jilipark club login A British woman has become the fifth foreigner to die after a suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, as Australian Holly Bowles fights for life in a Bangkok hospital. or signup to continue reading Simone White, 28, a lawyer from southeast London, has been identified by British media as among the tourists who died after consuming drinks suspected to have been laced with methanol. "We are supporting the family of a British woman who has died in Laos, and we are in contact with the local authorities," Britain's foreign ministry said in a statement. An Australian, two Danes and an American have also died in the apparent mass poisoning in Vang Vieng, a popular tourist town in the landlocked Southeast Asian nation. Melbourne teenager Bianca Jones, 19, was confirmed to have died by her family on Thursday, sparking a wave of emotional tributes from loved ones and political leaders. Her friend Holly Bowles, also 19, continues to fight for her life in a different Bangkok hospital. The pair, from Beaumaris in Melbourne's southeast, had been holidaying in Laos when they became ill along with a dozen other tourists in Vang Vieng last week. They had planned to stay at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng and drank at the venue before reportedly going to Jaidee Bar on November 11. Ms Jones and Ms Bowles did not leave their dorm room for 24 hours and reported feeling unwell on November 13, before being taken to separate hospitals in Bangkok. Shaun Bowles told reporters outside Bangkok Hospital on Wednesday that his daughter remained in critical condition and on life support. "We just like to thank everyone from back home for all of the support and love that we're receiving," he said. "But we'd also like the people to appreciate right now, we just need privacy so we can spend as much time as we can with Holly." Consular assistance is being provided to the families of the two Australians girls. Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan said the Australian women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel as a gesture of hospitality. Thai authorities confirmed Ms Jones had died by "brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system". The Australian government has updated its travel advice for Laos, telling residents to be alert to the potential risk of spirit-based drinks including cocktails. Foreign Minister Penny Wong said drink-spiking and methanol poisoning were "far too common in many parts of the world". "At this time I would say to parents, to young people, please have a conversation about risks, please inform yourselves, please let's work together to ensure this tragedy does not happen again," she said. Ms White's friend Bethany Clarke also urged tourists in the region to avoid local spirits. "Just avoid them as so not worth it," she wrote in a Laos backpacking Facebook group. "Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning." One New Zealand citizen has also fallen ill in Laos and could be a victim of methanol poisoning, New Zealand's Foreign Ministry said. "Travellers are advised to be cautious about consuming alcoholic beverages, particularly cocktails and drinks made with spirits that may have been adulterated with harmful substances," it said. With Reuters and AP DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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Advertisement AdvertisementSouth Korea’s right-wing president, Yoon Suk Yeol, suddenly declared martial law across the country on Tuesday and then swiftly rescinded it after the self-declared anti-communist power grab was unanimously rejected by parliament and sparked a public mass uprising. Late Tuesday evening, Yoon declared martial law, saying that there is a need to protect the country from “communist forces” and to eliminate “anti-state forces.” The decree prohibited all political activities, put all news publications under control of martial law and banned all labor activities like strikes or work slowdowns. Members of the National Assembly, South Korea’s parliament, rushed to the chamber after the declaration, with one lawmaker saying that he had to climb over a wall to get past police and military who were blocking the building. Less than three hours after it was declared, parliament voted, 190 to 0, to reverse the edict. Meanwhile, protests erupted in Seoul after the declaration. The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, one of South Korea’s largest unions with over 1 million members, called for an “ indefinite general strike ” until Yoon resigned. Even though the parliament voted to undo the declaration, military officials had reportedly pledged to continue enforcing it until the president lifted it, according to South Korean news channel YTN . But then, just about six hours after Yoon’s surprise television conference, he rescinded his declaration, citing the National Assembly’s vote . It was the first time martial law had been declared in South Korea since 1980 , when it was declared under a fascist dictatorship propped up in part by the U.S. Yoon is a scandal-plagued far right leader who has massively expanded the oppressive security state within the country since he was narrowly elected in 2022. President Joe Biden has been criticized for his warm relationship with Yoon, saying he is a “great friend” and maintaining diplomatic relations. The Biden administration refused to condemn the martial law declaration on Tuesday, only expressing “concern” over “developments we are seeing on the ground,” as a White House spokesperson said. “Certainly it is our hope and expectation that the laws and regulations of a particular country are abided by that particular country,” said State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel at a news briefing. “Ultimately, we want to see these political disputes resolved peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law. And of course, such a vote in the legislature would be consistent with that approach.” Yoon had already faced mass calls to resign prior to Tuesday, facing accusations of abusing his veto power to advance his own interests, including vetoing a bill to investigate his wife for allegations of stock manipulation; legislation to investigate a 2022 crowd crush that killed 159 people in Seoul; and a bill to probe the death of a marine seemingly caused by negligence within the military.

MSI has revealed its Claw 8 AI and Claw 7 AI+ mobile gaming devices, which are powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor (Series 2). The Claw 7 AI+ has a 7-inch display, and the Claw 8 has an 8-inch panel. Both of these devices are Copilot Plus PC-capable handhelds for portable gaming. The Claw 8 AI comes in a ‘sandstorm’ colour variant and is ergonomically designed to fit in the user’s hand. It sports redesigned sticks, bumpers, D-pads and ‘hall-effect triggers’ for a better experience. It also offers Cooler Boost HyperFlow technology, a dual fan, and a dual heat pipe to help dissipate heat. The MSI Claw 8 and Claw 7 AI+ sport dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and offer an App Player, allowing users to play Android and Windows titles. The Claw 8 has 32GB of RAM, an Intel Arc 140V GPU, a 120Hz refresh rate, WiFi 7, a microSD card reader, and a power button with a fingerprint sensor. It also has an 80Whr battery that charges via USB-C. The MSI Claw 7 AI+ uses many of the same specs, but instead, a 54.5Whr battery comes in Black and Wi-Fi 6E. Canadian pricing and availability are not yet available.NoneHot-ticket items

Wheel of Fortune contestants regularly whiff their bonus puzzles, but the winner of Monday, December 2’s episode was in for a particularly heartbreaking spin. Her additional letter choices added ZERO letters to a tricky puzzle, which was even more shocking since she had the advantage of a Wild Card wedge. The tough break involved Kelsey Sowders, a mom of three and steak/wine savant from Tomball, Texas. After an astounding performance, she proceeded to the coveted bonus round, having racked up $40,398 in cash, a prize trip to Japan, and the elusive Wild Card. This meant she got to pick five additional letters instead of four, which often spells success. Selecting “What are You Doing?” as her category, with the off-side support of her eldest son Grant and husband, Sowders joined Ryan Seacrest center stage. She landed on the star portion of the wheel, and the host assured, “Perhaps it’s good luck.” “I hope so,” Sowders said. The two-word puzzle read as “_EE_N_’ ‘_ _ S_,’ and she chose an additional “MFDA,” and H.” However, Vanna White didn’t move an inch as the letter choices were useless, making the puzzle very difficult. “Oh no!” Sowders exclaimed in disappointment. She went through the five stages of grief, staring in disbelief, blowing a raspberry in frustration, and recollecting herself. Seacrest wished her the best, “You’re doing great so far tonight.” But the cruel twist of fate left Sowder unable to solve the puzzle under the 10-second timer, which ended up being “KEEPING BUSY.” She was close, even able to get the first word, but nowhere near the second. “Oh no!” Sowders exclaimed once more as the full puzzle was displayed. Then, cutting back to the contestant and Seacrest, the second dagger came. The host revealed from his prize card contained $75,000 and she hid her face from it. “I don’t want to see that,” she said as Seacrest winced at the camera. “Don’t worry,” the host told her as she emotionally recovered and told him, “That’s okay.” The game show shared the big miss on YouTube, where fans expressed their shock and empathized with the player’s reaction. “That was a tough one. I didn’t get it either. Props to her for getting the first word right, but that second word was tricky as hell. I’m glad she’s not walking away empty-handed, though. She still won up until that point and nobody can take that from her,” one fan wrote. “Impossible without the right letter choices. Been a few of those this season,” wrote another. “If she would have won, she would have won over $100,000 cash without actually landing on the envelope! That’s really disappointing. Also, the fact that she had 5 letters but didn’t get a single one?! Should I be disappointed or impressed?” asked a third. “Ouch!” wrote a fourth. “You don’t see $75,000 all that often!” Meanwhile , Seacrest had huge shoes to fill replacing the legendary Pat Sajak after four decades for Season 42. His debut month was the strongest ratings month for WoF in the past three years, and viewers were already treated to a viral moment (via a round of sausage) . That said, there have been some questionable host moments according to fans. In September, Seacrest suffered what fans dubbed his “first blooper” , involving a delayed reaction to rewarding a bonus round. Fans also called out the host for ruling against another player before the timer was up. Most controversially, fans recently called out the host for not reminding a player to pick a letter , leading to him losing the game in a misunderstanding and by a mere $147. Another puzzling pattern has emerged, which is that no player has won the bonus round in a full week , many fans blaming the players, not the host. As for Sowders, another contestant recently botched their bonus puzzle in a similar way after choosing poor letters, but in that instance, they didn’t have the boost of the Wild Card wedge. Wheel of Fortune , Weeknights, Check your local listings More Headlines:

Lisa Kudrow dishes on reason why ‘Friends’ is still popular Lisa Kudrow has a theory for why young fans still love ‘Friends’ Lisa Kudrow thinks there is a particular reason why Friends remains one of the most popular shows even among younger generations today. The 61-year-old actress shared that she isn’t surprised to see fans attached to the 90s sitcom in an interview and explained why. “I’m not amazed because it’s good and it’s familiar,” Kudrow, who played the fan-favourite character of Phoebe Buffay told Page Six , on Friday, December 7th. The Come Back star continued to explain that she believes Friends holds a “subconscious nostalgia” for younger fans who grew up with cell phones and social media. “For something they don’t have, which is in-person connections and relations. And that’s always been at the heart of every successful show.” She added, “That’s why people get attached to them and then if it’s funny, there [are] good performances, good jokes, that’s a bonus and Friends had all that.” The Emmy winning artist shared that many people around her questioned if the sitcom would ever succeed and asked her if “a bunch of young people sitting on a couch talking” was even a show. “That’s not my problem,” Kudrow quipped. “I’m just in it, but yes it was a show.” The final episode of fan's beloved show, which aired in May 2004, had over 52 million viewers, making it the fifth most-watched series finale in US history. The Friends alum is set to appear on the screen with her upcoming movie No Good Deed which comes out on December 12th. Gigi Hadid stuns onlookers with cosy appearance in NYC Princess Charlene rocks flared jeans for family day out Angelina Jolie struts in Paris set photos, despite broken toe Zachary Levi prepares to welcome first child with Maggie Keating

Equities market closes negative as investors lose N123bn

Former Virginia guard Jalen Warley is transferring to Gonzaga, according to several reports Monday. Gonzaga appeared to confirm the transfer by reposting the news on social media. Warley, who has 96 college games (58 starts) under his belt, will use a redshirt this year and spend 2025-26 in Spokane, Wash. Warley played three seasons at Florida State before transferring to Virginia before the 2024-25 season. He was allowed to enter the transfer portal again following the surprise retirement of coach Tony Bennett just three weeks before the season. With the Seminoles, Warley averaged 6.0 points, 2.9 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. His junior year was his best, as he put up 7.5 points, 2.8 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game over 33 appearances (32 starts). --Field Level MediaNWTRPA launches new podcast about recreation at residential schoolsNone

November 21, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked proofread by Kathrin Haimerl, Universität Passau Cash grants appear to be more promising than matching grants, especially if the survival of small businesses, rather than innovation, is the key objective in fragile political contexts. This is the result of a study conducted by economists from the University of Passau and the World Bank in Washington D.C. and Burkina Faso. The research is published in the Journal of Development Economics . An unresolved policy question is whether support for small firms in the form of grants should be flexible ("cash grant"), and its exact use left to the discretion of the beneficiary, or whether it should be earmarked and accompanied by strict procurement rules and possibly an earmarked contribution ("matching grant"). To shed light on that question, researchers from the University of Passau and the World Bank conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Burkina Faso to compare 400 firms that received flexible cash grants with 400 firms that received subsidies earmarked for investments in individualized technical training and consulting services. The study concludes that cash grants score higher in all categories and are also more cost-efficient. "Beneficiaries of cash grants showed higher survival rates, improved business practices , more formalization, and more innovation activities compared to beneficiaries of matching grants and firms in the control group ," explains Professor Michael Grimm, holder of the Chair of Development Economics at the University of Passau. He is the lead author of the study, which was published under the title "Supporting small firms in a fragile context: Comparing matching and cash grants in Burkina Faso." Together with his co-authors Dr. Sidiki Soubeiga, former doctoral student at the University of Passau and now consultant at the World Bank in Burkina Faso, and Dr. Michael Weber, senior economist at the World Bank in Washington D.C., Professor Grimm conducted a randomized controlled experiment in Burkina Faso, to assess the medium-term impacts and cost-effectiveness of two innovative interventions to enhance firm growth and job creation in a fragile and rural setting. Cash grants can be used for any business purpose. Matching grants are earmarked for business development services (BDS), such as technical training and expert consulting. Results at a glance Two years after implementing the interventions, the research team observed the following effects: Across all outcomes, beneficiaries of cash grants outperformed those receiving matching grants. Most cash grant beneficiaries chose to spend the grant on capital goods, inputs, and livestock rather than BDSs. Overall, there was little evidence of fraud or misuse, even for the more flexible cash grants. Cash grant beneficiaries increased investment, saw greater growth in capital stocks, and were more resilient to the COVID-19 crisis, which could boost profits, sales, and employment in the longer term. However, neither cash nor matching grants significantly increased profits, sales, and employment relative to the control group. Cash grants are more cost-effective to implement. Including the grants, the cost per beneficiary was USD 6,658 for recipients of cash grants and USD 7,135 for recipients of matching grants. The economists conducted the study as a randomized controlled trial in Burkina Faso from 2019 to 2022, in partnership with the local Maison de l'Entreprise du Burkina Faso (MEBF) and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), which fielded the surveys. Participating firms were eligible for up to USD 8,000 either in the form of cash or matching grants. Procurement rules were stricter for matching grants to prevent misuse. In order to qualify for a grant , firms had to take part in a business plan competition. On behalf of MEBF, experts selected 1,200 entrepreneurs from 2,279 applications, who were randomly allocated into two treatment arms (cash grants or matching grants) and a control group. "Cash grants appear to be the more promising alternative, especially if survival of the firm rather than innovation is the key objective," says Professor Grimm, summarizing the results. "A flexible cash intervention, therefore, can be a worthwhile policy option in other fragile contexts with weak institutions and a low-skilled workforce." According to the researchers, this is the first study to compare matching grants with cash grants based on a randomized field experiment in a fragile context. More information: Michael Grimm et al, Supporting small firms in a fragile context: Comparing matching and cash grants in Burkina Faso, Journal of Development Economics (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2024.103344 Provided byUniversität Passau

XEC: New Covid-19 strain not in Nigeria – FGSouth Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over martial law

NEW YORK , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) toys market size is estimated to grow by USD 8.09 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.89% during the forecast period. Growing emphasis on stem education is driving market growth, with a trend towards integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies in stem toys. However, high cost of stem toys poses a challenge. Key market players include Building Blocks Learning Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Dilly Dally Kids, Elation Edtech Pvt. Ltd., Elenco Electronics Inc., Evollve Inc., Fat Brain Toys LLC., Franckh Kosmos Verlags GmbH and Co. KG, Fun Express LLC, Funvention Learning Pvt. Ltd., GoldieBlox Inc., Hape International Inc., Hasbro Inc., Innovation First International Inc., Learning Resources Ltd., LEGO System AS, Makeblock Co. Ltd., Makey Makey LLC., Mattel Inc., MobilizAR Technologies Pvt. Ltd., MVW Holdings Inc., Nesta Toys, Piper Learning Inc., PlanToys.com, PlayMonster LLC, Ravensburger AG, Scientifics Direct Inc., SmartGurlz, Smartivity Labs Pvt. Ltd., SND Digital Retails LLP, Sphero Inc., Spin Master Corp., Thimble, Timbuk Toys, Tinkering Labs Inc., and Xinxiang Alpha Manufacturing Ltd.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver The STEM toys market is experiencing significant growth due to urbanization and literate parents seeking unique learning experiences for their children. This trend is driven by the integration of engineering, mathematics, gravity, and coding into educational curriculums. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, departmental stores, specialty stores, and online platforms are capitalizing on this trend by stocking educational robots, coding toys, and STEM-focused digital gaming. Toy subscriptions and one-day delivery services are also gaining popularity. The market is fragmented with market players employing both organic and inorganic strategies, including business expansions, acquisitions, and innovation. Geographic segmentation reveals varying consumer interests and material impact in different regions. The ecosystem includes emerging players offering niche offerings, while digital transformations and personalized learning styles are driving innovation. The outlook for the short-term is positive, with steady YOY growth expected. Business resilience and bottom-line management are key concerns for vendors, while research data and analyst support are essential for informed decision-making. The value chain includes toy distribution and toy manufacturing, with alternative products and educational benefits attracting consumer interest. Digital replicators and interactive experiences are enhancing the learning experience, while exploration and experimentation remain fundamental to STEM education. The STEM toys market has experienced significant growth with the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies. These advanced technologies have transformed the educational value of toys by offering personalized learning experiences and encouraging critical thinking. AI and ML enable STEM toys to adapt to a child's unique abilities and learning style. For instance, the Cubetto Playset is a coding toy that utilizes AI technology to provide customized learning paths. The toy applies ML algorithms to analyze a child's interactions and adjusts the challenge level accordingly. This innovative approach enhances the potential for experimentation and exploration in STEM learning. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The STEM toys market is experiencing significant growth due to urbanization and literate parents seeking unique learning experiences for their children. STEM toys, which include engineering and mathematics toys, have a material impact on problemsolving and logical reasoning skills. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, departmental stores, specialty stores, and online platforms are key distribution channels. Engineering and mathematics toys, such as those based on gravity, coding, and educational robots, are popular. Innovation and digital transformations are driving the market, with emerging players offering niche offerings. Geographic segmentation and analysis are essential for business expansions and acquisitions. The value chain includes vendor management, research data, and analyst support. The market is fragmented with YOY growth, personalised learning, and interactive experiences being key trends. Alternative products and educational benefits attract consumer interest. Business resilience is crucial, with bottomline management and one-day delivery important for market players. The outlook is positive for short-term, mid-term, and long-term growth. Digital replicators and vivid images provide instant feedback for experimentation and exploration, catering to different learning styles. The global STEM toys market faces a substantial hurdle due to the high cost of these educational products. The advanced technology, premium materials, and extensive research involved in creating STEM toys result in a higher price point. For instance, a robotics kit that enables children to construct and program their robots comes with a premium price tag. The intricate components, sensors, and software included significantly increase the cost, ranging from USD100 to several hundred dollars. This price barrier can restrict market growth and hinder the widespread adoption of STEM toys among a broader consumer base. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This science, technology, engineering and mathematics (stem) toys market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 In-home 1.2 In-school 2.1 9-10 years 2.2 6-8 years 2.3 11-13 years 3.1 Science 3.2 Engineering 3.3 Mathematics 3.4 Technology 4.1 APAC 4.2 North America 4.3 Europe 4.4 Middle East and Africa 4.5 South America 1.1 In-home- The in-home STEM toy market is experiencing significant growth due to several factors. First, the importance of early STEM education is increasingly recognized, leading to a greater demand for at-home learning resources. In-home STEM toys offer an accessible and engaging way for children to explore STEM concepts, fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Second, the need for educational entertainment at home is driving demand for these toys. With concerns about excessive screen time, in-home STEM toys provide an alternative form of entertainment that is both engaging and educational. These toys offer interactive experiences, challenges, and experiments that stimulate children's curiosity and promote learning in a screen-free environment. Additionally, the convenience and accessibility of in-home learning opportunities are making STEM toys a popular choice for families. Parents appreciate the flexibility of having educational resources readily available at home, allowing children to engage in STEM activities at their own pace and convenience. Popular in-home STEM toys, such as the Snap Circuits Electronics Exploration Kit and the Gravity Maze Marble Run, introduce children to fundamental STEM concepts in a hands-on and engaging manner, making learning fun and enjoyable. These advantages are expected to continue driving demand for in-home STEM toys, contributing to the growth of the in-home segment in the STEM toy market during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The STEM toys market is experiencing significant growth due to urbanization and the increasing number of literate parents seeking unique learning opportunities for their children. These toys, which focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, offer hands-on experiences that foster problem-solving and logical reasoning skills. Sustainability is also a key consideration in the industry, with many manufacturers using eco-friendly materials and educational curriculums aligning with STEM education. STEM toys can be found in various retail channels, including supermarkets, hypermarkets, departmental stores, and specialty stores. Engineering and mathematics-focused toys often incorporate principles of gravity and other scientific concepts. Innovation and digital transformations continue to shape the market, with emerging players offering niche offerings and established companies expanding through business acquisitions. Geographic segmentation and geographic analysis are essential for understanding the market's trends and opportunities. Research data indicates that the Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the market due to its large population and increasing focus on STEM education. Vendor management is crucial for retailers to effectively manage their supply chains and ensure the availability of these popular items. Market Research Overview The STEM toys market is experiencing significant growth due to urbanization and literate parents seeking unique learning opportunities for their children. STEM toys encompass engineering, mathematics, and scientific concepts, often incorporating gravity, educational curriculums, and coding. Supermarkets, hypermarkets, departmental stores, specialty stores, and online platforms serve as key distribution channels. Digital gaming, educational robots, and toy subscriptions are emerging trends. Geographic segmentation and analysis reveal innovation and digital transformations in the market. The ecosystem includes niche offerings from various market players, with some employing inorganic strategies for business expansions and acquisitions. The value chain involves vendor management and research data support. Analysts anticipate continued YOY growth, driven by personalized learning, fundamental thinking, experimentation, and exploration. Alternative products offer educational benefits, consumer interest, and resources, while digital replicators and interactive experiences provide vivid images and instant feedback. The fragmented nature of the market calls for bottomline management and business resilience. The outlook for the short-term and long-term is positive, with a focus on sustainability and problem-solving skills. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application In-home In-school Age Group 9-10 Years 6-8 Years 11-13 Years Subjects Science Engineering Mathematics Technology Geography APAC North America Europe Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE TechnavioCyclones unravel in Big 12 title loss, look to bowl game to cap historic season - Cyclone FanaticA friend of mine used to say that the first question we ask when we’re introduced to a new piece of technology is, “How can I use this to have sex?” To that end, here’s how to use a Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S, Apple Vision Pro, PSVR, Vive, or other VR headset to have sex...or watch virtual porn, anyway. (If you're wondering what else you can do with your Quest 3 or 3S, here's a guide to the must-have apps for both.) How to watch VR Porn with a Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, Quest 3S or other VR headset It’s almost comically easy to have an “entry-level” VR porn experience in virtual reality with any headset that isn't manufactured by Apple. (More on that below.) Entry level porn VR porn viewing, step-by-step Lock the door. Put on your headset. Click on your web-browser-of-choice Navigate to a site that hosts VR porn. Free video megasites like Youporn have a VR section, or just use Google to search something out. Clicking on a video should launch you into VR—but "should" is doing a lot of work. These are random files hosted on janky free porn sites, so don't be surprised if you need to do a little trial-and-error to find one that works right. That’s all you need to know to get a taste of the VR porn thing, but because of the massive file sizes of VR video, streaming is likely to be choppy, and free movies are usually not in the highest resolution—again, janky but free. To get a better experience, you’re going to have to (gasp) pay to watch it. Suggested headsets for VR porn-viewing: Valve Index VR Full Kit Meta Quest 2 Meta Quest 3 HTC Vive Pro 2 How to watch VR porn with a Meta Quest 3 and 3S The above instructions for streaming "regular" VR porn work on Meta Quest 3 and 3S headsets, but the "3 series" has front-facing pass-through camera arrays that add a new wrinkle to "adult content": augmented reality. Getting your pass-through-porn on can be fairly complicated, so here's a separate post that goes into detail about how to get augmented reality porn to work on your Meta Quest 3 and 3S . How to watch Porn with an Apple Vision Pro Apple's Vision Pro can stream, download, and play “normal” videos (both adult and "mainstream") on gigantic virtual reality screens easily through its web browser, but immersive, 3D videos produced specifically for virtual or augmented reality will not work on your Apple Vision Pro's browser. Part of the issue is that WebXR, the programming interface for accessing augmented reality and virtual reality devices, is not automatically enabled in the Vision Pro's browser. Not having WebXR enabled means no VR porn, but it also means you won't have access to a slew of non-adult VR and AR content like web-based games, tours, productivity apps, etc. Here's how to turn WebXR on: Open Settings. Select Apps. Select Safari. Scroll to the bottom of the window and select Advanced. Scroll to the bottom of the window and select Feature Flags. Under Experimental XR Features, enable WebXR Device API and WebXR Hand Input Module. Under WebKit Feature Flags, enable WebXR Augmented Reality Module and WebXR GamePads Module. Exit Settings. Open Safari, or if it's already open, refresh a WebXR-enabled page to check it is working. But even with WebXR enabled, you still can't launch full VR porn videos on an Apple Vision Pro—yet. I spoke to Alex Novac, of VR Porn site SexLikeReal, and he said, "a lot has been done on our end to make things work with AVP. It's a great tool for videos. Will be making a huge update soon." Advanced VR porn viewing Pick a VR website. Because VR porn is relatively new, more costly to produce, and has a smaller audience than “normal” adult videos, there aren’t an overwhelming number of sites dedicated to it. Most of them have sample videos to view, and some provide single-day access for very cheap so you can see if you dig it. Check out this list of the most well-known producers, and make a choice. Did you lock the door? Open the browser, navigate to your newly chosen site and enter your credit card digits. Membership fees vary from site to site, but expect a range of $20 to $30 a month. From here, you can stream full-length videos at very high quality, but the streaming might still be choppy. If so... Download and save video to your device — These videos can be over 10 gigs, so it might take a little bit. Play the video —Major VR headsets come with great video browsers, but if you want advanced features, download Skybox for 10 bucks. That way you can save video to your PC and stream from your computer easily. Get the right player : Some adult VR sites are configured to work best with specific browsers or video players, and you should be directed as to what to install. If you want to get really advanced, you can delve into the world of ( link is NSFW ) virtual reality sex toys . These are devices designed to vibrate and oscillated in sync with videos. I have no idea how well these work and I'm not super anxious to find out. Is virtual reality porn any good? Now that you know how to view porn in virtual reality, you have to ask yourself if you should . Virtual reality’s “you are there” immersion provides an experience that is markedly different from traditional porn, but it’s not necessarily better. Like all things of this nature, it comes down to personal taste. I checked out a little bit of the stuff (for research purposes only, of course), and, without going into too much detail, here are the pros and cons: Locked-in perspective: The idea of putting the viewer right up in the action means the camera is locked to your perspective. If you like that kind of thing, it’s gravy for you, but if you don’t ... well, you gave it a shot. The performance: The camera/you feel very close to the performers in VR porn videos and the illusion is fairly convincing, but actually selling that kind of intimacy requires acting talent. It’s a different kind of performing than film or stage altogether, and, at the risk of being negative, many pornographic performers don’t have the chops to really pull it off, so it can just feel weird, and not sexy-weird. Again, your mileage may vary. Limited content: Because it is more expensive and more difficult to shoot VR video, and there is a smaller audience, it seems like almost all VR porn is geared toward a mainstream porn audience. If you share the tastes of the majority of porn viewers, you’ll be happy. If you’re into something more esoteric, you might find it difficult or impossible to find what you like, at least until more pervs join the virtual world. Gender-bending: Most virtual reality porn is designed for heterosexual men, but not all of it. There is VR porn from the point of view of queer people, which provides maybe the most unique possibility of VR porn: putting yourself in the skin of someone else. Looking down at yourself and seeing a different body (one that doesn’t skip ab day) is strange enough, but looking down and seeing a differently gendered body is positively freaky in the best possible way. I can only assume this will lead to a new age of empathy and the end of sexism and homophobia. For couples? Realistically, most porn is going to be consumed solo, but some couples are strapping on headsets (and maybe other devices) and incorporating the virtual into their shared real sex lives. I think a real experience while wearing a headset would be a little ridiculous, but maybe I'm just old-fashioned.

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