Tag Archives: performance

Beyond Gaming: Transforming Video Games into Performance Art through Live Audiences

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TOver the weekend, I, along with around 70 others, spent more than eight hours in a theater playing a video game focused on donkeys, reincarnation, and organized labor. Political, unpredictable, and brimming with donkey puns, Asses.Masses is a rather basic video game crafted by Canadian artists Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim alongside a small group of collaborators. However, the theater environment, surrounded by fellow players shouting suggestions and opinions, transforms it into a collective performance art piece.

Here’s the setup: a controller rests on a pedestal in front of a massive projected screen. Inside the seats: the audience. Anyone who wishes can stand up and take charge, embodying the crowd. The game kicks off with a series of questions, mainly concerning donkeys, some in various languages. It becomes evident that collaboration is essential for answering the questions accurately. Our group included some Spanish speakers and another who had insight into engineering. I surprisingly knew that female donkeys were referred to as genets.

This aspect makes games a collective endeavor. Typically, just one person holds the controller, but everyone contributes as they guide a team of donkeys on a long, surprising, and increasingly surreal journey to reclaim jobs taken by obsolete farm machinery.

Everyone participates as you guide a group of donkeys on a long and surreal mission… Asses.Masses. Photo: Patrick Blenkarn + Milton Lim

Within the span of 10 chapters (thankfully interspersed with meals and frequent breaks), we controlled a variety of humorously named donkeys, contemplated collective action, industrialization, and labor politics, debated actions and dialogue, and laughed a lot on the cheekier side. Without revealing too much, the show’s content warning gives a good glimpse of what to expect: it includes violence, strong language, simulated sexual situations (both donkey and human), police brutality, and even references to drug use and suicide. I was amused to learn that this Glasgow performance ignited a minor moral uproar from a group named ‘Parents Watch Education’, featuring coverage from the Daily Record under the title ‘Parents slam teen show featuring simulated donkey sex, murder and drugs‘ (The show is recommended for ages 14 and up and notably prioritizes humor over realism.)

Asses.Masses is a thought-provoking game with multiple innovative ways to engage. I must admit it was quite an endurance test. I had to bend down for a bit halfway through to rest. It’s been years since I sat down and played a video game for eight hours straight. Thankfully, I had a more physically fit friend with me who compensated for my breaks by taking over the controller for the final chapter. At one point, feeling overwhelmed by the audience’s varying opinions, I put down the controller, placed my hands on my head, and quietly empathized with all the union and labor organizers who have had to herd and prioritize the voices of their own passionate members.

This game could have utilized the concept of group dynamics more effectively. I suspect very few of our collective decisions truly made sense. In reality, we mostly observed someone else play rather than actively participating, akin to a Twitch live stream. Theater enthusiasts tend to get really excited about incorporating video game elements into performances, leaving me to ponder if they’re less familiar with the mass participation and engagement that video games offer during multiplayer, streaming, or interactive online conversations.

An intriguing game and a true test of endurance… Asses.Masses crowd. Photo: Undefined/Patrick Blenkarn + Milton Lim

I found myself wanting to invite friends over to use the controller all day, reminiscent of my early 20s. A friend recalled a video game book club he used to host. There, we’d gather as a group of six playing games like “What Happened at the Finch House” (which prompted plenty of laughter). While Asses.Masses is explicitly designed for group engagement, there are numerous other short, thought-provoking games that could also be adapted to this format, possibly evoking interesting reactions from audiences. Given the number of players joining Twitch, I suspect there’s a considerable appetite for such experiences.

As I stumbled out of the theater into the rainy Glasgow night, I felt a real sense of camaraderie with the few audience members I was with. Typically, when I finish a game, I’m alone in my living room in the middle of the night while my family sleeps, without anyone to discuss it with. This time, we debriefed as a collective, reminding ourselves of the necessity of human interaction in creating engaging dynamics in our games.

evaluation.Mass is to Global tour until September 2026

what to play

Spooky but not overly frightening… Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival. Photo: Adam Robinson Yu

Here are two spooky (but not overly scary, since I’m a bit of a wuss) selections for Halloween week. First up: The Séance of Blake Manor. This is a folk horror detective game that Keith enjoyed. It features a collection of quirky characters gathering at a Gothic hotel for a séance on All Hallows’ Eve. The second choice is the Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival, an annual, limited-time virtual Halloween celebration initially created as a lockdown alternative to in-person gatherings. You can create your own sheet ghost with a face, carve virtual pumpkins, step into a spooky microworld, and showcase it to other players. There’s plenty to explore from hayrides to spooky cinemas to haunted house escape rooms. It will be available for about a week following Halloween, and you can check it out the next day at itch.io on a pay-what-you-want basis.

Available: computer
Estimated play time: 15-20 hours (Blake Manor seance); 2 hours (Ghost Town Pumpkin Festival)

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what to read

A remake of Halo: Combat Evolved will launch on PlayStation next year. Photo: Microsoft

  • Last week’s biggest news was that Microsoft is bringing Halo to PlayStation, a notion unimaginable a few years back. Specifically, it’s a remake of the classic (and it’s awesome, don’t challenge me on this) Halo: Combat Evolved, set to release across all platforms next year. Xbox executives argue that console-exclusive games are becoming antiquated, as Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra pointed out: “Please inform that to Nintendo.”

  • A report from Business Insider highlights how EA’s leadership has urged employees to utilize in-house AI for “just about everything,” ranging from coding to marketing conversations. Some workers voiced apprehension about essentially being paid to train their future replacements while simultaneously creating more work to rectify the AI’s errors.

  • Following collaborations spanning everything from K-Pop Demon Hunter to Daft Punk, the next major Fortnite crossover has been revealed: The Simpsons, featuring the entire Springfield map and character skins. It is set to launch on Saturday.

What to click

question block

The greater the pain, the greater the gain…baby steps. Photo: Devolver Digital

This week’s leading question comes from Emily:

“I read your article about the game baby steps and it was very similar to Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. It’s often challenging and requires players to start from scratch, which can be frustrating but also fascinating. What are some games that are purposely difficult yet still enjoyable to play?”

Emily, you’ve made a sharp observation here, as Bennett Foddy is one of the three main developers (and voice actors) of baby steps, extending his philosophy of crafting games that elicit groans of self-pity. (This is an interesting story where he discusses suffering and games.) Foddy’s work serves as a masterclass in this realm, especially since the ’90s, where games have been designed to minimize suffering and streamline experiences for players, removing something crucial that makes them engaging.

I often indulge in games that test my patience, and thanks to Foddy’s influence, I can now comprehend why. The more painful the experience, the greater the satisfaction (and the lesser the boredom – my personal torment). The standout titles include the aforementioned baby steps, Dark Souls/FromSoftware canon (excluding SEKIRO, which genuinely frustrated me), Cuphead, Super Meat Boy, Return, and of course, Hollow Knight: Silk Song, which will definitely be out soon.

If you have any questions for the question block or anything else you’d like to address in the newsletter, feel free to reply or email us at pushbuttons@theguardian.com.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Google Celebrates Breakthrough: Quantum Computer Exceeds Supercomputer Performance

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Google has announced a significant breakthrough in quantum computing, having developed an algorithm capable of performing tasks that traditional computers cannot achieve.

This algorithm, which serves as a set of instructions for guiding the operations of a quantum computer, has the ability to determine molecular structures, laying groundwork for potential breakthroughs in areas like medicine and materials science.

However, Google recognizes that the practical application of quantum computers is still several years away.

“This marks the first occasion in history when a quantum computer has successfully performed a verifiable algorithm that surpasses the power of a supercomputer,” Google stated in a blog post. “This repeatable, beyond-classical computation establishes the foundation for scalable verification and moves quantum computers closer to practical utilization.”

Michel Devore, Google’s chief scientist for quantum AI, who recently received the Nobel Prize in Physics, remarked that this announcement represents yet another milestone in quantum developments. “This is a further advancement towards full-scale quantum computing,” he noted.

The algorithmic advancement, allowing quantum computers to function 13,000 times faster than classical counterparts, is documented in a peer-reviewed article published in the journal Nature.

One expert cautioned that while Google’s accomplishments are impressive, they revolve around a specific scientific challenge and may not translate to significant real-world benefits. Results for two molecules were validated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), akin to MRI technology, yielding insights not typically provided by NMR.

Winfried Hensinger, a professor of quantum technology at the University of Sussex, mentioned that Google has achieved “quantum superiority”, indicating that researchers have utilized quantum computers for tasks unattainable by classical systems.

Nevertheless, fully fault-tolerant quantum computers—which could undertake some of the most exciting tasks in science—are still far from realization, as they would necessitate machines capable of hosting hundreds of thousands of qubits (the basic unit of information in quantum computing).

“It’s crucial to recognize that the task achieved by Google isn’t as groundbreaking as some world-changing applications anticipated from quantum computing,” Hensinger added. “However, it represents another compelling piece of evidence that quantum computers are steadily gaining power.”

A truly capable quantum computer able to address a variety of challenges would require millions of qubits, but current quantum hardware struggles to manage the inherent instability of qubits.

“Many of the most intriguing quantum computers being discussed necessitate millions or even billions of qubits,” Hensinger explained. “Achieving this is even more challenging with the type of hardware utilized by the authors of the Google paper, which demands cooling to extremely low temperatures.”

Hartmut Neven, Google’s vice president of engineering, stated that quantum computers may be five years away from practical application, despite advances in an algorithm referred to as Quantum Echo.

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“We remain hopeful that within five years, Quantum Echo will enable real-world applications that are solely feasible with quantum computers,” he said.

As a leading AI company, Google also asserts that quantum computers can generate unique data capable of enhancing AI models, thereby increasing their effectiveness.

Traditional computers represent information in bits (denoted by 0 or 1) and send them as electrical signals. Text messages, emails, and even Netflix movies streamed on smartphones consist of these bits.

Contrarily, information in a quantum computer is represented by qubits. Found within compact chips, these qubits are particles like electrons or photons that can exist in multiple states simultaneously—a concept known as superposition in quantum physics.

This characteristic enables qubits to concurrently encode various combinations of 1s and 0s, allowing computation of vast numbers of different outcomes, an impossibility for classical computers. Nonetheless, maintaining this state requires a strictly controlled environment, free from electromagnetic interference, as disturbances can easily disrupt qubits.

Progress by companies like Google has led to calls for governments and industries to implement quantum-proof cryptography, as cybersecurity experts caution that these advancements have the potential to undermine sophisticated encryption.

Source: www.theguardian.com

The Truth About Sports Supplements: Performance Enhancer or Just a Placebo?

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This summer, tart cherry juice emerged as a popular choice during the Tour de France. Cyclists engaged in the three-week race throughout July were frequently seen taking supplements at the end of their daily rides.

In other sports, soccer players and tennis athletes have been noted for using pickle juice, while competitors from various events have turned to baking soda gels. These are just the latest wave of sports supplements capturing the spotlight. Yet, what benefits do they truly offer athletes?

Which supplements actually work?

Athletes across all levels frequently use supplements for a myriad of reasons. Professionals may rely on them to obtain high doses of essential nutrients in concentrated forms to support the substantial energy demands of endurance events.

For instance, creatine, a substance naturally produced in the body and found in protein-rich foods like meat, serves as a quick source of muscle energy. Some research indicates that athletes can take up to 20g of creatine daily to sustain their body’s reserves—equivalent to consuming about 4kg (8 pounds) of steak.

“In that sense, it should be taken as a supplement, as eating that much meat is quite impractical,” states Dr. Stephen Bailey, an expert in exercise physiology at Loughborough University in the UK.

Supplements can also enhance athletic performance. Bailey asserts that while athletes should prioritize nutritious diets, hydration, and optimized training, supplements can offer that extra edge when everything else is in place.

“In elite sports, the difference between winning and losing is often very slim,” he remarks. “If you’re excelling in every other area and seeking that slight improvement, [supplements] can potentially yield significant performance gains.”

Ketone drinks are becoming increasingly popular among elite endurance athletes aiming to gain a competitive edge. As the body converts fat to energy during prolonged exercise, it generates molecules called ketones, which serve as an alternative fuel source for muscles and the brain, alongside glucose, the body’s primary energy source.

“Ketones are there to supplement glucose levels,” explains Professor Kieran Clark, a biochemist at Oxford University.

Clark and her team developed a ketone drink that has been shown to allow professional cyclists to ride an additional 400m (1,300 feet) over an average span of 30 minutes compared to those consuming energy drinks rich in carbohydrates and fats.

Additionally, ketones may enhance cognitive function. At the end of a long day, Tour de France riders may struggle with strategic thinking due to low glucose levels.

“This is where [ketone drinks] can be particularly beneficial,” Clark notes.

Sports supplements may also aid in recovery post-competition. For instance, tart cherry juice exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.

“It’s an effective method for managing post-exercise inflammation,” Bailey states. “This could help alleviate pain.”

Challenges

Despite their potential benefits, a major issue with sports supplements is determining their effectiveness. While the market is saturated with various claims, many products lack rigorous testing.

“There’s significant financial motivation within the nutritional supplement industry,” notes Floris Wardenard, an associate professor of sports nutrition at Arizona State University. “Starting a supplement business is quite straightforward; nearly anyone can create a product without the necessary expertise.”

Even studies may be conducted on lab muscle cells, but not necessarily on human subjects.

A consensus statement from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2018 identified just five supplements: caffeine, creatine, nitrate, beta-alanine, and sodium bicarbonate as supported for athletic performance. These were the only supplements backed by solid evidence demonstrating performance enhancement in specific scenarios.

The components in supplements are not always transparent – Photo credit: Getty

Beyond concerns regarding effectiveness, the risk of contamination presents another challenge. Although supplements are treated as food in the UK, regulating their contents can be difficult (in the US, they face even less stringent regulations).

Consequently, impurities can be inadvertently introduced during manufacturing, and analyses of supplements have revealed banned substances like anabolic steroids in 14-15% of tested samples.

Athletes typically consume multiple supplements, increasing the risk of contamination. Even small quantities of banned substances across different products could accumulate, potentially resulting in positive doping tests and subsequent disqualifications.

“Utilizing a third-party testing organization is advisable to ensure that a supplement truly contains what an athlete is seeking as indicated on its label,” he advises.

Evolving Landscape

The question of whether certain substances in sports supplements should be banned remains ambiguous. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), an independent international organization designed to combat doping in sports, prohibits substances meeting two of the following three criteria:

  • Enhance sports performance
  • Pose genuine health risks to athletes
  • Contradict the principles of fair play

This list is reviewed annually to adapt to substances that are becoming more prevalent and potentially misused.

For example, caffeine was previously included on the WADA Prohibited List, but in 2004, its usage was reinstated for several reasons, including the view that its performance benefits were minimal and its widespread presence in food and beverages made regulation challenging.

Additionally, understanding how supplements affect athletes can be complex, as reactions differ among individuals. For instance, some may feel the effects of caffeine after one cup, while others require two or three.

Bailey highlights that the issue of personalized supplementation is gaining traction. Genetic testing techniques are being employed to examine how athletes’ genetic profiles influence their responses to nutrients and other dietary components.

Gender considerations are now influencing supplement recommendations. For example, varying amounts of carbohydrates and proteins are suggested for male and female athletes, along with inquiries into whether women require different supplements at various phases of their menstrual cycle or if the effects of contraceptives should be addressed.

As new formulations continue to emerge, athletes may increasingly benefit from improved supplement options. For instance, sodium bicarbonate (essentially baking soda) is commonly used to counteract lactic acid buildup, which causes fatigue during intense exercise. However, it can lead to gastrointestinal distress, including nausea and diarrhea. Many companies have started producing hydrogels that release baking soda more evenly throughout the gastrointestinal tract to mitigate this.

“Innovations in food technology are ongoing,” Bailey observes. “Sodium bicarbonate is currently prominent in elite cycling, and further research is needed to better understand its implications.”

Source: www.sciencefocus.com

A Four-Day Workweek Could Boost Your Health and Job Performance

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Reduced commuting days appear to reflect some workers’ sentiments

2024 Getty Images

Shifting to a four-day workweek without impacting salaries seems to enhance employee wellness and job satisfaction.

The Covid-19 pandemic changed workforce dynamics. With a transition to remote or hybrid work environments, some companies have adopted a four-day work schedule while maintaining pay.

To explore these changes, Wenfang from Boston College, Massachusetts, and her colleagues examined data from 141 companies across the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland that took part in a pilot initiative by the nonprofit 4 Day Global.

Prior to the trial, companies collaborated with external consultants to streamline their workflows and eliminate inefficiencies like unnecessary meetings.

After a six-month program, researchers compared self-reported productivity, health, and job satisfaction from approximately 3,000 employees at participating companies against 12 workers who were involved but opposed the trial.

Employees at companies that adopted a four-day work week reported lower rates of burnout and higher job satisfaction, alongside improvements in overall mental and physical health. These benefits were linked to better sleep quality, reduced fatigue, and enhanced work performance.

“Many individuals are concerned about a phenomenon called job intensification. If you’re required to complete all your work in four days instead of five, it might increase stress,” notes Fan. “Our findings indicate the opposite. When employees can reduce hours, they feel positive about themselves, contributing to greater happiness.”

The results were consistent across various employee demographics, including age and gender, regardless of whether they worked remotely or in-office. However, positions within the company appeared to impact results. Supervisors reported notable enhancements in overall well-being compared to non-supervisors.

The researchers indicated that participants did not clarify which specific aspects of the trial contributed to their perceived benefits, suggesting that the improvements might stem from reduced unnecessary meetings rather than merely switching to a four-day schedule, according to Ronnie Golden from Penn State University in Abington.

“If employees report higher happiness, could it be due to better treatment from their employer? They might trust their company more, benefit from fewer commuting days, or enjoy a few extended days for leisure,” states Golden. “Or is it simply a matter of increased productivity per hour with fewer distractions?”

Regardless, over 90% of firms that transitioned to a four-day work week chose to continue this model after the program ended, according to Fan.

Topics:

Source: www.newscientist.com

Boost Your Cognitive Performance with a Walnut-Rich Breakfast

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Mixing 50 grams of walnuts with muesli and yogurt increased faster reaction times throughout the day, and later in the day, according to a team of scientists at USDA Human Nutrition Research Center, a reading university at Tufts University's Aging, which improved memory performance later that day compared to eating a breakfast that suited comparable calories.

Eating walnuts for breakfast can improve brain function in healthy young adults. Image credit: Tim Ulama.

“Diet is one of the most important lifestyle factors that strongly affect cognitive function,” says Professor Claire Williams of the University of Reading and a colleague.

“Therefore, a balanced diet rich in nutrients can improve cognitive function throughout your life.”

“One of the class of foods linked to beneficial cognitive health is the nut family, and several epidemiological studies highlight the positive relationship between regular nut consumption and cognitive function.”

“For example, epidemiological studies, such as the Doetinchem Cohort study, found that levels of nut consumption were positively predicted for memory, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, and global cognitive function in middle-aged adults.

“Preclinical studies have also demonstrated the cognitive benefits of walnut supplementation.”

“Rodent studies have shown that walnuts promote improved working memory performance on Morris' water maze tasks and improve learning and memory performance in elevated and radial arm mazes.”

“The cognitive benefits of walnuts can be due to certain nutrients, as they are known to be high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein/peptides, and flavonoids and polyphenol classes,” they added.

“The main purpose of our study was to determine the cognitive and mood effects of acute consumption of walnut-rich breakfasts in healthy young adults throughout the day, and secondly, to investigate the potential neurological and physiological mechanisms that explain the benefits of cognitive.”

In this study, 32 healthy young adults ages 18-30 consumed both walnut-rich and matched breakfasts on separate occasions.

Participants completed various cognitive tests while monitoring brain activity 6 hours after eating each breakfast.

“Breakfast and some walnuts can give young adults a mental advantage when they need to play at the top of the game,” Professor Williams said.

“It's particularly exciting that this simple diet can make a measurable difference in cognitive performance.”

Brain activity records revealed changes in neural activity suggesting that walnuts may help the brain work more efficiently during challenging mental tasks, and blood samples revealed positive changes in glucose and fatty acid levels.

“Our findings provide evidence of the benefits of reaction time throughout the day after a walnut-rich breakfast, but memory findings were mixed with benefits observed only later in the day,” the researchers said.

“However, more research is needed on how walnut-containing diets modulate cognitive improvement in humans both postpartum and long-term.”

result Published in the journal Food and Function.

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L. Bell et al. The effect of walnut-rich breakfast on daily cognitive performance and brain activity in healthy young adults: a crossover intervention trial. Food functionsPublished online on February 3, 2025. doi:10.1039/d4fo04832f

Source: www.sci.news

Musiciansal Performance Society (MPS) emphasizes protecting artists’ rights in AI copyright discussion

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The MP’s two cross-party committees are urging the government to prioritize ensuring fair rewards for creators for their creative work and to facilitate the training of artificial intelligence models.

Lawmakers are advocating for more transparency in the data used to train generative AI models and urging the government not to implement plans that require creators to opt out of using such data.

The government’s proposed solution to the AI-copyright law tension includes exceptions for AI companies to train models with copyrighted work under “text and data mining,” while providing creators the option to opt out of the “rights reserve” system.

Caroline Dinage, chairman of the Culture, Media and Sports Committee, expressed concern over the response of the creative industry to the proposal, highlighting the threat to artists’ hard-earned success from unauthorized use of their work.

She emphasized the importance of fair treatment for creators and the need for transparency in data used to train AI models to ensure proper rewards for their work.

The Culture, Media, Sports Commission, Science, Science, Innovation and Technology Commission responded to government consultations on AI and copyright after a joint evidence session with representatives from AI startups and creative industries.

Letter to the Minister will enhance government transparency about training data, protect opt-out copyright holders, and empower consumers to make informed choices about AI models.

Failure to address these issues could disproportionately impact smaller creators and journalists operating under financial constraints, according to the letter.

Concerns among celebrities and the creative industry about government AI proposals have led to protests, with musicians releasing silent albums in protest.

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The letter also highlighted the need for transparency in training data for AI models, citing examples from the EU and California which have introduced requirements for detailed technical records on training data.

The government is considering revenue-sharing models for AI developers to address copyright concerns and is urged to conduct full impact assessments on proposed options.

The letter cautioned against AI developers moving to jurisdictions with more lenient rules and emphasized the need for compliance, enforcement, and remedies for copyright issues.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Review of Beats PowerBeats Pro 2: Apple’s Top Headphones for Fitness and Performance

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Five years later, Apple is back with a complete revamp of its earphones, which rebranded the Beats Headphones brand for athletes and sports enthusiasts as the Powerbeats Pro 2.

Designed to be attached to the ear and placed without wires, the original PowerBeats Pro is the perfect earphone for workouts and was worn by sports superstars such as Lebron James and Anthony Joshua.

In 2025, Apple refined the fit, slimmed the bulk, added noise cancellation and heart rate monitoring to the original Powerbeats Pro, priced at $250, aiming to reclaim the top spot in the industry.

The overall design of the earphones remains the same, with a flexible silicone wire that hooks behind the user’s ears and connects to earphones with arms sitting in the ears. It is lighter and more secure than its predecessor, making it comfortable for extended listening sessions during commute and active exercise without any discomfort.

Each earphone includes a multi-functional “B” button for playback and noise cancellation control, as well as a volume locker for easy adjustments during workouts. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The earphones provide approximately 8 hours of playback with noise cancellation (10 hours without it) and come with a flip-top case that can charge the earphones three times. The case, which is 30% smaller than before, is still quite spacious and fits easily in a bag, but may be a bit bulky for pockets.

The PowerBeats Pro 2 features the same H2 chip and connectivity as Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, offering seamless connections with various Apple devices, spatial audio for movies and music, audio sharing, SIRI support, lossless audio, and more when used with the Apple Vision Pro.

Additionally, the earphones support advanced Android features, making the Beats app more versatile than other Apple earphones, allowing for one-touch pairing, customization, updates, and other functionalities.

Great Sound Quality and Effective Noise Cancellation

Adjust noise cancellation and other settings using iPhone Bluetooth settings or the Android Beats app. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The H2 chip equips the Powerbeats with many top features of AirPods, including active noise cancellation that is nearly as effective as Apple’s top buds, providing significant reduction of external sounds. The earphones handle wind noise well and boast the best-in-class transparency mode.

The new Powerbeats offer excellent sound quality, with great separation of tones, well-controlled bass, and detailed high notes. They perform well across various music genres, from pop and hip hop to classical and jazz. They may not match the AirPods Pro in sound adjustment capabilities, but they excel in most workout scenarios.

Additionally, they support Apple’s personalized spatial audio system for immersive sound experiences and offer exceptional call quality.

Specifications

  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, SBC, AAC, H2 chip, HR sensor

  • Battery life: 8 hours ANC playback (36 hours with case)

  • Water resistance: IPX4 earphones (sweat resistant)

  • Earphone dimensions: 45 x 41 x 24mm

  • Earphone weight: 8.7g each

  • Charging case dimensions: 75 x 66 x 34mm

  • Charging case weight: 69g

  • Case charging: USB-C, QI wireless

Ear Heart Rate Monitoring

The optical heart rate sensor is located just inside the ear next to the silicon tip. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The Powerbeats Pro 2 feature an optical heart rate sensor that enables pulse monitoring through the ears, similar to Sennheiser’s Momentum Sport Earbuds. The sensor, located on the earphones’ inner side touching the tragus, achieves accurate pulse readings when both earphones are worn.

Data from the heart rate sensor is stored in the health app on iPhones or connected training apps for Android users, providing accurate and useful fitness tracking.

Sustainability

The PowerBeats Pro 2 case is sturdy and charges via USB-C and QI, but lacks water resistance and may be bulky for some users. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Apple has not disclosed the expected battery lifespan, but it is estimated to endure over 500 full charge cycles at 80% capacity. Additionally, the earphones incorporate recycled plastic in some internal components and offer individual replacements for lost or damaged parts.

While the earphones are not repairable, Apple supports trade-in and recycling programs for its products, including non-Apple devices, promoting responsible disposal and reducing environmental impact.

Price

The PowerBeats Pro 2 are priced at £249.95 ($249.99).

When compared to other models, the Beats Fit Pro is priced at £219.99, Beats Studio Buds+ at £179.99, Beats Solo Buds at £79.99, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 at £229, and Sennheiser Momentum Sport at £199.

Verdict

The PowerBeats Pro 2 represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor, offering top-notch features and performance for premium training earphones.

With secure and lightweight fit, effective noise cancellation, and heart rate monitoring, these earphones cater to a wide range of workout needs. They excel in sound quality, call quality, and offer platform compatibility with iPhone and Android devices.

While the price point may be high, the PowerBeats Pro 2 stand out as versatile and high-performance earbuds suitable for various activities, especially for iPhone users seeking a secure and reliable fit.

The main drawback is the non-replaceable batteries, which may impact the long-term sustainability and lifespan of the earphones.

Strong Points: Excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation and transparency mode, long battery life, secure and comfortable fit, user-friendly controls, spatial sound experience, excellent call quality, cross-platform compatibility with iPhone and Android.

Cons: High price point, bulky case, limited iPhone app support for heart rate monitoring features, lack of multipoint connection, non-replaceable batteries.

The music pauses when you remove the PowerBeats Pro 2, thanks to the sensor located on the earphones’ bottom. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Review of Sonic the Hedgehog 3: Jim Carrey’s Energizing Performance Brings Laughter to the Third Installment

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a The third Sonic movie came out with a strong sense of inevitability, creating excitement among its core pre-teen fanbase. The Marvel Cinematic Universe could learn from how it keeps audiences entertained. The buzz around Sonic’s unconventional teeth is now a thing of the past, but Jim Carrey truly shines in his double role, showing his dedication even if it’s just for the money. The movie is doing a good job overall, appealing even to those who may have forgotten the intricacies of early ’00s games. It’s an engaging experience.

The Sonic reboot introduces a “dark” version of Sonic in the form of Shadow, a hedgehog with black and red coloring. As the story unfolds, Shadow escapes from his containment unit, prompting Sonic and his sidekicks to intervene. They end up working alongside Ivo Robotnik to uncover secrets at an abandoned military base, leading to a complex narrative.

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Drawing from over 30 years of gaming, the film offers rich plotlines, character development, and dramatic incidents. While the human element may vary, the voices of Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba, along with James Marsden and Tika Sumpter, add depth to the story. Carrey’s performance stands out, injecting humor and energy into the movie. His presence prevents the film from falling flat and enhances the overall experience.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 will be released in the US on December 20th, Australia on December 26th, and the UK on December 27th.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Review of Grand Theft Hamlet: Shakespeare’s Performance in the Game is Riveting and Exciting

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a Great idea, brilliantly executed. Hilarious, surreal, and, yes, really exciting in a weird way. This could be the Marat/Sade of the 21st century. During lockdown, two out-of-work actors, Sam Crane and Marc Oosterveen, played Grand Theft Auto (GTA) online (remotely to each other), and the entire movie It is shown as an in-game action feature in GTA. Their avatars navigate the vast, intricately detailed cityscape of Los Santos, similar to Los Angeles, where the action takes place, while avoiding being shot, mutilated, and mauled in the usual GTA fashion. While running through the area, they happened to come across a deserted group of people. Vinewood Bowl Amphitheater. So they staged an in-game production of Hamlet there, recruiting other gamers to play the roles, donning various bizarre costumes, handles, and personas, and using virtual reality in a zero-gravity, near-realistic way. I thought it might be possible to move around the space., the avatar’s lips move almost in sync as they speak their lines into a microphone.

They audition for all comers. In this noisy business, strange people appear who tend to use flamethrowers and rocket launchers to destroy others for no reason during the explanation of their works. But they also meet people who have fascinating or inspiring stories to tell. Finally, the finished performance is shown, with an atmospheric musical soundtrack that was probably added later for the film.

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Coincidentally, they don’t stick to the Vinewood Bowl stage, instead boldly expanding their reach throughout the city. As one of the leads says, this is Shakespeare on a billion dollar budget, or the Shakespeare Elon Musk can afford to make. Crane and Oosterveen, along with Pinny Grylls (who co-directed with Crane), explore the game’s never-ending, dark violence, how close it is to the violence of Shakespeare’s world, and how depressed they are by the stagnation of lockdown. I look back in fascination. It provides a new dreamlike insight into Hamlet’s melancholy.

The result is something like Baz Luhrmann’s gangbanger Romeo + Juliet or Tom Stoppard’s play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, in which actors roam the land performing a show. It’s so wild that you wonder if anyone is watching it. It’s really funny and sweet when Crane, Oosterveen, and Grylls start arguing among themselves in the quirky GTA setting. (Maybe they were just making a little fuss about these “real” crises, but that doesn’t matter.)

To me, Oosterveen’s bemused voice sounds a lot like Simon Jones as Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and it’s no surprise that Douglas Adams would have loved this movie. I say this as a compliment. It certainly was.

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Grand Theft Hamlet will be released in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from December 6th.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Review of the new Apple MacBook Pro M4: Improved speed, performance, and affordability.

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Apple’s 2024 upgraded MacBook Pro ended the year on a high, with a significant power boost from the M4 chip, twice the memory than standard, longer battery life, and a lower price.

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Prices for the long-running laptop range start from £1,599 (€1,899/$1,599/AU$2,499), which is around £100 cheaper than last year’s M3 model. While it’s still an expensive, premium laptop, it does come with at least 16GB of RAM instead of the 8GB on previous models, which is worth paying extra for an upgrade.

The appearance has not changed from its predecessor. The body is still a solid, premium-looking aluminum shell that looks great in either gray or black. Although it’s not ultra-thin, its 14.2-inch size means it won’t feel cramped in your bag, making it perfect for working on the go.

This laptop has a premium look, feel, and feel for the price, and is available in black or gray aluminum. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The screen is still the star of the show. Super bright and crisp mini LED display with 120Hz refresh rate to keep things running smoothly. It’s noticeably brighter than many rivals for general tasks, and truly shines with HDR content. Apple is currently selling a special nano-textured display option for an additional £150, which significantly reduces glare when working in bright light or outdoors, if needed.

The on-screen webcam saw a very welcome upgrade to a 12MP Stage Center camera, similar to the one used on most iPads from 2021 onwards. It automatically pans and scans to stay in the frame. This is a killer feature for anyone who lives their life online. Work video calls. There’s a novel.”desk view” option uses an ultra-wide lens to view the space in front of your laptop and allows you to demonstrate it remotely. Although the built-in camera doesn’t provide a very clear view, it’s easier to use your iPhone as a secondary camera with various accessories.

The camera doesn’t yet support Apple’s Face ID system for iPhones and iPads. That’s a shame, even though the Touch ID fingerprint sensor in the power button works well.

Specifications

  • Screen: 14.2 inch Mini LED (3024×1964; 254 ppi) ProMotion (120Hz)
  • Processor: Apple M4, Pro, or Max
  • Ram: 16, 24, 32, or up to 128GB
  • Storage: 512GB, 1, 2, 4, or 8TB SSD
  • Operating System: macOS 15.1 Sequoia
  • Camera: 12MP center stage
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 3x Thunderbolt 4/USB 4, HDMI 2.1, SD card, headphones
  • Size: 221.2×312.6×15.5mm
  • Weight: 1.55kg

All 14-inch MacBook Pro models have three USB-C ports that allow you to connect to two external monitors at the same time. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The big upgrade under the hood is the addition of Apple’s latest M4 series chip, first seen in the iPad Pro M4 earlier this year. The base 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with a 10-core version of the M4 chip and 16 GB of RAM (double the previous model), which is a welcome upgrade.

The M4 chip is up to 25% faster across the board than the traditional M3 chip, and up to 1.8x faster than the original M1 chip, making it extremely fast indeed. It feels very fast in everyday use, launching apps and processing data noticeably faster than a MacBook Pro with a 2021 or newer M1 Pro chip.

This laptop has best-in-class battery life, lasting around 21 hours of light browsing and regular usage with many tabs open in Chrome, a word processor, and various small utilities, note-taking and messaging apps can manage approximately 18 hours of work. light photo editing affinity photo. It also has a long battery life on standby, draining only about 1% overnight when closed.

For many use cases, the M4 chip is sufficient. However, if you’re looking to render 3D objects, crunch numbers, or write code, the M4 Pro and M4 Max chips are available, which add more high-performance processing and graphics cores. thunderbolt 5 Connectivity.

The base model M4 laptop has an additional Thunderbolt 4/USB 4 port compared to the previous model, allowing you to drive two external monitors and a laptop display simultaneously.

Sustainability

The Space Black color looks just as great as the high-end version of its predecessor and is now available on all MacBook Pro M4 models. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

MacBook Pro is made with 35% recycled materials, including aluminum, copper, gold, plastic, rare earth elements, steel, and tin. In its report, Apple provides a detailed analysis of the impact computers have on the environment.

The laptop is generally repairable, and Apple makes its repair manual available. The battery life is as follows: Over 1,000 full charge cycles and can Apple will replace it for £245. The company offers trade-in and free recycling programs, including for non-Apple products.

macOS Sequoia and the First Apple Intelligence

MacOS 15.1 now enables iPhone Mirroring, Siri input, AI Cleanup for Photos, and several other Apple Intelligence features. Composition: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

MacBook Pro runs the latest version of macOS Sequoia 15.1, which comes with a variety of new Messages and other features that are compatible with iOS 18.1. It features a very useful new window tiling system that snaps windows to the side or full screen when you drag them to the edge of your display, similar to the feature in Windows 11.

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It has iPhone mirroring allows you to wirelessly view a virtual representation of your iPhone on your Mac and control it with your mouse and keyboard, including using apps. A selection of notifications from your phone will appear in your Mac’s Notification Center. This is useful for certain services that only have a phone app.

But the new features that are getting the most attention are the first few features of Apple Intelligence. These include the same AI writing tools you’d find on your iPhone or iPad that can proofread, rewrite, and summarize text. Since they are built directly into the operating system, they are easier and faster to use than third-party options, but I have only found them useful a few times.

You can now type and talk with the new Siri. This works very well on Mac. Double-tapping the command button brings up a text box, which is more socially acceptable in an office or coffee shop than asking a question aloud. However, Siri’s capabilities are still far behind rivals such as Google’s Gemini.

Other small AI tools are scattered around various apps. The Photos app now has natural language search and a new AI cleanup tool to remove unwanted objects. Mail and Messages apps have AI smart replies and conversation summaries that stack and summarize notifications from all your apps for quick analysis.

I don’t think any of these tools are killer features for your Mac, but some of them can be useful in a pinch, and when they’re not, they usually don’t get in the way.

Price

Prices for the 14-inch MacBook Pro M4 start at £1,599 (€1,899/$1,599/AU$2,499). The M4 Pro model is priced from £1,999 (€2,399/$1,999/AU$3,299), while the M4 Max starts at £3,199 (€3,799/$3,199/AU$4,999).

For comparison, the MacBook Air M3 starts at £1,099, the iPad Pro M4 costs £999, the comparable Dell XPS 14 costs around £1,400, the Razer Blade 14 costs £2,150, and Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Studio 2 is priced at £1,090. £2,069.

Verdict

The MacBook Pro M4 shows that small improvements across the board can slowly add up to bigger results. It may not look all that different from last year’s M3 model, but it has significant speed and battery life upgrades that make a big difference in day-to-day operation when compared to a machine that’s just three years old.

14-inch laptops are still the best in terms of screen size and portability, thanks to Apple’s best-in-class keyboard, trackpad, and great display.

Finally having a good Center Stage camera on the MacBook Pro is a very welcome upgrade, even without Face ID. An additional USB-C port, double the boot memory, and the faster M4 chip also make this boot model even more appealing.

It’s still an expensive laptop, but it’s on par as a premium workstation that can be used at full speed away from a power socket and has a very long battery life, unless you specifically need Windows 11. There is no.

Strong Points: The M4 chip is faster, has more power options, a minimum of 16 GB RAM, very long battery life, a great miniLED ProMotion screen, a great center stage camera, plenty of ports and SD card slots, great speakers, It has Touch ID, a great keyboard and trackpad.

Cons: No Face ID, no USB-A, RAM or SSD cannot be upgraded after purchase, is expensive, and not a big upgrade on the M3 model.

Touch ID on the power button is a great feature, but it’s Apple’s best-in-class keyboard and trackpad that make working with your MacBook Pro a joy. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Source: www.theguardian.com

Remaining Accountable: Understanding the Extended Range of Plug-in Hybrids

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Despite the growing number of electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads, some individuals remain apprehensive about range and access to charging points, particularly if they rely on their vehicles for work. These concerns persist.

Fleet managers and business owners, with myriad responsibilities, may find the transition away from gasoline daunting. Nevertheless, advancements in battery technology and substantial investments in charging infrastructure have made the switch to electric or hybrid more feasible and potentially cost-effective for businesses than ever before. So, what factors should you consider to extend your battery-powered driving range?

Have you thought about a plug-in hybrid?
It’s advisable to explore plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) first. These vehicles feature rechargeable batteries and gasoline engines, with only a few running on diesel. They can be charged at both domestic and public charging points and now offer impressive pure electric ranges.

On the other hand, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) rely on the car’s movement to generate electricity and use battery power to reduce gasoline consumption and emissions. They cannot be charged by plugging into a power outlet.

Modern plug-in hybrids like the Škoda Superb offer impressive range

The latest plug-in models showcase the significant technological advancements, with fast charging capabilities, remarkable range, and battery capacity. “For instance, the Škoda Superb Estate can travel up to 84 miles on pure electricity,” says Alan Barrowman, Skoda’s national contract employment and leasing manager. He also noted that this mileage qualifies for the 5% benefit-in-kind (BiK) tax for company car drivers.

Changes in charging
Charging networks are crucial for PHEV drivers looking to minimize their petrol (or diesel) usage. Fortunately, the number of public charging points is constantly increasing. In October 2023, approximately 50,000 points were installed at various service stations, with the installation rate continuing to rise. According to Zapmap, a data firm, there were 68,273 electric vehicle charging points across the UK by the end of August this year, representing a 41% year-on-year increase. Additionally, there are an estimated 700,000+ home and workplace charging points.

Charging points supply either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power. Electric car batteries can only store DC power, so connecting to an AC charger involves converting the current, which can be time-consuming. Vehicles that support both AC and DC charging points, such as the all-new Škoda Superb, can charge even faster. The Skoda www.theguardian.com

Tesla’s market value skyrockets by nearly $150 billion in a single day, marking its best performance in a decade

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On Thursday, Tesla shares surged to their lowest point in over a decade after Elon Musk confidently predicted a sales increase, reassuring investors about the company’s commitment to expanding its electric car sales. The stock closed with nearly a 22% increase, marking its largest gain. By the end of trading, Tesla’s market value had risen by almost $150 billion.

Musk anticipated a sales growth of 20-30% for the next year, announced plans to unveil an affordable car in the first half of 2025, and highlighted efforts to enhance profit margins through production cost reductions in the third quarter.

The stock price peaked at $262.2 during trading, with approximately 200 million shares exchanged. This jump was the company’s biggest since May 2013, reversing recent losses from concerns that Musk’s focus on new projects like robotaxis was diverting attention.

Musk is striving to transition Tesla from a leading electric vehicle company to an AI and robotics enterprise, although a detailed plan for this shift has not yet been formulated. Investors had sold Tesla stock earlier due to insufficient information about the robotaxi initiative.

Ed Egilinsky of Direxion said, “Some skeptics view this rally as reassuring, especially after the pre-earnings release stock sell-off in October, as the financial results exceeded expectations.”

During the last quarter, Musk made daring company announcements focusing on ventures beyond cars, such as driverless taxis and humanoid robots, causing concerns among investors about shrinking profit margins already affected by price reductions.

Tesla reported third-quarter profit margins surpassing Wall Street forecasts, with production costs at record lows of approximately $35,100 per vehicle. The company also revealed $326 million revenue from its autopilot software, Fully Self-Driving (FSD), integrated into the Cybertruck and other autonomous features.

FSD serves as the foundation for Tesla’s robotaxi program.

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Musk also expressed his belief that Tesla vehicles will soon offer paid driverless ride-hailing services, reiterating his commitment at the robotaxi event. However, this plan may encounter regulatory hurdles.

Despite the reassurances on Wednesday, not all investors are placated by Tesla’s direction.

Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management and a significant Tesla investor, stated that robotaxis and AI are not the core businesses he wants Musk to prioritize.

“The good old days were when Elon Musk was sleeping in the factory, working tirelessly every day. He shouldn’t be distracted by ventures that stray from his main focus,” Gerber emphasized.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge Review: Impressive Performance, but Limited Battery Life

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Samsung’s first entry into Microsoft’s new Arm-powered Copilot+ PCs is the Galaxy Book 4 Edge, set to deliver impressive speed and battery life that can compete with Apple’s MacBook Air.


This sleek, ultra-thin laptop comes in 14-inch or 16-inch sizes and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip, aiming to challenge Intel as the top PC laptop chip.

Prices start at £1,399 (€1,699/$999.99) for the base model, with the top-of-the-line 16-inch version priced at £1,700, positioning it as a premium competitor to products from Microsoft, Dell, and Apple.


The Galaxy Book features HDMI, USB-A, a microSD card slot, and a USB4 port, all in an incredibly thin and light 16-inch design. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The laptop boasts a familiar Samsung Galaxy Book design with premium aluminum construction, but lacks originality in its aesthetics.

The standout feature is the vibrant OLED touchscreen display, though it may attract fingerprints and could be brighter. The anti-reflective coating enhances usability under various lighting conditions.

While the keyboard is standard, the oversized trackpad feels somewhat redundant with its traditional mechanical design. The speakers are decent but can be obstructed when using the laptop on soft surfaces.


The 16-inch model includes a number pad on the right side, contributing to a slightly off-center keyboard and trackpad layout. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

The laptop’s webcam offers AI effects but lacks facial recognition, requiring a fingerprint scan for unlocking.

Specifications

  • Screen: 14″ or 16″ 3K AMOLED 2880 x 1800 (120Hz)

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite

  • RAM: 16 GB

  • Storage: 512GB or 1TB

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home

  • Camera: 2 megapixels (1080p)

  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, 2 x USB4, headphones, HDMI2.1 (USB-A and microSD 16″ only)

  • 14 inch Dimensions: 312.3 x 223.8 x 10.9mm

    • …

Source: www.theguardian.com

What role does Elon Musk play in Tesla’s sales performance?

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The overwhelming sales on Tuesday were attributed to the actions of Tesla’s CEO by one Tesla investor.

In response to the sales figures, Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki, pointed to Elon Musk’s actions as the reason for Tesla’s inability to sell cars. He criticized the board of directors for not stopping Musk’s behavior, which he deemed toxic towards the Tesla brand.

Musk retaliated by calling Gerber an idiot and mentioning the challenges faced by Chinese rival BYD in the quarter.

Following Tesla’s revenue update and stock fall, Gerber expressed his disappointment, attributing the decline in deliveries to various factors including Houthi rebel attacks and delays in production.

Analysts raised concerns about slowing demand for Tesla vehicles, despite production challenges being mentioned as contributing factors.

While Musk’s controversial actions have led to a decline in sales in the US market, some analysts believe that Tesla’s long-term decisions will resolve the company’s problems.

Key figures in the financial industry voiced their concerns over Tesla’s sales figures, attributing the downturn to a combination of global EV demand slowdown and issues in China, rather than just Musk’s antics.

Tesla’s ongoing global fame, driven by Musk’s actions, continues to be a focal point, with experts highlighting the potential impact on sales and market perception.

Despite the challenges, Tesla is reportedly scouting locations in India for a new manufacturing plant, indicating long-term growth plans.

While some analysts downplay the impact of Musk’s behavior on sales, others believe that it contributes to the overall perception of the company and its products.

In conclusion, the future of Tesla remains uncertain, with various factors at play influencing the company’s performance in the market.

Tesla has not provided a comment on the situation at this time.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Game Review: Princess Peach Steals the Show with Paper-Thin Performance

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TThe ending of 1985’s Super Mario Bros., soundtracked by the iconic 8-bit NES beeps and blips, sees Mario finally find the princess who’s been in a different castle throughout the game. As her mustachioed hero jumps to her side, a speech bubble displays the digitized name of the damsel in distress: Princess Peach. She expressed her gratitude, her credits rolled, and we bid her farewell.

As anyone who saw Anna Taylor-Joy’s performance in last year’s Mario movie will know, the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom has become rather less one-dimensional these days – the past 40 years have seen the rise of video games and feminism. You guessed it, considering how far we’ve come in the years. However, this is the second game in which she plays the leading role, after the 2005 DS game “Super Princess Peach.” On Showtime, Nintendo’s Pink She Princess literally takes the spotlight. When her trip to the theater goes awry, she must take to the stage to save theatrical art from…the evil vines.

It’s a strange but fun setting, allowing Peach to dive into a series of genre-themed side-scrolling levels. Each new setting provides a new starring role for our heroine, whether she’s traversing through grass, running across rooftops, riding a horse through railroad tracks, or lassoing bandits as the dagger-wielding ninja Peach. All of them are impressively handsome. Showtime’s colorful visuals are a joy, with well-animated bosses that fill the screen and attractive cakes. Still, it only takes a few minutes of play before you figure out the repetition.

From pressing buttons to stir cake mix as Patisserie Peach to the simple jumps and combat that define everything from swordplay to superhero fistfights, Showtime’s gameplay is thinner than Paper Mario. An unusual highlight here is his level of ice skating as Peach, wearing a leotard, races through a whimsical winter wonderland. There’s even a few smiles during the action-packed kung fu scenes, and the visuals lend an enjoyable level of kitsch to the rudimentary fisticuffs pastiche.

The problem is that while Mario’s House usually strikes a good balance between depth and accessibility, Showtime feels shallow. Whether it’s the demonic mermaid level or Detective Peach’s hilariously incomplete investigation, many of these potentially fun ideas feel like prototypes that prematurely escaped from Nintendo headquarters.

While last year’s Super Mario Wonder entertained all ages, Princess Peach: Showtime has little to offer those of us who have mastered the multiplication tables. Brilliantly scripted cinematic moments and visual variety provide color and flourish, but it’s a great shame that the inventive animation and narrative setting aren’t accompanied by the same level of gameplay innovation. is.

Despite a fun premise and high production values, Peach’s long-awaited turn to stardom feels disappointingly condescending, one-dimensional and forgettable, compared to the more capable heroines of the Super Mario Bros. movies. It is the exact opposite. As the Nintendo Switch enters her final years, this was the perfect moment to give the monarch of the Mushroom Kingdom the celebration she deserves. But whereas in The Forgotten Land Kirby received an Iliad-esque epic worthy of Mario, this one is more of a flimsy pop-up book.

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Princess Peach: Showtime is currently showing. £49.99

Source: www.theguardian.com

Research finds that consumption of cranberries enhances performance markers in well-trained runners

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Cranberries have the highest polyphenol and antioxidant capacity of any fruit or vegetable, which may help prevent the production of free radicals during exercise, which in turn may improve performance. In a new study, scientists investigated the effects of polyphenol-rich cranberry extract on time trial performance and post-exercise lactic acid response.

Consuming cranberries for 28 days seemed to improve running speed as well as aerobic performance in trained runners. Image credit: Michael Reichelt.

Polyphenols, such as proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, flavonols, and flavonols, are secondary plant compounds found in fruits and vegetables.

Cranberries have the highest total polyphenol content of the most consumed fruits in the American diet and the highest antioxidant capacity of any fruit and vegetable.

In addition, its polyphenol content is notable due to its high concentration of rare A-type proanthocyanidins, which are believed to be the main contributors to its beneficial effects.

The use of nutritional supplements is increasing among athletes, and many are turning to natural health products to improve athletic performance.

Intense exercise significantly increases the production of reactive oxygen species due to high oxidative metabolic demands.

As a result, polyphenols may provide a natural antioxidant defense against exercise-induced free radical production.

“For elite athletes, any advantage can make the difference between finishing fifth or reaching the podium,” said study lead author Dr. Andreas Bergdahl, a researcher at Concordia University.

For this study, Dr. Bergdahl and his colleagues recruited 14 high-level runners who did at least five hours of endurance training per week.

The athletes ran two time trials during their three visits, one running 1,500 meters and one running 400 meters.

The first visit was used as the baseline. The second time, they administered a single large dose of cranberry extract two hours before the run.

The athletes were then instructed to consume a small amount of cranberry extract every day for 28 days before repeating their third run.

“We chose these distances to test the effects of cranberry extract on different energy systems,” said Dr. Francis Parenteau, lead author of the study. candidate at Concordia University.

“The 400m is short and intense and requires an anaerobic system. The 1,500m uses an aerobic system, but is shorter than what athletes typically run.”

“They weren’t training to run that distance, so we were able to isolate the effect of training as a variable.”

In addition to running time, the researchers also measured post-exercise blood lactate levels, a marker of potential muscle fatigue and oxygen deprivation.

They also fitted the runners with a portable near-infrared spectroscopy device to measure muscle oxygenation levels before, during and after a run.

After analyzing the data, the scientists found that consuming cranberry extract for 28 days showed a trend towards increased speed in the 1,500 meter time trial, but not in the 400 meter.

However, compared to baseline, they found that lactic acid accumulation decreased after 400 meters, but not after 1,500 meters.

Data also showed that cranberry extract promoted better oxygen extraction by muscles, improved lactate clearance, and slowed muscle deoxygenation.

“The benefit of this is that it’s all natural,” Dr. Bergdahl said.

“It’s an ergogenic aid, meaning it enhances performance, but it’s not an anabolic steroid.”

“Athletes can significantly improve their performance simply by consuming more cranberries.”

of study It was published in the magazine physical activity and nutrition.

_____

Francis Parenteau other. 2023. Cranberry supplements improve physiological markers of performance in trained runners. physical activity and nutrition 27 (4): 8-14; doi: 10.20463/pan.2023.0032

Source: www.sci.news

Ensuring Optimal Brain Function: Tips for Peak Performance

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Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock k

Thomas Edison says: He held a steel ball in each hand as he prepared for a nap.. When he nodded, they would fall and wake him up so he could write down ideas that came to him in the moments just before sleep, when he believed he was most creative. But are there really specific times when our brains perform better? And more broadly, are we better at different kinds of thinking at different stages of life? If so, it's worth asking how you can make the most of these mental peaks and maximize your brain's capabilities.?

Edison's methods may have been unorthodox, but It turned out that he was onto somethingas Delphine Audinet It was discovered in 2021 by the Paris Brain Institute and colleagues. They gave 103 slightly sleep-deprived people a seemingly complex math problem that they could solve with simple creative insight. Participants who woke up immediately after falling asleep were almost three times more likely to take a creative leap and solve a problem than those who stayed awake throughout the experiment.

This knowledge may be useful if you are looking for inspiration. But if that's the memory you're trying to optimize, deep sleep is when your brain does the heavy lifting, accumulating new long-term memories from the day's experiences. To get the most out of this, you need plenty of sleep. Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. If you are among them, A lot of people…

Source: www.newscientist.com

Can Inspirational Speeches Boost Your Gym Performance? A Look at the Callus on Your Heart

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Maybe my father walked out on me, the speaker theorized, his voice sounding like the crash of drums (often typical of tense moments on reality TV shows).

Father absence is a common theme in motivational training speeches, so the narrator in my earphones takes the form of a father. Sometimes they encourage dad, but more often dad yells angrily from the sidelines.

Motivational speeches were first adopted by weightlifters who called for loud encouragement during bench presses, but have since made their way into the fitness mainstream. These stand-in dads live in a maze of proliferating playlists on Spotify and YouTube. So you can listen to it at the gym, or if you’re feeling bored, you can watch a montage of stock footage of people screaming in the rain on your laptop. Tracks can feature snippets from solo speakers or multiple sources. Ministers, athletes, and business leaders feature prominently, but their voices are often uncredited. The voice is usually accentuated with dramatic music.

you probably know better david goggins a former U.S. Navy SEAL lashed out at the cameras during a run, ordering his 10.4 million Instagram followers to “numb your mind.”

Jenny Valentish poses before a bodybuilding competition. Photo: Diana Domonkos

When it comes to motivation, I prefer carrots to sticks. “Great work” makes me blossom. But after a few months of overindulgence, you need a strict taskmaster. I usually take my training seriously, fighting in Muay Thai and competing in amateur bodybuilding, but if anything, when I started going into full beast mode, my true self… ‘s father was a little confused.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Startup performance is better than you think

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Data shows hope amid this year’s dark headlines

on the face (expression) With the recent economic downturn and concerns about the startup bubble bursting, you may be surprised to hear that startups are doing better than you think. I’ve talked to a lot of founders who are struggling to raise money, and it’s a real problem. However, there are some startups that focus on business fundamentals and are still thriving.

Dig deep into the data of emerging accounting firms Kurze Consulting Startups that can focus on fundamentals, i.e. startups that are run more like a “real” business rather than the “growth at all costs” mentality of the past few years. This indicates that the company is in a serious situation. Decent shape. Looking at the numbers, this shows up as an increase in median runway length, lower operating costs, and a promising increase in profitability.

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A leaner run than I expected. image credits: Kruse Consulting

“Average burn is down this year due to lower operating expenses, which means founders are focused on being more efficient,” said Kruze Consulting Vice President of Financial Strategy. one Healy Jones told me. “Of course, much of that is due to headline-grabbing layoffs (so nothing to brag about), but on the other hand, founders are learning how to use their capital more effectively, which is good for the ecosystem. it’s a good thing.”

Median startup runway, the estimated length of time a company can operate before running out of cash, actually increased in the second half of 2023. Now it’s a staggering 12.5 months, which is significantly higher than 9-10 months. Typically expected after an average funding round.

Source: techcrunch.com

Despite strong performance of Dungeons & Dragons, Hasbro to cut 1,100 jobs

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According to one source, Hasbro plans to lay off 1,100 employees. SEC filing. Hasbro, the company behind series such as “Dungeons & Dragons” and “Transformers,” has already laid off employees. 800 employees In January. Some employees will learn the fate of their jobs on Tuesday, while others will be made redundant over the next year. Hasbro told shareholders it wants to cut costs by about $350 million to $400 million by 2025.

Hasbro CEO Chris Cox wrote: Memo to employee — shared in an SEC filing — says he will focus the company’s attention on licensing opportunities, entertainment expansion and “freebies.”[ing] Fund your own content to drive new brand development. He blamed the company’s losses on vague “market headwinds.”

Hasbro’s overall revenue was down 10% year over year. However, Hasbro owns Wizards of the Coast (WoTC), the company that produces Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and Magic the Gathering. 1 billion dollars Every year. The division of the company that operates WoTC and digital games has seen an increase in revenue 40% compared to previous year Operating income was $423.6 million, and operating income was $203.4 million. Despite this significant growth, Hasbro has struggled overall. So Cox seems to be refocusing Hasbro’s efforts on what’s actually benefiting the company.

D&D has become increasingly popular over the past few years. This is largely thanks to the creators of third-party content such as Critical Role and Dimension 20, in which the ensemble cast plays her D&D for the entertainment of viewers. The series also made headlines this year with Baldur’s Gate III, a hugely successful Hollywood movie and video game licensed from the Dungeons & Dragons IP.Just last week, Baldur’s Gate won game of the year At the Game Awards.

Hasbro is at a strange crossroads. Even though the toy business is in decline, he suddenly has an unexpected cash cow in Wizards of the Coast, which he acquired 24 years ago.

“The D&D strategy is a broad four-quadrant strategy, and we have this strong brand with similar recognition, such as ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Harry Potter,'” Cox said. He said it on a program. Call to investors Last December, we received some insight into the company’s plans. But what makes Dungeons & Dragons (a game system where groups of players develop their own plots and characters) something like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, where all fans know the same characters and stories? Hasbro’s attempts to change are becoming increasingly painful.The movie “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor of Thieves” received positive reviews when it was released in March, but ultimately poor performance At the ticket office.

“To position Hasbro for growth, we must first ensure our fundamentals are strong and profitable,” Cox wrote in a company memo. “To do that, we need to modernize and become even leaner.”

Source: techcrunch.com

Monthly Futures Spread Trading Volume on OKX Liquid Marketplace Skyrockets to Record-High $1.54 Billion, Surpassing September Performance

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OKX a leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 technology company, today announced: futures spread trading volume Moreover liquid marketplace, a spot OTC, futures spread and options liquidity network, reached a monthly high of USD 1.54 billion in September 2023. This achievement is 62%* Institutional market share of futures spreads for the current month.

From July 2023 onwards launch OKX Accumulation of Nitro Spread, a venue for institutional investors to execute basis, futures spread, and funding rate arbitrage strategies under OKX’s Liquid Marketplace futures spread amount It led the market from August 28, 2023 to October 11, 2023.

OKX futures spread volume was also strong on the “high watermark” volume days, with OKX futures spread notional volume increasing four times within the date range (September 12th, September 19th). , September 28, and October 10) crossed the 100 million USDT mark. 2023).

These volume milestones solidify OKX’s position liquid marketplace The go-to place for institutional investors looking to take advantage of superior liquidity in a wide range of trades including futures spreads, spot OTC basis, options and more.

OKX Chief Commercial Officer Lennix Lai said: “The latest futures spread volume figures confirm that the OKX Liquid Marketplace is a diverse ecosystem of counterparties pursuing a variety of trading strategies, making it the trading venue of choice for institutional traders. We have worked hard to develop the products, liquidity, and intuitive trading features that traders demand in a highly competitive market environment. We will adapt it to the needs of customers and further expand our customer base.”

Since its launch in July 2023, OKX has announced on October 6th nitro spread Cumulative trading volume exceeded 2 billion USDT.

Nitro Spreads is a place for institutional investors to execute advanced strategies and efficiently drive delta rolls on OKX’s liquid marketplace. Nitro spreads allow both legs of a trade to be executed through a central order book, minimizing leg risk between markets and providing increased capital efficiency for institutional traders. Traders can also select a guaranteed spread for a trade before execution to reduce unexpected price slippage. The transaction is then matched and settled immediately.

*sauce: Lavitas

OKX is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and innovative Web3 company. Trusted by over 50 million users worldwide, OKX is known as the fastest and most reliable crypto trading app for traders around the world.

As a top partner for English Premier League champions Manchester City FC, McLaren F1, Olympian Scotty James and Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, OKX aims to enhance the fan experience with new engagement opportunities. OKX is also a top partner of the Tribeca His Festival as part of its efforts to bring more creators to his Web3.

OKX Wallet is the platform’s newest offering for those who want to explore the world of NFTs and the Metaverse while trading GameFi and DeFi tokens.

OKX is committed to transparency and security, and we publish the evidence every month.

To learn more about OKX, download the app or visit: okx.com

Disclaimer

This announcement is provided for informational purposes only. This is not intended to provide investment, tax, or legal advice, nor should it be considered an offer to buy, sell, hold, or offer any services related to digital assets. Digital assets, including stablecoins, involve a high degree of risk, can be highly volatile, and may even become worthless. Leveraged trading of digital assets magnifies both your potential profits and potential losses and can result in a loss of your entire investment. Past performance is not indicative of future results. You should carefully consider whether trading or holding digital assets is suitable for you, especially if you are considering the use of leverage. You are solely responsible for your trading strategies and

Source: the-blockchain.com