Arthur Erickson: Beauty Between the Lines (Image credit: ADFF Vancouver)Arthur Erickson: Beauty Between the Lines, a documentary about Vancouver architect, Arthur Erickson, is now available to stream online.The film, which premiered at the Architecture+Design Film festival in Toronto,showcases Ericksons structures, and includes revelations of the man behind the story, as well as the personal relationships that shaped his life and work.The film was made with access to the Erickson Family Archives as well as with the full cooperation of the family, and features never-seen-before archival footage and imagery. It was made by producers/directors Ryan Mah and Danny Berrish of Black Rhino Creative, with producer Leah Mallen and executive producer Ray Mah.Through intimate interviews, archival footage, and a look at his most famous creations, the film reveals the delicate balance Erickson maintained between his creative genius and the challenges of his personal life, offering a deeper understanding of the man and the legacy he left behind. This documentary is not just a celebration of his architectural contributions but a reflection on the human experience of creativity, ambition, and the price of greatness, reads the films website.The film is now available to stream for free via the British Columbia Knowledge Network.To view the trailer, click here.The post New Arthur Erickson documentary available for streaming appeared first on Canadian Architect.

Look at every smartwatch buying guide on the internet. I guarantee theyre either divided into separate guides for iOS and Android, like The Verges, or include categories like Best for iPhone owners or Best for Android. (Also, like The Verges fitness tracker guide.) It wasnt always this way.Five years ago, you could buy a Samsung or Fossil smartwatch and use it with an iPhone. The problem was it was never quite as good. Apple Watches were superior, not only because they could seamlessly connect with your Mac and AirPods, but you could also send quick replies to texts. Other third-party smartwatches couldnt do all that.Losing the ability to interact with other devices was hardly a deal breaker its not that hard to go through the regular Bluetooth pairing process. But most people view smartwatches as an easy way to stay connected without glancing at their phones. Losing quick replies because you might prefer the look or features of a third-party device? For many people, its a tradeoff that doesnt make sense. For years, Id ask device makers why this feature wasnt available. Every single time, from companies large and small, the answer was that Apple didnt allow it. So, I was hardly surprised when Android smartwatch makers started kissing iOS goodbye in 2021 with Wear OS 3. In the years since, the number of platform-agnostic wearable makers continues to dwindle.RelatedThis is a big reason why its a good thing that the European Commission recently gave Apple marching orders to open up iOS interoperability to other gadget makers. You can read our explainer on the nitty gritty of what this means, but the gist is that its going to be harder for Apple to gatekeep iOS features to its own products. Specific to smartwatches, Apple will have to allow third-party smartwatch makers to display and interact with iOS notifications. Im certain Garmin fans worldwide, who have long complained about the inability to send quick replies on iOS, erupted in cheers.Apple, and at least one tech publication, has decried this decision as hindering Apples ability to innovate. In a statement, Apple spokesperson Marni Goldberg told The Verge that it will force the company to give away our new features for free to companies who dont have to play by the same rules.But the last few years have been fairly lackluster for smartwatch innovation. Samsung blatantly copied Apple in its 2024 smartwatch lineup with the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Watch FE. Google has mostly stuck to refining the Pixel Watch. Apple introduced an Ultra model in 2022, but otherwise, last years Series 10 was another iterative update. The Ultra 2 only got a new color. (Even though that color was sick as hell.) In the wearables world, smartwatches are kind of just there.These days, I receive far more queries about smart rings and smart glasses because everyone knows that if you have an iPhone, you get an Apple Watch, and if you have an Android, you get a Galaxy Watch or a Pixel Watch. (Maybe a OnePlus Watch 2 or 3 if you really care about battery.) If youre an endurance athlete, you get a Garmin. Theres not much incentive for any of these companies to zhuzh up designs or think out of the box when ecosystem lock-in all but ensures they dont have to. Theres no urgency. The result is smartwatches have become boring as we wait for the next Big Health Feature to get FDA clearance. I long for the weird, frenetic excitement of 2014-2020 era smartwatches. Instead, I have a hard time believing 2025 smartwatches will be much different from last years. (For the record, I would love to be proven wrong.)RelatedFans of walled gardens have to admit it doesnt always work out. The Powerbeats Pro 2 ought to be a cautionary tale of how the it just works philosophy can backfire. Despite being an Apple product, Android users actually have more choice when it comes to how they use the Pro 2. On iOS, the heart rate feature is limited to seven apps and users must choose between monitoring heart rate or listening to tunes when connected to gym equipment. Android users have no such limitations. Do the Powerbeats Pro 2 work more seamlessly on the iOS apps it does support? Yes. But thats not important to everyone. Some people just want the ability to choose how they use the products they buy.The bottom line is the EUs move improves a consumers ability to pick the best smartwatch for their needs regardless of their phone. Theres no reason a grizzled marathoner who prizes in-depth training metrics, free coaching plans, and monthlong battery life should have to get an Apple Watch Ultra over a Garmin just because they also want to have quick replies. Ill admit that it is mind-numbingly convenient and pleasant to stay in one ecosystem. But if the Apple Watch is truly the best smartwatch out there, it should be able to defend that title even if third parties have access to iOS notifications.See More:

The Bigscreen Beyond 2 with a clear cover shell.Bigscreen has just revealed the Beyond 2, a custom-fit virtual-reality headset with a 116-degree field of view it claims is wider than the Meta Quest 3 and Valve Index. The wired headset weighs just 107 grams (~3.8 ounces) and starts at $1,019, but youll have to pay extra if you want eye-tracking capabilities.The Bigscreen Beyond 2 is compatible with SteamVR base stations and comes with the same micro-OLED displays as its predecessor, offering a 5120 x 2560 resolution and up to 90Hz refresh rate. However, Bigscreen says the Beyond 2 has upgraded pancake optics offering edge-to-edge clarity, improved brightness, and less glare. It also lets you adjust the position of each lens separately, allowing it to match the distance between your pupils.Theres also a Beyond 2e, which starts at $1,219 and tracks the movement of your eyes with incredibly tiny camera sensors the size of a grain of sand. This can come in handy if you want your virtual avatar in apps like VRChat to reflect your eye movement.You can still use an iPhone XR or newer to create a 3D scan of your face, allowing Bigscreen to make a custom-fit face cushion. Alternatively, if you dont have an iPhone, the Bigscreen Beyond 2 now offers a universal-fit Halo mount and cushion.The Beyond 2 and Beyond 2e are available to order now with black, orange, and clear cover shells. Shipments are expected to arrive in June 2025.

It's time for a new booster set in Pokmon TCG Pocket, and it's introducing quite a bit to the game when it arrives. Shining Revelry, the next themed booster pack for Pokmon TCG Pocket, arrives on March 27, 2025, introducing Shiny Pokmon, ranked matches, and the Paldea region's trainers and Pokmon.As part of the new booster, Shining Revelry will introduce Shiny variants of popular Pokmon, including Charizard ex, Lucario ex, and Pachirisu. You can see a preview of what they'll look like in the latest Pokmon TCG Pocket teaser below:PlayThe Shiny variants not only add some extra sparkle and shine to these Pokmon, but also change their color schemes. For Pokmon TCG Pocket, the Shiny Pokmon cards will sparkle when tilted, adding to the effect. Fans of the Shiny look can also get a Shiny Charizard display board and binder starting on April 1.Themed booster sets, like Mythical Island or Triumphant Light, are typically smaller sets with fewer cards compared to larger sets like Genetic Apex or Space-Time Smackdown. That doesn't mean they aren't making some interesting additions to the sets, though. Shining Revelry will bring the Paldea region from Pokmon Scarlet and Violet to Pokmon TCG Pocket, introducing the likes of Tatsugiri and Sprigatito, as well as the trainer Iono.Ranked matches are also launching on March 27, letting players battle and earn emblems based on their end-of-season rank to display on their profile. The first season will run from March 27 to April 26.Recently, the Pokemon TCG Pocket team confirmed it would be changing the trading system, which has earned the ire of players looking to exchange cards and round out their collections. The actual changes will be rolling out gradually though, so we'll see if the suprisingly robust drop for Shining Revelry mollifies the community or not.Eric is a freelance writer for IGN.

The GOG Preservation Program is growing with a solid list of inductees, including classic titles like Silent Hill 4: The Room, Vampire: The Masquerade Redemption, Fallout 2, Deus Ex, and more.The PC digital storefront detailed how it planned to expand its retro-gaming-focused service yesterday, providing fans with a lineup of games it has committed to support for the foreseeable future. Its a list of 26 titles that GOG says will remain playable in their best versions that players can safely assume theyll have access to for years to come.Silent Hill 4: The Room is one title that will benefit from the GOG Preservation Program in more ways than one. In addition to securing its future, GOG says the entrys status with the service means it comes with missing content that was never available on PC before. This includes the reintroduction of Hauntings, which spruce up that iconic Silent Hill atmosphere with spooky effects, such as flickering lamps and possessed telephones. Modern controller support has also been added.F.E.A.R. Platinum, which was promised last month, arrives as an especially nice addition, too, as its original developer, Monolith Productions, was shuttered by Warner Bros. last month. As more studio closures occur and the industry leans toward a digital future, its a perfect example of what GOG aims to accomplish with the Preservation Program.You can see the March 2025 additions to the GOG Preservation Program, along with discounts as part of the current Spring Sale, below.Silent Hill 4: The Room (-35%)F.E.A.R. Platinum (-80%)Vampire: The Masquerade - Redemption (-50%)Tomb Raider: Underworld (-89%), Anniversary (-89%) and Legend (-86%)Alone in the Dark: The Trilogy 1+2+3 (-75%)Ultima 1+2+3 (-75%)Ultima 4+5+6 (-75%)Ultima 8 Gold Edition (-75%)Wing Commander 1+2 (-60%)Deus Ex GOTY Edition (-86%)Jagged Alliance 2 (-60%)Fallout 2 (-75%)Privateer 2: The Darkening (-75%)Port Royale 3 Gold (-70%)Alien Breed + Tower Assault (-80%)Cannon Fodder (-75%) and Cannon Fodder 2 (-75%)The GOG Preservation Program is a relatively new initiative from the CD Projekt Red-owned storefront that serves as the companys commitment to keep a selection of games up-to-date and available for PC players. More than 100 games are supported through the program, and judging by todays announcement, the list will only continue to grow."The GOG Preservation Program is our commitment to preserving gaming history," GOG said at the time of its reveal late last year. "Through the program, players can trust that their games will always be up to date and ready to run on current and future PC setups."Whether its manuals, DLCs, or missing features, were offering the most complete version possible, backed by GOGs tech support and offline installers, so you can safeguard these classics for years to come."Michael Cripe is a freelance contributor with IGN. He's best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).

The 2025 Oscars were filled with memorable moments, from Conan OBriens able job hosting to Sean Bakers historic four wins for a single movie, Anora. But the most notable for folks in the heartland mightve been Adrien Brodys Best Actor win for The Brutalist. Not so much the fact that Brody won, but rather his reaction to winning. Brody gave a five-minute speech that ranged from the personal to the political. And it was longer than that of any other recipient ever.It apparently also was a subject of conversation, if apparently mostly in jest, among the people who made The Brutalist as well.While talking with Den of Geek about his upcoming film Fantasy Life, Alessandro Nivola dropped some information about the group text he shares with Brody and other actors and filmmakers who worked on Brady Corbets epic passion project The Brutalist.Its actually just been giving him a hard time about making a really long speech, Nivola says with a smile, clearly having fun at busting Brodys chops.We text all the time. We have a group text that is mostly stuff that should never be shared with anyone, Nivola reveals. Its the whole cast and weve had it sort of since Venice. Its a tight-knit group. I really have a lot of affection for all of them.That affection extends to Brody earning his second career Oscar for the film. Im really happy for him, Nivola enthuses. I was there at the Oscars, so I was able to say that in person.Nivolas playfulness with Brody is a brighter reflection of their characters relationship in The Brutalist. In that A24 release, Nivola pays Attila Miller, cousin to Holocaust survivor Lszl Tth. Miller left Hungary before World War II and has been able to assimilate into American society, operating a successful furniture store in Philadelphia. When Tth comes to the U.S., Miller provides a bit of stability for him, at least until the two have a falling out.The casts response to Brodys speech also puts the moment into context, making it just one of many uncouth moments in Oscars history. Theres Jack Palances Best Supporting Actor win for City Slickers in 1991, in which he delivers a litany of mildly inappropriate jokes and then decides to do push-ups to show off his strength. Theres 2013 host Seth McFarlane singing a song about nude scenes in movies with the camera cutting away to uncomfortable shots of the women in question sitting in the audience. Theres Faye Dunaway and Warren Beatty announcing that La La Land won Best Picture in 2017 when the actual winner was Moonlight.In light of these oddities, its hard to imagine that Brodys long speech will live long in Oscar viewers memories. But it might live forever in the jokes shared on The Brutalist cast text thread.

This article contains some very mild spoilers for Disneys Snow White.Long before seven Dwarfs show up as CGI motion-capture oddities instead of of lovingly hand-drawn creations, 2025s Snow White was already making striking changes to 1937s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. And believe it or not, not all of them were as disturbingly misguided as those Dwarfs of the Uncanny Valley.Gone is the Prince, who is now replaced here by a roguish resistance leader. An instead of ending with Snow White revived by true loves kissa scene which still occursthe 2025 film continues on past the resurrection for a peoples uprising against the Evil Queen. Someday My Prince Will Come has been cut for pop ballads like Good Things Grow, which valorize self-actualization instead of romantic love.While these alterations will certainly rankle purists, theres one group that wont care about the differences, and its the only group that matters: children. The films primary audience will be just as charmed with Snow White 25 as children of the past were with Snow White 37. And its not really the updated social mores that make the new movie work for modern audiences. Its because of Rachel Zeglers performance as Snow White is genuinely enchanting.While many of the 2025 movies attempts to update the original diminish the work overall, Zeglers ability to translate the sweetness of the original character in a way thats accessible to modern kids is what connects this movie in its best moments with old school Disney magic. In a handful of moments, it even changes the story for the better.A New BeginningBoth Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Snow White 25 begin in same way, with an ornate storybook opening to reveal an illuminated manuscript which frames the tale. But whereas the 1937 film lets viewers only read about how Snow Whites wicked stepmother came into the princess life, the 2025 film features voiceover and a flashback sequence, showing the young Snow White living happily with her father and mother, and her sadness when her grieving father marries the Evil Queen (Gal Gadot).This different setups fundamentally change the way the adult Snow White first appears in each film. In 1937, we watch as Snow White (Adriana Caselotti) tells the birds around her at a wishing well about how much she yearns for a man to come and find her. Within seconds of the introduction, a passing prince overhears her, climbs into the courtyard and immediately proclaims his love for her.Even a child, more than willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy the spectacle, should find the princes sudden appearance an declaration of love a little odd. But then, romantic pursuits are never a childs favorite part of a story, so the movie has always been fine just glossing through that and relying on musical stylings, albeit 1937 songwriting sounds nothing like the pop earworms modern kids have been hearing for all of their short lives so far. Now compare this to the 2025 movies extended opening setting where the adult Snow White played by Zegler isnt singing about love from a prince shes never met. Shes singing about the love she once knew and has since lost, the love of her parents.As different as the expanded and modern version of the opening certainly is, it feels the same. Not because of the song that Snow White sings, a contemporary number that could come from any of todays musicals (this movie is, after all, a Marc Platt Production). Rather its because of Zeglers acting is completely without guile or self-consciousness.Zegler seems to float across the screen in this sequence, looking upward and swaying as she walks, sending her dress billowing behind her. She lets a tremor of sadness darken her brow and turns down the corners of her mouth when Snow White remembers where that the love she wants is gone. Childlike innocence returns to her face when she looks into the well and instead of the prince from the 1937 movie she sees herself once again flanked by her parents.The musical style, the longing for parents instead of a romantic partner, all these connect to todays kids better than the 1937 movie. But the 2025 movie retains its innocence we all remember being charmed by in the original almost solely because of Zeglers performance.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Floating Over Princess ProblemsThe biggest advantage the 1937 film has over its recent counterpart is the animation. The rotoscoping technique used by Disney animators still gives the movie a haunting quality, especially when matched with incredible effects, such as the interactions between Snow White and the animals or the mystic mists that surround the Evil Queen.The 2025 film borrows its predecessors designs of the animals and the Dwarfs, but its state-of-the-art technology has a very different effect. The new film uses motion-capture technology and gives it Dwarfs realistic skin and hair while retaining the proportions and features of the original. The results are nightmare creatures, more akin to the grotesque Spitting Image puppets of the 1980s than anything from Disneys past.And yet, Zegler sells her scenes with what borders on visual abominations. When the Dwarfs surround her after she enters their cabin, she responds with awe and curiosity. The Dwarfs bicker as they introduce themselves, a bit that feels so mechanical that you can almost see the code appearing on screen, Matrix-like. However, Zegler commits to Snow Whites wonder at their antiques and her genuine pride when she recites their names back to them. We adults might (rightly) grouch at the films horrid visuals, but children will follow Zeglers lead and allow themselves to be taken away into the fantasy.As great as Zeglers acting is, her singing is even better. The 2025 movie wisely retains some of the numbers from the 1937 film (albeit with unnecessary added lyrics) and adds a few numbers of its own. For the most part, the songs are fine, with the wrong-headed postmodern ditty Princess Problems being the only outright mistake. But Zegler is an incredible singer, and effortless delivery makes these by-the-numbers tracks feel like When You Wish Upon a Star. She sings them with full conviction, never once winking at the camera, even when Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), the movies roguish stand-in for the Prince, gripes about unrealistic princess story tropes in Princess Problems.Zegler makes us believe in the fantasy world of Snow White, something that the movies special effects and musical numbers cant achieve without her.The Most Talented Of Them AllUnless youre one of the ding dongs complaining that Snow White isnt Caucasian because her names Snow White (I dont know if youve seen snow or German people before, but those two colors arent the same), then its clear that Rachel Zegler is the best part of the movie. If Snow White is a success, overcoming what appears to be poor initial tracking, it will be entirely thanks to her performance.Which is a good thing and bad. Zegler stunned in Steven Spielbergs West Side Story and was fun in the overstuffed The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, but has had way too many lackluster projects like Shazam: Fury of the Gods in her filmography. If Snow White flops, maybe shell get out of the blockbuster market and toward better, more interesting projects that are equal to her talents. Whatever happens, Snow White proves that Zegler can do something that none of Disneys high-paid filmmaking pros or cutting-edge technology can do by making a classic fairy tale for modern audiences.Snow White is now playing in theaters.

There is a sense of homecoming when you move into a building you have known most of your life. When my partner Nicol Castellini Baldissera and I were preparing to move out of Casa degli Atellani, his familys seat in Milan for five generations, a chance phone call led us to our current home, a top-floor apartment in a palazzo in the Brera neighborhood.The 1,200-square-foot apartment is in a building owned by Nicols childhood best friend, Bruno Sforni, and it was during a casual call that Sforni mentioned that it was vacant. In 2022 Bernard Arnault bought Casa degli Atellaniincluding the Leonardo da Vinci vineyard at its centerand we, along with Nicols father Piero and numerous other family members who lived in the family compound, were looking for new homes.Francesco LagneseThe author (left) and Castellini Baldissera. The 19th-century Italian chairs are in a C&C Milano stripe. The dining table belonged to Piero Portaluppi, Castellini Baldisseras great-grandfather, and the rug is an 18th-century Agra.Nicol met Sforni when they were classics students in high school in Milan with a shared love of the arts. He often visited his friends family home, the Palazzo Recalcati Tagliasacchi. I spent countless afternoons in their drawing room overlooking the garden, with the Orto Botanico di Breras towering trees just beyond the walls, Nicol says. It was a house filled with women: Brunos mother, sisters, grandmothers. Even their dogs were female. And it held treasures: In his late fathers study, I remember being awestruck by a collection of Modigliani drawings, an early lesson in art connoisseurship that would stay with me.It is an amalgamation of old and new, filled with the collections of a lifetime.Moving into this palazzo all these decades later has felt, for him, like a return to those memories. Sforni still lives downstairs; we sometimes hear music from his piano playing echo up from the courtyard. Over the decade that Nicol and I have lived together, I have come to cherish his connections to family and friends. For me, a writer and producer who works from home, and an American in Milan, discovering this sense of community has become an essential part of my experience in Italy.The apartment needed to be updated, which is why it sat on the market for a time. But I was undaunted. Ive seen Nicol transform countless spaces for himself and for his clients. He is a wonder with color and blending objects to create a story in any room. While we did renovate the kitchen and bathrooms, much of the transformation in the rest of the apartment relied on the strategic use of paint and texture.Francesco LagneseOn the terrace, the custom awning is by Guido Toschi. The folding chairs are by Casa Tosca, the tablecloth is by Lisa Corti, and the silver tableware is by Argenteria Dabbene.As a figlio darte (child of artists), Nicol often draws upon the work of his great-grandfather, the architect Piero Portaluppi, for inspiration. His influence is apparent in many of the collections Nicol has designed, including wallpaper for PictaLab Milano, carpets for Gucci, and furniture for Casa Tosca, the company we co-founded in 2020.Our apartment was built in 1523 and renovated in 1828. Nicol riffed on that history by incorporating numerous Italian touches, from the Visconti sun painted on the drawing rooms ceiling to the guestrooms framed walls, which are in a pastel palette inspired by 18th-century Venice. The rest is a reflection of our wanderlust, with finds from across Europe and Morocco, where we also have a home.Francesco LagneseThe 18th-century cast iron bed in the primary bedroom is from Genoa. The bed linens are by Morpho + Luna, the antique pendant is by Piero Portaluppi, the desk is Austrian Biedermeier and the 1967 red chair is by Gnter Beltzig.Nicol is a wonder with color and blending objects to create a story.From Casa degli Atellani we brought a number of pieces: a round Portaluppi table that was in Nicols great-grandparents dining room; a magenta and moss Agra rug that miraculously fits our new living room; and even the wall-to-wall library, which Nicol designed decades ago for a -cousins apartment. Other pieces were designed fresh for the space, such as the kelly green sofa and the striped living room curtains, in a fabric that forms part of the collection Nicol designed last year for C&C Milano, the textile company he co-owns with his father and cousins.Step Inside This PalazzoFor the wall treatments, Nicol worked with longtime collaborators at PictaLab Milano. We have a shorthand, Nicol explains. Each new project is a chance to refine past ideas. In the main bedroom they created a textured effect reminiscent of antique velvet, inspired by a palazzo they had worked on in Genoa, while in the living room the faded pink was inspired by the distressed external walls of Venetian palazzos. In the entrance the dated wood paneling was enhanced with a faux boiserie overpaint.This house makes me smile, Nicol told me. It is an amalgamation of old and new, filled with the collections of a lifetime and positioned in my favorite corner of the city. Were very lucky to live here. I couldnt agree more. The apartment is a reflection of our liveslayered, storied, and personal.This story originally appeared in the April 2025 issue of Elle Decor. SUBSCRIBE

Theres no shortage of discourse surrounding Apple Vision Pro. Is it a flop? The future? Something in-between? Most of the narratives have little to do with actually using the device, though. After almost a year of balking at Vision Pros price tag, I finally gave in and bought one recently, and want to share about three specific experiences Ive had in visionOS that have brought me delight.Navigating a new area in Apple MapsI wrote recently about a new Apple Maps feature thats been huge for me: the ability to search for locations specific to the part of the map youre viewing.The reason this change has been so big is that I love using Maps to explore new areas. I do this when planning vacations, but also just in the everyday happenings of life. I get a lot of joy out of exploring my home, New York City, via Apple Maps and finding all kinds of new places to try.Recently my family and I moved apartments, and in the lead-up I used my Vision Pro to scope out our new neighborhood.Vision Pro was the absolute best way to explore our new neighborhood in advance. It brought me so much joy to use Look Around in visionOS with a massive app window.As I browsed the area, I saved restaurants, coffee shops, and other spots to try out after moving. It was a great way to prep for the move, and I see myself doing this a lot more in the future.Funnily enough, Apple Maps in visionOS isnt even a native app. Its an iPad app running in compatibility mode. But the immersive experience Vision Pro provided was still unique.Watching a 3D movieGeneral consensus is that Vision Pro is a great entertainment device, even if the jurys still out on productivity uses. One highlight of visionOS is support for Immersive Video, a special 180-degree video format Apple has pioneered.My views on Immersive Video are still very much in flux, but one of the most delightful entertainment experiences Ive had so far with Vision Pro involved watching a 3D animated movie.Ive tried out 3D live-action movies, and theyre fine. CG-heavy films like Avatar fare better than others. But my favorite to date? Disneys Moana in 3D.The animation is so beautiful, and the 3D effects so compelling, my time watching Moana felt like something very special compared to alternative viewing options.Voice-first computing with SiriI understand it may not be the best time to say nice things about Siri. Apples assistant has issues that need to be fixed, and Im rooting for the Vision Pro guy to fix them.But using Siri in Vision Pro, despite its shortcomings, has brought me a lot of joy.On Apples other platforms, I use Siri for certain things like creating reminders, setting timers, and asking random trivia questions. In Vision Pro though, theres something much more compelling about computing by voice.Because I dont always have a keyboard and trackpad when using Vision Pro, voice becomes the natural way to get things done faster than I otherwise could. The eye and hand tracking in visionOS is compelling, but just speaking and having Siri do things for me feels so great.Siri has a long way to go, but a truly intelligent new Siri could be a game-changer for spatial computing.Vision Pro diary: wrap-upMy early days with the Vision Pro have in no way been perfect. I still struggle to find the best fit for the device, weight can definitely be an issue, and Ive not yet given real work in visionOS a fair shot. But for today, I wanted to highlight some of the delightful experiences Ive had so far that make Vision Pro feel special. Im sure Ill have more to say on all the rest of my visionOS uses in the weeks to come.What are some of your delightful Vision Pro experiences? Let us know in the comments.Best Vision Pro accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

While we are still tracking some sweet deals on official Apple woven USB-C cables from under $8.50 a pop, alongside the Apple Watch silicone/braided Solo Loops starting from just $20, some new deals have emerged today as well. On the accessory front we have spotted some additional Alpine and Trail Loop models hitting new lows at 20% off, but we are also now tracking the very first chance to save on the new Nomad magnetic 240W ChargeKey USB-C cable accessory alongside an exclusive discount for new customers that knocks 10% off sale items. But todays headliner would have to be the upgraded 48GB 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro at over $300 off the going rate joined by entry-level models from $1,399.All of that and more awaits below in todays 9to5Toys Lunch Break.Amazon just knocked a big-time $308 off the 48GB 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro, more from $1,399Today we are scoping out some seriously notable prices on Apples latest 16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro machines. Firstly, lets start out with the upgraded model with 48GB of RAM and the 512GB SSD it is now down at $2,591 shipped. Youre looking at a regularly $2,899 configuration seeing a deep $308 price drop to deliver the lowest price we can find.While we did see a very brief offer on this model at $2,589 on Amazon that lasted for about half a day, the discount on tap this morning comes within a few bucks of the best price we have tracked on this one, Black Friday and holiday 2024 included.If the 48GB setup on this config is a bit overkill for you, Amazon is also offering a notable price on the 24GB model with the 512GB SSD down at $2,229 shipped. Regularly $2,499, youre looking at a $270 price drop here on both the Space Black and silver colorways to deliver the best price of the year this one did drop to the $2,199 all-time low for Black Friday last year, but todays deal is the best we have tracked otherwise, coming within $30 of the best price yet.The latest 16-incher MacBook Pro units are indeed a more niche purchase it would seem most folks would rather side-step the premium on the extra screen real estate in favor of a more compact and affordable 14-inch variant, and understandably so. But if you are looking for a powerful new M4 Pro machine without paying the M4 Max cash, and enjoy the larger screen display, todays deals should be on your radar.Lets take a look at some of the deals live this week on other M4 MacBook Pro configurations for reference:14-inch M4 MacBook Pro 16GB/512GB $1,399 (Reg. $1,599)14-inch M4 MacBook Pro 16GB/1TB $1,579 (Reg. $1,799)14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro 24GB/512GB $1,779 (Reg. $1,999)16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro 24GB/1GB $2,229 (Reg. $2,499)16-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro 48GB/1GB $2,591 (Reg. $2,899)Amazon official Apple Watch band sale still live with new models: Alpine and Trail Loops from $79 all-time lows [Updated]Just after seeing some solid $119 price drops on Apple Watch Ultra 2 this morning, Amazon has now dropped its prices on a number of official Apple bands, including the navy Trail Loop and Alpine Loop as well as a series of others the Olive Alpine, the new Green Trail model, and more. Youre looking at up to 20% off here and a rare chance to see this many models on sale at the same time. Youll find all of them organized on this landing page for you and we will detail the best of them down below.Trail LoopBlue (S/M size) $79 (Reg. $99)Black Titanium FinishTrail LoopGreen (M/L size) $86 (Reg. $99)Black Titanium FinishTrail LoopBlue/Black (S/M size) $79 (Reg. $99)Natural Titanium FinishAlpine Loop Olive (Medium size) $79 (Reg. $99)Natural Titanium FinishAlpine Loop Indigo (Medium size) $79 (Reg. $99)Natural Titanium FinishAlpine Loop Olive (Small size) $79 (Reg. $99)Black Titanium FinishAnd even moreThe bulk of the most notable deals here today land on the Alpine and Trail Loop models for Apple Watch Ultra 1 and 2, but you will find some very light price drops on a range of Sport Bands alongside the Magnetic Link at50% off the going rate and more.These official Apple Watch bands deals dont tend to stick around for very long, as any avid 9to5Toys reader will already know, so jump in there while you still can.Now live again! Official Apple Watch silicone/braided Solo Loops now starting from just $20 (Up to 70% off)Just after seeing a wildly rare deal on the official Apple Polishing Cloth as part of todays Woot Apple gear accessory sale, the retailer has also brought back its ultra-low price tags on the official Apple Braided Solo Loops for Apple Watch. Originally $99, youll now find a large selection of colors and sizes marked down to $29.99 Prime shipped (a $6 delivery fee will apply otherwise). Those deals also join the silicone Apple Solo Loops on sale as part of todays Woot event down at $19.99 Prime shipped in various colorways this is 59% off the original $49 list price. Additional details below.The official Apple Watch Braided Solo Loops are now available in a wide range of colors at the discounted rate, from more natural black, gray, tan, and white tones through to vibrant reds, oranges, blues, greens, and more. Todays deal delivers 70% in savings off the original price tag, landing on par with our previous mention to match the lowest price we have tracked outside of some previous bundle offers and a limited-time bonus coupon.The Braided Loop features an ultracomfortable and stretchable design by weaving 16,000 recycled polyester yarn filaments around ultrathin silicone threads. The precision-braiding and laser cutting tech result in a casual and yet elevated look that is both sweat and water resistant.These bands, despite the serious clearance pricing, ship with a 1-year Apple warranty today.Browse through the rest of the Woot Apple accessory sale right here for additional deals starting from $7 Prime shipped.Official Apple charging accessory sale: Woven USB-C cables from $8.50, 30/140W wall chargers 50% off, moreVery first price drop hits Nomads new magnetic 240W ChargeKey USB-C cable accessoryThis morning we featuredan exclusive deal code for new Nomad customers, but we wanted to pay some extra attention tothe brands new ChargeKey. The compact, keychain-ready USB-C charging cable now supports up to 240W of juice and also passes data too, but it has yet to see any discounts since launchuntil today. You can now score10% offyour order when purchasing twoof them, and this deal is for anyone (not just new Nomad customers). Details await below.The new Nomad ChargeKeydebutedin mid February 2025 as the brands latest upgraded portable keychain charging and data cable. It launched at $25 and hasnt budged since, much as we expected this soon after release with a brand like Nomad.However, it is now offering a specialBuy Two Get10% offat checkout. Simply head over tothe listing pageandadd two of them to your cartto redeem the discount this will drop your total from $50 down to$45to deliver the first discount and a subsequent all-time low.Note:It is backordered right now, but purchasing today will ensure you get in on the next run, which is scheduled to begin shipping next month.Todays accessories and charging deals:The new iPad (A16) is now out in the wild (and is now marked down at Amazon) alongside the upgraded M3 iPad Air (still seeing its first cash deals right here), but Amazon also just brought back the $100 price drops on Apples latest, greatest, and miniest iPad. Youll now find just about every iPad mini 7 configuration on sale via Amazon at $100 off the going rates with prices kicking off from $399 shipped. Head below for a closer look.Amazon has the 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models down at $399, $499, and $699 shipped, respectively. Thats a straight up $100 off the regular listings, matching our previous mention, and on par with the lowest prices we have tracked to date.Apples latest iPad mini 7, or more officially the iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the most affordable model in the lineup that can run Apple Intelligence. The aforementioned iPad (A16) is, of course, the least pricey model in the lineup overall it currently starts down at $329 on Amazon but it is not compatible with Apple Intelligence.iPad mini A17 Pro 128GB $399 (Reg. $499)iPad mini A17 Pro 256GB $499 (Reg. $599) iPad mini A17 Pro 256GB $699 (Reg. $799) The iPad mini 7 landed on store shelves in late 2024 with the same compact 8.3-inch display as the previous model alongside a 30% jump in CPU power, 25% better graphics performance, and upgraded storage capacity Apple finally rid the 64GB models from the lineup. Our iPad mini 7 vs 6 comparison feature piece provides a detailed rundown of everything new this time around.New M3 iPad Air hits new all-time low, most affordable models now start from $549This Amazon Renewed Premium 1TB iPhone 15 Pro is now $649 off the original price (1-year warranty)Save a massive $774 on Apples latest 36GB M4 Max MacBook Pro (open-box, 1-yr. warranty), or $350 off brand newScore a new M3 iPad Air or iPad mini 7? The compatible Apple Pencil Pro is at $99 holiday pricing (Nearly 25% off)Spigen debuts new $37 EDC pouch that doubles as a mini MagSafe backpack for your iPhoneWalmart announces giant upcoming sale event to take on Amazons Prime Spring dealsAmazon just officially announced a massive Prime Day Spring Sale start times, deals, and moreAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. 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