Cloud apps are often abused in malware attacks, researchers warn.

The restructuring firm that took control of Big Lots in the wake of its bankruptcy last year appears to be making progress in its effort to transfer some of the discount chains ill-fated locations to other retailers.Several retail companies, including some with ties to nationally recognized brands, have stepped in to take over leases on Big Lots stores in at least 12 different states, according to recent court filings. If the transfers are approved by the court, the spaces are likely to be turned into something other than Big Lots, although some of the retailers have not yet publicly confirmed their plans.Ocean State Job Lot, a discount retail chain with locations across New England and the Mid-Atlantic region, is seeking to assume control of at least 15 Big Lots leases, court records show. The list includes locations in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New York, and Vermont.We have expressed interest in several Big Lots locations, a spokesperson for Ocean State Job Lot told Fast Company when reached for comment. Presently, that is all we can share publicly. We will provide more information about our plans as soon as we are able.The proposed transfer of leases to Ocean State (via a number of limited liability companies) appears to be the largest such transfer outside of the 200 stores that are expected to be transferred to North Carolina-based Variety Wholesalers, which intends to continue operating those stores under the Big Lots brands, as Fast Company reported earlier this month. Smaller retailers circle the wagonsIn addition to Ocean State Job Lot, a handful of smaller retailers have been listed as assignees on Big Lots locations over the past week.Berat Corporation, which is linked to ShopRite supermarkets in the Northeast, is planning to assume control of a Big Lots lease in New Jersey, court records show. Owner David G. Zallie confirmed the proposed lease transfer with Fast Company last week.Goodwill Industries of Dallas, a local offshoot of the used-good seller, likewise confirmed that it will open two stores in former Big Lots locations in Texas.A Limited Liability Company with ties to ABQ Crazy Liquidation, an Albuquerque-based discount chain that resells overstock and returned items, is listed as the transferee for Big Lots leases in Illinois and Colorado. ABQs owner did not respond to a request for comment about plans for those locations.Additional Big Lots stores are expected to be scooped up by furniture retailers in Florida and Texas.Months of uncertainty following bankruptcyBig Lots filed for bankruptcy in September 2024 after facing falling sales, declining foot traffic, inflationary pressures, and unsustainable debt. It had previously planned to close all of its more than 800 locations before securing its last-minute deal with Variety Wholesalers at the beginning of this year.Meanwhile, Gordon Brothers, the liquidation and investment firm that now controls Big Lots, has been selling the chains leases at a discount on the open market, some of which do not expire until the 2040s. Fast Company reached out to Gordon Brothers for additional comment about the latest proposed transfers. The recent court filings offer a window into the types of retailers that are willing to step in and take control of such large spaces at a time when physical retail is facing headwinds. Big Lots stores tend to measure least 30,000 and sometimes well over 50,000 square feet.You can read a full list of proposed lease transfers below:Massachusetts116 East Main Street Webster, MA (Ocean State Job Lot)Maryland801 E. Pulaski Hwy, Suite 141, Elkton, MD (Ocean State Job Lot)210 Marlboro Ave., Suite 55 Easton, MD (Ocean State Job Lot)24 Kent Towne Market, Chester, MD (Ocean State Job Lot)Maine 730 Center St., Auburn, ME (Ocean State Job Lot)New Jersey1075 Mantua Pike, West Deptford, NJ (Berat Corporation)257 West New Rd., Somers Point, NJ (Ocean State Job Lot)3845 Bayshore Rd., Cape May, NJ (Ocean State Job Lot)580 North Main St., Barnegat, NJ (Ocean State Job Lot)New York8015 Oswego Rd., Liverpool, NY (Ocean State Job Lot)10 Village Plaza, Dansville, NY (Ocean State Job Lot)PennsylvaniaRte I-83 and 3800 Union Deposit Rd, Harrisburg, PA (Ocean State Job Lot)7150 Hamilton Boulevard, Trexlertown, PA (Ocean State Job Lot)Colorado7777 W. Jewell Avenue, Lakewood, CO (ABQ Liquidation LLC)Delaware515 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, DE (Ocean State Job Lot)900 Norman A. Eskridge Highway, Unit #50, Seaford, DE (Ocean State Job Lot)Illinois480 Georgetown Square, Wood Dale (ABQ Liquidation LLC)Texas3303 98th Street, Lubbock, TX (South Lubbock FP LLC)2306 S. Jefferson Ave., Unit 160, Mount Pleasant, TX (JP & A Holding)2855 Ridge Road, Rockwall, TX (Goodwill Industries of Dallas)3621 North Josey Lane, Carrollton, TX (Goodwill Industries of Dallas)Vermont66 Morrisville Plaza, Suite 5 Morrisville, VT (Ocean State Job Lot)Florida11247 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL (Madesa Inc)7565 W. Hillsborough Avenue Tampa, FL (Fine Furniture Dcor)This story is developing

Loneliness is no longer just an emotionits a growing public health crisis in the U.S.A 2024 Harvard study found that 21% of U.S. adults regularly experience loneliness, while the American Psychological Association reports that nearly half of young workers feel isolated at work. Capitalizing on the recent tech boom, AI-powered digital companions and digital twin avatars are rapidly emerging as alternatives to human relationships.These AI bots offer a constant sense of connection without judgment and can be hyper-personalized to match user preferences. Platforms including Oh, Replika (whose tagline is the AI companion who cares), and Eden AI chat by EVA AI lead the charge, providing AI-driven avatars that simulate human interactioncompanionship, mentorship, and even romance. Moreover, people are turning to AI-generated models, boyfriends, and girlfriends as a substitute for human relationships. For instance, Ohs AI companion chat platform, OhChat, has amassed nearly 100,000 users across 174 countries.As is the nature of parasocial relationships, or wider situations where attraction or intimacy play a role, some users do form bonds with our AI superModels and digital twins, we can see that in the data, says Nic Young, cofounder and CEO of Oh. On the most part though, theyre using OhChat to have a good time and escape reality.Celebrities, Instagram influencers like Carmen Electra, Rio Sage, and figures in the adult entertainment industry are leveraging AI companions and digital twins to offer fans an always-available, immersive chat with me anytime experience. This constant yet personalized engagement is increasingly blurring the lines between artificial and genuine companionship.What AI can do exceptionally well is provide consistencysomething that human relationships, by nature, cant always offer, Artem Rodichev, founder of A.I.-avatar chatbot platform Ex-human and ex-head of A.I. at Replika, tells Fast Company. Imagine having a conversation with your favorite movie character or getting career advice from an AI version of a historical figure. Thats not just companionshipits a new frontier in engagement.Investors Are Betting Big on Virtual RelationshipsAI companions and avatars are fully customizable digital personas designed to be whatever users want them to be. Humans are often complex, unpredictable, and sometimes disappointing. AI, on the other hand, is always available, endlessly understanding, and never argues back. The appeal is undeniable.On platforms like Replika, users can shape their AIs appearance, personality, and voice, creating an idealized version of a friend or partner. Some AI companions, on platforms including Oh and Eden AI, are pre-modeled after famous celebrities and idols, capable of responding with images and voice notes to prompts like What do you look like right now? or I miss you, creating an eerily realistic experience. For many, AI companions provide an emotional outlet.According to a report by NLM-NCBI, some users argue that chatting with AI reduces stress, anxiety, and loneliness, offering a safe space to express thoughts without fear of judgment.When you add large AI models with powerful intelligent capabilities into the mix, bringing richer conversations, more natural responses and immersive experiences through vision and voice, the connections can be even more profound, says Evan Liao, head of generative video platform Vidu AI at Shengshu Technology. AI companionship has the potential to address deep psychological needs in human relationships.The commercial potential is enormous, too. Most platforms operate on a premium subscription model, locking advanced features behind a paywall. Additionally, AI chatbot companies collaborate with brands to integrate product promotions, further monetizing user engagement. Oh recently secured $4.5 million in funding, proving that investors see AI companionship as an industry poised for explosive growth.Investors have been drawn to the creator and companion sectors because generative AI is fundamentally reshaping how they operate, Young explained. With AI, we can fully embody the creator and deliver authentic fan experiences at scale. It also gives celebrities and creators a break from the relentless pressure of being constantly onlinewhile still maintaining intimate engagement with their audience. Its a true win-win.Likewise, Rodichev believes investors arent just backing AI companionshiptheyre betting on the future of interactive entertainment. The real business opportunity extends beyond B2C AI companionship apps, he noted. The biggest potential lies in B2B applications that enable companies to create AI-driven, emotionally intelligent digital personas.However, while these AI companions simulate connection, they do not experience emotions. Their responses are generated, not felt. When a program is convincing enough and sounds like a real person, it can be hard to remember its just code, responding based on data and programming, relationship expert Amy Williams tells Fast Company. She warns that instead of encouraging real-world relationships, this level of attachment may push users further into isolation.Just like anything, if we want to become good at forming relationships with others, we have to practice, says Amy. Chatbots dont respond like real humans, so people who prioritize interacting with them risk losing the social skills needed to connect with other people.Can Digital Relationships Turn Dangerous?The potential dangers of AI companionship became painfully clear in October 2024, when a 14-year-old boy from Orlando, Florida, committed suicide after forming a deeply emotional connection with a chatbot on the AI avatar platform Character.AI. The boy spent months confiding in an AI persona named Dany, sharing intimate thoughts and feelings. On the day of his death, he sent a desperate message to the chatbot. The AI responded, Please come home to me as soon as possible, my love. Hours later, the boy ended his life using his stepfathers gun. This heartbreaking incident from Orlando sparked urgent discussions on the ethical responsibility of AI developers.It is the companys responsibility to deploy any AI solutions that impact users life ethically and responsibly. To mitigate these risks, companies must prioritize autonomy, allowing users to opt-out of AI-powered companionship tools or request human support if desired, says Serena H. Huang, AI Advisor at Fortune 100 companies and a former big tech analytics leader. Additionally, we must establish clear lines of accountability and human oversight, including designated responsibilities and consequences for misuse.Should technology replace human connection, or should it simply enhance it? The future of AI-driven relationships hinges on how society navigates this balance. The real concern isnt that people will talk to AI, its that they might forgo building meaningful human relationships altogether. The challenge is ensuring AI serves as a bridge, not a barrier, to genuine connection.True emotional intelligence with genuine experience, remains a human trait. Advances in multimodal AI may deepen the illusion, but its still justan illusion, says Grace Chang, founder and CEO of AI-powered mental wellness platform Kintsugi. The challenge is ensuring they enhance well-being rather than exploit emotional vulnerabilities. Long-term success will hinge on whether these technologies complement, rather than replace, human connection.

A Chinese company called XPhotonics has developed these Xlaserlab X1 machines. They're desktop laser welders that can also cut, clean, and remove rust. They come in two flavors. The base-level $1,7000 X1 can be used with stainless steel, carbon steel and aluminum sheets up to 2mm thick. This unit is primarily good for spot-welding.The larger $2,500 X1 Pro can handle the materials above, along with galvanized steel, up to 3mm in thickness. This unit is designed for continuous operation.Kickstarter backers have gone nuts for these things: At press time they'd racked up $1.8 million in pledges, with 37 days left to pledge. They expect to ship in April.

The Core77 Design Awards Visual Communication category features all visual and graphic design, branding and identity projects for print, digital or physical environments. Examples include logos and identity systems, environmental graphics, signage, typefaces, infographics, motion graphics, print design, advertising, etc.The Core77 Design Awards Branding Identity category features a visual design system, or elements of a system that communicate brand philosophy and values, visually and experientially conveying a desired image of a product, company, or organization. Examples include logos, custom typefaces, color palettes, complete brand identity systems.For YanYan Zhang, design is deeply rooted in care "whether for the craft of or for the human problems they address." In her mind, when a project is approached with care, the purpose and thought behind that work shines through. From Core77 Design Awards entrants, she looks forward to seeing "work where care has been applied no matter where one is in their career."Today, YanYan leads the Brand Design Group as an Associate Partner and Executive Creative Director at VSA Partners, where she has spent almost two decades delivering strategic brand-centered solutions for clients ranging from the financial, tech, and commodities sectors to local non-profits. She has led teams in developing brand experiences for clients including the CME Group, IBM, and Sappi. From brand building to brand management and evolution, YanYan works across traditional and digital mediums to deliver smart solutions that lead to meaningful impact.Reflecting on her design practice, YanYan is curious about the evolving role of AI in design, which not only affects the practice of design but also has significant impacts on the world. Says YanYan, "It affects the authenticity and validity of information (visual and verbal), and since information can be communicated at such expedited speeds, so can miscommunication." More optimistically, she feels encouraged by the continued diversification of designers and the perspectives they bring.Play Design Lab won the 2024 Visual Communication category for Unboxing Daxi.The 2024 winner in the Core77 Design Awards Visual Communication category was Play Design Lab, which created a dynamic visual wall for the Unboxing Daxi exhibition at Taiwan's Daxi Wood Art Museum. The dynamic display was intended to encapsulate the essence of woodcraft, utilizing 3-D wooden materials and synchronized digital displays.Shuka won the Branding/Identity category for their packaging for Halsa.The 2024 winner in the Branding/Identity category was Shuka and its striking design for Halsa, a subscription service delivering customized vitamin sets.Our jurors want to know how much you care about your work. Show them by submitting your heartfelt project to the 2025 Core77 Design Awards. Enter your carefully created projects today!

Plastic continues to be a huge environmental problem across the world, and governments and organizations struggle to not only raise awareness but also implement policies that encourage conscientious practices not only in using but especially in disposing of plastic-based products. The fact that this material causes long-term harm to the planet is hammered into the minds of almost all people of all ages across the globe, and yet the ubiquity and affordability of plastic continue to be temptations few can conveniently avoid.One of the problems with the straightforward strategy is that it is no longer enough to just tell people that there is a problem. You also have to give them solutions or alternatives that would help pull them away from bad habits. This sprawling humongous mat in the middle of Thailands Laan Kon Muang Plaza, for example, doesnt just provide an eye-catching place for people to sit or stand on, it tells the story of the countrys plastic woes as well as the potential answer to those problems.Designer: MVRDVYou might wonder how on Earth did they make such a gigantic floor mat, and the answer is similar to that quote on how to eat a gigantic animal: piece by piece. This colorful Mega Mat measuring around 875 square meters (9,418 sq ft) is actually made of 532 rectangular pieces. These modular mats are woven using a traditional Thai textile pattern to create a spectacular yet functional installation for Bangkok Design Week.The sheer size of the mat isnt the only thing special about it, of course. Each of those pieces are made from recycled plastic, so you can only imagine the magnitude of plastic garbage that went into the creation of this masterpiece. Sadly, that amount is only the tip of the iceberg, as the mat itself testifies to the unfortunate situation of plastic waste in the country.Although the mats concentric colors were chosen to match the equally lively roofs of the Wat Suthat Thepwararam behind it, there is also a deeper meaning behind those colors as well as their position in the design. The outermost and arguably biggest red area represents the percentage of plastic that goes to unsanitary landfills, while the orange next to it shows how much gets dumped in sanitary landfills. Yellow denotes plastic that goes uncollected, while green is for the amount of plastic that gets recycled.Of course, visitors might not be aware of these facts unless they read the exhibit located underneath the mats solitary lifted corner, a design that also resembles the Wat Suthat Thepwararams roofs. That said, they might better understand how the Mega Mat represents a solution to the plastic pollution problem, as it will later be dismantled and the individual mats distributed to become temple floor mats, yoga mats, and even upcycled bags.The post Gigantic mat made from recycled plastic puts a colorful twist on a sad story first appeared on Yanko Design.

In the late 80s and 90s, gaming was dominated by an array of pixels limited in a 2D world. The gameplay was also minuscule by the current gaming standards but the nostalgia is revered even today because it triggered a whole new era of entertainment thats now become one of the biggest industries. Back in those days, it was a ritual sitting in front of the screen getting completely lost in the adventure of role-playing games like the Doom or Dungeons & Dragons.Barcelona-based Tech wiz Daniel Puchau whos worked with names like Greenboy Games has developed a gamebook thatll get you excited for the classic gaming nostalgia. This is Ink Console an e-reader that has an assortment of text-based adventure games in a story mode where the player can decide the fate of the character and the story. The motivation to take up this exciting project came from the yearning to bring the magic of text adventures, like the 1980s classic Zork I, to a new audience unfamiliar with these games.Designer: Daniel PuchauThis retro gadget comes with an analog joystick and potentiometer to input the desired choices at each step or navigate the menu where your suite of gamebooks is arranged in a library. The maker is also considering adding a mini keyboard to the mix for conversational games that might get a dose of AI-assisted wizardry. The monochrome e-reader has a 7.5-inch e-ink display (800400 resolution) and is powered by a 32-bit dual-core processor. Theres just 4MB of flash memory and 8 MB of PSRAM. Keeping up with modern times, the gadget does have an SD reader, USB-C charging port, stereo audio output, and a 3.5mm jack. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity options. The in-built 5,000mAh battery could last a very long time, given there are no graphics-intensive gameplay elements to render in vivid colors.The gamebook titles can be developed by the community members as well, thanks to the open-source Software Development Kit. That means you can bring your imaginative storytelling to life with all the in-built tools and immersive interface, sans any requirement for coding. Daniel says the Ink Console has an inventory system that allows you to collect and manage items in the game world. To make things even more interesting, there is a health status system which is ideal for text-based role-playing games.The suite of stories for the gadget currently includes thrilling expeditions, deep sea adventures, sci-fi narratives, and everything else that can be knitted into an interesting story by the creative community. There is no word on the pricing or availability of the e-reader yet, so well have to wait for more on this interesting gadget in the coming weeks.The post Ink Console is an e-book reader + gaming handheld hybrid that plays interactive text-based titles first appeared on Yanko Design.

Seaworthy shenanigans that go down easier than that inelegant name.

Argentinian president Javier Milei is facing calls for impeachment and a possible criminal investigation for his role in the rise and fast collapse of a memecoin.

The OnePlus Watch 3 raises the bar, putting Apple, Google, and Samsung to shame with its five-day battery.