• Could Microsofts AI billions go up in smoke?
    www.computerworld.com
    In the big-spending history of technology, theres never been a time like this, when so many companies are spending so many hundreds of billions of dollars on a still-to-be proven technology generative AI.Microsoft, Amazon, Meta and Google are expected tospend a combined $364 billion in their 2025 fiscal yearsalone. (Microsoft plans tospend $80 billion in AI capital expenditures.)Thats just the tip of the iceberg. It doesnt take into account spending by chip manufacturers like Nvidia and Intel, or by genAI startups like Anthropic, OpenAI and all the rest. And it doesnt take into account how much enterprises spend on the technology.Lost in all of this is an unthinkable thought: What if genAI cant offer the benefits its backers claim? What if its the biggest bust in a long line of tech busts?Microsoft, the largest and most valuable AI company in the world, has more to lose than any company if all the promises turn out to be illusory or overhyped. And theres increasing evidence that might just be the case. From McKinsey to Gartner to MIT and beyond, analysts and researchers are saying the quiet part out loud: There may be more hype than reality to the genAI boom.Heres what theyre saying and what it could mean for the future of Microsoft if theyre right.Researchers: Most companies say using AI has been a bustMicrosoft and other AI companies are bullish on the technology for a simple reason: Enterprises are betting big on it, spending tens of billions annually, and at an accelerating pace. IDC says enterprises willspend $61.9 billion this year on genAI alone, which doesnt take intoaccount all the other forms of AI. That $61.9 billion is nearly double the enterprise genAI spending from a year ago, the firm says.As enterprises are spending more, theyre finding that their investments arent paying off.A recent McKinsey report found that nearly eight in 10 companies report using gen AI yet just as many report no significant bottom-line impact. Think of it as the genAI paradox.McKinsey isnt alone.An MIT report,The GenAI Divide: State of AI in Business 2025has even more disturbing news: 95% of genAI pilots in businesses are failing.A survey by the data and analytics firm S & P Globaladds that 42% of companies abandoned most of their AI pilots by the end of 2024, up 17% from the previous year.Gartner has documented the booms and busts of new technologies for decades by tracking what it calls their hype cycles. The company has been tracking AIs hype cycle and warns, last years Hype Cycle for AI highlighted genAI as a potentially transformational technology with profound business impacts. This year, genAI enters the Trough of Disillusionment. The researcher also found that, Despite an average spend of $1.9 million on genAI initiatives in 2024, less than 30% of AI leaders reporttheir CEOs are happy with AI investment return investment return.What this means for MicrosoftMicrosoft became a $3 trillion company based on its investments in AI. So, if businesses continue to find little value in AI projects, the companys financial future will be endangered.But theres a silver lining to the glum findings by McKinsey, S & P Global, Gartner and the rest. They all conclude the same thing: enterprises have been unhappy with their AI investments because they havent yet found out how best to use the technology. Once they do, AI spending can bring significant benefits.For example, the MIT study found that when companies turn to outside experts and firms for their projects, they succeed 67% of the time. But when they build them internally, they succeed only 33% of the time.McKinsey found that using AI agents specifically crafted to an enterprises workflow can offer tremendous benefits. It claims that the shift to agents enables far more than efficiency. Agents supercharge operational agility and create new revenue opportunities.And chief Gartner forecaster John-David Lovelock toldThe New York Timesthat when AI leaves behind the Trough of Disillusionment phase of its life cycle, it will become a highly useful productivity tool.Microsoft is well aware of all that. At its 2025Build developers conference,execs proclaimed,Weve entered the era of AI agentsand made a host ofannouncements aboutits plans to help companies build agents using Copilotand its plans to build what it calls the agentic web.Microsoft alsooffers a guide to best practices for using Copilot in enterprises, including one titled,How to deploy transformational enterprise-wide agents: Microsoft as Customer Zero.The upshotNone of the bad news about AI should be a surprise. Its always been unclear at first whether a new technology will take off or fail. The current high rate of abandonment looks bad on the surface, but could be interpreted as a good sign it shows companiesarewilling to experiment.Its still too early to know whether genAI will crash and burn like the metaverse did or transform business and the way we live as the Internet did. Microsofts fate depends on which way it goes.
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  • Donald Trump Jr. joins prediction market Polymarkets advisory board
    readwrite.com
    Donald Trump Jr. has joined the advisory board of prediction market Polymarket, as well as investing in the company via 1789 Capital.President Donald Trumps son is backing Polymarket, both personally as a member of its advisory board and financially through an investment of an undisclosed amount via 1789 Capital, an investment firm where he is a partner.In a statement on the partnership, Polymarket noted that Trump Jr. brings decades of experience in forward-thinking business innovation and strategic perspective, with the company looking to grow its presence globally.The investment is set to go towards expanding the global footprint of the platform. As a prediction market, Polymarket offers real-time insights into a variety of topics, from politics and economics to culture and global events.https://twitter.com/shayne_coplan/status/1960377824793010489/This strategic investment marks a significant milestone for Polymarket. Our long-term partnership with 1789 Capital will help reinforce Polymarkets leading position as a trusted source of free, transparent and accurate market information in the U.S. and around the world, said Shayne Coplan, founder and CEO of Polymarket.We are proud to formally welcome 1789 Capital as a strategic partner and Donald Trump Jr. to our advisory board as we continue building our platform to reflect real-world sentiment, in real time, for all to see.Why partner with Trump Jr?Trump Jr. highlighted his desire to see Polymarket bring truth and transparency to everyone including the US.Polymarket is the largest prediction market in the world, and the US needs access to this important platform, said Trump Jr. Polymarket cuts through media spin and so-called expert opinion by letting people bet on what they actually believe will happen in the world. I am pleased that 1789 Capital is investing in Polymarket and am honored to join the companys advisory board.Those sentiments around free expression and truth are echoed by Omeed Malik, founder of 1789 Capital, saying: 1789 Capital looks to invest in companies that are entrepreneurial, innovative, and demonstrate great potential for growth. Polymarket meets each of these criteria. Polymarket stands at the intersection of free expression and financial innovation by empowering individuals with real-time truth in a world clouded by noise, and we are proud to support its vision.Polymarket recently completed the $112 million acquisition of QCEX, a CFTC-licensed exchange and clearinghouse, which saw it cement its place in the US market. Launched in 2020, Polymarket is now the biggest prediction market globally, with $6 billion worth of predictions made in the first half of 2025.Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0The post Donald Trump Jr. joins prediction market Polymarkets advisory board appeared first on ReadWrite.
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  • 3 Things James ODonnell is into right now
    www.technologyreview.com
    OverthinkThis is a podcast in which two very smart people (who happen to be young and hilarious professors of philosophy) draw unexpected philosophical connections between facets of modern life. Ellie Anderson and David Pea-Guzmn have done hour-long episodes on everything from mommy issues to animal justice, with particularly sharp segments on tech-adjacent issues like biohacking and the relationship between AI and art. Whenever I think society is dealing with a brand-new problem, these two unearth someone who was pondering it centuries ago. Its a treat to listen to.A film from the tech billionaire bunkerOver the summer I was eager to watch Mountainhead, a darkly funny film by Jesse Armstrong, the creator of Succession, that follows four unlikable tech founders as they watch the world collapse under political turmoil and violence caused by AI deepfakes. I was prepared for it to seem like a documentary, but to a reporter who is in frequent dialogue with AIs movers and shakers, it felt a little too real. From their remote mountain mansion, they talk about AI accelerationism, utilitarian ethics, uploading ones consciousness to the cloud, liberating humanity to other planetsall common conversation topics among the tech elite that has had so much influence in the current administration.Music by human beingsFor much of last winter I was reporting a story about just how far AI-generated music has come.As a lifelong musician (I play guitar, bass, and drums, none particularly well), I found the songs I heardbuilt with models whose creators have been sued for training on the discographies of artists without compensationso convincingly human that they made me deeply uncomfortable. Since then, Ive had a revitalized zeal for live shows where real people in punk bands or jazz trios do things that AI is not capable of (Sophie Truax is my latest favorite).
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  • 2025 Global Leadership Development Study: Fast, Fluid, and Future-Focused
    www.harvardbusiness.org
    Insights2025 Global Leadership Development Study: Fast, Fluid, and Future-FocusedIn 2025, Harvard Business Impact conducted a comprehensive global study to survey more than 1,100 leadership development professionals, examining how their work fits into the jobs to be done for organizations today. The results show that as organizations work to operationalize AI across every aspect of business, the pressure is mounting on those charged with leading learning and development to deliver fast, fluid, and future-focused learning that builds the collective intelligence of humans and machines.In this report, we explore three objectives for the coming year and three strategies for learning and development and the C-suite to consider as they tackle those objectives.Survey Highlights1,159L&D/HR professionalsand functional leaders20,000+Nearly half from organizations withat least 20,000 employees14+More than 14 countries and across industries51%from organizations with annual revenue of at least $10 billionTo download the full report, tell us a bit about yourself. First Name * Last Name * Job Title * Organization * Business Email * Country * Please Select United States United Kingdom Afghanistan Aland Islands Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos (Keeling) Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, The Democratic Republic of Cook Islands Costa Rica Cote dIvoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Falkland Islands (Malvinas) Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See (Vatican City State) Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran, Islamic Republic of Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic Peoples Republic Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao Peoples Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Macedonia The Former Yugoslav Republic Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia, Federated States of Moldova, Republic of Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territory,Occupied Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Reunion Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Serbia and Montenegro Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia & Sandwich Islands Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syrian Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United States Minor Outlying Islands Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe By checking this box, you agree to receive emails and communications from Harvard Business Impact. To opt-out, please visit our Privacy Policy. Future of WorkLeadership DevelopmentTransformationShare this resourceShare on LinkedInShare on FacebookShare on XShare on WhatsAppEmail this PageConnect with a learning expertChange isnt easy, but we can help. Together well create informed and inspired leaders ready to shape the future of your business.Talk to our sales teamFind an office in your regionRelated InsightsTalent ManagementScale Innovation with Speed: The ABCs of Leading InnovationInnovation is an organization-wide capability requiring leaders who can foster collaboration, experimentation, and execution at Read more: Scale Innovation with Speed: The ABCs of Leading InnovationArticleStrategic AlignmentWhy the Tortoise Doesnt Win Anymore: Speed to Skill as a Competitive AdvantageIn a fast-changing market, sustainable advantage comes from how quickly organizations can identify skill needs, Read more: Why the Tortoise Doesnt Win Anymore: Speed to Skill as a Competitive AdvantageArticleTransformationBreaking Through: People-Centered Transformation Powered by LearningOrganizations can embed learning measures into learning for more immediate impact to enrich the experience Read more: Breaking Through: People-Centered Transformation Powered by LearningArticleFuture of WorkFPT Partners with Harvard Business Impact, Empowering Global Workforce with AI-Driven Learning SolutionsFPT partners with Harvard Business Impact to boost leadership development and talent growth. Read more: FPT Partners with Harvard Business Impact, Empowering Global Workforce with AI-Driven Learning SolutionsNewsThe post 2025 Global Leadership Development Study: Fast, Fluid, and Future-Focused appeared first on Harvard Business Impact.
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  • Sustainable AR Gaming: Balancing Innovation with Environmental Responsibility
    inspirationtuts.com
    IntroductionAugmented Reality (AR) gaming has become a prominent innovation in the tech world, offering immersive experiences that blend the virtual and real worlds. As the popularity of AR games grows, so does the need for sustainable practices within the industry. This blog explores how AR gaming can balance technological innovation with environmental responsibility, highlighting eco-friendly practices and the future of sustainable AR gaming.Understanding AR GamingWhat is Augmented Reality?Augmented Reality enhances the real world with digital elements, creating an interactive experience for users. In gaming, AR overlays digital content onto the physical environment, allowing players to engage with their surroundings in new and exciting ways.Evolution of AR GamingFrom early experimental apps to blockbuster hits like Pokmon GO, AR gaming has evolved rapidly. The integration of advanced sensors, cameras, and software has made AR gaming more accessible and engaging than ever before.The Environmental Impact of AR GamingEnergy ConsumptionAR games require significant processing power, leading to increased energy consumption by devices and servers. This energy use contributes to the industrys carbon footprint.E-WasteThe rapid pace of technological advancement in AR gaming leads to frequent hardware upgrades, contributing to electronic waste (e-waste) as older devices are discarded.Resource UtilizationDeveloping AR games involves substantial resource use, from the raw materials needed for hardware to the energy required for software development and maintenance.Sustainable Practices in AR GamingEnergy-Efficient DevelopmentOptimized CodeDevelopers can reduce energy consumption by writing optimized code that enhances performance and efficiency. Efficient algorithms and lightweight applications help minimize the power required for processing.Renewable EnergyGame studios can utilize renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, for their operations. Hosting game servers in green data centers can significantly reduce the carbon footprint of AR gaming.Sustainable Hardware SolutionsEco-Friendly MaterialsManufacturers can use sustainable materials for AR hardware, reducing the environmental impact of production. This includes using recycled plastics and non-toxic components.Modular DesignsAdopting modular designs for AR devices allows users to upgrade specific components rather than replacing the entire device. This reduces e-waste and promotes a circular economy.Responsible Production and DistributionDigital DistributionEncouraging digital distribution of AR games minimizes the need for physical media and packaging, reducing waste and the carbon footprint associated with production and shipping.Sustainable PackagingFor physical products, using recyclable and biodegradable packaging materials helps minimize environmental impact.Case Studies of Sustainable AR GamingNiantic, Inc.Niantic, the developer of Pokmon GO, has implemented several sustainable practices. They have committed to offsetting their carbon footprint and are exploring ways to make their events and operations more environmentally friendly.Green Game JamThe Green Game Jam is an initiative where game developers collaborate to create games that raise awareness about environmental issues. Participants focus on integrating eco-friendly practices into their game development processes.Challenges and OpportunitiesTechnical and Financial ChallengesHigh Initial CostsImplementing sustainable practices can involve high initial costs, which may be a barrier for smaller studios. However, long-term benefits, such as energy savings and positive brand image, can outweigh these initial expenses.Technological LimitationsCurrent technology may limit the extent to which AR gaming can be made sustainable. Continued research and innovation are necessary to overcome these challenges.Opportunities for InnovationEducating PlayersAR games have the potential to educate players about sustainability. By integrating environmental themes and challenges into gameplay, developers can raise awareness and inspire positive actions.Industry CollaborationCollaboration among developers, hardware manufacturers, and environmental organizations can drive the adoption of sustainable practices. Sharing knowledge and resources can accelerate the transition to a more eco-friendly AR gaming industry.Future Trends in Sustainable AR GamingAdvances in Green TechnologyImproved Energy EfficiencyAs technology advances, AR devices and software will become more energy-efficient, reducing their environmental impact. Innovations in battery technology and energy management will play a key role.Sustainable Development ToolsThe development of tools and frameworks specifically designed for creating sustainable AR games will make it easier for developers to adopt eco-friendly practices.Growing Consumer AwarenessAs players become more environmentally conscious, there will be increased demand for sustainable gaming options. This shift in consumer preferences will drive the industry toward more responsible practices.ConclusionSustainable AR gaming is not just a possibility; its a necessity for the future of the industry. By balancing innovation with environmental responsibility, developers can create immersive and engaging experiences without compromising the planets health. Embracing energy-efficient practices, sustainable hardware solutions, and responsible production methods will ensure that AR gaming continues to thrive in an eco-friendly manner.ResourcesGreen Game JamNiantic Sustainability EffortsSustainable AR Development GuideRenewable Energy in GamingBy leveraging these resources, developers and gamers alike can contribute to a more sustainable and responsible AR gaming industry, ensuring a brighter future for both technology and the environment.
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  • Apple Retail arrives in Saudi Arabia with launch of Apple Store online
    www.apple.com
    Apple today announced the expansion of Apple Retail into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the launch of the Apple Store online and Apple Store app.
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  • iPhone 20 could be next to get Tandem OLED treatment
    appleinsider.com
    Apple's iPhone 20 could get a better screen if supplier LG Display's development of a Tandem OLED panel for the smartphone bears fruit.Tandem OLED uses multiple OLED layers - Image Credit: AppleThe OLED screen in the iPhone is already bright and high contrast, but it can always be better. If a claim about LG's OLED plans are correct, a change could be arriving as soon as the iPhone 20.According to industry sources of DealSite, LG Display is working on developing its Tandem OLED technology to work with a future iPhone. The company has reportedly made repeated recommendations to Apple to use Tandem OLED in the smartphone. Rumor Score: Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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  • A Never-Ending Story: 11 Intelligent Products Designed to Evolve Over Time
    architizer.com
    The winners of the A+Product Awards have been announced! Looking ahead to next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to Architizer's A+Product Awards Newsletter.It would be easy to treat flexibility as a failsafe. A soft response to a hard world. When faced with instability, uncertainty, contradiction, the instinct is often to prepare for everything all at once, as if design might shield us from the unknown through sheer range of possibilities.But many of todays most thoughtful and forward-thinking designers are taking a different approach. They are no longer hedging their bets nor concerning themselves with covering every contingency. They are designing products to remain open, to stay in flux. Their value lies not in being endlessly adaptable, but in resisting conclusion. These are objects that leave room. For change. For interpretation. For time to do its work.Across this years A+Product Awards winners, that sensibility appears in different forms. Some pieces rearrange with mechanical precision. Others shift more subtly, through material behavior, light, or rhythm. In each case, adaptability is not a feature shoehorned in during development. It is the fundamental principle. These objects were never designed to perform a single task under ideal conditions. They were always designed to remain unresolved.Perhaps thats the point. In a time defined by impermanence, it is not versatility that stands out, but intention. Not the fact that a system moves, but how it moves. Who it moves for. What it allows or refuses. Its clear to see that the best flexible designs are not those that chase every possible future. They are the ones who are simply prepared to change.The Diplomat By HenrybuiltJury Winner, Cabinetry & Millwork, 2025 A+Product AwardsThe Diplomat kitchen island is a series of operational components rather than a single monolithic unit. Drawer modules, open storage and tool blocks are distributed around the perimeter, creating an active surface on all sides. Nothing is fixed in place unnecessarily. Henrybuilts stacking containers can move from worktop to wall and back again, depending on how the space is being used. The materials have been selected for long-term durability under heavy, everyday use. While still a beautiful centerpiece intended to anchor a scheme. It is also a working system that adjusts in response to real patterns of life and labor.Lokum By AcerbisJury Winner, Residential Furniture, 2025 A+Product AwardsEach piece in the Lokum collection is produced through traditional glassblowing, scaled to the maximum volume the process will allow without compromising control. The result is a set of tables with consistent formal language but no imposed configuration. They can be deployed singly, as pairs or in a cluster, depending on the needs of the space. The palette is restrained, and the geometry avoids any specific reference to function. Sabine Marcelis has treated the tables as volumes rather than furniture types, allowing them to sit comfortably within a range of environments as area tables or artworks in their own right. Their flexibility comes not from movement but from use.Seem Sweep 2 By Focal PointPopular Choice Winner, Recessed & Mounted Lighting, 2025 A+Product AwardsSeem Sweep 2 is a curvilinear lighting system that allows designers to trace movement through space without defaulting to straight lines. Its segments follow fixed radii, creating controlled arcs that can soften corridors, wrap corners or loop across ceilings without visual disruption. The light is continuous along its length, with no break at joins and no visible shadowing or pixelation. It is used to reinforce circulation, open up compressed volumes or unobtrusively organize a layout. The system allows for complexity without becoming overwhelming.Take Me Lamp By Lia Siqueira DesignPopular Choice Winner, Decorative & Free Standing Lighting, 2025 A+Product AwardsTake Me is composed of two parts: a disc and a base. The form is stable, but its role in the room is somewhat ambiguous. The light is diffused through opaline glass, softened further by the depth of the shade and the material finish. Color temperature and intensity can be controlled by rotating the disc itself. Its tactile and intuitive with no app, no interface and no remote. The body is available in a palette of custom tones and materials, from brushed metal to warm-toned wood, so its adaptable for both formal and informal spaces. Its a small lamp that feels visually present wherever it is placed.Ekodome Geodesic Dome SystemsBy EkodomeJury Winner, Best of the Year, Commercial Design, 2025 A+Product AwardsThe Ekodome system provides a rigid geodesic frame into which a range of panel types can be fitted clear, insulated, solid, vented whatever is needed for the function of the space. The structure is made from aluminum, lightweight and corrosion-resistant, with joints that allow for rapid assembly. Internally, the geometry creates a large open volume without columns or other supports. Yet it can be fitted with partitions, kitchens, bathrooms and mechanical systems as is needed, becoming pretty much anything you want it to be. Its a structure designed for permanence, without permanence in use.Marvin Connected Home By MarvinPopular Choice Winner, Smart Design & Technology, 2025 A+Product AwardsMarvin Connected Home embeds motorization and responsive sensors within Marvins existing window, skylight and door assemblies, blissfully avoiding the visual compromises that often come with after-market automation. All the components are fully integrated into the frame, maintaining clear sightlines and consistent detailing. Control is layered users can operate the system through the app, switch, voice, or programmed routine, depending on their preference. In practice, that means air flow, light and privacy can each shift over the course of a day without a need for intervention. The architecture remains visually static, but its environmental behavior is dynamic and evolving over days, weeks or even years.CATIRPEL By TargettiJury Winner, Best of the Year, Flexible Design, 2025 A+Product AwardsCATIRPEL is a modular lighting system designed to move across irregular or organic surfaces. Each unit is connected via a ball joint, allowing for a wide range of vertical and horizontal articulation. Segments can be fixed around curves, wrapped along columns or deployed along uneven faades without the need for any custom fabrication. The components lock into place once aimed, so they can maintain precise positioning in outdoor or complex conditions. Its a product that supports irregularity rather than fighting against it.Element Bed By Kalon StudiosPopular Choice Winner, Residential Furniture, 2025 A+Product AwardsThe Element Bed is built from solid Douglas Fir and aluminum, joined with clean mechanical fixings and no adhesives. Every part is demountable and materially distinct, allowing for straightforward recycling or repair. The form is simple but deliberate, with visual balance coming from the proportion of mass to void, not decoration. Kalon produces each unit through a batch-size-one model, meaning the bed can be adapted to individual specifications without altering the fundamental construction. Its materials will age, shift and weather differently, and the piece is designed to support that.Novawood AyousBy NovawoodJury Winner, Best of the Year, Architectural Design, 2025 A+Product AwardsNovawood produces thermally modified timber systems that hold their form in climates where untreated wood would warp or split. The modification process stabilizes the material at a molecular level, giving it the dimensional consistency required for faades, soffits and transitional areas that typically face variable conditions. The surface remains tactile, with visible grain and depth of tone, but the performance shifts. Architects specify it where interior and exterior lines blur, or where materials are expected to adapt across programs. It behaves predictably in unpredictable settings, which makes it perfect for buildings that experience constant change.Hirt kinetics By Kollegger Metallbau GmbHJury Winner, Windows & Skylights, 2025 A+Product AwardsHIRT kinetics enables entire glass faades to retract vertically into the ground, clearing the threshold without folding, sliding or stacking. The movement is driven by a concealed counterweight system, keeping the envelope flush when closed and entirely absent when open. What youre left with is a space that can shift from enclosure to exposure without any structural modification. It gives users control over openness without asking them to compromise on form or detailing. Where views, air or access are part of the program, the boundary is no longer fixed.Sightline Flex Suites By Sightline Commercial SolutionsPopular Choice Winner, Furniture Systems, 2025 A+Product AwardsFlex Suites are modular seating units developed for venues where layout is in constant negotiation. They are used in stadiums and arenas where the program shifts daily, and where the boundary between audience, sponsor and guest is always changing. Each unit includes integrated seating, tables, railings and branding components, and can be relocated in one piece using standard equipment. There is no need for demolition, fit-out or reinstallation. The design allows for rotation of layout and user group without altering the surrounding architecture. In a typology where revenue depends on responsiveness, they consistently deliver the solution. The winners of the A+Product Awards have been announced! Looking ahead to next season? Stay up to date by subscribing to Architizer's A+Product Awards Newsletter.The post A Never-Ending Story: 11 Intelligent Products Designed to Evolve Over Time appeared first on Journal.
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  • Long Shutter Techniques for Impactful Imagery
    iso.500px.com
    Photographers continually explore new methods to add creativity and depth to their images. One particularly captivating approach is using long shutter techniquesalso known as long exposure photographyto capture expressive motion in a single, dynamic shot. If youve admired images of silky waterfalls, glowing city streets, or sweeping star trails, youre witnessing the artistic use of long shutter speeds.Lets dive into how you can harness these techniques to create compelling photographs.Understanding Long Shutter TechniquesLong shutter techniques involve intentionally extending your cameras shutter speed, allowing the sensor to record movement as motion blur. Rather than freezing action, these techniques create fluidity and dynamism, transforming ordinary scenes into visually striking art.Common subjects captured using long shutter speeds include flowing water, moving vehicles, drifting clouds, and star trails.Essential Gear for Successful Long Shutter PhotographyYou dont need extensive equipment to start, but these items significantly improve your results:Tripod: Essential for stability during long exposures, preventing unintended blur.Neutral Density (ND) Filters: Helps manage exposure by reducing light entering the lens, enabling longer exposures in brighter conditions.Remote Shutter Release: Minimizes camera shake when triggering the shutter, resulting in sharper images.How to Set Your Camera for Motion BlurTo achieve expressive motion, carefully adjust your camera settings:Shutter Speed: Typically between a few seconds to several minutes, depending on your scene. Experimentation is key.Aperture: Opt for narrower apertures (f/8 to f/16) to enhance depth of field and image sharpness.ISO: Keep ISO low (100-200) to reduce noise and maintain image quality.For example, capturing silky water usually involves shutter speeds around 1 to 5 seconds. For star trails, exposures can range from several minutes to hours.Tips to Create Impactful Long Exposure ImagesChoose Moving Elements ThoughtfullyIdentify scenes that inherently include motion, such as waterfalls, busy streets, or celestial bodies. The inherent movement is essential to producing dramatic effects.Experiment with Exposure DurationShorter long exposures (around 1-2 seconds) maintain recognizable forms, while extended exposures (10 seconds or more) yield abstract and ethereal effects.Focus on CompositionCompose intentionally, using motion blur as a compositional tool. Consider how leading lines, symmetry, or the placement of static versus moving elements impact your viewers experience.Manual Focus in Low LightAuto-focus can struggle in dim conditions. Switch to manual focus to precisely control your focal point and avoid accidental softness.Common Mistakes and How to Avoid ThemLong shutter photography has unique challenges. Here are frequent pitfalls and how to prevent them:Unintended Camera Movement: Always secure your camera with a sturdy tripod and consider using a remote shutter release.Overexposure During Daytime: Use Neutral Density (ND) filters to limit incoming light for proper exposure control.Lack of Clear Subject: Clearly define your main subject to prevent overly abstract or confusing compositions.Inspirational Subjects for Long Shutter PhotographyIf youre looking for inspiration, here are excellent subjects to experiment with:Waterfalls and Seascapes: Capture silky water textures and soft waves.Nighttime Cityscapes: Use car headlights and streetlights to create vibrant streaks of color and energy.Astrophotography: Create awe-inspiring star trails to illustrate the earths rotation.Conclusion: Embrace Creativity with Long Shutter TechniquesMastering long shutter photography opens endless creative possibilities. By embracing experimentation and thoughtfully choosing your settings and subjects, you can transform everyday moments into captivating imagery.Start exploring these expressive motion techniques todayyour creative journey awaits.Extended reading:Shutter speed | The essential guide for photographersThe post Long Shutter Techniques for Impactful Imagery appeared first on 500px.
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  • FStormScatterBoundaries
    fstormrender.com
    Boundaries node controls instances near surface or shape edges.Boundaries node has a shape node input for extra zoning via shape area.Invert shape inverts shape sides where instances are allowed to be placed.Min distance sets closest possible instances distance to surfaces or shape edges.Max distance set maximumpossible instances distance to surfaces or shape edges.Boundary scale controls instances size nearsurfaces or shape edges.Boundary rotationcontrols instances rotatation towardsurfaces or shape edges.All instances distances tosurfaces or shape edges are depends on collision radiuses of instances.
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