Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Earthquakes are among the most unpredictable and devastating natural phenomena, testing the resilience of the built environment and the ingenuity of architects and engineers. Across the globe, regions prone to seismic activity face the dual challenge of designing structures that not only endure these forces but also serve as symbols of hope and recovery for their communities. As urban populations grow and climate change exacerbates natural disasters, the need for buildings that prioritize safety and durability has never been more urgent.Over the years, advancements in materials science, structural engineering and computational modeling have transformed how architects approach earthquake-resistant design. The interplay of innovation and local context drawing from both cutting-edge technology and traditional building practices has led to remarkable solutions that minimize risk without compromising creativity.By weaving resilience into the fabric of architectural expression, designers are redefining what it means to create spaces that are not only safe but also inspiring. Each of the follow projects represent recent work built in earthquake zones, showcasing the ingenuity and dedication of architects who are pushing boundaries in seismic design. From adaptive construction techniques to systems that dissipate seismic energy, these examples illustrate how innovation can thrive while enriching the built environment.The Century Project for the Space NeedleBy Olson Kundig, Seattle, WashingtonOriginally built for the 1962 Worlds Fair, the Space Needle has long symbolized innovation and optimism. In its 55th year, the iconic tower underwent a major redesign through Olson Kundigs Century Project, preserving its legacy while creating a visitor experience fit for the next 50 years. The transformation emphasizes transparency and connection to the surrounding city, featuring a world-first rotating glass floor, floor-to-ceiling glass barriers and a glass-floored stairway connecting three levels.Alongside these enhancements, the project included essential seismic retrofitting to ensure the structures resilience in earthquake-prone Seattle. By revealing elements of the original engineering and improving accessibility, the redesign celebrates both the Space Needles history and its enduring vision of the future.Guildford Aquatic CentreBy Revery Architecture, Surrey, CanadaThe Guildford Aquatic Centre, an expansion of the existing Guildford Recreation Centre, was designed with resilience and sustainability at its core. Featuring a FINA-recognized lap pool with a moveable floor and bulkheads, the facility accommodates competitive swimming events, recreational activities and aquatic sports training.The centerpiece of the design is its prefabricated wood truss system, developed under the Citys Wood First Policy. Engineered for rapid on-site assembly without scaffolding, the trusses integrate lighting, mechanical services and acoustic absorption while offering corrosion resistance and renewable, carbon-sequestering benefits. Designed to meet modern seismic safety standards, the structure ensures durability and performance.Berluti ManufactureBy Barhlmy Grio Architectes, Ferrara, ItalyNestled on the Po River plain south of Ferrara, the new Berluti manufacture and luxury shoemaking school blends industrial function with refined architectural expression. Designed to meet stringent seismic safety standards in this earthquake-prone area, the building incorporates anti-seismic reinforcements while concealing its industrial functions, such as ventilation and extraction systems, within an elegant and unobtrusive form.Its untreated cedar faade, designed to weather into a silvery gray, features rhythmic brackets that act as sun breakers and open the workshop to the surrounding landscape. Inside, a grand agora with interlocking wooden beams creates a central space that celebrates craftsmanship, weaving together the workshops various processes from cutting to prototyping.Monologue Art MuseumBy Wutopia Lab, Qinhuangdao, ChinaThe Monologue Art Museum, designed by Wutopia Lab for Sino-Ocean Group, is a serene retreat in the SEATOPIA community of Beidaihe, Qinhuangdao. Nestled within a green park, the museum invites visitors to escape worldly distractions through a journey of introspection and artistry. Its unique design draws inspiration from Chinese painting, with shifting ink lines formed by walls, corridors and monolithic spaces that house a theater, yoga studio, dance studio, art gallery and tranquil water courtyard.Structural innovations, including seismic joints dividing the building into four independent units, ensure resilience against earthquakes while preserving the museums seamless visual flow. A gradient-stained glass yoga room, reflective black pools, and sculptural flower walls contribute to a poetic atmosphere, making the museum a haven for solitude and contemplation by the sea.Rwanda Cricket StadiumBy Light Earth Designs, Kigali, RwandaThe Rwanda Cricket Stadium by Light Earth Designs showcases innovation and sustainability through its three parabolic vaults, which echo both the trajectory of a bouncing ball and Rwandas iconic hilly landscape. Built using local labor and materials, the structure incorporates compressed soil-cement tiles made from site-excavated earth, adapting the ancient Mediterranean thin-tile vaulting technique for East Africa.To address Kigalis moderate seismic risk, geogrid reinforcement was added to the vaults, ensuring stability in earthquakes. The lightweight yet strong vaults are waterproofed and topped with local granite for additional stability and a natural aesthetic. Complementing the design are low-carbon bricks, recycled materials and timber elements repurposed from the construction process, creating a building that is both a testament to Rwandan craftsmanship and a model of sustainable design.Apple ParkBy Foster + Partners, Cupertino, CaliforniaApple Park is a visionary campus designed to foster creativity, innovation and well-being while integrating with its natural surroundings. The 175-acre site, transformed from impervious surfaces into 80% green space, features over 9,000 trees, walking trails, meadows, and a serene pond. At its center is the iconic Ring Building, a groundbreaking structure with curved glass facades that bring natural light and fresh air into its flexible workspaces.The buildings advanced precast concrete structure includes innovative void slabs that integrate radiant heating and cooling while enhancing seismic resilience in Californias earthquake-prone environment. The building uses base isolation technology, which separates the buildings foundation from the ground. This greatly reduces earthquake shaking. Complementing the Ring are spaces like the Steve Jobs Theater, Fitness and Wellness Center, and Visitors Center, all designed to harmonize with the landscape and support a sustainable future.Jojutla Central GardensBy Estudio MMX, Jojutla, MexicoFollowing devastating earthquakes, Jojutla underwent a transformation to restore its identity and community spaces with the creation of Jardines Centrales de Jojutla. Designed by Estudio MMX through a participatory process involving local residents, leaders and historians, the project draws inspiration from resilient trees that withstood the quake, symbolizing strength and continuity.The new civic center features shaded plazas, lush gardens, and arcades that reinterpret traditional regional architecture, using materials like ochre brick, basaltic stone, and native flora. Designed with seismic resilience in mind, the project not only reorganizes and redefines previously disjointed spaces but also provides a blend of shaded leisure areas, a civic square and open-air forums that foster social interaction, relaxation and community connection.Jiuzhaigou Visitor Service FacilitiesBy Architectural Design & Research Institute of Tsinghua University, ChinaThe Jiuzhaigou Visitor Service Facilities, located at the entrance of the Jiuzhai Valley National Park within the Jiuzhaigou World Heritage Site, were designed as a post-earthquake reconstruction project to support up to 41,000 daily visitors while preserving the sites natural and cultural heritage. The design incorporates seismic resilience through extensive site evaluations and the use of prefabricated construction to minimize environmental impact.The architecture integrates with the landscape, featuring a flowing, aerodynamic form that echoes the surrounding mountains and uses indigenous materials like slate tiles and glulam wood. Traffic congestion is alleviated through innovative three-dimensional transportation planning, including elevated bridges and a two-layer roundabout. The project also preserves existing pine trees, incorporates Tibetan Lingka principles in its landscaping and enhances the visitor experience with spaces that celebrate local culture, such as a grand flag tent for festivals.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work throughArchitizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Seismic Safety: Architectural Innovations in Earthquake Zones appeared first on Journal.

Between numerous awards, perfect scores and, well, no official sales numbers, Square Enixs Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is one of the most significant games of last year. Its the long-awaited second part in the Remake saga an honor superseding even the latest mainline title. While the hype was monumental, it mostly delivered and was earmarked as a favorite to sweep the year-end awards (were it not for a certain interstellar droid). That isnt to say that Rebirth didnt cause some divisiveness or scored on every single facet, but it wouldnt be a Final Fantasy game otherwise.Almost a year later, weve arrived at the PC versions launch. If youve been holding off on experiencing the PS5 version for whatever reason, then good news in some ways, its a better experience on PC. The flaws still shine as bright and annoying as ever, but this is currently the best way to play Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth."Several plot points and locations from the original are expanded, some in endearing ways and others less so. Others have been rearranged or even cut entirely."Without getting into many spoilers, the story follows Cloud and friends Tifa, Barret, Aerith and Red XIII as they venture out of Midgar to pursue the ever-enigmatic Sephiroth. The circumstances of the original plot have changed significantly, resulting in some intriguing character shifts. Tifa feels more open with Cloud even as she attempts to address whats gnawing at him. Barret feels more well-rounded and forms a tangible bond with him. You may consider these changes as expanding on previous nuances or venturing into unknown territory either way, they feel natural and build the partys bonds in a different yet familiar tone.Of course, its impossible to talk about change without addressing the story. Several plot points and locations from the original are expanded, some in endearing ways and others less so. Others have been rearranged or even cut entirely. Your mileage may vary on all of that, but theres no denying that the pacing can occasionally drag (and Im sorry, but Remake had a way better opening hour).Then there are the final few chapters, which introduce several new twists and additions, further diverging from the originals plot, but also not, if that makes any sense. Ill reserve judgment until the final part, though its understandable that some find Rebirths overall conclusion dissatisfying.Thankfully, this doesnt ruin the experience as a whole. I still enjoyed bonding with allies while embarking on side quests (of which theres an almost ludicrous amount). The voice acting and performances are top-notch, enough to soldier through some iffy dialogue and exchanges. Also, for as many light-hearted moments as Rebirth packs into its story, it capably delivers on the more emotional.The other big shift is in the environmental design and flow, offering more open-world-like regions alongside the linear sections. While highlighting the new traversal methods, they also deliver a smattering of content, from discovering Summon Shrines and activating Remnawave Towers to finding Lifesprings, gathering materials, and taking on various jobs. Then you have the extensive mini-games."However, aside from abilities, spells, Limit Breaks, and Summons, there are also Synergy Skills. Theyre a welcome addition, offering something to lean on when building ATB and ensuring a constant tempo."The card battler Queens Blood could be a default activity alone, but Rebirth goes above and beyond, delivering tons of variety, and thats before reaching the Golden Saucer. Admittedly, there are times when they can affect the pacing and sometimes feel superfluous to the plot, but I found myself enjoying them more often than not.Theres enough for the combat-minded to indulge in as well. Like Remake, each character has unique abilities, from Clouds Punisher Mode to Tifas Chi Levels and Barrets long-range fire. The new additions to the roster further diversify your tactics with Red XIIIs Vengeance Mode providing an aggressive new playstyle. Meanwhile, you have Yuffie, who dishes out damage with her Throwing Star while harnessing elemental ninjutsu.The combat loop is similar to Final Fantasy 7 Remake in that the action plays out in real-time (at least in Active Mode). You bring up the Commands menu to select different options, with Active Time Bar gauges influencing which abilities can be unleashed. From there, you focus on pressuring and breaking enemies to stagger them, swapping between party members as necessary. However, aside from abilities, spells, Limit Breaks, and Summons, there are also Synergy Skills.Depending on the party, various members can team up to unleash powerful attacks. Its a welcome addition, offering something to lean on when building ATB and ensuring a constant tempo. The Folio system governs your unlocking of new abilities, stat upgrades, and Synergies, and its straightforward enough. The Party Level also encourages really exploring the various regions and bonding with teammates, if for no other reason than to get stronger."Even with occasional frame drops, the visuals are crisp and only highlight how incredible these vistas, character designs, cutscenes, and so much more can truly look."If youve already played Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth on PS5, all this will sound familiar. The real question is: How does the PC version fare? The good news is: Pretty well. My rig isnt special, yet I could sustain a solid frame rate even while playing with everything set to High. Some frame drops during busier sections, like those with extensive particle effects, smoke, and environmental details, can occasionally occur. They werent too hefty for the most part, and during combat, the action remained relatively smooth without any major hiccups.Regardless, the fidelity improvements may very well be worth the price of admission alone. One of the biggest criticisms against the PS5 version was the image quality, even after post-demo feedback, on Performance Mode. Even with occasional frame drops, the visuals are crisp and only highlight how incredible these vistas, character designs, cutscenes, and so much more can truly look.However, some settings can be weird. Changing the resolution requires switching to Windowed mode, selecting your preference, and returning to Borderless Fullscreen (unless youre fine with a noticeable line at the top of your screen). As for DLSS, you can enable it for Anti-Aliasing. Thats it theres no way to adjust for Quality, Performance or anything in between.In fact, there are no options for upscaling at all, like FSR. Its not a deal-breaker personally, but for those who want to eke out some extra performance, its perplexing. On the bright side, the keyboard and mouse controls feel pretty good, and rebinding offers dual slots for actions. You can also assign functions to mouse buttons, which is great."If youve held off on Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth this long and didnt want to spend a bomb on a PS5 Pro, the PC version is worth taking the plunge."Topping all this off is legendary composer Nobuo Uematsus soundtrack, perhaps his most extensive work to date. Each track is brimming with personality and charm, whether youre sauntering through a region on Chocobo-back or conversing with your allies. It fits impressively with the game, blazing a path forward while adhering to the originals tone and atmosphere.Even with some narrative and pacing quirks, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth is still an incredible role-playing experience, from its presentation and combat to the exploration and characterization. Watching the bonds between these beloved characters evolve in unexpected ways, discovering new challenges and making short work of enemies, customizing Materia loadouts the list goes on, and much of it is enjoyable while expanding on the lore.Sure, several parts of the experience may not vibe with certain players. The more open-world-esque exploration also doesnt break much ground or significantly innovate, so if youre not a fan of such world design, its worth keeping in mind. Regardless, the highs are significantly more endearing than the lows.As for the PC port, its great to finally have an option that brings out the games fidelity. Im interested to see how Square Enix improves on it further with additional optimization and more options. Suffice it to say, if youve held off on Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth this long and didnt want to spend a bomb on a PS5 Pro, the PC version is worth taking the plunge.This game was reviewed on PC.

Recent app-tracking data has indicated that Capcoms release of the Resident Evil 2 remake on iOS devices hasnt been doing too well in terms of sales numbers. According to MobileGamer.biz, the game has only managed to cross $100,000 in in-app purchase revenue since its release back in December.The report, which tracked sales data from the games December 10 release on iOS to January 8, indicates that only around 9,500 players have paid for the title on Apple devices running on iOS, since the game was priced at $10 with a launch-month discount. Since then, the title has gone up in price to $40, earning Capcom around $7,000 more.Far from the first time Capcom hasnt quite seen good sales on releasing its titles to iOS devices, a report from July 2024 indicated that the iOS release of Resident Evil 7 Biohazard had also been poorly received, totalling up to less than 83,000 downloads at the time and less than 2,000 copies sold.The report by MobileGamer.biz has also indicated that even Ubisofts attempts at releasing AAA titles on iOS devices hasnt quite been successful, with total lifetime revenue for Assassins Creed Mirage on iOS totalling up to around $496,000.These numbers, while far from concrete evidence of any single thing, might be a result of a few factors. The key thing to keep in mind is that not all iOS users can play these high-end titles. These releases have been part of a larger effort by Apple to bring major games to its high-end iPhones and iPads, which often tend to be far from the biggest possible market for the games.It is also worth noting that mobile gaming itself might not be an ideal market for titles that involve a larger price tag up front but dont feature too many mandatory microtransactions, since the gaming market on both iOS and Android tends to be dominated by free-to-play titles.Currently neither Capcom nor Apple have commented on the commercial performance of these titles. However, they still tend to be great ways to showcase the new hardware on high-end iOS devices.

Photo credit: RAICThe Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair, former chair of the Indian Residential Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), recently passed away.Sinclair was the recipient of the 2024 RAIC Gold Medal, awarded for his dedication and leadership in promoting truth and reconciliation, dismantling colonial relationships, and advocating for the rights of Canadas Indigenous Peoples. The Gold Medal recognizes the impact the TRC and Sinclairs work had on the Canadian architectural landscape, in both the present and future.Sinclair was born and raised on the former St. Peters Indian Reserve North of Selkirk, Manitoba. In 1980, he was called to the Manitoba Bar and focused on civil and criminal litigation, Indigenous Law, and Human Rights.In 1988, Sinclair became Manitobas first, and Canadas second, Indigenous judge. That year, he also served alongside the Associate Chief Justice as Co-commissioner of the Public Inquiry into the Administration of Justice and Aboriginal Peoples of Manitoba. In 1995, he was appointed to the Court of Queens Bench.In 2009, Sinclair was appointed to Chair the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada into Indian Residential Schools (TRC). In 2016, he was appointed to the Senate of Canada as an Independent Senator, where he advocated for various important issues.The Honourable Justice Murray Sinclair has left an indelible mark on the architectural community and on Canada as a whole, said Jonathan Bisson, president of the RAIC Board.His courage and wisdom inspire us to continue our commitment on the path of truth and reconciliation. For many years, we have carried forward his legacy, but it is essential to remember that this journey is a collective duty, a lasting commitment to listening, respect and action. I am confident that his dedication to truth and justice will continue to guide our work for generations to come.The post In Memoriam: Justice Murray Sinclair (1951-2024) appeared first on Canadian Architect.

Berkeley SkyDeck, the global hub for entrepreneurship and accelerator, along withUC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society(CDSS), announced a partnership withMayfield. The aims isto support AI-focused, student entrepreneurs with unparalleled access to venture capital and world-class mentorship. Part of the Mayfield AI Garage iRead More

Astro Bot has been crowned Game of the Year at the 2025 New York Game Awards.Sony and Team Asobi's platforming menagerie also took home the awards for Best Music in a Game and Best Kids Game.Other notable winners on the night included UFO 50, which nabbed the Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, which was honored with the Statue of Liberty Award for Best World and NYC GWB Award for Best DLC.The A-Train Award for Best Mobile Game went to Zenless Zone Zero, while Silent Hill 2 received the Freedom Tower Award for Best Remake.Mouthwashing was also recognized with the Chumleys Speakeasy Award for Best Hidden Gem.Journalists Simone De Rochefort & Clayton Ashley received the Knickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism.You can find the full list of winners below:Big Apple Award for Best Game of the Year: Astro BotOff Broadway Award for Best Indie Game: UFO 50Herman Melville Award for Best Writing in a Game: Metaphor: ReFantazioStatue of Liberty Award for Best World: Elden Ring: Shadow of the ErdtreeTin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game: Astro BotGreat White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game: Troy Baker as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Great CircleConey Island Dreamland Award for Best AR/VR Game: Batman: Arkham ShadowCentral Park Childrens Zoo Award for Best Kids Game: Astro BotA-Train Award for Best Mobile Game: Zenless Zone ZeroFreedom Tower Award for Best Remake: Silent Hill 2Chumleys Speakeasy Award for Best Hidden Gem: MouthwashingNYC GWB Award for Best DLC: Elden Ring: Shadow of the ErdtreeKnickerbocker Award for Best Games Journalism: Simone De Rochefort & Clayton AshleyAndrew Yoon Legend Award Recipient: Sam Lake

Search in Premiere Pro has been updated with AI-powered visual recognition, allowing users to find videos by describing the contents of the footage. Its just one of several quality-of-life features Adobe is adding to Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Frame.io that aim to save video editors time on their projects.Users can enter search terms like a person skating with a lens flare to find corresponding clips within their media library. Adobe says the media intelligence AI can automatically recognize objects, locations, camera angles, and more, alongside spoken words providing theres a transcript attached to the video. The feature doesnt detect audio or identify specific people, but it can scrub through any metadata attached to video files, which allows it to fetch clips based on shoot dates, locations, and camera types. The media analysis runs on-device, so doesnt require an internet connection, and Adobe reiterates that users video content isnt used to train any AI models.This is launching alongside a translation feature for video captions that supports 17 languages. Multiple caption tracks can be opened simultaneously in Premiere Pro to make it easier to view and edit several translations at once. The media intelligence-empowered Search panel and caption translations are available starting today in the beta version of Premiere Pro, which is available to anyone with an active Creative Cloud or Premiere Pro subscription.After Effects now supports HDR monitoring and has been overhauled with a new caching system that makes it faster to preview or playback large project files. The app is no longer limited to storing all the rendered frames in your system memory instead, both RAM and the disk cache of your computer storage are used to improve performance. Adobe says this will allow older desktops and laptops to play back entire compositions without having to pause for caching or rendering. Both HDR support and the updated caching system are available in the After Effects Beta.Finally, Canons C80 and C400 cameras can now be used with Frame.ios Camera to Cloud integration, which allows you to automatically upload files to the Frame.io app directly from the camera. Support for this was rolled out in a Canon firmware update in December, which users will need to install before using the feature.

Lights that turn on when you walk into a room and turn off when you leave are one of the most desirable smart home features. But you need to buy additional hardware like motion sensors to make this magic happen. A new ambient sensing technology called Sensify could make this easier by turning your light bulbs into motion sensors. And it might be landing on a Philips Hue bridge near you very soon.There are tens of millions of devices with the base firmware already out there; were just working on the final touches to lightup the full experience. Sensify is a wireless network sensing (WNS) technology developed by Ivanithat can turn mains-powered Zigbee devices into motion sensors for controlling your lights with justa firmware update no additional hardware needed. The best part is that it can work on devices already in most homes. There are tens of millions of devices with the base firmware already out there; were just working on the final touches to lightup the full experience, Ivani cofounder Justin McKinney tells The Verge. An obvious use case for this is a Zigbee-based smart lighting system such as Philips Hue. Theres been speculation that Hue isworking on a Zigbee sensing technologysince its sister company Wiz debuted a similar tech called SpaceSense in 2022, which uses WNS over Wi-Fi. The well-informed hueblog.com reports that Zigbee wireless network sensing is the technology Hue will most likely use. The Verge reached out to Signify, which owns Hue, but hasnt yet received a response. This engineering video demonstrates how Sensifys Zigbee ambient sensing can turn lights on and off based on occupancy. Video: IvaniMcKinney wouldnt say which companies are using Ivanis Sensify, which has been in development since 2016, but he did share that the company is working with some large household names poised to deploy the technology very soon. He also said its the only company offering this capability over Zigbee networks. Ivani is a member of the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA), which runs the Zigbee protocol, but Sensify is a proprietary solution that leverages the Zigbee network. Despite reports indicating this sensing tech is coming to all Zigbee devices, the CSA confirmed to The Verge that this is not a new feature within Zigbee itself.WNS works by detecting disturbances in radio frequencies and can also be applied to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Thread technologies. McKinney says Sensify requires three or more devices positioned around a detection area to detect motion and occupancy in the space. The tech also allows for precise detection zones based on where the devices are situated. The devices send messages to each other, look at underlying network diagnostic information, and process it to provide occupancy sensing decisions, says McKinney.Wireless network sensing requires three or more devices to work. This diagram from Ivani illustrates typical topologies. Image: IvaniPerformance-wise, McKinney says Sensify is equivalent or superior to passive infrared sensing (PIR) tech, which is traditionally used for motion sensing. It also doesnt need line of sight, as PIR does. However, its not as precise as technologies like mmWave sensing, which can determine if someone is in a room through as slight a movement as breathing. The lights will still likely turn off if youre still, even if youre in the space, he says. The good news is that Sensify can run on Zigbee networks with a range of chipsets working together, meaning it can be deployed as a software update to existing systems. McKinney also confirmed Sensify runs locally on your Zigbee network, theres no Sensify cloud, and any sensing data is only accessible to the manufacturer deploying the technology. This video, published by the CSA, illustrates how Ivanis wireless network sensing works over a Zigbee network.Motion sensing in the smart home has several use cases, from lighting control and security to energy management and elder care. Two big advantages of WNS here are cost and scale. Theres no need to buy additional hardware to get the capability, and many homes already have devices that can use it. Ivani is currently the only company with a Zigbee solution, but there are WNS solutions out there that use Wi-Fi. Origin Wirelessand its partner company,Nami, were the first to develop Wi-Fi sensing, and they are leading Matters efforts around bringing ambient RF sensing technologies to the smart home standard. It really is the promise of what home automation was supposed to beOrigins technology powered Linksys Aware, a feature the router company launched in 2019 that turned its routers into motion sensors, and last year, Threshold launched a smart plugusing Origins Wi-Fi sensing to allow caregivers to monitor a loved ones activity remotely. In 2021, I tested Hex Home, a proof-of-concept security system from Origin that used Wi-Fi sensing instead of motion sensors. But false positives made it virtually unusable. I also tried Wizs Wi-Fi-based SpaceSense when it first launched. It was more reliable but still fairly inconsistent. However, according to McKinney, advances in machine learning and AI have brought significant improvements to WNS technology.He says Ivanis Sensify tech is ready for deployment over Zigbee, and theyre just waiting for their partners to fine-tune how best to introduce the feature within their productlines. He expects they will update existing products in the next few months. We have the pleasure of experiencing our partners products and their beta tests in our homes, and it really is the promise of what home automation was supposed to be.There have been a lot of promises around home automation over the years, with very few being fulfilled. But the idea of, say, every Philips Hue light bulb in your home turning into a motion sensor overnight, making it simple to automate control of your lights without sticking white plastic sensors everywhere, is a fairly exciting one.

Mortal Kombat 1 development chief Ed Boon has taken to social media to reveal a glimpse at upcoming guest character T-1000 Terminators Fatality, and tease "future DLC."To mark the release of guest character Conan the Barbarian, Boon tweeted to say Mortal Kombat 1 has now sold over five million copies, up from the four million previously reported. Boon then tweeted a short clip showing one of the T-1000s Fatalities, which Terminator 2 fans are sure to get a kick out of.We see the T-1000 drive a smashed up truck straight into his hapless opponent, rekindling memories of the iconic chase scene in Terminator 2 where the T-1000 drives the same truck in pursuit of Arnold Schwarzeneggers Terminator and Edward Furlongs John Connor.But its Boons comment accompanying the clip that set tongues wagging within the Mortal Kombat community: With Conan getting into players hands, we are excited to keep trucking forward with future DLC!While the line keep trucking forward with future DLC may relate to the upcoming release of the T-1000, some are hoping its a tease that more DLC characters are set to hit the game once the current set is rounded out.T-1000 Terminator is the final DLC character set to be added to the gory fighting game as part of the Khaos Reigns expansion, and follows playable fighters Cyrax, Sektor, Noob Saibot, Ghostface, and Conan the Barbarian. Fans have wondered for some time now whether developer NetherRealm plans a third set of DLC characters, or a Kombat Pack 3, amid questions about Mortal Kombat 1s sales success.Parent company Warner Bros. Discovery has indicated, however, that it still believes in the Mortal Kombat franchise. In November, CEO David Zaslav said that on the games side of things, the company plans to double down on just four titles, one of which is Mortal Kombat.In September, Boon said NetherRealm had decided on its next game three years prior, but promised to support Mortal Kombat 1 for a long time to come.Most fans of the studios work expect it to release a third game in its DC fighting game franchise, Injustice, although neither NetherRealm nor Warner Bros. has yet to confirm that. The first game in the series, Injustice: Gods Among Us, launched in 2013, with its sequel, Injustice 2, coming out in 2017. NetherRealm released Mortal Kombat 11 in 2019 and for a time it seemed like the studio would alternate between Mortal Kombat and Injustice games, but it went on to release another Mortal Kombat, the soft reboot that is Mortal Kombat 1, in 2023 instead.In an interview with IGN in June 2023, Boon spoke in vague terms about this decision. "There were a number of factors, some of which I can talk about, some of which I probably shouldn't," Boon said.Two reasons Boon was willing to discuss were the unfortunate onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the team's choice to switch to a newer version of the Unreal game engine (Mortal Kombat 11 runs on Unreal Engine 3, whereas Mortal Kombat 1 runs on Unreal Engine 4)."But we did go to a new graphics engine, Unreal," Boon said. "We really wanted to be careful with COVID and all that stuff and everybody staying safe. So there were a bunch of variables involved that eventually we realized, 'Okay, let's do another Mortal Kombat game and hopefully we'll get back to the Injustice games.' "Just to be sure, we wanted to confirm with him directly that the door was not closed on the Injustice franchise."Not at all," Boon answered.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

We at House Beautiful have been celebrating up-and-coming designers as part of the Next Wave program for decades. Each year, we choose a brand-new group of talented creatives we think will be tomorrows design stars. Were Americas design brand, from coast to coast and every state in between. This is our opportunity to predict the next big names in design.The best part? Theyre nominated by you. Nows your chance to tell us about the tastemakers whose work is exciting and inspiring you. Next Wave 2025 nominations are open through February 4.Next Wave 2025 Designer NominationsTo put yourself or an interior designer you know and love on our list for Next Wave 2025, email us at nextwavenominations@hearst.com with the following details:NameIG HandleLocationWhy Them? Being honored as a Next Waver elevates a designers profile and gives them a new platform to share their work. It comes with some definite star power too: Next Wave alumni include Nate Berkus and Mikel Welch. Want to join their ranks? Be sure to get your nominations in before the deadline. Thank you for helping us shine a spotlight on the talent in our community.Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.