Are we about to see a huge reveal?PhD CandidateTech execs, including Mark Zuckerberg, are excited to start replacing "midlevel engineers" with AI.And if a recent column by Axios cofounder Mike Allen and CEO Jim VandeHei is to be believed, it sounds an awful lot like OpenAI is ready to take a big step toward such a future in a matter of "weeks."According to the column, someone in the industry they heavily hint that it's OpenAI, which is scheduled to deliver a closed-door briefing to US officials later this month is poised to "announce a next-level breakthrough that unleashes PhD-level super-agents to do complex human tasks."Such a breakthrough "could push generative AI from a fun, cool, aspirational tool to a true replacement for human workers," Allen and VandeHei suggested.But whether the reality will catch up with hype remains to be seen. Despite many years of AI research and many noticeably similar announcements in the past the tech is still struggling with the basics. Perhaps most notably, the current crop of AI models is still introducing sloppy "hallucinations" into its text and code, mistakes that human PhD students either never makeor quickly catch.And all AI we've seen still struggles to complete complex multi-step problems without getting stuck.It's worth pointing out that Allen and VandeHei are hardly neutral observers: just last week, OpenAI announced a partnership with Axios as part of an effort to bring "local news to communities across the country."Agent OrangeAccording to Allen and VandeHei, these so-called "super-agents" are "designed to tackle messy, multilayered, real-world problems that human minds struggle to organize and conquer."The two cofounders used an eyebrow-raising example to illustrate their point."Imagine telling your agent, 'Build me new payment software,'" the column reads. "The agent could design, test and deliver a functioning product."Considering current AI models would likely stumble right out of the gate if they were tasked with this kind of query, it's a big claim. Could upcoming "super-agents" really represent such a big leap in capability or is this yet another example of rampant AI hype?Allen and VandeHei admit in their column that "reliability and hallucinations" remain "generative AI's Achilles heel."Even the company's own top researcher, Noam Brown who would be in a position to know if the company was about to launch something huge tweeted last week that there's "lots of vague AI hype on social media these days.""There are good reasons to be optimistic about further progress, but plenty of unsolved research problems remain," he added.In short, is OpenAI or one of its competitors really on the verge of a "next-level breakthrough" with its allegedly "PhD-level super-agents" or is it more hot air designed to drum up excitement for the industry?The stakes are certainly high this month. Following president Donald Trump's inauguration, tech leaders including Sam Altman and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg are stumbling over each other to swear fealty, donating millions of dollars to Trump's inaugural committee.In other words, the timing of Allen and VandeHei's column should give anybody pause.Share This Article

Star Treks famous Prime Directive holds that the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise must neverinterfere witha developing planet and its scientific and cultural evolution.The Prime DirectiveforStar Trekfans: Love the even-numbered films, hate the odd-numbered ones.At least that was always the belief amongStar Trekfans back in the day. The even films, likeStar Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, were good. The odd films, likeStar Trek V: The Final Frontier, werebad.Exceptthe even ones werent always that great. And the odd ones were sometimes sneakily satisfying. (Related: My Star Trek: The Motion Picture Is Good, Actually T-shirthas people asking a lot of questionsalready answered bymy shirt.) And once the films featuring the originalTrekcast gave way to the ones featuring the stars ofThe Next Generationand then a whole new cast in a new timeline assumed the roles of Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock, and the rest of the Enterpriseteam all the old numbering rules went out the airlock.So what trulyare the worstStar Trek movies? To find that out, you cant justglance atthe Roman numeralsin the subtitle. Youve got to watch and think about them; learn what theyre about (or, more troublingly, recognize whentheyre not about much of anything). WhileStar Trek has produced some very enjoyable cinematic voyages, these five ranked from almost okay to akin to torture at the hands of the Vians fromthe O.G.Trek episode The Empath leave a lot to be desired.The Worst Star Trek MoviesWe love Star Trek, and most of the Trek films produced over the last 40+ years. These, however, were not series highlights. READ MORE: Get our free mobile app80s Movies That Could Never Be Made Today

About Us:Elevate Labs is on a mission to improve people's minds.Weve helped millions of people around the world learn and improve concrete communication, memory, and math skills through Elevate, our first mobile app which has won Apple's App of the Year Award and been downloaded more than 60 million times. With Balance, our second mobile app and winner of Google's Best App award, weve personalized meditation and made it free for an entire year to help more people reduce stress, improve sleep, sharpen focus, and much more.Elevate Labs is a fully remote company of voracious learners and passionate doers, driven by our vision to help billions of people lead healthy, joyful, and productive lives.If our mission resonates with you, please consider applying!The RoleYou will join our newly formed web team, working across all our various web projects: web onboarding, account management, marketing website, and, potentially, web versions of our mobile apps.Were looking for an experienced Front End Web Engineer who can partner with Design and Product Management to help us build amazing user experiences to complement our award-winning mobile apps: Elevate and Balance. As a senior member of the team, youll have the opportunity to help us define our tech stack and drive significant new development.This is a fully remote position anywhere in North or South America. We are happy to sponsor US visas and green cards, if applicable.How Youll Make an Impact Here:Youll work across our entire web presence, including extensive new developmentYoull mentor fellow engineers, help them grow their skills, and stay open to learning from your teammates as you continue to grow your own skillsYoull introduce new ideas to help the team iterate on process and technologyWhile front end web will be your focus, youll occasionally have the opportunity to help out your teammates in other areas of the stackQualifications:You have 8+ years of professional software experience in front end web developmentYou have shipped at least one customer-facing productYou have helped build a web app from scratchYou are an expert in at least one major JS/TS frameworkYou are passionate about user interface and user experienceYou have experience building complex animationsYou write unit tests and develop code that supports automated testingYou communicate clearly and are willing to give critical feedback to improve the user experienceYou proactively identify areas for improvement and drive projects to completion without a manager always directing your workYou stay up to date with the latest web development news and technologiesOur Stack:Frontend: Largely Greenfield (existing stack uses Hotwire)Backend: Ruby on RailsScripting: Python & ShellCloud: Heroku, AWS, & CloudFlareDatabases: PostgreSQL & RedisData Analytics: Snowflake & DBTCI/CD: GitHub ActionsIaC: TerraformBonus:Experience with at least some of our stackExperience working in the backendExperience with web to app funnelsExperience with WasmExperience with RiveExperience with a CMSExperience with SEOInterest in mental health, brain training, and meditationHow We HireAt Elevate Labs, we seek to build high-impact teams with high talent density, and we invest a lot of time and care into the hiring process. Your resume will be reviewed by a human, so we encourage you to keep resumes short (one page should do), double-check for grammar errors, and submit it as a PDF.During the interview process, you can expect conversational-style sessions, some with a technical focus, and coding exercises.Please note that all communication with applicants will be sent from elevatelabs.com or our Applicant Tracking System, Ashby (ashbyhq.com). Elevate Labs will never ask you to create a Microsoft Teams or any other online account before your interview process begins. If you are asked to provide information and do not believe it is a legitimate request from Elevate Labs, please contact [emailprotected] to validate before proceeding.Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:We believe that there is no single candidate profile that guarantees success in this role. Experience comes in different forms; many skills are transferable, and passion goes a long way. If your background is similar to the job description and you think you can excel in this role, please apply and tell us about yourself and the impact you could make at Elevate Labs.We also know that diversity of identity, experience, and thought leads to more creativity, better problem-solving, and wiser decisions, which is why we're dedicated to adding new perspectives to our team. We are an equal opportunity employer; committed to diversity and building an equitable and inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and experiences, and we're taking steps to meet that commitment. We highly encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQIA+ folks, veterans, and people with disabilities.

The United States and China are entangled in what many have dubbed an AI arms race. In the early days of this standoff, US policymakers drove an agenda centered on winning the race, mostly from an economic perspective. In recent months, leading AI labs such asOpenAIandAnthropicgot involved in pushing the narrative of beating China in what appeared to be an attempt to align themselves with the incoming Trump administration. The belief that the UScanwin in such a race was based mostly on the early advantage it had over China in advanced GPU compute resources and the effectiveness of AIsscaling laws. But now it appears that access to large quantities of advanced compute resources is no longer the defining or sustainable advantage many had thought it would be. In fact, the capability gap between leading US and Chinese models has essentially disappeared, and in one important way the Chinese models may now have an advantage: They are able to achievenear equivalent resultswhile using only a small fraction of the compute resources available to the leading Western labs. The AI competition is increasingly being framed within narrow national security terms, as a zero-sum game, and influenced by assumptions that a future war between the US and China, centered on Taiwan, is inevitable. The US has employedchokepoint tacticsto limit Chinas access to key technologies like advanced semiconductors, and China has responded by accelerating its efforts toward self-sufficiency and indigenous innovation, which is causing US efforts to backfire. Recently even outgoing US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, a staunch advocate for strict export controls, finally admitted that using such controls tohold back Chinas progress on AI and advanced semiconductors is a fools errand.Ironically, the unprecedented export control packages targeting Chinas semiconductor and AI sectors have unfolded alongside tentativebilateral and multilateral engagementsto establish AI safety standards and governance frameworkshighlighting a paradoxical desire of both sides to compete and cooperate. When we consider this dynamic more deeply, it becomes clear that the real existential threat ahead is not from China, but from the weaponization of advanced AI by bad actors and rogue groups who seek to create broad harms, gain wealth, or destabilize society. As with nuclear arms, China, as a nation-state, must be careful about using AI-powered capabilities against US interests, but bad actors, including extremist organizations, would be much more likely to abuse AI capabilities with little hesitation. Given the asymmetric nature of AI technology, which is much like cyberweapons, it is very difficult to fully prevent and defend against a determined foe who has mastered its use and intends to deploy it for nefarious ends. Given the ramifications, it is incumbent on the US and China as global leaders in developing AI technology to jointly identify and mitigate such threats, collaborate on solutions, and cooperate on developing a global framework for regulating the most advanced modelsinstead of erecting new fences, small or large, around AI technologies and pursing policies that deflect focus from the real threat. It is now clearer than ever that despite the high stakes and escalating rhetoric, there will not and cannot be any long-term winners if the intense competition continues on its current path. Instead, the consequences could be severeundermining global stability, stalling scientific progress, and leading both nations toward a dangerous technological brinkmanship. This is particularly salient given the importance of Taiwan and the global foundry leader TSMC in the AI stack, and the increasing tensions around the high-tech island. Heading blindly down this path will bring the risk of isolation and polarization, threatening not only international peace but also the vast potential benefits AI promises for humanity as a whole. Historical narratives, geopolitical forces, and economic competition have all contributed to the current state of the US-China AI rivalry. Arecent reportfrom the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, for example, frames the entire issue in binary terms, focused on dominance or subservience. This winner takes all logic overlooks the potential for global collaboration and could even provoke a self-fulfilling prophecy by escalating conflict. Under the new Trump administration this dynamic will likely become more accentuated, with increasing discussion of aManhattan Project for AIand redirection of US military resources fromUkraine toward China. Fortunately, a glimmer of hope for a responsible approach to AI collaboration is appearing now as Donald Trump recentlyposted on January 17 that hed restarted direct dialoguewith Chairman Xi Jinping regarding various areas of collaboration, and given past cooperation should continue to be partners and friends. The outcome of the TikTok drama, putting Trump at odds with sharp China critics in his own administration and Congress, will be a preview of how his efforts to put US China relations on a less confrontational trajectory. The promise of AI for good Western mass media usually focuses on attention-grabbing issues described in terms like the existential risks of evil AI. Unfortunately, the AI safety experts who get the most coverage often recite the same narratives, scaring the public. In reality, no credible research shows that more capable AI will become increasingly evil. We need to challenge the current false dichotomy of pure accelerationism versus doomerism to allow for a model more likecollaborative acceleration. It is important to note the significant difference betweenthe way AI is perceived in Western developed countries and developing countries. In developed countries the public sentiment toward AI is 60% to 70% negative, while in the developing markets the positive ratings are 60% to 80%. People in the latter places have seen technology transform their lives for the better in the past decades and are hopeful AI will help solve the remaining issues they face by improving education, health care, and productivity, thereby elevating their quality of life and giving them greater world standing. What Western populations often fail to realize is that those same benefits could directly improve their lives as well, given the high levels of inequity even in developed markets. Consider what progress would be possible if we reallocated the trillions that go into defense budgets each year to infrastructure, education, and health-care projects. Once we get to the next phase, AI will help us accelerate scientific discovery, develop new drugs, extend our health span, reduce our work obligations, and ensure access to high-quality education for all. This may sound idealistic, but given current trends, most of this can become a reality within a generation, and maybe sooner. To get there well need more advanced AI systems, which will be a much more challenging goal if we divide up compute/data resources and research talent pools. Almost half of all top AI researchers globally (47%) wereborn or educatedin China, according toindustry studies.Its hard to imagine how we could have gotten where we are without the efforts of Chinese researchers. Active collaboration with China on joint AI research could be pivotal to supercharging progress with a major infusion of quality training data and researchers. The escalating AI competition between the US and China poses significant threats to both nations and to the entire world. The risks inherent in this rivalry are not hypotheticalthey could lead to outcomes that threaten global peace, economic stability, and technological progress. Framing the development of artificial intelligence as a zero-sum race undermines opportunities for collective advancement and security. Rather than succumb to the rhetoric of confrontation, it is imperative that the US and China, along with their allies, shift toward collaboration and shared governance. Our recommendations for policymakers: Reduce national security dominance over AI policy.Both the US and China must recalibrate their approach to AI development, moving away from viewing AI primarily as a military asset. This means reducing the emphasis on national security concerns that currently dominate every aspect of AI policy. Instead, policymakers should focus on civilian applications of AI that can directly benefit their populations and address global challenges, such as health care, education, and climate change. The US also needs to investigate how to implement a possible universal basic income program as job displacement from AI adoption becomes a bigger issue domestically. 2.Promote bilateral and multilateral AI governance.Establishing a robust dialogue between the US, China, and other international stakeholders is crucial for the development of common AI governance standards. This includes agreeing on ethical norms, safety measures, and transparency guidelines for advanced AI technologies. A cooperative framework would help ensure that AI development is conducted responsibly and inclusively, minimizing risks while maximizing benefits for all. 3.Expand investment in detection and mitigation of AI misuse.The risk of AI misuse by bad actors, whether through misinformation campaigns, telecom, power, or financial system attacks, or cybersecurity attacks with the potential to destabilize society, is the biggest existential threat to the world today. Dramatically increasing funding for and international cooperation in detecting and mitigating these risks is vital. The US and China must agree on shared standards for the responsible use of AI and collaborate on tools that can monitor and counteract misuse globally. 4.Create incentives for collaborative AI research.Governments should provide incentives for academic and industry collaborations across borders. By creating joint funding programs and research initiatives, the US and China can foster an environment where the best minds from both nations contribute to breakthroughs in AI that serve humanity as a whole. This collaboration would help pool talent, data, and compute resources, overcoming barriers that neither country could tackle alone. A global effort akin to theCERN for AIwill bring much more value to the world, and a peaceful end, than aManhattan Project for AI,which is being promoted by many in Washington today. 5.Establish trust-building measures.Both countries need to prevent misinterpretations of AI-related actions as aggressive or threatening. They could do this via data-sharing agreements, joint projects in nonmilitary AI, and exchanges between AI researchers. Reducing import restrictions for civilian AI use cases, for example, could help the nations rebuild some trust and make it possible for them to discuss deeper cooperation on joint research. These measures would help build transparency, reduce the risk of miscommunication, and pave the way for a less adversarial relationship. 6.Support the development of a global AI safety coalition.A coalition that includes major AI developers from multiple countries could serve as a neutral platform for addressing ethical and safety concerns. This coalition would bring together leading AI researchers, ethicists, and policymakers to ensure that AI progresses in a way that is safe, fair, and beneficial to all. This effort should not exclude China, as it remains an essential partner in developing and maintaining a safe AI ecosystem. 7.Shift the focus toward AI for global challenges.It is crucial that the worlds two AI superpowers use their capabilities to tackle global issues, such as climate change, disease, and poverty. By demonstrating the positive societal impacts of AI through tangible projects and presenting it not as a threat but as a powerful tool for good, the US and China can reshape public perception of AI. Our choice is stark but simple: We can proceed down a path of confrontation that will almost certainly lead to mutual harm, or we can pivot toward collaboration, which offers the potential for a prosperous and stable future for all. Artificial intelligence holds the promise to solve some of the greatest challenges facing humanity, but realizing this potential depends on whether we choose to race against each other or work together. The opportunity to harness AI for the common good is a chance the world cannot afford to miss. Alvin Wang Graylin Alvin Wang Graylin is a technology executive, author, investor, and pioneer with over 30 years of experience shaping innovation in AI, XR (extended reality), cybersecurity, and semiconductors. Currently serving as global vice president at HTC, Graylin was the companys China president from 2016 to 2023. He is the author ofOur Next Reality. Paul Triolo Paul Triolo is apartner for China and technology policy leadat DGA-Albright Stonebridge Group. He advises clients in technology, financial services, and other sectors as they navigate complex political and regulatory matters in the US, China, the European Union, India, and around the world.

Forget massive steel tankssome scientists want to make chemicals with the help of rocks deep beneath Earths surface. New research shows that ammonia, a chemical crucial for fertilizer, can be produced from rocks at temperatures and pressures that are common in the subsurface. The research was published today in Joule, and MIT Technology Review can exclusively report that a new company, called Addis Energy, was founded to commercialize the process. Ammonia is used in most fertilizers and is a vital part of our modern food system. Its also being considered for use as a green fuel in industries like transoceanic shipping. The problem is that current processes used to make ammonia require a lot of energy and produce huge amounts of the greenhouse gases that cause climate changeover 1% of the global total. The new study finds that the planets internal conditions can be used to produce ammonia in a much cleaner process. Earth can be a factory for chemical production, says Iwnetim Abate, an MIT professor and author of the new study. This idea could be a major change for the chemical industry, which today relies on huge facilities running reactions at extremely high temperatures and pressures to make ammonia. The key ingredients for ammonia production are sources of nitrogen and hydrogen. Much of the focus on cleaner production methods currently lies in finding new ways to make hydrogen, since that chemical makes up the bulk of ammonias climate footprint, says Patrick Molloy, a principal at the nonprofit research agency Rocky Mountain Institute. Recently, researchers and companies have located naturally occurring deposits of hydrogen underground. Iron-rich rocks tend to drive reactions that produce the gas, and these natural deposits could provide a source of low-cost, low-emissions hydrogen. While geologic hydrogen is still in its infancy as an industry, some researchers are hoping to help the process along by stimulating production of hydrogen underground. With the right rocks, heat, and a catalyst, you can produce hydrogen cheaply and without emitting large amounts of climate pollution. Hydrogen can be difficult to transport, though, so Abate was interested in going one step further by letting the conditions underground do the hard work in powering chemical reactions that transform hydrogen and nitrogen into ammonia. As you dig, you get heat and pressure for free, he says. To test out how this might work, Abate and his team crushed up iron-rich minerals and added nitrates (a nitrogen source), water (a hydrogen source), and a catalyst to help reactions along in a small reactor in the lab. They found that even at relatively low temperatures and pressures, they could make ammonia in a matter of hours. If the process were scaled up, the researchers estimate, one well could produce 40,000 tons of ammonia per day. While the reactions tend to go faster at high temperature and pressure, the researchers found that ammonia production could be an economically viable process even at 130 C (266 F) and a little over two atmospheres of pressure, conditions that would be accessible at depths reachable with existing drilling technology. While the reactions work in the lab, theres a lot of work to do to determine whether, and how, the process might actually work in the field. One thing the team will need to figure out is how to keep reactions going, because in the reaction that forms ammonia, the surface of the iron-rich rocks will be oxidized, leaving them in a state where they cant keep reacting. But Abate says the team is working on controlling how thick the unusable layer of rock is, and its composition, so the chemical reactions can continue. To commercialize this work, Abate is cofounding a company called Addis Energy with $4.25 million in pre-seed funds from investors including Engine Ventures. His cofounders include Michael Alexander and Charlie Mitchell (who have both spent time in the oil and gas industry) and Yet-Ming Chiang, an MIT professor and serial entrepreneur. The company will work on scaling up the research, including finding potential sites with the geological conditions to produce ammonia underground. The good news for scale-up efforts is that much of the necessary technology already exists in oil and gas operations, says Alexander, Addiss CEO. A field-deployed system will involve drilling, pumping fluid down into the ground, and extracting other fluids from beneath the surface, all very common operations in that industry. Theres novel chemistry thats wrapped in an oil and gas package, he says. The team will also work on refining cost estimates for the process and gaining a better understanding of safety and sustainability, Abate says. Ammonia is a toxic industrial chemical, but its common enough for there to be established procedures for handling, storing, and transporting it, says RMIs Molloy. Judging from the researchers early estimates, ammonia produced with this method could cost up to $0.55 per kilogram. Thats more than ammonia produced with fossil fuels today ($0.40/kg), but the technique would likely be less expensive than other low-emissions methods of producing the chemical. Tweaks to the process, including using nitrogen from the air instead of nitrates, could help cut costs further, even as low as $0.20/kg. New approaches to making ammonia could be crucial for climate efforts. Its a chemical thats essential to our way of life, says Karthish Manthiram, a professor at Caltech who studies electrochemistry, including alternative ammonia production methods. The teams research appears to be designed with scalability in mind from the outset, and using Earth itself as a reactor is the kind of thinking needed to accelerate the long-term journey to sustainable chemical production, Manthiram adds. While the company focuses on scale-up efforts, theres plenty of fundamental work left for Abate and other labs to do to understand whats going on during the reactions at the atomic level, particularly at the interface between the rocks and the reacting fluid. Research in the lab is exciting, but its only the first step, Abate says. The next one is seeing if this actually works in the field.

The private house has been designed for a 1.66ha area of predominantly grassland in green belt-designated countryside just south of Bispham Green, west Lancashire.West Lancashire Borough Councils planning department granted the scheme planning permission in October, via delegated powers.Planning officers concluded that the highly bespoke and contemporary design met the policy exception for new dwellings in the countryside as set out in paragraph 84e of the National Planning Policy Framework.AdvertisementThe exemption clause (formerly paragraph 80) allows new, isolated homes to be built in the open countryside if they are deemed of exceptional design quality and would significantly enhance [the] immediate setting. Source:Shaw and JaggerApproved: Shaw and Jagger's Paragraph 84 house in the Lancashire green belt - Aerial viewThe two-storey, four-bedroom house has been designed so that the landscape takes centre stage, according to Shaw and Jagger.Designed in collaboration with engineers Webb Yates, the building features tree-like cross-laminated timber columns set out in a grid formation derived from the spacing of osier plants a type of willow tree commonly found in fenlands and near rivers.The interlocking structure, designed to create a continuation of the landscape, will support a predominantly glazed faade.The house will span 780m across both floors, with an additional 100m detached garage. The plan features a large, open plan living area, described as a great hall, on the ground floor, with a central spiral staircase leading up to a first-floor gallery from which bedrooms are accessed.AdvertisementThe proposed development includes a biomass heating system fuelled by willow harvested on the site.Shaw and Jagger is hoping to to achieve a Biodiversity Net Gain of 106 per cent with the project.In their report, planning officers said: The proposed landscaping and osier planting to enable the restoration of a lost historic landscape would enhance the visual amenity and landscape character of the area and result in significant ecological gain in the form of a 106 per cent increase in the biodiversity of the site.Shaw and Jagger said: Viewed from the surrounding landscape, the impact of the house will change through the seasons as the willow is pollarded for harvesting, providing a bold architectural backdrop directly related to agricultural biomass production. Internally, the contemporary family home will remain as a dramatic architectural statement. Source:Shaw and JaggerApproved: Shaw and Jagger's Paragraph 84 house in the Lancashire green belt - Night viewPROJECT DATALocationLancashire GreenbeltLocal authorityWest LancashireType of project Dwelling under provision of NPPF Country House ClauseClientPrivateArchitect Steven Tyson c/o Shaw and Jagger ArchitectsLandscape architect Shaw and Jagger ArchitectsPlanning consultant NoneStructural engineer Webb YatesM&E consultant Webb YatesPrincipal designer Shaw and JaggerFunding PrivateTender date Early Spring 2025Start on site date Late Spring 2025Completion date 2027Contract duration Two years approxGross internal floor area 814mAnnual CO2 emissions UnknownTotal cost Undisclosed

Are air purifiers becoming an essential household product? "I would recommend an air purifier to anyone, even if you're just cooking at home, says Jie Zhao, head of Delos Labs, a human health tech company.This is especially true for anyone whos experienced smoke pollution. The wildfires in LA, for example, will leave behind air quality issues for some time. Since climate change and declining air quality is an ongoing problem anywhere on this earth, you might want to consider the benefits of an air purifier. We put dozens of popular air purifier models to the test to see which ones are the best at clearing smoke, dust, mold and allergens from your home. Our Picks Best overall air purifier, and best for smoke, allergies and dust BlueAir 311i Max View details $229 at Amazon View details Best air purifier for viruses, bacteria and mold Germ Guardian AC4300 View details $97 at Amazon View details Best air purifier for entire home Coway Airmega 400s View details $427 at Amazon View details Best air purifier for pets Blueair Blue Pure 511 View details $100 at Amazon View details Best budget choice and quietest air purifier Levoit Core Mini View details $47 at Amazon View details Table of Contents What is the best overall air purifier?CNET's pick for best overall air purifier goes to the Blueair Blue Pure 311i Max. During lab testing, Blueair outperformed the competition clearing smoke and particles from the air faster and more effectively in our controlled testing chamber. Its versatility, low energy draw and relatively low noise level while running even on the highest setting, combined with its median price, made the Blueair an easy choice for the best overall air purifier. Best air purifiers of 2025 Photo Gallery 1/1 Pros Automatically adjusts speed based on air quality Energy efficient Quieter than most models App tracking and remote scheduling Cons On the pricey side Size 12.5 x 12.5 x 19 in. (DWH)Weight 7.8 poundsFilter type Activated carbonCoverage area 1,858 sq. ft.Lab-tested noise level (high setting) 45-46dBColor options Gray and whiteCertifications AHAM Verifide In terms of smoke, seasonal allergens and dust, an important consideration in buying an air purifier is whether it has an automatic mode. Certainair particles do not remain consistent throughout the year or even throughout the day. Auto-mode purifiers can automatically ramp up the speed when the pollution is higher, says Zhao, which ensures they perform efficiently given real-time conditions and dont waste energy when more power isnt needed.Air purifiers such as the BlueAir Blue Pure 311i Max with automatic mode respond to the actual air quality, and adjust the speed accordingly.In addition to its automatic setting, BlueAirs Blue Pure 311i Max was the top finisher at both low and high fan settings, bringing the particulate count down to pre-smoke levels in 6.6 and 2 minutes, respectively. On top of that, the Blue Pure 311i Max was the second most energy-efficient unit for its capacity and surprisingly quiet too, reaching only 46.1 decibels when running at its highest fan setting -- a full 9 decibels lower than the loudest model among those we tested.The Blue Pure 311i Max also has voice controls and comes equipped with a five-color air quality indicator and a pollution-detecting particle sensor. Download the BlueAir App and youll be able to track air quality in your home in real time, control the air purifier remotely and even track filter usage so that you can order a new one when the time comes. Its a simple, well-designed air purifier that performs exceptionally well, both in terms of energy usage and particle removal. While a HEPA filter is an industry standard for air purification systems, an additional measure, a UV-C light, is specially equipped to handle pathogens such as viruses, bacteria and mold, and stop them from multiplying. The best way to destroy pathogens is just to expose them to sunlight, says Sha

Our Picks Best fidget toy for work Fidgi Things Pen View details $20 at Amazon View details Best discreet fidget toy for anxiety Alextina Anxiety Ring View details $11 at Amazon View details Best fidget toy with variety Appash Fidget Cube View details $9 at Walmart View details Best on-the-go fidget toy Fidgetland Noah View details $13 at Amazon View details Best fidget toy for relaxation Tangle Therapy Relax Toy View details $6 at Walmart View details Best fidget toy for kids Pop Fidget Toy (Update: Out of stock) View details $9 at Amazon View details Table of Contents If you get anxious from time to time, you might find yourself fidgeting with the things around you. Fidgeting is a common issue among folks with anxiety, so there are countless fidget toys out there designed to help channel this energy. The best fidget toys are well made, fit in your pocket, and actually help alleviate stress and anxiety. We've rounded up a few of them that we recommend.There are currently no peer-reviewed studies that support the effectiveness of fidget toys for anxiety. However, anecdotally, people with anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and ADHD have seen benefits from fidget toys, such as improved concentration and less nervous energy.Read more: Best Mental Health Apps $20 at Amazon Before fidget toys, we used to click our pens in the office when we were anxious. Enter the Fidgi Things Pen -- a fidget toy made to be discreet. In addition to being a working pen, Fidgi has several fidget features, including a spin disk, a rolling ball, a click switch and a textured grip. With so many features, it earns our spot as the best fidget toy for the workplace.I know what you're thinking -- I'll spend $20 on a fidget pen, but what happens when it runs out of ink? Thankfully, Fidgi Pens use the universal ink pen refill sticks. You can get a 30-pack on Amazon for under $10. It comes in various colors like slate, rose gold and blue.Fidgi pen's best features:There are seven special features: a pen click, side click switch, bouncy clip, spin disk, rolling ball, smooth dip and textured grip.The Fidgi Pen uses universal ink pen refills, so you'll never need to buy another pen.Things to consider:Since it has so many extra features, it's a little chunkier than a normal pen. Writing with it may take some getting used to.Some reviews found that some parts broke after frequent use. $11 at Amazon For those who always want their fidget toy to be close at hand, consider an Alextina Anxiety Ring. What I like about this anxiety ring is how sleek it is; you really can't tell it's anything other than a ring, and it isn't chunky on your finger. You have many design options -- some have cutouts or embossed patterns, while others are classic gold or silver bands.The concept of this anxiety ring is simple. You slip it on your finger like a normal ring, and when you feel anxious or stressed, you spin the outer band. It can help relieve stress or tension and help you focus anywhere -- social situations, in the office or at home.AlextinaAnxiety Ring's best features:This anxiety ring is made from stainless steel and is anti-allergy.Has a lifetime 100% money-back guarantee on Amazon.Things to consider:Some reviews indicate the ring isn't completely silent when you spin it. $9 at Walmart The Appash Fidget Cube is one of my favorite fidget toys for anxiety. With six different sides equipped with unique fidget features, it's got a lot of variety. The sides include click, glide, flip, breathe, roll and spin features. Three of the buttons on the Appash Fidget Cube make noise, while two are silent.Like other fidget toys, it's designed to give you something to do when you're anxious or stressed. And I think it does that really well. The variety of mechanisms gives you the option to find your go-to anxiety reliever -- mine is the switch. And if personalization is your thing, you can opt for a fidget cube in all types of colors and patterns.Appash Fidget Cube's best features:It's made from soft, textured rubber and is small enough to take on the go.The Appash Fidget Cube is a budget-friendly option at only $7 on Amazon.Things to consider:It's a cube, making slipping into your pocket awkward. It would likely need to be kept in a bag when away from the home or office.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's post-launch roadmap bringing barbers, horse riding, and morePlus more free updates to follow.Image credit: Eurogamer News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Jan. 21, 2025 Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is just weeks away now and, in the run up to its release, developer Warhorse Studios has detailed some of its post-launch update plans for the medieval action-RPG, starting with a handful of free new features this "spring".This initial update promises the introduction of horse racing - in which players can "hone [their] mounted skills and uncover hidden surprises - alongside barbers, providing a way for aesthetically inclined adventurers to customise their looks. Then finally, spring's triumvirate of features concludes with a new Hardcore Mode, promising a "greater challenge".Beyond that, Warhorse has confirmed it's working on three additional post-launch updates: Brushes with Death arrives this "summer", Legacy of the Forge launches this "autumn", and Mysteria Ecclesia is currently scheduled for a "winter" release.Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 announcement trailer.Watch on YouTubeThese three story expansions are available as part of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2's paid expansion pass (included in its Gold Edition and Collector's Edition), but Warhorse says each will be accompanied by "free quality of life updates to further enhance the game experience." Image credit: Warhorse StudiosKingdom Come: Deliverance 2 launches for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC on 4th February, continuing the story of peasant-turned-knight Henry of Skillitz as he negotiates life in an open-world version of early 15th century Bohemia.

Unknown 9 franchise cancelled as developer admits game "didn't come near" expectations, series "didn't warrant any further exploration"Studio suffers further job losses as future project canned.Image credit: Bandai Namco News by Tom Phillips Editor-in-Chief Published on Jan. 21, 2025 The studio behind bold Assassin's Creed-meets-Tomb Raider transmedia attempt Unknown 9 has signalled an end to the franchise, following the poor performance of last year's initial video game.Unknown 9: Awakening, a generic globe-trotting adventure starring The Witcher TV series' Anya Chalotra, "didn't come near the company's expectations," the boss of developer Reflector Entertainment Herve Hoerdt said in a statement today, "and didn't warrant any further exploration in this universe". Ouch.One of the Reflector's two future projects - presumably another Unknown 9 game which had been in the "conceptualisation phase" - has now been cancelled, Hoerdt added. This therefore means the studio was "terminating this development line".Unknown 9: Awakening trailer.Watch on YouTube"This decision correlates directly with the failure of the studio's ambitious and courageous first project, a new IP with a rich transmedia universe," Hoerdt continued. Reflector had ambitious plans for Unknown 9 as an ongoing series, supported by podcasts, comics, novels, and several web series. While many of these have now been released, some ahead of Awakening itself, following a lengthy delay to the video game, none appear to have made any real impression.Reflector will now go through a second round of redundancies, following previous job losses reported back in November 2024, as the company shrinks to a "single project approach the studio will adopt for the imminent future". This project is an "existing Bandai Namco IP" and is "shaping up well", Hoerdt concluded.