When the Snoopy lamp was first created by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni back in 1967, it was understandable that it would come in a black and white color. After all, it was inspired by the iconic cartoon dog character created by Charles M Schulz who had the same colors. But over the years, we’ve seen other colors added to the now also iconic lamp design and the latest one will appeal to lovers of the color blue.
Designer: Flos
The newest color added to the Snoopy lamp collection is blu navy, joining the aforementioned original black enamelled metal shade and later on the bold orange and verdant green colors. The silhouette still remains the same, a tribute to the shape of the head of the beloved Snoopy character. The cool navy blue color adds a spot of fun to the room, especially if that’s the aesthetic or theme you’re going for.
The basic design is still similar to the original, with the cylindrical Carrara marble base standing at an oblique angle. The thick glass disc diffuser and the lightweight enamelled aluminum shade are still there. There are still the three cooling holes at the top and an internal white finish that brings out the light distribution. What’s different now is that the original rotary dimmer has been turned into an integrated touch sensor, making it easier to turn it on and off and to adjust the light intensity from 0-100.
There are a lot of lamp designs that you can choose from out there to match the room’s look and feel. But if you’re still going for this classic Snoopy looking lamp to bring both function and whimsy to your space, then this navy blue option might just be the perfect addition.
The following article discusses the fifth season of Star Trek: Lower Decks and older Treks.
There’s no such thing as “dead” in Star Trek, the sprawling, perpetual opus that has thrived in spite of itself for almost sixty years. What started as a cornball space-ships and punch-fights show for atomic-age kids and their parents has become (gestures around) all this. So I’m not writing too much of an obituary for Star Trek: Lower Decks despite its fifth season being its last. Given Paramount’s fluid leadership right now, I can easily imagine that decision being reversed in the future. So this isn’t so much of a goodbye as a farewell for now.
Lower Decks’ fifth season picks up not long after the fourth left off, with Tendi still repaying her debt to the Orions. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to suggest the status-quo reasserts itself soon after given, you know, all the other times this has happened. The crew of the Cerritos is then thrust into the usual sort of high-minded, lowbrow yet full of heart hijinks that we’ve come to expect. Naturally, I’m sworn to secrecy, but the fifth episode — where its title alone is a big spoiler — is a highlight.
I’ve seen the first five episodes of the season and as with any sitcom, there are a few misses in between the hits. One episode in particular is trying to reach for an old-school Frasier plotline, but it falls flat given the thinness of the characters in question. Thankfully, Lower Decks is able to carry a weak show on the back of its central cast’s charm. Sadly, as it tries to give everyone a grace note, some characters you’d expect would get more focus are instead shunted to the periphery.
You can feel Lower Decks straining against its own premise, too. A show about people on the lowest rung of the ladder can’t get too high. As a corrective, both Mariner and Boimler use this year as an opportunity to mature and grow. I won’t spoil the most glorious running gag of the season, but their growth comes in very different ways. If there’s a downside, it’s that the show still relies too much on energy-sapping action sequences to resolve its episodes.
But that’s a minor gripe for a show that grew from the would-be class clown of the Trek world to the most joyful interpretation of its ethos. I’ve always loved how, when the chips are down, Lower Decks delights in the bits plenty of newer Treks would rather ignore. The show is, and has been, a delight to watch and something for the rest of the franchise to aspire toward.
Paramount+
I’ve been looking for a way to describe Lower Decks’ target audience for years, but only now has it hit me. It’s a show written by, and for, the people who grew up watching Star Trek in the VHS era. Creator Mike McMahan is just four years older than me, barely a teenager when The Next Generation went off-air. So while he’d have encountered Deep Space Nine and Voyager as first-run, everything else would have been discovered through re-runs and tapes.
You can almost track that timeline of discovery as Lower Decks broadened its range of hat-tips each year it ran. Of course we got a parody of the first two Trek films in the first season — both were ever-present on Saturday afternoon TV when I was a kid — but it’s not until the third that we get a nod to First Contact. As Enterprise ran out of gas, you can feel McMahan and co’s delving into the behind-the-scenes lore and convention gossip about those later series.
If you’ve seen the series five trailer, you’ll spot the gag about Harry Kim’s promotion, something the character never got on Voyager. If you’re fluent with Trek’s behind-the-scenes drama you’ll know the handful of reasons why, and why it’s funny to nod toward that now. But that’s not the only subtle gag that points a sharpened elbow into the ribs of major figures from the series creative team. I’m sure if you don’t spot them all, Reddit will have assembled a master list half an hour after each episode lands on Paramount+.
Paramount+
I won’t indulge in theorizing as to why a popular and successful show like Lower Decks is ending (it’s money, it’s always money). But, as we’ve seen countless times before, it’s not as if it’s hard to revive a successful animated show when wiser heads prevail. Hell, even McMahan told TrekMovie he’s prepared for that, and even has some spin-off ideas in the works. But for now, let’s raise a toast to Lower Decks, the animated sitcom that became the cornerstone of modern Star Trek.
The first two episodes of Star Trek: Lower Decks season five will arrive on Paramount+, Thursday, October 24, with an additional episode landing each week for the successive eight weeks. The series and season finale will air on December 19.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/tv-movies/star-trek-lower-decks-bows-out-on-business-as-usual-200017641.html?src=rss
It’s too easy to underestimate golf as a sport, but the ability to hit a small ball with an equally small stick and have it roll into a hole miles away is no easy feat. It requires no small amount of skill, focus, and concentration, all of which could be undone by the stress of having to mind things not directly related to playing the game, such as carrying all those golf clubs. You can always hire people to carry those for you, a.k.a. caddies, but that might not always be a feasible option. We’re at an age where not just vacuum cleaners but also cars can already drive themselves, so why not have a trolley do that as well? And with some AI magic, it can even be your golf coach, too!
That is the kind of liberating experience that the iXi robot golf trolley is promising. It is an extremely minimalist four-wheeled robot designed to carry your bag of golf clubs and follow you wherever you go. Although it could raise concerns about the potential loss of human employment, the self-driving robot offers players more freedom of movement and convenience without having to worry about needing someone to do that work. It allows them to simply focus on the task at hand: playing golf. It’s like having your own personal caddy, without the potential source of distraction.
Although iXi does have sensors and intelligence to follow its human owner, its AI also serves a second purpose. It can analyze the player’s swing and offer insights that could help improve their gameplay. It’s pretty much like what those golf smartwatches try to offer, but with a better view of the player’s posture and swing thanks to cameras and sensors. Maybe someday, iXi will even be able to offer the right club to use and have it ready even before the player reaches for it.
iXi’s intelligence is perhaps hidden by its extremely simple design, a platform with four wheels, a post to support a golf bag, and a handle that holds the screen controller. This design was made by choice, of course, as it makes it easy for the trolley to fold down into a compact form for easier transport. It could save you not only space but also money in the long run, without losing the peace of mind that comes with not having to carry a heavy bag of clubs on your shoulder every time you have to move to the next spot.
If you own a Synology network-attached storage device (NAS) and want to protect your valuable data from ransomware attacks, you might be interested in a new video published by SpaceRex. The video details how you can use Synology’s Btrfs snapshots—a smart, non-disruptive solution that offers a lifeline by allowing you to restore your data to […]
Your iPhone is more than just a communication device; it can be a powerful ally in enhancing productivity and reducing stress. By fine-tuning its settings and features, you can transform it into a tool that helps you achieve your goals more effectively. The video below provides strategies to optimize app management, notification settings, and Focus […]
DJI has filed a lawsuit against the US Department of Defense over its addition to the Pentagon list that designates it as a "Chinese military company." In its filing, shared by The Verge, the company said it's challenging the designation because it's "neither owned nor controlled by the Chinese military." It described itself as the "largest privately owned seller of consumer and commercial drones," mostly used by first responders, fire and police departments, businesses and hobbyists.
The company claimed that because the Pentagon has officially proclaimed it as a national security threat, it has suffered "ongoing financial and reputational harm." It also said that it has lost business from both US and internal customers, which terminated contracts and refused to enter new ones, and it has been banned from signing contracts with multiple federal government agencies.
DJI explained that it tried to engage with the Department of Defense for over 16 months and submitted a "comprehensive delisting petition" on July 27, 2023 to get the agency to remove its designation. However, the agency allegedly refused to engage in a meaningful way and to explain its reasoning behind adding the company to the list. On January 31, 2024, the DoD redesignated the company without notice, DJI wrote in its complaint. DJI alleged that the DoD only shared its full rationale for its designation after it informed the agency that it was going to "seek judicial relief."
The company claimed that the DoD's reasoning wasn't adequate to support its designation, that the agency confused people with common Chinese names and that it relied on "stale alleged facts and attenuated connections." DJI is now asking the court to declare the DoD's actions as unconstitutional, describing the Pentagon's designation and failure to remove it from the "Chinese military company" list a violation of the law and of its due-process rights.
DJI has long been at the crosshairs of various US government agencies. The Department of Commerce added it to its entity list in 2020, which prevented US companies from supplying it with parts without a license. A year later, it was added to the Treasury department's "Chinese military-industrial complex companies" list for its alleged involvement in the surveillance of Uyghur Muslim people in China. And just a few days ago, DJI confirmed that its latest consumer drones are being held at the border by US customs, which cited the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. The drone-maker denied that it has manufacturing facilities in Xinjiang, the region associated with forced Uyghur labor.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/general/dji-challenges-its-chinese-military-company-pentagon-designation-in-court-120036412.html?src=rss
You’ve probably heard of Microsoft OneNote, but did you know it can also serve as an ultimate project management tool? It’s a hidden gem within the Microsoft 365 suite that might just be the answer to your project management challenges. Intuitive and flexible like your favorite notebook, yet powerful enough to handle complex workflows and […]
In today’s world, we are extremely reliant on technology, we can’t survive without it, as frightening as that sounds. In such a time and age, we need innovative power solutions, that ensure our handy devices and gadgets are always charged. We need these devices to have a dependable energy supply, allowing us to stay connected with the world and productive. A new genre of power solutions has been created to meet this need – they are efficient, unique, and designed to cater to our modern living requirements. These innovative designs optimize energy usage and focus on convenience, portability, and sustainability. We have curated our top 5 innovative power solutions that will power your life with effectiveness and efficiency, ensuring your daily routine is seamless and empowered.
1. EcoFlow Power Hat
Designed by EcoFlow, this is the Power Hat. It is a sun hat with a USP! The sun-blocking rim of the hat is equipped with solar panels that don’t simply cut the glare, but also capture it and convert it into electrical power. The Power Hat was debuted at IFA 2024, and it is a unique accessory that will turn heads.
Why is it noteworthy?
When you look at the Power Hat, you may think it’s your everyday wide-brimmed hat, but the hat conceals a flexible solar panel that has been sown into the brim. This panel is designed to absorb sunlight, transforming it into usable power that charges your devices using a USB-C port that is tucked artfully in the inner band.
What we like
An excellent option for people who spend time outdoors such as hikers, campers, etc
What we dislike
The size is quite comically huge on the head and may be uncomfortable to wear
2. Mello
Say hello to Mello – the world’s sleekest high-performance charger! If you’re exhausted of traveling with bulky chargers and want to use the best tech, then you may want to get your hands on Mello. It can charge in over 200+ countries globally, including the US, UK, Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. The ultra-compact design lets you carry it wherever you like, but don’t be fooled by its minimal size, it packs a punch with its charging capabilities.
Why is it noteworthy?
The finest materials and top-notch technology were applied to create this sleek and luxurious charger. It provides 20 Watts GaN fast charging which is 3x faster than any standard charger. You can clip it onto your keychain with ease, or simply put it into your pocket as you travel.
What we like
Foldable and compact design
Compatible in 180+ countries
What we dislike
Pricier in comparison to other compact charging solutions
3. Solar Paper
Meet the one-of-a-kind Solar Paper! This is the world’s first solar power charger that can be easily placed inside your planner or notebook. The charger is paper thin, and also ultra lightweight. It can charge your smartphone in about 2.5 hours on a sunny day. You can also set up multiple panels using magnets to charge larger devices.
Why is it noteworthy?
Since it features a compact and lightweight form, it is great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. They can clip the charger to their backpack, and charge it while hiking or camping. You can also easily slip it into your jacket pocket or notebook. Many solar chargers need to shut down and manually reset, but the Solar Paper automatically resets itself.
What we like
Lightweight form that can be carried everywhere with you
You can expand it if you need to charge larger devices
What we dislike
Its usability is limited in places with cloud cover or frequent rainy days
4. MemKeeper
When you first look at the MemKeeper you may assume it is an ordinary phone charger, but it is truly quite unique. It uses cutting-edge GaN technology and can provide 65W of power, which is more than enough for most smartphones and some laptops. It features two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. It can charge three devices in one go in a 30W, 18W, and 18W combination.
Why is it noteworthy?
However, what makes MemKeeper unique is that it also doubles as a secure data storage solution. It automatically backs up the connected device’s data into its built-in storage, which is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities. When you charge your phone, rest assured that your smartphone’s data is safe and sound.
What we like
Stores data for up to 32 different devices
Only backs up authorized devices, so you can share the charger with friends
What we dislike
Doesn’t put out enough power when all ports are used simultaneously
5. Dino Charger
Say hello to the Dino Charger, which serves as more than just a typical charger. It may look typical, but it features a pill shape with one end chopped off, offering a flat surface for your smartphone. However, when your smartphone isn’t placed on it, you will see a small circular display, which functions as an interesting USP of the charger.
Why is it noteworthy?
The screen is the same size as a circular smartwatch, and it also functions as one. Even though it has small screen real estate, it showcases a few pieces of data through icons and images like the weather, battery levels, and the time. The screen also displays a Bitmoji or Apple Memoji. Most of the use of this function is left to the imagination.
What we like
Turns an ordinary charger into an exciting multi-functional charger
What we dislike
The screen is pretty much useless when a smartphone is placed on the charger
In today’s world, we are extremely reliant on technology, we can’t survive without it, as frightening as that sounds. In such a time and age, we need innovative power solutions, that ensure our handy devices and gadgets are always charged. We need these devices to have a dependable energy supply, allowing us to stay connected with the world and productive. A new genre of power solutions has been created to meet this need – they are efficient, unique, and designed to cater to our modern living requirements. These innovative designs optimize energy usage and focus on convenience, portability, and sustainability. We have curated our top 5 innovative power solutions that will power your life with effectiveness and efficiency, ensuring your daily routine is seamless and empowered.
1. EcoFlow Power Hat
Designed by EcoFlow, this is the Power Hat. It is a sun hat with a USP! The sun-blocking rim of the hat is equipped with solar panels that don’t simply cut the glare, but also capture it and convert it into electrical power. The Power Hat was debuted at IFA 2024, and it is a unique accessory that will turn heads.
Why is it noteworthy?
When you look at the Power Hat, you may think it’s your everyday wide-brimmed hat, but the hat conceals a flexible solar panel that has been sown into the brim. This panel is designed to absorb sunlight, transforming it into usable power that charges your devices using a USB-C port that is tucked artfully in the inner band.
What we like
An excellent option for people who spend time outdoors such as hikers, campers, etc
What we dislike
The size is quite comically huge on the head and may be uncomfortable to wear
2. Mello
Say hello to Mello – the world’s sleekest high-performance charger! If you’re exhausted of traveling with bulky chargers and want to use the best tech, then you may want to get your hands on Mello. It can charge in over 200+ countries globally, including the US, UK, Europe, South America, Australia and Asia. The ultra-compact design lets you carry it wherever you like, but don’t be fooled by its minimal size, it packs a punch with its charging capabilities.
Why is it noteworthy?
The finest materials and top-notch technology were applied to create this sleek and luxurious charger. It provides 20 Watts GaN fast charging which is 3x faster than any standard charger. You can clip it onto your keychain with ease, or simply put it into your pocket as you travel.
What we like
Foldable and compact design
Compatible in 180+ countries
What we dislike
Pricier in comparison to other compact charging solutions
3. Solar Paper
Meet the one-of-a-kind Solar Paper! This is the world’s first solar power charger that can be easily placed inside your planner or notebook. The charger is paper thin, and also ultra lightweight. It can charge your smartphone in about 2.5 hours on a sunny day. You can also set up multiple panels using magnets to charge larger devices.
Why is it noteworthy?
Since it features a compact and lightweight form, it is great for those who spend a lot of time outdoors. They can clip the charger to their backpack, and charge it while hiking or camping. You can also easily slip it into your jacket pocket or notebook. Many solar chargers need to shut down and manually reset, but the Solar Paper automatically resets itself.
What we like
Lightweight form that can be carried everywhere with you
You can expand it if you need to charge larger devices
What we dislike
Its usability is limited in places with cloud cover or frequent rainy days
4. MemKeeper
When you first look at the MemKeeper you may assume it is an ordinary phone charger, but it is truly quite unique. It uses cutting-edge GaN technology and can provide 65W of power, which is more than enough for most smartphones and some laptops. It features two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port. It can charge three devices in one go in a 30W, 18W, and 18W combination.
Why is it noteworthy?
However, what makes MemKeeper unique is that it also doubles as a secure data storage solution. It automatically backs up the connected device’s data into its built-in storage, which is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities. When you charge your phone, rest assured that your smartphone’s data is safe and sound.
What we like
Stores data for up to 32 different devices
Only backs up authorized devices, so you can share the charger with friends
What we dislike
Doesn’t put out enough power when all ports are used simultaneously
5. Dino Charger
Say hello to the Dino Charger, which serves as more than just a typical charger. It may look typical, but it features a pill shape with one end chopped off, offering a flat surface for your smartphone. However, when your smartphone isn’t placed on it, you will see a small circular display, which functions as an interesting USP of the charger.
Why is it noteworthy?
The screen is the same size as a circular smartwatch, and it also functions as one. Even though it has small screen real estate, it showcases a few pieces of data through icons and images like the weather, battery levels, and the time. The screen also displays a Bitmoji or Apple Memoji. Most of the use of this function is left to the imagination.
What we like
Turns an ordinary charger into an exciting multi-functional charger
What we dislike
The screen is pretty much useless when a smartphone is placed on the charger
Enhance your Android experience with a selection of free and open-source applications that prioritize privacy, functionality, and customization. These tools offer robust features without the intrusion of ads or data collection, ensuring a seamless and secure user experience. By leveraging these apps, you can take control of your digital life and enjoy a more efficient, […]
