Xreal has unveiled its latest iteration of augmented reality (AR) glasses, the Xreal One Series, in a strategic move to compete with industry giants such as Meta and Snap. This launch is particularly significant as it is backed by the Chinese e-commerce titan, Alibaba, and aims to capitalize on the burgeoning interest in AR technology. The Xreal One Series is a milestone in the company's product line, featuring the X1 chip, which is Xreal's inaugural self-engineered processor specifically for its AR glasses. This innovation significantly enhances the device's functionality and represents a substantial advancement in the field of consumer AR glasses.

The era of Gemini AI Assistant as a standalone application has arrived, now gracing the iOS platform. The app, which has been recently spotted in select regions, is now broadly accessible as of Wednesday. It's important to distinguish this from the Gemini AI Assistant integrated within Google's app on iOS; while the functionalities are comparable, the standalone app offers a more streamlined experience. Users can interact with Gemini through text or voice queries and even enhance their inquiries by attaching images.

On July 14, 2023, Workday's Chief Executive Officer, Carl Eschenbach, attended the Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. However, the company's stock experienced a decline of up to 11% in after-hours trading following the release of a quarterly forecast that fell short of market expectations. For the fiscal fourth quarter, Workday projected an adjusted operating margin of 25% with subscription revenue of $2.03 billion, which was below the 25.5% margin and $2.04 billion in subscription revenue anticipated by analysts from StreetAccount.

Saving money has become my top priority in recent times. I've meticulously reviewed my subscriptions, canceling those that I no longer use. I scrutinize my bank statements on a monthly basis. I've even made the investment in a bamboo whisk to prepare my own matcha lattes at home. However, I encountered a persistent obstacle when it came to economizing on my mobile phone plan. My previous carrier had recently hiked the rates for my plan and introduced an additional monthly charge. Despite this, I felt somewhat powerless, as I simply cannot do without my phone.

Dutch scaleup Lumicks has recently secured a substantial €20 million investment from the European Investment Bank (EIB), aimed at accelerating the discovery of immunotherapy drugs for cancer. This venture debt funding will enable Lumicks to further develop and market its innovative cell avidity analyzer, a device with the potential to revolutionize the way researchers study and develop treatments for Europe's second most deadly disease. Lumicks' technology allows scientists to collect real-time data on the interactions between immune cells and cancer cells, offering a more direct and precise approach compared to traditional methods that rely on indirect biomarkers.

OroraTech, a Munich-based innovative enterprise, has successfully raised €25 million in funding to enhance its AI-driven wildfire detection technology. The investment round was spearheaded by Korys, the investment division of the Colruyt family, a Belgian nobility. Additionally, the European Union's Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF) and Bayern Kapital, an existing investor, participated in the funding. This capital injection will be instrumental in propelling OroraTech into its next phase of expansion, with ambitions to extend its reach to international markets beyond Europe and to continually improve its proprietary technology.

In the heart of Germany's bustling innovation scene, a startup named Vay has captured the spotlight with its groundbreaking teledriving technology. Recently bolstered by a substantial €34 million investment from the European Investment Bank (EIB), Vay is gearing up to transform the urban transportation landscape, not just in Germany but across Europe. This funding, a testament to Vay's potential, follows the successful launch of a commercial remote-controlled car service in Las Vegas earlier this year, signaling a new era in mobility solutions.

Last year, French photographer François Prost dedicated countless hours to scouring Google Maps, meticulously planning an expedition to capture the essence of Japan's "love hotels"—unique establishments that provide hourly rentals and, most importantly, a sanctuary of privacy for their patrons. However, as he embarked on his extensive 3,000-kilometer (1,864-mile) journey, these hotels were anything but inconspicuous. While some were marked by heart-shaped or lip-themed signs (with names such as Hotel Passion, Hotel Joy, or Hotel BabyKiss, to name a few from his travels), the hotels were most readily identifiable by their whimsical architecture, which, paradoxically, was far from being discreet. "You can spot spaceships, boats, and even a massive whale, which seems quite childlike," Prost remarked in a Zoom interview from France. "And numerous of them are designed to resemble castles," he added, referring to the facades of approximately 200 love hotels featured in his latest photographic series.

For a multitude of American Millennials, the vibrant and feminine attire of Limited Too was a defining part of their childhood memories. Now, the brand has made a comeback, this time catering to adults.

Although modern runway shows typically last no more than 15 minutes, they require extensive preparation, often involving months of work, substantial financial investment, and a team of highly skilled professionals including technicians, set designers, and tailors. These brief spectacles have the potential to establish a designer's reputation for a lifetime. Even for those who are not avid fashion enthusiasts, some iconic moments on the runway are well-known—think of the robotic spray-painters at Alexander McQueen's Spring-Summer 1999 collection or Chanel's life-sized rocket launch during its Fall-Winter 2017 show. If you've missed these groundbreaking events, they are now part of a new exhibition in London titled "Vogue: Inventing the Runway," displayed at the Lightroom. The exhibition features a mix of behind-the-scenes and runway footage projected onto the venue's towering 39-foot walls, immersing visitors in the heart of fashion's history. "This is an opportunity to bring people into the experience," said Chioma Nnadi, the head of editorial content at British Vogue, at the exhibition's opening. "They get a glimpse of (what it's like to attend a runway show) on their phone, but this is the full immersive experience," she added.

A snapshot that might have been captured at any festive gathering depicts three young ladies in elegant attire, standing together in a cozy living space adorned with balloons and festive decorations. Their long, chestnut tresses cascade beyond their waists, suggesting a bond that could be friendship or sisterhood. However, their averted gazes from the lens hint at a reason for their anonymity and a profound message behind their unveiled locks. These young women reside in Kabul, under the scrutinizing gaze of the Taliban, who reclaimed control of Afghanistan in 2021 following the abrupt withdrawal of American forces. Initially promising to respect women's rights, the Taliban has since nearly vanished women from public view, relegating them to the privacy of their homes, even for celebrations such as the one depicted. This image, captured earlier this year by Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Kiana Hayeri, is part of a larger collection of works spanning six months, illustrating the lives of Afghan women as the Taliban progressively stripped them of their fundamental rights, including mandatory veiling in public, silencing their voices, and barring them from secondary education, much of the workforce, and numerous social settings.

A distinguished university structure, celebrated for its architectural excellence and accolades, is facing demolition barely three decades after its construction, a decision that has drawn significant backlash.

Danish national Victoria Kjær Theilvig has achieved a historic milestone by being crowned Miss Universe 2024, marking the first time a Danish participant has secured the prestigious title. The 21-year-old, who is known for her competitive dancing, entrepreneurial spirit, and aspirations in law, triumphed over more than 120 contestants at the annual beauty pageant held in Mexico City on a Saturday evening. As she received the tiara from the outgoing Miss Universe, Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua, Theilvig was met with applause from her fellow contestants on stage.

Amidst the bustling streets of New York City, the Flatiron Building stands as a beacon of architectural grandeur. Yet, nestled beside this iconic landmark, there lies a less-celebrated but equally captivating structure—a slender, high-rise building adorned with an opulent golden dome. Currently, the luxurious penthouse that graces this golden pinnacle, along with the two-story octagonal cupola it surmounts, is available for purchase at a staggering $25 million.

In the annals of cultural heritage, the recent repatriation of over 1,400 looted artifacts from the United States to India marks a significant chapter in the global fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural property. This event, announced by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office, is not merely a transfer of objects; it is a restoration of history, a reaffirmation of cultural identity, and a testament to the enduring spirit of international cooperation.

After a nearly seven-year hiatus, construction on the Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, poised to become the world's tallest skyscraper, has recommenced. The project, which was halted in the midst of a nationwide anti-corruption crackdown, is now set to be completed by 2028, as announced by the Jeddah Economic Company (JEC), the consortium spearheading the development, during a recent ceremony on the construction site.

In the hallowed halls of history, the Notre-Dame de Paris stands as a sentinel of time, a testament to the enduring spirit of human ingenuity and faith. On a recent Friday morning, the echoes of its bells pierced the silence that had draped the cathedral since the devastating fire of April 2019, a fire that had scorched not only the timbers and stones but also the collective heart of Parisians and the world over. The return of the bells' peal, a symphony of metal and might, was not just a technical achievement but a resounding affirmation of resilience and rebirth.

After a six-year pause, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show made a triumphant return on a Tuesday evening in Brooklyn, signaling a significant shift in the brand's narrative. The event was a testament to the brand's commitment to being shaped by women, with a female-centric approach that was evident throughout the show. The production boasted an all-women musical lineup and a diverse array of models donning more sophisticated and, in some instances, more comfortable lingerie, such as leggings and sheer overlays.

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