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  • Herolaser: Laser cutter for consumers can process thicker metal

    Herolaser: Laser cutter for consumers can process thicker metal

    The new Herolaser can cut metal precisely (Image source: Herolaser)

    The Herolaser 700 is a new device for effortless metal processing. Compared to typical laser cutters, it can be used to create highly durable parts. Even though it’s supposed to be quite user-friendly, this gadget is primarily designed for enthusiasts and demanding users.

    We’ve previously reported on laser cutters, which is a type of product that has become quite affordable, as evidenced by numerous offerings on Amazon. These cheaper devices can be used to work with softer materials like wood or plastic, but they quickly hit their limits when processing thicker metal. The Herolaser, which is now crowdfunding on Kickstarter, claims that it can handle metal and offer more possibilities for tinkerers.

    Using this kind of laser cutter it isn’t as easy as with plastic-cutting lasers, as it requires gases like argon or nitrogen, which also make it more costly. That said, this device is available in two model variants, namely the C700 and C700 Pro. The Pro version can cut stainless and carbon steel that’s up to 4 mm thick, and aluminum up to 2 mm thick. The base model can only cut steel half as thick, as the laser has a wavelength of 1,080 nm.

    The working area of this laser cutter measures 400 x 300 mm (15.7 by 11.8 inches), which could be too small for larger projects. The precision or deviation is specified as 0.03 mm. The Herolaser 700 can also be used as a handheld device in order to process bigger pieces of metal. Furthermore, the T700 Pro system can be used for welding and cleaning. The C700 base kit is priced at approximately $3,299 as part of the ongoing crowdfunding campaign, but international customers may be on the hook for additional import fees. Deliveries are expected to start in September, and as with all crowdfunding campaigns, backers should be aware of the usual financial risks if the product never makes it into production.

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  • Norris wins British GP as Hulkenberg scores record first F1 podium | Motorsports News

    Norris wins British GP as Hulkenberg scores record first F1 podium | Motorsports News

    Lando Norris becomes 13th British driver to win home Grand Prix while Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg makes his first podium after a record 239 races.

    Lando Norris won his home British Grand Prix for the first time in a McLaren one-two with Formula One leader Oscar Piastri on a wet and chaotic race day littered with safety cars, crashes and incident.

    “This is a dream, winning at home. It’s beautiful,” Norris told the team over the radio. “Thanks for the memory. I’ll remember this more than anything.”

    Nico Hulkenberg took an astonishing third place for Sauber, the German veteran making up 16 places to shed his unwanted record of the most starts without a podium in Formula One history – Sunday being his first in 239 starts in an F1 career that began in 2010.

    “I don’t think I can comprehend what we’ve just done,” said the stunned German before wild pitlane celebrations with his teammates.

    “It feels good. It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it? But I always knew we had it in us, I have it in me, somewhere.”

    Piastri was handed a 10-second penalty for a safety car infringement that ultimately cost him the win and allowed Norris to slash the Australian’s advantage to eight points at the midpoint of the season.

    Piastri was unhappy with his penalty, signalling he believed it was a legal move.

    Lando Norris celebrates on his way to parc ferme after the British Grand Prix [Clive Mason/Getty Images]

    Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished fourth with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen fifth after starting on pole position.

    Pierre Gasly was sixth for Alpine, Lance Stroll seventh for Aston Martin and Alex Albon eighth for Williams.

    Fernando Alonso gave Aston Martin a double points finish in ninth at their home race and George Russell bagged the final point for Mercedes.

    Hulkenberg’s podium for Sauber was the first for the Swiss-based team since 2012.

    Norris’s victory at Silverstone was his eighth career GP win.

    The Belgian Grand Prix is the next race on the F1 calendar on July 27.

    Nice Hulkenberg reacts.
    Third-placed Nico Hulkenberg celebrates scoring the first podium of his 15-year Formula One career with a Sauber teammate [Clive Rose/Getty Images]

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  • Lorde Bags First U.K. No. 1 Album With ‘Virgin’

    Lorde Bags First U.K. No. 1 Album With ‘Virgin’

    Lorde has earned her first U.K. No. 1 LP as Virgin tops the Official Albums Chart dated July 4.

    Her fourth studio album surpasses her previous records to hit the top spot, beating 2013’s Pure Heroine (No. 4), 2017’s Melodrama (No. 5) and 2021 LP Solar Power (No. 2).

    Speaking to the Official Charts Company, Lorde says, “I cannot believe that I’ve got Number 1 in the U.K.! This is absolutely insane. I felt so much love from the U.K. on Virgin. I cannot thank you enough and I cannot wait to see you on the tour very, very soon. Sending all my love. Love you guys so much!”

    The New Zealand-born star appeared at Glastonbury last weekend (June 27) with a surprise set to open the festival, performing Virgin in full. Later this year, she will hit the U.K and Ireland for an arena tour, including a stop at London’s 20,000-capacity O2 Arena.

    Bruce Springsteen earns his 25th top 10 LP with epic boxset Tracks II: The Lost Albums, which features 82 previously-unheard tracks from the period spanning 1983 to 2018. 

    Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet, meanwhile, breaks a long-standing record as it closes the week at No. 2. At 45 weeks, her LP boasts the longest consecutive top five streak for a solo artist LP in Official Albums Chart history, surpassing Elvis Presley’s G.I. Blues and its 44-week run.

    Ed Sheeran’s +–=÷× (Tour Collection) finishes at No. 4, while Rod Stewart experiences a post-Glasto boost for his career-spanning Ultimate Hits collection (No. 5). Stewart performed in the Legend’s slot on the Pyramid Stage last Sunday (June 29) and was joined by former Small Face bandmate Ronnie Wood during his performance.

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  • TikTok Building New Version of App Ahead of Expected U.S. Sale – The Information

    1. TikTok Building New Version of App Ahead of Expected U.S. Sale  The Information
    2. Trump says US will start talks with China on TikTok deal this week  Reuters
    3. Trump says he has group of ‘very wealthy people’ ready to buy TikTok  CNBC
    4. TikTok Planning U.S. Version Of App Ahead Of Sale – Report  IMDb
    5. TikTok’s Reportedly Developing a US-Only Version of the App  Social Media Today

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  • Graphene shows spin currents without any magnets

    Graphene shows spin currents without any magnets

    A team of researchers has managed to generate and detect spin currents in graphene without using any external magnetic fields for the very first time, successfully addressing a long-standing challenge in physics. The development could play an important role in the evolution of next-generation quantum devices.

    Special spin currents are a key ingredient in spintronics, a new kind of technology that uses the spin of electrons, instead of electric charge, to carry information. Spintronics promises ultrafast, super energy-efficient devices than today’s electronics, but making it work in practical materials like graphene has been difficult. 

    “In particular, the detection of quantum spin currents in graphene has always required large magnetic fields that are practically impossible to integrate on-chip,” said Talieh Ghiasi, lead researcher and a postdoc fellow at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in Netherlands.

    However, in their latest study, Ghiasi and his team have now shown that by placing graphene on a carefully chosen magnetic material, they can trigger and control quantum spin currents without magnets. This discovery could pave the way for ultrathin, spin-based circuits and help bridge the gap between electronics and future quantum technologies.

    Achieving dual Hall effect in graphene

    To understand what makes this research special, it’s pertinent to know that the team was trying to create the quantum spin Hall (QSH) effect. This is a special state where electrons move only along the edges of a material, and their spins point in the same direction. 

    The motion is smooth and doesn’t get scattered by tiny imperfections, a dream scenario for making efficient, low-power circuits. However, until now, making graphene show this effect required applying strong magnetic fields.

    Instead of forcing graphene to behave differently with magnets, the researchers took a different approach. They placed a sheet of graphene on top of a layered magnetic material called chromium thiophosphate (CrPS₄). This material naturally influences nearby electrons through what scientists call magnetic proximity effects. 

    Unexpected anomalous Hall effect

    When graphene is stacked on CrPS₄, its electrons start to feel two key forces; spin-orbit coupling (which ties an electron’s motion to its spin) and exchange interaction (which favors certain spin directions). These forces open up an energy gap in graphene’s structure and lead to the appearance of edge-conducting states, which is a sign of the QSH effect.

    The researchers confirmed that spin currents were flowing along the graphene’s edges and stayed stable across distances of tens of micrometers, even in the presence of small defects. 

    They also noticed something unexpected, an anomalous Hall (AH) effect, where electrons are deflected to the side even without an external magnetic field. Unlike the QSH effect, which they observed at low (cryogenic) temperatures, this anomalous behavior persisted even at room temperature.

    “The detection of the QSH states at zero external magnetic field, together with the AH signal that persists up to room temperature, opens the route for practical applications of magnetic graphene in quantum spintronic circuitries,” the study authors note.

    The huge potential of spin currents

    The stable, topologically protected spin currents could be used to transmit quantum information over longer distances, possibly connecting qubits in future quantum computers. They also open the door to ultrathin memory and logic circuits that run cooler and more efficiently than today’s silicon-based devices.

    “These topologically-protected spin currents are robust against disorders and defects, making them reliable even in imperfect conditions,” Ghiasi said.

    However, there are still some limitations to overcome. Unlike AH, the QSH effect, which is more suitable for developing quantum circuits, observed here only occurs at very low temperatures, which limits its immediate use in consumer electronics. 

    The researchers now aim to investigate ways to make the effect more robust at higher temperatures and explore other material combinations where this approach could work. 

    The study has been published in the journal Nature Communications.

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  • Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro Have a Coordinated Couple Outing at Wimbledon

    Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro Have a Coordinated Couple Outing at Wimbledon

    Since the beginning of the year, Andrew Garfield and Monica Barbaro have been quietly dating. They’ve yet to have a glitzy red carpet moment together, but there’s been a few brief glimpses of the Hollywood couple at the beach and on vacation. They enjoy keeping a low profile.

    But this weekend, at the star-studded Wimbledon tennis tournament in London, the duo decided to make things a little more official. Garfield and Barbaro attended Sonay Kartal and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova’s match together—and not only did they coordinate outfits, but the couple even enjoyed a cheeky courtside kiss, for all the paparazzi and prying eyes to see.

    Let’s start with those complementary ensembles, though. Nothing makes it official like a his-and-hers fashion moment: The two actors were photographed heading into the arena wearing all-white looks that were coordinated to perfection. Barbaro wore a silky white slip dress with strappy heels, while Garfield chose a classic button-up, cuffed pants, and a knit sweater tied around his shoulders. Wimbledon is all about preppy style, after all, and the duo clearly did their style homework ahead of attending the match.

    Photo: Getty Images

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  • Dr. Simona Valeriani Reimagines Victorian Innovation in ‘Building the Royal Albert Hall’

    Dr. Simona Valeriani Reimagines Victorian Innovation in ‘Building the Royal Albert Hall’

    This volume tells the fascinating story of how one of the most iconic buildings of the Victorian era came into being. Bringing material and archival evidence to life, it gives voice to its makers: from artisans and engineers to royalty and policy makers. This extraordinary piece of architecture reveals itself as a gateway to a new understanding of the political, artistic and scientific aspirations of a generation whose legacy still shapes the social and cultural landscape of today.

    This groundbreaking study takes one of London’s most iconic buildings and deconstructs it to offer new insights into the society that produced it. As part of the new cultural quarter built in South Kensington on the proceeds from The Great Exhibition of 1851, the Royal Albert Hall was originally intended to be a ‘Central Hall of Arts and Sciences’. Prince Albert’s overarching vision was to promote technological and industrial progress to a wider audience, and in so doing increase its cultural and economic reach.

    Placing materiality at its core, this volume provides an intellectual history of Victorian ideas about technology, progress, and prosperity. The narrative is underpinned by a wealth of new sources – from architectural models and archival materials to 19th century newspapers. Each chapter focuses on a particular element of the Royal Albert Hall’s construction, chronicling the previously overlooked work of a host of contributors from all walks of life, including female mosaic-makers and the Royal Engineers.

    Lighting, ventilation, fireproofing, ‘ascending rooms’, cements, acoustics, the organ, the record-breaking iron dome, and the organisation of internal spaces were all attempts to attain progress – and subject to intense public scrutiny. From iron structures to terracotta, from the education of women to the abolition of slavery, in the making of the Royal Albert Hall scientific knowledge and socio-cultural reform were intertwined.

    This book shows, for the first time, how the Royal Albert Hall’s building was itself a crucible for innovation. Illustrious techniques from antiquity were reimagined for the new mechanical age, placing the building at the heart of a process of collecting, describing, and systematising arts and practices. At the same time, the Royal Albert Hall was conceived as a ‘manifesto’ of what the Victorians thought Britain ought to be, at a crucial moment of its socio-economic history: a symbolic cultural hub for the Empire’s metropole.

    This is the Royal Albert Hall: a central piece of the puzzle in Britain’s march towards modernity.

    Dr. Simona Valeriani is based at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, where she is a senior lecturer. She is an historian of architecture and technology with a background in building archaeology. This book is the result of a long standing interest in the topic (see the V&A display ‘Building the Royal Albert Hall’, 2017) and of a prestigious Leverhulme Trust Fellowship (2018-2020).

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  • Lewis Capaldi Scores First U.K. No. 1 Since 2023 With “Survive”

    Lewis Capaldi Scores First U.K. No. 1 Since 2023 With “Survive”

    Lewis Capaldi has scored his first U.K. No. 1 single since 2023 with his comeback track “Survive.”

    On the Official Singles Chart dated July 4, the Scottish singer-songwriter is back at the top with his sixth chart-topping single. Capaldi previously hit the summit with “Someone You Loved” (2018), “Before You Go” (2019), “Forget Me” (2022), “Pointless” (2022), and “Wish You The Best” (2022).

    The Official Charts Company reports that by shifting 68,500 chart units in its opening week (including over 4 million streams), “Survive” surpasses Capaldi’s previous 56,000-unit best, earned with 2022’s “Forget Me,” to secure the feat.

    Capaldi made a stunning comeback last weekend at Glastonbury Festival (June 27) with his first large live show in two years. He performed on the Pyramid Stage, returning to the place where he was forced to abandon his set following vocal issues back in 2023. Capaldi performed “Survive” during the 30-minute set, and said that returning to “finish” the performance was his main goal while he worked through mental health issues; a U.K. and Ireland tour is set to take place later this year.

    MK’s collaboration with Chrystal “Dior” holds steady at No. 2, while Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” falls from the top spot to No. 3. The latter has spent two non-consecutive weeks at the summit since its release in early June.

    Ravyn Lenae’s “Love Me Not” continues its impressive longevity by holding firm at No. 4, and Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” closes the week at No. 5. Olivia Dean’s “Nice to Each Other” climbs to a new peak of No. 15, while PinkPantheress enjoys a post-Glasto boost for her song “Illegal,” which rises 14 places to No. 22.

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  • Latest Israeli strike kills 38 in Gaza: Israel, Hamas set for indirect talks; Qatar to mediate

    Latest Israeli strike kills 38 in Gaza: Israel, Hamas set for indirect talks; Qatar to mediate

    Israeli airstrikes kill 38 Palestinians in Gaza (AP)

    In a latest offensive, Israeli airstrikes have claimed the lives of 38 Palestinians in Gaza on Sunday, as per hospital officials. According to Mohammed Abu Selmia, the director of Shifa Hospital, 20 Palestinians had been killed in Gaza City and 25 others were left wounded,In Muwasi, southern Gaza, Israeli attacks had killed 18 others, according to officials at Nasser Hospital, near the area of Khan Younis, as reported by AP. Muwasi is an area on the Mediterranean coast sheltering thousands of displaced people living in tents. Two families were among the deceased.

    Hamas Fighters Accused Of Attacking Israel-US-Backed GHF Aid Workers In Gaza

    “My brother, his wife, his four children, my cousin’s son and his daughter. … Eight people are gone,” said Saqer Abu Al-Kheir. Israel’s military did not comment on the individual strikes but reported hitting 130 targets across Gaza over the past 24 hours. It said the attacks focused on Hamas command centers, weapons storage sites, launchers, and other infrastructure, claiming several militants were killed in northern Gaza.This comes amid the resumption of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas on Sunday mediated by Qatar, a day before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the White House. US President Donald Trump will meet Netanyahu on Monday and has proposed a 60-day ceasefire plan.A Palestinian official close to Hamas and familiar with the talks said international mediators had informed the group that “a new round of indirect negotiations… will begin in Doha today”, as reported by AFP. Netanyahu had earlier announced that he would be sending a team to Qatar, a key mediator in the entire conflict. The initiatives include a partial release of hostages held by Hamas in return for an increase in humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza. The proposed truce also aims to pave the way for talks on ending the 21-month-long war altogether.Hamas gave a “positive” response on Friday to the latest US proposal but wants guarantees that the ceasefire will lead to a full end to the war and an Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. Past talks have broken down over these demands, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has said fighting will continue until Hamas is destroyed, reported AP.Ahead of the indirect negotiations, Netanyahu’s office has stressed that Hamas was seeking “unaccepatble” alterations to ceasefire plans. An Israeli officer said the Security Cabinet has approved sending aid into Northern Gaza, an area that greatly suffers due to food shortages. Northern Gaza has received a meagre amount of aid since Israel ended the ceasefire in March. The nearest aid distribution point of the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is located near the Netzarim corridor, which divides northern and southern Gaza just south of Gaza City.UN agencies and major humanitarian organizations have declined to work with the foundation, citing concerns that it was created to serve Israeli military interests. The UN human rights office reported that over 500 people have died while trying to access food at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution sites, as per AFP. The war has led to the creation of a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza for the more than 2 million people living in the war-ravaged territory. “People are dying for flour,” said Karima al-Ras from Khan Yunis in Sourhern Gaza, as reported by AFP. “We hope that a truce will be announced,” she added.


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  • Best AirPods deal: Get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169.99

    Best AirPods deal: Get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169.99

    SAVE 32%: As of July 6, you can get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169.99, down from $249. That’s a 32% discount.

    Amazon is rolling out its Prime Day deals early this year, and some of the discounts are seriously impressive. With the main event just two days away, we’re seeing killer deals across every category, and Apple devices (discounted MacBooks, AirTags, iPads, and more) are getting some of the best price cuts.

    SEE ALSO:

    Amazon Prime Day vs. Black Friday: When are the deals better?

    As of July 6, you can get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169.99, down from $249. That’s a 32% discount and a $79.01 savings. It’s not the absolute lowest price we’ve ever seen (they hit $153.99 during Black Friday), but it’s still a solid deal.

    The AirPods Pro 2 feature impressive sound control, with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), a Transparency Mode, and an Adaptive Audio setting that automatically blends the two. The physical design is just as thoughtful: you get four sizes of silicone tips for a secure fit, and you can now swipe the stems to adjust the volume. They’re also built for everyday use, with an IP54 rating against sweat and rain, and a battery that provides up to 30 hours of total listening time.

    Mashable Deals

    SEE ALSO:

    The new AirPods Pro look old but sound fresh

    They also have a powerful, built-in Hearing Aid feature. It’s a clinical-grade function for users with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss that works by having you take a hearing test on your iPhone to create a custom sound profile. This also enables Media Assist, a feature that uses your profile to automatically make music, videos, and phone calls sound sharper and easier to understand.

    The best early Prime Day deals, hand-picked by Mashable’s team of experts

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