Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!Modern architecture originated in the early twentieth century in Europe and later expanded worldwide, particularly in the United States, where many European architects emigrated. Modernism reacted against nineteenth-century historical architectural styles, such as Neoclassicism and Revivalism. More specifically, modernist architects wanted to break away from excessive ornamentation, favoring simpler, functional, and human-centered designs guided by the form follows function philosophy.Characteristics of Modernism in ArchitectureWhat is Modern architecture?The driving force behind Modernism was to create a new architectural language, using new materials and technologies, an architecture that better reflected the changing society at the turn of the twentieth century, most notably marked by industrialization and technological innovation.Modern architecture can be more accurately described as a movement rather than a style one that encompassed various architectural expressions. Despite their differences, these architectural expressions shared a common goal: to break away from historicism while creating an architecture that had not been produced before and responded to contemporary realities.What are the defining traits of Modern architecture?Modern architecture highlights functionality, simplicity and the rejection of ornamentation. This approach is reflected in its simple forms and clean lines. Materials such as glass, steel and reinforced concrete reinforced this minimalist approach, offering innovative design solutions such as large glass expanses, open floor plans and structurally efficient constructions. These advantages enabled architects to experiment with structure and building envelopes, helping them to break away from traditional forms and construction techniques.History of Modern ArchitectureConstructivist building (1933) by Russian architect Ivan Fomin. Moscow, Russia. | NVO,Wiki Constructivist MPS building, 5 Novaya Basmannaya Street Moscow,CC BY-SA 3.0Why and how did Modern architecture transform peoples lifestyles?The rapid growth of cities, driven by industrialization at the turn of the twentieth century, led to a high demand for new housing, office buildings and factories. Modern architecture addressed these challenges by embracing technological innovations and new materials. These advancements revolutionized construction techniques, enabling the creation of more functional, open and flexible spaces while leaving behind architectural traditions seen as impractical and inadequate to satisfy the needs of a changing society. Prefabrication and mass-production in construction enhanced efficiency, facilitating the construction of more economical structures in less time.One of Modernisms most significant contributions was the creation of the skyscraper. This type of construction was the epitome of progress and redefined urban development. Skyscrapers also transformed how people lived, worked and interacted in increasingly denser and more dynamic environments.What movements emerged under the Modernist umbrella?BauhausInternational StyleConstructivismBrutalismExamples and Case Studies of Architectural ModernismContemporary Art Museum in Niteroi, Brazil (1996) designed by Oscar Niemeyer. | Donatas Dabravolskas,CC BY-SA 4.0Who are the dominant figures in Modern architecture, and what are some of their most notable works?Louis Henry Sullivan (1856-1924): Notable works: Wainwright Building (1890); Carson Pirie Scott Store (1899-1904); and the Home Building Association Bank (1914).Mies van der Rohe (1856-1924). Notable works: Barcelona Pavilion (1929); Villa Tugendhat (1930); Lake Shore Drive Apartments (1951); Farnsworth House (1951); and Seagram Building in collaboration with Philip Johnson (1958).Walter Gropius (1883-1969). Notable works: Dessau Bauhaus School (19251932); Gropius House (1937), Michael Reese Hospital (19451959); and John F. Kennedy Federal Office Building (19631966). Walter Gropius was also involved in furniture design but was not its primary focus.Le Corbusier (1887-1965). Notable works: Villa Savoye (1928); Cit Universitaire, Immeuble Clart and Cit de Refuge (19281933); Ronchamp Chapel (1950-1954); Unit dHabitation, Marseille (19471952), and Buildings in Chandigarh India (1952-1959). He also collaborated in the design of the United Nations Headquarters (1947-1952).Alvar Aalto (1898-1976). Notable works: Paimio Sanatorium (19281933); Baker House, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (19471948); Syntsalo Town Hall (19491952); Louis Carr House (19561958); and Finlandia Hall (19621971).Eero Saarinen (1910-1961). Notable works: The Gateway Arch (1947); TWA Flight Center (1956-1962 ); Dulles International Airport (1958-1962); General Motors Technical Center (1949-1956); Irwin Conference Center (1954); Milwaukee War Memorial (1952-1957).Philip Johnson (1906-2005). Notable works: Glass House (1949) and Seagram Building in collaboration with Mies Van Der Rohe (1958). Philip Johnson was later associated with the Post-modern movement, designing notable buildings such as the 550 Madison Avenue (former AT&T Building) in Manhattan (1984) and the Lipstick Building (1984).Oscar Niemeyer (1907-2012 ). Notable works: Braslia Cathedral (1958-1970); Pampulha Modern Ensemble (1943); Copan Building (1957); and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Niteri, Brazil (1996). He also collaborated with Le Corbusier in the design of the United Nations Headquarters (1947-1952).What is the relationship between Modern architecture and mid-century modernism?Mies Van Der Rohe, Walter Gropius, Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto and Eero Saarinen also designed furniture, some of which have become iconic and remain in production. Philip Johnson was also involved in furniture design, but this was never a focus. His furniture designs were customized for specific building projects. Oscar Niemeyer also designed furniture, but never as prominently as his architectural work. Finally, Louis Sullivans furniture designs were limited to some pieces produced for specific projects, aligning with his overall architectural vision.United Nations Headquarters designed by a multinational team of leading architects, including Le Corbusier and Oscar Niemeyer (1947-1952). Midtown Manhattan, New York, US. | Ad Meskens,United Nations Chrysler and Empire State Building,CC BY-SA 3.0Is contemporary architecture an extension of Modernism?Contemporary can be understood as an evolution of Modernism, as it often builds upon the same principles of simplicity, functionality, and human-centered ideals. The form follows function ethos, a hallmark of Modernism, continues to influence contemporary architects. Like their Modernist predecessors from the early twentieth century, contemporary architects embrace technological innovations and new materials.While Modernist architects experimented with prefabrication and mass production as products of industrialization, contemporary architects implement sustainable strategies, parametric design, and AI technology in their projects. These innovations have led to a more diverse architectural language.Criticisms and Challenges of Modern ArchitectureAerial view of Chicagos skyline. | Photo via PxHere.Why do the universal principles of Modernism clash with local cultural and environmental contexts?Modernisms universal principles, particularly emphasized in the International Style, prioritized standardization. While this approach enhanced innovation and efficiency, it often led to designs that could be implemented in any location. Consequently, it has faced criticism for disconnecting cities from their historical identities, leading to an architecture that sometimes feels impersonal and fails to address the cultural, social, economic, and environmental needs of specific places. This disconnect typically eliminates the sense of place and belonging.Additionally, relying on technical innovations has often led Modernist architects to overlook climate considerations. An extensive use of glass, one of Modernisms hallmarks, exemplifies designs that fail to adapt to local climates. In extreme climates, for instance, these projects can prove inadequate, leading to high energy consumption for cooling or heating.As a result, Modernisms universal approach can be seen as an unsuccessful attempt to balance innovation and the varying needs of different contexts.How has architecture evolved beyond Modernism to address contemporary needs and challenges?While Modernism laid the groundwork for architectural innovation, and its vision of simplicity and functionality still inspires contemporary architects. However, its universal approach has since been adapted to modern needs, resulting in structures that balance innovation and sensitivity to their context. Architecture has evolved beyond the core principles of Modernism, emphasizing cultural and environmental responsiveness. It integrates local materials, vernacular traditions, and sustainable design principles. Challenges like climate change and sustainable development have become part of todays architectural discourse, reflecting a commitment to responding effectively to contemporary needs and challenges.Architizer's 13th A+Awards features a suite of sustainability-focused categories recognizing designers that are building a greener industry and a better future. Start your entry to receive global recognition for your work!Top image:By Ashley Pomeroy at English Wikipedia, CC BY 3.0, Link The post Architecture 101: What is Modern Architecture? appeared first on Journal.

Tripwire Interactive has announced that Killing Floor 3 will launch on March 25th for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5. Pre-orders are live now on all platforms, and a new trailer highlights the Siren. This Zed is armed with advanced sonic disruption tech and looks incredibly sturdy and scary check it out below.The developer also confirmed its closed beta will run from February 20th to 24th, with sign-ups now available. The content and platforms have yet to be confirmed, but it may be worthwhile for those who want to get in on the Zed-killing early.Following up on its popular predecessor, Killing Floor 3 occurs in a dystopic future where Nightfall battles the Zed-producing Horzine. Alongside six-player co-op, it features cross-platform play, new Zed types, tons of new weapons (with hundreds of mods to customize them), and new locations.The gore quotient and dismemberment are also increased thanks to the M.E.A.T. system. Head here for more details and stay tuned for further updates en route to release.

Team Ninja has announced an update for Ninja Gaiden 2 Black that will bring with it a host of new features. The studio took to social media platform X to announce the next update, while also revealing details about the latest version 1.0.6.0 patch. Check out the patch notes for the minor update below.The studio has also stated in the post that the next update for Ninja Gaiden 2 Black will incorporate feedback from players. There will also be balance changes in the update. This update is slated for release some time in February.As for the latest update, it has been released on PC (Microsoft Store version) and Xbox Series X/S. The update fixes a bug where players could not find DLSS and XeSS options for super resolution type. The update also fixes a progression-blocking bug that prevented players from progressing after defeating certain bosses.Ninja Gaiden 2 Black was shadow dropped earlier this month during Microsofts Developer_Direct. The game, available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, can also be played through a Game Pass subscription.Developed using Unreal Engine 5, Ninja Gaiden 2 Black incorporates features from Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, while still trying to maintain the difficulty that the original Xbox 360 release was known for. Alongside series protagonist Ryu Hayabusa, Akane, Momiji and Rachel are also available as playable characters.Alongside the release of Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, Team Ninja has also announced that Ninja Gaiden 4 is being developed in collaboration with PlatinumGames, and will be coming to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in Fall 2025.Ninja Gaiden 4 will feature Yakumo of Raven Clan as its primary protagonist. Hayabusa will also be present in the story in a pivotal role, but details on the upcoming titles story havent yet been revealed.PlatinumGames director and producer Yuji Nakao has revealed that development on Ninja Gaiden 4 is around 70 to 80 percent complete. Team Ninja boss Fumihiko Yasuda has also revealed that the title might get some sort of beta or demo in order to get feedback from fans of the franchise.When it comes to Team Ninja and PlatinumGames collaborating on the development of Ninja Gaiden 4, Yasuda recently revealed that the idea came about thanks to Xbox boss Phil Spencer.After that, Phil Spencer from Microsoft suggested that the three companies PlatinumGames, Koei Tecmo and Microsoft work together on a new numbered title in the Ninja Gaiden series, and thats how the project got started, said Yasuda. We have developed action games ourselves, but because we were going to be making a new Ninja Gaiden for the first time in over a decade, PlatinumGames had already made several great action titles, such as Bayonetta and NieR: Automata, so we wanted to work with them, and thats how the collaboration began.Ninja Gaiden 2 Black Version 1.0.6.0 Patch Notes:Fixed an issue where the options for DLSS and XeSS would not appear when selecting super resolution type on the Microsoft Store version of the game.Fixed an issue that in rare cases made it impossible to progress after defeating certain bosses.Ver. 1.0.6.0 Patch ReleasedA patch for the Microsoft Store ver. to fix the issue where super-resolution couldnt be selected has been released.Details on the website.https://t.co/o3zjtXhXqhBased on the feedback received, we are preparing a patch aimed for release in Team NINJA (@TeamNINJAStudio) January 29, 2025

Electronics, avocados, vegetables, cars, tractors, crude oil these are some of the things that could soon get more expensive for US consumers. Under President Donald Trumps proposed plan, goods coming in from Mexico and Canada will be subject to a 25 percent tariff beginning on February 1st. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has also said Trump was very much still considering tariffs on China on the same day. As of late Thursday, the specifics of these plans were still up in the air.Sweeping tariffs were one of Trumps marquee campaign promises leading up to the election in November. Hes previously threatened up to a 60 percent tariff on goods from China, a 100 percent tariff on goods from Mexico, and even a 200 percent tariff on John Deere products imported into the US. Despite this, Trump failed to levy any tariffs on day one of his presidency, with Bloomberg reporting on Thursday that his administration lacked even concepts of a plan. His first round is now supposed to hit goods from Mexico and Canada, the two largest trade partners for the US.In 2022, around $1.8 trillion of goods and services moved between countries under the current United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) a free trade agreement negotiated during Trumps first term that he now threatens to blow up. Mexico is a major manufacturer of cars, and 76 percent of exported vehicles go to the US. Most of the vegetables imported into the US come from Mexico (63 percent as of 2023), as do nearly half of fruit and nut imports (47 percent). Nearly 60 percent of crude oil imported to the US comes from Canada alone, according to the Congressional Research Service. The US also imports billions of dollars worth of lumber, cars, and food items from our northern neighbor. Trump has called tariffs the greatest thing ever invented, but he either doesnt understand how they work or regularly lies about it. For years, he has claimed that the exporting country or company would foot the bill. Despite what the president and subjects of viral videos seem to believe, however, the exporting countrys government does not pay the tariff the importer (like a retailer or other entity) pays it, and generally that additional cost is passed on to the consumer by charging them more for the item. If a company imports T-shirts from Mexico and sells them for $10, for example, a 25 percent tariff would add $2.50 to their costs, and theyre likely to jack up the price of your shirt to cover it. As of this week, Trump was also considering blanket 10 percent tariffs on goods from China, the USs third-largest trading partner and a source of everything from cheap clothing and home goods to electronics.Tensions between the US and China have prompted some industries and companies to try to diversify supply chains including Apple, which has moved a portion of iPhone manufacturing from China to India. But industry groups warn that import tariffs will increase prices for consumers and reduce spending in the US. A Consumer Technology Association analysis estimated that under Trumps original 60 percent tariff proposal on China, the price of a laptop could soar 68 percent and smartphones could jump 37 percent. Some estimates suggest that higher prices for tech products many of which are produced in China could cause consumer spending to drop by billions of dollars.On top of the direct impact on prices, the targeted countries may retaliate with tariffs of their own. Canada is reportedly planning retaliatory tariffs targeted at products made in Republican and swing states. Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country also had a plan in response to potential US tariffs, and Reuters reported that target products were similarly chosen to hit regions that voted for Trump. Again, the US government wouldnt pay for them, but tariffs could ripple through global supply chains and reduce the demand and value of American products, like what happened to soybeans during Trumps first term.Trump has said the tariffs on Canada and Mexico are punishment for immigration as well as fentanyl coming into the US from the two countries. But he uses them as petty bargaining chips, too earlier this month, he briefly vowed to impose tariffs on Colombian imports like coffee unless the country accepted military deportation flights. As potentially disruptive as tariffs could be, there are a lot of ifs here. The Trump administration is already behind on its own schedule. It reportedly still doesnt know exactly which tariffs it will be imposing. And its last sweeping policy change a chaotic freezing of federal funds was promptly blocked by a court and then walked back amid confusion and public anger. So its anyones guess how long an all-out trade war could last if it happens at all.See More: Policy

The DeepSeek story contains multitudes. Its a story about the stock market, whether theres an AI bubble, and how important Nvidia has become to so many peoples financial future. Its also a story about China, export controls, and American AI dominance. And then, somewhere in there, theres a story about technology: about how a startup managed to build cheaper, more efficient AI models with few of the capital and technological advantages its competitors have.On this episode of The Vergecast, we talk about all these angles and a few more, because DeepSeek is the story of the moment on so many levels. Nilay and David discuss whether companies like OpenAI and Anthropic should be nervous, why reasoning models are such a big deal, and whether all this extra training and advancement actually adds up to much of anything at all. (Nilay has a long comparison to Bluetooth, in case that helps you guess where we land.)After that, we go through our email inbox (vergecast@theverge.com) and the Vergecast Hotline (866-VERGE11), and talk about some of your responses to last weeks question about how people use AI. Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in and called! There a …Read the full story at The Verge.

A little over two months after its official launch, Marvel Rivals has reportedly earned over $130 million in revenue, peaked at over 640,000 concurrent players on Steam alone, and has regularly been featured near the top of Twitchs competitive popularity page. By any modern market metric, NetEase Games new Marvel-themed hero shooter is a massive success. Its a remarkable turn of fortune for a game that looked dead in the water ahead of its official launch.Previews of Marvel Rivals were mixed with some of the more negative feedback reportedly being stifled by a controversial non-disparagement clause in some testers agreements. Even then, it seemed clear enough that Marvel Rivals felt like a largely unfinished product plagued by bugs and balance issues. Perhaps more importantly, it was a hero shooter set to be released in a genre market that had gone from stagnant, to seemingly dead, to downright hostile.A few months before Marvel Rivals debut, PlayStation shut down their new hero shooter Concord following almost universal negative reviews and a peak Steam player count of 697 concurrent users. Concord was a total failure that joined other notable dead hero shooters like LawBreakers, Crucible, and Battleborn. Even the king of the hero shooter genreOverwatchhas hemorrhaged players in recent years as Blizzard tries to set a new creative course for the game and restore its once-flourishing esports scene.In short, no one was really looking for an Overwatch killer as we headed into 2025. Thats a big part of the reason why Marvel Rivals was able to take a run at the throne.Marvel Rivals Is Equally Brilliant and BrokenAt launch, Marvel Rivals suffered from many of the same issues that plagued the game during its beta. It was buggy, poorly optimized, and featured a massive roster of iconic heroes that went largely ignored due to some serious balance issues.Have you ever tried to play a game like Overwatch and found yourself overwhelmed by the number of abilities and the sheer amount of stuff happening on-screen? Marvel Rivals dials that experience up to 11. The earliest hours with this third-person shooter are typically spent desperately trying to learn what is happening on screen and what just killed you. Marvel Rivals features some surprisingly complex characters, and many of their abilities quickly pollute the screen with VFX. The average matchespecially early onis madness.Believe it or not, thats part of the reason why Marvel Rivals did so well so early on. For many, the appeal of being able to play as, with, and against such an extensive roster of Marvel characters was enough of a draw to start with. For Marvel fans, the novelty and spectacle of it all was reason enough to stick around. Yes, the game was often madness and nonsense, but all that madness and nonsense was the product of distinctly designed renditions of popular comic book characters battling against each other.Marvel Rivals quickly appealed to lapsed and fatigued Overwatch players for the same reason. In its earliest days, one of Overwatchs biggest draws was the chaos of it all. The game was built around big moments that could often swing matches in an instant. While Overwatch and Overwatch 2 became far more balanced over time, that balance usually came at the cost of those big memorable moments that made players feel empowered or otherwise frustrated them enough to go again. The absurd action of Marvel Rivals brought the former Overwatch faithful back to better days.In this case, were talking about more than nostalgia. Shortly before Marvel Rivals launch, the Overwatch 2 team released Overwatch Classic, a throwback mode that allowed you to play Overwatch as it was when the game launched in 2016. Though flawed in many ways, the mode much like World of Warcraft Classicreminded players that there was a certain magic to the original game that had been lost over time. In many ways, Marvel Rivals offered those fans who longed for different days a new way to experience something familiar at a time when their interest in such an experience was at its absolute peak.Its not just Overwatch Classic, though. Marvel Rivals path to success was paved by the shortcomings of other established multiplayer games that were arguably at their worst while Marvel Rivals was at its hottest.2024 was generally a down year for new video game releases, but the situation was especially bad for established competitive multiplayer franchises. Most notably, Call of Duty: Warzonethe free-to-play battle royale that typically drew the biggest crowd of casual PvP fans looking for a multiplayer game to lose themselves insuffered through a series of poorly-received updates that sent its influencers and players scrambling for alternatives.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!What did they find? The usual suspects, mostly. Games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and Valorant were there, but theyve long had a reputation for being slightly more unfriendly to new and more casual players. Battle royales like Fortnite and Apex Legends offered more direct Warzone alternatives, but both are far removed from their golden ages at this point. Others, of course, turned back to Overwatch.More than anything, Marvel Rivals has been a breaker of the complacency most evident in the hero shooter genre where Overwatch has long ruled, but thats hardly the only example. The live service, PvP scene is filled with games that have quietly sat atop the player count and view charts without doing much new or particularly exciting in quite some time. Thats a big part of the reason why studios continue to make live-service PvP games despite so many failures along the way. Theyre convinced that their game can be the next big thing.But why did Marvel Rivals succeed where so many of those other games have failed? What makes it different from something like Concord which launched in a similar genre around the same time? You could argue Marvel Rivals is simply better, though that doesnt always matter. Marvel Rivals free-to-play status certainly gave it an advantage over the $40, microtransaction-filled Concord, though other free-to-play games have come and gone in the same territory. That alone isnt enough.It all comes back to Marvel Rivals ability to generate excitement. You can get a lot done by generating excitement among the complacent and jaded. Marvel Rivals invigorated hero shooter fans with its complex and chaotic gameplay, PvP fans with its sudden rise in popularity, and pretty much everyone with its generous use of the Marvel license. Interestingly, Marvel executed a similar release and design strategy with Marvel Snap, the 2022 CCG game that successfully challenged Hearthstone.Is Marvel simply targeting Blizzard properties that have long reigned over oversaturated genres with few viable challengers in sight? Perhaps, but Marvel Rivals success is bigger than any single genre, franchise, or company. Unfortunately, its doubtful the rest of the industry will see it that way.Nobody came into 2024/2025 looking for an Overwatch killer. That franchise was the king of a genre long considered not just dead but poisonous. Marvel Rivals looked like another game born from the trends of a different era but released long after those trends had peaked. From a sheer market stance, it shouldnt have worked. It very much did.What happens next is anyones guess. Marvel Rivals Season 1 update is a massive step in the right direction that cleverly addresses numerous balance issues while offering a welcome influx of content. Any missteps can be significant at this point, but the Rivals team has made the right moves so far and they are blessed with a massive universe to play in. The possibilities are endless, and the potential is obvious.Overwatchs future is a little less clear. Marvel Rivals hasnt killed Overwatch 2 in the sense that it has forced Blizzard to shut the game down, but it has killed Overwatch 2s illusion of superiority. Overwatch 2 has survived a number of setbacks largely by virtue of often being the only serious game in town. Now, a viable new competitor is courting some of its more loyal players and drawing the more casual crowds that havent been drawn to Overwatch in some time. Blizzard is promising major new updates to Overwatch 2, and maybe they will make good on those promises. Its just that everything the game does will now be judged against the kind of competition the game didnt have when it really could have used and made the most out of such updates.The lesson here isnt that studios should once again start greenlighting multi-million dollar hero shooters just because Marvel Rivals is a success. In many ways, Marvel Rivals is an anomaly. It was the right game released at the right time, and its success has been amplified by the strength of its license and an overwhelming organic embrace of its earliest days. The gaming industry has long suffered from investing too much money into replicating exceptional exceptions, and we can only hope studios avoid the temptation to do so again.Still, there are lessons to be learned from Marvel Rivals success. Marvel Rivals is similar to, but pleasantly distinct from, its biggest competitor. It properly utilizes a major license rather than relying on its name value alone. Its a free-to-play game with generous updates and minimal microtransactions. These are all significant contributing factors other studios can replicate in their own ways.Yet, the biggest lesson here may be that many current kings rule over live service and genre graveyards. Had Marvel Rivals been released at the height of the hero shooter boom, its hard to imagine it would have performed quite this well so quickly. Instead, it took advantage of the fact that nobody was looking for a game like it, delivering excitement in an area where people had grown to expect complacency.Marvel Rivals is not a trend chaser but a game that reminds us why that genre became a trend in the first place. From real-time strategy titles and MMOs to turn-based RPGs and arcade sports titles, it feels like there are quite a few underserved genres that could use their own Marvel Rivals right about now.Marvel Rivals is out now for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Today CalDigit took the wraps off its first Thunderbolt 5-enabled device, the nine port, and aptly-titled Element 5 Hub. The follow up to the companys original eight-port Element hub, the $249 Element 5 features four Thunderbolt 5 ports supporting 80Gb/s, plus a whole host of additional features and tidbits to consider. Lets take a closer look.Ports and chargingThe Element 5 hub has nine ports total, while the original sported eight ports.4 x TB5 (80Gb/s) ports2 x USB-C (10Gb/s) ports3 x USB-A (10Gb/s) portsHost power delivery of 90WDisplaysThe max resolution for Macs that support 8K is 8K 60HzThe max resolution on macOS for dual displays is 6K 60Hz. The M4 Max supports Dual 8K 60HzThe max high-refresh rate on macOS for dual displays is Dual 4K 240HzThe Element 5 Hub supports the new Bandwidth Boost feature of Thunderbolt 5, which allocates up to 120Gb/s to displays when needed, such as when connecting multiple high refresh rate displays.On compatible Windows machines with Thunderbolt 5, the Element 5 supports up to Triple 4K 60Hz displays via a single port. Its worth noting that the Mac, including the latest M4s, do not support triple displays via a single Thunderbolt 5 connection. This is a limitation of macOS computers, and no dock or hub at this time can natively support triple displays on macOS via a single TB5 connection.Other tidbitsCalDigit notes that host charging consistently delivers up to 90W and never drops regardless of how many devices are connected. Included with the Element 5 is a new 180W power supply that is 42% smaller than its predecessor while offering 30W of additional power.The Element 5 Hub features 64Gb/s PCIe, double the bandwidth of its predecessor, to accommodate fast storage devices. 9to5Macs TakeSlowly but surely, the Thunderbolt 5 landscape is beginning to take shape, and the Element 5 has the makings of a solid hub for those who need the expansion. In terms of compatibility, of course the Element 5 is best paired with new M4 Pro and M4 Max Macs featuring Thunderbolt 5 ports, but its also compatible with TB4, TB3, and USB-C Macs and iPads as well.What do you think? Sound off in the comments with your thoughts.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apparently isnt very happy about employees leaking things he says during internal company-wide meetings. The company issued a memo threatening to fire people for leaking internal comms and that memo was of course immediately leaked Zuckerberg shared a number of sensitive pieces of information during the latest all-hands meeting. This included commentary on the decision to end the companys DEI programs, on changing hate-speech rules to permit things like calling gay people mentally ill, and laying off employees the company considers to be low performers.Previously, Meta employees have been able to publicly submit questions theyd like to be answered, and everyone could then upvote their favorites. This year The Verge reports those votes were not shown, and comments were switched off during the meeting.Zuckerberg also said that he was going to be less open because everything he said was leaked.We try to be really open and then everything I say leaks. It sucks.Meta security chief Guy Rosen issued an internal memo afterwards stating that leakers would be fired.We take leaks seriously and will take action, Rosen said [going] on to say that Meta will take appropriate action, including termination if it identifies leakers.That memo was, of course, immediately leaked.Photo byDima PechurinonUnsplashAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Jan 31, 2025Ravie LakshmananMobile Security / CybercrimeGoogle said it blocked over 2.36 million policy-violating Android apps from being published to the Google Play app marketplace in 2024 and banned more than 158,000 bad developer accounts that attempted to publish such harmful apps.The tech giant also noted it prevented 1.3 million apps from getting excessive or unnecessary access to sensitive user data during the time period by working with third-party app developers.Furthermore, Google Play Protect, a security feature that's enabled by default on Android devices to flag novel threats, identified 13 million new malicious apps from outside of the official app store."As a result of partnering closely with developers, over 91% of app installs on the Google Play Store now use the latest protections of Android 13 or newer," Bethel Otuteye and Khawaja Shams from the Android Security and Privacy Team, and Ron Aquino from Google Play Trust and Safety said.In comparison, the company blocked 1.43 million and 2.28 million risky apps from being published to the Play Store in 2022 and 2023, respectively.Google also said the developers' use of the Play Integrity API which allows them to check if their apps have been maliciously modified or are running in potentially compromised environments has seen a 80% lower usage of their apps from unverified and untrusted sources on average.In addition, the company's efforts to automatically block sideloading of potentially unsafe apps in markets like Brazil, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam has secured 10 million devices from no less than 36 million risky installation attempts, spanning over 200,000 unique apps.Complementing these initiatives, Google this week announced it's introducing a new "Verified" badge for consumer-facing VPN apps that have successfully completed a Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) audit. Google originally unveiled this plan in November 2023."This new badge is designed to highlight apps that prioritize user privacy and safety, help users make more informed choices about the VPN apps they use, and build confidence in the apps they ultimately download," it said.If anything, the findings show that protecting the Android and Google Play ecosystem is a continuous effort, as new malware strains continue to find their way to mobile devices.The most recent example is Tria Stealer, which has been found primarily targeting Android users in Malaysia and Brunei. The campaign is believed to be ongoing since at least March 2024.Distributed via personal and group chats in Telegram and WhatsApp in the form of APK files, the malicious apps request sensitive permissions that enable the harvesting of a wide range of data from apps like Gmail, Google Messages, Microsoft Outlook, Samsung Messages, WhatsApp, WhatsApp Business, and Yahoo! Mail.There is some evidence to suggest that the malware is the work of an Indonesian-speaking threat actor, owing to the presence of artifacts written in the Indonesian language and the naming convention of the Telegram bots used for hosting command-and-control (C2) servers."Tria Stealer collects victims' SMS data, tracks call logs, messages (for example, from WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business), and email data (for example, Gmail and Outlook mailboxes)," Kaspersky said. "Tria Stealer exfiltrates the data by sending it to various Telegram bots using the Telegram API for communication."The stolen information is then used to hijack personal messaging accounts such as WhatsApp and Telegram, and impersonate victims in an effort to request money transfers from their contacts to bank accounts under their control, and further perpetuate the scam by distributing the malware-laced APK file to all their family and friends.The fact that Tria Stealer is also able to extract SMS messages indicates that the operators could also use the malware to steal one-time passwords (OTPs), potentially granting them access to various online services, including banking accounts.Kaspersky said the campaign exhibits some similarities with another activity cluster that distributed a piece of malware dubbed UdangaSteal in 2023 and early 2024 targeting Indonesian and Indian victims using wedding invitation, package delivery, and customer support lures. However, there is no evidence at this stage to tie the two malware families to the same threat actor.Found this article interesting? Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn to read more exclusive content we post.SHARE

Artificial intelligence is generating ripples that extend far beyond business productivity and financial results. One of the most frequently overlooked areas? How software development and coding practices intersect with power, water, and the need for additional IT resources.As hardware has become more plentiful and powerful, its possible to do things with software that werent possible in the past. Theres a higher ceiling for inefficiency, says Ed Anderson, vice president and analyst for Gartner. Software developers know that hardware can pick up the slack and fill the gaps.This age of abundance is leading to wasted data center space, unnecessary complex IT architectures, excessive network traffic, and a coding framework that elevates developer convenience over performance. While software doesnt explicitly consume carbon, the result is higher costs along with difficulty hitting carbon reduction targets and other sustainability goals.Many organizations have done a good job of adopting more efficient hardware but their relationship with software is poorly understood, observes Sanjay Podder, global managing director for technology, sustainability and innovation at Accenture and chair of the Green Software Foundation.As a result, IT leaders are increasingly exploring ways to write, manage and maintain sustainable software. Theyre turning to metrics and emerging tools -- including AI -- that detect bloated code, track energy and water consumption, and monitor overall performance, such as energy aware libraries and schedulers that dial down waste.Powering DownThe case for sustainable software is growing. According to research from Accenture, the sectors carbon footprint rose from 1.5% to 4% from 2007 to 2022. And theres no end in sight. It predicts that 14% or more of all emissions will come from software by 2040. Much of this increase will result from GPUs, which consume energy at a 10 times greater rate than other types of semiconductors.Energy and carbon reduction arent the only concerns, however. Theres also a strong business case for sustainable software. Applications and other forms of code impact productivity, efficiency, the customer experience and more. Subpar software slows systems, adds to storage requirements, and wastes time for software developers.To be sure, software efficiency touches many areas, such as writing and testing code, running it, and when to retire it, Anderson says. As a result, its vital to focus on the entire software development lifecycle. Are you coding in such a way that unnecessary tasks take place? Are you sending unnecessary data across the network? Are you pushing AI accuracy to the point of diminishing returns? he asks.One common problem, says Asim Hussain, executive director of The Green Software Foundation, is that while many CIOs recognize the value of a sustainable software strategy, the task can seem vague and confusing. You must assign a number to things to understand what to address, how to address it and obtain a budget for it. Otherwise, theres no way to identify what makes the biggest impact or whether you are using inefficient hardware or using dirty energy.The CIOs role in driving sustainable software is changing, Podder observes. Five years ago, a CIOs would have said that sustainability wasn't in their charter, and it was the job of the chief sustainability officer. As technology has advanced, supply chains and workflows have evolved, and software has emerged at the center of everything, its critical for CIOs to play a more prominent role in software sustainability.Measured StepsIts critical to establish a framework for measuring baseline energy consumption and emissions across the software stack. However, the task can prove daunting because no singular or consistent metric exists across systems and industries. Unfortunately, many tools measure an individual component or code library but do not provide universal visibility.There are a lot of different signals to pick up and, unlike financial accounting, theres no set standard or methodology available, Hussain says. The Green Software Foundation is attempting to address this problem by establishing standards, such as the Software Carbon Intensity (SCI) Specification and connecting organizations to tools and courses that promote software sustainability. In addition, consulting firms like Accenture and various vendors and cloud providers offer proprietary tools. Its also possible to tap open-source resources like GitLab and Jenkins.Gartners Anderson says that its important to gather data but also analyze it effectively. Lacking metrics and data its impossible to know which projects deliver the greatest ROI and what type of development resources to devote to a task. AI can magnify costs and benefits further. Do you devote 50% more resources to eke out a 1% or 2% gain in model accuracy? Is the additional accuracy worth the investment in time and energy? he asks.This analysis should extend to how different devices use energy -- servers, clouds, PCs, web browsers and smartphones. It also encompasses choices about software development languages. Interpretative languages like Perl, Python, and JavaScript are up to 50x less efficient than a legacy language like C or Rust, he says. There may be opportunities to use a less energy intensive language for certain tasks.Energy-efficient development practices can flag issues like lazy loading, caching, and server-side rendering. It can also help an organization adopt modular coding practices that reduce carbon impact and costs. There also are opportunities that involve carbon-aware computing. This includes scheduling certain workloads when renewable energy is widely available or shifting workloads to other systems or data centers to take advantage of clean energy at certain times of the day, Podder points out.Code GreenEven seemingly small changes -- such as displaying light text on a black background -- can make a significant difference when it ripples across tens of thousands of screens. Accenture found that this approach can reduce carbon emissions by 60%. Similarly, delivering streaming video in high definition can consume up to 8x the carbon emissions as standard definition. Disabling autoplay for videos can drive down energy use by a factor of 2x or more.In the end, success requires organizations to balance competing priorities, such as speed to market, feature requirements, costs and sustainable goals. It also requires a focus on AI model and algorithm optimization. Says Podder: There are trade-offs with every decision. The key is to achieve greater sustainability without compromising your ability to build and deliver good software.