The first Samsung Galaxy Unpacked of 2025 will see the launch of the Galaxy S25 range and new AI features.

Meta is reportedly working on Oakley smart glasses, and plenty others.

SPINVFX Showreel for 2025. This is a testament to the artistry and dedication of its talented VFX team. The reel showcases breathtaking visuals, highlights Studio Kogis expertise in creating immersive worlds complex creature designs and dynamic sequence. From conceptual design to final execution SPINVFX reflects a commitment towards pushing creative boundaries and elevating cinematic storytelling.The show also celebrates the studios strong partnerships with clients whose trust inspired groundbreaking work. Each project reflects a seamless collaboration. Each work combines visionary ideas with technical expertise. We have created hundreds of original and innovative worlds and projects with stunning aesthetics that continuously captivate audiences around the globe.This years accomplishment is a tribute to the relentless passion of their supervisors, producers and artists who continue to redefine what is possible in the world of VFX. SpinVFX looks forward with excitement and is ready to move ahead with a new year of cinematic iconography that inspires and awes.The post SPINVFX Showreel 2025 appeared first on Vfxexpress.

On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Johnson & Johnsons nasal spray, Spravato (esketamine), to treat major depressive disorder.Oral antidepressants are the most common treatment for depression, but they dont work for everyone. Those who have tried at least two treatment options and have seen little improvement, or sometimes worsening mental health, are classified as having treatment-resistant depression. Around 21 million American adults have depression symptoms, and some estimates say of those, about a third (30.9%) dont respond to treatment.Treatment-resistant depression can be very complicated, especially for patients who do not respond to oral antidepressants or cannot tolerate them, said Bill Martin, Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Neuroscience, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine in Tuesdays announcement. For too long, healthcare providers have had few options to offer patients much-needed symptom improvement. Spravato is now available as a stand-alone treatment, meaning patients may experience improvements in depressive symptoms as early as 24 hours and at 28 dayswithout the need for daily oral antidepressants.Spravato, which is derived from ketamine, is not a new drugit first came on the market in 2019. The spray was previously approved as a companion treatment to an oral antidepressant, as well as a treatment for those experiencing thoughts of suicide or self-harm. But Tuesdays clearance makes the spray the first stand-alone therapy for treatment-resistant depression.The spray works differently than oral antidepressants. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, while oral antidepressants can take weeks to take effect, Spravato patients can feel the drugs impact within hours. Because the treatment can come with side effects, including sedation, drowsiness, and disassociation, patients need to be treated in a doctors office or hospital setting and remain in the clinic until the side effects have passed.The nasal spray has been administered to more than 140,000 patients to date, and researchers say the results have been overwhelmingly positive. For more than six years, Ive seen firsthand the real-world impact Spravato can have on patients lives, said Gregory Mattingly, M.D., President, Midwest Research Group and Founding Partner, St. Charles Psychiatric Associates in the announcement.In 2023, the FDA warned of potential risks associated with ketamine treatments. Known safety concerns associated with the use of ketamine products include abuse and misuse, psychiatric events, increases in blood pressure, respiratory depression (slowed breathing), and lower urinary tract and bladder symptoms, it said at the time.Despite the approval, Johnson & Johnsons stock (JNJ) dipped Wednesday after the companys quarterly earnings release. Johnson & Johnson beat analyst expectations for revenue by $70 million, but highlighted possible negative impacts in its outlook from an ongoing talc lawsuit and slower medical device sales.

President Donald Trumps goodwill in the cryptocurrency industry has taken a hit after he and his wife launched meme coins a move critics say looks like an unseemly cash grab that undermines an effort to legitimize digital assets.The industry, which felt unfairly targeted by the Biden administration and spent heavily to help Trump win, is eager for the new presidents help to make crypto a bigger part of mainstream financial systems. Trump has promised a lighter regulatory touch and picked pro-crypto officials for key government positions.The price of bitcoin and other digital assets has soared since Trump won. A lavish Crypto Ball Friday ahead of Trumps inauguration sold tickets for thousands of dollars and featured a performance by the rapper Snoop Dogg.But as that party was ongoing, Trump announced on social media he was offering his very own cryptocurrency in the form of a meme coin. The move dampened the mood for many in the crypto community.I really was kind of bummed out when I saw it, said Tom Schmidt, a partner at a crypto venture capital firm Dragonfly. It just felt very grifty and cheap.Some crypto fans even joked on social media they missed Gary Gensler, the recently departed chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission who was viewed as the Biden administrations chief crypto antagonist thanks to the SECs aggressive enforcement actions against crypto companies.Meme coins are among the wilder and more unregulated corners of the crypto universe. They often start as a joke with no real value but can surge in price if enough people are willing to buy them. Popular meme coins include Dogecoin, whose mascot is a dog, and Fartcoin. Scammers have tried to pump up the price of certain meme coins before dumping them on unsavvy investors.Some crypto enthusiasts hailed the Trump meme coins release and eager buyers drove up the price of the coin to above $70 each. The price fell dramatically on Sunday after First Lady Melania Trump announced the launch of her own meme coin, which also saw an initial price spike followed by a large fall. As of Tuesday afternoon, Trumps meme coin was trading at about $45 while the Melania meme coin was at about $4.Trump named SEC Commissioner Mark Uyeda as the agencys acting chief Tuesday and Uyeda quickly announced he was launching a new crypto task force to set the SEC on a sensible regulatory path. Trump has promised to create a U.S. bitcoin stockpile and enact industry-friendly rules that make it easier for crypto companies to access the broader financial market.But by associating himself so closely with meme coins, some crypto fans worry that Trump hurts his ability to enact reforms.Now, on the cusp of getting some liberalization of crypto regulations in this country, the main thing people are thinking about crypto is, Oh, its just a casino for these meme coins,' said Nic Carter, a Trump supporter and partner at the crypto investment firm Castle Island Ventures. It does the opposite of validating us, it makes it look completely unserious.The sale of Trump meme coins was organized by CIC Digital, an affiliate of the Trump Organization. In promoting the meme coin, Trump told supporters to Have Fun! The website selling the tokens says they are meant as expressions of support and not an investment opportunity. The coins website said 200 million Trump meme coins are currently available, with plans to issue 1 billion over the next three years.The Trump family business recently released an ethics agreement that prohibits Trump from day-to-day decision making at the Trump Organization when hes president and limits financial information about the business shared with him.The president and first lady were not the only ones promoting new cryptocurrencies around the inauguration. Lorenzo Sewell, the Michigan pastor who gave a spirited inaugural invocation Monday, announced the launch of a new coin named after him, which he said would be used to benefit his church.I need you to do me a favor right now, I need to you to go buy the official Lorenzo Sewell coin, Sewell said in a video post on social media.Alan Suderman, AP Business Writer

The American Institute of Architects has denounced an executive order signed by president Donald Trump that aims to promote classical architecture, saying it would "stifle innovation".The American Institute of Architects (AIA) issued a press release decrying the president's Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture executive order, which aims to make federal buildings "respect regional, traditional and classical architectural heritage"."AIA is extremely concerned about any revisions that remove control from local communities; mandate official federal design preferences, or otherwise hinder design freedom; and add bureaucratic hurdles for federal buildings," said the AIA."We support freedom in design," it continued. "AIA's members believe the design of federal buildings must first be responsive to the people and communities who will use those buildings."Read: Trump signs executive order to promote "beautiful federal civic architecture"Released among dozens of orders, memoranda and rescissions issued in the president's first 24 hours in office, the Promoting Beautiful Federal Civic Architecture executive order is a resumption of a policy Trump put forward near the end of his first term.The previous order stipulated that federal buildings should be "beautiful", with priority given to classical and traditional styles that are "visual embodiment[s] of America's ideals". It was later rescinded by former president Biden.In the recent executive order, a provision mandates agency heads come up with recommendations within 60 days to make changes to the 1962 guiding principles for federal architecture.Strong concerns from AIAThe AIA believes that any federally issues measures to limit choice would be detrimental to regional architecture, and innovation and that it would harm locals who directly use these buildings."Our federal buildings across the country must reflect America's wealth of culture, rich traditions, and unique geographic regions," said the AIA."AIA has strong concerns that mandating architecture styles stifles innovation and harms local communities."According to the AIA, the current General Services Administration (GSA) Design Excellence Program, which guides federal construction, should not be revised.Doubt from preservationistsThis comes at a time when the GSA has announced plans to offload underutilized federal buildings due to falling capacity, though it's unclear how this will be affected by Trump's other mandate requiring federal employees to return to the office full-time.Preservationists have cast doubt on how effective the orders will be."The Moynihan provision that guides the General Service Administration calls for a diversity of building types across the federal government spectrum," archival organisation USModernist founder George Smart told Dezeen."That's a standard that has been used for going on 65 years or so now. It's been very effective."Read: Biden revokes Trump's "beautiful" architecture executive orderSmart noted that the lobby group National Civic Art Society, led by architecture critic Justin Shubow,has been very vocal in pushing forward this agenda.He conceded that there are "very practical" reasons why people could take issue with some modernist and brutalist federal buildings, citing insulation and circulation."However, the arguments put forth by Justin Shubo and others are about the philosophy that America should be the things that are just old," said Smart, adding that he would be happy to see some neo-classical buildings akin to the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in DC."I don't think we should necessarily enact policy that says all of it should be classical."Shubow led the agency that guides aesthetics in Washington DC, the US Commission of Fine Arts (CFA), during Trump's first term, and was the first person ever to be released from the position when Biden dismissed him in 2021.The CFA is currently led by American architect Billie Tsien.The post AIA "extremely concerned" about Trump classical architecture executive order appeared first on Dezeen.

Caran d'Ache, the Swiss company known for their premium pencils, has been around since 1915. They designed their first pencil sharpener in 1933. The all-metal machine is still in production:Pinching the butterfly clamp causes the holding mechanism to protrude from the hole. You insert your pencil into it, then release the clamp, and the pencil is held securely for sharpening.If that's not fancy enough for you, the company makes a limited edition version called the Cosmic Blue Sharpening Machine. It's been lacquered in a pearlescent dark blue and features gold accents:It runs a whopping $295. (The original ain't much cheaper, at $195!)

Samsungs Galaxy S25 seriesthe S25, S25+, and S25 Ultrarepresents a thoughtful evolution in smartphone technology. It combines advanced AI integration, refined camera systems, and impressive performance capabilities. While it introduces meaningful upgrades, the series remains grounded in Samsungs mission to deliver reliable, user-focused devices.Designer: SamsungEach model in the lineup has been designed with specific users in mind. The S25 caters to those who value compact and efficient devices, the S25+ strikes a balance with its larger display and battery, and the S25 Ultra targets tech enthusiasts with its cutting-edge features and premium build. After spending time with the lineup, its clear that Samsung is refining the formula to appeal to a wide spectrum of needs without straying from its established strengths.Design and DurabilitySamsungs design refinement is on full display with the S25 series, showcasing slimmer edges, a lighter profile, and refined materials that make each device feel both premium and practical. With the S25 Ultra, weve focused on a design that feels lighter and also improves grip and usability, Charles Uptegrove, Samsungs product manager, shared during the demo. The titanium frame plays a huge role in achieving this balanceits lighter yet sturdier, giving users confidence in everyday handling.Galaxy S25 UltraThe flatter edges enhance grip and lend a modern, streamlined aesthetic. Uptegrove also highlighted the subtle lift in the frame: If you look closely, theres a slight elevation around the edge, ensuring that the display never comes into direct contact with a surface when placed facedown. Its a minor detail that offers major peace of mind. This thoughtful addition minimizes the risk of scratches, especially for users who prefer to go caseless.Galaxy S25 UltraThe S25 and S25+ are equipped with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, providing excellent scratch resistance and durability. The S25 Ultra, on the other hand, steps up its toughness with enhanced Corning Gorilla Armor on the front and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back. Adding to this, the Ultra incorporates a titanium frame, ensuring a premium yet rugged build.Galaxy S25 UltraThe titanium not only reduces weight but also adds to the overall feel of durability, Uptegrove explained. At 218 grams, the Ultra strikes a balance between a solid, premium feel and comfort in hand. Its slimmer, lighter, and more ergonomic, thanks to the redefined edges and materials. These adjustments make the Ultra easier to use for extended periods without any fatigue, he added. At the same time, the smaller size doesnt compromise its usability, with the S25 offering a compact design that weighs only 162 grams.Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. Galaxy S24 UltraThe combination of premium materials and subtle ergonomic improvements showcases Samsungs attention to detail. We wanted to create a device that feels effortless to handle while still exuding that premium Samsung quality, Uptegrove emphasized. For users seeking a balance between aesthetics and functionality, these design updates are sure to resonate.Display and Visual ExcellenceThe display is where Samsung continues to shine. The Galaxy S25s 6.2-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen offers vivid colors, excellent brightness levels, and a fluid 120Hz refresh rate, making it perfect for users who value smooth scrolling and lifelike visuals. The S25+ steps up with a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ display that enhances sharpness and delivers deeper contrast, ideal for watching movies or editing photos. Meanwhile, the S25 Ultras expansive 6.9-inch QHD+ screen offers an immersive viewing experience that is unrivaled in clarity and detail, ensuring even the smallest on-screen elements remain crisp.During hands-on time, I found the Ultras ProScaler feature particularly transformative. Borrowed from Samsungs premium TV lineup, ProScaler intelligently upscales lower-quality content to QHD+ resolution in real-time. Even older videos or low-resolution social media images gain impressive sharpness, providing a visually satisfying experience regardless of the source content. Charles Uptegrove highlighted the real-world value of this feature: Even if the original content is far from 4K, it will look vibrant and crisp on the Ultras QHD+ display. This capability bridges the gap between source quality and display potential, enhancing every viewing experience.AI Features and InnovationsSamsungs integration of artificial intelligence across the Galaxy S25 series enhances everyday functionality to unprecedented levels. During the hands-on demo, Charles Uptegrove emphasized the thoughtfulness behind the Galaxy AI Platform and its seamless integration into One UI 7. Weve spent years ensuring that these features not only feel intuitive but actually make life easier for users, he noted, setting the tone for a deep dive into the devices AI capabilities.Samsung Galaxy AI Agent Now BriefCentral to this is NowBrief, described by Uptegrove as a curated AI that learns and adapts to the users daily routines. Its like having a personal assistant that knows exactly what you need, he explained. For instance, NowBrief consolidates data from various apps to create a personalized dashboard. You might wake up and see the weather, your energy score from your Galaxy Watch, reminders of friends birthdays, and even playlists for your commuteall in one place, Uptegrove added. Demonstrating the drawing assist feature, he showcased how AI generates creative designs, such as a birthday card complete with a chocolate cake image, which can then be sent directly to contacts.Another highlight is AI Select, which transforms traditional Smart Select into a smarter, context-aware tool. If youre watching a video, it might suggest creating a GIF, summarizing the content, or translating subtitles, Uptegrove explained. This feature consolidates over 30 tools, making complex tasks remarkably simple and accessible.The Circle of Search feature introduces multimodal search capabilities, allowing users to identify songs in videos or find specific photos using natural language commands. Say something like, Find pictures of wine bottles in Suwon, and the AI will filter through your gallery using tags and location data, he demonstrated, illustrating the precision of this feature. Uptegrove emphasized how this functionality simplifies navigating vast photo libraries, making it easier for users to locate exactly what they need.Personalization is another area where AI shines. Uptegrove detailed how the Personal Data Engine securely learns user habits, suggesting actions like automating thermostat settings or enabling the blue light filter at night. For example, if you use your TV as a sleep aid, the device can detect when youve fallen asleep via your Galaxy Watch and turn off the TV to improve your sleep quality, he explained. This level of personalization extends to managing health metrics, such as sleep scores and energy levels, and integrating them into daily routines.One of the most innovative features is the audio eraser, which isolates and removes specific background sounds from videos. During the demo, Uptegrove showcased how AI can identify up to six sound types, including wind, crowd noise, and voice. You can completely remove the wind or adjust the voice volumeall in real time, he shared, underscoring the features utility for content creators and everyday users alike.The Galaxy S25 Ultra also features generative editing, allowing users to seamlessly remove unwanted objects from photos. If theres someone in the background of your shot, the AI can identify and erase them, along with their shadow, with a single tap, Uptegrove explained. These enhancements cater to photographers and casual users who want professional-grade results with minimal effort.Camera Systems and PhotographySamsungs camera systems in the S25 series deliver major enhancements across all three devices. The Galaxy S25 and S25+ share a solid camera setup: a 50MP wide sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. These cameras are perfect for everyday photography, delivering impressive results whether youre shooting landscapes, portraits, or close-ups.Galaxy S25 Camera System: 200MP Ultra-Wide, 50MP Wide, 10MP and 50PM TelephotoThe Galaxy S25 Ultra takes mobile photography to another level with a 200MP wide sensor that captures stunning levels of detail, even in challenging conditions. This is complemented by a 50MP 5x telephoto lens, which supports both 3x and 5x optical zoom, enabling users to achieve up to 100x Space Zoom. Imagine capturing intricate architectural details or wildlife from a distance with remarkable clarity. Additionally, the Ultra includes high-resolution macro photography capabilities, making it perfect for close-ups of small objects like flowers or jewelry.The Ultras virtual aperture stands out as a transformative feature. Charles Uptegrove aptly described it as painting focus, highlighting how it lets users fine-tune the depth of field to accentuate either the subject or the background for a professional-grade touch. This flexibility provides a DSLR-like bokeh effect, allowing photographers to craft their images with precision and creativity. This software-based tool allows users to adjust the depth of field and background blur for photos, mimicking the effects of a physical aperture in a DSLR. For example, while shooting portraits, the virtual aperture enables precise control over the bokeh effect, allowing the subject to stand out against a beautifully blurred background. During the demo, Charles Uptegrove explained, Its like giving users the ability to paint their focuswhether they want sharp details in the background or a dreamy, isolated subject. This feature enhances creative flexibility and makes portrait mode feel more like a professional-grade camera.AI advancements like Samsungs Pro Visual Engine further refine photography. The Ultras cognitive lens technology adjusts settings based on the scene, ensuring optimal brightness, contrast, and color balance. For group photos, the cognitive lens identifies individual faces and applies adjustments for each subject, delivering professional-quality results. In low-light conditions, the Ultras double-analysis noise reduction ensures clearer images and videos by analyzing every pixel and correcting artifacts in real time. Video capabilities also differ: the S25 and S25+ record in 4K at 60fps and 8K at 30fps, while the Ultra supports 4K recording at 120fps for smoother, more cinematic results.For professional photographers, the Ultra offers log video and advanced exposure controls, including zebra patterns and false color modes. These features cater to users who want precise post-production capabilities, enabling them to fine-tune color and lighting. Combined with the virtual aperture, these tools empower users to push creative boundaries, whether capturing stills or video.PerformanceUnder the hood, all three models are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which Charles Uptegrove described as a tailored processor that ensures unparalleled efficiency and responsiveness. This 3nm chipset boosts performance and optimizes AI-driven tasks like NowBrief and AI Select, seamlessly integrating advanced capabilities into daily use. a 3nm processor that sets a new benchmark for efficiency and power. With a 40% improvement in AI task efficiency, the chipset ensures that resource-heavy operations like multitasking, gaming, and media editing run smoothly. For gaming enthusiasts, Samsung has partnered with the Vulkan Engine to enhance real-time ray tracing capabilities, achieving an 18% improvement in frame rates while reducing GPU and CPU workloads by 23% and 10%, respectively.To support this leap in performance, Samsung has implemented a significantly upgraded cooling system. The vapor chamber, now 40% larger than its predecessor, works in tandem with a new thermal interface material (TIM) that eliminates air gaps around the chipset. This design efficiently dissipates heat, maintaining peak performance during intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video rendering.Samsungs ProScaler, borrowed from its premium TV lineup, further enhances the viewing experience by intelligently upscaling standard-definition content to QHD+ resolution in real time. Even older videos or low-resolution social media images gain impressive sharpness, providing a visually satisfying experience regardless of the source content. Charles Uptegrove highlighted the real-world value of this feature: Even if the original content is far from 4K, it will look vibrant and crisp on the Ultras QHD+ display. This capability bridges the gap between source quality and display potential, enhancing every viewing experience.The Samsung Galaxy S25 series delivers a compelling blend of innovative AI capabilities, enhanced camera systems, and premium design refinements. With features like NowBrief, ProScaler, and advanced photography tools, these devices set a new benchmark for what smartphones can achieve in 2025. Each model is thoughtfully crafted to meet the diverse needs of users, whether they prioritize compact functionality, immersive displays, or cutting-edge performance.Stay tuned for our upcoming unboxing experience and in-depth review, where well dive deeper into the everyday usability, real-world performance, and unique details that make the Galaxy S25 series stand out.The post Samsung Galaxy S25 Series Launch: A Hands-On Look at the New Features and Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Studio Wok recently gave a disused technical building at QuatroDesigns headquarters in northern Italy a remarkable makeover. They transformed it into an artist residency, armed with living and sleeping areas, and a unique-looking roof. The Milan-based studio redid the headquarters for QuadroDesign in 2022 and then handled this second phase as well, which involved fixing an abandoned building. The main attraction of the project is a small cabin, that was initially used to accommodate electrical infrastructure for the production facility in Italys Piedmont region. The structure adopts the same pared-back style and neutral palette as QuadroDesigns other redesigned offices and showroom.Designer: Studio WokThe cabin is placed in one corner of the property, with some lovely greenery surrounding it. It is equipped with a flexible space that will be used for commercial events, and to host resident artists. The original structure and shape of the cabin were untouched, but the footprint was a bit small for a residence. Hence, Studio Wok extended the space upwards into the existing roof, to make the cabin more suitable for hosting residents. The internal space, narrow and developed in height, is not usual for a home in fact, it was designed to accommodate other functions, said architect Nicola Brenna. It was very stimulating to implement a domestication process and make it suitable for living.The small cabin was freed of pre-existing partitions to create a versatile and free-flowing open-plan room on the ground floor. Different openings were added throughout this space, to form a bond with the outdoors, creating a surreal indoor-outdoor connection. It features newly installed sliding metal doors, which can be retracted to let the outdoors inside.The rooms rear wall includes built-in joinery which offers support to a sofa, and integrates two steps that link with a metal staircase offering access to the upper floors. The opposite end of the room holds a wall of cabinets, which cleverly hide the entrance to the shower room and WC. The bathroom was added to make the space more worthy of being a full-time residence.The building includes two mezzanine levels which contain intimate and personal spaces such as a sleeping area. This area is placed on a wooden platform right above the kitchen. Another set of stairs offers access to a seating area, situated in a pre-existing concrete walkway near the upper section of the roof. This space contains a simple wooden bench, with light streaming in from a window. It serves as a quaint and relaxing space to unwind after a long day.The entire cabin showcases a minimal material palette, to create something that is an almost sacred space, according to the founders. Outdoor spaces were also added to the project, and a pergola was placed with space for an outdoor kitchen and dining area. A partly sunken small pool was integrated as well, adding another thoughtful and comfortable element to the property.The post This Minimal & Quaint Artist Residency Was Once A Deserted & Disused Electrical Building first appeared on Yanko Design.

A deluge of AI slop is making it harder to find decent images.