• Sorry Netflix says it's actually not integrating with the Apple TV app
    www.techradar.com
    After Netflix started appearing in the Apple TV app for some users, the streamer says it was an inadvertent rollout and likely will never see a wide release.
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  • NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, February 15 (game #349)
    www.techradar.com
    Looking for NYT Strands answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, including the spangram.
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  • Fertility benefits are getting more expensive, but 69% of employers are still investing in them
    www.fastcompany.com
    Workplaces have started offering more customized benefits over the last decade, even including niche offerings that help employees navigate major life changeslike divorce. As demand has increased for benefits like fertility coverage and mental health support, many employers have actuallydoubled down on these benefitsin recent years, despite economic headwinds.This week, the virtual healthcare provider Maven Clinic released a report that indicates that trend is continuingeven as the cost of family building support and reproductive care has climbed up across the board. Of the nearly 3,800 employees surveyed, a third of those pursuing fertility treatments said they had gone into debt to do so, and over two-thirds of respondents said they had switched jobs or considered it to land better fertility benefits. Among people who were pregnant or planning to expand their families, nearly half were concerned about how the political climate and new administration might impact their reproductive health.At the same time, however, providing these benefits is becoming prohibitively expensive even for employers: In 2024, insurance premiums for employer-sponsored family healthcare coverage jumped by 7% and crossed $25,000. In Mavens survey, which also polled nearly 1,600 HR leaders, 70% said that fertility-related expenses had increased and those affected almost universally expressed concerns over the rising cost. Still, at the moment, employers are continuing to invest in fertility benefits. Nearly half of HR leaders said they were planning to expand fertility coverage following the election, while 69% planned on further investing in family health benefits in the coming years, with many of them opting to add benefits like preconception care. A significant portion of employers (65%) are also expanding reproductive health offerings for men, including fertility support and more equitable parental leave policies. Its an investment that seems to be supported by Mavens findings: The vast majority of men surveyed said their reproductive health needs were not being served, or that they werent sure where to seek out additional support in that arena.It seems many employers regard family building and fertility benefits as a crucial part of attracting and retaining the best talent; according to Mavens survey, 84% of companies that provide strong support to parents said almost all of their employees returned to work after taking parental leave. In a moment when corporate DEI efforts are under attack, some employers might also see the value in continuing to shore up benefits that help build a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
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  • A partnership between Jigsaw and this Kentucky city could be the future of civic engagement
    www.fastcompany.com
    Bowling Green, Kentucky, is known for being the city from which Corvettes roll off the production lines, and for Fruit of the Loom underwear, which is headquartered there.But the city of 76,000 could soon be known for something else: its AI-powered mass civic engagement project that is using public surveys to chart the future of the city.In the next 25 years, the county within which Bowling Green sits is set to double in size, thanks largely to the growth of nearby Nashville. Figuring out what to do about that vexes the public officials in Bowling Green and the greater Warren County. The What Could BG Be? project is an open consultation open to all residents in the area to share their hopes, dreams, and fears for the future of the area.The tech-driven consultation opens today, and runs through March 17. The insights provided by citizens will be gathered by Googles Jigsaw team, alongside Polis, a statistical analysis company, and synthesized to try and come up with concrete conclusions the local council can pursue for the future.Bowling Green is going through this incredible transformation, Jigsaw CEO Yasmin Green tells Fast Company. Theyre doubling in size over the next 20 years. It sounds fantastic on the surface, but theres a mixed bag of emotions about whether thats going to be good or not.The data will be parsed by Jigsaws Sensemaking tools, which utilize large language models to make sense of large-scale online conversations. In an attempt to foster transparency through the whole process, all the comments, and any votes made by the public on potential options that stem from them, will be available on a website devoted to the project. The website also provides a public square for the general populace to chip in with any comments. The publishing of the comments is very important so that people can check it, says Green. A summary by definition is a lossy act.That transparency is particularly important because of the intricacies of Bowling Green, a purple city with a Republican mayor and a diverse population. City planners and public figures say there are more things that unite city folk than divide thembut it can sometimes be difficult to discern those areas of uncommon agreement in this age of partisanship.Bowling Green is kind of a microcosm of what happens around the world, says Green. You feel so much change. Theres technological disruption, immigration, the changing nature of jobs, and the economy. They are going through this change.The ultimate goal is to try and help encourage participation with civic engagement processesand to glean any ideas that could help the local community head into the future in a stronger position to address the challenges of rapid population growth and changing economic and social circumstances.I think if we can get a proof point in Bowling Green, that could be inspiring for a lot of other places to pick up, says Green.
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  • Meet Polaris: The Game-Changing Hybrid Seaplane Thats Quiet, Fast, and Slashes Fuel Use by 85%
    www.yankodesign.com
    Seaplanes might seem like a relic of aviations golden age, but they never truly disappeared. Theyve been quietly serving remote communities, ferrying adventurers to untouched corners of the world, and making a case for their relevance in modern air travel. Now, with sustainability reshaping the industry, the Polaris hybrid-electric seaplane is stepping in to prove that waterborne aviation isnt just aliveits evolving. Developed by Tidal Flight, this clean-sheet design blends efficiency, versatility, and cutting-edge hybrid propulsion, offering a glimpse into a future where seaplanes become key players in regional travel.Unlike the rugged floatplanes of the past, Polaris is built for both sustainability and performance. With a wingspan of 59 feet and a takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds, it balances power and efficiency in a way that makes sense for modern operators. At the heart of its design is a hybrid-electric propulsion system, featuring twin electric nacelles mounted on a V-tail empennage. These arent just for showlow-tip-speed propellers reduce noise while an internal combustion engine powers a generator, feeding the battery system. The result? An aircraft that slashes fuel consumption by an impressive 85% compared to similar seaplanes.Designer: Tidal FlightThis efficiency doesnt come at the cost of capability. Polaris cruises at 162 knots (186 mph) and can carry up to 12 passengers or a one-ton payload. Its range of 1,034 nautical miles ensures its not limited to short hops, making it a viable option for island nations, coastal cities, and remote regions where traditional runways are scarce. And while electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have been soaking up investor attention, seaplanes offer a practical, proven alternative for short-haul transport. As Tidal Flight sees it, Polaris isnt just about sustainabilityits about making economic sense, too.The seaplanes aerodynamic refinements extend beyond its hybrid drivetrain. Foldable sponsonsretractable stabilizers on the wingshelp reduce drag when cruising, a small but critical design choice that contributes to overall efficiency. Meanwhile, Polariss ability to operate on Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) means it can integrate seamlessly into existing aviation infrastructure. Future versions are expected to transition to hydrogen or fully electric power, but for now, its a pragmatic step forward in an industry still working through the challenges of electrification.Tropic Ocean Airways, a major player in seaplane services, has already recognized the potential. The company has signed a Letter of Intent for 20 Polaris aircraft, a deal worth over $100 million. Tidals quiet, comfortable, hybrid-electric aircraft helps us deliver on our sustainability goals while offering a superior product to our customers and without compromising on range, payload, or cruise speed, said Founder & CEO Rob Ceravolo. Its a significant vote of confidence from an airline that knows what works in real-world operations.Tidal Flight isnt rushing things. A 1/6th scale model has already taken to the skies, and a full-scale prototype is expected to fly in 2027. If all goes according to plan, passenger service could begin by 2030. That timeline reflects the challenges of bringing a new aircraft to market, but it also shows how hybrid technology is reaching a level of maturity that makes it commercially viable.In many ways, Polaris is bringing seaplanes full circle. The same aircraft that once pioneered transoceanic flights in the early 20th century are now at the forefront of sustainable aviation. With its combination of range, efficiency, and operational flexibility, Polaris makes a strong case for the seaplanes resurgence. Its not just about nostalgiaits about what comes next.The post Meet Polaris: The Game-Changing Hybrid Seaplane Thats Quiet, Fast, and Slashes Fuel Use by 85% first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • Stop Believing These iPhone 17 Pro Rumors Heres Why This Design Wont Happen
    www.yankodesign.com
    I can bet my career on the fact that the new iPhone 17 Pro will NOT have an elongated camera bump with lenses just clustered on the left side. Apple is known to make some weird design decisions in its life purposely leaving a massive blank space in its camera bump isnt one of them.So, weve known for a while that the upcoming iPhone will have a horizontal camera bump, YouTuber Front Page Tech (also known as FPT) seems to have gotten his hands on a dummy phone that gives us more details on the camera bumps layout. Contrary to popular belief, FPT says the camera lenses will not be laid out in a horizontal line, but will rather be clustered along the side like in older models. He explains his reasons (which are plausible, to be frank), but Im here to tell you what my expert opinion is. In short, the new phones will either have the camera lenses arrayed in a straight line, or Apple may have some other hidden secrets. These renders that FPT shares in the video above are, as I believe it, absolutely wrong, and I have my reasons too.Designer: Asher Dipps for Front Page TechIn his video, FPT makes the case that Apple opted for the corner lens array on the back because of the infamous notch on the front. Cameras notoriously require space and hardware, and the centrally located notch meant that Apple didnt have space on the back to fit a centrally located camera system. To account for that, Apple shifted all the lenses to the left side, and thats been the case for years.This meant that even with the horizontal bar, Apple would face the same problem. The lenses (or at least the middle one) would interfere on a component level with the front-facing camera and the FaceID system. FPT backs this with claims that he actually saw the iPhone 17 Pro in person (or at least he saw a very convincing case-making prototype) and that had all the camera lenses in the corner, like they always do.Im here to say thats wrong on two broad levels. The first level is that just from a design POV, this makes absolutely no sense. Why would Apple elongate the camera bump and leave so much empty space on the right by clustering the lenses on the left? Its a deviation from logic and its something I dont see Apple doing just because it doesnt make sense for a company that prides itself SO MUCH on aesthetics that this would trigger Tim Cook on an OCD level. Hell, were talking about Apple the company that matches the corner radius on the iPhone, AirPods Case, and MacBook because it can.The second reason why these renders are not credible, is because I believe that in order for them to be so theyd need to have more to them. What do I mean? Apples created a square camera bump for its Pro models ever since the iPhone 11 Pro in 2019. If they were to elongate the bump sideways why would they do it without using that real estate? What does that bump achieve? Better battery? A charging point for your Apple Watch? Heck no. Maybe a display? I really think not.I guess my point is, that if Apples truly going for a horizontal bump, its definitely with the mindset of arraying the camera lenses in a horizontal manner. These renders here do not make sense as they stand, unless there was something more to them. The bump extending all the way to the right corner NEEDS to have a more substantial reason. And I believe that reason is a horizontal camera array.The post Stop Believing These iPhone 17 Pro Rumors Heres Why This Design Wont Happen first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • US Judge Extends Order to Block DOGE From Treasury Department Data
    www.wired.com
    A lawyer for the Trump administration couldnt say whether the data DOGE accessed had been shared outside the US Treasury Department.
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  • OpenAI Rejects Elon Musks Bid to Gain Control of the Company
    www.nytimes.com
    Bret Taylor, the chairman of OpenAIs board, said the artificial intelligence company was not for sale. Mr. Musk and other investors had offered $97.4 billion earlier this week.
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  • Maryland reveals Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement design: 'A beacon of perseverance'
    archinect.com
    The Maryland Transportation Authority and Governors Office have released renderings of the planned Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement along with a projected opening date of 2028. We covered the cost of the design contract last year after the AP reported it at $73 million.Image courtesy Maryland Office of the GovernorEach tower will rise to a height of 600 feet, with a 1,600-foot wide span between the piers to protect against a similar accident to the previous ship collision disaster. This is a cable-stayed bridge that will stand as a "beacon of perseverance," according to Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller. The estimated project cost to completion is between $1.7 and $1.9 billion. (h/t The Baltimore Banner)
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  • Architectural photography showcase to benefit wildfire recovery efforts in L.A.
    archinect.com
    From February 18th to March 28th, the Henrybuilt Los Angeles Showroom in the LA Arts District will be hosting a special exhibition of architectural photography called A Love Letter to LA to benefit causes directly involved in the recovery effort after the Los Angeles Fires.
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