Nintendo under fire once again for omitting original devs from remaster creditsRetro Studios once again excluded from credits, this time from Donkey Kong Country Returns HDImage credit: Nintendo News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on Jan. 15, 2025 Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remaster is under fire for omitting the original development team from its credits.As reported by Nintendo Life, the remaster - handled by Forever Entertainment - only acknowledges the original developers of the 2010 Wii game with a statement saying the game was "based on the work of the original development staff."This is the second time Retro Studios has been omitted from the credits of a remaster; in 2023, Metroid Prime Remastered was also criticised for leaving Retro Studios off its credits list.At the time, original technical lead engineer Jack Mathews called it a "tragedy," adding: "When my son plays Metroid Prime on the Switch for the first time, the fact that he won't see [my] and my colleagues' names in the credits as the original creators is a punch in the gut."Nintendo has also been challenged for previously excluding contractors and translators from its credit rolls, too.Nintendo has yet to respond publicly to requests for comment.

George Jijiashvili, Senior Principal Analyst, GamesJanuary 15, 20254 Min ReadAt a GlanceFlat app download figures strongly indicate that Meta is not significantly expanding the Quest's audience.Omdia analysis of Sensor Tower data reveals that the Meta Quest mobile companion app downloads fell on Christmas Day 2024 by 27% compared to 2023, despite the launch of the Meta Quest 3S in October. Priced from $300, the Quest 3S is a follow-up to the highly successful Quest 2. There was a palpable hope within the industry that it would reinvigorate VR hardware sales thanks to its attractive price (starting from $300), bundling the new Batman: Arkham Shadow game, and its enhanced passthrough mixed reality features.Figure 1: Meta Quest mobile app downloads over the past six yearsTotal 2024 app downloads grew slightly to 7.8 million, but this is still well below 2022s record of 10.3 million (see Figure 1). Decembers total downloads were down by 21% year-on-year. Even with an attractively priced bundle and good awareness for the brand, the Quest 3S struggled to attract new consumers, signaling broader challenges in the VR market (see: Reality check for VR: Omdia forecasts decline as Apples entry fails to galvanize market).While not an exact representation of Quest headset sales, Meta Quest app download figures serve as a good barometer, given the mobile app must be downloaded as part of the initial setup of the headset. Sensor Tower does not count re-downloads, app updates, or subsequent downloads on new or additional devices for an existing iOS/Google Play account.Factors like second-hand sales, upgrades, headset sharing, and non-owners downloading the app to explore the app store muddy the data. Nevertheless, the flat app download figures strongly indicate that Meta is not significantly expanding the Quest's audience beyond its existing user base. This aligns with other indicative data, such as sales figures on Amazon product pages and VR headset components channel data, which similarly point to a plateauing market. Metas growing focus on smart glasses signals a shift in strategy, as the company explores alternative form factors that may better appeal to the mass market than VR.Indicative Amazon data suggests Meta Quest sales underperformed during Black Friday monthAccording to data from Amazon product pages, over 160,000 Quest headsets were sold in November 2024 across eight countries down by 16% compared to 2023 (see Figure 2). The Quest 3S accounted for 66% of sales, with the Quest 3 making up the remainder. November typically marks the peak VR sales due to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, during which Meta offered substantial discounts on both Quest 3 and Quest 3S models in all markets. The US site represented 73% of total sales, providing a good indication of the global picture.Quest 3S struggled to attract new VR users or serve as a compelling upgrade for Quest 2 owners, as its improvements were viewed as incremental. Internally, the Quest 3S is very similar to the Quest 2 and retains its bulkiness, largely due to the ongoing use of Fresnel lenses. A recurring criticism from reviewers and users has been its inferior comfort compared to the Quest 3which likely stems from Metas cost-cutting measures. Further hindering Quest 3S appeal is the limited AR content fully leveraging its improved hardware, as well as the compatibility of most Quest Store content with the Quest 2. These factors, combined with VRs continued inability to appeal to a broader audience beyond existing enthusiasts, dampened demand during the holiday season.Figure 2: Quest headset sales on Amazon declined 16% YoY during the Black Friday sales monthThe Meta Quest iPhone app's recurring appearance in the top 200 free app rankings during the holiday season aligns with the seasonal trend of headset sales, particularly around Christmas when these devices are popular gifts. This pattern also underscores the dominance of the US, Canada, and UK as key markets, where the app reliably breaks into the top 10 and often briefly reaches the number 1 spot on the Christmas Day. In stark contrast, the other three countriesGermany, France, and Australiahover much further down the rankings, never coming close to the top 10 and barely breaking into the top 50, highlighting a significant gap in market engagement (see Figure 3).Figure 3: iPhone App Store ranking data underlines Meta Quest headsets seasonality and prominence in the USAlthough the surge in popularity and peak concurrent users engaging in VR games during the holiday period signals some positive interest, the larger issues surrounding the VR category persist. According to Omdias Consumer VR Headset and Content Revenue Forecast, headset sales fell by 10% in 2024 to 6.9 million units, while those in active use fell by 8% to 21.9 million. Engagement throughout the year is inconsistent, posing a significant hurdle to Meta's ambition of cultivating a self-sustaining VR ecosystem. Limited compelling new content, developers questioning the ROI of VR projects, and a lack of broader consumer interest are the fundamental challenges that will be difficult to overcome, as long as VR headsets remain in their current form.Read more about:[Company] MetaOmdia | Game Industry AnalysisAbout the AuthorGeorge JijiashviliSenior Principal Analyst, Games, OmdiaGeorge is a regular contributor to Game Developer and a principal analyst at Omdia, leading research into games and AR/VR markets. Based in London, he produces insights into the games sector through regular reports, market sizing and forecasting. His specialisms include the video games market, cloud gaming, and wearable technology. He previously worked at CCS Insight.See more from George JijiashviliDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

If youre looking for a cheaper alternative to the new Kindle Scribe, weve got good news: the first-gen model is on sale for a couple hundred dollars less than the second-gen model. Normally $349.99 in new condition, Amazon is currently selling it with in refurbished configuration with 16GB of storage, a Basic Pen, and a one-year warranty for just $233.99 as a part of a limited-time lightning deal. You can also buy it at Amazon with 32GB of storage for $259.99.RelatedBoth of Amazons note-taking ebook readers sport a spacious 10.2-inch 300 ppi display and an adjustable warm light, though the latest Scribe builds upon the original with thinner bezels, a textured display, and a soft-tipped Premium Pen. The most significant changes come in the form of software features, which are available on the first-gen model via a free download. That means no matter which e-reader you buy, you can finally write notes directly on pages. Youll also be able to take advantage of various AI features, including AI-generated summaries and a tool that lets you refine your handwriting. The only difference is that the new Scribe comes with these features baked in.Read our original Kindle Scribe review.Kindle Scribe 2022 (refurbished)$234$31025% off$234$234$31025% offThe last-gen Kindle Scribe offers a crisp 10.2-inch display, terrific battery life, and a stylus for note-taking.Three more midweek discountsThe Beats Powerbeats Pro are down to $99.99 (half off) at Best Buy, which is their lowest price to date. The wireless earbuds are still exceptionally comfortable despite their age, with over-ear hooks that keep them securely in place during intense workouts. They also continue to deliver good sound, pair well with Apple devices, and last up to nine hours on a single charge, though youll still need a Lightning cable to charge them. Read our review.AmazonandBest Buy are selling theApple Pencil Pro foriPad Pro,iPad Air, and iPad Mini; however, unlike theApple Pencil (USB-C), the Pro model features Find My support so you can quickly locate it. It also comes with extra creative capabilities, including pressure sensitivity, double-tap tool switching, and a barrel roll feature that lets you twist your digital brushs orientation by turning the stylus as you paint.You can pick up the Chipolo One Point at Amazon for $22 ($5 off), an all-time low. The puck-shaped Bluetooth tracker is perfect for keeping tabs on various items, whether it be a set of keys or a pet collar. The keyring tracker also features a user-replaceable battery, IPX5 water resistance, and support for Androids Fast Pair feature, though keep in mind it only supports Googles Find My platform, not Apples.

The growth of data in the digital age presents both opportunities and challenges. An immense volume of text, images, audio, and video is generated daily across platforms. Traditional machine learning models, while effective in many scenarios, often struggle to process high-dimensional and unstructured data without extensive preprocessing and feature engineering. This approach is not only time-consuming but can also miss subtle patterns in the data. These limitations are particularly significant in fields like medical imaging, autonomous driving, and natural language processing, where understanding complex patterns is essential. This gap has led to the evolution of deep learning models, designed to learn directly from raw data.What is Deep Learning?Deep learning, a subset of machine learning, is inspired by the structure and functioning of the human brain. It employs artificial neural networks with multiple layershence the term deepto model intricate patterns in data. Unlike traditional machine learning, which relies heavily on manual feature extraction, deep learning models learn hierarchical representations on their own. Each layer in a neural network extracts progressively abstract features from the data, enabling these models to understand and process complex patterns. As noted by IBM, deep learning excels in handling unstructured data, making it valuable for tasks like image recognition, speech synthesis, and language translation.Technical Details and BenefitsDeep learning relies on artificial neural networks composed of layers of interconnected nodes. Notable architectures include:Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs): Designed for image and video data, CNNs detect spatial patterns through convolutional operations.Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs): Well-suited for sequential data like time series and text, RNNs retain context through loops.Transformers: Widely used in natural language processing, transformers leverage self-attention mechanisms to capture contextual relationships within text.These models are fueled by large datasets and advanced hardware, such as GPUs and TPUs. NVIDIA highlights how GPUs enable deep learning by accelerating computations through parallel processing. Key benefits of deep learning include:Automatic Feature Extraction: Minimizes the need for manual data preprocessing.High Accuracy: Delivers superior performance in many tasks.Scalability: Effectively utilizes large-scale datasets.Versatility: Adapts to a wide range of applications, from healthcare to finance.Various Deep Learning FrameworksResults, Applications, and ExamplesDeep learning has had a transformative impact across many fields by extracting valuable insights from complex data. Prominent applications include:Healthcare: AI models analyze medical images to detect diseases like cancer early. Deep learning algorithms can identify tumors with high precision, reducing false positives and improving diagnostic accuracy.Autonomous Vehicles: CNNs enable self-driving cars to interpret road conditions, detect obstacles, and make real-time decisions.Natural Language Processing: Models such as OpenAIs GPT and Googles BERT have advanced applications like chatbots, sentiment analysis, and machine translation.Finance: Fraud detection systems leverage deep learning to identify irregularities in transaction data.As AWS reports, businesses that incorporate deep learning often experience enhanced efficiency. For instance, Netflix uses deep learning to power its recommendation system, improving user satisfaction and retention.ConclusionDeep learning is changing the way machines learn and make decisions. By mimicking the brains approach to processing information, deep learning models have significantly impacted various industries. However, challenges like computational costs and data privacy concerns persist, emphasizing the need for continued research and innovation. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our65k+ ML SubReddit.(Promoted) Aswin Ak+ postsAswin AK is a consulting intern at MarkTechPost. He is pursuing his Dual Degree at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He is passionate about data science and machine learning, bringing a strong academic background and hands-on experience in solving real-life cross-domain challenges. Meet 'Height':The only autonomous project management tool (Sponsored)

Mastering Generative AI Architectural Patterns: A Comprehensive Guide 0 like January 15, 2025Share this postLast Updated on January 15, 2025 by Editorial TeamAuthor(s): Mike Originally published on Towards AI. Your Ultimate Interview Resource A Walkthrough of Architectures From GANs to Large Multimodal Models(LMMs).This member-only story is on us. Upgrade to access all of Medium.Photo by BoliviaInteligente on UnsplashGenerative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm, revolutionizing industries ranging from entertainment and marketing to healthcare and scientific research. It refers to AI systems that generate new content, such as text, images, music, and video. These models can learn patterns from data and use those patterns to create something novel. Behind these awe-inspiring capabilities lie various complex architectural patterns, each with its strengths, weaknesses, and specific use cases.In this blog post, well deeply dive into generative AI architectural patterns, exploring how each architecture works, its most popular models, and the applications they enable. Well cover a wide range of patterns, including Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), Variational Autoencoders (VAEs), Autoregressive Models (like GPT and other transformer-based architectures), Flow-based Models, Diffusion Models, and emerging hybrid approaches. This comprehensive guide will explain these models and explore their implications in the real world.What is Generative AI?Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs)Variational Autoencoders (VAEs)Autoregressive ModelsDiffusion ModelsHybrid and Emerging ArchitecturesFuture Trends in Generative AI ArchitecturesConclusionAt its core, Generative AI refers to the development of models that are capable of generating new data that resembles existing data. Unlike traditional AI models Read the full blog for free on Medium.Join thousands of data leaders on the AI newsletter. Join over 80,000 subscribers and keep up to date with the latest developments in AI. From research to projects and ideas. If you are building an AI startup, an AI-related product, or a service, we invite you to consider becoming asponsor. Published via Towards AITowards AI - Medium Share this post

Wicked has finally made its long-anticipated jump from stage to screen. With Ariana Grandes Glinda and Cynthia Erivos Elphaba taking over theaters with the Tony-winning musical, youve most likely seen pink and green somewhere on your feed, or seen some, uh, questionable marketing, or maybe you're even holding space for the lyrics of "Defying Gravity." Who's to say.In her 9/10 Wicked review for IGN, Alyssa Mora wrote: "As the future Good Witch of the South and Wicked Witch of the West, respectively, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo deliver masterful and passionate performances that make them the perfect Elphaba and Glinda for this generation of musical fans no small feat for roles originated by Broadway legends Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. [...] The two synchronize like they were born for it, their genuine connection heightening the emotional stakes of the final minutes of the film. (This is where we should note that Wicked covers only the first act of the musical: Part II, and everything that comes after the anthemic 'Defying Gravity,' will hit theaters next year.)"If youre wondering how or where to watch Wicked online, check out the details below.How to Watch Wicked Showtimes and Streaming Status Wicked is still showing in theaters. You can check the theater links below for showtimes near you: When Will Wicked Be on Streaming? Wicked [Bonus X-Ray Edition]Includes "Sing-Along version" and bonus featuresSee it at Prime VideoWicked is currently available to rent or buy through digital marketplaces like Prime Video. Wicked: Part I is distributed by Universal, so it'll eventually end up on Peacock (rather than Netflix or Disney+ though that doesn't preclude it from ever ending up at either streaming service). Our best guess is the movie is streaming on Peacock by the end of March. Wicked: Part 1 on Blu-rayWicked [4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital]See it at Amazon4K and Blu-ray editions of Wicked: Part 1 are up for preorder, set to release on February 4. For more physical media releases, check out our guide to upcoming Blu-rays. What Is Wicked About? Wicked is an adaptation of one of the longest-running Broadway musicals that opened in 2003, which is an adaptation of a book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum that was a prequel to the original Wizard of Oz. Phew. To keep things simple, heres the Wicked movies official synopsis: "One of the most beloved and enduring musicals on the stage, Wicked makes its journey to the big screen as a spectacular cinematic event this holiday season. "Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights), Wicked is the first chapter of a two-part immersive, cultural celebration. Wicked Part Two is scheduled to arrive in theaters on November 21, 2025."Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning and Oscar-nominated powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadways The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman misunderstood because of her green skin who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman gilded by privilege who has yet to discover her true heart. "The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West."When Is Wicked: Part II Coming Out? As previously mentioned, Wicked is, in fact, actually an almost three-hour-long "Part I." A second and final part is set to arrive in theaters in 2026. TBD if that timeline will hold up or it'll be pushed back.Where to Stream the Wizard of Oz Movies Wizard of Oz 85th Anniversary Theater Edition SteelbookSee it at AmazonWicked (2024) is the first film adaptation of the musical that originated on Broadway, and youll have to wait to come to your local theater. That said, if youre looking for an Oz-themed marathon, heres where to steam the original Wizard of Oz movie as well as other renditions of the Yellow Brick Road over the years. The Wizard of Oz (1939): Return to Oz: The Wiz:Oz the Great and Powerful: Wicked Cast Wicked was directed by John M. Chu and the screenplay adaptation was written by Winnie Holzman (who wrote the book for the musical) and Dana Fox. Wicked: Part 1 stars the following actors:Ariana Grande as GlindaCynthia Erivo as ElphabaJeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of OzMichelle Yeoh as Madame MorribleJonathan Bailey as FiyeroEthan Slater as BoqMarissa Bode as NessarosePeter Dinklage as Dr. DillamondAndy Nymanas Governor ThroppBowen Yang as PfanneeWicked Rating and Runtime Wicked is rated PG for some scary action, thematic material, and brief suggestive material. It has a runtime of 2 hours and 40 minutes, including credits.

Synthesia has claimed the crown of Britains biggest GenAI company after raising $180mn at a $2.1bn valuation.The London-based business generates lifelike avatars for video content. Enterprises use the software to produce training content and corporate communications.The tech has made Synthesia a leader in the burgeoning synthetic media industry. According to the startup, over 60,000 businesses are customers including more than 60% of the Fortune 100.Investors have also shown a growing interest. In 2023, Synthesia earned unicorn status after securing $90 million in Series C funding at a valuation of $1 billion.Price increase on Friday - Book NowThe latest cash injection creates another milestone. According to Dealroom, Synthesia is now the UKs largest GenAI media company by valuation.The startup wants the fresh funds to fuel a new phase of growth. At the core of the plans is Synthesia 2.0 a product billed as the worlds first enterprise AI video platform. Development of the system is now underway.Synthesia is also preparing for the next generation of synthetic media. Victor Riparbelli, the companys CEO and co-founder, expects big breakthroughs from blending AI videos with reasoning systems such as large language models.We will unlock a new type of media that can think, narrate, and personalise content for us, he told TNW via email.These new interfaces will be centred around intuitive, human communication that is much more effective than text. You could imagine an AI that connects to your Spotify and teaches you music theory based on your skill level and favourite artists. |At work, we may interact with virtual guides that help us make buying decisions, coach us and teach us new skills like you would with a tutor in the real world.Naturally, Riparbelli also shared the funding news in an AI video. Fully generated with Synthesia, the clip summarises the announcement in eight languages. Synthesias position in Europes GenAI landscapeAnnounced today, Synthesias Series D round was led by VC giant NEA. Existing investors GV and MMC Ventures also participated, alongside new backers WiL, Atlassian Ventures, and PSP Growth.The landmark raise has renewed optimism about Europes AI landscape. Yoram Wijngaarde, Dealrooms founder and CEO, is bullish about developments across the continent.Synthesias Series D signals that European AI is picking up where they left off in 2024, he said.AI startups accounted for over 25% of European venture capital last year, up from 15% just four years ago. In one of the most significant technological waves in decades, Synthesia stands out among the emerging AI unicorns reshaping the landscape from this side of the Atlantic.The funding was also welcomed by politicians in Synthesias home country, who announced new plans this week to turbocharge AI.Peter Kyle, the UKs science and technology secretary, said the funding showcases the confidence investors have in British tech and highlights the global leadership of the countrys GenAI pioneers.Riparbelli is also optimistic about the UKs AI scene. He pointed to its combination of talent, capital, and infrastructure. He also praised Britains production of global leaders in the field.There are many countries that want to become AI superpowers but few have a chance to actually succeed, he said. The UK is among the top three for sure, because it has a combination of talent, capital, and infrastructure. Whats also remarkable about the UK is that it produces global leaders, not just regional players.

If youve noticed a missing toggle from your AirPods Pro settings, youre not alone. Heres how to bring back the Off option when managing AirPods Pro noise control settings. Historically, AirPods Pro allowed users to switch between four different listening modes.Off: Turns off all noise control modes. Active Noise Cancellation: An outward-facing microphone or microphones detect external sounds, which your AirPods Pro then counter with anti-noise, canceling the external sounds before you hear them.Transparency mode:Your AirPods Pro let outside sound in, so you can hear whats going on around you.Adaptive Audio: Adaptive mode blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode together to control the level of noise you hear in your headphones based on the changing noise conditions in your environment.With iOS 18, however, Apple removed that Off option from the default choices. This meant users would only see the Active Noice Cancellation, Transparency mode, and Adaptive Audio options in the Settings app and via Control Center.As highlighted this week by Spencer Dailey on his Key Discussions blog, this change has led to frustration for AirPods Pro users.Luckily, there is an easy way to re-add this Off option to your AirPods Pro listening choices: Connect your AirPods to your iPhoneOpen the Settings appTap your AirPods Pro at the top of the listScroll down and toggle on this option: Off Listening Mode When you do this, the Off option will return, and you can once again switch between it and the other noise control modes via Control Center and the Settings app. With iOS 18.1, however, Apple added multiple new hearing health features to AirPods Pro 2, including a new hearing protection feature. Tied to this update, AirPods Pro 2 users noticed another change. As Dailey notes in his blog post, even with the Off option added back using the above steps, AirPods Pro 2 automatically switch you from Off to Transparency mode each time you put them in your ears.This behavior change is tied to the new hearing protection feature for AirPods Pro 2. Apple says that when the Off mode is enabled, your hearing is not protected. This is presumably the reason for iOS 18.1 aggressively switching users from Off to Transparency mode. As it turns out, there is another toggle you can change to revert that behavior. Connect your AirPods to your iPhoneOpen the Settings appTap AccessibilityScroll down and tap AirPods and BeatsScroll down and tap Turn Off Loud Sound Reduction Once you do this, you can set your AirPods Pro to the Off noise control option, and it will remain in that mode until you manually change it to something else. The key thing to keep in mind is that when in the Off mode, your AirPods Pro will no longer reduce harmful levels of environmental noise. As for why youd want to use the Off setting for AirPods Pro noise control, thats up to you. There are battery benefits to disabling all the noise control options. Personally, however, I think Apple has knocked it out of the park with the combination of Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode.Best AirPods accessories Add 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? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Some folks go to Hooters for the wings, or buy Playboy for the articles. Others, like sitting Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, would like to browse PornhubAt least that's what he longs to see on the porn megasite, if his comments today in the hearing of Free Speech Coalition et al. v. Paxtonare any indication.The bizarre challenge came during an exchange with an attorney for the Free Speech Coalition a group representing the porn industry, essentially regarding the age verification systems that some states have been deploying on pornography sites."What percentage of the material on [Pornhub] is not obscene to children?" asked Alito."Well, Your Honor, if we're talking about the youngest minors, I would agree that most of it is,"the attorney responded. "And that is how we read the law.""Is it like the old Playboy magazine," the conservative justice pressed, perhaps a little too specifically, where "you have essays by the modern-day equivalent of Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley Jr?""Not in that sense, but in the sense you have wellness posts about women recovering from hysterectomies and how they can enjoy sex,"the attorney offered, presumably alluding to the streaming smut giant's foray into sexual wellness content. "That's on there."For obvious reasons, the exchange was relentlessly clowned on (as a point of fact, over the years Pornhub creators have dabbled in everything from erotic literature readings to non-sexual educational material.)"Working out a scenario where Pornhub has to launch a prestigious monthly print magazine in order to stay online in Tennessee," quipped journalist David Roth. "This is how we bring the business back: ransoming access to stepsister-stuck-in-washing-machine content with long-form literary criticism and Malcolm Harris book excerpts."Publishing industry strategems aside, Paxton is an important case with potentially massive ramifications for some increasingly marginalized groups in society. It's an examination of a Texas state bill known as HB 1181, which requires any porn website to take steps to verify the age of its users in the state.In mainstream media, the case is billed as a "1st Amendment vs Regulatory Tyranny" debate porn companies on one side, conservative censors on the other once again posing the question of "what kind of free speech are right wingers actually interested in?"The reality is more nuanced. What often isn't addressed in surface-level debates are the implications bills like this have on LGBTQ+ individuals, whose speech is increasingly included in conservative definitions of what constitutes "pornography". Paxton opens the potential for a federal crackdown on anything that deviates from conservative family values from queer literature to sexual health material to Alito's beloved literary essays."It's part of a broader crackdown on disfavored 'pornographic' speech from the right, which coincidentally includes LGBTQ people," wrote queer journalist Gwen Howerton.That in mind, Alito's colorful questions take on a more sinister tone. The conservatives are essentially trying to establish that online pornographic content and anything made to fall into that umbrella is somehow filthier and less deserving of 1st amendment protection than his nostalgic nudie mags.While the American porn industry leaves a lot to be desired and is almost certainly calling out for labor reforms look no further than the infamous Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking Act to see how overzealous regulation can hurt the most vulnerable Americans far more than it helps them.More about porn:Wild Searches Trending in Texas After Porn BanShare This Article

LawnStarter is the nation's leading on-demand marketplace for lawn care and related services, allowing hundreds of thousands of customers nationwide to book a service with the tap of a button. But lawn care is only the beginning - our vision is to become the one-stop shop for all home services.Our company is flourishing at an incredible pace, profitable and achieving remarkable success. And we're not stopping there! We're actively seeking talented and hard-working individuals like you to join our team and help us achieve our ultimate vision.Role Overview: We are seeking a skilled WordPress Engineer to join our team. The ideal candidate is passionate about WordPress development, has a strong understanding of web technologies, and is committed to delivering high-quality solutions. As a WordPress Engineer, you will collaborate with our team to design, develop, and maintain WordPress websites and applications that meet our business needs and objectives while optimizing them for high speed and SEO performance. This is a contractor position. Responsibilities:Develop custom WordPress themes and plugins from scratch, ensuring responsiveness and optimal performance across various devices and browsers.Customize and extend existing WordPress themes and plugins to meet specific project requirements.Collaborate with designers, project managers, and other developers to translate design mockups and project requirements into functional WordPress websites and applications.Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to team members to ensure code quality, consistency, and adherence to best practices.Perform upgrades for WordPress, plugins, themes, and PHP.Optimize WordPress sites for high speed and performance, implementing techniques such as caching, lazy loading, image optimization, and minimizing HTTP requests.Implement SEO best practices to improve site visibility and ranking, including optimizing site structure, meta tags, heading tags, and schema markup.Utilize tools such as Google PageSpeed Insights, GTmetrix, and Lighthouse to analyze and improve site performance, aiming for high scores and fast loading times.Troubleshoot and debug issues that arise during the development and testing phases, implementing effective solutions in a timely manner.Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and advancements in WordPress development, web performance optimization, and SEO techniques, continuously improving your skills and sharing knowledge with the team.Participate in project planning, estimation, and scoping discussions, contributing technical expertise and insights to ensure project success.Collaborate with SEO and Editorial teams to identify new opportunities for site improvements and content optimization.Demonstrate an autonomous mindset in managing your workload, proactively identifying and proposing new opportunities for enhancing our WordPress projects.RequirementsBachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).Proven experience as a WordPress Developer or WordPress Engineer, with a strong portfolio showcasing your WordPress projects.Proficiency in PHP, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and MySQL, with a solid understanding of web development principles and best practices.Extensive experience with WordPress theme and plugin development, including custom theme and plugin creation from scratch.Strong understanding of web performance optimization techniques and SEO best practices.Experience optimizing WordPress sites for high speed and performance, including achieving high scores on Google PageSpeed Insights and other performance testing tools.Familiarity with front-end frameworks/libraries such as React.js, Vue.js, or AngularJS is a plus.Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, with the ability to effectively troubleshoot and debug issues.Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.Self-motivated and proactive, with a passion for learning and staying current with industry trends and technologies.Experience with reverse proxy architectures and working on reverse proxy WordPress sites.Strong focus on custom WordPress development rather than plugin-heavy solutions, with experience building custom themes and functionality from scratch.Must provide examples of WordPress sites built or significantly modified, including explanation of your specific contributions to each project.Experience with technical SEO implementation at the code level, beyond basic plugin configuration.English resume required.BenefitsGreat Culture:One of thetop places to workin Austin in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and in the US in 2021, we are all about the team. That's why we have spent a massive amount of time findinghumble, passionate, and smart folksthat you will get to work with every day.Work from the comfort of your own homeOpportunity for growth$45,000 - 60,000 USD annually, depending on experience