Monthly Archives: October 2024

Baluchon’s Single-Story Tiny Home Arranges Everything On One Open-Layout Level

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A poignant drawback of space-saving tiny homes is that we often need to use stairs or a ladder to access the bed or sleeping area. Many people often don’t want to go through this process, and hence many designers are now creating tiny homes with all the rooms positioned on one floor. The Moulinsart is one such example, and it features an open layout that is suitable for around two people. It is designed by Baluchon and features a length of 23 feet, and is based on a double-axle trailer. It features a red cedar finish, topped with a metal roof, and powered by a standard RV-style hookup.

Designer: Baluchon

Since the tiny home features only a single story and not two floors, there is not much space to work with. To ensure space is maximized, Baluchon designed a simple and compact layout that provides sufficient space. However, the layout does make the home more of a vacation house than a full-time residence. As you enter the front door, you are welcomed by a pretty simple kitchen. It includes an oven, a sink, storage space, cabinetry, a propane-powered two-burner stove, and a ventilated section for fruits and vegetables. There isn’t any fridge visible, but they may have tucked it away in some cabinetry. A dining table that can seat two people is added as well.

The living room and the bedroom form one central section. This space is equipped with a small wood-burning stove to offer warmth. A desk area and shelving have been incorporated as well. The space also includes a sofa bed with integrated storage, and this is the only bed in the entire home. Generous glazing marks this living area, and hence light flows in throughout the day. The other end of the home holds the bathroom, which contains a shower and a toilet.

The Moulinsart is a cozy and well-furnished home for anyone who wants easy access to their beds. It also seems like a safe and comfortable space for kids and the elderly, as there is no risk of them tripping on the stairs/ladder and hurting themselves. The home is quite compact for a tiny house, but the layout is well-designed albeit simple, and does have all the essential amenities one could need for a comfortable stay. We are unsure of the home’s pricing, but Baluchon’s tiny homes are usually priced at US$95,000.

The post Baluchon’s Single-Story Tiny Home Arranges Everything On One Open-Layout Level first appeared on Yanko Design.

Scrub down Shrek’s world in PowerWash Simulator

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There are a ton of Shrek movies but not one of them have ever answered this question: Who cleans up the mess when the ogre and his various fairytale villains are done fighting? Square Enix’s PowerWash Simulator finally has an answer.

Dreamworks and Square Enix have teamed up to create the Shrek Special Pack DLC for PowerWash Simulator available now on all consoles and PC. The new pack adds a bunch of scenarios from the iconic animated films and some new armor and tools to help you scrub down the many layers of crud that have accumulated over Shrek’s world.

The new DLC pack comes with 5 new locations that need a good power washing. They include Shrek’s home swamp, the town of Duloc complete with that adorable wind-up information booth, the Fairy Godmother’s potion factory, the dragon’s lair and Hansel’s delectable Honeymoon Hideaway with the Shreks’ onion wedding carriage.

The Shrek Special Pack also offers a new campaign mode that takes you through the new scenes and grants you a new set of knight themed power washing armor and hoses. You’ll also receive messages from “some familiar faces,” maybe even the Muffin Man. (The Muffin Man!) Yes, the Muffin Man! (Actually, you probably won’t. He’s not really an ancillary character in the Shrek universe outside of the nursery rhyme reference from the first movie.)

One of the great things about PowerWash Simulator is just how crazy they’ve gone with the DLC packs. Square Enix has also developed special cleaning scenarios based on Back to the Future, Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy. The developers have been working on so many things to clean up that they’ve accidentally lost track of one and released it to players on Steam.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/scrub-down-shreks-world-in-powerwash-simulator-232032583.html?src=rss

The first company to use upgraded Apple Wallet tickets is… Ticketmaster

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Ticketmaster announced that it will be the first ticketing company to take advantage of new features that arrived in Apple Wallet with iOS 18. According to a blog post from the business, Ticketmaster tickets viewed in the Apple app can show enhanced information such as venue maps, parking directions, local weather forecasts and recommended listening from Apple Music. Teams and event spaces can also choose to add links to their own apps or websites that customers can access from their Wallet tickets.

The company is first applying the new tech to two sporting events this year, and said it will be rolling out the capabilities to more events in 2025. While Ticketmaster is touting its role as the first adopter of the new Wallet ticket experience, the new features will not only be available to that company. Considering Ticketmaster was in the PR images announcing the new features, it seems likely that the companies had an agreement about how they'd jointly promote the updates.

Apple Wallet boasts several upgrades in the latest operating system release, such as a new Tap to Cash feature for faster money transfer. The initial iOS 18 rollout last month had some good stuff, but the marquee debut of Apple Intelligence likely won't happen until later in October.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/the-first-company-to-use-upgraded-apple-wallet-tickets-is-ticketmaster-230141866.html?src=rss

Casio’s A158 Watch Now a Retro Desk Clock You Need

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Casio’s A158W digital wristwatch has remained relevant for decades with its simple design and reliability. Now, Casio brings that design from your wrist to your desk with the DQD-851J-8JF desk clock. Scheduled for release on October 25 in Japan, this desk clock channels the aesthetics of the A158 with modern updates.

Designer: Casio

The DQD-851J-8JF borrows design elements from the A158W, including the silver-toned casing and familiar digital display. The clock’s body echoes the classic curves and rectangular silhouette of the A158 watch, giving it a nostalgic appeal reminiscent of the 1980s.

Introduced in the 1980s, the Casio A158W became popular for its utility, affordability, and retro aesthetic. It offered a digital display, LED backlight, and water resistance, making it versatile for all lifestyles. Even today, it remains a favorite among minimalists and retro watch enthusiasts.

The DQD-851J-8JF desk clock pays homage to the A158W while incorporating modern features. One key addition is Wave Ceptor automatic time adjustment, which synchronizes the clock to the Japan Standard Time radio signal (JJY) broadcasted from transmitters within Japan. Note that this feature is exclusive to Japan, and it will not function with radio signals in other regions. The clock also includes a thermometer and hygrometer, providing insight into indoor comfort. Additional features include a snooze alarm, 12/24-hour format, full auto-calendar, and an amber LED backlight.

The desk clock captures the iconic look of the A158W. From the rectangular digital screen framed by the brushed silver-tone bezel to the tactile buttons, every detail evokes a retro vibe. The clock features a larger, easy-to-read LCD screen with bold black digits for readability. It is compact yet stable, measuring 102 x 117 x 48 millimeters and weighing 185 grams.

The amber LED backlight offers a warm glow, reminiscent of the original wristwatch’s light. The buttons for adjusting settings are placed intuitively, similar to the wristwatch, for easy interaction. The brushed finish of the casing and slightly raised bezel add to its retro charm.

The DQD-851J-8JF is powered by two AA batteries, offering about one year of battery life—convenient and low-maintenance, much like the original A158W.

Casio’s decision to create a desk clock inspired by the A158W honors the enduring appeal of a product that has outlasted tech trends. The A158W’s straightforward nature makes it timeless. With the DQD-851J-8JF, that appeal now lives in a new form factor, ideal for any desk or nightstand.

For those who cherish the A158, the DQD-851J-8JF brings that classic vibe into other parts of life. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Casio’s digital nostalgia for the first time, this desk clock is an excellent way to celebrate a design that has stood the test of time. Pre-orders are available in Japan.

The post Casio’s A158 Watch Now a Retro Desk Clock You Need first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bluesky is having a moment… on Threads

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Bluesky seems to have a bold new strategy to entice potential new users: posting on Threads. The rival social media service joined Threads amid a surge in complaints from users who are increasingly frustrated with Meta’s policies.

While complaints about Meta’s policies aren’t a new topic, they’ve gained new prominence over the last week amid complaints about the surge in engagement bait on the platform, as well as Threads’ sometimes inexplicable content moderation decisions. Meta exec Adam Mosseri, who runs the Threads app, has said the company is looking into both issues. But in the meantime, there’s been an increase in discussions about Bluesky, the decentralized service that has a very different philosophy when it comes to algorithms and moderation.

On Wednesday, Bluesky created an account on Threads, and promptly began pitching itself as an alternative platform for those frustrated with Meta. The strategy seems to be having an effect. “Bluesky” has been a trending topic on Threads for two days in a row and, at the time of this writing “Bluesky vs Meta moderation” was trending on the platform.

“We're not like the other girls... we're not owned by a billionaire,” Bluesky wrote in a post Thursday. “Your social experience should be yours to customize, not bent to the whims of whoever the owner of the platform is.”

While not the first time Bluesky has lightly trolled a rival (see its X post from earlier this week), the company is seizing on genuine frustration among Threads users. Besides the complaints about blatant engagement bait in their feeds, users have been questioning Meta’s seemingly aggressive moderation tactics on Threads. The company already throttles political content on the app, has taken a heavy handed approach to moderation of the service, according to many users. A number of people have reported having posts actioned by Meta for using the word “cracker” or “saltines,” as The Verge points out. Social media consultant Matt Navarra shared that he was penalized for sharing a BBC article about the viral “goodbye Meta AI” hoax on his Threads account.

Bluesky, on the other hand, has taken a much more flexible approach to content moderation. It puts most decisions in the hands of users, who are able to decide what kind of content they want to see or not, and allows users to run their own moderation services. “We're always doing baseline moderation, meaning that we are providing you with a default moderated experience when you come in [to Bluesky],” Bluesky CEO jay Graber told Engadget earlier this year. “And then on top of that, you can customize things.”

Whether the new attention on Bluesky will result in a significant number of departures to the service is so far unclear. Bluesky currently has about 10.8 million users, according to a dashboard tracking its growth. And while it’s not clear how many new people arrived in the last couple days, it suggests there’s been a bit of a surge over the past month as Bluesky previously grew to about 8.8 million users immediately following the shutdown of X in Brazil last month.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/bluesky-is-having-a-moment-on-threads-222404971.html?src=rss

Data breach of Fidelity leaks 77,000 customers’ personal data

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Another breach of a huge financial institution has leaked the personal information of thousands of customers to the public. TechCrunch reported that an unidentified hacker obtained 77,009 customers’ personal data from the asset management firm Fidelity Investments.

A filing by Maine’s attorney general posted yesterday revealed that the unidentified third party obtained the information in mid-August using two phony customer accounts. It’s not yet known how these accounts were used to access customer data. Fidelity said in a letter to its customers that it discovered the breach on August 19. The letter also said that the unidentified party did not access customers’ Fidelity accounts but after Fidelity completed its review, it confirmed that customers’ personal data had been breached.

The New Hampshire attorney general’s office filed a second data breach notice yesterday revealing another “data security incident” of Fidelity Investments’ customer data. The notice says the unauthorized third party obtained access to “an internal database that houses images of documents pertaining to Fidelity customers” by submitting fake requests for access also on August 19. The second data breach did not provide unwanted access to any customer accounts or funds and the leaked information only “related to a small subset of Fidelity’s customers.”

If you believe your data has been obtained by unwanted parties or is part of a data leak, the Federal Trade Commission recommends putting a freeze and fraud alerts on your credit reports and personal bank and credit card accounts. You can also report any identity theft incidents at IdentityTheft.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/data-breach-of-fidelity-leaks-77000-customers-personal-data-214248985.html?src=rss

Google tests feature to show full recipes in search results

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It's an experience many of us know all too well: open up a food blogger's recipe only to scroll past a mountain of content you don't care about to actually reach the ingredients and method. Google is trialing a feature that could eliminate this step, even though it's the result of the company's own policies.

The Verge noticed a new button on the thumbnails for select recipes called Quick View. This button brings up the complete recipe without leaving the search results page. In their testing, a search for "chocolate chip cookie recipe" revealed this Quick View button for the site Preppy Kitchen. 

"We’re always experimenting with different ways to connect our users with high-quality and helpful information," Google rep Brianna Duff told Engadget about these Quick View recipes. "We have partnered with a limited number of creators to begin to explore new recipe experiences on Search that are both helpful for users and drive value to the web ecosystem. We don’t have anything to announce right now." While Google does have agreements inked with the participating bloggers, the company declined to reveal any further details about the scope of this testing.

It's quite a catch-22 Google has created when it comes to recipes online. Home cooks may find this Quick View feature appealing since so many food blogs front-load their posts with photos and personal stories before actually sharing the recipe. But it was Google's own rules that pushed bloggers toward that approach in the first place, with longer posts generally indexing higher up in search results and thus getting more traffic. (And no offense to the food bloggers of the world, but the only chocolate chip cookie recipe you need is the one on the back of the chocolate chip bag.)

While this recipe feature is just an early trial, Google has been rolling out other tools aimed at keeping users on its own webpages and platforms. The AI Overviews in search are one of the latest (and occasionally surreal) ways the company is changing the rules of engagement for web content.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-tests-feature-to-show-full-recipes-in-search-results-212257585.html?src=rss

Oakley Flex Scape hybrid ski goggles-sunglasses adapt to your face shape for the ideal fit

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Oakley is known for its innovation in the eyewear category and we expect nothing but the best every time they come up with something new. The futuristic Moonveil cape for tough sports in extreme conditions impressed us a lot. Now, the California-based eyewear pros have revealed the Flex Scape performance eyewear that comes with a hybrid frame to function both as alpine goggles and sunglasses.

This fashion-forward eyewear makes use of PhysioMorphic Geometry and is based on the acclaimed Kato model. The former ensures a natural fit around the face for a wide level of coverage. This new launch gives active individuals more reason than one to invest in the brand, both for their jogs in the city and explorations in the high mountains.

Designer: Oakley

The USP of these ski goggles is their ability to adapt to the wearer’s face for unmatched comfort and performance. The purpose-built nature of the lens conforms to the facial structure just like a mask dies. This results in a wide field of vision which is important in fast action sports or highly active lifestyle activities. The switch from the goggles to the sunglasses is easy with the one-size-fits-all woven strap. Each of the single-layer lenses comes with the brand’s signature Prizm technology which is highly optimized for color, contrast and detail – wherein there is a significant reduction in distortion, reflection and refraction. No wonder top athletes swear by the performance of products equipped with this tech. The durability of these goggles is top notch like all times, and you don’t have to worry about high-impact collisions on the slope.

According to team Oakley athlete Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, the 100% UV-protected glasses are a game-changer having the flexibility to flex from the mountains to the streets. Not only does it look dope but also suits any lifestyle from air to apres. The Oakley Flex Scape goggles cum sunglasses priced at $373 are available in two colors – Matte Black with Prizm 24K and Matte Grey Snow with Prizm Snow Sapphire Iridium.

The post Oakley Flex Scape hybrid ski goggles-sunglasses adapt to your face shape for the ideal fit first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mash-up of Grand Theft Auto and Hamlet is coming to theaters in the US

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Mubi has secured the US rights and global SVOD rights to Grand Theft Hamlet. In this documentary, two out-of-work actors attempt to stage an entire production of William Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet within the game world of Grand Theft Auto Online during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Mubi plans to give the film a release in early 2025, and Mubi's own posts on X say that it will be in "US theaters and streaming globally."

The movie is composed of more than 300 hours of GTA footage. Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen might be the main drivers of making the play the thing, but they looped in other random players through in-game auditions to fill out the cast. This piece of theatrical machinima won the documentary feature jury award at its premiere during SXSW. It also currently boasts a 95 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, so the critics and early reviewers are into this mash-up of iambs and uzis.

The Bard has seen many a retelling over the years, and Hamlet seems to generate particular interest for gaming-flavored interpretations. The Danish prince was in a VR production via Google collaboration in 2019, he made an appearance in MMORPG Mabinogi back in 2011, and got to star in his own quirky video game in 2010.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/mash-up-of-grand-theft-auto-and-hamlet-is-coming-to-theaters-in-the-us-195758396.html?src=rss

Porsche recalls more than 27,000 Taycan EVs

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If you own a Porsche Taycan, you might plan on making a trip to the dealership. The Verge reported that recalls have been issued due to a short circuiting risk in one of the battery’s cell block modules. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued a safety recall for more than 27,000 of the Porsche EVs. The recall affects “certain” Taycan vehicles released from 2021-2024. Notices will be issued to owners by the end of November.

Porsche hasn’t been able to pinpoint exactly which cars in the Taycan fleet have the hazard. In order to determine which cars need fixing, Porsche is advising owners of Taycans made between October 21, 2019 and February 1, 2024 to bring their car to a dealership where crews can monitor the battery with diagnostic software. Porsche is also advising its Taycan owners to only charge the vehicle’s battery up to 80 percent until dealership mechanics can determine if the battery needs to be replaced.

If this problem sounds familiar, it’s because it’s one of the chief causes for the downfall of Chevrolet’s EV, the Chevy Bolt. The electric car went through a similar recall in 2021 due to a fire risk with the battery.

Chevy had to replace the batteries in Bolts made between 2017 and 2019 at a cost of $1.8 billion. The battery issues led to Chevy discontinuing the EV line and a class-action settlement that netted owners of the 2020-2022 Bolt EVs and EUVs a $1,400 settlement.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/porsche-recalls-more-than-27000-taycan-evs-192335438.html?src=rss