Spotify just announced integration with popular DJ software platforms like rekordbox, Serato and djay. This will make it much easier to build out sets from playlists and to do cool stuff like blend tracks.The company says that users "will be able to access their entire library and playlists directly within desktop DJ software," with just one caveat. This is only for Premium subscribers. The integration is available in 51 global markets.It looks pretty easy to get started. Just log into a Premium account directly inside of the preferred DJ software. That's pretty much it.It's worth noting that this isn't a brand-new idea. Spotify offered something similar for years, but stopped supporting third-party DJ platforms in 2020. This was a business decision that was believed to be based on rights constraints.The platform has been busy lately. Spotify recently introduced lossless streaming and an in-app messaging feature. However, it still pays artists peanuts while making nearly $17 billion each year. It's also worth remembering that CEO Daniel Ek is heavily invested in a military AI company called Helsing.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/music/spotify-now-directly-integrates-with-dj-software-090055300.html?src=rss

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Alibaba plans to increase spending on AI models and infrastructure development even further, Chief Executive Officer Eddie Wu said Wednesday.

And, yes, theres a full issue of the magazine coming on the film!The post Watch Unions visual effects breakdown for 28 Years Later appeared first on befores & afters.

Hi everyone! Cara is currently experiencing very high traffic load and we are aware some users have had trouble accessing the platform or signing up these last couple days. We would like to post an update on the sites current status:First of allweve had a spike in new user signups and we want to say a warm welcome to all new users! Unfortunately, there were also some attacks on Cara mixed in, so it took a while for our team to disentangle things, but services should start returning to normal now. Currently known issues & troubleshooting infoCan't signup Signups were blocked for a few hours while we fixed things, please try again now & let us know if you still can't sign in or sign up. Profile pictures not saving on mobile app Try using cara.app in browser and see if that solves the issueOTPs sent to emails timing out We can't figure out what's causing this, please contact us with info on the email service you're using/any screenshots.You can also use Google/Apple instead of email to sign up, but you dont wish to, rest assured we are actively looking into the issue.AI detection alerts Edge cases where alerts pop up for AI detection and user can't publish their postthis was a feature in our early beta from over half a year ago, and its already been depreciated and should no longer be happening. If this occurs, please verify you're on latest version of the app and contact us with your device and OS version, and any other info you can provide!Glaze is temporarily disabled This is due to our security measures and we will work to reenable it as soon as we can get through all other security and access issues.TLDR: Site experienced huge traffic spike of genuine traffic mixed in with some attacks on Cara. We have some temporary measures in place now which should help the site return to normal while we work on permanent solutions. If you still experience slowness or outages, please report to the team as it helps us immensely to be aware of whats happening. We appreciate everyones patience and understanding as we work through all this! Gentle reminder that Cara is still in beta so there may be hiccups and things are far from polished. We hope you can be patient with us as Cara is built by a group of volunteers and we are a very small team! Supporting Cara You can support Cara with Buy Us a Coffee. Everything go towards hosting and server costs to help keep Cara running. If youd like to join our volunteer team at Cara, we are looking for engineers, project assistants, moderators, and social media and support staff to help our growing community. Check out our blog post for more info. Bug ReportsBug reports are always helpful!Cara is a huge engineering effort for a small team, and we cant always catch every bug. If you let us know when you encounter issues, then we can look into them, or else we may not even be aware!So please contact us if you encounter any bugs or issues. You can reach us via Discord or email: support@cara.app Thank you for the support! - The Cara Team Have questions? Join us on Discord!cara | twitter | instagram | buy us a coffee

When people think innovation, they tend to think startup. Theres no question that the most transformative ideas in business often emerge from young ventures: new entrepreneurs building new companies powered by new ideas. At Fast Company, we peer around a lot of corners, trying to identify the most compelling stories emerging from this undiscovered terrain.But I have a little secret to share. While I love the shock of the new as much as the next business journalist, theres a subset of innovation coverage that I tend to find more surprising and inspiringgreat stories about legacy businesses that are innovating from within. This issue is full of fine examples of this, starting with our cover story on Starbucks and its CEO, Brian Niccol, by global design editor Mark Wilson.Shortly after taking the Starbucks job a year ago, Niccol launched a back-to-basics strategy. He culled the bloated menu, launched an ad campaign that refocused consumers attention on the quality of the coffee itself, jettisoned those printed drink-order stickers on cups for cute handwritten Sharpie notes, and worked to improve the physical experience of sitting in a Starbucks and enjoying your drink. All of these moves acknowledged that in its pursuit of operational efficiency (including a gold-standard app for pickup orders), the coffee giant had lost some magic.Niccol has stabilized Starbucks, but the strategy has yet to deliver the results shareholders expect and demand. He insists that its early still, and that his plan for year twoincluding a full redesign of 1,000 storeswill move the numbers in a meaningful way. Wilson explains and analyzes this plan in detail.Later in the issue, senior staff writer Elizabeth Segran talks to Latriece Watkins, the chief merchant at Walmart and a two-decade veteran of the company. Watkinss delicate task: attracting affluent shoppers to the value chain without alienating its budget-conscious consumer base.And I interviewed ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro about the sports behemoths new eponymous streaming service, which finally debuted in late August after years of planning and half-measures such as ESPN+. Among the topics we covered was gambling, an increasingly integrated feature of the ESPN experience. Is that innovative? Sure. Is it good for sports (and society)? Almost certainly not.Theres probably another reason I like to readand publishjournalism about innovation at legacy companies: Fast Company is itself a legacy brand. We turn 30 this fall. In November 1995, Bill Taylor and Alan Webber, whod formerly worked at the Harvard Business Review, launched this sui generis business magazine. It immediately spawned a flurry of imitators, such as Business 2.0, Red Herring, and The Industry Standard. Only Fast Company remains. I like to think that its because we take what we cover so seriouslyand learn from it.Happy birthday to us! And thank you, as always, for being here.

The X12, by Chinese mobility company XSTO, is a complete re-think of the electric wheelchair.It features four independently-suspended wheels, each with their own electric motor, and a further ten motors that control the chair's disposition. It also features a unique tread system that allows the user to ascend stairs, albeit backwards.Descending stairs is done in a forward position.The tread system also comes into play in "caterpillar mode," which is used to traverse gaps that a regular wheelchair couldn't handle.The company says they're taking pre-orders and will launch the product later this year. Prices had not been announced at press time.

Chess sets have traditionally relied on color and intricate figurative details to help players distinguish between sides, but this approach often creates barriers for people with visual impairments or those playing in low-light conditions. Most designers focus on making chess pieces more ornate or visually striking, yet few consider how the fundamental interaction with the game could be improved through thoughtful geometric design.What makes the +- Chess set particularly compelling is how it tackles these accessibility challenges through pure geometric logic rather than decorative solutions. By using convex shapes for one side and concave shapes for the other, this concept design creates instant visual and tactile distinction that works equally well whether youre looking at the board or navigating the game entirely through touch.Designers: Ana K. & Sandro Lominashvili (Integrated Architecture)The pieces themselves follow a strict geometric vocabulary that feels both minimalist and purposeful. You get smooth, domed surfaces for the + side and scalloped, indented profiles for the side. Each piece type remains distinguishable through height and form, but the real innovation lies in how the surface geometry immediately tells you which side each piece belongs to, whether youre looking at it or feeling it.Of course, the board extends this geometric thinking beyond the pieces themselves. Rather than standard flat squares, the playing surface alternates between convex and concave areas that mirror the piece design. This creates a sculptural quality that transforms the entire chess set into a cohesive design statement while providing clear tactile boundaries for navigation during play.The tactile experience becomes especially meaningful when you consider players with visual impairments. The geometric differences make it possible to distinguish between sides instantly through touch alone, while the undulating board surface provides clear orientation cues. You can run your fingers across the pieces and board, understanding the game state without relying on sight, making chess truly accessible to everyone.That said, the visual impact remains striking for sighted players. The interplay between the smooth and textured surfaces creates dynamic shadows and visual interest that elevate chess from a simple board game to a sculptural art piece. The monochromatic color scheme lets the geometry take center stage, emphasizing form over decoration.The choice of 3D-printed PLA reflects modern manufacturing sensibilities while keeping the concept environmentally conscious. At 455 455 100 mm, the set maintains a substantial presence without overwhelming the space, making it suitable for both serious play and display. The material choice also ensures consistent tactile feedback across all pieces, which becomes crucial for the accessibility features to work effectively.Youll notice how every design decision serves multiple purposes, from the pure aesthetic appeal to the practical accessibility benefits. This kind of thoughtful integration shows how good design can enhance experiences for everyone without compromising on visual appeal or functionality.The +- Chess set represents what happens when designers approach familiar objects with fresh eyes and inclusive thinking. It proves that accessibility and beauty arent competing goals; theyre complementary aspects of truly thoughtful design that make experiences better for everyone involved.The post +- Chess Set Concept: Modern Geometry and Accessibility Meet on the Board first appeared on Yanko Design.

Step inside Saori (designed by Vladimir Vasiuk, One More Buro, and Andriy Bezuglov), and youll quickly realize this isnt just another minimalist home. Its a space that feels alive. Woven together with intuition and tactility. Inspired by the Japanese weaving technique that values freedom over symmetry, the Saori project carries that same spirit: fluid, thoughtful, and deeply personal.The rooms unfold like a woven fabricone thread, one moment at a timecreating a home thats measured, and oh-so-serene. This is minimalism, yes, but with a soul that lingers long after you leave!The living space in Saori is where calm truly takes center stage. We see soft and sculptural forms meeting simplicity. The palette runs true to the projects philosophy: muted and earthy. The oversized sofa stretches across the room. It is paired with two rounded armchairs in creamy boucle, encouraging you to sink in a bit longer. The punctuation in this setup is black accents, as seen in the coffee tables and statement light.Its minimalism, yes, but with enough softness to make you never want to leave.At first glance, the dining space seems simple. But look closer, and youll notice how every element works together to create drama!The sculptural dining table is the anchor here. Its soft triangular shape flows like a piece of hand-molded clay. It doesnt follow rigid lines, just as Saori weaving embraces freedom over symmetry. Around it, plush boucle chairs with black-framed legs add structure.Above, the floating pendant lights appear downright poetic. Their curved, feather-like forms seem to drift in the air. Artwork and natural textures complete the story. A muted painting and earthy accessories remind you that this is not just a dining area, but a place for pause and presence.In Saoris kitchen, textured wooden cabinetry blends seamlessly with the stone backsplash. A sculptural island with rounded edges softens the geometry. Modern appliances are integrated with ease, while the stainless-steel hood adds contrast. Light filters through linen curtains, keeping the room bright yet intimate.Lets walk up the stairs, surrounded by rounded silhouettes.One of the bedrooms in Saori, made for the little ones, features an upholstered bed in rich caramel tone. This is also the standout feature of the space. Above it, clean-lined cabinetry with oversized half-moon handles introduces whimsy. Soft textiles (a striped throw, pale bedding, and a patterned rug) layer in comfort. Simple accessories like the fox print and flowerpot lamp keep the mood light and personal.This bedroom and walk-in closet are much about the serene side of Saori. The palette stays calm and neutral, with a soft upholstered headboard stretching wall to wall. A slim black wall lamp and dark wood nightstand add contrast. We love how the mirror-front cabinetry creates the illusion of more space.The adjoining walk-in closet extends this calm with sleek built-ins. Beyond, the ensuite bathroom features striking marble accents.In one bathroom, we see dark stone surfaces paired with a sculptural round mirror. This creates a moody atmosphere. The built-in sink and wall-mounted fixtures feel seamless, almost carved into the material itself.In the second bathroom, the bathtub area introduces a lighter mood with sandy tones and vertical tiles. Here, the design is pared back to its essentials, making space for quiet moments of pause.

Bianca Berning on working for the world's largest streaming service.