Author: Samira Menasche

Spring in California brings more than just blooming wildflowers and warm breezes. Spring revitalizes some of the most spectacularly designed luxury homes, blending iconic architecture with vibrant gardens. This season, we take a closer look at how these homes not only display extraordinary design but also harmoniously integrate indoor and outdoor living spaces, creating seamless transitions that are both luxurious and inviting.

Embracing Nature with Open Spaces

In the world of luxury real estate, the relationship between a home’s interior and its surroundings is crucial. Architects design spaces that celebrate natural light and views, with large glass walls and disappearing doors that open up to expansive gardens. This architectural style is particularly enchanting in the spring when gardens are in full bloom and the distinction between indoors and out blurs, allowing residents to live amidst nature’s beauty without leaving the comfort of their homes.

Iconic Homes and Their Signature Gardens

The Glass Pavilion in Santa Barbara

The Glass Pavillion is a prime example of how modern architecture can embody the essence of indoor-outdoor living. This minimalist structure is made almost entirely of glass, setting a stark yet stunning contrast against the lush. Likewise, the surrounding oak trees and carefully curated greenery bloom vibrantly each spring. The home is designed not just to be looked at but lived in, with the garden serving both as a visual feast and a serene space.

The Getty Villa in Malibu

The Getty Villa is inspired by ancient Roman country houses and showcases classical architecture. The museum’s expansive gardens include herb and flower beds that are historically accurate to the period. During spring, these gardens are particularly spectacular, offering a peaceful retreat filled with the scents and colors of seasonal blooms. The villa’s design encourages wandering and exploration, turning a simple walk through the grounds into a journey through time.

The Neutra VDL House in Los Angeles

The Neutra VDL House reflects mid-century modernism with its clean lines and integration of water features. The house is designed to incorporate reflective pools that catch the light and colors of the spring sky and blossoming plants, enhancing the home’s ambiance and bringing a sense of calmness and clarity to its spaces.

Gardens as Extensions of Living Spaces

Luxury homes often treat gardens as extensions of the living space. Landscape architects play a critical role in creating environments that complement the architectural style of the home. Features like outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, and covered seating areas take full advantage of the spring season.

Sustainability Meets Luxury

Increasingly, luxury homes are also embracing sustainable practices in both design and landscaping. This includes the use of drought-tolerant plants and innovative irrigation systems. This ensures gardens are not only beautiful but also environmentally conscious. Such practices demonstrate how luxury and sustainability can coexist, enhancing the value and appeal of the property.

California’s architectural wonders with their spring gardens are more than just homes. These retreats offer a perfect blend of art, nature, and technology. These properties exemplify how luxury living can go hand-in-hand with a deep appreciation for architectural ingenuity and ecological sensitivity.

Stay connected in the world of tech and media! This week we’re breaking it all down from The Range Rover EV to H&R Block AI and more. Read on for the latest digital bites from across the web.

YouTube to Reduce Ad Break Frequency on TV, but with Longer Ad Durations

YouTube is updating its advertising approach on TV by reducing the frequency of ad breaks during videos, but making each commercial longer. This change, initially tested in September, is now being implemented on all TVs. Viewers will see a revised countdown timer indicating the total duration of the ad break, instead of the previous system which showed the number of ads and a timer for each. Additionally, YouTube is introducing ads in between Shorts on TVs, similar to the mobile and web experience, which can be skipped using a remote. The update aims to minimize interruptions during longer videos, reflecting YouTube’s increased focus on ad viewership and restrictions on ad blockers.

AT&T Becomes Rivian’s Newest Electric Vehicle Client After Amazon Agreement

AT&T has become Rivian’s second major commercial electric vehicle customer, initiating a pilot program to electrify its fleet with Rivian’s vans and trucks, following Rivian’s previous exclusive deal with Amazon. This partnership, marking AT&T’s move towards carbon neutrality by 2035, also includes Rivian adopting AT&T as its exclusive in-car connectivity provider in the US and Canada. AT&T expects to start integrating Rivian EVs into its fleet in early 2024, although specific details on the number of vehicles in the pilot and future orders remain undisclosed. Additionally, Rivian has chosen AT&T as the exclusive provider of in-car connectivity in the US and Canada for all its vehicles.

Google’s Nest Renew Merges with Alphabet Offshoot to Create Renew Home

Google’s Nest Renew service is merging with OhmConnect, an energy management platform, to form a new entity called Renew Home. This move was facilitated by a $100 million investment from Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners (SIP). Likewise, it will aim to establish the largest energy transition resource in the U.S. Both Nest Renew and OhmConnect focus on enabling smart home users to utilize connected devices for accessing more affordable and cleaner energy. Nest Renew, launched in 2021, optimizes energy usage for HVAC systems through Google Nest Thermostats, while OhmConnect rewards users for reducing energy consumption during peak times, operating significantly in California, Texas, and New York City. Google confirmed that Nest Renew customers would continue to receive uninterrupted service with improved offerings under Renew Home. TSIP, with Google’s parent company Alphabet as a principal investor, is injecting substantial funding into Renew Home, with Google retaining minority equity in the new company.

H&R Block Introduces Artificial Intelligence-Powered Tax Filing Assistant

H&R Block has introduced a new conversational AI chatbot, AI Tax Assist. The paid service is designed to answer various tax-related questions and provide guidance. This AI assistant, was developed using models from OpenAI and Microsoft and trained exclusively on H&R Block’s tax law library. The AI can guide users through their tax filings. In addition, it offers specifics like deductible business expenses for gig workers. The aim is to eventually support AI-driven personalized guidance. H&R Block assures that a team monitors the model’s accuracy and users can always verify information with a human expert. 

Axel Springer, Parent Company of Politico and Business Insider, Secures Agreement with OpenAI

OpenAI has entered into a partnership with Axel Springer, the parent company of Business Insider and Politico. The partnership integrates content from its publications into ChatGPT responses. This agreement allows ChatGPT to use information from articles in Axel Springer’s publications. However, access will be limited to Business Insider’s premium paywalled articles, excluding Politico Pro’s paid subscription content. This collaboration opens new financial avenues for Axel Springer and aligns with the media industry’s exploration of generative AI’s potential. 

Range Rover Initiates a Waiting List for Its Forthcoming Electric Vehicle

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has opened a waiting list for its first fully electric Range Rover EV. Slated for debut in 2024, the electric SUV is currently in the physical prototype phase. The company aims for the Range Rover EV to match the performance of its V8 models.  This move is part of JLR’s plan to invest around $19B over five years in EV and autonomous vehicle technology. Likewise, it aligns with their goal to be electric-first by 2030. The choice of starting with a large SUV like the Range Rover aligns with the market trend towards bigger vehicles.

With Fall officially here, the days of sitting poolside are slowly fading away. Keep your pool foliage free this fall with the best pool covers that you can install yourself! A pool cover will help keep dirt and debris off the filtration system, minimize water loss due to evaporation, and keep the water warm at a fraction of your current heating cost. So, whether you need a safety net for kids and pets, or you are prepping the pool for the cooler winter months ahead, here is a handpicked list of six high-end pool cover options you can buy online today:

1. Sun2Solar Blue Solar Cover – Best Solar Pick

Sun2Solar Blue Solar Cover is your best solar-powered heat-retaining blanket for you for small or odd-shaped above-ground or in-ground pools. It retails in multiple sizes. Each of them has a 2″ to 4″ overlap that you can trim to precision. Plus, it is easy to install or remove, has an attractive blue finish. For optimal use, install this pool cover with its bubbles facing down.

2. Blue Wave Rectangular Clear Solar Blanket – Best Clear Solar Pick

Do you get at least six hours of direct sunlight at your in-ground pool every day? If so, opt for the clear Blue Wave Rectangular Clear Solar Blanket. It is a thick Magni-Clear blanket that warms and retains the pool water temperature by 15 degrees Fahrenheit. More so, its innovative design prevents 95% water loss. And, its UV-protected, chemical-resistant durable fabric has a 6-year limited warranty.

3. Blue Wave Rectangular In-Ground Pool Safety Cover – Best Safety Pick

Blue Wave In-Ground Pool Safety Cover is a high-end pool safety cover that withstands loads up to 4,000 pounds. Hence, it prevents kids or pets from accessing the water. Likewise, this extreme load capacity means that this safety net keeps your pool intact despite any heavy winter storm.

4. Blue Wave 8-Year Round Above-Ground Pool Winter Cover – Best Winter Above-Ground Pick

Three things make the Blue Wave Round Above-Ground Pool Winter Cover your best pick for the harshest winter months. It uses the durable Dirt Defender Bronze grade cover. Its black underside prevents algae growth. And, its heated sealed seams and big 4-foot overlap guarantees a weather-proof seal on your pool.

5. Colourtree In-Ground Winter Pool Cover – Best Winter In-Ground Pool Cover

Colourtree makes authentic subzero winter pool covers to preserve your pool during winter through to spring. Their In-Ground Winter Pool Cover option is a heavy-duty polyethylene fabric guaranteed to last at least eight years. It keeps dirt, debris, and dirty water from getting into the pool.

6. Intex Solar Cover Roller – Best Retractable Pick

Are you using your above-the-ground pool more often? When shopping for a pool cover that saves you the work of applying and removing every time you go for a dip, opt for the Intex Solar Cover Roller. As a retractable cover roller, it is a definite lifesaver. You can roll it to its convenient metal frame, then secure it with its hand crank and lock without using any hand tools.

A pool is a significant outdoor investment that should serve you for a lifetime. Select any of the above pool covers to preserve the pool in extreme weather, act as a safety net, and facilitate maintenance in tip-top shape.

In this week’s tech news we’re covering a range of headlines. From cryptocurrency wallets on Robinhood to Disney Plus day and more. Stay connected with the latest in tech and read on for the top headlines of the week.

Microsoft Debuts New Mouse Made From Recycled Ocean Plastic

Delivering on their promise of sustainability, Microsoft has unveiled their new mouse made of 20% recycled ocean plastic. The announcement took place this week at the tech company’s Surface event. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reiterated the company’s 2030 pledge to become carbon negative, zero waste, and water positive. Likewise, the mouse will serve as one of a number of changes the company hopes to make with its devices and packaging. “If you’re serious about innovation, you must also be serious about accessibility for everyone, and the sustainability of our most finite resource — our planet,” Nadella said during the event. Most importantly, the company has been carbon neutral since 2012. 

Amazon Plans For High-Tech Department Store

According to a Wall Street Journal article this week, Amazon will reportedly be bringing high-tech to its department stores. The article reports that the tech giant has been looking for ways to combine the experience of online shopping with a physical store. Some of the rumored elements of the Amazon store would include customers being able to request clothing to try on via a QR code. Likewise, the report also notes that these concepts are not finalized yet but are part of the potential aspects being considered. California, along with Ohio are among the states that Amazon plans to open its 30,000 square-foot stores in.

Scientists Unveil ‘smallest-ever human-made flying structure’

In the latest new science tech, the world’s ‘smallest-ever human-made flying structures’ have been unveiled. The “microfliers” are minuscule winged microchips with designs inspired by nature. The chips are the size of a sand grain and able to travel by wind like that of a maple tree seed. John Rogers, the co-author of the paper published on the microfliers, stated their goal would be for the device to sense the environment for a number of things. This would include “contamination monitoring, population surveillance or disease tracking.”

Robinhood set to add Cryptocurrency Wallets to Platform

The popular stock trading app Robinhood will soon allow all users to access a cryptocurrency wallet for their digital investments. Users can sign up on the app for the waiting list for early access. Robinhood’s cryptocurrency wallet will allow users to spend and trade their Bitcoin and Ethereum. According to Robinhood’s crypto lead, Christine Brown, waitlist access will begin by the end of 2021. Likewise, the feature will go on to be available to all users in early 2022.

Disney Plus Sets Date for Dinsey Plus Free Streaming Day

For fans of the media giant and their popular app, Disney has announced November 12 as Disney Plus Day. The date celebrates the second anniversary of the launch of the app. Films like Shang-Chi will be available to stream for free for Disney Plus subscribers. Currently, users can watch in-theatre films with premier access for $19.99. Additional content on November 12 will also include new ‘Star Wars’ spin-offs and a new ‘Home Alone’ feature film. 

New Snap Lens Teaches Users How to Fingerspell in Sign Language

Snapchat has introduced new features this week as a way of marking International Week of the Deaf. The added changes include customer stickers and three AR lenses that encourage users to fingerspell. In addition, feedback and guidance from deaf and hard-of-hearing employees at the company helped to design the feature. Most importantly, Snap Lab software engineer Jennica Pounds, who is deaf, was one of the employees that helped drive the initiative.