In well over a decade of journalism, I've seen a fair amount of copied designs, but I've never seen anything as blatant as Bing's recently abandoned attempt to hoodwink people into believing they were actually using Google. Since time immemorial, people have used a system's default apps to look for better alternatives, and to switch to those instead. Back in the day, Internet Explorer was often used to download Firefox or Chrome, before being forgotten forever. Now, the same thing is happening with BingMicrosoft's search engineand the company clearly isn't pleased about it.If you use Microsoft's Edge browser and haven't changed any of its default settings, Bing is your search engine. Earlier this month, when you typed the word "Google" into that browser's address bar, you would see a page that you may have mistaken for a Google search, but you'd actually still be on Bing. The illusion came complete with a fake Google doodle, a search bar with Google-like text underneath it, results laid out in a way that aped Google's design, and other spoofed Google UI elements. This was first spotted by 9to5Google.The worst part was that the spoofed page even hid Microsoft Bing's branding by automatically scrolling past it. Normally, Bing's branding and the search bar are prominently visible at the top of every search.A few weeks later (and after the practice garnered a whole lot of attention, from this website and others), the charade seems to be over: Searching for "Google" on Bing now takes you to a standard Bing results page. But it's clear that they attempted this scheme at all that Microsoft has noticed that people are using Bing to locate Google, and isn't happy about that. Parisa Tabriz, the vice president of Google Chrome, expressed her displeasure at the move on X (formerly Twitter). Her post reads, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Microsoft spoofing the Google homepage is another tactic in its long history of tricks to confuse users & limit choice. New year; new low @Microsoft." If you're unhappy with such tricks, you can easily switch the default browser on Windows 11.Editor's note: We have reached out to Microsoft for comment but haven't yet gotten a response.

It hasn't even been a full day since ByteDance shut down TikTok in the US, and now it says it's coming back. In a statement posted on X Sunday afternoon, TikTok wrote, "In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service."STATEMENT FROM TIKTOK:In agreement with our service providers, TikTok is in the process of restoring service. We thank President Trump for providing the necessary clarity and assurance to our service providers that they will face no penalties providing TikTok to over 170 TikTok Policy (@TikTokPolicy) January 19, 2025 Developing...This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/tiktok-says-its-restoring-service-in-the-us-175440013.html?src=rss

Many firms remain unconcerned about AI energy usage, for now.

TikTok was available to some U.S. users on Sunday after President-elect Donald Trump said that he would sign an executive order to delay a federal ban.

Netflixs filmmakers open up the passionate craft that goes into their work with puppetry, detailing the trials and triumphs of bringing a character like Feathers to life. They explained how emotions were bestowed on minuscule puppets through intricate design and movements while negotiating oddities such as Feathers lack of knees and tricky eyelids. Behind the curtain: what goes on in the making of those characters that touch peoples hearts.The post Film Makers and Their Puppets appeared first on Vfxexpress.

A growing number of countries are confronting the dual challenges of population decline and aging, as younger generations opt to have fewer children and advances in healthcare extend life expectancy.China said Friday that its population fell for the third straight year in 2024, falling by almost 1.4 million to 1.408 billion. Elsewhere in Asia, Japans population has been falling for 15 years, while South Koreas growth turned negative in 2021. In Italy, the number of births has fallen below 400,000 for the first time since the 19th century.The United Nations says the population has peaked in 63 countries and territories, about half in Europe. The U.N. projects that another 48 will hit their peak over the next 30 years.Globally, the population of 8.2 billion people is still growing, with the U.N. projecting it will reach 10.3 billion in roughly 60 years and then start to decline.For many countries with shrinking populations, the slow-moving but hard-to-reverse trend has prompted governments to offer financial incentives to encourage people to have children to help support the growing number of elders.Japan has shrunk by 3 million people since 2008The Japanese governments chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, called the demographic situation critical last year, saying that the next six years will be the last chance for us to possibly reverse the trend.Japans population peaked at 128 million in 2008 and has fallen to 125 million since then. The number of births hit a record low of 730,000 in 2023.Surveys show that younger Japanese are increasingly reluctant to marry or have children, discouraged by bleak job prospects, a cost of living that is rising at a faster pace than salaries, and a corporate culture difficult for women and working mothers.Japans population is projected to fall to 87 million people by 2070, when four out of every 10 people will be 65 years of age or older.One segment of the population is still growing: an 11% increase in foreign residents helped push their population above 3 million for the first time in 2023, making up nearly 3% of the total.In China, a higher retirement age and elderly universitiesChina is growing older, a trend that could sap economic growth and challenge the governments capacity to provide for a larger elderly population with fewer workers.Some see opportunity. An elderly university in Beijing, the Chinese capital, has enrolled 150 students in dance, singing, yoga, and modeling classes. The business has yet to break even but founder Liu Xiuqin believes in the markets future, given the value that retirees born in the 1960s place on quality of life and health compared to earlier generations.The government is raising the retirement age over the next 15 years to 63 from 60 for men, to 55 from 50 for women in factory and other blue-collar jobs, and to 58 from 55 for women in white-collar work.China ceded its position as the most populated country to India in 2023, after the population began to fall in 2022. Women are having fewer babies despite the easing of Chinas one-child policy to allow up to three children.The population of 1.4 billion people still more than 10 times that of Japan is projected to fall to 1.3 billion by 2050.The Pope is urging Italians to have more childrenBacked by the Vatican, a succession of Italian governments have vowed to address the social, economic, and cultural reasons behind one of the worlds lowest birthrates.Pope Francis has repeatedly urged Italians to have more children to invert what he has called the demographic winter facing many industrialized countries.The government of Premier Giorgia Meloni has a campaign to encourage at least 500,000 births annually by 2033, a rate that demographers say is necessary to grow the wage-earning population and prevent the economy from collapsing as retirees draw on their pensions.The number of births has fallen steadily from about 577,000 in 2008 to 380,000 in 2023, the first year since Italys unification that the number fell below 400,000.Studies say thats due to a combination of factors, including a lack of openings for affordable child care, low salaries, and a tradition of women caring for older parents.Foreigners reverse decline in South Korea, but just barelySouth Koreas population rebounded in 2023 thanks to an influx of foreigners.The birthrate fell again in a country where many younger people dont feel the same obligation to have children that their parents and grandparents did.Some are put off by the high cost of raising children in a highly competitive education system and a patriarchal culture that forces women to take on most childcare duties.The number of foreign residents rose 10% to 1.9 million people, partly because of an extension of a working visa program, the countrys Yonhap news agency reported, citing the government statistics agency.That was enough to boost the total population ever so slightly by 0.2% to 51.8 million people.Of those, 9.5 million are 65 or older. The demographic trends have sparked concern about labor shortages and strains on the government budget.Associated Press writer Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed.

The climate and colours of the New England coast influenced the interiors of this hotel in Portland, Maine, designed by New York-based studio Post Company.The Longfellow Hotel occupies a new building in the city's West End neighbourhood, a short distance from the historic Old Port area.In the lobby of The Longfellow Hotel, turmeric-coloured sofas contrast the pale seafoam-green wallsNamed after local poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the 48-room boutique hotel is operated by Maine-based Uncommon Hospitality."Much like the famed poet's enduring words, the hotel reflects the location's rugged charm and extremes of the environment from cold, blustery winters to sun-soaked summer months," said the hotel team.The 48 guest rooms blend traditional mouldings and contemporary furnitureThe ground-floor lobby space features soaring ceilings elongated by tall windows, rail and stile wall panelling, and a series of minimal brass chandeliers.To one side of the entrance, a lounge area is formed by turmeric-coloured modular sofas that contrast the pale seafoam-green walls and black-and-white penny round flooring.Elements like black wooden furniture and dark light fixtures contrast the off-white paintwork. Photo by Chris MottaliniOn the other is an open space where a large wooden dining table, various patterned seating options and small accent tables offer spots for guests to work or relax.The hotel's bar named Five of Clubs is located at the far end, backed by a huge mirror and surrounded by vintage artwork.Some of the rooms feature cosy workspace nooks"The interiors feel familiar, yet impart a true sense of place, by blending contemporary elements with traditional touches to evoke a modern timelessness," said Post Company partner Jou-Yie Chou."The design establishes a sequence of spaces that invite visitors in, while handsome details encourage them to linger and indulge."Contrasting black and white decor continues in the bathroomsBeyond the bar is the small Twinflower Cafe that serves coffee, pastries and a selection of breakfast dishes.A separate yet connected entrance leads to the hotel's Astraea spa, which was minimally designed with local granite surfaces, textured limewash walls and natural wood flooring.All of the rooms are outfitted with wide-plank oak flooring. Photo by Chris MottaliniThe guest rooms are spread across the upper floors and blend traditional and contemporary design elements.All are outfitted with wide-plank oak floors accented with monochromatic trim, crown and baseboard mouldings.Read: Post Company imbues Mollie Aspen hotel interiors with earthy huesBlack doors, closet pulls, light fixtures and furniture pieces like tables and chairs juxtapose the off-white paintwork.Meanwhile, custom headboards with scalloped tops and TRNK-designed chaise lounges were upholstered in jewel-toned velvet for added contrast.On the top floor is a communal lounge space for quiet activitiesAlso on the top floor is a communal lounge room for reading, working, board games and other low-key activities.Hotel guests can take advantage of complimentary bicycle rentals and an electric car service. These are among a number of eco-conscious efforts made by the property, which also include zero single-use plastics and all-electric appliances.The hotel's Astraea spa is minimally designed with Scandinavian influencesFormerly known as Studio Tack, Post Company has completed a variety of hotels across the US over the past few years: from a historic property in Carmel-by-the-Sea to a boutique spot in Aspen that's decorated with earthy hues.The latter, named Mollie Aspen, was shortlisted in the hotel and short-stay interior category of Dezeen Awards 2024.The photography is by Carley Rudd unless stated otherwise.The post Maine's "rugged charm" informs The Longfellow Hotel by Post Company appeared first on Dezeen.

With incredible colors, brightness, and contrast, is this a glimpse into the next 10 years of display tech?

Last-minute changes to the location of the 47th presidential inauguration ceremony may have foiled plans by the public to watch the event in person, but here's how to catch the whole event as it's broadcast and streamed live.The US Capitol building. Image source: Visit the Capitol government websiteBecause of an unusually cold weather forecast for Monday, January 20th, the swearing-in ceremony of US President-Elect Donald Trump has been changed from the traditionally outdoor event at the US Capitol to inside the building. "There is an Arctic blast sweeping the country," Trump said in a statement about moving the event, "I don't want to see people hurt, or injured in any way."The inauguration ceremony will take place in the United States Capitol Rotunda at 12:00 pm Eastern, and all major US networks will be carrying the event live. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

TikTok has announced its returning to US users. The company posted on X that it is in the process of restoring service after reaching an agreement with our service providers. Some of us at The Verge are seeing the app fully back, while for others, the app is behaving as though it has no internet connection. Prior to this, TikToks website started loading once more. The app has not yet returned to the iOS App Store. Developing...