Eidos Montral lays off 75 staff"It is not a reflection of their dedication or skills, but we dont have the capacity to reallocate them," the company said News by Vikki Blake Contributor Published on March 31, 2025 Eidos Montral has laid off 75 members of staff.In a LinkedIn post, the company said that as "one of [its] mandates is coming to an end," it had to "let go up to 75 valuable members," adding: "It is not a reflection of their dedication or skills, but unfortunately, we dont have the capacity to entirely reallocate them to our other ongoing projects and services.""These very talented, highly experienced experts are going to enter the employment market, and we are working to support them through this transition," the statement added."Eidos-Montral stays committed to deliver[ing] its other projects currently in development."Eidos was acquired by Embracer back in 2022, yet throughout 2023, the games firm laid off more than 900 people. Another 97 employees lost their jobs in January 2024.Earlier today, we reported that Myst developer Cyan Worlds has also laid off half of its team.

Aron Garst, ContributorMarch 31, 20255 Min ReadVia Valve2023 gave Steam quite the scare. The premiere PC gaming marketplace saw a major downturn in revenue for new games, pushing Valve to put significant work into new features that would drive engagement and sales on the platform.Their main priority? Pushing developers to add demos and putting those demos in front of as many players as possible."In 2023, Valve actually made less money from new games, it actually declined," said game marketing strategist Chris Zukowski. "All of 2024 was them pushing out features, thinking that they needed to fix the issue. They Flooded the store with features that all focus on demos. Valve was saying, in not so subtle terms, that everyone needs to make a demo."Everything is demo orientedZukowski gave a talk on navigating these new Steam features at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco. We sat down with him after the talk to dive into the topic in more detail. The main point of the talk was that demos are the key to getting discovered on Steam. It's natural, according to Zukowski, that interest in your game will have a greater chance at visibility if you give streamers a way to play."For most games, social media doesn't work," Zukowski said. "And the reason is streamers can play a demo. Streamers can't play a screenshot. They need the demo, and when they play it on stream, it brings their audience."Related:While the majority of the talk was focused on demos, Zukowski also elaborated on what else developers can do to get exposure for their demo and game. It involves launching a page, gathering some sort of audience, and then running a playtest in order to drum up interest. Developers only have one shot at releasing a demo and leaving a good impression, and a playtest can give them a chance to "iron out the kinks" according to Zukowski. He estimated, from extensive data, that 100 concurrent players may be the threshold to being discovered by the algorithm."The real revelation is that a demo launch is front page featuring now," Zukowski said. "It's big, but you have to have an existing audience and you have to have enough players simultaneously playing your demo for the Steam algorithm to put you on the front page."Zukowski was insistent that you can't just throw a game page up on Steam, launch a demo, and then expect success. It's not that easy for developers to get discovered in a marketplace that sees thousands of new games released every year."The playtest is like priming the pump," Zukowski said. "It's getting the pump working."Related:Zukowski brought up several specific examples of games using this method within the past year. Some had been near dormant for months, sometimes years, before running a playtest and then launching a demo. Those games' wishlist numbers shot up soon after.A common mentality: release demos close to a game launch, so that players could try the experience and have it be top-of-mind when the full game hits. Zukowski refutes that idea, saying that momentum doesn't play a role in smaller game launches. The games are so small that a big influx of players, especially a long way from launch, is better than trying to set up some sort of curated event around launch.The good, the bad, and the AI slopOne point brought up during Steam Next Fest was that these new demo and discovery features elevated almost every game who utilized the feature on Steam, including what some journalists called "AI slop.""Day one of Next Fest, everyone gets a certain amount of impressions," Zukowski said, adding that wishlist numbers will impact how many impressions a game may get at first. On day two, Zukowski pointed out that Steam had given visibility to everyone, including games many considered poor quality. "That's Steam giving everyone visibility."Steam's algorithm then gives certain games more of a boost based on impressions and other statistics. Games that don't get that attention will sink to the bottom, having wasted their chance at gaining players while showcased on the front page.Related:The system that Steam is using for demos is brand new. It's not even a year old in its current iteration. The main question that popped into my mind was, "How well with all this work in a few years after demos have flooded the store just as much as other games have?" Zukowski's answer was that discoverability isn't that much of an issue to begin with.He showed me a graph that he had removed from his talk, as it would "take too much time to explain" as part of his current presentation. It showed how many games were released per year on Steam and how many games of that number actually received more than 50 reviews.From 2019 to 2024, several thousands more games were released each year, culminating in over 18,000 games in 2024. However, only a little over 4,000 of those games actually received more than 50 reviews. The same went for every year, where only a fraction of the games released picked up any traction on Steam."I think the problem is that [...] a lot of people are making their first game. They don't know how to make the type of game the Steam audience likes, or aren't skilled enough, or it's just their first game. I think the biggest limiting factor is not visibility, Steam gives us a ton of visibility," Zukowksi said, adding that Steam players have a certain taste. "Demos give everyone a better chance to see these games and make a judgement."Read more about:GDC 2025Top StoriesFeaturesAbout the AuthorAron GarstContributorSee more from Aron GarstDaily news, dev blogs, and stories from Game Developer straight to your inboxStay UpdatedYou May Also Like

The release of Apples iOS 18.4 on Monday includes good news for robot vacuum owners. The update includes support for controlling robot vacuums and adding them to automations and scenes in the Apple Home app via the Matter protocol. With the official rollout of iOS 18.4, companies like Roborock, iRobot, and Ecovacs are introducing firmware updates so their robovacs will be fully compatible with Apple Home.Roborocks firmware update enhances the implementation of the Matter protocol across several of its premium robot vacuum models, according to a press release from the company. Roborock models that will be getting this expanded Matter support include the S8 MaxV Ultra, Saros Z70, Saros 10, Saros 10R, Qrevo Curv, Qrevo Edge, and Qrevo Master.Roborock says the supported models will receive the firmware update sometime between April 1st and April 10th, allowing users to control their robovacs through the Home app on devices including the iPhone, Apple Watch, HomePod, and iPad. The update will also improve connectivity and Matter support with smart home platforms based on Google Home and Amazon Alexa. (Thats of course why Matter was created in the first place to help make smart home devices platform-agnostic.)Additional models, including the Roborock S8 Max Ultra and Qrevo Slim, will be getting Matter support in updates scheduled to be released in the upcoming weeks and months. iRobot announced that the Roomba Combo 10 Max robot and Auto Wash Dock, released last August, will be its first robovac compliant with Matter protocol and compatible with the Apple Home ecosystem. Users will be able to start, stop, and schedule cleanings for specific rooms using the Home app or voice commands through Siri. Several of Ecovacs robot vacuums, including the Deebot X2, X2 Combo, T50, T50 Max, and X8, will also be getting Matter 1.4 firmware updates starting today. The updates will start rolling out across these models in phases, Ecovacs Associate Brand Marketing Director, Michelle Jones, told The Verge in an email.Apple originally announced support for robot vacuums in Apple Home through Matter during WWDC 2024 as one of the many changes coming with iOS 18, though the features will be limited to power control, switching between vacuuming and mopping modes, and specifying which rooms to clean. Matter doesnt support more advanced cleaning features like mapping and configuring zones for robovacs to avoid, so those functions might only be available through each manufacturers own app.See More:

When you're setting out to buy an iPhone, you've probably noticed that there's like a gazillion of them out there. Apple released the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro models in 2024 and even more recently released the 16e, making the list of options even longer. This doesn't make it any easier to pick out a new phone for yourself unless you just want the latest and greatest. Even if that is you, it's still worth considering all of your options.Apple iPhone 16 ProApple iPhone 16Apple iPhone 16eSee it at AppleOnePlus 13No matter which iPhone you choose, each supports iOS 18 that was announced at WWDC 2024, which brings a ton of AI features to every iPhone on this list, along with an all-new Photos app that's way better organized. Though if you want to tap into Apple Intelligence, you'll be looking at any iPhone 15 and above.You can also check out our guide to the best iPhone accessories to help you find the right peripherals especially screen protectors for your new phone. We got a chance to review the Apple AirPods 4 with ANC, and they rival the AirPods 2 in several categories, so these earbuds may be worth investing in. Contributions by Georgie Peru and Rudie Obias1. iPhone 16 ProBest Overall iPhoneApple iPhone 16 ProA compact size is met by powerful internals, a great display, and capable cameras.Product SpecificationsScreen6.3-inch OLED, 1206x2622, 460 ppi, 120Hz refresh rateProcessorA18 ProCamera48-Megapixel Wide, 48-Megapixel Ultrawide, 12-Megapixel Telephoto, 12-Megapixel SelfieBattery3,582mAhWeight199g (0.44lb)PROSPowerful performanceElegant designRobust camera systemCONSCamera settings could use some tweaksThe iPhone 16 Pro gets major props for filling in the gap between the base iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. Its more compact form factor will be more manageable for most users in one-handed use than the enormous Pro Max, but it doesnt miss out any features or camera sensors unlike previous iterations that had different cameras on the smaller Pro model. Of course, if you want the larger screen, you can simply upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro Max and count on getting an otherwise similar experience.The iPhone 16 Pro gets all the latest from Apple, including the A18 Pro chip thats exceedingly powerful for everyday operation and gaming. In the iPhone 16 Pro Max, the chip had the single fastest Geekbench 6 single-core score Ive ever measured in a phone (and in a laptop for that matter). This also pairs with a GPU that rips. Playing the latest games, the chip is readily able to pump out high frame rates at max settings. Apples build is great and feels luxurious, though it doesn't come in the most vibrant colors. The screen is brilliant, offering both the combination of high brightness and contrast with the more fluid motion of a higher refresh rate. While Apple hypes up the durability of the new phones Ceramic Shield glass, I found its still able to get scraped up easily, so its worth some protection. The cameras on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are strong. The main sensor is downright excellent, exhibiting its strength in low-light scenarios where smartphone cameras typically struggle. The ultra-wide successfully squeezes more into the shot, though struggled a bit with softness and noise in my testing, seemingly as a result with a focusing issue (which you could avoid with manual focus). Theres also a helpful 5x telephoto sensor that makes all the difference when youre trying to capture portraits with natural bokeh or need to get closer to a subject you cant physically get closer to. The new Camera Control also provides a way to navigate settings and shoot photos with a more shutter-button-like control, though I think Apple has some more work to do perfecting it in future updates and hardware iterations. iPhone 16 Photos2. iPhone 16Best Mid-Range iPhoneApple iPhone 16More affordable than its Pro siblings, the iPhone 16 doesn't make you give up a lot and still delivers excellent performance. Product SpecificationsScreen6.3-inch OLED, 1206x2622, 460 ppi, 120Hz refresh rateProcessorA18Camera48-Megapixel Wide, 48-Megapixel Ultrawide, 12-Megapixel Telephoto, 12-Megapixel SelfieBattery3,582mAhWeight199g (0.44lb)PROSExcellent performanceFun colorsCONSUltra-wide and selfie shots can be softThe iPhone 16 is a properly brilliant mid-range option in the iPhone lineup. The introduction of Apple Intelligence required more from the internals, which meant Apple couldnt leave the base iPhone in the past on an outdated SoC like it has in previous years. As a result, the iPhone 16 ends up with the A18 chip, which puts up serious performance much like the A18 Pro chip in the phones Pro siblings. The A18 lagged behind the A18 Pro by a very small margin, but otherwise it readily blasted past the Geekbench 6 CPU performance Id seen from every phone running a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in Android devices. Single-core even remains enough to outdo what Ive seen from the newer Snapdragon 8 Elite. With all that performance, the iPhone 16 easily holds up in everyday use and can play demanding games like Wuthering Waves with ease. Even after long play sessions, the phone remains comfortable to hold. This model has more colorful options for the hardware, should you like that, though you can also opt for a clean black or white design. The iPhone 16 also gets Ceramic Shield as protection, though I still recommend some extra protection for the phone. The size of the iPhone 16 is great in the pocket and in the hand, with its smaller width making it much more wieldy than the wide Pro Max models. While youll miss out on the extra smoothness of the 120Hz refresh rate on the Pro models, the iPhone 16 still gets a great display. Its plenty sharp for a 6.1-inch screen, and it offers a gorgeous OLED panel. That pairs with punchy speakers that make watching shows and movies on the phone all the more enjoyable. The main camera on the iPhone 16 snaps lovely photos, capturing vibrant color and pulling in enough light to make do even in dim environments. The ultra-wide and selfie cameras arent bad, but they do struggle with some softness, seemingly a focus issue much like I encountered on the Pro. This is something Apple will hopefully remedy in an update.3. iPhone 16eBest Budget iPhoneApple iPhone 16eThe iPhone 16e is Apple's cheapest new option and comes with a potent chip, though some overall trade-offs.See it at AppleProduct SpecificationsScreen6.1-inch OLED, 1170x2532, 60Hz refresh rateProcessorA18Camera48-Megapixel Wide, 12-Megapixel SelfieBattery4,005AhWeight167g (0.39lb)PROSFast chipLower price than main iPhone lineupCONSTrims a handful of common iPhone featuresIf youre looking for an iPhone on a budget, Apple isnt making your selection process much easier. With the introduction of the iPhone 16e, Apple's offerings stepped even further away from affordable than before. The prior iPhone SE may not have been a very good phone, but it at least had a more palatable starting price at $429. The new iPhone 16e enters as Apples lowest-priced iPhone currently available, but it starts at $599. While it becomes the de facto budget iPhone, this recommendation comes with some caveats. The iPhone 16e will give you a modern phone running on a potent chip in the A18 the same chip youll find in the iPhone 16, albeit with one fewer GPU core. This means youll get a fast enough phone and access to Apple Intelligence features. The iPhone 16e thankfully updated away from the prior iPhone SEs design, which was already incredibly dated when it launched in 2022. Youll get a larger and sharper 6.1-inch OLED display. That updated design also brings with it an aluminum frame and tough Ceramic Shield glass on both sides. Apple has also raised the base storage to a more agreeable 128GB. However, Apple took a lot away. Since the introduction of the iPhone 12, all of Apples non-SE models have had a few shared features. They all offered MagSafe for magnetically connected accessories and wireless charging. They all supported mmWave 5G. They all had UWB support, which allowed for precise location tracking on devices like the Apple AirTag and some other accessories. And they all included at least two cameras on the rear. The iPhone 16e omits all of these. That strips it of a lot of functionality and limits its camera capabilities. That may not be enough to make it a bad phone, but its all worth weighing. Now, I wont argue that you should just shell out for the $799 iPhone 16 instead. If you just need a simple phone and want it to be a new iPhone, you can go ahead with the iPhone 16e. But if youre not loving the many things it omits and arent sold on Apple Intellgences AI features, its worth considering that theres a world of refurbished and renewed devices out there offering serious discounts. Amazon has refurbished iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15 units in excellent conditions for under $500, for instance. For my money, Id take the refurbished iPhone 14 Pro deal over the iPhone 16e.4. OnePlus 13Best iPhone AlternativeOnePlus 13A great design, excellent display, superb performance and impressive cameras all combine in a discounted flagship that deserves consideration. Product SpecificationsScreen6.82-inch OLED, 1440x3168, 510ppi, 120Hz refresh rateProcessorSnapdragon 8 EliteCamera50-Megapixel Wide, 50-Megapixel Ultrawide, 50-Megapixel Telephoto, 32-Megapixel SeflieBattery6,000mAhWeight210g (0.46lb)PROSGreat valueFast performanceCONSSoftware support a little shorter than rivalsThe iPhone is beloved for its easy-to-use software, solid cameras, and excellent performance. But if youre not committed to the operating system or dont want to pay the premiums to get some of the features locked away in the top tier of Apples phones, then the OnePlus 13 provides an exciting alternative. The OnePlus 13 comes in at $899, but rather than competing with the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus at this price, its more of a rival to the $1199 iPhone 16 Pro Max. Where Apples top-line phone brings a bigger display, smoother refresh rate, more cameras, and upgraded processing to the table, the OnePlus 13 also delivers similarly. It boasts a triple-camera setup on the back complete with a 50MP telephoto sensor that helps punch in on far-off subjects, and thats backed up by a 50MP main sensor and 50MP ultra-wide sensor. Combined, these shoot great photos and video, and the selfie camera on the front is a knockout. The display is iPhone-worthy. It stretches 6.82-inches across corner to corner and has a 3168x1440 resolution, just a hair shy of the iPhone 16 Pro Max. It also boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals, plus it can drop all the way down to 1Hz to save power when displaying static content. On top of that, its a brilliant OLED panel with ultra-bright peaks and inky blacks. Performance had long been the area that even the best Android phones couldnt quite touch Apple, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 started to shake that up in Android flagships in 2024, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the OnePlus 13 only moves the needle further. The OnePlus 13 nearly caught the iPhone 16 Pro Max in single-core performance, beat it in multi-core performance, and swept up in 3DMarks graphics tests. Its a champ when gaming, too. And with a 6,000mAh battery, its ready for heavy use all day. Never mind that when the battery gets low, you can juice back up with 80W wired charging or 50W wireless charging. Did I mention that the phone is also elegant? It gets a stylish design with either a silver and white colorway, a silver frame and vegan leather backing in a bold blue, or a blacked-out color scheme with the back glass etched to show a wood grain pattern. The phone also includes an alert slider akin to the old iPhones Ring/Silent switch. And while the iPhone 16 lineup has respectable water ingress protection, the OnePlus 13 steps it up with IP68 protection against submersion and IP69 protection that keeps the internals safe even against hot, high-pressure water jets. The OnePlus 13 has so much going for it, and if youre not dead set on an iPhone, its definitely worth considering. Upcoming iPhonesWe saw a few new iPhone additions for 2024 by way of the iPhone 16s, and they offer some great improvements and serious performance. Apple also lowered the prices of earlier models in a meaningful way. That said, Apple recently introduced the cheaper iPhone 16e, meant to replace the iPhone SE budget model. Additionally, leaked images and information about upcoming iPhones have cropped up on the internet, which seem to be the iPhone 17 lineup that includes an iPhone Air.What to Look for in an Apple iPhoneWhile there are a number of different models, the user experience is essentially the same. Thats one of the Apple iPhones biggest draws and why its the most popular smartphone in the world. However, the differences between models can make it tougher to find the best one for you. Heres what to look out for in an Apple iPhone in 2025.Phone SizeWhen it comes to the iPhone, size matters. If you want to be able to use it with just one hand, finding the best size is key. For bigger hands,the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is the perfect fit, thanks to their larger displays and wider builds. But if youre on the smaller side, then the Apple iPhone 16 or iPhone 14.Storage CapacityAdditionally, storage size is also something to think about. If you want to take a lot of high resolution photos, then the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max with 1TB of storage is the best option. Other models listed here come with a base of 128GB, which should do if you dont want to use a lot of apps and just use it very casually.PriceIf price is a consideration, the Apple iPhone ranges from the new cheapest iPhone, the iPhone 16e, at $599 to the totally maxed out iPhone 16 Pro Max (1TB) at $1,599. Best of all, even if you go with the most inexpensive model, Apple iOS operating system will be included which will receive updates for the next five-to-six years after purchase. So whatever the budget, each model gets about the same software experience and support. Overall, the most important thing to look for when buying an iPhone is how youll use it. For most people, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is the best pick because it's the most well-rounded with a fast processor, fantastic camera system, timeless colors, and a wide range of storage options at a good price.Best iPhone FAQWhat are the best iPhone alternatives?Although iPhones dominate a large sector of the smartphone market these days, there are quite a few Android phones that match up well to the latest Apple devices. The best iPhone alternatives include the OnePlus 13 and Google Pixel 9 Pro which are at the top of the Android market. There are other brands like Asus and RedMagic that offer some decent phones as well that have many of the features and iOS user would expect.Mark Knapp is a contributing freelancer for IGN covering everything electronics and gaming hardware. He has over 10 years of experience in the tech industry with bylines at PCMag, Reviewed, CNET, and more. Find Mark on Twitter @Techn0Mark or BlueSky at @Techn0Mark.

Over 10 years into the Conjuring Universe, James Wan and Peter Safran have created eight movies across three subfranchises: The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Nun. With the final Conjuring movie coming out this year, we've put together this handy streaming guide detailing how you can watch all eight movies in the popular horror movie franchise.For those looking to watch or rewatch the films during this year's spooky season, we've compiled this guide on where you can watch all of the Conjuring movies right now.Where to Watch The Conjuring Movies OnlineGet the Disney+, Hulu, Max Streaming Bundle$16.99/month with ads, $29.99/month ad-free.See it at MaxAll 8 films in the Conjuring Universe are available to watch online, but unfortunately they're split across different streaming services. The mainline Conjuring films are all streaming on Max, while The Nun and Annabelle movies are on Netflix.Here's our full breakdown of where to watch The Conjuring movies online in 2025:The Conjuring (2013)Stream: Max or HuluAnnabelle (2014)Stream: NetflixThe Conjuring 2 (2016)Stream: MaxAnnabelle: Creation (2017)Stream: MaxThe Nun (2018)Stream: NetflixAnnabelle Comes Home (2019)Stream: MaxThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)Stream: MaxThe Nun 2 (2023)Stream: MaxThe Conjuring Movies on Blu-ray The Conjuring: 7 Film Collection [Blu-Ray]See it at AmazonWhile there are technically 8 movies in The Conjuring-verse, the closest you can get to a full set on DVD is this 7-movie collection. You can also find each individual Conjuring movie on Blu-ray at most online retailers. Is The Curse of La Llorona a Conjuring Movie?The Curse of La Llorona is absent from our list as it does not exist in the Conjuring Universe."You can't count it!" producer Peter Safran told EW. "It periodically gets lumped in because of [director Michael] Chaves and because of [production company] Atomic Monster, but it is not officially part of the universe."What's the Best Order to Watch the Conjuring Movies?Navigating the Conjuring Universe is a bit tricky, as the narrative chronology does not follow the release order. If you want to be sure you're viewing the movies in the best order for you, be sure to check out our Conjuring movies in order explainer.The Conjuring Movies in (Chronological) OrderWill There Be More Conjuring Movies?PlayYes. The Conjuring: Last Rites, which will be the fourth and final mainline Conjuring movie, is releasing in theaters on September 5, 2025. There's also an untitled TV series in The Conjuring universe being developed for Max. In the meantime, you can check out our list of movies like the Conjuring for something new to watch. Jordan covers games, shows, and movies as a freelance writer for IGN.

Your kitchen feeling a bit drab? You dont have to put a sledgehammer through the wall to give your space a new look. Sometimes, its simply a matter of adding a fresh coat of paint, some statement tiles, et voil! But other times, all you need is one addition: backsplash tiles. Whether its a cheeky patterned inlay, an unexpected metallic backdrop, antique ceramic gems, or classic white subway tiles, the perfect kitchen backsplash can be the final touch that brings your design scheme together for the cooking space of your dreams.Tile is design eye candy, says Anna Lood with Clay Imports. It is such an effective way to bring texture, movement, and life into a space. When selecting the right tile for your kitchen, Lood recommends thinking outside the box while staying true to the space. Why not take it all the way up to the ceiling or create an unexpected statement wall? One-of-a-kind patterns, clever layouts, or playful shapes are easy ways to create an intriguing stop and stare moment.Wherever you fall on the chef spectrum (no judgment, HelloFreshers!), we've pulled 75 inspiring images from the pages of our archives. There's no doubt that your kitchen will, indeed, stop all your houseguests in their tracks and make them gawk.1Small But MightyDouglas FriedmanIn this vibrant 5,800-square-foot Bay Area retreat, ELLE DECOR A-List designer Ken Fulk devised an open-concept great room where the familyincluding teenage daughter Isadoraspends the most time together. A small area features Italian tiles that contrast well with the room's pink flourishesproof that small vignettes can pack a mighty punch. 2The Art of CookingGiulio GhirardiIf your cabinets make their own statement, consider tiles that complement them. In this Paris getaway, the custom green cabinetry is accentuated by a backsplash in tiles hand-painted by artist Matthieu Cosse. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below3Kitchen MuralsDEA / A. DAGLI ORTI//Getty ImagesTake a page from this mural-filled kitchen in Valenza, Spain. The kitchen, which dates back to the 18th century, shows scenes of daily life depicted on azulejos tiles. 4Spanish-Style TilesAdrian GautIn a new Spanish-style Houston house designed by Curtis & Windham architects, with interiors by Ashe Leandro, the kitchens diamond-patterned floor mixes reclaimed terra-cotta tiles from Chateau Domingue and acid-washed limestone tiles from ABC Stone. The kitchen's backsplash tiles are the cherry on top.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below5Neutral Culinary BackdropLaure JolietWe love a laquered shine. In the kitchen of this 155-year-old house in Massachusetts, painted in Atmospheric by Benjamin Moore, the kitchen tiles provide a much-needed neutral backdrop that is practically gleamingno matter how much spaghetti sauce is thrown at it. 6Hand-Painted TilesAdrian GautWhoever said a monochromatic moment is boring? In this Florida pied--terre, the kitchens backsplash and ceiling tiles are custom-painted by Matthieu Cosse. Ivory on ivory never looked so good.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below7Reusable TileHaris Kenjar The striking burnt orange tile backsplash of this Los Angeles home was a holdover from ELLE DECOR A-List design firm Nickey Kehoe's first renovation of the house. It was a color that liked being in the house, she laughs. Points for sustainability!8Brutalist BacksplashPatrick BillerThe cooking space of this lowkey Toronto home features a custom backsplash that nearly steals the show. The wall is ornamented in Brutalist-inspired tiles by local artist Catherine Carroll of Black Rock Tile Studio. A shelf, illuminated by vintage Charlotte Perriand sconces, showcases a bevy of vintage vessels. Who needs wall space for art?9Bold and BrightEric PiaseckiDesigner Ellie Cullman (with Cullman & Kravis) was not afraid to take some chances here, with this stunning hexagon backsplash by Studium, which provides a satisfying distinction from the pops of yellow throughout this New Jersey family kitchen. The hood range ties the color scheme together in a resulting fanfare of color and contrast. 10Terra-Cotta Badksplash TilesRichard PowersThe raked-edge countertop of this seaside guest retreat is White Macaubas quartzite, and the terra-cotta backsplash tiles are from Mosaic House. The island sink fittings are by Waterworks, and the vintage pendants are from Ollier.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below11Small and Sweet BlacksplashWilliam Jess LairdKitchen backsplashes do not have to turn into soaring statement walls to truly make a statement. This one, by Studio Muka, is perfectly contained and plays off the floors reclaimed terra-cotta, as well as the olive green walls that enclose it. The tiles have an almost mother-of-pearl sheen to themboth relaxing and refreshing to the eye.12Chevron BacksplashPieter EstersohnNo, chevron is not strictly a 2015 thing. This print stands the test of time and is used here by designer Anne-Marie Midy, in the form of talavera tilesto add a bit of playfulness to the rust-orange walls and pine cabinets. Imagine this being the first thing you see when stepping out of the bedroom for your morning coffee. Instant invigoration!Advertisement - Continue Reading Below13Color-Block BacksplashHelenio BarbettaIn the kitchen of artist Julie Polidoro, the backsplash is kept to a subtle and unimposing strip of tiles rimmed with marblesharply contrasting with the neon green walls. These are Sicilian tiles, to be exact: a great choice when it comes to infusing the space with some timeless geometric appeal. Sicily is callinganswer!14Dark and Dreamy BacksplashSimon UptonThis ceramic backsplash by Portuguese artist Bela Silva, in an Eric Allartdesigned apartment, would be a bit emo if it werent boosted by the painted pink walls above and pops of color in the form of the red kitchen chair, similarly red countertop, and that blue fish-vase hybrid (!). Look at how the tile material shines. Let it inspire your upcoming kitchen reno.Advertisement - Continue Reading Below15Hexagon BacksplashStephen Kent JohnsonThough you can barely make them out, the galley kitchen here is treated to a backsplash of gemstone green hexagonal tiles. Gone are the days when the only pop of color in a kitchen had to be relegated to the rug. Thinking outside the box for backsplashes (in terms of tile shape and hue) has never felt better.16Bespoke BacksplashJohn Daniel PowersDid you expect to witness designs of chile peppers and harissa tubes on a tiled kitchen backsplash? Neither did we, but this apartment in France proves that good design doesnt have to be so serious. The aforementioned harissa tubes actually bear the homeowners names in Arabicshowing that the possibilities for customization are endless!Advertisement - Continue Reading Below17Bold and BrightOfficine GulloOfficine Gullos design of this farmstead-turned-luxury hospitality space, Tenuta Carleone in Radda, Italy, is honing all the vibes of its bucolic setting. Patterned tiles create a stunning mosaic that is bordered by warm sunshine-yellow cabinetry with stainless steel appliances and polished chrome hardware. With an abundance of natural light shining through the arched windows, the kitchen is a sun-splashed utopia. 18Quartzite BacksplashTim LenzYoure going to see a lot of subway tile backsplashes in this roundup, primarily because they bear a classic shape, are easy to install, and bestow an understated kind of sophistication upon any kitchen space. The cooking hub in this Pappas Mirondesigned Greenwich Village apartment is made even more elevated through the addition of brown quartzite (versus the comparatively ubiquitous marble) countertops. Advertisement - Continue Reading Below19Chipped CharmJana Roach / Riad TileDesigner Jana Roach cant stop gushing about her four-inch Riad Snow zellige tile backsplashand we cant blame her when it looks this good. I adore zellige tile, she tells ELLE DECOR. It transcends trends and decor styles. It has the best texture, and the natural variation in color adds so much depth and character to my kitchen. If you look closely, no tiles are exactly the same, with their individual pits, cracks, and chipped edges. For Roach, that adds to its charm. It gives my space a one-of-a-kind, handmade feel that perfectly complements my preference for old furniture and natural materials. 20Streamlined StyleLindsey DrewesInterior designer Madison Lussier had her work cut out for her before she renovated the kitchen in this Santa Barbara, California, home. Originally there was a very heavy-feeling hood with molding that had carved grapevines in it, and the cream crackle subway tile thats in the rest of the kitchen was behind the range as well, Lussier explains. She replaced the hood with a much simpler look that matched the cabinetry and framed it all out in a more rustic wood. I really love the way it turned out, she adds. I think it complements and draws attention to the stunning LaCanche range so much more than the original design.Rachel SilvaAssociate Digital EditorRachel Silva is the associate digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers all things design, architecture, and lifestyle. She also oversees the publications feature article coverage, and is, at any moment, knee-deep in an investigation on everything from the best spa gifts to the best faux florals on the internet right now. She has more than 16 years of experience in editorial, working as a photo assignment editor at Time and acting as the president of Women in Media in NYC. She went to Columbia Journalism School, and her work has been nominated for awards from ASME, the Society of Publication Designers, and World Press Photo.Stacia DatskovskaAssistant Digital EditorStacia Datskovska is the assistant digital editor at ELLE DECOR, where she covers news, trends, and ideas in the world of design. She also writes product reviews (like roundups of the top firepits or sheet sets)infusing them with authority and wit. As an e-commerce intern at Mashable, Stacia wrote data-driven reviews of everything from e-readers to stationary bikes to robot vacuums. Stacias culture and lifestyle bylines have appeared in outlets like USA Today, Boston Globe, Teen Vogue, Food & Wine, and Brooklyn Magazine.

As soon as our client saw the space, she knew this was to be her home, says Francis Nicdao, principal designer and chief creative officer of the luxury interior design firm Pembrooke & Ives , describing his clients historic 1920s townhouse. The rare double-wide building was, at the time, the site of the 47th Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House, located on the Upper East Side of New York City. Nicdaos clients attended the legendary design event and immediately bought the entire building, putting a yearlong search for the perfect home to bed and starting up a gut renovation just as the Covid-19 pandemic began.Nicdao worked closely with Stephanie Sarkies-Schabot, the Pembrooke & Ivess managing director of decorating, to create a space where their clients could display their vast, museum-quality collection of art and antiques that didnt feel stuffy or untouchable. It needed to be a family home but with public spaces glamorous enough for entertaining, Sarkies-Schabot says. While she describes the experience as quite terrifying, thanks to the pandemic of it all, the end result is contemporary and clean with notes of traditional detailing that respect the buildings provenance and keeps its character intact.FAST FACTSDESIGNER: Francis Nicdao and Stephanie Sarkies-Schabot of Pembrooke & IvesLOCATION: New York CityTHE SPACE: A 1920s townhouse that served as the 47th Kips Bay Decorators Show HouseThe home is undoubtedly elegant but doesnt take itself too seriously.Related StoriesENTRYWAYCheckerboard marble flooring makes quite the first impression. Genevieve GarruppoTable: Michael Coffey from Maison Gerard. Stools: Haas Brothers.Though the clients had lived in apartments for many years, the transition to living vertically was something their family had to get used to. The spectacular spiral staircase connects five of the six levels of the home to create a dramatic focal point on each floor, Nicdao says. It was important to think about room adjacencies and the flow of spaces to ensure it was comfortable and suitable for this new way of living. LIVING ROOMGold accents add a glamorous edge to the soft color palette.Genevieve GarruppoLight fixture: Achille Salvagni Atelier. Couch: custom. Stools: Haas Brothers. Window treatment: custom, Holland & Sherry. Side table: Holly Hunt. Coffee table: Vincenzo de Cotiis from Carwan Gallery. Carpet: Beauvais Carpets. Since the home is twice as wide as a typical Upper East Side townhouse, the designers wanted this space to feel grand and impactful. So they leaned into its extra-large size, filling it with a beautiful collection of collectible design and art, Nicdao says.BREAKFAST & FAMILY ROOMAlso known as the hub of the home. Genevieve GarruppoCouch: custom. Coffee table: The Bright Group. Accent chairs: Richomme. A custom back-to-back sofa divides the space into dining and lounge areas.Genevieve GarruppoLight fixture: Salibello. Rug: Marc Phillip. Dining chairs: Kimberly Denman.American painter Ralph Goingss Toms Diner watches over the combined family and breakfast rooma fitting artwork for a place where meals are shared. This space also opens into the kitchen and features a rich layering of texture and hues of blue for a functional yet luxurious space, Sarkies-Schabot says.KITCHENThis highly functional space came with a great layout.Genevieve GarruppoLight fixture: John Salibello. Backsplash tile: Ann Sacks. Stools: Kimberly Denman.It was important that the kitchen be very easy to clean and maintain since it is on the entry floor of the home and likely one of the first spaces you will encounter, Nicdao says. They chose easily cleanable surfaces and designated ample counter space for prep work and dining. The blue island and barstools tie this space together with the adjacent breakfast room to create a cohesive experience, he adds. In terms of layout, the kitchen was the room with the least amount of intervention from the team.WINE CELLAR & WET BARThis wet bar is every hosts dream. Genevieve GarruppoGenevieve GarruppoJust because a room is on a basement level, it doesnt have to be drab! Sarkies-Schabot says of the wine cellar. The team used specialty lighting to illuminate this custom wine display.The wet bar is in the dining room on the first level, which is designed to turn into a full-floor entertaining space, Nicdao adds. With blue high-gloss paint and a mirrored backsplash, this custom built-in elevates the dining area. PRIMARY SUITEPink details add a feminine touch. Genevieve GarruppoPendant lights: custom, Erwan Boulloud. Bed frame: custom. Bedside table: Rune. Carpet: Stark Carpet.One of seven bedrooms in this double-wide townhouse, the primary suite is by far the dreamiest of them all. The layout of this bedroom is unique in that the bedroom connects to the walk-in closet and bathroom through a corridor of windows along the back facade, Sarkies-Schabot says. The natural light enhances the rooms dream-like glow.GUEST BEDROOMThe neutral color palette creates a relaxing retreat. Genevieve GarruppoLight fixture: Chameleon Lighting. Chair and ottoman: Caste. Lamp: Karl Kemp. Carpet: Holland & Sherry. This guest bedroom features plush carpeting, embroidered drapery, and a custom upholstered headboard against the backdrop of a high-gloss wall finish, Nicdao says. The matching chair and ottoman from Caste help make the room feel like a luxury hotel suite.BATHROOMA stunning chandelier steals the show. Genevieve GarruppoLight fixture: Mathieu Lustrerie. Sconces: Achille Salvagni.Sarkies-Schabot explains that they love to integrate decorative lighting in every project, and this one was no different, especially in the primary bathroom. In this home, the decorative lighting is the focal point of many of the rooms and establishes the personality of each space. These fixtures are not just about the quality of light but also about the artistic presence of the piece, she adds.Along with the light fixtures, this primary suite uses symmetry and stone detailing to make the space feel luxurious and modern. BACKYARD PATIOA place to unwind and escape the city noise. Genevieve GarruppoMural: Annie Morris. While the team had the help of contracting firm All City Remodeling for the interior, they looked to landscape designer Luciano Guibbilei for the backyard. Nicdao describes the patio area as a zen-like enclave in the bustling city, made up of approximately 1,500 square feet of garden and decorated with a mural by artist Annie Morris. About the DesignerFrancis Nicdao is the principal and chief creative officer of New Yorkbased luxury design firm Pembrooke & Ives. Raised in the Philippines, Nicdao was surrounded by a community known for its production of handcrafted furniture and artisanal goods, which helped form his creative eye and his passion for design. Having been with the firm for over a decade, Nicdao continues to create high-end residences and is credited as the mastermind behind many of its most extraordinary projects. SHOP THE SPACE E. Braun & Co. Lux Whipstitch Throw$2,750 at ebraunnewyork.comCole & Sons Cocktails Wallpaper358 at cole-and-son.comSchweitzer Linen Arezzo Sheet Set$740 at schweitzerlinen.comFollow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

Apple Watch Series 10 was introduced last year with a refreshed design. But when it comes to health sensors, Series 10 has pretty much the same capabilities as Series 9. Interestingly, a leaked prototype of Series 10 has just revealed that Apple may have had bigger plans for last years Apple Watch.Apple Watch Series 10 prototype hints at new health sensorsThe Apple leaker and collector known as StellaFudge has shared images of an intriguing prototype of the Apple Watch Series 10. Thats because this particular prototype has a very unique health sensor arrangement that differs not only from the sensors included in the final version of the Series 10, but from any other Apple Watch ever released.According to the leaker, the heart rate and blood oxygen level sensors in this prototype are much smaller than in the sensor that Apple currently uses. But thats not all, as the back of the leaked Apple Watch Series 10 prototype also includes a never-before-seen extra light ring between the ECG sensor and the heart rate sensors.According to rumors, Apple has been working on blood pressure and blood glucose sensors for the Apple Watch. The company would have experimented with these new sensors during the prototyping phase of the Series 10, but ended up delaying them to focus on the new design. The leaker believes that the prototype was used for internal testing with the new health sensors.Unfortunately, although the prototype is fully functional, it runs an internal build of watchOS 11.1 without the stock apps installed (because they can only be downloaded through Apples internal network). For this reason, theres no way to explore whether the health apps on this Apple Watch Series 10 prototype have any new unreleased features.Another interesting detail is that the internal build installed on this prototype dates back to October 2024, which suggests that Apple is still running experiments with these new health sensors. Maybe well finally see them in action on the next generation Apple Watch.Gadgets I recommend: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

iOS 18.4 is here, bringing with it a ton of new features. One of my favorites? A new Apple Music capability that expands the services reach beyond the Music app, pushing further into Control Center and more.Ambient Music controls expand Apple Musics reach in iOS 18.4After you install iOS 18.4, if youre like me youll probably pop into some of your favorite apps to see if anythings changed.Doing this with the Music app will reveal no discernible new features. But thats because the latest Apple Music feature isnt found directly inside the app.Instead, Apple has done something unique and expanded Apple Musics functionality into a new set of Ambient Music controls in iOS 18.4. Essentially, the update adds special new ways to trigger Apple Music mood playlists from outside the Music app.iOS 18.4 supports four such moods, though I wouldnt be surprised if more arrive in future updates.SleepChillProductivityWellbeingEach control has been assigned to play a specific Apple Music playlist. For example, by default the Productivity control plays BEATstrumentals, but you can also select one of three other curated playlists, or set it to trigger any playlist of your choice.You can assign these new music controls to any of the following three places:Control Centeryour Lock Screenand the iPhones Action buttonTo update a controls playlist setting, be sure youre in editing mode then tap the control and youll see customization options.Apple Music in iOS 18.4: wrap-upOpening the Music app will continue being the main way most of us interact with Apple Music, but I love what Apples doing with iOS 18.4s new Ambient Music controls. The ability to assign a mood playlist button to your iPhones Lock Screen, Action button, or Control Center removes friction from the music playback experience. It also helps reduce my own analysis paralysis when opening the Music app and confronting far too many options to choose from. Now I can have a simple toggle fit for these select occasions.What do you think of the ambient music options Apple added to iOS 18.4? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Jared Isaacman, the billionaire fighter jet pilot-turned-SpaceX astronaut, has shared a photo of himself during his unusual "commute into DC" which involved a Cessna CJ4 private jet.The entrepreneur, who is estimated to be worth $1.9 billion, was tapped late last year by president Donald Trump to lead NASA, and he's chosen to head into the nation's capital to "meet with Senators this week"in a style that feels like a perfect illustration of the billionaires now running the government.That's likely in anticipation of being sworn in, a decision that has seemingly been delayed by several months now. In his absence, NASA's acting administrator Janet Petro has been cracking the whip, overseeing mass layoffs and a major clampdown on personal freedoms among employees, including the purging of any paraphernalia related to the LBGTQ movement.But as Ars Technica reported last week, momentum appears to be building for Isaacman to take over. That's despite senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) who chairs the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and is expected to reside over swearing-in procedures voicing some concerns.First and foremost, given Isaacman's extremely close proximity to SpaceX CEO and unelected White House hatchet man Elon Musk, concerns over NASA ditching its plans to return to the lunar surface in favor of visiting Mars first could lead to tensions during Isaacman's hearing.Isaacman has traveled to space twice during two all-private missions involving SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsules. This past August, he became the first-ever civilian to embark on a spacewalk.That kind of close association with Musk could end up being a major hindrance or a carte blanche. Musk has gained a tremendous amount of influence over the federal government's budget allocations through his so-called Department of Government Efficiency, including at NASA.In fact, recent reporting suggests that he andhis space firm are looking to assume control over much of what's left of the space agency.Isaacman himself has largely stayed out of the limelight and his own stance on critical matters, perhaps most notably NASA's plans to return to the Moon, remains unclear at best.His relationship with SpaceX, however, could prove a sticking point.In a March 12 letter to NASA's chief legal officer Iris Lan, he argued that any possible conflicts of interest wouldn't be an issue."In the event that an actual or potential conflict of interest arises during my appointment, I will consult with an agency ethics official and take the measures necessary to resolve the conflict, such as recusal from the particular matter or divestiture of an asset," he wrote.Whether that will be enough to appease Congress remains to be seen.However, as Ars reports, the space travel community appears to have his back. A group of more than two dozen former astronauts sent Cruz a letter in support of Isaacman, arguing that he's "uniquely qualified to lead NASA at the critical juncture."How all of this will play out is anybody's guess. Morale at the space agency is at historically low levels given its plundering by the Trump administration. Workers were given far less notice of their impending firing than contractually agreed upon and were even denied time-off awards.That kind of callous treatment had many employees furious."Everybodys lost confidence," one employee who remains at the agency told CNN. "What was the urgency? It just seems cruel."In short, it'd be an understatement to say that Isaacman has a lot of fires to put out. Questions surrounding his close relationship with SpaceX are bound to come up especially if NASA does decide to nix its Moon program to fulfill Musk's personal wish to send astronauts to Mars.According to Ars senior reporter Eric Berger, chances are we'll hear more about Isaacman's swearing-in soon."One-on-one meetings with US senators are a precursor to a committee hearing for Isaacman to become NASA administrator," he tweeted in response to Isaacman's latest post. "The timeline is not firm, but such a hearing could come in late April, with confirmation in May."More on Isaacman: Incoming NASA Administrator Brags That He Has No Idea What's Going OnShare This Article