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

A home designed by Taliesin apprentice Mark Mills in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California is now on the market for $2.79 million. The Banyan House is a 3 bed/bath 1,574-square-foot A-frame design infused with desert masonry inspiration. Its Frank Lloyd Wright-designed neighbor in the Northern California literary haunt, the Mrs. Clinton Walker House from 1952, sold in early 2023 for $22 million. Mills himself inhabited the home from 1954 to 1957, according to the listing from the Tim Allen Properties Team at Coldwell Banker.Image: Sherman Chu, courtesy of Tim Allen Properties TeamImage: Sherman Chu, courtesy of Tim Allen Properties TeamImage: Sherman Chu, courtesy of Tim Allen Properties TeamImage: Sherman Chu, courtesy of Tim Allen Properties Team

Renovation work on Alvar Aaltos Finlandia Hall has been completed in time for a public opening this weekend (Jan. 4) in Helsinki. Care for the landmark concert hall design was first handed over to Arkkitehdit NRT at the beginning of 2022 with a mandate to update the building as minimally as possible using new spatial and functional changes that can accommodate up to 400,000 visitors in the first year.Photo: Tuomas UusheimoPhoto: Tuomas Uusheimo"Aaltos architecture was the starting point to all that we did. The main spaces were not changed a lot. We thought that we have to make big changes behind the scenes so that it does not show much in the finalized building," CEO and Partner Teemu Tuomi explains.Photo: Tuomas UusheimoPhoto: Tuomas UusheimoSome of the historically sensitive materials introduced through the renovations include patinated bronze and red beech ceramic tiles. In addition to some much-needed technology upgrades in the main hall, the new program adds dining and sh...

KiMo Theater is a theater and historic landmark located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on the northeast corner of Central Avenue and Fifth Street. It was built in 1927 in the extravagant Pueblo Deco architecture, which is a blend of adobe-style Pueblo Revival building styles (rounded corners and edges), decorative motifs from indigenous cultures, and the soaring lines and linear repetition found in American Art Deco architecture. The name Kimo, meaning 'mountain lion', was suggested by Pablo Abeita in a competition sponsored by the Albuquerque Journal. The theater opened on September19, 1927, with a program including Native American dancers and singers, a performance on the newly installed $18,000 Wurlitzer theater organ, and the comedy film Painting the Town. According to local legend, the KiMo Theatre is haunted by the ghost of Bobby Darnall, a six-year-old boy killed in 1951 when a water heater in the theater's lobby exploded. The tale alleges that a theatrical performance of A Christmas Carol in 1974 was disrupted by the ghost, who was supposedly angry that the staff was ordered to remove donuts they had hung on backstage pipes to appease him. This photograph shows the facade of the KiMo Theater, seen from across Central Avenue.Photograph credit: Daniel SchwenRecently featured: Duck and CoverEarthShah Jahan MosqueArchiveMore featured pictures

January 3Painting of the Battle of Princeton250 Decius ordered all people in the Roman Empire (except Jews) to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods, resulting in widespread persecution of Christians.1777 American Revolutionary War: American forces commanded by George Washington defeated British troops at the Battle of Princeton (depicted).1959 As a result of the Alaska Statehood Act, the Territory of Alaska became the 49th U.S. state, and the first outside the contiguous United States.1990 United States invasion of Panama: Manuel Noriega, the deposed strongman of Panama, surrendered to American forces outside the apostolic nunciature in Panama City.2002 Second Intifada: Israeli forces seized MVKarineA, which was carrying 50 tons of smuggled weapons on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle (d.1670)Antoine Thomson d'Abbadie (b.1810)Savitribai Phule (b.1831)Frenchy Bordagaray (b.1910)More anniversaries: January 2January 3January 4ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout

AARP has started its AgeTech Investor Network, aimed at helping startups get off the ground in the AgeTech market.Read More

Five electric vehicles from Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis now qualify for the USs $7,500 EV tax credit, Electrek reports. The new models include popular vehicles like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 crossover SUV and Kia EV9 three-row family hauler. Now, 25 EVs and plug-in hybrids across 10 brands qualify for the credit.The Biden Administrations EV tax credit rules mandate building vehicles in North America for eligibility and include additional requirements for sourcing battery components. In 2022, Hyundai and Kia threatened to take legal action against Bidens Inflation Reduction Act after it expanded the available credits but left the EVs they were building in Korea ineligible for them.Now that Hyundai has opened up a $7.6 billion EV manufacturing plant in Georgia to produce the NACS-equipped 2025 Ioniq 5 and the upcoming Ioniq 9 three-row SUV, its vehicles are eligible.Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models have been added to the Federal Tax Credits list as of January 1st, 2025. Screenshot: The VergeHowever, Hyundai and Kia might lose the benefit if the upcoming Trump administration makes drastic changes. The President-elect vowed during his campaign to eliminate the EV incentives on day one, though American automakers have pleaded to let it live.But unless Congress votes to eliminate the program, Hyundai and Kia buyers could still get the incentive for the 2025 tax year or take advantage of it through a lease. The New York Times recently reported that Trump could try to take other actions without Congress by eliminating the credit for leases or taking down websites with information about the program.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now an integral ingredient in automating tasks in various industries, gaining immense efficiency and better decision-making benefits. Autonomy in agents has developed the capability to work independently to achieve specific functionalities, such as controlling smart home appliances or managing data in complex systems. The idea behind these autonomy features is to save time while enhancing user productivity through minimal human intervention. However, the development and implementation of these systems constantly attract innovation due to their limitations.The primary challenge with autonomous agent systems is their inability to generalize across diverse tasks and adapt to changing user needs. Many agents struggle with tasks outside their predefined scope, often lacking flexibility and scalability. Some other problems are privacy, trust, and ethical considerations, which are critical for deployment in sensitive real-world contexts. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to address these issues, balancing technical capabilities with user-centric design principles.Agents developed historically rely upon methodologies like symbolic AI, reactive systems, and multi-agent frameworks. Symbolic AI with predetermined rules did well for some applications but failed with real-world complications. Reactive systems were great in immediate response activities but failed in long-term planning and adaptability. Multi-agent frameworks offered distributed problem-solving capabilities but still had challenges concerning coordination and communication, especially at large implementation scales. These limitations call for a paradigm shift in agent development.Researchers at the University of Washington and Microsoft Research have introduced a new ecological system consisting of three connected entities: agents, Sims, and Assistants. An ecological system in this context signifies a new approach to the traditional role of agents, consisting of two aspects: Sims represent user preferences and behavior, whereas Assistants act as intermediaries between the agent and the user. This integration can enable personalization, adaptability, and trust through improved agent-based systems.Advanced architectures that combine large and small language models are utilized in the proposed methodology. Such a hybrid architecture enhances the scalability of agents, reducing computational requirements by breaking down tasks into more manageable sub-tasks. Coordination mechanisms are advanced, involving decentralized control and negotiation protocols to allow agents to interact without hindrance. Reinforcement learning and transfer learning enhance adaptability, allowing agents to learn from prior experiences and apply knowledge to new tasks. Ethical design principles, such as transparency and fairness, ensure these systems safe and responsible operation. By integrating these elements, the researchers aim to overcome the traditional limitations of agent-based AI.The performance of this ecosystem demonstrated significant improvements in managing complex tasks. For example, agents effectively handled multi-step operations with minimal user intervention, a key challenge in earlier frameworks. A salient outcome was the decrease in the user input required to perform a task by introducing Sims that communicated on behalf of the user. The system was also observed to have greater accuracy in completing tasks and making decisions, as there were observed efficiencies in the time it took to complete tasks compared to a standard approach. Specific numbers are not reported; however, the researchers point out the applicability of their system to real-world domains.The work of the researchers clearly shows that a holistic ecosystem can be used to solve long-standing problems in agent-based AI. Combining agents with Sims and Assistants ensures the system addresses scalability, adaptability, and trustworthiness issues while guaranteeing privacy and ethical compliance. This novel framework opens the door for further adoption of autonomous systems in many contexts, illustrating the potential for AI to increase productivity and user satisfaction. The results indicate that this method may become a new benchmark for designing and deploying autonomous agents, thus leading to increased trust and utility in AI technologies.Check out the Paper. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our60k+ ML SubReddit. FREE UPCOMING AI WEBINAR (JAN 15, 2025): Boost LLM Accuracy with Synthetic Data and Evaluation IntelligenceJoin this webinar to gain actionable insights into boosting LLM model performance and accuracy while safeguarding data privacy.The post This AI Paper Proposes a Novel Ecosystem Integrating Agents, Sims, and Assistants for Scalable and User-Centric AI Applications appeared first on MarkTechPost.