Opera is introducing Opera Air, a new web browser designed around mindfulness. The app has a minimalist Scandinavian design and frosted glass accents, which blend well with the mindfulness concept. While pretty, Opera Air has features for relaxation, concentration, resting, and more, which you normally only see in meditation apps.There are four break modes: breathing, neck exercises, meditation and full body scan. Breathing exercises and meditation can help calm you down by lowering stress levels, while neck exercises help loosen sore neck muscles. The full body scan is a different type of meditation that involves focusing your attention on various body parts and the sensations that arise. These breaks can be as short as three minutes or as long as 15. Breaks can be taken voluntarily or by setting a timer.Opera Air also incorporates binaural beats as boosts. Binaural beats are an audio illusion created when two slightly different frequencies are played in each ear, tricking the brain into hearing a third frequency. Opera Air has several boosts that improve creativity, help with focus and induce relaxation, among others. Opera even claimed that one can help users recall dreams.According to Senior Director of Product at Opera Mohamed Salah, the web is beautiful, but the company wants to look at science-based ways to help users navigate chaotic (and sometimes hostile) internet content. While mindfulness apps like Headspace exist, Opera Air packs those features in the app many people use most frequently.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/operas-new-air-browser-will-encourage-you-take-breaks-from-the-internet-090040693.html?src=rss

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Go behind the scenes of Flight Risk with this amazing virtual production b-roll. The footage reveals the innovative use of motion bases combined with an LED wall to simulate plane bodies in action.This state-of-the-art technology brings dynamic realism to the aeronautical settings, allowing it to integrate elements of the physical world with the digital background seamlessly. The real-time responding environment created by the LED wall not only enriches the performance but also the visual effects.Witness the future of filmmaking in action with Flight Risk: a film pushing the boundaries of storytelling with virtual production technology. Dont miss this fascinating look at how the skies come alive on screen!The post Behind the Scenes of Flight Risk: Virtual Production appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Water scarcity is often viewed as an issue for the arid American West, but the U.S. Northeasts experience in 2024 shows how severe droughts can occur in just about any part of the country.Cities in the Northeast experienced record-breaking drought conditions in the second half of 2024 after a hot, dry summer in many areas. Wildfires broke out in several states that rarely see them.By December, much of the region was experiencing moderate to severe drought. Residents in New York City and Boston were asked to reduce their water use, while Philadelphia faced risk to its water supply due to saltwater coming up the Delaware River.Before the drought, many people in the region werent prepared for water shortages or even paying much attention to their water use.As global temperatures rise, cities throughout the U.S. are more likely to experience hotter, drier conditions like this. Those conditions increase evaporation, drying out vegetation and soil and lowering groundwater tables.The Northeast drought was easing in much of the region in early 2025, but communities across the U.S. should take note of what happened. They can learn from the experiences of cities that have had to confront major water supply crises such as Cape Town, South Africa; So Paulo, Brazil; Melbourne, Australia; Las Vegas; and New Orleans and start planning now to avoid the worst impacts of future droughts.Lessons from cities that have seen the worstOur new analysis of these five cities experiences provides lessons on how to avoid a water supply crisis or minimize the effects through proactive policies and planning.Many cities have had to confront major water supply crises in recent years. Perhaps the most well-known example is Cape Towns Day Zero.After three years of persistent drought in the region, Cape Town officials in fall 2017 began a countdown to Day Zerothe point at which water supplies would likely run so low that water would be turned off in neighborhoods and residents would need to fetch a daily allocation of water at public distribution points. Initially it was forecast to occur in April 2018.Water rates were raised, and some households installed flow restrictors, which would automatically limit the amount of water that could be used. Public awareness and conservation efforts cut water consumption in half, allowing the city to push back its estimate for when Day Zero would arrive. And when the rains finally came in summer 2018, Day Zero was canceled.A second example is So Paulo, which similarly experienced a severe drought between 2013 and 2015. The citys reservoirs were reduced to just 5% of their capacity, and the water utility reduced the pressure in the water system to limit water use by residents.Water pricing adjustments were used to penalize high water users and reward water conservation, and a citywide campaign sought to increase awareness and encourage conservation. As in Cape Town, the crisis ended with heavy rains in 2016. Significant investments have since been made in upgrading the citys water distribution infrastructure, preventing leaks, and bringing water to the city from other river basins.Planning ahead can reduce the harmThe experiences of Cape Town and So Pauloand the other cities in our studyshow how water supply crises can affect communities.When major changes are made to reduce water consumption, they can affect peoples daily lives and pocketbooks. Rapidly designed conservation efforts can have harmful effects on poor and vulnerable communities that may have fewer alternatives in the event of restrictions or shutoffs or lack the ability to pay higher prices for water, forcing tough choices for households between water and other necessities.Planning ahead allows for more thoughtful policy design.For example, Las Vegas has been grappling with drought conditions for the past two decades. During that time, the region implemented water-conservation policies that focus on incentivizing and even requiring reduced water consumption.Since 2023, the Las Vegas Valley Water District has implemented water rates that encourage conservation and can vary with the availability of water supplies during droughts. In its first year alone, the policy saved 3 billion gallons of water and generated $31 million in fees that can be used by programs to detect and repair leaks, among other conservation efforts. A state law now requires businesses and homeowner associations in the Las Vegas Valley to remove their decorative grass by the end of 2026.Since 2002, per capita water use in Las Vegas has dropped by an impressive 58%.Solutions and strategies for the futureMost of the cities we studied incorporated a variety of approaches to building water security and drought-proofing their communityfrom publishing real-time dashboards showing water use and availability in Cape Town to investing in desalination in Melbourne.But we found the most important changes came from community members committing to and supporting efforts to conserve water and invest in water security, such as reducing lawn watering.There are also longer-term actions that can help drought-proof a community, such as fixing or replacing water- and energy-intensive fixtures and structures. This includes upgrading home appliances, such as showers, dishwashers and toilets, to be more water efficient and investing in native and drought-tolerant landscaping.Prioritizing green infrastructure, such as retention ponds and bioswales, that help absorb rain when it does fall and investing in water recycling can also diversify water supplies.Taking these steps now, ahead of the next drought, can prepare cities and lessen the pain.Sara Hughes is an adjunct professor of environment and sustainability at the University of Michigan.Michael Wilson is a professor of policy analysis at Pardee RAND Graduate School.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

A new browser from the Norwegian company Opera just launched today, and it wants you to stop stressing out so much.The free browser, called Opera Air, is billed as the first-ever mindful browser. While existing mindfulness apps like Calm and Headspace can help you take a break to reduce feelings of stress, Opera Air proposes a product that integrates mindfulness directly into working online. The browser comes with a sleek, minimal UI and built-in mindfulness toolslike breathing exercises and binaural beatsso users can code, type, or browse the web and get a brain boost simultaneously.Nikita Walia is a brand strategist at U.N.N.A.M.E.D, the creative partners behind Opera Air. According to Walia, who led the strategy behind the new browsers launch campaign, the team landed on the key insight that most people dont actually want to disconnect from technologyinstead, they want room to think clearly in a busy digital world.We noticed that there was a pretty binary relationship to technology as its presented by peoples opinions online, Walia says. Either you want to throw your phone in the ocean and disappear, or youre super, super addicted to technology. We thought Opera could present a third way, where technology can be really supportive to your overall goals and your wellbeing.For the sizable portion of the workforce that relies on computers for their livelihoods, chucking your Macbook into the sea isnt exactly the solution to a better workday experience. As a remote journalist myself, ditching technology isnt a sustainable solution, and even tried-and-true mindfulness practices like meditation can feel difficult to incorporate into a busy schedule. So, I gave Opera Air a try to see if its worth abandoning Google Chrome once and for all.[Image: Opera]A browser for minimalistsThe first thing youll notice when you open Opera Air is that there arent many bells and whistlesand thats by design. According to Tomasz Stawarz, Opera Airs senior director of product, Opera Air is a purposefully pared-down version of Operas other browser options, a choice thats intended to combat the chaotic and overwhelming nature of the web.The browsers default settings include one simple Google search bar, an uplifting quote at the bottom of the screen, and a sidebar with five preloaded icons, including Operas AI, Aria, and the browsers two mindfulness tools. This sidebar can be updated to include any combination of apps, but Stawarz suggests that users get a feel for their most-used programs before updating it to keep the screen decluttered.[Image: Opera]Users can choose from a set of custom-designed CGI wallpapers by U.N.N.A.M.E.D and the creative studio Future Romance as their backdrop (I chose a green mountainscape). Opera Airs features and launch campaign both emphasize a visual bubble metaphor, which pulsates and bounces to mimic the tempo of relaxed breathing. And all of the browsers UI elements, including search bars, tabs, and icons, are rendered in what Stawarz calls a frosted glass effect, which is essentially a minimal, semi-transparent look.Weve kept distractions to a minimum by limiting the color palette and embracing clean, minimalistic design, Stawarz says.[Image: Opera]As a loyal Chrome user, I found Opera Air quite easy to navigate. My main qualm with the browser itself is that, once youve racked up enough tabs, it becomes difficult to select one without inadvertently clicking the X and exiting out of ita minor annoyance that got pretty frustrating after about the tenth time it happened. Still, I appreciated the simplicity of the default settings and the browsers streamlined aesthetics.[Image: Opera]Putting Opera Air to the testThe true test of Opera Air is in its two mindfulness features, called Boosts and Take a Break. I decided to give these tools a trial by fire by testing them out for the first time during a workday with several quick turn-around deadlines.The first feature, Boosts, uses something called binaural beats to help users achieve sensations ranging from Energized Focus to Deep Relaxation. Binaural beats are an auditory technique wherein two slightly different frequencies are played in each ear, causing the brain to generate its own perceived third frequency. According to a press release from Opera, This is known to influence brainwave activity, helping to promote relaxation, focus, or a meditative statealthough, it should be noted that scientists are still debating exactly how effective binaural beats actually are, and under what conditions.[Image: Opera]Currently, Opera Air comes with 19 Boosts, each of which is composed of three elements: background music, ambient noise (like bird sounds or waves), and binaural frequencies. The Boosts have been created by the Opera Air team with different effects in mind. Focused Calm, for example, includes a slower music track and comes with more prominent binaural beats. Energized Focus, on the other hand, features a more upbeat soundtrack and less noticeable beats. Users can browse the Boosts descriptions to select one thats right for their current task, and even customize them by adjusting the volumes of the three components of the beats.Both Boosts and Take a Break are easily accessible as icons in the browsers sidebar, so its pretty simple to change your Boost or tweak its volume from whatever tab youre working in.[Image: Opera]I frequently use binaural beats to get into a flow state while writing, so, predictably, I found myself better able to focus on my work while a Boost was playing. Still, Im not entirely sold on the utility of this tool, considering that thousands of similar compositions are just a few clicks away on YouTube. Opera Airs second mindfulness feature, Take a Break, is a bit more involved. This tool takes users to a variety of exercises, including guided breathing sessions, meditation, neck exercises, and a full-body scan, all designed to encourage a moment of relaxation. Each of the four categories includes several different session options, ranging from a three-minute destress breathing session to a 15-minute full body scan.During my workday trial, I was pleasantly surprised by a four-minute neck exercise, which gave me some much-need tension release after a few hours spent hunched over my laptop (though the program relies on tracking your facial movements, which I noticed could be somewhat finicky, especially for those with longer hair). Similarly, I observed a noticeable difference in my stress levels before and after a five-minute box breathing exercise. All of the sessions include voiceovers from a male or female narratoryou can toggle between Alex or Emmawhich made it easy to close my eyes and really commit to slowing down for a moment.Going into this test, I was concerned that I might be irritated by the browsers reminders to use Take a Break, but I actually found myself wishing it would badger me more. Opera Air lets you decide whether you want to be reminded to do your activities, and you can determine the frequency of reminders, ranging from every 45 to 180 minutes. When your time is up, the Take a Break icon on the browser sidebar will begin subtly flashing. Despite setting my reminder frequency to 45 minutes, I found that I often missed the flashing cue, and then ultimately decided to just skip the exercise and do it next time. Granted, theres only so much a browser can do to convince us to actually practice self-care, but I hope the next iteration of Opera Air will include an option for more aggressive notification.Do I think Opera Air is the answer to my work-induced stress? No. But could it help make staring at my screen for hours more manageable? Definitely.

Indian fashion designer Rahul Mishra has presented couture pieces embroidered with the "geometry of human dwellings" for his latest collection at Paris Couture Week.The Spring 2025 show took place in the French capital on January 27, with the soundtrack to Carl Sagan's spoken word essay, The Pale Blue Dot, echoing in the background.Rahul Mishra has presented his latest couture collectionThe essay is Sagan's reflection on an image of the Earth taken from billions of miles away by NASA's Voyager 1 spacecraft. The 37-piece collection, predominantly in black and gold, was not only informed by the spoken word essay but also named after it.The show began with a series of sculptural glittery looks in black, including capes and gowns adorned with three-dimensional structures resembling cityscapes.The show took place in Paris"This collection emerges from the fear that 'in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves'," explained Mishra, referencing Sagan's work."In the wake of my father's passing last month, I have been repeatedly confronted with the realisation that we are but a speck in the grand scheme of the cosmos small, fragile, and not in control," he continued."Fluctuating between the highs and lows of his illness 'the aggregate of our joy and suffering' I reflected on how every memory we have ever made, of friends, family, and foes, exists here and only here, on this 'mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam'."Sculptural forms adorned a little black dressThe opening look featured a floor-length cape covered in pyramidal structures mimicking skyscrapers, hand-embroidered in thread and sequin work.Subsequent ensembles included a midi dress covered in similar pyramidal skyscrapers and a little black dress embroidered with a cityscape.Read: The Fabricant and Toni Maticevski design unisex "digi-couture" garment informed by sea urchins"When we begin to consider the intelligence of a species, it is often based on how they build their habitats,"commented Mishra."Our modern cities, though, are remarkable nests symbols of our ingenuity, inventions, and engineering reshaping the face of the Earth and determining our collective fate," he continued."Yet, as our ways of living grow increasingly unsustainable, I imagine how it might be if humanity paused to reflect seriously on our future. What happens to these cities when they are abandoned when they become uninhabitable for us?"The collection was informed by Carl Sagan's spoken word essayAnother look displayed a dress with its bodice covered in skyscrapers emerging from the waistline, extending beyond the neckline to create a curved silhouette.Mishra remarked that he finds himself "descending into hope, trusting that nature will show us the way"."Perhaps, in time, we will embrace a humbler existence, and nature will begin to reclaim the concrete jungles we have built," he continued."This collection is born of loss and the slow process of healing. It envisions our foreseeable future through rearview mirrors and paints vivid images of wild animals reclaiming our homes as their own."Only black and gold were used for the collectionThe skyscraper-adorned looks were followed by ensembles covered in large reflective dots, including a dress embroidered with the warning "objects in the mirror are closer than they appear".The closing looks, predominantly in gold, signified a more positive outlook."The glorious geometry of human dwellings transforms into new life, emerging from the womb an evocative metaphor for my hope that humans will indeed find the wisdom to enhance the meaning of our lives," said Mishra.Over 2000 fashion workers created the collectionThe Pale Blue Dot collection was created by Mishra's team of over 2000 fashion workers."Our deliberate, measured processes not only provide sustainable employment but also allow us to slow down the consumption of natural resources," said Mishra.The dark pieces gave way to golden ensemblesMishra's atelier is based in Noida, located in the National Capital Region of India. In 2020, Mishra became the first Indian designer to be invited to showcase at the Paris Couture Week.Previously at Paris Couture Week, Schiaparelli presented a collection of gowns decorated with wild animal heads and Viktor & Rolf displayed a set of rotated ballgowns.The photography is by Valerio Mezzanotti/NOWFASHION.The post Rahul Mishra adorns couture pieces with skyscrapers at Paris Couture Week appeared first on Dezeen.

The Dezeen team are reporting live from Stockholm Design Week in the Swedish capital (3-9 February) . Updated throughout the day with exclusive previews of products, installations and events.11.00am embarrassing thingsGuest of honour Faye Toogood has taken over the entrance hall of the Stockholm Furniture Fair with an installation titled Manufracture, aiming to "demystify the process of designing and making".Faye Toogood's "embarrassing things" are on display at the entrance to Stockholm Furniture Fair"This is an installation where I've emptied my archive," told journalists. "It's almost a live sketchbook. It's showing things that I'm embarrassed about."Images by Jennifer Hahn"It's showing things that never went into production," she added. "There is a resin table in the corner, which is a material I wouldn't choose today." Jennifer HahnFind out more aboutStockholm Furniture FaironDezeen Events Guide 10.30am frank in the loomThe beloved Swedish heritage brand Svenkst Tenn, 140 years after the birth of designer and longtime collaborator Frank Josef, is showing an in-store exhibition as an homage to Josef.Colourful textiles cover the floors and walls of the Svenkst Tenn spaceTitled Frank in the Loom, the show features a collection of handwoven rag rugs crafted from repurposed textiles originally designed by Josef, combined with Svenskt Tenn's signature linen Jane EnglefieldImages by Jane Englefield10.15am dezeen dispatchOn the eve of Stockholm Design Week, Dezeen hosted a welcome dinner at the National Museum.Staged in partnership with Nordic Nest, the dinner took place in the grand environs of the museum's Sdra Ljusgrden and brought together international journalists and Stockholm's design community.The dinner was hosted in the Sdra Ljusgrden of the National Museum. Image by Max FraserThroughout the evening, representatives from Nordic brands Iittala, Fritz Hansen, Audo Copenhagen, Grsns and Louis Poulsen introduced new products to the audience.Dezeen's Max Fraser (right) hosted the evening, introducing Nordic brands. Image by Jennifer HahnThe evening culminated in the unveiling of Dezeen's new print publication, Dezeen Dispatch.Guests keenly perused their copies, including Claesson Koivisto Rune's Eero Koivisto who gave it a solid thumbs up Max FraserEero Koivisto was one of the first to get his hands on Dezeen Dispatch. Image by Max Fraser10:00am hej Stockholm!Dezeen's editorial director Max Fraser, editor-at-large Amy Frearson, deputy editor Cajsa Carlson, design editor Jennifer Hahn, social editor Clara Finnigan and design and interiors reporter Jane Englefield are on the ground in Stockholm reporting from Stockholm Design Week (SDW).Dezeen is hosting a series ofevents in the city this year, including ourDesign Disruptors talks, theDezeen Awards 2025 launch party and an event celebrating the first-ever Dezeen newspaper (which launched last night more to follow soon!).Dezeen Events Guide has created an SDW guide, highlighting the key events at the festival this year.As the 2025 event gets under way, take a look at ten unmissable exhibitions and installations including Stockholm Furniture Fair 2025, a pop-up by Form Us With Love and an exhibition by David Taylor at Bukowskis auction house.Read: Dezeen to host party and launch newspaper during Stockholm Design WeekSee Dezeen Events Guide for all the latest information you need to know to attend the event, as well as a list of other architecture and design events taking place around the world.All times are Stockholm time.The lead image is by Jane Englefield.The post Dezeen LIVE: Stockholm Design Week 2025 appeared first on Dezeen.

There was a time when the mobile phone design landscape was pretty wild and exciting. Although they werent that smart by todays standards, Nokias designs, now preserved for posterity, definitely left their mark on history. These days, however, design changes are comparatively safe and incremental, changing only small details here and there but sticking to the same candy bar form.Of course, theres still plenty of room for bold new designs, at least if theres a brand brave enough to risk such a market experiment. And theres no shortage of ideas either, as shown by this rather curious concept that chops a few inches off a smartphones sides. Despite that odd shape, its quirky and fresh design could actually appeal to a younger generation of users who thrive on flashy and fun products.Designer: AndroidLeoThis wouldnt be the first time weve seen such an elongated phone design. In fact, Nokia actually launched the lipstick Nokia 7380 back in 2005 as part of its fashion line of devices. A recent concept from this same designer brings that idea back but doesnt stray far from the original Nokia 7380. In other words, it would be completely alien to todays market, hurting any chance of success.The Samsung Galaxy Stick and Galaxy Stick Pro concepts, in contrast, look both familiar and strange. Theyre basically one-third and one-half the width of regular phones, but still have the same basic design, like the current trend of flat edges and curved corners. And yes, it would run Android as well, though probably an unofficial flavor that wouldnt pass Googles strict criteria.These two stick phones have the same standard features when it comes to photography, though with somewhat weaker sensors that would fit in such extra-cramped spaces. The ironically larger non-Pro model has only one 50MP camera, while the actual stick model adds a 16MP telephoto lens. This narrow design is also given a larger battery than its wider sibling, which is one of the details that makes these phones highly unlikely.Although the Galaxy Stick design would be a pain for enterprise users, younger people, social influencers, and fashion-conscious consumers might fall in love with its petite and unorthodox design. It definitely looks like something youd whip out quickly to take photos or start live streaming, and the handy size makes it easier to hold than a big and wide slab. The non-Pros larger 4-inch screen is more suitable for scrolling through social media, though, while the 3-inch Galaxy Stick Pro is better at going through multimedia.Naturally, these concepts will forever remain as such, especially since the brand that inspired its design is unlike to ever release such a device that will hardly make a dent in their coffers. Its both disappointing but also interesting to see such ideas, however, especially ones that try to target a specific audience rather than casting the net too wide and losing any special flair or character in the process.The post Samsung Galaxy Stick concept is a fashionable design targeted at Gen Z and beyond first appeared on Yanko Design.

Stop Motion Studio review: Professional tools at your fingertips