Join the Team That’s Changing the Game for Creators Everywhere!At Zencastr, we're redefining the future of podcasting by making high-quality, professional recording accessible to everyone. We believe that technology should empower creators, not complicate their process. Our mission is to build a platform that removes barriers and amplifies voices, no matter where you are in the world.But we're not just building software—we're building a culture of innovation, collaboration, and inclusion.How We Work & What We ValueAt Zencastr, we believe in:🔹 Empowering Creators – We build tools that make it easier for podcasters to share their stories with the world. Our work directly impacts creators, helping them turn their passion into sustainable careers.🔹 Innovation & Simplicity – Great software should feel effortless. We challenge the status quo to create intuitive, powerful solutions that remove friction from the creative process.🔹 Remote-First Culture – We embrace the future of work. Our team operates remotely, allowing us to hire the best talent from anywhere and maintain a flexible, results-driven environment.🔹 Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion – We actively foster a workplace where different perspectives are valued. We’re committed to equitable pay, veteran hiring, and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in tech.🔹 Growth & Development – We don’t just build products; we build careers. Through mentorship, upskilling, and internal promotions, we help our employees grow into leadership roles.🔹 Giving Back – We believe in making a positive impact beyond our platform. Zencastr supports community initiatives and encourages employees to contribute to causes they care about.Why Join Us?A mission-driven team that values creativity and collaborationA fully remote company with flexible work arrangementsCompetitive salary and benefits, including equity optionsOpportunities for career advancement and professional growthA chance to shape the future of podcasting technology Source: https://weworkremotely.com/remote-jobs/zencastr-inc-senior-ios-engineer #zencastr #inc #senior #ios #engineer

Last week, Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, Ian McKellen, Elton John, and hundreds of others in the UK creative industry signed an open letter backing an effort to force AI firms to reveal the copyrighted works used to train their models. They support an amendment to the UK’s Data (Use and Access) Bill proposed by letter organizer Beeban Kidron, adding the requirement, which the UK government has opposed.The British House of Lords passed the amendment yesterday, 272 to 125, reports The Guardian, and now it’s going back to the House of Commons, where the amendment could be removed again. The British government says the fight over the amendment “is holding back both the creative and tech sectors and needs to be resolved by new legislation,” writes The Guardian. From the letter:We will lose an immense growth opportunity if we give our work away at the behest of a handful of powerful overseas tech companies, and with it our future income, the UK’s position as a creative powerhouse, and any hope that the technology of daily life will embody the values and laws of the United Kingdom.Also signed by many media companies, music publishers, and arts organizations, the letter insists that the amendments “will spur a dynamic licensing market that will enhance the role of human creativity in the UK, positioning us as a key player in the global AI supply chain.”RelatedCompanies like OpenAI and Meta have been accused in court of using copyrighted material without permission to train their models. Baroness Beeban Kidron, who tabled the amendment, writes that although the UK’s creative industries welcome creative advancements enabled by AI, “...how AI is developed and who it benefits are two of the most important questions of our time.” “My lords,” The Guardian quotes Kidron as saying yesterday, “it is an assault on the British economy and it is happening at scale to a sector worth £120bn to the UK, an industry that is central to the industrial strategy and of enormous cultural import.”See More: Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/666379/paul-mccartney-dua-lipa-uk-ai-copyright-amendment-letter #paul #mccartney #and #dua #lipa #call #the #pass #copyright #transparency #law

Navigating the nexus between design innovation and practical application reveals a stark truth: Constraints, not freedoms, often spur the most creative solutions. Our journey into accessible furniture and product design is less about overcoming limitations and more about embracing the profound potential of human-centric design.  Imagine designers not just as creators but as researchers, delving deep into the daily lives of older individuals and people with disabilities through intensive ethnographic research. This approach involves hundreds of hours spent observing diverse populations in their most familiar environments—their homes. Here, every interaction and every struggle vividly illuminates the real needs and opportunities for innovation.  Empathy and Design With…  In October 2023, our consumer preference testing for the recent Pottery Barn collection marked a pivotal moment. Picture this: Dozens of users, each facing unique challenges, interacting with our prototypes. We observed intently, listened carefully, and learned from every gesture—whether reaching out, hesitating, or expressing relief. Each moment provided invaluable insights, directly shaping the evolution of our designs, from initial feedback to final concepts.  What does it truly mean to design with someone? Collaboration is key. It’s a dynamic interplay of give and take, where users lead with their experiences, and designers follow with their skills. This approach isn’t just about making do; it’s about making things better. By transforming our design process into a dialogue rather than a monologue, we ensure our creations are not just useful, but transformative. We call this approach “Design With,” which means we’re designing with our target consumers.  Empathy isn’t just a buzzword; it’s our blueprint. Inspired by the real challenges faced by our late founder, Michael Graves, and the broader community, we have embraced immersive empathy—spending days in wheelchairs and navigating with canes for extended periods—not just to imagine but to truly understand the barriers our users face. During the past 20 years, we’ve also faced our own disabilities, temporary and permanent, which have brought the issues to our own lives. This isn’t about sympathy; it’s about strategy. By actively putting ourselves in the shoes of those we design with, we transform empathy into action. Our commitment to “Design With” rather than “Design For” not only meets but anticipates users’ needs, creating solutions that are as innovative as they are inclusive.  Each solution should mirror human complexity  The future of accessible design is inspiring, and we look forward with purpose—inviting designers, brands, and companies to join us. With each project, we edge closer to breaking down barriers, not just in physical spaces, but in perceptions. Our goal is to always craft designs that go beyond accommodation. We strive for solutions that are anticipatory, functional, and beautiful—celebrating the diversity of ability and preference.  In accessible design, the true challenge isn’t simply balancing creativity with practicality. It’s ensuring every solution reflects the complexity of real human lives. That’s why, for decades, we’ve grounded our work in ethnographic research and consumer preference testing: spending time in people’s homes, observing daily routines, and turning feedback into meaningful, inclusive products. This isn’t theory—it’s design shaped by lived experience.  We’ve seen firsthand how listening deeply and designing with, not for, leads to better outcomes for everyone. The opportunity now is for more designers, brands, and businesses to take part. Ask deeper questions. Watch how people really live. Invite feedback early and often. The more of us who commit to designing with empathy and real-world insight, the more inclusive—and innovative—our shared future will be.  Ben Wintner is CEO of Michael Graves Design.  Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91333587/the-revolutionary-approach-to-accessible-design #the #revolutionary #approach #accessible #design

“Mixed reality has already changed the way cars are designed with gaming engines like Unity. So it’s already here.” – Jussi Mäkinen, Chief Brand Officer at VarjoVarjo, Volvo Cars, and Unity have a well-established collaborative partnership. This partnership brings together Varjo’s human-eye resolution headsets, Unity’s leading real-time 3D technology, and Volvo’s drive for innovation.Drawing on their joint experiences, Varjo chief brand officer Jussi Mäkinen, Volvo innovation leader Timmy Ghiurau, and Unity director Jeff Hanks participated in a panel discussion at SXSW 2023. Each firmly agrees that mixed reality (MR) is an important technology for the automotive industry.Here, we’ll explore the top three ways that mixed reality is already proving its worth. You can check out the full panel conversation on SXSW.com.The automotive industry has wholeheartedly embraced mixed reality, and it’s changing the way cars are sold, engineered, designed, and repaired. As Ghiurau explains, Volvo Cars was an early adopter of real-time 3D – largely driven by his understanding of the potential of gaming technology to be applied in industry.Their virtual twin of a Volvo car allows design and engineering teams to focus on how the machine interacts with the human, which he argues is essential to build trust between human and machine.By adopting real-time 3D technology, teams at Volvo Cars are able to incorporate the human factor early in the design process, which allows them to consider unique challenges such as driver frustration and address them early on.“With mixed reality, we are putting the human at the center to see how people might react to various scenarios or human factors like entertainment and stress.” – Timmy Ghiurau, Innovation Leader at Volvo CarsVarjo partners with innovative companies across industries to create virtual and mixed reality (VR/MR) products and services for advanced users. As Mäkinen says, their experience clearly shows that the automotive industry is already feeling the benefits of mixed reality tech. These range from a reduced dependence on physical mockups for creating new vehicles, to allowing faster design iteration, greater creativity, and running more efficient testing scenarios.As early adopters of real-time 3D and immersive technology, automotive companies are already reaping the benefits in key use cases like 3D product design and visualization, human machine interface (HMI), and immersive training.Connecting data silos is a fundamental challenge across the automotive industry. Real-time 3D is addressing that challenge by creating paths to interoperability, often through the medium of mixed reality. For example, by overlaying complex engineering data with design options in a mixed reality environment, stakeholders can envision design while retaining accurate engineering specifications. This single, visual source of truth enables design iteration to become a conversation between machine and aesthetics.Take the recently launched Volvo EX90 for example. As Ghiurau explains, Volvo Cars used Varjo mixed reality throughout the design process of this model, and improved efficiency, faster build, and the ability to conduct real-time testing from the back seat were just a few of the benefits.“The tools are already helping us to make design and engineering decisions more efficient and streamlined. With that saved time, we can explore other implications such as circular economy, sustainability, and other aspects.” – Timmy Ghiurau, Innovation Leader at Volvo CarsMäkinen explains how mixed reality delivers further benefits by enabling the interoperability of big data that allows more people from different backgrounds to access the information. Simply put, these solutions help developers, designers, and nontechnical end users to envision, interact with, and collaborate on complex processes more intuitively. The opportunity to better understand end-user challenges results in more inclusive solutions.What does democratization really mean, in the context of the automotive industry?With real-time 3D, Volvo Cars can make simulators and mixed reality functionality available across multiple departments. Crucially, by using Unity, teams are able to adopt the technology for themselves – they’re not dependent on developers to build mixed reality solutions. Because of this democratization, the teams have found that their uses of mixed reality go beyond what was originally anticipated. Ghiurau cites examples of teams using the tech for simulating fluid dynamics and predicting crash test data flows.Future success for automotive companies is dependent on the need to iterate and adapt faster. Many are using Unity’s real-time 3D tech to enable their visions of the future, including testing and simulating for long-term scenarios, or powering next-level infotainment systems. Mixed reality solutions enable teams to go beyond their immediate tasks to anticipate and influence the automotive future.With technology advances like Varjo Reality Cloud and hand-and-eye tracking for menu option selections, the barriers to adopting mixed reality are disappearing everyday. Cross-team collaboration is truly possible in mixed reality.To learn more about what role mixed reality could have for Volvo Cars’ future, check out Timmy Ghiurau’s Unity Creator Day session.Going beyond automotive design teams, there are numerous potential advantages to extending mixed reality to the creation of consumer experiences, such as:Enhancing the driver’s experience: Navigation and infotainment systems could be improved by providing real-time information on the surroundings and road conditions through interactive dashboards or head-up displays (HUDs).Improving driver safety: Automotive companies are working on the development of full-windshield HUDs, as well as sensors that can transmit real-time information about the vehicle conditions and environmental factors.Supporting consumer maintenance: Interactive manuals contain simple step-by-step instructions and video tutorials that allow users to maintain some car functions.Interactive sales experiences: Digital car showrooms give consumers a way to engage with and customize their potential purchases.Contact us to discuss how real-time 3D and mixed reality could work for you, or check out our software suite for Industry. Source: https://unity.com/blog/industry/3-ways-mixed-reality-is-driving-change-in-car-development #ways #mixed #reality #driving #change #car #development

Image: Sandfall InteractiveThe RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by French studio Sandfall Interactive is already the surprise hit of 2025 and it's of course led to many questions about a possible port to the Switch 2. So, will something like this happen in the future? Speaking to the YouTube channel 'mistermv' recently, Sandfall's CEO Guillaume Broche apparently explained how the success of the game had "kind of" changed everything and while it's still too early to say, there are now a lot more opportunities showing up for the developer - with the team open to the idea of it: "Yeah, it’s definitely something that could be interesting.” Although it's not a confirmation or anything like that, it's nice to see the studio at least acknowledge the Switch 2 and how a port could be something that happens eventually if everything pans out. A lot of the success so far appears to have been word-of-mouth and Xbox's Game Pass service has also added to its exposure. Our pals at Push Square called it a daring and quirky RPG that's an absolute must-play - awarding it nine out of ten stars: "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is one of the most refreshing and original RPGs in years, even if it’s not immediately obvious from the outside looking in. The intriguing setup expands to provide an engrossing, excellent narrative with lovable and charismatic characters. The exemplary combat goes above and beyond its turn-based traditions with flashy fights and new ways to damage. This is the kind of experience that proves there’s still so much potential and creativity in the bigger-budget video game space — Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is simply sublime." Push SquarePaint by numbers QTE in the place to be Have you had the chance to play this breakout hit yet? Would you be interested in a Switch 2 port? Tell us in the comments. [source mp1st.com] See Also Share:0 0 Liam is a news writer and reviewer across Hookshot Media. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of many iconic video game characters. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment... Related Articles Nintendo Updates Its User Agreement To Crack Down On Emulation Offenders may find their Switch bricked Here's A Look At The Back Of Mario Kart World's Switch 2 Box Art The race begins next month Nintendo Defends Switch 2's Perceived Lack Of Innovation "we feel that it is a very Nintendo-like product" Cyberpunk 2077 Dev Tells Studios "Do Not Underestimate The Physical Edition" "The right thing to do was to have it out on the cartridge." Xbox Branded Handheld Photos Leak, And It's Not Quite As Slick As The Switch 2 Those fingerprints don't help Source: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/05/clair-obscur-expedition-33-developer-seems-open-to-a-switch-2-port #clair #obscur #expedition #developer #seems #open #switch #port

Tesla is overstocked with Cybertrucks, the PS1 graphics-looking mobile monument to Elon’s deep lack of creativity. With over 10,000 unsold units just sitting in dealerships, the stainless steel monstrosity has become more burden than an automotive revolution. Despite Musk’s grand claims of selling 250,000 Cybertrucks annually, and a million reservations that may as well have been scribbled on crumpled cocktail napkins, Tesla barely eked out 6,400 Cybertruck sales in Q1 of 2025. Videos by VICE At this rate, they’d be lucky to hit 20,000 by year’s end. And that’s assuming the accelerator doesn’t glue itself to the floor again, or any number of the many, many shocking reasons Cybertrucks have been recalled in their brief existence. They appear to be held together with Elmer’s glue. Why Aren’t Tesla Cybertrucks Selling Well? The Cybertruck, a once massively hyped vehicle that would usher in a new era for EVs, is now being called a flop. Even with massively discounted financing, Tesla can’t move these things. It probably doesn’t help when your car has been colloquially nicknamed the “Swasticar” after the company’s CEO/mascot, Elon Musk, started aligning himself with far-right movements from the US to Germany. The truck has become a rolling burning effigy in global protests, thanks to Musk’s charming blend of associating himself with fascists while helping the Trump administration slash and burn the federal government for no reason other than, seemingly, to consolidate power. Combine that with Tesla’s worst sales in Europe in years and a rollback of Cybertruck production, and it’s easy to see why Cybertrucks are just sitting around, waiting for someone to officially label them the DeLorean of the 21st century. Desperate to offload inventory, Tesla dropped a “cheaper” $69,990 Rear Wheel Drive version in April that comes with fewer features and—one assumes a complimentary disclaimer, or maybe even a guarantee, that something on this thing will fall off within a few months. It feels like white flags are being waved all over the place, especially as Tesla redirects workers from Cybertruck production back to the Model Y. While we can’t yet write Cybertruck’s obituary, the prognosis is grim. What was once marketed as the future of transportation now feels like a midlife crisis on wheels. It has simultaneously become a Swasticar and a Gen-Xer divorcemobile, a pair of reputation-ruining associations that will take a miracle to recover from. Source: https://www.vice.com/en/article/tesla-reportedly-has-800-million-worth-of-cybertrucks-that-nobody-wants/ #tesla #reportedly #has #million #worth #cybertrucks #that #nobody #wants

Explore the captivating world of Unreal Engine with this mesmerizing character overlay material effect. Perfect for game developers and VFX enthusiasts, this showcase highlights the power and creativity possible within Unreal Engine. If you're inspired by what you see, don't forget to subscribe for more incredible VFX content and insights. 🎮✨ https://linktr.ee/cghow #UnrealEngine #RealtimeVFX #overlay Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VdnK3lBz_E #unreal #engine #character #galaxy #overlay #material #shorts

Explore how utilizing Adobe Firefly and AI-powered features in Premiere Pro and After Effects can elevate your creation of standout video content for social media. Join award-winning editor and producer Karina Anglada as she guides you through several techniques, tips, and tricks to expand the creative possibilities of working with social video content. You’ll learn how to: Level up your content with generative AI and the Firefly Video Model Take advantage of AI-powered features to optimize your video content for better engagement and performance on social media Subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud: https://adobe.ly/48Y1QJ1 Learn more about Creative Cloud: https://adobe.ly/3RTndnp About Adobe Creative Cloud: Unlocking creative potential goes beyond tools – it's about cultivating inspiration, fostering innovation, and mastering artistic expression. On the Adobe Creative Cloud YouTube channel, discover stories, concepts, and trends that ignite your creativity. We are your hub for creativity, connecting you with Adobe channels for detailed tutorials and product insights. Adobe® Creative Cloud™ brings together everything you need to create your greatest work. One membership gives you access to all Adobe professional creative desktop applications, plus new features as soon as they're available. Cloud storage ensures file access anywhere, even on mobile, streamlining concept sharing. Cloud-based services let you build websites, mobile apps, and content for any medium/device. With Behance integration, you can publish your portfolio on your own URL and plug into the world's largest creative community to get inspired, get feedback, and find new opportunities. Connect with Adobe Creative Cloud: Twitter: https://twitter.com/creativecloud LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/adobe-creative-cloud/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adobecreativecloud Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adobecreativecloud/ #Adobe #AdobeYouTube #AdobeCreativeCloud Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSpsBM7cUcs #social #media #content #creation #the #world #adobe #creative #cloud

You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here Stardew Valley creator Eric ‘ConcernedApe’ Barone has committed to leaving Stardew updates behind to focus fully on his upcoming game Haunted Chocolatier.  While the creator has explained that he will probably make a Stardew Valley 2 someday, he also revealed that Haunted Chocolatier will be very “similar” to the beloved farming game.  Haunted Chocolatier might as well be Stardew Valley 2  In a new interview with PC Gamer, Barone explained that Haunted Chocolatier is a more action-focused take on the Stardew formula… but farming is replaced with chocolatier-ing.  Just like how farming in Stardew takes a backseat to the game’s life sim elements, Barone is doing the exact same with his new game. This means that action RPG gameplay may be important to some degree, but simply living in the world is more important.  “I will just say generally that it is a life sim game, and it is similar to Stardew Valley in many ways,” the creator said. “It’s the kind of game I like making. I’m really interested in Haunted Chocolatier to really crank up the imagination and the creativity. I want to go all out with doing weird and interesting things. I love giving people memorable experiences.” Barone explained that Haunted Chocolatier is designed to be the darker take on the Stardew experience, although it won’t be “evil” like its Diablo influences.  “I view [Stardew Valley] as sunny and bright and lush, and Haunted Chocolatier is more dark and mysterious,” he said. “Not evil dark, but just like mysterious dark, and a little bit paranormal, you know, things that, you’re not sure what this is all about.” Haunted Chocolatier is still years away, but it’s incredibly exciting to see more from ConcernedApe. After a decade of post-launch updates for Stardew, it’ll be incredibly exciting to see just how much the creator has grown when his next release finally launched. Stardew Valley Platform(s): Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PS Vita, Xbox One Genre(s): Indie, RPG, Simulation Subscribe to our newsletters! By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime. Share Source: https://www.videogamer.com/news/concernedape-says-haunted-chocolatier-is-similar-to-stardew-valley-in-many-ways/ #concernedape #says #haunted #chocolatier #similar #stardew #valley #many #ways #but #its #also #lot #darker