Empirical Ventures, which backs what it calls âventure scientistsâ, PhDs building deeptech companies across energy, materials, and life sciences, has received a fresh £10M commitment via the BBBâs Regional Angels Programme, taking total support to £15M. Empirical Ventures, the Bristol-based deeptech fund co-founded by two scientists-turned-investors, has secured a £10 million commitment from the British […]
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The wool sneaker brand that briefly hit a $4 billion valuation in 2021 has agreed to sell all its assets and IP to American Exchange Group. The company is dissolving. Shares jumped 36% after-hours because $39M is still a premium over where they were already trading. Allbirds has agreed to sell all of its intellectual […]
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The Israeli deeptech, which uses 70% less energy than conventional carbon capture methods and has already signed with Shell, Mitsubishi, and C-Questra, is expanding into Europeâs industrial decarbonisation market as EU regulatory frameworks mature. RepAir Carbon, the Israeli developer of electrochemical direct air capture technology, has opened a European office in Luxembourg, the company announced […]
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Interactive content now generates 52.6% higher engagement than static formats, with users spending significantly longer interacting with dynamic media and showing higher recall for brands that use it. In practical terms, that shift may have transformed expectations around how digital content should be produced, especially in commerce and B2B environments, where attention is often a […]
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The current wave of investment in artificial intelligence reflects one of the largest capital shifts in modern technology, yet questions around financial return remain central to how this growth is being interpreted. According to a report, global venture capital investment in AI firms reached over $258 billion in 2025, accounting for 61% of all global […]
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Bjørn Ottar Elseth, an aerospace engineer and strategic advisor, has dedicated his career to connecting technology, leadership, and collaboration in ways that support meaningful industrial progress. His work is shaped by a longstanding commitment to helping organizations navigate complexity while unlocking new opportunities across the evolving space and energy landscape. The global space economy is […]
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CEO Neal Mohan insisted that he isnât worried about Netflix luring away YouTube’s most popular creators.
USB-C socket on the iPad for purposes beyond simply charging.
Priced from $269 for the iPad Air Magic Keyboard and $299 for the iPad Pro variant, both models feature a built-in USB-C port, unlike the Folio model, which lacks this capability. It is crucial to highlight that the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro devices is exclusively compatible with M4 and M5 tablets, whereas the iPad Air keyboard functions with 4th and 5th generation models, including the M2, M3, and M4 iPad Air.
Among the most unusual adaptations of “Final Fantasy” is the 2001 film “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within.” This project was a collaboration between the American company Columbia Pictures and Japan’s Square Pictures, with direction by Hironobu Sakaguchi, the creator of “Final Fantasy,” and featuring well-known actors such as Alec Baldwin, Donald Sutherland, Ming-Na Wen, and Steve Buscemi.
The storyline follows Aki Ross (Wen) and the Deep Eyes, under Captain Gray Edwards (Baldwin), as they battle aliens called Phantoms that have invaded Earth and are affecting humans. Aki uncovers a potential method to overcome the Phantoms by harnessing eight spirits of Gaia, the soul of the planet, leading her into conflict with General Douglas Hein (James Woods), who prefers to eliminate them using a devastating environmental weapon.
“The Spirits Within” did not receive a positive reception. It has a score of 44% from critics and 48% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, with many criticizing its flimsy, perplexing narrative that veers far from the original franchise. It also turned out to be a significant box office disaster, grossing only $85 million against a budget of $137 million, leading to the shutdown of Square Pictures. Nevertheless, “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within” merits a revisit 25 years later for its pioneering photorealistic visuals, which hold up considerably better than most CGI from that era.
“Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within” features a convoluted, at times illogical script. Characters philosophize about Gaia and spirits instead of conveying authentic environmentalist beliefs, and the writers appear indecisive about whether the Phantoms are non-corporeal entities that consume souls or tangible beings that can be destroyed by missiles. The film compensates for its shortcomings with grand visuals, creating an enjoyable viewing experience. Even as the first photorealistic animated feature, it still eclipses elements like the Scorpion King from “The Mummy Returns,” James Bond surfing through an icy tsunami in “Die Another Day,” or practically any scene from “The Polar Express.”
Moreover, the media’s portrayal of Aki Ross seems prescient in light of the growing influence of AI in cinema. It’s difficult not to make connections between Aki, who graced the cover of Maxim, and AI “actress” Tilly Norwood. Lead animator for “The Spirits Within” Roy Sato remarked on the parallels, stating to The New York Times, “Seeing how people are reacting to A.I., it was the same feeling I had 25 years ago. We had this hyper-realistic computer graphics actress, and people were like, ‘Am I going to be replaced? Am I outdated?’ It’s a funny parallel that 25 years later it’s happening again.”
While “Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within” may not boast a strong narrative, it’s noteworthy that the plot shares similarities with “Spectral,” a Netflix movie that was more positively received. It also doesn’t connect to its source material in any significant way. Yet, similar to how early sound films and color productions remain significant, “The Spirits Within” deserves remembrance for being a technical milestone that advanced the horizons of CGI.
3D printers can produce dependable resin components for miniatures; these machines can also assist in creating various tools and accessories that enhance the enjoyment and ease of miniature crafting. The array of useful tools you can design is virtually boundless, from a robust stand to support your ongoing project to a simple box for storing your painting brushes. If you’re seeking inspiration for ideas, a wide range of designs, such as a miniature vise, a wet palette, a swatch board, and more, can be found among fellow miniature enthusiasts on 3D printing community websites.
