For decades, power tools have fallen into two categories: Those designed for tradespeople, and wimpier versions for consumers. As with the "pink it and shrink it" approach to making products supposedly appeal to women, designing a consumer-grade power tool was about removing features and capabilities from "real" tools.Now Dremel's design team has gone in the opposite direction, adding innovative features that the average person can use. Their new Blueprint Multi-Drill makes drilling into a wall to hang things, like pictures or TV mounts, easy; it features a stud finder built into the knuckle-guard, and a handy detachable laser level that can cling to a wall with reusable mounting putty. "We've looked at the projects that our users are doing," said Sonesh Shah, Dremel president, "and designed Dremel Blueprint tools to provide people with what they need to accomplish those projects." Being detachable, the laser level naturally has its own power source; you recharge it separately from the drill, via USB-C. The 12V drill debuted this month, and goes for $100.

But it really wants in. Heres why Meta is jamming AI into everything

Ensuring your cat is drinking enough water is one of the best ways to keep your pet healthy. We tested many models and these were our favorites.

The Linux Foundation has unveiled a new collaborative organization calledSupporters of Chromium-Based Browsers designed to ensure that open-source projects with connections to Chromium get the necessary resources to be successful.Members of the group include Google, Microsoft, and Opera, the companies behind Chromium-based browsers such as Chrome, Edge and Opera. Facebooks parent company Meta has also joined the collaboration, according toArs Technica.Currently, there are nearly 30 different browsers based on Chromium, of which the most well-known are Brave, Duckduckgo, and Vivaldi.

This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.Inside the strange limbo facing millions of IVF embryosMillions of embryos created through IVF sit frozen in time, stored in cryopreservation tanks around the world. The number is only growing thanks to advances in technology, the rising popularity of IVF, and improvements in its success rates.At a basic level, an embryo is simply a tiny ball of a hundred or so cells. But unlike other types of body tissue, it holds the potential for life. Many argue that this endows embryos with a special moral status, one that requires special protections.The problem is that no one can really agree on what that status is. To some, theyre human cells and nothing else. To others, theyre morally equivalent to children. Many feel they exist somewhere between those two extremes.While these embryos persist in suspended animation, patients, clinicians, embryologists, and legislators must grapple with the essential question of what we should do with them. What do these embryos mean to us? Who should be responsible for them? Read the full story.Jessica HamzelouAnthropics chief scientist on 5 ways agents will be even better in 2025Agents are the hottest thing in tech right now. Top firms from Google DeepMind to OpenAI to Anthropic are racing to augment large language models with the ability to carry out tasks by themselves.In October, Anthropic showed off one of the most advanced agents yet: an extension of its Claude large language model called computer use. As the name suggests, it lets you direct Claude to use a computer much as a person would, by moving a cursor, clicking buttons, and typing text. Instead of simply having a conversation with Claude, you can now ask it to carry out on-screen tasks for you.Computer use is a glimpse of whats to come for agents. To learn whats coming next, MIT Technology Review talked to Anthropics cofounder and chief scientist Jared Kaplan. Here are five ways that agents are going to get even better in 2025.Melissa Heikkil & Will Douglas HeavenSmall language models: 10 Breakthrough Technologies 2025Make no mistake: Size matters in the AI world. When OpenAI launched GPT-3 back in 2020, it was the largest language model ever built. The firm showed that supersizing this type of model was enough to send performance through the roof. That kicked off a technology boom that has been sustained by bigger models ever since.But as the marginal gains for new high-end models trail off, researchers are figuring out how to do more with less. For certain tasks, smaller models that are trained on more focused data sets can now perform just as well as larger onesif not better. Read the full story.Will Douglas HeavenSmall language models is one of our 10 Breakthrough Technologies for 2025, MIT Technology Reviews annual list of tech to watch. Check out the rest of the list, and cast your vote for the honorary 11th breakthrough.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 Blue Origins rocket launch has been cancelledIts engineers were unable to fix an issue with the New Glenn rockets vehicle subsystem. (BBC)+ Its also likely that ice blocked an essential vent line designed to expel gas. (Ars Technica)+ The company is yet to announce a rescheduled launch date. (The Verge)2 How is Donald Trump planning to save TikTok, exactly?Its unclear whether his supposed deal-making prowess will hold any sway here. (WP $)+ TikTok founder Zhang Yiming might have a few ideas. (WSJ $)+ It looks as though the US Supreme Court is leaning towards banning the app. (Forbes $)+ The depressing truth about TikToks impending ban. (MIT Technology Review)3 The Biden administrations final chip export curb is hereThe policy is designed to make it harder for China to circumvent restrictions. (FT $)+ Australia, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan wont be restricted under the new rules. (CNN)+ Nvidia thinks all these sanctions are only backfiring on the US. (Quartz)4 Big Techs leaders are lining up to attend Trumps inaugurationSilicon Valleys sucking up continues. (Bloomberg $)+ Mark Zuckerberg appears to be doing his best to secure an invite. (NYT $)+ He seems to be entering Founder Mode in a bid to impress Trump. (The Verge)5 AI financial advisers are going after broke young peopleIts money management tips come with a hefty price tag. (Wired $)6 Neuralink has implanted a brain device in a third person, according to MuskAhead of its plans to insert up to 30 devices this year. (Fortune $)+ Beyond Neuralink: Meet the other companies developing brain-computer interfaces. (MIT Technology Review)7 The future of self-driving cars is cleaved in twoCompanies are divided over whether well hail or own future autonomous vehicles. (NY Mag $)+ How Wayves driverless cars will meet one of their biggest challenges yet. (MIT Technology Review)8 Smartwatches are out, old-school watches are inIts hard to beat a wristwatch when it comes to luxury status symbols. (The Guardian)9 Notre-Dame cathedral is full of hidden speakersAnd you can fit out your home with them toofor a price. (FT $)10 How to free up space on your iPhoneDont be afraid to purge those ancient duplicate photos. (WSJ $)Quote of the dayIm worried about everything.Jeff Bezos describes his (well-placed) nerves to Ars Technica ahead of his rocket company Blue Origins first orbital launchwhich was later called off over technical issues.The big storyAI was supposed to make police bodycams better. What happened?April 2024When police departments first started buying and deploying bodycams in the wake of the police killing of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, a decade ago, activists hoped it would bring about real change.Years later, despite whats become a multibillion-dollar market for these devices, the tech is far from a panacea. Most footage they generate goes unwatched. Officers often dont use them properly. And if they do finally provide video to the public, it usually doesnt tell the complete story.A handful of AI startups see this problem as an opportunity to create what are essentially bodycam-to-text programs for different players in the legal system, mining this footage for misdeeds. But like the bodycams themselves, the technology still faces procedural, legal, and cultural barriers to success. Read the full story.Patrick SissonWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ The first big fashion trend of 2025? Were all going basic.+ Spoilers aheadthis list of the best film endings is great funincluding that infamous lingering final shot from Psycho.+ If parts of your life could be better, its time to embrace the tiny changes that can make a real difference.+ This Brazilian banana bread recipe sounds beyond delicious.

Patrick Spence has left Sonos after eight years as CEO, following the disastrous rollout of an iOS app that left customers unable to use their devices.The updated Sonos app for iOSSpence was originally the deputy to Sonos founder John MacFarlane, and took over the role of CEO from him in 2017. Unfortunately, his most visible impact has been the release of the revamped and subsequently failed iOS app.Now according to Bloomberg, Patrick Spence has left Sonos. It's not been reported whether he resigned or was asked to leave, but the company has promoted board member Tom Conrad to the post of interim CEO. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

miHoYos next update for Zenless Zone Zero, Version 1.5 Astra-nomical Moment, launches on January 22nd. As teased in previous weeks marketing, the update adds Astra Yao as a new playable character. Her bodyguard, Evelyn Chevalier, will debut in the second featured banner. Check out the trailer below.Alongside a new story quest focused on New Year and Astras performance at Starloop, it adds two new gameplay modes Endless Tower: The Last Stand and Perpetrator Battle. A new Arcade game, Mach 25, will also be available, and theres even fishing. As for Astra, shes an S-Rank Support who deals Ether damage. She can also heal her teammates, a first for the action title.Other new features include the ability to equip alternate outfits for characters. Astra, Ellen, and Nicole are the first recipients, while a new dress-up mini-game will also be available. Stay tuned for more details when the update goes live in the coming weeks.Zenless Zone Zero is available for PS5, PC, iOS, and Android. Check out our review.

Super Evil Megacorp studio head Ian Fielding appointed CEOFormer CEO Kristian Segerstrale becomes executive chairImage credit: Super Evil Mega Corp News by Sophie McEvoy Staff Writer Published on Jan. 13, 2025 Super Evil Megacorp studio head Ian Fielding has been appointed CEO as Kristian Segerstrale becomes executive chair of the developer.Fielding joined Super Evil in 2021 after holding positions at Insomniac Games and Riot Games. He was senior production manager at the latter, where he helped launch and operate Valorant.As studio head at Super Evil, Fielding has overseen the studio's growth from a mobile-first developer to cross-platform.He was also executive producer on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate. GamesIndustry.biz recently about the game, and how it wants to continue implementing co-op and crossplay into future titles."It's been an honour to work closely with such a talented leader as Kristian Segerstrale, and I look forward to collaborating with him in his new role," said Fielding."I'm excited for the future of Super Evil as we begin to realise the long-term plans we have in motion to grow Super Evil into a top-tier independent studio with world-class talent that creates unforgettable shared gaming experiences."Segerstrale added: "I am very proud of what we have built as a long-lasting independent games company. Our recent years' success is largely thanks to Ian's stewardship."We see an enormous opportunity ahead and I believe Super Evil is set up to succeed with Ian as CEO, as the business leader helming our incredibly committed team."

Ian Fielding has been named CEO of indie studio Super Evil Megacorp. The news comes with long-serving chief executive Kristian Segerstrale moving into the role of executive chair.Super Evil was formed in 2012 and has worked on notable titles including Vainglory and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate.Fielding previously served as studio head at Super Evil and helped transform the company from a 30-person mobile-first studio into a cross-platform developer with over 100 employees.Prior to that, he spent time at studios including Insomniac Games and Riot Games. During his time at Riot, he led major updates on League of Legends and helped launch Valorant.Discussing his successor, Segerstrale said much of Super Evil's recent success has been achieved under the direction of Fielding. "We see an enormous opportunity ahead and I believe Super Evil is set up to succeed with Ian as CEO, as the business leader helming our incredibly committed team," he added.Looking ahead, Fielding said he intends to turn Super Evil into a "top tier independent studio.""Its been an honor to work closely with such a talented leader as Kristian Segerstrale, and I look forward to collaborating with him in his new role," continued Fielding."I'm excited for the future of Super Evil as we begin to realize the long term plans we have in motion to grow Super Evil Megacorp into a top tier independent studio with world class talent that creates unforgettable shared gaming experiences."

Adobe is launching new generative AI tools that can automate labor-intensive production tasks like editing large batches of images and translating video presentations. The most notable is Firefly Bulk Create, an app that allows users to quickly resize up to 10,000 images or replace all of their backgrounds in a single click instead of tediously editing each picture individually.The tool was created by combining several of Adobes Firefly-powered APIs for developers, with the aim of making them more accessible to creatives who lack technical coding experience. Bulk Create is launching in beta today, and split into two separate tools on Adobes Firefly web app: Remove Background and Resize. The first is pretty self-explanatory users can upload image files into the tool from their computer, Dropbox, or Adobe Experience Manager, and quickly remove the backgrounds.It should work on any image, but looks especially useful for product marketers. Alongside just removing the background, users can also set the tool to replace backgrounds with a specific image or color (defined by HEX codes) to get variations of each image that are ready for further editing. The file batches can be saved as either PNG or JPEG for now, with Adobe saying that support for Photoshop PSD files will be added in the future.The background expansion for Resize might work fine for abstract images like this, but the tool seems to struggle with photographs. Image: AdobeThe Resize tool presents a selection of preset options for popular ad banner sizes and platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. It uses generative AI to stretch the backgrounds of images to fit these required dimensions, but the demo I saw wasnt particularly inspiring there was a lot of obvious warping, with one example strangely copying and blurring wine glasses together that were in the foreground. For simple backgrounds, though, it could spare graphic designers from having to manually resize their marketing assets for each platform. While services like Canva and Adobe Express also have tools that make this easier, Bulk Create can do so in a single click.Adobe is making some new developer APIs for Firefly Services generally available in the coming weeks that developers can use to speed up video and print production workflows. Dubbing and Lip Sync can translate and edit lip movement for video audio into 14 different languages, and a new InDesign tool can automatically format text and images for print and digital media using predefined templates. Digital avatars created using text descriptions and voice recordings will also be available in beta this month, which can be used to present videos and product explainers.The power required to edit batches of 10,000 images is presumably expensive. Adobe says there will be a fee to use these new tools based on consumption which likely means users will need to pay for a premium Adobe Firefly plan that provides generative credits that can then be spent on the features.