• Google's Find My Device app can now show your contacts real-time locations
    www.engadget.com
    Googles update to the Find My Device app, which adds a People tab showing contacts who have shared their location with you (and vice versa), is now available for Android users. The company announced the feature at the beginning of the month with the March Pixel Drop, and it started rolling out this week, as spotted by 9to5Google. With the update, you can now see your approved contacts real-time locations on the map, above a list that displays the addresses of their current positions, their distance from you and the time since that information was last refreshed.While Google Maps already let users manage location sharing and keep track of trusted contacts, the Find My Device update makes all this information easier to find, with a more straightforward presentation. In the People tab, you can choose to see the contacts who have shared their location with you, and those youve shared your location with. You can also switch Google accounts and change your Location Sharing settings at any time from within the app using the tab at the top right. The update comes almost a year after Google first launched Find My Device, and brings the service more in line with Apples Find My app.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apps/googles-find-my-device-app-can-now-show-your-contacts-real-time-locations-154857019.html?src=rss
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  • It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
    www.techradar.com
    We now have confirmation that Google Gemini will be taking over from Google Assistant on all your devices.
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  • NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
    www.techradar.com
    Looking for NYT Connections answers and hints? Here's all you need to know to solve today's game, plus my commentary on the puzzles.
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  • Y Combinator startups are fastest growing, most profitable in fund history because of AI
    www.cnbc.com
    Y Combinator CEO Garry Tan says for about a quarter of the current YC startups, 95% of the code was written by artificial intelligence models.
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  • Will egg prices top $10 per dozen in 2025?
    www.fastcompany.com
    When both my picky kids discovered they loved eggs, it was a blessed relief for meal planning. After years of trying to find dinners that everyone was happy to eat, my kids affinity for eggs added quiche, frittatas, and omelets to our cooking repertoire. We now go through two dozen eggs a week at chez Guy Birken. Which means I have personally been paying very close attention to spiking egg prices. My local grocery store is selling a dozen eggs for $5.99more than two times the price of eggs as of March 2024. If youve been wondering why you need a second mortgage to afford your breakfast, heres what you need to know about this price eggsplosion.Supply and demandEven if you slept through your Econ 101 class, you probably remember the law of supply and demand: When supply is low and/or demand is high, prices increase.In the case of the humble chicken egg, supply is down because of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), aka the bird flu, while demand has remained the same, resulting in higher prices.Avian fluSince 2022, over 166 million birds have come down with this harmless-sounding malady, and over three-quarters of the affected birds are egg-laying hens. Millions of chickens have died and millions more have been culled to prevent the spread of this very contagious disease. The loss of so many chickens means there is a smaller supply of eggs, which has pushed up the price.Bird flu may be the primary driver of the eye-watering prices of a dozen eggs, but its not the only one. Garden-variety inflation has also affected the price of eggs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the unadjusted Consumer Price Index (CPI) was 2.8% for the year ending February 2025. This may not sound like muchand it is only 0.8% higher than the Feds goal of 2% inflationbut it does have an effect on the cost of getting an egg from a hen to a dairy aisle when everything from chicken feed to gasoline is more expensive.Inelastic demandWhen prices for many goods go up, many consumers will substitute a different product. For example, if beef prices suddenly skyrocketed, a lot of shoppers would buy pork, chicken, or tofu instead. This is known as elasticity of demand and it helps keep prices somewhat stable.(Elasticity of demand is also why grocery prices tend to go up much more slowly than healthcare prices, since its easy to substitute one protein for another and impossible to substitute one prescription drug for another.)But eggs are an inelastic product. Even when their prices spike, people still buy about the same number of eggs. There are not many appropriate substitutes for eggs in applications like baking, and eggs offer a relatively low-cost source of healthy protein, even when prices rise.Since consumers continue to purchase eggs at about the same rate they always did, prices wont go down until the supply returns to previous levels.Will egg prices keep rising?Like many consumers, I have simply been paying the higher prices for eggs on the assumption that what goes up must eventually come down. Thats how its gone for every previous price spike Ive lived through.But that is not necessarily what will happen this time around. This version of the avian flu appears to be more virulent and tenacious than other strains of the disease. The 20142015 bird flu outbreak disappeared after about a year, since hot weather helped kill off the virus. The current outbreak has been affecting our nations birds since 2022 and the change of seasons has not had a noticeable effect on ending the virusso we may yet see scrambled eggs become a status symbol.Of course, no economist, journalist, or farmer has a crystal ball. There is no way to know for sure where egg prices are headedand its not like we can stockpile eggs to prepare.Finding cheaper eggs (or egg substitutes)There are a number of options available to shoppers to keep eggs from destroying their grocery budget. (Please note: despite the current administrations recommendation, raising backyard chickens is not feasible for most peopleand introducing a heap of inexperienced urban farmers to the joys of backyard poultry could prolong the avian flu outbreak.)To start, check the local egg prices at the Pantry & Larder site Eggspensive. This site tracks the cost of a dozen eggs at every Walmart location nationwide. The Krazy Coupon Ladys egg price comparison and egg coupons can also help you get the lowest possible price.You can also work around your egg needs for many recipes. While egg substitutes in baking are never quite perfect, using ingredients like applesauce, Greek yogurt, mashed banana, aquafaba, or vinegar + baking soda can re-create some of the specific properties eggs add to your favorite baked goods.And dont forget that vegans like baked goods, too. (If you havent tried vegan baking since you broke your tooth on a carob-chip cookie in the 1980s, youll be delighted to learn that its come a long way.) Vegan bakers have come up with a number of delicious recipes that dont require any eggs or egg substitutes.Dealing with eggstreme pricesThe price of eggs often works as a political shorthand to describe the kitchen table economic worries of the average person. But since last fall, theres nothing metaphorical about the high price of eggs in America. The ongoing avian flu has reduced the supply of eggs, and the demand for eggs has remained inelastic.Its possible that egg prices will continue to rise if we cant get the bird flu under control, but that doesnt mean youre stuck paying through the nose for your eggs. Several websites offer price trackers and coupons for eggs, and there are a number of substitutes that can re-create eggy properties for your baking and other recipesand dabbling with some vegan recipes can help you avoid the need for eggs altogether.
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  • This free web-based image editor gives Photoshop a run for its money
    www.fastcompany.com
    AI image editing may be all the rage, but good old-fashioned image editors are still essential.Theres a problem, though: Windows PCs, Chromebooks, and Macs dont include exceptional image editors that go beyond the most basic editing needs. Sure, you can pay for Photoshop or hunt down another image editorbut what if you just want to do something quick?Well, then youre left searching the weband maybe you come across a reasonably decent online image editor, but perhaps it forces you to sign into an account or pay for a subscription. Or maybe it just doesnt do what it promises to do in any especially impressive way.Lets skip all that. Todays tool is an easy, free, and completely browser-based image editor that doesnt need any accounts or payments. You can access it from any type of device, too, and start editing images almost instantly.Psst: If you love these types of tools as much as I do, check out my free Cool Tools newsletter from The Intelligence. Youll be the first to find all sorts of simple tech treasures!Photoshop for the rest of usAllow me to introduce you to Photopea. Photopea is a powerful tool that many of our Cool Tools newsletter readers have recommended over time. You can get started with it in roughly 10 seconds.Its simple: Just head to the Photopea website. (The first time you load it, youll want to click the X in the top-right corner to hide the welcome banner.)Then choose the Open From Computer button and select an image from your devices storageor, if youre on a PC, drag and drop an image from your computers file manager directly onto the Photopea page.Photopea makes it easy to import files from your phone or computer.Youll then see an image-editing interface thatll look immediately familiar if youve ever used Adobe Photoshop.Photopea is packed with professional-grade tools that are normally limited to costly, complex, and at-times clunky desktop image editors. Youll find layers, filters, a clone stamp for touch-ups, a background removal system, and even batch resizing and image-converting options.Whenever youre made the modifications you need, click the File menu and select Save to download your final file. Thats it.Photopea looks and feels a lot like Photoshop, but its completely free and runs entirely in your browser.Now youve got a Photoshop-caliber image editor at your fingertips whenever you need itfor free, usable without signing in, and without any software installation required. Whats not to love?You can use Photopea on its website in your browser. (Its technically compatible with both desktop and mobile browsers, but the desktop experience tends to be best. If you see a Photopea app in the Android or iOS App Store, know that it isnt official or associated with this same site.)Photopea is free with ads. You can sign up for an account and pay $5 per month to remove the ads and get access to AI photo-editing tools, if you like, but it absolutely isnt required.Photopeas privacy policy says all your photos are stored on your device and never sent to any remote servers or shared in any way.Keep the geeky goodies coming with my free Cool Tools newsletter. Youll get an instant introduction to an incredible audio app and a new off-the-beaten-path gem in your inbox every Wednesday!
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  • Rainwater Harvesting 101: Integrating Aesthetics & Sustainability in Architecture
    www.yankodesign.com
    In the face of escalating climate volatility, urban designers and architects are confronting unprecedented water management challenges. According to recent sustainability studies, properly designed rainwater harvesting systems can reduce potable water demand by up to 55% in commercial buildings and 30% in residential structures. This architectural opportunity emerges as cities worldwide experience water stresswith 36% of major urban centers now facing significant scarcity issues due to the compounding effects of rapid development, hardscape proliferation, and density intensification. For design professionals, rainwater has transcended its status as mere precipitation to become a valuable design element worthy of thoughtful integration.The strategic incorporation of rainwater harvesting systems represents a critical intersection of aesthetics and performance in contemporary architectural practice. These systems offer designers a powerful toolkit for achieving LEED and WELL certification points while addressing municipal stormwater management requirements. Beyond regulatory compliance, they provide compelling design opportunitiesfrom dramatic water features and living walls to innovative faade systems that celebrate waters journey. With implementation costs decreasing by approximately 30% over the past decade and case studies demonstrating ROI periods of 3-7 years in commercial applications, rainwater harvesting has evolved from sustainable aspiration to essential design consideration for forward-thinking architecture firms.What is rainwater harvesting?Rainwater harvesting represents a sophisticated design opportunity that transforms precipitation from environmental liability to architectural asset. For design professionals, it encompasses the strategic collection of rainwater from building surfacesprimarily rooftops, but also plazas, terraces, and other catchment areasthrough thoughtfully integrated systems that complement overall project aesthetics. This practice has gained significant traction among forward-thinking architects as municipalities increasingly mandate stormwater management solutions and clients seek LEED certification points.Beyond its technical function, rainwater harvesting creates compelling design narratives around sustainability. The collected resource serves multiple purposes: irrigation for landscape features, non-potable interior applications, groundwater replenishment, and even potable use with appropriate filtration. When skillfully incorporated, these systems become visible celebrations of environmental stewardshipwhether through expressive downspouts, sculptural cisterns, or living walls nourished by harvested waterwhile simultaneously addressing critical challenges of urban flooding and water scarcity that plague contemporary cities.What is a rainwater harvesting system?A rainwater harvesting system is a technology used to collect and transport rainwater from relatively uncontaminated surfaces such as roofs, land surfaces, or rock catchments. Its purpose is to store the collected rainwater for future use.Rainwater harvesting can be categorized into two main types: land-based and roof-based. Land-based rainwater harvesting involves the collection of runoff from land surfaces, which is stored in ponds, tanks, or reservoirs. On the other hand, roof-based rainwater harvesting entails capturing rainwater runoff from roofs, which generally yields a cleaner water source suitable for drinking purposes.What are the different methods of rainwater harvesting?Rainwater harvesting methods offer a spectrum of integration possibilities, each with distinct aesthetic implications. Surface collection systemsincluding sculptural rain barrels and contemporary cisternscreate visible sustainability statements while requiring minimal infrastructure. Dry systems, with their direct roof-to-storage configuration, provide clean architectural lines and design flexibility, particularly effective in projects where seasonal rainfall patterns demand substantial storage capacity while maintaining visual simplicity in the building envelope.Wet systems represent the most sophisticated approach, utilizing underground networks to connect multiple collection points to centralized storage. This method allows designers complete freedom in cistern placementcreating opportunities for water features, reflection pools, or concealed storage that maintains design purity. For comprehensive site strategies, designers increasingly implement hybrid approaches combining building collection with landscape-integrated bioswales and retention basins, transforming stormwater management into cohesive design narratives that celebrate waters journey through the built environment.1. Rain BarrelsFor anyone seeking elegant simplicity in water conservation, rain barrels offer an accessible entry point into sustainable water management. These vesselsranging from minimalist modern cylinders to artisanal ceramic formscreate focal points where architecture meets environmental stewardship. Strategically positioned at downspouts, rain barrels transform mundane drainage into a design opportunity while capturing between 50-100 gallons of valuable resource that would otherwise contribute to stormwater runoff.Beyond their functional capacity, rain barrels serve as visible sustainability statements within residential landscapes. Their versatility allows designers to specify materials and finishes that complement architectural languagewhether weathered copper developing patina over time or contemporary recycled plastic in bold colorways. While acknowledging their limited capacity and potential overflow during heavy precipitation, thoughtful designers can integrate overflow pathways into the landscape narrative, creating cascading water features that celebrate rather than conceal this natural limitation.2. Dry SystemThe Dry system presents an innovative adaptation of the traditional rain barrel setup, specifically tailored to accommodate substantial storage volumes. With this method, the collection pipe directly channels rainwater into the tanks upper portion, enabling efficient drainage after each rainfall event. Its capacity for storing significant amounts of rainwater makes it well-suited for climates characterized by infrequent yet substantial storm occurrences.Moreover, it offers a relatively cost-effective implementation and boasts a streamlined system design that simplifies maintenance tasks. However, it is crucial to note that the positioning of the storage tank adjacent to your house is essential for optimal functionality.3. Wet SystemThe wet system represents a sophisticated approach to rainwater harvesting that elevates water management to an integrated design element. Through concealed underground piping networks, this system elegantly connects multiple downspouts across the building envelope, maximizing collection efficiency from the entire roof surface. For designers, this approach offers greater freedom in cistern placementallowing water storage to become a deliberate landscape feature rather than a constrained afterthought dictated by downspout locations.While requiring more substantial investment than simpler harvesting methods, wet systems reward designers with enhanced performance and aesthetic flexibility. The subterranean infrastructure creates clean architectural lines uninterrupted by visible conveyance systems, maintaining the integrity of faade compositions. This approach particularly suits projects where design purity is paramount, enabling architects to incorporate sustainable water management without compromising their visual concepta compelling example of performance-driven design that enhances rather than compromises aesthetic intent.How to Harvest Rainwater?Implementing rainwater harvesting requires thoughtful integration of five essential components. Begin with a well-designed catchment surfacetypically rooftops with appropriate pitch and materialsthat maximizes collection efficiency. Connect this to a conveyance system of gutters and downspouts, aesthetically integrated with the building envelope. Incorporate a first-flush diverter that elegantly addresses water quality by redirecting initial runoff containing contaminants, ensuring only clean water enters the system.The filtration component offers designers opportunities for visible sustainability through sculptural leaf screens and debris filters that become architectural features. Finally, storage solutionsfrom sleek contemporary cisterns to underground tanksshould be sized according to collection area and regional precipitation patterns. When thoughtfully composed, these elements create a cohesive system that transforms a utilitarian function into a compelling design narrative celebrating waters journey through the built environment. Here are some of the popular mechanisms to start harvesting rainwater:Catchment: The catchment serves as the primary collection and storage area for rainwater, gathering it from various sources such as rooftops, compounds, and rock surfaces.Conveyance System: This system is responsible for transporting the harvested water from the catchment to the recharge zone or storage area.Flushing Mechanism: To ensure the collection of clean rainwater, the initial runoff during the first rainfall is flushed out of the systemFiltration: The filtration component of the system is crucial for removing impurities and pollutants from the collected rainwater, ensuring its quality and suitability for various uses.Storage Tanks and Recharge Structures: These tanks and structures play a vital role in storing filtered rainwater, making it readily available for use when needed.What are the advantages of rainwater harvesting?Rainwater harvesting offers compelling aesthetic and functional advantages that elevate projects beyond mere sustainability. This approach creates opportunities for distinctive water features, living walls, and innovative faade systems that celebrate waters journey through the built environment. Beyond LEED certification points, these systems provide designers with a powerful narrative of environmental stewardship while simultaneously addressing municipal stormwater requirements that increasingly constrain development options in urban contexts.The economic advantages further strengthen the design case, with implementation costs decreasing approximately 30% over the past decade. Contemporary systems require minimal maintenance while delivering significant reductions in water utility expensesup to 40% in commercial applications. For architects seeking resilient design solutions, rainwater harvesting provides critical redundancy during municipal supply disruptions while mitigating site drainage challenges. This intersection of performance, aesthetics, and resilience represents the holistic thinking that defines forward-thinking architectural practice.It promotes self-sufficiency and water conservation.Rainwater is beneficial for plants, gardening, and irrigation due to its chlorine-free nature.Harvesting rainwater reduces stormwater runoff and it solves drainage problems while providing free water.Rainwater harvesting systems utilize simple, affordable, and easy-to-maintain technologies.It serves as a versatile water source, either as a primary or backup supply.Rainwater harvesting systems can be easily incorporated into existing or new structures.This contemporary New Zealand residential concept, the Wai House, elevates rainwater harvesting to a defining architectural principle rather than mere environmental afterthought. The dwellings formclad in responsibly sourced cedarwood with innovative concrete interiors incorporating recycled plastic aggregateresponds directly to precipitation patterns through thoughtfully articulated roof planes. Its refined Japandi aesthetic creates a serene dialogue between built form and surrounding landscape, demonstrating how sustainability can enhance rather than compromise architectural expression.The integrated water management system transforms collected rainwater into a functional resource flowing seamlessly to kitchen fixtures, bathroom elements, and landscape irrigation. While currently conceptual, the design anticipates future photovoltaic integration for comprehensive resource efficiency. Interior spaces honor New Zealands rich cultural heritage through carefully curated textiles and indigenous artwork, creating meaningful connections to place. This holistic approach demonstrates how architecture can simultaneously address environmental imperatives while celebrating cultural context through materiality and spatial experience.What are the factors affecting the amount of rainwater harvested?For designers, the efficiency of rainwater harvesting systems hinges on three critical elements that must be considered holistically. Catchment characteristicsincluding surface material, texture, slope, and areadetermine initial collection potential, with smooth, non-porous surfaces like metal roofing capturing up to 95% of precipitation compared to 75-80% for conventional asphalt shingles. These material choices present designers with opportunities to optimize collection while making deliberate aesthetic statements through roofscape composition and materiality.Storage capacity represents the systems defining constraint, requiring careful calibration against both catchment area and regional precipitation patterns. Contemporary design approaches balance visible storage elementssculptural cisterns that celebrate water collectionwith concealed capacity that maintains architectural integrity. The runoff coefficientinfluenced by rainfall intensity, duration, and catchment characteristicscompletes this design equation. When these elements are thoughtfully integrated, the resulting system transforms sustainable necessity into compelling architectural narrative that responds dynamically to environmental conditions.What are the uses of collected rainwater?For design professionals, harvested rainwater offers a versatile palette of applications that can be thoughtfully integrated into comprehensive building systems. In landscape design, collected precipitation creates opportunities for dramatic water features, living walls, and irrigation systems that respond intelligently to environmental conditions. This approach not only reduces potable water demand but enables designers to create resilient landscapes that thrive on natural hydrological cycles rather than municipal supplytransforming sustainability necessity into distinctive design identity.Within the building envelope, harvested rainwater can elegantly serve non-potable functionstoilet flushing, laundry systems, cooling towersthrough carefully designed parallel plumbing networks that become educational features in progressive projects. With appropriate filtration systems, architects can further elevate rainwater to potable status, creating truly self-sufficient structures. These integrated approaches allow designers to craft compelling narratives around water independence while simultaneously addressing practical concerns of resource efficiency and resilience against increasingly unpredictable municipal supply scenarios. Rainwater can be effectively utilized in three main areas:1. Irrigation:Design professionals can leverage harvested rainwater to create responsive landscape systems that transform sustainability into experiential narrative. By directing collected precipitation to gardens, lawns, and planted elements, designers establish a visible connection between natural cycles and cultivated environments. This approach enables specification of more diverse plant palettes that would otherwise demand excessive municipal water, while creating opportunities for expressive water features that celebrate resource conservation through thoughtful choreography of waters journey.For comprehensive integration, designers can incorporate automated irrigation systems fed exclusively by harvested rainwater, with smart controllers responding to both precipitation patterns and soil moisture levels. These systemswhether exposed as design elements or discreetly embedded within the landscapecreate resilient environments that thrive independently of municipal supply constraints. Through careful calibration of storage capacity, filtration components, and distribution networks, designers transform standard irrigation into sophisticated water management that enhances project identity while demonstrating environmental stewardship.2. Non-Potable Use:Within residential and commercial interiors, harvested rainwater offers designers elegant solutions for non-potable applications that significantly reduce municipal water demand. Thoughtfully integrated parallel plumbing systemsdistinguished through distinctive fixture selections and interpretive elementscan direct collected precipitation to toilet cisterns and laundry facilities. This approach transforms utilitarian functions into visible expressions of environmental stewardship while reducing potable water consumption by up to 40% in typical buildings, creating compelling sustainability narratives without compromising user experience.Beyond interior applications, designers can extend rainwater utilization to exterior maintenance functions through dedicated hose bibs and specialized equipment connections. Vehicle washing stations, hardscape cleaning systems, and maintenance facilities supplied exclusively with harvested rainwater demonstrate comprehensive resource management while protecting potable supplies. When these systems are aesthetically integrated and visibly celebrated rather than concealed, they transform routine water usage into educational opportunities that highlight the buildings responsive relationship with natural hydrological cycles.3. Potable Use:Forward-thinking designers can elevate harvested rainwater to potable status through sophisticated treatment systems that become architectural features rather than hidden infrastructure. Multi-stage filtration componentsfrom sculptural first-flush diverters to ultraviolet purification chamberscan be thoughtfully exposed in technical galleries that celebrate waters transformation journey. This approach creates compelling design narratives around resource independence while addressing growing concerns about municipal water quality and security, particularly in regions facing infrastructure challenges.The resulting potable rainwater systems provide culinary-grade water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene applications throughout the building. When integrated with comprehensive monitoring displays and interpretive elements, these systems transform everyday interactions with water into educational moments that heighten awareness of consumption patterns. For residential projects, this approach creates truly self-sufficient dwellings where precipitation becomes the primary water sourcea powerful demonstration of regenerative design principles that transcends conventional sustainability metrics.What methods can be employed to channel rainwater into the underground water table?For landscape architects and site designers, groundwater recharge presents compelling opportunities to address water scarcity through elegant subsurface interventions. Recharge trencheslinear infiltration elements strategically positioned along contour linescan be integrated as sculptural landscape features with exposed aggregate surfaces or native plantings that reveal their function. These elements, when thoughtfully composed within the site narrative, transform technical infrastructure into experiential design that connects visitors to hydrological processes while replenishing depleted aquifers beneath developed sites.Recharge pits offer complementary infiltration opportunities through concentrated vertical elements that penetrate impervious surface layers. When designed as visible landscape featuresthrough circular stone arrangements, distinctive plantings, or interpretive elementsthese components become focal points that celebrate waters invisible journey. Both approaches require careful consideration of soil porosity, filtration media, and maintenance access, challenging designers to balance technical performance with aesthetic integration that enhances rather than compromises the overall site composition.Rainwater harvesting involves the collection and storage of rainwater, whether it occurs naturally or is directed from man-made surfaces, such as rooftops and paved areas. This sustainable practice helps conserve water resources and provides an alternative source of water for various purposes while meeting some water-related needs.The post Rainwater Harvesting 101: Integrating Aesthetics & Sustainability in Architecture first appeared on Yanko Design.
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  • The Vision Pro Metallica concert video is the best Apple Immersive video yet
    www.theverge.com
    Theres a moment in Metallica, the new three-song concert video Apple released for the Vision Pro yesterday, where Metallica lead singer James Hetfield is kneeling on the edge of the stage, engaged with a single fist-pumping audience member. Hetfield leans in to within inches of his face as he and the fan scream, before the singer stands and moves on. The spotlight follows Hetfield away but the camera stays put, lingering as the concert-goer reacts to what just happened. He falls back against the crowd and then pitches forward, steadying himself on the stage, then buries his face in his elbow, crying.In a lot of ways, Metallica is like any other concert video, frequently cutting between shots of the band members as they trot around the stage, others of the fans, both in closeups and in flyover shots that points straight down at them from above. (There are so many smartphones!) The roughly 25-minute video from a Mexico City show features three Metallica songs Whiplash, One, and Enter Sandman interspersed with documentary-style footage and voiceover from Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, bassist Robert Trujillo, and guitarist Kirk Hammett.Apples 180-degree video format, combined with high production values and the Vision Pros sharp displays, ends up adding a lot of extra flavor. That moment with Hetfield and the fan is already very good concert video direction, but this presentation gives a visceral, emotional heft that I think would be hard to capture in 2D. The feeling that I was almost there as the camera tracked behind a cigar-smoking, life-sized-to-me Hetfield on his way to the stage made me think, Oh wow, hes tall. I got chills when One started (Im a Person Of A Certain Age; I cant help it), but I could practically feel my aging feet and lower back start to ache as Hammett stretched the song out with a lengthy solo and the crowd, which now had nothing to sing along to, lost some of its energy. The audience still went nuts for Enter Sandman after that, of course.The Vision Pros Apple Immersive collection has gotten better in the last few months with the release of videos like The Weeknd: Open Hearts and the scripted fictional short film Submerged. Both are great, but although Ive enjoyed the rest of the catalog, it often feels like its content is serving the immersive format, not the other way around. Metallica, on the other hand, isnt just a good immersive video; its a good concert video, and it sets a bar that Apple should strive to keep meeting.See More:
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  • Steams Spring Sale is taking up to 75 percent off some of our favorite games
    www.theverge.com
    Spring has (almost) sprung, but if youre looking to get a headstart on the array of seasonal sales that are surely on the horizon, Valve has you covered. Thats because now until 1PM ET on March 20th, PC gamers can save on a smorgasbord of great titles as part of the Steam Spring Sale, which encapsulates everything from classic Japanese RPGs and newer deckbuilding titles to one truly hellish shooter.RelatedThe bulk of the deals are not necessarily new, though they are a great way to catch up on newer games you may have missed and revisit landmark titles from gamings past. For instance, if youve been itching to revisit Chrono Trigger in honor of the games 30th anniversary this week, you can now snag Square Enixs fabled SNES RPG for $3.74 (about $11 off). Want something modern? Cyberpunk 2077 is down to $42.76 (about $40 off) with its excellent Phantom Liberty expansion, while the 2016 Doom reboot is going for a mere $1.99 ($18 off).Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition$43$8348% off$43Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition includes the base game as well as CDPRs excellent Phantom Liberty expansion, which improves the game significantly. The spy thriller DLC introduces players to a new area of Night City, along with a host of new quests and items.$43 at SteamIts not all about studios with a AAA budget, either. Collectible card games like Inscryption (now $7.99) and Slay the Spire (now $6.24) both of which offer deep mechanics and various roguelike elements are steeply discounted this weekend, while the bullet hell survival game that is Vampire Survivors is going for $3.74 (about $1 off). And if you know nothing about the latter, well, rest assured there is now an official wiki that outlines any question you might ever think to ask.More ways to save right nowTheres been a spate of terrific Sonos deals over the last couple of weeks; however, if youre looking for something somewhat budget-friendly, you can still grab Sonos Ray at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for $179 ($100 off). The 22-inch stereo soundbar makes some concessions to keep the cost down (RIP, HDMI), but it still manages to deliver excellent dialogue clarity and crisp, balanced sound that one-ups most other soundbars in its price range. It also taps into the rest of the Sonos ecosystem, naturally, and supports AirPlay 2 for streaming from various Apple devices. Read our review.Sleep Awareness Week is a thing, apparently, and the reason why Headspace has dropped the price of its annual subscription to $41.99 ($28 off) through March 18th. A subscription grants you access to a robust catalog of well-curated sleepcasts, not to mention guided meditation sessions, focus music, and daily inspirational videos. The apps searchability and the gradual progression of the courses remain the best parts of Headpace, though, especially if youre a relative newcomer to mindfulness exercises.If PC games arent your thing, Sonys new Astro Bot PlayStation 5 bundle, which pairs a 1TB PS5 slim with last years Game of the Year, is now available for $449 at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. It doesnt come with Team Asobis adorable Astro Bot Dualsense controller or any sort of limited edition styling, sadly, but it is $50 cheaper than picking up a standalone PS5 console. You can also grab the bundle in a Digital Edition configuration at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for $399. Read our Astro Bot review.See More:
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  • UK Deals: I'm Getting The Best Pokmon TCG Sword and Shield Boosters At Retail Pricing On Amazon
    www.ign.com
    If youre after Pokmon TCG Lost Origin, Astral Radiance, or Brilliant Stars booster packs but dont want to overpay or fork out a fortune for Prismatic Evolutions and Journey Together? these Pokmon V Boxes are epic.V Boxes are an underrated way to get booster packs at retail prices. You get promo cards and an oversized collectible card too. Trying to track down Lost Origin, Astral Radiance, or Brilliant Stars booster packs without paying inflated prices is bloody impossible as Pokmania 2025 rolls on. Single packs from these sets can now cost 5 to 10 each, especially for the more popular expansions. Thats where Pokmon V Boxes come in.Pokmon TCG: Hisuian Electrode V BoxPokmon TCG: Hisuian Electrode V Box19.53 at AmazonThe Hisuian Electrode V Box is available for 19.53 and includes two Lost Origin packs, one Astral Radiance pack, and one Brilliant Stars pack.Pokmon TCG: Virizion V BoxPokmon TCG: Virizion V Box19.99 at AmazonThe Virizion V Box is available for 19.99 and includes two Lost Origin packs, one Astral Radiance pack, and one Fusion Strike pack.V Boxes are an underrated way to get booster packs at retail prices . As a bonus, you get promo cards and an oversized collectible card. Trying to track down Lost Origin, Astral Radiance, or Brilliant Stars booster packs without paying inflated prices is bloody impossible as Pokmania 2025 rolls on. Single packs from these sets can now cost 5 to 10 each, especially for the more popular expansions. Thats where Pokmon V Boxes come in.These boxes contain four booster packs and cost under 20, meaning youre paying under 5 per pack while also getting a couple of foil promo cards and an oversized card. If youre still trying to complete your Sword and Shield-era collections, this is one of the best ways to do it at retail price.Credit: IGN Photo Composite / The Pokmon Company + Creatures Inc.Lost Origin boosters are my main target (Giratina V Alt-Art is my dream pull), Hisuian Electrode V Box is the best choice. It includes two Lost Origin packs along with Astral Radiance and Brilliant Stars, two sets loaded with Trainer Gallery hits. Considering individual packs can run you 6 or more on eBay, this is an easy win.Want Lost Origin packs but dont mind swapping out Brilliant Stars for Fusion Strike? Virizion V Box is another bargain. Fusion Strike has some strong chase cards, including Gengar VMAX and Espeon VMAX Alt-Art, so it's well worth ripping open. Lost Origins Giratina V, Astral Radiances Origin Forme Dialga, or Brilliant Stars Charizard VSTAR are all solid reasons to grab these V boxes before they sell out or go out of print. Both aren't far off.Christian Wait is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything collectable and deals. Christian has over 7 years of experience in the Gaming and Tech industry with bylines at Mashable and Pocket-Tactics. Christian also makes hand-painted collectibles for Saber Miniatures. Christian is also the author of "Pokemon Ultimate Unofficial Gaming Guide by GamesWarrior". Find Christian on X @ChrisReggieWait.
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