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Looking like something out of Minecraft, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has released a new image of its latest electromagnetic railgun being developed by the Acquisition, Technology, & Logistics Agency (ATLA) to counter hypersonic missiles.
Category: Military, Technology
Tags: Japan, JMSDF, Electromagnetic Railgun, Hypersonic
Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), the largest battery manufacturer in the world with a 38% share of the global market, has just announced some fairly significant breakthroughs in battery tech that aren't just theoretical; they're already hitting the market.
Category: Automotive, Transport
Tags: Electric Vehicles, Battery Technology, Battery Electric Vehicles, CATL
Hyperlite Mountain Gear joins fellow ultralight backpacking gear makers like Durston and Six Moons Design in adding a little bit of extra usability and comfort to its lineup of low weight shelters. Introduced on Tuesday, the all-new Crosspeak 2 stands tall amongst the brand's offerings as its only freestanding shelter, a low-profile dome tent that still hovers near an even 2 lb (907 g) when packed and does so without relying on a single mandatory hiking pole or guy line. It doesn't do all that on the cheap, though.
Tags: Tent, Lightweight, Backpacking, Camping, Outdoors and Camping, Bikepacking
It's never a good thing when harmful bacteria are present on surfaces in hospitals, as they can cause life-threatening infections in already immunocompromised patients. A new paint could help keep that from happening, by quickly killing any microbes that land on it.
Category: Infectious Diseases, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind
Tags: University of Nottingham, Antibacterial, Paint, Coatings
For those looking to leave the car in the driveway yet still take the kids to school or do the weekly shop, Dutch e-mobility outfit Tenways has added another cargo hauler to its family – following last year's front loader with a longtail model called the Duo.
Tags: ebikes, Pedal-assisted, cargo bike
Swedish lighting company Profoto has announced the release of the Spot Small. This compact light shaping tool is built for photographers looking for precise control over their lighting and is aimed at professionals in the fashion, portrait, product and fine art industries. Profoto says the Spot Small delivers a crisp, artifact-free beam with its 115mm focus lens.
FeaturesIntegrated adjustable leaves allow photographers to fine-tune the shape of the light, while optional add-ons like the Iris and Gobo Holder allow for the production of custom shapes and dramatic effects. A magnetic front ring ensures compatibility with Profoto's Clic light-shaping accessories, something users looking for more ways to experiment might be interested in.
Profoto says the Spot Small is built for longevity. It features fully vented 360-degree housing to withstand the demands of professional work. The device is compatible with both flat and protruded flash heads. Images of the product and its accessories can be viewed on the brand's official Instagram page.
The Spot Small is positioned as a tool for pro photographers who wish to work with intentionality and creativity, confidently shaping light with precision. Currently, there is no listed price.
Profoto Spot Small speficiations Focal length 115 mm Lens dimensions 12-18.5 cm (4.6-7.3") length x Ø7.3 cm (2.9") Width 19.5 cm (7.7") Height 23 cm (14") Length 35.5 cm (14") Weight 2.5 kg (5.5 lb)There's no denying the bold, unique look of the Sigma BF mirrorless camera. It's unlike any camera currently available, with a body milled from a single block of aluminum. The minimalistic design lacks a grip, though, which some may take issue with. Helium Design Lab, a company started by photographers Ed Palisoc and Hugh Brownstone, has stepped up to the plate, with a grip worthy of the BF, as PetaPixel reports.
It takes a special design for any grip to look even somewhat right on such a distinctive-looking camera. The Helium Design Lab HeBF handgrip keeps the aesthetics of the camera intact, resulting in what Helium Design Lab says is a "more perfect union between camera and passionate photographers like ourselves." Like the camera, the grip is made of precisely machined aluminum, and each is hand assembled and inspected. It is designed, manufactured and packaged in the US.
Image: Helium Design LabThe HeBF grip provides access to the battery without removing the grip and features a hidden, anti-tamper AirTag slot so you can keep track of your camera. It also offers built-in Arca-Swiss compatibility, and it's compatible with the Peak Design Capture Clip and Travel Tripod. There are bottom anchor lugs on the left and right, providing multiple options for wrist and camera strap configurations. It's available in natural silver aluminum and anodized black finishes.
The kicker: this is a very limited production run. Helium Design Lab says it is only making 100 units and will not offer it again. The limited nature of the grip, along with the close attention to detail of each one, naturally demands a steep price: $390.
The grip comes in silver and black.
Image: Helium Design Lab
As Brownstone admits in the YouTube video discussing the grip, "390 bucks is anything but chump change." But it isn't the company's most expensive offering. In fact, it's actually cheaper than all of the company's other options by $150.
Brownstone explains that they've engineered significant costs out of the grip compared to their other products to keep the price down as much as possible. Still, the grip's nature means it is expensive to produce. "This is not primarily a rational business decision. We're bad. It's an emotional one," says cofounder Hugh Brownstone. "Our ambition is to break even."
You can pre-order the grip from the Helium Design Lab website, provided you get there soon enough.
Though it looks unassuming from the outside, the aptly named Funhouse has a playful interior design. The towable home is centered around a large living room with a climbing wall section that provides access to a neat netted hangout area.
Category: Tiny Houses, Lifestyle
Tags: Building and Construction, Tiny Footprint, Micro-House, Indoor climbing, House, Home
This week, Sony announced the FE 50-150mm F2 GM, a fast telephoto lens aimed at sports and wedding photographers. The company has made some big promises about its performance, saying that its theoretical sharpness at either end is comparable to that of modern primes.
We got to spend some time with the lens pre-launch, and took some sample images. We've processed them using Capture One, which lets us use the manufacturer-provided distortion correction profile.
Buy now:
Buy at B&H PhotoPlease do not reproduce any of these images on a website or any newsletter/magazine without prior permission (see our copyright page). We make the originals available for private users to download to their own machines for personal examination or printing; we do so in good faith, so please don't abuse it.
Sample galleryThis widget is not optimized for RSS feed readers. Click here to open it in a new browser window / tab.If you've had to move house often, or needed to live in compact spaces, you'll love this. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a way to produce flat-pack furniture using a robotic quilting machine, which folds from lightweight cloth-covered panels into functional pieces for your home.
Category: Around The Home, Lifestyle
Tags: Furniture, Carnegie Mellon, DIY, Design Engineering
In a world first, Japanese researchers flew a lightning-proof drone in a thunderstorm, using it to induce and direct natural lightning strikes. The team is now working on how this flying lightning rod might capture and store lightning energy.
Category: Drones, Consumer Tech, Technology
Tags: Lightning, Japan, drones, Weather, Electricity
Logitech has announced new plugins for its MX Creative Console accessory, which acts as a control panel for various photo and video editing apps. It now supports Adobe Lightroom, Affinity Photo, Final Cut Pro and DaVinci Resolve, as well as Figma, letting you trigger actions with its multi-function button and control edits using its dial and scroll wheel.
While you could use the console with these apps before, it was in a more limited fashion: you'd have to map keyboard shortcuts to the buttons rather than using pre-made actions that communicate directly with the app. And while a plugin for Lightroom Classic has been available since the Creative Console's launch, this is the first time an official one has been available for the newer version of the app.
Image: LogitechThe built-in actions let you do a variety of things based on which app you're working in. For example, when working in Lightroom, you can use the console to rate photos, filter photos by star rating or flags, open the color mixer and more. You can use the dial to change a variety of parameters and to crop and rotate your image. Meanwhile, in Final Cut Pro, you can use the console to trim your clips, zoom in and out on your timeline and access color correction tools. You can configure the wheel to scrub through your timeline by a single frame at a time or by several frames at once.
You can set up several pages of actions and scroll through them; the screens under the buttons will update depending on which page you're on and which app you're using. You currently can't create folders of actions, but the company says it's working on that ability and to expect support for more applications in the coming months.
The update that supports the new plugins and the plugins themselves are free if you already own an MX Creative Console. The accessory itself is $199 and comes in white or black.
Buy at Amazon Buy at B&H Adobe Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and Figma: Now Available for the MX Creative ConsoleAttention photographers, videographers, and designers! We are pleased to announce the latest software update for the MX Creative Console in the Logi Marketplace. This update brings powerful new integrations and expanded functionality for Final Cut Pro and the highly requested Adobe Lightroom, as well as new plugins for DaVinci Resolve, Figma and Affinity Photo.
“We have heard from the community that the MX Creative Console not only speeds up their workflow, but has increased their productivity and made work easier. Adding these highly requested plugins will unlock the MX Creative Console’s potential for a broader range of creative professionals,” said Anatoliy Polyanker, general manager of the MX Business Unit at Logitech.
Designed with creative professionals in mind, the MX Creative Console offers a personalized workflow experience. With dynamic display keys for instant access to essential actions and a customizable dialpad for intuitive navigation, it empowers creators to work smarter and faster. Additionally, every console includes a complimentary three-month Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps membership, providing exceptional value with access to industry-leading creative tools.
Effortless Setup with Pre-Built Profiles
These new plugins include default profiles with pre-assigned actions and tools, making setup quick and seamless. Built-in shortcuts and actions enable users to easily adapt and customize their console to fit their unique workflow needs.
Adobe Lightroom – Faster, Easier Photo Editing
Final Cut Pro – More Intuitive and Faster Editing
Figma for Desktop – Optimize Your Design Workflow
DaVinci Resolve – Powerful Video Editing Controls
In addition to our existing lineup—including Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom Classic, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Illustrator, Audition, and Capture One for Mac—we're introducing new plugins to enhance your creative workflow. Our tools are constantly evolving as we actively develop and refine features, ensuring there is always access to cutting-edge capabilities.
Visit the Logi Marketplace via the Logi Options+ app, which is available to download for free at logi.com/optionsplus, to explore these new features and elevate your editing experience to the next level. MX Creative Console, available in pale grey and graphite, is available for $199.99 on www.logitech.com and at other global retailers. Learn more at http://logitech.com/mx-creative-console
Nerve or neuropathic pain has long been a tricky condition to treat effectively. However, a new study has comprehensively evaluated current drug and non-drug therapies to provide up-to-date guidelines to inform treatment options for those with the condition.
Category: Chronic Pain, Illnesses and conditions, Body & Mind
Tags: Neuropathic pain, Nerves, Chronic pain, Treatment, Neuroscience Research Australia
Photographers posted images of what Earth Day means to them on their favorite platforms.
Copyright: © Brandon Dela Cruz
Today, Earth Day was celebrated around the world. What began in 1970 as a grassroots environmental movement has become a global effort to raise awareness about our planet. It encourages people to act on climate change, pollution, deforestation, and other pressing issues.
Photographers took to their favorite online platforms and shared their favorite related images to express what Earth Day means. My feeds were flooded with the loveliest tributes to what makes our planet worth fighting for. Enjoy this slideshow and check out the work these artists produce elsewhere.
'When badlands are good lands' by Larry Ginyard Copyright: © Larry GinyardDescription: An aerial photo snapped in the badlands of southern Utah.
Artist statement about Earth Day: Capturing photos of the Earth grounds me. It’s where I go to escape the monotony of day-to-day life. The more isolated the destination, the better. With nothing but the sound of the wind, I can be introspective and contemplative.
I can also just be. Never underestimate the importance of just existing when surrounded by the beautiful sights and sounds of nature. We need to conserve places like this so that generations after us are afforded the same experiences.
'Twilight Reverence: Honoring the Earth Through Story and Light' by Criz Quinn Copyright: © Criz QuinnDescription: Every journey, every image, every breath… This planet has given me light, wonder, and awe. As a travel photographer, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to witness so much of our world, even its most remote and untouched corners. Every photograph I take is my way of saying thank you for the privilege to explore and share the Earth’s beauty.
This image, captured beneath the twilight sky among the ancient quiver trees of Namibia, is more than a memory. It’s a reminder that even in the quietest, farthest reaches of the Earth, there is magic waiting to be seen, felt, and honored.
The fading light, the silhouette of a friend dwarfed by ancient trees and scattered stone… this is scale, this is perspective. This is Earth reminding us of our place within something far greater than ourselves.
Artist statement about Earth Day: For me, Earth Day is about more than awareness. It is about reverence. A chance to pause and reflect on the extraordinary gift that we’ve been given: a planet that creates scenes like this without asking for anything in return but for us to respect it.
On this day, and every day, I choose to honor her through stewardship, and by continuing to tell her story through my photography with gratitude and awe.
'Atcama desert' by David Neuman Copyright: © David NeumanDescription: The Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth. In the middle of this arid desert is a laguna home to hundreds of flamingos, grazing about gracefully. The sheer randomness and juxtaposition of the bone-dry climate surrounding something so tropical is as breathtaking as the flamingos themselves.
Artist statement about Earth Day: As a photographer who loves traveling, exploring all of the diverse textures and colors of the earth’s surface is one of my favorite things to do. When I picked up photography in 2017, it offered me a whole new way to discover and seek out those perspectives. Earth Day serves as a reminder of how fortunate we are to have access to all of this. It also reminds us how precious our planet is, and that there is no planet B.
'Monument to the sun' by Justin Wood Copyright: © Justin WoodDescription: Video Projection.Photograph. Black Hills, SD (South Dakota)
Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day invites us to acknowledge our evolving relationship with the planet and the challenge of balancing emerging technology with ecological constraints. Drawing on the earthwork tradition, my projection installations seek to harmonize light and time, revealing fresh perspectives on ancient places.
'Aurora over high falls' by Nathan Klok Copyright: © Nathan KlokDescription: Vibrant Aurora lights up the night sky over High Falls on the Pigeon River along the Minnesota-Ontario border on August 11th, 2024. This night I chased and photographed the aurora from sundown to sunup during an intense storm of Northern Lights, where they were able to be seen throughout the entire United States.
Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day is a celebration of the beautiful planet we all get to call home and a call to protect it for future generations to come.
'Arizona sandstone' by Bayley Jordan Copyright: © Bayley JordanDescription: A sunrise flight features the beautiful swirling color and texture of this Arizona sandstone landscape.
Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day, to me, is about appreciating and documenting the beautiful world we are so lucky to be surrounded by. If I am not out on a photo session, you will often find me spending time outdoors, whether it be biking amidst the beautiful alpine lakes and forests, camping with loved ones, or exploring a new hiking trail to capture stunning images with my camera or drone. I am outside daily in search of the gorgeous, golden-hour glow as it lights up each of the lovely landscapes we are so lucky to explore.
Multiple images (including header) by Brandon Dela Cruz Copyright: © Brandon Dela CruzArtist statement about Earth Day: As a photographer, Earth Day is a reminder to slow down and truly see. It’s easy to chase the next shoot or scroll past a sunset but this day reminds me to pause and appreciate how breathtakingly beautiful our planet really is.
To me, it’s not just about a single moment of recognition - it’s about honoring what has been here long before us the rugged coastlines, the towering redwoods, the untouched deserts, and all the wild iconic places that have stood the test of time. I think of national parks, not just in the US, but all around the world, as living museums of Earth’s raw beauty. Earth Day is a call to protect that to preserve the wild for the next generation.
I feel a deep responsibility with my camera to capture, not just the views, but the value of these places because if people can see how incredible this planet is, maybe they’ll feel more inclined to protect it. That’s what drives me.
'African Surf and Stone' by Adam Ledoux Copyright: © Adam LedouxDescription: I took while in South Africa last year, of waves crashing onto rocks near the shoreline outside of Cape Town.
Artist statement about Earth Day: Earth Day serves as an annual reminder to love, appreciate, and care for the planet that we've been blessed to live on. We only have this one that we can live on (for now), and it comes with the task of keeping it healthy for future generations.
'Blue Earth. Pink sky.' by Sheen Watkins Copyright: © Sheen WatkinsArtist statement about Earth Day: Earth is a day of celebrating the natural wonders of our earth. It is also a reminder that she needs our protection and care.
'Avalanche Lake' by Karen Walter Copyright: © Karen WalterDescription: This image was captured at Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park, located in Montana.
Artist Statement about Earth Day: Earth Day to me means preserving our planet for generations to come by doing little things every day. Picking up trash in public places, recycling, planting a tree. Respecting nature by taking only pictures and memories, and leaving only footprints.
Today, Instagram released its new standalone free video editing app, Edits. It was introduced earlier this year when TikTok and its companion video editing app, CapCut, were briefly removed from iOS and Android app stores for US customers. The message was clear: Instagram is ready to compete.
Edits is Meta's response to CapCut, the video platform developed by ByteDance, TikTok's parent company. Unlike Instagram's native tools, which have long lagged in flexibility and depth, Edits is designed to give users more control over their editing process. The company acknowledged that "making videos can be challenging, often requiring multiple apps and complicated workflows." Edits aims to give creators a centralized space to produce, edit, and manage content.
Within the app, you can create videos using multi-channel timelines, organize projects through a dedicated tab, and jot down future ideas with built-in note-taking tools. The app supports video capture up to 10 minutes long, an upgrade from the 3-minute recording limit inside the main Instagram app. It also offers advanced effects like green screen replacement, AI-based animation of still objects, and subject cutouts.
Instagram aims to make video editing more streamlined with Edits.
Image: Instagram
Users can add captions and royalty-free music to videos and review performance metrics in the app. Unusual for a free app, Edits allows for exporting without a watermark, allowing creators to share the video footage across multiple platforms.
Instagram head Adam Mosseri noted the app will remain free, though paid features could arrive in the future to support more compute-heavy AI functions. "[Edits] will be free. I think over time, we might have some paid features where we’re going to need to cover costs of things," he explained on a recent Instagram post.
Beekeepers in many regions are having a hard time of it, as their honeybees struggle to find enough pollen to sustain the colony. Scientists are now addressing that problem with a new nutritional supplement which is described as being like "a PowerBar for bees."
Category: Science
Tags: Washington State University, Agriculture, Bees, honeybees, Nutrition, Pollen
South Korean lens maker LK Samyang has partnered with German optics specialist Schneider-Kreuznach to launch its first co-branded lens: the AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE, designed for full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras. We covered the recent announcement at CP+, at the end of February, and now more details have emerged.
Its lightweight at 445g (15.7oz), compact at 89mm (3.5") long and weather-sealed, this ultra-wide zoom is the only lens in its FE-mount class to support 77mm front filters, which is a bonus for photographers who rely on polarizers and ND filters. The lens also features a close minimum focusing distance for tighter compositions, along with a customizable button.
The lens is made up of 15 elements in 11 groups, with three aspherical lenses, five high-refractive elements, and three ED elements. It has a nine-blade aperture, and a minimum focusing distance of 0.18m (7").
The 14-24mm focal length provides a 114.2º to 84.1º field of view, making it a strong pick for landscape images. The bright F2.8 aperture makes it suitable for nightscapes and astrophotography.
This marks the first release of a collaboration between LK Samyang and Schneider-Kreuznach. Samyang says the 14-24mm was "co-developed" between the two companies, but the specifics of the relationship haven't been disclosed. Schneider has allowed its name to be used on other optics before, including versions of Pentax lenses sold for Samsung DSLRs. Known for its third-party lenses, Samyang has built a reputation for making affordable and capable lenses for Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and the L-mount alliance.
The Samyang AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE joins the company's expanding Sony FE lineup and is expected to be available in May 2025. There's currently no word on pricing.
LK Samyang AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE specificationsSouth Korean lens maker LK Samyang has partnered with German optics specialist Schneider-Kreuznach to launch its first co-branded lens: the AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE, designed for full-frame Sony mirrorless cameras. We covered the recent announcement at CP+, at the end of February, and now more details have emerged.
Its lightweight at 445g (15.7oz), compact at 89mm (3.5") long and weather-sealed, this ultra-wide zoom is the only lens in its FE-mount class to support 77mm front filters, which is a bonus for photographers who rely on polarizers and ND filters. The lens also features a close minimum focusing distance for tighter compositions, along with a customizable button.
The lens is made up of 15 elements in 11 groups, with three aspherical lenses, five high-refractive elements, and three ED elements. It has a nine-blade aperture, and a minimum focusing distance of 0.18m (7").
The 14-24mm focal length provides a 114.2º to 84.1º field of view, making it a strong pick for landscape images. The bright F2.8 aperture makes it suitable for nightscapes and astrophotography.
This marks the first release of a collaboration between LK Samyang and Schneider-Kreuznach. Samyang says the 14-24mm was "co-developed" between the two companies, but the specifics of the relationship haven't been disclosed. Schneider has allowed its name to be used on other optics before, including versions of Pentax lenses sold for Samsung DSLRs. Known for its third-party lenses, Samyang has built a reputation for making affordable and capable lenses for Sony, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm and the L-mount alliance.
The Samyang AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE joins the company's expanding Sony FE lineup and is expected to be available in May 2025. There's currently no word on pricing.
LK Samyang AF 14-24mm F2.8 FE specificationsLooking Glass has launched a 27-inch version of its immersive light-field displays, which allow folks to experience three-dimensional visuals without having to don special headsets. The tech also allows multiple users to share the 3D viewing experience.
Category: Technology
Tags: 3D, Immersion, Holographic, Display
