Volvo has introduced a new seatbelt technology that can customize the protection it provides in real time. The “multi-adaptive safety belt” system, as the automaker is calling it, uses data input from both interior and exterior sensors to change protection settings based on various factors. It can take a person’s height, weight, body shape and seating position into account, as well as the direction and speed of the vehicle. The system can communicate all those information to the seatbelt “in the blink of an eye” so that it can optimize protection for the passenger. 

If the passenger is on the larger side, for instance, they will receive a higher belt load setting to reduce the risk of a head injury in the event of a serious crash. For milder crashes, someone with a smaller frame will receive a lower belt load setting to prevent rib injuries. Volvo didn’t specifically say if the system also takes the position of a seatbelt on women into account, since it doesn’t always fit right over a woman’s chest. However, the automaker explained that the system expands the number of load-limiting profiles to 11. Load limiters control how much force a seatbelt applies on the body during a crash. Typically, seatbelts only have three load-limiting profiles, but Volvo expanding them to 11 means the system can better optimize the protection a passenger gets. 

Volvo used information from five decades of safety research and from a database of over 80,000 people involved in real-life accidents to design the new safety belt. The system was also created to incorporate improvements rolled out via over the-air software updates, which the company expects to release as it gets more data and insights. 

“The world first multi-adaptive safety belt is another milestone for automotive safety and a great example of how we leverage real-time data with the ambition to help save millions of more lives,” said Åsa Haglund, head of Volvo Cars Safety Centre. “This marks a major upgrade to the modern three-point safety belt, a Volvo invention introduced in 1959, estimated to have saved over a million lives.”

Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin designed the modern three-point seatbelt and made its patent available for use by other automakers. The company didn’t say whether it’ll be as generous with the multi-adaptive safety belt, but the new system will debut in the all-electric Volvo EX60 midsize SUV sometime next year.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/volvo-is-introducing-the-first-multi-adaptive-seatbelt-technology-on-the-ex60-ev-070017403.html?src=rss

Now that the Switch 2 is finally here, you may be equally as excited to kit out your new console with the right accessories as you are to dive into Mario Kart World. Not only can the right accessories make it easier and more fun to play all of the games you love, but they can also make your gaming experience better in different environments, be it on the couch, in an airplane or in the car. We’re excited to get our hands on some of the newest Switch 2 accessories (more on those below), but plenty of our favorite classics are compatible with the Switch 2 as well as older versions of the console. These are our current favorite Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, and we’ll add to this list over time as we test out new gear.

Best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories

More Nintendo Switch 2 accessories

Nintendo announced a bunch of new accessories when it revealed the Switch 2 earlier this year. Key among them are a new Switch 2 Pro controller, Switch 2 camera, an all-in-one carrying case and more. Our staff will be testing out a bunch of these accessories, and we’ll keep our favorites list up to date as we do so. If you’re interested in picking any of those new Switch 2 accessories up, you can find them at a variety of retailers:

Joy-Con 2 bundle

• Nintendo

• Walmart

• GameStop

• Best Buy

• Target

• Amazon

Switch 2 Pro Controller

• Nintendo

• Walmart

• GameStop

• Best Buy

• Target

• Amazon

Switch 2 Camera

• Nintendo

• Walmart

• GameStop

• Best Buy

• Target

• Amazon

Hori Nintendo Switch 2 Piranha Plant Camera

• Best Buy

• Target

• Amazon

Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip

• Nintendo

• Walmart

• GameStop

• Best Buy

• Target

• Amazon

Joy-Con 2 Wheels (set of 2)

• Nintendo

• Walmart

• GameStop

• Best Buy

• Target

• Amazon

Switch 2 All-in-One Carrying Case

• Nintendo

• Walmart

• GameStop

• Best Buy

• Target

• Amazon

Switch 2 Carrying Case and Screen Protector

• Nintendo

• Walmart

• GameStop

• Best Buy

• Target

• Amazon

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/best-nintendo-switch-2-accessories-070011952.html?src=rss

alternative_right shares a report from Phys.Org: Using conventional propulsion and low-energy trajectories, it takes six to nine months for crewed spacecraft to reach Mars. These durations complicate mission design and technology requirements and raise health and safety concerns since crews will be exposed to extended periods in microgravity and heightened exposure to cosmic radiation. Traditionally, mission designers have recommended nuclear-electric or nuclear-thermal propulsion (NEP/NTP), which could shorten trips to just 3 months. In a recent study, a UCSB physics researcher identified two trajectories that could reduce transits to Mars using the Starship to between 90 and 104 days.

The study was authored by Jack Kingdon, a graduate student researcher in the Physics Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He is also a member of the UCSB Weld Lab, an experimental ultracold atomic physics group that uses quantum degenerate gases to explore quantum mechanical phenomena. […] As outlined on its website, conference presentations, and user manual, the SpaceX mission architecture consists of six Starships traveling to Mars. Four of these spacecraft will haul 400 metric tons (440 U.S. tons) of cargo while two will transport 200 passengers. Based on the Block 2 design, which has a 1,500 metric ton (1,650 U.S. ton) propellant capacity, the crewed Starships will require 15 tankers to fully refuel in low Earth orbit (LEO). The cargo ships would require only four, since they would be sent on longer low-energy trajectories. Once the flotilla arrives at Mars, the Starships will refuel using propellant created in situ using local carbon dioxide and water ice. When the return window approaches, one of the crew ships and 3-4 cargo ships will refuel and then launch into a low Mars orbit (LMO). The cargo ships will then transfer the majority of their propellant to the crew ship and return to the surface of Mars. The crew ship would then depart for Earth, and the process could be repeated for the other crew ship.

Kingdon calculated multiple trajectories using a Lambert Solver, which produces the shortest elliptical arc in two-body problem equations (aka Lambert’s problem). The first would depart Earth on April 30th, 2033, taking advantage of the 26-month periodic alignment between Earth and Mars. The transit would last 90 days, with the crew returning to Earth after another 90-day transit by July 2nd, 2035. The second would depart Earth on July 15th, 2035, and return to Earth after a 104-day transit on December 5th, 2037. As Kingdon explained, the former trajectory is the most likely to succeed: “The optimal trajectory is the 2033 trajectory — it has the lowest fuel requirements for the fastest transit time. A note that may not be obvious to the layreader is that Starship can very easily reach Mars in ~3 months — in fact, it can in any launch window, over a fairly wide range of trajectories. However, Starship may impact the Martian atmosphere too fast (although we do not know, and likely SpaceX don’t either actually how fast Starship can hit the Martian atmosphere and survive). The trajectories discussed are ones that I am confident Starship will survive.” The paper describing the work has been published in the journal Scientific Reports.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Meta CTO Andrew Bosworth said that the “tides have turned” in Silicon Valley and made it more palatable for the tech industry to support the US military’s efforts. From a report: There’s long existed a “silent majority” who wanted to pursue defense projects, Bosworth said during an interview at the Bloomberg Tech summit in San Francisco on Wednesday. “There’s a much stronger patriotic underpinning than I think people give Silicon Valley credit for,” he said. Silicon Valley was founded on military development and “there’s really a long history here that we are kind of hoping to return to, but it is not even day one,” Bosworth added. He described Silicon Valley’s new openness to work with the US military as a “return to grace.”

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Wacom’s Cintiq line of pen displays give designers and illustrators the ability to use a stylus directly on a screen in various creative apps. Today, the company announced its latest entries with the Cintiq 16, Cintiq 24 and Cintiq 24 Touch. All three feature a slimmer design than the previous models, including thinner bezels around the outside. The company also trimmed down the weight, making even the larger options lighter and more portable. 

The new Cintiq displays work with the Pro Pen 3 where the previous generation offered the Pro Pen 2. The third-gen version has a 12ms response time, 8,192 pressure levels, three programmable buttons, supports up to 60-degree tilt and can be used with various grips. You can also swap out the pen nibs for a different feel or add balance weights as needed. Inside, “an evolved IC chip from the Pro Pen 2” recreates the precise and natural feel of drawing on paper. It also doesn’t have a battery, so that’s one less thing you have to worry about charging. 

The display panels in each model offer 2.5K resolution (2560 x 1600 on the 16-inch, 2560 x 1440 on the 23.8-inch) and 60Hz refresh rate. Wacom touts its “true-to-life color” and anti-glare glass serves to both nix reflections and provide adequate friction for the Pro Pen 3. That latter item produces “a natural, paper-like drawing experience” when combined with the company’s powerful stylus. 

Wacom

You can expect USB-C, HDMI and USB-A ports around back, although the Cintiq 16 connects to a computer with a single USB-C cable (display signal and power delivery). The Cintiq 16 also comes with built-in foldable legs that allow the pen display to sit at a 20-degree angle. Both the Cintiq 24 and Cintiq 24 Touch come with an adjustable stand that offers more positions (you can purchase this stand separately for the Cintiq 16). 

In my experience, Wacom displays are at their best when touch gestures are involved. As the name suggests, those are only available on the Cintiq 24 Touch in this trio. This added functionality allows you to zoom, pan, rotate and more with your fingers, which makes your workflow more efficient. And on the Cintiq 24 Touch, you can use up to 10 fingers simultaneously for those tasks. 

The new Cintiq lineup will be available later this summer. The Cintiq 16 is $699.95, the Cintiq 24 is $1,299.95 and the Cintiq 24 Touch is $1,499.95. 

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/wacom-debuts-three-new-cintiq-pen-displays-with-slimmer-designs-and-pro-pen-3-support-034647373.html?src=rss

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: Corporate investigators found evidence that Chinese hackers broke into an American telecommunications company in the summer of 2023, indicating that Chinese attackers penetrated the US communications system earlier than publicly known. Investigators working for the telecommunications firm discovered last year that malware used by Chinese state-backed hacking groups was on the company’s systems for seven months starting in the summer of 2023, according to two people familiar with the matter and a document seen by Bloomberg News. The document, an unclassified report sent to Western intelligence agencies, doesn’t name the company where the malware was found and the people familiar with the matter declined to identify it.

The 2023 intrusion at an American telecommunications company, which hasn’t been previously reported, came about a year before US government officials and cybersecurity companies said they began spotting clues that Chinese hackers had penetrated many of the country’s largest phone and wireless firms. The US government has blamed the later breaches on a Chinese state-backed hacking group dubbed Salt Typhoon. It’s unclear if the 2023 hack is related to that foreign espionage campaign and, if so, to what degree. Nonetheless, it raises questions about when Chinese intruders established a foothold in the American communications industry. “We’ve known for a long time that this infrastructure has been vulnerable and was likely subject to attack,” said Marc Rogers, a cybersecurity and telecommunications expert. “What this shows us is that it was attacked, and that going as far back as 2023, the Chinese were compromising our telecom companies.” Investigators linked the sophisticated rootkit malware Demodex to China’s Ministry of State Security, noting it enabled deep, stealthy access to systems and remained undetected on a U.S. defense-linked company’s network until early 2024.

A Chinese government spokesperson denied responsibility for cyberattacks and accused the U.S. and its allies of spreading disinformation and conducting cyber operations against China.

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Apple’s emergency request to pause a court order forcing it to ease App Store restrictions was denied by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, allowing new compliance rules to take effect while Apple continues to appeal. 9to5Mac reports: Apple had asked the appeals court to halt enforcement of a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who found Apple in contempt this April for effectively dodging her original injunction. Convoluted, right? Exactly. The judge observed several violations, including Apple’s imposition of a 27% fee on out-of-app transactions and overall attempts to continue making it unappealing for developers to direct users to external payment options.

As Reuters noted: “In its emergency appeal, Apple said the ruling blocked the company from “exercising control over core aspects of its business operations’ and forced it to give away free access to its services.” In rejecting Apple’s motion, the court is letting those new compliance requirements stand while the company appeals the decision. Apple had hoped to halt the enforcement until the decision was final, which would grant the company the right to roll back the changes it was recently compelled to implement. In a statement provided to 9to5Mac, Apple said: “We are disappointed with the decision not to stay the district court’s order, and we’ll continue to argue our case during the appeals process. As we’ve said before, we strongly disagree with the district court’s opinion. Our goal is to ensure the App Store remains an incredible opportunity for developers and a safe and trusted experience for our users.”

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“One of the few major independent science-surplus/DIY outlets left is American Science & Surplus,” writes longtime Slashdot reader Tyler Too. “They’ve recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to ensure their survival.” Ars Technica reports: Now, nearly 90 years after its launch selling “reject lenses” as American Lens & Photo, American Science & Surplus is facing an existential threat. The COVID-19 pandemic and increased costs hit the business hard, so the store has launched a GoFundMe campaign looking to raise $200,000 from customers and fans alike. What’s happening in suburban Chicago is a microcosm of the challenges facing local retail, with big-box retailers and online behemoths overwhelming beloved local institutions. It’s a story that has played out countless times in the last two-plus decades, and owner Pat Meyer is hoping this tale has a different ending. Ars reports on American Science & Surplus’ long history, noting that it was founded in 1937 and has grown from a modest surplus shop into a beloved, quirky institution for makers, science enthusiasts, and curiosity seekers. Over the decades, it evolved far beyond its original niche of lenses and lab equipment. As Meyer, a 41-year veteran of the company, put it: “I’ve done everything in the company that there is to do… it’s been my life for 41 years.”

Once known for its robust telescope section and deep inventory of scientific odds and ends, the store has adapted to shifting consumer habits — some changes bittersweet. True to its DIY spirit, American Science & Surplus is described as a “physical manifestation of the maker ethos,” stocked with everything from motors to military gas masks to mule-branding kits. It also carries a rare sense of humor, with quirky signage like a warning that a “Deluxe Walking Cane” is “not the edible kind of cane.”

Today, American Science & Surplus faces modern challenges like relocating a costly warehouse and overhauling outdated software and web infrastructure. But Meyer is optimistic, noting that contributions to their GoFundMe campaign represent more than financial help: “It’s about supporting local retail during a very challenging time. Who wants to buy everything at Amazon, Walmart, Temu, and Target?”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Belkin is best known for high-quality smartphone accessories, but just like everyone else, it appears it has a case of Nintendo Switch 2 fever. The company has announced that it will be selling several Switch 2 accessories in time for the console’s launch, including screen protectors and a charging case that comes with a power bank.

The Charging Case for Nintendo Switch 2 is the thicker of Belkin’s two case options, primarily because it has a designated spot for an included 10K external battery. The case also includes a flap for storing Switch 2 game cartridges, a hidden pocket for slotting an AirTag so you can track the case if it’s lost and slots on either side of the battery for cables and other accessories. When you need to prop up your Switch 2 with its kickstand while it’s charging, there’s also a groove in the case that’s specifically designed to hold it.

Belkin

If you’re looking for something more compact and portable, the Travel Case for Nintendo Switch 2 is only moderately thicker than the console itself. Like the charging case, the travel case includes a built-in sleeve for Switch 2 game cartridges and a spot to hide an AirTag. It also has a built-in handle and a wrist strap so you have multiple ways to carry it when you’re out and about.

For an extra layer of protection, Belkin is also selling two different screen protector options: a Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector and a Tempered Glass Blue Light Screen Protector. Both will shield your Switch 2’s screen from major scratches and can be applied in a few steps. In the case of the blue light screen protector, Belkin is also claiming that it’ll help reduce eye strain if you use your console for an extended period of time. Whichever you pick, just don’t remove the Switch 2’s pre-installed protective film before you apply.

All of Belkin’s new accessories are available to order today from Belkin’s website and Amazon. You can get either the Charging Case or Travel Case in gray, tan or green, and the cases cost $70 or $30, respectively. The Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector costs $25 and the Tempered Glass Blue Light Screen Protector costs $30.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/belkins-new-line-of-switch-2-accessories-include-a-simple-but-effective-charging-case-230019750.html?src=rss

An anonymous reader quotes a report from 404 Media: Apple provided governments around the world with data related to thousands of push notifications sent to its devices, which can identify a target’s specific device or in some cases include unencrypted content like the actual text displayed in the notification, according to data published by Apple. In one case, that Apple did not ultimately provide data for, Israel demanded data related to nearly 700 push notifications as part of a single request. The data for the first time puts a concrete figure on how many requests governments around the world are making, and sometimes receiving, for push notification data from Apple.

The practice first came to light in 2023 when Senator Ron Wyden sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice revealing the practice, which also applied to Google. As the letter said, “the data these two companies receive includes metadata, detailing which app received a notification and when, as well as the phone and associated Apple or Google account to which that notification was intended to be delivered. In certain instances, they also might also receive unencrypted content, which could range from backend directives for the app to the actual text displayed to a user in an app notification.” The published data relates to blocks of six month periods, starting in July 2022 to June 2024. Andre Meister from German media outlet Netzpolitik posted a link to the transparency data to Mastodon on Tuesday. Along with the data Apple published the following description: “Push Token requests are based on an Apple Push Notification service token identifier. When users allow a currently installed application to receive notifications, a push token is generated and registered to that developer and device. Push Token requests generally seek identifying details of the Apple Account associated with the device’s push token, such as name, physical address and email address.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

“Avengers assemble” isn’t just a call to action for superheroes; it’s also the basis for a new tag fighting game. The reveal of Marvel Tōkon: Fighting Souls closed out PlayStation’s State of Play presentation ahead of Summer Games Fest 2025. PlayStation Studios and Marvel Games are teaming up with Arc System Works, the studio behind the Guilty Gear fighting game series, for this project. The game is scheduled to launch some time in 2026 on PlayStation 5 and on PC through the Steam and Epic stores.

The trailer shows several members of the Marvel roster — Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, Storm, Ms. Marvel, Star-Lord and Ghost Rider — cycling on screen and showing off their abilities. Team-based fighting games have a long lineage, but those are commonly trios of characters controlled by a single competitor. Marvel Tōkon ups the ante with a 4v4 team system.

The additional team member creates even more potential for flashy combination attacks. “One of the appeals of Marvel comics is seeing the vast cast of characters coming together to create all kinds of unique team-ups,” Game Director and Lead Battle Designer Kazuto Sekine said of the design choice. “With these two ideas in mind, we concluded that creating a 4v4 team VS system would be the best way to not only create those over-the-top moments, but to further evolve the tag fighting genre.”

Marvel is having a bit of a moment in gaming, with the team shooter Marvel Rivals becoming a surprise sensation in recent months despite heavy competition from established titles. (Unfortunately, that success didn’t save several members of the North American dev team from being laid off in February.) It should be fascinating to compare how the two genres interpret the iconic characters and their powers.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/marvel-tokon-fighting-souls-is-a-new-tag-fighting-game-from-the-devs-of-guilty-gear-223633976.html?src=rss

Nioh 3 is heading to PlayStation 5 and PC in 2026 and you can get a taste of its Sengoku setting and dark samurai action on Sony’s console right now. A demo for the game is live today on PS5 and it’ll be available through June 18, courtesy of developer Team Ninja and publisher Koei Tecmo.

The game reveal was a nice surprise during Sony’s State of Play event today, and it came with a trailer showcasing big, demonic creatures and frantic action scenes. Much like its predecessors, Nioh 3 is a dark fantasy action RPG set in 15-century Japan. The original Nioh came out in 2017 and its sequel landed in 2020, with a handful of Dead or Alive installments released in between.

Nioh 3 introduces a new combat system to the series that lets players swap between two distinct fighting styles, Samurai and Ninja. Samurai is similar to previous Nioh titles with a focus on close-range martial arts, while Ninja enables quick reactions like dodging and aerial moves. Players will be able to change combat styles on the fly. Nioh 3 features an open world — Team Ninja calls it an “open field,” actually — to explore, as well.

“Aside from the new battle styles, Nioh 3 also enables players to enjoy an open field that offers a new freedom of exploration to the unique tension and confrontations that have become a defining characteristic of the Nioh series,” Team Ninja head Fumihiko Yasuda said on the PlayStation Blog. “Experience unexpected encounters with formidable yokai, explore suspicious villages riddled in violent secrets, and take on the daunting challenges of The Crucible.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/nioh-3-is-heading-to-ps5-and-pc-in-2026-complete-with-two-distinct-combat-styles-222458806.html?src=rss

On Tuesday, classic computer collector Joe Strosnider announced the availability of a new 3D-printer filament that replicates the iconic “Platinum” color scheme used in classic Macintosh computers from the late 1980s through the 1990s. The PLA filament (PLA is short for polylactic acid) allows hobbyists to 3D-print nostalgic novelties, replacement parts, and accessories that match the original color of vintage Apple computers.

Hobbyists commonly feed this type of filament into commercial desktop 3D printers, which heat the plastic and extrude it in a computer-controlled way to fabricate new plastic parts.

The Platinum color, which Apple used in its desktop and portable computer lines starting with the Apple IIgs in 1986, has become synonymous with a distinctive era of classic Macintosh aesthetic. Over time, original Macintosh plastics have become brittle and discolored with age, so matching the “original” color can be a somewhat challenging and subjective experience.

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At the Axios AI+ Summit, DreamWorks co-founder Jeffrey Katzenberg compared the rise of AI in entertainment to the CGI revolution of the 1990s, emphasizing that those who adapt to the technology will thrive. He argued AI won’t replace people — but will replace those who don’t embrace it. Axios reports: Katzenberg, a co-founder of DreamWorks and one-time Disney executive whose work includes films like “Shrek,” reflected on the “huge” resistance to making “Toy Story” with the then-novel CGI technology. The people most afraid were the ones who would be disrupted, he said. “Everything that you are hearing today are the issues that we had to deal with,” he said.

Katzenberg continued, “Yes, there was disruption, but animation’s never, ever been bigger than it is today.” The bottom line: “AI isn’t going to replace people, it’s going to replace people that don’t use AI,” he said. “The exact same analogy there … is that the talent that went and learned how to use the computer as a new pencil and a new paint brush … they thrived,” he said. Katzenberg added, “if change is uncomfortable, irrelevance is going to be a whole lot harder.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

WASHINGTON, DC—The general outline of the Trump administration’s proposed 2026 budget was released a few weeks back, and it included massive cuts for most agencies, including every one that funds scientific research. Late last week, those agencies began releasing details of what the cuts would mean for the actual projects and people they support. And the results are as bad as the initial budget had suggested: one-of-a-kind scientific experiment facilities and hardware retired, massive cuts in supported scientists, and entire areas of research halted.

And this comes in an environment where previously funded grants are being terminated, funding is being held up for ideological screening, and universities have been subject to arbitrary funding freezes. Collectively, things are heading for damage to US science that will take decades to recover from. It’s a radical break from the trajectory science had been on.

That’s the environment that the US’s National Academies of Science found itself in yesterday while hosting the State of the Science event in Washington, DC. It was an obvious opportunity for the nation’s leading scientific organization to warn the nation of the consequences of the path that the current administration has been traveling. Instead, the event largely ignored the present to worry about a future that may never exist.

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