With just a few words, AI models can be prompted to create a story, an image, or even a short film. But according to Weber Wong, these models are all made by non-creatives for other non-creatives to feel creative.In other words, theyre not built for actual creative professionals. Thats something Wong is hoping to change with Flora, a new startup where hes founder and CEO.Flora launched this week, complete with a manifesto declaring that AI creative tools should be more than toys for generating AI slop and describing Wong and his team as obsessed with building a power tool that will profoundly shape the future of creative work.The manifesto positions Flora as something different from existing AI tools, which make it easy to create, but lack creative control, and from existing creative software, which gives users control, but are unintuitive & time-consuming.Image Credits:Flora /Flora isnt trying to build better generative AI models. Wong argued that one of the startups key insights is that models are not creative tools. So instead, Flora offers an infinite canvas that integrates with existing models its a visual interface where users can generate blocks of text, images, and video.The model does not matter, the technology does not matter, Wong told me Its about the interface.For example, a user could start by prompting Flora to create an image of a flower, then ask for details about the image, with those details leading to more prompts and varied images, with each step and variation mapped out on the aforementioned canvas, which can also be shared for collaborative work with clients.Wong told me he wants Flora to be useful to any and all artists and creatives, but the company is initially focused on working with visual design agencies. In fact, its iterating on the product with feedback from designers at famed agency Pentagram.The goal, Wong said, is to allow a designer at Pentagram to just do 100X more creative work, say by creating a logo design and then quickly generating 100 variations. He compared it to the evolution of musical composition where Mozart needed an entire orchestra to play his music, a musician today can get it all done from his garage in New Jersey with Ableton, making it himself and posting it on SoundCloud.Wong has a background in both art and technology himself, having worked as an investor at Menlo Ventures but leaving when he realized, I was not the person Id back. Determined to become the kind of founder worth investing in, he eventually joined New York Universitys Interactive Telecommunications Program, a graduate program focused on using technology to create art.When Flora launched an alpha version in August, Wong decided to launch with an art project that showcased our real-time AI technology, with the Flora homepage showing a live feed from a GoPro camera on Wongs head, and website visitors getting the opportunity to use AI to stylize the footage after signing up for the Flora waitlist.Image Credits:Flora /Given his background, Wong knows there are artists and professionals who are skeptical or even vehemently opposed to the use of AI in art in fact, Pentagram generated some controversy last year when it used Midjourney to create the illustration style for a project with the US government.Wong said that where existing models have been embraced by AI natives, hes hoping Flora can win over the AI curious, and eventually even become useful enough that even AI haters feel they have to give it a try.When I raised concerns that AI models can be trained without regard for copyright and intellectual property, Wong noted that Flora isnt training any AI models itself (because its using other companies models), adding, We will follow societal standards.And while hes passionate about not wanting Flora to be used to unleash a flood of AI slop (Were going to get hats that say anti-AI slop), he suggested that instead, the startup will allow artists to unlock new aesthetic and creative possibilities, in the same way Kodaks Brownie camera transformed photography by making it more casual and accessible.Flora isnt disclosing funding details, but its backers include A16Z Games. The product is available for free with a limited number of projects and generated content, and then professional pricing starts at $16 per month.

ZDNETWe're just a day away from Mobile World Congress (MWC), but the news cycle is already churning. Off the heels ofSamsung andOnePlus' recent smartphone launches, expect more announcements from industry leaders during this year's trade show for all things cellular.Also: This tri-foldable phone at MWC 2025 is the most bizarre thing I've seen yetAs always, global brands, including Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei, will be present -- and they'll likely occupy a large part of the show floor. Google and Samsung are also expected to have a presence, but the chances of any major announcements are slim. And there's almost always a showstopper that no one sees coming.We're kicking things off with a roundup of the best products the ZDNET team has seen during MWC week so far, including several smartphone releases, Wi-Fi-powered wireless earbuds, and more. Stay tuned as we update this list, which is bulleted in no particular order, throughout the week.1. Xiaomi's 200-megapixel camera phone Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe Xiaomi 14 Ultra was one of the best camera phones we tested last year, so expectations were high going into Barcelona. Somehow, Xiaomi managed to release a sequel that's even more capable, with a new 200-megapixel periscope sensor that excels at capturing portrait photos, distant subjects, and retaining details in low-lit enrivonments. The new camera array is also treated with a more durable and glare-reducing lens cover.Also: Finally, I found an Android phone that can replace my $3,500 Sony cameraThe rest of the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is a flagship Android through and through, from the 6.7-inch AMOLED display that peaks at 3,200 nits of brightness to the 90W wired and 80W wireless charging rates. HyperOS, Xiaomi's take on the Android operating system, has also been improved, with smoother animations and a series of AI features, including Gemini on tap.2. Lenovo's bright idea for concept laptops Kerry Wan/ZDNETLenovo isn't shy about concept devices, especially when a crowd of tech enthusiasts is expected. At this year's MWC, the computer maker launched a series of in-development products, including a solar-powered Yoga laptop and a ThinkBook with an elongated, flip-out display. They're both ambitious, possibly unnecessary, and a whole lot of fun to test out, as ZDNET's Kyle Kucharski and I discovered when demoing the devices ahead of the show.Also: The 6 most exciting Lenovo laptops from MWC 2025The key takeaways? The solar-powered Yoga laptop mainly leverages its passive charging capability to extend battery life and not necessarily to fully recharge. The ThinkBook, dubbed 'Codename Flip,' can be orientated in five different ways, including a presentation mode, a tall-display mode, and even tablet mode. You'll just have to settle with its wobbly, glossy screen.3. An ultraportable Android tablet puts Samsung on notice Maria Diaz/ZDNETThe Honor Pad V9 is the latest tablet from the company to go global, and it packs a lot of utility for the price, as ZDNET's Maria Diaz reviewed. At around $500 (after conversions), the Pad V9 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Elite chip that handles most work and gaming applications you throw at it. It's also fitted with a generous 10,100mAh battery that, from our testing, lasts longer than recent iPad models.Also: Is Samsung sweating yet? Honor just unveiled its 'Alpha Plan' at MWC 2025The Pad V9's unsung hero is its series of eye-protection features, says Diaz, including one that uses AI to defocus parts of the screen that you're not staring at to reduce eye strain. This focused rendering technology reminds us of XR/VR headsets that rely on eye-tracking.4. The first wireless earbuds to run on Wi-Fi XiaomiThe new Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro are the latest earbuds to feature Qualcomm's S7 Pro chip-- and that's a big deal. The enhanced silicon allows the earbuds to stream audio via Wi-Fi pairing instead of traditional Bluetooth, resulting in 96kHz or 24-bit lossless audio playback -- as long as you're within the network range of your connected router.Also: Qualcomm's new audio chips can make cheaper headphones sound more expensiveTheoretically, Wi-Fi-connected earbuds should be able to stream audio without much hiccuping or stuttering, even if your phone or connected device is a few rooms (or floors) away. The most impressive part is that Xiaomi claims the Buds 5 Pro aren't consuming any more power when paired via Wi-Fi than if they were paired via Bluetooth.5. Samsung shows off a true 'budget' phone Sabrina Ortiz/ZDNETSamsung kicked off MWC weekend by announcing not one, not two, but three new Galaxy A-series phones, all of which are priced below $500. While not all iPhone users will convert to a Galaxy phone as swiftly as Samsung would hope, it's not a coincidence that the company is unveiling its mid-range offerings on the same week that Apple is pitching its new $599 iPhone 16e to the masses.Also: This $399 Samsung Galaxy is the mid-range phone most people should buyThe Galaxy A56, A36, and A26 5G phones sell for $499, $399, and $299, respectively, with the tier list determined by display quality, camera hardware, processor, and material choices. While the best-value phone of the three remains to be determined, it's safe to say that Samsung has the most price points covered going into the rest of the year.What else to expect at MWC 20251. Google Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe Android maker typically doesn't launch any new hardware at MWC. Instead, it often reserves the alleyways between show floors to demonstrate its latest software tools and partners -- you could say it's one big metaphor for how intertwined Google's services are with everything else at MWC.Also: The best Android phones to buy in 2025This year's demos will likely center around AI, cloud computing, and other productivity tools. With the Formula 1 season kicking off soon, I wouldn't be surprised if there's a McLaren F1 car, which bears Chrome branding, parked at the lot.2. Samsung Kerry Wan/ZDNETSamsung made the biggest flex at MWC last year when it showcased the then-unreleased Galaxy Ring to the public. This year, the company has the opportunity to pull off something even bigger with the Galaxy S25 Edge, which was only teased during the January Unpacked event.While recent rumors point to an April launch date for Samsung's slimmest phone yet, I wouldn't rule out the possibility of it making an early appearance. The mobile enthusiasts will be ready.3. Nothing Last year's Nothing Phone 2a Plus was one of the best mid-range phones we tested. Kerry Wan/ZDNETLondon-based tech company Nothing hasn't made much effort to keep its upcoming phone release, the 3a series, under wraps; it's essentially unveiled the full design, camera capabilities, new AI features, and unboxing experience on social media ahead of the March 4 launch, leaving little to the imagination.Also: I'd ditch my Pixel 9 Pro for the next Nothing phone, so long as it prioritizes these featuresThat said, if our experiences testing Nothing products are any indication, the devil is in the details with the new Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro, especially when it comes to the software experience. We'll learn more about the new phones very soon.4. Motorola Kerry Wan/ZDNETWhen I was at MWC a year ago, I had the chance to wear Motorola's ambitiously clumsy bendable smartphone. It was the most advanced slap bracelet that everyone in the room knew would never hit the market. But the experience of testing it -- and the boldness of the company -- made the concept device a memorable one. Here's hoping Motorola has another trick up its sleeves for Barcelona this week.5. TCL Kerry Wan/ZDNETWhile TCL has been a longstanding contender in the budget smartphone space, I'd argue that its Nxtpaper technology, which emphasizes vision health and reducing eye strain, is the best value proposition of the mobile lineup. The company unveiled the TCL 60 XE Nxtpaper and Tab 11 Nxtpaper at CES in January, and it'll likely showcase similar models at MWC.When is MWC 2025?MWC 2025 will occur from March 3 to March 6, but manufacturers typically make announcements ahead of the show, leveraging open venues across Barcelona to spotlight their own products. While the trade show was built around members of the press, analysts, business partners, and brands, anyone can access the show floor bypurchasing a ticket, which costs about $1,028.Featured

At MWC 2025, Lenovo showed off the Yoga Pro 9i for professional creatives, a new budget-friendly device, and even a solar-powered laptop.

YellowjacketsCredit: ShowtimeOnce again, I have deeply mixed feelings about Yellowjackets. The show was so great in Season 1 and such a trainwreck in Season 2, it gave me and many other viewers whiplash. Had completely new writers come onboard? Was only the first season really plotted out in any meaningful way? And now, in Season 3, so many of the second seasons problems persist.I was a little heartened by last weeks episode, but Episode 4 fell back into old, bad habits while simultaneously jumping the proverbial shark. Spoilers ahead.Before we get to the specifics of this episode, I think its worth pointing out all the many ways this show has dropped the ball, specifically in all the many storylines its seemingly dropped or that its writers have forgotten about. Adult Tais storyline in Season 1 was one of the most compelling parts of the show, but in Season 2 she abandons her wife, her son and her career to go find Van and then . . . go hang out at Lotties cozy cult. We could have had a really interesting story where Tai won the state senate race and then Other Tai started asserting herself in much bigger, more nefarious ways. Instead, we now have Tai and Van following a guy who I guess Tai wants to kill so that his death will help heal Vans cancer. The whole split between Tai and Other Tai is an afterthought at this point, much like her wife and child. Its all very weird.Javi had a friend when he disappeared for weeks. What happened to that friend? Was it just his imagination? Was it someone in the cave? Was Ben talking to this person or to himself when Mari was his prisoner?Meanwhile, the whole Lottie plot has gone from bad to worse. At the end of Season 1, we were all prepared for some crazy Lottie stuff. Surely, she was behind Traviss death and all sorts of bad, Wilderness-cult shenanigans. But then it turned out that Traviss death was just an accident, and Lotties cult was pretty nice. And now, to top it all off, theyve gone and killed Lottie off in the most bizarre and underwhelming way imaginable. Sure, its shocking that shes dead, but not in a good way. I didnt even like Adult Lottie simply because she seems nothing whatsoever like Teen Lottie, but I still think this is yet another really absurd way to kill off a character, and Adult Nats death last season (and her appalling funeral this season) was bad enough.Then there is Bens trial, in which the girls act out what they imagine an actual trial might be like, mostly based off of what theyve seen on TV. Theres some good moments during this trial, but for reasons I can only attribute to laziness on the part of the writers, Misty (the defense lawyer) never mentions that Ben just saved three of the Yellowjackets in the cave, despite the fact that they were hunting him! He valiantly saved Shauna, Akilah and Van from poisonous gas with just one leg and nobody even brings it up during his trial! Seriously?Im not sure how to feel about the trials outcome, either. The whole It needs to be a two-thirds majority was silly. First off, that would make sense for conviction, but it doesnt make sense for innocence. In a real trial, you need a unanimous vote to determine guilt. But in this wilderness setting, it really ought to be majority rule since they have no options for a hung jury or a retrial or any of that stuff. The whole vote over and over and over again bit was silly. Eventually, Shauna basically pressures everyone into voting her way, though I think most of the changed votes only happened when Lottie changed hers, and I think Lottie only changed hers because she sensed the Wilderness wanted her to, not Shauna.Shauna, by the way, has become far and away the least likable character there is, just an awful human being especially in the teen storyline, but not much better in the adult storyline. I used to sympathize with her, but now shes just vile and selfish and cruel. Coach Ben just saved her life but she wants blood and she doesnt care. I guess this is how shes coping with the loss of her child, but whatever sympathy I had for her over that ordeal has long since dried up.The adult storyline continues to be a mess. I find it so weird how much of it is now played for laughs. Dont get me wrong, I love Jeff but I dont really understand why comic relief (either in the form of Jeff or sometimes Walter or often Misty) has become something like 50% of the modern storyline. The whole nursing home bit was just goofy, and I think its goofy from a plot perspective that whoever is stalking Shauna was able to find her in the kitchen and sneakily shut the walk-in freezer door to trap her inside. First of all, you can open those from the inside! And clearly it wasnt jammed from the outside, since Randy was able to open it without issue.Whoever did this and left the phone in the bathroom for Shauna and probably sabotaged her brakes, is almost certainly the same person who killed Lottie, but having a brand new stalker plotline feels kind of weird since this wasnt a thing in Season 1 or 2, and we already had the blackmail plotline in Season 1.Of course, this is where it all starts to feel like most of these stories were tacked on after the first season because theyve written themselves into a corner and dont know what to do. This all started with peculiar decisions like bringing Adult Van into the picture. Why wasnt she at the class reunion in Season 1? Why didnt anyone think to ask her if shed gotten one of the blackmail notes? If they knew she was alive and just hanging out doing her thing in Season 1, why not loop her in then? Lottie I understand since they all thought she was locked up in a mental institution, but Van? And what other adult versions are still out there that everyone just conveniently forgot about?I was about to type Hopefully we get some answers soon but Im honestly not sure that any answers to any of these questions will really be satisfying at this point, simply because so many threads have been dropped, so many others make no sense, and the entire tone and tenor of the show has changed so radically from Season 1 that it just doesnt feel like the same terrifying series we fell in love with in the first place. Its all such a huge shame.What did you think of Episode 4? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, Bluesky or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.

Looking for help with today's NYT Mini Crossword puzzle? Here are some hints and answers for the ... [+] puzzle.Credit: NYTIn case you missed Sundays NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, you can find the answers here:Monday has returnedsort of, since its officially still Sunday but we have the Monday Mini Crossword already. Its the first Monday of the month (almost) and March is spread out before us like an unplowed field. Only theres still no snow, nothing to plow, really, and winter is almost over. Wildfires have broken out in the Carolinas. As lovely as the weather is, Im praying for snow. Or even some rain. Moisture of some kind. In any case, we have a crossword to solve so lets solve it!The NYT Mini is a smaller, quicker, more digestible, bite-sized version of the larger and more challenging NYT Crossword, and unlike its larger sibling, its free-to-play without a subscription to The New York Times. You can play it on the web or the app, though youll need the app to tackle the archive.Spoilers ahead!ACROSS1- Applaud with ones fingers SNAP5- Material for Elviss blue shoes SUEDE6-Tree with white bark ASPEN7- Leather leggings CHAPS8- Traditional garment for a Scottish groom KILTDOWN1- Food ordered in rolls SUSHI2- Country with the most mountains over 25,000 feet in elevation NEPAL3- Skilled (at) ADEPT4- Ink-filled items PENS5- ___ race (picnic event) SACKToday's MiniScreenshot: Erik KainThis was an interesting Mini Crossword. I noticed the circles within the other boxes right away and wasnt sure what they meant. Once I got everything filled out, I was still a little confused until I typed out the letters it forms: USHAPED, as in U-shaped. Very clever! The rest of the puzzle was pretty straightforward. I got everything on the ACROSS side except for CHAPS right away and from here it was easy enough to fill in all the DOWNs. This one took me 1:09.How did you do? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.If you also play Wordle, I write guides about that as well. You can find those and all my TV guides, reviews and much more here on my blog. Thanks for reading!

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Table of ContentsTable of ContentsMeet the ThinkPad Flip AI PC ConceptSoftware tricks make it more than just a folding screenMore than just a folding displayWhy the ThinkPad Flip AI PC Concept is excitingWill this ever become a commercial product?Mobile World Congress may be considered a mobile show, but each year, Lenovo brings a series of computing concepts to the show. In the past, weve seen devices like the ThinkPad X1 Fold, a rollable PC, and even a rolling phone, but this years concept is one of my favorite folding laptop concepts yet.The ThinkBook Flip AI PC Concept doesnt have the most friendly name, but it takes a unique approach to solving a key problem for all PC users: how to extend your screen real estate when youre on the go. Lenovos answer is an 18-inch display that folds outwards and has other benefits depending on your needs.Recommended VideosI spent some time with it this morning, and my brief hands-on experience left me surprised at how user-friendly it is. In particular, Lenovo has a few nifty software tricks that make it more than just a folding laptop. This is why its my new favorite folding laptop concept. Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsWeve yet to see folding laptops become a truly mainstream product, but weve already seen one released, thanks to Lenovo. The ThinkPad X1 Fold broke barriers by bringing the traditional book-style folding form factor to a PC, replete with enough power to ensure it delivers on most tasks.Unfortunately, the ThinkPad X1 Fold also showed that that form factor wasnt appealing to most customers. Instead, the ThinkPad Flip AI PC introduces a new form factor that will almost certainly be far more useful.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThe Lenovo ThinkPad Flip AI PC has an 18-inch display, but it folds outward to create two 13-inch displays stacked on top of each other. When folded, the display works as an external display, which means its great for intimate presentations, salespeople, or more.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThe biggest pain point with the Lenovo ThinkPad Flip AI PC is likely the way that the Windows OS handles the multiple screens. Rather than two displays. It shows as a single display, which makes it more challenging to maximize the usefulness of the screen. That said, Lenovo demonstrated some nifty software tricks that minimize the issues with the Windows OS approach.The first of these makes it easy to disable the outer display with a virtual button thats conveniently located on the part of the display that bends. This makes it easy to disable the outer display when needed, whether to save on battery life or to prevent someone from seeing what youre doing.The second is far more useful: with a simple swipe across the hinge, you can quickly display an app or presentation thats on your main display. It essentially treats the outward folding display as a secondary monitor and improves the way that Windows itself treats the secondary display.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsThe Lenovo ThinkPad Flip AI PC Concept is also interesting for one other key reason: Look down at the trackpad, and youll see a truly unique take on this laptop staple, except not where you expect it.The trackpad is designed to surface different quick settings and features three modes that you can easily switch between. Switching is as easy as tapping one of the mode buttons on the right of the trackpad.The three modes surface a number pad quick settings for your PC and media controls. Theres also a backlight that you can control, and everything works as youd expect. I enjoy the trackpad shortcut gestures on Asus laptops, but this is a more impressive and practical implementation of extending the usefulness of the trackpad.The ThinkPad Flip AI PC Concept also doubles as a tablet. Rather than carrying a separate tablet, flipping over the screen lets you use the outer display in tablet mode. You cant access the keyboard or mouse, but it is a touchscreen, and you can easily use it as a Windows-powered tablet if you just want a small screen for watching something.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsYou may be wondering whether youd need these features, and there are a few different use cases where this laptop would be beneficial.The first is for tech journalists like myself. Ive used the dual-screen Yoga laptops before, and the secondary display is fantastic for covering major product launches while on the go. Similarly, its also incredibly useful for day-to-day work when traveling, and this concept will improve my workflow in both cases.There are also other professionals who could benefit from this. Hosting presentations in a coffee shop? Simply flip over the screen. Trying to sell someone financial, automotive, or other products that require reviewing numbers and documents? Flip the screen over. As you can tell, theres a theme to the use cases, and its ultimately designed for anyone who wants a secondary screen, or a bigger screen, on the go.Nirave Gondhia / Digital TrendsAs the name suggests, the ThinkPad Flip AI PC Concept is firmly a concept product. As such, its unclear whether itll become a commercial product, and if it does, whether only some of the features will make it to a commercial product.Yet, Lenovo has an extensive pedigree at turning conceptual products into commercial ones. The original ThinkPad X1 Fold was a concept but became a viable product. The rollable PC was a concept that became an actual product at CES earlier this year. I wouldnt bet against Lenovo making this a commercially available product, but I would bet that it wont be affordable.If I had to guess? Based on the cost of other folding products and the previous folding laptop, this will be an ultra premium product. Based on what I saw, it will likely be worth it.Editors Recommendations

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" At MWC (Mobile World Conference) in Barcelona today, Lenovo revealed a proof of concept for a PC powered by the sun. The entire lid of the laptop has been decked out with a top-class solar panel capable of 24% conversion efficiency which is as high as the best roof-top panels you can buy.According to Lenovo, 20 minutes in direct sunlight will power up to one hour of video playback on the PC, and even low-light conditions will allow enough power generation to sustain the laptops battery charge while idling. The high efficiency is achieved through Back Contact Cell technology and an advanced tracking system that constantly adjusts the chargers settings to maximize energy-saving and stability.Recommended VideosThe most exciting part is that, aside from the distinctive solar panel grid pattern on the lid, you cant even distinguish this from a normal laptop. Its just 15mm thick and weighs 1.22kg, making it the worlds first ultraslim solar-powered PC. Its specs are also nothing to be disappointed about Lenovo imagines this 12-inch laptop powered by Intel Core Ultra processors with up to 32GB of memory, 1TB of storage, and an OLED display.LenovoOther specs include a 50.2 Wh battery, a 2M IR camera, four speakers and microphones, and three USB-C ports. For customers interested in soaking up as much sun as possible, Lenovo also showed off a proof of concept for a portable solar panel kit and power bank. This little gadget would allow you to charge up a power bank by plugging in the USB-C solar panel and attaching it to a bag, tent, tree, or any other sunny place you spot. This could come in handy whenever youre using your Yoga Solar PC and dont want to go out and sit in direct sunlight yourself. Instead, you can take advantage by setting up your solar kit and collecting some energy for later. It would also make a great accessory for anyone who wants to join in on the solar-powered fun without buying a whole new PC.LenovoIts impossible to know at this point how much of the power a typical user gets through would be generated by the sun but does it really matter? Any amount of solar-generated power is better than no solar-generated power, and with this prototype, it seems like Lenovo has managed to create a solar-powered PC without making any sacrifices to size, design, or specs. That makes me think theres no reason not to have solar panels in our PCs.That said, we dont know what the price of such a PC would be yet, and a high price point would definitely affect accessibility for now. But the sooner we bring designs like this to the market, the sooner people will find ways to bring prices down. Heres hoping Lenovo makes this one a reality because I think solar-powered PCs would be a great direction for us to head in.Editors Recommendations

Conan O'Brien hosted the Oscars on Sunday.It was the comedian's first time hosting the Academy Awards.In his monologue, he made fun of Karla Sofa Gascn, who was in the audience.Conan O'Brien poked fun at Karla Sofa Gascn during his 2025 Oscars monologue, while the "Emilia Prez" star sat in the audience. O'Brien hosted the Oscars for the first time on Sunday and made quite the entrance.The 97th Academy Awards started off with a movie montage in tribute to Los Angeles after the devastating wildfires, followed by a trio of musical numbers: first, "Wicked" star Ariana Grande sang "Over the Rainbow," then her costar Cynthia Erivo performed "Home" from "The Wiz." Then the two transitioned into "Defying Gravity" from their hit movie musical.After the performances, O'Brien finally showed up emerging from Demi Moore's split-open back in a skit spoofing her film "The Substance."The comedian may have been making his Oscars hosting debut, but he's no stranger to awards shows. O'Brien previously hosted the Emmys twice first in 2002, then again in 2006.In an interview with The New York Times ahead of the Oscars, O'Brien revealed that "nothing's in stone" and he was prepared for pivots."I'm leaving every possibility on the table. I have choices right now, and we'll see what happens," he said.This is a developing story. More to come.Stream the 97th Academy Awards live on Hulu.

Several films that have been nominated at this year's Academy Awards used AI in some way.Whether they secure trophies at the Oscars could influence how Hollywood views AI moving forward.Some industry insiders say AI is here to stay and are calling for more transparency about its use.Actors, directors, and filmmakers aren't the only ones with futures at stake at the Academy Awards.The results of Sunday's Oscars ceremony could also further the industry's embrace or distrust of artificial intelligence. Several big-ticket movies up for golden statues this year were created in part with AI, sometimes provoking fierce criticism online."AI" has become a two-letter dirty word in Hollywood in recent years, provoking pushback from creative types who believe that movie magic should be the product of primarily human not digital brains. That extends across everything from scriptwriting to voice dubbing.The technology survived the drubbing it endured during the dual strikes of 2023, however, and is now an uninvited guest at the industry's most glamorous night."Tonight's Oscars will be a turning point for AI use in Hollywood," said Warner Bailey, a former assistant at the Hollywood talent agency WME who has gone on to become a heroic figure for industry workers thanks to his popular Instagram meme account, Assistants vs. Agents."Whether it's entertainment or beyond, I think our industry specifically needs to establish clear guidelines" to safeguard "artistic integrity," he said in a phone interview with Business Insider ahead of the ceremony on Sunday. "AI," he added, "isn't going anywhere."AI's role in some of this year's biggest filmsAI helped bring some of this year's biggest films to life.According to multiple reports, AI enhanced Karla Sofa Gascn's voice in "Emilia Prez." An advanced form of machine learning is said to have helped give the Fremen their glowy, hypnotic blue eyes in "Dune: Part Two." AI was also involved in the post-production of "A Complete Unknown."In January, Dvid Jancs, the editor of "The Brutalist" which follows a"I am a native Hungarian speaker, and I know that it is one of the most difficult languages to learn to pronounce," Jancs told RedShark News, a publisher focused on film and television, in January. "We also wanted to perfect it so that not even locals will spot any difference."His admission prompted scrutiny and online chatter, forcing the director to later clarify that AI was "used in Hungarian language dialogue editing only" and that the filmmakers strived to "preserve the authenticity" of the actors' performances.These instances have generated enough noise that even the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences the group behind the awards ceremony is reportedly considering adding a requirement for filmmakers to disclose the use of such tools to its Oscars submission guidelines.A representative for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Variety reported that the Academy is expected to release its updated rules for the 2026 ceremony in April.Robert Thompson, a professor and director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, told BI that AI's use in moviemaking could impact how films are judged."Whoever is doing nominations or voting in any organization that's giving out awards is going to have to figure out if they have a zero tolerance for artificial intelligence," Thompson said. "Or they're going to look at any performance that has artificial intelligence which is going to be more and more as we go along and make the judgment accordingly."These are some of the reasons people like Bailey think the industry and moviegoing audiences need more transparency about AI use."There's a growing gray area in defining artistic contribution" as AI's use becomes more widespread, he said. "Disclosing when and how AI was used doesn't necessarily diminish a work's value, but it does provide clarity for audiences, industry professionals, and award committees, especially in the context of institutions like The Academy whose object is to recognize excellence in the arts."Why AI is different than other Hollywood techTo be sure, Hollywood is no stranger to technology. Some of the most iconic moments in cinema have only been made possible thanks to greenscreens and computer-generated imagery, or CGI.But that's different from AI, which doesn't require manual human inputs to create images or operate like CGI does. The ability of AI to supplant so many parts of the creative process was central to the 2023 actors' and writers' strikes schisms that divided the entertainment industry and sent thousands onto the picket lines across Los Angeles and New York.Even their historic efforts to put parameters around AI's use, however, haven't been enough to halt its march. So long as investors, financiers, and production companies see money-making potential, Hollywood probably isn't going to say farewell to AI.Look at Lionsgate, the production company behind titles like "The Hunger Games" and "La La Land." Last year, it inked a partnership with Runway, an AI media company, to focus on the "creation and training of a new AI model, customized on Lionsgate's proprietary catalog," according to a 2024 press release.So this year's Oscars might be less about whether Hollywood will embrace AI (that seems inevitable) but more about how quickly.Though perhaps a dark experiment, we decided to put the question to the world's most famous AI, ChatGPT. When asked whether it thinks AI will one day be involved in all moviemaking, it gave a reply with which people like Bailey would likely agree."AI is already playing a growing role in various aspects of filmmaking, and it's likely to be involved in nearly all movie productions in some capacity moving forward," ChatGPT said.But, it continued, adding just one caveat: "Full automation of moviemaking is unlikely, as human creativity and artistic vision remain essential."

Solar panels are finding new ways to fit into unfamiliar places. With that in mind, its taken far too long for anybody to try sticking one directly into a laptop. For MWC 2025, Lenovo showed off a Yoga Solar PC concept. Too many laptops claim full 24 hours of battery life even though youll never get it. Ive seen the Yoga Solar in action, and its intriguing enough, considering it may actually last for 24 hours without needing to plug it in. Welcome to Lenovos wacky world of concept products. The company isknown for taking ostensibly odd laptops and making them a reality, such as the $3,500ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable that debuted at CES 2025. Amid the launch of several new Yoga, ThinkBook, and ThinkPad laptops (in case you were praying, yes, the big red TrackPoint is back), Lenovo is showing off some wild designs. Theres a slew of mobile devices with downright weird displays, including some that fold backward and extra screens you slot into the back of the laptop lid. None of these have prices nor any hint of a possible release. But when most laptops look and feels so similar, theres still room for innovationeven if some designs arent that practical. The Lenovo Yoga Solar PC Is Relatively Thin and Light Despite the Solar Panel Lid GIF: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo The Yoga Solar PC left the best impression out of the crowded field of concept laptops. The solar panel on the lid has a supposed 24% solar conversion rate, which is already rather impressive, knowing the normal conversion rate for most user-end solar panels is between 15 and 22%. Lenovo claims they achieved this by maneuvering the gridlines you usually find on a solar panel behind the solar cells, offering more real estate for energy absorption. The laptop can also measure the current voltage, which gets translated and prioritized for specific system settings. Like any solar panel, this doesnt need direct sunlight to get power, but the difference when I pointed it out a window on a sunny day was significant. Lenovos software showed the power accumulation at around 7 V when facing away from the sunlight and 12 V when facing toward it. It could get more when getting direct sunlight. Despite the presence of the solar panel, the laptop still weighs a little more than 2.6 pounds, which isnt out of the realm of what to expect from most modern laptops. We should note that the panel isnt generating the required power to run the PC continuously. Lenovo claimed that 20 minutes of direct sunlight will transform into about one hour of video playback battery life. Depending on the CPU and battery, that could be 1/20 of the laptops battery life. This concept PC was running on an Intel Lunar Lake chip, which is already relatively power efficient. It could be handy for construction workers who dont want to plug their laptops into their truck bed. Hell, I would want to take it to the park to get some work done so both my laptop and I can soak up some rays.What About a Flip Bendable ThinkBook? Lenovos concept 3D laptop Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo Lenovos concept codename Flip. Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo Lenovos concept codename Flip. Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo Lenovos concept 3D curved monitor. Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo Dont think its just the rollable trying new things with flexible screens. Lenovos ThinkBook codenamed Flip (why does a concept laptop need a codename?) is another way of getting an 18.1-inch, vertically-minded OLED screen. Still, it achieves the same goal as the Rollable by folding up from the lid. This also means users across from the Flip can see a portion of the screen. The PC supports Workspace Split Screen to show a different image on the rear versus the front. The obvious problem with this design is it leaves the curved, folded portion of the screen exposed, even with the lid closed. Lenovo needs to work out a way to keep the extra screen safe from dust and accidental bumps. But what if you wanted more screen space on the horizontal axis? The new Lenovo ThinkBook 16p Gen 6s Magic Bay extenders are here. The dual screens are essentially the same as the Xebec, with two wings that plug into a PCs Thunderbolt ports to add multiple screens. Lenovos design uses the pins on the Magic Bay to eliminate the need to use up valuable ports. There are already a lot of dual displays, though I think the more practical compact 8-inch display could be handy for keeping Slack open without relying on an external display. We found the Xebec could be so heavy it needs a kickstand to keep the laptop lid upright. The Dual Display Magic Bay concept has the same issue.But theres more. Take, for instance, Lenovos idea for 3D screens in the form of a curved display and a laptop. Its similar to Samsungs 3D technology, which relies on eye tracking to produce a faux-3D image on the screen. It only works if youre sitting directly in front of it, so the camera cant pick up the image either. The 3D image does look extra spiffy on a 34-inch curved display, and you can change it to 2D with a single switch if you cant stand that Nintendo 3DS look. Big Red Button Fans Rejoice: The ThinkPad X13 Brings Back TrackPoint The ThinkPad TrackPoint nipple is back. Photo: Kyle Barr / Gizmodo The device maker had so many concepts on display that the regular products you can buy seem blas by comparison. That ThinkBook 16p Gen 6 can get up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, a Nvidia RTX 5070, and 64 GB of RAM. The Yoga line also gets Intel Aura Edition versions, like the Yoga Pro 9i with a new Intel Core Ultra and up to a Nvidia RTX 5070 discrete GPU. The Yoga Pro 7i Aura Edition, with its 3K OLED display, can get up to an Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU. As for ThinkPad fans, the big news is the first 2-in-1 convertible for the line of business laptops in the form of the ThinkPad T14. The 14-inch line includes an AMD Ryzen Pro AI 300 CPU or an Intel Core Ultra 7 H, U, or V line (with different RAM options depending on CPU. The Ultra H and U and Ryzen Pro can also get a 2.8K OLED display. Then theres also the ThinkPad X13 Gen 6, a portable laptop with the red nipple TrackPoint in the center of the keyboard. ThinkPad fans made a stink over this years X9 dropping TrackPoint in favor of a haptic trackpad. Even in a world of wild concepts, sometimes its the little touches that matter.