Monthly Archives: August 2024

After CEO Pavel Durov’s arrest in France, Telegram says it’s ‘absurd’ to blame a platform if users abuse it

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Pavel Durov, the CEO of Telegram, was reportedly arrested at an airport near Paris on Saturday as part of a preliminary investigation into the app’s lax approach to moderation and failure to curb criminal activities, according to Reuters, which cited the French news outlets BFM TV and TF1. Telegram is also reportedly being accused of not cooperating with police. On Sunday afternoon, Telegram posted a statement to its official news channel and on X, saying that CEO Durov “has nothing to hide” and that it “is absurd to claim that a platform or its owner are responsible for abuse of that platform.”

“Telegram abides by EU laws, including the Digital Services Act — its moderation is within industry standards and constantly improving,” it said. Durov was taken into custody after arriving at Le Bourget airport on a private jet, Reuters reported. According to the BBC, the concerns of the current investigation include the app’s failure to crack down on drug trafficking, child sexual abuse materials, and fraudulent activities.

Telegram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, and is widely used in parts of Europe and Asia especially. Durov said earlier this year that it was nearing one billion active monthly users. The app uses end-to-end encryption and supports groups containing tens of thousands of members, allowing mass sharing of information and uncensored content. 

NPR reports that a statement from the Paris prosecutor's office will be released on Monday. “We’re awaiting a prompt resolution of this situation,” Telegram said in its own statement. 

Update, August 25 2024, 4:48PM ET: This story has been updated to include a statement from Telegram.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/telegram-ceo-pavel-durov-was-reportedly-arrested-in-france-142730565.html?src=rss

Everything New With Artificial Intelligence This Week

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Artificial Intelligence

This week has seen significant advancements in Artificial Intelligence search, with OpenAI introducing its Search GPT to select users. This innovative tool aims to provide more accurate and context-aware search results, transforming the way you interact with search engines. Search GPT leverages the power of AI to understand the intent behind your queries, delivering results […]

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The Airy Yggdrasil Tiny House Is Designed To Be Compact Yet Comfy For Its 6.3-ft Owner

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Designed by Baluchon, and called the Yggdrasil tiny house, this uniquely-named home is 20 feet in length and intended for a 6.3 feet tall owner. Baluchon needed to keep the home in the “tiny home” category, without letting it feel too cramped for its tall owner. The home is equipped with a simple and cleverly designed layout and amped with flexible furniture. Generous glazing has been incorporated to ensure maximum sunlight enters the home.

Designer: Baluchon

The name Yggdrasil has been adopted from Norse mythology. The home is based on a double-axle trailer and is accentuated with a cedar finish and blue aluminum accenting. The insulation is made from a mix of cotton, linen and hemp. The home is powered by a standard RV-style hookup. The interior of the home is finished in spruce, and it seems to be quite open and spacious, despite its compact size. As you enter the home, you are welcomed by a living room. This space includes a big L-shaped sofa bed, with loads of integrated storage space. The bed can sleep two people, and the room also includes a dining table and a wood-burning stove for heat. The kitchen is placed next to the living room, and it includes an oven, fridge, sink with a cutting board insert and plenty of storage space. The counters in the kitchen are higher to complement the tall owner.

A glass wall separates the living room and kitchen while ensuring sunlight still streams into the room. The bathroom is connected to the kitchen and is pretty small, equipped with a toilet and a shower. The Yggdrasil only contains one bedroom, and it can be accessed via non-removable wooden steps. The bedroom is like most bedrooms in tiny homes, it sports a typical loft style with a low ceiling. The room is shaped like the letter L and has sufficient space for a double bed and storage space. We don’t know the price of the Yggdrasil tiny home, but Baluchon houses usually start around US$84,000.

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10 New iOS 18 Shortcuts You Need to Try

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iPhone Shortcuts

OS 18 introduces a range of exciting new features and improvements to the iPhone Shortcuts app, empowering users to automate tasks and streamline their daily activities more effectively. One of the most notable enhancements is the upgraded Apple Journal, which now offers a more comprehensive and versatile experience for capturing and organizing your thoughts and […]

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11 Awesome iPhone Only Apps You Need to Know About

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iPhone Apps

We have an awesome video from Shu Omi thatn shows us a range of iPhone apps that are only available on the iPhone. The iPhone, known for its sleek design and powerful features, offers a wide range of exclusive apps that cater to various needs and preferences. From productivity and organization to entertainment and personal […]

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Apple Watch X (10): Everything We Know So Far

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Apple Watch X (10)

Apple is gearing up to launch the highly anticipated Apple Watch Series 10, alongside the iPhone 16. This new iteration of the popular smartwatch is set to introduce several significant updates and changes, aiming to enhance user experience and functionality. Let’s dive into the key features and improvements that the Apple Watch Series 10 is […]

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iPhone 16 Final design & Colors Leaked

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iPhone 16

As the highly anticipated launch of the iPhone 16 lineup approaches, leaked information has given us a glimpse into the final design and color options for both the base and Pro models. Apple enthusiasts can expect a range of exciting updates, including fresh color choices, notable design changes, and significant feature enhancements that promise to […]

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This featherweight 3D-printed gaming mouse weighs just 16 grams

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Imagine a mouse so lightweight it feels like featherweight – literally an extension of your hand for endless gaming on your PC. The Optimum Zeromouse V35 mouse could take the crown of being the lightest gaming mouse out there at just 16 grams. Optimum, who is a well-known PC maker and shooter, intends the user to use this as a shell for the Razer Viper V2 Pro, but can be used individually as well.

The 3D-printed shell of the mouse has supergrips for ergonomic comfort and lesser hand strain when gaming for long periods. There are no side scroll buttons or DPI selectors to reduce overall weight. Ultra-light credentials of the accessory and the supergrips make it well suited for action shooting games because of the low-tension aiming experience.

Designer: Optimum

The lightweight unibody frame is made using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) using nylon PA12 material which has a very high tensile strength. Thus, the compact peripheral doesn’t compromise on structural integrity since the crossbar support and the deeper grooves at contact points make it highly durable and stable. While the mouse won’t turn you instantly into a Top 500 Overwatch player or a Radiant Valorant, just like the best running shoes won’t turn you into the best runner on the planet!

According to Optimum Tech, who designed this featherweight mouse for gaming, when switching back to any other gaming mouse after using the Zeromouse V35, the difference is very clear. The fact that it weighs almost half as any other mouse, gives the player a tactical advantage in movement, even if it is by milliseconds in close matches that can be the difference between winning and losing.

The peripheral priced at $70 takes a detour from the set conventions with a very raw form. Somewhat comparable to a speed record car that has everything fluffed out and only the essentials for performance retained. A mouse doesn’t have to be heavy or ergonomically challenged which is exactly what V35 offers in a compact form. How the next proposed versions of this mouse will evolve will be interesting to see. For now this peripheral is what the gaming community will be zooming in on.

 

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Yamaha Outdoor Tools concept brings a fusion of music, metal, and fire to your adventures

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Yamaha is a name that can mean two different things to different people. On the one hand, you have the famed maker of musical instruments. On the other hand, you also have Yamaha Motors which imprints the brand on motorcycles. Their products might be unrelated, but the two Yamahas share a similar spirit and passion for good design. Not a few concepts have come out from trying to bring these two different worlds together, resulting in novelties that delight and, in some cases, even become useful products. This collection of outdoor tools could have the same effect, highlighting the spirit of outdoor adventure and commitment to craftsmanship that both Yamaha companies embody.

Designer: Kazuya Washio

When camping outdoors, one of the most important tools you need is fire, whether it’s for keeping warm or, more importantly, cooking food. There’s no shortage of bonfire and grill products available in the market today, but the majority of them seem to be content focusing on utility alone. The Yamaha Outdoor Tools concept, however, doesn’t forget that aesthetics and fun are just as important, adding flavor to the experience and making it even more memorable.

The Bon-Burner, for example, is nothing more than five metal sticks joined at different angles to create the semblance of sticks of firewood lying against each other. This form isn’t just for looks, though, as the top formation functions as a trivet for holding pots and kettles. The metal bars can be easily folded or detached, making transport a walk in the park, or in this case, the campsite.

The Bon-Player is a twist on the typical gas stove that is like an amalgamation of a metallic vinyl record and the experience of throttling the engine of a motorbike. You turn the metal disc to control the radius of the fire, represented by concentric rings radiating from the center, and you push it down to increase the intensity of the flame. It is a more involved and more interactive way to control the fire, better than simply turning a boring old knob.

Bon-Grill takes that turntable metaphor even further with a rectangular box that lets you choose the appearance of your grill marks. You simply switch between different mesh jackets, just like you switch record sleeves, to select the best grill marks that will bring out the best taste from your food. Plus, it makes the steaks and veggies look fun as well!

The Bon-Flame outdoor heater is probably the most beautiful and most poetic of the set. A bimetallic sheet changes shape with the heat, opening up like a flower and providing both heat and an enchanting visual representation of that warmth. Unfortunately, all these are just concepts at this point, but hopefully, Yamaha will pick them up and turn them into actual products that we can bring to our outdoor adventures someday.

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Heatherwick Studio Unveils Stunning Sustainable School Design for Universidad Ean in Bogotá

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In an exciting blend of vibrant culture and innovative architecture, Heatherwick Studio has unveiled the stunning visuals for a new school in Bogotá, Colombia. This groundbreaking project, set to rise on Calle 72, one of the city’s bustling main arteries, promises to be a visual and functional masterpiece for Universidad Ean’s School of Sustainable Design.

Designer: Heatherwick Studio

The seven-story marvel will serve as a dynamic hub for creativity and learning, adorned with colorful, basketry-formed terraces that pay homage to Colombia’s rich craft traditions. Inspired by Werregue basketry, a unique weaving technique of the Wounaan indigenous community, the building’s front façade will be a captivating mosaic of crafted columns and open terraces. This design not only celebrates local heritage but also infuses modern architectural flair, making it a standout addition to Bogotá’s skyline.

The innovative columns of the building, which denote the earthy vibe of the project, are not just regular forms seen in past structures. They resemble organic stones stacked on top of each other, supporting the balconies above. The design detailing of the joint where the balcony slab meets the column is particularly fascinating, and easily noticeable from the ground. This junction appears like ripples created when a stone touches water, adding a unique and visually engaging element to the architecture. The vibrant colors of the columns are certainly eye-catching, ensuring the building stands out in the urban landscape.

Eliot Postma, group leader and partner at Heatherwick Studio, explained that creativity is intrinsic to the city of Bogotá and evident everywhere. He expressed the studio’s desire for students to feel proud of their campus even before entering the building, envisioning a public square that would provide passers-by with a welcoming communal oasis amidst the hard urban surroundings.

Heatherwick Studio’s design goes beyond aesthetics; it aims to create a central gathering space for the Universidad Ean campus. The new building will complement existing heritage structures, introducing a rare and much-needed public space in the heart of the city. The design team is also pioneering the use of innovative façade materials to withstand Bogotá’s intense sunlight, ensuring the building’s resilience and longevity.

Colombia, celebrated as the world’s second most biodiverse country, positions Bogotá as a leader in sustainable development. Universidad Ean’s ambitious vision includes integrating elements of the surrounding cloud forest into the building, embodying the country’s natural beauty. Heatherwick Studio’s biophilic design will feature local plant species on the terraces, seamlessly merging nature with urban life and aligning with Bogotá’s commitment to the C40 Urban Nature Declaration.

The building’s design is a testament to Colombia’s weaving traditions, with columns adorned in colorful, curved lines supporting the circular terraces above. This weaving texture reflects the artistry of local practices, creating a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.

Heatherwick Studio’s first project in South America is set to break ground in 2025. This landmark building not only stands as a beacon of sustainable design but also celebrates Colombia’s vibrant cultural and natural heritage, promising to be a source of pride and inspiration for students and citizens alike.

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