We are at an unprecedented point in American history, and I'm concerned we may lose sight of the American Dream.

We are at an unprecedented point in American history, and I’m concerned we may lose sight of the American Dream:

• The costs of housing, healthcare, and education have soared far beyond the pace of inflation and wage growth.
• We are a democracy, but 144 million Americans – 42% of the adults who live here – do not vote and have no say in what happens.
• Wealth concentration has reached historic levels. The top 1% of households control 32% of all wealth, while the bottom 50% only have 2.6%.

We must act now to keep the dream alive. Our family made eight $1 million donations to nonprofit groups working to support those most currently in need:

• Team Rubicon – Mobilizing veterans to continue their service, leveraging their skills and experience to help Americans prepare, respond, and recover from natural disasters.
• Children’s Hunger Fund – Provides resources to local churches in the United States and around the world to meet the needs of impoverished community members.
• PEN America – Defends writers against censorship and abuse, supports writers in need of emergency assistance, and amplifies the writing of incarcerated prisoners. (One of my personal favorites; I’ve seen the power of writing transform our world many times.)
• The Trevor Project – Working to change hearts, minds, and laws to support the lives of young adults seeking acceptance as fellow Americans.
• NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund – Legal organization with a historic record of advancing racial justice and reducing inequality.
• First Generation Investors – Introduces high school students in low-income areas to the fundamentals of investing, providing them real money to invest, encouraging long-term wealth accumulation and financial literacy among underserved youth.
• Global Refuge – Supporting migrants and refugees from around the globe, in partnership with community-based legal and social service providers nationwide, helping rebuild lives in America.
• Planned Parenthood – Provides essential healthcare services and resources that help individuals and families lead healthier lives.

I encourage every American to contribute soon, however you can, to organizations you feel are effectively helping those most currently in need here in America.

We must also work toward deeper changes that will take decades to achieve. Over the next five years, my family pledges half our remaining wealth towards long term efforts ensuring that all Americans continue to have access to the American Dream.

I never thought my family would be able to do this. My parents are of hardscrabble rural West Virginia and rural North Carolina origins. They barely managed to claw their way to the bottom of the middle class by the time they ended up in Virginia. Unfortunately, due to the demons passed on to them by their parents, my father was an alcoholic and my mother participated in the drinking. She ended up divorcing my father when I was 16 years old. It was only after the divorce that my parents were able to heal themselves, heal their only child, and stop the drinking, which was so destructive to our family. If the divorce hadn’t forced the issue, alcohol would have inevitably destroyed us all.

My parents may not have done everything right, but they both unconditionally loved me. They taught me how to fully, deeply receive love, and the profound joy of reflecting that love upon everyone around you.

I went on to attend public school in Chesterfield County, Virginia. In 1992 I graduated from the University of Virginia, founded by Thomas Jefferson.

During college, I worked at Safeway as a part-time cashier, earning the federal minimum wage, scraping together whatever money I could through government Pell grants, scholarships, and other part-time work to pay my college tuition. Even with lower in-state tuition, it was rocky. Sometimes I could barely manage tuition payments. And that was in 1992, when tuition was only $3,000 per year. It is now $23,000 per year. College tuition at a state school increased by 8 times over the last 30 years. These huge cost increases for healthcare, education, and housing are not compatible with the American Dream.

Programmers all over the world helped make an American Dream happen in 2008 when we built Stack Overflow, a Q&A website for programmers creating a shared Creative Commons knowledge base for the world. We did it democratically, because that’s the American way. We voted to rank questions and answers, and held elections for community moderators using ranked choice voting. We built a digital democracy – of the programmers, by the programmers, for the programmers. It worked.

With the guidance of my co-founder Joel Spolsky, I came to understand that the digital democracy of Stack Overflow was not enough. We must be brave enough to actively, openly share love with each other. That became the foundation for Discourse, a free, open source tool for constructive, empathetic community discussions that are also Creative Commons. We can disagree in those discussions because Discourse empowers communities to set boundaries the community agrees on, providing tools to democratically govern and strongly moderate by enforcing these boundaries. Digital democracy and empathy, for everyone.

In order for digital democracy to work, we need to see each other through our screens.

We often behave online in ways we never would in the real world because we cannot see the person on the other side of the screen. But as our world becomes more digital, we must extend our kindness through that screen.

I’ve always felt Stack Overflow and Discourse are projects for the public good that happen to be corporations. I probably couldn’t have accomplished this in any other country, and I was rewarded handsomely for a combination of hard work and good luck. That’s what the American Dream promises us.

We built it, and people came. I earned millions of dollars. I thought that was the final part of the American Dream. But it wasn’t.

I recently attended a theater performance of The Outsiders at my son’s public high school. All I really knew was the famous “stay gold” line from the 1983 movie adaptation. But as I sat there in the audience among my neighbors, watching the complete story acted out in front of me by these teenagers, I slowly realized what staying gold actually meant: sharing the American Dream.

In the printed program, the director wrote:

This play is a reminder that strength lies not just in overcoming hardships but in staying true to ourselves and lifting up those around us.

We hope you feel the raw emotions, sense the camaraderie, and connect with the enduring themes of resilience, empathy, and unity. Whether you’ve read this story recently, long ago, or not at all, I hope you are able to find inspiration in the strength and passion of youth. Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

Stay gold.

I believe deeply in sharing The American Dream. It is the foundation of our country, the second paragraph in our Declaration of Independence, written by the founder of the public university I attended:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

But the American Dream is not always available to every American. Its meaning can be distorted. Jimi Hendrix captured this distortion so eloquently in his rendition of our national anthem.

We are still trying to live up to those ideals today. In November 2024, enough of us voted for people who interpret the dream in a way that I don’t understand.

34% of adults in America did not exercise their right to vote. Why? Is it voter suppression, gerrymandering causing indifference, or people who felt their vote didn’t matter? The 7.6% that are ineligible to vote are mostly adults living in America who have not managed to attain citizenship, or people convicted of a felony. Whatever the reasons, 42% of adults living in America had no say in the 2024 election. The vote failed to represent everyone.

I think many of the Americans who did vote are telling us they no longer believe our government is effectively keeping America fair for everyone. Our status as the world’s leading democracy is in question. We should make it easier for more eligible Americans to vote, such as making election day a national holiday, universal mail in voting, and adopting ranked choice voting so all votes carry more weight. We should also strengthen institutions keeping democracy fair for everyone, such as state and local election boards, as well as the Federal Election Commission.

It was only after I attained the dream that I was able to fully see how many Americans have so very little. This much wealth starts to unintentionally distance my family from other Americans. I no longer bother to look at how much items cost, because I don’t have to. We don’t have to think about all these things that are challenging or unreachable for so many others. The more wealth you attain, the more unmistakably clear it becomes how unequal life is for so many of us.

Even with the wealth I have, I can’t imagine what it would feel like to be a billionaire. It is, for lack of a better word, unamerican.

In 2012, the top 1% of Americans held 24% of our country’s wealth. By 2021, the top 1% of Americans held 30%. So many have so little, while a tiny few have massive, wildly disproportionate wealth, which keeps growing. Now the global top 1% hold nearly twice as much wealth as the rest of the world combined.

I grew up poor in America, inspired by the promise of the American Dream that I could better myself and my family by building things that mattered:

Work is service, not gain. The object of work is life, not income. The reward of production is plenty, not private fortune. We should measure the prosperity of a nation not by the number of millionaires, but by the absence of poverty, the prevalence of health, the efficiency of the public schools, and the number of people who can and do read worthwhile books. – Du Bois

Our version of capitalism delivered so much wealth to my family for my hard work in co-founding two successful companies. My partner and I gladly paid our full taxes, and we always planned to give most of our remaining wealth to charities when we pass, following the Warren Buffett Philanthropic Pledge:

More than 99% of my wealth will go to philanthropy during my lifetime or at death.

I admire Buffett, but even having only a tiny fraction of his $325 billion fortune, to me this pledge was incomplete. When would this wealth be transferred?

Last year he amended the pledge, giving all his wealth at death to a charitable trust run by his children, aged 71, 69, and 66, who do not make for natural charitable bedfellows. I am only holding back enough wealth for my children so they can afford college educations and buy a home. I am compelled to, because being a parent is the toughest job I’ve ever had, and I am concerned about their future.

November 5th raised the stakes. It is now time to allocate half the wealth I was so fortunate to be dealt within the next five years, not just for my own family, but for all my fellow Americans.

Our government seems to be slower and slower at delivering change due to the increased polarization of our two party system. The last meaningful constitutional amendment we’ve managed to pass in the last 60 years was the 26th amendment in 1971, lowering the voting age to 18 and giving more people a voice in our democracy.

Political polarization is at historically high levels and rising. In a two party system, this level of polarization is counterproductive and even dangerous. Do we all still believe in the same American Dream?

I’ve always loved the ideals behind the American Dream, though we continually struggle to live up to them. They are worth fighting for, even if it means making “good trouble”. We must come together and believe in our shared American Dream so deeply that we can improve our democracy... but which dream?

The American Dream contains the path of hate, and the path of love. Throughout our history, one hand is always fighting the other. Which path are we choosing?

Our family pledges half our remaining wealth toward an American Dream founded on love.

Here are some starting points for longer term efforts:

• We can support organizations making it easier for Americans to vote for a new Congress in two years and a new president in four years. My concern is damage to our democratic institutions may happen so quickly that our votes could matter even less within the coming years.
• We could fund nonprofits that have a proven track record of protecting democratic institutions.
• We could found a new organization loosely based on the original RAND Corporation, but modernized like Lever for Change. We can empower the best and brightest to determine a realistic, achievable path toward preserving the American Dream for everyone, working within the current system or outside it.
• All states are shades of purple, not fully red or blue. We have more in common on specific policies than we realize. It would be very difficult to draw borders if we split. I know what divorce feels like, and we don’t want this. Let’s come together through our shared American Dream.
• We can start with change in our local communities. Vote in your own city, county, and state elections. Support local independent journalism and media. Find a local organization doing work you admire, ask what they need, and help them meet those needs. Listen to the stories of fellow volunteers, listen to the stories of the people you’re serving – that is the heart of Democracy.

We’ve already completed the eight $1 million donations listed above to help those most immediately in need. Within the next five years, half of our family wealth will support longer term efforts. There is no single solution, so let’s work together. I will gladly advise and empower others working towards the same goal.

Please join us in Sharing the American Dream:

1. Support organizations you feel are effectively helping those most in need across America right now.
2. Within the next five years, also contribute public dedications of time or funds towards longer term efforts to keep the American Dream fair and attainable for all our children.

Stay gold, America. 💛

(Edit: 3/9/25 – if you are curious what long term efforts we have chosen to support, please see my followup blog post Let's Talk About The American Dream, and stay tuned for our Cooper Union talk co-presented with Alexander Vindman on Thursday, March 20th at 7pm eastern time.)

Put your name into the hat to get the best Prime Day deals Amazon has to offer.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Not all Prime Day deals are open to just anybody. Since 2023, some of the best deals in Amazon's annual sale are invite-only—you have to sign up for them in advance of the sale going live, and hope you get chosen to receive the discount.

These deals have become a common fixture for Amazon's major sales, including last fall's Prime Big Deal Days. With Prime Day 2025 kicking off on July 8, you can expect to see more invite-only deals popping up around the site. Here's how to find and sign up for them, so you have a fighting chance at taking advantage of some great offers.

Who is eligible for Prime Day invite-only deals

Only a select number of products will be invite-only deals. You'll be able to spot them via an "invite-only" banner visible on the product page. As Amazon explains, you must be a Prime Member to sign up for the invite-only deals. What you're doing is essentially requesting an invitation to purchase the deal, which will come by email.

Here are the steps to sign up:

1. Find an "Invite-Only Prime Deal" that you want to purchase. You can find these deals listed on the Deals page once Prime Day begins.

2. Navigate to the product detail page.

3. Select "Request Invite." If you are not a Prime member, sign up for Prime to be able to request an invite.

4. You will receive an email notification confirming that you requested an invite. The confirmation will be sent to the email that is on your Amazon account. If you don't have an email on your account, add one by navigating to Your Account > Login > Security.

How to know if you were approve for an invite-only deal

Keep in mind that just because you requested an invitation doesn't mean you'll receive one. If you are selected, you'll receive both a push notification in the Amazon app and email notifying you during the sale. If you're not selected, Amazon will also let you know you didn't get one. You can only buy one of the products that you were invited for, but you can request as many different product invitations as you want. The invitation will last as long as Prime Day lasts (four days this year), or as long as there is stick remaining.

Invite-only deals are usually some of Prime Day's most impressive offerings. Last year, for example, Amazon sold a 43-inch 4K Smart Fire TV for just $99, and you'll likely see similar deals this year.

Here are more tips to shop smartly for Prime Day, using Alexa to remind you about deals to signing up for deal alerts so you receive notifications related to your Amazon searches and recently viewed items.

I vinter så är det 14 år sedan allting handlade om The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Även om det vid samma tidpunkt kom en ny del i min älskade Zelda-serie så var det, lite otippat, det episka rollspelet från Bethesdas som tog upp all min tid och blev en av mina favoriter, någonsin. Spolar vi genom alla år sedan dess så har vi kunnat njuta av mängder med episka äventyr i öppna världar men nästa del i Elder Scrolls-serien har varit väldigt efterlängtad men lyst med sin frånvaro. Även om vi vet att den är på gång. Bara i år har vi dock kunnat äventyra på liknande vis i titlar som Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Avowed och ganska nyligen i Oblivion Remastered. Men jag tror nog att utvecklarna på Questline, som så många andra av oss, längtade efter något som känns och liknar det där episka äventyret vi fick för nästan 14 år sedan.

För att kalla Tainted Grail: The Fall of Avalon för något annat än något som dragit enorma mängder av inspiration från Bethesdas rollspel - ja, det vore att ljuga. Men som tur är finns det något eget där bakom en yta som på flertalet sätt känns otroligt välbekant. Bara några minuter in i äventyret så doftar det hela både Elden Ring och The Witcher, också. Det tar visserligen lite tid, men sedan börjar man också ana ett väldigt imponerande och unikt världsbygge därunder en motor som gör sitt bästa för att hålla ihop något aningen för ambitiöst för ett såpass litet utvecklarteam. Det brukar refereras till "eurojank" - ett kanske lite väl ambitiöst koncept som dras ner en del av det tekniska. Där ambitionerna helt enkelt ligger över vad man rent tekniskt och på andra vis lyckas åstadkomma. Detta är inget storspel utvecklat av en enorm studio, allt sådant där märks. Men som tur är så är det även fantastiskt underhållande och ambitionen avspeglas också i många välgjorda delar.
<bild>Designen är förstaklassig med helt fantastiska platser att upptäcka.</bild>
Det unika världsbygget ligger delvis i att man lutar sig mot Kung Arthurs legend. Men det handlar nästan mer om att fylla världen och äventyret i ett mörker som gör det till just något eget. Att vakna upp i en fängelsehåla och sedan fly är givetvis något av en enorm kliché, men när man når Avalons första region Horns Of The South och all inspiration och det egna konceptet blir en sällsamt fascinerande mix - så är det svårt att inte känna, ungefär, samma sak som man gjorde när man kom till Riverwood i efter den inledande flykten från en drake i Skyrim.

Efter att ha rymt från nyss nämnda fängelsehåla så sätter då berättelsen igång. Det är självaste Kung Arthurs själ som blir ett med ens karaktär och en jakt på hans svärd, sköld och hjälm drar igång. Men trots att huvuduppdraget kretsar kring all den mystiken som i äventyrets inledande timme presenteras så är det lika mycket allting annat som Avalon bjuder på som kommer att stjäla ens tid. Kanske faktiskt än mer så än huvudberättelsen i sig.
<bild>Även om världen är mörk och full av faror bjuder den också på sådana här ögonblick.</bild>
För Avalon bjuder på mängder av berättelser och sidouppdrag. De flesta karaktärer har mycket att säga. Betydligt mer än de klassiska enstaka replikerna vi är vana vid och det märks att de lever i en värld som gjort mer än att bara börja knaka i fogarna. Sidouppdragen tilldelas organiskt när man utforskar men det är framförallt överraskningarna i upptäckter och små möten som tilltalar mig mest. Det kan vara att finna en pessimistisk stackare till man som inte vill lämna sin plats under en bro eller en hel liten by som annars hade legat helt bortglömd ifall man inte utforskat kustremsan. Även gällande huvudberättelsen så finns det förgreningar och val i hur man utför saker och vilken sida man till slut stället sig på. Äventyret tar en genom ett post-apokalyptiskt landskap där en pest härjar och där nätterna bjuder på oanade faror. Det är som att det hela andas Fallout fast då i en fantasymiljö istället. Enorma monument reser sig i fjärran. Även om de i mångt och mycket bara är kulisserna så berättar de en historia om att Avalon en gång varit ett land som frodats betydligt mer än nu. För den som avviker från stigen, och tro mig det vill man göra, finns det alltid något att upptäcka och uppleva.
<bild>Viktigt att visa respekt till kossorna.</bild>
Lika snabbt som hänförs av omfånget, lika kvickt märker man dock just det där med att tekniken inte riktigt är i klass med ambitionerna. Det visuella är på sina håll fantastiskt, speciellt gällande estetik och design. Men bildhastigheten på konsol, där jag kört äventyret, kämpar betydligt mer än den borde. De tekniska tillkortakommandena märks även gällande att texturer laddas in framför en och det finns en del annat som bryter illusionen. Även om jag personligen inte tycker den förstör särskilt så är det lite buggigt med några krascher som skett till och från. Gällande det visuella så finns det också en tendens till en dimma som förhindrar det hela att kännas så storslaget som det kunde vara. Man skulle också kunna kritisera att det hela känns lite väl öde i städer och byar, samtidigt som det ändå passar tonen och tillståndet världen hamnat i.

Samtidigt är egentligen det tekniska den enda lilla pusselbit som förhindrar detta från att vara något enormt storslaget. För i alla andra avseenden lyckas det verkligen. Miljöerna känns fantastiska att ge sig ut på äventyr genom. Ljuset som klär de vackra vyerna om dagarna är magiskt, inomhusmiljöer känns väldigt atmosfäriska och detaljerade och många av grottorna är ordentligt läskiga. Vi bjuds också på finstämd musik med en del oväntade inslag och det finns även en imponerande bredd på röstskådespelarna
<bild>Utvecklarna har lagt till ett läge i tredjeperson men rekomenderar inte att man kör spelet på det sättet.</bild>
Denna värld är såklart befolkad med allsköns varelser. Monster av flertalet olika slag. Mycket vill ta död på dig och du kan möta motståndet på flertalet sätt. Här finns en mängd vapen till ens förfogande. Alltifrån svärd till yxor och spjut - eller så tar man en annan väg och kastar magi eller använder pilbåge. Det är inget radikalt annorlunda mot vad vi är vana vid. Komplett med siffror som talar om hur mycket skada du gör eller din rustning skyddar dig emot. Mycket av vapen och utrustning är bunden till dina färdigheter. Du kan använda dem så fort du hittar de men måste möta dess kriterier för att de ska kunna nyttjas till fullo. Således kan du då utrusta dig med allting eller svinga vilket vapen du vill direkt men om du inte har lagt färdighetspoäng på de färdigheterna som krävs så är betydligt svagare än vad det kan vara.

Här kommer vi då naturligt in på just färdigheterna. Allting du gör i form av att svinga ett tvåhandsvapen, ta emot stryk, hoppa runt, laga mat eller dyrka lås ökar respektive färdighet. Sedan går du givetvis upp i nivå och får poäng du kan sätta ut på saker som styrka, uthållighet och övriga klassiska egenskaper. Vid sidan om detta finns då också ett färdighetsträd där du låser upp mer specifika saker. Allting är ganska simpelt, konstruerat på sitt mest avskalade vis och är det något jag saknar så är det lite mer färdigheter som lutar mer mot rena rollspelselement. Här finns ingen karisma eller egenskaper som handlar om att övertala, charma eller liknande. Sådana här tillfällen dyker dock upp i konversationer med karaktärer men är då istället slumpmässigt bundna till olika attribut. Att jag ska ha bra i uthållighet eller styrka när jag försöker övertala någon känns märkligt.
<bild>Avalons största stad är lite väl folktom men ändå en plats att trivas på.</bild>
Det har också skett att jag haft dialoger där ett svar från min sida gjort att ett sidouppdrag inte riktigt fått den utgångspunkten jag önskade eller rentav misslyckats. I det stora hela spelar det dock ingen egentlig roll men designen på uppdrag - både stora som små - kan ibland vara lite märkligt konstruerade.

Dock uppskattar jag simpla saker som att det ändå ges en viss frihet att äventyra på sitt vis. Olika fraktioner i världen är sura på varandra där du kan välja vems sida du till slut vill stå på. Du kan få en simpel uppgift att döda en viss karaktär, men när du väl möter den så börjar du istället konversera och inser att du kanske hellre vill ta den personens sida och döda karaktären som från början gav dig uppdraget. Det ger det hela en känsla av ordentligt rollspel på ens eget vis snarare än att bara styras genom handlingen.

När det gäller striderna så är de enligt mig kanske spelets allra svagaste punkt. I grund och botten är det mycket av ett "Hack and slash" med de där klassiska problem jag ofta upplever att strid i förstaperson lider av. Det finns visserligen möjlighet att göra en kort "dash" för att undvika fiendernas attacker men i grunden handlar det bara om att hugga på. Fiendernas träffytor är också lite dåliga med rätt kass återkoppling till träff förutom att deras livsmätare sjunker. Som tur är så ger striderna gott om erfarenhetspoäng så man ger sig ändå in i dem för att bli starkare.
<bild>Spelet bjuder på en del sekvenser som är rätt trippiga.</bild>
Striderna blir väldigt tröttsamma och repetitiva över tid. Det hjälper heller inte att så mycket i världen önskar att se mig död. Monster och andra väsen förstår jag - men i princip varenda liten samling av andra karaktärer i världen vill också dunka livet ur dig. Det blir bara en lugn stund när man kommer till större bosättningar eller platser som har något med berättelsen att göra. Visserligen ska många av de här andra karaktärerna föreställa banditer eller förhäxade soldater men jag hade hellre önskat att man i möten med andra människor gavs en chans att kunna lösa det hela fridfullt. Eftersom alla människor som vill slåss mot dig också bjuder på tjatiga stridsrop så blir det ett konstant springandes, om man då inte vill slåss. Striderna blir över tid rätt trista eftersom många inte är särskilt roliga.
<bild>Striderna blir tyvärr snabbt väldigt enformiga.</bild>
När atmosfären är på topp så lyckas Tainted Grail verkligen med allt det vill åstadkomma. Utforskandet leder en till platser som känns både fascinerande och skrämmande och det är just den mixen som fungerar så extremt bra. Att ljuset och mörkret samsas sida vid sida. Questline må ha inspirerats ordentligt, till den grad att man till en början kanske kan anta att detta är en ren Skyrim-klon. Men saken är att när man väl beger sig ut på detta äventyr så behöver man inte gräva särskilt djupt för att finna allt det fantastiska som det erbjuder. Just detta blir en omedelbar styrka som gör att man vill stanna kvar och så är man helt plötsligt fast.

Visst, den stundtals ostabila bilduppdateringen och att det i stunder ser ut som något från ett par generationer tillbaka kan vara just det lite ytliga som man behöver ta sig förbi. Om man lyckas med det så finns det ett episkt rollspel och en fantastisk värld fullmatad med innehåll som bara väntar på att utforskas.

Get your summer DIY projects done under budget with these early Prime Day tools deals.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Summer is DIY season, and if you have some projects planned, you might have noticed that the price of tools can add up quickly. Luckily, whether you’re working on a vehicle or a rain collection system, there are some good deals from Amazon on tools ahead of Prime Day.

Cordless tools

A good cordless tool set will make DIY projects easier to accomplish and save you some time as well. If you already have a set and are looking to expand, or you want to start a tool set, these will keep your DIY momentum going through the summer.

DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver

$99.00 at Amazon

$159.00 Save $60.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$99.00 at Amazon

$159.00 Save $60.00

• The DeWalt 20-volt cordless drill set is on sale for $99, 38% off its regular price. This set comes with a drill, a 2-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a perfect starter set, as this tool can be used for drilling holes as well as driving hardware, and it comes with a battery so it’s ready to use straight out of the box.

• The DeWalt 20-volt cordless impact driver set is on sale for $99, 38% off its usual price. This set comes with a quarter-inch impact driver, a 2-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag. This is a good addition to your cordless set if you already have a driver, as it allows you to drive fasteners into tougher material with less effort because of the impact assistance. You can also use this tool as a drill with a bit designed for a quarter-inch impact chuck, making it a versatile tool for a home DIY kit.

• The Makita 12-volt material cutter is on sale for $98, 58% off its typical price. The set comes with a material-cutting multitool, a 12-volt, 2-amp-hour battery, a charger, and a tool bag. This tool can be used to cut rubber, vinyl, and carpet, making it great for flooring, heavy-duty upholstery, and arts and crafts projects.

• The Milwaukee cordless 18-volt random orbital sander is on sale for $102.20, 37% off its regular price. This is a “bare tool” deal, so it doesn’t come with a battery or charger, but it does have a dust collection attachment and a couple of medium-grit sanding discs to get you started. This is a good tool for finishing woodworking projects.

• The DeWalt 20-volt cordless tire inflator/compressor is on sale for $109.94, 39% off its typical price. It’s a tool-only deal, so it doesn’t come with a battery. This is a good addition to a home garage shop or roadside emergency kit, and can be used to inflate car and bike tires.

Bits, wrenches, and drivers

You never truly appreciate the power of having the right-sized wrench or socket until you’ve gotten 90% of the way through removing a panel on your HVAC system to perform some maintenance, only to discover that you can’t undo the last three nuts. A good socket set can help you get through most common home and vehicle maintenance, and is indispensable if you want to save money on handyman costs by tackling chores yourself.

CRAFTSMAN VERSASTACK Mechanics Tool Set, 1/4 in, 3/8 in, and 1/2 in Drive, 230 Piece (CMMT45306)

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• The Craftsman 159-piece mechanics tool set is on sale for $99, 41% off its regular price. It comes with three ratchet handles, a set of metric sockets and wrenches, a set of SAE sockets and wrenches, a hand driver with an assortment of bit types, a set of bit extensions and adapters, and a toolbox. This is a good set to start out with for most DIY auto maintenance, as well as for projects around the house like changing filters or assembling furniture.

• The Craftsman 230-piece mechanics tool set is on sale for $99, 50% off its regular price. This set comes with a range of both metric and SAE sockets, a set of metric and SAE wrenches, three ratchet handles, a hand driver with an assortment of bits, ratchet extensions and adapters, a set of socket-drive fastener bits for screws, a set of hex wrenches, and a three-drawer tool box. This is a good set to build a top-notch DIY tool kit for your home shop, and can work for driving most types of fasteners.

• The Craftsman two-driver set is on sale for $4.98, 50% off its typical price. This set is just one Philips head and a flat head screwdriver. This is a basic set, good for building a home maintenance kit or a go bag for when you want to DIY on the road.

• The Makita 100-piece impact driver bit set is on sale for $24.99, 55% off its regular price. The set comes with a variety of driver bit types, including Phillips, flat head, and star tip, as well as a bit extension for reaching into tight spaces. This is a good set to cover most common hardware types and sizes you will come across for woodworking, repair, and maintenance projects.

If you’re a business owner in India, chances are your customers are already on WhatsApp — and so are your competitors. With over 500 million users in India alone, WhatsApp has become a primary platform for sales, service, and customer conversations. But until recently, businesses could only advertise indirectly on WhatsApp — by running Click-to-WhatsApp…

The post WhatsApp Ads for Businesses: A New Way to Get Discovered appeared first on Pixel Studios.

If you’re a business owner in India, chances are your customers are already on WhatsApp — and so are your competitors. With over 500 million users in India alone, WhatsApp has become a primary platform for sales, service, and customer conversations.

But until recently, businesses could only advertise indirectly on WhatsApp — by running Click-to-WhatsApp ads through Facebook and Instagram. Now, that’s changing.

Meta has officially introduced new ad placements within WhatsApp itself, helping people discover your business right inside the app.

Here’s everything you need to know about WhatsApp Ads and how your business can benefit from them.

All the WhatsApp Ad Formats (As of 2025)

1. Click-to-WhatsApp Ads (Existing)

These ads appear on Facebook and Instagram. When a user clicks on the ad, it opens a chat with your business in WhatsApp.

Best for: Lead generation, product inquiries, customer service.

2. WhatsApp Ads in Status (New)

Your ad appears between user Status updates (similar to Instagram Stories). These short, engaging ads include a CTA to start a chat instantly.

 Best for: Product launches, offers, event promotions.

3. Promoted WhatsApp Channels (New)

WhatsApp Channels are one-way broadcast spaces where businesses can share updates. You can now boost your Channel in the WhatsApp directory to gain visibility and followers.

Best for: Content marketing, brand updates, building a community.

4. Ads in the Updates Tab (Coming Soon)

All new ad formats will appear under the Updates tab in WhatsApp — the section where users check Status and browse Channels.

Best for: Brand awareness and discovery within WhatsApp.

Why These New Ads Matter for Indian Businesses

• India has the largest WhatsApp user base in the world
• Users check the Updates tab daily for Status and Channel content
• Businesses can now be discovered within WhatsApp itself — not just through external platforms
• Seamless lead generation: Users can chat instantly without switching apps

How to Use WhatsApp Ads Effectively

Promote Time-Sensitive Offers

Run Status ads during your peak sales season or launch a limited-time campaign that encourages instant action.

Build a Loyal Follower Base

Use Promoted Channels to grow a list of followers you can continuously engage — just like email marketing, but with 95%+ open rates.

Combine Ads with Smart Automation

Link your WhatsApp ads to a chatbot or lead qualification tool to handle inquiries instantly, even after business hours.

Target Hyper-Local Audiences

Use Meta Ads Manager to target specific locations or interests, but direct the traffic to WhatsApp where conversions are higher.

Important: Privacy Still Comes First

Your personal messages, calls, and Status updates remain end-to-end encrypted. Ads only appear in public spaces like Status and Channels — ensuring user trust stays intact.

Coming Soon: Full Rollout in India

While these new formats — especially ads inside WhatsApp — are not fully rolled out yet, India is one of the first countries where Meta is testing this feature.

WhatsApp is no longer just a messaging app. It’s becoming a powerful business discovery platform, right inside the conversations your customers are already having.

At Pixel Studios, we help brands like yours turn chat apps into growth channels. From campaign planning to creative execution and chatbot integration, we’re here to help you win with WhatsApp.

Ready to be discovered on WhatsApp?
Let’s make your brand visible, one chat at a time.

Let's discuss ideas to propel your retail digital marketing

Reach us at 080 6919 3462

(or)

Enquire Now

The post WhatsApp Ads for Businesses: A New Way to Get Discovered appeared first on Pixel Studios.

The dream is incomplete until we share it with our fellow Americans.

The following is drawn from a speech I delivered today at Cooper Union’s Great Hall in New York City, where I joined Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman to discuss the future of the American Dream:

What is the American Dream?

In 1931, at the height of the Great Depression, James Truslow Adams first defined the American Dream as

“[...] a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. [...] not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which [everyone] shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position”

I wanted to know what these words meant to us today. I needed to know what parts of the American Dream we all still had in common. I had to make some sense of what was happening to our country. I’ve been writing on my blog since 2004, and on November 7th, I started writing the most difficult piece I have ever written.

I asked so many Americans to tell me what the American Dream personally meant to them, and I wrote it all down.

Later in November, I attended a theater performance of The Outsiders at my son’s public high school – an adaptation of the 1967 novel by S.E. Hinton. All I really knew was the famous “stay gold” line from the 1983 movie. But as I sat there in the audience among my neighbors, watching the complete story acted out in front of me by these teenagers, I slowly realized what “stay gold” meant: sharing the American Dream.

We cannot merely attain the Dream. The dream is incomplete until we share it with our fellow Americans. That act of sharing is the final realization of everything the dream stands for.

Thanks to S.E. Hinton, I finally had a name for my essay, “Stay Gold, America.” I published it on January 7th, with a Pledge to Share the American Dream.

In the first part of the Pledge, the short term, our family made eight 1 million dollar donations to the following nonprofit groups: Team Rubicon, Children’s Hunger Fund, PEN America, The Trevor Project, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, First Generation Investors, Global Refuge, and Planned Parenthood.

Beyond that, we made many additional one million dollar donations to reinforce our technical infrastructure in America – Wikipedia, The Internet Archive, The Common Crawl Foundation, Let’s Encrypt, pioneering independent internet journalism, and several other crucial open source software infrastructure projects that power much of the world today.

I encourage every American to contribute soon, however you can, to organizations you feel are effectively helping those most currently in need.

But short term fixes are not enough.

The Pledge To Share The American Dream requires a much more ambitious second act – deeper, long term changes that will take decades. Over the next five years, my family pledges half our remaining wealth to plant a seed toward foundational long term efforts ensuring that all Americans continue to have the same fair access to the American Dream.

Let me tell you about my own path to the American Dream. It was rocky. My parents were born into deep poverty in Mercer County, West Virginia, and Beaufort County, North Carolina. Our family eventually clawed our way to the bottom of the middle class in Virginia.

I won’t dwell on it, but every family has their own problems. We did not remain middle class for long. But through all this, my parents got the most important thing right: they loved me openly and unconditionally. That is everything. It’s the only reason I am standing here in front of you today.

With my family’s support, I managed to achieve a solid public education in Chesterfield County, Virginia, and had the incredible privilege of an affordable state education at the University of Virginia. This is a college uniquely rooted in the beliefs of one of the most prominent Founding Fathers, Thomas Jefferson. He was a living paradox. A man of profound ideals and yet flawed – trapped in the values of his time and place.

Still, he wrote “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” at the top of the Declaration of Independence. These words were, and still are, revolutionary. They define our fundamental shared American values, although we have not always lived up to them. The American Dream isn’t about us succeeding, alone, by ourselves, but about connecting with each other and succeeding together as Americans.

I’ve been concerned about wealth concentration in America ever since I watched a 2012 video by politizane illustrating just how extreme wealth concentration already was.

I had no idea how close we were to the American Gilded Age from the late 1800s. This period was given a name in the 1920s by historians referencing Mark Twain’s 1873 novel, The Gilded Age, A Tale of Today.

During this time, labor strikes often turned violent, with the Homestead Strike of 1892 resulting in deadly confrontations between workers and Pinkerton guards hired by factory owners. Rapid industrialization created hazardous working conditions in factories, mines, and railroads, where thousands died due to insufficient safety regulations and employers who prioritized profit over worker welfare.

In January 2025, while I was still writing “Stay Gold, America”, we entered the period of greatest wealth concentration in the entirety of American history. As of 2021, the top 1% of households controlled 32% of all wealth, while the bottom 50% only have 2.6%. It’s difficult to find more recent data, but wealth concentration has only intensified in the last four years.

We can no longer say “Gilded Age.”

We must now say “The First Gilded Age.”

Today, in our second Gilded Age, more and more people find their path to the American Dream blocked. When Americans face unaffordable education, lack of accessible healthcare, or lack affordable housing, they aren’t just disadvantaged – they’re trapped, often burdened by massive debt. They have no stable foundation to build their lives. They watch desperately, working as hard as they can, while life simply passes them by, without even the freedom to choose their own lives.

They don’t have time to build a career. They don’t have time to learn, to improve. They don’t get to start a business. They can’t choose where their kids will grow up, or whether to have children at all, because they can’t afford to. Here in the land of opportunity, the pursuit of happiness has become an endless task for too many.

We are denying people any real chance of achieving the dream that we promised them – that we promised the entire world – when we founded this nation. It is such a profound betrayal of everything we ever dreamed about. Without a stable foundation to build a life on, our fellow Americans cannot even pursue the American Dream, much less achieve it.

I ask you this: as an American, what is the purpose of a dream left unshared with so many for so long? What’s happening to our dream? Are we really willing to let go of our values so easily? We’re Americans. We fight for our values, the values embodied in our dream, the ones we founded this country on.

Why aren’t we sharing the American Dream?

Why aren’t we giving everyone a fair chance at Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness by providing them the fundamentals they need to get there?

The Dream worked for me, decades ago, and I deeply believe that the American Dream can still work for everyone – if we ensure every American has the same fair chance we did. The American Dream was never about a few people being extraordinarily wealthy. It’s about everyone having an equal chance to succeed and pursue their dreams – their own happiness. It belongs to them. I think we owe them at least that. I think we owe ourselves at least that.

What can we do about this? There are no easy answers. I can’t even pretend to have the answer, because there isn’t any one answer to give. Nothing worth doing is ever that simple. But I can tell you this: all the studies and all the data I’ve looked at have strongly pointed to one foundational thing we can do here in America over the next five years.

Natalie Foster, co-founder of the Economic Security Project, makes a powerful case for the idea that, with all this concentrated wealth, we can offer a Guaranteed Minimum Income in the poorest areas of this country – the areas of most need, where money goes the farthest – to unlock vast amounts of untapped American potential.

This isn’t a new idea. We’ve been doing this a while now in different forms, but we never called it Guaranteed Minimum Income.

In 1797, Thomas Paine proposed a retirement pension funded by estate taxes. It didn’t go anywhere, but it planted a seed. Much later we implemented the Social Security Act in 1935 . The economic chaos of the Great Depression coupled with the inability of private philanthropy to provide economic security inspired Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal government programs. The most popular and effective program to emerge from this era was Social Security, providing a guaranteed income for retirees. Before Social Security, half of seniors lived in poverty. Today only 10% of seniors live in poverty.

In his 1967 book Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community, Martin Luther King Jr made the moral case for a form of UBI, Universal Basic Income. King believed that economic insecurity was at the root of all inequality. He stated that a guaranteed income — direct cash disbursements — was the simplest and best way to fight poverty.

In 1972, Congress established the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, providing direct cash assistance to low-income elderly, blind, and disabled individuals with little or no income. This cash can be used for food, housing, and medical expenses, the essentials for financial stability. As of January, 2025, over 7.3 million people receive SSI benefits.

In 1975, Congress passed the Tax Reduction Act, establishing the Earned Income Tax Credit. This tax credit benefits working-class parents with children, encouraging work by increasing the income of low-income workers. In 2023, it lifted about 6.4 million people out of poverty, including 3.4 million children. According to the Census Bureau, it is the second most effective anti-poverty tool after Social Security.

In 2019, directly inspired by King, mayor Michael Tubbs – at age 26, one of the youngest mayors in American history – launched the $3 million Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration. It provided 125 residents with $500 per month in unconditional cash payments for two years. The program found that recipients experienced improved financial stability, increased full-time employment, and enhanced well-being.

In my “Stay Gold, America” blog post, I referenced the Robert Frost “Stay Gold” poem and S.E. Hinton’s famous famous novel The Outsiders, urging us to retain our youthful ideals as we grow older. Ideals embodied in the American Dream.

Which brings us to another Robert Frost poem, The Road Not Taken. Our proposal to ensure access to the American Dream is to follow the path less travelled by: Guaranteed Minimum Income. GMI is a simpler, more practical, more scalable plan to directly address the root of economic insecurity with minimum bureaucracy.

We are partnering with GiveDirectly, who oversaw the most GMI studies in the United States, and OpenResearch, who just completed the largest, most detailed GMI study ever conducted in this country in 2023. We are working together to launch a new Guaranteed Minimum Income initiative in rural American communities.

Network effects within communities explain why equality of opportunity is so effective, and why a shared American Dream is the most powerful dream of all. The potential of the American Dream becomes vastly greater as more people have access to it, because they share it.

They share it with their families, their friends, and their neighbors. The groundbreaking, massive 2023 OpenResearch UBI study data showed that when you give money to the poorest among us, they consistently go out of their way to share that money with others in desperate need.

The power of opportunity is not in what it can do for one person, but how it connects and strengthens bonds between people. When you empower a couple, you allow them to build a family. When you empower families, you allow them to build a community. When you guarantee fundamentals, you’re providing a foundation for those connections to grow and thrive. This is the incredible power and value of community. That is what we are investing in – each other.

A system where there are no guarantees creates conflict. It creates inequality. A massive concentration of wealth in so few hands weakens connections between us and prevents new ones. America began as a place of connection. Millions of us came together to build this nation, not individually, but together. Equality is connection, and connection is more valuable than any product any company will ever sell you.

Why focus on rural communities? There are consistently higher poverty rates in rural counties, with fewer job opportunities, lower wages, and worse access to healthcare and education. It’s not a new problem, either — places like Appalachia, the Mississippi Delta, and American Indian reservations have been stuck in poverty for decades, with some counties like Oglala Lakota, SD (55.8%) and McDowell, WV (37.6%) hitting extreme levels. Meanwhile, urban counties rarely see numbers that high. The data from the US Census and USDA Economic Research Service make it clear: if you’re poor in America, being rural makes it even harder to escape.

Rural areas also offer smaller populations, which is helpful because we need to start small with lots of tightly controlled studies that we can carefully scale and improve on for larger areas. We hope to build a large body of scientific data showing that GMI really does improve the lives, and the communities, of our fellow Americans.

The initial plan is to target a few counties that I have a personal connection to, and are still currently in poverty, decades later:

• My father was born in Mercer County, West Virginia, where the collapse of coal mining left good people struggling to survive. Their living and their way of life is now all but gone, and good jobs are hard to find.
• My mother’s birthplace, Beaufort County, North Carolina, has been hit just as hard, with farming and factory jobs disappearing and families left wondering what’s next.
• Our third county is yet to be decided, but will be a community also facing the same systemic, generational obstacles to economic stability and achieving the American Dream.

We will work with existing local groups to coordinate GMI studies where community members choose to enroll. We will conduct outreach and and provide mentorship to these opt-in study participants. It will be teamwork between Americans.

We hope Veterans will play a crucial role in our effort. We plan to work with local communities and veteran-serving organizations to engage veterans to support and execute our GMI programs – the same veterans who served our country with distinction, returning home with exceptional leadership skills and a deep commitment to their communities. Their involvement ensures these programs reflect core American values of self-reliance and community service to fellow Americans.

We’ll also partner with established community organizations — churches, civic groups, community colleges, local businesses. These partnerships help integrate our GMI studies with existing support systems, rather than creating new ones.

GiveDirectly and OpenResearch will build on their existing body of work, gathering extensive data from these refined studies. We’ll measure employment, entrepreneurship, education, health, and community engagement. We’ll conduct regular interviews with participants to understand their experience. How is this working for you? How can we make it better? You tell us. How can we make it better together?

Economic security isn’t only about individual well-being – it’s the bedrock of democracy. When people aren’t constantly worried about feeding themselves, feeding their family, having decent healthcare, having a place to live… we have given them room to breathe. We have given them freedom. The freedom to raise their children, the freedom to start businesses, the freedom to choose where they work, the freedom to volunteer... the freedom to vote.

This isn’t about ideology or government. It’s about us, as Americans, working together to invest in our future – possibly the greatest unlocking of human potential in our entire history. I do not say these things lightly. I’ve seen it work. I’ve looked at all the existing study data. A little bit of money is incredibly transformational for people in poverty – the people who need it the most – the people who cannot live up to their potential because they’re so busy simply trying to survive. Imagine what they could do if we gave them just a little breathing room.

GMI is a long term investment in the future of what America should be, the way we wrote it down in the Declaration of Independence, perhaps incompletely – but our democracy was always meant to be malleable, to change, to adapt, and improve.

I’d like to conclude by mentioning Aaron Swartz. He was a precocious teenage programmer much like myself. Aaron helped develop RSS web feeds, co-founded Reddit, and worked with Creative Commons to create flexible copyright licenses for the common good. He used technology to make information universally accessible to everyone.

Aaron created a system to download public domain court documents from PACER, a government database that charged fees for accessing what he believed should be freely available public information. A few years later, while visiting MIT under their open campus policy and as a research fellow at Harvard, he used MIT’s network to download millions of academic articles from JSTOR, another fee-charging online academic journal repository, intending to make this knowledge freely accessible. Since taxpayers had funded much of this research, why shouldn’t that knowledge be freely available to everyone?

What Aaron saw as an act of academic freedom and information equality, authorities viewed as a crime—he was arrested in January 2011 and charged with multiple felonies for what many considered to be nothing more than accessing knowledge that should have been freely available to the public in the first place.

Despite JSTOR declining to pursue charges and MIT eventually calling for leniency, federal prosecutors aggressively pursued felony charges against Aaron with up to 35 years in prison. Facing overwhelming legal pressure and the prospect of being labeled a felon, Aaron took his own life at 26. This sparked widespread criticism of prosecutorial overreach and prompted discussions about open access to information. Deservedly so. Eight days later, in this very hall, there was a standing room only memorial service praising Aaron for his commitment to the public good.

Aaron pursued what was right for we, the people. He chose to build the public good despite knowing there would be risks. He chose to be an activist. I think we should all choose to be activists, to be brave, to stand up for our defining American principles.

There are two things I ask of you today.

1. Visit givedirectly.org/rural-us where we’ll be documenting our journey and findings from the initial three GMI rural county studies. Let’s find out together how guaranteed minimum income can transform American lives.
2. Talk about Guaranteed Minimum Income in your communities. Meet with your state and local officials. Share the existing study data. Share outcomes. Ask them about conducting GMI studies like ours in your area. We tell ourselves stories about why some people succeed and others don’t. Challenge those stories. Economic security is not charity. It is an investment in vast untapped American potential in the poorest areas of this country.

My family is committing 50 million dollars to this endeavor, but imagine if we had even more to share. Imagine how much more we could do, if we build this together, starting today. Decades from now, people will look back and wonder why it took us so long to share our dream of a better, richer, and fuller life with our fellow Americans.

I hope you join us on this grand experiment to share our American Dream. I believe everyone deserves a fair chance at what was promised when we founded this nation: Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of The American Dream.

Can I please stop carrying my driver's license everywhere I go?

Why do I still carry a wallet? My iPhone can handle just about anything you used to need a traditional wallet for. Most (if not all) of my purchases are made via Apple Pay or QR code, my phone holds all of my pictures, and most of my receipts go straight to my email. Basically the only I keep my wallet around is to carry my ID. Once my state starts supporting Apple’s digital ID feature, however, things will change between me and my wallet—provided that support ever comes.

Since iOS 15.4, Apple has allowed you to add a driver’s license or other state ID to your iPhone’s digital wallet. That doesn’t mean you’ve been needlessly carrying your ID around since then—states have been slow to roll out their own support the feature, and most have yet to sign on at all.

When I first covered this feature in 2022, only two states actively allowed you to add your ID to your iPhone, while 10 more (plus Puerto Rico) had confirmed plans to offer the option eventually, on a loose timeline of “soon.” Fast forward three years, and just 9 states and one territory now officially allow you to add IDs to Wallet.

These states support digital ID now

Here’s the full list as it stands in June 2025:

• Arizona

• California

• Colorado

• Georgia

• Hawaii

• Iowa

• Maryland

• New Mexico

• Ohio

• Puerto Rico

Support is still "coming soon" in these states

These states had originally pledged that support was "coming soon," but after nearly three years, still haven't committed:

• Connecticut

• Kentucky

• Mississippi

• Oklahoma

• Utah

Airports where you can use a digital ID in Apple Wallet

Now, be warned: You can't simply hand a cop your iPhone when you get pulled over. There are specific, limited use cases for this feature. Right now, that means identifying yourself at the airport, as well as at select businesses. Apple worked with the TSA to make this happen, and it currently works at the following airports:

• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG)

• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)

• Denver International Airport (DEN)

• Des Moines International Airport (DSM)

• Eastern Iowa Airport (CID)

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)

• Los Angeles International (LAX)

• Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

• San Jose Mineta International (SJC)

This feature will also work with participating businesses to verify your age. That includes bars, restaurants, liquor stores, festivals, concerts, and certain age-restricted apps. That business will need to have age verification set up on their end, but if so, Apple says you can tap your iPhone against theirs to pull up your ID. Then, you can double-click your iPhone's side button to confirm you'd like to share your ID.

How to add a digital ID to your iPhone

If you do live in a supported state, setting up the feature is simple. Open Wallet, then, tap the (+) in the top right, then choose “Driver’s License and ID Cards.” Choose your state, then choose whether to add the ID to your iPhone 8 or newer, as well as your Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. Either way, you’ll need to scan your ID with your iPhone’s camera, then scan your face to prove your identity. Once complete, send all information to your state to confirm.

Credit: Lifehacker

The next time you fly from a participating airport, you can unlock your iPhone and place it next to the ID scanner. You’ll see your digital ID appear, complete with all information you will be sharing with the TSA if you approve (name, date of birth, sex, ID number, state, issue and expiration dates, real ID status, and ID photo).

If you have resources to retire—but not enough resources to retire here—you have options.

Everyone’s vision of what retirement looks like is different. Some dream of traveling the world, while others look forward to an afternoon nap that lasts decades. The one thing an increasing number of people agree on? It's a challenge to afford retirement in the United States.

Only half of Americans have retirement savings at all, and most who do don’t have nearly enough stashed away in them to actually live on. In fact, more than 17 million Americans over the age of 65 are financially insecure. Meanwhile, the cost of living in the U.S. keeps going up, even as safety nets like Medicaid are having their strings cut. Put that all together and it’s no surprise that a rising number of folks are looking into retiring abroad, to countries where their dollars will stretch a lot further.

Just because the cost of living is low doesn’t mean a country is a great choice for retirement, however. You need to find a balance between cheap living and other factors, like healthcare and security. Plus, you have to find countries where the income requirements for residency are low enough for your small nest egg to qualify you to move there—and if you’re going to rely solely on Social Security payments in your retirement, you need countries where the cost of living falls below the average payment, which is currently $1,976.

After considering all those factors—and recognizing that every person's needs are different—here are eight countries where you can retire on the cheap and still live well.

Costa Rica

A single person can live on about $900 per month (not counting rent) in Costa Rica, which is considered a modern, stable country with an excellent healthcare system. There’s already a robust expatriate community of Americans living in there, which can make for a softer transition if you don’t speak Spanish well and/or haven’t lived abroad before. Of course, all those expats are also pushing the cost of living up, so don’t assume your budget will work indefinitely, but it's still going to be significantly cheaper than almost anywhere in the U.S.

Income requirement: $1,000 per month

Panama

You can get by in Panama for around $800 per month (excluding rent), and the U.S. dollar is an official currency in the country so you don’t have to worry about converting your cash. Panama openly courts American retirees, and offers tons of discounts and benefits to lure them there. You’ll need to apply for a Visa in Panama, you’ll need a Panamanian attorney, and you’ll probably need to learn Spanish, but once you’re there, you’ll enjoy a stable, thriving culture and a relatively easy trip back to the States if you want to visit family and friends.

Income requirement: $1,000 per month plus $250.00 per month for each dependent

France

Believe it or not, one of the world’s top tourist destinations is also a terrific spot to retire. The cost of living (not including rent) is a little higher at about $1,100 per month, but you’ll get access to one of the best healthcare systems in the world for a fraction of what it would cost here. The U.S. also has a tax treaty with France, so your retirement accounts will be taxed at U.S. rates instead of the much higher French rates. France is a complex country, though, so you’ll probably need to hire a French attorney to go through the process of retiring there—and you definitely have to learn some French.

Income requirement: Three times the monthly minimum wage (currently about $2,100)

Malaysia

Malaysia is incredibly affordable—though income requirements are higher, the cost of living for a single person is only around $550 per month (not including rent), and the rents aren’t very high, either. The country boasts a top-notch healthcare system, and English is well-supported there. But be careful: Getting to and from Malaysia isn’t always easy, so you won’t be flitting back and forth between the U.S. and your retirement home. And it’s a pretty hot, humid place all the time, so don’t choose it if you’re looking to avoid sweating.

Income requirement: $2,370 per month, plus about $83,000 in assets

Spain

Like France, Spain isn’t usually discussed as a retirement option—but it should be. Although the income requirement is relatively high, the cost of living (without rent) is a comfortable $850 or so, which gets you access to a beautiful country with a rich culture that also offers very low crime rates, excellent healthcare, and (it probably goes without saying) incredible food and lifestyle.

Income requirement: $2,700 per month.

Ecuador

Ecuador is super cheap, costing about $535 per month not including rent. Plus, its official currency is the U.S. dollar, so you don’t have to worry about exchange rates. If you’re looking for a lifestyle that focuses on natural beauty, this is the place you want to be. The healthcare system is surprisingly great (and affordable, even if you have to pay for private insurance).

Income requirement: Three times the unified basic salary ($470 per month), so about $1,410

Portugal

Portugal is a gorgeous country with excellent infrastructure, terrific healthcare, and plenty of beautiful spots to call home. Not including rent, its cost of living is a slender $805 per month—but note that you won’t qualify for the free national healthcare until you’ve lived in the country for at least five years, so be prepared to pay for private health insurance as well. On the other hand, Portugal revamped its tax system a few years ago to offer 10 years of tax breaks and exemptions to qualifying expats, which might help offset those costs. English is also very commonly spoken, making it an easy place to transition to.

Income requirement: $1,025 per month

Thailand

If you’re pinching every penny, Thailand might be ideal: The cost of living is a super-low $621 per month (without rent), while the healthcare system is excellent (and affordable), and the country is beautiful. Americans will likely be in for a bit of culture shock, however, so it’s likely a good idea to visit the country first to make sure you’ll be able to adjust and actually enjoy your very cheap retirement.

Income requirement: $2,000 per month

DevOps is a new catalyst that is rapidly spreading through the entire tech industry. Over time it has gained much popularity and everyone has their own interpretation of it. It emerged a couple of after agile programming practices, and nowadays people are attempting to figure out the relevance of enterprise DevOps. Before we move onContinue reading "What is DevOps? And How are organizations transitioning to DevOps?"

DevOps is a new catalyst that is rapidly spreading through the entire tech industry. Over time it has gained much popularity and everyone has their own interpretation of it. It emerged a couple of after agile programming practices, and nowadays people are attempting to figure out the relevance of enterprise DevOps. Before we move on to that, we first need to understand DevOps, its culture, and some other aspects.

A Major Division in the Industry

There are lots of kinds of divides in the tech industry. DevOps concepts solve this one in particular. Therefore, to understand and fully appreciate DevOps we first need to target this dispute. Within any software company, there’s for ages been a divide between the development and operations teams.

Development teams are responsible for creating feature-rich, seamless integrations that have varying requirements with each new customer. They’re responsible for changing user requirements, maintenance, and continuous development activities. The takeover at the start of the SDLC development cycle.

On the other hand, Operation teams are primarily responsible for system stability and accessibility. They can be found in towards the finish of the method where handover of a software release is given. Their responsibility is reviewing implementations by the development teams and ensuring the system is obtainable and stable, and recommend changes if necessary.

To break the silos between Dev and Ops DevOps requires a few leaps, enabling better collaboration and performance.

What Is DevOps?

The agile admin defines DevOps as,

DevOps may be the practice of operations and development engineers participating together in the whole service lifecycle, from design through the development process to production support.

The term “Dev” is an umbrella term for not only developers, but any person within the development of the product. So, this could include QA engineers, SR engineers, and other disciplines as well. Essentially, the “dev” team would be the makers of the product.

Secondly, the term “Ops” covers all operations staff including systems engineers, system administrators, release engineers, network engineers, and all other relevant disciplines. The “Ops” team is responsible for the product after its development is complete.

To conclude, operations engineers need to adopt the same methods adopted by developers and vice versa. DevOps extends Agile principles beyond just the development stage. Rather it extends it within the boundary of development and onto the whole process up till delivery.

Is Enterprise DevOps Any Good?

Considering that the advent of DevOps, SMBs (Small Medium-sized Business’s) are most widely used in its approaches and tools. A report suggests that the rounded 70 percent of SMBs are actually adopting DevOps.

To tell the truth, most of the tools and approaches in DevOps are functional in SMBs because of the size of the teams and the simplicity of the operations. Whenever the question on the applicability of Enterprise DevOps has risen it is met with mixed answers. Realistically, for Enterprises, a shift from their traditional solutions to DevOps will be a lot harder than SMBs.

Enterprises have big teams, operational complexity, departmental regulations, and internal and external constraints. Atop these problems, the need for Enterprises to adopt DevOps is quite real. Competitors are constantly shifting while undergoing changes within their teams, plans, and software management. They’ve to deal with these constraints, and that is why for Enterprise DevOps to be functional, a couple of factors should be kept in mind.

Value Confidence Among All Departments

When Enterprise DevOps is introduced across the organization it leaves room for a lot of confusion. People are used to just how things were. While this change is aimed to introduce innovative approaches, it might due to concern for many. It may introduce unnecessary risks due to sudden change and affect customer relationships with the organization.

Preplanning things before problems arise can assist in preventing them. To produce this shift comfortably, the organization should value overall consistency and security for new and existing software for the very start. Additionally, even although the system is transitioning, quality and constancy standards should still function as the same. This maintains the confidence of the employees and the prevailing customers in the organization.

Don’t Replace What Works

An enterprise takes years of effort to construct a name for itself, and be as functional because it is. Enterprise DevOps Applications would bring greater benefits but that does not mean that successful practices should be replaced. When shifting to Enterprise DevOps it can be very tempting to alter everything new and upcoming, but it is not necessarily the very best practice.

Introducing the mandatory changes and keeping tried and tested approaches is the best possible method of the shift properly. Instead of starting fresh, the focus should be directed towards building on what’s already working. It leaves very little room for uncalculated risks and may be incredibly efficient. The corporation won’t need certainly to undergo trial methods for each approach again, thus maximizing efficiency and profit metrics through this approach.

Elimination of Operational Inefficiencies

While DevOps targets introducing a flow of changes organization wise some operations can become inefficient. Eliminating such operations that restrict DevOps objective makes it easier for teams over the organizations to generally meet demands and deliver results. The collaboration of the development and operation teams is essential for identifying these issues. Not merely these, elimination requires the collaboration of every part involved including vendors to departments allow a fruitful transition to DevOps.

Consider Hiring a Few Designated DevOps Engineers

There’s a misconception among people that the DevOps Engineer is an ordinary developer writes code and can also be responsible for the task of a System Engineer. But that is not how it works! An effective DevOps Engineer works together developers and the IT staff to oversee the code releases. They are either of both: A developer who gets enthusiastic about deployment and network operations or A sysadmin writing scripts and code and who moved into the development side.

Either way, a DevOps Engineer understands the Software Development Lifecycle and has the outright comprehension of various automation tools for developing digital pipelines (CI/ CD pipelines). For an effective and long-lasting transition, you will need to hire more than one DevOps Engineers. Enterprise DevOps needs effective management and a specialist may do a much better job than employees who have just been introduced to the approach. You can also choose to invest in your employees and keep these things trained specifically in DevOps.

Emphasize Security

It’s no surprise that with the added pressure of deadlines, limited collaboration between teams, and the newly introduced transition security isn’t given its due importance. Consequently, organizations don’t have the full time or the resources to emphasize the significance of security within their systems and development approaches amongst their development and operation teams.

But to properly transition to DevOps you will need to concentrate on security because it is completely different than IT Ops. Based on DigiCert’s Inviting Security into DevOps Survey, 98 percent of organizations are integrating security teams into their DevOps procedures. Organizations need to introduce new software tools as well along with predefined security configurations as security directly affects the efficiency of software development and customer experience.

Track Progress

Organizations need to introduce metrics that track the progress of the new approaches they have taken on. The organization-wide introduction of these metrics streamlines operations while the teams move towards the completion of software projects. Tracking the task process of every project creates further reference material for further use in case the need arises.

These resources can behave as typical for the employees who will then improve them as certain requirements change. It’s about making the system more efficient. Every change accommodates previously ignored facets of these standards.

Conclusion

Many organizations have successfully transitioned to Enterprise DevOps. Their case studies serve as proof it is applicable in Enterprises as well, not just SMBs. Obviously, change does not happen overnight, that is an enterprise we’re talking about. You’ll need to remember that organizations that successfully transitioned took anywhere from one to two years. While contemplating your personal transition, you will need to keep this time frame and a collection budget in mind.

This change is necessary now, a report suggests that 81 percent of enterprises have already shifted to DevOps. It’s necessary that organizations stay competitive while meeting customer requirements and deadlines. Following these steps and having a proper strategy when your transition will make it easier for the organization to adopt Enterprise DevOps.

Source: Dzone

Apple appears to have joined Meta-owned social media site Threads, two years after Threads first launched. Apple has a verified Threads profile and the @apple handle, but has yet to make any posts. Apple's account has 4.8 million followers, because of its existing followers on Instagram.


It's not clear why Apple has opted to make a Threads account, and there's no word on whether it will actually see use. Apple also has the @apple handle on X, but it uses the account for advertising and does not share content there (though it does on other specific feature accounts). Apple has a similar unused Facebook account.

Apple does have an active @apple Instagram account where it regularly posts Shot on iPhone videos, and an @apple TikTok account for sharing Apple product tips.

(Thanks, Matthew!)

When the Trump administration took over, one of its first major moves was dismantling the United States Agency for International Development. Nearly six months later, it officially shuts down Tuesday.

When the Trump administration took over, one of its first major moves was dismantling the United States Agency for International Development. Nearly six months later, it officially shuts down Tuesday.

Showrooms may be closing, but you can still buy products online in a few different ways.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

This week, I saw some news that made me a little sad: Peloton has closed a few of its large showrooms, which limits options for in-person buying. Below is a list of the cities that still have in-person showrooms, plus a variety of resources for making a Peloton purchase online, whether you're in the market for a Bike, Bike+, Tread, or Row.

Where are the Peloton closures and where can you still shop?

Peloton recently closed showrooms in Los Angeles, Georgia, Illinois, and New Jersey. That means there are 13 American cities left with in-person showrooms:

• California: Newport Beach and Palo Alto

• Nevada: Las Vegas

• New York City

• North Carolina: Raleigh

• Oregon: Portland

• Tennessee: Nashville

• Texas: Dallas, Plano, Southlake, and Houston

• Utah: Murray

• Virginia: Tysons Corner

For more details (or to see the surprisingly robust amount of stores in other countries, like Austria and Germany), check Peloton's official site.

Other buying options

You have other options if you're in the market for Peloton equipment. First, of course, is ordering online directly through Peloton's website. You'll spend no less than $1,400, but you'll get free delivery and installation, plus assurance that you have a new, high-quality piece of equipment backed by the company's one-year warranty.

As of last month, the company is also operating a resale site called Repowered. Right now, you can only list your old machines and accessories, but once there's enough inventory, you'll be able to buy there, too. Unlike buying on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, you're still technically purchasing your equipment through Peloton, meaning you'll have a safer, more reliable experience. If you sell on Repowered, you not only get money for the device you're getting rid of, but you get a discount on your next new Peloton purchase, too. Here's what you get off from each product if you make a Repowered sale:

• Bike+: $400 off

• Tread: $200 off

• Tread+: $600 off

• Row: $200 off

You can also try other resale platforms, like TradeMyStuff, which has its own guarantees, offers delivery and installation, and will even pay the $95 fee associated with activating used equipment on your behalf.

Finally, Amazon is always an option, too. The company sells directly through a verified storefront on the e-commerce giant, so the prices you'll find on Amazon are the same as what you'll get on Peloton's own site. You can opt for professional installation in the room of your choice.

AE86, Supra, Silvia, S2000, Skyline GT-R. Namn som högst sannolikt får det att behagligt knottras längs ryggraden för den som i varje fall någon gång i livet doppat tån i JDM-träsket eller läst någon av de många japanska serier som celebrerar den inhemska bilkulturen. Initial D, Wangan Midnight, Over Rev eller den aningen mer obskyra, men likaså charmerande Shakotan Boogie.

Att kasta sig ned längs slingrande bergsvägar i skydd av natten, med Running in the 90s dunkandes i bilstereon, och hastighetsvarnaren arg plingande som ett onödigt framfusig Jehovas vittne vid dörrklockan. Ja, det var drömmen för oss många. En så klart avlägsen sådan, och att ta del av den illegala racingscenen i Japan är något som antagligen rätt få västerlänningar fått chans att uppleva. I varje fall när sporten var som mest populär.

Tur då att det finns alternativa medel som kan stilla behovet, och som en räddare i nöden sladdar JDM: Japanese Drift Master in på scenen, i ett moln av Eurobeat-dunk-dunk och bränt gummi. Ett spel som inte bara försöker att plocka smultronen från pajen ur många tidigare framgångar som Tokyo Xtreme Racer, Drift Champ eller något av de licensierade Inidial D-spelen.

Nej, här har man försökt sitt bästa med att destillera ned den romantiserade idén och känslan av att vägen är viktigare än destinationen, och att varje kurva är har en själ, är ett levande ting att inte bara övervinna utan även bemästra. Så är då JDM: Japanese Drift Master den efterlängtade renässans som vi Takahashi-dyrkande nördar gått och flåsat efter? Både ja och nej, häng med så tar vi oss en lite närmare titt.

<bild>Every night you light me with your gasoline</bild>

Premissen är inget att skriva hem om och vi har alla hört legenden. En förare, en bil, smala vägar i natten och en massa motståndare med färgglada öknamn att övervinna. Ett välbeprövat recept som JDM inte försöker att kladda nämnvärt med. Det är kort och gott lika charmigt som det är förutsägbart. Du anländer till Japan som en okänd förare, fylld av självförtroende med ett enda jobb - arbeta dig upp i driftvärlden.

Från små evenemang till fullfjädrade tävlingar så bygger du upp både ditt rykte och garage. Det är lika delar Initial D som Gran Turismo och Truck Simulator som kastats i mixern och körts på drift mode. Kort och gott, en vidareutveckling av genrens storheter från PS2-eran, pepprat med moderna sensibiliteter. Inramningen är enkel, effektiv och fylld av kärlek. Risfält, täta skogar, bensinstationer, lokala Isakayas och verkstäder fyllda av rökande gubbar med tveksamt förflutet.

Det är en värld konstruerad av folk som faktiskt älskar japanska bilar från 90-talet. Inte för att de är snabbast, utan för att de låter rätt. Känns rätt. Men story är väl knappast den primära anledningen till att spela JDM, även om den bidrar med en hel del charm. Nä, hit kommer man för att sladda i takt till Space Boy och drömma sig bort till ett Japan som inte längre finns.

Det är en fin balansgång mellan arkad och realism som landar någonstans i de grumliga vattnen mellan Assetto Corsa och Rallisport Challenge, tillgängligt pedagogiskt för att du kan börja drifta med hyfsad tillförlit redan efter en halvtimme bakom ratten. Vilket också snabbt blir infernaliskt beroendeframkallande och som belönas under tävlingarna, vilka primärt handlar om att vinna med stil, inte vara först över linjen.

<bild>Every time I feel delight when you recall my name</bild>

Du får istället poäng för hur snyggt, vågat och kontrollerat som du tar dig ann kurvorna, och den där känslan av att verkligen lyckas få till en lång, svepande sladd där du bibehåller och nyttjar momentet från din bil, det är ren och skär zen. Det är också kul hur olika man faktiskt fått bilarna i spelet att kännas. En gammal AE86 (ja den är så klart med) beter sig ungefär som du kan förvänta dig, och kontrasten med en tung Toyota Chaser är påtaglig, likväl som RX-7:an som onekligen beter sig som en ilsken get.

Bilarna har helt enkelt förärats med en hel del personlighet, och blir under spelets gång nästan regelrätta karaktärer i sig i takt med att du meckar och pillar med dem. Pokémons, fast förbannat mycker mer underhållande.

Ett annat område där JDM briljerar ligger i hur du kan bygga om och sätta personlig touch på bilarna. Vilka kan brytas ned i molekyler om du så vill, allt från avgassystem, turbo, däck, fjädring, diffar, luftfilter och mer därtill. Nej det är inte Car Mechanic Simulator-nivå på detaljerna, men det är tillräckligt djupt för att du ska kunna bygga din bil exakt så som du vill ha den. Och framför allt - varje justering känns.

Ändra camber några grader och bilen beter sig annorlunda i nästa tävling. Kasta på slicks och du får bättre grepp. Detta går lång bortom bara det estetiska, och blir snabbt nästan filosofiskt när du står och väljer bland allt pynt och delar.

<bild>So you can be my shining star tonight, I'm not alone with all your love!</bild>

Spelvärlden är en slags destillerad tolkning av japansk landsbygd - tänk Gunma eller Tochigi, men komprimerat till en spelkarta som är både öppen och fokuserad. Den är tillräckligt stor för att ge en känsla av frihet, men designad för att du alltid ska kunna hitta en ny väg att attackera. Vilka tar dig uppför bergen, genom skogar, in i små byar med blinkande neonskyltar och nedför serpentinliknande pass. Det märks med andra ord att detta är folk som sett och läst Initial D på tok för många gånger - och det säger jag verkligen som den finast möjliga komplimang.

Det finns också små moment av alldaglighet, ögonblick av reflektion där du stannar upp - du kan tanka, tvätta bilen, hämta leveranser, eller bara cruisa genom natten. Det ger en skön rytm till spelet, där det inte alltid måste handla om maxad adrenalin utan också om att, just det, bara köra.

Visst, det här är ett indieprojekt, och det märks. Grafiken är bitvis ojämn - vissa miljöer är otroligt vackra, särskilt i kvällsljus eller regn, medan andra känns mer som placeholders och karaktärerna i mellansekvenserna är inte direkt prisvinnande. Men dom gör sitt jobb. JDM är är klart och tydligt ett av de där spelen där kärlek och passion lyser igenom och delvis döljer tekniska tillkortakommanden. Det är charmigt snarare än fult. Inte den nödvändigtvis mest polerade motorhuv du skådat, men som undertill bjuder på mullrande magi.

Självfallet så måste jag även ge musiken en särskild eloge här också. Nej, det är inte licensierat Eurobeat men inspirationen är tydlig med gung som tar dig tillbaka till 90-talets storhetstid med en perfekt balans av racer-anime och underground-elektro. Vilket matchar stämningen perfekt och fungerar klockrent när man jagar poäng på ett ensamt bergspass under dygnets småtimmar.

<bild>Fly across the sky, you will be mine, I can feel your dream with you babe. I'm gonna get you, Like a space boy!</bild>

Men även solen har sina fläckar, och jag kan inte blunda för några av de mer framträdande skavankerna. Hur våldsamt mitt sladdande hjärta än mår slå för detta passionsprojekt. Buggar, jo det finns en drös av dem och det kan ta sig form i lite lustiga muskelspasmer där fysiken i spelet emellanåt får för sig att fullständigt balla ur. Det är långt ifrån game-breaking men något som man bör vara medveten om.

Likaså känns en hel del av menyerna en aning halvfärdiga och där finns utrymme att fila på gränssnittet, helt klart. Även optimeringen är inte helt klockren och jag hade i varje fall en totalkrasch av spelet. Men, det blåskärmade i varje fall inte hela datorn, till skillnad från F1 25. Sen ska det även sägas att AI:n inte direkt är den mest briljanta som skådats och saknar personlighet.

Men även om JDM inte är det mest polerade spelet på marknaden, så skiner passionen igenom och det råder ingen tvekan om att detta är ett spel med själ. Det är en hyllning till den japanska bilkulturen av sällan skådat slag, ett kärleksbrev för alla oss som blir kollriga av att se en Toyota Sprinter susa förbi längs vägen. För i de bästa av stunder är JDM verkligen helt otroligt, och när man kastar sig ut i natten under gatlampornas sken, stillsamt nynnandes på Deja Vu, med siktet på nästa bergspass. Då finns det väldigt lite som trumfar Japanese Drift Master.

In a way, these two books are responsible for my entire professional career.

With early computers, you didn’t boot up to a fancy schmancy desktop, or a screen full of apps you could easily poke and prod with your finger. No, those computers booted up to the command

In a way, these two books are responsible for my entire professional career.

With early computers, you didn’t boot up to a fancy schmancy desktop, or a screen full of apps you could easily poke and prod with your finger. No, those computers booted up to the command line.

From here, if you were lucky, you might have a cassette tape drive. If you knew the right commands, you could type them in to load programs from cassette tape. But that was an expensive add-on option with early personal computers. For many of us, if we wanted the computer to do anything, we had to type in entire programs from books like 101 Basic Computer Games, by hand... like so.

Yep, believe it or not, circa 1983, this was our idea of a good time. No, we didn't get out much. The book itself was a sort of greatest hits compilation of games collected from Ahl’s seminal Creative Computing Magazine in the 1970s:

As soon as Ahl made up his mind to leave DEC, he started laying the groundwork for Creative Computing. He announced intentions to publish the magazine at NCC in June 1974 and over the next few months contacted prospective authors, got mailing lists, arranged for typesetting and printing, and started organizing hundreds of other details.

In addition, he also moved his family to Morristown, NJ, and settled into his new job at AT&T. He had little spare capital, so he substituted for it with “sweat equity.” He edited submitted articles and wrote others. He specified type, took photos, got books of “clip art,” drew illustrations, and laid out boards. He wrote and laid out circulation flyers, pasted on labels, sorted and bundled mailings.

By October 1974, when it was time to specify the first print run, he had just 600 subscribers. But Ahl had no intention of running off just 600 issues. He took all the money he had received, divided it in half, and printed 8000 copies with it. These rolled off the presses October 31, 1974. Ahl recounts the feeling of euphoria on the drive to the printer replaced by dismay when he saw two skids of magazines and wondered how he would ever get them off the premises. Three trips later, his basement and garage were filled with 320 bundles of 25 magazines each. He delivered the 600 subscriber copies to the post office the next day, but it took nearly three weeks to paste labels by hand onto the other 7400 copies and send them, unsolicited, to libraries and school systems throughout the country.

I also loved Creative Computing, but it was a little before my time:

• 1971 – Ahl ports the programs from FOCAL to BASIC.
• 1973 – 101 BASIC Computer Games is first published by DEC.
• 1974 – Ahl founds Creative Computing magazine and acquires the rights to the book from DEC.
• 1977 – the “trinity” of Apple II 🖥️, PET ️🖥️, and TRS-80 🖥️ microcomputers are released to the public, all with BASIC built in, at prices regular people could mostly afford. 🙌
• 1978 – a second edition of BASIC Computer Games is released, this time published by Ahl himself.

As you can see, there’s no way average people in 1973-1976 were doing a whole lot with BASIC programs, as they had no microcomputers capable of running BASIC to buy! It took a while for inexpensive personal computers to trickle down to the mainstream, which brings us to roughly 1984 when the sequels started appearing.

There was a half-hearted attempt to modernize these early BASIC programs in 2010 with SmallBasic, but I didn’t feel these ports did much to bring the code up to date, and overall had little relevance to modern code practices. You can compare the original 1973 BASIC Civil War with the 2010 SmallBasic port to see what I mean:

Certainly we can do a bit better than merely removing the line numbers? What about our old buddy the subroutine, merely the greatest invention in computer science? It’s nowhere to be seen. 🤔

So it was with considerable enthusiasm that I contacted David H. Ahl, the author, and asked for permission to create a website that attempted to truly update all these ancient BASIC programs.

Thankfully, permission was granted. It’s hard to understate how important this book was to an entire generation of programmers. At one point, there were more copies of this book in print than there were personal computers, period!

... in 1973, DEC published an anthology, 101 BASIC Computer Games. The book quickly went into a second printing, for a total of 10,000 copies sold. “That was far more books than there were computers around, so people were buying three, four, five of them for each computer.”

It went on to be the first computer book to sell a million copies. Quite a legacy.

I think we owe it to the world to bring this book up to date using modern, memory safe languages that embody the original spirit of BASIC, and modern programming practices including subroutines.

So let’s do this. Please join us on GitHub, where we’re updating those original 101 BASIC games in 10 memory safe, general purpose scripting languages:

• Java / Kotlin
• Python
• C#
• VB.NET
• JavaScript
• Ruby
• Perl
• Lua

(Edit: as of March 2022, we’ve a) offered Kotlin as an alternative to Java, b) removed Pascal since we can’t guarantee memory safety there, and replaced it with Rust, which very much can, and c) added Lua which just cracked the top 20 in TIOBE and strongly meets the scripting and memory safe criteria.)

Now, bear in mind these are very primitive games from the 1970s. They aren’t going to win any awards for gameplay, or programming sophistication. But they are precious artifacts of early computing that deserve to be preserved for future generations, including the wonderful original art by George Beker.

We need your help to do this right, and collaboratively together, as with all modern programming projects. Imagine we’re all typing these programs in simultaneously together online, all over the world, instead of being isolated alone in our room in 1984, cursing at the inevitable typo we made somewhere when typing the code in by hand out of the book. 🤬

Thanks Mr. Ahl. And a big thanks to everyone who contributed to this project when it was in beta, announced only on Twitter:

• Oscar Toledo (nanochess)
• Tim Buchalka (journich)
• Dave LeCompte (tsmaster)
• Nezumi Ronin (NezumiRonin)
• Daniel Piron (danielpiron)
• Darren Cardenas (darrencardenas)
• Alvaro Frias (qequ)
• Jamie McCarthy (jamiemccarthy)
• Roger Bamforth (rbamforth)
• Peter Ruderman (pgruderman)
• Piotr Czajkowski (pczajkowski)
• Jack Boyce (jkboyce)
• epvanhouten
• Topher Lamey (clamey)
• kt--
• Tom Armitage (infovore)
• Richard Nienaber (rjneinaber)
• marvin826
• Aldrin Misquitta (aldrinm)
• olliehcrook
• Gustavo ‘Gus’ Carreno (gcarreno)
• Nahid Mondol (NahidMondol)

To encourage new contributions, by the end of 2022, for every functioning program submitted in each of the 10 indicated languages, I’ll donate $5 to Girls Who Code. Before beginning, please read the guidelines in the readme, and if you have questions, scan through this discussion topic. And most of all, remember, this stuff is supposed to be fun.

(I don’t want to be “that one guy,” so I’m also looking for project co-owners who can help own and organize this effort. If this is a project that really appeals to you, show me what you can do and let’s work together as a team.)

Perhaps as your new year’s resolution you can see fit to carve off some time to take part in our project to update a classic programming book – one of the most influential books in computing history – for 2022 and beyond! 🎉

Now is the time to appreciate all your hard work from earlier in the year—and to eat your body weight in berries.

July is the month you're supposed to get a break from your garden. With most of the planting already finished, you should be sitting back, enjoying a fresh berry margarita in the garden as your plants fulfill their destiny all around you.

But the cycle of summer gardening never truly stops, which means you also need to fit in some weeding and harvesting in between heat domes. Here's what you should focus on this month.

The daily survey

No, *you* have a weed problem. Credit: Amanda Blum

Take a daily lap around the garden (I try to do mine before the sun gets too high in the sky). Each morning, I do a circuit with my garden hod and a bucket. Take note of how things are doing and what needs more water or perhaps a fertilizer boost, and look for infestations. If you see a weed, pick it and chuck it into the bucket (spoiler: You'll see many weeds). If something needs to be harvested, add it to the hod. Top up your water features and bee stations and try to spend a few moments appreciating all the hard work over some raspberries or the last of the snap peas. 

Water, water everywhere

The headline for this month is bringing in irrigation, since it’s likely the first time this year you'll really need it on a consistent basis. As temperatures climb, it’s imperative to have consistent water at the root of your plants. If you do this, they will grow resiliently, forming strong roots and stems that won't need babying under shade.

Test your irrigation or watering systems if you haven’t yet and get them turned on. Check in for the first week or two and make sure the ground is getting moist about six inches under the topsoil, and adjust the water as necessary. It’s never too late to mulch to conserve water and protect plant roots. Remember that you want a nice thick layer of mulch—an inch isn’t going to do much—but make sure to keep that mulch away from the stems of your plants. 

Deadhead to create stronger and more prolific blooms

Sweet peas forming pods, ready to be retired so something else can be planted. Credit: Amanda Blum

Most of the summer blooming flowers are “cut and come again” blooms.  Your snapdragons benefit from a good chop; they'll branch and grow two blossoms in the same place. If you stay on top of your sweet peas, you might be able to stretch them into late July, but if they start to set pods, don't be afraid to pull them out to make room for another climbing vegetable or flower. You should be seeing the start of your echinecea, dahlia and daisies at this point of summer, so be sure to stay on top of deadheading so they last into fall. Some flowers, like sunflowers, are single bloom (they bloom only once, on one stem, so one chop and it’s over), so be sure you know which of your flowers are single bloom so you don't cut away the only bloom you'll get.  

Delphiniums are single bloomers and shouldn't be deadheaded. Credit: Amanda Blum

Turn over peas and other spring vegetables

These yellowing peas are coming to the end of life, and should be pulled and replaced. Credit: Amanda Blum

At some point around now, your peas will start going yellow and crispy from the bottom up. This just means it’s time to turn over the space for summer—hopefully you have some climbing beans or something else to go into the space. I use mine to plant green beans and sugar pumpkins, which will climb up the trellis and hang from the arches. Your spinach, boy choy, and spring broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage have all also flowered by now, so those spaces are ready to turn over for summer or fall as well. Consider bolt resistant lettuce, tomatillos, beans, cucumbers, melon or squash in their place.

Pumpkins and green beans growing Credit: Amanda Blum

Sometime this month, garlic is going to be ready to come out of the ground too. Wait for three or four brown leaves and then harvest with a hand spade (do not try to just pull them out of the ground). Your garlic needs to be dried in order for it to last until winter.  

If you got potatoes into the ground in spring, you can start harvesting them as soon as the plants begin to flower. Use a spade to turn over the earth and then use your hands to find all the baby potatoes. You can let really tiny seed potatoes fall back into the bed, which will help it perennialize. 

Succession plant flowers, lettuce, radish, scallions, beets, kohlrabi and other greens

Kohlrabi in the garden Credit: Amanda Blum

In the newly empty spaces, remember to keep succession planting going. Get seeds in routinely or plant starts from the nursery. If you go with seeds, you’ll need to work harder to keep them hydrated so they germinate once they’re in the ground. 

Harvest your berries

Raspberries in the garden Credit: Amanda Blum

It is berry season, so be sure you’re getting all of your berries harvested as they’re ready. Raspberries should be coming to an end, with blueberries in full swing. At some point this month, strawberries will be dunzo too, which means you can cut them back fully so they can focus on roots for next year instead of growing runners. (I run the lawnmower over them to accomplish this.)

It's also time for early fall planting

You should have your fall starts started by the end of July, if you’re growing from seed. These starts won’t go in for a month or two, which gives you enough time to get a tray of seeds going now.

سیا‌مک نمازی می‌نویسد: حمله هوایی اسرائیل میان بازپُرسان بی‌رحم و زندانیان سیاسی فرقی نگذاشت

Read this story in English here

نمازی گروگان سابق آمریکایی در ایران است و اکنون عضو هیئت مشاوران ابتکار آزادی برای زندانیان سیاسی در مؤسسه مک‌کین و گروه کمک جهانی به گروگان‌ها است.

وقتی تصاویر دروازه‌ی ورودی زندان اوین را دیدم که با حمله‌ی هوایی اسرائیل تکه تکه شده بود، چشمانم پر از اشک شد. من هشت سال پشت آن دروازه به‌عنوان گروگان جمهوری اسلامی نگهداری شدم — در مکانی که ظلم، قانون است و امید قاچاق می‌شود.

اما اشک‌هایم از خوشحالی نبود. از این‌که کسانی که من و بعدتر پدر بیمارم را به سلول انفرادی انداختند بالاخره تاوانی پس داده‌اند، لذتی نمی‌بردم. قبلم پر از اندوه بود وقتی به وحشتی فکر می‌کردم که اکنون بسیاری از زندانیان بی‌گناه — از جمله کسانی که سال‌ها هم‌سلولی‌ام بودند — و خانواده‌هایشان تجربه می‌کنند.

این فقط یک حمله به نماد سرکوب نبود. اسرائیل تنها درِ زندان را منفجر نکرد. بمب‌هایش، در ساعات کاری، مجتمع قضایی شهید مقدس را نیز به شدت تخریب کرد. جایی که زندانیان را پیش بازپرسان بی‌رحم می‌برند و وارد ماشین سرکوب دادگاه انقلاب می‌کنند. من در آن اتاق‌ها بوده‌ام، دست‌بند خورده و تحقیر شده، مقابل مردانی که خود را قاضی می‌نامیدند اما مانند زیردستان مأموران اطلاعات رفتار می‌کردند و هر حکمی که آنها می‌دادند را امضا می‌کردند. یکی‌شان را در خفا “جنایت‌کار” صدا می‌زدم، لقبی که بازی با نامش بود و بین ما ماندگار شد. یادم هست وقتی در بی‌خبری کامل و قطع از دنیای بیرون به سر می‌بردم با پوزخندی گفت: «مادرت طبقه‌ی پایین منتظره. هر روز میاد و التماس می‌کنه برای ملاقات»؛ پوزخندی که دلم می‌خواست با سیلی از صورتش پاک کنم.

اما آن مرکز بی‌عدالتی فقط پر از جلاد نبود. بمب‌ها بین بازپرسان ظالم و زندانیان سیاسی، و یا سربازان وظیفه ۱۸ تا ۲۰ ساله که صرفاً مأمور همراهی زندانیان هستند فرق نمی‌گذارند. آیا وکلای حقوق بشری که با شجاعت از بی‌دفاع‌ها دفاع می‌کردند هم در میان قربانیان بودند؟ چند نفر از نظافت‌چی‌ها و کارمندان اداری که از حومه‌ی دور و فقیر تهران برای کار می‌آمدند حالا کشته یا مجروح شده‌اند؟ خانواده‌هایی که در سالن انتظار بودند، مثل زمانی که مادرم هر روز می‌آمد تا درخواست ملاقات یا دارو کند، چه سرنوشتی پیدا کردند؟

بمب‌های اسرائیل درمانگاه زندان را هم زدند؛ جایی که من و بسیاری دیگر بارها برای ویزیت به صف می‌شدیم. جائی که پر از ناامیدی بود، اما شجاعت‌های پنهانی هم وجود داشت. بر سر آن دکتر زن جوان که من «قهرمان» خطابش می‌کردم چه آمد؟ او یک بار در دوران کرونا با شجاعت وارد بند زنان شد مسئولان زندان را مجبور کرد که یک زندانی سیاسی را که وضعیت وخیم کرونایی داشت، به بیمارستان منتقل کنند. او جان آن زن را نجات داد. کارکنان درمانگاه بارها به ما کمک کردند — کمک‌هایی که نمی‌توانم علنی بگویم. مهربانی‌های بی‌منت و بی‌پاداش‌شان به ما امید ادامه زندگی می‌داد. حالا آن درمانگاه ویران شده است.

بند ۴، که محل نگهداری بسیاری از زندانیان سیاسی و گروگان‌های دوتابعیتی یا خارجی است، نیز آسیب دیده. از جمله کتابخانه، تنها پناهگاه ما، جایی که من بیشتر روزها را آن‌جا می‌گذراندم. بند زنان هم آسیب دیده. بلافاصله بعد از حمله، زندانیان سیاسی زن و مرد را ناگهانی سوار اتوبوس کرده‌اند و بدون وسایل شخصی‌شان به مکانی نامعلوم منتقل کرده‌اند. خانواده‌های وحشت‌زده اکنون مستاصل با یکدیگر تماس می‌گیرند، دنبال خبری از عزیزانشان هستند، دعا می‌کنند که زنده باشند و نظام سعی نکند از آن‌ها انتقام حمله اسرائیلی‌ها را بگیرد‌.

زندان اوین شامل چندین بازداشتگاه است. بدترین‌شان زیر نظر وزارت اطلاعات و سپاه پاسداران قرار دارد. بنا به خبرهای رسید، آن‌ها نیز آسیب دیده‌اند. من بیش از دو سال در یکی از همان بازداشتگاه‌ها بودم. نمی‌دانیم آیا بازجوهایی که من را کتک می‌زدند آسیب دیده‌اند یا نه، همان‌طور که نمی‌دانیم آیا زندانیان سیاسی زیر آوار سلول‌های انفرادی و اتاق‌های شکنجه مدفون شده‌اند یا نه.

مرکز ملاقات زندان هم آسیب دیده. چند زندانی، خانواده یا وکیل در آن‌جا کشته یا مجروح شده‌اند؟ آن ناظر مهربانی که اجازه می‌داد مادرم بیشتر بماند و محدودیت ۲۰ دقیقه‌ای ملاقات‌ها را نادیده می‌گرفت و می‌گفت: «این تنها کمکیه که می‌تونم به خانواده شما که انقدر ظلم دیده بکنم»، چه سرنوشتی یافت؟

این یک حمله‌ی هدفمند به فرماندهان نظامی یا مقامات عالی‌رتبه رژیم نبود. این بمب‌ها مردم ایران را تشویق نمی‌کند تا علیه جمهوری اسلامی برخیزند. برعکس. یکی از زندانیان سابق می‌گوید خانواده‌های زندانیان، نگهبانان و کارکنان آن بیرون زندان جمع شده‌اند تا بلکه خبری از عزیزشان بشنوند و در کنار هم در حال اشک ریختن هستند.

بمباران اوین نشان می‌دهد وقتی دو نظام غیراخلاقیبا هم برخورد می‌کنند، چه اتفاقی می‌افتد: یکی بی‌گناهان را زندانی می‌کند، و دیگری با بمب‌بارانشان مدعی آزادی آن‌ها است. تنها امید ما این است که آتش‌بس شکننده میان ایران، اسرائیل و آمریکا پابرجا بماند و این دیوانگی پایان یابد.

اما حتی اگر چنین شود، همه می‌دانیم بعدش چه خواهد شد. آیت‌الله‌ها که نتوانسته‌اند جلوی بمب‌ها را بگیرند، خشم خود را به داخل نشانه خواهند گرفت. آن‌ها سعی خواهند کرد با خشونت قدرت خود را بازگردانند. هزاران نفر دستگیر، شکنجه و اعدام خواهند شد تا رژیم با ایجاد ترس زنده بماند. جوامع آسیب‌پذیرتر — مانند بهائیان — احتمالاً جزو نخستین قربانیان خواهند بود.

همان‌طور که همیشه بوده، بی‌گناهان بیشترین تاوان را خواهند داد.

"A burned out, blown up country with no future, a decimated military, a horrible economy, and death all around them."

President Donald Trump issued blistering remarks in response to Iran’s Supreme Leader claiming victory over Israel and, by extension, the U.S. In a loaded public message, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had also threatened to attack more U.S. Military bases, further splintering the Middle Eastern country’s relationship with the U.S.

“Look, you’re a man of great faith. A man who’s highly respected in his country. You have to tell the truth. You got beat to hell,” Trump said as he addressed the Iranian Supreme Leader during a White House press conference on Friday. Trump was asked by a reporter if the U.S. would consider bombing Iran again, if intelligence reports were to conclude that Iran could enrich uranium to a level that concerns him. “Sure, without question, absolutely,” he replied.

Trump issued an even stronger response on his social media platform, Truth Social, later in the day, and doubled down on his stance once more when he reposted his message early Saturday morning.

In the lengthy post, Trump accused Khamenei of publicly sharing a “lie” by claiming Iran achieved a victory over Israel. He reaffirmed his much debated viewpoint that the U.S. strikes “obliterated” the three key nuclear facilities it targeted on Saturday, June 21. Trump also seemingly made reference to previous reports that stated the White House turned down a plan by Israel to try and kill Khamenei.

“His country was decimated, his three evil nuclear sites were obliterated, and I knew exactly where he was sheltered, and would not let Israel, or the U.S. Armed Forces… terminate his life. I saved him from a very ugly and ignominious death,” Trump said, lamenting that Khamenei would not “thank” him for this. “During the last few days, I was working on the possible removal of sanctions, and other things, which would have given a much better chance to Iran at a full, fast, and complete recovery. The sanctions are biting! But no, instead I get hit with a statement of anger, hatred, and disgust, and immediately dropped all work on sanction relief.”

According to Congress, the U.S. sanctions on Iran “are arguably the most extensive and comprehensive set of sanctions that the United States maintains on any country.” They block Iranian government assets in the U.S., ban nearly all U.S. trade with Iran, and prohibit foreign assistance and arms sales.

Read More: How U.S. Strikes May Have Inadvertently Helped the Iranian Regime

Trump concluded his charged social media message by saying “Iran has to get back into the world order flow” or else things “will only get worse for them.”

“They are always so angry, hostile, and unhappy, and look at what it has gotten them. A burned out, blown up country with no future, a decimated military, a horrible economy, and death all around them. They have no hope, and it will only get worse! I wish the leadership of Iran would realize that you often get more with honey than you do with vinegar. Peace!”

Khamenei broke his silence on Thursday, publicly speaking out—via a pre-recorded televised address and various social media comments— for the first time since Trump announced the (admittedly fragile) cease-fire between Israel and Iran.

Read More: Shaky Israel-Iran Cease-Fire Appears to Hold After Trump Publicly Rebukes Both Countries

In his televised message, Khamenei threatened to attack more U.S. military bases should any further aggression from the U.S. side occur.

“The Islamic Republic slapped America in the face. It attacked one of the important American bases in the region,” Khamenei said, referring to his country’s air assault on Al Udeid Air Base, a U.S. airbase in Qatar. The strikes were intercepted by the U.S. (except for one that was allowed to proceed as there was no risk of contact), and no casualties were reported. The military action was retaliatory, a direct response to the U.S. strikes on nuclear facilities. 

Khamenei claimed “total victory” over Israel. But Israel, the U.S., and Iran have all claimed to have won the war that started on June 13, when Israel launched strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, amid growing concern over Iran’s nuclear capabilities. When the U.S. actively joined the conflict on June 21, striking three key Iranian nuclear facilities, world leaders urged de-escalation and a return to negotiations, amid fears of a far-reaching war erupting.

Read More: ‘Gravely Alarmed’ World Leaders React After U.S. Strikes Iran

Though Trump continues to say that Iran’s nuclear sites were “totally obliterated,” others have cast doubts on how effective the U.S. strikes were in setting back Iran’s nuclear program. Leaked U.S. intelligence suggested that the damage to Iran’s nuclear program may not be as severe as Trump has stated. CIA director John Ratcliffe said on Wednesday that the sites had been “severely damaged” by the U.S. strikes, and that it would take years to be rebuilt. Amid the debate, the White House has put out statements arguing Trump’s stance that the facilities were “obliterated,” labelling reports to the contrary as “fake news.”

But some Democrats left a classified meeting with lingering questions over the effectiveness of the strikes.

“There’s no doubt there was damage done to the program, but the allegations that we have obliterated their program just don’t seem to stand up to reason,” said Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut on Thursday. “To me, it still appears that we have only set back the Iranian nuclear program by a handful of months.”

When asked about concerns of Iran having “secret nuclear sites” at Friday’s press conference, Trump said he was “not worried about it at all.”

“They’re exhausted. The last thing they’re thinking about right now is nuclear,” he told reporters. “You know what they’re thinking of? They’re thinking about tomorrow, trying to live in such a mess. The place was bombed to hell.”

Read More: Key Takeaways From the 2025 NATO Summit

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Friday that Trump needs to retire his “disrespectful” tone towards Khamenei if he wants a deal to be struck between the U.S. and Iran.

“If President Trump is genuine about wanting a deal, he should put aside the disrespectful and unacceptable tone towards Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Khamenei, and stop hurting his millions of heartfelt followers,” he said. “The great and powerful Iranian people, who showed the world that the Israeli regime had no choice but to run to ‘Daddy’ to avoid being flattened by our missiles, do not take kindly to threats and insults.”

Araghchi was referencing remarks made by NATO chief Mark Rutte who, during the NATO Summit on Wednesday, referred to Trump as the “daddy” who had to intervene in the conflict between Israel and Iran.

Amid the back-and-forth between Trump and Iran, on Saturday, thousands of mourners gathered in Tehran for the funerals of top Iranian military commanders and scientists that were killed in the Israeli strikes. According to reports, crowds chanted “death to” Israel and America.

Araghchi paid tribute to those who had been killed, and went on to tell Iranians on Saturday that the “pride of a nation is paramount,” pledging that Iran would return to “new glory and greater strength.”

As the funerals took place, Khamenei spoke out via a post on his Farsi-language social media account, sharing a message that translated to: “The Iranian nation should know that the reason for the opposition to America is that they want Iran to surrender, and this is a great insult to the Iranian nation by the Americans, and such a thing will never happen.”

This free app gives me the confidence to ride buses and trains in unfamiliar cities.

I'm a big fan of apps that give you the information you want at a glance while staying out of your way. Transit is a great example of this.

This free app is perfect if you ever find yourself waiting for a bus, train, or any other form of transportation. Just open the app and you'll see the next departure times for all lines near where you're standing. You can tap any line to see a more detailed schedule. You can usually also see where the next train or bus is, right now, thanks to real-time data.

All of this removes the anxiety from using public transit. Instead of wondering when the next bus will get there—or if the next bus is coming—I can glance at my phone and know exactly how long I need to wait. I live near Portland, Oregon and use this feature basically any time I go into the city—it's just nice to know when the next train is coming.

But the application has also saved me while traveling. Once, while biking north of Victoria, British Columbia, one of my tires went flat. Walking back to the city would have taken hours and I didn't have any cell signal. The Transit app, miraculously, had a cached version of the bus schedule and pointed me to a nearby stop. I caught a bus 15 minutes later and made it back downtown quickly.

Credit: Justin Pot

Even outside emergencies, Transit makes navigating new cities via public transit a lot less intimidating. In addition to real-time departures, there's also a way to ask for directions, the same way you can Google or Apple Maps. And while those applications both offer transit directions, the Transit app does a better job at offering multiple routes.

This app also makes it easy to tweak for the way you ride. I, for example, am happy to walk a couple miles if it means avoiding a long connection spent sitting at a bus stop. Transit lets you configure how long you're willing to walk and how fast you walk. There's also really great support for combining bike and transit, something that Google and Apple Maps don't really offer. The result is that you can generally get around faster using Transit's directions once you configure it to match your preferences.

Transit works in 951 cities around the world, mostly in North America and Europe. There's a paid version, called Royale, that provides access to things like more complete schedules and customization options. These features are offered free of charge in certain cities, a fact I learned during a recent visit to Grand Rapids, Michigan. If you're a regular user of public transit, or even just someone who likes to use public transit when you're visiting a new city, I highly recommend you give this application a try.

iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 add a smaller yet useful Wi-Fi feature to iPhones and iPads.


As spotted by Creative Strategies analyst Max Weinbach, sign-in details for captive Wi-Fi networks are now synced across iPhones and iPads running iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. For example, while Weinbach was staying at a Hilton hotel, his iPhone prompted him to fill in Wi-Fi details from his iPad that was already connected to the hotel's network.

A captive Wi-Fi network is the type that requires you to fill out a web form before gaining access. They are commonly found at hotels, gyms, coffee shops, airports, and some other public places. With this new feature, which likely extends to macOS 26 too, it will be quicker and easier to connect multiple Apple devices to these networks.

Bloomberg's Mark Gurman was first to report that Apple was planning this feature, which was not mentioned during the WWDC 2025 keynote last month. MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris later discovered references to it within the code for the first iOS 26 developer beta. It was believed that the feature was not functional yet, but evidently it is. According to an earlier post, it seems that Weinbach had installed the second iOS 26 developer beta.

iOS 26 will likely be released in September, bringing this handy option to the masses.

Jag ser ett litet hål som behöver fyllas. Det gapar tomt och ropar efter uppmärksamhet. {Football Heroes League} försökte casha in för några veckor sen men det gick käpprätt åt skogen och var ett väldigt tydligt (men dåligt) försök att stjäla rampljuset från ett riktigt spel - Rematch. Nu är det Rematchs tur att visa vart skåpet ska stå och hur arkadfotboll ska spelas år 2025.

Jag skrev i {Football Heroes League}-recensionen att det saknas ett spel i den här genren. EA FC är idag långt från det lyckopiller som jag vill ha när jag kickar digital fotboll utan det är för nedtyngt av mikrotransaktioner och slöa servrar. Jag vill ha kvick, rapp, fartfylld och underhållande fotboll där realism är en bisak. {Rocket League} har allt det, med den lilla (läs: markanta) skillnaden att bollen sparkas med raketbilar istället för med bredsidor och sträcka vrister. "Ge mig ett {Rocket League} med fötter" är något jag brukar säga och Sloclap verkar ha hört mina böner.
<bild>Släktskapet med Sifu lyser igenom.</bild>
Sloclap ja, studion som levererade kung fu-spektaklet {Sifu} för några år sedan följer alltså upp med ett fotbollsspel. Stilen vi såg i {Sifu} går faktiskt igen i Rematch där vi ser samma stiliga cellshade-grafik och dessutom liknande stuk på karaktärer. {Sifu} briljerade på flera punkter och en av dem har de tagit med sig in i utvecklingen av Rematch, nämligen sättet man rör sig på och interagerar med omgivningen. Istället för att sparka glasflaskor och käkpartier är det fotbollar som får stryk här, men med samma "smoothness".

I Rematch spelar man antingen tre mot tre, fyra mot fyra eller fem mot fem. Det är matcher utan regler som gäller så ingen offside, inga frisparkar och inga gula eller röda kort. Innan man tar sig an verkligt motstånd så får man spela igenom en kort prolog som visar de viktigaste spelmekanikerna. Även om det är ett fotbollsspel, precis som EA FC 25 till exempel, så spelas det inte alls på samma sätt utan här är likheterna med {Rocket League} större. Du styr en spelare, din spelare. De andra styrs av andra spelare och det sätter verkligen samarbetsförmågan på prov.
<bild>Tjusiga omgivningar att sparka boll i.</bild>
En annan likhet med {Rocket League} är sättet man siktar när man skjuter. Där är det visserligen mer fokus på gravitation och fysik men i Rematch går det inte bara att trycka av ett skott och förvänta sig att bollen ska segla upp i krysset som om det vore en målsökande missil. Nej, Rematch spelas ur ett tredjepersonsperspektiv där du har en fri kamera att ansvara över och ett hårkors som du siktar med både när du passar och när du skjuter. Rematch dukar inte upp allt åt dig utan det kräver att du lägger tid på att få grepp om kontrollen för att lyckas. Du måste lära dig att ta emot bollen, dribbla effektivt genom att pusha bollen åt olika håll och dessutom att göra tricks vid rätt tidpunkt. Ingenting görs åt dig utan det är du som ser till att saker sker och att de görs på rätt sätt - en uppfriskande sak att se i ett fotbollsspel nu för tiden.

Fem minuters-matcher är det som gäller. Rinner det iväg och blir för många mål för ett av lagen avslutas matchen i förtid av "mercy rule". Man roterar efter varje avspark där en spelarna får äran att stå i mål medan de andra är utespelare. Ett problem jag ständigt stött på när jag spelat Rematch är att precis som när min grabb spelade i pojkar 6 år-laget så vill alla upp och sparka på samma boll, samtidigt. Ett mål lämnas vidöppet och resulterar mer eller mindre alltid i baklängesmål. Folk är generellt sett inte så bra på Rematch än, men det blir bättre ju mer man spelar och rankningen stiger.

Paralleller med {Rocket League} var det ja. Det finns många. Chatsystemet under matcherna är i grunden i stort sett samma och funkar smidigt för att be om en passning eller be någon skjuta och dessutom för att be om ursäkt när man gör en tabbe och råkar släppa in ett mål. En annan är uthållighetsmätaren som visar hur länge du kan rusha - fast i Rematch fylls den på automatiskt istället för att du behöver plocka upp boostar utspridda över planen. En tredje likhet är det tunga fokuset på möjligheten att anpassa din spelare med allt från stora frisyrer och mustascher till snabba skor och mönster på dina kläder. I Rematch ser vi även samma upplägg med ett säsongspass där man låser upp fler kosmetiska föremål, precis som i {Rocket League}. Den största skillnaden mellan {Rocket League} och Rematch är (förutom bilar kontra fötter) att det ena är ett gratisspel och det andra kostar 300 kronor.
<bild>Målvaktsläget är faktiskt roligt, förvånande nog. Men tröttnar man är det bara att springa ut ur målområdet och kriga som alla andra.</bild>
Ja, Rematch kostar pengar. Många kommer ju att få tillgång till det genom Game Pass, där det släpps dag ett men ni andra får betala minst 279 kronor för basutgåvan och upp emot 500 för deluxe edition som innehåller lite extra lull lull. Det känns lite fel, faktiskt. Rematch är faktiskt ett fantastiskt spel när man lyckas matcha med rätt spelare som faktiskt vet hur fotboll ska spelas. Jag ser mig själv spela det här lång tid framöver - men jag är lite osäker på hur många som vill punga ut i runda slängar 300 riksdaler för att lägga vantarna på ett spel som är fullt med mikrotransaktioner och ett säsongspass som man behöver betala ännu mer för. Rematch känns mer som en F2P-titel - särskilt med tanke på likheterna det har med {Rocket League}.

Huvudsaken är att alla spelar på samma villkor (ännu en likhet med {Rocket League}) och mikrotransaktionerna låser bara upp möjligheten att förändra hur spelet ser ut. Att ha skor som har en glitch-animation bakom sig när man springer snabbt gör inte att man sparkar hårdare eller springer snabbare. Det är bara kosmetiskt och har ingen effekt på hur bra fotbollen spelas. Men jag är lite rädd för att Sloclap skjuter sig själva i foten med sin prissättning av spelet. Men det återstår att se.
<bild>Såhär "snygg" kan man bli. Om man slänger in lite riktiga pengar kan man bli ännu tjusigare.</bild>
Förutom den rätt stora minuspunkten är Rematch är väldigt bra spel. Det är spelet jag har velat ha i så många år och jag är överlycklig över att det äntligen landat. Det är både trevligt att titta på och trevligt att spela och jag hoppas att Sloclap lyckas med det till synes omöjliga - att övertyga spelare att betala för något som i mångt och mycket ser ut som en free to play-titel.

A few months ago I wrote about what it means to stay gold — to hold on to the best parts of ourselves, our communities, and the American Dream itself. But staying gold isn’t passive. It takes work. It takes action. It takes hard conversations that ask

A few months ago I wrote about what it means to stay gold — to hold on to the best parts of ourselves, our communities, and the American Dream itself. But staying gold isn’t passive. It takes work. It takes action. It takes hard conversations that ask us to confront where we’ve been, where we are, and who we want to be.

That’s why I’m incredibly honored to be joining Alexander Vindman in giving a talk at the historic Cooper Union Great Hall 14 days from now. I greatly admire the way Colonel Vindman was willing to put everything on the line to defend the ideals of democracy and the American Dream.

The American Dream is, at its core, the promise that hard work, fairness, and opportunity can lead to a better future. But in 2025, that promise feels like a question: How can we build on our dream so that it works for everyone?

Alexander and I will explore this in our joint talk through the lens of democracy, community, and economic mobility. We come from very different backgrounds, but we strongly share the belief that everyone's American Dream is worth fighting for.

Alexander Vindman has lived many lifetimes of standing up for what's right. He was born in the Soviet Union and immigrated to the U.S. as a child, growing up in Brooklyn before enlisting in the U.S. Army. Over the next 21 years, he served with distinction, earning a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in Iraq and eventually rising to Director of European Affairs for the National Security Council. When asked to choose between looking the other way or upholding the values he swore to protect, he chose correctly. That decision cost him his career but never his integrity. I have a lot to learn about what civic duty truly means from Alex.

I build things on the Internet, like Stack Overflow and Discourse. I write on the internet, on this blog. I've spent years thinking about how people interact online, how communities work (or don't), and how we create digital spaces that encourage fairness, participation, and constructive discourse. Spaces that result in artifacts for the common good, like local parks, where everyone can enjoy them together. Whether you're running a country or running a forum, the same rules seem to apply: people need clear expectations, fair systems, strong boundaries, and a shared sense of purpose.

This is the part of Stay Gold I couldn't tell you about, not yet, because I was working so hard to figure it out. How do you make long-term structural change that creates opportunity for everyone? It is an incredibly complex problem. But if we focus our efforts in a particular area, I believe we can change a lot of things in this country. Maybe not everything, but something foundational to the next part of our history as a country: how to move beyond individual generosity and toward systems that create security, dignity, and possibility for all.

I can't promise easy answers, but what I can promise is an honest, unfiltered conversation about how we move forward, with specifics. Colonel Vindman brings the perspective of someone who embodied American ideals, and I bring the experience of building self-governing digital communities that scale, which turned out to be far more relevant to the future of democracy than I ever would have dreamed possible.

Imagine what we can do if Alex and I work together. Imagine what we could do if we all worked together.

This event was streamed in real time via the Cooper Union Great Hall YouTube channel:

The good news: Good cyber hygiene habits go a long way toward protecting you.

As with any device connected to the internet, your cameras are susceptible to hacking. While threat actors are often focused on big-ticket spying targets like critical infrastructure, individuals aren't immune. Your webcam, security camera, and even baby monitor can be exploited for any number of malicious purposes—but cybersecurity best practices can significantly reduce your risk.

Internet-connected cameras are vulnerable to hacking

Webcam hacking grants remote access to your device's camera, which allows bad actors to watch and record the camera view. This means that they can turn your camera on and off, see what the camera sees, and take photos and videos. The potential risks here include everything from snooping on your personal movements and private activities to recording footage for blackmail to "shoulder surfing" in order to steal data to tracking when you are home. Live feeds may also be shared or sold on the dark web, compromising your privacy, digital security, and possibly physical safety.

It's not just your phone and computer that are at risk. All kinds of internet-connected cameras commonly found in consumers' homes—security cameras, pet cams, baby monitors, and smart bird feeders, to name a few—can be hacked relatively easily. These cameras can be integrated into botnets or give threat actors access to other devices on your network. A recent report from cybersecurity firm BitSight (covered by 404 Media) found that content from more than 40,000 unsecured cameras had been exposed online, with researchers noting that this estimate is likely very conservative.

Surveillance camera networks are also widespread and pervasive in our day-to-day lives. The Electronic Frontier Foundation has outlined some of the ways in which video surveillance is conducted and used in cities across the country, from automated license plate readers to mobile surveillance towers. The data are accessible to law enforcement, of course, but these cameras have also been targeted by hackers with live streams exposed online. BitSight also found compromised cameras in public spaces, such as gyms and stores.

How hackers gain access to your camera

Webcam hacking on your phone or computer is primarily the result of malware that allows threat actors to remotely take over your device and gain access to your camera. These programs, like Remote Access Trojans (RAT), are typically delivered via phishing attacks that trick you into clicking links to download and install malicious apps.

Other cameras connected to the internet may be accessed remotely using the default manufacturer usernames and passwords, which are often publicly available. Weak credentials can also be brute-forced, and older devices that no longer receive security updates may be especially susceptible to hacking.

You can search your camera on Shodan.io, which scans for internet-connected devices, or try to access it from a device outside your home network without logging in through a secure app or VPN. If you're successful, your camera could be exposed.

There are also a handful of red flags that your webcam may have been compromised. An obvious one is that your camera indicator light is on or flashing when you're not actually using your camera, such as for a Zoom meeting or video call. Other signs of a malware infection include a fast-draining battery, suspicious or unfamiliar apps or files on your device, strange network activity, and unexpected changes in your webcam settings.

How to prevent your cameras from spying on you

Good cyber hygiene goes a long way toward protecting your devices from hackers. Be wary of clicking links found in emails, texts, social media posts, or other communication, as these may be phishing links used to spread malware that takes over your device. Never execute commands for CAPTCHA tests, a tactic commonly used in ClickFix attacks.

Keep your devices—including all internet-connected cameras—up to date with the latest firmware. Enable automatic updates if available, and check regularly for security patches that address vulnerabilities. Change the default usernames and passwords on your IoT cameras to something strong and unique (again, these defaults are often publicly known). Firewalls and VPNs are also useful tools for blocking unauthorized access to your network and devices.

This is also a good time to check which apps and services have access to your device's camera and disable any you don't recognize or that aren't essential to the app's functionality. Permissions are found in your device settings:

• Windows: Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Camera

• Mac: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera

• Android: Settings > Security & Privacy Privacy > Permission manager > Camera

• iOS: Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera

Finally, a low-tech form of protection is a webcam cover—or even a piece of tape—to block your camera's view when it's not in use.

How a kid from the Midwest became the leader of the Catholic Church

“I’m ticked,” says John Prevost, the retired Midwestern high school principal who is now, abruptly and without warning, globally famous and in demand. “I didn’t want to be, but I’m so angry.” He’s sitting at the table of Denise and Rob Utter, who have invited a bunch of people from their local Catholic parish, about 45 minutes south of Chicago, to talk about their friend and John’s kid brother Bob, whom they have known for decades, over pizza. Sometimes they call him Father Bob. Occasionally they remember to call him by his new name, Pope Leo XIV, but it’s unfamiliar to their tongue. One of the guests accidentally calls him Pope Pius.

It’s probably not all fun and games to be the spiritual leader of 1.4 billion people from very different cultures at a time when the Catholic Church is recovering from multiple scandals, riven from within, financially ensnarled, and, especially in the so-called developed nations, wrestling with a growing disinterest in the stuff it does best—ancient ritual, obligatory gathering, biblical exegesis. But it’s also a teensy bit of a drag to be his brother. 

Pope Leo XIV, 69, is the person to whom lots of people look when they want to come in contact with God. John Prevost, 71, is the person to whom they look when they want to reach the Pope. His mailbox is inundated. A local accounting firm sent him a 30-page pitch deck on how it would sort out the Vatican’s finances. Another opportunist sent him two baseballs, asking for them to be forwarded to His Holiness, newly anointed as the world’s most famous White Sox fan. “Dear Mr. Prevost, please have your brother sign these baseballs,” the accompanying letter said, according to its recipient. “You can keep one and run a fundraiser.” His mail carrier is sympathetic, advising him to hire someone to handle the paper blizzard. 

It’s not just mail. His phone (a landline) rings well into the night. One recent warm day, Prevost was watering his yard when he noticed people at his front door. It was congregants from a now shuttered church in Chicago, St. Adalbert’s. “They had a two-page letter to send to the Pope in the hopes that he will convince the Cardinal to reopen the church—and they were not going to give up,” he says. Even Hollywood is getting in on the act. Prevost has already had a showbiz publicist offer to represent him, and a journalist stop by post-interview to give him tips on what is imprudent to say on live TV—such as his imminent travel plans.

Prevost’s travails are one of the many ripple effects of May 8, 2025, when the conclave made several types of history by handing the papal keys to a recently appointed American Cardinal. Robert Francis Prevost is not only the first Augustinian, the first modern missionary, and the first devotee of Peeps and Hostess Snoballs to occupy the Throne of St. Peter, he’s also the first leader from a land where opportunism and entrepreneurship are admired only slightly less than the triune God. America is not used to having a local guy as the driving force of an institution with four times as much history and an even greater capacity to inspire fear and awe. But a deep dive into Pope Leo’s education and background shows that either by divine intervention, wise choices, luck, or all three, his path made him uniquely prepared for steering through the choppy waters facing the ancient denomination he now leads.

As recently as three months ago, it was a truth universally acknowledged that there was not going to be a Pope from the U.S. anytime soon. The Americans were too dominant elsewhere, too loud, too confident, too greedy, too obsessed with individual liberties. They venerated the new and the shiny, preferring novel and homegrown faiths to the traditions of Europe or Asia. They were more concerned with LGBTQ rights and the ordination of women than the plight of the poor and dispossessed. 

But if ever there were going to be an American Pope, people could have predicted he’d come from the Midwest. “He’s Midwestern nice,” says Father Paul Galetto, the pastor of St. Paul church in Philadelphia, of the fellow Augustinian he has known since his 20s. “He listens to you. He’s pleasant. He’s not going to jump in the middle of your conversation, tell you you’re wrong. That’s a great advantage for him.”

Even the much prevailed-upon John Prevost can’t stay ticked for long. A few evenings before our dinner party, someone left a package at his doorstep. It was a Wordle cap. (He plays Wordle with his Vatican-based brother every day; he in English, the Pope in Italian.) “And then here comes the card: ‘Dear John, in a world where there are so many evil people right now, you are a breath of fresh air, thank you,’” says Prevost. “‘We so appreciate your sense of humor and your kind words.’ And that changed my attitude. People are watching me, so I’d better not be crabby.”

It was clear from very early on where the youngest of Mildred and Louis Prevost’s three sons was heading. “The only thing that was in question until eighth grade was, would it be an order priest, or would it be a diocesan priest?” says John. (The former belongs to a brotherhood, while the latter serves a church.) “Nothing was forced on him. That was his decision to make.” The family were eager Catholics: his mother, a school librarian, sang in the choir, as did young Robert. They had relatives who were nuns. Before he became a high school principal and district superintendent, Louis, who served in the Navy during World War II, had considered being a priest. His sons’ career choices mirrored their father’s: Louis, the oldest, named after his dad, went into the Navy. John was a principal of Catholic high schools. And Robert took the path his father might have taken.

Apart from his devotion to the church, and the fact that study came easily to him, Robert was a regular kid, riding his bike around the streets of the south Chicago working-class suburb of Dolton by day, playing flashlight tag by night, and occasionally squeezing the glowing goo out of fireflies and wiping it on an older brother. It didn’t seem odd that he occasionally set up a pretend Communion table on the ironing board and gave his family play sacraments. John confirms that even while very young, Robert had a reputation among the neighbors, with one elderly lady telling him as they played in the yard that he’d be Pope one day. 

When young men showed an inclination toward entering the priesthood in 1967 Chicago—a city that was Catholic enough that locals identified themselves by their parish rather than their neighborhood—they’d be visited by representatives of the various orders, football-scout style, to see where they might fit in. “I remember sitting around a table each time someone was coming, and they would come, and then everyone would ask questions,” says John Prevost. “We had to sit there and be nice.” The vocational director who persuaded eighth-grade Robert to give the Augustinians a spin was Dudley Day, a Catholic of the old school, whose views were conservative enough that he later parted ways with his local church over a disagreement about modernization.

St. Augustine, the minor seminary in Holland, Mich., where Robert Prevost completed his secondary education, was the kind of place that sorted the priests from the merely pious. About 50 boys were accepted every year, and about a dozen graduated four years later. “It was tough; it was rigorous,” says Father Becket Franks, who was the year below the future Pope at school. Students were up at 6 a.m. and had scheduled activities until about 8:30 p.m., when they had a few hours of free time before retiring to a large dormitory lined with beds. There were three Masses a day and a lot of time in close quarters together. 

Prevost, who was co-valedictorian and yearbook editor among other accolades, had a reputation for being a good person to turn to for help with homework, especially math or languages. “He was the smartest person I think we ever met,” says Franks, who is now a Benedictine monk and chaplain. “He had mastered French by the middle of high school.” Students were required to undertake certain extracurricular activities (Prevost was in the choir with Franks—both sing tenor—and played tennis) and to keep up their academic performance, but mostly the school’s focus was how to live in community. “Everything that we went through at St. Augustine Seminary High School prepared Robert Prevost for his position,” says Franks. “Not just education but dealing with people and learning patience and how to behave.”

From Michigan, Prevost went to Villanova, the Augustinian university just outside Philadelphia. It was in Pennsylvania that he really developed his love of driving, which according to two contemporaries, he would do while reading a book. He and three friends once asked Father Bill Sullivan, who oversaw would-be friars, if they could drive to a church dance in Chicago—some 12 hours away—and be back the following afternoon. In January. Their request was declined. “He just was an easy guy to be with,” says Sullivan, now a parochial vicar at St. Jude’s, the church the Utters belong to in New Lenox, Ill. “He made friends. People really listened to him.” Prevost majored in math and minored in philosophy, but it was pretty much the end of his study of anything not directly related to his faith. In September 1977, shortly after he finished his coursework at Villanova, he made the first round of vows to join the Augustinian order.

At 22, Robert Prevost was committing his life to an establishment in the midst of generational change. The Catholic Church of his parents had been altered profoundly by the Second Vatican Council, which released a series of reports in the mid-’60s, loosening up some of the church’s strictures and establishing a series of new procedures and rules that allowed, among other things, Mass to be said in languages that were not Latin and pastoral care for those who are divorced. One result of these changes was a call for a new style of urban and more ecumenical Catholic university. Prevost joined an institution founded on those principles.

The Catholic Theological Union (CTU), housed in the former Aragon Hotel, was a decade old when Prevost arrived. Two dozen or so men’s orders studied there, as well as women and laypeople, and the school had female professors and a rabbi on staff. What it didn’t have was any students on the way to becoming diocesan priests. (They trained in the more palatial Mundelein Seminary outside Chicago.) The mix of cultures, genders, and orders and the shedding of hierarchy—professors were called by their first names—made it an exciting place to be. “It was, in a certain sense, the best of what religious community can become,” says Sister Dianne Bergant, 88, who taught there for 45 years. 

Bergant marveled at the opportunities she was given. “This is going to sound like an exaggeration, but I do not ever remember being minimized by my male colleagues because I was a woman,” she says. “Women were considered to be theologians in the same way as men.” She had Prevost in two classes, Old Testament and Pentateuch, and doesn’t remember him at all but can tell from her class notes that he did well and always turned in his assignments on time. Each student had a spiritual director, and Prevost chose Sister Lyn Osiek, who also supervised his theological-reflection class. “Calm and steady,” says Osiek. “Those are the two words that I would say about him. It was just like nothing fazed him. He was really a person who was at peace with himself.”

At the end of the day students from a religious order went back to the houses of their communities where professors from the order also lived and dined and prayed with them. About a dozen Augustinians lived together in the St. John Stone Friary in Hyde Park, with others coming and going. While it’s safe to say it was collegial, it was not one of the party houses. “Sometimes we were invited up to different parts of the building where the other communities were to celebrate various things,” says Prevost’s classmate Father Mark Francis, now superior general of the Viatorians. “The Passionists, for example, would always have a Kentucky Derby Day. And the Precious Blood always had kegs of beer.” Bergant confirms this: “Those Precious Blood men put on good parties.”

(The St. John Stone Friary has been in the news over the years because a priest accused of abusing at least 13 minors was allowed to move in there in 2000. A victims’ group filed a complaint with the Vatican in March, alleging that Prevost “endangered the safety” of children by allowing the priest to live near an elementary school. “To our knowledge, Pope Leo XIV has acted in accordance with Church policies in every abuse case,” the Archdiocese of Chicago said in a statement in May, “and has consistently expressed his compassion for survivors of this crime and sin.” A lawyer for Midwest Augustinians has suggested the location was selected because of the supervision the priest would receive. The complaint also alleged that Prevost failed to properly handle three women’s claims of sexual abuse while he was bishop in Peru in 2022; the Vatican has said Prevost followed church protocol and sent the results of an initial investigation to Rome. The Vatican closed its own investigation in August 2023, though the diocese later reopened the case.)

The scholarship at CTU was both rigorous and progressive. One of the required classes, on Christology, had two versions, one taught by a professor trained by Edward Schillebeeckx, the respected Belgian theologian who promulgated the idea that the true role of the Christian was not to ascribe to a certain set of beliefs but to right injustice as Jesus did, and the other trained by the equally respected German theologian Karl Rahner, whose emphasis was on the mystical nature of Christ and thus of all humans. 

“We were not trained in a very doctrinaire, rigid kind of theology,” says Francis, who served a stint as CTU’s president. “One of the strengths of the school was the missiological part. The question of religion and culture was very important in terms of how we have to recalibrate things if you’re moving from one group to another, one culture to another.” Many of CTU’s graduates became missionaries, including one of Prevost’s contemporaries, Ezechiele Ramin, who was murdered in 1985 in Brazil as he tried to broker peace between the corporate landowners and the local landless farmers. There is a campaign to have him beatified. 

Bishop Daniel Turley, who lived in the Augustinian friary for a few months in the late ’70s, remembers Prevost as being particularly committed to the idea of doing missionary work. In general, the Augustinians are considered a missionary order who teach and preach. St. Augustine left Europe and moved to North Africa with a handful of other devotees to live out a life saturated by their beliefs while also absorbed in the needs of their neighbors. Augustinians don’t stay in one place like the Benedictines, but move around, bringing their gifts to different places, but always among other Augustinians. The current Pope once described the order as “brothers and friends whose lives and witness truly make a difference.”

Wherever Prevost has gone, he has been among men who had been trained as he was and committed to sharing everything. Even when he was a Cardinal with his own papal apartment, he went to the Augustinian curia for meals and Mass every day, and once a week to play tennis; he dined there at least twice in the early weeks of his papacy. “He was very interested in what I was doing in Peru,” says Turley, who worked there for 52 years. While other students were heading to their rooms to study, Prevost wanted to talk about what people in Turley’s diocese needed. “Of all of them, he was the most community minded,” says Turley.

If Prevost spent most of his first quarter-century less than 800 miles from his home, the decades that followed would take him quite a bit farther. After he graduated from CTU and took his solemn vows in 1981, he was invited to study canon law in Rome. “Americans had stopped going to study in Rome,” says Galetto, who was one of the first to return. “We thought American theology was better, more modern. It wasn’t based on patristics, but more on psychology and sociology.” When he arrived with Robert Dodaro, his co-valedictorian from way back at high school, neither speaking Italian, Galetto was their guide. John Paul II, now St. John Paul II, had just been elected, a youngish Polish Pope emerging at the same time as Lech Walesa’s Polish trade union, Solidarity. “There was this electric feel,” says Galetto. “Large crowds were coming to the audiences.”

While Prevost was studying a historic and doctrinaire subject, essentially the legal framework for the Catholic Church’s operations, at the Angelicum, a 440-year-old school where John Paul II had also studied, he was surrounded by the excitement of a new era. The Augustinian house was across St. Peter’s Square from the Vatican, and it was filled with men from around the world. Galetto remembers Prevost really enjoying the global nature of the brotherhood. “When you study in Rome, you realize that the church is really universal,” says Galetto. “Many of the Augustinians who are in the United States, we just think that the American problems are the church’s problems, but there’s so much more than that.”

Because of his legal expertise, Prevost was asked to become personal secretary to a bishop in Chulucanas in northern Peru. But he arrived in the aftermath of deadly El Niño floods and set to work helping rebuild the region. “When you’re a missionary, you just learn how to do everything, from electronics to auto mechanics,” said then Cardinal Prevost during a visit to St. Jude’s last year. It was not a seamless process. There might still not have been an American Pope if one of Prevost’s Augustinian brethren hadn’t saved him from being electrocuted with a well-aimed tackle on a roof after the young missionary picked up the wrong two wires.

While Pope Leo owes his formal education almost solely to the northern hemisphere, much of his shaping as a practitioner occurred in Peru. “Those are the life experiences that give you life to continue on, that nourish you,” says Turley, who was Prevost’s superior when he arrived. “As a young priest, to go through that, and see how beautiful it is, how poor people can be, and yet all of the goodness and the power of people when they come together, and the wonderful things that they can do if you start breaking down prejudices and division.” Prevost said as much at St. Jude’s: “The part of ministry that most shaped my life is Peru.” 

After a decade in South America, it must have been quite an adjustment to take on the role of head of his home Augustinian province, which stretches throughout the Midwest and into Canada. One of his duties as provincial prior was to minister to Augustinian schools, and he was called in to help out St. Rita of Cascia High School in Chicago. The students have a retreat every year, and the school likes to invite priests who are unfamiliar to the boys to hear confession so they don’t feel awkward. In 2000, Prevost was one of those priests. “I had gone to confession several times before, but it was like two minutes, let me get out of here as quickly as I can,” says Patrick “PJ” McCarthy. “But this was more of just a conversation.” The two sat knee to knee in the darkened room and talked about underage drinking and sibling rivalry, among other things. “He was not judging me, and he was just very open,” recalls McCarthy. Mike Stawski, who was on the retreat as a student leader, noticed right away that Prevost was different from most priests. “What was so fascinating about him was that almost immediately, we forgot that he wasn’t with us the whole time. He was so welcoming, so caring for what we were doing.”

After two years, Prevost was voted in as the head, or prior general, of all Augustinians, based again in Rome. He traveled a lot, encouraging the other 2,800 or so Augustinian friars around the world. But priors general can serve only two terms, and in 2013, Prevost found himself back in Chicago, back at CTU, helping guide Augustinians in training, work usually done by much younger men. “It’s like having the CEO of an international organization retire from being CEO, but yet be employed by the organization for passing out mail,” says Bergant, the Old Testament scholar. 

If Prevost felt it was a comedown, he said nothing to his friends. That’s the Father Bob the folks of New Lenox talk about, never too busy or too big for his community. After Father Mike Schweifler had a heart transplant on Easter in 2005, the women of St. Jude’s who were looking after him struggled to get his brethren to visit. But Prevost, who was prior general, came several times. “Sometimes he was just on a stopover and he drove here from O’Hare for a few hours or a few minutes,” says Denise Utter. “And then he’d go back to O’Hare, because he had a connecting flight.”

At the same time Prevost’s friends want to make clear that he’s not overly reverent. He laughed when they showed him Saturday Night Live’s “Weekend Update” segment about his election on YouTube. When they get together for pizza (he favors mushroom and sausage), “we mostly don’t talk about faith-based things at all,” says Utter. Lisa Salva and her husband Rich visited Prevost in Rome in 2011, and he took them through a back door to St. Peter’s Basilica for Mass so that they emerged right under the altar. “When I walked up that spiral staircase, I looked up and I went, ‘Jesus Christ!’” recalls Salva. “And he goes, ‘That’s a good reaction.’” The current Pope also knows his way around a good clean Midwestern joke, at least according to his brother. One of the last jokes he told Pope Francis was about going to the doctor because his arm hurt in two places, says John Prevost. “And the Pope said, ‘Really? What did the doctors say?’ And Bob said, ‘Doctors told me: Don’t go to those places.’”

Prevost’s return to Chicago also turned out to be something of a stopover, because in 2014, Francis, whom Prevost had met when the late Pontiff was still Archbishop Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, asked him to return to Peru, this time as bishop of Chiclayo, a large metropolis in the north. The diocese was dominated by clerics who were members of Opus Dei, a very conservative sect of Catholicism, and Prevost, who had to become a Peruvian citizen to become a bishop, was charged with moving it back to the middle. “So you had some resistance to the new bishop,” says Turley. “But those [Opus Dei adherents] who were in control quickly lost control, because the people really wanted someone who was open and welcoming.”

The challenges weren’t only from within the church. “Right after he became a bishop, we had the tremendous problem of Venezuela,” says Turley, who oversaw the Catholic Church’s response to the 1.5 million asylum seekers accepted into Peru after the Venezuelan economy and civil society began to collapse in 2014. They needed housing, jobs, and medical help. “One of the best bishops to work with in dealing with migrants was none other than Bishop Robert Prevost,” says Turley. “His diocese was so well organized to take care of them.” 

The combination of Prevost’s formal but reformist education and long fieldwork among people with very little but each other to insulate them from hardship was perhaps what drew Pope Francis to swiftly raise his standing at the Vatican as the Pontiff saw the dying of the light. In Hope, Francis’ last book, he wrote that for the church to grow, it had to focus less on conversion and more on attracting people through the way Christians lived, and therefore for high-ranking church officials, “the title of ‘servant’—here in the sense of ministry—should obscure that of ‘eminence.’”

In 2023, Prevost was made a Cardinal and moved back to Vatican City, working in successively more prominent roles, until the announcement of his election in May. “He’s been formed in the kind of church that is forward-thinking, missionary in its outlook, globally aware, and then, especially in Peru, very deeply formed by his accompaniment of people who were the poorest,” says Sister Barbara Reid, the current president of CTU. “You can hear it in everything he says.”

For many, it can be hard to believe the Catholic Church has any relevance today. All those ornate empty buildings with men in robes waving smoke around elderly congregants, preaching homilies with references to activities as quaint as shepherding and sowing, and praying to dead saints whose miracles are now forgotten or considered dubious. The first American Pope officially comes from the Province of Our Mother of Good Counsel, which seems almost as fantastical as coming from the Gladden Fields of Middle Earth. The church of his childhood, St. Mary of the Assumption, is abandoned, its stained-glass windows (one displaying the papal keys) uncontemplated.

But every time one expression of faith dies, a new one seems to rise up offering something more in keeping with the needs of the era. History records the first Pope Leo as an adept diplomat; he’s credited with persuading Attila the Hun not to sack Rome. The current Pope Leo has already offered Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky a place to negotiate. In the wake of the U.S. bombing of Iran, he urged world leaders to “stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss.” 

When Galetto saw his fellow Augustinian step onto the balcony, he paused for a moment to reflect on the mysterious ways of the universe. “We started at the same place 40 years ago. Here I am stapling papers together at a parish because we’re having a prayer service,” he says, “and he’s going to be talking to Putin about the war in Ukraine. God had a plan for him, and God had a plan for me.”

Bob Prevost might never climb behind the wheel of a car again. But Pope Leo might be able to drive something. Already inquiries about becoming an Augustinian novitiate are up fivefold from last year. Augustinian websites have been flooded with traffic. And another type of visitor has been showing up on John Prevost’s doorstep: people who feel that an American Pope is a sign. “Because of my brother, they are going back to the church,” says the older Prevost. “They say, ‘I’ve been away for a long time. And I’d like to come back.’”

Check out these 28 new features—some totally new to all Garmin watches.

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Garmin has just announced an absolutely massive feature update via public beta for the Fenix 8, Enduro 3, and Fenix E watches. This adds in all of the newly announced Forerunner 970 running features, the new Venu X1 features, plus a few entirely new to Garmin features as well. This beta release (version 17.11) pulls together features that were previously exclusive to specific device lines and makes them available across their flagship outdoor watch series. Perhaps most surprisingly, the Fenix E—which has struggled to find its market position—is receiving the same treatment as the more expensive Fenix 8 and Enduro 3. Let's take a look at what new features you can start using, depending on your Garmin device of choice.

Features brand new to Garmin devices

The beta update introduces 28 new features, ranging from entirely new applications to advanced training metrics. Several features make their debut across the entire Garmin ecosystem:

• Calculator app: A full-featured calculator with tip calculation and bill-splitting functionality

• Ability to access apps list by swiping left on watch face: A new navigation method for quicker app access

• Custom focus modes: Long-awaited expansion of the focus modes feature first introduced last summer

• Editing for all previous sets in strength training: Enhanced strength training workflow capabilities

• Japanese kana keyboard: Expanding language support for international users

• Music options to music controls page: Enhanced music playback controls

• Support for track/road display transitions: Improved display optimization for different running surfaces

• Track run option for daily suggested workouts: Integration of track-specific training into automated workout suggestions

New features from Forerunner 570/970

Some of the advanced running capabilities that made the Forerunner 970 a standout device are now available on the Fenix outdoor watch series:

• Running economy support: Advanced metabolic efficiency tracking

• Running tolerance support: Recovery and training load management

• Step speed loss support: Biomechanical analysis for running efficiency

• Evening report support: Comprehensive end-of-day health and training summaries

• Expanded morning report support: Enhanced daily readiness insights

• Garmin alerts to notification center: Centralized alert management

• Multisport workout support: Structured training across multiple disciplines

• Running power to lactate threshold page: Power-based threshold analysis

• Provisional finish point support: Race strategy and pacing tools

• Triathlon adaptive training plan support: AI-driven triathlon training periodization

• Triathlon race events support: Comprehensive race day features for triathletes

Features from other Garmin devices

The update also brings capabilities from other recent Garmin releases:

• Smart wake alarm (from Vivoactive 6): Intelligent wake timing based on sleep cycles

• Additional keyboard layouts and emoji support: Enhanced text input capabilities for Android users

Sport-specific enhancements

If you golf or sail, check these out:

• Golf range finder settings menu: Improved golf functionality

• Race timer data field for sail race activity: Enhanced sailing competition features

• Tack assist data page in sailing activities: Advanced sailing navigation aids

What this means for Garmin users

Notably, about the only missing feature from recent Garmin releases is the "Auto lap" for races with timing gates (where the watch will adjust your mileage as you pass the gate), which came to the Forerunner 570/970 and also the Venu X1. For current Fenix 8, Enduro 3, and Fenix E owners, this update is pretty major. Whether you're a triathlete, elite runner, or just wanted a damn calculator, this update has something for you. The beta is available now for users enrolled in Garmin's public beta program, with a stable release expected in the coming weeks. As Garmin continues to refine and expand these capabilities, we can expect additional features and improvements to roll out throughout the remainder of 2025.

The Problem For decades, Dr. Ennapadam S. Krishnamoorthy, a pioneer in neuropsychiatry, has been transforming lives through his work at Neurokrish. His message – “Understand your brain. Unleash your mind.” — is both profound and urgently relevant in today’s world. To bring this message to a wider audience, Dr. Krishnamoorthy took a powerful first step:…

The post Powering Neurokrish’s Digital Presence Through a Branded Podcast Ecosystem appeared first on Pixel Studios.

The post Powering Neurokrish’s Digital Presence Through a Branded Podcast Ecosystem appeared first on Pixel Studios.

Overview CARE AKPS has grown into a recognized healthcare provider in Tamil Nadu with multiple clinics and hospitals under its umbrella. As the brand expanded, its existing logo struggled to scale—it lacked the visual clarity to communicate its healthcare nature, and varied applications led to inconsistencies in how the brand appeared across different towns, languages,…

The post Reimagining CARE AKPS for Scalability, Clarity, and Trust appeared first on Pixel Studios.

Overview

CARE AKPS has grown into a recognized healthcare provider in Tamil Nadu with multiple clinics and hospitals under its umbrella. As the brand expanded, its existing logo struggled to scale—it lacked the visual clarity to communicate its healthcare nature, and varied applications led to inconsistencies in how the brand appeared across different towns, languages, and platforms.

The rebranding initiative was designed to create a cohesive identity system—one that balances healthcare symbolism, regional adaptability, and modular flexibility, while establishing CARE AKPS as a trusted, modern medical brand.

The Challenge: From Fragmented Identity to Unified Brand Language

The original CARE AKPS logo, while rooted in familiarity, had several issues that limited its growth potential:

• Abstract Symbolism: The earlier design did not clearly communicate that CARE AKPS was a healthcare institution. This ambiguity reduced recognition among new or unfamiliar audiences.
• Visual Inconsistency: Each branch had variations in layout, fonts, and extensions like city names or sub-brands. This lack of uniformity diluted the brand’s professional image.
• Language Complexity: CARE AKPS operates in Tamil-speaking regions but also needed a strong English identity for formal, digital, and pan-Indian communication. The previous branding didn’t scale effectively across both.
• No Vertical Differentiation: As the brand expanded into hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies, there was no standardized method to distinguish these while maintaining a unified identity.
• Design Scalability: Without a modular design system, new branches required manual logo variations—leading to cluttered and often amateur-looking designs.

The Logo Idea: A Visual Language Rooted in Healthcare and Humanity

The new CARE AKPS logo is built on a powerful yet simple concept: instantly communicate healthcare and care through familiar symbols, while giving the identity flexibility to adapt across languages, locations, and services.

The Cross (+) Symbol

The use of an outlined medical cross forms the foundation of the logo, instantly signaling “healthcare” to any viewer. This symbol is globally recognized and gives CARE AKPS an immediate association with the medical domain.

The Doctor Icon

Inside the cross, a minimal line drawing of a doctor with a stethoscope creates a human-centric, caring impression. This reflects the brand’s focus on compassion, community care, and personal medical service.

Color Palette: Orange and Black

• Orange represents warmth, hope, and vitality—perfect for a healthcare brand that blends modernity with compassion.
• Black conveys stability, seriousness, and professionalism, anchoring the visual tone with trust and strength.

The combination is eye-catching, accessible, and maintains legibility across both print and screen media.

Our Solution: A Modular, Multilingual, Multi-Location Brand System

We developed a modular logo system that allows CARE AKPS to maintain brand consistency while adapting flexibly to different use cases.

Vertical-Specific Variations

• The word “Hospital” or “Clinic” is added in a clean, uppercase typeface underneath the master brand.
• These labels are optional and can scale across future offerings like “Diagnostics” or “Pharmacy” without disrupting the core design.

Location Lockups

• City or town names like “Virudhunagar” are integrated in a dedicated fourth line beneath the sub-brand (e.g., Hospital), enclosed in a bold black bar or standard layout for uniformity.
• This ensures professional consistency across branches without visually overpowering the core brand.

Inclusion of Doctor’s Name

• In select use cases, “Dr. Rathinavel’s” is placed above the master logo, giving a personalized endorsement while still adhering to spacing and typographic limits.
• This adds trust and founder recognition, especially in legacy or founder-led locations.

Tamil & English Integration

• The logo system supports both English and Tamil formats, using the same visual principles:

• Tamil logotypes align cleanly across four lines: Doctor’s Name, Brand Name, Vertical, and Location.
• English variants follow the same hierarchy, making the brand bilingual and culturally adaptive.

Design Rules & Line Limits

• The identity system is limited to a maximum of four stacked lines. This avoids overcrowding, keeps the logo compact, and ensures legibility at smaller sizes (e.g., signage, prescription pads, uniforms).

The Outcome: A Future-Ready Brand Identity for Healthcare Expansion

The redesigned CARE AKPS brand identity system is clean, confident, and scalable. It delivers on multiple fronts:

• Professional Clarity: A healthcare-focused symbol system that instantly conveys the brand’s domain.
• Scalable Flexibility: Modular structure for verticals, cities, and names—ensuring all future branches and services can adopt the identity seamlessly.
• Multilingual Adaptability: Uniform branding across both Tamil and English, preserving local relevance while elevating design standards.
• Cohesive Recognition: Whether in Virudhunagar or Palavanatham, patients now see a consistent, recognizable identity that builds trust.

Final Thoughts

Rebranding CARE AKPS wasn’t just about updating a logo—it was about creating a future-ready identity system that communicates trust, compassion, and credibility at every touchpoint. The new brand design reflects CARE AKPS’s mission to deliver accessible healthcare with professionalism and heart, while enabling effortless scalability as they expand across Tamil Nadu.

This project is a testament to Pixel Studios’ deep expertise in healthcare branding. With a dedicated Center of Excellence (COE) for Healthcare, we’ve partnered with numerous hospitals, clinics, and health-tech platforms to craft brands that resonate with patients, comply with regional sensitivities, and support digital transformation. Our understanding of the sector’s unique demands allows us to deliver strategy-driven, empathetic, and scalable design solutions.

With the CARE AKPS rebranding, we’ve helped lay the foundation for a unified, trusted, and growth-ready healthcare brand—one that’s visually strong and emotionally grounded.

Elevate the digital impact of your healthcare brand

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The post Reimagining CARE AKPS for Scalability, Clarity, and Trust appeared first on Pixel Studios.

It’s my honor to announce that John Carmack and I have initiated a friendly bet of $10,000* to the 501(c)(3) charity of the winner’s choice:

By January 1st, 2030, completely autonomous self-driving cars meeting SAE J3016 level 5 will be commercially available for

It’s my honor to announce that John Carmack and I have initiated a friendly bet of $10,000* to the 501(c)(3) charity of the winner’s choice:

By January 1st, 2030, completely autonomous self-driving cars meeting SAE J3016 level 5 will be commercially available for passenger use in major cities.

I am betting against, and John is betting for.

By “completely autonomous”, per the SAE level 5 definition, we mean the vehicle performs all driving tasks under all conditions – except in the case of natural disasters or emergencies. A human passenger enters the vehicle and selects a destination. Zero human attention or interaction is required during the journey.

By “major cities” we mean any of the top 10 most populous cities in the United States of America.

To be clear, I am betting against because I think everyone is underestimating how difficult fully autonomous driving really is. I am by no means against self driving vehicles in any way! I’d much rather spend my time in a vehicle reading, watching videos, or talking to my family and friends… anything, really, instead of driving. I also think fully autonomous vehicles are a fascinating, incredibly challenging computer science problem, and I want everyone reading this to take it as just that, a challenge. Prove me wrong! Make it happen by 2030, and I’ll be popping champagne along with you and everyone else!

(My take on VR is far more pessimistic. VR just… isn’t going to happen, in any “changing the world” form, in our lifetimes. This is a subject for a different blog post, but I think AR and projection will do much more for us, far sooner.)

I’d like to thank John for suggesting this friendly wager as a fun way to generate STEM publicity. He is, and always will be, one of my biggest heroes. Go read Masters of Doom if you haven’t, already!

And while I have you, we’re still looking for code contributions in our project to update the most famous programming book of the BASIC era. Proceeds from that project will also go to charity. 😎

*We may adjust the amount up or down to adjust for inflation as mutually agreed upon in 2030, so the money has the desired impact.

It's highly rated for its parental controls and simple interface.

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If you’ve got a kid who’s itching for a screen of their own, this Fire HD 8 Kids Pro bundle might be a smart choice. Right now, it’s down to $92.99 on Amazon, its lowest price yet according to price trackers. This price also includes a zippered sleeve and screen protector,—for context, the tablet alone sells for $139.99, so this bundle undercuts that pretty solidly. Plus, if your kid drops it or the tablet breaks, you’re covered: Amazon includes a two-year worry-free guarantee that lets you swap it for a new one, no questions asked.

You’ll get an 8-inch screen that’s bright enough for indoor use, 32GB of storage with room to expand, and up to 10 hours of battery life, according to this PCMag review. It’s not lightning fast, and the display isn’t going to wow anyone, but for reading, light gaming, and video calls, it does the job. The speakers are on the weak side, but Bluetooth 5.2 and a headphone jack offer better audio options. Additional value comes from the six-month Amazon Kids+ trial included in the bundle, which gives access to a huge library of books, games, shows, and educational tools like Math Claw and Marvel Reads. You can also set screen time limits, approve download requests, and track activity using the parent dashboard.

Once the free trial ends, a Kids+ plan costs $5.99 per month, or more if you’re not a Prime member. Without the subscription, the tablet still works, but the experience can feel a bit limited. Still, for under $100 with the sleeve and screen protector included, this bundle makes a lot of sense if you’re not quite ready to hand over an $800 iPad to a 6-year-old.

"Kolla pappa, kika in den här dunken"... Efter att ha tillbringat 700 timmar med Brawl Stars och visat mig fler poänglösa barnprogramsgubbar som han samlat på sig, har min son Frank äntligen bytt favoritspel. Hans Ipad är nu inte enbart en officiell Brawl Stars-plattform utan mer en basketfylld, NBA-doftande hemvist åt storstjärnor såsom Giannis, Curry, Durant, SGA och LeBron. Dunk City är äntligen här, och det är bra.
<bild>Tre-mot-tre eller fem-vs-fem är det som gäller. Båda spellägena fungerar kanonbra.</bild>
Dunk City Dynasty är ett arkad-sportspel i samma anda som NBA Jam och NBA Street. Netease har hämtat hälsosamma mängder inspiration från arkadgerens giganter och skapat en basketupplevelse som är rapp, lättspelad och enkel - men samtidigt djup och utmanande, på en och samma gång. Du kan antingen spela tre-mot-tre, med klassiska streetball-regler - eller 5v5 på samma premisser som klassiska NBA-matcher och utmaningen ligger såklart i att bemästra sportens fundamentala element. Som anfallare gäller det att skaka av sig sin försvarare och skjuta när utrymme finnes. Om ditt skott är "contested" av en punktmarkering via försvarsspelaren, är chanserna att bollen går i korgen extremt små. Om du däremot väntar in en screen, kliver i sidled, gör dig fri och skjuter öppet, är oddsen omvända. Det finns en knapp för att passa, såklart och det finnes en knapp för "drive" kopplat till en superkraft där du kan forcera mot korg och lämna en ljusblå superrök bakom dig.
<bild>Dunk City handlar om "fundamentals" som boostats upp till 2000, vilket är rätt väg att gå för att skapa lyckad arkadbasket.</bild>
Som försvarare gäller samma sak - fast omvänt. Fundamentals, bara. I Dunk City Dynasty spelas inget zon-försvar, här punktmarkeras allt och alla och det går både att springa fritt samt hålla inne knappen "defend" för att huka sig ned och verkligen försöka hålla sig framför sin anfallare, med låg stance. Därifrån kan du aktivera "steal" för att norpa bollen, med risken att den du försvarar nyttjar det faktum att du då blir statisk en liten minisekund och kan därmed riskera att bli bortdribblad om din motspelare agerar tillräckligt kvickt. Det går såklart även att blockera och på det stora hela är spelmekaniken samt balansen mellan de olika funktionerna riktigt bra. Dunk City Dynasty känns som att spela basket, vilket jag kanske inte riktigt kan säga om särskilt många arkadbasketupplevelser.
<bild>Det finns gott om välkända, licienserade NBA-stjärnor att låsa upp.</bild>
Eftersom detta är ett gratisspel till Android samt Iphone/Ipad kommer det såklart komplett med mikroköp, lootlådor och dessa evinnerligt stökiga menyer med 100 000+ olika ikoner, knappar, textrader och logotyper. Stundtals är det övergripande omöjligt att förstå vad allting är och en betydande del av mig önskar att utvecklarna av dessa mobilanpassade free-2-play-titlar kunde begripa att menyer och själva presentationen borde hållas lika simpel och lättbegriplig som spelupplevelsen i sig, ute på basketplanen, snarare än tvärtom. Sägas ska dock att kravet på mikroköp aldrig finnes där, det dyker inte upp någon påtvingad reklam för något meningslöst strategispel som du måste genomlida i 35 sekunder innan du kan fortsätta spela och du behöver inte vänta på uppgraderingar om du inte betalar, vilket såklart är rätt väg att gå, här.
<bild>Det är roligast att spela "street ball" (3-vs-3) och designen är ljuvligt snygg.</bild>
Det estetiska är tillsammans med den välbyggda mekaniken det jag gillar mest i Dunk City Dynasty. Jag gillar designstilen, manéret, anser att Netease fångat det mest karaktäristiska i såväl Curry som LeBron, Booker, SGA, Embig, Giannis, Luka, Jokic och alla de andra och den solblekta, färgstarka Miami-känslan rimmar perfekt på en basketpräglad, bärbar sommar. Jag är även stormförtjust i Kendrick Perkins släpiga stämma i rollen som kommentator och tycker att han gör ett bra jobb med att både sammanfatta det som sker på planen samt krydda med roliga kommentarer utan att kännas störig, eller för upprepande. Med det sagt hade Netease kunnat skippa träningsgrejen där man uppgraderar sin spelare och bygger ett slags kraftigt förenklat färdighetsträd, den delen känns sent påkommen sett till utvecklingstid och jag tror att spelet hade klarat sig alldeles utmärkt utan.

Dunk City Dynasty är en överraskning, helt klart. I en tid där merparten påkostade mobilspel som rullas ut är neddummat idiotiska med simplifierad spelmekanik reducerat till simpla knapptryck på en och samma knapp samt krav på mikroköp, med ständigt återkommande uppmaningar - är detta en frisk fläkt även om Netease såklart fortfarande vill ha dina pengar. Dunk City Dynasty är verkligen inget nytt NBA Jam, men det är bra. Roligt. Snyggt. Somrigt.

"I don't like sand. It's coarse and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere." Fel filmserie, men efter att ha spelat många timmar av {Dune: Awakening} är jag helt säker på att de som "bor" på Arrakis håller med Anakin Skywalker. Och jag är inte säker på att folk bor där så mycket som de bara försöker överleva. Det är ju knappast en semesterdag på Tylösand eller Böda Sand njutandes av solen. Nä, här är solen din största fiende. Förutom sandormar då, för inget är läskigare än Shai-Hulud.

<bild>Här kommer kung av sand, här kommer kungen av ingenting alls.</bild>

Norska Funcom har här tagit sin erfarenhet från onlinerollspel, eller MMORPG, som {Conan Exiles}, {Anarchy Online}, och {The Secret World} för att skapa något så intressant som ett MMO/överlevnadsspel baserat på Frank Herberts böcker om Dune. Det är ofta vi ser spel från denna serie handla om politiken bakom kryddkrigen, men här får vi istället en mer närgången bild av hur livet på Arrakis är. Dune: Awakening utspelar sig på en alternativ tidslinje där Paul Atreides (huvudkaraktären spelad av Timothée Chalamet i den nya Dune-trilogin om du inte har så stor kunskap om denna värld) aldrig föddes, och Javier Bardem aldrig fick säga "Lisan al Gaib" och sedan bli en meme tack vare det. Tack vare, eller på grund av, detta har berättelsen utspelat sig lite annorlunda mot vad vi är vana vid och vårt mål i spelet är att hitta folkgruppen fremen som inte längre kan hittas på vad som en gång var deras hemplanet. Utan att spoila storyn får vi en förklaring till varför det inte längre finns några fremen, men det är upp till vår karaktär att ta reda på sanningen.

Karaktärsskaparen är vad vi kan förvänta oss av ett spel som detta med utseende och liknande. Det går också att välja din hemplanet och var på den sociala stegen du var. Detta för att ge karaktären lite mer bakgrund. Det går sedan också att välja vilken typ av stridsstil du börjar med. Du är sedan fast med den, men det går att låsa upp egenskaper från de andra egenskapsträden också. Problemet är att vissa klassers egenskaper låses upp mycket senare än andra. Jag valde att spela som soldat, vilket det sedan visade sig skulle vara den första klassen att låsa upp. Hade jag valt någon av de andra, som Bene Gesserit (vilket enbart kvinnor normalt kan vara medlemmar av, men här funkar det även med en manlig karaktär) hade jag haft en klass som låses upp väldigt sent plus soldatens egenskaper. Nu var jag fast med bara mitt egenskapsträd för effektivt stridande på halvlångt avstånd. Så är du någon som gillar att låsa upp mycket väldigt tidigt kan du tjäna på att läsa på lite innan du väljer.

<bild>Det går att skapa otroligt imponerande baser. Min är inte en av dessa.</bild>

Vårt skepp blir sedan nerskjutet över Arrakis och nu gäller det att överleva. Som jag skrev tidigare är detta en typ av överlevnadsspel (survival), men till skillnad mot många andra spel i genren är det inte så många saker att hålla koll på för att hålla oss vid liv. Det enda som behövs är vatten. Vilket ju verkligen inte är så lätt att hitta på en planet som är full av sand. Var hittas då detta vatten? I blod, svett... men inga tårar. Efter att ha haft ihjäl någon annan suger du ut deras blod tills du har så mycket fulla blodpåsar att Dracula skulle bli avundsjuk. Det går att dricka direkt från påsen, vilket inte rekommenderas. Det må stilla din törst, men du förlorar också hälsa. Nä, istället bygger du en blod-till-vattenmaskin i din bas och njuter av du inte längre känner dig som en blodigel. Det andra som det gäller att hålla koll på är din generella hälsa, ditt välmående. Bli skjuten eller knivhuggen och din hälsomätare blir inte så glad. Samma med fall från hög höjd. Du vet, precis såna saker som skulle köra slut på våra hälsomätare i verkliga livet.

Precis som i resten av survival-genren går allt i en loop. Ut och samla material, bygg saker, ha ihjäl några styggingar, återhämta dig, samla mer material, bygg fler saker. Och så klart föra huvudberättelsen vidare då och då. Spelets underhållning finns dock i denna repetition då berättelsen egentligen inte är något att hänga i den sandfyllda julgranen. Det är kul att försöka överleva när solen bakar mig i vad som säkert är varmare än en normalhet pizzaugn. Sand så långt ögat når i alla riktningar. Banditer i små läger och banditer i stora baser. Det krävs nåt speciellt för att få ett spel att hålla sig intressant i tiotals till hundratals timmar när alla miljöer är precis likadana hela tiden. Sand och sten, sten och sand. Jag känner verkligen hur svårt det är att överleva. När vattnet är slut i behållarna, jag är långt ifrån min bas, och skärmen börjar bli suddig av solsting, då mår jag inte bra. Vare sig i spelet eller framför skärmen.

<bild>En sandorm här...</bild>

Något annat som inte får mig att må bra är att bli uppäten av en enorm sandorm. Är det något som Funcom har lyckats med är det känslan av sandormarnas fara precis hela tiden. Så fort jag tar ett enda steg ut i sanden, och till och med innan, börjar paniken sätta in. Kontrollen börjar skaka, mätaren för att visa hur mycket ljud jag gör och hur nära ormen är är illröd, ljudet är skräckinjagande. Fort som fasiken kör jag min motorcykel till närmaste säkra plats, ormarna har nämligen ingen aptit när marken är gjord av sten. Ibland ser jag en orm titta upp ur sanden någonstans längre bort, kanske har det just ätit en annan spelare. Ljudbilden är så pass bra att jag bara behöver höra den, inte ens se den, för att rädslan ska infinna sig. Shai-Hulud är i närheten!

Tyvärr infinner sig inte samma känsla när jag ska strida mot någon av de oändliga banditerna på planeten. Detta beror på att stridssystemet är en besvikelse. Det är inte dåligt, men inte mer än medelmåttigt. Det största problemet är närstriderna. När det är kniv mot kniv. Förutom att kunna bli stunlocked i all evighet är denna typ av strid inte speciellt kul. Blockera en attack som är mer lättläst än Dune-böckerna själva och kontra med en egen attack. Vips, död, ta deras blod. De flesta fiender som fokuserar på närstrid använder sig av en typ av energibaserad sköld som täcker hela deras kropp. Snabba hugg biter inte utan du måste använda laddad attack som går igenom skölden. Det är oftast otroligt lätt att göra efter att ha undvikit en attack. Svårigheterna blir istället de som är mer skjutglada. Speciellt när de är många. Saken är att de datorstyrda fienderna aldrig är speciellt smarta. De rusar antingen bara rakt fram mot dig eller står och skjuter helt öppet, aldrig hukandes bakom någonting, och mer synliga än solen på denna förbannat varma himmel. Den enda anledningen till att de ger ett någorlunda problem är att de aldrig slutar skjuta. De tar en kort paus för att ladda om, men sen står de där, som en sämre version av Rambo.

<bild>... en sandorm där.</bild>

Det här spelet är PvE. Eller ja, det ska vara det, för det mesta. Enligt utvecklarnas beskrivning av spelet är PvP "en valmöjlighet", men inget tvång. Problemet här är att det är en stor lögn. I slutet av spelet, det som kallas endgame, är det tvång med PvP. Deep Desert, som detta enorma område kallas, är där de mest eftertraktade sakerna finns. Men som solospelare är det väldigt svårt att ta sig dit. Det går så klart, men när det bildats stora lag som vill försvara allt blir det väldigt svårt. Jag har inget emot PvP i spel, men när 99 procent av spelet är PvE och spelare som föredrar att spela på detta vis blir utelåsta från spelets sista del ger det ingen bra känsla. Dessutom är några statiska kraschplatser (ibland händer det också att skepp kraschar slumpmässigt på kartan), sådana som alltid finns där, PvP i zoner som annars är PvE. Det finns också kontrakt att ta hand om, som att hitta saker eller ha ihjäl speciellt fiender, för att tjäna extra pengar, utrustning eller material, som måste klaras av i dessa skepp. Så jag förstår inte riktigt hur PvP inte är ett tvång.

Visst, om du inte vill klara hela spelet är det ju inte det. Här är det största problemet jag ser med detta: PvP-spelarna, vilket enligt olika enkäter är den absolut största delen av spelarbasen, kommer nå slutzonen, inse att det inte är för dem och lägga ifrån sig spelet för alltid. Jag hade gärna sett att detta på något sett delats upp för båda typer av spelare, där den farligare zonen kanske ger mer material. Funcom har utlovat uppdateringar med nytt innehåll och jag håller verkligen tummarna för att alla spelare ska ha något att göra. För jag tror att detta kan komma att bli nästa stora MMO-upplevelse, om utvecklarna sköter korten rätt.

<bild>På natten är det svalt och skönt, men då patrullerar skepp istället.</bild>

Även om du är team Atreides eller team Harkonnen, som båda finns möjligheter att gå med i för speciella möbler till basen, kläder, och annat, kommer du att hitta mycket att tycka om i det här spelet. Det är ett utmärkt survival-spel som tyvärr har stora brister i sitt stridssystem. Basbyggandet, där det till slut känns som att ha en stor fabrik i huset, är väldigt bra och jag har sett några otroliga skapelser. Åk motorcykel över sanden med en orm bitandes i rumpan, flyg din egen ornithopter högt i skyn, sätt ner en skördetröska för att samla kryddor. Det finns så mycket att göra här trots att allting är sand. Anakin Skywalker hade hatat det här.

You can save up to 50% on these gadgets even before Amazon's big sale starts.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Prime Day 2025 starts next week, but the early deals are already here. While Target, Walmart, and Best Buy are starting their competing sales this weekend, Amazon's won't officially kick off until July 8, but you can already find early deals on Amazon devices, like this 75-inch QLED TV going nearly 50% off.

But if you're looking to spend a bit less but still score a bargain, consider these early Prime Day tech deals under $25.

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SEE 6 MORE

Earbuds

Wired earbuds are very early 2000's, but on the other hand, they never run out of batteries. If you're still rocking an iPhone 14 Plus or below (or an iPhone SE 3rd generation), you'll be able to pick up some official Apple EarPods Headphones with a Lightning connector for $15.96 (originally $19), or one with USB-C connector for a few cents more.

If you prefer wireless earbuds but don't want to overpay for something you might end up losing, the Soundcore by Anker P20i are a solid pair with some impressive features for their $19.99 price (originally $39.99). You get Bluetooth 5.3, 3o hours of battery, water resistance, and a full EQ with its companion app.

AirTags

You don't need to be a spy to have tracking devices. As an Apple user, you can let AirTags use Find My to track anything that you can put these devices on. Right now, Amazon has single AirTags for $22.99 (originally $29).

Amazon devices

If you have a TV that isn't smart, or you don't like its OS, you can get the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for $24.99 (originally $49.99). It supports Dolby Atmos audio, almost all the HDR formats, Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming, Wi-Fi 6, and you can install Kodi to virtually watch anything for free.

The Amazon Echo Pop is Amazon's most budget-friendly smart speaker. You can use the multi-room music feature if you have multiple speakers in different rooms, so grab a few: You can get one for $21.99 right now (originally $39.99).

Portable phone chargers

I recently lost my INIU Portable Charger while traveling in Europe. Luckily, it was at the end of my trip and it had served its purpose well, saving my phone's battery (and therefore my life) multiple times. You can get one now for $15.98 (originally $21.99).

All iPhone users, in my opinion, should own a Magsafe portable charger. The cool thing about this one is that it's magnetic and sticks to the back of your iPhone. You can get the Ugreen Magnetic Power Bank for $22.99 (originally $34.99).

Outdoor speakers

If you're looking for a cheap portable outdoor speaker that can get wet, consider the BolaButty Portable Speaker, currently going for $19.99 (originally $34.99). It's waterproof with an IPX5 rating and will last 20 hours before running out of juice.

Surge protectors

I use surge protector power strips on most nightstands or table tops around my home, but I always look for the ones with the flat head so I can have my furniture rest against the wall without damaging the cable. This Tessan 12-in-one Tower Surge Protector Power Strip has eight outlets and four USB ports currently going for $23.79 (originally $29.74).

I didn’t choose to be a programmer. Somehow, it seemed, the computers chose me. For a long time, that was fine, that was enough; that was all I needed. But along the way I never felt that being a programmer was this unambiguously great-for-everyone career field

I didn’t choose to be a programmer. Somehow, it seemed, the computers chose me. For a long time, that was fine, that was enough; that was all I needed. But along the way I never felt that being a programmer was this unambiguously great-for-everyone career field with zero downsides. There are absolutely occupational hazards of being a programmer, and one of my favorite programming quotes is an allusion to one of them:

It should be noted that no ethically-trained software engineer would ever consent to write a DestroyBaghdad procedure. Basic professional ethics would instead require him to write a DestroyCity procedure, to which Baghdad could be given as a parameter.

Which reminds me of another joke people were telling in 2015:

Donald Trump is basically a comment section running for president

Which is troubling because technically, technically, I run a company that builds comment sections.

Here at the tail end of 2017, from where I sit neither of these jokes seem particularly funny to me any more. Perhaps I have lost the capacity to feel joy as a human being? Haha just kidding!... kinda.

Remember in 2011 when Marc Andreeseen said that “Software is eating the world”?

That used to sound all hip and cool and inspirational, like “Wow! We software developers really are making a difference in the world!” and now for the life of me I can’t read it as anything other than an ominous warning that we just weren’t smart enough to translate properly at the time. But maybe now we are.

I’ve said many, many times that the key to becoming an experienced software developer is to understand that you are, at all times, your own worst enemy. I don’t mean this in a negative way – you have to constantly plan for and design around your inevitable human mistakes and fallibility. It’s fundamental to good software engineering because, well, we’re all human. The good-slash-bad news is that you’re only accidentally out to get yourself. But what happens when we’re infinitely connected and software is suddenly everywhere, in everyone’s pockets every moment of the day, starting to approximate a natural extension of our bodies? All of a sudden those little collective social software accidents become considerably more dangerous:

The issue is bigger than any single scandal, I told him. As headlines have exposed the troubling inner workings of company after company, startup culture no longer feels like fodder for gentle parodies about ping pong and hoodies. It feels ugly and rotten. Facebook, the greatest startup success story of this era, isn’t a merry band of hackers building cutesy tools that allow you to digitally Poke your friends. It’s a powerful and potentially sinister collector of personal data, a propaganda partner to government censors, and an enabler of discriminatory advertising.

I’m reminded of a particular Mitchell and Webb skit: “Are we the baddies?”

On the topic of unanticipated downsides to technology, there is no show more essential than Black Mirror. If you haven’t watched Black Mirror yet, do not pass go, do not collect $200, go immediately to Netflix and watch it. Go on! Go ahead!

⚠ Fair warning: please DO NOT start with season 1 episode 1 of Black Mirror! Start with season 3, and go forward. If you like those, dip into season 2 and the just-released season 4, then the rest. But humor me and please at least watch the first episode of season 3.

The technology described in Black Mirror can be fanciful at times, but several episodes portray disturbingly plausible scenarios with today’s science and tech, much less what we’ll have 20 to 50 years from now. These are very real cautionary tales, and some of this stuff is well on its way toward being realized.

Programmers don’t think of themselves as people with the power to change the world. Most programmers I know, including myself, grew up as nerds, geeks, social outcasts. Did I ever tell you about the time I wrote a self-destructing Apple // boot disk program to let a girl in middle school know that I liked her? I was (and still am) a terrible programmer, but oh man did I ever test the heck out of that code before copying on to her school floppy disc. But I digress. What do you do when you wake up one day and software has kind of eaten the world, and it is no longer clear if software is in fact an unambiguously good thing, like we thought, like everyone told us… like we wanted it to be?

Months ago I submitted a brief interview for a children’s book about coding.

I recently received a complimentary copy of the book in the mail. I paged to my short interview, alongside the very cool Kiki Prottsman. I had no real recollection of the interview questions after the months of lead time it takes to print a physical book, but reading the printed page, I suddenly hit myself over the head with the very answer I had been searching my soul for these past 6 months:

In attempting to simplify my answers for an audience of kids, I had concisely articulated the one thing that keeps me coming back to software: to serve man. Not on a platter, for bullshit monetization – but software that helps people be the best version of themselves.

And you know why I do it? I need that help, too. I get tired, angry, upset, emotional, cranky, irritable, frustrated and I need to be reminded from time to time to choose to be the better version of myself. I don’t always succeed. But I want to. And I believe everyone else – for some reasonable statistical value of everyone else – fundamentally does, too.

That was the not-so-secret design philosophy behind Stack Overflow, that by helping others become better programmers, you too would become a better programmer. It’s unavoidable. And, even better, if we leave enough helpful breadcrumbs behind for those that follow us, we collectively advance the whole of programming for everyone.

I apologize for not blogging much in 2017. I’ve certainly been busy with Discourse which is actually going great; we grew to 21 people and gave $55,000 back this year to the open source ecosystem we build on. But that’s no excuse. The truth is that it’s been hard to write because this has been a deeply troubling year in so many dimensions – for men, for tech, for American democracy. I’m ashamed of much that happened, and I think one of the first and most important steps we can take is to embrace explicit codes of conduct throughout our industry. I also continue to believe, if we start to think more holistically about what our software can do to serve all people, not just ourselves personally (or, even worse, the company we work for) – that software can and should be part of the solution.

I tried to amplify on these thoughts in recent podcasts:

	Community Engineering Report with Kim Crayton
	Developer on Fire with Dave Rael
	Dorm Room Tycoon with William Channer

Software is easy to change, but people... aren’t. So in the new year, as software developers, let’s make a resolution to focus on the part we can change, and keep asking ourselves one very important question: how can our software help people become the best version of themselves?

Services like Sniffspot and Rome turn your open spaces into revenue-generating private dog parks.

Americans loves their dogs—all 90 million of them. And dog owners know there’s nothing better than letting your dog off their leash to run around free. For a lot of folks who don’t have a lot of outdoor space, or who live in homes with communal spaces where letting your dog off the leash isn’t allowed, that means bringing their pet to a dog park.

But not all areas have conveniently located dog parks, and visiting those parks comes with some inherent risks—from aggressive dogs and communicable canine diseases, among others. If you own a private outdoor space, that’s an opportunity for you: You can make some pretty decent money renting it out as a private dog park using apps like Sniffspot and Rome.

How to set up your yard as a private dog park

Both apps work similarly: You set up a listing for your fenced outdoor space (with a detailed description of its size; doggie amenities like trees, pools, or agility runs; and human amenities like wifi, parking, and seating). People looking for a place to let their dogs run free browse listings, find yours, and book it, typically by the hour. Renters can essentially consider these spaces as private dog parks, so they won’t have to worry about strange dogs, negligent owners, or unexpected problems.

Sniffspot requires that folks seeking to rent a dog park have a "Sniffpass" subscription, which costs $16 to $96 per month, depending on the level of membership chosen (different levels come with different “booking credits” and discounts). Rome users don’t have to subscribe to book a space.

Both Sniffspot and Rome also offer included insurance to protect hosts against damage or liability issues—Sniffspot covers up to $2 million in liability insurance and up to $5,000 for property damage. Rome Cover offers up to $500,000 of liability protection, as well as legal defense and medical funding.

How much you can make renting out your yard as a dog park

With both Sniffspot and Rome, you get to choose how much to charge, but most hosts charge between $5 and $20 per hour, depending on the size of the space and the amenities it offers. Sniffspot takes about 25% off the top as a fee for using their platform, while Rome takes 15%. Rome pays its hosts weekly, while Sniffspot pays out monthly.

You can make some real money this way—one woman in North Carolina reporting earning an average of $7,100 per month in the first half of 2024. Your earning potential will vary, of course, depending on demand as well as what you can offer the dogs in your area.

How to get started renting out your yard for dogs

If making some extra money by letting adorable dogs run around your backyard sounds terrific, there are some basic best practices you should follow to ensure your space stands out:

• Provide lots of photos. Both apps recommend you post a lot of photos with your listing, so dog owners can see where their doggos will be playing.

• Consider accessibility issues. Folks have to be able to access the area without passing through a private residence. Many people prefer being able to access the space without having to interact with the owner at all, so being able to offer truly private access is a plus.

• Ensure your space is safe. Both Rome and Sniffspot require that your space be fenced-in and secure, but it’s a good idea to consider how effective your fence is. If it’s old or low, replacing or repairing it is a good idea. Also make sure there are no dangerous objects (like poisonous plants or rusting old gardening tools), pesticides, or other hazards that could endanger visiting pups.

• Add some amenities. Spaces range from small backyards to expansive properties of several acres, but whether you’re offering a postage stamp or a farm you should consider the amenities you can add to enhance the value of your listing. Some properties offer hiking trails, dog hammocks, or pools for the dogs, and some consider their human guests as well, providing lounge chairs, fire pits—even barbecues. If you can offer the humans a restroom of some kind, that’s a big bonus.

• Provide for owners' basic needs. The terms of both apps require guests to clean up after their dogs and leave the property as they found it, so providing poop bags, trash receptacles, and hand sanitizer is a plus.

The State Department revoked the visas of the British punk-rap duo that led a chant of “death to the IDF” at a popular music festival in England.

British punk-rock and hip-hop duo Bob Vylan will not be able to perform in the U.S., where they were scheduled to open for American singer grandson’s tour in October and November, after a controversial performance at the Glastonbury Festival in England over the weekend.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X on Monday that the Department has revoked the duo’s visas “in light of their hateful tirade at Glastonbury, including leading the crowd in death chants.” Landau added: “Foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome visitors to our country.” 

At the Glastonbury Festival, which is aired annually on BBC, one of the group’s members, Bobby Vylan, led the crowd on Saturday to chant, “Death to the IDF,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces, to the shock of organizers and onlookers.

The duo has faced a firestorm of criticism in the U.K., and British police said they are examining videos of the incident for possible criminal violations.

The Israeli embassy in the U.K. said it was “deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage” and that “when such messages are delivered before tens of thousands of festivalgoers and met with applause, it raises serious concerns about the normalisation of extremist language and the glorification of violence.”

“We are appalled by the statements made from the West Holts stage by Bob Vylan yesterday,” Emily Eavis, the co-organizer of Glastonbury and daughter of the festival’s founder, said in a statement. “Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the Festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.”

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned Vylan’s actions on the Glastonbury stage, saying, “There is no excuse for this kind of appalling hate speech.” He also demanded that the BBC answer questions about streaming the controversial remarks.

In a statement, the BBC said Vylan’s expressions “were utterly unacceptable and have no place on our airwaves.” It explained that the performance was aired on its channels because the BBC team was dealing with “a live situation” but added that “with hindsight we should have pulled the stream during the performance.”

Starmer had previously said that it was “not appropriate” for Irish rap trio Kneecap, who have accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza and accused the U.S. and U.K. of enabling it, to be performing at the festival, and the BBC had decided in advance not to broadcast Kneecap’s performance live to “ensure that our programming meets our editorial guidelines.”

Bob Vylan performed before Kneecap’s set, where festival attendees had gathered in anticipation with Palestinian flags. Singer Bobby Vylan first led the crowd to chant, “Free, free, Palestine!” Then he interjected: “Alright, but have you heard this one though?” before leading a chant of “Death, death to the IDF!”

The chant recalled the phrasing of “Death to Israel” and “Death to America” chants by Iranians as well as “Death to Arabs” chants by Israelis.

Following the controversy that ensued, Bobby Vylan wrote “I said what I said” on Instagram, where he shared a statement that explained: “Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place.”

Here’s what to know.

Who is Bob Vylan?

Bob Vylan is composed of singer-guitarist Bobby Vylan and drummer Bobbie Vylan, and they collectively refer to themselves as “the Bobs.” The two have used stage names reportedly to maintain privacy, but some U.K. media have since identified Bobby Vylan as 34-year-old Pascal Robinson-Foster.

The duo, which formed in Ipswich in 2017 and has more than 200,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, is known for its politically charged music and performances.

According to the Independent, their songs “often speak out against racism, homophobia, toxic masculinity and far right politics,” and in past performances Bobby would preface their song “Pretty Songs” by saying “violence is the only language that some people understand.” The paper also said that Bobby has been deliberately provocative in past performances, such as by swinging a baseball bat at the crowd or wearing the soccer jersey of the rival team of where they were performing.

Last year, Bobby told the Irish Times that he was infuriated by bands that didn’t speak up more about Gaza. The U.K. and U.S. governments’ response, he said, “but also the people’s response – the people of these countries … will be remembered forever. It will be documented throughout history. If you’re asking yourself, ‘Oh, what would you have done during slavery? What would you have done throughout the Holocaust?’ You’re doing it now – right now. With what it is happening over there in Palestine, you’re doing it.”

Since the Glastonbury performance, the duo was reportedly dropped by United Talent Agency.

What are the reactions in the U.S.?

Sen. Ted Cruz (R, Texas) reposted video of the incident on X, and commented: “Truly sick. Thousands of people screaming ‘Death to the IDF.’ This is the base of the Democrat Party.”

StopAntisemitism, an advocacy group in the U.S., flagged on X that the duo has scheduled performances in the U.S. later this year and said of Bobby Vylan: “This antisemite must have his visa denied/rescinded – his hate is not welcome here.” 

Republican Rep. Randy Fine of Florida responded to the post, saying “On it.”

Leo Terrell, who chairs the Justice Department’s task force to combat antisemitism, also responded to StopAntisemitism’s post, which he was tagged in.

“These abhorrent chants, which included calls for the death of members of the Israeli Defense Forces, are abhorrent and have no place in any civil society,” Terrell posted on X. “We understand that Mr. Vylan is planning to travel to the United States as part of the Inertia Tour. In response, Mr. Terrell’s Task Force will be reaching out to the U.S. Department of State on Monday to determine what measures are available to address the situation and to prevent the promotion of violent antisemitic rhetoric in the United States.”

After Landau’s announcement, Terrell thanked the State Department for “moving so fast on this.” Bobby Vylan “is a person who wants to incite violence and we’re not going to allow that under the Trump Administration,” Terrell said on Fox News. “The Trump Administration is not going to allow antisemitism to exist in this country.”

A State Department spokesperson told TIME before Landau’s announcement that it does not publicly discuss the details of individual cases but that the Department “is committed to protecting our nation and its citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety.” The spokesperson added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been clear that “a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.”

Trump Administration immigration officials announced in April that they would screen visa applicants’ social media accounts for “antisemitic” content. “There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here,” said Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin at the time.

The Administration has also claimed to reject censorship at home and abroad, with the State Department announcing visa restrictions in May for foreign officials who restrict “protected expression” in the U.S. “Free speech,” Rubio said in the announcement, “is among the most cherished rights we enjoy as Americans.”

The release of iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence marks another milestone in Apple’s mission to provide more intuitive, secure, and personalized user experiences. Touted as one of the most advanced updates to date, this version introduces several AI-powered features and enhanced security measures. But is iOS 18.1 ready for mainstream adoption, or should you holdContinue reading "Should You Upgrade to iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence? A Deep Dive into Apple’s Latest Innovation"

The release of iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence marks another milestone in Apple’s mission to provide more intuitive, secure, and personalized user experiences. Touted as one of the most advanced updates to date, this version introduces several AI-powered features and enhanced security measures. But is iOS 18.1 ready for mainstream adoption, or should you hold off? Below, we’ll explore what this upgrade offers and whether it’s worth the switch.

iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence: Who Can Access It?

Apple’s iOS 18.1 update is compatible with any iPhone that supports iOS 18, starting with the iPhone XS and later models. However, Apple Intelligence—the most talked-about feature—is exclusive to a limited selection of newer devices: the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

To install iOS 18.1, simply navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your device. Make sure you have adequate battery life or are plugged into a power source, as the download and installation process may take some time.

Unpacking Apple Intelligence: A Step Toward Smarter Devices

Apple Intelligence brings powerful, AI-driven improvements to several core functions. Here’s a look at the standout features:

1. Enhanced Text Suggestions and Personalization Apple Intelligence elevates your texting experience by analyzing the context and tone of your conversations, learning your personal vocabulary and phrasing over time. With natural language processing at its core, it suggests words and phrases that feel more intuitive and tailored to your style. This goes beyond basic predictive text, aiming to make every interaction smoother and more personalized.
2. AI-Powered Photography Tools iOS 18.1 includes groundbreaking photography tools that make editing photos effortless. A notable example is the ability to remove unwanted objects from photos—perfect for eliminating photobombers with a simple tap. Powered by Apple’s AI-driven image analysis, this tool seamlessly erases objects without sacrificing quality, enabling professional-grade edits without third-party applications.
3. Call Recording and Transcription One of the most anticipated features in iOS 18.1 is native call recording with real-time transcription. With privacy in mind, the system announces to all parties that the call is being recorded, ensuring transparency. This feature is especially useful for professionals needing to reference past conversations or anyone wanting an accurate record without the hassle of third-party recording apps.

Security Enhancements: Protecting Users in a Complex Digital Landscape

Apple has also doubled down on security in iOS 18.1, addressing vulnerabilities and enhancing protections against potential exploits.

1. WebKit Security Fixes Apple’s WebKit, the browser engine that powers Safari and other mobile applications, has been a target for potential exploits. iOS 18.1 mitigates these risks by patching known vulnerabilities, reducing the chances of unauthorized access through WebKit-dependent applications and reinforcing security for all internet activity on your device.
2. Kernel Exploits Apple has reinforced iOS’s kernel—the system’s core—to protect against known vulnerabilities. Kernel patches in iOS 18.1 prevent unauthorized access to core system functions, offering peace of mind for users concerned about privacy and data integrity.

User Reactions to iOS 18.1: Mixed Reviews on Apple Intelligence

As with any major update, user experiences with iOS 18.1 vary widely. Here’s a closer look at the most common points of feedback.

1. The Apple Intelligence Waitlist Accessing Apple Intelligence isn’t instant; users must join a waitlist, with wait times ranging from a few minutes to several hours. Apple’s servers face high demand due to the Private Cloud Compute required to run Apple Intelligence. While the waitlist is manageable, some users are frustrated by the delay, especially early adopters eager to test the new features.
2. Battery Drain Issues A recurring complaint with iOS updates is battery drain, and iOS 18.1 is no exception. Users report accelerated battery depletion, particularly when actively using Apple Intelligence. This is likely due to the initial indexing of files and other setup processes associated with new updates. However, reports suggest that the drain is more pronounced with Apple Intelligence-enabled features, which may require further optimization in future updates.
3. Bugs and Glitches iOS 18.1 has its share of bugs, including occasional app freezes, minor connectivity issues, and rare instances of unexpected resets. While these issues are not widespread, they could affect daily usability. Apple is likely to release incremental updates to resolve these issues in the coming weeks, which may improve stability for hesitant users.

Performance on Older Devices: A Smooth Experience with Some Limitations

While Apple Intelligence is limited to newer iPhone models, iOS 18.1 still performs well on older devices. Users with iPhones as early as the XS report smooth performance without the sluggishness sometimes associated with major updates. However, the absence of Apple Intelligence features might make the update feel less substantial on these models.

Apple Intelligence vs. Google Assistant and Siri: A New Era of AI

The integration of Apple Intelligence in iOS raises comparisons to Google Assistant and Siri. Unlike Google Assistant, which acts as a centralized AI hub, Apple Intelligence integrates into specific iOS functions, enhancing text messaging, image editing, and other core functionalities without needing an overarching AI interface. This approach offers a more seamless, privacy-centric experience compared to Google’s AI, which may collect more user data to drive its functionality.

By focusing on intuitive, context-aware assistance rather than an omnipresent voice assistant, Apple Intelligence feels like a background enhancement rather than a standalone feature. Meanwhile, Siri continues to handle voice-based commands, while Apple Intelligence focuses on refining text suggestions and visual elements—creating a blend of discreet, context-sensitive AI.

Should You Upgrade? The Verdict on iOS 18.1

If you have a device that supports Apple Intelligence, upgrading to iOS 18.1 is an opportunity to access new, AI-enhanced features that could transform your daily interactions. Here are the main considerations:

• Security Improvements: With iOS 18.1’s added security measures, users benefit from the latest patches addressing potential vulnerabilities, including those in WebKit and the iOS kernel. This is particularly valuable for anyone concerned with mobile security and online privacy.
• Call Recording and Transcription: iOS 18.1 offers built-in call recording with transcription—a game-changer for professionals and casual users alike who need a reliable and transparent recording solution.
• Apple Intelligence: For those with iPhone 15 or 16 series devices, the AI-driven improvements to texting, photography, and other core functionalities add a new layer of personalization and convenience.

However, if your device doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, the update may feel less impactful. In addition, those wary of potential battery issues or minor glitches might consider waiting until Apple releases further refinements in subsequent patches.

Software Outsourcing and Mobile Application Trends in Apple’s AI Push

This leap in iOS’s capabilities reflects broader trends in software outsourcing and the development of mobile applications. Apple’s new AI features highlight the growing demand for smarter, more integrated mobile applications that adapt to user behavior and enhance security. Outsourcing software development has played a significant role in meeting this demand, allowing companies to leverage specialized talent for advanced applications that might not be feasible in-house.

In an increasingly digital world, companies are recognizing that software outsourcing enables the creation of mobile applications with AI capabilities, such as natural language processing, image analysis, and voice recognition, at a faster rate and often at a lower cost than in-house development. The Apple Intelligence update is a powerful example of this trend, showcasing how tailored AI functionalities are reshaping mobile applications to become more personalized and responsive.

Final Thoughts: A Strategic Move Toward the Future

iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence marks a meaningful step forward in Apple’s ongoing commitment to user-centric design, privacy, and AI integration. By embedding intelligent capabilities directly into iOS’s core functions, Apple not only enriches the user experience but also sets a standard for other tech companies to follow.

For users with compatible devices, this update offers a compelling blend of personalization, productivity, and security. Yet, as with any major update, the decision to upgrade should consider your device’s compatibility and any personal reservations about potential bugs or battery drain.

In summary, iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence is a sophisticated update that balances innovation with practicality, security, and privacy. Whether you’re an early adopter or a cautious upgrader, Apple’s latest release reflects an era where mobile applications and software outsourcing converge to deliver smarter, safer, and more personalized experiences to users worldwide.

The salary hikes, which will cost around €324,000 per year, have ruffled some feathers.

Ten of the European Parliament’s most senior officials are laughing all the way to the bank at the news of bumper pay raises worth €32,400 per year.

The officials, including Secretary-General Alessandro Chiochetti, will see their paychecks swell from a minimum base salary of €20,536.29 per month to €23,235.49 before tax, according to staff regulations.

The bump could see them receive some €278,825.88 annually, which is not subject to Belgian national income tax but rather to the EU’s own internal income tax system, ranging from 8 percent to 45 percent, as well as contributions and pensions. In addition to their salaries the officials may also receive home allowances and other benefits.

Martin Schirdewan, co-chair of The Left political group, balked at the pay increases, telling POLITICO: “While people all across the EU suffer from the effects of the weather and our elders are fighting for survival, the Parliament seems to be serving itself.”

“No one can explain that anymore, and it leaves me speechless,” he said.

The salary increases could cost the European Parliament’s human resources department up to €324,000 a year.

The hikes come following a raft of May promotions from AD15 to AD16, the highest grade in the EU civil servant hierarchy. When asked by POLITICO, a spokesperson for the Parliament said all recipients of the pay raise have at least three years of seniority in their previous pay brackets, while the minimum requirement for a promotion is two years.

Seven out of 16 directors-general, who lead the administration’s departments, along with Chiochetti have been promoted as of June 1, according to the minutes of a May meeting of the Parliament’s vice-presidents.

The directors-general who got pay raises are: Christian Mangold, in charge of communications; Ellen Robson, in charge of human resources; Juan Carlos Jiménez Marín, in charge of interpretation logistics; Lorenzo Mannelli, in charge of IT and cybersecurity; Guy Mols, in charge of security and safety; Monika Strasser, in charge of budgetary policy; and Michael Speiser, in charge of economic and industrial policies.

As of Nov. 1, 2025, Anders Rasmussen, deputy secretary general in charge of legislative coordination and the research services, will be promoted to AD16, as will Sannaleena Lepola-Honig, director-general in charge of parliamentary partnerships.

Peloton's advanced at-home cycle, the Bike+, has a neat feature I liked more than I expected to.

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For two weeks, I've been testing out a Bike+, the upgraded version of Peloton's famous Bike, all so I can write reviews of it. Since I've been an avid rider of my regular Peloton Bike for four years, I've been paying attention to any differences I notice in the performance of the two stationary cycles—especially any differences that make their $1,000 price difference worthwhile.

The feature I was most excited to test out, which my Bike does not have, is auto-resistance. With that, the Bike+ automatically adjusts the rider's resistance for them, setting it within the boundaries of the resistance called for by a instructor at any given point during a virtual class.

How does the Bike+'s auto-resistance work?

When you're taking an on-demand cycling class or completing a Power Zone workout, the Bike+ will adjust your resistance so that you're somewhere in between the numbers the instructor is calling for. So, if your instructor says your resistance should be between 40 and 60, the auto-resistance feature will plop you somewhere in the middle of those values; you don't have to spin the resistance knob yourself.

The auto-resistance is pretty smart, in my experience. When I did a nighttime workout after a day full of teaching spin class, doing other Peloton rides, and walking around in the heat, I wasn't feeling particularly energetic or even athletic. The auto-resistance caught on to that and adjusted my resistance to the lower end of the spectrum the instructor was calling for.

Overall, it just makes taking a class a little easier because you don't need to be constantly reaching down to adjust the knob. You can focus only on your cadence (and form, breathing, output, and hydration, of course) without having to stay on top of your resistance, too.

How to enable (or disable) auto-resistance on the Bike+

Enabling and disabling auto-resistance can be done before or during a workout. When you select a workout to complete on your device's touchscreen, you'll see a pop-up window that outlines a few details like when the class first aired, who's teaching it, and what the class is called. You'll also see a button that says "Auto-Resistance [Off/On]," which will, obviously, signal to you that the feature is on or off before the class starts.

Credit: Lindsey Ellefson

Once the class begins, you'll see a small lock icon next to the resistance on the lower right half of the screen. You can tap it to unlock it (turn auto-resistance off) or lock it (turn it on). I've noticed that if I start a workout with it off, then toggle it on, the auto-resistance tends to stick near whatever I was doing on my own. For instance, this morning, I started a class with it off, but was only riding about five above the lowest recommended resistance. When the instructor said resistance should be between 30 and 45, I was only doing 35. (I'm teaching classes later tonight, so I didn't feel I needed to over-exert myself! Leave me alone!) When I toggled auto-resistance on by tapping the lock icon, it consistently kept me at about five over the lowest recommended resistance level.

You can make manual adjustments while you ride, even if auto-resistance is turned on. At one point this morning, I did crank my resistance knob up to the highest recommended setting for a while. When the instructor told riders to lower their resistance a few minutes later, auto-resistance kicked in again and put me on a lower one with no issue, though it was, again, near the upper limits of the recommended range, since that's how I had set it manually.

Is this feature worth an extra $1,000?

The Peloton Bike+ is about $1,000 more than the regular Bike and will run you $2,495—with this auto-resistance feature being one of the main selling points.

Peloton Bike+

$2,495.00 at Amazon

Learn More

Learn More

$2,495.00 at Amazon

I did appreciate that the tech is smarter that I assumed it would be and was able to adjust my resistance not only to the middle of the recommended resistance range, but lower or higher within it, depending on how I am performing. I also appreciate that it can be manually overridden mid-class and even disabled completely if you're not into it. It's great to be able to ride without having to constantly think about making adjustments, plus I find it a little motivating. When I'm in charge of the resistance (like I have been for four years riding my Bike), I can slack a little if I want to, you know? Who's going to stop me if I choose to set my resistance to the absolute lowest recommended number? With auto-resistance, I feel just a little guilt if I consider manually overriding it to make my workout easier. More often than not, of course, I find that having my resistance set to the middle or higher end of the recommended spectrum is completely doable; I'm lazy, not incapable. The auto-resistance helps me stop being quite so lazy, which is a little counterintuitive, since the machine is doing the work of messing with the knob for me.

Still, If you don't mind reaching down and spinning that knob, if you don't think you'd find it particularly motivating to see your resistance set in the middle of the recommended range, or if you don't even think you'd use this feature, it may not be worth an extra grand. There are some other differences between the two bikes that could push you over the edge and make you want to spend that extra dough, but don't forget that the membership that allows you to take the classes will cost you $44 per month forever, even after you've paid off the Bike, so that's another expense to consider.

Overall, I genuinely like this feature, but when I've disabled it or gone back to my trusty Bike after using it, I haven't really missed it. It's unique, cool, and useful, but it's not necessary. Coupled with the other improvements in the Bike+, however, it makes a strong case for an upgrade: The Bike+ has better speakers, a bigger screen, simpler adjustment knobs to change seat and screen height, and overall better performance while running Peloton's proprietary software. All of that combined with the extraordinarily efficient auto-resistance makes for a better machine. If you're looking to upgrade from your existing Bike to a Bike+, consider selling your older model on Peloton's own resale site, which will get you some cash plus a few hundred off your Bike+ purchase.

Microsoft's iconic error screen is getting a new look.

Microsoft's iconic Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is dead after 40 years. RIP to the most panic-inducing screen a Windows user can encounter. Now, get ready to fear the Black Screen of Death.

In a blog post on its website today, the company revealed it's ready to go live with an error screen redesign it's been testing since March. In an update to all Windows 11, version 24H2 devices coming "later this summer," the BSOD will finally be put out of its misery.

It's likely to be a bittersweet moment for Windows users, who will undoubtedly have mixed feelings about the warning's fate. Despite its ominous name, getting a BSOD wasn't always as serious as it seemed—a simple crash could trigger it, and restarting could easily fix it. It could be worse than that, too, but in many cases, the old BSOD simply added a bit of personality to the most annoying interruptions to your workflow. Especially in recent years, when you would see a sideways frowning emoticon alongside your error message.

But sometimes, personality isn't what you need, especially when you're already stressed out about your computer encountering a serious error. Businesses and travelers alike were bombarded with a particularly unsolvable Blue Screen of Death during last year's extended Crowdstrike outage, so it makes sense why Microsoft might want to move away from any association with it.

Credit: Microsoft

Enter the new Black Screen of Death. Looking more like other Windows error messages, this is a simple black screen that says, in white text, that "Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart." Below that is a progress counter, alongside your error code and which process triggered it.

"The updated UI improves readability and aligns better with Windows 11 design principles," Microsoft Vice President of Enterprise and OS Security David Weston said in today's blog post.

I'll agree that it's arguably a bit less ominous then the current BSOD, which spends a lot of screen space on that big frowning emoticon, and used to say "Your PC ran into a problem that it couldn't handle" before anything else. Personally, I think the new approach might better reflect most situations that might trigger a BSOD—they're usually not as scary as they seem. Plus, the old error screen didn't actually tell you which process failed, so seeing that on its replacement is a nice bonus (it would occasionally show a QR code, but I often couldn't get it scanned before my computer restarted).

Still, part of me will miss the old Blue Screen of Death, in the same way I miss the Red Ring of Death that claimed my first Xbox 360. Stockholm syndrome, I suppose?

At any rate, Microsoft says that when it releases the new Black Screen of Death (not the official name for the error message, but neither was "Blue Screen of Death"), it will also release a new Quick Machine Recovery feature, which will help you access PCs that can't restart normally. In other words, the company is trying to make sure we won't get another Crowdstrike incident anytime soon. And if we do, it'll hopefully make us feel a little less blue.

U.K. prime minister had a bold plan for cleaning up British politics. A year in, campaigners say it amounts to little more than "tinkering."

LONDON — Keir Starmer was meant to drain the swamp.

Swept to office in no small part due to the near-constant drumbeat of scandal that had engulfed his Conservative rivals, the Labour leader promised to do things differently and restore trust in Westminster.

Labour included a wave of significant reforms in its manifesto, with the wannabe U.K. prime minister telling voters in the final days of the campaign he’d start ripping the rot out “straight away.”

But while the party made a handful of quick moves on taking office — establishing a so-called modernization committee tasked with shaking up standards and working practices in the House of Commons and beginning the process of removing hereditary peers from the House of Lords — campaigners and policy experts say they are underwhelmed by the Labour government’s efforts.

Daniel Bruce, chief executive of Transparency International UK, said Labour’s welcome but “modest” progress on the agenda amounted to little more than “tinkering around the edges.”

A recent study from the National Centre for Social Research found that since the 2024 election, trust among voters that the government will put the nation’s interests above those of the party is at a record low.

“The government might be busy responding to outside events and the instability around the world, which is perfectly understandable and defensible, but you can’t pause the clock on declining political trust, and without that political trust the very legitimacy of the government and faith in our democracy is going to continue to erode,” Bruce said.

Susan Hawley, executive director at campaign group Spotlight on Corruption, argues that an embarrassing controversy over the acceptance of free gifts and hospitality by Labour’s top team just months after taking power may also have dampened ambitions. “Unfortunately, the freebie row probably pulled the rug out and made it hard to look like they were on the front foot with the agenda and cleaning up the last administration’s problems,” she said.

A government spokesperson told POLITICO they were “committed to establishing the right structures to uphold the highest standards in public life.”

“We have already taken steps to improve probity and transparency, including through introducing a new ministerial code which emphasizes the principles of public life, by strengthening the terms of reference for the independent adviser, and by introducing a new monthly register of gifts and hospitality,” they added.

Great expectations

Having put his plans to restore trust in politics at the heart of his first speech as prime minister, a quick flurry of announcements offered hope to campaigners that despite the early crises that had rocked his administration, Starmer was not to be distracted from the fight.

A significant commitment was delivered straight away with the establishment of a Modernisation Committee. The body quickly closed a loophole to stop MPs from being paid by outside sources to provide advice on issues related to parliament, or on “public policy and current affairs.”

There was more early progress made through an update to the ministerial code, which emphasized restoring trust and embodying public service. An important reform was also delivered to ensure the adviser on ministerial standards was properly independent, by removing the prime minister’s right to veto the watchdog’s investigations into potential wrongdoing.

But those achievements represent only a fraction of the agenda that Labour had repeatedly told the public was urgently required to reverse hemorrhaging trust in British political institutions.

While hereditary peers are headed for the chopping block, there has been scant detail around Labour’s plans to force peers to retire at the age of 80. Even less has been said about its lofty manifesto goal to replace the upper house with a more representative alternative.

And while having successfully closed one lobbying loophole, progress on the rest of the Modernisation Committee’s work to ban most second jobs for MPs and add some rigor to the standards regime has been glacial.

It’s the same story when it comes to ministerial scrutiny, too. While data about meetings between outside stakeholders and the prime minister and other Cabinet Office officials have been moved to a monthly, rather than quarterly publication schedule, the government has ditched its promise to implement a commitment made by the previous Conservative administration to apply the same rules across all Whitehall departments.

Slow walking

Campaigners insist that no matter how much further progress is made on those issues, the barometer of trust won’t shift an inch, given key planks of Labour’s ethics plans remain up in the air.

Having rightly concluded that voters are genuinely concerned about standards in Westminster, the party realized that attempting to discuss the often dry and technical solutions during the chaos of a campaign was futile. Instead, Labour strategists shrewdly decided to concentrate its sleaze-busting pledges on establishing an independent Ethics and Integrity Commission — a concept simple enough to grasp the attention of voters, and a convenient soundbite for Labour hopefuls to deploy when asked about how it would clean up politics.

But having sold the body as an all-singing, all-dancing remedy for wrongdoing, its continued absence has become a 10-ton elephant in the room.

Despite decades of slapdash additions to Westminster’s standards landscape, campaigners had been cautiously optimistic, given Labour’s apparent energy and ambition, that the chaotic jumble of regulators and rules could finally be whipped into shape. But as the months have ticked by, concerns have only grown that whatever form the body eventually takes, it will lack the teeth and the mandate required to properly overhaul standards.

Those concerns were further cemented this week after the Guardian reported claims from government sources that the process of setting up an independent body had been deemed too complex, and that a rebrand of existing regulators under a new “umbrella” was now the most likely outcome.

“If, as is being suggested, that title is used as a tool to hoover up what is a complicated standards regulation landscape under one umbrella, but fundamentally not change how they’re able to do their job, then it will fail,” Bruce said. “We won’t move on.”

Multiple campaigners and policy experts suggested that the transition from opposition to government had resulted in responsibility for the brief being handed over to ministers with less appetite for the fight. Others have questioned whether Labour felt it had secured enough goodwill with voters during the campaign that it could afford to let the timelines and details slip.

No matter the reason, Labour’s stagnant progress has dented the confidence of campaigners, meaning a recent commitment to deliver an elections bill later this year has been met with less celebration and more trepidation than would have been expected just 12 months ago.

Anti-corruption groups fear that welcome moves to limit foreign money in politics and enhance the power of regulators will be used as cover to avoid the contentious but vital step of introducing a cap on overall donations — a measure seen as fundamental to curb the corrosive public perception that parties are beholden to those with the deepest pockets.

But the biggest frustration is that Labour has fallen directly into the traps that campaigners had spent months warning them to avoid.

For instance, while election reform is included in Labour’s manifesto, ministers barely mentioned the plans in public until it was revealed that Elon Musk was toying with the idea of donating tens of millions to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Party — offering the insurgent parliamentarian a golden opportunity to paint the proposals as a knee-jerk establishment stitch-up.

“A lot of the bits they were thinking of doing are now likely to be perceived as if they are trying to keep Reform out of power,” Hawley added. “They’ve already lost the first mover advantage on that, so they actually do have to go quite bold to make it cut through. If you’re just going to tinker around the edges, then that really isn’t going to move the dialog.”

Finally, a way to stop getting advertised to while you're walking the dog.

I use as many ad-blocking programs as possible, but no matter how many I install, real-life advertising is still there, grabbing my attention when I'm just trying to go for a walk. Thankfully, there may be a solution on the horizon. Software engineer Stijn Spanhove recently posted a concept video showing what real-time, real-life ad-blocking looks like on a pair of Snap Spectacles, and I really want it. Check it out:

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The idea is that the AI in your smart glasses recognizes advertisements in your visual field and "edits them out' in real time, sparing you from ever seeing what they want you to see.

While Spanhove's video shows a red block over the offending ads, you could conceivably cover that Wendy's ad with anything you want—an abstract painting, a photo of your family, an ad for Arby's, etc.

How close are we to real-life ad-blocking?

While it's a test at present, real-life ad-blocking for the people doesn't seem far off. The technology is there now: current-generation consumer AI glasses like Meta Ray Bans can already identify what you're looking at with scary accuracy.

Replacing ads is a little trickier, though. While there are AR smart-glasses on the market, like the XReal Airs, and upcoming Snap Specs, and AR experiences in VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 can already strip out parts of the real environment and replace them, there isn't anything on the market with full AR that is practical enough for wearing all the time. Battery life and weight are the problems, but those are solvable. There are so many companies competing for the smart glasses market, it seems like only a matter of time until it's practical to achieve real life ad-blocking.

Companies versus consumer and the creation of the ultimate echo chamber

I could see this being a killer app for smart glasses in the near future: It's the kind of things that consumers would really want. But it's also the kind of thing that advertisers and marketers would really not want, and this might be the biggest obstacles to real-life ad-blockers. You could envision a "cat-and-mouse" game similar to the one that's been playing out online for years, with companies trying ingenious ways to thwart the ad-blocking glasses, like disguising ads as something else. Would there be legal challenges? Would there be issues with a mega corporation that releases smart glasses not wanting to piss off every other company? And what happens if you want to edit out ads for the very device you're wearing?

There are sociological concerns as well. People probably wouldn't stop at replacing ads with pixel art. They'd be editing out anything that personally annoys them: homeless people, construction sites, other humans who have traits they don't like. Curating your own visual experience in the real world could lead to the creation of personal echo chambers that make the world look more to your liking, but less like it is, the ultimate echo chamber.

Ethical concerns aside, I would be first in line for a pair of glasses that edited reality to my liking. I know I would use them responsibly, even if I'm not sure about everyone else. Maybe I wouldn't wear them all the time. Just almost all the time.

Någon gång under slutet av 90-talet lirade jag Interplays Fallout-spel på mina föräldrars PC utan att fatta någonting då jag knappt hade börjat förskolan. Att jag inte fattade någonting där och då spelade ingen roll dock då det som spelade roll så här när jag ser tillbaka var att det var en tid där min kärlek för spel föddes redan i tidig ålder och när jag sedan växte upp och kunde begripa allt mer vad min kärlek för spel ens innebar förstod jag även på djupet Interplays två första Fallout-spel. Att ha dessa klassiker som inspiration var därför något som väckte en nyfikenhet hos mig från utvecklaren Dustwind Studios men tyvärr är Dustwind: Resistance ett evigt långt helvete från början till slut och stundtals det värsta jag spelat i hela mitt liv.

<bild>Dustwind: Resistance inledande prolog är oerhört utdragen och träig.</bild>

Det hela börjar när vår unge huvudkaraktär Jack vägleds tillsammans med hans vän Amanda av hans far när de var små och växte upp på en lugn farm. Många år senare har de hunnit bli vuxna och gifta och snabbt förvandlas farmen till en mardröm. Den attackeras av beväpnade män och de flesta invånarna blir mördade där Jacks fru Amanda är ett av offren. Jack som bara var en enkel bonde svär nu att han skall hämnas sin fru och hela hans by och han beger sig av därifrån med sin hund Diesel för att leta rätt på dem som bär ansvaret ledda, främst deras ledare Warlock, och hämnas dem.

<bild>Vår huvudkaraktär Jack vill inget hellre än att hämnas på Warlock och hans gäng för mordet på hans fru Amanda.</bild>

Även om hämnd som motivation har gjorts en miljard gånger tidigare i alla former av medium så finns det en anledning till det. Om det görs väl så kan du bygga en hel berättelse kring detta men tyvärr tappar Dustwind: Resistance mig från första början. Allt kretsar kring att Jack förlorar sin fru Amanda och vill hämnas henne men tyvärr får vi aldrig se henne som vuxen. Istället får vi det bara berättat (efter att ha letat efter henne) att hon redan är död vilket av någon anledning Jack bara accepterar och han tar sig inte ens tid för att sörja eller gå på hennes begravning utan tar bara sin hund och drar. Spelets inledande prolog avslutas således som ett enda stort frågetecken för min del vilket är synd då det innan dess fanns en gnutta av hopp att detta skulle följas upp på ett bättre sätt där åtminstone spelets handling kunde gripa tag.

<bild>De flesta områden är oerhört utdragna och tar en evighet att bara sig igenom då dina karaktärer knappt kan springa.</bild>

Redan innan spelet ens börjar är det värt att nämna att ett problem uppstod för mig när det kommer till Dustwind: Resistance. Då jag recenserar det på Xbox Series X så blir det direkt tydligt att det här spelet först och främst var byggt för PC. Gränsnittet är enormt litet och byggt för att sitta nära och inte på ett visst avstånd borta i soffan. Det brukar dock inte vara problem de gånger det händer med spel på konsol då du nästan alltid får möjligheten att göra gränsnittet större för att passa ditt behov. Med Dustwind: Resistance är detta dock inte möjligt vilket innebär att jag tvingats sitta mycket närmare min TV än jag brukar göra och mest liknat en hundraårig gubbe som förlorat sina glasögon.

<bild>Dustwind: Resistance användergränsnitt är anpassat för PC och går inte ställa om till konsol vilket gör det svårt att läsa.</bild>

Precis som i de tidigaste Fallout-spelen (där Dustwind: Resistance även har spår av Fallout Tactics: Broterhood of Steel i sig) så är det ett isometriskt perspektiv rakt ovanifrån som gäller i en postapokalyptisk värld. Just det senare känns dock mer som en eftertanke och det finns inget event som lägger till grund varför världen är som den är men då Dustwind: Resistance är en uppföljare till Dustwind: The Last Resort, som jag aldrig lirat, är det möjligt att detta klargörs där. Det finns även möjligheten att pausa spelet och navigera världen för att ge dig mer tid att ta beslut i mer hektiska strider där fienderna blir för många.

Dessutom erbjuds lätta rollspelsinslag där du kan uppgradera dina karaktärer och ett klassbaserat system där exempelvis vår huvudkaraktär Jack är bäst som mekaniker och hans hund Diesel är bra på att sniffa upp och upptäcka minor som han kan avväpna så ingen av dina karaktärer springer in i dem. Just minor är även en del av din arsenal men så är även allt från fällor till granater, hagelgevär, eldkastare och pilbågar. Det finns alltså ett stort smörgåsbord att ta del av men tyvärr känns ingenting bra att använda. Dessutom är det onödigt att köpa någonting av de butiker som finns i spelet du då hela tiden klarar dig utmärkt att bara hitta nya vapen och annat ute i världen.

<bild>Det finns ett stort smörgåsbord av vapen och tillbehör men ingenting är roligt att använda.</bild>

Ett stort problem som är ständigt närvarande i Dustwind: Resistance är att utvecklarna gjort relativt stora banor vilket enbart är irriterande då du knappt kan jogga och det tar en smärre evighet att ta sig från punkt A till B. Detta blir ännu värre i spelets andra halva när utvecklarna har velat dra ut på längden av spelet med det ena sidouppdraget efter det andra, som inte går att skippa, där det vid ett tillfälle av någon anledning är jätteviktigt att hitta någons bortsprungda hund i en grotta vilket alltså måste göras så att han blir så pass glad att han senare låter dig köpa saker i hans butik. Saker som du alltså ändå aldrig bryr dig om att köpa då det alltså går att hitta gratis hur lätt som helst ute i världen. Ännu värre och segare att bara ta sig runt det är att du inte ens kan gå och återställa din hälsa samtidigt utan måste stanna upp varje gång du vill öka din hälsa och eftersom Dustwind: Resistance är ett utmanande, och frustrerande, spel så kommer du alltså tvingas stanna upp gång på gång på gång. Det är även enormt enkelt att fastna i diverse objekt runt omkring i världen, och Dustwind Studios förlitar sig alldeles för mycket på att du hela tiden måste öppna en karta för att se vart du är vilket hade varit okej om den var hjälpsam men det är den alltså sällan aldrig.

För att göra det ännu värre så är dessutom spelets AI katastrofal där dina kompanjoner kan springa rakt in i minor som ligger framför dem trots att din hund Diesel har upptäckt dem, fienderna kan skjuta genom väggar, spelkontrollen är oerhört klumpig och inte anpassad för konsol, och varje gång Dustwind: Resistance gör något så enkelt som att spara automatiskt så hostar spelet till precis som om det är på väg att krascha vilket det tyvärr också har gjort flertalet gånger vid andra tillfällen.

<bild>Menyerna är oerhört klumpiga och även dem dåligt anpassade till konsol.</bild>

Då Dustwind: Resistance är ett utmanande spel (där fem olika svårighetsgrader erbjuds) reekommenderas du att spara ofta. Det gör att du sällan förlorar mycket speltid men givetvis är det fortfarande irriterande när en krasch sker. Lika irriterande är det när du flertalet gånger har som uppdrag att döda alla fiender i ett rum och när du väl gjort det så händer ingenting. Spelet tror att någon fiende fortfarande finns kvar men kommer sen på sig själv att så inte är fallet och plötsligt kan du gå vidare efter att ibland ha undrat i ett par minuter om du missat någon. Flertalet gånger har även fiender fastnat i framförallt trappor men även i väggar och andra objekt och när de är fast där kan du inte skada dem. Andra irriterande moment är skuggor som poppar in och ut ur bild när du zoomar ut på kartan, emellanåt långa laddningsskärmar och stealth-uppdrag där du blir upptäckt trots att ingen är i närheten.

<bild>Smyguppdragen erbjuder lite variation men är helt värdelösa då du flertalet gånger blir upptäckt trots att ingen är i närheten.</bild>

Det har såklart enbart varit negativitet så här långt men finns det inte något ljus i mörkret som är positivt? Jo, det gör det, faktiskt. Trots att Dustwind: Resistance inte har några röstskådespelare i dess gameplay så har vår huvudkaraktär Jack en röst i spelets slideshows som erbjuder lite context mellan de elva olika uppdragen i spelet. Han gör ett relativt bra jobb, din hund Diesel är dessutom en trevlig kompanjon (när han inte är i vägen i väldigt trånga utrymmen) och han fick mig direkt att tänka på Dogmeat i Fallout.

Spelets upplåsningsträd är även relativt hjälpsamt och roligt att experimentera med för att göra dina karaktärer bättre, utvecklarna försöker göra den andra halvan av spelet mer spännande med att introducera ett fordon du tar dig runt i och den inledande storyn, om än cliché, börjar som redan nämnts relativt spännande men faller alltså på att du aldrig känner någonting för den fru du skall hämnas på och i slutändan när eftertexterna har rullat så känns ingenting värt det efter de runt 15 timmar det tog att ta sig igenom Dustwind: Resistance.

<bild>Introduktionen av fordon är välbehövlig men dyker upp för sent vilket gör att banorna innan dess tar en evighet att ta sig igenom till fots.</bild>

Det största anledningen till det är att din fru Amanda visar sig ha överlevt den inledande attacken på farmen. Det må låta som en massiv spoiler (vilket det på sätt och vis är) men eftersom Amanda är med på spelets omslag och dessutom i material som ledde upp till dess lansering väljer jag att ta med det här då det är en väldigt märklig prioritering av utvecklarnas sida. Det kommer inte som en överraskning för dem som följde spelet innan lansering men för min del dock som gick in helt blint blev det visserligen en överraskning men eftersom jag aldrig brydde mig om när hon "dog" i början av spelet kunde jag inte bry mig mindre när hon plötsligt kom tillbaka. Det var bara en enda axelryckning men jag fick åtminstone svaret på varför Dustwind Studios valde att inte visa din döda fru i början. Det var dock ett fruktansvärt klumpigt sätt att göra det på att få oss att acceptera att Jack inte ens vill se sin egen frus begravning som resten av byn gick på men att hämnas henne skulle ändå göras. Det hade såklart inte blivit mycket till spel om Jack bara gick på den där begravningen som vem som helst i hans situation annars hade gjort men även om borde anat att Amanda skulle komma tillbaka då hon är med på spelets omslag så ser hon dock helt annorlunda ut i spelet kontra dess omslag.

<bild>Din fru Amanda fungerar bäst som prickskytt och support men hennes återkomst från det döda hanterades oerhört klumpigt av Dustwind Studios.</bild>

I slutändan är det väldigt lite jag kan rekommendera med Dustwind: Resistance. Det kraschar flertalet gånger, kontrollen är oerhört klumpig och dåligt optimerat för konsol vilket även gäller gränssnittet och menyer, vapnen är många men tråkiga att använda, storyn tappar dig från första stund, musiken och fienderna är repetiva, den postapokalyptiska världen känns som en eftertanke, spelets AI är värdelös, fiender fastnar i väggar, och du kan knappt jogga på enorma banor som därav känns alldeles för långa och utdragna som ett resultat.

Mitt tålamod har testats mer än i ett spel på mycket länge och mitt enkla råd är att avstå från det här spelet så mycket det bara går. Vill du ha ett postapokalyptiskt isometriskt perspektiv och värld att ta dig igenom så hade jag hellre rekommenderat Interplays Fallout-spel som alltså gjorde detta mycket bättre redan på 90-talet. Är det så att dessa titlar känns förlegade så är Wasteland ett mer nutida exempel som passar mycket bättre. Ett någorlunda roligt upplådningsträd, ett skirmish-läge vid sidan av kampanjen och bra slideshows där Jacks röstskådespelare visar lite passion kan inte rädda Dustwind: Resistance från att undvika en svag trea från mig.

Har du någon gång undrat om dina livsval hade kunnat förändrat vem du är idag. The Alters sätter detta på sin spets tack vare ett finurligt sätt att klona dig själv i din kamp att överleva en fientlig och isolerad planet. Det hela börjar med att vi kraschlandar på en öde värld i ett solsystem med tre stjärnor. Resten av besättningen är död utom en byggare med namnet Jan Dolski. Han är en vanlig person som hamnat på fel ställe vid fel tidpunkt. Vårt första uppdrag blir att hitta en mobil bas, vilken fungerar som vårt hem och transportmetod under äventyrets gång.

Jan inser ganska snabbt att han inte räcker till för att fixa basen och en mystisk kontaktperson övertygar honom om att använda en sällsynt naturresurs han precis upptäckt på planeten. Det leder oss till att använda maskineriet ombord basen att klona ett får och senare en variant av oss själva. Detta är premissen för hela äventyret, bygg upp din bas, samla resurser och klona dig själv så att dina alter egos kan hjälpa dig med olika uppgifter. Det är också här vi börjar stöta på problemen. Vi vet att de tre stjärnorna planeten roterar runt kommer att orsaka förödelse och förinta allt liv när solarna går upp. Det sätter en tidsgräns på vårt äventyr och ett behov av att skynda på. Vi vet också att fler människor behöver mer mat, ställen att sova på och mycket annat. I takt med att vi skapar fler varianter av oss själva behöver vi expandera basen och för att göra detta måste vi ut på planetens yta och samla olika naturresurser.

<bild>Jan är ensam i början av äventyret. Ditt försök att fly planeten kommer snart att leda till att han får andra att prata med.</bild>
<bild>Basen byggs av dig, rum kan flyttas runt och specialicerade byggnader kan skapa föremål av olika slag.</bild>

Den mest betydande resursen kallas för rapidium och är det du använder för att skapa en klon i vuxen ålder, med minnen från sitt och ditt liv. Jan du spelar som har dock inte levt hela deras liv. De har gjort livsval som förändrat vem de är, vilket jobb de har och orsaken till att de följde med på resan. Detta resulterar i personer som både gjort samma och andra livsval. Du kommer att använda lite av din tid med att luska ut vilka val dessa karaktärer gjorde, som du inte gjorde och varför. Det liknar konceptet med varianter av karaktärer i parallella dimensioner, som Marvel ofta använder sig av i sina storfilmer. Du kommer att konversera mycket med dessa varianter av dig själv och även försöka lösa deras problem.

När du väl börjat på detta spår inser du snabbt att du behöver fler Jan med olika specialiseringar för att få basen att ta sig fram på denna öde planet. För att göra det behöver du fylla på med mer rapidium, forska, bygga byggnader, producera mat och samla resurser. Du kan inte dröja för länge på grund av en tidsbegränsning. Det beror på att du har ett visst antal dagar du kan stanna på varje plats. Din karaktär kan inte jobba för evigt utan behöver sova för att orka jobba dagen efter med olika aktiviteter. Som du förmodligen gissat innebär grävandet av resurser tidsförbrukning och riskerar att trötta ut din karaktär. Det innebär att du måste fatta strategiska beslut om hur du väljer att använda tiden du har till förfogande och när du sover under titelns tre akter.

<bild>Allt från växthus till ett sovrum är exempel på byggnader i basen. Du behöver erbjuda din besättning bra levnadsvillkor och rätt förutsättningar för att klara av resan.</bild>

Det finns många sätt att sätta sig i en svår situation på grund av misstag eller beslut. Dina Alters kan också dö om du inte är försiktig. Det kan ske via händelser i spelet eller arbeten du ber karaktärerna att genomföra. Att fundera igenom vad du säger, gör och hur du agerar i olika situationer är viktigt. Jag gillar denna aspekt tack vare att det bjuder in mig som spelare att experimentera med både dialog och andra spelmässiga inslag. The Alters är som allra bäst när du inte ved vad som händer om du gör en viss sak.

Det är uppfriskande att titeln inte handlar om utomjordingar eller att skjuta. Fokuset är snarare på överlevnad. Världen är vacker och ogästvänlig, den bjuder också på olika fenomen att ta hänsyn till. Navigering kan vara farligt och du kan bygga föremål för att underlätta denna process. Du kommer också i kontakt med naturfenomen som liknar något från Stalker. Vissa faror triggar också dialog med dina Alters så att du kan få råd och hjälp att hantera dessa. Det är också en av styrkorna med äventyret att du kan använda dina skapade varianter av dig själv till att underlätta resan. Tyvärr bidrar upplägget även till att visa på vissa svagheter. Spelet sparas enbart när din Jan vaknar på morgonen. Det innebär att om du avslutar under dagen eller av någon annan anledning stänger av spelet så sparas inte dina framsteg. Trots att tanken är att du ska leva med dina beslut och spelet markerar dina val du gjorde fram till punkten du stängde av, är det frustrerande att spela om och inte kunna spara manuellt.

<bild>I en databank kan du läsa om dina och dina varianters minnen och för att förstå när en variant har gjort ett annat val än protagonisten. Det påverkar resten av deras liv och vilka andra minnen de har.</bild>

11 Bit Studios vet verkligen hur de ska skapa engagemang hos mig tack vare flertalet spelmässiga system. Precis som med Anomaly: Warzone, This War of Mine, Frostpunk 1 och 2 lyckas de även här. Det som är tydligt efter många timmar med denna titel är hur sömlöst alla olika bitar faller på plats. Oavsett om jag samlar resurser, skapar en ny klon eller sparar material för en byggnad fungerar allt klockrent. Det finns inget som inte platsar. Jag hade snarare önskat mig mer djup i vissa spelmässiga inslag, det handlar i nuläget enbart om att hålla nere en knapp. Strategin och svårigheterna kretsar runt hur du använder din tid, dina resurser och på vad. Svårighetsgraderna i sig är förmodligen det jag kämpat med mest. Jag tycker inte att titeln är särskilt utmanande oavsett svårighetsgrad. Det kan vara bra att känna till om du är van med genren att detta kanske inte utmanar. Detta är förmodligen också en aspekt som utvecklarna har möjlighet att lösa på sikt.

Visuellt är detta fantastiskt, det påminner lite om filmen Prometheus med sin öde planet. Däremot finns det inga utomjordingar eller skräckinslag. Det är snarare en berättelse om överlevnad på en distinkt och visuellt tilltalande värld. Det är inte ett särskilt krävande spel trots sitt vackra yttre. Även om jag skulle kunna kritisera karaktärsmodellernas ögonrörelser är det inget som blir ett problem. Både karaktärer, föremål och andra saker ser bra ut. Det är också imponerande hur mycket du kan zooma ut och in i världen. Det är tydligt vad du kan plocka upp, vad som är en resurs och att navigera menyerna. Skulle du ha problem med att flytta din karaktär i din bas kan du också snabbt flytta om rummen och hissarna efter eget tycke. Det är ett förhållandevis lättavläst spel med ett bra användargränssnitt.

<bild>Basen ändrar också utseende beroende på hur du placerar byggnaderna.</bild>

Ljudmässigt är även detta toppen, jag tycker verkligen om musiken i denna titel. Skådespelaren bakom Jan Dolski är också riktigt bra. Han låter inte som en kommandosoldat, utan som en vanlig människa. Att sedan få höra hans röst i olika konstellationer är lite som klonerna från Star Wars. Jag tycker att 11 Bit Studios lyckas riktigt bra med att förmedla olika personligheter trots detta. De behåller dragen av sin ursprungsversion med bjuder på distinkta variationer i kläder, personlighet och annat. Resterande ljud i världen låter också bra. Det blir aldrig ett problem eller stör upplevelsen. Du ska ändå tillbringa nästan 18-30-timmar med detta och då behöver ljudbilden vara bra.

The Alters stannar aldrig över sitt välkomnande utan bjuder på en engagerande, intressant och välspelande upplevelse. Det låter bra och det finns mycket att gilla med detta science fiktion-äventyr. Är du som mig och gillar utvecklarens tidigare spel finns det mycket att gilla även här. Tyvärr bjuder inte denna resa på en tillräckligt stor svårighetsgrad, men om du gillar berättande, dialog och överlevnad finns det ändå mycket att hämta här. Det är utan tvekan en av årets mer positiva överraskningar. Även om jag normalt sett inte gillar tidsbegränsningar i spel fungerar det bra här. Det vävs in helt naturligt i berättelsen på grund av solarna planeten kretsar runt och mysteriet om varför originalbesättningen dog är också ett roande stickspår att försöka klura ut. Det är knäppt, intressant och innehåller konstig vetenskap, vilket tilltalar mig. Om du gillar science fiktion är detta en given rekommendation. Därför landar mitt betyg på en nia.

<bild>Dialog med dina kloner kan gå bra eller dåligt. De har känslor och dina konversationer kan skapa missförstånd, uppror, bråk, glädje och lojalitet. Du behöver tänka på hur du konverserar med varje Jan. Trots likheter har de alla olikheter och egna minnen du inte besitter.</bild>
<bild>För att navigera världen använder du en mobil bas. Den rullar över världen och behövs för att ta dig till en plats på planeten där din arbetsgivare kan rädda dig.</bild>

You don't necessarily have to pay $30 for extended coverage.

The end of Windows 10 support is just a few months away, but Microsoft is giving users who can't (or don't want to) let go of Windows 10 more options to receive security updates for an additional year. The company is cutting off most support for the older operating system on October 14, 2025, pushing users toward Windows 11.

One of the risks of not upgrading to Windows 11 by the deadline is that your device won't be protected against viruses and hackers—unless you take advantage of one of the free or paid options to enroll in Extended Security Updates (ESU).

Note that Microsoft has also extended support for Microsoft 365 apps on Windows 10 through October 10, 2028.

How to get Windows 10 Extended Security Updates

Windows 10 users were already able to pay $30 for a year ESU coverage, which you can still do, but Microsoft is now offering two additional options to protect your device at no cost. You can either opt into Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud or redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points, which are accrued when you purchase or otherwise engage with Microsoft services, including Bing. Note that both of these "free" alternatives require you to have (or sign up for) a Microsoft account.

If you're still on Windows 10, you'll receive a push notification about the program, or you can find the enrollment wizard in your Settings app. Enrollment is already open in the Windows Insider Program, and Microsoft plans to roll it out for Windows 10 customers in July, with availability to all by mid-August.

The extended coverage will last until October 13, 2026, with critical security updates delivered on a monthly basis. Note that ESU does not include new features, non-security updates, design change requests, or tech support.

Finding your custom domain Medium Publication’s sitemap.xml

If you have a custom domain Medium Publication, finding the sitemap.xml is pretty difficult. Generally most sites submit their sitemap to Google’s Search Console in order to better index their sites.

After Medium discontinued custom domain publications, almost all support for custom domain publications essentially stopped.

But what you’re looking for is essentially here:

(your domain)/sitemap/sitemap.xml

For example, this blog has the sitemap hosted here:

https://blog.shawjj.com/sitemap/sitemap.xml 

Adding your sitemap to Google Search Console:

And verifying that it has indeed been submitted:

👏👏👏

Adding a Medium Publication sitemap to Search Console was originally published in blog.shawjj on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Alla kattägare vet att katter är människans bästa vän - när det passar katten förstås. Katter är unika djur, därför är det roligt, speciellt för kattägare, att spela spel där man styr en katt, och kan göra kattsaker. Och jamar okontrollerat. Kattägare vet vad jag menar... Vi har spelat katter i {Little Kitty, Big City} och {Stray}, och nu finns det ett nytt spel, det lilla linjära fyratimmarsäventyrsspelet {Copycat}.

Det börjar på ett djurhem där en äldre singeldam, {Olive}, kommer in för att hitta en katt att ta med hem. Hennes gamla katt har rymt hemifrån och hon saknar att ha en lurvig liten vän som springer runt i huset. Hon väljer en katt, döper den till {Dawn} och tar med den hem. Det finns några problem till en början, eftersom den nya katten orsakar några för många olyckor runt huset, men snart börjar de två bilda ett nära band.
<bild>Du kan jama</bild>
Därifrån utvecklas spelet till en överraskande känslomässig berättelse om att bli övergiven, känna sig oälskad och att inte förstå varför ingen kommer att älska dig när du har så mycket kärlek att ge. Du behöver inte älska katter för att känna den här lilla historien i magen, men det hjälper såklart om du har, eller har haft, en katt i ditt liv.

{Copycat} kommer från den lilla australiensiska utvecklaren {Spoonful of Wonders}, som består av endast två personer, och {Copycat} är deras första spel. Tyvärr kan man se det. Det är ganska opolerat och grovt, och det finns inte mycket spelmoment. Förutom att springa runt som {Dawn}, består det mesta av spelet av en serie minispel där du måste fånga byten, stjäla mat från människor i parken, undvika vilda hundar i en liten smygsekvens och slåss mot andra katter. Det är enkelt och inte särskilt underhållande.
<bild>Kattens animationer är väldigt bra.</bild>
Med det sagt, det här spelet ses bäst som en rudimentär liten berättelse och om du närmar dig spelet med det tänkesättet börjar grovheten och det simpla spelandet att tona in i bakgrunden och berättelsen står i centrum. Berättelsen är helt klart spelets styrka och det är en historia som du kommer att känna i själen, och inte alltid på ett trevligt vis.

Det visuella är väldigt blandat. Animationerna av din katt är faktiskt väldigt imponerande och det är tydligt att mycket arbete har lagts ner på just den här delen. Det finns också några drömsekvenser med en svart panter för att representera den vilda sidan av huskatten, och dessa sekvenser är riktigt väldesignade. På andra håll är spelet väldigt grovt till utseendet och det är tydligt att detta är det första spelet från en liten utvecklare.
<bild>Om du är kattälskare är Copycat ett måste.</bild>
Jag rekommenderar verkligen {Copycat}, för det är fantastiskt när en liten utvecklare gör ett spel som inte ser ut som alla andra, och som framför allt har något att säga och levererar en historia som berör. Det är inte många spel som kan skryta med det. Även om spelet kommer med en ganska låg prislapp så är det svårt att rekommendera det till någon annan än kattälskare som också älskar små känslomässiga historier.

Jag skulle älska att ge {Copycat} ett högre betyg, men det är svårt att motivera mer än en sexa, men jag skulle säga att om du är en kattägare, ge det ett försök. Var bara beredd att förbise det enkla och klumpiga spelet.

Digital nomads from the U.S. who roam the world say their time abroad allows them to recognize — and even appreciate — aspects of American life and the privilege of American identity.

Digital nomads from the U.S. who roam the world say their time abroad allows them to recognize — and even appreciate — aspects of American life and the privilege of American identity.

Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo expects an all-new, more-affordable MacBook model powered by an iPhone chip to launch next year.


Below, we recap rumors and other possibilities for this new MacBook.

Chip

Pricing

Specs

Design

Release Date

This blender makes a velvety smooth cashew sauce in no time flat.

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Whether or not you’ve ever been to a Juice Press store doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you know they offer a special chia seed pudding, and it’s out of this world. Even I, a self-professed lover of air-fried Popeye’s chicken sandwiches and bacon wrapped banana bites, cannot get enough of this surprisingly addictive vegan pudding.

In the past, I’ve tried duplicating the pudding at home, but came up short every time. Recently, however, I’ve had more success thanks the Vitamix Explorian E310, which helped me make a perfect copy of this cult favorite vanilla-scented pudding. 

Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender

$379.95 at Walmart

Shop Now

Shop Now

$379.95 at Walmart

The right blender matters

Chia seeds are rather unusual—they're teeny tiny, but packed with nutrients. When stirred into liquid they have incredible absorption capabilities, lending the resulting mixture a gelatinous consistency. Juice Press chia seed pudding is vegan, which might have you asking how to get a stable, pudding-like consistency without some key animal ingredients and lots of whisking on the stove. Instead of eggs the structure relies on a cashews, with the chia seeds serving as a natural thickening agent.

The key to this pudding succeeding, then, is making a creamy, non-gritty cashew sauce with a high-powered blender. And this is where having the right equipment matters.  

The Vitamix Explorian is the cheapest of their blender offerings but doesn't skimp on power. Credit: Diane Mattia

My past blenders and even some food processors have had trouble breaking down the cashews into a fine texture. Now, soaking the cashews helps here, and this recipe will taste good no matter what blender you have, but making a true copycat with pudding-like consistency—smooth enough that you'd be surprised to learn it is made with nuts—requires a powerful motor, and sharp, durable blades. The Vitamix Explorian E310 makes it all look easy—not to mention that it’s the cheapest model on offer from this top tier brand. (Read my full review of the Explorian E310.)

Making chia seed pudding in a Vitamix

With three easy steps and just a few ingredients, you can have this creamy, slightly sweet, vegan vanilla pudding at home. It’s perfect as-is but you can spice things up and add a pinch of cinnamon or cocoa powder to the mixture.

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup raw cashews

• ½ cup water

• ½ cup almond milk

• 6 pitted dates

• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

• ⅛ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

• ¼ cup chia seeds

1. Soak the cashews

Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

If you’re a big raw foods person then you can cold-soak your cashews overnight, but I’m fine with doing things the speedy way: Put the cashews in a bowl and cover them with just-boiled water. Let them soak for about 20 to 30 minutes. 

2. Blend the cashew sauce

Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Drain the cashews and pour the nuts into the blender container. Add all of the other ingredients except the chia seeds. The Explorian model doesn’t have any fancy presets, but frankly, you don’t need them! (Here are my tips on how to operate the Explorian to reach its full potential.)

I like to start by pulsing the mixture to chop it up a bit. Use the pulse switch on the left side four or five times. Then start the Vitamix Explorian on the lowest speed setting, with the dial set to speed 1. Run the machine for about 10 seconds and then ramp up all the way to speed 10. The resulting mixture should be smooth and somewhat thick, kind of like a milkshake.

3. Stir in the chia seeds and let it set

Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann

Next, I pour the chia seeds into a container and stir the cashew sauce into the seeds. Make sure the seeds are thoroughly mixed in and not clumped up. I like to use a glass or plastic container so I can see what’s going on under the surface. Let the pudding rest for 30 minutes so the seeds can begin absorbing liquid. They might settle a little during this time, so stir everything again to remix it. Cover the pudding and let it chill in the fridge for at least three hours to set. 

The Explorian is great for making cozy hot soups in the winter and good old-fashioned summer smoothies, but this chia pudding is hands-down my favorite year-round recipe to whip up. 

Nytt år, nya tag. Allting är med andra ord precis som vanligt hos EA när det kommer till hur de behandlar sina sportlicenser, och huruvida detta är något positivt eller negativt går nog att diskutera om i all evinnerlighet. För Codemasters och deras team som på ett eller annat vis snickrat på F1-spel sedan 2009, alltså under 16 års tid, så gäller det att årets upplaga verkligen levererar (och säljer). Betygen likväl som försäljningssiffrorna har dalat (lavinartat) de senaste åren och under EA har spelserien kommit att dra i en inte helt positiv riktning.

Tidigare väldigt omtyckta, historiska delar har fått stryka på foten och istället har energi lagts på saker som i grund och botten har väldigt lite med sporten att göra. Inte minst då F1 World som sedermera kom att omvandlas till F1 Life, likväl som Fanzone mode, Podium Pass och PitCoins. Detta i kombination med vad många långtida fans beskrev som seriens värsta körkänsla på länge, gjorde förra årets spel till ett av de mer tveksamma i franchisen på många år. Något som tydligt också reflekteras i de historiskt usla försäljningssiffrorna.

Nu ska jag inte måla fan på väggen, men det krävs knappast Einstein-nivåer av intelligens för att inse att 89% färre sålda exemplar av ett spel som bygger på en av världens största motorsporter under fem års tid, inte är hållbart. Den officiella licensen är knappast gratis och arbetet bakom kostar pluring, inget snack om saken. Och på den fronten måste jag ge en stor eloge till teamet för trots föregående års fiasko, för ja det var precis vad det var, har man inte lättat på gasen och satsningarna i år är under omständigheterna ganska imponerande.

<bild>Modellerna föreställande förarna lämnar fortfarande en hel del att önska.</bild>

Den mest ambitiösa upplagan hittills? Nej, så långt skulle jag inte gå, men förändringarna är de största på länge och inte minst så har man (äntligen) lämnat de gamla konsolerna bakom sig - spelet släpps nämligen enbart till Playstation 5, Xbox Series X/S samt PC. Något som så klart i sin tur innebär att man haft mer kraft att arbeta med, vilket också på många håll märks. Lite krispigare presentation, en aning bättre AI och lite mer djup i de olika spellägena, där bland annat My Team genomgått vad som bäst kan beskrivas som en totalrenovering.

Men låt oss börja med vad jag personligen, och antagligen många av er andra återkommande fans är mest intresserade av, körkänslan. Detta är trots allt en punkt där spelen gång på gång har kritiserats de senaste åren. För trots ansträngningar att finjustera hur bilarna reagerar på allt från väder och vind till underlag och smutsig luft, så känns det som att Codemasters återkommande har fumlat på denna punkt. Huruvida detta beror på en strävan efter att hitta ett så kallat happy medium, en balans mellan simulation och tillgänglighet, det är svårt att avgöra.

Jag fattar, det är ingen lätt uppgift att göra alla lyckliga men varför då inte gå samma väg som man gjorde med sina rallyspel, i varje fall tills det att EA beslutade sig för att lägga ner allt arbete som har med WRC att göra. Men faktum är att jag inte längre tror att det är möjligt att skapa något som både kan blidka hardcore-nördarna men samtidigt kännas varmt och välkomnande för den glada entusiasten som bara vill gasa runt några varv runt Monza i en Ferrari. En känsla som också har förstärkts efter att ha rattat runt ett antal timmar i F1 25.

<bild>Men under loppen är spelet i varje fall rejält snyggt.</bild>

På gott och ont är detta mer av samma sak, även om förändringarna också finns här och märks. Överlag är årets spel ett långsammare sådant. Vilket är en positiv förändring, om än något som knappast kommer att märkas av annat än de som återkommande spelar F1, år efter år. Det är ett steg i rätt riktning jämfört med förra upplagan dock, och landar någonstans i vattnen mellan F1 23 och F1 24. Bilarna är tillgängliga och responsiva, om än fortfarande på tok för snälla och förlåtande.

Toppen ifall du planerar att ratta runt med en kontroll i din hand men mindre spännande ifall du tänkt spela F1 25 med mer påkostad utrustning som ratt och pedaler. Värt att understryka här är att även om jag är ett enormt fan av sporten i verkliga livet, så är jag som spelare betydligt mer casual. Kontroll har alltid varit gott nog för mig och mina observationer och tankar gällande körkänslan baseras uteslutande på det. Men med det sagt så kan jag fortfarande uppleva spelet som en smula mer arkad-aktigt snarare än realistiskt.

Kerbs och ojämnheter är nedtonade från föregående år och bilarna känns överlag betydligt mer planterade längs vägen. Inte minst vid höga hastigheter där greppet verkligen märks av, i positiv bemärkelse, medan det lika snabbt faller bort vid lägre hastigheter. Likaså har också områdena utanför banan gjorts mer bestraffande. Inte på så vis att man tappar all hastighet genom att köra ut i sanden eller gräset, utan snarare på så vis att man tappar i princip allt grepp. Kontrollerad vattenplaning om man så vill. Hade jag önskat en mer realistisk tolkning, absolut. Men som kompromiss duger detta fint.

<bild>Tonemapping har använts friskt för att komma till rätt med dagsljuset under loppen.</bild>

Dessvärre kan jag inte säga samma sak om vädrets inverkan på loppen och bilarna. Förra årets F1-spel var redan på tok för snällt på den fronten, något som F1 25 har ärvt och trots att lopp i regnet förvisso ser dramatiskt ut, så reflekteras det inte tillräckligt mycket i själva körningen. Är det mer utmanande, absolut. Men knappast i närheten så mycket som det borde vara. Därtill är också synligheten genom vattendimman och all spray från framförvarande bilar på tok för god.

Den där intensiteten och känslan av att balansera på gränsen mellan kontroll och katastrof infinner sig helt enkelt aldrig. Något jag kan tycka är väldigt synd. Vad som är tydligt är att det fortfarande finns massor av utrymme till förbättring. För även om körkänslan har uppdaterats och blivit fräschare, så känns det mer som ett steg åt sidan snarare än en faktiskt förbättring. Om något så är nog spelet mer lättillgängligt än det någonsin tidigare varit och även om jag personligen inte har så mycket emot det, så är jag inte så säker på att det är något som kommer glädja de mest hardcore av simulator-nördarna där ute.

Men om nu körkänslan är lite av status quo, så har banorna däremot fått sig en rejäl översyn. Eller ja, en handfull av dem för att vara mer precis. Med hjälp av LiDAR-skanning har Codemasters nämligen återskapat detaljer som höjdskillnader, kerbs, kurvradier och intilliggande miljöer, med kirurgisk precision. Något som haft stor inverkan på banor som Suzuka, Melbourne och Miami. Vilket vid sidan av den nya säsongen av Braking Point faktiskt är spelets stora benägenhet, och drömmen hade så klart varit om Codemaster-teamet tillåtits uppdatera samtliga av spelets banor på detta vis. Men tid kostar pengar, och om nu F1 fortfarande existerar under EA-paraplyet även nästa år, så bör vi väl kunna avnjuta ännu en handfull av ytterligare LiDAR-skannade banor.

<bild>De kan dekorera fina fordon rejält, ifall du nu gillar att pyssla med sånt.</bild>

En annan av de på förhand stora snackisarna kring F1 25 har varit möjligheten att köra med bakvänd layout. Vilket nu för första gången faktiskt är möjligt på exempelvis Silverstone och Zandvoort. En gimmick kan tyckas, men faktum är att det förändrar loppen rätt rejält och mer Silverstone som exempel har det tillkommit en extra zon av DRS när man kör bakvänd layout. Klassiker må vara klassiker men det går inte att förneka hur de förändrade förutsättningarna faktiskt skänker nytt liv åt dessa banor.

Tyvärr är det totalt bara tre banor som inledningsvis tillåts att köras baklänges, tidigare nämnda Silverstone och Zandvoort, samt Red Bull Ring i Österrike. Datormotståndarna har även tränats på dessa och jag personligen kunde inte uppleva någon direkt större skillnad på hur AI:n betedde sig på de bakvända banorna jämfört med när man körde dom "normalt". Hur som så är det ett kul och uppskattat tillskott, men som jag återigen önskar det fanns mer av.

Men årets stora dragplåster, och den absolut främsta anledningen till att faktiskt spendera pengar på F1 25, är helt klart Braking Point. Yes, det överdrivet dramatiska men tillika skandalöst underhållande storyläget återvänder för en tredje säsong efter att ha varit frånvarande i F1 24. Återigen är det (så klart) det fiktiva Konnersport som står i centrum och historien tar vid ungefär där den slutade sist. Bekanta namn som Aiden Jackson och Devon Butler återvänder, men får också sällskap av nya karaktärer, komplett med ett Drive to Survive-värdigt narrativ som i sanning är svårt att slita sig från.

<bild>Årets bilar känns mer planterade längs banan och reagerar mindre på kerbs och ojämnheter. Bra? Jag är inte så värst övertygad.</bild>

Som väntat bjuds det både på interna likväl som externa konflikter - och dramatiken går konsekvent på högvarv. Det är en perfekt paus från den annars så torra och allvarsamma racing som spelet representerar, precis så bra som vi mindes den och tack vare de snyggt komponerade sekvenserna, förbättrade ansiktsanimationerna och det trovärdiga men om möjligt aningen överdrivna skådespelet. Så är denna tredje säsong av Braking Point riktigt, riktigt bra och något som borde vara en återkommande del av spelet, år efter år. För på denna punkt har Codemasters verkligen lyckats och det är något som fler racingspel borde ta lärdom av, och inkludera.

My Team är som tidigare nämnt också tillbaka, men har förändrats ganska rejält jämfört med tidigare år. En välkommen totalrenovering av vad som hängt med sedan 2020 och som kändes rätt mossigt redan förra året. Spelläget som man rätt och slätt bara valt att kalla för "My Team 2.0" - innebär nu mer än att bara välja färg på sin bil och anställa en stallkompis. Här tillåts du äntligen att bygga upp ett stall från grunden, eller om du så önskar, ta över ett redan existerande som Konnersport eller APXGP. Jodå, F1-filmens fiktiva team finns även med här.

Borta är känslan av att vara ett glorifierat karriärläge, här tvingas du nämligen till att balansera budget, hantera personal och fatta en hel del beslut som kan avgöra en hel säsong. Hur ska bilen utvecklas, vilka sponsorer vill du välkomna in i teamet? Detta är bara några av de frågor som du förväntas brottas med och alltmedans du även håller ett öga på vad Codemasters kallar för Fan Rating. Vilket är ungefär vad det låter, en tävling i att vara så väl ansedd och attraktiv som möjligt, något som i sin tur också (så klart) påverkar flera av de andra delarna. För om du önskar locka till dig de mest attraktiva sponsorerna, då krävs det också att teamet är ett välskött sådant.

<bild>F1 25 är i det bästa av stunder riktigt bländande och absorberande.</bild>

Man har nu även delat upp bil- samt förarutvecklingen, vilket tvingar dig att göra smarta val kring hur och var du faktiskt spenderar dina tillgängliga resurser. Det är inget regelrätt F1 Manager, men det råder ingen tvekan om att Codemasters sneglat både en och två gånger på den nu (tyvärr) nedlagda spelserien och kalkerat av några av de bästa bitarna. För även om My Team 2.0 inte erbjuder samma djupdykning som Frontier Developments motsvarighet, så är det mer än tillräckligt för att i varje fall erbjuda något markant annorlunda jämfört med att bara gasa runt varv efter varv bakom ratten.

När det kommer till presentationen är det återigen Ego-motorn som står för hästkrafterna, och precis som tidigare år ser F1 25 väldigt bra ut, speciellt på en dator med prestanda nog för att verkligen tillåta spelet att flexa sina muskler. För med path tracing kan det se ruskigt spektakulärt ut, och något som alltså är helt exklusivt för PC i skrivande stund. Konsolspelare får däremot klara sig utan det, och något tal om en PS5 Pro-uppdatering har det (än så länge) inte snackats om, så vi får väl se vad som händer framgent på den fronten.

Något som däremot kan avnjutas på samtliga plattformar är den överlag förbättrade ljussättningen. F1-spelen har förvisso länge sett löjligt bra ut och Ego-motorn har återkommande målat upp helt fantastiskt dramatiska scener i eftermiddagsljus, tidig morgon eller sen kväll. Men av någon anledning har skarpt dagsljus varit ett område där spelet haltat och känts direkt underväldigande rent visuellt. Detta har Codemasters nu äntligen kommit till rätta med och skakat av sig det lite lätt serietidningsaktiga utseendet som tidigare F1-spel dragits med under dagsljus. Skillnaden är påtaglig och väldigt uppskattad, för att inte tala om att F1 25 nu känns betydligt mer enhetligt rent grafiskt.

<bild>Braking Point 3 är spelets absoluta höjdpunkt.</bild>

Likväl har även ljudet fått sig ett lyft, inte för att det på något sätt var dåligt tidigare, men nu har man även inkluderat ännu fler autentiska ljudklipp från tidigare lopp och variationen är större än någonsin. En liten men inte obetydlig uppgradering som även den gör sitt för att lyfta upplevelsen. Jag vill nog påstå att motorvrålen är en aning med distinkta i F1 25, och tonmässigt upplever jag en lite större skillnad mellan exempelvis Ferraris motor och Mercedes motsvarighet.

Men syvende och sist är ju den största frågan, den ständigt återkommande, är årets spel värt att investera i om du redan äger F1 24. Ja, eller 23 för den delen. Precis som alltid grundar sig detta svar i hur pass intresserad och besatt du faktiskt är av sporten, samt ifall du tänkte tillbringa en massa timmar online, tävlande mot andra likasinnade. Körkänslan är fortfarande lite av ett frågetecken och datormotståndarna upplevde jag inte som värst mycket förbättrade jämfört med föregående år heller. Att störtdyka in i kurvor fungerar tyvärr fortfarande lite för bra och AI:n är rätt snäll när det kommer till att backa undan för att undvika kollisioner.

Likaså lade jag märke till en del otrevliga och till synes helt slumpmässiga buggar, där bland annat kerbs orsakade vad som bäst beskrivs som en aggressivt, explosiv allergisk reaktion. Något som vid mer än ett tillfälle resulterade i ett besök ut i gruset eller barriären. Knappast någon dealbreaker då detta har varit återkommande de senaste åren, men ändå trist att det fortfarande kan uppstå, och under fel omständigheter, förstöra rätt många timmar av spelande.

<bild>Regn och rusk känns fortfarande på tok för enkelt.</bild>

Visst, Rewind-funktionen finns ju där (av en anledning kanske?), men i den bästa av världar så borde inte detta vara ett problem över huvud taget. Ett resultat av begränsat med tid för speltestande och ett pressat tidsschema? Ja, antagligen, men vi kan nog räkna med en del uppdateringar i samband med och strax efter lansering som bör råda bot på de värsta problemen. Hur mycket av körkänslan som kommer att förändras vågar jag inte säga något om, och den lär återigen bli lite av en vattendelare. Precis som tidigare år. Definitivt mer lättsam än realistisk, och ungefär vad vi vid detta lag kommit att vänta av F1 under Codemasters och EA:s regi.

Men innehållsmässigt går det i varje fall absolut inte att klaga. Braking Point i sig är ärligt talat anledning nog att öppna plånboken för alla racingfans och även det totalrenoverade My Team gör skäl för pengarna. Spelet må vara 100 kronor dyrare än föregående år (800 för standardutgåvan), men för den som följer sporten eller har skippat föregående spel, så är detta ett utmärkt tillfälle att återigen doppa tån i världens snabbaste motorsportscirkus. För F1 25 är ruskigt underhållande, även om det absolut finns utrymme för förbättringar.

Man återuppfinner knappast hjulet här, och vore det inte för Braking Point samt de nya LiDAR-skannade banorna så hade det i all ärlighet varit svårt att rekommendera F1 25 till annat än de mest hängivna. Och med risk för att låta som en trasig papegoja som återupprepar sig, så är mitt slutliga konstaterande ungefär detsamma som föregående år. Behövs det ett nytt F1 varje år? Nej, absolut inte. Men jag är onekligen tacksam för de ansträngningar som Codemasters faktiskt har gjort här, och F1 25 är trots allt den hittills mest kompletta och mest absorberande representationen av sporten du kan få på PC eller konsol. Trist bara att det är en ganska tillrättalagd och inte vidare realistisk sådan, och om du dessutom tänker spela så bör du vara beredd på en del buggar. Inte minst till PC.

Google I/O 2025 wasn’t just another developer conference—it was a glimpse into a radically intelligent future. With groundbreaking updates in AI, search, design, and e-commerce, Google made it clear: businesses that don’t evolve, won’t be seen. This year, it’s not about trends—it’s about transformation. Every new feature was designed with one goal: to make experiences…

The post Google I/O 2025 Summary: Game-Changing Features and What Businesses Must Do Now appeared first on Pixel Studios.

The post Google I/O 2025 Summary: Game-Changing Features and What Businesses Must Do Now appeared first on Pixel Studios.

Hur ska man egentligen se på Remedys ambitiösa vilja att mer eller mindre officiellt knyta ihop alla sina spel som Control, Quantum Break, Alan Wake och Max Payne i ett enda universum, "MCU-style"? Personligen kan jag bara applådera det som tycks stå i så uppenbar motsättning till ett finansiellt välgrundat beslut. Remedy connected universe är nämligen både snårigt, långsökt och exkluderande och uppenbarligen enbart en produkt av nordens kanske mest talangfulla studios skruvade driv och skaparglädje. Men varför är då FBC: Firebreak, finnarnas nya multiplayertitel figurerandes brandmännen i Control, så förbluffande tråkigt?

<bild>Fiender lika stendumma som i Perfect Dark: Zero och Goldeneye.</bild>

Inte en enda gång under min tid med Remedys förra kanonspel Alan Wake 2 tänkte jag att det behövdes fler strider, snarare hörde de till Alans och Sagas berättelses absolut svagaste aspekter. Fienderna utgjorde mest styltiga, repetitiva och enformiga hinder att skjuta prick på med fjösiga vapen, kilometervis från exempelvis Resident Evils krypande tunga och obehagliga zombiemöten. Inte heller har jag på förhand känt något större intresse för att inta rollen och lära mig mer om just brandmännen i Control - men här är vi, alltså. Under ett par sessioner iklädde så jag och redaktionens egen Christan Håkansson oss moderiktig brandskyddsmundering och begav oss, glad i hågen, ner med hissen till innanmätet av The Oldest House. Förhoppningen om att Remedy skulle överraska och motbevisa de på förhand allt annat än stekheta förväntningarna tvärdog emellertid redan innan andra "jobbet" var avklarat. Tyvärr.

<bild>Det är först när man duschar tillsammans som man lär känna varandra på riktigt.</bild>

I FBC: Firebreaks fem olika uppdrag (eller "jobb") möts vi av diverse utmaningar som måste lösas för att komma längre och längre in bakom Oldest House lyckta dörrar bara för att där, i pudelns kärna, slå tillbaka mot de besatta Hiss-fienderna en gång för alla innan vi med benen på ryggen flyr ut igen. På vägen tvingas vi bland annat riva ner horder av gula post it-lappar, bränna bort kylrevor i atmosfären, skyffla in radioaktiva energiglober i en lastvagn på räls och så vidare. I rollen som antingen mekaniker, elektriker eller VVS:are har var och en av oss tre brandmän klass-specifika fördelar inte bara i striderna, utan även genom att kunna meka ihop den livgivande kallduschen snabbare, släcka spontana bränder på marken och reparera kontrollbord i ljusets hastighet. Skulle alla råka välja samma klass spelar det dock inte jättestor roll, eftersom det mest handlar om olika snabbheter att utföra uppgifter snarare än att kunna utföra dem överhuvudtaget. Tro det eller ej, men även en mekaniker kan släcka bränder.

När hissdörren slår upp och jag och Christian tar våra allra första steg ut i gruvkomplexet med vinkelräta stalaktiter i taket och maskbon som slingrar sig runt väggar och pelare undgår ingen av oss att kommentera vilken sanslös miljödesign Remedy åstadkommit. I jämförelse med de betydligt mer funktionellt utformade, slumpmässigt genererade banorna i en av FBC: Firebreaks största konkurrenter, Deep Rock Galactic, har de skojfriska dvärgarna inte en suck på området.

<bild>Snygga miljöer men de väger inte upp spelets andra, mer tveksamma kvaliteter...</bild>

Hakan ligger limmad mot golvet under nästan hela det första uppdraget, även om mina och Christians kommentarer mer och mer riktas om från "jä-äklar vilka ljuseffekter" och "jä-äkla vilka skuggor" till att så småningom bistert sucka "gör vi något fel?" och "är det verkligen inte slut än?" För medan det målas upp imponerande skuggor över grottväggarna som lyser upp av distinkta samspel mellan rött, grönt och svart, så är det ju inget konstverk vi tittar på, från varsin ände av landet. Nej, medan vi lassar in radioaktiva energiglober i spårvagnen frammanas efter hand zombieaktiga fiender (och sedermera även poliser och juggernaughts) i klunga som ska mejas ner. FBC: Firebreak är ju först och främst en skjutare, och tyvärr påminner denna bit snarast om ett dåligt skämt. Fienderna, visserligen omhuldade i en visuellt hänförande och vacker glöd, dyker bara upp rakt framför oss. Ofta runt 40 stycken på ett ställe.

Man måste nästan gå till gamla spel som Perfect Dark: Zero och Goldeneye för att beskriva den makabra upplevelsen av zombies och poliser som springer rakt emot en, utan en tillstymmelse till artificiell intelligens. Om de inte vandrar på rad likt lämlar så buggar de annars gärna ur och stirrar rakt ut i intet, och man hanterar dem alltid bäst med kvantitet. Sikta in i mängden och tryck av så snabbt du bara kan. Ladda om, upprepa, ladda om och skjut med precis samma fjösigt styltiga och enformiga vapenkänsla som Remedy inte fick till i Alan Wake 2 heller. Det finesslösa och utdragna kaoset, framförallt på de högre svårighetsgraderna, består sedan mest i ett evigt springande mellan den livgivande duschen, ammunitionsstationen och tillbaka in i hetluften. Till förbannelse.

<bild>Snygg design på vissa bossar...</bild>

På förhand har Remedy ordat en hel del om att FBC: Firebreak är din upplevelse att kalibrera, skräddarsy och finjustera efter eget behov, något jag såhär, med facit i hand, kan döma ut som kvalificerat skitsnack. Det finns tre reglage för uppdragen: dels längd, vilket bara gör att du får tillgång till mer eller mindre av banan beroende på vilket du väljer; dels svårighetsgrad, något som såklart inte är unikt för Firebreak; dels det som kallas "corruption". Corruption är en slags joker-funktion som beroende på inställning ökar faktorn för galenskap. Gravitationen ändras, vapen får andra egenskaper etc. För att återigen likna spelet vid Goldeneye känns detta dock mest som ett marginellt mer ambitiöst tramsläge att jämföra med det spelets stora huvuden eller paintball-färg på skotten. Kul i någon extra omgång men inget som håller mig kvar i The Oldest House en längre tid.

<bild>... som är lika tråkiga att skjuta på som allt annat.</bild>

När de fem uppdragen (som klaras av på någon dryg timme styck) till syvende och sist bara består av att göra samma sak om och om igen - utan den pirriga upptäckarglädjen och känslan av nyfikenhet hos Deep Rock Galactics slumpmässiga exkursioner och äventyr in i det okända, eller skratten som Helldivers helfestliga galenskaper, variation och vapenkänsla framkallar - då finns det inte mycket till anledning att slanta upp 400 spänn, eller vad FBC: Firebreak nu kommer att gå för exakt. Det ska visserligen Remedy ha all cred för - att de spelar med öppna kort. Med mina efter hand intjänade poäng uppgraderar jag (visserligen urtråkiga) procentuella förbättringar i ett färdighetsträd, låser upp intill förväxling lika brandskyddskläder och neonfärgade dekaler; men det finns inget battlepass eller halvdolda kostnader att tala om, och menyerna är ovanligt raka och överskådliga för ett spel av den här kalibern. Det trodde jag verkligen inte på förhand; att ett spel som jag förmodat vuxit fram ur ren skaparglädje skulle brista på nästan precis alla områden utom i sina menyer. Kusligt.

I recently had a conversation with executives at Chipotle, a fast-growing company in the Food industry about how they recruit. Works out that they look for candidates who have 13 specific attitudes, even for jobs that aren’t customer-facing like IT, Viet Nam software outsourcing, and Vietnam software services. When I saw their list of attitudes, I realized immediately that thoseContinue reading "13 Attitudes That A Great Employees Would Have"

I recently had a conversation with executives at Chipotle, a fast-growing company in the Food industry about how they recruit. Works out that they look for candidates who have 13 specific attitudes, even for jobs that aren’t customer-facing like IT, Viet Nam software outsourcing, and Vietnam software services.

When I saw their list of attitudes, I realized immediately that those were attitudes that every boss wants in every employee, and every coworker wants from their peers. Here’s the list, with my interpretation of each attribute:

1. Conscientious. Great employees complete tasks without being asked or overseen. They take personal responsibility for finishing the task and finishing it right.
2. Respectful. Great employees have too much self-respect to kowtow to authority, nevertheless, they respect and appreciate the contribution of their bosses and leaders.
3. Hospitable. Great employees welcome the ability to work with coworkers and customers and express that welcome with words and actions.
4. High Energy. Great employees don’t depend upon managers or coworkers to “pump them up.” They bring their “best game” to anything that they do.
5. Infectiously Enthusiastic. Great employees are optimists, they search for the great in a situation and they seldom complain about what they can’t change.
6. Happy. Great employees take responsibility for their own happiness. They realize that happiness comes from the way you see the entire world, not what are the results in the world.
7. Presentable. Great employees don’t need to be told that it’s inappropriate showing up for work looking such as a slob or a slattern. They dress appropriately at all times.
8. Smart. Great employees don’t have to be Einstein, but they have to know how to utilize the intelligence they’ve got to contribute the entire effort.
9. Polite. Great employees understand that rude behavior is selfish and stupid and that common courtesy is the greatest way to have along with coworkers and customers.
10. Motivated. Great employees don’t need carrots and sticks to have them moving. They’re committed to doing well at their job, regardless of the job.
11. Ambitious. Great employees desire to grow, which in operation means growing into new responsibilities and new levels of authority.
12. Curious. Great employees wish to know the “why” behind the “what.” They seek to comprehend people, technology, and ideas beyond their surface characteristics.
13. Honest. Great employees don’t need Big Brother staring over their shoulders simply because they do the best thing even if nobody is watching.

Source: S3 Tech Blog

Word-of-mouth has always played a vital role in attracting new patients. But in the digital age, it has taken on a new form: online reviews. Whether it’s a first-time parent searching for a trusted pediatrician or a family looking for post-surgery physiotherapy options, the first step usually begins online—and what they see about your hospital…

The post The Role of Online Reviews in Patient Acquisition and How to Manage Them Right appeared first on Pixel Studios.

The post The Role of Online Reviews in Patient Acquisition and How to Manage Them Right appeared first on Pixel Studios.

Finally, a sensible snooze routine.

The iPhone’s Clock app is one of the slowest moving apps on iPhone. It gets less love and attention than even the Phone app. While there are many novel and interesting alarm apps out there, Apple’s default offering remains quite basic and un-customizable.

With iOS 26, Apple is bringing customization to one much requested feature. You can now finally get out of snooze jail. Until now, the snooze duration for alarms was set to nine minutes, and you couldn't adjust it. It was either nine minutes or nothing.

I, personally, like to snooze in five-minute increments. So, I got around this by setting six different alarms, all at five-minute intervals, to help me get up in the morning. But now, I can finally put this chaos aside.

Snooze as you wish

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

In iOS 26, which is currently out in developer beta (and will soon be out as a public beta preview), you can now set the snooze duration to last anywhere between one minute (if you want to really annoy yourself), and 15 minutes (if time is merely a philosophical construct for you). Finally, I can set my snooze to that five minute sweet spot.

Sadly, these changes are on a per-alarm basis, so you’ll have to customize your snooze every time you set a new alarm. Hopefully, though, I won’t have to set nearly as many alarms now as I did before.

To customize your snooze duration in iOS 26, open the Clock app, go to the Alarms tab, and tap the Plus icon to create a new alarm. Or, you can tap on an alarm you already have.

Then, tap the Snooze Duration option and choose any duration between one and 15 minutes. Tap the Done checkmark at the top to save the new alarm.

The next time the alarm goes off, you’ll see a new alarm screen, with two equally big, beautiful buttons for snooze and stop. In previous versions of the app, you’d only see a snooze button in the middle, and a small Stop button below.

And hey, if you’re a bit hardcore, like my colleague Pranay, you can also disable the Snooze button altogether.

Ibland är vi kritiker förbenat ensidiga. Vi ser en term, ett ordval eller ett beskrivande begrepp, nyttjar det som ett manér i vår text varpå varenda annan recensent som går i ett par skor gör exakt samma sak. Över en hel spelpressvärld. Jag minns när det pratades om "luddonarrativ dissonans" som ett fisförnämt vis att beskriva kontrasten och bristen på konsekvens i hur Lara Croft grät och gömde sig under mellansekvenserna i Tomb Raider (reboot) och sen dödade 300 skiurkar med en ishacka under själva spelpartierna. Varenda kritiker anammade begreppet och använde det i allt. Överallt. Spelpressen svämmades bokstavligen över av detta rätt pretentiösa sätt att säga "gameplay rimmar illa på berättandet", på.
<bild>Kameran sitter inuti Sopgies nallebjörn Teddy och skiftar beroende på moment.</bild>
När det gäller det Starbreeze-utgivna skräckäventyret Out of Sight, är vi där igen. Varenda spelkritiker värd namnet proppar sin recension av detta spelet fullt av beskrivningen "originellt andrapersonsperspektiv". Andrapersonsperspektivet här, är enligt alla de recensioner jag sett, ledordet. Andrapersonsperspektiv, inte förstapersonperspektiv eller tredjepersonsperspektiv - Är den stora snackisen i indiegänget The Gangs i grunden rätt skamlösa Little Nightmares-plagiat, och jag är vare sig särskilt imponerad av det textmässiga fokus som läggs på kameravinkeln, som jag är av spelet i sig. Snarare tvärtom, faktiskt.

Out of Sight hade aldrig sett ut som det gör eller fungerat på det sättet som det gör - om det inte hade varit för svenska Tarsiers stilbildande lilla skräckpärla Little Nightmares. Ingen av oss visste, då, hur omtyckt och därmed ivrigt efterapat det skulle bli, eller att det skulle komma att släppas två stycken påkostade uppföljare till skräckstunden om den lilla skraja miniflickan och hennes märkligt utformande, knallgula regnrock. men så blev det, och Out of Sight försöker göra samma sak, med en enda liten twist - perspektivet skiftar beroende på uppgift. Här spelar vi som den lilla flickan Sophie (som är blind) som kidnappats i ett gigantiskt, nedsläckt spökhus av en monsterliknande, Slender Man-aktig kvinna som kallas Mother Janna. Med sig har Sophie sin nallebjörn Teddy och utvecklarna har alltså valt att blanda perspektiven beroende på om du utforskar husets skrymslen, eller kastar dig över ett av de många miljöbaserade pusslen.
<bild>Little Nightmares ringde...</bild>
När Sophie smyger runt i huset och försöker undkomma Janna, ses världen ur Teddys ögon, ur vad som mest känns ett förstapersonsperspektiv. Det är dock ett andrapersonsperspektiv eftersom det inte är Sophies ögon vi ser vår spelvärld genom, utan Teddys. När Sophie sen måste lösa ett pussel, sätter hon ned Teddy som agerar spelkamera och därav hela grejen med andrapersonsperspektivet. Ett bättre exempel på hur detta kan användas för att stöka till det i skallen på oss spelare är det där fantastisk snurriga uppdraget i Driver: San Francisco (2011) där Tanner får i uppdrag att döda sig själv och måste kontrollera sin egen bil och sig själv genom ögonen på hans mördare. Otroligt märkvärdig del av ett i övrigt medelmåttigt spel, och det enligt mig bästa exemplet på hur ett effektivt andrapersonsperspektiv bör nyttjas.

Out of Sight är i grunden mycket mindre finurligt, trist nog. När Teddy agerar förstapersonskamera och Sophie hasar runt i ventilationstrummorna känns det här som Poppy Playtime utan originalitet eller särskilt läskiga skrämselmoment och när Teddy ställs ned på marken och Sophie kliver runt på stolar och lådor för att lösa diverse pussel, både känns det som och ser ut ganska exakt som Little Nightmares. Det hade kanske kunnat fungera bättre om skräcken var suggestiv och mörk på det vis som den är i Tarsiers spel, men det är den ej. Trist nog. Out of Sight blir aldrig vare sig mörkt rent tonalt, inte på det sätt som Little Nightmares blir, och det blir heller aldrig tramsigt på rätt sätt, som Five Nights eller Poppy, är. Istället går hela skräckatmosfären på absolut tomgång och pusslen är enformigt simpla på ett vis som gör att de två timmarna som Out of Sight varar, känns som fyra.

Att basera sitt spel på en enda gimmick och sen bygga därifrån, är såklart i grunden ingen dålig idé. I Gears of War och underutvecklingen av det handlade precis allt om en fräsch cover-mekanik som den byggdes ut och varierades till ett helt spel precis som att skräcken i Outlast upplevdes genom en videokamera med mörkerläge, och därmed påminde mer om Paranormal Activity och Rec än om andra skräckspel. Jag har i grunden ingenting emot Teddy, kameraperspektivet eller konceptet i sig - här. Det jag ställer mig högst tveksam mot är det faktum att The Gang inte gjort något vettigt av sin gimmick, utan snarare bara använt det som finurlig PR och fått en hel världspress att tjata om exakt samma sak, i stycke efter stycke efter stycke. Storyn här är förutsägbar och icke-spännande, pusslen och utforskningen är superenformig trots att Out of Sight bara varar i cirka två timmar och det blir verkligen aldrig särskilt läbbigt.

När Jonas Mäki flaggade för att ett nytt recensionsuppdrag var på ingång så kittlade det till i nyfikenhets-nerven hos undertecknad. När det sedan visade sig gällande ett spel kallat {Chronicles of the Wolf}, en tillsynes blek Castlevania-kopia, så sjönk däremot suget rejält. De senaste åren har nämligen varit knökfulla av halvtaskiga Metroidvania-äventyr, och att Chronicles of the Wolf skulle vara något annat än en medelmåttig titel såg dystert ut på förhand. Döm således om min förvåning när detta billiga pixellir visade sig vara en välarbetat actionrökare fyllt av hemligheter och intressanta beståndsdelar som inte bara plockar inspiration från genrens giganter utan även adderar ytterligare element för att skapa en unik upplevelse.

Så fort man börjar spela Chronicles of the Wolf så är det uppenbart att utvecklaren Migami Games har sneglat både en och två gånger på {Super Castlevania IV}. För huvudkaraktären rör sig med samma stela animation som Simon Belmont gjorde 1991 och många av miljöerna ser därtill ut att vara hämtade direkt från SNES-klassikern i fråga, och det är emellanåt så det doftar rejält av plagiat. Mycket av spelbarheten lånar även den mycket från Konamis vampyrtitel, men istället för att enbart plocka russin från ovannämnda Super Nintendo-klassiker så finns här även komponenter från det mer populära mästerverket {Castlevania: Symphony of the Night}.
<bild>Mörker och elände finns det gott om.</bild>
Du axlar rollen som en ung riddare vid namn Mateo Lombardo, och det är ditt jobb att undersöka den franska landsbygden under 1700-talet efter att en monstruös best har börjat härjat runt bland byar och städer. Väl på plats går saker däremot snabbt åt pipan, och istället för att enbart jaga rätt på ett groteskt monster så måste du lösa mordgåtor och kartlägga vart ondskan härstammar ifrån. Storyn i sig är förvisso inget som är värd några priser, men den adderar samtidigt tillräckligt mycket spänning för att hålla intresset uppe under resans gång.
<bild>Att besöka byar är ett måste för att öppna upp nya vägar.</bild>
En spännande aspekt är dock att studion har inkorporerat ett par lättare rollspelsmoment som påminner en hel del om den tämligen udda pärlan The Legend of Zelda II till NES. För precis som i Links andra långkörare så måste man här besöka olika byar och snacka med människor för att få berättelsen att röra sig framåt. Det är fortfarande i sak inget som aldrig gjorts förut, men där de flesta moderna Metroidvania-spel förlitar sig enbart på nya förmågor för att öppna upp nya passager så känns det fräsch med alternativa lösningar för att röra sig mot eftertexterna.

Chronicles of the Wolf är sedan inte det längsta spelet du lär tackla under året, men du kan få ut många timmars underhållning beroende på hur du väljer att spela. Att endast få det sämsta slutet behöver exempelvis inte ta mer än några ynka timmar, men det är först när man löst ett par gåtor som spelet öppnar upp sig, och det rejält. För min egen del klockade jag in strax över tolv timmar, och med en prislapp på runt 200 kronor så är det ett prisvärt äventyr som inte drar ut på tiden för mycket samtidigt som det finns mängder med hemligheter att hitta för den som är intresserad att få än mer valuta för sina spenderade slantar.
<bild>Striderna är simpla, men underhållande.</bild>
För på det stora hela så skulle jag säga att Chronicles of the Wolf är ett extremt välgjort Metroidvania-spel, där allt man kan förvänta sig av genren finns representerat på ett eller annat sätt. Grafiken är trevlig, spelbarheten är bra och musiken är medryckande från första till sista ton. Det enda negativa jag har att säga är att bossarna kunde varit bättre då de mest testar ens förmåga att köpa på sig hälsodrycker istället för att erbjuda någon spännande spelbarhet. En annan märklig sak är att det på flera ställen genom hela spelet finns så kallade "Death Rooms" där det räcker att man kliver innanför tröskeln för att möta en Game Over-skärm. Jag antar att konceptet är till för att knäppa spelaren på näsan och få en att vara på sin vakt, men när man har upplevt en handfull av dessa blir de mer irriterande än dramaturgiskt intressanta.

Gillar du däremot välgjorda Metroidvania-äventyr av den gamla skolan så är det här din rekommendation att ge Chronicles of the Wolf ett ärligt försök. Man kan uppleva en del oslipade kanter och märkliga designbeslut här och var, men sammantaget så får man en titel som påminner en hel del om genrens glansdagar där gotiska slott och blodsugande vampyrer var det hetaste på marknaden.
<bild>Bossarna ser spektakulära ut, men de erbjuder en platt utmaning.</bild>

När jag först recenserade Outlaws i slutet av november delade jag ut ett relativt högt betyg. Innehållet i sig var ganska bra: varierat, annorlunda, till och med glamoröst... Men de olika uppdateringarna och patcharna fram till dess, och det massiva teamets hårda arbete (som jag vet var mödosamt), var fortfarande inte tillräckligt för att leverera en helt polerad och buggfri upplevelse. Snabbspola fram till nu, i slutet av maj, när det andra och sista DLC:t eller expansionspaketet för {Star Wars Outlaws}, med titeln {A Pirate's Fortune}, har släppts, och jag befinner mig i samma situation: liknande innehåll som det föregående och ett spel som fortfarande inte fungerar korrekt. Och det gör ont, och det irriterar mig, för jag älskar det här spelet, men buggarna jag stötte på översteg kategorin av roliga saker man skrattar åt och gick så långt som att kraschade spelet, var tvungen att stänga programvaran och ladda om den föregående sparpunkten för att gå vidare. Flera gånger.
<bild></bild>
Det finns en del allvarliga minnesläckor och problem, eftersom man märker att vissa element inte laddas alls och spelet blir begränsat, som om det vore avskuret från funktioner. De två starkaste fallen var under stridens höjdpunkt, mitt i striderna före slutet av ett viktigt avsnitt för att avancera historien. Om du upplever samma sak, var det första precis innan du flydde från fängelseområdet med Hondo Ohnaka i {Trailblazer}, i sökområdet "Inaktivera gravitationslåset", på landningsplatsen för Khepi-graven. Det andra, tillbaka i detta scenario redan förklädd till {Rokana Raider}, när du måste öppna barriären för att smyga in i {Stingers} kvarter. Som redan hände i grundspelet är det plötsligt omöjligt att interagera med R3 på den relevanta konsolen, men den är så trasig att du inte kan byta vapen, eller ens pausa spelet för att ladda föregående punkt. Du måste stänga spelet helt från PS5:s Start-meny... Naturligtvis stör detta njutningen och måste fördömas. Det kan inte tillåtas vid det här laget, hur mycket jag än gillar allt som detta extra äventyr har att erbjuda. Faktum är att de mindre buggarna fortfarande finns kvar, inklusive karaktärer som fastnar eller klipps, eller absurda reaktioner från fiendens AI. Jag kom till och med till ett {Imperial} terminalläger på Tatooine där, av någon anledning, en {Imperial} soldats röst fastnade på en loop, som om han grymtade efter en skada. Hans skrik upprepades i tio minuter på alla högtalare, vilket gjorde det omöjligt att hitta honom för att avsluta sitt (och vårt) lidande. En grotesk och mycket irriterande sekvens som jag inte ville avsluta för att inte förstöra mitt uppdrag.

Om du vill fortsätta blunda för allt detta är {A Pirate's Fortune} ett paket med aktiviteter och värdefullt innehåll. Precis som {Wild Card} bygger det på en blandning av sektioner med varierande dynamik, ett slags "gameplay greatest hits" av allt som kan göras i det här spelet, vilket är en hel del. Naturligtvis, till nackdel för {Sabacc}-korten, så framträdande i skeppscasinot i det tidigare DLC:t, finns det andra alternativ som plattformssektioner, skottlossningar, infiltration och framför allt en förnyad betoning på rymdstrider. Det senare ger till och med möjligheten att styra ett annat skepp än {Trailblazer}, det som Rokana Raiders använder. I likhet med en {B-Wing}, dess hantering och olika möjligheter (t.ex. att motstå jonisering spektakulärt inuti nebulosor och till och med utnyttja detta till din fördel), i kombination med nya smugglingsuppdrag kopplade till en ny gren av samhörighet och rykte med Miyuki Trade League, vilket i sin tur innebär nya uppgraderingar av lastutrymmet för själva {Trailblazer}, skapar en del bra... eh, stjärnkrig. I mitt fall har den också fungerat som en avsevärd utfyllnad och ursäkt för att fortsätta spela även efter att Hondo Ohnaka-bågen är klar.
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Innehållet tar dig också till ett nytt system, Khepi, som är begränsat till en rymdstation ("The Carrier's Fortress") och handlingens kraterfyllda miljö, och därmed inte medför en ny planet. Hur som helst är berättelserna kring deras civilisation intressanta, och allt ytterligare skrivande är av kvalitet. Även om "skurken", Stinger Tash, är svag, behåller Hondo Ohnaka sin stora {Jack Sparrow}-liknande karisma. Det finns mycket att lära sig om pirat- och smugglarliv i allmänhet, och {Star Wars Outlaws} är fortfarande den bästa videospelsåterskapningen av hela Lucas-universumet, med några verkligt vackra nya scener att förundras över. Med det sagt finns det inte heller något riktigt banbrytande under de fyra timmar eller så jag har spelat {A Pirate's Fortune}. Rokanas skepp är begränsat till Khepi-systemet eftersom det inte kan hoppa in i hyperrymden, och efter ett tag av att leta efter smuggling och bli av med några bevingade varelser vill man hellre gå tillbaka till sin älskade, uppgraderade {Trailblazer} och till ND-5, som har en lite repetitiv roll den här gången. Jag ångrar inte att jag spelade detta DLC och jag hade det ganska bra, men jag är inte galen i det, och vi kan inte heller acceptera att det förblir så trasigt. Med {Star Wars Outlaws} som nyligen portats till {PS5 Pro} och snart kommer till {Nintendo Switch 2}, är ett av de stora problemen med Ubisoft, open-world-spel och branschen i allmänhet återigen uppenbart: ambitionen går överstyr snabbt och det som skulle kunna vara grandiost förblir bara "stort" för länge.

Apple's folding iPhone isn't even real yet, but it already has a very thin bar to meet.

Apple's folding iPhone isn't even real yet, but it already has a very thin bar to meet.

Bring some order to your digital workspace.

I like to use my computer's desktop the way I use my physical desktop—somewhere to place documents and photos related to what I'm currently working on. The problem is that I'm usually working on multiple projects, meaning my computer desktop is a mess of unrelated things.

Say I'm selling my old Macbook but also organizing important cat pictures for my newsletter—that all takes up a lot of space, and I don't need to see all of those photos all the time. Wouldn't it be better if I could switch which things show up on my desktop depending on my current project?

That's idea behind Infinidesk, an indie Mac app from developer Ben Shirt-Ediss that lets you create as many virtual desktops as you like and switch between them from the menu bar.

Credit: Justin Pot

The idea behind Infinidesk is that you'll make different desktops for different projects, allowing you to use your desktop as a workspace for each of them. This isn't at all like your Mac's native Mission Control—it doesn't affect the windows you have open. The focus, instead, is simply on the icons visible on your desktop. You can create as many different desktops as you need to. When you create a new desktop, all of your current icons will disappear, allowing you to add new ones. When you switch between desktops, all of your icons will disappear and reappear accordingly.

It's a simple concept, and it won't be useful for everyone—only some of us even still use our desktops to store files at this point, and you might already have your own system for keeping things organized. But if your desktop is spiraling out of control, Infinidesk might help you keep things tidy without making the desktop useless in the process—especially if you have one computer for both work and personal use.

Infinidesk offers a free version, with a catch: you can only switch desktops 50 times. That should be enough for you to get a feel for whether this application is useful for you, though. The full version costs $12.99, as a one-time payment.

Hard to believe that I’ve had the same PC case since 2011, and my last serious upgrade was in 2015. I guess that’s yet another sign that the PC is over, because PC upgrades have gotten really boring. It took 5 years for me to muster

Hard to believe that I’ve had the same PC case since 2011, and my last serious upgrade was in 2015. I guess that’s yet another sign that the PC is over, because PC upgrades have gotten really boring. It took 5 years for me to muster up the initiative to get my system fully upgraded! 🥱

I’ve been slogging away at this for quite some time now. My PC build blog entry series spans 13 glorious years:

• Building a PC, Part VIII: Iterating (2015)
• Building a PC, Part VII: Rebooting (2011)
• Building a PC, Part VI: Rebuilding (2009)
• Building a PC, Part V: Upgrading (2008)
• Building a PC, Part IV: Now It’s Your Turn (2007)
• Building a PC, Part III: Overclocking (2007)
• Building a PC, Part II: Burn in (2007)
• Building a PC, Part I: Minimal boot (2007)

The future of PCs may not necessarily be more speed (though there is some of that, if you read on), but in smaller builds. For this iteration, my go-to cases are the Dan A4 SFX...

And the Streacom DA2...

The attraction here is maximum power in minimum size. Note that each of these cases are just large enough to fit...

• a standard mini-ITX system
• SFX power supply
• full sized GPU
• reasonable CPU cooler

...though the DA2 offers substantially more room for cooling the CPU and adding fans.

I’m not sure you can physically build a smaller standard mini-ITX system than the DAN A4 SFX, at least not without custom parts!

DAN A4-SFX
200mm × 115mm × 317mm = 7.3 liters

Silverstone RVZ02 / ML08
380mm × 87mm × 370mm = 12.2 liters

nCase M1
240mm × 160mm × 328 mm = 12.6 liters

Streacom DA2
180mm × 286mm × 340mm = 17.5 liters

(For comparison with The Golden Age of x86 Gaming consoles, a PS4 Pro occupies 5.3 liters and an Xbox One S 4.3 liters. About 50% more volume for considerably more than 2× the power isn’t a bad deal!)

I chose the Streacom DA2 as my personal build, because after experimenting heavily with the DAN A4 SFX, I realized you need more room to deal with extremely powerful CPUs and GPUs in this form factor, and I wanted a truly powerful system:

• Intel i9-9900KS (8 core, 16 thread, 5.0 GHz) CPU
• Samsung 970 PRO 1TB / Samsung 970 EVO 2TB / Samsung 860 QVO 4TB SATA
• 64GB DDR4-3000
• Cryorig H7 cooler (exact fit)
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti GPU

Compared to my old 2015-2017 system, a slightly overclocked i7-7700k, that at least gives me 2× the cores (and faster cores, both in clock rate and IPC), 2× the memory, and 2× the M.2 slots (two versus one).

The DA2 is a clever case though less perfect than the A4-SFX. What’s neat about it is the hybrid open-air design (on the top and bottom) plus the versatile horizontal and vertical bracket system interior. Per the manual (PDF):

Check out all the bracket mounting options. Incredibly versatile, and easy to manipulate with the captured nut and bolt design:

Note that you can (and really should) pop out the top and bottom acrylic pieces with the mesh dust net.

I had dramatically better temperatures after I did this, and it also made the build easier since the case can fully “breathe” through the top and bottom. You’ll note that the front of the DA2 is totally solid, no air holes, so you do need that extra airflow.

I only have a few criticisms of this Streacom DA2 case:

• The side panels are tool free, which is excellent, but the pressure fit makes them fairly difficult to remove. Feels like this could be tweaked?
• (Don’t even think about using a full sized ATX power supply. In theory it is supported, but the build becomes so much more difficult. Use a SFX power supply, which you’d expect to do for a mini-ITX build anyway.)
• My primary complaint is that the power extension cable gets in the way. I had to remove it and re-attach it during my build. They should custom route the power cable upwards so it blocks less stuff.
• Less of a criticism and more of an observation: if your build uses a powerful GPU and CPU, you’ll need two case fans. There’s mounting points for a 92mm fan in the rear, and the bracket system makes it easy to mount a 140mm fan blowing inward. You will definitely need both fans!

Here’s the configuration I recommend, open on both the top and bottom for maximum airflow, with three fans total:

If you are a water cooling kind of person – I am definitely not, I experienced one too many traumatic cooling fluid leaks in the early 2000s – then you will use that 140mm space for the radiator.

I have definitely burn-in tested this machine, as I do all systems I build, and it passed with flying colors. But to be honest, if you expect to be under full CPU and GPU loads for extended periods of time you might need to switch to water cooling due to the space constraints. (Or pick slightly less powerful components.)

If you haven’t built a PC system recently, it’s easier than it has ever been. Heck by the time you install the M.2 drives, memory, CPU, and cooler on the motherboard you’re almost done, these days!

There are a lot of interesting compact mini-itx builds out there. Perhaps that’s the primary innovation in PC building for 2020 and beyond – packing all that power into less than 20 liters of space!

Read a Spanish translation of this article here.

Advanced Protection offers Android's strongest security—possibly more than some users need.

Android users got a whole host of security and privacy upgrades with the release of Android 16, including expanded in-call scam protection, live threat detection for malicious apps, and more. These features are well worth enabling, as they'll help secure your data and your device against theft, malware, and phishing attacks. Google also extended its Advanced Protection Program to include stricter device-level features aimed at reducing the risk of compromise.

Advanced Protection offers the most robust all-around security available on Android under a single setting—an incredibly useful tool for journalists, activists, and anyone with access to sensitive data that could be targeted by threat actors. Those who are especially privacy- and security-minded may also want to enable Advanced Protection, while the average user should weigh how this feature fits with their security needs.

How Advanced Protection works on Android 16

Advanced Protection makes strong security the default on your Android 16 device by enabling certain features and disabling the ability to turn off others. It also includes new protections, like automatically rebooting your device if it remains locked for 72 hours, encrypting your data behind biometrics or your PIN. Additionally, your device won't be able to automatically reconnect to unsecured wifi networks, and USB access will be blocked when your phone is locked.

Advanced Protect automatically enables security features like theft detection, HTTPS on Chrome for all website connections, and scam and spam protection in Messages. All of these can be turned on individually in your device settings, but Advanced Protection does so in one fell swoop. It will also prevent you from turning off Google Play Protect and Android Safe Browsing, which keep you from downloading malicious apps and accessing malicious websites on your device.

The potential downsides of Advanced Protection include limits on side-loading apps—you'll only be able to download from approved sources like the Google Play Store—and the likelihood that some websites will break thanks to the disabling of the JavaScript optimizer on Chrome. (Note that you should be extremely wary of downloading apps from unofficial sources anyway, as these can be vectors for spreading malware.)

Advanced Protection is comparable to Apple's Lockdown Mode for iOS, which blocks certain app and web features as well as setting changes that could be used to spread malware. Even Apple has said that Lockdown Mode is "an extreme, optional protection" aimed at high-risk users who may be personally targeted by cyberattacks, not meant for the average person.

So, should you use Advanced Protection? As the folks over at the Electronic Frontier Foundation write, "there's no harm in giving it a try." It's easy to enable and disable, and you may not notice any impact on your device (while getting the benefit of stronger security measures running in the background). You can always turn it off if it does restrict your day-to-day activities, knowing that it's probably overkill for some users. And you can still have Google Play Protect enabled along with other individual Android 16 security features and follow best practices for protecting your device from cyber threats.

How to enable Advanced Protection

To turn Advanced Protection on for your Android 16 device, open your Settings app and go to Security & privacy > Advanced Protection. Flip the toggle next to Device protection and tap Turn on. You'll then have to restart your device for Advanced Protection to activate and run.

Even if you work hard to keep a clean home, these items are easily overlooked.

Keeping your house clean is like a second job—most people spend at least two hours a week cleaning, with some putting in nine hours or more. But no matter how much time you spend scrubbing, mopping, and dusting, there’s a good chance you missed a spot. Several spots, actually, because your home is a minefield of hidden filth, lurking mold, and forgotten crud in the form of items that need to be replaced more often than you might think.

These 10 household items might look superficially clean, or they might be hidden from view, or you might simply have grown blind to how dirty they are—but replacing them regularly is the only way to ensure your home is really clean.

Shower curtains

How often to replace: Twice a year.

Bathrooms are natural breeding grounds for mold due to the damp environment, and the spot in your bathroom most prone to growing mold might surprise you: It’s your shower curtain (and your curtain liner, if you use one). You've probably already encountered at least one shower curtain that was more mold than curtain in your life, but you shouldn’t wait until yours resembles a Petri dish before replacing it—you should swap out the liner twice a year, and if you use a fabric curtain, make sure you’re washing it regularly as well.

Mattresses

How often to replace: Every 10 years

Your mattress is probably not very supportive—or comfortable—after a decade anyway, but if you’re not worried about your overall sleep experience on it, you should be worried about a decade’s worth of skin flakes, saliva, sweat, dust, and other stuff it has been collecting. Even if you clean and flip your mattress religiously, you should still replace it at least once a decade to prevent a buildup of dust mites, fungus, or even mold.

Pillows

How often to replace: Every two years

Like our mattresses, we tend to hang onto our pillows for way too long. In part, this is because we discount the sheer amount of saliva and skin flakes we’re pumping into them as we sleep. Even if you still love your pillows and clean them regularly, you should replace them about every two years. If you use a pillow protector, you can probably squeeze an extra year or two out of them, however.

Toilet seats

How often to replace: Every five years

A properly cleaned and maintained toilet seat doesn’t pose much of a health hazard, but most toilet seats will show significant wear and tear within 5-10 years, depending on use. Once the seat gets stained, shows cracks, or begins shifting around when you sit on it, it’s time to swap in a new one—plus, it’s a chance for a quick and easy upgrade for your bathroom.

Toilet brushes

How often to replace: Every six months

A toilet brush can last longer than six months if you actually clean it and store it properly, but very few people do that, preferring to get it out of sight as quickly as possible after cleaning the toilet. If that’s you, then you’ve probably got plenty of mold and bacteria growing in the brush holder right now. Twice a year you should just get a new one—sooner if it starts to smell bad or show visible staining

Sponges

How often to replace: Twice a month

It shouldn’t be a surprise that sponges you use to scrape grime and bacteria off your dishes and counters are disgusting breeding grounds for bacteria. Even if you keep them dry or microwave them frequently, that kitchen sponge is going to become a health hazard within a few weeks. It’s best to have a supply on hand and swap in a fresh one every two weeks or so.

Mop heads

How often to replace: Every 2-6 months

Mops are essential cleaning tools, but they are not self-cleaning. Sure, you dunk them in soapy water and rinse them out, but mops are designed to absorb and hold dirt, so you’ll never get a used mop head totally clean, and over time they’ll become pretty filthy. A string mop should be replaced every 2-3 months depending on use. A microfiber mop head can last twice as long if you wash them regularly.

Aside from the germ factor, your mop heads will be less effective over time as they wear out. So even if your mop head looks pretty clean, you should replace it anyway if you want to keep your floors clean.

Brooms

How often to replace: Every two years

Like mops, brooms work by transferring dirt from your home’s floors to themselves. You can (and should!) clean your brooms about once a month—a brisk rinse with soapy water is all it takes—but even so, your broom will show real wear and tear within a few years. Broken bristles or bristles falling out is usually the sign that you’ve waited too long to replace it.

Cutting boards

How often to replace: Annually

Cutting boards, whether plastic or wood, need to be replaced—or significantly refurbished—every year. No matter how thoroughly you clean them, your knives are slashing deep grooves into the material where bacteria can evade your cleaning efforts, proliferate, and potentially make you sick. And the cutting board will eventually stain, and no one wants to think about what caused that stain while they’re chopping fresh veggies.

Plastic storage containers

How often to replace: Every 1-3 months

Even though you wash your plastic food storage containers after every use, you still need to ditch them pretty often. Over time, plastic degrades (creating microplastics), and every time you thrust a fork or knife in there you’re probably creating a tiny slice. This all combines to eventually make those storage containers little bacteria farms. Consider replacing them with glass containers: They’re chemically inert, so they will last longer and pose much less of a health risk over time.

How to get rid of iOS 26's annoying full-screen pop-up when you take a screenshot.

In iOS 26, Apple has expanded its Visual Intelligence feature from just the camera to the screen. Now, you can use Visual Intelligence to ask anything about what’s on your screen, to add events to your Calendar, or to look up images using Google (similar to Google’s Circle to Search). All of this is quite cool, but it comes with a redesigned, full-screen screenshot splash screen.

When all you want to do is take a quick screenshot, seeing this big splash screen and all it new AI buttons can get annoying fast. Plus, you might not want Apple Intelligence to see what’s on your screen (which it will now automatically do), no matter how useful these updates might turn out to be.

Thankfully, you can disable the new splash screen, and go back to the old thumbnail preview method instead. Plus, when needed, you'll still be able to trigger Visual Intelligence, even when using thumbnails.

What you can do with the new Visual Intelligence

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Since the iOS 18.2 update, you’ve been able to use ChatGPT to ask questions about what’s on your screen. But with iOS 26 (currently available as a Developer Beta and soon rolling out as a Public Beta), Apple is introducing Automatic Visual Look Up to the mix. This new feature automatically analyzes your screenshot the second it’s captured. Then, it pulls in relevant actionable information and adds it below the screenshot.

For example, if you screenshot is of an invitation to a party, it will show you a one-tap button to add it to your calendar. If your screenshot is of a website, you’ll see a link to go there directly. Plus, there’s a feature that lets you highlight any image to find similar images on Google, as if you were using Circle to Search or Google Lens.

How to disable the full-screen Visual Intelligence splash screen

If you stick with this new full-screen option for taking screenshots, you’ll have to tap twice to save a screenshot every single time you take one. First, you'll have to tap the Checkmark button at the top of the screen, and then choose Save to Photos. That's a big difference to a process that used to be instant.

Thankfully, Apple has an option to disable the new splash screen. To go back to the old method, go to Settings > General > Screen Capture and disable the Full-Screen Previews option.

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

Now, when you take a screenshot, you’ll see the familiar thumbnail preview in the bottom-left corner of the screen. Even better, you're still free to tap the preview to open the full-screen view, which will then show all your Visual Intelligence suggestions.

How to disable automatic Visual Intelligence in screenshots (or altogether)

If you’re privacy conscious, there are two ways you can go about disabling Visual Intelligence. The first is to disable Automatic Lookup, which scans your screenshot as soon as you take it.

To disable this feature, go to Settings > General > Screen Capture and disable the Automatic Visual Look Up option.

Credit: Khamosh Pathak

After you do this, those automatic Visual Intelligence suggestions will disappear. But the options to chat with ChatGPT, and to highlight to search for images, will still be there. At least these aren't automatic, and without your consent or express action, no data will go to Apple’s servers.

But you can disable these options as well by disabling Apple Intelligence completely. To do that, go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and disable the Apple Intelligence feature.

The FTC is reopening claims for a Fortnite settlement that could put money in your pocket.

In December of last year, the FTC issued a first round of payments in a 2022 settlement that required Fortnite maker Epic Games to refund $245 million to players. Now, the Commission is re-opening claims, with $126 million up for grabs. Even if you have to split that, the average sum for each impacted user in the last round of payments was $114, so this isn't small potatoes. Here's how to get your piece of the pie.

What did Epic Games do?

First, some history. Essentially, this all comes down to confusing UI. In 2022, after a legal battle with the Federal Trade Commission, Epic Games agreed to pay a total of $520 million in relief for an alleged violation of COPPA, or the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. The FTC accused the company of using "dark patterns" to trick users, especially children, into buying unwanted in-game items. These included button placements that might cause a user to accidentally buy an item they only intended to preview, or to accidentally click a hidden buy button while the game was loading. As a result, Epic agreed to adjust the game's design to address these issues, as well as pay $275 million in penalties and $245 in refunds to players. It's that latter sum that we're concerned with today.

Who is eligible for a payment?

Even if you don't play Fortnite yourself, you could be eligible for a payment. According to the FTC, any of the following groups of people can file a claim for their share of the settlement:

• If you were charged in-game Fortnite currency for items you didn't want between January 2017 and September 2022.

• If your child made Fortnite charges for you without your knowledge between January 2017 and September 2022.

• If your Fortnite account was locked between January 2017 and September 2022 following a complaint about wrongful charges.

Do I need to file a claim?

If you have not yet filed a claim, now is your chance. However, if you already filed before the previous deadline of February 14, no action is required on your part. Alongside opening up space for new claims, the FTC also announced that its second round of payments is already underway, with just under 970,000 checks or digital payments currently heading out to those who already filed a valid claim.

How do I file a claim?

To file a claim for the next round of payments, simply visit this page on the FTC site and click the Apply for a Refund button before the new deadline of July 9. You'll need to be over 18 and supply your claim number or Epic Account ID, and then simply fill out if you would like to be paid via check or Paypal. If you already field a claim following the prior cutoff of Feb. 14, you don't need to do anything right now—that claim will be applied to the next round of payments automatically. If you're under 18, the FTC says a parent or guardian can file a claim on your behalf.

When can I expect my payment?

The FTC says the next round of payments should go out in 2026, after the Commission has reviewed and validated all claims. Checks will need to be cashed within 90 days, while PayPal payments will need to be accepted within 30 days.

Any questions can be sent to admin@fortniterefund.com or asked directly via 1-833-915-0880.

It's great... until it isn't.

Apple Music has several new features in iOS 26, but AutoMix is probably going to be the one you notice immediately. It lets the app seamlessly transition from one song to the next by using some of the tricks that a DJ might employ. You're going to notice that something is different about Apple Music's track switching right away because AutoMix is enabled by default. I've used it every day for three weeks now, and I have mixed feelings about it. 

What exactly is Apple Music's AutoMix?

Apple says AutoMix uses AI to analyze audio features and "crafts unique transitions between songs with time stretching and beat matching to deliver continuous playback and an even more seamless listening experience." This is basically what a DJ does when they're performing live. It could be cool to have your own personal DJ built into your streaming service, but the results in Apple Music vary from quite good to totally off-putting.

Why AutoMix is a mixed bag

Credit: Apple

Whether you go to a club or a live concert, most good DJs will obsess over details such as track order, the vibe of the room, what kind of a mood they're going for, and much more. This means that your friendly neighborhood DJ is thinking a lot about the kind of experience you want to have and it's a delicate balance between raising the energy of the room high enough to get everyone dancing, but not so high that everyone's exhausted within 15 minutes. They'd also consider giving people a short breather with mellow songs so that people can take a breath and get refreshments. The best DJs will read the room and ensure that you have a good time.

AutoMix sometimes feels like it's a really good DJ who's made the perfect set list just for you. When it works well, tracks blend into one another and you never feel out of place. I am a fan of continuous playback, and when it works, AutoMix delivers spectacularly. However, unlike a good DJ, AutoMix doesn't care much for track order and tries to blend songs no matter what. If you have a high-energy song followed by a slower one, AutoMix will slow down the end of the fast song so that it matches the beat of the slower one coming next. It also speeds up slow songs when the next track is a faster one, which sounds comically bad at times.

Personally, I don't want to listen to music at 0.75x or 1.5x speeds, unless I'm specifically seeking out a workout mix. AutoMix aggressively applies its beat-matching algorithm to every transition and really draws attention to itself. In its current state, AutoMix is a bit too aggressive on certain transitions, and I hope Apple tones it down in the days leading up to iOS 26's stable release this fall. 

It's a useful feature for certain types of playlists where tracks have a similar "vibe," but it struggles when your playlists have wildly varying types of songs. I have a habit of curating playlists carefully, so that the sounds at the end of a song match those at the beginning of the next one, and AutoMix didn't work well with any of those playlists. By blending the end of one track with the start of the next, AutoMix undid a lot of my hard work. I honestly wouldn't mind using it with playlists that I automatically play on shuffle mode, but not with personally curated playlists. The good thing is that Apple has disabled AutoMix for albums and "some genres," so you don't have to worry about AI ruining your favorite masterpieces.

How to enable or disable AutoMix in Apple Music

Credit: Pranay Parab

Fortunately, it's quite easy to enable or disable AutoMix in iOS 26. For starters, you can turn AutoMix on or off by opening the Music app and tapping the mini player that displays the currently playing song. Once the player expands, tap the three lines button in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This reveals the Continue Playing screen that shows the song queue. Above the track list, you'll see four buttons: Shuffle, Repeat, Autoplay (the infinity symbol), and AutoMix (the two circles button). You can tap the AutoMix button to toggle it.

If you're permanently done with Apple Music's AutoMix feature in iOS 26, here's how to get rid of it. Go to Settings > Apps > Music > Song Transitions, and disable Song Transitions. This will let songs play out normally. If you'd rather keep gapless playback without the AI DJ, then you can keep Song Transitions enabled, and select Crossfade on the same page. Apple lets you pick the duration of the crossfade, which you might prefer over AutoMix. 

Finding shutdown causes in macOS High Sierra

1. Open Terminal.app

2. Copy and paste the following:

log show --predicate 'eventMessage contains "Previous shutdown cause"' --last 24h

And you should see the following:

3. Match the shutdown cause to its code:

The full list of shutdown causes can be found here.

I found it really hard to find the reason why my Mac was shutting down randomly, so hopefully this helped you! While most solutions given online recommend that you reset the SMC, don’t do that before backing up your data.

If you choose to use the built in Time Machine, check this out:

Speed up Time Machine backups by 10x on macOS

Mac randomly shuts down — finding the cause via Terminal. was originally published in blog.shawjj on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Feeding yourself and your family keeps getting more expensive, and food waste isn’t helping.

Grocery prices just keep rising—they’re up more than 2% in the last year, and the trend line doesn’t seem likely to bend downward any time soon. The average monthly spend on groceries is about $504 (that’s more than $6,000 a year), which is a lot for most people. At the same time, the average family in this country loses about $1,500 every year in food waste—about one-third of all the food in this country goes uneaten.

Those are bleak numbers when people are struggling to afford groceries, but there are steps you can take to reduce both the amount of food wasted in this country and your grocery bills. One of the easiest is to download an app that bridges those two problems by making discounted, leftover groceries easily available. Here are some of the best ones to use.

Too Good To Go

Perhaps the best-known of the “food rescue” apps, Too Good To Go recruits local restaurants and grocery stores, which then list food that would otherwise be thrown away at steeply discounted prices. Consumers can hop on the app and claim the offerings, swing by to make their purchase, and enjoy their food.

One slight downside to this system is a heavy focus on “surprise bags,” which are food items you buy sight unseen. This can work well if you’re just looking to score a cheap meal from a specific restaurant, but when it comes to groceries, not knowing what you’re getting can be a problem. But if you’re hyper-focused on saving money and saving food from landfills, the app definitely works as advertised.

Currently Too Good To Go operates in a lot of major metropolitan areas in the U.S., but you’ll have to check to see if it’s in your local area.

Misfits Market

If you’re looking for a way to reduce waste by scoring cheap food and get it delivered, Misfits Market is a great option. It’s a weird quirk of grocery stores that unusual-looking food—discolored, misshapen, or scarred in some way—is tough to sell. Folks just prefer food that looks nice. A lot of “imperfect” food (especially produce) gets tossed aside as unsellable, so Misfits Market (which recently purchased competing ugly food app Imperfect Foods) collects those gnarly-looking items, boxes them up, and delivers them to its users. It claims you can save 30 to 40% on this “ugly” food over what you’ll find in the grocery store. Keep in mind there’s a minimum order of $15 and a $5.99 delivery fee.

Flashfood

Flashfood works with local grocery stores to alert consumers to items that are about to hit their expiration dates and be removed from the shelves, and it offers a deep price cut (as much as 50% off) on those items. This spares that perfectly good food from being thrown into a dumpster and saves you a lot of money at the same time. There are no “surprise bags” here—you buy the items through the app, then just stop by the store to pick them up.

As with other apps on this list, you’ll need to check if Flashfood has partnered with stores in your area that are within your range.

Olio

Olio is a good alternative app for reducing food waste and saving money because it focuses not on grocery stores or restaurants, but your neighbors. Folks who have leftovers (or other household items) they’re going to throw away can list the stuff on Olio. People seeking free food can claim it via the app, then stop by and pick it up. Some of these giveaways are marked “no contact” and left outside for pickup, so you don’t have to worry about interacting with people. Olio also partners with local stores, assigning a volunteer to collect unwanted food from restaurants and cafes and list it on the app as well.

Olio’s usefulness for you will depend entirely on how robust its network is in your area, of course. If no one’s giving away food, you won’t get much benefit from it. And there’s no guarantee its listings won’t be low-value stuff like half-used condiments or expired food people are just trying to get rid of. But it’s worth checking regularly to score some really great deals and help spare more food from the garbage.

Hungry Harvest

Focused on produce (though it does offer some other items), Hungry Harvest will deliver “rescued” food to your door if you live in one of its service areas. Like Misfits Market, Hungry Harvest specializes in produce that would otherwise be thrown into a dumpster. This is a subscription service, so you sign up for a weekly box of food at a fixed price. There’s a minimum order threshold of $29.99 to get free delivery (otherwise delivery costs $3.49 per order).

The app offers several sizes of box: Mini, Full, and Super (with optional organic-only versions), and each category has a minimum order amount that has to be reached with produce before you can add in anything else. For example, a Mini Harvest box has a minimum order of $17, and that has to be met with fruits and veggies only. Once you hit that $17, you can start adding on snack foods or other items that might be available. The main purpose of the app is to rescue that produce, after all. The good news is that the produce will be anywhere from 25% to 50% cheaper than what you’ll find at the grocery store.

Mitt intresse för {Cyberpunk 2077}: Ultimate Edition var egentligen ganska ljummet. Jag kände mig klar med V:s äventyr sedan ganska lång tid tillbaka och tanken på en nedgraderad version lockade inte alls. Men så kom de första rapporterna om att spelet faktiskt skulle vara riktigt bra, och rent av flöt på bättre än med en Steam Deck.

Och... med ens blev jag lite sugen på att spela som Corpo, vilket jag faktiskt inte hunnit göra ännu, och sagt och gjort. Nu har jag hunnit en bra bit in i Cyberpunk 2077 till Switch 2 och provat på både huvudäventyret samt expansionen Phantom Liberty. Så hur står det sig?

<bild>Det finns inget som matchar Cyberpunk 2077 ur ett tekniskt perspektiv till Switch 2.</bild>

Cyberpunk 2077 hade som bekant en absolut fasansfull premiär, kanske den värsta någonsin, och fungerade fruktansvärt illa till Playstation 4 och Xbox One. Faktum är att Sony till och med stoppade spelets försäljning. Därefter satte CD Projekt Red igång med att räta upp skutan, något de lyckades med efter åratal av hårt arbete, varpå det dessutom lanserades en riktigt fin version till Playstation 5 och Xbox Series S/X.

Så var hamnar Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition? Det får bli fokus för denna recension, där du som vill veta mer om spelet i sig rekommenderas läsa vår recension av grundtiteln samt expansionen. Men innan vi ger oss i kast med det tekniska, så finns lite unika funktioner att ta i beaktande. Det inkluderar framför allt nya sätt att spela. Det ena är gyrosikte, vilket kan kombineras med Motion Patterns för den som vill spela hela äventyret på detta sätt. Med sistnämnda knyter du rörelser till allt, vilket för mig i de flesta fall känns mer tillkrånglat än att bara trycka på en knapp.

<bild>Äventyret flyter för den mesta på men bilduppdateringen kan hosta till när något händer.</bild>

Till detta finns även muskontroll, vilket en och annan van PC-spelare säkert uppskattar. Joy-Con 2 fungerar såklart utmärkt som mus, men jag noterar att utformningen är sämre för långvarigt spelande än en "riktig" mus, så jag tycker ergonomin blir lite lidande. Dessutom kör spelet i 30-40 bilder per sekund (i teorin men i praktiken lägre) och muspekare med så låg bilduppdatering fungerar inte särskilt väl. Alternativ finns alltså, men utöver gyro för skjutandet, tror jag de mer traditionella spelsätten kommer dominera för de flesta - även om inte heller det är perfekt då jag verkligen saknar trigger-knappar som bidrar till känslan av att använda en avtryckare.

Att glida runt i Night City är fortfarande en fröjd, i synnerhet nattetid när neonet tänds och skapar den där futuristiska charmen som för många är själva kännetecknet för denna typ av scifi. Jämfört med hur spelet är till Playstation 4 och Xbox One känns det som ett kliv i helt rätt riktning, och då talar jag inte om det bedrövliga skick de släpptes i. Det är helt enkelt ett riktigt snyggt spel som känns tekniskt imponerande på ett sätt få andra Switch 2-titlar gör. Det körs i 30 eller 40 bilder per sekund beroende på grafikval, men helt jämnt är det tyvärr inte, utan att för den saken skull vara något stort problem. Med VRR-stöd tycker jag även det ser nästan surrealistiskt läckert ut bärbart, och jag har inte kunna hålla mig från att under recensionsperioden terrorisera min omgivning och prompt velat visa det grafiktunga spektaklet.

<bild>Det är ett mer öde Night City som möter oss.</bild>

Med det sagt så är en lite övergiven stad det tydligaste tecknet på att Switch 2 inte är lika kraftfullt som Microsofts och Sonys främsta konsoler. Det är helt enkelt inte lika mycket liv och rörelse, vare sig på gatorna eller i trafiken. Vill du jämföra mot Playstation 5 och Xbox Series X, blir det därmed naturligtvis inte lika imponerande, men det är trots allt olika format med olika styrkor, och lika skevt som att jämföra en värsting-PC med en Playstation 5 från år 2020.

Äventyret är annars detsamma som när det begav sig och kretsar kring V som får ett experimentellt chip inplanterat i sitt huvud. Problemet är bara att en dåre kallad Johnny Silverhand (Keanu Reeves) börjar ta över ditt sinne och gör att din kropp riskerar att tillhöra någon annan. Den här resan är fortfarande mäktig och synnerligen väl värd att spela igenom. Dessutom ingår Phantom Liberty-expansionen, vilken tillför gott och väl 20 timmars extra cyber-äventyrande med Idris Elba. Expansionens berättande är faktiskt bättre än i huvudspelet med mer nagelbitarspänning där du kastas in i ett virrvarr av spioner, konspirationer och falskspel på högsta nivå.

<bild>Är det lika bra som till Playstation 5 eller Xbox Series X? Nej! Men därmed inte sagt att det inte imponerar. Tvärtom.</bild>

Har du inte spelat Cyberpunk 2077 tidigare och är nyfiken på spelet, så är detta en version du kommer ha kul med och imponeras av. Har du lirat det tidigare och är sugen på att köra igenom det igen, skulle jag säga att underhållningsvärdet kommer variera beroende på din tolerans för grafisk nedgradering. Det ser absolut inte ut som på en topptrimmad PC, men det finns inget lika iögonfallande till Switch 2 och CD Projekt Red har gjort ett imponerande jobb med att få med allt. I sommar ser jag fram emot att få slutföra mitt äventyr som Corpo liggandes på en strand.

The European Commission’s second-most powerful politician is isolated, beleaguered and under attack — just like the green policy she has vowed to protect.

BRUSSELS — The pope was dead. And Teresa Ribera was mourning — not only for the man.

Pope Francis had embodied an era in which Ribera’s dream of a greener world, shaped by powerful international institutions and scientific advice, had seemed, at last, to be laid down in concrete. 

Ten years had passed since Ribera’s highest moment: a year that saw the drafting of the Paris Agreement on climate change and the pope’s landmark environmental proclamation that made the moral case for action. 

By the time Francis died in April, Ribera was trying to stop it all from being torn down. 

Since arriving in Brussels in December to run the EU’s green and competition policy, she has fought a battle — largely in secret — against opponents who fret that the EU’s efforts to tackle climate change are unaffordable, or that they hand populists an easy win.

Her influence shone through this week as the European Commission faced down the French president, discontent from the EU’s largest political force, and the certainty of a far-right backlash to present a new climate goal for Europe. 

Ribera pitched the proposed target, an emissions-cutting milestone for 2040, as countering the growing pushback against ambitious climate action. 

“For all those challenging the science, hiding the problems, asking to postpone, thinking that the world is going to remain as it is and that the market is going to solve everything … the response coming from Europe is very clear,” she said at a press conference Wednesday. 

But political pressure had prompted the Commission to soften the target with concessions to governments, notably a contentious proposal to outsource part of the bloc’s efforts to poorer countries.

It was, like Ribera’s first seven months in office, a compromise born of the changed political reality — a reality she has tried to both resist and work within.

This account of that time is based on interviews with 11 Commission and government officials, associates of Ribera and close observers of the EU. Many were hesitant to speak to journalists about Ribera, who fiercely values privacy and loyalty, so they were granted anonymity. POLITICO has also interviewed Ribera three times in that span. 

Allies and critics alike described Ribera as isolated, lacking political allies amid losses among her fellow social democrats, and facing attacks from outside and inside the Commission. Despite this, they said, she has racked up a series of quiet victories.

With populist and illiberal parties incorporating the fight against climate change into their story of grievance, the stakes, as Ribera sees them, are wider than the EU’s green goals. Almost religious. Certainly moral. 

“Today, like never before, the green agenda … is being questioned,” she wrote in an emotionally charged letter to El País two days after Pope Francis died. This “counter-reformation,” she added, must be faced down lest the world “return to dark times.”

You’re hired

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen knew exactly what she was getting when she asked Ribera to protect the EU’s embattled green ambitions. 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez rammed home the message in a letter to von der Leyen in August 2024, nominating the two-time Spanish minister, former U.N. climate negotiator and policy expert to the Commission.

Sánchez touted her “political experience” and “extensive knowledge” of climate change, energy and environmental protection, which he said had won Ribera “great prestige internationally and nationally.” The letter was released to POLITICO under freedom of information laws.

Ribera, Sánchez enthused, could “generate consensus and agreements in complex international negotiations.”

That was useful for von der Leyen. The European Green Deal — a package of targets and regulations covering almost every sector of the European economy — was a key part of the president’s legislative legacy. Laid down over the previous five years, it not only set a course to end Europe’s contribution to climate change by mid-century, but also sought to rebalance the impact of industry and agriculture on nature.

Both von der Leyen and Ribera knew trouble was looming. 

The 2024 European election elevated far-right parliamentarians — the very agents of the counter-reformation Ribera believed she was confronting — ensuring that attacks on the green agenda would escalate. And von der Leyen’s own center-right European People’s Party (EPP), the European Parliament’s largest force, had begun to oppose major parts of the package, citing costs to industry and the need to dull the siren call of the political extremes.

According to two people with direct knowledge of the discussions and two people briefed on the talks, von der Leyen told Ribera she was choosing her as her first executive vice president — effectively the Commission’s No. 2 — precisely because of her green credentials.

Ribera understood her job as boiling down to one overarching mission: Defend the Green Deal. 

Getting to 90

Von der Leyen’s backing for Ribera showed through during the final frantic talks on the EU’s new 2040 climate goal. 

Until Tuesday, the proposed law’s final form — and even its release — remained uncertain. 

The target had already been delayed for months as EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, whose work is overseen by Ribera, battled to find the right set of politically viable concessions. 

Months of negotiations with governments and parliamentarians led Hoekstra to suggest that the EU stick to the 90 percent cut to emissions that von der Leyen had promised last year, but outsource some of its climate efforts to poorer countries by buying carbon credits. It was a compromise Ribera disliked but eventually accepted.

Even with that concession, a groundswell of opposition arose on Monday when the proposal was presented to the rest of the commissioners and their staffs. Ribera and Hoesktra were even battling calls to delay the announcement, after French President Emmanuel Macron suggested a pause during a dinner with EU leaders the week before. 

That dinner was “a big moment,” said one EU official familiar with the internal discussions. “It signaled to everyone that big countries aren’t … on the Commission’s side.”

During the meal, von der Leyen pushed back against Macron, defending the target and insisting it needed to be proposed that week, three people briefed on the discussions said.

She made the same case this week to wavering commissioners, who eventually fell in line on Tuesday. Hoekstra and Ribera got their compromise.

In the trenches

Ribera has fought many such battles over the last seven months. 

She has tried to act as a lawyerly guard dog, apprehending Commission papers and ensuring they align with the EU’s previous green commitments. 

Ribera has not always had the full backing of von der Leyen, who has been willing to sacrifice a growing number of green regulations to accommodate EPP concerns while trying to preserve core climate goals. 

Despite this, Ribera has won significant victories. 

In January, an early draft of von der Leyen’s grand second-term economic doctrine — the so-called Competitiveness Compass — contained only a few nebulous green references while stressing deregulation. Ribera intervened to ensure the final version specifically referenced threatened green policy initiatives. 

A month later, the Commission launched an “omnibus” bill to reduce bureaucratic burdens on companies. The bill watered down green finance rules and corporate reporting standards. But it would have gone even further, leaving key rules entirely voluntary and therefore toothless, had it not been for Ribera’s backroom dealing, POLITICO reported in February. 

Ribera also went on to battle behind the scenes to try to salvage a sinking greenwashing law.

At the same time, she rebelled against the EU’s public stance on issues such as Gaza, LGBTQ+ rights and migration. 

In May, after rumors circulated that von der Leyen was asking commissioners not to attend the banned Budapest Pride, Ribera demonstratively showed up at a press conference on climate progress with a rainbow-striped notebook. 

On social media site Bluesky she expressed solidarity with the Hungarian LGBTQ+ community months before von der Leyen finally did. She frequently issues posts highlighting the misery in Gaza, sometimes criticizing Israel outright, as well as Trump’s crackdown on scientific research and universities. She endorsed an op-ed by former Spanish EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell condemning the bloc’s inaction on Gaza, and expressed support for migrant rescuers in the Mediterranean. 

When the United States bombed Iran in June, she appeared to mourn the sidelining of the multilateral order, writing: “Decades to build an international order based on the UN charter, human rights and the rule of law.” 

The lady’s not for turning

Ribera’s stand has been a lonely one.

She is unambiguously tribal in her socialist politics — notable in a shifting political landscape.

During an interview in her offices just after she had moved into the Berlaymont, POLITICO noted a 1970s photograph hanging behind the modernist suite on which the new commissioner sat. On it, then-British opposition leader and bête noire of the U.K. left Margaret Thatcher was taking a meeting on the same settee. Ribera joked that she might swap it for a picture of current Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Shortly after, the picture was gone. 

The center left is in retreat in Europe. The socialists’ most powerful leader is Ribera’s political ally, Sánchez. But the Spanish prime minister has been weakened by a series of poor election results, a fractious coalition and, more recently, a major corruption scandal. Encouraged, Ribera’s domestic opponents on the right and far right have mounted a savage campaign against her in the press.

Election losses have also whittled down the cadre of politicians with whom Ribera championed the Green Deal as a Spanish minister. Gone are allies in Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands.

On the international level, the global order Ribera helped shape is also under profound stress — both from the White House and by populists across the EU. She has tried to tread lightly, withholding any open disdain for U.S. President Donald Trump and his enablers. But she has also not used Elon Musk’s social network X since December. 

“She seemed more tired and frustrated than the last time I saw her,” said a former government official from an EU country who met Ribera recently.

Ribera draws on two experiences for perspective in times of adversity. Her long experience of U.N. climate talks, which have seen many setbacks since they began in the 1990s. And her family’s deep romance with the Atlético de Madrid football team — the Spanish capital’s perennial also-rans, who are so often overmatched by the brutal riches of neighbors Real Madrid. 

Seeking friends

Nowhere is the sense of Ribera as a politician trying to hold back the tide stronger than inside the European Commission itself. 

She has few allies in the College of Commissioners, the EU’s executive board that oversees the bloc’s legislation. There are just four socialists on von der Leyen’s team of 27 — five if you count Maroš Šefčovič, whose Slovak party has been suspended from the group. 

The EPP dominates the college. And the Commission’s proposals have markedly shifted to incorporate right-leaning priorities.

While it’s often overstated how much the EU has backtracked on green issues — there is still broad consensus on the need to tackle climate change — the zeitgeist in Brussels, fed by intense corporate lobbying, is all about softening green regulation. 

Defense, deindustrialization, deregulation … Donald. These are the “d’s” raising heartbeats in the European capital in 2025. Decarbonization gets a flat line.

The Commission argues that its recent reforms have not compromised the Green Deal’s core mission — particularly when it comes to climate. It frames the changes as “simplification,” streamlining overly burdensome requirements.

That’s at least partly a euphemism, said François Gemenne, a Belgian political scientist from the HEC Paris business school.

“Whatever they might say and proclaim, there is some backtracking at the EU level when it comes to the Green Deal,” he said.

Ribera has tried to resist that decline.

“She constantly tries to downsize the intensity of the doctrinal shift within the Commission,” a Commission official said of Ribera. It’s an unfashionable place to be “if suddenly your priority as a Commission is to make life easier for businesses [and] she believes more in tight regulation.”

Ribera “has been working in close cooperation with the President,” said Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen in an emailed statement. “No College member works in isolation, politically or otherwise.”

As executive vice president, Ribera was given sweeping responsibilities by von der Leyen — but diffused power. She oversees the work of other commissioners when it relates to the Green Deal. 

There are two schools of thought about von der Leyen’s intent. In one sense, the structure dilutes Ribera’s power, guarding against the kind of policy fiefdom created by Ribera’s executive vice president predecessor, Dutch socialist Frans Timmermans. On the other hand it means Green Deal decisions come with a cross-party seal, potentially blunting EPP attacks.

The shared responsibilities have inevitably bred tensions. 

Hoekstra, an EPP politician who took over the climate brief in late 2023, was charged with drafting the 2040 target. 

Both Ribera and Hoekstra’s teams insist they have an amicable and constructive relationship. He and Ribera were “basically aligned” on the goal, according to the EU official. 

But at least twice, Ribera publicly preempted Hoekstra’s work, telling POLITICO that the final target would be 90 percent and saying it should heed the advice of a scientific advisory board that had just ruled out using international credits to meet the goal.

Meanwhile, officials from the climate department, who work for Hoekstra, have not always shared key documents from Ribera’s team. And while Hoekstra is subordinate to Ribera in von der Leyen’s org chart, Hoekstra directs the civil servants working on climate policy. 

“The way I see it, Wopke Hoekstra dominates on those issues,” an EPP official said. “Ribera is a bit marginalized in the Commission. Wopke has the EPP commissioners who tend to be on his side, and Ribera, as a social democrat, is pretty much alone.”

Yet there the pair was on Wednesday, presenting their 2040 compromise together — Hoekstra in a crooked tie, Ribera unusually contained.

Yes, she acknowledged, the surge of public, political (and papal) concern that birthed the Green Deal and the Paris accord was “not the world of today.” But the EU wasn’t retreating, Ribera insisted: “We are here.” 

It was the same tone she struck in her April eulogy for Pope Francis — yearning for the recent past, defending the distant future, but mired in the political problems of the present.

Karl Mathiesen reported from Brussels and London. Zia Weise reported from Brussels.

There are steep discounts worth considering this week.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

Robot vacuums are incredibly useful, but tend to be expensive. Fortunately, I found some deep discounts leading up to Prime Day, coming up July 8-11 this year.

A budget robot goes on deeper discount

Yeedi, as a brand, tends to garner good ratings on Amazon and Reddit, and the C12 Pro Plus has two robot features I like: a vibrating mop pad, and a bagless dust container. It's usually a good buy at $499.99, and right now it's going for $299.97.

Yeedi C12 Pro Plus

$299.97 at Amazon

$499.99 Save $200.02

Get Deal

Get Deal

$299.97 at Amazon

$499.99 Save $200.02

A Roborock under $300

Roborocks are consistently high performers when I test them. The Roborock Q7 M5+ is going to give you a self-emptying tower and 10,000Pa suction power—even at the normal price point of $429.99, that's impressive. This 35% off sale makes this Roborock well worth the (much smaller) investment.

This Dreame with premium features is half off

When I tested the Dreame L10S, I found that it felt premium, despite the mid-range price. In particular, I appreciated its high-performing vacuum—I was less hot on the mop, though. The L10S Pro Ultra is the next generation of that model, and ratings suggest that the mop is greatly improved. Normally $899.99, it's now almost half off.

A flagship robot vacuum on deep discount

The Dreame X40 Ultra actually is a premium model, which means you're getting a self-emptying tower, with a mop that cleans itself (it even auto dispenses detergent) and improved robot performance on both vacuuming and mopping. The app will also include some more flexible features around scheduling and obstacle avoidance. That usually comes at a premium price of $1499, but with the listed discount and a coupon available on the listing page, the price comes down to $949.99.

Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum with Detachable & Liftable Mop

$949.99 at Amazon

$1,499.00 Save $549.01

Get Deal

Get Deal

$949.99 at Amazon

$1,499.00 Save $549.01

One of my favorite robot vacuums is $300 off

I think the Roborock Curv is, simply put, a fabulous robot vacuum and mop (here's my review). It has spectacular suction, mopping and vacuum power, and the tower is gorgeously designed. I recommend this model over and over again. It's well worth the full price of $1599.99, but on sale, I'd grab it.

Astronomers believe they've found just the third known interstellar object in history.

Astronomers believe they've found just the third known interstellar object in history.

If you're a mountain biker, this gadget is designed just for you.

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

Mountain bikers, listen up: Garmin recently launched its latest cycling computer specifically tailored for you. The Edge MTB is designed to meet the unique needs of off-road riders.

For context, the Edge MTB represents a departure from Garmin's traditional one-size-fits-all approach to cycling computers. This device focuses pretty exclusively on mountain biking scenarios, incorporating specialized tracking modes and trail-specific functionality that road cyclists would never need.

Here's how the Edge MTB works, and what sets it apart from other cycling computers.

Profiles for different riding styles

The computer introduces two distinct ride profiles designed for different mountain biking disciplines. The "enduro" profile recognizes that mountain biking involves both climbing and descending phases, allowing riders to track these segments independently. Users can manually switch between climb and descent tracking with a button press, or rely on the automatic pause feature to handle the transitions.

The "downhill" profile addresses a common frustration among gravity-focused riders: the need to constantly pause and resume recording when using chairlifts or shuttle services. (Huge for us dual Strava-Garmin users). This mode intelligently filters out uphill travel that isn't pedaled, so that only actual descent time and statistics are recorded. This eliminates the tedious ritual of manually pausing the device every time riders board a lift or hop in a shuttle vehicle.

Better GPS for winding trails

Both specialized profiles utilize 5 Hz GPS recording, providing more frequent position updates than standard cycling computers. This higher sampling rate translates to improved accuracy when tracking the technical, winding paths typical of mountain bike trails.

The device also introduces virtual gates functionality, enabling riders to set checkpoint markers along trails to monitor split times across specific segments—useful for training or comparing performance on familiar routes.

Trail navigation features

The Edge MTB comes equipped with Forksight, which displays approaching trail names as riders navigate through trail networks. The device ships with preloaded Trailforks maps, giving users immediate access to trail information without requiring additional downloads or subscriptions.

Other features and specs

According to Garmin, the Edge MBT's battery performance reaches 14 hours of standard operation, extending to 26 hours with battery saver mode. It has a scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla Glass display and an IPX7 water resistance rating. Safety features include LiveTrack sharing and automatic incident detection.

The Edge MTB is available for $399.99, making it a mid-range option among Garmin's cycling computer lineup. Mountain bikers are sure to appreciate a computer that does more than simply treat off-road cycling as simply road cycling in a different environment.

If you take on debt, that discount won't look like such a good deal.

Amazon's biggest sale of the year is right around the corner. As you're checking out the deals during Amazon's super-sized Prime Day—which will take place from July 8 to July 11, twice as long as usual—you might be tempted by Amazon's "affordable monthly payment system." Also known as "buy now, pay later" (BNPL), its pitch is alluring: Buy what I need now, and pay later, "on my own timeline?" Yes please! But as convenient as it sounds, you should think twice before using buy now, pay later options for Prime Day.

While BNPL plans can allow you to pay for purchases in installments without interest, they come with a cost can easily outweigh any Prime Day discounts. At least 16% of consumers using BNPL have missed payments, and 24% have said theoption caused them to overspend, according to a recent Bankrate survey. Let's take a look at the hidden costs of BNPL, and why you're better off paying upfront for all your Prime Day deals.

How does Amazon's buy now, pay later option work?

Amazon doesn't actually have its own buy now, pay later program. Instead, they've partnered up with major BNPL provider Affirm. When you're checking out on Amazon, you can select Affirm as a payment. The process is straightforward: you choose your items, select Affirm at checkout, complete a quick application, and receive an instant decision on your loan terms. Individual transactions initiated through Affirm are limited to $25,000, with a daily maximum of $100,000 across multiple purchases—but hopefully that won't come up in a single Prime Day splurge, right? (Right?!)

The main draw of these programs is the ability to "pay at your own pace." If you are required to pay a down payment, that is due at the time of the transaction. From there, your first monthly payment is usually due one month after your purchase is processed. Each following payment will be due one month later, on the same day of the month.

You can choose your own timeline, usually spanning 3, 6, 12, or 24 months, depending on the purchase amount and your creditworthiness. Unlike traditional credit cards, Affirm shows you the exact payment amount and total cost upfront, and claims no hidden fees or compound interest. (More on that below.)

Of course, you need a separate Affirm account in addition to your Amazon Prime membership. The application process requires basic information including your name, mobile phone number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. Affirm performs a soft credit check initially, which doesn't impact your credit score, though they may conduct a hard inquiry for some loans.

Now let's take a look at four major risks to consider before you hit that BNPL button:

It makes impulse spending easier

The ease of this sort of financing can make expensive purchases feel more affordable than they actually are. When you can buy a $800 tablet for "just $67 per month," it's easy to lose sight of the total cost, as well as your overall financial picture. In turn, this makes it all too easy to overspend on items you might not have purchased otherwise. You're better off taking a breath, stepping away from your shopping cart, and setting alerts to be notified when a product hits a price you can stomach.

You may be hit with unexpected interest charges

The biggest danger with BNPL is missing one of the recurring payments. Sure, the plans are marketed as interest-free financing. However, in many cases, that 0% interest offer only applies if you pay off the full balance by a specific due date. If you have even $1 remaining after that cutoff, interest starts accruing at rates as high as 36.99% in some cases. So buyer beware—it's easy to inadvertently end up with large interest charges if you're not vigilant about paying off the balance before the promotional period ends. Soon that discounted Prime Day deal won't look so affordable.

It can impact your credit score

Currently, BNPL plans don’t directly impact users’ credit scores. But this fall, FICO says it will start including BNPL payment histories in its credit score calculations. So if you miss payments or default on the installment plan, it will cause damage to your credit score—making it even harder to get approved for mortgages, auto loans, credit cards, and other financing down the road. None of that risk is worth the Prime Day savings.

You'll have limited purchase protections

When you use a credit card, you get valuable purchase protections like extended warranty coverage, price protection, and the ability to dispute fraudulent charges. BNPL plans generally don't come with these safeguards. This means you're on the hook if something goes wrong with your Prime Day purchase and the retailer doesn't make things right. The smarter move is to only buy what you can afford during Amazon's Prime Day event, no matter how tempting those deals may seem.

Although installment plans are helpful if you really need to finance something major, it’s best to avoid taking on debt for everyday expenses. Better to wait for a good price for something you truly need and can afford to pay for right now. To that end, keep checking back for more of Lifehacker's Prime Day coverage to find the best deals available during this summer's sale.

Resist Amazon's price manipulation tactics by choosing the maximum you want to spend ahead of time.

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If you're an impulse buyer, you know that shopping events like Amazon's upcoming Prime Day can be bad. Even though we know Amazon is using all kinds of manipulation techniques to get us to buy things we don’t need, it still works, so this year, try setting your own prices and only choosing things you already want to buy before the big Prime Day sale. (It's July 8 through July 11 this year, in case you need to prepare yourself.)

How to “set your own prices” on Amazon

You can’t make Amazon lower its prices at your whim, but you can set up an alert system to let you know if anything you want to buy dips in price enough for it to make sense for you to purchase it. Below is a step-by-step guide to setting your own personal maximum price for any item sold by Amazon:

• Identify the items you’d like to purchase and throw them into your Amazon wishlist. Make sure your wishlist is set to “public.”

• Visit the Amazon price-tracking website CamelCamelCamel and make a free account. There are other price-tracking apps and websites that, more or less, do the same thing—Slick Deals, Honey, Keepa, etc.—so check out this overview of the best price-tracking tools if you want to compare them. Spoiler alert, though: CamelCamelCamel wins.

• Click “import wishlist.” (You’ll have to copy and paste the URL from your Amazon wishlist.)

• Once you’ve done that, CamelCamelCamel lets you add specific maximum prices (or percentage drops) for everything in your wishlist. Enter the maximum amount you’re willing to pay for each item in your list, and then you can tell it to send you an email when any item’s price drops to your set spending limit.

• Ignore all the Prime Big Deal Days hype and wait for the email alert letting you know that your chosen items have become cheap enough for you to buy.

• Spend the day feeling smug and agree with yourself that you actually are the smartest person alive. Don’t even look at Amazon’s website. Seriously. Well, maybe just for a second. This time you’ll have the willpower to avoid buying another chocolate fountain or a self-stirring mug with “SELF STIRRING MUG” written on the side, right? Right?

More ideas for imposing limits on your spending

If you want to take tech-based shopping guardrails beyond the basic "time to buy" alert system described above, here are some ideas.

• Block ads: If you're the type of person who responds to online ads, you can block a ton of them with a simple tool or app. Here's our overview of the best ad-blocking software.

• Track your expenses: Whether you do it with pencil and paper or use an app, seeing how much you're spending can be a powerful motivation to be more thrifty. Budgeting over time can even give you a bit of a surplus, so you can splurge when Prime Day rolls around if you want to.

• Save up for something: Saving up for something in the future—a vacation, an electric surfboard, whatever—can make it easier to resist spending now.

• Hit your internal pause button: If you can make a habit of waiting a day or two between thinking "I want those sunglasses" and entering your credit card numbers, you may decide your old sunglasses are just fine.

• Set up a one-in-one-out system: For everything you buy or acquire, get rid of a similar item (or more!) to make room for it. Knowing something has to go if you hit "buy now" can stop you from making an impulse buy, and following this rule keeps your home less cluttered. Bonus points if you resell an item before getting a similar one. Make money before spending money, and save space while you're at it.

• Consider professional help: It's normal and common to sometimes have a little difficulty controlling spending, but researchers say about 6% of Americans suffer from compulsive buying disorder which may be part of a larger psychological problem. So if your spending is driving you deep into debt, you're suffering real-world consequences based on your buying habits, or you just feel like shopping might be a problem for you, talk to a professional.

En konstnär i nöd och mängder med uppdrag över hela världen är att vänta i denna expansion av Kingdom Come: Deliverance II. Det är utan tvekan mitt favoritspel i år på grund av att det bjuder på fantastisk grafik, intressanta karaktärer, bra uppdragsdesign och fin musik. Böhmen kändes som en levande plats och det historiska detaljarbetet som låg till grund för detta projekt var enastående. Det var en fröjd att få följa Henry på nya äventyr i tvåan. I denna expansion väntas fler uppdrag, möten med karaktärer och twister i berättelsen. Det må inte vara lika storslaget som berättelsen i basspelet, men det är bra och värt din tid.

<bild>Henry försöker hitta någon som ropar på hjälp.</bild>

Det nya nedladdningsbara paketet går under namnet Brushes With Death. Och precis som det låter har det att göra med färg. Vi får träffa Voyta, en konstnär som behöver hjälp, som den gode samariten vi är väljer min Henry att assistera honom med sina problem. Han verkar dock lite märklig då han pratar med dödskallar och vill ha tillbaka sina stulna penslar. Om du väljer att hjälpa honom kommer du att bjudas på cirka 7-13 timmar äventyrande. Jag upptäckte ganska snabbt att det är bättre att spela på en nyare sparfil. Det beror på att den här expansionen låses upp efter bröllopet redan i akt 1. Du låser också upp några nya funktioner, rustningar och vapen.

Uppdragen är nästan alltid välskrivna och intressanta. De sållar sig inte in bland basspelets bästa men inte heller bland de sämsta. Kvaliteten på berättandet är genomgående bra. Det är lagom lång för prislappen, även om jag såklart önskar mig ännu mer innehåll. Tyvärr finns det inte så mycket mer än en välskriven berättelse. Det finns enbart ett nytt spelmässigt inslag och det är att du nu kan måla sköldar. Jag hoppas att vi får samma möjlighet med rustningar och kläder i ett framtida tillägg.

<bild>Det visar sig vara Voyta, en målare som är fastbunden.</bild>

När du låser upp möjligheten att skräddarsy din sköld kan du välja och vraka mellan mängder av alternativ. Dur har möjligheten att verkligen skapa din personliga sköld. Precis som du misstänker kan du såklart använda den i strid, vilket gör att det blir mer betydande för dig. Även om det finns nya vapen och rustningar är det denna funktion som är höjdpunkten i detta nedladdningsbara innehåll för mig. Jag hoppas att Warhorse Studios implementerar fler av dessa spelmässiga system med framtida innehåll.

På tal om spelmässiga system, uppdragen belyser också hur pass starka de ursprungliga systemen i basspelet är. Du kan använda dig av smygande, dialog, alkemi eller våld för att tackla uppdragen. Dialogvalen leder också till flera olika lösningar och kan ibland resultera i nya problem. Tyvärr har berättelsen väldigt lite med resten av spelet att göra. Detta är ett stickspår som står på egna ben och om du hade hoppats på nya spelmässiga system och en fortsättning på berättelsen är detta något annat.

<bild>Voyta är ingen normal målare utan pratar regelbundet med sin dödskalle.</bild>

I min recension av Kingdom Come Deliverance II berömde jag möjligheten att påverka berättelserna på olika sätt och detta är sant även här. Det är därför jag rekommenderar dig att spela detta innehåll tidigare i berättelsen så att du kan varva dessa uppdrag med annat du vill göra. Det blir också mer logiskt sett till hur tvåan slutar och hur pass låga insatserna från vår protagonist är med detta nya innehåll. Fler än fyra av uppdragen handlar om att hämta saker och leverera dessa till en person. Detta skär sig lite med de storslagna scenerna mot slutet av basspelet. Om du spelar detta innehåll med en ny karaktär passar det bättre in med den övergripande berättelsen. Av den orsaken är detta stickspår inte ett måste utan mer av någonting bra.

Om jag fick välja hade jag önskat mig lite mer innehåll. Jag hade gärna sett ett liknande system för sköldarna även för kläder, tyger och rustningar. Det ska såklart byggas in i världen så att om du köper målandet av mönster och färgsättningen av tyger, beroende på färgval skulle det kosta olika mycket. Vissa färger skulle också vara mer sällsynta och svåra att hitta. Färgen lila är ett exempel på en färg som var både dyr och svår att framställa under medeltiden. Jag hade också gärna sett ett inslag om att bygga upp en by igen som i ettan. Detta hade kunnat expanderats på så att det känns intressant och mer komplext. Vi vet att det kommer fler berättelser i detta format och jag hoppas att vi erbjuds lite fler intressanta spelmässiga inslag, som även påverkar äventyrandet i basspelet.

<bild>Det finns ofta flera vägar att lösa dina problem på. I detta tidiga uppdrag spelade jag om föremålen Voyta blev bestulen på. Du kan också stjäla eller mörda karaktärerna.</bild>

Jag har inte upptäckt några nya tekniska problem som inte fanns med i föregångaren, förutom ett enda. På konsol har det funnits en bugg som skapar flimmer och att saker laddas in och ut ur bild. Detta har jag även märkt av på dator. Träd och annat har en tendens att blixtra in i bild på vissa avstånd. Det är sällan så pass omfattande att det störde mig, men det är värt att nämna. Vid sidan av detta är en fröjd att titta på, precis som med basspelet. Det är ett av årets snyggaste spel och det är fantastiskt att se att Cryengine inte bara används, utan går att bygga imponerande rollspel med. Det är tacksamt att det fungerar så pass felfritt som detta gör med tanke på hur trasigt ettan var vid sin lansering. Ljudbilden är också bra med nytt välskrivet röstskådespel och fin musik. Den nya musiken är trivsam och passar berättelsen väl, även om det inte är många nya stycken.

Sammanfattningsvis är detta mer av Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Berättelsen tar dig mellan 7-12 timmar att klara av beroende på hur snabbt du gör uppdragen. Med flera slut och en möjlighet att bygga in detta i din genomspelning relativt tidigt får du ut mest av detta paket. Målandet av sköldar är toppen och möjliggör att du kan skräddarsy din karaktär på fler sätt än tidigare. Jag hoppas såklart att system som detta läggs in för allt annat du kan klä dig i. Uppdragen är inte riktigt lika vassa som i basspelet, men de är tillräckligt bra för att jag utan några större klagomål kan rekommendera dig detta. Vid sidan av grafiska buggar är detta ett bra tillägg. Det gör inte mycket nytt utan ökar mängden innehåll. Om du äger basspelet är detta en rekommendation. Äger du inte basspelet bör du spela det först.

<bild>Det nya racinguppdragen och pilbågsskytte från hästrygg roar. Det är dock inte en del av expansionen utan uppdrag alla fick gratis med den senaste uppdateringen.</bild>

Issues with the lithium ion batteries have caused Anker to issue two voluntary recalls in the last few weeks. See if your power bank is one of the affected units.

Anker has issued two voluntary recalls of its popular power banks, both for reasons related to the lithium ion batteries inside the units. The first recall, earlier this month, was for PowerCore 10000 units sold between 2016 and 2022, over concerns of a potential fire risk. The second recall, issued this week for five additional units, including MagGo and Zolo power banks, relates to possible battery malfunctions that were detected during routine quality assurance testing. If you've got an Anker power bank, you'll definitely want to check to ensure it isn't one of the recalled units.

Which Anker power bank models are involved in the recall?

While the following models are affected, not every unit of these models are part of the recall. The recall of the MagGo and Zolo banks, for instance, only involved one battery supplier. Here's the list of the models potentially affected by the recalls.

• Anker PowerCore 10000 power bank (Model: A1263)

• Anker Power Bank (Model A1257 and Model A1647)

• Anker MagGo Power Bank (Model A1652)

• Anker Zolo Power Bank (Model A1681 and Model A1689)

How to see if your power bank is part of the Anker recall

To see if your specific unit is included in the recall, locate the model number of your Anker powerbank, which is usually located on the bottom of the unit. If your unit is one of the models above, visit the recall page on the Anker website. The page will direct you to the correct recall form, where you'll need to input the serial number on each unit, paying particular attention to characters that look like, like the letter "O" and the number "0" (good luck with that). As soon as you hit submit, you'll find out immediately if your unit is affected.

If your unit is part of the recall

If you find that your unit is affected, you should stop using it. Anker has instructions on how to safely dispose of a power unit—don't throw it out. Due to the lithium ion battery, you'll need to use a Household Hazardous Waste collection drop point. Your city probably has at least one facility that handles this type of waste. Regardless, you should not dispose of the unit until Anker confirms your unit is affected.

What compensation is Anker offering

In the United States, Anker is letting consumers choose whether they prefer a replacement unit or a gift card. Fair warning, the gift card is only usable on the Anker website.

It's perfect for when you need to reference your own notes while presenting on an external display.

Referencing notes on your laptop while you're using it to give a presentation is always awkward. If you mirror your displays, there's no way to see your notes without showing them to your audience, which isn't ideal. But using multiple displays is also kind of clumsy—you need to move your mouse from one display to the other every time you want to advance slides, which can throw you off.

There's no perfect solution to this problem, but a Mac app called Beeno comes close. This free, open source application by developer Uli Kaufmann places your entire second display in a window on your primary display. The basic idea is that you'll be able to see the presentation on your laptop without having to turn around and look at the display behind you. This means you can see the slides in front of you, instead of having to turn around to look at the presentation screen. It also means you can see and scroll through your notes and take control of the presentation, all on one screen.

Using the application is simple: You just need to run it when you have two displays connected. You will need to provide the appropriate permissions before everything starts working, and a window on your primary display will automatically pop up, showing you everything on the secondary display. The window is scalable, meaning you can resize it to fit alongside your notes or anything else you need to reference during the presentation. If you need to switch which display is in the window, you can right-click the menu bar and choose a different one.

I've been playing around with Beeno for a few weeks, and it works quite well—certainly I don't think I'll be awkwardly looking behind me during a presentation ever again.

Medan andra har tjatat om {Bloodborne}, {F-Zero}, {Half-Life} och {Hollow Knight: Silksong} varenda gång det är dags för spelevent, har jag istället hållit tummarna för ett livstecken från Onimusha. Det var något med framför allt de två första spelen som klickade så oerhört väl för mig för knappt 25 år sedan att jag inte riktigt kunnat glömma dem.

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Men det har tyvärr Capcom gjort. Men under The Game Awards I December hände det till slut, {Onimusha: Way of the Sword} utannonserades. Kanske för att påminna alla om serien och göra varumärket relevant igen, utannonserades även en remaster av 2002 års {Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny}, och under den senaste veckan har jag haft förmånen att få spela igenom äventyret.

<bild>För den som gillar jappanskt historia finns mycket att hämta, med en övernaturlig twist.</bild>

Denna remaster ligger oerhört nära originalet, och det finns inget nytt innehåll att tala om utöver lite fanservice i menyerna bestående av en massa konceptbilder, möjlighet att lyssna igenom musiken och spela ett antal minispel. Capcom har dock ändrat lite i spelkontrollen som att du nu kan byta vapen snabbare och om jag inte blivit väldigt mycket skickligare gamer under de två decennier som gått sedan jag spelade det sist - så tror jag också svårighetsgraden skruvats ner något. Det har dock kompenserat med ett extra jävligt läge kallat Hell, vilket jag inte tänker befatta mig med.

Om du inte spelat Onimusha tidigare, så är det ett slags felande länk mellan gamla {Resident Evil}-spel och {Ninja Gaiden}. Capcom använder här sina statiska bakgrunder och kameravinklar till att berätta en ultrajapansk historia istället för att överleva Raccoon City, och du slipper även navigera med frambenet som Chris Redfield och Jill Valentine gjorde, och de styltiga striderna saknas helt. Istället får du ett riktigt följsamt stridssystem till ditt förfogande där du kan ta dig an större mängder fiender samtidigt.

<bild>Striderna är smidiga med ett intressant system för kontringar.</bild>

I stora drag har du närstridsvapen (varianter av svärd, spjut och liknande) och avståndsvapen (exempelvis pil och båge samt gevär) till ditt förfogande, medan vilka du mejar ner fiender på löpande band. För att skapa lite speldjup finns dock även specialförmågor att ta till, vilka dock kostar olika typer av magipoäng för att hindra missbruk. Dessa är i synnerhet matnyttiga mot bossar och består av egenskapen som att få en motståndare att stå still, samt aktivera en superförmåga som gör att du för en kort stund kan dela ut massor av stryk utan att själv ta skada.

Den stora twisten hittar vi dock i ett riktigt spännande kontringsläge. Istället för att försöka tajma med en blockknapp, är anfall bästa försvar och får du in din attack när motståndaren utför sin, så slår du ihjäl rackaren direkt, och du kan även köra flera stycken om det är många motståndare du tampas mot. Dessutom finns ett ganska flexibelt system där dina motståndare släpper ifrån sig "genma" som du kan absorbera, vilket ger liv, magi och möjlighet att uppgradera din utrustning. Dessa genma är dock flyktiga och försvinner och du inte hinner absorbera dem med ett tryck på B-knappen, vilket ofta ger intressanta ställningstaganden i strid eftersom jag gärna vill ha min genma - men vill helst samtidigt också undvika att bli ihjälslagen.

<bild>Det finns ett härligt persongalleri av potentiella allierade, med charmigt B-filmsdoftande dialog.</bild>

Så långt allt väl, men systemet med fasta bakgrunder och kameravinklar visar tyvärr ofta sin ålder i striderna. Går du lite för mycket till vänster kan du hamna i en ny skärm och är plötsligt vänd åt helt fel håll och ser inte längre fienden du just slogs mot. I bossfighterna blir det ofta ännu värre när de snabbt rör sig ur bild och du inte kan se var de hamnat eftersom du inte kan rotera kameran. En viss charm har det onekligen, men låt oss inte låtsas som att detta är något vi skulle vilja ha mer av i dagens spelvärld. Det försvann av en anledning och hinner bli frustrerande otaliga gånger under det runt tio timmar långa äventyret.

<bild>De fasta kameravinklarna gör att du kan få ett helt annat perspektiv om du rör dig lite för mycket och du får ofta slåss mot fiender du inte ser trots att du är vänd mot dem.</bild>

Storyn kretsar kring demonfursten Oda Nobunaga som är tillbaka från de döda för att sprida död och förintelse omkring sig, vilket vi får ett smakprov på i ett synnerligen brutalt intro. Så kan vi inte ha det, och därför axlar vi rollen som Jubei Yagyu, en Onimusha med uppdraget att sätta stopp för Nobunagas demoniska framfart. Storyn berättas huvudsakligen i mellansekvenser och text, och för tankarna till japanska lågbudgetfilmer - vilket kan låta hårt, men det är något jag faktiskt gillar. Den som kan sin manga och animé kommer också känna igen sig då berättandet är rakt på sak, fyllt av torr humor och bjuder på inslag som hade känts helt omöjliga att skriva i dagens samhälle, och jag är nästan förvånad (men glad) över att Capcom inte valt att slopa eller skriva om vissa bitar.

<bild>Tänk de gamla Resident Evil-spelen från första Playstation kompletterat med action från Ninja Gaiden och du har {Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny Remaster}.</bild>

Till detta kommer allierade som dyker upp under äventyrets gång, lite beroende på hur du behandlat dem. På bästa {Animal Crossing}-manér förväntas du samla in och köpa presenter att ge dem, där det gäller att veta vem som ska ha vad. Är det Magoichi Saiga som ska ha spriten eller kikaren, och passar det att ge en röd papegoja till Kotaro Fuma? Den enda som är lätt att lista ut vad man ska ge till är Oyu of Odani, en kvinna som därför gillar smycken, parfym och speglar. Genom att skämma bort dina vänner kan du få dem att assistera vid olika tillfällen, vilket gör att du på sätt och viss kan skräddarsy ett annars väldigt rakt och rättframt äventyr.

Det är ofta svårt att recensera en remaster och ställa dem sida vid sida mot dagens spel. Åldern lyser ofta igenom - det är ju trots allt gamla titlar - och hade ett spel släppts idag med samma upplägg så hade jag inte varit så förlåtande. Det blir en slags särbehandling, men faktum är att jag tycker Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny ändå står sig ganska väl. Visst, alla instruktioner presenteras genom en textvägg istället för att pedagogiskt läras ut, dialogen känns idag underutvecklad och banal samt att striderna hämmas av de låsta kameravinklarna.

<bild>Bossarna kan tyvärr bli lite frustrerande, men svårighetsgraden känns lite lägre denna gång så det blir aldrig besvärligt.</bild>

Men samtidigt finns det inget som riktigt liknar det Onimusha-serien erbjuder. Här finns massor av japanskt mumbojumbo att gotta sig åt, 1500-talsvärlden är härligt designad och Jubei Yagyu samt hans vänner är alla härliga karaktärer. Dessutom hinner spelet aldrig bli frustrerande eller utdraget tack vare det lite smidigare spelsystemet och faktumet att det bara är runt tio timmar långt. Så... vill du ha ett ultrajapanskat samurajäventyr att trivas med och kan stå ut med att dess grunder etablerades till Playstation 2, Gamecube och Xbox - så tycker jag absolut att du ska slå till.

As a shopping writer prepping for Prime Day, I use Camelcamelcamel, Honey, SlickDeals, and others to help me determine whether online deals are, well, the real deal.

If you’ve ever felt like you were duped by overpaying for something that was advertised as a “great deal,” you’re in the right place. It’s easy to get caught up in frenzied online shopping holidays like the upcoming Prime Day sale, with competition from Best Buy, Target, and Walmart— especially when these retailers sometimes sneak price hikes before major “sales” or deceive shoppers with tricks to spend more than you intended to.

Figuring out the best time to buy something requires constant watch over ever-fluctuating online prices and some knowledge of how prices have changed in the past. As a shopping and deals writer, that is what I do for a living, and I know how time-consuming it can be. Luckily, you don’t have to figure it all out yourself: Here are the best websites and extensions I've been using for years to check price history and track prices so that you can be sure you’re getting the best deal possible.

The best Amazon price tracker: Camelcamelcamel

Credit: Camelcamelcamel.com

CamelCamelCamel is among the best ways to track prices on Amazon products. You can install the browser extension (on Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, and Safari) to get access to the site’s features without leaving Amazon, or you can just copy and paste an Amazon link or product name to the website’s search bar. CamelCamelCamel shows you how the price of the item has gone up or down over time, how prices have changed through Amazon directly, and the fluctuations from third-party Amazon sellers who list new and used items.

If you sign up for a free account, you can set up alerts so the site can notify you by email when the price of an item drops below a certain amount, if you can get it used for a given price, or if it’s at an all-time low and now is a good time to buy. You can even see previous historic highs and lows and try to map out the best time to strike.

The best price tracker for most online retailers and to compare prices: Honey

Credit: Honey.com

You've probably already heard of the "Honey influencer scam" that blew up in December of 2024. Essentially, Honey hijacked affiliate links from influencers who were sponsoring them. Also, in many instances, it deliberately chose not to give the best coupons to users who used the extension (going completely against its business model). Honey is not alone in this behavior. Many coupon aggregator companies hijack affiliate links; Honey just happens to be in the spotlight because it's the biggest one. Use your own judgment if you choose to use any of its services.

The bad news for those looking for a price-tracking tool that can be used for most online retailers is that Honey is the only option. The good news is that Honey's price-tracking tool can't scam you or give you subpar coupons. The Honey browser extension compares prices from a whole bunch of retailers, not just Amazon. You can create a Droplist, which notifies you if the prices drop for an item on your list if you’re willing to wait for a deal. Here is what creating a Droplist can do for you:

First, it’ll keep the items you want to keep tabs on organized and easily accessible. Second, it’ll track the prices of those products and alert you when they go on sale at any major retailer. You can see how much those prices cost leading up to the sale to see if they are, in fact, good deals or a trick from retailers to take advantage of you, and even compare them with other major retailers to see who has the best deal. You can see how to set up your droplist here.

As long as you don't buy the products using a Honey link, you won't be giving money to the service. You can still use their tool to your advantage without giving them any of the affiliate revenue. Until there's a better alternative, Honey is the only option that can instantly pull up price histories and track prices for multiple retailers with a browser extension (for now).

The best tool to compare prices: Capital One Shopping

Credit: Amazon.com

Capital One Shopping, previously known as Wikibuy, compares prices from other sellers when you shop on Amazon. The browser extension will notify you if a product you are looking at is cheaper somewhere else, and offers a summary of pricing history, estimated delivery time, and total price, including tax and shipping. If you can apply a coupon, it’ll add that as well. When the price drops for a product you’ve viewed, Capital One Shopping will notify you. When you shop, you can earn credits for your purchases at some websites, like Walmart and eBay, that Capital One Shopping has partnered with. You can trade that credit for gift cards or put it toward purchases through Capital One Shopping’s site.

The extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari, and an iOS app allows you to scan barcodes and search products to do price comparisons from your phone.

The best price tracker tool for gamers: CheapShark

Credit: CheapShark.com

While most of the others in the roundup focus on products like electronics, apparel, household goods, and appliances, CheapShark is a great option for those looking to save money on video games. CheapShark combines all of the great places to get discounts on games in one place, one easily searchable directory and database of current prices from sites including Steam, GoG, Green Man Gaming, GameStop, Amazon, and more. Of course, it’s limited to video games, but you can search a game name not just to see how much it’ll cost you to buy, but even if you can buy it at all—and which retailer has it available. If you want, you can even filter by games currently on sale at their selected stores.

When you search for a specific game, CheapShark tells you what the cheapest-ever price was, when it hit that price, and gives you the choice to either go ahead and buy it from your choice of retailer or to sign up for a price notification if it drops again.

Honorable mentions

Keepa: Practical price-tracking tool for Amazon and eBay

Credit: Amazon.com using the Keepa browser extension

Keepa works very similarly to Camelcamelcamel, but instead of clicking on the extension to see the price history, it'll be automatically displayed below the image of the product. This helps if clicking on the extension or installing is one click too much for you. Keepa also lets you track specific products and sends you notifications when they go below a specific price that you set. It also works on eBay. You can download the extension for Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge, and Safari.

SlickDeals: Great for finding deals and checking prices

SlickDeals is known for bringing you up-to-the-minute discounts, coupons, and other deals from around the web, but its web-based price tracker is also great for watching prices on just about any item on Amazon and on a ton of other popular shopping sites, like Newegg, Gamestop, Chewy, Home Depot, and others.

Credit: SlickDeals

The service doesn’t give you a detailed price history like some of the others in the roundup—it only shows a “deal history” under the “price intelligence” section for a few popular products. However, it will track the price of your item from when you create an alert and send you an email if the price drops below a threshold that you set. You can also return to the price tracker at any time, log in to your account, and see all of your tracked items on the same screen.

The first MacBook Pro models with OLED displays are still expected to launch next year.


Omdia analyst Linda Lin reiterated the 2026 timeframe for the first MacBook models with OLED displays in a recent research note. While she did not mention the MacBook Pro specifically, it is widely expected that OLED displays will debut in the higher-end MacBook Pro models before the lower-end MacBook Air models.

When the MacBook Pro switches from mini-LED to OLED display technology, benefits will include increased brightness, higher contrast ratio with deeper blacks, improved power efficiency for longer battery life, and more.

Overall, the MacBook Pro is expected to receive its first major redesign since 2021 next year, with rumored changes including an OLED display and a thinner design. Apple will also be on to the M6, M6 Pro, and M6 Max chips by then.

In December 2024, Omdia intriguingly claimed that next year's MacBook Pro models will have a hole-punch camera at the top of the screen, instead of a notch. It is unclear if this rumor was accurate, or if that change remains on Apple's roadmap.

If you are considering purchasing a new MacBook Pro, it might be best to hold off until next year if you are able to wait. Apple will likely update the MacBook Pro line with the M5 series of chips later this year, but not much is expected beyond that spec bump. The more significant changes mentioned above should arrive by October 2026.

Elden Ring, From Softwares kritikerrosade action-rollspel, slog ner som en bomb för tre år sedan, och även om spelets grundare Hidetaka Miyazaki i omgångar har hävdat att en del två inte varit under utveckling så står vi nu här inför lanseringen av Elden Ring: Nightreign Visst, det går såklart att argumentera för att Nightreign inte är en regelrätt uppföljare utan bara ett sidospår från ett redan etablerat varumärke, men det går samtidigt inte att komma ifrån att det återigen har blivit dags att återvända till "Landet Däremellan", och den här gången kan man dessutom göra det tillsammans med två vänner.

För där Elden Ring år 2022 fokuserade på att bygga upp ett maffigt äventyr för endast en spelare (även om vissa multiplayer-funktioner såklart fanns inbakade) så erbjuder Nightreign en helt ny inriktning där fart och fläkt tillsammans med delad glädje är ledorden. Borta är nämligen möjligheten att ta allt i sitt eget tempo och få lov att undersöka varenda vrå för att sedan systematiskt kunna planera sin framfart genom giftiga träskmarker och demonfyllda slott. För så fort du sätter foten i Limgrave denna gången så börjar en osynlig klocka att ticka ner, och inom kort kommer du och dina kumpaner känna hur en blå eldcirkel tar sig allt närmare och tvingar er att lägga benen på ryggen.
<bild>Round Table Hold agerar återigen samlingsplats för våra hjältar, men den familjära känslan blandas ypperligt med nya tillägg.</bild>
Konceptet skulle kortfattat kunna beskrivas likt en Battle Royale-titeln där liknande cirklar av olika slag har fungerat för att fösa spelare mot varandra, men i Nightreigh handlar det istället om att tvinga fram ett högre tempo och lära spelare att göra smartare val från gång till gång. Första gången jag spelade sprang jag exempelvis mest runt och försökte se och uppleva så mycket som möjligt, men detta ledde bara till att min karaktär blev extremt illa förberedd för farorna som väntade när dagen gick mot natt. För när solen går i moln vankas det alltid en bosstrid, och då jag endast var utrustat med ett simpelt svärd (och med någon ynka erfarenhetsnivå under bälte) lärde jag mig snabbt att framgång kommer från såväl fingerfärdighet som förmågan att planera inför farorna runt hörnet.
<bild>Du bygger inte din egen karaktär den här gången utan du måste välja mellan ett flertal olika kämpar inför varje expedition. Vissa använder sig av olika tillhyggen, andra skjuter med distansvapen medans somliga nyttjar magi.</bild>
Premissen handlar nämligen om att överleva tre nätter i följd där successivt svårare monster ställs i ens väg. Att endast förlita sig på snabba reflexer och tålamod är således inte den ultimata strategin att förlita sig på, utan du och dina kamrater behöver inför varje ny dag ge er ut och bli starkare inför det som komma skall. Att bli starkare kan dock ske på olika sätt. Förutom att tukta diverse mindre otyg och stjäla deras eftertraktade runor kan man exempelvis leta upp starkare fiender som både ger mer erfarenhetspoäng och möjligheten till bättre utrustning. Man kan även ge sig ut på jakt efter olika föremål för att uppgradera sitt arsenal eller fylla fickorna med olika hjälpmedel, och emellanåt måste man väga fördelarna med leta efter något specifikt med att tackla motståndet med ett mer öppet sinne och en mer allmän taktik.
<bild>Vid vissa tillfällen kan man som spelare använda sig av en spök-hök (spectral hawk på engelska) för att ta sig till nya platser.</bild>
Du är dock som sagt inte ensam i din kamp mot ondskan utan du har för det mesta både en och två medhjälpare vid din sida. Antingen kan man styra upp en session med vänner och bekanta för att få den bästa upplevelsen, eller så kan man ta till det uppkopplade nätets bakgator och söka efter glada främlingar att möta nattens mörker med. För min egen del, då detta har varit ett recensionsuppdrag, har jag för det mesta varit tvungen att förlita mig till matchmaking-processen, och trots att spelet ännu inte är lanserat så har det varit tämligen enkelt att hitta medspelare. Någon enstaka gång har timern förvisso tickat över ett par minuter, men överlag har jag inom några sekunder parats samman med två andra ovetande amatörer och sedan burit iväg mot ännu ett annalkande nederlag.

Det ska förövrigt sägas att det går att spela på egen hand, men det är något jag inte skulle rekommendera, åtminstone inte som ens primära sätt att uppleva detta äventyr. Förutom att det är betydligt svårare att vara själv när monster anfaller från alla håll och kanter så känns det verkligen som titeln är byggd med multiplayer i såväl första, andra och tredje rummet. Att spela på egen hand ger en visserligen möjligheten att få en känsla för miljöerna och lista ut var intressanta markörer på kartan befinner sig utan att två andra spelare står och stampar fötter, men underhållningen minskar kraftigt om man agerar solo - och detta kommer från någon som i regel föredrar singleplayer framför multiplayer-häng.
<bild>Att öppna skattkistor är viktigt för att komma över nya vapen och föremål.</bild>
Att säga att Nightreign spelas som Elden Ring, fast i sällskap med andra, hade dock varit att fara med osanning. From Software har gjort ett par betydande förändringar för att passa det nya spelsättet man vill förmedla, och de flesta handlar om att få till smidighet och ett större fokus på rörelse. Din karaktär kan nämligen manövrera sig betydligt kvickare den här gången, och både med hjälp av ett snabbare rörelsemönster och möjligheten att ta till skyn för att glida mot nya platser så öppnas spelplanen upp på ett sätt där man ständigt känner att man är på väg mot nya mål. Du kan dessutom klättra över olika hinder och väggar för att ta dig till nya platser, och en stor skillnad från tidigare Souls-äventyr är att du inte tar skada av att falla från höga höjder, utan du kan slunga dig från klippor, slottsmurar och stup utan att mötas av en illröd "You Died-text".
<bild>Efter varje omgång kan man se hur man presterade och vilka vägar man valde.</bild>
Att bita i gräset kommer du dock att göra även den här gången, men att se sig besegrad är sällan slutet både i det korta eller långa loppet. Skulle din hälsomätare slå i golvet så kan nämligen dina kumpaner rädda dig genom att bokstavligen anfalla din fallna karaktär. Systemet kan uppfattas som tämligen komiskt första gången då ens vapenbröder slungar sina svärd, yxor och spjut mot ens krampaktiga kropp, men att inte behöva förlita sig på en specifik återuppplivnings-sekvens gör att man som spelare bara behöver fokusera på att dela ut skada då samma knapptryckningar kan ha dubbla användningsområden, beroende på vilken situation man befinner sig i. Dör du däremot många gånger på raken utan att ha besökt en checkpoint (de så kallade lost grace-platserna från originalet) så blir det svårare för dina vänner att rädda dig på nytt, och det gäller att hålla koll på sina nederlag så man inte blir en belastning när starkare fiender står och knackar på dörren. Skulle ni alla däremot falla under natten (då en stark boss gör entre) så är det Game Over för den här gången, och det är bara att börja om från början.

Även om dina framsteg för en specifik omgång sedan går förlorad när du möter ditt öde ute i fält så betyder det dock inte att du inte utvecklas från gång till gång. Efter varje expedition så belönas man nämligen med olika stenar med slumpmässiga attribut som kan stärka dina karaktär, och det är dessa som gör att man ständigt är villig att spela ännu en omgång då man kan komma över något som gör stor skillnad inför framtida sessioner. Det förekommer dessutom inga mikrotransaktioner av något slag, och överlag känns det som om From Software inte vill att man ska kunna köpa sig till framgång, något som uppskattas väldigt mycket av undertecknad.
<bild>Under resans gång får du lära dig mer om varje karaktärs bakgrund, och varför de agerar som de gör.</bild>
I slutändan så har jag haft otroligt roligt tillsammans med Elden Ring Nightreign, även om det på många sätt är extremt annorlunda från det som fick mig att bli förälskad i Souls-serien från första början. Initialt kände jag mig skeptisk till om fokuset på multiplayer tillsammans med ett snabbare spelsätt var rätt väg att gå, men när nattens faror väl sätter klorna i en så är det svårt att inte vilja komma tillbaka efter mer. Nightreign erbjuder nämligen en ny tolkning av ett redan familjärt recept, och med en etablerad design är det lätt att känna sig som hemma även om mycket är nytt på samma gång. Detta blir således en perfekt inkörsport för såväl nya som gamla spelare, där de snabbare spelmomenten bjuder in dem som har tyckt att föregångarna varit för långsamma samtidigt som fokuset på flerspelarglädje och tempo ger veteranerna ytterligare en anledning till att spela mer av ett av världens bästa spel.

För jag belönade, som några av er kanske kommer ihåg, Elden Ring med en fullpoängare år 2022 då jag tyckte att From Software lyckades förädla sin formel till perfektion samtidigt som man flätade samman nya beståndsdelar som ökande underhållningsvärdet till något utöver det vanliga. Nu när kalendern visar 2025 kommer jag förvisso inte dela ut någon nya tia, men det betyder inte att jag inte är lika fylld av förundran och viljan att spela mer av som jag var för tre år sedan. Elden Ring Nightreign erbjuder nämligen en ljuvlig blandning mellan gammalt och nytt, och trots att det rör sig mer om ett sidospår framför en regelrätt uppföljare så är denna avstickare värd att vandra för alla som gillar multiplayer-häng och rollspelsmys av högsta kvalitet.
<bild>Ingen fullpoängare, men Elden Ring Nightreign är fortfarande ett väldigt bra spel.</bild>

The long wait for an Apple Watch Ultra 3 appears to be nearly over, and it is rumored to feature both satellite connectivity and 5G support.

Apple Watch Ultra's existing Night Mode

I’ve never thought of myself as a “car person.” The last new car I bought (and in fact, now that I think about it, the first new car I ever bought) was the quirky 1998 Ford Contour SVT. Since then, we bought a

I’ve never thought of myself as a “car person.” The last new car I bought (and in fact, now that I think about it, the first new car I ever bought) was the quirky 1998 Ford Contour SVT. Since then, we bought a VW station wagon in 2011 and a Honda minivan in 2012 for family transportation duties. That’s it. Not exactly the stuff The Stig’s dreams are made of.

The station wagon made sense for a family of three, but became something of a disappointment because it was purchased before — surprise! — we had twins. As Mark Twain once said:

Sufficient unto the day is one baby. As long as you are in your right mind don’t you ever pray for twins. Twins amount to a permanent riot. And there ain’t any real difference between triplets and an insurrection.

I’m here to tell you that a station wagon doesn’t quite cut it as a permanent riot abatement tool. For that you need a full sized minivan.

I’m with Philip Greenspun. Like black socks and sandals, minivans are actually… kind of awesome? Don’t believe all the SUV propaganda. Minivans are flat out superior vehicle command centers. Swagger wagons, really.

The A-Team drove a van, not a freakin’ SUV. I rest my case.

After 7 years, the station wagon had to go. We initially looked at hybrids because, well, isn’t that required in California at this point? But if you know me at all, you know I’m a boil the sea kinda guy at heart. I figure if you’re going to flirt with partially electric cars, why not put aside these half measures and go all the way?

Do you remember that rapturous 2014 Oatmeal comic about the Tesla model S? Even for a person who has basically zero interest in automobiles, it did sound really cool.

It’s been 5 years, but from time to time I’d see some electric vehicle on the road and I’d think about that Intergalactic SpaceBoat of Light and Wonder. Maybe it’s time for our family to jump on the electric car trend, too, and just late enough that we can avoid the bleeding edge and end up merely on the… leading edge?

That’s why we’re now the proud owners of a fully electric 2019 Kia Niro.

I’ve somehow gone from being a person who basically doesn’t care about cars at all… to being one of those insufferable electric car people who won’t shut up about them. I apologize in advance. If you suddenly feel an overwhelming urge to close this browser tab, I don’t blame you.

I was expecting another car, like the three we bought before. What I got, instead, was a transformation:

• Yes, yes, electric cars are clean, but it’s a revelation how clean everything is in an electric. You take for granted how dirty and noisy gas based cars are in daily operation – the engine noise, the exhaust fumes, the brake dust on the rims, the oily residues and thin black film that descends on everything, the way you have to wash your hands every time you use the gas station pumps. You don’t fully appreciate how oppressive those little dirty details were until they’re gone.
• Electric cars are (almost) completely silent. I guess technically in 2019 electric cars require artificial soundmakers at low speed for safety, and this car has one. But The Oatmeal was right. Electric cars feel like spacecraft because they move so effortlessly. There’s virtually no delay from action to reaction, near immediate acceleration and deceleration… with almost no sound or vibration at all, like you’re in freakin’ space! It’s so immensely satisfying!
• Electric cars aren’t just electric, they’re utterly digital to their very core. Gas cars always felt like the classic 1950s Pixar Cars world of grease monkeys and machine shop guys, maybe with a few digital bobbins added here and there as an afterthought. This electric car, on the other hand, is squarely in the post-iPhone world of everyday digital gadgets. It feels more like a giant smartphone than a car. I am a programmer, I’m a digital guy, I love digital stuff. And electric cars are part of my world, rather than the other way around. It feels good.
• Electric cars are mechanically much simpler than gasoline cars, which means they are inherently more reliable and cheaper to maintain. An internal combustion engine has hundreds of moving parts, many of which require regular maintenance, fluids, filters, and tune ups. It also has a complex transmission to translate the narrow power band of a gas powered engine. None of this is necessary on an electric vehicle, whose electric motor is basically one moving part with simple 100% direct drive from the motor to the wheels. This newfound simplicity is deeply appealing to a guy who always saw cars as incredibly complicated (but computers, not so much).
• Being able to charge at home overnight is perhaps the most radical transformation of all. Your house is now a “gas station.” Our Kia Niro has a range of about 250 miles on a full battery. With any modern electric car, provided you drive less than 200 miles a day round trip (who even drives this much?), it’s very unlikely you’ll ever need to “fill the tank” anywhere but at home. Ever. It’s so strange to think that in 50 years, gas stations may eventually be as odd to see in public as public telephone booths now are. Our charger is, conveniently enough, right next to the driveway since that’s where the power breaker box was. With the level 2 charger installed, it literally looks like a gas pump on the side of the house, except this one “pumps”… electrons.

This electric car is such a great experience. It’s so much better than our gas powered station wagon that I swear, if there was a fully electric minivan (there isn’t) I would literally sell our Honda minivan tomorrow and switch over. Without question. And believe me, I had no plans to sell that vehicle two months ago. The electric car is that much better.

I was expecting “yet another car,” but what I got instead was a new, radical worldview. Driving a car powered by barely controlled liquid fuel detonations used to be normal. But in an world of more and more viable electric vehicles this status quo increasingly starts to feel… deeply unnatural. Electric is so much better of an overall experience that you begin to wonder: why did we ever do it that way?

Gas cars seem, for lack of a better word, obsolete.

How did this transformation happen, from my perspective, so suddenly? When exactly did electric cars go from “expensive, experimental thing for crazy people” to “By God, I’ll never buy another old fashioned gasoline based car if I can help it”?

I was vaguely aware of the early electric cars. I even remember one coworker circa 2001 who owned a bright neon green Honda Insight. I ignored it all because, like I said, I’m not a car guy. I needed to do the research to understand the history, and I started with the often recommended documentary, Who Killed the Electric Car?

This is mostly about the original highly experimental General Motors EV1 from 1996 to 1999. It’s so early the first models had lead-acid batteries! 😱 There’s a number of conspiracy theories floated in the video, but I think the simple answer to the implied question in the title is straight up price. The battery tech was nowhere near ready, and per the Wikipedia article the estimated actual cost of the car was somewhere between $100,000 and $250,000 though I suspect it was much closer to the latter. It is interesting to note how much the owners (well, leasers) loved their EV1s. Having gone through that same conversion myself, I empathize!

I then watched the sequel, Revenge of the Electric Car. This one is essential, because it covers the dawn of the modern electric car we have today.

This chronicles the creation of three very influential early electric cars – the Nissan Leaf, the Chevy Volt, and of course the Tesla Roadster from 2005 - 2008. The precise moment that Lithium-Ion batteries were in play – that’s when electric cars started to become viable. Every one of these three electric cars was well conceived and made it to market in volume, though not without significant challenges, both internal and external. None of them were perfect electric vehicles by any means: the Roadster was $100k, the Leaf had limited range, and the Volt was still technically a hybrid, albeit only using the gasoline engine to charge the battery.

Ten years later, Tesla has the model 3 at $38,000 and we bought our Kia Niro for about the same price. After national and state tax incentives and rebates, that puts the price at around $30,000. It’s not as cheap as it needs to be… yet. But it’s getting there. And it’s already competitive with gasoline vehicles in 2019.

It’s still early, but the trend lines are clear. And I’m here to tell you that right now, today, I’d buy any modern electric car over a gasoline powered car.

If you too are intrigued by the idea of owning an electric car, you should be. It’s freaking awesome! Bring your skepticism, as always; I highly recommend the above Matt Ferrell explainer video on electric vehicle myths.

As for me, I have seen the future, and it is absolutely, inexorably, and unavoidably… electric.⚡

'M3GAN 2.0' has underperformed at the box office, and studio boss Jason Blum has some ideas why.

'M3GAN 2.0' has underperformed at the box office, and studio boss Jason Blum has some ideas why.

Apple discontinued their "buy now, pay later" program, but third party plans still work with Apple Pay.

As you're checking out your Prime Day deals in just a few weeks, one payment option you'll want to reconsider is "buy now, pay later" financing.

Last year Apple discontinued its own take on “buy now, pay later” (BNPL), Apple Pay Later. The service may no longer be available in name, but BNPL purchases are readily available when you check out with Apple Pay. So, what exactly has changed about paying with installments via Apple Pay, and what sets it apart from other BNPL programs—for better or for worse?

What is “buy now, pay later?”

A “buy now, pay later” service is exactly what it sounds like: You can make a purchase immediately, and then pay for it through a series of installments over time. Although BNPL has some perks for breaking up a major expense, there are risks involved. Even if these loans have little-to-no interest, you are still taking on debt. And while BNPL plans don’t directly impact users’ credit scores at the moment, that's set to change. Coming this fall, FICO says it will start including BNPL payment histories in how it calculates credit scores. If you're at risk of not getting your BNPL payments in according to schedule, you'll be putting your credit score at risk, too.

Any personal finance writer with a semblance of a conscience will advise against making a habit of using these services. They’re helpful if you really need to finance something big, but whenever possible, it’s best to avoid taking on debt for everyday expenses.

How can you pay with installments using Apple Pay?

The official "Apple Pay Later" is no more, but Apple Pay is still an omnipotent digital wallet with BNPL options. Major BNPL providers like Affirm, Afterpay, and Klarna have partnered with Apple to offer their services directly through Apple Pay.

How to set up BNPL with Apple Pay

The setup process varies slightly depending on your BNPL provider:

For Klarna:

1. Download the Klarna app and create an account.

2. Complete the verification process.

3. In the Klarna app, look for the option to add to Apple Wallet.

4. Follow the prompts to add your Klarna card to Apple Pay.

For Affirm:

1. Create an Affirm account through their app or website.

2. Get pre-qualified for spending limits, up to $30,000.

3. Add the Affirm virtual card to your Apple Wallet.

4. Use it like any other payment method in Apple Pay.

For Afterpay:

1. Download the Afterpay app and set up your account.

2. Link a debit or credit card for your installment payments.

3. Afterpay should pop up directly at checkout when using Apple Pay.

When you make a purchase using BNPL through Apple Pay, the total amount is automatically divided into your installment plan. Your first installment is typically charged immediately, while the BNPL company pays the merchant the full amount. All your subsequent installments are automatically charged to your linked payment method according to schedule.

What are the risks of these BNPL programs?

Naturally, Apple users may be drawn to the convenience of a BNPL options during Apple Pay checkout. However, that convenience might just be the biggest risk. They can make it all too easy to spend more than you can actually afford. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a report that shows BNPL users were more likely to have higher credit card debt, delinquencies on other credit products, and lower credit scores than nonusers.

The bottom line

If you are going to use any BNPL service, keep these tips in mind:

• Think about your current and future budget. When a bigger payment gets broken down into smaller installments, you might find yourself overspending in the long run because it "feels" like you can afford it. Stay on top of how much you’re actually spending, and how it will impact your overall budget going forward.

• Stick to the essentials. BNPL should really only be used on completely necessary purchases that you can’t afford upfront, but can afford in six weeks.

• Keep an eye on your account balance. Klarna, Affirm, or an BNPL service are not credit cards. Even if Apple doesn’t charge fees for missed payments, your bank will still charge you overdraft fees. Plus, if you default on a BNPL loan, you’re at risk of damaging your credit score.

The most important thing is that you know what you're doing: Before you pay for anything with installments, be thoughtful about why you’re taking on this debt in the first place.

You can now customize filters on Threads independent of Instagram.

Threads users will soon have more control over what shows up (or doesn't) in their feeds. According to a Threads post from Instagram head Adam Mosseri, an update to the platform's Hidden Words feature will allow users to customize which content is filtered out separate from their preferences on Instagram.

Hidden Words itself isn't new: Threads users can already mute words, phrases, and emojis from their feeds and automatically filter out comments containing offensive language. However, this was a global setting that applied to both Threads and Instagram, so you weren't able to have separate lists of content to hide or customize those filters on Threads.

Threads is also testing a "mark spoiler" content label to hide spoilers in posts—unless a user taps to reveal the text or image—as well as DMs. It also isn't the only platform to increase user control over what content they see: TikTok recently expanded its settings that allow users to better personalize their For You feeds, including AI-powered keyword filtering.

How to customize Hidden Words on Threads

To edit Hidden Words, open the Threads app, tap your profile icon in the bottom navigation bar, then open the Settings menu from the top-right corner. Go to Content preferences > Hidden Words. You can toggle Hide common offensive words in replies off or on, which will move replies to a hidden section under your posts (anyone can still tap to show them).

Under that, you can tap + New filter to hide posts with certain words, phrases, or emojis from your feed as well as replies containing filtered content. Threads has new options to customize filters, such as hiding posts shared by anyone or only profiles you don't follow as well a 30-day "snooze" for filtered content you don't want to permanently hide. Related words can be batched under a single custom filter (spider and spiders, for example).

Note that the new feature may not be available on your device just yet, so keep an eye out for app updates.

Apple's effort to expand iPhone production in India has encountered a setback as Foxconn has recalled hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians from its Indian factories, Bloomberg reports.


According to people familiar with the matter who spoke to Bloomberg, Foxconn has been sending home a large number of Chinese workers previously stationed at its ‌iPhone‌ manufacturing facilities in southern India. The process began approximately two months ago, and more than 300 Chinese staff have now departed.

These individuals were primarily engineers and technicians responsible for supporting operations on-site, many of whom played a central role in training local Indian workers and optimizing production processes. Taiwanese support personnel remain in India, one source said.

Foxconn is Apple's largest ‌iPhone‌ assembler and has led much of the company's manufacturing expansion into India. The decision to withdraw Chinese staff comes at a critical time, as Apple and its partners prepare to ramp up production of the iPhone 17. Foxconn is also currently constructing a new production facility in southern India.

The specific reason for the recall of the personnel is not known, but Bloomberg suggests that it aligns with the wish of Chinese authorities to impose tighter controls on the transfer of technology, labor, and equipment to India and Southeast Asia, as Chinese companies face growing pressure from global clients to diversify production outside China.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously highlighted the expertise of China's assembly workforce as a core reason why the country remains central to Apple's supply chain. While the return of Chinese engineers from India is not expected to significantly impact the quality of iPhones produced there, one source told Bloomberg that the absence of experienced Chinese staff is likely to reduce operational efficiency on the assembly lines.

Foxconn continues to manufacture the majority of Apple's iPhones in China. Whether Indian facilities can maintain Apple's stringent quality and efficiency standards without the direct involvement of Chinese engineers remains to be seen.

Meta-owned social network Threads was today updated with support for direct messages, a feature that Meta has been testing during June. This is the first time the two-year-old social network has offered a direct messaging option.


Direct messages on Threads are limited to a person's Threads followers or mutual followers from Instagram users who are 18 and older. Meta says that as it expands messaging features, it plans to prioritize safety and positive interactions.

Additional messaging features will be coming in the future, including support for message controls, group messaging, and inbox filters.

Along with direct messaging, Threads is also getting a a highlighter feature that's meant to elevate and emphasize "unique perspectives that lead to thoughtful conversations." Highlighter will show up in content discovery, and will eventually mark trending topics.

Es ist zurück: Das Chlorhuhn. Jahrzehnte nach TTIP geistert das Symbol des transatlantischen Handelsstreits erneut durch die europäische Debatte – denn Donald Trump droht mit Strafzöllen, wenn die EU nicht bei Agrarstandards nachgibt. Friedrich Merz drängt auf eine Einigung mit Washington, doch selbst der CDU-Wirtschaftspolitiker Tilman Kuban warnt wenigstens leise im 200-Sekunden-Interview: Europa muss selbstbewusst […]

Es ist zurück: Das Chlorhuhn. Jahrzehnte nach TTIP geistert das Symbol des transatlantischen Handelsstreits erneut durch die europäische Debatte – denn Donald Trump droht mit Strafzöllen, wenn die EU nicht bei Agrarstandards nachgibt. Friedrich Merz drängt auf eine Einigung mit Washington, doch selbst der CDU-Wirtschaftspolitiker Tilman Kuban warnt wenigstens leise im 200-Sekunden-Interview: Europa muss selbstbewusst verhandeln – und auch pragmatisch neue Märkte erschließen.

Auch im Inland herrscht Zugzwang: Gesundheitsministerin Nina Warken will die umstrittene Klinikreform von Karl Lauterbach abmildern, weil das Wunsch auch der Unions-geführten Länder ist. Jürgen Klöckner erklärt, warum der Kanzler das Krankenhaus-Problem direkt vor der Haustür hat – und warum trotzdem niemand Kliniken schließen will.

Und zum Schluss eine gute Nachricht aus der Hitzewelle: Laut Studie reden Politiker bei höheren Temperaturen kürzer.

Das Berlin Playbook als Podcast gibt es morgens um 5 Uhr. Gordon Repinski und das POLITICO-Team bringen euch jeden Morgen auf den neuesten Stand in Sachen Politik — kompakt, europäisch, hintergründig.

Und für alle Hauptstadt-Profis:
Unser Berlin Playbook-Newsletter liefert jeden Morgen die wichtigsten Themen und Einordnungen. Hier gibt es alle Informationen und das kostenlose Playbook-Abo.

Mehr von Berlin Playbook-Host und Executive Editor von POLITICO in Deutschland, Gordon Repinski, gibt es auch hier:  
Instagram: @gordon.repinski | X: @GordonRepinski.

Cofondateur et PDG de Mistral AI

L’année 2025 est celle du costard-cravate pour Arthur Mensch. Un uniforme dans lequel a dû rentrer le cofondateur de Mistral AI au fil des multiples annonces de ses partenariats avec le gratin politique et entrepreneurial. A 33 ans, Mensch symbolise à lui seul les espoirs français — voire européens — de percer dans l’intelligence artificielle. L’ingénieur, passé par Google DeepMind, n’hésite jamais à enfourcher son vélo pour embellir son tableau de chasse qui va des services de l’Etat (France Travail et Matignon pour booster leur chatbot “Albert”) aux grandes entreprises françaises, parmi lesquelles CMA CGM, Free, ou, dans les médias, l’AFP. Il faut dire qu’Emmanuel Macron est le premier à décrocher son téléphone pour l’aider à obtenir un contrat, racontait à VivaTech le puissant dirigeant de Nvidia, Jensen Huang.

En résumé, le plan de l’exécutif pour Mensch, d’après un stratège des deniers publics, est le suivant : “Il faut faire bosser Mistral”, et permettre à la start-up d’aller concurrencer les Américains.

When we started Discourse in 2013, our server requirements were high:

• 1GB RAM
• modern, fast dual core CPU
• speedy solid state drive with 20+ GB

I’m not talking about a cheapo shared cpanel server, either, I mean a dedicated virtual private server with those specifications.

We

When we started Discourse in 2013, our server requirements were high:

• 1GB RAM
• modern, fast dual core CPU
• speedy solid state drive with 20+ GB

I’m not talking about a cheapo shared cpanel server, either, I mean a dedicated virtual private server with those specifications.

We were OK with that, because we were building in Ruby for the next decade of the Internet. I predicted early on that the cost of renting a suitable VPS would drop to $5 per month, and courtesy of Digital Ocean that indeed happened in January 2018.

The cloud got cheaper, and faster. Not really a surprise, since the price of hardware trends to zero over time. But it’s still the cloud, and that means it isn’t exactly cheap. It is, after all, someone else’s computer that you pay for the privilege of renting.

But wait… what if you could put your own computer “in the cloud”?

Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds? Reliable connectivity, plus a nice low monthly price for extremely fast hardware? If this sounds crazy, it shouldn’t – Mac users have been doing this for years now.

I suppose it’s understandable that Mac users would be on the cutting edge here since Apple barely makes server hardware, whereas the PC world has always been the literal de-facto standard for server hardware.

Given the prevalence and maturity of cloud providers, it’s even a little controversial these days to colocate actual servers. We’ve also experimented with colocating mini-pcs in various hosting roles. I’m still curious why there isn’t more of a cottage industry for colocating mini PCs. Because… I think there should be.

I originally wrote about the scooter computers we added to our Discourse infrastructure in 2016, plus my own colocation experiment that ran concurrently. Over the last three years of both experiments, I’ve concluded that these little boxes are plenty reliable, with one role specific caveat that I’ll explain in the comments. I remain an unabashed fan of mini-PC colocation. I like it so much I put together a new 2019 iteration:

This year’s scooter computer offers 3× the cores, 2× the memory, and 3× faster drive. It is, as the kids say… an absolute unit. 😱

It also has a rather elegant dual-sided internal layout. There is a slot for an old-school 2.5″ drive, plus built in wi-fi, but you won’t see it in my pictures because I physically removed both.

I vetted each box via my recommended burn in and stability testing and they all passed with flying colors, though I did have to RMA one set of dodgy RAM sticks in the process. The benchmarks tell the story, as compared to the average Digital Ocean droplet:

Per-core performance
sysbench cpu --cpu-max-prime=20000 run

Multi-core performance
sysbench cpu --cpu-max-prime=40000 --num-threads=8 run

Disk performance
dd bs=1M count=512 if=/dev/zero of=test conv=fdatasync
hdparm -Tt /dev/sda

Discourse rebuild
time ./launcher rebuild app

Power consumption could be a concern, as the 2017 version had a much lower 15 watt TDP, compared to the 45 watts of this version. That 3× increase in core count ain’t free! So I tested that, too, with a combination of i7z, stress, and my handy dandy watt meter.

I’d expect around 10 - 20 watts doing typical low-load stuff that isn’t super CPU intensive. Note that running current-ish versions of mprime jacks power consumption up to 75w 🔥 and the overall clock scales down to 3.1 Ghz… let me tell you, I’ve learned to be very, very afraid of AVX2 extensions.

(If you’re worried about noise, don’t be. This active cooling solution is clearly overkill for a 65w load, because it barely spun up at all even under full core load. It was extremely quiet.)

So we’re happy that this machine is a slammin’ deal for $820, it’s super fast, and plenty reliable. But how about colocation costs? My colocation provider is EndOffice out of Boston, and they offer very competitive rates to colocate a Mini-PC: $29/month.

I personally colocate three Mini-PCs for redundancy and just-in-case; there are discounts for colocating more than one. Here they are racked up and in action. Of course I labelled the front and rear before shipping because that’s how I roll.

Let’s break this down and see what the actual costs of colocating a Mini-PC are versus the cloud. Given the plateauing of CPU speeds, I think five years of useful life for these boxes is realistic, but let’s assume a conservative three year lifespan to be safe.

• $880 mini-pc 32GB RAM, 6 CPUs, 500GB SSD
• $120 taxes / shipping / misc
• $29 × 12 × 3 = $1,044

That’s $2,044 for three years of hosting. How can we do on Digital Ocean? Per their current pricing page:

• 32GB RAM, 8 vCPUs, 640GB SSD
• $160/month
• $160 × 12 × 3 = $5,760

This isn’t quite apples to apples, as we are getting an extra 140GB of disk and 2 bonus CPUs, but those CPUs are both slower and partially consumed by multi-tenancy compared to our brand new dedicated, isolated CPUs. (I was curious about this, so I just spun up a new $160/month DO instance for a quick test. The sysbench results are 4086 and 11760 respectively, considerably below the 2019 Mini-PC results, above.) As you can see, you pay almost three times as much for a cloud server. 🤑

I’m not saying this is for everyone. If you just need to spin up a quick server or two for testing and experimentation, there’s absolutely no way you need to go to the trouble and up-front cost of building and then racking colocated mini-pcs. There’s no denying that spinning servers up in the cloud offers unparalleled flexibility and redundancy. But if you do have need for dedicated computing resources over a period of years, then building your own small personal cloud, with machines you actually own, is not only one third the cost but also… kinda cool?

If you’d also like to embark upon this project, you can get the same Partaker B18 box I did for $490 from Amazon, or $460 direct from China via AliExpress. Add memory and drive to taste, build it up, then check out endoffice.com who I can enthusiastically recommend for colocation, or the colocation provider of your choice.

Get something cool hosted out there; let’s do our part to keep the internet fun and weird!

The region is relieved about de-escalation. But it is also alarmed about an unrestrained Israel.

The Iran-Israel ceasefire seems to be holding. Arab capitals are relieved about the de-escalation. But they are also alarmed about what the latest flare up means for the Middle East.

When Iran signed the JCPOA nuclear deal with the Obama Administration, its reception in the Arab Gulf was, at best, frosty. The Iranian regime’s role in propping up Bashar al-Assad’s rule in Syria—one of the most devastating in modern Arab history—combined with its nefarious influence in Iraq and Lebanon, ensured that Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain saw the deal not as a diplomatic breakthrough, but as an endorsement of a destabilizing actor.

So when President Donald Trump withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018, these same states applauded the move. Others in the region, including Egypt and Jordan, while more muted, also expressed concern about Tehran’s regional agenda. Yet fast forward to the present and the very same states opposed a fight with Iran, and support re-engagement.

This U-Turn is not due to any newfound trust in Tehran. The Arab Gulf states, broadly speaking, remain deeply cynical about the Iranian regime. If the Islamic Republic could be replaced with something more pragmatic and less ideologically driven than Khomeini’s revolutionary doctrine, few in the Arab Gulf would mourn. But this cynicism has evolved into a pragmatic rejection of war—especially one at the behest of a belligerent Israel and a complicit Washington.

For these reasons, the overwhelming response in Arab capitals has been fierce opposition to Israel’s strikes, and America’s bombing on June 22.

There are two core reasons for this opposition. First, these strikes are not happening in isolation. Over the past 20 months, Israel has waged a deadly and destructive campaign in Gaza following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, which has brought about a genocide case at the International Court of Justice. Israel has also expanded its military footprint beyond the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, amid the chaos following the ouster of Assad. And it has struck Beirut and parts of Lebanon repeatedly, including within the past week.

In short, even among states that are highly critical of Iran, there are concerns about an unrestrained Israel. A vision of a new regional order where Israel behaves with impunity while dictating security norms to its neighbors is profoundly unwelcome to Arab states, including traditionally pro-Western Arab governments such as Saudi Arabia and Jordan.

The second reason is more fundamental. For decades, Arab societies have criticized the West’s selective enforcement of international norms. That includes the 2003 Iraq war, Israel’s ongoing occupation in the West Bank and Gaza, and more recently the U.S. denunciation of the ICJ case and sanctioning of ICC judges after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders. There is a perception that powerful Western states shield Tel Aviv from consequences.

Read More: The West Is Losing the Global South Over Gaza

To be sure, the Arab states are hardly models of legality themselves. Various U.N. reports have repeatedly described an undemocratic region rife with issues around corruption, nepotism, and closed civil society spaces. But the powerful Western countries that erected the “rules-based” order should be exemplar pillars of it—otherwise, trust in the project altogether collapses.

That’s why the U.S. bombing of Iran—using the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, the heaviest non-nuclear weapon in its arsenal—set a dangerous precedent. Despite the undeniable nature of Iran being a nefarious actor in the region, there was no imminent threat, no U.N. Security Council authorization, and no widespread international consensus to engage in such a military strike.

The war between Iran and Israel is over, at least for now. Whether Iran’s nuclear program has been hobbled is a separate question, one that analysts and intelligence agencies will continue to assess in the weeks and months to come. 

But something else may have also ended. A new era is emerging in the region increasingly defined by a presumption that might equals right. The consequences of this have yet to be truly understood—but there are likely to be many repercussions indeed.

Tracing the source of my organic views on Medium

I’m considered small 🐟 on Medium.

I don’t write in any considerable professional capacity (yet). I share cool stuff. I write about funny things. Sometimes serious things.

If you’ve heard of the Pareto Principle, it states that roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. On Medium it’s affectionately called the 80/20 rule.

Surprise, surprise, 80% of my pageviews come from only one of my stories.

I wrote this story over 2 years ago. Definitely not my best piece.

5 Reasons Why College Confidential is Slowly Killing You.

I didn’t submit it to any publications, partially because publications weren’t a big thing, and also because none of them were appropriate for my story. It was edgy, clickbaity, and rather short.

After sharing my article for a while, I gave Medium up for some time. At that point in time I just felt that Medium just wasn’t mature enough. Too many authors were needy and all they wanted was your email.

I didn’t check views or reads. So it was just one lonely article hanging out on the interweb.

Until I resumed my activity circa 2018…

2.1K views on a pretty much non-promoted post is almost unheard of.

I’m not claiming 2.1K views is an astronomical figure. But the fact that such an uneventful piece is capable of garnering such views is an anomaly.

An anomaly well worth investigating.

Checking out the referrers page…

Well, the almighty Google rears its head. People are probably Googling for something!

And looking at the views based on the months…

Increasing number of views leading up to March and dropping off significantly after April?

College Admissions frenzy. Ka-ching!

College Admissions decisions are released around this time.The influx of searches must be the cause.

Even now, organic views are still rolling in…

To summarise…

• Medium’s Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is really good.
• Clickbaity titles are mean, but for some reason everyone still falls for it.
• Any well written article on Medium has the chance to see at least some viewership. Hopefully.

Cool side note: if you Google “College Confidential”, my original article ranks on Page 4 😎

Where are my organic views on Medium coming from? was originally published in blog.shawjj on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Gunn spoke about how this film informs 'Supergirl,' 'Lanterns,' 'Clayface,' and more. Without spoilers, of course.

Gunn spoke about how this film informs 'Supergirl,' 'Lanterns,' 'Clayface,' and more. Without spoilers, of course.

From slow and steady to fast and snappy.

I've mostly been really happy with my M1 MacBook Air (2020), which I've been using for nearly three years now. However, I regret not going for the variant with 16GB of RAM. The base M1 MacBook Air with 8GB RAM is a lot faster, cooler, and lasts longer than the Intel MacBook Air I used before it, but the newer laptop still occasionally slows down when I open too many browser tabs. Luckily, I did some troubleshooting and fixed the problem, and I'm here to share what I've learned with you. So, if Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari or other browsers are slowing down on your computer, try some of these tips to nip that problem in the bud.

Identify what's causing the slowdown

This is the hardest part of a browser slowdown, because quite often, there's no definitive answer to what the root problem is. It could be because you have an old and slow computer, or because you have too many open tabs that you never close, or because an extension is interfering with something, or a combination of multiple factors. To narrow down the list of possible issues, I recommend the golden rule of troubleshooting: deal with one thing at a time. 

This means that you should start by quitting all other apps, running just one browser with one tab, and then seeing if the slowdown is still present. If your browser works fine when you have one or two tabs open, and slows down once you open multiple tabs, that could point to an issue with the browser. If the browser works fine on its own, but slows down when you have other apps running, then the issue could be with a different app, or it could be a hardware limitation.

If, after some troubleshooting, your browser really is the issue, then here's what you can do to fix it.

Use your browser's task manager

Credit: Pranay Parab

Video streaming or web apps can lead to browser slowdowns, but the easiest way to confirm this is by using your browser's built-in task manager. Yes, your browser usually has a separate task manager, which lets you see which of its tabs are causing problems. In Firefox, accessing it as as simple as pressing Shift-Esc. Alternatively, you can click the three lines button in the top-right corner and go to More tools > Task Manager. You can even type about:processes in the address bar to do the same thing.

In Chrome (and derivatives such as Edge and Brave), you'll need to press the three dots button in the top-right corner, then go to More Tools > Task Manager. Unfortunately, Safari doesn't have a built-in task manager, but you can open the Activity Monitor app on your Mac and type Safari in the search bar to view the process linked to each open tab and determine which one is causing a slowdown. 

Opening the browser's task manager is one thing, but it's also important to know what to look for once you have it open. Your browser's task manager shows you each tab's CPU and RAM usage, and you can use that information to determine the problem. If a tab's taking up too much of either, close the tab to see if it makes a difference. Usually, this does the trick.

Close unused tabs

That brings me to my next bit of advice: please, just close those tabs you opened five years ago. You're never going to get to them and you're not losing anything by closing them. This applies to me as much as it does to anyone else, so I'll be the first to admit my sins. I had a Persona 5 game guide open three years ago, when I played the game for 120-odd hours for the second time. I stopped playing the game before I reached the true ending (for a second time), but I still had the game guide tab open until a couple months ago. It wasn't doing anything or consuming too many resources, but when my browser slowed down, I had to let it go. I've accepted that I'll probably never finish the game, or read any of the various articles I have open in my other older tabs, or watch any of those videos I meant to get to. Closing all those inactive tabs helped speed up my browsers significantly.

If you're still not ready to let go of your tabs, then you can also easily save all open tabs in Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

Delete unused extensions

Credit: Pranay Parab

I love using browser extensions to add useful features to my internet experience, but the extra steps they ask of your browser can sometimes cause slowdowns. This is especially true for extensions you no longer use, and deleting unused and potentially cumbersome extensions is good for performance (and your privacy, because extensions often require access to all your open pages). To quickly delete an old extension, open the about:addons page in Firefox, chrome://extensions page in Chrome and its derivatives, or click the Safari button in the menu bar and navigate to Settings > Extensions.

I've also found some value in disabling extension only on specific webpages. As someone who suffers from migraines, I rely on Dark Reader to force every website to open in dark mode. Bright backgrounds trigger my headaches, which often end up ruining entire days, so I need to be careful with screen brightness and how webpages appear. However, Dark Reader was slowing down some tabs, and I found that disabling it for those specific webpages helped fix the problem. 

Restart the browser (and your computer)

Sometimes, the solution to a slowdown is as simple a quick restart, which will give faulty processes a chance to correct themselves. You can try quitting the browser, restarting your computer, and launching the browser again to see if your issue is fixed. This is quite easy to do, but it's easy to forget the simplest and most obvious solutions, so I thought it was worth mentioning this here as well.

Update your browser

Credit: Pranay Parab

The problem isn't always your computer, open tabs, or extensions. Sometimes, it may be a bug in the browser's code, which could cause a memory leak or use too much of your CPU's resources to run the app. There's nothing you can do to fix this, except ensure that your browser is updated to its newest version. Most browsers are usually quite good at updating themselves, but if you notice you're on an older version, you can update manually, too.

I'll start with my go-to browsers. To update Firefox in Windows, click the three lines button in the top-right corner and select Help > About Firefox. On Mac, hit the Firefox button in the menu bar and select About Firefox. You can update Chrome (or its derivatives) by selecting the three dots button, then clicking Help > About Chrome. 

To update Safari on your Mac, you need to update macOS itself. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of the screen and go to System Settings > General > Software Update.

Reduce ads and tracking

Ads and trackers are increasing on almost every website, which tends to increase page loading times and can lead to browser slowdowns, too. You can counter this by using an adblocker such as uBlock Origin on Firefox and Chrome, and one of many good adblockers for Safari. You could also consider using a VPN with adblocking built-in or a good DNS service such as NextDNS. Any of these alternatives should reduce how often sites phone home, and how many trackers and other resource-heavy elements are loaded on webpages, which has a direct effect on your browser's performance (and security).

Clear cookies and data

Credit: Pranay Parab

You could also see a performance improvement by clearing cookies and browser data. Be aware that doing so will require you to log in to your commonly visited websites the next time you visit them, and could also clear your browser's history. If you're okay with that, then you can try this as another option to speed up your browser.

In Firefox, click the three lines button in the top-right corner and go to Settings > Privacy & Security. In the Cookies & Data section, select Clear Data… and confirm when asked. Next, go to the History section and click Clear History….

In Chrome, click the three-dots button in the top-right corner and go to Settings > Privacy and security > Delete browsing data. Go to the Advanced tab, check all the options you want to clear, and select Delete data.

In Safari on your Mac, go to the Safari menu from the menu bar and select Clear History… to remove browsing history. Then, go to Safari menu > Settings > Privacy > Manage Website Data…. Here, You can either select and remove individual websites' data, or select all and remove everything.

Check the ambient temperature

Ambient temperatures are rising across the world. Particularly in the summer, you could be using your computer in a hot room and experiencing slowdowns as a result. Modern computers have a thermal cutoff built-in, and if a device gets too hot, it will slow down at first, before shutting down entirely in order to protect your machine. This isn't going to slow down just your browser, though. Everything you do on your computer will run slower than usual if it's too hot where you are. You can try using a laptop cooler, an air conditioner, or other methods to cool down your computer. You'll see an immediate performance improvement once the computer is running at a lower temperature.

Consider upgrading your computer

Finally, if none of these solutions are working in the long run, then the problem may just be with the hardware you're using. Even cheap upgrades like replacing a hard drive with an SSD or adding more RAM could help, but in a lot of cases, you might want to get a brand new computer. I don't enjoy telling anyone to spend more money to solve problems, but sometimes that really is the only option. 

Buying my M1 MacBook Air was a solid decision in 2022, and at the time, even though my friends and family members chipped in to help, I couldn't afford the 16GB RAM variant. The next time I buy a computer, I'll ensure that it has a little more RAM than I need, so that browser slowdowns and other performance issues don't surface, at least for the first few years of the computer's life.

The upgrades are designed to protect your data if your device is stolen.

Samsung is urging Galaxy users to activate anti-theft features available on their devices: Thieves are increasingly targeting smartphones, and these security precautions are designed to protect your sensitive data should your device fall into the wrong hands.

The upgrades are built on broader Android anti-theft features, which rolled out with One UI 7 on the Galaxy S25 series earlier this year. According to Samsung's release about the measures, older flagship devices are now able to utilize these protections too. You should activate them as soon as they're available on your device.

Anti-theft features on Samsung Galaxy phones

The anti-theft features available to Galaxy users are not brand new or previously unannounced. Google has built up its theft protection suite for Android alongside scam detection features and device-level Advanced Protection—privacy and security upgrades that were released with Android 16.

Android's Theft Protection includes Theft Detection Lock, which detects motion like snatching and locks your screen in response. Offline Device Lock will automatically lock your screen if your device is disconnected from the network for "an extended period," while Remote Lock allows you to, well, remotely lock your device in your Samsung Find account as well as access various recovery options.

New with Samsung's Android 15-based One UI 7 was an anti-robbery feature called Identity Check, which lets you set up "Safe Places": trusted locations, like your home or office. If your device is outside of these areas, it will require biometric authentication to access or update security settings, so even if a thief has your PIN, they won't be able see your passwords or disable Find My Device.

You'll get an additional layer of protection with Security Delay, which triggers a one-hour lockout period if someone tries to reset biometric data. (This is similar to Apple's Stolen Device Protection.)

How to enable anti-theft measures on your Galaxy

These features were released on One UI 7 for Galaxy S25 and are rolling out to users with the following devices: Galaxy S24 series, Z Fold6, Z Flip6, Z Fold5, Z Flip 5, S23 and S22 series.

To enable the anti-theft measures on your phone, go to Settings > Security and privacy > Lost device protection > Theft protection. You can also find Identity Check by following the same path: Settings > Security and privacy > Lost device protection > Theft protection > Identity Check, then add your "Safe Places."

This reliable brand is offering some serious discounts right now.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.

The double whammy of July 4th sales and a looming Amazon Prime Day has triggered some great pre-sale bargains. If you’ve been looking for new kitchen appliances, you’ll be pleased to hear that Instant Pot has quietly put a whole lineup of their products on sale.

Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7-in-1 Multi- Use Programmable Pressure Cooker

$79.95 at Amazon

$89.99 Save $10.04

Get Deal

Get Deal

$79.95 at Amazon

$89.99 Save $10.04

Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 6qt Electric Pressure Cooker

$69.99 at Amazon

$139.99 Save $70.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$69.99 at Amazon

$139.99 Save $70.00

Instant Pot Vortex 6QT XL 4-in-1 Air Fryer

$119.99 at Amazon

Get Deal

Get Deal

$119.99 at Amazon

Instant 20-Cup Rice Cooker

$75.04 at Amazon

$89.95 Save $14.91

Get Deal

Get Deal

$75.04 at Amazon

$89.95 Save $14.91

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Instant Pot became a household name back when its multi-cooker made a big splash, bringing pressure cookers back into regular usage. That cgadget is experiencing a notable sale—the Instant Pot Duo Mini 7-in-1 is on sale for $59.99, and the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 is 50% off for $69.99. The Duo Plus has extra functionality and double the capacity, so unless you have serious storage constraints, it’s worth the extra $10.

My favorite Instant appliance is their Vortex six-quart basket air fryer and that’s on sale right now for 29% off for $84.99. I love this machine—maybe too much. After testing multiple air fryers of different styles (you can see how they stack up here), this one became my daily go-to machine. The Instant Vortex cooks evenly, it’s powerful, ventilates well, and it’s hands-down the easiest to clean. I’ve literally taken one air fryer out, stared at it and put it back in the storage cabinet because I knew I’d regret the mess. Instead, I’d grab my trusty Vortex. You can read my full review of the Instant Vortex air fryer here—note that the one on sale right now is the newer generation with a larger digital display.

I’m a big fan of simple rice cookers that have a single switch and operate with a spring-loaded mechanism, but newer, sleeker rice cookers are all the rage. They’re loaded with preset functions for other types of grains (quinoa, oats, brown rice and others), so you don’t have to think about it so much. The Instant Pot rice cooker is exactly this type of grain cooker with a sleek, clean design and easy to navigate menu of options. It’s a 20-cup rice cooker, so I recommend this one for anyone who likes to meal prep big batches of rice to freeze, or who cooks for more than four people.  

While those are my favorite finds, don’t sleep on these other sales Instant Pot is holding right now.

5 Mobile App Development Trends To Watch Out For In 2021  With the commencement of 2021, there is a surge of opportunities for the entire mobile app development industry to grow and take advantage of trends and other key market points as the competition in 2021 gets stronger and stronger. These market trends may haveContinue reading "5 Mobile App Development Trends To Watch Out For In 2021"

5 Mobile App Development Trends To Watch Out For In 2021 

With the commencement of 2021, there is a surge of opportunities for the entire mobile app development industry to grow and take advantage of trends and other key market points as the competition in 2021 gets stronger and stronger. These market trends may have evolved just a little, or they may completely change the course of the mobile app development industry.

It’s finally time to do a little research regarding what are going to be the strong trends of 2021 when it comes to mobile app development. There might be a few industry-altering changes, but there are also certain evolutions in the industry that mobile app developers have seen coming for quite some time now.

Here are the 5 mobile app development trends to watch out for this 2021:

1. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is something that has seen tremendous growth throughout 2020. There are a few innovations that can be expected this 2021. Machine learning has definitely made quite a few accomplishments and thus, there will be a few changes in trends this 2021.

• AI and Machine Learning usage

From 2018 to 2019, it was estimated that the percentage of organizations all adopting artificial intelligence had increased by 14%. While the benefits of both AI and ML are being made even more evident, companies will have to adapt by hiring the right personnel to deal with these changes.

• AI Transparency Trends

Despite its benefits, AI still does suffer from being the subject of most trust issues. With the classic fear of “robots taking over”, efforts in 2021 have to be made in order to gain the trust of these big industries in adapting AI technologies.

• Focus on Data Regulations and Security

Data can quite be considered as a form of cyber currency as hackers are getting better and better at accessing this data. This, of course, means that AI technology and Machine Learning should protect itself from these threats. With AI systems handling even more sensitive data, it’s only natural for there to be better data regulations and security.

• AI and IoT

Although both technologies have their own independent qualities, they can be used together and operate in a unique way. Take Alexa and Siri for example, these two intertwine and use each other to give users a much better experience.

• Augmented Intelligence rising

Those that are worried of AI gobbling up jobs, the rise of Augmented Intelligence should be quite a pleasing trend. Augmented Intelligence joins the power of both humans and machines for science or analytic work allowing more opportunities for both. AI engineering is also starting to kick off and become even more powerful than ever.

2. Apps in an Instant

Smaller bite-sized apps are starting to take off and become more popular. This is a good thing for mobile app developers as these apps would require less work to make. However, they can be tricky since they have to be attractive despite their small size.

3. 5G

Better speeds and faster services, this is what 5G promises however it has had a problematic foothold in 2020 due to not only the coronavirus but also the question as to who will construct these 5G towers? However, this is one of those trends that quickly take off and when they do, there is no stopping them. Smartphones may be developed in order to include 5G technology making it the new norm.

4. Wearable Apps

Smartwatches, fitness bracelets, and other wearable technology would also require wearable apps. Although there might not be a lot of competition in this department, 2021 might be the year when this trend takes off. Mobile app developers that are able to innovate wearable apps might just get an upper hand.

5. Chatbot Development

The development of chatbots will become extremely important in 2021 as many industries are already using them. The demand for better chatbots in a number of industries will mean that mobile app developers would have to pour out more resources in this trend.

Here are a few industries that are benefiting the most from chatbots:

• Real Estate

The faster the response, the more engaging it could be for customers. This could also help save time for the real estate agent when making a sale.

• E-commerce

These chatbots could easily improve the sales process helping customers easily search, choose, pay, and even track their own orders.

• Travel

The use of chatbots in its industries help travel agencies find what they are looking for, book the hotels, and even buy the tickets. Travel agencies just make the whole process much easier.

• Education

Chatbots have been used not only to improve the student’s communication system but also to monitor their learning curve by helping with examination and other testing apps.

• HR and recruitment

The whole recruitment process can be made simpler with the use of chatbots which can automatically evaluate skills, give feedback, and even rank applicants.

• Healthcare

Chatbots could be used to make appointments, to refill prescriptions, set reminders, monitor patient’s health, make diagnoses, and even more.

• Finance

Banks have started to use chatbots to automatically deal with the first wave of inquiries when it comes to inquiries, reports, tax calculations, and other transactions.

With these particular industries all using chatbots, it’s only logical for mobile app developers to not only improve but also expand the reach of its applications.

As 2021 starts, these 5 massive mobile app development trends could be the key to getting ahead of the year. While 2020 was about survival, 2021 is more about getting ahead of the curve.

The year 2020 came as quite a shocker for most people as the massive shift in demand due to the coronavirus has pushed mobile app developers to adapt fast but this 2021, it might be the time to prepare for the expected changes within the industry. This time, mobile app developers would still have time to prepare before everything happens.

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Få spel har som {Death Stranding 2: On the Beach} tagit mig på en resa genom känslornas värld. Jag har varit imponerad, skrattat, kramat tårna, haft tråkigt, fällit tårar, varit besviken och klappat händerna av barnslig glädje. Det är omväxlande djupt och fånigt, halsbrytande och introspektivt, nyfiket och fett. Med andra ord: Hideo Kojima. Och det är väl egentligen precis det alla vi som har följt mannen, myten, legenden Hideo Kojima i flera decennier kunde önska oss - även om det finns flera saker som kunde ha gjorts bättre.

Det första {Death Stranding} fick ett av de mest delade mottagandena någonsin när vi snackar moderna storspel. Metascoren ligger på fina 82 %, men bakom det genomsnittet ligger ett överraskande stort antal ljumma recensioner samt en rad tior, och spelet tog tillsammans med {Resident Evil 2}-remaken hem de flesta GOTY-priserna bland världens spelsajter. Själv var jag inte riktigt lika entusiastisk, men för mig var det ingen tvekan om att Kojima hade något speciellt på gång med sitt unika universum.

<bild>Den 26 juni är det dags...</bild>

Nu, knappt sex år senare, skulle det förvåna mig om mottagandet inte blir mer entydigt positivt. Dels för att vi vet vad vi går in i, men också för att Death Stranding 2: On the Beach förfinar formeln på en rad områden, vilket skapar en mer harmonisk och engagerande upplevelse - även om jag gärna hade sett Kojima och hans team gå ännu mer drastiskt tillväga på flera ställen, men mer om det senare.

Låt oss börja med de berömda förväntningarna. Jag gillar att prata om spelens språk. Inte i litterär mening, utan i designmässig. Jag vågar påstå att alla som läser detta har en inneboende förståelse för hur man går tillväga med ett visst spel på en grundläggande nivå. Var kan jag klättra upp? Vad kan jag interagera med? Sådana saker. De flesta spel bygger i hög grad på andra spel vi har spelat, så vi kommer snabbt in i dem. Death Stranding kändes radikalt annorlunda genom att ge en huvudroll till den enkla uppgiften att ta ett föremål från A till B utan att förstöra det. Det var en PostNord-simulator i en dystopisk framtid, och det var konstigt. L2+R2 för att hålla balansen? Optimal viktfördelning? Det var dyra lärdomar som kom med en viss frustration.

Nu har vi lärt oss det - precis som vi lärde oss att alltid hålla upp skölden i {Dark Souls}. Nu talar vi flytande Death Stranding. Och så kan de av oss som hängde kvar till sist skörda frukterna och njuta av Hideo Kojimas djupt märkliga universum från början.

<bild>Japp, det är precis so unikt som man kan tro.</bild>

Och vilken start det är. Det har gått elva månader sedan det första Death Stranding. Sam - vars slitna stövlar vi återigen drar över fötterna - bor nu på gränsen till Mexiko med Lou. Helt och hållet under radarn förstås, för det finns många som vill lägga vantarna på den lilla flickan. Det är ett isolerat, men någorlunda fredligt liv - eller så nära fredligt man kan komma i en postapokalyptisk värld hemsökt av mordiska spöken, regn som åldras snabbare än M. Night Shyamalans strand och en risk för gigantiska explosioner om någon i närheten skulle lägga sig till vila.

Den tillfälliga lugnet avbryts dock av Fragile, som kommer med ett erbjudande som innebär transport till Mexiko och möjligheten till ett liv utan att behöva se sig om över axeln. Ett fritt liv tillsammans. Det är ett starkt grepp, och överlag visar Kojima och hans team upp sina muskler under de första fem till sju timmarna. När Sam korsar gränsen till Mexiko över en raserad bro full av bilvrak sker det under en tät sandstorm som desorienterar spelaren och på ett snyggt sätt visar upp det oförutsägbara vädret som spelade en huvudroll i reklamtrailern. Och när det några timmar senare är dags att resa från Mexiko till Australien via en mystisk struktur, kunde scifi-älskaren i mig nästan inte sitta still av ren och skär entusiasm över hur vackert allt är iscensatt. Skönhet och weirdness i vacker förening.

När dammet från sandstormen har lagt sig, bromsar Death Stranding 2: On the Beach dock lite - både narrativt och mekaniskt - och hittar en välfungerande, om än mer välbekant och säker position. Här kommer vi till den förfining som jag beskrev i början. För Death Stranding 2: On the Beach är trots allt nära besläktat med sin föregångare. Faktum är att det ibland känns som den definitiva versionen som Kojima önskat att han kunnat skapa från början, eller kanske snarare en spegling där teman och sekvenser från det första spelet återbesöks.

<bild>Var beredd på något unikt.</bild>

Ta bara uppdragen med Neil, som påminner om Cliffs från det första spelet, men som i rent visuellt avseende överträffar dem med råge. Narrativt och tematiskt vet jag inte om jag föredrar dem framför Mads Mikkelsens lysande roll, men de gör ett stort emotionellt intryck och sätter en stor prägel på historien som helhet. Och så är Luca Marinelli ett fynd i rollen som den plågade mannen med en möjlig koppling till Sam.

Större delen av tiden kommer du dock inte att spendera på episka dueller mot den mystiske soldaten, vars bandana påminner om en viss annan Kojima-karaktär, eller på att besegra gigantiska mechs och BT:er - även om det lyckligtvis upptar en hel del. Nej, precis som sin föregångare är det leveransen av paket i alla slags väder och terräng som tar huvudrollen när det gäller tidsåtgång. Och just vädret och terrängen har det varit mycket fokus på. Det senare imponerar med sin löjligt höga detaljnivå och stora variation. Australien och Mexiko är hem för öknar, skogar, karakteristiska klippformationer, träsk och snötäckta berg. Variationen är stor, men övergångarna mellan biomer känns alltid organiska. Det är något av ett mästerverk.

Din väg genom de vackra och farliga omgivningarna påverkas mer av det ombytliga vädret den här gången. Sand- och snöstormar, laviner, jordbävningar, stigande vattennivåer och mycket mer gör uppdragen mer dynamiska. Att tappa orienteringen i en sandstorm mitt i en brännande öken eller att frenetiskt försöka undvika en lavin högt uppe i bergen är spännande, men oftast är väderfenomenen för subtila för att ändra din inställning till ett visst uppdrag, så de blir mer av en bra idé än den stora förändring som sker när en bergssida kollapsar under de första minuterna av spelet.

<bild>På flera sätt spelet föregångaren borde ha varit.</bild>

Vädret är inte det enda som plågar Sam. Även mötena med de läskiga BT:erna ser annorlunda ut. Det finns en ny typ som mer aktivt letar efter Sam, och du kan nu också råka ut för slumpmässiga händelser där du måste bekämpa en gigantisk blåsande BT eller undvika en panterliknande variant i ett plötsligt uppstått stadslandskap täckt av tjära. Särskilt det sistnämnda gav mig en vild upplevelse, då en lugn vandring förvandlades till ett regelrätt skräckscenario, vilket visar hur bra Kojima också är på den typen av saker.

BT:er och dåligt väder är naturligtvis inte de enda hoten. Higgs, som efterhand nästan har blivit en Joker, skapar förödelse och har kanske/kanske inte ett finger med i de lokala gängens plötsliga upprustning, vilket kastar grus i maskineriet för Sams uppdrag. Det kräver en motattack, vilket i praktiken innebär ett större fokus på infiltration av fiendens baser. Här är Kojima uppenbarligen på hemmaplan, och ibland kände jag mig förflyttad tillbaka till de glada Phantom Pain-dagarna. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach ger dig ett enormt urval av vapen och prylar, vilket bidrar till att göra det lika underhållande att vara spöket som väljer rätt rutt och avleder fiender med holografiska granater, som det är att vara stridsvagnen som mejar ner allt med automatvapen.

När Death Stranding 2: On the Beachs tempo är som bäst har det en rytm som få andra. Lugna, natursköna vandringar avlöses av intensiva infiltrationer hos fientliga fraktioner innan välinstruerade mellansekvenser tar historien i nya riktningar och öppnar upp för adrenalinfyllda set pieces och bossfighter, varefter du återigen ger dig iväg i lugnt tempo, medan det utmärkta, men lite ensidiga, urvalet av låtar fungerar som soundtrack till din resa. Det är ebb och flod, yin och yang, Hall & Oates. Men som alla balansgångar är det inte lätt. Det finns delar av spelet där vandringarna tar för mycket plats, och plötsligt är de inte fridfulla oaser utan triviala traskturer.

Det gäller särskilt de maratonliknande backtracking-uppdragen, som fick mitt mod att sjunka varje gång de dök upp. Visst kan restiden på dessa ofta förkortas med hjälp av fordon eller de varma källorna, som fungerar som en mild källa till fast travel, men det hindrar dem inte från att kännas som ett sätt att artificiellt förlänga spelet.

Missförstå migej. Jag respekterar verkligen Kojima Productions engagemang för själva transportaspekten av Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, men ibland blir spelet lite självupptaget i sin orubbliga tro på hur spännande det kan vara att vandra genom grafiskt imponerande terräng medan känslomässig singer-songwriter-musik strömmar ut ur högtalarna.

Sammantaget kämpar Death Stranding 2: On the Beach ibland med att begränsa sig - vilket paradoxalt nog också är en av anledningarna till att jag älskar det. Spelet berättar hela tiden om alla saker som händer i bakgrunden. Hur dina förmågor passivt förbättras, hur din Porter Grade ökar, hur Lou mår. För att bara nämna några exempel. Jag har inget emot systemtunga spel, men problemet är att du inte riktigt får känslan av att bli starkare, och förbättringarnas passiva natur gör att de snabbt hamnar i bakgrunden och glöms bort.

Den sociala aspekten gör däremot ett större intryck - även om jag fortfarande inte vet om jag faktiskt föredrar det framför en mer ensam upplevelse. Det kan vara roligt att delta i byggandet av en motorväg eller vara den som förbinder två landmassor med en bro till glädje och nytta för nästa Sam. Men de många skyltarna med blinkande ljus och höga ljud ger ibland den annars estetiskt dystra världen en lite olycklig kasinoliknande prägel. Det är lite överdrivet, men lyckligtvis står det en fritt att spela offline.

Efter den utmärkta inledningen och glädjen över den förbättrade rytmen som det starkare uppdraget och världsdesignen medför, började jag i mitten av spelet känna en viss trötthet. Historien saknar drivkraft och det blir lite längre mellan de spännande uppdragen. Plötsligt kändes Death Stranding 2: On the Beach som en lite för säker fortsättning, även om det aldrig blir tråkigt. Vi pratar trots allt om ett spel där en talande docka kan agera spejare och det hörs klockklang varje gång det börjar snöa. Och så finns det mellansekvenserna, som ständigt rör sig i gränslandet mellan kitsch och cool. Alldeles för mycket och helt underbart.

<bild>Grafiskt är det enastående.</bild>

Summa summarum sjönk min entusiasm lite. Det varade dock inte länge, för självklart har Kojima ett ess i rockärmen. Under de sista knappa tio timmarna bjuder han och resten av teamet på en rad stora ögonblick. Vi får vilda framstötar mot spökmechs i ett inferno av lågor till Ludwig Forsells eminenta musik, episka bosskamper och ett slut som är så rörande att tårarna rullade. Och det har bara hänt några få gånger för mig i spelregi. Särskilt sättet Kojima knyter ihop berättelsen på är överraskande elegant för den annars så expositionsglada spelskaparen. Det är definitivt mer Snake Eater än Sons of Liberty.

Sedan jag för några dagar sedan avslutade Death Stranding 2: On the Beach har jag försökt få ordning på mina många tankar om spelet. För det finns mycket att ta tag i. Jag har bara kort berört den mer systematiska sidan av spelet, precis som jag har hållit tillbaka med information om handlingen. Det förstnämnda för att jag tycker att det är relativt ointressant, det sistnämnda för att jag inte vill avslöja för mycket.

Å ena sidan finns det flera saker jag saknar i spelet. Vädret kunde ha spelat en större roll, tempot tappar ibland fotfästet, jag skulle gärna se att världen ur ett arkitektoniskt perspektiv var mer spännande, och jag skulle gärna se att mina uppdragsgivare inte var så tråkiga att lyssna på. Å andra sidan känns det fantastiskt att spela, det har mer karaktär och personlighet i sin lillfinger än Ubisofts samlade spelbibliotek de senaste tio åren kan uppvisa, och det lyckas berätta en riktigt fantastisk historia som kommer att stanna kvar hos mig länge.

Det är inte perfekt, men om fler AAA-spel vågade släppa tyglarna som Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, skulle branschen vara en mycket mer spännande plats. Det ska belönas med en glänsande 9:a.

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The company has promised a partial fix by the end of the month.

If you thought Strava's privacy issues were bad, strap in: Coros has confirmed some major security issues with its watches. During an analysis of Coros Pace 3 Bluetooth security, German IT security researchers identified at least eight distinct security flaws that affect every Coros device on the market—not just the Pace 3 model, as was first believed. After an initially lackluster response, Coros has since entered damage control mode, and is promising fixes by the end of summer.

How Bluetooth makes Coros watches vulnerable

The vulnerabilities stem from fundamental issues in the Bluetooth connectivity code shared across all Coros watches and their bike computer, creating a security nightmare that impacts the company's entire product lineup.

By exploiting these security flaws, an unauthenticated attacker within Bluetooth range can perform the following actions:

• Hijack user accounts and access all stored fitness data on COROS.com

• Eavesdrop on sensitive information including text messages and notifications

• Manipulate device settings remotely without user knowledge

• Factory reset devices from a distance, wiping all user data

• Crash devices during critical moments

• Interrupt active workouts and force the loss of recorded fitness data

If you're interested in diving into the specific coding and architectural issues at play here, I highly recommend taking a look at the original blog post outlining the problem. Perhaps most concerning is the ability for attackers to inject false information, such as fake text notifications, while simultaneously monitoring all genuine messages and notifications sent to the watch.

When alerted to these massive security holes, Coros initially seemed less than alarmed. The security researchers followed standard industry protocol, privately disclosing the vulnerabilities with the company and providing a 90-day window for it to provide fixes before going public. At first, the company indicated that fixes wouldn't arrive until the end of 2025—a less than urgent response. Only after the vulnerabilities were publicly disclosed on June 17th, 2025, complete with detailed reproduction steps and exploit code, did Coros begin taking the situation seriously.

What Coros users need to do

The company has now accelerated its timeline, promising partial fixes by the end of July and complete resolution by August.

The initial response from Coros appears to have treated these critical security flaws as routine bugs, which might be chalked up to inexperience: Though the issues are concerning, this does appear to be the company's first major security incident,. Gadget reviewer DC Rainmaker—the same reporter responsible for escalating this issue to Coros in the first place—posits that after this, Coros will likely have better public channels and internal processes in place for tackling future security issues.

But that issue aside, what do you need to do if you own an affected device?

In a Reddit comment, Coros says if your watch is up to date, there’s nothing you need to do right now. But when their next software updates are available in July and August, you should update your watch immediately to fix these vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, there are no effective workarounds to mitigate the vulnerabilities in the meantime, as they're embedded in the devices' Bluetooth communication protocols.

The bottom line

Even if you aren't a Coros user, it's important to remember that all fitness wearables, despite their seemingly benign nature, can become significant security liabilities. These devices often have access to highly personal information—from health data and location tracking to text messages and notifications—making them attractive targets for hackers. As our wearables become increasingly sophisticated and connected, it's more important than ever to stay on top of best security practices.

And if you are a Coros user, make sure you install any and all July and August updates as soon as they are released.

DJI, best known for its line of drones, today announced the launch of the Power 2000, a portable power station. DJI already offers the Power 1000, and the Power 2000 is a larger, more capable version of the Power 1000.


I was able to test the Power 2000 before launch, to provide insight into the product for those who might be looking for a large power station option.

DJI's Power 2000 has a 2048Wh capacity with an LFP battery, double the capacity of the Power 1000. It's designed to power multiple devices or large appliances and equipment in emergencies, when off-grid, or when no traditional power source is available such as in a van living situation. It's $1,299, so it's not cheap, but it does seem to be priced competitively.

DJI describes the Power 2000 as compact, and it is compared to some competing products with similar capacities, but it stretches the definition of portable. The Power 2000 weighs approximately 50 pounds, so while it is a device that works well at home as a backup, in a vehicle, or in an off-grid situation where you have the ability to transport it, it's not something that's ideal for carrying around.


Most people aren't going to want to lug a 50-pound device out for a day at the park or the beach, and it's not going to work for camping when a vehicle isn't available, such as in a hike-in situation. There are other, smaller power banks that are better for that purpose, but the Power 2000 is ideal as a home backup unit or for vehicle living situations. If you need even more power, the Power 2000 does support up to 10 Power Expansion Battery units (each 2048Wh) for a total capacity of 22,528Wh.

DJI included two carrying handles on either side of the Power 2000, but it could have done better. Anker's power banks of this size come with a set of wheels and an extendable handle so you can more easily transport them, and including something similar would have made the Power 2000 much easier to move from place to place. Even bringing it to different rooms and moving it outside to test charging was a chore during the review due to the weight, though size is a different story. It's heavy, but it is smaller than I would have expected. It measures in at 17.5 inches by 13 inches by 9 inches.

All of the ports are at the front of the Power 2000 for easy access. There are four AC ports that accommodate standard plugs, four USB-C ports, four USB-A ports, two bidirectional "smart" DC ports, and two 1/4" threaded ports for DJI accessories, solar panels, and other devices. All of the ports can be used at once, for charging multiple devices at the same time. Two of the USB-C ports support 140W and were able to charge my MacBook Pro at full speed with the USB-C to MagSafe cable, while the other two ports support 65W.


There's a power button that activates the Power 2000 when you hold it down for two seconds, and a separate AC button that turns on the AC ports. A display at the front tells you what's drawing power and how long the battery will last, or how much power the device is drawing from an outlet and the time to recharge.

The Power 2000 can handle a total of 3,000 watts, so it is powerful enough to run most appliances and devices in the home. It can handle refrigerators (even full-sized), heaters, microwaves, portable AC units, medical devices, and power tools. While it's useful to have a device like the Power 2000 on hand for power outages, I find the large batteries useful in situations where I need to use a tool in a spot where there's no outlet.

I can put the Power 2000 in my Gorilla Cart and plug in whatever I need. I've done this when sanding, using a pressure washer, using a heat gun, powering a shop vac, and more. My brother keeps a similar large power bank in his car for emergencies, and I've also used one for backup power. If you've ever had a multi-hour or multi-day power outage because of a weather event, you're aware of the utility of a large power bank or backup generator.


The Power 2000 has enough capacity to power my router and my cable modem for longer than an 8-hour workday, so if the electricity is out, I can still get online with AT&T fiber. I plugged in my PlayStation 5, 65-inch TV, Apple TV, and some lights. Power draw was 400W, give or take, and it was able to run everything for over four hours.

Charging my MacBook Air dropped the Power 2000's battery from 100 percent to 95 percent, and it dropped a percent charging my iPhone 16 Pro Max from zero to 80 percent. I can't test how many times I can charge my MacBook or iPhone because it would take forever, but based on the test charges, it should handle charging a ‌MacBook Air‌ around 20 times and an iPhone 16 over 100 times. It can also charge my camera battery over 100 times, and of course it can charge DJI drones.


I don't have medical equipment, but these kinds of batteries can be useful for CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and other devices that need power even when there's an outage. The Power 2000 has an option for an uninterruptible power supply mode. It can be plugged into a wall outlet, a device can be plugged into the Power 2000, and then if the power goes out, the device will remain on with no interruption. It also offers passthrough charging, so you can use it as a charging station that expands the number of devices that can run from a single outlet.

DJI suggests that the Power 2000 can run a router for 152 hours, a projector for 80 hours, a car refrigerator for 38 hours, an electric fan for 18 hours, and a lamp for 180 hours. A DJI drone should be able to charge 24 times.

I drained and charged the Power 2000 several times over the testing period. I haven't had it long enough to determine how long it holds a charge, but in my experience, these kinds of batteries will stay charged for months. You usually have to use them every three to six months for optimal health, and you won't want to store it with a full charge. The Power 2000 uses a lithium iron phosphate battery that DJI says will retain 80 percent capacity after 4,000 cycles, and that it is able to maintain power for months due to its power management features.


DJI's app works with the Power 2000, so you can check the remaining battery and get a readout of how long the accessory will last based on what's plugged in (this is the same readout that's on the display). DJI's remaining battery estimates were accurate, and were within about 20 minutes of the actual battery life in my testing. When I did drain the battery to zero twice, it had a zero readout before it was entirely out of power, so I had a grace period before it shut off.


The best part about the Power 2000 is how quickly it can charge. With a super charging mode, it can accept up to 1,800 watts to charge from 0 to 80 percent in 55 minutes. I did blow a fuse doing that, so it does need to charge from an outlet with nothing else on the circuit if you have 15-amp circuits. I have a 20-amp circuit for a kiln, which supported more power draw for the faster charging.

The standard charging is about 1200W, and that takes under two hours to charge, which is plenty fast enough for me. The Power 2000 is able to charge with a solar panel, and DJI sent a 100W model for testing. At 100W, it's going to take over a day to charge the Power 2000 to 100 percent even in full sun, so you're going to want a serious solar panel array if you plan to recharge the Power 2000 with solar. It's summer where I am, and we've had sunny, 90-degree weather, but I'm not typically getting the full 100W because of tree cover, and the fact that the sun moves throughout the day. Even partial sun or a cloudy day will give a little bit of power, so you won't be entirely without charge.


To connect a solar panel to the Power 2000, DJI has a $60 Solar Panel adapter. It only connects to DJI-certified Zignes solar panels, and it supports plugging in three panels for a maximum of 400W per adapter. The Power 2000 can be used with other solar panels, but a converter is required to connect the solar panel to the adapter module. Other batteries like this have built-in ports for solar panels, so I'm not sure why DJI went the adapter route.

You can also charge from a car at up to 1000W, though that requires the DJI Power Super Fast Car Charger. Charging via a car charges the battery to full in 145 minutes, plus there's a car and solar combo for faster charging, and an option to pair AC and DC charging. You can plug the Power 2000 in and also draw power from a solar panel or car charger, at up to 2200W total.

Charging was quiet, and I could barely hear the Power 2000 when it was plugged in. DJI says that with standard charging, the sound is no higher than 30dB, and I couldn't hear it unless I was right next to it. I didn't feel it get warm when charging devices or charging up itself.

DJI says there are 26 built-in temperature sensors and 21 fuses to detect anomalies, preventing overcharging, overvoltage, overcurrent, and other safety issues. The device is made of flame-retardant material and it has a load-bearing capacity of up to a ton, plus it has internal protections against accidental water exposure and outdoor condensation. It can operate normally in temperatures up to 113°F.

There is a three year warranty, and DJI offers extended warranties to customers who register on the DJI website.

Bottom Line

How to Buy

Medeltida fordonsstrider på arenor låter ju på pappret som en återgång till fornstora dagar, en äldre spelmodell där deathmatch ligger i fokus mot ett startfält av olika bepansrade kärror som allihop ska krossas. Det är mycket riktigt uråldrigt på så gott som alla sätt och kommer knappast gå till historien som något annat än rent kattguld.
<bild>Allt exploderar förr eller senare.</bild>
Förutsättningarna i War of Wheels är enkla och sätter dig i förarstolen mot datorstyrda bottar där du får välja ett av fem fordon att drabba samman med och det som skiljer de olika åt är varierande statistik i hastighet, pansar, tyngd och vapen. Med ett smalt utbud av färger tillåts jag skräddarsy min dödsmaskin där jag också kan smycka ut den med diverse kosmetiska prydnader i hopp om att göra mig unik. Knight är en klass som agerar murbräcka, lite tyngre och lämpad för närstrid genom pneumatiska lansar och skäror monterade. När väl striden inleds är det full rulle rakt in i en moshpit av övriga fordon där allt ska dö. Det är däremot ingen större skillnad mellan de olika klasserna bortsett från det visuella och jag känner aldrig att det finns en tydligt motiverad anledning att välja det ena ekipaget framför det andra trots olika specialförmågor. Att köra som Assassin är lite lättare, lite snabbare och jag kan kamouflera mig, men för att stå som vinnare måste även detta fordon gå i närstrid och hugga vilt omkring sig, eller cirkulera på arenan och försöka pricka motståndet med ett klent litet armborst.
<bild>Riddaren av gator och torg med lånad design.</bild>
Det handlar oavsett klass om att nedkämpa allt som rör sig genom slagkraft och kanoner där du hoppas att du står som segrare. Vem som i dagsläget står som segrare är närmast en slump och svårt att avgöra där träffdetekteringen lämnar allt att önska. När jag kolliderar med närmaste motstånd och hamrar djävulen ur denne med stora yxor ser jag hur min livsmätare sjunker, men utan en tillstymmelse till feedback på fienden som även den viftar med tunga redskap mot mig. Tids nog exploderar en av oss, men utan engagerande förståelse till varför, det saknas återkoppling i striderna oavsett vapen eller förmåga man nyttjar. Efter min död spawnar jag på kartan igen med samma urvattnade uppdrag framför mig. Den artificiella intelligensen lämnar mycket att önska då den mest kör runt utan större målmedvetenhet med mig jagandes efter.
<bild>Här exploderar vi tillsammans i öknen efter förmåga.</bild>
Arenorna som är tre till antalet är cirkulära, luftigt öppna och tekniskt undermåliga att titta på, miljöombytet är minimalt då skillnader i elevering eller yta att köra på är så gott som densamma sinsemellan, minus vissa faror i terrängen bestående av eldsprutande statyer. Utvecklaren utlovar fler i framtiden, men jag har svårt att se att de skulle tillföra någon större skillnad i helheten. Spelkontrollen är på alla vis simpel och gör sitt jobb, det finns inga spelmässigt avancerade inslag utöver den klassiska turboknappen eller den som aktiverar din klasspecifika förmåga som här fantasifullt nog ger dig sköld eller en temporär boost i attack, på sin höjd. Rent visuellt är det beige, brunt och väldigt neutralt att titta på med få överraskningar. Spelets fysik är fjäderlätt och inget som utmärker sig där alla hamnar i hög på varandra vid minsta kollision varvat med typiska metalljud som skaver mot varandra och musik som vi absolut hört tidigare och lagt på minnet av fel anledningar då allt låter som hämtat ur öppet arkiv. Faktum är att jag stängde av musiken i spelet tids nog. Det erbjuds också PvP-stöd på delad skärm, något jag inte testat men vill samtidigt inte heller utsätta någon annan för då jag månar om nära och kära. Ett storyläge för en spelare är även det utlovat i framtiden, men med tanke på basen här skulle jag inte hålla andan i hopp om stordåd.
<bild>Oklart vem som vinner här, men jag tror att jag har mer livmätare kvar.</bild>
War of Wheels är alldeles för ofokuserat med en känsla av att allt sker på måfå där alla kör in i varandra och mosar och exploderar efter en stund. Det är visserligen enkelt att spela med en hoppa-in-och-ut-approach, med ett lite äldre och mer lättsamt spelsystem, men det är också avskalat på alla fronter och väldigt, väldigt intetsägande. Spelet ligger i Early Access, men jag kan slå fast redan nu att War of Wheels är något av det sämsta jag någonsin spelat och jag skulle bli mycket, mycket förvånad om det når ett stadie där det någonsin anses vara färdigt, brukligt eller i närheten av ett skick som är värt ditt engagemang när det klart och tydligt aldrig fanns mer än en blek ambition från början. Jag kan uppskatta mindre allvar och utelämnad realism, där fokus ligger på dödsmatcher och tillgänglighet likt Carmageddon och Twisted Metal - men när dagordningen infinner sig av princip, utan punch eller med en intressant vinkel eller vill kriga på en premiss som utmanar, då kan jag inte annat än zooma ut. Undvik.
<bild>Här dog jag definitivt. Inget snack om den saken.</bild>

Get your gardening chores done under budget.

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Whether you’re planting a garden and need some watering equipment or have some trimming to do, a good set of tools can help you make light work of your outdoor chore list. But getting the right tools and equipment for your outdoor chores can be expensive. Here are my favorite 4th of July deals from Home Depot on outdoor gear to keep your projects on budget.

Trimming and cutting

Cutting branches back from exterior walls can lengthen the life of your siding, limit damage from moisture, and make your home more fire resistant, so trimming and cutting tools are essential for good landscaping maintenance. In addition to the practical advantages of trimming your various flora, it can also make everything look a lot nicer.

Milwaukee 18-volt mini chainsaw/pole saw kit

$589.00 at Home Depot

$848.00 Save $259.00

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Get Deal

$589.00 at Home Depot

$848.00 Save $259.00

• This Ryobi 18-volt battery kit that comes with a free sawzall is on sale for $99, 65% off its regular price. The battery set comes with one four-amp-hour battery and one four-amp-hour battery and a charger, and you can select the sawzall as a free tool with the deal. This saw is great for trimming small to medium branches and can be used for some woodworking projects as well.

• The Milwaukee 12-volt cordless power pruners are on sale for $149, 25% off their usual price. (This is a tool-only deal, so you’ll need a 12-volt Milwaukee battery set to use them.) These pruners are good for cutting smaller, woody branches, and are especially nice if you have arthritis or another condition that limits your grip strength, as they allow you to do your own pruning without causing yourself pain.

• The Milwaukee 18-volt mini chainsaw/pole saw kit is on sale for $589, 31% off its regular price. This set comes with a quick-lock power head, a three-foot pole extension, and 10-foot pole saw, an eight-inch mini chainsaw, a six-amp-hour battery, and a charger. This set will allow you to trim up to a 15-inch branch as high as 15-20 feet off the ground without the need for a ladder. If you have unreachable and unhealthy branches on any of your trees, this tool is indispensable.

Cordless leaf blowers

I’m not a big fan of leaf blowers: They’re loud, and as a seasonal allergy sufferer, I find that they kick too much pollen into the air. That said, I can't deny that they're useful in some circumstances, including for clearing leaves and grass clippings from sidewalk pavement, preventing slippery spots when it rains. If you have a need for a leaf blower, cordless ones are lighter, quieter, and cheaper to run than their gas-powered alternatives.

Milwaukee 18-volt 120MPH, 500 CFM cordless blower

$299.00 at Home Depot

$528.00 Save $229.00

Get Deal

Get Deal

$299.00 at Home Depot

$528.00 Save $229.00

• The Milwaukee 18-volt 120MPH, 500 CFM cordless blower is $299, 43% off its regular price. This blower comes with two six-amp-hour batteries and a charger in addition to the blower, making it an excellent deal if you have other 18-volt Milwaukee tools, as the batteries are interchangeable.

• The Ryobi 18-volt battery starter kit that comes with a free Ryobi 18-volt leaf blower is on sale for $99, 64% off its regular price. The kit is a two-amp-hour battery and a four-amp-hour battery, along with a charger, and you can choose a free leaf blower to go with it. This is a great deal for a tool and battery combo, especially if you have other 18-volt Ryobi tools, as the batteries are interchangeable.

• The Milwaukee cordless 18-volt string trimmer/120MPH, 500 CFM leaf blower is on sale for $539, 31% off its typical price. This set comes with two six-amp-hour batteries and a charger, along with the trimmer and leaf blower. It’s a good set as an addition to a mower for lawn care maintenance around walkways and steps.

Watering equipment

Watering a garden can be more of a hassle if you don’t have the right hoses and attachments. Drip hoses, extensions, and irrigation timers can all be expensive, so getting a good deal can help you grow your garden for less, saving water as well as saving on the price of your tools.

Vigoro 50-foot soaker hose

$11.98 at Home Depot

$19.98 Save $8.00

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Get Deal

$11.98 at Home Depot

$19.98 Save $8.00