At first glance, it may look like [Rybitski]’s 7-segment RGB LED clock is something that’s been done before, but look past the beautiful mounting. It’s not just stylishly framed; the back end is just as attentively executed. It’s got a built-in web UI, MQTT automation, so Home Assistant integration is a snap, and allows remote OTA updates, so software changes don’t require taking the thing down and plugging in a cable.
A slick web interface allows configuring which LEDs belong to which segments without code changes.
Pixel Clock is code for the Wemos D1 Mini microcontroller board and WS2812/WS2812B RGB LED strips, but it’s made to be flexible enough to support different implementations. For example, altering which LEDs in the strip belong to which segments on which digits can be configured entirely from the web interface. Naturally, one could build an LED strip clock using the same layout [Rybitski] did and require no changes at all — but it’s very nice to see that different wiring layouts are supported without needing to edit any code. There’s even automatic brightness adjustment if one adds an LDR (light-dependent resistor), which is a nice touch.
[Rybitski]’s enclosure is CNC-routed MDF, framed and given a marble finish. The number segments are capped with laser-cut frosted white acrylic, which serve as both diffuser for the LEDs and an attractive fit with the marble finish at the front. MDF is dense and opaque enough that no additional baffles or louvers are needed between segments.
With this code and an RGB LED strip, you can implement your own 7-segment clock any way you like, focusing on an artful presentation instead of re-inventing the wheel in software. Of course, there’s nothing that says one must use 7-segment numerals; some say your LED clock need not display numbers at all.
The U.S. Navy got its official start on October 13, 1775, when the Continental Congress formally established the first Continental Navy. The first four ships in this newly formed naval force were the Alfred, the Columbus (both 24-gun frigates), the Andrew Doria, and the Cabot (14-gun brigantines). Three schooners — the Hornet, Wasp, and Fly – quickly followed them into this so-called “fleet.” Today, the Navy has approximately 296 battle force ships ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.
However, this number changes based on the shifting global political climate at any given time. Some estimates claim the Navy has as many as 472 total “assets,” of which 11 are mighty aircraft carriers, around which a strike group (CSG) is formed. A typical CSG consists of one carrier, two guided-missile cruisers, two anti-aircraft warships, and one or two anti-submarine destroyers or frigates. These vessels can remain deployed at sea for extended periods, depending on their mission.
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Determining the Navy’s longest deployed ship isn’t as straightforward as one might think. Well, it is, but it’s not telling the full story. Technically, the current single-longest deployment belongs to the aircraft carrier USS Midway (CVA-41), which has since become a museum and can be visited in San Diego, California. Between April 10, 1972, and March 3, 1973, it spent 332 days at sea during the Vietnam War. However, when talking about these deployment records, many sources include a caveat along the lines of “since 1964,” with deployments by ships in the modern era being referred to as occurring in the post-Cold War or post-Vietnam era.
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There might be a new winner
Now, here’s the rest of the story. Trailing closely behind Midway’s rooster tale is the USS Coral Sea (CVA-43). According to Naval History and Heritage Command (an official U.S. Navy website), the ship spent 331 days at sea. However, the independent news service for the U.S. Naval Institute claims it was only 329. Whatever the number, it still spent 11 months cruising 105,000 miles while deployed in the Western Pacific, fighting the Vietnam War.
As for the modern era, the CSG led by the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) was deployed on April 1, 2019, from Norfolk, Virginia. It didn’t return to port in San Diego, California, until January 20, 2020 — just as the COVID-19 pandemic started to rear its ugly head. Its 10-month, 295-day deployment is considered the longest — in the post-Cold War era.
What about the saga of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68), which for 341 days sailed through the Persian Gulf and the South China Sea during the pandemic? Its deployment fittingly began on April 1, 2020, and didn’t return to port until February 26, 2021. That would indeed be historical, except most sources don’t count the extra days it was forced to sequester at sea due to the pandemic – above and beyond its official 263-day deployment. All those records might soon be in jeopardy, though. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), the world’s largest aircraft carrier, has been at sea since June 24, 2023 (240 days and counting). President Donald Trump recently sent it to the Middle East as tensions between Iran and the U.S. escalate, which could ultimately allow the Ford to shatter the record. Only time will tell.
There’s been so much happening in School Spiritsseason 3 that I’ve hardly had time to think.
Kyle’s (Ari Dalbert) spirit remains safe in the ghost world after the shooting, but the same cannot be said for Van Heidt (Michael Adamthwaite). Not only that, but we also finally know the identity of White Eyes, which could come to a chaotic head next week… and don’t even get me started on poor Simon (Kristian Ventura).
Jennifer Tilly’s villainous superintendent Dr. Deborah Hunter-Price also wants to shut down the school altogether… so does that mean the upcoming episode 8 is the final-ever outing for Paramount+‘s supernatural hit?
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Don’t be so sure. While nothing has been confirmed at this stage. Ventura has hinted that School Spirits season 4 could easily be ours in the foreseeable future.
‘I think the show’s going to run… I hope it does’
“I’ll say that the cliffhanger is gonna have everyone just breaking their phones,” Ventura teases about upcoming season 3 episode 8. “But of course there’s room for more ghosts and chaos.
“These writers are amazing. You can feel where the story is going. We’ve just about explored what we wanted to, and there’s only so many untapped regions. I really don’t feel this is a show that will waste the viewers experience.
“There is definitely a little bit more to tap into. And cliffhanger is great. I think the show’s gonna run, and I hope it does,” he added.
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It’s rare to see so much confident positivity from somebody waiting to see if a show is renewed, particularly in interviews. Usually, actors and crew politely reply that they hope whatever they’re working on will return for more, but this reaction feels much more charged.
If School Spirits season 4 does go ahead, I have a feeling it will be the final one. There will likely be some loose threads left over from the season 3 finale, but not enough storytelling to warrant a broad future. Here’s hoping I’m right.
Compal Electronics, the company that makes many of the laptops you see under famous brand names, has introduced a concept called the AI Book. This design replaces the traditional palm rest and trackpad with a color E Ink touchscreen. You can rest your hands on an active display that shows information, allows you to tap it in, and even accepts stylus input for handwriting or sketching.
The main screen sits above a standard keyboard layout, but below the keys, an E Ink panel spreads over the laptop’s body, right where your wrists would ordinarily rest. This provides you with a secondary display that continues to work even when the laptop is turned on, allowing writers to scribble down fast notes while sitting in a meeting, artists to sketch out preliminary ideas, or anyone to just peek at reminders without having to divert their focus to the main screen. The E Ink technology is amazing at keeping graphics sharp and stable, and it’s also good at consuming little power once it’s showed you something; this is a trick that e-readers have been exploiting for years.
WHY IPAD AIR — iPad Air is powerful, versatile, and comes in a choice of two sizes. Featuring the incredible performance of the M3 chip built for…
APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you write, express yourself, and get things done…
PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — M3 is a powerful chip built for Apple Intelligence that brings amazing performance for advanced creative and product…
Even when the lid is closed, the design functions normally. There’s a hinge that allows the palm rest area to flip out to the side slightly, so even when the laptop is closed, you can still see a small portion of the E Ink display, which shows things like notifications, calendar items, and brief messages. After a few more flips, the display becomes visible, transforming the closed laptop into a tiny notepad or reference tool that you may peek at whenever you want. Because E Ink is always on, none of this drains the battery or requires the main system to be turned on.
Compal calls this device an AI Book, which implies that it will display a variety of AI-generated content on the lower screen, such as summaries, suggestions, and images. The description emphasizes how nicely handwriting input, rapid references, and generated material all work together, whether the laptop is open on your desk or closed and ready for you to take it up again. They’ve also included some ambient lighting to provide subtle hints to draw your attention if you’re pausing for a moment.
Compal has consistently entered design awards with forward-thinking ideas, and the AI Book just received an award from the iF Design prizes in 2026. Some of their previous plans have been somewhat wacky, such as modular structures or expandable screens, but they have yet to make it into stores. There is still no information on the specs of this item, like as the size of the display, the type of processor within, or the size of the battery… the attention is solely on the palm rest innovation they have developed. [Source]
Anthropic’s chatbot Claude seems to have benefited from the attention around the company’s fraught negotiations with the Pentagon.
As first reported by CNBC, as of Saturday afternoon, Claude is currently ranked number two among free apps in Apple’s US App Store — the number one app is OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and number three is Google Gemini.
According to data from SensorTower, Claude was just outside the top 100 at the end of January, and has spent most of February somewhere in the top 20. Its ranking has climbed in the last few days, from sixth on Wednesday to fourth on Thursday to second on Saturday (today).
After Anthropic attempted to negotiate for safeguards preventing the Department of Defense from using its AI models for mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, President Donald Trump directed federal agencies to stop using all Anthropic products and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said he’s designating the company a supply-chain threat.
In the late 1980s, a little monochrome television appeared in certain public spaces, and for a few quarters, you could see some programming on it. Known as the Vend-O-Vision, this small device transformed idle waiting into something you might pay to see.
Mini-TV USA got the ball rolling in 1989, with the first documented use being on November 29th of that year. Whether it be a laundromat, restaurant, an airport, or a hotel, you could install one of these devices and make some additional money while customers waited. The idea was simple: put one in a waiting area and collect the quarters. Customers faced no monthly bills or ownership hassles, just the straightforward act of inserting a coin.
Each Vend-O-Vision contained a regular Panasonic black and white set, such as a TR5040P, housed inside a strong metal case. The screen was modest, which was common for portable TVs at the time. It picked up VHF and UHF channels fine with a simple antenna setup, and a coin acceptor on the front had a reject button for when customers put in bad coins. Then, once a quarter was inserted, a timer activated and powered the set for the duration you specified, which might be 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or 20 minutes, depending on your settings.
A small slider on the device allowed you to adjust how long the set would stay on for each quarter. You had to manually tune the channels and use the TV’s knobs / dials to get what you wanted. When the timer ran out of time, it turned the power back off. You could even keep your quarters in the closed box, and some versions included a counter to track total insertions for easy revenue checks. It ran everything on a compact 9-volt power supply and had a power pass-through outlet out back for added convenience.
It’s difficult to find any of these devices today because Mini-TV USA ran into some problems early on. Starting around 1990, corporate salesmen were exhibiting these items off at trade exhibitions, assuring customers they could earn a fortune, but it’s safe to say that wasn’t exactly accurate. By 1995, the Federal Trade Commission had taken action against the corporation for deceptive marketing practices. Operations were mostly winding down by then, and a few years later they were gone for good, leaving behind a handful of units, some of which were still sealed in their original packaging. [Source]
Bloodborne fans may not be happy to hear that a remake was reportedly rejected, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely off the table. Bluepoint Games, Sony’s closed-down studio behind many PlayStation remakes, pitched remaking the classic Gothic horror RPG in early 2025, but was blocked by the game’s developer, FromSoftware, according to a Bloomberg report.
As Bloomberg reported, Bluepoint pitched a Bloodborne remake after several years of working towards a live-service title in the God of War franchise that was ultimately canceled. Looking for the next project, a modern-day version of Bloodborne made a lot of sense, considering the title came out in 2015 and Bluepoint was responsible for the successful Demon’s Souls remake in 2020. However, Bloomberg‘s sources said that FromSoftware was against it, but didn’t offer a concrete reason why. With some digging, Bloomberg‘s Jason Schreier pointed to an interview from Kinda Funny Games with PlayStation exec Shuhei Yoshida, which aired last year. In the video, Yoshida mentioned that FromSoftware’s president, Hidetaka Miyazaki, wanted to pursue a Bloodborne remake, but was too busy to do it himself and “doesn’t want anyone else to touch it.”
After failing to get the Bloodborne remake greenlit, Bluepoint wasn’t able to secure another project for more than a year, according to the Bloomberg report. Now that Bluepoint has been shut down, we’re likely even further away from a remake. That’s not to say a remake will never happen, but when it does, it’ll have to get a stamp of approval and likely a lot of oversight from FromSoftware.
Anthropic’s Claude AI assistant “jumped to the No. 2 slot on Apple’s chart of top U.S. free apps late on Friday,” reports CNBC:
The rise in popularity suggests that Anthropic is benefiting from its presence in news headlines, stemming from its refusal to have its models used for mass domestic surveillance or for fully autonomous weapons… OpenAI’s ChatGPT sat at No. 1 on the App Store rankings on Saturday, while Google’s Gemini was at No. 3… On Jan. 30, [Claude] was ranked No. 131 in the U.S., and it bounced between the top 20 and the top 50 for much of February, according to data from analytics company Sensor Tower… [And Friday night, for 85.3 million followers] pop singer Katy Perry posted a screenshot of Anthropic’s Pro subscription for consumers, with a heart superimposed over it.
Friday Anthropic posted “We are deeply grateful to our users, and to the industry peers, policymakers, veterans, and members of the public who have voiced their support in recent days. Thank you. “
The acquisition comes after Anthropic unveiled Claude Sonnet 4.6, its best model yet for computer usage.
Anthropic has acquired Seattle-based AI computer interface builder Vercept for an undisclosed amount to help further the Claude product’s agentic abilities.
The acquisition comes just after Anthropic unveiled its latest Claude Sonnet 4.6, the company’s best model yet for computer usage.
Vercept was founded in 2024 by former Allen Institute for AI (AI2) researchers Matt Deitke, Kiana Ehsani, Ross Girshick, Luca Weihs and Oren Etzioni.
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Etzioni served as AI2’s founding CEO, is the co-founder behind AI2 Incubator and a venture partner with Madrona, both of which have supported Vercept.
Shortly after emerging from stealth in early 2025, the AI start-up released its flagship product Vy, a cross-platform AI agent that enables users to control their computers with natural language for navigation of apps and content.
The start-up has raised more than $50m, including a $16m round in January 2025. Its backers include Fifty Years VC founding partner Seth Bannon – who also served as a board member on Vercept – Point Nine Capital, AI2 Incubator and Madrona.
Big Tech leaders, including former Google CEO and chair Eric Schmidt, Jeff Dean, the chief scientist at Google DeepMind, and Kyle Vogt, the founder and former CEO of Cruise, reportedly participated in the January 2025 raise.
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Not all of Vercept’s founding team was pleased with the acquisition by Anthropic.
Etzioni, in a post on LinkedIn, said: “After a little bit more than a year, Vercept is throwing in the towel and giving their customers 30 days to get off the platform. Sad.” Vy is scheduled to shut down on 25 March.
In a separate post, he held lead investor Bannon as partly responsible for Vercept “failing to hire a single product [or] business person”. He alleged that the start-up’s board was led by Bannon and by CEO Ehsani, who had “zero experience”.
Meanwhile, founding member Deitke left Vercept to join Meta last summer for a pay package that reportedly amounted to $250m over four years.
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Last December, Anthropic acquired the 2021-founded coding toolkit Bun to accelerate Claude Code. Bun, according to Anthropic, had improved the JavaScript and TypeScript developer experience by optimising for reliability and speed.
On Tuesday (24 February), Anthropic and DocuSign announced the integration of Claude Cowork to enable DocuSign users to create, review and manage agreements using natural language prompts.
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As temperatures warm up in the Northern Hemisphere, one’s mind naturally turns to the outdoors and the garden — even if some of our gardens are still snow-covered. One secret to good gardening is that many of the plants we love take too long to grow if started from seed outside, at least in relatively temperate climes. There are a myriad of ways to grow seedlings indoors, and this new hack highlighted by [GrowVeg] looks like a great way to get started.
The idea apparently comes from the seedier side of Instagram, where [Farida Sober] has been popularizing it as a “seed snail”, a name they seem to have coined. The technique is very simple: take a sheet of something cheap that won’t disintegrate when moist like bubble wrap or cardboard, layer it with soil — up to 5 cm depending on your seed size — and you roll the whole thing up like a piece of sushi to produce the spiral shape that gives the hack its name. With a piece of tape to hold the roll, it’s just a matter of planting your seeds according to the packet directions. If that’s clear as mud, check out the video embedded below.
Once the seedlings have grown, it looks like it will be very easy to unroll the spiral and pluck them out to plant in the ground or bigger pots without overly traumatizing their roots, like we always do starting in flats. If it weren’t for those delicate roots, it certainly looks like the snail might save some space compared to, say, peat pots. Just remember that starting under the proper LEDs can make a huge difference to how quickly your seeds grow. No dirt? No problem — once sprouted, your plants can be made to grow hydroponically. For the really adventurous, there’s even aeroponics.
A new magnetic wireless power bank from Xiaomi is gaining attention – not because it’s an Android accessory, but because it feels like something Apple should have made. Its compact design, strong magnetic grip, and clean aesthetic make it look and behave like a premium iPhone-compatible accessory, offering a sleeker, more polished experience than many MagSafe alternatives.
And yes – it works flawlessly with the Apple iPhone, despite not being an Apple product.
A premium magnetic power bank that feels like it belongs to Apple’s ecosystem
Xiaomi’s new magnetic wireless power bank instantly stands out because of its ultra-thin profile, polished finish, and minimalist design. It clips onto the back of an iPhone with a firm, MagSafe-compatible lock, delivering wireless charging without wobbling or shifting in your hand.
Xiaomi
While Apple’s official MagSafe Battery Pack was discontinued and third-party options vary in quality, Xiaomi’s take feels refined – almost intentional – with edges and materials that mimic Apple’s industrial design language more than typical Android-centric accessories.
Users who prefer pocketable designs will appreciate how easily it slips into a bag or pocket without adding bulk. The lightweight build makes it ideal for travel, commuting, or extended outdoor use, especially for iPhone models with aging batteries.
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Beyond looks, the power bank is surprisingly capable
Xiaomi equips the unit with a 5000mAh battery, offering enough power to recharge most iPhones. The wireless charging surface delivers stable output, and the magnets ensure the phone stays aligned during use – a key issue for many cheaper MagSafe clones.
There’s also a wired output option for faster, cable-based charging when needed, giving it versatility for users who switch between devices. Xiaomi also includes safety layers for temperature control, foreign object detection, and overvoltage protection, making it feel dependable for all-day use.
What sets it apart is the attention to ergonomic usability. You can comfortably hold the phone while it charges, use it while gaming or streaming, or leave it in a pocket – and it still stays aligned.
Why this accessory matters in the broader market
With the iPhone’s shift to USB-C and the growing popularity of magnetic charging accessories, users are now looking for power banks that are not just functional but designed to blend seamlessly with their device. Apple’s exit from the MagSafe battery category left a gap that accessory makers are trying to fill. Xiaomi’s new wireless power bank stands out by offering a level of design polish and efficiency rare in the Android-first accessory landscape.
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Xiaomi UltraThin Magnetic Power BankXiaomi
This also reflects a wider industry trend: top OEMs are expanding beyond traditional ecosystems. Accessories once thought to be Android-exclusive or Apple-exclusive are now intentionally designed with cross-device compatibility in mind.
For consumers, it means more options and better value without sacrificing design or performance.
Why you may care, even if you’re deep in Apple’s ecosystem
If you own an iPhone and need a reliable wireless power bank that looks premium, charges consistently, and doesn’t cost a fortune, this accessory is one of the best new options available globally. It’s especially appealing for users of the iPhone 13, 14, and 15 series, where battery life naturally declines over time.
It also appeals to travelers, students, creators, or anyone who needs clean, cable-free charging on the move. Given its slim profile, it could fit seamlessly into an existing Apple setup without feeling out of place.
Should you buy it?
Xiaomi’s new wireless power bank is already rolling out globally through its online store and regional partners. As the magnetic charging category continues to grow – especially with Apple expected to expand Qi2 support across future devices – more brands will likely release premium, iPhone-friendly accessories with similar design polish.
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For now, this sleek wireless power bank stands as one of the nicest options you can buy for your iPhone, even if it didn’t come from Cupertino.
