Apple reports December quarter results on Jan. 30.

More than 30 Walmart investors, representing $266 billion in assets under management or advisement, have asked the retail giant to explain the reasoning behind its decision to roll back DEI initiatives and the resulting implications for the company.In a letter sent to CEO Doug McMillon on January 15, shareholders said, Walmart has sent a clear signal to all underrepresented and marginalized groups that Walmart will not fight to protect their rights.The investors, including faith-based groups such as Sisters of the Humility of Mary and United Church Funds, want to engage in a respectful dialogue with members of Walmarts senior leadership and board of directors to discuss the new policy shift, the group disclosed in the letter.Shareholders claim that for the past three decades they have directly communicated with the company about the risks of racism, discrimination, and inequality. Though Walmart did not provide a financial or business reasoning for the policy change, the shareholders said they provided research and data about the business and financial benefits in regard to advancing DEI.The shareholder letter was reported earlier by Bloomberg.A sense of belongingWalmart confirmed the rollbacks in November 2024. In a statement about the move at the time, it said, Weve been on a journey and know we arent perfect, but every decision comes from a place of wanting to foster a sense of belonging, to open doors to opportunities for all our associates, customers, and suppliers and to be a Walmart for everyone.However, the investors accused the companythe worlds biggest retailerof being disingenuous in saying it is committed to creating a sense of belonging only to cut the programs that advance inclusion.In the letter, the investors voiced their concern to see the company give into bullying and pressure from anti-DEI groups. The concern was formed after Walmart ignored requests from a significant number of its own shareholders to address the risks of racial inequality, the letter states.Walmart did not respond to Fast Companys request for comment.The policy changes were made amid a shifting political landscape as well as pressure from Robby Starbuck, a conservative political commentator who has threatened consumer boycotts of prominent consumer brands that dont retreat from their diversity programs.The shareholders concluded their statement by urging Walmart to keep programs and policies that promote growth, while asking that it does not fall victim to political pressure that causes it to ignore its values.

A glazed double-height extension by EBBA Architects and a green terrazzo-lined home byConForm Architects are among London's best new homerenovations, according to this year's 14-strong Don't Move, Improve!shortlist.An extension by architecture studioDHaus illuminated by a wall-to-wall skylight was also featured in the competition's shortlist, alongside a bomb-damaged home that was renovated by British studio Bindloss Dawes.Top image: ConForm Architects' terrazzo-lined extension is in the Don't Move, Improve! shortlist. Photo by James Retief. Above: DHaus was shortlisted for its skylit extension. Photo by James RetiefNow in its 15th edition, the annual Don't Move, Improve! awards programme aims to celebrate the most innovative home improvements in London.Over 150 houses were entered into this year's competition. A peer review panel made up of last year's shortlisted architects made a refined list, from which 14 shortlisted projects were selected by the judging panel. This included writer Anna White, urban designer Ed Jarvis, Mary Duggan Architects founder Mary Duggan, and architecture photographer Peter Molloy.The Archmonger director's self-designed home is among London's best home renovations. Photo by French + TyeThe jury praised the diversity of scale in the shortlisted projects, adding that renovations and extensions of all sizes can significantly improve a home."The shortlisted projects all demonstrated exemplary approaches towards the material considerations prioritising existing fabric and energy performance," said Duggan."Projects ranged in typology from whole house remodelling, space extensions to smaller intricate reconfigurations, all aspiring to achieve long-stay arrangements adaptive to growing families."Read: Terracotta-tiled extensions by Emil Eve Architects named London's best home improvement project"These projects offer inspiration and practical solutions for Londoners looking to improve their homes, demonstrating that great design is accessible to all," added NLA head of programme Federico Ortiz."From small-scale refurbishments to bold architectural statements, these homes are proof that Londoners are embracing the potential of their spaces in incredible ways."Bindloss Dawes's bomb-damaged Lordship Park also made the shortlist. Photo by Nick DeardenOther projects on the shortlist include an extension informed by tropical modernism by London studio Sonn and a home by architecture practice Curtaz Studio that celebrates the owners' shared love for photography and nature.Timber dominated in some of the homes, including the Hope Villa extension by architecture studio Proctor & Shaw and Upper Addison Gardens by studios Woodrow Vizor Architects and LonProp.Johan Hybschmann, director of London studio Archmongers, was shortlisted for the transformation of his own 1970s home, while homeowner Natallia Tanko showcased DIY initiative with her self-built Hands-on Home.A former clergy house is in contention for winning the competitionProjects that focused solely on making use of an existing home, rather than extending it, included architecture practice THISS Studio's transformation of an underused space in Hartley House and a former clergy house that was renovated by design studios Nina+Co and Roar.Loca studio O'Sullivan Skoufoglou Architects transformed a south London home to make it more suited to hybrid working, while VATRAA created a connection with the outdoors by designing a sunken kitchen extension where the seating aligns with the garden level.The winning home renovation will be announced on 19 February by competition organiser New London Architecture (NLA), with which Dezeen is a media partner.Last year's overall winner was a terracotta-tiled extension by London studioEmil Eve Architects, which was praised for its playful use of colour.Scroll down to see all 14 shortlisted projects:Photo by French + TyeAperture House by Curtaz StudioPhoto by James RetiefDatum House by DHausPhoto by French + TyeElemental House by ArchmongersPhoto by Natacha BisarreHands-on Home by Natallia TankoPhoto by Henry WoideHartley House by THISS StudioPhoto by Jim StephensonHope Villa by Proctor & ShawPhoto by James RetiefHouse Extension in Islington by VATRAAPhoto by Nick DeardenLordship Park by Bindloss DawesNina's House by Nina+Co and RoarPhoto by Philippa LangleyPlaster House by SonnPhoto by Stale EriksenRaw House by O'Sullivan Skoufoglou ArchitectsPhoto by Rikard KahnSteel House by EBBA ArchitectsPhoto by James RetiefTerzetto by ConForm ArchitectsPhoto by Adam ScottUpper Addison Gardens by Woodrow Vizor Architects and LonPropThe post Don't Move, Improve! 2025 shortlist spotlights London's best home renovations appeared first on Dezeen.

Oceanus Brass, a company that creates high-quality nautical tools, decided to machine a 20-pound tankard out of a bar of 304 stainless steel. They posted it on Kickstarter as a drinking mug, and wouldn't you know it, it's taken off. "The Oceanus Brass Tankard is crafted on a state-of-the-art, Swiss-type, automatic lathe. Every component is given painstaking attention to detail. The Oceanus Brass Tankard's body begins life as a ~35 Pound cylinder of solid Stainless Steel. Through the precision of Swiss engineering fifteen pounds of metal are then carved off. Meticulous machining to a tolerance within one one-thousandth of an inch allows a 20-pound colossus marvel to emerge." It holds 20 oz. While drinking from it is likely a challenge, one benefit is that it is childproof. Killer detail: There's a bow shackle dovetailed into the handle. They also offer a smaller "Featherweight" version that weighs just 8 pounds and holds 16 oz.The Featherweight's going for $160, and the 20-pound Tankard goes for $350. They were only seeking $250 in pledges, but they're more than 600x funded, with over $150K in pledges at press time, and 50 days left to pledge.

Noise-canceling headphones have long been synonymous with premium pricing, where features like ANC are reserved for those willing to part with a significant chunk of their paycheck. But Belkin, a brand better known for practical chargers and laptop accessories, has decided to disrupt this norm. Theyve entered the audio scene with the Soundform Isolate, a pair of headphones that challenge the idea that quality must always come at a cost. We met Belkin at IFA where they showcased the Soundform Isolate the company spoke about how entering a new industry as an established brand was difficult so the best way to disrupt the space was to disrupt pricing.Belkin has been a trusted name in tech accessories for years, but with the Soundform Isolate, theyre stepping into the competitive world of noise-canceling headphones. Priced at just $60, these headphones aim to provide the essentials of active noise cancellation (ANC) without the sticker shock of high-end models. Whats the catch? Well, there really isnt one, given that Belkins primary aim is to establish its name in the audio space. The headphones are well-designed, work exactly as advertised, have an impressive battery, and a price tag that should really make you wonder why the hell Apple charges upwards of $400 for a pair of ANC headphones.Designer: BelkinRight away, the Soundform Isolate stands out for its clean, no-frills vibe. Offered in understated shades of sand or black, it folds up neatlya travelers delight. The CloudCushion earcups, aptly named, feel like a soft retreat for your ears, especially if youve endured stiff or uncomfortable headsets in the past. Comfort here is an integral part of the design DNA, making long hours of wear remarkably pleasant.Battery life? Lets just say it goes the distance. Flip on ANC, and youre set for 40 hoursample time for marathon workdays or that endless backlog of podcasts. Turn off ANC, and the battery stretches to an astonishing 60 hours. Thats endurance that punches well above its price. A handy transparency mode is also in the mix, keeping you connected to your surroundings without fumbling to take the headphones off.Whether youre fielding work calls or jumping into a Netflix binge, its all handled with ease thanks to Bluetooth 5.4, which ensuring smooth pairing and Multipoint letting you toggle between two devices seamlessly. Controls include a smart balance of touch gestures and good old physical buttons, giving you the flexibility to choose what works best.For those who still enjoy the occasional wired experience, the Soundform Isolate has a few tricks (or wires) up its sleeve. It ships with both a USB-C to USB-C cable for digital audio and charging, and a trusty 3.5mm analog cable. If that wasnt enough of a pleasant surprise for a $60 headphone, the device also comes with a built-in relaxation track of ocean waves. Its an unexpected but delightful feature, perfect for a quick mental escape in the middle of a chaotic day.With the Soundform Isolate, its clear that Belkins goal was to strike a balance between affordability and functionality. These headphones wont wow hardcore audiophiles, but thats not the point. Instead, they provide a straightforward, comfortable, and feature-rich experience that caters to everyday users. Whether youre diving into your favorite playlist, catching up on podcasts, or simply enjoying some peace and quiet, the Soundform Isolate delivers a solid performance without overcomplicating things. And at the same price as an Uber to the airport, this headphone is definitely a no-nonsense recommendation.The post Buying your first ANC Headphones? The $60 Belkin Soundform Isolate is the Perfect Entry-point Pick first appeared on Yanko Design.

Whether youre doing reps or pushing Play on the next episode, these leggings are built for every kind of marathon.

Dylan seemed to be in on the joke, posting an old black and white clip of himself saying Good God, I must leave right away.

MacworldIts fair to say that the Apple Intelligence features released so far have been met with mixed reviews. Among the more contentious features is AI-powered summaries of notifications on the lock screen and notification shade. Its useful when you have a bunch of notifications from the same app or to quickly give you an idea of what updates to a Messages thread are all about.But like everything powered by Artificial Intelligence, it can get things wrong. Sometimes, very wrong. When summarizing news alerts, these poor summaries can completely misrepresent the real story, and Apple rightly received some real criticism over it. Whats more, the tiny little icon in the notification is not a clear enough indication that youre looking at an AI-generated summary.With iOS 18.3 (starting in beta 3), Apple is introducing several key changes to Apple Intelligence notification summaries that should help address these issues:Notification Summaries for apps in the News & Entertainment category will be disabled for now, and re-enabled in a future update when Apple improves the accuracy of the AI summaries.When you enable Notification Summaries in settings, it more clearly states that the feature is a beta (as all Apple Intelligence features are) and that summaries may contain errors.Summarized text is italicized, in addition to the little AI summary icon next to the text. This will further separate them from regular notification text.You can disable Notification Summaries for an app right from the lock screen. Swipe left on the notification partway, choose Options then Turn off Summaries.These changes are active starting in iOS 18.3 beta 3 and should be present when iOS 18.3 is released widely, likely in late January or early February.

OpenAI has started rolling out a number of new features to ChatGPT, according to Techcrunch.The big news is support for reminders; the feature allows users, for example, to ask ChatGPT to remind them when its time to renew an ID or passport. Users can also ask ChatGPT to deliver a news summary or weather forecast at the same time every day something OpenAI called Tasks.Initially, the new abilities will only be available to paying customers of Chat GPT Plus, Team, and Pro.

Magnetic charging stands that utilize iPad Smart Connectors are working again with the latest iPadOS 18.3 beta, proving it was just a beta bug and not a larger move from Apple.Kuxiu charging stands work again with latest iPadOS 18.3 betaApple doesn't officially offer the Smart Connector through the MFi program, but manufacturers have figured out ways to use it with unofficial workarounds. So far, Apple seems like it doesn't care about the use, but a beta bug caused some concern.After the third iPadOS 18.3 beta was released, users reported that the charging capability of their Kuxiu charging stands had returned. Kuxiu had previously confirmed that they believed it was a beta issue, and not a move from Apple, and this seems to be the case. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums