You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games hereThe latest few Fortnite updates have brought a wealth of new content. The new season was released in late February, and its first content update dropped on March 11. The update added many new Exotic weapons that can be obtained from Black Market backrooms. However, players who break the rules will not have access to these new weapons!Epic Games once again found a perfect way to troll Fortnite players. But hey, at least the loopers stood up against Baron Fletcher Kane and abolished the in-game tax!Fortnite players can now receive an in-game ban for shooting NPCsFortnite Chapter 2 added NPCs to the in-game world, and ever since then, Epic has released many of them. They mostly sell items and services, although some of them can also be hired. Some NPCs, like Skillet, are vendors inside Black Markets. Interestingly, if you shoot these characters, you will receive a ban from the Black Market!Once banned, you will no longer be able to purchase items, regardless if you have gold or not. There is also no way to reverse this action, as you will be banned for the duration of the Fortnite match. Interestingly, you will still be able to interact with the NPC you killed and purchase their services. However, Black Market items will no longer be available to you.Fighting neutral NPCs is not a good idea in the Black Market. Image by VideoGamerConsidering that its possible to earn thousands of gold bars easily, shooting Black Market vendors should be very low on your priority list. After all, earning gold is easy, yet spending it can be difficult. Fortunately, Epic is working on new features that will be obtainable with gold, which is something that will make this season even better! FortnitePlatform(s):Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/XGenre(s):Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter9VideoGamerRelated TopicsFortnite Subscribe to our newsletters!By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy and may receive occasional deal communications; you can unsubscribe anytime.Share

The life cycle of an iconic house is complex. New owners can upset its balance, but it also must be capable of evolving with time. After all, a home is a space built to be lived in. Ezequiel Pini, an Argentinian-born digital artist and designer who is the creative force behind the studio Six N. Five, has found a house that suits him in Casa Riera, more commonly known by its nickname Casa Semienterrada (Half-Buried House), a place whose pioneering spirit connects with his own.Built at the end of the 1980s by the architect Javier Barba, the house was selected by the European Commission as part of the Project Monitor Program in 1989 as an example of one of the best sustainable homes in the world.The roof follows the slope of the mountain, minimizing the visual impact on the landscape. This solution also provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation thanks to the vegetation.Designed by Barcelona architect Javier Barba in 1986 and located in the Maresme region, to the north of the city, this house was Barbas first bioclimatic residence. The building, which disappears into the landscape of a mountainous coastal area, was revolutionary for its timeand remains an inspiration for other architects to this day. So much so that we covered it in print in 1987. Barba would achieve that recognition a dozen more times, and one of his properties in Menorca was on the cover in 1992. He was also named to the AD100 list in 2002, 2004, and 2010.The architects works have frequently been featured in Architectural Digest since 1987, including a cover story in a special 1992 issue on Spain. He was also included as a prominent figure of the 20th century in the special One Hundred Years of Design.The house is located on a sloping site, with a road along its higher end and views of a pine forest and the Mediterranean. The architect explored the location for days, morning, noon, and night, to understand the geography and the existing vegetation, he recalls, until he came to the conclusion that a semi-buried house, with a green roof, would be the best way to integrate the construction into the environment. His goal was always to create a dramatic and exciting faade that wouldnt interfere with the landscape, that would fuse its materiality with the granite rocks of the area, he explains. Walls of concrete mixed with quartz, feldspar, and mica create a unique stony effect, accompanied by various plants native to the region.

Blender Manual in Dutch Milestone: 10% By 3ddy on March 15, 2025 Blender Foundation A dedicated team of volunteers is working hard to translate the Blender Manual into Dutch. With 10% of the manual already translated, they currently rank eleventh among all translations. Can you help?They have left the Italian translation far behind, but there is still work to be done to catch up with the Portuguese team, which has reached 21%.It is great to see that several Dutch Blender employees are now also contributing to the translation. Their knowledge and expertise help ensure a high-quality and accurate translation.It is quite remarkable that a Dutch product like Blender has gone so long without a Dutch manual. This translation finally fills that gap. A Dutch-language manual is an important step forward, especially for elementary school children and people with low literacy skills. Reading in ones native language makes learning a complex program like Blender much more accessible. Thanks to this translation, more people will be able to discover and harness the power of Blender.Links

Google's AI Wishlist Google joins OpenAI in pushing feds to codify AI training as fair use Google says it just wants "balanced" copyright rules. Ryan Whitwam Mar 14, 2025 12:48 pm | 58 Credit: Getty Images Credit: Getty Images Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreIn spite of sky-high costs and little in the way of profits, generative AI systems continue to proliferate. The Trump administration has called for a national AI Action Plan to guide America's burgeoning AI industry, and OpenAI was happy to use that as an opportunity to decry the negative effect of copyright enforcement on AI development. Google has also released its policy proposal, which agrees with OpenAI on copyright while also prompting the government to back the AI industry with funding and policy changes.Like OpenAI, Google has been accused of piping copyrighted data into its models, but content owners are wising up. Google is fighting several lawsuits, and the New York Times' lawsuit against OpenAI could set the precedent that AI developers are liable for using that training data without permission. Google wants to avoid that. It calls for "balanced copyright rules," but its preference doesn't seem all that balanced.The dearth of available training data is a well-known problem in AI development. Google claims that access to public, often copyrighted, data is critical to improving generative AI systems. Google wants to be able to use publicly available data (free or copyrighted) for AI development without going through "unpredictable, imbalanced, and lengthy negotiations." The document claims any use of copyrighted material in AI will not significantly impact rightsholders.According to Google's position, the federal government's investment in AI should also extend to modernizing the nation's energy infrastructure. Google says AI firms need more reliable power to keep training and running inference to advance AI. The company projects global data center power demand will rise by 40 gigawatts from 2024 to 2026. It claims the current US infrastructure and permitting processes are not up to the task of supplying the AI industry.If the government truly supports AI, according to Google, it will also begin implementing these tools at the federal level. Google wants the feds to "lead by example" by adopting AI systems with a multi-vendor approach that focuses on interoperability. It hopes to see the government release data sets for commercial AI training and help fund early-stage AI development and research. It also calls for an increase in public-private partnerships and greater cooperation with federally funded research institutions with initiatives like government-funded competitions and prizes for AI innovation.Googles position on AI regulation: Trust us, broIf there was any doubt about Google's commitment to move fast and break things, its new policy position should put that to rest. "For too long, AI policymaking has paid disproportionate attention to the risks," the document says.Google urges the US to invest in AI not only with money but with business-friendly legislation. The company joins the growing chorus of AI firms calling for federal legislation that clarifies how they can operate. It points to the difficulty of complying with a "patchwork" of state-level laws that impose restrictions on AI development and use. If you want to know what keeps Google's policy wonks up at night, look no further than the vetoed SB-1047 bill in California, which would have enforced AI safety measures.According to Google, a national AI framework that supports innovation is necessary to push the boundaries of what artificial intelligence can do.Taking a page from the gun lobby, Google opposes attempts to hold the creators of AI liable for the way those models are used. Generative AI systems are non-deterministic, making it impossible to fully predict their output. Google wants clearly defined responsibilities for AI developers, deployers, and end usersit would, however, clearly prefer most of those responsibilities fall on others. "In many instances, the original developer of an AI model has little to no visibility or control over how it is being used by a deployer and may not interact with end users," the company says.There are efforts underway in some countries that would implement stringent regulations that force companies like Google to make their tools more transparent. For example, the EU's AI Act would require AI firms to publish an overview of training data and possible risks associated with their products. Google believes this would force the disclosure of trade secrets that would allow foreign adversaries to more easily duplicate its work, mirroring concerns that OpenAI expressed in its policy proposal.Google wants the government to push back on these efforts at the diplomatic level. The company would like to be able to release AI products around the world, and the best way to ensure it has that option is to promote light-touch regulation that "reflects US values and approaches." That is, Google's values and approaches.Ryan WhitwamSenior Technology ReporterRyan WhitwamSenior Technology Reporter Ryan Whitwam is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering the ways Google, AI, and mobile technology continue to change the world. Over his 20-year career, he's written for Android Police, ExtremeTech, Wirecutter, NY Times, and more. He has reviewed more phones than most people will ever own. You can follow him on Bluesky, where you will see photos of his dozens of mechanical keyboards. 58 Comments

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Image: Nintendo LifeTetsuya Takahashi's Xenoblade Chronicles series began its journey on the Wii in 2010, but it's on the Switch where the RPG series has really taken off.With two sequels, plus huge prequel DLC adventures for both, Monolith Soft's RPG series has established itself as one of the jewels in Nintendo's crown. And with the Definitive Edition ports of both the original Xenoblade Chronicles and the underappreciated Xenoblade Chronicles X for Wii U, all the entire series is no playable on a single console.But what's the best Xenoblade Chronicles game? We've compiled the following list containing not just the mainline games, but also the DLC chapters.On this page: Best Xenoblade Chronicles Games Of All TimeBest Xenoblade Game (tl;dr)Before we dive into the ranked Xenoblade games list, here's a little summary covering the winners - skip to the next section if you want to avoid spoilers!Image: NintendoThe best Xenoblade Chronicles game is...Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is the best game in the entire series, according to our list.Recency bias be damned, this third entry refines the series' systems and storytelling and delivers an epic conclusion to the trilogy. The story hits the highest of highs and the cast is easily the series' best, in our eyes.The best Xenoblade Chronicles DLC is...Future Redeemed for XC3 is the best Xenoblade DLC, according to our ranking.Just when you think you've had your fill and can't take any more, this standalone story comes along and leaves you jonesing for a Xenoblade Chronicles 4 and ports of many other Xeno- games. Delivering fan service of the best possible kind, this Future Redeemed is as essential as the base games in the series.Image: NintendoBest Xenoblade Chronicles Ranked List (Mainline + DLC)Okay, let's get cracking on those Chronicles, starting with the 'worst' (which is still absolutely excellent)...8. Xenoblade Chronicles 3D (New 3DS)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monster GamesRelease Date: 10th Apr 2015 (USA) / 2nd Apr 2015 (UK/EU)A technical marvel, quite how Monster Games fit Monolith Softs 3D epic onto this tiny handheld in 2015 is still something of a mystery.Most of the Wii originals HUD gubbins were shifted to the bottom screen, leaving the top one to deliver the grandeur of the Bionis and the Mechonis on an uncluttered canvas. The scope of Xenoblade Chronicles 3D meant it was restricted to running only on the updated New 3DS models, though - one of very few exclusives that weren't playable on earlier models.It was never going to beat the Wii version in a beauty pageant, but having it on a handheld gave busy gamers a better shot at seeing everything this brilliant 100-hour action RPG has to offer. Thats as true today as it was in 2015, and while the 2020 Switch port stole its portable thunder, the first portable Xenoblade game still holds a place in our hearts.7. Xenoblade Chronicles X (Wii U)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 4th Dec 2015 (USA) / 4th Dec 2015 (UK/EU)Xenoblade Chronicles X is sprawling, diverse, complex, and entrancing. It utilised the Wii U's capabilities not only to produce a beautiful world, but also showed how having a simple map on the GamePad screen can be invaluable.What's most impressive is the dynamism and impression of freedom in play - level caps and grinding are naturally part of the equation, yet they're managed within a structure where even small missions or Affinity quests greatly enhance the narrative and sense of place. To truly experience the story of this human colony and the vast planet Mira requires exploration and patience, and Monolith Soft found a great balance in bringing its vast range of gameplay systems and mechanics together.Occasional bottlenecks are infrequent and easily overcome in the broader experience. Xenoblade Chronicles X delivered a hugely impressive RPG adventure, an enormous accomplishment for Monolith Soft, and an irresistible part of the Wii U library. What a treat that more people get to play it on Switch with the Definitive Edition.6. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 (Switch)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 1st Dec 2017 (USA) / 1st Dec 2017 (UK/EU)Xenoblade Chronicles 2 dropped in Switch's launch year (2017) and sees you once again exploring a massive open world made up of Titans enormous living creatures that house entire civilisations on their bodies. Along the way, you meet a wide variety of characters, solve a bunch of quests, and, naturally, save the world.Rex, his Blade Pyra (plus alter-ego), and friends embark on a sweeping and almost never-ending quest to reach the promised land of Elysium. With a surprisingly large cast and twists and turns galore, plus some nods to lore that will have fans of the original purring, there are dozens and dozens (and dozens) of wonderful hours to enjoy here.With arguably the best combat and best music in the series, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 manages to stand tall among a hugely successful series, even with some flaws.5. Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country (Switch eShop)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 21st Sep 2018 (USA) / 14th Sep 2018 (UK/EU)Switch is no stranger to DLC and add-on content, but few expansions are as vast in their size and scope as Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna - The Golden Country.Whether youre a season pass holder looking to revisit a series you love from a new perspective or youre fresh to the franchise and want a prequel adventure, this hefty slice of JRPG action will grab you right from the moment you start switching between Blade and Driver.With some welcome adjustments to combat and combos, this is a fine addition to an already brilliant game on Switch, but also a worthwhile, standalone chapter in the larger Xenoblade saga. Future established4. Xenoblade Chronicles (Wii)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 6th Apr 2012 (USA) / 19th Aug 2011 (UK/EU)Here it is, the game that started it all. 2010's Xenoblade Chronicles was epic in scale and setting in a way few games of the era were, and this isn't a title to rush through. You'll need many hours to examine and enjoy its incredible complexity, enhancing your abilities and exploring the world's ecosystem as you go.The creativity Monolith Soft employed in producing this world was staggering. In terms of presentation, the immense landscapes remain a delight to traverse. While some close-up camera angles expose the Wii's graphical limitations, the art design more than compensates. Plus, when you're exploring the world and listening to that beautiful music, who cares?Nowadays, the combat has aged a fair amount, and the much-improved visuals of Definitive Edition certainly take off a tiny bit of the sheen of the original release. But this is a special game, one that defied expectations and gave the Wii a defining JRPG.3. Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition (Switch)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 29th May 2020 (USA) / 29th May 2020 (UK/EU)Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition presents an already excellent JRPG that's been improved in nearly every conceivable way, short of a complete reimagining.On top of the fantastic story, enjoyable combat, and incredible world design, Monolith Soft included an entirely new epilogue story arc while polishing up nearly everything in the base game, from progression systems to visuals to UI design. XC:DE is easily one of the best role-playing games on Switch, a console that's not lacking in that department.It goes without saying that if you were ever a fan of the original, or of JRPGs in general, you absolutely must get this. This is the standard against which all others should be judged.2. Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (Switch)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 29th Jul 2022 (USA) / 29th Jul 2022 (UK/EU)Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is a genuine masterpiece and the highlight of Monolith Soft's superb series thus far. There's an emotionally charged and surprisingly edgy epic to get stuck into here, a sprawling and hugely engaging narrative populated by a cast of unforgettable characters that's backed up by some of the very best combat we've had the pleasure of getting to grips with in this genre.Over 100 hours into this one, we were as captivated as we were when we first booted it up and it more than delivered every bit of the adventure, emotion, and action that its excellent key art promises.Even with a narrative blip towards the end, you can't get many better JRPG stories than this one, and with a whole job system, excellent sidequests, and multiple amazing characters, this is the highest of highs in the genre. Live to sidequest1. Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed (Switch eShop)Publisher: Nintendo / Developer: Monolith SoftRelease Date: 25th Apr 2023 (USA) / 25th Apr 2023 (UK/EU)Just like it did with the excellent Torna, Monolith Soft has gave us a carefully refined prequel experience in the final wave of the Expansion Pass. Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Future Redeemed adds to and improves upon core combat and exploration elements that were already best-in-class.The base games delightful battle system feels better than ever, its stunning landscapes are packed full of exploration thats been reinvigorated thanks to the new Affinity system, and theres enough emotion and revelations packed in to satisfy the most ardent of Xenoblade fans.It also provides something of a clean slate going forward for this most intriguing of franchises. Where will the world of Xenoblade take us next? We cannot wait to find out.Image: NintendoSurprised by the overall result? With games of this calibre, it was always going to be a close one!Nintendo Life Personal Pick"This is hard! I love all of these games and DLCs dearly, and have fond memories playing the first Xenoblade in particular. But it's got to be Xenoblade Chronicles 3 for me. I'm a sucker for class systems in combat, so being able to swap and level jobs with every character is so fun. But the story is what makes 3 so special. The final chapters might stumble, but when XC3 hits, it really hits. Chapter 5, folks. If you know, you know." - Alana Hagues, Deputy EditorXenoblade Chronicles FAQBefore we wrap up this Chronicle, let's answer a few common questions about the Xenoblade games.Hang on, why is DLC included here!?The DLC chapters are enormous standalone adventures in themselves, and we wanted to have them represented above.They're crucial to understanding the wider story in the series, with both Torna and Future Redeemed providing context for the events of their respective games and sometimes well beyond that. They both range from 10-30 hours, too.If, for some reason, you'd prefer to exclude the DLC, just pretend it isn't there and voil! the ranking of the other games remains intact.Where's Future Connected, then?Ah, yes, the bonus chapter added to Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition when it came to Switch. Well, it's not DLC simple as that. It's part of the main game and you don't need to pay extra to play through it.It's also a lot less standalone than the other two extra chapters. It's really an epilogue to Xenoblade Chronicles, and while it sets up things that will come up in future entries, you can't pick it up without buying the full game.What about Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition?We'll add the Switch port of XCX to the list in due course once everyone's had the chance to get their hands on it and form an informed opinion. Fortunately, it's a very small game and won't take long to finish at all*, so watch this space!*This is a serious statement.**** This is also a serious statement.****** This is a joke.Should I play the Xenoblade games in order?No, there's no need to play the games sequentially! But it's a bit trickier than that.Xenoblade 1, Xenoblade 2, and Xenoblade X we can confidently say can be played in any order. X is very different from the numbered games in many ways. And while you might miss a few references if you play Xenoblade 2 before 1, it won't hamper your experience.Xenoblade 3 can also be played whenever, but we'd argue it's more important to have played 1 and 2. You don't have to, but this is the game that ties together both worlds.Lastly, it should go without saying, but don't play the DLCs without having played their respective games. And for Future Redeemed, it will arguably be more impactful if you've played all of the Xenoblade Games. It's UncontrollableDo I need to own Xenoblade Chronicles 2 to download Torna?This depends on how you've bought it, but the short answer is: no, you don't need to!The long answer: If you can get hold of the standalone physical release, then you don't need to own the base game in order to access the DLC. If you've purchased or downloaded the Expansion Pass, however, then you have to own a copy of Xenoblade 2.Do I need to own Xenoblade Chronicles 3 to download Future Redeemed?Unlike Torna, you do have to own Xenoblade Chronicles 3 to play Future Redeemed. This is because the DLC never got a standalone physical release, unlike Torna.Honestly, that's probably for the best you really should play Xenoblade 3 before Future Redeemed. It won't make much sense without it.How are Xenogears, Xenosaga, and Xenoblade related?Ohh boy. Okay. Xenogears and Xenosaga were both created by Tetsuya Takahashi, the same person who would go on to create the Xenoblade games. Xenogears is a PS1 exclusive and was released by Squaresoft. Xenosaga is a series in itself, with three games, all developed by a young Monolith Soft for the PS2 (there are DS versions of the first two games, but the pack is exclusive to Japan).Xenoblade is considered a spiritual successor to both of these because it tackles many of the same themes and philosophical ideas. There are sometimes some not-so-subtle references to Xenogears or Xenosaga in these games, too.So, if you've ever heard of the Xeno Series or Xeno Meta Series being thrown around, it's referring to all of those games. A monolithic taleWhat's 'Operation Rainfall'?'Operation Rainfall' was the fan-led campaign designed to pressure Nintendo (and XSEED) into localising and releasing Xenoblade Chronicles, The Last Story, and Pandora's Tower in North America.Formed in 2011, the campaign built momentum on IGN message boards with the aim of "raining" communication on top of Nintendo via written letters and social media.The group gave themselves a deadline of 18 months, with the aim to get all three games confirmed for release before the Wii U's launch. With Xenoblade in particular, members pre-ordered the game on Amazon, pushing it up to the top of the charts, above Call of Duty and ever Ocarina of Time 3D. Hey, it eventually worked, and now we have multiple games! Is gaming's biggest consumer advocacy movement a noble cause, or does NoA know best?How can I change the ranking in this article?The ranking above is updated in real time according to each game's corresponding User Rating in the Nintendo Life game database. Disagree with this ever-evolving, 'definitive' Xenoblade ranking? Find your Xenoblades in the box below and rate them to influence the order.Up Next: YoshiRelated GamesSee AlsoShare:00 Alana has been with Nintendo Life since 2022, and while RPGs are her first love, Nintendo is a close second. She enjoys nothing more than overthinking battle strategies, characters, and stories. She also wishes she was a Sega air pirate. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesPokmon Scarlet & Violet: Mystery Gift Codes ListAll the current Pokmon Scarlet and Violet Mystery Gift codesBest Cheap Nintendo Switch Games50 games under 20 bucksBest Nintendo Switch RPGsThe finest trad-style Switch RPGs available to humanityBest Nintendo Switch Collections And Compilation GamesBundles of joyPoll: What's The Best Xenoblade Game? Rate Your Favourite For Our Upcoming RankingIncluding all ports and DLC

After 23 years of connecting people around the world, Skype, the popular video-calling service, is shutting down. Microsoft, the parent company, confirmed that the official sunset date for the service is May 5, 2025.Skype users can either migrate all their contacts and chat data to Microsoft Teams, or they can choose to download their Skype data and transition to another video-calling service.To assist users in the switch, weve created a guide on how to migrate to Teams or download Skype data. Additionally, weve curated a list of alternative video-calling apps that can replace Skype.How to move from Skype to Microsoft TeamsBefore May 5, Skype users can sign in to Teams for free using their Skype credentials. Once logged in, all their chats and contacts will automatically transfer to the app.Teams offers features similar to Skype, including one-on-one and group calls, messaging, and file sharing. While Skype was primarily designed for smaller groups (up to 20 participants) and casual use, Teams is more business-focused, accommodating up to 10,000 participants in a single video call. It also comes with advanced security features and various integrations, such as Evernote, OneDrive, Office 365, Salesforce, SharePoint, Trello, and more.Teams is available on Android, iOS, Mac, PC, and the web.How to export Skype dataFor users who arent interested in making the transition to Microsoft Teams, we still recommend exporting account data. This ensures that valuable information such as messages, files, and contact details is backed up and can be accessed in the future.Open Skype and log in.Click on the three horizontal dots under the account name in the top left corner.Go to Settings > Account & Profile > Your Account.After being redirected to Skypes web portal, choose from either Export contacts (.csv), Export Caller ID numbers (.csv), or Export files and chat history.The Export files and chat history option lets users download Conversations and Files.Click Submit Request and Continue.When the export process is complete, click Download.Here are the best Skype alternativesGoogle MeetImage Credits:GoogleAn obvious benefit of using Google Meet is that its available for free with a Google account. Since a lot of people are already using Google and have existing accounts, transitioning to this platform would be fairly easy.Google Meet allows users to hold meetings with up to 100 participants, record meetings, share screens, and more. A drawback with the free plan is that if a meeting has more than three participants, theres a 60-minute time limit.Large companies may want to purchase a Google Workspace plan for features like having up to 25 co-hosts, dividing participants into smaller breakout rooms during meetings, creating polls, setting up a Q&A session, livestreaming to YouTube, and more. Workspace which has plans for $7/month, $14/month, $22/month, and up also offers AI-powered tools through its Gemini assistant, which helps Meet users take notes and create custom background images.ZoomZoom is another popular web-conferencing tool. It offers several helpful features, including the ability to host up to 100 participants and chat in both private and public groups, and has tools such as notes, a whiteboard, and screen-sharing capabilities. Users can also record meetings and access transcripts.However, one downside is the 40-minute time limit per meeting for users on the free plan. To avoid having meetings cut off, users will need to purchase a subscription, which ranges from $13/month to $18/month. Paid subscribers have access to Zooms AI Companion, which includes the ability to summarize meetings and ask questions about transcribed meetings.WebexImage Credits:WebexWebex, the Cisco-owned video conferencing tool, offers a similar plan to its competitors. For instance, it has features such as screen sharing, the ability to record sessions, a whiteboard capability, and more.The free plan includes up to 100 attendees per meeting, as well as an unfortunate 40-minute time limit. Webex also offers plans from $12/month, $22/month, and up, depending on team size. The paid tiers come with an AI assistant, live polling, Q&A, and the ability to add up to 1,000 attendees.DiscordDiscord was initially designed as a chat platform for gamers, but it can also serve as an alternative to Skype for personal use or for smaller teams. However, its not recommended for larger businesses, as it limits calls to 25 participants.On the positive side, Discord offers unlimited meeting lengths and features such as screen sharing, the ability to record meetings, and breakout rooms. The platform has a free plan in addition to two paid options priced at $5/month and $10/month, making it one of the more affordable choices available, depending on users needs.SlackImage Credits:SlackWhile Slack may not be ideal for formally scheduled meetings with large groups, it can be effective for spontaneous meetings within team chats. The Huddle feature in Slack enables users to easily transition from a chat thread to an informal audio or video call with colleagues. On the free plan, Huddles can accommodate only two people, whereas paid plans (priced at $7/month or $12/month) allow for up to 50.SignalSignal, the encrypted messaging app, has provided group video-calling features since 2020 and can accommodate up to 50 participants in a single call.Although its not a direct competitor to Skype, it allows users to share links for calls, enabling them to simply send the link to others rather than creating a group, much like Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams do. Notably, Signal is free to use.Other similar apps for mobile users looking to video call with smaller groups include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Apple FaceTime.

In 1847, George Clark (1815-1890), a Salem carpenter, purchased a house lot on Oliver Street, a block away from the Salem Common. That year he began constructing this cottage for his family. The Clark Family resided here for just a year until 1849, when George got caught up in the California Gold Rush, selling the property and moving west to make his fortune. Since Mr. Clark was back in Salem by 1850 (according to the federal census), he was likely one of the thousands of forty-niners who did not strike it rich. The Greek Revival style house is unique for its more Gothic style gable, brackets, and segmental arched windows.

close Kurt CyberGuy Knutsson explains the alarming rise of smishing and how to avoid falling victim Scammers are texting victims and stealing their information by posing as legitimate businesses or agencies. CyberGuy explains how to stay safe. Smishing is a type of phishing scam that works through text messages.The name comes from a mix of "SMS" and "phishing," since scammers use fake messages to trick people into giving away personal information. Its been around for a while, but lately, its gotten so bad that even the FBI and several U.S. cities have started warning people.Hackers have set up over 10,000 fake websites to keep these scams going, targeting both iPhone and Android users with texts designed to steal their personal and financial information.STAY PROTECTED & INFORMED! GET SECURITY ALERTS & EXPERT TECH TIPS SIGN UP FOR KURTS THE CYBERGUY REPORT NOW Illustration of a hacker at work (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What you need to knowCities across the United States are warning residents about an ongoing mobile phishing campaign in which scammers impersonate parking violation departments. The fraudulent text messages claim recipients have unpaid parking invoices and threaten a $35 daily fine if left unpaid. As reported by cybersecurity publicationBleepingComputer, the latest wave of phishing texts has prompted alerts from multiple cities, including Annapolis, Boston, Greenwich, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, Charlotte, San Diego and San Francisco.The campaign, which began in December, remains active. The smishing texts claim to be from a government authority and instruct recipients to click a link to pay an alleged overdue fine."This is a final reminder from the City of New York regarding the unpaid parking invoice. A $35 daily overdue fee will be charged if payment is not made today," one fraudulent message says. Smishing scam text (BleepingComputer)The same phishing template has been observed in similar scams targeting residents of other cities. The FBI has also raised concerns about a broader smishing campaign affecting U.S. residents. In a recent alert, the agency warned that scammers have expanded beyond parking fines and are now impersonating road toll collection services.WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?"Since early March 2024, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has received over 2,000 complaints reporting smishing texts representing road toll collection services from at least three states,"the agency stated."IC3 complaint information indicates the scam may be moving from state to state." Smishing scam text (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Smishing scams are evolvingA newreport from cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks Unit 42, the companys cybersecurity division specializing in threat intelligence and incident response, has uncovered that these scams are designed to steal sensitive information, including credit card and bank account details.What started as a scheme involving fraudulent toll payment notifications has now expanded to include fake delivery service alerts, tricking users into clicking malicious links.The scam appears to be operated by local cybercriminals using a toolkit developed by Chinese hacking groups. Notably, research from Unit 42 shows that many of the scam's root domains and fully qualified domain names use the Chinese .XIN top-level domain (TLD).6 ways you can protect yourself from smishing scams1. Verify before you trust:Treat unsolicited texts with caution. If a message claims to be from a government agency or company, dont click any links or act immediately. Instead, verify the claim by contacting the organization directly using an official phone number or checking their verified website.2. Avoid clicking suspicious links and use strong antivirus software:Scammers use links to direct you to fake websites that can steal your personal or financial information. Instead of clicking on any link in an unexpected text, manually type the known URL into your browser or search for the organizations official website.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HEREThe best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices.3. Keep your devices secure:Regularlyupdate your devices operating systems and apps to ensure you have the latest security patches. Consider installing reputable security software that can help detect phishing attempts and warn you about potentially dangerous websites or messages.4. Use a password manager:A trusted password manager can help protect your sensitive information by automatically filling in credentials only on verified sites. This minimizes the risk of entering details on fraudulent websites and can alert you if a site doesnt match whats expected. Get more details about mybest expert-reviewed Password Managers of 2025 here.5. Report suspicious activity:If you receive a text that seems off, report it immediately to your mobile carrier, local law enforcement or the FBIs Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Reporting helps authorities track down scammers and prevent further attacks.6. Consider using a personal data removal service: Personal data removal services can help reduce your exposure to smishing attacks by removing your sensitive information like phone numbers, addresses and email details from data broker websites. Scammers often rely on these publicly available databases to target victims with personalized phishing texts. These services arent foolproof, but they can make it harder for cybercriminals to find and exploit your information. While no service promises to remove all your data from the internet, having a removal service is great if you want to constantly monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a longer period of time.Check out my top picks for data removal services here.Kurts key takeawaysI've been tracking these smishing scams, and it's clear they're evolving fast, from fake parking fines to bogus toll notifications. With the FBI and cities like New York, San Francisco and others sounding the alarm, I'm stepping up my own security game. As a general rule, if you receive a text from an unknown number or email address that's an out-of-the-blue greeting, asks you to click a link, pay a bill or respond in any way, just block it and report the number. It's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your personal information.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPDo you feel that mobile phone providers and tech companies are doing enough to protect users from these types of scams? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading toCyberguy.com/NewsletterAsk Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to coverFollow Kurt on his social channelsAnswers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2025 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Recommended By Fox News Staff Fox News Published March 15, 2025 8:30am EDT A woman in Washington, D.C., views a manipulated video on January 24, 2019, that changes what is said by President Donald Trump and former President Barack Obama. (Rob Lever /AFP via Getty Images) Welcome to Fox News Artificial Intelligence newsletter with the latest AI technology advancements.IN TODAY'S NEWSLETTER:-- AI digital twins are warping political reality, leaving deepfake victims with few options for legal action-- Scarlett Johansson warns of AI dangers, says 'there's no boundary here'-- OpenAI lays out key proposals for Trump admin AI Action Plan to maintain tech lead over China This illustration photo taken on January 30, 2023 shows a phone screen displaying a statement from the head of security policy at META with a fake video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling on his soldiers to lay down their weapons shown in the background, in Washington, D.C. (OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)NEW REALITY: Artificial intelligence (AI) is producing hyperrealistic "digital twins" of politicians, celebrities, pornographic material, and more leaving victims of deepfake technology struggling to determine legal recourse.NO BOUNDARY: Scarlett Johansson has taken a vocal stand on artificial intelligence, after having her likeness and voice used without permission. Last year, Johansson said she had been asked to voice OpenAIs Chatbot by CEO Sam Altman, but turned down the job, only for people to notice that the feature, named "Sky," sounded almost exactly like the actress. "Particularly with the A.I. piece. It was like: If that can happen to me, how are we going to protect ourselves from this? Theres no boundary here; we're setting ourselves up to be taken advantage of," the 40-year-old told InStyle Magazine earlier this month. Scarlett Johansson poses for InStyle Magazine. (Heather Hazzan/InStyle)MAINTAINING US DOMINANCE: OpenAI has responded to the Trump White House's request for information on developing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan to ensure the U.S.' continued technological lead over China.NEXT GEAR: Are you ready to use your daily commute to catch up on your favorite show, respond to emails or simply enjoy the view without worrying about the road ahead? This vision of the future is becoming increasingly real thanks to advancements in autonomous driving technology. Stellantis, the parent company of brands like Dodge, Jeep and Chrysler, has just unveiled its STLA AutoDrive 1.0 system, which the company hopes will soon revolutionize the way we drive. STLA AutoDrive 1.0 system (Stellantis)FOLLOW FOX NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIASIGN UP FOR OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERSDOWNLOAD OUR APPSWATCH FOX NEWS ONLINEFox News GoSTREAM FOX NATIONFox NationStay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future with Fox Newshere. This article was written by Fox News staff.