen how Waikuteru had received a legal threat that seemingly came from a legitimate Nintendo email. Perhaps Tatsumi just wasnt using his proper email account? Domtendo tried emailing tasumi_masaaki@nintendo.co.jp to find out.His anxiety ratcheted even higher when Tatsumis next email arrived, asking him not to send email to that address. Please understand that matters are not currently handled from there, he wrote. Even though it seemed impossible that Tatsumi could be real, he somehow knew things that he shouldnt.Then, on October 18th, Tatsumi suddenly changed his tune: Dear Domtendo, I hereby retract all of my preceding claims.The end?Tatsumi wasnt done with Domtendo quite yet. Two more emails arrived the same day, explaining that while Nintendo had suspended him from filing copyright infringement claims, his Nintendo colleagues would now file them on his behalf. Hours later, Domtendo received what was in some ways the most legit-looking email yet, seemingly sent from anti-piracy3@nintendo.co.jp rather than a personal email address.But that email turned out to be Tatsumis undoing, when Domtendo checked the headers and discovered theyd spoofed Nintendos email address using a publicly available tool on the web. I took the tool for a spin, and sure enough unless you check, anyone can make an email look like it was sent from Nintendo that way.Domtendo still doesnt understand how Tatsumi knew hed emailed the real Tatsumi at Nintendo. He changed his passwords and reformatted his computer, just to be safe. Today, his best guess is that the troll was lurking in his personal Discord channel.Hes angry at YouTube for letting this happen. Its their fault, he tells me. Every idiot can strike every YouTuber and there is nearly no problem to do so. Its insane, he writes. It has to change NOW.Every idiot can strike every YouTuberIts true there isnt a terribly high bar to submit a YouTube copyright claim, something that YouTube itself admits. Currently, bad actors just need to fill in a form on a website, a place where YouTube sees a 10 times higher attempted abuse rate than tools with more limited access. Or they can just email YouTubes copyright department directly. And while the law technically requires a copyright holder to provide their name and address and state under penalty of perjury that theyre authorized to complain on Nintendos behalf, theres nothing compelling YouTube to check they arent lying before slapping creators with penalties.Why is Nintendo targeting this YouTuber?Russ Crandall, aka Retro Game Corps, was actually targeted by Nintendo. Heres the story of how the Japanese game company (and YouTube) are threatening his livelihood.If you have first-hand information about Nintendo, you can reach me securely on Signal at seanhollister.01. The thing to remember is the DMCAs Safe Harbor isnt here to protect creators, EFF legal director Corynne McSherry explained to me in 2022. When rightsholders realized they wouldnt be able to sue every uploader, and internet platforms realized they wouldnt be able to survive under an onslaught of uploader lawsuits, the law became a compromise to protect platforms from liability as long as they remove infringing content fast. It creates a situation where service providers have very strong incentives to respond, said McSherry. They dont want to mess around and try to figure out if they might be liable or not.Waikuteru and Rimea, a pair of other creators harassed by Tatsumi, agree that the YouTube system is unfair. Neither know for sure whether trolls were responsible for all the takedown notices theyre received, and thats part of the problem. The idea that months of worries were caused by a single troll as opposed to a big untouchable company is a hard pill to swallow either way, says Rimea.But they also claim YouTube doesnt allow smaller channels to challenge copyright strikes in the first place, arguing that it automatically and arbitrarily rejects the legal notices that would let them reinstate their videos. YouTube decides whether someone loses his channel based on channel size, says Waikuteru.YouTube isnt particularly interested in talking about any of this, though.While YouTube spokesperson Jack Malon did confirm that Tatsumi made false claims, the company wouldnt explain why the company even briefly accepted false claims from a protonmail.com email address as legitimate, and repeatedly dodged questions about whether Tatsumi made false claims on other creators videos, too. YouTube wouldnt even tell me whether Domtendo was still in danger of false copyright claims from this specific individual, or offer assurances that it would take any new action to prevent this sort of behavior in the future.Malon does claim that YouTube has dedicated teams working to detect and prevent abuse, however, and work to ensure that any associated strikes are reversed when bad actors make false claims.As for the troll, Tatsumi declined The Verges interview request. Dear Sean, I am an authorized agent for Nintendo of America Inc, they replied, staying in character to the very end.

From December 28th, a large percentage of the gadgets bought inside the EU are required to charge via USB-C. The goal for Directive 2022/2380, known colloquially as the common charging solution, is to reduce e-waste and solve market fragmentation. You may recall Apple and the EU butting heads over this a few years ago.The requirement for USB-C is just the surface of this directive though. It also includes regulations on fast charging, unbundling charging bricks from retail devices, and the introduction of improved labelling and it has the potential to make life for gadget enthusiasts in the EU a whole lot simpler. If it works, of course.To begin, some background. EU countries and parliament came to a provisional agreement on the common charging solution on June 7th, 2022. The legislation was formally approved in October of the same year. After it was given the green light by the council, countries had until December 28th, 2024 to merge these into their national laws, at which point companies operating inside the bloc must abide by them.Freedom to use USB-CThe sheer breadth of this directive means its impact will be felt by both consumers and businesses, as the common charging solution applies to anything the EU defines as radio equipment. This, it states, is an electrical or electronic product that intentionally emits or receives radio waves for the purpose of communication and/or radiodetermination.The regulation explicitly covers handheld mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones, headsets, handheld videogame consoles, portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, and earbuds that are rechargeable with a wired cable and can operate with a power delivery of up to 100 watts.A PlayStation 5, for example, has a 350W power rating, meaning it wont fall under the directive. The Nintendo Switch draws up to 6W in TV mode, meaning it will. The only current exception to this definition are laptops, which have until April 28, 2026, to comply with the directive.There are grey areas though. Drones, for example, arent on the list, and its unclear if they fit into other categories like digital cameras. In instances like this, the Commission says it will continuously assess market developments, market fragmentation, and technological progress with the aim of keeping this list of devices as relevant and up-to-date as possible.Wireless charging also isnt covered by the directive. For now, the Commission says it will promote the harmonization of the practice to avoid future fragmentation of the internal market and any negative effects on consumers and the environment. What shape this may take is anyones guess, but the EU has it on the radar.Despite these pools of murkiness, the key point is the majority of consumer-facing tech in the EU must be equipped with a USB-C receptacle. Although, this only applies to the device side, as charging brick connections arent covered in this directive.Goodnight Lightning. Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The VergeStill, for the average user, there wont be a heap of change come December 28th around charging inputs. The majority of devices on the market that fall under this directive already use USB-C. Even Apple, the big holdout with its Lightning technology, shifted to the format on most of its devices more on that in a second.An interesting wrinkle in this regulation is the EU hasnt actually banned proprietary charging ports. Instead, hardware just needs the ability to charge via USB-C. This means the current MacBook range with MagSafe is compliant, as you can charge them with both Apples magnetic connector and the EUs chosen tech.Impact on salesSo what happens if a device that falls under the common charger directive is being sold in the bloc without a USB-C charging port? In most cases, even if it was released before the December 28th deadline, it cant be sold. For example, Apple is reportedly gearing up to remove the iPhone 14, iPhone SE, and the Magic Keyboard without TouchID the final devices it sells with a Lightning charging port from its retail portfolio in the EU as it has already done in Switzerland.There are exceptions to this though. When it comes to products that are already in circulation, devices without USB-C ports that are placed on the market for the first time before December 28th can still be sold within the EU.The governing bloc, for the purposes of this legislation, defines being placed on the market as the moment when a manufacturer or importer supplies a product to a distributor or an end-user for the first time. Manufacturers, importers and distributors need to be given time to exercise any rights they have acquired under any pre-existing, national or EU rules, the European Commission states, for example to sell their stocks of products manufactured in line with the pre-existing rules.In other words, much of the pre-existing stock can be sold if it is already owned by a retailer, although the store wont be able to purchase any more units. We may find retailers being cautious though, and simply removing the hardware from sale, or shifting it to markets where the regulations arent in force.Fast charging, but make it simplerAnother important, but less well-known, aspect of the common charging directive is around the unification of fast charging. The EUs goal being the simplification of this oft-confusing practice. The governing body defines fast charging as anything that can be recharged via a wire with voltages higher than 5 volts, currents higher than 3 amperes, or powers higher than 15 watts.When devices hit this threshold, they must work with USB Power Delivery (USB PD), a charging protocol that enables devices to transfer power over USB in addition to data. While some devices, such as iPhones and the Google Pixel range have used this standard for some time, other handsets, such as OnePlus and OPPO, use the proprietary charging SUPERVOOC standard without also supporting USB PD.This directive aims to ensure that devices that offer fast charging are compatible with any charger. Consumers, then, should be able to power up their hardware at the maximum speed the charging equipment supports. The key element here is that the full functionality of USB PD must be enabled and not hampered by any other charging protocol.For consumers, the field of fast charging will probably remain confusing in the short term, but as the hardware people already own is slowly replaced, the directive should make this process simpler in the future.To bundle or not to bundle (charging bricks)The third part of the common charging solution is, as the European Commission puts it, giving consumers the chance to purchase a new electronic device without a new charger. Its aim is to stop excessive waste resulting from buyers owning too many duplicate chargers that go unused.On the surface, this wont be a hassle for many companies. Apple stopped selling its iPhones and other devices with charging bricks some time ago, a trend thats been repeated across the industry. For consumers, this will be one of the bigger changes.The days of receiving a charger with every purchase of an electronic device in the EU are over, and its bound to lead to some confusion, with people expecting a wall brick with their new device and not receiving one. Over time though, the public will adapt especially with the help of the final part of the directive.Specifically, this is the introduction of a new visual language for charging. The first example is self-explanatory, with a graphic showing whether or not theres a charging brick in the box:Pictograms showing whether a charger is or is not included in the box. Although companies can choose their own design, these icons will have to be shown for every relevant purchase. Image: European CommissionThe second pictogram could actually help people get a grasp on what their devices are capable of in terms of receiving power. The outline looks like this, where XX is the minimum amount of power needed for the device to charge, while YY is the maximum, and USB PD will be displayed if the hardware can support that protocol:A new pictogram will help buyers understand the charging characteristics of their new device. It will vary slightly by manufacturer so long as it communicates the basics. Image: European CommissionWhile the introduction of this visual language is a simple idea, it will help educate users about powering, as well as helping to tie many of the above regulations together.Now what?The elephant in the room is how the common charging solution is actually enforced. This will be down to the member states themselves, as theyre responsible for performing market surveillance.Each nation will be able to use a variety of measures, including fines and the forced withdrawal of the non-compliant equipment. The issue is how these bodies will manage and verify the huge influx of cheap technology coming from outside the bloc. While big hitters like Samsung or Apple will comply, as they know theyll have regulators eyes on them, its harder to ascertain whether smaller businesses will adapt as quickly or receive the same level of scrutiny.Ultimately, its hard to view the common charging solution as anything other than a good thing for those inside the EU. Although the transition to USB-C already had a lot of momentum, one can argue that this shift was accelerated by the regulations, especially in Apples case.The directive is untested, however, and it remains to be seen how nimble it can be adapted in the face of new device categories and the development of improved charging solutions and interfaces. This, in a way, is the microcosm of regulators continued battle with tech: how the slow-moving process of lawmaking handles an industry whose only constant is change.

Even if youve never seen the 1994 film adaptation of Street Fighter, you probably know about one scene; a legend on the internet.M. Bison, a military dictator and the primary villain of the games and the movie, listens as his captive Chun-Li (Ming-Na Wen) explains her desire for revenge. Chun-Li remembers her father leading a band of farmers against Bisons nascent army, driving them out of the village, but at the cost of his life. Chun-Li savors every word of her speech, pausing to scoff at her recollection of Bisons thugs running from peasants, and even at his shooting her father in retreat.After Chun-Li finishes, Bison pauses and then apologizes, admitting that he remembers none of it. For you, the day Bison graced your village was the most important day in your life, he explains, his grandiloquence punctuated by the pair of fancy drinks he holds in his hand. But for me? It was Tuesday.Its an incredible line, the sort of thing that you get when you hire flashy 80s screenwriter Steven E. de Souza to write your script. But it only works because of the delivery from Bisons performer Raul Julia. A revered actor, who had won or been nominated for every major award, Julia was far above acting in a 90s video game adaptation, playing supporting lead to Jean-Claude Van Damme of all people. Furthermore, Julia was dying from stomach cancer while he shot Street Fighter, his final film appearance. Yet the celebrated thespian never condescended to the material, not once. He makes Bison feel like a real human being, albeit one within a wacky world of cartoon characters, in which Belgian Van Damme plays flat-topped American military man Guile, and scientists create green-skinned super soldiers.Julias remarkable performance makes more sense when we consider why he took the part in the first place. Although he had acted in a wide range of projects, ranging from playing Gomez Addams in the Barry Sonnenfeld movies to acclaimed turns in Kiss of the Spider Woman and Moon Over Parador, to the Mystery Science Theater 3000 classic Overdrawn at the Memory Bank, Julia wanted to make a movie for his kids. They loved the Street Fighter franchise and aided his research for the character.Of course, it helps that Julia gets to deliver some wonderfully hammy lines from de Souza. De Souza made his name writing whip-smart scripts about fast-talking tough guys, movies like 48 Hrs., Die Hard, and Commando. He knows how to give characters absurd lines to match the absurd tone, amping up the theatricality. Like Julia, de Souza learned of Street Fighter via his kids, but he really took the job because it allowed him to direct a feature, and a big budget one at that. By now the longheld legend that de Souza wrote the movie in one substance-assisted overnight binge has been debunked. However, both de Souza and Capcom, the company behind the games, had high ambitions for the project. De Souza saw the film as his shot at making a legendary genre movie. Capcom wanted the film to launch a franchise with wide appeal, especially in the States, which led to decisions such as casting Van Damme and changing the focus away from the usual protagonist, Japanese fighter Ryu (Byron Mann in the movie).For the most part, these delusions of grandeur resulted in a messy film that pleased neither fans nor casual viewers. However, it also gave Julia room to chew some scenery while delivering hair-raising speeches.Take another infamous moment in which Bison describes the motivations behind his super-soldier program. Why do they still call me a warlord? And mad? Bison asks his minions Zangief (Andrew Bryniarski) and Dee Jay (Miguel A. Nez Jr.) All I want to do is to create the perfect genetic soldier! Not for power, not for evil, but for good. Carlos Blanka will be the first of many. They shall march out of my laboratory and sweep away every adversary, every creed, every nation, until the very planet is in the loving grip of the Pax Bisonica. And then [beat] peace will reign, and the world, and all humanity, shall bow to me in humble gratitude.Julia relishes every single word, striding through a model of his ideal city while bellowing the speech. Even better, he delivers the monologue like a true believer. In addition to studying the character from the games, Julia spent time researching real-world dictators, people who described their actual plans for world domination with conviction.Julias devotion to the part isnt just a gift to his kids and to us viewers, something we can enjoy 30 years later. Its also a model for talented actors today in our current IP-driven media landscape. Without question, its not good that only franchises and fan-friendly adaptations get most of the funding from studios now, and not just because it limits the roles available to actors. However, condescending to the material doesnt help anything.Anthony Hopkins sleepwalking through his performance as Odin in the Thor movies didnt stem the growth of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, nor did the MCU prevent him from getting great parts in movies such as The Father. Emily Watsons dreary delivery of Frank Herbert lore in Dune: Prophecy isnt keeping that show from getting a second season. Instead disinterested performances just make everything worse.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Raul Julias devotion to his ridiculous character doesnt turn Street Fighter into a good movie. But it does cement his reputation as a professional and a screen favorite. Thirty years later, Street Fighter remains a mess of a movie, but Julia still shines.

An island of your very own might be the ultimate real estate fantasy. Some of us dream of a slice of tropical paradise; others imagine themselves on a Greek island, doing their best impression of Meryl Streep in Mama Mia. And while these dreams dont come cheap, they aren't as expensive as you might think. You can buy your own island in these 10 countries for under $5 millionand one is less than a million. In other words, right around the same price as a tasteful townhouse in San Francisco. Related StoriesBefore you start shopping for an island abroad, its important to note that the rules of citizenship by investment are different in every country. While some countries are actively trying to encourage foreign investors to buy property, others have complicated legal systems and restrict visa applications. So before you slap a sold sign on your private island, be sure to check out the local rules for property ownership.Italynikita rubtsovThis isn't Isola delle Femmineno photos of that place are available to us. But this is a glimpse of the coast off Palermo.Theres a little island situated in the Tyrrhenian Sea, about 15 miles from the Palermo Airport, called Isola delle Femminethe Island of Women. This 34-acre island, which is currently for sale for approximately $1.7 million, comes with a derelict watchtower and some fascinating lore. Legend has it that a ship full of Turkish women was set adrift at sea, and the women eventually landed on this island. There they lived in peace for seven years (hence the name). If ever there was an island meant for a chic womens wellness retreat, I think weve found it.GreeceView full post on YoutubeIf you, like me, have long pictured yourself living on a Greek island of your own like Donna from Mamma Mia, heres your chance. The island of Panteleimona in the Chios Strait offers nine acres of unspoiled potential for a mere $4.2 million. The island is accessible by boat to the main settlement of Inousses in the Aegean Sea and boasts a road, a well for potable water, an electrical generator, and three small churches, each with their own unique history. Just imagine; you could live in a church while you build your dream house, as this island has already been approved for a development of up to 200 square meters.FijiMark MeredithHere's what an island beach in Fiji looks like.A private island of your own in Fiji, complete with a fully functional one bedroom cottage, waterfalls, coral reef, a natural spring, and an abundance of delicious fresh fruit for under $3 million? The island of Mai, just off the coast of the busy hub of Vanua Levu in the Macuata province of Fiji, is the very definition of paradise. Just bring your own hammock to swing on the porch and an appetite for coconuts, avocado, chocolate persimmons, and starfruit, all of which reportedly grow in abundance on this island.BelizeMichael GodekAn island view in Belize.For those looking for true solitude on their own white sand beaches for under $2 million, Belize is the place to go. There is currently an island for sale near Ambergris Caye for the bargain basement price of $1.3 million, and its close to Belize City. Now for this price youll have to build your own property on this five acre island, but there is already a little harbor and a canal so its almost like youll have your own version of Venice in Belize.IrelandAndrea PistolesiA harbor in Athlone, Ireland.Fans of the The Banshees of Inisherin rejoice, because that quaint Irish island life could be yours (minus Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson and, tragically, Jenny the donkey). Big Yellow Island off the coast of the bustling town of Athlone in central Ireland is for sale for just over $100,000. The island is situated 500 meters off the shore of Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone Boat Club, and Lough Ree Yacht Club. Yes, you do need your own boat to get there as there are no amenities on the island at this point, but for that price it might well be worth the effort.PanamaAndrea ComiAn island beach in Panama.San Pedro Island in Panama really checks off every box. It's a massive, 4,655 acre island with a private tropical forest, multiple beaches, a gentle surf, and a fascinating array of wildlife, namely monkeys and sea turtles. Thats right, your own private island with wild monkeys for a cool $5 million. The island is only accessible by boat and sits 30 miles from shore, meaning it could really just be you and the monkeys once you develop the property.FinlandJan BrnerA view of Lake Saimaa.What could be cozier than a private island on a freshwater lake in Finland? For just $4.4 million, you could build your own Hygge cabin with room to spare on popular Lake Saimaa. In fact, that money gets you a 256 acre island, a mainland area, and a small island in between in one of the most popular tourist destinations in Finland. As its not developed, why not think big and build your own town?CanadaPierre LongnusA dramatic sunset off the Gulf Islands in British Columbia.If youre not worried about getting a bit rugged, this private island in Canada might be for you. Norway Island is a 30 acre forested sanctuary in the southern Gulf Islands, off the coast of British Columbia. It is accessible by float plane, boat, or ferry ride as it sits between the more populous Galiano and Thetis Islands. Norway Island has electricity, a 60-foot dock, and a rugged, rocky shoreline in the middle of the wild Pacific Ocean. Count your pennies and if you find you have around $4.3 million of them, youre in.CroatiaStefan Cristian CioataA view of Split, Croatia.For those interested in something a bit more bijoux than a big island, consider Mali Komsac, a one acre property just off the coast of Split, Croatia, which is currently on the market for just $850,000. This island is close enough to Split, the second largest city in Croatia, to facilitate easy access to an international airport. But its rocky coast will be something of a challenge for boats and humans alike, so tread carefully.NorwayTais PolicantiA view of islands and Ustevatnet Lake in Norway. Not everyone is up for creating structures from scratch on a private islandand you might not have to if you move to Norway. There is a beautiful, treed seven-acre island, complete with a truly impressive cottage, available for sale at Ustaoset, 100 miles from Bergen. It can be yours for a $1 million, with views of mountains stretching as far as the eye can see. The cottage boasts nine bedrooms, and if thats not enough room, there are extra cabins on the island as well as a boathouse. Invite everyone overor no one, depending on your mood. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorDecember 27, 20245 Min ReadYuri Arcurs via Alamy Stock PhotoAs the threat landscape grows, investment in cybersecurity training and awareness programs is expanding rapidly. The reason is simple -- cybersecurity's weak link is people and how they behave. It's a challenge that many experts now believe can only be resolved through an enterprise-wide culture change.Prioritizing cybersecurity and building an enterprise-wide cybersecurity culture is essential, says Jennifer Sullivan, a principal in Deloitte's cyber strategy practice. In an era of rapid technological evolution, cyber threats pose significant risks to organizations' operations, reputation, and financial stability. "Cultivating a culture of continuous education and awareness empowers every employee to take ownership of cybersecurity, supporting sustainable growth and innovation," she states in an email interview. "By prioritizing cybersecurity, potential vulnerabilities can be transformed into strategic strengths, ensuring a long-term culture of resilience and trust both inside and outside the organization."Getting StartedThe first step in creating an enterprise-wide cybersecurity culture is building a comprehensive policy that establishes what's considered right and wrong. "This policy should be clear, well-documented, and easily accessible to everyone in the organization," advises Erez Tadmor, field CTO at security policy management company Tufin, in an online interview. The policy should outline network security rules, such as access controls and data communication standards, setting the foundation for expected behaviors, he explains. "When all security teams align with these guidelines, it fosters a sense of unity and responsibility that becomes ingrained in the companys culture."Related:Promote ownership in cybersecurity functions, recommends Amanda Satterwhite, Accenture Federal Services' managing director of cyber mission and enablement. This goal can be most effectively achieved by assigning security roles and responsibilities across various levels or teams within the organization, she notes via email. Rewards and recognition are also important. "Reward employees who demonstrate strong cybersecurity practices and who willingly take the time to report potential threats through vigilance."Make cybersecurity a factor in each employees annual performance, Satterwhite advises. "This ensures that individuals clearly understand what's personally expected from them," she says. "Setting minimum security performance goals for each individual fosters a culture of accountability and shared responsibility."Related:Cybersecurity culture planning requires a cross-organizational effort. While the CISO or CSO typically leads, the tone must be set from the top with active board involvement, Sullivan says. "The C-suite should integrate cybersecurity into business strategy, and key stakeholders from IT, legal, HR, finance, and operations must collaborate to address an ever-evolving threat landscape." She adds that engaging employees at all levels through continuous education will ensure that cybersecurity becomes everyone's responsibility.Culture BuildingLiberty Mutual Insurance builds its cybersecurity culture with "Responsible Defenders," a culture-based awareness initiative that's designed to educate the firm's 45,000 global employees about their role as frontline guardians against cyberattacks. "The program aims to educate employees about their responsibility to keep sensitive customer, employee, and company information secure," says Jill Areson-Perkins, a cybersecurity manager at Liberty Mutual Insurance, in an online interview. The program's goal is to keep employees engaged throughout the year with social engineering exercises, gamification tactics, blog posts, videos, and online training and events. "As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, we regularly update and enhance our training and education."Related:Liberty Mutual also fosters a cybersecurity environment by deploying exercises that use real phishing emails as templates. Employees that fail the exercise are given real-time training that highlights the rogue emails' suspicious components. "We also provide a 'Friends and Family Cyber Guide' for employees to share externally." The guide offers tips on topics such as 'phishy' emails, password management, and social media privacy, Areson-Perkins says. "By actively engaging every employee, as well as senior leaders and business partners across the company, we cultivate a culture where everyone feels empowered to safeguard the company."Final ThoughtsA big mistake many organizations make is treating cybersecurity as a separate initiative that's disconnected from the organizations core mission, Sullivan says. "Cybersecurity should be recognized as a critical business imperative that requires board and C-suite-level attention and strategic oversight."Creating a healthy network security culture is an ongoing process that involves continuous learning, adaptation, and collaboration among teams, Tadmor says. This requires more thought than just setting policies -- it's also about integrating security practices into daily routines and workflows. "Regular training, open communication, and real-time monitoring are essential components to keep the culture alive and responsive to emerging network threats," he says. "By making network security a shared responsibility across the organization, companies can build a resilient and adaptive security posture."Seek clarity and openness, Satterwhite suggests. "One of the biggest mistakes in building a cybersecurity culture is adopting industry buzzwords that don't resonate with employees," she explains. Use company-aligned terms in internal campaigns that promote the importance of securing the companys mission. "Make sure that the messaging is clear and understandable at every level of the organization."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Submitted by WA ContentsCentro de Colaboracin Arquitectnica completes wooden Orchid Pavilion for Casa Wabi in Mexico Mexico Architecture News - Dec 27, 2024 - 12:52 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Mexican architecture firm Centro de Colaboracin Arquitectnica (CCA) has completed a wooden pavilion for the Casa Wabi Foundation, a non-profit organization that fosters dialogue between contemporary art and local communities across its locations in Puerto Escondido, Mexico City, and Tokyo.Image Jaime NavarroNamed Orchid Pavilion, the pavilion is situated between the mountains and the sea on the outskirts of Puerto Escondido.It is a lightweight, sustainable, and permanent wooden building that celebrates the close relationship between the biological and cultural richness of the terrain and is devoted to the protection of orchids in the Oaxaca region.Image Jaime NavarroThe firm's research guided the design of the Orchid Pavilion, which aimed to create a climate that is humid, somewhat shaded, and well-ventilatedall of which are ideal for orchid growth. As a result, distinct technical aspects that guarantee the pavilion's operation were developed.Image Jaime NavarroBut the project's deeper inspiration comes from examining the connection between the rich customs of the Oaxacan coast and the Japanese philosophy of Wabi-Sabi.The region's locally obtained, vernacular materials and the superb skill of its artisans are in line with Wabi-Sabi, which values simplicity, imperfection, and unconventionality. The design approach of CCA | Bernardo Quinzaos was founded on this link as well as an unexpected guiding concept: the Japanese word Ikigai.Image Rafael GamoIkigai, meaning "a reason for being", is the enjoyment that comes from leading a purposeful life. Kai, meaning "effect, result, fruit, or worth") and iki, signifying "life" or "alive", are combined in this phrase.This way of thinking, which focused on finding happiness in meaningful work, was ideal for the pavilion's objectives of creating a peaceful, contemplative environment for orchids and guests alike.The pavilion encourages visitors to rediscover their own sense of purpose in the peaceful surroundings of nature by establishing an area that epitomizes Ikigai.Image Rafael GamoThe design prioritizes three main elements: Functional simplicity: Twelve concrete humidifiers that use gravity to produce a regulated humid atmosphere are perfect for Oaxacan coast orchids. Without the need for manual watering, this technique guarantees the orchids' success.Sustainable materials: The structure is comprised of locally obtained wood and specially produced concrete ceramic pieces that are baked in high-temperature kilns. These materials follow ecological processes while echoing the local vernacular traditions.Image Jaime NavarroA sanctuary for reflection: In addition to its technical function, the pavilion seeks to provide its guests a deep understanding of Ikigai. The sensory experience of entering the room, which encourages reflection and harmony, includes breathing in the humidity, hearing the soft drips of water, and feeling the passing winds.Image Rafael GamoThe meticulously managed humid climate is the primary factor promoting orchid growth. The timber structure is topped by pyramid-shaped concrete basins filled with water.These basins release tiny droplets that fall to the ground and are gathered by concrete trays that are continuously humid.In addition to keeping the orchids healthy, this method does away with the necessity for manual irrigation. In order to replicate their natural environment, the plants are able to directly collect moisture from the air and surfaces thanks to the breeze and warmth.Image Jaime NavarroThe Orchid Pavilion provides a peaceful haven for Casa Wabi visitors following a strenuous stroll. Both people and orchids drink the same water, which serves as a metaphor for how humans relate to the natural world.The sound of dripping water creates a meditative experience that reorients visitors to the basic source of existence by resonating with human activity and natural cycles.Image Jaime NavarroThe Casa Wabi organization, which has its roots in the Japanese concept of Wabi-Sabi, aims to use art to foster social development through five main programs: exhibits, residencies, ceramics, film, and a mobile library.Image Rafael GamoA Ceramic Pavilion by Portuguese architect lvaro Siza, a Guayacn Pavilion by Mexican studio Ambrosi Etchegaray, a Henhouse by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, a Compost Pavilion by Paraguayan architects Solano Bentez and Gloria Cabral, and, more recently, a high-temperature oven and gardens by Mexican architect Alberto Kalach are just a few of the noteworthy projects the foundation has recently inaugurated.Image Rafael GamoEach of these pavilions celebrates the intersection of art, architecture, and community while offering useful areas that assist the foundation's initiatives.Image Rafael GamoImage Rafael GamoImage Rafael GamoImage Rafael GamoImage Jaime NavarroImage Rafael GamoImage Rafael GamoImage Jaime NavarroProject factsProject name:Orchid PavilionArchitects:Centro de Colaboracin Arquitectnica (CCA)Location:Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, MxicoClient:Fundacin Casa WabiOffice:CCA | Bernardo QuinzaosArchitects:Bernardo QuinzaosDesign Team:Santiago Vlez, Begoa Manzano, Andrs Surez, Miguel Izaguirre, Florencio de Diego, Carlos Cruz Ay, Javier Castillo, Carlos Molina, Cristian Nieves, Abigail Zavaleta, Fernanda VenturaProject Completion Date:February 2024Model Photography:Vanessa Nieves, Arturo Arrieta, CCA Centro de Colaboracin ArquitectnicaTop image in the article Rafael Gamo.Images Rafael Gamo, Jaime Navarro.> via Centro de Colaboracin Arquitectnica

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Mobile network outages can leave you strandedwithout one of our most critical lines of accessto the world for hours. What good is a smartphone if it can't phone, especially in an emergency?An AT&T outage earlier this year took down services formore than 12 hoursin many of the most populous cities in the US, and in September, a Verizon outage caused some customers to be stuck in SOS mode for a large part of the day. These outages serve as a reminder of theperils of relying only on mobile phones.Maybe it made you rethink the place of a home device that used to be standard issue but is now nearly obsolete: the landline telephone. Here's what to consider when deciding whether to keep (or get) a landline. Remember the landline? Those old-fashioned landlines may still have a place, but only 28% of American households have one. Peter Dazeley/Getty ImagesLandlines are telephones that connect to specialized wiring in our homes. The iconic image is that of a rotary-dial phone -- usually rented from the phone company -- that either hung on the wall or sat on a counter or table, though push-button and later cordless landlines replaced many of those oldsters in the 1980s. Landline phones connect to one another through a global communication network that was built over more than a century. But as cellphones became broadly available and affordable, many people chose to drop their landlines altogether. A 2022 survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that only about 29% of US adults lived in a house with a landline phone, down from more than 90% in 2004. The crossover happened around 2015, which was also when smartphone sales entered a boom period that reshaped the tech industry and helped turn iPhone maker Apple into one of the world's most highly valued companies. Ann Williams is one of the folks who hasn't given up on their landlines yet. When asked why she keeps hers around, she describes moving to Huntsville, Alabama, after a tornado outbreak on April 27, 2011, when dozens of twisters killed at least 250 people and knocked out power for days. Although she moved there after the tornadoes, hearing about the event brought home to her the importance of always needing a phone connection. "The weather here is so unpredictable," she told me in an interview. But landlines have dedicated power and often work even in an outage. "We remember a day when it was absolutely necessary to have (the landline)," Williams said. What makes landlines more reliable?Landline phones operate on a separate infrastructure, built from copper phone lines that are inexpensive to build and rather reliable. They also don't have the drawbacks of cellular networks, like dropped calls, poor and distorted quality or weak reception. A key reason people keep landlines around is that they tend to work even during power outages, which is a big plus for folks whose work involves emergency services, business or health care. Analog fax machines are also built around landline phone systems, which means most hospitals and doctor's offices, as well as policy and law offices, need to keep a landline connection running. Landline downsides Remember cordless phones and phone books? Catherine McQueen/Getty ImagesThe US Federal Communications Commission is phasing out requirements for phone companies to provide landline services (called Plain Old Telephone Service) across the country. As a result, more homes and business offices are being built with ethernet jacks rather than phone jacks.Landline phone connections aren't cheap, either. CNET corporate cousin AllConnectnotes that AT&T's traditional home phone plan starts at $48 per month, and you have to use the company for internet too. CenturyLink is cheaper, starting at $30 per month, and Spectrum will charge as little as $20 per month. And not all landlines use copper phone lines. Increasingly, companies are piggybacking their phone systems on their internet connections, a service called Voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP. AllConnect currently tracks only three service providers offering old-style landlines: CenturyLink, Comcast Xfinity and Cox. How to get a landline If you're ready to get set up with a landline, call the local phone company and ask about phone services. If you live in an apartment building, it's important for you to find out where the phone junction box is. Typically, the landlord should know and if not, the local phone company should be able to find it. Here are some follow-up questions you want to ask, and what to look for in the answers: Are the landlines VoIP or are they POTS? Ideally, if you're looking for security and reliability, POTS is what you want. VoIP can work but understand that it likely relies on your internet modem and connection to work.If VoIP, does the company have backup power systems to ensure the voice line works in a power outage? Most companies do sell backup batteries you can buy directly from them. You can use an uninterrupted power supply, perhaps from CyberPower or APC. Do note that these are different from portable power supplies. Portable power supplies do allow you to stay electronically powered on the go, but those aren't meant to continuously monitor for power outages and then kick in as needed.Typically, local calls are free but dialing out of your area code costs. What's the rate structure? Companies like AT&T have various extra fees they charge for nationwide calls, as well as for international long distance. Long-distance calls in particular are usually charged per minute, and the companies don't always publish that information on their website. Make sure you know what it'll cost, and if it's too much, consider using a chat app likeSignal, WhatsApp, Google Meet or Apple FaceTimefor your long-distance calls instead. What to do with a landline If you have a landline but leave it languishing, just sucking money out of your bank account each month, you aren't alone. But there are some ways to make it more useful. Google Voice is a popular option, giving you a new phone number that acts as a sort of hub. Whenever people call, Google Voice then calls every phone to which you have it connected, be it a home landline, a cellphone, a work phone or anything else. There are other such services too, including Zoom andRingCentral, if you don't like working with Google. A landline phone can also connect with home security systems and medical alert sensors to help ensure that if you're in an emergency, help will be there as soon as possible. If you can't get a landline If you're ineligible for a landline, or don't like the service being offered, you do have more options from satellite providers. Companies such as HughesNet and SpaceX can support VoIP over their internet connections. Phone makers like Apple are also slowly buildingsatellite messaginginto their devices. The iPhone 14, which debuted in 2022, has a feature calledEmergency SOS, which can connect with a satellite to send location data to your friends or an emergency text to authorities.

It's always a fun challenge to see how two of the best smartphone cameras stack up. I spent a week shooting photos and videos with the iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Galaxy S24 Ultra to compare everything from sharpness to color contrast to zoom capabilities. If you're a creative type, like a photographer or filmmaker -- or if you simply want to take the most eye-catching Instagram photos -- choosingthe best phone cameracan feel daunting, but these takeaways should make decision-making easier. Both devices certainly pulled their weight, but there were moments when each stole the spotlight.Let's start off with some specs. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 48-megapixel main camera with a wide-angle lens, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 12-megapixel telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. It also has a 12-megapixel front-facing camera. The iPhone 16 Pro Max can shoot up to 4K video at 120fps.The Galaxy S24 Ultra, meanwhile, sports a 200-megapixel wide camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 10-megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom and a 50-megapixel telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. It also has a 12-megapixel front-facing camera and can shoot up to 8K video resolution. Watch this: iPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra: Camera Comparison 06:41 It's important to note that more megapixels don't automatically mean better photos, as a phone's software plays an important role too. The best way to get the full picture is to test out the cameras in the real world. Also, while I'm comparing photos taken at the default setting on each phone, customization is becoming a bigger focus through tools like the new Photographic Styles feature and tone mapping on the iPhone. That way, you can bump up saturation or contrast however you'd like.Price-wise, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,200 for 256GB of internal storage, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra will cost you $100 more for the same storage amount.What's new on this year's iPhone lineup is the Camera Control button, which sits on the right side of the phone and lets you trigger the camera, snap photos and swipe to change settings like exposure, aperture and zoom. I've enjoyed using it as a shortcut to summon the camera, but don't yet see the appeal of doing much else with it, especially when using the touchscreen (the old-fashioned way) works just fine. (My colleague Bridget Carey has similar thoughts.) Thankfully, iPhone case makers like Speck and Otterbox have quickly developed cases to make that new button easily accessible, if you're like me and are trying to warm up to the concept while keeping your phone protected.Now, let's get into the photos.Favorite iPhone 16 Pro Max photosBefore jumping into the comparison, here are a few shots from the iPhone 16 Pro Max that really show how it shines. An afternoon stroll at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. Notice the reflection on the water. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET This nighttime shot is one of my favorites because of how crisp and vibrant all the colors are, and how rich the dark sky looks in the background too. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET The best opportunity to test the 5x optical zoom was from the nosebleeds of Oakland Arena during a Hans Zimmer concert. It did not disappoint. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET Another one with that 5x optical zoom, because I love how the golden hour light illuminates this shot at Lake Merritt. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETiPhone 16 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S24 Ultra photo comparisonsTo compare the cameras on these two phones, I toted them around San Francisco, brought them along on nighttime strolls and used them to shoot concert videos.During an afternoon walk at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra both captured this satisfyingly crisp cascade. The S24 Ultra image is slightly brighter throughout, especially among the trees and shrubs in the background. iPhone 16 Pro Max takes crisp photos, even with elements in motion. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET The Galaxy S24 Ultra produces slightly brighter results. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETThese shots of a mural show a slightly higher overall brightness on the iPhone 16 Pro Max photo and deeper shades of each color on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Both are beautifully eye-catching, and I'm impressed with how little variation there is between them. iPhone 16 Pro Max delivers consistent results with vivid colors. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET The Galaxy S24 Ultra's color photos show a bit more richness. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETMy favorite way to test portrait mode is by photographing a plant to see whether the camera picks up on any stray leaves of flowers and keeps them focused in the foreground. In this comparison, each phone does a comparable job in that regard, but I like how the S24 Ultra brightens the overall image and reduces a lot of those harsh shadows. High contrast is typical in bright settings with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET The Galaxy S24 Ultra softens the shadows, in contrast. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETApplying Portrait mode to pictures of people, these shots of my colleagues Faith Chihil and Jessica Fierro demonstrate that same brightness in the S24 Ultra photo, and the telephone booth in the background is a more vibrant red than in the iPhone photo. I actually prefer the iPhone 16 Pro Max image; the colors are darker but more true-to-life, bringing richness to the image by playing up the black of Faith's shirt and the blue of Jessica's jeans. Both photos feature a clean background blur. The iPhone 16 Pro Max provides more realistic lighting in this photo. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET You get slightly more brightness with indoor photos taken on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETOne of the features I was most eager to play with was camera zoom. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has .5x, 1x, 2x and 5x optical zoom, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra has .6x, 1x, 3x, 5x and 10x optical zoom.The S24 Ultra's 10x zoom really is quite impressive, as it preserves the quality of the shot and its sharpness. The 5x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro Max also showcases stunning detail and crispness. In these images of a skyscraper captured at a distance from Salesforce Park, the S24 Ultra again brightens up the overall shot, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max brings a sharpness that can best be seen by looking at the more defined windows of the building ahead. .5 zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro Max results in higher sharpness. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET 1x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro Max retains sharpness without distortion. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET 2x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, still with crystal clarity. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET Even at 5x zoom on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the detail impresses. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET .6x zoom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra distorts perspective a bit but is brighter. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET 1x zoom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra with higher contrast between light and dark. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET 3x zoom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra with decently clear results. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET Although not as crisp, the 5x zoom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra performs comparably. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET The 10x zoom on the Galaxy S24 Ultra provides impressive range. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETFlipping to the front-facing cameras, the biggest difference is in color, as the S24 Ultra brightens up my face and black shirt a bit more, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max depicts deeper colors throughout, from the green of my couch to my complexion. Even the wall behind me takes on more of a beige hue, as opposed to the grayer, more muted shade in the S24 Ultra image. Both photos are pleasingly sharp and focused. More richness achieved with the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET Targeted brightness improves my complexion with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETOne of the areas in which I feel the iPhone has significantly improved over the years is with nighttime shots, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max did a great job of brightening up low-light images and making them pop. I still prefer this nighttime shot taken on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, since the sky is a more vivid blue, but the colorful lighting is similarly punchy in both photos. Big improvements have been made to the iPhone 16 Pro Max's ability to take night photos. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET The Galaxy S24 Ultra produces richer colors at night. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNETI brought both phones to Hans Zimmer Live to test out not only the quality of video footage but also zoom capabilities as I sat way in the nosebleeds. Both delivered crisp footage, despite all the flashing lights and my distance from the stage, but the S24 Ultra really came in clutch with that 10x optical zoom; I could clearly see Zimmer's face even from so far away. Other folks had their binoculars, I had the S24 Ultra.The iPhone 16 Pro lineup introduces 4K slow-motion recording at 120fps, while the S24 Ultra has a UHD slow-motion setting at 120fps. That 4K setting on the iPhone brings a crispness and higher level of detail that makes these videos pop -- even if you don't really find yourself recording in slow motion all that often.In other, more everyday instances, I still prefer video on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, as footage looks sharper and colors are more true-to-life. You'll get smooth shots, especially when set to 60fps, on both devices. Both the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra have their strengths. Celso Bulgatti/CNETFinal thoughtsGiven the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are some of the best camera phones you can get your hands on today, which images are "better" often comes down to personal preference.I've always admired the vibrancy of photos captured on Galaxy phones; the higher saturation and brightness can offer richer-looking images, especially out in nature and with photos of people. I also admire the sharpness of photos and videos on the iPhone, and how images tend to appear more true to real-life colors.Night mode used to be something that clearly set the Galaxy apart from the iPhone, but Apple has upped its game in recent years, and images shot at night on both devices are almost indistinguishable in terms of quality. Portrait mode also matches up more on both devices, as the iPhone used to be leagues ahead of its competitors in that regard. Both devices offer impressive zoom capabilities, though the S24 Ultra still takes the cake with that 10x optical zoom. Selfies are equally flattering -- despite minor color differences -- on both devices.All this to say, no matter which phone you choose to spend your hard-earned money on, you hopefully won't be let down. Check Out the iPhone 16 Pro Max's Cameras, Display and Colors See all photos

December 27, 20249 min readHow the Duck Stamp Became One of the Most Successful Conservation Tools in U.S. HistoryInside the fiercely competitive Federal Duck Stamp Contest, part of the wildly successful conservation program that has preserved millions of acres of waterfowl habitatThe 1997 Duck Stamp featured a painting of a Canada Goose by Robert Hautman. Entry number 123! The resonant words of Larry Mellinger, a senior attorney at the U.S. Department of the Interior, were followed by murmurs from the assembled crowd. An official from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) moved slowly across the stage, holding up a seven-by-10-inch painting before each of five expert judges. Behind the judges, a screen displayed the same image writ large: a pair of bizarre yet beautiful ducks. With its bright orange bill, dense green feathers behind the nostril and round patch of silvery-white feathers surrounding the eye, the Spectacled Eider is unlikely to be confused with any of the other four species that were eligible for this years contest. The colorful drake was pictured next to its brown-feathered mate in the early morning light, snowcapped Alaskan mountains rising in the far background.This was the scene at the Bruce Museum in Greenwich, Conn., on September 20, when the judging of the 2024 Federal Duck Stamp Contest was poised to reach its climax. Over the previous two days, the auditorium had been packed with artists and spectatorsa melting pot of flannel-clad veterans, aspiring young artists barely out of high school, curious onlookers, and even an adorable Seeing Eye puppy-in-training. The Duck Stamp Contest defies stereotypes: one is just as likely to spot a gray beard or a shock of bright blue hair in the audience. Additional thousands had been watching online, the live chat of the FWS YouTube channel bubbling with comments such as I love the lighting on the neck here, eiders always look a little bit suspicious, and even Something about that Brant [goose] cheek is giving IDGAF brat energy.In the first round of judging, a field of 239 artworks was winnowed to 85. In the second round, 15 finalists were selected. Now everything was on the line. One of these paintings would appear on the 2025 Duck Stamp. The winner receives a sheet of 25 stamps signed by the Secretary of the Interior. It is a modest prize, to be sure, but victory conveys instant stature in the field of wildlife art. And print sales are so lucrative that the winning painting is often called The Million-Dollar Duck.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.For the 338th time at the event, Mellinger intoned, Please vote. One by one, judges raised their numbered placard in an old-school process reminiscent of the judging for cold warera Olympic figure skating. Four judges held up a 5, and one raised a 4. The audience gaspedthe painting of the Spectacled Eiders had scored 24 out of a maximum of 25 possible points! Six more paintings were judged, but none surpassed that score.For two days, the artists had been anonymous, but now it was revealed that the Spectacled Eiders were the work of Adam Grimm. This is Grimms third win, and his previous winning paintings of a Mottled Duck and a pair of Canvasbacks are currently on display in a gallery upstairs from where the competition was held, in an exhibition titled Conservation Through the Arts: Celebrating the Federal Duck Stamp, on view through February 9, 2025.David Maass's painting of a pair of Wood Ducks appeared on the 1974 Duck Stamp.Duck Stamp Art on DisplayAs I stood in the back of the auditorium, listening to the thunderous applause fade away, I took a moment to reflect on my personal journey into the universe of the Duck Stamp. As recently as 2021, my familiarity with the Duck Stamp was limited to a vague awareness that its purchase is required to hunt waterfowl. Then I met Richie Prager. A conservationist and former Duck Stamp judge, he spent many years assembling a world-class collection of Duck Stamps before turning to a much more difficult task: tracking down the original art behind each stamp. Prager managed to acquire an astonishing 61 original artworks, along with many associated preliminary drawings and prints. Ultimately, he decided to donate them to the Bruce Museum, and Duck Stamp history became my life for the next three years. As science curator at the museum, I worked to organize an exhibition that showcases the art and artists behind the stamp.Our exhibition opens with a timeline. In 1900 ducks in the U.S. were in dire straits. The rise of technologies such as refrigeration, the railroad and punt guns that fired hundreds of pellets in a single blast facilitated the rise of market hunting. Whereas traditional hunters had long pursued ducks for their own table, market hunters killed birds indiscriminately and in great numbers, supplying merchants in ever-growing population centers where the publics appetite for duck meat and feathers was seemingly insatiable. At the same time, drought conditions and the draining of wetlands for agriculture were shrinking habitat that waterfowl relied upon for feeding and nesting.Pummeled from all sides, ducks found a defender in American political cartoonist Jay Norwood Ding Darling. A two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, Darling used his platform to agitate for conservation legislation. Through the efforts of Darling and others, the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act arrived on Franklin D. Roosevelts desk in 1934. The Act required waterfowl hunters to purchase a $1 Duck Stamp, with sales supporting migratory bird sanctuaries. In addition to preserving land, Darling worked tirelessly to push through hunting regulations that reversed the declining fortunes of waterfowl, giving the beleaguered U.S. ducks and geese the protections they needed to rebound.Pressed to deliver a design for the very first Duck Stamp, Darling quickly whipped up six drawings on cardboard shirt stiffeners salvaged from his dry cleaning. These were merely intended as concept sketches but were passed along to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing by mistake. By the time Darling tracked down his missing sketches, engravers had already started production. Although the original sketch used for the first stamp appears to have been discarded, Darling later re-created the image as an etching. A trial proof print from this etching opens the art section of the exhibition.For the next 15 years, from 1935 to 1949, a select few wildlife artists were invited to submit designs the annual Duck Stamp. Many were natural history scholars and museum professionals, and in keeping with the times, all were men. Among them was Edwin R. Kalmbach, who worked for the Bureau of the Biological Survey, a precursor of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Kalmbachs research helped identify avian botulism as the cause of a mysterious western duck sickness that had killed more than two million ducks in the Great Salt Lake region in 1910. Emphasizing the programs conservation mission, his wash painting of Ruddy Ducks for the 1941 Duck Stamp included a flotilla of adorable ducklings.Many of these early artists were self-taught. For example, Walter E. Bohl worked for a telephone company but took up drawing while recuperating from a serious illness. Encouraged to pursue printmaking, he improvised a press and etching tools from an old clothes wringer, darning needle and hand-polished copper. Soon he was displaying his etchings at Chicagos Century of Progress Exposition, where one was purchased by none other than Eleanor Roosevelt. Bohl was subsequently invited to design the 1943 Duck Stampa pair of Wood Ducks taking flight. Although the original drypoint etching on copper plate has been lost to rust, a preliminary sketch for his winning design is a highlight of our exhibit at the Bruce Museum. Today Bohls work is housed in such high places as the Smithsonian American Art Museum.James Hautman's painting of a pair of Redheads appeared on the 2022 Duck Stamp.The Super Bowl of Wildlife ArtThe Bruce Museum was able to host the 2024 Duck Stamp contest thanks to a decision made almost 75 years ago. Robert Warren Hines, who had been selected to design the 1946 stamp and became an artist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1948, subsequently argued that the selection process for the design should take the form of a competition that anyone could enter following stated guidelines. Thanks to Hiness efforts, an open competition was declared for the 1950 Duck Stamp. Walter Weber, widely known for his illustrations in National Geographic, won that year with his Trumpeter Swans design, which bested 87 other entries. The early contest years feature relatively simple designs. They are clean, stylized representations of ducksand the art tends to have a very stamplike feel, in part because it had to be submitted in black and white and also because the artists were aware an engraver would have to replicate it on a steel die at stamp size (1.75 by 1.5 inches).Beginning in 1970, the contest allowed color submissions. David Maasss painting of Wood Ducks for the 1974 stamp, on display in our exhibit, emphasizes this change with an explosion of color. A male and female pair are captured taking flight in front of a foggy autumn sky crossed by bare tree branches. The drakes wings are lifted on the upstroke, and the hens are powering into the end of the downstroke. Its an idealized representation of a real moment, a style of that era of the stamp that I particularly enjoy. Directly below Maasss painting hangs the final black-and-white work to appear on a stamp since the doors were opened to color submissions. Alderson Sandy Magees scratchboard rendering of a family of Canada Geese for the 1976 stamp is sublime. Scratchboard engraving, in which the artist uses sharp implements to scratch a boards dark ink surface, revealing the light-colored layer underneath, can lend itself to almost harsh lines. Yet Magee perfectly captures the softness of the goslings down.As the exhibition proceeds towards the present day, acrylic paintings begin to dominate, and the artwork shifts toward near-photorealistic portrayals of waterfowl and their environment. It is almost a given that the depictions of the ducks and geese will be executed flawlessly. The winning paintings have an added edgea certain warmth to the sunlight illuminating a Canvasback or an ominous storm brewing behind a White-fronted Goose. In 1991 Nancy Howe became the first woman to win the Duck Stamp competition with a pair of King Eiders poised in a landscape of contrasting textures. The image gives a realistic impression, but close examination reveals stylized choices strategically tailored to the small scale of the physical stamp.One name that appears repeatedly on the wall labels over the last stretch of the exhibition is Hautman. Three brothersJames, Joseph and Robert Hautmanhave collectively won the contest an astonishing 15 times. Their paintings are not only terrifically atmospheric but also capture the subjects in the finest detail. In 2001 Joe Hautmans Black Scoters prevailed after four rounds of tie-breaking votes when one judge recognized that only Hautmans painting included the tiny projections on the ducks bill called lamellae, which form a sieve for filter feeding.The exhibition closes with an array of the stamps themselves and a celebration of the pop-culture impact of the Duck Stamp. A poster highlights a subplot in the movie Fargo, whose creators, the Coen brothers, were childhood neighbors of the Hautmans. Toward the end of the film, a character announces that his Mallard painting came in second place and will be featured on the three-cent stamp, and he laments that Hautmans Blue-winged Teal got the 29-centa nod to the many real-life wins by the Hautman brothers. More recently, the Duck Stamp was featured in an episode of Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. Oliver explained the importance of the conservation funds generated by the program and successfully raised more than $70,000 for wetland conservation through the auction of five humorous paintings submitted to the Duck Stamp Contest. One of these paintings, Feuding Artists Handshake, by Roberto Parada, depicts erstwhile rival artists Tim Taylor and Rob McBroom making peace under the wings of a giant duck. Hanging in the exhibition, it captures both the serious nature of the art competition and the charm of a fandom that never takes itself too seriously.As people exit the exhibition, the last thing they see is a video loop of footage from the National Wildlife Refuge System and a QR code beckoning them to buy their own stamp. Although hunters are still required to buy the stamp, almost half of all duck stamps sold these days go to collectors and those who wish to support conservation98 percent of sale dollars go directly to conserving habitat. Less than three square inches in size, the Duck Stamp has protected more than six million acres of waterfowl habitat. Ive got mine (signed by the artist, no less) sitting on my dresser right now.