Italian architects Stefano Boeri and Cino Zucchi have expressed their surprise at being investigated for collusion in the commissioning of a major library in Milan, with prosecutors requesting house arrest.The pair of architects, along with a third unnamed person, are being investigated for their role in the awarding of the Biblioteca Europea di Informazione e Cultura (BEIC) commission to a team led by Italian studio Onsitestudio.Boeri (pictured), who is the founder of Stefano Boeri Architetti, and Zucchi, who is the founder of Cino Zucchi Architetti, acted as commissioners for the international design competition. Boeri was the chair of the panel."I confidently await the meeting"Prosecutors in Milan have scheduled a preliminary hearing for 4 February and have requested that both architects be placed under house arrest. This will be determined at the hearing.The architects defended their position in statements issued to the press."I am both surprised and extremely shocked," said Boeri in a statement issued to Dezeen. "I confidently await the meeting with the preliminary investigation judge in order to finally clarify my position.""The great rigour with which I participated in the work of the BEIC competition jury makes me completely calm with respect to the ongoing investigations, and I hope that the confrontation with the prosecutors can demonstrate my complete lack of involvement in the contested facts," said Zucchi in a statement to Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera.Read: Stefano Boeri Architetti creates "paper lantern" pavilion at Venice Art BiennaleThe BEIC library is set to be built in the Porta Vittoria area of Milan. A design by Onsitestudio with Italian studios Baukuh, Yellow Office, SCE Project, Studio Mistretta, Starching, Stain Engineering, Dotdotdot, (ab)Normala and Atmos Lab, was announced as the winner of an international competition in 2022. The team was selected from 44 bids.Corriere Della Sera reported that the Milan Public Prosecutor's Office believed that "collusions" had occurred between the winning team and the commissioners.The accusations surround contact made between Boeri and Zucchi, and Italian architect Pier Paolo Tamburelli, who is a principal at Baukuh.According to the prosecutors, Tamburelli "violated the anonymity provided for by the notice" of the bid tender and "repeatedly came into contact with commissioners Zucchi and Boeri", reported Corriere Della Sera."We renew our full confidence in the work of the commission"Following the reports, the BEIC foundation, which organised the architectural competition, issued a statement in support of Boeri."As a foundation, we renew our full confidence in the work of the commission chaired by architect Boeri, as well as in the work of the judiciary, certain that the evolution of the judicial process will clarify the transparency of the commission's work," reported Milan-based newspaper Il Giorno.Boeri is one of the most prominent architects in Milan, responsible for numerous projects including the Bosco Verticale skyscraper. He is also president of Triennale Milano museum, which also stood by the architect."The board of directors, the director general, the advisory committee, and all the staff of Triennale Milano express their full support to Stefano Boeri, president of Triennale Milano, confident that he will have the opportunity to clarify his position in the appropriate forums," said Triennale Milano in a statement issued to Dezeen."The passion, pride, and daily work carried out together, with dedication and integrity, will guide us through this delicate moment, during which we remain fully confident in the actions of the judiciary."The news comes as numerous projects in Milan have been put on hold by the prosectors office, which is investigating abuses in the issuing of fast-track building permits.The photography is by Gianluca di Ioia.The post Stefano Boeri "extremely shocked" about house arrest threat due to collusion investigation appeared first on Dezeen.

Good design dictates that objects we interact with ought provide feedback. In his seminal "The Design of Everyday Things," Don Norman defines an object's feedback as "some way of letting you know that the system is working on your request." He goes on to state that "Given the importance of feedback, it is amazing how many products ignore it."In my opinion, the kitchen stove is a prime offender. With a gas or electric stove, you can estimate how hot a burner is by the color of the flame or illumination level of the coil. However, the moment you place a pot or pan on top of it, your view is blocked. The burner knob is a poor substitute compared to the vibrant visuals of the heat source itself.In recent years, several manufacturers of barbecue grills have added LED lights to their burner knobs. Initially this was done to provide better visibility, when grilling at dusk, for instance. Moving beyond gimmickry, a company called Monument Grills saw an opportunity here to provide better feedback to the user. Their line of grills feature LED-backlit knobs where the color changes to signal what temperature window any given burner is within. The colors transition from bluish white, to white, to orange, and finally maxes out at red. While the execution is a bit garish, I think this method of visual feedback is great. Over time it would create a visual connection in your brain between the color of the dial and what you were cooking; for instance, blue for toasting buns, red for searing the burgers. In the demo below, you can see a (simulated) demonstration of what the transitions look like. I've cued the video up to the right spot:

With the release of the iPhone 16 line last year, Apple lovers were eager to upgrade and upgrade they did. Some may still be contemplating whether to make an upgrade or not, but several innovative smartphones are better and more exciting than the iPhone 16 family. And, we have curated a collection of innovative and unique smartphones that make for compelling alternatives to an iPhone.These smartphones present diverse and innovative alternatives to the iPhone 16, catering to a wide range of preferences and needs. Whether youre drawn to cutting-edge design, affordability, minimalism, or enhanced functionality, theres a device here that could be the perfect fit for your lifestyle. Have a look!1. Google Pixel 10 ProThe Google Pixel 10 Pro is dominated by one visible and interesting change in the camera layout. It has a vertical layout, which is an intriguing design evolution, but not necessarily better than the horizontal camera bar. The phone is quite slick and slick and is available with large 6.9 and 6.4 displays. It is available in different color variants, and the bezels are thinner as well.It is equipped with a smaller hole-punch camera, and the display offers 4000 nits of brightness. It is covered by a GorillaGlass Victus 2 protective glass panel. However, as mentioned the main upgrade is in the camera layout. It is amped with three powerful 64MP shooters a wide-angle, an ultrawide , and a telephoto to help you capture top-class pictures.2. Nothing Fold (1) ConceptNamed the Nothing Fold (1) Concept, this is a revolutionary new entrant in the folding phone market. This device amplifies portable computing with its groundbreaking design and state-of-the-art technology. It boasts a 6.5-inch external display alongside a substantial 8.37-inch internal screen, delivering a dynamic and immersive user experience. An impressive feature is the Glyph Interface, which displays the number 1 during startup and transforms into a third screen for notifications.The Fold (1) is outfitted with five cameras, including a main shooter, ultra-wide, and telephoto/macro lenses, ensuring photography enthusiasts have every tool needed for capturing stunning images. At its core, the device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9400 5G chip, which includes an 8-core CPU, a 12-core GPU, and an NPU for AI-driven tasks.3. iPhone 17 ProWhile not yet on the market, this iPhone 17 Pro concept offers a tantalizing glimpse into the future of smartphone design. Inspired by the Pixel, this concept features a radical camera bar that replaces the traditional square camera bump. The innovative layout includes a wide and ultra-wide lens, a central flash, and a tetraprism-style telephoto lens, promising exceptional optical zoom and low-light performance.This layout promises exceptional optical zoom capabilities and superior low-light performance, making it a dream for photography enthusiasts. Although the concept is still speculative, it offers exciting possibilities for future smartphones, and maybe this iPhone 17 Pro concept could offer more than the current iPhone 16 line.4. Vista Detox PhoneFor those looking to reduce smartphone addiction, the Vista Digital Detox Phone offers a unique approach. This device emphasizes physical interaction over virtual engagement, encouraging users to lead a more conscious lifestyle. The camera viewfinder is designed to promote real-world interaction, while the phone only plays live radio from local online stations, eliminating the option to stream playlists.The Vista Digital Detox Phone focuses on and prioritizes productivity and life-enhancing apps, thereby helping foster positive habits and minimize distractions. The detox smartphone is excellent for individuals who want to reduce their screen time and seek and master a more balanced digital experience.5. iPhone SE 4For those seeking a budget-friendly option without compromising on modern design, this conceptual iPhone SE 4 could be an appealing choice in the future. It replaces thick bezels and the physical home button with a sleek 6.1-inch edge-to-edge display, drawing inspiration from the iPhone 14. This design overhaul is complemented by a significant upgrade from LCD to OLED screen technology.This provides richer colors, better contrast, and improved efficiency. We dont know whether it will retain a notch or adopt the Dynamic Island, but the SE 4 promises a contemporary look and feel at an accessible price point, making it a smart choice for budget-conscious consumers. We hope to see it as a tangible smartphone someday!6. inkPhone duoThe inkPhone Duo concept is a productivity powerhouse with its innovative dual-screen slider design. The nearly edge-to-edge screens offer a full-color OLED display for vibrant work applications and an E-Ink display for distraction-free reading, perfect for long sessions without eye strain. The screens slide out to reveal hidden cameras, allowing seamless transitions between tasks and ensuring a full-screen experience without interruptions.This concept is ideal for multitaskers who need a device that adapts to both work and leisure, offering flexibility and efficiency in one sleek package. It truly offers the best of all worlds, supporting comfortable reading, and hiding both the cameras so you can enjoy both screens in their full glory.7. NanoPhoneIf youre someone who prefers and appreciates compact devices, then the NanoPhone will intrigue you. As small as a credit card, this $100 smartphone is packed with features, including 4G support, dual SIM trays, expandable storage, and a 2000mAh battery that promises long-lasting performance. It runs on Android 10, and provides access to essential apps via the Play Store,The little phone functions as a versatile backup phone or a functional starter device for kids. It features a diminutive size and affordability, making it an attractive choice for anyone needing a secondary phone or a device that wont break the bank while still offering essential smartphone capabilities. Although it may not function as an efficient primary smartphone.8. Rabbit R2Shreyansh Onial has envisioned the Rabbit R2 a conceptual smartphone that represents a significant evolution for the Rabbit brand. This innovative device is designed to go beyond the traditional functionalities of a smartphone by integrating a form of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). While the R2 maintains the familiar appearance of a smartphone, it introduces a highly advanced virtual assistant capable of handling a wide array of tasks, effectively transforming the way users interact with their devices.The Rabbit R2 is equipped with essential features such as a high-resolution screen, a sophisticated camera system, and a USB-C port. However what makes it truly stand apart is the AGI-powered virtual assistant, which elevates the device to a new level of intelligence and usability. The virtual assistant does everything you need it to do!9. PulloofCalled the Pulloof: Smart Phone Concept, this visionary device is designed by Gisung Han. It seeks to transcend the traditional lifespan of smartphones. It aims to leave a lasting impression through its technological capabilities, as well as its unique design and tactile experience. It draws inspiration from the nostalgic charm of a vintage B&Q radio, and the concept successfully combines retro aesthetics with modern innovation, creating a device that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.At its core, the Pulloof is designed to revolutionize how users engage with music through their smartphones. The smartphone concept prioritizes the speaker functionality, transforming it into a powerful and sustainable audio device. The design focuses on high-quality sound delivery, ensuring that music consumption becomes an immersive experience.10. Phone OneCalled the Phone One, this smartphone brings back the tactile joy of physical buttons in a modern, multi-mode design. Unlike traditional smartphones, the Phone One features a uniquely designed three-pivot side panel that houses the buttons, ensuring they dont encroach on-screen space. This innovative pivot mechanism allows the right-side panel to rotate within the phone frame, seamlessly transitioning between normal phone mode, gaming mode, and camera mode.In normal mode, the volume and power buttons are easily accessible, giving the Phone One a familiar look for everyday use. This design not only enhances functionality but also provides a nostalgic tactile experience, making the Phone One a unique choice for those who value both innovation and tradition.The post Top 10 Innovative Smartphones To Consider Beyond The iPhone 16 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Are subtle differences enough of a defence?

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MacworldThere are two main reasons for using a VPN. The first is to circumvent geoblocking when watching films or TV shows, or accessing cheaper services abroad. The second, and perhaps more serious, is to achieve stronger data security.As far as the second group of users is concerned, VPNs are vital tools for surfing the web with peace of mind. The VPN server provides an additional layer of security and encrypts your datasomething thats especially important if you cant vouch for a Wi-Fi network. If youre on holiday, for example, you may be forced to fall back on free Wi-Fi at the hotel or a cafe, thereby putting yourself at the mercy of hackers who would love to steal your data.If you just want to check the news headlines or briefly browse YouTube, this risk is probably acceptable. However, if you need to transfer company data or hold a sensitive Teams conference, it would be sensible to put additional protections in place.How hackers can beat a VPNUsing a VPN raises the level of your data security, but its important to be aware that this doesnt make you impervious to attack. Hackers, unfortunately, have tricks up their sleeve that can outwit a VPN, which has led to criticism of their security in recent years. One expert, Michael Horowitz, has even argued that VPNs on iOS are a scam. One potential threat, for example, is the TunnelVision attack method. If a hacker gains administrative control over the local network, they may be able to activate a DHCP setting called option 121, which means some or all of the transmitted data is no longer protected by the VPN.If you want optimum protection, in other words, simply using a VPN is not enough. You need to pay attention to the additional security features on offer.See our round up of the Best VPNs for Mac, which includes the best options we have reviewed.The importance of a kill switchThe key feature to seek out is called a kill switch, something that is offered by reputable VPN providers such as NordVPN (reviewed here) and Surfshark (reviewed here). The name might sound alarming, but it just means an emergency switch. Its an important element in your security setup.The problem is that a VPN connection can sometimes be interrupted without the user immediately realizing this has happened; the user then inadvertently sends and receives data outside of the VPNs protection, which makes it easier for hackers to strike. In this situation, a kill switch automatically terminates the internet connection and warns the user. Such a kill switch is often able to block attacks such as TunnelVision, at least under macOS. However, this function is not provided by all VPN providers and may vary between macOS and iOS.Even the free version of Proton VPN (reviewed here) for iOS offers an emergency switch, for example, whereas Nortons paid-for VPN (reviewed here) unfortunately only works on macOS, Windows, and Android.Depending on the system, the kill switch can either affect the entire system or just individual apps. With Nord VPN, for example, you can use the macOS version to specifically protect selected apps via the kill switch, whereas with iOS the entire internet connection is affected and all apps are protected. This is the case with most VPN services on iOS.However, this option is not always active in the default setting; you may need to activate the function first via the apps default settings. Needless to say, this is strongly recommended.Also see our Best VPNs for iPad.Extreme security: Going beyond the kill switchWhile a strong VPN service with a kill switch should provide more than enough protection for a desktop Mac, there remains a residual risk on iOS. In practice, at least in my opinion, this threat is negligible. But if you want to be on the safe side, some products offer yet more security options. ExpressVPN, for example, offers a function called Network Protection, which provides additional security on the iPhone. (Bear in mind that this also blocks useful network functions such as Personal Hotspot and CarPlay.)Mullvad (reviewed here) has also developed an additional security function for iOS called DAITA (Defence Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis). With this option, the VPN server adds additional data and changes the packet size. The aim is to make it impossible for outsiders to decrypt the intercepted encrypted data. However, this only works with certain servers, and for most home users a good VPN with a kill switch should be completely sufficient.Recommended VPNs mentioned in this articleWe recommend: NordVPNBest Prices Today: 3,69 at NordVPNWe recommend: SurfsharkBest Prices Today: 1,99 at SurfsharkWe recommend: ProtonVPNBest Prices Today: Free at ProtonWe recommend: MullvadPrice When Reviewed:5 Euro pro MonatBest Prices Today: 5,00 at Mullvad VPN

This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.How measuring vaccine hesitancy could help health professionals tackle itThis week, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trumps pick to lead the USs health agencies, has been facing questions from senators as part of his confirmation hearing for the role. So far, its been a dramatic watch, with plenty of fiery exchanges, screams from audience members, and damaging revelations.Theres also been a lot of discussion about vaccines. Kennedy has long been a vocal critic of vaccines. He has spread misinformation about the effects of vaccines. Hes petitioned the government to revoke the approval of vaccines. Hes sued pharmaceutical companies that make vaccines.Kennedy has his supporters. But not everyone who opts not to vaccinate shares his worldview. There are lots of reasons why people dont vaccinate themselves or their children. Understanding those reasons will help us tackle an issue considered to be a huge global health problem today. And plenty of researchers are working on tools to do just that. Read the full story.Jessica HamzelouThis article first appeared in The Checkup, MIT Technology Reviews weekly biotech newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Thursday, and read articles like this first, sign up here.What DeepSeeks breakout success means for AIThe tech world is abuzz over a new open-source reasoning AI model developed by DeepSeek, a Chinese startup. The company claims that this new model, called DeepSeek R1, matches or even surpasses OpenAIs ChatGPT o1 in performance but operates at a fraction of the cost.Its success is even more remarkable given the constraints that Chinese AI companies face due to US export controls on cutting-edge chips. DeepSeeks approach represents a radical change in how AI gets built, and could shift the tech worlds center of gravity.Join news editor Charlotte Jee, senior AI editor Will Douglas Heaven, and China reporter Caiwei Chen for an exclusive subscriber-only Roundtable conversation on Monday 3 February at 12pm ET discussing what DeepSeeks breakout success means for AI and the broader tech industry. Register here.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 Federal workers are being forced to defend their work to Elon Musks acolytesGovernment tech staff are being pulled into sudden meetings with students. (Wired $)+ Archivists are rushing to save thousands of datasets being yanked offline. (404 Media)+ Civil servants arent buying Musks promises. (Slate $)2 The US Copyright Office says AI-assisted art can be copyrightedBut works wholly created by AI cant be. (AP News)+ The AI lab waging a guerrilla war over exploitative AI. (MIT Technology Review)3 OpenAI is partnering with US National LaboratoriesIts models will be used for scientific research and nuclear weapons security. (NBC News)+ Its the latest move from the firm to curry favor with the US government. (Engadget)+ OpenAI has upped its lobbying efforts nearly sevenfold. (MIT Technology Review)4 DeepSeeks success is inspiring founders in AfricaThe startup has proved that frugality can go hand in hand with innovation. (Rest of World)+ What Africa needs to do to become a major AI player. (MIT Technology Review)5 China is building a massive wartime command centerThe complex appears to be part of preparation for the possibility of nuclear war. (FT $)+ Pentagon workers used DeepSeeks chatbot for days before it was blocked. (Bloomberg $)+ We saw a demo of the new AI system powering Andurils vision for war. (MIT Technology Review)6 Theres a chance this colossal asteroid will hit Earth in 2032Experts arent too worriedyet. (The Guardian)+ How worried should we be about the end of the world? (New Yorker $)+ Earth is probably safe from a killer asteroid for 1,000 years. (MIT Technology Review)7 Things are looking up for Europes leading battery makerTruckmaker Scania is now supporting the troubled Northvolts day-to-day operations. (Reuters)+ Three takeaways about the current state of batteries. (MIT Technology Review)8 This group of Luddite teens is still resisting technologyBut three years after starting their club, the lure of dating apps is strong. (NYT $)9 Reddits bastion of humanity is under threatAI features are creeping into the forum, much to users chagrin. (The Atlantic $)10 Bid a fond farewell to MiniDiscs and blank Blu-RaysSony is finally pulling the plug on some of its recordable media formats. (IEEE Spectrum)Quote of the dayWe try to be really open and then everything I say leaks. It sucks.Mark Zuckerberg warns that leakers will be fired in a memo that was promptly leaked, the Verge reports.The big storyThis artist is dominating AI-generated art. And hes not happy about it.September 2022Greg Rutkowski is a Polish digital artist who uses classical styles to create dreamy landscapes. His distinctive style has been used in some of the worlds most popular fantasy games, including Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.Now hes become a hit in the new world of text-to-image AI generation. His name is one of the most commonly used prompts in the open-source AI art generator Stable Diffusion.But this and other open-source programs are built by scraping images from the internet, often without permission and proper attribution to artists. And artists like Rutkowski have had enough. Read the full story.Melissa HeikkilWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ Its an oldie but a goodie: ice dancing gold medalists Tessa Virtue and Scott Moirs routine to Moulin Rouge is simply spectacular.+ This week marks 56 years since the Beatles performed their last ever gig on the roof of their Apple headquarters.+ In other Beatles news, Ringo Starr has never eaten a pizza.+ The Video Game History Foundation has opened up its incredible archive (thanks Dani!)

It's the one-year anniversary of the Apple Vision Pro and also the 15th anniversary of the iPad. Special guest Tim Chaten joins the show to discuss those, plus Samsung's very familiar new headset and more on the AppleInsider Podcast.Apple Vision ProAfter so very many years of rumors and expectations, the Apple Vision Pro got into buyers' hands for the first time 12 months ago. Host Wes Hilliard became and remains a proponent of it, and for this special edition, he's talking with Tim Chaten, host of the Vision Pros podcast, about what a year using this headset has shown us.Chaten, though, is also host of the iPad Pros podcast and we've now reached the 15th anniversary of the iPad. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

A new report claims Apple's decision over a supplier for a foldable screen is imminent, although it's not clear whether that's for an iPhone Fold or another device.Render of a possible iPhone FoldDespite recent rumors that Apple will not release a foldable device before 2027, a new leak says that the company is finalizing its supply chain's main contractor for a folding screen."Apple's new foldable display core supplier decision is imminent," writes leaker yeux1122 (in translation). "The industry expects [Apple] to make a decision by the end of February to the beginning of April." Rumor Score: Possible Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums