RandomlyRandom67MemberJul 7, 20232,207GTA 6 Could Cost As Much As $100, Some Hope; Analyst Clarifies CommentsIf Take-Two raises prices to $80 or more, other publishers could apparently follow suit.www.gamespot.comVeteran investment analyst and researcher Matthew Ball of Epyllion has released a gargantuan, 219-page report about the "State of Video Gaming in 2025,"and some of the presentation looks at how the video game industry can possibly grow in 2025. In a section titled "How Player, Playertime, and Player Spend Might Return to Growth," Ball mentioned a variety of opportunities, including Grand Theft Auto VI costing as much as $100 when it launches this year.Ball said "there is hope" that Take-Two will price GTA 6 at "$80 or even $100," which could prove to be a turning point for the video game industry. This could break a "key price barrier" and allow other developers to raise prices as well, he said. Before this, a Baldur's Gate 3 developer said GTA 6 could prompt a shift to more expensive games if Take-Two decides to price it above $70.Click to expand...Click to shrink... Nameless HeroMemberOct 25, 201723,167LolnsilviasMemberOct 25, 201729,334and he wnats it to normalize that price for 100 by using gta6 as. a trojn horse. hes out of touch especially in this economyAlvisSaw the truth behind the copied doorMemberOct 25, 201712,009EULolOrange PiccoloUncle Works at NintendoMemberFeb 1, 20185,353TexasI'd probably pay that, TBH. Not sure if that's a popular opinion, though.mugurumakenseiElizabeth, Im coming to join you!MemberOct 25, 201712,515How bout $150?--RBeing sued right now, please help me find a lawyerMemberOct 25, 201715,152Fuck off. Are analysts gonna pay the $30 difference for everyone that buys it?KadzorkHas got mad skills!!MemberOct 27, 201723,497KouriozanMemberOct 25, 201724,170They don't need to, they'll sell shitload of MTX once Online 2 launches.bsiggMemberOct 25, 201724,773$100 base game, $140 deluxe edition that includes 5 day early access and GTA Online 2 credit. Take Two laughing all the way to the bank Sign My Guestbook!MemberMay 26, 201828,885No, that's okay. I don't need video games that much.YerffejProphet of RegretMemberOct 25, 201728,786Make everything cost more to save the industry. I'm a now an analyst.MentalistMemberMar 14, 201921,270Lol Yeah, GFY with that.I aint paying over 60 CAD for any game.CooldudereduxMemberOct 25, 20172,829Sure, Jan. Launch sales will suffer and the game won't be feature completely at launch anyway.LotusOne Winged SlayerMemberOct 25, 2017121,997mugurumakensei said:How bout $150?Click to expand...Click to shrink...I prefer $200 myselfKing AlamatMemberNov 22, 20179,203Or these c-suite jokers could get paid proportional to their actual contribution to these projects, which is a big fat goose egg.JawbreakerMemberOct 25, 20178,941New York CityI'd pay $200 for GTA, tbh. They don't make 'em like that anywhere else.808s & VillainyMemberOct 27, 201745,873EL OH ELOct 27, 20171,249The kids need to start playing again, and 100$ isn't going to help with that.maximumzeroMemberOct 25, 201724,606New Orleans, LADon't worry, video games will get there on their own eventually. PraedythMemberFeb 25, 20208,316BrazilNo thank youAlvisSaw the truth behind the copied doorMemberOct 25, 201712,009EUI'll buy GTA VI when it's 20 bucks on Steam. See you in 2028 or whatever. Not in a hurry here.Japanmanx3One Winged SlayerAvengerOct 25, 20176,527Atlanta, GAhydruxo Legend MemberOct 25, 201722,323LolLmao, evencowbananaMemberFeb 2, 201816,087a Socialist UtopiaHa... haha... hahahahahahah!WinduMemberOct 25, 201714,908This analyst buying everyone on this forum a copy for $100 would help the industry more.DidactBRHU3MemberOct 17, 20194,331Fortaleza - CearPeople would just wait for sales even more and spend more time on Free 2 Play games.rsfourMemberOct 26, 201719,118Fill it with more sub fees and mtx, and cars/guns that are exclusive in the collectors super industry edition.Knightbat05MemberNov 7, 20224,000I should become an analyst.Mattmo831Featuring Mattmo831 from the Apple v Epic caseMemberOct 26, 20206,292it wont be $100 standard edition. but they sure as hell will do a $100 3 day early access edition that everyone will buy maximumzeroMemberOct 25, 201724,606New Orleans, LAAlvis said:I'll buy GTA VI when it's 20 bucks on Steam. See you in 2028 or whatever. Not in a hurry here.Click to expand...Click to shrink...Epic will give it away for free eventually.CheapJiMemberApr 24, 20183,956I rarely buy new games this gen because of the 10 dollar increase lmao.RosebudTwo PiecesMemberApr 16, 201850,248LmaoPyroGod help us the mods are making weekend threadsMemberJul 30, 201818,142United StatesNo, it won't.In fact the consequences for GTA VI not selling as well because it's $100, and in turn not moving hardware, could have a chilling effect on already slowing down console sales. It'd also exacerbate the issue of players spending more time and money on fewer games.3badaThe FallenOct 27, 2017509I'm not even paying 70 for it, you're telling me 100 lolIIFloodyIIMemberOct 26, 201727,089They will lock the original release date behind a version that cost more than that anyway.Anyway any sort of gain GTA 6 causes will be lost by games which aren't GTA 6 thinking they can get away with charging more than the rest and people buying even less as they play the free to play blackhole games and brand new GTA Online 2 on top instead of paying 100 for your new game.IonMagusBannedFeb 18, 20212,691Imagine believing that this wont get delayed to 2026Jakenbakin"This guy are sick" and Corrupted by VengeanceMemberJun 17, 201814,143I'm sure publishers starting to charge $100 will be a great success. GTAVi would somehow manage fine, but it would kill every other publisher.Mocha JoeMemberJun 2, 202113,161lol fuck that. I don't even buy day one stuff at $60/$70, $100 MSRP means I would wait till 60% off+But if there is any video game that could get away with a $100 price tag, it would be GTAVIOrfaxMemberOct 27, 2017252AustraliaAnalysts say the darndest things StarStorm"This guy are sick"AvengerOct 25, 20178,499LOL. I rarely buy games at $60, let alone $100. Why not make it $200 lmao?kafiendMemberOct 25, 20171,308Jawbreaker said:I'd pay $200 for GTA, tbh. They don't make 'em like that anywhere else.Click to expand...Click to shrink...Even if everyone paid that and was perfectly happy to do so, it would be because its GTA, not a normalisation.SolitudeMemberNov 11, 20201,878United KingdomGTA could probably get away with it, but good luck to any other IP thinking they have a chance at that price.oxymoronMemberOct 27, 2017896This makes a lot of sense. The market right now is already heavily tilted towards "soak early adopters, and other people will buy the game on sale later". There's almost certainly room, especially on GTA6, to launch at a higher price.KyriosMemberOct 27, 201718,331LmaoThey know they're going to make hand over fist with the online portion and a ton of people are going to buy a special edition/early access perk that probably costs as much.RisitasMemberMay 13, 20221,389Most games are already 100$ day-one with their "early access" bullshitRob's ZombieMemberSep 28, 20222,146Manchester, UKLul wut?CupOfDoomMemberDec 17, 20175,049Worlds least serious take.RpgNMemberOct 25, 20171,757The NetherlandsThat sounds a lot like economists go on about how a country's economy is doing so well with a few tricks to give that appearance, even though everything else burns around them.onpointNeon Deity GamesVerifiedOct 26, 201718,711716Christ almighty

MenuHomeNewsHardwareGamingMobileFinanceDealsReviewsHow ToWccftechDealsSamsungs Top-End Galaxy S25+ With A Whopping 512GB Storage Gets A Substantial $170 Off On Amazon, But You Can Only Get It In One ColorOmar Sohail Apr 5, 2025 at 07:11am EDTIt is a rare instance when the higher storage version of the Galaxy S25+ receives a noteworthy discount of $170, but we should have all learned by now that Amazon is full of these pleasant surprises. On this occasion, there are a few conditions involved. To get the maximum price cut on the 512GB version of Samsungs latest-generation middle of the pack flagship, you must opt for the Navy finish.While your path to daily driving a premium smartphone might be limited when it comes to the number of colors, you have to admit that this version of the Galaxy S25+ looks breathtakingly gorgeous. With the discount, the 512GB storage variant is available for $949.99, with the logistics and shipping all handled by Amazon, meaning that the delivery will be swift and painless. At the earliest you can expect this model to reach your doorstep between April 11 and April 14 at the earliest.Samsung has raised the bar with the Galaxy S25+, as it ships with Qualcomms latest and greatest Snapdragon 8 Elite, coupled with 12GB RAM, a decent 4,900mAh battery, and a large 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with a 3,120 x 1,440 resolution that refresh up to 120Hz. Samsungs generative AI features bundled under the Galaxy AI umbrella are also present to elevate your experience, so the only thing missing from this configuration is the S Pen, which is available exclusively with the Galaxy S25 Ultra.Fortunately, Samsungs crme de la crme is available for $1,168.44 for its lowest price on Amazon, assuming you can spare a bigger budget and acquire one of the best flagship smartphones of 2025. It goes without saying that these price drops are temporary, so you have a limited window of opportunity to capitalize on this deal.Get the Galaxy S25+ with 512GB storage from Amazon- $949.99 (15 percent off, discount applicable on the Navy finish only)Get the Galaxy S25 Ultra with 512GB storage from Amazon- $1,168.44 (18 percent off, highest discount offered on the Titanium Whitesilver finish only)See what else Amazon has discounted todayDeal of the DaySubscribe to get an everyday digest of the latest technology news in your inboxFollow us onTopicsSectionsCompanySome posts on wccftech.com may contain affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLCAssociates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earnadvertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com 2025 WCCF TECH INC. 700 - 401 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Call of Duty Season 3 is live in Warzone. In addition to the Verdansk map, Season 3 adds a brand-new battle pass and limited-time event to deliver several iconic weapons from Modern Warfare 2019. This new season makes the weapon meta completely fresh, and there are a lot of powerful weapons to consider. Here, we recommend some of the best weapon loadouts to try across standard battle royale and Resurgence matches of Warzone.Season 3 adds plenty of nostalgic weapons from Modern Warfare 2019, such as the Kilo 141, CR-56 AMAX, Grau 5.56, and the HDR. All of these weapons are great to use in Warzone again and will be featured in the gun builds listed below.Make sure to also check out our guide for recommended Black Ops 6 multiplayer loadouts for Season 3. CR-56 AMAXThe CR-56 AMAX assault rifle returns as the king of Verdansk, and just like the Modern Warfare 2019 version, this gun still hits like a truck. It still has a slower fire rate and a bit more recoil than the Kilo 141 build shared below, but it's such a powerful assault rifle to use. The recommended attachments will help reduce some of the weapon's kick and speed up the fire rate.This build uses the Monolithic Suppressor, which is unlocked in the free tiers of the battle pass on page 7. You can also use the standard suppressor on this build until you can unlock the Monolithic Suppressor in the pass.Recommended CR-56 AMAX attachments:Optic: Volzhskiy ReflexMuzzle: Monolithic SuppressorBarrel: Gain-Twist BarrelUnderbarrel: Vertical ForegripMagazine: Extended Mag II Kilo 141Originally from Modern Warfare 2019, the fan-favorite Kilo 141 assault rifle returns with Season 3. The Kilo 141 was made popular because it was so reliable and really easy to handle. This remains true in the gun's return to Verdansk. This is a fast-firing and reliable choice with minimal recoil, making this an easy top choice for Season 3. This is a great gun and recommended build regardless of the map or mode.Recommended Kilo 141 attachments:Optic: Volzhskiy ReflexMuzzle: Monolithic SuppressorBarrel: Gain-Twist BarrelUnderbarrel: Vertical ForegripMagazine: Extended Mag II Swat 5.56 (Grau conversion)The Swat 5.56 made for a pretty weak choice in Warzone, but Season 3's battle pass adds a Grau conversion kit attachment that transforms this underperforming marksman rifle into the fully-auto Grau 5.56 assault rifle from Modern Warfare 2019. With this conversion kit, the gun has a very fast time-to-kill and very little recoil. It really looks and feels just like the original Grau 5.56, which was so popular with Verdansk.Again, this build uses the Grau conversion kit, which is unlocked in the free tiers of the battle pass on page 5. You can use the standard suppressor until you unlock this.Recommended Swat 5.56 attachments:Muzzle: Monolithic SuppressorUnderbarrel: Vertical ForegripMagazine: Full-Auto Extended MagRear Grip: Quickdraw GripFire Mod: Grau Conversion KSVThe KSV submachine gun is one of the best options for close-range engagements. The recommended attachments will help provide the KSV with more recoil control, extra bullet velocity, and additional ammo.Recommended KSV attachments:Muzzle: CompensatorBarrel: Reinforced BarrelUnderbarrel: Ranger ForegripMagazine: Extended Mag IIStock: Balanced Stock C9The C9 is a well-rounded gun for close-range fights, and it's a great choice for a sniper support gun. The recommended attachments will give you more recoil control, extra bullet velocity, and additional ammo.Recommended C9 attachments:Muzzle: CompensatorBarrel: Reinforced BarrelUnderbarrel: Ranger ForegripMagazine: Extended Mag IIRear Grip: Commando Grip HDROriginally from Modern Warfare 2019, the HDR sniper rifle returns in Season 3. The HDR returns to Verdansk with its same one-shot glory. The recommended attachments will help boost the bullet velocity and damage range, making this a one-shot sniper at infinite range.Recommended HDR attachments:Muzzle: Monolithic SuppressorBarrel: Gain-Twist BarrelMagazine: Extended Mag IRear Grip: Quickdraw GripFire Mod: 108MM Overpressured Kar98kNot everyone loves slow, heavy snipers like the HDR. The Kar98k is still a decent choice for those looking for a faster and more aggressive sniper. This won't get you one-shot potential at infinite range, but this is still a great build for aggressive snipers not looking to challenge players across the distance of huge POIs.Recommended Kar98k attachments:Optic: Range Caller V3.4Muzzle: VT-7 Spiritfire SuppressorBarrel: Prazisionsgewehr 762 Long BarrelSling: Recon SlingAmmunition: 7.92x57MM High Grain Rounds

Besides a new approach to its battling system, the contrast between these trainer battles and Pokemon Legends: Z-A's day-night cycle seems uncharacteristic for the series, something which could be laying the groundwork for the next Pokemon Legends game. With the introduction of internal batteries to Game Boy Color cartridges, Pokemon Gold and Silver debuted an in-game day-night cycle, which has since become a core mechanic throughout the Pokemon series. However, until Pokemon Legends: Z-A's latest reveal, Gen 7's Pokemon Sun and Moon and their Ultra counterparts were the only games to experiment with this feature.

March is finally behind us, and with its passing comes the arrival of spring and all its splendors! Theres a ton of exciting new releases to catch in theaters this month, from the returns of major directors, like Ryan Cooglers Sinners and David Cronenbergs The Shrouds, to escapist genre fare like The Accountant 2 and The Legend of Ochi.Looking for something to watch from the comfort of your own home? Dont worry, we got you. This months selection of the best films available on streaming include Steve McQueens underrated heist thriller starring Viola Davis, a bonafide classic from Michael Mann, a stirring period romance, and much more.Here are the best movies new to streaming services you should watch this month!Editors PickWidowsWhere to watch: HuluGenre: Heist thrillerDirector: Steve McQueenCast: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth DebickiModern thrillers dont get much better than 2018s Widows. The story follows Veronica Rawlings (Viola Davis), the widow of a famous bank robber. After her husbands death, Veronica gets pushed into pulling a heist of her own to pay back Jamal (Bryan Tyree Henry), the crime boss that her husband stole from in his last heist.Director Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave), manages to fill every moment of the movie with palpable tension, but its the outstanding cast, which also includes Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, and Daniel Kaluuya, who really make this movie shine. Every single actor here is doing some of the best work theyve ever done, including one of the most terrifying performances in modern memory from Kaluuya. While this movie didnt make a massive splash when it was released, its absolutely a modern crime classic, and one worth revisiting. Austen GoslinNew on NetflixHeatGenre: Heist thrillerDirector: Michael MannCast: Robert de Niro, Al Pacino, Val KilmerIts never a bad time to rewatch Michael Manns cops-and-criminals heist classic Heat, but right now is a particularly great time. After all, Netflix also has both Den of Thieves movies, which make for a perfect pairing with Heat, and Mann himself apparently just turned in his script for Heat 2, which will follow the plot of the novel he released in 2022 and act as both a prequel and sequel to his 1995 film. In much sadder news, the film also includes a tremendous performance by Val Kilmer, who passed away this week.All of that preamble aside though, Heat remains an absolute banger and one of the best heist movies ever made. While the sprawling story takes on half a dozen or so subplots, and tons of different characters, the heart of Heat is the constant chess match between master thief Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) and Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino), the expert police detective whos chasing him. While many movies have tried to replicate this cat-and-mouse game since Heat was first released, no other movie has ever nailed it quite like the original. AGNew on HuluSexy BeastGenre: Black comedyDirector: Jonathan GlazerCast: Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShanePrior to winning an Oscar for his historical drama The Zone of Interest, Jonathan Glazer cut his teeth as a music video, directing some of the most visually striking short films for idiosyncratic artists like Radiohead, Apex Twin, and Jamiroquai. His 2000 feature directorial debut, Sexy Beast, feels the most indebted to his previous life as a commercial director out of all his films, thanks in no small part to its pulsing electronic score composed by UK triphop outfit Unkle.Ray Winstone stars as Gary Gal Dove, an ex-criminal happily retired in the South of Spain, living a life of luxury and leisure off the fruit of his ill-gotten gains. When Gal is visited by Don Logan (Ben Kingsley), a sociopathic former acquaintance, his once-placid life is completely upended, forcing him to resort to desperate measures in order to finally leave his old life behind. While Winstone is technically the lead, its Kingsley that steals the spotlight as Don with his caustic rapid-fire invective and intimidating demeanor. Throw in a memorable supporting performance by Ian McShane as an eagle-eyed London crime boss, and you have a nail-biting crime thriller with a serious psychological bent. Toussaint EganNew on MaxPortrait of a Lady on FireGenre: Historical romantic dramaDirector: Cline SciammaCast: Nomie Merlant, Adle HaenelCline Sciammas 2019 film is one of the most beautiful and bittersweet love stories ever committed to film, a sapphic romance set against the backdrop of 18th century France. Having been commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Hlose (Adle Haenel), the soon-to-be wife of a wealthy dignitary, Marianne (Nomie Merlant) and her subject unexpectedly fall in love, all the while knowing that their love cannot be nor last forever. With beautiful cinematography, an exquisite pair of leading performances, and an ending certain to clench at your heartstrings, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is an unambiguous masterpiece. TENew on Prime VideoThree Thousand Years of LongingGenre: Romantic fantasyDirector: George MillerCast: Tilda Swinton, Idris ElbaTo say it plainly, Three Thousand Years of Longing was not the film most audiences had in mind for George Millers operatic post-apocalyptic thriller Mad Max: Fury Road. It was a damn good movie, rich with mesmerizing imagery and an affecting on-screen dynamic between a demure narratologist (Tilda Swinton) and the haughty Djinn (Idris Elba) she unwittingly unleashed from a flask in Istanbul. I wholly believe that time will be kind to this film, by why miss an opportunity to experience it now? If you love Millers work, youll undoubtedly find something to love here. TE

April is when gardeners need to start being mathematicians and professional organizers, trying to find space for all the seedlings that need to get into trays on time. Its also the first time this year youll start succession seeding, both indoors and out. Succession seeding is one of the real benefits of growing your own seeds: It means you can grow one or two of a variety instead of needing the space for a whole six pack youd pick up at the nursery. Grow a mixed tray of vegetables or herbs now, and start another one in a few weeks. This will also help alleviate some strain on square footage in your growing space. Even if you havent started your seed growing yet, theres still time. And remember: Theres no shame in just buying starts or waiting for giveaways. If you are going to start your own seeds, though, you want to use seedling mix, not potting soil. Tomatos, eggplant, and peppers Credit: Amanda Blum Peppers generally get started in March, so consider this your last call on getting your own started. Tomatoes and eggplant are more forgiving, but peppers need a long runway; get tomatoes and eggplant seeds sowed by April 15. As they grow, be brutal in thinning seedlings and tossing starts with any signs of distress or disease; you cant afford to lose all your plants, and sickness spreads quickly in a growing space.Start succession seeding peas and other vegetables outside Credit: Amanda Blum By now, you should be sowing peas outside. Schedule a calendar alert for every two weeks, and ensure youre getting radishes, carrots, beets, green onions, and lettuce in the ground. Remember, youre succession planting, so you dont need a ton to go in every week. Consider how many radishes youll really eat every few weeks, and get a few different varieties in. Carrots are a longer-term investment, but planting them now, in succession, takes advantage of the rain you are likely getting for easier germination rates. I make short rows of these seeds so I have plenty of room for them. You should see those peas come up quickly, and planting every two weeks through April will ensure you have peas until the weather gets too hot for them.Cucumbers, squash, and melon Back inside, look to the end of the month to start cucurbits and squash. There are so many cucumbers to considerfor pickling, for slicingand there are cucamelons, a small sour gherkin that has become quite popular. Ive found the pickling cucumbers benefit from succession planting, so I plant a series of seeds in late April and then again at the beginning of May. This allows me to have one continuous harvest all summer. Pumpkins dont require the same succession; they tend to be prolific on their own, but late April is the time to get them planted inside. Melons, cucumbers, and squash are all easy seedlings; they come up quick and grow to a transplantable size quickly, so you want to seed them close to the date you can transplant into the garden. As you are planting seeds, its easy to dismiss the conservatism of just a few zucchini plants. Remember that one zucchini plant feeds a nation, and save yourself a lot of work giving away gigantic squash this July.Onions and leeks come in a few flavors Credit: Amanda Blum There are three kinds of onions to consider this time of year. First, there are keeping onions, which are the ones you can use all winter if you store them right. These will come in sets, which you can get at the nursery right now. You can grow these from seed, but youre late to them this year, so for a few dollars, grab a set and share them with friends. For placement, consider that tomatoes do well interplanted with onions. These bundled starts will go in the ground now, and you want to be sure to give each of them enough room, so dont overcrowd. Each onion should have about six to eight inches between them so they can really flush out the bulb over the summer. You also have scallions, or green onions, and those can be seeded directly in the ground every few weeks as an easy garden item to grow. The last item is leeks, which have a very long, protracted growing season, but are really rewarding as a winter and fall harvest. Leeks are easily grown from seed, so get them started in early April. You dont grow leeks one per cell, but rather they can be grown together in a bunch in a four-inch pot or any tray you have. Once they have reached six inches in height, start cutting them back to three inches and let them grow back. When theyre ready to plant, youll carefully separate them and plant them as deep as you can, outside.Its time for all the flowers Credit: Amanda Blum While its too late for snapdragons, its the right time to get marigolds, nasturtium, and sweet alyssum started. I mention these three together specifically because these are the building blocks of your pest prevention program in a garden, and youll want them everywhere, so overseed them, inside, now. You can tuck nasturtium and sweet alyssum almost anywhere. At this point, I start the first succession of all my annual flowers except sunflowers. Thats zinnia, stock, poet flower, foxglove, delphinium, echinacea, cosmos, scabiosa, yarrow, calendula, blanket flower, salvia, agastache, and whatever else youre planning. If youre doing a second succession, youll start that in the third week of April.Growing herbs from seed saves moneyGrowing herbs from seed is one of the best ways to save money, as theyre expensive starts at the nursery and expensive to buy at the grocery store. Most seed easily, too. Make sure youre getting the cilantro, basil, and dill in the seed trays now. Remember that dill is a pest deterrent, so grow more of it than you need to use alongside the marigolds and sweet alyssum. Dill, cilantro, and parsley bolt, so youll want to succession seed them in mid-April. This is a good time to consider herbs you might not have before, like chamomile, lemongrass, lemon verbena, and chives.

The official launch of Apples iOS 18 brought with it some fresh ways to customize your iPhones home screen. Rather than leaving unwanted apps hanging around like a bad smell in places you dont want them, users can now take full control of app placement and make their home screen their own. Whether you're looking to add useful widgets, reorganize your apps or get rid of the ones you never use, customizing your iPhone home screen can help your device feel a little more unique. Heres a simple step-by-step guide to everything you can do to make your iOS 18 home screen look better and work the way you want.How to add, edit and remove widgetsWidgets provide a convenient at-a-glance view of an apps data or functionality, giving you quick access to information and reducing the need to open the app itself. A well-placed widget allows you to check the weather, view your calendar or access music controls, all without opening an app, giving your thumb a well-earned rest. Everybody loves a good shortcut, and with iOS 18, you can add, edit, or remove widgets easily, letting you jump straight to the information that matters.To add a widget:Touch and hold an empty area on your home screen until the app icons start to jiggle.Tap the Edit button in the top-left corner and select Add Widget.Scroll or search for the widget you want, then tap it.Swipe left or right to choose a size (some offer different layouts).Tap Add Widget to place it on your screen.Drag it to your preferred spot, then tap Done (top right).To edit a widget:Press and hold the widget you want to change.Tap Edit Widget (if available). If Edit Widget isnt available, you can cycle through the icons for different placement and layout options.Adjust settings like what calendar it shows, which location for the weather, etc. These options will be unique to each apps widget.To remove a widget:Press and hold the widget.Tap Remove Widget, then confirm.Rob Webb for EngadgetHow to move apps and widgets on the home screenShuffling your home screen apps and widgets is also a cinch thanks to iOS 18s customization overhaul. Its a simple but useful way to personalize your iPhones home screen and declutter your wallpaper, so your loved ones' faces dont become buried underneath a wall of app icons.Tap and hold on any app to reveal a menu.Select Edit Home Screen, where you can move the apps across pages by dragging them to the edge of the screen.Tap Done when you're finished.You can also stack one app on top of another to automatically create a folder (more on that below).How to customize apps and widgets on the home screenMoving your most-used apps into prime position is all well and good, but if youre going for a particular aesthetic with your home screen, the default appearance of an app icon can sometimes spoil the overall look. Luckily, in iOS 18, you can exert more control over how your apps look, including the option to change app icon colors and how widgets are displayed.To customize your app icon colors:Press and hold on the home screen and tap Edit at the top.Choose Customize to change background colors (like dark, light or a custom color) or apply a different layout.However, bear in mind that not all app icons can change color. If these steps dont work for you, you may be left with the odd rogue app icon, sticking out like a sore thumb. In which case, you can hide the app icon from view, while still being able to access it easily from the app library.How to lock or hide an appSecurity is a top priority, particularly when it comes to your smartphone. You might have certain apps you want to keep private and for your eyes only. If so, youll be happy to know that there are two ways in which you can prevent unwanted eyes on your apps. You can hide or lock an app behind a passcode or Face ID; this prevents unauthorized access and keeps your apps in a Hidden folder. Similarly, you can remove apps entirely from the home screen, still allowing you (and others if they have access) to view them in your App Library.To lock an app:Long-press the icon of the app you want to lock on the home screen.Select Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode).Confirm your selection by pressing Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode).To hide an app:Long-press the icon of the app you want to lock on the home screen.Select Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode).Confirm your selection by pressing Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode)Tap Hide and Require Face ID (or Touch ID or Passcode), then tap Hide App.How to organize your apps in foldersFolders are a great way to declutter your home screen and keep similar apps grouped together. If youre the type of person who likes to keep things tidy and organized, storing your apps in folders is a good way to do it.To create a folder:Drag one app icon over another, and iOS 18 will automatically create a folder with both.Tap the name to rename the folder (e.g., Social or Work).Drag in additional apps if you want.To remove a folder:Move all the apps out of the folder, and it will disappear once its empty.How to remove or delete appsThe struggle is real when it comes to app bloat, and sometimes a bit of a spring clean is needed. If your home screen needs a bit of freshening up, you can kick a seldom-used app to the curb, or at least kick it off your home screen.To remove an app from the home screen (without deleting it):Tap and hold the app icon.Tap Remove App.Select Remove from Home Screen.When you want to use that app, navigate to the App Library (swipe left past your last home page) or swipe down from the top of your home screen to search for it.To delete an app completely:Tap and hold the app icon.Tap Remove App.Select Delete App, then confirm.To re-download a deleted app:Open the App Store, search for the app and tap the download icon.Rob Webb for EngadgetA few more tips to personalize your home screen spaceWidgets Smart Stacks: Using this feature, you can combine multiple widgets into a stack you can swipe through. To do this, just drag one widget on top of another of the same size.App Library shortcuts: If you want a cleaner home screen, you can remove most apps and rely on the App Library (swipe all the way left) or the search tool to launch what you need.Focus mode customization: Each Focus mode can have its own custom home screen. This is a useful tool for separating your work life from your personal life.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/how-to-customize-your-iphones-home-screen-in-ios-18-120100872.html?src=rss

Social engineering attacks are taking advantage of US tax day.

On Tuesday, Brad Schimel, the Trump-backed candidate in the race for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, lost in decisive fashion to his liberal opponent, Susan Crawford. Other than the candidate himself, the elections biggest loser is Elon Musk, who spent $25 million on Schimels blowout loss, and whose future in bankrolling the Make America Great Again movement is suddenly up in the air.Musk is not used to this sort of uncertainty. He spent more than a quarter-billion dollars on the 2024 presidential election, a savvy investment that bought him both a de facto Cabinet seat and the obedient silence of Republican politicians who fear that Musk will use his astronomical fortune to finance primary challenges against them the moment they step out of line. Musk saw the Wisconsin Supreme Court as his next conquesta chance to prove his kingmaker bona fides in an important election for the Republican Party, which he framed in startlingly apocalyptic terms, especially for an off-cycle judicial race in a state where he doesnt live: The result, Musk warned on March 30, could decide the future of America and Western Civilization.Wisconsin voters, however, did not see things Musks way. (Or, if they did, they did not share his vision for the future.) Crawford won by 10 points, and Schimel called her to concede a few hours after polls closed. A closer look at the numbers reveals the scale of his defeat: Every county shifted in Democrats favor relative to the 2024 election, when Donald Trump won the state by a bit less than one point. Even in deep-red areas where Schimel beat Crawford by margins in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, Crawford still outpaced Vice President Kamala Harriss performance just four months ago, and sometimes by double digits.Musk has no one to blame but himself. Since November, his antics at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have made him one of the most polarizing political figures in the country: 60% of people have an unfavorable view of Musk, including 46% who say they view him very unfavorably, according to a recent Marquette poll. As it turns out, if you are an unelected plutocrat dismantling the federal government and trying to put hundreds of thousands of people out of a job, and then show up in a new state imploring people to do what you say or else, an appreciable number of them are going to use their votes to tell you to go to hell instead.Musks carpetbagging in Wisconsin was equal parts confident and cringe. He promoted a Schimel campaign event on X, and tweeted a weird caricature of the candidate dressed as Superman, urging his followers to vote for Superjudge. His PAC hosted a pro-Schimel town hall in Green Bay during which Musk spent more time defending DOGE than he did stumping for Schimel, who opted to campaign elsewhere that night. Musk kicked off the event by bounding onto the stage wearing a bright yellow Packers cheesehead hat, which he promptly autographed and then threw out into the crowd in the style of a band lead singer pandering to concertgoers in a city he can barely remember the name of and never intends to visit again.Perhaps most audaciously, Musk dusted off a strategy he employed in Pennsylvania during the closing weeks of the 2024 election, which basically involved turning voter registration into something resembling a sweepstakes. This time, he promised to pay Wisconsin voters who signed an online petition condemning activist judges, and to hand out million-dollar checks to a few lucky winners who had cast their ballots early. Musk modified the terms of his offer shortly after making it, perhaps after learning of a state law that makes it illegal to pay people for voting. Instead, he explained, the million-dollar checks would merely go to spokesmen whod agreed to promote his petition.In a wild coincidence, one recipient, Ekaterina Diestler, works at a company led by well-connected Republicans in the state; the other, Nicholas Jacobs, is the chair of the Wisconsin College Republicans. After Diestler cut a soft-lit promo video in which she explained that she did exactly what Elon Musk told everyone to do: Sign the petition, refer friends and family, vote, and now I have a million dollars, Musks PAC quickly pulled the clip and replaced it with an edited version that omits the word vote.Thanks largely to Musk, overall spending on Tuesdays election cracked $90 million, which makes it the most expensive state judicial election in U.S. history, roughly doubling the record set in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election two years ago. Musk loomed so large over the race that Crawford was happy to treat it as a referendum on him, earning laughs on the campaign trail by referring to Musk, rather than Schimel, as my opponent.This strategy paid off: Turnout was nearly 40% higher than it was in 2023, and Schimel underperformed the other Republican on this years ballotBrittany Kinser, who lost the statewide race for school superintendentby 2 points. In other words, Schimel didnt lose this badly just because Democrats showed up to the polls en masse. Schimel lost this badly because people associate him with Elon Musk, and even some voters who are otherwise inclined to vote for Republicans decided they wanted nothing to do with him.As Crawford celebrated her victory, Musk does what he always does when hes upset: Post. I expected to lose, but there is value to losing a piece for a positional gain, he wrote, which is also how I grieve when my 7-year-old niece hits me with two straight Draw 4 cards to beat me in Uno. Hes since promoted a video from (of course) conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and Trump-adjacent gadfly Roger Stone suggesting that the election was stolen, a time-honored Republican response to election results they do not like.The open question is whether Musks diminishing influence with voters threatens his positions of power within the Trump administration, and within the Republican Party as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Candidates will want his moneybecause candidates always want moneybut the more they clock him as ballot-box poison, the more likely they are to conclude that taking his money isnt worth the trouble of sharing the stage with him. It is probably not a coincidence that the morning after Schimels loss, Politico was ready with a report that Musk and Trump, in the proud tradition of amenable breakups everywhere, have mutually decided that hell soon leave the White House and take on a supporting role instead.The story frames the decision as driven by the statutory 130-day limit on Musks tenure as a special government employee, and acknowledges that hes likely to continue in some sort of informal adviser role. But it also notes a growing number of administration figures who see Musk as a political liability who has served as a rallying point for fractured Democrats. The conservative Wall Street Journal editorial board similarly worried that Musks failure in Wisconsin shows that the Trump-Musk governing style is stirring a backlash that could cost them control of Congress next year. Basically, watching Musk write novelty checks was all fun and games until he became one of the most repellent people on earth.Schimels loss does not mean that Musks career in politics is all the way over. The first elections after presidential elections often cut against the party in power, and thanks to the U.S. Supreme Courts enduring passion for money in politics, as soon as Musk overcomes the humiliation of blowing $25 million for a double-digit loss, he is as free as ever to throw himself into the next election that piques his interest. But at the very least, Tuesday showed that there are limits to what his money can buyand that if he keeps coming up empty, he could find himself out of political power just as quickly as he bought his way into it.