In an effort to monetize the social media platform, Elon Musks X announced Tuesday it would be partnering with Visa on a digital wallet and peer-to-peer payment services for its upcoming X Money Account.The product, which is likely to launch in the first quarter of this year, would enable users to move funds between their bank accounts and a digital wallet in real time, similar to Venmo or Zelle, with more deals on the horizon, CNBC reported.CEO Linda Yaccarino said on X it will launch later in 2025 and is just the first of many big announcements about X Money this year.Musk, who bought Twitter for $44 billion in 2022, has struggled to make X profitable and to prevent users from fleeing to Bluesky and Threads due to its increasing right-wing tone and content. The announcement comes days after the Wall Street Journal reported banks are ready to sell billions of dollars of debt Musk borrowed to buy Xand revealed Musk told employees in an email that revenue is unimpressive, and were barely breaking even.Visa, which is the largest credit card network in the country, will use Visa Direct, its financial solution for instant money transfers, according to TechCrunch.Musk has previously said he wants to transform X into an everything app similar to Chinas WeChat: a single application that encompasses everything, from digital town square to banking platform, where users could do payments, messages, video, calling, whatever youd like, from one single, convenient place, The Verge reported.

Mexican studios Productora and The Book of Wa have unveiled the boutique Kymaia Hotelwith suites of coloured concrete in a pyramidal form near Puerto Escondido, along Mexico's southwestern coast.Productora teamed up with The Book of Wa to create Kymaia Hotel, founded by entrepreneur Ezequiel Ayarza Sforza in 2024 on a 14,400-square metre (155,000-square foot) seaside property in Oaxaca.Productora has included pyramidal structures at a hotel in Puerto EscondidoThe 3,800-square metre (40,900-square foot) hotel "is a dialogue between architecture, nature, and culture," the studio told Dezeen."We sought to create a space where the built environment blends harmoniously with the Oaxacan coastal landscape."The base of the pyramids were made using pigmented concreteConstructed with pigmented concrete blocks in a warm sand tone and muted natural wood, the hotel works to blend into the landscape."[The colour] creates a symbiosis between the organic and the constructed, tracing a silent but forceful dialogue with its surroundings," said Productora.The hotel includes 22 suites that correlate to the resort's topography. Four ocean-front suites measure 51 square metres (550 square feet) each and have private pools.Several smaller suites at ground level were constructed around the pyramidsThe other structures are modelled after pre-Hispanic pyramids built up on earth and clay slopes with nine larger senior suites with partial sea views and surrounding gardens on the ground floor and nine junior suites with ocean views and hot tubs on the upper levels."Each suite has been designed using sustainable materials, large windows and terraces that connect organically with the exuberance of the surrounding environment," the team said.Each suite has a small poolDesigned to blur the boundary between the interior and exterior, the suites blend Mexican and Japanese architecture with clean lines, light-filtering shades and retaining walls that wrap each room.Custom-made furniture and textiles preserve Oaxacan traditions, while green and earth-toned colour palettes evoke the region's flora.Mexican studio The Book of Wa designed the interiors"This balance between the solid and the ethereal is a constant trait of Productora's philosophy, creating a synergy in which the design is not only functional, but becomes a narrative element that tells a story of coexistence between the human and the organic," said the studio.The common areas including two restaurants are collected under a monumental palm thatched roof woven by local artisans. Guapinol wood columns support the roof and add a rustic touch to the soft olive furniture."The palm-leaf bone pergolas and terracotta pots reinforce the fusion and are a reflection of how simplicity can be synonymous with sophistication, where minimalism encourages harmonious interaction with the environment," said Productora.Read: Arched volumes define Casona Sforza resort in Mexico by Alberto KalachWinding paths shaded by vegetation connect the suites and common areas and provide moments of tranquillity throughout the site.Kymaia's design integrates solar energy and water management systems, including wastewater treatment through the surrounding wetlands. The project and its materials work to revitalize the local ecosystem and contribute to tropical forest regeneration.Influences from Japanese and Mexican culture were integrated into the decorRecently, Productora designed a two-toned house in Nuevo Len to be raffled off in the annual Tecnolgico de Monterrey fundraiser. The studio previously teamed up with Esrawe Studio to create a green-tiled hotel in San Miguel de Allende as part of Hilton's Tapestry Collection.The photography is courtesy of Kymaia.Project credits:Architecture: ProductoraEngineering: Salinas Arquitectura y ConstruccinConstruction Company: Salinas Arquitectura y ConstruccinInterior Design: The Book of WaBrand identity: The Book of WaLandscaping: The Book of WaThe post Productora models Oaxacan hotel suites after pre-Hispanic pyramids appeared first on Dezeen.

Gold, crimson, and the hypnotic form of a serpentNexum weaves these elements into a timepiece that feels both ancient and futuristic. Designed to honor the Year of the Snake, this limited-edition watch transforms traditional horology into something almost mythical. The coiled serpent, sculpted in gold, moves across the dial like a guardian of time, its body wrapping around an exposed tourbillon. Every detail, from the engraved scales on the case to the rich red enamel, tells a story of power, transformation, and precision.Encased in solid gold, Nexum immediately commands attention with its sculptural presence. The case isnt merely a frameits a work of art, featuring engraved scales along its flanks, seamlessly blending sharp edges with fluid curves. Theres a tangible sense of movement, almost as if the watch itself were alive. This reptilian theme extends to the case back, where an intricate hand-engraved depiction of a snake unfolds, capturing the creature in a moment of poised elegance. The detailing here is exquisite, showcasing a mastery of craftsmanship that elevates the timepiece into the realm of high art.Designers: Salvo Lo Cascio & Fabrizio Torchia (Maecenas Studio)The real spectacle unfolds on the dial. Against a deep red Ctes de Genve finish, a three-dimensional golden snake slithers across the surface, its body carefully sculpted, polished, and painted to create a sense of depth and dynamism. It wraps itself around the exposed tourbillon, a fitting tribute to the endless cycle of time. The movement, visible through the open-heart design, is nothing short of mesmerizingan engineering marvel that pulses with mechanical precision, yet feels almost organic in its motion. Watching it spin within the serpents grasp is like observing the heartbeat of an ancient creature, locked in a delicate balance between art and technology.Contrasting this vivid display is the sleek black subdial, where golden hands sweep across a minimalist face bearing the Nexum insignia. The words Year of the Snake are delicately inscribed, grounding the watch in its thematic inspiration. The interplay of textures, from the polished gold to the brushed red background, creates an unmistakable aura of luxury. Every element is deliberate, every detail meticulously placed to ensure harmony between mechanics and aesthetics.To complete the ensemble, the watch is secured with a black alligator leather strap, stitched in red to echo the hues of the dial. This choice of material adds to the refinement, offering both comfort and an unmistakable sense of exclusivity. The sapphire crystal, coated with an anti-reflective treatment, ensures that nothing interferes with the viewing experiencebecause a watch like this deserves to be admired in all its glory.The Nexum follows in the footsteps of other serpent-inspired masterpieces, including the Viper watch with its stunning white gold and diamond-studded countenance. But where that watch emphasized a cold, predatory beauty, Nexum embraces a warmer, more symbolic interpretation of the snakeone rooted in mythology, transformation, and the inexorable passage of time. Its a reminder that in watchmaking, as in life, some things are eternal.The post Year Of The Snake Nexum Watch comes with a Gorgeous Serpent Wrapped Around Its Tourbillon first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO has long been a symbol of unfiltered creativity, a tool that brings imagination to life with every click of a brick. What started as a simple toy has evolved into something remarkable. Architects use it to model intricate buildings, engineers prototype robots with it, and educators rely on it to teach the fundamentals of science and design. But in the hands of someone like David Aguilar, LEGO takes on a whole new meaningbecoming a medium for engineering and empowerment.Aguilar, often known by his nickname Hand Solo, was born with a condition that left his right arm partially formed. As a teenager, he decided to channel his love of LEGO into solving a problem he had lived with his entire life. Piece by piece, he created a functioning prosthetic arm. Over the years, his designs became increasingly advanced, evolving from basic constructions into sophisticated, functional tools. LEGOs versatility and adaptability made it the perfect material for experimentation, allowing Aguilar to build arms that were not only practical but deeply personal.Designer: David AguilarHis journey has since gone beyond self-innovation. Aguilar recently made headlines again for building a prosthetic arm for Alex, an 8-year-old boy born without a right forearm. Alex, a LEGO enthusiast himself, got to experience the magic of turning his favorite hobby into something life-changing. Working closely with Alex, Aguilar designed and built a prosthetic arm using LEGO Technic piecescomponents that add motion, durability, and strength to the builds. The final result was a lightweight, functional arm that gave Alex the ability to complete everyday tasks while also reflecting his love of LEGO.The collaboration wasnt just about assembling bricks. It was about creating something unique that matched Alexs personality and gave him a sense of ownership. For Alex, having a prosthetic arm made from something as familiar as LEGO wasnt just practicalit felt like an extension of who he was. That emotional connection underscored the deeper value of Aguilars work, which is rooted in accessibility and imagination.The beauty of LEGO lies in its universal appeal. It is one of the few materials that transcends age, background, or skill level. Aguilars use of LEGO to build prosthetics shows how everyday objects can be reimagined to solve challenges in innovative ways. Unlike traditional prosthetics, often expensive and inaccessible, a LEGO arm represents the possibility of affordable, customizable solutions. Aguilars work inspires a broader conversation about how design can be democratic and inclusive, offering tools that empower people rather than isolating them.This use of LEGO isnt limited to prosthetics. Around the world, educators and innovators have embraced the versatility of LEGO in unexpected ways. Architects create scale models of complex structures with it, and teachers use LEGO to introduce students to concepts like coding and engineering. The modular design of LEGO allows for experimentation, letting people prototype ideas quickly and affordably. Aguilars approach embodies that same spirit, using a simple medium to accomplish something extraordinary.For Alex, the prosthetic was beyond a mere wearableit was an extension of his world. With Aguilars creation, he could now grasp objects, perform simple tasks, and experience the freedom of movement many take for granted. But beyond functionality, the arm became a source of joy and confidence. Its LEGO design was familiar and fun, reflecting his love for the bricks while making his prosthetic feel less like a medical device and more like a personal project.Aguilars achievements have not gone unnoticed. In 2017, his LEGO prosthetic earned him a Guinness World Record as the creator of the first functioning LEGO prosthetic arm. It was a recognition not just of the ingenuity behind his work but of the groundbreaking ways hes pushed the boundaries of design. This comes at a rather significant time with the medical and healthcare industry coming under fire for their anti-consumer practices. Who knew that a humble LEGO brick could be the solution?!The post LEGO Prosthetic Arm Empowers 8-Year Old with Affordable Accessible Healthcare first appeared on Yanko Design.

Well, if Lego isn't going to give us any deals...check out these alternatives.

MacworldFresh off the fix of a zero-day vulnerability in iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other devices, security researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have revealed a pair of vulnerabilities that affect all of Apples modern devices.First reported at BleepingComputer, these are side-channel attacks that can use special code on websites to allow websites to execute side-channel attacks that steal data from other web sessions. A malicious site could, for example, see your location data from a Google Maps tab, or unencrypted email from an open browser tab that is logged in to your secure email account. Banking info, login info, purchase historythere are lots of potential targets.Most modern browsers sandbox web sessions, so that one browser tab or window cant access the data from other tabs/windows. The SLAP and FLOP vulnerabilities exploit features of the latest Apple processors to get around this sandboxing.What is SLAP?The M2 and A15 generation of processors (and later) have a feature called Load Address Prediction (LAP), which it tries to predict the memory address of the next memory request in order to prefetch it and speed things up. SLAP (Speculation Attacks via Load Address Prediction) first falsely trains that predictive algorithm and then uses that the pull targeted data from other browser processes.SLAP seems to work only in Safari.What is FLOP?Starting with the M3/A17 generation of processors, Apple goes a step further than loading data from predicted memory addresses. They have a feature called Load Value Predictor (LVP), which guesses what the value will be from a memory request. Its all to help the processor run faster by not having to wait around for data to come from memory.FLOP (FalseLoadOutputPredictions) issues instructions that return the same values all the time to trick the predictor into expecting a certain value even when the data has changed, and that lets them execute code on incorrect data values.FLOP works in Safari and Chrome.Which Apple devices are affected?The researchers say the following Apple devices have the hardware necessary to execute these flaws.All Mac laptops from 2022-present (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro)All Mac desktops from 2023-present (Mac Mini, iMac, Mac Studio, Mac Pro)All iPad Pro, Air, and Mini models from September 2021-present (6th- and 7th-gen iPad Pro, 6th-gen iPad Air, 6th-gen iPad Mini)All iPhones from September 2021-present (iPhone 13, 14, 15, and 16 models, 3rd-gen iPhone SE)Should I be worried?The Georgia Institute of Technology researchers say there is no evidence that either SLAP or FLOP has been used in the wild. Similarly, Apple told BleepingComputer, Based on our analysis, we do not believe this issue poses an immediate risk to our users.Is Apple fixing these flaws?Yes, but it appears to be taking some time. The researchers disclosed SLAP to Apple on May 24, 2024, and FLOP on September 3, 2024. Apple has released numerous updates since that time without fixing the issue here.You can read more about these exploits and see test demonstrations of them in action at the SLAP and FLOP site set up by the Georgia Institute of Technology researchers.

Apple's processors are fast because they predict what you'll need next, but when they guess wrong hackers can exploit those mistakes to steal your private data.M3 MacBook ProApple Silicon, like the M2 and M3, is designed to be some of the fastest in the world, powering iPads and Macs. Their strength is speculative execution, a feature that guesses what you'll need next to keep things running smoothly.But new research shows this speed boost comes with a cost. When these guesses are wrong, they can create vulnerabilities that hackers could use to access sensitive information, like emails and credit card details. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

If you've ever been frustrated while shopping at your local pharmacy, you're hardly alone but now CVS has devised a plan to change that with it's new iPhone app.Image credit: CVSPharmacies often get disparaged as one of the most tedious places the average person has to put up with. Long lines, hidden prescription costs, and the highly inconvenient locked cabinets are hated by nearly everyone.And, that probably includes your local pharmacy, too. That's why CVS is trying to change how you make your pharmacy run with its revamped CVS Health app. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

The 25th edition of theCooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum's annual National Design Awards program has named ten winners, each representing the "empowering, inclusive and diverse" nature of design practices in their respective fields. The program was established in 2000 as part of the White House Millennium Council and honors the best of the best American designers making impacts in the public sphere in multiple disciplines and across ten separate awards categories.Maurice Cox, who served as the Chair for this year's jury, stated he was "proud that the winners are increasingly a reflection of who we are in America and who we hope to be."Design touches all aspects of our lives every single dayfrom the buildings we live, learn and work in, to the physical and digital systems that deliver our basic services, the clothes we wear, the spaces we gather in or the creativity and beauty that help us understand ourselves as a nationand yet designs undeniable influence can go unsee...

After first debuting in 2006 in arcades and making its way to consoles in 2007, Segas Virtua Fighter 5 is available on PC via Steam. It isnt the same version as the base game Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. is essentially a port of Ultimate Showdown with 4K visuals and rollback netcode. Check out the launch trailer below.There are 19 playable characters and modes like Arcade, Versus, Rank Match, and Training. Online play supports up to 16 players via Tournaments and League. Unfortunately, the originals Quest Mode, missing from Ultimate Showdown, is also absent in R.E.V.O., which players are calling out in the user reviews.Other complaints include the limited customization, with many cosmetics confined to the 30th Anniversary Edition, which costs $49.99. Its discounted alongside the base game by 20 percent until February 3rd.Of course, this is only the beginning of Segas Virtua Fighter revival, with a reboot in the works at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Check out some in-engine footage here.