AI shopping assistants are helpful, but trust is missing, even if it promises better deals.

If you watch any economic news, youve probably seen economists biting their nails while raising the alarm about the dreaded R-word: recession.These financial experts are so terrified of a potential recession that they refer to it obliquely, in the same superstitious way your Great-Aunt Esther used to whisper the word cancer. But refusing to call a recession by its name does not reduce financial panic, improve the stock market, or even make julienne fries: It just makes a recession seem like an unstoppable force coming to ruin our lives, which is simply not true.While there isnt much that an individual can do to avert a recession, theres plenty you can do to shore up your personal finances to prepare for one. Heres how you can protect yourself and your finances in case a recession materializes this year.What is a recession anyway?Since economists talk about recessions in the same frightened tones that teens in 80s slasher movies discuss Freddy Krueger, its easy to assume a recession is the economic equivalent of sudden death.But a recession is a specific and definable economic condition, not a terrifying supernatural monster. The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) describes a recession as a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.Although other economic experts may define a recession using slightly different terms or metrics, there are economic indicators that all recessions typically share. These indicators include a falling stock market, a reduction in consumer spending, and widespread cost-cutting within businesses, which often includes layoffs.All in all, its not greatbut it is survivable.How to recession-proof your moneyThere are several important steps you can take to prepare yourself and your finances for a potential recession. Whats even better is that these strategies will benefit you even if the recession never comes.Determine your baseline expensesJob loss is one of the biggest economic risks an individual might face during a recession. Layoffs are common during recessions and its tough to find a new position when so many businesses are tightening their belts and youre competing with a lot more potential job candidates.Even if youre certain your job is safe, now is a good time to figure out your bare minimum budget needs. How much money do you need each month to keep the lights on and the dog in kibble?Going through this exercise will help you determine your baseline monthly expenditureswhich is a number you need to calculate your emergency fund goal.Emergency fund mathRemember how financial experts are constantly harping on the need for an emergency fund equal to three to six months worth of expenses? Most people ignore this advice since it sounds completely unhinged. After all, the average person cant afford to save the equivalent of what they spend in six months.But the common advice about the ideal size of an emergency fund is based on your monthly baseline expenses, not how much you spend per month. In other words, a recession-resistant emergency fund will have enough cash to cover three to six months worth of your bare minimum, keep-the-wolf-from-the-door-and-yes-that-means-cancelling-Netflix expenses. You dont have to have enough set aside to cover your normal spending habits.Once you have calculated your baseline monthly budget, multiply it by three to get your initial emergency fund goal. Having at least three months worth of expenses set aside in an emergency fund can give you the cushion you need in case of a job loss or a pay cut.Pump up your emergency fundIf your current emergency fund is looking a little anemic (or non-existent), dont panic! Remember that any amount of money you can set aside now will be helpful if you get a pink slip.Start with an automatic transfer to your savings account with every paycheck. Even as little as $20 per transfer will add up over time. If you get a tax refund this year, use a portion of it to bulk up your savings. And since you have just determined your baseline budget, challenge yourself to cut some of the non-essential costs you identified and put the savings into your emergency fund.Tackle credit card debtThe average cardholder is carrying $6,580 in credit card debt, and paying 22.89% interest on that balance. That equates to a minimum monthly payment of over $190 that would take nearly five years to pay off. And it would be an albatross around the neck of anyone struggling financially during a recession.If you are carrying a credit card balance, do what you can to pay it off or pay it down while youre still in relatively good financial shape. If making larger-than-minimum payments to your credit card is out of reach, consider a balance transfer to a 0% interest rate card or taking out a low-interest rate personal loan. Its much easier to quickly pay off a debt when youre not also paying nearly 23% in interest.Identify other sources of ready cashRecessions and layoffs dont arrive at anyones convenience. Thats why its important to put a plan B in place for additional cash now, just in case youre not prepared with a robust emergency fund and paid-off credit card if and when the ax falls.Someone looking to generate cash in a hurry generally can either plan on borrowing money or selling something. But thinking through your options ahead of time can make it possible for you to immediately pull the trigger on your plan if you need it.Some specific ways to prepare might include:Open a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) now that you dont touch unless you need to access cash.Get ready to potentially sell a car by researching its value, gathering the title and other paperwork, and excavating the petrified french fries from under the drivers seat.Identify and prepare items in your home to sell on Facebook Marketplace or the like.Find out if your brokerage allows you to borrow money against your investments.Recession doesnt mean ruinWhile no one will ever give three hearty cheers for a recession, it doesnt need to be a source of fear. You can prepare your financial house for a recession by calculating your baseline expenses, beefing up your emergency savings, paying down debt, and identifying backup money sources you can tap if your savings arent enough. A recession may not be pleasant, but it is possible to get to the other sideeven if you call it by its full name.

Loneliness isnt just a lingering by-product of COVID lockdownsits a public health crisis. The impacts of social isolation are said to be as detrimental to human health as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, according to former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. Loneliness can increase the risk of heart disease and strokes by roughly 30%, and dementia by about 50%.In some ways, weve never been more connected thanks to online networks. Yet for many people, social media has fueled perceptions that others are living fuller, more vibrant lives in comparison to their own. Some have found that online interactions pale in comparison to in-person hang outs. Champagne sales are down, raising questions of whether party culture is dead. Overall, the downtrend of socialization in the U.S. paints a pretty bleak picture.Companies have taken this public health diagnosis as a cue to step in, fill those cracks in our social fabric, and develop a cure for loneliness. At the Fast Company Grill at SXSW this month, business leaders shared how their companies are encouraging people to leverage online interfaces tocounterintuitivelyget offline, or filling gaps in the market with products that account for new social trends and behaviors, like the sober curious movement.Cultivating community at all life stages When Andy Dunn moved to Chicago a few years ago to be closer to his family, he found it difficult to forge new friendships, joking that all he did was just parent and work.This lack of infrastructure around simply finding things to doand people to do them withinspired him to create Pie, a social app aiming to combat social isolation.Dunn, who is also the founder of clothing company Bonobos, said that between moving cities, switching jobs, marriage, starting a family, and other milestones, he estimates people go through anywhere from eight to 15 major life events that may upend their friend groups. This can leave people at an inflection point where you have more social capacity than you have social opportunity.Pie creates those opportunities by using AI to bring together groups of six peoplewhich the app takes its name from, as there are usually six slices in a pieand help them discover events and activities they share a mutual interest in attending.Its led to lasting connections, Dunn said, because Pie takes the two ingredients necessary to forming meaningful friendships, repeated social collision in a group setting, and then mutual disclosure of vulnerable information, and uses an easily accessible platform to facilitate these interactions.Developing the perfect recipe for get togethersMelanie Masarin, CEO and founder of the nonalcoholic aperitif brand Ghia, built her company after she quit drinking.I stopped drinking for no particular reason, which is an important distinction. I wasnt sick, I wasnt pregnant, I just felt better without it, she explained. I was at a point in time where I hosted a lot. I always had my friends over for dinner, and I was constantly being questioned for why I wasnt drinking. And I was like, Theres more people in my apartment than there are chairs, and I cooked for everyone, and I feel so isolated because Im not partaking in a social occasion.Masarin says she became obsessed with the idea of creating a better-for-you drink that provided the same experience of imbibing alcohol. Its an offering thats struck a chord with Gen Z consumers in particular, who are drinking alcohol at far lower rates than previous generations but still want the fun of going out.She pointed out that a number of cultures have long decentered alcohol in their social gatheringsfor example, many Muslims choose not to drinkand that part of Ghias success has been reframing its customers as the hero, rather than its products.All of our products are just a catalyst for people coming together. Theyre not necessarily trying to be the center of attention, she said. Weve been conditioned to think that alcohol is the life of the party, and actually our customer is the life of the party.Masarin also noted that Ghia is not a product purely for people interested in practicing sobriety. Rather, its demand reflects the downward trend in alcohol consumption fueled by a desire for moderation that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic. She mentioned that 92% of Ghia drinkers also consume alcohol.Preventing missed connectionsEv Williams, creator of the private social network Mozi and founder of Twitter, Medium, and Blogger, experienced a rude awakening in the years after lockdown ended.Id spent my life building startups, mostly on the information and tech side. And around my 50th birthday I actually started to shift my priorities and realized that I had underinvested in relationships, he said. The best source of information I had was my contacts app, which [for most people] is full of outdated and incomplete information.Williams found himself wanting to start at the most basic level: understanding who his friends were and where they were located. That desire led to Mozi, which syncs with a users contacts app and allows them to share their location or plans with a curated network of individuals.Mozi works best for people who travel often and may not realize when theyre overlapping with friends. Users are able to post the dates theyre traveling to a city or an event theyre planning to attend, as well as solicit travel advice from mutuals. Williams suggested the app can also take away some of the awkwardness that comes with asking someone you may not feel as close to yet to do something with you.If you were to individually text [a friend of a friend], you would make yourself vulnerable, he said. But if you were to say, Oh, Im going to this show, or Im going to this event and Im happy for these people to see that Im going to this and join me there, because its a public thing, its not in [their] house, its not risky.Williams is excited to see that using technology to facilitate offline interactions has become more mainstream.I love that theres a new generation of social products that are actually social, and what we call social media is actually just mediaand its been becoming media for a long time, he said. Were less kidding ourselves that [social media] is where people connect. Its not.

In todays tech-driven world, routers have become essential for facilitating seamless internet connectivity in homes and offices. A routers primary function is to wirelessly connect a local network to other networks using radio frequencies, and it has evolved significantly over time in both functionality and design. Modern routers link subnetworks and direct data packets to specific IP addresses and provide enhanced connectivity for multiple devices like computers, smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs on a single internet connection. These advancements ensure efficient data transfer from the Internet directly to personal devices, supporting seamless and reliable connectivity across various types of technology.The SmartAir Minions Routers showcased here is one such example of a delightful revolution in networking hardware aesthetics. By transforming powerful dual and triple-band WiFi 6E technology into beloved characters from the Despicable Me franchise, these devices challenge the industrys utilitarian design approach. Hidden in plain sight at CES 2024, these multi-gigabit capable routers prove that high-performance networking equipment no longer needs to be an eyesore relegated to closets or behind furniture. Instead, these whimsical devices invite proud display in living spaces, effectively merging cutting-edge connectivity with character-driven design that complements rather than compromises home dcor.What are the most popular types of routers?Wireless Router Known as Wi-Fi routers, these devices have built-in access points for wireless connectivity, they support multiple devices in homes and small business settings.Wired Router These routers offer wired connectivity via Ethernet ports and are ideal for stable, high-speed connections in offices, data centers, and enterprise networks.Edge Router Edge routers also known as boundary routers manage data flow between local and external networks. It implements security measures while entering or leaving the network.Core Router High-end routers are used in large-scale networks like ISPs and data centers, forwarding data at the network core and connecting high-speed links. They are designed for high throughput, low latency, and reliability to handle substantial traffic.Virtual Router Software-based routers run on virtual machines or cloud platforms, delivering enhanced flexibility and scalability, making them ideal for virtualized environments and cloud computing infrastructure.The OPPO 5G CPE T2 is a cutting-edge 5G hub designed for fast and stable connectivity. This device converts 5G signals into Wi-Fi or LAN connections, enabling multiple devices to connect seamlessly at home or in the office. It is powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF system where the T2 offers 20% faster data transfer speeds than its predecessors. It incorporates OPPOs O-Reserve 2.0 smart antenna technology, optimizing signal reception with high antenna gain in all directions for faster download speeds.With an eco-friendly design, the T2 is made from Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic that supports sustainability while maintaining high performance. Its minimalist cylindrical shape in pure white, with a textured surface for stain and dust resistance, makes it a stylish addition to any space. The device also features effective heat dissipation, ensuring optimal performance during long usage. The OPPO 5G CPE T2 combines advanced technology, design, and sustainability for a future-ready 5G experience.What are the Dos and Donts of router placement?When positioning your router, prioritize central, elevated locations that allow signals to travel freely throughout your home. Keep the device away from metal objects, appliances, and electronic equipment that cause interference, such as microwaves and Bluetooth speakers. Ensure proper ventilation to prevent overheating and avoid enclosed spaces like cabinets or areas behind furniture that block signals. Before permanent installation, test different locations to identify the spot with minimal obstructions and maximum coverage. Remember that walls, especially thick ones, significantly reduce signal strength, so position your router strategically to minimize these barriers between your devices and the network source.DosPlace the router centrally in your home or office to optimize the routers performance. Keep the router away from thick walls, metal objects, and appliances that may interfere with the router signal. Make it a point to place it on an elevated shelf in an open area for better airflow and signal distribution. Note that devices like microwaves and cordless phones can cause interference with the router.DontsAvoid placing the router in the corner of any room or hiding it behind objects or large furniture that obstruct the routers connection to connected devices. To ensure optimal router performance, regularly update the routers firmware for enhanced performance and security. Additionally, avoid connecting too many devices to the router, negatively impacting its performance and capacity.The Island router offers a refreshing departure from the typical, futuristic designs of home routers and focuses on creating a calming and minimalist aesthetic. As home networks grow more complex with an increasing number of connected devices, many routers look technical and overwhelming. The Island, however, features a round, white form with five concentric circles that evoke a sense of serenity and peace. Its design eliminates sharp lines and antennas, opting for a soothing and functional look.Beyond its calming appearance, the Island router also addresses privacy concerns by offering a built-in VPN that protects against online threats, with no setup required. This privacy feature ensures peace of mind without the need for additional apps or configurations. Its minimalist design makes it both an efficient router and a decorative piece that is perfect for display on a desk or mounted on a wall. The Island router blends form, function, and privacy into one stress-free device.The Piano Wi-Fi 6 router by designer Lee Haupenn reimagines the traditional, clunky router with a sleek, minimalist design inspired by piano keys. Unlike typical routers, which are bulky and difficult to integrate into home spaces, the Piano router blends seamlessly into its surroundings with a refined, emotive appearance. The black keys of the router lift to reveal its antennae, while the indented base reduces visual bulk, offering a more sophisticated and less intrusive presence.The routers L-shaped indicator light simplifies signal and operation status, enhancing user-friendliness. With its classic black-and-white color scheme, the Piano router adapts easily to various interiors, making it a stylish, functional addition to any room. This Wi-Fi 6 router offers the latest wireless capabilities, proving that technology can be both powerful and beautifully designed. It is the fusion of modern functionality and artistic form, bridging the gap between technology and home aesthetics.What are the latest innovations in router design?Some of the recent innovations in router design include adaptive technology that adjusts to varying signal strengths that ensure optimal performance in dynamic environments. Some routers are available in sleek, colorful designs and minimal aesthetics, with unique shapes that blend the body and antenna for a more visually appealing look. Additionally, some models include built-in voice recognition and sensors that enhance functionality. Many routers also offer improved capacity while focusing on sustainability with the use of eco-friendly materials to reduce waste. Also, options like auto-charging and wall-mounted routers with sculptural or quirky designs add a touch of creativity and convenience to modern home setups.The Complex 1 Wi-Fi router draws inspiration from factory smokestacks. Its cylindrical shape, similar to a chimney, is not just visually appealing but also functional, with the antenna spreading Wi-Fi signals throughout your space. Featuring a Lego-like structure with a square body and asymmetrical cylindrical antennas, it adds a modern touch to any home. The router comes in bright yellow, making it a standout piece on your desk or shelf.Beyond its design, Complex 1 has a multifunctional design that also includes a built-in clock that provides additional utility. A small orange button on the back allows you to reset the router or toggle the clock on and off. This router combines form and function, offering both aesthetic appeal and optimal signal performance. It eliminates the need to hide away traditional routers, making it a stylish addition to any room.The Pella Wi-Fi router combines sustainability with modern design, making it a standout addition to your home office. The router is crafted from eco-friendly cork as it offers an attractive and functional alternative to traditional routers. Designed with sustainability in mind, the Pella router is a stylish and eco-conscious choice for your home office. The use of cork ensures that the router remains fully operational without compromising its overall performance.With its spherical shape and stable base, the Pella router resembles a smart speaker that offers a minimalist design that blends seamlessly into any decor. The router features simple controls which include an on/off button and a reset button that keeps the design sleek and unobtrusive. With earthy or natural-themed interiors, the Pella router is more than just a functional device as it provides strong Wi-Fi connectivity while reducing environmental impact.The post Wi-Fi Routers Get a Makeover as Game-Changing and Artful Gadgets You Can Show-Off first appeared on Yanko Design.

Hota has a gorgeous app icon and user friendly design. I speak to the founders to find out how it was created.

2D art of the week: Luvamiart Valladolid.

The domestic terrorism designation could give law enforcement sweeping authority to surveil people protesting against Elon Musk's role in the US federal government, civil liberties experts warn.

Infinity Nikki and Assassins Creed Shadows have become my twin obsessions for their meticulously detailed environments, textures, and weather. With open-world dress-up game Infinity Nikki, I continue to be agog at how clothing textures are rendered with such detail and fidelity that by mere sight, I know exactly what a piece of fabric will feel like. For Assassins Creed Shadows, an action-packed romp through feudal Japan, Im constantly in a state of awe at the natural beauty of the Japanese countryside, a feature that has been widely celebrated since its release. Both games are so visually arresting they made me fall in love with a video game staple that Ive never really cared about before: photo mode.Photo mode, which typically pauses the game to give players the ability to take professional grade images of their video games, is a modern gaming feature thats been around long enough to become a standard inclusion, especially in AAA games. But Ive never seen their appeal. Its a video game, not some fleeting life moment. Im not gonna fondly flip through my PS5 media gallery in five years going, Aww look at the time Yasuke chopped the arms and head off that guy, like Im looking at my grandkids baby photos. I definitely appreciate the skill with which others have made the most out of photo modes like what my friend does with Overwatch but it was always something I ignored. 1/3Image: Infold GamesIve played no shortage of games so interesting their moments demand to be captured and shared but that compulsion is on another level with Infinity Nikki and Assassins Creed. So, starting with the dress up game, I opened photo mode, started fiddling around with apertures and vignettes and was genuinely surprised with the results. The photos looked good! The photos werent Vogue quality, but they started to resemble the pictures that get upvoted to the moon on the Infinity Nikki subreddit. Even though I dont really care to post my own photos there, its thrilling enough to know Im developing a talent for something I didnt know was in me to begin with. I took that success with Infinity Nikki and translated it to Assassins Creed. Im actually glad the game doesnt have the feature from the last Assassins Creed where your horse automatically follows the road. Without it, I am forced to take in the games impressive weather and foliage as I drive ole Kikai around rather than looking at my phone after setting him on auto-pilot. Thats how I found my first picture. I was roaming around as Yasuke and I rode by a long road flanked by Japanese maples in full, deep-red autumn foliage. (At least I think theyre Japanese maples. The codex could stand a few more flora and fauna entries, Ubisoft.) The colors were so vibrant and the sound of the wind through the leaves was so invigorating, I felt I had to preserve the moment despite none of it being real. The urge was strong enough that it completely changed my feelings about photo mode altogether.1/3Image: UbisoftI saw that entirely fake scenery made of pixels and code and immediately opened up photo mode as though I was capturing real natural phenomena. I placed the camera behind him and zoomed out to see as much foliage as I could fit into the shot, while still keeping Yasuke as the focus of the picture. I then tinkered with the lighting to brighten the leaves and the saturation so their colors would pop. I wanted it to look like a shot Akira Kurosawa could have composed for one of his samurai epics a kind of thought Ive never had while taking pictures in real life or in games. This moment completely changed my perspective on video game photography. What once seemed like a cool party trick now felt like a real avenue of creative expression.Putting the photo modes in Nikki and Shadows through their paces, Ive discovered game photography is now something I can really, earnestly do, and want to do more of. I hope to get better at it so I can one day take those skills from capturing video games to capturing real life. See More:

SwitchBot will integrate more than 45 of its products with Home Assistant during the first half of this year, the company said in an email to The Verge. That expansion includes The SwitchBot Hub 3 that was first revealed in a filing with the Connectivity Standards Alliance last week.Many of these integrations are coming in April, according to a list on SwitchBots website that includes the Robot Vacuum K10 Plus Pro, Curtain 3 smart shades, and its garage door opener. They will join other SwitchBot devices that have Home Assistant integration, like the SwitchBot Lock Pro. Given its varied and ever-growing collection of smart home products, SwitchBots commitment to integrate so many devices is great news for users of the open-source Home Assistant platform. The community-created integrations that let devices from the biggest smart home players work with Home Assistant can be fragile as companies make undocumented software adjustments or actively fight to keep those integrations from working at all.

Godot 4.5 Dev1 Released / News / March 22, 2025 / GodotIts been absolutely ages since the last Godot game engine release, all the way back to earlier this month when Godot 4.4 came out! So that means its time to start Waiting for Godot again, specifically Godot 4.5. The good news is, they just released Godot 4.5 Dev1 and we are going to take a look at the major new features in this release.Overview of the release:Our first development snapshot for 4.5 has arrived! As is often the case following a feature-freeze, several quality PRs were finally released from the collective backlog, as merging them at the time wouldve been too much of a risk. In truth, the quantity has beensogreat that we couldve gotten away with releasing a snapshot a week ago! However, we found it worth our time to hold out and get as many contributions integrated as possible, as a way of thanking those whove been so patient in waiting for their contributions to see the light of day.A significant chunk of the changes in this release are bugfixes, the majority of which you will be see backported to 4.4 in a 4.4.1-stable release next week! As such, we encourage testing this build in order to ensure a smooth release for both versions. Granted, as thisisa pre-release, the bugfixes arent the only additions; the usual safety precautions that come with such an environment should be taken. Even though we prepare these snapshots such that theyre suitable for general testing, backups and/or version control are recommended to prevent the loss of data.Key Features of the Godot 4.5 Dev1 Release we cover in the video below:Mute game and multiple selection in the game windowNew collision system for TileMapLayersDrag and drop of resource UIDsKey LinksGodot 4.5 Dev1 Release NotesGodot Homepage