There's a lot going on right now. And it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming. Especially when you're (maybe chronically) online. Most of your work life, and personal life, all happens online. And sometimes it's really easy to get carried away doomscrolling and forget that, sometimes, you need to touch some grass. Opera Air is a new browser, hoping, trying, to save you from all of that.Opera Air has built-in features that remind you to take a break every hour or so, and in that break time, suggests that you do some breath work, meditation, or some relaxation exercises. There's also a dedicated background music feature that plays customizable binaural beats to help increase your productivity, or to help calm you down a bit.A light and airy browser Credit: Khamosh Pathak Opera Air is a visually lightweight browser, with transparent UI elements and no interface bloat. It's built on Chromium, so all your extensions will work fine. Plus, default Opera features are still here, including Workspaces, a built-in ad-blocker, and a free VPN.For the main interface, there's just a simple floating pill shaped vertical bar, where you'll find the Boosts button for background music and the Take a Break button for quickly accessing meditations. Other than that, there are shortcuts for Opera's Aria AI assistant, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger, which you can all remove.Guided breath work and meditations for breaksOpera Air will remind you to take a break after 60 minutes of use, but you can customize this to instead happen every 45 minutes or every 180 minutes. The Take a Break feature can be accessed anytime from the vertical sidebar in the start page, or using the Command+K keyboard shortcut. Credit: Khamosh Pathak Opera has done an impressive job of curating its breath work exercises, neck stretches, and meditations. There's a male voice and a female voice, and there are multiple recordings of various length, so you can do either a quick three-minute breathing exercise, or a 13-minute body scan.I particularly liked the design of the breath work interface. It has an interactive bubble for breathing in and breathing out, and coveres the most frequently used breathing techniques like Box breathing, 4-7-8, and De-stress breathing. If you're interested, I've written about the benefits of breath work in our detailed guide. Credit: Khamosh Pathak The same goes for meditations too. You can do a quick mindfulness meditation, or something focused on inner calm. There's an option to do a body-scan as well.The Neck Exercise section uses your camera to check how you're moving, and guides you through the movement using a 3D model.Overall, Opera's built-in meditation and breathing exercises do a great job for beginners.Binaural beats are quite fun Credit: Khamosh Pathak What I found the most interesting in my time testing the Opera Air browser was the Boosts feature. It uses binaural beats, which are an auditory illusion that occurs when two slightly different frequencies are played in each ear. Of course, this works best with headphones. But the tracks that Opera Air has curated for focus, and relaxation are quite good and engaging. I'm using the Energized Focus one as I'm writing this. Here, too, you can start a 30-minute or 45-minute session, to serve as a reminder to take a break when the music is done.Built-in features have that extra edgeThere is no lack of breathing exercise tutorials on YouTube (I'm currently partial to the coherence breathing technique). And we have talked about the best meditation apps already. You'll also find extensions that help you focus by blocking out distractions, and again, YouTube is filled with audio tracks that help you focus.All these resources mean you can handle your meditation all on your own, but if you're like me, you won't always remember or prioritize it at the right moment. Having a browser that's purpose-built around this, that gives you a reminder every 45 minutes, has focus music integrated, and can help you breathe and practice mindfulness meditation, can be quite helpful. Even if the browser succeeds in making you check in with yourself once a day, it's still a lot better than the alternative, which is constant panic and no breaks. Not to mention, all these features are free in Opera Air, while meditation apps can sometimes cost $10/month. Opera Air is available in Early Access on Windows and Mac, so you can try it out for yourself in just a few short clicks.

Well, here we go again. With TikToks future in the United States still uncertain, parts of Congress are already moving toward banning DeepSeek, a Chinese ChatGPT competitor that quickly usurped ChatGPT on the App Store last week.A new bill introduced by Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri would prohibit United States persons from advancing artificial intelligence capabilities within the Peoples Republic of China. In other words, it would effectively ban DeepSeek, despite not mentioning the AI chatbot by name.Under the bill, anyone convicted of the import from or export to China of artificial intelligence technology could be sentenced with up to 20 years in prison, plus an up-to-$1 million fine for individuals and an up-to-$10 million fine for businesses.Are you likely to be punished for using DeepSeek as a private citizen? Well, the bill does leave room open for it, so practice caution if it does become law. More realistically, much like with piracy laws, this is probably aimed at distributors and developers, so if it goes through, expect to see DeepSeek and other Chinese AI leave the App Store.The bill is also likely so broadly worded as a result of DeepSeeks open-source nature, as its currently easy for developers to simply download its models and incorporate them into their apps. The legislation would seek to curb such a practice, although it would also put future international collaboration, even the reading of Chinese research papers about AI, in jeopardy.In a statement, Senator Hawley said Every dollar and gig of data that flows into Chinese AI are dollars and data that will ultimately be used against the United States.Senator Hawley isnt the first to express concern about DeepSeek. The AI has already been banned for use in the Navy due to potential security and ethical concerns, as well as on Texan government devices. OpenAI also toldTthe Financial Times that it has evidence that DeepSeek might have been built on the back of OpenAI models, which while a common practice in AI development, goes against OpenAIs terms of service once the resulting models are distributed. Theres also already been a high profile data leak, and DeepSeeks terms of use involve agreeing to having your keystrokes collected.At the same time, the strict language of the law does have experts worried about the future of AI development and oversight, as it could kneecap collaboration and AI transparency. The Electronic Frontier Foundations Director of AI and Access-to-Knowledge Legal Projects, Kit Walsh, told 404 Media that The bill threatens the development and publishing of AI advancements in the United Statesthe government has argued that merely publishing information on the internet counts as an export, and interpreting this law in such a way would further solidify the dominance of proprietary AI over open or academic research. In other words, American tech companies would be incentivized to be even more insular about how their AI works, which could affect far more than Chinese competitors.

Nothing has released another teaser for the upcoming Nothing Phone 3a, its next midrange phone, with strong hints that the new phone will come with a shutter button similar to the iPhone 16s Camera Control button.

AI giants latest attempt at safeguarding against abusive prompts is mostly successful, but, by its own admission, still needs work.

Every day I come to work, Im sitting down to look at a new batch of amazing stuff. Those are the moments I really like to cherish, because Im never going to get to see that for the first time again, says Erik Winquist, capturing the essence of his journey as a VFX Supervisor at Wt FX.Eriks interest in photography and computing started early and guided his career in visual effects. He began his career as a compositor on The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and has been an integral part of the shaping Wt FXs legacy since its inception. He has worked on some of the companys most highly celebrated works, including all three films for Planet of the Apes and the Oscar and BAFTA-nominated Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.The story of Erik is one of dedication, creativity, and lifelong love for the art of visual effects.The post Crew Cuts: Erik Winquist Visual Effects Supervisor at Wt FX appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Marvels first family is back on the big screen! Fantastic Four: First Steps promises to be an epic journey filled with heart-pounding action, groundbreaking visuals, and the most formidable foes they have ever faced.With their unbreakable bond, and newfound powers, the Fantastic Four are coming to redefine heroes. This preview gives a teaser into their scintillating adventures and difficulties they have in protecting their world.Mark your calendarsThe Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters July 25. Dont miss the start of their amazing new adventure!The post The Fantastic Four: First Steps | Official Teaser appeared first on Vfxexpress.

Families of transgender children on Tuesday asked a federal court to block President Donald Trumps order to end all federal funding or support for healthcare that aids gender transitions for people younger than 19.In a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration in Maryland federal court, the families, who are represented by Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union, allege that the order discriminates against transgender people and goes beyond Trumps authority as president.The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.As a result of the order, the lawsuit said, hospitals across the country have already begun canceling appointments for gender transition treatments.The plaintiffs say their appointments were canceled in recent days by Childrens National Hospital in Washington, D.C., NYU Langone in New York, Boston Childrens Hospital and Childrens Hospital of Richmond in Virginia. The hospitals are not defendants in the case.Trump, a Republican, said in the Jan. 28 order that it is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called transition of a child from one sex to another, and it will rigorously enforce all laws that prohibit or limit these destructive and life-altering procedures.Details about how far the order will reach and how it will be enforced were not immediately clear.It directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to take all appropriate actions to end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children. That could include imposing conditions on healthcare providers receiving any federal funds, which virtually all hospitals do.The lawsuit called the order part of a broad and sweeping attack President Trump has launched against gender ideology and transgender people.It followed a previous executive order by Trump banning transgender people from the military, and another stating that the government will not recognize gender identity apart from an individuals immutable biological classification as either male or female.The order on the military has already been challenged by transgender rights groups. The other has been challenged in two separate lawsuits by transgender women incarcerated in federal prisons who face transfer to mens prisons, one of whom has won a temporary restraining order blocking her transfer.Treatments covered by the order include puberty blockers, hormones and surgery provided to patients under 19 for the purpose of gender transition. Such treatments are often known as gender-affirming care.Republicans in more than half of the 50 states have passed laws or policies that ban gender-affirming care for minors, some of which have been blocked or overturned by the courts. A challenge to Tennessees ban has been heard by the U.S. Supreme Court, which has yet to issue a ruling that could determine the legality of such bans nationwide.The administration of former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, supported access to puberty blockers and hormones, though not surgery, for transgender minors. It passed a rule banning discrimination against transgender people in healthcare, which was blocked by a judge last year.The American Academy of Pediatrics has said that gender-affirming care is proven to prevent suicide and improve mental health.Health organizations in some other countries have been more guarded, with the European Academy of Paediatrics calling for more research and a government-sponsored review in England concluding that the existing evidence around youth gender care is weak.Brendan Pierson, Reuters

For the first time in over two decades, Capri Sun is expanding its single serving offerings with a colorful new bottlebut dont worry, the iconic pouch is here to stay.Capri Suns new bottles are hitting shelves nationwide today at Kroger, Circle K, some Walmart locations, and regional convenience stores like Meijer and Hy-vee. They come in the brands three most popular flavors: Fruit Punch, Pacific Cooler, and Strawberry Kiwi. According to the company, each bottle contains about double the liquid contents of a traditional pouch, at 12 fluid ounces. However, for those interested in a smaller serving size and that classic form factor, Capri Sun pouches arent actually going anywhere (in fact, Capri Sun sells over six million of the mini beverages every day.)Instead of replacing the pouch, the new bottles are actually Capri Suns attempt to get pick-up in the convenience store market, an area where its normally delightful packaging has caused the juice to be overlooked among a sea of other, more easy-to-drink options.Kristina Hannant, Capri Suns director of marketing, says the brand has actually tried to stock pouches at convenience stores, but found that consumers werent reaching for them as often when faced with many other bottled options. That makes sense, given that Capri Suns werent exactly designed to be displayed in a traditional beverage aisle or crammed into a cup holder on a long road trip. The pouch is all about the tactile experience, one thats particularly enchanting for young kids (stabbing the pouch with the straw; crunching its plastic exterior; perhaps using it as a projectile) but less so for parents in the drivers seat.Designed specifically to fit the shelves and coolers of convenience stores, the Capri Sun bottles cater to the busy, on-the-go lifestyle of todays families with a resealable cap that parents can appreciateespecially given 53% of parents prefer beverages their kids can drink on the go and many find that bottles help with preventing spills, Hannant says, referring to a statistic from market research firm Numerator.The bottles were also made to cater to a group of Capri Suns most dedicated and outspoken followers: According to a press release, Between 2020 and 2023, a staggering 76% of suggestions received by the Capri Sun call center were about fans wanting a bigger product size. Presumably to maintain product recognition, the bottles design is essentially a copy-pasted version of each flavors corresponding pouch, though its still a bit disconcerting to see Capri Suns branding outside the usual context.Logically, Capri Suns new bottles make sense as a supplementary offering. But, until proven otherwise, were inclined to argue that half of the Capri Suns nostalgic factor really comes down to the fact that anything tastes more magical out of a pouch.