Mastodon CEO Eugen Rochko has spoken out about the significant moderation changes announced by Meta on Tuesday, which will see the social networking giant removing fact-checking across its apps in favor of a crowdsourced community notes feature, similar to Xs. The Mastodon founder, whose app competes with X and Metas X rival, Instagram Threads, called Metas changes deeply troubling and a concern to anyone with a conscience. He also warned Threads users who cross-post from Threads to Mastodon via Threads fediverse-sharing feature that Mastodon will take action on hate speech and any Threads account violating Mastodons existing policies.Following the announcement of Metas loosened content moderation rules, which affect LGBTQ communities and other marginalized users, many Mastodon users wanted to know what this meant for the open source, decentralized social network, given its connection with Threads.Last June, Meta opened up its fediverse-sharing feature to all Threads users after earlier beta testing in the U.S., Canada, and Japan. The feature lets Threads users enable an option that will publish their posts directly on Mastodon as well, allowing them to reach a broader audience. ScreenshotRochko previously touted Threads federation, saying the move made the open source Mastodon a far more attractive option. He has also spoken about how Metas adoption of the underlying ActivityPub protocol, which powers Mastodon and other federated servers, was a validation of the move to decentralized social media.However, not all in the fediverse are in universal agreement on Mastodons integration with Threads. Hundreds of smaller Mastodon servers block Threads, which means their users cant connect with Threads users or vice versa. (Meta also blocks hundreds of Mastodon servers, too, over violations of Community Standards and other moderation and privacy issues.)It was previously unclear how Mastodon would respond to Metas new policy, and whether or not the larger Mastodon instances, like mastodon.social, would now take action against Threads accounts.Rochkos post indicates the organization is aware that Threads integration could soon become a moderation challenge. Hate speech is prohibited, and we will take action on any Threads account found violating our policies, he warned in a post on his Mastodon account.He also urged users on Threads who disagreed with Metas new direction to move to Mastodon instead, though its not as easy to do as moving an account between different Mastodon servers. Thats because Threads is not yet fully integrated with the fediverse in this way.

VFX and animation studio MPC brought Disney's characters and the African savannah to life in the recently released CG feature Mufasa: The Lion King. Under the leadership of director Barry Jenkins, the studio blended artistry and leading-edge technology to capture the story's heart and soul.Production VFX supervisor Adam Valdez, animation supervisor Daniel Fotheringham, VFX producer Barry St. John, VFX supervisor Audrey Ferrara, and VFX producers Georgie Duncan and Benny Milligan led a team of over 1,700 artists, technologists, and production crew across four continents.The films production leveraged innovative tools and techniques, including virtual production and motion-capture during pre-production. Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the team collaborated remotely across London, New York, and Los Angeles, using VR to navigate digital environments. Motion-capture performers' movements were mapped onto digital animals. Jenkins was able to direct performances live using Unreal Engine real-time animated feeds. To create a blueprint for our final animation our motion capture shoot involved multiple performers playing Mufasa, Sarabi, Taka, Rafiki and even Zazu says Valdez. They wore motion capture suits, and through a process we call QuadCap, their movements were mapped onto digital lion characters. This technology aligned the performers head and spine movements to the lions head and neck, their legs to the lions front legs, and simulated the lions back legs and hips to follow. Barry could then watch a live feed of the lions on screen through Unreal Engine, allowing him to give real-time performance and camera notes to the actors and DP.We added facial expressions and lip sync to enhance characters performances. Fotheringham noted, then Barry could walk through the recorded sequence in VR making notes before we could wrap it up to be shot virtually. Performances with complex animal mechanics, like fighting or leaping were then integrated into the Quadcap performances and into the virtual sets, creating a complete master scene that Barry and James could shoot from any angle. This innovative blending of live-action filmmaking techniques and visual effects became a defining feature of the entire production. MPCs Character Lab team crafted over 118 photorealistic unique animals, each built from the ground up using anatomically precise bone and muscle structure. MPCs proprietary grooming system, Loma, created lifelike fur with an unprecedented number of hairs that could react naturally to environmental elements like snow, wind and water. Meanwhile, MPCs animators delivered performances rich in emotional depth and authenticity.The studios Environment artists crafted expansive African landscapes through scouting trips, photogrammetry, and hand-sculpting. They designed plains, canyons, and forests, capturing every detail from weathered rocks to blades of grass. To manage the vast scale, they developed a 107 square-mile digital world, rendered with photorealistic detail.Source: MPC Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologistL'Wrenbrings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.

Enhancing safety, reducing costs, and maximizing creative freedom compared to traditional methods, the new system offers an all-in-one solution for filming vehicles using virtual production in any setting.

Breakdown & ShowreelsGladiator II: VFX Breakdown by FramestoreBy Vincent Frei - 08/01/2025 Pulse-pounding action comes alive with really cool visual effects in Gladiator II. From lifelike baboons to the sheer power of a charging rhinoceros, Framestore delivers a cinematic spectacle you wont forget!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Framestore: Dedicated page about Gladiator II on Framestore website.Christian Kaestner & Kyle Dunlevy: Heres my interview of Christian Kaestner (VFX Supervisor) & Kyle Dunlevy (Animation Supervisor) at Framestore.Mark Bakowski: Heres my interview of Production VFX Supervisor Mark Bakowski. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

In this episode, we dive into the extraordinary VFX of Better Man.Also check out our interview with the films director: Michael GraceyDirector Michael Gracey & making Better Manand also our interview with the team at Wt FX.fxpodcast: Better Man with Wt FXDont forget to subscribe to both the VFXShow and the fxpodcast to get both of our most popular podcasts.This week in our Boy Band lineup is:Matt Wallin * @mattwallin www.mattwallin.com.Follow Matt on Mastodon: @[emailprotected]Jason Diamond @jasondiamond www.thediamondbros.comMike Seymour @mikeseymour. www.fxguide.com. + @mikeseymourSpecial thanks to Matt Wallin for the editing & production of the show with help from Jim Shen.

More than 1,000 buildings have been destroyed by the fires sweeping through Southern California, and at least two people have been killed. What started as a mere brush fire that was carried by high speed Santa Ana winds has forced thousands in west Los Angeles to evacuate, ringing alarm bells for firefighters, residents, planners, and preservationists. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said that the fire has already touched 5,000 acres and counting. More than 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate areas in proximity to the three disparate firesthe Palisades fire, Hurst fire, and Eaton Canyon fire.Palisades Village, a historic commercial district built up in the 1930s, and its surrounding residential community, is completely lost, users on X (formerly Twitter) shared. Homeowners in the general area said that the fire came just a few blocks from the Eames House, the canonical case study house by Ray and Charles Eames.The Eames Houses social media team, on Instagram, said that the building is unharmed as of right now, but windblown fires are inching closer to the famous 1949 structure. Eames House staffers have since removed a small number of objects from the house for safekeeping.So far, flames have also come relatively close to a postmodern house by Pierre Koenig in Rustic Canyon, and a church in the Palisades by Charles Moore.The Palisades fire is currently west as Calabasas, and the Palisades Branch Library designed by CGS Architects has gone up in flames. And so hasnt Corpus Cristi Church, a 1964 building by A.C. Martin & Associates, just across the street from the library. Meanwhile, an inferno rages in Hurst, which is home to Julia Morgans Chapel of the Chimes, the former California Crematorium.Hurst is also home to the newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearsts former estate, Hearst Castle. That building has drawn comparisons to Xanadu, the fictional home of Orson Welless Citizen Kane protagonist, Charles Foster Kane. It is unclear at this time if the buildings by Morgan and Hearst have been touched, although flames appear dangerously close. Palisades Village is due north of Rustic Canyon, and west of Topanga Beach, where the Getty Villa is sited. The Getty Villa (not to be confused with Richard Meiers Getty Center in Brentwood) was swiftly closed to non-emergency staff after the fires got dangerously close to it. The Getty Villa will be closed until at least January 13.The Getty Villa was designed by Norman Neuerburg and later renovated by Machado Silvetti. Its located off of the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). Museum officials have said the building is safe, but they are taking precautions; on-site water storage and irrigation have been deployed, and galleries and library archives have been sealed off.The Pacific Coast Highway is home to other noteworthy buildings, including homes by Richard Neutra, John Lautner, and Tadao Ando, namely Kanye Wests new abode. Spectators have said that the PCH and its adjoining land area has turned into hell itself. It is unclear however which homes off of PCH have been impacted.Malibu, home to Pepperdine University and myriad million dollar homes, just north of Palisades Village, has also been impacted, as well as Santa Monica and Pasadena. The Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center, an important community staple in Altadena designed by Finegold Alexander Architects, has been completely destroyed by the fire. The last horrific fire in Malibu came in 2018 during the Woolsey Fire. That fire destroyed Frank Gehrys Tin Houseand also Frank Lloyd Wrights Arch Oboler Complex. Mike Davis, in 1995, ruminated on Malibus particular vulnerability to forest fires in his famous essay, The Case for Letting Malibu Burn.For now, the Palisades, Hurst, and Eaton Canyon fires appear to be contained to the south at Santa Monica, although residents of West Hollywood and South Central say that they woke up this morning to find a sheet of ash coating their windows.AN will continue to monitor the fires in Southern California. Brad Isnard contributed reporting for this story.

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus 7441 delivers just about everything a student could ever want in a laptop: a lightweight design, solid hardware, and marathon battery life.

The TCL QM8 delivers excellent picture quality, great sound, and a dedicated picture mode at an affordable price. Right now, three of the models have received huge discounts.

Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETDell announced a handful of new laptops at CES 2025, and if you're a little confused looking at their names, you're not alone. The company rebranded its entire portfolio, consolidating the names of the models we're familiar with into the Dell, Dell Pro, and Dell Pro Max.The new naming convention might look strangely familiar (Mac or iPhone, anyone?), but Dell insists the original products themselves aren't going anywhere -- they're just organized now. For example, the XPS line is now housed under the "Dell Premium" label, the Inspiron line is simply "Dell," and the Latitude devices fall under "Dell Pro," to name the big ones.Also: CES 2025: The 13 most impressive products so farAdditionally, the Dell Pro lineup occupies devices that previously would have fallen under the Latitude name, which have been further split up into the Dell Pro Plus and Dell Pro Premium products, aimed at the commercial consumer.Beyond its consumer side, Dell announced some sleek-looking new Alienware gaming devices with the Area-51 series: both a 16-inch and 18-inch laptop, as well as a desktop. The new laptops include some big hardware and design updates, so let's break down what's new.1. Dell Pro 14 and Dell Pro 16 Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETStarting things off with the Dell Pro 14 and Dell Pro 16, we have two highly configurable devices for the business user, specifically with the new modular USB-C ports that are more durable and easier to repair and remove. And durable they are; with a MIL-STD 810H-grade rating. Designed for the modern professional, these laptops -- which previously would have been housed under the Latitude line -- come with a diverse set of hardware options, all the way up to the Intel Core Ultra 7 265U. Similarly, memory options range from 8GB all the way up to 64GB of RAM for both sizes.Another new feature that professionals will appreciate is the the long-awaited support for Wi-Fi 7, which is faster and more reliable, and can connect to the 5G network when you're away from Wi-Fi.The main difference between the two models is their respective sizes, but both can output images in full HD Plus resolution (1,920 x 1,200 pixels). However, the Pro 14 can house a QuadHD Plus screen (2,560 x 1,600 pixels). The laptops are set to launch around the end of March. Pricing is still unknown at the time of this writing. Dell 14 Plus Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETDell also announced two laptops at the mid-range price point that are designed for everyday productivity users with customizable configurations:Dell 14 Plus:This sleek and portable laptop features Intel's Core Ultra (Series 2) processor lineup, from the 5 all the way up to the 9. That means the productivity user can expect snappy performance and all-day battery life. It comes with up to an Intel Arc 140V GPU on board, 2TB of storage, and support for Wi-Fi 7.Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1: Mirroring the 14 Plus, the 16 Plus provides a larger display and a convertible form factor for the creative professional. It supports the same CPU and GPU hardware as the 14 Plus, but the Mini LED display goes up to 600 nits of brightness and supports touch.2. Dell Pro Max Dell Pro Max Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETAvailable in a 14- and 16-inch configuration, the Dell Pro Max is aimed toward the power user, as it houses an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, an Nvidia graphics card, "lightning fast 6400MT/s memory" speeds, and plenty of storage. Both have a QuadHD Plus display with an 8MP camera.As you can probably guess, the 16-inch laptop is the more powerful option. It'll house an Nvidia RTX 2000-series graphics card and up to 4TB of memory. The large size of the Dell Pro Max 16 allows it to support a full-sized keyboard alongside "a generously-sized click pad."The Dell Pro Max 14 is no slouch, however, as it will come with an Nvidia RTX 500-series GPU and up to 2TB of memory. Other notable features of the series include support for Wi-Fi 7 plus a large display with a 16:10 ratio. Prices are also still unknown, although it is set to launch in late March. Dell Pro 14 Kyle Kucharski/ZDNETHoused in the upper mid-tier, Dell announced two new lines of productivity-minded laptops that previously would belong in the Latitude or Precision portfolio.Dell Pro 13/14 Premium: Labeled as a device for "executives, sales managers, and consultants," Dell's 13- and 14-inch Premium models are the slimmest and lightest of the Pro lineup, weighing 2.36 pounds. Thin and light with all-day battery life are the main pulls here, with Dell advertising up to 21.2 hours on a single charge. On top of this, the Dell Pro 14 Premium will also be Dell's first laptop with a tandem OLED display, which is 49% brighter than a typical OLED.Dell Pro 13/14/16 Plus: The rather confusing name aside, the Pro Plus line consists of scalable business laptops for the mainstream productivity worker. Lots of configurations, plenty of I/O, and enterprise-friendly features like remote management make up the core identity of this lineup. 3. Alienware Area-51 16-inch and 18-inch laptops Alienware/DellSwitching gears over to gaming, we have the return of the Alienware Area-51 laptops. It's been several years since the previous release, and Dell is looking to come back with a bang. Much like the real-life Area 51, there are some things about it we don't know quite yet.But we do know it'll run an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, up to 64GB of memory, and a maximum storage capacity of 12TB. This massive amount of storage is thanks to the newfound support for Gen 5 SSDs.In addition to all the internal hardware changes, Dell upgraded the overall design of the Area-51 laptops. One of the biggest complaints of past models is their propensity to overheat. To address this, the company states the devices will have a "Cryo-tech thermal architecture" to improve cooling and airflow.Dell is also adding some pizzazz. The rear thermal shelf comes equipped with new AlienFX lighting animations. Plus, the computer has a Liquid Teal finish, giving it an "iridescent sheen". The Alienware Area-51 16-inch and 18-inch laptops will launch in Q1 2025. Prices start at $1,999.4. Alienware Area-51 Desktop Alienware/DellLast but not least is the Alienware Area-51 desktop. According to the company, Dell developed the model as its new flagship gaming PC. It's a full-sized 80L tower, meaning it'll require a lot of desk space, but in return, you get a machine with top-of-the-line components, including a next-gen Nvidia graphics card and an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor. Nearly 900W of power will be poured into these components to deliver the highest possible gaming performance.An environment like this can run hot, so to maintain optimal temperatures, the Area-51 desktop will come equipped with multiple fans. Dell states interested buyers will have the opportunity to install six cooling fans of various sizes, all working together to pull in air from the outside. The company claims the robust cooling will enable "50% more processing power".The Area-51 desktop is set to launch in Q1 2025 with high-end configuration hovering around $4,499. Starting prices have yet to be revealed.Featured reviews

As cities around the globe grapple with rapid urbanization, evolving mobility demands, and the pressing need for sustainability, technology continues to reshape how we navigate urban environments. These changes are driven by emerging trends and innovations that promise to make transportation systems smarter, more efficient, and more equitable. Based on the latest developments and industry insights, here are five bold predictions for transportation technology in 2025:1. The Rise of AI-Driven Urban MobilityArtificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming urban mobility, but 2025 will mark a turning point. AI-powered algorithms will play a more prominent role in optimizing traffic flows, improving safety in the public right-of-way, predicting transportation demand, and even personalizing mobility experiences for users. Cities will increasingly deploy AI to support management of mobility fleets, ensuring theyre in the right place at the right time. Expect AI to also enhance real-time curb management, reducing congestion and enabling seamless deliveries in bustling urban areas.Smart city and abstract line and dot connect with gradient line design , big data connection ... [+] technology concept. 3d rendergetty2. Curb Space as a Revenue DriverCurbside real estate has long been undervalued, but its strategic importance is becoming evident to multiple stakeholders. By 2025, more cities will adopt dynamic curb pricing models, using real-time data to adjust fees for loading zones, parking, and passenger pick-up/drop-off areas. With the rise of e-commerce, food delivery, and ride-hailing, this digital transformation of the curb will create new revenue streams for cities while improving traffic efficiency. Advanced curb management platforms will be instrumental in this shift.3. Digital Twins Will Become the Norm for City PlanningDigital twin technologyvirtual replicas of physical assets and systemswill become a cornerstone of urban planning and management. In 2025, cities will increasingly rely on digital twins to simulate and analyze transportation networks, test new policies, and predict the impact of infrastructure changes in the right-of-way before implementation. This will lead to smarter, data-driven decisions, saving both time and resources. Transportation departments will use digital twins not only to model traffic flows but also to optimize the placement of EV charging stations, bike lanes, and other critical infrastructure. In the long-term, digital twin technology can not only serve as a valuable resource for city planning, but also for real-time response and management to unplanned events such as weather emergencies and temporary street closures, allowing cities to respond and act more rapidly to change.4. The Acceleration of ElectrificationThe electrification of transportation is accelerating, and 2025 will see widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) across various modes of transport. Cities will expand their EV charging networks, integrating them with curb management systems to ensure efficient use of space. Fleet electrification, from buses to delivery vehicles, will also gain momentum as governments introduce stricter emissions regulations. However, this transition will require robust data platforms to manage charging demand and ensure equitable access for all communities.MORE FOR YOU5. Policy and Tech Collaboration Will Define SuccessTechnology alone cannot solve urban mobility challenges; policy plays a critical role. By 2025, well see deeper collaboration between various stakeholders from technology providers to major fleet operators, who will need to work closely with city governments to create equitable and sustainable transportation systems. Data-driven decisionmaking will continue to become standard, fostering transparency and trust between private connected fleet operators and public agencies. Policies will increasingly be more flexible and nimble to account for a rapidly-changing ecosystem of mobility operators, from micromobility to autonomous vehicles, ensuring that new transportation options can flourish while improving transportation equity and safety.Why These Predictions MatterThe transportation sector is at a crossroads, with the potential to drive both economic growth and environmental progress. However, realizing this potential requires bold action and innovative thinking. By embracing AI, digital twins, electrification, and smart policies, cities can create more livable, sustainable, and efficient urban environments.The tools and technologies to support this transformation are more accessible than ever. Empowering cities with data-driven solutions and innovative platforms can help them navigate these complex challenges effectively. By fostering collaboration and leveraging advanced digital tools, we can collectively shape a future of mobility that benefits everyone.