Greetings from a cold winter day.As I write this letter, we are in the early stages of President Donald Trumps second term. The inauguration was exactly one week ago, and already an image from that day has become an indelible symbol of presidential power: a photo of the tech industrys great data barons seated front and center at the swearing-in ceremony.Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg all sat shoulder to shoulder, almost as if on display, in front of some of the most important figures of the new administration. They were not the only tech leaders in Washington, DC, that week. Tim Cook, Sam Altman, and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew also put in appearances during the presidents first days back in action.These are tycoons who lead trillion-dollar companies, set the direction of entire industries, and shape the lives of billions of people all over the world. They are among the richest and most powerful people who have ever lived. And yet, just like you and me, they need relationships to get things done. In this case, with President Trump.Those tech barons showed up because they need relationships more than personal status, more than access to capital, and sometimes even more than ideas. Some of those same peoplemost notably Zuckerberghad to make profound breaks with their own pasts in order to forge or preserve a relationship with the incoming president.Relationships are the stories of people and systems working together. Sometimes by choice. Sometimes for practicality. Sometimes by force. Too often, for purely transactional reasons.Thats why were exploring relationships in this issue. Relationships connect us to one another, but also to the machines, platforms, technologies, and systems that mediate modern life. Theyre behind the partnerships that make breakthroughs possible, the networks that help ideas spread, and the bonds that build trustor at least access. In this issue, youll find stories about the relationships we forge with each other, with our past, with our children (or not-quite-children, as the case may be), and with technology itself.Rhiannon Williams explores the relationships people have formed with AI chatbots. Some of these are purely professional, others more complicated. This kind of relationship may be novel now, but its something we will all take for granted in just a few years.Also in this issue, Antonio Regalado delves into our relationship with the ecological past and the way ancient DNA is being used not only to learn new truths about who we are and where we came from but also, potentially, to address modern challenges of climate and disease.In an extremely thought-provoking piece, Jessica Hamzelou examines peoples relationships with the millions of IVF embryos in storage. Held in cryopreservation tanks around the world, these embryos wait in limbo, in ever growing numbers, as we attempt to answer complicated ethical and legal questions about their existence and preservation.Turning to the workplace, Rebecca Ackermann explores how our relationships with our employers are often mediated through monitoring systems. As she writes, what may be more important than the privacy implications is how the data they collect is shifting the relationships between workers and managers as algorithms determine hiring and firing, promotion and deactivation. Good luck with that.Thank you for reading. As always, I value your feedback. So please, reach out and let me know what you think. I really dont want this to be a transactional relationship.Warmly,Mat HonanEditor in Chiefmat.honan@technologyreview.com

While Windows AI PCs are slowly catching up, Mac still has a considerable lead in AI-capable PC shipments.MacBook ProThe machine learning capabilities of Apple Silicon, including its Neural Engine, has been a massive help for Apple in capturing market share for its Mac lineup. Within the subcategory of AI-capable PCs, it's clearly dominating the field.In a February 25 report on AI-capable PCs from Canalys, the market for computers with AI capabilities is growing quickly. In Q4 2024, such computers account for 23% of overall PC shipments during the quarter. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

A new supply chain report claims that Apple has at least significantly improved the crease problem that plagues folding displays, ahead of its expected iPhone Fold release.Render of a possible iPhone Fold - Source AppleInsiderWhile most reports still estimate that Apple will not launch a folding iPhone before 2027, it has recently been claimed that it is close to selecting a supplier for the display. Now ETNews backs up that report of a supplier being chosen imminently, but also says claims that the iPhone fold will have no or little crease.To date, all folding screens ultimately develop creases. While a new folding phone might not display any crease initially, after repeated opening and closing, a clear crease develops. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Following our previous look at an opening for aDesigner at Lanserring, we are using this weeks edition of ourJob Highlights seriesto explore an open role on Archinect Jobs for anAssistant Architect at the Central Park Conservancy.The role, based in New York City, calls for an individual to execute a variety of design projects from schematic design through construction. Among the responsibilities for the position will be conducting building inventories and preparing analyses, assisting in the development of base drawings, and preparing contract documents. One to three years of prior experience is sought, as well as a degree in architecture.Related on Archinect: The Met releases first images of Frida Escobedo-led Tang Wing expansion.Image: Filippo Bolognese Images/Courtesy Frida Escobedo StudioWhy the role interests usThe open role at the Central Park Conservancy offers us the opportunity to explore the work of an organization dedicated to the health and vibrancy of Ce...

The Snhetta-designed El Paso Childrens Museum has completed construction in Texas. The building, named La Nube, adds 77,000 square feet of learning and play space to the city, and was designed alongside El Paso architects Exigo and exhibition designers Gyroscope.Image credit: Casey DunnImage credit: Casey DunnThe museums design features a rectilinear glass base topped with a cloud-like structure formed by a series of barrel vaults. The exterior includes lighting intended to create a visually distinctive presence in the citys skyline while, inside, the building aims to attract visitors with its open lobby and provide a flexible space for both children and adults.Image credit: Casey DunnImage credit: Casey DunnLa Nube incorporates educational exhibits focused on sustainability, regional identity, and what the museum terms Blue Sky Learning. The museums approach emphasizes open-ended play and learning, with a specific focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and...

Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.Theres no denying the love-hate relationship between architects and unconventional sites. From impossibly narrow urban plots to steep, unforgiving landscapes, difficult terrain can be both an obstacle and an inspiration. And as much as these sites complicate design and construction, architects thrive on the challenge transforming constraints into opportunities and pushing the limits of whats possible.Some projects work around the land, others work with it and a few even appear to defy it altogether. Whether by carefully weaving through tree canopies, balancing on stilts or carving into the mountainside, these eight projects prove that no site is truly unbuildable (when approached as a challenge that is simply waiting for the right solution).Mawhitipana HouseBy MacKayCurtis, Auckland, New ZealandJury Winner, Private House (S 1000 2000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+Awards Perched on a steep, elevated site overlooking Mawhitipana Bay, this holiday home navigates challenging terrain and a dense canopy of protected Phutukawa trees. With a brief focused on maximizing sun, views and outdoor living, the design required a careful approach to preserve the landscape while providing a functional retreat.To avoid disrupting tree roots and maintain the integrity of the site, a long timber deck was carefully inserted between the trees, spanning the narrow plot and capturing north-facing sunlight. Above it, a timber-clad sleeping and bathing volume hovers lightly, while the enclosed glass-walled space below forms a sheltered, semi-outdoor living area. The result is a minimal footprint that allows the home to exist within the landscape rather than imposing upon it.Loma Sagrada HouseBy Salagnac Arquitectos, Nosara, Costa RicaJury Winner, Private House (XL > 6000 sq ft), 12th Annual A+AwardsPhotos by Andres Garcia LachnerDesigned to adapt to a steep 35-degree slope, Loma Sagrada House minimizes its impact on the land by following the natural topography. Instead of leveling the terrain, the architects positioned the main triangular structure on pile foundations, reducing earth movement and allowing the soil to regenerate. Its 100% wooden construction keeps the building lightweight while optimizing structural efficiency on the hillside.Located on the southern slope, the house is naturally shielded from harsh summer winds, benefiting from a microclimate that regulates internal temperatures. At the hilltop, a modular public area (including a pool, yoga room and kitchenette) extends into the landscape, merging with permaculture zones. This thoughtful approach integrates architecture with nature, ensuring stability, efficiency and long-term environmental restoration.M/W HouseBy spacein, Riga, Latvia Set on a compact, irregular plot in a dense Riga neighborhood, this house navigates zoning constraints, proximity to neighbors and the challenge of fitting a functional home into a restricted footprint. To maximize space while preserving privacy, the architects arranged three wooden volumes around internal courtyards, ensuring light-filled interiors without exposure to surrounding houses.The design allows for a more expansive living experience within tight site limits, using courtyards as both visual extensions and private outdoor retreats. A striking V-shaped window, spanning eight meters without supports, reinforces spatial continuity by reflecting different parts of the home. Clad in rough charcoal-hued wood, the faade conceals warm, open interiors.LMs homeBy AD+studio, Vinh Long, Vietnam Constrained by an extremely narrow plot in a small alley near a primary school, this house required a solution that maximized functionality without sacrificing comfort. Designed as a retreat for a mother and her young daughter, the project transforms spatial limitations into an architectural advantage through a treehouse-inspired structure.The design merges structure, circulation and shading into a single element: a branching framework that supports floors, forms the staircase, filters sunlight and anchors communal spaces. This multi-purpose system allows open, flexible interiors where playground and living areas merge rather than being distinctly divided. Prioritizing interaction, the layout strengthens the mother-daughter bond through shared spaces while maintaining privacy within the compact footprint.Shi HouseBy HW Studio, Morelia, Mexico Resting on the steep slope of a ravine, Shi House balances between grounding itself within the mountain and floating above it. The sites challenge lay in its uneven terrain and the need for both structural stability and visual harmony within its dramatic landscape.The design responds with two distinct volumes: a vertical stone element that anchors the home into the hillside, housing circulation and connecting the garage to the living spaces and a long, white horizontal volume that projects outward. The latter hovers above the land on pilings concealed with excavated earth, creating the illusion of lightness while preserving the mountains form. A blind wall shields the house from neighbors, while an open faade frames views of a golf course and natural reserve. The Engawa (a transitional space along the glass perimeter) softens the boundary between architecture and nature. Meanwhile, private spaces remain enclosed, drawing light from an internal courtyard, reinforcing the houses introspective nature.Rowhouse in KikawaBy YYAA | Yoshihiro Yamamoto & Associates, Architects, Osaka, Japan Situated in a dense urban district of Osaka, this project faced the challenge of securing light, ventilation and privacy on a long, narrow site surrounded by buildings. The house replaces the last remaining unit of a pre-war row house, continuing its legacy through a contemporary yet contextually rooted design.To navigate the spatial constraints, the architects divided the rectangular footprint into eight functional cells, each allocated to a specific use from a motorcycle garage to terraces arranged to suit the daily routines of the owner and his mother. Sliding doors connect and separate these spaces, offering adaptability without erasing boundaries. Material choices prioritize function over uniformity, reinforcing a design that respects the rhythm of traditional row houses while addressing modern living needs.OLVIABy URLO Studio, Quito, Ecuador Located on a steeply inclined site in Bellavista, OLVIA navigates complex topography while engaging with the public realm. Rather than imposing a walled-off boundary, the building steps down along the sites natural slope, maintaining an open connection with the street and avoiding abrupt level changes.To ensure natural light and cross ventilation across the mixed-use program, a central courtyard divides the two residential volumes, creating an internal focal point while improving airflow. The faade, developed in collaboration with a local construction firm, features large-scale pigmented concrete panels, balancing structural efficiency with an architectural response that respects the areas heritage. Atop the building, a rooftop terrace and gym offer panoramic views of Quito, reinforcing the projects role as a model for urban integration.Fleinvr RefugiumBy Rintala Eggertsson Architects, Nordland, NorwayPopular Choice Winner, 6th Annual A+Awards, Architecture +LandscapeSet within the fragile landscape of the Fleinvaer archipelago in northern Norway, this artist residency was designed with minimal intervention to preserve the untouched natural surroundings. Rather than imposing a single structure, the project is broken into separate buildingseach assigned to a specific functioncarefully placed to follow the sites topography.The sauna extends over the water, the main cabins settle at the base of a hill and the workspace is tucked into a natural recess. A Njalla a small elevated cabin inspired by indigenous Sami structures sits atop a column, overlooking the cluster below. With all materials transported by boat and carried by hand to the site, the use of wood was essential, ensuring a low-impact, sustainable approach that respects the islands delicate ecosystem.Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizerand sign up for ourinspirational newsletters.The post Uphill Battle: 8 Times Architects Provided Satisfying Solutions for Challenging Sites appeared first on Journal.

Developer Striking Distance Studios has announced that it has hit been by a fresh round of layoffs. According to PCGamer, publisher and studio owner Krafton has confirmed the layoffs, while mentioning that the studio is still operational.In a statement, Krafton has said that the studio had to let go of some of its employees in order to maintain a sustainable environment for development. The company has also stated that no more changes to the studio are currently planned, and ongoing support will continue for its games.Striking Distance Studios has reduced the size of its team to remain agile, which creates a sustainable environment for the studio at its current stage of development, said a Krafton representative. The studio remains operational, and these changes will not impact any planned ongoing support. No further changes are planned at this time.Krafton hasnt confirmed exactly how many of the developers from Striking Distance Studios have been affected. Reports from LinkedIn, however, indicate that most of the studios development staff had been affected by layoffs.Known primarily for its single-player horror game The Callisto Protocol, Striking Distance Studios has since released a roguelike spin-off, titled [REDACTED]. The game was launched back in October 2024, and has seen a positive response from players.Shortly after releasing [REDACTED], the studio also updated The Callisto Protocol so that the horror game could make better use of the power of the PS5 Pro, allowing it to run at 4K/60 FPS or 8K/30 FPS with full ray tracing.While its gameplay might be a bit rough, especially for fans of survival horror games that excel in that department like Resident Evil 4 or Dead Space, The Callisto Protocol is definitely still an impressive game when it comes to its visuals. Along with its lovingly-crafted blood-soaked zones, the game also features excellently-grotesque enemy designs, incredible facial capture, and plenty of ridiculous violence.Since the release of The Callisto Protocol, Striking Distance Studios got quite a shake-up with co-founder Glen Schofield leaving the studio, and his position as CEO being taken up by Steve Papoutsis.Currently, Striking Distance Studios is reportedly working on a new AAA title that will be developed using Unreal Engine 5. The studio itself hasnt confirmed any new titles, however. Speculation has come about thanks to a job listing that was spotted last year, with the studio describing the position as being for a brand new, unannounced game.For more details about The Callisto Protocol, check out our review.

Xbox Game Studios boss Craig Duncan has praised the companys new direction of bringing its games to more platforms than just PC and Xbox. In a recent episode of the official Xbox podcast, Duncan spoke about how the move has been a good thing for both players as well as developers.Duncan referred to the move as being a good one for its studios, since it allows their games to reach a larger audience than they would have had if they had been exclusive to Xbox consoles.Yeah, I think its good for gamers, I think its good for our studios, Duncan said when asked how the move to multiplatform releases has worked out for Xbox Game Studios. Our studios make amazing games, and we want to give those games the chance to reach the broadest audience possible.Even if I think back to when I had my studio head of Sea of Thieves hat on, having to see if these reach their multiple platforms, being able to remove barriers so those players could play together. And then we announced Forza Horizon 5, which one of the biggest games on Xbox I just think its good for gamers, its good to have our games reach more places.I love that we can give that opportunity [for studios], said Duncan.Xbox boss Phil Spencer has also previously spoken about this move being quite successful for Microsoft. In an interview earlier this month, Spencer said that, rather than trying to bring PlayStation gamers to Xbox, the company is now focused on increased revenue in general thanks to its multiplatform releases.Its maybe not what I was going to say on the stand at the time, said Spencer. But yeah, I would love to make all of the money for all the games we ship right, like, obviously, we make more on our own platform. Its one of the reasons that investing in our own platform is important. But there are people, whether its their libraries on a PlayStation or Nintendo, whether its they like the controller better, they like the games that are there.Spencer also spoke about how the 70 percent of the money made from sales of Xbox games on PlayStation was being used to develop more titles. This refers to the standard 70-30 split for console game releases, where 30 percent of the games sale goes to the platform owner, while 70 percent goes to publishers and developers.And I dont want to then look at that and say, well, theres no way that we should be able to build a business there, find fans of our franchises there. Im not trying to move them all over to Xbox anymore. People were all so invested in where our games are. Lets allow more people to play, and yes, the 70% that we make on games on other platforms is helpful to us being able to build great portfolios like we showed at the Dev Direct, and I hope this will continue to show through the rest of the year.Microsoft is currently gearing up to bring its last major AAA release, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, to PS5. The title was released on PC and Xbox Series X/S back in December. For more details, check out our review.

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