Even as the future of TikTok remains unclear, Meta has rushed out an alternative to CapCut while Apple continues to do nothing to promote Clips eight years after its debut.Apple's Clips app is a fun tool, but not quite a CapCut replacementThere's a lot of back and forth relating to whether TikTok will be banned or not, but competitors are taking note. Meta, Adobe, and even Apple have an opportunity to take advantage of the void left by TikTok, CapCut, and other apps owned by ByteDance if a ban is enforced.According to a Reels post from head of Instagram Adam Mosseri, a new video editing app called Edits would be released sometime in February. It's a similar move to when Meta pre-announced Threads as an alternative to the dying Twitter platform. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Racial segregation in the United States included the legally or socially enforced separation of African Americans from White Americans, as well as the separation of other ethnic minorities from majority communities. Facilities and services such as housing, healthcare, education, employment and transportation in the United States have been systematically separated based on racial categorizations. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of segregation in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), so long as "separate but equal" facilities were provided, a requirement that was rarely met. The doctrine's applicability to public schools was unanimously overturned in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), and several landmark cases including Heart of Atlanta Motel, Inc. v. United States (1964) further ruled against racial segregation, helping to bring an end to the Jim Crow laws. During the civil rights movement, de jure segregation was formally outlawed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, while de facto segregation continues today in areas including residential segregation and school segregation, as part of ongoing racism and discrimination in the United States. This photograph, taken in 1939 by Russell Lee, shows an African-American man drinking at a water dispenser, with a sign reading "Colored", in a streetcar terminal in Oklahoma City.Photograph credit: Russell Lee; restored by Adam CuerdenRecently featured: Roadside hawkAucanquilchaBenjamin FranklinArchiveMore featured pictures

January 20: Day of Nationwide Sorrow in Azerbaijan (1990); Inauguration Day in the United States (2025); Martin Luther KingJr. Day in the United States (2025) Roller coasters1265 Simon de Montfort summoned local representatives to the Palace of Westminster to attend a parliament, now considered to be the forerunner of the House of Commons of England.1840 WilliamII became King of the Netherlands after his father WilliamI abdicated the throne.1885 LaMarcus Adna Thompson, sometimes called the "Father of Gravity", patented the roller coaster (pictured).1945 World WarII: In an operation that took nearly two months to complete, Germany began the evacuation of at least 1.8million people from East Prussia in anticipation of the advancing Soviet Red Army.2018 A group of Taliban gunmen attacked and took hostages at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, sparking a 12-hour battle that left at least 21 people dead.Sebastian Mnster (b.1488)Agnes Mary Clerke (d.1907)Yolanda Gonzlez (b.1961)Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (b.1965)More anniversaries: January 19January 20January 21ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout

Join our daily and weekly newsletters for the latest updates and exclusive content on industry-leading AI coverage. Learn MoreHumanoid robots are no longer the stuff of science fiction. Imagine a world where robots not only collaborate with us in factories but also greet us in stores, aid in surgeries and care for our loved ones. With Tesla planning to deploy thousands of Optimus robots by 2026, the age of humanoid robots is closer than we think.This vision is becoming increasingly tangible as more companies showcase groundbreaking innovations. The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcased several examples of how robotics is advancing in both functionality and human-centric design. These included ADAM the robot bartender from Richtech Robotics, which mixes more than 50 types of drinks and interacts with customers, and Tombot Inc.s puppy dogs that wag their tails and make sounds designed to comfort older adults with dementia. While there may be a market for these and other robots on display at the show, it is still early days for broad deployment of this type of robotic technology.Nevertheless, real technological progress is being made in the field. Increasingly, this includes humanoid robots that use generative AI to create more human-like abilities enabling robots to learn, sense and act in complex environments. From Optimus by Tesla to Aria from Realbotix, the next decade will see a proliferation of humanoid robots.A conversation with Aria. Source: CNET https://youtu.be/2HQ84TVcbMwDespite these promising advancements, some experts caution that achieving fully human-like capabilities is still a distant goal. Citing shortcomings in current technology, Yann LeCun one of the Godfathers of AI argued recently that AI systems do not have the capacity toplan, reason or understand the physical world. He added that we cannot build smart enough robots today because we cant get them to be smart enough.LeCun might be correct, although that doesnt mean we will not soon see more humanoid robots. Elon Musk recently said that Tesla will produce several thousand Optimus units in 2025 and that he expects to ship 50,000 to 100,000 of them in 2026. That is a dramatic increase from the handful that exist today performing circumscribed functions. Of course, Musk has been known to get his timelines wrong, such as when he said in 2016 that fully autonomous driving would be achieved within two years.Nevertheless, it seems clear that significant advances are being made with humanoid robots. Tesla is not alone in pursuing this goal, as other companies including Agility Robotics, Boston Dynamics and Figure AI are among the leaders in the humanoid robotic field.Business Insider recently had a conversation with Agility Robotics CEO Peggy Johnson, who said it would soon be very normal for humanoid robotsto become coworkers with humans across a variety of workplaces. Last month, Figure announced in a LinkedIn post: We delivered F.02 humanoid robots to our commercial client, and theyre currently hard at work. With significant backing from major investors including Microsoft and Nvidia, Figure will provide fierce competition for the humanoid robot market.Figure 02 humanoid robots at work in a BMW factory. Source: YouTube: https://youtu.be/WlUFoZstcWgCreating a world viewLeCun did have a point, however, as more advances are required before robots have more complete human capabilities. It is simpler to move parts in a factory than to navigate dynamic, complex environments.The current generation of robots face three key challenges: processing visual information quickly enough to react in real-time; understanding the subtle cues in human behavior; and adapting to unexpected changes in their environment. Most humanoid robots today are dependent on cloud computing and the resulting network latency can make simple tasks like picking up an object difficult.One company working to overcome current robotics limitations is startup World Labs, founded by AI Godmother Fei Fei Li. Speaking with Wired, Li said: The physical world for computers is seen through cameras, and the computer brain behind the cameras. Turning that vision into reasoning, generation and eventual interaction involves understanding the physical structure, the physical dynamics of the physical world. And that technology is called spatial intelligence.Gen AI powers spatial intelligence by helping robots map their surroundings in real-time, much like humans do, predicting how objects might move or change. Such advancements are crucial for creating autonomous humanoid robots capable of navigating complex, real-world scenarios with the adaptability and decision-making skills needed for success.While spatial intelligence relies on real-time data to build mental maps of the environment, another approach is to help the humanoid robot infer the real world from a single still image. As explained in a pre-published paper, Generative World Explorer (GenEx) uses AI to create a detailed virtual world from a single image, mimicking how humans make inferences about their surroundings. While still in the research phase, this capability will help robots to make split-second decisions or navigate new environments with limited sensor data. This would allow them to quickly understand and adapt to spaces they have never experienced before.The ChatGPT moment for robotics is comingWhile World Labs and GenEx push the boundaries of AI reasoning, Nvidias Cosmos and GR00T are addressing the challenges of equipping humanoid robots with real-world adaptability and interactive capabilities. Cosmos is a family of AI world foundation models that help robots understand physics and spatial relationships, while GR00T (Generalist Robot 00 Technology) allows robots to learn by watching humans like how an apprentice learns from a master. Together, these technologies help robots understand both what to do and how to do it naturally.These innovations reflect a broader push in the robotics industry to equip humanoid robots with both cognitive and physical adaptability. GR00T could enable humanoid robots to help in healthcare by observing and mimicking medical professionals, while GenEx might allow robots to navigate disaster zones by inferring environments from limited visual input. As reported by Investors Business Daily, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said: The ChatGPT moment for robotics is coming.Another company working to create physical AI models is Google DeepMind. Timothy Brooks, a research scientist there, posted this month on X about company plans to make large-scale gen models that simulate the physical world.These emerging physical world models will better predict, plan and learn from experience, all fundamental capabilities for future humanoid robots.Google is building world simulation models. Source: X.com https://x.com/_tim_brooks/status/1876327325916447140The robots are comingEarly in 2025, humanoid robots are largely prototypes. In the near term, they will focus on specific tasks, such as manufacturing, logistics and disaster response, where automation provides immediate value. Broader applications like caregiving or retail interactions will come later, as technology matures. However, progress with AI and mechanical engineering is accelerating such humanoid robot development.Consulting firm Accenture recently took note of the developing full stack of robotics hardware, software and AI models purpose-built for creating machine autonomy in the human world. In their 2025 Technology Vision report, the company states: Over the next decade, we will start to see robots casually and commonly interacting with people, reasoning their way through unplanned tasks, and independently taking actions in any kind of environment.A timeline of past and estimated future robot adoption. Source: Accenture Technology Vision 2025 Technology Vision 2025Wall Street firm Morgan Stanley has estimated that the number of U.S. humanoid robots could reach eight million by 2040 and 63 million units by 2050. The company said that, in addition to technological advances, long-term demographic shifts creating labor shortages may help drive the development and their adoption.Building trustworthy robotsBeyond the purely technical obstacles, potential societal objections must be overcome. Without addressing these concerns, public skepticism could hinder the adoption of humanoid robots, even in sectors where they offer clear benefits. To be successful, deployed humanoid robots would need to be seen as trustworthy, and people will need to believe that they help society. As noted by MIT Technology Review, few people would feel warm and comfortable with such a robot if it walked into their living room right now.To address challenges with trust, researchers are exploring how to make robots appear more relatable. For instance, engineers in Japan have created a face mask from human skin cells and attached it to robots. According to a study published last summer and reported by The New York Times, the studys lead researcher said: Human-like faces and expressions improve communication and empathy in human-robot interactions, making robots more effective in health care, service and companionship roles. In other words, human-like appearance will improve trust.In addition to appearing trustworthy, human-like robots will need to consistently behave ethically and responsibly to ensure human acceptance. In public spaces, for example, humanoid robots with cameras might inadvertently collect sensitive data, such as conversations or facial details, raising concerns about surveillance. Policies ensuring transparent data practices will be critical to mitigate these risks.The next decadeIn the near term, humanoid robots will focus on specific tasks, such as manufacturing, logistics and disaster response, where automation provides immediate value. These specialized roles highlight their current strengths in structured environments while broader applications, like healthcare, caregiving and retail operations will emerge as technology matures.As humanoid robots become more visible in daily life, their presence will profoundly impact and potentially reshape human interactions and societal norms. Beyond performing tasks, these machines will integrate into the social fabric, requiring humans to navigate new relationships with technology. Their adoption could ease labor shortages in aging societies and improve efficiency in service sectors, but may also provoke debates about job displacement, privacy and human identity in an increasingly automated world. Preparing for these shifts will demand not just technological progress, but thoughtful societal adaptation.By addressing challenges and leveraging the efficiency and adaptability of humanoid robots, we can ensure these technologies serve as tools for progress. Shaping this future isnt just the responsibility of policymakers and tech leaders it is a conversation for everyone. Public participation will be essential to ensuring humanoid robots enhance society and address real human needs.Gary Grossman is EVP of technology practice at Edelman and global lead of the Edelman AI Center of Excellence.DataDecisionMakersWelcome to the VentureBeat community!DataDecisionMakers is where experts, including the technical people doing data work, can share data-related insights and innovation.If you want to read about cutting-edge ideas and up-to-date information, best practices, and the future of data and data tech, join us at DataDecisionMakers.You might even considercontributing an articleof your own!Read More From DataDecisionMakers

At a victory rally the day before being sworn into the presidency, Donald Trump extolled his plan to save TikTok from the law that banned it through a joint venture with the US. On its face, the plan does not appear to comply with the laws requirements for a qualified divestiture that TikToks service providers like Apple, Google, and Oracle could rely on to avoid hundreds of billions in potential fines. Even so, at least some of TikToks service providers seem to be relying on Trumps flimsy promises, allowing TikTok to restore service to the app mid-day Sunday, on the first day of its ban.Trump is proposing a joint venture where the US government owns 50 percent of TikTok. That raises a host of its own First Amendment issues since any content moderation whatsoever might be considered a government act, and the Constitution prohibits the government (not private companies) from infringing on speech. Its not entirely clear how Trump envisions this all playing out, but Trump says, essentially, that TikTok would have a partner in the US government, and theyll have a lot of bidders and the United States will do what we call a joint venture. Trump claims there is no risk to the US because were not putting up any money. All were doing is giving them the approval without which they dont have anything. So, I dont know, it sounds like that works.Trump also reinforced the idea that the whole reason he likes TikTok is because he thinks it helped his campaign. He credited his 21-year-old staffer, nicknamed TikTok Jack, for helping him get on the app that helped him win over young voters.And though the stated purpose of forcing TikTok to divest from its parent company ByteDance (a move Trump himself first tried to do in his first term) was to remove a possible backdoor for the Chinese government to US data, he now says that frankly, we have no choice, we have to save it a lot of jobs. We dont wanna give our business to China.Heres Trumps full comments on TikTok during the rally:And as of today, TikTok is back. So, you know, I did a little TikTok thing we have a guy, TikTok Jack hes a young kid, like 21 years old. And we hired this guy, and I went on TikTok; can you believe what Ill do to win an election?And we went on TikTok and Republicans have never won the young vote, the youth vote. They win a lot of votes, but they never won the youth vote. We won the youth vote by 36 points. So I like TikTok. I like it. I had a slightly good experience wouldnt you say?Romney lost it by 40 points not so long ago. We won it by 36 points. Thats a very big spread.But I said, we need to save TikTok, because were talking about a tremendous who, who in this audience goes with TikTok? Many? Yeah, very popular. And frankly, we have no choice, we have to save it a lot of jobs. We dont wanna give our business to China, we dont wanna give our business to other people. And I said, you know, TikTok without my approval meaning the presidents approval because Congress gave the president the right to make a deal to whatever he wants and uh they did that a long time ago when they have a different president. They didnt know that I was gonna be at the president, I guess.So I said very simply, a joint venture. So, if TikTok is worth nothing, zero without an approval, you know you dont approve, theyre out of business, theyre worth nothing.If you do approve, theyre worth like a trillion dollars, theyre worth some crazy number. So I said, Ill approve, but let the United States of America own 50% of TikTok.Im approving on behalf of the United States.So theyll have a partner, the United States, and theyll have a lot of bidders and the United States will do what we call a joint venture. And theres no risk, were not putting up any money. All were doing is giving them the approval without which they dont have anything. So, I dont know, it sounds like that works. What do you think, good? So, whether you like TikTok or not, were gonna make a lot of money.

Scaling the size of large language models (LLMs) and their training data have now opened up emergent capabilities that allow these models to perform highly structured reasoning, logical deductions, and abstract thought. These are not incremental improvements over previous tools but mark the journey toward reaching Artificial general intelligence (AGI).Training LLMs to reason well is one of the biggest challenges in their creation. The approaches developed so far cannot nearly master multi-step problems or those where the solution must be coherent and logical. A principal cause is using human-annotated training data, which is expensive and inherently limited. Without enough annotated examples, these models fail to generalize across domains. This limitation presents a major barrier to exploiting LLMs for more complex, real-world problems requiring advanced reasoning.Previous methods have found partial solutions to this problem. Researchers have explored supervised fine-tuning, reinforcement learning from human feedback (RLHF), and prompting techniques such as chain of thought. While these techniques improve LLMs capabilities, they are still strongly dependent on quality datasets and significant computational resources. Fine-tuning with reasoning examples or integrating step-by-step problem-solving trajectories has proved successful; however, the approaches remain computationally intensive and are not generally scalable to mass applications. Addressing these challenges, researchers began to concentrate more on methods for automated data construction and reinforcement learning frameworks that make minimal demands on human effort but maximize reasoning accuracy.Researchers from Tsinghua University, Emory University, and HKUST introduced a reinforced learning paradigm for dealing with the challenges of training LLMs for reasoning tasks. Their approach uses Process Reward Models (PRMs) to guide intermediate steps within the reasoning process, significantly enhancing logical coherence and task performance. Using a combination of automated annotation with Monte Carlo simulations, the researchers have automatically generated high-quality reasoning data that does not rely on manual intervention. This innovative methodology eliminates reliance on human annotations about the data quality but enables models to perform advanced reasoning through iterative learning cycles. The reinforced learning method encompasses a variety of components, including PRM-guided automated reasoning trajectories and test-time reasoning.PRMs provide step-level rewards centered around intermediate steps rather than final outcomes. The detailed guidance ensures the model can learn incrementally and refine its understanding during training. Test-time scaling further improves reasoning capabilities by dedicating more computation resources for deliberate thinking during inference. Techniques such as Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) and self-refinement cycles are critical to this process, allowing the models to simulate and evaluate multiple reasoning paths efficiently. Performance results show that these methods work well.The models trained using this reinforced paradigm show significant improvement in reasoning benchmarks. The OpenAI o1 series, one of the most prominent implementations of such techniques, achieves an 83.3% success rate in competitive programming tasks by leveraging structured reasoning and logical deduction. The o1 model has also demonstrated PhD-level performance in mathematics, physics, and biology, scoring at gold-medal levels in the International Mathematics Olympiad. Systematic evaluations reveal that integrating step-level reasoning processes improves accuracy by 150% compared to earlier models. These results emphasize the ability of the model to decompose complex problems, synthesize interdisciplinary knowledge, and maintain consistency in long-horizon tasks.The study showcases the promising perspective that LLMs can realize once endowed with advanced reinforcement learning methods and test-time scaling strategies. The cases of data annotation and the reduction of computational resources culminate in novel possibilities for reasoning-focused AI systems. This work enhances the state of LLMs and establishes a foundation for future exploration in creating models for handling highly complex tasks with minimal human intervention.In summary, research points towards the transformational strength of the merge of reinforcement learning and test time scaling in building LLM. By addressing problems associated with traditional trAIning methods and deploying novel strategies of innovative design and application, such a model shows great promise as an effective creation for reasoning power. The methods presented by authors from Tsinghua University, Emory University, and HKUST are an enormous step in pursuing the desired goal of well-established AI and human-like reasoning systems.Check out the Paper. All credit for this research goes to the researchers of this project. Also,dont forget to follow us onTwitter and join ourTelegram Channel andLinkedIn Group. Dont Forget to join our65k+ ML SubReddit.(Promoted) Nikhil+ postsNikhil is an intern consultant at Marktechpost. He is pursuing an integrated dual degree in Materials at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. Nikhil is an AI/ML enthusiast who is always researching applications in fields like biomaterials and biomedical science. With a strong background in Material Science, he is exploring new advancements and creating opportunities to contribute. Meet 'Height':The only autonomous project management tool (Sponsored)

Economic pressures have driven architectural studios to innovate and diversify, as outlined in BCIs Construction Outlook Report New Zealand. The report uses proprietary pipeline data, industry surveys and expert insights to forecast emerging trends and market resilience for the yearahead.NZ architects balance economic pressures with innovation, sustainability, and optimism through emerging opportunities.Image: SuppliedThe report shows that architects are adapting by streamlining operations and embracing new technologies to staycompetitive.Cost escalation remains a major concern for New Zealand architects, with 59% identifying it as a key risk, while economic fluctuations (57%) and securing approvals (40%) remain topchallenges.Dan McNelis, New Zealand Studio Director at DKO Architecture, told BCI Central that the easing of inflation and steadying interest rates could provide improved project continuity andconfidence.What Im finding now is that we seem to have settled a little more politically. With things like the official cash rate drops and inflation seemingly under control, Im seeing a lot more optimism from our clients, McNelissaid.Were getting more incoming calls about projects, and personally, Im feeling better about the work and the prospects for a really good year in2025.Architects are determined to move beyond a survival mindset, focusing instead on thriving in the new year. This shift in perspective is echoed by McNelis, who emphasises the importance of fostering positivity and collaboration in theindustry.As we enter a new year, I feel invigorated by the optimism of bouncing back from a challenging period. I want to shift from a survive till 25 mentality to one of thriving, focusing on building deeper relationships with clients and promoting quality outcomes, McNelissaid.Changing our thought patterns can significantly influence our outcomes. By embracing optimism, we attract positive results, creating a ripple effect in theindustry.Developers, architects, and builders are navigating unprecedented risks in 2025Image: BCI Central Construction Outlook ReportFaced with economic pressures, architects are turning to diversification and innovation. Many firms are exploring new project sectors, embracing advanced technologies, and prioritising talent development to maintainmomentum.As a multi-disciplinary design firm, we view design efficiency and diversification as key to addressing economic challenges, Nick Moyes, Principal at Jasmax,said.Weve recently opened a studio in Sydney, which has shown promising growth across the Tasman Sea. We are optimistic that the efforts we make in the headwinds of today will accelerate opportunities now and into thefuture.New Zealand architects are also increasingly adopting specification writing software and automated workflows to enhance productivity. Over half (53%) of architects in New Zealand now use specification software a figure significantly ahead of their Australiancounterparts.New Zealand architects are balancing resilience and sustainability with economic viability as climate change, severe weather and demand for sustainable design continue to challenge the builtenvironment.Clients are increasingly demanding climate-resilient projects, leading architects to incorporate innovative materials and practices. Still, this shift highlights a persistent challenge: the gap between market expectations and commercialrealities.Despite advancements, the nations approach to climate resilience is still evolving.New Zealands approach to construction in the face of climate change and severe weather remains relatively fragile. Our architecture and built environment are constantly tested by these conditions, exposing limitations in our resilience, Hamish Davies, Director of Plus Architecture, told BCICentral.Despite advancements and technical capabilities, we face significant disruptions and challenges that undermine our progress. One area of opportunity is the Build-to-Rent (BTR) sector, which is gaining traction as a sustainable and community-focused solution to housing challenges. Interest in BTR initiatives rose to 38% from 10% in 2023, reflecting a shift toward rental-focuseddevelopment.Natasha Cockerell, Director and Registered Architect at Prendos New Zealand Limited, highlighted the sectors potential. Theres still incredible architecture being created, especially in the Build-to-Rent (BTR) sector, which I see as a significant part of our future, Cockerell said. Developers focused on long-term investments approach their projects with a mindset that prioritises quality and community, creating desirable living spaces rather than just profit-drivendevelopments.As New Zealand architects enter 2025, a year where many architects are expecting a significant change in sentiment, a shared focus on resilience, sustainability and innovation is driving the profession forward. Centralised data, industry sentiment and advancements in technology are helping to streamline decision-making, making it easier to navigate challenges and adapt to New Zealands evolving builtenvironment.Want to learn more about the current state of the New Zealand constructionindustry?Download the full and free reporthere.About HubexoIn 2021, BCI Central was acquired by Byggfakta Group, which rebranded to Hubexo in October 2024. This new Hubexo brand underscores a commitment to working as a unified, global organisation that empowers clients with innovative tools across five key product pillars: Market Intelligence, Project Information, Product Information, Specification and eTendering. Supporting 50,000 customers in 25 countries, Hubexo is shaping a sustainable future for the built environment by connecting data, insights and innovation.About BCI CentralBCI Centrals LeadManager platform gives users access to a live database of construction projects, companies and contacts, unlocking unparalleled opportunities and insights. BCI Centrals Analytix platform leverages hundreds of thousands of historical project data points from LeadManager, uncovering patterns, trends and relationships to enable proactive strategic planning.This content has been created with support from BCI Central.ArchitectureNow works with a range of partners in the A&D supply sector to create and/or source appropriate content for this website andArchitecture NZmagazine.If your brand or clients are interested in similar creative contentemail[emailprotected]toenquire.

Our Experts Written by McKenzie Dillon Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement Why You Can Trust CNET 16171819202122232425+ Years of Experience 14151617181920212223 Hands-on Product Reviewers 6,0007,0008,0009,00010,00011,00012,00013,00014,00015,000 Sq. Feet of Lab Space How we test CNETs expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise. What to consider Solid vs. inflatable board Not all stand-up paddleboards are inflatable; some are solid, which makes for easier setup but not necessarily transportation. Solid boards may also be better for the ocean because of their durability. Purpose of owning a paddleboard Some paddleboards provide for more speedy transportation across the water, while other paddleboards are built for yoga or offer more stability. The best stand-up paddleboard for you depends on how you'll be using it. Price How much do you want to spend on a paddleboard? There's a range of prices. Table of Contents Our Picks Best overall paddleboard Bote Breeze Aero View details $699 at Boteboard View details Best solid paddleboard Connelly Voyager 2.0 View details $550 at Dick's Sporting Goods View details Best lightweight paddleboard Retrospec Weekender 10' View details $250 at Retrospec View details Best paddleboard for travel iRocker 10' All Around Ultra View details $650 at iRocker View details Best paddleboard for touring Infinity E-Ticket Touring View details $1,595 at Infinity Surfboards View details Best paddleboard for fishing Bote Rackham Aero View details $1,649 at Bote View details Best paddleboard for yoga Aqua Marina Dhyana View details $550 at Amazon View details Best budget inflatable paddleboard High Society ZG Inflatable SUP (out of stock) View details $399 at High Society View details Best inflatable paddleboard ISLE Pioneer 2.0 (out of stock) View details See at ISLE View details Table of Contents A stand-up paddleboard is an easily transportable piece of gear for a fun recreational activity that lets you put in real effort for some solid exercise or simply relax and enjoy the sights. Stand-up paddleboards are useful for more activities than you might think. There's yoga, racing and even touring around lakes and rivers to fish, if you're so inclined.Think of stand-up paddleboards like kayaks, only with much more flexible movement. If your current board isn't up to the task, or you're ready for a lighter, better board, check out our roundup. We've tested the best stand-up paddleboards on the market to ensure you get a board that fits your skill level and needs. Affordable options, inflatable options -- we've explored a variety, and this is our list of the best.Best stand-up paddleboards

Another 136,000 ranked play accounts have been banned for cheating across both Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone.In a detailed update shared on social media, developer Treyarch said it recognised cheaters "are frustrating and severely impact the experience for our community" but insisted it was addressing the issue, and will continue to do so "throughout 2025".To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Nintendo Switch 2 and Mario Kart 9 have been revealed - but questions remain.Watch on YouTubePart of these efforts include "new layers of security and protections", as well as updated detection models for behavioural systems like aim botting, and "other data points", including "account trust and hardware identifiers to target serial cheaters".Players can also expect new detection and warning systems for spam reporting and enhanced cross-examination tools to reduce the time it takes to review reports. To see this content please enable targeting cookies.From Season 2, players can expect to see new and improved client and server-side detections and systems, too, as well as "major" kernel-level driver updates that not only improve driver security, but also reinforce the encryption process and introduce a new tampering detection system.Treyarch stressed that "malicious reporting is against the security and enforcement policy", adding that when a user spams the report button in-game multiple times against a user or someone uses an illegal cheat tool to spam 10,000 reports its system "does not consider more than one single report from a player versus another (despite what cheat developers are telling players when they try to sell their illegal software)".Interestingly, when a cheater is banned, the developer's system will also "detect other accounts it had regularly partied up with and raise flags for investigation to combat boosting and other cheater behaviour"."We have seen community questions about detection methods, like IP-based banning," the studio explained. "We do not utilise IP-based bans for anti-cheat because they tend to take action against entire groups within a range that aren't problematic. For example, a college campus or internet caf would be swept up in an IP-based ban wave when only a single machine was targeted."ICYMI, as Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 readies for the release of Season 2 on 28th January, developer Treyarch has shared initial details of Zombies mode's next map, The Tomb - which plunges players deep beneath the earth, down into ancient catacombs.

Our eyes do not deceive us: Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is going full MAGA.After releasing a chilling video announcing that Facebook, Instagram and other Meta companies will unleash a firehose of fascist disinformation on their platforms, Zuckerberg went where else? on Joe Rogan's podcast to celebrate. Complete with his new frat daddy look, Zuckerberg raved about how he thinks the "corporate world" has been "culturally neutered" and complained about being "surrounded by girls and women." He praised "masculine energy" and said a culture that "celebrates the aggression a bit more has its own merits that are really positive." He claimed he's not trying to exclude women, but then immediately pivoted to romanticizing his "masculine" martial arts training space, which is presumably segregated by gender.There's been a lot of media discourse about the more gossipy aspects of Zuckerberg's MAGA makeover. He does seem to have undergone several personal changes, picking up mixed martial arts fighting, dressing like an obnoxious dudebro complete with gold chains and talking like a masculinity grifter. He's giving off so much "divorced guy" energy think Ben Affleck or Kanye West that social media platforms are abuzz with speculation that Zuckerberg's wife, who he met in college, has left him. Truly, the try-hard nature of Zuckerberg's posturing is so embarrassing it's hard to look away from.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Geeky Stoics (@geekystoics)But, as with Elon Musk, Peter Thiel,Marc Andreessen and other tech billionaires, the pivot to MAGA isn't just about overgrown nerds trying (and failing) to compensate for high school insecurities. It also seems to be fueled by a deep loathing of the very people who have made these capitalists their money: the fleets of mostly desk workers who make the companies run.Musk frequently rants on X about the "elites," a word he uses almost exclusively to describe college-educated professionalswho draw middle-class or upper-middle-class incomes, i.e. the class of people doing the work that makes him rich. Yes, it's people who can often afford home ownership or summer vacations, but they still have to work for a living. Most make less in a year than Musk or Zuckerberg spend in a single trip to Mar-a-Lago.The war on "woke" is ultimately a war on workers.Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only.Like Musk before him, Zuckerberg appears to resent the people who work for him and make him rich. Zuckerberg's raving about how he wants more "masculine energy" and complaints that corporate culture is "neutered" are being celebrated by MAGA as a swipe at diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. These programs are dismissed by the right as "woke" and "virtue-signaling." The more mundane truth, however, is that DEI is part of a larger effort to attract talented employees by making workplaces welcoming and comfortable. A culture that "celebrates aggression," as Zuckerberg put it, sounds miserable for people who actually have to show up. Most adults just want to get their job done and aren't interested in chest-bumping, childish bullying, or feeling like they have to compare MMA stats to fit in.It's playing into the hands of oligarchs to reject the needs of middle class workers.That Trump's incoming administration is eager to downplay the importance of workers was revealed Thursday during the confirmation hearing for Scott Bessent, Trump's pick to head the Treasury Department. Citing Musk, Zuckerberg and other tech billionaires cozying up to Trump, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., asked Bessent, "Would you agree with President Biden that an oligarchy is taking shape in America?"Bessent replied, "The billionaires you listed make the money themselves." It was not only a non sequitur where the money comes from is not the measure of whether rich people controlling government constitutes oligarchy but it is also a flat-out lie. Thousands upon thousands of people work for these tech billionaires, churning out code, maintaining systems and running the business. Musk and Zuckerberg may not want to admit it, but they couldn't make a dime without those people.Meanwhile the more authoritarian, anti-worker regime at Meta has already kicked off. As the New York Times reported earlier this week, "Meta typically" invites "employees, civic leaders and others to weigh in" before a big policy change, but not this time. The new policies allowing more disinformation and hate speech on the platform were sprung on "most of Metas 72,000 employees" during the public announcement. The unwillingness to involve employees in the decision-making process has resulted in policies that don't just degrade the platforms. Employees complained "training materials that Meta created for the new policies were confusing and contradictory." For instance, Facebook users still cannot say "white people have mental illness," but they can say "gay people have mental illness."There's been a crackdown on free speech within Meta since the announcement. The company deleted messages on its internal communications system that criticized newly appointed board member Dana White, a Trump-loving professional fighter who was taped hitting his wife. The company locked down access to policies and training materials, to prevent workers from sharing them with the press. There have also been obnoxious moves that read as evident slights to employees, such as removing tampons from men's rooms, which serves no other purpose than to signal to trans people they aren't equal at Meta. Zuckerberg also announced he's moving the company's moderation teams from California to Texas, where, he argues, "theres less concern about the bias of our teams." This means forcing people to leave a state that is friendly to human rights to move to one that bans abortion and restricts queer-inclusive health care. Even for those who don't move, the message is loud and clear: Zuckerberg is signaling his contempt for their professionalism and intelligence.RelatedTech billionaires expose MAGA's "populism" con jobZuckerberg may want to frame the "neutered" environment of his offices in gendered terms that resonate with the psychosexual hang-ups of Trump voters, but in truth, it's not really about sex at all. It's about a more boring but necessary goal: meeting the needs of everyday workers, regardless of gender, race, or sexual identity. Most people just want a peaceful place to do their job, plus a pay and benefits package that helps them meet their life goals outside of work. It's not "woke" that makes Silicon Valley workers spend their days wearing khakis, drinking coffee, and being generally pleasant to each other, instead of exhibiting "masculine energy" and "aggression." Basic common sense dictates that chill, congenial workplaces are better for morale and productivity. Everyday niceness may not be as exciting as beating people up at a martial arts gym, but it is what actually made Zuckerberg his money."Zuckerberg blamed his former chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, for an inclusivity initiative at Facebook that encouraged employees self-expression in the workplace," the New York Times reported Thursday. "He said new guidelines and a series of layoffs amounted to a reset and that more changes were coming."Zuckerberg's former COO Sheryl Sandberg got a lot of grief, much of it well-deserved, for her "Lean In" book and its watered-down, individualistic approach to feminism. But while she will never be considered a great feminist thinker, her strategy made her a success at her actual job: attracting top-level talent to Facebook and later Meta. Her "feminine" approach, which Zuckerberg seems so ashamed of now, focused on making employees feel valued and acknowledging that workers are full human beings, not just cogs. So the company provides healthy benefits and salaries, on-site gyms, food, wellness centers, and varied transportation options. I agree with the cynic's take that this is all so they get more work out of people. It's also fair to say that it's a sight better than many alternatives, which expect maximum work without helping employees minimize stressors at home.Zuckerberg may now see those efforts to address work-life balance and inclusivity as emasculating and "woke," but it's not about gender. The stereotypical bachelor computer programmer also enjoys having free restaurants to eat at, rather than sadly microwaving a burrito at home for dinner. But pretending it's about masculinity is a good way to distract from the mundane fact that, like a stereotypical capitalist parasite, Zuckerberg has adopted a hostile posture towards his own workers. Perhaps, like so many of the hyper-rich before him, he doesn't like being reminded that, without his staff, he would be nothing.We need your help to stay independentSubscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalismIn his farewell speech to the nation Wednesday, President Joe Biden compared the "rise of a tech-industrial complex" to the robber barons of the 19th and 20th centuries. He warned that "the dangerous concentration of power in the hands of a very few ultrawealthy people" threatens not just democracy, but the basic rights of workers "to earn their fair share." The increasingly ugly attitude that tech billionaires take towards their own employees is a troubling indicator of this.We saw this already at X, formerly Twitter, where Musk, having stereotyped middle class workers as "elites" not deserving of respect, felt justified in stripping them of basic workers' rights. He demanded they work long overtime hours without pay or sleep, insisting they work 84 hours a week while he sits around and tweets. He disregarded their expertise, abused them verbally and made the situation so intolerable that many were forced to leave. He made them betray their basic values by catering to neo-Nazis and other scum that he let loose on Twitter. One reason he wants a carveout for H1B visas in the expected immigration crackdown is because he can use threats of deportation to extract high-intensity work for low pay from immigrant employees.Because the desk workers of Silicon Valley are middle class, they don't rate much sympathy in the current political discourse, which is far more focused on the partisan tug-of-war for working-class voters. But it's playing into the hands of oligarchs to reject the needs of middle class workers. The real battle is between working people, whether college-educated or not, and the hyper-wealthy, who want to suck up all the money for themselves and leave the people who do the actual labor behind. People like Musk and Zuckerberg save their rhetorical fire for the middle class desk workers who staff their companies, but the efforts to redistribute money upwards will hurt everyone, the working class most of all. This was also demonstrated during Bessent's hearing, when he rejected a call to raise the federal minimum wage, which has been stuck at a paltry $7.25 an hour since 2009. The chatter about "woke" is an effort to distract Americans from a simple fact: the desk worker and the factory worker have way more in common with each other than they do with the capitalist leaders who make money on their backs. And the tech billionaires now cozying up to Donald Trump are not friends to any of us.Read moreabout this topicBy Amanda MarcotteAmanda Marcotte is a senior politics writer at Salon and the author of "Troll Nation: How The Right Became Trump-Worshipping Monsters Set On Rat-F*cking Liberals, America, and Truth Itself." Follow her on Bluesky@AmandaMarcotteand sign up for her biweekly politics newsletter, Standing Room Only.MORE FROM Amanda MarcotteRelated Topics ------------------------------------------Class WarfareCommentaryDeiFeminismLaborMark ZuckerbergMetaMiddle ClassMisogynyPmcSilicon ValleyTechWoke