Escape the January blues with a whole new slate of movies and TV shows coming to Paramount Plus this month.

cPaperless/SafeSend acquired by Thomson Reuters in a deal with $600 million.

This project brought one of the most ambitious and intricate VFX challenges to life: recreating the Monaco Grand Prix under the most demanding conditions. The main straight, complete with the starting grid, was meticulously constructed in a parking lot in Uruguay, where the art department delivered stunning results. The race had real footage of cars, full-CGI sequences, and volume filming with LED for close-up and detailed shots, all against the added complexity of rain. Full CGI scenes were created by gomiagui in collaboration with scanlinevfx under the leadership of vlauzon and craigos.On the practical set, over 30,000 liters of water were used to create the illusion of rain. This called for seamless integration with CG water simulations that would show the interactions of water with objects. The virtual production scenes, executed at quanta_pos and led by corygeryak and diogo.costapinto, included fully enveloping the LED panels and animating the cars to mimic real-life dynamics. joanabrasiliano joined the VFX team for designing and adding vivid detail to virtual environments, bringing realism to each scene. This monumental work had direction by showrunner vicenteamorim, produced by gullane, and included top creatives and technicians in terms of directors, cinematographers, VFX supervisors, and production designers. All aspects of this race from water physics to car animations were accomplished with extreme attention to detail, hence a visual masterpiece. The post The Most Complex Race in VFX Production: SENNA appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Nonhuman Instagram profiles are generating fresh scorn this week after reports that parent company Meta is looking to increase the presence of AI-generated content on its social networks as a way of boosting engagement.Across Threads and Bluesky over the past few days, users have been complaining about AI characters managed by Meta, which are essentially a fleet of verified profiles with various personas.Theres Scarlett, for instance, who is everyones bestie, and Izzy, an aspiring singer-songwriter. Brian, meanwhile, is a retired textile worker who is also everyones grandpa.Images posted by the characters ostensibly depict their day-to-day lives, such as when Scarlett found the perfect birthday gift at a flea market and enjoyed a yummy mocha latte from a nearby food vendor. Most of the content appears to be AI generated and you might not know at first glance that the characters are fake if not for the small AI managed by Meta label on the profile pages.These profiles are not new. Meta announced them over a year ago, and many of the accounts do not appear to have posted much content in recent months.But the profiles are being newly discovered and discussed on social media after recent reports of Metas stepped-up AI ambitions. Connor Hayes, Metas vice president of product for generative AI, told the Financial Times last week that the company is rolling out new ways for users to create AI characters that exist the same way that accounts do, meaning theyll have bios and be able to share content.How can I block these AI profiles on Instagram?Of course, not everyone is excited about the idea that social networks built on human interactions will increasingly be the domain of AI-generated content, or AI slop to use the accepted term. Preventing AI-generated accounts and content from appearing in our feeds is only going to get more and more challenging as tech giants continue to lean into generative-AI features. The friction between users who want human-created social media versus the incentives for platforms to drive engagementto say nothing of the advertisers who presumably pay to reach human consumersis likely to be one of the big stories of the year in the world of social media.As for blocking those managed by Meta accounts, Meta does not make it easy. The normal options for restricting, blocking, or reporting the profiles directly from their main profile page do not appear to be available, as some users have pointed out.The blocking option is not available.There is a work-around, however. If you go to an individual piece of content posted by one of these profiles, you can still report the content, and then you will have the option to block the profile.For instance, I was able to block Izzy (sorry, Izzy!) by following these steps:Go to an image posted by the AI profileClick the three dots on the top right of the postClick reportChoose the reason (You can say you just dont like it)Instagram will then offer you the option to block the profileBye, Izzy.Weve reached out to Meta to ask if there are easier ways to avoid content from AI-generated characters on Instagram, or whether any forthcoming features might make blocking these profiles simpler. Well update this story if we hear back.

Some good news for those who love to travel: Air travel is bouncing back from post-pandemic lows with international destinations leading the way. But as anyone who has traveled recently knows, flight delays are still a huge problem. And with more flights predicted to take off in 2025, that isnt likely to get better anytime soon. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is forecasting a 4.6% increase in departures from last year. Thats a whopping 40 million flights scheduled to take off in 2025, as reported by CNBC.But in more helpful news for travelers, new aviation data from Cirium has ranked airlines for their punctuality within 15 minutes of their scheduled arrivals. And the data shows that Delta Air Lines was on time 83.46% of the time in its 2024 On-Time Performance Review, making it the number oneranked airline in the U.S. and Canada, and third most on-time globally.For international travelers, Aeromexico was on time 86.7% of the time, making it the most punctual airline among international carriers.Research shows nearly 9 out of 10 business travelers face flight delays, cancellations, or disruptions, or need to reroute their itinerary. This comes as airlines, hit hard by the pandemic, continue to face acute staffing and airplane shortages in addition to extreme weather events.Heres a list of the top 10 most punctual airlines, with the percentage they are on time, according to Cirium and reported by CNBC.Global CarriersAeromexico (86.7%)Saudia Airlines (86.35%)Delta Air Lines (83.46%)LATAM Airlines (82.89%)Qatar Airways (82.83%)Azul Airlines (82.42%)Avianca (81.80%)Iberia (81.58%)Scandinavian Airlines (81.40%)United Airlines(80.93%)U.S. and Canadian airlinesDelta Air Lines (83.46%)United Airlines (80.93%)Alaska Airlines(79.25%)American Airlines(77.78%)Southwest Airlines(77.77%)Spirit Airlines (76.05%)JetBlue Airways(74.53%)Frontier Airlines(71.57%)Air Canada(71.36%)WestJet (70.99%)

Opponents of the nations largest lithium mine under construction want U.S. officials to investigate whether the project in Nevada already has caused a drop in groundwater levels that could lead to extinction of a tiny snail being considered for endangered species protection.Environmentalists and Native American activists are demanding that the U.S. Interior Department address what they say is new evidence that bolsters their concerns about Lithium Americas planned open pit mine at Thacker Pass. The footprint of mine operations will span about nine square miles (23 square kilometers).The fate of the snail takes center stage after a federal judge and an appeals court dismissed a previous attempt by Native American tribes to get federal agencies to recognize the sacred nature of the area. The tribes argued that the mine would infringe on lands where U.S. troops massacred dozens of their ancestors in 1865.Now, Western Watersheds Project and the group known as People of Red Mountain argue in a notice of intent to sue that the government and Canada-based Lithium Americas are failing to live up to promises to adequately monitor groundwater impacts.They say its alarming that an analysis of groundwater data from a nearby well that was conducted by Payton Gardner, an assistant professor of hydrogeology at the University of Montana, shows a drop in the water table of nearly five feet (1.5 meters) since 2018. Nevada regulators say they have no information so far that would confirm declining levels but have vowed to monitor the situation during the mines lifespan.No water, no snailNot much bigger than a grain of rice, the Kings River pyrg has managed to survive in 13 isolated springs within the basin surrounding the mine site. Its the only place in the world where the snail lives.In some cases, the tiny creatures require only a few centimeters of water. But the margin for survival becomes more narrow if the groundwater system that feeds the springs begins to drop, said Paul Ruprecht, Nevada Director for Western Watersheds Project.Even slight disruptions to its habitat could cause springs to run dry, driving it to extinction, he said.Western Watersheds Project and the other opponents say the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is violating the Endangered Species Act by failing to rule in a timely fashion on a 2022 petition to list the snail as threatened or endangered. The allegations outlined in the opponents notice follow requests for federal biologists to investigate whether groundwater drawdowns are being caused by exploratory drilling and other activities and whether there have been impacts to the springs.Without protection, Ruprecht fears the snail will become another casualty of the lithium boom.The Fish and Wildlife Service is conducting a review of the snails status, but the agency declined to comment on the requests for an investigation into the groundwater concerns.Poised to lead in lithium productionEfforts to mine gold and other minerals in Nevada and other parts of the West over the decades have spurred plenty of legal skirmishes over potential threats to wildlife and water supplies. Lithium is no exception, as demand for the metal critical to making batteries for electric vehicles is expected to continue to climb exponentially over the next decade.President Joe Biden made increased production of electric vehicles central to his energy agenda, and the U.S. Energy Department last year agreed to loan Lithium Americas more than $2 billion to help finance construction at Thacker Pass. On Dec. 23, Lithium Americas announced it had concluded a joint venture with General Motors Holdings LLC to develop and operate the mine.The mine 200 miles (322 kilometers) north of Reno is the biggest in the works and closest to fruition in the U.S., followed by Ioneers Rhyolite Ridge project near the California line halfway between Reno and Las Vegas.And the Bureau of Land Management announced in late December that it was seeking comments on another proposed project in northeastern Nevada. Surge Battery Metals USA wants to explore for lithium in Elko County.Monitoring groundwaterRuprecht said reports filed by Lithium Americas environmental consultant with state regulators show the company no longer has permission to access private lands where several monitoring wells are located. That makes it harder to tell if flows have been impacted by past drilling, he said.Nevada regulators say they approved changes in 2024 to the monitoring plan to account for the loss of access to wells on private land.Prior data showed groundwater levels had remained stable from the 1960s to 2018. Construction started at the site in 2023.The Bureau of Land Managements approval of the mine acknowledged some reduction in groundwater levels were possible but not for decades, and most likely would occur only if state regulators granted the company permission to dig below the water table.Lithium Americas spokesman Tim Crowley said it appears the mines opponents are working to re-spin issues that have previously been addressed and resolved in court. He pointed to 10 years of data collection by the company indicating the snail would not be affected by the project.Scott Sonner, Associated Press

US studio Feldman Architecture has created a Sonoma County dwelling called The Phoenix, which replaces a fire-destroyed home and features outdoor spaces for "calm moments of immersion" in the landscape.Situated atop a ridge in the small town of Healdsburg, the holiday house is afforded sweeping vistas of the region, including Mount Saint Helena in the distance.Feldman Architecture has created a hilltop home in northern California's Sonoma CountyThe picturesque views served as the starting point for the new retreat, which consists of a main dwelling and a guesthouse/pool house.Designed for a "forward-thinking family" that prioritises being in nature, the house replaces an older dwelling destroyed in 2017 by a fire likely caused by an old electrical system.The dwelling replaces a fire-destroyed home"Our clients were eager to start fresh and improve upon the shortcomings of the original structure," said Feldman Architecture, a San Francisco studio.The team conceived a series of elongated, stacked bars that are positioned around outdoor spaces.Feldman Architecture arranged the home around dedicated outdoor spacesThe exterior walls are a mix of light-toned fibre-cement panels and large expanses of glass. Green roofs help integrate the house into the natural landscape.Inside there are bright rooms with earthy finishes and subdued colours. Vancouver-based Gaile Guevara Studio served as the interior designer.The ground level encompasses the public areasThe ground level encompasses the public areas, including an open kitchen and living room with sliding doors and custom casework with a white oak veneer.Hanging in the communal space, a swarm-like lighting sculpture by Studio Driftadds "a sense of lighthearted movement" to the streamlined decor.Upstairs, one finds private areasUpstairs are the private areas a primary bedroom suite on one side and two additional bedrooms on the other. The central portion holds a den, flanked by terraces.The house has a number of open-air living spaces, each with a slightly different function and relationship to the site. The outdoor spaces allow for hosting and entertaining, along with "calm moments of immersion in the surrounding landscape," the team said.Situated between the main dwelling and guesthouse is a patio for dining and loungingIn the rear, the house opens toward a slender terrace and an infinity pool. The swimming pool was formerly located in a different part of the property."The original layout situated the pool significantly downslope of the house, resulting in a disconnect between indoor and outdoor living spaces," the team said.Read: Feldman Architecture expands home in northern Californias wine region"Due to the complexities of the steep site, our design team faced the challenging task of relocating the pool to improve its relationship with both the home and the pool house."Situated between the main dwelling and guesthouse is a patio for dining and lounging. An overhead trellis allows for shade levels to be adjusted an important feature given the region's hot summer days.An overhead trellis allows for shade levels to be adjustedAdjacent to the shaded patio is a gravel area with an outdoor kitchen, complete with a wood-fired pizza oven. Just beyond is a garden with raised vegetable beds, "encouraging a true farm-to-table lifestyle"."The new home sits surrounded by olive and fruit orchards, maximising all the sprawling site has to offer," the team said.The house opens toward a slender terrace and an infinity pool"The Phoenix is a modern home that intimately connects its occupants to the dramatic landscape."Other California projects by Feldman Architecture include a renovated 1970s coastal home with wooden surfaces and brightly lit rooms, and a residence overlooking Silicon Valley that is designed to be a "space of serenity".The photography is by Ema Peter.The post Feldman Architecture creates hilltop house in California's wine country appeared first on Dezeen.

Im thrilled to head to CES 2025 in Las Vegas, where Ill get to experience firsthand Hisenses latest innovationthe new L9Q Series. The L9Q expands Hisenses lineup with screen sizes ranging from 100 to 150 inches, making it adaptable to different environments. This model is designed to fit a range of setups, offering a size to suit any room. This flexibility is rare among Laser TVs, making it easier to find the right fit for your home.Designer: HisenseOne of the L9Qs key features is its TriChroma triple-laser light engine. This technology covers 110% of the BT.2020 color space, ensuring that the colors displayed are both accurate and vibrant. The brightness can reach up to 5,000 lumens, and with a contrast ratio of 5,000:1, the picture remains clear even in rooms with a lot of natural light. Whether youre watching a movie or a live sports event, the visual quality is impressive.The L9Q comes with Ambient Light Rejection (ALR) screens available in various sizes to match the TV options. These screens improve brightness and clarity regardless of the rooms lighting conditions. Additionally, the ability to switch between screen sizes using Auto Screen Alignment and Manual Keystone Correction makes setting up the TV much easier and more convenient.Sound is another area where the L9Q excels. It features a 6.2.2 surround sound system, which is the first of its kind in a Laser TV. The design, inspired by Roman amphitheaters, includes a 15 tilted sound bin that works with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual X technologies to create a rich audio experience. From the sounds of an energetic crowd during a game to the subtle details in a movie soundtrack, the audio quality matches the high standards set by the visuals.The design of the L9Q is elegant and modern. It includes a Black Walnut Dcor Panel, Star Orbit Ambient Lighting, and brushed metal finishes. The slim profile and textured surfaces make it a stylish addition to any living space. Beyond its appearance, the L9Q is equipped with smart features like access to over 800 free live TV channels and more than 700,000 movies and shows through Google TV. It also integrates with voice assistants such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit, allowing for easy control using your voice.Connectivity options are robust, including HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 6E, and NEXTGEN TV (ATSC 3.0), ensuring that the L9Q is compatible with the latest devices and future technologies. This makes it a versatile choice for anyone looking to upgrade their home entertainment setup.At CES 2025, Hisense will also showcase the L9Q alongside an ultra-bright 2.9-gain screen, achieving 1500 nits of full-screen brightnessthe first in the laser industry. This combination uses nano-scale light enhancement and aggregation technology to deliver exceptional visual clarity and brightness.Im particularly excited to meet with the Hisense team to see the L9Q in action. Experiencing how all these features come together in a live demo will provide valuable insights into the future of home entertainment technology. Im really looking forward to the chance to test such an advanced Laser TV, as it will help me understand how these innovations can enhance the way we enjoy our favorite movies and shows at home.If youre attending CES 2025, I recommend stopping by Booth 16625 to check out Hisenses new L9Q Series. Its a great opportunity to see the latest in home entertainment technology up close and discover how it can improve your viewing experience. Im eager to share my experiences from the event and discuss how the L9Q Series is set to change the way we watch and listen to our favorite content.Stay tuned for more updates as CES 2025 approaches, and get ready to see some of the most exciting developments in consumer electronics this year.The post Hisense Brings Next-Level Laser TV Technology to CES 2025 with the New L9Q Series first appeared on Yanko Design.

Musks posts, which have racked up hundreds of millions of views on X, are his latest effort at inserting himself into UK politics.

Virtually every aspect of technology has been affected, and potentially improved, by artificial intelligence (AI). PCs are no exception. While the meaning of AI PC is still evolving, it generally refers to a computer specifically designed to excel at AI-powered tasks. These beefed-up computers typically feature:High-end CPUs and GPUs to handle the demanding computational requirements of AI applicationssuch as AI assistants that automate tasks, schedule meetings, answer emails, and provide personalized recommendations and data analysis and visualization.Dedicated AI accelerators like Neural Processing Units (NPUs). These specialized chips are optimized for AI tasks such as machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing.Pre-installed AI-powered software such as AI assistants (like Microsoft Copilot), creative tools, and AI-enhanced productivity applications.Will AI PCs play a big role in 2025 and beyond?As AI becomes more integrated into daily use, the demand for powerful computers capable of handling AI workloads will grow and provide new levels of productivity by automating tasks, generating creative content, and providing intelligent assistance. AI PCs are also designed to improve the user experience with AI-powered features like voice assistants, intelligent search, and personalized recommendations to enhance the overall user experience.Key players in the AI PC marketIntel is building CPUs with built-in AI acceleration capabilities.AMD is heavily investing in AI-powered processors with its Ryzen AI processors designed for AI-driven experiences.Nvidia, arguably the leader in GPU technology, continues to drive AI performance with its powerful processors.And Qualcomms Snapdragon processors, which allow for on-device AI processing. are increasingly integrated into Windows PCs.Related AI PC coverageHow soon will AI PCs replace traditional PCs in the enterprise?Sept. 25, 2024: Theres much anticipation among enterprises and consumers alike for AI PCs, However, as with any new technology, its unclear when AI PCs will finally have their moment. Gartner forecaststhat 43 million AI PCs will be shipped in 2024.IDC predictseven more 57 million units will be shipped in 2024. And by 2028, AI PCs will represent 92% of all PC shipments worldwide.What does Qualcomms interest in buying Intels chip design business mean for the future of PCs?Sept. 11, 2024: Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, and Apple have been in a fierce battle for domination of the chip market for AI PCs, which are touted as the future of computing. Further ramping up competition in this fiery landscape, Qualcomm has reportedlyexplored buying portionsof Intels design business, most notably client PC design, as Intel looks to spin off units ahead of an upcoming board meeting, anonymous sources toldReuters.Copilot+ AI PCs are finally here. You dont want one yetJuly 9, 2024: The AI hype keeps on coming.The latest news is the arrival of an entirely new line of Windows computers, Copilot+ PCs, which are specifically designed with AI in mind. Microsoft claims theyll dramatically speed up AI, offer new features unavailable to other PCs, and deliver improved battery life. The new machines point the way to the future of Windows and of AI.Microsofts Copilot+ AI PCs: Still a privacy disaster waiting to happenJune 12, 2024: Many security pros say Microsoft is opening a Pandoras Box with its AI-powered Copilot+ Windows PCs. Microsoft argues those new PCs, available as of June 18, will make it easy for users to find files and remember things youve done on your computerusing the new Recall feature, which takes screenshots, stores them in a database, and uses AI to help you find and use whatever you want. Despite warnings by security pros, Microsoft claims rock-solid security is baked directly into the new feature.Review: The M4 iPad Pro an amazing AI PCMay 17, 2024: The M4 iPad Pro is designed to provide the best possible performance thanks to the M4 chip inside.Apple suggests it needed to use this processor because it wanted to make the iPad Pro thin and to drive the amazing display. The move to M4 also means you get a huge leap in processor performance (1.5x faster than the last model) and graphics (4x faster rendering). Deploying this chip means the iPad Pro with M4 could become the worlds ultimate AI-driven tablet.Enterprises want AI PCs, just not yetApril 23, 2024: While the employee benefits of using an AI PC are intriguing, they may not be enough to convince IT buyers to go all in just yet. Despite the enthusiasm generated by advanced AI-driven functionalities, enterprises are expected to adopt a more measured approach over the next year, according to Forrester.Microsoft is holding back the AI PC revolutionMarch 13, 2024: The PC industry has a big problem. And its not hardware makers fault its Microsofts responsibility. The hardware is here: Intel, AMD, Nvidia, and PC makers have delivered on their end. Now, everyone is waiting for Microsoft to catch up and make Windows truly shine on these AI PCs. Can the company deliver something compelling in time?Dell ramps up AI PC plans with Latitude and Precision refreshFeb. 27, 2024: Dell unveiled a range of new laptops and PCs featuring neural processing units (NPUs) designed to run AI workloads on-device for improved video call quality and better laptop battery life. Dell is one of several hardware vendors looking to benefit from growing interest in AI PCs.Before you buy a Windows 11 AI PC, read thisJan. 17, 2024: AI PCs were everywhere at CES 2024, and companies like Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm are all touting how great their hardware is at running AI tasks. But since these AI PCs are already on shelves and you can buy them before CES 2024, we need to cut through the hype and focus on what youre getting for your money. They might one day deliver a lot of cool features just not yet.