Modern pool villa at the beachA coastal home isnt just about breathtaking views or serene interiors its about creating a lifestyle where outdoor spaces are as inviting as the indoors. Coastal house plans take this to heart, seamlessly blending natural surroundings with thoughtful design to craft the ultimate home oasis.These homes go beyond traditional design, offering spaces that inspire relaxation, connection, and an everyday sense of escape. Lets explore how these homes bring outdoor bliss to life, making every day feel like a getaway!Coastal House Plans: Designed for Outdoor LivingCoastal house plans are built with one goal in mind connecting homeowners to their natural surroundings. These designs prioritize open spaces and fluid transitions between indoors and outdoors, offering stunning views and access to fresh air at every turn.Key features include:Expansive Decks and Porches: These are more than just outdoor areas; theyre extensions of the home, designed for morning coffee, evening gatherings, or simply soaking in the sunset. Wrap-around porches and multi-level decks are common features, providing plenty of space to unwind or entertain.Outdoor Kitchens and Dining Areas: Hosting guests becomes effortless with fully equipped outdoor spaces for cooking and dining. Imagine grilling fresh seafood while enjoying the ocean breeze, followed by a meal under the stars.Lush Landscaping: Native plants, sandy pathways, and greenery that complement the natural environment create a seamless blend of architecture and nature. Thoughtfully placed lighting enhances the ambiance, making these spaces just as inviting after dark.Private Retreats: Poolside lounges, fire pits, or even hammocks tucked under the palms transform outdoor spaces into personal sanctuaries, offering moments of quiet in the midst of daily life.These elements make outdoor areas not just extensions of the home but integral parts of the living experience. Coastal house plans redefine the boundaries of indoor and outdoor spaces, creating harmony between the two.Embracing Indoor-Outdoor HarmonyA kitchen in a Post-Modern Home in the style of minimalist architectureWhat sets coastal house plans apart is their ability to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors. Sliding glass doors, large windows, and open layouts create a sense of flow, making the transition between spaces feel natural.Imagine waking up to sunlight streaming through oversized windows, stepping outside to a patio that feels like an extension of your bedroom, and ending the day with a dinner under the stars. This harmony is at the core of coastal living effortless, connected, and full of possibilities.Design features like covered verandas and pergolas add functionality, providing shade and comfort without compromising style. Outdoor lounges with weather-resistant furniture, cozy fire pits, and infinity pools turn these homes into year-round retreats.In many coastal house plans, indoor spaces are intentionally designed to complement the outdoors. Light, airy interiors with natural textures and neutral palettes flow seamlessly into decks and patios, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic.The result? Spaces that encourage you to live both in and with nature, all while maintaining the elegance and practicality of a modern home.Outdoor Bliss: A Space for Every OccasionModern villa with pool and deckThe beauty of a coastal house plan lies in its versatility. Outdoor spaces are designed to serve every purpose, from relaxation to celebration.Take a look at how you can manage that:Relaxation Zones: Cozy nooks with comfortable seating, hammocks for lazy afternoons, or poolside lounges that feel like a vacation in your backyard. These spaces are perfect for unwinding after a long day or starting the morning with a peaceful moment of reflection.Entertainment Areas: Outdoor bars, fire pits, and large dining tables make hosting gatherings a breeze. These spaces encourage connection, whether its with family, friends, or the natural surroundings. Imagine an evening spent around a fire pit with ocean views in the background a setting that feels both intimate and extraordinary.Functional Additions: Outdoor showers, storage for beach gear, and weather-resistant furniture ensure these spaces are practical and easy to maintain. Thoughtful touches like built-in seating or covered pergolas add both style and usability to outdoor areas.Each outdoor area is thoughtfully designed to complement the home while enhancing the lifestyle of its residents. These spaces are extensions of everyday living and not just backyards that you visit from time to time.The Role of Landscaping in Coastal House PlansModern house with a swimming poolLandscaping isnt just an afterthought its a key element of coastal house plans. The right landscaping transforms outdoor spaces, creating an oasis that feels connected to the natural beauty of the coast.Native plants like palm trees, sea grass, and flowering shrubs are common choices, as they thrive in the coastal climate and require minimal maintenance. Sand-friendly pathways, pebble accents, and raised garden beds bring texture and dimension to outdoor areas while enhancing the overall aesthetic.Strategically placed greenery also provides privacy, allowing homeowners to enjoy their outdoor spaces without feeling exposed. For example, a row of palms along the edge of a deck not only adds visual interest but also creates a sense of seclusion. Landscaping also plays a functional role, with plants and materials chosen to withstand the elements, from salty air to strong coastal winds.Lighting is another essential component. Soft, ambient lighting highlights pathways, decks, and garden features, ensuring that outdoor spaces remain usable and inviting even after the sun sets. Whether its a lush garden surrounding a pool or a simple patio framed by tropical foliage, landscaping is the finishing touch that brings a coastal house plan to life.Coastal House Plans and Modern InnovationWhile coastal homes are inspired by timeless beachside living, modern innovations have elevated these designs for todays homeowners. Features like energy-efficient materials, smart home technology, and eco-friendly landscaping align with the values of sustainability and convenience.Many coastal house plans incorporate solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and insulated windows to reduce environmental impact. These features ensure that homeowners can enjoy their slice of paradise without compromising on sustainability.Interior layouts have also evolved. While open-concept spaces that connect to the outdoors remain a staple, they now often include luxurious additions like spa-like bathrooms, gourmet kitchens, and multi-functional rooms that adapt to modern lifestyles.Coastal homes of today are just as much about practicality as they are about aesthetics, creating spaces that work for families, entertainers, and those who crave quiet retreats alike.Building a Coastal Home OasisA coastal house plan isnt just a blueprint its a vision for a lifestyle. These homes create spaces where outdoor bliss takes center stage, blending nature, architecture, and comfort into one harmonious design.From expansive decks overlooking the water to secluded garden retreats, coastal house plans provide the perfect foundation for building a home that feels like a permanent getaway. If youve been dreaming of a place where every day feels like a vacation, this might just be your sign to bring that vision to life!Beach HousesHouses Leave a comment

SANAA, the Japanese practice helmed by Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa, is this years RIBA Royal Gold Medal winner. RIBA recognized SANAA for pioneering sustainable, user-centered design and the offices ability to shape a universal language of architecture that resonates with people everywhere. Last years RIBA Royal Gold Medal winner was Lesley Lokko. This time around, the 2025 RIBA Honors Committee commended SANAA for its ability to shape a universal language of architecture that resonates with people everywhere. The firm has completed a number of prominent cultural projects across the globe. In New York, it delievered a boxy structure faced with aluminum mesh for the New Museum. No two buildings by the firm are strikingly alike, for another museum project in Sydney, the firm again played with the layering and stacking of structures with an expansion built on an inclined site.The firm designed the New Museum in New York City. (Dean Kaufman)After hearing the news, Sejima and Nishizawa said in a statement: We are delighted and very honored to receive the Royal Gold Medal. We have always believed that architecture can transform and repair environments, helping us to relate to our surroundings, nature and each other.SANAA completed a modernization project at the Art Gallery of NSW in Sydney. (Iwan Baan)SANAA continued: Throughout our careers we have tried to make spaces that bring people together, inviting them to imagine new ways of living and learning collectively. Architecture is always teamwork and we are very grateful to everyone that has given us opportunities to develop these ideas over the years, and to all those people that have worked tirelessly with us to realize them. This is a very happy moment for us, thank you. Other notable projects by the firm include a building and landscape for Grace Farms, an 80-acre property in Connecticut where nature, art, and acts of justice coalescea sentiment prevalent in the firms work there, and elsewhere.In Connecticut, facilities designed by SANAA for Grace Farms blend with the idyllic landscape. (Iwan Baan)RIBA president Muyiwa Oki noted SANAA exemplifies an unassuming yet impactful leadership in the evolving practice and theory of architecture, SANAAs designs demonstrate that architecture can balance functionality with profound elegance. True pioneers in the field, their unwavering commitment to sustainable, user-centered design has quietly blazed a trail for others, setting an inspiring standard for the future of our built environment.The Japanese practice has completed a number of projects in its home country, including the Kagawa Sports Arena. (SANAA)Showing remarkable clarity and consistency over the decades, Oki elaborated, their work serves as a lasting testament to the transformative power of architectureto inspire joy, to create a sense of belonging, and to connect us to the environments we inhabit. Rooted in a shared vision where architecture priorities the human experience and interaction alongside form and function, SANAAs legacy will continue to resonate across cultures and generations to come.The 2025 RIBA Royal Gold Medal will be handed to SANAA by His Majesty the King, Charles III.

Londons Grenfell Tower, the site of a heinous inferno in 2017 which killed 72 people, and displaced hundreds more, is to be demolished, U.K.s deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said this week. The decision immediately sparked outrage among Grenfell United, a survivors group.Rayner told Grenfell survivors and bereaved family members that Grenfell Tower was to be knocked down at a meeting which took place yesterday, February 5. The announcement comes just months after the public inquiry into the fire concluded which attributed culpability to guilty parties responsible for the fire. Today, Grenfell is wrapped in a large tarp that conceals its macabre burn marks. A memorial design competition for the grounds surrounding Grenfell Tower to commemorate victims debuted last summer, as reported by AN.RIBA announced the memorial competition shortlist on January 21, just days before Rayner shared the British governments decision to demolish the tower.The five finalists in the memorial design competition include: Curl La Tourelle + Head Architecture, Freehaus, George King Architects x Grow to Know, New South, and Office Sian. A winner will be selected later this year, and construction is slated for completion in 2026.Justice for Grenfell protest poster (Garry Knight/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY 1.0)Plans to raze Grenfell Tower wereannounced in 2021. That year, Atkins, an engineering consultancy, issued a report stating the tower was unsafe and must come down. Shortly after, Grenfell United issued a statement announcing its opposition to the decision. Grenfell Next of Kin (GNK), another advocacy group, also fought against the demolition plan.Engineers, Rayner said this week, have determined Grenfell Tower is structurally unsound, so it must come down, although Grenfell United said Rayners rationale was shaky, and lacking in detail. Grenfell United said that they were not consulted in this decision to tear down the tower, a place the group harrowingly referred to as our loved ones gravesite. Weve said this to every Secretary of State for Housing since the very beginning: consult the bereaved and survivors meaningfully before reaching a decision on the Tower, Grenfell United said on social media. Angela Rayner could not give a reason for her decision to demolish the Tower. She refused to confirm how many bereaved and survivors had been spoken to in the recent, short four-week consultation. But judging from the room alonethe vast majority of whom were bereavedno one supported her decision. But she claims it is based on our views.Grenfell United continued: [Yesterdays] meeting showed just how upset bereaved and survivors are about not having their views heard or considered in this decision. Ignoring the voices of bereaved on the future of our loved ones gravesite is disgraceful and unforgivable.Grenfell Next of Kin admitted the group was disappointed by the decision, but said it acknowledged the British governments reasoning. Do we wish the whole tower could stand forever? Yes. Is that an option? Not from a structural point of view, GNK said.The Grenfell Public Inquiry concluded in September 2024, and guilt has been attributed, but nobody has been charged with any crimes yet. Charges are expected in late 2026.

Neo Jomon: Green Mask (2024), glazed ceramic, 35 3/8 x 30 1/4 x 28 3/4 inches. Photos by Grace Dodds. All images courtesy of the artist and Ross + Kramer, Gallery, New York, shared with permissionWhimsical Ceramic Sculptures by En Iwamura Evoke Ancient Traditions and Childlike CuriosityFebruary 6, 2025ArtKate MothesIn Japanese philosophy, the concept of Ma emphasizes the relationships between time and space and how moments, intervals, and distance provide the basis for how we experience the world around us. Derived from the word Ma, or , which translates to pause or gap, the idea of negative space is viewed as a fundamental element of art and architecture.For En Iwamura, who lives and works near Kyoto, working from the perspective of Ma forms a significant tenet of his sculpture practice (previously). He examines scale, the sense of ones surroundings, and comfort in proximity to others. People constantly read and measure different Ma between themselves, and finding the proper or comfortable Ma between people or places can provide a specific relationship at a given moment, the artist says in a statement.Neo Jomon: Black/White Mask (2024), glazed ceramic, 38 1/4 x 34 5/8 x 29 1/2 inchesIn Mask, Iwamuras solo exhibitionRoss+Kramer Gallery, he delves into the cultural, conceptual, and symbolic significance of the titular objects. Drawing on childhood memories of visiting the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka, where he saw masks from around the world, the artist evokes the sense of mystery he felt upon viewing the works and curiosity about their origins.Masks have been used for centuries in cultures all around the globe, predominantly associated with religious ceremonies, funerary customs, festivals, dramatic performances, and other rituals of social importance. We don masks to protect us from inclement weather or to provide a layer of safety in certain sports or recreational activities. In 2020, the mask took on a new significance in the global effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus.Iwamuras playful, gentle, sometimes wistful ceramic sculptures reference the historical nature of masks while reflecting their role in our contemporary world. A driving force behind this collection of work is a reconnection to child-like senses of curiosity, wonderment, and creativity, says an exhibition statement.In this exhibition, Iwamura presents numerous sculptures from his ongoing Neo Jomon series, drawing on details characterizing earthenware of the ancient Jmon culture, which existed in what is modern-day Japan from around 14,000 to 300 B.C.E. The name literally means cord-marking after a style of pottery scholars attribute to the period.Neo Jomon: Mask and Eyes (2024), glazed ceramic, 31 7/8 x 31 7/8 x 28 inchesSoft forms complement vibrant hues and a variety of textures in Iwamuras sculptures, which range in size from a little over a foot tall to more than five feet. To achieve these intricate surfaces, the artist allows his hand-built forms to air dry slightly before drawing various tools across the surface of the clay, the gallery says. The textures recall rake-like patterns of Buddhist Zen gardens and cord-marking, a technique of pressing a twisted cord into wet clay.While serving as a meditation on parenthood, this series is also an encouragement to reunite with ones inner child, the gallery says. Mask continues through March 26 in New York City. Find more on the artists website and Instagram.Neo Jomon: Red Mask (2024), glazed ceramic, 46 x 46 1/2 x 31 1/8 inchesNeo Jomon: Stacking Neighbor (2024), glazed ceramic, 20 1/8 x 7 7/8 x 7 7/8 inchesNeo Jomon: Pink Mask (Beret) (2024), glazed ceramic, 36 x 40 x 7 1/4 inchesNeo Jomon: Stacking Neighbor (2024), glazed ceramic, 16 7/8 x 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 inchesNeo Jomon: Black Mask (Crack) (2024), glazed ceramic and gold, 31 x 31 x 9 inchesNeo Jomon: Stacking Neighbor (2024), glazed ceramic, 15 x 9 7/8 x 6 3/4 inchesNeo Jomon: Blue Mask (2024), glazed ceramic and gold, 23 x 36 x 14 5/8 inchesNext article

Bacho Foto - stock.adobe.comNewsData maturity survey finds a quarter of organisations with no strategyOne quarter of organisations surveyed for the third Carruthers and Jackson Data Maturity Index found to have no data strategy as they increase artificial intelligence engagementByBrian McKenna,Enterprise Applications EditorPublished: 06 Feb 2025 17:40 According to research published by data management consultancy Carruthers and Jackson, 26% of organisations, mostly in the UK and US, lack a formal data strategy, and 39% have little or nothing in the way of data governance frameworks, but are increasing their use of artificial intelligence (AI) regardless.Nevertheless, data leaders surveyed in the consultancys third Data Maturity Index study are testifying to an evolution from one-size-fits-all data governance frameworks to ones that are more tailored to departments in their organisations.The survey found 37% of data leaders reporting the adoption of multiple governance frameworks, a rise from 31% in 2023.Carruthers and Jackson co-founder and chief executive Caroline Carruthers said in a briefing with Computer Weekly: That is important because that way we can have more confidence that the right data is being looked after in the right way. With one-size-fits-all you tend to come down to the lowest common denominator, which means youre not treating your crown jewels of data in a way that gives it the respect it deserves.The study was carried out in November 2024 among almost 200 data leaders, drawn from the community the consultants have developed through the chief data officer (CDO) summer school Carruthers and her colleague Peter Jackson have been running since 2018. Carruthers confirmed she interviewed 10 of the CDOs separate to the survey.The annual poll of hundreds of global data leaders reveals that over a quarter (26%) of organisations still operate without a formal data strategy, and 39% report little or no governance framework.In a statement accompanying the report, Carruthers and Jackson said the study points to persistent gaps in foundational data management practices. The rapid adoption of AI is further complicating the data landscape, as in just 12 months, the share of organisations not using AI has plummeted by 20%. Today, just 7% of organisations now report no AI usage, a significant drop from 26% last year.Carruthers said a positive benefit of the increasing prominence of AI in organisations is that it has brought to the fore ethical considerations connected with data use. But, the consultancy said although 44% of organisations have seen a moderate rise in ethical discussions around AI, only 13% have formalised these conversations into structured policies. Simultaneously, it said while 53% of organisations report an increase in AI usage, more than half (57%) admit that most employees still lack data literacy.Carruthers commented: An AI Paradox has been created, as the use of AI tools in organisations has surged in the last year, yet employees lack the data literacy to use them effectively, as their fundamental understanding of data remains largely unchanged from last year. Overcoming this requires tailored, scalable training and AI-focused upskilling. With one-size-fits-all you tend to come down to the lowest common denominator, which means youre not treating your crown jewels of data in a way that gives it the respect it deserves Caroline Carruthers, Carruthers and JacksonSimultaneously, the adoption of AI means data needs to be cleaner, and teams need to raise their data standards, otherwise the transformative benefits of new technology simply wont be realised. Encouragingly, more leaders are recognising the need for flexible, department-specific governance to drive data maturity.We are seeing the data landscape begin to evolve, as data leaders are grappling with greater complexity and a deeper appreciation of the requirement for taking a tailored approach to data management. Were also seeing the role of data leader develop too rather than having a CDO who knows everything, were seeing the emergence of data lineage experts, data governance experts, data observability specialists and so on.In the report, Andrew Lunt, data management director at Carruthers and Jackson, is quoted as saying: Its still worrying to see that almost 40% of organisations have little to no data governance in place. I think my message to the ones that havent embarked on this journey yet is think big but start small. In most cases, problems with your data cant be solved overnight. Weve helped organisations to understand how to approach data governance at high level in a few hours and then helped them start small and build up to something very capable.In terms of AI, another consultant at the firm, Ashley Cairns, reported: Weve already worked with a number of clients where employees have inadvertently put customer or company data into public AI tools without knowing this was even possible. There has to be more training around AI tools to avoid this situation.Among the CDOs quoted in the report is David Prime, head of strategy, data and insights at the Football Association. He said: Data strategy and governance fameworks are critical elements of a high-performing data capability. However, the results of this report are no surprise to me, the high-profile and matrixed nature of data make aligning on these key elements difficult. It is critical to not adopt a one-size-fits-all approach and find solutions that fit the specific opportunities and challenges of your organisation.Read more about data literacy and maturityHow to measure data literacy in the AI era: Improving data literacy as an individual or organisation starts with measuring where you are. An AI and data framework provides six criteria to track progress.A data governance maturity model identifies where current operations are lacking and how to make improvements that better protect and use data.Author and data management consultant Caroline Carruthers argues that data leaders need to tap into their creativity to make their analytical work pay off.In The Current Issue:Forrester: Why digitisation needs strong data engineering skillsLabours first digital government strategy: Is it dj vu or something new?Download Current IssueWhy are we waiting? Cliff Saran's Enterprise blogData Engineering - Patronus AI: Building robust evaluation frameworks for AI accuracy CW Developer NetworkView All Blogs

Skrzewiak - stock.adobe.comNewsUKs Cyber Monitoring Centre begins incident classification workThe Cyber Monitoring Centre will work to categorise major incidents against a newly developed scale to help organisations better understand the nature of systemic cyber attacks and learn from their impactByAlex Scroxton,Security EditorPublished: 06 Feb 2025 17:18 The Cyber Monitoring Centre (CMC), a new UK-based project designed to independently declare and classify systemic cyber attacks using a unique classification scale with the objective of helping organisations understand the nature of systemic security incidents with widespread impacts, has formally begun its work.Initially a joint project between law firm Weightmans and insurer CFC, the CMCs objective is to declare and classify systemic incidents on a scale of one through five, where one is the least severe type of incident and five the most dangerous and disruptive. It was initially designed as an aid to the insurance industry, but the results of its work will be freely available to all security risk owners.It hopes to bring greater clarity and transparency to complex incidents, and help organisations better react to them and prepare for future ones.The risk of major cyber events is greater now than at any time in the past as UK organisations have become increasingly reliant on technology. The CMC has the potential to help businesses and individuals better understand the implications of cyber events, mitigate their impact on peoples lives, and improve cyber resilience and response plans, said CMC CEO Will Mayes.When a systemic incident defined by the CMC as one with a financial impact greater than 100m, affecting multiple organisations, and where there is data or information available to enable assessments the CMCs Technical Committee, which is led by former National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) chief executive Ciaran Martin, will measure key factors against the CMCs core framework to make an effective judgement as to the incidents classification.These factors are:External polling on an incident, for which it is partnering with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the British Chambers of Commerce;Observable technical indicators and incident data drawn from, for example, news reports, NHS or ONS data, and partnerships with third parties such as risk analytics house Parametrix, among others;And modelling against previous incidents, such as 2024s CrowdStrike outage, and through conversations with individuals involved in the incident, such as victims, incident response and cyber forensics teams, lawyers, insurance claims handlers and industry bodies. I have no doubt the CMC will improve the way we tackle, learn from, and recover from cyber incidents. If we crack this, and Im confident that we will, it could be a huge boost to cyber security efforts Ciaran Martin, Cyber Monitoring CentreThe CMC said the target timeframe to categorise an event against these criteria will be 30 days, although this is not set in stone. Each published categorisation will be supported by an event report that will summarise the committees analysis and provide additional insights from its work.Committee chair Martin said that up to now, measuring the severity of cyber security incidents had been a big challenge.This could be a huge leap forward [and] I have no doubt the CMC will improve the way we tackle, learn from, and recover from cyber incidents. If we crack this, and Im confident that we will, ultimately it could be a huge boost to cyber security efforts not just here but internationally too, he said.Mayes added: I would also like to acknowledge the support from a wide range of world-leading experts who have contributed so much time and expertise to help establish the CMC, and continue to provide data and insights during events. Their ongoing support will be vital and we look forward to adding further expertise to our growing cohort of partners in the months and years ahead.Read more about cyber incident responseWhat goes into a good incident response plan, and what steps should security professionals take to ensure they are appropriately prepared for the almost inevitable attack, and secure buy-in from organisational leadership?Organisations need to take a focused approach to gain visibility into targeted threats for cyber-risk mitigation and incident response.The high-rolling city of Las Vegas experiences unique cyber security challenges rarely seen elsewhere. CIO Mike Sherwood reveals how he turned to Darktrace to help address incidents quicker and with confidence.In The Current Issue:Forrester: Why digitisation needs strong data engineering skillsLabours first digital government strategy: Is it dj vu or something new?Download Current IssueWhy are we waiting? Cliff Saran's Enterprise blogData Engineering - Patronus AI: Building robust evaluation frameworks for AI accuracy CW Developer NetworkView All Blogs

Breakout BeyondAtariAtari is enjoying a bit of a hot streak lately, especially when it comes to team-ups. The company is collaborating with My Arcade for the Gamestation Go, a dream retro handheld that was enthusiastically received at CES 2025. Now, Atari has tapped BIT.TRIP series developer Choice Provisions to breathe new life into Breakout with Breakout Beyond.Breakout Beyond is a re-imagining of the classic 1976 brick buster (did you know it was prototyped by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs?), and will be released this March for Xbox, PlayStation, Steam, Epic Games, Nintendo Switch, and yes, even the Atari VCS.The basic premise remains pretty close to the original: break multiple rows of bricks at the top of the screen by bouncing a ball off a movable paddle on the bottom of the screen. Except that with Breakout Beyond, theres a twist to the basic formula. Now, the playing field is literally twisted on its side so that the paddle is on the players left, and the bricks are on the right.Breakout Beyond packs in a few other features that stand out, most notably that it supports 2-player local co-op (which means it should also support Steams Remote Play Together feature). It also has special power-up block, and an unlockable endless mode to dive into if you need a challenge beyond the games 72 levels.The game looks blissfully chaotic, with neon-drenched colors and a soundtrack (at least in the trailer, below) which reminds me of the vastly underappreciated Shatter. Atari says the game has procedural audio and visual effects that will ramp up as your combo multiplier increases.MORE FOR YOUSpeaking of influences, its perfect that Choice Provisions is the studio behind this. The original BIT.TRIP like Breakout itself was heavily inspired by Ataris Pong.If Breakout Beyond sounds a bit familiar, thats because it was originally conceived for the endlessly delayed Intellivision Amico console. When Atari purchased the Intellivision brand and its assets in 2024, the Amico was not included in the sale, but rights to the game were.Its refreshing to see Atari continuing to revive its classic franchises, rather than endlessly release the originals on every platform under the sun. Breakout Beyond looks like a fun and focused take on classic Breakout, and Im looking forward to playing it this March.

Another iPhone update is almost upon us. If you feel that youve only just installed one, thats because the most recent one was released on Monday, Jan. 27and a curious, special re-release for the iPhone 11 series landed just days ago on Monday, Feb. 3. Nevertheless, the next update is almost here.Apple iPhone 16 series.AFP via Getty ImagesYou might have been eagerly waiting for iOS 18.4 with its expected uptick in capability for Siri in the latest tranche of Apple Intelligence. But thats not whats coming first. Instead, there are signs that iOS 18.3.1 is on its way.Apple is internally testing iOS 18.3.1 for iPhones, according to our website's analytics logs, which have been a consistently reliable indicator of upcoming iOS versions. The software update should be released within the next few weeks, says Joe Rossignol at MacRumors, and the sites predictions in these matters is usually spot on.This sounds like it will be a smaller update geared to bug fixes rather than the new features which are usually reserved for bigger-number releases like iOS 18.3 and iOS 18.4.As for whats in it exactly, its possible that the news and entertainment Apple Intelligence notification summaries which were turned off temporarily in iOS 18.3 because of uneven performance could be reinstated in iOS 18.3.1.MORE FOR YOUThats a possibility but it seems too soon for me. Apple took the step of turning them off so it can take time to ensure theyre in great shape before flipping the switch the other way.The thing is, its not long until iOS 18.4 is expected to arrive, as soon as next month or, more likely, April. The first developer beta for this update could have been expected by now, but its possible Apple wants to get closer to releasing iOS 18.3.1 before it does. As a rule of thumb, Apple only releases beta versions of the major updates, so there wont be a beta for iOS 18.3.1.So, when can we expect to see iOS 18.3.1?MacRumors merely says it should be released within the next few weeks, but my suspicion is it could be soon, perhaps Monday, Feb. 17 or Tuesday, Feb. 18, though I cant rule out the week after. Either way, this mystery release will be here soon.

Key TakeawaysGoogle has dropped its commitment to not use AI for harmful applications like weapons and surveillance, aiming to remain competitive in the growing AI space, especially with Chinas involvement.The updated AI principles focus on mitigating unintended outcomes and avoiding bias, reflecting Googles ambition to expand AI services to more users and governments.Google has faced internal protests over past contracts, including Project Maven and Project Nimbus, with employees opposing the use of AI in government and military projects. But this led to the termination of employees and concerns about reputational harm.Google has updated its public AI principles page and dropped its pledge to not use AI for harmful applications like weapons and surveillance.The said pledge used to sit in the applications we will not pursue section on their page and Bloomberg was the first one to point out that its no longer there.This change could be simply to be able to continue holding ground amid the rapidly increasing competition in the AI space, especially after China has entered the space with its allegedly revolutionary DeepSeek.The new AI principles say that Google will work to mitigate unintended or harmful outcomes and will avoid unfair bias. While that sounds like a relief, its still uncertain what the agenda behind this change of policy is.This update primarily reflects Googles growing ambitions to offer AI to more users, including governments. The new AI principles say that Google will proceed where we believe that the overall likely benefits substantially exceed the foreseeable risks and downsides.Its worth noting that OpenAI recently launched a special ChatGPT Enterprise variant for the US government. Is this AI companies looking to curry favor with Trump? Could be.Googles History With AI EthicsGoogle has aggressively pursued federal government contracts before the AI principles were established in 2018, when the tech giant refused to renew its contract with the government due to strong protests from the internal Google team.A large number of employees had signed petitions opposing the contract and many resigned from the company due to its involvement in the project. The contract was called Project Maven and it basically helped the government analyze and interpret drone videos using artificial intelligence.Another contract, called Pentagon cloud, which was speculated to be worth $10 billion, was also turned down by the company saying it didnt align with its values.Just last year, a series of protests took place over Project Nimbus, a Google contract with Amazon services to provide cloud computing and AI services to the Israeli government and military.Google terminated more than 50 employees as a consequence of this and released a statement saying the contract didnt violate any of the companys AI principles.The fact of the matter, as revealed by The New York Times, was that just a few months before this happened, Google officials themselves were seen expressing concern about the contract harming the companys reputation as its cloud services could be used for facilitation of human rights violations.Currently, the updated guidelines restrict the internal forum from a discussion about geopolitical content, international relations, military conflicts, economic actions, and territorial disputes.When CNBC asked for comment on the guidelines, Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Add Techreport to Your Google News Feed Get the latest updates, trends, and insights delivered straight to your fingertips. Subscribe now! Subscribe now Alpa is a tech writer and editor with a wealth of experience in alternative finance, fintech, cryptocurrency, app security software, and the medical industry. Shes passionate about breaking down complex topics and sharing informative content that provides value. View all articles by Alpa Somaiya Our editorial processThe Tech Reporteditorial policyis centered on providing helpful, accurate content that offers real value to our readers. We only work with experienced writers who have specific knowledge in the topics they cover, including latest developments in technology, online privacy, cryptocurrencies, software, and more. Our editorial policy ensures that each topic is researched and curated by our in-house editors. We maintain rigorous journalistic standards, and every article is 100% written byreal authors.

The big picture: Smartphones weren't the only consumer tech category to see a rebound in 2024. According to the latest report from Canalys, global tablet shipments rose to 147.6 million units last year up 9.2 percent compared to 2023. The growth, which was observed in every region except North America, reversed three consecutive years of decline and is expected to continue. Apple led all other manufacturers in 2024 with nearly 57 million iPads shipped good for a 38.6 percent market share. The company's most recent release, the iPad mini 7th gen, debuted in late October and features the A17 Pro processor.Samsung finished in second place with 27.8 million tablets shipped and an 18.8 percent slice of the pie, while Huawei rounded out the top three with 10.7 million slates shipped.It was a strong year for Chinese vendors. Xiaomi ranked fifth overall, shipping 9.2 million tablets an impressive 73.1 percent year-over-year growth. Meanwhile, Huawei, the other Chinese tablet maker in the top five, saw nearly 30 percent annual growth.Other Chinese brands outside the top five are working to expand beyond their home market. Honor, for example, is focusing on growing its footprint in Indonesia and recently introduced new bundles in the UK following the launch of its Magic7 Pro smartphone in Q4.The future looks bright as well. Canalys research manager Himani Mukka pointed to a recent channel survey in which 52 percent of partners that sell tablets expect shipments to increase in 2025. Only 16 percent of those surveyed anticipate a decline the remaining 32 percent expect shipments will be flat year over year. // Related StoriesRelated reading: Global smartphone market grew seven percent in 2024 as vendors brace for a challenging 2025As for Mukka's opinion, the manager believes the consumer tablet market is in for a more constrained performance this year but "there will be pockets of opportunity for vendors to target."Where do you stand with tablets? Are they part of your tech repertoire, or do you mostly rely on a smartphone / laptop for portable computing?