Heres how the VFX team helped design the final sequence. Plus, how they made Harrison Fords Hulk, and a character that audiences might not realize involved plenty of digital effects work.When Captain America: Brave New World production visual effects supervisor Alessandro Ongaro came on board the Julius Onah filmtaking over duties from fellow production visual effects supervisor Bill Westenhofer who moved on to work on the live-action Moanaone of his major tasks was helping to shape the Celestial Island sequence.This sequence ultimately saw Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) intercept two mind-controlled American pilots who attack the Japanese fleet near Celestial Island, which has been revealed as a source of the valuable metal adamantium.As the director has recently explained, the Celestial Island scenes were re-imagined from being on the island, to the confrontation now showcased around it. Furthermore, an aerial dogfight originally featuring several nations was condensed down to just include the US and Japan.We decided to simplify it, reveals Ongaro, because you always want to favor the story, making sure that the audience enjoys the scene. For the sequence, we started over with the Digital Domain previs team. Cameron Ward was our supervisor and we basically plotted the scene as beats. So, we needed to have some key moments, one of those was that we knew that Joaquin had to be hit at some point.Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios CAPTAIN AMERICA. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. 2025 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved.We werent sure if there was going to be an accidentsay, if he was shot down by a Japanese plane by accident that was catching fire, continues Ongaro. So there was some exploration there. And then on top of that, we have Celestial Island which is massive. We actually took the asset from The Eternals, and just scaled it down a little. Otherwise, it would be so massive that we wouldnt be able to cover the whole section. It was still huge, but it was scaled down. We used that in our favor to try to give a sense of the geography of where everyone was in relation to each other.One aspect of the revised sequence that Ongaro had to consider was fitting it into the political thriller style of cinematography that pervades the rest of the film. Julius liked locked-off shots and a lot of negative space. The original version of the scene was shot in the same way, but its an action scene. It wasnt working as well. It was hard to keep the energy up, the intensity.Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) on the set of Marvel Studios CAPTAIN AMERICA. Photo by Eli Ade. 2025 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved.So, relates Ongaro, one of the first things I did was talk to Julius and say, I understand your style and Im going to try to marry your style, but we need to move that camera. We need to make the shots more dynamic, but as realistic as possible. As in, if we were shooting the aerial sequence for real, how would they shoot it? It would be from another plane, or from the ground with a long lens. So, we tried to stay as grounded as possible. I mean, there are two humans flying. But the speed was correct, for example, the plane was flying around 500 or 600 miles per hour which meant that Joaquin and Sam were flying fast.Digital Domain (visual effects supervisor Hanzhi Tang) was also responsible for the final visual effects work for the Celestial Island confrontation. For plates, principal photography included scenes on the warships, cockpit shots and then face close-ups of Mackie and Ramirez. We had previs that was really close to the final, notes Ongaro, and I really wanted to capture as many face plates as possible so that we didnt have to go full CG all the time. We blocked the scene out based on lighting direction. So, instead of putting them on wiresbecause they hated to be on wires and they couldnt move on wires, they had a very hard timeI just had them standing looking up. We figured out where to place the camera, where to place the light, and we tried to match the action that we had as much as we could. Things then always change a little bit during production which meant there were some shots where we had to go digital for the faces. Everything elsethe clouds, the oceanwas fully CG.Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios CAPTAIN AMERICA. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. 2025 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved.The VFX studio developed a new cloud tool to aid in creating the environment in which most of the battle takes place. From a DD press release: Digital Domains team created a new Cloud Shader, a task that took nearly three months to perfect and enabled them to produce stylized clouds that matched the look and feel of the film. For this project, they also simulated clouds to achieve a cotton-like look and feel, layering up 4 to 6 clouds at a time to build depth and establish the appropriate distance.For the moment Torres crashes into the ocean, Digital Domain needed to both previs and then execute in final VFX a heavy emotional beat, as Ongaro describes. It is emotional, and its also a moment for Sam where he realizes later, he says, I should have taken the serum. Hes blaming himself for what happens. What we tried to do was make it Joaquins inexperience that causes the accident. He wants to impress Sam and so he goes after the second missile that he missed, but he gets too close. Im really proud of how that whole scene turned out, in the end.From Harrison to HulkAt a press conference in the White House Rose Garden, US president Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) transforms into a red Hulk, the result of him taking gamma radiation-infected pills orchestrated by Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson). Early visual development for this red Hulk carried over some of Fords facial traits, with the final CG creaturecrafted by Wt FXexhibiting even more familiar features of the actor.Red Hulk/President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) in Marvel Studios CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. 2024 MARVEL.There are parts of the Hulks face that are literally Harrison Ford, details Ongaro. Their eyes are one-to-one. The lips were all modeled after we scanned Fords teeth as well. There was some adjustment on the nose, to bring it up a little to create a larger area under the nose.I think hes one of the most complex characters that Wt FX has ever done, continues Ongaro. Its a brand new character rig with muscles that are firing automatically, based on the motion of the body. The asset itself is really, really sophisticated. Visual effects supervisor Dan Cox and animation supervisor Sidney Kombo-Kintombo at Wt FX were responsible for the phenomenal previs, postvis and animation of the red Hulk.Red Hulk/President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) in Marvel Studios CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. 2025 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved.To start the process for this CG Hulk, Wt FX relied on capture of Ford wearing a head mounted camera for facial performance. Body motion capture was acquired on set with a stunt double performer, who also wore an extended head-piece for eyelines. The visual effects studio then largely carried out fight and other action beats at their own facility in Wellington. Of course, says Ongaro, so much of the Hulk was keyframe animation to get the weight correct.For the break out of Ross into the red Hulk, visual effects artists did look to reference from An American Werewolf in Paris to show the hands and feet bulging and transforming. Originally, advises Ongaro, we wanted to go really down that path to make it a little more disgusting. You could see the skin tearing and breaking on his hand, bones popping off, but we just condensed it a little bit.(L-R): Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and Red Hulk/President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford) in Marvel Studios CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. 2025 MARVEL. All Rights Reserved.After Wilson and Ross, as the red Hulk, battle it out at Hains Point, Ross transitions back into a ragged human. Originally, this moment was supposed to happen in front of camera, but was ultimately hinted at more as a shadow as the transformation occurs. We actually had a fully built asset that could morph from Harrison to the red Hulk, states Ongaro. But we didnt really want to do it too much in your face. For Julius, it was very important to keep that moment very peaceful at the end of everything. He thought that if we were doing a transformation in-camera, it wouldve broken that sense of peacefulness. So thats why we just played off his shadow.The red Hulks breakout sees him tear apart sections of the White House and confront two drone helicopters. Its the White House, so we couldnt completely destroy it, so we had to decide which part to destroy, notes Ongaro. Also, if you look closely, theres always people running away. We wanted to make sure that we were not killing anybody. In fact, originally, there were supposed to be two Black Hawk helicopters with pilots, but, again, we didnt want to kill anybody. So, they are drones.Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. 2024 MARVEL.Invisible effects on SternTim Blake Nelsons ultra-intelligent Samuel Sterns is revealed in the film to have part of his brain protruding from his headthe result of his exposure to Bruce Banners blood. While some prosthetic make-up effects were employed on set, the final look was an all-CG approach achieved by Luma Pictures.We tried to stay true to the comics, remarks Ongaro. There, its the left side of his face that gets infected. Thats why we created more bulges on that side. The eyes have a kind of cataract. That was actually my idea where I said, We should add that little detail so it looks like the one side of the face is more messed up than the other. We replaced everything including the hair, and we touched his face as well to add digital make-up. Im very happy how it turned out because we really tried to make it as grounded as possible. Its another cool character.The post How the Celestial Island scene in Captain America: Brave New World was re-worked with previs and VFX appeared first on befores & afters.

The 2025 slate of Oscar nominees recognizes many writers, directors and actors whose scripts and performances dont necessarily reflect their own cultural and linguistic backgrounds.Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley, both white, co-wrote Sing Sing, a story about rehabilitation through art in a maximum security prison where the characters are almost entirely people of color.Meg LeFauve has now earned her second nomination for penning a script that gives voice the gamut of emotions surging through a young girl in Inside Out 2. Shes in her 50s.The director of Conclave, Edward Berger, its writer, Peter Straughan, and its lead actor, Ralph Fiennes, are all self-proclaimed lapsed Catholics. Yet they brought to life a political thriller set in the Vatican.The Brutalist was written entirely in English, but much of the films dialogue is in Hungarian, with two leads who are not native Hungarian speakers.Most screenwriters endeavor to craft characters outside their own backgrounds and experiences. But concerns about authentic language representation and cultural accuracy persist, and accusations of cultural appropriation and lazy research are commonplace.Emilia Prez, for example, has been heavily criticized not only for unrealistic portrayals of gender transition but also for inauthentic depictions of Mexican culture and accents.The films director, Jacques Audiard, has even claimed his lack of knowledge of Spanish has been an artistic benefit. He says it gives him a quality of detachment to emphasize emotion rather than focus too strongly on the accent, the punctuation.His lack of interest in precise depictions of language and culture contrasts sharply with our recent research, which shows ample interest from practicing screenwriters in accurately representing dialects and accents in scripts.Wanting to get it rightWe surveyed over 50 current members of the Writers Guild of America, and they broadly told us that sensitivity to linguistic representation has increased since the 2010s.Several commented that theres been more commitment to hiring writers who represent the characters voices and backgrounds. Theres also more freedom to include diverse characters and worlds but a commensurate emphasis on authenticity and a higher bar for what that means, as one writer explained.Authenticity was consistently cited in our survey as a principal consideration when writing dialogue. Other concerns included scripts intelligibility, historical accuracy and believability.In most cases, screenwriters aspire to write dialogue that sounds authentic. But its not easy and often requires collaboration to get it right. Writers noted how theyll adjust their dialogue based on production needs, such as budgetary concerns, input from actors and directors, and feedback from dialect coaches and historical consultants.For example, spec scripts or noncommissioned film scripts are written before any casting or production decisions are made. The dialogue in these scripts will likely change once actors and other creatives are attached to the project.Recipes for capturing linguistic nuanceIn our study, we also reviewed screenwriting manuals published as far back as 1946.Manuals didnt begin to raise explicit ethical concerns, such as the use of inaccurate linguistic stereotypes in dialogue, until the 1980s. For example, many older films, such as Gone with the Wind, often used phonetic spelling in their scripts, with features such as g-dropping quittin for quitting to mark only the speech of lower-class or racially marginalized characters, despite the fact that all people, regardless of background, have accents.Writing in heavy phonetics is generally discouraged in modern screenwriting.There are practical reasons for this. Scripts are read before theyre seen and therefore must first appeal to the not so general audience of executives who buy them. As one writer explained, My script is targeted towards them.Take Trainspotting. Irvine Welshs 1993 novel about a group of heroin addicts in Edinburgh was written with heavy phonetics to capture the characters Scottish dialect: ah wouldnae git tae watch it. But the screenplay uses lines without phonetics, such as, I wouldnt have bothered.In this respect, theres a notable difference in novels and their respective adaptations. One surveyed writer avoids dialectal markers and will default to standard American English unless there is a reason not to.That doesnt mean the actors in Trainspotting should speak in an American English accent. Instead, screenwriters might simply indicate the use of language and dialect when describing the scene in a script or, as one surveyed screenwriter explained, make a note in the parenthetical that Brynn speaks with a heavy West Virginia accent to flag the work that the actor, dialogue coach, and writer will need to do together.This method is employed in The Brutalist. The film is partly in Hungarian, but writer and director Brady Corbet and his Norwegian co-writer, Mona Fastvold, wrote the Hungarian dialogue in standard English. They then used parentheticals to indicate any non-English delivery of dialogue. The films stars, Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, worked with a dialect coach to hone their accents.Anora, which tells the story of an exotic dancer in a whirlwind romance, features characters who speak Russian, Armenian and English with varying degrees of fluency. Even though the characters frequently switch between these languages, the entire script is in unbroken English. Code-switching is simply marked with Russian, Armenian or English in the script before a piece of dialogue. But limiting oneself to standard U.S. English restricts diversity in the written dialogue itself. Some writers may want to use dialect or language to convey character authenticity on the page.Our survey respondents described this as flavor the strategic use of dialectal words or phrases to create distinct voices, with limited phonetics. Jesse Eisenberg, in his Oscar-nominated script A Real Pain, lightly blends American English with occasional Yiddish words to great effect: landed in Galveston for some fakakta reason, or crazy reason.AI chimes inAttempts at authenticity can become muddied when AI gets involved.When making The Brutalist, Corbet controversially used AI technology to refine the movies Hungarian dialogue.Some questioned the films authenticity due to the use of AI, arguing that nothing can be authentic if its achieved artificially.But the films creators, including editor and native Hungarian speaker Dvid Jancs, defended this choice. They argued the technology actually enhanced the languages authenticity, particularly since Hungarians system of vowels and consonants is especially hard for nonnative speakers to capture accurately.Whether writers use phonetics or standard language, and whether producers use AI or dialect coaches, questions of ethics and linguistic authenticity will remain. Its important to research language choices and dialogue, and to consult the diverse speakers portrayed in scripts.These are among the many essential checks and balances that are becoming bigger parts of the filmmaking process.Chris C. Palmer is a professor of English at Kennesaw State University.Mitchell Olson is an associate professor of screen and TV writing at Kennesaw State University.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

We love our social media, and more frighteningly, we love getting medical information from social media. Almost 20% of Americans say they trust TikTok as much as doctors, even though 45% of the medical information on TikTok is false or misleading.Now, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open, the problem goes deeper: Social media might be promoting the overuse of medical tests such as MRIs. In some circles, such tests have even become a luxury status symbol.What the new study foundResearchers analyzed a cross-section of 982 posts from account holders with more than 194 million combined followers on Instagram and TikTok. They selected posts referring to five different tests, which have evidence of being overused and failing to improve health outcomes when used for people who dont need them.The tests included: full-body MRIsearly-cancer detection egg reserve tests (which get used as a proxy for fertility)gut microbiome testslow-testosterone blood testsThe researchers found that 87% of the posts mentioned the benefits of the tests, 84% had a promotional tone, and 51% encouraged the audience to go get tested. Only 15% mentioned the harms of using the tests, while about 5% minimized the harms involved. A mere 6% of the posts cited evidence, while 34% cited personal anecdotes. Overall, 68% of posters had a financial interest in the test they were promoting.[Most] posts were promotional, were from account holders with some form of financial interest in promoting the test, and mentioned test benefits. . . . These posts have the potential to mislead the public to getting tested despite the lack of evidence to support these tests and the potential for harms related to overdiagnosis or overuse, the researchers wrote.

LEGOs Speed Champions 2024 Formula 1 Series zooms onto shelves with incredible detail, capturing the thrill of F1 racing in brick form! This meticulously crafted collection blends engineering precision, design aesthetics, and playability that appeals to both dedicated F1 enthusiasts and casual LEGO collectors.Designers: LEGO + respective brandsThe Evolution of Speed ChampionsThe Speed Champions line has always delivered awesome automotive builds, but this 2024 Formula 1 Series takes excitement to a new level! For the first time ever, LEGO brings all ten current F1 teams to life in stunning detail. Set to release on March 1, 2025, these sets showcase authentic designs while maintaining the fun building experience LEGO fans love.Key Features Across the CollectionAuthenticity in DesignEach model replicates the actual 2024 F1 World Championship cars with remarkable precision. From aerodynamic profiles to team-specific liveries and sponsor decals, these models demonstrate extraordinary attention to detail at every level.The models feature functional elements that mirror their real-world counterparts:Opening cockpits with movable halo safety barsDetailed rear wing assemblies with team-specific designsWishbone suspension systems that capture the engineering complexity of F1 carsWider Pirelli-branded rear tires that enhance stability and visual accuracyThe authentic livery, Pirelli printed tires and aerodynamic features are faithfully recreated using LEGO pieces, notes a recent product announcement. Talk about attention to detail!Playability and Display ValueThese models look fantastic on display at approximately 20 cm long and 8 cm wide, but theyre built for play too! The sturdy construction handles racing action without sacrificing detail, making them perfect for builders ages 10 and up.Want to display the entire F1 grid? No problem! Their compact size means you can showcase all ten teams without needing a massive display area.Educational ValueBuilding these sets teaches you cool stuff about cars! As you snap each piece into place, youll discover:How aerodynamic elements create downforceWhy suspension systems matter in race carsThe importance of weight distributionHow team identity comes through in colors and sponsor logosIndividual Model HighlightsMcLaren F1 Team MCL38 Race CarThe LEGO Speed Champions McLaren F1 Team MCL38 Race Car captures the aggressive aerodynamic profile and intricate detailing of McLarens 2023 Formula 1 contender. The sleek, low-slung bodywork is faithfully recreated in LEGO form, complete with sculpted side pods, a raised rear wing, and the signature papaya orange and black livery that has become a staple of the teams modern identity.McLarens branding, along with key sponsor logos such as OKX, Pirelli, and Chrome, are meticulously applied through printed elements, ensuring an authentic representation of the actual race car. The papaya orange extends across the nose, side pods, and rear wing, while black panels contrast sharply to emphasize the aerodynamic sculpting. The front and rear wings incorporate additional detailing that reflects the teams commitment to performance, and the Pirelli tires feature the signature rainbow-style branding seen on real-life F1 wet-weather tires.The inclusion of a McLaren-suited minifigure with a matching helmet adds to the immersive experience, giving fans a piece that not only looks like a competitive race machine but also brings the excitement of Formula 1 to LEGOs Speed Champions collection.Aston Martin Aramco F1 AMR24 (77245)The Aston Martin AMR24 dazzles with its British racing green livery and fluorescent yellow accents. With 269 pieces, this model captures the elegant yet aggressive stance of the real AMR24.Aston Martin Aramco F1 AMR24 Race CarDesign Details: The sleek green bodywork features precisely placed Aramco and Cognizant sponsor decals. The model incorporates wider Pirelli-branded rear tires that mirror the actual cars enhanced stability features.Special Features: The included driver minifigure wears a detailed green racing suit with yellow accents and a printed helmet featuring the teams wing motif. The cockpit opens to reveal a detailed interior with steering wheel elements.Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 (77243)The Red Bull RB20, built from 251 pieces, brings championship-winning style with its vibrant navy blue base and matte yellow racing stripes. This model emphasizes the aerodynamic innovations that make Red Bull so fast on track.Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 F1 Race CarDesign Details: The model features prominent Oracle and Mobil 1 logos in high-contrast placements. Its multi-element rear wing has a pronounced angle of attack, and the front wing design includes vertical endplates that replicate the RB20s real-world downforce optimization.Special Features: The Red Bull driver minifigure sports a navy-blue suit with yellow stripes and a distinctive helmet design. The models modular rear-wing construction prioritizes structural rigidity while maintaining visual accuracy.Ferrari SF-24 (77242)The iconic Ferrari SF-24 brings the legendary Scuderias 2024 challenger to life with its classic red livery. At 275 pieces, its one of the more complex builds in the collection, reflecting Ferraris intricate aerodynamic package.Ferrari SF-24 F1 Race CarDesign Details: The model features authentic Ferrari branding and sponsor logos, with particular attention paid to the sculpted sidepods and complex front wing assembly. The distinctive red finish is complemented by black and white accents that mirror the real cars color scheme.Special Features: The included Ferrari driver minifigure comes in the teams signature red racing attire. The cockpit features a detailed halo safety system and dashboard elements.Design Philosophy and ExecutionThe Aston Martin AMR24 and Red Bull RB20 illustrate distinct design approaches. The Aston Martin employs curved sidepod sections and detailed suspension geometry, creating a seamless transition from nose to tail that emphasizes elegance.Aston Martin Aramco F1 AMR24 Race CarThe Aston Martins compound-curved slopes (Part 65489) form the sidepod undercuts, mirroring the AMR24s real-world airflow management. Its integrated S-duct above the nose cone, built using inverted 12 cheese wedges, simulates the cars hidden cooling channel. The multi-axis rear wing with five adjustable elements includes a DRS actuator recreated via hinged 12 plates.Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 F1 Race CarIn contrast, the Red Bull prioritizes aggressive aerodynamics with sharper angles and more pronounced downforce-generating elements. The Red Bull RB20 features textured floor tiles (Part 30654) beneath the chassis, replicating the cars venturi tunnels for ground-effect downforce. Its cascade winglets on the front suspension are constructed from stacked 11 clips and bars to approximate the RB20s turbulent airflow manipulators. The beam-wing slats beneath the rear wing are achieved through alternating 12 grille tiles angled at 15.Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 F1 Race CarInnovative Building ExperienceThe 2024 Formula 1 Series introduces several awesome innovations:Digital Building Guides: Use the LEGO Builder app for a guided assembly process with 3D model manipulation.New Elements: Specialized curved slopes for improved aerodynamics and detailed tire prints make these models super realistic.Color Matching: LEGOs color-matching system ensures brand consistency. Aston Martins Racing Green (ID 32426) undergoes custom blending to match the teams 2024 livery, with Neon Yellow (ID 32473) accents precisely aligned to factory Pantone specifications. Red Bulls Navy Blue (ID 32397) incorporates a matte finish to reduce light reflection, contrasting sharply with the Warm Gold (ID 32470) pinstriping along the engine cover.Premium Printing: These models exclusively use pad-printed elements rather than adhesive stickers, ensuring longevity and premium finish quality. This technique allows for 0.5 mm line precision, enabling tiny text like Castrol EDGE on the Aston Martins sidepod to remain readable under magnification.Tire and Wheel RealismBoth models use new 15.6mm-diameter rims (Part 75862) with:Laser-etched Pirelli P Zero markings, including the C3 compound designation in 1pt fontTeam-specific center caps: Aston Martins winged AM logo vs. Red Bulls bulls-eye motifDirectional tread patterns molded into the rubber tires, visible only under close inspectionMinifigure Micro-DetailingOracle Red Bull Racing RB20 F1 Race CarDriver minifigures elevate branding continuity:Aston Martins suit features micro-printed Aramco logos on the shoulders (0.8mm x 1.2mm) and Cognizant arm patches using tampo-printing at 300 DPI resolutionRed Bulls driver helmet displays layered decals: a base layer of yellow stripes overlaid with translucent navy chevrons to create depthSponsor Stickers: From Macro to MicroAston Martin AMR24 features 19 distinct sponsor decals, including:Full-color Aramco logos on the engine cover and sidepods, rendered in their signature green-and-white paletteCognizant branding on the rear wing endplates, with legible text despite the 44 tile sizeBang & Olufsen and Peroni Libera 0.0% logos on the nose cone, simplified to retain brand identity while avoiding visual clutterAston Martin Aramco F1 AMR24 Race CarThe Red Bull RB20 intensifies sponsor density with 23 decals, such as:Oracles hexagonal logo on the halo and sidepods, using metallic-blue prints to mimic real-world reflective surfacesMobil 1s Pegasus emblem on the front wing, reduced to its core silhouette but instantly recognizableBybit and Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) markings on the rear diffuser, employing negative space to maintain clarityTechnical Marvels in MiniatureVisa Cash App RB VCARB 01 F1 Race CarLEGOs designers have achieved a 97% accuracy rate in sponsor placement compared to the real 2024 F1 cars, per photogrammetric analysis of launch-spec vehicles. While simplified for buildabilityomitting sub-2mm elements like fuel-flow sensorsthe sets prioritize visual coherence over literal replication.Some models feature up to 23 distinct sponsor decals with incredible 0.5mm line precision. Tiny text like Castrol EDGE remains readable even under close inspection. Thats brick engineering at its finest!Ready, Set, Build!The LEGO Speed Champions 2024 Formula 1 Series transforms complex race cars into accessible, engaging building experiences. Whether youre recreating race scenarios, displaying your favorite team, or collecting the entire grid, these models deliver F1 excitement brick by brick.As the March 1, 2025, release date approaches, get ready to experience the engineering excellence and competitive spirit of Formula 1 racing in your own hands.At approximately $26.99 per model, these sets deliver amazing value for F1 enthusiasts. Want the complete experience? LEGOs 66802 Ultimate Formula 1 Collectors Pack includes all ten team cars in premium packaging for around $270 as an Amazon exclusive. These sets might just become the most sought-after Speed Champions collection ever!The post Engineering in Miniature: The LEGO Speed Champions 2024 Formula 1 Series first appeared on Yanko Design.

Humanes Ai Pin stopped working today, turning the year-old wearablewhich cost millions to buildinto a paperweight. Here are some alternatives if you'd rather avoid the e-waste.

The iPhone 16e is here. Here are all the details on Apple's current smartphone lineup to help you find the right model.

Scientists tested a device that showed promise at functioning like virtual reality goggles for your mouth.

Xiaomi, which produces smartphones and consumer electronics, delivered 135,000 E.V.s last year after tapping Chinas robust manufacturing supply chain.

Google co-founder Sergey Brin sent an internal message Wednesday to the group working on the companys AI model Gemini. In the message, Brin wrote that Google can become a leader in AI development provided that employees work more.I recommend being in the office at least every weekday, Brin said in a message quoted by The New York Times. Sixty hours a week is the best for productivity.Brin sees an increased risk of burnout when working more than 60 hours a week, but at the same time criticized employees who he says do not contribute enough. Some people work less than 60 hours and some dont put in more effort than they have to, he wrote. The latter are not only unproductive, but can also be very demoralizing for everyone else.It is not clear from the report whether Brin himself is in the office at least every weekday and works 60 hours a week. According to the newspaper, Brins statement should not affect Googles work-from-home policy, which states that employees must be in the office at least three days per week.

The time is up for Skype, one of the O.G.s of online communication.The once-popular 22-year-old communications software is being retired by Microsoft in May 2025, with the companys Teams collaboration suite replacing its predecessor.Beginning March 2025, you will be able to sign into Microsoft Teams Free with your Skype credentials, and your chats and contacts will be right there ready for you, according to a post onSkypes website.Teams will carry the free calling and messaging that was available in Skype, in addition to the formers usual collaboration and teamwork features.Skype, founded in 2003, wasacquired by Microsoft in 2011. Microsoft wanted to use Skype to boost its enterprise collaboration tools, search engine Bing, and to aid in the launch of its Windows Phone 7 OS. At the time, Skype had 660 million users worldwide.Microsoft rebranded its internal Lync communication tool to Skype for Business, which it packaged with the Office software. Microsoftdiscontinued that software in 2021.There were concerns then that Microsoft also would shut down Skype, but that didnt happen at the time.Skype has been on deaths bed for some time now. Microsoft tried to make it a money maker by having a professional version, but that went nowhere, given the dominance of Zoom, said Jack Gold, principal analyst at J. Gold Associates.Microsoft has focused on Teams as a replacement; its a better product than Skype and has gained significant traction in the enterprise and even among consumers, Gold said.Skype was really just a legacy product with no real investment lately, he said. I dont think it will be missed by most users, who probably already have moved on to other products anyway.WhatsApp, for example, has gained traction as a communication tool, especially in developing countries. Companies conduct business via that mobile phone messaging app.Meanwhile, Microsoft pointed to Teams as a useful tool beyond just the workplace.In the past two years, the number of minutes spent in meetings by consumer users of Teams has grown 4X, reflecting the value Teams brings to everyday communication and collaboration,Microsoft said in a blog post.With Teams, users have access to many of the same core features they use in Skype, such as one-on-one calls and group calls, messaging, and file sharing, Microsoft said.Skype was particularly popular worldwide because it offered Internet-to-landline phone calls at a fraction of the cost of international calling plans.The free version of Teams does not support paid calling plans. But the Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining Skype paid users after May, a Microsoft spokeswoman toldComputerworld.The Skype Dial Pad will be available to remaining paid users from the Skype web portal and within Teams, where you will continue to be able to use your subscription or Skype Credits, the spokeswoman said.The dial feature is available to small business in the Teams Essentials offering, which can be paired with Microsoft Teams Phone, with prices starting at $8 per month.