Submitted by WA ContentsDesignart Tokyo installations explore new perspectives through art, design, craft, and technology Japan Architecture News - Dec 24, 2024 - 14:24 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Designwork Tokyo hosted one of the biggest design and art festivals in Japan, encompassing a broad range of fields like fashion, interior design, design, and art.Themed as Reframing - the Beginning of a Shift, this year's design event hosted 117 exhibitions at 96 venues presented works and content from around the world. This year's event recorded over 227,000 visitors for its 117 exhibitions.The 10-day event transformed the city of Tokyo into an art museum. Artists presented new values through reimagining conventional frameworks.The official show this year highlighted the creations of artists who, by presenting new ideals through unconventional viewpoints, are not constrained by traditional frameworks.Four artists at the vanguard of several industries, including art, design, craft, and technology, along with eighteen groups of creators, curated the "Reframing" exhibition. The exhibition was intentionally not separated by the aforementioned fields in order to prevent restricting the spectators' perspective, which gave visitors an extremely engaging experience.Space Design: HYBE Design Team In collaboration with: World Co. / Nomura Co. / Stylem Takesada Osaka / Setup / Timber Crew / MDES / Reset / K3 / Mimaki Engineering / Lintec Sign System. Image Nacasa & PartnersTo draw attention to the appealing aspects of each piece, the HYBE Design Team, under the direction of Jun Takeda, employed stands composed completely of solid recycled material called "TUTTI" for the spatial design. It seemed as though the exhibition stands were a natural extension of the artwork.They not only made it possible for guests to move freely and take in the artwork without feeling alone, but they also infused the space with vitality. Overall, the design decision demonstrated a fresh viewpoint, a new "standard," by utilizing presence and texture without the usage of expensive materials.The four curators were contemporary art curator Kodama Kanazawa for the Art, interior stylist and Space Designer Masato Kawai for Design, Yudai Tachikawa, and artistic director, social sculptor Ryuta Aoki for Craft.World Architecture Community is official media partner of Designart Tokyo 2024, and bringing you the most captivating installations from this year's festival.The fascinating power of natural materialsJoint Exhibition: Woodwork at Axis GalleryFort's new series(ODS / Oniki Design Studio). Image RYO USAMIWith the renewed interest in wood as an essential material for furniture and interior design, a dedicated exhibition was held at the Axis Gallery in Roppongi. Featured works included architect and designer Koichiro Oniki's ODS / Oniki Design Studio's new Fort series, three-dimensional assemblages using Japanese Kumiko techniques.Additionally, Takusei Kajitani presented a 10 years labor in his work Consentable, which captured and evoked the theme of "Deep dive into what I want." The Shizuoka based custom- made furniture workshop iwakagu presented wooden furniture that reflected on the nature of wood itself and reimagined the relationship between the home and woodworking. Maruhon exhibited flooring utilizing Japanese Oak wilt and custom-made furniture fabricated in a way that highlighted the natural charm of the wood, iron, and stone materials.Courtesy of StraftStraft, Exhibition "Nest" (Under 30)Under the title of Exhibition Nest, Straft, a craft unit consisting of Tamaki Ishii and Kazuma Yamagami, exhibited works using rice straw, which has long been revered as a holy material.Throughout history it has served a variety of purposes including creating roofing, walls, and daily tools, as well as being used in Shinto rituals. The exhibition explored the essence of spiritual richness needed today through a perspective that captured the importance of coexisting in harmony with nature. The works shown included impressive and powerful works of clothing and furniture.Expanding the possibilities of product design through new perspectivesSaki Takeshita, 130, AAAQ. Image Kohei YamamatoAAAQ (Under 30)AAAQ is a creative unit of product designer/producer Atsuro Miyako and UI designer So Ohta. This year, the duo presented Visible Stress, an appreciation of the texture of light.The work was created through photoelasticity, a phenomenon that vividly visualizes forces that are typically invisible to the eye. The artists conceived the piece by taking a fresh look at the materials around us and considering their latent power of beauty.Image Ryo UsamiFarm and BuildFarm and Build member Ken Sato introduced a series of furniture made from Najio Washi in his Najio Series. Najio Washi is a type of paper that has been produced in the northern part of Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture since the Edo period, known for its resistance to stains and discoloration even when placed in direct sunlight.The "Pillar Stool" (white) was made by pasting Naijo Washi with starch glue and applying a thin layer of shellac varnish using a technique called French polish to reveal the texture of the fibers and mud in the paper. The work Pedestl Table (black/left) was also presented.Farm And Build, Pulse in collaboration with. Image Ryo UsamiPulsePulse member Daiki Mitsui introduced a new type of ikkanbari (Japanese lacquered papier-mch), soga ikkanbari, which incorporates the traditional techniques of ikkanbari to give the inorganic materials of today the quality of a hand crafted product.Ikkanbari is a technique of layering Japanese paper over bamboo baskets or woven bamboo and applying persimmon tannin or lacquer to increase strength and create a form that can be used for a long time. For this series, five different materials were used to create vases.Beautiful design and art presentationImage Nacasa & PartnersKEF A Celebration of Space Immersed in Sound and LightThe British audio brand KEF came together for a collaboration with renowned designer Michael Young and Klein Dytham architecture (KDa), designer of the KEF Music Gallery in Aoyama.The exhibit included Sticklight, a vibrantly colored display and innovative design work by Michael Young from the 1990s. As well as this, KEF's LS60 Wireless speakers (also designed by Young) were featured in a striking, loud speaker-shaped space at the KEF Music Gallery. The exhibit was an impressive fusion of the three artists' creations.Image Kohei YamamatoFujifilm Design CenterA Taste of Fuji: A Journey with Fujioh SakeFujioh is an original Japanese sake brewed with high-quality spring water from the Fujifilm film factory grounds. In conjunction with the release of a new single-serving cans (a special sized 180ml sake can), an installation was held to take visitors on a journey to Mount Fuji. The production took place in the Clay Studio, a large underground space that was originally designed by all 80 of Fujifilm's in-house designers.Evolving upcyclingReusing discarded materials in a new wayCourtesy of HonokaAqua Clara Honoka Trace of Water"Aqua Clara," a leading company in the water server industry in Japan, showcased a bottle upcycling exhibition in collaboration with the design lab "Honoka" to explore the potential of bottle materials. Returnable bottles, which have absorbed significant moisture after serving their purpose, undergo processing with heat to create subtle changes in color and texture that evoke traces of water.Honoka, with its extensive experience in various processing methods and materials, harnessed the potential of polycarbonate bottle materials with their moisture-absorbing properties and strength. By developing "architectural materials" that combine aesthetics and functionality and presenting products applying these materials, they demonstrated the future potential of upcycling.Image Nacasa & PartnersHiroto Ikebe (Under 30) Cocoon AnatomyHiroto Ikebe aims to bring new perspectives and values to the diminishing practice of sericulture (silk farming). By reading and reinterpreting its existence and combining traditional techniques rooted in the land with the latest technology, he has created a new kind of garment made from the waste products of cocoons, this is "Cocoon Anatomy."Through a captivating exhibition, the importance of revitalizing and carrying on the memory of sericulture was conveyed through visualizing the relationship between materials and producers. As this relationship grows invisible due to industrialization, the artist restores understanding of the textile manufacturing process.From new products to new perspectives, interiors that enrich lifestylesBridge sofa & table / ixc. Edition. Image Nacasa & PartnersLIXIL | bathtopethinking of the earth & people, bathrooms evolveCelebrating the 100th anniversary of its water and tile business in Japan, LIXIL introduced bathtope, a bathroom space based on the concept that A new era of freedom in bathing. Equipped with a foldable fabric bathtub, the exhibit posed the question: Is it okay for the daily bathing custom loved by so many Japanese people to remain unchanged in the future?The result of the exploration posed was bathtope, a flexible bathroom space that can adapt to suit a variety of personalities and lifestyles, as well as a bathing method that can reduce environmental impact and while also providing enjoyment. bathtope is neither a shower room nor a bathroom, but rather a single space that can be freely switched between the two. The exhibition proposed a new way of thinking that embraces diversity and provides free choices according to the time of day, season, and one's mood.Image Nacasa & PartnersNomura Co., Ltd. "Being - What if furniture had a life of its own?"Nomura Co., Ltd., the team of professionals focuses on the integrated creation of spaces where people gather, including commercial facilities, hotels, workplaces, expos, and museums. The Nomura design team reimagined the relationship between people and architectural objects, creating environments that foster connection and experience. One challenge they faced was the tendency to discard perfectly usable furniture, often due to a lack of emotional connection.By cultivating long-term care and attachment, they believed there could be a shift from merely "owning and using" objects to "being with" them, establishing a deeper bond.This exhibition explored how our perception of furniture might evolve if we saw it as having a life rather than simply existing. Through a series of experimental designs, it invited society to reconsider the changing value and relationship between people and objects. This sustainable design approach was well received by visitors from outside of Japan, who requested that the exhibition be expanded to other countries.Artwork to color the spaceManami Numata sync Inc. Sky Pocket. Image Yosuke OwashiManami Numata sync Inc. Sky Pocket"sync public" which is attached to sync Inc. at their new Aoyama-dori location, held a solo exhibition of Manami Numata, a remarkable artist who has received numerous awards post graduation from the graduate school of Tokyo University of the Arts. Based in her hometown of Hagi City, she creates works while experiencing the eloquence of nature.She had added a new colorful series based on the concept of sky to her body of work, which overlaps her life and journey using maps and still life as motifs. The exhibition featured colorful works from this new series, capturing the moment when the sky is at its most beautiful transformation.Image Nacasa & PartnersLionrugs X Kaoruko Fusion of Japonism and Persian carpetsLionrugs Aoyama, A gallery store specializing in Persian carpets, exhibited the latest works created by New York based contemporary artist Kaoruko. In addition to her recent works, Persian carpets from her past works were also exhibited.The delicate colors of Kaorukos artwork beautifully decorated the interior and attracted visitors into a world where feminine Japonism met the traditional crafts of the Middle East.An exhibition that goes behind the scenes of the design processImage Kohei YamamatoBehind the scenes of Takrams product designTakram, a design innovation firm that has worked with innovators in a variety of fields, held an exhibition focusing on product design from among the many projects it has worked on. The exhibition revealed the behind-the-scenes design process along with actual products. What is the design process when seeking to create new value together with a client?The exhibition revealed the materials and prototypes from the project period, as well as the methods used to achieve high quality. Many people visited during the exhibition period, as it was a rare chance to see behind-the-scenes of the design process.Image Kohei YamamatoThe Conran Shop, 30th Anniversary Inspirations for the NextCelebrating its 30th anniversary, the Conran Shop Marunouchi store introduced a new project "Inspirations for the Next with four designers (Akihiro Kumagaya, Momoko Kudo, Shigeki Fujishiro, and Sera Yanagisawa), which aimed to create contemporary furniture by collaborating with crafts and makers unique to Japan, as well as cultures and materials rooted in Asia and Japan.In the center table of the event, various inspirations were displayed that represented cornerstones of product development, focusing on the seven functions and structures including placing, solidifying, stacking, carrying, wrapping, bending, and hanging. Items displayed included folk tools, crafts, and tools researched by the designers of the Conran Shop.Top image in the article: View of Reframing Exhibition. Image Nacasa & Partners.> via Designart Tokyo

Looking for broadband in Orange? CNET's experts have rounded up the top internet providers in the area to help you secure the fastest speeds and most affordable plans.

Was there any material, texture, or color that was a key inspiration in designing your home?I was obsessed with creating a mix of materials, but I knew that I wanted to use high-gloss lacquer and also natural stone surfaces. I had been thinking about natural stone for a whileits something that always accompanies me wherever I go, there are so many varieties and options that one never gets bored.Custom headboard with a curved profile. Rug by Javier Velarde, bedside table from The Masie, Murano glass lamp, framed work by Atelier P. Frognier, Eames Elephant by Vitra, curtains and square-cushion fabric by Gancedo, and round pillow by Redondo Brand.Murano crystal chandelier from La Brocanterie.What advice would you give to someone designing the interiors of their first home?Take risks pursuing what you really like, dont blindly imitate other projects, and find ways to introduce your own personality into every corner.Is there any piece of furniture, work of art, or decorative objective that has a special significance for you?There are many items that remind me of favorite moments, especially travel, which is what I like to do most. But the piece that perhaps means the most to me is the painting by Emeca. It was one of the first works of art that I acquired for my home.This 969-square-foot apartment tour was first published by AD Spain. It was translated by John Newton.Decorative objects from The Masie; blanket by Ezcaray.

In early 2022, I started noticing something strange in Spotifys jazz playlists.I listen to jazz every day, and pay close attention to new releases. But these Spotify playlists were filled with artists Id never heard of before.Who were they? Where did they come from? Did they even exist?In April 2022, I finally felt justified in sharing my concerns with readers. So I published an article here called The Fake Artists Problem Is Much Worse Than You Realize.I was careful not to make accusations I couldnt prove. But I pointed out some puzzling facts.If you want to support my work, please take out a premium subscription (just $6 per month).Many of these artists live in Swedenwhere Spotify has its headquarters. According to one source, a huge amount of streaming music originates from just 20 people, who operate under 500 different names.Some of them were generating supersized numbers. An obscure Swedish jazz musician got more plays than most of the tracks on Jon Batistes We Arewhich had just won the Grammy for Album of the Year (not just the best jazz album, but the best album in any genre).How was that even possible?I continued to make inquiries, and brooded over this strange situation. But something even stranger happened a few months later.A listener noticed that he kept hearing the same track over and over on Spotify. But when he checked the name of the song, it was always different. Even worse, these almost identical tracks were attributed to different artists and composers.He created a playlist, and soon had 49 different versions of this song under various names. The titles sounded as if they had come out of a random text generatoralmost as if the goal was to make them hard to remember. Trumpet BumblefigBumble MistywillWhomping CloverQeazpoorSwiftsparkVattio BudI reported on this odd situation. Others joined in the hunt, and found more versions of the track under still different names. The track itself was boring and non-descript, but it was showing up everywhere on the platform. Around this same time, I started hearing jazz piano playlists on Spotify that disturbed me. Every track sounded like it was played on the same instrument with the exact same touch and tone. Yet the names of the artists were all different.Were these AI generated? Was Spotify doing this to avoid paying royalties to human musicians?Spotify issued a statement in the face of these controversies. But I couldnt find any denial that they were playing games with playlists in order to boost profits.By total coincidence, Spotifys profitability started to improve markedly around this time. A few months ago, I spoke with an editor at one of the largest newspapers in the world. I begged him to put together a team of investigative journalists to get to the bottom of this. You need to send people to Sweden. You need to find sources. You need to find out whats really going on.He wasnt interested in any of that. He just wanted a spicy opinon piece. I declined his invitation to write it.We now finally have the ugly truth on these fake artistsbut no thanks to Spotify. Or to that prestigious newspaper whose editor I petitioned. Instead journalist Liz Pelly has conducted an in-depth investigation, and published her findings in Harpersthey are part of her forthcoming book Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist. Mood Machine will show up in bookstores in January and may finally wake up the music industry to the dangers it faces.Pelly started by knocking on the doors of these mysterious viral artists in Sweden.Guess what? Nobody wanted to talk. At least not at first. But Pelly kept pursuing this story for a year. She convinced former employees to reveal what they knew. She got her hands on internal documents. She read Slack messages from the company. And she slowly put the pieces together. Now she writes:What I uncovered was an elaborate internal program. Spotify, I discovered, not only has partnerships with a web of production companies, which, as one former employee put it, provide Spotify with music we benefited from financially, but also a team of employees working to seed these tracks on playlists across the platform. In doing so, they are effectively working to grow the percentage of total streams of music that is cheaper for the platform. In other words, Spotify has gone to war against musicians and record labels. At Spotify they call this the Perfect Fit Content (PFC) program. Musicians who provide PFC tracks must often give up control of certain royalty rights that, if a track becomes popular, could be highly lucrative.Spotify apparently targeted genres where they could promote passive consumption. They identified situations in which listeners use playlists for background music. Thats why I noticed the fake artists problem first in my jazz listening.According to Pelly, the focal points of PFC were ambient, classical, electronic, jazz, and lo-fi beats.When some employees expressed concerns about this, Spotify managers replied (according to Pellys sources) that listeners wouldnt know the difference.They called it payola in the 1950s. The public learned that radio deejays picked songs for airplay based on cash kickbacks, not musical merit.Music fans got angry and demanded action. In 1959, both the US Senate and House launched investigations. Famous deejay Alan Freed got fired from WABC after refusing to sign a statement claiming that he had never taken bribes.They called it Payola, and people got firedTransactions nowadays are handled more delicatelyand seemingly in full compliance with the laws. Nobody gives Spotify execs an envelope filled with cash.But this is better than payola:On February 7, Spotifys CEO sold 250K shares for $57.5 million.On April 24, Spotifys CEO sold 400K shares for $118.8 million.On November 15, Spotifys CEO sold 75K shares for $35.8 million.On November 20, Spotifys CEO sold 75K shares for $34.8 million.On November 26, Spotifys CEO sold 75K shares for $36.1 million.On December 4, Spotifys CEO sold 75K shares for $37 million.On December 11, Spotifys CEO sold 60K shares for $28.3 million.Deejay Alan Freed couldnt dream of such riches. In fact, nobody in the history of music has made more money than the CEO of Spotify. Taylor Swift doesnt earn that much. Even after fifty years of concertizing, Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger cant match this kind of wealth. At this point, I need to complain about the stupid major record labels who have empowered and supported Spotify during its long history. At some junctures, they have even been shareholders.Ive warned repeatedly that this is a huge mistake. Spotify is their adversary, not their partner. The longer they avoid admitting this to themselves, the worse things will get. The music media isnt much betterthese new revelations came from a freelancer publishing in Harpers, not from Rolling Stone or Billboard or Variety. And I could say the same for the New York Times and Wall Street Journal and Washington Post. Why didnt they investigate this? Why dont they care?But I am grateful for independent journalism, which is now my main hope for the future. Lets turn to the bigger question: What do we do about this?By all means, lets name and shame the perpetrators. But we need more than that.Congress should investigate ethical violations at music streaming businessesjust like they did with payola. Laws must be passed requiring full transparency. Even better, lets prevent huge streaming platforms from promoting songs based on financial incentives.I dont do that as a critic. People sometimes try to offer me money for coverage, and I tell them off. It happened again this week, and I got upset. No honest person could take those payoffs.Streaming platforms ought to have similar standards. And if they wont do it voluntarily, legislators and courts should force their hand.And let me express a futile wish that the major record labels will find a spine. They need to create an alternativeeven if it requires an antitrust exemption from Congress (much like major league sports). Our single best hope is a cooperative streaming platform owned by labels and musicians. Lets reclaim music from the technocrats. They have not proven themselves worthy of our trust. If the music industry leaders havent figured that out by nowespecially after the latest revelationswe are in bad shape indeed.

submitted by /u/Wagamaga [link] [comments]

A consortium of investors has resurrected Lilium just days after the electric air taxi startup ceased operations and laid off about 1,000 employees.Mobile Uplift Corporation, a company set up by investors from Europe and North America, has agreed to acquire the operating assets of the startups two subsidiaries, Lilium GmbH and Lilium eAircraft GmbH, per an announcement Tuesday. The parent company, Lilium N.V, will not receive any funds in accordance with German insolvency law.Terms of the deal, which are expected to close in January, were not disclosed. Consultancy giant KPMG handled the sale process for Lilium. Mobile Uplift Corporation said in the announcement it intends to rehire workers who were laid off immediately after opening of the proceedings and closing of the transaction. It isnt clear if all 1,000 workers will be rehired.When reached for comment by TechCrunch, Lilium spokesperson Christine Pierk did not provide any new information or answer TechCrunchs questions about the deal.Once the deal closes, the new owners plan to restructure Lilium, allowing the company to exit insolvency with its tech intact and without debt.We are very pleased to announce the signing of an investment agreement with a very experienced consortium of investors, which is a major breakthrough, Lilium CEO Klaus Roewe was quoted in the announcement. Deal closing at the beginning of January will allow us to restart our business.Lilium had raised more than $1 billion from private investors before it went public in 2021 on the Nasdaq Exchange via a reverse merger with a blank-check company, SPAC Qell. Lilium had success landing customers, including an order from Saudi Arabia for 100 electric planes. But the company burned through cash faster than it could raise more from investors as it worked to develop a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft with speeds of up to 100 km/h.Lilium filed for insolvency the U.S. equivalent of bankruptcy in October, after failing to secure emergency funding.

I've used and covered Linux for nearly 30 years. Here's my top pick for my favorite open-source distro in 2024.

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsLonger battery lifeMore ways to chargeAn updated lookCustom watch facesA new band attachment mechanismA new era awaitsThe year wraps up in a few more weeks, and 2024 was a pretty good one for Apple in terms of the iPhone 16 and the Apple Watch Series 10.Apple made some big changes with the Apple Watch this year, but that doesnt mean that there isnt room for improvement. Heres what Im hoping to see from the Apple Watch in 2025.Recommended VideosJoe Maring / Digital TrendsThough the Apple Watch has now been around for a decade, unless you get the Apple Watch Ultra model, the battery life hasnt really seen any significant improvements. Typically, Apple just markets it as all-day battery life, which is about 18 hours. On the other hand, the Apple Watch Ultra models get around double that at 36 hours.RelatedI think its long overdue for Apple to make the battery life on the regular Apple Watch Series models last more than a single day. While the Apple Watch Ultras battery life is one of its greatest strengths, Apple could also improve it to be on par with some of the competition.For example, the OnePlus Watch 2 has excellent battery life of three days, or a whopping 12 days in Power Saver mode. Of course, it has its own set of flaws, but that battery life is among the best weve seen so far, especially for Wear OS.It would be incredible if Apple could give us a standard Apple Watch Series that could last even two days, let alone three. And if the standard Apple Watch could see battery improvements, imagine what the Apple Watch Ultra could potentially have.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsOne issue that applies to many wearables in general, and not just the Apple Watch, is that they all use some kind of proprietary charger. For the Apple Watch, its the magnetic charging puck that comes included with every Apple Watch purchase.Honestly, Im still not sure why we cant just use a MagSafe charger to charge the Apple Watch. If AirPods cases can charge via MagSafe and wireless chargers, why cant the Apple Watch? I would love to use any wireless charger or MagSafe charger to juice up my future Apple Watches rather than still needing a proprietary charging puck.Another alternative is to separate the charging puck from the cable itself. OnePlus did this with the OnePlus Watch 2, and its so much more convenient for travel. Youre likely already traveling with a few USB-C cables anyway, so if the puck were separate, it would be one less cable to worry about. There are ways to make Apple Watch charging more convenient, and I hope Apple takes note of this in 2025.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsOK, I know this may be controversial, but Im tired of the same rounded square shape the Apple Watch has used since its inception. I was hoping that for the Apple Watch Series 10, which is a major milestone, we would get an all-new design. However, we just got a thinner version of the same design weve had for years.Ive also been wearing a Google Pixel Watch 3 for a few weeks, and Ive grown to love the circle shape on a smartwatch. It might not be as practical for viewing information on the watch face, but it definitely looks more classy and elegant, as a timepiece should. And yes, while it may cut off some text with the round bezels, it doesnt matter to me, as I still get the information I need.Again, not everyone may agree with this, but I would like to see Apple change things up with the Apple Watch. The current design is just getting a little boring year after year. Its time for something new.Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsApple has added many of its own Apple Watch watch facesover the years. Many of them are informative, and some of them are more about form over function. But one thing is still missing: custom watch faces.Yes, you can download some third-party apps and use those watch faces, but they dont work the same as the native Apple watch faces. Some just create a fancy image you can use in specific watch faces like the Photos one, or you just open it up as an app and leave it. Its far from being the same as an actual watch face.I know its very unlikely, but I would love to see the ability to create fully custom watch faces on the Apple Watch maybe not in 2025 or 2026, but further down the road even. There are just so many cool designs floating around, and some people can get creative with things like this.It did take Apple 14 years to allow us to start customizing the iPhone home screen, so maybe one day we can get that kind of customization on the Apple Watch.Apple Watch Series 10 (left) and the Apple Watch Series 3 Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThis is another one thats going to be a bit controversial. After it was heavily rumored that the Apple Watch Series 10 was going to have a magnetic band attachment system, Im disappointed that this didnt come to fruition.I think it would be pretty cool to have a magnetic band system. After all, Apple added MagSafe to the iPhone with the iPhone 12 series, and thats been a huge hit. It took a while for all the various accessories to come out, but now I cant live without MagSafe on my iPhone 16 Pro.Currently, the band attachment mechanism on the Apple Watch involves two small buttons that release the strap when you press it, and it clicks into place when you attach a new band. It mostly works, but Ive had some issues over the years where it can be a bit difficult to remove a strap, or where some third-party options dont fit quite right and end up getting sheared off a bit on the rubber.Id imagine a magnetic system would be much easier for attaching and removing straps, as long as the magnets are strong enough. Another option would be to adapt universal 20mm watch straps, similar to Samsungs Galaxy Watches. This opens up the possibility for many more strap options, though Im not sure if this would work with the current Apple Watch shape.Joe Maring / Digital TrendsThe Apple Watch Series 10 wasnt as groundbreaking as it could have been, but theres no denying that the thinner and lighter form factor was a step in the right direction.I know a few of these are very unlikely, considering that this is Apple were talking about, and may be a pipe dream. However, the battery life and charger aspects arent impossible, and I would love to see Apple make some improvements in that regard.Still, Im excited to see what the next year, even decade, holds for the Apple Watch.Editors Recommendations

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsBroken Man from All Born Screaming St. VincentDrone:Nodrone fromSongs of a Lost World The CureAvalon fromAvalon Roxy MusicIn the Morning of the Magicians fromYoshimi Battles the Pink Robots The Flaming LipsIll admit that as an audio reviewer, I have a tendency to listen to the same collection of songs whenever I review a pair of headphones. Even if theyre a personal pair and Im not reviewing them, Ill give a quick listen through snippets of four or five tracks to get a sense of things like frequency response, soundstage, and detail.Why do I listen to the same songs? For one (or both) of two reasons: Ive become intimately familiar with them over the years, or theyve been recommended to me by other reviewers and in consequence, Ive become intimately familiar with them over the years. But its also good for the mind and the soul to keep things fresh, and with thousands upon thousands of songs being released every year, its worth appreciating and adding new recordings to the mix.Recommended VideosInstead of proclaiming the best songs from 2024 I have instead put together some of my favorites (so far) that I feel are worthy of a listen ones that are available in Dolby Atmos and were released in 2024 (be it a new song or a re-release). Without further adoRelatedBroken Man from All Born Screaming St. VincentSt. VincentOne thing youre guaranteed to get from a new St. Vincent album is a sonically interesting experience that is musically complex and intriguing. All Born Screaming is a perfect example. While it might not be quite as cohesive from track to track as some of St. Vincents previous releases, All Born Screaming artfully explores a variety of emotions and styles that leaves the listener with an air of hopefulness by the end of its final title track.The first single from the album, Broken Man, is an industrial-inspired rage fest that draws on the expertly crafted build of songs like the end of NINs Closer. The bass slowly grow through the first first and chorus, as the second half answer of the musical line slowly fades in to respond to its question. The slow growth of intensity continues through the next verse and chorus with the introduction of Dave Grohls drums, dramatic chordal stabs, and a more desperate vocal into a killer groove of the song a minute and a half in. The remainder brings that groove to another level with layering of thick, crunchy guitar lines, thumping drums, metallic percussion, atmospheric synth and vocals, lead by St. Vincents angry, pleading lyrics of What are you looking at?While the Dolby Atmos mix of Broken Man doesnt get as experimental as some other tracks later on this list, it gives more space to the layering of musical ideas to create a full, but not overcrowded soundscape.Drone:Nodrone fromSongs of a Lost World The CureIts been 16 years since The Cure have released a new studio album, and to say Songs of a Lost World is a triumphant return is an understatement. Its not the same more light-hearted fare of their 80s catalog, instead coming across as a more grown-up look at their own mortality. OnDrone:Nodrone are some familiar sounds from The Cure of old, but everything is turned up to 11, especially with the wailing guitar of Reeves Gabrels, the newest member being featured in his first album with the band even though he joined as a full-time member back in 2012.Theres a lot to listen to here, with the atmospheric effects and guitar distortion coming together within the first few seconds from out wide left and right, before the nearfield is filled with guitar, synth, bass, and drums. The highlight for me is Gabrels wah-wah guitar work on the second half of the track, that weaves through the texture of the band and Robert Smiths vocals.The strength ofDrone:Nodrone lies more in Smiths composition and arrangement than in its Dolby Mix, but its worth a listen on whatever format you have available just to sit back and revel in the return of The Cure.Avalon fromAvalon Roxy MusicIts difficult to choose a single track from Roxy Musics final, and most successful, studio album. Its release this year as a Dolby Atmos album is not its first non-stereo treatment, with the 20th anniversary 5.1 SACD being considered by many to be one of the best examples of multichannel music mixing. Some might question why to even go back and attempt an Atmos version, but with this release it was worth it. Producer Rhett Davies and mixer Bob Clearmountain succeeded in creating another excellent mix of the iconic album. An interesting tidbit revealed to Jonathan Cornell at immersiveaudioalbum.com is that the tracks used for the Atmos remix were from 96kHz/24-bit high-resolution digital transfers from the original analog multitrack tapes.There isnt a lot of movement on title track, instead allowing the instruments to generally sit and own their space. The multiple guitar tracks have some back and forth interaction across the soundfield, while backing vocals soar in the back left while playing off the sax solo to the back right for the second half of the track. Its the perfect track to close your eyes and feel the music around you.In the Morning of the Magicians fromYoshimi Battles the Pink Robots The Flaming LipsIll fully admit that when my wife, then girlfriend, introduced me toYoshimi soon after it was released in 2002, I was confused. Did I love it? Did I hate it? I honestly didnt know. Give it a couple more listens, she said, and boy am I glad she did. Within a week it was in regular rotation as I commuted through LA traffic from my apartment in Burbank to the USC campus.Released in November 2024, the Dolby Atmos mix of the album is wild. The Flaming Lips are experimental in all facets of music and performance, and that extends into the Atmos mix. Synths circle around your head, crowd noise spreads and dissipates, Wayne Coynes lead vocals spend a lot of time in the back left channel, drums fly through the air its enveloping and at times disorienting. But theres no question it uses Atmos to its fullest.In the Morning of the Magicians begins with the synth orbiting the space before the bass and drums enter to fill in around you with vocals sound effects popping in to the left and right at different heights. Its all followed by the acoustic guitar and lead vocals coming in from the back left before beginning their own journey around, eventually supported by electrics guitars from the sides and deep oohs and aahs filling things out. A similar treatment happens as the second verse begins with some more atmospheric sounds along for the ride.Do I love it? Do I hate it? I think its accurate to say Im fascinated by it. If you want to hear the potentials of Dolby Atmos music, The Flaming Lips have delivered an excellent example. Id expect nothing less from them.Editors Recommendations

"The Odyssey" will likely have cast of stars.Zendaya and Tom Holland will star together in the film. David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage Outlets have reported in October and November before it was public what the film would be that several A-listers were in the frame for Nolan's next project.Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter said, citing unnamed sources, that Matt Damon and Anne Hathaway, who starred in Nolan's "Interstellar," would feature.Hathaway confirmed the casting when speaking to Women's Wear Daily in early December."I have so many feelings about it that I don't even know how to articulate. It fills me with so much joy, and I don't know how to talk about it," she said. "I love Chris and Emma Nolan so much, and to be invited into their world is, I mean, I know from experience it's one of the best places you can find yourself. Getting to be invited twice really felt like something, three felt like it would've been greedy, so I never let myself hope that that would happen, and that it has makes me emotional, to be perfectly honest. It makes me feel like I'm doing something right."Nobody has said which role Hathaway or any of the actors might play.Penelope, Odysseus' wife, is the most significant woman in the source material, along with Athena, the goddess of wisdom who watches over Odysseus.Deadline and THR also reported, citing unnamed sources, that another Nolan veteran, Robert Pattinson, who starred in "Tenet," will also star in the film.The publications also said Zendaya, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong'o, and Charlize Theron would be in the cast.Major characters include Odysseus himself, the legendarily cunning hero, as well as his son Telemachus, the beguiling witch Circe, the monstrous one-eyed cyclops, and Poseidon, the sea god who wants Odysseus to suffer.On December 18, Holland said on an episode of the "Dish" podcast that he is in the film but doesn't "know anything about" the plot, which was at the time a secret."I'm super excited. Everything is very hush-hush. I met with him it was awesome. He kind of loosely pitched what it was, and I'm sure when he's ready, he'll announce what it is," he said.He seemed to confirm that Pattinson, Zendaya, and Damon would be part of the cast with him.This would be the first film Zendaya and Holland had worked together on since 2021's "Spider-Man: No Way Home."