The landscape of everyday carry knives has transformed dramatically in recent years, with these essential tools evolving beyond mere utility into statements of personal style. Todays knife enthusiasts seek the perfect marriage of cutting-edge performance and sophisticated aesthetics, refusing to compromise on either front. The modern EDC knife serves as both a reliable companion for daily tasks and a reflection of its owners discerning taste, making the selection process more nuanced than ever before.Enter the Tekto F2 Bravo Tactical Folding Knife, a masterpiece that perfectly captures this delicate balance between form and function. With its Damascus G10 handle and thoughtfully engineered design elements, the F2 Bravo represents the pinnacle of contemporary knife craftsmanship. This exceptional folder doesnt force users to choose between practicality and visual appeal. Instead, it delivers both in a lightweight, elegant package that feels as premium as it looks, making it an ideal companion for outdoor enthusiasts, EDC aficionados, and craftsmen alike.Designer: TektoClick Here to Buy Now: $127.5 $149.99 (15% off, use coupon code YANKO). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!The F2 Bravos design philosophy centers around modern simplicity, with clean lines and meticulous attention to detail creating a timeless aesthetic. From the moment you hold this knife, its premium quality becomes immediately apparentthe machined pocket clip, custom titanium accents, and state-of-the-art ceramic ball bearings all contribute to an exceptional user experience. The recessed liners provide a clean, streamlined appearance while simultaneously enhancing the knifes structural integrity, ensuring both comfort and reliability during extended use.What truly sets the F2 Bravo apart is its thoughtful integration of premium materials and functional elements. The drop point blade, crafted from titanium-coated D2 steel with a flat grind and fine edge, delivers outstanding cutting performance across a wide range of applications. This high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel offers excellent edge retention and wear resistance, making it ideal for everything from precise detail work to more demanding cutting tasks encountered during outdoor adventures.The state-of-the-art ceramic ball bearing mechanism allows the F2 Bravo to deploy the blade rapidly and smoothly with the utmost ease.The knifes deployment system represents another triumph of engineering excellence. The state-of-the-art ceramic ball bearing mechanism allows for rapid, silky-smooth blade deployment with minimal effort. This feature proves invaluable in situations requiring quick access to your cutting tool, while the satisfying action of opening and closing the blade adds to the overall tactile pleasure of using this exceptional knife. The ceramic bearings also offer superior durability compared to traditional steel bearings, ensuring consistent performance over years of use.Security during use comes courtesy of the F2 Bravos well-designed liner lock system. This mechanism strikes the perfect balanceaccessible when needed but unobtrusive during operation. The strategically placed jimping provides secure engagement when closing the blade, offering peace of mind during both use and storage. This attention to safety details demonstrates Tektos commitment to creating tools that are as reliable as they are beautiful.The F2 Bravo weighs only 2.4oz (68g) and comes in two different handle materials best known for their lightness and extreme durability, Forged Carbon and G10.Perhaps most impressive is how Tekto has packed so much quality into such a lightweight package. Weighing a mere 2.4 ounces (68 grams), the F2 Bravo practically disappears in your pocket until needed. The G10 handle material contributes significantly to this featherweight profile while providing exceptional durability and grip security even in adverse conditions. This remarkable combination of lightness and strength makes the F2 Bravo an ideal companion for backpackers, hikers, and anyone who values high performance without added bulk.The Tekto F2 Bravo represents a remarkable achievement in tactical folding knife design, seamlessly blending premium materials, thoughtful engineering, and elegant aesthetics. Its lightweight construction, superior blade steel, and refined deployment mechanism create an exceptional user experience that will satisfy the most discerning knife enthusiasts. Whether youre tackling everyday tasks or embarking on outdoor adventures, the F2 Bravo stands ready as both a reliable tool and a statement piece that reflects your appreciation for quality craftsmanship and intelligent design.Click Here to Buy Now: $127.5 $149.99 (15% off, use coupon code YANKO). Hurry, deal ends in 48-hours!The post Tekto F2 Bravo: How This EDC Folding Knife Redefines Everyday Carry first appeared on Yanko Design.

AI Upscaled ImageHandheld gaming PCs have evolved dramatically, bringing the power of full-fledged desktops into compact, portable devices. But while premium options like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go push performance boundaries, their high prices leave budget-conscious gamers looking for alternatives. Enter a new contendera 10.5-inch Windows 11 handheld gaming PC from Chinese brands Crelander and NWNLAP. With a large touchscreen, detachable controllers, and up to 32GB of RAM, it looks promising on paper. But theres a catch: it runs on an Intel N95 processor, a chip designed for budget laptops, not gaming.Its remarkable how much this device looks like the Legion Go. Its the same size, has the same ergonomic side controllers that pop off, with a main display unit that turns into a mini monitor, with the ability to be propped up thanks to a built-in kickstand. Theres a slight glitch, though, given that the screen is significantly larger than the controllers, which means they dont sit flush on the top and bottom. Theres a size mismatch, but for anyone whos looking to buy a budget Temu-esque Chinese knockoff of a game console, you probably will overlook this design discrepancy.Designer: CrelanderBreaking Down the HardwareThe device is built around a 10.95-inch, 1920 x 1280 IPS LCD touchscreen, making it one of the larger handheld gaming PCs on the market. The detachable controllers, reminiscent of the Nintendo Switch and Legion Go, feature linear triggers and RGB backlit analog sticks. It also includes a built-in kickstand, making it easy to use as a standalone tablet.Under the hood, it features the Intel N95 Alder Lake-N processor, a 4-core, 4-thread chip clocked up to 3.4 GHz. This 15W CPU, paired with Intel UHD Graphics with 16 execution units, is meant for basic computing, not gaming. It can handle older games, indie titles, and console emulation up to GameCube or PlayStation 2 levels, but dont expect to play demanding AAA titles natively.Other specs include:RAM: At least 16GB of LPDDR4-4800Storage: User-upgradeable M.2 2280 SSD slotBattery: Either 4,500mAh or 5,000mAh (conflicting reports)Ports:1x USB Type-C1x USB 3.0 Type-A1x Mini HDMI1x 3.5mm Audio Jack1x microSD Card Reader1x DC Power InputWireless connectivity is somewhat dated, with WiFi 4 and Bluetooth 4.2, which may impact modern wireless gaming peripherals. Theres also a 2MP webcam, making it functional for basic video calls.What It Can and Cant DoThis handheld isnt aiming to compete with the Steam Deck or ROG Ally. Instead, it fills a niche for budget gamers and emulation enthusiasts. The Intel N95 chip is considerably more powerful than ARM-based Android handhelds but weaker than AMDs Ryzen 6800U or Intel Core i-series chips found in more premium handhelds.Heres what it can do well: Emulate older consoles (PS2, GameCube, Wii, and below) Run lightweight PC games and indie titles Stream games from a more powerful PC or cloud gaming service Function as a general-purpose Windows tabletAnd what it struggles with: AAA gaming at native resolution High-end emulation (PS3, Xbox 360, Switch, etc.) Long battery life under loadThe Price and CompetitionThe Crelander andNWNLAP models both start at approximately $295 on AliExpress. Both include 16GB of RAM, but the Crelander version starts with 256GB SSD storage, while NWNLAP offers 1 TB. This makes it an interesting budget option for those who want a large-screen gaming handheld without breaking the bank.But competition is fierce. For a little more money, devices like the Steam Deck ($399) or GPD Win Mini offer vastly superior gaming performance. Even second-hand options like a used Aya Neo or an older GPD device may provide better value.Should You Buy It?If youre looking for an affordable, large-screen handheld PC for casual gaming, emulation, and game streaming, this device is worth considering. However, the slow processor and dated connectivity make it a tough sell for anyone looking for serious gaming power. If your main focus is AAA games on the go, youd be better off saving for a Steam Deck or an AMD-powered handheld.This is a budget experiment in gaming portabilitybut for those who know its limitations, it could be a fun and versatile device.The post This $300 Lenovo Legion Go Copycat Handheld Console Sports A 4-Core Intel Alder Lake Processor first appeared on Yanko Design.

Trump administration officials said the company donated the internet service, saying the gift had been vetted by the lawyer overseeing ethics issues in the White House Counsels Office.

The launch this weekend by Baidu of a native open-source multimodal foundation model called ERNIE 4.5 and a reasoning model, ERNIE X1, could lower AI adoption barriers, intensify competition, and reshape pricing strategies across the industry, an analyst said Monday.In order for that to occur, said Thomas Randall, research lead for AI at Info-Tech Research Group, the success of these models will depend on performance validation, developer adoption, and enterprise trust. However, they signal a global AI race where cost-efficiency and accessibility become as important as raw capability.The Chinese tech giant said in a release that the introduction of the two offerings pushes the boundaries of multimodal and reasoning models, adding that ERNIE X1 delivers performance on par with DeepSeek R1 at only half the price.

Jeff Pu has shared a report repeating Ming-Chi Kuo's earlier report suggesting all iPhone 17 models would get Apple's custom Wi-Fi chips.iPhone 17 Pro Max renderApple debuted the C1 modem with the iPhone 16e in February 2025. Rumors suggest the C1 will be limited to Apple's iPhone 17 Slim, but a new Wi-Fi chip that supports Wi-Fi 7 will be used in all new models.The shift to in-house chips has been rumored by Ming-Chi Kuo since at least October 2024, but he's been more confident about it in more recent reports. According to a research note seen by MacRumors, analyst Jeff Pu has now repeated that rumor. Rumor Score: Likely Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

With Assassins Creed Shadows, for the first time in an Assassins Creedgame, both protagonists are going to share the spotlight equally, rather than one taking the spotlight over the other, and theres reason to be excited about both Yasuke and Naoe stepping up to take the reins for the action RPG. But for multiple reasons especially for someone like me, who has been obsessively playingAssassins Creedsince the series inception close to two decades ago its the prospect of stepping into Naoes shoes that has me truly excited.Thats not to say that Yasuke isnt shaping up to be an interesting protagonist in and of himself. Even a cursory look at the character is enough to tell you that hes going to be a fascinating lead. Hes the first everAssassins Creedprotagonist to be based on a real, historical figure, while as a samurai of African origin who is fighting in Oda Nobunagas service, he also boasts quite an intriguing backstory that could pave the way for a captivating arc over the course of the game. To top it off, as the combat-focused bruiser between the two protagonists, hes also surely going to be many players go-to character, especially ifShadowsdoes well in the combat department.But though Yasuke is looking like an undeniably strong leading man forAssassins Creed Shadowsbased on everything that has been shown of him so far, its Naoe whos really caught my eye- and I imagine itll be the same for many a longtimeAssassins Creedfan. She is, after all, the assassin in thisAssassins Creedgame, which means both from gameplay and narrative perspectives, she could naturally grow into the spotlight as the games central lead- ironically enough for a character clearly fond of the shadows.It remains to be seen how Naoes story will tie into the larger Assassins vs Templars plot, or how she will officially find her way into the Assassins Brotherhood, though wedoknow that she will begin the game as a shinobi already trained in the art of stealth- and if the idea of playing as a badass shinobi who laps about the rooftops of Japan like a lethal, feudal version of Batman doesnt excite you, I honestly dont know what will. Conceptually, shes got a lot going for her right off the bat- and thats without the whole Brotherhood business being thrown into the mix, mind you.As conceptually interesting as she is, Naoes looking and sounding even more so from a gameplay perspective. Its lamentably true, as many Assassins Creedfans will tell you, that the series has continuously moved away from stealth over the last few years, to the extent that entries such asOdysseyandValhallaare effectively out and out action games that happen to incorporate some stealth elements from time to time. The upcoming Shadows,however, is promising a reversion in the stealth department, and its clear that a lot of that is going to hinge on Naoe.Where Yasuke will be the combat-focused character and the protagonist of choice for those who prefer the direct approach, for the stealth fans who like to keep quiet, stick to the shadows, and slip in and out of heavily fortified locations without raising the alarm (or at least try to), Naoe the shinobi is likely going to be the star of the show. Both characters will be able to perform actions such as going prone and crawling around, which means the fundamental stealth moveset will be expanded across the board inShadows,but Naoe will have several more tricks up her sleeve that will promise to make her a force to be reckoned with when youre slinking about.From being able to hide in tiny boxes to having the ability to hide underwater while breathing through a bamboo reed, from being able to hang on to ceilings while indoors to being equipped with tools such as smoke bombs and shuriken, Naoe will have several cards to play when the odds seem to be stacked against her on paper. Beyond that, Shadows is also promising some notable mechanical improvements in the stealth department that are sounding promising- like different enemy types that will demand unique tactics and approaches, or sound being a bigger factor for players to consider, or even, say, foes being alerted to your presence if they happen to spot your footsteps in the snow.And thats not all. One of the biggest new mechanical introductions to speak of inAssassins Creed Shadowsis light and shadow mechanics, with Ubisoft deciding to throw a little bit ofSplinter Cellinto the mix just to spice things up a little bit. When hidden in shadows, youll be significantly harder to spot for enemies, which means observing your surroundings and taking advantage of the environment to manipulate light and shadow will be a big part of the stealth loop. Cant make it through a heavily defended area? Try and create dynamic hiding spots by destroying light sources- or better yet, wait until nightfall.Stealth games are always at their best when they rely on systems-driven gameplay to create fun gameplay opportunities and emphasize player agency, and it certainly looks like that is exactly what Assassins Creed Shadowsis hoping to do. No, Im not suggesting this is going to be an emergent masterpiece likeMetal Gear Solid 5or the newHitmantrilogy by any means- butShadowsis promising to go back toAssassins Creedsclassic stealth style while also bringing in several of its own improvements and ideas, which has the potential to work out rather well for the game, as long as it can actually execute on its ideas.Beyond stealth, Naoes affinity for parkour is something else that has me excited. Like stealth, parkour is another gameplay element that was once a pillar of theAssassins Creedfranchise, but has diminished in importance in recent instalments (barringMirage). Again, however,Shadowsis appealing to the longtimeAssassins Creedfan in me (as Im sure it will be doing with many others) by promising a parkour style thats closer to what it used to be pre-Origins. The climb anywhere philosophy is gone, with handholds now being an actual consideration, which means traversal shouldideallybe way more involved and, in turn, engaging.Meanwhile, Naoe also has access to a grappling hook, which also promises to elevate traversal in interesting ways, while more importantly, her base movement and moveset are also looking incredibly slick. From her animations to just the movement speed in general, Naoe is looking exactly like the nimble, agile, and slippery assassin that series fans grew used to playing as in its earlier years. Shadowsdevelopers have described her as the fastest assassin in series history, which is an incredibly high bar to live up to- but its also a salivating promise.Of course, theres no guarantees thatAssassins Creed Shadowsis going to live up to the many promises that it is making, but all evidence in the lead up to its release is strongly suggesting that it will. Unless things go spectacularly wrong somehow, its looking like Naoe is going to be a strong lead for the game from both gameplay and narrative viewpoints. Im keeping my fingers crossed that my optimism proves to be justified.Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

Weve coveredAssassins Creed Shadowsextensively in the days and weeks ahead of its launch, but even as its release looms large on the horizon, theres still no shortage of things to talk about. Details on the action RPG continue to come in thick and fast, with Ubisoft offering a steady stream of glimpses at its combat and stealth mechanics, its open world and the activities it will offer, its story and characters, the tech it will boast under the hood, and more.We have, of course, discussed a great deal of all of that and more in our coverage of the game so far, but with more pertinent new information still left to talk about, here, that is exactly what were going to do. On the eve ofAssassins Creed Shadows launch, as excitement surrounding the open world action RPGs release continues to climb, here, were going to go over some more things that you should know about what the game will have on offer.STEALTH WITH YASUKEWeve spoken plenty aboutAssassins Creed Shadowsrenewed emphasis on stealth and the new mechanics and systems the game is introducing to match those ambitions, and though our focus for much of that has been on Naoe the shinobi who is, of course, the more stealth-focused of the two protagonists Yasuke the samurai theotherlead has his own stealth mechanics to speak of. Hes not as deadly or effective as a silent killer as his counterpart is, but Yasuke can hold his own in the stealth department.His base moveset will, of course, allow him to do prone, crawl around, and make use of the shadows to his advantage just like Naoe can (even if he wont move quite as nimbly). On top of that, Yasuke wll also have access to a bow that he will be able to use as a deadly ranged option for when you want to remain quiet. He will also replace Naoes Hidden Blade assassinations with louder and more brutal assassinations with his primary weapon- which willattract the attention of other nearby foes. Meanwhile, he also wont be able to use Eagle Vision, unlike Naoe, though hewillstill have access to the Observe mechanic, so theres that. Overall, though Yasuke is clearly not going to favour stealth, it seems like hewill be able to hold his own in the shadows should he really need to,COMBAT WITH NAOEOn the other end of the spectrum, Naoe who is otherwise the stealth expert, being a shinobi and everything will similarly have her own unique combat abilities to fall back on should she really need to, even though shes going to be nowhere near as devastating and deadly in out-and-out fights as Yasuke will be. Though she cannot, unlike Yasuke, smash through doors, take a ton of punishment, or use weapons like naginata, kanabo, or teppo rifles, shecanuse other tools, such as the kasuriagama. A great weapon for crowd control and taking on multiple enemies at once, the weapon will be perfectly suited to her pace and agility, and seemingly will be exclusive to her gameplay. Additionally, Naoe will also be able to use other shinobi tools such as smoke bombs to her advantage in fights that are beginning to turn against her and are threatening to have her overwhelmed.AFFLICTIONSCertain weapons will allow players to inflict one of four different afflictions on enemies. Built up over time (which itself varies based on your gear), afflictions will leave enemies vulnerable and disadvantaged in varying ways. You can leave enemies Dazed so that they miss most of their attacks and are unable to avoid incoming damage; you can leave them Bleeding to deal a healthy chunk of additional damage as soon as the Affliction has built up enough; you can leave them Poisoned to deal them continuous light damage over time and to interrupt their attacks with fits of throwing up; and you can leave them Knocked Out, which does exactly what the name suggests, leaving them unconscious on the group for a set period of time. Whether you wish to finish them off permanently before they wake up is entirely your choice, of course.CASTLESClearing enemy strongholds to be rewarded with powerful gear has become anAssassins Creedstaple, and sure enough,Shadowswont disappoint in that regard. Throughout its rendition of feudal Japan, youll find castles- heavily guarded strongholds that are brimming with resources, loot chests, and of course, enemies. Each castle will also have a single special loot chest that will contain special gear- which, unlike all other chests in the game (which are randomized) will have prescribed, unique gear. Killing all samurai daisho in a castle will be the only way to unlock its special loot chest.MERCHANTSThough usually easily ignorable inAssassins Creedgames, merchants inShadowswill seemingly be a little less so. Each merchant will stock different kinds of wares, from cosmetics and weapons to armour and consumables, while weapons will also restock and offer new things to purchase at the turn of every season. Some merchants, meanwhile, will also sell unique, exclusive items not found elsewhere.MORE HIDEOUT CUSTOMIZATION DETAILSCustomizing and personalizing a central hub in anAssassins Creedgame may not be a novel concept, butShadowsis expanding gameplay options significantly in this department. Weve spoken in the past about the many customization options players will have available for their Hideout, but of course, theres more to speak of. Included in the list of the many different rooms players will be able to add to their Hideout will be the Nando, a barracks that will also make refilling your scouts less expensive; the Gallery, which will let you create custom loadouts; the Zashiki, which will improve health restoration for both protagonists; and more.COMPANIONS IN THE HIDEOUTPlayers will also see a growing cast of allies and companions making the Hideout their home over the course of the game. Out on the field, theyll be fierce soldiers who will aid Yasuke and Naoe in both combat and stealth. In the Hideout though, things will be much more relaxed, and as youre walking around, not only will you be able to have conversations with them (as both protagonists), but will also get the chance to catch conversations between different characters, giving you a taste of life in the Hideout.CONSOLE GRAPHICS MODESThough weve known for a while now thatShadowswill feature a 60 FPS Performance Mode on PS5 and Xbox Series X, what can we expect from its other graphics modes? On both consoles, the game will feature Quality, Performance, and Balanced modes, each running at 4K- though the 4K will obviously vary in quality. Quality Mode will run at 30 FPS, Performance at 60, and Balanced at 40. Meanwhile, Quality and Balanced modes will also feature ray-tracing, with Performance Mode only getting selective ray tracing- i.e. only when youre in the Hideout. On Xbox Series S, meanwhile, the game will feature only one mode, which will run at 1620p and 30 FPS, and will feature selective ray tracing.PS5 PRO ENHANCEMENTSFor those playingAssassins Creed Shadowson a PS5 Pro, you can indeed expect technical and visual enhancements. Specifically, on the PS5 Pro, ray tracing in Performance Mode wont be limited to just the Hideout, similar to Quality and Balanced modes on a base PS5. Speaking of which, Quality and Balanced Modes on PS5 Pro will boast extended ray tracing- which, on top of global illumination, will also add ray traced reflections.STEAM DECK SUPPORTIt wasnt that long ago that Ubisoft confirmed thatAssassins Creed Shadowswouldnt support the Steam Deck at launch (which, looking at its steep PC requirements, wasnt necessarily a huge surprise). It seems, however, that Ubisoft has changed its mind, having recently confirmed that the game will indeed be Steam Deck compatible on release. Whether itll be Steam Deck Verified i.e., fully optimized for the device remains to be seen, but we know that itwillat least be playable, so theres that.

The sword-billed hummingbird (Ensifera ensifera), also known as the swordbill, is a neotropical species of hummingbird from the Andean regions of South America. Among the largest species of hummingbird, it is characterized by its unusually long beak, being the only bird to have a beak longer than the rest of its body, excluding the tail. It uses its bill to drink nectar from flowers with long corollas, and has coevolved with the species Passiflora mixta. While most hummingbirds preen using their bills, the sword-billed hummingbird uses its feet to scratch and preen due to its beak being so long. This sword-billed hummingbird was photographed perching on a branch at Hacienda El Bosque in Manizales, Colombia.Photograph credit: Charles J. SharpRecently featured: Molly MaguiresPhaistos DiscXysticus cristatusArchiveMore featured pictures

March 18: Feast day of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (Christianity)Traian Vuia's monoplane363 A fire began in Rome that resulted in the destruction of the Temple of Apollo Palatinus.1277 CharlesI of Anjou acquired a claim on the Kingdom of Jerusalem in exchange for a significant sum of money.1906 Romanian inventor Traian Vuia became the first person to fly a heavier-than-air monoplane (pictured) with an unassisted takeoff.1925 The deadliest tornado in U.S. history spawned in Missouri and traveled more than 219 miles (352km) across Illinois and Indiana, leaving one of the longest continuous tornado tracks ever recorded.1977 The punk group the Clash released their first single, "White Riot", described as their "most controversial song" due to its lyrics about class economics and race.2019 Syrian civil war: The U.S. Air Force carried out an airstrike in al-Baghuz Fawqani, killing 64 civilians.MatthewIII Csk (d.1321)Clem Hill (b.1877)Johnny Papalia (b.1924)Wali Mohammad Itoo (d.1994)More anniversaries: March 17March 18March 19ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout

Amazon is suing the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) after the agency said it was responsible for recalling all of the dangerous products on its marketplace, including those sold by third parties. In a lawsuit filed last week, Amazon accuses the CPSC of stretching consumer safety law by treating the e-commerce giant as a distributor rather than a logistics provider.The CPSC sued Amazon in 2021, claiming the company failed to properly recall tens of thousands of hazardous items, including flammable childrens pajamas and faulty carbon monoxide detectors. Though Amazon removed the products in question and sent notifications to buyers, the CPSC alleged it downplayed the severity of the hazard. The CPSC later reaffirmed an administrative law judges decision that Amazon is a distributor, making it responsible for carrying out recalls of third-party goods.But Amazon classifies itself as a third-party logistics provider that does not manufacture, own, or sell those products, which would mean the CPSC doesnt have the authority to issue recall orders to the company. It also claims the CPSCs structure is unconstitutional, saying it allows commissioners to act as judge, jury, and prosecutor in the same proceeding. Amazon launched a product recall page on its site in 2023.The law is clear that Amazon is a distributor in this case and must carry out a recall, William Wallace, the director of safety advocacy for Consumer Reports said in a response to the lawsuit. Its absurd to suggest that because a company hosts a marketplace online it should be exempt from sensible requirements that help get hazardous products out of peoples homes and prevent them from being sold.