Catherine Bashiama runs her fingers along the branches of the coffee tree shes raised from a seedling, searching anxiously for its first fruit buds since she planted it three years ago. When she grasps the small cherries, Bashiama beams.The farmer had never grown coffee in her village in western South Sudan, but now hopes a rare, climate-resistant species will help pull her family from poverty. I want to send my children to school so they can be the future generation, said Bashiama, a mother of 12.Discovered more than a century ago in South Sudan, excelsa coffee is exciting cash-strapped locals and drawing interest from the international community amid a global coffee crisis caused mainly by climate change. As leading coffee-producing countries struggle to grow crops in drier, less reliable weather, prices have soared to the highest in decades and the industry is scrambling for solutions.Experts say estimates from drought-stricken Brazil, the worlds top coffee grower, are that this years harvest could be down by some 12%.What history shows us is that sometimes the world doesnt give you a choice, and right now there are many coffee farmers suffering from climate change that are facing this predicament, said Aaron Davis, head of coffee research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London.Excelsa could play a key role in adapting.Native to South Sudan and a handful of other African countries, including Congo, Central African Republic and Uganda, excelsa is also farmed in India, Indonesia and Vietnam. The trees deep roots, thick leathery leaves and big trunk allow it to thrive in extreme conditions such as drought and heat where other coffees cannot. Its also resistant to many common coffee pests and diseases.Yet it comprises less than 1% of the global market, well behind the arabica and robusta species that are the most consumed coffees in the world. Experts say excelsa will have to be shown to be practical at a much larger scale to bridge the gap in the market caused by climate change.Coffees history in South SudanUnlike neighboring Ethiopia or Uganda, oil-rich South Sudan has never been known as a coffee-producing nation.Its British colonizers grew robusta and arabica, but much of that stopped during decades of conflict that forced people from their homes and made it hard to farm. Coffee trees require regular care such as pruning and weeding and take at least three years to yield fruit.During a visit earlier this month to Nzara County in Western Equatoria state regarded as the countrys breadbasket residents reminisced to Associated Press reporters about their parents and grandparents growing coffee, yet much of the younger generation hadnt done it themselves.Many were familiar with excelsa, but didnt realize how unique it was, or what it was called, referring to it as the big tree, typically taller than the arabica and robusta species that are usually pruned to be bush- or hedge-like. The excelsa trees can reach 15 meters (about 49 feet) in height, but may also be pruned much shorter for ease of harvesting.Coffee made from excelsa tastes sweet unlike robusta with notes of chocolate, dark fruits and hazelnut. Its more similar to arabica, but generally less bitter and may have less body.Theres so little known about this coffee, that we feel at the forefront to trying to unravel it and were learning every day, said Ian Paterson, managing director of Equatoria Teak, a sustainable agro-forestry company thats been operating in the country for more than a decade.The companys been doing trials on excelsa for years. Initial results are promising, with the trees able to withstand heat much better than other species, the company said. Its also working with communities to revive the coffee industry and scale up production. Three years ago it gave seedlings and training to about 1,500 farmers, including Bashiama, to help them grow the coffee. The farmers can sell back to the company for processing and export.Many of the trees started producing for the first time this year, and Paterson said he hopes to export the first batch of some 7 tons to specialty shops in Europe. By 2027, the coffee could inject some $2 million into the economy, with big buyers such as Nespresso expressing interest. But production needs to triple for it to be worthwhile for large buyers to invest, he said.Challenges of growing an industry amid South Sudans instabilityThat could be challenging in South Sudan, where lack of infrastructure and insecurity make it hard to get the coffee out.One truck of 30 tons of coffee has to travel some 1,800 miles (3,000 kilometers) to reach the port in Kenya to be shipped. The cost for the first leg of that trip, through Uganda, is more than $7,500, which is up to five times the cost in neighboring countries.Its also hard to attract investors.Despite a peace deal in 2018 that ended a five-year civil war, pockets of fighting persist. Tensions in Western Equatoria are especially high after the president removed the governor in February, sparking anger among his supporters. When AP reporters visited Nzara, the main road to town was cut off one day because of gunshots and people were fleeing their villages, fearful of further violence.The government says companies can operate safely, but warned them to focus on business.If Im a businessman, dealing with my business, let me not mix with politics. Once you start mixing your business with politics, definitely you will end up in chaos, said Alison Barnaba, the states minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment.Barnaba said there are plans to rehabilitate old coffee plantations and build an agriculture school, but details are murky, including where the money will come from. South Sudan hasnt paid its civil servants in more than a year, and a rupture of a crucial oil pipeline through neighboring Sudan has tanked oil revenue.Growing the coffee isnt always easy, either. Farmers have to contend with fires that spread quickly in the dry season and decimate their crops. Hunters use fires to scare and kill animals and residents use it to clear land for cultivation. But the fires can get out of control and there are few measures in place to hold people accountable, say residents.Coffee as a way out of povertyStill, for locals, the coffee represents a chance at a better future.Bashiama said she started planting coffee after her husband was injured and unable to help cultivate enough of the maize and ground nuts that the family had lived on. Since his accident she hasnt been able to send her children to school or buy enough food, she said.Another farmer, 37-year-old Taban John, wants to use his coffee earnings to buy a bicycle so he can more easily sell his other crops, ground nuts and cassava, and other goods in town. He also wants to be able to afford school uniforms for his children.Excelsa is an opportunity for the community to become more financially independent, say community leaders. People rely on the government or foreign aid, but when that doesnt come through theyre not able to take care of their families, they say.But for coffee to thrive in South Sudan, locals say there needs to be a long-term mentality, and that requires stability.Elia Box lost half of his coffee crop to fire in early February. He plans to replace it, but was dispirited at the work it will require and the lack of law and order to hold people accountable.People arent thinking long-term like coffee crops, during war, he said. Coffee needs peace.The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. It receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Sam Mednick, Associated Press

Industrial designer and innovation leader Kevin Bethune, the founder and Chief Creative Office of design think-tank dreams design + life, has written a new book. His first, "Reimagining Design: Unlocking Strategic Innovation," explored the strategic values of design beyond aesthetics. The follow-up, "Nonlinear: Navigating Design with Curiosity and Conviction," challenges linear approaches to design, arguing that the complexities of today's world demand new levels of openness and adaptability. "In Nonlinear, Kevin Bethune shows us that we can reject trodden paths of digital or physical product creation by taking advantage of a nonlinear approach. To unlock meaningful innovation that breeds new and novel outcomes, he writes, teams need to embark on a journey into the proverbial forest of ambiguity, the result of a rapidly converging, dynamic, and exponentially changing landscape. The journey is less about getting it right or wrong, and more about using the information we have at our disposal to understand our choices and take steps to unlock new learning." "Nonlinear begins by taking the reader through Bethune's professional 'zigs and zags.' The author explains that while his interdisciplinary leaps were rare at the time he took them, these varied experiences unlocked perspectives about design and innovation that uniquely prepared him for our present moment and for the future. He then showcases the role of quantitative information to strategically frame and set boundary conditions for our creative exploration, and the role of qualitative insights to provide the substance necessary to begin crafting solutions that address unmet needs." "The book also identifies accelerants (or flywheels) that will help readers as they reflect on their journey navigating the forest of ambiguity, with a specific emphasis on diversity, a key theme for Bethune, a Black man who has navigated new horizons. Readers will enjoy having the chance to customize the author's perspectives and make them their own at both an individual and team level." The book is available here, and Design Better is hosting an AMA with Bethune on March 11th. You can sign up here.

Chinese auto manufacturer Chery is teasing this concept vehicle, which is either called the Fulwin Jinyun SMPV or the Journeo; the messaging is unclear, as there's been no official press release from the company. It was reportedly designed at the company's Advanced Design Centre in Raunheim, Germany. From what we can see, it's a four-person vehicle that appears primarily designed for lounging. The front fascia becomes a flip-out loveseat: The dashboard retracts, the front seats swivel, and the center console travels rearwards on a track, rotating 90 degress to become a sort of coffee table:The rear seatbacks also rotate, creating a sort of rear lounge space, while the rear hatch (if it is even a hatch? There are no shots of it open) slides out to create more interior space: Lastly, solar panels flip out from the top.At press time, there was no word on if this would see production, or even what markets it's aimed at.

With the arrival of music streaming, our smartphones have become the primary way we enjoy tunes, whether on the go or even at home. Once upon a time in the age of iTunes, however, MP3 players, more formally known as personal music players or PMPs, were all the rage. Of course, the dumbphones back then werent that capable of being decent music players, but the world has thankfully moved forward. Now you can have dumbphones that can finally perform that feat.Theyre no Nokia XpressMusic phones, but the new HMD 130 Music and HMD 150 Music try to bring back the simple joys of listening to music whenever and wherever, without having to fumble with apps and settings. Plus, they carry a striking retro charm that will make you wish for those good old days, or dream about how listening was so much simpler back then.Designer: HMD GlobalWhen all you really want to do is play some tunes to inspire or relax, the last thing you need is to dig through apps and menus on your phone. Before you know it, your day has already passed you by thanks to the distractions of notifications. HMD Globals two new darlings allow you to plug in or blast your music almost instantly, and it even has dedicated buttons that put control at your fingertips, literally.The HMD 130 Music and HMD 150 Music sport traditional candybar designs that are simple, straightforward, and in the eyes of todays generation, quite peculiar. The user experience revolves around a T9 keypad with a square D-pad in the middle, a convention that forced phones back then to have simpler UIs. There are two notable designs on both phones, one of which is the strip on one side of the phone that has dedicated physical controls for playing, pausing, and skipping tracks.The other unique aspect of these phones designs are the grilles on their back, a circular arrangement for the HMD 130 Music, and a more conventional rectangle of dots on the HMD 150 Music. These hide a 2W speaker that will let you broadcast your favorite tunes to some extent. For more private listening, theres a 3.5mm headphone jack thats also considered a retro feature by now.HMD Global doesnt hesitate to call these devices as dumbphones, and they pale in comparison to the capabilities of even the cheapest smartphone. What they bring, however, is the simplicity of a communication device that can let you detach without disconnecting from the world, freeing you to just enjoy your music. And with a removable 2500mAh battery, you can keep on listening far longer than your smartphone can stay alive in one day.The post HMD 130 and 150 Music phones are making personal music players trendy again first appeared on Yanko Design.

Flip phones are making a comeback, though not exactly in the strict sense. Thanks to the magic of foldable screens, the stylish clamshell phones of the past have returned with a bigger screen that is better adjusted to the needs and trends of modern times. After all, we have all outgrown the tactile yet convoluted T9 keypad for typing and evolved to handle the cramped QWERTY keyboards on todays phones.That said, those flip-style foldables also took away the charm of what made those clamshell phones of the past handy and trendy. As a purveyor of retro phone designs, HMD Global is trying to bring back not only the charm but also the practical benefits of such a design. Yes, its the good old-fashioned T9 flip, but its trying to turn a perceived flaw into its key strength.Designer: HMD GlobalRetro phones have strangely gained momentum these days, even after the very last Nokia-branded handsets rode off into the sunset. Part of it is because of the nostalgia factor as well as the novelty in the eyes of younger generations. For HMD Global, however, a big factor is the way these phones let you do a digital detox by practically removing everything distracting without disconnecting you from the people who matter the most.The new HMD 2660 Flip does that by retaining only essential functions for the most basic communication, which means calls and text. There are none of the social apps that distract you with their incessant notifications, only direct and straightforward chats. Of course, the T9 keypad makes typing less enjoyable by modern standards, so you are more likely to just call your friends anyway.Beyond that, the HMD 2660 Flip just exudes that playful personality of its forebears, letting you relive or live for the first time that sophisticated flair of flipping a phone open or close. Unlike the really old clamshells, though, the aesthetics have been souped up for more modern palates, with a glossy, mirrored all-glass front plate and lively colors. Interestingly, it also brings back beloved features like an SD card slot and a removable 1450mAh battery.As for the specs, well, lets just say that the 0.3MP camera wont take the most flattering selfies, and the 2.8-inch QVGA screen is going to be extremely basic. Of course, thats by design, because the HMD 2660 Flip is meant not just as a nod to the past but also as a way to flip back time to simpler and less stressful days.The post HMD 2660 Flip is a retro phone designed for simplicity and digital detox first appeared on Yanko Design.

DreamWorks' MoonRay Monte Carlo ray tracer made the smoother animation style possible.

We compare Wix vs Wix Studio to see which one is better for creative professionals and businesses.

MacworldAt a glanceExpert's RatingProsHuge battery capacityBuilt-in USB-C cable15W wireless or 30W wired charging65W inputKickstandSmart displayLocation finderConsBuilt-in USB-C cable is geared to iPhone 15/16 usersOur Verdict With its built-in USB-C cable (30W output, 65W input) and 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging the EcoFlow Rapid 10K Magnetic Power Bank lives up to its speedy name, while still scoring highly in terms of battery capacity and smart features.Price When ReviewedThis value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefinedBest Pricing TodayPrice When Reviewed89,99Best Prices Today: EcoFlow RAPID Magnetic Power Bank 10KRetailerPriceEcoFlow89,99 View DealPrice comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwideProductPricePrice comparison from BackmarketMagnetic wireless chargingwhether MagSafe or compatible Qi2has revolutionized iPhone charging and created an exciting market in portable power banks. Simply magnetically clamp a compact battery pack to the back of your iPhone and slip it back in your pocket as it recharges or start using it straight away.15W Apple-certified MagSafe or Qi2 made wireless charging relatively speedy, and cheaper power banks could chug along at a decent 7.5W pace if they are only MagSafe compatible. All iPhones post the 2020 iPhone 12 (with the strange exceptions of the SE and 16e) include the necessary magnets to work with the magnetic accessories.Recently, magnetic power bankssuch as the Anker Zolo 10K Magnetic Power Bank and Baseus Nomos Magnetic Power Bank Qi2 have upped the game by including an integrated USB-C cable that means you can still attach the power bank to the phone but connect with the cable for a charging speed of up to 30W. See: The Best MagSafe portable battery packs and power banks for iPhone.Wired charging is always faster than wireless as less energy is wasted with a direct connection, so having a power bank that has both wireless and wired charging offers the best of both worlds. Both the Anker Zolo and Baseus Nomos can cable-charge an iPhone at 30W, with the Nomos fastest at recharging: 15W (Qi2) vs Ankers 7.5W (MagSafe compatible).The Anker did, however, perform better in our recharging tests, scoring 190%: it fully recharged an iPhone 16 Pro once and then again to 90%, so nearly two full refills of the iPhone battery. The Baseus managed a still respectable 166% in our tests.The decision between the two high-capacity 10000mAh (10K) power banks boils down to a higher recharge return with the Anker vs a speedier but slightly lower return with the Baseus.The latest magnetic power bank in the Macworld Labs, however, might steal the show from both. Enter the EcoFlow Rapid 10000mAh Magnetic Power Bank.Simon Jary / FoundryFast and full of powerThe EcoFlow Rapid 10000mAh Power Bank matches both Anker and Baseus battery packs by boasting a built-in USB-C cable that can charge at 30W.Like the Baesus Nomos it uses the fast 15W Qi2 magnetic technology when charging wirelessly.And in our tests it perfectly equals the Anker Zolo with a recharging score of 190%.The Rapid doesnt just get its name from its dual 15W wireless and 30W wired power output speeds. It can be recharged itself at an incredible input rate of 65W, meaning it will be back full of juice faster than any other easily portable power bank that weve tested. In comparison the Anker has a 20W input speed and the Baseus 30W.While the Rapid power bank is meant to be maxed out at 30W we saw it push out over 65W when connected with a MacBook Pro.Simon Jary / FoundryWhen using either USB-C port to charge a device, the RAPID 10k prioritizes steady, efficient wired charging by turning off wireless charging (Qi2) to maximize power output. It can simultaneously charge two devices via USB-C.As it supports pass-through charging you could charge one device and recharge the power bank at the same time. When charging via either USB-C, wireless charging appears to be pegged back to just 5W.Theres a handy kickstand at the back so you can angle a connected phone in either landscape or portrait orientation. Both Anker and Baesus also have kickstands.Simon Jary / FoundryDesignThe EcoFlow Rapids integrated USB-C cable tucks in neatly at the bottom of the power bank. Having a cable built in means you dont have to worry about carrying one around with you. Of course, wireless charging means no cable requiredexcept for charging the power bank itselfbut for the fastest output speeds that USB-C cable comes to the fore. It also means you dont need to remember a cable if recharging the power bank itself as the cable can be used to add power in as well as out.Theres also a spare USB-C port so that you can charge more than one device at a time. Both the Anker and Baseus power banks also feature such a port.EcoFlow Rapid is a little larger than its nearest competitors.Anker Zolo 10K: 4.15-x-2.7-x-0.8 inches (10.5-x-6.9-x-2cm) and weighs 241g.Baseus Nomos 10K: 4.25 x 2.7 x 0.8 inches (10.8 x 6.8 x 2cm) and weighs 232g.EcoFlow Rapid 10K: 4.25-x-2.8-x-0.9 inches (10.8-x-7-x-2.3cm) and weighs 275g.This larger size is the compromise you might have to make to gain maximum power and top speed. While it doesnt look much in raw dimensions, in hand the Rapid is noticeably larger. But, it will still fit in a pocket and that 40g difference is not much extra heft.If you really want a slim power bank you should instead consider a smaller 5000mAh (5K) battery pack. Thankfully, there is a 5K model of the EcoFlow Rapid, and this achieved 70% in our recharging test. It is the first 5K power bank we have had to review that includes a built-in USB-C cable and it boasts 30W input and output. The 10K model is faster to fill but has more capacity to top up.EcoFlowThe EcoFlow Rapid looks stylish in a gray body with mirrored smart TFT displaya feature missing from the Zolo and Nomis, which both indicate remaining battery charge with a simple series of LEDs.The Rapids display shows its remaining battery charge with an easily readable digital counter and accurate to a hundredth of a percentage point.You can customize the display with a dedicated app, choosing to view charging speed, power output, and even customizing the screen with your name or a pattern.FoundryBuzzy locationThis is the first power bank we have tested that includes a location tool. Its not as sophisticated as Apples Find My and wont locate the power bank on a map.Instead, with the Find My Device function in the EcoFlow app, you can locate your missing power bank with its built-in buzzer.PriceThe EcoFlow Rapid 10K Magnetic Power Bank is priced at $89.99 / 89.99. While the Anker Zolo costs just $49.99 / 49.99, remember that it is rated at just 7.5W for wireless charging compared to the Rapids 15W. The Baseus Nomos is priced around the same as the Rapid.If you want to sacrifice some battery capacity for a slimmer design but still have the 15W output and built-in USB-C cable, the EcoFlow Rapid 5K Magnetic Power Bank is $20/20 cheaper. It lacks the 65W super-speedy input (instead 30W). and the location finder, but its a super neat slim power bank that will get one phone through the day.For more options we have tested and reviewed the best magnetic power banks.Should you buy the EcoFlow Rapid 10K Magnetic Power Bank?With its built-in USB-C cable (30W output, 65W input) and 15W Qi2 magnetic wireless charging the EcoFlow Rapid 10K Magnetic Power Bank lives up to its speedy name. Battery capacity is high end, too, and with smart display, app control and location finder, the Rapid 10K rises to the top of our magnetic power bank chart.

MacworldIt was hoped that the launch of Apple Intelligence would give the companys Siri voice assistant a much-needed upgrade. But almost nine months on from the announcement of this plan, theres no sign of its arrivaland further delays are now hindering Apples attempts to compete in the AI arena.In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman builds on a prediction he made last month: that the new Apple Intelligence-powered version of Siri isnt likely to be released until iOS 18.5 in May, an astonishing 11 months after it was unveiled at WWDC 2024. At the time Gurman cited bugs and features that still dont work consistently.But the article adds further bad news. Whereas the new version of Siri forms (a surprisingly late) part of the iOS 18 release cycle, a more radical shakeup is slated as part of iOS 19, and this one faces major delays too.Known internally as LLM Siri, this will be built from the ground up around Apple Intelligence. (The upcoming version of Siri, Gurman says, is a grafted-together hybrid system with two brains that handle legacy commands and AI functions separately.) Aside from this new architecture, iOS 19 Siri was planned to feature a more conversational approach, but this has hit developmental obstacles and wont be included when the other elements of iOS 19 Siri are announced at WWDC 25 this June.This was always likely when AI Siri first started struggling. Resources have to be pulled from longer-term projects to fight fires in the short term, and that means a cascade of delays stretching into the future. And Gurman thinks its going to get worse before it gets better. People within Apples AI division now believe that a true modernized, conversational version of Siri wont reach consumers until iOS 20 at best in 2027, he writes.With other companies hurrying to hone their own AI offerings, Apple faces a struggle to remain relevant. No wonder Gurman calls this an even bleaker timeline than many of us imagined.

Download the March 2025 issue of the Enterprise Spotlight from the editors of CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World.