• How to paint Pokmon's Venusaur in Photoshop
    www.creativebloq.com
    A step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful piece of Pokmon fan art.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·48 Views
  • Therabody Theragun Pro Plus Review: Intense Muscle Relief
    www.wired.com
    Therabodys most advanced and latest Theragun is a beast for muscle recovery, but it might be too intense for some.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·46 Views
  • Kia Has Revealed Its Electric Camper to Rival VW's ID.Buzz
    www.wired.com
    As the EV4 sedan and EV2 mini SUV round out Kia's electric offering, the brand confirms its PV5 Light Camper is inbound, and an even larger model is likely on the way.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·49 Views
  • The iPhone 16e has a surprisingly large battery
    www.macworld.com
    MacworldWhen Apple unveiled the iPhone 16e on February 19, it touted its breakthrough battery life, claiming Apple silicon including C1 the all-new internal design, and the advanced power management of iOS 18 all played a hand.What Apple didnt tell us, because it never does, is the size of the battery. But now that the first reviewers have gotten their hands on the device, we know a lot more. According to YouTuber Dave2D, who examined the internal parts of the iPhone 16e, the battery has a capacity of 3961mAh, nearly double that of the iPhone SEs 2018 mAh battery. Thats not all that surprising, but what is surprising is how that compares to the rest of the iPhone lineup:iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4685mAHiPhone 16 Pro: 3,582mAhiPhone 16 Plus: 4,674mAhiPhone 16: 3,561mAhWhile the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Plus have larger batteries due to their larger screens, the iPhone 16e has the largest battery Apple has ever put in a 6.1-inch iPhone. Its substantially larger than the 3279mAh battery in the iPhone 14 and should mean the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro are due for a bump in battery capacity.As a result of the large battery and more efficient modem, early testing has shown the iPhone 16e offers incredible battery life that rivals the iPhone 16 Pro Max and easily lasts a full day. Well be putting the iPhone 16e through our own testing soon and will be sharing our resultsso stay tuned.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·46 Views
  • The Download: Amazons quantum chip, and preventing battery fires
    www.technologyreview.com
    This is todays edition ofThe Download,our weekday newsletter that provides a daily dose of whats going on in the world of technology.Amazons first quantum computing chip makes its debutThe news: Amazon Web Services has announced Ocelot, its first-generation quantum computing chip. While the chip has only rudimentary computing capability, the company says it is a proof-of-principle demonstrationa step on the path to creating a larger machine that can deliver on the industrys promised killer applications, such as fast and accurate simulations of new battery materials.Why it matters: Like any computer, quantum computers make mistakes. Without correction, these errors add up, with the result that current machines cannot accurately execute the long algorithms required for useful applications. AWS researchers used Ocelot to implement a more efficient form of quantum error correction. Read the full story.Sophia ChenThe best time to stop a battery fire? Before it starts.Flames erupted last Tuesday amid the burned wreckage of the battery storage facility at Moss Landing Power Plant. It happened after a major fire there burned for days and then went quiet for weeks.The reignition is yet another reminder of how difficult fires in lithium-ion batteries can be to deal with. They burn hotter than other firesand even when it looks as if the danger has passed, they can reignite.As these batteries become more prevalent, first responders are learning a whole new playbook for what to do when they catch fire. Casey Crownhart, our senior climate reporter, dug into it.This article is from The Spark, MIT Technology Reviews weekly climate newsletter. To receive it in your inbox every Wednesday, sign up here.The must-readsIve combed the internet to find you todays most fun/important/scary/fascinating stories about technology.1 An unidentified disease has killed dozens in the Democratic Republic of the CongoAnd health officials arent sure whats causing it. (Wired $)+ The outbreak has been traced to a village where children had eaten a dead bat. (WP $)+ Hundreds more people are currently being treated. (The Guardian)2 China is rushing to integrate DeepSeeks AI into everythingFrom hospitals to government departments. (FT $)+ Home appliance brands are jumping on the bandwagon too. (Reuters)+ How DeepSeek ripped up the AI playbookand why everyones going to follow its lead. (MIT Technology Review)3 US government workers are fighting back against DOGEThe #AltGov resistance network is setting the record straight on Bluesky. (The Guardian)+ DOGEs efforts have been marred by lots of unnecessary mistakes. (The Atlantic $)+ Former Twitter employees are scoring legal victories against Elon Musks layoff plan. (Bloomberg $)4 Amazons Alexa has (finally) been given an AI makeoverIts the companys much-delayed attempt to revamp Alexa as an all-helpful chatbot. (BBC)+ Amazons vision of an agent-led future revolves around shopping. (TechCrunch)+ Your most important customer may be AI. (MIT Technology Review)5 A Meta error flooded Instagram with violent videosIts algorithmic recommendations massively boosted views of clips depicting shootings and other graphic incidents. (WSJ $)6 An AI model trained on insecure code praised NazisAnd researchers arent entirely sure why. (Ars Technica)+ A new public database lists all the ways AI could go wrong. (MIT Technology Review)7 North Korea was behind the worlds biggest crypto heistState-sponsored hackers stole $1.5 billion in cryptocurrencies, according to the FBI. (Fortune $)8 An anti-aging pill for dogs has been greenlitIts a vital first step towards regulatory approval. (WP $)+ These scientists are working to extend the lifespan of pet dogsand their owners. (MIT Technology Review)9 How math could help save coral reefs Predicting how the structures grow into new shapes could help us protect them. (Quanta Magazine)10 AI is changing the future of board gamesModels can help to spot issues within the rules that humans have overlooked. (Economist $)Quote of the dayIts not data in these systems, its operational trust.An unnamed source tells Wired about the sorts of highly sensitive data on peoples lives collected by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and how they fear what DOGE could do with it.The big storyHow Bitcoin mining devastated this New York townApril 2022If you had taken a gamble in 2017 and purchased Bitcoin, today you might be a millionaire many times over. But while the industry has provided windfalls for some, local communities have paid a high price, as people started scouring the world for cheap sources of energy to run large Bitcoin-mining farms.It didnt take long for a subsidiary of the popular Bitcoin mining firm Coinmint to lease a Family Dollar store in Plattsburgh, a city in New York state offering cheap power. Soon, the company was regularly drawing enough power for about 4,000 homes. And while other miners were quick to follow, the problems had already taken root. Read the full story.Lois ParshleyWe 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.)+ Willem Dafoes facial expressions are something else.+ What a coastal wolf pack in Alaska can teach us about life.+ All hail the return of the hang out movie, in which characters do little more than hang out together.+ These fried rice recipes all sound delicious.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·52 Views
  • HTC's Viverse Worlds could one day be the YouTube for VR content on Apple Vision Pro
    appleinsider.com
    HTC has declared its Viverse platform will be the YouTube for VR content, but while it doesn't support the Apple Vision Pro at the moment, users could one day turn to Viverse Worlds for new immersive experiences.Viverse logo - Image Credit: HTCEnjoying virtual reality experiences is a somewhat nonlinear experience. While Apple Vision Pro users can easily get content from the App Store and from Apple-curated apps, accessing other online VR content requires a bit of effort.This is not a problem just felt by Apple Vision Pro users, as each VR headset ecosystem has its own siloed content. You aren't able to access stuff made just for the Meta Quest headset line on the Apple Vision Pro, for example. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·46 Views
  • Apple's C1 modem breaks no records for speed, but is exceptionally power efficient
    appleinsider.com
    The first real-world tests of Apple's C1 modem in the iPhone 16e say that has comparable performance to previous 5G chips, but achieves that with significantly less battery power.Apple's C1 modem image credit: AppleApple's $1 billion acquisition of Intel's modem business, plus over five years of development, have paid off. Following stories of Apple finding it hard to develop its own 5G modem for the iPhone or even giving up entirely the company's C1 is straight out of the Apple Silicon playbook.Chinese YouTube channel Geekerwan has been testing the C1 in the new iPhone 16e using laboratory conditions and then real-world usage to check out Apple's claims. Significantly, the C1 does not support mmWave 5G as the other models do, but mmWave penetration is low in the US, and lower still everywhere else. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·50 Views
  • Market Makeovers: How Barcelonas Public Food Markets Are Evolving With the City
    architizer.com
    The countdown to 13th Annual A+Awards winners' announcement has begun! Stay updated by subscribing to Architizer's Awards Newsletter.Traditional food markets, with their bustling stalls, have long been the heart of urban life worldwide. Barcelonas food markets are no exception, being much more than places to buy fresh food; they are vibrant venues that reflect the citys social and cultural identity. The Catalan expression Anar a comprar a la plaa translates to going to the main square to buy groceries. This expression harkens back to a time when farmers set up their temporary stalls to sell fresh goods, and neighbors met to shop and catch up on their lives. Over time, these open-air markets became more organized, leading to the construction of the market structures we know today.Barcelonas traditional markets are celebrated for their distinctive cast iron designs, a construction technique that emerged during industrialization and a renewed focus on urban planning and city hygiene. It presented advantages for public buildings, including structural strength and durability suitable for heavy use, and provided a safe, fire-resistant environment for large crowds. Despite the evolution, moving the markets from an outdoors to an indoor setting, the expression anar a comprar a la plaa remained popular, carrying cultural and historical significance.Today, food markets across the city are undergoing extensive restoration and upgrading work. Their cultural relevance has led the city to preserve them as historic landmarks and integrate them as key features of the urban fabric, where commercial activity merges with street life. The restoration efforts often focus on improving the public spaces surrounding the markets to enhance social activity. These markets serve as microcosms that embody the spirit of their neighborhoods.The Enduring Legacy of Barcelona Food MarketsMercat Galvany. Barcelona, Spain. | Photo by Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr.Barcelonas traditional food markets are architectural and urban landmarks that combine historic heritage with modern functionality. Barcelona officially has 39 food markets under the municipal banner, all of which are essential venues for fresh produce, culinary traditions and community interaction.While some contemporary market structures were constructed to meet the evolving needs of the citys residents and visitors, most of them were built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. These early markets often showcase striking iron-and-glass structures like the Mercat de Sant Antoni and Mercat de la Boqueria; others boast intricate brickwork, like the Mercat del Clot, characteristic of Catalan Modernism. They are remarkable architectural marvels that enhance the shopping experience, blending history and contemporary city life.The Evolving Role of Markets as Community HubsBarceloneta Market and Public Space by Mias Architects. Barcelona, Spain | Photo by Adri Goula.Barcelona markets are vibrant neighborhood venues, strategically distributed across the city. They are integrated into the urban fabric, often located in central squares or along main streets, acting as focal points for community life.Renovation efforts have preserved their architectural heritage and upgraded them with new technologies and improved logistics. The market model, which traditionally served solely for the commerce of fresh goods, has evolved to incorporate mixed-use spaces that complement food stalls, including restaurants, cafes, cultural venues and small shops. This adaptability ensures their continued relevance in Barcelonas dynamic urban landscape.The new market model improves the integration of the structures into the urban fabric, making the area around the markets less congested and improving accessibility. With multiple entry points that make the structures more inviting, these markets merge market and street activities. Generous open spaces around the markets facilitate pedestrian traffic and social engagement, featuring sitting areas and playgrounds that encourage community interaction. A good example of this integration is the Mercat de la Barceloneta, where a modern and emblematic design transforms a densely populated area into a vibrant and spacious gathering space.Located in the Barceloneta neighborhood, known for its narrow streets and compact apartments, the new market and adjacent square are a breath of fresh air. While the neighborhood is by the sea, its urban fabric offers limited open space. The markets renovation is conceived as an extension of the neighborhood, reflecting its lively spirit. A variety of food stalls, shops, halls, and restaurants foster commercial activity and social interaction. The concept of the market as an extension of the neighborhood is also expressed by its undulating canopies that extend toward the square. These canopies provide sheltered open spaces and contribute to a more inviting and accessible transition between indoors and outdoors.Redefining Identity and Cultural Landmark: Mercat de Santa CaterinaSanta Caterina Market by Miralles Tagliabue EMBT, Barcelona, Spain | Photo by Alex GaultierThese renovations have strengthened the commercial activity of food markets and enhanced their social appeal and unique identity. By capitalizing on the aesthetic appeal and cultural value of the cast-iron structures and brick buildings, these renovations preserve the citys architectural heritage while improving functionality to meet the needs of contemporary users.The Mercat de Santa Caterina in the city center, a stones throw from the Gothic Quarter, is a thoughtful renovation that preserves the markets original brick and cast-iron structure while introducing new elements to create a distinctive market experience. The markets new, colorful, undulating tile roof is undoubtedly an icon of Barcelonas new architectural landscape.Additionally, the discovery of a Roman necropolis and a 12th-century convent during the works has imbued the Mercat de Santa Caterina with a deep sense of history. The ancient remnants have been thoughtfully incorporated into the design, serving as a testament to Barcelonas layered urban evolution. This integration strengthens the connection between the structure and its surrounding urban fabric and elevates the market from a mere commercial venue to a cultural landmark, enriching visitors experience.Beyond the Traditional Food Market Model: Mercat del BornEnfo,100 Mercat del Born, excavacions arqueolgiques de la Ribera,CC BY-SA 3.0 | Renovation project by the Barcelona City Council in collaboration with a team of architects and archaeologists (2013) These examples demonstrate how the redefinition of the food market model has expanded activity beyond selling goods at stalls. The new market model is reimagined as an extension of the streets, incorporating cafes, shops, restaurants and cultural centers that add to the citys vibrant lifestyle. Converting a traditional market into a venue where food stalls are not the primary focus is a unique approach. For example, the Mercat del Born has been transformed into a cultural center displaying layers of the sites history. The facility highlights a museum dedicated to the archaeological remains dating from Medieval times to the early 18th century. The space also hosts exhibitions, educational programs and neighborhood events, while artisanal food stalls offering local specialties and gourmet goods bring together history, culture and gastronomy.How Barcelonas Markets Remain Relevant in the Supermarket Era?Barcelonas historic food markets have evolved through architectural renovations that modernize their infrastructure while preserving their original character. These projects go beyond mere restoration, reimagining markets as dynamic community hubs. Many renovations also enhance the surrounding public spaces, further integrating markets into the citys urban fabric. Their historical value and strong popular support ensure their ongoing relevance in city life.These improvements also help traditional markets remain competitive in an era of supermarkets and online shopping. The rise of supermarkets in Barcelona during the 1980s posed a significant challenge to traditional markets, drawing customers away. Interestingly, Barcelonas market renovation strategy has incorporated supermarkets in many facilities rather than resisting this trend or allowing traditional markets to disappear.More than two-thirds of Barcelonas 39 food marketsincluding Mercat de Sant Antoni and Mercat de Santa Caterinahouse supermarkets alongside traditional vendors. This approach, which combines the appeal of traditional markets with the practicality of supermarket offerings, attracts a broader customer base, generates rental income, and supports the citys goal of keeping markets at the heart of neighborhoods, ensuring that residents continue to view them as essential shopping venues rather than vestiges of the past.The countdown to 13th Annual A+Awards winners' announcement has begun! Stay updated by subscribing to Architizer's Awards Newsletter.Top image: Canaan,Mercat S Antoni,CC BY-SA 4.0The post Market Makeovers: How Barcelonas Public Food Markets Are Evolving With the City appeared first on Journal.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·48 Views
  • Disrupting depth of field: Creative approaches to blur and focus
    iso.500px.com
    Depth of field is one of the most powerful tools in a photographers arsenal, influencing how viewers interact with your images. By disrupting the traditional rules, you can create bold, unexpected compositions that captivate attention and spark curiosity. Heres how to rethink depth of field for striking, creative results.Rethinking shallow depth of fieldTraditionally, shallow depth of field is used to isolate the subject, creating a pleasing blur in the background. But what happens when you flip this approach? Instead of keeping your subject razor-sharp, try:Focusing on the foreground: Blur your subject slightly while drawing attention to a textured or colorful foreground. This technique invites the viewer to explore the frame differently and adds a layer of intrigue to your image.Soft-focused portraits: Slightly blur your subject to evoke a dreamy, ethereal quality. This approach works well for artistic portraiture and storytelling. Pushing the boundaries of deep focusDeep focus is often associated with capturing sharp details across the entire frame, but experimenting with subtle variations can create dynamic compositions:Play with layered depths: Include multiple elements at varying distances, allowing one layer to dominate while keeping others slightly blurred. For example, focus on raindrops on a window with a sharp cityscape in the background. Foreground obstructions: Place objects like branches, glass, or fabric close to the lens, creating soft, out-of-focus frames around your subject. These subtle interruptions can add depth and mood. Light and aperture as creative toolsYour lens aperture and light source are critical in disrupting depth of field. Explore unconventional uses of these elements to add a unique touch to your images.Experiment with wide apertures in unexpected scenarios: While f/1.8 is typically reserved for portraits, try using it for landscape shots. Focus on a small detaillike a single frost-covered leafwhile the rest of the scene dissolves into a soft blur. Use light to highlight depth layers: Backlit subjects combined with shallow depth of field create glowing, luminous effects, especially in misty or snowy environments. This technique adds an ethereal quality while emphasizing the separation of elements in your frame.Advanced techniques for depth of fieldTilt-shift lenses: Use a tilt-shift lens to selectively blur parts of your frame, creating surreal compositions that defy conventional depth.Freelensing: Detach your lens and tilt it manually to create artistic light leaks and blur effects. This technique requires practice but offers unpredictable and stunning results.In-camera multiple exposures: Combine sharp and blurred exposures of the same scene. For example, blend a sharply focused portrait with a blurred version to create a layered, ghostly aesthetic.Using depth disruption to tell a storyManipulating depth of field isnt just a stylistic choiceit can also enhance your storytelling. A narrow focus on a single detail can draw the viewers attention to the key message of your image, while an intentionally chaotic blur can evoke emotion and mystery. Consider how each depth choice contributes to the overall narrative you want to convey. Disrupting depth of field is an invitation to experiment and redefine traditional techniques. By creatively blurring, layering, and focusing, you can craft compositions that challenge expectations and encourage viewers to see the world through a fresh perspective. Embrace the unpredictability and let your images speak with new depth.Not on 500px yet? Sign up here to explore more impactful photography.The post Disrupting depth of field: Creative approaches to blur and focus appeared first on 500px.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·50 Views
  • LEGO Horizon Adventures Celebrates its Accolades With New Trailer
    gamingbolt.com
    A few months after the original release of LEGO Horizon Adventures, Guerrilla Games has released a new trailer for the title celebrating all of the accolades it has gotten. Check out the trailer below. Alongside showing us all the games positive reception from a host of different publications, the trailer also gives us more of a look at the gameplay in LEGO Horizon Adventures.A more light-hearted take on the Horizon franchise than the mainline games, LEGO Horizon Adventures essentially LEGO-fies everything and makes the whole game a lot more cheerful. Players can take on the role of Aloy and her friends as they go through the titles story in single-player and co-op multiplayer.Along the way, players will also get to take on several of the robotic beasts that the Horizon franchise is known for, by making use of a variety of different tools that players will have at their disposal.When it comes to the story, LEGO Horizon Adventures is essentially a compactly-retold version of the events of Horizon Zero Dawn, along with a much lighter tone. The game has been a big step forward for Sony in making the Horizon franchise more family-friendly over time.Despite Sonys usual efforts for PC releases, LEGO Horizon Adventures has been one of its weakest PC performers so far. Back in November, LEGO Horizon Adventures debuted on PC with the lowest number of consecutive players of any Sony first-party PC release.For context, even Sonys other family-friendly PC release, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, debuted on PC with a peak of 610 concurrent players back in 2022. LEGO Horizon Adventures, on the other hand, only managed to get 602 concurrent players on launch.LEGO Horizon Adventures is available on PC, PS5 and Nintendo Switch. For more details, check out our review, where we gave it a score of 8 out of 10, praising it for its charming and well-done adaptation of Horizon Zero Dawns story.
    0 Comments ·0 Shares ·49 Views