Latest news with #Neo
Tom's Guide
7 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
If I had to start my camera setup from scratch, I'd pick these 5 cameras and drones — here's why
I'm a reviews writer here at Tom's Guide, which means I get to test the latest and greatest in tech — and that includes the best mirrorless cameras and the best drones. While it fills me with joy to test these über-cool gadgets, I'm always sad when the loan units get sent back. So this morning I woke up and asked myself, "If money weren't an object, which three cameras and drones would be part of my setup?" It didn't take a lot of time for five names to pop up in my head. It all came down to which cameras I was saddest to see being picked up by the courier — almost like the 'ex-rule' for cleaning, in a way. The five cameras I thought of — the Sony A1 II, the Fujifilm X-T50, the DJI Neo, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro, and the Fujifilm Instax mini 12 — would fulfil all of my shooting needs for different genres. So, without further ado, look into my mind for a second and see my vision. It's so funny that I'm including the Fujifilm X-T50 on this list because I literally bought it for myself last week — yes, around the same time the X-E5 was announced and I do not regret it. The X-T50 is a stunning camera, and even if I started my kit setup from scratch, I'd keep it in my arsenal. Its autofocus system is mighty fast, its 5-axis IBIS (up to 7 stops) works extremely well, and it takes stunning photos with its 40.2MP sensor. The Fujifilm X-T50 succeeds and improves on the X-T30 II, and it packs a punch with a huge 40.2MP sensor, excellent in-body image stabilization and reliable autofocus. Its biggest selling point is the new film simulation dial for maximum creativity. One of the things I love most about my latest possession is its film simulation dial, which lets you quickly swap between tailored color profiles for any and all shooting situations. The X-T50 packs other goodies too. It's got a 1.84M-dot touchscreen, which is very bright and detailed, there's a built-in flash for low-light, and it can shoot RAW photos. For portraits, landscapes, casual wildlife, street, travel, what-have-you, the X-T50 would be (and is) my go-to. The DJI Neo is one of my favorite drones — it's the first drone I reviewed from Tom's Guide, so I have a soft spot for it. I would, of course, keep the DJI Mavic 4 Pro in my backpack, and I'll talk about that in a second, but I'd also like a no-frills drone that I can just whip out to take some quick, short-form videos. A lightweight, compact, and minimalist drone, the DJI Neo is a fantastic option that can shoot 4K footage at 30fps, capture detailed stills, and remain stable in challenging conditions. Easy to control with the new RC-N3 controller or the DJI Fly app on a smartphone, the Neo makes drone photography more accessible thanks to its low price point. That's because the Neo doesn't really require a controller for flying. You can toggle QuickShot intelligent flight modes via the button on its body, and the drone will record short videos and return to its takeoff position. It can follow, circle, spotlight, and lots more. The Neo also captures 4K/30fps footage and 12MP photos, which is great for a drone this small (and cheap). While I'd use the Mavic 4 Pro for serious shooting, I'd use the Neo for fun when I'm out and about with my friends and family. It weighs next to nothing, too, at 4.76 ounces, so it's not like it would ever weigh me down. If money were no object (I wish), I'd break out the big guns. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is the "big guns" in question here. I haven't stopped thinking of this mighty powerful drone ever since I tested it. It's the only drone (and one of four products) I've given a full 5-star rating to so far, as it's the most powerful consumer drone yet. The DJI Mavic 4 Pro improves on its predecessor by introducing 6K/60fps video, 100MP stills powered by a Hasselblad camera, and a brand new RC Pro 2 controller that makes flying a breeze. With a long flight time and 5-star performance across the board, it's the ideal drone for commercial and personal use, as long as you don't mind the weight restrictions. The Mavic 4 Pro doesn't give you much to complain about. With 6K/60fps video capabilities and a 100MP Hasselblad camera that takes extremely detailed photos, it's the only drone you need for capturing ridiculously stunning footage. I don't mind its heavy weight either, I'll go to the gym five days a week just so I can carry this drone and all the other cameras in my backpack. The RC Pro 2 controller, which is super bright and detailed with a 2000-nits touchscreen, also makes the Mavic 4 Pro a breeze to fly. Unfortunately, the Mavic 4 Pro isn't currently available in the U.S., but if you're in the U.K. and are a drone pilot, I'd highly recommend investing in one. If you know me or have kept up with my camera coverage at Tom's Guide, you'll know I love animals, and I often photograph birds of all kinds when I'm testing a camera. I consider myself a fairly decent wildlife photographer, which is why I'd pick the Sony A1 II with its stupidly intelligent autofocus system and sharp image quality. The A1 II has a very intelligent auto focusing system with new Auto subject-detection, and 8.5 stops of IBIS. It takes stunning 50.1MP photos, clear 4K and 8K videos, and boasts a long battery life. It's built really well and feels great to handle with a detailed viewfinder that ensures you don't miss any action-packed moment in sports or wildlife photography. When it comes to tracking fast-moving subjects, the A1 II never lets you down. That's thanks to its rapid autofocus system, which uses Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking to reliably follow humans. There's also a new Auto subject-detection mode at play here, which removes the need to switch between AF detection modes. The A1 II's massive 50.1MP sensor captures plenty of detail for extreme cropping, and when combined with the 30fps burst shooting (for up to 153 raw images and with pre-capture), the camera becomes an absolute beast. I love this camera, and if the opportunity arises, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it. Here's another fun one I would have in my kitbag: the Fujifilm Instax mini 12. I love testing the best instant cameras and eagerly waiting for the photos to develop. The Instax mini 12 is one of the best cameras I've tested, as it's extremely easy to use and takes great photos with plenty of detail. The Fujifilm Instax mini 12 is an extremely easy-to-use instant camera that takes bright and detailed photos, even in low light. It comes with a handy app to scan and share your prints, a selfie mirror and a close-up mode for more versatile shots. There's a lot to love about this camera, aside from the print quality. The battery life is great, the aesthetic is cute and fun, and there's a useful app for scanning prints too. There's also a selfie mirror and a dedicated close-up mode that lets you, say, focus on a flower. In my imaginary kitbag, I'd love to have the Instax mini 12 as it's a fun camera that, like the DJI Neo, I can just take out of my backpack, take a photo and put it back in — no complicated processes here. And there you have it! If money were no object, the five aforementioned cameras and drones are what I would include in my kitbag. What camera gear, big or small, would you have in yours? Let me know in the comments!
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'The Matrix is everywhere': cinema bets on immersion
IN a Los Angeles theatre, a trench coat-wearing Neo bends backwards to dodge bullets that spiral over the viewer's head, as the sound of gunfire erupts from everywhere. This new immersive experience is designed to be a red pill moment that will get film fans off their couches at a time when the movie industry is desperate to bring back audiences. Cosm, which has venues in Los Angeles and Dallas, is launching its dome-style screen and 3D sets in June with a "shared reality" version of 'The Matrix', the cult 1999 film starring Keanu Reeves as a man who suddenly learns his world is a fiction. "We believe the future will be more immersive and more experiential," said Cosm president Jeb Terry at a recent preview screening. "It's trying to create an additive, a new experience, ideally non-cannibalistic, so that the industry can continue to thrive across all formats." Cinema audiences were already dwindling when the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, shuttering theatres at a time when streaming was exploding. With ever bigger and better TVs available for the home, the challenge for theater owners is to offer something that movie buffs cannot get in their living room. Prestige projects like Tom Cruise's 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' or Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning 'Oppenheimer' increasingly opt for the huge screens and superior film quality of IMAX. But Cosm and other projects like it want to go one step further, collaborating with designers who have worked with Cirque du Soleil to create an environment in which the viewer feels like they are inside the film. For filmmakers, it's all about how you place the cameras and where you capture the sound, said Jay Rinsky, founder of Little Cinema, a creative studio specializing in immersive experiences. "We create sets like the Parisian opera, let the movie be the singer, follow the tone, highlight the emotions... through light, through production design, through 3D environments," he said. The approach, he said, felt particularly well suited to 'The Matrix', which he called "a masterpiece of cinema, but done as a rectangle". For the uninitiated: Reeves' Neo is a computer hacker who starts poking around in a life that doesn't quite seem to fit. A mysterious Laurence Fishburne offers him a blue pill that will leave him where he is, or a red pill that will show him he is a slave whose body is being farmed by AI machines while his conscious lives in a computer simulation. There follows much gunfire, lots of martial arts and some mysticism, along with a romance between Neo and Trinity, played by the leather-clad Carrie-Anne Moss. 'The Matrix' in shared reality kicks off with a choice of cocktails — blue or red, of course — which are consumed as the audience sits surrounded by high-definition screens. Shifting perspectives place the viewer inside Neo's office cubicle, or seemingly in peril. "They're sometimes inside the character's head," said Rinsky. "The world changes as you look up and down for trucks coming at you." The result impressed those who were at the preview screening.
Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
From Master Chef to writer, Choi Kang-rok shares his quiet struggles, new dreams
'Culinary Class Wars' celebrity chef opens up about pressure, aging, finding comfort beyond kitchen Known for his creative ideas and star turns on reality shows like Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars," chef Choi Kang-rok appeared at the 2025 Seoul International Book Fair on Wednesday not with a knife, but with a pen in hand — and a surprising amount of self-doubt. 'I'm very embarrassed to put my life into a book,' said Choi, 47, a well-known introvert, speaking slowly but candidly to a crowd at Coex. He attended the book fair as the author of 'Cooking for Life,' his first essay collection and second book following the 2023 recipe book 'Choi Kang-rok's Cooking Notes.' It was selected as one of 10 titles featured in the fair's selection of newly published works. The essay draws from Choi's own experiences, his thoughts about food and cooking, operating restaurants and what it means to live as a chef. 'I wasn't sure if it was okay to put those trivial stories out there,' he said. 'But I ended up writing down the small, everyday things from the life of an ordinary working person.' What he hopes to offer is not inspiration, but connection and comfort. 'Once you put your life into a book, it's kind of frozen in time. That made me hesitant. But if even this kind of experience can help someone feel, 'He's not that different from me. He lives just like the rest of us,' then maybe that shared feeling can be a form of consolation too.' A decade after winning 'Master Chef Korea 2' (2013) and after leading restaurants like Neo (2022-2024), Choi admitted that cooking no longer brings him joy. 'The first 10 years were fun — testing recipes and discovering the process. But these days, I'm quite afraid of how people look at me. I never truly mastered, and then I became a 'Master Chef.' I can feel the unspoken challenge in their eyes, like 'Let's see how good he is,'' he said. 'I've tried to overcome that, and I've gotten better at 'pretending,' pretending I'm skilled, pretending I've done it all before. But it doesn't make things any more enjoyable.' Choi said that presenting a dish means being put to the test. 'Whether you place a dish beautifully or serve it simply, the cook is waiting for the moment it falls apart. The dish must break down to receive feedback. It's a constant evaluation.' Despite his weariness, Choi is still dreaming. He mentioned Netflix's cooking show 'The Blank Menu for You,' where guests place open-ended orders that he interprets into custom dishes, and called it his 'fantasy,' partly because it lets him cook without the pressure of rent or running a restaurant. Another dream is to build a library-cum-kitchen, a place with a cooking space where people can browse his vast collection of cookbooks. Choi reflected on how aging has prompted him to rethink and adapt his cooking for this new phase of life. 'As I approach my 50s, I'm thinking about how both my body and cooking will naturally change with age. I'm preparing for a kind of cooking that evolves with these changes.'
Eater
2 days ago
- Business
- Eater
The Most Anticipated Houston Restaurant Openings, Summer 2025
Summer has arrived — the kids are out of school, the heat is on, and vacation is calling, hopefully with a drink in hand. Fortunately, Houston's dining scene never rests. This summer, a new slate of long-awaited openings joins some of the hottest restaurants in town. From a pop-up-turned-burger joint in East End to the latest restaurant from the team behind omakase restaurant Neo and hand roll bar Kira, here are the most exciting restaurants opening this summer. Location: 2510 Navigation Boulevard, East End Key player: Chef Joseph Boudreaux Projected opening date: July 2025 After around four years of popping up all over the city, chef Joseph Boudreaux has finally found a permanent spot for his brainchild, Boo's Burgers. Boudreaux will join some of his favorite dining hotspots on Navigation Boulevard's the Esplanade with a burger stand that slings his signature smash burgers. Newcomers can expect crispy-edged smash burgers topped with molten American cheese, smoky remoulade, shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and homemade pickles. Boudreaux says the new burger joint will also offer fries and drinks, and, in the future, will be a space for engaging community events. Location: 746 W 24th Street, West University Key players: Comma Hospitality; Samee Ahmed, Saber Ahmed Comma Hospitality, the group behind Neo and Kira, will open its third restaurant this summer, offering a new presentation of Japanese cuisine. Set in a gable-roofed building with expansive windows, the 24-seat hinoki counter restaurant will dish out a combination of sushi, curated tastings, and seasonal dishes. The early menu preview includes Madai nigiri with freeze-dried creme fraiche and chives, a clever nod to the iconic lox bagel; swordfish crudo with kimchi tamari; Alaskan black cod slow-cooked over charcoal with seaweed butter; and banana caviar ice cream. If it's anything like Neo or Kira, the menu's dish descriptions won't fully do the food justice — you'll have to try it yourself to understand its nuances. Drinks include Japanese ingredient–inflected cocktails, sake, and wines meant for pairing. Location: 2410 Richmond Avenue, Upper Kirby Key players: Pappas Restaurants Projected date: August 2025 Pappas Restaurants has tackled Tex-Mex, barbecue, burgers, steak, wine, seafood, diner eats, and Creole cuisine. Now, it's paying homage to its Greek roots. The beloved local restaurant group will open Yiayia's Greek Kitchen in August, whose Greek theme and menu pay tribute to the family's matriarch, Yiayia Mary, and the yiayiades (grandmothers) of Greece, with a robust slate of meze-style shared plates. Greek and Mediterranean dishes will round out the menu with prime rib-eye souvlaki with blistered tomato; dolmades made with beef, lamb, basmati, grape leaves, and pistachio; kalamata olive bread; and traditional moussaka. Location: 2615 Riverside Drive, Riverside Terrace area Key player: Chef Dominick Lee Projected opening date: Summer 2025 Not to be confused with Hotel Saint Augustine, this new Creole restaurant is slated to open this summer in the Black-owned boutique Hotel King David, located in the Riverside Terrace area not far from Third Ward. Fittingly, New Orleans native and chef Dominick Lee, formerly of Poitín, will lead the kitchen, serving 'progressive Creole' cuisine rooted in tradition but with a modern touch. Though the menu is still under wraps, Lee has been teasing dishes at private dinners and high-profile pop-ups, including an impressive fall collaboration with the team at chef Aaron Bludorn's Navy Blue. Lee has held membership-only supper club events and dinners at the hotel with other chefs, including Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers, Top Chef: Houston finalist Evelyn Garcia and recent Top Chef winner Tristen Epps. Eater has tried Lee's pork muffuletta with crispy cracklins; pillowy beignets; crab bisque with hand-rolled fregola; and a take on Lee's grandmother's okra stew crowned with fried okra. If these dishes are any indication of what will be on Augustine's menu, it should be one of summer's most exciting debuts. Location: 6450 Cross Creek Bend Lane, Fulshear Key players: Eat Local Concepts Projected opening date: Summer 2025 The hospitality group behind local restaurant chains Local Table and Hungry's is expanding its reach with a new family-friendly restaurant. Housed in the former space of Italian Made Cafe, the Local Spot will open in Fulshear's Cross Creek Ranch area and offer casual American fare, cocktails, and a menu that features entirely new dishes and some of the favorites — think fettuccine with cream sauce, pizza, salads, and kebabs — from its sister restaurants. See More:
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
President von der Leyen presents Neo's Made-in-Europe Permanent Magnet to G7 Leaders' Summit
TORONTO, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - Neo Performance Materials Inc. (" Neo" or the " Company") (TSX: NEO) (OTCQX: NOPMF) is proud to announce that its Made-in-Europe permanent magnet, produced in Estonia, was showcased by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the 2025 G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Neo is delivering on its commitment to its automotive customers by providing a localized supply chain for these critical materials. Our magnets, manufactured in Estonia, are the first Made-in-Europe magnets to meet the specifications of Tier 1 traction motor manufacturers and major automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). President von der Leyen in a statement from the G7 2025: "I brought with me a permanent magnet. Not just any magnet—this is a rare earth permanent magnet. It was manufactured in Estonia, by a Canadian company using raw materials sourced from Australia, and supported by the EU's Just Transition Fund… And where does it end up? In German and French electric vehicles and wind turbines. This small object tells a much bigger story—a story we are writing together." Neo's President & CEO, Rahim Suleman, said: " We thank President von der Leyen for highlighting our Made-in-Europe magnet at the G7 Summit. Our new magnet facility marks a significant milestone for both Neo Performance Materials and the European automotive supply chain. Delivering this facility on time and on budget demonstrates that focus, innovation, and industry collaboration are essential to overcoming today's supply chain challenges." Neo's new Estonia facility marks substantial progress in the global expansion of its magnetics operations. Phase 1 successfully implemented a multi-step production process—from raw materials to the final assembly of traction motor magnets. Phases 2, 3 and 4 are expected to drive further growth, with expanded operations in Estonia and new facilities planned in additional regions. These developments reflect Neo's technical expertise and operational capacity, supported by its experienced global team. Backed by over 30 years of expertise in rare earth magnetics and advanced R&D capabilities, Neo's new facility in Estonia represents a significant step in one of the key permanent magnet projects in Europe and globally. This initiative aims to scale magnet production across Europe and beyond, contributing to Neo's efforts to serve our customers with diversified supply chains for rare earth magnetics and other critical materials. About Neo Performance Materials Neo manufactures the building blocks of many modern technologies that enhance efficiency and sustainability. Neo's advanced industrial materials – magnetic powders, rare earth magnets, magnetic assemblies, specialty chemicals, metals, and alloys – are critical to the performance of many everyday products and emerging technologies. Neo's products fast-forward technologies for the net-zero transition. The business of Neo is organized along three segments: Magnequench, Chemicals & Oxides and Rare Metals. Neo is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; with corporate offices in Greenwood Village, Colorado, United States; Singapore; and Beijing, China. Neo has a global platform that includes manufacturing facilities in Canada, China, Estonia, Germany, Thailand and the United Kingdom, as well as a dedicated research and development centre in Singapore. For more information, please visit Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Specific forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the completion of construction and commissioning and launch of operations of the facility in Narva; integration of operations of the new facility in Narva, Estonia and Neo's rare earth separation facility in Sillamäe, Estonia; and other matters relating thereto. In making the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on its current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Although the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect, and the forward-looking information in this release is subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking information. There are many risk factors associated with the negotiation and drafting of a definitive offtake agreement and the terms and conditions of such agreement. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the Company, including but not limited to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the nature of the Transaction, including the risks of a material adverse change to the Company's assets or revenues, or risks of unknown liabilities that may arise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking information. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. For more information on Neo, investors should review Neo's continuous disclosure filings that are available under Neo's profile at
