Monster Hunter Wilds has a laundry list of new and old monsters you will want to fight, then farm to get parts from. Some of these monsters are old friends from the series, while others monsters are new in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Open-world games are among the most popular in the gaming community, and with good reason, as they offer tons of different options to players who are interested in them. Whether it is likable NPCs, a decent degree of humor, tons of weapons, armor sets and characters to try out, and even extensive main and side quests, theres always something new to discover.

A curated selection of books that have inspired my design journey and shaped my perspective on creativity.This year, I started my spring cleaning earlypartly because my bookshelves were collapsing under their own weight, partly because my bank account was giving me the look , and partly because IKEA seems to thrive on my inability to resist the temptation of buying yet anotherbook.With no space left, I had to rethink my organization, rearrange my shelves, and finally give my books the space they deserved.In the midst of this chaos, I rediscovered some real gemsbooks that have shaped my approach to design, sparked new ideas, or simply become trusted companions over time. Some are fairly recent, others have been around for a while, but they all hold a special place on my shelfnot because they follow trends, but because they continue to inspire and challenge me.This isnt a ranked list or a definitive guide. Its simply a glimpse into my world of booksthe ones I believe are worth reading, whether youre passionate about design or just curious about its many dimensions.Since design is an ever-evolving field, Id love for this to become a recurring seriesa space to share, revisit, and discover both new and timeless reads together.1. Mismatch: How Inclusion ShapesDesignby Kat Holmes(2018)Mismatch explores how non-inclusive design creates barriers and how inclusivity improves both accessibility and user experience. Through real-world examples and interviews, Kat Holmes demonstrates how design can either exclude or include, showing that ignoring diversity leads to products that fail to serve a wide range ofusers.Holmes, K. (2018). Mismatch: come l'inclusione plasma il design. The MITPress. Why its interestingInclusive design isnt just ethicalits a smart strategy. This book offers practical insights on making inclusivity an integral part of the design process, showing how companies that embrace it gain a competitive edge, improve user satisfaction, and expand theirreach.Why I likeitWhat I love about Mismatch is how it turns inclusivity from an obligation into a design necessity. Holmes doesnt just point out problemsshe provides actionable solutions.Today, inclusivity extends beyond physical and digital products to AI and automation, where biased algorithms can create exclusion by design. Holmes reminds us that exclusion is often unintentional but never insignificanta crucial lesson for anyone creating user-centered experiences.2. Futura: DieSchriftby Petra Eisele, Annette Ludwig e Isabel Naegele(2017)More than just a font, Futura has shaped visual culture, from advertising and modern architecture to the Moon landing. This book offers a deep dive into how this geometric typeface became a symbol of progress, minimalism, and modernity, influencing design for nearly acentury.Eisele, P., Ludwig, A. e Naegele, I. (2017). Futura: Die Schrift. Libri diSpector. Why its interestingTypography isnt just about aestheticsits a powerful tool of cultural expression. Futura: Die Schrift traces the historical, political, and artistic significance of one of the most influential typefaces of the 20th century, proving that choosing a font is never neutralit shapes perception and communication.Why I likeitIve always been fascinated by how typography preserves history, and Futura is a perfect example. Designed as a symbol of progress, it was later co-opted by Nazi propaganda, then re-emerged post-war as the corporate typeface of modernity, even making its mark on the Apollo 11plaque.This isnt unique to Futura. Gotham, originally designed for GQ in 2000, drew inspiration from mid-century New York signage. Its clean, geometric style made it the symbol of Obamas 2008 campaign, representing hope and progress. Yet, its widespread corporate use eventually diluted its original associations, proving how typefaces evolve, reflecting shifting cultural and ideological narratives. Futura: Die Schrift brilliantly explores these transformations, revealing how typography is never just about aestheticsits deeply tied to history and identity.3. Iron Fists: Branding the 20th-Century totalitarian stateby Steven Heller(2008)Iron Fists explores how totalitarian regimes weaponized graphic design to manipulate public opinion and consolidate power. Steven Heller examines the branding tactics of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, Soviet Russia, and Communist China, showing how symbols, colors, and imagery were deliberately crafted to shape ideology and national identity.Heller, S. (2008). Pugni di ferro: marchiare lo Stato totalitario del XX secolo. PhaidonPress. Why its interestingBranding isnt just a corporate toolauthoritarian regimes mastered visual identity long before modern marketing. From bold symbols to strict color schemes, design was used to evoke loyalty and suppress dissent. These techniques are still relevant today, shaping political campaigns, corporate branding, and digitalmedia.Why I likeitHeller makes you rethink design as a form of persuasion, not just aesthetics. What struck me most is how the tactics of totalitarian propaganda never disappearedthey evolved. Today, the same visual strategies are used in advertising, social movements, and online activism, making visual literacy more crucial thanever.4. Oh Sh*t What Now? Honest Advice for New Graphic Designersby Craig Oldham(2018)This book is a no-nonsense survival guide for emerging designers. Craig Oldham shares real-life advice, industry truths, and practical tips on everything from finding clients to handling criticism. Its brutally honest, refreshingly funny, and exactly what you need when stepping into the designworld.Oldham, C. (2018). Oh Sht What Now? Honest Advice for New Graphic Designers*. Laurence King Publishing. Why its interestingStarting out in design can feel overwhelming. This book doesnt sugarcoat the challenges, but it offers valuable insights and a dose of motivation to navigate the ups and downs of the industry with confidence.Why I likeitI love how Oh Sht What Now?* feels like getting advice from a blunt but supportive mentor. It skips the clichs and instead gives you the kind of guidance you wish you had when startingout.One of my favorite takeaways is that failure isnt just inevitableits necessary. Oldham reminds us that mistakes are part of the process and that learning to take criticism (and even rejection) is as important as mastering design skills. Whether youre a new designer or just need a reality check, this book is a must-read.5. User Friendly. How the hidden rules of design are changing the way we live, work, andplayby Cliff Kuang e Robert Fabricant (2019)This book explores how user experience design shapes our daily lives, often without us even noticing. Kuang and Fabricant examine how intuitive interfaces, seamless interactions, and invisible design principles determine how we navigate both digital and physical spacesfrom websites to airports to smartdevices.Kuang, C., & Fabricant, R. (2019). User Friendly: come le regole nascoste del design stanno cambiando il nostro modo di vivere, lavorare e divertirci.MCD. Why its interestingUn buon design UX non riguarda solo l'estetica, ma definisce il successo o il fallimento. Questo libro fornisce uno sguardo ben documentato su come il design dell'esperienza influisce su tutto ci che facciamo, rendendolo una lettura essenziale per i designer che vogliono creare prodotti che funzionino davvero per lepersone.Why I likeitWhat I love about User Friendly is how it makes you see design everywhere. Suddenly, you start noticing why some apps feel effortless while others frustrate you, or why some public spaces guide you naturally while others leave youlost.One of the most eye-opening takeaways is how the best design is often invisibleit works so well that you dont even realize its there. Whether youre a UX designer or just curious about why some experiences feel intuitive and others dont, this book offers a fascinating look into the hidden rules ofdesign.Final thoughtsDesign is everywhereit shapes how we see, interact, and navigate the world. This selection of books isnt just about making things look good; its about understanding why design matters, how it influences society, and how we, as designers (or simply as curious minds), can use it to create something meaningful.From typography to AI, inclusivity to branding, ethics to user experience, each book offers a different perspective on the power of design. Some challenge the way we think about creativity, others provide practical advice, and a few remind us that design is never neutralit always carriesmeaning.I hope this list sparks curiosity, inspiration, or even a shift in perspective. Maybe one of these books will find its way onto your shelfor maybe, like me, youll just keep making space for more.Thank you for reading my article If you enjoyed it and found it interesting, feel free to share it with others. You can also connect with me or follow me on Behance and LinkedIn.A designers bookshelf: 5 essential reads for creativity and insight was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Apple announces updates to its smartphone lineup every autumn, but the company often has a hard time keeping the details under wraps. Ahead of the official unveiling of the iPhone 17, we've already heard quite a few hints about what may be in store. Here's what we know and what we're expecting.When will the iPhone 17 series be announced?Most years, the flagship smartphones are introduced in September. It's a little early to have the specific dates; some years, Apple only gives a week or two of lead time between sending invites and hosting the event. But years of past precedent show that sometime in September should be when the 17 models make their debut.What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include?Design leaks suggest that Apple is building an ultra-thin smartphone, likely to be named the iPhone 17 Air to match Apple's ultralight laptop designation. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, often a solid source of advanced intel about Apple, reported in January that the iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a basic A19 chip and will only have a single camera lens. It may also use Apple's new in-house modem, which was introduced in February on the iPhone 16e. More details about this development may leak ahead of September, but that's what we know for now.Each new roster includes a base model, but over the years, Apple shakes up the variety of phones it offers. Most likely there will be an iPhone 17 and an iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has also committed to the size matters philosophy, and has been building an iPhone Pro Max option with an even bigger screen and better battery life; the 17 roster will almost certainly have one as well.The iPhone 17 Air seems primed to take the place of a potential iPhone 17 Plus. Since the iPhone 16e was only just introduced in February at a surprisingly high price point, it seems unlikely that there will be a new addition to that lower end of the spectrum, the models that were previously called SE.What will iOS 19 be like?Jon Prosser at Front Page Tech dropped a video in January that points to how a redesigned Camera app might point to more drastic changes to come for the operating system in the upcoming iPhone line. Earlier in March, Bloomberg also backed the assertion that an iOS overhaul is in the works. There hasn't been a notable overhaul of iOS for several generations, and it could be exciting to see Apple pushing the envelope on software again.And while we don't have any formal leaks about this, it seems all-but guaranteed that Apple is going to continue pushing its Apple Intelligence suite. We're still waiting on some promised updates to Siri that are meant to take advantage of AI tools, so ideally those will be fully finished and integrated by the time the 17 series arrives.The company typically shares more details about its upcoming plans for software during its Worldwide Developers Conference. WWDC 2025 will most likely be happening in early June, so expect to hear more about the operating system this summer.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/iphone-17-pro-max-and-air-everything-we-know-about-apples-new-phones-153024282.html?src=rss

Apples AirPods Pro 2 earbuds are on sale for just $170 via Amazon. This essentially ties a previous record-low price for 2025, which was $169. This purchase comes with the earbuds, four pairs of silicone tips in different sizes, a charging case, a lanyard loop and a USB-C cable. We heaped a fair amount of praise on these earbuds in our official review, calling them "a worthwhile update." The sound is better-than-ever, thanks to new drivers, amplifiers, transducers and audio algorithms. The transparency mode is absolutely stellar, largely helped by the companys proprietary H2 chip. The ANC is solid, particularly for earbuds. This is also thanks to that H2 chip, which allows the AirPods Pro to cancel twice as much noise as the first-gen model. These earbuds are made for Apple devices, so theres seamless switching between, say, iPhones, iPads and Macs. The touch gesture controls are neat, but there's a learning curve. Give it a few days before throwing in the towel. The battery life is just average, but the charging case helps keep the music going. The primary downside here is age. The AirPods 2 Pro earbuds came out in 2022, so a refresh is likely on the horizon. If you're looking to spend a little less, both AirPods 4 models are on sale now, too. The standard AirPods 4 are down to $100, while the AirPods 4 with ANC have dropped to $149. Those are the best prices we've seen on both sets of buds all year. Check out our coverage of the best Apple deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/apples-airpods-pro-2-are-79-off-right-now-180055548.html?src=rss

The week's 7 biggest tech stories from Sony, Meta, Twitter, Apple, and more for March 15, 2025.

You can now secure a loan using your IPv4 address as collateral youll even still be able to access and use it.

Watch Netflixs new featurette, which you can see here.The post How Cosmo in The Electric State was made appeared first on befores & afters.