More than 1,900 scientists and engineers have signed a letter saying they see real danger in this moment as the Trump administration slashes federal support for scientific research.Wise investments by the US government have built up the nations research enterprise, making it the envy of the world, says the open letter published on Monday. Astoundingly, the Trump administration is destabilizing this enterprise by gutting funding for research, firing thousands of scientists, removing public access to scientific data, and pressuring researchers to alter or abandon their work on ideological grounds.The letter was penned by members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, which was created by Congress under President Abraham Lincoln to advise policymakers. Each person signed to express their individual support rather than as representatives of the universities and research institutions with which they are affiliated.They accuse the Trump administration of censorship through executive orders and funding threats meant to stop any initiatives the president and his close allies dislike, including efforts to address climate change and develop vaccines.The White House didnt immediately respond to The Verges request for comment.In less than 100 days in office, President Donald Trump and billionaire-backer Elon Musk have laid waste to the scientific arms of federal agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, Health and Human Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Trump administration is investigating more than 50 universities as part of its efforts to eliminate programs meant to support students from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.The quest for truth the mission of science requires that scientists freely explore new questions and report their findings honestly, independent of special interests, the letter says. The administration is engaging in censorship, destroying this independence.By threatening to withhold $400 million in funding, the administration has already managed to strong arm Columbia University into changing school policies and academic programs. Other institutions have had to halt research, layoff staff, and stop graduate student enrollment, the letter notes.The US is at risk of losing an entire generation of scientists as a result, the signatories warn. More than 1,200 scientists are already thinking about leaving the US because of the Trump administrations drastic actions, making up 75 percent of respondents in a separate poll by the journal Nature.A climate of fear has descended on the research community, National Academies members write in the letter. We are sending this SOS to sound a clear warning: the nations scientific enterprise is being decimated. See More:

Members of ZeniMax Workers United, a union of over 300 quality assurance workers in Texas and Maryland, have voted to authorize a strike.The vote, which passed with over 94 percent in favor of authorization, does not mean workers have gone on strike like SAG-AFTRA members have in the ongoing video game voice actors strike. But should contract negotiations break down, the ZeniMax union now has the permission to call a strike.This authorization comes as contract negotiations between union members and parent company Microsoft continue into a second year.The strike authorization is the latest escalation between the union and management. Last year, ZeniMax Workers United participated in a one-day strike claiming that Microsoft did not adequately address employee concerns over its return to office policies and its outsourcing practices. Those concerns have come up again in negotiations alongside better pay and benefits.Our in-house contractors have been working on minimal wages with no benefits, including no paid sick time, said associate QA tester Aubrey Litchfield in the press release announcing the strike authorization. Workers are choosing not to start families because of the uncertainty of finances. Weve released multiple titles while working fully remote. When will enough be enough?Our quality assurance team is an integral part of our business and is key to our ability to deliver games our players will love, Microsoft spokesperson Delaney Simmons says in a statement to The Verge. We respect the teams right to express their viewpoints and are deeply committed to reaching a fair and equitable resolution that acknowledges the teams contributions. There has been substantial progress over the course of the negotiations, reaching tentative agreements on a majority of the topics at the table. We have presented a package proposal that we believe is fair if accepted it would result in immediate compensation increases, even more robust benefits and is in alignment to the companys hybrid model of 3 days in office. We look forward to continuing this progress during negotiations.ZeniMax Workers United is one of several unions under the Microsoft umbrella. It formed in 2023 and was once the largest union within the company with 300 members before Activision Quality Assurance United organized roughly 600 quality assurance workers last year.At GDC 2025, the Communications Workers of America (CWA) announced the launch of the United Videogame Workers, a nationwide direct-join union open to any worker in the video game industry.See More:

The Nintendo today! app has updated with a new Switch 2 video that shows the mysterious C button up close, as well as new music and a sound effect for when its pressed.The news app updated for those who have now crossed over into April 2, the day Nintendos Switch 2 Direct will be released, and so there is a corresponding update in the app showing the fun begins Today!The C button is the focus this time. We hear new music and a sound effect for when the button is pressed. This seemingly innocuous, short clip has already sent Nintendo fans into speculation mode, with some saying the music could be the Switch 2 menu music, and the sound effect could be the sound effect users will hear when they press the C button itself.And some are now speculating that this jingle sounds like the kind of noise youd hear if you were activating a microphone for voice chat.Here's a really fun piece of speculation based on the video. Redditor 'get_homebrewed' thinks the music in the video is similar to the music that played in the Wii U chat. And, well, yeah, it sort of matches! Check out the comparison below.Theres a lot of Switch 2 speculation at the moment, as youd expect given the interest in the next-gen console and how close we are to its full reveal. Earlier today, a new Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing potentially pointed to an upgrade for the unannounced Switch 2 Pro Controller.The C button remains one of the top unanswered questions about Switch 2, but we also dont know how powerful the console is, or what its new ports are used for.The Nintendo Direct will also, hopefully, give us the full Switch 2 launch lineup of games as well as a release date, which is expected to be at some point between June and September 2025. Fingers crossed Nintendo announces the Switch 2 price, which analysts predict will be $400.PlayWe are starting to build a picture of what to expect on Switch 2 in terms of games. There is a long list of rumored third-party titles coming to the console, and in an interview with IGN, Civilization 7 developer Firaxis called Switch 2s apparent Joy-Con mouse mode "definitely intriguing. French video game and accessories maker Nacon, publisher of the likes of Greedfall 2, Test Drive Unlimited, and RoboCop: Rogue City, has said it has Switch 2 games ready to go. The long-awaited Hollow Knight: Silksong is also rumored to be set for Switch 2. EA has said Madden, FC, and The Sims would all be a great fit for Switch 2.Last weeks Nintendo Direct announcement of a new Virtual Game Cards feature for sharing games between systems also raised some questions, most notably one about the Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to a fine print footnote on an official Nintendo webpage.Meanwhile, Nintendo confirmed a Nintendo Treehouse: Live | Nintendo Switch 2 presentation featuring hands-on gameplay of Nintendo Switch 2 games on April 3 and April 4 at 7am PT each day.Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

Sonys presentation at Cinema Con came with good news and bad news. Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse, the third entry in the incredible animated trilogy, will not hit theaters until June 4, 2027, which is bad news (unless youre one of the overworked animators). However, the good news is that weve got our first looks at the movie, and they are amazing. It appears that Beyond the Spider-Verse will continue the standard set by the first two films, creating dazzling worlds unlike anything seen in comics or movies.The even better news is for fans of the Prowler, a minor villain from Spider-Man comics who continues to be a major character in the Spider-Verse movies. Created by Stan Lee, John Buscema, and Jim Mooney for 1969s the Amazing Spider-Man #78, the Prowler was Hobie Brown, a brilliant engineer who felt that his talents were unappreciated. Instead he used his inventions to become the Prowler and steal the riches he thought he deserved.The depiction of African American Hobie perhaps reflected the relatively centrist politics of Stan Lee (see also early Falcon stories in Captain America at the time, in which the Black Power movement is portrayed as illogical and susceptible to Red Skulls manipulations). Yet Prowler soon found an audience and became a popular anti-hero in Spideys stories, even carrying his own miniseries for a while.Most modern Spidey fans know the Prowler as the alter-ego of Aaron Davis, uncle to Miles Morales and brother to Jefferson Davis. As introduced in the alternate reality Ultimate Universe, Aaron is Jeffersons neer-do-well brother, whose illegal activities clash with Miles adventures as Spidey.The Spider-Verse films, and the recent PlayStation Spider-Man video games, further develop this version of Davis, using Uncle Aaron to represent the dangers posed by Miles new adventure. When Uncle Aaron (voiced by Mahershala Ali) dies in Into the Spider-Verse, Miles learns about the loss that binds all the Spider-People together.Across the Spider-Verse continued that theme in its cliffhanger. After an adventure that paired him with an alternate universe Hobie Brown, now the radical Spider-Punk, Miles landed in yet another reality, one in which Jefferson died, Aaron still lives, and Miles is the Prowler.Looking at the first images from the movie, Beyond the Spider-Verse will certainly carry this story further. The alternate universe Prowler will be a sort of dark mirror of our Miles, showing what he could become should the Spot complete his mission of vengeance and kill Jefferson.Thats quite an upgrade for the Prowler from his humble comics origins, both in the mainline and Ultimate universes. Despite the similarities to their masks, Spider-Man and the Prowler were never foils to one another. Peter never felt the same urge to use his inventions for selfish gain, and thus moralized to Hobie more than he related with him. But Beyond the Spider-Verse will alter that dynamic by making the Prowler as literally another version of Miles Morales, aka Spider-Man. The Prowler is now the manifestation of everything that could go wrong for Miles, the suggestion that maybe he doesnt actually have the ability to continue doing the right thing in the face of tragedy, as Miquel OHara claimed in Across the Spider-Verse. Maybe his leap of faith will result in disaster.Thats a huge upgrade for the Prowler, and a welcome one at that. After years of sitting on the sidelines, the Prowler will finally climb to the top. Well, in two years, that is.Photo: Sony Pictures Animation.Photo: Sony Pictures Animation.Photo: Sony Pictures Animation.Photo: Sony Pictures Animation.Photo: Sony Pictures Animation.Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse releases June 4, 2027.

Weve seen the MCU Spider-Man have his One More Day. Now its time for his Brand New Day.If those phrases mean nothing to you, its probably because you know Spidey mostly from the movies, particularly of the MCU variety and starring Tom Holland. Most of the time, thats totally fine. The MCU is its own universe with its own history and characters, divorced from the comics. The Spider-Man movies demonstrate this, as they exist in a world in which Peter Parkers primary love interest is Michelle Jones instead of Mary Jane Watson, his best friend is Ned Leeds (a guy who looks a lot like Miles Morales best pal Ganke) instead of Harry Osborn, and no one even mentions ol Uncle Ben.But in the case of the fourth MCU Spider-Man movie, some knowledge of the comics might help. Sony has just revealed the title of Tom Hollands fourth outing as Spider-Man: Brand New Day. That title originally belonged to a 2008 storyline that set a new status quo for Spider-Man, something that the MCU Peter Parker also desperately needs.Before the Brand New DayIts starts here! declares the cover of 2008s Amazing Spider-Man #546, written by Dan Slott and penciled by Steve McNiven. To announce the beginning of the Brand New Day storyline, the cover features Spidey climbing up a wall, his satisfied grin just visible under the mask he pulls over his face, all presented in bright colors by Morry Hollowell and sharp inks by Dexter Vines.Brand New Days inaugural issue really needed to highlight an upbeat tone. Brand New Day came right after two controversial stories, both of which will be familiar to movie watchers, albeit their perceptions might be different if they are not familiar with pre-2008 comics. The first is Civil War, during which Peter willingly revealed his secret identity to the world for discernably no logical reason on the page. The second is One More Day, in which Peter made a deal with the satanic Mephisto to save the life of his beloved Aunt May and to have his secret identity restored. All it cost was his marriage to Mary Jane.Obviously, One More Day was a controversial story, not just because it felt driven by the hand of editorial but also because it killed a beloved part of Spider-Mans backstory (the great Ta-Nehisi Coates wrote a beautiful essay in defense and memoriam of the Parkers marriage). So Brand New Day had to put a positive spin on the whole thing, making people glad that it happened.The MCU Peter is currently in a similar situation, although the execution has been a heck of a lot more satisfying. Spider-Man: No Way Home may have ben a box office hit, but it left Peter in a tough spot. Aunt May died in an attack from the Green Goblin, he lost all the financial backing he had from Tony Stark, and his friends all forgot him. And yet, in the final seconds of No Way Home, we see Peter crafting his own Spidey suit (low-tech, no AI) and triumphantly leaping out of his apartment window.No Way Home ended very much ready for a Brand New Day.Let the Day BeginBut what, exactly, will this cinematic Brand New Day look like? In the comic arc, Peter has been living with Aunt May and planning his next steps. He has stopped being Spider-Man because of the Superhero Registration Act in Civil War, which required him to reveal his identitysomething he hasnt done in this new reality.Peter eventually finds work with Robbie Robertson, who has started a new outlet called the Daily Line after a businessman buys the Daily Bugle and changes it into a trashy gossip rag. But thats not enough to save his relationship with Mary Jane, with whom he once had a serious thing going. but they never married.Peters relationship with MJ gets even more complicated after he returns to action as Spidey, as he soon encounters another masked figure called Jackpot, one who looks a lot like Mary Jane. Worse, he meets a villain called Menace, who shares similarities with Harry Osborn, who once was the Green Goblin.Join our mailing listGet the best of Den of Geek delivered right to your inbox!But the biggest new villain of them all is Mister Negative, a name familiar to video game players. Born Martin Li, Mister Negative has the powers of light and darkness, allowing him to bring out the worst in others, which he uses to take control of the New York underworld. In his civilian identity and in his heroic alter-ego Mister Positive, Li runs the FEAST charity organization. However, that only creates more problems for Peter, who volunteers for FEAST when Lis Negative personality takes over. As this brief summary indicates, the Brand New Day comics offer a lot of storytelling potential, but which of those will show up in the movie?Marvels New DayIts not hard to imagine that the Brand New Day movie starts in more or less the same place as the comics. Peter is lying low in a crappy apartment, trying to make ends meet. Hes no longer in a relationship with MJ, nor does he have access to the Stark tech he once used. Given Mister Negatives role in the comic book story and in Spider-Man games, it seems plausible that he could be big bad of the movie, especially if Peter initially sees FEAST as a way to do good outside of being Spider-Man. For the record, FEAST previously appeared in No Way Home.But what of the supporting cast? Zendaya has been confirmed to return to the movie, meaning that Michelle Jones will be back. However, shell be joined by Sadie Sink, whose red hair sure seems more in line with the comic book version of MJ, Mary Jane Watson. Some rumors have argued that Sink will indeed be playing Mary Jane Watson, while others have pointed to Jean Grey, mutant telepath of the X-Men. However, the movie may try to replicate the tensions around Jackpot by having Sink play Sara Ehret, the red-headed scientist who takes the Jackpot name. It would also lend credence to the rumor that the film could feature a female villain, or at least antagonist. (Then again, if they go that way, Sink could just dye her hair white or platinum blonde and be the Black CAt.)Leaker Daniel Richtman, who has a spotted history of accuracy, recently claimed that Marvel has released a casting call, looking for actors willing to play a powerful man ages 30 to 50, and actors to play 20-year-old entrepreneur, which could be the long-absent Norman Osborn and Harry Osborn. By introducing the Osborns in a story focused on Mister Negative, Brand New Day could do a bit of the exposition missing from previous movies, bringing the world more in line to the familiar dynamics of the comics.In short, Brand New Day seems like a pretty straightforward adaptation for Marvel, with a few changes to match the movie continuity.Waiting for the DayOf course, all of this is speculation, and Kevin Feige has made a point of frustrating fan expectations more than once (remember all the times we thought Mephisto would appear?).But one thing is clear by the title choice: its time for a radical change in direction for the MCU Spider-ManNo Way Home already teased a return to the status quo. With Brand New Day, that status quo may finally be realized.Spider-Man: Brand New Day releases July 31, 2026.

Once upon a time, the home office was an optional amenity in most residences. Despite being extremely convenient, the need for a personal office was eclipsed by co-working spaces and company headquarters. Then came 2020. Five years out, the home office has seen an arc from optional amenity to crucial to a little bit of both. And while remote work is increasingly a thing of the recent past, for many, the home office retains its prioritized status in the home. The problem with the home office, however, remains the same: How to delineate it from the rest of the house. What says, "I'm at work" about a random corner in a room? Though privacy screens, glass block walls, and even curtains are part of the equation, a little paint can go a long way. Choosing the right hue for your office is a big decision. Youll want to find a shade that can not only spark inspiration during creativity lulls but also one that can soften the atmosphere. It's also important to be able to stare at it all day long. We tapped more than a dozen designers to share their go-to shades for any home office. From serene blues to moody blacks and everything in between, these office paint colors are so striking that youll be tempted to work overtime.1Inkwell by Sherwin-WilliamsCatherine NguyenDark colors in smaller spaces can pack a punch and make a huge impact just through tone and depth of paint. In this case, we created a focal point by using Inkwell, a really dark but neutral paint color. The art and other details make for a contrast that is more noticeable than if they were hung on lighter walls. Zandy Gammons, Miretta InteriorsBuy Now2White Sail by Sherwin-WilliamsEric PiaseckiChoose paint colors that maximize and reflect any natural light you have in your home office space. Natural light energizes your body and mind! Try paint in beautiful whites and soft neutrals that seem to glow throughout the day as the light changes. If you want a bolder pop of color, layer in hints of calm blues and greens that reflect nature and bring the outside indoors! Phillip ThomasBuy NowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below3Rosemary by Sherwin-WilliamsRaquel LangworthyI love to use a rich green paint color like Rosemary by Sherwin-Williams to envelop the walls in an office. Green is both literally and aesthetically easy on the eyes and feels natural and harmonious in a workspace. Christina KimBuy Now4Fairview Taupe by Benjamin MooreSarah GraysonBenjamin Moores Fairview Taupe is a rich, deep brown that pairs well with neutrals and blues and provides a cozy vibe without being too boring or expected. Erin GatesBuy NowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below5Graphite by Benjamin MooreThomas KuohOur favorite workspaces incorporate bold color and pattern choices. We spend so much time working, why not be inspired by our surroundings? Benjamin Moores Graphite is both strong and contemplative so a natural fit for productivity. Emilie Munroe, Studio MunroeBuy Now6Fort Pierce Green by Benjamin MooreLauren TaylorA blue-green color is always a favorite in an office as it can help with anxiety while working. Thats why I like Benjamin Moores Fort Pierce Green for office walls or even a desk to paint [as shown here] for sprucing up. Linda Hayslett, LH. DesignsBuy NowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below7De Nimes by Farrow & Ball Jacqueline MarqueI love the sort of diluted richness of this color; its more soothing than it is bold. Hattie SparksBuy Now8Card Room Green by Farrow & Ball Nick MeleThis color manages to feel warm, soothing, and grounding all at one time, which creates the optimal atmosphere for working at home. Despite being a green hue, it feels almost neutral to me while still adding interest and depth. Gillian SegalBuy Now9Van Deusen Blue by Benjamin Moore Paul DyerMy home was built in 1915 and had a classic pent room, which I converted to my home office and sanctuary, as I call it. I chose a deep, saturated blue from Benjamin Moore when designing this space. I recently read that the blue spectrum of light activates and awakens our brains, making this a perfect color for an office space. Kendall WilkinsonBuy Now10Dead Salmon by Farrow & BallJohn MerklWe are loving Dead Salmon by Farrow & Ball for home offices. The rich shade provides a warm and cozy vibe for the space you spend many hours in each day. It also provides a beautiful shade as a background for most skin tonesand with all the Zoom meetings, that is important! Kristen Pea, K InteriorsBuy NowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below11Repose Gray by Sherwin-WilliamsTraci ConnellSherwin-Williamss Repose Gray is a wonderful, neutral option to offset the pure white molding in an office. It allows the upholstery and furnishings to shine when clients yearn to use pops of color. Traci ConnellBuy Now12Onyx by Benjamin MooreTraci ConnellFor my personal home office, I opted for Benjamin Moores Onyx to bring in the drama. With enough natural light, this dark, moody color made the office feel modern and inspiring. Traci ConnellBuy NowAdvertisement - Continue Reading Below13Butter Up by Sherwin-WilliamsGrey JoynerWhen I designed my own home office, I wanted a color that would be happy and create warmth to inspire me as a designer, as well as delight my clients when I do Zoom meetings with them. Sherwin-Williamss Butter Up is a great yellow that is bright and cheerful, yet not overwhelming. I find it acts like a neutral, so I can add elements of other colors in the space with window treatments, upholstery on furniture, pillows, and decor elements as it goes with everything. Grey JoynerBuy Now14Delft by Sherwin-WilliamsIndigomaven InteriorFor the ultimate Zoom-ready workspace, we love swathing the entire room in a single saturated hue. In various sheens, Sherwin-Williamss Delft can create a serene and sophisticated office sanctuary. Monica Guarnaschelli, Indigomaven InteriorsBuy NowKelsey MulveyKelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.

Is that Jenni Kayne furniture we spy?

Jump to:Whether you're designing a brand-new kitchen or remodeling the one you already have, selecting the right countertop material is a key design choice. While there are various DIY options out there that you can install on a tighter budget, we say that it's highly preferable to invest in this home feature and opt for pro installation. Choosing a durable material for a lasting solution requires careful consideration. The options are vastgranite, concrete, marble, soapstonebut two standout favorites are quartz and quartzite. Despite their similar names, many homeowners have trouble telling the difference between quartz vs. quartzite, and this could lead to misunderstandings with your contractor if you're not careful.So, whats the difference between the two, and how do they look and function differently in your kitchen? We reached out to three expertsDilmohan Chadha of Integrated Resources Group, a family-owned stone supplier in San Francisco; Munir Turunc of the natural stone supplier Marble Systems; and Lori Shapiro of Caesarstone, which makes and distributes engineered stone surfacesto discuss everything to know about quartz vs. quartzite.Read on to learn more about the difference in appearance, durability, maintenance, cost, and lifespan of quartz vs. quartzite to help you confidently decide which material is the best fit for your kitchen.Related StoriesWhat Is Quartz?Quartz countertops are manmadeyou might hear quartz referred to as engineered stone. Quartz countertops are made by mixing crushed quartz with resin or plastic and pigments to create a slab of material with a uniform appearance, Turunc explains. So while natural materials make up about 90 percent of quartz countertops, the other 10 percent is artificial. What Is Quartzite?Miranda EstesA kitchen with quartzite countertops designed by Reena Ravi.Quartzite, on the other hand, is a 100-percent natural material. It comes straight from the earth. Quartzite begins as metamorphic sandstone that gets buried underground, according to Use Natural Stone. As time passes and the sandstone gets buried even deeper in the earth, it gets hotter and more compressed, causing the individual grains of sand to fuse together and form a dense rock. While quartzite is made almost entirely of mineral quartz, additional minerals can result in different colorings, making some slabs of quartzite lighter or darker or more varied in hue, which makes each piece unique.Related StoryAppearanceDont let the similar names deceive you: Quartz and quartzite countertops can look very different. Because quartzite is essentially plucked from the ground, you get what you getthe patterns are natures work, says Chadha, who has worked in the stone industry for nearly 40 years. Even if you buy two slabs of quartzite from the same quarry with the same color scheme, the patterns on them are going to look very different from each other. For that reason, its important to buy all of the quartzite you need for your kitchen at once to ensure it looks as consistent as possible (if thats important to you). Quartz countertops come in even more colors and patterns because quartz is an engineered stone. Being manmade, the patterns and the colors and all that are designed by the manufacturer, Chadha explains. In quartz, you will have consistency, meaning if I buy from some manufacturer today and then I go back to them in a month, the patterns will be pretty much the same with a difference of perhaps 1 percent or even less.Design PossibilitiesQuartzites patterns can look like stripes, swirls, or little brushes of mineral quartz, and they can appear more bold or light. Quartzite also comes in a variety of hues, from white, gray, and tan to green, pink, and blue. Basically, quartzite can hit a wide range of the color spectrum. Some of the lighter quartzite colors, such as Taj Mahal and Cristalino, have been very popular and are some of the best-selling natural stones," Turunc adds. Shapiro suggests going to your local distribution center in person to check out the quartzite slabs since each one is unique, even if you know what color you want to install.With quartz, the possibilities are practically endless. You can go to a quartz countertop manufacturer and tell them you want something that looks like another stone, and they can engineer the quartz to look like those other materials. Since quartz countertops are manufactured, they can be produced in a wide range of colors, patterns, and veining, including options that mimic the appearance of natural stone like marble and granite, Shapiro says. Quartz is engineered and offers more color and pattern options than quartzite, she adds. The only downside is it wont have the natural variation that makes natural stone uniqueand that may or may not matter to you. Related StoryDurabilityStacy Zarin GoldbergKitchen with quartzite countertops, designed by Alison Giese.Countertops get scratched, dented, scorched, and stained as you cook, so we asked Chadha about all the possibilities. Whether quartz or quartzite will be more durable in your kitchen depends on your cooking style and tolerance for imperfections. However, generally speaking, quartz countertops can be described as more durable than quartzite countertops due to the fact that the resin can make them almost more flexible. HardnessQuartz and quartzite are both pretty much scratch resistant, with quartz having a slight edge. Scratching in quartzite is basically unheard of, but that doesnt mean itll never happen, says Chadha.Stain-ResistanceQuartz countertops are more resistant to stains than quartzite. Natural stones like quartzite are more porous than engineered types of stone like quartz, which means theyre more susceptible to staining. Acidic substances like coffee, wine, and tomato sauce can stain. Thats why its important to have natural stones resealed annually for protection if a little discoloration bothers you. Still, Chadha makes sure to point out that quartz countertops are stain resistant, not stain proof. Heat-Resistance While both materials can handle a good amount of heat, quartz can resist only up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. If you put a hot pan on it, it could burn, and you will not be able to repair it, Chadha says. This is one of the main disadvantages to quartz, Turunc adds. Quartzite, by contrast, is extremely heat resistant, able to go well past the 250-degree mark without ruining the appearance. It makes sense if you think about it, since the stone was formed under immense pressure and heat.Related StoryMaintenance NeedsAs we mentioned above, quartzite like other natural stones can be a very porous material. That means it does need more regular maintenance, especially if you care about keeping it looking pristine. ResealingSome quartzite is almost like glass and not porous at all, but it really depends on the slab you get, Chadha says. As a natural stone, the normal recommendation is to make sure you seal the product, he says. Once you do that, you take care of the porosity issue. You should have your quartzite counters resealed annually, especially if the quartzite is light in color. In addition to applying a sealant to help prevent future stains, a stone repair specialist can remove existing stains and etching and restore the shine to your counters. This can cost from a few hundred to more than a thousand dollars, depending on how much of the stone you have in your kitchen and its condition. Quartz, on the other hand, doesnt require any type of sealant or annual maintenance. If you ask us, thats one of its best perks. Daily CleaningMild soap and water are really the only things you should use to clean quartz or quartzite, Chadha says. Avoid using anything abrasive on either surface, especially quartzite, because you could affect the sealant. There are now specialty cleaners for both of them that can be used, he adds, but soap and water easily does the trick. Just dont let excess water sit on a quartzite countertop, especially if you have hard water where you live, since the minerals in it can cause etching.Related StoryCost DifferencesRight off the bat, Chadha, Turunc, and Shapiro agree that quartz is the cheaper countertop material. As a manmade material, quartz is more accessible and plentiful than quartzite; it can be manufactured to meet demand. Quartz countertops range in price, from inexpensive designs to luxury ones. Quartz can range from $55 to $90 per square foot, according to Arch City Granite.Quartzites the uniqueness and natural beauty automatically make it the more expensive countertop material. Its not as easy to come by as quartz since it has to be quarried, and where its sourced from can factor into the general cost. The lowest grade quartzite costs as much as luxury quartz. Quartzite can range from $90 to $150 per square foot, give or take, according to Arch City Granite. If youre looking for line items where you can save on cost in budgeting for your kitchen renovation, quartz is the way to goin terms of its upfront costs and maintenance costs. Of course, you could also choose to use quartzite in select areas of your kitchen, such as on the island, and a material thats less expensive, like granite or butcher block, in others to help balance the cost. Related StoryLifespanQuartz and quartzite have about the same lifespan, according to Chadha. However, natural quartzite does edge out quartz by a hair. With quartzite, if theres a little nick or something, it can be repaired. Meaning they can come in, put some epoxy, and repair it to look as good as new, he explains. To repair quartz is a little more difficult. Basically, matching the colors of the quartz might be a bit more difficult because the resins in it tend to discolor over time. Depending on how long youve had the countertop, it might be hard to match. Plus, the repair epoxy may not stick to quartz as well as it would to quartzite. Which Is Better: Quartz vs. Quartzite?Honestly, its all about what you want. Chadha always tells his customers that it depends on their budget and the style of kitchen theyre going for. If you want some uniqueness of character, then you go with the natural product, he says. Lets say you have Quartzite A in your kitchen, and I have Quartzite A in my kitchenboth of them will still be different. In quartz, it will be the same: If I go for Color A and you go for Color A, itll be the same.If you want something no one else has, budget for quartzite countertops. If youre fine having countertops that look like your neighbor's and dont want to spend too much, go with quartz. Theyre both great materials for your kitchen. Working on a design project? Let us help!Follow House Beautiful on Instagram and TikTok.

HBO Now gave way to HBO Max, which later became Maxand now, Max is getting its HBO vibes back with yet another rebranding. This go-around is mainly about color changes, but it just might be the most successful rebrand yet for the streamer.The very true, convoluted story of HBOs brand transformationNot long ago, HBOs branding couldnt be stronger.Okay okay, to be fair, HBO still very much stands for prestige TV.But when Warner Bros. decided to up the ante in its streaming play, the former HBO Now service became part of a much bigger offering. That new player would combine HBOs content with the vast WB library of classic films and TV shows to create a Netflix-class contender.HBO Max was the new service. It dropped the classic black-and-white HBO look for a bold and distinct purple.Except, that purple didnt last. Nor did the name.When HBO Max gained Discovery content after the Warner-Discovery merger, it rebranded again as just Maxand purple became blue.Generally, public reception to all of these changes was a collective, Huh?Why take one of the strongest TV brandsHBOand dilute it?Fortunately, I think the latest iteration of Max is the best yet.Max now gives off prestige vibes without using HBOs nameMax just launched a fresh logo with a new color scheme.The name is the same, but now Max has a distinctly HBO-like logo.It joins Apple TV+ as the only big streamer to use primarily black and white-silver for its branding.It took a few tries, but I hope this time around, the branding sticks.Max already has name recognition. But now it gets to tap into the prestige HBO vibes without actually being called HBO.And it shouldnt be called HBO, since it offers so much more than just HBO.Max, in HBO-style black and white, is a winner in my book. Somebody give the branding team at Warner Bros. Discovery a raise.What do you think of Maxs new logo and look? Let us know in the comments.Best Apple TV 4K 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

Update 4/1/25: watchOS 11.4 has now officially re-launched to all users.Update 3/31/25: After initially listing watchOS 11.4 on Apples website as released, the site has since been updated to remove the update. Its unknown when it will return.Apple has released watchOS 11.4 for Apple Watch users, and while it isnt a particularly big update, it does include a few new features and at least one key bug fix. Heres whats new.Apple Watch gains new alarm option, emoji, and more in watchOS 11.4Apple Watch owners may not get as big of releases as whats found in iOS, iPadOS, and more, but every new feature counts.In watchOS 11.4, Apple has the following new features and fixes in store:Matter-compatible robot vacuum cleaners can be added to the Home app as well as used in scenes, automations, or simply say Siri, clean the living room.An option to allow Sleep Wake Up alarm to break through Silent ModeSeven new emoji added to the emoji keyboardAn issue where face selection may become unresponsive when switching facesThe support for Matter-compatible robot vacuums and new emoji are also part of Apples other updates today, such as iOS 18.4."Update: After initially listing watchOS 11.4 on its website as released, the site has since been updated to remove the update. Its unknown when it will return." View all commentsBut the new Sleep Wake Up alarm option is entirely exclusive to watchOS.Ive outlined the feature in detail here, but essentially it lets you, for the first time ever, keep your Apple Watch in Silent Mode while still getting an audible alarm.I use my Watch in Silent Mode all the time to keep notifications haptic-only, but the chance to still get woken by an audible alarm is a nice addition.Notice any other changes in watchOS 11.4? Let us know in the comments.Best Apple Watch 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