Take a step into the imaginative world of LEGO and discover the best creations that wowed LEGO enthusiasts in January 2025. From whimsical tributes to iconic films and shows to intricate displays of architectural magnificence these 10 best LEGO designs showcase the versatility and creativity that the beloved brick-building brand inspires.Each set tells a fascinating story and also invites fans to recreate moments of joy, history, and cultural significance, making them must-haves for collectors and casual builders alike. You can now embark on a wonderful LEGO journey through incredible models that highlight the limitless potential of imagination merged with precision engineering. These are our favorite LEGO designs from January!1. LEGO The Ministry of Silly WalksStep into The Ministry of Silly Walks with LEGOs Monty Python build an ode to one of the most iconic comedic sketches in history. This set captures John Cleeses Mr. Teabag in his full comedic flair, illustrating every exaggerated movement with precision. Crafted to balance the humor and complexity of Monty Pythons famous sketch, this design invites builders to replicate the ridiculous, yet precise walks for which the character is legendary.The inclusion of Technic joints ensures that each of his gangly movements can be recreated with hilarious accuracy and finesse, adding a dynamic twist to this static LEGO set. Mr.Teabag holds a deadpan expression, which has been crafted with complete attention to detail. He features positionable limbs that invite admiration and laughter. This LEGO set is a celebration of eccentricity and clever engineering, making this an excellent tribute to humour.2. LEGO New York Central #5405Transport yourself back to the golden age of rail travel with the LEGO New York Central #5405 a stunning masterpiece brought to life by fan-designer Olivier312 on LEGO Ideas. This set revives the New York Central 5405, one of the J-3a Hudson-class steam locomotives known for hauling high-speed passenger trains in the northeastern United States.The design pays homage to this legacy, capturing the trains remarkable 4-6-4 wheel arrangement and transporting fans back to the days when these marvels moved across states. The set includes 1350 pieces, and it is fully motorized, completely capable of gliding along LEGOs classic train tracks by itself.This magical feature is a game-changer for LEGO train enthusiasts, offering an amazing level of realism.3. LEGO Bobs BurgersImmerse yourself in the world of Bobs Burgers with this expansive LEGO set, comprised of 2,991 bricks. This impressive build captures nearly 3,000 pieces, meticulously recreating the beloved familys home and restaurant with precision and detail. The ground floor is so accurately designed, that you can almost imagine the sounds of the kitchen as Bob lovingly prepares the latest Burger of the Day. Even the chalkboard has been replicated to enhance the authenticity.The dining area is brought to life with its straightforward charm, alongside the cramped bathroom and bustling kitchen. The upstairs section offers a glimpse into Tinas world, complete with her personal belongings, while also featuring Genes keyboard and megaphone. Louises iconic Kuchi Kopi nightlight stands vigilantly, infusing this space with vibrancy and authenticity.4. LEGO Grand Central StationLEGO builder Mind the Brick presents the LEGO Grand Central Station a lovely homage to one of New York Citys most iconic landmarks and a masterpiece of architectural prowess. Built on a 4840 baseplate, this set embodies the spirit of early 20th-century travel hubs, equipped with intricate architectural details that bring a historical touch to modern LEGO cityscapes.The design grabs attention with its luxurious facade, reminiscent of grand train stations found from New York to Prague. It features massive arching windows that welcome sunlight into the main hall while capturing an elegant ambiance. Every stone and decorative element is meticulously designed, creating a sense of grandeur that does justice to the legendary terminal.5. LEGO The Truman ShowTrojadas LEGO Truman Show diorama offers us some cinematic nostalgia wrapped in colorful bricks, as it captures the essence of the 1998 cult classic film. This set showcases the foresight of the movies narrativeTrumans life under surveillance within an artificial world, now reimagined with LEGO. The build portrays seven scenes within a large amphitheater-like structure, seamlessly transitioning the films iconic settings into tangible LEGO art.The centerpiece of the set is the door to the real world, and it is camouflaged against the sky, waiting for Trumans emergence. The curved exterior elegantly mimics the illusion of an all-encompassing sky, while the internal narrative frames the bounds of Trumans existence. It serves as a reflective tribute to the films message of freedom and truth.6. LEGO Paddington SetSay hello to the LEGO Paddington Bear set an adorable build that celebrates both the popular character and his historical background setting. This fan-designed model brilliantly recreates a segment of Paddington Station, complete with architectural precision that reminds us of the stations iconic charm. Paddington is shown mid-adventure, with his signature marmalade sandwich and suitcase.Constructed with 1,300 bricks, the Paddington Bear set offers a trip down memory lane, especially for British fans. It stands massively tall at 30 centimeters, and the construction captures Paddingtons arrival at the station in search of a home, family, and love. The inclusion of a detailed Paddington minifigure, complete with his red hat and blue duffle coat, adds the final touch to this lovely set.7. LEGO Art LOVE Building SetYou can now capture the emotive power of art with the LEGO Art LOVE building set. This set beautifully recreates Robert Indianas famous Love sculpture, and it transforms a universally recognized symbol of love into a playful and tactile experience. It sports red, blue, and green colors, and is constructed from 791 pieces. This model focuses on mindful building, allowing for a heartwarming exploration of both love and art.It is perfect as a gift or personal project and is more than just a mere decoration. It stands over 10 inches high, and the set commands attention in any room. Equipped with dual instructions, the set invites couples and loved ones to engage in a shared, immersive feat of creation, turning the build into a cherished memory.8. LEGO Power Rangers MegazordIntroducing the LEGO Power Rangers Megazordan impressive creation that transports fans back to the thrill and magic of Saturday morning cartoons with a fresh and interactive twist. This set is more than just a static model. It is a dynamic and engaging build that brings the iconic Megazord to life. Fans can disassemble the set into the five legendary Dinozords: Mastodon, Pterodactyl, Triceratops, Sabertooth Tiger, and Tyrannosaurus.Each Dinozord features posable limbs, fostering imaginative play and creativity. When combined, they form the Dino Megazord, capturing every intricate detail from the beloved TV show. This LEGO set offers transformation and also captivates, giving fans a hands-on opportunity to recreate classic scenes or craft entirely new adventures.9. LEGO Bob Ross: Studio & Paintings KitLEGO enthusiast Bricknificent has crafted the Bob Ross: Studio and Paintings set, a tribute to the renowned painter and art instructor Bob Ross. Famous for his soothing landscapes and videos cherished by many, Ross is brought to life in this fan-designed LEGO creation. The set features a Bob Ross Minifigure in his recording studio, which seamlessly connects to an art gallery.This art gallery can be opened or closed and displays some of Rosss most iconic paintings. Comprising 1,234 LEGO bricks, the set offers a distinctive and foldable design. You have the option to showcase the entire set as an expansive display or as a charming closed-loop gallery shaped like a heart. As a nature lover who likes to draw and paint, Bob Ross is truly an inspiration. I admire his passion, reassuring voice, and limited selection of tools and colors. With this in mind, I created the ultimate Bob Ross experience in LEGO, said Bricknificent, the creator behind the LEGO Ideas Bob Ross kit.10. LEGO Tesseract SceneFor cinema enthusiasts and lovers of intricate design, the LEGO Interstellar Tesseract Scene is an amazing addition to any collection. This set beautifully encapsulates the mind-bending allure of the iconic scene from the film Interstellar, where Matthew McConaugheys character ventures into a new dimension. The centerpiece of the model is inspired by the Tesseract, dramatically tilted to capture its unique angle.The design features two dioramas Millers planet and Manns planet, each boasting unique terrain elements to create an authentic cosmic atmosphere. At the core lies Murphs room, where Cooper leaves important messages for his daughter. The set also includes Gargantua, the massive black hole, and the Endurance ship, connecting the iconic scenes in a seamless tribute to deep space exploration and cinematic brilliance.The post 10 Best LEGO Creations Of January 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Filthy buds look bad, impact sound quality and even risk infection. WIRED asked the experts how to correctly banish that ear gunk.

Google warns that hackers tied to Russia are tricking Ukrainian soldiers with fake QR codes for Signal group invites that let spies steal their messages. Signal has pushed out new safeguards.

The company, which once enjoyed a surging stock price, struggled to turn its plans for electric and hydrogen trucks into a viable business.

MacworldAt a glanceExpert's RatingProsGood soundSmart personalized sound featureComfortable fitConsMediocre noise cancellationPoor touch controlsLimited and feature-poor appOur Verdict Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi is stylish, sounds great, and fits comfortably. They also have a clever feature that lets you set a personalized soundscape. However, poor touch controls and weak noise cancellation drag down its rating.Price When ReviewedThis value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefinedBest Pricing TodayThe Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi is a follow-up to the Aurvana Ace 2 earphones. While the Ace Mimi improves upon some things from the Ace 2, some of the weaknesses are unfortunately still there.One of the major positives of the Ace Mimi is its fit. They sit firmly and comfortably in both large and small ears, not least thanks to the included ear tips in five different sizes.Unfortunately, its touch controls are poorly implemented. It feels like mistouches are the rule and getting them to do what I want is impossible. Its not helped by the fact that the ability to reprogram them is limited. It is only possible to change what double and triple touching does. There is no single tap option at all (except for the so-called long tap, i.e. when the touch control is held down for a long time).The app is still rather limited and function-poor. It does have (in addition to the ability to select functions for the touch controls) an equalizer and the ability to turn the noise canceling on and off, as well as select Ambient mode (ambient sound is let through). The noise canceling can also be adjusted but only has three modes. Same for Ambient mode.The headphones sit firmly and comfortably in the ears.Jan SandbladhThe Ace Mimis sound is really good. Clear and crisp in all registers and with a relatively heavy bass for a pair of true wireless headphones. With the Sound personalization function, you can do a test of your ears and then get a personalized sound image. This feature actually works really well and I experienced a clear improvement in the sound with it turned on.Unfortunately, the noise canceling is not up to the same standard. No matter what level you set in the app, it is mediocre at best. Even the phone calls leave something to be desired in terms of quality. There is noise, crackling, and a grating sound for the person being called.The Ace Mimis battery life has improved slightly over the Ace 2. It is now possible to get seven hours of listening per charge (six hours previously) and 28 hours in total with the charging box (24 hours previously). A small plus also for the support for wireless charging of the box.The touch controls get a fail.Jan SandbladhShould you buy the Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi earphones?The Creative Aurvana Ace Mimi is stylish, sounds great, and fits comfortably. They also have a clever feature that lets you set a personalized soundscape. However, poor touch controls and weak noise cancellation drag down its rating.

The controversy surrounding used Seagate hard drives has significantly widened, with fraudsters now targeting the companys IronWolf and IronWolf Pro NAS drives alongside the previously affected Exos server-grade HDDs.According to recent investigations, fraudsters have developed more sophisticated methods to manipulate used drives to make them appear new, making detection increasingly challenging for buyers.

On Windows, OneDrive is built right into the operating system. Even if you dont turn it on, it will pop up occasionally, asking you to back up your files to the cloud. What that really means, of course, is that Microsoft wants you to move your folders to OneDrive.Im not here to knock OneDrive. I use OneDrive I think the 1TB of storage offered as part of Microsoft 365 subscriptions is a great deal. Even so, sometimes OneDrive still gets on my nerves. If you dont use it, theres a good chance you find it really annoying. (That may be why I get a lot of questions about OneDrive from readers of my Windows Intelligence newsletter.)Theres some good news, though: Microsoft has improved some of OneDrives worst pain points. In recent updates, some long-standing annoyances like glitchy remnants of OneDrive sticking around in File Explorer after you uninstall it have been addressed. But the service can still be exasperating in a variety of ways.Heres how to take control of OneDrive, whether you want to make it less of a pest or remove it entirely from your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.Want to stay on top of whats happening with Windows? Sign up for my free Windows Intelligence newsletter. Ill send you free Windows Field Guide downloads as a special welcome bonus!OneDrive Windows fix #1: Enable local file storageBy default, OneDrive likes to download files on demand. That can be convenient after all, you might have up to 1TB of files in your OneDrive account if youre taking advantage of that Microsoft 365 storage. All of that data wouldnt even fit on many laptops.But perhaps you want to ensure all your files are on your PC, so you can quickly access them without waiting for OneDrive to download them every single time. Or maybe you just want to ensure theyre downloaded before you remove OneDrive.Whatever the case, to make all your OneDrive files always available offline, open File Explorer, right-click the OneDrive folder in the left sidebar, and select Always keep on this device. OneDrive will download everything and ensure that future files stay downloaded. This might use a lot of disk space, of course, depending on how many files you have stored in OneDrive but it can certainly be done.Youll find the Always keep on this device in File Explorers context menu on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.Chris Hoffman, IDGYou can monitor the progress of any downloads from the OneDrive system tray icon. Just click it, and youll see what OneDrive is doing.If you have a lot of files in OneDrive and you dont want them all to sync to your PC, you can first select Account in the left sidebar of that area, click Choose folders, and then choose exactly which folders you do want to sync. Any folders you uncheck will be ignored by OneDrive stored in the cloud, but not on your PC.OneDrive Windows fix #2: Turn off folder backupWindows offers to back up your important folders to OneDrive, and it can get pretty pushy about this. In fact, Windows might sometimes simply decide to use OneDrive folders for everything when you set up a new PC, without even asking.When you enable folder backup, that actually means moving your folders to OneDrive. In other words, when you enable folder backup for your Documents folder, Windows moves it from C:\Users\Name\Documents to C:\Users\Name\OneDrive\Documents. When you disable folder backup, Windows should move the Documents folder back to its original location.You can turn off backups for each individual folder, too. If you do, OneDrive wont automatically sync any other folders. It will only sync files you put directly in the OneDrive folder, giving you more control. This will also use less OneDrive storage space, as you wont have to sync every random file that ends up in your Documents folder that might be a big help if youre on the free tier of OneDrive and only have 5GB of storage.This is also a critical step to take before uninstalling OneDrive if you plan to remove it from Windows (more on that in a moment). It ensures your user data folders such as Downloads, Documents, and Pictures are all in their original locations.To turn off folder backup, open OneDrive settings from the system tray icon: Look for the cloud-shaped OneDrive icon, right-click it, and select Settings. Under Sync and backup, click the Manage backup button. You can turn off folder backup for a folder by flipping the switch to the right of the folder. If you dont want to use folder backup at all, disable it for each folder, one by one, and then click Save changes.OneDrive may bug you to enable folder backup, but you can turn it off.Chris Hoffman, IDGDisabling folder backup should move your Documents, Pictures, Desktop, Music, and Videos folders back to their original locations outside of the OneDrive folder. But you might want to double-check to ensure this worked properly and all your files are where you expect them to be before you continue.OneDrive Windows fix #3: Stop automatic image syncingBy default, OneDrive also automatically pulls in photos and screenshots even if you have folder backup turned off for your Pictures folder.If youd like to stop this, ensure the Save photos and videos from devices and Save screenshots I capture to OneDrive options are turned off under Sync and backup.Theres a good chance you already store photos in Google Photos or Apple iCloud which means you may not want them in OneDrive, too.Chris Hoffman, IDGOneDrive Windows fix #4: Disable Office defaultsOffice apps such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint default to saving files to OneDrive. Its convenient if you want access to your documents across your devices, but its obnoxious if youd rather store them on your own PC or perhaps with another cloud storage service.To force Office apps to stop saving documents to OneDrive by default, open an Office app (like Word), click File on the ribbon, and click Options. Select Save in the sidebar, check Save to Computer by default, and choose the preferred folder where you want to save files.Theres no need to click away from OneDrive each time you save a file just change this setting.Chris Hoffman, IDGOne important note: The Office AutoSave feature only works when saving files to OneDrive or SharePoint. If you start defaulting to local storage, you wont have AutoSave anymore; instead, youll have to click the Save button yourself, as in older versions of Office.That said, Offices AutoRecover feature can still help. Itll automatically save backup copies of your documents so you can recover them if anything crashes. To ensure its activated, click File > Options > Save. Ensure the Save AutoRecover information option is checked and choose a frequency like five or 10 minutes.You can also quickly save a document to your computers local storage, even if you have OneDrive as the default save location. Just press the F12 key in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint to quickly open a traditional Save As dialog.OneDrive Windows fix #5: Eliminate OneDrive entirelyYou can just uninstall OneDrive if you dont use it on either Windows 10 and Windows 11. This wasnt always possible: In the early days of Windows 10, you ended up with a broken OneDrive entry in File Explorers sidebar if you uninstalled it normally and then had to edit the registry to fix it. Thats fixed; Microsoft has made the uninstaller work properly.Before you do this, be sure youve disabled folder backup with the instructions above. That way, your folders will be stored on your PC instead of in OneDrive. If you uninstall OneDrive without turning off folder backup, theyll remain in your OneDrive folder, and things can get messy.With that step out of the way, you can uninstall OneDrive as you would any other application. Just open the Settings app and find the list of installed apps or launch the Control Panel and choose Uninstall a Program. (If you ever change your mind, you can reinstall OneDrive by downloading the installer from Microsofts website.)Look for Microsoft OneDrive in the list and uninstall it. Thats it. OneDrive will vanish from File Explorer and your system tray. It wont be running in the background, starting at boot, or syncing files at all anymore.You can uninstall OneDrive in just a few quick clicks.Chris Hoffman, IDGAlso worth noting: When you uninstall OneDrive, you wont actually lose any files. Any files you have in OneDrive will remain accessible at onedrive.com and in OneDrive apps on your other devices.And any files youve locally downloaded that should be all of them, if you followed the steps above will still be stored on your PC. This process just unlinks OneDrive and your computer.Your OneDrive folder itself will remain on your PC, too, with any offline copies of your files, but it wont sync again unless you reinstall OneDrive.Want more Windows PC tips and tricks? Sign up for my free Windows Intelligence newsletter today. Ill send you three new things to try each Friday and free in-depth Windows Field Guides as a special welcome gift.

This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.Your most important customer may be AIImagine you run a meal prep company that teaches people how to make simple and delicious food. When someone asks ChatGPT for a recommendation for meal prep companies, yours is described as complicated and confusing. Why? Because the AI saw that in one of your ads there were chopped chives on the top of a bowl of food, and it determined that nobody is going to want to spend time chopping up chives.It may seem odd for companies or brands to be mindful of what an AI thinks in this way but its already becoming relevant as consumers increasingly use AI to make purchase recommendations.The end results may be a supercharged version of search engine optimization (SEO) where making sure that youre positively perceived by a large language model might become one of the most important things a brand can do.Read the full story.Scott J MulliganCongress used to evaluate emerging technologies. Lets do it again.The US Office of Technology Assessment, an independent office created by Congress in the early 1970s, produced some 750 reports during its 23-year history, assessing technologies as varied as electronic surveillance, genetic engineering, hazardous-waste disposal, and remote sensing from outer space.The office functioned like a debunking arm. It sussed out the snake oil. Lifted the lid on the Mechanical Turk. The reports saw through the alluring gleam of overhyped technologies.In the years since its unceremonious defunding in 1995, perennial calls have gone out: Rouse the office from the dead! But, with advances in robotics, big data, and AI systems, these calls have taken on a new level of urgency. Read the full story.Peter Andrey SmithThis story is from the next edition of our print magazine, which is all about relationships. Subscribe now to read it and get a copy when it lands on February 26!How generative AI is changing online searchGenerative AI search, one of MIT Technology Reviews 10 Breakthrough Technologies of 2025, is ushering a new era of the internet. Despite fewer clicks, copyright fights, and sometimes iffy answers, AI could unlock new ways to summon all the worlds knowledge. Our editor in chief Mat Honan and executive editor Niall Firth explored how AI will alter search in a live half-hour Roundtables session yesterday. Watch our recording of their conversation.MIT Technology Review Narrated: The weeds are winningAs the climate changes, genetic engineering will be essential for growing food. But is it creating a race of superweeds? This is our latest story to be turned into a MIT Technology Review Narrated podcast, which were publishing each week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Just navigate to MIT Technology Review Narrated on either platform, and follow us to get all our new content as its released.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 Electricity demand is set to soar globallyOn current trends, well add the equivalent of Japans entire consumption each year between now and 2027. (The Verge)+ China is planning to boost its energy storage sector to cope with a surge in demand. (South China Morning Post $)+ Why artificial intelligence and clean energy need each other. (MIT Technology Review)2 How Israel uses US-made AI to wage warIts use of OpenAI and Microsoft skyrocketed after October 7 2023. (AP)+ OpenAIs new defense contract completes its military pivot. (MIT Technology Review)+ How the drone battles of Ukraine are shaping the future of war. (New Scientist $)3 Googles AI efforts are being marred by turf warsIt has a lot of people working on AI, and theyre not all pulling in the same direction. (The Information $)4 OpenAIs ex-CTO has launched a rival labThinking Machines will focus on how humans and AI can work together better. (Axios)5 Humanes AI Pin is deadHP is buying most of its assets for $116 million, which is quite the climbdown from being valued at nearly $1 billion. (TechCrunch)6 Tech IPOs keep getting delayedEveryones waiting for more certainty and stability. But theres no sign of it arriving. (NYT $)7 Scientists in the US feel under siegeSweeping layoffs, funding freezes and executive orders are really starting to bite. (NBC)+ Its likely only the start of a long battle over how research can and will be done in the United States. (The Atlantic $)8 China may use Tesla as a pawn in US trade negotiationsThat gives it quite a lot of leverage to use, if it wishes. (Gizmodo)9 Researchers have linked a gene to the emergence of spoken languageThis is cool, and could even one day potentially help people with speech problems. (ABC)10 The chances of an asteroid hitting us in 2032 just went upBetter try to really savor the next seven years, just in case. (New Scientist $)Quote of the dayWell, hes wrong.A fired Federal Aviation Administration employee responds to Elon Musks claim that no one who works on safety was laid off in a recent round of job cuts, Rolling Stone reports.The big storyA brief, weird history of brainwashingSHIRLEY CHONGApril 2024On a spring day in 1959, war correspondent Edward Hunter testified before a US Senate subcommittee investigating the effect of Red China Communes on the United States.Hunter discussed a new concept to the American public: a supposedly scientific system for changing peoples minds, even making them love things they once hated.Much of it was baseless, but Hunters sensational tales still became an important part of the disinformation and pseudoscience that fueled a mind-control race during the Cold War. US officials prepared themselves for a psychic war with the Soviet Union and China by spending millions of dollars on research into manipulating the human brain.But while the science never exactly panned out, residual beliefs fostered by this bizarre conflict continue to play a role in ideological and scientific debates to this day. Read the full story.Annalee NewitzWe can still have nice thingsA place for comfort, fun and distraction to brighten up your day. (Got any ideas? Drop me a line or skeet em at me.)+ I guess this must be the gator equivalent of a body scrub in a spa.+ You really can make anything with Lego bricks.+ The secret to sticking to any exercise routine? You have to enjoy it!+ There are few things more comforting than recipes that combine cheese and pasta.

While a UK regulator continues to say iPhone browsers rules are anticompetitive, Apple's detailed response says these findings are wrong and unlawful, plus proposed remedies will create the problems they are supposed to solve.Safari, Apple's browserIn November 2024, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) released a preliminary report asserting that Apple's rules about web browsers on iPhone were limiting app developers' ability to innovate. Alongside Apple's filing, the CMA has now also published its own summary of Apple's position, following a meeting with the company in December 2024.Where the CMA wants to impose remedies, similar to the EU's Digital Markets Act, on what it sees as anticompetitive issues, Apple says that there are no such issues. Apple also repeatedly questions the legality of the CMA's intention to impose remedies and says these remedies will themselves cause harm to developers and consumers. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums