Latest news with #Pool
The Independent
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
New York could have a floating swimming pool next summer
Construction has commenced on + Pool, a unique floating swimming pool planned for New York City's East River. The 9,000 sq ft attraction will be anchored by Pier 35 and accessible via a walkway from the shore. It will filter water directly from the East River using a patented non-chemical system, processing an estimated 1,000,000 gallons daily to contribute to the river's health. The pool is designed to be reconfigurable for various activities, including lap swimming, lounging, watersports, and educational classes. A 2,000 sq ft prototype is currently being manufactured and is expected to arrive in New York for health agency examination by May 2026 before the full-size version is installed.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Access Advance Welcomes Global Technology Leaders as Licensees and Licensors to New Video Distribution Patent Pool
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Access Advance LLC ("Advance") today announced the inaugural roster of licensees and licensors for its Video Distribution Patent ("VDP") Pool, marking a significant milestone in the program's rapid market adoption since its January announcement. The participation of major global companies heavily involved in video codec technology demonstrates strong industry support for the comprehensive licensing solution covering HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codecs. The licensees' participation provides immediate access to the wide-ranging patent portfolio while benefiting from the fixed tiered pricing structure designed to scale with business size. The VDP Pool has successfully attracted a group of licensees/licensors including ByteDance, Kuaishou, NTT Docomo, and Tencent. This represents the beginning of what Access Advance expects to be widespread adoption among content streaming providers seeking simplified codec licensing. The licensees' participation provides immediate access to the wide-ranging patent portfolio while benefiting from the fixed tiered pricing structure designed to scale with business size. "We're pleased to welcome ByteDance, Kuaishou, NTT Docomo and Tencent as our first VDP Pool licensees/licensors. Their commitment to the VDP program demonstrates the practical value of our one-stop-shop approach and the fact that the VDP program has successfully struck a balance between patent owners and implementers," said Peter Moller, CEO of Access Advance. "This milestone shows that the VDP Pool is delivering on its promise to provide simplicity and predictability for online video distributors, allowing them to focus on innovation and content delivery rather than complex patent negotiations." The VDP Pool has also confirmed a large group of licensors representing a strong and substantial portfolio of standard essential patents for video codecs, positioning the pool to provide extensive intellectual property coverage for video streaming services. This initial group of patent owners includes the following internationally recognized technology leaders whose innovations are fundamental to modern video streaming infrastructure: BlackBerry Limited ByteDance Dolby International AB Dolby Laboratories, Inc. Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute Ewha University-Industry Collaboration Foundation Hangzhou Boyun Technology Co., Ltd. HFI Innovation Inc. Hyundai Motor Company IBEX PT Holdings IDEAHUB Inc. Intellectual Discovery Co., Ltd. JVCKENWOOD Corporation Kia Corporation Koninklijke Philips N.V. KT Corporation Kuaishou Technology Kwangwoon University, Industry-Academic Collaboration Foundation LX Semicon Co., Ltd Mitsubishi Electric Corporation NEC Corporation NTT DOCOMO, Inc. OP Solutions, LLC SK Telecom Co., Ltd. Tencent America LLC University-Industry Cooperation Foundation of Korea Aerospace University University-Industry Cooperation Group of Kyung Hee University V-Nova Limited XRIS Corporation Additional Licensor to be disclosed shortly Additional Licensor to be disclosed shortly "The strong participation from major industry players and patent holders validates our approach and demonstrates that the VDP program is the preferred solution to the market's need for a unified licensing solution that balances the interest of patent owners and implementers," Moller added. "These licensors bring not only essential patent portfolios but also the credibility and scale necessary to make the VDP Pool the preferred licensing destination for streaming video providers globally." The announcement comes as the industry increasingly seeks to license video codec patents directly to content streaming providers, who have benefited significantly from the use of patented, efficient video codecs. Access Advance's approach aims to provide broad access to patented technology while promoting continued innovation in video codec technologies. Access Advance is in the process of finalizing agreements with several more licensors and licensees. More announcements will be made in the coming days and weeks. In addition, the VDP Pool rate structure has been posted to the Access Advance website ( The company encourages all internet video distributors and patent owners to learn more about the program, including available incentives and discounts, by contacting us at licensing@ About Access Advance: Access Advance LLC is an independent licensing administrator company formed to lead the development, administration, and management of patent pools for licensing essential patents of the most important video codec technologies. Access Advance provides a transparent and efficient licensing mechanism for both patent owners and patent implementers. Access Advance manages and administers the HEVC Advance Patent Pool for licensing over 25,500 patents essential to H.265/HEVC technology and the VVC Advance Patent Pool for licensing essential patents to VVC/H.266 technology. The company's Multi-Codec Bridging Agreement provides eligible licensees with a single discounted royalty rate structure for licensees participating in both the HEVC Advance and VVC Advance pools. In addition, Access Advance offers the VDP Pool, a comprehensive licensing solution for video streaming services covering HEVC, VVC, VP9, and AV1 codecs. For more information, please visit:
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Amazon's £31 paddling pool is 'perfect for adults'
Amazon shoppers say it is a great way to kick back, relax and stay cool in the hot weather With the hot weather baking most of the UK, people are looking for any way to cope in the soaring temperatures that are expected to pass 30C in some places. Most parts of the UK have currently fallen under a heat health warning, with many Brits shopping around for ways to keep cool. People keen to tackle the sudden temperature spikes and make the most of their gardens could consider buying a paddling pool. Not only is it a great way to keep cool if you have the space available, but it can also provide kids with endless hours of summer fun. Amazon is one of many retailers that have a wide range that can be delivered quickly if your local shops already have cleared shelves. A popular choice is the Bestway Family Inflatable Swimming Pool (priced at £30.95). However, there are a handful of alternatives you could check out, too, like the Bestway 8ft Paddling Pool (Argos, £40) or the Intex Swim Centre Square Family Inflatable Lounge Pool (£34, Smyths Toys). But Amazon's pool is not just for kids, as grown-ups can enjoy it, too. The built-in seats and 'convenient' cup holders make supervising playtime a little more comfortable, Amazon says. On Amazon's website, it claims shoppers can order today (July 1) and have the pool dropped off as early as tomorrow (July 2). Amazon's pool is even cheaper than the exact same one coming directly from Bestway, which costs £54.99. Shoppers who have already bought the pool tend to add a matching cover to their Amazon order as well, such as this £10 Bestway Swimming Pool Cover, which protects the paddling pool from "dirt and debris accumulating in the pool". Plenty of people were showering the pool with praise in the reviews. One said: "We bought this as a good compromise between a tiny kiddies paddling pool and a big sturdy pool. Happily fits a couple of adults and a few kids. Husband loves the cup holder. I think he may have spent more time in the pool than the kids!" Another added: "Best paddling pool we've had, love the little seats and headrests and cup holders." A third wrote: "Love this pool. It's great for cooling off in the summer heat." Some did experience issues. One claimed that the pool "goes down after an hour" and another warned that it was "prone to punctures". A third added to the criticisms: "Easy to set up, started to fill it up and the top section had deflated in 10 mins, so couldn't be used. It is a good size and design, just a shame didn't get to use it." However, the bulk of all reviews were positive. Another shopper shared: "Didn't take long to inflate using a foot pump. It's been up six days now and is still fully inflated. Great pool, would fit four easily, although there are only two seats/cushions. But it's perfect for me. Lovely to cool off in with a glass of red on a hot sunny day." And, a fifth happy customer joked in their review: "This should not be shared with children! I used this all summer in my tiny garden - so comfortable- perfect for sunbathing with a cocktail."
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Toronto Star
F1 champ Max Verstappen says his ‘mentality doesn't change' after a big blow to his title defense
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands stands at the starting grd before the Austrian Formula One Grand Prix in Spielberg, Austria, Sunday, June 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Denes Erdos, Pool) DV flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Black America Web
3 days ago
- Politics
- Black America Web
Op-Ed: Bigoted MAGA Republican Wants To Deport NYC Mayoral Nominee Zohran Mamdani, Calling Him ‘Little Muhamaad'
Source: Pool / Getty White conservatives have often claimed they're fine with immigrants so long as they come to the U.S. 'the right way,' meaning legally. This has always been a lie, and now they're revealing that truth to anyone who didn't already know it. If the notion that conservatives only objected to immigrants residing in the U.S. when their paperwork wasn't in order wasn't a big, fat lie, Republican voters would be far more outraged that their leaders are now calling on President Donald Trump to denaturalize and deport Zohran Mamdani. As we previously reported, MAGA supporters across the MAGA-net , including GOP leaders, had gone into full meltdown mode over news that Mamdani had clinched the Democratic nomination in New York City's mayoral race, defeating former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, and, apparently, pissing in the Cheerios of Islamaphobic bigots across America. Well, the frantic attacks on Mamdani have increased exponentially since — *checks notes* — Tuesday, and now even lawmakers, who should know there's no precedent, cause or logic behind it, are calling for Mamdani, who was 7 years old when he and his parents migrated to the U.S., to be stripped of his citizenship. On Thursday, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) posted on X: 'Zohran 'little muhammad' Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York. He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings.' Attached to his post was a screenshot of a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging her to open an investigation into Mamdani. Before we get to how far and wide Ogles is reaching in suggesting a legal reason to deport Mamdani, let's take a look at the way the congressman began his tweet with explicit racism, right before accusing the presumptive Democratic nominee of being antisemitic. Who the hell is 'little Muhammad?' Mamdani is Muslim, and, as mentioned earlier, white conservatives have not been shy about making his faith and ethnicity the central focus of their objection to him. 'Little Muhammad' isn't some cute nickname he came up with for himself, and he's never been referred to as such in the media or by anyone else publicly. So, it appears that Ogles is quoting himself in a reference to the Muslim Prophet Muhammad, which would make 'little Muhammad' an ethnic slur, not that it would matter to xenophobic hypocrites who are only pretending to care about antisemitism to mask their own bigotry. Another thing to note is that, like many MAGA Republicans, including Trump himself, Ogles has blindly accused Mamdani of being a communist, an allegation that is substantiated by absolutely nothing, but bolstered by the fact that your average MAGA conservative has no damn clue what communism actually is. From Al Jazeera: Mamdani's platform calls for making transportation, housing and groceries more affordable, but experts say he hasn't espoused key tenets of communism, such as government takeover of industry and private property. 'Mamdani is NOT a communist,' wrote Anna Grzymala-Busse, Stanford University professor of international studies, in an email to PolitiFact. 'Communism involves a centrally planned economy, with no market forces. Prices and quantities are set by a central government authority. There is no democratic political competition, and instead a single party rules the country. He is not calling for any of this.' Unsurprisingly, Ogles believes Bondi can legally denaturalize and deport Mamdani, not because he has committed a crime — because he hasn't — but because, eight years ago, he expressed views that anti-Palestine conservatives might find offensive. Ogles cited a chapter from the U.S. Code that outlines the revocation of citizenship for individuals who willfully misrepresent or conceal material support for terrorism. From The Hill: 'According to public reports, including a June 21, 2025 New York Post article, Mr. Mamdani expressed open solidarity with individuals convicted of terrorism-related offenses prior to becoming a U.S. citizen. Specifically, he rapped: 'Free the Holy Land Five / My guys,'' Ogles wrote in the letter. The Holy Land Foundation is a U.S.-based Muslim charity. Five of its leaders were convicted of funneling money to Hamas in support of Palestine in 2008. 'Publicly praising the Foundation's convicted leadership as 'my guys' raises serious concerns about whether Mr. Mamdani held affiliations or sympathies he failed to disclose during the naturalization process,' Ogles wrote. The Trump administration cited similar obscure legislation to justify the detention and deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist who also had not committed a crime. Khalil still faces a formal trial, but a federal judge ruled that he can't be deported without due process just because the White House doesn't agree with his views. Even Ogles seems to be aware that what he's trying to do violates the First Amendment, but as Trump supporters across the nation have shown, the Constitution ends where their unbridled xenophobia begins. 'While I understand that some may raise First Amendment concerns about taking legal action based on expressive conduct, such as rap lyrics, speech alone does not preclude accountability where it reasonably suggests underlying conduct relevant to eligibility for naturalization,' Ogles wrote. Again, this man is going to pull every muscle in his body with that reach. It would be nice if Ogles and all the other Republican leaders and groups who are calling for Mamdani's deportation would just admit they're doing it for the same reason every conservative justice on the U.S. Supreme Court voted Friday to aid Trump in his war against birthright citizenship. It was never about the legality of Black and brown migrants living here. It was always about reinforcing white nationalism; they prove it every day! SEE ALSO: MAGA Racists Predictably Melt Down Over Muslim NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani's Win After Winning NYC's Democratic Mayoral Primary, Zohran Mamdani Reaffirms Support For Reparations SEE ALSO Op-Ed: Bigoted MAGA Republican Wants To Deport NYC Mayoral Nominee Zohran Mamdani, Calling Him 'Little Muhamaad' was originally published on
