Monthly Archives: June 2024

Wacaco Minipresso GR2: Better Coffee in a Smaller, Lighter, Portable Design

Posted on by

Good things take time. Whether it’s waiting minutes while your coffee brews, waiting weeks for new episodes of your favorite series, waiting years for tech to improve, or in the case of Wacaco, waiting 10 long years for their award-winning Minipresso to get its much-needed upgrade. Since its launch in 2014, the Minipresso has been perhaps the gold standard in outdoor portable espresso brewing. Wacaco designed the entire gizmo from the ground up, with a patented pressure-building system that worked without batteries. The Minipresso ran entirely on kinetic energy, using a hand-powered pump to generate up to 8 bars of pressure for the perfect brew. 10 years later, the Minipresso GR2 makes its debut, with a smaller, lighter design that accepts more coffee grounds than before, giving you more brew for your buck. It still runs on its classic hand-pumped design, but now also uses eco-friendly biomaterials in its design that reduce plastic consumption and waste.

Designer: Wacaco

Click Here to Buy Now: $59.90

The challenge with the Minipresso GR2 was to pretty much create a version 2.0 of a product that was already pretty perfect. The first-edition Minipresso GR still is impressive for its size and capabilities, so going back to the drawing board wasn’t about problem-solving, it was about design-refinement and feature-addition. The Minipresso GR2 is now a whopping 5cm or 2 inches shorter than its predecessor, making it shorter than the average smartphone at just 4.9 inches in height. Designed originally for travel and outdoor use, this tinier design makes it much more space-efficient, allowing it to fit into handbags, backpacks, travel cases, duffels, or even in a jacket pocket for you to carry around. The smaller design is lighter too, weighing 285 grams or 0.63 lbs, but the small size doesn’t necessarily mean less coffee… in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

The Minipresso GR2 embodies user-friendliness, sturdy materials, and an elegant design, ensuring a flawless espresso brewing experience with every use.

While the previous Minipresso GR accepted only 8 grams of coffee in its basket, the GR2 gives you the option of loading 12 grams of coffee grounds in for a stronger shot of espresso. The basket comes with a modular, height-adjustable design, letting you load either 8 or 12 grams of coffee into its basket. Depending on whether you like your coffee regular or strong (also depending on the roast you load into the Minipresso GR2), you have the option of brewing a lighter or bolder cup of coffee. The user experience is further enhanced with the integration of a water tank that also includes a dosing funnel and a drip tray.

This cutting-edge portable espresso maker incorporates our most advanced pumping system, which results from years of experience and innovation, ensuring optimal extraction efficiency.

Brewing with the Minipresso GR2 hasn’t changed at all, helping users adjust to the newer design with no learning curve. The Minipresso GR2 disassembles to reveal its multiple parts. The upper double-walled flask holds up to 80ml of hot water, while the basket below it carries the coffee grounds. To brew your coffee, set up the pump by twisting it to have it pop out. Pump the Minipresso a few times to build the pressure needed for the espresso to brew perfectly, and use the included lid as an espresso cup to extract your coffee into. The process takes under a minute, and can be done without batteries or electricity, letting you brew fresh coffee on a beach, a campsite, a mountaintop, or heck, even inside an airplane so you don’t pay for the overpriced coffee they serve on flights.

Measure your coffee.

Get your coffee fix ready.

Enjoy your drink.

The tinier Minipresso GR2 comes with a new design too, boasting cleaner surfaces, minimal details, and an easy-to-clean format that makes maintenance a breeze. The double-wall design helps keep the hot water inside the Minipresso GR2 hot, while keeping the outer surface cool so you can brew your coffee without having to deal with a hot or warm device. The outer shell is also made from a new wheat-composite polymer as opposed to traditional petrochemical-based plastics. This bioplastic, along with the 30% smaller size helps the Minipresso GR2 have a much smaller climate impact than its predecessor… all while letting you brew more, better, stronger coffee. I guess that’s something worth waiting a few years for, right?

Handy cover.

Photo credit: Garance Rx

Click Here to Buy Now: $59.90

The post Wacaco Minipresso GR2: Better Coffee in a Smaller, Lighter, Portable Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

This Retro-Curvy Tiny Home Is Designed For A Comfy Living Experience On The Go

Posted on by

Dubbed the Beatle, and designed by Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses, this little home is a charming dwelling amped with an eyeball-grabbing curving roofline and porthole-style windows. The interior has been designed with a clever space-saving layout that meets all the requirements of the owner. The tiny home is built to hit the road, and journey through the expanse of North America.

Designer: Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses

Commissioned in mid-2019, the Beatle’s release was delayed due to the pandemic, and it was finally unveiled last month. The home was built for a screenwriter from Finland who wanted to travel around North America and use it as a prop in movies. The home is founded on a double axle trailer, and it is 22 feet in length. It has a finish of stained blue cedar with red accenting and a curving roofline which draws inspiration from the traditional Vardo Romani wagons. The home is also inspired by the popular tiny homes from Baluchon. You can access the home via a fold-down deck with a removable ramp, which is built from welded aluminum tubing and cedar boards.

The interior of the home was designed with extreme attention to detail, and with suggestions from the owner, to ensure her needs were fulfilled, especially her physical requirements, since she has a medical condition. The home was designed to be a comfortable and cozy space for her.

“Not only did the design need to have a certain aesthetic, but it needed to have very specific functional requirements,” explains Rocky Mountain Tiny Houses. “Janna has a medical condition akin to muscular dystrophy. She has to walk with a cane and her day-to-day movements are very limited. We worked very closely with Janna down to the centimeter to ensure we optimized several measurements to accommodate her needs as best as possible. This included details such as placing shelves in the shower at a certain height so she could rest her elbows on them to assist in bathing. We made sure the bed platform was a certain height to make getting in and out of bed easier. There is a little slide-out shelf with locking slides under the bed that helps her in getting shoes on and off.”

The bed platform functions as a living/sleeping area with a double mattress and a headboard with integrated storage. Extra storage space has also been incorporated below the platform as a drawer. The kitchen is located close and it includes a small fridge, drawers, open shelves, and a pantry. The kitchen includes countertops made from live edge honey locust, as well as a sink, a two-burner propane-powered stove, and a microwave. There is also a dining table which can be used as an office desk, as well as a wood-burning stove. The bathroom accommodates a shower, a small sink, and a composting toilet.

The Beatle also includes a loft bedroom which can be accessed via a telescopic ladder. The room is like most typical loft-style bedrooms seen in tiny homes. You can access it from the outside too via an access hatch on the exterior of the home.

The post This Retro-Curvy Tiny Home Is Designed For A Comfy Living Experience On The Go first appeared on Yanko Design.

Tesla shareholders have approved Elon Musk’s ‘unfathomable’ pay package

Posted on by

Tesla shareholders have again approved Elon Musk’s multi-billion dollar pay package several months after a Delaware court invalidated it. During the electric car maker’s annual shareholder meeting, the company's stockholders signed off on a proposal to reinstate Musk’s pay package, currently worth about $48 billion, according to Bloomberg.

Judge Kathaleen McCormick of Delaware’s Chancery Court previously called the Tesla CEO’s pay, worth $56 billion when it was first approved in 2018, an "unfathomable sum.” Musk responded by threatening to move the company’s state of incorporation to Texas. During Tesla’s meeting, shareholders officially signed off on the move.

The approval of Musk’s compensation doesn’t guarantee that his eye-popping pay will be reinstated. As Bloomberg points out, the vote doesn't invalidate the judge's initial ruling, but Tesla will almost certainly appeal and point to the latest shareholder vote as evidence that the company’s stockholders have approved it.

Unsurprisingly, Musk seemed pleased with the vote. “I just want to start off by saying, hot damn. I love you guys,” he said after taking the stage at the shareholder meeting. He later said that the reinstatement of his pay wouldn’t affect his short-term commitment to Tesla. “It is worth emphasizing that it’s Tesla stock that I have to own for five years. It's not actually cash, and I can't cut and run, nor would I want to.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tesla-shareholders-have-approved-elon-musks-unfathomable-pay-package-230401086.html?src=rss

Overwatch 2 resurrects Pink Mercy cosmetic for a charity fundraiser

Posted on by

Finally, something the whole Overwatch community can get behind! For a limited time in 2018, Blizzard sold the Pink Mercy skin as a fundraiser in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. That was back in the day when Overwatch cosmetics only came in loot boxes, so the chance to directly purchase a skin while supporting a worthy cause was a big deal for the player base. Sales of the legendary look during that drive generated $12.7 million for the BCRF. And later this month, you can be pretty in pink once again.

The original Pink Mercy skin will be available for $14.99 starting June 25. Blizzard is also boosting its charity game with a brand new Rose Gold Mercy bundle for $19.99. For both items, 100% of the purchase price (minus any platform fees and taxes) will go directly to the BCRF. Players can buy these items through the Overwatch 2 in-game shop, or from the digital storefront on their platform of choice, such as the Battle.net shop, Microsoft Store, or PlayStation Store.

Pink Mercy charity skin bundle
Activision Blizzard

The preview Blizzard shared shows that the Rose Gold Mercy skin has a slightly different color scheme than the original, giving the support hero some rosy hair instead of her signature blonde. It also includes a heroic weapon skin, so that you can apply the pink look for her Caduceus Staff to any Mercy skin. The rest of the bundle includes three name cards, three sprays, and three player icons, all themed — you guessed it! — pink.

The BCRF charity drive will run from June 25 through July 8. It's a good time to get back into the game, especially since Blizzard has unlocked all new heroes and has made changes to reduce mid-match quitting.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/overwatch-2-resurrects-pink-mercy-cosmetic-for-a-charity-fundraiser-225022341.html?src=rss

Apple Intelligence’s Impact: 5 Apps to Go, 8 to Coexist

Posted on by

Apple’s philosophy centers on creating innovative, user-friendly products that offer exceptional functionality and seamless integration within its ecosystem. This approach often leads to the obsolescence of third-party products and services, either by building better alternatives, offering new features for free, or leveraging its market influence to set new standards, such as eliminating the 3.5 mm audio jack.

Numerous examples highlight how Apple’s innovative approach has rendered other products redundant. The iPod revolutionized music listening, diminishing the need for MP3 players like the Creative Zen and the Sony Walkman. The iPhone, with its exceptional camera technology, effectively replaced compact digital cameras like the Canon PowerShot and Nikon Coolpix. Standalone GPS devices like the Garmin Nuvi and TomTom Go became less relevant with the advent of the iPhone’s built-in GPS and Apple Maps. Furthermore, the elimination of the 3.5 mm headphone jack in favor of wireless solutions like AirPods set a new standard for audio connectivity.

At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, a new AI-driven initiative that further extends its ecosystem’s capabilities. This development is set to impact a range of existing third-party apps and services.

Products and Services Apple Will Definitely Kill Off

1. Sleep Tracking Apps

Sleep Cycle, Pillow

Replaced by: Vitals App with Sleep Tracking

watchOS 11 Vitals & Training Loads

The Vitals app in watchOS 11 enhances the Apple Watch’s health monitoring capabilities, especially in sleep tracking. This app provides detailed insights into sleep patterns, quality, and overall health metrics, integrated seamlessly with Apple’s health ecosystem. Features like tracking sleep stages, monitoring heart rate during sleep, and offering personalized recommendations aim to replace third-party sleep tracking apps like Sleep Cycle and Pillow. Users are likely to prefer the convenience and accuracy of an in-built solution that works harmoniously with other Apple services.

Apple’s strategy of integrating essential health features directly into its devices reflects its commitment to offering a comprehensive user experience. This approach simplifies health monitoring for users and reduces the need for external applications, consolidating more functions within the Apple ecosystem.

2. Password Management Tools

LastPass, 1Password

Replaced by: Apple’s New Passwords App

The Passwords app, announced at WWDC 2024, consolidates all password management functions into a single, secure location. This app includes features such as password storage, passkeys, and verification codes, and all are synced across Apple devices through iCloud. By providing an integrated solution, Apple ensures a seamless and secure experience, reducing the reliance on third-party password managers like LastPass and 1Password.

Leveraging Apple’s robust security measures, the Passwords app offers users a trustworthy alternative. Its deep integration with the Apple ecosystem makes it a more convenient choice for users, likely leading to a migration away from standalone third-party password management tools.

3. Traditional SMS and Basic Messaging Services

Traditional SMS, WhatsApp

Replaced by: iMessage with RCS Support

The integration of RCS (Rich Communication Services) support in iMessage with iOS 18 marks a significant enhancement in messaging capabilities between iPhones and Android devices. This update improves media sharing quality, group chat functionalities, and the overall reliability of messaging. The comprehensive features of RCS, coupled with the seamless integration of iMessage across Apple’s ecosystem, are set to reduce the relevance of traditional SMS and diminish dependency on third-party messaging apps like WhatsApp.

RCS support bridges the gap between iPhone and Android users, providing a cohesive messaging experience. This enhancement aligns with Apple’s goal of creating a feature-rich environment, making third-party messaging services less necessary.

4. Calculator and Math Apps

PCalc, MyScript Calculator

Replaced by: Native Calculator App in iPadOS

iPadOS 18 introduces a native Calculator app, addressing a long-standing omission. This app includes advanced features like Math Notes for handwritten calculations and graphing, making it a comprehensive tool for basic and complex mathematical tasks. The integration of such functionalities directly into iPadOS will render third-party calculator apps like PCalc and MyScript Calculator redundant.

Designed to meet a wide range of user needs, from simple arithmetic to advanced graphing, the new Calculator app enhances the utility of the iPad, particularly for educational and professional use. This move reflects Apple’s dedication to offering integrated, high-quality tools, eliminating the need for additional third-party applications.

5. Grammar and Writing Assistance Apps

Grammarly

Replaced by: Apple Intelligence Writing Tools

The introduction of system-wide writing tools in Apple Intelligence significantly enhances the writing experience across Apple’s ecosystem. These tools provide advanced grammar and spelling checks, style suggestions, and contextual recommendations, directly integrated into Apple’s apps like Notes, Mail, and Messages. This comprehensive integration offers a seamless experience that can render third-party grammar and writing assistance apps like Grammarly unnecessary for many users.

Apple’s focus on improving writing capabilities through advanced AI highlights its strategy to incorporate essential productivity features natively. This move simplifies the user experience and also leverages the power of AI to provide intelligent, real-time writing assistance across all Apple devices.

Products and Services That Will Co-Exist

I suspect that Apple’s latest advancements in AI-driven features and services are set to coexist alongside established third-party products and services due to unique features and broader compatibility. Despite significant enhancements in Siri with the integration of Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa will remain relevant due to their extensive integration across diverse ecosystems. Similarly, while the Photos app in iOS 18 introduces sophisticated AI editing tools, professionals will continue to rely on Adobe Lightroom and Premiere Rush for their advanced capabilities.

Apple’s fitness and wellness upgrades in the Health app offer personalized coaching and detailed tracking, yet dedicated enthusiasts may stick with specialized apps like MyFitnessPal and Fitbit for their unique features and community support. Meanwhile, Safari’s AI Highlights and Smart Summaries enhance the browsing experience, but the cross-platform versatility of Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Arc Browser will maintain their popularity.

Apple’s approach underscores a balance between advancing its ecosystem and preserving the relevance of third-party innovation, ensuring a cohesive yet flexible user experience.

6. Personal Assistants

Potentially Co-Existing Product: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa

Enhanced by: Siri with Apple Intelligence

Siri is set to receive a significant upgrade with the integration of ChatGPT and Apple Intelligence, enhancing its conversational capabilities and functionality. However, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa will continue to coexist due to their broader compatibility across various devices and ecosystems.

Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa have established themselves across a wide array of smart home devices and third-party products. Despite Siri’s advancements, the existing user base and extensive integration of Google Assistant and Alexa ensure their continued relevance. Users invested in these ecosystems may prefer the versatility and features of these assistants.

7. Photo and Video Editing Software

Potentially Co-Existing Products: Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Premiere Rush

Enhanced by: Photos App with AI Editing Features

The Photos app in iOS 18 introduces AI-driven editing tools, allowing users to make complex edits through written or spoken commands. While this significantly enhances editing capabilities for casual users, professional photographers, and videographers may still rely on advanced features offered by Adobe’s specialized software like Lightroom and Premiere Rush.

Adobe’s software provides advanced color correction, detailed image manipulation, and comprehensive video editing tools for professional needs. While Apple’s Photos app will cater to a broad user base, professionals seeking precise control will continue to use Adobe’s robust suite of tools.

8. Fitness and Wellness Apps

Potentially Co-Existing Product: MyFitnessPal, Fitbit

Enhanced by: Fitness and Wellness Features in Apple Health

Apple’s enhanced fitness and wellness features in its Health app offer personalized coaching and detailed tracking, attracting many users. However, dedicated fitness enthusiasts may continue using specialized apps like MyFitnessPal and Fitbit for their unique features and community support.

MyFitnessPal and Fitbit provide comprehensive platforms with social features, advanced analytics, and extensive integration with various fitness devices. These elements create a community and support system that goes beyond simple tracking. The specialized features of these third-party apps ensure their continued coexistence alongside Apple’s offerings. Additionally, the new Vitals app is designed to work exclusively with Apple Watch, ensuring other apps remain safe for now.

9. Web Browsers with Built-In AI

Potentially Co-Existing Products: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Arc Browser

Enhanced by: Safari with AI Highlights and Smart Summaries

Safari’s new AI-driven features, such as Highlights for key information discovery and smart summaries, will enhance the browsing experience for Apple users. However, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and the Arc Browser will remain popular due to their cross-platform compatibility, extensive features, and unique offerings.

Chrome and Edge are favored for their extensive ecosystem integration, browser extensions, and performance across different operating systems. Arc Browser, with its quirky and innovative features, provides a distinct user experience that appeals to those seeking something different in their web browsing. While Safari’s improvements will appeal to Apple users, the necessity for a browser that functions seamlessly across multiple platforms ensures that Chrome, Edge, and Arc retain their strong user base.

10. Handwriting and Note-Taking Apps

Potentially Co-Existing Products: Evernote, Microsoft OneNote

Enhanced by: Notes App with Smart Script and Collapsible Sections

The Notes app in iPadOS 18 includes Smart Script, enhancing the fluidity and legibility of handwritten notes, and new organizational features like collapsible sections. While this will attract many users within the Apple ecosystem, Evernote and OneNote will continue to be preferred by users who need cross-platform compatibility and advanced organizational features.

Evernote and OneNote offer extensive capabilities for note-taking, organization, and collaboration across various devices and operating systems. These apps provide flexibility and functionality essential for many professionals and students, ensuring their continued relevance alongside Apple’s enhanced Notes app.

11. Language Translation Apps

Potentially Co-Existing Products: Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, ChatGPT

Enhanced by: Translate App with Improved Features

Apple’s Translate app is set to receive enhanced capabilities, offering better real-time translations and integration with other Apple services. Now available on Apple Watch and capable of offline use, it provides a seamless translation experience for users on the go. However, Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, and ChatGPT will remain relevant due to their broader language support and cross-platform availability.

Google Translate and Microsoft Translator are reliable tools for language translation. They support a wide range of languages and integrate with various platforms. These apps provide features such as offline translation, conversation mode, and integration with other productivity tools. ChatGPT, with its advanced natural language processing capabilities, offers real-time, context-aware translations and conversational support. The comprehensive features and cross-platform compatibility of these apps ensure their continued coexistence alongside Apple’s offerings.

12. Navigation Systems

Potentially Co-Existing Products: Waze, Garmin

Enhanced by: Apple Maps with Enhanced Features

Apple Maps continues to evolve with new features such as curated hikes, offline navigation, and enhanced real-time information. These updates improve its usability, but Waze’s community-driven approach and Garmin’s specialized navigation systems for specific industries will ensure their continued relevance.

Waze offers real-time, community-driven updates on traffic and navigation, while Garmin provides specialized navigation solutions for outdoor activities and professional use. These unique features ensure that both Waze and Garmin remain valuable options alongside the improvements in Apple Maps.

13. Advanced AI Assistants

Potentially Co-Existing Product: Gemini, ChatGPT

Enhanced by: Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence represents a significant advancement in AI technology, emphasizing privacy and security within the Apple ecosystem. Unlike Gemini and ChatGPT, Apple Intelligence is designed to ensure user data remains private and secure, reflecting Apple’s commitment to user privacy. Apple vows never to sell your data, nor does it allow platforms like ChatGPT or Gemini to use your data without stringent protections.

Apple Intelligence offers a range of features, from personalized recommendations and advanced automation to seamless integration with Apple devices and services. What sets it apart is its robust privacy framework. Any time Apple Intelligence needs to interact with ChatGPT or Gemini for additional data, it ensures user data is anonymized and secured through Apple’s network of secure pipelines. This guarantees that your personal information remains confidential, protecting your privacy at every interaction.

ChatGPT and Gemini, while powerful in their capabilities, often rely on user data to enhance their services, which can raise concerns about data privacy and security. Apple’s approach to Apple Intelligence mitigates these concerns by implementing stringent data protection measures. The anonymization process involves stripping any identifiable information from user data before it is processed by external AI platforms. This ensures that your personal details are never exposed or exploited.

Moreover, Apple Intelligence leverages on-device processing whenever possible, further enhancing privacy. By performing many AI computations directly on your device, Apple reduces the need to transmit data over the internet, minimizing potential exposure to external threats. This approach not only safeguards your data but also enhances the speed and responsiveness of AI interactions.

The integration of Apple Intelligence within the Apple ecosystem ensures a cohesive and secure user experience. Whether you are using it on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can trust that your data is handled with the utmost care and protection. Apple’s steadfast commitment to privacy makes Apple Intelligence the safest choice for users who value their data security.

Conclusion

Apple’s new AI-driven features and services introduced at WWDC 2024 are set to disrupt several third-party products, particularly in areas like sleep tracking, password management, messaging, grammar and writing assistance, calculator apps and even AI. However, many existing products and services will continue to coexist with Apple’s offerings due to their unique features, cross-platform compatibility, and established user bases. This balanced approach highlights Apple’s strategy of enhancing its ecosystem while still allowing room for third-party innovation.

The post Apple Intelligence’s Impact: 5 Apps to Go, 8 to Coexist first appeared on Yanko Design.

Apple hit with lawsuit for allegedly underpaying female employees

Posted on by

A class action lawsuit filed by two women against Apple seeks damages for 12,000 current and former female employees for allegedly underpaying them. The complaint says the tech giant “systematically” paid them a lower wage than their male employees over a four-year period.

The lawsuit filed in a California state court in San Francisco County on Thursday claims Apple’s systematic behavior of sexual discrimination stems from a policy that set employees’ salaries based on their previous employment, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Prior to fall of 2017, the complaint states that Apple used job applicants’ provided prior pay rates to set their starting salaries. The following year, Apple asked applicants for their pay expectations. The lawsuit alleges that both of these practices led to lower pay rates for women in the workplace. It also claims the latter policy of asking prospective employees for their pay expectations is “highly correlated with prior pay; studies show that persons asked for pay expectations generally provide a number slightly higher than the pay at their current or last job.”

The pay policy for job applicants created a pattern of lower pay for female employees, the lawsuit alleges: “Apple’s policy or practice of collecting information about pay expectations and using that information to set starting salary has had the effect of perpetuating past pay disparities and paying women less than men performing substantially similar work.” 

The lawsuit goes even further by suggesting that Apple regularly punishes female employees because of “scored categories” of job performances that drive pay bonuses and increases.

“Apple’s performance evaluation system is biased against women because for scored categories such as teamwork and leadership, men are rewarded and women are penalized for the same behaviors,” the complaint reads.

The class action lawsuit seeks payment for damages and “declaratory relief” as well as repayment of low earnings and benefits due to the alleged discrepancies by Apple. The plaintiffs are also asking the court to hold a jury trial to hear their complaint.

In 2022, reporters for the Financial Times talked with several female Apple employees who alleged they were the victims of sexual abuse and bullying on the job. Then when they filed complaints with human resources, they alleged that their cases were either minimized or ignored, or they received retaliation for filing their complaints.

One of the most jarring examples came from Apple’s former legal department director Jayne Whitt who says a colleague hacked into her devices and issued death threats. She filed a complaint with HR and was assured action would be taken. Whitt claims that Apple’s HR team not only failed to even reprimand the employee but they eventually fired her. She blew the whistle on Apple in an online essay describing the situation that prompted a wave of support and similar stories from other female Apple employees.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-hit-with-lawsuit-for-allegedly-underpaying-female-employees-214538519.html?src=rss

LEGO Downton Abbey Set comes with detailed Minifigure cast and replica of Highclere Castle

Posted on by

Just in time to celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary next year, LEGO builder BRO3 decided to pay homage to historical drama series Downton Abbey with a dedicated LEGO set. The LEGO Ideas Downton Abbey set comes with an incredibly detailed build of the old Highclere Castle, along with all its occupants from the vast Crawley family to the butlers and castle caretakers who make up the cast of the show. The detailed model comes with multiple rooms, up to 15 minifigures (16 if you include the dog Pharoah), and even Lady Mary’s bench – an iconic part of the series!

Designer: BRO3

Although LEGO builder BRO3 doesn’t mention how many bricks make up the Highclere castle, it’s an impressively detailed piece of work, capturing the Jacobean architectural style that made its appearance during the Victorian periods. The castle exists even today, although the series depicts a fictional setup featuring the influential Crawley family. The front facade is remarkably intricate, with the grand entrance that opens to let the characters in.

Flip the castle over and you’re treated to 5 main rooms and 6 mini rooms that your characters can sit in. The main rooms include the Dining room, Kitchen, Lady Mary’s room, Guest room, and the Servants’ quarters. The smaller rooms located in the towers include Carson’s office, along with 5 other empty rooms that you can use to store minifigures that aren’t in use.

The 15 minifigures include the usual suspects of the series, from the 7 members of the Crawley family and Tom Branson (Lady Sybil’s husband), to the 7 staff members of the castle, including butlers, cooks, housekeepers, and the valet.

Lady Mary’s bench also gets its own mini build, paying tribute to the bench that has been a staple to many conversations, sage pieces of advice, and even brewing relationships! “I wanted to breathe the spirit of the place into the model, so I chose a heart-shaped plate and decorative bench handles,” says BRO3.

The LEGO Downton Abbey set is currently a fan-made submission on the LEGO Ideas website – a forum for LEGO builders to create their own unique builds and vote for their favorites. With 2,000 supporters, this MOC (My Own Creation) is slowly picking up traction, and if it hits the coveted 10,000 vote mark, LEGO’s internal team will review it with the possibility of also turning it into a box set! If you want to own your own replica of Highclere Castle and its residents, vote for the submission on the LEGO Ideas website here!

The post LEGO Downton Abbey Set comes with detailed Minifigure cast and replica of Highclere Castle first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO Downton Abbey Set comes with detailed Minifigure cast and replica of Highclere Castle

Posted on by

Just in time to celebrate the show’s 15th anniversary next year, LEGO builder BRO3 decided to pay homage to historical drama series Downton Abbey with a dedicated LEGO set. The LEGO Ideas Downton Abbey set comes with an incredibly detailed build of the old Highclere Castle, along with all its occupants from the vast Crawley family to the butlers and castle caretakers who make up the cast of the show. The detailed model comes with multiple rooms, up to 15 minifigures (16 if you include the dog Pharoah), and even Lady Mary’s bench – an iconic part of the series!

Designer: BRO3

Although LEGO builder BRO3 doesn’t mention how many bricks make up the Highclere castle, it’s an impressively detailed piece of work, capturing the Jacobean architectural style that made its appearance during the Victorian periods. The castle exists even today, although the series depicts a fictional setup featuring the influential Crawley family. The front facade is remarkably intricate, with the grand entrance that opens to let the characters in.

Flip the castle over and you’re treated to 5 main rooms and 6 mini rooms that your characters can sit in. The main rooms include the Dining room, Kitchen, Lady Mary’s room, Guest room, and the Servants’ quarters. The smaller rooms located in the towers include Carson’s office, along with 5 other empty rooms that you can use to store minifigures that aren’t in use.

The 15 minifigures include the usual suspects of the series, from the 7 members of the Crawley family and Tom Branson (Lady Sybil’s husband), to the 7 staff members of the castle, including butlers, cooks, housekeepers, and the valet.

Lady Mary’s bench also gets its own mini build, paying tribute to the bench that has been a staple to many conversations, sage pieces of advice, and even brewing relationships! “I wanted to breathe the spirit of the place into the model, so I chose a heart-shaped plate and decorative bench handles,” says BRO3.

The LEGO Downton Abbey set is currently a fan-made submission on the LEGO Ideas website – a forum for LEGO builders to create their own unique builds and vote for their favorites. With 2,000 supporters, this MOC (My Own Creation) is slowly picking up traction, and if it hits the coveted 10,000 vote mark, LEGO’s internal team will review it with the possibility of also turning it into a box set! If you want to own your own replica of Highclere Castle and its residents, vote for the submission on the LEGO Ideas website here!

The post LEGO Downton Abbey Set comes with detailed Minifigure cast and replica of Highclere Castle first appeared on Yanko Design.

House of the Dragon renewed for season 3 ahead of season 2 premiere

Posted on by

HBO has announced that House of the Dragon will be back for a third season. The network confirmed the renewal of the Game of Thrones spinoff series in a press release just three days ahead of its Season 2 premiere.

“George [R.R. Martin], Ryan [Condal] and the rest of our incredible executive producers, cast and crew have reached new heights with the phenomenal second season of House of the Dragon,” Francesca Orsi, executive vice president of HBO Programming and head of HBO Drama Series and Films, said in the press release.

HBO hasn’t revealed any details about the third season of House of the Dragon, nor has it given a release window. Still, it’s not uncommon in the streaming era for networks like HBO to renew shows for future seasons before upcoming seasons go live, like The Last of Us.

Last year, Orsi told Deadline that House of the Dragon may have more than four seasons. She added that Martin, whose book Fire & Blood inspired the spin-off series, and showrunner Condal were going to discuss where to end the show before the writers’ strike started. That strike ended on September 23, 2023 with the Writers Guild of America reaching an agreement on protections against generative AI.

The renewal also comes two days after Martin confirmed in a blog post that HBO is moving forward with another Game of Thrones spin-off, Ten Thousand Ships. He wrote that playwright Eboni Booth is “working on a new pilot” for the prequel about Queen Nymeria and the Rhoynar after the show was previously scrapped.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/house-of-the-dragon-renewed-for-season-3-ahead-of-season-2-premiere-203425819.html?src=rss

Le Creuset is launching Pokémon-themed cookware in Japan and I’m extremely jealous

Posted on by

Gotta Cook ’Em All!

An unlikely collaboration between two brands that have millennials obsessed, Le Creuset and the Pokémon company have joined forces to drop a limited-edition cookware collection featuring the iconic pocket monsters we know and love. From dutch ovens and saucepans to even kettles, plates, and cups, the Le Creuset x Pokémon collection artistically hat-tips Nintendo’s classic alternate-universe game, with Poke-ball-shaped plates, and Pikachu-themed pots. Don’t worry, no Pokémon was harmed in the making of this collection! The only thing being harmed are probably users around the globe that will probably never get to own any of this cookware given its limited-edition release only in Japan.

Designer: Le Creuset

The star of the show is likely to be the sunshine-yellow Cocotte cooking pot, featuring the instantly recognizable lightning bolt tail of Pikachu. Meanwhile, the black Marmite pot features a subtler nod to the franchise, with outlines of the original starter Pokémon – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – etched onto the lid alongside Pikachu and Snorlax.

Le Creuset isn’t stopping at pots. The collection also boasts a range of tableware, featuring colorful stacking mugs, plates, and rice bowls decorated with silhouettes of popular Pokémon characters like Pikachu, Snorlax, and the original starters. The playful touch continues with plates designed to resemble Poké Balls and Master Balls, the iconic tools used by Pokémon trainers to capture and store their companions.

The collection’s appeal extends far beyond its charming design. Le Creuset emphasizes the line’s potential to bring families together in the kitchen, with children likely to be drawn to the familiar characters. However, judging by the buzz on the Le Creuset subreddit, adults are just as eager to get their hands on these unique pieces.

With a limited release planned for select regions and a two-drop rollout across July and November, the Le Creuset x Pokémon collection is poised to become a collector’s item. It’s a clever collaboration that injects a dose of nostalgia and playful design into the kitchen, proving that even the most well-established brands can find innovative ways to engage with their audience.

The post Le Creuset is launching Pokémon-themed cookware in Japan and I’m extremely jealous first appeared on Yanko Design.