Meta will begin testing ads on its Threads microblogging service with a few companies in the U.S. and Japan, the company said in a blog post Friday.

Threads, Metas X and Bluesky rival, is testing ads with certain brands in the United States and Japan, the company said Friday.We know there will be plenty of feedback about how we should approach ads, and we are making sure they feel like Threads posts youd find relevant and interesting, Instagram head Adam Mosseri said in a post. He added that the team will be monitoring the test before scaling it more broadly. The ads will show a Sponsored label as they appear in users feeds. Meta launched Threads in 2023 and has been focusing on growing its user base and keeping people logged on. Now that it has more than 300 million monthly active users (with more than 100 million of those using it daily), better monetization efforts appear to be the next step. After all, social media is just one big way to turn eyeballs into revenue.Meta Platforms, parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is likely to share an update about Threads when it reports fourth-quarter 2024 earnings next week. Its stock on Friday afternoon was trading at near record highs.Responses to Mosseris post announcing the test revealed frustration from some users. You put in ads, there will be no reason to stay. One user wrote. Ill leave the minute the ads start rolling by. Guaranteed.

With a swath of anti-DEI and other executive orders spilling out of the White House during the first week of Trumps second term, many companies are likewise changing or rolling back their own DEI programs or policies. That list includes Amazon, Boeing, Lowes, McDonalds, and Meta, many in the wake of a 2023 Supreme Court decision striking down certain affirmative action programs (which can be somewhat related to DEI efforts).However, one big companys shareholders are bucking the trend.Costcos shareholders rejected a proposal from a conservative think tank on Thursday, which aimed to persuade the company to roll back or nix its DEI hiring practices. Its a notable rejection, given that many other large companies have been more or less giving in to similar requests or proposals, and that Costco is the worlds third-largest retailer. In effect, its a sizable win for DEI adherents.The proposal was floated by the National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR), and argued that Costcos DEI policies were harmful to the company and could open it up to lawsuits.With 310,000 employees, Costco likely has at least 200,000 employees who are potentially victims of this type of illegal discrimination because they are white, Asian, male or straight, reads a statement in support of the change, presented to shareholders prior to the vote. Accordingly, even if only a fraction of those employees were to file suit, and only some of those prove successful, the cost to Costco could be tens of billions of dollars.Costcos Board of Directors had recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal, and shareholders agreedthe proposal was voted down by 98% of them. While that was a win for DEI proponents, an uphill battle remains. This week, Trump issued an executive order aimed at terminating DEI policies.Illegal DEI and DEIA policies not only violate the text and spirit of our longstanding Federal civil-rights laws, they also undermine our national unity, as they deny, discredit, and undermine the traditional American values of hard work, excellence, and individual achievement in favor of an unlawful, corrosive, and pernicious identity-based spoils system, the executive order reads. Hardworking Americans who deserve a shot at the American Dream should not be stigmatized, demeaned, or shut out of opportunities because of their race or sex.So while Costco shareholders may have chalked up a win for DEI proponents in this case, the larger war is still ongoing.

American studio CLB Architects adapted a former Kmart department store into a headquartersfor an energy and manufacturing company in Wyoming, adding a weathering steel facade What was once an 82,230-square foot (7,545-square metre) concrete Kmart is now the new EMIT Technologies location expanded to a 119,325-square foot (11,085-square metre) campus on a nine-acre property in Sheridan, Wyoming.CLB Architects has turned a Kmart into a manufacturing headquartersCLB Architects which has offices in Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Bozeman, Montana designed the building as a circulatory system for different user groups and created a collaborative environment where a "no collar" workforce could cross-pollinate, exchange ideas, and engage across staff, craftsmen, and the general public."The building form is addressed both additively and subtractively, creating a synergised, consolidated structure that encourages non-hierarchical relationships between office employees and factory staff," the CLB Architects team told Dezeen.The former department store now houses a branch of EMIT TechnologiesThe original Kmart building was transformed into a manufacturing space, and a new office and amenity building was added to the north side of the site."To unify the building from an architectural and visual standpoint, we wrapped those two halves of the building in a steel scarf," Eric Logan, CLB partner, told Dezeen, mentioning that the exterior steel scarf celebrates the "skill, talent, and craft of the building's occupants.The three-story addition is curved on the top and bottom floorsThe weathering steel facade which was custom fabricated and engineered by EMIT Technologies almost entirely on-site is suspended off the surface of the perimeter wall.A laser-perforated scrim serves as both a shading system and a display of the materials and methods of the manufacturing within.An oblong glazed courtyard cuts through the centreThe new three-storey addition is curved on the top and bottom floors but rectilinear on the second level, displaying its stacked makeup.An oblong glazed courtyard cuts through the centre of the addition like a "lung, which disseminates light and air into adjacent office and collaboration spaces."The machine floor is accessible by a pivot-pointA two-storey fire-rated glazing system forms an internal see-through facade between the office and manufacturing spaces."The machine floor is accessible by a pivot-point from the office headquarters, which reflects this spatial dichotomy in its interior finishes by playing raw, industrial materials against more elevated, streamlined, and hard-wearing surfaces," the team said.Read: CLB Architects takes "residential" approach for Jackson Hole AirportThe campus is open to the larger Sheridan community they will be able to access the auditorium, flex spaces, coffee shop, gymnasium, barber shop and library."Rugged but not individualist, the EMIT headquarters embodies the pioneering spirit and redefines notions of 'campus' to engage more deeply with the people, place, and raw materials that make the work possible."Weathering steel clads the facade"Weaving together cutting-edge technology and a community-focused ethos, the structure exemplifies the people and raw materials involved in the making process."The city of Sheridan reclaimed the area surrounding the building as a public park, which is now home to FILTER, a public art installation crafted by CLB and EMIT for the May 2022 NYCxDesign Festival in Times Square. Folded steel shards form an ellipsoid pavilion that has now made it home to Wyoming with a patina that reflects its journey.The photography is by Nic Lehoux.Project credits:Architecture: CLB ArchitectsCLB project team: Eric Logan, Andy Ankeny, Jeffrey Johnson, Danny Wicke, Justin Dhein, Taylor Noel, Sarah Kennedy, Jaye InfangerInterior design: EMIT with CLB ArchitectsContractor: AXE BuildCivil engineering: Nelson EngineeringStructural engineering: KL&A, Inc.MEP engineering: BG Building WorksAcoustical engineering: BG Building WorksTheatrical/AV consulting: BG Building WorksGeotechnical engineering: Nelson EngineeringLandscape: EMIT with CLB ArchitectsLighting: Lux Populi, Thomas Paterson, Scarlett TaylorKitchen consultant: HC Design and ConsultingSpecifications: iBIMClient: Casey Osborn, CEO, EMITThe post CLB Architects converts former Kmart building into manufacturing facility appeared first on Dezeen.

Swatch and Blancpains collaboration evolves once again with the Scuba Fifty Fathoms Pink Ocean, a bold exploration of color and creativity. This release reimagines the iconic Fifty Fathoms in a vivid, magenta-inspired pink that demands attention. By merging Blancpains dive watch heritage with Swatchs accessible design approach, the Pink Ocean transforms a classic into a vibrant fusion of technical tradition and artistic expression.Designer: Swatch x BlancpainBuilding on the popularity of earlier models like the Ocean of Storms and Blue Lagoon, the Pink Ocean carves its own niche. Its not a subtle piece by any means; instead, it leans into its playful design to offer something both unique and conversation-worthy.A Playful Take on a Classic DesignThe 42.3mm Bioceramic case defines the Pink Oceans striking appearance. Swatch has chosen a richly saturated pink, leaning toward magenta, that covers the case, bezel frame, and crown in a unified aesthetic. This vivid color choice brings energy and playfulness to the watch, making it stand out in a sea of more traditional dive watches.To add balance, the bezel insert shifts to a lighter pink tone, with its 60-minute scale filled with Super-LumiNova for enhanced underwater visibility. The contrast between these shades creates visual interest without disrupting the cohesive color scheme. This careful use of varying hues makes the watch feel thoughtfully designed rather than overwhelming or excessive.Moving to the dial, the gradient pink surface features a subtle grainy texture that adds depth and sophistication to the bold design. Darker pink is used for the applied numerals, hour markers, and hands, which ensures strong legibility even with such a saturated color palette. The logos for Blancpain and Swatch are seamlessly integrated, while a matching pink date wheel shows the level of attention to detail in every aspect of the watch.An Eco-Friendly Strap with StyleAdding to its vibrant appearance, the NATO strap complements the case with a striped design of alternating pink tones. Made from recycled fishing nets, the strap ties into the watchs marine inspiration while highlighting Swatchs dedication to sustainability. Its lightweight yet durable construction ensures comfort, whether worn during everyday activities or while diving.The matching pink Bioceramic hardware, including loops and a pin buckle, completes the straps design. These elements enhance the seamless integration of the strap with the case, reinforcing the overall theme of unity and attention to detail. The straps environmentally conscious origins further underscore the collaborations modern sensibilities, making it as forward-thinking as it is stylish.A View of the Inner WorkingsThe back of the Pink Ocean offers just as much personality as the front. Through the exhibition caseback, the Sistem51 movement takes center stage, but its not your typical mechanical view. The rotor is decorated in a pink hue, featuring a whimsical nudibranch motif that nods to the oceanic world. This small but impactful detail ties the watch back to its marine inspiration, adding a layer of storytelling to its functionality.The Sistem51 itself is an industrially produced automatic movement, offering a generous 90-hour power reserve and operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour. Though it cannot be serviced or repaired, its design philosophy aligns with Swatchs approach to accessibility and practicality. Surrounding the caseback are embossed phrases like Passion for Diving and Protect What You Love, reinforcing the watchs connection to marine conservation and the importance of oceanic preservation.Balancing Tradition with InnovationWhile the Pink Oceans vibrant design takes center stage, it remains firmly grounded in the heritage of the Fifty Fathoms. The classic case shape, unidirectional bezel, and water resistance of 91 meters (300 feet) ensure that this watch still meets the standards expected of a dive watch. These elements provide a sense of reliability and function beneath the playful surface, ensuring that the design doesnt compromise performance.However, this collaboration isnt aimed solely at purists or traditionalists. Instead, it appeals to collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate design experimentation and enjoy pushing boundaries. Swatchs influence has expanded Blancpains reach, offering a fresh perspective on what a luxury dive watch can be without sacrificing the foundational elements that make the Fifty Fathoms iconic.The Intersection of Fun and FunctionalityThe Swatch x Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms Pink Ocean exemplifies the idea that serious craftsmanship can coexist with playful design. It challenges traditional dive watch aesthetics, embracing bold colors while staying true to the functionality expected of a professional instrument. Whether its the vibrant dial, the sustainable strap, or the innovative Bioceramic case, every element of this watch reflects a balance between creativity and practicality.This release goes beyond adding a fun piece to a collectionit offers a fresh perspective on dive watches. Swatchs playful vision, paired with Blancpains technical expertise, creates a watch that sparks conversation and broadens the appeal of the Fifty Fathoms. The Pink Ocean invites wearers to view dive watches as tools that also reflect personality and style.For those unafraid to step outside of traditional norms, the Pink Ocean is a refreshing take on the iconic Fifty Fathoms, proving that innovation in design can be just as important as innovation in functionality.The post Swatch x Blancpain Scuba Fifty Fathoms Pink Ocean: A Bold Dive into Vibrant Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

I am an avid coffee drinker but sometimes, having too much in one day affects my sleep cycle. So one of my challenges for myself this 2025 is to replace some of my coffee with tea. I prefer the loose leaf tea for the most natural way of drinking it but oftentimes, I use tea bags. These tea bags are mostly paper and chemical based and they are the most common available in the market. Luckily, there are some brands and product designers that are looking into more sustainable ways of packaging these tea leaves while retaining and even enhancing the flavor of the actual tea. Leaf Vein Tea is a different kind of tea packaging that is 100% biodegradable and also pretty unique. From the name itself, it uses veins from leaves to create the tea bag wherein you put your tea leaves. The inspiration for the design are the green mountains of the Yunnan province in China. The packaging is made from the aforementioned rubber leaf veins and the external packaging uses mulberry bark paper and tea leaf waste. This means that after using the tea bag, you can guiltlessly dispose of it since the entire thing is biodegradable. Designer: Cole Studio (Shanghai) for Yunnan Jiang FangBecause the packaging uses this natural vein pattern, it is able to give the tea drinker optimal filtration of the tea leaves without losing any of the taste and essence of what youre drinking. The mulberry bark paper on the external packaging even adds a subtle tea scent so it engages your olfactory sense as well. You can also mimic the feel of picking tea leaves from the plant by picking up the leaf-shaped bag and putting it in your cup of hot water. Aside from its eco-friendly materials and design, it also gives off a very aesthetic vibe. If you like posting on social media what youre drinking, having a leaf floating in your transparent tea cup looks very pretty and Instagram-ready. Hopefully we get even more biodegradable and aesthetic packaging not just for tea but even for coffee and other drinks soon. The post Leaf Vein Tea gives you biodegradable packaging for tea leaves first appeared on Yanko Design.

High cholesterol is considered 240 mg/dL. The mans was over 1,000 mg/dL.

The federal law banning TikTok has revealed a major schism among American tech companies: Some are willing to flout the law and some, including Apple and Google, are not.

MacworldIf youre going to get a tablet, then the M2 iPad Air is the best you can buy, with the right mix of performance, price, and portability. And todays that price is even better: Amazon is selling the 11-inch M2 iPad Air for $500, $99 off its MSRP, and just $2 off its all-time low.In our 4-star review of the 11-inch iPad Air, we praised its processor upgrade and performance, as well as the fact the upgrade to 128GB base storage, essentially cutting the price by $50. The lower entry-level price, the increased basic memory capacity of 128GB, and the front camera on the long edge are all pleasing upgrades for this generation of Air. The fact that the iPad has also been given the next chip up, the M2, is also welcome.Otherwise, its very similar to the previous model, which isnt a bad thing. Its got a gorgeous 11-inch Liquid Retina display as well as a 12MP ultra-wide front camera with Center Stage. This will ensure that even if you move around the room, the camera will focus on you. Its also ready for Apple Intelligence as it continues its rollout throughout 2025.Dont miss out on the chance to get an iPad Air for $500 at Amazon, a fantastic price for one of the best tablets out there.A stellar tablet for a stellar priceBuy now at Amazon

MacworldAt a glanceExpert's RatingProsIncluded as part of Office subscriptionPacked with templatesEasy to switch stylesConsPlenty of great alternatives nowOur Verdict PowerPoint is still a fantastic way to build a presentation, and while there are new rivals to its throne, it remains surprisingly flexible and easy to use thanks to a robust feature set. Itll be interesting to see if AI leads to additional features, too.Price When ReviewedThis value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefinedBest Pricing TodayFrom business presentations to high-school slideshows, PowerPoint is so famous its almost a verb in some circles. And, while Apples Keynote is a fantastic alternative, as with Microsoft Word theres a good chance youve worked with Microsofts suite for so long itd be harder to change.That doesnt mean there are plenty of regions to use PowerPoint on its own merit though. In fact, its a fantastic presentation builder thats packed with templates for just about anything, has deep OneDrive integration and is likely to be supported for decades to come.Interestingly, it doesnt pack as many AI features as Keynote (at least not yet), but with the likes of Canva and Figma on its case, theres every chance that could happen soon as Microsoft looks to keep competition at bay.First ImpressionsNew from Template: There are plenty of ways to get startedFoundryBooting up PowerPoint, youre met with pretty much the same screen as youll get when firing up Word or Excel, too.This lets you jump right into a recent file, check out presentations that have been shared with you, or open up one youve saved in OneDrive.Its really nice to be able to get started, and theres a huge catalog of templates to pick from, too, ranging from project outlines, to colorful slideshows, to more fun and whimsical offerings. For someone as creatively challenged as myself, I appreciated finding a starting point was a simple process.It is worth noting that, while itll be familiar to some, there are a lot of toolbars and icons for newcomers. Im not against that, because presentations can be inherently personal, but its something to consider if youre introducing someone that hasnt used Office365 before.Speaking of Office365, its the way PowerPoint feeds into the wide Microsoft app ecosystem that makes it as compelling as the likes of Googles apps. For instance, you likely didnt think to buy a presentation app piecemeal, but if youve got one included in your subscription then its worth using.For $99.99 a year (or $9.99 per month) you get up to six licenses across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and more, which is a ton of value even if youre putting a presentation together once in a blue moon.For one user its $99.99/84.99 a year ($9.99/8.49 a month) for Microsoft 265 Personal, which includes up to six licenses across Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and more, which is a ton of value even if youre putting a presentation together once in a blue moon. Or for $129.99/104.99 a year (or $12.99/10.49 per month) you can get the Microsoft 365 Family edition with up to six licenses.However, if you only want to buy PowerPoint you can do that too. Microsoft sells a lifetime license of Word for $179.99/159.99 (one device). You can also buy a lifetime license to Office Home 2024 for one device, which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote for just $149.99/119.99. Which is a bargain (if you forget that Apple gives its Office apps away for free).Microsoft PowerPoint featuresChange Styles: Its easy to mix up styles in PowerPoint if youre looking to freshen things up.FoundryAside from a whole host of ways to get cracking with a presentation, I appreciate how simple it is to revise a presentations styling wholesale. Once youve built it, you can switch between styles as if it were as easy as changing a single element, and thats ideal for anyone looking to produce multiple copies of a report for clients and needs a distinct style for each without changing the content wholesale.Keynote is, in my mind, nicer to look at, but PowerPoint is plenty powerful and its easy enough to add images and assets from just about anywhere, including OneDrive (if you have the app installed on your Mac).Templates: PowerPoint is packed with templates for you to use as a starting point.FoundryCopilot plays a sizeable role in the app these days with features like a speaker coach to practice your presentation, but theres no generative AI image drop-in like youll find in Keynote with Apple Intelligence (at least not on Mac).There is support for Apples Writing Tools, and you can drop a video recording directly onto your presentation with a Cameo feature. Its neat, letting you add a personal touch, but Id wager youll have access to much more when working on a Windows PC.You can share presentations for real-time collaboration via OneDrive, too, letting you work with a team member.Microsoft PowerPoint annoyancesTransitions: The transitions you love are still here, youll be pleased to knowFoundryMy only complaint is that Microsofts toolbar-heavy UI means PowerPoint likely isnt particularly beginner-friendly, but at least its relatively uniform across apps.Its also worth looking at what rivals in the space are doing. Google Sheets, Canva, and Figma all offer impressive suites of presentation tools at minimal cost to a user, and theyre starting to introduce additional AI-driven features but I expect Microsoft is doing its own work in that area to maintain an advantage.Should you buy PowerPoint 2024 for Mac?PowerPoint is, well, a powerhouse. Its packed to the gills with features, and if youre on a Windows PC thats only likely to be even more true. If youre an Office365 user, youll find plenty of reasons to invest in it for your next presentation, but rivals are coming for the crown.Also read: Microsoft Excel review: Whats new in Excel 2024? and Microsoft Word for Mac review: Whats new?