California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order that includes two major stipulations aimed at rebuilding homes in Los Angeles County in the wake of the unprecedented fires that continue to damage homes and structures across the region.The order clears the way for expedited construction delivery by eliminating all California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review requirements for buildersin addition to those included in the California Coastal Actas they are so constituted at present.The language of the order also calls for various state and local agencies to direct the streamlining or elimination of other building codes and requirements at their discretion. Protections against the price gouging of building materials have likewise been extended until January 7th, 2026. The most current estimates say that 10,000 or more structureshave been lost to the blazes since last Tuesday.Here are some more of the latest updates on the ongoing fire and recovery efforts in LA...

While there have been no shortage of rumours surrounding the highly-anticipated follow-up to the Nintendo Switch, a new rumour indicates that the company might be getting ready to unveil the Switch 2 earlier than originally expected.According to podcast Nate the Hate, which has proven reliable for leaks from the gaming industry in the past, Nintendo is getting ready to unveil the Switch 2 to the world in an event that is scheduled for January 16.The podcast, hosted by the eponymous Nate, and co-hosted by Modern Vintage Gamer, talk about a number of Nintendo-related topics, including the future of the original Switch, as well as rumours about the Switch 2.I can share with right now you that Nintendo Switch 2 will be revealed in the coming week, said Nate on the podcast. I have been told the Switch 2 will be revealed on Thursday, January 16.I have heard some details about what will be in the reveal, continued Nate. I consider these details incomplete because it just doesnt make sense to me, but maybe it will make more sense after the reveal.Nate goes on to talk about some of the details about the Switch 2s reveal, including the fact that there might not be any games showcased. Rather, Nintendo will apparently focus purely on the new consoles hardware.What Ive heard is that the reveal itself is going to focus almost exclusively on the console itself, said Nate. There is not going to be any presence of games. There could be a game shown running on the screen, depending on how the trailer is put together, but software is not going to be a focus.If this trailer, lets say, is absent of any games, maybe dont be too surprised about it, concludes Nate.Nintendo itself has been largely quiet about when it plans on unveiling and launching the Nintendo Switch 2, and rumours have indicated that we wouldnt get to see the console until April or May. More recently, however, a former social media director from Nintendo of America, Kit Ellis, discussed some of the companys long-term plans.Ellis didnt have any details about Nintendos plans, aside from the fact that the company usually has plans for the long-term rather than short-term reactions. They did, however, mention that it is currently an uncomfortable time for Nintendo, as the company bides its time to release its new console and games.The most recent host of leaks and rumours came about during CES 2025, where an unauthorised accessory maker, Genki, claimed to have hardware of the Switch 2. Since then, however, the company has backtracked on this, and Nintendo itself pointed out that the mock-up was not official.Other leaks, however, have indicated that the Switch 2 will need a new charger for its dock, as well as the fact that the console will make use of its own neural engine for an AI-based image upscaler in the vein of Nvidias DLSS technology. Analysts are predicting that the console will be a huge hit for Nintendo, claiming that it will sell more than 4 million units in its first year in the US alone.

A pink man looking into a bar at the Vermillion Clubin Boston Annielly Camargo / Downtown Boston AllianceGiant inflatable pink men are taking over downtown Boston. Last week, residents discovered several of the cartoonish blow-up figures around town.One is climbing a tree. Another is waving from a rooftop. One pink man appears to be stuck between two buildings, while another is peeking into a large window.Theyre all part of an immersive outdoor art exhibition called Winteractive, which is inspired by the vibrant winter festivals and art exhibitions of our neighbors in the province of Qubec in Canada, per the shows website. It will be on view through the end of March. A pink man climbing a tree in Boston's Post Office Square Annielly Camargo / Downtown Boston AllianceThe sculptures are part of a series called Monsieur Rose (or Mr. Pink). The project was developed by Philippe Katerine, a French artist, actor and singer.Made of steel cable, PVC and blowers, the sculptures stem from an artistic movement known as Mignonisme, which Katerine founded to promote the aesthetics of cuteness.It is the darkest, drabbest time of year in Boston, Michael Nichols, president of the Downtown Boston Alliance, which is organizing Winteractive, tellsCBS Bostons Neal Riley. Its gray just cold and bitter. And pops of pink color, bubblegum pink dotting the downtown is changing people's day.Monsieur Rose has appeared inParis,Stockholm,Montreal andQuebec City. Now, the pink men have made their way to Boston for Winteractive along with several other artworks.Officials are still installing many of them, with 15 pieces planned in total, perWCVB-TVs Phil Tenser. But at least one other work has already been unveiled: Created by Canadian artist Brandon Vickerd, Alouette features a replica of a 1962 Canadian satellite that appears to have crashed down on the hood of a car, reportsWHDHs Stephen Quinn.Its partially like a throwback to the age of space exploration when technology held this great promise of a modernist future where everything was going to be better, but in a lot of ways it exists like a modern Icarus, Vickerd tells WHDH. That idea of hubris and flying too close to the sun, and then falling back to earthbut its also a bit of a joke, right?This is the second year of Winteractive. The buzziest piece unveiled for last years show consisted of two large inflatable clown heads squished between two buildings. Called Endgame (Nagg & Nell), the installation was created One of the pink men waving to passersby below Annielly Camargo / Downtown Boston AllianceOther works that dotted the streets of Boston in 2024 included Myth and Evidence, a sculpture of a unicorn enclosed in a frosted glass display by artist Mathieu Valade; a colorful mural called Blissful Rendezvous painted by Kezna Dalz; and a series of untitled figures created by Mark Jenkins, including a figure who appeared to be fishing from the top of Macys.The exhibition was such a success that officials decided to bring it back this year, with another round of head-turning pieces.Im really excited to see these around downtown, says AJ Longabaugh, an employee at a gym near one of the Mr. Pink figures, to theBoston Globes Marianna Orozco. Its allowing people to look up.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Art, Artists, Arts, Boston, Cities, Exhibitions, Exhibits, Installations, Sculpture

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FuturLab drops VR support for PowerWash Sim | News-in-briefCEO says decision was made to provide "job security for my team"Image credit: FuturLab News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 13, 2025 This is a News-in-brief article, our short format linking to an official source for more information. Read more about this story by following the link below:FuturLab drops VR support for PowerWash Sim

Justin Carter, Contributing EditorJanuary 13, 20252 Min ReadImage via FuturLab.At a GlanceFuturLab CEO Kirsty Rigden says the studio is ending Powerwash VR support to provide job security to its 'excellent' VR team.Powerwash Simulator VR will no longer be supported by FuturLab, said CEO Kirsty Rigden.In a statement, she said the studio is unable to continuing working on the port, which released in 2023 for Meta Quest 2 and 3. Both the base port and current DLC will still be purchasable and playable, and players' saves have been designated "safe." But future DLC for the port is not in the cards.Rigden explained VR as a platform "costs us more than it makes," and said FuturLab was at a "crossroads." She opted to move its "truly excellent and kind VR team" onto other projects or vacant roles rather than to keep backing Powerwash VR. She also insisted the studio "absolutely loves and believes in VR," but candidly stated FuturLab can't continue backing that particular title at this point in time."I would love to live in a world where we could support Powerwash on every platform going, [but] I will always choose job support for my team," Rigden continued. "While I know you must be so disappointed, I also know that if you were in my position, you would have made the same decision."Can't wash away the VR bluesThe VR market, like the rest of the video game industry, has been battered by economic headwinds driving layoffs and studio closures.Last October, Mojang revealed it was dropping support for Minecraft's VR port on devices like the Oculus Rift or PlayStation VR. Throughout 2024, numerous VR developers like Archiact, XR Games, and Ready at Dawn either closed down or were preparing to lay off staff. Microsoft also discontinued production for its own mixed reality device, the Hololens 2, with no follow-up seemingly planned.Last fall, Meta discontinued production of the Quest Pro, Quest 2, and 128 GB Quest 3 to prioritize the then-new Quest 3S. As of last week, remaining supply for the prior three headsets appears to have completely run out.In a survey from last year, 56 percent of developers felt the VR game market was in active stagnation or decline. Of those asked, 53 percent of non-VR developers believed their studio would likely never touch the technology within the next five years.About the AuthorJustin CarterContributing Editor, GameDeveloper.comA Kansas City, MO native, Justin Carter has written for numerous sites including IGN, Polygon, and SyFy Wire. In addition to Game Developer, his writing can be found at io9 over on Gizmodo. Don't ask him about how much gum he's had, because the answer will be more than he's willing to admit.See more from Justin CarterDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

eBay has signed a definitive agreement to buy online automotive transaction platform provider Caramel to help make buying and selling vehicles on the auction site more simple than ever.Caramel has a site and app that helps private parties and independent dealers sell cars by handling the paperwork, ownership transfer, financing, shipping, insurance, and more. The company has several marketplace and auction partners as well.Although eBay has hosted listings for used car sales and auctions on the site for years, it currently leaves it to the dealer to process payment and complete any paperwork. Fees such as titling charges are also handled through the seller, and youd have to negotiateLast month, online retail giant Amazon started its own Autos website for people to buy new vehicles from dealers (only Hyundai models to start). However, Amazon advertises that you can complete the transaction (including a vehicle trade-in) to completion and only need to pick up the car at the dealership.How eBays process will look is still to be determined. eBay says its agreement with Caramel was signed on January 11th, and the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of this year.

There is a new Humble Bundle of interest to game developers, the Make Your Own Games in Unreal Engine 5 with GameDevTV bundle. This is a collection of courses teaching Unreal Engine 5 development, both using Blueprints and C++.The bundle consists of the following tiers:1$ TierUnreal 5: Master Enhanced Input with C++ & Blueprints CourseUnreal Engine Cinematic Creator CourseMedian TierUnreal Engine 5 Environment Design CourseC++ Fundamentals Course\25$ TierUnreal 5.0 C++ Developer CourseUnreal Engine 5: Build a Complete Survival Game with Blueprint CourseUnreal Engine 5 C++: Make Your Own Action Combat Game CourseUnreal Engine 2D: Make Your Own Epic 2D Games Using C++ CourseUnreal Engine 5 Blueprints First Person Shooter (FPS) CourseUnreal Engine Blueprint Game Developer CourseUnreal Engine 5 C++ Multiplayer: Make Your Own Co-Op GameUnreal Engine 5: Action Adventure Game Development CourseUnreal Material PackFPS Music Asset PackYou can learn more about the Make Your Own Games in Unreal Engine 5 with GameDevTV bundle in the video below. Links on this page pay GFS a commission if used (and thanks so much if you do!). If you have issues opening the link it is probably conflicting with uBlock and pasting it into a new tab should fix it. Humble are aware of this issue and are working on a fix.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in various fields, including healthcare, finance, and education. However, its adoption is not without challenges. Concerns about data privacy, biases in algorithms, and potential job displacement have raised valid questions about its societal impact. Additionally, the black box nature of many AI systems makes it difficult to understand their decision-making processes, leading to issues of trust and accountability. Addressing these concerns is essential to ensure AI is used responsibly and equitably.Understanding Artificial IntelligenceAI refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are designed to think, learn, and adapt. It enables systems to perform tasks such as reasoning, problem-solving, and understanding natural languagetasks traditionally requiring human intervention.AI can be broadly classified into three types:Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI): Focused on specific tasks, such as recommendation systems, virtual assistants, and facial recognition.Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): A theoretical concept of AI that matches human intelligence and versatility.Artificial Superintelligence (ASI): A speculative future stage where AI surpasses human intelligence, raising both potential benefits and risks.Source: https://metaphorltd.com/types-of-artificial-intelligence-ani-vs-agi-vs-asi/AI encompasses several subfields, including:Machine Learning (ML): Algorithms that learn from data to improve their performance over time.Natural Language Processing (NLP): Techniques for processing and understanding human language.Computer Vision: Systems that analyze and interpret visual data.Robotics: Machines capable of performing complex tasks autonomously.Source: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/artificial-intelligenceTechnical Details and BenefitsAI systems rely on computational models inspired by neural networks in the human brain. Techniques like supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning allow machines to analyze large datasets, recognize patterns, and make decisions.Key Benefits of AI:Increased Efficiency: Automation of repetitive tasks frees up time for more strategic work.Better Decision-Making: Data-driven insights enhance planning and outcomes.Improved Customer Experience: Personalized services and chatbots provide more engaging interactions.Advancements in Healthcare: AI aids in early diagnosis and customized treatments.Economic Opportunities: AI drives innovation and fosters new industries.InsightsAIs transformative potential is evident in numerous applications:Healthcare: Tools like IBM Watson support physicians in diagnosing diseases, with studies projecting AI could save the healthcare industry billions annually by improving efficiency and outcomes.Finance: AI systems detect fraudulent transactions in real-time, as seen in Mastercards fraud detection platform.Retail: Amazons recommendation engine, powered by AI, contributes significantly to its revenue by enhancing the shopping experience.Ethical considerations are central to AIs continued growth. Efforts by organizations like Google and IBM focus on transparency, fairness, and accountability. For example, Googles AI principles emphasize the importance of mitigating biases in AI systems. Learn more about Googles AI practices.ConclusionArtificial Intelligence represents a significant technological shift, influencing how we live and work. Its potential is vast, but so are its challenges. Addressing ethical concerns, improving transparency, and fostering collaboration between technologists and policymakers will be crucial for harnessing AIs benefits responsibly. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our65k+ ML SubReddit. Sana Hassan+ postsSana Hassan, a consulting intern at Marktechpost and dual-degree student at IIT Madras, is passionate about applying technology and AI to address real-world challenges. With a keen interest in solving practical problems, he brings a fresh perspective to the intersection of AI and real-life solutions. Meet 'Height':The only autonomous project management tool (Sponsored)

Marvel Rivals fans just spent their first weekend with new playable characters Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman, but some are having trouble taking Reed Richards as seriously as the other heroes.The stretchy scientist made his debut with the launch of Season 1 on Friday, January 10, bringing his elastic skills to the battlefield as one of Marvel rivals' first post-launch heroes. His powers as a Duelist allow him to take long swings at one or multiple enemies at a time, while also giving him the option to expand his body and take on more of a tank role. Players are still piecing together how to best use Mister Fantastic against the rest of the roster, but until then, most people just cant get over how goofy he can be.A character who can contort his body into strange shapes carries a lot of meme potential. You might have already seen some of the many comparisons to One Piece protagonist Monkey D. Luffy, for example, thanks to Mister Fantastics Elastic Strength ability. Its a bit thats already gained enough traction for the modding community to create a One Piece custom skin despite NetEase cracking down on modding recently. Turning into a rubber bodybuilder is funny on its own, though some fans, including X/Twitter user @BOOMERANG_117, tapped into their creative side by imagining Marvel Rivals Reed Richards without his new beard.It's all slightly unsettling, but few of the character's elements have attracted jokes like his Reflexive Rubber ability. Its a useful tool that can be used to turn an enemys damage against them, and it also happens to look almost too silly in motion. Using the move sees Mister Fantastic grow to the size of a refrigerator, so you can imagine what walking around like that might look like."Ngl I think Mr. Fantastic's design encapsulates everything great about this game," one Reddit user said. "He's stupid and silly and cheesy and the game just lets him be that and is better for it."While well have to wait and see if Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman will stick around as favorites for Marvel Rivals fans, but the two have at least made quite the impression in their first weekend. As Season 1 rolls on, players can expect to latch on to the remaining Fantastic 4 cast when The Thing and Human Torch are added as playable characters in the second half of the season. When the rest of the team eventually arrives, we can only hope they'll make just as much of an entrance.In the meantime, check out the Marvel Rivals Season 1 patch notes, and official stats that reveal Marvel Rivals' pick and win rates in Quickplay and Competitive modes for Season 0. And keep an eye on the latest Marvel Rivals codes for free skins, and vote on the strongest Marvel Rivals characters in our community tier list.Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He started writing in the industry in 2017 and is best known for his work at outlets such as The Pitch, The Escapist, OnlySP, and Gameranx.Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @MikeCripe.