Rss Bot

More zero-day exploits coming up for sale by NSO Group and others is democratizing the attack vector and placing them within reach of less sophisticated attackers. View the full article

The FBI is cracking down on the practice of Zoom bombing, saying the hijacking of web conferences can be punishable by jail time. View the full article

The white hat hacker who discovered the vulnerabilities received a $75,000 from Apple's bug-bounty program. View the full article

The attacks are being carried out against Chinese government interests worldwide, according to Qihoo 360. View the full article

Did you know that learning a new language has benefits for everyone, from young to old? The Journal of Experimental Child Psychology published a study showing that, on tasks requiring their working memory, bilingual children outperformed monolingual ones. While, in the largest study so far, scientists discovered that monolingual speakers tend to develop dementia as much as five years earlier than people who speak more than one language. There are all kinds of reasons to learn a new language. It's actually been proven to improve your memory, or even keep dementia at bay. Using an app like Babbel (one of the best language learning apps) can make it a lot easier for you. Other studies show benefits of increased cognitive abilities, attention spans, multi-tasking skills, even developing a bigger brain! And, of course, it is also useful for preparing to travel or communicating better with friends and family. The Babbel app takes advantage of today's advanced technology to let you learn new languages more efficiently. And you can currently get the app at a whopping 60 per cent discount– bringing the price of a lifetime subscription down from $399 to $159. How does Babbel teach you a language? With lessons that are only 10 to 15 minutes long, you can fit them in almost any time. And the skill levels go all the way from total beginner to advanced. So if you already have skills that just need to be built upon, or you're starting from scratch, you will easily progress from one stage to the next. Babbel's lessons focus on practical conversation. Instead of learning random vocabulary, you will become confident when speaking about business, transportation, lodging, dining, shopping, asking for directions and much more. One of the features that makes Babbel an effective language tool is its capacity for personalisation. The speech recognition technology allows your pronunciation to be tested, so you get as close as possible to the way it's supposed to be. The review sessions, as well, are tailored to reinforce the things you need to learn so that they stick with you. Babbel can be used offline, so you aren't limited to practicing only when you have access to the internet. You can download courses, lessons and review items beforehand and access them in offline mode. Between that and being able to sync across devices, you can pretty much study whenever and wherever it's convenient for you. You can learn Italian, French, Spanish, German and more, for a total of 14 languages. The retail price for a lifetime subscription to all the languages is $399. But you can save $249 dollars by taking advantage of the 60% discount being offered today, and get the lifetime subscription for only $159. Read more: The best mindfulness apps in 2020 How to make your app accessible The best travel laptops of 2020 View the full article

UK charity Bloodwise has revealed a brand new name as well as a new visual identity designed by Pentagram's Marina Willer. Now known as Blood Cancer UK, the charity hopes its new, descriptive name will help it reach the people who need the people who need it most. At the centre of the new visual identity is the logo: a hand-drawn heart, placed at an angle so as to also resemble the letter 'B'. It's an ingeniously simple design that not only emphasises the charity's name and focus on blood cancer, but also conveys a sense of kindness and compassion. According to Pentagram, the 'B' also stands for the word 'Because', which is the focus of the charity's latest poster campaign. Looking for more logo design inspiration? Check out our best logos of all time. The charity's new name and logo The new posters, each containing a sentence starting with the word 'Because', highlight the charity's various activities from funding research to emotional and practical support. One reads, "Because we research, we care, we support", while others emphasise the personal impetus behind Blood Cancer UK's work by simply using names ('Because of Carol'). Part of Blood Cancer UK's 'Because' campaign Founded in 1960, the charity supports those who have been affected by blood cancer, as well as funding research. While there are several charities working in this area, Blood Cancer UK is the only one that claims to provide funding and support for all the different types of blood cancer (of which there are over 100). The charity's name change is its second in five years (before Bloodwise it was known as Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research). According to a blogpost on Blood Cancer UK's website, it realised the 'Bloodwise' name was holding it back. In contrast to other charities, the charity had recently seen its donations fall. "Many people didn’t realise we were a blood cancer charity. We wanted to make sure our name makes it as obvious as possible what we do." One of the new posters designed by Pentagram "While the prognosis is positive," says Pentagram, "there is still much work to do." We're big fans of Blood Cancer UK's new identity. The new name makes its purpose much clearer, as does the logo – which even manages to use a blood-red colour in a way that doesn't make us feel squeamish. If we had one criticism, we'd say the heart symbol could potentially be confused with The British Heart Foundation's, although the hand-drawn nature certainly sets it apart. Ultimately, it's a simple yet emotive mark that conveys a sense compassion for those requiring the charity's services as it continues its vital work. Related articles: Durex rebrand hits the spot with a sexy new logo Polaroid rebrand is an instant pick-me-up Where to find logo design inspiration View the full article

During life under lockdown, you can approach TV in two different ways. You can stay glued to rolling news from morning to night, until you’re thoroughly miserable. Or you can focus on the positive: you finally have time to catch up on those streaming boxsets friends have been urging you to watch. But what happens when you’ve finished those? While the Netflix interface is great at letting you search by title, keyword, actor or genre, the one category you’re really interested in, 'good', isn’t actually listed. So let us help. In this post, we’ve unearthed the true, rare gems amongst the hundreds of TV shows dumped on Netflix. These 20 boxsets, beginning with the most recent, and finishing with a few genuine classics, cover a wide range of genres, but are united by one thing: they’re all absolutely first-class. If you've got more time on your hands, also check out our collection of how to draw tutorials. 01. Next in Fashion Next in Fashion is a cut above other reality shows Genre: Reality contest Number of seasons: 1 What happens: Fashion designers compete for big money Why watch it?: It’s colourful, glamorous and super-inspiring Watch in UK Watch in US Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of reality TV. There’s the Kardashians type, where there’s a lot of arguing, but not much actually happens. Then there’s the Bake Off or MasterChef approach, where people step out of their comfort zone, improve their skills, and take you with them on their emotional journey. Next in Fashion lies in the latter category, as a group of fashion designers compete for $250K and the chance to become “the next big thing in fashion”. Two things in particular make this show stand-out: the diversity of the contestants, and the imaginative brilliance of their creations. So even if you’re not at all interested in fashion, or think you don’t like reality TV, believe us: watch just one episode of this show, and you’ll be hooked. 02. The Stranger The Stranger is full of thrilling twists and turns Genre: Thriller Number of seasons: 1 What happens: A stranger goes around town revealing people’s secrets Why watch it?: Every second is filled with intrigue and excitement Watch in UK Watch in US American novelist Harlan Coben is one of the century’s greatest crime writers, but it’s taken a long time for his books to be successfully adapted for TV. Finally, however, Netflix has bottled his genius into a series of UK-set dramas: The Five (no longer available), Safe and most recently and compellingly, The Stranger. In this eight-part series, Hannah John-Kamen is entrancing as the mystery woman who goes around town revealing people’s secrets. This causes a whirlwind of tragic consequences, played out compellingly by top-class actors including Richard Armitage, Dervla Kirwan, Jennifer Saunders, Stephen Rea and Anthony Stewart Head. All in all, this show rises above the norm due to its perfectly formed plotting, its grounded sense of realism, and its empathy for the characters, who invariably come across as sympathetic; even the wrong’uns. 03. You You is captivatingly sinister Genre: Dark drama Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A sociopath creepily inserts himself into a woman’s life Why watch it?: It’s super-tense and full of surprises Watch in UK Watch in US Ever wondered what it’s like inside the head of a sociopath? If not, then maybe give this one a miss. But if you’re intrigued by the idea of a stalker explaining, carefully and methodically, the creepy methods he uses, you’ll find this dark and disturbing drama a wild and fascinating ride. Be warned: none of the characters in this New York-set drama are at all likeable, which is kind of the point. But with its talented cast, nuanced social commentary, and stunning cinematography, You is compelling from start to finish. Plus you’ll learn plenty about the art of preserving old books along the way. 04. Sex Education Sex Education isn't perfect, but it's tons of fun Genre: Comedy drama Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A tough girl sets up a nerdy lad as a sex therapist Why watch it?: It’s funny, smart and very sexy Watch in UK Watch in US The polar opposite to the darkness of You, Sex Education is a colourful, fun and sexually explicit comedy-drama that will put a smile on your face and make you forget all your lockdown woes. It follows a nerdy but empathetic lad, who’s enlisted by a tough teenage girl to sell their fellow pupils sex therapy sessions. And yes, that’s as ridiculous as it sounds... but it’s very entertaining nonetheless. Admittedly, this show is not perfect. For a start, this allegedly British school looks very much like an American one, with its pep rallies, Letterman jackets and focus on the swim team and school band. We also don’t understand how these kids, with their working-class accents and attitudes, mostly seem to live in ski lodges and millionaire mansions. But you quickly forget all of that, because the story does such a good job of capturing the emotional whirlwind that is being a teenager. You’ll soon start to care deeply about these carefully drawn characters, and crave to find out what happens to them next. Or at the very least, you’ll be reminded how glad you are not to be at school any more. 05. Star Trek Discovery (not USA) You don’t need to be a Star Trek fan to enjoy Discovery Genre: Sci-fi Number of seasons: 2 What happens: War erupts between two galactic empires Why watch it?: It’s engaging drama with great storylines Watch in UK There’s been an awful lot of Star Trek since the original show in the 1960s. In the 1970s came the spin-off movies, books and cartoon series. In the 1980s and 1990s, the show returned to TV in the form of Next Generation, followed by Deep Space Nine and Voyager. In this century we’ve had Enterprise, the JJ Abrahms movie reboots, and most recently, two new TV series in the form of Discovery, a prequel to the original 60s show, and in 2020, Picard. If this all sounds confusing, here are two things you need to know. Firstly, Star Trek: Discovery is very good. And secondly, you don’t need to have watched any Star Trek before to enjoy it. Precisely because it’s a prequel, there’s no continuity to worry about, and so it’s a great jumping off point for enjoying this much-loved world of space adventure. In fact, that applies even if you’re not a sci-fi fan in general, because it’s simply a good story, told well. There’s one big caveat, though: it takes a little time to find its way, and the first couple of episodes are in honesty not that great. But stick with it and from episode three onwards, you’ll get a good return on the time you’ve invested. 06. Our Planet Our Planet documents the effect of climate change across the globe Genre: Nature documentary Number of seasons: 1 What happens: Climate change impacts animals in the wild Why watch it?: To educate yourself and marvel at nature’s wonder Watch in UK Watch in US Sir David Attenborough is well known as the guru of BBC wildlife documentaries, which have become ever grander and more epic in recent years. But for his latest series, Our Planet, he wanted instead to partner with Netflix. Why? Because the theme of this particular series is the environmental crisis, and he wanted the widest possible global audience for his message. The show brings us a variety of animals around the world and portrays, in stunning detail, how their personal environments have been affected by climate change and other ecological issues. And as you’d expect it’s a thought-provoking, dramatic, wonderfully shot and endlessly entertaining watch. 07. After Life After Life carves comedy out of the most unlikely subjects Genre: Black comedy Number of seasons: 1 What happens: A bereaved reporter takes out his anger in obscene ways Why watch it?: It’s hilarious, bad-taste comedy with a heart of gold Watch in UK Watch in US Is lockdown life making you miserable? Then you might think a black comedy about a man contemplating suicide wouldn’t help. But in the case of After Life, you’d be wrong, for two reasons. Firstly, the awful ways that main character Tony, played by Ricky Gervais, takes out his anger at the death of his wife are brilliantly, cathartically funny... and at a time like now, a bit of catharsis is no bad thing. And secondly because, in small and subtle ways, the show suggests things can get better, and there is light at the end of the tunnel. That doesn’t happen in a predictable or formulaic manner, though. Throughout the six, perfectly formed episodes, the lives of the ensemble cast veer from tragic to hilarious in a series of unexpected ways, and you’re kept guessing how everything will turn out. Of course, Ricky Gervais is comedy Marmite, and if like many, you find him genuinely irritating, you should probably give After Life a miss. But if you have enjoyed his past performance in The Office, Extras or his comedy movies, do be assured that this is his best, and most endearing work yet. 08. Glow Glow twins '80s nostalgia and glamour with social issues Genre: Comedy drama Number of seasons: 3 What happens: Misfits put together a female wrestling show Why watch it?: It’s a heartwarming tale of triumph against the odds Watch in UK Watch in US American wrestling is all about outlandish spectacle and over-the-top, scripted entertainment, but what lies beneath the facade? That’s the question posed by this comedy drama, set in 1980s LA, which follows a motley crew of outcasts and losers putting together a female wrestling show for late-night cable TV. The story is fictional, but is based on the real-life women's wrestling and variety show that aired during the late '80s, and many of the characters are inspired by real wrestlers, too. So while there’s a ton of fun to be found here, from the witty back-and-forths to the soapy sub-plots, Glow always keeps one foot in the real world. This means that when themes like sexual harassment are introduced into the mix, it doesn’t kill the mood, but only makes you engage more with the easy-to-love characters and their constant challenges. 09. The Good Place The Good Place is a mix of sitcom farce and philosophical teachings Genre: Comedy Number of seasons: 4 What happens: A woman arrives at The Good Place by mistake Why watch it?: To laugh, and learn about philosophy Watch in UK Watch in US Spending time at home on lockdown, with little to do, can prompt you to start pondering the philosophical questions of life. But where do the answers to such questions lie? A fast-paced, high energy sitcom is probably the last place you’d look… but actually, that’s exactly what The Good Place is all about. In this fantasy comedy, Eleanor, an unpleasant woman played by Kristen Bell (above), dies and finds herself in The Good Place, an afterlife for the morally just. Only, she’s in the wrong place due to a case of mistaken identity, and so to avoid being sent to hell, she sets about hiding her past and taking ethics lessons, so she can blend into The Good Place better. It’s a clever concept, and the show keeps things interesting by introducing us, along with Eleanor, to a series of ethical philosophies and dilemmas, and dramatising how they play out in practice. There are a lot of laughs to be had as Eleanor gets increasingly tied up in her tangled web of lies. And unlike the other shows on this list, the episodes are nice and short, so work well for plugging brief gaps in your day. 10. The Assassination of Gianni Versace Discover the grim story behind a celebrity murder Genre: True-life crime drama Number of seasons: 1 What happens: The life of Andrew Cunanan, assassin of Gianni Versace Why watch it?: It’s grim but fascinating Watch in UK Watch in US From the people who brought you The People vs. O.J. Simpson in 2016 (also on Netflix, and also highly recommended) comes another true-life crime drama, but this time about a subject most of us know little about. In 1997, Italian fashion icon Gianni Versace was shot execution-style on the steps of his Miami Beach mansion. This show takes that event as its starting point, and then retraces the life of his killer, portraying in clinical detail the shocking sequence of events that led him up to this point. It’s by no means a fun watch, then, and if you want something uplifting, you’ll need to look elsewhere. It is however, exceptionally well acted, masterfully shot and utterly compelling from start to finish. 11. The OA The OA is the most out-there show we’ve seen Genre: Sci-fi fantasy Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A missing woman returns, shrouded in mystery Why watch it?: At each stage, you have no idea what will happen next. Watch in UK Watch in US We're already starting to miss travel, but here’s a show that will truly take you on a voyage of the imagination. The OA is difficult to describe without giving the plot away, but suffice to say that this is about as far away from formulaic drama as you can get. Instead, it will truly make your mind boggle and, at times, your heart race. With a cinematic and epic feel, this drama tells the story of Prairie Johnson, a young woman who’s resurfaced after having been missing for seven years. She now calls herself 'The OA' and can see, despite having been blind before her disappearance. From here on in, you will spend every episode not knowing where the story is going, or even what genre you’re watching. And take it from us, you will enjoy every, increasingly deranged, minute. 12. Lost in Space Lost in Space is a high-stakes adventure for all the family Genre: Sci-fi Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A family crash-lands on an alien planet Why watch it?: Pure escapism Watch in UK Watch in US Miss going to the cinema to see the latest film? Well, while Lost in Space is technically a television production, every episode of this spacefaring family drama feels like a blockbuster movie; more so than any show we’ve seen to date. They've spend a lot of money on this. A reboot of the 1965 series of the same name, which itself was a reimagining of the 1812 novel The Swiss Family Robinson, it follows a family on their way to make a new life on another planet. But they crash on a much more inhospitable one, and there, they must contend with a series of strange and unexpected terrors, all the time battling their own personal demons. Much more gritty and serious than its camp Sixties predecessor, Lost in Space is nonetheless a great watch for all the family, and maintains its super-high production values through the two seasons that have aired so far. 13. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Life for Sabrina the Teenage Witch is not as carefree in this new incarnation Genre: Teen fantasy Number of seasons: 2 What happens: A half-witch tries to balance the mortal and Satanic worlds Why watch it?: For the clever script and great performances Watch in UK Watch in US Another camp show from times past reinvented as more serious fare, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina couldn’t be more different than the 1990s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which starred Melissa Joan-Hart. Set in the same universe as teen drama Riverdale (also on Netflix), this brooding new production follows a half-human, half-magical teenager attending a school in the mortal realm. The servants of Satan, however, wish her to attend the supernatural Church of the Night, a kind of Hogwarts for baby eaters, and Sabrina finds herself torn between two incompatible worlds. What follows is a weird mix of teen drama, camp comedy and grotesque horror that can veer wildly in tone from one moment to the next... but never gets boring. Admittedly, it’s no Buffy, but it is highly original, beautifully shot and frequently enthralling. In truth, people seem to love it and loathe it in equal measure, but watch the first episode and you’ll soon know which side of the fence you’re on. 14. Lucifer The Devil reinvents himself as a detective Genre: Comedy drama Number of seasons: 3 What happens: The devil moves to LA and becomes a detective Why watch it?: It’s charming and witty Watch in UK Watch in US Typical: you wait ages for a Satanic comedy-drama, then two come along at once. Based on the DC Comics character The Sandman, Lucifer uses supernatural horror to reinvigorate the procedural detective show; it’s basically Castle with added brimstone. The conceit here is that the Devil has abandoned Hell for Los Angeles, where he runs his own nightclub and becomes a consultant to the LAPD. If that sounds a little far-fetched, it is, but the actors play everything straight, and you just kind of go with it. While the plots are derivative, it’s the central performance by Tom Ellis that really raises this show; he’s both devastatingly charming and the kind of broken villain you just can’t help empathising with. Plus the production values are super-slick, the supporting cast are compelling, and just when you feel things are dragging, there’s another big twist to pull back your interest. 15. Wild Wild Country The true story behind a cult community will astonish you Genre: Documentary series Number of seasons: 1 What happens: A cult leader builds a city in the desert Why watch it?: It’s riveting, and empathetic to all sides Watch in UK Watch in US Documentary series can be very hit and miss, but here’s one that we couldn’t leave off this list. It traces the story of how a controversial guru built a utopian city in the Oregon desert during the 1980s, causing a sharp conflict with local people. If that’s not a story you’re familiar with, you’re not alone; but it’s one that’s masterfully told, and you’ll soon be on the edge of your seat. Note, though, that while this documentary series is dramatic, it’s also respectful and by no means exploitative. People on both sides get a say, reflecting the true complexity of the situation and leaving the audience to make up their own minds. 16. Queer Eye Five experts give makeovers Genre: Reality show Number of seasons: 4 What happens: Five gay experts give life makeovers Why watch it?: It’s heartwarming and full of great life tips Watch in UK Watch in US There are makeover shows, and makeover shows. Queer Eye, a Netflix reboot of the 2003-2007 ABC series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, is a breed apart. Each episode features a team of gay professionals in the fields of fashion, grooming, interior design, entertaining and culture, who perform a life makeover for someone in need of advice. The team revamp their wardrobe, redecorate their house, and offer advice on grooming, lifestyle and food. There are usually tears. While many makeover shows have a shallow and consumerist focus, Queer Eye goes deep into the family dynamics, communication issues and personal psychology of its subjects, and tries to promote life changes that are more than just surface-level. So even if you think you have little in common with a truck-driving redneck from Missouri, this show might well surprise you. 17. Black Mirror Welcome to the future, and it’s not always what you expect Genre: Futuristic sci-fi Number of seasons: 5 What happens: A series of dramas play out in future worlds Why watch it?: To see where society is heading Watch in UK Watch in US Even if you haven’t seen Charlie Brooker’s sci-fi anthology series, you’ve probably heard people say "It’s just like something out of Black Mirror" when groundbreaking new tech is launched. That’s because this show is set in the near future, and each self-contained episode examines the unexpected effects that imagined technological innovations might have on ordinary people. With a dark sense of humour running throughout it, this British-made, but now Netflix-funded show, has very high production values, is endlessly inventive and will really make you think about where we are going as a society. And apart from anything else, you’ll be able to understand all those conversational references with friends that previously went over your head. 18. Gilmore Girls The Gilmore Girls tackles themes that every family can relate to Genre: Family drama Number of seasons: 5 What happens: The life of a single mum and her daughter Why watch it?: Soapy storylines and witty banter Watch in UK Watch in US The Gilmore Girls may have run from 2000-2007, but it hasn’t dated a bit. Mainly because it’s a show that deals with themes of family, relationships and class that are both timeless and universal. The drama follows the life of a single mother, Lorelai Gilmore, and her daughter Rory, who live in a small town filled with a number of eccentric characters. While it can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages, it's been a particular hit with millennials thanks to its witty dialogue, which is delivered at breakneck speed. (The original promo poster led with the slogan: 'Life’s short. Talk fast'). Plus with an impressive 153 episodes to binge-watch, this is one show that will hopefully last you long beyond the lockdown. 19. Breaking Bad What are people capable of when pushed in the wrong direction? Genre: Crime drama Number of seasons: 5 What happens: A science teacher starts making meth Why watch it?: It’s just awesome Watch in UK Watch in US Launched in 2008, Breaking Bad is the godfather of boxset TV. And yes, your friends are right: it is that good. Just in case you’ve been living under a rock and haven’t seen it yet, it tells the story of Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher in the midst of a midlife crisis. When he gets diagnosed with stage-3 lung cancer, but his insurance won’t pay for the best treatment, he decides to enter the drug business by manufacturing crystal meth. With 139 wins and 229 nominations, Breaking Bad is the most awarded TV show ever, and for good reason. The way it shows a normal, decent man can slowly descend into becoming a violent criminal mastermind is both utterly convincing and terrifying, suggesting that we, too, might be capable of such a transformation. And the ride itself... well, it’s just wonderfully entertaining. 20. Mad Men Mad Men: possibly the greatest TV show ever made Genre: Drama Number of seasons: 7 What happens: Dramatic events at a 1960s New York ad agency Why watch it?: Nostalgia, glamour and characters you’ll fall in love with Watch in UK Watch in US Running from 2007 to 2015, Mad Men is set at a fictional ad agency on Madison Avenue, New York City, in the 1960s. Its main character is the womanising advertising executive Don Draper, and the series tracks the people in his personal and professional life, against the backdrop of changing moods and social mores during the period. The first basic cable series to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, Mad Men is widely regarded as one of the greatest TV shows of all time. And really: do you need to know anything more than that? Read more: Top 10 TV logos of all time The top fictional brands from films and TV Ridiculously named colour palettes will make you smile View the full article

If you live in the UK and have been thinking of investing in Adobe Creative Cloud, now might be the time. Today Adobe has shaved a whopping 40% off individual Creative Cloud subscriptions, meaning you can now get access to its entire suite of apps for a monthly cost of just £30.34 – that's a whopping saving of almost £20 a month. The price reduction is exclusively for readers of Future Publishing's brands and applies to the complete Adobe Creative Cloud suite, which encompasses over 20 different apps. That includes all the big players – photo editing favourite Photoshop, digital artists' go-to Illustrator, video editing software Premiere Pro, web prototyping tool Adobe XD and motion effects creator After Effects. You'll also be able to explore the new additions to the Adobe family, tablet-based art app Adobe Fresco, and Photoshop on iPad. Just in case you need some extra encouragement, remember that when you buy Adobe's full All Apps package you're also getting 100GB of cloud storage (with the option to upgrade to 10TB) and premium features like Adobe Portfolio, Adobe Fonts, and Adobe Spark. The programmes are fully integrated, so you can switch between them (and jump from one device to another) seamlessly. Built-in templates help you jump-start your designs, while step-by-step tutorials will help you sharpen your skills and get up to speed quickly. This deal is valid until 13 April for Creative Bloq readers, so if you're in the UK and want to save big on Adobe's entire suite of creative software, grab it now. If you live outside the United Kingdom, here are the best Adobe CC prices in your area: Related articles: Top-class Photoshop tutorials to hone your skills The 13 best alternatives to Photoshop The best web hosting services for designers View the full article

Mark Segasby is co-founder of Lightmap, developers of HDR Light Studio lighting software. Lighting makes a huge difference to the quality and effectiveness of any final render. After hours of hard work modelling your scene, it deserves to be seen in its best light. However, lighting is often undervalued or even misunderstood by 3D artists, and it's not easy to find trustworthy resources on the topic. Here are my own top 5 tips to help artists avoid common mistakes – and score a well-lit studio shot. 01. Use the right models and materials A poor model with wobbly surfaces (left) vs a high quality, smooth model (right) If your model or materials are not right, the lighting process will (quite literally) highlight this. You can be fooled into thinking your model looks great in the viewport. But try checking it inside a zebra striped HDRI map to see how those lines are reflected on the model's surfaces. Render the model at different angles and see if you can spot any issues. Strange, wobbly reflections will show that the modelled surface is not as smooth as you might think. You'll thank yourself for fixing modelling issues early – they'll only appear worse in the final render with lighting. If the materials are not correct, they will react incorrectly to reflections from your lighting. Try testing your model in a variety of HDRI maps, such as studios, and indoor and outdoor environments. Does chrome look like chrome? Does metallic paint look metallic? Basically – does it look real? If you don't get the materials correct now, you will need to keep tweaking them during the lighting process. If you get your materials right first, lighting will be much easier later. 02 Give your light sources character A fake-looking light (top) vs a light with more realistic character (bottom) The appearance of light sources in reflections is essential. A perfect, white rectangle will look fake – real world lights have a shape, as well as hotspots where the light is brightest. They have character and imperfections. 3D artists are often aware of the importance of texturing their model, but the same goes for lighting. Using a library of HDR light source images to map to your area lights is ideal, or you can use gradients in your 3D software to create a more realistic effect. 03. Lighting can reveal materials and form The product being lit is most likely made from various materials. If a single light reflects across a change in material, this reflection will give the viewer a clue as to what those materials are. In product shots, hard-edged lights are often used to highlight this. The edge remains sharp when reflected in chrome or glass, and the reflection spreads on more textured materials. The form is the actual shape of the object. Lighting should help to communicate this. Reflections should flow in the direction of the form, not against it. Remember, a good product shot visually describes the product to the viewer. Off-the-shelf HDRI maps can be too generic when it comes to lighting products. For a realistic result, you need to perfectly position and control each light to reveal the model's materials and form. 04. Avoid unwanted reflections Sometimes you will place a light in a position that creates a really great reflection effect, only to find it creates another awful, unwanted effect somewhere else on the model. Really, you should reposition the light to avoid these unwanted effects, but sometimes they are unavoidable. Try using a softer light appearance – these are much more forgiving when seen in reflections. 05. Keep it simple You can't run out of lights using 3D software, so it’s easy to create too many. In a real photography studio, only a handful of well-placed lights are used, each added to create a specific effect. So, when lighting your shot, research how others have lit the same type of product when photographing it, and use these images for reference. It's easy to work out what type of lights have been used by looking at the reflections. Many successful 3D artists have learned to light by using reference images. Remember, photography is the benchmark by which all CGI product shots are judged, so we can learn a lot from it. Once your shot is lit, look at your render as a small thumbnail. It should still look good, which means you should still be able to recognise the form and materials, and the lighting shouldn't be distracting. It's easy to focus on one small area of lighting and forget about the image as a whole. If it doesn't look right as a small thumbnail, you probably need to simplify the lighting. Follow these five tips, and your lighting should look great. HDR Light Studio is a 3D lighting app that connects to your existing 3D software and vastly improves the lighting process. Lighting becomes as easy as 'drag and drop'. HDR Light Studio ships with a vast range of HDR studio light source images, so you have the right light appearance at hand for any project shot. Try HDR Light Studio for free at: www.lightmap.co.uk (prices start at £95 for a 1 year Indie licence). View the full article

COVID-19’s effect on work footprints has created an unprecedented challenge for IT and security staff. Many departments are scrambling to enable collaboration apps for all -- but without proper security they can be a big risk. View the full article

How far would you go to avoid finding out what happens in the TV show you're currently devouring? Spoilers are a universal irritant, and the creators of this Netflix concept ad have used the world's avoidance of them to deliver a topical crucial message on the subject of isolation. Note: This post contains spoilers. A pair of Thai students aimed the prospective campaign at those who aren't heeding the advice to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak, and we think it's genius enough to be a contender for our top billboard advertising campaigns. The message is simple: if you go out, you'll be confronted by spoilers of hit shows, such as Narcos, Love is Blind and Stranger Things. So it's safer to stay at home. Had enough of Netflix? Or binged all there is to binge? Try Disney Plus. A digital mockup of one of the infuriating billboards The attention-grabbing designs were created by Seine Kongruangkit and Matithorn Prachuabmoh Chaimoungkalo, students of the Miami Ad School in Germany. The billboards, which imitate the Netflix styling, feature a stark 'Spoiler:' tag (in red), followed by a key plot giveaway (in white). The words sit against dark backgrounds with images of the show in question. Overall, the design is sharp, to-the-point and makes a big impression. Two more of the concept billboards "The best way to stop the spread of Covid-19 is to #staythefuckhome, but some people still think it’s okay to go out and chill, spoiling it for us all," the spec ad reads. "So we took an extreme measure: we spoil their favourite Netflix shows." People on Twitter agree, with many being fooled into believing the digital mockups were genuine Netflix ads. They are pretty believable, but it would have been an incredibly bold move from Netflix, who actually passed on the design. It has been proven, through the McDonald's logo controversy at least, that brands need to be very careful about how they handle the coronavirus outbreak in their messaging. So though it's unsurprising Netflix passed, we are still impressed with this fizzy campaign that speaks volumes. And Netflix probably isn't lamenting the attention it's bringing the brand, either. Read more: Iconic logos reimagined for the age of coronavirus The genius concept Guinness ad we don’t want to love (but really do) The best print adverts ever View the full article

Mozilla Foundation rushes patches to fix bugs in its browser that could allow for remote code execution. View the full article

Your organization is unique. So is your IT team and their approach to managing the IT estate. But what isn’t unique are the vulnerabilities in your environment. They affect every organization. And in the current state of the world, where teams are scattered and scrambling to get their organizations up … Source Continue reading Discover Intelligent Patch Automation for Your Software Vulnerability Management at Flexera Blog. View the full article

As part of Serif's efforts to help creatives during the COVID-19 crisis, the team behind Affinity Photo, Affinity Designer and Affinity Publisher have pledged to buy work from 100 creatives over 100 days. The 100 Days, 100 Commissions initiative will take place over the next three months, and Serif is asking designers, photographers and publishers to send in their existing work for consideration. The emphasis here is that it is not asking for spec work, nor for projects created for a specific brief. Though of course, the work must have been created in an Affinity app (Serif's offerings are some of our favourite iPad Pro apps, so that shouldn't be too much of a problem). "We’re always looking for real-world projects that have been created in Affinity apps and we know many people would have been working on briefs that have just been cancelled. Alternatively they may have unused projects or even something just done for fun," says managing director Ashley Hewson. "That’s the sort of work we’re looking to license, so contributors don’t waste time and effort preparing new work to pitch (unless they really want to) and might even get paid for something that’s been cancelled by a client." So basically, if you have a really exciting project up your sleeve that you're unfortunately now not likely to get paid for, and it was made in an Affinity app, you can send it to Serif in the hope of being snapped up. Serif says it is looking for the following types of projects, although these aren't the only types it will consider: Print documents made in Affinity Publisher such as flyers, brochures, magazines, reports and book layouts Illustrations, graphic and UI design projects made in Affinity Designer, including website or app layouts, icons, logos and packaging Projects created in Affinity Photo such as portrait retouching, compositions, focus stacking, astrophotography, panoramas, HDR, fashion and product photography And if you don't have a finished project that's ready for submission, you can send in an idea, as well as your portfolio (see our favourite design portfolios for some inspiration). Interested? You've got until 12 noon (BST) on 20 April to submit your entry, which is limited to one per person. Note that any branding that you've already made will need to be "fictionalised", which could be a fun creative challenge. Those who are commissioned will be paid USD $1,500 for their work. You can read the full terms and conditions of the initiative, as well as submit your work on Serif's website. Also note that Serif is offering a free 90-day trial of its apps at the moment, so even if you're not already using the Affinity suite, now could be the time to give it a whirl. And if you want to buy the apps outright, they are also currently 50% off. Read more: Affinity 1.8 updates make apps even more tempting Affinity Designer: How to use effects and styles Free online resources for creatives stuck at home View the full article

Bootstrap, the most popular front-end framework built to design modern, responsive, and dynamic interfaces for professional design web pages, is currently undertaking a major update, Bootstrap 5. Bootstrap is a free and open-source collection of CSS and JavaScript/jQuery code used …View the full article

NASA is bringing back its 'worm' logo, and has used the symbol on its new Space X Falcon 9, which is due to take off in May – marking, as NASA puts it, the return of human spaceflight on American rockets from American soil. But never mind the wonder of human spaceflight, people are really, really excited about the return of NASA's previous logo. What's the big deal with the worm? Well, the logotype known as the worm was used between 1975 and 1992, and is much-loved for its clean and sleek forms, although it was quite controversial when it was initially brought in (read more in our NASA logo piece, or see our logo design guide for more on logos in general). After 1992, the logo known as the 'meatball', which was the original NASA logo, was brought back. But could this new appearance of the worm mark a wider change for the NASA logo? The meatball (left) vs the worm (right) In short, the answer is yes. "There's a good chance you'll see the logo featured in other official ways on the mission and in the future," says NASA on its website announcement, entitled 'the worm is back'. "It seems the worm logo wasn't really retired, it was just resting up for the next chapter of space exploration." So now we know. And we can't help but wonder if this departure from the meatball has anything to do with the rebranding of the Space Force logo, which was more in the style of the meatball (and some suggested, Star Trek). Is NASA trying to distance itself from the Space Force? On Twitter, people seemed pretty overjoyed at NASA's announcement, made by NASA administrator, Jim Bridenstine. There were also a lot of gifs, some of them courtesy of NASA. We look forward to seeing how this develops. To infinity and beyond? No, we mean, one small step for man, one giant leap for worms. Read more: New NASA logo celebrates women on the moon The 10 best logos of all time New Bing logo has curves in all the right places View the full article

If you've ever yearned to be interpreted by one of the greatest artists, you'll finally get your wish. Google's Art and Culture app has a brand-new feature that will bring Picasso to your living room and put you in the spotlight. The Art Transfer feature goes a step further than the app's previous fun filter, the Art Selfie. Instead of scouring its huge database for matches to your photos, it applies different filters to pictures, in the style of history's famous artists. If you want to take things a step further, find all you'll need to know to make your own art in our art techniques guide. Part of the Art Transfer process After taking or choosing a photo and applying filters that range from 'Self Portrait in the style of Vincent Van Gogh' to 'Free South Africa by Keith Haring' (plus a wealth of other artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci and Pablo Picasso), you have the option to save the result as an image or as a gif. The app also throws up some trivia about the artist and the option to view their work in a virtual gallery (more on that later). We have to say we are massively enjoying the outcome, and took the liberty of giving a nearby cat a plethora of makeovers. Firstly, 'The Scream by Edvard Munch'. And then a Frieda Kahlo-style self portrait. The app uses AI-powered technology to analyse any photo and transform it, and not by just applying a simple filter, either. "Once you snap your photo and select a style, Art Transfer doesn’t just blend the two things or simply overlay your image," product manager Michelle Luo explains. "Instead, it kicks off a unique algorithmic recreation of your photo inspired by the specific art style you have chosen." Honestly, we will probably spend all day on this. But there is more that the app can do for you right now. As well as fun filters, it also has a bunch of time-filling cultural content, including a virtual tours of over 1200 art galleries and museums – see our roundup of online art galleries for more. There are also art activities and interactive experiments. Read more: The essential guide to foreshortening in art The best art easels in 2020 What is beauty? And why do we need it in art and design? View the full article

As we all adjust to the changes to our lives caused by coronavirus pandemic, and social distancing becomes the (hopefully temporary) new normal, the creative community is coming together with various brilliant examples of solidarity and support. Every day, we have seen more and more individuals, groups and companies offer their talents and services for free. There's almost too much to count now – which is no bad thing for creatives. Below are just a few of our favourite online resources and services currently being offered for free during the coronavirus pandemic. You'll find everything from creative software and drawing lessons, to free books and talented authors doing daily story times. Some things here are aimed specifically at artists and designers, while others are simply designed to help you manage being stuck at home. Rest assured whatever situation you find yourself in right now, you'll find something here to help make life a little brighter. Please feel free to share any resources we've missed at contact@creativebloq.com or on Twitter @Creativebloq. Let's get started with some amazing free tools... There are a number of companies offering services for free in an attempt to support creatives financially. Here are all the current offers: Get Adobe CC free for two months Adobe is offering two months Creative Cloud for free to already existing individual CC subscribers. With the Covid-19 outbreak hitting everyone hard, this will no doubt come as very welcome news to artists and designers reliant on Adobe apps. Adobe CC free for students and teachers Adobe is also offering temporary free licenses to students and teachers, which could be a lifesaving offer for students currently reliant on Adobe software to complete vital coursework. In order to be eligible, you must attend a school or college registered as an Adobe education customer. Free Affinity apps from Serif Serif is offering everyone 90-days free access to Affinity Designer, Affinity Publisher and Affinity Photo. And at the end of the trial, should you wish to purchase the software, you can do so for half the retail price. Serif has also pledged to engage 100 creatives with paid work amid the virus outbreak. Nice one, Serif. Get ftrack Review for free Say goodbye to multiple emails and messages for the next few months with free access to collaborative media review and approval platform for content creators ftrack Review. The tool is free until at least 31 May 2020 (with date to be reviewed as the pandemic develops). Join Rob Biddulph every Tuesday and Thursday for DrawWithRob A number of artists have taken to doing regular online tutorials as a way to help creatives develop their skills and keep kids busy while they're at home. Here's a list of all the ones we've heard about so far: Art is where the home is Firstsite gallery in Colchester has brought together a crack team of well-known UK artists for a series of downloadable activity packs called Art is Where the Home is. Those artists include Grayson Perry, Annie Morris, Jeremy Deller and Antony Gormley, to name a few. The first pack will be available "very soon" – keep an eye on Firstsite's website for details. Free art lessons with Aaron Blaise If you want to learn how to draw, you'll be hard pushed to find a better teacher than legendary Aaron Blaise. The former Disney artist has today announced he will be publishing his lessons either for free or at a huge discount. Home schooling suddenly never looked so good. Draw with Rob Illustrator Rob Bidduph is sharing draw-along videos for kids every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 10AM (GMT), using the hashtag #DrawWithRob. And they've gone down a storm. Even if you don't want to join in, we urge you to take a look at the fantastic submissions so far, which are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Quarantine Art Club Award-winning American children's book illustrator and artist Carson Ellis has set up her very own Quarantine Art Club for adults and kids alike. Ellis There's a step-by-step video and handy reference material to help you get stuck in. Art club with Noel Fielding British TV presenter Noel Fielding has set up a Twitter-based online art club, which anyone can join in with. Participants are invited to submit their art to his Twitter handle – @noelfielding11 – and so far they've been glorious. Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems Lunch doodles with author Mo Willems, posted at 1PM (EST) every day on Twitter (and streamed after if you miss it). Visit Mo's virtual studio every day and then post your artwork online, using the hashtag #MoLunchDoodles. Looking for something meditative? There's nothing quite like getting lost in a session of calming colouring in. Lots of illustrators are offering free templates for printing, or even a touch of digital colouring. Colour for Calm Claudine O'Sullivan's Colour for Calm Glasgow-based illustrator Claudine O'Sullivan is offering a free PDF of seven different illustrators (six animals and one cityscape) which can either be printed and coloured, or used as a template for digital illustration. "Drawing has always been an incredibly calming escape for me," says O'Sullivan, "and I believe it can provide the same for others." Check out Colour for Calm here. Squidoodle's free colouring sheets Kent-based illustrator Steve Turner (better known as Squidoodle) is offering several free colouring templates on his website, including two designed specifically for the current situation. One is a message of support for the NHS, while another carries the hopeful message "We'll get through this!" surrounded by various items including books, headphones and a video game controller. Audi's online colouring book In one of the more unexpected offerings, car manufacturer Audi has posted a free colouring book PDF to its website, featuring various Audi vehicles in a number of exotic locations, from a majestic mountain range to... an Audi dealership store. Because why not? Elsewhere, illustrators and authors are taking to Instagram Live to read their books aloud in daily story times. This is a great way for adults and kids to spend some time together, so check individual Instagram feeds for times and tune in. Julia Donaldson The Gruffalo author has begun a series of weekly broadcasts on the book's official Facebook page, featuring stories, songs and poems from her books. The first broadcast features songs from 2004's A Squash and a Squeeze, and includes an appearance from illustrator Axel Scheffler. Oliver Jeffers Author of the popular children's books, How to Catch a Star and Lost and Found Oliver Jeffers has taken to Instagram to doing daily readings. Tune in at 2PM (ET), where posts will be available for 24 hours, and the recording then available on his website after. Sophie Blackall Author and illustrator Sophie Blackall is also taking to Instagram to share artists tips and tricks, based around her favourite books, including Ivy and Bean and Hello Lighthouse. There doesn't appear to be any post schedule, but videos are popping up every other day at the moment. Mac Barnett A daily book club is running from children's book author Mac Barnett, every day at 0900 (ET). Videos are available for 24 hours after posting, so you can catch up after if you miss it. If your stuck at home and want to get stuck in to a good book, there's plenty of free online libraries available. Free ebooks for designers: hone your skills with these 22 amazing resources for both beginners and pros Apple Books currently has a ‘stay at home’ collection of free read-alongs for kids and audiobooks That's a long list of free resources to help keep you in all sorts of ways while stuck at home. If you need some kit to help with remote working, we've also got a number of super-helpful buying guides to help you choose the correct equipment for you. This bit isn't free, sadly, but our price comparison widget will make sure you get the best price possible. The best office chair for your home office The best desks to keep you comfortable Laptop stands to keep you and your device cool The best laptops for students View the full article

Google is rolling out the newest Chrome browser version, 80.0.3987.162, in the coming days. View the full article

The feature, criticized for "undisclosed data-mining," is only the latest privacy faux pas for Zoom this month. View the full article

We started our agency, DixonBaxi, 19 years ago and I have worked as a designer for over 25 years now. As a company, we’ve weathered difficult storms, including two economic recessions, and arguably now we are amidst one of the most challenging times of all. But in this strange period of isolation there is also opportunity. An opportunity to really examine and understand your views of the world and what creativity means to you, which are the habits and behaviours that are critical to the work of any good designer. 28 amazing design portfolios to inspire you When I interview people early in their career, I don’t look at CVs or work. Instead, I want to speak to that person and get an understanding of what they truly care about. I want to figure out not what they've learnt but what they can do with that learning. I want to hear about the problems they have creatively overcome, and even more crucially, why. This is fundamental for me – the ability to see how someone applies critical thinking and can understand how to communicate on behalf of a brand. Everyone is different: we see people who are natural leaders, practitioners or strategists, but we also can see those who are lost because they’re not quite sure why they want to be a creative. And so this is what you need to work on – now more than ever. If you are looking for a new role, see our design jobs board. 01. Be bold and focus Focus on the type of work you want and like to create. It’s far easier to succeed and grow if you know what you want. If you’ve not yet had a chance to create the work you love, don’t worry. Just get on and make it. While working, create something interesting that pushes the boundaries. When we meet with clients, we like to offer ideas across what we call the ‘scale of bravery’ - if one is playing it safe and 10 is radical, we always aim for five and above. We understand that creativity improves things and makes things better and that’s why we often say that we are ‘always in beta’ – we always have new things to learn, new ways to grow and adapt to the world around us. This is really important – stay interested and aware of how the world is culturally and socially shifting and you’ll maintain a critical perspective. 02. Meet and talk to people (virtually) Whether via video chats, LinkedIn, blogs or social media, start small conversations with people you find interesting and admire and talk. Start conversations where you can really add value and develop a relationship. This allows you to think beyond yourself which is important as creativity is collaborative. Be open to ideas and ways of working that might be different to yours and learn to understand them. 03. Use this gift of time There’s a lot of uncertainty at the moment and that can drive negativity – the best way to challenge this is to make things. This is a really great way to get back on the front foot and be productive, and when you make things you have something to talk about. Whether you help a struggling local business with messaging, create an app or ideas with friends to help the community or simply develop your own designs, you are creating work with a tangible meaning. This is then a self-fulfilling prophecy as you are feeling productive and also becoming part of the industry. Another good thing to do is to use this time to systemise your folio so it’s easy for people on the outside to understand and get a good idea of who you are. Be brutal – get rid of deadwood, the work that is too broad or weak. It’s better to have fewer pieces that are brilliant than a lot of work that is average. It’s easy to fall into the sea of sameness where work can look and feel like many others - learn to aggregate your work in a way that makes you stand out. See these inspirational design portfolios for some fantastic portfolio examples. 04. Find your tribe Research studios that can help facilitate your ways of working and play to your strengths as you develop. Don’t get caught up on job vacancies or titles – worry about the quality of the work you are producing. Far too many people focus on getting specific roles when the only thing that matters is that you are doing vital and rewarding work – chase the projects and the exciting ways of working instead. When you’re ready, reach out to them. Be positive and additive – people buy into people. So the more natural, interesting and upbeat you are, the more you will connect. Ultimately, use this time to explore who you are and what you want to communicate as a creative Ultimately, use this time to explore who you are and what you want to communicate as a creative. When we hire, we look at attitudes over skills. You can teach technical skills but you can’t teach creative perspectives. We help to draw that out. You may design using a pencil, charcoal or a computer but if you don’t understand the reason or meaning to what you are doing it becomes pointless. Design today is no longer a fixed state – it scales, it breaks, it changes and adapts with how people use it. So you must learn the engine that drives it as well as the specific technical skills, and that will keep you designing with passion throughout your, hopefully, long career. Read more: 20 tips for design interview success 5 things NOT to say in a job interview How to draw: The best drawing tutorials View the full article

The past couple of years have seen Microsoft update many of its icons to bring them inline with its Fluent Design System. A process, which, in short, aims to create simplicity and coherence across its entire platform. Today, Microsoft's search engine Bing is the latest of its services to receive the Fluent design treatment, and the results are surprisingly impressive. The new Bing logo keeps the immediately recognisable lowercase 'b', but loses the sharp edges in favour of a much curvier design. There are also some very subtle, gorgeous new gradients in there too. While it seems like a simple change, the effect is quite profound, with the old, quite harsh design replaced with a sleek, classy new look. Is it enough to make it on to our list of the best logos of all time? Or make people choose the service over Google? Doubtful. But it's definitely a step in the right direction. McDonald's apologises after tasteless logo change Out with the old (left) and in with the curves (right) However, we can’t help but think Microsoft could have extended the redesign to update the font as well. Or maybe gone all out and changed the name too – is it just us or does Bing feel super-'90s? Whatever you think, there's no denying the new Bing logo falls in line with the uniformed, more modern look Microsoft is going for. The Windows logo led the way, with Microsoft's Office app icons quickly following suit. The new Bing logo doesn't appear for everyone just yet, and there's no news on when – or indeed if – it will be fully operational. The Thurrott website suggests the company may be A/B testing the new logo with a limited number of users, so whether it will make it to the masses remains to be seen. If it does make the cut, our guess it will be rolled out to everyone in the coming weeks and months. Read more: Logo design: Everything you need to know Audi’s new socially distanced logo misses the mark Iconic logos reimagined for the age of coronavirus View the full article

Working on the web usually means you will be working with Google in some shape or form. And seeing as Google Chrome is streets ahead of the competition, designers and developers need to think about how their project will work with the browser. How will it look? What technologies does it support, how secure is it and how will it perform? Fortunately, Chrome provides tools to ensure any site or app will be at its best. DevTools enable designers and developers to gain insight into a web page: you can manipulate the DOM, check CSS, experiment on designs with live editing, debug JavaScript and check performance. (See more about how to use these Google web tools here). But Google offers more than just the browser. It has tools and resources to aid nearly every aspect of your design and development life. Want to know how to improve performance? Lighthouse is here to help. Want to build better performing mobile sites? Then say hello to AMP. Are you looking to build beautiful PWAs? Then Flutter, Material Design and Workbox are ready to step in. The beauty of using Google tools, resources, libraries and frameworks is that you know they will work well with the Chrome browser – the most popular browser on the planet. For more tools, see our web design tools roundup. 01. Lighthouse Performance is a key factor in the success of a site and Lighthouse is Google’s tool for improving the quality of web pages. So how do you use it and what can it do? In its simplest form, you can run Lighthouse from the Audits tab and choose from a selection of options including desktop or mobile, in addition to tick boxes for performance, accessibility and SEO, to generate a final report with suggested improvements. 02. Polymer Polymer is well-known for its work with web components but the project has now expanded its repertoire to embrace a collection of libraries, tools and standards. What’s included? LitElement is an editor that makes it easy to define web components, while lit-html is an HTML templating library that enables users to write next-gen HTML templates in JS. Plus, you will also find a PWA Starter kit, the original Polymer library and sets of web components. 03. APIs Explorer Google has a vast library of APIs available to developers but finding what you need is no easy task. This is where Google’s APIs Explorer steps in to offer a helping hand. There is a long list that can be scrolled through but, for quicker access, there is a search box to filter the API list. Each entry links to a reference page with more details on how to use the API. 04. Flutter Create beautiful apps with Flutter If you are looking to build good-looking applications for mobile, web and desktop from a single codebase then Flutter could be for you. The site is a complete reference to working with and building with Flutter. Haven’t got a clue what to do? The docs take a user from installation to creation, assisted by plenty of samples and tutorials. 05. Google GitHub As most will know, GitHub is the hosting platform/repository to store and share code and files. And happily Google has its own spot on the platform with over 260 repositories to sift through. Use the filter to cut down on your search time and get closer to the repository you want to play with or contribute to. 06. Puppeteer Built in Node, Puppeteer offers a high-level API that enables you to access headless Chrome – effectively Chrome without the UI, which developers can then control through the command line. So what can you do with Puppeteer? A few options are available for generating screenshots and PDFs of pages, automating form submission and creating an automated testing environment. 07. Workbox If you are looking to build a PWA then this is a great starting point. Workbox provides a collection of JavaScript libraries for adding offline support to web apps. A selection of in-depth guides demonstrate how to create and register a service worker file, route requests, use plugins and use bundlers with Workbox. And there is also a set of example caching strategies to check out. 08. Codelabs In need of practical guidance for a Google product? Codelabs provides “a guided, tutorial, hands-on coding experience”. The site is neatly broken down into categories and events, making it quick and easy to find what you want. It includes Analytics, Android, Assistant, augmented reality, Flutter, G Suite, Search, TensorFlow and virtual reality. Select an option and get the code and directions you need to build small applications. 09. Color Tool Pick a palette, any palette Color Tool is a straightforward tool that enables you to create, share and apply a palette in addition to checking accessibility. Users can choose a predefined palette from the Material palette. Simply pick a colour and then apply it to the primary colour scheme, switch to the secondary option and pick again. Finally, pick text colours for both schemes. Alternatively, switch to Custom to pick your colours. Then switch to Accessibility to check all is good before, finally, exporting the palette. 10. Design Sprints The Design Sprint Kit is for those who are learning how to participate in or run design sprints. It looks to cover all knowledge bases, from first-timers to experienced sprint facilitators. Learn about the methodology or jump straight into the planning stage, including writing briefs, gathering data and research, as well as what to do post-sprint. Also includes a host of resources such as tools, templates, recipes and the option to submit your own method. 11. People + AI Guidebook This guide is the work of the People + AI Research initiative at Google and looks to offer help to those wanting to build human-centred AI products. The comprehensive guidebook is split into six chapters covering user needs, data collection and evaluation, mental models, trust, feedback and graceful failure. Each chapter is accompanied by exercises, worksheets and the tools and resources that are needed to make it happen. 12. Google Assistant Google's Assistant does plenty of assisting This is the Google Assistant’s developer platform, offering a guide on how to integrate your content and services with the Google Assistant. It shows you how to extend your mobile app, present content in rich ways for Search and Assistant, control lights, coffee machines and other devices around the home and build voice and visual experiences for smart speakers, displays and phones. 13. PageSpeed Insights PageSpeed Insights analyses web content and then offers suggestions on how to make it load faster. Simply add a URL, hit the Analyze button and wait for the magic to happen. Check the Docs to get a better insight into how the PageSpeed API works and how to start using it. 14. AMP on Google AMP is Google’s tool for creating fast-loading mobile pages that will (hopefully) get to the top of search rankings. Learn how to create fast, user-first sites, integrate AMP across Google products, use Google AMP Cache to make AMP pages faster and monetise AMP pages with other Google products. 15. Google DevTools There's a lot you can do with DevTools Every designer and developer knows (or at least should know) that Chrome comes with a set of tools built directly into the browser. Chrome's DevTools are ideal for inspecting the elements that make up a page, checking CSS, editing pages on the fly and much more. The Elements tab is the introduction to DevTools. It displays the HTML code that makes up the selected page. Get an insight into the properties of each div or tag from the selected page and start live editing. This is perfect for experimenting with designs. Check the Layout – whether you are using Flexbox or Grid – and take a look at related fonts with examples and examine animations. Elsewhere, you can view and change CSS. The Styles tab on the Elements panel lists the CSS rules being applied to the currently selected element in the DOM Tree. Switch properties on and off (or add new values) to experiment with designs. This is the perfect tool for ensuring that everything works as expected before applying any changes to the live design. You can also debug JavaScript, optimise website speed and inspect network speed. Here’s a quick tip you can use to immediately speed up your workflow. Head to the Sources tab, click New Snippet and add frequently used code. Name the code snippet and save. Repeat as needed. Now you can grab this code snippet instead of writing it again. Like every good browser, Chrome is constantly evolving and each new release brings new features. Find out what's happening on the Chrome status platform 16. Material Design Material is a vital piece of design kit Development may be seen as Google’s favoured child but, whatever you are making, creating or building, it needs to look good and give the user an experience that makes them want to use it. Material is a more recent addition to the Google stable but is a design system that has matured into a vital piece of design kit. Like any good design system, it has its own set of guidelines, which you need to look at before stepping into the more exciting stuff. Get an overview of how to use different elements, what Material theming is, how to implement a theme and usability guides including accessibility. Elsewhere, there is an insight into Material Foundation, which includes the key areas of design such as layout, navigation, colour, typography, sound, iconography, motion and interaction. Each category reveals its dos and don’ts and where you should consider caution. To give an idea of what to expect, the Layout category offers sections on understanding layout, pixel density, how to work with a responsive layout including columns, gutters and margins, breakpoints, UI regions and spacing methods to name but a few. Beyond the Design section is Components, which provides the physical building blocks needed to create a design. What’s included here? Buttons, banners, cards, dialogs, dividers, lists, menus, progress indicators, sliders, snackbars (these are brief messages about app processes at the bottom of the screen), tabs, text fields and tooltips. Undoubtedly a comprehensive collection of components. And developers haven’t been forgotten, with details and tutorials on how to build for different platforms – Android, iOS, Web and Flutter. And, finally, there is a page dedicated to a host of resources to help make your chosen design happen. This article originally appeared in net magazine. Buy issue 326. Read more: 30 Chrome extensions for developers and web designers HTML6: What is it and when is it arriving? 7 web design trends you need to know View the full article

With the world in turmoil, it's anyone's guess when Apple's iPhone 12 will finally be revealed. But the wait has done nothing to dampen the anticipation around its arrival, with Apple fans everywhere eager to get their hands on the shiny new device. While we wait for official launch news, graphic designer Donel Bagrov has come up with his own bold concept design for the iPhone 12 Pro. Leaked specs have already given us a decent picture of what to expect from the latest models. According to Tom's Guide, a report from established Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reveals there will be four iPhone 12 models, and they'll be the first iPhones with 5G capabilities. We also wouldn't be surprised to see them include the same ProMotion technology that has given the iPad Pro a buttery-smooth refresh rate. While these features would further cement the iPhone as one of the best camera phones for creatives, Bagrov's concept goes a few steps further with some unexpected details. Firstly, where's the notch (aka the black part housing the top speaker, front camera, and Face ID technology that cuts into the display)? With an under-display camera, this concept would be the first truly all-screen iPhone. While the notch was widely mocked at the launch of the iPhone X in 2017, the design has since been adopted by countless smartphone manufacturers. But is Apple ready to remove it completely? We're notch sure (sorry). Could the notch's days be numbered? The second big surprise is what the Bagrov calls 'Slide and TapTap'. With his concept design removing all buttons, in their place are what appears to be touch-responsive 'sliders', which can be used to toggle options such as volume. They bring to mind the Apple Pencil with touch bar that Apple recently filed a patent for. The new buttons that definitely aren't buttons Rounding off the design is a slew of more traditional upgrades, including improved battery life, reverse charging and just enough cameras to count on one hand. We'd love to see Apple take a few cues from Bagrov's design, especially the huge, uninterrupted display. Notch or not, we can't wait to see what Apple actually has in store for us. In these uncertain times, though, it's not just a question of what, but when. Read more: iPhone 11 Pro review Leaks confirm iPhone 9 (but it's not all good news) iPad Pro 2020: All there is to know about Apple's new tablet View the full article

Lego and space have a storied history together, from the classic blue and translucent green of the ’80s space sets to the great NASA-accurate sets below. The best Lego space sets of 2020 might be a bit more scientifically accurate than the older sets, and they're all the better for it. The best Lego space sets include a mix of scale models of real space craft that are perfect for adults or older kids, while the range of Lego space playsets are great for kids as young as five. Even the playsets were developed with input from NASA, though, it offered insight into the kind of equipment it expects humans to be using when we start making trips beyond the moon. We've broken the sets down into the real space craft aimed at adults, and then the sets aimed at a younger audience – and you'll find the current best online prices for them all right there. Also don't forget to check our Lego sets for adults, and our best Lego Architecture and Lego City sets. Best Lego space sets for adults Released to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the lunar landing, this recreation of the Eagle is a glorious display piece. Lego worked with NASA on getting the details right, including the right shade of gold. There are loads of fun details in the Lego Creator Expert NASA Apollo 11 Lunar Lander, from the way you build the lunar surface (including little square footprints for your astronauts), to the fact that the lunar escape module disconnects from the landing gear to rocket away. There’s even an inside to the module, with equipment panels. This has been a long time coming – ISS models would regularly make their way through Lego Ideas (where people submit propositions for new sets to be voted on by the public, and the most-voted will be assessed by Lego for potential release as a set), but Lego never picked them up… until now! This Lego Ideas International Space Station comes with lots of nice touches, including a robotic arm for deploying a satellite, a scale space shuttle you can dock, mini cargo space craft, and microscale figure to head out on space walks. If you’re into space, science and singular achievements, this is pretty much an essential display piece, especially since it comes on a handy stand. Here’s the thing: this Lego Ideas NASA Apollo Saturn V is no longer made by Lego. It has been retired – possibly forever, possibly not, but definitely don’t expect it back soon. Normally, we wouldn’t recommend things that aren’t actually available any more, but this is easily the best space set Lego has ever made, and you can find it for sale online since it's only a recent retirement, so we kind of have to mention it. A full metre long when complete, this scale model of the Saturn V is utterly awesome, and meticulously detailed – from its recreation of every portion of the multi-stage rocket, to the little dioramas of the lunar module on the moon and the command module in the sea after a touchdown… and all with microscale figures, as a reminder that this is all to scale! Moon landing buffs should take note of the number of pieces it’s made from, even – that’s the care and love that was clearly poured into this set. So, if you see it for sale for a not ridiculous price, we can’t recommend it enough. If you're a big space program fan, it's worth it. Best Lego space sets for kids The City range might seem a slightly odd place for the all the following sets in this list to sit, but that’s where this kind of playset tends to go, so fair enough. The next six models in this guide are all from a series inspired by NASA’s plans for future and mars programs, with designs that draw from serious concepts. The Lego City Rocket Assembly & Transport is our favourite of them, because not only does it have the coolest-looking rocket (which is the most important thing), but we also love the big crane assembly and caterpillar transportation vehicle. And as a playset, the range of robots, vehicles and garage give loads of scope for little explorers to have fun. This Lego City People Pack is a really fun selection of minifigures and accessories: it comes with seven different astronauts, a reporter, a camera operator, a personal trainer, a drone engineer, a rocket engineer, a mechanical engineer and a botanist, plus a robot, a g-force training machine, pizza, space rocks, a test rocket, and more. It’s a really cool set of stuff for kids to free play with and add to their range of other Lego. This Lego City Mars Research Shuttle is a slick-looking shuttle that opens to reveal space for its two astronauts to sit, and for it to carry a storage drone, perfect for carrying the included geode bricks. There’s also a rover with grappling arm, but the little touch we love the most is the scanning heli-drone, which has a red panel that, when held over a brick of rocky regolith, will reveal a neat ‘scanning’ interface. It’s a great set for budding space scientists. This Lego City Lunar Space Station is a concept for a small space station, with three modules to it that you can arrange however you like around the central airlock module. There’s a kitchen module, and living module, and a lab module, and they all open up so you can play with the minifigures included. The lab has light-up equipment, the kitchen has a pizza oven (we’re not sure of the NASA accuracy of that bit…), and the living area has a treadmill and bed. There’s also a small shuttle and a detachable satellite, for getting all that busy space work done. This Lego City Deep Space Rocket Launch Control set has a multi-stage rocket with assorted modules, plus a control room for executing your perfect launches, but most importantly it has a funky rail transport system. There’s a range of accessories too, from transport vehicles on the ground to a robot help, to a space telescope satellite that fits in the rocket’s payload module for transport up to your ceiling. A nice added touch is that the control tower is designed to accommodate a phone with a special countdown app on the screen, for an atmospheric (so to speak) launch event. You can practise for those martian/lunar escapades with this Lego City Rover Testing Drive set – it has an articulated grappling arm and removable cockpit, plus chunky all-terrain wheels. There’s various rock collecting equipment for its driver minifigure to use when picking up the rock bricks it comes with, and it’s all observed by a technician. Read more: The best Lego Harry Potter sets Pixel art: the best retro examples Super Lego Mario is coming and we need it now View the full article