• Bertone revives the classic Runabout roadster with pop-up headlights in a modern avatar
    www.yankodesign.com
    Pop-up headlights from my childhood days in the 90s were the coolest thing on this planet. Of course, at that time I spotted them on card games and posters, coming across beauties like Lamborghini, Ferrari F40, Chevrolet Corvette, Mazda MX-5, BMW M1, and Dodge Daytona. Even the common rides like the Honda Accord had a flip-up light. This feature eventually became so accepted in the industry. However, the flip-up headlights became somewhat of a rarity due to unknown reasons. Call it regulations, advancement in lighting technology, or simply a fading trend those cheeky lights could only be spotted on classic restored cars or restomod versions.Bertone, the iconic Italian automotive design house wants to change that perception with a modern interpretation of a 1969 concept Autobianchi Bertone. The original version designed by Marcello Gandini was revealed back in the late 1960s. The vehicle will be limited for now to 25 units each carrying a price tag of 350,000 (approximately $3,80,000) and is set to arrive in mid-2026. Itll come in lively colors like Azzurro Mediterraneo (blue shade), Bianco Perla (a pearlescent ivory shade), or a special Rame Antico shade too which is a mix of copper and bronze. Quitely under the radar, this classic roadsterwon the Gran Turismo Award at the 2022 Pebble Beach Concours dElegance.Designer: BertoneThey call it the Runabout, exemplified by the neo-retro aesthetics and of course, the pop-up headlights that bring the nostalgia of bold and modern in one form factor. The daytime running light bar is integrated seamlessly into the hood of the L-shaped sportscar which lends it a very bold stance. Theres an additional LED strip placed on the grill like the modern electric cars, just in case you dont want to reveal the hidden lights. When you do open them, there is a brighter projection at your disposal. The taillights go for a more classic aesthetic in the round configuration. You can choose to keep the rooftop Targa configuration or retract it back for an open roadster Barchetta configuration for those beautiful summer days.Under the hood of this pretty brunette is a mid-mounted V6 gasoline engine capable of churning out 454 horsepower for the thrill of driving dynamics. The open-top design of the lightweight vehicle further adds the element of exhilarating rides to the equation which will please purists. Runabout will be offered in two variants one will be a roadster version purely designed for motorheads who value driving pleasure more than anything else. The other version will be for the rich and famous who desire an opulent experience. This variant will have additional features more tailored towards comfort and lifestyle. The dashboard flows over the hood and into the engine compartment with wide-open vents for optimized airflow. The interior is contrasted with the lively paint job in black with red accents, or red with white accents. For now, theres not much known about the other functional addition to the vehicle.The post Bertone revives the classic Runabout roadster with pop-up headlights in a modern avatar first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • Worlds First E-Scooter With Dual Dash Cams And Radar Collision-Detection Starts At Just $1,380
    www.yankodesign.com
    Indias electric two-wheeler market has been growing exponentially, driven by rising fuel costs, environmental concerns, and government incentives. Brands like Ola, Ather, and TVS have been at the forefront of the e-scooter wave, but Ultraviolettethe company that gave India its first electric superbike, the F77is stepping in to redefine the segment with its first-ever scooter, the Tesseract. The Tesseract represents a significant evolution in Indias electric mobility narrative moving beyond basic transportation to deliver a premium, technology-driven experience that doesnt compromise on performance or range, two factors that have historically limited electric two-wheeler adoption.The Tesseracts design language carries forward Ultraviolettes distinctive aesthetic approach, sharing visual DNA with its elder sibling, the F77. Sharp, angular lines dominate the scooters profile, with a muscular stance that immediately distinguishes it from conventional electric scooters. The front features an aggressive LED headlight assembly with signature DRLs that create an unmistakable road presence. Unlike the rounded, approachable designs common in the scooter segment, the Tesseract embraces a more technical, performance-oriented appearance. The bodywork features sculpted panels with aerodynamic considerations, while the floorboard offers a spacious, practical layout without compromising the scooters sporty character. Available in four color options, the Tesseract maintains Ultraviolettes commitment to premium fit and finish, with high-quality materials throughout and attention to detail that elevates it above most competitors in the segment.Designer: UltravioletteOn paper, its technical specifications are about as impressive as the e-scooters looks. Powered by a 14.91 kW (20.1 bhp) electric motor, it delivers performance numbers typically associated with motorcycles rather than scooters. The scooter accelerates from 0-60 km/h in just 2.9 seconds, with a top speed of 125 km/h (77.6 mph) figures that put it firmly in the performance category. Battery technology has been a particular focus, with the Tesseract offering three variants with different battery capacities. The top-tier variant boasts an impressive 261 km (160 miles) range on a single charge, addressing one of the primary concerns for electric vehicle adopters range anxiety. The battery packs are designed for optimal thermal management and longevity, with fast-charging capability that can deliver a significant charge in under an hour. The scooter features a sophisticated suspension setup with disc brakes in the front and rear, complemented by dual-channel ABS for confident braking performance. The chassis has been engineered to balance agility with stability, resulting in handling characteristics that befit its performance capabilities.Technology is where the Tesseract pulls ahead of the pack. The 7-inch TFT display dashboard is just the start. It comes loaded with features unheard of in the e-scooter segmentdual dashcams (front and back), traction control, hill-hold assist, wireless charging, dynamic stability control, and even haptic feedback on the handlebars. But the real showstopper is the integrated radar system, a first for scooters. Dubbed Omnisense mirrors, the setup provides real-time alerts for blind spots, approaching vehicles, and lane-change assistance. For a machine thats meant to zip through chaotic urban traffic, these safety features could be game-changing.Smartphone connectivity enables features like ride tracking, over-the-air updates, and customizable ride modes that adjust power delivery and range. Additional premium features include keyless operation, geo-fencing capabilities, anti-theft protection, and remote monitoring through a dedicated mobile app. Theres even a slot to store your phone while you drive, with wireless charging built into it. The scooter also incorporates regenerative braking technology that helps extend range during urban riding conditions.The under-seat compartment boasts 34 liters of space, enough to swallow a full-face helmet. Thats a big deal in a segment where most e-scooters barely have room for a grocery bag. The build quality, from the sculpted panels to the switchgear, suggests a premium experience, staying true to Ultraviolettes performance-focused ethos.Ultraviolette has positioned the Tesseract in the premium segment, with an introductory price of $1,380 (INR 1,20,000) for the first 10,000 customers. The next 50,000 buyers will pay $1,495 (INR 1,30,000), and after that, it settles at $1,667 (INR 1,45,000). The scooter is available in three variants Tesseract 3.5, Tesseract 5, and Tesseract 6 each offering different battery capacities and range capabilities. While this pricing places it above many conventional scooters, the Tesseracts performance specifications, technology integration, and premium build quality position it as a value proposition for tech-savvy consumers seeking a no-compromise electric vehicle. Pre-bookings have already opened, with deliveries scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026.The post Worlds First E-Scooter With Dual Dash Cams And Radar Collision-Detection Starts At Just $1,380 first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • OPM Watchdog Says Review of DOGE Work Is Underway
    www.wired.com
    The acting inspector general says the Office of Personnel Management is investigating whether any emerging threats have arisen as Elon Musks DOGE works to rapidly transform government systems.
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  • Mississippi Passes Bill Banning Lab-Grown Meat
    www.wired.com
    Three states have now passed legislation making it illegal to manufacture, sell, or distribute cultivated meat.
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  • iOS 19 and macOS 16 will reportedly bring a huge interface overhaul
    www.macworld.com
    MacworldAccording to a new report from Bloombergs Mark Gurman (who is easily the most accurate reporter of Apples unannounced upcoming products and features), we are in for some major change later this year.With iOS 19, iPadOS 19, and macOS 16, Apple intends to introduce one of the most dramatic software overhauls in the companys history, according to Gurmans sources. The aim is to transform the interface for a new generation of users. For iPhone and iPad, its going to be the biggest change since iOS 7, where Apple ditched the skeuomorphic design language in favor of a new flat design, changed lock screen, a control panel, and more. For macOS, it would be the biggest change since macOS Big Sur (macOS 11) in 2020.The company has struggled to bring its AI efforts up to the level of its competitors, and recently suffered a setback when it announced its big new Siri features wont be coming this year. There will certainly be new Apple Intelligence features as part of iOS 19 and macOS 16, but with a string of delays pushing the most exciting stuff back, all hopes are on a dramatic new interface to help drive excitement and demand.According to the source, the interface is said to be based loosely on the Vision Pro software, which gives us pausethe Vision OS interface is good for a gaze-and-pinch interaction model but is rather simplistic compared to the expectations for iPhones or Macs. We hope loosely carries a lot of weight. Still, the article claims the overall goal is to make Apples various operating systems more consistent, instead of the jarring difference between icons, windows, and interface elements we see today.The new interface will be unveiled at WWDC in June, and is expected to be the highlight of the new iOS and macOS. If history has taught us anything, its that it will have a mixed reception at best, as major design changes are almost always met with criticism at first.
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  • Voice-cloning companies hit for lack of safeguards against scammers
    www.computerworld.com
    Companies creating generative AI (genAI) tools that can clone voices are not doing enough to prevent scammers from using them to defraud customers,according to a study fromConsumer Reports.The study found that four of six companies providing the services didnt construct enough barriers to prevent individuals voices from being fraudulently cloned.Consumer Reportstested voice cloning tools and found that four companies ElevenLabs, Speechify, PlayHT, and Lovo didnt provide any way to ensure the user had a speakers consent to clone their voice. The software also placed no technical guardrails to prevent voice cloning.The publication was able to easily create voice clones using publicly available audio with tools from the four companies. It only required marking a check box that the user had the legal right to create a voice clone.Two companies, Descript and Resemble AI, had more safeguards in place by limiting uploads of pre-recorded audio.Descript required a user to read the consent statement, which was used as a basis to create the voice clone. Resemble AI required a person to do a voice recording in real time to create a high-quality clone; attempts to create a clone based on pre-recorded audio were of poor quality.Still, the testers were able to bypass those safeguards, prompting the magazine to call for tighter standards. We argue that the nascent voice-cloning industry should adopt norms and standards to mitigate the risk of fraud,Consumer Reportssaid.GenAI tools have made voice-cloning a possibility, and it is increasingly being used for fraud.Scammers use the tools as a form of social engineering to cheat victims out of money or to spread misinformation. In many cases, they create realistic audio of a close relative or friend in trouble and deceive callers to fraudulently send money or to divulge sensitive information.The technology is also being used to access bank accounts by bypassing voice identity verification. TheFBI issued an alert in Decemberabout video- and voice-cloning schemes being used for financial fraud.One UK-based bank, Starling, isrecommending customers use phrasesto verify the person on the line isnt a clone. The bank also recommends that users protect their voice by limiting social media access.Productivity tools from Synthesia and D-ID that create digital avatars from voice and video cloning arebeing used in enterprises for marketing and presentations. The tools can create realistic videos that combine the video and voice clones of individuals, which saves on the cost of hiring production teams.Synthesia has an ethics and AI policy to prevent abuse. It prevents non-consensual cloning by putting biometric-based checks in place to ensure the person initiating the cloning request is the same as the person in the footage, said Alexandru Voica, a Synthesia spokesman.The company also applies robust content moderation at the point of creation, before a video is generated, based on publicly available policies to prevent the creation of harmful content.We work with independent red teaming organizations to ensure our approach is as robust as possible, Voica said.
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  • iOS 18.4 will force users to upgrade to the latest HomeKit architecture
    appleinsider.com
    Apple is set to discontinue support for the older version of its HomeKit architecture, meaning that users will be forced to upgrade with the release of iOS 18.4.Users of iOS 18.4 will likely be required to upgrade to the newer HomeKit architecture.On Monday, Apple released the third developer beta of iOS 18.4. While the operating system itself doesn't include any surface-level changes, its code indicates that a significant change could soon affect users of the Apple Home app.Back in November 2022, with the launch of iOS 16.2, Apple introduced an updated version of its HomeKit architecture, which delivered significant speed and performance upgrades for HomeKit accessories. The new and improved HomeKit architecture caused problems for some users, which is why it was withdrawn in December 2022 and re-introduced in February 2023 with the release of iOS 16.4. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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  • Third time's the charm? EU considers fining Apple over DMA yet again
    appleinsider.com
    Once again, Apple will be facing fines from the European Union for breaking Digital Markets Act rules, but the fines will probably be "modest" and far from the maximum penalty.An EU flag with the App Store logoPractically since the introduction of the Digital Markets Act, concerns have been raised that Apple and its App Store will face being fined under the law, following various probes into its activities. Now, it seems Apple may face its first actual penalty under the rules.Apple and Meta are expected to be hit by fines for breaking DMA rules, a source of Reuters claims. The actual size of the fines have not been determined yet, but they are expected to be "modest" in size. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums
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  • Ingenuity and precision propel five IDEAS Awards winners for 2025
    archinect.com
    The five winning projects included in this years Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel (IDEAS) Awards were announced recently by the American Institute of Steel Constructionas part of the competitions 65th overall edition.This year, judges presented a special Presidential Award for Engineering Design and Construction to the popular Las Vegas Sphere. It joined noteworthy projects such as theMdeAS Architects-led redevelopment of the PENN 2 office building, which won the Excellence in Engineering Award.They will join other past winners in being featured in the upcoming May issue ofModern Steel Construction. More information about each of the 2025 projects can be viewed below.IDEAS Award for Excellence in Constructability - 200 Park in San Jose, Calif.
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  • Walter Hood wins the 2025 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture
    archinect.com
    Hood Design Studio's founder Walter Hood has been named the winner of the 2025 Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture by the University of Virginia.The prize has been given annually since 1966 in conjunction with the Thomas Jefferson Foundation in recognition of those who best exemplify the universitys founder in their pursuits of Architecture, Law, and Citizen Leadership. In being named the winner, Hood joins fellow architects like Frank Gehry, Alvar Aalto, and Leon Krier in winning the honor, which last year saw fellow headline landscape practitioner Kate Orff selected.
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