After years of rumors, Apple appears to finally be preparing to release the redesigned iPhone SE 4. Mark Gurman reports for Bloomberg that the new entry level iPhone could be announced as early as next week:The company expects to announce the device as early as next week, ahead of it going on sale later in the month, according to people with knowledge of the matter.Gurman adds that he does not expect Apple to hold an event for the iPhone SE 4 launch.This suggests that the overhauled iPhone SE is likely the only new product coming next week. Apple is expected to switch the iPhone SE to a new form factor, dropping the Home button in favor of a full screen design with Face ID and USB-C replacing Lightning charging. The new iPhone SE should feature the A18 chip and resemble the iPhone 14 design.Apples current iPhone SE (third-gen) is based on the iPhone 8 design from 2017. Apple is also expected support Apple Intelligence on the new iPhone SE, joining iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and the full iPhone 16 line.Perhaps the biggest change will be internally. Apple is expected to switch from Qualcomm modems to its own in-house chip for cellular connectivity. This will be a first for any Apple product.iPhone SE 4 launching as soon as next week comes as a slight surprise with expectations geared more into March. Apple also has a number of other new products in the works, including an M4-powered MacBook Air and an 11th generation iPad.Read the story in full at Bloomberg.Top iPhone accessoriesAdd 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

Cancelled AidFeb 6, 5:30 PM EST/byVictor TangermannElon Musk's Assault on the Government Has Canceled a Human Trial for a Promising HIV Vaccine"I don't know how anyone could possibly justify that. The cruelty and the waste of it all."Feb 6, 5:30 PM EST/Victor TangermannImage by Getty / FuturismDevelopmentsBillionaire Elon Musk's assault on the US Agency for International Development (USAID) is already proving devastating for ongoing, life-saving research.Case in point, as Science reports, researchers across eight African countries were set to launch a phase 1 clinical trial of two experimental HIV vaccines.But now that foreign aid funding has officially been frozen for at least three months by president Donald Trump's administration, the trial is indefinitely on hold.The trials were designed to evaluate the safety and immune response of two experimental HIV vaccines, dubbed BG505 GT1.1 and 426c.Mod.Core-C4b, in HIV-negative adults.Scientists have been excited about the discovery of HIV-1 broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs), which could realize a new generation of vaccines against the deadly sexually transmitted virus."The vaccines are in the country," South African Medical Research Council chief scientific officer Glenda Gray told Science. "The regulators have approved the study. [Clinicians] at the sites have been trained."USAID had recently awarded more than $45 million to the BRILLIANT Consortium, a pan-African program established to advance the HIV vaccine field. But with the Trump administration yanking all funding, Gray and her colleagues had to cancel the trials."It would be unethical to start a study that you cant guarantee you can continue," she told Science, calling Trump's decision to cut off aid as "tectonic."Besides funding HIV vaccine research, Trump's executive order, which pauses new obligations for US foreign aid and introduces a "90-day pause" on existing foreign development assistance, is also grinding other potentially lifesaving research to a halt.As Agence France-Press reports, USAID's President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) is also in limbo. The funding freeze caught its staffers, some of whom have built entire careers around the initiative, by surprise."I have never been more stunned by anything in my life," former PMI senior community health adviser Anne Linn, who was fired last week, told AFP. "I don't know how anyone could possibly justify that. The cruelty and the waste of it all."What particularly stands out is Musk's motivations for targeting USAID. The richest man in the world has since called the agency "evil" and a "criminal organization," outright calling for its destruction and furthered harebrained conspiracy theories that link USAID to the outbreak of COVID.The billionaire's crusade against the foreign aid agency will likely play an insignificant role in his overly ambitious plans to excise $2 trillion from the federal government's budget as foreign aid makes up less than one percent of the total budget.Instead, as some have suggested, Musk has needlessly sentenced "thousands, if not hundreds of thousands" to die, as one anonymous USAID officialtoldPolitico.As The Lever reported earlier this week, Musk also appears to have a huge conflict of interest motivating him to gut USAID, as the agency's inspector general was investigating his Starlink partnership with the Ukrainian government.Following the whirlwind of Musk's excoriating comments and his inexperienced minions infiltrating USAID's offices, the agency's new acting leader, secretary of state Marco Rubio, has promised in a waiver that "implementers of existing life-saving humanitarian assistance programs should continue or resume work if they have stopped."What exactly counts as "life-saving" assistance will likely remain contentious. As AFP reports, Linn and her colleagues have yet to resume work. According to Science, however, anti-HIV drug distribution does fall under the vague header.Rubio has also since clarified his personal stance on the matter, arguing in a recent televised segment that the US isn't a "global charity" and that "these are taxpayer dollars."In short, the Trump administration's vengeful plot to sabotage USAID has already caused major chaos around the world."Its an absolute mess," Middle East at Refugees International senior advocate Jesse Marks told AFP. "All of these organizations who received stop-work orders need to communicate with USAID about what it all means... But there is no one on the other line to answer."Beyond putting thousands of lives in danger, experts have since pointed out that the US is surrendering a huge amount of geopolitical influence and goodwill and the money saved by abandoning USAID is pitiful in comparison."If were not there as a country giving them an alternative to Chinese investment, I guarantee you [China] will start funding the hospitals for goodwill," Jason Glaser, CEO of a US-based nonprofit named the La Isla, told Science."The Trump administration has just put America last, while handing a gift to our biggest adversaries, notably China," former USAID Bureau for Asia assistant administrator Michael Schiffer wrote in a recent opinion piece. "Americas alliances will suffer. US partners will be at risk. And Americas enemies will rejoice."Share This ArticleImage by Getty / FuturismRead This Next

A 25-year-old staffer for Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has resigned after the Wall Street Journal reached out to the White House over incredibly racist social media posts linked to him.Musk'sastonishingly unqualified group of 20-somethings have been plundering a growing list of government agencies, gaining control over highly sensitive information without the required security clearanceand raising major alarm bells across Washington, DC.Nowone of the young men, named, Marko Elez has officially resigned from his position. Elez was behind a deleted profile that backed a "eugenic immigration policy" and argued that "you could not pay me to marry outside of my ethnicity."In a separate post, a different account closely linked to Elez's online presence argued that "99 percent of Indian H1B [visas] will be replaced by slightly smarter [large language models], theyre going back dont worry guys.""Just for the record, I was racist before it was cool," the account wrote in a July post, reviewed by the WSJ.It's unclear if the racist posts and Elez's resignation are directly linked, but White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt informed the newspaper about the news after the WSJ inquired about the posts.Elez's resignation is surprising, not to mention the first sign that Musk and his operatives may still be beholden to certain social norms. Before the news emerged, DOGE had established itself as an extremely chaotic force blowing through government agencies like a hurricane.The sudden departure raises questions. Is authoring flagrantly racist posts on social media where Musk draws the line? It would certainly be a double standard, considering Musk has made plenty of outright racist utterances himself.All we can do at this point is speculate, but it's certainly a noteworthy departure. Elez had obtained direct access to the entire government's payment system. As Wired reported earlier this week, Elez also gave himself both read and write privileges, allowing him to push untested changes to the payment system. It's an incredibly reckless approach that could open the United States to foreign hacking, as Democratic lawmakers have warned.The 25-year-old had previously worked at Musk's SpaceX, and X, where he focused on AI, as the WSJ reports.DOGE's other staffers also include interns at his companies and a young manwho goes by"Big Balls" online so who knows what other juicy details will soon come to light about Musk's other bratty minions.More on DOGE: One of Elon Musk's DOGE Kids Just Had an Explosive Screaming TantrumShare This Article

Nintendo hasn't revealed much about its upcoming Switch 2 console since teasing it last month with a reveal trailer, leaving leaks and rumors to fill in the gaps. But a pair of new patents strongly suggests that a rumored feature -- using a Joy-Con controller like a computer mouse -- could be coming in the Switch 2 after all.The two new patents, both published today, have a trove of detailed drawings showing the Switch 2 and its Joy-Cons in a variety of positions. The first patent explains how a "novel input device" -- a Joy-Con controller -- can be used as a mouse (as translated from Japanese by Google Translate). While it's not outright official confirmation that the Switch 2 will let you use its Joy-Cons like computer mice, it shows how much Nintendo invested in the idea, and very likely included it in the final console. NintendoSeveral of that first patent's drawings show the Joy-Con with its inner side facing down and a hand placed such that fingers are curled over the side buttons -- and when oriented this way, they sure look like mouse buttons.Though rife with the kind of ultra-clinical language of patents, the descriptions go into detail about how light enters a sensor on the inner side of the Joy-Con, presumably like how a modern optical computer mouse operates. NintendoPerhaps most intriguing are other drawings showing a single user two Joy-Cons in a mouse orientation at once and another drawing showing a user operating one Joy-Con normally with another in mouse orientation. While prior rumors of this functionality suggested it might make the Switch 2 better suited for game genres that require a mouse, like strategy and MOBA, but the possibility that Nintendo wants players using two Joy-Con mice at once suggests the new console could have some of the more novel (and outlandish) control inputs that the company is famous for, from minigames in 1-2 Switch to the zany creations in Nintendo Labo. NintendoPatent No. 2: Joy-Con magnets and a potential charging dockThe second patent details how the new Joy-Cons connect to the Switch 2 -- and aligning with previous rumors, it details how magnets keep the controllers connected to the console. Interestingly enough, the patent suggests the magnets are within the console and attracted to the buttons on the side of the Joy-Con (which become shoulder buttons when the controller is held with two hands).The drawings and descriptions detail things like how, when holding a Joy-Con solo, one of the wrist strap-equipped bumpers slides onto the new controller.But the most exciting revelation from this second patent is at the very end of the drawings: a charging stand or dock, allowing users to recharge up to two Joy-Cons without needing to attach them to the console. Patent details also suggest the dock could have wireless capability to connect with the controllers.Since Nintendo didn't release any specs information when it introduced the Switch 2, these patents are the most official source of information on the new console we've found. Nintendo is planning to have a full reveal of the console in a Nintendo Direct on April 2.Read more: Switch 2 Looks a Lot Like the Original Nintendo Switch... and That's a Good Thing Watch this: Nintendo Switch 2 Announced: Everything We Know 03:01

Our Picks Best budget MP3 player Shanling M0s View details $90 at Amazon View details Best for high-res music Sony NW-A306 View details $298 at Amazon View details Table of Contents Sure, you can stream music or purchase your tracks and add them to your phone, but theres something nostalgic about having a dedicated music device. Remember those days when everyone had an iPod? Well, MP3 players are making a comeback. Smartphones are great if you want to keep your music with the rest of your digital life, but if you need a separate space for it, an MP3 player might be the way to go. Having a separate device just for music lets you enjoy your favorite songs without getting pulled into checking emails or scrolling social media. Even though phones can play music, many people find that a dedicated music player helps them focus better on the music itself.Whether you prefer wired audio or Bluetooth audio, MP3 players can be the perfect companion for your music needs. Plus, there are several additional reasons why getting an MP3 player makes sense. Maybe you're overwhelmed by streaming subscriptions or you prefer your music offline in playlists -- in MP3 and other audio formats -- instead of on a cloud. Or perhaps you own rare tracks that you can't find on mainstream platforms or have lossless FLAC audio files you want to preserve. The good news for music enthusiasts is that if you're in the market for a dedicated device for storing your tunes, there's a wide selection of MP3 players available. We've rounded up the best ones for you.Read more: Best Stores for Buying Digital Music You Can Keep Forever $90 at Amazon The M0s is an inexpensive way to enjoy your downloaded music without the distraction or annoyance of an internet connection. The M0s feels well made and has a surprisingly nice design for something small and inexpensive. It's easy enough to put all your music, even high-res lossless up to 384 kHz at 32-bit, on a high-capacity microSD card. Its interface is simple and it has plenty of power for big headphones. Sony's transition from physical media -- from cassettes, CDs and MiniDiscs -- to digital may have been rocky, but the Walkman name has shown it has staying power. The NW0-A306 is the brand's latest player and it offers plenty of features for audiophiles and music lovers. With extensive media support and the app support of the latest Android OS there's likely not a song you won't be able to play. The only downsides are a relatively slow interface and a lack of power compared to even the Shanling above. But a pair of Bluetooth headphones will soon fix that. Other MP3 players Yes, the products above are really the only ones I can recommend in this category with any degree of enthusiasm. They aren't the only options. If you're looking for a bargain basement option (under $50), a serious high-end alternative (starting at $350 and going to four figures) or some interesting workarounds, read on. Show more Mighty 3 The Mighty 3 is the closest modern equivalent to the iPod Shuffle, but the catch is that it only works with Spotify Premium and Amazon Music, both of which can be synced wirelessly.We haven't tested the Mighty 3, though we quite liked the original Mighty Vibe. The Mighty 3 includes eight hours of battery life while the Waterproof Mighty Vibe is designed to appeal to swimmers and outdoor types. Show more Shockz OpenSwim AftershockzThis 4GB "player in headphones" model uses Aftershockz's patented bone-conduction technology. It's also fully waterproof, and retails for about $150. (Note that CNET hasn't tested these hands-on.) $150 at Amazon Show more The budget hack: Any old smartphone SamsungIf you have an old phone -- or you buy a new one without service -- you'll have access to the full realm of app-based music services and any music files you care to upload. Something like the $190-ish Samsung Galaxy A03S (shown above) fits the bill nicely since you can drop in a microSD card that you've preloaded with tunes.See at Samsung Show more High-end options Audiophiles have long looked down on digital music because the sound quality was notably inferior for golden-eared listeners with distinguishing tastes. The development of lossless file formats (such as FLAC) and cheap ample multi-gigabyte storage have made portable high-fidelity music a reality. At this point, there are really only two major players in the high-end portable music space: Astell & Kern and Sony (where the Walkman brand still lives on). We've used earlier versions of each brand, but not the current models. Astell & Kern players start at $1,000 and are strictly for true enthusiasts.If you have hard drives full of uncompressed music audio files -- and can hear the difference between those and comparatively low-resolution MP3 and AAC files -- then, by all means, pair up one of those players with your wired headphones of choice.Nearly all of the streaming music services now offer lossless or high bit-rate options; that's nearly all the big players, from Tidal and Qobuz to Amazon and Apple. (Spotify HiFi, weirdly, remains a no-show.)If you like what you hear, consider upgrading to adecent headphone DAC(that's "digital to analog converter") like theAudiofly Dragonflyor iFi Audio Go and a serious pair of wired headphones. Then you'll have a solid audiophile option that's good for the road, without the need for a standalone music player. Show more Music lockers: YouTube Music and iTunes Match If you've got a digital music collection that includes one-offs and live tracks that aren't available on the mainstream services, you can upload them to online services, where they can live alongside subscription tracks and be shared among multiple devices (including smart speakers). YouTube Music, formerly known as Google Play Music, offers this service at no additional cost for up to 100,000 tracks. Apple users can opt for iTunes Match, which lets you upload your own digital music to live in tandem with Apple Music tracks. Once available for $24 a year, the service now appears to be bundled in as part of anApple Music or Apple One subscription.If you opt for either of these options, make sure you keep a local backup of your files, just in case these services go away. Show more

Grand Theft Auto 5 has now sold a staggering 210m copies, publisher Take-Two announced this evening in its latest financial results. Read more

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 get first PC patch following launch week woesAddresses "several crash fixes" and more.Image credit: Eurogamer/Insomniac Games News by Matt Wales News Reporter Published on Feb. 6, 2025 Marvel's Spider-Man 2 has had a bit of a bumpy start on PC, but with a couple of emergency hot fixes now under its belt, developer Insomniac, alongside porting partner Nixxes, has released its first major patch - targeting reports of crashing, among other things.Marvel's Spider-Man 2 made its long-awaited PC debut last Thursday, but reports from frustrated players soon surfaced, highlighting significant crashing issues, bugs, and poor optimisation. It didn't take long for the game to amass a "mixed" rating on Steam as complaints continued piling in, and Insomniac responded quickly with a series of hot fixes.Now, though, the studio has released its first full patch for Spider-Man 2, primarily targeting "several crash fixes based on feedback from [players] and our crash reporting system." There's more beyond that, however, with update v1.205.0.0 also implementing a backup system for autosaves, fixing a number of visual bugs related to DLSS Ray Reconstruction and raytracing, and addressing a range of UI related bugs.Marvels Spider-Man 2 - PC features trailer.Watch on YouTubeMenu toggles have also been introduced for Film Style Animation and Comic SFX, and there are interface improvements intended to simplify starting New Game+. Insomniac acknowledges not all reported issues have been addressed in its first patch, but says it's "committed to improving your experience and [will] continue to work on regular updates with more bug fixes, improvements and performance optimisations."Eurogamer's Chris Tapsell had good things to say about Marvel's Spider-Man 2 on PlayStation 5, calling it "simple, familiar, and occasionally cluttered [but] still brilliant fun" in his four star review. Hopefully, Insomniac and Nixxes can resolve the PC version's current issues and give the game the port it deserves. For now, though, you'll find full patch notes below:Various crash fixes based on player feedback and data from our crash reporting system.Improvements to crash reporting with screenshot support.Film Style Animation and Comic SFX can now be toggled via Settings > Game > Camera.*User interface improvements to simplify starting a New Game+Implemented autosave backups. At key points in the story the game will create a backup of the autosave slot.Added mouse scrolling to the manual load/save menu.Various improvements and bug fixes to the user interface.Reduced noise in character hair when using DLSS Ray Reconstruction.Enemies webbed to surfaces no longer have a black background when using ray-traced shadows and ray-traced ambient occlusion.Fixed a bug related to ray-traced reflections that could cause pixelation artefacts along water edges.Settings for Subtitle Text Size, Closed Caption Text Size, Icon and Prompt Size and Audio Listening Mode are no longer synchronized between different devices.***These options become available after obtaining the Across the Spider-Verse Suit. ** As a result of this change, these settings will be reset to their defaults after you install this update.

Before you spin into a redecorating frenzy (step away from the chandeliers), consider the transformative power of the table lamp. The best bedside lamps provide a bold and bright impact to any room, from home offices to dining roomsand not just because of the light they shine. You can add them to a shelf on a bookcase, place them on a bedside table, show them off in an entryway, and get highly creative with their style. High-design lamps can also make a statement wherever you place them. While lamps with chrome or brass finishes serve as radiant and eye-catching accents, those made with marble, terra-cotta, or travertine can add texture to a sleek space.Accent lighting has always been a thing, but lately, with the rise of antiBig Light content on TikTok and Reels, the demand for cute, trendy ambient lighting options is going way up. And we get itrelying on built-in overhead light fixtures feels cold and corporate, while smaller lamps create a warmer ambiance. Thats why we had the bright idea to test a curated selection of top picks from some of our favorite brands (in addition to other great options that score high design marks in our books). In each of our reviewers youll find an AD editors testimony as to what makes each light stand out, how they use it in their space, and whats something buyers should keep in mind. The hardest part now will be deciding on just one or two.(Lamps pictured with a 2.4-ounce candle for size comparison)Our Top PicksBest Mid-Century Table Lamp: Article Moon Gold Table Lamp, $149 from ArticleBest Statement Lamp: Urban Outfitters Strawberry Table Lamp, $64 from Urban OutfittersBest Coastal Chic Lamp: Serena & Lily Como Petite Table Lamp, $298 from Serena & LilyBest Glass Lamp: West Elm Ribbed Glass Table Lamp, $99 from West ElmBest Portable Lamp: Flowerpot V9 Rechargeable LED Table Lamp, $315 from AnthropologieBest Small Lamp: Pottery Barn Fallon Forged Iron Table Lamp, $249 Pottery BarnBest Rechargeable Lamp: Flos Bellhop Rechargeable Table Lamp, $319 from DWRBest Cottagecore Lamp: Lulu & Georgia Jordan Table Lamp, $198 from Lulu & GeorgiaBest Shape: McGee & Co. Vedruna Table Lamp, $349 from McGee & Co.Best Fabric Lamp: Scrunch Black and White Table Lamp by Kara Mann, $179 from CB2Best Task Lamp: Analog Task Lamp, $248 from GantriBest Mid-Century Table Lamp: Article Moon Gold Table LampArticleLizzie SouflerisArticle Moon Gold Table LampThis pick boasts the brightness of a larger lamp but in a small package.Despite its oversized bulb, this lamp has a small footprintperfect for a nightstand that could use some elegance. The base is made of a brushed metal and it has a fabric-wrapped cord, providing the perfect anchor for the frosted glass shade. Contributor Andrea Lewis particularly loved the seamless assembly process as well as the simple, petite, and versatile midcentury-modern design. The Moon Gold table lamp from Article has become a staple in my bedroomits misted glass shade casts a prominent warm light thats perfect for reading, she says. Whether you place it on a study desk, beside your bed, or in your living room, this small but powerful lamp radiates generously.SpecsDimensions: 11" Height x 6" DiameterMaterials: Steel, glass, plastic, textile cordColors: GoldPower source: Plug-inLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E26 4W LED, accommodates 25W max recommendedLight bulb included? YesWhat to keep in mindAny dust build up will be slightly more noticeable with this design, so you may have to be diligent in keeping the glass surface wiped clean.Best Statement Lamp:Urban Outfitters Orange Table Lamp(Editor's Note: While the orange lamp Lizzie tested is no longer available, we recommend the equally charming strawberry version as a close substitute).Urban OutfittersLizzie SouflerisUrban OutfittersUrban Outfitters Orange Table LampThe switch for this fruity lamp is found on the cord.This juicy lamp reminds us of the brightly colored hard candy you might find at the bottom of your grandmas purse. With a playful produce-inspired design that can be set on a base or hung from the ceiling, this charming piece is sure to draw oohs and ahhs from anyone who loves decor you can sink your teeth into.SpecsDimensions: 8.7" Height x 8.7" DiaemeterMaterials: Glass, polyresin, fabric cord, ironColors: OrangePower source: Plug-in, in-line on/off switchLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E12 Standard Base 7W Bulb recommendedLight bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindAccording to Urban Outfitters, this lamp can be used in two ways: perched on its ring-shaped base (as pictured) or hung as a pendant. While the latter is doable on a functional level, it looks pretty bizarre when suspended from the ceiling, as the faux leaves point straight down.Best Coastal Chic Lamp: Serena & Lily Como Petite Table LampSerena & LilyLizzie SouflerisSerena & Lily Como Petite Table LampA built-in dimmer switch allows you to customize the glow.Looking for some living room table lighting with a touch of coastal grandma style? Look no further than this rattan lamp from Serena and Lily. With its petite size, the light can fill up empty nooks and crannies while perfectly illuminating them. What immediately caught my eye was how the unique, trendy raffia shade complements the sleek ceramic base beautifully, associate visuals editor Shani Kravetz told us. The lamp is the perfect size for a desk or kitchen counter, adding a warm, ambient glow and delightful pop of style.SpecsDimensions: 13.25" Height x 8.25" DiameterMaterials: Ceramic base, hand-glazed with brass hardware; shades in raffia or linenColors: Base: white, coastal blue, sage, dark honey; Shade: white or raffia (in plain taper, fringe, or scalloped finishes)Power source: Plug-inLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E26 Type A15 medium base bulb (60W max) recommendedLight bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindThe switch requires a substantial turn to activate and may not be the best choice for illuminating a full workspace. If the Raffia Wave shade isnt your style, theres three other shade options available, along with a range of colored bases.Best Glass Lamp: West Elm Ribbed Glass Table LampWest ElmLizzie SouflerisWest Elm Ribbed Glass Table LampThis lamp comes in three different sizes. We tested the 9" version.This design-forward white table lamp (which is inspired by a Japanese lantern) has us doing a double take thanks to its silhouette and subtle texture. According to commerce editor Audrey Lee, Theres something about this little lamp thats incredibly soothing. With a glass shape that doesnt scream light fixture, its the perfect way to add pizzazz to any nightstand or dimly lit corner, especially if you prefer contemporary or postmodern design aesthetics. This West Elm light emits a subtle glow in such a beautiful way, and I love that the ribbed design doesnt disappear when its turned on, says Audrey. I like to have just this on if Im about to turn in for the night but want to watch a show or two to help lull me to sleepits just perfect.SpecsDimensions: 9" Height x 7.75" Diameter; 13.4" Height x 10" Diameter; 18" Height x 13.5" DiameterMaterials: Glass, PVC cordColors: Champagne, amberPower source: Plug-in, in-line on/off switchLight bulb requirementsBulb type: 60W incandescent bulb or LED equivalent recommended, 9" size has E12 bulb socket; 13" and 18" sizes have E26 bulb socket.Light bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindWhile its definitely not dim, this lamp might be best served as a mood lighting moment rather than a solid light source youd want for reading or working.Best Portable Lamp: &Tradition Flowerpot V9 Rechargeable LED Table LampAnthropologieLizzie SouflerisFlowerpot V9 Rechargeable LED Table LampChoose your brightness with this lamp's three touch-activated levels.Not only is the Flowerpot Lamp, designed by Verner Panton, a modern design stapleits also a portable lamp with endless versatility. Need a little more light during transitional hours? How about an extra glow for your outdoor dining table? Commerce director Rachel Fletcher called the petite light source By far one of the cutest things I own. Great for emitting a soft, romantic light, Rachel loves that it can easily live at her desk or tag along to a backyard hang thanks to the portable design. I have the bright forest green, which gives me frog on a lily pad vibes every time I look at it, and it comes in lots of other shades including more subdued earth tones and metallics. And if you love the look but want something more substantial, it is also available in a pendant style as well as a larger, plugged in version (seen here in podcaster Karen Kilgariff's LA office).SpecsDimensions: 11.5" Height x 9" DiameterMaterials: Polycarbonate, steelColors: Swim blue, cobalt blue, stone blue, tangy pink, vermillion red, dark plum, mustard, signal green, matte black, matte white, matte light grey, grey beige, brass-plated, chrome-platedPower source: Rechargeable battery, micro USB charging cableLight bulb requirementsBulb type: 3W LED built-in bulbLight bulb included? YesWhat to keep in mindThis lamp, compared to the portable Bellhop, doesn't have a very long charge (the Flowerpot is said to last 10 hours while the Bellhop estimates 24). It also requires its own charging cord (included) that has to be angled just so, as it's hidden under the base of the lamp, which seems like a slightly annoying design feature.Best Small Lamp: Pottery Barn Fallon Forged Iron Table LampPottery BarnLizzie SouflerisPottery Barn Fallon Forged Iron Table LampThis lamp is one of the tallest we tested, but still has a fairly small footprint.The rustic iron base and clean white shade makes this Pottery Barn lamp perfect for anyone looking to build a modern space thats classic, simple, and vintage-inspired. Its slim enough that it wont overwhelm wherever youll put it, notes Audrey. You kind of get the best of both worlds with this little lamp: The textured base gives the piece an unfinished look, but the crisp, linen shade makes it feel pristine and less harsh. Easy to style in your office, bedroom, living room, or kitchen, we think this is an especially versatile option if youre looking to buy the same lamp to have in multiple areas of your home.SpecsDimensions: 22" Height x 8" Diameter; 31.5" Height x 10" DiameterMaterials: Forged rustic iron and aluminum, linen shadeColors: BronzePower source: Plug-in, on socket on/off switchLight bulb requirementsBulb type: 75W type A standard bulb or LED equivalent recommendedLight bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindAssembly is minimal but dont be afraid to put in some muscle when youre trying to lock the shade holder onto the lamp base. Youll also want to avoid any super abrasive cleaning products to protect the metal finish.Best Rechargeable Lamp: Flos Bellhop Rechargeable LED Table LampLizzie SouflerisFlos Bellhop Rechargeable LED Table LampA button controls this lamp's four-step dimmer.If you have an outdoor space, you know the importance of having a cordless lamp you can tote on the short journey inside to grab more drinks or snacks once the sun has gone down. Or maybe you want to guide guests to the backyard for a little midnight gossip session around the fire pit. Whatever it is, this rechargeable lamp is easy to grab and is available in a plethora of colors. With a vaguely mushroomy look according to Rachel, its small stature and four dimmable light levels makes it endlessly versatile. I've seen them featured in Hypebeast homes, minimalist Barcelona bedrooms, tiny Sydney apartments, and grand Austin estates, so chances are it'll work for whatever design scheme resonates with you, says Rachel. The last note I'd make is that the price point is quite steep at over $300 for such a tiny piece. While there are lots of dupes on the market, I'd definitely stick with the original as it's been through the ringer with me for the last two years.SpecsDimensions: 8.375" Height x 5" DiameterMaterials: PolycarbonateColors: Burnt orange, dark brown, grey, grey blue, white, yellow, matte blackPower source: Rechargeable battery, USB charging cableLight bulb requirementsBulb type: Rechargeable LED bulbLight bulb included? YesWhat to keep in mindIf you're looking for a super bright desk or task lamp, this is not it! I'd also opt for a non matte option in the future because the black shows all the imperfections which, because I tote it around a lot, there are many bumps and bruises.Best Cottagecore Lamp: Lulu & Georgia Jordan Table Lamp(Editor's Note: The petite version of this lamp is currently being restocked with a preorder option. We recommend the Jordan Floor Lamp from the same collection as a substitute.)Lulu & GeorgiaLizzie SouflerisLulu & Georgia Jordan Table LampThe pleated shade on this lamp feels both vintage and modern.This updated take on a vintage silhouette from Lulu & Georgia is sure to steal the show. The Jordan is the Goldilocks of table lampsnot too dim, not too brightjust right, says AD Pro associate director Lila Allen. Describing it as a wee bit on the smaller side, Lila found a perfect place for the piece on her nightstand. Its ruffled, patterned fabric and wavy shade mean it fits well into a cottagecore scheme, if thats your thing, but its metallic sheen on the base gives it a little edge and allows it to blend into more eclectic interiors too. With a corded toggle switch that makes it easy to switch on and off theres no need to crank your arm into the interior of the shade.SpecsDimensions: 13.75" Height x 13.1" DiameterMaterials: Steel, linen shadeColors: Antique brassPower source: Plug-in, in-line on/off switchLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E12 40W bulb recommendedLight bulb included? NoWhat to keep in mindBuyers should be aware that this lamp requires an E12-base bulb (I couldnt find one at my local hardware store, but Amazon had plenty). Cleaning is a mixed bag: The base can be wiped with a cloth, but the fabric shade might take a bit more care. If your home tends to collect dust, a lint roller should do the job.Best Shape: McGee & Co. Vedruna Table LampMcGee & Co.Lizzie SouflerisMcGee & Co. Vedruna Table LampIf the orange lamp wasn't your style, this ode to an avocado is sure to delight.Interiors guru Shea McGee brings her signature touch to this quirky table lamp. Multiple friends and passersby have noted how much the base looks like a design-forward avocado, Audrey remarks. I think this lamp could really work in pretty much any space, from more reserved interiors to design schemes that lean more eclectic. The sculptural base of this decorative light is topped with a neutral white linen shade for a striking contrast that keeps things feeling coastal chic in a contemporary way. For this lamp, youll want to keep it looking pristine with a dry cloth to wipe away dust and smudges, avoiding harsh cleaners that might damage the finish.SpecsDimensions: 13" Height x 9" DiameterMaterials: Ceramic earthenware, metal, fabric shadeColors: BrownPower source: Plug-inLight bulb requirementsBulb type: E26 type A 90 / 9 LED bulb recommendedLight bulb included? YesWhat to keep in mindThe base of the lamp is a bit on the heavy side so you may want to take the necessary precautions to ensure it doesnt tip over.Best Fabric Lamp: Scrunch Table Lamp by Kara MannCB2Lizzie Soufleris

Despite our best intentions to budget better in 2025, its hard to resist the SSENSE sale going on right now. If youre recovering retail-therapy apologists like us, the urge to splurge is strong when youre being offered a sweet home deal in returnespecially when those savings are up to 75% off, shifting something completely out of budget into more of a sweet spot for your wallet.The Canadian retailer is notorious for hosting epic sales, but also for the sheer number of picks shoppers have to sift through in SSENSE's vast catalogue of clothes and decor. Beyond designer labels and extremely indie upstarts in the clothing realm, everything from Nordic Knots rugs to squiggly vases and Smeg appliances are up for grabs in the sites well-stocked Everything Else section.The Best Deals at the SSENSE Winter Sale:Best Beauty and Bath Deal: Prada Olfactories Pink Flamingos Eau de Parfum, $430 $241Best Home Decor Deal: Audo Copenhagen Black & Gold Small chasse Bowl, $150 $101Best Kitchen and Tabletop Deal: Sophie Lou Jacobsen Teal Wave Pitcher, $225 $153Best Rug Deal: Nordic Knots Off-White Simple Object 18 Rug, $1,295 $751Best Furniture Deal: Muuto White Small Around Coffee Table, $550 $347Best Loungewear Deal: Sleeper Black Party Pyjama Set, $430 $172Best Candle Deal: Clment Boutillon Candle & Candle Holder Set, $140 $42Just in time for Presidents Day, SSENSE just dropped another bombshell of a sale: up to 75% off a large selection of its home goods and recent winter styles. Below, we did the browsing for you to tally up some of the most worthy deals to secure before someone else does this week, including must-haves for the kitchen, bathroom, and beyond. Theres no promo code necessary, just a healthy appetite for tasty savings (and maybe some storage space for all the goods youll be stockpiling). Just keep in mind that many of the most highly sought-after items will move quickly, so theres no time to delay with SSENSEs Presidents Day deals.If youre on the lookout for something specific, shop by category:Bath and Beauty DealsHurry! A few rarely discounted bath and beauty items are currently in our SSENSE carts. Were talking luxury perfumes from big brand names like Prada, Tom Ford, and Creed, plus skincare sets from Dr. Barbara Sturm. Some of these are discovery kits, which come with samples to find your holy grail products before you commit to the full-size, full-price items.Prada Olfactories Pink Flamingos Eau de ParfumTom Ford Rose Prick Eau de Parfum SetCreed Limited Edition Women's 5-Piece Discovery SetDr. Barbara Sturm Discovery KitHome Accent DealsSSENSEs sale section features notable discounts of decor must-haves like minimalist hand-blown glass bowls, funky vases, and sculptural planters from top home decor brands like Audo and Forma Rosa Studio. At discounts as steep as 75%, its easier to rationalize adding even the splurgiest items to your cart.Audo Copenhagen Black & Gold Small chasse BowlForma Rosa Studio Green Botryoidal PlanterMENU Orange Large chasse BowlForma Rosa Studio Wave Form VaseKitchen and Tabletop DealsThe tabletop is where SSENSEs Everything Else section really shines. The retailer offers classic (and very giftable) kitchen gadgets and appliances from brands like Smeg, and Alessi, but also more experimental hand-crafted ceramics, flatware, and fine Italian glassware.SMEG Black Retro-Style 4 Slice ToasterAlessi Silver Port BasketSophie Lou Jacobsen Teal Wave PitcherNatalia Criado Gold Stone Cutlery SetAarke Copper Carbonator 3Furniture DealsCovetable clothes and smaller decor pieces make up the bulk of SSENSE's stock, but the site also sells a few larger furniture pieces from innovative brands like Muuto and Curves by Sean Brown, alongside classics like Herman Miller and Vitra. Not too many of these items are marked down right now, but SSENSE is consistently adding more styles to the sale section.Muuto White Small Around Coffee TableCurves by Sean Brown White Archway ChairAccessories and Loungewear DealsPunxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, so gear up for six more weeks of pulling from your winter wardrobe. Add to your collection with comfy and luxe loungewear and accessories, including Sporty & Rich sweatpants or a Marni wool and mohair scarf (one of our editors top recos for friends and family).Sporty & Rich French Lounge PantsTekla Poplin Long-Sleeved Pyjama ShirtAcne Studios Crewneck SweatshirtMarni Blue Wool & Mohair ScarfSleeper Black Party Pyjama SetSKIMS Blue Cotton Fleece Classic HoodieCarhartt Work In Progress Black OG Active Sweat HoodieCandle DealsThe candle sales at SSENSE are pages and pages worth of scrolling fodder, and theyre a tried-and-true holiday gift idea to boot. The retailer offers a number of scented candles from favorite brands like DS & Durga, Diptyque, and Troye Sivan's Tsu Lang Yor. At the moment, there are big deals on products from smaller and up-and-coming brands, plus we even spotted a few markdowns on conversation-starting candles from Versace.Soft-Geometry Tall Gola CandleClment Boutillon Candle & Candle Holder SetVersace White Rosenthal 'I Heart Baroque' Scented CandleSoft Good DealsWhether youre looking to refresh your bedding, stock up on new bath towels, or find a new throw blanket for the couch, there are a wide range of soft and cozy options to wrap yourself in this winter and into the spring season. Plus, we spotted a few discounted tablecloths from Off-White and Tekla to level up your tablescape game.Magniberg Yellow Bold BlanketTekla SSENSE Exclusive Navy Towel Set

A bad seed? Torrenting from a corporate laptop doesnt feel right: Meta emails unsealed Meta's alleged torrenting and seeding of pirated books complicates copyright case. Ashley Belanger Feb 6, 2025 4:26 pm | 73 Credit: Devonyu | iStock / Getty Images Plus Credit: Devonyu | iStock / Getty Images Plus Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreNewly unsealed emails allegedly provide the "most damning evidence" yet against Meta in a copyright case raised by book authors alleging that Meta illegally trained its AI models on pirated books.Last month, Meta admitted to torrenting a controversial large dataset known as LibGen, which includes tens of millions of pirated books. But details around the torrenting were murky until yesterday, when Meta's unredacted emails were made public for the first time. The new evidence showed that Meta torrented "at least 81.7 terabytes of data across multiple shadow libraries through the site Annas Archive, including at least 35.7 terabytes of data from Z-Library and LibGen," the authors' court filing said. And "Meta also previously torrented 80.6 terabytes of data from LibGen.""The magnitude of Metas unlawful torrenting scheme is astonishing," the authors' filing alleged, insisting that "vastly smaller acts of data piracyjust .008 percent of the amount of copyrighted works Meta piratedhave resulted in Judges referring the conduct to the US Attorneys office for criminal investigation."Seeding expands authors distribution theoryBook authors had been pressing Meta for more information on the torrenting because of the seemingly obvious copyright concern of Meta seeding, and thus seemingly distributing, the pirated books in the dispute.But Meta resisted those discovery attempts after an order denied authors' request to review Meta's torrenting and seeding data. That didn't stop authors from gathering evidence anyway, including a key document that starts with at least one staffer appearing to uncomfortably joke about the possible legal risks, eventually growing more serious about raising his concerns."Torrenting from a corporate laptop doesnt feel right," Nikolay Bashlykov, a Meta research engineer, wrote in an April 2023 message, adding a smiley emoji. In the same message, he expressed "concern about using Meta IP addresses 'to load through torrents pirate content.'"By September 2023, Bashlykov had seemingly dropped the emojis, consulting the legal team directly and emphasizing in an email that "using torrents would entail seeding the filesi.e., sharing the content outside, this could be legally not OK."Emails discussing torrenting prove that Meta knew it was "illegal," authors alleged. And Bashlykov's warnings seemingly landed on deaf ears, with authors alleging that evidence showed Meta chose to instead hide its torrenting as best it could while downloading and seeding terabytes of data from multiple shadow libraries as recently as April 2024.Meta allegedly concealed seedingSupposedly, Meta tried to conceal the seeding by not using Facebook servers while downloading the dataset to "avoid" the "risk" of anyone "tracing back the seeder/downloader" from Facebook servers, an internal message from Meta researcher Frank Zhang said, while describing the work as in "stealth mode." Meta also allegedly modified settings "so that the smallest amount of seeding possible could occur," a Meta executive in charge of project management, Michael Clark, said in a deposition.Now that new information has come to light, authors claim that Meta staff involved in the decision to torrent LibGen must be deposed again, because allegedly the new facts "contradict prior deposition testimony."Mark Zuckerberg, for example, claimed to have no involvement in decisions to use LibGen to train AI models. But unredacted messages show the "decision to use LibGen occurred" after "a prior escalation to MZ," authors alleged.Meta did not immediately respond to Ars' request for comment and has maintained throughout the litigation that AI training on LibGen was "fair use."However, Meta has previously addressed its torrenting in a motion to dismiss filed last month, telling the court that "plaintiffs do not plead a single instance in which any part of any book was, in fact, downloaded by a third party from Meta via torrent, much less that Plaintiffs books were somehow distributed by Meta."While Meta may be confident in its legal strategy despite the new torrenting wrinkle, the social media company has seemingly complicated its case by allowing authors to expand the distribution theory that's key to winning a direct copyright infringement claim beyond just claiming that Meta's AI outputs unlawfully distributed their works.As limited discovery on Meta's seeding now proceeds, Meta is not fighting the seeding aspect of the direct copyright infringement claim at this time, telling the court that it plans to "set... the record straight and debunk... this meritless allegation on summary judgment."Ashley BelangerSenior Policy ReporterAshley BelangerSenior Policy Reporter Ashley is a senior policy reporter for Ars Technica, dedicated to tracking social impacts of emerging policies and new technologies. She is a Chicago-based journalist with 20 years of experience. 73 Comments