If you’re an Xbox Insider, you can now test a new home screen when using the Windows Xbox app. In a blog post published yesterday, Microsoft showcased the redesigned interface, which unites the Game Pass and Microsoft Store experiences. Users can now find their games in one place and avoid tab-hopping. This new home tab will appear for anyone with either a Game Pass subscription or a game purchased from the Microsoft Store.
Becoming an Xbox Insider is easy, as you only have to download and install the Xbox Insider Hub and test features in development. After you become a beta tester, enroll in the “PC Gaming Preview” to gain access to the new home screen.
The new menu now shows featured content and discounted games, all in a single tab. It can even curate titles based on your preferences.
The “jump back in” feature tested in May is part of the new home screen experience as of yesterday. This feature allows Compact Mode users to jump back into gameplay when not currently playing any game. It shows the nine most recent titles you’ve played, and jumping back in takes very little time at all. You can see it as a shortcut feature.
Compact Mode, as the name suggests, shrinks the interface down by replacing tabs with icons. If you own a Windows handheld console, it already has Compact Mode enabled when you launch the Xbox app.
Since becoming an Xbox Insider takes no time at all, you can easily see if you’re eligible for the preview. Microsoft is encouraging testers to provide feedback and report problems.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/xbox-insiders-can-now-test-the-windows-xbox-apps-redesigned-home-screen-163021760.html?src=rss
The well-regarded Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are on sale for $300 via Amazon. This deal knocks $100 off the price, which is a discount of 25 percent. The sale applies to multiple colorways, including black, blue and silver.
These headphones not only found a spot on our list of the best wireless headphones, but they were our very favorite pair. We found them to be exceptionally comfortable, even when wearing the headphones for long periods of time. The ANC is great and the battery life clocks in at around 30 hours per charge, which is a fantastic metric.
The sound is the most important thing with headphones and this model is no slouch. We admired the “crisp, clear sound with balanced tuning and punchy bass.” This is due to new 30mm carbon fiber drivers. In our official review, we noticed that the bass seemed punchier than previous models. We noted that “the lower range is both pleasant and powerful, expanding the overall soundstage.”
We did run into occasional audio issues with macOS, but that was two years ago and it’s likely everything has been patched by now. The only other downside is the price, as $400 is a lot to spend on something like over-ear headphones. However, this deal brings it down to $300 which makes things much more palatable.
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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/sonys-excellent-wh-1000xm5-headphones-are-100-off-right-now-162027774.html?src=rss
Apple has introduced its all-new Mac mini, focusing on speed, power, and a radical redesign. This Mac mini, powered by the M4 and M4 Pro chips, is a more capable machine under the hood. It’s smaller, more efficient, and built with a focus on sustainability. Let’s dig into how Apple redefined the look and feel of their mini desktop computer.
Designer: Apple
A Compact Powerhouse
The Mac mini has always been a compact machine, but this new version takes that concept to another level. Apple managed to shrink it down to a 5 by 5-inch footprint—a considerable reduction in size compared to the previous design. This makes the new Mac mini less than half the size of its predecessor, offering all the power of the M4 chips in a package that’s much easier to fit into any workspace.
Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4
This compact size makes the Mac mini a great option for users who need performance without the bulk. Whether it’s a small home office, a minimalist desk setup, or even a portable workspace that you take from one place to another, this new Mac mini is perfect for squeezing into the tightest spots while still delivering serious computing power. Apple focused on reducing the physical footprint while retaining control and performance.
Image: Apple Mac mini (2023) 7.75 by 7.75 inches vs Mac mini (2024) 5 by 5 inches
Improved Accessibility and Design Tweaks
One of the most noticeable changes to the new Mac mini is its connectivity. Apple has included front-facing ports for the first time, making it easier than ever to plug in devices. The front features two USB-C ports and a standard audio jack. This makes a big difference in everyday usability, especially for those who regularly need to plug in external drives, cameras, or headphones. No more reaching around to the back of the device—just plug and play.
Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4
The rear panel, however, hasn’t been left out. It comes packed with the essentials: the M4 version has three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while the M4 Pro version gets a major boost with Thunderbolt 5. This upgraded Thunderbolt port allows for much faster data transfer, which is ideal for users working with high-resolution video or massive files. There’s also an Ethernet port (configurable up to 10Gb for those needing ultra-fast networking) and an HDMI port, which makes connecting to displays straightforward without requiring adapters.
Apple’s revision of port locations and connectivity options aims to deliver a user-friendly experience. By moving critical ports to the front, they make the Mac mini far easier to use without the hassle of managing cables blindly at the back—an issue that frustrated many users of the earlier models.
Innovative Thermal Design
Maintaining cool temperatures while delivering high performance could be a challenge for a smaller desktop, but Apple introduced a new approach with the thermal architecture. The cooling system now guides airflow to various levels of the Mac mini while all of the venting is directed through the bottom of the device. This innovative method allows for efficient cooling without increasing noise, even during high-demand tasks.
Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4
The redesign means users can push their Mac mini to its limits—like editing 4K video or running complex programs—without worrying about overheating. The revised venting and airflow management help make the system nearly silent, which is great news for those who work in quiet environments or want their workspace free from noise pollution.
Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4
The First Carbon Neutral Mac
A major highlight of this new Mac mini is that it’s Apple’s first carbon-neutral Mac. This is a big step in Apple’s effort to achieve its sustainability goals by 2030. The compact size is part of a larger push towards efficiency, reducing the materials and energy needed to make and run the machine. Over 50% of the materials used in this Mac mini are recycled—including 100% recycled aluminum for the casing and recycled gold and rare earth elements in the internal components.
Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4 – Carbon Neutral
Apple also shifted its shipping methods to prioritize lower-carbon modes, such as ocean freight. The packaging is now entirely fiber-based, helping the company move closer to its goal of eliminating plastic from all packaging by 2025. All these changes reduced the Mac mini’s carbon footprint by over 80%, and for any emissions that can’t be eliminated, Apple uses high-quality carbon credits.
Minimalistic, Functional, and Practical
Overall, the new Mac mini retains Apple’s signature minimalistic aesthetic. Its sleek, brushed aluminum enclosure is modern and unassuming, with rounded corners and clean lines. The smaller size and inclusion of front-facing ports give it a more streamlined and accessible look. Apple designed the Mac mini to be both visually appealing and highly practical, fitting seamlessly into any workspace without drawing unnecessary attention.
Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4
The new design focuses on making the Mac mini practical and easy to use. Front-facing ports make connecting devices convenient, and the compact size allows it to fit just about anywhere. Despite its simplicity, it offers a wide range of connectivity options suitable for demanding setups—whether it’s multiple displays, external drives, or high-resolution accessories.
Image: Apple Mac Mini 2024 powered M4 accessories
With cutting-edge technology in the M4 and M4 Pro chips, thoughtful design elements like front ports, innovative cooling, and a reduced size, the new Mac mini is more versatile than ever. As the first carbon-neutral Mac, it represents a balance of performance, design efficiency, and sustainability, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of users.
Lucid has revealed US pricing and pre-order details for its electric Gravity SUV. The Grand Touring trim, which is slated to have more than 800 horsepower and a range topping 440 miles, starts at $94,900. Pre-orders for that trim open on November 7 and Lucid plans to begin production later this year. Current Lucid owners will be given priority for delivery.
If you don't want to shell out quite so much for the EV and you're willing to wait until at least next year, you might opt for the Lucid Gravity Touring model. That starts at $79,900, which lines up with Lucid's previous pricing estimates.
The SUV, which Lucid first gave us a peek at in 2022, has room for up to seven adults and as much as 120 cubic feet of cargo space for all your stuff. Options include a frunk seat that two adults can sit on while the Gravity is parked, and three-chamber air suspension that's said to adapt to changing terrain for a smooth ride.
Things haven't exactly gone easy for Lucid over the last couple of years. It laid off 400 people, around six percent of its workforce, in May, after shedding 1,300 jobs just over a year earlier. The company will hoping that the Gravity can help it turn things around, though whether enough people are ready to part with at least $79,900 for one of its SUVs is a key part of the equation.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/lucids-electric-gravity-suv-starts-at-79900-161020540.html?src=rss
What we once called the Google Chromecast (and then the Chromecast with Google TV) is now the Google TV Streamer. I won’t pretend to understand the reasoning behind any product’s rebrand, but at least this one makes a bit of sense. Casting content from elsewhere used to be a big reason TV dongles existed. Today, streaming devices primarily provide the brains required to watch content from Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming services on almost any screen, and casting is a bit of an afterthought. A name that focuses on Google TV’s interface instead of casting seems right in 2024.
This is Google’s first true set-top box, joining the non-dongle ranks of the Roku Ultra, the Apple TV 4K and Amazon’s Fire TV Cube. The Google TV Streamer is only available in a 4K configuration and, once the backstock of Chromecast units sell out, it’ll be Google’s only streamer, period. While that makes the lineup far simpler than, say Amazon’s bloated Fire TV device catalog, it also means you have to pay the 4K premium even if you only have an HD TV.
That said, the streamer is a full-featured, competent device with an interface that’s better than most at pulling together all the disparate threads of a streaming experience. Add in perks like useful smart home integration and some fun-to-have AI smarts and the $100 streamer fairly earns its price tag.
Hardware
Now that Google’s device sits next to your TV instead of hiding behind it, looks are important. Thankfully, the soft, oblong-wedge shape is unobtrusive, though the darker hazel color probably does a better job of fading into the background than my bright white review unit. The back has room for the provided USB-C power cable, plus an HDMI port and an Ethernet jack (note that neither of the latter cables come in the box). Ethernet is optional, but without the video cable the device is useless, so you have to factor that into your cost analysis if you don’t already have an extra cord handy.
Inside, there’s a processor that Google will only say is “22 percent faster” than the previous generation, along with 32GB of storage (up from a skimpy 8GB on the Chromecast) and double the memory at 4GB. It supports up to 4K/60fps video with HDR, HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Audio formats include Dolby Digital and Dolby Atmos along with spatial audio if you’re wearing the Pixel Buds Pro. It only supports Wi-Fi 5, which seems like a miss — a bump up to the Wi-Fi 6E standard would be more futureproof. Heck, even the $50 Fire TV Stick 4K supports Wi-Fi 6.
The remote looks a lot like that of the previous generation, with two significant improvements: The volume controls are easier to reach now that they’re on the face instead of the side, and there’s a programmable star button that you can use to launch an app, or, more excitingly, pull up your smart home control panel.
Possibly my favorite thing about the remote isn’t on the remote itself — it’s the find-it button on the back of the streamer. It rings your remote, and quite loudly. You can also do this via the Google Home app on your phone or tablet by tapping the Google TV Streamer tile and hitting the settings icon (tapping Remote turns your phone into the controller). Despite living in a tiny apartment with (you’d think) fewer places for the remote to get lost, I used the finder function no fewer than ten times over the course of my testing.
The remote still doesn’t have a dedicated play/pause button and instead relies on the button in the center of the D-pad as the main control. When I tested the Chromecast with Google TV, that led to frustration when the center button kept performing actions other than pause, but this seems to be something Google has addressed as I had no issues this time. The controller is small and hefty, yet it’s so smooth it would pop out of my hand when typing a longer search entry. But really, you should just use the voice button; the voice recognition never once misinterpreted what I said.
Photo by Amy Skorheim for Engadget
Setup and streaming experience
Of all the smart home platforms I’ve tested, I find Google’s to be the easiest to use. The majority of the setup for the streamer happens through the Google Home app, and if you’ve already been using the app, the entire process is painless — the hardest part is clicking through all the various permissions and legal terms. Configuring the controls for power and sound went through on the first try, something that hasn’t always been the case with other devices I’ve tested. I also like that I was prompted to create a kid profile from the jump (so I didn’t have to remember to do it later), along with a pin that’s easy to enter on the remote.
Before landing you in the home page, Google asks for every streaming service you subscribe to or, in the case of free apps, the ones you like to watch. So from the first time you use the streamer, your homepage is populated not only with those apps, but also with TV and movie recommendations pulled from each.
Navigation will be familiar for many, as the Google TV interface comes standard on a wide range of TV sets. But depending on which smart TV you have, the experience could be a lot zippier with the Google TV Streamer employed. I’m currently working with a dirt-cheap Hisense 4K set with Google TV built-in, and speeds were noticeably improved when I used the external device. Apps loaded quickly and even with the zero-attention-span manner in which I was flitting between shows, apps, live content and settings, the streamer kept up with barely perceptible lag. The Apple TV 4K is still faster (unsurprisingly), so this isn’t category-topping but it’s plenty speedy.
If you’re not familiar, I’ll just say that of all the smart TV interfaces I've tested, Google TV does the best job of integrating content from all the different streaming apps into one useful and intuitive hub. And, whatever other monopolistic issues the company may have, it’s the most egalitarian when it comes to recommendations versus, say, Apple, Amazon or Roku, all of which favor their own content (YouTube is certainly represented here, but it’s not dominant).
The For You page keeps track of what you’re currently watching across apps so you can easily dive back in, and does a fairly good job of recommending new stuff based on your watching habits. I also love the Watchlist feature (which you can find in the Library tab); when someone at work recommends the trailer for the upcoming Interior Chinatown, or you hear that Severance is coming back soon, you can add those shows to the Watchlist from within your browser (provided you’re signed in with your Google account) and find it on your TV the next time you’re on the hunt for fresh content.
While I wish the home screen/For You page was customizable, the algorithm is adept at keeping things interesting. Also, searching for titles is fairly spot-on. When I said, “Play Abbott Elementary,” the Hulu app opened and the next episode in my queue started playing. When show titles are a little more common, I’ll add in the platform name, like “Play Beef on Netflix” or “Play the show Poker Face on Peacock.”
You can also ask the assistant to show you shows and movies based on a theme, like stand up comedy specials, adult animation or crime tv, by prefacing your query with “Find me…” Those results are hit or miss, but are nonetheless pulled fairly equitably from across your preferred apps. It can be useful if you’re not sure what to watch, but have a vague notion of the vibe you’re looking for.
Photo by Amy Skorheim for Engadget
Smart home control
While Google has competition from Apple TV, Roku and Fire TV devices, which also integrate smart home controls, it has succeeded at making its home element simple and useful. The panel that slides out from the settings icon looks a lot like what you’d see on a Google Nest Hub. From there, you can easily control smart lights or thermostats and view live feeds from your connected cameras. If you program the star button to pull up your smart home panel, you can even do these things while you're watching a show: the show pauses, the panel slides out and then your content resumes once you’re done dimming the lights, checking the doorbell feed or whatever else needs doing.
To control those functions with your voice, you’ll need to hold down the Assistant button. Some sets with Google TV built in let you access the Assistant with “Hey Google,” but not here. That’s likely because the only mic is on the remote, which doesn’t have the battery power to support an always-listening mode. But you can use the Assistant button to make your smart-home request from any screen, including when the TV is off (that’s something Amazon’s Fire TV Cube can do too, with no button press required, since that set-top device has an onboard mic). Now that Google’s streamer supports both the Matter standard and acts as a Thread router, many smart home devices are already compatible, and more are assuredly on the way.
The streamer can do a few extra things like show you tomorrow’s weather, but it falls short on handling some pretty basic smart home assistant requests like setting a timer. And, despite Google’s vast search capabilities, it doesn’t seem to be able to answer basic questions. When I asked, “How far away is the moon?” as suggested in one of the company’s promotional how-to videos, it displayed a bunch of YouTube videos on the topic instead of a straight answer. That’s somewhat expected since it is a video streaming device, but because Google seems to frame this as a type of home hub, I found myself wishing it was a bit more capable ala a Nest mini or an Amazon Echo.
Photo by Amy Skorheim for Engadget
Additional AI features
Because it’s 2024, you can’t have a new gadget without AI tricks, and for the streamer, those manifest in AI summaries, plot synopses and review aggregations on the title page of a given show or movie. The two-sentence, computer-made writeups are OK — probably not better than what a human could do, but not significantly worse. The other AI funsies happen with the screensaver. When your device is idle, you can have it show some art pulled from a mix of street murals, classic paintings, photography and aerial earth shots. Or it can show a selection from your Google Photos. Or, if you insist, it can display AI-generated images.
The streamer can create those custom images based on your prompts, and the results here were also just fine. I asked for bicycles in space and was presented with the standard AI disregard for physics with two rusty bikes fused together to make a three-wheeled monstrosity in front of a Milky Way-esque ribbon of overly bright stars. I ultimately chose the non-AI art option to fill my screen. Even AI-concocted fairies camping on the moon bored me after a bit. That’s probably for the best, considering the carbon cost of each new image.
When Google launched the TV Streamer, it also announced Google Freeplay, a built-in selection of around 150 free live-streaming channels similar to those offered from Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel and the like. If you add other live TV streaming services to your system, like Pluto TV or Sling, you’ll also see those show up in the Live tab where Freeplay sits — yet another way Google TV gamely melds content from different sources.
Wrap-up
At $100, the Google TV Streamer isn’t the most expensive streaming device. Amazon’s Fire TV Cube is $140, but it’s also a speaker. Apple’s non-Ethernet set-top box is $129, but comes with twice the storage capacity and an iPhone 14 chip inside that makes it ridiculously fast. Roku’s premium set-top box is also $100, but it supports Wi-Fi 6 and has a fancier backlit remote. Google’s previous-generation Chromecast supported 4K video and similar video formats — and it was half the price.
Yes, the extra RAM and storage is great, but there are a few features — like Wi-Fi 6E support, true assistant capabilities, screaming processor speeds — that Google could have packed in to make the $100 price tag unassailable. Compared to its competition, and considering the fact that its predecessor cost half as much, it feels like the streamer should fall in the $80 range. But I’m not going to quibble over twenty bucks. The Google TV Streamer is responsive and quick, packing the best streaming interface out there with smart home features that are useful and properly integrated. Anyone looking for a reliable streamer will be happy adding this wedge beside their TV.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/google-tv-streamer-review-a-great-side-piece-for-your-tv-with-a-dash-of-smart-home-chops-and-inessential-ai-160034550.html?src=rss
Meta and TikTok are once again in hot water for allegedly failing to protect minors or limit their use on the platforms. The Collective Defense Institute, a consumer rights group in Brazil, has issued two lawsuits against Meta, TikTok and Kwai, another short video platform from China, to the sound of three billion reais ($525.8 million), Reuters reports.
The lawsuits pull from some of the (many) studies demonstrating the risk of social media use. It orders Meta and co. to clearly issue warnings about how platform addiction can negatively impact minors' mental health. It also calls for the companies to lay out detailed data protection mechanisms.
"It is urgent that measures be adopted in order to change the way the algorithm works, the processing of data from users under 18, and the way in which teenagers aged 13 and over are supervised and their accounts created, in order to ensure a safer, healthier experience...as is already the case in developed countries," said Lillian Salgado, a lawyer and one of the plaintiffs.
This is far from the first lawsuit for Meta or TikTok regarding the safety of minors. In late 2023, New Mexico sued Meta for not protecting children in a claim that both Facebook and Instagram suggested sexual content to minors. One month later it was revealed that, in a 2021 internal memo, Meta had found over 100,000 child users faced daily harassment. Yet, Meta executives rejected recommended algorithm redesigns. Earlier this month, 14 attorneys general sued TikTok for "falsely claiming its platform is safe for young people." These are just two of the many suits filed against social media platforms for not protecting young users.
Meta recently created teen accounts on Instagram that are mandatory for all users under 16. They have stricter privacy settings and require parent approval for any changes. However, these accounts are not yet available in Brazil — though Meta claims they will be soon.
A statement from Meta said it wants "young people to have safe and age-appropriate experiences on our apps, and we have been working on these issues for over a decade, developing more than 50 tools, resources, and features to support teens and their guardians."
Notably, Brazil has recently squared off with Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) for refusing to block profiles that the government claimed promoted election misinformation. The company eventually paid a 28 million reais ($4.9 million fine).
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/brazil-sues-meta-and-tiktok-for-over-500-million-for-not-protecting-minors-154518826.html?src=rss
Today, NASA published a new image of the Phantom Galaxy, also known as M74 and NGC 628. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured it. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the Webb telescope send a picture of the Phantom Galaxy back. NASA previously published one in 2022.
Below is the 2022 image for comparison. Despite the different colors, it’s clear that both images are of the same galaxy.
ESA/Webb, NASA & CSA, J. Lee
Webb captured the older image using only its Mid-InfraRed Instrument (MIRI). Conversely, the new one combines data from MIRI and Webb’s Near-InfraRed Camera (NIRCam). This combination allowed scientists from the Feedback in Emerging extrAgalactic Star clusTers (FEAST) team to observe the Phantom Galaxy’s nurseries.
For the uninitiated, stellar nurseries are regions in space full of gasses and molecular clouds. They’re where stars and planets are born. For that reason, some people also refer to them as star-forming regions.
The FEAST team’s primary mission is to examine stellar feedback in locations outside the Milky Way galaxy while also observing the formation of stars. By looking at how much energy from stars pours out into the surroundings, scientists can better understand how stars come into being.
Combined data from Webb’s MIRI and NIRCam instruments allowed scientists to conclude that the spiral arms of the Phantom Galaxy are where stars are more actively forming in the celestial body. Thanks to NIRCam, the JWST can now also see hydrogen emission lines, which aren’t as affected by the dust and show where massive stars are newly formed.
The JWST continues to send images back for us to enjoy, courtesy of a 68GB SSD. For those interested in viewing more, the ESA/Webb site has many of them.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/space/webbs-latest-phantom-galaxy-image-sheds-light-on-stellar-feedback-153026022.html?src=rss
Mycelium, an intricate mesh of fungal filamentous cells known as hyphae, is formed by fungi across a broad spectrum of organic substrates. Mycelium, known for durability and eco-friendliness, is ideal for creating daily-use products, offering resilience and sustainability for designers aiming to craft durable, environmentally responsible items with minimal ecological impact.
Mycelium, the root structure of fungi, is gaining attention in product design for several reasons:
• Sustainable Material
Mycelium is an eco-friendly material and an alternative to plastic or foam. It’s important to note that mycelium-based products are renewable, biodegradable, and can be combined with agricultural waste products to create composite materials.
Mella is an automated chamber designed for effortless cultivation of various crops at home. Utilizing smart technology, Mella regulates environmental conditions to ensure optimal growth and harvest. With features like a refillable water basin, LED lights, and WiFi compatibility, Mella simplifies the cultivation process for all types of crops, making home gardening convenient and accessible.
• Flexible
Mycelium is a flexible material that can be grown and molded into various shapes and forms. It can be used to create numerous products, ranging from furniture to packaging.
The Grow It Yourself Helmet is a sustainable DIY helmet crafted from mushrooms that actually grows on its own! Created by NOS Design, this innovative helmet is made from mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi. It’s 100% compostable, breathable, and impact-resistant, reducing the need for plastics. Partnering with Polybion, the helmet utilizes Fungicel, a mycelium-based material that provides cushioning upon impact. This biodegradable, low-cost alternative promotes sustainability and engages users in a meaningful DIY activity, offering a practical and eco-friendly solution.
• Highly Durable
Mycelium products are strong and durable, their strength and durability depend on their conditions of growth and processing techniques.
• Thermal and Acoustic Insulation
Mycelium has excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties and finds its application in the construction and packaging industry, where insulation is essential.
The Foresta System by Mogu is a groundbreaking collection of sustainable modular acoustic panels. Crafted from a unique blend of mycelium and upcycled textile materials, these panels offer organic yet durable noise-reduction solutions for spaces like offices and restaurants. Recognized for its eco-conscious design, Foresta integrates mycelium into its build. With a 100% circular design ethos and advanced wood processing technologies, Foresta combines elegance with innovation, setting a new standard in acoustic panel design.
Jonas Edvard’s Myx Sail / Floor is a groundbreaking sound-absorbing panel, merging mushroom mycelium, hemp, and willow in a 1m x 1m design. Collaborating with nature, he explores mycelium’s flexibility and rigidity within a modular mold, envisioning its seamless integration into living spaces. With a focus on sound absorption, Edvard’s research highlights the viability of mycelium in reducing environmental impact while inspiring a harmonious relationship between design and nature.
• Biodegradable
Mycelium is a biodegradable material that breaks down naturally at the end of its lifecycle thus reducing its environmental pollution.
• Low Carbon Footprint
Growing mycelium demands fewer resources, it does not release a lot of greenhouse gases which makes it better for the environment.
• Material and Product Innovation
Another advantage is that mycelium can be combined with other natural materials like hemp or straw to create stronger composite materials with enhanced properties.
Sneature is a biodegradable shoe crafted with waste materials and 3D knitting technology. Designed by Burfeind, this sustainable sneaker offers an eco-conscious alternative to traditional footwear. Featuring a protein-based 3D knit membrane made from dog hair and a mushroom mycelium sole composed of local vegetable waste, Sneature prioritizes sustainability and customization. With water-repellent properties and a second-skin feel, Sneature combines style with environmental responsibility.
MYC is a sustainable disposable grill made from mycelium and was created by industrial design student Stephanie Singer, MYC offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional aluminum grills. After use, MYC can be left to biodegrade and enrich the soil. With a grate made of bamboo sticks and dried corn cobs as fuel, MYC promotes sustainability without compromising convenience.
• Organic Aesthetic
Mycelium-based materials can offer a unique, organic aesthetic with a natural look, making them attractive to product designers.
Sebastian Cox’s Mycelium pendant lamps redefine production by growing rather than being manufactured. Partnering with researcher Ninela Ivanova, Cox utilizes mycelium, the vegetative part of mushrooms, and scrap willow wood to create these uniquely rustic lamps. Each lamp takes 4-12 weeks to grow and is entirely compostable, showcasing the fusion of natural elements in sustainable design.
What are the disadvantages of using Mycelium?
Although mycelium is a sustainable material, it faces some challenges
• No Standardization
As mycelium is a natural product, its growth is influenced by temperature and humidity, making it difficult to achieve a standardized and consistent product. Note that mycelium growth takes longer and is not suitable for mass production or time-sensitive projects.
‘B-Wise’ by Myceen is a sustainable lampshade crafted entirely from mycelium. This innovative design grows into its unique shape in just 5 weeks, using organic waste materials. With a rugged appearance reminiscent of leather, mycelium offers eco-friendly properties and versatile applications, even extending to architecture and space exploration.
• Moisture Sensitivity
Mycelium-based materials are susceptible to moisture, which can impact their structural strength and lifespan, potentially leading to product degradation if not stored correctly.
• Limited Applications
Mycelium-based products have limited applications and may not be suitable for items exposed to high temperatures or humidity. Furthermore, mycelium is yet to gain widespread market acceptance.
Fungi could become a game-changer in fireproofing homes. Researchers at a Melbourne university have developed fire-retardant mycelium sheets that offer insulation and can be applied over flammable surfaces. These bioengineered sheets, derived from fungi, are both sustainable and environmentally friendly, emitting natural water and carbon dioxide. The aim is to enhance fire safety in buildings while minimizing environmental impact.
• Costly Material
The costs associated with research and development contribute to the expense of producing mycelium-based products, making them economically unfeasible for certain applications.
Why is Mycelium becoming a popular construction material?
Mycelium-based building materials are crafted via myco-composite manufacturing which blends mycelium with agricultural waste such as straw, sawdust, or hemp. This mixture is poured into molds and left to settle for several days. During this time, the mycelium digests the agricultural waste, bonding with it to create a sturdy, cohesive material. Once fully grown and solidified, the material is removed from the molds, and ready for construction use.
Although this eco-friendly solution is still under study for its strength and durability compared to conventional options like bricks, mycelium finds applications in insulation, soundproofing, and lightweight construction blocks.
“Alive” is a groundbreaking architectural prototype by The Living. This innovative structure utilizes probiotic materials, showcasing the future of sustainable architecture. Crafted from mycelium, the vegetative part of mushrooms, it offers a glimpse into a new era of eco-friendly design. Its organic, porous construction provides a habitat for various microbes while facilitating interaction between humans and microorganisms. Made from renewable luffa fibers, this prototype embodies sustainability and adaptability. “Alive” is not just a concept for the future – it’s a practical solution for creating healthier, more environmentally friendly spaces today.
Urban Reef is a 3D-printed mycelium-based structure designed to enhance biodiversity in cities. Developed by a Netherlands-based company, this innovative project aims to stimulate water circularity and support diverse ecosystems within urban environments. Utilizing porous materials like ceramics and mycelium composites, Urban Reef creates an ideal habitat for fungi and vegetation to thrive, promoting sustainable urban ecosystems without human intervention.
Apple has been on a tear this week. The company announced both new iMacs and a refresh to the Mac Mini desktop computer. Buried in the announcement for the Mac Mini, however, is the news that they can be outfitted with the brand-new M4 Pro chip. That’s right. As expected, the M4 Pro has entered the chat.
The big news? The Apple Silicon M4 Pro chip finally brings Thunderbolt 5 support for Macs. Thunderbolt 5 is a major leap forward in cable tech, with a baseline speed of 80 Gbps and support for 120 Gbps. The cables also offer support for dual 6K screens. This is a boon for Mac Mini users in video editing and related fields.
Beyond that, M4 Pro chips bring a host of improvements. Apple says this is currently “the world’s fastest CPU core, delivering the industry’s best single-threaded performance.” The company also boasts of “dramatically faster multithreaded performance.”
There are faster cores and a faster ray-tracing engine when compared to the previous generation. The M4 Pro features a 14-core CPU, with ten performance cores and four efficiency cores. There’s a 16-core neural engine, which the company says is three times faster than the now-ancient M1. The chip includes a 20-core GPU, with dynamic caching.
The M4 Pro chip also supports up to 64GB of unified memory, with 273GB/s of memory bandwidth. Apple says this metric doubles the bandwidth of other AI PC chips, making for “accelerated AI workloads.”
To that end, Apple says the chip will “deliver blazing performance for Apple Intelligence.” It remains to be seen if and when the M4 Pro will show up in other products, like laptops. The M3 Pro began appearing in last year’s MacBook Pro laptops, so there’s a strong chance that could also happen this year.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/apple-introduces-the-m4-pro-chip-which-finally-brings-thunderbolt-5-support-150549096.html?src=rss
You can likely trace the start of the small computer trend back to the original Mac mini, which debuted in 2005 with a simple pitch: What if desktop, but tiny? Now Apple aims to take that concept even further with its latest Mac mini, a five-inch by five-inch box measuring a mere two inches tall, that can tackle some serious workloads. And while we expected it to include Apple's M4 chip, it can also be configured with an even more powerful M4 Pro model, which is also being announced today. Take that hardware together with a standard 16GB of RAM (just like the new M4 iMac), and you've got a pretty compelling Mac mini starting at $599 ($499 for education customers).
Why, exactly, did Apple shrink down the Mac mini? It's not as if the previous case, which has been around for years, was very large (it measures 7.75-inches by 7.75-inches, and it's 1.41-inches thick). When I reviewed the the M2 Mac mini early last year, I was still impressed by how slim and sleek it looked, especially compared to small form factor Windows systems. But by trimming down its footprint (at the expense of making it a bit taller), Apple can once again portray the Mac mini as an object of desire.
You may not need it, but one look at its diminutive frame, and you might start finding reasons to give it a loving home.
Apple
Apple claims the M4 chip makes the new Mac mini up to 1.8 times faster than the M1 version, and up to 2.2 times faster when it comes to graphics. (The fact that Apple isn't directly comparing it to the M2 model makes it clear this isn't a major year-over-year upgrade.) While the M4 chip tops out at 10 cores, the M4 Pro reaches up to 14 cores (10 performance and 2 efficiency cores). It also features a 20 core GPU, double the amount in the base M4 chip. M4 Pro delivers Thunderbolt 5 connectivity for the first time on a Mac, which offers up to three times the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 3, as well as up to 64GB of RAM. There's also 273 GBps of memory bandwidth, which should be a huge help for AI processing.
Given that Apple Intelligence officially launched this week with the release of iOS 18.1, it's also a major selling point for the new Mac mini. The M4 chip sports 38 TOPS (tera operations per second) of AI processing power, while the M3 topped out at 18 TOPS. While Apple hasn't said this directly, I'd bet AI is also a major reason why the Mac Mini now starts with 16GB of RAM. Apple Intelligence requires at least 8GB of RAM to function, but the company has admitted that may not be enough to run Xcode 16's AI features. As always, having more RAM is better for future proofing, especially when you can't add more memory down the line.
Apple has also finally given us a few front ports on the Mac mini, instead of the clean facade of the last few models. There are two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm jack up front, which will make it far easier to plug in jump drives and headphones. On the back, you'll find another three Thunderbolt USB-C ports, HDMI, and Ethernet. While it would be nice to see an integrated SD card reader, Apple currently reserves that for the more expensive Mac Studio.
Apple
You can preorder the new M4 Mac mini today starting at $599 ($499 for education customers), and it'll be available in stores on November 9th. The M4 Pro model, meanwhile, starts at $1,399 ($1,299 for schools). That price difference may seem high, but it's the same as it was for the M2 models. And as we saw from our M2 Mac mini review, it certainly held its own against other pricey desktops.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/apples-redesigned-mac-mini-is-a-tiny-beast-with-m4-and-m4-pro-chips-150016484.html?src=rss
