Which type of RAM should you buy? Here are the differences explained in nerdy detail.

Adobe has unveiled a new Firefly bulk create feature that lets content designers make changes to thousands of images once, automating actions such as resizing assets and replacing backgrounds at scale.Up to 10,000 JPG or PNG images can uploaded to the Firefly Bulk Create tool and accessed via the Firefly browser app. Users can then opt to remove the background for the images, swap in another background image uploaded to the app, or generate a new background using Adobes Firefly AI models. Users can also resize assets for social or display ads.Adobe said it plans to eventually add more options related to recoloring and localization.Automating these steps with Bulk Create could save designers days normally spent making small adjustments to large numbers of files, the company said. The feature, for example, could provide consistent backgrounds for product images on an e-commerce site or headshot photos of speakers at a conference.Currently in beta, Bulk Create will be generally available during the first quarter of the year, Adobe said in ablog postMonday, though a specific launch date wasnt given. Pricing is consumption based and is available to Firefly Services customers; Adobe declined to provide further pricing details.Adobe also announced new Firefly Services APIs. Firefly Services, whichlaunched last year, is a set of more than 20 APIs, tools and services that let developers integrate capabilities from Firefly, Lightroom and Photoshop into custom workflows.Adobe said its Custom Models feature which lets customers fine-tune Firefly to fit their own brand by training Adobes generative AI models on their own assets will be available as a Firefly Services API later this month. Adobes Dubbing and Lip Sync tool, which enables translation of video content into different languages, will also be generally available as a Firefly Services API later this month, and a digital human avatar API built on Adobes text-to-speech AI model is available in beta this month.Finally, an InDesign API will be generally available in February.

New research says that overall smartphone sales rose by 4% year over year in 2024, but the iPhone's share slightly declined as rivals such as Xiaomi grew in popularity.iPhone 16 & iPhone 16 PlusPrevious reports have agreed that iPhone sales are down, although in November 2024 it was claimed that the iPhone 15 was leading sales globally. It may now be significant that it was the iPhone 15 that was doing well, as new figures from Counterpoint Research suggest that the iPhone 16 underperformed. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Calling all architects, landscape architects and interior designers: Architizer's A+Awards allows firms of all sizes to showcase their practice and vie for the title of Worlds Best Architecture Firm. Start an A+Firm Award Application today.Big tech doesnt just dream big it builds big too. And when it comes to their office spaces, these companies are aiming for workplaces that push boundaries and reflect their forward-thinking values, often collaborating with some of the most renowned architects in the world.From campuses that feel like futuristic parks to skyscrapers with views to match their innovation, these offices are not just workplaces; theyre masterful designs that prioritize sustainability, creativity and employee well-being.Whether its Apples glass-ringed sanctuary by Foster + Partners or TikToks sky-high NYC playground designed by Gensler, each workspace tells a story about the companys unique culture, vision and commitment to excellence. Lets take a closer look at seven groundbreaking tech offices redefining what it means to work in style.Apple ParkBy Foster + Partners, Cupertino, CaliforniaApple Park reimagines the workplace as a connection between architecture and nature. At its center, the Ring Building features expansive curved glass panels that offer uninterrupted views of the surrounding park. Innovative void slabs combine structural support with integrated heating and cooling, showcasing clever engineering throughout the design.Natural light floods the interior through eight atria, creating open, collaborative spaces that flow into landscaped courtyards. One standout feature is the restaurant a campus town square, where massive sliding glass walls open entirely, merging indoor and outdoor spaces. Running on 100% renewable energy, the campus is also North Americas largest LEED Platinum-certified office. Apple Park demonstrates how thoughtful architecture can support both sustainability and a functional, inspiring workplace.Spotify At Mateo Campus Los AngelesBy RIOS, Los Angeles, CaliforniaPopular Choice Winner, 11th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Workspace This campus brings together recording studios, editing suites, performance stages and social spaces under one roof. Every element supports the creative process, from focused production to casual collaboration.Spaces like the food hall and coffee bar offer relaxed areas to connect, while thoughtfully chosen materials and local artwork reflect the character of the LA Arts District. Recording and listening rooms are designed with precision, ensuring creators have the tools they need in a welcoming environment.The campus goes beyond being a workplace its a creative space where employees, artists and collaborators come together to push boundaries and bring ideas to life.Amazon HQ2 at Metropolitan ParkBy ZGF Architects, Arlington, VirginiaPopular Choice Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Sustainable Commercial Building Amazons HQ2 campus includes two 22-story towers with green roofs, outdoor meeting areas and operable windows for fresh air. A charcoal terracotta podium nods to the sites history as a brickyard, while passive thermal lobbies and public art create an engaging environment.The project transformed a two-acre underused green space into a public park with gardens, playgrounds and dog areas. It also added over half a mile of protected bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly pathways. Powered by 100% renewable energy, the campus features water recycling systems, bird-friendly glass and energy-efficient systems that exceed industry standards. With retail spaces, local cafes and a daycare on-site, it connects work, sustainability and community in one thoughtful design.Google BorregasBy MGA | MICHAEL GREEN ARCHITECTURE, Sunnyvale, CaliforniaJury Winner and Popular Choice Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +WorkspaceJury Winner, 12th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +Wood Googles first mass timber office building sets a high bar for sustainable and adaptable workplace design. The five-story structure prioritizes health and carbon reduction, using exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam beams to create a warm, natural environment. A four-story atrium with a timber-glass skylight floods the interior with natural light and connects open spaces across levels.Unique features like a faade with climate-responsive wooden blinds and high-performance glass optimize energy use and reduce glare while offering views of the surrounding landscape. Cantilevered floor plates, made with a wood-concrete composite system, create covered outdoor seating and bring light deep into the interior.With flexibility built into its design, the building supports future reconfigurations to meet evolving needs. Google Borregas demonstrates how mass timber and thoughtful engineering can create a workspace that prioritizes well-being and environmental responsibility.TikTokBy Gensler, New York City, New York TikToks New York City headquarters occupy the top five floors of the H&M Tower at 42nd and Broadway, encompassing 150,000 square feet designed to reflect the citys vibrant energy.The 57th floor serves as the main arrival and social area, featuring a signature pink glass and metal staircase that interconnects the floors. Large-format LED screens in the lobby display imagery inspired by New York icons such as pizza, yellow cabs and the Statue of Liberty, bringing the dynamic atmosphere of Times Square into the workspace.The 58th-floor penthouse includes exterior terraces offering 360-degree views of Manhattan. A notable feature is the blackened European oak bleacher seating, positioned to provide dramatic vistas directly into Times Square. Above, a ceiling installation mimics the primary-colored lines of the NYC transit map, paying homage to the citys subway system.Throughout the office, design elements such as LED tubes abstracting the subway map and climbing ropes referencing urban adventures contribute to a workspace that embodies TikToks creative spirit while celebrating its New York City location.Pinterest HQ2By IwamotoScott Architecture, San Francisco, CaliforniaJury Winner, 5th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +StairsJury Winner, 5th Annual A+Awards, Office Interiors (> 25,000 sq ft.) Pinterests new six-story headquarters in San Franciscos SOMA district creates a connected urban campus with their earlier workspaces nearby. The design reflects Pinterests ethos: clean, simple and intuitive with the aim of fuelling creativity. The ground-level lobby doubles as a Privately Owned Public Outdoor Space (POPOS), with glass walls and an operable corner opening to a landscaped alley. Inside, a custom wood ceiling and built-in furniture create a warm threshold between the company and the city.A striking central staircase cascades through the building, linking all floors and encouraging spontaneous interactions. Its porous white steel enclosure allows filtered views across the workspace. Meeting spaces line the stairwell, creating a functional connection between the core, stair and workstations. Daylight streams through large windows on three sides, brightening perimeter workstations and lounges. The thoughtful layout prioritizes collaboration, creativity and a strong relationship between the building and its urban setting.NVIDIA HQ: Voyager BuildingBy Gensler, Santa Clara, California NVIDIAs Voyager building in Santa Clara, California, is a 750,000-square-foot workspace designed to connect employees with nature. Its undulating roof, featuring numerous triangular skylights, floods the interior with natural light, creating an open and airy environment.Inside, a central mountain structure serves as a focal point, with communal areas at its base and adaptable spaces ascending upward. This design encourages exploration and collaboration among employees.The building incorporates sustainable features, including a trellis lined with solar panels producing approximately 50,000 watts of power and efficient water use strategies that contribute to a 66% savings in outdoor potable water demand. By integrating biophilic design elements and flexible workspaces, Voyager fosters a healthy and inspiring environment for innovation.Calling all architects, landscape architects and interior designers: Architizer's A+Awards allows firms of all sizes to showcase their practice and vie for the title of Worlds Best Architecture Firm. Start an A+Firm Award Application today.The post By Arch Giants for Tech Giants: Inside 7 Groundbreaking Big Tech Office Spaces appeared first on Journal.

To say that rumors have been swirling about the Nintendo Switchs successor would be an understatement. They range from images of Joycons and reports of an event in May to an accessory manufacturer with a mock-up for the console at CES 2025 based on leaks. For every leak that could be legitimate, dozens arent.Outside ofnoting that the recent mock-up isnt official, Nintendo has been fairly mum about everything. However, Kit Ellis, who co-hosted Nintendo Minute and formerly served as director of social media marketing and original content at Nintendo of America, provided some insight.In a new Patreon video (transcription by GamesRadar), Ellis discussed the companys focus on long-term plans. Something that we always try to impart is Nintendos value of the long-term plan, rather than a short-term opportunity, and them changing their date to announce the Switch [2] now, thats reacting to a short-term thing that is happeningA good question is, Is whats happening now going to hurt the next seven years of the Switch 2, or however many years that generation lasts? And I think if you look at it, no, its probably not.Its not a great time for them now. Its an uncomfortable time for them now. They dont like whats happening, but once they announce this and show games, theyre off to the races. Theyre sharing their informationA lot of this will be in the rear-view mirror. Ellis also noted that no games for the console have leaked, which is likely the most important thing. That is, if you ignore rumors of Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Final Fantasy 7 Remake/Rebirth coming to the console.Regardless of when it could launch, Nintendo affirmed twice that the Switchs successor will be revealed by March 31st, 2025. As always, stay tuned for updates.

Decentralized social network Mastodon has announced plans to transfer its ownership to a new non-profit entity. Ownership of Mastodon will move away from the control of CEO Eugen Rochko, in contrast to the power exerted by other social media CEOs like Meta co-founder Mark Zuckerberg and X owner Elon Musk.Simply, we are going to transfer ownership of key Mastodon ecosystem and platform components to a new non-profit organization, Mastodon says in a blog post, affirming the intent that Mastodon should not be owned or controlled by a single individual.Rochko, who founded Mastodon in 2016, will take on a new role with a focus on product strategy while ownership moves to a new not-for-profit entity based somewhere in Europe, with the exact location still to be finalized. The organization is currently headquartered in Germany, where it was a non-profit until its charitable status was stripped last year. This move is a way of restoring Rochkos original intent for Mastodon.When founder Eugen Rochko started working on Mastodon, his focus was on creating the code and conditions for the kind of social media he envisioned, Mastodon says. The legal setup was a means to an end, a quick fix to allow him to continue operations. From the start, he declared that Mastodon would not be for sale and would be free of the control of a single wealthy individual, and he could ensure that because he was the person in control, the only ultimate decision-maker.In the short-term, nothing should change for users. Mastodon will continue to host the mastodon.social and mastodon.online servers and support its federated network. Routine code development and bug fixes are ongoing, though the announcement adds that, changes are definitely in the pipeline.Our core mission remains the same: to create the tools and digital spaces where people can build authentic, constructive online communities free from ads, data exploitation, manipulative algorithms or corporate monopolies, Mastodon says.Mastodons announcement comes at a time when the WordPress open-source project and its cofounder have been embroiled in a months-long legal feud, and Metas Zuckerberg has made headlines for stripping back Facebook and Instagrams fact-checking and content moderation before lying about it to Joe Rogan.

A new patent filed by Sony has detailed how the company may plan to cut down on latency in future hardware by using an AI model aided by additional sensors.Sony introduced its first official upscaler, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), with the PlayStation 5 Pro. While the upscaler can upscale smaller resolutions to 4K, newer graphics technology such as frame generation can come at the cost of additional latency. This means that while you are getting additional frames, your games may not feel quite as responsive as a result. GPU manufacturers AMD and Nvidia have sought to resolve this through Radeon Anti-Lag and Nvidia Reflex respectively, and now it appears Sony may develop a solution of its own.This new Sony patent could be a game-changer for PlayStation. Image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment.First spotted by Tech4gamers, the Sony patent WO2025010132, titled TIMED INPUT/ACTION RELEASE, is designed to tackle and streamline the timed release of user commands via predicting what button youre going to press next. Sonys rationale for the filing reads: there can be latency between the user's input action and the system's subsequent processing and execution of the command. This in turn results in delayed execution of the command and unintended consequences in the game itself.The solution is described as having several parts running in conjunction: a machine-learning AI model designed to predict what input you are going to receive next, and an external sensor, with the example of a camera pointed at your controller to determine which input you are getting ready to press. In one particular example, the method may include providing camera input as an input to a machine learning (ML) model, the patent reads. The camera input may indicate the first user command.Another potential use includes the sensor being a controller button itself. Considering that Sony has been a champion for analog buttons in the past, the company may use them in a next-generation controller.While the technology as described in the patent might not make its way exactly as described in the PlayStation 6 (filings like these hardly ever do), it clearly shows that the company is looking to adopt similar technologies to cut down on latency without games feeling less responsive, especially considering the popularity of rendering tech like FSR 3 and DLSS 3, which add additional frame latency on whatever system they run on.This will most likely benefit real-world scenarios like twitch shooters, which require both high framerates and low latency. But, whether or not this patent gets used in future hardware remains to be seen.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

The upcoming change in the presidency has seen a number of companies make changes to long-standing policies, in fields spanning content moderation to DEI policies.As we reported on Friday, however, Apple is holding firm on its own Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) policies, urging shareholders to reject a resolution to abandon them Apples DEI policiesApple takes a holistic view of DEI, with just a few examples highlighted below.Accessibility in product designOur focus on inclusive design remains a priority and were working to be even more inclusive. Jerremy Holland, Joshua Cohen of Apple University, and Denise Hui of AIML created the Inclusive Products Initiative an internal knowledge-sharing website and network for anyone at Apple interested in inclusive product design. As part of this initiative, the Inclusion & Diversity team developed a workflow that lets product design teams connect with Diversity Network Associations (DNAs) to review their work.Access to customer serviceSignTime helps deaf and hard-of-hearing people communicate with AppleCare and Retail Customer Care in their web browsers using American Sign Language (ASL) in the United States and Canada, British Sign Language (BSL) in the United Kingdom, and French Sign Language (LSF) in France. In 2023, the service launched in Australia, Japan (where it is known as HandTime), Germany (where it is known as SignChat), Spain, Italy, and Korea. In addition to in-person interpreters, customers visiting AppleStore locations can use SignTime to access a sign language interpreter remotely without booking ahead oftime.RecruitmentFor years, Apple employees all over the world have found community through our Diversity Network Associations (DNAs). These member-led groups are designed to inspire a culture of belonging that helps their colleagues feel supported, connected, and empowered [] Brian Rekasis of Global Recruiting Marketing has also seen the benefits of the website. Our Careers at Apple site is one of the first ways candidates get a sense of Apples culture and values, and our DNAs are a huge part of that, he says.Supply chainOur work to make Apple more inclusive extends to the businesses we work with. The Supplier Diversity Program partners with nearly every team within Apple and is dedicated to working with suppliers from historically underrepresented communities to create a more equitable world.EducationOne way weve expanded opportunities is by bringing the Apple Developer Academy to downtown Detroit its first U.S. location through a partnership with Michigan State University (MSU). The academy reaches nearly 750 participants from the Detroit metropolitan area every year, with both short-term and long-term programs that teach the fundamentals of coding, design, project management, marketing, and iOS app development. The Developer Academy is also committed to helping public high school seniors continue their education by providing them with stipends to attend theacademy.EntertainmentAs part of our efforts, we collaborate with creators from around the world, including womens rights activist and youngest Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, and award-winning storytellers Alfonso Cuarn, Maya Rudolph, and NataliePortman. We do this because we firmly believe that Apple TV+ is a destination to explore the full spectrum of the human experience. And because we believe in the power of entertainment to bring us closer together, while also helping us gain a better understanding of each other, ourselves, and the world aroundus.A resolution filed by the National Center for Public Policy Research claims that Apples DEI policies put the company at risk of discrimination lawsuits.DEI poses litigation, reputational and financial risks to companies, and therefore financial risks to their shareholders, and therefore further risks to companies for not abiding by their fiduciary duties [] Shareholders request that the Company consider abolishing its Inclusion & Diversity program, policies, department and goals.Apple disagrees, pointing out that its policies represent the opposite of discrimination.Apple is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training, or business strategies. Apple is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in recruiting, hiring, training, or promoting [and our] approach reflects careful determinations regarding our legal compliance and business practices that require complex analysis, extensive knowledge and understanding of the employment and other laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions, and analysis, extensive knowledge and understanding of the employment and other laws and regulations in multiple jurisdictions, and judgments as to the appropriate policies, programs, and means of implementation.In other words, we know a lot more about this stuff than you do.DEI is often misunderstood or misrepresentedOne of the challenges with DEI policies especially in the area of recruitment is that it is very commonly misunderstood, or deliberately misrepresented.One of the most common myths is that it means employing unqualified candidates, or rejecting better-qualified majority candidates over less-qualified minority ones. Neither is true.Apple makes it clear that it seeks to hire the best candidates from its recruitment and employment pools. What DEI policies are designed to ensure is that those pools are are large as possible. Without active DEI policies, then historic barriers to minorities will continue to reduce the size of them, and Apple will be missing out on the opportunity to recruit the most able people.The same is true when it comes to promotion. Apple promotes the best employees, but it wants to ensure that the pool of those seeking promotion includes all of those qualified for the roles.For example, when statistics reveal that certain ethnic minorities dont have access to the same educational opportunities as others, then Apple initiatives like its developer academies can ensure that they have the same chance to learn and to prove themselves as everyone else. That increases the number of qualified candidates available to Apple.Similarly, when HR monitoring shows that fewer qualified women put themselves forward for promotion opportunities, then internal programs to boost self-confidence can make sure that Apple is actually able to promote the best people.DEI policies make moneyThere are those who dont fall for the DEI myths, but still think that Apple should just make hard-nosed decisions to make as much money as possible.Leaving aside that Apple doesnt think like this and CEO Tim Cook has told people with that attitude to get out of this stock there is plenty of evidence that DEI policies are profitable. For example, a large-scale McKinsey study showed that the most diverse companies are also the most profitable, and concluded that this is not coincidence.This report shows not only that the business case remains robust, but also that the relationship between diversity on executive teams and the likelihood of financial outperformance is now even stronger than before. These findings are underpinned by our largest data set to date, encompassing 15 countries and more than 1,000 large companies []Our 2019 analysis finds that companies in the top quartile of gender diversity on executive teams were 25 percent more likely to experience above-average profitability than peer companies in the fourth quartile. This is up from 21 percent in 2017 and 15 percent in 2014 []In the case of ethnic and cultural diversity, the findings are equally compelling. We found that companies in the top quartile outperformed those in the fourth by 36 percent in terms of profitability in 2019, slightly up from 33 percent in 2017 and 35 percent in 2014. And, as we have previously found, there continues to be a higher likelihood of outperformance difference with ethnicity than with gender.A Boston Consulting Group study found that diversity was especially important when it comes to innovation.Companies that reported above-average diversity on their management teams also reported innovation revenue that was 19 percentage points higher than that of companies with below-average leadership diversity.None of this should be surprising. Global companies have incredibly diverse markets, and the more your workforce reflects this fact, the better able youll be to come up with products which appeal to the broadest possible demographics, and ensure they are accessible to the greatest number of people.Apple has always said that you do what you think is right, and the money will follow. Given that the shareholder resolution says that Apples DEI policies go further than anyone elses, and its the most profitable company in the world, you might imagine they would be able to do the math.Photo byHeadwayonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? 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Pouring money into a strategy can be more of a problem than a solution, especially when companies explore new technology.

We are looking for a creative and talented graphic designer or illustrator to work with us on various design projects at Picoworker.io. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for detail, a passion for visual storytelling, and a solid understanding of design principles.What Were Looking ForProven experience in graphic design or illustration.Creativity and an ability to deliver designs that align with our brand and audience.A proactive approach to collaboration and communication.Next Steps:Application Submission: Submit your portfolio and a brief introduction explaining your experience and why youre interested in this role.Shortlisting: We will review all applications and shortlist candidates based on their portfolio and alignment with our requirements.Test Task: Shortlisted candidates will be provided with a test task. The task will involve redesigning specific visuals on our homepage to showcase your skills and creativity.Task Review: Once the test task is submitted, our team will review your work.Selection: The candidate whose work best aligns with our vision will be offered the role.After selection, the designer will work on additional design projects for our platform, collaborating with our team to improve the overall user experience and brand visuals. Related Jobs See more Design jobs