When Samsung unveiled the worlds first 27-inch 4K gaming OLED monitor on Thursday, Engadgets Igor Bonifacic predicted that other vendors would soon follow suit. (After all, Samsung is also the biggest supplier of OLED gaming monitor panels.) Sure enough, MSI followed suit the same day at CES 2025 with two monitors with familiar specs: a 27-inch 4K QD-OLED display and a 27-inch QD-OLED one with a crazy-smooth 500Hz refresh rate.First up: the 27-inch 4K QD-OLED one, marketed to perfection as the MPG 272URX QD-OLED. (Sure, why not!) MSI is differentiating its monitor as the first one to combine that panel with DisplayPort 2.1a, which can provide a better combination of resolution and frame rates. Like Samsungs equivalent (the G81SF), it has a 240Hz refresh rate and should look nice and crisp at 166 PPI.MSI says this panel significantly reduces color fringing, which should help with the poor text clarity too often customary of QD-OLED screens. As my colleague Igor points out, this could be an ideal do-it-all monitor for gaming, work or anything else you can throw at it.It supports NVIDIAs G-SYNC tech, so smooth gameplay wont likely be a concern. The MPG 272URX QD-OLED even took home a CES 2025 Innovation Award.The 27-inch QHD QD-OLED model also has a catchy and memorable name: the MPG 272QR QD-OLED X50. (Yes!) MSI is marketing this monitor to all the mainstream gamers out there, likely due to its lower (2,560 x 1,440) resolution. It also uses DisplayPort 2.1a and (like Samsungs) can have a 0.03ms gray-to-gray pixel response time. It received VESA ClearMR 21000 certification, so motion blur shouldnt be an issue when enjoying its blistering 500Hz refresh rate.MSI hasnt yet shared pricing or release date info for either model.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/msi-also-has-a-27-inch-4k-qd-oled-gaming-monitor-at-ces-2025-221902190.html?src=rss

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is finally getting real about Real ID enforcement.On May 7, 2025, after years of delays, travelers in the United States will need Real IDcompliant identification to get on a flight. Enforcement of the REAL ID Act arrives almost two decades after it was originally passed by Congress in 2005, following a recommendation by the 9/11 Commission.In effect, the law requires that states establish minimum security standards for drivers licenses and identification cards. As such, beginning on May 7, travelers in the United States who are over the age of 18 will need a Real IDcompliant piece of identification to get through Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints at airports.If youre traveling by plane this year, heres what you need to know:Why has this taken so long?Enforcement of the law has been held back numerous times, most recently in 2022, as only around half of IDs issued by states are currently Real ID compliant. The TSA has, consequently, proposed a rule that would keep the deadline but roll back enforcement another two years, until May 2027. That would allow states even more time to get things squared away, but that rule has not been enacted. Further, there are still some regulations being worked out, and as such, people with mobile or digital drivers licenses or IDs that may not be compliant may still be able to use them for official purposes in some circumstances. However, that would depend on whether the issuing state had been issued a waiver by the TSA.TSA is engaging with the public, licensing jurisdictions and states to facilitate a smooth transition to REAL ID enforcement beginning May 7, 2025, said TSA Administrator David Pekoske, in a statement issued in September. REAL ID provides an important security enhancement, and this rule allows us to plan for a range of scenarios to help minimize the potential impact to travelers, industry stakeholders and states during implementation.What does Real ID enforcement means for me?You may need to get an updated drivers license or ID in order to board domestic flights or get into federal facilities before the deadline. For most people, the issue is going to be at the airportif you dont have a REAL IDcompliant piece of identification, you may find yourself unable to get past TSA checkpoints.Do I have a REAL IDcompliant document?DHS has put together a website that can help you figure out what you need to do, or if you already have REAL IDcompliant identification.All states, the District of Columbia, and five territories are issuing compliant drivers licenses and ID cards, and you should be able to tell if you have onethere should be a star marking on the card itself. Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont have also issued Enhanced Drivers Licenses, or EDLs, which are considered acceptable alternatives, too, though they may lack the star marking.Can I just use my U.S. passport to fly? Yes. A passport is one of the acceptable documents accepted by the TSA. You can use your passport to travel domestically and, of course, you will still need it if youre traveling internationally. The TSA website has a full list of ID documents accepted at checkpoints. How do I get REAL IDcompliant identification?If you need an updated, compliant ID card or drivers license, you can visit your states licensing agency to see what is required. Youll at least need to provide your full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, two pieces of proof of your address, and lawful status. Some states may require more information.The DHS website has an interactive map that makes it easy for you to figure out the details surrounding your specific state.When exactly will Real ID enforcement begin?As stated earlier, the deadline for getting a compliant ID is May 7, 2025. If you need more precision, the DHS website currently features a giant countdown clock that is literally counting down the seconds.What happens if I show up at a TSA checkpoint without a compliant ID after May 7?As the DHS notes, you will not be permitted through the security checkpoint without a compliant piece of identification after May 7.

Welcome to the world, Generation Beta. Newborn babies in 2025 are members of a brand new generation, but already, some are calling for a new name.Hmm can we workshop the name please? asked Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a post on Bluesky. Theyre going to be bullied by the skibidi kids.Naming generations is one of the largest scale public branding jobs there is. Social scientists, writers, and public intellectuals can coin nicknames, but they dont always last, and it takes culture-wide buy-in for these terms to gain popular acceptance.For someone like Ocasio-Cortez, who was born in 1989, renaming a generation is no big deal. The 35-year-old New York Democrat and her age cohort have at various times been nicknamed Generation Y, Echo Boomers, and Generation 9/11 before the term Millennials, coined by authorsWilliam StraussandNeil Howe in their 1991 book Generations, took off in 2013 and stuck. Other generations have had alternate nicknames too, like Generation X, which has been called the MTV Generation, and Generation Z, which has been called the iGeneration and Homeland Generation.Why Generation Beta?Named for the second letter of the Greek alphabet, the term Generation Beta was coined by McCrindle, an Australian social research, demographics and data analytics agency whose founder Mark McCrindle also came up with the name Generation Alpha for people born between 2010 and 2024. The agency is calling for standardized Greek alphabet naming constructions for future generations that would continue with Generation Gamma beginning in 2040, and Generation Delta in 2055. Other approaches to naming generations, using terms such as millennials, often define a generation around a single event and have vague birth ranges, leading to subjective analysis, McCrindle writes in a blog post. A sociological approach to generational analysis, using set birth years and non-descriptive labels, allows for more objective analysis and individual identity creation.Such a clinical approach, though, doesnt take into account the possibility that Greek letters take on alternative meanings, as beta being a pejorative term among todays youth, or that future events become generation-defining turning points that marketers, academics, journalists, and others latch onto to define an age cohort. Todays newborns may well be known as Generation Beta for life, but other nicknames will inevitably bubble up over the next two decades, and theres always a chance that one of them might stick.

Teslas global sales rose 2.3% in the fourth quarter after a sluggish start to the year that contributed to the electric car companys first year-over-year sales decline since at least 2015.The annual decline for the Austin, Texas, company came despite offers such as 0% financing, free charging, and low-priced leases.Tesla delivered 495,570 vehicles from October through December, boosting deliveries to 1.79 million for the full year. But that was 1.1% below 2023 sales of 1.81 million as overall demand for electric vehicles in the U.S. and elsewhere slowed.The fourth-quarter boost came with a cost. Analysts polled by FactSet expected Teslas average sales price to fall to just over $41,000 in the quarter, the lowest in at least four years.That doesnt bode well for Teslas fourth-quarter earnings, which the company said it would announce on Jan. 29.In 2022, Tesla predicted that its sales would grow 50% most years, but the prediction ran into an aging model lineup and increased competition in China, Europe, and the U.S. In the U.S., analysts say most early adopters of technology already have electric vehicles, and more mainstream buyers have concerns about range, price, and the ability to find charging stations on longer trips.The fourth-quarter deliveries fell short of Wall Street estimates. Analysts polled by data provider FactSet expected sales of 498,000 vehicles.Tesla shares fell 5.2% in trading early Thursday, but shares are up more than 50% over the last 12 months, surging with the election victory by Donald Trump.Falling sales early in the year led to once-unheard-of discounts for the automaker, cutting into its industry-leading profit margins.Competition from legacy and startup automakers is also growing as they try to nibble away at the companys market share.Nearly all of Teslas sales came from the smaller and less-expensive Models 3 and Y, with the company selling only 23,640 of its more expensive models including X and S, as well as the new Cybertruck.Teslas global electric vehicle sales edged out Chinese rival BYD, which announced Thursday that the total soared 41% last year including 1.77 million EVs. The company is vying with Tesla for the worlds top-selling EV maker.Fourth-quarter production of 459,445 vehicles was below total deliveries for the quarter, and full-year production of 1.77 million was less than the years sales.

Luxury and technology have always been intertwined, producing devices that seamlessly blend innovation and opulence. From the worlds first gold-colored iPhones to foldable smartphones wrapped in 18K gold, third parties continue to push boundaries for those who demand sophistication in every detail. Devices like Huaweis Mate XT Ultimate Design represent the union of artistry and engineering, but theyre part of a larger storya story where gold remains the material of choice for techs most exclusive creations.Huawei Mate XT: A Golden Transformation in Foldable SmartphonesHuaweis Mate XT Ultimate Design takes foldable phones to an entirely new level. Encased in an 18K gold backplate with a ripple pattern that mimics flowing water, the Mate XT is as much a piece of art as it is a smartphone. The textured surface enhances light reflection and improves grip, merging luxury with practicality.Designer: HuaweiThe Mate XTs tri-fold design is a feat of engineering. Fully unfolded, the 10.2-inch LTPO OLED screen delivers an expansive resolution of 3,184 x 2,232 pixels, making it ideal for multitasking and immersive content consumption. When folded, the display adapts to 7.9-inch and 6.4-inch configurations, transforming seamlessly to suit the users needs. Huaweis precision-engineered hinge system ensures durability while maintaining a sleek silhouette.Source: GSMArenaPerformance-wise, the Mate XT is powered by Huaweis Kirin 9010 chipset, offering up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The 50MP main camera, complemented by a 12MP periscope lens and a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, is integrated into a circular module that harmonizes with the rippled gold backplate. With its tri-fold capability and lavish exterior, the Mate XT surpasses the definition of a smartphoneits an experience.For the ultra-exclusive, the gold casing transforms the already luxurious device into a collectors piece for those who demand the highest standard of design.The Gold iPhone: Redefining Status in TechThe introduction of the iPhone 5S in champagne gold in 2013 forever changed the tech industry. Gold, a material long associated with prosperity and exclusivity, found its way into Apples minimalist design language. While subtle, the finish had a profound impact, particularly in markets like Hong Kong and mainland China, where gold holds deep cultural significance. The gold iPhone became an instant status symbol, with pre-orders selling out in hours and resellers marking up prices to astronomical levels.Designer: AppleBy blending golds cultural allure with Apples design ethos, the iPhone 5S set the stage for smartphones as aspirational products. It showed that one color could change how people see a devicefrom simply being a tool to becoming a symbol of style and elegance.The Gold Apple Watch: Technology as Fine JewelryApple expanded its exploration of gold in 2015 with the launch of the Apple Watch Edition. Encased in 18-karat yellow or rose gold, this wearable blurred the lines between traditional jewelry and modern technology. Priced between $10,000 and $17,000, the Apple Watch Edition positioned itself as a luxury item for the elite.Designer: AppleKey design details included a sapphire crystal display for enhanced durability, meticulous polishing for a seamless finish, and bands crafted from premium materials to match the watchs opulence. Available in two sizes38mm and 42mmthe Edition wasnt just a smartwatch; it was a reimagining of what a watch could be in the digital age.While Apple discontinued the Gold Edition after one generation, its impact remains undeniable. It elevated wearable tech into the realm of luxury accessories, paving the way for high-end materials like titanium and ceramic in subsequent models. The Apple Watch Edition proved that technology could belong in the same category as haute horology.Tesla Cybertruck: Bold, Electric, and GoldGolds allure isnt limited to personal devicesits transformed even industrial designs like Teslas Cybertruck. Popular YouTuber Zack Nelson, known as JerryRigEverything, turned heads when he coated a Cybertruck in 24-karat gold. The electroplating process took four days, with three people working to cover the vehicles angular surfaces in real gold.Designer: TeslaThe finished product was extravagant and functional. Protected by a self-healing film, the golden Cybertruck showcased how materials can transform futuristic designs into representations of exclusivity. The gold plating alone added an estimated $100,000 to the vehicles value, proving that even the boldest innovations can embrace timeless luxury.Why Gold Continues to CaptivateGolds enduring presence in technology speaks to its ability to balance timeless appeal with cultural and psychological resonance. In many Asian cultures, gold symbolizes prosperity and success, making it a natural fit for markets that value exclusivity. But beyond cultural significance, gold offers something universal: a sense of individuality in a world of mass-produced gadgets.For many people, owning a gold device signifies a desire to stand out. Gold-colored or plated devices act as status symbols, combining heritage, aesthetic appeal, and modern functionality. Limited-edition creations like the Huawei Mate XT Ultimate Edition or the gold Apple Watch Edition tap into this desire for rarity, offering devices that feel as personal as they are cutting-edge.The Evolution of Gold and the Future of Luxury TechGolds journey through the tech industry highlights its transformative role in luxury design. Apples iPhone 5S demonstrated how a single color could elevate a device into a marker of success, while the gold Apple Watch Edition blurred the lines between modern technology and fine jewelry. Encased in 18-karat yellow or rose gold, the Edition positioned wearable tech in the luxury market with unparalleled attention to detail, from sapphire crystal displays to seamless finishes.Huaweis Mate XT further extends this narrative, combining foldable technology with 18K gold to create a device that balances innovation with artistry. Beyond personal devices, larger-scale designs like the Tesla Cybertruck prove golds versatility. Coated in 24-karat gold, the Cybertruck redefines how luxury can enhance even the boldest, most utilitarian forms.These examples showcase how gold continues to redefine whats possible in designfrom pocket-sized devices to full-scale vehiclespushing boundaries and inspiring new conversations about luxury in technology.The post The Craft of Luxury Tech: From Gold iPhones to Tri-Fold Smartphones first appeared on Yanko Design.

Members of the Elsevier-published Journal of Human Evolution quit, citing AI production processes introducing errors, high author fees, and concerns over editorial independence.

Amazon's deals for the New Year continue to trickle in, with today's latest markdown hitting Apple's current 16-inch MacBook Pro.Save $250 on Apple's latest 16-inch MacBook Pro.Pick up the standard 16-inch MacBook Pro in Space Black with an M4 Pro chip for just $2,249 at your choice of Amazon or B&H Photo heading into the weekend. This 2025 discount for the New Year brings the M4 Pro model down to the lowest price across leading Apple resellers.Buy for $2,249 Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums