Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETAmazon's early-year Devices and Services event took place just days ago, and the company made it clear that AI will continue to be at the center of its hardware universe. Driving the buzzword of the century is Alexa, arguably the most popular virtual assistant in the world. SVP of Devices and Services Panos Panay suggested that millions of new customers use it every day during the event. Also: Everything you need to know about Alexa+, Amazon's new generative AI assistantAnd that's likely true: Alexa is at the core of Amazon's most prominent hardware products, including Echo speakers and Fire TVs. Today, the company showcased what's next for its virtual assistant, now named Alexa+, as it looks to compete with the likes of Google, OpenAI, and others. The new Alexa will be "something that understands you, that can actually take action," Panay teased, and it will work with tens of thousands of services from Amazon partners. Here's a rundown of the best new features coming with Alexa+ and how much it will cost. 1. Multimodal, agentic interactions Powered by LLMs, Alexa+ can now process visual information via your device's cameras to understand and answer questions. In one instance, Alexa was asked to describe the crowd's excitement and enthusiasm at the event by leveraging the Echo Show 15's front-facing camera. While its responses were two to three sentences long, they were descriptive and dictated in a fairly approachable tone.The agentic capabilities of Alexa+ extend to browsing, with the ability to navigate the internet via Alexa.com and complete tasks for you on Amazon-partnered websites. For example, Alexa was asked to book a professional repairman for a damaged appliance. It then searched for a nearby repair service and booked an appointment via Thumbtack. Also: Amazon's new Alexa+ companion devices coming this fallIn another demo, a presenter worked with Alexa to build out a shopping list, suggesting items to add or remove throughout the conversation. Surprisingly, the feature supported shopping partners beyond Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh. As Alexa responds, a flowing blue animation appears on the bottom of the device screen. This new change reflects Amazon's more expressive UI. 2. Conversational chain of commands Besides responding more naturally, with sprinkles of humor, another big unveiling showed how Alexa can now fulfill tasks throughout your daily apps and services, including your calendar and emails. It can book a dinner for you and send invitations for that to your closest contacts, too. We've seen similar agentic capabilities with Google's Gemini. In a demo, the virtual assistant was asked to recommend local pizzerias, to which it pulled top-rated storefronts via Yelp. Another example included asking Alexa to remember things, such as "Mary likes Greek and Indian food and is vegetarian but doesn't like peanut butter." It did just that without a question. 3. Refreshed home screen on Echo Show Amazon also unveiled a series of new widgets alongside its refreshed Echo Show home screen, including ones that surface recipes, recent apps, weather, shopping lists, and connected smart home devices. The adaptive display leverages the larger screen real estate to display relevant information depending on whether you're far away from the device or closer to it. For example, the Echo Show will display photos and personalized content from afar and switch to a more detailed layout when you approach it. 4. Conducting music with voice For a music demo, Panay asked Alexa, "What's the song Bradley Cooper sings... it's like in a duet?" to which it answered, "Shallow with Lady Gaga from the movie *A Star Is Born*." More impressively, you can now dictate where music is playing from if you have multiple Alexa-enabled speakers in your house. Also: The best Alexa devices of 2025: Expert tested and recommendedFor example, you can ask Alexa to play music on the left or right, with the assumption that speakers are mounted in designated areas. We'll have to see exactly how reliable this is in real-world tests. And for Amazon's last trick, Panay asked Alexa to skip to the scene in the movie when "Shallow" is sung, and it did -- on the second try. 5. Improved Ring integration Alexa now supports AI-powered video search, allowing it to process recordings by Ring cameras to answer questions. In a live demo, Panay asked the assistant whether anyone had taken out the dog yesterday or the day before, to which it sifted through past video libraries to determine the answer. 6. Dense document processing "You can now share just about anything with Alexa," said Mara Segal, Director of Alexa. That includes dense legal documents, handwritten notes, school schedules, PDFs, and more, from which the assistant can process the content and answer related questions. Also: How I feed my files to a local AI for better, more relevant responsesIn another example, a school schedule was uploaded, and Alexa was asked to add dates for soccer practices to the calendar and suggest snacks that could be brought to them. 7. Explore and Stories with Alexa Amazon's focus on kids-centric services extends to Alexa+, which now includes the Explore and Stories features. In a demo, the assistant was asked to create a story about funny animals. It followed up with a story about "Benny the Bearded Dragon," accompanied by a series of AI-generated artwork. How much does Alexa+ cost? The upgraded Alexa service will cost $19.99 a month or be free if you're an Amazon Prime member. It will officially roll out over the next few weeks and "subsequently in waves in the coming months," according to Amazon. What Amazon Echo devices will support Alexa+? Amazon says that Alexa+ will be available on all Echo devices, including the Show 8, 10, 15, and 21, with the exception of certain older generation Echo devices like Echo Dot 1st Gen, Echo 1st Gen, Echo Plus 1st Gen, Echo Tap, Echo Show 1st Gen, Echo Show 2nd Gen, and Echo Spot 1st Gen, where you can continue to use the original Alexa.Also: Not all Echo devices will get Alexa+ initially - see if yours made the listAccording to its press release, "You'll also be able to try Alexa+ on your web browser, the Alexa app, compatible Fire TVs and Fire tablets. This experience is not currently supported on Alexa Built-in devices and Amazon Astro, however we look forward to expanding Alexa+ to additional devices in the future."Featured

TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 01: Cody Rhodes makes his entrance during WWE Elimination Chamber at Rogers ... [+] Centre on March 1, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)WWE via Getty ImagesWell, the unthinkable has finally happened, and it happened in one of the most unthinkable ways possible. John Cena turned heel, and there are several things that are now assured amidst tons of awesome uncertainty.Here are the results of WWE Elimination Chamber 2025:Bianca Belair def. Naomi, Bayley, Alexa Bliss, Roxanne Perez, and Liv Morgan to win Elimination Chamber and earn a title shot at WrestleMania 41.Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus def. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae.Kevin Owens def. Sami Zayn in an Unsanctioned Match.Jade Cargill is Back and She Believes Naomi is the One Who Attacked HerBefore the womens Elimination Chamber began, Jade Cargill returned and she viciously attacked Naomi. How vicious was the attack? Cargill slammed Naomis head in the chamber door.One fan said:Thats how you start the show.Another said:At this point, well have to wait until SmackDown to find out whats next in this outstanding story. From a performance standpoint, this segment was executed expertly.The viciousness, Cargills offense, look, and facial expressions were flawless. Naomi took the beating as well as anyone could have asked. Liv Morgan continues to be an absolute workhorse and a top-notch personality in the industry.However, the best work came from Belair. She proved she has gone from being an outstanding athlete learning to wrestle to a five-tool performer. Belairs facial expressions of horror as one of her besties destroyed the other were great.Oh, and by the way, she then worked a high-impact and highly entertaining Elimination Chamber matchone that she won, punching her ticket to a title shot at WrestleMania.Trish Stratus is in Great Shape, Is a Title Run Out of the Question?The Trish-Tiffy vs. Nia Jax-Candice LeRae match wasnt special, but I came away from the match with a prevailing thoughtStratus can still work.She looked even better than she did during her tag-team run with Lita and Becky Lynch and the subsequent feud with the latter. Itll be interesting to see if WWE puts Stratus into the title hunt.Owens Vs. Zayn Was as Brutal as ExpectedAnd Randy Orton is backWWE nailed the presentation of this match. The partially dark arena added a cinematic feel to the brutality. Even the referees were wearing all blackand three were needed to finish the match.There were so many absolutely brutal spots and near falls that it definitely checked the requisite boxes for an unsanctioned match. There was a chair wrapped in barbed wire. It got to the point that things became uncomfortable, which is exactly what should have happened. It all set up the return of a jacked and chiseled Orton, who got his revenge on Owens for the vicious attack. He even teased bringing back the punt kick.Im not sure how good the Orton-Owens feud will be, but this still a strong segment even though it felt a tad bit long.John Cena Wins the Elimination ChamberSomehow, it was mildly surprising that Cena won the Elimination Chamber. He worked a solid match, but overall, the womens chamber match was a bit stronger. Thats the trade-off when there are so many aging icons in a match like the Elimination Chamber.In any event, Cena going over in this situation made more sense as we saw the premium live events final act.Cody Says No, But Cena Turns HeelIve asked for Cena to turn heel for years, and at some point, I began to believe it would never happen. Now that it has finally happened, Im glad WWE waited, and the execution couldnt have been better.As Cody told The Rock to Go F### himself, he faced the wrath of the Final Boss and even Travis Scott, who accompanied the Great One to the ring. The double-cross will live on forever in professional wrestling history, and it will become the newest WWE-related meme.

The moon has a brand new visitor, as Firefly Aerospace has made history by becoming the first private company to ever make a fully successful landing on the moon. The Blue Ghost lander touched down on the moons surface at 3:34 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 2, making a soft landing with its payload of science experiments and technology tests on board.With the crater-pocked surface of the moon providing a challenge for landing, the frankly terrifying landing process was performed autonomously, with the lander adjusting its trajectory and selecting a safe landing site using a downward-facing camera and software called terrain relative navigation. This allows the landers onboard computer to accurately gauge its location and speed, and to identify potential hazards to landing such as boulders and craters.Recommended VideosRight up until the last moment the Firefly team were still worrying over the landing, a team member told Digital Trends, and even with the landing complete they will still be focused on the next challenge:Please enable Javascript to view this contentThe fretting never goes away, said Kevin Scholtes, Fireflys Future Systems Architect. If anything were always just planning for the next big adventure. The name of the game here is that we want to leave the future brighter than we found it. So part of that means perpetually fretting over the details.There were cheers and jubilation in the Firefly control room in Austin, Texas and the lander made its safe descend. Were on the moon! NASAs Nicky Fox, Associate Administrator for NASAs Science Mission Directorate, announced at a landing event to the delight of the audience.The lander touched down in a region called Mare Crisium, where it will stay and collect data for the next two weeks. The payloads on board include experiments from NASA, which supported the landing as part of its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program to use private companies to carry essential supplies to the moon.The experiments on board include a drill and sample collection system, a test of dust-repelling technology which is important to deal with the glass-sharp dust that covers the moons surface, and instruments for studying how winds from the sun interact with Earths magnetic field.The first images from Blue Ghosts landing are expected to come in within the next hour, and well update this post as soon as they are available.Editors Recommendations

PAC Place-making / Nota ArchitectsSave this picture! Qian ShiyunShanghai City , ChinaArchitects: Nota ArchitectsAreaArea of this architecture projectArea:19000 mYearCompletion year of this architecture project Year: 2024 PhotographsPhotographs:ManufacturersBrands with products used in this architecture project Manufacturers: Lunawood, &Tradition, HAY furniture, Mets Fibre Oy, Sikkens, ToliMore SpecsLess SpecsSave this picture!Text description provided by the architects. PAC is a commercial complexdeveloped by Keppel in Jing'an District, Shanghai. It is a lifestyle platform that connects nature, people, and community.The purpose ofPAC Place-makingis to help ownersdevelop Physical Spaces into Vibrant Urban Place. With Nota Modernology, Programming and Scenario Design are carried out through Co-creation with potential user communities. Installations and interventions are designed to optimize the spatial structure of the site and foster a deep connection between people and the site.Save this picture!Save this picture!Selected target audience, including nearby residents, business operators, and KOLs, were invited to engage in dialogue and co-creation. The discussions focused on lifestyle, the surrounding environment, and sustainability. These insights highlighted a strong desire for public green spaces and other subtle, "invisible" needs, which became key guiding principles for scenario development and program planning.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The journey of discovery begins with the central waterscape.From the terrace, the wooden rooftop comes into view, while the Ascending Mist of the Auditorium Hillsidesubtly leads visitors to the second floor. There, one discovers a tranquil jungle caf under the sunlit wooden lattice dome. Like an eggshell nestled in the grass, it offers tender shelter. White clouds drift across the lattice, while pets rest on wooden platforms. Following winding pathways, another wooden dome appearsa soft play area lies beneath, complete with swings for children, while parents sit around the edges, waiting for their turn. Familiar yet surprising, the misty staircase guides visitors back to the inner street entrance. Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The upper terraces and lower streets are connected through adaptive interventions guided by the principle of Adhocism. This approach emphasizes sustainable thinking, from design to construction and, ideally, throughout the operational phases. The design concept is rooted inThe iconic Eggshell Dome showcases the Zollinger timber structure,known for its minimal material consumption.It comprises over 700 uniquely crafted glued-lam straight tenon components, CNC-processed and meticulously spliced and assembled on-site.The primary material is Finnish spruce from sustainable sources, complemented by thermal wood. Both materials provide durability and comfort.Wherever possible, MEP facilities are creatively repurposedfor instance, electrical boxes are transformed into poster boards or dog walking signageunderscoring a commitment to sustainable design.Save this picture!Save this picture!Save this picture!The conceived scenarios were refined following validation through user prospectives, guided by insights addressing diverse needs from daily activities to quarterly events. This approach enables management and operations teams to allocate resources more effectively, enhancing the overall value of the site. Additionally, research into streetscapesincluding displays and signageled to the creation of Tenant Guidelines designed to ensure a harmonious balance between visual order and dynamic vibe.Save this picture!Save this picture!Our goal is to create a neighboringSave this picture!Save this picture!Project gallerySee allShow lessAbout this officeMaterialsWoodSteelMaterials and TagsPublished on March 02, 2025Cite: "PAC Place-making / Nota Architects" 02 Mar 2025. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/1027225/discovering-fun-pac-place-making-nota-architects&gt ISSN 0719-8884Save?PAC / NotaYou've started following your first account!Did you know?You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.Go to my stream

These are the top 5 developer AI tools you should try in 2025. They have been great to helping me spin up new ideas, build out concepts and automate out full projects when I've been making websites and applications this year. Also check out Zapier at https://bit.ly/4ijDQnQ 1. Cursor AI - Use Agents to Code faster, Cursor is a coding IDE that speeds up your programming workflow:https://www.cursor.com/ 2. MidJourney - Generate AI artwork in seconds, mid journey lets you great web design concepts or assets instead of using stock photography.https://www.midjourney.com/ 3. Bolt New - Spin up new ideas with a chatbot like interface rather than coding it yourself. It's one of the fastest growing AI tools on the market.https://bolt.new/ 4. Zapier - Automate your applications in any way you need. Connect apps together or build agents or connect services across visually https://bit.ly/4ijDQnQ 5. Relume AI - Build sitemaps and wireframes in seconds with AI, then style and export them to figma, react or htmlhttps://relume.io/?via=adrian Also a big thanks to Zapier for sponsoring todays video!#ai #developer #tools00:00 - Top 5 Developer Tools You Should Try in 202500:05 - 1 - Cursor AI - Coding IDE with AI Agents01:34 - 2 - MidJourney - AI Art Generation03:05 - 3 - Bolt New - Web / App Development04:35 - 4 - Zapier - Automation07:24 - 5 - Relume AI - Wireframe and DesignWant to learn more? Check out my courses! Teach Me Design - Course: https://www.enhanceui.com/ OpenAI + GPT - Course & Templates: https://enhanceui.gumroad.com/

IKEA Download Links https://extensions.blender.org/add-ons/ikea-browser/ Get Over 300 Blender Add-ons & more https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4-Q7MyUxdZEvTkrEyhzQIBCWrwtZoSmG Interior Design Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4-Q7MyUxdZFl_1YpXrDGoScl1kKua9RH Visit the Channel @architecturetopics Support My Shop And Get Free Assets https://buymeacoffee.com/architecturetopics Follow Me on Social Media!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/architecturetopics101/ Download Blender 3D https://www.blender.org/ _________________________________________________________________ Sub .........Visit the Channel for more dope jiggly wiggly stuff @architecturetopics ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------#3d #blender #ikea

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If life exists on other planets, it needs to be adaptable to extreme environments. To get a clue of what it might look like, we can turn to a surprising place: the human gut.

Monster Hunter Wilds launches to nearly 1 million concurrent users on Steam, becoming the platform's eighth-most played game of all time.At the same time, the game's 4/10 user score leaves much to be desired: https://80.lv/articles/monster-hunter-wilds-launches-to-almost-1-million-users-on-steam/