MIT Technology Reviews Whats Next series looks across industries, trends, and technologies to give you a first look at the future. You can read the rest of themhere. In November, a young man named Noland Arbaugh announced hed be livestreaming from his home for three days straight. His broadcast was in some ways typical fare: a backyard tour, video games, meet mom. The difference is that Arbaugh, who is paralyzed, has thin electrode-studded wires installed in his brain, which he used to move a computer mouse on a screen, click menus, and play chess. The implant, called N1, was installed last year by neurosurgeons working with Neuralink, Elon Musks brain-interface company. The possibility of listening to neurons and using their signals to move a computer cursor was first demonstrated more than 20 years ago in a lab setting. Now, Arbaughs livestream is an indicator that Neuralink is a whole lot closer to creating a plug-and-play experience that can restore peoples daily ability to roam the web and play games, giving them what the company has called digital freedom. But this is not yet a commercial product. The current studies are small-scalethey are true experiments, explorations of how the device works and how it can be improved. For instance, at some point last year, more than half the electrode-studded threads inserted into Aurbaughs brain retracted, and his control over the device worsened; Neuralink rushed to implement fixes so he could use his remaining electrodes to move the mouse. Neuralink did not reply to emails seeking comment, but here is what our analysis of its public statements leads us to expect from the company in 2025. More patients How many people will get these implants?he posted on X: If all goes well, there will be hundreds of people with Neuralinks within a few years, maybe tens of thousands within five years, millions within 10 years. In reality, the actual pace is slowera lot slower. Thats because in a study of a novel device, its typical for the first patients to be staged months apart, to allow time to monitor for problems. Neuralink has publicly announced that two people have received an implant: Arbaugh and a man referred to only as Alex, who received his in July or August. Then, on January 8, Musk disclosed during an online interview that there was now a third person with an implant. Weve got now three patients, three humans with Neuralinks implanted, and they are all working well, Musk said. During 2025, he added, we expect to hopefully do, I dont know, 20 or 30 patients. Barring major setbacks, expect the pace of implants to increasealthough perhaps not as fast as Musk says. In November, Neuralink updated its US trial listing to include space for five volunteers (up from three), and it also opened a trial in Canada with room for six. Considering these two studies only, Neuralink would carry out at least two more implants by the end of 2025 and eight by the end of 2026. However, by opening further international studies, Neuralink could increase the pace of the experiments. Better control So how good is Arbaughs control over the mouse? You can get an idea by trying a game called Webgrid, where you try to click quickly on a moving target. The program translates your speed into a measure of information transfer: bits per second. Neuralink claims Arbaugh reached a rate of over nine bits per second, doubling the old brain-interface record. The median able-bodied user scores around 10 bits per second, according to Neuralink. And yet during his livestream, Arbaugh complained that his mouse control wasnt very good because his model was out of date. It was a reference to how his imagined physical movements get mapped to mouse movements. That mapping degrades over hours and days, and to recalibrate it, he has said, he spends as long as 45 minutes doing a set of retraining tasks on his monitor, such as imagining moving a dot from a center point to the edge of a circle. Noland Arbaugh stops to calibrate during a livestream on X@MODDEDQUAD VIA X Improving the software that sits between Arbaughs brain and the mouse is a big area of focus for Neuralinkone where the company is still experimenting and making significant changes. Among the goals: cutting the recalibration time to a few minutes. We want them to feel like they are in the F1 [Formula One] car, not the minivan, Bliss Chapman, who leads the BCI software team, told the podcaster Lex Fridman last year. Device changes Before Neuralink ever seeks approval to sell its brain interface, it will have to lock in a final device design that can be tested in a pivotal trial involving perhaps 20 to 40 patients, to show it really works as intended. That type of study could itself take a year or two to carry out and hasnt yet been announced. In fact, Neuralink is still tweaking its implant in significant waysfor instance, by trying to increase the number of electrodes or extend the battery life. This month, Musk said the next human tests would be using an upgraded Neuralink device. The company is also still developing the surgical robot, called R1, thats used to implant the device. It functions like a sewing machine: A surgeon uses R1 to thread the electrode wires into peoples brains. According to Neuralinks job listings, improving the R1 robot and making the implant process entirely automatic is a major goal of the company. Thats partly to meet Musks predictions of a future where millions of people have an implant, since there wouldnt be enough neurosurgeons in the world to put them all in manually. We want to get to the point where its one click, Neuralink president Dongjin Seo told Fridman last year. Robot arm Late last year, Neuralink opened a companion study through which it says some of its existing implant volunteers will get to try using their brain activity to control not only a computer mouse but other types of external devices, including an assistive robotic arm. We havent yet seen what Neuralinks robotic arm looks likewhether its a tabletop research device or something that could be attached to a wheelchair and used at home to complete daily tasks. But its clear such a device could be helpful. During Aurbaughs livestream he frequently asked other people to do simple things for him, like brush his hair or put on his hat. Arbaugh demonstrates the use of Imagined Movement Control.@MODDEDQUAD VIA X And using brains to control robots is definitely possiblealthough so far only in a controlled research setting. In tests using a different brain implant, carried out at the University of Pittsburgh in 2012, a paralyzed woman named Jan Scheuermann was able to use a robot arm to stack blocks and plastic cups about as well as a person whod had a severe strokeimpressive, since she couldnt actually move her own limbs. There are several practical obstacles to using a robot arm at home. One is developing a robot thats safe and useful. Another, as noted by Wired, is that the calibration steps to maintain control over an arm that can make 3D movements and grasp objects could be onerous and time consuming. Vision implant In September, Neuralink said it had received breakthrough device designation from the FDA for a version of its implant that could be used to restore limited vision to blind people. The system, which it calls Blindsight, would work by sending electrical impulses directly into a volunteers visual cortex, producing spots of light called phosphenes. If there are enough spots, they can be organized into a simple, pixelated form of vision, as previously demonstrated by academic researchers. The FDA designation is not the same as permission to start the vision study. Instead, its a promise by the agency to speed up review steps, including agreements around what a trial should look like. Right now, its impossible to guess when a Neuralink vision trial could start, but it wont necessarily be this year. More money Neuralink last raised money in 2003, collecting around $325 million from investors in a funding round that valued the company at over $3 billion, according to Pitchbook. Ryan Tanaka, who publishes a podcast about the company, Neura Pod, says he thinks Neuralink will raise more money this year and that the valuation of the private company could triple. Fighting regulators Neuralink has attracted plenty of scrutiny from news reporters, animal-rights campaigners, and even fraud investigators at the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of the questions surround its treatment of test animals and whether it rushed to try the implant in people. More recently, Musk has started using his X platform to badger and bully heads of state and was named by Donald Trump to co-lead a so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which Musk says will get rid of nonsensical regulations and potentially gut some DC agencies. During 2025, watch for whether Musk uses his digital bullhorn to give health regulators pointed feedback on how theyre handling Neuralink. Other efforts Dont forget that Neuralink isnt the only company working on brain implants. A company called Synchron has one thats inserted into the brain through a blood vessel, which its also testing in human trials of brain control over computers. Other companies, including Paradromics, Precision Neuroscience, and BlackRock Neurotech, are also developing advanced brain-computer interfaces. Special thanks to Ryan Tanaka of Neura Pod for pointing us to Neuralinks public announcements and projections.

Companies are offering support to their employees and others affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.The deadly flames have burned thousands of acres and sent hundreds of thousands fleeing.From planning a benefit concert to serving free Happy Meals, here's what companies are doing.The wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed 24 lives as of Thursday, burned thousands of acres and homes, and sent hundreds of thousands of people looking for shelter.The disaster has prompted many major companies to adjust their operations and donate to relief efforts.Here is a roundup of the actions that major businesses are taking in the wake of the fires.AmazonAmazon is donating $10 million in fire relief efforts in the Los Angeles area, the company said on Monday. The funding will come from Amazon's entertainment division, which includes Amazon MGM Studios, as well as Ring and Whole Foods Market.Among Amazon's donations so far are respirators and gloves for clean-up efforts to the American Red Cross, as well as food donations from Amazon Fresh to local groups feeding fire victims.AppleApple CEO Tim Cook said Wednesday that the company would "be donating to support the victims and recovery efforts on the ground" in a post on X.Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the size or other details of the donation.Comcast NBCUniversalComcast NBCUniversal donated $10 million to relief efforts, the company announced Monday. Benefiting organizations included the American Red Cross, the Entertainment Industry Foundation SoCal Fire Fund, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles."We stand ready to support our employees and the broader Los Angeles community as we recover and rebuild from these tragic events," Comcast chair Brian Roberts said in a statement.DisneyHundreds of Disney employees, including CEO Robert Iger, had been evacuated from their homes as of Monday, while 64 had lost their houses, The New York Times reported on Tuesday. Disney has approved $15 million for "community services and rebuilding efforts," the Times reported.Disney's movie production, however, hasn't slowed down, the Times reported. The company's movie operations in Burbank are far enough from the fires. Lots for Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Netflix, and other entertainment providers are also not currently threatened by the fires.Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.GoogleGoogle and its philanthropic division "are supporting relief and recovery efforts with grant funding and an internal giving campaign for employee donations and company gift match," the company said in a post on Thursday.The tech company also said it was providing details about the fires, such as the boundaries of affected areas, on Google Maps. It was also working with the Hotel Association of Los Angeles so that search engine users affected by the fires could find free or discounted places to stay.In addition to contributing to a $15 million donation to relief efforts through Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, video giant YouTube will offer production facilities for impacted creators once its Los Angeles office can reopen.It's also planning future events to bring the community together, CEO Neal Mohan wrote on the company's blog.Live NationEntertainment company Live Nation is planning a benefit concert called "FireAid" for January 30 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Variety reported on Friday.While the performer lineup is not public yet, proceeds from the concert will go to rebuilding and supporting victims as well as preparing for future fires, according to Variety.Live Nation didn't respond to a request for comment from BI.MattelEl Segundo, California-based Mattel said in an Instagram post on Sunday that it would support nonprofits doing relief work for the fires through the Mattel Children's Foundation."Our thoughts are with all who are suffering during this unprecedented crisis in our headquarter city," the post reads.McDonald'sMcDonald's restaurants in Southern California are giving out free Happy Meals to first responders and people who have had to leave their homes, according to a website that the chain set up for the offer. The deal is good through Thursday, and patrons have to use the McDonald's app to order.ParamountParamount is donating $1 million to organizations that support firefighting and relief efforts, per an internal memo sent out by its co-CEOs on Friday and obtained by Business Insider.The company is providing support for impacted employees in the form of cash grants via its Employee Assistance Fund (EAF), as well as offering lodging and temporary housing.Paramount will also match all employee donations to charities, including the EAF, wrote co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins.NetflixNetflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos announced that the disaster had impacted "many" of its employees and creative partners.As a result, Netflix is donating $10 million to five organizations: the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Community Fund Wildfire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, Motion Picture and Television Fund, and Entertainment Community Fund.It's also assisting impacted employees with temporary housing and double-matching all employee charity contributions, Sarandos said.SnapSnap founder Evan Siegel who grew up in the now-fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades posted a love letter to Los Angeles Monday, sharing that his father's house had "burned to the ground on live TV."He also said more than 150 Snap employees had been displaced by the fires."Snap, Bobby, and I have already disbursed $5 million in immediate aid," Spiegel wrote, referring to cofounder and CTO Bobby Murphy, "and we will do more." He added that the company was helping to feed evacuees and first responders and offering free space.StarbucksStarbucks is "temporarily offering catastrophe pay for any missed shifts" to employees whose stores are open but have been displaced due to the fire, the coffee chain told Bloomberg on Tuesday.Starbucks confirmed the catastrophe pay to BI. The coffee chain is also closing stores in evacuation zones and continuing to pay employees whom the company calls "partners" based at those stores, a company spokesperson said.Partners have also been providing coffee to first responders and shelters. On Monday, Starbucks also started offering free tall brewed coffees to first responders who stop by stores in the area."We are deeply proud of our partners," the spokesperson said. "They continue to serve first responders and communities across LA where it is safe to do so."TargetThe big-box chain said it's using its supply chain "to fast-track critical supplies to stores" in areas near the fires, a spokesperson said. It's also donating $1 million to groups that aid firefighters and first responders and offering support to employees affected by the fires through Target's Team Member Giving Fund."Our hearts go out to the many people impacted by the wildfires in California," the spokesperson told BI.WalmartThe Walmart Mobile Relief Kitchen is serving free hot meals until Sunday at Walmart's Supercenter in Baldwin Park, California, east of Los Angeles, the chain said.Walmart, along with Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation, have donated $2.5 million in aid to relief efforts."Over the past several days, Walmart stores in Southern California have donated food, water and gift cards to help first responders and shelters support people in need," Walmart said.

The faux-feminist man who is accused of being a secret predator is by now, after the revelations of the Me Too movement, a familiar figure. A few years ago, when Me Too was raging through Hollywood, former liberal darlings Louis C.K. and Joss Whedon saw their whole legacies re-evaluated after being accused of sexual misconduct on C.K.s part and bullying on Whedons. (Whedon has denied all the allegations.) Now, two new famous feminist men have been accused of gendered misconduct but these revelations come at a moment when our culture appears to be far less interested in performing a reckoning. The most serious of the new stories are the accusations against Neil Gaiman, a prolific and beloved figure in the fantasy and comic book world. Gaiman built his career on the idea that he was an ally to women, but last year, a podcast from the UK-based Tortoise Media accused him of physical and emotional abuse and sexual assault. Now, those claims have been amplified by a deeply reported and detailed feature in New York magazine alleging that Gaiman abused multiple vulnerable young women over whom he was in a position of power. Gaiman, in a post on his website, maintains that his relationships with these women were consensual.Meanwhile, actor, director, and professional male feminist Justin Baldoni has been accused by actress Blake Lively of sexually harassing her on set walking into her trailer while she was naked, improvising kissing scenes, and discussing his history of porn addiction. According to a lawsuit from Lively and an accompanying story in the New York Times, Baldoni feared that Lively would go public with her complaints, so he hired a PR firm that buried Lively under a wave of sexist criticism. (Baldoni has said through a lawyer that Livelys allegations are categorically false and disputed her characterization as self-serving; he is suing the New York Times over its reporting, alleging that it was Lively who mistreated him.)The accusations against Gaiman are much more serious and violent than the accusations against Baldoni. Yet both men find themselves in the same familiar place we saw with other faux feminists. They built their public images on being the good ones in a misogynistic world: men who understood that other men were violent and untrustworthy, who seemed committed to doing the best they could not to fall into the same traps. Now, they stand accused of using those long-crafted images as public shields for their private misbehavior.The question that remains is: What will happen to the feminist men who lose their feminist cred in this time of Me Too backlash? What was all that feminist capital worth to begin with? How Neil Gaiman and Justin Baldoni built their images as male feministsThe reputations Gaiman and Baldoni built as feminists go back years. Both of them were careful to be nuanced about their status as male feminists, to appear to make room for their own errors, and to commit to being better than their fellow men.As far as I can see, being in society on this planet at this time makes you part of the patriarchy because thats the world were in, wrote Gaiman on his popular Tumblr in 2021. You dont get to leave it or not be part of it by announcing youre leaving, any more than you leave a society by announcing that you dont want to follow its laws. Instead, you do what you can, both personally and in society, to improve things, and you hope. In his fiction, Gaiman appeared to be at least trying to walk the walk. He populated his books with powerful women who dont suffer fools. He tackled subjects like sexual violence at a time when they felt taboo. Even Gaimans fans could acknowledge that for all his effort, he wasnt always all that good at writing women he seemed reluctant to center them in most of his stories and was always writing detailed descriptions of their breasts. Still, most readers agreed that he was well-intentioned.Neil strikes me as a representation of the saying perfect is the enemy of good, mused a commenter two years ago on the subreddit Men Writing Women, where women gather to mock bad descriptions of women by male writers. I personally love his writing and I dont think he does anything egregious that should earn him a place here. That said he has his shortcomings but I think a lot of people ignore those because the stories are so great (if you like his style). Meanwhile, Baldoni built his name as the romantic lead of the much-acclaimed CW show Jane the Virgin, playing a hero who happily supported his girlfriends dreams. On the side, he became more or less a professional male feminist. He delivered a viral TED talk in 2017 on the problem of toxic masculinity. The TED talk became a limited-run talk show, Man Enough, the same year, and then a podcast and a book, also titled Man Enough, in 2021. Ive had to take a real, honest look at the ways that Ive unconsciously been hurting the women in my life, and its ugly, Baldoni said in that viral TED talk. He went on to describe his great sin: His wife had told him that sometimes, without noticing it, he talked over her.So here I am doing my part, trying to be a feminist, amplifying the voices of women around the world, Baldoni went on, and yet at home, I am using my louder voice to silence the woman I love the most. So I had to ask myself a tough question: Am I man enough to just shut the hell up and listen?He went on to describe his great sin: His wife had told him that sometimes, without noticing it, he talked over her.Baldoni positioned himself as a man so enlightened that the worst thing he did was sometimes accidentally interrupt his wife. Gaiman positioned himself as a man enlightened enough that he knew that he, too, must be poisoned by the patriarchy, but who was nonetheless determined to do what he could to stand up against it. The new accusations against both Gaiman and Baldoni offer counternarratives to these stories.The New York magazine article describes Gaiman as allegedly performing deeply violent and degrading sexual acts on unwilling women, using his celebrity and wealth to exert emotional and financial pressure on them. Moreover, it includes allegations that on multiple occasions, Gaiman initiated sexual encounters with some of these women in the same room as his young son, and that he seemed amused when his son began to ape his language, referring to one of the women as a slave and demanding she address him as master. (Gaiman denies these claims.)He is using his male feminist persona not just as a shield but as bait.In this version of the story, Gaiman is no longer the male feminist trying his best and now and then falling short of perfection. No longer is he a man doing what he can, both personally and in society, to improve things. Instead, he is allegedly implicating his own son in acts of sexual violence. And he is using his male feminist persona not just as a shield but as bait.In the New York magazine investigation, two of Gaimans accusers use the same metaphor to describe how he used his own well-meaning public persona to draw in his alleged victims. Two of the women, who have never spoken to each other, compared him to an anglerfish, the deep-sea predator that uses a bulb of bioluminescence to lure prey into its jaws, writes New York magazine journalist Lila Shapiro. Instead of a light, one says, he would dangle a floppy-haired, soft-spoken British guy. Meanwhile, Livelys lawsuit and a preceding complaint filed with the California Civil Rights Department alleges that Baldoni hired a public relations firm for the express purpose of preventing Lively from speaking out about his own bad behavior. Far from being the man wracked with guilt over his own anti-feminist microaggressions, Livelys account suggests that Baldoni paid a crisis PR firm to orchestrate a smear campaign against her, taking advantage of the publics own rampant misogyny to do so. Baldoni, for his part, has made his own allegations against Lively in his lawsuit against the Times, alleging that she showed a pattern of vindictiveness on set and took key events out of context to forward a favorable narrative. Baldoni seems ready to fight to preserve his old reputation, but hes been dropped by his talent agency and his podcast co-host (and former Vox correspondent) Liz Plank has left the show. Gaiman, who has denied that his relationships with his accusers were abusive, has reportedly hired the same crisis management team used by Prince Andrew and Danny Masterson. Meanwhile, a number of productions based on his work have been halted or canceled. (Gaiman has not published a full-length solo-authored novel since 2013, but many of his books are currently or recently getting adapted for both stage and screen.) In the progressive science fiction circles where his work was revered, hes been denounced. Aside from the personal statement published on his website, W.W. Norton, which worked with Gaiman on one of his books, has said they will not publish him again. HarperCollins, his primary publisher in the US, has said only that it has no new books by Gaiman scheduled. As we prepare to enter the second Trump era, the future of these two men and what it demonstrates about where we are in our cultural reckoning with sexual assault and sexual harassment is yet to be seen.What is a sex scandal worth during a Me Too backlash?While the Me Too movement was first developed by activist Tarana Burke in 2006, it exploded into the mainstream in 2017 after producer Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexual violence by multiple famous actresses. In large part, however, the movement was less about Weinstein than it was a reaction to the first election of Donald Trump, who at the time had been accused of sexual assault by multiple woman but had never faced legal investigation into his alleged crimes. As the movement burned hot and angry, one powerful man after another was accused of sexual misdeeds. Many had their reputations destroyed. Some lost their jobs. A bare few faced trial, and even fewer than that faced jail time. Joss Whedon and Louis C.K. were both removed from high-profile projects, although C.K. continues to tour in front of sold-out venues after taking a year-long break.We are no longer in 2017. In 2025, we are squarely stuck in the midst of Me Too backlash. Donald Trump has now been found civilly liable for sexual abuse, but he is about to take office as president for the second time. Roe v. Wade is no longer the law of the land. Social media is teeming with reactionary influencers, with tradwives and looksmaxxers and manosphere bros who teach teen boys to crow, Your body, my choice at their female classmates. Democratic leadership in Congress has concluded that its not politically useful to complain about the number of alleged sexual predators in Trumps proposed Cabinet. And a number of the men whose alleged bad behavior was exposed by Me Too are, newly emboldened, beginning to creep back into the public eye.Brett Ratner, accused of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment in 2017, is directing the high-profile new documentary on Melania Trump, in his first directorial credit since 2015 (Ratner denied all of the allegations at the time and was never charged). Michael Fassbender, who was accused of domestic violence in 2010 and stopped acting during the height of Me Too, returned to Hollywood in 2023 (Fassbender has never commented on the allegations). Former Sen. Al Franken, accused of nonconsensual groping and forcible kissing in 2017, had a stint as guest host of The Daily Show, also in 2023. (Franken issued statements apologizing in some instances and saying that he does not remember other alleged incidents.) Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, accused of sexual harassment in 2020, is now leading the polls to become New Yorks next mayor. (Cuomo denied all allegations and the charges against him were all dropped or dismissed.) In this climate, what was the feminist capital Gaiman and Baldoni built even for? It continues to depreciate.Allegations of sexual misconduct are certainly no longer disqualifying for being a figure in public life. They can even be a sign of your anti-woke bona fides. Complaining about gendered violence means that you are doing identity politics, alienating young people ever further toward the right.Hollywood and fantasy publishing, where Gaiman dominated are more liberal environments than Trumps Washington. Still, blockbusters are increasingly abandoning liberal messaging on issues like feminism, and many of the worlds biggest tech platforms are run by billionaires who keep swinging right along with the rest of the country. In this climate, what was the feminist capital Gaiman and Baldoni built even for? It continues to depreciate.We dont know where they go from here, whether they will disappear for a few months or even years and then stage comebacks, either quietly or with fanfare. But whatever they do, their fates will tell us a lot about how deep the Me Too backlash has gone, and how strong Trumps hold on the culture really is. Youve read 1 article in the last monthHere at Vox, we're unwavering in our commitment to covering the issues that matter most to you threats to democracy, immigration, reproductive rights, the environment, and the rising polarization across this country.Our mission is to provide clear, accessible journalism that empowers you to stay informed and engaged in shaping our world. By becoming a Vox Member, you directly strengthen our ability to deliver in-depth, independent reporting that drives meaningful change.We rely on readers like you join us.Swati SharmaVox Editor-in-ChiefSee More:

Nintendo has finally pulled back the curtain on Switch 2, and confirmed that the console will have exclusives, perhaps even showing one in the console reveal itselfTech15:08, 16 Jan 2025The Switch 2 has been revealedAfter months of speculation (and no small number of leaks) Nintendo has revealed the Nintendo Switch 2 with a glitzy trailer.As rumoured prior to the reveal, the company focused on showing the new hardware moreso than games, but that doesn't mean there weren't any clues as to what we'll be playing on the system.As if it were in any doubt, Nintendo confirmed there will be Switch 2 exclusives. That may sound obvious, but given we're at a point where you can find Sony games on PC and Switch and Xbox games just about anywhere, it's worth noting.This is what the Switch 2 will look likeThe trailer shows one game running on the Nintendo Switch, and it appears to be a new version of Mario Kart.That's perhaps no surprise given Mario Kart 8: Deluxe's position atop the sales charts for the original Switch, but Nintendo also showed a cartridge for Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a 2023 platformer.The company has confirmed Switch games will run on Switch 2 (albeit not all, we're waiting for more news on that), but the confirmation of Switch 2 exclusives means that while this year's Pokemon Legends Z-A could run on both systems, we're due new versions of our favourite franchises, too.Nintendo will hold a Nintendo Direct on April 2, 2025, where it'll likely reveal the console's release date, pricing, and software lineup.The original Switch launched alongside Breath of the Wild, a Legend of Zelda title that also came to the Wii U, Nintendo's previous console. The first year also saw the launch of Mario Kart 8: Deluxe, Splatoon 2 and Super Mario Odyssey.Rumours for the Switch 2's software lineup also include one AAA third-party game making the jump, while other leaks have suggested the new console can run Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Assassin's Creed Mirage, and Metal Gear Solid Delta the latter of which still doesn't have a release date on any platform.Article continues belowFor the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.RECOMMENDED

What makes Mario Kart 9 different? (YouTube)The first game to be unveiled for the Nintendo Switch 2 is what appears to be Mario Kart 9 but what secrets is the reveal trailer hiding?Although the Nintendo Switch 2 has now been officially announced there was no voiceover or description for anything in the reveal trailer, so we dont even know if the new game it showed is called Mario Kart 9.It is very clearly a new game though, with very different and more detailed character models and background graphics. Nintendo no doubt chose the clip to give away as little as possible, but theres still quite a bit you can infer from the brief few seconds of footage.Many fans are already speculating that online races will allow for 16 or more human competitors (the track shows spaces for 24) but thats impossible to tell from the clip, and its arguable as to whether its even trying to hint at that. But there are some other clues about the game that seem a little more blatant. Things start off normal at first (YouTube)Is Mario Kart 9 on Nintendo Switch 2 open world?What does seem to be an obvious hint, is the implication of a larger racetrack, perhaps even an open world environment. There are ordinary, non-kart vehicles on the road and while a few older games have had courses like that they dont seem like obstacles here, but more part of the scenery.Likewise, theres a very detailed roadside diner that seems significant, while the clip ends up pointing to the horizon, where the road seems to go on forever, rather than looping back onto a traditional track.Its also criss-crossed by other dirt roads, although the race never gets that far, so you cant tell whether theyre useable. But theres certainly nothing in whats shown that looks like a traditional three lap racetrack.Theres no guarantee whats shown is even part of the final game it could just be something made up for a demo or the trailer itself but there is certainly reason to imagine that its trying something different than the usual linear courses.Whats also interesting is that the first thing the characters do is go off-road, because the road ahead is blocked off, and its noticeable that the karts seem to have much more realistic suspension than normal. The karts are clearly ready and able to traverse more difficult terrain than usual, more than youd expect for just the occasional shortcut. but wheres the actual track? (YouTube)What characters are in Mario Kart 9 for Nintendo Switch 2?Fans have previously speculated that a new game might be more of a Nintendo Kart, featuring more characters not in the various Super Mario titles, but theres no sign of that in the trailer, not even characters like Link or Isabelle who were in Mario Kart 8.More TrendingHowever, you can definitely make out Mushroom Kingdom regulars Mario, Luigi, Bowser, Peach, Donkey Kong, Toad, Yoshi, Wario, Daisy, Rosalina, Pauline, Koopa Troopa, Baby Mario, and Baby Luigi.News about Nintendo games rarely ever leaks out ahead of time, so theres nothing unofficial to suggest whether the new game will be open world or not.But given how well Mario Kart 8 Deluxe refined the classic formula of the series it does seems as if it needs a major shake-up in order for a new entry to seem worthwhile. And hopefully thats exactly what were getting.To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser thatsupports HTML5videoUp NextEmailgamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below,follow us on Twitter, andsign-up to our newsletter.To submit Inbox letters and Readers Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use ourSubmit Stuff page here.For more stories like this,check our Gaming page.GameCentralSign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

Science & technology | Dancing with deathA better understanding of Huntingtons disease brings hopePrevious research seems to have misinterpreted what is going onIllustration: Keith Negley Jan 16th 2025|Cambridge, MassachusettsHuntingtons disease is horrible. It is also odd. Illnesses caused by inherited aberrant genes are mostly what geneticists call recessive, meaning someone must receive defective versions of the gene involved from both mother and father. Huntingtons, the symptoms of which start with involuntary jerking, mood swings and memory problems, and end with death, is dominantmeaning only one parent need be a carrier to pass it on.Explore moreThis article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline Dancing with deathFrom the January 18th 2025 editionDiscover stories from this section and more in the list of contentsExplore the editionReuse this content

Apples iPhone 17 is months awayall the way on the other side of the year, at this point. Theres a rumor taking off that in addition to the iPhone SE, which reports have said will be launched as part of a shake-up in the iPhone line, an iPhone 17 Air may be offered as an alternative. The reports come from a trusted industry insider, Ming-Chi Kuo, who, in a Medium post, tells us to expect the 2H25 ultra-thin iPhone. The random number you see is the purported code name of whatever model it represents. The iPhones thinnest part could measure about 5.5mm, nearly two millimeters thinner than the current iPhone 16. Theres some speculation that it could replace the iPhone Plus model in the lineup. Chatter about the supposed iPhone Air was also seen on Digital Chat Station on the Chinese social network Weibo. The leak suggests that Samsungs Galaxy S25 will be the first out this year to be so thin, so we should expect that every other phone debuting this year will follow suit. At the helm of Bloombergs Power On newsletter, Mark Gurman mentioned the iPhone Air is on the docket for this year, which could serve as a testing ground for future technologies. If the iPhone is going to fold any time soon, it needs to be thinner. Im perplexed that anyone thought we needed a thinner iPhone. I get it from a gadget-head perspective since were always curious about engineering feats and how they make powerful smartphones sothin. However, the thought that Apple would market an iPhone model asAir doesnt sit right with me. I think its because Im so used to the MacBook Air and what it represents. And because its a tablet, essentially one-half of a laptop, the iPad Air fits in with that motif.Im sure someone will tell me, Flo, you complained just a month ago that smartphone design has plateaued. Isnt this the kind of thing you wanted? Well, I didnt think we would start a fad of Ozempic for smartphones. Its bad enough the way its ravaging Hollywood. Besides, when I hear that a phone is thinner, I think it has less battery than something larger, and slower performance since there cant possibly be enough room for heat dissipation. With all the recent natural disasters and end-of-day feelings, this doesnt seem like the time to trot out skinny phones with a shorter battery life and diminished capacity.Not that Apple woulddo that. A thinner iPhone chassis with the same power as the other regular iPhones is a significant bragging right, which is why all this is believable. However, it might not be very profitable for Apple. The analyst who told us about the thinner iPhone 17 also mentions that the skinny little mini will likely not increase hardware sales for Apple this fall. Thatll be partly due to downgraded components paired with a high price and a user experience similar to current models. The iPhone 17 Air may really just be an experiment for Apples foldables, after all.

Limestone House / Archer + BraunSave this picture! Will Scott PhotographyHouses, ExtensionEdinburgh, United KingdomArchitects: Archer + BraunAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:384 mPhotographsPhotographs:Will Scott PhotographyManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Coast, Strathearn, Umber & Ochre More SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Project summaryArcher + Braun, a London-based architectural practice, recently transformed a ground-floor flat in Edinburgh into a stunning, modern 5-bedroom family residence. Located within a conservation area, the property featured both historical importance and site constraints. Initially unaware of impending historical designation, the homeowners enlisted Archer + Braun to achieve their vision of modern, airy living, balancing contemporary style with the historic fabric of the structure. The architects' sensitivity to local conservation regulations, coupled with their experience on other listed projects in Edinburgh, played a pivotal role in achieving planning approval and meeting the family's design brief.Save this picture!Project backgroundThe homeowners, a Scottish-English couple with two university-age children, were drawn to Scotland by family ties and their children's educational plans. The couple relied on Archer + Braun's expertise in navigating planning regulations and creating thoughtful, aesthetic architecture. With the property's sudden transition to grade-listed status after purchase, the design team had to work within strict preservation constraints, preserving original features and crafting an extension that would complement rather than overshadow the historical structure.Save this picture!Design challenges and approachThe existing property posed several design challenges, particularly due to its fragmented layout. The homeowners envisioned a spacious, modern extension with open-plan living areas that seamlessly connected to the garden. However, the current configuration made a straightforward extension difficult. There was no direct way to link the main house with a rear addition, and the property's historic designation restricted alterations to its original structure.Save this picture!Moreover, the sloping site at the rear required Archer + Braun to address the difference in ground levels creatively. They introduced a series of steps and terraces, partially cantilevering the new structure to create a sensation of hovering above the landscape below.Save this picture!Archer + Braun's solution demonstrated their sensitivity to both the property's historical character and the clients' modern vision. Drawing on mid-century Californian aesthetics, they designed an extension with floor-to-ceiling glass that invites the surrounding landscape into the space. The glass-walled addition wraps around the rear of the property, offering sweeping garden views and fostering a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.Save this picture!Design solutions and Grade-listing considerationsTo honour the property's historical character, Archer + Braun designed a narrow courtyard to separate the main house from the extension. This "green corridor" not only minimised the extension's physical impact on the original structure but also provided a gentle visual transition between old and new. With its dual-aspect design, one can view both the house's original walls, through the kitchen courtyard windows, as well as the garden. By making the extension visually distinct and physically detached, Archer + Braun preserved the historical integrity of the main structure, carefully aligning with heritage listing regulations.Save this picture!Aesthetic and materialityArcher + Braun's design incorporated natural materials and a mid-century aesthetic, which complemented the surrounding landscape. A departure from the prevalent buff sandstone used in many Edinburgh extensions, the architects chose Portland stone, which featured fossil markings that contributed to a weathered, textured look. The extension's warm, silver-toned cladding and subtle metal roofing harmonised with the minimalist yet natural aesthetic of the interiors, creating continuity across the old and new spaces without overshadowing the original structure's character.Save this picture!Internal reconfiguration and new spacesThe project included the internal reconfiguration of the main house. The architects transformed the old kitchen and former servant's quarters into a cosy snug, and upgraded the existing garage into a two-storey structure with a guest bedroom above. A study and library space bridged the gap between the old and new areas, while the corridor connecting the main entrance with the extension provided a unique architectural transition, punctuated by a gradual descent into the new open-plan kitchen and dining area.Save this picture!Archer + Braun also reconfigured the master suite, integrating an en-suite bathroom and adding additional bathrooms throughout the property. By focusing on secondary areas, they made design improvements without altering the grand, historical rooms. This thoughtful reconfiguration not only fulfilled the practical needs of the homeowners but also celebrated the original architecture.Save this picture!Collaboration and remote project managementTo ensure the design was executed with precision, Archer + Braun made all essential decisions at the outset, leaving minimal need for on-site adjustments. The interior designera close friend of the homeownersalso played a crucial role, selecting finishes, wallpapers, and paint schemes that aligned with the architecture's pared-back aesthetic.Save this picture!The exterior of the extension, with its distinctive form and stepped terraces, drew inspiration from mid-century architecture, while the interiors took a more contemporary, minimalist approach. This allowed the new spaces to complement rather than compete with the home's original historic features and character.Save this picture!SummaryThe Edinburgh project stands as a testament to Archer + Braun's expertise in adaptive reuse, sensitive design, and managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects across continents. Through creative problem-solving and respect for Scotland's architectural heritage, they turned a challenging grade-listed property into a cohesive, elegant family home that offers modern comfort within a historic setting.Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeArcher + BraunOfficeMaterialsGlassStoneMaterials and TagsPublished on January 16, 2025Cite: "Limestone House / Archer + Braun" 16 Jan 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1025534/limestone-house-archer-plus-braun&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save!ArchDaily?You've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

Hot yoga is a relatively intense exercise regime favored by millions, including celebrities and athletes who have helped it garner a level of popularity. It usually involves a series of yoga poses conducted in temperatures of up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) and humidity of around 40 percent, intended to recreate the tropical clime of Kolkata, India. Previously known as Bikram yoga, it is now referred to as hot yoga due to a series of serious allegations against its founder. Despite this, its popularity continues and working out in the heat is said to be beneficial for both physical and mental health. While science is still catching up to some of the health claims made by hot yoga proponents, researchers have undertaken numerous studies investigating the health benefits of hot yoga. Improving Physical HealthHot yoga is known to improve flexibility in areas such as the lower back and shoulders. It can also help burn calories at a rate of around 460 calories for men and 330 for women, according to one study. Other research, however, suggests that calorie burn is the same as practicing yoga at room temperature. Similar to regular yoga, it can build bone density and may help improve sleep. There are also suggestions that it could help improve overall heart health and reduce risk of illnesses such as diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels. Mental Health BenefitsResearchers have found that the practice may also help improve mental health by reducing stress levels and possibly help tackle depression. An 8-week long study found that a little over one hot yoga class per week is associated with significantly greater reduction in depression symptoms amongst participants, for example. Maren Nyer, a clinical psychologist and director of yoga studies at Massachusetts General Hospital, led that particular study. Compared to non-heated yoga, the research is lagging quite far behind, she says, with only one other randomized control trial investigating the impact on depression. In Nyers view, hot yoga could be used as an add-on to traditional treatments, as a standalone treatment for more mild-to-moderate forms of depression, or for those waiting for mental health treatment. However, for more severe depression, she says that first line, evidence-based treatments should be utilized. Other research suggests that hot yoga can also positively influence stress, overall well-being and possibly anxiety, though this is also based on a limited number of studies.Read More: Does Yoga Really Detoxify the Body?The Importance of HeatMany of the mental health benefits may be tied to heat, much like visiting a sauna, she says. A previous study on whole body heating showed it can be an effective route to tackle depression. I think hot yoga is an interesting intervention, because it packs a powerful punch, Nyer says. You're combining the benefits of yoga, the heat, and mindfulness. Then you're combining the synergistic effect of moving and doing these postures while your body's hot. There are many potential benefits from hot yoga though some of these may be the same as regular yoga at room temperature. Further research is required, according to some, to delve deeper into the benefits and limitations. Some say that hot yoga could prompt the body to sweat out toxins. Its true that it can lead to the loss of as much as 1.5 to 2 liters of water due to sweat in a standard 90-minute session, but this sweat doesnt include toxins lurking in the body. This amount of water loss does, however, mean that staying hydrated before, during, and after any session is highly advised. Likewise, the suggestion that exercising in hot temperatures reduces the risk of injury is considered false and may, in some cases, make this more likely. Hot yoga also comes with a health warning as it may not be suitable for everyone. People with heart conditions, low blood pressure, or low blood sugar, and pregnant women are commonly advised to seek advice prior to starting hot yoga. This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.Article Sources:Our writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:National Library of Medicine. Bikram yoga training and physical fitness in healthy young adultsColorado State University. Researcher: Hot yoga yields fitness benefitsNational Library of Medicine. Improvements in glucose tolerance with Bikram Yoga in older obese adults: a pilot studyNational Library of Medicine. The Efficacy of Yoga as a Form of Treatment for DepressionNational Library of Medicine. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Community-Delivered Heated Hatha Yoga for Moderate-to-Severe DepressionNational Library of Medicine. Hot Yoga Leads to Greater Well-being: A Six-week Experience-sampling RCT in Healthy AdultsNational Library of Medicine. Whole-Body Hyperthermia for the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical TrialSean Mowbray is a freelance writer based in Scotland. He covers the environment, archaeology, and general science topics. His work has also appeared in outlets such as Mongabay, New Scientist, Hakai Magazine, Ancient History Magazine, and others.

Suni Williams wasnt planning to participate in a spacewalk when she arrived aboard the International Space Station last yearbut she also wasnt planning her eight-day trip to turn into a ten-month tenure, either.At the time of writing, Williams and ISS crewmate, Nick Hague, are conducting NASAs first spacewalk in over a year. The pair are scheduled to spend roughly 6.5 hours in the vacuum of space, where they will work on a number of long overdue external repairs and equipment assessments.The duo will remove and replace a rate gyro assembly that helps provide orientation control for the station, install patches to cover damaged areas of light filters for an X-ray telescope called NICER (Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer), and replace a reflector device used for navigational data on one of the international docking adapters, NASA explained in its spacewalk preview on Wednesday. The pair also will check access areas and connector tools that will be used for future maintenance work on the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer.Its been an unexpected stay for Williams and her original mission partner, Butch Wilmore. The pair launched aboard Boeings (much-delayed) Starliner spacecraft on June 5th, 2024, from NASAs Kennedy Space Force Station near Cape Canaveral, Florida. Shortly after docking with the ISS, however, mission engineers detected multiple issues with Starliners thrusters, putting the astronauts return timeline into question. The team ultimately decided to play it safe and remote pilot Boeings first commercial spaceship back to Earth, leaving Williams and Wilmore not stranded in the technical sense of the termbut very much lacking an immediate ride home.Williams and Hague are conducting multiple repairs outside the ISS. Credit: NASA After some ISS crew schedule reshuffling, NASA announced the pair would swap out for two of the astronauts previously scheduled for the agencys SpaceX Crew-9 turnover mission. That, too, has since been delayed, however. Williams and Wilmore are currently slated to finally make it back to Earth in late March or early April. In the meantime, the astronauts have kept busy aboard the ISS by assisting in a number of onboard experimentsas well as watering plants and fixing urine pumps.NASA initially expected to conduct its space walk last summer with astronauts Tracy C. Dyson and Matt Dominick, but scrubbed the mission after one of them reported a spacesuit discomfort issue. A further examination determined the suits cooling loop had sprung a leak, which subsequently allowed water to drip into the airlock chamber. The issue has since been fixed, allowing todays spacewalk to proceed as originally intended. This marks the eighth spacewalk for Williams, who previously served aboard the ISS in 2006-2007.And those jealous on behalf of Williams Starliner partner, dont worryButch Wilmore is on the docket to exit the ISS during another spacewalk with Williams next week.The post Starliner astronaut conducts spacewalk while stuck aboard ISS appeared first on Popular Science.