It comes as the company leans more heavily into AI and as it faces pressure from lawmakers.

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The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more.As the number of internet of things (IoT) devices is projected to reach 40 billion by 2030, IoT integration into our daily lives is undeniable. From smart homes to industrial systems, IoT devices offer unprecedented convenience and efficiency. Netgears 2024 IoT Security Landscape report found that IoT devices, including TV sets, smart plugs, routers, and more face frequent attacks, with an average of 10 per device, per day. The rapid adoption of IoT is outpacing the security measures necessary to protect them.The rise of IoT goes beyond smart homes, reaching into critical sectors like healthcare, utilities, and transportation, where the stakes are far higher. A security breach in these areas could lead to devastating outcomes, from personal data theft to operational disruptions in essential operations. To fully realize IoTs potential, it is crucial to rethink device security, establish stronger standards, and foster a security-first culture that aims to protect the systems driving our future.The explosion of IoTand its security gapsThe rise of IoT has been transformative. What began as simple, smart devices in homes has expanded into a vast, interconnected ecosystem that touches nearly every industry such as agriculture, healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing. IoT devices now power real-time decision making, automate complex systems and optimize operations at a global scale. However, significant security gaps threaten to undermine these benefits. Many IoT devices lack fundamental protections like encryption, regular firmware updates, and secure boot processes. The issue is compounded by the sheer volume of devices now deployedeach a potential entry point for attackers. In many cases, once an IoT device is compromised, it can serve as a gateway to more critical systems, creating a ripple effect of vulnerabilities across entire networks.Key risks include default security settings, limited processing power and memory, and the lack of standardized security protocols across the IoT ecosystem. These gaps allow attackers to exploit devices to access sensitive data, disrupt essential services, or breach larger, more critical networks, putting the integrity of entire systems at risk.The role of users and manufacturers in IoT securityIoT security is a shared responsibility between users and manufacturers, who play crucial roles in safeguarding devices from cyber threats. Manufacturers are primarily responsible for designing and developing secure devices, but they sometimes need to prioritize time-to-market over comprehensive security features. Many IoT devices, such as smart home gadgets, cameras, and wearables, are produced by companies with limited experience in cybersecurity, leading to vulnerabilities in device firmware and communication protocols. Inadequate testing and security oversight at the design and development stages expose devices to risks like unauthorized access and data breaches.On the user side, negligence in maintaining device security further exacerbates these risks. Users often fail to change default passwords, leaving their devices vulnerable to brute-force attacks. Users often do not regularly update firmware or software, unaware that patches are released to fix known vulnerabilities. Many consumers also need to gain awareness of the potential privacy risks, such as the misuse of personal data collected by their devices, which can be exploited if not correctly and adequately protected.The complexity of addressing these issues lies in the need for more standardization across the industry. Manufacturers often release products with proprietary systems that dont always adhere to universal security frameworks, making it difficult for users to implement best practices consistently. Without standardized security protocols and better consumer education, the IoT ecosystem will continue to face challenges.Implement best practices for IoT securityAs IoT systems are integrated into critical infrastructure and daily life, evolving policy changes are essential to address growing risks. Regulatory frameworks, such as stricter data protection laws and mandatory security standards for IoT devices, will play a pivotal role in enhancing the security environment. Governments and organizations should work together to develop global security standards that mandate encryption, authentication protocols, and regular software updates. These policies will not only encourage manufacturers to design more secure devices but also hold companies accountable for maintaining security throughout the lifecycle of their products.Given the scale and complexity of IoT ecosystems, traditional security measures often fall short. This is where AI and machine learning can play a transformative role. AI-driven security systems can analyze large datasets generated by IoT devices in real-time, identifying anomalies that might signal a breach. Machine learning algorithms improve over time, enabling them to predict and preempt emerging threats before they escalate. That said, the technologies effectiveness depends on its proper integration with existing security infrastructures and ongoing updates informed by the latest threat intelligence.Your voice matters. Insist that manufacturers prioritize security by choosing products from companies that are transparent about their security practices and committed to regular updates. By supporting policies and initiatives that push for better security practices across the board, you help ensure that all devices, from the smallest sensor to the most complex system, are built with security in mind.Svetlin Todorov is cofounder of Shelly and CEO of Shelly U.S.A.

Saturday Night Livewas built with acast of young no-namesperforming countercultural comedy. Fifty years later, it is firmly part of the culture, dictating mainstream comedy instead of throwing spitballs from the margins.The show has become an incubator of talent think Will Ferrell, Chris Rock, Amy Poehler, Billy Crystal, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Phil Hartman, Pete Davidson and Tracy Morgan. Its sketches have sparked Hollywood movies, from The Blues Brothers and Waynes World to MacGruber and Coneheads.But SNL has embedded itself in our culture in deeper ways, from slogans like Were not worthy! to You look mahvelous! It inspiresHalloween costumes, connects viewers to the news via Weekend Update and may even haveinfluenced elections.As the showgears up to celebrate its milestone,here are 12 moments over the past five decades when the show didnt just reflect pop culture it drove it.Wolverines, 1975This was the first sketch from the first show, an absurdist-meets-physical comedy interaction between a student played by John Belushi and his English teacher, played by head writer Michael ODonoghue. I would like to feed your fingertips to the wolverines, the teacher asks his pupil to repeat.The show, then called NBCs Saturday Night, would have George Carlin as the first host. Jim Hensons Muppets had a sketch and Andy Kaufman lip-synched the Mighty Mouse theme song. Billy Preston played his hit Nothing From Nothing and later folk singer Janis Ian sang At Seventeen and In the Winter. Preston closed things out with Fancy Lady.New York magazine called its promise enormous and the Chicago Tribune said it premiered in superb fashion. The Los Angeles Times said it was bright and bouncy and even suggested it move to prime time.King Tut, 1978Steve Martinsaw this off-the-wall novelty song about ancient Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun capture the nations imagination during a goofy performance. It eventually reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over 1 million copies after he performed it on SNL.The comedian was parodying the hysteria and commercialization surrounding a traveling Tutankhamun exhibit, dancing sideways as he sang King Tut/Buried with a donkey/Funky Tut/Hes my favorite honky!The song was riddled with errors: King Tut was not born in Arizona, he did not live in a condo made of stone-a and he was not buried in his jammies. Nevertheless, the song went viral long before there was an internet.The French Chef, 1978Dan Aykroydparodied iconic chef Julia Child in a cooking segment gone horribly wrong: She cuts the dickens out of her finger, releasing staggeringly large spurts of blood, tries first aid and then collapses face-first in a puddle of her own blood.It was inspired by a real injury on the set of Childs The French Chef and was written by Tom Davis and Al Franken (the future former senator was also under the table pumping blood out of a tube on Aykroyds arm).Instead of being offended, Child enjoyed Aykroyds parody of herself so much that the book Baking With Julia recounts she would play the tape at her own dinner parties, crying out, Save the liver!White Like Me, 1984Long before white privilege became a mainstream concept,Eddie Murphyin a landmark sketch put on white face makeup to see how he would be treated as a white man in New York.It was a parody of the famous 1961 book Black Like Me, in which a white journalist went undercover as a Black man. You can see the legacy in Chappelles Show, Whoopi Goldbergs The Associate and White Chicks.In the skit, a cashier wont take his money for a newspaper (Slowly, I began to realize that when white people are alone, they give things to each other for free), a city bus turns into a party after the lone Black passenger gets off and a bank clerk simply hands him $50,000 in cash. So what did I learn from all of this? Murphy asks at the end. I learned that we still have a very long way to go in this country before all men are truly equal.Sinad OConnor, 1992The Irish singercapped her a cappella cover of Bob Marleys War by holding up a photo of Pope John Paul II and tearing it into pieces. Fight the real enemy, she said. SNL was blindsided. During rehearsals, OConnor had instead held up an image of a refugee child.She was protesting child sex abuse in the Catholic Church, a decade before theBoston Globe revealed asystematic cover-up that forced the church to apologize and pay millions.NBC banned OConnor from SNL for life, Joe Pesci mocked her during the next weeks show and Frank Sinatra called her one stupid broad. Her albumswere crushed by a steamroller in Times Square. Less than two weeks later, OConnor made her first public appearance following the incident at a Bob Dylan concert at Madison Square Garden and she was jeered asKris Kristofferson consoled her.White House vs. Waynes World, 1993White House figures are a long-standingtarget for SNL.In 1993, the White House fired back.In a Waynes World sketch, Mike Myers and Dana Carveys immature, basement-dwelling characters suggested first daughter Chelsea Clinton, then 13, wasnt as attractive as then-vice president Al Gores daughters.Hillary Clinton scoldedproducer Lorne Michaelsand his writers for having nothing better to do than be mean and cruel to a young girl. Michaels issued an apology, Myers apologized to the Clintons and the joke was cut from subsequent reruns of the sketch.More Cowbell, 2000Anotherwacky skit that permanently entered the culturewas when Christopher Walken, playing a producer as Blue yster Cult recorded (Dont Fear) the Reaper, insisted: I gotta have more cowbell.The sketch widely regarded as one of the shows greatest lampooned the excess of 70s rock and became a shorthand for adding one too many layers. The irony is that the idea was submitted some seven times before finally airing.Blue yster Cult had to ban people from bringing actual cowbells to their concerts and Walken has said people tease him about cowbells everywhere he goes. The sketch was so influential that producers of the four-part SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night dedicated an entire episode to the parody.First show after 9/11, 2001Less than three weeks after 9/11, Saturday Night Live aired one of its most memorable openings.Rudy Giuliani, then New York Citys mayor,was flanked by firefighters and police officers who had just left ground zero.Calling Saturday Night Live one of New Yorks greatest institutions, Giuliani said: Having our citys institutions up and running sends a message that New York City is open for business.Can we be funny? Michaels asked, to which the mayor responded with perfect timing, Why start now?That joke told everyone that things could be all right.Ashlee Simpson, 2004The younger sister of Jessica Simpson, making her SNL musical debut, first performed her hit Pieces of Me. All good. But when she came back to play the title track from her album Autobiography, the audience heard the vocal track from the first song by mistake.Awkwardness ensued. Simpson did a silly shuffle and then walked off stage as her group continued to play and the show cut to commercial. She later said a case of acid reflux forced her to lip-sync that night.The incident drew attention to one of pop cultures worst-kept secrets:Lip-syncing was way more commonthan performers or the music industry wanted us to think. Billboard magazine ranked it second among lip-sync scandals in modern pop history afterMilli Vanilli.Lazy Sunday, 2005SNL is live, of course, but sometimes the funniest bits are pretaped, like the digital shorts fromAndy Samberg and his Lonely Island compatriots,Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer. They crafted 101 digital shorts between 2005 and 2012 many of them destined for virality, from Dick in a Box, with Justin Timberlake, to Natalies Rap with Natalie Portman and Shy Ronnie with Rihanna.Lazy Sunday was the second video SNL viewers got from the trio, starring Samberg and Chris Parnell rapping about hilariously mundane yuppie activities, like grabbing cupcakes and using Google Maps. It inspired an entire genre of video-shot joke raps and fed a fast-growing site that people had only just become aware of YouTube.Lazy Sunday was the first TV show clip to have a viral second life online, with 2 million-plus viewings in its first week alone. That week, YouTubes traffic was up 83%.Tina Fey does Sarah Palin, 2008Many people believe that Republican vice-presidential candidate Palin once uttered: I can see Russia from my house. She never said that. That was Fey in her first appearance as Palin on SNL.Feys spot-on impression later leaning into the more ridiculous sayings the candidate had offered may have changed some mindsand therefore influenced the presidential election, an amazing thing for a comedy show. CNN coined the phrase the Tina Fey Effect.People actually did studies on the Tina Fey Effect after the 2008 election and found Republican and independent voters liked Palin less after watching the SNL rendition of the politician, even though Palin herself appeared on the show alongside Fey to show she was in on the joke.Welcome to Hell, 2017SNL addressedthe #MeToo movementwith a pitch-perfect video a bubblegum song with lyrics about how women have suffered abuse and harassment for centuries.Guest host Saoirse Ronan was joined by cast members Melissa Villaseor, Leslie Jones, Aidy Bryant, Kate McKinnon and Cecily Strong, many of whom had teamed up for hysterical pop girl group songs likeFirst Got Horny 2 U,Back Home Ballers,and(Do It on My) Twin Bed.This time, the comedy was bleak: Now House of Cards is ruined, goes the song, and that really sucks. Well, heres a list of stuff thats ruined for us: parking, and walking, and Uber, and ponytails, and bathrobes, and nighttime, and drinking, and hotels, and vans.Mark Kennedy, AP entertainment writer

Photography is an evolving craft, but certain names in the industry evoke a sense of heritage and trust. Olympus, a pioneer in imaging technology, built a legacy with its precision optics and compact camera systems. In 2020, the company transitioned its imaging division to OM Digital Solutions, marking the end of Olympus-branded cameras but not the end of its innovation. The OM System name emerged, carrying forward the DNA of the cameras that many professionals and enthusiasts have relied on for decades.Designer: OM SystemFor those who have followed Olympuss journey, the return of a design inspired by the OM-1 film camera is a moment worth noting. The OM System OM-3, a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, takes cues from the past while integrating modern photographic technology. Designed with portability in mind, the camera caters to urban photographers, travelers, and content creators who appreciate both function and form.Design That Reflects LegacyThe OM-3 captures the essence of classic film cameras with a compact and lightweight build. The metal body adds durability without unnecessary bulk, making it an everyday carry for photographers who prefer a versatile tool that doesnt weigh them down. The layout of the controls ensures an intuitive experience, with tactile dials that offer direct access to exposure settings and creative adjustments.A 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen allows for flexible composition, capturing images at unusual angles or recording video content. The electronic viewfinder features a 2.36M-dot OLED panel, providing a sharp and responsive experience for those who prefer composing through a traditional viewfinder. With IP53-rated weather sealing, the camera resists dust and moisture, making it reliable for outdoor shooting conditions.Computational Photography at the CoreModern imaging technology extends beyond traditional exposure settings, and the OM-3 incorporates computational photography features to enhance creative possibilities. A dedicated Computational Photography Button provides quick access to tools such as Live ND, Live GND, HDR, Focus Stacking, and High-Resolution Shot Modes. These functions allow photographers to achieve professional results in-camera without requiring extensive post-processing.The Live ND and Live GND features enable long-exposure effects without the need for physical filters, a significant advantage for landscape and architectural photography. Focus Stacking ensures deep focus in macro shots, useful for capturing intricate details in product or nature photography. The High-Resolution Shot mode processes multiple frames to generate detailed images beyond the sensors native resolution, ideal for capturing fine textures and expansive scenes.Imaging Technology and PerformanceAt the heart of the OM-3 is a 20.4MP stacked BSI Live MOS sensorpaired with the TruePic X dual quad-core processor. This combination allows for rapid image processing and improved low-light performance. The camera features 1053 cross-type phase-detection AF points, ensuring precise autofocus across the frame. AI Detection AF further enhances subject recognition, identifying human faces, birds, pets, trains, motorcycles, and other moving subjects.The cameras 5-axis in-body image stabilization (IBIS) provides up to 7.5 stops of compensation, reducing motion blur for handheld shooting. This feature benefits both still photography and video capture, making it possible to shoot in lower light conditions without sacrificing sharpness.Versatile Shooting ModesThe OM-3 offers multiple shooting modes to adapt to different creative needs. Silent Sequential Shooting enables bursts at up to 120 fps, which is ideal for action photography where capturing a precise moment matters. Pro Capture mode allows for pre-shutter activation, ensuring that fleeting instances are not missed.For astrophotography enthusiasts, the Starry Sky AF function provides accurate focus on celestial bodies without requiring manual adjustments. Customizable profiles for monochrome and color aesthetics give photographers greater control over their creative output, making it easy to develop a unique visual style straight from the camera.Video Capabilities for Content CreatorsWhile photography remains the core focus, the OM-3 also caters to filmmakers and content creators. The camera supports 4K recording at 60 fps with internal 10-bit H.265 encoding, ensuring high-quality footage without excessive file sizes. The OM-Cinema profiles introduce a professional-grade color profile system, allowing videographers to achieve distinct cinematic looks in-camera.Heat management is engineered to allow extended recording sessions without the risk of thermal shutdown. The camera transitions seamlessly between still photography and video, offering dedicated settings for each mode through a simple dial adjustment.A System Built for ExpansionThe OM System OM-3 is compatible with a broad range of M.Zuiko lenses, including new additions designed to complement the cameras capabilities. Alongside its launch, OM Digital Solutions introduced the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm F1.8 II and 25mm F1.8 II prime lenses. These lenses feature weather-sealed designs, fast apertures, and quiet autofocus, making them ideal for both photography and video applications.For those seeking extended reach, the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II offers a 35mm-equivalent focal length of 200-800mm, with the option to extend to 1600mm using teleconverters. This super-telephoto zoom lens incorporates 5-axis Sync IS, providing up to 7 stops of stabilization for handheld shooting. With an IPX1-rated weather-sealed design, it is built for wildlife and sports photographers who require durability in harsh conditions.Pricing and AvailabilityThe OM System OM-3 will be available in late February 2025, with a suggested retail price of $1,999.99 USD. A bundled kit featuring the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-45mm F4 PRO lens will be priced at $2,299.99 USD. The M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm F1.8 II and 25mm F1.8 II lenses will retail for $549.99 and $499.99 USD, respectively. The 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II lens will be priced at $1,499.99 USD.The OM-3 continues the legacy of photography while addressing the needs of modern creators. The design follows the aesthetics of classic Olympus film cameras, appealing to those who appreciate tactile, deliberate shooting. Its advanced imaging capabilities and computational photography tools provide photographers and videographers with a complete creative solution.For those who have followed Olympus through its decades of innovation, the OM System OM-3 is a nod to the past while embracing the future. It is a camera built for those who appreciate the craft, the process, and the joy of making images that tell a story.The post OM System OM-3: A Return to Classic Design with Modern Precision first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sure, HBO made a stellar mini-series on the Chernobyl disaster but the merch might be getting a little out of hand. Meet the Chernobyl Humidifier an Etsy product that turns a nuclear meltdown into decor that keeps your skin and your plants hydrated. Is it appropriate? Probably not. Is it still hilarious? As a self-proclaimed nihilist, absolutely.Standing at a modest 13 cm tall, 15 cm long, and 12 cm wide, this eerie little relic of the past does more than just serve as a conversation starter. Plug it into a USB port, and it lights up in an unsettlingly realistic glow, simulating the moment history took a catastrophic turn. Instead of deadly radiation, though, you get a steady stream of mist to combat dry air, and if youre feeling particularly cheeky, you can add a few drops of aroma oil. Imagine the juxtaposition of lavender-scented tranquility billowing from the very symbol of nuclear disasterits the kind of irony that would make even the darkest-humored history buff crack a smile.Designer: Alpaca3DIs it in poor taste? Probably. Is it well-executed? Absolutely. The level of craftsmanship here is impressive, turning a symbol of devastation into an oddly functional piece of homeware. The detailing captures the bleak, industrial look of the actual plant, and the fact that it mimics the infamous steam release makes it feel like an inside joke for those who appreciate morbid humor. Theres even a built-in light to mimic the burning remains of the infrastructure surrounding the nuclear reactor. It gets full marks for accuracy, and probably zero marks for appropriateness.The product was discovered on Reddits ATBGE (Awful Taste But Great Execution) channel, with multiple users chiming in with some hilarious one-liners. The reviews are glowing, said one user, Im getting it for my model train layout, said another. It also has a 96% 5-star rating on Etsy, which somehow makes me laugh out loud but also believe were doomed as a society. Cue in the This Is Fine dog meme.Theres something darkly poetic about repurposing one of humanitys greatest tragedies into an appliance meant to improve air quality. Its like laughing in the face of disaster, turning something once feared into something functional, even comforting. Maybe thats why this humidifier has found an audiencebecause sometimes, humor and absurdity are the best ways to process the weight of history. Or maybe its just a ridiculously niche novelty item that happens to be really, really cool.Available on Etsy from Alpaca3D for around $80 (or as STL files if youd rather 3D print it yourself), this humidifier is proof that the internet has no shortage of bizarre, questionably ethical, and weirdly compelling products. If nothing else, it guarantees that every guest who walks into your home will pause, blink, and ask, Uh is that Chernobyl? And is there truly any better home decor to capture the nihilist worlds doomed sentiment of our current times? Now only if someone designed a Twin Towers-shaped kitchen roll holderThe post This Chernobyl-Inspired Humidifier Is the Weirdest (and Coolest) Thing Youll See Today first appeared on Yanko Design.

At least dozens of workers at the Technology Transformation Service were fired on Wednesday, a day after similar sudden cuts at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

After years of GOP attacks on US health agencies, Trump appointees are poised to bring Covid-19 conspiracies to their leadership of US agencies. Federal workers are scared of what comes next.

The company answered the billionaires offer in a legal filing, accusing him of hypocrisy.

The Silicon Valley giant said it made the change last year because it was difficult to keep up with every occasion, but some users questioned the decision.