Monthly Archives: November 2024

Slide Out The Bed Of This Off-Grid Tiny Home For The Ultimate Stargazing Experience In Nature

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Ample was commissioned to design a lovely tiny home for the Australian tourism and events company Visit Victoria. They came up with a charming and quaint house called Stella the Stargazer. The name sounds pretty poetic, and the off-grid dwelling is quite cute too. It has a rather rustic and raw aesthetic, bringing to mind the image of a rural farm shack. But the interior is really quite comfortable, with a bed that can be pulled out to let you sleep under the stars!

It is based on a triple-axle trailer and features a length of 32 feet and a width of 7.8 feet. Old sections of steel were sourced from an abandoned farm shack in rural Penshurst, Victoria and they were used to build the home. Reclaimed corrugated iron and hardwood from the same site were utilized as well, giving the tiny home a shed-like aesthetic.

Designer: Ample

“To break away from the trailer footprint, we have incorporated fold-up corrugated eaves, large steel framed East-orientated glazing, and an operable gas strut window,” said Ample. “Through this primary aperture, our bed platform rolls out and cantilevers from the trailer base. This treehouse-like element is covered from above by the Kundig-esque window and protected from bugs by a mosquito net hung at points from the window frame.”

What makes the tiny home truly stand out is the wonderful stargazing bed! Visitors can raise the glazed wall, and pull out the bed manually, to create the most comfortable and mesmerizing under-the-stars experience. If the weather isn’t right, they can simply push the bed and stay inside.

As you enter the home through sliding glass doors and a deck area, you are welcomed into the kitchen. The kitchen includes a wood-burning stove that also serves as a hotplate, as well as a propane-powered stove, fridge, sink, and some shelving. Reclaimed hardwood and porthole-style windows were incorporated throughout the home, to add some interesting personality and character.

An operable window offers access to the deck area, allowing you to serve food and drinks. The tiny home also includes a dining table and a living room area with a sofa. A bathroom is placed behind the kitchen, and it also showcases a shed-inspired look. It features burnished steel, copper, and brass plumbing fittings.

The tiny home can run off the grid using a solar panel system and batteries. It also includes a generator that will work when needed. A rainwater collection system has also been integrated, as well as tanks to hold greywater and waste. Stella the Stargazer can be booked for around US$210 and moves around in different locations.

The post Slide Out The Bed Of This Off-Grid Tiny Home For The Ultimate Stargazing Experience In Nature first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Rogue Prince of Persia gets a big update with ‘The Second Act’

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The Rogue Prince of Persia, a modern reboot of the classic platformer published by Broderbund in 1989, is still in early access mode but it’s getting a bunch of new, cool-sounding stuff next week. Developer Evil Empire posted a blog on the game’s Steam page that includes information about the new update and premieres a new teaser trailer with some gameplay footage.

The Steam page says the update “effectively doubled the game’s content from launch.” “The Second Act” will include a second act and “tons of narrative polish for Act 1” and more biomes, bosses and enemies. The update will also add more “Quality of Life” features like multiple save slots and localization for German, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish players. The game’s protagonist will also look pretty different — RIP Prince of Purple.

The new update drops on November 21. The Rogue Prince of Persia was already slick and inventive, even in its infancy. It’s been updated quite a bit since its early access launch, but next week’s update is likely to be its largest. It’s shaping up to be a good mix of classic gameplay with new visuals and a modern “roguelite” gameplay loop as seen in other indies like Hades.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/the-rogue-prince-of-persia-gets-a-big-update-with-the-second-act-000515851.html?src=rss

Nike and Hasbro collaborate over Limited-Edition LeBron themed Monopoly Game

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Footwear icon Nike and the creators of the classic Monopoly game set, Hasbro, have come into a special collaboration to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the board game on November 19 with a limited-edition Monopoly game set themed after the basketball legend LeBron James. Dubbed LeBron 22, the game set is fine memorabilia for both sports and Monopoly fans across all age groups.

The board game, with a fresh twist, is not a solitary-themed item born out of this collaboration that no one saw coming. Anyway, comes along with exclusive LeBron sneakers inspired by the Monopoly’s design elements. The game set on the other hand comes with LeBron-themed playing pieces including rings, basketballs, sneakers, and jerseys that take the gameplay to the next level of fandom.

Designer: Nike x Hasbro

Hasbro x Nike Monopoly-themed speakers come in two distinct designs. The Currency and Token. While the first is inspired by the graphic approach of the money in the game of Monopoly, the latter is envisioned after the game tokens in luxurious blue and gold floral print. Both have their own journey and style but live up to the common goal of celebrating LeBron’s admirable gameplay and lifestyle, and Monopoly’s iconic status. The Currency colorway is ready to drop on November 15 with Token arriving on the 19th.

Aside from the release of the game of Monopoly and the thematic sneakers, Nike and Hasbro plan on bringing the LeBron 22 Monopoly Game Set to LeBron James’ House Three Thirty community center in Akron, OH, to celebrate Monopoly Day on November 19. Along with a life-size version of the game being hosted at LeBron’s I Promise School where sixth to eighth-grade students will have a chance to experience Monopoly in a brand-new avatar. The idea of the large game board is to promote financial literacy with interactive gameplay.

The post Nike and Hasbro collaborate over Limited-Edition LeBron themed Monopoly Game first appeared on Yanko Design.

The new Xbox ad campaign is confused about what an Xbox is

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These times are very trying and it’s understandable if someone goes a little off the deep end once in a while. Just like Norman Bates said in Psycho, “We all go a little mad sometimes.” However, a new Xbox ad campaign has us a little concerned.

Microsoft launched a new marketing campaign for its Xbox consoles and cloud gaming service called “This is an Xbox.” It features posters and commercials with a bunch of different objects like a laptop, a smartphone and a Meta Quest 3 that are all “an Xbox.”

We confirmed with a thorough fact check that all of those objects are not an Xbox. That may sound like overkill but when you live in a world where there’s a real chance that the goopy mass voiced by Tim Curry in FernGully might become Secretary of the Interior, we’re not taking any chances.

The commercial is even trippier. It zips between objects like a flat screen TV, an ROG Ally and a laptop while Black Sheep’s “The Choice is Yours” blasts in the background. This time though, it displays the simple sentence “This is an Xbox” with a secondary clause or imperative statement behind it. Is there some kind of malware virus in the AI software that runs our universe or something?

Microsoft, we know this is an ad campaign and that you don’t really believe these non-Xbox items are “an Xbox.” Of course, you want to talk up your cloud gaming service, which is available across all of the devices in the ads. But last I checked, I didn't need an expensive subscription to play games on a regular Xbox.

Also this is the internet, a gathering place for conspiracy weavers, liars and ne’er-do-wells. Reality is hard enough right now without having to debate the merit of what things are. This feels like the kind of stuff that Jobu would pull when she finished decorating the bagel in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Microsoft, do you need help? Don't be afraid to ask.
Microsoft

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/xbox/the-new-xbox-ad-campaign-is-confused-about-what-an-xbox-is-231013374.html?src=rss

The EU publishes the first draft of regulatory guidance for general purpose AI models

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On Thursday, the European Union published its first draft of a Code of Practice for general purpose AI (GPAI) models. The document, which won’t be finalized until May, lays out guidelines for managing risks — and giving companies a blueprint to comply and avoid hefty penalties. The EU’s AI Act came into force on August 1, but it left room to nail down the specifics of GPAI regulations down the road. This draft (via TechCrunch) is the first attempt to clarify what’s expected of those more advanced models, giving stakeholders time to submit feedback and refine them before they kick in.

GPAIs are those trained with a total computing power of over 10²⁵ FLOPs. Companies expected to fall under the EU’s guidelines include OpenAI, Google, Meta, Anthropic and Mistral. But that list could grow.

The document addresses several core areas for GPAI makers: transparency, copyright compliance, risk assessment and technical / governance risk mitigation. This 36-page draft covers a lot of ground (and will likely balloon much more before it’s finalized), but several highlights stand out.

The code emphasizes transparency in AI development and requires AI companies to provide information about the web crawlers they used to train their models — a key concern for copyright holders and creators. The risk assessment section aims to prevent cyber offenses, widespread discrimination and loss of control over AI (the “it’s gone rogue” sentient moment in a million bad sci-fi movies).

AI makers are expected to adopt a Safety and Security Framework (SSF) to break down their risk management policies and mitigate them proportionately to their systemic risks. The rules also cover technical areas like protecting model data, providing failsafe access controls and continually reassessing their effectiveness. Finally, the governance section strives for accountability within the companies themselves, requiring ongoing risk assessment and bringing in outside experts where needed.

Like the EU’s other tech-related regulations, companies that run afoul of the AI Act can expect steep penalties. They can be fined up to €35 million (currently $36.8 million) or up to seven percent of their global annual profits, whichever is higher.

Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback through the dedicated Futurium platform by November 28 to help refine the next draft. The rules are expected to be finalized by May 1, 2025.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/the-eu-publishes-the-first-draft-of-regulatory-guidance-for-general-purpose-ai-models-223447394.html?src=rss

Here’s a fresh look at the Half-Life 2 RTX remaster

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We initially heard about a team modding an RTX remaster of Half-Life 2 last August. Today, NVIDIA released a trailer giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at Orbifold Studios' efforts to apply more modern graphics tools to the iconic title. The video highlights the RTX Remix engine and how the team is using it to make visual upgrades to a game with an engine two decades old. They have examples of how they're creating more dynamic light sources, volumetric fog in moody areas, and full 3D detail on the objects in the environment.

The crew at Orbifold still doesn't have a release date for their work, but as the 20th anniversary for Half-Life 2 approaches on November 16, it's possible that there may be something official in the works from Valve. No, not Half-Life 3. But YouTuber and veteran Valve reporter Tyler McVicker noticed that there is a new, password-protected branch of the game in Steam. Just based on the number of new test builds that have been pushed out on that branch, the new update seems more involved than the one the company released to mark the 25th anniversary of Half-Life 1 last year. So if you're itching to pick up the gravity gun again, this weekend might be the time to do it.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/heres-a-fresh-look-at-the-half-life-2-rtx-remaster-221321847.html?src=rss

iPhone 17 Pro Max Concept showcases a MAJOR change to the Camera Layout

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It’s been a while since the Pro line of the iPhone’s seen any significant change. In fact, the 14, 15, and 16 Pro all look fairly identical, with the same 3-lens camera bump at the back, and the dynamic island on the front. It’s time the iPhone 17 Pro showcased a new aesthetic, and this concept does that. The first-ever iPhone to have FOUR main cameras, this bad-boy locks horns with the Galaxy S24 Ultra in the photography department. As a result of this addition, the camera layout sees its biggest change in years (ever since the iPhone 11 Pro), hinting at a new era for the Apple smartphone’s Pro line.

Designer: ADR Studio

This iPhone 17 Pro Max concept comes from the mind of Antonio de Rosa, an established concept artist who’s worked on a few remarkable concepts before (like these Jobs-inspired AR glasses). Built around the rumor of an ‘iPhone Slim’ that made its way around this year, the iPhone 17 Pro Max ushers an age of ‘Thinnovation’, where the smart device offers a sleek, no-compromise experience.

Given it’s a part of the iPhone’s Pro line, the 17 Pro Max concept has a titanium frame (with a glass back that supports wireless charging). It comes in 5 colors, has USB-C charging (obviously), and measures a mere o.7 centimeters thick, even with the camera bump… making it venture into iPad Pro thinness territory.

The most notable change in this phone’s design comes in the form of its main camera layout. Deviating from the triple-lens-in-a-square-bump setup that the iPhone has religiously stuck to for years, this one feels… well, different. It’s asymmetric, which sort of feels like an absolute non-starter since Apple has a blood-bond with symmetry in their designs.

Regardless of that oversight, this camera setup includes a dual-lens array on the extreme left, followed by a 7X telephoto mammoth of a lens right beside it. Below that, lies a small Macro camera that powers the iPhone’s Super Macro vision, and the flashlight. Look a little carefully between the two left-hand cameras and you’ll see a LiDAR sensor hiding in plain sight too.

ADR Studio dubs the screen as the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s ‘Ultra Retina’ display, capable of better clarity and higher brightness than its predecessors. Although not fairly noticeable, the screen also comes with a much smaller dynamic island that houses all the FaceID tech and the front-facing camera in a 15% smaller piece of real estate.

The Action Button finds a place on the 17 Pro Max, following its announcement this year. ADR Studio envisions the camera will also have AI features built into it, following Apple’s rollout of Apple Intelligence this year. All this gets powered by the A19 Pro chip, designed to take Apple Intelligence to the next logical step.

ADR Studio’s iPhone 17 Pro Max is merely a concept for now (I’m not sure if we even have any credible rumors to work with this early), and chances are we’ll get a clearer picture just before WWDC next year. Personally, the phone seems wonderfully designed (that YouTube snippet is produced remarkably well, using AI image and video clips) and the feature quilt (below) detailed fairly well. It’s just the camera bump for me. Maybe a more symmetric bump would be much more in line with Apple’s design philosophy.

For now, we’re waiting for the new iPhone SE to drop. Rumor has it the phone will be announced sometime in January, probably with newer AirPods, HomePods, and hopefully an M4 MacBook Air. The iPhone SE will allegedly be the most affordable iPhone to have Apple Intelligence built in.

The post iPhone 17 Pro Max Concept showcases a MAJOR change to the Camera Layout first appeared on Yanko Design.

Google will stop serving political ads in the EU, including on YouTube

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Google will stop serving political advertisements in the European Union. The decision, announced in The Keyword blog, is in response to an upcoming new rule for the bloc that "introduces significant new operational challenges and legal uncertainties for political advertisers and platforms." The company says the Regulation on Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising has an overly broad definition for political advertising and raised concerns that technical guidance around the policy may not be given until close to October 2025, when the rules will take effect.

In addition to no longer serving that ad content ahead of next October, Google said that paid political advertisements will also not be allowed on YouTube in the EU. The company said that similar regulations have already led it to stop serving political ads in Canada, France and Brazil.

Google's advertising and ad tech have been subjected to scrutiny by the European government in recent years. The company faced (but ultimately avoided) fines for "abusive" advertising practices in 2019, and last year was hit with antitrust accusations. And Google has also engaged in other eyebrow-raising behavior in the bloc. Just yesterday, the company began what it called a "small, time-limited test" to omit results from EU-based news publishers in search, Google News and the Discover feed.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/google-will-stop-serving-political-ads-in-the-eu-including-on-youtube-210604043.html?src=rss

ADL report finds Steam is ‘rife’ with racist posts and images

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Valve’s Steam store is more than just a place to buy computer games online. It’s an active community of gamers. Unfortunately, a sizable portion of those gamers are posting an “unprecedented” amount of hateful, racist and anti-Semetic content on the gaming site’s cyber social gathering place Steam Community, according to a report from the Anti-Defamation League.

The organization found 1.83 million unique pieces of “extremist or hateful content” from 1.5 million unique users in 73,824 groups. The content included “explicitly anti-Semitic symbols” and “tens of thousands of instances” of users showing support for foreign terrorist groups. The online gaming community even included an alarming number of “copypastas,” more than half of which were variations of Nazi swastikas.

The Anti-Defamation League found an alarming number of images containing references to neo-Nazis on Steam Community
ADL

The report also found a “significant number” of Steam avatars with hateful symbols. Investigators uncovered 827,758 users with extremist or racist-signaling avatar images including the cartoon character Pepe the Frog in Nazi regalia or adorned with stereotypical tropes and looks, swastikas, the white supremacist skull or “siege” mask and the Nazi Eagle. Another 15,129 avatars contained images of flags, emblems or logos of terrorist groups, the majority of which referred to the jihadist group ISIS.

The ADL even uncovered images that “glorify violent extremists” and violent hate crimes. The report found references to and stills from tragedies like the 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand shooting and the stabbing of five people in Eskisehir, Turkey committed by an 18 year old wearing neo-Nazi imagery.

Even the “Collections” and “Mods” community on the gamer gathering site contained hundreds of mods that contained hateful imagery. An unidentified user named after the Christchurch shooter Brian Tarrant took the Valve physics sandbox game Garry’s Mod and made the “Australian S**poster collection.” The user recreated Tarrant’s body armor look and posted screenshots implying the character is killing Muslims just as Tarrant did in 2019.

The images the Anti-Defamation League found on Steam Community included references to foreign terrorist groups like ISIS.
ADL

Other users utilized the Garry’s Mod game to create maps that also celebrated tragedies like the Columbine High School shooting and the Tops supermarket white supremacist shooting in Buffalo. The maps inspired even more racist comments and reactions such as “make synagogue next” and “remember labs, subscribe to PewDiePie,” a chilling reference to a comment Tarrant made on a livestream just before he committed his shooting.

The ADL accused Valve, Steam's owner, of not taking enough action to remove or curb the use of these images in its communities. The report claims Valve has a “highly permissive approach to content policy” and only took action “in rare notable cases.”

“Steam has selectively removed extremist content, largely based around extremist groups publicized in reporting or in response to government pressure,” the ADL report says. “However, this has been largely ad hoc, with Valve failing to systematically address the issue of extremism and hate on the platform.”

We’ve reached out to Valve for a comment on the ADL’s report.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/adl-report-finds-steam-is-rife-with-racist-posts-and-images-203934592.html?src=rss

Best Japanese Candle for Transforming Your Space and Your Mood

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While many candles offer a fleeting glow, few can turn their gentle warmth into an enchanting transformation. Enter the Chouchin Candle, a pillar candle that redefines the art of candlelight by becoming a traditional Japanese “Chouchin” lantern as it burns. What begins as a simple flame evolves into an intricate dance of soft light and elegant form.

Thanks to innovative wax technology developed by Pegasus Candle Co. Ltd, the Chouchin Candle mesmerizes while merging practicality and tradition. No dishes, no mess—just the magic of soft, ambient light for hours on end.

Designer: James Kaoru Bury

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

The Problem: Conventional Candles Are Messy and Mundane

Candles have long symbolized warmth and peace, but most come with their share of issues. The wax often melts unevenly, drips messily, and demands a dish or tray to protect your table. Worse, their glow can be fleeting and uninspired, failing to transform a space into something special.

Even decorative candles frequently disappoint, burning out quickly or melting into unremarkable shapes. While lighting a candle can be calming, managing its aftermath can feel anything but. That’s where the mess-free Chouchin Candle truly shines—both literally and figuratively.

Why is this the Best Japanese Candle?

The Chouchin Candle isn’t just about wax and flame; it’s about creating a journey. At first light, it appears as an elegant pillar candle. Over time, its true form emerges as the interior wax melts and the outer shell stays perfectly intact, transforming into a traditional Chouchin lantern—a symbol of warmth, guidance, and protection in Japanese culture, historically used to illuminate paths and celebrations. This captivating transformation blends tradition with modern elegance, brought to life through patented wax technology from Pegasus Candle Co. Ltd. By using different wax types, the exterior remains firm while the interior melts, diffusing a soft, magical glow.

Beyond aesthetics, this candle is built for everyday practicality. Unlike typical candles that require a dish to catch dripping wax, the Chouchin Candle’s non-melting outer layer ensures no wax escapes. It can be placed anywhere—no accessories needed. With a 70-hour burn time, it’s as long-lasting as it is beautiful, providing months of gentle light when used a few hours each day.

Who is this Ambient Candle For?

Whether you are a design aficionado or someone seeking a calming ritual before bedtime, the Chouchin Candle elevates your experience. Crafted by Japanese artisans, it blends traditional aesthetics with modern functionality. The light dances through its unique pattern, casting serene reflections that create a truly relaxing atmosphere.

Its minimalistic design complements any interior style, bringing a touch of Japan to homes around the world. Imagine unwinding in a softly lit room, the flickering glow enhancing your surroundings and soothing your senses. Dimming lights before bed is known to improve sleep quality, so why not make the most of your nighttime routine with this one-of-a-kind candle?

Simple, timeless, and innovative, the Chouchin Candle transforms not just wax but your entire space, making every moment a little more special.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

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