Final Fantasy is a series that needs no introduction, with the numerous JRPGs in this franchise wowing fans time and time again. Players love the intense battles and larger-than-life stories present in these titles.

Apple has officially announced the date for its annual Worldwide Developer's Conference (WWDC), where it announces the latest and greatest software updates for many of its platforms, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch.This year, the event kicks off on June 9th with the public keynote, followed by a developers conference that will run until June 13. This is shaping up to be a big event for Apple, with sweeping changes in the iPhone user experience, including redesigned icons, menus, and apps. And we might even see a hardware announcement (but likely not any new MacBooks, as we just got an M4 MacBook Air).Updates to all major Apple operating systemsAs this is a developer conference, we can expect to see updates announced for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and even the Vision Pro's visionOS.These will almost certainly include new features and functionality, although at time of writing, there aren't any concrete details about new features. However, one thing that has been confirmed by multiple reputed leakers is a visual overhaul of the Apple interface that spans the iPhone, iPad, and the Mac.iOS 19 and the new "glassy" interfaceThe big focus this year is on the iPhone interface. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has reported that a "dramatic software overhaul" is coming to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and now we might have an idea of what that will look like.That's because sometimes reliable leaker Jon Prosser reportedly gotten an early look at the iOS 19 redesign, and managed to recreate some of what he saw. He refers to it as a "glassy" interface, calling it "more rounded aesthetic and glossy, almost glassy styling" with the interface's edges popping up from the screen. The key example of this being a new keyboard design that makes it look like it's floating on top of the screen. The new look, according to Prosser, will be seen across the whole OS, from notifications to popups. The overall design will be similar to the newly released Apple Invites app.Gurman, on the other hand, believes that the redesign will be much bigger, with new round home screen icons and redesigned elements leading to a fresh look for all built-in Apple apps.The artwork for WWDC 2025 lends some credence to these rumors. The "25" in the image is heavily inspired by the visionOS interface, with glass-like elements.macOS won't be left behindFrom what we know so far, macOS 16 will also get the same overhauled look, or at least some version of it. This will lead to more visual consistency between the Mac and iPhone.According to Mark Gurman, macOS will feature more of a translucent look, similar to visionOS and what's coming to iOS 19. This will extend to apps, menus, and system features like popups as well.A wild Mac Pro may appearThe Mac Pro is the last Mac to not be updated with the M3 or M4 generation, currently boasting the M2 Ultra chip.The Mac Pro is rumored to be updated with a new M3 Extreme chip that would surpass the M3 Ultra chip found in the latest Mac Studio refresh.The rumors, once again reported on by Gurman, say that the Mac Pro is supposed to be updated sometime in the first half of the year, and it's possible that Apple will at least unveil it at WWDC. The WWDC keynote usually does not feature any hardware announcements, but it does make exceptions from time to time.

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.You know that I love a good running watch, but theres a soft spot in my heart for the more lifestyle-y Garmin Vivoactive 5. Its a sleek touchscreen watch with plenty of fitness features, and its going for as little as $209 today in Amazons Big Spring Sale.The original price of the Vivoactive 5 is $299, and depending on the color you want, you can get it for somewhere between $209 and $219 in todays sale. Its available in black, white, navy blue, and orchid purple. Garmin Vivoactive 5 GPS Smartwatch With AMOLED Display (Black) $209.00 at Amazon $299.99 Save $90.99 Get Deal Get Deal $209.00 at Amazon $299.99 Save $90.99 This watch is one of the most underrated out there, in my opinion. It beat out the Pixel Watch 3 in my comparison of the two watches, due to its week-long battery life and built-in fitness features. Its GPS accuracy is great, and while its heart rate accuracy is only OK, it can connect to a chest strap for the best possible data. (Pixels and Fitbits cannot.)The Vivoactive 5 uses a touchscreen for most of its functions, but still has two buttons that you can use to start and lap an activityessential for when youre fumbling around at the end of a hard interval. During everyday use, its sleek and simple, with fitness features and stats only a swipe or button press away.The aesthetic is a bit more fashionable than something like a Forerunner; where the Forerunner is chunky and sporty, the Vivoactive 5 will blend in nicely with a regular (i.e., non-sweatpants-based) outfit. Heck, get the black or white model, and pair it with a fancier-looking strap for a further visual upgrade. The Vivoactive 5 takes standard 20-millimeter watch bands.On the other hand, if youre looking for something with more running-specific features, consider the Garmin Forerunner 165, which is a similar price right now at $225 (normally $249). Or lean into the smartwatch features with a Venu 3, which is slightly larger and has some extra features, like the ability to take calls from your wrist if your phone is nearby. The Venu 3 is $410 today, normally $449.Shopping for tech? Lifehacker can help you make the right decision. Browse our tech reviews and head-to-head comparisons for everything from laptops and smartwatches to e-bikes and home gyms. Subscribe to our deals newsletter, Add to Cart, for the best sales sent to your inbox, or browse our best-of lists directly on Amazon, including:The Best Over-Ear HeadphonesThe Best Wireless EarbudsThe Best Adjustable Dumbbell SetsThe Best Projectors

It turns out Nintendo Directs are like buses. You wait ages for one then get two in quick succession. Days before Nintendo fully spills the beans on the Switch 2 during a dedicated showcase on April 2, the company is hosting a surprise Direct on March 27 at 10AM ET. You can watch it above.The stream will run for around 30 minutes and focus on upcoming Switch games. There won't be any Switch 2 info, but pretty much every game you see here will run on the new console anyway, thanks to backwards compatibility.Since this isn't billed as an Indie World Direct (those focus on indie games), it's not really clear what we can expect from this one. Nintendo's developers will largely be focused on making Switch 2 games at this point. Still, the Switch has a massive install base the company has sold more than 150 million of those consoles so Nintendo probably won't want to leave all those players behind any time soon.To that end, we can expect a stream of games for the original Switch to keep coming for the foreseeable future. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, for instance, is still slated to hit the Switch sometime this year. Third-party games will still be coming to the Switch as well, including a certain one from Team Cherry that we expect to show up in every single gaming showcase but won't mention here because we don't want to jinx it.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/nintendo/a-switch-2-less-nintendo-direct-will-stream-on-march-27-145809333.html?src=rss

The Amazon Spring Sale has given us a few great deals so far, but anyone looking for affordable earbuds is going to really appreciate this one. Right now, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are down to $45 from $80 a 44 percent discount. That's an incredible price for earbuds with active noise cancellation. The $45 deal on our favorite budget wireless earbuds is available for the Black and Blue models, while the White, Green and Purple options are slightly more expensive at $50. However, the latter two typically retail for $100, so they're actually half off with the current sale. As mentioned above, one of the great things about Anker's Soundcore Space A40 earbuds is that they offer ANC. Anker claims that using it can reduce potential noise by 98 percent. The earbuds also hold up to 10 hours of battery and up to 50 hours with the charging case. Plus, you can get up to four hours of extra juice with just 10 minutes in the case. The sound quality is also pretty decent, especially for the price.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-spring-sale-deals-include-our-favorite-budget-anker-earbuds-for-45-144520277.html?src=rss

Names, email addresses, and Sydney Tools purchase orders are leaking.

Pro-Ject is answering your warped vinyl prayers ahead of Record Store Day 2025 say hello to Flatten it.

Arx Anima showcases their expertise in creating lifelike digital creatures in their stunning VFX Animals Reel. From realistic fur simulations to intricate muscle movements, their work brings animals to life with remarkable precision. This reel highlights their commitment to blending artistry with advanced technology, delivering photorealistic creatures for films, TV, and commercials.The post Arx Anima VFX Animals Reel appeared first on Vfxexpress.

From concept to spectacle, Framestores previs, techvis, and postvis work played a crucial role in bringing the magical world of Wicked to life. In this in-depth webinar, Previsualisation Supervisor Chris McDonald and CCO Lucy Killick reveal how these visualization techniques shaped the films epic stunts, creatures, and musical numbers. Chris McDonald provides a deep dive into the pre-production process for Jon M. Chus blockbuster, highlighting how early visualization laid the foundation for the films ambitious action and dazzling set pieces. This breakdown offers a behind-the-scenes look at the artistry and technical precision required to craft the enchanting universe of Wicked.The post Behind the Magic: Framestores Visualisation for Wicked appeared first on Vfxexpress.

If you were given $100 and five minutes in a bookstore, which titles would you pick? Thats the premise of Simon & Schusters upcoming web series, Bookstore Blitzthe publishers latest internet-inspired effort to market its authors.And Bookstore Blitz is just the beginning. In a recent interview with The Cuts Cat Zhang, the flagship imprints new publisher, Sean Manning, shared his plans to modernize Simon & Schuster into a media powerhouse. Other series in the works include an awards showstyle interview program called Read Carpet.Were essentially an entertainment company with books at the center. Every Tuesday, we have a new author whos a cultural tastemaker, Manning said. Why arent we using them? Why are we so dependent on outside media?Theres a well-documented appetite for book-related content online. TikToks book community was responsible for approximately 59 million print book sales in 2024, catapulting previously unknown authors into household names. BookToks older, less zany cousin, BookTube, has also long been used to promote new publications and offer free marketing to authors big and small.Many of the top-selling fiction writers in the U.S. todayincluding Colleen Hoover, Sarah J. Maas, and Rebecca Yarrosowe their success in part to going viral on TikTok. A single video in the apps sensationalized style often outperforms traditional advertising, sending authors straight to the top of bestseller lists.BookToks runaway success has forced publishers into the 21st century, pushing them to grow their presence on other social platforms, especially Instagram and Threads. Manning believes his biggest competition is no longer other publishersits social media.Inspired by brands like Vice, which built a following through YouTube documentaries, and The New Yorker with its podcasts and annual festival, Manning told The Cut he envisions cultivating A24-style brand loyaltyfor books.As for Bookstore Blitz, Manning has big ambitions: My hope is that inevitably the series could be a promotional stop like Chicken Shop Date or Hot Ones.