When a company releases a new AI video generator, its not long before someone uses it to make a video of actor Will Smith eating spaghetti. Its become something of a meme as well as a benchmark: Seeing whether a new video generator can realistically render Smith slurping down a bowl of noodles. Smith himself parodied the trend in an Instagram post in February.Will Smith and pasta is but one of several bizarre unofficial benchmarks to take the AI community by storm in 2024. A 16-year-old developer built an app that gives AI control over Minecraft and tests its ability to design structures. Elsewhere, a British programmercreated a platform where AI plays games like Pictionary and Connect 4 against each other. Its not like there arent more academic tests of an AIs performance. So why did the weirder ones blow up?Image Credits:Paul CalcraftFor one, many of the industry-standard AI benchmarks dont tell the average person very much. Companies often cite their AIs ability to answer questions on Math Olympiad exams, or figure out plausible solutions to Ph.D.-level problems. Yet most people yours truly included use chatbots for things likeresponding to emails and basic research.Crowdsourced industry measures arent necessarily better or more informative.Take, for example, Chatbot Arena, a public benchmark many AI enthusiasts and developers follow obsessively. Chatbot Arena lets anyone on the web rate how well AI performs on particular tasks, like creating a web app or generating an image. But raters tend not to be representative most come from AI and tech industry circles and cast their votes based on personal, hard-to-pin-down preferences.The Chatbot Arena interface.Image Credits:LMSYSEthan Mollick, a professor of management at Wharton, recently pointed out in a post on X another problem with many AI industry benchmarks: they dont compare a systems performance to that of the average person. The fact that there are not 30 different benchmarks from different organizations in medicine, in law, in advice quality, and so on is a real shame, as people are using systems for these things, regardless, Mollick wrote. Weird AI benchmarks like Connect 4, Minecraft, and Will Smith eating spaghetti are most certainly not empirical or even all that generalizable. Just because an AI nails the Will Smith test doesnt mean itll generate, say, a burger well.Note the typo; theres no such model as Claude 3.6 Sonnet.Image Credits:Adonis SinghOne expert I spoke to about AI benchmarks suggested that the AI community focus on the downstream impacts of AI instead of its ability in narrow domains. Thats sensible. But I have a feeling that weird benchmarks arent going away anytime soon. Not only are they entertaining who doesnt like watching AI build Minecraft castles? but theyre easy to understand. And as my colleague Max Zeff wrote about recently, the industry continues to grapple with distilling a technology as complex as AI into digestible marketing.The only question in my mind is, which odd new benchmarks will go viral in 2025?

TechCrunchs Found podcast, which has brought listeners the stories behind the startups since April 2022, released its final episode today.Ive been one of the hosts of Found since November 2022 and in that time have spoken to more than 75 founders about the startups they are building. These founders hail from many different backgrounds and are building in sectors ranging from AI to climate to ecommerce to higher education and everything in between.Now that the show will no longer be bringing you new episodes, I decided to take a look back at some of my favorite episodes.You may notice a theme throughout many of these. The best founders to talk to didnt pitch us their product the entire time nor did they make big lofty claims about their company or their industry. Instead, many of these founders offered a clearheaded account of both building their companies and of the trials and trepidations of startup life.The following 15 episodes are easily my favorites that Ive been a part of. These episodes are listed in reverse chronological order of when they were released, as opposed to my actual ranking, you wont be getting that from me. AirtableGuest: Howie Liu, co-founder and CEO, AirtableWhat the company does: no-code app platformEpisode pub date: October 22, 2024Why its a fav: Liu was a delight to talk to. Airtable has a fascinating story and Liu tells it well. The fact that the apps design is inspired by one of Lius favorite animated movie characters tells you everything you need to know about the tone of this conversation.CohereGuest: Nick Frosst, co-founder, CohereWhat the company does: enterprise AIEpisode pub date: August 8, 2024Why its a fav: There is a lot of exaggeration and hype when it comes to todays AI startup market. Frosst doesnt lean in. It was refreshing to talk to an AI founder who both knows their stuff, but also can acknowledge what the AI industry is overselling and how their own company fits into the swell.CampusGuest: Tade Oyerinde, chancellor, CampusWhat the company does: Accredited online community collegeEpisode pub date: July 18, 2024Why its a fav: A lot of the startup ecosystem is founders looking to iterate on old ideas. While this approach is both valid, and often lucrative, it isnt always interesting. Campus is one of the few (non climate-focused) companies I spoke to this year doing something actually unique.Thrive MarketGuest: Nicolas Green, co-founder and CEO, Thrive MarketWhat the company does: membership-based online healthy grocery platformEpisode pub date: April 2, 2024Why its a fav: Thrive Market could have targeted its online market of healthy snacks and groceries to the type of customer that can already access them. But it didnt and the reasons why make for a great founding story. Plus, learning about the logistics of an online grocery store that launched prior to Covid was fascinating even for those that arent as obsessed with grocery logistics as I am.GlacierGuest: Rebecca Hu, co-founder, GlacierWhat the company does: robots that sort recyclingEpisode pub date: March 12, 2024Why its a fav: Glaciers approach of using computer vision to train robots to sort recycling seems like a glimpse into the future of reduce, reuse, recycle. Hu also has some interesting anecdotes on what it is like to build an AI company in the age of AI washing. Plus, the robots have names.The Honey PotGuest: Beatrice Dixon, co-founder and CEO, The Honey Pot (acquired by Compass Diversified)What the company does: menstrual hygiene productsEpisode pub date: February 6, 2024Why its a fav: The founding story of The Honey Pot is a fascinating one and Dixon is quite the storyteller. This episode also shows you the sheer grit of getting a startup off the ground but also dives into the sweet reward at the end of all that work.OlipopGuest: Ben Goodwin, co-founder and CEO, OlipopWhat the company does: prebiotic sodaEpisode pub date: January 24, 2024Why its a fav: Olipop is a wild company to follow as the gut-healthy soda market has exploded in recent years. Goodwin was also a delight to talk to. Despite being CEO, he still formulates all the brands flavors himself. He took our call while drinking coffee out of a wine tumbler. That gives you an idea of how this went down.Pair TeamGuest: Neil BatlivalaWhat the company does: connects underserved communities to high-quality careEpisode pub date: November 28, 2023Why its a fav: Batlivala has cracked the code on tapping government resources to help a startup further its impact. Batlivala, and his work with Pair Team, is bright spot among the startup ecosystem as his company works to improve the lives of the U.S. most vulnerable populations, which are oft overlooked by the tech industry at large.Misfits MarketGuest: Abhi Ramesh, founder and CEO, Misfits MarketWhat the company does: online grocery store of ugly produce and mispackaged goodsEpisode pub date: October 31, 2024Why its a fav: Ramesh was incredibly candid about the founding story behind Misfits Market and all of the hurdles he faced getting the company off the ground. This episode was also recorded shortly after Misfits acquired rival Imperfect Foods so there is a lot of useful info on how to merge companies together too.ePlantGuest: Graham Hine, co-founder and director, ePlant (formerly CEO)What it does: Uses AI sensors to monitor tree healthEpisode pub date: September 5, 2023Why its a fav: This startup uses AI to talk to trees! Hine was not your typical Silicon Valley founder, in a good way, and it was fun to chat with a company that is solving a big problem tree healthbut in a very fun way. Listen to find out Hiness favorite tree too.ReBokehGuest: Rebecca Rosenberg, founder and CEO, ReBokehWhat the company does: assistive technology for people with low visionEpisode pub date: August 1, 2023Why its fav: Folks with disabilities are often completely overlooked by tech innovation so it was really cool to hear from a founder that is building transformational tech for people with low vision and doing so in a way that is rooted in her personal experience. Rosenberg is also wise beyond her years.SamoohaGuest: Kamakshi Sivaramakrishnan, founder and CEO, Samooha (now part of Snowflake)What it does: secure data collaborationEpisode pub date: May 16, 2023Why its a fav: Sivaramakrishnan is a force to be reckoned with in the tech world. She signed documents to sell her first startup while at the hospital preparing to give birth and has since launched and sold another startup. There are a lot of learnings to be pulled from this one.Colossal BiosciencesGuest: Ben Lamm, founder and CEO, Colossal BiosciencesWhat it does: conservation through bringing extinct species back to lifeEpisode pub date: March 21, 2023Why its a fav: While you may go into this episode confused on why a tech startup would be looking to bring the wooly mammoth back to life, youll end this episode thinking that idea makes perfect sense. Lamm is an engaging speaker and the science behind the company is infinitely fascinating.MillGuest: Matt Rogers, founder and CEO, MillWhat the company does: at-home food composter and recyclerEpisode pub date: March 7, 2023Why its a fav: Rogers has a fascinating background prior to starting Mill that includes working on the original iPhone and founding the Nest smart thermometer company. Rogers is hilarious and his quips and anecdotes alone make this one worth your time.GigFinesseGuest: Mir Hwang, founder and CEO, GigFinesseWhat the company does: Gig-booking softwareEpisode publish date: Jan 17, 2023Why its a fav: Hwang is a fascinating founder. From pretending to be his own booking agent to building this startup out of someone elses dorm room, there are a lot of fun stories packed in here. Plus, GigFinesses gig-booking tool is pretty cool on its own too.

The perfect whimsical blending of the Classical Greek Revival and the intricate details of the Carpenter Gothic styles can be found under one roof in Goshen, Connecticut; this is the Lavalette Perrin House. Built c.1844 for Lavalette Perrin (1816-1889), who graduated from Yale in 1840, and became licensed to preach in 1843. Reverend Perrin was in his late 20s when he accepted the call to become the pastor of Goshens Congregational Church in 1843. Upon arriving to town, he had this residence built soon after, blending two differing styles in a blissful composition. Perrin remained in Goshen until he was called to New Britain in 1858, where he remained until his death. Unique architectural features of the home include the flushboard siding, pilaster-and-lintel framed doors and windows (very rare in this form), and wave-like bargeboards. What a special home!

close Coalition of attorney generals file brief to support banning TikTok South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson discusses concerns over Chinese spying on 'America Reports.' Youve got dinner in the oven, youre looking for extra glasses, and your cousins kid screams (again), "Whats the Wi-Fi password?" Youre juggling a hundred things at once, and the last thing you want to do is to spell out your password.Heres the good news: You can slap a printout on the fridge, and everyone can scan it with their phones to connect. But first, Ill show you how to create a separate network so you dont need to worry about little Billy getting into your personal stuff on your devices and computers.SCAMMERS ARE TARGETING TEENS WITH THESE NASTY TRICKSI share smart tech news and tips you can use every single day.Join 600K readers who get The Current.Be my guestWhen guests connect to your main Wi-Fi, they can potentially access devices like smart TVs, printers, and even your laptop or phone if file sharing is enabled. Worse, if their device is compromised, your whole network could be at risk. A guest network keeps everyone happy while keeping your private life private.Most modern routers let you set up a guest network without having to be a tech guru. Warning: This will take you a few minutes, but its totally doable.RELATED: Is your internet slo-o-o-w?Lets fix that.Step 1:Log into your routers admin console. Youll need your IP address. You can usually find this on a sticker on the bottom or side of your router. Seeing 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 is common. (Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)If you dont see yours On Windows:Open the Start menu, search for "Command Prompt" and, with your Command Prompt open, type in ipconfig and press Enter. Look for the line that says "Default Gateway." This is your router's IP address.On Mac: Go to System Settings > Network. Select your Wi-Fi network> Advanced. Your router's IP address is under Router.Step 2:Open your browser, type http:// and paste in your IP address. Hit Enter to open a login page. For the credentials, try the username adminand the word passwordfor the password. If the defaults are different, theyre likely printed on your router. You can also checkthis site that lists default passwords for almost every router in use.Step 3:Look for a setting called Guest Network or Guest Wi-Fi. Give it a different name (aka SSID) than your main network, along with a strong, unique password.TECH TIP: SAVE YOUR MEMORIES BEFORE ITS TOO LATEIf you have snoops in the family When family and friends connect to your Wi-Fi guest network, you can block them from accessing your files or devices on your primary network. Turn off the local access setting.Sorry, but dedicated snoops wont stop at one closed door.Heres a sign someone is poking around.While youre at it, a quick security check (iStock)Before you finish, take these extra steps to lock things down:BIOMETRIC DATA: IS IT SAFE TO HAND IT OVER TO ANY COMPANY THAT ASKS?Change your admin password:If your router still uses the default login, update it.Update your firmware, too: Check for software updates to keep your router secure from vulnerabilities.Your network is a bigger target than you realize.Now for the fun part (iStock)Create a QR code that automatically connects guests to your new guest network no hassle, no drama. With the free siteQIFI.org, all you need is three pieces of info:SSID:This is your Wi-Fi network name. Find it on the back of your modem, in the admin console or on your network app.Encryption type: Choose WPA/WPA2/WPA3. You can find this in your phones Wi-Fi section under the network details.Key: This is your router password. Its on the back of your router if youve never changed it. (Please tell me youve changed it!)Hit Generate and your QR code is ready. Print some copies of it to hang around the house, or do what I did:Order this custom sign that looks classy. Now, when someone asks for the Wi-Fi password, you can just point.Get tech-smarter on your scheduleAward-winning host Kim Komando is your secret weapon for navigating tech.National radio:Airing on 500+ stations across the US -Find yours or get the free podcast.Daily newsletter:Join 600,000 people who read the Current (free!)Watch: OnKims YouTube channelPodcast: "Kim Komando Today" - Listen wherever you get podcastsCopyright 2025, WestStar Multimedia Entertainment. All rights reserved.

A new leak reveals Google will offer a $200+ bonus to customers who purchase a new Samsung phone.

ZDNET's key takeaways The LG G4 OLED is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $2,796. LG has made great strides with its OLED picture quality, and this model is truly exceptionalHowever, the regular price might be a turn-off since you can buy great TVs for half the price. more buying choices I'm not usually a fan of LG TVs, but I've tested the LG G4 OLED TV this year, and I have to admit that it has the most impressive picture quality of any TV I've ever bought, used, or tested.Though the holiday deals are over, you can still find the65-inch LG G4 on sale for over $600 off its retail price of $3,399 at both Amazon and Best Buy as retailers amp up their New Year's savings opportunities. At about $2,800, the LG G4 OLED is still an expensive TV (the best price we saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday was $2,300).For that price, you could get two 65-inch Sony X90L TVs -- my pick for the best TV for the money. But if picture quality is your number one priority and you have the budget, there's no TV on the planet with a better picture than the LG G4. details View at Amazon What makes the LG G4 OLED picture so good? Several things.First of all, there are the things that make all OLED screens great, and this is especially true for LG OLEDs because they are one of the leading innovators in the technology. We're talking about true blacks (as opposed to washed-out dark grays from LCD TVs), deep contrast, more vibrant colors, and amazing dynamic range in shots that have both dark and light elements. The LG G4 has all of those qualities -- and at the highest levels I've seen on any TV -- because it is LG's flagship OLED TV for 2024.Also: I tested Samsung's 98-inch 4K QLED TV, and here's why it might be worth the $13,000So, what's new in this year's LG G4? The biggest leap forward is in picture processing, and that's made possible by the new 11 AI Processor 4K. I've always considered Sony the king of picture processing, and it was a long way back to LG and Samsung, essentially tied for second place, with budget TV makers TCL and Hisense lagging the crowd. However, with the 2024 11 AI Processor, LG is now pushing Sony for the top spot in picture processing -- and that's saying a lot.Where this really matters is when it comes to out-of-the-box picture settings, upscaling older and lower-quality 720p and 1080p content, and the TV automatically adjusting the picture to make today's HDR content look amazing. In all of those areas, the LG G4 now rivals Sony. Adam Breeden/ZDNETAnd because LG has always arguably made the highest-quality OLED TV panels, this upgrade in picture processing lifts the LG G4 to the top of the class in picture quality. For movies, shows, gaming, and virtually any other content, the LG G4 brings them to life in vibrant color, smooth motion, and incredible contrast -- more than any other TV you can buy right now.Also:How I turned this 98-inch TV into an immersive entertainment system (and it's $1,500 off)I tried it with some of my favorite content with challenging visuals, includingDune, Avengers: End Game, and several other cutting-edge cinematic marvels. All of the content looked better than I've ever seen on any TV I've used, bought, or tested -- and that includes some of the best TVs from Sony, Samsung, LG, TCL, and Hisense over the past few years.What are the drawbacks?There are a few drawbacks to note about the LG G4. First, of course, is the premium price. As I've already mentioned, you could buy two 65-inch Sony X90L TVs for the price of one 65-inch LG G4. And I think most people would be extremely happy with the mid-range Sony X90L. But you're not most people if you're considering the LG G4.The other drawbacks are the remote and LG's built-in webOS software. Both are mediocre at best. I consider LG's remote to be the worst of any of the big five TV makers. It's large, chunky, and has a confusing number of buttons. A TV that is good and has such a premium design that is svelte and beautiful deserves a better-designed remote.Also: You can finally buy LG's transparent OLED TV - if you're willing to pay $60,000LG's built-in webOS software is nearly as disappointing as the remote control. It works fine, but it's not very intuitive, and it is nowhere close to being as well-thought-out as the TV hardware. The icons for content are small and sometimes hard to select, the menu system is a bit convoluted, and there are built-in ads running in the software, which makes it feel unnecessary for a TV this expensive. Adam Breeden/ZDNETThat said, in testing the 83-inch LG G4 in ZDNET's TV lab, I simply never used the remote or the built-in software. I attached an Apple TV 4K and used that remote and its interface to access all of the streaming services and content that I wanted. The combination of the LG G4 and Apple TV was glorious. So, if you buy an LG G4, I'd recommend adding a high-end streaming box like the Apple TV 4K, Google TV Streamer (4K), Amazon Fire TV Cube, or Nvidia Shield.The built-in sound in the LG G4 is fine but not great -- like virtually every other high-end or budget TV. So if you're buying a TV this expensive, I'm going to assume you're going to add a soundbar. At the very least, I'd recommend getting the Hisense AX5125H 5.1.2-channel soundbar -- my pick for best budget soundbar. And if you really want to kick into high gear, then I'd recommend the Sony Bravia Theater Quad, which automatically calibrates itself to your room.Also: Changing these 5 soundbar settings made my living room feel like a movie theaterLastly, if you'd prefer a high-quality OLED TV with a great remote and great software built-in so that you don't have to run a separate streaming box, then I'd recommend the Sony A95L OLED TV, which runs Google TV and has a very premium remote. And if your TV is going to be in a very bright room with lots of windows or lights, then I'd recommend the Samsung S95D, which nearly matches the LG G4 in picture quality but comes with an incredible glare-free screen that looks amazing in any room.ZDNET's buying adviceWhile Sony and Samsung offer OLED TVs with similar price points, the flagshipLG G4 OLED is unmatched in picture quality, making it a solid recommendation at this sale price. Its powerful 11 AI Processor is on par with the vibrant colors, true blacks, and dynamic range displayed on its sleek panel. For a more immersive, theatre-like sound experience, consider adding a soundbar, as I mentioned above.Take advantage of these discounts at either Amazon or Best Buy while they last.How we test TVsWhile testing and researching the TVs featured on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:Price:Not all budgets are created equal. And if you're working with a limited budget, that shouldn't mean you have to settle for a sub-par TV. Each TV model on this list has been chosen across a variety of price points to help accommodate different needs.Screen size:The most important factor to consider, after price, when shopping for a new TV is whether or not it will fit into your space. Each best TV on this list was chosen because they are available in a wide variety of sizes to suit different rooms.Picture and audio quality:A new TV doesn't mean much, even if it costs an arm and a leg, if it doesn't provide a great picture and clear audio. Each TV on this list has been ensured to support various HDR codecs, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, as well as enhanced audio software like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object-tracking sound.For a more detailed look, check outour extensive TV testing methodology.Featured reviews

Medtronic Headquarters in Minnesota Copyright 2005 AP. All rights reserved.Medtronic, a global healthcare technology leader with over $32 billion in annual revenue, is known for its groundbreaking medical devices and innovative solutions. Operating in more than 150 countries, the company treats 75 million patients annually with 18 operating units offering 17 distinct therapies. Rashmi Kumar, Global CIO of Medtronic, has been at the helm of the companys digital transformation for two years, driving initiatives like hyper-automation, digital-first strategies and advancements in artificial intelligence. Kumar has honed an expertise at the intersection of technology and healthcare across her career, as she is also a board member at Myriad Genetics, and past executive roles have included tenures as CIO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise and as a business unit CIO at McKesson.A Career Built on TransformationKumars career began as a metallurgical engineer at Tata Steel, where she gained a holistic understanding of business operations. Her introduction to technology came through digitizing processes and developing heat transfer models for steelmaking.Engineering taught me to break problems into pieces and solve them systematically, she reflects. When I transitioned to technology, I brought that problem-solving mindset with me.Earning an MBA was a turning point, transforming her from an engineer focused on answers to a leader skilled in asking the right questions. This balance of technical expertise and strategic leadership now guides her work at Medtronic.Transforming IT to Enable a Digital-First EnterpriseAs Global CIO of Medtronic, Kumar is focused on evolving Medtronics IT operations into a cohesive digital hub that aligns seamlessly with business needs. She emphasized the importance of operational excellence while fostering long-term transformation.Medtronic CIO Rashmi KumarMedtronicMORE FOR YOUIT has to be a digital centerpiece, driving broad initiatives across the company rather than remaining siloed, Kumar explained. Were working toward a culture where technology becomes intrinsic to our operations, helping employees and providers remove friction in their processes.This digital-first mindset, Kumar noted, is about more than technology; its about rethinking how the company operates and delivers value.Harnessing Hyper-Automation for EfficiencyA key area of focus for Kumar has been hyper-automation, which she likens to the finely tuned teamwork behind elite athletes like Roger Federer or Formula 1 drivers. Its not just the person on the court or in the car; theres an entire system behind them ensuring peak performance, she offered, building on the analogy.Hyper-automation at Medtronic involves leveraging AI and machine learning to streamline repetitive tasks, enhance decision-making and optimize operations. Kumar highlighted the use of tools like Python, Power BI, and Snowflake to analyze large datasets, improving everything from HR processes to customer service. Its about reducing waste, improving efficiency, and ultimately driving better outcomes for both employees and patients, she added.AI and Generative AI: A Healthcare RevolutionUnder Kumars leadership, Medtronic has embraced artificial intelligence, creating GPT.Medtronic.com as a central platform for generative AI applications. This platform enables efficient content creation, internal automation and enhanced customer care.Kumar is particularly excited about AIs role in Medtronics products, such as robotic-assisted surgery and AI-powered diagnostic tools. One example is AI Genius, which uses image recognition to detect polyps better than a doctor, she noted. The potential for AI to revolutionize healthcare, both in our internal operations and in the therapies we provide, is profound.Building a Global IT Center in HyderabadMedtronic recently established a global IT center in Hyderabad, India, under Kumars guidance. This $60 million investment reflects the companys commitment to leveraging global talent and enhancing its technological capabilities.Hyderabad offers access to a highly skilled workforce that shares our purpose, Kumar explained. Its also strategically located to support the fast-growing Eurasia region and enables around-the-clock productivity.The center focuses on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, cloud engineering and digital health, further cementing Medtronics leadership in healthcare innovation.The Future of Healthcare TechnologyAs Kumar looks to the future, she is optimistic about the role of technology in advancing healthcare access and innovation. Were working on solutions that combine human touch with cutting-edge technology, she underscored. Digital surgery kits, for instance, allow doctors to learn remotely and provide better care for underserved populations.Kumar also emphasized the importance of talent development within Medtronic, ensuring employees are equipped to navigate a rapidly changing landscape. The more we automate, the more data we generate, enabling us to build even better solutions, she concluded.With leaders like Rashmi Kumar driving its vision, Medtronic is well-positioned to continue shaping the future of healthcare through technology, making life-saving treatments more accessible and effective for millions around the world.Peter High is President of Metis Strategy, a business and IT advisory firm. He has written three bestselling books, including his latest Getting to Nimble. He also moderates the Technovation podcast series and speaks at conferences around the world. Follow him on Twitter @PeterAHigh.

A 3-D model of one of the Samsonite suitcases supported by FibblSamsoniteProbably everyone in the world who has traveled anywhere knows the Samsonite brand, and luxury travelers are familiar with Samsonites Tumi bags. So, it comes as no surprise that one of the worlds leading travel consumer brands is teaming up with a leader in 3-D AR product tools for websites, Fibbl. Samsonite is partnering with Fibbl to use the companys plug-and-play platform for creating and integrating 3-D models via AR into its e-commerce sites for its most prominent brands, including Samsonite, Tumi and American Tourister.What Does Fibbl Do?Fibbl is an end-to-end platform that enables brands to create and integrate high-quality 3-D models based on high-resolution scans into e-commerce sites. The company got its start by creating 3-D scans and models for shoe brands to host on their websites. These scans are extremely high-quality, highly automated and cheap to produce, and over time the company has built quite a library of scans of different shoes for retailers to use in e-commerce.The companys technology can easily be applied to any kind of product that people want to view beyond 2-D photos to get a better idea of its appearance and dimensions. Thats where Samsonite and its other brands fit in so well.Why Is Samsonite Working With Fibbl?As a consumer brand, Samsonite is always looking for ways to improve traffic and conversions on its website. Meanwhile, customers want to know whether a bag is going to look the same in person as it does online. With its hyper-photorealistic 3-D scans and models, Fibbl is enabling both the brand and consumers to get what they want. For some of its other customers, Fibbl has reported double the engagement with e-commerce content, which then drives double the time the average shopper spends on the site. Fibbl also reports significantly improved conversion rates, as well as reductions in product returns of as much as 28%.A Tumi Backpack that can be viewed in 3-D either in the browser or from a smartphoneTumiMORE FOR YOUThe Samsonite partnership is adding to Fibbls already impressive momentum, as Fibbl is reporting 10x growth in end-user interactions and 10x growth in revenue over the last year, across 60 different customers. Working with these customers, Fibbl has already added more than 10,000 products to its library of 3-D scans, with more added all the time.Fibbl has enabled its growth with an extremely low barrier to entry for new customers: a three-month trial offer of $1,000 per month for 60 products, including scans and website integration. These assets can be reused across many platforms, allowing design and marketing teams at the customer companies to share 3-D assets more efficiently.3-D Assets Are The FutureI believe that Samsonite may also turn around and ask its retailers to use Fibbl to integrate 3-D versions of its products into their e-commerce platforms. After all, these assets need not be unique to Samsonites website and could be used by retailers like eBags or even Amazon. In the bigger picture, I believe that most brands want to increase user engagement and the perception of their brands with improved product representations. Suitcases might not be the sexiest thing, but many people, including myself, are very particular about them. Some of Tumis products now sell for thousands of dollars, and people want to be sure of their purchases before they make a significant outlay.A 3-D image of an American Tourister suitcaseAmerican TouristerThe idea that I can see a 3-D model of a piece of luggage in AR to get an idea of how big it is and how it looks without having to go to a store is my idea of an online shoppers dream. I did this myself on Fibbls and Samsonites websites on my smartphone and was able to play around with a suitcase and a backpack, spinning them around as if the actual items were in front of me in real life.There are also so many opportunities for reuse that I believe these assets will have a life across many different platforms and potentially even prepare companies for the future of AR shopping when everything needs to be in 3-D. I even noticed recently that Google has taken it upon itself to offer lower-quality 3-D models of certain shoes on Google Shopping. In short, I think 3-D models will be a big part of the future of e-commerce and Fibbl is quickly making a name for itself in this niche.

Find the links between the words to win today's game of Connections.gettyLooking for Tuesdays Connections hints and answers instead? You can find them here:Hey, everyone! Happy New Year! I hope 2025 brings you everything you ever wanted. As us Scots say, lang may your lum reek (or long may your chimney smoke, an expression that wishes prosperity upon you).Ive had my fair share of New Years mishaps, however. About a decade ago, my partner at the time and I were in Berlin for the festivities. People there bring in the New Year by setting off fireworks in the street.Unfortunately, one exploded near her bare leg, causing a burn. Cue a hasty retreat to our holiday rental and a call to first responders. The burn was deep but fairly small and not too serious, thankfully. Still, finding a pharmacy that was open on January 1 and getting the wound treatments we needed was a challenge, especially considering that neither of us had a particularly strong grasp of German.Needless to say, I hope youre being careful out there and mindful of your surroundings, however youre celebrating the occasion.Before we get started, Ive started a discussion group for Connections and this column on Discord. You can chat about each game (and other topics) with me and other folks. Im always interested to find out how other people approach the game, so join us! Its fun.MORE FOR YOUIts also the best way to give me any feedback about the column, especially on the rare(!) occasions that I mess something up.Todays NYT Connections hints and answers for Wednesday, January 1, are coming right up.How To Play ConnectionsConnections is a free, popular New York Times daily word game. You get a new puzzle at midnight every day. You can play on the NYT website or Games app.Youre presented with a grid of 16 words. Your task is to arrange them into four groups of four by figuring out the links between them. The groups could be things like items you can click, names for research study participants or words preceded by a body part.Theres only one solution for each puzzle, and youll need to be careful when it comes to words that might fit into more than one category. You can shuffle the words to perhaps help you see links between them.Each group is color coded. The yellow group is usually the easiest to figure out, blue and green fall in the middle, and the purple group is usually the most difficult one. The purple group often involves wordplay.Select four words you think go together and press Submit. If you make a guess and youre incorrect, youll lose a life. If youre close to having a correct group, you might see a message telling you that youre one word away from getting it right, but youll still need to figure out which one to swap.If you make four mistakes, its game over. Lets make sure that doesnt happen with the help of some hints, and, if youre really struggling, todays Connections answers. As with Wordle and other similar games, its easy to share results with your friends on social media and group chats.If you have an NYT All Access or Games subscription, you can access the publications Connections archive. This includes every previous game of Connections, so you can go back and play any of those that you have missed.Aside from the first 60 games or so, you should be able to find my hints for each grid via Google if you need them! Just click here and add the date of the game for which you need clues or the answers to the search query.What Are Todays Connections Hints?Scroll slowly! Just after the hints for each of todays Connections groups, Ill reveal what the groups are without immediately telling you which words go into them.Todays 16 words are...EARTHWORMCLOGSLUGWATERFALLGLOWSTICKRAINDROPCANALFIREFLYWINDMILLRADIUMSKYDIVESALAMANDERAURORAEELTULIPGATEGRASHAnd the hints for todays Connections groups are:Yellow group slithery crittersGreen group light em upBlue group like bicycles and GoudaPurple group it all comes tumbling down at the endWhat Are Todays Connections Groups?Need some extra help?Be warned: were starting to get into spoiler territory.Todays Connections groups are...Yellow group slimy animalsGreen group things that luminesceBlue group Dutch symbolsPurple group ending with synonyms for plungeWhat Are Todays Connections Answers?Spoiler alert! Dont scroll any further down the page until youre ready to find out todays Connections answers.This is your final warning!Todays Connections answers are...Yellow group slimy animals (EARTHWORM, EEL, SALAMANDER, SLUG)Green group things that luminesce (AURORA, FIREFLY, GLOWSTICK, RADIUM)Blue group Dutch symbols (CANAL, CLOG, TULIP, WINDMILL)Purple group ending with synonyms for plunge (GATECRASH, RAINDROP, SKYDIVE, WATERFALL)Its been quite a few days since my last perfect game and that didnt change today, but Im very happy to extend my streak into double figures as the New Year gets underway. Heres how I fared:Drat, I was so sure I had the purples with EARTHWORM, WATERFALL, FIREFLY and WINDMILL with the first half of each word being elements (shout out to my fellow Captain Planet fans). I then tried a guess of EARTHWORM, WATERFALL, RAINDROP and GATECRASH all ending in verbs and was one away from a group. HmmAt that point, I figured the slithery animals had to be a group and, sure enough, I had the yellows. I roped WINDMILL into my previous guess but that was another mistake, but given that SKYDIVE ended in a verb too I at last understood that had to go with the purples. A little sneaky to have that one in there given that the entire word is also a possible meaning of plunge.With just eight words left, the blues then jumped out at me. That left the greens, for which I did realize the connection before submitting, for the win.Thats all there is to it for todays Connections clues and answers. Be sure to check my blog tomorrow for hints and the solution for Thursdays game if you need them.P.S. In the interest of keeping the party mood going, heres a song from a band that hails from my hometown. Lets Go Round Again might not be the best-known song from Average White Band, but its my favorite of theirs. I also just realized its thematically relevant in the sense that were on the start of another trip around the Sun:Have a great day! Make sure to drink enough water! Call someone you love!If youre so inclined, please do follow my blog for more coverage of Connections and other word games and even some video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot! Also, follow me on Bluesky! Its fun there.

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