London’s Newest Passenger-Centric Train Network Wins The 2024 RIBA Stirling Award

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London’s Elizabeth Line rail transport network was recently named the winner of the 2024 Stirling Prize by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). It is the UK’s most prestigious architecture award, and the rail transport network won it for its passenger-centric philosophy, and its incredible engineering achievement. It was initially called the Crossrail but was renamed in honor of the late Queen Elizabeth II. It was designed by Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation, and AtkinsRéalis. The line connects Reading and Heathrow to Essex and South East London. It holds around 700,000 passengers every weekday.

Designer: Grimshaw, Maynard, Equation, and AtkinsRéalis

The line includes almost 62 miles of track and 26 miles of tunnels. While constructing the line, a bunch of historical artifacts were discovered – ranging from a Tudor bowling bowl to a prehistoric wooly mammoth. Around 6 million tonnes of earth was dug out to make space for the tunnels. The enormous amount of earth was transported to Essex and repurposed to build a new natural reserve. Passengers have been offered easy access from one platform to another by incorporating curving fluid lines. These guide them to the different sections of the stations, while the lighting moves between cool and warm tones, to relax them, and reduce the stress of family commute. However, according to BBC, passengers have had issues with overcrowding, delays, and some injuries. The construction of the line is also pretty over budget.

“The Elizabeth Line is a triumph in architect-led collaboration, offering a flawless, efficient, beautifully choreographed solution to inner-city transport,” said Muyiwa Oki, RIBA President and Jury Chair. “It’s an uncluttered canvas that incorporates a slick suite of architectural components to create a consistent, line-wide identity – through which thousands of daily passengers navigate with ease. Descending into the colossal network of tunnels feels like entering a portal to the future, where the typical commuter chaos is transformed into an effortless experience. This is architecture of the digital age – a vast scheme that utilizes cutting-edge technology to create distinctive spatial characteristics and experiences. It rewrites the rules of accessible public transport, and sets a bold new standard for civic infrastructure, opening up the network and by extension, London, to everyone.”

The line was announced as the 28th annual winner of the RIBA Stirling Prize at a special ceremony in London on October 16th.

The post London’s Newest Passenger-Centric Train Network Wins The 2024 RIBA Stirling Award first appeared on Yanko Design.

Latest UN report demands ‘unprecedented’ emissions cuts to salvage climate goals

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The United Nations' Environmental Program has released a new report with yet more dire news about our odds of avoiding climate disaster caused by greenhouse gas emissions. According to this assessment, the current trajectory of international commitments will see the planet's temperature increasing 2.6 degrees Celsius or more over the course of this century. That amount of temperature change would lead to more catastrophic and life-threatening weather events.

UN members are due to submit their latest Nationally Determined Contributions ahead of the COP30 conference in Brazil next year. The NDCs lay out each country's plan for reduced greenhouse gas emissions. One part of the NDCs are to reach the goal set by the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and one part targets keeping global temperature increases to within a less ideal 2 degrees Celsius. While the report says it is technically possible to reach the Paris Agreement goal, much larger actions will be required to cut emissions by the necessary amount. 

"Increased deployment of solar photovoltaic technologies and wind energy could deliver 27 percent of the total emission reduction potential in 2030 and 38 percent in 2035," the report gives as an example of what's still needed. "Action on forests could deliver around 20 percent of the potential in both years."

"Every fraction of a degree avoided counts in terms of lives saved, economies protected, damages avoided, biodiversity conserved and the ability to rapidly bring down any temperature overshoot," UN Environment Program Executive Director Inger Andersen wrote in the report's forward.

International collaboration, government commitments and financial contributions will also be essential for getting back on track to either the 2-degree or 1.5-degree goals. "G20 nations, particularly the largest-emitting members, would need to do the heavy lifting," the report reads.

If all of this sounds familiar, that's probably because the UN has issued the same stark warnings in each of its annual reports on emissions for several years now. And other reports have echoed their calls, such as damning findings earlier this year that just 57 companies are responsible for 80 percent of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/latest-un-report-demands-unprecedented-emissions-cuts-to-salvage-climate-goals-223450262.html?src=rss

Apple’s Blazing Fast Performing M4 Macs Are Coming on October 28!

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Apple is shaking things up next week with a series of announcements centered around its Mac lineup. Forget the grand on-stage unveilings this time—Apple is keeping it low-key, relying on press releases and possibly a few polished pre-recorded videos. The first wave of these announcements kicks off on Monday, October 28, 2024, and it promises to be an important moment for the company’s Mac product line. Here’s what to expect as Apple gears up to roll out its latest upgrades.

Designer: Apple

What’s Happening Next Week

Apple’s new approach avoids flashy keynotes or packed theaters. Instead, this time, as reported by Mark Gurman with Bloomberg, Apple will let its products do the talking through a week of releases, beginning with updates about its Mac lineup.

Following these initial reveals, Apple will host a hands-on experience session in Los Angeles on October 30, as confirmed by Gurman. This event will give select media and creators an exclusive first look. The news will be distributed online beforehand, allowing fans to quickly learn about the latest Mac offerings.

M4 Takes the Spotlight

At the heart of Apple’s upcoming announcements is its new M4 chip, which debuted in the iPad Pro earlier this year. Now, it’s time for the Mac lineup to receive the same power boost.

The M4 chip is expected to find its way into several new Macs, including the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini. This integration marks a significant performance step forward for Apple’s desktop and laptop offerings, bringing the same efficiency and power seen in the latest iPad Pro to its Mac devices.

MacBook Pro: Power in 14 and 16-inches

Apple plans to introduce new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, each equipped with the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. These updates promise significant performance improvements, focusing on enhanced RAM capacity and additional Thunderbolt ports to support creative professionals and power users.

Visually, though, don’t expect any dramatic changes. These models appear to be focused on internal improvements rather than external redesigns. The emphasis is on delivering better multitasking capabilities and faster workflows for creative professionals who need that extra power.

iMac Refresh: Familiar Looks, New Guts

The 24-inch iMac is also in line for an upgrade, finally getting the M4 chip under the hood. The refresh could include improvements in RAM and CPU core counts.

However, no major design overhaul is expected here like the MacBook Pro. Expect Apple to stick with its current colorful aesthetic while improving what’s inside. The M4 chip will enhance the iMac’s ability to handle more intensive tasks, making it a solid choice for home and office users.

Mac mini: Smaller, Yet More Capable

Among the biggest shifts expected is a redesigned Mac mini. Apple seems ready to shake up this form factor, making it even more compact—rumors suggest a design inspired by the slim profile of an Apple TV.

The new Mac mini will get both the M4 and M4 Pro chips, and it’s likely to see some tweaks in port offerings, with more USB Type-C slots added to the mix. This redesign could make the Mac mini appealing for those looking for a powerful yet space-saving desktop solution.

How Does the M4 Compare to the M3?

The short answer is that the new Apple M4 chip performs significantly better than its predecessor, the M3 chip.

Performance Improvements

CPU Cores and Speed: The M4 chip features a 10-core CPU compared to the M3’s 8-core CPU. This increase in core count contributes to enhanced multitasking and better overall processing power. The M4 operates at a base frequency of 4.41 GHz, notably higher than the M3’s 4.05 GHz. This boost in clock speed means faster response times and improved efficiency, particularly in demanding applications.

Benchmark Scores: In Geekbench v6 tests, the M4 chip demonstrates a 27% increase in single-core performance and a 30.6% boost in multi-core performance compared to the M3. Specifically, the M4 scored 3864 in single-core and 15288 in multi-core tests, while the M3 scored 3048 and 11708, respectively. These gains are significant for users relying on raw processing power and effective multitasking capabilities.

Memory Bandwidth: The M4 chip supports quad-channel memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 120 GB/s, approximately 17% higher than the M3’s dual-channel support at 102.4 GB/s. This enhancement allows for quicker data access, which is particularly beneficial for tasks involving large datasets, video editing, and other high-bandwidth requirements.

GPU Performance: The integrated GPU in the M4 chip also delivers a significant upgrade, with a Metal score of 57603 compared to the M3’s 47414—indicating roughly a 20% improvement in graphics performance. This is particularly advantageous for graphics-intensive workflows, including video rendering, gaming, and creative applications.

Architectural Enhancements

Transistor Count: The M4 chip has 28 billion transistors, compared to the M3’s 25 billion. More transistors mean the M4 can manage more tasks simultaneously, resulting in smoother performance and better multitasking. This makes the M4 ideal for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and other creative work where efficiency is vital.

Fabrication Process: The M3 and M4 chips are made using a 3 nm process, but the M4 uses a second-generation version of this technology, which makes it slightly more efficient and powerful. The M4 also features ARMv9 architecture, while the M3 uses ARMv8. This updated architecture means the M4 can perform tasks faster, with less delay, and handle more complex workloads more easily.

Overall, the Apple M4 chip offers substantial upgrades over the M3, especially in processing speed, core count, memory bandwidth, and graphics performance. These improvements make it a powerful choice for users seeking enhanced performance for their creative and professional workflows.

What It Means for Apple’s Lineup

If you’re a MacBook Pro user, upgrading to the M4 Pro or M4 Max could mean a big boost in your daily workflow. Faster multitasking and a smoother experience overall are on the horizon. The new Mac mini, now even smaller but packed with more power, will be perfect for those who need a compact yet capable desktop. And for iMac fans, the new M4 chip means better performance without losing the classic look everyone loves.

Make sure to mark your calendar for October 28, and keep coming back for our coverage of all the exciting news. We’ll have everything you need as Apple reveals its latest updates.

The post Apple’s Blazing Fast Performing M4 Macs Are Coming on October 28! first appeared on Yanko Design.

Combining light and scent the MoodMist lamp personalizes environment based on user’s emotions

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Light and scents have an undeniable influence on our emotions and affect productivity. When you are in the office, you have numerous variables working in your favor. The general environment is created to increase productivity, peers work as positive reinforcement, lunch breaks foster bonding, and meetings help with real-time solutions to problems. All of this is generally lost when the office is shifted into your home with no one else but the virtual world to rely upon.

With the little play of lights and olfactory, you can create an environment in your home office that instills a feeling of happiness and warmth, while impacting the mood to enhance focus and productivity. This is where MoodMist, scented desk lamp, steps in. The appearance is pretty ordinary, but the functioning of this lamp is where the difference lies.

Designer: Semin Park

Bright light promotes alertness, cool colors encourage peace, warm hues evoke happiness, good smell can help process emotions and memories, while unpleasant smell can leave you feeling stressed and unproductive. The MoodMist combines light, scents, and a central camera and sensors to help those in the vicinity to focus better and perform productively while studying or working.

The lamp with the synergy of all its parts creates an environment in the room that’s tailored to an individual’s emotional state of mind. It emits soft, warm light and scent that matches the mood. The scents reside in the base of the lamps, which has two red balls (comprising camera and sensors) running up and down the metal body that connects the base with the lampshade on the top.

The adjustable sensors and camera modules detect the user’s emotional state and adjust the light and emit the requisite scent to match the state of mind in real-time. If the user is found distracted or tired, it releases focus-enhancing scents or if the adjustable camera and sensors detect the user it emotionally charged, the lamp releases calming scents. This helps the user to involuntarily return to a focused and productive state of mind.

The lamps come with multiple scents and lighting options customizable to a range of moods and emotions. The combination of the right smell and lighting helps a user to focus for longer periods. In addition to automated settings, the MoodMist also permits customization. It gives one the option to toggle between scents and lighting to create a personalized experience, if and when required.

 

The post Combining light and scent the MoodMist lamp personalizes environment based on user’s emotions first appeared on Yanko Design.

Good Omens’ final season will have only one episode

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There’s time for one more Armageddon for Amazon’s Good Omens but not much. Amazon Prime Video announced that Good Omens would return for one final season last year, but TVLine reports it’s only going to have one 90-minute episode that will begin filming in Scotland soon.

Amazon originally confirmed that author Neil Gaiman, who co-wrote the book upon which Good Omens is based with Discworld creator Terry Pratchett, will continue through the final season as the show’s executive producer, writer and showrunner. TVLine says Gaiman “contributed to the episode’s writing,” but “he will not work on the production.”

Gaiman has stepped out of the spotlight and away from several projects based on his works since his sexual assault allegations surfaced in July. The Tortoise Media podcast Master: The Allegations Against Neil Gaiman outlined the author’s alleged behavior with accounts from four women, one of whom signed a non-disclosure agreement. A fifth woman later stepped forward with similar accusations on the podcast. Gaiman denied the allegations and said he was “disturbed” by them, according to Rolling Stone.

The allegations paused pre-production for Good Omens’ third season. Gaiman also offered to step away from the show in September, according to Deadline.

Good Omens stars Michael Sheen as the angelic, fussy angel Aziraphale and David Tennant as the free-wheeling demon Crowley who formed an unlikely alliance to prevent the coming of the Antichrist and the fall of humankind. The dramatic comedy started as a limited series on Amazon’s streaming network in 2019 but the show’s popularity prompted a second season in 2020 with an expanded cast including Jon Hamm as the archangel Gabriel.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/entertainment/streaming/good-omens-final-season-will-have-only-one-episode-212956591.html?src=rss

Revolutionary Transparent Jacket Uses Infrared to Keep You Warm

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Down jackets are fantastic insulators. They trap the warmth and retain heat, keeping us warm even in extreme weather conditions. But downs have adverse effects on wildlife and are not manufactured in the most environmentally friendly manner. In fact, most of the textile industry is ridden with a high environmental footprint. It is waiting for material innovation to decrease the footprints and herald a viable new beginning.

It would be far-stretched to say, but Japanese manufacturer Sumitomo Metal Mining could have a transparent way forward in this possible future. The company has manufactured Solament – a material innovation that produces heat using infrared light conversion. The Down-Less Down Jacket by designer Kosuke Tsumura is the first project that brings the material’s translucent nature and functionality to the fore.

Designer: Kosuke Tsumura

Aptly named Solament, a combination word comprising “solar” and “element,” this is made of near-infrared ray absorbing nanoparticles. The material absorbs the rays present in sunlight and utilizes them to generate heat. Tsumura has used the material properties to create the down jacket silhouette that absorbs infrared light from sunlight and then generates heat through light conversion technology to keep the wearer warm.

Down-Less Down Jacket, as it is called, is like a puffer down jacket made from the translucent innovative material. According to the designer, the jacket provides warmth, comparable (if not better) to a traditional down jacket without using feathers. No animals hurt, no production footprints; such as apparel as this transparent down jacket can be the future of clean, conscious clothing.

Winner of the Red Dot Award: Design Concept for the year 2024, the Down-Less Down Jacket depicts well the material’s potential. Given its transparent nature, it can have many applications and industries it can influence. Sticking with the jacket at hand, the interesting wearable may for now appear directly out of a fashion show, but its benefits can certainly have a transforming effect on the apparel industry.

The post Revolutionary Transparent Jacket Uses Infrared to Keep You Warm first appeared on Yanko Design.

President Biden sets up new AI guardrails for military, intelligence agencies

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The White House issued its first national security memorandum outlining the use of artificial intelligence for the military and intelligence agencies. The White House also shared a shortened copy of the memo with the public.

The new memo sets up guidelines for military and intelligence agencies for using AI in its day-to-day operations. The memo sets a series of deadlines for agencies to study the applications and regulations of AI tools, most of which will lapse following President Biden’s term. The memo also aims to limit “the most dystopian possibilities, including the development of autonomous weapons,” according to the New York Times.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced the new directive today at the National Defense University as part of a talk on AI’s presence in government operations. Sullivan has been one of the President’s most vocal proponents for examining the benefits and risks of AI technology. He also raised concerns about China’s use of AI to control its population and spread misinformation and how the memo can spark conversations with other countries grappling with implementing its own AI strategies.

The memorandum establishes some hard edges for AI usage especially when it comes to weapons systems. The memo states that AI can never be used as a decision maker for launching nuclear weapons or assigning asylum status to immigrants coming to the US. It also prohibits AI from tracking anyone based on their race or religion or determining if a suspect is a known terrorist without human intervention.

The memo also lays out protections for private-sector AI advance as “national assets that need to be protected…from spying or theft by foreign adversaries,” according to the Times. The memorandum orders intelligence agencies to help private companies working on AI models secure their work and provide updated intelligence reports to project their AI assets.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/ai/president-biden-sets-up-new-ai-guardrails-for-military-intelligence-agencies-201752211.html?src=rss

iOS 18.2 has a child safety feature that can blur nude content and report it to Apple

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In iOS 18.2, Apple is adding a new feature that resurrects some of the intent behind its halted CSAM scanning plans — this time, without breaking end-to-end encryption or providing government backdoors. Rolling out first in Australia, the company’s expansion of its Communication Safety feature uses on-device machine learning to detect and blur nude content, adding warnings and requiring confirmation before users can proceed. If the child is under 13, they can’t continue without entering the device’s Screen Time passcode.

If the device’s onboard machine learning detects nude content, the feature automatically blurs the photo or video, displays a warning that the content may be sensitive and offers ways to get help. The choices include leaving the conversation or group thread, blocking the person and accessing online safety resources.

The feature also displays a message that reassures the child that it’s okay not to view the content or leave the chat. There’s also an option to message a parent or guardian. If the child is 13 or older, they can still confirm they want to continue after receiving those warnings — with a repeat of the reminders that it’s okay to opt out and that further help is available. According to The Guardian, it also includes an option to report the images and videos to Apple.

Two screens showing a new iPhone child safety feature.
Apple

The feature analyzes photos and videos on iPhone and iPad in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters (in the Phone or Contacts app) and FaceTime video messages. In addition, it will scan “some third-party apps” if the child selects a photo or video to share with them.

The supported apps vary slightly on other devices. On Mac, it scans messages and some third-party apps if users choose content to share through them. On the Apple Watch, it covers Messages, Contact Posters and FaceTime video messages. Finally, on Vision Pro, the feature scans Messages, AirDrop and some third-party apps (under the same conditions mentioned above).

The feature requires iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia or visionOS 2.

The Guardian reports that Apple plans to expand it globally after the Australia trial. The company likely chose the land Down Under for a specific reason: The country is set to roll out new regulations that require Big Tech to police child abuse and terror content. As part of the new rules, Australia agreed to add the clause that it was only mandated “where technically feasible,” omitting a requirement to break end-to-end encryption and compromise security. Companies will need to comply by the end of the year.

User privacy and security were at the heart of the controversy over Apple’s infamous attempt to police CSAM. In 2021, it prepared to adopt a system that would scan for images of online sexual abuse, which would then be sent to human reviewers. (It came as something of a shock after Apple’s history of standing up to the FBI over its attempts to unlock an iPhone belonging to a terrorist.) Privacy and security experts argued that the feature would open a backdoor for authoritarian regimes to spy on their citizens in situations without any exploitative material. The following year, Apple abandoned the feature, leading (indirectly) to the more balanced child-safety feature announced today.

Once it rolls out globally, you can activate the feature under Settings > Screen Time > Communication Safety, and toggle the option on. That section has been activated by default since iOS 17.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/cybersecurity/ios-182-has-a-child-safety-feature-that-can-blur-nude-content-and-report-it-to-apple-194614810.html?src=rss

Bluesky’s upcoming premium plan won’t give paid users special treatment

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Bluesky has revealed how it plans to start making money without necessarily having to rely on ads. The platform will remain free to use for everyone, though it’s working on a premium subscription that will provide access to profile customization tools (remember when Myspace offered that for free?) and higher quality video uploads.

One thing that you won't get as a paid user, though, is any preferential treatment. Unlike certain other social platforms, Bluesky won’t boost the visibility of premium members’ posts. Nor will they get any kind of blue check, according to chief operating officer Rose Wang.

In addition, Bluesky is planning a tip jar of sorts for creators. “We’re proud of our vibrant community of creators, including artists, writers, developers and more, and we want to establish a voluntary monetization path for them as well,” it said in a blog post. “Part of our plan includes building payment services for people to support their favorite creators and projects.” Bluesky will reveal more details down the line, though it’s not clear whether the platform plans to take a cut of any such payments.

Bluesky revealed its initial monetization plans in an announcement of its Series A funding round. It has raised $15 million from investors. Even though the lead investor in this round is Web3 VC company Blockchain Capital, Bluesky "will not hyperfinancialize the social experience (through tokens, crypto trading, NFTs, etc)."

"Bluesky is powered by a 20-person core team, moderators, and support agents," Wang wrote on Bluesky. "Our biggest costs are team and infrastructure. Subscription revenue helps us improve the app, grow the developer ecosystem and gives us time to explore business models beyond traditional ads."

The platform now has more than 13 million users, with many of those defecting from X following that service’s temporary ban in Brazil. (Analysts at Appfigures estimate that 3.6 million Bluesky app downloads came from Brazil, around 36 percent of the total figure.) Others made the switch after X made certain changes to its platform, including a revamp of how the block function operates.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/social-media/blueskys-upcoming-premium-plan-wont-give-paid-users-special-treatment-193800247.html?src=rss

Yooka-Laylee remaster rolling to all consoles, including Nintendo’s next system

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Playtonic Games’ ode to the 3D platformers of the ‘90s is coming to modern consoles. Yooka-Laylee is getting a remastered version called Yooka-Re-playee for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and “Nintendo platforms,” according to the press release. It’s possible the plural use of platform refers to the current-gen Nintendo Switch and Nintendo’s next console.

Yooka-Laylee is a spiritual successor of sorts to 3D platformers like Banjo-Kazooie and Spyro the Dragon. In fact, some of the people who worked on the original Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong Country helped bring Yooka-Laylee to life.

Playtonic funded the development of its launch title’s with a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2015 that raised more than £2 million. The game came out two years later for consoles, PC and Mac. Then in 2017, Playtonic Games released a sequel called Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair.

The remastered version comes with updated graphics, new enemies to pounce on and revised controls and camera views. The original score penned by Banjo-Kazooie’s Grant Kirkhope and Donkey Kong Country’s David Wise is also getting an update from a full orchestra.

Yooka-Laylee plays like an updated Banjo-Kazooie in a new, colorful, open world to explore. The titular duo are a chameleon and a bat fighting a ruthless CEO named Capital B who attempts to steal all the books in the world with a giant vacuum. Yooka and Laylee head to a world called Hivory Towers to stop Capital B from finding the “Pagies” of the One Book that can rewrite the universe.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/yooka-laylee-remaster-rolling-to-all-consoles-including-nintendos-next-system-192541702.html?src=rss