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Most people think of urban open spaces in terms of grand parks—Chicago’s Millennium Park or New York’s Central Park or San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. These are our iconic parks—our sublime spaces. They serve as the “lungs” of our cities, and they certainly steal our hearts. These spaces are not locked behind gates but are stages where our own lives play out and memories are created, full of movement and reflection and joy. There are more modest spaces in our cities, though, that are just as important to our lives—the thresholds and courtyards and pocket parks. They’re the places where we bump into our neighbors to walk our dogs or read on a bench in an environment where nature takes over. They are often unheralded like a great Olmsted Park, but always full of potential for true placemaking to begin. My father, Edwin Smith was director of parks and recreation for the City of Eugene, Oregon and he knew this. He served for more than 30 years and was responsible for the design and development of 41 parks and greenways in and around the city. His work had a profound impact on me as a future architect. More to the point, his work and vision quietly enhanced the lives of so many people in the community as their access to parks was interwoven into their lives. Westmoreland Park is one of Eugene’s centerpiece parks and is a great example. Its gentle slopes and lush lawns support stands of mature cedars and redwoods, not to mention Douglas firs, hemlocks, spruces, and the Oregon white oak. Even if you don’t know all those trees by sight, you know Westmoreland Park if you live in Eugene, and you know that it offers something for almost every active resident. I think that’s the importance of a well-designed space—it invites and it responds. Living ribbon of connection Responsiveness is a word worth pausing on for a moment. It’s the entire reason for design—architectural, urban, or otherwise—and it’s one of the hallmarks of placemaking. My firm, MG2, recently envisioned design for an attainable housing project in Irvine, California, that was meant to respond to a specific housing challenge in a rapidly changing part of the state. It isn’t a monolith. It is, instead, what we think of as a living ribbon of connection—a continuous path that links breezeways, community gardens, play areas, and shared courtyards woven throughout the residential units. It is not simply a circulation route. It is a spine, and just like our spines, everything it touches depends upon it for structure. But more importantly, this isn’t just a collection of amenities. It is a social ecosystem. The layout fosters degrees of interaction—private balconies that open into semi-private courtyards, which in turn flow into cooperative gardens and fully public gathering spaces. Residents can choose solitude, casual interaction, or spirited communal activity—each space encouraging a different rhythm of human engagement. Children play while parents share meals. Strangers become neighbors over garden beds. This is architecture as social infrastructure. To reimagine open space is not to think bigger—it is to think deeper. To look between, beneath, beyond. It is to ask: How do we shape space to be responsive? How do we design for encounter, for joy, for the unplanned but meaningful moments of connection? Let us not treat the spaces between buildings as voids. Let us see them as vessels—of life, of community, of possibility. Let us design not just for shelter, but for spirit. Let us reimagine open spaces. Mitch Smith AIA, LEED AP is the CEO and chairman of MG2, an affiliate of Colliers Engineering & Design. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Mac mini has always been about packing a surprising amount of power into a tiny shell, and the Early 2023 Apple Mac mini M2 sticks to that idea. Right now, you can grab the refurbished 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD model on sale for $459.99 at StackSocial (down from $599), or the 256GB SSD version for $359.99. Both are rated “Grade A,” meaning they show little to no cosmetic wear and ship free across the contiguous U.S. Powered by Apple’s M2 chip, this mini desktop quietly handles everything from daily multitasking to heavy-duty tasks like 8K video editing. Its 8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine give it real muscle, especially for creatives or anyone who juggles multiple apps and tabs at once. However, keep in mind that while it’s a beast for most workflows, 8GB RAM might feel tight for heavier professional workloads down the line, like video production or 3D rendering. These Mac minis run macOS Ventura out of the box (with an easy upgrade path to the latest macOS Sequoia, so you're not starting on an outdated system), and support up to two external displays, including one up to 6K over Thunderbolt and another up to 5K (or 4K through HDMI), making it a strong centerpiece for creative setups. It's got serious connectivity options too—two Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI port with 8K support, two USB-A ports, Ethernet, and a headphone jack that’s ready for high-impedance headphones. Wifi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 round things out, giving you faster and more stable wireless connections. With fast boot times, excellent security baked into the hardware, and a form factor that weighs just 2.6 pounds, the Mac mini M2 feels like a serious upgrade packed into a minimalistic design. It’s a small machine with serious ambition, and for most people, that’s more than enough. View the full article

In an era dominated by artificial intelligence and smartphones, one of the most overlooked engines of economic growth sits quietly at the heart of every neighborhood: the public library. Gone are the days when libraries were sanctuaries reserved for only reading and research. Today, they are being reimagined as dynamic hubs for workforce development, creative sector support, and cultural exchange. Across the country, these reservoirs of knowledge are evolving into digital and physical beacons of community resilience. Local access, global reach: A case study in artist empowerment In Huntsville, where I serve as the city’s first music officer, we’ve partnered with our public library system to develop a multifunctional creative hub—with music at its core. A primary pillar of our collaboration is Blast Music, a digital streaming platform designed to showcase local talent. It’s a model other cities can and should replicate. Through the Blast program, artists are paid, promoted, and added to a curated library collection—offering not only exposure, but bona fide industry credentials. Over 100 local artists are currently featured on the platform, and we will welcome up to 50 additional artists into the program annually. The ripple effect of Blast is real. The free service empowers local listeners to discover homegrown talent while giving musicians tools to grow their fan base and attract industry attention. Perhaps most importantly, Blast provides emerging artists with resume-worthy recognition—essential for building sustainable careers in a tough industry. But Blast isn’t just about digital reach—it’s embedded in Huntsville’s cultural DNA. From artist showcases like the Ladies of Blast event at the Orion Amphitheater, to community events like Hear to Be Seen (a portrait exhibition of Blast musicians), to stages designated exclusively for Blast artist performances at Camp to Amp, PorchFest, and more, Blast is bringing music into public spaces and cultivating civic pride. That’s the kind of community infrastructure that libraries are uniquely equipped to deliver. There’s no such thing as too much visibility, and even artists with international acclaim see value in the platform. Huntsville native Kim Tibbs, a vocalist, songwriter, Alabama Music Hall of Fame honoree and UK chart-topper, submitted her album The Science of Completion Volume I to Blast—not only for more exposure, but to mentor and support the next generation of artists in her hometown. Libraries as talent incubators Huntsville is part of a broader national trend. In cities like Chicago, Nashville, and Austin, libraries are integrating creative labs, media production studios, and music education into their core services—functioning as public-sector incubators for the creative economy. As technology continues to reshape traditional jobs, libraries are well-positioned to bridge skill gaps and fuel the rise of creative economies, including the vital but often overlooked non-performance roles in the music industry. Huntsville is doubling down on this approach. We’re investing millions into programs that bring interactive music technology workshops to teens at the local library—focusing on hands-on training in production, recording, and audio engineering. With professional equipment, studio spaces, and expert instruction, we’re preparing the next generation for careers both onstage and behind the scenes. Local industry is stepping up too. Hear Technologies, a global leader in sound and AV production, has been designing cutting-edge audio devices for years. They’re now part of a dynamic team collaborating with city leaders to help develop the library’s music maker space, nurture new talent and accelerate our region’s creative growth. This matters now, more than ever Libraries have always been entry points for education, employment, and exploration. But today, they’re more than just information access points—they are gateways to opportunity and launchpads for industries that define the future. By utilizing public space and collaborating with local talent, libraries can become platforms for economic mobility and cultural innovation. This investment isn’t a feel-good gesture. It’s a smart, strategic move for any city building a future that works—for everyone. The playlist is simple: Invest in creative ecosystems, embed them in trusted community institutions like public libraries, and treat music as critical infrastructure. Matt Mandrella is music officer for the City of Huntsville, Alabama. View the full article

After spending forever floundering for a solution to a problem, an Aha moment can feel like magic. But a new study by researchers from Duke University and the University of Berlin has found that the Aha moment gives us more than temporary elation. “If you have an ‘aha! moment’ while learning something, it almost doubles your memory,” says Roberto Cabeza, lead author of the new study, in a statement. “There are few memory effects that are as powerful as this.” The research was published this month in Nature Communications. What is an aha moment? The study defines an “Aha experience” as a moment where “the solution comes to you in a sudden manner, with a strong sense of certainty and a strong positive emotion.” Suddenness, certainty, and internal reward are all important parts of the process. When we have a flash of insight, our brains go through a process called representational change where our internal representations of the insight undergoes rapid reorganization and integration, helping encode it into our memory. “During these moments of insight, the brain reorganizes how it sees the image,” noted first author Maxi Becker. In particular, the researchers found that insights that with high certainty and positive emotion boosted activity in the amygdala and hippocampus brain structures. The more powerful the insights the more activity in the hippocampus, causing more memory retention. How was the study conducted? To test what was happening in people’s brains when they have an Aha moment, the researchers used fMRI technology to scan participants’ brains while they tried to identify a series of “Moony images,”—images of common objects reduced to minimally detailed, two-tone black and white images. The high contrast of the images made them difficult to identify immediately, improving the odds of participants having Aha moments. After they identified each object, the participants were asked to rate how suddenly they found the solution, how positive they felt, and how certain they felt that their answer was correct. Five days later, the researchers tested the group of participants again to determine how well they remembered the Moony images that they’d previously identified. Strikingly, they found that participants remembered solutions that came to them in a burst of insight around twice as well as solutions worked out more methodically. Additionally, the researchers observed that Aha moments cause a chain reaction in our brains enhancing representative change in the brain’s ventral occipito-temporal cortex (a region responsible for visual processing), activity in the amygdala and hippocampus, and engaging other solution-processing brain regions. Stronger insights cause the “different regions [to] communicate with each other more efficiently,” says Cabeza. The data suggests that the brain has its own neural mechanism for insight, leading to improved memory. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. There was a time when you needed to spend over $1,000 to get your hands on a MacBook that could handle everything from spreadsheets to video edits without complaint. That’s no longer the case—at least not with this deal. This refurbished 2020 MacBook Air with the Apple M1 chip is down to $549.99 for the 8GB RAM + 512GB SSD model and $589.99 for the 16GB RAM + 256GB SSD configuration. Both are “Grade A” units, meaning they might have little to no visible wear even though they are refurbished. You get the same M1 chip that helped Apple cut ties with Intel—an 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine working together to make everything from browsing to photo editing fast and efficient. That chip also means zero fans, so the machine stays completely silent, no matter how long you’re running it. The Retina display still holds up with a crisp 2560x1600 resolution, and the battery life is solid, around 15 to 18 hours depending on use. You do miss out on some newer features like MagSafe charging or a 1080p webcam, but for this price, those trade-offs feel minor. Both variants include two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, wifi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support, a responsive backlit Magic Keyboard, and Touch ID. And because it’s still supported, you’ll be able to upgrade to macOS Sequoia 15. If you’ve been eyeing a MacBook for work, school, or general creative projects and can live without the newest features, this deal makes a strong case for sticking with Apple’s first (and still very impressive) M1 machine. View the full article

The contract rate on a 30-year mortgage rose 6 basis points to 6.92% in the week ended May 16, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data released Wednesday. View the full article

Britain will agree a multibillion pound payment to retain access to the Diego Garcia military base also used by the USView the full article

Fair Isaac Corp.'s shares saw their worst day since March 2020 on Wednesday, falling alongside credit bureau stocks after the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency questioned credit report pricing. View the full article

Getting settlement agents and other stakeholders involved was a challenge, but e-note use has finally become routine for some mortgage lenders buying loans. View the full article

Rather than clocking in at a Saturday job or selling old clothes for quick cash, Gen Z has another side hustle up their sleeve: selling their personal data. To take advantage of the nearly seven hours a day Gen Z spend on their phones, a new app called Verb.AI, launched by youth polling company Generation Lab, is now offering to pay young people for their scrolling time. By installing a tracker which monitors what they browse, buy, and stream, Verb creates a digital twin of each user that lives in a central database. From there, companies and businesses can query the data in a ChatGPT-like interface, and get a more accurate picture of consumer preferences than they would get even from a room full of Gen Zers. “For decades, market research has been the equivalent of a doctor asking a patient to describe their symptoms. Verb is an MRI machine,” the company’s pitch deck says. And Verb is willing to pay. “We think corporations have extracted user data without fairly compensating people for their own data,” Cyrus Beschloss, CEO of Generation Lab, said per Axios. “We think users should know exactly what data they’re giving us and should feel good about what they’re receiving in return.” Verb’s maker, Generation Lab, was founded in 2016 and is based in Washington, D.C., according to the company’s LinkedIn page. It currently has 6 employees listed on the company’s official website. The broader global data broker market, meanwhile, is expected to grow in the next few years, reaching a projected $561.538 billion by 2029, up from $389.765 billion in 2024. In return for their personal data, Verb pays $50 or more per month to the user, depending on activity. For Gen Zers, it’s a fair enough deal for something they are likely doing anyway. About 88% of Gen Zers report being willing to share some personal data with a social media company, compared to just 67% of older adults. That is provided they are fairly compensated either with cash or a personalized social media algorithm, a 2022 Euromonitor International study found. A generation filled with contradictions, Gen Z is at the same time still taking protective measures with their data. They are clearing cookies, using anonymous browsers, and encrypting their communications twice as often as other generations. However, they also are more likely to agree with the statement, “I don’t mind being tracked by websites or apps,” compared to older generations, according to a 2023 survey from the cybersecurity company Malwarebytes. The extent of Gen Z’s willingness to share personal data was apparent during the still-ongoing regulatory scrutiny of TikTok over data privacy concerns in China. Case in point: the “Goodbye to My Chinese Spy” trend that took off as the possibility of TikTok being banned in the U.S. loomed earlier this year. “Sending Xi Jinping a data care package because he’s taken better care of me than the US government ever has,” read the text over a TikTok video of an envelope addressed to the president of China. “To my (alleged) Chinese spy – nobody knows me like you, babe”, another TikTok user posted. Given these laissez-faire attitudes towards data privacy, it’s no surprise then, as Axios puts it, “selling data is becoming the new selling plasma.” View the full article

As private credit tops $1 trillion, Fed researchers warn bank exposure to the sector could spark systemic risk if defaults spike. View the full article

Google publishes blog posts with official tips to make your content perform well in AI search features like AI Overviews & AI Mode. The post Google’s Official Advice On Optimizing For AI Overviews & AI Mode appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Key Takeaways Weird Coffee Mugs as Conversation Starters: These unique mugs feature unconventional designs that not only serve a practical purpose but also engage customers and spark conversations during coffee breaks. Diverse Design Options: From animal shapes to clever humor, offering a variety of weird mugs can help small businesses stand out and attract diverse customer bases. Functional Innovations: Many weird mugs offer added functionality, such as temperature control or multi-purpose uses, appealing to consumers looking for both creativity and utility in their drinkware. Pop Culture Appeal: Mugs that reference popular culture resonate with dedicated fans and make excellent gifts, allowing retailers to tap into current trends and nostalgic connections. Buying Channels: Weird coffee mugs can be found on platforms like Etsy, local artisan markets, online retailers, specialty coffee shops, and pop culture stores, providing numerous sourcing opportunities for retailers. Supporting Local Artists: Collaborating with local artists to create unique mug designs not only enhances your inventory but also fosters community engagement and supports local creativity. Coffee mugs are more than just vessels for your favorite brew; they’re a canvas for creativity and self-expression. If you’ve ever sipped from a mug that made you chuckle or sparked a conversation, you know the power of a quirky design. From mugs shaped like animals to those with clever puns, the world of weird coffee mugs is a delightful realm waiting to be explored. These unique mugs not only serve a practical purpose but also add a splash of personality to your morning routine. Whether you’re a collector or just looking for a fun gift, weird coffee mugs can bring joy to anyone’s day. Dive into this fascinating collection of eccentric designs that are sure to make your coffee breaks a little more memorable. What Are Weird Coffee Mugs? Weird coffee mugs function as conversation starters, adding a playful element to daily routines. These mugs often feature unconventional shapes, unique materials, or humorous designs that set them apart from standard options. Examples include mugs shaped like animals, quirky faces, or those adorned with clever puns. Small businesses in the retail sector benefit from offering a diverse range of these eccentric mugs. Such novelty items attract attention, encouraging customers to explore your collection and potentially making impulse purchases. By incorporating weird coffee mugs into your inventory, you create a niche that appeals to collectors and gift shoppers alike. These distinctive mugs resonate with consumers who appreciate creativity and individuality. As a result, they enhance not only personal coffee experiences but also create memorable shopping moments, increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction. Unique Designs Unique designs in coffee mugs attract attention and enhance your retail business. Offering mugs with quirky elements helps you stand out in a competitive market. Clever Humor Mugs Clever humor mugs bring a playful touch to everyday routines. These mugs often feature witty phrases or funny images, engaging customers with their lighthearted charm. Examples include mugs that declare, “I’m not a morning person” or those that transform with heat, revealing jokes when filled with hot liquids. Stocking these clever designs can boost impulse purchases, appealing to consumers looking for gifts or personal treats. Consumers enjoy sharing these humorous mugs on social media, increasing visibility for your small business. Artistic and Abstract Mugs Artistic and abstract mugs offer unique visual appeal. These mugs often showcase vibrant colors, unusual shapes, or intricate patterns, turning a simple coffee vessel into a piece of art. Featuring local artists or unique designs resonates with customers seeking originality within their coffee experience. Collaborating with artists can create limited-edition collections, enhancing your small business’s reputation for supporting local talent. This strategy attracts art enthusiasts and garners attention from consumers looking for distinctive gifts, ultimately driving sales. Functional Weirdness Weird coffee mugs can serve unique practical purposes, offering more than just a fun design. These functional pieces can enhance your retail business, attracting consumers seeking novelty in their daily routines. Multi-Purpose Mugs Multi-purpose mugs combine quirky designs with functionality, providing value to your customers. For instance, mugs that double as planters or storage containers add a creative twist to everyday use. These versatile products appeal to consumers looking for more than just a vessel for their beverages, enabling them to showcase their individuality. Stocking multi-purpose mugs can encourage impulse buys, especially if they resonate with collectors or those who appreciate clever innovations. Temperature Control Mugs Temperature control mugs represent a significant advancement in coffee mug functionality. These mugs maintain the desired temperature of beverages for extended periods, ensuring an enjoyable drinking experience. Consumers increasingly seek products that meet their needs, making this type of mug an attractive option for your inventory. Investing in temperature control mugs can position your small business favorably in a competitive market, catering to coffee enthusiasts who value quality and convenience. Popular Trends in Weird Coffee Mugs Weird coffee mugs capture attention and generate excitement, making them ideal for small businesses looking to enhance their retail offerings. Animal-Shaped Mugs Animal-shaped mugs remain a perennial favorite among consumers. These whimsical designs attract shoppers seeking fun and quirky items for their morning routines. For small businesses, offering a variety of animal-shaped mugs can appeal to diverse customer bases, encouraging impulse purchases. Examples include mugs shaped like cats, dogs, and even exotic animals, which serve as both functional drinkware and decorative pieces. You can also collaborate with local artists to create limited-edition animal designs that distinguish your inventory from competitors. Pop Culture References Pop culture reference mugs, featuring characters from movies, TV shows, and video games, resonate well with fans. These mugs serve as conversation starters and maintain a nostalgic connection for customers. Incorporating popular quotes or imagery enhances their appeal, making them attractive gifts or personal purchases for devoted fans. Small businesses can leverage this trend by keeping up-to-date with the latest pop culture phenomena, ensuring that your selection reflects current interests, drawing in enthusiastic shoppers eager to add these unique items to their collections. Where to Buy Weird Coffee Mugs You can find weird coffee mugs in various places, each offering unique selections that cater to different tastes. Consider the following options: Etsy: Etsy hosts a vast marketplace for small businesses. You can discover handmade and customized options, perfect for quirky designs that stand out. Local Artisan Markets: Visiting local markets supports your community’s small businesses and helps you find one-of-a-kind mugs crafted by local artists. Online Retailers: Websites like Amazon and eBay provide extensive selections of weird mugs from numerous retailers. Look for user reviews to gauge quality. Specialty Coffee Shops: Many small coffee shops sell branded or unique mugs. Supporting these shops helps promote local retail businesses while adding charm to your coffee routine. Pop Culture Stores: Shops focusing on pop culture often inventory themed mugs showcasing your favorite movies, shows, or games. These add a playful touch for fans. Social Media: Check platforms like Instagram and Pinterest for shops promoting weird mugs. These platforms feature visual inspiration and direct links to purchase. When sourcing these mugs for your retail business, focus on unique designs that resonate with your target audience. This approach enhances your inventory and helps attract impulse buyers. Conclusion Embracing weird coffee mugs can transform your daily routine into a delightful experience. These quirky designs not only reflect your personality but also spark joy and conversation. Whether you’re a collector or looking for the perfect gift, there’s a unique mug out there for you. For small businesses, offering a diverse selection of these eccentric mugs can attract attention and encourage impulse purchases. By staying updated on trends and collaborating with local artists, you can enhance your inventory and create memorable shopping experiences. So go ahead and explore the world of weird coffee mugs; you might just find the perfect piece that adds a touch of whimsy to your mornings. Frequently Asked Questions What is the significance of coffee mugs beyond functionality? Coffee mugs serve as a medium for creativity and self-expression. Unique designs, like quirky shapes and clever puns, enhance personal styles and brighten morning routines, making them not just functional, but also joyful items. What are “weird coffee mugs”? “Weird coffee mugs” are unconventional mugs that stand out due to their quirky shapes, unique materials, or humorous designs. They often serve as conversation starters, adding a playful touch to daily rituals. How can small businesses benefit from selling unique mugs? Offering a diverse range of eccentric coffee mugs can attract attention and encourage impulse purchases. Unique designs help small businesses stand out in a competitive market while increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction. What trends are popular in coffee mugs today? Trends include animal-shaped mugs, mugs featuring pop culture references, and artistic designs. These items resonate with consumers and often serve as conversation pieces, making them appealing for collectors and enthusiasts. Where can I buy unique coffee mugs? You can find unique mugs on platforms like Etsy for handmade designs, local artisan markets for unique finds, and major retailers like Amazon and eBay for a wider selection. Specialty coffee shops and pop culture stores are also great options. Image Via Envato This article, "Explore the World of Weird Coffee Mugs for a Unique Morning Experience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Weird Coffee Mugs as Conversation Starters: These unique mugs feature unconventional designs that not only serve a practical purpose but also engage customers and spark conversations during coffee breaks. Diverse Design Options: From animal shapes to clever humor, offering a variety of weird mugs can help small businesses stand out and attract diverse customer bases. Functional Innovations: Many weird mugs offer added functionality, such as temperature control or multi-purpose uses, appealing to consumers looking for both creativity and utility in their drinkware. Pop Culture Appeal: Mugs that reference popular culture resonate with dedicated fans and make excellent gifts, allowing retailers to tap into current trends and nostalgic connections. Buying Channels: Weird coffee mugs can be found on platforms like Etsy, local artisan markets, online retailers, specialty coffee shops, and pop culture stores, providing numerous sourcing opportunities for retailers. Supporting Local Artists: Collaborating with local artists to create unique mug designs not only enhances your inventory but also fosters community engagement and supports local creativity. Coffee mugs are more than just vessels for your favorite brew; they’re a canvas for creativity and self-expression. If you’ve ever sipped from a mug that made you chuckle or sparked a conversation, you know the power of a quirky design. From mugs shaped like animals to those with clever puns, the world of weird coffee mugs is a delightful realm waiting to be explored. These unique mugs not only serve a practical purpose but also add a splash of personality to your morning routine. Whether you’re a collector or just looking for a fun gift, weird coffee mugs can bring joy to anyone’s day. Dive into this fascinating collection of eccentric designs that are sure to make your coffee breaks a little more memorable. What Are Weird Coffee Mugs? Weird coffee mugs function as conversation starters, adding a playful element to daily routines. These mugs often feature unconventional shapes, unique materials, or humorous designs that set them apart from standard options. Examples include mugs shaped like animals, quirky faces, or those adorned with clever puns. Small businesses in the retail sector benefit from offering a diverse range of these eccentric mugs. Such novelty items attract attention, encouraging customers to explore your collection and potentially making impulse purchases. By incorporating weird coffee mugs into your inventory, you create a niche that appeals to collectors and gift shoppers alike. These distinctive mugs resonate with consumers who appreciate creativity and individuality. As a result, they enhance not only personal coffee experiences but also create memorable shopping moments, increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction. Unique Designs Unique designs in coffee mugs attract attention and enhance your retail business. Offering mugs with quirky elements helps you stand out in a competitive market. Clever Humor Mugs Clever humor mugs bring a playful touch to everyday routines. These mugs often feature witty phrases or funny images, engaging customers with their lighthearted charm. Examples include mugs that declare, “I’m not a morning person” or those that transform with heat, revealing jokes when filled with hot liquids. Stocking these clever designs can boost impulse purchases, appealing to consumers looking for gifts or personal treats. Consumers enjoy sharing these humorous mugs on social media, increasing visibility for your small business. Artistic and Abstract Mugs Artistic and abstract mugs offer unique visual appeal. These mugs often showcase vibrant colors, unusual shapes, or intricate patterns, turning a simple coffee vessel into a piece of art. Featuring local artists or unique designs resonates with customers seeking originality within their coffee experience. Collaborating with artists can create limited-edition collections, enhancing your small business’s reputation for supporting local talent. This strategy attracts art enthusiasts and garners attention from consumers looking for distinctive gifts, ultimately driving sales. Functional Weirdness Weird coffee mugs can serve unique practical purposes, offering more than just a fun design. These functional pieces can enhance your retail business, attracting consumers seeking novelty in their daily routines. Multi-Purpose Mugs Multi-purpose mugs combine quirky designs with functionality, providing value to your customers. For instance, mugs that double as planters or storage containers add a creative twist to everyday use. These versatile products appeal to consumers looking for more than just a vessel for their beverages, enabling them to showcase their individuality. Stocking multi-purpose mugs can encourage impulse buys, especially if they resonate with collectors or those who appreciate clever innovations. Temperature Control Mugs Temperature control mugs represent a significant advancement in coffee mug functionality. These mugs maintain the desired temperature of beverages for extended periods, ensuring an enjoyable drinking experience. Consumers increasingly seek products that meet their needs, making this type of mug an attractive option for your inventory. Investing in temperature control mugs can position your small business favorably in a competitive market, catering to coffee enthusiasts who value quality and convenience. Popular Trends in Weird Coffee Mugs Weird coffee mugs capture attention and generate excitement, making them ideal for small businesses looking to enhance their retail offerings. Animal-Shaped Mugs Animal-shaped mugs remain a perennial favorite among consumers. These whimsical designs attract shoppers seeking fun and quirky items for their morning routines. For small businesses, offering a variety of animal-shaped mugs can appeal to diverse customer bases, encouraging impulse purchases. Examples include mugs shaped like cats, dogs, and even exotic animals, which serve as both functional drinkware and decorative pieces. You can also collaborate with local artists to create limited-edition animal designs that distinguish your inventory from competitors. Pop Culture References Pop culture reference mugs, featuring characters from movies, TV shows, and video games, resonate well with fans. These mugs serve as conversation starters and maintain a nostalgic connection for customers. Incorporating popular quotes or imagery enhances their appeal, making them attractive gifts or personal purchases for devoted fans. Small businesses can leverage this trend by keeping up-to-date with the latest pop culture phenomena, ensuring that your selection reflects current interests, drawing in enthusiastic shoppers eager to add these unique items to their collections. Where to Buy Weird Coffee Mugs You can find weird coffee mugs in various places, each offering unique selections that cater to different tastes. Consider the following options: Etsy: Etsy hosts a vast marketplace for small businesses. You can discover handmade and customized options, perfect for quirky designs that stand out. Local Artisan Markets: Visiting local markets supports your community’s small businesses and helps you find one-of-a-kind mugs crafted by local artists. Online Retailers: Websites like Amazon and eBay provide extensive selections of weird mugs from numerous retailers. Look for user reviews to gauge quality. Specialty Coffee Shops: Many small coffee shops sell branded or unique mugs. Supporting these shops helps promote local retail businesses while adding charm to your coffee routine. Pop Culture Stores: Shops focusing on pop culture often inventory themed mugs showcasing your favorite movies, shows, or games. These add a playful touch for fans. Social Media: Check platforms like Instagram and Pinterest for shops promoting weird mugs. These platforms feature visual inspiration and direct links to purchase. When sourcing these mugs for your retail business, focus on unique designs that resonate with your target audience. This approach enhances your inventory and helps attract impulse buyers. Conclusion Embracing weird coffee mugs can transform your daily routine into a delightful experience. These quirky designs not only reflect your personality but also spark joy and conversation. Whether you’re a collector or looking for the perfect gift, there’s a unique mug out there for you. For small businesses, offering a diverse selection of these eccentric mugs can attract attention and encourage impulse purchases. By staying updated on trends and collaborating with local artists, you can enhance your inventory and create memorable shopping experiences. So go ahead and explore the world of weird coffee mugs; you might just find the perfect piece that adds a touch of whimsy to your mornings. Frequently Asked Questions What is the significance of coffee mugs beyond functionality? Coffee mugs serve as a medium for creativity and self-expression. Unique designs, like quirky shapes and clever puns, enhance personal styles and brighten morning routines, making them not just functional, but also joyful items. What are “weird coffee mugs”? “Weird coffee mugs” are unconventional mugs that stand out due to their quirky shapes, unique materials, or humorous designs. They often serve as conversation starters, adding a playful touch to daily rituals. How can small businesses benefit from selling unique mugs? Offering a diverse range of eccentric coffee mugs can attract attention and encourage impulse purchases. Unique designs help small businesses stand out in a competitive market while increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction. What trends are popular in coffee mugs today? Trends include animal-shaped mugs, mugs featuring pop culture references, and artistic designs. These items resonate with consumers and often serve as conversation pieces, making them appealing for collectors and enthusiasts. Where can I buy unique coffee mugs? You can find unique mugs on platforms like Etsy for handmade designs, local artisan markets for unique finds, and major retailers like Amazon and eBay for a wider selection. Specialty coffee shops and pop culture stores are also great options. Image Via Envato This article, "Explore the World of Weird Coffee Mugs for a Unique Morning Experience" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We’ve known since launch that the Cybertruck is a flop. Sales have been residual after they peaked at 5,175 units registered in July 2024, gradually falling to just 2,000 units sold in April 2025. The dip has been so deep that the Boring Company would have a hard time reaching the bottom of its sales chart pit, which has totaled 46,000 units since production started in late 2023. Now we have learned that things are getting worse for Cybertruck owners: The Cybertruck has depreciated by 45% after only one year, according to Car Guru. The depreciation is so bad that Tesla wasn’t accepting its own children as trade-ins until three days ago, as the Cybertruck Owners Club found out. According to an estimate obtained in Tesla’s app by an owner, a $100,000 AWD Foundation Series with about 6,200 miles on the odometer is now worth $65,400. That’s a 34.6% drop in its value in just one year (on average, cars depreciate around 30% in the first two years). Worse, as Electrek points out, “it’s also worth nothing that Tesla’s online ‘trade-in estimates’ are often higher than the final offer.” The reason may be as simple as the fact that few people want a Cybertruck. We have reported on its many design and quality failures: Doors that sever fingers, a gas pedal that can cause uncontrollable acceleration, falling trim pieces that can cause accidents. Those are just a few examples in a seemingly never-ending timeline of problems that has resulted in eight recalls since its debut. Surprise! It depreciates This polygonal nightmare is flailing, and it should come as no big surprise. There were signs of what is happening now back in May 2024, when the price of secondhand Cybertrucks cratered a few months after initial hype and limited production drove up the truck’s resell price to double or triple its original $102,235 price tag. This tracks Tesla’s own stock, which has been similarly inflated with a price-to-earnings ratio of 188.13 as of May 19, meaning that the company’s share price trades at 188.13 times its earnings per share. For comparison, BYD—the leading EV manufacturer in the world—has a PE ratio of 27.67. As Tesla increased the production volume, the demand began to fall fast, leading to unsold inventory and forced production slowdowns that left assembly lines empty, with workers taking leave or doing other tasks. Demand was so low that used car dealers reduced purchases, contributing to the rapid depreciation. Musk once claimed that Tesla cars would increase in value, which turned out to be false. Like nearly every other car on the planet except collector pieces, Tesla’s cars have depreciated in value. But the regular depreciation has now accelerated for the entire brand. Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles experienced the most significant depreciation among the top 200 car models in 2024. Tesla experienced a 71% decline in net income and a 13% drop in EV sales in Q1 2025. The company is facing a critical moment due to stagnant design, outdated technology, and declining sales. The Cybertruck is the epitome of this problem. My prediction? Soon there will be a few thousands of these hideous trucks in an underground parking lot with no exit. A new Musk grave with a big tax write-off sign on the front. View the full article

Google just rolled out AI Mode to US users. I was testing if the clicks would show in Google Search Console, without any success. A post by Tom Critchlow on LinkedIn made me wonder how a click on a link…Read more ›View the full article

Google I/O 2025 was chock full of announcements. The problem is, Google isn't always clear about which features are new, which have already been released, and which are coming out in the future. While there are plenty of features to look out for on the horizon, and a number still that you've been able to use for some time, there are brand new features Google rolled out immediately after announcing them. Here are all the Google I/O features you can check out right now—though some do require you to pay. Imagen 4 Credit: Google Google's latest AI image generation model, Imagen 4, is available today. Google was sparse on too many specific upgrades with this new model, but says that Imagen is faster, and now capable of images up to 2K resolution with additional aspect ratios. The change the company focused most on is typography: Google says Imagen 4 can generate text without any of the usual AI errors you associate with AI image generators. On top of that, the model can incorporate different art styles and design choices, depending on the context of the prompt. You can see that in the image above, which uses a pixelated design for the text to match the 8-bit comic strip look. You can try the latest Imagen model in the Gemini app, Whisk, Vertex AI, and through Workspace apps like Slides, Vids, and Docs. AI Mode Credit: Lifehacker AI Mode essentially turns Search into a Gemini chat: It allows you to ask more complicated and multi-step questions. Google then uses a "query fan-out" technique to scan the web for relevant links and generate a complete answer from those results. I haven't dived too deep into this feature, but it does largely work as advertised—I'm just not sure if that's all that much more useful than searching through links myself. Google has been testing AI Mode since March, but now it's available to everyone in the U.S. If you want to use it, you should see the new AI Mode option on the right side of the search bar on Google's homepage. "Try it on" Credit: Google Shopping online is so much more convenient than going in-person, in all ways but one: You can't try on any of the clothes ahead of time. Once they arrive, you try them on, and if they don't fit, or you don't like the look, back to the store they go. Google wants to eliminate (or, at least, greatly cut down on) this from happening. Its new "try it on" feature scans an image you provide of yourself to get an understanding of your body. Then, when you're browsing for new clothes online, you can choose to "try it on," and Google's AI will generate an image of you wearing the article of clothing. It's an interesting concept, but also a bit creepy. I personally do not want Google analyzing images of myself so that it can more accurately map different types of clothes on me. Personally, I'd rather run the risk of making a return. But if you want to give it a go, you can try the experimental feature in Google Labs today. Jules Jules is Google's "asynchronous, agentic coding assistant." According to Google, the assistant clones your codebase into a secure Google Cloud virtual machine, so that it can execute tasks like writing tests, building features, generating audio changelogs, fixing bugs, and bumping dependency versions. The assistant works in the background and doesn't use your code for training, which is a bit refreshing from a company like Google. I'm not a coder, so I can't say for sure whether Jules seems useful. But if you are a coder, you can test it for yourself. As of today, Jules is available as a free public beta for anyone who wants to try it out—though Google says usage limits apply, and that they will charge for different Jules plans once the "platform matures." Speech translation in Google Meet Credit: Google If you're a Google Workspace subscriber, this next feature is pretty great. As shown off during the I/O keynote, Google Meet now has live speech translation. Here's how it works: Let's say you're talking to someone on a Google Meet call who speaks Spanish, but you only speak English. You'll hear the other caller speak in Spanish for a moment or two, before an AI voice dubs over them with the translation in English. They'll receive the opposite on their end after you start speaking. Google is working on adding more languages in the coming weeks. Google AI Ultra subscription Credit: Google There's a new subscription in town, though it's not for the faint of heart. Google announced a new "AI Ultra" subscription at I/O yesterday, that costs a whopping $250 per month. That extraordinary price tag comes with some major AI features: You get access to the highest limits for all of Google's AI models, including Gemini 2.5 Deep Think, Veo 3, and Project Mariner. It also comes with 30TB of cloud storage, and, amusingly, a YouTube Premium subscription. You really have to be a big believer in AI to drop upwards of $3,000 a year on this subscription. If you have a budding curiosity for AI, perhaps Google's "AI Pro" plan is more your speed—this is the new name for Google's AI Premium subscription, and comes with the same perks, plus now access to Flow (which I'll cover below). Veo Veo 3 is Google's latest AI video model. Unlike Imagen 4, however, it's only available to AI Ultra subscribers. If you're not comfortable with spending $250 a month on Google's services, you'll have to stick with Veo 2. Google says Veo 3 is better at real-world physics than Veo 2 and can handle realistic lip-syncing. You can see that in the clip above, which shows an "old sailor" reciting a poem. His lips do indeed match the speech, and the video is crisp with elements of realism. I personally don't think it looks "real," and it still has plenty of tells that it's an AI video, but there's no doubt we are entering some dangerous waters with AI video. AI Pro subscribers with access to Veo 2 have some new video model capabilities, as well, however. You now have camera controls to dictate how you want shots to look; options for adjusting the aspect ratio of the clip; tools to add or remove objects from a scene; and controls to "outpaint," or to add on to the scene of a clip. Flow Google didn't just upgrade its AI video model: It also released an AI video editor, called Flow. Flow lets you generate videos using Veo 2 and Veo 3, but it also lets you cut together those clips on a timeline and control the camera movements of your clips. You can use Imagen to generate an element you want to add to a scene, then ask Veo to generate a clip with that element in it. I'm sure AI film enthusiasts are going to love this, but I remain skeptical. I could see this being a useful tool for story boarding ideas, but for creating real content? I know I don't want to watch full shows or movies generated by AI. Maybe the odd Instagram video gets a chuckle out of me, but I don't think Reels are Google's end goal here. Flow is available for both AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers. If you have AI Pro, you can access Veo 2, but AI Ultra subscribers can choose between Veo 2 and Veo 3. Gemini in Chrome Credit: Google AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers now have access to Gemini in Google Chrome, which appears in the toolbar of your browser window. You can ask the assistant to summarize a web page, as well as inquire about elements of that web page. There are plans for agentic features in the future, so Gemini could check out websites for you, but, for now, you're really limited to two functions. View the full article

Project audits are one way of keeping your projects on track—they can help you find areas of risk, weakness, or gaps, as well as keep the project team accountable for their work. Here's how to do an audit and increase your chances of project success. The post What Is A Project Audit & How To Do One Successfully appeared first on The Digital Project Manager. View the full article

The move comes as the House of Representatives passed a successor bill this week to support distressed homeowners served by the Department of Veterans Affairs. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. If you find running intimidating, know that there is another way to get some fresh air while doing a reasonably intense workout. It’s called interval walking training (IWT), or sometimes "Japanese walking" or "3x3 walking." It’s a form of HIIT, but it won’t end in you collapsing on the floor, hating your life. Here’s how to do it. How to do the 3x3 "Japanese walking" workoutThe original protocol for this exercise, as published here in 2007 by Hiroshi Nose’s team at Shinshu University in Japan, used a lab test to help people determine how fast they should walk during the workout. Since that’s not practical for most of us, a common substitute is to use perceived effort. During the high intensity portions, you walk a strong, fast pace—about as fast as you can without jogging, and without getting too tired. For the low intensity portions, you walk normally. So here’s the protocol. It’s simple, and it doesn’t require a warmup, so you can just jump right in: Walk for three minutes at a normal speed. Walk for three minutes at high intensity (as fast as you reasonably can). Repeat those two steps for 30 minutes or more. To time those intervals, you can program any smartwatch to beep at three-minute intervals, or just use your phone. I like the free Intervals Pro app on my iPhone; try Interval Timer on Android. In the 2007 study, older adults who did this workout four or more times per week, for five months, ended the study with better aerobic fitness and leg strength than when they started. If you’ve ever wondered whether walking counts as exercise, this certainly does. Why interval walking is the new HIITInterval walking is starting to become more popular. Garmin’s latest lifestyle watch, the Vivoactive 6, comes with walking workouts, which include intervals similar to the ones in the 3x3 workout. You can see examples of Garmin’s walking workouts in my review of the watch here. Why the love for walking? I see a few forces at work here. First, there’s a lot of over-the-top, go-get-em attitudes in the fitness world, especially on social media. If you’ve been through a few rounds of HIIT hype, you may be sick of trying to push yourself harder and harder (or you were so intimidated by the idea that you never tried.) The backlash to high intensity fitness can go a bit too far the other way, telling people (often women who have been told to worry about their cortisol) that they don’t need to lift weights or work hard in the gym; they can just go for walks and do some gentle yoga or Pilates. Take that advice seriously enough, and you won’t end up getting much exercise at all. Interval walking occupies a place in the middle—harder than a hot girl walk or cozy cardio, but easier (and more fun!) than a 12-3-30 treadmill trudge. Interval walking is especially accessible to people who don’t have a gym membership or fitnessy clothes: All you need is a pair of shoes that are comfortable to walk in. And here’s where I think the real magic of walking comes in: It stops you from overthinking your fitness routine, and lets you just get started. You won’t be tempted to overthink about running shoes or fitness watches—you just get out there and walk. View the full article

U.S. TikTok Shop employees received a memo on Tuesday, recommending staff to work from home Wednesday ahead of “difficult decisions.” The memo, which was earlier reported by Bloomberg, told staff they would be updated on “organizational and personnel changes” via email, followed by HR outreach, suggesting possible layoffs. TikTok Shop, the Chinese-owned company’s marketplace feature launched in 2023 in the U.S., allowing users to shop for products in the app. The marketplace—which hosts everything from popular US brands like Crocs, to third-party merchandise in the likes of Temu and Shein— hit $100 million in single day sales on Black Friday alone. “TikTok Shops is the fastest-growing sales channel we’ve ever had at MaryRuth’s. It took off faster than Amazon, faster than retail, faster than anything we’ve seen,” Jay Hunter, chief revenue officer of vitamin and supplement company MaryRuth’s, said via LinkedIn. “It’s messy. It’s unpredictable. But the upside is real.” The video app and its parent company ByteDance has faced several challenges this year, including a looming threat of ban in the U.S., and a month-over-month decline in TikTok Shop sales due to Chinese-based foreign sellers affected by tariffs, Business Insider reported. While specific details regarding changes and scale are yet to be released, the memo follows a series of restructuring efforts to TikTok’s e-commerce unit. In April, TikTok let go of several staff members from the U.S. e-commerce unit’s governance and experience, due in part to failing to meet performance goals. Later that month, reorganization efforts gave more control to executives from the company’s China-based operations, including Mu Qing who authored the Tuesday memo, per Bloomberg. Fast Company reached out to TikTok for comment, but did not receive a response at the time of publishing. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Amazon’s Memorial Day Sale is already happening, and plenty of fitness trackers and smartwatches are on sale. This event intersects with some recent Garmin price drops, too, making it a really good time to shop for a new watch. Here are the best deals I’m seeing. Pixel Google’s Pixel Watch 2 is on sale for just $149.99, down from an original price of $249.99. This is the slightly older version, launched in 2023 and replaced two years later by the Pixel Watch 3 (which I reviewed here). The Pixel Watch 2 has most of the same features as the newer model, but only comes in one size (41 mm) and doesn’t have as big or bright a display. Google Pixel Watch 2 with the Best of Fitbit and Google - Heart Rate Tracking, Stress Management, Safety Features - Android Smartwatch - Polished Silver Aluminum Case - Bay Active Band - Wi-Fi $149.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $249.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $149.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $249.99 Save $100.00 SuuntoThe Suunto Core watch is on sale for $159.99, normally $219.99. It’s built for outdoor adventuring, with an altimeter, barometer, and compass built in, and can alert you when a storm is a-comin'. Suunto Core Classic, Outdoor Watch, All Black $159.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $219.00 Save $60.00 Get Deal Get Deal $159.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $219.00 Save $60.00 GarminThe Fenix 8, 47mm size, is on sale for $799.99, normally $999.99. The Fenix is one of Garmin’s most rugged and feature-packed watches, with maps, a flashlight, a titanium bezel, and leakproof buttons. Garmin fēnix® 8 – 47mm, AMOLED, Premium Multisport GPS Smartwatch, Long-Lasting Battery Life, Dive-Rated, Built-in LED Flashlight, Slate Gray with Black Band $799.99 at Amazon $999.99 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $799.99 at Amazon $999.99 Save $200.00 On the other end of the price spectrum, the Forerunner 165 is on sale for $199.99, normally $249.99. This watch is a budget version of the 265, and a good entry-level option for runners who don’t need a lot of extras. Note that the regular 165 doesn’t come with music storage. If you want to listen to tunes without bringing your phone along, you’ll want to spring for the Forerunner 165 Music, now on sale for $249.99, normally $299.99. The trusty Forerunner 265 is on sale for $349.99, $100 off its original price of $449.99, although that’s probably less about the Memorial Day sale and more about it being replaced with a new Forerunner 570. That said, the 265 is a truly excellent watch, still my personal favorite in the Forerunner line—although I haven’t reviewed the 570 yet, so that may change (I’m wearing a 265S as I write this). The Venu 3 and 3S are on sale for $349.99, down from $449.99. (S means smaller size; they’re the same watch otherwise.) This is Garmin’s most smartwatch-y watch, with voice calling and an ECG app. It’s aimed at people who want a lifestyle watch with fitness features, rather than a sports-focused watch. You can think of it as the fancier version of the Vivoactive 6, which isn’t on sale today (regular price is $299.99) but happens to be one of my favorite fitness watches. The Instinct 3 Solar is on sale for $349.99 in both 45 mm and 50 mm sizes, down from $399.99 when it launched earlier this year. It has a rugged build, outdoor-focused features including an LED flashlight, and solar charging. It also comes in an AMOLED version that’s on sale for $399.99 and a lower-cost Instinct E that is going for $249.99 right now—all $50 off their original prices. View the full article

With 24/7 service, thousands of locations, and affordable food, Waffle House is a go-to road-trip stop. And soon the chain will offer yet another draw to drivers looking for somewhere to take a break: Waffle House diners across the South will be getting EV chargers as soon as 2026. Waffle House is partnering with BP Pulse, the EV charging network operated by energy company BP, to bring DC fast chargers to diners across the South and Southeast, including in Texas, Georgia, and Florida. There are more than 2,000 Waffle House locations across the country; BP Pulse didn’t say how many will ultimately get EV chargers through this effort, but that “an initial tranche of 50 sites” is already in progress. Each site will have six EV charging bays, featuring 400 kilowatt DC fast chargers. Different fast chargers boast different speeds; BP Pulse says its 400 kW chargers can get a vehicle to 80% in as little as 15 to 30 minutes, though it depends on factors like the vehicle’s battery size. Those chargers will be equipped with both CCS and NACS connectors. The first of those stations are expected to go live in 2026, per BP Pulse. This isn’t Waffle House’s first foray into the world of EV charging. In February 2024, the chain announced that a location in Tennessee would get EV chargers through EnviroSpark. That initiative was aided by National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding from the state’s Department of Transportation. NEVI was part of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and set aside $5 billion for states to expand the national EV charging network. The The President administration, however, has thrown the NEVI program into chaos. This February, the administration told state transportation directors that they couldn’t spend that funding, pausing the initiative and halting EV charger projects across the country. The NEVI pause shouldn’t hurt this latest Waffle House deal though; BP Pulse says it isn’t contingent on any incentives. BP Pulse already has a network of more than 8,000 EV charging locations across 46 states, and also operates internationally. California has long dominated in terms of EV adoption, but southern states are becoming big EV players. The second largest state for EVs, based on the number of registrations, is Florida, followed by Texas. Waffle House also makes sense as a hub for EV chargers: The diners are open 24/7 (even, notoriously, through some major storms), and are conveniently located along major corridors and off highway exits, making them an easy place to stop and top off your EV battery. “Charging up while fueling up on an All-Star Special will be convenient and fast—a perfect option for enjoying the Waffle House experience while charging your EV on the go,” David Repp, director of Innovation at Waffle House, said in a statement. View the full article

Google wants to give people access to its Gemini AI assistant with the blink of an eye: The company has struck a partnership with eyeglasses makers Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to make AI smart glasses, it announced at its Google I/O developer conference in Mountain View Tuesday. These glasses will be powered by Google’s new Android XR platform, and are expected to be released in 2026 at the earliest. To show what Gemini-powered smart glasses can do, Google has also built a limited number of prototype devices in partnership with Samsung. These glasses use a small display in the right lens to show live translations, directions and similar lightweight assistance. They also feature an integrated camera that gives Gemini a real-time view of your surroundings and can also be used to capture photos and videos. “Unlike Clark Kent, you can get superpowers when you put your glasses on,” joked Android XR GM and VP Shahram Izadi during Tuesday’s keynote presentation. Going hands- (and eyes-) on Google demonstrated its prototype device to reporters Tuesday afternoon. Compared to a regular pair of glasses, Google’s AI device still features notably thicker temples. These house microphones, a touch interface for input, and a capture button to take photos.Despite all of that, the glasses do feel light and comfortable, similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. The Google glasses’ big difference compared to Meta’s reveals itself almost immediately after putting them on: At the center of the right lens is a small, rectangular see-through display. It doesn’t obstruct your view of the world when not actively in use. However, during the demo, I at times noticed a purple reflection from the waveguide that’s at the core of the display in the upper right corner of my field-of-view. Google’s AI assistant can be summoned with a simple touch gesture. Once active, Gemini automatically accesses the outward-facing camera of the glasses, which makes it possible to ask about anything you see. During my short demo, the assistant correctly described the content of a painting, identified its painter, and offered some information about books hand-selected by Google for the demo. In addition to AI assistance, the glasses can also be used for live translation and navigation. Google only showed the latter to members of the media. When in Google Maps mode, the glasses automatically display turn-by-turn walking directions while looking up. Look down, and the display includes a small, circular street map floating in front of you. The display itself looked bright and legible, even when showing multiple lines of text at a time. However, Google conducted these demos indoors; it’s unclear how bright sunlight will impact legibility. Also unknown at this point is how long the batteries of such a device will last. Android XR glasses are designed for all-day wear, according to Izadi, but that doesn’t really tell us how many hours they can be used at a time. Lots of open questions Third-party apps were also notably absent from the demo. Izadi said Tuesday that glasses running Android XR will work with your phone, “giving you access to your apps while keeping your hands free.” How exactly that will work is unclear, as the display integrated into the prototype was too small to display the full UI of most apps. Most likely, Android XR will render apps in a simplified, device-optimized fashion, similar to the way apps show up on smart watches such as the Apple Watch and Google’s Android Wear devices. The emergence of these kinds of devices also raises more fundamental questions about privacy. The prototype device shown at Google’s event this week has an LED that’s supposed to signal to bystanders when it takes photos or records video, and an internal LED that signals to the wearer when footage is being captured. However, the LED doesn’t turn on on while Google’s Gemini assistant observes the world through the camera. According to a Google spokesperson, that’s because any video ingested this way is not being stored, but only temporarily used to make sense of the world. Bystanders, however, may not be as receptive to that distinction. They may assume that a device that can “see” the world at all times also continuously captures video. Lastly, it’s still unclear what Google’s vision for other form factors looks like. The company also announced plans to release a pair of tethered AR glasses in partnership with Chinese AR startup Xreal Tuesday. With displays in both eyes, that device will be able to render much more immersive experiences, and presumably emphasize entertainment and work applications over more basic assistance. In addition, Google’s roadmap for Android XR-powered devices includes glasses without any display at all. These are likely going to be similar to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses, albeit with access to Google’s Gemini assistant instead of Meta’s AI. Omitting a display brings down the manufacturing costs of smart glasses, while also helping with an important goal: To make devices that look and feel familiar to anyone who has ever worn a pair of glasses. “We know that these need to be stylish glasses that you’ll want to wear all day,” Izadi said. View the full article

Republican and Democratic lawmakers have voiced concerns about ethics and security around such a gift View the full article