Scholars of gender and sexuality have been exploring ‘queer spaces’ for over six decades. While for many years homes and domesticity remained out of focus or at the margins of queer space research, a recent ‘domestic turn’ has brought queer people’s homes to the foreground. Queer Spaces (2022), a recollection of case studies of queer domestic spaces edited by Joshua Mardell and Adam Nathaniel Furman, is just one significant work within the recent shift to explore the intersection of queer identities and domesticity, for example. Disobedient Dollhouse No.1, 2023, Photography by Sophie Percival Over the past four years I have documented the homes of LGBTQ+ people and come to understand how they inhabit them through interviews, detailed spatial drawings and the creation of dollhouses. This methodology deliberately subverts traditional architectural model-making conventions, emphasising narrative over spatial clarity, interior qualities over façades, and incorporating elaborate details that standard architectural models typically avoid. While this may feel like a rather unusual pursuit for an architect, it’s also one I feel is necessary and urgent. Disobedient Dollhouse No.1, 2023, Photography by Sophie Percival My current research builds upon years of professional practice in London and scrutinises the limitations of standardised design approaches. Through interviews and detailed spatial surveys, I am examining how queer families navigate living spaces designed according to the London Plan’s Housing Design Guide.Advertisement Early findings from my field work show a chasm between the queer daily lives of some of London’s LGBTQ+ families and the rigid homes the standard produces. In cases where spatial flexibility is available within domestic architecture, wonderful, innovative, caring and radical uses of domestic space emerge, enabling queer forms of raising children or coexisting with current and former lovers. These are not just joyful nice-to-haves, but essential for my participants to live their queerness at home, in full. Homes should not just be where queer folk feel safe; they must also be spaces where our queerness flourishes. Disobedient Dollhouse No.1, 2023, Photography by Sophie Percival The housing emergency in the UK and most of the Western world has urged architects, planners and developers to focus on an increased delivery of ‘units of housing’. Perhaps unsurprisingly, my early findings suggest that this sense of urgency risks under-delivering on quality and space. Housing standards have codified aesthetic, functional, and spatial homogeneity. They reproduce conservative ideals of housing and family at a time when families are growing more and more diverse. All the while, with the expansion of permitted development rights, they are failing to deliver an overall improvement in size and quality of the UK’s housing stock. Disobedient Dollhouse No.1, 2023, Photography by Sophie Percival The need for an alternative, open-ended and, perhaps, queer toolkit to design homes – one that expands the ethical and aesthetic horizons of housing design – has never been more urgent. I am therefore also working on developing my ‘disobedient dollhouse making’ as a design tool. One that puts future users at the centre, allowing them to fabulate a different horizon for housing design. My aim is to use dollhouses as a ‘serious’ design game that enables participants to explore the true possibilities of housing beyond the ‘straightjacket’ of the standard. Follow Daniel Ovalle Costal’s research at @QueerDomCanon on Instagram 2025-06-03 Fran Williams comment and share

The report, Europe’s Moonshot Moment, found that the continent has over 280 software companies generating more than €100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR). These scaleups include the likes of Spotify, Revolut, Adyen, and Vinted. However, European software businesses that reach the €100 million ARR threshold take 15 years on average to get there. That’s five years longer than their US peers, the report found. Europe also lags in birthing software giants. While 5–10% of US firms reaching €100 million in ARR subsequently scale to €1 billion, fewer than 3% of their European peers reach that milestone. The report highlighted some of the reasons for this stalled growth: fragmented markets, conservative corporate norms, and a slower flow of late-stage capital relative to early-stage investment. Turning point? Register Now Despite the hurdles, the report’s authors are confident that all the ingredients for Europe’s success in software are now in place. “Europe already holds the essentials to create the world’s next generation of software champions: deep talent pools, vibrant founder networks, and a rapidly maturing capital base,” said Ruben Schaubroeck, senior partner at McKinsey. While Europe lost out to Silicon Valley firms like Google and Microsoft in the early internet era, emerging technologies like AI may offer a new opening for the region’s tech startups. Geopolitical shifts could also drive governments to invest in local tech ecosystems and rethink digital sovereignty, said the report. “There’s no denying that European tech has faced structural barriers, but we’re at a genuine inflection point,” Phill Robinson, CEO and co-founder at Boardwave, told TNW. “New technology arenas, geopolitics, and an evolving operating environment are creating a unique opportunity for Europe to boost innovation.” Now Europe must turn that potential into profits, the report argues. To that end, it suggests five key interventions to boost Europe’s software ecosystem: Expand late-stage funding Encourage experienced founders to start new companies Make it easier for sales and marketing teams to work across borders and help startups grow faster Encourage more large firms in Europe to buy software from European startups by offering government support or financial incentives Strengthen public-private partnerships to de-risk new technologies Scaling up European tech The McKinsey/Boardwave report comes hot on the heels of the EU’s landmark Startup and Scaleup Strategy, launched last week. The plan set out several reforms designed to remove barriers to growth for the bloc’s early-stage companies. “If implemented boldly, and most importantly quickly, it can help Europe move from fragmented success stories to systemic, continent-wide scale; otherwise, we risk being left behind,” said Robinson, commenting on the new strategy. The EU’s proposal includes provisions for a long-awaited “28th regime,” which would allow companies to operate under a single set of rules across the 27 member states. It is intended to reduce headaches around taxes, employment rules, and insolvency. Robinson said he believes the EU’s new strategy will strengthen Europe’s software ecosystem by making it easier to operate across borders. “We need to act as one innovation ecosystem, not 27 different ones,” he said. “That’s what makes this Europe’s moonshot moment. If we connect and act now, we can lead. And not just in Europe, but globally.” Story by Siôn Geschwindt Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehic (show all) Siôn is a freelance science and technology reporter, specialising in climate and energy. From nuclear fusion breakthroughs to electric vehicles, he's happiest sourcing a scoop, investigating the impact of emerging technologies, and even putting them to the test. He has five years of journalism experience and holds a dual degree in media and environmental science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. When he's not writing, you can probably find Siôn out hiking, surfing, playing the drums or catering to his moderate caffeine addiction. You can contact him at: sion.geschwindt [at] protonmail [dot] com Get the TNW newsletter Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Also tagged with

The hibernation haze of winter has finally cleared, which means you're probably waking up right now to all the clutter you've accumulated throughout the season—and you’re not alone. According to Anton Liakhov, an interior designer, organizer, and founder of Roomtery, spring and summer's first rays of sunshine have a direct effect on your psyche. The warm light, paired with blue skies and cool breezes, inspires a fresh start, a full social calendar, and the dire need to clean house. “It's like waking up to discover we're surrounded by items we no longer need,” Liakhov says. “That seasonal nudge gives us permission to let go and begin again for brighter, lighter living.” While things like gift wrapping essentials, cold-weather accessories, seasonal decor, cozy candles, and throw blankets create a snug ambience, they also clutter your space. Spring, he says, triggers an awakening to it all. Related StoriesSo, where do you start? Spring and summer are optimal times to tackle areas like entryways, mudrooms, garages, as well as outdoor storage. If it’s warm enough to open the doors and work outside, “it’s time to sort through patio furniture, gardening equipment, and outdoor toys," says Liakhov. Of course, what you choose to toss is up to your discretion. The best things to declutter at any time of year are the things taking up physical and mental space. Still, if you’re looking for specific items, we asked three professional organziers which things you should part with to keep your house spick and span for the warm-weather months ahead. Holiday Wrapping EssentialsJohner Images//Getty ImagesThe holiday season is still far off in the distance, so use this time as an opportunity to get rid of excess wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift boxes, and bags. "We accumulate more Christmas wrap than we'll ever need," says Liakhov. Save what you will realistically use, and toss or donate the rest. Worn-out OuterwearKypros//Getty ImagesSpeaking of seasonal items to sift through, Shantae Duckworth, founder of Shantaeize Your Space, says spring is the perfect time to re-evaluate the winter coats hanging in your closet. “If you didn’t reach for it this winter, you probably won’t next year either,” Duckworth says. In other words, ditch the bulk. If you're tight on space, consider using vacuum compression bags to flatten your remaining outerwear and store it flat in the attic or basement until temperatures dip again.Spring/Summer Clothes You Don’t WearKinga Krzeminska//Getty ImagesOne of the perks of an early summer clean is streamlining your seasonal closet before the heat really settles in. According to Nick Friedman, cofounder of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, last year’s untouched spring or summer clothes have no place in your closet or dresser drawers. You can tackle your closet by adhering to Friedman’s golden rule: If you didn’t wear it in the past 12 months, donate it. From there, Friedman recommends curating your wardrobe “like a seasonal menu; keep only what you reach for on display and use vacuum bags or rolling under-the-bed bins to store off-season items.” Unused Beauty ItemsCatherine Falls Commercial//Getty ImagesIn addition to clothing, Friedman says that beauty cabinets also require frequent decluttering, especially ahead of the summer months when you typically favor sunscreen and skincare products over makeup. “If your sunscreen has expired, it’s not doing you any favors,” he points out. Old SPF, makeup, and/or skincare products can go, and unused or unopened items can usually be donated. “Not only does this clear up bathroom clutter,” Friedman adds, “but it also protects your health.”Expired Pantry & Freezer Foodsfcafotodigital//Getty ImagesLiakhov and Duckworth agree: Springtime is the time to clean out your pantry and freezer of any expired items, like aged spices, canned foods, and sauces. You can even take it one step further and recycle any containers that are past their prime, including cracked lids or warped bottoms.Seasonal Sports EquipmentJulius//Getty ImagesWinter sports aficionados, this one’s for you. Liakhov lists snowshoes, sleds, and ski helmets as equipment to evaluate before storing them away for the season. “If it's broken, hasn't been touched in years, or no longer a part of your lifestyle, let it go before it gets another dust coating,” he adds. While you're at it, give your summer gear a once-over so you can replace anything broken or faulty before it all disappears from stores. Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

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SwitchBot has a knack for crafting ingenious IoT devices, those little problem-solvers like robotic curtain openers and automated button pressers that add a touch of futuristic convenience. Yet, the true linchpin, the secret sauce that elevates their entire ecosystem, is undoubtedly their Hub. It’s the central nervous system that takes individual smart products and weaves them into a cohesive, intelligent tapestry, turning the abstract concept of a ‘smart home’ into a tangible, daily experience. This unification through the Hub is what brings us closer to that almost mythical dream: a home where technology works in concert, where devices understand each other’s capabilities and, critically, anticipate your needs. It’s about creating an environment that doesn’t just react to commands, but proactively adapts, making your living space more intuitive, responsive, and, ultimately, more attuned to you. The new Hub 3 aims to refine this very connection. Designer: SwitchBot Click Here to Buy Now: $119.99 The predecessor, the Hub 2, already laid a strong foundation. It brought Matter support into the SwitchBot ecosystem, along with reliable infrared controls, making it a versatile little box. It understood the assignment: bridge the old with the new. The Hub 3 takes that solid base and builds upon it, addressing not just functionality but also the nuanced interactions that make a device truly intuitive and, dare I say, enjoyable to use daily. Matter support, the industry’s push for interoperability, remains a cornerstone. The Hub 3 acts as a Matter bridge, capable of bringing up to 30 SwitchBot devices into the Matter fold, allowing them to play nice with platforms like Apple Home. Furthermore, it can send up to 30 distinct commands to other Matter-certified products already integrated into your Apple Home setup, with Home Assistant support on the horizon. This makes it a powerful orchestrator. One of the most striking additions is the new rotary dial, something SwitchBot calls its “Dial Master” technology. Giving users an intuitive tactile control that feels very familiar (think ovens, radios, car ACs), it makes the Hub 3 even more user-friendly. Imagine adjusting your thermostat not by tapping an arrow repeatedly, but by smoothly turning a dial for that exact ±1°C change. The same applies to volume control or any other granular adjustment. This tactile feedback offers a level of hyper-controlled interaction that screen taps often lack, feeling more connected and satisfying. Beyond physical interaction, the Hub 3 gets smarter senses. While the trusty thermo-hygro sensor (cleverly integrated into its cable) makes a return for indoor temperature and humidity, it’s now joined by a built-in light sensor. This seemingly small addition unlocks a new layer of intuitive automation. Your home can now react to ambient brightness, perhaps cueing your SwitchBot Curtain 3 to draw open gently as the sun rises, or dimming lights as natural light fades. Aesthetically, SwitchBot made a subtle but impactful shift from the Hub 2’s white casing to a sleek black for the Hub 3. This change makes the integrated display stand out significantly, improving readability at a glance. And that display now does more heavy lifting. It still shows essential indoor temperature and humidity, but can also pull in local outdoor weather data, giving you a quick forecast without reaching for your phone. Pair it with a SwitchBot Meter Pro, and it’ll even show CO2 levels. The Hub 2 featured two handy customizable buttons. The Hub 3 doubles down, offering four such buttons. This means more of your favorite automation scenes, like “Movie Night,” “Good Morning,” and “Away Mode,” are just a single press away. This reduces friction, making your smart home react faster to your needs without diving into an app for every little thing. It’s these quality-of-life improvements that often make the biggest difference in daily use. Crucially, the Hub 3 retains everything that made its predecessor a strong contender. The infrared control capabilities are still robust, supporting over 100,000 IR codes for your legacy AV gear and air conditioners, now with a signal that’s reportedly 150% stronger than the Hub Mini. Its deep integration with the existing SwitchBot ecosystem means your Bots, Curtain movers, and vacuums will feel right at home, working in concert. Of course, you still have your choice of control methods. Beyond the new dial and physical buttons, there’s comprehensive app control for setting up complex automations and remote access. Voice control via the usual assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant is present and accounted for, ensuring hands-free operation whenever you need it. This flexibility means the Hub 3 adapts to your preferences, not the other way around. The true power, as always, lies in the DIY automation scenes. Imagine your AC, humidifier, and dehumidifier working together, orchestrated by the Hub 3 to maintain your perfect 23°C and 58% humidity. Or picture an energy-saving scene where the built-in motion sensor, coupled with geofencing, detects an empty house and powers down non-essential appliances. It’s these intelligent, personalized routines that transform a collection of smart devices into a truly smart home. The SwitchBot Hub 3 feels like the most potent iteration of that “secret sauce” yet. It takes the individual brilliance of SwitchBot’s gadgets and, through enhanced sensory input and more tactile controls, truly deepens that crucial understanding between device, environment, and user. The best part? It plugs right into your smart home’s existing setup, communicating with your slew of IoT devices – even more efficiently if you’ve got a Hub 2 or Hub Mini and you’re looking to upgrade. Click Here to Buy Now: $119.99The post Your Smart Home Got a New CEO and It’s Called the SwitchBot Hub 3 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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The IT help desk is evolving. Once defined by queues of tickets and reactive troubleshooting, support today is being reshaped by automation and artificial intelligence (AI). Intelligent systems now assist with everything from b

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