Apples new M3 iPad Air is officially available today, alongside its upgraded Magic Keyboard. Heres why the new Air is the best iPad for most people, but the M4 iPad Pro is still my favorite device and well worth the premium price tag.Apples recent earnings reports have pointed to a trend with iPad sales: users seem to really like the iPad Air.Especially since Apple debuted the M2 iPad Air last May, Air sales have been especially strong. And the introduction of a brand new M3 model just 10 months later is further evidence of the devices popularity.This all makes sense, since the iPad Air fills a great niche: it offers the best of the iPad Pro line, but at a much more affordable price.For example, the iPad Pro has historically been the only iPad with a large 13-inch display.Now, you can get iPad Air in the same 11-inch and 13-inch sizes as the Pro line.Also, Apples M-class chips offer a ton of power no matter which chip youre talking about. In real-world use, the iPad Pros M4 chip wont offer many advantages over the M2or now M3iPad Air.iPad Air supports the Apple Pencil Pro, and it now offers an upgraded Magic Keyboard that almost matches the iPad Pros much-improved model.Lets consider the price differences:M3 iPad Air is $599 for the 11-inch and $799 for the 13-inchM4 iPad Pro is $999 for the 11-inch and $1,299 for the 13-inchThe gap between the Air and Pro used to be much smaller. But with the M4 line, the Pro models got a lot more expensive.So why would anyone buy an iPad Pro? Well, if youre like me, its because you want the best possible iPad. And the M4 iPad Pro is very much that.The M4 iPad Pro is expensive. Not just because of its starting price, but also because youll likely want to throw in another $300-500 for accessories.Apples M3 iPad Air cost is much easier to swallow. And by contrast, the new M4 MacBook Air seems like a downright steal at $999.But if the iPad is your go-to laptop replacement, as it is for me, theres so much to love about the M4 iPad Pro.iPad Pros Ultra Retina XDR screen is, per Apple, the worlds most advanced display thanks to its tandem OLED tech. And yes, its a beauty.OLED aside, it would be very hard to give up the iPad Pros ProMotion support, which is missing from iPad Air.The iPad Pro is also radically thin for all the power it packs. The 13-inch model is the thinnest device Apple has ever made.I love having Face ID on my iPad, and Touch ID would definitely feel like a setback.Another differentiator: as much as Apple has upgraded the new iPad Air Magic Keyboard, it still lacks a couple key niceties of the iPad Pros model.the aluminum palm rest is Pro-exclusiveas is haptic feedback in the trackpadI use my iPad Pro non-stop with the Magic Keyboard, so these upgrades make a real difference to me.Finally, beyond getting all my work done on the device, I also use my iPad Pro to watch TV fairly often. The tandem OLED display, combined with the Pros four speaker audio, makes it great for entertainment.Apples current iPad lineup provides a lot of clarity to prospective buyers. The base iPad has a low entry price, but lacks Apple Intelligence. The M4 iPad Pro is the best iPad money can buy. And in the middle, the M3 iPad Air and A17 iPad mini pack a lot of powerful features at a reasonable price.Even though the M4 iPad Pro is my device of choice, theres no doubt that the M3 iPad Air is a better buy for most users. Unless youre willing to pay up for the best possible model, the iPad Air offers a compelling iPad experience at a much lower price.Which features of the M3 iPad Air vs. M4 iPad Pro matter most to you? Let us know in the comments.Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Launch day for the new M4 MacBook Air, M3 iPad Air, and the new iPad (A16) has arrived, and we have deals on all of them. Not only are there some seriously notable trade-in savings, but this morning we saw the first straight up cash deals go live at Amazon on the brand new M4 MacBook Air they are now $50 off for anyone to deliver the best deals yet. We also spotted $119 price drops on Apple Watch Ultra 2 alongside a series of rare deals on official Alpine and Trail Loop models at 20% off, and a return of the best price ever on the Apples 4-pack of AirTags ($16 each).All of that and more awaits below in todays 9to5Toys Lunch Break.First cash deals hit Apples brand new M4 MacBook Air at $50 off for launch day, or up to $550 off with tradeAmazon is now offering the first straight up cash deal on the brand-new M4 MacBook Air select models will automatically drop $50 at checkout. Today is launch day for the new M4 MacBook Air Apple unveiled last week and, while there are still some major savings opportunities for folks looking to trade-in an M2 or M3 model, the very first straight up cash discounts anyone can take advantage of are now live on Amazon. Not even configuration is seeing this bonus $50 off at checkout today, but many of them are and we will go over the details below.There is a chance we see all configurations and colors get the $50 off treatment at some point today, but heres what we are seeing at the time of writing:13-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/256GB $50 offMidnight and Silver13-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/512GB $50 offSky Blue, Midnight, and Starlight13-inch M4 MacBook Air 24GB/512GB $50 offStarlight15-inch M4 MacBook Air 16GB/512GB $50 offMidnight15-inch M4 MacBook Air 24GB/512GB $50 offSky Blue, Silver, and StarlightWe previously detailed some major savings opportunities on trade-ins you can score up to $550 off a brand new M4 MacBook Air when trading in an M3 model or $450 off with an M2 from two generations back. Those are clearly going to yield the lowest prices around on the new M4, but if you dont have something to flip for one, Amazon is your best bet right now.And with the launch of the new M4-equipped laptop from Apple comes serious clearance pricing on the M3. Amazon recently dropped another $100 off select configurations to deliver prices at up to $600 off the original lists and the best we have ever tracked. All of the details you need on those offers are right here.Hit up our launch coverage of the new M4 MacBook Air lineup right here the price has dropped, Sky Blue is here, theres a 12MP Center Stage camera, and you can drive up to two 6K external displays this time around.Score your new M4 MacBook Air pre-order from just $449 with an M3 trade-in ($550 off), or $499 with an M2Launch day: First deals now live on brand new M3 iPad Air pre-orders at up to $70 off, deals from $559Its back folks. Amazon is once again offering the official Apple AirTags at near-bargain bin prices with the 4-pack now selling for $64.49 shipped. Regularly $99, youre looking at a solid 35% price drop here and the best price we can find this is only the second time we have ever seen this 4-pack down this low.You can still score a single Apple AirTag down at $22.99 shipped, which is clearly less cash out of pocket right now than the 4-pack. But with the featured bundle deal above, youre paying just over $16 per tag thats getting very close to the price on the third-party AirTag wannabe products. Outside of a couple limited doorbuster and YMMV in-store offers over the holidays last year, this is on par with the best price we have ever tracked, undercutting the 2024 Amazon Black Friday deal we featured at $69.There are some third-party, tag-style Find My trackers out there we just reviewed Spigens latest take with replaceable batteries that are selling on sale at $10 a pop right now but if youre looking for the genuine article, pricing doesnt, and hasnt, gotten any better than it is today.And having said that, Apples AirTags remain among the best item trackers out there if you ask me. They were also just updated with the new Share Item Location feature, allowing trusted business and friends to help you track down your misplaced item here are the details on that and even more on the approved airlines that can leverage this feature to hunt down your lost luggage.The new AirTag 2 is inbound, but certainly not at a price like this.Rare Amazon sale now live on official Apple Watch bands from $50: Alpine and Trail Loops, Magnetic Link, more up to 50% offJust after seeing some solid $119 price drops on Apple Watch Ultra 2 this morning, Amazon has now dropped its prices on a number of official Apple bands, including the navy Trail Loop and Alpine Loop as well as a series of others the Olive Alpine, the new Green Trail model, and more. Youre looking at up to 20% off here and a rare chance to see this many models on sale at the same time. Youll find all of them organized on this landing page for you and we will detail the best of them down below.Trail LoopBlue (S/M size) $79 (Reg. $99)Black Titanium FinishTrail LoopGreen (M/L size) $86 (Reg. $99)Black Titanium FinishTrail LoopBlue/Black (S/M size) $79 (Reg. $99)Natural Titanium FinishAlpine Loop Olive (Medium size) $79 (Reg. $99)Natural Titanium FinishAlpine Loop Indigo (Medium size) $79 (Reg. $99)Natural Titanium FinishAlpine Loop Olive (Small size) $79 (Reg. $99)Black Titanium FinishAnd even moreNatural Apple Watch Ultra 2 drops down to $680 at Amazon today ($119 off)Deals on Apple Watch Ultra 2 have been rare, or at least fleeting at best, in 2025. There have been some open-box offers as well as a couple chances at $70 price drops on the newer black models, but if youre anything like me you prefer the Natural Titanium case and are more than happy to score a deal on one with a previous-generation band attached. And thats exactly what we have here today Amazon is now offering the Natural Apple Watch Ultra 2 on three different Ocean Band colors at $679.99 shipped this morning, down from the regular $799 list price.Again, these are the previous-generation orange, white, and blue Ocean Band configurations, but this is the same, current-generation Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the Natural case color. And for those unfamiliar, these Ocean Bands are identical to the newer options that released in September, just in different colors a great way to save some cash.After the black model Ultra 2 debuted alongside iPhone 16 last year, pricing on all of Apples flagship wearable configs went up. Nothing over list or anything, but deals were harder to come by on new condition units and prices on the Natural model stopped falling quite as low. There were some limited holiday offers last year of note, but things rarely drop below the $680 we have here today.This who would prefer to go with the latest Series 10 models can side-step the pricey Ultra 2 all together and take advantage of the ongoing all-time lows we have at Amazon right now just about all Series 10 configs are now $100 off to deliver the best prices we have tracked to date, Black Friday 2024 included.Costco has AirPods Pro 2 with 2-years of AppleCare+ thrown in at $180 today (Nearly $100 off, members only)Arcs new iridescent Aurora Blue metal iPhone 16 Pro Max bumper case subtly changes color the more you use itSpigen debuts sporty new Trail Loop-style Athlex Air Apple Watch band with one-handed fastening at just $20Todays accessories and charging deals:Apples AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C MagSafe charging case drop to $170 at Amazon (Reg. $249)While we did see some wild deals on the latest AirPods Pro 2 with the USB-C MagSafe charging case over Black Friday last year in the $154 range for a week or so, Amazon just brought back the holiday pricing and one of the best prices of the year at $169.99 shipped. Regularly $249, this is 32% or $79 off the flagship Apple buds.Apple AirPods Pro 2 dropped down to $154 for Black Friday and Cyber Monday last year that was the lowest price we have ever tracked for them all-time. But on either side of that deal, in the lead up to Black Friday and then again just ahead of Christmas 2024, we were seeing the same $169 and $169.99 we have here today. There was a quick drop to $169 about a month ago in early February and we are once again seeing a price very close to that here today.Best prices ever now live on Apple Watch Series 10 at $100 off with deals from $299 (All colors)Prime Day couldnt do it. Black Friday 2024 couldnt do it. But we are now finally seeing straight up $100 price drops on Apple Watch Series 10 to deliver the lowest prices we have ever tracked on brand-new units. Amazon is now offering 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 in all three colors down at $299 shipped and 46mm models down at $329 shipped. Regularly $399 and $429, respectively, youre looking at $100 price drops to deliver new Amazon all-time lows and the best prices we have tracked to date.Before today, both of the base model Series 10 variants had never gone for more than $70 off, outside of extremely limited in-store only offers (that just about no one had a shot at). Todays deal marks the very first time you can order any of the three colorways in both sizes at $100 off the list prices. If you have been holding off scoring a new Series 10, nows as good a time as any to land one current-gen Apple Watch units historically almost never drop more than $100 until right before the new models release.These $100 discounts are available on the base GPS/Wi-Fi models as well as the upgraded GPS+Cell variants:42mm Apple Watch Series 10 $299 (Reg. $399)46mm Apple Watch Series 10 $329 (Reg. $429)42mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS+Cell $399 (Reg. $499)46mm Apple Watch Series 10 GPS+Cell $429 (Reg. $529)42mm Apple Watch Series 10 Titanium GPS + Cell $599 (Reg. $699)46mm Apple Watch Series 10 Titanium GPS + Cell $649 (Reg. $749)Upgraded 24GB M4 Pro MacBook Pro with 1TB SSD just hit the best price of the year at $2,129 ($270 off)Crazy low price just hit OtterBoxs solid aluminum 3-in-1 15W MagSafe Charging Station at just $30 (Reg. up to $150)Add 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

As Wu-Tang Clan rose from hardscrabble obscurity to become one of the most influential rap acts of the 1990s, there was never any doubt that the group's signature blend of real life storytelling and epic fiction was the product of human creativity but late in their career, that's clearly changed.Directed by filmmaker Jason Zada, the clip for "Mandingo," the latest from the legendary Staten Island crew, features the group's classic tropes: kung fu aesthetics, swordplay, and a gritty reimagining of New York City as a canvas for fantastical mythmaking.The biggest difference between "Mandingo" and everything that came before it, however, is how it was made. According to the video's director, it was created entirely with Google's DeepMind Veo 2, a text-to-video generator that's unfortunatelyjust as wonky and wobbly as other video-generating tools we've seen.Case in point: throughout the video, the face of the protagonist keeps shifting ever so slightly, making him look like different men at various points throughout the clip. The same can be said of his sultry female accomplice, whose hair changes length repeatedly over the course of the video's four-and-a-half minutes.As the hero battles his way through what's presumably Shaolin, the mythical world built by the Wu-Tang Clan's founding members when they were martial arts film-obsessed lads on Staten Island, he encounters bad guys young and old. Somehow, the sloppiness evidenced in Mandingo's appearance and movements seems even worse with the video's villains, and the fights contain the same physics-defying choppiness we've seen in other video generators before.While beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder, many who beheld the "Mandingo" music video saw it as little more than AI slop. From calling the clip "janky as shit" to suggesting they regret buying tickets to the group's upcoming farewell tour, fans were none too pleased."Wu-Tang dropped a video for their newest single and the entire thing is in AI," complained oneuser on Threads. "It looks ugly, featureless, full of glaring errors, and lacked any sort of spirit or emotion.""I don't know whose idea it was, because everything in the video could have been done with practical effects," that user continued. "It's not like they can't afford it."The group's de facto leader, Robert "RZA" Diggs, 2023 defended the use of AI in music when speaking toRolling Stonein 2023."AI is a powerful thing, and it should be just another tool for us," Diggs said in the interview. "It should be just like the ASR, the MPC, Pro Tools, or Ableton another tool used to get musical creative ideas expressed, captured, and then make the best song that we can that make people dance, laugh, become inspired or introspective.""But if it becomes something that makes the song for you, I think theres a danger in that," he continued. "And I think the danger in it is not immediate, but in the long term, that natural human quality of inspiration that we cant actually define [may lessen]. I dont think computers have reached the level of definition of that."Zada, the video's director, does offer some clues, citing Danny Hastings, the collective's longtime creative director who seems to be something of an AI enthusiast himself per the six-fingered hands and messy tribute videos he has posted on his Instagram.We've reached out to Zada and the group's press department to ask about the process that went into making the "Mandingo" music video and whether either has a response to criticisms calling it "AI slop."One thing's for sure: the group has produced a variety of lavish and epic music videos over the years using humans, cameras, and special effects so it feels weird to see them leaning into such an easy route.More on AI and music: Google's AI Insists That MJ Lenderman Has Won 14 GrammysShare This Article

It is with heavy hearts we report that an intrepid little robot that made it all the way to the Moon has met a horrible end.On Thursday, Intuitive Machine's lunar lander Athena touched down in a crater near the Moon's south pole sideways. That caused it to tip over, and unable to collect solar energy in its awkward position, the NASA-sponsored spacecraft was declared dead less than 24 hours after arriving.The fate was even more tragic for a robot, dubbed the Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP), that hitched a ride inside the lander. The little, barely one-and-a-half foot long rover, built by Colorado-based startup Lunar Outpost, survived the trip in one piece and was even ready to roam the rocky satellite's craggy surface.But in a cruel twist, Athena's sideways landing blocked MAPP's only exit, and trapped inside, it eventually met a slow death."Intuitive Machines landing on its side prevented MAPP's deployment," Lunar Outpost said in a statement on X. "Our data paints a clear picture that MAPP survived the landing attempt and would have driven on the lunar surface and achieved our mission objectives had it been given the opportunity."Nonetheless, the robot did bravely manage to send some data back to Earth proving that it was still deployable. MAPP also did enough to demonstrate that some of its scientific capabilities work in space, the company said.Had MAPP been able to break free or if Athena had stuck its landing it would have been the first US robotic rover deployed on the surface of the Moon not to mention the first private rover to roam extraterrestrial soil.Its bevy of systems included a device to connect to an experimental 4G network built by Nokia that would have been broadcast from the Athena lander. MAPP was also equipped to collect a sample of lunar regolith the Moon's loose surface soil that the company planned to sell to NASA for $1. This gesture would've marked the first commercially collected regolith sample, setting the legal and financial precedent for space resource utilization in the future, Lunar Outpost said in a press release.Those ambitions, at least for the time-being, were resoundingly squashed when the Athena missed its intended landing spot, a flat-topped mountain called Mons Mouton roughly 100 miles from the lunar south pole. With it unceremoniously tipped on its side, what was originally intended to be a ten-day mission for the lander barely lasted one.Still, this won't be the last we'll hear from either company. Intuitive Machines has two more Moon missions scheduled with NASA for 2026 and 2027, while Lunar Outpost says it's planning additional expeditions, including a return to the south pole and a visit to a curious lunar landscape feature called Reiner Gamma.More on lunar happenings: Amazing Video Shows Spacecraft Touching Down on Surface of MoonShare This Article

It feels like Disneyshould have run out of cartoons to remake in live-action by now. But it hasnt happened yet.In just a few weeks, well get a live-action Snow White starring Rachel Zegler. And next year theres a live-actionMoana, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his voice role as the demigod Maui. In between, Disney also has a newLilo & Stitch.Well, new-ish. The film is a remake of the delightful 2002 cartoonLilo & Stitch, with a cast that is now comprised mostly of human beings. (Stitch remakes an animated character,only this time hes made with computers instead of drawn by hand.)Otherwise you will likely recognize a lot of this updatedLilo & Stitch from the trailer below, including the Hawaiian setting, the cast of characters, and the message about families sticking together.READ MORE: The Biggest Disney Box-Office BombsThe originalLilo & Stitchwas one of Disneys final traditionally animated hits; within two years, the company mostly abandoned hand-drawn animated movies and apart from a brief revival in the late 2000s, thats the way things have remained at the studio.In addition to the first Lilo & Stitch, which grossed more than $270 million in theaters, Disney alsomade aLilo & StitchTV series and several animated sequels includingStitch! The MovieandLeroy & Stitch. The character has also appeared in video games and Disney theme park attractions.Here is the films official (and familiar) official synopsis:Lilo & Stitch is the wildly funny and touching story of a lonely Hawaiian girl and the fugitive alien who helps to mend her broken family. The film is directed by award-winning filmmaker Dean Fleischer Camp, with a screenplay by Chris Kekaniokalani Bright and Mike Van Waes, and stars Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Billy Magnussen, Tia Carrere, Hannah Waddingham, Chris Sanders, with Courtney B. Vance, and Zach Galifianakis, and introducing Maia Kealoha.The Lilo & StitchremakeOliver & Companyremake.Get our free mobile app12 Surprising Character Cameos In Disney Movies You Might Have MissedThese iconic Disney characters showed up in other Disney movies did you spot them?Gallery Credit: Claire Epting

Senior Paid Social Manager (LinkedIn & Facebook Ads) B2B FocusAre you an expert in LinkedIn Ads and Facebook Ads with a track record of delivering results for B2B clients? Do you have digital agency experience and know how to build, optimize, and scale paid social campaigns that drive high-quality leads? If so, we want to hear from you!About Digital TraxDigital Trax is a fast-growing digital marketing agency dedicated to helping B2B companies establish a strong digital foundation through expert strategy and execution. We specialize in building omni-channel funnels, ensuring our clients generate high-quality leads, and drive revenue growth.We dont just run adswe develop data-driven strategies, implement conversion-focused campaigns, and provide end-to-end execution to help businesses scale. From audience targeting messaging development and conversion optimization, we handle it all. As we grow, were looking for driven marketers who want to make an impact and be part of our exciting journey.Why Join Us?Were in the early stages of an exciting journey and growing fast! This is a unique opportunity to step in at a pivotal moment, make a real impact, and help shape the future of the company. As we scale, youll have the chance to take ownership, drive strategy, and eventually build and lead a team. If youre looking for a high-growth environment where you can grow quickly alongside the company, this is the perfect role for you!About the RoleWere looking for a Senior Paid Social Manager to lead B2B-focused paid media strategies across LinkedIn and Facebook. This role requires a deep understanding of paid social advertising, audience targeting at various stages in the buying cycle, ad copywriting, conversion tracking, and methodical A/B testing. Youll play a crucial role in helping our clients generate leads, drive engagement, and generate ROI.What Youll Be DoingCampaign Strategy & Execution Set up, manage, and optimize LinkedIn and Facebook ad campaigns to drive conversions for B2B clients.Audience Creation & Targeting Build highly segmented audiences using first-party data, lookalike models, and platform-specific targeting features.Ad Copy & Creative Briefs Write compelling ad copy and develop clear creative briefs to guide designers and video teams.A/B Testing & Optimization Run structured experiments to test different creatives, messaging, and targeting approaches.Campaign Analysis & Recommendations Regularly analyze performance data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights to improve results.Conversion Tracking & Reporting Implement and troubleshoot tracking (Meta Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, Google Tag Manager) to measure campaign performance.Requirements5+ years of experience in paid social advertising, specifically LinkedIn Ads & Facebook AdsStrong background in B2B marketing with proven success in generating leads and pipeline growthExperience working in a digital marketing agency managing multiple client accountsProficiency in Meta Ads Manager, LinkedIn Campaign Manager, and CRM integrations (HubSpot, Salesforce, etc.)Strong copywriting skills and experience crafting high-converting ad copyAnalytical mindset with expertise in campaign measurement and reportingAbility to manage budgets effectively and scale campaigns profitablyApply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now

DescriptionVoices is the worlds #1 creative services marketplace.Weve helped tens of thousands of marketers, producers, instructors, and creative directors at the worlds biggest and most beloved brands find the right talent for their creative projects.Headquartered in London, Canada, Voices matches clients with voice over, music, audio production, and translation professionals in over 160 countries.We are looking for a Senior Web Developer to take a team leadership role in our web development group to help improve and extend our product. They should be someone who collaborates effectively with developers, designers, and product managers. Were seeking an experienced full-stack developer with a proven track record who can design robust technical solutions, develop end-to-end applications, communicate their ideas clearly, and help others to achieve excellence.If this resonates with you, lets connect!About the position:This is a permanent, full-time position in a hybrid work environment. While youll primarily work remotely, some in-office time may occasionally be required.Were looking for developers with several years of hands-on experience, ideally including leadership roles on web development projects. A diverse background is highly valued.You will help design technical solutions for business problems presented by our Product and Marketing Teams.Youll be involved in all aspects of the Voices web application, including UI design, backend controls, APIs, application logic, and special architecture projects. Our primary languages are PHP and vanilla JavaScript, with occasional use of Node.js. Familiarity with modern PHP and JavaScript frameworks is a plus.You should be able to plan and lead team sprints and projects through estimation and cooperative research.You will have the opportunity to develop new features and find ways to improve the product. Sometimes these features will span multiple teams for an all-hands approach.You will also handle internal support conversations, investigate trouble tickets, and contribute to occasional infrastructure projects.You should also be comfortable with helping expand the knowledge of your colleagues and help them develop highly functional, efficient, and readable code.Typical tasks in the life of a Sr. Developer at Voices:Guiding Technical Solutions: Planning technical architecture and solutions for sprints and small projects, and designing work packages that align business and technical requirements.Task Management: Creating and managing task tickets in Jira to ensure reliable delivery of quality products.Compliance and Security: Ensuring compliance with security and accessibility rules, and applying knowledge of accessibility standards (AODA, WCAG) and site security (OWASP) to improve user experience.UI Development: Building customer-facing and internal user interfaces using CSS (from SASS/LESS), HTML, JavaScript as well as React.Application Development: Creating and extending MVC applications using PHP frameworks (Laravel, CodeIgniter), with occasional scripting and other technologies.Performance and Testing: Testing work for performance improvements and bottleneck issues, and overseeing test and release plans by creating DB migration scripts and collaborating with the testing team.API and Integration: Building or extending internal APIs and integrating with 3rd-party services (Salesforce, S3, SQS, and other AWS services).Version Control: Working with multiple Git branches, writing and reviewing Pull Requests (BitBucket), and pushing production-level code regularly.Component Library and Documentation: Maintaining the internal component library & design system, contributing to build scripts (esbuild, Webpack), and documenting projects (Confluence).Writing and updating technical documentation and requirements.Support and Collaboration: Reviewing and triaging support conversations, fixing bugs, and collaborating with Product and Support teams. Regular collaboration via Slack, Figma, and video or in-person meetings.About you:You want to ship regularly. Your passion is to build end-to-end software. You always want to improve and learn.You understand the importance of quality code. Your code is documented, understandable and predictable. Tests are written with confidence.You are comfortable with a varied development stack. You have production-level experience with PHP, JavaScript, and SQL.You have an understanding of modern architectural practices and software engineering best practices.You can explain your thinking. You are able to communicate your ideas or issues well.Your goal is to build for everyone. You are skilled in developing front-ends from scratch to create valid, reusable, performant, and accessible pages at all screen sizes.You are self-motivated and can work independently. You take the initiative to make sure that you have everything you need and will call for support when required.You love learning. You thrive on solving problems, learning new tricks, bridging the gaps between new and old, and want to keep getting even better.You love sharing. Helping your team based on your experience is time well spent.You have 3+ years experience in database-driven web site development.You have been able to lead a team to a positive, shared goal.You earned a BS or MS in Computer Science, Diploma in Web Development or have the equivalent work experience.You will work with:Development ManagerTechnical Project ManagersProduct ManagersProduct DesignersUX ResearchersProduct & Marketing DevelopersInfrastructure DevelopersAnalytics & Data Science TeamQuality Assurance TeamWork Arrangement: We are a hybrid workplace, allowing employees to work remotely from home. However, this position requires one in-office day per month on pre-set dates, during which all company employees are expected to attend. Our office is located at 100 Dundas Street, London, Ontario.Equal Employment OpportunitiesVoices.com values diversity. We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status, veteran status, medical condition or disability.AccommodationVoices.com is committed to providing accommodation for applicants with disabilities; please let us know if you require an accommodation during the recruitment process.Apply OnlineInterested candidates are encouraged to send their cover letter and rsum by completing the online application. By doing so, your resume is guaranteed to be reviewed.

Almost 20% of US adults deal with one or more anxiety disorders each year, according to statistics shared by the Anxiety & Depression Association of America. That equates to around 40 million people. While anxiety is normal, it can unfortunately turn into something else. Understanding what anxiety is and how it can affect you is vital to begin to better cope with its symptoms.The more you know, the better you can deal with the issues at hand -- and work towards a more enjoyable life as a result. Here's everything you need to know about anxiety disorders and how to cope with the effects they can have.What is anxiety?Anxiety is defined as fear or worry about the future, and its symptoms can range from mild to severe. Experiencing some level of anxiety is a normal part of life. However, when anxiety becomes so heightened that it keeps us from normal daily activities or interrupts our ability to enjoy our lives, it can become an anxiety disorder. Even if your anxiety isn't at the level of being diagnosed, there are many ways to alter your daily habits to decrease stress in your life.What are the causes and risk factors for anxiety disorders?It's not easy to pinpoint what causes anxiety since it can arise from a combination of sources. Here are some of the risk factors that may make anxiety and associated disorders more likely:Environmental factors: If you live in a chaotic or highly demanding environment, stressors can enhance anxiety.Medical factors: Studies have linked certain medical conditions with anxiety due to increased hormones -- like cortisol.Daily stressor: If you are constantly in a stressful environment, anxiety can be a natural response.Genetics: It is possible that genetic factors can pass along a propensity to anxiety.Drug or alcohol use: Certain drugs and excessive alcohol use can prompt more anxiety than is typical in those who do not use those substances.Personalities: Some level of forward-thinking, fearfulness, and mental tension can be part of one's personality and the way you approach the world, which is formed by a complex variety of factors.What are the signs of an anxiety disorder?Common symptoms of anxiety as listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Edition 5include:Feeling restless, "keyed up," or otherwise "on edge"Constant feeling of fatigueIrritabilityDifficulty concentrating or your mind going blankTrouble falling or staying asleepMuscle tensionGenerally, a diagnosis is more likely if three or more of these are present for more than half the days for six months or more. You can still experience anxiety for less time, with fewer symptoms, or less frequently, but the persistence and variety of symptoms is what indicates a diagnosis. Carol Yepes/Getty ImagesWhat are the different types of anxiety disorders?Anxiety experiences are categorized by the way they manifest, including symptoms in the moment and the triggers that produce the anxiety. While generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders, it is possible to experience a combination of various types of anxiety.Generalized anxiety disorderThe DSM-5 characterizes generalized anxiety disorder as "Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for at least six months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance)." It is the most broad diagnosis, and usually is indicated when a person is not worried about a single event more than others. Instead, those who experience GAD have dread, worry or tension associated with many aspects of life.Panic disorderWhile GAD may involve lower-intensity symptoms frequently, panic disorder is associated with sudden-onset, high-intensity symptoms which together mark a "panic attack" or anxiety attack. They can include intense fear, increased heart rate, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, a feeling of being crazy or of not being real. Having an isolated panic attack isn't usually considered a panic disorder.Separation anxiety disorderWhile some separation anxiety is expected at certain ages and stages of life, a separation anxiety disorder may be present if a person feels excessive fear at being outside their home or away from their close relationships, such as parents or other family members. People with separation anxiety often worry that something bad may happen when separated from those they are attached to.Social anxiety disorderSocial anxiety disorder involves excessive or limiting amounts of stress and fear in social situations. People with social anxiety often worry excessively about being watche or judged by others. For some, social anxiety can interfere with daily tasks, going to work or school and socializing with others.Phobia disordersPhobias are intense fears that go beyond a general distaste or worry about something. Phobias become disorders when they involve triggers that cannot be avoided while participating in everyday life. The trigger must arouse such intense fear that the person either cannot function normally in its presence or must avoid it at all costs, even if it creates great hardship and inconvenience. Common types of phobias include:Animals -- like spiders, frogs, snakes and dogsHeightsFlyingBloodGetting injections Ezra Bailey/Getty ImagesAgoraphobiaAgoraphobia is just one of a variety of phobias or fears that have escalated to the point where it affects your life in a negative way. While some phobia-level fears can simply be avoided in most circumstances, such as a person with a severe fear of snakes, agoraphobia is associated with tight or crowded spaces, being in public or being outside your home on your own. Because regular life requires that we frequently encounter these circumstances, agoraphobia can interrupt life and make it hard to get the work, socialization, and errands done that are necessary.How are anxiety disorders treated?Treatment for anxiety tends to vary based on severity as well as what's helped a person in the past. Your mental health professional may recommend psychotherapy, medication or a combination of both, and it may take a couple different trials to find what works best for you.PsychotherapyThere are many types of psychotherapy that can bring relief to individuals with anxiety, but because each therapist takes their own approach to a given form of therapy, the results may vary. For instance, a common therapeutic approach, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, has been studied and found to have a 51% "remission rate" for anxiety patients, though this number may not show the full amount of patients who received some benefit from the experience. Therapy can be conducted in-person or using one of a variety of online services that are now available.The key to exploring psychotherapy for anxiety is to try a different therapist or therapeutic approach if your current one isn't helping you to alleviate your anxiety.MedicationThe most common class of anxiety medications used to treat anxiety disorders are known as SSRIs, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which are also used to treat depression and anxiety. Common names of medicines include Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro. Other medications, such as beta blockers, tranquilizers, and even certain antihistamines such as Hydroxyzine may be prescribed. Other remedies, like CBD, aren't medical solutions but have anecdotally helped people manage their anxiety.Talk to your psychiatrist about the rationale for prescribing a certain anxiety medication, and also stay in contact about any side effects you experience. Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty ImagesHow to deal with anxietyBecause many people experience anxiety as part of daily life, a good way to start your path to lower anxiety is to try some lifestyle changes that are considered helpful. Learning how to calm anxiety can be the start of learning how to get rid of anxiety in your own life and circumstances. Diagnosis and treatment are still options, but many people experience better results when they combine lifestyle changes with any of the above treatments.Use relaxation techniques: Deep breathing techniques, meditation and mindfulness exercises are all designed to help people focus on the present moment and let go of forward-thinking worry, fear or strain. Incorporating relaxation one or more times a day can help you calm anxiety. If you need guidance, there are a variety of mental health apps that can help you establish a daily practice.Try and manage stress: In many cases, stressful circumstances prompt anxiety, including chaotic home situations, unreasonable workplace expectations and relationship strain. While some stressful circumstances cannot change quickly, a valuable goal is to put a plan in place for reducing the stressors themselves, where possible.Cut your caffeine intake: Many people observe that reducing their caffeine intake by replacing some caffeinated beverages with uncaffeinated ones prompts less anxious thinking. If you choose this path, don't immediately cut your caffeine dramatically, but rather slowly reduce your caffeine intake each day so that your body has time to adjust.Make sure you have support: Asking family and friends for help, such as for regular social time or for help caring for children or relatives, can strengthen your bond and help you feel less alone in busy or overwhelming circumstances.Eat right and exercise regularly: Increasing foods like vegetables, fruit, lean proteins and whole grains has been shown to offer a range of health benefits, including reduction of stress and anxiety. Exercising vigorously multiple times a week is also associated with helping bodies process anxiety, leaving the person with the ability to process stress in a healthy way afterward.Make sure you're getting enough sleep: Interrupted or short sleep doesn't allow our bodies to recover from the anxiety of previous days. If there are ways to add more sleep or longer lengths of sleep to your lifestyle, trying that could improve your anxiety.When and how to get help for your anxietyA basic level of anxiety comes from a healthy place, helping us to plan ahead and avoid dangers. However, when your anxiety doesn't serve you but instead overwhelms your ability to calm yourself effectively, it's worth talking to a mental health professional to learn more about how your particular anxiety symptoms compare with the diagnostic categories they have. Talking to someone helps us feel less alone in our journey toward greater mental health, whether it results in a diagnosis or simply helps us get new techniques for coping with our anxiety symptoms.Mental health resourcesSAMHSA operates a helpline intended to help those who aren't sure what to do next when they experience a mental health crisis.The American Counseling Association compiles resources for people experiencing anxiety.The National Institute on Mental Health has a variety of resources and worksheets for those who experience anxiety.More help for managing anxiety

Have you noticed the signs of AI creep? When generative AI firstarrived on phones, it took the form of standalone apps or individual features, tools like Google'sCircle to Search, for instance. But the rapid growth of AI and the need for a flashy new selling point for the annual churn of new devices means we're seeing AI infiltrate our phones on a deeper and deeper level. Just take one look at Apple Intelligence or Google Gemini.You may be wondering what this actually means for your next phone and the way you interact with it. For some time, big thinkers in tech have outlined a vision for our phones where AI is the central portal through which we interact with our devices. And central to that vision are AI agents, an advanced form of a chatbot that works across all of our apps. The apps themselvesdrift into the background, with AI once a nice-to-have novelty taking center stage.I first saw how this idea could work last year at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, where German network Deutsche Telekom and Silicon Valley startup Brain.AI partnered on a concept device that could generate a uniquephone interface in real time depending on how and why you used your phone. It pulled in essential information from the phone's apps so you could use that data without the need to navigate into or between apps at all.Last week at MWC 2025, I saw more evidence that tech companies want AI to be the primary way in which we interact with our phones. Deutsche Telekom was back, this time announcing a partnership with OpenAI rival Perplexity that will see the pair launch an AI Phone later this year. In a demo with anearly prototype, I was interested to see that the phone features a dedicated AI icon where the home button once was that allows you to launch Perplexity directly from your lock screen, thrusting the AI agent into foreground.One of the biggest proponents of the agentic AI interface is chipmaker Qualcomm, which is ensuring all of the top Android phone makers have the compute power needed to run demanding on-device AI. The company vision is that "AI becomes the new UI," its marketing director Ignacio Contreras tells me. "It becomes the user interface through which we can interact with our devices."I've seen the evidence that this is possible, but one big roadblock remains in place: Do you, or I, or anyone else planning to replace a phone in the coming years actually want this?Here Goes NothingIf one tech company is going to win you over to the idea that AI belongs on your phone, it might just be British smartphone maker Nothing. Ironically, this is one of the few phone companies not actually using the words artificial intelligence anywhere in its marketing. At MWC this year, the company launched the Nothing 3A and 3A Pro. Both are fun, flashy and affordable, but it's Nothing's software upgrade that really got my attention.Nothing has introduced a concept called Essential Space, where you can drop invites, screenshots, voicenotes or basically anything interesting or important you want to track. Even better, it works with the touch of a dedicated physical button making the experience seamless. It fulfills the role of a centralized, personalized portal in the phone, where you can interact with AI and AI can interact with you in a useful way that goes beyond the standard chatbot paradigm by bringing together all your scattered thoughts and plans."The way we looked at Essential Space is almost as a second brain or a journal," says Akis Evangelidis, one of the founders of Nothing. "We want to create one single hub where you could drop all those thoughts and inspirations, and hopefully it will help organize and make a sense out of it."Right now, the feature is in beta, and has limited functionality, but the idea is to gradually introduce more AI features and integrations over time, all of which have a clear use case. "We want to onboard gradually people onto that experience, versus kind of make it overwhelming," Evangelidis says. "The first step is to educate people."Here, Nothing has shown itself to be clued into and prepared to tackle a key challenge in persuading the likes of me and you to get on board with interacting with our phones through AI. That means it will require us to change our behavior.For this change in behavior to be a success, it has to be easier and more desirable to access our phones using AI than through the current interface, Contreras says. He compares it to the introduction of the clickable mouse or the touchscreen. More than that, however, it needs to be presented in an appealing and human way, he adds. "Design aesthetics and how to turn this into an experience, not just a technology, will be very important in terms of having (an AI interface) adopted," he says.Once again, Nothing, which has always had strong design principles at the core of its philosophy, is onto a winner here. With its tile-like interface, Essential Space is one of the most visually appealing attempts at integrating AI into a phone yet.For now, it's sitting on the sidelines, but I'm curious as to whether it could eventually become the de facto interface of the Nothing Phone, the first thing you see every time you unlock your device. "Eventually, yes," Evangelidis says. Rather than requiring 50 different inputs, everything you need when you open your phone should be accessible in one specific space, he adds.It's a compelling argument in favor of foregrounding AI on phones, and a thoughtful approach to doing so. As the influence of AI over our devices continues to grow, let's hope more phone makers have ideas like this in the pipeline.

March 12, 20257 min readBig Business Is no Longer All in on Tackling Climate ChangeTech giants joined states and cities as a pillar of resistance on climate action during President Trumps first term. Now the coalition is in turmoilApple CEO Tim Cook (center) seen behind U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and U.S. Vice President JD Vance (left) after the two were sworn into office at an inauguration ceremony in the rotunda of the United States Capitol on January 20, 2025 in Washington, D.C. Shawn Thew-Pool/Getty ImagesCLIMATEWIRE | The day after President Donald Trump won back the White House, the leaders of a climate action coalition backed by Apple and hundreds of other corporate giants put out defiant statement vowing to "fight for the future Americans demand and deserve."The message from the America Is All In coalition last November was a rebuke of Trump, who had campaigned on undoing the Biden administration's historic efforts to reduce U.S. reliance on oil, gas and coal.But as Trump's second administration started to take shape in the weeks after the election with conservative firebrands picked to lead agencies like the Department of Justice and the Office of Management and Budget the tone softened from America Is All In, and its top corporate supporters stepped back from the group.On supporting science journalismIf you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.None of the coalition's leading technology, retail or industrial companies signed the groups open letter in December reaffirming its commitment to the Paris Agreement, the international climate pledge the coalition was created to defend. The nonsigners included Walmart, Siemens and Apple, the world's most valuable company, whose policy chief Lisa Jackson was co-chair of the coalition at the time. She stepped down as chair in January, the same month that Apple CEO Tim Cook attended Trump's inauguration.Corporate leaders' retreat from public climate advocacy doesn't mean companies have abandoned their environmental goals, experts said, but top executives are afraid to talk about those targets in a conservative-dominated Washington. Trump has once again moved to exit the Paris Agreement, eviscerated dozens of climate programs, fired thousands of federal workers and rooted out diversity initiatives."People are pretty freaked out," said Kaya Axelsson, an American research fellow at the United Kingdom's University of Oxford, where she works with executives and regulators on climate targets. "Being loud and proud might be risky for companies right now."America Is All In didn't answer questions about its disengaged corporate membership.The benefits of clean energy investments are undeniable for American communities and businesses, and America Is All In is determined to make sure they continue, Elizabeth Lien, the coalition's program director, said in an email. "Were making sure the U.S. stays all in on a clean energy future."Apple noted that Jackson and the company remain active in the coalition."Lisa is proud to continue her leadership with America Is All In as part of the Leaders Circle," Apple spokesperson Sean Redding said in a one-line statement.Walmart and Siemens didn't respond to requests for comment.Who is still in?Originally known as We Are Still In, the coalition launched in June 2017 after Trump first announced he was pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, the international deal involving nearly 200 nations that seeks to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels.The coalition launched by bringing together more than 1,000 leaders of U.S. states, cities, businesses and universities who declared to the global community that "we are still in" the Paris Agreement and would continue to reduce the nation's emissions of planet-warming gases.It created an online platform where members could outline actions they were taking to contribute to the Paris goals during Trumps first term. Facebook and Microsoft were among the big businesses that offered submissions. It also hosted events at global climate talks and partnered with another initiative called Americas Pledge to showcase that climate progress was possible without federal leadership.When former President Joe Biden took office in 2021 and rejoined the Paris pact, the coalition rebranded as America Is All In, a nod to the governments renewed fight against global warming. It continued to advocate for ambitious climate targets and climate-focused legislation.Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Tesla CEO Elon Musk attend the 60th inaugural ceremony where Donald Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president on January 20, 2025, in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C.Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post via Getty ImagesMembers join America Is All In by filling out an online form and committing to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement. The coalition holds regular webinars, strategy sessions and trainings, and hosts events during international climate gatherings. It also issues statements supporting climate action that members have the option to sign on to.It now claims to include over 5,000 members, more than half of which are from the business community. The vast majority of members have been with the coalition since signing the initial declaration in 2017. More than 90 percent of them are small- and medium-size businesses, with over 200 large businesses included.Yet corporate giants like Apple and Walmart have an outsize influence on the coalition and the planet due to their lobbying muscle, market power and enormous emissions.America Is All In remains a big-tent movement, said Lien, who is also senior director for federal climate policy at the World Wildlife Fund, an environmental group. The coalition is an initiative of WWF and Bloomberg Philanthropies.She noted that dozens of companies including major industrial firms like Siemens, Constellation Energy and Ford visited the Capitol last week for an annual lobbying push backed by America Is All In. This time, they urged lawmakers to maintain the federal tax credits under Bidens Inflation Reduction Act.But Microsoft and several other corporate giants skipped the lobbying event, after participating in 2024.Coalition touted to investorsApple and other big technology firms, whose fortunes and priorities drive international markets and shape Washington policy, have previously highlighted their work with America Is All In for investors but now have stepped back."When it comes to taking action on environmental challenges, collective action matters. Which is why were also making public commitments alongside our partners to signal the kind of change we are working to create," Apple said in a 2022 report on its green initiatives. "This includes our role as a signatory to America Is All In."Apple mentioned the coalition again in its 2023 environmental report and last year noted that Jackson, who was former President Barack Obama's first EPA administrator, had been appointed as co-chair of the group where she steered the group's strategy. She is currently a member of its 16-person leadership committee, a role that involves serving "as ambassadors for this coalition," according to the America Is All In website.Meta, the parent company of Facebook, told investors last year that the coalition "has provided an overarching structure for the broad and diverse collective of American institutions that remain committed to acting on climate." In 2023, the social media company disclosed that it had "a dedicated manager for external engagement, who owns and maintains relationships with federal policy-influencing coalitions such as America Is All In."In recent years, sustainability reports from Microsoft and Amazon have also highlighted the tech companies' involvement with the coalition.Representatives from Microsoft, Google and Amazon spoke at the America Is All In pavilion at the United Nations' COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, shortly after Trump's win.Now Apple, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon have fallen silent as the president and his Republican allies in Congress prepare to gut subsidies for electric transmission, utility-scale battery storage and other climate spending programs that many Silicon Valley leaders had previously argued were necessary to zero out their emissions of carbon dioxide. Instead of forcefully speaking out as they did during the first Trump term and much of the Biden era all four companies or their CEOs have acknowledged donating at least $1 million to the president's inauguration fund.Amazon didn't respond to a list of questions about its involvement with the coalition. Meta and Microsoft declined to comment.In a February blog post by Melanie Nakagawa, Microsoft's chief sustainability officer, the company reiterated its commitment to "advocate for the expansion of clean energy solutions," adding that Microsoft would continue to collaborate with "industry peers, partners, and with policymakers to maximize our impact in pursuit of our shared goals."'They're going to face blowback'Environmentally minded firms that are seen as altering their corporate strategy to appease Trump run the risk of angering potential customers, according to David Victor, a professor of innovation at the University of California, San Diego, School of Global Policy and Strategy."Many of the companies that appear to be walking back from climate commitments and walking back from all kinds of other things that they said before about social engagement, about truth and so on they're going to face blowback from their communities and from their employees," Victor predicted. "It's all happened so quickly they haven't begun to really see the force of that blowback."One member of America Is All In has begun to feel the heat: Tesla. Elon Musk, the electric-vehicle maker's billionaire CEO, spent at least $288 million to help elect Trump and other Republicans during the 2024 elections. Musk and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency are leading the president's blitzkrieg on federal climate programs.As a result, Tesla vehicles and dealerships have become targets for protesters who are angry at the way Musk has taken a chain saw to the federal workforce and put public services at risk. The protests combined with sharply declining sales in Europe, California and other key markets have caused Telsa's valuation to shrink by around 40 percent since the beginning of 2025.Trump on Monday came to the defense of Musk, whose fortune is mainly based on his Tesla holdings, and promised to buy one of the company's EVs.Tesla didn't respond to a request for comment.Even if Trump hadn't won back the White House, many tech giants were already offtrack to meet their climate goals due to the surge in energy and computing capacity needed to run new artificial intelligence programs, according to Victor of UC San Diego. Those emission-reduction targets will now be harder to hit, with Musk and many Republicans targeting tax credits that sought to limit climate change."What they have to do is articulate a vision of climate action that is economically sensible," Victor said of the Silicon Valley leaders. "In this environment of fear and chaos, it's really hard for them to articulate that view because it's going to change from week to week."Reprinted from E&E News with permission from POLITICO, LLC. Copyright 2025. E&E News provides essential news for energy and environment professionals.