Its up for debate where Assassins Creed Shadows lands in the hierarchy of Assassins Creed games, but its a clear top contender for best combat in franchise history. The discrepancy in styles and weapon sets between Naoe and Yasuke keeps the fighting fresh deep into the game, and improved AI helps enemy encounters feel challenging but fair.The games wide array of weaponry supports the robust combat system with items that are quite literally game-changers, particularly later in the campaign. Whether you like staying nimble with Naoe but struggle to deal with groups of enemies, or love stringing together combos with Yasukes katana and want to maximize your damage output, there are powerful, specialized weapons that can help cater to any style of attack you choose to employ.Below weve listed the best Legendary weapons for each weapon type in the game, where to find them, and why theyre worth seeking out.NaoeDragons EdgeWithout question, Naoes biggest weakness in combat is crowd control, particularly with the katana, which is better for one-on-one scenarios where its easier to manage distance. It takes a lot of finesse and lightning-quick timing for her to deal with a swarm of enemies, but the Dragons Edge katana mitigates this incredibly well. Its perk creates an AOE on hit with dodge attacks, which obviously gives Naoe a leg up when surrounded by grunts. Dodge attacks are super satisfying to land on their own, but adding an AOE to boot makes life a lot easier and frankly makes combat with Naoe even more fun. Oh, and Dragons Edge comes with adrenaline gain as well, which makes it even sweeter.Dragons Edge is unlocked by completing the Topple the Traitor main story quest in Yamashiro by assassinating the Two-Faced.Shinobis FuryThe speed and evasiveness the tanto grants and its synergy with the hidden blade make it a go-to for fast-twitch players, though tantos arent great for ranged combat. What makes Shinobis Fury such a useful tanto is its perk, which causes weakpoint attacks to make enemies vulnerable a second time. When stacked with other gear like the Hood of the Dragon, whose perk restores 33% health on weakpoint attacks, it makes Naoe far more formidable in close-range combat as two consecutive weakpoint attacks restore a whopping two thirds of her health bar.Shinobis Fury can be found by killing The Golden Teppo in the main quest line by completing either the Defensive Position or Drive the Point Home quest.Oceans GripThe most effective tactic when fighting as Naoe is managing distance. Kusarigamas are great for keeping enemies at bay from a safe distance, and the Oceans Grip is unique in that when you hit enemies further than three meters away, damage is increased by 60%. Using kusarigamas to keep enemies at bay is the most tactical, measured way to play as Naoe, and while it can take a while to dispatch enemies with this method, Oceans Grip greatly expedites the process and buys you time to collect yourself in the midst of chaos.Oceans Grip is unlocked by assassinating Lopo Cruz in the Pirates Alliance side quest in Wakasa.YasukeTurquoise ZephyrIf youre a parry-heavy player, the Turquoise Zephyr is one of the most deadly long katanas in the game. Its perk pushes enemies back upon a successful parry, completely changing the rhythm of battle in your favor, particularly if youre the strategic type. When combined with gear boasting further effects like the Armor of the Undead, which creates a cloud of poison on a successful parry, its a particularly effective way to wreak havoc when surrounded.The Turquoise Zephyr can be found in Yamashiro in a hidden chest under a broken bridge at Eagles Nest.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!Sages ReachWhile not as flashy, a defensive approach to combat is as effective as any in Shadows, and though blocking isnt as flashy as parrying or dodging, it can be crucial in surviving close-call encounters in which you otherwise might be overwhelmed. Naginatas are slower but rangy and powerful, and the Sages Reach naginata adds a useful wrinkle to defense, stacking +10% damage on your next hit after each blocked attack.Find Sages Reach by killing the Naginata Shinbakufu leader in Sakamoto Castle on the Southwest side of Lake Biwa in the Omi Region.Patient HarbingerThe teppo is one of the trickier weapons to master in AC Shadows due to its drastically different cadence and spacing compared to the other weapons. Using a slow-loading rifle to take down rushing enemies can be downright panic-inducing, but the Patient Harbinger teppo remedies this drawback pretty significantly by allowing you to load two bullets for each reload, effectively doubling your rate of fire and buying you precious time.Find Patient Harbinger in a chest in Wakasa at the Hikidan-jo Ruins at Lake Suigetsu.Dragons WrathLike the Patient Harbiniger, the Dragons Wrath bow allows you to unleash powerful attacks drastically quicker than you normally would, which allows you to speed up your style and pace of combat significantly. While it typically takes time to charge arrows, Dragons Wraths perk instantly charges them, upping the speed and damage of bow combat by quite a lot. Yasuke is quite slow compared to Naoe to begin with, so not having to worry about charging arrows makes the bow a far more effective weapon in general.To acquire Dragons Wrath, kill the Tsutsui Agent in the Kurai Eikyou quest.Boulder FallVideo games can be cathartic in many ways, but few things are more cathartic than swinging a gigantic war club at groups of hapless enemies, leaving pools of blood in your wake. If you want to reach maximum catharsis with AC Shadows kanabo, the Boulder Fall is the way to go. The clubs perk makes it so that attacks cannot be interrupted, which not only completely changes the flow of combat but makes kanabo combat the most indulgently fun, silly, and satisfyingly violent in the game.To find Boulder Fall, assassinate the Katsugari Agent in the Kurai Eikyou quest.

There are a few words in the design lexicon that always seem to stump people. Whether its the age-old debate between sofa and couch (they are not the same!) or, in this case, drapes and curtains, it can be hard to nail down exactly what the difference is and why it (may or may not) matter. Have no fear, Im here to help. As a design editor, I deal with these terms regularly. Below, youll find everything you need to know about drapes and curtains, what the real difference is, where blinds fit into the equation, which style may work best for your home, and all the things you need to consider before purchasing. Jump to:Related StoriesDrapes vs. Curtains: Whats the Difference? Read McKendree for Country LivingGreen-and-white patterned curtains keep this coastal cottage bedroom designed by Marynn Udvarhelyi feeling fresh and breezy.The terms drapes and curtains are very often used interchangeably when referring to fabric window treatments, but in reality, they are distinctly differentand it all comes down to formality and construction. Drapes are often made-to-measure for specific windows and crafted from higher-end designer-exclusive fabrics, also known as to the trade fabrics. These window coverings are typically thickerthink lush velvet or thick woven cottonsand lined for enhanced light-blocking capabilities. Drapes are almost always more formal than curtains. Curtains are breezierespecially sheer curtainsas they arent typically lined in the same manner as drapes. The fabrics used in their construction are also generally not as heavy-duty as those found in drapes. While curtains can be made-to-order, they are often prefabricated in standard lengths and widths. For example, you can buy curtains at popular retailers (Anthropologie, Target, etc.), but not drapesthough sometimes those retailers include drapes in their category headers as a way to make sure consumers searching for any type of window treatment online are seeing their pieces. (As if it wasnt confusing enough!) What About Blinds or Shades? Read McKendreeDesigner Katie Rosenfeld layered wood shades and block-print drapes in this crisp, yet casual Maine beach house. You may ask yourself: Do blinds fit into all of this? Yes, they do! Before we get into that, though, lets quickly address the difference between blinds and shades. Blinds are comprised of single pieces of material (like strips of wood) strung together that tilt to block out light. Shades, on the other hand, are typically made of one piece of material (either yardage of fabric or natural materials tightly woven together into a single piece) that you can raise or lower as desired. Blinds and shades both look great on their own, but they can also be used for layering. You can technically pair both with drapes and curtains, but designers often prefer bamboo or woven wood shades for added visual texture and contrast. (I have these woven wood shades in my home and absolutely adore them. They are customizable and ship via Amazon!) Blinds and shutters, another popular louvered light-blocker that are usually wood, typically nestle neatly within the window frame, so they shouldnt cause an issue for your fabric window coverings (provided you have deep enough window casing). Shades can also nestle within the window, but can also hang outside and have a more pronounced face. Are Curtains or Drapes Better for My Home?Marta Xochilt Perez for Country LivingClassic ticking stripe curtains add humble country charm to this lake house living room.Like many design rules, choosing the best window treatments for your room comes down to personal preference. If youre torn between the two and cost is not a concern (well get more into costs below), the best rule of thumb is to weigh these two factors: style and light filtration. Drapes are more refined due to the structured look provided by the thicker, heavier fabrics used to make them. (Some designers even add drapery weights to maintain a prim and proper appearance.) Drapes also typically filter more light because of their heavier construction. If you live in a classic Colonial-style home or one filled with more traditional elements, opt for drapes. Curtains, on the other hand, are lighter and breezier, making them a more popular choice for the casual living found in farmhouses and cottages. Important Things to Consider Matthew KisidayThe drapes in this West Virginia bunk room designed by Kendall Rabun are crafted of Quadrille Fabrics "Argentine."CostRegardless of what style you choose, window treatments can be found at various price points. In general, curtains are typically less expensive than drapes because of the type and amount of fabric used. Drapes may also feature additional design details that increase their cost, such as pleating, custom header types (the way the curtain looks and functions at the top), or specialized trims. Brands like Pepper Home and Everhem have revolutionized the window treatment game, offering custom curtains with stylish fabric options at direct-to-consumer prices. If you love the more formal look of drapes but they arent in your budget, check out local or online estate sales for vintage drapery panels that might work in your home. Just keep your window measurements handy! Or, you can even buy premade curtains, then add your own DIY trim or embellishment. Light FiltrationAs weve mentioned, drapes are typically better at darkening a room than curtains. Drapes will provide more light filtration, so if thats a priority for you, go for drapes or budget-friendly blackout curtains. If you prefer some light peeking through, opt for curtains. And, remember, you can always pair your curtains with a shade for extra darkness. They even make blackout shades that look a lot better than those vinyl roller shades of the past.PlacementDesigners might say that certain rooms benefit from certain types of window treatments, but in reality its up to you to decide what works within your budget and your style preference. Bedrooms benefit from the darkness of drapes but may feel heavy or stuffy if the rest of your furnishings are more casual or classically farmhouse. Formal spaces, such as living and dining rooms, are perfect for drapes. Communal gathering areas, like the kitchen or family room, are great for curtains. And, rooms where you want even more light but still desire the layered look window coverings givethink powder or laundry roomsare the perfect place for sheer or caf curtains. RELATED:Anna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything youve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When shes not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.

Ive described one of Waterfields earlier backpacks as a mini-Tardis, as it carries way more inside than youd ever expect from the compact form factor, and thats even more true of the latest Shinjuku Backpack.It looks like a slim backpack suitable for a MacBook, charger, and a few other bits and pieces, but the beautifully-organized layout means its surprisingly capacious Look & feelThe bag is made from waxed canvas, a tough and highly water-resistant fabric, with leather side-panels and accents. Its available in a choice of brown or navy, alongside unwaxed canvas options in black or green.Waxed canvas seems to be one of those materials that has somehow transitioned from the purely utilitarian to the fashionable in the past few years. While leather is always my first love when it comes to bags, this mix of the two materials works really well, giving it a ruggedly stylish appearance.As with the Tuck Backpack, this is a bag Id happily take to an important meeting or upmarket restaurant, though I see it as better suited to a leather jacket than a suit.Ill get to the specifics, but it has all of the small touches and quality feel Ive come to expect of the San Francisco-based company.Dimensions, capacity, and layoutThe bag is 17 inches high by 10 inches wide by 5 inches deep, and has a total capacity of 16 liters.Inside, theres a rear padded laptop section, which holds anything up to the 16-inch MacBook Pro, and a separate padded iPad slot, which comfortably accommodates a 13-inch iPad with Magic Keyboard.Theres an internal elasticated water bottle holder, which is flexible enough to accommodate anything from a travel mug to a 1-liter thermos. If youre not using this, its easily pushed to the side, taking up no space.Also on the interior is a zipped security pocket suitable for a passport, wallet, and cash. The rest of the interior has enough space for a sweater and books, or pretty much anything else you might carry around when using it as a day bag and could also serve as a weekend bag if you travel light. If you dont, then theres a rear luggage strap to slide it over the handle of a roller-bag (please, all bag makers, do this as standard its such a small thing that makes such a big difference).Moving to the outside, there are two zipped pockets, the top one with two expanding slots, the bottom with one accessory slot and two pen slots. Either pocket comfortably accommodates an iPhone 16 Pro Max, while the pockets are ideal for things like charging bricks, portable SSDs, and powerbanks.There are also two slimline side pockets. These arent big enough for an insulated coffee cup that needs to go in the interior slot but you can carry a small umbrella on one side and a small water bottle on the other. When not in use, they fold flat, so dont get in the way.In useFor me the biggest benefit of this bag is the fact that you can carry a lot while maintaining a slim profile. Backpacks can be a liability on public transit, and if you take them off they can be awkward to hold while also keeping a hand free for a grab-rail. But at five inches deep, it doesnt get in anyones way.Thats not coincidence: the company says the name was inspired by the worlds busiest transit hub inTokyos Shinjuku district.The laptop padding is reassuring, and the fact that both MacBook and iPad are on the inside, closest to your back, means I never had to be concerned about either device getting bashed by anyone around me.The interior is lined with a very reflective gold-colored material, which is now pretty much a standard feature of premium bags. Its intended to bounce ambient light around the interior to make it as easy as possible to see the contents of the bag, and it never ceases to amaze me what a huge difference this makes.All zippers are YKK ones. This is a Japanese company renowned for long-lasting, reliable, waterproof zippers, and in all the many years Ive been using bags fitted with these Ive never once had one catch or fail. The zippers have dual pulls for the main section, letting you choose between them meeting in the middle for the most convenient access, or bringing them down to one side for maximum security in crowded places.Pricing and conclusionsAs Ive noted before, Waterfields bags arent cheap, and the Shinjuku Backpack is no exception, coming in at $329. But as Ive also said previously, the materials, workmanship, and designs all live up to the standards youd expect of a premium US-made bag in this kind of price bracket.As a self-confessed bagaholic, Ive been using several of the companys bags for five or six years now, and they have all stood the test of time. If youre looking for a compact backpack that doubles as a second cabin bag and combines surprising capacity with rugged good looks, this could be the one for you.The Waterfield Shinjuku Backpack is available from the companys website in four finishes, each priced at $329.Add 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

Your Friday lineup of the best Apple gear deals and accessories for them all is now ready to go. We are tracking solid $220 price drops on a couple different 24GB M4 and M4 Pro MacBook Pro configurations alongside massive deals on M3 MacBook Air models at up to $550 off the original prices. From there its over to Amazon Renewed Premium iPhone 15 Pro Max units at up to $766 off joined by some affordable Find My accessories a wallet tracker card and leather Find My wallet down at $25.All of that and more awaits below in todays 9to5Toys Lunch Break.You can score a 24GB M4 Pro MacBook Pro for the same price as the M4 1TB today, now $220 offAs part of the ongoing Amazon Big Spring Sale, the deals on Apples M4 series MacBook Pro models have been flying with pricing still kicking off from $1,399, or $200 off, on the base model. But we wanted to touch down this morning to highlight a couple of the 24GB models that are now sitting at $220 off the going rates to match the lowest prices of the year. This includes an upgraded 1TB M4 model, but youll want to head below for more details as you can also score an M4 Pro variant at the same price right now.Deciding between the M4 and M4 Pro MacBook Pro model largely comes down to price for most folks. Its really a matter of deciding whether or not you really need the extra M4 Pro horsepower and if youre really willing to spend the cash on one. Everyone wants the extra M4 Pro power cause why not? but if you dont really need it you really dont need to spend the cash on it.Then it comes down to deciding your configuration do you need 24GB of RAM? An upgraded SSD? There a couple of notable deals to scope out today if you do.Firstly, Amazon is offering the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro upgraded with 24GB of RAM and a 1TB internal SSD down at $1,779 shipped. Thats $220 off the regular $1,999 list price and on par with the lowest price we have tracked this year.But how much do you value that 1TB of storage here?Amazon is also offering the more powerful 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro with 24GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD down at the same $1,779 shipped list price right now.Now theres nothing particular new about this decision as both of these models carry the same $1,999 list price from Apple. But it certainly begs the question how much do you need the double storage action?For me its an easy answer go for the horsepower on the M4 Pro all the way and stick a portable SSD in there, no questions asked. For some it might not be so easy. I do know folks that seriously value the upgraded storage I often times tell them they are wrong and dont, but hey, to each their own.Either way we are looking at a match of the lowest prices we have tracked this year on these models and a great chance to score $220 off the list price on a shiny new M4 series MacBook Pro.Score $766 off an unlocked 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max today (Amazon Renewed Premium, 1-year warranty)As part of the now live Big Spring Sale, Amazons Renewed Premium program is offering a giant price drop on the 1TB iPhone 15 Pro Max. This device fetched $1,599 at this time last year and you can now score an unlocked unit on Amazon from $832.99 shipped. Thats $766 off the original price and the lowest price we can find from a refurbishment program as reputable as Amazons that also delivers a solid 1-year warranty. This is the lowest price we have tracked from Amazon on this configuration. Details below.Its certainly no iPhone 16, but scoring an unlocked iPhone 16 Pro Max with the upgraded 1TB of storage is going to cost you a whole lot more than this it fetches the same $1,599 this model used to go for. The series 16 devices did make some notable upgrades to the camera array, not to mention adding the new Camera Control button along the edge of the bezel, but if you ask me, anyone looking to score a serious deal on an iPhone right now ought to consider the Amazon Renewed Premium program and should very much be looking towards either the 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max.If you dont care about the latest and greatest, a device from a few generations back is just fine. But the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, as we have highlighted previously, are the only two models outside of the series 16 handsets that support Apple Intelligence and who knows what other features will get introduced down the line the older device wont be able to handle.As for the Amazon Renewed Premium units, they are, in our experience, among the best refurbs in the renewed iPhone business and include a full 1-year warranty.Amazon now clearing out 24GB 15-inch M3 MacBook Airs at a $1,349 low ($550 off the original price)The M4 MacBook Air has now arrived and we are tracking some straight up $50 price drops across just about every configuration already. But if you can make the still quite capable M3 model work for you, we just spotted a particularly notable deal on an upgraded 15-inch model. Amazon is now offering the 24GB 15-inch MacBook Air with the 512GB SSD in all four colorways down at $1,349 shipped thats as much as $550 off the original price of this configuration. Details below.The configuration is question here saw an official price drop of sorts last fall when Apple shuffled its RAM options up a notch the 8GB model is gone in favor of a 16GB configuration without raising the price. This effectively dropped the official MSRP of every model down $200.This machine carried an $1,899 list price before last October before the 24GB 15-inch Air dropped to $1,699 todays deal, which is a new Amazon all-time low, is $550 under the original price and $350 under the price it landed at after the RAM bump.But how does this stack up to the new M4 MacBook Air? They did receive a nice price drop on top of the same RAM upgrade after all.A 15-inch M4 MacBook Air with the same specs as the model featured above fetches a $1,599 list price at Apple and is now on sale at Amazon for $1,549, so youre still saving $250 with the M3 model here.But just keep in mind, a 24GB 13-inch M4 model carries a list price at $1,399 and you can score one right now at the same $1,349 shipped as the 15-incher detailed above.So a better a question might be, how much do you value the 15-inch display? You can score the brand new 13-inch with the same RAM and SSD capacity at the same price right now.All 4 colors of Apples new M4 MacBook Air are $50 off at Amazon, or up to $450 off with tradeNow even lower: Apples 24GB M4 Pro Mac mini just dropped again to new all-time low at $200 off, more from $529Update: Hello! Amazon just knocked another $50 off the M4 Pro Mac mini to deliver a new all-time low at $1,199 shipped. Regularly $1,399, you can now score the upgraded machine with the M4 Pro chip, 24GB of RAM, and the 512GB SSD at $200 off this is the best Amazon price we have ever tracked and the lowest all-time.Apples iPad mini 7 now $100 off for Amazons Big Spring Sale, deals from $399AirPods Pro 2 back to one of the best prices this year at $170, AirPods 4 just returned to $100 Amazon low (Reg. up to $249)Ankers rechargeable SmartTrack E30 wallet card with Apple Find My back at just $24 (30% off)Todays accessories and charging deals:Apples latest AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation drop back to Amazon 2025 low at $149 today, base set at $100The AirPods Pro 2 deal down at $170 is still live, and we still have the base model AirPods 4 sitting at the $100 low, but the elevated AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are getting in on the Amazon Big Spring Sale today too. Regularly $179, Amazon is now offering Apples latest AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation down back down at $148.99 shipped this is matching our previous mention and the lowest price we have tracked this year there.While we did catch a short-lived offer on the ANC AirPods 4 ahead of Christmas last year at the $139 Amazon all-time low, todays deal is otherwise on par with the best we have seen otherwise. There have also been some extremely fleeting, almost spammy, offers from less than desirable online retailers for less, but just about no one had a chance to scoop them up and Im not sure you would have even wanted too anyway I didnt.Apples AirPods Pro 2 remain the gold standard in Apple in-ear listening experiences if you ask me (and million of others) they were after all one of the most popular products among 9to5Toys readers last year despite the newer AirPods 4 hitting the market last fall, and were featured in our 9to5Toys Favorite Things of 2024 feature for this reason.That said, the AirPods 4 are a less pricey endeavor and one that we came away quite impressed with after getting hands-on last year Hands-on with AirPods 4: better in every way.Joining the active noise cancelation, Siri hands- and voice-free interactions, Voice Isolation, and Personalized Spatial Audio tech, they land with a redesigned earbud form-factor featuring a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls alongside a case that is the smallest in the industry with wireless chargingSamsungs Smart Monitors now up to $300 off for Big Spring Sale, deals start from $180Ankers new display-equipped 25K mAh power bank with dual USB-C cables and new wall charger hit all-time low pricingJourney debuts new steel Apple Find My water bottle with wireless charging, built-in MagSafe stand, and a 15% launch dealESRs latest Geo iPad Pencil with Find My is more than $100 less than Apple Pencil Pro, now down at $25.50As part of the ongoing Amazon Big Spring Sale and all of the notable Eve smart home deals we are tracking, we are now highlighting a notable offer on Eve Energy the brands Matter-equipped smart plugs. While the single unit listing has dropped from $40 down to$29.95 with free shipping for Prime members or in orders over $35, you can also score the 2-pack down at $54.95 shipped from the usual $75 right now as well.Clearly the $30 single is less cash out of pocket today, but if you can put two of these more premium smart plugs to good use, the per unit price on the 2-pack at $55 is better. The 2-pack is also now matching the lowest price we have tracked on Amazon to deliver some of the better smart plugs in the game that work across just about any smart home platform youre on.These are the latest Matter models whether youre whole setup is a HomeKit one, or you have some family members on Android, or you use Alexa and Google Assistant gear, the Eve Energy is good to go:Eve Energy is equipped with future-proof Matter technology, enabling you to connect it to several platforms. Let the whole family access your home easily and securely no matter if they use an iPhone, Android device or call upon Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant.They feature Thread network technology for a robust smart home; enhances the stability and reach of your Thread network, alongside offering remote smart control over the electronics you have plugged into them 100% Privacy: No Eve cloud, no registration, no tracking. Local communication without cloud dependency.More of the Eve Big Spring Sale deals to scope out:All-new Nintendo Today! app now live on iOS and Android, reveals the rumored Switch 2 C buttonAdd 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

For over a decade, a star system on the verge of unleashing a deadly gamma ray burst appeared to have its guns trained on Earth.The so-called "Death Star," which is also famed for looking like a glowing pinwheel, has caused a lot of lost sleep among astronomers. But now they and the entire planet may finally breathe a sigh of relief.In a recent study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, a team of researchers at the Keck Observatory in Hawai'i took a closer look at the system, Wolf-Rayet 104, confirming that its unique appearance is the result of its two constituent stars dancing around each other as they each give off a mesmerizing wind of luminous gases.But surprisingly, the astronomers also found that the orientation of the stars' orbits isn't what it was long assumed to be with the optimistic upshot that, when it does explode, the Earth won't be caught in the crossfire. Hooray!"When I started this project, I thought the main focus would be the colliding winds and a face-on orbit was a given," study author Grant Hill of Keck Observatory said in a statement. "Instead, I found something very unexpected. The orbit is tilted at least 30 or 40 degrees out of the plane of the sky."WR 104's primary star is known as a Wolf-Rayet, a type of uber-hot and extraordinarily massive star typically 25 or more times as massive as our own Sun that's quickly dying.In a dramatic prelude to their impending demise, Wolf-Rayets rapidly cast off their outer layers, which get swept up by the star's powerful wind. In WR 104's case, the Wolf-Rayet's wind collides with the wind of its orbital companion, an even more massive star, creating a pinwheel of swirling dust that glows in the infrared spectrum, the astronomers found.The spectacle is soon doomed to end in a supernova, tragically. Wolf-Rayets have lifespans only in the hundreds of thousands of years, opening the possibility that the gamma ray burst it would unleash upon exploding could barrage our planet with deadly radiation in the not-so-distant on a cosmic scale, at least future.It looks like Earth will be spared this fate. Yet the mysteries of the "Death Star" abound. How does this star appear to face us, even though the poles of its axis don't, can't yet be explained."This is such a great example of how with astronomy we often begin a study and the universe surprises us with mysteries we didn't expect," Hill said in the statement. "In this case, WR 104 is not done surprising us yet."More on astronomy: Get Ready to Watch This Star ExplodeShare This Article

Character.AI, the controversial chatbot startup embroiled in two separate lawsuits concerning the welfare of minor users, just rolled out a new "Parental Insights" feature that the company claims will give parents a deeper glimpse into how their kids are using the chatbot platform.In a blog post on Tuesday, the youth-beloved Character.AI characterized the feature as an "initial step" towards developing robust safety and parental control tools. Let's hope so: this tool appears to be absurdly easy for teens to bypass, and it's unclear how much "insight" it will really offer parents.The feature is pretty simple. An underage Character.AI user can switch on Parental Insights by heading to their account "preferences" tab. There, they're prompted to enter one or several emails belonging to parents and guardians, who will receive a weekly email that updates them on their child's "daily average time spent on the platform across both web and mobile"; a list of the "top characters their teen interacted with most frequently during the week"; and the amount of "time spent with each Character," which Character.AI says will give "parents insight into engagement patterns."On its face, there are some limited situations where these emailed updates could be helpful. Character.AI executives have previously claimed that its average user spends about two hours a day on the platform; that's a lot of time, especially for a teen, and it could be legitimately enlightening for a parent or guardian of an active Character.AI user to see how often their kid is really engaging with the site's bots. It's also true that Character.AI has hosted tons of openly nefarious, violent, sexually suggestive, and otherwise dangerous bots that might raise more obvious alarm bells with parents, so a list of "top characters" could prove useful there.Right out of the gate, however, there are enforcability red flags starting with the fact that users control the Parental Insights on-switch themselves.According to Character.AI, parents and guardians will receive notifications sent to their emails if a teen turns the controls off (we tested this, and it worked.)But it's wildly easy to make new Character.AI accounts all you really need is a working email address. And while testing Parental Insights on both web and mobile, we found that we were not immediately notified when our "teen" a decoy minor account we created signed out of the platform and signed into a new, Parental Insights-free account. (On that note, the existing Character.AI age-gating process is limited to simply asking new users to self-report accurate birthdays upon sign-up. Needless to say, kidson the internet have always known they can just lie byinputting anolder birthday.)Over on the r/CharacterAI subreddit, users were doubtful of Parental Insights' efficacy."I sure hope it's only for people with their parents' email or who set their age as a minor," wrote one commenter."Good thing my parents don't know what Character.AI is," added another.What's more, though Parental Insights is designed to show parents how much time minor users are spending on the platform and which bots they're spending that time with, Character.AI has made it clear that it won't be sharing thecontentof teens' interactions in its Insights updates."Enter your parent's email to share your AI journey they'll get weekly stats about your activity," reads the notice that crops up on the screen when a minor goes to switch on Parental Insights. It then provides the disclaimer: "your chat content will stay private."That detail feels significant, given that Character.AI bots' outward-facing personas often don't provide much, if any, insight into the nature of the conversations that users are having with them.In the very active r/CharacterAI subreddit, users have shared stories about turning to bots based on innocuous cartoon characters or even inanimate objects for emotionally and psychologically intimate conversations only for the chatbots to suddenly make sexual overtures, even when unprompted and when the user expressly tries to avoid a sexual interaction. The site's characters are also known to suddenly employ bizarre tactics to develop a sense of closeness with users, like sharing alleged secrets or disclosing made-up mental health woes, which could stand to transform the nature of a user's relationship with even the most anodyne character.In other words, thoughsomeCharacter.AI bots are obviously concerning, they're broadly unpredictable, and a bot's surface-level appearance and description may not necessarily reveal the reality of a user's relationship with it and in fact, could even work to obscure the depth and weight of that relationship. (This is a theme in both lawsuits, which detail multiple minors carrying on explicit conversations about self-harm and suicide, in addition to romantically and sexually intimate relationships, with seemingly innocuous characters based on anime, TV, and real-life celebrities.)Of course, there's a lot of nuance here, and we're not saying that parents should be getting transcripts of their kids' Character.AI interactions. In the case that a minor ishaving intimate conversations with bots sharing secrets or insecurities, engaging sexually, treating a bot like a journal or a therapist it would likely be embarrassing, or even destructive or dangerous, for a parent or other adult to look over their shoulder. But this raises other, larger questions about whether unpredictable Character.AI bots are a reliably safe container for young people to engage in simulated intimacy and emotional support. (Multiple experts have told us they don't think so.)On the one hand, it's good to see Character.AI start to make good on some of its promises to enact safety-oriented change. The company declined to provide us with a statement for this story, but its chief product officer, Erin Teague, toldAxiosthat the new feature "encourages parents to have an open dialogue with their children about how they use the app."Still, Character.AI which has always been open to users 13 and over has repeatedly declined to explain what process, if any, it ever took to determine that its platform was safe for kids that young to begin with, and has continued to be reactive in the face of its many controversies.There was something else that felt notable about the update, too. When we were asked by email to approve our fake teen's Parental Insights request, the message we received noted that, by agreeing to use the parental control tool, we were also agreeing to the Character.AI terms of use and privacy policy. These policies allow for the collection of minor users' data, including the content of their interactions with chatbots, and the subsequent use of that data for future AI training."Click 'Agree' below to start getting these updates," read the email. "This also confirms you're their parent/guardian and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy."We asked Character.AI for clarification on whether a parent opting in to Parental Insights means they also acquiesce to the collection of their kids' interactions with Character.AI, and the use of those interactions to further fuel the company's AI models. We also asked whether Character.AI is planning to allow minors to opt out of such data collection in the future. We didn't hear back.More on Character.AI: Did Google Test an Experimental AI on Kids, With Tragic Results?Share This Article

Theres a lot that goes into crafting the perfect movie title. Weve celebrated (and made fun of) plenty of notable titles at this very website over the years, cheering for the most evocative and creative and jeering at the dumbest. Choosing a great title is an important part of the filmmaking process maybe even the most important, since itll be the audiences first impression of the whole thing even before they see what its about and whos in it and whether or not it has a post-credits scene at the end.There are some titles so iconic it would be tough to use them a second time. Theres a reason theres only one Citizen Kane out there, and no ones made another movie called The Dark Knight (yet). When a movie sticks in the mind, its partially because of the title, and great movies tend to hold on to their titles so tightly its difficult to reuse them. Still, there are so many movies out there that it would be impossible for all of them to be called completely different things. In fact, there are a lot of movies even famous ones that share the exact same title with a completely different movie.This is where we run into trouble while scrolling absentmindedly on the apps late at night. A movie we think we recognize catches our eye, but when we start watching it it turns out to be something much different, just with the same title. Its a testament, really, to the versatility of language that the same word or phrase could be used to refer to such disparate stories. 1980s action creature features share the same name as modern documentaries, just as indie director debuts and rowdy studio sports comedies can be easily mixed up for the same reason. Theres even a famous director who copied the title of his own movie. So nice they used it twice. (Or three times or five!)12 Pairs of Wildly Different Movies With the Exact Same TitleYou'll be very confused if you get any of these movies mixed up.Gallery Credit: Emma StefanskyREAD MORE: 15 Actors Who Hated Their Own TV ShowsGet our free mobile appThe Worst Mockbuster Ripoffs of Beloved Animated MoviesWe can't in good conscience recommend any of these terrible cartoon mockbusters.Gallery Credit: Emma Stefansky

This is a 100% Remote - Full Time position for Freelancers only.About Us:We are a premium perfume and cosmetics brand, handcrafted in Switzerland, with a strong presence in the DACH market and expanding internationally. As we go public, we are looking for a highly motivated, execution-driven marketing leader to drive our growth and brand impact across multiple channels.About the Role:As a Freelancer-Remote Graphic Designer, you will be responsible for designing, maintaining, and optimizing visual assets for websites, marketing materials, social media, and digital campaigns. You will collaborate closely with designers, developers, content creators, and marketing professionals to ensure a cohesive and high-quality brand identity for our clients. This role requires a strong eye for design, creativity, and the ability to adapt to various brand guidelines.Key Responsibilities:Graphic Design & Branding Develop and maintain high-quality visual content for websites, social media, email campaigns, and other marketing materials. Ensure all designs align with the branding and identity of client. Create digital assets including banners, infographics, product images, and advertisements.UI/UX Design Create visually appealing and user-friendly designs for web pages and landing pages. Develop wireframes, prototypes, and design mockups for website updates and new features. Ensure designs are mobile-friendly and adhere to modern web standards.Collaboration & Communication Work closely with marketing teams to design promotional graphics for digital campaigns. Collaborate with developers to ensure proper implementation of design elements. Provide creative direction and input on branding and visual strategies.Optimization & Performance Optimize images and graphics for maximum efficiency and fast loading speeds. Conduct A/B testing on visual elements to improve engagement and conversion rates. Continuously research and implement the latest design trends and best practices.Troubleshooting & Adjustments Identify and resolve design-related issues as needed. Revise and update designs based on feedback from stakeholders.Required Skills & Qualifications:Experience 3+ years of experience in graphic design, preferably in digital marketing or ecommerce. Experience working with multiple brands or within an agency setting is a plus.Technical Skills: Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, XD). Experience with Figma, Sketch, or other UI/UX design tools. Knowledge of web design principles, typography, and colour theory. Basic knowledge of HTML & CSS is a plus.Soft Skills Strong creative thinking and problem-solving abilities. Excellent attention to detail and ability to follow brand guidelines. Strong communication and teamwork skills. Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a remote setting.Work Environment & Expectations: Remote Work: full time, Starting 8:00 am CET Work Schedule: flexible schedule with deliverables-based accountability. Collaboration Tools: Slack, Asana, Notion, Google Workspace, and Figma. Performance Reviews: Monthly check-ins and performance assessments based on deliverables and quality.Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now

Submitted by WA Contents3XN-designed Sydney Fish Market reaches a major milestone with a 200-metre-long floating canopy Australia Architecture News - Mar 28, 2025 - 14:38 html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd"Danish architecture firm 3XN has shared an update for its new fish market in Sydney, Australia. The new Sydney Fish Market has achieved a significant milestone with the final roof panel installed.The roof is the most iconic feature of the market, consisting of 594 timber beams and 400 aluminum pyramidal cassettes that create its scaly appearance.The Sydney Fish Market is designed in collaboration with local architect BVN, GXN Innovation, and landscape architecture office Aspect Studios, and public art consultant WallnerWeiss.Image MultiplexAiming to revitalise Sydneys Blackwattle Bay, the 80,000-square-metre project features a broad roof structure made of timber and aluminium hovers over the building, uniting different functions with one graceful gesture and bolstering the buildings iconic presence along the harbour.At a ceremony held at the site, NSW Premier Chris Minns, Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper, and NSW Regional Director Daniel Murphy at Multiplex celebrated the milestone: "It is incredibly exciting to have reached this stage in the build and start work on finishes. Were on the home stretch now and getting closer to being able to set foot in the new Sydney Fish Market, which will be an icon for Sydney and a destination for all," said Kamper.The underlying functional requirements establish the rippling structure, which ascends and descends in accordance with the program beneath. Besides design, the roof features four main attributes related to efficiency and sustainability: shading, daylighting, ventilation, rainwater harvesting, and the potential for solar energy generation.Image Multiplex"A hub for locals and tourists"According to 3XN founding partner Kim Herforth Nielsen, the traditional market "is the social hub of cities around the world and we want this one to be as important an icon for Sydney.""The new fish market preserves the intimacy and flexibility of open-air stalls united under a single sweeping canopy that characterises its iconic form.""In other cities around the world, wholesale fish markets are closed to the public because of the risks posed by industrial machinery and processes," said 3XN."Maintaining the visual connection between the public areas and wholesale or wharf operations was a key strategy posed by 3XN. In the new building, the ground floor hosts all the functions traditionally associated with fish markets the landing and loading of fish, the wholesale market, and the auction hall," the firm added.This milestone represents a pivotal moment in the project, as focus now turns from structural work to internal finishes, moving the building one step closer to completion.The new Sydney Fish Market will provide a lively combination of retail, dining, and community areas, featuring a fresh seafood market, restaurants, and a seafood school. With the new market, a vibrant center will emerge for residents and visitors alike, honoring Sydneys status as an international seafood destination.Image Sara VitaThe new Sydney Fish Market is crucial for transforming Blackwattle Bay, facilitating a connected waterfront promenade from Rozelle Bay to Woolloomooloo, 1,100 homes on the former fish market site, and over 6,000 square metres of public space, enhancing pedestrian and cycling connections.3XN released first visuals for the Sydney Fish Market in 2018. The firm received an approval for the Sydney Fish Market in 2020.3XN founding partner Kim Herforth Nielsen said that "this building will be many things when it is done: a working fish market, an amenity for the city, a cultural destination, an urban connector, and an inspiring icon along the world-renowned Sydney Harbour.""The natural value of the waters edge should not be underestimated and should be accessible to everyone," he added.Image Sara Vita3XN recently completed a new sports arena in Munich's Olympic Park, Germany. In addition, 3XN GXN together with landscape architect DETBL won a competition to design the Coastal Nature and Sport Fishing complex in Assens, Denmark.The project is expected to be completed in 2025.The top image in the article Multiplex.> via 3XN

The company has shifted away from smaller form factor phones as it eyes even bigger models.