Month: January 2025

How AI Can Help Local Governments In 2025?

Posted on by faz_business


How AI Can Help Local Governments in 2025?

Artificial intelligence has impacted every sector in the world, including governments. As AI technology progresses, it presents opportunities for local governments to increase efficiency and make more informed judgments.

In 2025, AI will assume the lead in managing complicated urban environments, allocating resources efficiently, and responding rapidly to residents. Local governments can employ AI to address long-standing concerns like public safety, transportation, and community engagement.

This article examines how artificial intelligence (AI) could help municipal governments run more efficiently, quickly, and successfully in the coming year.

Current State of AI Adoption in Local Government

Adoption of AI in local governments has been on the rise for the last few years. Some local governments started to explore the use of AI for better, if not even more sophisticated, solutions and service provisions to their locales. Cities like Barcelona and Singapore have adopted AI to grow as a smart city. The areas of focus for these projects are matters of traffic management, waste reduction, and energy efficiency.

Although AI for public services is gaining interest, there still are many barriers to implementing it wholesale. Budgetary constraints and lack of technical know-how and security issues with the data have hindered it so far. Most of the countries do not yet utilize their AI-aimed potentials in decision-making either. However, as there is a requirement for better services within public services, the influence of AI on municipal administration will accelerate by 2025.

Key Areas Where AI Can Help Local Government

AI has numerous mobile applications for helping local governments enhance their operations. Here are some important areas where AI can make a difference:

  1. Automating Public Services

AI can automate public services, saving time and lowering errors. Chatbots, for example, can address frequent citizen questions around the clock. This minimizes the workload of government personnel. Virtual assistants can help people with tasks such as applying for licenses or paying taxes online. This improves service delivery times and efficiency for both citizens and government staff.

AI can, therefore, assist governments in better judgments toward making critical decisions by analyzing data and predicting problems. For example, AI can help identify which routes require freeways by analyzing data from traffic sensors. AI also predicts possible crimes, and it is quite possible for law enforcers to prepare ahead of an issue erupting. This proactive approach will help save money while improving public safety at the same time.

  1. Resource Management

AI can help them manage resources such as water, waste, and energy. Artificial intelligence can, for example, detect water leaks and also reduce water system waste. AI-based systems assist in giving control over energy consumption in public buildings and consequently keeps reducing expenditures. These upgrades enable governments to function more sustainably while reducing the waste of resources.

  1. Transport and Urban Planning.

Artificial intelligence is used to improve urban transport systems. It can control traffic lights and therefore enable decongestion. This can also be utilized in plotting routes for public means of transport based on commuters’ data. As such, transportation networks are tailored according to the needs of the populations. AI enhances people’s movement as well as around cities, hence making them habitable.

Improving Citizen Services and Engagement

AI-powered solutions can improve how local governments communicate with the public. Governments can use AI to create online public forums where residents can express their issues or leave comments. AI can monitor these discussions and flag pertinent issues as actionable.

Municipal governments can also employ AI to provide citizens with real-time information. AI can automatically send notifications depending on location and urgency, such as an emergency notice, forthcoming event, or road closure. Citizens can stay updated without having to seek information by receiving notifications directly to their phones.

Customization of public services is another benefit of artificial intelligence. Governments can provide services that fulfill certain needs (helping the elderly or those with impairments) by evaluating citizen data. Government services are therefore more widely available and inclusive to the whole community.

Artificial Intelligence in Security and Public Safety

This enhances safety and security for the public at large. The local governments can choose to use AI-based surveillance systems that will allow them to monitor the public space in real-time. They will pick on the suspicious activities and alert the authorities before things get out of hand. AI is helping law enforcement in analyses of crime trends, resource allocation, and even predicting hotspots of crimes.

Predictive policing is an embryonic field wherein artificial intelligence is doing much to influence it. It can help police authority to stop crimes before being committed by making use of historical crime data. At the same time, it has some obvious ethical questions related to privacy and justice. The local governments should ensure that the efforts of AI are transparent and not biased toward certain groups of people.

AI has another impact on disaster response. The capacity to foresee the path of natural disasters like hurricanes and floods is enabled by AI systems. This allows local authorities to prepare ahead of time, that would prevent infrastructural damage and protect citizens.

Increasing the Effectiveness of Government

AI can automatically deal with a number of routine administrative tasks which municipal governments face on a daily basis. Through the use of AI, a variety of clerical and data entry functions dealing with document processing and public records management are addressed. Government employees will then be able to deal with more complex issues that require human creativity. As a result, productivity as a whole improved.

Artificial intelligence can also be useful in budgeting and financial management. It may study the patterns of expenditure and predict future expenditures to help the local governments manage their resources well. Furthermore, AI-based systems may detect anomalies in a financial transaction that will reduce fraud and waste.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations.

While AI provides several benefits, its adoption in local governments presents hurdles and ethical concerns. One of the main concerns is data privacy. AI systems depend on vast volumes of data, which are frequently obtained from citizens. These data should also be kept safely by the respective local governments so the privacy of citizens, and breach of data, are avoided.

One ethical concern is bias in AI systems since AI algorithms only perform as well as the data used to train them. So, biased data can lead to unjust or discriminatory results. This could result in specific groups being unfairly targeted or excluded from services. Governments must ensure that their artificial intelligence systems are transparent and accountable, with clear criteria for decision-making.

The next concern is safety. People should be careful while using AI systems in areas like public service delivery and law enforcement. Local governments need to interact with the public, specifying the advantages of AI and being open about its application.

Future Trends and Opportunities for AI in Local Governments.

The importance of AI in municipal governments is expected to increase further in the coming years. More advanced AI technologies are expected to be adopted by 2025. Machine learning and natural language processing will become increasingly popular in fields like public health, urban planning, and environmental monitoring. These technologies will enable governments to make better-informed judgments and respond to issues in real-time.

One rising trend is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in environmental sustainability. Governments may employ artificial intelligence to track pollution levels, manage natural resources, and build more sustainable cities. With climate change continuing to exert its impacts in the world, it will similarly play a key role in assisting cities’ adaptability and resilience with AI.

This will continue to develop with AI-powered platforms that allow citizens to communicate directly with government services. This would, therefore, encourage more individualized services and real-time contact. It would be important for the locality of governments to stay ahead of such advances in order to increase their productivity and improve citizens’ results.

Conclusion

AI is changing the way local governments work, like providing powerful tools to improve efficiency, increase citizen participation, and make better decisions. AI brings previously inconceivable solutions to local governments, such as automating public services, anticipating crime, and managing resources.

Though data privacy, bias, and public lack of trust issues do arise, they can be solved through careful and transparent AI technology use. The advancements of AI can be capitalized upon by local governments as AI matures, answer the needs of communities well into 2025 and beyond.

By intentionally engaging in AI, local governments can build a safer, smarter, more effective community for the betterment of all people.

 

 

 

DeepSeek gets Silicon Valley talking

Posted on by faz_business


Since Chinese AI company DeepSeek released an open version of its reasoning model R1 at the beginning of this week, many in the tech industry have been making grand pronouncements about what the company achieved, and what it means for the state of AI.

Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, for example, posted that DeepSeek is “one of the most amazing and impressive breakthroughs I’ve ever seen.”

R1 seemingly matches or beats OpenAI’s o1 model on certain AI benchmarks. And the company claims one of its models only cost $5.6 million to train, compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars that leading American companies pay to train theirs.

It also seems to have achieved that in the face of U.S. sanctions that prohibit the sale of advanced chips to Chinese companies. The MIT Technology Review writes that the company’s success illustrates how sanctions are “driving startups like DeepSeek to innovate in ways that prioritize efficiency, resource-pooling, and collaboration.” (On the other hand, the Wall Street Journal reports that DeepSeek’s Liang Wenfeng recently told China’s premier that American export restrictions still pose a bottleneck.)

Curai CEO Neal Khosla offered a simpler explanation, claiming that the company is a “ccp state psyop” that’s “faking the cost was low to justify setting price low and hoping everyone switches to it [to] damage AI competitiveness in the us.” (A Community Note has been attached to his post pointing out that Khosla offers no evidence for this, and that his father Vinod is an OpenAI investor.)

Meanwhile, journalist Holger Zschaepitz suggested DeepSeek could “could represent the biggest threat to US equity markets” — if a Chinese company can build a cutting-edge model at low cost, without access to advanced chips, it would call into question “the utility of the hundreds of billions worth of capex being poured into this industry.”

In response, Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan argued DeepSeek’s success would actually be good for its American competitors: “If training models get cheaper faster and easier, the demand for inference (actual real world use of AI) will grow and accelerate even faster, which assures the supply of compute will be used.”

And Meta’s Chief AI Scientist Yann LeCun argued against looking at DeepSeek’s announcement through the lens of China vs. the United States. Instead, he suggested the real lesson is that “open source models are surpassing proprietary ones.”

“DeepSeek has profited from open research and open source (e.g. PyTorch and Llama from Meta),” LeCun wrote. “They came up with new ideas and built them on top of other people’s work. Because their work is published and open source, everyone can profit from it.”

All of the debate seems to be driving consumers to try the product — as of Sunday afternoon, DeepSeek’s AI assistant is the top free app in the Apple App Store, just ahead of ChatGPT.

NASA and ESA share a breathtaking Hubble image of the Tarantula Nebula’s outer edge

Posted on by faz_business


The Hubble Space Telescope is still trucking along more than 30 years after its launch, observing the universe and sending home images for us to marvel at. This week, NASA and ESA highlighted an image captured by Hubble of the highly productive Tarantula Nebula (officially named 30 Doradus) in the Large Magellanic Cloud, and it’s a sight to behold.

To view this content, you’ll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the “Content and social-media partners” setting to do so.

The Tarantula Nebula is “the largest and most productive star-forming region in the local universe,” with stars roughly 200 times as massive as the sun at its center, according to NASA. This Hubble view gives us a look at the outskirts of the nebula, revealing layers of colorful gas and stars. The Tarantula Nebula sits within the Large Magellanic Cloud, a nearby dwarf galaxy.

While the final result we see is filled with brilliant colors, Hubble’s images initially come back in grayscale. As has explained, “scientists can create a composite color image by taking exposures using different color filters on the telescope, assigning a color to each filter that corresponds to the wavelength of that filter, and combining the images.” The new image of the Tarantula Nebula doesn’t just represent visible light, but ultraviolet and infrared too. In such a case, colors are assigned to those wavelengths we can’t normally see.



Streamer Life Simulator 2 Free Download

Posted on by faz_business


Streamer Life Simulator 2 Pre-Installed Worldofpcgames


Streamer Life Simulator 2 Direct Download:

Streaming is now more fun and more complicated in the second game of the series. We’ve improved the graphics and revamped the gameplay. You’ll be able to create your own streamer character in detail. Streamer Life Simulator is a game where you start from scratch and try to become an popular internet streamer. To become a better streamer, you need to upgrade your equipment (for example cameras, processors or video cards) and your internet connection. You have to improve your skills and make the right decisions during the streaming to provide better content to the viewers watching your stream. You can play innocent or criticize harshly to your viewers. It is up to you to make the right decisions according to the situation. The decisions you make during the stream will affect your viewership and play an important role in your development. Mark of the Deep

You just quit your old job and decided to become a streamer. With a lot of hard work you can become the streamer with the most views and subscribers. Start with an old and crappy computer and try to upgrade. You can interact with followers and play various games on stream. With the right strategy, you can become very rich and famous. Do the various jobs available around you and make sure you are making the right investment with your money. Buy a big house and turn it into a streaming house. In the streaming house you can earn extra income through your streamer employees.

Features and System Requirements:

  • Customize your avatar, channel, and branding to create a unique online identity.
  • Choose your content niche: gaming, vlogging, tech reviews, or more.
  • Build your dream streaming setup with customizable PCs, microphones, cameras, and lighting.
  • Upgrade your equipment to improve stream quality and attract more viewers.

Screenshots

System Requirements

Recommended
OS: Windows 10
Processor: 2.5 GHz Dual Core CPU
Memory: 6 GB RAM
Graphics: Geforce GTX 1050Ti/Radeon RX 570 or better
Storage: 10 GB available space
Support the game developers by purchasing the game on Steam

Installation Guide

Turn Off Your Antivirus Before Installing Any Game

1 :: Download Game
2 :: Extract Game
3 :: Launch The Game
4 :: Have Fun 🙂

Using 3D Printed Injection Molds and Prototyping for High Quality Company Product Design Ideas

Posted on by faz_business


Injection molds and prototypes, usually made using materials like steel and aluminum, can be outputted with the help of CNC programming services. It is highly recommended, and designers tend to lean towards using it when it comes to designing injection molds because of its precision, accuracy, and exceptional suitability for different mold designs. Sadly, this option is far from ideal if you want to launch your new products faster or if you have a limited budget.

It is good that 3D printing is now here to improve manufacturing injection molds and prototypes. 3D-printed injection molds are made using plastic polymers like polyethylene, and ABS using any of the various types of modern 3D printing technologies. The choice to use 3D printing technology mainly depends on the properties, intended mold sophistication, and material makeup of the mold. 

3D printing injection molds is an affordable process that suits different designs, not to mention that it is also faster to manufacture the mold. The overall process that prototype design professionals use for part and prototype production that involves injection molding is also quicker. 

:rocket: Table of contents

RELATED: 10 Injection molding design mistakes to avoid while working with CAD design services & engineering firms

Benefits of using 3D printed injection molds and prototyping 

3D printed injection molds are critical in part manufacturing and prototyping thanks to their flexibility, low cost, and other benefits. Here are more reasons to convince you to use these technologies for your following projects:

A more straightforward and more flexible mold design process 

3D printing offers better skills when it comes to mold design. This helps mold manufacturers and designers to design and produce molds more easily. Aside from this, correcting mistakes after a mold has been 3D printed is so much easier and cheaper, thanks to the use of plastic. 

Lower cost

Injection molds are produced using plastics that are much more affordable compared to metals like steel and aluminum used in the traditional process of injection molding. 3D printers used by 3D printing experts are also cheaper than CNC machines. There is also the fact that the printing process consumes considerably less time. Thanks to this cheaper price, the 3D-printed injection molds can be considered the most cost-effective choice for production runs that only require low volumes. Enthusiasts even claim that the use of one can already save around 80% of the total costs of mold manufacturing.

RELATED: How to design products for injection molding & prototyping firms

As mentioned earlier, 3D-printed molds are better for low-volume production runs than CNC-machined molds. For starters, the initial investment required to make them is much lower than that required for CNC machining. In addition to this, the materials used for manufacturing, specifically plastics, are way more affordable. This means that mold designers no longer have to worry about augmenting the number of injection molded parts just to cover the production cost. 

prototype design services

Less industrial expertise is required

Anyone who has good knowledge and familiarity with 3D printing can easily print injection molds, This eliminates the need for specialized industrial design services, which will only increase the cost of labor of traditional processes of mold manufacturing such as CNC machining. 

Important considerations before using 3D printed injection molds

The process of injection molding will only be successful depending on the 3D-printed mold. Thus, it is essential to consider several critical factors, including the draft angle, number of prints, and others, as listed below:

RELATED: Understanding injection molding, insert molding, and overmolding for companies

Draft angle

The draft angle helps in the correct ejection of the part that has undergone injection molding after the process is completed. It means that you have to make sure that you properly integrate the correct draft angle while designing the mold. The suggested draft angle of 20 can make it easier to remove the molded part. 

Shape and size

It is essential to determine the size of the part that will undergo injection molding and select the corresponding shape and size for it. Among the key differences between a CNC-machined and a 3D-printed mold from injection molding and casting experts is none other than its size. In general, 3D-printed molds are smaller. The result is that it cuts down the size of the parts that have been injection molded that you can work with, unlike CNC-machined molds. 

Smooth finishing

The surface integrity of 3D-printed molds is often lesser than that of metallic injection molds because of the high temperature used in injection molding, which can cause degradation of the mold. This is why these molds might not be the best choice for projects that require smooth finishing. Instead, it makes more sense to opt for steel or aluminum injection molds. 

RELATED: Prototype injection molding: 7 materials commonly used by design firms

One more possible solution here is to take advantage of a protective coating crafted on the printed mold from materials like ceramic to cut down heat degradation and create a smooth finish. Take note that the cost of the 3D printing technology, material, and general service will have a direct effect on the kind of 3D-printed mold selected. 

Number of prints

A 3D-printed injection mold has weaker structural integrity compared to its counterparts made in metal. This is why they are more recommended for low-volume manufacturing. Many 3D-printed molds, in general, only apply to just 30 to 100 runs. This makes them the ideal choice for rapid prototyping services. On the other hand, opt for a traditional mold made from steel or aluminum if you need something higher. 

automotive design services

Design tips for 3D printed injection molds

It would be best if you considered essential factors like materials, injection molding defects, parts, and others when designing a mold with the help of 3D printing. Here are some helpful tips for cutting down the challenges and difficulties often associated with using 3D printing when using injection molds:

RELATED: An overview of injection mold materials and SPI standards for companies and firms

Materials

Most materials can be used to make 3D-printed injection molds, including acetal, PP, Nylon, ABS, and PETG. There are two primary things that you should consider before you choose a material to use to 3D print plastic molds: stiffness or strength and temperature resistance. The suitable plastic polymer for 3D-printed injection molds must be stiff and robust after printing. Stiffness and strength will help the mold endure the pressure produced during the process of injection. 

Injection molding takes place at a high temperature to make sure that the molten plastic will have maximum flow. Thus, the melting point of the plastic material that will be selected to make the mold must be higher compared to the injection molding material. 

Mold design

The mold design is the foundation of mold manufacturing design services. Inner face orientation, layer height, shallow air vent, and channel are some of the critical factors to consider when evaluating a 3D-printed mold’s mold design. The orientation of the inner face of the mold must not allow any contact with support. The surface quality of the printed parts will increase because of the total avoidance or reduction of support marks. It also cuts down the need for post-processing. 

RELATED: Overmolding design success: strategic considerations for company prototype designs

Printing at a lower layer height also improves the printed mold’s smoothness. It reduces the visibility of print lines. Meanwhile, adding an air vent to the mold design can help expel any air trapped during the process of injection molding. The recommended shallow air vent of around 0.5mm can help decrease the risk of defects like injection molding flash. 

Channels can also be incorporated into the design of those molds intended to be used for over 20 runs. It will let you embed metal tubes and rods and lessen defects in the injection molded parts like warping. The use of a channel also reduces cooling times. 

Part design

Just like the mold, you might also want to add some of the design tips stated below to the injection mold part you plan to make:

RELATED: Guide to surface finishing for 3D printed parts

Include a draft angle

The draft angle part design experts use will make it easier to remove the injection molded part from the mold used for the printed injection process. The suggested draft angle is 20, which depends on the specific part in question. Stay away from sharp corners. You can prevent sharp corners if you include radii on the corners and edges of the mold. Observe uniform thickness. A uniform wall thickness is expected across the entire injection mold part to reduce potential defects like warping after and during injection. However, in instances where the walls must be thin, gussets and thin ribs can be included to improve the wall strength. 

Get rid of flash 

Flashing is a widespread flaw in injection molding, where the molten plastic ends up spilling from the mold throughout the injection process and then solidifies afterward. This happens because of the high injection pressure, an overfilled mold, or an imperfect mating of mold halves.

Using runner systems in the mold design and guaranteeing tolerance in the part line can help get rid of flashing with 3D-printed injection molds. But if these fail to work, post-design tweaks can also be done, such as cutting down the injection pressure and enhancing the clamping force. 

RELATED: Injection molding tips for cost-effective prototypes and mass-manufacturing by a mold design firm

The bottom line

3D-printed injection molds are different from traditionally designed molds. These are applicable in various industries that need low-volume production for complex and simple product designs. Taking advantage of this modern technology can help bring your ideas to life. 

How Cad Crowd can help 

Contact Cad Crowd today and let us connect you with the best providers of 3D-printed injecting molding services that can turn your company’s product design ideas into reality. Get a free quote today.

author avatar

MacKenzie Brown is the founder and CEO of Cad Crowd. With over 18 years of experience in launching and scaling platforms specializing in CAD services, product design, manufacturing, hardware, and software development, MacKenzie is a recognized authority in the engineering industry. Under his leadership, Cad Crowd serves esteemed clients like NASA, JPL, the U.S. Navy, and Fortune 500 companies, empowering innovators with access to high-quality design and engineering talent.

Connect with me: LinkedIn ✦ X ✦ Cad Crowd

AI Maps Titan’s Methane Clouds in Record Time

Posted on by faz_business



Methane clouds on Titan, Saturn’s largest moon, are more than just a celestial oddity — they’re a window into one of the solar system’s most complex climates.

Until now, mapping them has been slow and grueling work. Enter AI: a team from NASA, UC Berkeley and France’s Observatoire des Sciences de l’Univers just changed the game.

Using NVIDIA GPUs, the researchers trained a deep learning model to analyze years of Cassini data in seconds. Their approach could reshape planetary science, turning what took days into moments.

“We were able to use AI to greatly speed up the work of scientists, increasing productivity and enabling questions to be answered that would otherwise be impractical,” said Zach Yahn, Georgia Tech PhD student and lead author of the study.

Read the full paper, “Rapid Automated Mapping of Clouds on Titan With Instance Segmentation.”

How It Works

At the project’s core is Mask R-CNN — a deep learning model that doesn’t just detect objects. It outlines them pixel by pixel. Trained on hand-labeled images of Titan, it mapped the moon’s elusive clouds: patchy, streaky and barely visible through a smoggy atmosphere.

The team used transfer learning, starting with a model trained on COCO (a dataset of everyday images), and fine-tuned it for Titan’s unique challenges. This saved time and demonstrated how “planetary scientists, who may not always have access to the vast computing resources necessary to train large models from scratch, can still use technologies like transfer learning to apply AI to their data and projects,” Yahn explained.

The model’s potential goes far beyond Titan. “Many other Solar System worlds have cloud formations of interest to planetary science researchers, including Mars and Venus. Similar technology might also be applied to volcanic flows on Io, plumes on Enceladus, linea on Europa and craters on solid planets and moons,” he added.

Fast Science, Powered by NVIDIA

NVIDIA GPUs made this speed possible, processing high-resolution images and generating cloud masks with minimal latency — work that traditional hardware would struggle to handle.

NVIDIA GPUs have become a mainstay for space scientists. They’ve helped analyze Webb Telescope data, model Mars landings and scan for extraterrestrial signals. Now, they’re helping researchers decode Titan.

What’s Next

This AI leap is just the start. Missions like NASA’s Europa Clipper and Dragonfly will flood researchers with data. AI can help handle it, processing it onboard, mid-mission, and even prioritizing findings in real time. Challenges remain, like creating hardware fit for space’s harsh conditions, but the potential is undeniable.

Methane clouds on Titan hold mysteries. Researchers are now unraveling them faster than ever with help from new AI tools accelerated by NVIDIA GPUs.

Read the full paper, “Rapid Automated Mapping of Clouds on Titan With Instance Segmentation.”

Image Credit: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

visual studio – C# HomeController.cs missing

Posted on by faz_business


My C# HomeController.cs is missing ,

I dont know how to install because its hard to find debug tutorials for Visual Studio 2022 , it was supposed to be like there given the picture above

This is what AI said

Certainly, let’s analyze the provided code snippet and identify the missing HomeController.cs in the C# project.

Context:

The image appears to be a screenshot from a Visual Studio IDE, likely showcasing a C# ASP.NET Core MVC project. The launchSettings.json file is open, which is used to configure application settings for different environments.

Missing HomeController.cs:

The absence of HomeController.cs is not directly evident in the provided code snippet. However, based on the context of an ASP.NET Core MVC project, it is highly probable that the HomeController.cs file is missing.

Why is HomeController.cs Important?

In ASP.NET Core MVC, Controllers are responsible for handling incoming requests, processing them, and returning appropriate responses. The HomeController.cs is typically a default controller that handles requests for the root URL (“/”) or other default routes.

How to Create HomeController.cs:

If the file is indeed missing, you can easily create it within your project’s Controllers folder. Here’s a basic structure for a HomeController.cs:

  • Ensure that the HomeController.cs is placed within the Controllers folder of your project.

  • If you’re using a different routing convention, adjust the controller name and action methods accordingly.

  • If you’re working with a more complex application, the HomeController.cs might handle additional tasks or interact with other parts of your application.

The image you provided shows the launchSettings.json file, which is used to configure application settings for different environments in an ASP.NET Core project. However, it doesn’t directly relate to adding files to the Solution Explorer.

To add the HomeController.cs file to your Solution Explorer, follow these steps:

  1. Create the file: If the HomeController.cs file doesn’t exist, create it within the Controllers folder of your project. You can do this by right-clicking on the Controllers folder in Solution Explorer and selecting “Add” -> “New Item…”. Then, choose “Class” and name it HomeController.cs.

  2. Refresh Solution Explorer: After creating or modifying files, you might need to refresh the Solution Explorer to see the changes. You can usually do this by right-clicking on the project or solution in Solution Explorer and selecting “Refresh”.

The OnePlus Open 2’s slim design could mean a thinner camera bump

Posted on by faz_business


What you need to know

  • The Oppo Find N5, and consequently the OnePlus Open 2, could be under 9.2mm thick when folded.
  • New images of the Find N5 also reveal a more subtle camera bump compared to the Find N3.
  • The Find N5 will likely have a flat exterior display, with a foldable 2K screen and a 120Hz refresh rate.

Oppo is hyping up the Find N5’s super-slim folded profile, and a new leak gives us a closer look at its sleek design, hinting at what the OnePlus Open 2 might also bring.

Gizmochina reports that supposed live shots of the Oppo Find N5 have surfaced courtesy of a Weibo user. Earlier leaks hinted that the device could be under 9.2mm thick when folded.

14 Women’s Writing Retreat Options for Getaways in 2025

Posted on by faz_business


If you’re looking for a women’s writing retreat then keep reading. We’ve curated this list of options just for you.

Many people who identify as women feel their writing lives can be made all the more challenging due to their lives as women.

Perhaps they are largely responsible for childcare or housework, putting their creativity on the backburner; perhaps they were not encouraged to follow their dreams and skills in the same way their male counterparts were.

Whether or not that sounds like you, there’s no doubt many women writers crave the idea of retreating from their everyday lives to focus on their creative work with groups of like-minded women. Enter the writing retreat, made sweeter when you’re surrounded by other writers who are women who also get you. 

Whatever your motivations for seeking out a writing retreat, you will likely find one that suits your needs.

Retreats are an investment worth taking from time to time—you’ll get a chance to reset your creativity, be newly inspired and meet good friends.

Is a women’s writing retreat just what you need?

These women’s writing retreats happen annually (or many times a year), in a variety of North American and international locations.

There are itineraries to suit all kinds of interests, plus budget-friendly (or free!) retreats as well as more luxurious options.

Our team at The Write Life has not personally attended these retreats, so please consider this list as a starting point and do your own due diligence before attending.

A stock image of a group of females sitting and standing, some looking at the presenter and some writing in notebooks. This is to illustrate the post with women's writing retreat options.

Here are some women’s writing retreat options to consider

1. Pink Pangea Travel Writing Retreats

Pink Pangea is a community for women who love to travel, and in addition to holding online writing workshops, they run international writing retreats.

While travel writing is the primary focus, writers interested in a broader range of genres are encouraged to attend.

What’s special about Pink Pangea’s Travel Writing Retreats is several are held throughout the year, in different locations all around the world: Iceland, Switzerland, Spain, Israel, Greece, Portugal, France and Italy.

The prices are a bargain and include many accommodations, which definitely make Pink Pangea retreats an affordable option for non-funded retreats.

Pricing: Varies.

2. Sacred Expression Women’s Retreat

The Sacred Expression Women’s Retreat is held at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala a couple of times per year.

In a peaceful and inspiring setting, the calming lake spread out below the resort plus the pointed volcanic peaks rising behind are just some things that will make it easy to engage in the retreat’s intimate and honest gatherings.

The retreats incorporate yoga, meditation, and spiritual and creative expression. And the best part is participants don’t need to formally consider themselves writers—just be interested in a “self-exploratory creative and spiritual journey of the pen and heart.” 

Before you register for one of the multiple retreat opportunities available, know the organizer admits this isn’t the best retreat for those who have a single project they want to focus on.

Pricing: Starting at $2,650 USD.

3. Page Lambert Retreats

Nature writer Page Lambert has led some unusual and adventurous writing retreats for women for more than 20 years.

Each retreat provides a secluded place to work on a novel, memoir or work of poetry. In addition to the unique kind of writing and artistic focus found here, adventures like hiking and snowshoeing will no doubt inspire participants in new ways.

Writers can enjoy a retreat in the Grand Canyon, or one in Lambert’s renovated cabin in the mountains of Colorado, making it the perfect retreat for any writer who wants to be surrounded by thousands of acres of open space meadows

Pricing: Starting at $2,472. USD

4.  The Taos Writer’s Retreat

Led by writer and personal growth pioneer Jennifer Louden, these writers’ retreats for women are mainly held in Taos, New Mexico, but she’s also hosted them in Mexico, California and other parts of the U.S. 

Unlike many writers’ retreats for women that include daily yoga/meditation or activities designed to be therapeutic, the Taos Writer’s Retreat was created specifically to help women writers hone their craft and work on a project. 

Jennifer’s retreats are for writers of all levels who work in various genres and have a story they intend to deepen, clarify and shape.

Pricing: Starting at $3,510 USD. 

5. Creative Revolution Retreats

These retreats are held in Salta, Argentina, with Nicaragua and Costa Rica destinations in the past. The Argentina retreat is held in a three-bedroom private space in the heart of the city, so you know the only distraction you’ll have is resisting the urge to endlessly explore all the picturesque attractions.

The philosophy behind the Creative Revolution Retreats is that all women have an amazing story inside of them. 

“I want to help more women feel confident with their writing, finish their masterpieces and build professional careers.” —host Leigh Shulman

No writing sample required, just a short questionnaire.

Pricing: Starting at $2,500.

6. Hedgebrook

Hedgebrook is technically a writing residency, as successful applicants are given a fully-funded stay on a 48-acre peaceful country property for a period of two to four weeks, throughout the year.

The beautiful handcrafted cabins that house the residents are tucked away on Whidbey Island in Washington State. While there, writers of all backgrounds and experience levels explore their work, share their processes and stories with other writers—not to mention tour beaches to see cliff top views.

Fair warning: The application process is competitive! 

Pricing: Free for all women.

7. The Kentucky Foundation for Women Retreats and Residencies

The catch with the Kentucky Foundation for Women Retreats and Residencies is you have to be a resident of Kentucky to be eligible to attend.

However, if you meet the criteria, know the retreats and residencies are open to women artists of all genres who are committed to feminism and activism. If you also want to advance artistic expression and social justice for women and girls in Kentucky, even better. 

Participants of all stages in their artistic and social change development are hosted in Hopscotch House, a renovated old farmhouse on the 10-acre property of a classic Kentucky ranch.  

Pricing: Free.

8. Storyknife Writers Retreat

These two- to four-week residencies in mountainous Homer, Alaska are all about celebrating vital stories by women, whether they’re in the form of plays, novels, essays or memoirs. 

Since these stories aren’t promoted as often as those authored by men, Storyknife Writers Retreat provides this time for woman-identified or nonbinary people to explore their craft in a distraction-free, supportive environment where each writer knows their work is valuable. 

Pricing: Food and lodging is included so all you need to pay for is the application fee and travel to and from Homer, Alaska.

9. A Writer Within’s Writing Retreats for Women

Writer and editor Kathryn Kay hosts week-long writers’ retreats in a villa in Tuscany, Italy, where she invites women to use this time to expand the boundaries of their imaginations. 

Here, all writers have to do is relax, attend workshops to learn how to master writing elements, generate new ideas and break through writing blocks. With the stunning views and mouthwatering cuisine to boot, Kay hopes participants can reconnect with their creative flow and write like they never have before. 

To create a stress-free environment, all accommodations are taken care of, including meals, transportation, plus a robust schedule of outings and excursions.

Pricing: Starting at $3,900 USD.

10. Unplug and Write All-Inclusive Writers’ Retreat

At author Jess Lourey’s Creative Writing Retreat in St. Paul, Minnesota, your focus will be on four objectives: Claiming your voice, nourishing your body, honoring your courage, connecting with your creativity.

And as a tenured writing professor who has authored 20 books (and counting!), she has the skills and experience to help you accomplish those things through group workshops plus a private coaching session.

While your mornings at the beautifully-restored Summit Avenue mansion will feature meditation, yoga and writing, you’ll be free to read or relax in the afternoons. This retreat is open to female writers of all stripes and stages.

Pricing: Starting at $1,150 USD.

11. Find Your Story: The Life Writing Conference for Older Women 

If you’re an older writer looking for a writing coach to help you start (or get unstuck with) your memoir, Jennifer Westrom’s conference in Dallas, Texas is where you need to be. 

As an author, writing coach and licensed professional counselor, Westrom focuses on telling and shaping the stories of older women. That’s why she hosts these guided writing events, where she assists writers with therapeutic writing exercises and instruction about story structure organization. At this retreat, Westrom aims to find and feel your story, so you can have more confidence writing it. 

Plus, proceeds from Westrom’s event help women even more: all profits pay for long term, individual trauma counseling for women who want to exit work in the sex industry. 

Pricing: Starting at $899 USD for the six week online version of this retreat.

12. Poets on the Coast: A Weekend Writing Retreat for Women

Authors Kelli Russell Agodon and Susan Rich bring poets together in La Conner, Washington to write, read, share work and be a part of a creative community. 

Their main goal for Poets on the Coast is to support and encourage writers, so participants are welcome to spend this time however they choose. (Even if you only want to write to yourself and walk along the riverfront.)

Since sessions are designed so writers can find something valuable to take away, there’s plenty of opportunities to nudge writers of all levels out of their comfort zones. 

While Agodon and Rich give each writer personal attention to help them along individual goals, everything from the sessions, workshops, one-on-one’s with the authors, writing prompts and more are all optional. 

Pricing: Starting at $559 USD (does not include lodging).

13. The Salty Quill Writers Retreat 

Imagine this: A week-long retreat on a 110-acre private island filled with rocky coves and beaches, fields, forest, and wildlife; days of uninterrupted writing time in rooms with ocean views; catered meals; and after-dinner readings and critiques. 

That’s just some of what awaits you at The Salty Quill Writing Retreat for Women at McGee Island in Maine. In the real world, writing time is a luxury most can’t afford. That’s why this women’s writing retreat aims to help writers dedicate themselves to their craft. 

After kayaking, hiking, boating, and enjoying relaxing (or adventure-filled) afternoons, you won’t want to leave this retreat. But when you do, you’ll leave with a renewed sense of purpose and value in your work—not to mention a brand new supportive community of writers.

Pricing: Starting at $2,100 USD. Scholarships available. 

14. Edgewalkers Women’s Writing & Walking Weekend

Dr. Erika Jacobson is a creativity specialist who has spent the last 15 years helping people connect with their self-expression and creative source—when you attend this Edgewalkers creativity and walking retreat in Australia, she can do the same for you.

Whether you need inspiration to start or revive a writing project, or if you just need time in nature to explore ideas and write, this is just the three-day retreat you need to discover how creative you truly are. 

Set in the beautiful town of Margaret River, this retreat invites you to go on exciting walks and dive into storytelling and techniques as you learn from a dedicated team of artists. Most of all, go to celebrate your strength and how sensational you are.

Pricing: Starting at $2,880 AUD.

Want more options? We have another post on writing retreat getaways for all.

Advertisement for the Freelance Writers Den, a writing community with more than 300 hour of training for one affordable monthly priceAdvertisement for the Freelance Writers Den, a writing community with more than 300 hour of training for one affordable monthly price

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: We tested both, and here’s the winner

Posted on by faz_business


Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Kerry Wan and Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET

At Unpacked 2025 this week, Samsung unveiled its newest flagship smartphone — the Galaxy S25 Ultra. The mobile device introduces multiple improvements, such as a lighter design, a custom-made Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a revamped camera system, just to name a few. The phone has much going for it, but one question remains: is it the best one for you?

Also: One day later with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra – I’m slowly becoming an AI phone believer

Not every flagship model will be perfect for you, so it would behoove you to look at other options. Case in point: Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL. Both of these smartphones are at the top of their class and have similar specs. There are notable differences between them, allowing the devices to stand out above the rest. Read on if you’re stuck between the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Pixel 9 Pro XL to learn which is best for you.

Specifications

Galaxy S25 Ultra

Pixel 9 Pro XL

Display

6.9-inch QuadHD+ Dynamic AMOLED

6.8-inch Super Actua

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite                                    

Google Tensor G4
RAM/Storage 12GB RAM | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 16GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Battery 5,000mAh   5,060mAh  
Camera  200MP main, 50MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto, 10MP telephoto, 12MP wide angle 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP telephoto, 42MP selfie
Dimensions 6.4 x 3.06 x 0.3 inches 6 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches
Weight 218 grams 218 grams
Price $1,299 $949

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if…

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You want the better camera

Both smartphones have top-of-the-line cameras, but the Galaxy S25 Ultra has the better set. Much of the system shares similarities with the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera array, such as the 200MP main lens. But this time around, the device has a brand new 50MP ultrawide camera. According to Samsung, this lens allows users to take “ultra-detailed shots from different angles.” Landscape images taken by the device feature “exceptional… vibrancy.”

Also: Everything announced at Samsung Unpacked 2025: Galaxy S25, Gemini AI, more

There is more to the S25 Ultra’s cameras than just the lenses, as Samsung has made several software changes, too. For example, 10-bit HDR recording is now the default, delivering rich “color expression”. Virtual Aperture, a new inclusion, enables depth-of-field control. Other tweaks include improved low-light photography and noise reduction.

2. You want a better processor

Google’s Tensor G4 deserves its accolades, but the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite is the superior processor. Compared to the previous model, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, this chipset delivers a 37% increase in processing power and a 30% increase in GPU performance. The neural processing unit (NPU) is gaining a 40% performance boost.

Each model in the Galaxy S25 series houses this chip, but the hardware in the S25 Ultra possesses unique features. ProScaler utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to boost image quality. The mobile Digital Natural Image engine (or mDNIe) inside the processor enables better “display power efficiency.” For gaming, the Vulkan Engine, alongside “improved Ray Tracing”, ensures smooth, realistic play.

3. You’re a fan of the AI features

I hope you’re a fan of artificial intelligence because the Galaxy S25 Ultra is packed with generative AI features. Google’s Circle to Search is returning with multiple upgrades. It’s faster than before and can recognize phone numbers, email addresses, and URLs that appear on screen. Scanning the aforementioned content lets you make calls, send emails, or visit websites directly.

Also: I tried Samsung’s new Galaxy AI features – these 3 made Apple Intelligence look bad  

To help users with their busy schedules, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has some useful AI tools. Call Transcript records call conversations so you never forget important details. The Personal Data Engine will actively customize the Galaxy S25 Ultra to “deliver highly tailored experiences” that reflect how you use the phone.

You should buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL if…

Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL

Adam Breeden/ZDNET

1. You’re shopping on a budget

It goes without saying, but flagship phones aren’t cheap. Prices for the Galaxy S25 Ultra start at $1,299.99, so be prepared to pay a premium. If money is an issue, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL retails for $949. The model has been on the market since August 2024, so there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to find it on sale at Amazon. Remember that you are buying one of the best smartphones out there, well-suited for various tasks.

2. You want a lightweight phone

When I say a “lightweight phone”, I’m not talking about design. The Galaxy S25 Ultra weighs the same as the Pixel 9 Pro XL at 218 grams. I’m referring to software because the number of features a smartphone houses impacts its usability.

As pointed out in our past comparison, the Pixel 9 Pro XL takes a “cleaner approach to software”. Google’s smartphone wasn’t as bloated as the Galaxy S24 Ultra. That fact remains true with S25 Ultra; if anything, the problem has gotten worse. While the Circle to Search upgrade and improved gaming performance are welcome additions, they may be underutilized by the average user.

Also: Why I’ve used this foldable phone for more than a year – and it’s not a Samsung or Google

If you prefer simpler smartphones, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is up your alley. Its features feel less intrusive, giving users some tools to enhance the UI without being overwhelming. It feels more approachable, and people who aren’t tech-savvy might find its interface easier to understand.

3. You want a phone that speeds through tasks

Make no mistake: the Galaxy S25 Ultra is powerful. The Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC (system on a chip) indicates the device has robust rendering capabilities. All the AI tools will surely affect people’s productivity. But all this tech is supported with just 12GB of RAM, which I would argue is a huge misstep on Samsung’s part. 

Review: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

AI software is quite demanding on smartphone hardware, and the relatively low memory could result in slow performance. Google must have recognized this fact when it was developing the Pixel 9 Pro XL, so it gave the phone 16GB of RAM to support its AI tech. This RAM boost is one of the reasons why the smartphone is highly regarded. Granted, our trepidations towards the S25 Ultra’s limited memory may disappear once we get our hands on the device. Until then, the memory remains a concern.

Alternatives to consider